The following weeks were busy for the Asgardians. Thor and Loki were both working on making arrangements for the coronation, and Loki was still much occupied with the politics of Asgard. He was meeting constantly with powerful political figures, reading documents, and he started disappearing frequently. I hardly saw him for the next couple of weeks, and every time I did, he was either surrounded by officials so I couldn't get close to him, or he was too busy just then and would talk to me later. But he never did.

"Thor," I called, chasing after the Asgardian down a hallway where I had caught sight of him. Thor turned at my voice and smiled.
"Ellie," he greeted warmly. "I am rather busy at the moment, but if you would like to meet me at midday, we might share a meal with Jane."
"That would be lovely, Thor," I agreed. He nodded and stepped away slightly, but I halted him, saying, "But I would just like to ask you about Loki." Thor immediately grew concerned, facing me properly and giving me his full attention.
"What of him?"
"Do you know what he's doing? Every time I see him, he's too busy to talk to me, and he disappears for hours at a time…"

"He's been working on fixing Asgard, of course. But Loki has also been making journeys to Midgard; that is where he disappears to. He will not tell me the reason for these visits, however. Do you think there is something wrong?" I sighed tiredly, rubbing my eyes.
"There's always something wrong with Loki, Thor. But he won't tell me until he is ready. Still, I'll see if I can catch him before bed tonight. Thank you; I'll see you for lunch."
"Tell me if there is anything I can do, Ellie," Thor requested as we both walked away from each other.

When I opened Loki's bedchamber door, he was standing before the mirror in only his trousers, probing the flesh around the arrow wounds in his abdomen gingerly. He turned at the light from the hallway and blinked at me. "Ellie."
"Do you have time now?" I questioned dryly, crossing my arms impatiently.
"I was about to retire," Loki protested smoothly. "It has been a long day… Though, of course, you would be welcome to join me for the night, My Dear," he added with a flash of that old mischief that I hadn't realised I missed. I snorted, rolling my eyes with a smirk.
"Keep dreaming, Princeling." Loki shrugged indifferently.
"Please yourself." He picked up a ceramic jar from the nightstand and smoothed the balm across the stitched, puckered, still raw lines, grimacing as he did, hissing. I stepped closer, watching closely. Loki picked up the bandage and started twining it around himself awkwardly. I sighed, seizing the cloth from him, rewinding what he had undone. He sighed wearily; I felt his breath in my hair as I started wrapping him myself.
"You are taking care of yourself, aren't you, Loki?" I asked, looking down at the angry, red marks across his svelte belly, a little more emaciated than I liked to see him.

"Yes, Ellie. I am quite well."
"Are you sure?" I prodded. "You've lost mass; fat and muscle both, I can see."
"I have given you my answer, Miss Carter; do not try my patience," Loki replied curtly. I fell silent, thinning my lips and carefully binding his middle, securing the end of the bandage. I turned on my heel and left without another word or backwards glance, carelessly flinging the door shut behind myself. Loki did not want to talk to me, and I had no desire to make him. Just as I reached the turn to the hallway where my room was, a hand wrapped around my upper arm and pulled me around. I looked up at Loki sharply and he bent over me, kissing my hair.
"Thank you, Ellie. Goodnight." Loki released his hold on me and stalked away to his own room. I sighed tiredly, rubbing at my eyes as I continued on my way. That was the last time I spoke to Loki before the day of the coronation…

Danira had done my hair for me so it was pulled up in soft curls, held in place with glittering golden pins and threads. There were curls left to frame my face and gold string cuffs dangling from my ears; my lips were dark red and my eyes were streaked with kohl and dusted with gold. My long, wine red velvet skirts rustled as I walked, muffling the sounds of my little gold slippers against the marble floor. My bodice was fitted closely, laced up the back with crimson silk ribbon, and the off-the-shoulder straps formed a shallow v across my décolletage and a golden belt was around my waist, sharp lines falling down to cradle my hips. I waited with everyone in the hall at the base of the steps leading up to the throne where Thor stood in his winged helmet, awaiting the arrival of Loki. Everyone around me was chattering excitedly, or worriedly, depending on their views of the coronation and any residual misgivings they had. Finally, the muted trumpets started playing and everyone turned as the double doors at the end of the hall were opened to reveal Loki.

He stood for a moment, looking up to where his brother towered at the throne he had so dearly longed for. A long-sleeved, emerald cloak trailing behind him, gold threads glittering in the rich material. His dark hair was left to fall in lush waves to his shoulders bar a neat braid by the left side of his face, bound with a little gold bead underneath his elegantly shaped, horned helmet. He wore an emerald undershirt beneath a tightly-fitted, black leather jerkin with an elaborately carved gold and ruby fastening across the chest. His breeches and boots were both black leather, and he looked tall and proud, strutting solemnly and confidently down the length of the room, up the stairs, and taking a knee before the throne, bowing his head.

