Hey folks happy belated Christmas and also have a happy new year! Man 2015 already huh? How crazy is that? Years suddenly fly by when you get older. Or maybe it is just me but that doesn't matter. Christmas was very fun I got to enjoy it with my family for the first time in three years. So that was lovely, I got a beautiful violin. Lol! Ironic since Irene has her own right? But I love it sooooo much I play it all the time now once I had it tuned and everything. I also hope that you all had a fabulous Christmas time and got good gifts as well!

moonsword17: You are correct! Agent Coulson would be making an appearance very soon, it would be lame if it was just a one-shot scene with Irene and Phil it just takes the fun right out of it! Twenty points to my friend Moon Moon! *coughs loudly trying not to laugh at the nickname*

AkeraWriterOfTheNight: Thank you for humoring me in my little game last chapter, So ten points to you for taking such a wild guess! I always look forward to your reviews my friend!

inuxkag1000: thank you for your review as well. I am happy to know that you are pleased with the concept of Irene. She is the biggest sweetheart one could ever run into. So stick around for the ride so you may tell me your theory around won't ya ;D

So thank you so much for those who support my story and I hope you enjoy this latest chapter! *waves*

Chapter 7: A Crown fit for a King.

Loki was leaning back lazily against a pillar. His long legs stretched out before him as he took it upon himself to watch over the sickly mortal before him with vigilance. Irene had been making a speedy recovery under his care. It oddly pleased him. The fact that he could deny Death the soul of his mortal ally with his magic was quite refreshing. He could recall the times in which he had healed wounds in the heat of glorious battle. Thor had once taken the deadly strike of a Bilgesnipe, and Loki had remembered that he had to heal the nasty gash on his brother's back. Both of them were young and brash then. Frigga had been so angry that they had sneaked off with Sif and the warriors three, Loki dragging back a nearly dead Thor behind him.

Not one of Thor's greatest moments. A smirk curled at his lips.

The memories fled him as his eyes focused back on the small mortal. Irene shuffled slowly through her garden. She tipped a watering can in her hands, the clear liquid poured on all the fresh green vegetation; the earth soaked up the water she offered greedily.

Loki wondered how anyone could find gardening to be entertaining. His mother loved it, he spent many days as a child with her in her private garden. She showed him many things like how she would gingerly plant new exotic flowers into the soil. Little Irene though was more frail than the Queen of Asgard. Loki had protested against her desire to leave her chambers. She had been still taking her medication not only from him but from her doctor as well. She would be fine one moment and the next she would be slightly feverish. The cause of her sickness was puzzling. So he had taken the task of never leaving her out of his sight. If her disease were to act up he would simply force it back into submission with his magic. So far his theory seemed to be working with how it retreated when he used his spells and enchantments.

But...

If Irene had proven to be disloyal to him...or were to betray him in anyway he would stop his treatment of her.

Loki hadn't brought up the terms of their Alliance yet. He's been mulling it over and over again in his mind. Trying to find a decent place for her aside from just being useful by providing a roof over his head. She would need to be more than that.

But what could she be?

Loki slicked his hair back out of pure habit as the wind blew some of his hair into his face.

His mortal ally adjusted the shawl she wore over her shoulders. Her lips moving to form silent words as she got on her knees, setting the watering can aside so she could pull at some weeds that was starting to grow. Her chestnut hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, a simple style that was held back by a blue ribbon that she favored. And for once the Trickster felt at ease by just watching her practiced movements. Midgard was considered very famous in Asgard for it's gorgeous landscapes and magnificent creatures, but so far since he had been here it seemed like it lacked a bit of both. But Irene's garden was alright in his books. She certainly had a bit of a green-thumb.

"Pray tell," He started "Where did you manage to find all the proper seeds to plant your garden?"

I simply asked for them after I gave father one of my many compositions. She tossed some weeds she plucked out to the side in a surprisingly neat pile.

"Does your father always always grant you such things in return for your services?" A stray leaf landed on his shoulder, the God absentmindedly brushed it off him like it was nothing.

To put it simply...yes.

The young woman smiled at him as she dusted off her hands from the soil. Shoulders shaking in her silent laughter. Whatever she found so amusing was lost to him. His lips twitched up into a half-hearten smirk "That could be rather useful for our cause."

