Firstly, I'd like to thank you all so very, very much for the beautiful reviews you left me! I really wasn't expected such flattering feedback. I adore each and every word you took the time to write! Thank you.

Seeing as so many people said that they'd like to see this fic as a multi-chapter, I figured I'd give it a go. So please let me know what you think! I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with it. I've got a few different scenes written down but apart from that I'm winging it at the moment. I'm actually considering eventually including the events in the Thor film because I've had what I think is a pretty good idea of how to make that interesting. But like I said I'm not sure yet, so let me know.

And also, to the readers who asked if the story about the star was my original work, yes it was :) I'm glad you liked it! I'm working on a few more stories that I'll include in future chapters seeing as that one was so much fun to write!

Thanks again to all of you who are reading/reviewing/favouriting! I hope you like this chapter!

It was after what must have been the thirtieth time she'd looked up toward the door that morning, when she concluded he was not coming. He was a Prince after all, she had reminded herself. His life was surely filled to the brim with excitement, adventure and wonder. It was highly likely that he did not even remember his encounter with her – a common maid – the previous week. And he certainly had not been replaying it constantly in his mind as she had.

Rosa let out a groan and pinched the bridge of her nose. She had called him Loki. She had actually called him Loki. What kind of madness had she been overcome by? He had suggested it yes, but she had been utterly insane to do so! It was a moment of courtesy on his part, and nothing more… or had it been a test, perhaps? A test which she had failed dreadfully! Imagine what he must have thought of her. A maid, a servant girl addressing he, the Prince of Asgard, as if she were his equal!

She was thoroughly surprised she hadn't been flogged!

Utterly mortified in herself, she scurried around the Library dusting the shelves. All that she desired in that moment was to complete her work in order for her to get as far away from the Great Library as possible. She just wished to be gone before he arrived.

The day following their encounter, Rosa had thought of nothing but seeing him again. She spent the entire day in the Great Library, trying her best to keep busy – a difficult task in a room (vast though it may be) that was for the most part untouched. Surely, she lost count of how many times she turned toward the doors when her imagination convinced her that she had heard them opening.

But he had not come.

And so, over the days that followed, Rosa's excitement fizzled. And with it, her confidence that her interaction with the Prince had in actual fact gone well at all. By the time that that day – the seventh day following – had arrived, Rosa had convinced herself that the entire affair was an utter fiasco and she had without doubt upset Prince Loki with her unorthodox and indeed unacceptable behaviour towards him.

The very thought of even making eye contact with him ever again made her stomach knot terribly. For all she could imagine seeing there was disgust…

Rosa shook her head to herself. She had been reading far too many fairy tales, they evidently caused her to act rashly. What she needed to do was to get her head out of the clouds and to focus on her duties. If she should see Prince Loki again, she would treat him with utmost respect, just as he deserved and hope that he would be kind enough to pretend the entire event never happened.

…

Victorious cries echoed out through the Training Field. Loki, who sat leaned up against the trunk of a tree to the far side of the arena, glanced up for only a moment to see Thor rest his boot atop Volstagg's chest. He swung Mjölnir over his shoulder with and smiled down at his opponent.

"Did you truly think that you would lay so much as a scratch on me, wielding that rusted battle axe against my Hammer?" Thor asked loudly, making sure it was heard by all who surrounded him.

"I shall best you one day Thor, and on that day you will wait on me while I feast in celebration of such a victory." Volstagg grunted, though he wore a smile upon his face.

Thor laughed and reached out a hand to help his friend to his feet, "I very much look forward to that day, my good Volstagg."

Thor thumped Volstagg on the back good naturedly, and looked around. Loki's eyes returned to his book, the book Rosa had read. He had taken it from the Great Library when he had left that day, knowing it would play on his mind. He had to read it again. Though, he found it less satisfying this time around, without the woman's voice coaxing the characters into life.

"Who will be next then?" He heard Thor call out, and the warriors around him avoided his eye, attempting to appear otherwise engaged. "Who will face me?"

It was then that Thor spotted Loki.

"Brother!" and Loki looked up from his book, "You have done not but read that infernal book the entire morning. Nothing would give me more joy than for you to put it aside face me in the training ring."

It took a great deal of self control for Loki to stop himself from rolling his eyes, "As enticing an offer as it may be, Thor, I have not forgotten your cheap shot which served to break my nose not two weeks ago." His voice dripped with agitation.

Thor laughed, "Come now, brother. After but a quick trip to the Healing Room you were better than ever! Do not let one poor block on your part dissuade you from jostling with me again."

"A poor block on my part?" Loki repeated.

"Well… perhaps I was a little over zealous, but it was nothing you shouldn't have been able to parry." replied Thor. "Come little brother, just one round."

"Unfortunately, I will have to decline Thor. I have business that must be seen to." Loki stood and folded his book closed up under his arm.

"Loki," Thor said gently, all his jesting mannerism evaporating in an instant, "Are you alright? You have seemed… distracted, these past few days."

Loki offered a thin smile, "I am fine brother. We will spar another time, for which you should prepare yourself for a great deal of humiliation." He clapped his brother on the shoulder.

Thor laughed, "Very well then! I only hope that you will live up to your threat."

Loki turned and headed down the vast hallway towards the Great Library, his footsteps echoing eerily around him as he made his way.

…

When Loki entered the Library, he did not take care as he usually did, to remain quiet and unseen. The door closed behind him with a thud and he witnessed Rosa (caught by surprise of the sound in her otherwise silent sanctuary) so startled that she knocked and entire row of books off of their shelf and onto the floor.

Flustered, she bent over hurriedly to pick them up. Loki moved towards her in order to lend a hand.

