After spending his afternoon with Emma yesterday talking for hours Loki knew he must see Eowyn. He had asked her to meet him out in the gardens. Somehow he would have to push Emma out of his mind and focus on Eowyn. After ten minutes of thinking what to say Eowyn appeared. Loki stood trying to be respectful. Her dress was a lovely shade of yellow that offset her green eyes rather well. Her hair was pulled back tightly in a braid. "Thank you for inviting me to chat Loki." "Well I assumed we had a few things to discuss. I feel as though we haven't had a proper chance to discuss what all is going on." Eowyn simply replied with a nod. "Eowyn it is difficult for me to be okay with this whole marriage arrangement. I cannot simply fall in love with someone because that is what my father wishes. The pressure is hard almost too much. I woke up that morning and was told we have picked out your wife for you and you will meet her this evening. It's all odd." Loki tried to be nice. He didn't want to insult her or make her feel like she was being forced upon him. "Loki I understand. It is strange that we are to marry when we know so little about one another. I will admit that it is hard for me to allow others in. But I will try my best to keep my walls down. But it is all moving along so fast I haven't been able to wrap my head around it." Loki breathed a sigh of relief. At least she was just as confused as he. "I think we need time to get to know one another. As you said we know so little about one another. I too feel rushed and it is an uncomfortable feeling." "Yes we should devote say an hour a day and lunch to spending time together. If that suits you?" Loki knew he had to agree. He had to make an effort. "That suits me fine. Shall we begin today?" Eowyn smiled and replied "yes." They spent the next hour making small talk and strolling through the grand gardens.
Eowyn made her way back to her room. She had enjoyed her afternoon with Loki. He was clever and rather funny. She had genuinely laughed several times at his anecdotes. Had smiled a great deal at him. In her eyes they had made great progress. She felt it wouldn't be so hard to like Loki...and possibly even fall in love with him. As she sat in her vanity she excitedly awaited their next encounter. Eowyn was a little frightened at her eagerness. This man was beginning to create feelings in her she never thought she could feel. Just as she had told her family she would let Loki in and not shy away from him. Her plan was for them to fall in love and be happily married. She would do whatever it takes to gain his love and keep it. Eowyn would just have to rid herself of her second thoughts, her fear of being hurt again.
Loki sat in his chair before the fire replaying his day. Eowyn had opened up to him but he felt she was still guarded. For whatever reason this young woman felt she had to hide herself. For the life of him he couldn't understand why. It wasn't like she had anything to hide. He had enjoyed some of their conversation. She could be slightly charming at times. And he did like her a fraction more every time they spoke. He was turned off by their last moment together. Loki had reached for her hand to kiss it. But Eowyn had pulled it away almost instantaneously. Was she repelled by his touch? He wanted to feel electricity when he touched his future wife. But with Eowyn there was nothing. Yet he could not forget the chill he had felt from watching Emma yesterday. Never had such a simple gesture as a woman brushing her hair out of her face entranced him. He was eager to see her again at the ball. Maybe even chance a dance with her. No he thought to himself that would be wrong. That would show everyone his fondness for Emma. He had to keep his attachment to her his own little secret.
Emma stood being poked by needles as she continued her last fitting for her gown. It had been a challenge to help the seamstress bring her dress to life. She didn't want to wear an Asgardian dress, she wasn't very fond of their style. Although she did rather llike Loki in leather pants and his armour. There was a swagger about him. He carried himself with such confidence. Emma shook away her thoughts. She took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. "Its perfect" she beamed to the seamstress. Emma could hardly contain her excitement for the ball. One more day she thought. One more day.