That night, when she was sure that everyone else was in bed, Eyra stole silently out of her chambers. Walking slowly through the halls of the palace, she struggled to calm her racing thoughts. Thor was lovely, she had to confess. In fact, she was sure that it would have been very easy for her to become quite enamored with him had it not been for the constant thoughts of his brother which plagued her mind.
'Loki,' she shook her head in bemusement. 'It was Prince Loki who I met all those years ago. And of course he doesn't remember me. After all, I was only a silly peasant girl at the time.' She then smiled wryly to herself. 'Of course, underneath all this fabric and forced etiquette, I suppose that really I still am just a silly peasant girl.' That thought cheered her slightly as she came to stand out on a balcony. Gazing up at the stars, she carefully boosted herself onto the railing. Not very ladylike, she supposed, but there were no instructors around now to chide her. With a sigh, she began to softly sing a heartbreaking lament, a single tear falling down her cheek.
"There was a time when I would have given anything to hear that voice again."
Eyra started and lost her balance, feeling herself nearly slip from the railing upon which she sat. This time, however, knowing arms were ready to catch and steady her, pulling her body flush against a hard torso. Eyra gulped and looked up, shivering as she met Loki's gaze. For several moments, they simply stared at each other, Loki's arms encircled about her waist and Eyra's hands clutching tightly at the fabric on his upper arms, feeling her knees go weak and fearing she would collapse the second she let go.
It was Loki who broke the silence. "My, this does seem familiar," His cool breath danced across her face, making her shiver once again. "Doesn't it...Eyra?"
Eyra's heart skipped a beat, and she forced herself to pull away from him. "You do remember." She murmured. "I thought you would have forgotten by now."
Loki let out a dark chuckle, so different from the laughter he had once displayed in her presence. "Oh, I tried, after the first week. I told myself that you were never going to come. I was right, but that didn't stop me from somehow finding my way to that spot every night." He looked at her coldly. "For five years, I watched and waited..."
"I tried...you have to understand..."
"But I was weak then," He interrupted her. "Not anymore. Especially now that you've shown who you really are."
Eyra gazed at him, ashen-faced. "And who is that?"
He simply shook his head at her and turned to walk away.
"Loki!" She cried out, causing him to halt in his tracks. He slowly turned back around and looked at her icily.
"What makes you think you have earned the right to address me so informally? I am a prince of Asgard, and you will treat me as such. Betrothed to my brother or not," He sneered. He made to leave again, but, in one bold movement, Eyra's hand shot out and caught hold of his.
"I don't want to marry your brother. I never have," she rushed to say before he could rebuke her for her actions. "I wanted to come! Every night, I wished to go! But...circumstances...prevented such a thing from ever being possible. And believe me when I say that I did try."
She felt completely exposed as Loki studied her carefully. It was several minutes before he spoke, and it was not at all what she expected to hear. "What has the world done to you, little Eyra?" He breathed. "When I met you before...you were so full of life and spirit and passion. What has happened?"
Tears prickled in Eyra's eyes, and she tore her gaze away from the prince's not wanting him to see her so weak. But his thumb and forefinger gently tucked under her chin, drawing her eyes up to his once more. Eyra swallowed the lump in her throat and spoke softly, her voice quivering slightly. "You are much changed as well, Highness. I gather that the world has not been as kind to either of us as we may have liked."
Loki scoffed lightly. "You are engaged to the heir to the throne of Asgard."
"And you are the prince of Asgard." She replied simply. "And yet, if it's not too bold to say, I don't think either of us is truly happy."
Loki's brow furrowed as his eyes searched her own. He opened his mouth to speak when a voice sounded behind them.
"Loki? Astrid?" The two jumped apart and turned to the source of the noise. Frigga was gazing at them calmly. "Is everything alright?"
Eyra cleared her throat, resisting the urge to look at Loki. "Yes, your majesty. I simply went for a walk and lost my way to my chambers. Prince Loki was kind enough to offer to escort me back." She didn't like the knowing smile on the queen's face.
"Ah, well in that case, it may be wise to hurry. If anyone were to see you together...people might talk." Eyra could have sworn she saw Frigga wink at her before turning and walking away. Loki cleared his throat.
"Have you really lost your way?"
"Quite possibly," Eyra blushed.
A low chuckle came from his throat as he looked at her. "Well then, I daresay, let's get you back."
The walk back to Eyra's chambers was a silent one. When they arrived, Loki bid her a swift goodnight before disappearing down the hall. Eyra closed the door behind her and leaned against it, eyes closed as she took several deep breaths, feeling, if possible, even more confused than she had before she left.
