Sadly, the day came for Eyra's brothers to return home. It had been lovely for all of them to be together for the week or so that they had been, but Asmund and Brynjar did have their own lives that they needed to get back to. And so, Eyra made her way downstairs dejectedly to see them off.
She was surprised at the sight that greeted her when she walked outside. Both of her brothers were engaged in an intense, hushed conversation with Loki. When they caught sight of her, all three of them gave each other meaningful looks before dispersing. Eyra stared at them questioningly but let the matter drop as Bryn wrapped her up in a huge hug.
"Eyra-Bear," he whispered. "I'm so proud of you. Things are going to work out, okay? Az and I aren't going to be here anymore, but that doesn't mean we won't be doing everything in our power to ensure your happiness."
Eyra stared at him with tear-filled eyes, confused at his cryptic promise. He merely gave her a mysterious smile and moved to the side so that Asmund could have his turn.
"It's been real fun, Munchkin," he smiled as he embraced her. "And I'm sorry I ever tried to change your mind about Loki. He truly is perfect for you, and if you don't end up married to him in the end, my name isn't Asmund Bjorrson."
Eyra hugged him back tightly, her confusion growing even further with his words. He pulled away from her, and he and Brynjar both gave her affectionate smiles before mounting their horses and riding away. Loki approached her and slipped an arm around her waist with a kiss to the side of her head as they watched them disappear. As soon as they were out of sight, Eyra turned to Loki, a bewildered look on her face.
"What were you three talking about?"
He chuckled. "They were simply warning me that if I ever hurt you, I will have them to answer to." Eyra frowned, sensing there was more to it than that.
"But what about their promises as they were saying goodbye? You must know something about that!" Loki shook his head.
"I'm not sure what you mean! Is it abnormal for brothers to want their little sister to be happy?" He gave her an innocent smile.
"Fine." She narrowed her eyes at him before wrapping her arms around his waist, closing her eyes with a weary sigh. "Keep your secrets. I'm too tired for this right now anyway."
He returned her embrace for a moment before speaking with a smile. "Too tired for my surprise?"
Eyra looked up at him curiously. "What surprise?"
"Well I don't know, Darling," he gave an exaggerated sigh. "If you're as tired as you say..."
"I'm not tired anymore," she pouted at him playfully. "Promise!"
He grinned excitedly. "Good! We'll have to share a horse, because, as talented as you are, I don't think you should ride blindfolded."
"Blindfolded!" Eyra stared at him, aghast. He laughed delightedly and pulled out a handkerchief.
"Turn around!" She looked at him suspiciously but did as she was told. He quickly tied the cloth around her eyes and guided her toward his horse, boosting her carefully onto its back before mounting in front of her. "Hold on to me," he instructed with a grin. She hugged his torso tightly, not having one complaint about that opportunity. At Loki's command, the horse took off at a gallop.
Eyra felt exhilarated. She had not had the chance to ride a horse in years, and, even though she was not at the reigns, the feeling of riding again was absolutely wonderful. She shouted in elation, feeling Loki chuckle happily in front of her.
It took them nearly a half hour to reach their destination. Loki hopped off of the horse and lifted Eyra down with him. It was quiet, wherever they were, and her curiosity was growing by the second. Loki carefully led her several more feet, covering her ears now as well, before letting her go and untying the blindfold. Eyra gasped at what she saw, tears springing into her eyes.
They stood in the middle of her clearing. The one which held so many memories of her father and where she and Loki had first met so many years ago. It looked just the same as she remembered it, and she slowly turned to Loki with love and gratitude shining in her eyes. He looked almost nervous.
"Do you like it?" he asked shyly.
In answer, Eyra launched herself into his arms, laughing and crying at the same time. "Oh, Loki," she buried her face in his neck. "This is the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He simply held her close to him for a moment before setting her down, looking relieved. "I brought us a picnic. Mother is covering for us, though Thor and my father are in a meeting, so it is doubtful that we will be missed. We have all day to do whatever you want."
