Loki had been silent since Thor left. Astrid hadn't said a word, either. They just sat on the chaise, occasionally glancing over to one another. After a period of awkward silence, Loki finally spoke. "I am sorry if my outburst embarrassed you," he said quietly.
"You didn't embarrass me," Astrid replied. "I think you really surprised your brother, though." She gave him a half-smile, attempting to put him at ease. She knew he was humiliated after he snapped and blurted out that they were married.
"He did appear quite shocked," he said with a small laugh, recalling the priceless look on Thor's face.
"So, who are Sif and the Warriors Three?" she asked. Thor mentioned them earlier and she figured they were friends of his and she was curious. Loki didn't seem too thrilled about her hanging out with them. The myths back on Earth said that Sif was Thor's wife but he didn't seem to speak of her in that manner. She wondered how much of the mythology was true and how much creative liberty the writers had taken.
"Ah, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three... Asgard's finest. " he said mockingly. " Thor and I have fought many battles together beside the four of them."
Astrid felt Loki bristle again at mentioning their names.
"Or I should rather say, we accompanied Thor on his glorious adventures."
Hmm… someone seems jealous. "Are they friends of yours?" she asked.
Loki huffed. "Once, I suppose."
"What happened?" Astrid braced herself and waded into cautious territory.
He stiffened, remembering how he had tried to kill them and Thor with the Destroyer in New Mexico during his brief reign as king of Asgard. "It's a long story. I no longer hold a place in their hearts. Do not expect them to accept you with open arms. You are associated with me, the heartless traitor."
"Do you think I should decline Thor's invitation?" she asked hesitantly. If she was going to be walking into a wall of animosity, she'd really rather just not go. She had enough on her mind to be wasting time and energy on people that didn't want her around. She was in this new and different world, married to a god, and separated from her family. Her brain was a bit preoccupied, to say the least.
"I didn't say that you shouldn't attend. I simply stated that you should have no expectation of being accepted into their fold."
It didn't sound like it would be a good idea for her to place herself in a situation like that. She decided that she would politely decline the invitation. Hopefully Thor would understand.
They sat in the quiet for a few more moments. Astrid had so many questions but she had no idea which ones to ask first. She wanted to know if there was any way to contact her family and if it was even allowed. She also needed to know what was expected of her as Loki's wife. What was it even like for a woman on Asgard? So far, it seemed so patriarchal and phallo-centric. As a modern American woman, she had a strong sense of independence and she wondered if Asgardian women shared that same sentiment or if they even had the same rights and liberties that she had enjoyed back home.
She was giving herself a headache with all the thinking and it was too damn quiet. Didn't they have radios on anything on Asgard? Then she remembered her phone. She had brought it here. She was glad she thought to stick it in her pocket, not that there was any cell coverage in Asgard but she did have some music stored on it.
She walked over to the writing desk where she had placed her phone and jewelry last night. She picked it up and opened her music app. Her heart sank when she saw the low battery level. "There might be enough power left for a few songs. After that, this'll just be a useless plastic brick."
"What do you mean?" asked Loki.
"Well, even if I had brought the charger, I don't see any power outlets around here," she lamented.
Midgardians and their phones. They depended on them for everything: communication, socialization, entertainment. From what he had observed while searching for the Tesseract on Midgard, it seemed that most humans had forgotten how to interact without their little electronic devices. He could manipulate the power source easily; he had discovered just how simply human technology works while he had his control over Dr. Selvig. He held out his hand. "Allow me?"
She gave him the phone. He held the device in his hands as a green glow enveloped it. "Here," he said, handing it back to her. "You should find that your battery will always be fully charged."
"Thank you!" she exclaimed hugging the phone to her chest. The music on her phone was now her only link to home and he had preserved that connection for her. She selected one of her favorite songs from her playlist. As the music began to play, she giddily jumped up and down. Music was her everything: her therapy, her driving force, her life.
Loki's face twisted into an expression of disgust. "What is this rubbish?"
"Rubbish? Are you kidding me? This is one of the most influential bands to come out of the nineties," she explained.
"Then they should have stayed there." He didn't care for it one bit.
