A/N: I understand this does start a little slowly, but pre-story is quite important here ;) Once more though, I don't own anything of the Marvel universe. Naturally, I own my own characters and the plot lines.

Chapter Two: The Vote

Three days since the larger sessions in the arena, Orethina had once more had her student in the arenas where Odin had watched on. The elder Goddess had put too much faith in the younger Valkaife and sent her up against Freya. Though Valkaife had held her own, the loss was an inevitable one, it had never being about winning that day though and Orethina had feasted in the name of her student later that evening.

The challenge during the days she spent in the arena had eventually being both Princes, she was sent against Thor in arena two which she'd ended up losing and later Orethina had once more arranged for her to meet Loki. They had a total of six matches over three days, the win loss ratio was something surprising to the elder Goddess. Valkaife had proved herself on the first three matches, though the latter three had all been won by the slightly older Loki.

The Prince had definitely done his research.

The silver haired Goddess could prove herself as much as she wanted in the arena but the upcoming event brought butterflies to her stomach. She was a bundle of nerves, the knowledge that in two days' time she would be turning eighteen and the palace would be alive with activity for the coming of age ceremony. The day Valkaife would officially gain her title of Lifebinder.

She had a good reason to be nervous, only three days earlier had Valkaife watched as the future God of Clarity had being refused acceptance. The look of grief that passed the teens face was unbearable to watch. The same boy would now spend another three years waiting for his next chance to prove himself.

Had she really done everything she could have possibly done? She recalled Lady Sif beating every opponent she was put against when Sif was looking at her coming of age. Her friends and acquaintances had all had their coming of age, even Princes had sailed through every one of their fights and tests Odin Allfather had set them.

Valkaife had stood against Freya and lost, against the eighteen year old Loki and the twenty year old Thor and suffered defeat. Odin and Frigga had watched everything she had done the past week.

"Valkaife?" a whispered voice stood behind her in the lonely room, hands instantly on her shoulders and rubbing them in an attempt to usher some calmness over the nervous Goddess.

"Lady Eir," Valkaife lowered her head in respect.

Eir's hands were warming and sent Valkaife's muscles into an instantly relaxed state as the woman's hands spread magic through her skin and sinking into the muscles.

"Allfather will see you in three hours, we have managed to get the gardens for you," Eir continued to rub her shoulders soothingly. Her words thought meant more to Valkaife than any other words that could be spoken. Her strongest grounds for a test were nature would surround her.

"How?"

"Orethina said your height during some of your most powerful shifts could bring down the palace walls," Eir laughed and pulled up a chair, a hand remaining on Valkaife's arm. "You'll be expected to maintain forms and use what you can whilst in them. He will wish to see that form of the magnificent beast you can shift into. According to the Druid's, you're the first to master such a shift. You can use that to your advantage."

"I cannot maintain it for long," Valkaife turned from Eir's gaze. She had admitted to nobody yet that she struggled to even remaining in the form for even ten seconds. She'd managed forty-seven seconds at best.

"No matter, you can do much," her tone had changed only slightly, not enough for Valkaife to pick up that Eir held some worry.

Eir knew Orethina had Odin expecting a good show from Valkaife's dragon form. Though none had seen it, Orethina expected her to take flight and show the breath dragons were known for whilst in the air. If just standing in that form caused problems, how could she push such a gigantic form into the air and hold it?

"Do I practice for three hours then?"

"Save your energy," Eir smiled. "We have other plans, we have to go over the ceremony!"

Valkaife groaned instantly. She'd had to sit through many and many preparations when others had their ceremony. She knew it like the back of her hand and could possibly recite the entire proceedings without needing to think of what came next.

"Come, the others are waiting," Eir didn't wait for a reply and pulled the soon to be eighteen year old off her chair and out of the smaller room that Valkaife had taken refuge in.

There would be few differences between her and the all the rest of a similar age group that had already had the ceremony. Every other had parents to escort them to the ceremony. Valkaife didn't know what Orethina had planned for her but if the passing rumours held some truth, Fandral was going to offer.

With a short walk and one turn onto another corridor, Eir gave a final glance at Valkaife and pushed open the double doors, allowing Valkaife to enter first.

"No," Valkaife turned back instantly, as she stared at Orethina and the group she had gathered.

"Easy," Eir had shut and locked the doors, pushing the youngster forward.

Eir had already prepared for it, knowing how enraged Valkaife had already being prior to her arena matches with the Princes, that annoyance at herself and them had grown since her losses. She had not expected the two to have any place in the preparations to her ceremony.

Eir felt the magic buzz around Valkaife but she kept any annoyance at bay and went and took the seat in the golden hall next to Orethina, showing her distaste at the two Princes that were sat opposite. She didn't even show respect to the duo with a bow.

