A note came for Maryn early in the morning a few days after the Spring Celebration. It was from Loki and read, 'Please join me in the fruit grove beside the fountain of Yggdrasil – L'.

Dressing quickly in a white shift, a sleeveless, pink pleated gown with a high scoop-neck, a wide sash at the waist, and a flowing skirt, Maryn slipped gold and opal pear-shaped drop earrings into her ears, put on a gold and oval-cut three stone opal ring and had Tora pull her hair back in a loose plait down the middle of her back. With her engagement ring on her left-hand ring finger, soft brown leather boots on her feet and a soft blue cloak around her shoulders, the petite brunette kissed her maid's cheek, and with an excited smile, she swept out of her chambers and made her way quickly out of the palace and through the private royal gardens.

She saw Loki standing looking down at the water shining in the fountain, his hands clasped behind his back wearing dark brown breeches, a black linen shirt, dark green sleeveless tunic open over the top, and black knee-high leather boots on his feet. Stopping a little way away she studied him and bit her lip feeling a very welcome heat curl through her lower abdomen. He was handsome in a way that was so unlike any of the other Asgardian men she had seen. True he was as tall as or even taller than some from this world, and even though his brother was broad through the chest and shoulders, Loki was only a little slighter than the God of Thunder. His skin was paler than was normal for Asgardians but Maryn thought it was because he could frequently be found inside reading and practicing his magic. However, his pallor contrasted amazingly with his dark hair and the shocking green of his eyes. The way he looked at her sometimes made her heart stutter in her chest and her magic call out to his own; and if she was being completely honest about the matter, those lingering gazes made her feel things she barely understood. Her heart would race and as was happening now, heat would curl down deep inside her. Then there was the way he touched her and the new level of want she felt when he cupped her face or tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, or even just laced their fingers together.

Twisting the ring he had given her, Maryn took a breath and then crossed the space that divided them.

Loki heard her come out from the copse around the fountain and turned to smile as she stopped before him, "Good morning, my lady," he bowed; his mischievous grin making Maryn smile.

She curtsied prettily, as had become their teasing custom every time they met, "My Lord." Her heartbeat picked up speed when he reached out and brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheek.

"Do you wish to go on an adventure with me?" he asked, his voice deepening invitingly and a glint of excitement in his eyes.

A thrill rushed through Maryn's veins and she nodded, "An adventure sounds wonderful, Loki."

He lifted a hand out to her and she took it, letting him lead her through the orchard on the opposite side of the fountain to the palace. At the edge of the line of fruit trees stood Loki's stallion ground-tied, a grey mare next to it. Both horses had bulging saddlebags attached to their saddles and were contentedly munching away on the sweet grass at the base of the trees near them.

Loki steered Maryn to the grey mare and helped her up into the saddle. Handing her the reins he grinned up at the brunette before making his way to his stallion and lithely swinging up into the saddle. The couple directed their horses away from the palace and toward the forest. Once they had ridden past the gate and across the long bridge that linked the city with the world surrounding it, Maryn and Loki shared a look and then let their horses have their heads.

Maryn directed her horse to follow Loki's and they made their way into the treeline and deeper into the forest, the trees growing closer and closer together the further away from the city they travelled. Soon the horses slowed to a walk and Loki pulled his steed even with Maryn's.

"Where are we going?" the princess asked the trickster beside her.

He grinned teasingly, "It's an adventure, Maryn. If you knew the ending then it wouldn't be as much fun."

Maryn rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "But what if I don't like what you're going to show me, Loki?" she joked.

His bright gaze caught hers and she couldn't help the blush that coloured her cheeks. "I have it on very good authority that you will enjoy this adventure, Lady Maryn," he spoke before nodding to the trees ahead of them.

Glancing over, Maryn saw something glinting between the tree trunks ahead and with a quick look back at Loki she urged her mare forward. They broke through the treeline to step out into a clearing dominated by a clear blue, sandy-bottomed lagoon at the centre fed by a small waterfall and stream that meandered off into the trees to her left.

"Oh," the small brunette breathed staring at the glade with its birdsong and the sound of the waterfall rushing over rocks up-stream.

"Does it please you?" Loki asked.

She looked down at him where he now stood at her knee, his hand on her mare's bridle, watching her with a sort of trepidation she had never seen from him before. Wordlessly she smiled and leaned over to let him lift her down from the saddle. Once on her feet she reached up and ran her fingers over his cheek, "It is beautiful, Loki, thank you."

He leaned into her touch, his eyes closing as his whole body seemed to relax at the feel of her fingers against his skin. His vibrant eyes then opened once more and collided with her vivid gaze, "I have put enchantments around it so that only those we wish to come here may find it. It will be our hideaway, our quiet sanctuary away from the intrigues and dullness of court," he told her.

