Author's Note 1: Thank you, as always for all of the lovely reviews. I did delete one item listed under reviews which did not include an actual review, only a comment about an oversight. I do appreciate receiving these, as you can tell from previous author's notes, but please send them as PMs, as they are otherwise counted in the number of reviews and that is misleading to those that may be attracted to reading a story based on that number. Thank you.

… …

Kara sighed as the maid that had been sent to help her prepare for the feast settled a gold circlet on her head. The young girl, who was actually over a hundred years older than she was, smiled nervously, bowed briefly, and then turned to Loki. "Will that be all, my prince?" she asked him.

He turned away from replacing a book on its shelf and checked the girl's work. "Yes, thank you. You may go." The girl fled, leaving Loki shaking his head. "I don't know what she thought might happen to her. I've never given harm to any of them." He sighed as she stood and wrapped her arms around his waist. "None of them have seen my Jötunn form, but they've all heard of it. Did the silly chit think I was going to shift and do something monstrous?"

"Maybe she's just in awe of coming to one of the royal chambers. She did say she's never been in this wing before. Your mother has her regular servants that she favors for helping her dress…and I somehow doubt you or Thor have had female servants dressing either of you."

Loki smirked. "No, not dressing."

"Loki!"

He chuckled. "What? I was young, single and had needs, you know. If a woman offered, generally, I would take what was offered. Neither Thor or I ever asked for it…well, not of those who would have hesitated to refuse us out of fear for their positions." She rolled her eyes and frowned up at him. "I suppose we should go on down to the feast hall."

"If you don't want…"

"It's all right, Kara. I'll not deprive you of your wedding feast. Gods know you've missed out on enough." He tucked her hand in his arm and pulled open the door to the hall. "And I am certain your friends would worry if we did not appear."

"Our friends. I think they proved that today."

He smiled. "So they did. I truly am grateful to them."

"Don't tell me, tell them."

… …

"Wow," Tony said as the two figures dressed in green and gold were announced and entered the hall. Loki's garb was familiar, but Kara's? "Wow, she sure cleans up nice." The outfit, as he expected, looked late medieval, something out of the depictions of royals. It appeared to be one dress on top of another, the one underneath was of a shimmering golden cloth and the outer dress was a silky looking deep green with the skirt split in front and multiple slits on each gathered sleeve that let the gold dress peek out.

"Oh, come on, Stark, you saw her in an evening gown at your engagement ball. She looked great then, too," Cap scolded.

He frowned. "Sure, I guess. But I was kind of focused on Pepper, I wasn't really paying all that much attention to anyone else." He stared a moment more. "Huh, crown thingies and everything. Hey, Thor, what's with the gold…oh, you're wearing one too."

"They are coronets of rank, man of…Tony," Thor said. "Loki's wife is now Princess Kara, and must be honored as such."

"Wait, on top of everything else, she gets to be a real princess? Damn. Uh…what's with her eyes?"

"A side effect of the elixir used to physically enhance her so that she can hold the key to my brother's power and become immortal. If you value your life, be kind. She is quite self-conscious about it, or so my father tells me."

"Sure, no problem, goldilocks."

Thor turned to frown at him. "I know that tale, Tony. If I look like a young maiden to you, have Lady Eir check your eyesight."

Tony sighed as Thor stalked away to greet his brother and new sister-in-law. "Wet blanket. Damn near as much a party pooper as his brother." Deciding to take the bull by the horns, even if Loki wasn't wearing his, he decided to go say hello while he still remembered not to tease Kara about her altered peepers. They were kind of spectacular. He waited until Thor had finished saying a few words and then stepped up. "You know, I'm not sure what to call you now," he said to Kara.

"You call her Princess Kara or her highness at a formal gathering such as this," Loki informed him firmly. "Else you will be seen to be rude to the royal family and you do not want that."

"Got it." Tony decided to go all out and threw in a slight bow to the two of them. "Prince Loki, Princess Kara, congratulations. I'm truly happy for you. Pepper, however, is going to be pissed that you beat us to the altar." As he hoped, that made Kara smile. "And you, your highness, look absolutely stunning. I love what you've done with your eyes, they're incredibly spiffy."

"Stark…" Loki began.

"Calm down, Loki. That's a good word." Loki frowned down at his wife as she continued. "I'm serious. It means awesomely dressy."

"Exactly. They sparkle like jewels. She's going to be envied, just you wait," Tony agreed.

