Chapter 2

Asgard

The Bifost opened casting a bright light down the rainbow bridge in the dark of night in Asgard. The All father appeared holding a small baby in his arms. Heimdall closed the Bifrost and rushed to the side of the All-father to check the condition of the child he knew was coming.

"Thank you Heimdall" Odin said with a nod as he walked towards him.

Heimdall nodded and took a peek of the Midgardian baby. A small smile shadowed his usual serious looking expression. "My pleasure my King" He replied as he stared at the tiny thing in Odins' arms. "Pardon me, but the young one looks cold" Heimdall noted looking down at the shivering baby who had now began to cry.

"Yes quite, I shall.." Odin trailed off realizing he was under prepared for the situation.

"My king" Hemidall held out a white blanket. He knew they would need it, Odin smiled remembering Heimdall was always perfectly ready for any situation.

"Thank you" He said with a curt nod grabbing the blanket off him and attempting to swaddle the baby.

"Oh my goodness" Frigga voice was semi panicked as she ran gracefully over to the all-father to get the baby.

"Ah my queen" Odin called to his wife, a hint of relief in his voice as he'd never been the best at holding baby's even though he had two of his own.

"Where did you find her?" Frigga asked as she took the baby from Odins' hands and shushed the crying child.

Odin composed himself and brushed down his gown. "House fire. Her parents and sister where dead when I arrived" He said with a hint of sympathy in his voice.

Frigga smiled at the baby who was now content with the woman's touch. She looked up at Odin, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Is this the family?" She asked in a soft tone.

Odin nodded. "I gave her great, great grandfather my word. I would watch and take care of his family" He said with a sigh remembering the time he was last on earth. He met a good man who at the time helped him, in return for the all father to look out for his family for generations to come. Odin had tasked Heimdall with the job and tonight was the night he got called to help.

Frigga smiled feeling proud of her husband for keeping his promise to the man on Midgard he met years ago. "You keep your promises" She said with a warm smile.

Odin looked to the ground and smiled "I do" He agreed. They began to walk down the rainbow bridge together, the child nestled into Frigga and was content, drifting off to sleep. Odin looked at the child and then to Frigga. "Your handmaiden Orla. She has expressed her desire for a child has she not?" Odin asked remembering a conversation he'd heard earlier in the year.

Frigga nodded and looked down at the child. "She has no husband would that not be improper?" She asked.

Odin smiled "No. Asgard will know who and what she is, Orla will make a fine mother to the child" He declared confidently. "And you my wife. Can you make sure she ages correctly?" Odin asked referring to the fact she wouldn't live long on Asgard at all if she aged at human pace.

Frigga smiled and let out a little giggle. "It's already been done" She laughed.

Odin laughed with his wife, it didn't surprise him at all Frigga was always one step ahead of him. "Does she have a name?" Frigga asked.

Odin shook his head, when he arrived to the fire not one of her family was alive. He'd not noticed anything around what was left of the house that would give him indication on what her name was. "Not that I am aware I thought perhaps you could have the honour" He said.

Frigga smiled with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes with the task she'd been given. "Maybe I could use a midgardian name, that would be fun" She said with a smile.

Odin laughed at his wife's excitement. "She will certainly be known" He mused looking at the special baby his wife held.

Frigga hummed to herself as she tried to figure out a name for the little one. "The boys will love having another girl around to play with" She said thinking out loud. Loki was around the same age as the baby, Thor a little older. Now the spell had been cast on the child she could grow at the same rate as an Asgardian. She'd never have any Asgardian power but Frigga knew irregardless she would be loved.

"They will indeed and no doubt they will grow to fear her" Odin said looking to his wife.

She smiled and gave him a side eyed look. "As all wise men should" she said in a mock threatening voice. She looked at the baby in her arms once more and smiled. "We shall call her Maxine" She declared.

Odin stopped and looked at his wife, she also stopped and turned to he husband with a sly smile on her face. "You remembered her great great grandmothers name" He said almost in awe. It was such a small detail of the story he told years ago, he was amazed at his wife's memory.