So you wish for me to bribe my father into getting things that you want? Irene gathered all the weeds and placed them in a bag to dispose of them for later.

This time Loki smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkled as his eyes lit up with its usual mischievous glow "Bribing is such a crude word, my dear mortal." Lazily he raised up his hand, wisps of green smoke curling around his fingers in a tender caress as he summoned up his magic "But it is most pleasing that you are not as dimwitted as most of your race seems to be. Your father will provide us things that we will need, so we much tread lightly so he wouldn't become suspicious. We do not want him to stray into matters that don't concern him." His voice took on a much darker tone, he was still unhappy about the treatment the man gave his daughter. Irene didn't seem to notice his sudden hostile change as she moved on to care for her flowers.

So how do you intend to get back to Asgard? Irene's doe brown eyes met his briefly with curiosity. You never told me how you even landed on Earth in the first place.

Loki stiffened, his magic dispersing into nothing. He grounded his teeth together, viciously shoving the urge to snap and yell at her to mind her own business and reminded himself quickly that she was an ally. In order for his plans to work he would need her trust, so that would mean being somewhat truthful. Naive she may be, but she was certainly no fool. He could see the intelligence in her eyes, they were much like his own in his younger days. The constant thirst of knowledge that was buried deep in her russet orbs; the desire to go beyond the walls of her home sang to him like a caged bird wanting to be free. Her fatal mistake was exposing to much to him, he could exploit her weaknesses and have her bend to his will if he so wished. Her wants and fears was an open book to the Trickster. And he had to tell himself that she had not wronged him in any way. She granted him her aid freely, he should be courteous enough to grant her something in return.

"There is an astrophysicist by the name of Jane Foster that resides in New Mexico. Her researched is based off the Einstein-Rosen Bridge, it is why I have been reading your book on Astrophysics in the Library. It is the closet thing that is nearly on par with Asgardian knowledge of travel." Loki said. "Do you remember when I mentioned someone landing in Midgard before me? Another God?"

Thor? She asked.

"Thor." He nodded his head in approval, glad that she remembered what he told her. "When he was cast out he found the company of Jane Foster and her companions. His banishment only lasted for about a few days, during that time he stayed in the company of Foster. Thor is the reason I am on Midgard in the first place!" Loki's face distorted into an angry sneer. "Since their meeting Foster has been working on a device that would connect the two worlds. She is my ticket home. Without her any hopes of returning to Asgard would be all for nothing. I am the rightful king, I would rather die then see my home crumble to dust under Thor's rule and foolish ways!"

His chest heaved in his anger. He had been so busy ranting that he didn't notice Irene had come to sit beside him; her legs tucked neatly under her as she sat facing him. Her expression was grim but she did not dare interrupt him.

"My short reign as King had been just and fair." His voice became softer now, his eyes lowering to the ground as a bitterness stirred in the depths of his tarnished soul. "I kept my people safe. I prevented a war against a savage, monstrous, race and spared lives. I would have annihilated those beasts for the good of my kingdom and regret nothing; and in return my friends betrayed me and defiled my orders, my father did not see the good that I have done for not only him but for Asgard."

Loki's hands clenched in anger, shame, and pain.

How ironic that he was considered the God of Lies when he couldn't even seem to lie to himself convincingly enough?

His Kingship was a sham, a hollow mockery to the God of Mischief. His father's advisors had treated him with barely veiled contempt; his brother's friends with open hostility. No sooner had commands left his lips than they had run to disobey them. Even Heimdall, the great golden guardian whose loyalty was (supposed to be) beyond question, had not hesitated to betray him. When he returned to he would be revenged on them for such slights-he would finish what the Destroyer had barely begun, rend them limb from limb and burn them to ashes if he could. During his short time as King he had thought of ways to try and turn the people of Asgard's favor towards him, to earn their obedience if not their respect.