Frigga was present and only to the Queen did Valkaife show her respect upon realising she was present and stood instantly, bowing before her and retaking her seat. It was common for either Odin or Frigga to sit in on the preparations, no prior arrangements were to be set by anybody who could possibly speak on Valkaife's behalf. Honesty was everything during the ceremony.

"We're all present," Frigga began instantly, allowing no greetings to be passed between friends. "Today and tomorrow will be important to you. You'll be before Odin and peers for your demonstration, before that we will be arranging what we see best. You can speak against anything planned as Orethina already has tried," Frigga smiled to her friend.

"I understand."

"Well, first, you have yet to indulge in the first dance, nor do you have a father to stand with you on that. You need lessons, which is exactly why we have gathered earlier than was originally planned," Frigga explained. "Thor, Sif, if you please."

Thor stood instantly at the order, offering a hand to Sif.

Soft music played for the duo that had been asked to dance with Valkaife watching on with more interest than she had previously took with any of the ceremony first dances before. By tradition the opposite sex of a parent would teach their son or daughter the dance and would then take to the floor with them.

It was to mark the last dance between father and daughter or mother and son before their child would enter into adulthood and take on the roles which their birth decided for them.

Sif was in her armour as usual, though she still danced with Thor with the elegance that females possessed. Thor truly did dance well with Sif as he had done at the last ceremony three weeks previous. Valkaife wondered if Fandral would be able to make her look as elegant as Sif did.

Once the music faded, Thor and Sif bowed to one another and retook their seats, waiting once more for one of the present Goddesses to address them.

"How long does it take to master?" Valkaife asked when Frigga eyed her expectantly.

"We have two hours here, we will set you off with Thor and we will see who would be best to have you spend tomorrow with to learn how to interact appropriately with your partner," Frigga explained.

Valkaife's eyes flashed with brief annoyance, not aimed at Thor, she'd expected she would take a short lesson with Thor once Frigga had asked Thoe and Sif to dance. It was what was planned for the next two hours. She'd dance with Thor, Hogun, Fandral, Volstagg, Balder and Loki. The latter she was most irritated with, there would be no point trying. Had she had it her way, she eyed Balder, the most experienced of the young males present. She guessed he would be the most suitable.

It took a few moments for her to register that Thor was offering his hand to her before she finally took it and took her place, following how she had seen Sif stand with Thor.

It was a disaster waiting to happen and Freya was instantly there, pushing the younger girl closer to Thor, laughing at how tense she was. Her distaste for dancing with Thor was obvious, though she had never actually danced in a way with someone as the others had. Freya remembered when Sif was taught by her father, she had being present at that time and Sif wouldn't get close enough for weeks under her father's instruction.

The dance was awkward to say the least. Freya and Orethina had barked orders at Valkaife countless times throughout and twice she and Thor had to restart.

"Let Thor lead," Frigga was patient with her, unlike Freya and Orethina who wanted results instantly. Eir had remained quiet, watching Valkaife's movement with her own thoughts.

Valkaife and Thor would never be suited, that much was clear to all. Their personalities were almost perfectly aligned. She wanted to be perfect, she didn't want to be lead. Valkaife wanted to lead and she needed someone unlike Thor, that much was clear, especially to Eir.

"Fandral," Frigga, gestured to one of the Warrior's Three to take Thor's place.

Eir beamed proudly at the difference, though she was still tense she was learning the steps a lot easier with Fandral. As she learned though after six dances, Valkaife had almost mastered only the steps. She was beginning to lead though and Fandral was allowing her with no argument.

"She doesn't understand," Sif sighed, watching Valkaife spin and instead of Fandral pulling her back, it was Fandral that waited for Valkaife to pull him to her.

"He lets a woman pull him about," Thor laughed loudly, nudging Hogun who sat at one side of her. "Would you have a woman pull you about my friends?"

Needless to say, Thor received a rather nasty kick from under the table from Sif. She was not amused at his words and she would make sure he would later pay for the insult she'd received.

"Hogun, please take over. Fandral is impossible," Orethina ordered.

Hogun did as ordered, though he did not speak, nor did he look happy at all dancing with Valkaife. Though with Hogun, Valkaife had a much harder time trying to lead.

"Valk! Let Hogun lead, it's not a competition!" Sif supported her friend, noting that Eir and Frigga were talking between themselves about her friends progress.

As expected, Valkaife had picked up the steps quickly, though she held no elegance or grace at all, nor would she lock gazes with any of the three she had tried with. Valkaife had never being the one for intimacy, the closest she came was the creatures of the wild she tended on a regular basis.

"Balder," Frigga nodded the God of Light forward, having enough of how Valkaife once more refused to get close to Hogun. At least with Fandral she'd closed the distance with him.