She let out a little laugh. "You know I forget nothing, even if I'm not listening to you I'm still listening" She said with a wink. "Now let us settle this little on in with her new mother" Frigga said pulling the blanket tighter around the young one. The both smiled and continued to walk towards the palace of Asgard.

12 Asgardian Years later

Maxine walked through Friggas garden taking in the sunshine and fresh air, she loved life in the palace. Her mother being Friggas head handmaiden and best friend meant they could live there. Frigga was especially nice to Maxine, Maxine never knew why and never questioned it, she loved the queen almost as much as she loved walking through her garden and looking at the beautiful flowers.

She noticed some daisy's out of the corner of her eyes and smiled. She walked over to the small flowers and bent down to gathered a handful of them before finding a patch of grass to sit on with her collection. She began to make tiny holes in the stem of the daisy and thread another one through it.

Loki appeared in the back door way of the palace and noticed his best friend sat alone, he smiled and walked her way. She didn't even notice him as he watched her carefully thread the flowers together, the young boy frowned and cocked his head. "Maxine what on Asgard are you doing?" He asked with a small smile on his face.

"Sit down" She ordered in a soft voice without looking up at him. Loki obeyed and sat across from her, it, it never occurred to the two of them that one was royalty and the other was daughter of a handmaiden, they had grown up together and spent much of their time together, their titles or lack of never came into their friendship.

Loki watched as Maxine intricately wove the chain of flowers together, he noticed her nose scrunched up as she tried to concentrate. "Your mother taught me" She said breaking the silence. She looked up to her best friend and smiled holding up her master piece. "It is a daisy crown" She exclaimed.

Loki laughed and shook his head looking slightly perplexed as he stared at the item "What is it for?" He asked with a smile.

She smiled "So every boy or girl can feel like a prince or princess" She said in a sweet voice. She got up on her knees and lent forward to him. He sat perfectly still as she placed the daisy crown on his dark as night hair. Once it was places she pulled away from him and sat back down. "My prince" She said in a mock posh voice.

Loki looked down at the grass and laughed, his cheeks tinted red. He looked up at his smiling best friend and reached up to his hair, he slowly removed the crown from his head. "I think this looks better on you, princess" He said placing the flowers in her long brown hair. She smiled and looked down at her hands for a brief moment.

She quickly looked up as she remembered something. "Did you get the books I left outside your room?" She asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.

Loki nodded casually, he was amused at her excitement. "I did" he said casually.

She smiled "What did you think. Queen Frigga said on earth they are the best books around" Maxine gushed over the books that had been gifted to her from the queen. Once she had personally read them she knew she had to give them to Loki to get his opinion, much like everything else in her life she wanted to know what he thought.

Loki stretched his arms out in front of him and gave a little hum before speaking. "Well I didn't care for Romeo and Juliet" He began, Maxine's smile faded a little, that was her favourite and the one she'd hoped he'd like the most. Loki scrunched his nose and shrugged. "The idea of dying for no real reason" he said with a dramatic eye roll.

Maxine shook her head and laughed. "Loki" she complained slapping her best friend on the arm. "Love was the reason" she explained with a sweet smile.

Loki raised his eyebrow and cocked his head. "And you'd die for it?" He asked with genuine curiosity.

The young girl shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe when I'm older if i meet the right man" She said causally, Loki nodded along and shrugged the deep statement off.

"I liked Macbeth" He offered changing the subject. "The Midgardian are getting better at writing" He noted with a smile.

Something about his sentence hit her in the gut, she didn't realize the smile on her face was now gone. "Yeah, they are" she mumbled.

Loki noticed her change in mood immediately and grabbed her hand. "You being the exception of course. Your poetry is almost as good as mine" He said in his usual cocky tone.

Her smile reappeared on her face again. "Well maybe you should let me read your poetry and then I can agree but for now I will disagree" She joked squeezing on her friends hand. The duo heard footsteps approaching and let go of each other.

