Loki's PoV.

The Trickster god slowly approached (Name)'s sleeping form with noiseless steps. The moonlight leaked inside of the cabin through the small window on the right side making her delicate form glow in the dark. Loki couldn't take it anymore he was craving for her touch, her lips and her smiles. His foolishness made him lose her again but he was still able to do something to not let that happen.

He took a step when the boat hit something and swung causing Loki to lose his balance and fall on (Name). The Trickster looked down on her while she was startled awake, her (e/c) orbs wide and frightened as she clutched onto his tunic.

'What are you doing?' asked (Name) still surprised but slowly realizing what happened.

'I… uh… I was just…' tried Loki but nothing came to mind as he stared at her with her eyebrows furrowed. He wanted to apologize but he couldn't find the words. He just stared at her.

'Ugh… would you please get off of me? You're heavy' groaned (Name) so Loki crawled off of her but stayed in the cabin sitting on the floor. She sat up and looked at him confused. 'What's wrong? Something happened? What hit us?'

'I do not know and I do not care right now' answered suddenly Loki finding his voice. He cleared his throat and looked up at her right into her shining (e/c) eyes. 'I am so sorry… for what I said. You are angry and you have the right to be angry so I came to apologize.'

The two of them sat there in silence for a few minutes which felt like eternity before (Name) spoke up. She was looking down into her lap her hands playing with the blanket.

'I'm sorry too… I overreacted and shouldn't have acted the way I did' sighed (Name). They sat there in silence again not knowing what to do next. So many years ago, (Name) would've just jumped into Loki's arms pulling him into a bone-crushing hug but now… they were grown adults and even if they loved each other so much they were still far from knowing each other. Suddenly the door burst open revealing Thor's worried face.

'The elves stopped our boat' he announced before slamming the door shut again.

Your PoV.

You grunted as you got up on your feet, sleep long forgotten. You cursed the timing but went out trying to shake off the feeling of Loki's body pressed against yours. You already forgave him when you heard him apologize but couldn't show him how much you missed his touch and presence. It felt awkward to just jump on him… but maybe you should've done that.

You opened the door of the cabin and looked around. There were three elves at the pier looking at the four of you curiously. You pulled on a smile and walked over to the pier not leaving however the boat.

'Atra esterní ono thelduin' you bowed in front of them. The elves faces changed soon when they realized that you were friends after you told them where you came from and what your goal was. They let you pass and you were internally cheering that the spell worked as you left them and started your journey on your feet. You were all tired but you needed to get to Ellesméra as soon as possible and traveling on water was not possible anymore. You felt Loki stare at your back but you tried to avoid it and just walk.

Hours passed and you were exhausted. Darkness still surrounded you with the voices of the night. You stopped and dropped your backpack on the ground at the foot of a tree.

'We need to stop… there's no use in going farther so exhausted' you said and leaned back against the tree.

'I will guard first' said Thor and walked a little further from you, Loki and Sif. Loki sat down at your tree leaning against it too and closed his eyes just like you. You sighed sadness welling up in your chest knowing that you two had a lot of things to discuss in the coming days. You wished to go back and apologize to him but you couldn't.

Suddenly a cold hand wrapped around your small one on the ground making your heart flatter in your chest and your cheeks grow warm.

'I will make up for what I have done, (Name)' whispered your Trickster before sleep overwhelmed both of you.

Almost a week passed and the four of you left Ardwen's lake which was great but not nearly as great as Eldor was. In the few days you spent in Sílthrim you could stop for a moment and relax for a few hours a day. You weren't sure if the spell was strong enough if you weren't full on your energy.

You and Loki talked again almost throughout the day making jokes and laughing from your hearts. From Sílthrim you went to Nädindel another elven city. You explained a lot of things to your companions when you met something they found strange or new. You traveled through the woods on the small and fast horses you borrowed from the elves in Nädindel. It was funny to see Thor's and Loki's legs almost brush against the grass as they sat on the horses. You and Sif made a lot of jokes about it while you had the horses. In another week you arrived to Ellesméra. Your memories coming back to you immediately as you passed the city, the tree-houses and everything you grew up with. You couldn't help but feel saddened at the still vivid picture of Arya and you walking down a street, how you looked up at her and how you craved for her approval.

Loki sensed your sadness and placed a hand on yours squeezing it gently making you look up at him and smile sadly.

'I miss her so much' you whispered. Loki pulled you closer as you walked and pressed a kiss to your temple.

'I know' his voice felt like a gentle breeze against your skin. Soothing and calm. The elves knew about your arrival and thinking that they were welcoming long departed friends they came to see you as well as Vraë. Your attention turned to him immediately watching as he walked towards you. You were afraid of getting exposed but he didn't seem to realize your true identity. His long silver hair was pulled back from his face but was let out on his back. His clothes were the same type of robe-like fabrics from head to toe. His sharp dark brown eyes looked deep into your eyes but you hid your hatred pretty well as you watched him getting closer to you.

