Eir stirred in her sleep, purring with satisfaction at the warmth she felt; she hadn't slept so well in days. The bedding was thick and downy, like sleeping on a cloud. Her eyes snapped open at the realization and she blinked rapidly to force her eyes to adjust to the sunlight filtering through the window. She looked to her left, but Loki's place was empty. Eir pressed her palm to the sheets, wrinkling her nose with irritation as she realized that the material no longer held his warmth; he had probably left some time ago.

With a quiet, husky groan, the girl stretched her limbs and smiled slightly. It was wicked and weird, but she was so… happy. Much different than yesterday's mood.

Shaking away the unwanted thought, Eir propped herself onto an elbow and looked around. The room was empty, so Loki must have left to attend to those important, kingly matters.

Matters that should be Odin's responsibility.

No. She wouldn't think of such things now. Eir scrambled off the bed, and was startled to find herself completely naked. She found herself blushing, though there was no one to see, and hurried towards the bathroom to get dressed.

xxx

"All-Father, I asked you yesterday to reconsider my proposition." Surtur's voice was quiet, his tone bitter. Resignation and defeat were written in every line of his face, but his eyes bored into Odin's so intensely that the hair on the back of Loki's neck prickled. He had a sneaking suspicion that more was at stake for King Surtur than the enrichment of his subjects, a most unpleasant possibility to consider. "I must ask you to do so one last time."

Loki let the silence stretch on, enhancing the illusion that he was actually reconsidering his answer, as the King surely hoped. They lounged in Surtur's private dining hall with a bottle of Surtur's finest wine. They drank too often for Loki's liking; even breakfast didn't pass without a glass of wine served. But he didn't want to draw attention to Odin's drinking habits as he wasn't sure of the All-Father's normal behavior, so he decided not to complain. It seemed to fit Surtur's expectations, and he was a generous host, after all.

Thoughts were spinning in Loki's head as Surtur patiently awaited his answer, his nervousness only visible in the way his hands were clasped in his lap. Odin's eye returned Surtur stare for stare, his jaw clenching. There was a look in Surtur's eyes that made him think of snares hidden in the wood.

"And my answer has not changed, King. My grief is still too near." Loki spoke in a near whisper, but could not keep the air of a threat from his voice. Surtur's eyes widened slightly at the change in tone. When the old man remained silent, Loki continued, thoughtfully tilting his head. "As I have said, I appreciate your offer, King Surtur, but I am not interested in your daughter. I have only just buried my beloved wife."

Mother.

Another wave of silence fell on them, so Loki continued his thought.

"I will honor her memory properly; not by taking a new wife, young and beautiful though she may be." His last utterance was nothing more than a hiss, filled with anger. Surtur shook his head, staring at Odin intently.

"A month has passed, Odin King!" he spat. He remembered his manners, then, and took a steadying breath. "How long do you intend to wait?"

"You ask me to measure my love in time? To limit my grief for my bride and Queen of centuries to but a month?" Loki drawled, eyes narrowing and fingers clenching around his wine glass.

The situation was getting dangerous and he was beginning to wonder if he ought to agree to this engagement, if only to insure Asgard's safety. Before the thought could take root, he remembered Eir's bright green eyes and shy smile, face ringed by fiery strands.

Surtur stared, lips thin and nostrils flaring with anger.

"The horses will be ready before the noon meal. I find I no longer desire your presence," the old king said. Loki turned to leave, Surtur's last words ghosting through his ears. "You will regret this, Odin King. That, I promise."

Loki burst into the room as if he were being chased by a herd of bilgesnipe and slammed the door shut. Eir's smile faded at his wild expression, stepping back in confusion. He winced at the sight, and moved towards her intently. He would be furious with her if she ran away again, so she forced herself to stay in place, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Is something wrong?" she asked quietly, fearing her voice would tremble if she spoke louder. He advanced unbearably slowly, but did not answer. Eir crumpled the fabric of her dress between her fingers, muscles straining with effort to stay in place.