"What is this?" A familiar voice called. Fandral had come up behind her and snatched the daisy crown of her head. Loki rolled his eyes at Thor's idiotic friend.

"Fandral" Maxine wined slapping the boys leg as he stood next to her, Fandral placed the crown on his own head and placed his hand over his heart as he looked at Thor.

"Oh Thor make me your queen" He said in a high pitched voice, mocking the tone of a woman.

Thor grabbed Fandrals hand and bowed to him. "Yes mi lady" Thor jested.

Maxine laughed and shook her head at the two idiots before her. "Stop" She complained with a smile.

Fandral laughed and passed her back the daisy crown. She fixed it back on her head and looked at Loki who was smiling at her, his bright green eyes fixated on her pretty smile.

Thor walked over to the duo and stood in front of them "We're about to go throw some swords around, you coming with us?" Thor asked with a boyish grin on his face. Loki rolled his eyes, he could think of about a million and one other things he'd prefer to do with his time.

Fandral walked over to Thor's side and winked at the younger prince "Don't worry Loki we don't mean you, we will leave you alone to read what ever boring book it is you have today" Fandral teased, Loki let out a deep sigh.

Maxine noticed the annoyed look on her best friends face and looked back to Fandral with a smile. "And why ever would you not think Loki would want to play?" She asked.

Fandral looked confused for a second "I mean..." He trailed off and lifted the stick in his hand. "Swords" he said. Loki had never been one for the fighting games, he always got called a cheat for using magic, even if he didn't use magic they would assume he'd cheat so eventually he'd stopped playing with the boys all together.

Loki rolled his eyes "They are sticks Fandral" Loki deadpanned.

Fandral laughed "Okay are you coming to play sticks with us?" He asked again.

Loki looked at Maxine with a small smile. "Princess?" he asked using her title as she was still wearing her daisy crown.

Maxine smiled at Loki and looked up at the boys stood in front of her. "We will accept your invitation kind sirs" She said rising to her feet. Loki followed suit and rose himself.

Thor and Fandral began to back away giving themselves some space before battle. "Alright, girls against boys" Thor declared smiling at his younger brother.

"Ha Ha" Loki deadpanned.

Thor pointed at his brother. "And no magic this time, I will tell father if you turn me into a frog again" He warned.

Loki and Maxine both smirked at the memory as the picked sticks up from the ground. "Best behaviour" Loki promised with a smirk looking over at Maxine who was giggling at the memory.

The pairs stood facing each with their sticks at the ready. "On guard" Fandral shouted.

Thor smiled sweetly at Maxine who was stood across from him. "Don't worry I'll go easy on you Lady Maxine" He promised with a wink.

Maxine laughed, she'd never doubted it. "Why thank you".

"Fight" Fandral shouted.

Fandral and Loki began to hit their sticks against one another, while Thor barely touched Maxine. She laughed and hit Thor's stick as hard as she could knowing it would not effect him at all.

Thor raised his stick above his head slowly as he was about to swing it down to pretend to kill the woman Maxine poked him in the stomach with her stick. Thor instantly dropped his stick and fell to his knees.

"Gotcha'" Maxine said proudly knowing full well he let her win, as he does every time they play.

Thor clutched his stomach in a dramatic fashion "Oh no I have fallen to the mightiest female warrior in Asgard" He said in a strained voice before falling to the ground and playing dead.

She took a small bow to victory "Thank you, thank you" she shouted to the none existent crowd cheering her on. She laughed and threw herself down on the ground next to Thor. The blonde prince sat up and they both watched as Fandral and Loki went toe to toe in the fake fight.

Loki was quick at dodging and kept himself defended, where as Fandral was aggressive, always striking and moving forward.

"You got this Loki" Maxine cheered.

Fandral swooped his stick to hit Loki but once again Loki defended himself resulting in his stick breaking in half. Fandral stood back with a proud grin on his face "Ha, I broke your stick I win" He cheered.

