In my comments I noticed someone mentioned that Naiira might go the way of the Twelve Angry Men when it came to convincing the others of Loki's innocence. So kudos to nicsnort for referencing one of the most epic black and white movies of all time. Also, I'm sorry about the delay, it's been a while cause I've been working hard in college. Onwards to the chapter!

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When breakfast let out I made it my mission to talk to try and convince a majority of council. We'd commence with the trial tomorrow and the closer it got, the more anxious I was. There was so little time and so much to say. My biggest problem was the personalities of those who disagreed. As Loki said, they were stubborn and talking about the trial wouldn't help. I'd have to win them with my own charm, a power I didn't think I had.

I didn't want to do this alone, but if I took anyone else it would make me look weak. At least Loki would be with me no matter where I was. He whispered soothing nothings in my head, encouraging me. I wondered if his silver tongue also gave him the power to relax those he spoke to. His eloquent speech and soothing tone made me feel like melted butter.

"Just be you and no one could possibly hate you." His voice whispered. I had to pick now. Either I spoke to Thalion or I spoke to the Jotunn. I didn't think I had time for both seeing as it would probably take most of the day just to convince one of them to vote for my side. I was pushing my luck as it was, hoping that those who wanted Loki punished by something other than death wouldn't change their minds.

"Thalion seems to like you, I doubt it would be hard to convince him. Helblindi on the other hand will be more difficult." Loki said. I agreed. In theory just a few words would convert Thalion, but was that time worth what I might get from Prince Helblindi? I made up my mind in seconds. I followed the strange chill that both princes seemed to leave behind as they walked. I'd need them both if this was to work. It would be potentially dangerous as well. Both of them were huge, towering over me by feet in comparison, not to mention their power. I was strong, but living as a human my reaction time might be a bit slow. I could feel the tension coming from Loki as I moved alone after the frost giants.

It took a while to finally find the two Jotunn and it was only because they were sitting on the outskirts of the castle. If they had kept walking I would probably never have caught them. They were speaking in hushed tones and noticed my approach rather quickly. Helblindi glared at me, but Byleistr tried to calm him.

"You have a lot of nerve following us, but you acknowledged us so you may speak your piece." Byleistr muttered, his bright red eyes fixed on me. The first sentence was important. If I didn't capture their attention they'd probably ignore me. So I took a deep breath and with a bit of coaxing from Loki I spoke.

"What is the procedure for selecting a new Jotunn king?" The question seemed to intrigue the two Jotunn. I technically had an idea of how it worked, but I wanted to know for sure.

"A king is crowned of the previous kings sons. After an heir has completed his training he is allowed the chance to assassinate his father. The first of the male children to slay his father has a right to the crown." Yes that made sense. This meant Loki had claim as he was the son of the former king and had slain him in Asgard. I doubted this won him any Jotunn favor.

"Your beloved stole my chance at the crown and he deserves to die." Hellblindi hissed, his deep voice sending a chill down my spine.

"Is there anyway for Loki to recant his claim to the throne?" I asked. This seemed to surprise them both. They didn't show too much emotion but something in their eyes told me of their shock.

"Nothing like this has happened in our history. Loki is illegitimate, a child who was meant to die in the wastes and yet he survived. The only reason he has right to rule over the Jotunn is because the fates deemed it so. If he wishes to take back his claim then we must hear it." Byleistr spoke. The Jotunns were very traditional and this particular instance was something that went against tradition. Helblindi shook his head angrily.

"No brother, it is as the laws dictate. One of us must kill him in order to take his place as king." I didn't like this. Loki didn't want to be king, he was practically screaming it in my head but the crown prince was unwilling to budge on the rules. Byleistr seemed to feel a bit differently being extremely devoted to his elder brother with little to no ambition of his own.