"Shut your pie-hole," she teased. She could see that he was not the least bit impressed by grunge rock. "Okay, what about this?" She selected a legendary classic rock track.
Loki wrinkled his nose. "He sounds like a bilgesnipe in heat."
A bilge-what? Astrid pursed her lips. "Alright then, music snob, what about this? You've got to like this." She picked an iconic jazz piece from the late-fifties. As the song began, she sauntered back over to the chaise and stood in front of Loki. "This, my good sir, is jazz. It's a very intellectual and high-brow genre. It may better suit your highly refined musical palate," she teased.
"It's not bad."
"Just listen, let yourself be absorbed in it," she said, closing her eyes. "E-flat minor… quintuple time… It's very exotic, isn't it?" She began to sway and dance along to the beat, her fingers moved along to the piano part as she opened her eyes. "The cool thing about jazz is its versatility. It can be very laid-back and chill or it can be up-tempo and make you want to dance your cares away. It can break your heart or it can be sensuous and sultry." Realizing that she was geeking out, she apologized. "Sorry. I just really enjoy music."
"I can see that," he said, noting how her face lit up while she was speaking. Music seemed very meaningful to her. He remembered the piano and the guitar he saw in her house and that gave him an idea. He stood and offered his hand out to her with a smile. "Come with me."
She placed her hand in his and stood. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"It's a surprise," he whispered.
He led her through the palace to a closed door. With a sly smile, he placed his long-fingered hand over her eyes, opened the door and guided her through. Once they were inside, he removed his hand and allowed her to see where he had taken her. Astrid was awestruck. The palace music room was beautiful, filled with instruments and countless books of music. To her, he had seemingly just opened the gates of heaven. She spun around, trying to take it all in at once. The layout was similar to the bandroom at her old high school but on a far grander scale. Along one wall stood rows of chairs and ornate, golden music stands. On the opposite side were various instruments on stands: horns, strings, woodwinds, and drums.
He pointed to the far corner, "I think you will find something you like over there."
As she walked across the room, she admired each instrument's aesthetic beauty. Highly polished brass, varnish that still appeared wet, pearl inlay… They were all gorgeous. Then she saw it, hidden behind a large harp. "A piano!" she exclaimed. She covered her open-mouthed smile with her hands as she approached this thing of beauty. "Can I touch it?" she whispered.
"I was hoping that you would," he answered with a small laugh. "No one seems to have mastered it since I had it built a century ago."
"You had it built?" she asked.
A proud smile formed on his lips. "Yes. As I said, about a century ago, I made a clandestine visit to Midgard. London, to be precise. I heard the most beautiful music being played on one of these instruments. I simply had to have one here on Asgard. I drew up plans and had it commissioned by the finest craftsmen in the realm. But alas, it was placed in a dusty corner with no one to play it."
Astrid was surprised. "Nobody even tried?"
"Some did but it was of Midgardian design and therefore deemed… inferior," he said disappointedly.
That explains a lot of the attitude she had been feeling from the Asgardians. She was human and therefore 'inferior.' She couldn't deny the twinge of anger that rose inside her. Just because humans are not as advanced as the Asgardians, it didn't mean they were lesser beings.
Her wounded pride was quickly healed when he said, "I would very much like to hear you play."
She hadn't played either her piano or her guitar since she first visited Loki in his cell. It had been days and she was feeling the itch. "I would love to!"
She pulled the bench out and sat at the beautiful instrument, admiring the work of art that it was. She lifted the keyboard cover and ran her fingers delicately across the keys. She smiled at Loki as he took a seat beside her on the bench. Her hands hovered above the keys as she decided what song to play. Why not one of her own compositions?
Her fingers moved on the keys, playing soft notes to a sweet and sorrowful melody. She began to sing, her haunting lyrics about finding her way through darkness struck a chord inside Loki. The way in which she played, swaying and rocking; her facial expressions were so passionate as she sang. Her performance was stirring something inside him; something he did not recognize. He found himself drawing closer to her with each note.
