A/N: totally embarassing I posted the wrong chapter, that was the old chapter. This is the rewritten chapter okay, okay read this instead okay bye.
"Oh, Maridell, do I look alright?" Via was nervously powdering her face hoping to cover up any blemishes, I also was observing myself in a mirror across the room.
"You are the most beautiful creature to have ever graced these lands" I remarked not bothering to look at her, she frowned at me.
"Oh stop with you meaningless comments" she said
"You asked" I finished applying my make-up and finally turning around to look at Via. Well, my comment was exaggerated but she did look lovely in her lavender ball gown. Her rosy cheeks glowed and her eyes were bright, yes she was beautiful. I only hoped I didn't look ridiculous as I felt in this over sized emerald dress, I only owned two fancy dresses and my blue one had been worn only a few days prior.
"Oh Maridell! I have never seen a more exquisite sight than you!" she gushed, throwing her arms around me in a hug "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! Oh all the boys will be asking you to dance all night long!"
"Will I have to say yes?" I pried her arms off of me, she laughed gleefully at my coldness towards the entire event.
"Oh, of course!" she smiled "And you'll love it!"
I gave her a wry smile and fiddled with my blonde hair, I wish I could curl it but it was determined to stay straight. I gazed at Via'slong, wavy brown locks, I wouldn't call it jealousy maybe just curiosity of what it would be like to have such a texture.
"Come on Maridell, stop messing up you're hair, you look fine, let's go!" she said excitedly, with one last look in the mirror I followed her out.
...
With all the girls in their dresses and all the men in their suits we were escorted back to the palace to be "entertained" all the girls were giggling and then men were murmuring and frankly it was a bit too loud for my taste. The castle was dressed from ground to ceiling in lavish decorations, there was a generous table of refreshments and a floor set up for dancing. Already many Asgardians of the court were enjoying the festivities, I had a sneaking suspicion that the this was simply an excuse for an extravagant party.
Odin then interrupted the music in order to introduce us.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of Asgard, I would like to present our visitors from Vanaheimr who have come of Asgard to further their study of magic and perhaps one day find themselves in a position on the court" he announced. There was a great roar of applause from everyone and then party immediately continued.
I could see the Odin and Frigga together but had yet to see the two princes, it wasn't odd to misplace Loki at one of these events but usually Thor was loudly entertaining guests. I scanned the room but could find no trace of them, shrugging I turned to head to the refreshments table but was all too suddenly cut off by someone.
"Welcome great sorceress to the land of Asgard!" ah, here was Thor "I was wondering if I may be honoured with a dance from the lovely lady in green" I couldn't help but smile at Thor, he had a very unique charm about him.
"Oh course your highness, I would never refuse such an offer" I took his offered hand and he led me to the dance floor.
Thor began twirling me around in a not ungraceful way but it definitely was a Thor-ish way of dancing. He made me laugh out loud the way he pranced around the dance floor taking my hand and dipping me to the floor, I almost lost me breath.
"So!" he said resorting to a less exuberant dance, grabbing me by the waist and entering us into a waltz "Who exactly is it that is gracing me with such a wonderful dance?"
"I go by Maridell" I told him shyly, he looked surprised for a moment and I was worried I had said something wrong, but luckily he recovered quickly.
"Ah, Maridell what a beautiful name, so fitting my lady" he complimented, I couldn't stop the blush from arriving at my cheeks.
"My dear Maridell, I must thank you for the wonderful dance, and I hope I will be seeing much more of you" he winked
"The pleasure was mine Prince Thor" I said graciously
"Thor, please, we needn't be so formal" he laughed, I smiled back at him.
As the dance ended I scurried off to a very excited Via whom had been watching diligently from the sidelines. She greeted me excitedly asking for all of the details, of course there wasn't really much I could tell her, he spun me around the floor for a few minutes and that was all. She of course wasn't discouraged by such an uneventful story and spun an exciting story how Thor and I would become closer and get married and then I'd be a princess. I sort of spaced out half way through her speech and took to examining the room again.
Prince Loki was no where to be found which I found myself being grateful for, he seemed to bring out such rudeness in myself, and always caught me in places I shouldn't be. The night was long and held little excitement though I did dance with Thor twice more, by the end I found myself wishing we could stay longer, the loud lavish party had surprised me, I didn't expect to have so much fun. I said goodbye to Thor, took one more sweeping look of the room for Loki, but he didn't make an appearance, Via, I and the rest of out class left exhausted
...