"You must understand Lady Naiira, there is usually one dominant brother who kills his father and is not challenged. The law is, if a second brother wishes to take the new kings place he has a right but usually does not act on it. Helblindi was going to murder our father to win the right to rule but Loki stood in the way. I am sorry." Byleistr explained. Helblindi looked satisfied with the explanation and turned away from me. What was I to do? Surely I could convince them to budge right? Loki's voice appeared, urging me not to insult their traditions or to go against them in any way. I'd have to find a loophole of some sort.

"I'm not accustomed to begging but please. Once your people took care of my sister Narwa. She loved her guardian as I love Loki. If I lost him I would have no consciousness. Please, I am on my knees." I literally got on my knees too despite how much bigger than me they were already. Helblindi looked unmoved and Byleistr looked like he just realized something very important.

"The bond between Guardian and Infinity Sister is sacred. Brother, his claim is invalid if he takes Naiira as his wife. As was the case with Narwa and crown prince Delai." Byleistr gazed at his brother who seemed to be pondering the idea. Could there really be a chance? Was it possible that I could save his life from the Jotunn?

"Is he truly your guardian Lady Naiira?" Helblindi asked. Tradition was important and this was a precedent I could apparently use. I was so glad it was the truth, that I didn't have to lie.

"Yes, he is the reincarnated form of Septimus a member of the Vanir." I whispered. For a moment there was silence as the two Jotunn seemed to process the information. I was hoping they knew who I was talking about. I had only just recently known a name due to the dreams that seemed to connect my past. They exchanged looks before finally speaking.

"To prove your claim you must be wed in the way of the Jotunn. It will renounce his claim as he has chosen a higher power." I felt a nervous giggle fighting its way from the back of my throat, but I swallowed it down. I'd have to marry Loki. It wasn't that I didn't want it to happen eventually, but this seemed a bit fast. What girl hadn't dreamed of marriage to a man they loved more than anything else? I didn't know how courting went on in Asgard but… The more I thought the more I wondered why I was agonizing over this. I loved Loki, why not go ahead and prove it? What was stopping me? After clearing the war that resounded in my head I was able to hear Loki's voice again.

"I will do it a thousand times my beloved. Let me prove my love this way so that we can be protected." He spoke, his soothing voice sending warmth through my body. After all the mess we had been through it just seemed like we should do...more.

"I want to be with you Loki but this seems…so rushed." I wanted my joining with Loki to be special and he could read that from me.

"Our joining will be special my heart, it will always be special as long as I'm with you." He reassured. I took in another breath to calm the rushing of my blood. Despite the pain we'd gone through, the distance, we were all the closer.

"How soon would you like the ceremony to take place?" I asked them.

"As soon as you can. Without your union I will execute him before this trial ends." Helblindi sounded serious. I nodded in acknowledgment. Loki gave me his assent. A marriage before the trial, a joining of souls. I wondered what a Jotunn ceremony was like. The race seemed quite violent, brutal even. Was a joining going to be just as horrible? Loki didn't know either, I could tell by the uncertainty within his mind. Asgardians weren't on great terms with the giants so nobody here but the princes themselves knew what would happen. Despite my nervousness I remained calm to them. They had to know I was strong, resolute. There would be no wavering when it came to my beloveds life.

"Tonight then, surely they'll give you access to the dungeons if Frigga and I accompany you?" I asked. Byleistr looked amazed but agreed. I'd have to get Frigga to agree, there was no other way. She'd told me to help, this was helping.

"Then you have our trust Lady Naiira." Byleistr bowed deeply. I curtsied in return and turned to leave. My haste almost caused me to forget something Thor had told me. Loki had set the Bifrost onto Jotunheim, cracking it apart. I wondered if there was still damage and a thought came to me. I turned to meet the younger princes gaze.

"Your world, it is still damaged is it not?" I asked. There was silence for a moment and I almost thought they wouldn't answer.

"Yes." Was the simple reply. I gazed directly into Helblindi's eyes and smiled.