Her song finished and she played the final chords, her fingers lingered on the keys. Her eyes moved up from the keyboard as she turned her face towards his. Their eyes connected and she was overwhelmed by a desire to place her lips to his. Her heart beat wildly as his face slowly drew closer. Then, just before their lips met, he turned his face away.
"Thank you for playing for me," he quickly said. "That was beautiful."
Astrid's heart fell as she realized how badly she wanted him to kiss her. Her face flushed with embarrassment and disappointment. She found herself unable to look at him. "You're welcome," she mumbled as she pulled the cover closed over the keyboard, her eyes stinging with tears. She had to get back to the privacy of her room to pull herself together. She rose from the bench and swiftly left the room, thankful for the nearly straight route back to her chambers. Loki followed behind her at a distance. She paused at her door as she heard his footsteps approach. Without so much as a glance in her direction, he entered his chambers and shut the door.
She slipped into her room and leaned her back against the closed door, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She walked over to the sofa, flopped down, and leaned her head back. As she stared at the ceiling, she felt a tear roll down the side of her face. With a groan, she picked up a throw pillow and buried her face in its velvety plush. 'What the hell is wrong with me?!' she thought. She didn't want to cry but the more she tried to will the tears away, the more they flowed. She realized that her feelings for Loki ran deeper than she wanted them to but she didn't dare admit it. She pushed her face as hard as she could into the pillow and screamed.
She had only met Loki a few nights ago. But in that short span of time, she had seen into every corner of his soul. She witnessed both the beauty and the darkness that dwelled within him. Between the purge and the bonding, she had essentially experienced his entire life through his emotions. How in the hell was she not supposed to feel an attachment to him? The joys of being a freaking empath… She sobbed and pummelled the sofa with the pillow, over and over. She knew she was too old to be throwing such a fit but she didn't care. She was so overwhelmed by it all: by being ripped from her home and family, by being thrust into a strange world, by her growing feelings for Loki, that she just let loose. "Goddammit!"
She was mid-tantrum when her chamber door opened. She hurled the pillow at the intruder, not caring who it was. "Go away!" she shouted.
The flying cushion missed the Einherjar by a mile. In a flat voice he ordered, "The Queen demands your presence. Follow me."
"Fan-fucking-tastic," she muttered as she wiped the moisture from her face. "Give me a second."
She went to the bathroom sink and splashed water on her face, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked like hell and felt even worse. Her cheeks were tear-stained, her eyes were bloodshot, and the queen wanted to freaking see her. She smoothed her sweaty bangs back into place and left the bathroom.
She followed the yellow-caped guard to the queen's private garden, where Frigga was seated on a stone bench inside an arch dripping with wisteria blooms. Astrid walked down the stone path passing rose bushes, low hedges, flowering trees, and a water fountain. The guard planted his right fist over his heart and bowed to the queen before she dismissed him He disappeared back indoors.
Frigga took one look at Astrid and gave the pitiful mortal a sympathetic frown. The queen patted the bench, gesturing for Astrid to sit beside her. "Please do not tell me that this is the handiwork of my son."
Astrid shrugged. "It was a... mutual effort." She didn't want to burden the queen with whining and moaning about the almost-kiss in the music room or her bothersome feelings.
"I see," said Frigga. "I assume that you now know about the true nature of your bonding with Loki?" The queen could clearly see that Astrid was very upset and she thought perhaps it was because Loki had finally explained the bonding.
"Yes, he told me about it," sighed Astrid. She hoped that Frigga wouldn't pry too much. The last thing she wanted to do was admit to her feelings out loud. Once she did that, it was all over, no turning back. As long as she didn't put it into words, she could keep denying it. For now.
"And is that the source of your unhappiness?" Frigga asked.
"Partly," Astrid replied, tight-lipped. Please don't ask anything else…
The queen nodded. "Have the two of you decided what you'll do?"
Astrid's palms were sweaty. She wiped them on her dress as she spoke, "No. We're going to take some time and think about it." Her eyes were focused on her hands as she fidgeted with the trim on her gown.
"Are you well, Lady Astrid?" Frigga asked, lightly touching Astrid's arm.
Astrid straightened herself and clasped her hands together in her lap. She was not well but she wasn't comfortable discussing her emotional state with Frigga. The queen. Loki's mother. Her mother-in-law.
