Here, we see a bit of foreshadowing, and maybe a bit of a family bond growing.

Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.

With the battle over and everyone making sure Wanda was okay, it was time to head to Asgard. Sif and the Warriors Three arrived to help people through the Bifrost. Each grabbed two people. Upon request, Ariana held Wanda. Despite the many times she had traveled through the Bifrost, Ariana was still new and none of the others wanted to overburden her.

Everyone exited with mixed feelings. All of the women watched as some of the men bent over to keep from losing their lunch. Natasha, Wanda, Sif, and Ariana giggled.

"I don't know why you are cackling, sister," said Thor. "You threw up."

"I also had a concussion," said Ariana. "I have an excuse."

"Well, I thought it was fun," said Tony.

"You would," said Pepper, walking in.

"Mom!" Ariana said, hugging her.

Tony was speechless. Ariana looked back and forth between them with a smile. She had to admit, Pepper looked good in Asgardian clothes.

"Come on," said Pepper after she kissed a shell-shocked Tony. "Frigga and Odin are waiting and there's a party tonight to…"

"Well, at least we know I'm not the only one who parties all the time," Tony said.

"Our festivities can last weeks, Stark," said Thor as they all began walking down the bridge.

"The longest one I attended was two and a half," said Ariana.

"It stopped when our little Goddess here had twenty horses in the rafters!" Volstagg laughed, patting Ariana's arm.

"You know, I learned how to use illusions while on Earth," Ariana pointed out. "And my fiance may be the God of Mischief, but I'm the Queen, so don't make me show off my brand of fun before we've had our first drink, Volstagg."

Loki brought her to his side, a proud smile on his face when the robust warrior paled under his red beard.

"Oh, my favorite was watching him flounder on the floor, thinking he was swimming," said Hogun.

"I've been on the receiving end," said Fandral. "Thinking my gorgeous hair was misbehaving was a nightmare. I had every woman in the banquet hall laughing at me!"

"That's because you kept saying hair, but patted your ass," laughed Sif.

"What will Asgard become with two mischief-makers?" asked Hogun.

"Fun," said Ariana and Loki together.

"Of course, you'd both say that," said Pepper. "Without you two, Frigga and I had a wonderful time, even if we were a little worried. It was peaceful. Still, it wasn't as… eventful without everyone."

"I'm going to stop by the market," said Ariana. "I won't be long."

"I can go with you," said Loki.

"I'm just going to pick out a surprise outfit for Wanda." She looked back at the upset woman, standing apart from the Avengers. "Since we hadn't met yet, we don't have anything for her to wear to the ceremony. I can do fine on my own, my prince."

He kissed her softly as they parted. Ariana hummed happily as she looked around the stalls. She found a beautiful red dress-shirt and dark brown leggings. She smiled at the stall owner and went to look at necklaces when she overheard a conversation.

"I can't believe Prince Loki chose a mortal," one woman said.

"Did you hear they are going to turn her into an Asgardian Goddess?" another said.

"Probably forcing her to choose. Loki or nothing. Just like everyone else, she chose him because he's the prince."

"But he's not in line for the throne after he tried to take over. What's the point in…?"

"He's still a prince, Helga! A chance at a better life!"

"Inga, you're just awful," the one named Helga laughed.

"Well, I was the one before her," the first woman, Inga, said. "And you before me. How many people did he bed before he settled on the little mortal?"

"Too many, but he never loved anyone."

"And just like the rest of us, she's just a hobby."

"The servants say he goes out of his way to care for her himself, he smiles, and his pranks are somewhat harmless. He's not the same…"

Inga snorted. "I bet the mortal is ugly. He's probably going to let her down at the ceremony, which is a trick set up by him."

Ariana smiled politely at the saleswoman, who gave an apologetic look. Ariana walked past the girls before creating mayhem for the two women by tripping a baker so that he dropped several pies on them. They screamed in anger. Ariana smiled and stopped at the baking stall.

"I'll pay for those," she whispered. Seeing her whisper, the women glared at her and she bowed, then said in her normal voice, "Courtesy of the ugly mortal, Ariana Elena Stark-Tonysdottir."

"Who do you think you are?" Helga growled.

Just then, Odin emerged and said, "The woman you were just so rudely talking about. Ladies of the court should know better than to exchange idle gossip." The women paled and froze in their spots in shock as Odin turned to Ariana. "I am sorry you have seen this side of Asgard just before the Goddess ceremony, Lady Ariana."

"As you can see, I improved their outfits and looks," said Ariana with a curtsy. "Allfather, I did not expect to see you here."