"Allow me to help." He said gently.

"Thank you, your Highness, but there is really no need." She insisted quickly, without look at him.

Loki faltered. He was back to 'Your Highness'…

With furrowed brows, he continued to help her right the books. His hand came close to hers more than once and each time she jerked away from him so that they did not make contact. Loki looked at her. Her eyes were focused intensely on the task in front of her. She seemed completely determined not to make eye contact with him.

Once they were done, Rosa bowed to him, "Thank you kindly, Your Highness."

She turned and hurried off in the other direction.

"Rosa, wait." Loki said.

Rosa stopped instantly, her stomach doing a little flip at the sound of her name rolling off his tongue. She turned towards him, her head still bowed respectfully.

"My Lord?"

Loki held out the book he had taken with him. "It is the book you read to me," he told her, "I took it with me. I had to read the story again. I look at the stars anew because of it… Night time seems more… alive."

Rosa said nothing.

"Have I offended you in some way?" Loki asked.

"Of course not, My Lord!" She assured him with a shaky voice and she hurried off to another section of the shelves to straighten the already perfect alignment of books. Loki followed her, a calm air about him.

"Then, why is it that you run from me every time I so much as glance in your direction?"

Rosa opened and closed her mouth several times, searching for words that would not seem to come to her. Her eyes met his and Loki stared at her, his gaze bored into her and for a moment she felt certain that he was inside her mind, combing through her thoughts. Though Rosa could feel her cheeks blushing furiously, she found herself unable to look away from him.

"You thought yourself too bold at our last encounter…" His voice was gentle but she cringed anyway.

Rosa at last, dropped her gaze, "It was not may place, Sire. And I do apologize most sincerely for any disrespect I undoubtedly showed you."

She looked up and met his eye for but a fleeting moment before she looked away once again. Disappointment bubbled inside him and he scowled.

Of course, he thought bitterly. Why had he expected any more than this? This woman had not wished to speak to him, she had merely been doing her duties in pleasing her superior. He had requested that she stay and speak to him, so she did. He had asked her to tell him about her book, so she had. He had asked her to call him by his name, and she had but followed his command. How foolish he had been to think that there were someone who might enjoy his company for that and nothing more. Someone who wouldn't judge him for the fact that he was not like the other Asgardian warriors. Someone who wasn't around him just because they were also in Thor's company.

"I admired it," Loki said to her, "your enthusiasm. Your passion. The fact that you would actually speak to me, despite who I am. I thought perhaps you were different… but it appears not to be so."

Rosa looked up at him, her brows furrowed. She was thoroughly taken aback by the hurt in his voice. So he had been genuine then? He had truly wanted to spend some time in her company… but why? He was a Prince! Surely Noble Women were falling over each other to win his attentions. Why did he have any time for her at all; a lowly handmaiden?

"It seems we are done here." He snarled before turning on his heel and storming away.

"Wait!" her voice came from behind him and for a moment he remained resolute about leaving until she spoke again.

Her voice was gentle, "Loki… please?"

Loki slowed to a stop and looked over his shoulder. Anger was still evident upon his features. Rosa moved towards him and as she did so, she reached into the cloth bag that hung from her shoulder and pulled out a book. She still appeared most hesitant about her actions.

She took a deep breath before saying, "the day after we met, I returned here early to finish my duties… and… to pick out another book."

She held out a royal blue bound book and Loki took it from her without so much as glancing at it, his eyes were on her instead. He took in his hands and as he did so his fingers brushed against hers. She took in a tiny, yet sharp breath at the contact. He did not miss it.

"What is this one about?" He asked, his voice far more gentle than before.

"I don't know…" she told him, smiling ever so slightly, "We agreed to start the next one together."

Loki could not help but to smile.

For hours the pair sat together, taking turns reading to one another, sharing tales, laughing. Rosa lost count of how many times Loki's smooth words were able to make her blush. And though he may not have admitted it out loud, it pleased Loki to no end that Rosa even dared poke fun at him light-heartedly once or twice.

Time passed in this nature well into the afternoon. The sun was beginning to set, casting a brilliant golden haze in through the high windows of the Great Library. Loki and Rosa lay side by side on the Library floor, small piles of books surrounding them. Rosa gazed at the ceiling lost in the adventures the stories had awoken in her imagination. Loki watched her out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to disturb her train of thought. It was Rosa who broke the silence.

"Loki, do you really see the stars differently?" She whispered.

"Yes." Loki told her, "They look to me more vibrant, more alive. It was not just the story. It was how you told it. You spoke as if the words would truly come into being if you said them just right. It were as if you were casting a spell."

Rosa turned her head to look at him, a small smile dancing on her lips.

"And now I see it. All I can see is the night. How beautiful and glorious it is."

"I love night," Rosa confessed, closing her eyes, "I could spend eternity staring into the far reaches of the universe. When I was younger, I used to point in any direction I liked and tell my mother that I would one day travel there and bright her back a piece of the galaxy. I imagined it all to be made of the most amazing jewels… I mean to say, it looks so marvellous from this distance… how impossibly wonderful must it appear up close."

"Perhaps, one day you will see it." Loki replied, "You could always leap off the edge of the Bifrost and see where it takes you."

Rosa smiled, "It almost sounds tempting."

"You truly want to see it all that badly?" Loki asked her.

"Every inch of it," she replied in a whisper, her smile wider than ever.

They stared at each other for a time. Loki found himself reaching over and lacing his fingers into hers; she gave his hand the faintest squeeze and ran her thumb over his palm.

"Then perhaps one day I'll take you there." He whispered.

Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think :)