This story is based purely off the Marvel version of the characters, and maybe a small amount of Norse mythology. Please review and tell me what you think.
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.
Aurora lay in the arms of her lover, Prince Loki. This was only the third time they had lain with each other, and she was still unsure of what it made her. She was only young, after all, and even though Loki was only older than her by a few decades, and physically older than her by about a year, he was still the prince and she was still a serving girl.
"What are you thinking about?" Loki asked her softly, while brushing a strand of brown hair away from her pale face.
Aurora shook her head in reply, "Nothing. Stop worrying."
Loki chuckled and placed a soft kiss on each one of her eyelids. "I never worry."
"Uh huh," she replied sarcastically, "And I'm a Frost Giant."
"Awfully warm for a Frost Giant," Loki said in mock-seriousness, and raised a hand to her forehead, as if taking her temperature to prove his point. Aurora swatted his hand away and moved to sit up.
"Going already?" Loki asked her from his position lying down.
Aurora picked up her clothes from their place on the cold floor and tried her best to put them on in the right order, which was made even harder considering the rush she was in.
"Some of us have work to do," she said tiredly and began looking for her missing shoe.
"Let me," Loki whispered and placed her lost shoe, which he had obviously been hiding, on her bare foot.
Aurora laughed softly and ran her small hand through Loki's soft, inky hair.
"What would I do without you?" she wondered aloud.
The dark-haired prince laughed and returned to his position standing. "You probably would not have misplaced your shoe in the first place."
"Very true," Aurora conceded.
As Aurora reached the doors exiting the Prince's chambers, she turned around to face him once more.
"If I don't see you later, enjoy the feast," Aurora smiled. Loki laughed sarcastically and made his way to her, wrapping his long arms around her small frame.
"Yes, I'll enjoy every minute of having Elphaba flirt with me," Loki sighed sadly, "Why do I have to be so irresistible?" He raised his hands into the air, as if begging for the answer.
Aurora shook her head with a grin on her face. "I'm leaving now before you get a reply." She opened the door and checked to see if the coast was clear. "Bye."
"See you soon. Hopefully," Loki replied and Aurora shut the door gently behind her.
Aurora made her way down the empty corridor to the kitchens. The Palace and its structure had always impressed her. As the kitchen staff were generally intended to not be seen, a series of underground passages existed for them to pass through without being seen. It had entertained her immensely when a young boy once commented that he thought the food was magic as it just appeared out of nowhere.
"Aurora!" shouted an old woman, with greying hair and a plump body. "Next time, please try to be on time. We have a schedule to keep to."
Aurora smiled charmingly- just one of the things she had managed to pick up from her time with Loki. "Of course. Sorry, Miabella."
Aurora set to work with preparing the plates and cups for the feast. Honestly, she didn't see the point in making such a big fuss everytime Princess Elphaba graced the halls of Asgard with her presence. She came nearly every other month.
"Not a problem, my love. Personally, I think I am just a bit stressed, considering the arrival of the princess."
"Understandable, of course," Amara nodded in agreement.
For the next hour, there was very little talk as everyone was very caught up in their own work. The peaceful silence was only interrupted by the clatter and scrapes of plates, and the sound of the water cleaning the dirty cups and utensils.
"Now that that's all done," Miabella began, "I believe we have earned a well-deserved break."
Aurora laughed whole-heartedly. "Bella, when do we ever get a break?"
Miabella sighed dejectedly and her shoulders slumped, almost as if they were carrying a heavy weight. "I know, but I can always dream."
Suddenly, a marvellous idea made itself known to Aurora. She removed the gloves she had been wearing and undid her cleaning apron.
"And just where do you think you are going?" The older woman asked suspiciously.
"I," Aurora began with a smile as bright as the morning sun, "Am going to the feast upstairs."
Miabella recoiled in shock and raised her eyebrows so high they disappeared into her hairline. "But you're not allowed!"
"Ah, but we are." Aurora walked round the tabled separating them and placed her arm around the old cook's shoulders. "Her majesty said that we could attend as long as the work is finished." Aurora spun the cook around on the spot and gestured to the clean and empty kitchen. "And would you look at that, we are!"
Miabella smiled happily, and patted the young woman's hand softly. "You're a cheeky one, you. That's going to get you into trouble one day."
Aurora shrugged unconcerned, in only the way a carefree youth could. "I look forward to that day."
Miabella shook her head and they both made their way out of the kitchen and up to the Grand Hall, where a most joyous feast was taking place.
To say that Elphaba was bored would be an understatement. It felt like she had attended the same feast countless times, with the same food, same drink and same people. Of course, she had been to Asgard countless times and so it was not surprising that nothing had changed.
It was different this time, though. Elphaba wouldn't have been able to explain it if someone had asked, but it just… felt different, like the atmosphere had changed.
"So," Queen Frigga began from her seat opposite Elphaba, "Tell us Elphaba, how was your journey here?"
"It was fine, milady. Although…" Elphaba paused for dramatic effect, and it did its job by further gaining the attention of those around her. This was with the exception of Prince Loki of course, always Prince Loki. "I did hear some rumours on entering Asgard."
"Oh?" The Queen asked questioningly.
"There are rumours that I am to marry." That seemed to have hit a nerve, Elphaba thought scathingly.
"Marry?"
"Yes, marry." Elphaba repeated. She was growing frustrated with the Queen's one word answers.
"To whom, may I ask?"
"Well," Elphaba began and took a drink from her goblet before continuing, "It seems that your people are under the impression I am here to marry Prince Loki."
Every person at the table gazed at her with shock in their eyes. The only people who seemed unaffected by her news was her 'future parent-in-laws'. Frigga and Odin shared a look before Odin rose to stand.
"We had not planned to announce it this way, but," Odin looked at Elphaba quickly and she scowled mentally, "This is the way it must be done now. Yes, it is true. Princess Elphaba of Vanaheim is to be wed to my second born, Prince Loki. There's will be an arranged marriage, but a marriage none the less. My lady Elphaba, we and your parents are marrying you so as to solidify our truce with Vanaheim."
Elphaba nodded disconcertedly, although on the inside she was screaming. "I understand, of course."
Odin turned to look down the table. "What about you, my son?"
Odin would receive no answer though, as it appeared that Loki had disappeared while his father had been talking. Elphaba could not help but be pleased that she was not the only one unhappy with this arrangement. And she would try her hardest to make sure that it never happened.
There you have it. Review, review, review! Until next time, my lovelies! x