Anger and despair engulfed Loki as he looked at Aurora. He had failed her, and because of that, she would never experience the world again, or if she did, she would be too old to do anything but wait to die; he was not sure which fate was worse honestly. Deciding to dedicate his life to searching the realms for a cure, he knew he would not return to her again for some time, so he changed into his human form to say goodbye. He walked to the bed and held her hand in his; it seemed so small in comparison, as dainty and as soft as her. "My beautiful Aurora," his voice cracked with his anguish. "I can never take back the terrible things I have done to you, all of which you never deserved, I should have dealt with your mother, it was her debt to pay, I should never have dragged you into it. I swear, I will die trying to change the fate I have bestowed on you if needs be, I love you my little morning's sun, and none can comprehend how much you mean to me." He leant down and kissed her forehead. "I will right this wrong, I swear it." With that declaration, he swallowed hard with one last glance at Aurora, and went to leave.

"I think you already did." A gentle voice stated from behind him.

For several moments, Loki remained paralysed in shock before slowly turning around again. There, looking up at him with bright blue eyes, as though after waking from a good night's sleep, Aurora lay, a small smile on her face. "How?" he whispered.

"I don't know," she sat up gingerly. "I am a little confused."

"That feeling is mutual, I can assure you."

"I remember you." Loki swallowed. "When I was a little girl, I almost drowned; you saved me, didn't you?" She recalled, Loki nodded, "thank you."

"I had best be leaving." Loki headed for the window. "Your family are at a banquet down in the hall."

"Don't" Aurora pleaded, her voice one of fear, causing Loki to cease walking and turn toward her once more. "I don't…Please do not leave."

"I can say, without doubt, I am as welcome here as a fire pit in Jötunheim." Loki argued. Aurora could not help the giggle that escaped her; the sweet sound caused Loki to become rooted to the spot. "Go to your family."

"How did you wake me?" she asked.

"I did not; I assume you just took a moment to awaken after Prince Philippe kissed you."

"I felt a tingle start on my forehead and wake me up from there." Loki felt as though there was something stuck in his throat, he had been the one to kiss her forehead, while Philippe had kissed her lips. "So you are the one that cursed me, but you also are the one to save me."

"It would appear so."

Aurora remained silent for another moment, as though processing everything that had happened. "I am not sure what to do."

"You had best go to your family then."

"Will you come with me?"

"That would not be recommended."

"Please."

It felt wrong to deny her such a request. "As I stated, I am not welcome here."

"I need to do something, and you are the closest thing I have to an ally, please." She pleaded.

Even though he knew it was not the best idea, Loki gave a small nod. Aurora made to get out of the bed, causing him to come to her side, extending his hand to help her to her feet. As soon as their hands touched, both felt a small spark flow through them from the point of contact, though neither said anything with regards it. Aurora looked around her for a pair of shoes, but could not find any, after a moment, Loki realised what she was looking for, and when he too could not find anything, he gave a wave of his hand a pair of shoes matching her dress magically their way on to her feet. With a grateful smile, Aurora kept close to him in case she fell in her unbalanced state and the pair made for the door. The guard on the other side stared open mouthed as his charge walked by, smiling politely at him; with a man he had not seen entering the room by her side.

They made it as far as the main hall when they were met, not only by several guards, but by the Vanir royal family and Prince Philippe also. "What is going on here?" Frederick demanded, startled to not only see his daughter awake, but also whom she was with. "Prince Loki?"

"Father…" Aurora's voice shook slightly.

"Get away from him, this instant." Her mother ordered, grabbing the princess harshly, and tugging her from his side. Aurora immediately fought against her mother.

"Eleanor." Her husband reprimanded.

"Let go of me." Aurora snapped in a panicked tone, her mother's grip causing her pain. She turned and gave Loki a pleading look. Loki gave a small wave of his hand again and Queen Eleanor was thrown backward into her husbands arms. Immediately Aurora rushed back to Loki, her fingers digging into the leather of his clothing, not wanting to be taken from him again.

"You have poisoned her mind, she is gone mad." Eleanor accused Loki.

"I have done nothing," the raven haired prince stated, taking great pleasure in the anger Aurora's actions were stirring in her mother.

