As soon as Loki and I walked arm in arm down the isle, displaying our nervous smiles to all who had attended our wedding, we were whisked away by the guards, to Odin-knows where. As we briskly walked down the corridors of the palace, I kept my eyes on my feet and let the events that had just taken place sink in. I was a married woman now. To a man I knew absolutely nothing about.

"You look very lovely."

I jumped at the voice that had just complimented me. Loki smiled softly at me as my eyes met his. How hard it is to tell if that smile is sincere…

"Oh,-erm, thank you." I murmured, in embarrassment. My cheeks had already begun to flush and I quickly returned my eyes to the floor.

"I had no idea your hair was so long…" He said, his voice trailing off as his gaze shifted to my dark hair. I knew that he was just trying to ease the tension that enveloped us yet I felt that nothing would, or at least not at the moment.

"The women in Vanahemir do not cut their hair. It's considered an unsacred act. I've always wished I could though, or at least trim it. Caring for it can become quite tiring."

He let out a soft laugh as we entered one of the Entrance Hall's of the palace. The guards suddenly stopped walking and all slapped their right arms across their chest, the sound echoing off of the grand halls. Standing in the center of the Hall, were Thor, Odin and Frigga, my new in-laws. Odin, who had an arm wrapped around his wife, was beaming from ear to ear and seemed to be glowing with pride. I noticed Loki's chest swell with emotion and a grand smile erupted on to his face at the sight of his father. Frigga's eyes were shining with tears as she simply radiated with overwhelming happiness. Thor stood next to both of his parents, a contagious excitement flowing from him as he flashed us both a golden smile.

"My son," Odin said, holding his arms out, welcoming Loki for an embrace. Loki's walking pace quickened and his face erupted into a brilliant smile. I couldn't help but smile a long with him and allow my chest to fill with emotion as I watched Loki hug his father; however I was not allowed to enjoy this moment for long. I suddenly felt my feet leave the ground and a rush flow through out my body.

"I've always wanted a sister!" Thor said gleefully as he embraced me in a bone crushing hug. He swung me around in his arms and I couldn't help but laugh at Thor's admittedly childish personality. He carefully placed me back down on the ground and continued to smile at me.

"I am so proud of you, my son," Odin said, clapping one hand on Loki's armor-clad shoulder. I could feel Loki bursting with pride and confidence at his father's affection. "I am confident that you will make a great husband to your new wife."

"Thank you, Father." Loki said, his smile broadening.

"Ah yes, the fun ends now, Loki!" Thor said, elbowing his brother in the ribs.

Frigga looked over at Thor disapprovingly, "Now, Thor," she warned. She turned her attention back to Loki and I, her smile returning, "Don't listen to him. The fun and adventure has only begun!" At her words, the Allfather wrapped a loving arm around her as all three of them smiled proudly at us.

I then turned my gaze upon Loki, who returned it with a brilliant smile. He really is quite handsome…

"Now, then!" Thor said, suddenly clapping his hands together, "On to the feast! I'm starving!"

The Dining Hall had been decorated so breathtakingly beautiful for our wedding feast that it was hard to concentrate on all the clutter ensuing around me. An incredibly long, grand dining table stood in the center of the hall and stretched almost the entire width of the Hall. Much to Thor's delight, food was placed on every surface of it. I had never seen so much food and people eating it all at one table in my entire life. Not to say that we were starved in Vanahemir, I was just accustomed to our simple approach to royal occasions. Or any occasions, for that matter.

Loki was seated at the head of one end of the table while Odin sat all the way down at the other. I was seated on Loki's right and Thor on Loki's left. Sitting merrily next to Thor were the mysterious Warriors three, while Sif took place next to me.

Much wining and dining occurred and as an already boisterous Thor grew increasingly drunk, I kept a careful watch on Loki's emotions. As we had now been bound together, I grow incresinginly sensitive to his emotions. I could feel them course through my veins; I didn't have to read his mind to know what he was thinking. He was growing uncomfortable, keeping his gaze focused on Thor and the Warriors at all times. Yet through his fog of a troublesome mentality I could feel that he had something in the back of his mind, waiting to-

"Rowen!" Thor suddenly boomed, causing me to jump as he interrupted my thoughts, "Have you been introduced to the Warriors Three?"