In that moment Maryn realised how much they were a refuge for each other. He helped her with her magic, protected her, and showed her that she didn't need to fear being known completely by another person. She, on the other hand, helped him feel safe enough to open up completely about anything, gave him someone to care about that wasn't a part of his family, and showed him the understanding and acceptance he craved.

"Come," Loki smiled turning and catching her hand in his own, "Let's explore before we have a magic lesson and enjoy some of the food I begged from the kitchens."

Knowing he more than likely charmed the palace cooks rather than begged food from them, Maryn couldn't help but share in his smile and allow him to lead her toward the edge of the lagoon. The couple split up and investigated the lagoon and its waterfall and stream for a few hours before the small brunette declared that she was famished and they sat down on a large blanket under the shade of a few trees near the edge of the lagoon to eat. The spread was delicious with samples of all the delicacies the palace kitchens had to offer as well as a bottle of sweet wine to share.

They also spoke of magic and what Maryn wished to learn next, as well as any complaints they wanted to voice or anything they chose to reveal.

As the sun reached its zenith in the sky, Loki stretched his long body out on the blanket beside Maryn and looked up at her, "Let's begin a new magic lesson," he said, "What do you wish to learn next?"

Maryn folded her legs under her body and thought about the question for a moment before answering, "Thor has said that you have an illusion spell that you use very effectively, even he cannot tell the difference between yourself and your replicas. Do you think you could show me how to do the same?"

Loki seemed to consider her request for a moment before his green eyes twinkled with amusement, "I would be happy to show you the illusion, sweetheart" his smile widened when he saw her blush at his use of the pet name. Getting up he held out his hand to her, "Come, let us begin."

The rest of the afternoon saw the couple practicing the spell until the sunlight was starting to soften and wane in the sky. By the time they ended the lesson, Maryn was able to use the spell easily, and had even manage to fool Loki once with her illusion-self.

"Thank you," she smiled up at the dark prince as she helped repack the saddle bags with the leftover food and drink as well as the blanket they had been seated on.

"Did you enjoy our adventure, my love?" Loki asked with a grin that set Maryn's heart to pounding.

With a nod the brunette turned and looked out over the lagoon and its surrounding trees, "The next time we visit this place we should swim in the pond," she glanced at him from under her eyelashes.

Loki nodded, "As you wish," he said, the idea of swimming in their lagoon alone with the beautiful woman in front of him sending images rushing through his head. "Come share my horse on the ride back to the palace."

Maryn took his hand and led her mare to stand beside his stallion. Swinging her up into his saddle with ease, Loki then vaulted up behind her and wrapped an arm securely around her waist. Tying the reins of her mare to the pommel of Loki's saddle, Maryn handed the stallion's reins to her betrothed and leaned back comfortably against his solid chest. They rode in silence back to the palace.

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Sif glanced up from her sparing match with Thor to see Loki and Maryn ride in through the gate and stop just outside the stables. "Your brother seems to have changed since he has joined himself to Maryn," the beautiful brunette said catching Thor's attention and drawing his gaze to his brother and soon-to-be sister.

Rubbing a large hand over his blond beard, the God of Thunder grinned as he watched Loki swing down from his saddle before lifting Maryn down to stand before him, "My brother has decided to give up his mischief and chase his betrothed. I'd say it is a good day for us all, we can breathe a sigh of relief that his attention is elsewhere," he chuckled at his own joke only receiving an eye-roll from the lady at his side as she swung her sparring stave in an arc at her hip.

"How can you not see how he has changed?" Sif asked in exasperation.

Thor glanced from her to his brother and Maryn. The petite princess was speaking to the trickster and then reached out and laid her hand on his arm earning a pure smile of joy from the dark-haired god that stood over her. Cocking his head to the side, the blond god studied how Loki seemed to stand protectively close to Maryn and even reached up to brush his knuckles over her cheek before catching her hand in his own eliciting a soft blush from the girl. He was different, more caring and gentle; and if Thor had been more observant over the last few months he would have noticed that his younger brother was also in a better mood than he ever remembered him being in. Shrugging, the large god grinned, "All I know is he hasn't tried to use any magic or mischief on Volstagg or Fandral lately so all has been quiet in the palace." The slap of a wooden pole against skin echoed around the sparring ring and Thor hissed in a small pained breath and glowered at Sif who was glaring up at him.
"Are you completely blind?" she snapped before grabbing his chin and turning his face so that he was once more looking at his brother and Maryn, "They're in love, you oaf," she muttered before pulling her hand from his face and then turning and leaving him to stare open-mouthed at the couple, the new-found knowledge clearly written all over his face.