All was not done in Vanaheim since Astrid and Loki, by Volund's invitation, needed to attend a ball. She wondered if Volund knew they would be coming and if it was a ball to celebrate renewed relations. Nonetheless, both needed to attend. It was a new feeling for Astrid since she didn't have to use her magic to alter her appearance or Loki didn't have to put up an illusion to disguise her. Both could be just a regular couple once they fulfilled their duties by dancing with other people.

Astrid dressed herself in a magenta and light pink gown with silver trim on the bottom and bodice that Volund had left for her. It was very modest and the sleeves bellowed out like butterfly wings. The fabric was light but very whimsical and she completed the look with violet flowers in her hair. Astrid didn't like the idea of dancing with other men, but she would have her time with Loki afterwards which made her smile. She went to meet Loki in the living room and loved what she saw Volund have gifted him. Loki wore a very nice green and black dress tunic with black trousers with a silver cape on his back. Astrid smiled lightly as Volund knew what would look nice on them both. Loki saw Astrid and was speechless as he pulled her into a lover's embrace. She was truly a beautiful woman. To him she was the most beautiful woman he ever saw.

" You.. you look stunning Astrid." Loki stammered lightly.

Astrid smiled and wrapped her arms around Loki's neck tenderly.

"You are truly remarkable yourself Loki. It's going to be hard for me to see the Vanir women swoon over you while you perform your princely duties."

Astrid knew Loki and her were special but it still made Astrid nervous for Loki to dance with other women at this ball. It would anger her if one of them took Loki away from her but they had too much history to throw out over a night.

" I know and I will likely despise men for dancing with you as well, but we must maintain our roles for a bit more. If you get uncomfortable with one of them do tell me I will wring their neck like a mop." Loki joked.

"Oh, no stabs in the back….that's more your style isn't it." Astrid chuckled as she trailed her finger on his chest.

She adored Loki and loved that he would be all protective of her. Astrid could handle the men just fine, but something about Loki protecting her just made her swoon deep down. Loki smirked and pecked her lips softly yet passionately.

" I adore you Astrid." he said softly gazing in her eyes

"And I love you."

When they got to the palace for the party it was clear there was nothing subdued about it. Crystals glowed throughout the ballroom, the finest foods were being served, and it was clear a lot of very important Vanir people were there. Volund greeted the couple and smiled at his selections.

"You both look stunning and I'm so glad you didn't just want to skip off to Asgard." Volund spoke.

Loki managed to chuckle.

"It would be unprincely of me to leave and not do the very thing my father wished of me. He wants me to build relations between Asgard and Vanaheim so here I remain for this purpose." Loki expressed.

Astrid could already feel eyes on them and she simply thought it was because Loki was there. Volund glanced at the eyes they felt and he laughed softly.

"Look like the men are feasting upon you Astrid."

Astrid raised an eyebrow and Volund shook his head at her lack of realization.

"Frode Trygveson was a very influential man like his father before him. Your looks give you away to their legacy and they may see you as a way to give their bloodline such strength." Volund mused.

She could feel Loki's jealousy building up slightly and she turned to him. Astrid stroked his cheek tenderly before she kissed him.

"You have nothing to worry about, Loki. I will be pleasant but nothing more."

Loki calmed down and cracked a light smile.

"Likewise Astrid my dear."

Volund truly hoped this would be the future but he knew what the path might be and just hoped these two would have each other.

"Now come along, there are people you must meet and your arrival your Highness has interested the king and queen to make an appearance. Come now, let's not waste time."

Volund had Astrid and Loki make the rounds with important people ranging from spellcaster masters, diplomats, jewel crafters, and tacticians. Loki was able to make warm small talk with such important people and Astrid's grace and decorum truly made them a pair. They felt a bit home with the talks with the spellcasters and they seemed to take interest in the pair's magical capabilities.

"You know young prince; if The All Father gives the throne to your brother Thor do consider residing in our lands. You would be right at home here and you could offer our lands such power we will cherish and admire." one spell caster informed him.

Loki smiled lightly and nodded.

"Perhaps, but who knows what my future holds. The only thing I am certain about is that I wish to forever have my beloved at my side." Loki expressed, softly wrapping an arm around Astrid.

Another spellcaster looked at Astrid and gave an approving smile.