Balder was possibly the best as Valkaife had already predicted. Balder wouldn't allow her to lead and it brought a smile to the faces of the elder Goddesses.

"We can work on her elegance," Orethina nodded. "I think they'd make a fine partnership."

"We will allow Volstagg and Loki to go up, thought Balder has proven most eligible," Frigga too was happy with the alignment of the two.

It was three songs that Balder worked with Valkaife, however just as Frigga was making up her mind there was a crackle of magic in the air and Balder was rooted to the spot with vines from Valkaife who hand her fists clenched and marched back to her seat in a very annoyed fashion.

"What happened?" Orethina demanded.

"He's worse than Fandral," she snapped hatefully.

"He didn't!" Sif gasped, putting a hand over her mouth. "You two were so good together as well."

"I will not be sharing my chambers with anyone," Valkaife sent a glare at the tied up Balder, not releasing her magic at all.

"Do not waste any energy," Eir sighed, shaking her head. "You have little over two hours until your meeting with Odin."

She released the vines with a final glare, removing any trace of magic left in the air. Balder retook his seat, though he was quiet and lowered his head in embarrassment. Thor, Volstagg and Fandral found the situation highly amusing and were not afraid to show their amusement in front of Balder.

"Volstagg, I would like you-"

"Beg your pardon but I'd prefer to go last," Volstagg bowed in respect at his words. "She needs to take her anger out," his eyes shifted to Valkaife and then to Loki. He'd much prefer the two to get theirs over with, hoping her already annoyance with Loki would let her bring more out on the Prince.

"Loki," Frigga nodded.

Loki didn't hesitate as he grabbed her wrist, not wanting his brother to comment about a woman leading as he had become greatly amused and would not leave Fandral alone about his weak attribute during the dances.

"Eir please prepare to separate them both," Freya sat back with much amusement held on her face. She could practically feel the tension Valkaife was letting off and she could feel the residue magic in the air.

"This will be interesting my friends," Thor commented, expecting magic to flow rather quickly.

Valkaife held her emerald glare fixed on Loki's darker sea green eyes. Loki wasn't taking any chances for teasing against his brother and when the music started he forced her closer and took to leading, not giving her a chance of thought for trying to take the lead.

She wanted to be better than Loki over anybody else and it definitely showed, catching Orethina's attention instantly.

Orethina soon realised she wasn't the only one who had their attention fully fixed on how Valkaife reacted to every slight movement. It was surprising to all the onlookers. For one, even though it was a harsh glare, Loki was the only person she'd remained fixed on. She paid less attention to her movements, already knowing the steps and more attention on what Loki was possibly planning.

He was not the God of Mischief for nothing and with the past tricks Loki had constantly pulled on Valkaife, it was no surprise that she had expected something.

"Well, that's a shocker," Sif commented once the music stopped and Valkaife instantly detached herself, wiping her hands on her green and brown training leathers as if he carried a disease.

"Volstagg," Frigga let the final male up, though Valkaife still held much more tension now and her gaze kept shifting to Loki who'd sat back down, still expecting something bad from him.

Everything went smoothly though, there were no tricks and after four dances with Volstagg, Frigga stopped the music and allowed Valkaife a chance to sit down and have a drink of wine which a servant had brought.

Once her thirst was gone, Valkaife sat more calmly, watching Frigga expectantly. Her decision was final and Valkaife almost expected it to be Fandral. It was clear she had danced with him the best.

A quill and piece of parchment were handed to everyone around the table from a servant who bowed to each before taking their leave quickly.

"All please write down one name. I wish for this not to be my decision alone. Take into account only this day and who you think would be best suited," Frigga explained, taking her quill and scrolling a name across her parchment. She folded it in half and placed it in front of her.

Valkaife eyed each of the males before smiling and settling on Fandral which she wrote neatly, folded up and put it in front of her.

Orethina was the last to write down a name, she really was in two minds. She knew what she'd seen, though it had been done with a fiery temper and she'd acting to try and be the better of the two, it was clear to her that she'd suited best with the very male she had grown to dislike. With a final sigh she put down the name and threw down the parchment and quill.

Frigga smiled, collecting the papers and opened each out.

"Balder and Fandral," Frigga eyed both males. "One vote each."

Valkaife's heart sank, had she not danced best with Fandral first and Balder second? Her gaze on Frigga danced with confusion at the names and Frigga offered a calming motherly smile to Valkaife.

Ten votes were unaccounted for though, Valkaife's already settled and out in the open.

"This comes as no surprise to me at all. You've all voted honestly as is required and not voted for yourselves," Frigga met Fandral's eyes this time causing the male to laugh. "With ten votes we have it to be my son."

"Which one?" Valkaife saw the glance Frigga sent Loki and she ground her teeth in pure annoyance.

"Loki."