Like Odin and his father before him it wasn't really new that acclaimed untried Kings of Asgard would wage a war or two to prove their unrelenting strength to their warrior people. Thor (being the true idiot that he was) had brought the threat of war with Jotunheim to their very doorsteps, a possibility that Loki himself couldn't pass up. With the Allfather falling to the Odinsleep and Asgard's mightiest warrior cast out, it was a surety that Jotunheim would take to their advantage; it was a threat to the safety of the realm that he could not ignore.

Yet Loki knew that he did not dare to lead Asgard's army against Jotunheim. He feared to turn his back on them, hid away from issuing orders that no one would bother to listen to. Even if he could persuade them to follow him, he would be expected to lead the charge. It was inevitable that in such a melee, he would once again be touched-and exposed for the truth of what he was.

Even if he did avoid open war with the Jotuns, it was only a matter of time that someone would find out his darkest secret. Those who were his once so called friends-were they even his friends to begin with or were they always Thor's friends?- gave him such looks of suspicion, such distrust in their gaze. They were with him and Thor in their little expedition to Jotunheim, Loki had feared that during the battle one of them could have seen it, seen the frost giant that had grabbed his arm and how he remained unharmed from the giant's icy touch. They would all turn on him-hunt him down and kill him for the beast that he was, a frost giant impostor hidden in Aesir skin.

No one would speak for him, no one would defend him. Thor was gone and Odin slept; there was no protection on which he could have called upon. The truth of being king, Loki realized, was that a king had no friends and no father. He was absolutely alone.

Seated in the great golden throne, with the staff of absolute power in his hand, Loki felt nothing more beside a hunted beast; fleeing from one cover to the next while the baying of hounds sounded around him and getting ever closer.

The constant fear of being discovered as a monster twisted his heart savagely with fear and self-loathing.

Would Irene-the never judgmental, sweet, frail young mortal- hate him if she knew what he really was underneath this false skin? Would she try to kill him? Scream in utter terror as she gazed into his crimson eyes? Would she no longer wish to aid him in his quest of returning to Asgard?

It doesn't really sound like the greatest experience...Irene stated dryly, Loki glared at her. He may have been defeated and no longer on the throne of Asgard, but that did not mean he would allow himself to be subjugated into this low form of mockery by her. He was Loki, Prince of Mischief.

Why? She suddenly blurted.

"Why what?" Loki snapped, his mind still swirling on Asgard, still a bit hurt by those unwanted memories. Why had he become king? What choice had he when Frigga so foolishly handed him the throne? He had no desire for the golden throne of Asgard but he needed, needed the chance to prove himself. When the servant held out the spear to him he knew that he would never again be granted such an opportunity, whether by chance or by manipulation. Why had he sent the Destroyer? What else could he have done? There were traitors and oathbreakers around every corner he had to take them out before they took him out first and ruin everything-!

His mind reeled back when he felt a feather light touch graze along his jaw. He blinked back all the dark haunting thoughts and glimpsed at the mortal woman next to him. She looked genuinely concerned for his well-being. Her thumb brushing lightly along his flesh that made him involuntarily shiver.

He opened his mouth but she held a small slender finger to his lips and silenced him.

She shook her head. Her lips pulling up into a smile as if she was telling him that he didn't have to answer at all. His rage and inner turmoil seemed to settle down slowly but surely.

She stumbled back onto her feet. Wait here! she ordered. She was waddled off back towards her garden, Loki's eyes followed in question as she went about and picked at random flowers from their stems. She gathered all of them into her hand, settling them in an orderly fashion, so before he knew it she was back at it side and handing him all the flowers. A bit baffled he accepted them from her.

The soft petals rubbed against his skin.

"What is this for?"

She looked a bit proud of herself. I am not sure if you have anything similar to this on Asgard. But here on Earth each species of flowers have their own individual meaning it is called florigraphy; the study of the language of flowers. Each of those flowers I presented you have all different meanings to them.

Loki may not like flowers but he found the concept suddenly intriguing. Using types of Flora as a form of communication? Midgardians had a very odd way of doing things.

"Does everyone know how to talk the language of flowers?" he inquired, examining each the flowers closely.

She pouted. Not really its more of a dying language than anything, but the most common ones such as the red rose is commonly paired with undying love or I love you. My book says men usually give women these flowers as a kind of apology most of the time. She wrinkled her nose with distaste, If I did something regretful I would have gotten a few Asphodel flowers and purple Hyacinth.