Loki looked down at the broken sticks in his hands and laughed, Fandral looked at the dark haired prince in confusion. "The way I see it is I now have two weapons" Loki said spinning the two smaller sticks in his hand.

"Okay have it your way" Fandral said raising his stick again.

The two boys ran at each other, Loki grabbed Fandral and spun him around holding one stick to his neck and one to his back. "Darn it" Fandral groaned.

Loki smiled feeling all to proud. "Yield?" He asked in a cocky tone.

Fandral sighed "I yield" he muttered. Loki let go of him and he turned to the dark haired prince. "Two sticks ey?, I might have to claim that move" He said with a hint of respect in his voice for the younger prince. Loki felt a slightly warm feeling in his heart, Fandral was never one to show much respect for Loki. It felt good to be recognized in a good way for once.

"Dinner is served soon children" the voice of one of the maid called from the back doors of the palace.

Fandral looked over at Thor "I better go" he called knowing his own dinner would soon be ready.

Thor jumped up from the grass "I'll walk with you" He said jogging over to his friend. The two began to walk away.

Loki slowly walked over to Maxine with a proud smile still on his face as he held the two sticks in his hands.

Maxine smirked at him "Two sticks" she noted, Loki laughed and spun them around in his hands again. "It suits you" she giggled.

Loki looked down at the sticks before dropping them to the ground. "I don't like weapons but if I must train with one when I am older" He mumbled as he dropped to the ground beside her.

Maxine nodded in agreement. "Two sticks it is" she declared. Loki didn't laugh or even smile, he sat there with a serious look on his face. Maxine sighed and placed her dainty hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry" she said in a soft voice.

Loki looked at the hand on his shoulder and then to her, her sparkly green eyes staring into his. He let out a little laugh and shook his head. "I'm not worried about anything" He lied.

Maxine let her hand slide from his shoulder, she rolled her eyes. Loki could fool everyone apart from his mother and Maxine, something Loki had not yet learned. "You're thinking about being king again" Maxine said with confidence.

Loki frowned. "I'm not going to be king" he said in a tone almost defeated.

Maxine frowned "Says who?" She asked.

"Thor... everyday" Loki stated, his eyes growing a little wider at the truthful statement.

She laughed and lead back on the grass. "Thor fell up the stairs this morning Loki. I wouldn't stress about it too much" she said through the laughter.

Loki sighed and led back on the grass next to her. "He is just so much more-" He cut himself off "I don't know" he muttered not being able to find the word.

Her hand gently touched his and she turned her head to face him, he turned also. "Well listen" She began with a smile on her face. "You can be king today if you want to be" She offered with a little giggle.

Loki smiled and frowned at the same time. "What do you mean?" He asked in genuine confusion.

She cleared her throat and sat up, Loki copied and watched her still confused. "My king I crown you with this here daisy crown, You are now the king of Asgard. You can lead me on any quest and I will follow as a loyal subject" She announced as she placed the daisy crown back into his now wavy black hair.

Loki laughed, he felt his cheeks burn up a little. Maxine was his best friend and he treasured her more than anything, she was the only one that could make him smile like that. "I-" He began but was cut off by the overpowering voice of an annoyed woman.

"Dinner children come on" The maid stressed.

Maxine pulled a little face. "We better go" She said quickly, Loki nodded in agreement and the duo got up and ran towards the place. Maxine ran straight into the dinning hall with blades of grass still stuck to her legs. Loki knew better, he brushed himself down before entering as not to annoy his father.

Loki walked into the food hall and took his usual seat. Odin stared at the child and frowned as he noticed the flowers in his hair. "What is that Loki?" Odin asked.

Loki panicked for a second forgetting the daisy crown was still on his head. "Oh this?" He asked his hand flew up and yanked the crown of his head.

Thor let out a little laugh "We have all known for a long time princess Loki has wanted a crown" Thor joked from across the table earning an eye roll from both Maxine and Loki.

"Thor" Frigga warned.

