He decided on something less conspicuous…

So, no cape. No armor, no large boots…he would wear traditional Aesir clothing. After all, he needn't always be the mighty Thor.

The strides were long and deliberate, albeit slightly muffled, and that was by design. He didn't want to attract the attention of the King or others.

Out into the gardens he went, noticing the fortuitous cloud cover, and noting that it was odd that there should be, Asgard was ordinarily quite bright.

Thor reached the Foster's house, and tapped slightly on the door.

"Why, Your Majesty! I did not expect…"

"Hello, Foster. Fine day, is it not?" and he stepped inside.

"Ah…" and the man looked into the cloud-strewn sky, wondering what he meant by it. "What brings you here?" and he closed the door.

"I am come to inquire after your daughter, sir. We have an arrangement."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. As I understand it, I am to meet her here," and Thor sat expectantly.

Foster offered a slightly curious look and then nodded…before much else could happen, Jane was in the room, smiling and walking toward the Prince. "Your Majesty," and she curtseyed. "I did not expect you so early in the day."

"An eager man is not to be gainsaid," and Thor rose from the chair, taking her hand and kissing it. "You are radiant, my Lady."

Jane blushed slightly. "Shall we walk?"

He nodded, and the pair took their leave without another word to her father.

Foster was put off somewhat, but shook his head. He knew that his daughter would not listen to any advice he might offer.

And she may suffer a broken heart as a result.

Jane was absolutely flying…she was arm in arm with Thor, and they were meandering about the palace perimeter, lazing the afternoon away. "What sort of tales do you enjoy, Thor?"

"Tales? You mean stories?"

"Yes," she smiled.

"Well…Eddard the Great is a good one."

"Oh! As when he was holed away in the dungeons, plotting his escape, and the Jotuns were about to strike, but he summoned the seior, and disappeared…"

"I was thinking of when he slew ten thousand men on the battlefield in Muspelheim. But the escape was thrilling, too."

Jane nodded. "What do you know of Yggdrasil, Thor?"

"As much as a Prince is required."

She stopped to admire some flowers along the path. "What are these? I see them only sparingly."

"The blooms? I do not know," and he took her hand and began teaching circles in her palm.

She shivered at the contact. "What is a Prince required to know about the Tree?"

"Well, the Nine Realms. Our enemies. Our allies. Our outposts. Where we trade, what we trade…that sort of thing."

"And…culture? The elements? Distances and time?"

Thor laughed. "You are a student of the Nine, Jane. I have little use for that information."

She wanted to protest. A Prince of Asgard certainly should know about those things, in her mind. She smiled and shook her head. "It is odd weather for Asgard, don't you think?"

"I do not want to talk about the weather, Jane."

She swallowed. "What shall we talk about, then?"

He stepped closer. "I do not wish to talk at all."

"Then what shall we do?'

He smiled, and leaned toward her, claiming her mouth. Jane's breath hitched, and she returned his kiss…

…he was eager, and pushed her into a tree a foot away…Jane found it difficult to keep up, for she was rather inexperienced.

She finally pulled away, a bit short of breath, and placed the palms of her hands on his chest, pushing slightly.

"Was it too much, my Lady?" and he tucked a stand of hair behind her ear.

"Maybe," she breathed.

He chuckled. "I will take better care in the future."

"Mm…" she turned and moved away from him, back onto the lane. "Let's go closer to the palace. I'd like to spend time in the gardens there."

"Very well, as you like," he took her hand and led her to the palace.

"Thor, do you think that Odin would want to have another advisor?" It wouldn't hurt to mention this…to perhaps gain an audience with the All-Father before her heart broke.

"What sort of advisor? He has much of what he needs."

They went through the gates and entered the grounds. Well, she may need to bide her time. "And what do you do all day? Spar with the warriors?" she smiled.

"Much of my time is spent in the company of the Warriors Three, yes."

She nodded. "That, and wooing ladies."

"Jane," he said, turning to her in the sunlit garden. "I am sorry that you've seen that aspect of me. Please understand that while I have been rather…liberal in my attentions to young ladies, I am quite capable of being honorable."

