Hello all! Yeah, the ending seems cornier every time I read it but maybe that's because I'm terrible at romantic proclamations. I can accomplish romantic gestures, but not words. Everything mildly romantic that comes out of my mouth sounds cheesy enough to put on macaroni. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter and forgive me my inability to write romantic sayings.

Song of the Chapter: Better Than I Know Myself ~ Adam Lambert

Because Adam can hit all the right notes and Claude Kelly can write some heart-wrenching broken-love songs. Trust me, the lyrics just work for the whole Loki/Freyja relationship.

"Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them."

-Bruce Lee

Freyja felt as if she was caught in a tempest, waves of conflicting emotions rolled over her. Was it possible to feel fury and sadness simultaneously? She had never felt such anger. The cold ire she had always felt caused the burning rage to feel foreign and unnatural. She had always been able to control her actions and emotions, but she felt as if she wanted to break something and cry at the same time. It only infuriated her more.

She didn't want to care about Loki after what she had seen, but she didn't want to hate him, either. The more logical side of her mind said to let him go for if he had intentions to remain with her, he would have been faithful. Her emotion-driven side, the facet of her that her father had desperately attempted to destroy, whispered persuasively that perhaps she should find out why he would do such a thing.

"Freyja?" Sif asked, stopping abruptly as she nearly ran into the Princess.

"I fear I haven't the ability to keep a civil and coherent conversation at the moment," Freyja replied stiffly, walking around the warrior. "It is no fault of yours and I mean no offense but if you'll excuse me, I must leave."

She could feel Sif's questioning gaze upon her, but she ignored it. What she was in desperate need of was someone to rant to, perhaps someone who could endure her confliction and emotions. Freyr was out of the questions, as he was still ill and she refused to place the burden on him. Sif would not likely understand, as she had never had interest in any man besides Thor.

And with that thought in her head, she immediately began to walk in the direction of Thor's chambers. It was nearly midday, but she knew he was most likely enjoying a day of relaxation. Shame to ruin his peace, she knew, but there was no one else to speak with. Besides, she could not count the number of times he had come knocking on her door at ungodly hours for ridiculous reasons that had no limit. A midday visit over an adulterous partner did not seem to overstep her boundaries.

When she reached his door, she may have knocked a bit too violently. The wood dented slightly under her anger but remained intact. No one answered her, but she was certain he was within the walls and knocked again.

"Thor! I know you are in there. I am in need of a listener with patience and a strong drink, both of which I know you can provide!"

The door opened a second later, revealing a bleary Thor in nothing but a sheet. She didn't so much as bat an eye at his appearance, having long since become accustomed to seeing Thor in several indecent circumstances. Of course, she had also seen her fair share of him after having to strip him down and heal his wounds after battles and brawls. However, it was he that looked at her as if he wasn't certain she was truly standing there.

"Freyja, I know it is not early, but I had little sleep last night and would appreciate it if you would return at a later time," he sighed.

"Even if it has to do with your treacherous, lying snake of a brother?" she snapped, unable to hold her tongue.

He raised his eyebrows at her statement, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"I am feeling murderous. Would that count as unwell?"

"What has happened that I am unaware of?"

"Perhaps we should discuss this in your chambers, away from prying eyes."

He stepped aside quickly and she walked past him, headed straight for the fireplace. Kneeling down, she prodded several stones at its base, searching for the correct one.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Searching for the liquor compartment you had Loki create when you were sixteen so that you may drink without alerting your father," she answered, knocking on a loose stone. "I know for a fact it is hidden beneath one of these stones."

"Loki spoke to you of that?"

"Loki and I spoke of everything," she muttered, pulling up the stone. "Ah, here it is."

She pulled out the bottle and replaced the stone as he blinked in surprise.

"Loki told me no one would be able to detect it," he mumbled.

"The spell Loki used blinds the stone from the attention of all who are unaware of it. If you know it exists, you simply need to find it," she answered, pulling out the cork.

