CHAPTER 13

The morning of the ball didn't come soon enough. Lina had been anxiously waiting for this day for too long. She kept bothering Loki and Thor about it, most likely annoying them immensely.

Since the day of Lina's awakening, Odin had sent out his sons and other warriors to help finish returning the various realms and kingdoms to their original states prior to Maura's attacks. Loki would always come back tired, beaten, and worn out. Thor would tell of their adventures at dinner, reenacting magnificent kills and laughing with his companions heartily as he enjoyed a brew.

Lina always assumed her usual spot next to the queen. After the dinners she'd walk with Loki to the garden to listen to his version of he and his brother's travels. It was much calmer and a lot less loud than that of his brother, but Lina enjoyed hearing how Loki strung together words to create his tales. It was like he was reading out of a storybook to her.

After their walks, Lina and Loki would take residence in her chambers or his and spend the night enjoying each other's company. She'd read to him, he'd ask her questions, she'd ask questions in return. Every moment they had together was meaningful and full of purpose. She enjoyed who he was when she was around him. Loki showed her a side to himself that he never allowed other people to even glimpse at. His words, actions, and disposition were only that way if they were completely alone.

Lina awoke to an empty bed the day of the ball. Sunlight streamed through the crack formed in the middle of her curtains and landed on her blankets. She groaned as she got up, stretching her arms above her head as she tried to bring her mind out of the foggy slumber she had been in. She kicked off her blankets and brought her legs to hang over the side of the bed. Glancing around the room, she saw a note on her desk with a flower next to it. Every morning that Loki and Thor would leave the realm for another quest, he'd leave her a note with a new flower next to it.

Lina smiled as she let her feet hit the cold floor. She strode to the desk and picked up the flower first, taking in its lush fragrance. She then grabbed the note and read the words Loki had left for her:

Off on another adventure with my brother. Until tonight, my love…

She sighed as her excitement began to bubble inside of her. She had heard from many of the servants that the ball was going to be large and magnificent. Royalty from all around would be joining them, the food and decorations to represent each one.

Lina was told the night before to meet Frigga at her chambers as soon as she awoke so they could get ready together. She threw on a loose, long sleeve shirt, her pants, and her boots and made her way down the hall towards the other side of the castle.

Her face lit up as she watched servants decorating each corridor and the dining hall for the event that was taking place that night. It seemed that Lina was more skipping than walking to Frigga's chambers. She said good morning to each person she passed, beaming the entire way.

Because she visited so often, Lina didn't need to knock anymore. She opened the door slowly and peered inside. Frigga was sitting in her chair sewing what looked like a piece of clothing.

"Good morning, my lady," Lina said.

Frigga looked up and smiled warmly at Lina. "Good morning, my dear. You look awfully happy this morning." She continued to sew as Lina closed the door behind her and took a seat on the couch across from her.

"I am. I'm so excited!" Her first Asgardian party; the words sounded so surreal in her mind.

"As you should be." Glancing at Lina's happy exterior, Frigga let out a chuckle. She held up the shirt she had been mending and looked at her handiwork. She looked at Lina, still holding up the shirt. "I have a surprise for you later." She smiled as Lina's face changed from happy to curious. Her face was like that of a small child's, full of wonder and innocence.

"You shouldn't have, my lady," Lina finally said, looking out the window.

"Ah, but I did. It took me all month to make for you. I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will."

Not too long after this, Frigga's servants came in to help the women get ready for the ball. First they started with their nails. It was going to be a full treatment of the luxurious kind.

Lina wasn't used to so many hands working on her at once. One set was on one hand, another set on the other, two more sets at each food, and one brushing through her hair.

"Is it always this chaotic?" Lina asked Frigga, growing uncomfortable in her chair.

"Just relax," Frigga laughed. "These girls are very good at what they do. Enjoy the pampering." She closed her eyes as one of the servants brushed her hair. "How are you and Loki doing?"

"Very well. Extremely well actually," Lina admitted. "We haven't spent as much time together as before because he's been with Thor, but the time we do get is definitely high quality."

Frigga smiled and turned to Lina. "Good. It's nice to see my son opening up to someone other than his mother. I was worried he'd go through life keeping to himself and just playing tricks on people."

"Oh…well he's still playing quite a few tricks," Lina told her.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with Lina telling Frigga of the many tricks Loki had played on her and Thor during practice such as turning Thor's sword into a snake when he unsheathed it, having Lina's training armor take over her body movements so she was dancing on the field instead of firing her arrows, and many other things. There was much laughter as Frigga returned Lina's stories with some of her own. She told Lina of when Thor and Loki were children and how much mischief they would cause together.

"I don't think they've changed much," Lina told her.

"They have and they haven't," she sighed. "I just hope they can make the right decisions in the future and take care of each other as family should."

Lina extended her hand to Frigga's. "They will. You raised them right."

Frigga squeezed Lina's hand in return and smiled.

The servants finished their final touches and left the two women alone.