"This is quite an adjustment for you, isn't it? I'm sure it is very overwhelming to someone with your sensitivities," said Frigga.
Sensitivities. Ha. "Yeah, it's been… different."
"You miss your home, your family?" the queen asked.
Astrid's bottom lip quivered. "Yes. And they don't even know where I am." Her eyes blurred with unshed tears. She blinked up to the sky, attempting to dry the tears that were forming. For all her parents and Cait knew, she could have jumped off of a bridge.
"I understand how it feels to be isolated from your loved ones. Long ago, I was a young Vanir princess when I left my home and family in Vanaheim to come live in Asgard as Odin's wife. It was very lonely at first."
Astrid nodded. "I miss them so much. And I know they're going to be worried about me."
Frigga felt a twinge of sympathy for the mortal. She had grieved for Loki after he fell into the Void. She didn't know what happened to her son or if he was alive or dead. She'd had no visions of him and he had been out of Heimdall's sight. Surely, Astrid's parents must be facing a similar predicament with her sudden disappearance. "I am very sorry for what you must endure. But please know that what you are doing for my son does not go unappreciated."
What I must endure? She hated the word 'endure.' After The Incident, her parents and Cait kept using that damn word. Even the freaking doctors and therapists kept saying it: what poor little Astrid had to 'endure'. Frigga had no idea what Astrid was 'enduring.' She didn't feel unappreciated, she felt used- a means to an end. Everyone gets what they want while the mortal loses her sanity. Again. Her face was taut, her jaw clenched. She didn't want to light into the queen but her tolerance was wearing thin. She managed a polite "Thank you," but she dared not say another word.
Frigga noticed the increased tension in Astrid and quickly changed the topic of conversation. "Will you be joining us in celebration this evening?"
She had forgotten that Thor mentioned festivities tonight. "Oh, I'm not much of a 'large crowds of people' kind of person." In fact, she would do nearly anything to get out of attending a social gathering. The buzz of energy at a party was exhausting.
"It might do you well to get better acquainted with Thor and perhaps you could even make some new friends. There will be drinks and music as well," suggested Frigga.
Drinks and music was a tempting thought. She could damn well use a drink right about now and she was curious about the music of Asgard. But Loki had warned her about how others would react to her. "I'll think about it."
"Very well. If you do decide to attend, might I suggest wearing the green gown?" the queen said with a smile.
After leaving the garden, Astrid eventually found her way back to her room. She had taken a wrong turn and wandered the empty halls for several minutes until she finally heard voices. Rounding the corner, she saw a pair of guards patrolling the halls, their backs turned to her. She overheard part of their conversation and it boiled her blood. They were discussing Loki's release from the dungeon and were being anything but kind. They even mentioned the 'prince's Midgardian harlot.' She was pissed at their pathetic, close-minded thoughts. They were no better than the water-cooler gossipers back on Earth trying to puff themselves up and feel important by degrading others. So much for Asgardian superiority. She purposefully approached them and asked for directions just to watch them squirm, fearing that she had heard their comments and would notify Thor or the Queen of their indiscretions. Typical. Worried about how they would appear instead of being concerned that their words had hurt someone. What a pair of ass-hats.
As she strode up to her chamber door, she chanced a quick peek at Loki's door. Still closed. With a sigh, she stepped into her room and to her surprise, there against the back wall of the sitting area stood the piano from the music room. There was a note on the keyboard cover. She opened it and read:
My sincerest apologies. ~L
An apology. For what? Trying to kiss her? Not kissing her?
She placed the note on top of the piano and thought about the party. She found the emerald-green gown that Frigga had suggested. It was silk, sleeveless, with overlapping strips criss-crossing the bodice. Of course Frigga would want her to wear this one. It was very reminiscent of Loki's armor. For a moment, she wanted to toss it across the room but it was just a dress. The dress hadn't hurt her feelings. With a sigh she reconciled herself to the idea of going to the celebration and wriggled out of the gown she was wearing, taking care not to rip it as the buttons were still fastened. She slipped into the green one. At least the closure was on the side and she would not need help getting dressed. She inspected her reflection in the mirror. This dress was certainly more flattering and tighter-fitting than the previous one. Also, it displayed her tattoos instead of covering them up. Alright, so it isn't completely terrible.
