When the ball started, to celebrate your arrival back to Du Weldenvarden you watched as Thor's, Sif's and Loki's faces contorted in distaste of the meals they were served. You told them to just try it and stop showing any signs that they are not elves. You couldn't let you get exposed. Not now.

You barely managed to keep yourself from choke Vraë to death who was sitting from across you at the long table. When you could get to rest and politely said your goodbyes to the elves and their king you sighed as you got out of ear shot.

'We need to wait to make our move' looked at you Loki when it was just the two of you in the woods. You looked up at him and smiled sadly.

'You can see through me so easily' your voice was quiet and weak. This whole situation made you weak. Coming back to the place where you grew up to see that your mother's memories were no more, like she wasn't the best ruler or the finest warrior it all made you sad and angry at the same time.

'Because we are bonded, do not forget that' smiled at you Loki cupping your face in his large hands. 'My heart beats with yours and never misses a beat.'

You placed your hands on his chest as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on your lips. It was sweet and filled with love. You wished you could stay like that for eternity but you knew anyone could expose you at any moment. You pulled away with a sigh and rested your forehead on his shoulder circling your arms around his waist.

'After we finished with Vraë, I'm going to find the one who slayed Srunugr and make him suffer till he will beg for death' you whispered. The Trickster god chuckled lowly at your swearing.

'I knew you were fearful but never to this extent' purred in your ear Loki before pulling away. You walked back to your trees to take some rest your plan already formed and perfected.

Time skip~

The next morning you woke with a start from your nightmare. Your chest ascended and descended with your quick breaths while sweat beads rolled down on your forehead and temple. You shivered by the memories but you just got out of bed and put your clothes on. You wore a light armor like everyone else of the warriors knowing it wouldn't pick interest. The four of you were invited by the king for a private meeting as he thought you brought information about Eragon and the Academy.

The others were waiting for you at the small square a few trees away wearing their own light armor. You couldn't help but eye Loki for a little bit longer than you should've making him smirk and you blush.

'The plan is clear, I think, is it not?' asked Sif and everyone nodded. The other elves were nowhere around making it easier for you to move around and unnoticed.

'We go in, take him down, the barrier opens and the elves will be uncontrolled by anyone' you answered so the three of them nodded in response. 'He's strong and skilled in battle but he cannot take on two sorcerers and two skilled warriors too.'

'I could sense the black magic he uses. It will be difficult to take him down' Loki furrowed his eyebrows. 'But I have something I could use against him… I need to get close to him so you should make a distraction.'

'We'll solve the problem' you replied. The walk to the palace was spent in silence everyone concentrating on your task. You knew if you couldn't take Vraë down now you won't be able to anymore and he will kill you. You felt sick at murdering someone in the palace Arya ruled once. It felt like you were going to smear a saint place. You passed guards and noble men until you reached the conference room Vraë was waiting for you. You opened the door and walked in before noticing twelve guards standing in the room with Vraë.

You bowed deeply the others following your actions.

'Good morning, my friends!' smiled at you the elven king with his dripping sweet tone. 'I was informed that you have new information about the island of Sharian. Is this true?'

'Yes, my king. We brought news' you replied. '(Name) Dröttningu is there at the moment and is training with the new recruits.'

His eyes widened in surprise but soon his face changed into deep anger. You watched his hands ball into fists and you almost couldn't keep yourself from smirking.

'I see… and how is she? Did she bring someone to the lands of the neighboring realm to Alagaësia?' asked Vraë and now you let your smirk appear on your face, the illusion fading around you showing your own face to him. You watched his eyes widen both in utter surprise and shock.

'Yes, I did bring my friends who will help me get my revenge on you and on the Soulles King! You betrayed my mother, queen Arya! You had a contract with the Soulless King back then for the elven throne!' you hissed angrily. The guards started moving towards the four of you when finally they realized the situation. 'Now!' you shouted at your friends.

Thor slammed his hammer in the six guards coming at him knocking them back and unconscious while Sif and Loki knocked unconscious the other six. You drew your sword, Kweikva out of its sheath pointing it atVraë.

'You use dark magic to control your people and you're the ally of the enemy of all of the realms we know of! You betrayed your home and people!' you cried out angrily. Vraë lifted his hands as they started glowing with a dark-violet color. You shot an energy ball not waiting for him to attack which he avoided but Loki's green ball of energy hit him square in the chest knocking him back into a wall. You approached him but the elven king was quickly recovering from the shot and stood up to shot you with dark magic. You lifted Kweikva to dodge the balls but failed to notice that Vraë teleported close to you. The sharp pain in your ribcage made you realize that you left your sides unprotected. Loki cried out angrily as you tried to turn around and strike back but the elf was nowhere to be seen. The Trickster grabbed you to steady you and looked into your (e/c) eyes with worry.