"Loki of Asgard, my brother, do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?" Thor asked in his booming voice, looking down at Loki seriously. Loki raised his head, returning Thor's piercing gaze with his own wide, surprisingly earnest one.
"I swear," Loki confirmed gently.
"And do you swear to preserve the peace?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to cast aside your selfish ambitions and to pledge yourself only to the good of the Realms?"
"I swear."
"On this day, I, Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard, proclaim you King." Loki stood gracefully, looking Thor in the eye steadily and he smiled warmly. "Congratulations, Brother."

Loki smiled brightly, nodding to Thor, and turned to face the congregation as the room erupted in cheers, music and applause. I cheered along with the rest, clapping enthusiastically as Loki cast his gaze over the room, laughing breathlessly, his face lighter than I had ever seen it. After all those centuries of neglect… of mistrust… of rejection… Loki was finally receiving the respect and acceptance that he had so desired. And it suited him well. The ball following the coronation was spectacular. Loki was, naturally, the centre of attention. All the nobility were eager to express their congratulations and support, and I waited my turn patiently, lingering at the edge of the group as lords and ladies came and went whilst Loki slowly meandered through the room, greeting his subjects courteously. Finally, there was a small gap and I slipped through the group to stand by Loki's elbow cheerfully. "Ellie," Loki greeted with the same, polite smile he had given to everyone else.
"Congratulations, Loki. You finally have everything you've worked towards for so long." Loki bowed his head in agreement.

"Aye; that I have. And, of course, I am grateful to you for all your assistance to me; you and the rest of Thor's friends." I was a little taken aback by Loki's careless, impersonal manner, blinking in confusion as he turned his attention to a pair of new arrivals. "Ah, Lady Meerian; are you enjoying the party?"
"Very much, thank you, Your Majesty," the older Asgardian woman responded with a curtsey. Loki turned his sights onto the younger woman beside her and tilted his head attentively.
"And this must be the accomplished daughter I have heard so much about. Lady Kittren, is it not?"
"Kitty, Your Majesty," the young woman confirmed with a nod, executing her own graceful curtsey.
"That is a beautiful gown, My Lady." The young woman blushed prettily, bowing her head.
"Thank you, My King." Loki smiled again before glancing at me.

"I'm sorry, Ellie. Was there anything else?"
"No, Your Majesty, but you have not dismissed me," I responded formally, my hands folded demurely in front of myself.
"Please; go and enjoy the celebrations," Loki laughed flippantly, waving his hand over me.
"Thank you, Sire," I acknowledged, curtseying and retreating quickly as Loki continued his socialising. I looked around to locate my friends. Sif and the Three were entertaining the crowd with tales of their heroics, Steve was talking animatedly with Sharon, both making a concerted effort to include Bucky in their conversation. Natasha and Clint were dancing together contentedly. Bruce was vigilantly monitoring Tony's alcohol intake whilst happily discussing some science that was far beyond my ken with him, Selvig and Ian. Thor was happily engaged with Jane, Heimdall and another large group of Asgardians. And as Eric had returned to Midgard weeks ago, I was left quite alone to observe quietly, sipping my drink. I was relieved to not have anyone to entertain, but I did feel rather like the spectre at the feast…

Just before midnight, I noticed Loki slip out onto a quiet balcony. It was not long before he was followed by the beautiful Kitty. However, it was only a moment before she went back inside. Another woman went out, only to return swiftly, and a handful of other women went out to meet Loki at different times only to go back to the party within moments. I watched as no other women went out, and waited, expecting Loki to re-emerge once he had taken his fill of fresh air. And waited. And waited. After ten minuted passed since he had gone out, I started to grow concerned, considering approaching Thor to check on his brother. But perhaps that would draw unwanted attention to Loki; particularly if he was unwell. I sighed, chewing my lip thoughtfully for a few moments before deciding to venture discreetly out myself. I slipped around the edges of the room, unnoticed, and walked onto the balcony using the opposite door which Loki had gone through. I stood just outside, looking at Loki where he stood, gazing out over his kingdom with his hands on the marble balcony railing.

I stepped further out, my skirts rustling, and Loki turned his face to me coolly before sighing heavily and bowing his head, hunching slightly over his hands. "I was beginning to think that you would not come to me," he muttered. I arched a brow at that.
"It did not seem to me as though you were lacking in companions, Loki. And with the way you've been ignoring me recently, would you have been surprised?" Loki straightened, turning to me with wide eyes.
"Ignoring you? No, never that. But I am the king now, Ellie. Things are different."
"Of course!" I exclaimed softly. "I understand completely. You are the King of Asgard; you are much occupied with your many lords and ladies. You no longer have time to waste on a simple Midgardian girl; naturally our relationship dynamics must be changed now that you have so many important duties to attend to." Loki sighed wearily, looking down and running his hand across his abdomen.

