Chapter 9.

"Floria, stop fretting dear." Frigga said and walked over in her fine gown of gold. "You look so beautiful, as if you are Lady Night herself."

"Yes, my Queen." She replied, looking back at her black, high collared gown in the mirror. He ends of the flowing sleeves trailed on the floor, and the silver embroidery and beadwork thst covered most of the dress shimmered in the light. Intricate medallions of swirls and circles, made her seem both mysterious and bold. Her hair was pulled up in a bun, and held in place by a pearl and diamond tiara. Her only other jewelery, was the ring Loki had given her.

She sat on the couch, watching all the other girls laugh and dress. Their escorts being various Palace Guards and Nobles, all men who wanted to be seen with them in their dazzling gowns and the happiness of the Ladies showed. She bit her lip, looking at her black shoes and wondering what sin she had done that was so very wrong. Why had he liked her, saved her even, then pushed her away? She was so confused, feeling lost over the last day that her mind and thoughts made her dizzy.

A knock came from the door and she stiffened, relaxing only when she saw it was Prince Thor to collect the twins for the evening. Both girls, wearing starry, blue gowns ran over and greeted him. Their giggles echoing back to the room as they walked the halls, Frigga closed the doors and she went back to her thoughts. Folding and unfolding her fingers, as she worried away. Eventually, she became the last girl and it did not suprise her at all. Frigga sat next to her, her arm around her shoulders and held her.

"He is a fool." She said, lifting her chin. "He misses the chance to have the most beautiful girl on his arm."

"Or a pig Madam." She said softly and a knock came from the door. Frigga stood and opened it, motioning her over and she stood. Her feet carrying her toward the door, and her hands trembling. He was there, and she was so nervous and small. She walked next to the Queen and he stood in gilded armor, his helmet proud and his eyes sad as he looked at her. Her heart pounded as she gave him a curtsey, and he returned her a bow.

"I apologise, my cape got caught in the door." He said and held his eyes on her, not able to look away. "You look like a star fallen from heaven itself."

"Thank you Sir." She said and walked past him into the hall. He looked back at Frigga and she waved him on, he running to catch up to the girl.

"Floria, I wanted to speak to you before we arrived." He said and she stopped and turned toward him. He saw the tiara in her hair, finding it suited her and she swallowed hard.

"About what Sir?" She asked and looked at a piece of his armor, not at his face.

"About what a fool I am to have handled your heart so cruelly." He said and lifted her chin. "You are no more a pig, than I am a wise man."

"Sir? Then why say such harsh things?" She asked him and his eyes looked saddened. He thought for a long moment, and let out a breath.

"I wanted to protect you from the vicious gossip that would have tarnished your name, to let all know that you are so sweet that I could not bring myself to ruin you or make a whore of you." He said and turned. "For those words I cannot take back, I am a fool. But a happy one, because you remain above reproach."

He looked back at her, and she stood silently. Her fingers picked at the other hand, her eyes focusing on a spot on the floor and she trembled. He expected her to rage at him, to shout and call him a monster, but instead she did quite the opposite. She walked to him and embraced him gently, her soft arms holding him and her froze.

"I forgive you my friend." She whispered and he rested his hands on her back, holding her and smiled in shock at her actions.

"I am truly am sorry, for everything I said." He said and she nodded.

"I know Sir." She said and they stepped away from eachother. He offered her his elbow, and she took it. Smiling as she walked with him to the banquet, people noticing her and wondering who she was.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Having eaten and being satisfied, Floria and Loki sat at the table together. Frigga happy that they were close again, and she saw them laugh at something as they spoke together. They watched guests walk back and forth, the Vanir Ambassador strangely absent until it was found her vanished with two serving girls to his chambers before the start of the feast. Floria watched Thor, and she felt a bit jealous at the affection he showed both twins and wished someone would show her the same affection. One sitting in his lap, and the other leaning against him as he talked to his friends.