Loki sighed. "Fine." He frowned again and looked as if he was searching for words, which was strange, they did call the guy 'Silvertongue', after all. "Tony, I wanted to thank you, and Rogers and Barton. I didn't have the chance earlier. "I've never had anyone support me so strongly before."

Tony stared for a second and then looked around for Cap and Hawkeye. "Guys," he called out, motioning them over. "This you have to hear."

"Stark…"

"Are we back to that again, Lokes? Come on, it's us." He grimaced slightly as Loki's eyes narrowed. "Oh, yeah, your highness, I mean." He grinned as the others joined them. "Go ahead, we're all here now. Get it over with so you don't have to do it again."

Loki's smile was small, but it was a smile. He'd take that. "I will have to do it again when we return to Midgard, but no matter. Gentlemen, thank you. Your support is what allowed the All-Father to find this solution to my sentencing. Without it, he would have been forced to treat me far more harshly."

"You mean harshly, period," Hawkeye said.

"Clint, don't start," Kara scolded. "How would you feel if you were sentenced to twenty years without access to any weapon and prevented from climbing to any high place to watch anyone unobserved?"

The man's eyes narrowed. "It would drive me nuts. I couldn't do it."

Tony frowned. "That's like twenty years without my workshop or anything to tinker with."

"That's what Loki's sentence amounts to, except it's for one hundred and ten years, and he'll get brief access to his weapon of choice, magic, only when we need him to have it, then he'll have to give it up all over again."

"Not exactly, Kara," Loki interrupted. "Barton, add in to that having Natasha by your side the entire time, holding those weapons for you, and authorized to give them to you when absolutely needed, and otherwise being free to offer you any comfort you may need when she cannot give them to you."

"I don't know if that would make it all that much easier, but I might be able to survive it without losing it totally."

"That is Odin's hope for me and why he literally forced us to wed. Not that I'm complaining about that part of it. I'm grateful." Loki shrugged. "Regardless. Without all of you, the outcome would have been far worse for me. Thank you."

"It was the right thing to do," Cap said. "It wouldn't have been justice, otherwise." Tony smirked. Trust Captain America to give the apple pie speech. "I'm really glad we were able to help, and I'll be glad of a chance to get to know you under better circumstances since I missed out that last week."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it's going to be old home week back in Avengers' Tower. At least, I guess you'll be living there since you're supposed to be on call for us?"

Loki shrugged. "If you have no objections. Even after I pay reparations to Jötunheim, I'll still be able to afford proper housing if you'd rather we didn't."

"Not a good idea," the Hawk muttered. "At least, not at first. S.H.I.E.L.D. is already nervous about us not being under their thumb. They'd be totally spastic thinking about you and a healthy Kara wandering around without supervision of any kind. We'd better have her living where we can protect her from them if necessary."

… …

"It had best not be necessary," Thor said as he moved to stand beside his brother. "Asgard would not take it kindly were any on Midgard to give members of its royal family trouble when they are being of service. We are acting in good faith, giving you Loki's power for protection, should that gift be abused, Asgard would be forced to…reconsider our protective stance toward Midgard and perhaps allow the other realms free reign there without our intervention. You would not long survive it."

Steve Rogers frowned. "Maybe you should save that speech for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s council. Or the United Nations. We're on your side, if you didn't notice."

Thor grinned at the sight of an annoyed Steve Rogers. The mortal's jaw tensed and he unconsciously stiffened into a military posture when angered, it was amusing to see. "I did notice, my friend. And I will gladly repeat these words for any authorities for which it is necessary. I just wished all of you to know that you will not stand alone in support of my brother and my new sister. All of Asgard stands with you."

"Good to know, thanks," Rogers said, relaxing.

"So, Thor…uh, hmm. Guess we have to call you Prince Thor at this gig?" Tony Stark began and then sighed at his nod. "Great. Ah, Prince Thor, so, the family grows…Fury's going to have a bird about all of this."

Kara shook her head. "Nick Fury is not our enemy. He's a pain in the ass opportunist, but his motives are fairly pure considering his position. He really is out for the greater good."

"He used you, love," Loki interjected. "And he would do it again if it came to that."

"True, but if he hadn't, I wouldn't have you and you wouldn't have me. I think we should forgive him."

Thor chuckled at his brother's outraged expression. "Perhaps not forgive him, my brother, he did endanger your lady. But you can allow his transgressions to go unpunished as it turned out for the best."

