NO REGRETS [l.laufeyson]

TWO

     It was the next day and Thor was due to return, however Loki's mind kept drifting off to the girl he met yesterday. Her company was nice. They talked through most of the day and she helped get Loki's mind off his troubles back home. She said she didn't live far from the tree so wondered if maybe he would encounter her again.

Loki was sat in his room reading when a guard knocked on the door informing him that Thor had returned. Loki only shooed the guard away not interested. He knew though that there was to be a feast and to avoid Odin aiming his anger at him, Loki decided to make his way down to the hall.

~

"Brother!" Thor's voice boomed through the hall alerting everyone of Loki's arrival.

"Do you really have to be so loud you oaf?!" Loki sat down across from Thor with Odin at the head of the table. Thor remained seated with a grin on his face. Loki may be the God of Lies but even Thor could tell he secretly missed him.

The feast went on through most of the evening, Thor was celebrating with the Warriors Three and Sif. Fandral was flirting with the maids, Volstagg already had two Lady's on each of his knees, Hogun was quiet but even he was smiling, and Sif was catching up with Thor. Loki however remained in his seat alone. He didn't care much for Thor's success. Growing up, all he ever wanted was Odins approval, but now, he wanted to get as far away from him as possible.

"Thor, Loki! Come my sons!" Odin called for the two Princes at the corner of the room away from the loud crowd.

"Now as you know the ball will be held tomorrow. But we must take this opportunity for you to both grow. I'm not getting any younger and one day, one of you will take my place as King." Loki rolled his eyes, he knew for a fact he would never be King. "You must both start looking for a wife."

Thor and Loki shared a look. Thor already had a Midgardian woman back on Earth, and Loki couldn't care less about finding a bride.

"I have a few royal families in mind that will be meeting you tomorrow. Use your time at the ball wisely..."

"Yes father." Thor replied trying to hide the sadness in his voice. He had only told Loki about Jane, Odin knew nothing about it. He feared if he found out, Thor would never be allowed to return to Midgard again.

"No." Loki hesitantly replied.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me Odin. I am not some relic for you to give away."

"You will obey my orders! I have already set up a meeting with the royals of Vanaheim. You are to meet them at the ball and that is final!"

Loki wouldn't let Odin win this battle, he stormed out of the room, the music coming to a close as Odins voice boomed down the corridors after his son. Loki refused to come to a halt and felt like once again he just wanted to get away.

~

Loki reached the tree to find the girl there again. However, she was fast asleep. As Loki dismounted his horse and tied him to a nearby tree, he slowly walked over being careful not to wake her. He knelt down in front of her carefully observing her features. He noted that she looked a little more pale than normal. Worrying about her ill looking health, he carefully shook her trying to wake her up.

"Hey? Evelyn?" After a few more shakes and calling out her name, her eyes slowly fluttered open.

"Loki? Hi, what are you doing here?" Even her voice sounded weak.