"A fine match and union that would be. Trygve, despite his duplicity was truly a remarkable Vanir who left behind a son taken too soon; a son with his own achievements. We had no idea Frode's line continued until Volund informed us all. Glad we got to see you with our own eyes Lady Astrid."

Astrid felt her praise and admiration hadn't been deserved and she replied,

"I've barely done much in my short life thus far but I do know I have a legacy to fulfill...least I know of such now."

Volund chuckled, shaking his head.

"Your father would have wanted you to pave your own way and not follow in his or his father's footsteps. The path I currently see you're on will be a complicated but magical and rewarding one." Volund expressed kindly.

Volund paraded them to several more people until Loki and Astrid had a small encounter with the king and queen of Vanaheim. They were almost godly in their beauty and they did like how Astrid and Loki presented themselves. Not much talk was spoken, only the king wished Loki luck on his path and the queen wishing Astrid strength in her heart's desires. When Volund was done having the couple speak to important figures, he encouraged Astrid to dance with the eligible men and Loki with the eligible ladies. The couple only saw this as a polite gesture and making platonic relations and nothing more.

When the pair went their own ways, men bombarded Astrid for dances while the ladies crowded around Loki, making each of them a bit uncomfortable. Loki had his dances with most if not all the maidens and they did seem to be a bit fairer in looks and more delicate than the women of Asgard. They were polite for the most part and graceful of their feet. He tried to make small talk with the women, but some only seemed to compliment and relish in his words. Those ladies made him feel like Thor but not in a good way. These women care about his stature. status, or magic and not as a person. Others seemed passive and didn't speak much, only wanting to cling with a prince of Asgard. Others were tolerable if a bit handsy to stroke his arm but he wasn't plagued by their charms. He was polite to all the women but he honestly hoped the dances would end. Nothing was wrong with the women and though he did like the slight admiration, they were not the woman he truly cared for.

Astrid's dances with the noble men of Vanaheim made her feel slightly objectified. Most if not all complimented on her hair and eyes instantly and made the connection to either her grandfather or father. They clearly wanted her but they didn't have the charms in their words. If anything, some of the men were very dry and stiff that boarded on pompous arrogance. Some men were nice, much nicer than the riff raff from years earlier, but again she just wanted these dances to be over. It did stun her that some men were intimated by her because of her perceived reputation but most men dropped the line about how strong and beautiful their children would be, making Astrid stomach's turn. Least they kept their hands to themselves, but that's probably because she was the daughter and granddaughter of powerful magic users and they didn't want to take risks.

Both couldn't help but gravitate toward each other once more once they had finished dancing with other people. Astrid interlocked her hands with Loki's and he led them in their dance. Their dancing truly felt different than the ones with other men and women to a point where they almost glided on the floor. Loki was much more passionate in his footwork and Astrid was much more tender in her touches than with the Vanir men. Both didn't want to dance with another, just with one another.

"I'm thankful I get to have you in my arms." Loki murmured softly as they danced.

"I'm thankful as well. The men here are much more polite than the riff raff that tried to corner me, but they all seemed a bit...dry you know?" she expressed lightly.

" Ah yes, and ladies thought lovely and not vain like many in Asgard,some seemed the same in some ways or too passive if I may add." Loki noted.

Astrid raised an eyebrow lightly and shook her head.

"You sure? Some of them looked to be chatting your ear off and they seemed to adore you. I don't blame them since you just exude power and magical might. You would make any of them happy."

She laughed softly to hide her slight jealousy with the women that were pining for her Loki. No reason for her to feel that way, but she couldn't help but feel that way. Loki noticed her concerns and held her close to him, stroking her back tenderly.

" They are chatty, that is true and it is nice to be adored, but they seemed to agree with everything I said. In a way I felt like Thor, but not in a good way. It's like I'm this symbol they want and I would make their families proud. Those other women mean nothing to me and I only want you."

Astrid smiled lightly and rested her head on his chest.

"The men here only seemed to care about my bloodline since they know of my grandfather and biological father. They were curious about where I've been hiding and why something rare like me isn't here to better them. In some ways they are vain and wonder if they were scouting me. Children came up in some of their talks but they barely knew me. I politely declined them all and expressed my heart was taken."

