O come all ye faithful; Joyful and triumphant; O come ye, O come ye, To Loki.

Day 3

When Loki woke up that morning, it was to an unexpected knock at the door. He intended, after his humiliation the day before, to stay in his room all day. It was the third day of Yule and the palace would be hosting a ball in favor of it. He wasn't planning on going at all, he had no one to go with and regardless of the fact, he just didn't want to be around happiness at the moment.

He stood up from his bed with a loud groan, his bedroom was large. It was for for a prince, the bed had a green canopy overlaying it, green being the overall theme of the room with silver tile floors and a black balcony overlooking Asgard. He walked over to the door, wearing nothing, but baggy trousers and he answered it. He wasn't expecting to find a stranger at the door. It was an old woman, draped in rags, wrinkles upheld her face and grey hair flooded her head. He didn't know how such a woman was allowed into the palace, his eyebrows furrowed and he looked on with annoyance.

"Make this quick. I was busy."

"Lazing around in bed is busy, then?" The woman smartly replied back with her grungy voice, Loki growled, his lips forming a placid line.

"Listen woman, I can-" He paused when he saw that the woman was carrying a box in her hand and holding it out towards him. It was a small black box with light swirled designed on its exterior. "Is that for me?" He asked, this having the first present he would ever receive this Yule, he felt a sudden burst of curiosity and excitement. But he refrained from showing such a thing, his held his chin high and stood a little straighter. "What is it?" The woman opened the box, smiling up at Loki as though he was the greatest thing. His heart melted at how much adoration showed in her eyes, he had never gotten that from anyone since he was released from his incarceration. Within the box was a ring, it looked very similar to the emerald ring that Mysma had received. He wondered if this might have been the same woman and if so... Why?

"Why?" The old woman shrugged and held out the box closer.

"It's Yule isn't it." Loki was skeptical, he wasn't sure he should so easily trust such a mysterious stranger, especially one that looked like a beggar. If he were to accept this, she could ask for anything... Was she a witch? Usually Loki was good at finding out about someone the moment he saw them, but this individual was far to mysterious to do just that.

"What is your name?"

"That is not important my lord, what is is that you might accept the gift I offer."

"Where did you get it?" He ignored her statement, not withholding any questions despite the fact that he should be grateful.

"It's a powerful gift, made to sync with its bearer."

"I see." His eyes wandered down the hallway to see if any guards were around and none were. He sighed, stepping back into the room. "I am sorry, but I don't accept." He went to close the door, but she stuck out her foot and stopped it, he opened it again and glared at her. She was frowning this time, pressing further on the ring was his gift and he should accept it.

"I promise this gift is worth it, my prince. Please." He saw how her eyes widened and how all she wanted was for him to accept it.

"Alright. I will accept your gift." He reached his hand out and cautiously took the gift from her. She smiled the moment it left her hands, she nodded than turned and walked away. Loki looked puzzled for a moment as he stared down at the box. He shook his head and went back into his room closing the door, he walked over to his bed and sat down on the edge. Holding the box up and looking at it, it was still open, the ring was glowing green with some odd magic. He couldn't really pinpoint what magic however, but he felt drawn to the piece of jewelry. He lifted it up between his index and thumb, tossing the box over his shoulder he placed it on his ring finger. He felt a rush of magic roll over him, it rippled through his body and his breath grew heavy as he felt the power it held.

He closed his eyes and laid back into the bed, he wasn't sure if he should go and think that woman before she left the place, but he decided it was better he didn't. He grinned wider than he ever had before and he stared up at the ceiling. He knew what he was going to do today.


Loki barged into the library, more confident than he had ever been. Mysma sighed in annoyance, but turned back to her book. He didn't walk over to her, he paraded over to her. He stopped alongside her, a grin still plastered on his face.

"What do you want this time, Prince?" He grabbed her wrist and yanked her up to stand, he wrapped an arm around her waist. She couldn't react fast enough, her eyes were wide, their chests pressed together, hers against his armor.