"He did," Loki looked at the princess who was still holding onto him. "He is the one to have woken me up, he saved me."

"He is the one that cursed you." Frederick argued.

"I know." The princess acknowledged.

"You see, she is raving mad, she needs to be locked away, her mind is not right." Eleanor shrieked, turning to the guards, she pointed to her daughter. "Take her and place her in a room and lock it."

"I am not mad, I think it is you that is such." The girl stated as the guards made their way to her cautiously, all keeping a close eye on Loki. "You tried to cheat a God and got caught out, to even attempt to outwit the God of Chaos, Lies and Mischief in itself is an act of madness."

"How dare you speak to me in such a manner of things you know nothing of." Her mother snapped. "You have had no rearing."

"Well she would not be the first woman in her immediate line to have such, would she?" Loki sneered. "You came from nothing, you were nothing, a meagre milkmaid, up to your elbows in cows' teats, you think you can speak to her in such a manner. Your daughter may not have been raised as one, but she at least was born a princess."

Eleanor's face reddened with fury and embarrassment, having long tried to bury her own less than regal past. "What have you said to her?"

"He said nothing, I heard it all with my own ears." Even Loki looked at her curiously. "When I was in that sleep, I could hear everything around me, why I was cursed, what was required to save me, and how you think of me. I know how you feel no remorse for your actions, and how you were utterly unbothered by the fate you had caused me, since you were not the one to suffer." Eleanor paled at her daughter's words. "Once you had Wilhelm, you were happy, you only visited my rooms to ensure I would not shame you in my appearance." Tears began to well in her eyes. "Prince Loki is the only one to ever care for me. Since I was a child, he kept watch over me."

"He is the one that cursed you, you stupid naïve girl." Her mother snapped.

"That may be so, but to say he could break the curse with a kiss, means that his love for me is a selfless one. None can argue that."

"It could be a trick, since he placed the curse, he could lift it." Barwin argued.

"No," those gathered looked at Prince Philippe. "You cannot ever lift a curse like that, that is why the Elvin elders were part of the clan that created the bargains with the Gods, because otherwise a debt must be repaid, even the caster of the curse cannot rescind it. The princess speaks the truth." He looked to Loki, who gave him a small nod in concurrence. It took only a moment for the Elvin prince to realise where he had seen that nod before. "He has been standing watch over her, I have seen it with my own eyes."

"Edna would have mentioned it if he had." Frederick argued.

"That may be so, but she would have been looking for a man, not a raven."

"I do not follow." Frederick was forced to admit.

"Wait," Barwin realised what was being said. "So you are telling me, the raven in the forest, was actually Prince Loki of Asgard?" he pointed to Loki, who nodded in confirmation. "But why did you get us to follow you?"

"To see if Prince Philippe could lift the curse." Loki explained as though it was the most obvious thing in the worlds.

"But it was you that lifted it." The elf stated factually.

"I was not aware I could do so."

"I am confused." Barwin shook his head, giving up on following the situation.

"I am awake, because I received a kiss from one who loves me selflessly." Aurora explained looking kindly at Loki. "I know that I fed lies with regards the reason for my being cursed, and I know that I am not welcome here, so I think I will be taking my leave now."

"No." Frederick pleaded. "Aurora, you are welcome, of course you are, you are daughter, our first born."

"Your wife does not share your sentiment though, does she?" Loki commented, his eyes on the Queen, challenging her to contradict him.

Aurora looked to her mother, who glared hatefully at the dark prince. "Loki speaks the truth father, I am not welcome, and that is alright, I do not wish to be here either, I want to go back to my small cottage, in the woods, away from this place, it is so…poisonous."

"Edna is no longer willing to be your charge." Frederick stated sadly.

"I do not wish to be under her care any longer, she was never happy to be my guardian."

"Then who will care for you?"

"I am capable of caring for myself, my rearing has made it possible."

"No child of mine is going to shame us that way." Eleanor snarled viciously.

