After making love, Loki and Ava lay in bed wrapped in each other's embrace. Loki kissed Ava's forehead. She smiled up at him. "Do you think you will ever tire of this...of me?" She asked him.
"Never my darling." Loki answered. "How could I? Will you ever tire of me?"
"Never." Ava answered.
There was a knock on their door just then and a letter was slipped beneath the door. "What could that be?" Ava asked.
"There's only one way to find out." Loki replied, releasing his hold on Ava and rolling out of the bed. He grabbed his robe and slipped into it. He walked over and picked up the letter and opened it. "It's an invitation to join King Frey and Queen Here for dinner tonight."
"That is very kind of them." Ava said. "It would be rude of us not to accept."
Loki nodded his agreement. "We had better get ready then."
Ava slid out of bed and walked over to the wardrobe. She began picking through the dresses that were there for her. She finally found one that she hoped would be suitable for dinner. She then slipped into it before going to fix her hair. The women if Alfheim wore their hair long and always flying free. Ava figured it would be best if she wore her hair the same.
Loki had already changed into his clothes which were similar to his usual clothes from Asgard except they were white and silver. He looked at Ava as she finished brushing out her hair. She turned to face him, a soft smile on her face. The dress she wore was sleeveles and had a high collar that had a delicate filigree pattern of silver on it. It hugged every curve of her body and had a slit on the right side up to her mid thigh.
"These clothes suit you well my darling." Loki observed with a grin.
"Do you think this appropriate for dinner?" She asked, feeling a bit nervous.
"Yes, darling. You look wonderful."
They then left their chambers and headed through the halls. They soon arrived at n intimate dining area, where Frey and Gerd were already waiting for them. "Welcome. I am so glad that you could join us." Frey greeted them.
"Please sit down." Gerd said, gesturing to the two empty seats at the table.
Loki and Ava sat down. "Thank you." Loki replied.
"Ava, I understand this is your first visit here?" Gerd asked.
"Yes." Ava replied. "It is very beautiful here."
"Why thank you, dear." Gerd replied. "Are you both enjoying yourselves?"
"Very much so." Ava answered.
"I noticed you entered the frozen part of our realm." Frey said. "Did you enjoy your trip there? I know when you were here before Loki, your brother and the other warriors weren't very fond of the cold and snow."
"It was quite enjoyable." Loki answered, a smile on his face.
"I found it quite beautiful and peaceful." Ava added. "We never have snow like that on Asgard. It's quite wonderful really."
"I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed that trip." Frey replied. "Not many people find the peace and beauty there."
The meal was then brought out and set before them. They dug into the meal and enjoyed a light conversation. After the meal they headed back to their chambers for he evening. Loki And Ava spent he next few days between exploring the Alfheim and exploring each other.
One day while they were exploring the frozen part of Alfheim, they stumbled upon a small cottage in the middle of the frozen land. An older elven women walked out of the cottage, dressed in a him white cotton dress. She moved about the outside of the cottage.
Loki and Ava watched the woman as she waved her hands and strange beautiful flowers began to grow around the woman. She turned to look at them. "Welcome to my home your highnesses." She greeted them.
"We didn't mean to intrude." Ava replied, feeling guilty for having spied on her.
The elf gave them a kind smile. "It is nothing for you to worry about. I have been expecting you, actually. Please come in."
Loki and Ava followed the woman into her home where a fire warmed the place. "What did you mean when you said you'd been expecting us?" Loki inquired, feeling suspicious.
" You have nothing to fear here young prince." She replied. "The sprites told me you would be coming. I'm one of very few people they will talk to and reveal their knowledge with."
"That's quite fascinating." Loki replied.
The woman walked over to Ava. "Give me your hand child."
Ava hesitated for a moment before removing her glove and giving the strange woman her hand. The woman turned Ava's hand palm up and traced her index finger over the lines in her palm. "I can see that you are a very kind and loving woman...you also have a side of you that enjoys mischief and causing trouble with your beloved." The woman spoke. "You're also a healer...you have been through a personal tragedy which still pains you from time to time...you have a great destiny ahead of you...only you will be able to help heal the wounds of old to help keep the peace."
Ava looked at the woman, confusion wrinkling her brow. "What are you talking about?" She asked.
"I do not know entirely. I only know what the sprites allow me to know." She answered as she released Ava's hand. She then turned to Loki and held out her hand. "Your turn."
Loki gave the woman his hand. "You, my dear boy," she began, "have much fear and self doubt to overcome. I can see that you struggle with these feelings...except when you are with your love...you must know your worth and not allow a grudge to overtake you... you will learn something about yourself soon...and if you allow it to...it will take you down a dark path."
Loki removed his hand from the woman's and replaced his glove. He took Ava by the hand. "Thank you for your time and hospitality, but we must be going." He said and practically dragged Ava out of the cottage.
Ava could see that Loki had been upset by what the woman had told him. They had walked deep into the forest before Ava decided to stop. Loki turned to face her. He still didn't stem very happy. Ava knew how to get him back into a good mood. She closed the distance between them and pressed her body to his as she kissed him.
Loki's arms immediately wrapped around her waist. All of the tension left his body as they kissed. He broke the kiss after a few moments. He gazed into Ava's eyes. "I am very lucky to have you as my wife." He said.
Ava smiled at her husband. "I am lucky to have you as my husband." She replied.
"You always know how to get me out of a bad mood...I don't know what I would do without you."
"You've done your fair share for me...you're the only one who could get through to me when I was grieving." She replied. "You helped me heal and you've protected me from real threats as well as the ones I've imagined."
Loki smiled back at her and kissed her forehead. "I will do anything for you, my darling."
A mischievous grin crept across Ava's lips. "I know..let's find some place warm and secluded so that I can show you how much I love and appreciate you."
Loki grinned. "I think you are the one reading my mind now."
They then found a cave. Loki used his magic to light a fire for them and spread out warm fur blankets on the cave floor. He then took Ava in his arms and they lay down on the blankets kissing passionately and stripping each other of their clothes. They made love there on the floor of the cave, the snow and the ice blowing in the wind outside.
Night had fallen by the time they were finished. Neither of them had the energy to get up and dressed to head back to the palace in the warmer part of the Alfheim. Instead they snuggled up and fell asleep, both having pleasant dreams.