Disclaimer: We do not own Marvel or Thor

Authors Note: This next chapter was written by me, Phoenix Queen :) once again, thank you for all the support and sorry for the wait! Just a little note, for this chapter:

'...' Is dialogue in the past, or dialouge being remembered.

"..." As always, is normal dialogue.

Enjoy!

As he walked back to his room, Loki was too lost in his thoughts to bother noticing the blonde guard. The strangely comforting man had been pushed from his mind in favor of another handsome blonde.

Thor. Prince Thor Odinson, the golden boy of Orabella. Just the name made his heart flutter, and Loki wrinkled his nose in disgust at the feeling he associated all too closely with the lovesick girls that dotted the palace. He was a prince after all, and a prince of Lazeroth to boot- he shouldn't be letting his feelings get to him, especially when they pertained to an arranged marriage. Although the arrangement did involve Thor. Loki shook his head in annoyance at himself, ridding his mind of the school-girl thoughts that plagued him. A deep laugh followed his head back to its noble position, and it was only then that Loki realized the guard beside him had been watching him.

"Your Highness, you're being quite expressive," the guard let a little smile slip as he titled his head at the prince. "Something good has happened, yes?"

The prince quickly composed himself, obviously embarrassed, and nodded. The guard laughed slightly at the red blush that scattered across Loki's cheeks.

"I...I am going to be meeting a man I haven't seen in years," Loki paused for a minute "A good friend. And if all goes as I believe it shall, I will be moving in permanently with him. As a peace treaty of sorts." He trailed off at the last sentence and looked down in shame. The way he had worded it made him seem like a pawn, like a weak piece in Laufey's game. It embarrassed him even more, because, for some reason, the guards opinion of him mattered more than it should have. He was Prince Loki, and he had been raised to not care what others thought. But this strange guard had slipped under his armor and given him the warm hug of friendship that Loki had never felt before, and it made him want to sit down and spill his insecurities and secrets in a way that had never crossed his mind and had never felt needed.
He cringed internally and glanced down at his hands, twisting them in front of him. He had just raised his head to re-explain himself at the same time the guard smiled at him and opened his mouth.

"Well, Orabella, that's a long ways away. Even if you do know one man, and he must be rather important just based off your standings, surely you'll need a friend from home. Someone familiar in a strange place would do you some good, my prince." His voice intoned that he should be the one to join Loki.

"Father did say guards were to accompany me. As I'm sure you know Orabella and Lazeroth have not always had the best of standings," he gulped awkwardly here and then hurried on, not wanting to dwell on his last statement, "so the king has instructed that I be protected, at least for the first few months, in case something goes amiss." He smiled sheepishly at the guard.

"Do you get to pick those who shall be accompanying you, your Highness?"

Loki balked. If he was honest with himself, he had never considered picking his companions. He wasn't particularly fond of any of the guards, save the one he was currently conversing with, and he didn't have any friends to speak of. In theory, that left him rather alone; but his high status insured that people would crawl from wherever they could to protect him in return for a favorable image by Laufey. He was lonely surrounded by people he could never call friends.

"Well, I suppose so. But there's no one I'm particularly close too," he felt awkward mentioning the connection he already felt to the blonde, "I've never had many friends and the guards are mostly one and the same to me."

He risked a shy glance at the man beside him, who looked curiously lost in thought. For the first time in almost forever Loki didn't know what to say. He felt he had hurt the guard in some way, and with his mind in a desperate mode to reconcile he began to stutter out a quiet, unintelligible string of words. That seemed to snap the man out of his thoughts and he smiled sideways at Loki.

"Everyone needs friends, Prince Loki. And if friends is a dilemma for you, I would be honored to escort you to Orabella. You don't deserve to be alone, and I think we both know it'd be nice getting to know each other. If you would like, I will talk to Laufey and ask him if I may accompany you." A sincere smile graced his face, accompanying a small, shy smile from Loki. "You've spent long enough by yourself my prince, let me do this for you."

Loki nodded hestitantly. "Yes", he said, "I would... appreciate that."

They both watched the other for a few moments before the sound of wooden doors sliding open disturbed them. Two guards stoically held the entrance to Loki's chambers open. As he made to enter the blonde guard laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and spun Loki around. He bowed slightly to the black-haired boy and spoke confidently.

"And please, call me Steve."

Loki had never known his bed could feel so hard. He sat rigidly on the large mattress as all around him servants scurried about gathering his things. His eyes darted around, never knowing where exactly to settle due to the sheer amount of commotion. A kindly old woman had told him upon her entrance to make himself comfortable, that they would work around him; but that was easier said than done, for when all the people had poured into the room with polite murmurs and bows Loki glued himself to the end of his bed in an awkward out-of-place way. His arm rested loosely yet protectively around a leather bag filled with his throwing daggers and a few assorted paint supplied he especially treasured. Those he had gathered himself, and for good reason, he decided, after a particularly nerve wracking episode with three servants and his favorite mirror. His eyes critically scanned the room for anyone who looked ready to tackle the large project that was removing his favorite painting; he would take that off the wall himself, preferably with magic and preferably without anyone around. But for now he allowed himself to sink into the hustle and bustle that was currently his room. His mind drifted backwards as the quiet, sweet voices around him lulled him into a half-awake state. He was thinking about Laufey, and how with the brightest smile Loki'd ever seen his father had slung his arm around his son's shoulders and told him of his future.