"Good to know we are both spoken for, by each other no less. " Loki smirked

Astrid nodded and looked at Loki tenderly. She loved dancing with him but this setting felt too crowded. One of her desires was to dance with him under the moonlight and thankfully, the moon was shining and full. They had fulfilled their obligations and so it wouldn't be rude if they left and had time for each other, alone.

"Can we maybe move our dancing away from everyone. The moon is stunning tonight and I would love to see you in that light." she whispered.

Loki loved how romantic yet bold his love was and nodded.

" You read my mind." Loki said and led Astrid away outside.

The moon indeed was out and shined brightly. They went away from prying eyes and went to a little clearing steps away from Frode's or rather Astrid's new place. Astrid clung on to Loki as they slowly danced under the moonlight. She could hear Loki's heart beating and it was calm yet it was racing slightly.

"Do I make you nervous or loved Loki?"

Loki chuckled softly.

" A bit of both perhaps. I feel loved by you but also nervous, but in a good way. In a way I don't always know what to expect from you and we know each other practically our whole lives." Loki mused

Astrid cracked a light smile and pecked Loki's nose.

"You always make my life worth living and full of magic. You're the reason I want to fight for the life I want and not settle for anything, unless it will be a life with you."

Loki recalled when they first met as children. She seemed so shy, meek, and perhaps would have been just a normal maiden if she hadn't met Thor or himself. He liked how they grew up together and saw how she changed for the better. Astrid was proper but could stand her ground when it mattered. She had conviction, heart, passion, and strength. Loki became a better man with her and he liked that Astrid never looked down on him and respected him.

" You should always fight for the best life for yourself, you deserve it. You are an amazing sorceress and a more amazing woman, women in Asgard can learn a lot from you Sif included." Loki spoke softly.

Astrid stroked Loki's cheek softly and felt her heart racing. She pulled Loki close to her and had him wrap his arms around her waist. She didn't feel like returning home, even though one call to Hiemdall was all they needed to be back at Asgard. They could feel each other's passions and see their love for one another's eyes from the soft tender glow of the moonlight.

"You don't want to return home tonight do you?" she asked him.

Loki smirked and rested his forehead on hers. He had Astrid to himself, in another realm with the ability to hide them both so Heimdall couldn't spy on them. This was the prime opportunity for them both to be as a man and woman should be. They wanted each other and Loki knew going home to Asgard wasn't the best idea for what they desired.

" Not particularly, no". Loki noted.

Astrid returned his smirk with her own but also couldn't help but blush.

"What would you want to do if you didn't go home?" she mused, trailing her finger on his chest lovingly.

Loki had a clear want for them tonight. He...they had the opportunity to truly be together and he wanted it with all his heart.

" I wanted to spend the night with you in my arms without fear of anyone walking in on us. I want you...all of you." he whispered

Astrid felt a pleasant shiver up her spine and she wanted all of him too.

"Good thing you're working so hard on warding spells then." Astrid smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Loki cast the spell on the whole house once inside so Hiemdall wouldn't see them. He wished he would have made an illusion cast of them both at the ball to serve as a distraction for him but that didn't matter at the moment. It didn't take them both long for them to kiss one another and for that kiss to become passionate. They wanted their bodies close to each other and Astrid loved the way Loki touched her. Loki felt aroused and he wanted Astrid. This emotion was present before but now it was much stronger, much more intense to a point they both felt on fire. His hands ran across Astrid's body enjoying the curves of her waist, the way her back arched slightly when he trailed his hands along the spine through the dress. Astrid could feel Loki's interests and passions as he gently placed her against the wall as they kissed.

"Do you want me?" she whispered in his ear.

Loki shuddered as he felt an empowering, sexual feeling course in him.

" Yes my darling, my beloved, my princess. " Loki whispered back in a low seductive tone.

Astrid kissed gently on his neck as she trailed her hand down his chest and a bit lower to his waistband.

"You deserve your moment Loki. Defy others and take me. I love you, I want you...I need you."

Her voice was dripping with arousal and seduction, tones she hadn't uttered to anyone before and was unaware she could do. She felt a pulsating feeling only he could sate in her. Loki kissed Astrid passionately and lifted her up bridal style. He carried her to the bed and lowered her gently before towering over her. Loki was aroused and enamored with Astrid. She was perfect to him, more so tonight under a gentle moonlight. He kissed her again as his hands trailed along her body to her breasts.