"I was thinking today." He began to waltz around a though they were dancing to some unknown tune in his head. "Maybe we should put our difference aside and court one another." She gasped again and placed her hand stubbornly to his chest, pushing him away. She slapped her hand across his cheek, turning it a bright red I. Contrast to his pale tone. He grabbed her hand and pressed her knuckles against his lips.

"I don't care if you hate me. I love you dearly." She yanked her hand, but it would not budge, not because of his grip either. There was some unknown magnetism between their... Rings. He let go of her hand, but her ring finger was still attached to his. She yanked with an adorable growl, his arm shooting forward and for a split second their fingers separated an inch, but they were pulled back together again.

"Let go, Loki!" She yelled at him, he held one hand up and shook his head vigorously.

"It's not me!" He yelled back and they both began to yank at each other arms.

"What in Odin's name!" She barked out, turn she pulled Loki real close, he felt her dagger against his throat. "Whatever game you are playing Loki, stop it."

"It's Not me, it's our rings."

"What-" She stopped herself, pulling away and lifting her hand along with his to look at how the emerald bands were connected to one another. She gulped audibly and struggled to separate the bond "T-This is your fault. Who gave you that ring?"

"The old woman, she came to my room an hour ago and gave it to me."

"I don't believe you. What person would want to give Loki Laughyson a present?" She hissed it out in such a way that he would have died under her words if this was just a nightmare. "The hate frost giant." So that's what it was.

"What does me being a frost giant have anything to do with your hatred for me?!" He grumbled out, his throat scratched out, he shouted so loud at her.

"You are ridiculous! Use your magic and end this!" There was a pregnant silence as Loki looked intently at their mended fingers, but the magic was too strong. She was glaring at him the entire time, the dagger still held tightly in her other hand.

"I can't... The magic is too strong."

"You're lying." Her voice quivered, he looked up into her eyes, his cheeks caving in.

"I am not... I am afraid we will have to find some other way to separate us."

"Take the ring off!" She snapped, both of them lifted their hands and brought it to their chest, but in the process they pulled towards each other as they could not separate their fingers. Loki grabbed his ring as she grabbed hers and they tugged to pull it off, but the action worked for neither of them. "Fuck!" He heard her snivel out, he glanced up at her, having never heard her say such foul language before.

"We need to go inform someone of this. Surely there is a way." She stated breathlessly, it was an emotion he had familiarized himself with before and he identified it as panic. Why would she be in panic? This was his opportunity to crack her open like a chest full of treasure, to see and keep everything for himself.

"Calm down. We'll find something." She stopped and looked up at him, for a moment he saw some part of her that wasn't cruel to him and then it vanished.

"The King. He knows everything, he'll stop this." She attempted to walk away, but he remained stiff, she glared back at him."Let's go!"

"No. My father will think I am the cause of this." She stepped back closer and stood face to face with him.

"Absolutely, maybe it is your fault."

"Don't be so ignorant. It was obviously the woman who gave us these rings that did this." Loki reasoned, she snorted and crossing her arms, bringing Loki's hand with her.

"Now why would she do that? Everyone in Asgard knows we hate each other."

"Well maybe that's the point. It's Yule isn't it, a time for forgiving and sharing."

"I thought you hated sharing."

"I tried to share with you yesterday!"

"No! I hate you. I will not accept any gifts from a man like you."

"Fine then, we shall go to my mother. She will handle this."


"Who do you mean we are stuck like this till the end of Yule?!" Mysma shouted at he queen and she never shouted at the queen. Loki sat quietly beside her as she squirmed around and panicked, possibly at the brink of tears, but she was so well at hiding it. The queen stayed calm however, she placed her hands on her lap and smiled softly.

"It means that you and my son will have to make arrangements for the next seven days."

"You mean we have to bathe together, sleep together, be together?!"

