Ava woke in the morning, her head still resting on Loki's chest and his arms around her. She felt his bare skin against hers and the soft fur blankets covering them. She looked up to see that Loki was already awake and watching her with a smile on his face. "Good morning, my darling." He greeted her.

Ava smiled up at him. "Good morning my love." She replied.

"How are you feeling this morning?" He asked, wanting to know she was still comfortable and no suffering any ill effects from their lovemaking the previous night.

Ava smiled. "Wonderful."

Loki grinned and lifted a hand to brush hair from her face and caress he cheek. He kissed her gently on her lips. "I am glad of that."

Ava snuggled closer to Loki, not getting enough of the feel of his skin against hers. "I love you, Loki."

"I love you, Ava." Loki replied, kissing the top of her head. He rubbed his hands up and down her back. "So, are you ready for some more exploring today, my darling?" He asked, a playful note to his voice.

"I just woke up." Ava replied. "I don't want to leave your arms or this bed just yet."

Loki grinned. "Who said the exploring I was referring to had anything to do with us getting out of bed?"

Ava looked up at him and furrowed her brow in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Loki grinned as he rolled them over so that Ava was on her back and he was hovering above her. "I was referring to the act that I want to explore more of this beautiful body of yours…and you explore more of mine."

Ava felt her cheeks redden as a grin spread across her face. "Well…I guess I can handle that exploration."

Loki grinned as he dipped his head down and pressed his lips to hers. He ran his hands over her body, warming her up, making her shiver and moan in anticipation. They spent the better part of the morning making love and enjoying every moment of their closeness.

Afterwards, they lay in bed, Loki on his back with Ava lying on top of him on her stomach. She looked up at him resting her chin on his chest. Loki lifted his hand to caress her cheek. Ava smiled at him. "I love you."

Loki returned her smile. "And I love you."

"Thank you, for bringing me here on this little trip." She said.

Loki ran his fingers through Ava's hair. "I have to admit, I had entirely selfish reasons for bringing you here. I wanted uninterrupted alone time with my beautiful wife."

Ava couldn't help her grin. "So, you're telling me the only reason you brought me here was to take me to bed? Well, I hate to tell you, my love, but you could have done that at home." She said, kissing his chest.

Loki smiled. "But I wanted to make our first time together special, memorable, and romantic for you." He replied. "I wanted to sweep you off of your feet."

"Well, it worked." She replied with a smile. She then pushed herself up on her hands and moved closer so that she could press her lips to his.

Loki grinned and ran his hand down Ava's back. "And this is only the first of my romantic surprises for you. I promise that I will have more for you for the rest of our lives."

Ava kissed Loki again and then went back to laying on him. She rested her head on his chest and snuggled close to him. "How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful husband?" She said.

Loki rubbed her back. "I am the lucky one to have such a wonderful wife."

They stayed in the tent for a while longer, just holding each other, kissing, talking, and getting ever closer. They eventually had to get up and dress heading back to the palace to get ready for dinner with Frey and Gerd.

On Asgard...

Thor and Fandral walked through the halls until they came to Loki and Ava's chamber room door. Thor put his hand on the door handle and was about to open it. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." said a familiar voice.

Thor and Fandral looked to see Ava's hand maiden, Eira. "Why do you say that?" Thor asked.

"Because, your brother left a nasty little surprise for anyone who might try to get in while he and Ava are gone." Eira answered.

"But you have still be going in and cleaning." Thor countered.

"Because Loki told me how to get in." Eira answered.

Fandral decided to take that moment to turn on his charm. He walked over to Eira and placed a hand on her cheek. "You are quite the fetching creature...you know, if you were to show us the way inside...I might be able to...uh...make some wonderful things happen for you."

Eira decided to play his game. She walked her fingers up his chest. "Really...well...I am not about to risk my mistress getting upset with me for a lousy night with you."

"It wouldn't be a lousy night." Fandral replied.

"That's not what I've heard from the women at the bawdy houses." Eira replied.

Thor couldn't help but to laugh at Fandral a hard time from Eira. "Fandral, it appears she has heard enough about you to know to stay away."

"And of course, I would never betray the trust Ava has in me." Eira added.

"I've never met a handmaiden who was so loyal and informal with her mistress." Fandral observed.

"Ava isn't just my mistress. She is my friend." Eira answered. "Because of her father, she's not had the life of a normal lady."

"I see." Thor replied.

"Well, if you two are done trying to get me to help you prank Ava and Loki, I have work to do." She then turned and walked away.

Thor smiled. He definitely had to admire Eira and the way she showed her loyalty to Ava. He could tell she cared for Ava and it was something he found admirable.

It was getting close to time for lunch. "Shall we go have lunch and then make new plans?" Thor asked his friend.

"We've nothing better to do." Fandral agreed.

They headed to the dining hall. Frigga and Odin were already there. "Well, hello Fandral. It is good to see you." Frigga greeted.

"You as well my queen." Fandral replied.

They sat down and the meal was served. They had started a light conversation, when a servant entered the room. "I do not mean to interrupt you, but Lord Garth is here. He says he has news to share."

"Allow him entrance." Odin replied.

The servant bowed and then exited. A few moments later, Lord Garth was entering the room. He bowed. "Thank you for seeing me, your majesties." He said, bowing and looking around the room. "Where are Prince Loki and Princess Ava? The news is mostly for the princess."

"They have taken a holiday off world." Frigga answered. "Tell us the news and we will be sure she receives it."

Garth nodded. "I went to check on her father, as I have not seen him in a while...but when I found him..he was unresponsive...and I regret to inform...that Lord Hagar is dead. He...he drank himself to death."