Flying Sandals

Thor and Elsred were sitting under an ancient magnolia tree in Frigga's garden. The flowers in bloom spread out their perfume, but the scent of the freshly baked chocolate cakes inside the picnic basket next to Elsred rose above it.

She had baked plenty of them. The older girls in the kitchen liked Elsred and she had fallen in the good graces of the head cook, because of her niceness. She had sort of a free pass to bake there, as long as she didn't interfere during the busy hours of food preparation and service.

Elsred was always questioning the kitchen staff on what were the best recipes for this or that dish or what were the best techniques for roasting and grilling, among other things. They found her enthusiasm amusing and enjoyed her presence there, seeing as she broke the monotony of daily tasks.

Elsred, on the other hand, loved watching everyone work so in sync to produce delicious meals that were also beautifully presented. Albeit the constant movement of people from one station to another and the hectic pace of each task, there was seldom serious arguments there, even though everyone was rather loud.

"So what do you think, my Lady?" Thor asked, watching her eyes shine as she took in the garden around her. Elsred had told Thor she missed the forests of Alfheim, so he had asked Frigga if he could take the girl to visit her private gardens. Elsred was quite struck with the luscious flora and trees. Millennia of Frigga's care had turned them into one of the most beautiful gardens she had ever seen.

"It's amazing. In Alfheim the trees are so tall and thick that our houses are built in the trunks of the living trees, but the flowers here... they're so beautiful and different. In Alfheim there's a lot of green, but no flowers quite like these. Thank you so much for showing this to me, your Highness. I shall thank her Majesty for allowing me such an honor," she turned to him, smiling widely.

"Nonsense, Lady Elsred. Mother told me she was most glad to be of aid to the daughter of Arnora Grettisdóttir. She holds your mother in high regards," he smiled back at her.

Elsred's mother worked as an Ambassadress of Asgard in Alfheim, the realm of the Light Elves.

Elsred had lived in Alfheim for most of her life, but things there had started going awry that year. There had been a lot of attacks from the Dark Elves, with many casualties as an aftermath, so her parents had asked permission to send her back to live in Asgard, where she would be safe.

Her father was a light elf, a personal guard and friend of the king of Alfheim, so he couldn't leave and her mother had the duty of reporting back to Odin, in case Alfheim's situation turned unmanageable and the king of Elves decided his people would need an ally.

"Pardon my curiosity, but I had no idea you were half elvish. You do have fair skin, but your ears are not at all pointy. How is that possible?" she laughed and he felt a little embarrassed for asking.

"I guess the pointy ears gene just didn't reach me, I don't really know why. I do have my father's eyes and skin, but his hair is white blond and mine is more than a few shades darker, like my mother's," she looked up to the sky, smiling as she pictured her parents and friends. "My friends in Alfheim make fun of it and they say I have weird ears. There aren't many Aesir where we live and most of the Elves have black or white blond hair, so any other shades draw attention."

Elsred reached for the basket and tossed Thor a small cake wrapped in a cloth napkin. It was still hot, filling Thor's hands with warmth.

"Be careful, Prince Thor. It would be best if you let it cool down," she warned, resting a cake on her lap.

"You needn't worry, my Lady, the Aesir rarely ever get sick," he grinned at her as he took a bite. Thor's eyes lit up at the taste. It was exactly as he remembered it: perfection in a cake.

"I was wondering if your Grace would mind calling me only by my name. It's strange to hear the word 'Lady' linked to it. I'm only fifteen after all and I grew up climbing trees, which is hardly very ladylike," Elsred scrunched up her nose, which made him laugh.

"Only if you will drop all those royal titles and just call me Thor!" he answered. He was glad that she didn't require him to treat her formally. That in itself was surely a sign they were becoming a bit closer.

Elsred's eyes widened and she looked at her hands in her lap, hesitating a little. "But you're of royal blood, I don't think it would be appropriate," she bit her lip and then picked at small bits of cake with her fingers as she spoke.

"I'll tell you this: Whenever we're alone or only Sif and Loki are around, you may call me by my name. If anyone else should be around, you can call me whatever you like or whatever makes you feel more adequate," Thor smiled kindly and Elsred nodded, a shy smile on her lips.

"Really, brother, she may call you whatever she likes? Even if she wants to call you Sparkles or Captain Flatulence or something along those lines?" Loki stood behind them, having soundlessly walked up to them.

Elsred jumped up at the sound of Loki's voice. She was not expecting him to appear out of nowhere and when he did she was startled. "Oh, hello Prince Loki."

Thor on the other hand merely rolled his eyes at his brother's remark. "I doubt that very much, Loki."

"You may call me Loki, Elsred, since the formalities are seemingly being dropped," he smiled at her and then addressed Thor. "What? They're perfectly accurate nicknames. You have that whole shiny golden hair thing going and you know that if you have too much bean and meat stew for dinner-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence-!" shouted Thor exasperatedly, getting to his feet.

"-it can be rather unpleasant to sit next to you, before it's out of your system," finished Loki, with an innocent look.

There was an awkward silence as Thor glared daggers at Loki, who looked way too satisfied with himself for Thor's taste, especially after saying such humiliating things. Elsred was trying hard not to laugh, both at what Loki had said and because it was funny watching Thor move his jaw wordlessly and point his finger accusingly at Loki as he tried to find something to say.

"Do you want chocolate cake?" Elsred asked, extending to each of the Princes a cake, trying to get them distracted from their dispute.

They both turned to look at her. After a few seconds, they exchanged a look and Thor seemed less tense.

"I would very much like that, thank you," Loki replied, taking one from her left hand.

"Thank you, Elsred," Thor grumbled, taking a step and grabbing the other from her right hand.

Both princes of Asgard sat down beneath the magnolia tree, one looking annoyed and the other with a smug expression. Elsred took a bite of her now cold chocolate cake and successfully avoided laughter.

"I thought Sif would come with you. I have brought more than enough cakes for all of us. Where is she?" Elsred stared at Loki expectantly.

"Oh, yes. You see, we may have made it a small contest out of who would get here first and I might have cheated by tripping her up and then leaving her behind, just to make her upset," he shrugged as he took another bite.

"You tripped Sif up and she actually fell?" Thor seemed sceptical.

"Is she alright?" Elsred worried.

"Loki Odinson, I am going to bloody murder you!" Sif's shout came from a good feet away, as soon as her eyes landed on him.

"I'd say she's perfectly fine," Loki said nonchalantly. Next thing he knew, a sandal had hit him across the head and he had nearly dropped his cake. "Oi, don't make me waste cake, you mewling quim!" he was rubbing his head when the second sandal followed, hitting him harder this time.

A/N: Sooo... What did you think? Also, I'm thinking I might end up adding a bit of Loki/Sif to this. What would you say about that?

Thank you so much to everyone who favorited/followed and a special thanks to Isabella Greengrass and wafflebunny804 for the reviews. You're all awesome and I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story! Also, sorry about any mistakes you might find. I'm crazy busy at the moment and I didn't get much time to proof read this before posting... My bad. I just didn't want to keep you waiting!