"As you took responsibility for what I did in New Mexico," Loki said. "I suppose you think that should motivate me to be equally generous?"

"I ask you to be equally generous. Please, brother."

He saw the resignation in Loki's eyes before he sighed deeply. "Very well. I'll let it go. This time."

"Good. I do not expect a repeat of your actions, either. Should there be, I will not be inclined to be so generous." He raised a hand as Loki's eyes narrowed. "Truly, I do not expect you to do any such thing again. I, too, believe you have changed and are a better man for your experiences. I am proud to be your brother."

"I think he's trying to say if Fury pulls shit again, it's okay to be pissed off," Tony Stark said to Loki.

"Yes, Tony, I did understand that. After over a thousand years, I think I've mastered understanding my brother's intentions, however poorly he communicates them." Thor couldn't help but grin at Loki's put-upon expression. "Thor, you've believed in me, held out your hand for me, through everything. When we were young…"

Thor grimaced at the memories. "When we were young I was an arrogant fool and thought I was better than everyone, especially my little brother. Those times you proved me wrong, I reacted dishonorably. You may have intended your actions to punish me for a lifetime of slights, but I will take them as a gift, the gift of teaching me to be a true and worthy man. Now, can we put all of it behind us, and walk forward, shoulder to shoulder as brothers, united against any who would endanger our loved ones and those who depend upon us?"

Loki stepped away from his wife and, much to Thor's shock, initiated a hug. He returned it gladly. His brother had always simply endured his own gestures of affection, this was a welcome change. "Yes, we can, brother," Loki said quietly.

… …

Frigga smiled and leaned her head on her husband's broad shoulder. "Our boys are all grown up," she told him.

"Finally." She glanced up in time to see his mouth twitch as he suppressed a smile. "Truly, wife. It is good to see them like this. I had all but given up hope." His arm tightened briefly around her waist. "You never did. This honest love between them is a tribute to you, my beloved. Had they only my example to learn from, we'd have lost one or both of them."

"We very nearly did lose both of them. Do you think there are more like Kara on Midgard? Thor needs a wife, and I do not see any of our ladies handling the job well."

Odin harrumphed in disapproval. "He has his heart set on his mortal scientist."

"Does he? I'm not so certain. Has he given up aught for her sake? Loki was ready to lay down his freedom and possibly his life for his Kara." She gave her husband a mischievous smile. "Perhaps we should meet the woman, see if she is at all worthy of your heir."

"You are plotting something, my dear."

Frigga laughed outright. "I am a woman, my lord. According to men, I am always plotting something."

"Plot later, we must join the children and receive our guests. Pray that none dare insult our prodigal son, my lady, I am not in the mood to be merciful to any who spoil this celebration for him."

… …

A receiving line. Of all of the normal wedding customs she would have enjoyed, a receiving line was not one of them. It was a special sort of hell for an empath, and it would be even worse now that she couldn't seem to shield herself as well as she could previously. Kara sighed as they took their places between Odin and Frigga. Odin had a stern look on his weathered face. She pitied anyone who tried to take this as an opportunity to express anything but sincere congratulations to them. "Do they normally split up like that?" she whispered to Loki.

"No, they are making a point, showing that we are literally as well as figuratively in their embrace, and that they wholeheartedly approve of you as a new daughter."

"Huh, then they expect trouble…that's not good." She winced as Odin turned toward her, his eyebrow lifted.

"There will be no trouble, daughter," he promised.

"Of course not," she agreed.

"The guests who wish will greet us in order of their rank," Loki told her. "King Frey of the Vanir will be first," he said as the giant blonde god strode toward them and greeted Odin with a polite half bow.

"I am pleased for you and your family, old friend," he told the All-Father. "Perhaps the realms will settle down for a time and give us all peace."

"We still have Svartálfheim to deal with. I fear peace will not find us soon." Frey nodded agreement and moved on to Loki.

"Prince Loki, it is good to see you genuinely happy. Might I have the pleasure of a formal introduction to your lovely lady?"

"Of course, your majesty. May I present my wife, Princess Kara, of Midgard's Avengers? Kara, this is King Frey, ruler of the Vanir, a sister race and close allies of the Æsir. They have proven staunch supporters of Asgard and the All-Father."

She gave the slight bow that Frigga had taught her. "A pleasure, your majesty."