I did my best to shake my mind of these rich thoughts, "No," I said, looking over the three men sitting next to Thor. "I haven't had the pleasure." I quickly glanced at Loki, who was eying Thor very carefully.

Once again, the volume of Loki's thoughts began to rise in my mind, but I distracted myself of them by looking over at these men. The man sitting closest to Thor was quite handsome with his honey colored hair, clear blue eyes and goatee. I took note his need to constantly be ready for adventure, while also charming his way into every woman who would speak to him. He noticed my gaze upon him and a charming smile crept around his lips.

"Fandral, the Dashing, m'lady," He said, flashing me a dazzling smile. I gave him a smile and a nod back, then suddenly felt a strong wave of emotion flood out from Loki. I quickly looked over at him to inspect what the matter at hand was. His eyes were burning into Fandral while his shoulders seemed to stiffen. His thoughts were blaring in my mind, but his emotions were telling me enough as it were.

"Fandral thinks he's so smooth with women," Sif said to me, cocking an eyebrow at Fandral.

"I don't think, dear Sif. I have enough evidence to prove it!"

Sif rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her meal. I could feel Loki's tension rising so, in an attempt to calm him, I quickly turned my gaze upon the man sitting next to Fandral. He was a rather large man, with long, copper colored hair and a long beard that had been collecting the crumbs of food that did not make the journey to his mouth. He was currently making his way through his fifth helping of pheasant.

"Volstagg the Valiant!" He said, through a mouthful of food. His light eyes shone brightly.

"And so Valiant he is!" Thor thundered, "Yet only so if the reward for his actions is sweet delicacies!" Volstagg let out a booming laugh and patted his stomach.

"I say, Hogun, it would not kill you to smile every once in a while!" Sif suddenly said, giving a smile to the grim looking warrior sitting next to Volstagg. He was quite unlike Thor, Fandral and Volstagg in every way. He had been silent the entire evening and now that it was brought to my attention, I couldn't' recall him cracking even one small smile the entire evening.

"You forget, Sif," Thor said, through a mouthful of meat, "He's Hogun the Grim, remember? Not even in the throws of battle have I seen Hogun smile!" Sif let out a sigh of defeat and Hogun continued to eat his meal, with his eyes downcast on his plate.

The feast seemed to drone on and on and while all around me were full of laughter and mead, I couldn't help but feel incredibly uncomfortable. Not to mention Loki was radiating with such an emotion that it had become my own and as the hours ticked by it occurred to me more and more that last night was the last night that I would spend sleeping alone. Tonight, I was expected to share a bed with my husband, which I wouldn't have held disagreement with, had I been given an acceptable amount of time with my husband, not less than 24 hours. This lowered my appetite quickly and I found myself attempting to distract myself of these thoughts by allowing myself to become entranced with the stories being told by Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three. Occasionally Loki would chime in with his own perspective on a tale being told, but mostly Loki kept to himself, allowing himself to be the observer of all that went on around him.

Just as I was beginning to grow drowsy, I heard a loud voice that was be yelling in my head. This caught my attention and I focused on it hard, blocking out the constant hum of the other thoughts around me. It wasn't until after some careful listening that I found it to be Loki's thoughts. I flicked my eyes to him, only to meet his own emerald eyes already staring at me. Before I dared to listen, I widened my eyes at him hoping that he knew what I was referring to. He slowly nodded in response and I hungrily allowed myself to let his thoughts flow coherently in my mind.

It's alright, he thought, I couldn't think of another way to get you to listen to me, so I hoped that this would work.

It would appear that it has. I replied.

Loki's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, Why can I hear you? He wondered.

I smiled, I can talk to you through our connection as husband and wife. However, you do not have the luxury of listening to my thoughts whenever you please. Only when I can send them to you like I am doing now.

He looked down for a moment, processing this, I'd quite like for this feast to be over with. To my surprise, he gave me a comforting smile. He then took note of my sudden apprehension, I know what you have been told about me.

I froze, How could you know that?

He smirked, I know what's said about me behind closed doors. And, naturally, I understand your feelings of concern. I would ask, if I may, that you allow me to show you my side of the story. We are bound together forever, after all.

He yielded a strong point, but how did he know what I had been told? Did he know who told me? Was he able to work an answer out of Sif or Kelda about what they had said? Had he been spying on us? Before I could send him a reply, Odin stood and held his hand up for silence. He made a grand toast for Loki and me and gave us a blessing for a long and prosperous marriage. I felt every pair of eyes of those present upon me and could hear the whirl of their thoughts judging both Loki and myself and our marriage. After Odin concluded his toast, and the guests drank their wine, Odin called for the feast to reach an end.