"So they stand for an apology?"

More like 'my regrets follow you to the grave'

Loki rose a brow, "Fascinating." he murmured. "And what of these flowers you had graciously presented me?"

Irene tilted her head to the side ever so slightly, nibbling on her lower lip as she debated whether or not to tell him but she gave in as soon as he stared her down.

Aconite-or Wolf's bane-, Fennel, Agnus Castus, Edelweiss, Fern, Alstroemeria, Harebell, Hawthorn, Magnolia, Narcissus, Heather, Agapanthis... She pointed each and every single out out to him.

"And they mean?" He prompted her.

There, in her brown eyes, he saw something spark to life. Something that he had always saw in his own eyes for many years in a mirror back in Asgard. Mischief.

I had given you the names Loki, I am sure your intelligent enough to search them out on your own and remember the names of the flowers. He imagined, that if she were to ever had a voice. She would had said it in a sing song fashion with and underlying jesting tone.

"That is hardly fair." he protested. Why would he waste his valuable time to look up the meaning of something of less significance? Loki dismissed it and decided to steer the conversation back to their recent topic of conversation "But aside from your language of flowers; do you think you could manage to get some decent amount of Midgardian currency from your father if you compose something for him?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

I could try...

"I am afraid 'trying' isn't the right word your looking for." Loki spoke, his voice crisp and demanding. "You will find a way to get it. Apparently currency happens to be a major thing here on Earth, and we would need some. I could provide it if I so wished but I would rather remain in the shadows and away from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s eye."

Would you kill me if I fail? Her question startled him. Why would he kill her? He had absolutely no reason to at this moment. And she looked rather serious to, but she didn't seem fearful at all by the looming possibility of death.

"If you died by my hand, then I would have trapped myself in this realm until I found someone just as willing to help me as I locate the information I need to travel to realms not yet discovered by anyone. I am not at my full strength, I am strong, but I cannot use the secret paths between the realms unless I was at my full capacity, and the spells needed require much of my strength. I do not have any form of patience to remain here so I would not wait to try and discover the secret passages that would get me home. I found you worth more to me alive than you are dead." he explained, his silver-tongue had the words rolling out of his mouth effortlessly.

I am sure even without me you could find something out even if you did end up killing me, She pointed out. Once again he couldn't help but grudgingly praise her intelligence. He was positive that he could venture out on his own and find his ticket out of this Realm. When it came down to it, he couldn't kill her even if he wanted to. Not when she was the first person to pledge a form of loyalty, and so willingly gave him her declaration of friendship. He may not be the type to have a companion with him, but he had been alone for so long he just couldn't resist any form of contact with another being who treated him with a decent fraction of normalcy. Even if they were of a lesser race.

Rather pathetic...He thought to himself.

Irene's relationship with her father may had something to do with his decision, even her illness. Anyone could claim that the old fool was using his child in some way for his own gain. That alone made his blood boil. Wasn't he used by Odin for some form of political gain? Nothing but a stolen relic to be tossed away when it was no longer useful? He couldn't understand why she didn't hate her father like he thought she should. When she spoke of the man who sired her, she was never sullen. Loki himself was spiteful to Odin. So Irene being the optimistic person that she is, only served to confuse him more.

"You make things easier." He said to her.

The day he admitted that he enjoyed her company just a little would be the day when Ragnarök fell upon them.

The mortal girl stuck out her tongue at him. Her hands being busy with the flowers that she had bestowed upon him. Her nimble fingers weaved the stems together carefully. Loki watched on, staring at her with half-lidded eyes. The chirps of many Midgardian birds and wildlife reached his ears. Irene's land much be rich with good game, if things that led up to his fall never had happened and if his plan had gone according to plan he would had maybe hunted here on Earth and brought back a fine beast to display at the palace.

Loki blinked when something was place on his head.

"What are you doing?"

Irene was studying him closely with barely concealed delight. Her hands adjusting whatever she put on his head. The Trickster felt the brushing of soft petals against his forehead and realized that she had crafted a crown of flowers. Maidens of Asgard or the Elven ladies of Alfheim used to make them in their fields, as a prince he could have cared less what they did but he remembered when he and Thor would admire some of the fair maidens' beauty when they traveled from place to place on some random adventure.