Later that week, after class I stole away to the marketplace, hoping to find something a little more exciting then our magical theory lessons apparently luck was in my favour for in the square Thor, Sif and the warriors three were putting on a sparring performance for the entertainment of the villagers. Thor of course was winning most every battle, though Sif did give him a run for his money.
I noticed Loki observing silently on the other side of the square, luckily he didn't notice me, I didn't need another mishap ending in me once again insulting the royal family. But it wasn't Loki who noticed me, it was Thor, who was flipped onto the ground bested by Sif, he managed to catch my eye.
"Maridell! How lovely to see you" he wheezed with Sif's foot on his chest to me, I laughed at his ridiculous situation.
"And to you too Thor!" I grinned, at the mention of my name Loki did look over to me startled and stared at me with a look of faint shock on his face.
"My friend, if you'll just give me a moment-" and with that he flipped himself so Sif was beneath him, and was holding her down. "Ah, much better, so have you been well?"
"Yes, and you?" I asked
"Much better now" he lifted himself off the ground and offered a hand to Sif which she took and regained her footing as well. "Friends, this is Maridell, proficient in magic and dance, if I do say so" he introduced me valiantly.
"Thor! The whole village is here" I said awkwardly, shifting side to side.
"Yes Thor, don't embarrass the poor girl" Loki had wandered in our direction.
"Very well! Then may I invite you to the castle for refreshments and good conversation?" offered Thor.
"I would be honoured" I smiled l brightly.
After bidding the villagers goodbye, the group of warriors and princes as well as I travelled to the castle. I couldn't help but feel self conscious mixed in with these talented strong people, I felt so out of place with my under-practised magic and zero battle training. I didn't belong with people so...shiny.
"So! Maridell, how are you liking it here?" asked Thor as we strolled towards the castle
"Oh Asgard? It's lovely, I just wish I could spend more time exploring and less in a classroom" I explained.
"Ah, I know exactly what you mean, I've never much enjoyed classes either" said Thor
"Failing and not enjoying are not the same thing Thor" commented Loki slyly, I giggled, while Thor just rolled his eyes.
"Oh, brother, you're always short sighted when it comes to the truly important things"
"I quite agree Thor" I said, I felt Loki glaring at me but took no notice.
Once we arrived at the castle we seated ourselves in the causal dinning area and Thor had some servants bring out some refreshments and drinks. I was surprised at how easily I managed to relax, must be part of Thor's charm, to put everyone at ease, Loki on the other hand balanced him out bit making me feel more than just a little on edge.
"I'm glad you could join us Maridell, I quite enjoyed you and your friends at the ball we had, we should have another one soon" said Thor jovially.
"Uh, yes I'm sure my...friends would enjoy that very much" I said awkwardly, and I could've sworn I saw Loki smile out of the corner of my eye.
We continued to chat, but before too long could pass a guard came in and whispered something to Thor.
"Maridell! I must speak to my father, Sif, warriors three you must join me, Loki you would come as well if we did not have a guest, you stay and accompany her, I will tell you what father has said later" he told Loki and I, the five of them exited the room but not before I saw Thor mouth 'be nice' at Loki.
For the first few moments it was awkward silence until Loki decided that awkward conversation is better than awkward silence.
"My brother seems to have taken a liking to you" Loki said casually, I didn't respond "And there is yet to be a maiden whom has resisted his charms" he added
"Thor is very capable, strong and has the looks of a sun hanging proudly in the sky" I commented finally.
"What do you mean by that? Isn't that desirable" asked Loki, I turned and smiled at him.
"What do you think happens when you put too much light in one place?" I cocked my head to the side, Loki raised an eyebrow in confusion "You go blind"
Loki nodded slowly.
"I like Thor, I do, I feel like we could be great friends, but lovers? No, I could not see myself taking that place, plus I feel like other blondes are a threat to me" I joked, Loki stayed silent "Are you always this bad of company?"
"Must you always insult me?" he asked smiling wryly
"I barely know you Loki, how can I have insult someone I do not know?" I asked him smiling "These 'insults' are merely genuine questions"
"They still feel like insults Maridell" my name sounded strange in his voice, I liked it.
"Well you'll just have to prove me wrong then"
A/N: Well I hope this is alright, should be updating soon, please leave a review.