"Does it have to be that cottage?" Loki asked, Aurora looked at him for a moment before shaking her head. "I am sure Thor will have no issue pertaining a little safe place for you, with none making such nasty comments at you, I am sure he would even have a maid there for you as company and as an aid, he is afterall, your Godfather. Asgard is similar to Vanaheim, less idiot wenches getting above their stations though." He smirked and looked at Eleanor as he spoke.

"I think that would be lovely." Aurora gave a grateful smile.

"Well then, all you need do is leave the building, Heimdall will happily bring you to Asgard." Loki gave her a kind smile, something that scared everyone else presence, such was the oddity of seeing such on him. Aurora looked at her father and mother for a moment before giving a small curtsey and walking to the door to leave the palace, leaving Loki standing in the hall with her parents for a moment. "Until a few moments ago, I did regret my actions against her but now knowing that she is free from you," he pointed at Eleanor, "and that her actions cause you such anger and rage, I do not regret them in the slightest." He chuckled maliciously. "It is quite delicious really, well I think I had better be off," he gave a short yet slightly dramatic bow before turning on his heels and following Aurora outside.

When he arrived there, the young maiden was standing looking at the grounds around her with a hint of fear on her face, which turned to relief when she saw Loki behind her. "So, what is it we have to do?" she asked.

"We have to do nothing; it is you that will have to use the Bifrost." Loki explained. "All you have to do is go to a field, like the one over beyond," he pointed to a small agricultural area near the palace, "and look to the sky and ask Heimdall to bring you to Asgard. A light will surround you, just relax, it is uncomfortable, but the more relaxed you are, the less nauseous you will be."

"What about you?"

"I as welcome on Asgard as I am here my…"

"I liked the name you gave me, Morning Sun, it made me feel special, worthy even." She admitted, looking at her hands.

"If you have not noticed, you are very much worthy of the greatest things that life has to offer." He smiled fondly.

"Please, please come too." She beseeched.

"It would not be wise."

"Loki."

The manner in which she spoke his name tore at Loki's insides, he wanted to do everything in his considerable power to be able give her anything her heart desired. "You deserve better than this."

"Is it not the wish of most beings to be around those who care for them, who love them, selflessly?" she challenged, a knowing smile on her face. "You cannot pretend to argue, my being standing here speaking to you is testament to how you care for me." Loki swallowed, knowing she was speaking the truth. "I wish for you to come with me."

"Most would think you mad."

"I care not for the opinion of others." She countered.

Loki spent another moment looking at her analytically before speaking again. "Well, I suppose it best to get your seidr training from the most powerful wielder there is if you are to do it at all." He smiled and Aurora could not control the smile on her face. They walked on to get to the field that Loki had told her to go to in silence, Loki using smaller strides to allow the dainty princess to stay in step. On their arrival, Loki looked to the skies and gave a small nod, not a moment later; clouds began to circle above them. Terrified, Aurora pressed closer to him before turning into him and placed her arms around him, seeking comfort. Loki in return, placed one arm around her, as though shielding her, just as the blinding beam of light erupted from the skies to take them away.

When it came to an end, Aurora was holding onto Loki as though her life depended on it, terrified of what she had just endured. During the transportation, Loki had come to be holding her in his arms so her feet were off the ground, guaranteeing them both a safe landing on the other side. Looking down, he felt pity for the terrified princess. "Are you alright my bright little sun?"

"Never. Again." She stated, her nails, like talons still clinging into his clothing.

"Yes, it can be uncomfortable." Loki agreed. He watched her for a moment, seeing that something had scared her, and following her line of sight, he saw the reason for her fear. Heimdall was eyeing her carefully from the centre of the Bifrost, having witnessed all that had occurred on Vanaheim. "That is the Gatekeeper, he will not harm you."

She leant in close to him and whispered. "He's looking at me."

"Well I warned you that most would think you mad." He reminded her. "Heimdall sees all, so he witnessed your declaration not an hour ago."

Aurora stared at the guardian, who nodded at her to show Loki spoke the truth. "I have also witnessed your reprieve it would appear, Liesmith." Loki gave him a withering look, earning a chuckle from Heimdall. "Nit many would think it possible, but it is so."

