Beautiful brown saplings of eyes stared at their reflection in the mirror. Pale hands danced around the face the oculars belonged to, primping and dusting the bronzed skin with powders and cosmetics. A brush covered in gel caressed the woman's lips, while another brush danced across her cheeks adding light to the already glowing skin. The long brunette curls of the woman were braided away, wrapped around her head in a large, tight bun.
The woman was guided up from the vanity and stood in front of a mirror as a gown was brought to her. The handmaidens dressed the woman like she was a doll, tying the woman's lithe body into the fabric. The smooth, brown skin of the woman's shoulders was bared before the world in the light beige gown that was lined in deep red, and the sheer train of the dress was a few steps behind her. The woman bowed and one of the handmaidens placed a thin crown on her head.
A knock was heard from the door and a servant hurried to answer it, revealing a guard. "It is time."
The woman nodded and looked to her handmaidens with a sad smile. She wrapped her long arms around the two plump woman and breathed out a word of thanks. "For all that you have done." She added, smiling prettily. With one last nod, the woman left the room with the guard, letting him lead her to the Grand Hall.
Today was the day of Andromeda's farewell feast; for tomorrow morning, the princess would be returning to her kingdom. As she walked to the Hall, the beauty was overcome with grief, though her chin was still lifted. She was saying goodbye to her new home, in exchange for her old one.
Reaching the familiar double doors of the Grand Hall, Andromeda exhaled shakily and lifted her chin higher. She put her shoulders back and folded her hands in front of her body, nodding to the guard when she was ready.
"Princess Andromeda of Aethiopia!" The double doors slowly opened and she was met with the cheers of crowd and the bright light gleaming in the golden room.
Andromeda smiled prettily and floated down the center aisle, nodding at random peasants in the crowd. She looked forward and caught a glimpse of the royal family: King Odin was sitting high as always, observing the scene with a stern face; Queen Frigga was standing beside him smiling fondly; Prince Thor was standing to the side, a small smile that looked odd on his normally beaming face; and Prince Loki was standing next to his brother, though his face was blank.
The princess stood before the royal family and bowed deeply, lowering her head in respect. "You may rise." Odin's voice boomed and Andromeda obeyed, holding her head high once more. "Princess Andromeda, we have congregated here to announce that your time in Asgard has come to an end. Your presence here will be greatly missed, young princess of Aethiopia, but we respect your decision to return home. You may speak, child."
"With all respect due to you, Allfather," Andromeda started, raising her eyes to meet the king's, "I would like to address the people of Asgard." Odin fought the smile on his face and nodded to the young woman.
The beauty turned around and smiled sadly at the crowd, "I promised myself I would not cry, though it seems I have already broken that promise…" The crowd laughed jointly at the princess and she smiled once more. "Firstly, I would like to thank all of you for your hospitality. You welcomed me into your beautiful kingdom and treated me like one of your own, and I so appreciate that. It is," She paused and took a breath, composing herself, "So easy to let an occasion such as this be dampened by a shroud of sadness. But I do not want any of you to grieve my departure. So many people do not have a home, or a place to call their home." Andromeda licked her lips as a tear ran down her cheek, "When I return to my kingdom, I will be so lucky; I will look to the heavens and remember that I have a home there, too. So please, eat, dance, be merry but when this night ends, please do not forget me; as I vow I will never forget all of you." Andromeda finished and the crowd interrupted into applause and cheers.
"You heard the girl," Odin boomed, a smile finally on his face, "Eat! Drink! Be merry!" Everyone moved over to the feasting table and took their seats.
Prince Thor came up behind Andromeda and placed an arm around the princess' shoulders. "Are you alright?" He asked, looking down at her with a worried expression.
Andromeda looked up at Thor and smiled, placing a dainty hand on his. "I am fine, just a little sullen, that is all." The golden prince patted her on the shoulder and led her to the feasting table, pulling her chair out for her. The princess thanked him and sat down, wiping her eyes with a napkin that was placed on the table.