She hated when he was like this. She couldn't understand what could change him from the man she loved- arrogant, self-confident, sarcastic, but still mild and pleasant- into this animalistic monster, frightening and too intent.

Monster.

"Are you afraid?"

She shook her head frantically, clasping her hands together to hide the trembling. Her mouth was dry and she didn't trust herself enough to respond verbally.

"Why are you lying to me?"

He loomed over her, proud and strange. Eir's eyes darted up to him and she sent him the ghost of a smile, more a grimace if she were being honest. His eyes were cold and distant, a smirk playing on his lips, as if he dared her to run.

"What happened?" she asked shakily, hesitantly cupping his cheek. His skin was warm under her touch and, to her great relief, he pressed his lips against her palm, eyes closing. His anger faded, as if her touch soothed him enough to look past her lie. She felt weak with relief, but didn't allow a sound to escape, afraid it would draw his anger.

Now that the wild look in his eye was gone, Eir could feel herself calming. She moved closer, pressing herself against him, wondering for a moment why she still shook. She pushed the thought aside and stood on her toes to kiss his chin lightly. Loki remained quiet, but his eyes clenched tighter, as if her kiss pained him. Eir bit her lip, tilting her head to the side and aching for him.

"Tell me," she whispered. "Please, tell me, I want to help you."

Loki took a sharp breath and opened his eyes. Her lower lip trembled; the cold distance was back. But there was something else... a shadow of fear. She shivered and Loki's hand snuck around her waist.

"You can't help me, love," he murmured, leaning into her hand. Her palm was too small to cover his cheek, but he didn't seem to mind. He placed his hand over hers, and it hurt to see him so lost and vulnerable. She stood on her toes and peppered the underside of his chin with chaste kisses, chagrined that she couldn't reach his lips.

It was all wrong. Loki was a criminal, and he should still be in prison. Odin, the real Odin, should be the one on the throne, and she belonged back on Asgard. And yet, she could only think of comforting him.

"Let me try," she said shakily, placing her free hand on his heart and wincing at the rhythm. It was difficult to remember that he wasn't truly Asgardian sometimes, to quiet the instict that said his heart beat too slowly.

"Then promise me," he whispered hastily, eyes wide as he cupped her face. Eir watched him expectantly, fighting the urge to close her eyes and lean into his touch. "Promise that, whatever happens, you will stay by my side forever."

Her breath hitched and tears welled in her eyes; he asked for the one thing she could not give. But there was the threat of greater evil to come still in his eye. She couldn't be the cause of more pain and destruction. Despite her feelings, she knew it was impossible to promise him so; if he caused any more suffering, she would have no choice but to find Thor and tell him the truth. No matter how it would pain her heart, it was her duty.

Eir closed her eyes briefly, relishing the warmth of him and the sensation of his breath against her skin. She steeled herself for his anger and began to speak- but his eyes caught hers with such intensity that the words caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and grasped his hand tightly.

"Yes. Yes, I will," she croaked, allowing him to capture her lips for a kiss.

Odin hugged his knees to his chest. It would have been difficult for him before, but after such a disastrous month, he'd lost much of his former bulk. He grimaced at the empty plate in front of him. He'd stopped paying attention to what he ate a long time ago; Loki provided him with food, often old and tasteless, but edible nonetheless.

In the beginning, he had hoped that someone would notice Loki's trick. But as time passed, he realized there was little hope for a quick rescue. He'd even got acclimated to his prison, as dark and cold as it was. He sat there for some time, pondering his fate.

When he heard the ominous sound of footsteps, his gaze snapped to the door.

Loki stalked towards the castle entrance between two of his guards. His steps rang out, echoing from stone to stone. He was anxious to see Eir again; only an hour had passed since their last meeting, but he could not shake the sense that something was wrong.

