"Are you sure you're making the right choice," Arkyn asked, "Do you think he's ready?"

"He thinks he is," Frigga stated, "He has his father's confidence."

"He'll need his father's wisdom," Odin countered.

"And his humility," Frigga asked with a smile making Arkyn chuckle. Odin gave a slight grin at his wife. "Thor won't be alone; Loki and Amaliya will be at his side to give him counsel. Have faith in your sons."

"Yes, but Thor's still a boy. He could be a great king…" Odin paused looking at his hand shaking.

"The Odinsleep is nearly here," Arkyn said recognizing the signs.

Odin nodded, "If only we had more time."

"For once, our son needs something we cannot provide," Frigga said.

There was a beat of silence before Arkyn broke the quiet. "What of the Jotuns?"

Odin looked at his friend. He had reason to be concerned. Faking Liya's death all those years ago and now announcing an engagement would surely make Laufey angry. There might be an attempt on the young princess' life and soon. The Allfather placed a hand on Arkyn's shoulder not knowing how to quell his fears for his youngest.

"Amaliya will be safe within Asgard. Heimdall will see a threat before if appears."

Arkyn nodded, "I will leave her in the capable protection of Asgard. However, I would like at least one of her brothers to stay with her, as an extra precaution."

"Agreed, however you are all welcome to stay on Asgard."

"Vanaheim needs to have its King and its eldest Prince once the ceremony is over. Aleksei and Arman will remain on Asgard with Amaliya."

Thor stands in a lightly lit hall with banners hanging on either side forming a corridor of the fire lit room. His hammer in his hand and his winged helmet on his head, he walks to the end of the raised platform meeting an attendant who hands him a goblet of wine. Thor drinks the wine in one gulp hurling the cup into the fireplace lighting the room causing blue and purple flames to erupt as the alcohol hits the fire.

"Another!"

Loki emerged from the shadows in his ceremonial outfit of green, gold, and silver with his horned headpiece. The Trickster stands next to Thor a gentle smile on his face, "Nervous, Brother?"

"Have you ever known me to be nervous?"

"There was the time in Nornheim…"

"That wasn't nerves, Brother; it was the rage of battle. How else could I have fought my way through a hundred warriors and pulled us out alive?"

The attendant approached with another goblet of wine for Thor on a platter waiting to be noticed.

"As I recall, I was the one who veiled us in smoke to ease our escape," Loki said.

"Some do battle, others just do tricks," Thor retorted with a laugh.

The attendant stifled a laugh and Loki noticed. He gestured toward the goblet and eels pour over the sides, slithering out and across the terrified attendant's hands. The attendant screams hurling the goblet to the ground as Loki chuckles.

"Loki…" Thor scolded his brother lightly. The Trickster smiles giving a shrug waving his hand making the eels disappear. "Now that was just a waste of good wine."

"Just a bit of fun," Loki turns, "Right my friend?" The attendant leaves the brothers. Loki looks at Thor's helmet, "Nice feathers."

Thor turns grinning, "You don't really want to start this again, do you, Cow?"

Loki laughed, "I was being sincere."

"You're incapable of sincerity," Thor laughed.

"Am I," Loki quipped, "Amaliya would beg to differ."

"She only sees the good in you, not the Trickster."

"Well let's hope that never changes," Loki said. There was a quiet moment before Loki spoke again, "I've looked forward to this day as long as you have. You're my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt that I love you."

Thor looked at Loki searching for some hint of irony and found none. He put an appreciative hand on his brother's shoulder, "Thank you," he smiled.

There is a moment of equal affection before Loki smirks, "Give us a kiss."

"Stop," Thor chuckles pulling on his cape and centering his helmet. "How do I look?"

"Like a King," Loki told him as a blast of a ceremonial horn sounded. "It's time."

"You go ahead," Thor told him and Loki gives a wary look, "I'll be along. Go on."

Loki nods leaving his brother alone. He walks out to fanfare and cheering. The Trickster smiles as he heads to the throne to stand by Frigga. All of Asgard and most of Vanaheim had turned out for the news of Thor's coronation. The smile Loki had on his face changed to a mischievous smirk as he approached Frigga. He turned, the slight smirk wiped from his face as he saw Liya. She looked so beautiful in the lilac and gold dress and her hair intricately braided, she looked like a queen, his queen. The ring on her finger made his heart soften more. He paused; perhaps he shouldn't have played this trick. He shook his head, it was harmless, and no one would be hurt.