Maxine looked at Odin and smiled sweetly "Queen Frigga taught me to make them, I made one for Loki" Maxine piped up. Odins eyes went from Loki to Maxine, he instantly relaxed and smiled at the young girl fondly.

"Ah I should of known, my wife is quite the teacher when it comes to flowers" He said in a soft voice to the girl.

Loki gritted his teeth together and shoved the chain in his pocket carelessly. "It was just a stupid joke anyway" he muttered before eating. Maxine looked down at her plate, hurt from the young princes words.

5 Asgardian years later

Maxine stood in the dense woods next to the flowing river. She loved this spot, it was quite and there was no one else around but her. She gentle wiped away a single tear that was rolling down her cheek. She was dressed in one of her best dresses, her chocolate brown hair was flowing in the wind as she stared into the river. She bent down grabbing a rock off the floor and threw it at the river "Ugh" she let out a loud grunt.

The rock splashed into the moving river. She shook her head and bent down grabbing another and threw it with the same amount of anger.

"And what in Odins name did the water ever do to you?" A smooth voice called from behind making her jump. She turned and noticed Loki leaning against a tree dressed in green leathers. He'd come here straight from battle training by the look of him, his hair had began to curl from the sweat of training. She cleared her throat and turned back to the river, she wished he wasn't here, she knew he'd know she was upset.

"Nothing I guess" She mumbled staring back at the river trying her best to sound normal. "Why are you here? today is a busy day for you" She said quickly changing the conversation.
Loki slowly walked over to her side from behind the trees and smiled.

"Well I haven't seen you all day so naturally I came to find you" He said simply.

Max bent down to retrieve her book from the ground hoping she could make a quick getaway. "You shouldn't of wasted your time Loki, you're busy today remember" She reminded him trying her best to smile.

Loki cocked his head and stared at Maxine, he could tell she was sad "Max?" he asked in a soft voice. Maxine turned trying her best not to face him "I know that face something is wrong" he said pointing at her as he stepped closer to her side.

"Nothing is wrong" She snapped.

"Snapping at your prince now are you?" Loki asked in surprise.

She turned and glared at him "Don't pull rank on me Loki, it isn't a good colour on you" she snapped again.

Loki raised both his hands and laughed. "Max come one I was jesting, what is it?" He asked again this time his tone was more serious, he couldn't stand the idea of someone upsetting her.

"Nothing" She mumbled.

Loki rolled his eyes at the infuriating woman "Max" He wined, she ignored him again "Okay you asked for it, as Prince of Asgard I demand you to tell me what is wrong" Loki demanded crossing his arms over his body.

Max smirked a little and gave him the side eye "Really?" She asked.

Loki sighed and dropped his hands to his side "Just tell me come on" he wined reminding her of a small child. Maxine laughed at her friends persistence. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me" Loki added sounding even more childish. Maxine rolled her eyes she knew Loki would stay there all night until she told him and she knew he didn't have the time for that today.

Max sighed "It's stupid" she warned him before telling, Loki waved his hand urging her to carry on "I have to work tonight. The ball, my mother really needs a hand and.. well I am the hand" She said with another big sigh.

Loki smiled and raised his brows "You where hoping to attend?" He asked.

She shrugged. "Yes and no" she began "I knew in order to attend I had to be asked and I know the midgardian isn't on anyone's top ten list but I just thought maybe... I don't know maybe Fandral couldn't find a date and last minute would ask me to accompany him so he didn't have to go alone" She mumbled as she shook her head. This was the first ball that legally she was old enough to attend now that she was 17 she'd hoped one of the warriors would of asked her.

Loki laughed and placed his hand on his heart "My lord you poor thing, you want to go to the ball so badly you'd link arms with Fandral" he said with a look of disgust on his face.

She rolled her eyes and slapped his arm "Shut up" she mumbled.

Loki sighed and glanced over to the river "That is a shame I was hoping to see you there" he said casually kicking a small rock in front of him toward the river.