"Is there anything I may help you with?" he asked, voice wary as he was unsure why she had come. "I may not be much use to you now. I was up until the still of the night going through innumerable papers. Out of all the things Father told me of being King, he neglected to mention the amount of papers I would need to look over."

"All I need is someone who can patiently tolerate what I may do."

He sat down, still on edge from her tone, "You have my undivided attention."

She took a swig of the ale, beginning to pace as a caged animal would, "Loki has been lying to me."

"Are you certain that he has not been playing his word games as he usually does?"

She laughed sardonically, "Oh, no. There was no grain of truth in his words. I understand asking him to never lie may have asked too much of him, but this is beyond forgivable. Space and time I can give him, but must he take things to the extreme?"

"What exactly happened?" he asked, watching her carefully.

"I have been aware of Loki lying for little over two weeks now, but I chalked it up to him needing time alone," she said, controlling her voice carefully. "Freyr spoke to me on the topic and deemed it only necessary to speak with Loki on the matter. So I hastened for his chambers, and…"

Her voice broke slightly, causing her to go quiet. She placed her hand against the mantle, leaning in slightly as she looked into the dancing flames. Her grip tightened as the image of what she had seen flashed through her mind.

"And?"

"I found him in bed with another woman," she muttered under her breath, closing her eyes only to find the two ingrained into her memory.

"I didn't quite catch th-"

"I caught him in bed with SIGYN!" she screeched, throwing the bottle into the fire.

Thor jumped slightly as the flames leapt up, roaring against the stones as Freyja turned to face him.

"Of all the woman he could have chosen, he decides on that half-brained harlot!" she yelled, gesturing towards the door as if Sigyn stood behind it. "Everything he has said to me of late, all the words on his not giving up on me, how he wanted nothing more than to stand by me for eternity, was a lie. A lie that I willingly accepted."

"What are you speaking of?" Thor demanded, confusion mixing with outrage.

"I am speaking of your brother's infidelity. And my own naivety. How many times had my father told me nothing good would come of this and yet I dismissed his words so easily? I cannot count the number. But, then, what should I have expected from the god of lies? What is infidelity if not a branch of mischief?"

"Show me," he said, standing up.

"What?"

"Show me what it was you witnessed. I cannot easily believe this is what it seems when I have seen his devotion to you."

She put her hand on his shoulder, focusing on the memory, and is eyes went blank as he watched what she had seen.

"Loki has always been a talented actor," she replied bitterly.

As she watched Thor's face contort in rage, she felt her own anger rise. She had never wished to seek revenge for anything before, but now she felt it necessary. And she knew just where it would wound Loki. She knew the greatest attack she could create would be to his pride. She examined Thor carefully, knowing he would inflict the greatest pain. She knew Loki would be infuriated if he found her with Thor in any romantic way, and she was tempted to do just that.

But it would have been cruel to all. To Thor, who would kill himself with guilt for betraying Jane. To Sif, who would never expect her friend to hurt her in such a way. To Jane, who would immediately lose faith in Thor. To Frigga and Odin, who wouldn't understand the mess. And to Loki, who had always believed Thor was greater than he and would take it as proof. She just couldn't do such a thing.

Thor removed her hand from his shoulder, "Would you excuse me, Freyja? I must have words with my brother."

He grabbed Mjolnir from beside the bed, making certain Freyja knew there would be few words between the two. With a snap of her fingers, his usual leather and armor appeared in place of his bed sheet. He nodded his thanks and walked from the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Left alone with only her thoughts for company, she wondered if she should simply let the situation go. She would die soon enough and perhaps Loki should be allowed someone he may have a chance with. The very thought ate away at her. Was she selfish to not want him with anyone other than herself? She thought of the Midgard saying, of letting go when one loves something.

"Utter rubbish," she said to herself.

But she wasn't completely certain that was how she felt.

Loki watched Thor with the air of someone about to be mauled by bilgesnipe, not bothering to hope yet planning on delaying the inevitable for as long as possible.