I let out a sigh of relief over the sound of the many Asgardians rising from their seats and making their way from the Dining Hall. Once he rose from his seat, Loki came and pulled mine out for me and offered a hand to help me up. I took it and noticed something odd about his touch. It wasn't cold like I had remembered it being when we first touched the day before. Rather, his skin was warm and full of life. I instantly looked up at him, searching for some explanation in his face, however I found none. His eyes were sparkling with that hidden meaning that he kept so hungrily to himself. I rose slowly to my feet and once drawn to my full height, Loki did not separate himself away from me; in fact, he took a step closer to remove the distance between us. The light from the torches surrounding the halls illuminated his pale skin and casted shadows off of his cheekbones. My pulse steadily began to beat harder in my chest and I was almost certain that he could hear it. We had never been this physically close to each other and while my heart was beating with excitement, it was also beating with caution. He opened his mouth, about to speak, when we were suddenly interrupted by the rumble of the Allfather's voice.

"Come," he said from the other end of the Dining Hall.

Loki glanced up to look at the Allfather, "Yes, Father." He said. He looked back at me and offered his arm for me to take.

Arm in arm, we followed Odin out of the Dining Hall and up many grand stairwells and through countless hallways. I remembered back to Loki's promise of how I would quickly learn my way about the complicated Palace and scoffed at it under my breath. It was at this moment that my thoughts shifted dramatically and rather rapidly, to my Father and Mother. Their faces filled my thoughts, as did many fond memories I had of them. I felt my throat tighten at their memory and my eyes begin to grow watery.

No. I told myself, firmly. You will be brave. You will not let them see you like this. Especially not Loki. I shook myself of the memories and focused on the echoing of the footsteps of the guards that were following so diligently behind us. After what seemed like a lifetime, Odin stopped at last in front of two golden double doors.

"These are your chambers," he said, "Crossing this threshold into them; you both shall enter your new life together as husband and wife." I swallowed. Odin bowed his head slightly and Loki and I returned it. He then motioned for his guards to follow him out of the hall, leaving Loki and I completely alone.

Loki leaned forward and pushed the doors open with his right hand. They swung forward at his touch revealing a beautiful golden, circular room. A large and magnificent bed was placed in the center of the room with thick fur blankets on it. Placed against the left wall of the room was a large and beautifully carved vanity with a mirror and a stool for one to sit on. A set of wooden doors were next to the vanity and I could see doors near the back of the room that possibly lead to a balcony. Loki glanced down at me and nodded for me to enter our new chambers. I looked around at all the beautiful furniture in the room, and eventually took a seat next to the vanity. Loki followed in behind me, and closed the doors. For a moment he stood, gazing after me, both of us unsure of what to say or do to the other.

I lightly cleared my throat, "I'll, um… I'll change, then." He gave me a quick nod and made his way to the double doors near the back of the room that, sure enough, led to a balcony, leaving us with a magnificent view of the Realm Eternal. The doors to the balcony closed behind him and I let out a long sigh of relief. Nervously, I glanced down at my left hand and observed my wedding ring. This all was so surreal. It seemed impossible for all of these life altering events to happen so suddenly to a person. I looked up and found myself looking into the mirror at my reflection. I did not look like myself at all. I looked positively petrified and my round, grey eyes (the eyes of my mother) were pleading for some sort of answer as to why this was happening. They were begging for my reflection to give me an answer that would lead to my full acceptance of the ordeal, yet I knew that it would not come.

Not wishing to keep Loki waiting for long, I bustled over the set of wooden doors next to the vanity that had been carved with beautiful Asgardian designs, and lightly pushed them open, revealing a grand closet filled with magnificent gowns, all either a golden color, or an emerald one. I passed through each gown, marveling at their design and brilliant handiwork, until I finally found a white gown with a pleated skirt and simple embroidery on the bodice. I pulled it out and looked it over, sighing at it.

"Can't anything in Asgard be simple?" I wondered aloud.