"I hope so, for your bride's sake."

He smiled. "What if there were no bride?"

Her heart stopped. Her palms began to pearl sweat. No bride? Surely he was playing a game with her…"I don't know what you mean."

"I think you do, you Jane…" he took her face in his hands. "I've been such a fool…" and he lowered his face to hers, took her mouth, and kissed her.

…Jane might have thought that this was the most exciting thing that ever happened to her. She may have believed it…but it was so unexpected, so rash, that she hardly knew what to think…

And then it was over.

He pulled away.

"Thor! Odin is looking for you," came Loki's voice emerging from the palace, coming closer.

Thor sighed heavily, and dropped his hands. "Will you stay?"

Jane nodded.

"Perhaps Loki can keep you company while I see what Odin wants."

She nodded once more.

He smiled, and Loki emerged. "Oh…apologies, my Lady. I did not know that my brother was entertaining."

Jane shrugged. "You weren't interrupting."

"Loki, might you see to Jane's amusement while I see what father wants?"

"It might be some time, but I'd be happy to…distract her in your absence," he smiled at Jane.

…and she regarded him crookedly. He used the very word she had the night previous to describe his actions, and she cleared her throat. "It's not necessary, Loki. I am perfectly capable of…"

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Thor, and he went to her, and took her hands. "I know that he can be tiresome, but it is for a short while, Jane. Allow him to entertain you. It will keep him out of mischief," and he winked at her, and turned to Loki. "Keep a close eye on her, brother. I will return posthaste."

Loki was smirking, and nodded to Thor dramatically. "So, Jane. Was Thor keeping you enthralled with his fascinating conversation?" he folded his hands behind his back and approached her.

And she adopted a defensive stance, folding her arms across her chest. "He is amusing enough, Loki. Riveting conversation isn't everything."

"No," he replied with a lilt. "Perhaps not. But I believe that I heard a wise person say that there is much more to someone than a pretty face, and that a developed essence and intellect is a desirable thing…that beauty fades. Tell me Jane, when his beauty fades, what shall remain?" he smiled.

She was humiliated at his parroting of her words the night previous. She had proclaimed these very ideas, and now…"He is a good man."

"Yes, if not a touch dull," and he approached her. "Come, Jane. Let's not tarry here long. The day is young, and there is much to be enjoyed in the palace."

"We are going inside?" she could not recall the last time she had been inside the palace proper.

"If you wish…I thought that the library might offer some amusement. You are a recent graduate, yes?"

"Yes," she smiled. She had longed to see the royal library …she had long heard of its wonders.

"Follow me, my Lady," and he struck a quick pace.

After walking a considerable expanse in the palace, they at last came upon huge double doors at the end of a long corridor. Loki went to them, and opened them dramatically.

Jane walked in behind him as he closed the doors…and she was humbled at once by the sheer amount of volumes stacked along the walls. Her eyes scanned them, as they reached higher and higher up to the ceiling…she turned on the spot, drinking it all in. "How many?"

"Pardon?" he was standing next to her.

"How many books are here?"

Loki laughed, and went over to a huge hearth, lighting a fire. "Oh, a few thousand, I imagine."

"A few thousand," she whispered. "Have you read many of them?"

"Mm…yes. I'd say most, even," and he took one tome, and sat with it by the fire. "On an overcast day, there is little to do save read," and he opened it.

Jane was beaming, and she sat across from him. "Does Thor often come here to read?"

He looked at her confusedly, then laughed. "Thor?" and he laughed again. "Thor. Jane, I'd be shocked if he knew where this room was. I doubt he has ever darkened the doorstep."

"Oh," she muttered, a bit dejected. "Well, there must be something that he would like to read. I can help him find it."

"Unless it is a battle map," and he opened the book, "I doubt he'd be interested."

Jane swallowed. This she was not expecting. "What are you reading?"

"I'm reading the origin stories of Helheim."

"Oh?" and she perked up a bit. "Maester Colborn had taught us the origin stories of the Realms. They were thrilling."