Maxine forced a smile not wanting to bring his mood down for the Ball tonight "You'll see me. I might even bring your drinks to the table if you ask nicely" She teased, Loki let out a little chuckle at the comment. "I'll be the one in the golden serving clothes just in case you don't see me straight away" she added.

Loki frowned "Now why would I not see you?" he asked.

"I'll blend in to the golden walls no doubt" Maxine joked rolling her eyes.

Loki laughed taken off guard by her comment. "The decor of the grand hall is... grand. But I would spot you a mile away" Loki reassured her, for a second Max looked to the ground to avoid blushing at her best friends words. It almost felt like Loki sensed it. "Best friends as you say" Loki added with a sweet smile.

She looked up and smiled. "Best friends" She agreed. "But just to confirm you'll be wearing green right because if your not I might not see you" She joked in a serious tone.

Loki laughed and pushed her slightly "Shut up" he teased. He forgot his strength against her momentarily and she stumbled back and tripped letting her book drop into the river next to her. The river began dragging the book out instantly with its fast paced current.

Maxine's eyes shot open at the sight of her favourite book being ruined. "Loki my book!" She shrieked. Without thinking Maxine jumped into the river, it wasn't deep maybe chest height, it was enough to soak her dress and make it difficult for her to drag herself through the current to reach the novel.

Loki's eyebrows shot up and a smile spread across his face. "Maxine" he shouted in surprise, he let out a little laugh at her pathetic attempt of a rescue, her dress too large and heavy weighing her down against the water. He crossed his arms and smirked as he watched the scene in front of him unfold "You mad woman, get out or the water that is a fine dress and your mother will kill you" He warned with a smile on his face.

Max turned to Loki with pleading eyes. "It's getting away" she shouted over the loud current.
Loki sighed and rolled his eyes "Those bloody midgardian books once again have come to haunt me" He muttered under his breath as he slipped his jacket off and stepped into the flowing water.

Maxine dress snagged on some rocks and she groaned trying to pull herself free, the book was floating further and further away from her reach. Suddenly she saw Loki wade past her and reach out for the book grabbing it with ease. Suddenly Maxine felt terrible. "Loki your leather" She cried.

Loki smiled his usual cheeky smile "Well isn't it a princes job to save a damsel... or her ridiculous love story" He said raising the book in his hand.

She smiled sweetly at him "Thank you".

"Hopefully the water washed off the print away" He joked opening the book to take a peek inside. She laughed and snatched it from him and clutched it to her chest.

"Give it" She joked. "You know you love Romeo" She added knowing how much he hated the character.

Loki rolled his eyes. "Romeo needs to get his priority's straight" Loki declared.

Max shook her head and pushed him. "Fool" she joked. Loki laughed at her weak attempt of pushing him over and pushed her back, clumsily she fell back and submerged under the water completely. She could hear Loki's laughter from under the water. When she managed to stand back up she splashed him with as much water as she could. "Loki my hair" she complained as her once wavy hair was now soaked and sticking to her face. "Great now I will be a golden woman with frizzy hair tonight" She complained.

Loki managed to contain his laughter. "Frizzy suits you" he said in a feeble attempt of making her feel better, unfortunately he couldn't hold his laughter for very long.

Max shook her head and smiled at him. "I will drown you my prince" she said in a semi serious tone.

"I don't doubt it" he laughed. He held out his hand and assisted her to the bank of the river, she staggered to a near by rock and sat on it attempting to wring our her dress. Loki shook off his hair that has been wet when she splashed him, strands of black stuck to his pale smooth skin. "Gold is all fine and well Max but you'd look better in green and gold if you ask me" Loki said casually as he attempted to wring his own clothes out as he stood in front of her.

Maxine rolled her eyes "Somehow I don't think the All father and mother want the help wearing your colours Loki" she mumbled grabbing another section of her dress and wringing it as tight as her small hands could.

"My date must match me, it is tradition after all" He said in a tone all to casual.

Maxine looked up at him, he stood looking at her with a smirk on his face. Her eyes widened as she processed his words "You'll let me accompany you?" She asked in a quite voice, almost not believing him.

