I couldn't sleep.

Never in my life had I envisioned my life to be this way.

It had been a month since that day in the library, since the wisp of tentative dreaming had materialized into something that wasn't real, just possible .

Both of the Princes had been called away on important diplomatic business the next day but not before a suitably awkward dinner with the royal family

"So Ever" The AllFather began, clearing his throat slightly "Do you have an preference on the wedding date?

I smiled gently and took and small sip of wine before responding, an attemopty to hide my uncertainty.

"I haven't thought that far ahead I'm ashamed to say" I said feeling the invisiable smirk the younger prince was ginving me from his postion across the table. The memory of the last time I had said that flashed through my mind, I had been dancing in his arms.

The AllFather was seated at the head of the table with the Queen, effortlessly beautiful as always to his right and the Silvertongued Trickerster beside her, dressed casually in a simple charcoal tunic.

Thor dressed in his usual eyecatching red was seated to Odin's left and his hand, laying innocently next to mine shifted close at my words and engulfed mine. His hand was huge compared to mine and was a warm and calloused comfort for the rest of dinner.

I sighed and leaned my head against the sun warmed glass my eyes drifting shut, the door burst open and Geneva swirled in ignoring my reluctant groan "What now?" SHe didn't even pause as she rifled through my closet.

"The Queen has requested your presensce at tea"

that got my attention, my eyes flew open and the book that had been resting in my lap tumbled to the ground. I rushed to the mirror and let out a distressed huff as I tried to capture my crazy curls in a bun.

Geneva gave me a disapproving once over as she batted my hands away and expertly pinned a twisted bun in place.

"You really need to stop wearing that color" she tutted something I couldn't recognize lacing her voice.

"but greens my favorite color" I said frowning

Geneva glanced hesitantly at my furrowed brow

"my lady... wearing that particular shade of green may give some people, ideas."

Her voice dropped an octave on that last word. I could feel my face falling in understanding and I stepped out of the puddle of emerald fabric as it slithered to the ground.

"You're going to have to get used to the color red"

she stated gently as I smoothed the front of the simple cotton dress.

The "Women's Room" was already full of the young and old women of the court. It was customary for only women to be allowed in this room, even the servants, and was beautifully decorated.

I weaved my way through the cushy loveseats and tiny end tables to pay my respects to the Queen, who was perched regally in a winged armchair. She smiled gracefully as I curtsied and gestured to a cushioned window seat directly to her right.

"I'm sure you were surprised when I requested your presence" she said charmingly as the chatter of hushed whispers broke out around us "yes your Grace" I said smiling awkwardly as I accepted a teacup from a mousy servant who smiled hesitantly back.

"How is life in the castle suiting you?" She asked conversationally

"very well my Lady" I reply offhandedly all the catty glances my way were distracting.

"Good" she smiled and placed her teacup back on its saucer with a slight clink

"I've made a appointment with the royal seamstress" she stood up her golden dress swishing "if you would please follow me".

I did, looking rather stupidly disgruntled

I hate clothes shopping.

The Queen lead the way through the glossy halls and stopped in front of a pair of double doors, a tall commanding women looked me up and down with a critical eye

"my name is Isa and I am the head seamstress for the royal family and now you"

she sounded like she had been asked to clean out the stables.

"you must be the lucky bride" even her voice was thin and reedy , I nodded a bit meekly as she ushered me through the double doors.

One week later

The castle was a bee hive when the news of the princes return spread.

Crowds of swishing silk and taffeta made the main hallways hard to maneuver. especially while wearing the still pinned monstrosity of the six-billionth wedding dress I have been forced to try on over the last week.

The Queen was busy and since everything has to be approved by her, we where bringing the party to her!

The Queen gave me a cursory once over before frowning slightly and looking back down at some scented embroidered paper thingymobob.

"Its a winter wedding, it needs sleeves." As is on cue a gust of wind came through the open window, ruffling the papers and raising goose bumps on my exposed arms.

Isa wasn't even phased she just picked up the train of my dress and giving me a pointed look. I huffed and winced as pins jabbed my waist, I stomp out forcing Isa to pick up her pace.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY" a voice thundered in the courtyard the gates crashing open. A concession of gold armor flooded toward the medical bay, what looked like a mob of wounded were being assisted by there brethren the rest where hobbling along.

I took off without thinking, down the hall and the stairs, someone stepped on my train and ripped it and my dress strap fell victim to grabbing hands of people being trampled.

Some where rushing with me, other against me and even more slipped into the crevices of the side hallways. Fleeing every which way. By the time I got to the courtyard I looked like I was the one wounded so I shrugged off the rest of the dress, leaving me in a plain white shift and bare feet.

I swooped in to support a man who was dragging one of his legs behind him, I slung his arm over my shoulder his shoulder plate digging into my cheek. "thanks" he croaked "so problem" I panted as I guided him through the grand doors of the medical bay and onto a free bed.

I turned "I need a nurse over here" I croaked, my mouth suddenly dry I swiveled my head desperately but all the hospital staff where distracted.

Weaving in and out, water sloshing from there fingerbowls and bandages being tossed around like footballs.

I turned back to look at the solider, he was bleeding profusely from a gash in his side and even with my naïve eye I could tell he could easily bleed out from it.

"Is a nurse coming?" He rasped,

I stared down at his drained face, Hysteria plain as day on mine.

"There isn't one coming is there" he whispered his eyes shifting out of focus, thinking fast I snapped my fingers in front of his face to bring him back

"there is, stay awake"

I slipped into the throng trying to find where the supplies and I nearly got knocked over by a group of nurses carrying a solider who's arm was hanging from his body. The shoulder was not just dislocated but almost completely... torn off.

This was too much and I ducked and threw up in a conveniently placed bed pan. I spit and took deep breaths the acrid taste in my mouth was dizzying, what the hell had I gotten myself into, more importantly what the hell had the soldiers gotten themselves into.

I found the supplies I think I needed pretty easy since the door had been left open in the confusion, I duck back and "solider boy" as I have resigned to call him was barely coherent but still giving me a weak smile.

I rip open his tunic and mentally force myself not to expel the bitter acid rising in the back of my throat. "Okay" I clear my throat "one...two..."