Servant of Jotunheim

Tavern

We sneak through the palace and out into the kingdom, heading straight for the tavern that he spoke of. When we enter, the room falls silent as everyone seems surprised to see the King there.

Lady Sif and the warriors three, who I recognise from seeing them around the palace on many occasions, spot him from across the room and come over to join us.

Sif: "Allfather. What are you doing here at this late hour?"

Loki: "I have come to take my guest for a drink".

Volstagg: "Is this Princess Dahlia?"

Loki: "No, this is Princess Valanya" he lies quickly.

Hogun: "I am surprised that you have two princesses visiting here at the same time".

Loki: "I am afraid that Princess Dahlia appears to have had a terrible allergic reaction of some sort. She will be returning home at first light".

Fandral: "Like the last three?" he laughs.

Sif: "I must say, you are quite exquisite compared to the usual painted whores that normally attempt to court the King".

Me: "So you have met Princess Dahlia?"

They all laugh at my witty question as it clearly amused them for me to insult the princess in some way.

Hogan: "Your brother is going to like this one".

Volstagg: "He always did have a fondness for women who speak their minds, just like Lady Sif here".

Sif: "Perhaps us strong women should go get a drink together and let the boys talk amongst themselves, yes?"

I look over to the King, who gives me a reassuring nod to let me know that it is safe to go with her alone.

In all my life I have never tasted ale before, but after the first couple of mouthfuls it does not taste nearly as bad as I thought it would.

Sif: "So you are the mystery princess that everyone speaks of? I must say, the King seems rather taken with you".

Me: "He is a kind man and a good King. Although I believe he simply views us as friends".

Sif: "Then he must be truly blind. Has he never attempted to kiss you?"

Me: "Gods no! I am certain he would prefer a princess with more experience in the art of courtship than I".

Sif: "You have never been courted before? Not to worry, the King will make his intentions known soon enough. If not then a beautiful noble woman such as yourself will surely have her pick of many eligible suitors"

We are interrupted by laughter and raised voices from across the room as the men drink together. It appears there is a heated debate going on over who is the strongest out of all the warriors on Asgard.

Myself and Lady Sif soon go over and join them as she wishes to be involved in that particular topic of conversation.

Sif: "If Thor were here then none of you could defeat him in a simple arm wrestling contest".

Loki: "That is true. My brother is here indeed the strongest warrior Asgard has ever known".

Fandral: "Perhaps we should make this debate a tad more interesting?"

Volstagg: "What did you have in mind?"

Fandral: "An arm wrestling competition as Lady Sif suggested".

Hogan: "And what prize would the winner receive?"

Fandral: "The right to boast of course. Or a kiss from the princess perhaps? The fairest maiden in all of the nine realms" he smiles at me.

Loki: "I am certain you could think of a more appropriate prize than that" he states firmly.

Sif: "Are you worried that one of your kingdom's finest warriors will have the opportunity to kiss the beautiful princess before you do?"

Loki: "Do not be absurd".

Me: "Indeed, the Allfather would not concern himself with something as simple as a kiss. If the prize you desire is a kiss Fandral, then it is yours to be won" I smile at him sweetly.

I have no idea why I would agree to allowing all the men in this tavern to compete for such a thing, but it felt nice to be desired even if I was not truly myself.

The men begin trying to prove their strength in front of one another until eventually there are only two warriors left in the competition, Volstagg and Fandral.

As the arm wrestling commences, Lady Sif whispers something to me.

Sif: "I do not believe the King is at all happy with the idea of another man kissing you this evening. He looks terribly displeased".

Me: "He could have taken part in the competition if that were true" I giggle while drinking more ale.

The King walks over and joins us as Lady Sif goes to get more drinks for us.

Loki: "Who would you like to win?"

Me: "In all honesty, I had not given it much thought".

Loki: "Surely you must have a preference between the two of them?"

Me: "Fandral is the more handsome of the two I suppose".

Loki: "Do you believe him worthy of a kiss from you?"

Me: "It would be I that were truly unworthy of his kiss, would it not? He believes I am a princess after all".

The competition ends and Fandral is victorious. He stands up and everyone in the tavern cheers loudly for him as he walks towards me.

Fandral: "Your champion awaits his prize, Princess Valanya" he smiles gleefully.

Sif: "Actually, Fandral, you have not defeated every warrior here" she exclaims when she returns with our drinks.

Fandral: "You Sif?" he laughs.

Sif: "No, not me you boorish oaf, the King of Asgard has yet to compete" she says loudly enough for everyone to hear so they all turn in our direction.

Fandral: "The King is far too dignified to compete for something as meaningless as a kiss when he has his pick of any exquisite maiden he desires".

Loki: "If the princess wishes for me to compete for her hand then I shall happily oblige" he looks down at me, awaiting my answer.

Me: "It would be an honour".

They sit across a table from one another and the atmosphere in the tavern is tense once the competition begins.

If Fandral won then he would expect a kiss from me immediately which made me slightly nervous. However, the King is more respectful so I know he would not expect anything from me whatsoever.

I could not help but wonder if he had only agreed to take part in order to maintain my dignity. He is fully aware that I have no experience when it came to the subject of male attentions.

Almost as soon as it had started, it had swiftly ended. The King rises from his seat victorious this time as Fandral walks away, defeated and appearing rather disappointed.

I am overcome with relief when the King returns to my side.

Loki: "Is the princess happy?"

Me: "She is indeed".

Loki: "Shall we head back to the palace soon?"

Me: "Yes. Although I must warn you, it may take us slightly longer as I have never tasted ale before this evening" I laugh as I get up from my chair.