Frey grinned, the expression making him look years younger. "Nay, my lady, the pleasure is mine," he said, taking her hand and bowing over it gallantly. Frey looked back at Loki for a second before returning his gaze to her. "I shall withhold my personal blessing until the two of you are ready for it. I don't think it would be wise under the circumstances to offer it now."

"Gods, no," Loki said, looking alarmed. "I'm afraid the magic she will have to channel would make it very detrimental." She frowned at Loki wondering what the hell he was talking about. "Frey is the god of Fertility, love. I am agreeing with him that a pregnancy while I am serving my sentence and you are guarding my power would be unwise."

"Oh. Um, yes…that…oh boy." She flushed at her inability to respond coherently to that statement.

Fortunately Frey was amused and chuckled kindly as he released her hand. "I see you'd not given it much thought. Hmm, you've likely had no time to think today. No matter. When you are ready, let me know. I am certain your children would be both beautiful and powerful, an asset to all the Nine Realms."

"Thank you," she managed without stammering and bowed again as the man moved on to Frigga. "Loki, we need to talk about this later. Once your magic is bound, what's going to keep me from getting pregnant?"

The way his eyes widened, it hadn't occurred to him either. Oh joy. "We'll have to consult with Eir, Midgard methods would not work on you now. Do not worry, we'll find a way." He frowned as the woman Sif had identified as Loki's daughter approached. "Ah, love, has anyone explained Hel to you?"

"Yes."

Loki's daughter had greeted Odin and now stood in front of her father. Kara was puzzled by the dusky cast to her skin. "Angrboða, she who bore me, was Jötnar," the woman said as though she could read Kara's mind, pointedly not giving the female frost giant the title of mother. She shrugged at Kara's surprise. "Your face is very expressive. Surely my sire has told you this?"

She smiled. "Once or twice, your majesty," Kara said, remembering that Loki's daughter was the queen of Niflheim. "I used to have a decent poker face, at least before I met him." Hel looked confused…oh, Midgard saying. "Um, a poker face means being able to control your reactions regardless of the provocation."

Hel nodded, her lips curving up slightly at the corners. "He does have a way about him of upending all that one is." The woman's fondness for her father washed over Kara even though it didn't come through in her voice or expression. Hel apparently thought a lot more highly of Loki than Sif had thought. "You will be good for him," the goddess continued. "I am pleased by this alliance."

"Thank you. Will I have a chance to get to know you?" Kara asked.

"I should hope not, wife of my sire. I am the goddess of the Dead who did not die in honorable battle. I hope never to have you as my subject. That said, should we meet outside of my realm, we may speak of many things," she finished, giving Loki a somewhat amused look. Kara felt the fondness intensify. Interesting. Hel nodded politely to both of them and Kara remembered the polite bow as Hel greeted Frigga before moving on.

Kara's eyes widened as Helblindi approached Odin. As they stood on the same level now, the Jötunn crown prince towered over the Æsir king by a good two feet…and Odin was a tall man, even on Asgard. "All-Father," the Jötnar said in his sharp-edged voice. "I am pleased we have reached a satisfactory resolution to our problems, and that my half-brother's honor has been restored."

Loki stiffened beside her. Odin's glare could have melted the prince's realm. "In my eyes it was never truly lost. Take care with your words, Laufeyson."

Helblindi's blood red eyes widened. "I meant no offense." He turned slightly acknowledge Loki. "I willingly call him brother."

Loki nodded. "I will take no offense. I am glad to have the opportunity to right my wrongs to my brother's people."

"Shall we expect you on the morrow, then?" Helblindi asked.

"Ah, no. It will be several days before Kara will be able to accompany me."

"Then come without her."

Kara didn't like the tension that was rising. "Unfortunately I'm not just Loki's wife, I'm also his gaoler. Where he goes, I go, and visa-versa for the next one hundred and ten years…uh, cycles."

"Are you ill from your transition, sister by marriage?"

"No, but we have other concerns that must be addressed before it's safe for me to travel anywhere but to Midgard."

"I don't see what…"

Loki smiled and Kara could feel a wave of mischief run through him. "Will you not offer your hand to your sister by marriage, Helblindi?"

The prince frowned. "I withhold my hand for her safety, as well you know."

"Hmm. I insist that you at least make the offer, unless you truly do believe we have no honor."

"What are you playing at, brother," Helblindi grated. "Should I do your lady harm, there would be war. So much for your gladness to correct your wrongs."

"I guarantee you no consequences should Kara be injured by your touch." Loki looked to Odin. "Will you witness this, father."

