Asta sat patiently as the ladies in waiting styled her hair, painted her nails, fixed her makeup, and helped her into her gown. When she turned to the mirror, she barely recognized herself.
"What do you think?" Mira asked.
"I think I look like a queen," Asta whispered.
"Exactly. You look beautiful and strong," Mira said with a curtsey.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Another maid hurried to answer it. Asta already knew that it was Loki.
"In here, my love!" she called before the maid could even lead him in.
Loki entered, dressed in gold, green, and black Asgardian leather. His green cape billowed behind him. He looked like raw power.
"You're staring, my darling," he said with a smirk.
"You try looking at you and not stare! You look dashing, Loki."
"And you! You look stunning… actually, I'm not sure there is a word to describe just how perfect you look."
The giggles of the maids broke them from their reverie.
Asta smiled at them. "Thank you, ladies. You may go."
They each curtseyed and hurried out.
"I mean it, love. You look absolutely beautiful," Loki said as he held out his hands.
She hurried to him and took his hands. "And you are looking fine in this!"
"There's my Midgardian princess," he laughed. "Are you ready to go?"
"As I'll ever be. Are the others ready?"
"I don't know. I came straight here once I was dressed. I'm sure they are. The only one I would worry about is Tony, but I'm certain Pepper had him all set. I do have one thing to do, though."
He waved his hands around and conjured a beautiful flower crown with two small, curved horns.
Asta beamed. "Morgan will love it!"
"Yes, I think so as well. We'll give it to her as we prepare for the procession."
She put a hand on his cheek. "You are going to make a wonderful king. Asgard is lucky to have you."
"I will be even better with you by my side. Both Asgard and its king are even luckier to have you. I cannot thank you enough for taking this journey with me."
"I'll go anywhere with you. Even the thrones."
Loki held out his elbow. "Shall we?"
Asta accepted it and gripped his arm tightly. "Let's go."
The pair walked towards the ballroom where they found Tony, Pepper, and Morgan, Odin and Frigga, Thor and Jane, and all the children waiting to lead the procession. They walked towards Morgan.
"Lady Morgan, I come bearing gifts," Loki announced.
"Did you make it?!" Morgan asked as she ran to them.
"Of course I did!" He held out the circlet and she gasped.
"It's perfect!"
Frigga stepped over to them. "Lady Morgan, may I help you put this on?"
Morgan blushed. "Yes, your majesty. Thank you."
Out of the corner of her eye, Asta saw Tony give a little fist pump of pride at Morgan's manners. She laughed a little before turning to Pepper. "You might want a picture of this," she murmured.
"Ooh, thanks," Pepper replied, obviously happy to get the permission.
Loki smiled as he watched his mother place the crown on Morgan's head.
"This is excellent work, Loki," she said. "Understated, but lovely. A precise combination of your crown and a headdress for a little girl. It looks perfect on our Lady Morgan."
"Thank you, mother. I'm quite proud of it." He summoned a mirror and let Morgan see how it looked. "What do you think, nugget?"
"It. Looks. Awesome! Thank you so much, Loki!" Morgan screeched as she hugged his waist tightly. "Mom! Dad! Look at how cool!" she yelled as she hurried to her parents.
Asta smiled. "Looks like another win for brother of the year."
"At least someone appreciates me as a brother!" Loki said loudly.
"Hey!" Thor protested. "I appreciate you!"
Frigga rolled her eyes. "Boys! We are about to enter the ceremony. Please settle down!"
Asta leaned towards her. "Some things never change?"
Frigga sighed. "Not in the least. Over a thousand years old and they still can't behave."
Odin cleared his throat then and everyone snapped to attention.
"It is time," he declared. "The children shall process in first, tossing the petals. There will be someone at the end of the aisle to direct them. Morgan, you may wait at the front for your parents, who will come in next. Then Frigga and I shall enter. Once we have reached the dais, Loki and Asta will walk in as well."
He motioned to the guards to open the doors and the large group of children hurried in, tossing flower petals happily. Asta hoped one of the Avengers was recording Morgan as she laughed with the other little ones.
Then Tony and Pepper strutted out. It amazed Asta that even at an Asgardian coronation, Tony could still own the room.
Frigga gave them a little wink before she and Odin walked through the doors.
As the doors closed behind them, Asta took a deep breath.
"Are you ok, my love?" Loki asked as he offered his arm. He patted her hand as she put it on his elbow.
"I am. Just taking one last moment before everything changes."
"We can handle all the changes together."
"You're right. I'm ready."
He bent and kissed the top of her head. "Me too." She gripped his arm a little tighter as the trumpets blasted, signaling that Odin had reached the thrones. The doors swung open and it took each of them a second to find the bravery to step forward.
Once they were about halfway to the rostrum, Asta heard Loki in her head. "You're doing beautifully."
Her head snapped up to his and then right back to facing front. She didn't want to break protocol. "A little warning when you're going to do that, troublemaker," she thought back.
"Where's the fun in that?"
She took one more fast glance to him and was astounded that he was completely stone faced. She supposed centuries of practice served him well.
"Almost there, love," he thought once more.
"Let's do this," she replied.
They reached the platform and stood before Odin.
He raised his hands and bellowed, "My fellow Asgardians and guests, today is a momentous day! Today begins a new chapter for our realm as we crown a new king and queen. I am so proud of these two and it is my honor to set them on this journey."
Loki's voice rang in Asta's head again. "Oh, do quit patronizing and get on with it."
"Loki!" she admonished.
He gave her the tiniest of smirks and returned to looking at Odin.
Frigga accepted a crown from a servant and handed it to Odin.
"Asta Gostadottir Stark, do you accept all the responsibilities and duties given to you with the mantle of queen?"
"Yes, Allfather. I do."
"Will you guide the king and help him both serve and govern?"
"Yes, Allfather. I will."
And with that, he placed the beautiful gold and emerald crown on her head.
As Asta raised her head, she saw Frigga handing Loki's crown to Odin. He was certainly right, those horns were enormous!
"And do you, Loki Odinson, accept all the responsibilities and duties given to you with the mantle of king?"
"Yes, Allfather. I do."
"Will you guide the queen and help her both serve and govern?"
"Yes, Allfather. I will."
As the horned crown was placed on Loki's head, Asta could have sworn she felt a surge of power radiate from him. He accepted Gungnir from Odin as well.
"Then here and now, Asgard, I declare that these two are your king and queen. Long may they reign!"
"Long may they reign!" the audience replied.
Frigga gestured to the thrones. Loki offered his arm again and led Asta to the seats. They turned and faced the crowd to thunderous applause. They each took a seat and smiled.
Loki stood again. "My people! It is an honor to serve as your king. The queen and I will do everything in our power to make sure Asgard continues to prosper! To the glory of Asgard!"
"To the glory of Asgard!" the all repeated.
"And now! Let us feast and make merry!"
"Let's party!" Thor called from the crowd.
Loki rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Yes, Thor. Lead the way!"
Asta nudged Loki with her elbow. "He's your brother."
"Adopted," Loki muttered quietly.
Asta rolled her eyes as well. "Come, darling. I think it's time to celebrate our new roles."
"Yes, we might as well get some good food out of this pomp and circumstance."
"Come on, your majesty."
"That's not quite what I wanted to hear," he said with a pout.
"I know. I'm still saving that for the perfect moment. You'll know."
"Tormenter."
"Don't whine on your coronation day. It's unbecoming. Let's go, my mischief."
He kissed her forehead and led her to the seating area in the ball room.