Thor POV

Father stands before us in full regalia. He's furiously angry; who isn't after the stunt Loki pulled? He wanted "to rule Earth as a benevolent god?" Then why did he kill a hundred people before it was over? No point asking. Where my brother is concerned, anything is possible. Odin has called us both to a meeting, and we have both obliged. To Loki's credit, he looks a bit nervous. He was only recently released from his cell to go back to his old quarters.

"Thank you for coming", Father says, gazing down on the two of us as if he feels personally betrayed. "I have decided it is time for my future heir, the Crown Prince, of Asgard, to marry. Thor...your marriage has been arranged..."

"What?!", I explode, coming out of my chair. "I love another, Father, you know this..."

"I do not want to hear another word about a human being!", Odin booms," If Loki's disaster on Earth proves nothing else, it's that we should try to come into contact with Earthlings as little as possible. They are unlikely to have any lingering affection for us after that."

"Father, no!", I shout.

"And I do not care to hear the name JANE FOSTER again in this lifetime!", Father booms back.

I clench my jaw and my fists. "Father, nothing you say will change a thing."

"I beg to differ. I will witness the wedding myself. Since there is no woman of equal blood to you in Asgard, I have arranged your marriage to a princess of Vanaheim. That way, we will solidify bonds with an old rival at the same time as we find you a suitable bride."

"You go too far!", I shout. "To arrange my marriage! To involve some poor lady I have no feelings for."

"Silence! MY SONS...what a pair. One attacks an entire planet and the other one subverts my will with some human being. Listen to me well, son, you are a prince and you will marry a princess."

Loki raises his hand like we're still in the school room.

"Pray tell, what could YOU have to add to the proceedings?", Father hisses.

"So is Thor marrying his childhood friend, Freya?", Loki asks. I spent a good portion of my childhood in Vanaheim, just as Frey, the Vanaheim prince, spent time here.

"Who knew you could ask an intelligent question. No, I'm afraid not." Odin passes a small painting of Freya to me. "This is your childhood friend today. Unfortunately, the Princess Freya is already promised to her cousin, Elrod. I believe the king wishes to keep his eldest daughter close to him. Though he doubtless regrets the match now that you are available. I could ask him to intervene, but it would be problematic as she's engaged to a member of the royal family." Father smirks and it disgusts me.

I pass the small portrait to Loki, trying to hold my temper. "Oh look, another blonde. Who would have guessed", Loki comments, handing it back to me. Only Loki could make me want to laugh right now.

"His son Frey, the next born, will inherit his throne of course", Father says unnecessarily.

"At least you don't have to marry him", Loki whispers to me, and my face cracks into a grin.

"His next born, his daughter Mauriel, may have made you a good match, but unfortunately she wishes to join the Coven of the Goddess, and lead a chaste life of worship", Odin says, passing me another portrait. A very slim redhead with her father's chin seems to be kicking a ball between two goals.

"Pretty red hair", Father comments. "I can ask him to intervene if you think you want her."

I pass the picture to Loki. "Good heavens", he comments.

"What do you have to say now?!", Father howls at Loki. "YOUR opinions are not necessary here. I did not seek a bride for YOU, after what you have done. A Vanaheim princess is too great a gift for you."

"Seven Blessings, Father", Loki says, "If you put such a skinny creature in front of me, I fear I would not know what to do with it. She resembles my stable boy in many ways."

I burst out laughing despite myself. "Loki!", I correct sternly, "You must not say such things. She is a royal princess."

Loki just shrugs his shoulders as if it's not his fault she's a royal princess.

Father snatches the picture out of his hand and looks at it again. "The chin...perhaps you're right. Fine!", he yells, tossing the picture behind him.

"You have but one other choice, and she is already on her way."

"Father!", I shout.

"Silence! His next and last born daughter..."

"Bloody hell, the man has the daughters", Loki whispers.

"Is Sigyn, the youngest princess of Vanaheim. Her arrival is imminent", Father says.

"Do you have a picture of her?", Loki asks.

"There is no need since Thor will meet her soon. She will arrive today or tomorrow probably. She is a fine match for you. You are to be gracious to her, you are to be the Prince of Asgard I know you to be. The kitchen and housekeeping are preparing for her arrival. I suggest you do the same. That is all." With the wave of his hand, he dismisses us.