"Ellie," he groaned.
"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied instantly, staring at Loki with blank-faced obedience. Loki looked up at me quickly, shaking his head.
"Ellie, no. Don't call me that," he ordered sharply.
"No, Sire." Loki's face took on a pained expression as he stepped closer to me.
"Ellie, please; it isn't like that. I don't want to be your king; I am not your king. I don't want this to change us that way. Please, Ellie. Don't do this to me."

"I didn't," I responded emotionlessly. "You did. I was always there for you, Loki. You didn't want me anymore. You have everything you have ever desired now; a throne, power, recognition, respect. Even love, I think." Loki shook his head slowly.
"I never meant for you to feel neglected, Ellie. I swear it was not my intention to wound you. I am sorry that I took your presence for granted; I thought you knew how heavily it is that I rely on your support." I blinked, Loki's honest apology thawing my cool formality. I sighed, crossing my arms casually.
"You were waiting for me, it seems," I remarked gently. Loki nodded.
"Yes, I was… I have been to Midgard, Ellie."
"I know; Thor told me," I said. Loki looked me over sharply.
"Did he tell you why?" I shook my head.

"He didn't know." Loki nodded slowly, sighing softly.
"Good… Good…" He groaned faintly, curling his lip slightly and bending at the waist with his arm locked around his belly.
"You are ill," I commented, frowning worriedly. Loki shook his head, taking a deep breath and straightening.
"I am well enough… Now, I had some research to do; research on traditional Midgardian customs. I wanted to get this right." A tingle ran along my spine, but I shook it off. Loki could not mean what it sounded like.
"If you were curious about Midgard, you could have asked me, Loki." Loki shook his head, shifting restlessly.
"No; that is not the way these matters are attended to, Ellie. I went to Midgard, and found your heritage to be rather mixed; different races and cultures run through your blood. However, my observations of you lead me to believe that you most strongly associate with your English heritage."
"I do," I confirmed, now thoroughly befuddled. "But why did you wish to know about my heritage?"

"I wanted to know which approach would be the most appreciated by you," Loki told me simply. "Now, traditionally, women were viewed as property, and whilst I do not believe that anyone possessed of their full faculties would dare to view you as an item of belonging, I do know that you place a strong value on family ties… I spoke to your father; he was… far less receptive than I had hoped he would be," Loki muttered bitterly, narrowing his eyes and lowering his gaze before looking up at me again. "But I decided that I must continue even so. I understand that a ring is the traditional token given at this moment; a gold band set most commonly with diamonds." I suddenly found that I had lost all feeling in my body; I did not even know if I was breathing or not. Loki held up his hand and a green light pooled in his palm before disappearing, leaving behind a box covered in black velvet. "But you are not a common woman," he continued, running his fingertip across the velvet hesitantly.

"I wanted something with a more personal connection to us both. I know that you love colour, and white would be far too dull for you. You know that my preferred colour is emerald, and it did not take me long to discover that you were born in July, making your birthstone the Ruby. So, with this in mind, I created this…" Loki carefully opened the box as I bit my cheeks, showing me a gold and silver band which circled around three stones; the centre a smooth, oval emerald with a smaller, diamond-cut ruby on either side of it, set into the woven metals so that it was not too raised. "I know you dislike ostentatious jewellery; you find it cumbersome and tacky. But I know you like braiding and filigree, so I thought this design would better suit your tastes." Loki lowered himself gracefully to one knee at my feet, looking up at me with nervous, hopeful eyes, swallowing.

"Ellie Jean Carter, will you grant me my final, and dearest, wish, and consent to give me your hand in marriage?" he questioned, enunciating each word slowly and clearly. I felt as though I had been punched in the solar plexus as I already knew what my answer must be.
"No," I whispered. Loki sucked in a sharp breath, standing immediately.
"I did something wrong," he said blankly, staring at me. I shook my head rapidly.
"No!" I exclaimed gently, cupping his face in my hands desperately. "No, you did everything so perfectly; I would not have believed it possible!"
"Then you love another," Loki responded, still in the same, blank tone. "The Captain; he has already claimed your affections."
"No," I told him firmly. "Whatever existed between me and Steve has long since faded, if it ever really was to begin with." Loki swallowed before speaking again, a single tear sliding down his left cheek.

