It was addressed to her, but her eyes remained fixed on the envelope…she couldn't bring herself to open it.

There must have been something very particular about it…a reason for his delivering to her so early in the morning. Perhaps he was telling her that he could no longer spend time with her. That rather made sense. Odin likely wanted her out of the picture entirely…

…not exactly good news when one is seeking to be in his employ …

Jane placed the letter on the table. He did hand it to her. Her name was on the front…why was she being so timid about opening it?

"Is that for me?" her father's voice came into the room, and Jane snatched the envelope and placed it in her lap.

"Morning father," she stood and slid the paper along her apron tangentially, looking for the pocket. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did. I was thinking about taking some of the steeds out today for some exercise. Would you care to join me?"

She handed him a cup. "I'm going to the palace for a fitting, father."

"A fitting?"

"Yes, for a gown. Prince Thor will be home soon, and Prince Loki invited me to his welcome home dinner."

He sighed, and sat back. "I see."

"You disapprove?"

"I'm only thinking of my daughter. It is very unlikely, Jane, that either Prince will want to marry a stable man's daughter."

She swallowed, but some anger welled. "You think that I am scheming for a royal husband so that I might have jewelry and fine things?"

"No. These are the men that you are accustomed to seeing. But why not widen your possibilities? There are more people in the Realm besides Thor and Loki."

"I know that," she whispered.

"You are the brightest girl I've ever known, Jane. And I'm not just saying this because I am your father. But honestly, you need to think about your happiness, and realize that it is not dependent on the eye of an Odinson," and he stood with his cup to tend to his horses.

There was a point there, she knew. She understood that her father meant to make her feel better about things…but maybe she had been too limited in her scope. Maybe she should just keep a clear head when dealing with the Princes, and not allow her fancy to run away with her.

It was decided. She would be the rational person she knew herself to be.

Loki was standing at the large glass doors looking out into the gardens. He had just returned from the sewing rooms, informing them that Jane Foster would be by to get fitted for a gown. He was wondering what he would do once she arrived in a bit. He thought that he could take her to one of the plays performed in the square…or perhaps further out…he wondered what she would say to asking her father to ready a couple of horses.

"Loki?"

He turned and saw his mother. He smiled, and nodded to her. Frigga was one of the only people in the Tree whom Loki truly cared for. "Hello, mother."

"How are you faring without Thor here?"

"It's difficult, to be sure. I have no one to remind their duties, no one to hand napkins to at the dinner table, no one to watch as he gets handled in the sparring ring," he offered her his elbow.

And the Queen laughed. "I know you son, and I know that you and your father are scheming something regarding Thor."

"Odin hasn't told you anything?"

"He has hinted…" she paused. "But no. Nothing directly."

Loki stopped his stride. "I do not think that it is wise to continue here, Frigga. Though I am sure I do not understand Odin's motivations in shielding you from his purposes, I am not the person to tell you."

"But you are, son," and she looked at him earnestly. "There has not been a lady in your life for some time, and if Odin is using you as his pawn, then you should have someone to confide in as you navigate this. As you question it."

"You think me incapable of remaining untouched?"

She smiled. "I think that you are much more susceptible to emotional attachment than you believe yourself to be."

He glared at her. "Not one person believes me capable. Not one," he stepped away from her. "Mark me, mother. I shall remain unscathed by this," and he left her there.

And the Queen was saddened a bit by these happenings, for she only meant to aid him in seeing where he was going.

"What is your favorite color, my Lady?"

"Ah…" Jane was speaking with the seamstress, and was rather at a loss. "Blue?"

"If you don't know, I don't," she laughed. "Prince Loki had you sent for. His color is green…" A smile curled her lips.

"I don't care for green," she replied stiffly.

The seamstress shrugged. "As you like."

And now she felt silly. "I'm sorry…"

"No need," responded the seamstress with a smile.

Jane nodded and looked at the materials once more. "I like this blue," it was soft, but deep, and was sensual in flavor.

"'Tis very nice, m'lady," and she gathered up the material. "Allow me to take your measurements."

Jane went over to a workstation, and lifted her arms. "How well do you know the Princes?" she asked insouciantly.

"Not well at all. I see them rarely."

She nodded.

"Why are you asking? The whispers are that you know them both quite well."

And now she blushed. "Well, the rumors are false. I know them but little," Jane was defensive. "What was your name?"

"Clara."

"Thank you. Clara, I honestly don't know what rumors are being spread about me, but I don't enjoy any intimacy with the Princes. I'd like you to know this straight away," she nodded.

"Prince Loki invited you to an intimate family dinner and arranged this fitting for you."

Jane pursed her lips. "Thank you Clara, for your kind attention. I'll be back tomorrow for the gown," she nodded and left.

Many things were going through her head as she made her way to the exit. First, was she upset that she was transparent? Was she upset that she wasn't certain of her feelings? That she didn't know what Thor's were? Loki's?

She was a mess of confused thoughts.

…and then she saw him, coming right toward her. Jane stopped, and her back went up a bit.

"Jane Foster, you are not leaving, are you?"

"I am sir. I need to be home with my father," she smiled stiffly.

Loki's visage struck a puzzled expression. "I had hoped that we could…"

"Loki, I think that I need…" she paused. "I need some time. Just a day or so. Everything has been happening so quickly, and I need…"

He took her hand. "How can I help?" he tried earnestly to sound sincere.

"Just…allow me some room to think. I need to think," she took her hand from his. "And you've been very kind and attentive, but I'm not certain that I know my own mind right now, and it is one of the most upsetting things I have ever experienced."