"Which ones were your favorites?"

"Well," she sat back. "I suppose Jotunheim was pretty incredible…how the ancient ones drew from the deep wells of Niflheim, and mixed with the rock of Yomi…and there was the land of the giants."

"You like that story? Why?" he put the book down.

"I'm not sure…but it seemed as though everything was born of fire or light…but Jotunheim was born of a mixing of things, not just emerging into existence. I liked the idea of a commingling."

His eyes squinted at her. "An amalgamate."

She smiled. "Just so."

Loki cleared his throat and shook his head, breaking his gaze. "Interesting. And what else did you learn?"

"Oh, all sorts of things. What did you study?"

"I? Mostly the seior…how to manage it. Control it."

Jane nodded. She had heard that he was a great sorcerer. "Should I be wary of you, Loki?" she smiled.

"Oh I would, yes," but he laughed. "Have you read the Prose Edda? Or any poetry from other Realms?"

"Some, yes. Not a lot…do you know any?" she asked eagerly.

"My dear Jane, you are talking to the expert on Yggdrasil poetry," he smiled.

"And what of these other Midgardian poets?" Jane asked. "Are they all so melancholy?" she paged through the book gingerly.

"No," and he pointed to one. "This…Walt Whitman fellow…he is rather spry."

Jane read a line from the poem. "He is, isn't he? He certainly admires nature."

"And love…" Loki said in an undertone.

"Love?" she looked up at him. He was rather close…and he was looking at her. She backed away a touch.

His gaze fell. "Yes…see here? 'There we two, content, happy in being together, speaking little, perhaps not a word.' It is love…"

Jane thought of Thor at that moment…and she swallowed.

Loki cleared his throat. "Is that how it is with Thor? You're simply happy being in his company?"

"I…" her brow furrowed. "Yes."

"I've never known that," and he snapped the book shut.

"Never?"

He smiled at her. "Surprised?"

"Well, you are a Prince. I imagine most ladies would be happy to…"

"One would think…but then they see Thor."

Jane colored. "Everyone likes him, then?"

"Surely you understand that," and he sat back.

"Yes, I suppose. But you are more than…"

"Please, do not placate me Jane. You are better than that."

"I'm not!" she smiled, sitting back in her chair next to him. "But I think that maybe you simply don't try."

"I don't try."

"Maybe. When was the last time you attempted it?"

He tried to hide his knowing smile. "I cannot recall."

"There! You see? You are out of practice."

"And what of you, Jane?"

She paused. "Me?"

His eyebrows went up his forehead a touch. "You. Have you known love in your young life?" he stopped. "Save Thor."

She swallowed. "I have not."

"Out of practice, then?"

She laughed. "I suppose that Thor will need to teach me."

"Mm…he is an impatient tutor."

And now her face fell. "What are you suggesting?"

"Nothing…untoward, Jane. But perhaps I can offer you some advice when he…"

"Oh," she thought that he might be saying that she should practice on him…in a physical way. That certainly would not do. "When he…what, exactly?"

"When you may have trouble understanding his motives," this would work very nicely in his favor. He could spy on Thor, while turning Jane against him.

"Why would I do that?"

"Call it an experienced man aiding an inexperienced lady understand the heart of another experienced man."

Jane looked at him with doubt. "I'd need to sleep on it."

"Take all the time you like," he clapped his hands. "Well, shall I see you home? Thor is taking a good long while."

She nodded. "All right."

Loki stood and pulled Jane's chair out for her, and took her hand in his as he waved his other hand and replaced the books on the shelf.

"I might want to know more about how you command magic than Thor's heart," she laughed.

"I can do that as well."

"Is there any end to your expertise?" she teased.

"Mm…nothing comes to mind."

"Surely there is something that you don't understand," Jane replied.

Loki pondered that for a moment. "Well, there is one."

"Yes?" she craned her neck to afford a better view of his face.

"Why in the name of Odin would a bright young lady fall in love with a man who is not near her intellectual equal…"

And at that, she fell silent.