Odin sighed. "I agree."

Helblindi made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl before holding out an extremely large hand. Kara gave Loki a reproving look before preparing to monitor her temperature to avoid seriously harming his half-brother. "Loki, you should ask your brother to give you the same guarantee," she advised.

"Good point, love. Helblindi, will you vow not to seek reparations should you be harmed by my lady's touch?"

The prince snorted. "As if that would be possible. Yes, yes, I so vow."

Kara smiled and slowly touched her fingers to the Jötunn prince's outstretched palm, then carefully allowed her palm to come in contact as well. Helblindi's eyes widened almost comically. She could feel pain start to rush through him and tried to pull her hand back. The stubborn idiot closed his fingers around it, hissed as the pain increased and then finally released her. "What magic is this? Why does this woman's hand burn? Did you wed a woman bearing the blood of the giants of Mûspelheim?"

"No, Kara is fully human, but one who is a unique advance on the race. Among other things, she is a firestarter of great power. That power has increased with her transition. Do you think it wise that she travel to Jötunheim before we've had the opportunity to test her control of that power?"

Helblindi's shock was edged with horror. "No. That would be most unwise."

"So we thought. As soon as we know her new limits and that she has full control, we will come so that I may repair the damage I did, I swear it."

"Very well, brother." Helblindi turned to her and bowed respectfully. "You are a worthy bride, more worthy than I had suspected." He gave a polite bow to Frigga and strode off, his other hand cradling the injured one.

"That was mean," Kara told her husband.

"It was necessary. He wouldn't have believed it otherwise."

"Maybe, but you had far too much fun with it."

Loki chuckled. "So I did."

… …

"Son, I think your wife is about to fall asleep. Perhaps you'd best take her back to your chambers, it has been a long day."

Loki excused himself from his conversation with Haakun and several other high ranking nobles and looked for Kara. She was seated at the high table, leaning forward on her arms, half-listening to Fandral and a group of hangers-on expound on some nonsense. He smiled at the sight of her extraordinary eyes blinking sleepily. "I think you are right, father. With your leave, then?"

"Of course, Loki. Don't keep the woman up too late."

"I won't. She needs to be well rested when you bind my powers on the morrow." He frowned. "Should we attend you directly after we break our fast?"

Odin nodded. "That would be best. I have overheard a comment or three speculating on why it was being put off. I had Eir address the issue with an explanation of transition fatigue."

"Hmm. I will need to speak to Eir tomorrow. We'll need a way to prevent Kara from conceiving until my sentence is served. We do not know how often she will need to loose and rebind my power, too much movement of power through her could prove dangerous to an unborn."

"So it could. She will be there to oversee Kara's well-being during the working. You can address the issue with her then." Odin sighed. "I suppose I must wait a good while for another grandchild."

"Unless Thor gets one on his scientist, I'm afraid so."

"Ah well. Good night, my son. Go, spirit your wife out of here while attention is focused on the next round of mead."

Loki nodded, clapped a hand firmly to his father's back and headed back to the table. "Kara, my love," he said as he approached. "I need your attention, sweet wife." Several of the courtiers nearby snickered as they predictably read an innuendo into his words. That would keep them occupied for a bit.

"Hmm?" She looked up, her expression befuddled. "I'm sorry, what?"

Reaching her side, he took her arm and drew her to her feet. "Let's escape while we can," he whispered. "Odin has given us leave to flee the remaining foolishness for our sanity's sake."

Kara snickered and shook her head. "You are so bad," she said quietly. "Fortunately for you, it's always been the bad boys that do it for me."

He grinned. "I'm glad of it. Now, this way while no one is paying attention." He tugged her behind one of the large columns and then down a small corridor where servants hurried toward the hall carrying jugs of mead. "It's a shortcut, we'll be at our door in a moment."

"Good," she said, stifling a yawn. "I can't believe how tired I am."

"Hmm. Don't fall asleep yet, love. I really want to see you out of this dress."

"I thought you liked this outfit, it's even in your colors."

"Our colors now. And I do, but I much prefer you in no outfit at all."

"Uh huh, typical bad boy."

He stopped to stare at her. "Kara, one thing I have never been is a typical anything."

She giggled and wrapped her arms around him for a quick hug. "True. I think we both qualify as one of a kind. It's why we're so perfect for each other."

"I'm not going to stand out here and argue about who is perfect for whom when we could be doing other things. Come on, we're almost there."

… …