"Did you enjoy yourself last night?" Sif and Eyra had just finished their sparring session the morning after the ball and were walking back into the palace. Eyra felt her face burn at Sif's question, though she knew that the warrior had no clue just how splendid of a time she'd had.
"It was fun," she responded casually. "I hadn't ever been to one before, and I had a lovely time. I have always loved dancing."
Sif smiled at her. "I looked for you toward the end, but I suppose you were busy because I couldn't find you anywhere!"
"Oh, really? I wonder why that would be..." Eyra laughed nervously. She was rescued from that dangerous topic of conversation, however, as Asmund and Brynjar suddenly made an appearance.
"Lady Sif," Asmund inclined his head toward her. "Would you allow us to steal our sister from you for a few moments?"
Sif readily agreed and bid Eyra farewell. Eyra's brothers fell into step on either side of her. "So..." Brynjar began with a smirk.
"What was it that you told us a couple of days ago?" Asmund mused. "'Prince Loki is my friend. I didn't want to listen to Inghard insult my friend.'" Eyra felt her stomach drop.
"I admit, I have had my suspicions since that conversation, but since those suspicions have now been confirmed..."
"I haven't a clue what you're talking about," Eyra cut Bryn off stiffly.
Asmund rolled his eyes. "Well, when you and Prince Loki disappeared together, we grew...concerned. Especially when you did not return for quite some time."
"So, we thought we had better go after you. Make sure he wasn't brutally murdering you for some reason or another," Brynjar continued. "So, imagine our shock at the sight we did run into!"
"Our little sister locked in quite the passionate embrace with the brother of the man to whom she is betrothed!" Asmund sounded stern. Eyra's breathing grew rapid as she struggled to think of some sort of explanation for her actions.
"Of course, we thought we'd better not interrupt you-"
"Bryn thought we'd better not interrupt you," Asmund corrected his brother.
"That would have made for quite the awkward encounter indeed!" Brynjar's voice was cheerful, almost pleased, and Eyra realized he, at least, was not upset with her. "So, care to offer some sort of explanation, Eyra-Bear?"
"I..." Eyra looked between her brothers with wide eyes, then sighed, realizing she was caught and there was nothing for it now but to be honest. "I love him," she said simply. "I didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. I met him once, years ago, in the woods the night before we moved here with Inghard. I haven't really stopped thinking about him since, though I had no idea who he was until I moved to the palace. He kept me company in Thor's absence."
"Eyra..." Asmund was shaking his head.
"He's wonderful!" She suddenly felt desperate to make them understand. "If you only knew him...he's kind and playful and thoughtful and fun and brilliant and-"
"Eyra!" Asmund spoke more firmly this time. "I understand. I really do. But you really need to think about the consequences of this!"
"You think I haven't?!" Eyra's voice sounded harsher than she intended. "I know it's wrong, and I've tried to stay away! Last night is the first time I've really spoken to him in weeks because what you happened upon is exactly what I've been trying to avoid! But I've been miserable, Az! And there is something that just draws me to him!"
"Eyra, I know! Believe me, I know! You know I want you to be happy! But if this is discovered...I mean it would be one thing if we weren't dealing with the princes of Asgard here, but under these circumstances..."
A single tear fell from her eye. "I know, Az," she whispered. "And I'm terrified...I don't know what the right thing to do is..."
Bryn wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulders. "You remember what I told you, Eyra-Bear?"
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "To follow my heart and remember that I'm loved." He nodded.
"I stand by that." He looked over at Asmund. "I trust her to make the right decision in the end. Do you?"
Asmund sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, I do. I'm sorry, Munchkin. You know I want what's best for you. I just worry about your safety, and I keep forgetting that you aren't a little girl anymore."
Eyra hugged her oldest brother tightly, and he planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "I'm going to miss you both so much," she said sadly. "Are you leaving today?"
"Actually, no!" Eyra perked up at Bryn's words. "Mother and Inghard are, but Az and I have been invited to stay. We'll be here for a few more days."
"Really?" Eyra was surprised. "Invited by whom?"
"Queen Frigga. She said that your demeanor has been lighter since we have been here and that she 'hopes we will be able to aid in steering you toward happiness,'" Asmund explained.
Eyra's brow furrowed. "Were those her exact words?" When her brothers nodded, she couldn't help but shake her head in wonderment at the queen's perceptiveness. She knew that her wording had been carefully selected to seem innocent enough, but it was clear that there was an underlying message there.