She went into the bathroom to freshen up. She splashed cold water on her face to rinse off the dried tears and she combed the tangles from her hair. She found an emerald-encrusted hair clip on the vanity that she hadn't noticed earlier. Where did it come from? A gift from Frigga or… no, he had already asked her forgiveness with the piano. She twisted her hair up and fastened it into place with the jeweled clip and pulled a few tendrils of hair to fall loose around her face.
Satisfied with her appearance, she returned to the sitting room and picked up her phone. She set her music player to random and it played a dreamy alt-rock song from her adolescence. She softly sang along, the music flowing through her like water through a sieve, the lyrics reminding her not to fear love. She stood and began to dance slowly, her skirt fluttering around her as she twirled.
Unbeknownst to her, an unseen pair of eyes watched her as she moved freely and fluidly to the hypnotic melody. An invisible hand waved and a sudden gleam caught her eye. A pair of emerald chandelier earrings and a gold crescent necklace sparkled on the writing desk, shimmering in the light that streamed in through the balcony. Now those definitely were not there before and she knew without a doubt who had just placed them there.
She took the necklace into her hands and admired it. "Now, where have I seen this design before?" she sarcastically asked to the thin air. "Perhaps on someone's armor?" For a moment she thought he was still trying to butter her up but then it dawned on her. He was claiming her. Anyone who saw her in this ensemble would know precisely where her loyalty lies.
She inserted the earrings into her earlobes and held the necklace, deciding whether or not to put it on. Part of her was insulted that he would want her to blatantly advertise his supposed claim to her. But she also understood where this was coming from. It was the same reason he got so upset at Thor earlier. She was here for him and him alone, and he wanted everyone to remember that. He wanted them to remember that he was here, that he still existed. It saddened her when she realized that it had everything to do with his trauma.
She swallowed her pride and fastened the necklace around her neck, tracing the crescent shape with her fingers. If it made him feel even the slightest bit more secure then she would wear it.
Thor arrived at Astrid's chambers to escort her to the celebration in the palace festival hall. It was all the way down on ground level so they had a bit of a way to go. They had walked the first half of the way in silence but Thor had a nagging question for Astrid. "So you are married to Loki?" Thor asked incredulously.
"It would appear that way," she replied.
Thor's brow furrowed as he asked, "Did he trick you?"
She shook her head. "Not at all. I mean, he didn't tell me about it right away. But I was dying. There wasn't any time to waste on an explanation."
He nodded. "He saved your life. I am very proud of him for that. That is the brother that I remember. I understand that his path will be long and arduous but I have hope for him."
Astrid smiled. It warmed her heart to hear him speak of Loki in such a manner. "You should tell him. He needs to hear that."
"I will make it a point to share that with him."
As they approached the festival hall she asked Thor, "Could you not to mention my marriage to anyone just yet? At least not until Loki and I have had a chance to decide whether to sever the bond or not."
Thor stopped in his tracks. "Lady Astrid, may I offer you a bit of unsolicited advice?"
She hated unsolicited advice, but this was the god of thunder. It might behoove her to listen. "Sure."
"I understand that you have not known my brother for very long but you connect with him as none of us can, especially now. I would encourage you to keep the bond and your marriage in place. He needs you, whether he will admit to it or not," Thor explained.
So Thor wanted her to stay married to Loki. That was interesting. "What brought all this on?" she asked.
"I have seen the manner in which you look upon him. You care deeply for him."
Astrid blushed.
"He needs your care and acceptance, which you so freely offer him." He began to smile. "That, and I have also seen the way in which he looks upon you."
