A few years have passed since that day where Serene gave apart of herself to Loki.
Loki was enjoying the silence of the garden before he started his mediation.
Above the garden in a hidden balcony, Serene watched the young prince.
His dark hair had curled slightly in the humidity and his skin was glowing due to the paleness.
His eyes were closed as he was in a meditative state at the moment.
Serene looked after the prince through the past years.
He has caused many of the court not to forget what his title was.
Lady Sif had been one of the victims, for Loki had a longing gaze set on the golden haired woman.
When she did not return his advances and instead chose his brother, he had in a fit of rage cut her hair.
No one had any proof of this action but most knew it was he. Sif had balled her eyes out at the loss of her golden locks as they were the thing of beauty for a woman.
The all-father outraged by this forced Loki to seek the dwarves to make a replacement from golden pieces.
Loki had tricked the dwarves with fake gold and in revenge the dwarves made the wig a coal black instead of the requested gold.
Sif has had a hatred towards the dark prince ever since. Though she should thank him for that was the final push for her to become a warrior since she lost the last of her feminine hold.
Serene was shaken all too soon from this recollection by a thunderous laugh as Thor, the Warrior Three and Lady Sif walked into the hallway.
They were talking loudly as they walked to the training grounds.
"Ah, Lady Serene will you be joining us today?" Fandral asked with a playful smirk on his lips.
Serene looked at The Dashing, the womanizer of Asgard. "Only to observe," Serene said as she followed the group towards the entrance to the garden.
Thor had broken off and was approaching Loki.
"If you think you could sneak up on me, I would suggest lighter footfalls, you sound like a herd of Bagelsnipe," Loki said opening one eye.
"Come now brother, we are off to training," Thor said as he clapped Loki on the shoulder.
"I see, and did Lady Serene agree to join you through this nonsense?" Loki said as he stared at the lithe form standing behind Hogun.
"You know very well Dark Prince, that I only come to watch," Serene said smirking at Loki.
Loki scoffed at this, "You think yourself to dainty to fight, yet you see myself handling these buffoons just fine with some sorcery." Sif glowered at Loki for this comment as she almost charged at him.
Thankfully Fandral held her back, only slightly. "Loki mind your words, do you forget why I cannot," Serene said lifting an eyebrow.
"Yes, it would be unfair for the being of the universe to harm those who are of the living," Loki said rolling his eyes.
Loki stood swiftly and in a blink casted a flash of white light at Serene. In that instant Serene created a purple circular shield around herself.
"Loki, you fool you could have harmed Lady Serene," Fandral said as he stepped over to her.
"Oh please, she protected herself didn't she, I think she would be a worthy opponent for us to train with," Loki said smirking.
Serene frowned at this comment, "Oh, so you wish to challenge me Loki? Well prepare yourself because you are in for a lesson," Serene said turning on her heel to enter the sandy pit of the training grounds.
With the wave of her hand Serene dressed in her fighting armor.
Her chest and shoulders were covered in a black metal that gleamed with a green hue.
Leather covered her arms and abdomen in a crisscross pattern underneath was a chainmail made from the same black metal.
Bracers covered her arm and a plated skirt with a slit up the side covered her legs. Her feet were in a pair of black fighting boots.
She did not wear her helm but it rested in her hand by her hip. Over all she looked deadlier than the best Valkyrie.
Fandral had his mouth open and eyes wide as he stared at Serene's form.
"Brother, I fear for you, I thought Sif was a dangerous opponent, Serene is even more intimidating," Thor said quickly to Loki.
Loki looked very straight-faced at Serene but on the inside his breath was caught in his throat.
What have I gotten myself into? Loki thought to himself as he waved a hand over himself, his lighter fighting armor appearing.
"Choose your weapon Loki, as it is you who dare challenge me," Serene said in a commanding voice.
On the inside Serene worried for Loki, though she knew only his pride would be hurt by this skirmish.
She had to suppress a sigh as she pushed her innocent nature to the back of her mind as Loki walked over towards the practice weapons to select his choice.
He picked up a staff that resembled Sif's spear that had two points at both end.
Seeing his choice, Serene dissolved the metal to just her leather. Her black and white hair curled in a long mane behind her as she created the same staff in her hand.
They met in the middle of a circle that was drawn in the center of the grounds.
"This fight is till the first strike to a yield," Thor said as he called from the other side of the fence that surrounded the grounds, perched on the top of a post.
Serene and Loki drew theirs staffs so they met in relaxed touch.
Loki stared into the golden eyes of Serene to pick up on any indications to see if she were to cause the fight.
Serene smiled at Loki as he drew back the staff and went on the offensive. She easily blocked his attacks with the flick of her hands on the staff.
Serene observed his movements waiting for an opening.
This went on for several minutes, though to the others it seemed like more as the two circled each other in a predatory stalk.
Serene had turned to the offensive and was now attacking Loki with heavy strikes that rattled the wooden staff in his hand.
While trying to control the vibrations he had left open an opening in his stance.
Seizing the moment of weakness, Serene jabbed Loki in the side with a strong force, momentarily knocking the wind out of him. Loki wheezed and brought a hand to his side, a black bruise formed instantly, he knew.
Serene held up her staff so the end was underneath Loki's chin. "Do you yield?" Serene said as she pushed the dull end against his Adam's apple.
"Yes," Loki replied with a hiss as he casted his eyes downwards.
Serene placed her staff with the rest of the training weapons and walked back over towards Loki.
She held out her hand, and Loki glanced at it.
"You fought bravely and with skill, my Prince," Serene said in a warm voice.
Loki looked at her face scanning to see if there was sincerity.
He took her forearm in his wrist as she took his in her hand. They squeezed in a friendly matter and Serene smiled at him.
"You better get that injury looked at, I know I might have struck too hard," She said with a sheepish smile a blush formed on her cheeks.
Loki silently nodded as he headed out of the training yard, though he was ashamed at the outcome.
Thor and the other warriors hid their smiles as Loki walked passed.
Though once he was gone Sif wrapped an arm around Serene's shoulders giving her a squeeze.
"Well done, sister-in-arms, you showed old Silvertongue," Sif said giving her a pat on the back.
The men agreed thought Hogun just nodded with a small smile. "I do believe you only hurt Loki's pride, Lady Serene," Thor said smiling.
"Yes, don't bring it up though, you know how vengeful he can be," Serene said in a warning.
She then waved a hand changing into a long golden gown and walked away to find the brooding prince.