Chapter Two

She had her back to me, so I couldn't see her face; she was looking at the Asgardian tree, one of the most beautiful creations of nature we had here. I wondered who she was, but all I saw was long auburn hair and her head tilted up to take in the entire tree's glory. I was about to leave when she said something, something I didn't understand, not in the language of Asgard. She said something again, still looking at the tree, what did it mean?

"It means beauty is in the eye of the beholder," She turned around to face me, "Rather fitting to something so natural, don't you think?" I nodded, unable to figure out how she knew I was there and able to answer my unspoken question. She smiled warmly at me, it was the first time in a long time that I'd not felt a smile had an ulterior motive. "I'm Arianna, daughter of Valheimer." I still couldn't force words out of my mouth, her green eyes glinting at me, as if she understood why I couldn't answer her. She turned back to look at the tree, giving me a moment to collect my thoughts, I slowly walked towards her and stood by her side, looking at the tree. I saw her turn her head out of the corner of my eye, "You're not the only one with gifts," I turned to face her, "that and you're not very quiet," She laughed slightly.

A laugh escaped from my lips, "Quite," I offered my hand, "I'm Loki, son of Odin," She shook it politely.

"Pleasure to meet you Loki," I needed to ask her something, I didn't want to come across as strange, what could I ask,

"So, you must be excited about the Peace Court tomorrow," Why was I nervous? This wasn't like me at all.

"Not particularly, It'll just be a group of men sat in a room discussing and signing things, that really already exist between our cities," she smiled again, "Although I am excited about the feast later, an excuse to dance and be merry sounds perfect and to have lots of food," she looked to the floor and laughed to herself. "What about you? You don't look like the type to enjoy this type of thing, the meeting I mean."

"No, not at all. I'm only there as a witness, I'd rather be out here than stuck inside that room with them." I enjoyed her honesty. But I had to ask, "Are you reading my thoughts right now?"

She smiled again, it was infectious, "No, but that would be a helpful skill in life."

"I see," I was about to continue talking when I heard Thor again,

"Loki?!" I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry, I must answer;, it's been nice to talk to someone normal for a change." I bowed my head slightly and began walking to the sound of my brother's voice.

"I'll see you at the party later, yes?" She shouted as I began to leave, I couldn't say anything apart from,

"Of course, wouldn't miss it for the world," I left swiftly with an ear splitting grin, I knew I had to calm before being faced with Thor or he'd know something was up and would keep pestering. I took a deep breath and tried to look normal, but the grin came straight back when I knew I'd talked to her before Thor. I'd finally mastered my usual mood, although I was struggling to keep my normal self by the time I found the gates of the Garden.

"Yes, brother?" My Mother was stood beside him, that took my fake face away and replaced it with the real one, the 'I'm not fine, do not talk to me' face.

"Mother asked me to find you," He still didn't know, "Right, there he is and off I go," He left leaving me and my Mother facing each other, she was the first one to speak.

"Look, I'm sorry you had to find out like that and that it even happened, but you are my son and I love you, and you needed the truth, it was becoming unbearable to keep lying to you. But you must do me one kindness, and not tell your father, not now anyway, he doesn't need the extra stress with the Peace Court going on a—" I held up my hand,

"Fine, but I want you to know that sleeping dogs will not lie."

"I know, Loki, I know." She smiled sweetly as we walked back to the palace, "How long were you in the Gardens?" Changing the subject did little to calm under the surface.

"As soon as I left you," Where is this going, "Why?"

"No, I just remember someone saying that the daughter of Valheimer was going to check out the Asgardian tree, thought you might have bumped into her is all." She studied my face, but found no flicker of emotion; I was guarding a secret well.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for the feast right now?" I asked.

"Yes, that's where I'm going now," She stopped and kissed my cheek, "I want you to enjoy yourself tonight, and just try to be courteous to Hazalea, for me please."

"Very well," I didn't want to but I was to fake it for tonight, "Just as long as she doesn't cling to me all night," I added bitterly, "you said you wanted me to enjoy myself and I can't if she's trying to smother me, with all that loved up nonsense." My Mother scowled at me,

"Can't you see that she's in love with you?"

"Yes I can, but I promise you it's not reciprocated," She was about to say something, so I saw my chance to leave, "Mother," I turned on my heel and went to my room, opening my door, I saw Hazalea stood next to my bed, fiddling with something she'd put on it, "What are you doing in here?" She jumped a little,

"Oh, Loki you startled me," I remained silent, "I've brought your clothes for tonight," She smiled that 'I'm-trying-so-hard' smile that she always does.

"Oh...," I thought she'd leave after that but she remained where she was, "Is there something else?" I added bitterly.

"Well, yes, I would like to show you off to some of my friends tonight, they don't believe that we're engaged." I wish we weren't.

My Mothers words repeated in my head 'be courteous', "Fine, but we'll not be together all night, you know." She looked a little shocked by that, but bit her tongue. She did her little curtsey and left.

"Show me off," I repeated sourly to myself. I knew who I wanted to talk to tonight. I walked over to my window and saw her walking back to the palace, I assumed to get ready for tonight. She saw my looking at her, I was embarrassed, but she waved at me, and I her. Why was I staring? And waving? Ugh! I rolled my eyes at myself.

I didn't take me long to get ready, I left my room to go to the hall; I started to walk when Thor came beside me, "Heading to hall, brother?"

"Yes, you coming?" He nodded.

"See who's there and have a drink," That's all he really wanted, the food and ale, it made me laugh a little, "What?"

"You," I think he clocked on when he started to laugh. When we got to the hall, a few of the Kings were there, including our father, who I wanted to avoid at all costs this evening. A few of the Princes were there, including some of Thor's old friends, who he immediately went over to greet, in the loudest way possible. My Father started to come over, oh no, but my Mother intervened, knowing what could happen. It wasn't long before some of the other guests arrived and Thor introduced some of his friends to me,

"So, you're the brother," one of them said, "Thor's told us about you, of course," I raised my eyebrows, "I hear you're magician of the family." He stopped regarding my expression.

"Magician?" I cocked my head to the side,

"I er, just meant Thor has told us about some of your powers is all, magic isn't it? Maybe we could have a demo." That's when Thor ended the conversation,

"I wouldn't, he doesn't take kindly to being referred to as a magician and he could kick your arse with ease, my friend." Thor chuckled.

Before anything else could be said, the announcement was made for the congregation to head outside to enjoy the festivities.

I had yet to see Arianna, but that wasn't surprising with how busy it was in the hall.

I just hoped that tonight will carry out peacefully.