'Welcome my friends! We all glad to welcome you home after so long' smiled the elven king too sweetly. His face was like a smiling fox's and you wanted to rip his heart out of his chest.

'Thank you, my king' you bowed the way it was expected of you and the others followed you. You followed him with Loki, Sif and Thor with Vraë's right hand. He was acting like he was in a daze and truly he was. You didn't know what kind of dark magic did Vraë use but it was certainly black magic making the hair on the back of your neck stand. Loki sensed the dark magic too and he signaled with a slight nod to you that he did. You couldn't imagine how could an elf humble so low to turn to these dark arts.

You were given your own tree-houses some of them sang out for you. Your heart sank at the thought that your people were so kind and welcomed you so warmly back. You settled down in your own tree-house and explored every square meter of it. You didn't pack the few things you had knowing you would need to join the army of Alagaësia in a few days at Yazuac. You sat on your bed as you closed your eyes to meditate for a little to calm your nerves and stay cold hearted and minded at the current situation. You remembered when your father told you how Arya was forced to marry Vraë.

Flashback~

You sat on the balcony of Eragon's office as you waited for him to come back from whatever he had business with. You knew now the truth of him being your father and since the battle ended and you came back to Sharian on the island the Academy was. You promised Vraë that you would go back to discuss the future of the throne with the elders of du Weldenvarden not knowing of his true plans.

The door opened and you watched your father walk in the room locking the door with magic. You knew it will be a long discussion and your heart was squeezed tightly by the lot of feelings you were fighting with. Mourn, loss, loneliness, regret, guilt… sadness. These emotions swirled in your mind and soul like a raging storm. Eragon sat down across from you with a sad expression, his brown eyes looking in your (e/c) ones for a few seconds before he looked away, his brown eyebrows furrowing in pain and concentration as his brown hair was messed up by his hands in frustration.

'What did you want to speak with me about?' you asked after you had enough of the tense silence between the two of you.

'Um… I… know I have a lot of things to tell and explain… but maybe I should let you ask so I wouldn't tell you details you might be not interested in' he spoke up looking back up at you determination in his eyes. Your eyes widened at that not knowing what to ask first. You didn't expect him to ask you what you wanted to know.

'Why did she marry a man she never loved?' your voice broke the long silence you sat and it sounded distant like it wasn't your own voice. Eragon took a deep breath and started explaining you how that happened.

'Vraë always seemed to have this want for power. After you conceived many years ago, he was the one who noticed it on Arya. The morning sickness, how she refused fealnirv at dinners and how she wasn't wearing tight fitting clothes anymore. We spoke through the mirror and I wanted to go to Du Weldenvarden but she always told me that I was needed here more and she was taking care of herself… but one day Vraë threatened her that he would kill you after she would give birth to you if she doesn't marry him. That she would be weak after giving birth to you and he would easily get past the servants and guards because of his position in the court so Arya married him.

I thought she saw something in him… I was jealous… really jealous but she and Fírnen came here after you were born to introduce you to me… that was… that was the best day of my life. I thought I was never going to see you or get to know you… when you passed the time you could join the Academy and became a Rider I almost couldn't hide my pride and happiness. I was so proud of being the father of as beautiful and strong girl as you were… we kept it a secret because of Vraë he told everyone that you were his and so everyone believed it. If Arya would've exposed the truth she would've gotten into a situation she wished to avoid for you. She wanted to protect you from the hated glares and scornful words others would've given you when you weren't at fault for being my daughter and not the king's.' answered you Eragon. You felt tears in your eyes knowing you let your mother down by not protecting her when she needed to be protected. You lost her and now you couldn't tell her how much you loved and how much you looked up on her. She was the example you always wanted to be like and you always wanted to please her by being the best, the strongest, the fastest and most skilled in everything. You wanted to be perfect for her and now she was nowhere anymore.

'I wanted to pass the throne to Vraë knowing that I am not as expert in ruling a realm and not experienced with politics but… seeing how he is truly… who he is truly… I cannot let someone like that rule over my people. He would lead them into darkness and they would suffer' you clenched your fists as you sat there.

'I don't want to let you go back… but I know there's nothing which can stop you' smiled at you your father sadly. 'So I'm only asking you to be careful and alert at every moment. Never let your guard down with him around and only confide in the closest friends you have. Know that we will come if something happens.'

Eragon stood up and walked you to the door. You didn't notice time pass but now it was dark and the stars were high upon the sky while cold breeze ran through the room before the Rider closed the door of the balcony. You waited for him to reach you before you pulled him in a bone crushing hug trying to gain your confidence back.

'I will come back when everything is settled and Vraë is no more' you said as you felt his strong arms hold you and pull you closer. You had a loving father who truly loved you and cared for you and you weren't going to let go of him… how wrong were you, to think all those things…

End of flashback~

You opened your eyes wiping the few tears escaping your (e/c) eyes with a heavy sigh. You looked around to see that the sun was setting painting the sky into orange, yellow and light pink. Everything got a warmer shade and you felt like hope was glowing in the trees and nature around you telling you that you were on the right path even if you had to make difficult choices.

To be continued…