The next morning, I awoke and stared at the ring glittering on my finger until a soft knock tapped against my door. "Come in," I sighed contentedly, looking over to see who it was. A woman I did not recognise entered and curtseyed respectfully.
"Lady Ellie. I am here to draw your morning bath." I sat up, frowning in confusion.
"Who are you?" I wondered.
"Locretia, My Lady."
"Where is Danira?" I asked.
"Danira has been relocated, My Lady. She is only a simple maid, which was acceptable before; but now that you are to be Queen of Asgard, she is not of a high enough standing to…"

"Thank you; I have heard enough," I interrupted, lifting my hand. "I am certain that you are a nice woman, and very capable at your job, but I am fond of Danira and would see her returned to me. Thank you." I stared at the woman blankly and she thinned her lips disapprovingly, curtseying and leaving the room. I sighed, flopping back against my pillows again and lifting my ring before my face, pushing it around my finger and watching the light play across the surfaces. There was a quick tapping on my door and I smiled, sitting up. "Come in." Danira entered quickly, smiling at me widely.
"Good morning, Lady Ellie!" She greeted cheerfully.
"Danni!" I exclaimed, throwing off my blankets and springing from the bed to stand before her in my nightgown. "They tried to take you away from me; can you believe it?!" Danni giggled, nodding.

"That is the way of things in Asgard, Ellie. But I knew you'd take me back. So… you are to marry the king?" Danni bounced on her toes eagerly and I laughed, jumping on the spot in giddy exhilaration.
"I'm getting married!" We both squealed and I threw my arms around the maid. She wrapped her arms around me and we pranced around in a little circle, laughing excitedly.
"I cannot believe that you are going to be the Queen of Asgard! My Lady Ellie! The Queen! Married to Loki the Trickster!" We pulled away from each other and Danni shook her head wonderingly. "I always thought Prince Loki was terrifying," she told me softly.
"Oh, he is," I replied immediately. Danni blinked at me, taken aback. "Loki can be truly frightening when he wishes to be. He is a dangerous man."
"But… if you think that, then… Ellie, why…"
"Marry him? Because if I have one of the most treacherous, powerful beings in the Nine Realms watching over me, there is very little I need fear, is there? Loki will not hurt me; particularly not once I belong to him."

Danni hesitated before voicing her concern. "Ellie, he does love you, does he not? There are those who may exist contentedly in a loveless marriage, but I could not abide that for you, though I am bold in saying so." I laughed cheerfully, shaking my head.
"I am touched by your care for me, Danni. Yes, Loki loves me, and I love him. He is a beautiful man; dangerous and protective, calculating and emotional, enduring and breakable, beastly and gentle. Bittersweet. You know only of the monster. You do not know Loki." I blinked, giggling as I realised how I had been staring absentmindedly at the skirting board. "Listen to me prattling; what a bride I must make." Danni looked at me thoughtfully for a moment before speaking.
"Should I run your bath now?"

When I found Loki, he was in his chambers, but it was different. Instead of having the heavy velvet curtains drawn, shutting out the light, they were thrown wide. The balcony doors that I hadn't known existed were open, admitting fresh air to the usually musty room, and details that I couldn't have seen before were visible, including furniture and bookshelves and a deep emerald carpet patterned with black swirls. Loki was sitting in black linen trousers on a dark red and ebony lounge with his legs folded, one knee up, as he read through papers on the ebony coffee table before him, sipping tea from a delicate china cup. His torso was bare apart from the bandage wrapped around his abdomen, and his hair was left unbound. I smiled, leaning against the doorframe and watching Loki work, making notes on some papers, signing off on others. He reached for his cup again and glanced up at me, blinking in surprise. "Ellie!"

"The first time we met, we stabbed each other," I remarked quietly. Loki smiled, chuckling softly, looking down.
"I remember."
"I never would have imagined we'd end up here," I continued, pushing myself away from the doorframe and walking closer. "I would have thought it more likely that I would perish by your hand than be saved by it. Yet how many times has that happened now?"
"Individually, or by battle?" Loki inquired lightly, resting one arm on his knee as he looked up at me. I giggled, rolling my eyes.
"Of course you keep a record."
"Only so I know how much I owe you." I shook my head.