"I guess it's time to show you your surprise." Frigga stood up and strolled over to her closet. She sifted through the many dresses before she found exactly what she was looking for. She grabbed it and held it up for Lina to see. It was a floor length, emerald green gown, highlighted with accents of gold. It had long, elegant sleeves whose length near Lina's hands would match the length of the dress. It would hang off of Lina's shoulders with an A-line cut in the front. The back had the laces for a corset, each lace a magnificent gold color.

"Oh, Frigga…" Lina walked over to take the dress from her. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Frigga cupped Lina's face in her hand. "I figured I could only give the best to you, my dear. You've been a blessing in disguise for this family and I will be forever grateful for you."

Lina blushed. "I'm also blessed, my lady. I couldn't have wished for a better person to take me under her wing and treat me as her own. I'm in debt to you and the All-Father for taking care of me so well."

Frigga stepped towards her and pulled Lina into a long embrace. Lina returned the hug and smiled.

+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+

"You fought hard brother!" Thor bellowed as he patted Loki forcefully on the back. "You would have made father very proud."

Loki sneered at him. It had been a tough day for all of them. Lina's kingdom was the last place to reorder, some of the creatures that Maura had created still roaming around. He was happy to be back in Asgard, to rest and to enjoy more time with Lina.

He walked to her room and knocked on the door.

No answer.

After waiting awhile, Loki decided to walk to his own chambers to see if he could find Lina there. He opened the door to be greeted by its emptiness. Only a note was left on his bed. He eagerly grabbed it and looked at the handwriting on it.

I hope you had a great adventure. I can't wait to hear about it. Until tonight my love…

He groaned. The ball. He hadn't forgotten about it. Loki collapsed on the bed and sighed deeply.

He was happy that the ball was in honor of Lina and her accomplishments, but he hated the idea of having to fraternize with the various princes and princesses, making pleasantries that they knew had empty feelings behind them. He didn't like having to converse with the various women that showed interest in him, his brother always teasing him because they wanted his love so badly.

Maybe tonight would be different. He could focus on the one thing in his life that made sense and made him happy. Thinking of her, he began to get ready. He bathed, healed his wounds from that day, and dressed for the ball.

Conjuring Lina's favorite flower in his hand, he left his room and walked towards the hall where the ball was being held. The servants had outdone themselves with their preparations. Many tables with food were scattered around the room surrounding an empty portion of floor intended for dancing. He saw Thor sitting at one of them, talking with someone who looked to be a princess from another realm.

More and more people started filing into the room. Odin had also joined the party, reminding Loki to be on his best behavior and to be polite.

As if he needed reminding.

He walked over to an empty wall and leaned against it, fiddling with the flower he held in his hands. His stomach was turning with excitement. He wanted to see her.

The room was filled with people eating, drinking, and laughing as the ball had started to really shift gears. A woman walked over to Loki.

"If it isn't the Prince of Mischief."

He groaned silently to himself as he forced a smile onto his face. "My lady."

She brought up her hand, Loki taking it and kissing it lightly.

"Why are you here all by yourself?" She stepped closer to him, a smile forming on her face. "Is that flower for me?"

In the past, this kind of advance would have been a pleasant game to Loki, but tonight it filled him with disgust. He tried to keep a pleasant face on as he replied, "I'm sorry, but I'm waiting for someone."

"Got stood up did you? I can remedy that if you want." She laid her hand on the side of his neck, bringing her body close to his.

Loki watched with a stiff body as she tried so hard to instigate her intentions with him.

Suddenly, the doors to the hall opened, Odin's voice ringing throughout the hall. "Announcing the arrival of the Queen of Asgard and Princess Lina."

"Excuse me, my lady. My date has just arrived," Loki smirked as he pushed past the now disappointed woman. He walked through the crowd until he reached the front. He watched as the many single men in the room were dying to get a view of the princess.

They hadn't really put their relationship out in the open for the world to see. It was only known to those who lived in the castle.

He watched his mother, as radiant as could be, walking through the doors and towards his father. Then there she was. His mouth opened slightly as he saw her. Her beauty captivated him. Her hair wasn't in a braid. It streamed down her back and in front of her chest. Her dress flowed down to the floor, her foot kicking it forward with each step she took. Her pale skin stood in contrast with the necklace Loki gave her.

She scanned the room to find him. They locked eyes immediately. Lina tried to look at regal as she could as she strolled over to Loki.

His eyes danced with delight.

She stopped in front of him and curtsied, a smirk on her face as she lifted it to look at Loki once more.

He matched her smirk as he bowed. "M'lady,"

"My lord," she replied as he handed her the flower.

"I hope you like this offering," he joked.

She smiled. "Why thank you, my lord. It is quite beautiful."

He offered his arm to her, together walking through the crowd. The mixed expressions on their faces showed confusion, happiness, anger, and everything in between.

Loki escorted her to where his father and mother sat, the crowd waiting for Odin's speech.

Hellooooooo everyone!

I wanted to thank those of you who offered words of support regarding my weather situation. We survived Hurricane Iselle (which ended up becoming a Tropical Storm that did some SERIOUS wind damage) and Hurricane Julio is expected on Monday. He's a category 3 so I don't know how fortunate we'll be if he decides to rear his head in our direction.

But since I was so bored and actually still have power, I got a chance to write!

Thanks for the continued support!

-sparrowlina