Here's part 3! Let's party!

Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.

TW: Mention of rape

Loki and Thor entered the banquet hall together. Ariana stood among the crowd, in awe of Loki. She felt his discomfort and sent warmth to him. He couldn't see her, but he knew she was there. It wasn't until the ball that he felt her unease.

He looked at the entryway from beside some lords. Every eye was on her. It was clear his mother had a hand in her attire and hairstyle. She clutched her necklace with nervousness. Loki sent her a wave of reassurance. She walked forward, but Sif appeared next to Loki, drawing his attention from her.

"What are you two planning?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said. "Beyond helping her heal, I have no plans."

"I heard the story from Odin and I do not believe it. One does not change so easily."

"Maybe, but I…"

"So what is your game? I know she helped your treachery, I was there. Why the…"

Ariana had turned to Thor, who was coming from behind her. A gasp came from some of the ladies, one being Sif. Loki looked at the warrior next to him.

"What happened to her?" Sif asked.

Loki answered, "She was tortured and beaten, Sif. It was not a lie."

"I did not know Midgardians could be so cruel."

"Not all, but HYDRA is. But she blames herself for it, as many abused do."

"And I told her…"

"What?" Loki was becoming upset, to the point that Ariana looked at him with a smile. "What did you tell her, Sif?"

"I didn't know or believe the story. I said she deserved…"

"Are you mad?" Loki glared at her. "No one deserves torture. Not a single moment of her time there did she bring upon herself. It was to hurt the Avengers. But it seems she has learned that it's not only Midgardians who will be cruel to her for no reason."

Loki left an ashamed Sif and went to Ariana. He put his arm around her waist, covering her scars with his body, knowing she was still uncomfortable with them. Thor smiled at them and went to make his rounds.

"He and Frigga planned this," she said. "He told me about Sif going to Odin. I apologized for how I treated him."

"It shouldn't have been this way," Loki replied, turning her towards him. "My family has been known to make big statements."

"Like you holding me like this?"

"Well, you are the most beautiful woman in the room. I would be a fool for not holding the woman I love so close."

She looked down. "Loki…"

"What is it?"

"I do love you, but…"

"I know, you need time."

She nodded. "I need to be sure of who I am before I can come back to you."

"So, you are…"

"Even though I was with Steve, I never stopped being yours, Loki. I was scared of being hurt again, but that was all." She looked back up at him. "Now, I'm scared of myself. Despite all of that, the fear and pain, there really is no one else for me. Only you."

He kissed her deeply, forgetting where they were. When they broke apart, there were whispers around them. She looked at those nearest them.

"Today, we welcome home more than the princes of Asgard," said Odin, everyone turning to him. "We welcome Lady Ariana of Midgard, consort to Prince Loki. She is an amazing woman who shown a light into the darkness for him that no other could. We are most grateful to her for what she has done. For this reason, the love she showed him, I give her a gift that no mortal has received. Since she has asked for aid from us, I will give it to her when she is stronger in body, mind, and spirit. Until then, welcome her as only Asgardians can." He raised his drink. "Welcome home, Prince Thor and Prince Loki. Welcome to Asgard, Lady Ariana."

The whole room echoed his welcome. From there, Loki had princely duties. This left her alone, but many men asked her to dance. By the time the feast started, one that Thor seemed to be more at home in, she was exhausted and her feet hurt, but she had enjoyed herself. Many wanted to thank her for what she had done for Loki, but Thor's friends apologized for accusing her before.

She sat next to Loki when everyone sat to celebrate, both feeling out of place with the group. Volstagg was telling tales of battles and exploits. Sif shifted uncomfortably when Ariana's eyes landed on her. Ariana excused herself to get some air, though she hadn't eaten or drank much.

She looked out over Asgard and the stars. Sif walked up to her. Ariana looked at her, waiting.

"I am sorry for my careless words earlier," Sif said.

"You didn't know what had happened," Ariana said. "I forgive you."

"It is more than that. Thor is like my brother, and I do not want to see the future king hurt."

Ariana took her hands. "Sif, it's okay. I get it. What you did to me, I kind of did to Thor. So we aren't perfect? At least we owned our mistakes and can learn from them."

Sif put her hand on Ariana's shoulder, one warrior to another. Ariana smiled. She didn't know what to do, so she stood awkwardly.

"You put your hand on my shoulder in return," Sif instructed. "The same arm. It's a sign of friendship."

"Oh, okay," Ariana said, mimicking Sif.

Thor saw them and pointed them out to Loki. Loki smiled, glad Ariana was making friends, but that didn't make him comfortable with everyone around him. The women made their way back to the table. It was well past midnight before people started to leave the festivities. Ariana had long ago fallen asleep on Loki's shoulder. He carried her out of the hall and to her room. He went to leave but she gripped his shirt.