"You don't owe me anything, Loki."
"I owe you everything, Little Mouse. Everything I now have came because of you."
"Not at all, Princeling. You have earned this by your own endeavours. Yes, I supported you, but I can only build on what you give me. Everything I have done has been in reaction to you. You are responsible for your own successes; I only smoothed the way a little bit," I shrugged casually. "It is fortunate that you altered your plans when you did. If you had continued down the path you were on when we met, I doubt that either of us would be alive now." Loki tilted his head curiously, eyes tightening just enough to sharpen his appearance.
"You think we would both be dead?" he hummed coolly. I smiled, tilting my head in response.
"You would have killed me, Loki. And the Avengers would have killed you; not even they believe in third chances."

Loki sighed, tucking his hair behind his ear and looking back at his papers, letting his leg drape over the edge of the lounge. "I cannot argue." Loki looked up at me hesitantly and held out his arms to me. I grinned, stepping closer and allowing him to pull me down onto his lap, settling me comfortably and curling his arm around my waist. His free hand took my left and lifted it so he could see the ring glittering on my finger in the sunlight. He stared at the ring pensively for a moment as I watched his face before he drew my arm back and brushed a kiss over the ring and across my fingers, turning his face to mine and kissing my jaw just under my ear. He linked both arms around my waist, pressing his lips against the back of my shoulder and staying there, looking at the papers on the desk again. I giggled contentedly, tilting my head to rest against his scalp, picking up his cup and sipping the tea myself. Loki snorted a gentle laugh, his breath tickling my clavicle, and leaned forward to pick up one of the papers, turning his attention back to his work.

"Loki?"
"Mm?"
"How do surnames work in Asgard? Will I be a Laufeyson, too, or will I keep my own name, or what?" I felt Loki's lips curl against my skin as he smiled.
"You will be Lokiwife," he informed me happily.
"Can I hyphenate? Ellie Carter-Lokiwife?" I wondered, turning my head to meet his eyes.
"You may if you wish," he allowed softly. "I would like for you to take my name."
"I want to, I just don't want to lose my own. When will we marry?" Loki sighed, shifting to toss the papers back onto the table and straightening his posture, turning me so we could look at each other more easily.

"When would you like to be married, My Dear?" he asked.
"As soon as we can be," I replied plainly. "We have had so many challenges and interruptions throughout our relationship; I'd rather marry you before the next crisis arises." Loki smirked, huffing a quiet laugh.
"You may be right. But we shall need time to prepare."
"Two weeks from today, then," I said firmly. Loki lifted his brows, laughing outright.
"My, we are eager," he cooed, bouncing me on his knee. I frowned, pouting slightly.
"Aren't you?" I wondered. Loki sobered, gazing down at me seriously before leaning forward to press a gentle kiss against my forehead.
"Tuesday fortnight, then," he whispered, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in the hair at my scalp.

"We will get married on Asgard, will we not?" I asked, listening to his steady heartbeat. Loki took a deep breath.
"I had no thought of our marrying anywhere else. I am certainly not in any hurry to return to Midgard, after what happened with your father." I giggled, sitting back to look at Loki's face.
"Let me talk to my father. He only wants what is best for me; I just have to explain to him that that is you." Loki smiled softly, stroking my hair affectionately.
"Which of your friends would you trust to help us with our wedding planning?" he asked. I tilted my head thoughtfully, chewing my lip.
"Probably Steve, actually. Maybe Clint. They're the most sensible and understated members of the group. Well, apart from Bruce, but I'd rather avoid stressing him."

"Not the Spider?" Loki asked. I shook my head.
"I don't think this is Natasha's sort of thing. If you wanted to plan a murder, however, she's your girl." Loki chuckled again. "Then there's Sharon, my not-quite-cousin. She knows the sort of thing I'd like; rustic and elegant." Loki nodded, still gazing at me fondly.
"We shall make it so." There was a whirring sound and I looked over my shoulder to see Thor landing on the balcony.
"Brother, we need to talk." Loki narrowed his eyes slightly, picking me up and setting me down beside himself, leaning towards Thor and laying his arm on the armrest.
"What is this about?" he inquired calmly. Thor glanced at me and back at his brother uncertainly.
"It is about your marriage." Loki tensed, sitting straight and staring at Thor coldly.
"You object to my taking Miss Carter as my bride?" Thor shook his head, sighing heavily.