The next morning, Eyra sat with the royal family at breakfast in her designated spot next to Thor. Her eyes locked with Loki's several times, after which she would always flush and look away, pretending not to notice the pleased smirk that would adorn his face. Both were unaware of Frigga's eyes as she took note of each lingering glance between the two.
Thor cleared his throat. "Astrid."
Eyra turned her gaze toward the man to whom she was actually engaged, grateful for the distraction from his brother's attentions. "Yes, Thor?"
"I am going to the training fields immediately after breakfast. I would love for you to meet my friends who will be there, though I fear you may find yourself bored. I wonder if my brother would not mind entertaining you for the day." He looked at Loki hopefully.
Loki did not miss a beat. "I suppose I could find something for her to do." His eyes flickered once again to Eyra's face. She struggled to maintain her composure.
Loki gave Eyra a sly smile as they all finished their breakfast. She frowned at him, though she was unable to help the fluttering of her heart at the thought of spending the morning with the prince. As each of their plates were cleared, she and both brothers excused themselves and made their way down to the training fields. When they arrived, there were already four people sparring with one another. Thor bellowed out an enthusiastic greeting.
"Friends!" The clanging of metal instantly ceased, and the four approached them, smiling. "Come, meet Astrid!"
Eyra heard Loki scoff slightly at his brother's use of her incorrect name. She ignored it however, as she suddenly found herself being greeted warmly by three men.
"Lady Astrid, you are even lovelier than we anticipated!" A dashing young man stooped to kiss her knuckles. He was pulled out of the way a moment later, however.
"Don't mind Fandral. He likes to think himself a ladies man," A more serious man smiled at her kindly. "I'm Hogun."
"And I'm Volstagg!" Boomed the jovial voice of a large, hairy man.
Eyra curtsied and smiled around at them all. "It is lovely to meet you." She said genuinely. The woman accompanying them only gave her a curt nod.
"And this is the Lady Sif!" Thor presented happily. "I hope that you two will be good friends! It will be good for both of you to have another female around!"
Sif looked less than thrilled with that idea, but her displeasure was soon lost in the merriment of her friends. They did eventually begin training, and Eyra hesitantly retreated to where Loki was sitting against a wall, observing the proceedings. He offered her only a quick glance before saying calmly, "Sit." Eyra got the feeling it was not an invitation.
They watched the others practice for several minutes, though Eyra's mind was more focused on the man sitting next to her. He turned to her. "What troubles you?" He questioned. Eyra looked at him, startled that he had somehow perceived her restless state.
"It's the Lady Sif," she replied. It wasn't a complete lie. "I get the feeling she has less than fond feelings towards me."
Loki barked a short laugh. "Yes, well, that was to be expected. She's been pining after Thor for as long as anyone can remember."
Eyra frowned. "Then why does he not marry her?"
He quirked one long, perfect eyebrow at her. "Does the thought of wedding my brother repulse you so?"
"Oh! No! No, of course not!" She quickly amended, though she could have sworn she saw his face harden at her words. With a sigh, she pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them, watching as Sif disarmed Fandral with a triumphant flourish. "I barely know him. He is good enough, I suppose, but..." She trailed off as that unwanted, humiliating lump rose once again in her throat. She was startled when Loki placed a discreet, comforting hand on her back before answering her original question.
"As heir to the throne, it is expected of Thor to have an advantageous marriage. Sif would not be considered a suitable match by most of the realm, including my father."
"Does he love her?" Eyra inquired hesitantly.
"I do not know. If he does, he would not speak of it. He is very conscious of what is expected of him." He looked at her, a soft look coming into his eyes. "Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts, Eyra."
She shook her head at him. "You mustn't call me that, you know."
Loki smirked at her. "And why not? It is your real name, is it not?"
"It is the only name I accept for myself," she confessed. "But it is a name I am no longer permitted to go by. If Inghard were to hear it..."
Loki's brow furrowed. "Do you always refer to your father by his given name?"
"He is not my father," Eyra retorted. Loki waited for her to expound. When she didn't, he stood up and extended a hand to her. She looked at him curiously as she accepted it, allowing him to pull her to her feet.
"I will refer to you as Astrid in the company of others," he whispered. "But at the moment, I'd like to call you Eyra, so care to take a walk?"
Her eyes darted toward Thor and his friends before meeting Loki's again. "Won't it be noticed if we slip off together?"
He shrugged. "I doubt it. I did tell Thor I would entertain you for the day. And we are to be brother and sister soon, are we not?"