Asmund and Brynjar dropped Eyra off at her chambers, and she quickly washed of the sweat and grime which had accumulated on her body during her training with Sif. She changed into a light gown and made her way down to the gardens, finding herself in the same secluded area in which she and Loki had spent so much time before. As she stood and smelled a beautiful rose, a pair of arms snaked around her waist from behind.
"I thought I might find you here." Loki gently pressed his lips to the spot just beneath her ear. Eyra shivered and relaxed into his hold.
"I had rather hoped that you would," she sighed, closing her eyes contentedly. She could feel him smile against her neck as he slowly backed them up to a bench and pulled her into his lap. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Eyra's anxiety got the better of her once more. "Loki," she began, straightening and turning so she could look him in the eye. "Are...are we doing the right thing here?"
Loki's face quickly contorted into an expression of worry. "What do you mean? You're not going to go back to...how you were..."
"I don't want to!" Eyra shook her head. "That's the last thing I want! But, all the same, how is this ever going to work out? I am betrothed to your brother..." Asmund's warning from earlier echoed in her mind.
"We'll figure something out," Loki told her desperately. "I don't know what, but something."
"I want believe you, I really do," Eyra told him with tears in her eyes. "If I could just stay right here in this garden with you for the rest of my life, I would do it in a heartbeat! You make me so happy, but..."
Loki swallowed hard and looked at her with pain in his eyes. "I love you," he whispered. "But I can't keep doing this. I would do whatever it took to be with you if that's what you decided that you wanted, but...until you do figure out what you want...I can't keep doing this to myself." He gently slid her off of his lap and stood to leave.
"Loki, wait..." Eyra tried to call him back to explain, but he was already gone.
That afternoon, Eyra sat on her bed, mind whirling. If only she could come up with some kind of solution that would assure her that everything would work out for the best...but thus far nothing had come to her mind. Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.
"Enter," she called wearily. To her great astonishment, Queen Frigga opened the door. Eyra quickly stood and gave a low curtsy. "Your Highness! What is it that I can do for you?"
Frigga smiled. "It has simply been a long time since we've had a good chat. Is this a bad time?"
"Oh, no of course not! Here, just let me..." Eyra hurriedly pulled a couple of chairs together and invited the queen to sit with her. They sat quietly for a moment before Frigga began to speak.
"I have in mind a story. Would you care to hear it?" Eyra nodded warily, and the queen gave her a mysterious smile. "It is a midgardian tale, one from their religious books. It is called the Parable of the Pearl. The story tells us of a merchant who has made many great investments and made himself very wealthy. One day, he comes across a beautiful pearl, or, as the midgardians often tell it, a pearl of great price. It is, in his mind, the most precious item he has ever had the opportunity to procure, but, in order to do so, he must sell everything he has. There is no guarantee what the consequences of that course of action may be, but the merchant desires this pearl above anything else in the world. In the end, he does end up selling his possessions for this one great investment."
Eyra's brow furrowed. "But...does it end up bringing him joy?"
"The tale does not say, but Eyra," Frigga reached out to grab the girl's hands and looked into her confused eyes very seriously. "I think you need to invest in a pearl."
A/N: I don't care what your religious beliefs are, I think that is a great story! It just applies to so many things! Oh, and have I mentioned how much I ADORE Frigga? :)
TheBattyWhiteCrow: This was a fantastic review! Thank you so much for the depth of your response! It makes me so happy that you truly appreciate the route I am trying to take with this story! And, I am with you, sister. (Brother? I'm assuming you are a sister haha) Always pick passion! In fact in my opinion, always pick Loki! It's a no-brainer! ;)
chyanne200: You eat that Easter candy! What a fabulous way to celebrate! I may have just followed your example on that... :)
Dappledwing: Sick of you? NEVER! ;) I am glad you thought it was cute! I'm trying to balance the cuteness and the drama here, and it is no easy task, I'm afraid lol
sayrahsunshine: Ummmm SQUEEEEEEEEEEE! is most definitely an acceptable response. At least it had better be because it is my response to a great many things. I am so happy that you are happy! ;)
anon: Oh good, I'm glad that it counts lol! Haha you are very welcome, and thank you so much for all your reviews! It makes my heart happy to know that you are enjoying it, and thank you so much for your compliments on my writing! You are wonderful!