At those words, Eyra's face broke into an eager grin, and, to Loki's shock, she suddenly stripped down to her undergarments! "Want to see something?" she asked him excitedly.
"I...think I just did!" He continued to gape at her. She only chortled and dashed toward the mountainside, laughing gleefully. Loki stared at her in amazement as she began to scale the rocks, and much more quickly than he would have anticipated. He grew concerned, however, when she stopped, looking around in vain for another handhold. Hurrying toward her, he called, "Please don't fall! I'll come up and get you!"
She looked down at him with an amused smirk on her face. "Oh, calm down! Falling is the point!" And with that, she launched herself off of the rocks, flipping upside down. Loki could only watch with his mouth hanging open as she hurtled downward, finally diving into the water with hardly a splash. He quickly shed his own shirt, jumping in and swimming to where he had seen her disappear. He had scarcely made it to that point, however, when she resurfaced several feet away from him, pushing her hair out of her face and looking more joyful than he had ever seen her.
"Eyra!" He gasped, swimming toward her.
"Oh, how I've missed this place!" She grinned and met him halfway, wrapping her legs around his waist under the water. "Oh my! I do like this!" She ran her hands over his bare chest. Loki suppressed a shiver at her touch and gripped her hips, giving her a stern look.
"Don't scare me like that!" His heart was still racing as he scolded her. "What were you thinking?!"
She pouted at him prettily. "Do you really have so little faith in me?" Loki sighed and kissed her briefly.
"I have faith in you...but please! A little warning would have been marvelous!"
Eyra giggled and brought their lips together once more, mumbling an apology. He groaned at the feeling of her breasts pressing against his chest with only a thin layer of wet fabric between them, but somehow managed to control himself as he kissed her slowly and lovingly.
"Oh, my darling," he murmured against her lips. "You never cease to amaze me."
Nightfall found Loki and Eyra, now completely dry thanks to Loki's magical abilities, resting comfortably against a large boulder. Their legs were tangled together, and they were speaking softly and painting pictures in the stars above them.
"Can we just stay here forever?" Eyra asked with a content smile. Loki hummed in agreement.
"Someday," he promised. "When we have got this mess sorted out, Thor will be king, and I will no longer be under any obligation to stay at the palace. You and I will build a house here and have plenty of little children who look just like you to run around and enjoy it just as you have. Mother and Thor and your brothers can visit us whenever they like, but no one else will ever bother us. And I will be happiest man to ever live, and I will strive to make you the happiest woman."
"That sounds like a dream," Eyra sighed peacefully. "And you won't have to try very hard, because, at this moment, I don't think there has been a happier girl in all the nine realms."
Loki pressed his lips to the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair. And for that one moment, the two felt that they lived in an absolutely perfect world.
But these happy moments are fleeting, and it would not be long before that perfect world would come crashing in around them.
A/N: Things are about to get crazy, kids! It's the calm before the storm! :) Haha please review with any feedback you may have, and thank you to everyone who has shown me so much support so far!
Deductions-of-Sherlolly: Hey, me too! I love Thor to pieces, and I could never really bring myself to break his heart haha. Which is weird because I love Loki even more, but don't seem to have any problem causing him pain. Huh.
jesse. alderete: Sorry, I think the site thinks I'm trying to post a link, so I had to add a space to your name haha! Thank you so much! It definitely can be a challenge to find a good fic, but I am so glad that you find this one to be worth your time! Thank you for your support!
chyanne200: Haha it's true! He's like a giant puppy! I love him tons! Thank you for your support! I really appreciate all of your reviews!
TheBattyWhiteCrow: Hahaha I'm so glad that you enjoyed that bit! It just came to me, and I can never resist the chance to shrink Loki's ego a bit. ;)
sayrahsunshine: I don't have it all written, but I have most of the chapters outlined, so it's just a matter of creating a story out of them. I'm so glad that you are enjoying it! Thank you for the support! It's what keeps me going!
anon: Thank you so much! It makes me really happy that you appreciate Loki's playfulness, because I love that side of him as well! Again, I love your reviews! They really help to keep me motivated, so thank you!