As quickly as I could, I stripped myself of my wedding gown and placed it at the very back of this grand closet hoping that it would stay safe there. Once I pulled the nightgown over my head and smoothed it the skirt out, I wandered over to the double doors that led to the balcony. I inhaled deeply, praying for courage, and knocked gently on the doors. I took a step back and waited. After a about minute, Loki poked his head out from behind one of the doors, and once he saw that I was in my nightdress, he allowed himself to enter our bedroom, closing the door behind him.

I didn't feel so naked and exposed until I felt Loki's green eyes upon me, shifting around the curves of my body, taking in all that he saw. We stood in silence for a moment; I bit my lip and let my head down.

"I suppose we'll just trade places?" He said, smiling, trying to break the tension. I nodded and quickly walked over to the balcony, closing the doors behind me. Once again, another sigh of relief escaped my lungs and flew out into the night air.

I walked out to the edge of our balcony and leaned against the stone railing that reached my waist. The Realm Eternal truly was a beautiful place. The most beautiful place I had ever been to! I looked up and saw the constellations displayed before my very eyes, all woven together in so many colors and patterns. This was not something you would ever see in Vanahemir. The location of our room was on one of the west towers, providing us with a view of the roaring sea and the boat houses. I had never been to the sea, or had the privilege to swim in its salty waters. In Vanahemir, I was to be focusing day and night on my studies that I hardly had time to enjoy my childhood. Sure, my Father and Mother would take trips down to the boat houses, but it was a rare occasion when my sisters and I were able to accompany them on their journey.

"Asgard is quite beautiful at night."

I jumped at Loki's presence and gasped quite loudly. He let out a soft laugh and smiled at me while his hands rested behind his back. I took note of his night clothes, which were dark green pants, with a deep v-neck shirt. He is a very handsome man...

"Sorry for frightening you."

"No, no," I said, looking back down at my hands, "It's alright. I was just…lost in thought, I suppose." He took a step closer to me and eventually stood side by side to me, overlooking Asgard.

"It's funny how Vanahemir and Asgard are so opposite." He noted, glancing over at me.

I nodded and looked up at the entrancing sky, "Yes. In Vanahemir you would never see something as beautiful as this. There is nothing but a thick layer of clouds everywhere you look in the sky."

"Always?" He asked.

I looked down once again at my hands, "Always." I replied.

"Ah," he said. We stood in silence once again, observing all that was around us. Once more I found myself begging to give in to his thoughts that ran so rampant through my brain, but I could not bring myself to do it. He needed to gain my trust, just as much as I needed to gain his. I swallowed hard and tried to concentrate on the distant roars of the sea.

"Is it difficult for you?" He asked, "To ignore my thoughts?"

"Incredibly," I said, looking over at him. "I always hear a constant humming and buzzing of all the thoughts of those around me. Yet yours seem to hum and buzz the loudest." I shifted my gaze to the wonderful landscape in front of me.

His gaze broke away from me, "Well, since I have…seen or rather, heard your powers in action…" His voice trailed off and I looked over at him, a look of confusion on my face. He was looking down at the bottom of the railing we were leaning against, concentration shimmering in his eyes, while he wore a soft smirk. I looked closer at where he was looking, waiting for something to happen And it did! Ivy sprung out of nowhere and began to wind itself around the columns of the railing! The ivy spread everywhere, winding its way like a beautiful snake, going where Loki directed it.

I grinned, "That's incredible!"

"It's nothing, really," he said, modestly. As the ivy reached the top of the railing, a single branch of it stood out and began to grow closer to me, until it was almost as tall as my face. Ever so slowly, one of the leaves on the ivy plant began to bloom into an orchid. Once in full bloom, Loki reached over to the flower and plucked it from the ivy.

"There are many people in Asgard who forget that I can use my magic to do something other than provoke confusion." He said, holding the flower in the palm of his hand. He reached over and grabbed my right hand in his left, looking me deeply in the eyes as he carefully placed the delicate flower into my hands.

I gazed down upon its simple beauty, "It's beautiful." I said, admiring it.

I looked up and our eyes met once more, only this time, it didn't seem to be as tense or uncomfortable as it had been previously. Maybe this wouldn't be as difficult as I thought.

Hello! I'm back! I apologize for the delay, it turned out to be a hectic summer. Anyways, I thank you all for your encouraging reviews, I have a lot planned for this story so please continue to read and review! Also, I must apologize for the fluff at the end…I couldn't help myself! Also, also, I have a photo of Rowen's nightgown up on my profile! Thank you! xoxo