"Odin's Beard, he is making a fool of himself." Loki groaned as they both watched the girls laugh and drink with him. Floria looked away, staring at him for a moment and looking down at his helmet on the table.

"He is Sir." She said and he nodded, his eyes darkening and she sat back. Her fingers turned the helmet, lifting it and marveling at it's weight. "How do you wear this? it is so very heavy."

"It takes practice and a strong neck." He laughed and watched her remove her tiara and lay it on the table. She lifted his helm, being careful not to drop it and slipped it over her head. She cringed at the weight, it falling over her eyes and she laughed as she toyed around with it.

"You look silly." He said and picked up her tiara, putting it on and she laughed. "I can't let you look silly alone, I would not be a gentleman if I did."

"You look more regal than I My Prince." She said and sipped her wine. He liked how she did not drink to excess, and how she was always so quiet and polite no matter the crowd.

"Shall we trade back?" He suggested and she nodded, having to hold the helmet out of her eyes.

"Yes, please. I like having a small neck." She said and he helped her take it off. He slipped the tiara back in her hair, laughing at her and pretending to frown at the fingerprints she left on his helm.

"I am overwhelmingly bored. Would you care for a cup of tea and to learn some more sums?" He asked her and she laughed, her eyes shining and she shook her head.

"I think I have enough to drink to dull my ability to learn Sir. Perhaps in the morning?" She asked him and he agreed. She leaned close to him, pointing at Thor who was leaving with the twins and he rolled his eyes.

"Please. I beg you not to become a Court Gossip, I loathe those women who go about chattering about who is leaving parties with whom." He groaned and she sat back, pretending to be offended.

"I was only pointing out a fact Sir." She said and he laughed with her again. Across the hall, Hogun watched the girl and deliberated talking to her. Something about her seemed so familiar, as if a ghost in his past had come back. He couldn't upset her thpugh, seeing her enjoying herself he couldn't do it. She leaned back against her chair, her eyes heavy and she hid a yawn behind her hand.

"Are you tired?" Loki asked her and she nodded.

"I am Sir. I think it is time to retire." She said and sighed.

"I will escort you back to your chambers then. It is the least I could do for you." He replied, motioning for hwr to come with him. They rose from the table, leaving the hall and walking the open air halls around the gardens. She did not say much, but he grinned suddenly at an idea that he though would be amusing.

"Have you ever wanted to fly?" He asked her and she shrugged a little bit. Her eyes blinking and a laugh coming from her, as she found the idea a bit silly.

"A little bit, Sir. But it was a childish wish." She replied and he grinned as he waved his hand in front of her. Her body became very light then, her shoes lifting off the ground and she squealed. Her hands reached out, and she failed about for purchase. Loki taking her hand in his, and she held onto it with both of hers.

"There. You are flying." He said and laughed at her moment of panic. She held his hand tighter, her heart pounding with the shock.

"Please! Don't let go." She said and he laughed. Her hand gripping his wrist as she kicked her feet, she began to relax, and he held one of the long sleeves in his hands to give her some height.

"I promise, I can't have you floating away, it would be a tragedy to wave goodbye." He said, pulling her around the garden. A maid passed, gasping at the sight and she covered her mouth in shock. She ran back along the halls and Floria laughed, stretching her free hand out and floating free.

"I am like a cloud!" She cheered, her fingers stretching out toward the stars and he laughed. He felt joy at seeing her delight, and she looked back at him and giggled.

"Or a feather." He said and stepped around a tree, being careful not to let the branches scrape her. Her stomach fluttered, and she looked at him again and reached her other hand down for his. His fingers brushed hers, and she felt her heart skip at the contact.

Some of the guests had gathered on the walkway, watching the girl float along and laugh in delight. They whispered to eachother, some of the Ladies giggling at the sweet sight of Floria floating above the Prince as he held her sleeve. A few jealous that their Suitors could not give them such a thrill, but smiled politely. He stepped around the fountain, and she laughed freely, the sound echoing through the night and to morning.