He tsk'd in annoyance. "May I ask why did you put these ridiculous things upon my head?"

I think it looks like a crown fit for a King!

The God's eyes widened. He sucked in a painful breath as he stared at the girl before him.

Crown fit for a King-

Fit for a King-

For a King-

A King...

Those words rang in his head tauntingly. Her words horrified and enlightened him. She offered him no mockery, he couldn't even find a trace of a lie. Could a mortal trick a God of Lies? Her sincere words clawed at his wounded heart, her doe eyes staring at him expectantly.

After a few moments he forced himself to talk, his voice slightly hoarse. "Thank you."

She clapped her hands with joy. Her arms shooting out and coiling themselves around his neck as she gave him a friendly embrace.

And for once...

Loki didn't cringe in disgust.

\oooo/

The tip of a quill pen dipped lightly into what was the darkest of inks. The black liquid clinging until the very moment the point of the feathered pen met with the blank parchment. And with practiced strokes, symbols started to form. Scales and sonatas. All things that formed to make the best compositions that shook the ones who listened to their very soul. Music was it's own language. It was her language. It was the voice she will never have again. And if she were to perish then at least her legacy would be passed down with her music. Each and every single musical note was her child, her creation that made something so small become large and marvelous to the point that even a God would weep.

Irene rested the quill down. Her fingers returning to the ivory keys of her piano as she fiddled around with a few notes. Savoring the sounds it produced until she played with a sudden spark of inspiration, transferring it down onto the sheet of paper so she wouldn't forget it.

Loki was serving as her silent companion. Watching her with though those half-lidded eyes, his expression surprisingly blank. He seemed a bit off since her little stunt of crowning him with flowers (which he had rid of when she wasn't looking) and took it upon himself to watch over her once they settled on an agreement that she would compose her music and try to bribe her father into providing things that Loki would need. Her father could produce her with the necessary funds, Irene was sure of that. But even if she were to ask he would become suspicious in less than a moment's notice. Irene never needed money since everything was always provided for her. To ask now so many years later just seemed a little to fishy. So she offered a better plan, one that Loki said was deliciously devious. She expressed that she wouldn't do it until their first option didn't work out.

Besides it was not everyday that someone stole incredible amounts of money from their father.

It was maybe three hours into her work did she take notice that Loki had left her. His spot in the corner abandoned, not a trace of him was there. It was a bit unnerving that he could come and go without a moments notice without making a sound.

She didn't have time to react when the God in question appeared beside her. It was as if he knew she was thinking about him! Her silent squeal and sudden flailing made him smile. Her piano bench was knocked over when she tried to stand to fast, causing her to fall forward and in the effort to save herself she reached out to prevent her fall. But the fates were against her when her hand toppled the ink pot over and sent it crashing to the floor. The dark liquid spilling out onto the mahogany boards at their feet. She stood stock still. But the bubbling rich laughter of the God next to her came out thunderously.

Once she figured it was safe to let go and not worry about falling she sent him a scathing look that just screamed out: LOKI!

His visible merriment dwindled, still snickering away as he held up his hand. A steaming cup of 'Loki's special tea' held casually between his fingers.

"That was the most rewarding reaction I had ever seen thus far, you have my deepest gratitude for giving me this wondrous gift of laughter." As if to exaggerate his words Loki brushed a fake tear from his eye. The sparks of mischief burned brightly in his gaze.

Irene glared and huffed at him. Wishing she could give him an earful with what she had to say.

The God noticed her dark look and shot back his own expression of false innocence. "Oh, come now." He tutted lightly "It was only a small jest, my dear, small mortal. No harm came out of it."

Seriously?

Irene pointed furiously at the split ink. He was so lucky that none of it had fallen on her work! She may be nice, frail, compassionate, and trusty but if any harm came to her work she wouldn't know what she would even do to him if that time ever came. She could only guess that it would be unpleasant. His brows shot up as he looked at his mess. The smile never went away, he chuckled once more and pressed the rim of the cup to her lips.

"Drink up." He said to her lightly. "If you are not well, then how are we to progress in our plans?"