"I'd rather see it as me accompanying you but yes" He said with a genuine smile. The biggest smile Loki had ever seen grew across her face. Loki cleared his throat "Maxine will you come with me to the ball tonight?" He asked in a more traditional way. Maxine stood up quickly but froze, the smile dropped from her face. Loki stood with a frown, confused "Well I thought that would at least get a smile out of you, what do I have to do woman give you the moon and stars as well?" He asked in a half sarcastic half annoyed tone.

Maxine sighed. "My mother needs my help, I can't" She mumbled.

The smile on his face grew again. "Oh Maxine, Maxine, Maxine when will you ever learn" He sang.

"What?" she asked with a perplexed look on her face.

He smirked. "What exactly. What am I the god of again?" He asked cocking his head to one side.

"Mischief" She whispered. He could see the cogs working over time in her mind, a couple of seconds past and she gasped out loud "Loki did you get my mother to tell me I was helping her tonight and couldn't attend" She snapped.

Loki bit his lip "If it makes it any better I asked her three weeks ago if I could take you" He admitted trying to stop himself laughing.

"Loki I will kill you" she lunged forward, Loki assumed she would hit him or push him but instead she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him. "You need to stop with the pranks" She mumbled into his shoulder.

He let out a little laugh and rested his head on top of hers, her wet hair soaking his cheek, but he didn't care about that. "I promise I will always prank you" He whispered.

"Thank you" she whispered.

The hug between them was wet, and the air cold but the two had never felt so much warmth inside before. Loki released he'd been hugging her for an extended amount of time and if anyone saw they may assume the worst. He quickly pulled away from the hug and cleared his throat. "My honour my lady. Now get up, you look like no one owns you and I can't take you anywhere looking like that" He joked mocking her appearance and turning the conversation much more casual.

"I have nothing to wear" Maxine panicked with a gasp.

Loki rolled his eyes, it's like she didn't even know him at all at this point he thought to himself. "Now what kind of best friend would I be if I hadn't already had you a fine gown made?" He asked.

She smiled lovingly towards him "You'd be just the worst" she mocked.

"I know. My lady, I must go" He said as he backed away from her, she sat back down on the rock and waved. "But I will pick you up at 6" He added with a smile.

She didn't even realize she'd blushed, she smiled back at him. "I will be waiting" she promised. With that he left her alone in the woods she heard him chuckling to himself as he walked away. She laughed quietly and shook her head surprised at what had just happened. She assumed Loki would take one of the more high profiled woman to the ball, it warmed her heart to know he cared about her enough to take her.

-0-

Later that day Maxine stared at her reflection in the mirror. She'd worn fancy gowns before, mostly sent by the queen herself for smaller events but she'd never worn anything like this. She knew all eyes would be on her tonight as she stood side by side with the prince of Asgard. She began to worry. "Mother is this enough?" She asked sheepishly as she turned to face her mother who was sat on her bed smiling. The green dress reached to the floor and was embellished with gold markings on the neck and arms. The design was identical to what Loki wore for occasions, it felt surreal to her wearing his colour.

He mother rose from Maxine's bed and walked over to her "Maxine you look divine, I am so proud of you" Her mother said with tears in her eyes.

Maxine smiled and looked her mother up and down, she was wearing a dark blue gown and her hair was tied up neatly in a bun on the top of her head. "I had no idea you'd be attending too" Maxine said softly admiring her mothers dress.

Orla laughed, usually she would be serving Frigga at a smaller event but this was a big ball and Frigga wanted her best friend by her side celebrating "Well Queen Frigga likes to talk about things other than politics at parties so that's where I come in" Orla said with a smile.

"You can talk about how the men are dressed and their complete incapability of doing their hair nice for events instead" Maxine teased.

"Exactly and have some wine in the process" Orla said with a wink.

