The days carried on. Luka learned new skills such as singing, sewing, and playing the piano. Most important was the loom and everyday Luka sat beside her mother to learn its secrets. It was not an easy thing to learn but as the weeks passed she started seeing the prophecy in the patterns.

"Does this mean what I think it means?"

"It is a hard thing to verify. The problem with trying to teach you how to read the loom is that I can't correct your mistakes. You'll know you've mastered reading the loom when the visions start to come and once they do you will not be permitted to speak of what you've been shown until after the event has passed."

"But what do your visions show you that the loom does not?"

"The loom shows you what will happen if nothing is done to change that course. The visions show you other possible outcomes."

"Have you ever not been shown an alternative?"

"A couple of times. Some things, no matter how painful, are meant to be."

"You knew this would happen to me didn't you? When you and father told me, you knew what I'd do." Luka said. Frigga gave her daughter a grim smile and patted her arm.

"I didn't need the loom to know how you'd react sweetheart. You're my child and I knew you were never going to take the information well."

"Will the loom show me my future?"

"It can, but that doesn't mean it will." Frigga said.

"Mother?"

"Yes Luka."

"If I wanted to remain in this form, would you and father be cross with me?"

"You don't want to reunify with your other half? He is bigger and stronger. He is more popular with the men than he has ever been." Frigga said. Luka all but choked on the irony of that statement.

"Acceptance from one's peers can do wonders for one's confidence. But I find lately that I don't need it quite so much." Luka said.

"It sounds like you are finally finding happiness in your new form. Would Thor be the reason for that?" Frigga asked. Luka looked up at her mother feeling scandalized. "You needn't look so shocked sweet girl. Everyone can see what is happening between you. Do you fear reunification because you believe Thor will not want you as you were?"

"Yes."

"Your father and his advisors have still found no solution for you, so it might be a moot point. But if you are truly curious you will ask Thor what he thinks."

"I'm afraid of the answer."

"It needn't be asked yet. Do not fret so."

"You know I will." She said.

"Then ask him. You've never tolerated ignorance, and on this I can see that you need to know."

"Thank you mother." Frigga kissed her daughter's hair and continued the lesson. Finally, when both women had had enough, they parted ways for the day and Luka sought out Thor's company. She felt elated having received her blessing to pursue Thor fully. It was a dream, a fairytale and her handsome prince wanted her in return. At least he did in her current form. She found him down at the sparring ring, running through his paces. He was swinging a heavy battle axe, letting the weight of the object work his muscles as he moved. His shirt was off; it was always off it seemed. He was magnificent.

Loki was there too, laughing and smiling as he sparred with Fandral. Fandral knocked Loki on his ass, but he took the defeat in stride. Or at least he appeared to. He looked so happy. She deserved happiness too.

"Thor?" She called. Thor turned and smiled the moment he saw her. "Will you walk with me before dinner?"

"Yes Luka. I'll shower and dress and be ready for you in 15 minutes."

"I'll be right here waiting for you." She said. Thor headed off to the showers and she stood there watching the people around her. She and Loki had not engaged each other since that day in the gardens. She watched him as he fought another warrior, beating him handily in a sword match. Another warrior came and challenged Loki to a wrestling match. This one he lost. Still, the man patted Loki on the back and praised him for his effort.

"You've much improved my prince." A warrior named Hegarth said to him. "You'll be beating me in the ring in no time." Hegarth glanced over at Luka and gave her a dirty look. She narrowed her eyes at him and gave him a 'fuck you' expression. Hegarth was always a fucking bigot.

Loki walked over to a table and grabbed a towel to wipe down his brow. He was filthy from the ring. Luka rose from her spot on the viewing bench and approached him.

"You look well Loki." She said.

"As do you." He said.

"Are you happier now? Receiving the praise of men who once scorned us? Is their opinion of you that valuable?"

"You know it is. You desire approval too. Don't pretend that you don't."

"You're right about that, but now that I see you there reveling in the praise of acquaintances and strangers, I see how empty it is."

"Oh, so you've had some grand epiphany have you?" Loki sneered.

"Yes. Enjoy being ordinary Loki. It is a feeling I will never get to know." She said. Thor appeared then, freshly showed and looking handsome.

"Shall we?" He asked her.

"Yes, the roses are looking rather lovely today." She said as they started their walk. Loki watched them go. She'd done to him, what they'd done to other people countless times before. She'd dropped a word bomb inside his brain and it was slowly detonating. It was a word that should please him. Should. Why would being ordinary bother him?

XxXxXxXx

At dinner Loki sat with Sif and the others. They laughed and caroused through dinner, but something unusual happened about a half hour after the food was served. Luka got up before the hall and announced to everyone that she wanted to sing a song for them while playing the piano. Her voice was haunting as it carried through the hall. All laughing and loud noises stopped. She was singing the widower's lament, an Irish sounding tune about war, love, and loss. When she finished many of the burly warriors in the room had tears in their eyes and an overwhelming urge to find their mothers and hug them.

She stood there in her gown, bowing for the crowd, accepting their praise. In a gold dress and long black hair, she was a gilded song bird. She was beautiful. Thor came round the high table, took her into his arms and kissed her. The applause in the room grew louder. Thor and Luka looked each other in the eyes and the love there was primal, powerful. It was then that Loki understood why the word ordinary had bothered him so much.

Everything that Loki used to not like about himself went into her. Everything that was different and everything that was special was now an asset she used to full advantage. She was unique and she was receiving praise for that. For the first time since that day in the cave, he regretted what he'd done.

Loki stayed and finished his meal, though he took no pleasure in the food. Luka and Thor retired early and his heart hurt with an old longing. One by one the hall emptied until Loki was nearly the last to leave. He walked the dim halls of the palace back towards his room and overheard a few drunk men laughing in a nearby alcove.

"Yeah I bet our prince is giving it good to that Jotunn whore right now." His belly jiggled as he laughed.

"Aye! Thor's hammer is mighty isn't it? Do you think Mjolnir will fit in there too? AHAHAHAHA!" Loki cursed his lack of magic in this moment and knew he'd have to rely solely his fists to get his revenge. He grabbed a rock from a nearby garden, walked up behind the first man and bashed his head in. He then threw the rock at another man who was too drunk and too slow to dodge it. He went down and didn't get back up. Loki got a punch from behind to the kidney and yelled out in pain. He spun round and planted his fist into the teeth of his attacker, knocking out several of them. The man crumpled to the ground hold his bleeding mouth. Loki turned on the last man, it was Hegarth.

"I knew you were still a dirty Jotunn!" He said.

"Thank you for providing me with clarity." Loki said before punching him in the throat and snapping his neck.