Raising his hands in defeat, he backed slowly away, "Now, Thor, let's not rash. It's not what you think-"

"Not what I think?" he demanded, swinging Mjolnir towards his head.

Loki ducked but could still feel the static crackling around the hammer.

"I wake up from a trying night of looking over peace treaties, repayment requests and Heimdall knows how many other tedious papers to find Freyja looking for all the Nine as if she wants nothing more than to leave to Midgard and never return. I ask her what is wrong and I hear that you have been bedding Sigyn behind her back! Shame on you, have you no guilt?"

Three more swings came with his words, causing Loki to leap out of the way at odd angles. His misfortune was worse than he previously believed, as a sleep-deprived Thor was never easy to face.

"Will you not listen to me?" he demanded, dodging yet another blow.

"What words can you speak that will negate what Freyja has shown me?"

"If you would stop swinging that damned hammer and listen, you would find out," he replied, ducking once more.

"What has she not done for you?" Thor yelled. "What has she not given up simply to stand by your side? She disowned her own father, kept a Titan on her trail to keep you alive, ignored the laws of her people, took your final punishment, and jeopardized her own honor to make it known that she believed in you enough to court you. After all that she has done, this is how you repay her?"

"Now, hold on!"

But his indignation caused him to slow in his actions, allowing Thor to land a blow. Loki went flying backwards as Mjolnir struck him in the chest, slamming into the wall painfully. He gasped for breath, attempting to scramble to his feet as Thor approached once more.

"Will you not allow me to explain?"

Thor took hold of his collar, lifting him easily into the air. Desperate to evade the blow he knew was coming, he broke the one rule he had made shortly after finding his true heritage.

"Brother, please!" he nearly shouted as he flinched away from the descending hammer.

The blow he expected never came. Opening his eyes, he saw the surprise on Thor's face. Mjolnir sat suspended an inch away from his face, causing him to sigh in relief.

"I was not bedding Sigyn," he said softly. "It was an accident instigated by her to cause it to appear as if we were lovers once more."

"Accident?" Thor yelled in fury.

Loki shook his head quickly, "That sounded much more logical in my mind. We were not actually doing anything, Thor. I swear it. If I show you what occurred, will you believe me?"

Thor narrowed his eyes slightly but nodded all the same. Loki paced his hand over Thor's, projecting the memory into his mind. He watched as Thor's face transformed from anger to surprise and finally horror. As he removed his hand, his brother's face softened.

"This is a ridiculous mess you have found yourself in, brother."

Loki didn't deny it, knowing full well that it was true.

"Do you believe Freyja would be willing to listen to me?" he asked.

"Not willing," Thor said with a small smile. "She is on a warpath where you are concerned, but she may listen."

"Is she still in your chambers?"

"Most probably."

He nodded, preparing himself for what he may face, "Wish me luck."

"Luck will not save your hide, but I hope you will fare well, Loki."

He nodded and left Thor standing in the hallway, too busy wondering how Freyja would confront him. Anger was a new emotion for her, so he wasn't certain how she would act under its influence.

When he reached the door to Thor's chambers, he hesitated. He wondered if perhaps he should allow her to calm down but the more he thought of it, the less appealing the idea became. As it was, leaving Freyja to simmer would only allow her time to find a way to retaliate. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and walked in.

Freyja sat in a plush red loveseat, a crystal goblet of red wine in her left hand, as she stared at the fireplace across from her. She didn't look up as he walked in, but the entirety of her body stiffened.

"Freyja?" he asked tentatively, hoping to test the waters.

"Watch your words carefully," she said softly, tone more frightening than if she had yelled. "One misstep and my patience will reach its end."

He nodded and walked towards her. She stood up and faced him, swirling the wine around in its glass.

"You owe me a reason."

"A reason?" he asked blankly.