"Yes." Loki didn't really mind the prospect, he thought of this as an advantage on his part. Now she couldn't walk away at all when they talked to one another. She would have to listen to him all day, actually for the next two weeks and three days, it would be the best period of his life. "What do you think of this Loki?" Frigga asked, Loki shrugged.

"I don't mind being near her, she hates me however and I just can't seem to understand why." Because you are a frost giant, the deep recesses of his mind bellowed, but he pushed it aside. That wasn't a very factual statement just yet, she didn't directly hate his race, did she?

"I can't believe this. Can't Odin do something? There must be a way."

"Perhaps you two can pretend to be engaged until then? It might just prevent unusual questions."

"What?!" She blared, wrapped her arms around her again she brought Loki's hand with her and he could see she was annoyed with this connection.

"There is nothing we can do, once a bond is made, it's sealed."

"What are these rigs for anyways? Why would the old woman give them to us?" Loki asked thoughtfully, although the words had been meant for himself alone.

"Good question, maybe it was that she wanted you two to enjoy the Yule."

"I do that just fine." Mysma rolled her eyes as did Loki, when Loki went to cross his arms her arms uncrossed and she yanked at Loki's hand.

"Now, Mysma. I understand that you and Loki don't get along very well, but at least try." Frigga asked of her softly and her eyes softened and she became a bit more tempered.

"Alright, I will for you my queen." Loki knew a lie when he heard one and Mysma was lying.


There was supposed to be a ball and at first, Loki thought Mysma was going, but after this incident he immediately agreed that she wasn't. They were sitting at the dinner table alone, it was awkward, Loki having to eat with his non-dominant hand and her having to be so close to him. He wondered what arrangements were to be made and when they would be made. She didn't say anything for quite a while, she looked depressed, dull, and her strong personality weakened. He felt pity for her, he put his fork down as did she and they both looked at each other. Not one word was said, until they were walking down the hall, not knowing which way to go since they hadn't discussed the arrangements. She stopped and him being connected to her, had to do so as well.

"How are we going to bathe, sleep, dress?" She asked, she must have calmed herself since she was much more quiet and timid about her words now.

"I suppose I can sleep with you tonight and bathing well... I guess I will just close my eyes as you will do the same. Dressing shouldn't be much of a problem however, we can use our magic." She nodded her head in agreement to his suggestions, which puzzled him.

"How will we tell the others?"

"We could always go with being engaged."

"No... We could tell them the truth." Loki smiled, leaning closer to her..

"Then they will want to help us." She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. He admired her features while she wasn't looking and when she opened them again, he quickly looked away.

"They are my friends and I would prefer they knew."

"Then where are my friends?"

"You don't have any." She plainly stated before continuing the walk towards her room and dragging her with him. Loki had never been to her room, before and when he arrived he was expecting something much more extravagant, but it was small and dingy. Her bed was a queen size bed, something just big enough for the two of them, but not enough to give them their space... If that was possible with their situation.

It was about the same size a the cell he was given on earth, very wide, but not lengthy. There was a balcony with baige curtains to the right wall and to the left was the bathing room. Her room had no particular theme or decor, there was dark red colors, brown colors, and tan colors. The floor was tile and spotless, there was no tables around the room and her wardrobe was at the corner diagonal of the bed. This room was much different from one he was used to. He was surprised she even allowed him in here, despite their situation.

"Who will be bathing first?" She barely whispered, Loki's breath hitched, did he have the control to keep his eyes closed?

"You can go first." She didn't agree or disagree with him, she brought him toward the bathroom. Opening the door and stepping in, there was a small square marble bathing pool, the water was still, the room was quite gloomy and chilly. "I don't like warm water so they have to keep this room a certain temperature for me." He nodded, Loki was a frost giant, he never minded the cold, but Loki had a tendency to turn blue the moment he touched anything this cold and he hated turning blue.

"What shall we do then?"

"You are a frost giant. You can handle it." She pulled him over to the water and stood at the edge of the pool, she looked back over to him.