"Odin?" The Lady's voice startled him and he stopped abruptly in the hall. Surtur's wife, Lorene, hid in the shadows to his left. She stepped into the light, hands clenched into fists and face shadowed with fear.

"Yes?" Loki asked impatiently, raising an eyebrow at her.

"I know you spoke with my husband," she began. Loki furrowed his brows. He wanted to leave and she was stopping him, which annoyed him beyond reason. When he didn't respond, she continued. "Please, All-Father…"

Loki silenced her with a cutting gesture and ordered his guards away, glaring at the woman in irritation.

"You are correct; I did speak to your husband, Queen, and my decision is final. I do not see any reason to discuss it further," he spat, staring her down. Lorene bowed her head, as if she were well accustomed to bearing a man's anger. His skin crawled at the sight.

"You do not understand. He is angry," she whispered, eyes darting around the hall, as if her husband was hiding behind the curtains or a painting. "He will want revenge. War is something none of us can afford, so please-"

"War?" Loki's eyes narrowed and he clasped the hilt of Odin's sword. Lorene's eyes fluttered shut, as if the very thought of fighting with Asgard pained her. Her lips were twisted in a grimace, distorting her handsome face.

Thundering steps nearby startled both of them and the queen's breath hitched; it was Surtur. She bowed lower, her expression impassive. Loki fingered the sheath of his sword as the old king rounded the corner.

"There you are!" he exclaimed merrily, throwing his arms wide. "I had hoped I would be able to bid you farewell personally."

The change in Surtur's attitude was peculiar. He acted as if their disagreements had never occurred, awaiting Loki's reply with a too wide smile. The heavy stench of too much wine stung Loki's nostrils and his lips curled in distaste. The man was drunk before noon.

"Yes," he hissed, wincing at the vile smell. "I am truly touched,"

If king or queen perceived his sarcasm, neither commented. Lorene avoided his gaze, seemingly nervous in her husband's company. Loki walked away, not bothering to say goodbye as the pair only followed him, Lorene gripping her husband's arm much too tightly.

Eir stirred in her saddle nervously. It felt as if she'd been waiting for an eternity, but the timepieces claimed it had only been half an hour. Something was wrong and she had a terrible feeling that it had something to do with Loki's foul mood. The guards were anxious as well, exchanging meaningful looks and going over their gear meticulously. Eir finally jumped down from her horse and approached one of them.

"Is there something wrong?" she whispered, clenching her hands in the material of her dress. The man shook his head tersely, but the tension in his silhouette remained. Eir took a sharp breath and stepped away, but didn't mount her horse.

She stared at the entrance of the palace, begging the door to open and reveal Loki. She was still tense from their encounter this morning, but for the first time, she wasn't afraid of what he might do. No, this time, she feared for his well-being.

Her horse snorted loudly and sidled around, likely because of her distress. She patted his nose distractedly, still watching the huge door.

When she seriously considered retrieving Loki herself, the door opened and he exited with Surtur and his wife behind him. She could tell he was furious, and she fidgeted under Odin's stormy visage.

"Get ready to leave," he ordered, not sparing her a single look. Obediently, Eir mounted her horse, lowering her head in deference. She bit her lower lip and allowed her red hair to fall over her face. She wasn't supposed to be so concerned about the King, and she was terrified that the others might notice her strange behavior.

"We shall bid our farewell now," Surtur said almost inaudibly, his eyes boring into Odin's back. Eir shivered, clenching leather reins in her fists, making her horse snort loudly. "But I believe we will see each other soon,"

Eir gasped, eyes widening. It was only due to a great deal of luck that no one noticed her reaction, all eyes focused on the two kings. Odin sat on his horse proudly, a very un-Odin-like smirk playing across his lips.

And Eir knew the trouble was just as she'd feared.

Loki was getting married. And Eir was not.

xxx

Don't lose faith in Loki! He's not THAT bad :D Sorry for the long delay. Let me know what you think, please ;)