Irene stubbornly kept her lips pressed together tightly. The smell of the tea making her eyes water as she stared back at him defiantly.

"Oh?" Loki took a step closer, as if he was taking her rebelliousness as a challenge. Surprise flickering in those viridian orbs, as if he wasn't use to being denied.

Duh! Her mind yelled. He was a PRINCE! OR A KING! EITHER ONE OF THOSE! BUT STILL ROYALTY!

"My dear Irene," he purred darkly. It made her gulp when his lips pulled up into a malevolent smile, she really didn't like how he just said her name. "You dare to deny a God?"

Her eyes widened. Do I dare? A little voice in the back of her mind whispered. She was almost to afraid to find out the answer, so wisely she didn't say anything. But she didn't submit to him either. Her lips remained firmly shut. And seeing that she wouldn't give into his 'charms' the man huffed. He grumbled with slight irritation "Must I force you?" he chided "It would be a horrid experience for both parties I assure you. So do us both a favor and drink. I do not wish to see all my hard work crumble to nothing." He pressed the cup at her further, she could tell that he was mindful of his strength.

I will drink. She shot him a glare when he opened his mouth to say something. If only you clean up the ink.

She could see the gears in his head turn. Going over her simple offer. In less then a minute he agreed to her demands and cupped the back of her head gently with his free hand, watching her expectantly "Drink up." He commanded quietly. Irene allowed him to tilt her head back, letting him get some control over her movements as he tipped the cup. The warm liquid poured into her mouth, leaving a bitter taste on her tongue as she gulped it down quickly. Loki moved the cup away, allowing it to vanish as he patted her back lightly as she coughed.

"You Midgardians," he teased "You are like small children when it comes to taking your medicine."

She shuddered in revulsion at the horrible aftertaste.

If you drank it, I can assure you that you wouldn't want to drink it. She said grimly.

She stepped away from him. Bending over so she could place the piano stool in it's original place and straightened. Now it was her turn to look at him expectantly, she gestured at the giant ink puddle A deal is a deal. She reminded.

"Of course." He obliged.

Irene watched on. Fascinated as always every time she'd seen Loki's displays of magic. With a wave of his hand it was as if he reversed time itself as the ink pot returned to it's rightful place, the ink returning back to the container, leaving the ground spotless as if it never happened. If she had powers like him, it would have made cleaning the house much easier. Thank you, I do love your use of magic Loki. She smiled at him kindly, It is very helpful. He stood there rather awkwardly at first. Almost as if he didn't know how to respond to her praise. "You are most welcome." he said at last. If Irene didn't know any better she would have guessed that he was embarrassed or bashful. Loki was neither of those things, he seemed much more confident with everything he does, or so she thought. Loki was prideful, easily angered, super intelligent, but also surprisingly thoughtful and caring if he wished to be.

It must be nice being a magician, she said thoughtfully. If I could do half the things you can, I would be happier with just letting the house clean itself while I worked on my music and traveled anywhere without father knowing.

Loki cringed "I am not a 'magician'" he held out his hand for her to see. At first there was nothing there, until a flame burst forth. A harmless orb that hovered just inches from his palm as it produced it's own heat and light. "I am a sorcerer." Irene's brows shot up with how defensive he seemed about what she called him. "Magicians, do nothing but small parlor tricks!" He sneered "I, on the other hand. Was the most powerful sorcerer in all of Asgard! Many feared my tricks!" He snuffed the fire out, smoke escaping the gaps between his fingers. With a gesture in the air before him a spinning ball of green and blue crystallized before him to hang in mid-air. He traced his finger in an arc over and around the ball, and a smaller red globe appeared to match it, then a larger golden one. They fell into obedient orbits around the small, brilliant sun, trundling around their eternal paths.

