Rai was at a loss for words. She wanted to deny Thor's advances but did not want to upset the All-Father. She loved Thor but in a brotherly way. She had always thought Thor was attractive but she never really fell for him like most women did. She was silent in thought but was then interrupted by Frandall.
"She seems to be at a loss for words Thor. My lady Rai do not be bashful of your feelings towards Thor! I am sure he will treat you like a princess!" he smiled at her and Thor let out a small chuckle.
"All-Father…if I may be excused? I need to get ready for my trip I informed you of…" She softly said not able to look up due to the embarrassment.
"Ah yes of course, your trip to Alfheim. Now you shall be away for seven days correct?" She nodded to Odin and he continued, "Now my dear that will leave only seven days for Thor to court you…" Rai suddenly stood up and replied, "That's fine All-Father. It shouldn't take too long anyway. Now if you will please excuse me." She politely bowed and quickly started making her way to her chambers, trying to avoid any and all eye contact with anyone.
Loki quickly caught up with her down the hallway and forcefully took hold of her arm. "Why did you not tell me of your little trip?! What do you mean that's fine?! And what exactly won't take long?! For Thor to do as he pleases with you?!" Loki glared at her with much hatred. She was angry Loki was being so rough with her but refused to submit to him. She harshly pulled her arm back away from him and replied, "If you must know, I am going to Alfheim as a vacation. I need some time away from all this…from you." She said the last part softly and a bit bitterly.
She cast her gaze to the floor and Loki took hold of her face gently. He carefully lifted her chin with one hand and placed his other at her waist. "You want to get away from me?..." he softly said as he stared into her eyes. "I need some time alone Loki…I need some time to think…" she tried to look away from him but he wouldn't let her.
"Need time to think about what? Surely not of Thor's proposal to court you…" He let go of her face but she didn't reply. She sighed and tried to free herself from his hold. Loki held on to her tightly refusing to let her escape. They stood there quietly for a moment. Neither of them knowing what to ask the other. Loki spoke up first, "If you believe Thor is more suited for you…"
She sighed again. "Why do you hide me from everyone?...Why do you deny that you care for me? Did you mean what you said back then, or was that a lie, so that I may become one of your whores!" Loki was shocked at that but she continued, "Am I an embarrassment to you?...Because I am not of noble blood?...Because I am not worthy of you?...Thor seems to think I am worthy of him….he does not deny he cares for me...The things I do for you, are because I care for you deeply...do you think any other woman would have taken it upon herself to take care of your children?" She sighed. Rai didn't want to throw that at him...she took on that task because she chose to. Loki didn't force her to do it. She grew to love those kids as her own so she wasn't complaining. She just wanted him to understand..."I must get packing…I have a long trip and I must hurry…" she managed to wriggle out of his grasp and walked away, forcing back the tears threatening to fall.
He ran after her. He needed to know if she truly was thinking of accepting Thor. "Rai!" he touched her shoulder gently as she reached her bedroom door. She refused to look at him but nodded in acknowledgement. "Please tell me you are not honestly thinking of accepting Thor…" She shrugged her shoulders. "Don't ignore me…" she could hear the anger in his voice but said nothing. "You are mine Rai. You are my woman and I'll be damned if Thor takes you from me…" he spoke with venom in his words but Rai remained unfazed.
"Need I remind you that you do not own me Loki?" She spoke softly. "If I can't have you, no one will." He tried to grab hold of her arm but she pushed him away. "You did have me Loki…but not anymore." She quickly entered her bedroom and slammed the door in his face before he could react. He stood there motionless and silent for some time. He had meant what he said. If he could not have her to himself, she would be no ones. As if it wasn't enough pain to know that Thor would be crowned king in two weeks…and now he would take his Rai? No.
Loki furiously made his way to his chambers but not before calling his sons Fenrir and Jormungand to meet him there. He was staring, or rather glaring, through his bedroom's window as he saw Thor with his friends having a few laughs. Why is it he always gets everything he wants?...Loki wondered. His bedroom door was suddenly opened disturbing Loki's thoughts. It was his sons.
"I want you to follow Rai to Alfheim. Make sure she doesn't notice you. I want you to keep an eye on her and report back to me." He had his back to them. Jormungand suddenly spoke up. "Why exactly are we following her?" Loki turned to his youngest son and smiled. "I want you to tell me if Rai decides to accept Thor…I have some mischief to create for my dear brother's coronation…" Fenrir and Jormungad looked at each other and smiled. They always loved the pranks their father would play and couldn't wait to find out what mischief he had planned for Thor.
It was early in the morning when Rai decided to head out to Alfheim. She figured a good head start would mean more relaxing vacation time for her. It would take a day and a half to reach Alfheim and the same back to Asgard. That meant four days of relaxation. She grabbed her leather bag filled with clothes, and other items, then started to head out. Rai was unaware that her bag contained more than just what she packed. Fenrir and Jormungand transformed into their beast selves. They could either transform into their monstrous giant sizes or their baby stages. Fenrir was a wolf cub and Jormungand a tiny snake. The perfect size to go undetected in Rai's bag.