I leap to my feet, unable to take it anymore. "You can parade every princess in the Nine Realms in front of me, and it will make no difference. I love Jane."

"You can repeat that you love that mortal as many times as you want, and it will make no difference", he answers me back. "The wedding is arranged. I will witness it myself as will her parents. There is nothing you can do about it. You WILL marry a princess of Vanaheim."

"Dammit, Father!", I shout. "I am not a soldier you can command!"

"Perhaps you'd like to spend some time in the cells like your brother?", Father hisses.

"C'mon, Thor", Loki says, dragging me away, "This tact isn't getting you anywhere."

"Dammit", I shout again, alone with Loki in the corridor.

"Father is right that it would be difficult. Their life spans are so short compared to ours. She will be gone in the blink of an eye, Thor", Loki advises.

"Not if she lives here", I say softly.

"Ah, so you mean to make her queen", he says.

"I see no reason not to", I respond.

"I thought you knew you would have to run for it if you betrayed Father. Earth, with all your friends, would be safer. Better", Loki comments.

Loki POV

Certainly better for me. If Thor abdicates and is banished from Asgard, Father will have no choice but to make me his heir. I'm not going to push it...not now. I just got out of the damn jail. But in time, I will be King of Asgard.

"Perhaps, but I would prefer to have her here for many reasons, including her lifespan", Thor says. "What in the Nine Realms is that?"

There is a great commotion on the other side of the palace. The landing platform? Oh Seven Hells, she's here.

Thor looks around like the place is on fire and he's looking for the nearest escape. "You cannot run now", I say.

Thor takes a deep breath, puffing out his wide, broad, muscled chest, standing straight all the way to his total 6'4, baby blue eyes sparkling despite his ill humor. I detest him sometimes.

We walk together to the landing platform, where many servants are unloading her small ship. An older woman, who appears to be between 50-60 in human years, gets off the ship first, and we both look a little perplexed. This couldn't be the King's youngest daughter, when his oldest is in her 30's.

We wait as more and more luggage is unloaded. This princess doesn't travel light.

"I am Alfhild", the woman says, bowing, her long dark hair falling to her waist. She wears comfortable layers of robes and gowns in tan tones. "I am the princess's guide and chaperone. The princess will deplane in a moment. Then, if you would please show us to her quarters. I will need a room next to hers, with an adjoining door."

"Of...of course", Thor answers, bowing back.

We step back and try to wait patiently as one servant after another comes off her small space ship. For the love of Odin, they came from Vanaheim, not Muspelheim. Do they think we have no towels here or something?

The princess finally alights on the arm of her pilot. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. My father is very protective, and we have to follow certain protocol. But that's over now, and I assure you, I don't stand on ceremony myself. I am Princess Sigyn of Vanaheim." She looks back and forth between the two of us as if she's watching one of those tennis matches on earth.

"Thor? Crown Prince of Asgard?", she says, trying desperately not to sound like she's asking a question.

Thor bows first, then holds out his hand. "Your Highness, it is my great pleasure." Her eyes travel up and down and his form and she seems impressed.

"Your Highness, it is a great pleasure to meet you", she says with a bright smile, taking his hand.

"And this is my brother, Prince Loki", Thor says, motioning to me.

She looks at me with a friendly smile. I'm not known for letting women, or anyone else, make me into a fool, but my mouth hangs open. I'm speechless and cannot respond.

"Bow", Thor growls softly under his breath.

I bow quickly. "It is a great pleasure to meet you", I say finally in a throaty whisper.

"And to meet you", she says, looking at me as if she's studying an animal she never knew existed.

Blonde. Again. I can't imagine why the Norse thought we were like them. Ha ha. But she is unlike anyone. Her hair is so light, it's nearly white and falls halfway down her back. Her skin is the color of snow, but more luminescent than any snow that ever existed. Her eyes are color-changing, and keep jumping back and forth between warm turquoise and a light hazel brown.

She has the face of an angel. I have been everywhere in the Nine Realms and have never seen her like. She is beautiful beyond my ability to register it long enough to close my mouth. Beautiful. And her body...breasts press tightly against the fabric of her golden dress, and as Thor leads her away, I get the best view in the known universe, a large, pert bottom encased tightly in golden silk.

As Thor leads her and her companion around the corner, she turns to look back at me, and smiles.