Maxine turned back to the mirror. Her mother grabbed the emerald hair pin and pushed it into the back of her long flowing hair. Maxine stared at her reflection and a sudden wave of worry came over her, a thought she couldn't quite shake "Is it politics?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"Excuse me dear?" Her mother asked looking up to meet her daughters gaze in the mirror.

"Is that why Loki invited me. To bring Asgardians and Midgardians closer?" Maxine asked, Orals shoulders dropped at the idea her daughter would think that way about herself. "I see the way people look at me. When I try to wield a weapon and I'm not strong enough, even when I get tired easier than everyone running. I don't quite fit in" She said with a worried tone.

Orla smiled and turned her daughter around to face her "My child how could you think it was ever politics" she whispered to her daughter. She placed her hands on wither one of Maxine's shoulder and smiled reassuringly at her "You are Asgardian too" she reminded her in a loving tone "Just as much as me" she added.

Maxine swallowed the lump in her throat not wanting to cry and ruin her beautiful makeup her mother had done for her. "Thank you mama" she whispered pulling her mother in for a hug.

Orla squeezed her daughter, her heart was full of pride at what a beautiful woman she'd grown into, she just wished she'd be more confident. "Now lets go, we can't keep a prince waiting" She told her pulling away.

Maxine smiled and turned back to the mirror to look at herself again "Loki won't mind" she said absentmindedly. "I have to look my best, he always looks... I have to look my best" she stressed with a smile.

Orla rolled her eyes. "You look fine now stop messing with your hair" she said slapping her daughters hands away from her head. Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door, Maxine's heart skipped a beat for a second and Orlas face lit up. "He is here" Orla squealed in excitement.

Orla ran ahead to get the door while Max stayed in her bedroom messing around with her hair and applying her last minute lipstick. Orla opened the door, Loki stood at the other side with a smile on on his face, he was dressed head to tow in the finest green leather outfit, the gold was almost blinding, he looked truly handsome. "Good evening madam I am here to escort you and your daughter to the ball" He said in a polite tone, the smile never leaving his face.

Orla bowed her head respectfully to the young man she'd watched grow up and looked up to smile at him "Very kind of you my prince but I shall make my own way" Orla said with a smile knowing the teens would rather not have a mother escort them.

Loki smiled and nodded. "As you desire my lady" he said politely as he stepped out the way so she could leave.

Orla smiled and lent closer to him as she passed. "She is nervous" she whispered with a smirk on her face.

Loki's smile turned to a cheeky smirk "I'll keep it in mind thank you Orla" He said.

She nodded. "Have fun" she sang as she made her way down the hall.

Loki turned back to the door and entered. Their house within the palace was much smaller than his, he entered into their living space that was filled with chairs and a fireplace. He closed the door behind him and slowly walked through the warm room.

He spotted the copy of Romeo and Juliet next to the fire drying out, he couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of them in the water earlier that day.

As the minutes when by Loki felt himself getting warm, his heart beating faster. He licked his lips and cleared his throat trying to shake off the nervous feeling. "It's just Max" He whispered to himself.

Suddenly Maxine appeared in the doorway of her bedroom. Loki took a sharp breath in and his eyes grew, Maxine wearing his signature colour from head to toe was enough and more to grab and keep his attention.

"Max" his tone was one of shock, you could see it in his eyes. Not shocked of how breathtakingly beautiful she looked, more shocked as the jolt that ran through his body and the amount he began to sweat once she was in his presence.

"Loki" She mimicked his tone and facial expression. He let out a forced laugh as he felt his cheeks burn. He stepped forward and offered her his hand.

"My lady you look amazing" He said in a sweet voice unable to keep the smile from his face, Max giggled and placed her small hand in his.

"As do you my prince" She complimented as she looked him up and down slowly. Loki tightened his grin on her hand and pulled her slightly to begin walking with him. They walked along side down the palace halls just like they had done so many time, only tonight was different at least it felt like it was. Loki sneakily kept peeking at Maxine's hand that was intertwined with his and couldn't help but smile.

Maxine on the other hand was trying her best not to look, trying to he best not to sweat and mostly trying to keep herself from blushing.