CHAPTER 3
Ashier saw them long before the two Asgardian princes saw him and he knew from the looks on their faces that they wanted answers that only he could answer. Sighing, he stopped and waited for them to come to him, knowing full well that the conversation that was coming was not going to be a pleasant one. He knew that by the end of day both princes' would have their memories returned to them and they would no doubt immediately try to find their betrothed.
"King Ashier," Loki was the first to address the Elven King.
"Prince Loki, Prince Thor. How may I be of service to the mighty Princes of Asgard?" he said though he already knew what they wanted.
"We would like to know why we are both receiving strange dreams of a woman we supposedly never met and yet they are familiar to us. However, it is their names that are puzzling us for as far as we know you do not have any children and yet the women from our nightly visions have your name. Would you care to explain how that is and why I have a journal that was given to me by a Darissa Ashiersdottir if you have no children," Loki asked the king before noticing that when he said Darissa's name the king became pale and a look of shock crossed his face if only for a second before he recovered.
Ashier had forgotten about the journal his daughter, Darissa, had given to Loki upon their betrothal and when he mentioned it he couldn't help the shock that ran through him. He was sure that the elder prince had not seen the look that had briefly crossed his countenance but he knew that Loki had. The younger prince was far better at observation than the elder. Sighing, he asked the two princes to follow him to a secluded garden so that he could speak to them privately.
Once there Ashier began his explanation. "Over a millennium ago the two of you became betrothed to my two daughters, Jarissa, the goddess of Reason and Intellect was or, I should say, is your betrothed Thor. Darissa, the goddess of Truth and Compassion is your betrothed Loki. And yes, before you ask the two of you were very much in love with your soon to be bride's. Then we received word that my realm was being invaded by the demons of Muspelheim. It was then that it was decided that it was safer to send my daughters away to keep them from harm. At first we were going to let them stay here in Asgard but then the war came here and the two of you decided it would be safer to send your betrothed to another realm that had yet to be invaded by these Demons. Only at the time I did not know how long the war would last and felt that it would be safer for my children if they did not remember who they truly were so I severed their memory of their former life. They forgot everything even their true names. They were given new names and new lives. It was then that the Norns came to me with a prophecy that I am not sure you know of, nor am I sure I should tell you at least not until I return the memories I stole from the two of you."
Loki was angered that the king before him had made him forget his beloved but he could understand why he had done it. Loki had after all been the one to send her away and he was sure that she had not gone quietly. He had to smirk at that thought. He may not remember much about her but from the dreams he had been having he knew she was a stubborn creature and loyal to a fault. She would not have gone quietly at all.
Thor's thoughts ran along the same path and he wondered if the woman who had helped him during his banishment to Midgard when Loki had tried to kill him had been his beloved but then he remembered the woman from his dreams and he knew that that was not possible. For one the woman that had helped him was a redhead and Jane's hair was more of a light brown. He had wanted to fall in love with the woman from Midgard that had been his savior in a way but he couldn't seem to do it. He had always been a bit of a ladies' man as they were always throwing themselves at him but for some reason he couldn't understand he had not been attracted to her in that way. She was a brilliant mortal but not for him plus she had her eye on another man at the time and had truly only wanted to help him. She had helped him learn that he needed to grow up and face his responsibilities to his kingdom that sacrifice was the better part of valor and that he had not been worthy of his father's crown before but now he was and he had her to thank for it. When Loki had tried to take over the Realm and he had gone back to Midgard, Thor had joined the Avengers and found that she had married the man that she had had her eyes on and he was truly happy for her. Yet, now the Elven King was telling him and his brother that they had been betrothed for the better part of a millennium and he could not even remembered her.
Ashier looked at both brothers as they were lost in their thoughts. He decided to tell them the prophecy since it did involve them as a whole.
"The prophecy which the fates gave goes like this …
Two maidens out of Midgard come
Two Maidens not what they seem
Two maidens to wed Odin's sons
One of Reason and Intellect
One of Truth and Compassion
Sisters by birth
Princesses by right
Love Lost and Love found
Truth Hidden and Truth Revealed
Will these two Maidens bring
Sons of Odin, by blood and not
Will theses maidens find
Golden Apples will not work
On those not of Mortal Birth
Trust, Love, Redemption Come
When these Maidens do appear
The Golden and Dark Princes' shall be no more
When love comes to your door
Time is fickle and Years go by
But still your heart will not decline
Memories Lost
Memories Found
When these Maidens you do find
Sons of Odin
Lend your ear
For Love will bring you to your end
Though not of death but of new birth
When these Maidens do appear
…" Ashier finished. He then laid a hand on each prince in turn and returned his memories to them