Before Astrid could say another word, Thor walked into the hall to be greeted by applause and cheers. The place was massive and far more rustic than any other room she had seen on Asgard. Exposed timbers and wooden pillars held the enormous vaulted ceiling in place. Chandeliers constructed of gigantic antlers even larger than the rack on a moose dangled on thick chains from the rafters, their candles casting a soft glow about the hall. Fireplaces and firepits contributed to the ambient light and the nearly suffocating warmth building from hundreds of dancing, drinking, and laughing bodies. Wooden kegs stood on stands at every pillar with people lined up to fill their mugs with the fermented contents. Positive, happy energy buzzed all around Astrid while music and laughter permeated the air.
A dashing blonde man with a moustache and goatee flanked by two beautiful ladies approached them and shoved a tankard of mead into Thor's hand. "Thor, my friend! Who is this lovely young maiden?"
"Fandral, this is Lady Astrid of Midgard. Lady Astrid, meet Fandral, one of the Warriors Three and one of my closest friends."
Fandral gave a confused smile. "Your brother's new… friend?" He eyed her gown and jewelry cautiously.
Thor glanced at Astrid and replied, "Yes. She has proven herself invaluable in Loki's healing and is worthy of the highest praises."
He was laying it on thick. He wanted Astrid to be accepted, regardless of her relationship with Loki. She was his sister-in-law, his family, but that was still a secret for now.
Astrid offered her hand out to shake unsure if the Earth custom would be recognized here in Asgard. "Very nice to meet you, Fandral," she said as he hesitantly took her hand and bowed.
"If you will excuse us, I would like to introduce Lady Astrid to Sif and Volstagg," said Thor.
"Yes, of course," replied Fandral, his attentions returning to his female companions. If Thor approved of the mortal then perhaps his trepidation was not entirely necessary, even if her gown screamed of loyalty to Loki.
Thor scanned the room and found Volstagg sitting at a table with his wife and children. "Come, Lady Astrid. I have someone else for you to meet."
Astrid didn't move. "Okay, if you keep calling me 'lady' I'm not taking another step. Please just call me Astrid."
Thor smiled at Astrid's invitation to refer to her in such a familiar manner. "I would be most glad to call you by your name but I fear that if I were to do so this soon after meeting you, it would raise suspicions about your marital status. It is not considered proper to refer to a lady by only her name unless you are related or have been close friends for many years. However, I will refer to you simply as Astrid in private. Will that satisfy my new sister?" he asked.
Astrid chuckled at his presumptuous referral to her as his sister. "I suppose," she said with a dramatic sigh. She followed him to a table occupied by a large, robust man and his family. Thor and Astrid approached the laughing, red-bearded man who was bouncing a small, redheaded child on his knee. "Volstagg!" Thor exclaimed. "I have someone I would like to introduce to you."
Volstagg glanced up at Astrid in surprise. "Is this…?"
"Lady Astrid of Midgard. She is the one in charge of healing my fractured brother. Lady Astrid, may I present Volstagg, another of the Warriors Three."
Astrid sensed Volstagg's apprehension in her presence and attempted to put him at ease. She knelt down to his daughter and smiled. "My name is Astrid. What's yours?"
"Gunnhild," the little girl replied.
"Gunnhild, it's very nice to meet you. And I love your pretty red hair," she said with a wink.
The child beamed. "Yours is pretty, too, Lady Astrid." Then she ran off to play with her siblings.
Astrid stood and looked to Volstagg. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. It's just that I have a little niece and nephew who I miss very much."
The broad, burly warrior nodded. He missed his family each time he went off into battle, never knowing if he would see them again. In that regard he could sympathize with the mortal. But still, she was involved with the traitor who had attempted to kill him and his friends.
"Have you seen Sif?" Thor asked Volstagg. "I was hoping to acquaint her with Lady Astrid."
"I last saw her headed that way," Volstagg gestured a leg of lamb toward the far left side of the hall..
"Thank you, my friend," Thor said, clapping his large hand on the man's shoulder.
He led Astrid toward a nearby keg. "Would you care for a drink?" he asked.
"I would love one," she replied, muttering, "Especially after the day I've had."
Thor glanced up at her while pouring a mug of cider. "What's that you say?"
Astrid smiled and took the beverage as it was offered to her. "Oh, nothing." She lifted the mug to her lips and tasted. "Damn, this is good!" The cider was sweet with a hint of honey and had a delicious bite to it. It put any other cider she'd ever tasted to shame.
