Part 2 of 2 of the flash back. Thank for all the reviews, faves, and likes! I have strongly considered the outcome of this story and it might not have such a fairy tail happy ending... it wont be a tragic one but it wont be a super happy one either...

~~~~ A few days later ~~~~

Still no sign of Rienne… how long had it been now?... Loki felt like such a fool… there was not a day that went by that he did not think of her… his guilt was eating away at him. Loki had stayed in his room for days, unable to think of a way to ask the girl to return to the palace once he found her. There were crumpled pieces of paper all over his bedroom floor. He thought perhaps a heartfelt letter would convince her to return. However, it seemed he was at a loss for words. Walking out onto his balcony, he stared out into the horizon. There was a beautiful sunset with all colors of oranges, reds, and golds. "… I miss you dearly.." he whispered.

"You should tell her." Thor walked up to the young raven-haired god. Loki turned around in surprise. When did Thor get here? And why hadn't he heard him come in?

Sighing deeply, Loki shook those thoughts away and continued to stare off at the clouds. "If only I knew where she was brother…"

Thor placed a heavy hand on his younger brother's shoulder. "Well you're in luck. Volstagg and I found her at the city market place. She asked us not to reveal her whereabouts to anyone however… I thought you should make amends with her." Loki remained silent. His brows were furrowed in confusion. Now that he knew where he could find her, the pressing question from earlier was pestering him once more. How would he apologize?... It had to be a real apology… Rienne knew Loki well enough to tell whenever he was lying. Not that his apology would be a lie though…

"I… don't know how I will express my regret…"

"Just tell her exactly how you feel. Tell her you made a mistake and you will do whatever it takes to get her to come home…. Loki… this is lady Rienne's home. You and I are her family now. She has no one but us." Loki looked up to his brother and nodded. Thor was right. Rienne had not mother, no siblings or uncles… she had no one. Thor dismissed himself and as quietly as he entered, he left.

Loki was now lost in thought. With a memory that was near to his heart. He never spoke of the way she made him feel when she said this to him…

~~~(Flash back when Rienne was about 12 and Loki 13) ~~~~

Her legs dangled on the edge of the Bifrost and she had her eyes closed…She could hear the endless void of the universe speaking… singing its endless, haunting song. Rienne tried meditating, to collect her thoughts, if you will. Nothing was heard except for the stars… the planets and space dust flowing below her. Rienne could hear the crashing waves of the ocean beneath her feet mix in with the breathless melodies the universe sang.

"What are you thinking about?" Loki carefully and gently, sat next to her. She smiled at him and her eyes shone with sweet kindness.

"Just meditating… and thinking about things…"

"You should go back inside. You don't want to get in trouble do you? Sitting here like this is dangerous."

"You know…sometimes I envy you Loki… it must be nice to just… get up and go wherever you want…" She was now staring down into the star-filled void.

"Not always." He sighed. "It's not as great as it might seem. Sometimes I wish I didn't have all the responsibilities I do… I wish I could just… sit here like this with you… and worry about nothing." She remained silent for a few minutes before speaking again.

"I hope that I say now won't anger you or make you uncomfortable…." Loki looked at her in confusion. "You and Thor are my family Loki… and I truly hope you keep me in your heart for a long time… if not forever… I worry for you whenever you go off to another realm… I love you Loki… you mean the world to me…" Her cheeks were flushed in pink. The last few words were a very soft whisper that Loki had to listen to carefully or he wouldn't have heard it. She shifted uncomfortably and played with her hands.