"I do not object, but I do have… concerns…" Loki turned his head to peer at Thor from the corners of his eyes.
"Go on," he allowed in a low tone.
"Your lifespans, Loki," Thor stated firmly. "Midgardians do not last…" Thor paused when Loki smirked again, relaxing.
"That is already taken care of, Thor. When I am wed to Ellie, I shall cast a spell linking her life force to mine." Thor blinked in surprise, looking between the two of us.
"You can do that?"
"Yes," Loki confirmed, reaching behind himself and taking my hand. "It is one of the things we discussed before she agreed to marry me."

"And Jane?" Thor asked. Loki's grip on my hand tightened.
"What?"
"Will you do the same for me and Jane?" There was an apprehensive pause before Loki replied.
"I am sorry, Thor. I cannot." Thor's reaction was unexpected and violent. He grabbed Loki by his shoulders, hauling him to his feet with a vicious snarl. I yelped, leaping to my feet.
"You cannot?! You will not! You still wish to punish me!"
"Thor, Brother, it is not like that!" Loki protested, grabbing at his hands and attempting to free himself. Thor growled, yanking Loki around roughly, ignoring my exclamations.
"Thor, stop it! Let him go!"

"I know I neglected you in the past, but I have always loved you, Loki! Now you would deny me my own happiness for the sake of revenge?! You have the throne, what more do you require?!"
"Thor, I want no vengeance!"
"THEN WHY?!" Thor roared, forcing Loki backwards towards the balcony. "Why would you torment me thus?!" Loki struggled in Thor's grasp, knocking them both into one of the bookshelves as I looked around frantically. Thor growled as the books showered them and shoved Loki into the door before taking him by the throat and driving him back again.
"THOR, DON'T YOU DARE!" I screamed. Once again I was ignored as he pushed Loki back against the railing, forcing him to bend backwards, clawing at Thor's arms, eyes wide in alarm and pain as he resisted.
"Thor… Brother, please..." Thor's eyes widened and he released Loki, backing away from him immediately. I dropped the quill I had been about to stab Thor with and rushed over to where Loki was slumped against the railing, doubled over with one arm wrapped around his belly.

I put my hand on his shoulder and Loki grimaced, panting and looking up at Thor where he stood frozen by the doors, staring at him. "Loki, I… I'm so sorry." Loki shook his head.
"I understand, Thor. I would have done the same, if I ever thought you meant to keep my love from me… I am sorry, Brother," Loki murmured, swallowing. "I can bind myself to Ellie by my magic, but you have no magic purely your own to bind with Jane. There is nothing I can do." Loki winced, pushing his hand against his abdomen and I sighed, covering it with my own.
"Come and sit," I instructed gently. Loki nodded, sliding his arm over my shoulders and leaning against me as we made our way back inside. I settled Loki on the lounge as Thor lingered just inside the doorway. I frowned at the spots of blood seeping through the bandage and shook my head, smoothing Loki's hair out of his face caringly.

"I shall fetch a healer." Loki nodded and I straightened. Instead of going to the inner door, I approached Thor and punched him firmly on the jaw, knocking his head sideways. He hissed, lifting his hand to his mouth where his lip was bleeding and I scowled at him.
"If you ever hurt him again, I will hurt you far worse. I promise." I turned on my heel and stalked towards the door until Loki's voice made me pause.
"And how would you have responded when presented with the possibility of having what you longed for, My Dear?" I took a deep breath, staring into the empty corridor through the door.
"The last time I was in such a situation, I ended up imprisoned by those who gave it me. And if not for the help of my friends, I would still be jailed now. Are you sure that you want to play this game with me, Loki?" I challenged, turning my head to look at him over my shoulder. "I know where your desires led you, too." Loki bowed his head in acceptance and I left the room.

I worked with not only Loki, but Thor, Sharon and the palace staff to make preparations for the wedding. Whilst I was enjoying the feeling of having our visions for the ceremony and celebrations realised, there was one part that I was particularly fond of; something that Loki knew nothing of. The dress. It was tremendous fun for me to go to fittings with the palace tailors, Danira joining me faithfully; choosing fabrics, picking a style, trying the gown on, making the alterations, designing hair and make-up to go with it…

The big day drew ever nearer, and at the same time as I was impatient, I was also anxious. This would be a life-altering moment for me, and I was concerned as to how it might affect my circumstances. Still, I had managed to convince my father that Loki was exactly what I needed in my life, and he had finally consented to give me away, albeit reluctantly. I had also brought my sister to Asgard to assist with preparations; of the two of us, Tabby was the more practically-minded. She knew how to organise an event, and with style, too. Even though the Avengers and my betrothed were aware that I had a sister, I believe that it was a little unnerving for them to find that there were actually two of us. Tabby, Sharon and I found it quite amusing, watching the way other people reacted when we had conversations in half-sentences and noises that meant nothing to anyone else, or the way we often spoke at exactly the same time with exactly the same phrasing.