Queen Frigga placed a comforting hand on Andromeda's knee and smiled at her, whispering, "You did wonderful, dear."
The beauty beamed at the queen and nodded,"Thank you." She whispered back with a sniffle. As King Odin give a toast in her honor, she listened intently casting radiant smiles toward the king when it was appropriate. Feeling eyes on her, Andromeda glanced across the table, only to hurriedly return her gaze back to Odin when her sweet brown eyes met poisonous greens.
The toast ended and everyone raised their glasses in the air, taking a swig of ale. The guests then began to pile food onto their plate and talk amongst themselves.
"He can't take his eyes off you." The hushed voice of Sif whispered to her Midgardian friend. Said friend shook her head slightly as she took a bite of her meal.
"He is just upset." The princess whispered back to her warrior friend, waving her concern off.
Sif chuckled and took a sip of her drink, leaning over and muttering, "He is angry that he cannot have you."
"Oh?" Andromeda raised her eyebrows, raising her glass to her lips, "Like you are with Thor?" The warrior gasped and lightly hit the princess on her arm. The bronzed woman just laughed, "Ouch, you do not strike nobility Lady Sif!" She warned teasingly.
"My apologies Princess Andromeda," Sif mocked, putting on a aristocratic accent, "I did not realize I was dealing with a royal."
"Oh well Lady Sif you better recognize my status," Andromeda mimicked her friend, putting her pinky by her mouth, "Lest you find yourself out on the street!" The women giggled with each other before the smile falters on the princess' face. "I am going to miss you Sif."
The brunette warrior clicked her teeth and scoffed, turning her head away from Andromeda. "Stop your blubbering." She snapped, though her voice wavered.
"Only if you stop yours!" The Aethiopian retorted, nudging her friend teasingly.
The feast soon ended and the real festivities began, music wafting through the Hall. Andromeda was being approached left and right by guests wishing her well and saying goodbye. The bronzed princess was radiantly beaming, though inside she was sad, she was happy that Asgard would actually miss her company.
Andromeda smiled as the two blonde children that she had met when she rode into Asgard approached her. She knelt down to their level, "How nice to see you both again! Asger and Alva, correct?"
The little girl, Alva, gasped her face lighting up. "You remembered!"
The princess laughed and pinched the little girl's cheek. "Of course I did! How could I forget my little friends?"
"Why are you leaving us, princess?" Little Asger finally pipped up, though his cheeks still reddened when Andromeda's eyes fell on him.
"I must go home children. My kingdom needs me. But do not fret, I am sure I will see you again."
"We brought you a present!" Alva exclaimed, pulling her hands from behind her back. It was a little crown made of beautiful, exotic flowers.
"Oh how lovely." Andromeda breathed, bowing her head and letting Alva place the crown around her bun. "I will treasure it always, thank you." She winked at the children before standing up at her full height.
At that moment, Prince Thor approached the princess, making the children gasp. "Ah Alva and Asger, what a surprise to see you here!" The prince greeted with a large grin. He turned to Andromeda and offered her his arm, "Would you like to dance, princess?"
"Of course." She nodded before turning back to the blonde children and cupping their cheeks. "I will see you at a later date, precious babes." Andromeda took Thor's arm and he led her to the middle of the floor. She placed her hands on his shoulders and his hands were around her waist.
"You are leaving me so soon?" Thor muttered, a twinkle in his eyes. "Who will be the source of my affection?"
"I am sure you can find another maiden to occupy your time." The princess retorted with a smirk and the prince chuckled deeply.
The elder Asgardian heir's blue eyes shined and he smirked back, smoothly replying, "Aye but I will never find a maiden as beautiful as you." Andromeda's face flushed and she bit her lip, looking away from her partner's eyes. Thor laughed, "I have finally rendered you speechless and you are leaving me in the morning, oh how cruel fate is."