"I sometimes walk the street to remind myself why I lead." They began walking back to the castle. "I see you have found something for your new friend."

"She lost her brother in the recent battle and feels alone. I'd like her to…"

"Of course, my dear. She can stand as close to the throne as she likes."

"Actually, I would like her to stand with Bucky as my sister, just as Thor stands for Loki as his brother."

"Very well. Giving her a sense of family will be exactly what she needs."

"Despite all our battles of wits, I thank you for this."

"Oh, I'm sure you will find another battle for us to engage in soon enough."

"It's kind of how we welcome each other. Must be a Stark thing."

"Just as tricks are Loki's thing, I take it?"

"Yes. Honestly, I don't know where I fit in. I like to pit wits with others, cause mischief, and…"

"You protect others, leading them to safety when danger arises. You leave no one behind. If not for you, I would have lost my wife. I cannot repay you enough for that. Loving my son earned you the status of Goddess, bring back the man he was before Sigyn."

"I'm glad Loki is free to be himself. A mischievous healer."

"I had nearly forgotten his love of healing others. But now, I must ask you something, as a soon-be-goddess."

"What is it, Allfather?" Both of them stopped at the steps of the palace.

"If in my place, with no biases, would you choose Thor or Loki as the next king?"

Ariana thought about it and said, "Thor enjoys fighting too much, and diplomacy too little. Loki is his opposite. If they were to find a good match, one that balanced them out, they could rule together. Yet, I am not one to seek battle, so…"

"Balance does not mean battle-hungry, Lady Ariana."

"Loki does tend to think of the few over the many, and Thor doesn't see past the fight unless it's for those that he cares for. It would seem that there should be a third option."

"My thoughts exactly, but I have no other children who can take the throne."

"You adopted Loki. Why not do it again?"

"Explain."

"If you had someone that can step back and see everything, but see small parts of the picture as well, you would have a good decision-maker. But they should be skilled in diplomacy as well as battle. If you adopted someone like that, it would work out for everyone. It would also help if they cared for everyone, not just those close to them."

"What if they must sacrifice others for the good of the many?"

"A good leader knows that there are tough decisions to be made, and they must learn to live with them. This doesn't always make them popular or loved, but if it keeps the most people safe, a leader knows such sacrifices must be made."

"I will think on this conversation, Lady Ariana. Now, I believe your betrothed is waiting on you."

Ariana curtsied and turned to see Loki coming down the steps. Odin walked passed him as Loki ran to her. He picked her up and hugged her.

"You were not quick, Ariana," he said. "Now, what did Odin say to you?"

She hugged him back as she said, "Oh, well, some girls were gossiping in the marketplace, I dumped pie on them, Odin surprisingly approved, and we had a pleasant conversation on the way back to the palace. Honestly, it was the most cordial conversation he and I ever had. No getting upset or anything."

He pulled back. "That is when I worry the most. He is up to his own games again."

"What?"

"There was a reason I never brought you until you needed healing."

"Why did Odin want you to bring me, anyway?"

"Something to keep me in line. Now, this…"

"It was just a philosophical question, Loki. Let's go give Wanda her gift together. I asked Odin if she could stand next to Bucky as my sister, so this outfit is very much needed."

"Then, let's go. It is two days until the ceremony and one until…"

"The Test of Temptation?"

"How did you come up with that?" Loki laughed.

"Well, I will face many of my desires and traditional temptations, and if I refuse them all, I become Asgardian. I just have to travel to Niflheim."

"It is dangerous there, Ariana, and I cannot be there to protect you."

"You protect what is most important, my heart and soul. I will need that love you have for me." She cupped his cheek, but the words of the women from the marketplace played in her mind. "It has to be strong enough to reach across time and space, Loki. Are you sure about marrying me?"

He took her hands. "I love you more than I can ever express, Ariana."

Before she could stop them, the words slipped out. "What about the others before me?"

"So the women were gossiping about us. I should have known that's why you would…"

"Loki…"

"It is true, I have had many partners in the past. But until you, I had no one to fill a void. It had no meaning."

"Not even Sigyn?"

"Where did that come from?"

"I don't know. It's just that…"

"No, Sigyn only made the hole more pronounced and bigger. You healed me by accepting me as I am, not changing me. Everything in me burns for you, Ariana. Nothing, not time or distance or even death will change that."

"Then, it is enough." They touched foreheads for a moment. "Now, let's give Wanda her outfit and go eat. I'm starving. Too many heavy moments since coming to Asgard."

"Agreed."

They walked into the palace, hand in hand.