'I'm alright… you need to stop him' you said before your vision blurred and darkness creeped into it. You heard Sif and Thor fight with someone and a familiar voice cry out in pain before everything went dark.

You woke with a start in the bed of your tree-house. You quickly examined your surroundings before you noticed a large hand gripping yours before someone pulled you into a tight embrace.

'Easy, easy' the voice hushed and you recognized it. You grabbed his arm in front of your chest.

'W-what happened?' you asked in a whisper because your throat felt dry.

'Vraë has fallen' answered Loki as he let go of you to sit on your bedside. Tears started flowing down from your eyes as you realized that it was over, you finished what you swore to finish so long ago. You took revenge on him for betraying your mother and your people… and now you have a whole nation's weight on your shoulders. 'The elves are happy to be themselves again and are waiting for you to wake.'

'Where are Sif and Thor?' you asked.

'I do not know' he shook his head. 'But I think they are not far away.'

You noticed some uneasiness on the beautiful prince's face so you took hold of his hand drawing his attention to you and asked:

'What bothers you, love?' your voice echoed in the small room as he just stared down on the sheets of your bed. The silence was deafening and your confusion and concern grew with each passing second he kept silent. 'Loki, you can te-'

'What about us? What will happen now?' his voice sounded distant and sad. Your eyebrows furrowed as you tried to gather why he was asking that. 'I was sent here to help you get rid of Vraë and the Soulless King and the battle is coming soon. I can feel it approaching… and our deal was meant to end after that. What are your plans?'

Your eyebrows rouse high on your forehead before you furrowed them again and yelled at him.

'Don't you dare thinking about leaving me! I will go after you and chase you till you will marry me!' your angry pout and burning cheeks were a sight he never knew would see again. It reminded him too much of the days he used to be bickering with you. Loki looked at you wide eyed but soon his thin lips wavered and pulled up in a smile before he erupted in laughter. 'What?!'

'You will chase me to make me your husband?' laughed Loki. He grabbed you and pulled you into a tight embrace as he whispered in your ear. 'Careful, I may take your word.'

Your cheeks flared up with a new shade of red making him chuckle again before pressing a soft kiss on your lips. You melted into it as you grasped the back of his neck to pull him closer and pressed your chest to his as his arms snaked around your waist. When you couldn't take anymore the lack of oxygen you pulled away but a wide smile remained on your lips.

'I promised you that you could be king… my king' you whispered looking deep into his eyes feeling your stomach fill with butterflies. Loki's pupils grew wide but he pulled away and started caressing your skin where your neck and jaw met.

'Stop before I will not let you get out of that bed' his voice was low and you could feel the self-control and want laced with it. You blushed hardly again but not because of his words but how you could feel your feminine parts tingle. Thor suddenly burst into the room followed by Sif and when they noticed you were awake they rushed you. You smiled at them and laughed at their enthusiasm.

A few days later~

You settled any conflicts in the elven council with the members and with the noblemen. They insisted on choosing you as their queen seeing how you always protected your people and how you did everything to protect them. You introduced Loki to the council and a few days needed for them to see that he would be much help to you in ruling. Loki showed them how skilled he was with politics.

The elves were amazed by Thor's stories and Loki's knowledge in magic. He showed them spells and potions they never knew before. The dark prince of Asgard finally found people who appreciated his skills and respected him he always wished to be respected. You could see him glow with a new kind of light while he showed off his magic tricks. It was a sunny day when the elves gathered around to say their goodbyes and good wishes to you four and those warriors who decided to join the battle with the Soulless King. You sat on an elven horse with dark brown coat while Loki sat on a black one. Your companions were sitting on horses too as you galloped through the woods towards Osilon an elven city farthest to the eastern side of Du Weldenvarden's thick forests.

'Are you nervous?' asked Loki leading his horse closer to you. You smiled up at him with determination in your eyes.

'I am prepared this time and I will not let the killer of Srunugr get away again or win' you answered. You looked down in your lap before you continued. 'But we will win together and… if we fall we will fall together.'

Loki smiled at you lovingly and nodded at you even if his smile was laced with worry and sadness fearing the latter.

To be continued…