Disclaimer: I own nothing

So, this story is getting on a bit. I'm going to skip forward a few years to progress the story a bit. I know some of you will be angry about it, but I think I've driven Loki's grieve a bit long.

Anyway, Odin is trying to play match maker. Will it work out, or will it blow up in their faces?

Sit back and find out!

Love always,

Avoline

Loki smiled as Miekall sparred with his uncle Thor. The young boy was barely three, and was looking very much more like the King of Asgard. His dark curls swayed around, shining bits of dark red in the sun. But he still had that one feature that reminded everyone of the Queen.

If only she were here.

"Brother, what have you taught your son," Thor's voice thundered. Loki was yanked back to reality in time to see his heir holding the wooden blade to the blond's throat. The brunette couldn't help but laugh. "He is as skilled as you!"

"I only taught him what was taught to myself," he answered, stepping towards the duo. "Very good, my son. Let your uncle up." The boy stepped back, laughing as he did so. "Now, do remember that your enemies will not go as easy on you as your uncle. Some will be ruthless, and will stop at nothing to weaken you."

And how we know that all too well.

"Yes, Father," the small voice confirmed. "May I go play with Nikka now?" The brothers chuckled at his obvious fondness for his friend.

"Of course," Loki answered. He watched the child run towards the other side of the sparring arena.

"He will grow up to be in love with her," the blond commented.

"And I will not disapprove," the younger man responded. "She is the perfect balance between her mother and her father. She would make a wonderful queen when he ascends to the throne." He turned to his older brother. "How is Jane, by the way, and why is she not by your side?" A large smile crossed Thor's face.

"I know I promised not to, but fate had other plans," he replied.

Loki drew in a long breath. He knew how this would most likely end, and he feared for his brother's lover. She was strong in ways he would never understand, but so was Meeka. This would not end well, he just knew it.

"Thor," he sighed.

"She can handle it, brother," the warrior argued. "Just have faith."

"I can try, brother," he surrendered, "but I wouldn't hold out too much hope. She's only mortal."

Please, don't let history repeat itself.

It was later that evening, after the young prince had retired for the night, that Loki found himself staring out at the city. Clearly his warning meant nothing to Thor. Now he was doomed to go through the same thing the King was dealing with now.

Maybe things would be different, though. Jane was strong for a mortal. Maybe she could handle it, like Thor said she could.

"Is something the matter, sire?"

He turned to see Ilsa, the servant girl who had helped him for the past three years, making her way towards him. He smiled and opened his arms to her.

He had been hesitant at first. Miekall was only a few months old at the time, but he had grown to care about the young servant. He had let her in only a year ago, and she had become a mother figure to the young prince.

"Nothing of great concern, Ilsa," he answered, his hands closing on hers. "Just a problem that is not truly my own." A small grin crossed her features, her blue eyes lighting up.

He knew it was wrong. He could never truly love her, but she did help to ease his pain. If he could bring himself to do what was right, he would let her go before she was too infatuated with him. He would tell her the truth, and let her live her own life.

But he couldn't. Keeping her around kept the heartache at bay. He was being selfish, and he knew it, but he still couldn't face the pain. He needed someone to help him with his son, and he needed the companionship she provided.

"You worry yourself too much with others problems," she laughed, one of her dainty hands resting on his chest.

His heart ached at her touch. He needed the intimacy, but he knew if he gave in, she would realize the truth, that she was being used. She would cut him out of her life, as well as Miekall. He couldn't do that to his son. He couldn't rob him of the only mother figure the boy knew.

Maybe another day.