"Yes, shocking." Loki rolled his eyes, placing his arm around Aurora and guiding her to the doorway that led to Asgard, and the bridge by which they could reach it. "Try not to fall into the abyss."

"I will try not to, for not many are as able as you to survive such." The guardian chuckled, knowing that Loki's manner was a sign of his embarrassment at the guardian's words.

"It is so beautiful." Aurora states as she stared at the golden city in front of her.

"It is to those who are not sick of seeing it I suppose." Loki shrugged, "Now come, we have much to walk."

XXXXXX

Thor was flabbergasted, not only to see his Goddaughter standing in front of him, very much awake, but also at the tale behind how that came to be. As Loki had predicted, he immediately permitted her residence on the realm, and even gave her a beautiful country home to reside in, not much larger than the quaint cottage she was accustomed to, but far more luxurious. She was given a maid, and also offered a cook, but she declined the latter, insisting she was able to fend for herself. What startled him more was when Aurora all but demanded that Loki be her tutor, insisting that he was the best one to do so. Thor argued for a moment with regards his actions towards her with his curse, but she defended him ardently, insisting that as she had forgiven him, and as such, none other had any real right to hold those actions against him, as though he was at fault for how he had treated her, her mother had been by not repaying her debt; Thor was silenced by the comment.

XXXXXXX

Aurora took the bread from the oven, turning it over and checking it to see if it was fully cooked, satisfied, she placed it to cool and wiped her hands before moving on to her next job, humming to herself as she did so. The sky was bright and the day seemed as though it would continue to remain so, when she turned to see Loki standing behind her, smiling kindly, she returned the gesture. "You were not due today; you stated yesterday that my next lesson was to be tomorrow."

"I could not keep away." He admitted, walking into the quaint room.

"Well, Helga is somewhat inviting." She giggled.

"Indeed, nothing says temptation like a four thousand year old maid with more wrinkles than a crumpled parchment."

At that, Aurora erupted into full on laughter. "That is cruel."

"It is not so if it is fact."

"So, if it is not my not so youthful maid that has you rushing here, what does?" she asked coyly, having suspicions as to his reason for coming.

"I find myself unable to function at the palace." He began, taking slow, methodical steps into the room.

"That is a terrible predicament."

"Something distracting occupies my thoughts." He continued.

"Are you often easily distracted?"

"Never, hence my wishing to deal with said distraction post haste."

"So I am at fault for such?" Aurora smiled almost proudly.

"Most definitely," he grinned.

"And pray tell me prince, in what manner do you wish to deal with said distraction?"

"Well, it is relatively simple really, you see, I am, as you have just stated, a prince, and my distraction is a princess of another realm. I am never going to amount to greatness, that part has already been filled by my brother the king; and my distraction, she is unwanted by virtue of her gender, and she too is dismissed for her brother." Aurora swallowed at that truth. "I also know that she knows I love her, without condition and without ulterior motive, so I was hoping," Loki was now standing in front of her, looking down at the beautiful maiden. "That were I to request her hand in matrimony, she would overlook my lack of youth, and be inclined to accept it."

"Because you are positively ancient, are you not?" She smiled, before putting on a dramatic face that suggested she was contemplating something deep. "Were I to accept, would I be forced to the palace, or could you be persuaded to remain here?"

"If you were foolish enough to accept, I would go wherever you wished of me, for you would have me entirely at your whim my little morning sun." Loki smiled, encasing her in his arms.

"Well then, my guardian raven, I would be very much inclined to accept." She beamed, leaning on the balls of her feet so to kiss him chastely on the lips. Not a moment later, Loki's arms went from around her waist to her cheeks, holding her in place as he prolonged the kiss. When they parted again, Aurora's cheeks were slightly pink, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth in nervousness. "I know I cannot portray how I feel for you as you have me, I cannot awaken you from a curse, but know I would do anything for your happiness Loki."

Slightly taken back by her statement, Loki gave her a look that he hoped exuberated his love for her. "You have awoken something in me my darling Aurora, something I thought I had buried long ago, dead and unrevivable, but you proved that wrong." He tried to explain, hoping what he was stating made sense.

"I understand my love, I truly do." She smiled, leaning up to kiss him again, Loki immediately responding.