Irene realized that it was the Earth, and everything else that lazily circled the sun was the solar system. Her eyes widened at the exquisiteness of his creation as he continued to talk to her. "But with my magic it could be destructive or it could be something of beauty. Not many Aesir men would agree, for they do not appreciate the art of magic." he seemed bitter suddenly at the mentioning of the Asgardian men as if they brought forth a bad memory. "Midgardians do not have such magic at their leisure. Your world, Midgard, is the newest of the Nine, and your people are also the youngest," he said. "In the days of your people's youth we had much traffick with your world and your people, and many of our dealings with your ancestors have ascended to the status of myth and legend. But I hear that time has worn away at your memory of such days, that most of your people have become to preoccupied with the doings of your own realm and forgotten the lands and peoples which lie outside them. Your lives are short, you do not possess the strength of an average Aesir or a Vanir, you hold no magical properties either."

Irene blinked at him in surprise. You mean the 'tree of life'? Are there more realms aside from us and Asgard? She remembered Loki telling her the tales of Asgard and what it looked like. From the golden palace to the great Rainbow Bridge. Slowly Irene sat herself down on the bench, eager to learn more.

"This is Midgard (or Earth) as you know it," Loki said, seemingly pleased. "But yes, there is more than just Asgard and Midgard." He got closer to her, a hand resting on her shoulder as he pointed out to his grand display. New worlds started to appear, it left her in awe, basking with childish wonderment "There is Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Helheim, Jotunheim, Midgard, Nifleheim, Svartalfheim, and Muspelheim which all all connected through the world tree; Yggdrasil." His voice was almost reverent as he shared his knowledge.

They both sat in comfortable silence. Both of them watching as the worlds lazily floated about the room.

You would have made a very wise and knowledgeable King. She signed.

She looked at his face, she meant it with the utmost sincerity. She no longer felt angry for his little trick, instead she felted happiness with his presence. She was glad that she wasn't alone. Loki, for all his horrid tricks, was a good person. She could feel that he would had ruled as justly as he claimed with his short reign on the Asgardian throne.

He looked unsure at her admission. "Do you believe so?"

She nodded with enthusiasm. I do.

Loki stared at her with sudden interest "What do you think, in your own opinion: makes a good king?" he seemed genuinely curious.

Irene nibbled on her lip in thought. She had read books of Kings and Queens. Of Knights and dragons in some stories. And even Shakespeare's work in what he thought a king should be like. So what did she think when it came down to how to be a king?

She started hesitantly. A good king has to be loyal to his people and not be afraid of battle, he has to drive people on and command respect. A good king should know what is best for his people, he must not be selfish and always love and nourish his Kingdom. There cannot be a strong kingdom without a strong leader and a King is considered the symbol of his land correct? The God bowed his head and quietly beckoned her to continue. I think a king must be patient, also be a critical thinker...I am not certain. I don't know much about Kings and the responsibility of ruling a kingdom.

A small smile worked his way onto his lips much to her relief. "It is a good start towards the makings of a good King."

The crown of flowers in which she had made for him appeared in his hands. And carefully he placed it on her head "Though I do believe a crown of flowers, is un-befitting of a King. It would suit you better, flowers have shorter lives. It is fit for a Midgardian."

Wow, a compliment and an insult. She rolled her eyes before staring out at the magical demonstration of the Nine Realms.

From a friend like Loki. It isn't to bad...She reasoned.

Though the crown of flowers on his head made him look nice. Not like she would ever tell him that.

Another chapter complete! And on a lovely day in the lovely year of 2015. Things couldn't be any better than this. I suffered a bit of writer's block during the holidays. Trying to both write and enjoy the holidays with my family so I am sorry for the wait folks. It was hard trying to type all this just about ripping my brain for a good story telling that it was driving me nuts lol. So I ended up watching all of Thor, The Avengers, And Thor: The Dark World to come up with something decent.

Also studying Loki while I was at it.

It's very interesting now that I think about it. Loki's parentage came to mind, Frost Giants, all that fun stuff. And I realized a bunch of shit while watching it though explaining it all would take a long time I'm not even sure if you would all be interested in hearing my theories about Loki and stuff cause I gotta say the creators of Thor (the movie) seemed a bit vague on things. So if anyone is interested in my Loki theories just feel free to ask I'm always up for sharing! xD

I also hope you enjoyed Loki and Irene spending some time together. I say he's softening up to her a bit. Maybe friendship could be achieved!?

Who knows! As for their grand scheme lets see how this plays!

Love, Review, Favorite (or cause mischief),

-Shizu