Aislinn woke in a large and comfortable chair in the sorcerer's library, feeling groggy and drained. She looked around her in a daze, before her eyes settled on Loki, a few feet away reading a book.

"Good morning." Loki said dryly, not looking up. "That was… an experience. Although, I do not recommend trying that particular spell again anytime soon." Aislinn moaned and sat up straighter in the chair, blinking furiously. She glanced over at the far end of the room, only to see Loki and herself reading across the other end of the table together, occasionally quietly talking. "Oh, that." Loki said before she could ask. "The guards would have insisted on taking you to the healing room, and there would have been a huge production – drama, an inquisition, possibly a beheading or two." Loki said dryly as he turned the page. "I thought you might prefer to just sleep it off."

"Yes, thank you." Aislinn said groggily, trying to make sense of what was happening. "How long?" She said, rubbing her temple with her fingers.

"Only an hour or so." Loki said, closing the book with a thump. At the same time, the image of the two of them shuddered like water and disappeared in a wink of green light. The guards gave a somewhat startled cry, but uneasily stepped back into their posts when they saw Loki and the girl sitting only a few yards away. They eyed Loki suspiciously, and Aislinn wondered briefly if they had been charged to watch him in particular. He waved at them somewhat insolently, and she swore she could see eyes narrowing in the large golden helmets. Loki rose and said "I think it is time that you had something to eat, after releasing all that energy. Shall we?"

Aislinn tried to rise, but her legs felt shaky and leaden under her. Loki offered her an arm to steady herself, and was pleasantly surprised when she threaded her arm through his as they started to walk through the room. Remembering her affection for the garden, Loki walked her outside, and they sat together on the grass before a calm pond.

Again he used his magic to summon objects seemingly out of thin air. A blanket, food and plates appeared, and Aislinn caught up a plate and began to gather food onto it. She popped a grape into her mouth and sighed contentedly, drinking in the sunshine as well as the sweet juices. "Do you make all these things? With your magic?" Asked Aislinn.

"Not all." Loki said. "The targets in the room, yes. But food is difficult to call up out of nothing. 'stone' is a much more simple idea than all the elements of meat, or all the ingredients of a cake." He explained as he filled his own plate. "It could be done. It would be edible, but not pleasant."

"Where did this come from then?"

"The kitchens, where else?" said Loki.

Aislinn laughed and called him a thief as she bit into a piece of bread, so fresh and warm she wondered if he had called it straight out of the oven. She imagined some cook opening the oven door only to find the bread pilfered.

"Nonsense." Said Loki with mock stiffness. "If I had called for a servant they would have brought it anyway. I like to think of saving us the time and the servants the trouble."

They ate in the sunshine until Aislinn was feeling better, and then drank chilled water (in deference to Aislinn's sensitivity to wine) and, although he may not be able to quite enjoy it himself, Loki watched Aislinn bask in the sunlight.

They began to talk about magic, and what had happened. Aislinn could not remember having acquired so much power, and chalked it up to something that must have happened to her while she was not herself. Her power was extreme, but her control and discipline were lacking. Loki soon realized that in addition to knowing very little about illusion magic, Aislinn knew nothing about conjuration or defensive magic at all.

…

The next few weeks were some of the happiest of Aislinn's life. She spent her mornings training with Thor, and improved as a fighter each day. Despite his many faults, Aislinn began to be very fond of Thor and their time together. He held no grudges, was quick to laugh and unceasingly kind and protective. Her growing affection for Thor did not stop her from feeling building excitement every time fighting practice was over, however. Each day she would run back to her room to wash and change, hastily stuff a few mouthfuls of food into her face and be out the door and off to the library. Lessons with Loki were exhausting on every level. He tested her intellect, her physical capability and her inner strength every day, but her improvements, though hard won, were all the more gratifying for it. She learned to cast spells of protection that would deflect blows away that should strike true, as well as a number of shields for protecting against magic or steel. She learned how to project an image of herself,and how to speak and act through it as well.

After magical practice, Aislinn dined at Odin's table each night. Thor's friends and family surrounded her with an acceptance and affection Aislinn sensed that they did not give Loki, and she always made a point to sit by him. Of course, Thor always remained at her other side. She learned to endure his flirtatious ways with more grace, but with no more pleasure than before.