"Hm...should I make you work or should I help you?" Astrid mused with a mischievous smile. Loki smirked back and took in her playful and seductive nature.

" Depends on you darling, either way I will make sure you will have a beautiful night."

"Then I'm going to need to see you."

She winked and gently removed his shirt. Loki was deceptively strong without his clothes. He didn't have Thor's bulging muscles, but Loki was still fit and had nice muscle lines on his chest.

"This is what an ideal man should be like. Pure perfection."

She kissed Loki's chest, trailing kisses from his pecs to the waistband on his trousers. Loki moaned as he relished in Astrid's affection. For someone so sweet Astrid was bold and daring tonight and he loved that.

" So do you my dear." Loki whispered and he caressed her breasts and took turns massaging them through her dress.

Astrid moaned and giggled at his touches. He was gentle but there was a clear purpose to his motions. She was the most sure she has ever been and knew this was going to be 'the night'. She softly gazed up at Loki with warmth and passion in her eyes as Loki was caressing her sides.

"Make me yours Loki." Astrid expressed softly and with seduction.

Astrid would only be a virgin once and she wanted Loki to be the man to take it. No matter what Egil told her, she would only be Loki's. What better way to defy his wishes than for purity and the most treasured gift Astrid possess be given to Loki. He smiled softly and stroked Astrid's cheek lovingly. He knew just how important making love was and he found pleasure that he would be her first and her only. That made him feel stronger, proud, and extremely lustful as he kissed her neck and grazed her neck with his teeth.

" I will be honored to make you mine, Astrid. You're going to moan and relish in the sweetest pleasures. You're mine and always will be mine." Loki told her in a seductive rich husk.

He pulled her close to him, ravishing her body slowly teasingly and caressing every inch as he stripped her.

"Loki." she moaned and bucked her hips.

He straddled her and gave her a mischievous and playful smirk as he grinded against her to tease her more.

She could feel his arousal and moaned louder in his ear. They continued their kisses and touches, undid their remaining clothes, and made sweet, passionate love to one another. This was their first time and Loki wanted her to feel loved and Astrid wanted Loki to feel her love. He had never loved a woman or bedded one, but he wanted that honor to belong to Astrid and his desire came true.

They both were under the covers in the bedroom and were cuddled close, Loki having his strong arms around Astrid. Astrid smiled lightly and shifted her body to have her face looking at his. She felt so warm and loved and she knew this would make them closer.

"Nothing will be the same Loki but I'm glad they aren't." she told him softly.

" I agree, being with you is the best experience of my life and we will have plenty more of this." Loki spoke softly

Astrid cracked a slight smile.

"We will have to start keeping track of my times of month or I'll need to see if there's a way to prevent um...you know." Astrid expressed.

Loki chuckled softly but nodded. Despite their talk from earlier, they weren't ready for a family of their own just yet.

" Of course, since we do not want to have a child just yet, though I will admit I want to piss off Egil this is not the way to do it." Loki mused aloud with a smirk.

"But of course since you'd have to marry me if I am with your child to prevent scandal but I don't want to tarnish you. You mean too much to me and I never want to hurt you."

Loki kissed Astrid softly. He truly felt he and Astrid were meant to be and someday they will be wed.

" I would marry you right now if you wanted to, child or not you are the one I want to be with. You truly make me feel like a king and I never want that feeling to leave me. "Loki said

Astrid was touched but she knew marriage would not be in their cards until Odin relinquishes his throne and picks between Loki and Thor. She wants them both to live their lives together until either they are free to live as they are as ambassadors for Asgard or the next King and Queen. She also needed Egil to drop dead but he and Odin still had a lot of life left in them.

"Well at least you have what no one else can ever take. I love you Loki." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. Loki held Astrid close to him and couldn't stop smiling.

" And I love you Astrid."

Astrid smiled and looked into those eyes, the same eyes she saw as a child connected them. Their first glances they stole brought them together, their magic tied them together, their friendship made them close until they both blossomed into a man and woman who loved one another. Loki never will give up Astrid and Astrid will only love Loki and their love would be what keeps them moving forward.

So in my stories I will allude to the certain action rather than write graphic scenes and sorry if you were expecting one. Next chapter will be a time skip to near the time of the first movie. This is so the story can move along to some major conflicts and discoveries for Astrid that takes place when the time the first Thor movie comes along. More to come soon.