"A reason why you did not tell me," she answered. "Had you said you thought we could go no further, I would have allowed you to leave. I would rather see you pleased with another than silently unhappy with me. What truly troubles me is that you thought it better to hide your intentions. You lost your faith in me, and so you also lost faith in yourself. Are you aware of just how much it hurt?"

"I came to apologize."

He closed his eyes as she doused him in red wine, the liquid dripping down to his shirt. Opening his mouth to reply that he had received worse, he suddenly thought better of it and decided to use a different approach.

"What you saw, it wasn't what you think."

Those were apparently the wrong words, something Loki became aware of when Freyja's fist connected with his cheekbone. He stumbled backwards, caught off guard by the blow. He brought his hand to his cheek, gently prodding the tender flesh. When he looked back up at her, the wine glass had disappeared.

"How can you say it is not what I assume it is when the evidence contradicts your words?" she hissed. "Do you think I was unaware of your lying about your whereabouts?"

"I have an explanation for that," he replied quickly.

"I am already aware of where you were. I have already seen it for myself. Do you know just how much this pains me?" she snapped, blue eyes both glassy and blazing in anger. "My people are dead, my brother is ill with a toxin we cannot name, my half-sister and replacement antagonizes me at every possible corner, my life lies in tatters, and the one person I have always been able to depend on turns around and betrays me to a woman he claimed to have no interest in. You have always been constant, always supporting me, and now, when I need you most, you turn away."

"Love, please."

She winced, turning away, "And yet, just as with my father, I cannot help but love you. Perhaps that is my fault, that I love the ones who cannot love me back. I find anger aplenty but no hate. But you lead me along as he never did. With a word, a simple name, you cause me to play into your hands. Am I naught but a plaything which you may throw away when you grow bored?"

"There is nothing I can say which can make this up to you. But I swear, Freyja, I did not partake in any romantic affairs nor did I have intentions to initiate any with Sigyn after I ended our relationship. Would I not be a fool to ignore your love and devotion? I have more than I could ever ask for in you. I would never betray you."

He wrapped his arms around her waist, waiting for her response. When she didn't pull away, he angled his face to kiss her neck.

"I would not blame you if you never forgave me this. But will you listen to my explanation of where I have been?"

"I will listen," she answered quietly. "But I cannot promise that I will believe you."

He nodded and turned her around so that he could look her in the eyes, "You have told me many of the customs of Vanaheim, so much that I have adopted many of them as my own. One such practice is for men to forge their own rings when planning to ask for a woman's hand, is it not?"

"Yes, but I see no connection-"

She stopped dead as the relation of the two became clear.

"I admit that I lied to you about why I was journeying to the forges, but it was for no malicious reason," he continued. "I expected Sigyn's visit as much as you did. She had completely escaped my thoughts in my task."

He took her hands in his, reverting to the language of the Vanir, "I may not have the ring, as it is not quite finished, but my proposal still stands. I have nothing to offer, yet I have all I need when with you. As ridiculous as it sounds, it is true. So I have nothing to risk but ask you this one question."

He leaned in to whisper into her ear, "Will you, against all logic, marry me?"

He stepped back to see the look of surprise on her face, smiling at her silence.

"I'm going to need an answer," he prompted.

"You know I would," she whispered. "But do you truly think it wise to shackle yourself to me when my fate is uncertain?"

He gave her a crooked grin, "Who ever said I was wise? Honestly, both you and Thor have the ridiculous notion so who misinformed you so shamefully?"

She laughed, glancing at the floor as she did, "I'm not sure."

He tilted her face towards his with a finger, resting his forehead against hers, "Is that a yes, love?"

"I believe it is," she answered.

"Are you certain? A Jotun with a Princess?"

"What you meant was an Asgardian Prince with a halfling."

"What I meant was a Jotun with a Vanir."

"A trickster and a lover," she provided.

"You and I."

"For all eternity," she concluded

"And a day," he amended.

She smiled, "And a day."

With nothing else to say, he brought his lips to hers.