Eyra bit her lip uncertainly. It was rather hot and boring on the fields, and it didn't look as though the others would be finished any time soon. Giving Loki a shy smile, she nodded and followed him casually back into the palace.
The two were silent at first as they strolled leisurely through the halls. Loki's hands were clasped behind his back as he stood tall and proud. Eyra felt so small next to the prince, and she nervously played with the ends of her hair. He shot her an amused glance, as though guessing at her thoughts, but still said nothing. After a few moments, Loki came to a halt, and Eyra found that they stood on the same balcony from the night before.
"How did you sleep?" Loki questioned after a moment. Eyra wrinkled her nose at the small talk but responded politely.
"I slept well. And yourself?"
The prince was silent, simply gazing out across the realm. Eyra swallowed uncertainly, wondering if she'd said something wrong. Then, he turned his whole body to face her, leaning one arm against the railing and giving her that calculating gaze.
"Eyra," A shiver ran down her spine as he spoke her name. "You can't lie to me. How did you really sleep?"
She stared up at him, wondering, not for the first time, how he could be so perceptive. "A-as well as could be expected, my lord." she stammered slightly.
Loki's eyes narrowed at her carefully neutral response, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he turned once again to look over the balcony.
"So," There was a slightly playful lilt to his tone. "You sing, you used to dance, and I'm guessing you still do, you pick wildflowers, run around barefoot in the woods, get lost in palaces in the middle of the night, and seem to have a knack for falling into rivers and off of railings." Eyra let out a giggle in spite of herself, and Loki's eyes danced with amusement. "Is there anything else you do?"
"Oh, I do many other things, highness, though none of them very befitting of a lady, as I've often been told."
Loki's eyebrows shot up. "Oh? Do enlighten me, I beg you."
Eyra gave him a small grin. "I swim in rivers, climb mountains, dive from rocks, swing from vines, ride horses, and sleep in trees. On occasion," she added as an afterthought.
The corners of Loki's lips twitched. "I fear you have ruined me for ever finding myself a suitable 'lady' then. They shall all seem incredibly boring! Though, having obviously been brought up by a nobleman, you surely must have been taught the skills considered essential for a lady of the courts."
Eyra let out a exaggerated sigh. "Yes, I must confess I was forced to waste many hours practicing tedious needlework, cooking, and etiquette." She shuddered.
"Ah yes, it must have been horrific," Loki chuckled.
"It was!" She nodded at him with wide eyes. "Absolute torture for anyone with any sort of free-spirited nature! I suppose I have my father to thank for teaching me to actually live."
Loki's expression twisted into one of confusion. "I got the distinct impression that you did not care for Lord Inghard."
"It is not him to whom I am referring," At his continued look of bewilderment, Eyra explained. "He is my stepfather of about ten years." A look of realization dawned on the prince's face as he fitted the pieces together. Eyra nodded and continued quietly. "He was there when I got home that night. He wasted no time in moving my family to his home here, changing my name, and ensuring that I was never allowed to explore the outside world again. I know he was only doing what he believed to be best for me, but he has completely altered who I am." She looked up at Loki sadly. "I am afraid I am a very different person from the girl you met in the woods all those years ago."
Loki shook his head. "I do not believe that is true. At first, I did think that to be the case, but in the past few moments I have seen glimpses of that same young woman who captivated me for so long." Eyra flushed deeply at his implications, but he made no acknowledgment of it. "I think that free spirit is still fighting to reach the surface. You simply have to allow it to do so."
Eyra opened her mouth to argue that it was not that easy, but at that moment, Thor's voice interrupted them.
"Loki, I thank you for looking after Lady Astrid for me." The two turned to see him smiling happily at them. "Now, Astrid, would you care to join me in locating some food?"
"It would be my pleasure," she responded politely, though she would have much preferred to stay in Loki's company. She gave him a low curtsy. "I thank you for your kindness this morning, Highness."
Loki inclined his head slightly. "I have enjoyed it, Lady Astrid."
Eyra decided she did not like the sound of that name on his lips, but knew it was necessary. With one last glance at the younger prince, she allowed herself to be swept away by her fiancé, feeling at once the loss of Loki's presence.
A/N: Finally some good Loki/Eyra interaction in there! Things are going to get much more complicated though. Anyway, I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has posted a review for this story! They always make me smile!
Dappledwing: I am glad that you are enjoying it! I hope these updates were soon enough for you! ;)
Deductions-of-Sherlolly: Done! It is great to hear that you like it, and I sure hope it continues to live up to your expectations! I love your name, by the way! Sherlock is my absolute favorite show!
Anon: Thank you so much for your positive feedback! That is what keeps me going!