While everyone was told to be ready to depart Asgard at dawn, it was hours later by the time the group left the city's gates. Erna's colt nickered and stamped impatiently as she waited for those in front of her to begin moving. She hadn't even spotted Loki yet, but knew he was conducting meetings in transit near the front of the procession. Nervous excitement bloomed in her chest as they left the city, and more importantly her father, behind.

A single rider making good time could easily reach Holmsa before the sun set, but their party had no hope of such expediency. As the afternoon light waned, they stopped about five miles outside of the village and began making camp. Erna's small contingent of servants set to work pitching her tent, laying out her things, and readying the campfire.

Travel without her father was much more enjoyable, she'd realized. He was a man that felt the need to fill up silence with endless chatter and she'd enjoyed the quiet today. She was able to converse with some of the other courtiers in their traveling party, but if she wanted silence all she had to do was move her horse into a gap between groups. Idly, she wondered what other trips they'd take once they were married. All the realm's politics couldn't be handled from within the confines of the palace.

Sentries and patrols were set as soon as the group made camp, so she wasn't able to stray far from her campsite and explore. But her legs ached from being in stirrups all day and she longed to move around. She decided to stroll to a nearby lake, being sure to keep the main camp well within sight.

The light from the fading sun turned the surface of the water a burnished copper color. She admired the pretty picture as she walked along. The scenery stole her concentration so completely that she didn't notice Loki slip into step beside her until he spoke.

"Enjoy today's ride, my lady?"

"I did, your majesty." They were technically in public, so she was sure to use his title, lest someone overhear them. "Thank you for inviting me."

"I'm sorry I couldn't spend any time with you during the ride, but my schedule doesn't stop even for travel."

"I understand completely."

They walked a few more paces before Loki ran a finger down her bare arm. "Are you sparkling, Erna?"

"Yes, your grace. It's what my skin looks like in direct sunlight." He watched the tiny flecks of gold catch snatches of light as they walked. "I suppose you've never seen it before, because we've always met within the palace walls."

"It's quite lovely."

"Thank you, your majesty." It was odd having him praise a physical feature of hers. Not altogether unpleasant, if she was being honest with herself, just odd.

"Natural light becomes a light elf," he mused. "I should have known. Does it bother you to stay cloistered in the palace so much?"

"Some, but as you're always telling me, I'll have much more freedom when…" she caught herself before she spoke too openly. He merely laughed at the slip while she darted a furtive glance at one of his nearby bodyguards. She changed tack, lest she continue and make another such mistake. "Tell me, your majesty, are you ever able to leave the palace without this… this…"

"Circus?"

"Yes that's an apt word for it. Can you leave the circus behind?"

"Everything you see is what's expected of me. I'm expected to have guards around me constantly, despite the fact that I've fought against whole armies on my own and come out unscathed. I'm expected to keep members of the court with me to conduct the business of the realm, and yet I'm the sole ruler. All of this is for their show more than my necessity. But if I ever truly wish solitude, then I take it. My magic does offer a level of freedom unknown to most, so I can even take a jaunt with nobody the wiser."

"I would hope at least one would be privy to such plans if your familial circumstances were to change."

"I would hope that one would accompany me if they so desired."

"The one might insist it becomes a semi-regular habit."

Again he laughed and she saw that leaving the confines of the palace had a positive effect on him as well. "I cannot wait until we can speak plainly all the time."

"Nor I, sire."

They strolled in silence for several more minutes, Loki eventually taking her hand as they neared camp. She assumed enough people would see the gesture and spread word of it. "My lady, I regret that I wasn't able to spend more time with you today, but even now I must attend to business."

"Your majesty is generous with his time. Thank you for the delightful stroll."

"Tomorrow, Lord Starolf holds a banquet in my honor. Would you care to join me at the high table, Lady Erna?"

"You do me great honor, your majesty. I would be happy to dine with you."

He leaned in and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear when he was close enough, "I'd visit you tonight if I could, little one, but we're too exposed here." When he pulled back, he used his normal voice. "Until tomorrow, my lady."

-XXX-

Lord Starolf proved to be a gregarious old man, welcoming their party with a booming laugh and affable smile. From everything Loki had told her, he wasn't a fan of the young king, opposing Thor's abdication. But he greeted his monarch warmly when he reached the town mid-morning.

While Loki and his servants were put up in the manor house, Erna and the others were relegated to the inn or their own tents pitched in the local parade grounds. Erna was lucky enough to garner her own room at the inn and was able to ready herself for dinner in peace. Somehow Loki had something to do with it, she thought. He knew that she enjoyed her privacy and surely saw to it that she didn't have to share with any of the other noble ladies on the trip.

The king and Starolf were already seated at the raised plank table when she entered the hall. As courtesy dictated, they both rose to greet her. Loki began the introductions. "My lord, this is Lady Erna of Alfheim. Erna, this is Lord Starolf, a longtime friend of the throne."

"I'm pleased to meet such a distinguished lord. The tales of your battle exploits alongside the Allfather are known even as far away as Alfheim."

Though a bit excessive, the old man beamed at the compliments. He took her hand and pressed a dry kiss to it. "An honor to meet you, Lady Erna. I'll tell you, I have some fond memories of the light elves. Of course, when I last was in your beautiful realm you weren't even born yet!"

"I'm glad my people made such a good impression on you!" She smiled back at his wrinkled countenance as they took their seats.

They made small talk as the food was served and Starolf seemed content to regale her with story after story of his battle conquests. He was a bit of a blowhard, but Erna sensed a genuinely good heart beneath his bluster. And for his part, Loki was well-behaved. When he did roll his eyes at some of the more fantastical elements of this story or that, he made sure only Erna saw.

After the last course was cleared away, Starolf patted her hand and apologized. "I'm sorry, my dear, but I've business to discuss with the king. I'm sure you understand."

"Of course." She began to rise, but Loki waved her back into her seat.

"Please stay, my lady." He turned to Starolf and offered an explanation. "The lady is quite interested in the politics of the realm. She might learn something."

"Indeed she might. That and her pretty face would make any meeting more agreeable."

She smiled at the compliment, for although it was a bit condescending, she believed the man meant well enough.

The conversation went as Loki predicted. Starolf asked for an additional regiment of fifty soldiers and after some negotiating Loki agreed. He'd walked in knowing he'd acquiesce to the request, but couldn't give in too easily. The trick, he'd explained to her before they left, was to let Starolf think he'd gotten the upper hand while also getting the lord owe Loki a favor. He'd likely be more agreeable to the throne in the future.

When Erna did make her excuses to retire for the night, she left the two men toasting the agreement with enormous tankards of ale. Before she was out of the hall, she heard the lord make a rather loud pronouncement, his increased volume a testament to the quality of the ale. "Your majesty, I do like her. You shouldn't let that one slip through your fingers."