'You'll live a glorious life as a glorious king, Loki. You and Thor will be unstoppable.'
Then he'd been plucked away by five or so guards, one of them being the blonde, and had been told that servants would be in his room in about an hour to ready his things for the move to Orabella.

If Loki said he wasn't nervous, he'd be lying. There was a gnawing worry that Thor would no longer live up to the expectations and memories Loki possessed. Or that he had found another and fallen in love, so that Loki would be no more than a political pawn left to wither alone. He couldn't help the flutter of panic that bubbled up into his stomach at the thought. Of all the people he had ever met, Thor was the one true friend he had made. Upon his leave from Orabella back to his home those many years ago, Thor had promised that they would always remain friends, and that one day they would live side by side, playing and enjoying life. Loki blushed at the thought of that; would Thor think of him as childish for remembering that? Would he cast him aside because they had not seen eachother in so long? Would Thor forget him, like so many others had?

Loki flinched at that thought and successfully pulled himself from his mind. He smiled sheepishly at the woman who had given him a look of motherly concern and turned away ever so slightly, cheeks burning. He let himself wonder once more through his memories, and this time called upon one of his favorite moments with Thor.

Thor had always been strong as a child, and coupled with the fact that he was the son of Orabella's greatest warrior meant he was rapidly expanding his knowledge of combat. He practiced with companions older than he and almost always beat them. Loki could fondly remember being tucked in beside Thor, snuggled into the boys side most often, as the prince recalled his accomplishments of the day. Loki himself was no master at fighting and preferred to read and practice diplomatic skills. And because of this, he was left out of Thor's little group by definition- for little children have no really conception of social status and politics, only for who and what their companions consist of.

Thus began one fine, sunny morning in Orabella. Frigga, the queen, had left Thor and Loki in her gardens to attend to her duties. Thor's combat practice was not due to start for a few more hours, and so the two enjoyed their time running through the flowers and trees playing make believe games. Loki had been hiding when Thor's friends- girl and three older, rougher boys- had approached Thor and, with high childish voices, encouraged him to come with them to practice before class began. Thor was obviously torn, and with a panicked heart Loki poked out from behind the tree to see what the answer would be. He was worried for himself; without Thor he would be completely alone in a strange land, and if he accompanied them he would surely indure their jabs at his lack of skills.

Loki had been pleased to see that Thor's first reaction was to glance around in nervous decision. He could tell his companion was thinking the same thing he was, and was not even surprised to find him voicing his concern. But just as fast Sif, the girl, retorted that Loki could not fight and therefore had no place in the arena. It was no secret that Loki had little to no warrior abilities- as the future king of Lazeroth he had been taught from early on that he would control a massive army, and consequently almost never have to fight. He also possessed a great magic, which none beside himself and a secret sorceress knew about. On his third day in Orabella he had been offered a chance to spar with Thor, but with Frigga's help had politely declined. He was in no mind to make a fool of himself in front of such important people, and he knew he could never reveal his magic here; if sorcery was looked down upon in Lazeroth, it was certainly even less appreciated in the land of brutish warriors.
So when Sif with her barbed remarks insulted the Lazerothian prince, Thor came immediately to his defense.

'Had you not been a lady, Sif, I would surely punish you severely.' Loki had smiled to himself at this because these were officially the most formal words Thor had spoken in front of him. 'Do not insult my friend, no matter who he is or what skills he possesses.' He had thrown a reassuring glance at Loki at this point and continued with his head held high. 'So take yourself and your friends and spar with yourselves. And mind your tongue, Sif. Next time I may not be so forgiving.'

Thor had stood with his arms crossed and face defiant until his friends had slunk out of sight. Then he had run to Loki, taken his arm and pulled the boy into his side.
'Let's play, Loki.' Though the words would seem meaningless, Loki knew from his short period of time with the prince that he was saying 'I won't let them take me away' the only way he knew.

A soft hand laid itself on top of Loki's, successfully snapping him out of his memories. The same elderly lady stood beside him with a kind expression.

"My prince, I would just like to wish you well on your travels. May you be safe and happy."

She punctuated her words with a smile and bowed before turning towards the door. Loki thanked her and took the opportunity to look around. The painting had been left high upon his wall, thank the gods. It seemed the servants either could not or would not reach the art. Loki took a look around his room to take in the sheer emptiness. He curiously spoke outloud to test out the echo of the rather empty massive chamber. The ornate cathedral ceiling above him reverberated the sound back at him and he smiled. No matter the apprehensions he had, he was more ecstatic about reuniting with Thor than anything else.

He stood and brushed off his clothes before moving to stand before the painting. With hands on his hips, he stared up at the frame for a moment in appreciation. When the moment passed he raised his hand and charmed the painting down from the wall. It glowed a pretty green color until it touched down gently on the bed. Just as the prince was about to pick it up and transport it somewhere safer, a knock sounded on his door. He scurried -gracefully- to grant the person entrance, and when he did he was faced with the deep bow and smile of the blonde guard, Steve.

"Your Highness, upon the demands of the grand King Laufey, I shall have the honor and pleasure of escorting you to your new home in Orabella." He smiled widely and lowered his voice a notch. "I am in all sincerity pleased to get the opportunity to know you better, Prince Loki. On the express orders of the king, I shall be the one to take residence with you, if only for a while. Think of me as your personal assistant." He punctuated his sentence with an even larger smile and held out his hand welcomingly to Loki.

"So, my prince, if you are all ready, let us go to Orabella."