"But you do not love me."
"I do love you, Loki. Honestly and truly. You are not to blame for this… I am at fault."
"You?" Loki echoed lowly. I nodded quickly, staring into his eyes.
"I won't marry you because I am… cruel and selfish, Loki. I would deny you happiness for my own sake," I confessed, letting my hands slip away from him and lowering my head in shame.
"Who told you this?" Loki demanded, a sudden rage in his hissing voice as he squeezed the ring box so tightly his knuckles were white. "Who would dare to put such a falsehood into your mind?" I met his eyes again in alarm.
"No one, Loki! It is the truth, and I am saying it!" Loki furrowed his brow in puzzlement, slowly shaking his head, swaying slightly in an almost serpentine manner.

"I do not understand," he growled softly, meeting my gaze steadily. "You are the kindest, most generous person I have ever known, besides Frigga." I bit my lips, lowering my eyes and shaking my head again.
"No, Loki. I can't be."
"Ellie, tell me what is wrong," Loki groaned as if in physical pain.
"I will not marry you, because I want to be someone's One and Only." Loki pushed my chin up so that I had no choice but to look into his eyes.
"You do not trust me to be faithful to you; after everything we have endured together!" he accused, hurt plain on his face.
"I trust you, Loki… But you will outlive me by centuries. I will wither and die, and you will find someone else. Or you will live the rest of your life alone. I could not condemn you to such a life… but I could not stand it if you married another…" I closed my eyes, breathing deeply. "I am selfish, Loki. Selfish and cruel. And I cannot marry you."

"This is your only objection to our union?" Loki questioned softly, releasing my jaw, and I frowned in confusion, looking at him.
"Of course; but it is more than enough for me to deny you, as much as it hurts us both." Loki smiled at me warmly, shaking his head.
"No, Mouse. I have a solution. One of the reasons why I was so busy leading up to the coronation is because I was looking for something; something I found that renders your protestation moot. I, too, am selfish, My Dear. I would not wish to live a day without you. I have found a spell that will bind your life to mine; our energies will be linked so that as long as I am living, so shall you be. With the power of my magic, which is intrinsically a part of my being, you will age as I do, so we need never live one without the other, provided nothing untoward happens to either. Even so, I would die before I saw your life extinguished, so I would still remain loyal to you. And after your natural time is spent, your life force would end with mine." I blinked at Loki in astonishment, my mouth slightly agape.

"You can do that?"
"I can, and I will, if you accept me."
"I would outlive everyone I know on Midgard; my friends and relatives… my baby sister." Loki looked regretful, tilting his head.
"Yes, Mouse. They would live their natural lives whilst yours is extended. But I would have you, and I would give you all that I could to secure your happiness… I would give you all of myself; my very soul would be yours to keep. And I would cherish you as my greatest treasure; the best of my self…" Loki took hold of my hand, squeezing it in his own, trembling. "Please say yes," he begged huskily, staring deeply into my eyes.

"Yes," I responded simply, biting my lip. Loki's lips parted as he exhaled in shock, eyes wide. "Yes, Princeling; I will marry you."
"You will?" he whispered. I nodded, grinning with my lip still trapped between my teeth.
"I will." Loki smiled widely, laughing in sheer joy, and lowered himself to one knee again, taking the ring from the box, which vanished in a flash of green light, and carefully fitting the band onto my ring finger. He looked up at me, lifting my hand to his lips and kissing my knuckles before standing, cupping the side of my face in his hand and bending to lightly mold his lips to mine, drawing my hand to his belly, sliding his other hand across my waist to settle in the small of my back supportively as my free hand rested against the back of his neck under his hair. He pulled away from me slightly, gently drawing on my lips as he did, and took a shaky breath, still just in contact with me. "I love you, Ellie," he murmured, giving me another endearing, chaste kiss. "Honestly and truly." I just smiled, laughing faintly and stepping closer to Loki, laying my head on his chest and keeping my eyes closed as his arm curled tighter around my back, his heartbeat thudding steadily through his clothes.

We went back inside, my hand with the ring with tucked in the crook of Loki's elbow. Suddenly, Heimdall broke from the rest of the crowd, stalking slowly and powerfully towards us, drawing the attention of everyone else with his sombre demeanour. Loki stared up at the taller man guardedly whilst I curled my fingers in slight nervousness as the gatekeeper halted before us, staring down at us ominously. After a brief silence where everyone waited, unsure of Heimdall's motivations, the intimidating guard spoke, his voice gentle and strong. "My King, Lady Ellie, it is my honour to be the first to congratulate you on your engagement." I giggled in relief, looking up at my fiancé as he smiled at Heimdall, accepting his extended hand.
"Thank you, Heimdall. We appreciate your support," Loki replied warmly. Suddenly, the room was a blur of sound and motion as everyone reacted to the news. Thor, Sif, the Three and the Avengers all swamped us, offering their heartfelt congratulations, embracing us both with loving enthusiasm. All the while, Loki kept a gentle, yet firm grip on my hand, his thumb caressing the ring…