Loki's heart beat in his chest. He, too, was blushing furiously. Being the gentleman he was though, the gently took Rienne's right hand in his. "I love you too Rienne. If anyone ever hurt you… I would rein down on them with the fury of a thousand suns." She tried to contain a giggle, but Loki's smiling face forced it out of her.

~~~~ back with Loki ~~~

"Rienne won't accept a letter… I will just have to tell her in person." He walked over to his bed and closed his eyes. He continued to try and collect his thoughts on apologizing as he eventually drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Loki woke up bright and early. He was determined to see Rienne and apologize. At the end of the day he was confident she would return home with him and all would be as it was.

Before he even knew what he was doing… here he was, waiting impatiently for his childhood friend. He had been standing around the corner of a fruit stand, pretending to look at an orange. After what seemed an eternity and getting strange looks from passerby's, since he had been staring at the same orange for over an hour, Rienne finally showed up. She was across of where he stood looking at a baker's stand. She was eyeing the cookies that the man was placing out. Smiling, and returning the orange, Loki made his way towards her.

She didn't notice him, as she was searching her pockets for money. "Two dozen of your fresh baked cookies please." Loki's voice startled her. She was about to take off but he grabbed her wrist.

"Don't you know it's bad manners to run away from your prince?" Rienne scrunched up her eyebrows in anger.

"Please forgive me… my prince… but I do not wish to be a hindrance to you. I shall take my leave now." She said quite bitterly as she gave a quick bow before attempting to take off again. Loki stopped her once more and politely paid the baker for the cookies.

"For you." He handed her the brown paper bag that filled the air with the sweet aroma of freshly baked chocolate treats.

"Uh… thank you…" She cautiously took the bag from him. Loki took her empty hand in his and gently led her to a fountain nearby. They sat in awkward silence until Rienne finally broke it. "So… I'm assuming Thor told you where to find me…. And you shall bestow your punishment on me now?..." She was wiggling her feet in nervousness.

"No… I'm here to ask you to return home." He tore his stare away from her and Rienne scoffed. That hurt him. It felt like a dagger had been jammed into his side.

"I have none. I'm just a poor, homeless, thief… just… kill me for stealing from you and get it over with." She glared at the floor. She was hoping her words would hurt Loki's feelings, even if it was just a little.

Sighing in exasperation, Loki unknowingly raised his voice at her. "Rienne enough of this nonsense! You shall come home with me immediately and you will arrange my room the way I like it. You are the only maid that knows how I like my things organized and trust me, my room needs cleaning." Loki seemed confident that would win her over. He knew she was a stubborn one and thinking that by getting down the chase, she would comply and come home.

"… Are… you kidding me right now?" She was glaring at him. Loki gave her an innocent look, pretending to now know what she was talking about. Rienne sighed. "Are you playing some sort of game with me Loki? Because if you are, I am not amused."

This wasn't going how he planned. He never had to apologize to Rai before… she always just shrugged off his misdeeds and mischief and automatically forgave him. Such was their relationship. He would misbehave, Rai would laugh, and all would be well again. It appeared this time would be different.

"Rienne I… please come home…" His voice was more sincere this time.

"No. I already informed you I will not go with you. The only way I shall return to the palace is if you are dragging me to my death." She was so tenacious sometimes. Loki was feeling exasperated.

"Listen… I was wrong alright?... I was wrong and you were right about Freyja… I fell for her looks and her sultry ways… you didn't steal anything from me… I've wronged you… I humiliated you and I'm sorry…" Rienne shrugged. A reaction he wasn't expecting.

"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't be here when she betrays you? Didn't I tell you that you'd be begging me for forgiveness but you would not find any? I warned you Loki… I warned you about her because I care about you… I knew she wasn't any good and yet you took her side because of her pretty face and large hips… because she could make your cock scream you chose her over me! Me, who has been with you through everything! Every humiliation that Thor and the warriors three have put you through, I have been there… every time your father belittled you, it was I who cheered you up… I defended you through everything and the one time I ask you to believe in me… you choose a whore!" She was now standing in front of Loki. Her face flushed in anger and her breathing became heavier. She was furious as expected.

"Calm yourself. Sit down and listen." She really didn't want to but for the sake of not causing a scene, she did. Loki sighed once more and began his heartfelt apology. An apology that he had come up with on the spot. Something not rehearsed, and not planned. He truly was hoping his previous attempt to bring her home would work. Since it didn't, this was his last resort. "Rienne… you were right ok?... You were right about Freyja using me… You were right about everything alright?..." Loki's gaze left her's and met his feet. She could tell he was having a hard time admitting he was wrong. "I was a fool… I let that bitch get to me… I was thinking with my cock not my head and I'm sorry. Words cannot express the regret and remorse I feel for what happened… Listen… I don't know how I will regain your trust again but I promise you, even if it takes me an eternity, I will… I just…" She raised a hand to stop him from talking.

"It's alright Loki. I can see you're having a very hard time with your apology so… I'll take what I can get." She softly laughed. He glared at her somewhat. Loki was a little embarrassed that he wasn't able to choose better words. "Loki don't pout. It's because of your poor choice in words that I'm returning with you. That's how I know you are sincere." She stood up and offered him her hand. Reaching for it he smiled.

"I was serious about the organizing my room thing." His hands were now clasped behind his back as they walked home. His head held high and his princely aura returning.

"And I'm still mad at you, so don't think the first thing I'll do upon arriving home, is clean your room." He chuckled. He was happy. They were a family again and he couldn't have had it any other way.

~~~~~~~ End of flashback ~~~~~~~

~~~~ Now you have seen what a brash and anger-fueled child he can be… He does things that only benefit himself… it is your choice whether or not you shall follow him… however… All your actions and decisions are merely the mechanizations of a predetermined universe… and your concept of 'free will' is naught but a comforting illusion.~

"What…do you mean?..." Rienne had her eyes open now and was staring at Yggdrasil.

~Ragnarok shall come… if you follow Loki or not it shall happen… and when it does…. You are welcome to return here... however, next time, it will cost you much more than a few years off your lifespan…~

Her body suddenly was bathed in a red light. A few dozen of the tree's vines had wrapped themselves around her tightly. Yggdrasil could feel her panic and adrenaline kicking in. ~Do not fear… I am only taking what was promised…~ She calmed herself as best she could. There was a burning sensation that started from her feet and radiated up to her legs, which eventually enveloped her whole body. It was very painful but only for about a minute or two. Then, as suddenly as it happened, it stopped.

The life tree fell silent. The soft breeze had died and Rienne felt considerably weaker. She tried to catch her breath as she supported her small frame on Yggdrasil. She saw as the tree's rough, brittle, bark slowly healed itself. It became smoother and stronger. *Stupid tree…* she thought but dismissed it, afraid that Yggdrasil could read her thoughts and she didn't want to anger it.

"I'd better go see Loki." She needed to know if he had come up with a plan or not. The wedding was so close she could feel it.