"I am not speechless…" The beauty retorted, though she was fighting a smile on her full lips. "I am just thinking about how right you are. My heart aches for you, really."
The prince shook his head with a smile as the song stopped. He cupped Andromeda's cheek in his large hand and his thumb stroked her soft skin. His eyes searched hers and his smile widened, "I'm going to miss you, Andromeda."
The beauty smiled back, her eyes filling with tears. "Just promise me," She breathed, before pausing to collect herself, "You will not forget me when I am gone."
Thor knew that Andromeda was talking about more than just her leaving Asgard, but he did not comment on the grave tone of her statement. Instead he placed his other hand on her cheek and used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. "I would never." He vowed and the young woman beamed before turning her face and pressing her lips to his large palm.
A tap on her shoulder, broke the moment between the two and Andromeda turned around to see Sif. "Excuse me, can I speak to you for a moment, princess?"
The beauty furrowed her brows but nodded, excusing herself from Thor. She followed Sif out to the balcony of the Hall and shut the door behind them, looking to her friend with a confused expression. "Is everything alright?"
Sif turned to Andromeda with a glare, "What have you done, child!"
The princess was taken aback by her friend's tone and she walked up to the brunette, putting a hand on her shoulder. "What are you talking about?" The warrior shrugged the princess' hand off and a flash of green light emitted from her, making the woman transform into a man. "Loki?"
"Are you that angry with me that you would request to return to your kingdom?" The prince snapped, his voice raising with every word. "You would leave me over an insignificant argument?"
"Leave you? I-" Andromeda tried to interject but the prince continued to sneer.
"You are such a child Andromeda! Always running away from your problems instead of facing them!" Loki continued and the princess shook her head incredulously.
"Now you wait one minute," She snapped angrily, glaring up at the prince. "I am not running away from anything. How dare you! Why do you even care?"
"You are wicked," The dark prince accused, his voice burning. "A wicked little minx. Using my feelings against me like this! I confided in you that you leaving would be a my worst nightmare and what do you do but exactly that." Loki's voice started to break and his eyes started to gleam with frustrated tears. "Why do you want to leave me?" He growled out, his nostrils flaring.
"Oh Loki," Andromeda breathed, reaching up to cup his face.
"Don't touch me." He screamed out, pushing her hands away. "What did I do?" He sputtered, running a hand through his usually perfect black hair. "What can I do? I will do anything you want. What do you want me to do?"
"I don't-"
"I will give you anything! Please, I am begging you. What can I do? I love you. There. Will you stay now?" Loki clamped his hands on her shoulders, before caressing her face. "Please don't leave me." He muttered, his hands brushing her caressing her hair. "Please."
"I..I have to." Andromeda swallowed, licking her lips. "I am sorry. I am not leaving because of you, I promise. I am sorry." She repeated and Loki shook his head furiously, leaning down and pressing pecks on her face.
"Stay with me." He begged again, through every peck.
"Stop." The princess sobbed, her small hands trying to push him away. Loki kisses trailed to her neck and her fists hit his chest. "You are making this harder for yourself." She muttered before closing her eyes and going for his jugular. "You are pathetic." She spat, feeling the lips on her neck pause. She took deep breath and sneered, "You think that begging for me will make me stay? Why would I want someone like you?"
Loki pulled back from her and searched her face with wide eyes. Andromeda glared back and continued, "Hmm? You have nothing to offer me but fallacies and fairytales. You think you saved me and I owe you something?" The princess pushed his hands off of her face, "I do not owe you shit. You were repaying a debt."
Andromeda turned to leave the balcony, picking up her dress in her hands. "Do not follow me." She called back to him before wiping her face and placing a smile on it, attending to her guests.
For the rest of the night the woman tried to convince herself that it would be better for him to be angry at her than it would be for him to miss her. At least then it wouldn't hurt him so much.