"I will have to find a way to get that fixed then won't I? Allies of mine shouldn't suffer so." With that I left them, the shimmering gown trailing behind me slightly as I moved back into the castle and out of their sight. My heart was still beating so fast, threatening to explode out of my chest. Had I been composed back there? I really hoped I didn't offend anyone anyway. If I was truly the most powerful being in the universe at the moment then I didn't really need allies, all I needed was fear. Yet something about that gave me a bad taste in my mouth. I wanted people to trust me for me, not because I was forcing them. A connection like that was much stronger anyway. The Jotunn could be powerful allies given the chance and I wondered how the Asgardians hadn't seen that until now.

"Where might I find your mother?" I asked Loki. There was no time to waste. I'd have to take what I could get and I wanted this to be as special as I could make it.

"She likes the gardens and the library." He answered. I wanted to smile. His mothers favorite places were his as well.

"I suppose she might also be in her chambers?" He caught the amusement in my voice.

"You are mocking me." Loki mumbled. I giggled.

"Just teasing love, don't be so dramatic." With that I began my search for Frigga, my soon to be mother in law.

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Loki sat in his cell playing with little balls of light he had conjured up out of boredom. He was listening to the jumbled and determined thoughts in Naiira's mind. He'd never regret letting her in and just knowing she was out there calmed his mind.

"You must relax my love, all will be as it is meant to be." He whispered to her. She almost instantly relaxed after hearing his voice.

"You are really alright with this arrangement?" She asked. It was true he had his doubts. He knew she wanted their union to be more special and he understood why. But this had to be done no matter the cost. He wanted to protect her and he could only do that if he was free.

"While I had hoped I could have asked you myself, it is not an undesirable notion." He could feel her smiling, it was amazing.

"Loki…"

"I wanted this my love I promise. Perhaps parade you about the nine realms so all would know you are mine." He teased. This had little to do with tradition and more to do with his wish to keep her forever. He was very possessive, it was just his nature.

"I've know you for two lifetimes, I think we've waited long enough." She muttered. Loki chuckled. He truly adored this woman, everything about her was perfect. Why he hadn't given in to his selfishness before was beyond him.

"Then my heart is yours."

"As mine will always be yours." She whispered. Loki closed his eyes and let the connection deepen. In this world it was night, the stars glittering over a broad field. There she was, sitting and looking up at the sky.

"Took you long enough." Her face was alight, a smile plastered on her features. Loki walked over to her, sitting down on the grass while taking her hand in his.

"I didn't want to interrupt your talk with the frost giants, it would have been quite rude." He kissed her palm before entwining their fingers and turning his gaze up towards the stars as well. They twinkled in the distance, a wavering shimmer. There was a moment of silence before she sighed, turning her body so that her head rested on his shoulder. He placed an arm around her, looking down to see what she was thinking.

"Do you think the Jotunn ceremony will be...violent?" She asked. He sighed, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. She shouldn't worry so much it would give her wrinkles. Even imagining her old and gray gave him a feeling of pleasure. He truly loved this woman.

"I'm not sure, but I wouldn't worry about it. I've been joined with you since we mingled minds years ago. Somehow I saw something in you that made me choose you. As far as I'm concerned we could go through millions of ceremonies but you will always be mine." He smiled and pressed his lips to the tip of her nose. She shivered a bit, obviously enjoying the feeling.

"I love you." She whispered. It made his heart jump. Her blue-green eyes were watching him, pools of nothing but adoration. How in the world did he get a woman like this? A powerful and beautiful woman who understood him better than anyone else, she was his.

"And I love you Naiira." His breath ghosted over her forehead where his lips brushed against her skin. She shivered, moving her head upwards so that their lips were caught in a loving kiss. He tightened his grip around her, his other hand pressed against her cheek. His thumb rubbed the soft flesh as their lips melded together. The heat that rose within him was so unreal. Only she could make him feel this way. When they pulled away their bodies were still pressed against one another.

"I have to go." She whispered. He knew that time was short, she was busy after all but this slight reprieve made him all the more relaxed.

"I know." He pressed another kiss to her lips and she sighed against his mouth.

"I won't let them kill you, not as long as I draw breath."