"I don't want to be alone," she said groggily. "Please?"

"If you're sure," he said. "You did drink heavily."

"I had one glass."

"That Fandral kept filling up. You drank four large tankards."

"Oh. But we had fun, right?"

"Well, you did introduce everyone to Percy Jackson, and now we have to add them to every library."

"Still not as good as real myths." She sat up, her hands running up his chest. "I find the real thing is much… more to my liking."

Loki cleared his throat. "Darling, you need sleep. I will gladly…"

"Loki, I need you." She knelt next to him, her arms around his neck. "Please?"

"You aren't fighting fair."

"It's not my job to."

Then she kissed him hungrily. Even though his every intention was to take care of her, he was fast losing his resolve. He pulled back, more to catch his breath than wanting to stop.

He said, "I am right next door. I can aid you throughout the night."

She didn't seem to like it, but then she went to an empty bowl and began throwing up. He held her hair back. He then helped her back to bed before bringing her a cup of water.

She took a sip before saying, "That wasn't from the kiss, I promise."

He chuckled and replied, "I know. Finish the water and sleep."

He called a maid when she fell asleep to help her and left for the night.

Ariana woke up with a splitting headache. She sat up and saw Loki at a table in the corner, reading as he waited for her to wake. She grabbed a robe, not noticing she had been changed into a nightgown. She wrapped it around her and sat across from him.

"I hope you are hungry," he said. "Mother had breakfast prepared for you."

"I'm starving," she said, taking some of the food. "And the company is much appreciated."

"So, how do you plan on finding yourself?"

"Well, I want to get a better handle on my ability and I need a space I can be alone to think. Your mother was kind enough to show me a place I can do that. I'm curious about your father's gift, though."

"As is the kingdom. No one but he and my mother have any idea what it is. Don't worry about it. For now, worry about healing yourself. I'll check on you this afternoon to begin working on freeing you from HYDRA."

"What will you be doing all day?"

"Researching the different healing techniques. I believe something similar may have taken place and want to make sure I don't hurt you, nor do I want to make things worse."

She smiled over her food as he took a drink of juice. "This isn't what most couples do when they play doctor."

Loki began choking on his drink as she laughed. He looked at her and joined in her merriment. "Not the kind of thing I expected you to say." He wiped his shirt. "What will you do first?"

"Well, I thought I'd try some training. I don't want to get rusty. Then, practice my ability with Thor. Other than you, he won't be hurt by it, but only because he's the God of Thunder. Lastly, time to reflect and meditate."

"Any time for meals?"

"Of course. I'll be meeting your mother for lunch and with everyone else for dinner. And yes, that includes you. But if it involves drinking again, I don't know how I'll be when we are finished healing me."

"Tony won't be able to keep up with you at this rate."

"Dad does love his parties. He'd be right at home here, that's for sure. But mom would be dragging him out after two tankards."

"Well, let's hope we can heal you soon before Thor becomes too much of a bad influence."

They finished eating and began their days. A beautiful routine became set for their time on Asgard.

It had been a year since Ariana arrived on Asgard. Sif often helped her train with spears and staffs. She had nearly perfected her ability, though she still had trouble directing bolts of lighting. And through her alone time, she had found some peace with what had happened. She often sent updates to her dad, but rarely got any information back. Probably to protect her but it was still irritating. All that was left was to get rid of Snow White.

"It's time," said Frigga, meeting Ariana in the secret tower room she spent so much time in. "Loki thinks he has found the answer and has done much study on the subject. He wants to perform it tonight."

Ariana turned to Frigga. She was like a mother to her. Taking this last step meant she would be able to go back to her family. But Asgard felt like home after so long. She ran to Frigga and hugged her.

"I'm going to miss you," said Ariana. "Is it bad that I don't want to get rid of Snow White just so I can stay here?"

"There is nothing wrong with feeling at home here," said Frigga. "Tomorrow, Odin will wish to speak to you, but you must be rid of this last tie to your regrets. Besides, you will always have a home on Asgard."

Ariana blinked back tears. They walked downstairs to the healers. Only Loki stood there. He placed her on the bed and started up the Soul Forge. He cupped her cheek one last time. He began saying the words that would change her but instead of feeling the need to change, it was as if the words destroyed Snow White each time. It didn't stop the memories from coming, and she cried silently. She watched as that stain disappeared from her mind. When the final word was spoken, she looked at Loki.

"She's gone," Ariana said, smiling through her tears. "Snow White's gone."

Loki shut off the machine and helped her up, pulling her into his arms. They just stood there, glad that the ordeal was finally over. She looked up at him and gave him a soft kiss. While both wanted to make love, it didn't feel like the night for it. They slept in Loki's chambers, just holding each other, happy and content.