Just then, Thor spied Sif. "There she is. Sif!" he called out. A beautiful raven-haired woman turned her head. Her eyes lit up when she saw Thor but then slightly widened at the sight of Astrid in her green gown and jewelry.
Thor bounded over to Sif, mostly dragging Astrid along behind him. "Sif, this is Lady Astrid."
Sif seemed a bit surprised to see her at the festivities. "Lady Astrid, it's nice to make your acquaintance," she said politely. Her posture was stiff and guarded. She didn't trust anyone who willingly associated themselves with Loki. She still thought Thor a fool for being so blind in his love for his brother.
Astrid smiled nervously, "It's nice to meet you, too." Sif's uneasiness was obvious even to someone without empathic abilities. Astrid was disappointed in Sif's response to her. In fact it made her feel quite uncomfortable. It seemed that everyone around her knew of her association with Loki and assumed that she was up to no good. Granted, she didn't know him the way Asgard knew him. They didn't know him the way she did. It made her feel incredibly sad and she excused herself from Thor and Sif's company.
She walked outside and descended a short flight of stairs to an open veranda. She balanced herself on a lamppost and took a breath of fresh air, its chill refreshing in comparison to the stuffiness indoors. The energy emanating from the crowd had changed from jubilation to one of watchful wariness in her presence and it was wearing her down. Thor soon caught up with her. "Is there something wrong?" he asked.
She hung her head and heaved a sigh. "I can feel it. I can feel everyone in there judging me because of Loki. And it's just sad."
Thor nodded, "They just don't know you yet. Give them time."
She shook her head. "That's not it. I'm not upset for myself. I'm upset for Loki. I just wish they could see him like I do."
Thor gave her a sad smile. "That is precisely why I sentenced you to stay. I am very sorry that I tore you away from your family, but please understand that I am trying to put my own family back together and I cannot accomplish that task without your help."
Astrid understood what he meant. She felt his desperation.
"Please come back inside. Drink with us. Celebrate with us. Perhaps if you are seen as a beacon of trustworthiness, it will help Loki."
That sold her. She followed him back inside and joined him, Sif, and the two warriors at a private table. Hogun, she was told, was the warrior not present as he had stayed behind on Vanaheim with his family. She took a seat beside Thor and caught sight of Sif who sat guarded with her arms crossed over her chest. Neither she nor the other warriors seemed overly pleased to be in Astrid's company. Thor spoke: "My friends, I brought Lady Astrid here so that you may come to know her separately from my brother. Please do not direct your animosity for him onto her. She does not deserve it. All I ask is that you give her a chance. So let us drink!"
The mead and cider flowed freely which allowed the group to loosen up a bit. Astrid soon discovered that she and Sif shared an affinity for cider. But liking the same beverages wasn't enough for Sif to completely abandon her preconceptions about the mortal. Fandral asked about Midgardian drinking customs. Astrid was happy to oblige and taught them how to play Quarters using Asgardian coins. Fandral teased her about the game's simplicity until he realized it was harder than it first appeared. It was a good icebreaker, just as she had hoped.
Thor disappeared for a moment only to return bearing a guitar-like instrument. "You play, do you not, Lady Astrid? I saw a similar stringed instrument in your home."
Astrid, accidentally half-drunk on the strong cider by now, beamed. "I do!" She took the guitar and ran her finger across the strings. "Oh wow, you guys use different tuning here." She made some adjustments to the pegs, bringing the strings to standard tuning. Well, standard Earth tuning. Every other Saturday she would play requests at the bar so she instantly felt comfortable playing her favorite covers for the small group. Eventually, others became curious of her Midgardian songs and the crowd around their table started to grow.
Loki, magically disguised as an old man, observed her performance from a dark corner. He felt a twinge of jealousy at her laughing, dancing, and singing to others besides him, but she was enjoying herself. She radiated happiness and beauty. As she strummed the guitar, he gazed at her vegvisir tattoo on her arm and remembered her words on the first night he met her. "It reminds me to stay the course, that I can always find my way through the roughest storm." The vegvisir would always bring her home.