"How could I deny you that, excepting only that I would be left bereft of your company?" he smirked at her.

Jane looked at him…she giggled.

And she was horrified that she did.

"Pardon me, Your Highness," she attempted. "But I should really…"

"…get home, of course. But allow me, at the very least, to escort you, since you are denying me my plans for the afternoon," he attempted to sound as cavalier as possible.

Jane nodded, and began to walk toward the door.

"Thor would always try to intimidate me with his strength," Loki began wistfully, as Jane's rebuff reminded him of Thor attempting to manipulate him via brawn. "It worked, occasionally."

"Was he so very cruel?"

"He certainly could be to me. It amused him that I tended to be sickly."

She looked at him. "You were sickly?"

It pained him to have to admit to these things. But he thought that her pity for him and contempt for Thor might win her favor…he had thought this at the outset, but had been sidetracked. That would not happen again. He needed to reclaim his purpose. "Yes. I was…and though my mother always tried to distract my overeager brother, nothing quite amused him the way torturing his little brother did."

Jane's brow furrowed. Thor seemed brutish, yes…but a torturer? Perhaps Loki was just being sensitive. "What did he do that was torturous?"

"Oh, you know. Challenging me to a duel and handing me a practice sword, while he had the steel."

Her eyes fell to the ground.

She supposed that that wasn't completely awful…albeit deceitful.

…but then, "Does Thor fall in love easily?"

Tread carefully, Loki. "He is certainly taken by beauty easily Jane. But love, no. I think that is more rare."

She walked on, thinking about this. She spotted an odd looking bloom…"What is this flower? Do you know?"

Loki stopped. "That is a ghost flower, Jane. Extremely rare. Of the orchid family," and he plucked it. "Here," and handed it to her.

She hesitated for just a moment, overcome. She had asked Thor…but she stopped herself. Perhaps Thor wasn't interested in botanical pursuits.

What was he interested in? Besides combat and wooing ladies?

"Thank you," and she twirled it in between her fingers, then began to walk again. "Did you both have the same teachers growing up?"

"Thor and I? Yes. Though he was often dismissed early, for he was easily diverted. Rather," he began to clarify. "He was excused from the longer hours I tended to be in study. He would perform his duty, and then be off to spar, or whatever it was that he did."

"You don't have much in common, hm?"

He laughed and looked at her. "Not really. And his gifts are much more acceptable to the Aesir. To the All-Father in particular."

"Well, everyone has different ideas about what is important or acceptable."

"What do you find to be important, Jane?" they could see the stables now.

"Kindness. Intelligence…mm….enthusiasm."

"I wish you were a part of my family. Only the Queen understands those things to be virtuous," he lamented softly.

"Thor doesn't value kindness? I find that difficult to believe."

"He does. But only when it suits him."

Her brow furrowed and she looked at the building coming clearer into view. "Well, that's fairly true of anyone, wouldn't you say?"

"No," he replied.

She looked at him and stopped. "People act all the time out of convenience. That doesn't make them wicked."

Loki smiled at her. "It does not, for then I would be the most wicked of all," and he paused, thinking that he would be considered that by some. "But it doesn't make them virtuous, either."

"Well then. Maybe we should agree that most things are grey. I find nothing wrong with denying the existence of absolutes," she turned and walked again. "Despite what Yggdrasil might favor. People are different."

"They are, but they aren't, too. We are made of the same dust that creates the Tree, Jane. We are Yggdrasil."

She thought about that. "I should help my father," seeking to change the subject. "Thank you for walking me home," and she smiled at him.

He nodded. "Jane?"

"Yes?"

"You love Thor," it was a statement.

"I…" she swallowed. "I thought that I did."

"And you don't?"

"I'm not certain."

Loki stood upright, asserting himself. "I'll see you tomorrow."

And Jane straightened her back, and nodded. "Tomorrow."

He turned and left her there, and she watched him walk away. When he was no longer in sight, she turned and went into the stables. Her father was not there…so she began to clean the saddles…adjust them…

Her mind was racing. What was happening to her? People were thinking that she was playing both Princes…

Maybe she was. Maybe she hadn't grown up at all, and she loved the attention she was getting. Maybe she was a silly little girl, playing spy on the Princes, only now, she was the one being spied on.

With a different Prince.

She slumped onto the floor, and felt tears stinging her eyes. She should leave. Go back to Alfheim. She had grown to love it there…

She had forgotten all about that letter…

"No, the other one," he pointed at the tunic his servant offered for him to change into.

His mind was full of machinations…he knew that he almost had her. Just a bit more time, and she would be his.

She was beginning to realize that Thor was an idiot, not at all suited to her. And he was right there to step in.

For he could be everything that she wanted in a mate. He was bright. Enthusiastic. Kind…well…not so much. But he could fake it well enough to be convincing.

He sat down at his desk, and took out a pen…

…and then it hit him.

He had forgotten all about the letter!

Stupid mistake! He had been far too rash when he gave it to her. It was a moment of desperation…the thought of his failure had overtaken him, and he…

Blast! He stood and turned.

If she was helping her father, he could perhaps summon the letter to him without actually entering the house.

He just needed to get close enough.

But of course she had already read it!

And he thought about her behavior since he gave it to her the morning previous…had she been different?

No…he replayed it over and over…no. Bit more distant, perhaps...defensive. But that was not the behavior of a maid who was just confessed to. Not even Jane could be that untouched.

She mustn't have read it.

Loki disappeared from his chambers and reappeared just outside the Foster's house. He couldn't see anyone, so he lifted his hands, the seior building…

"Loki?"

And there was Jane Foster, looking at him confusedly.