I entered Loki's chambers the Tuesday before the wedding with a pile of cream cards in my hands to be used as formal invitations to the wedding. "Loki, does Asgard have a way to send out these invitations more swiftly through Midga... You're turning grey." I dropped the cards on the bed and loped over to where Loki stood at the mirror, leaning on his forearm against the ornate golden frame. I could see fine threads of grey bleeding through his white skin; the bandage lay discarded on the floor by his feet with his tunic and undershirt. I placed my hand against his back, laying the other against the forearm he had pressed against his belly.
"I feel ill," he mumbled, his pale lips edged with grey. Loki tilted his head and rested his forehead against my hairline.
"Lie down," I commanded gently, guiding him over to the bed. He lowered himself stiffly onto the pillows, wincing, and I knelt on the bed beside him.

Loki took my hand and laid it against his abdomen, over his stomach. I sighed, shaking my head pityingly. "You still have problems with your stomach; I had thought the healers would have fixed that when they attended to your arrow wounds." Loki shook his head, looking at me through heavily-lidded blue eyes. "Perhaps we should have a healer see to you."
"It is only scarring, Mouse. Nothing sinister."
"But it causes you discomfort," I argued, rubbing his abdomen softly, being careful to avoid the still healing arrow wounds.
"Only when I am already tense."
"Why are you tense?" I wondered, shifting so I could lie down, curled up against his side with my head on his shoulder.

Loki sighed, sliding his arm around my back. "We are getting married, My Dear," he rumbled softly. I looked up at him intently, silent as I tried to read his expression.
"You asked me, but if you no longer wish to…" Loki cut me off by pulling me closer so my chest was on his and lifting his face to press his lips against mine.
"I want nothing more than to join my life with yours, Ellie. But… is it not natural for me to feel slightly apprehensive of everything that will entail? Are you experiencing no hesitancy yourself? Your life is about to change far more than mine, My Dear. Are you certain that you are ready for it?"
"No, but I don't want one of those noblewomen to take you from me if I dither," I replied frankly. Loki laughed, rolling onto his side and pulling me down so he could fold both his arms around my waist, nuzzling into my shoulder affectionately. I smiled, twining my arms around his neck, combing my fingers through his soft hair contentedly, kissing his scalp.

"There is one aspect of marriage that I am particularly looking forward to," Loki purred, trailing his fingers lightly down my spine. I sighed, shifting away from him and avoiding eye contact as I pushed myself back onto my knees.
"I think that is the part that frightens me the most. I have spent my life fighting to keep myself to myself, against the views of modern society, because I did not wish to expose myself to that kind of vulnerability without being certain that the man I was with wanted me and not just my body." I glanced up at Loki's face before looking down again bashfully as he blinked wide eyes at me in shock.
"You think I am only engaging you out of lust?" he asked in little more than a whisper, propping himself up on his elbows.
"I don't know; I'm scared, Loki."

"Oh, Mouse," Loki breathed, sitting up and pulling me into a soft embrace, cradling me securely against his chest and swaying gently from side to side. "Don't be scared," he continued in the same, soft tone as before, burying his fingers in my hair. "You needn't do anything that you are unwilling to do. We can postpone the wedding if you are not ready; prolong our engagement. I'll not stray from you; in all my centuries, I've not given of myself to another. I can wait for you, Ellie. As long as you need."
"Let's get married on Tuesday," I declared softly, sliding my arms around Loki's ribcage.
"As you wish," Loki murmured, kissing my forehead, drawing my legs up over his lap so they rested against his belly and tucking my head under his chin. I smiled as the grey tints started fading from his skin and closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling of safety his careful hold on me induced as his heart beat slowly against my ear.
"I'm glad we can share our fears like this," I hummed.
"We are to be married, My Dear. Your fears are my fears now…"