"Close your eyes." He did as he was told an shortly after he heard a splash, she had used magic to remove her clothing. He was about to open them again. "Keep them closed or I will maul you in your sleep." He smirked and snapped the fingers of his free hand, removing his clothes and armor as well.

"I hope you aren't looking." Loki teased, having not told her when he would remove his clothes, he knew she was.

"N-No." His grin widened when he realized she was lying and the tension between their rings lessened when he entered the water. He knew she was closer than she had to be and he wanted to open his eyes so bad. The water was extremely cold, Loki could feel himself turning blue the moment his skin touched it. He sighed, as long as she kept her eyes closed he could... He opened his eyes and she staring directly at him, her face merely five inches from him. The water was at her waist, but he didn't bother looking. It was her eyes and her... Appearance. Her hair was no longer blonde, but white, her eyes were a much intense shade of blue, her skin was paler than before and well... She was flawless. He was blue, his eyes beat red, his royal markings that marred his skin.

She took in a deep breath and slapped his chest, before covering herself with one hand.

"I told you not to open your eyes."

"It's only fair that I get to see you as you get to see me."

"It's horrific..." He paused, unsure if she was talking about his appearance, his open eyes or her appearance, her eyes.

"Well if you think that, I suppose that I will just look away."

"At least I'm not as ugly as you, Mr. Prince." She spat, they both looked away now, beginning to wash themselves hurriedly to avoid having to be like this in each others presence much longer. Loki was surprisingly not offended by the comment, he deduced that she said it because she thought he was looking away because he was ugly, but she was far from it.

"What makes you think you are ugly?" He asked as he rubbed his hand at his chest, the soup salts were on her side and he decided not to ask her for them. "You see, beauty isn't only on the outside for most, it's on the inside, but in your case it's both." She didn't say anything in reply and it was silent for the rest of the bath. They both got out at the same time, eyes still closed until they both clothes themselves.

"You still can't open your eyes." His eyebrows furrowed.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want you to see what I am wearing." He smiled then and she pulled him from the bathroom.

"I sleep on the right side nearest to the balcony." Loki groaned, that was the side he slept on. Then her remembered the bond between the rings would surely get in the way of how they usually slept. It was on her right hand and his left, meaning that he would have to sleep on his side so that she may sleep on hers and so forth.

"I have no problem with the side you sleep on, if you don't mind me having to be close to you." He could feel her eyes on him, but she insisted he didn't open his eyes.

"We've been close since mid-day, there is nothing I can do about it and I don't feel like dragging a dead body around so would you please just try to keep your distance." He nodded his head, but it was a lie. She hadn't fully thought this through and there was no way he couldn't be close to her depending on her position, of course. Loki slept on his side, he could sleep on his side if she slept on her side facing the balcony. He could feel her get into bed, his arm was pulled, he had no choice but to get into bed himself. The moment she turned on her side, his hand was pulled under her body and he was yanked towards her.

"Loki. Get off."

"You seem to forget that I can't, darling." She turned onto her back, his arm still wrapped around her back. She groaned in annoyance again, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"I hate you!"

"So it's my fault?"

"It's been your fault." She grumbled out, he laid down onto his back and they both stared up at the ceiling. It was quiet for what must had been an hour and neither of them could sleep.

"I will just have to spoon you." Loki stated, she shook her head and he didn't have to see it, to know. "I can't sleep on my back."

"Neither can I."

"Then it's settled." He didn't wait for her permission and turned on his side again, turning her onto her side despite her noises of protest. His arm remained around her, his right hand on hers, his left arm went over her waist where he felt nothing and then he realized that she wasn't wearing anything but a cloth wrap over her breasts and underwear. He felt himself twitch and tried to do everything he could to keep her from noticing.

"We'll sleep in my room tomorrow, the bed is bigger as is the room."

"No."

"You don't have much of a choice now do you?" She grunted her answer and there was no words needed after that. They both closed their eyes and to his surprise they had no trouble sleeping after that. They both were whisked away into their dreams.