Hostage to Love

Gifted

The feast was a great success. Loki and Ari sat in pride of place at the top table; Odin, for once, sitting to the side.

To everyone's astonishment, Thor appeared after the ceremony accompanied by a petite woman, with dark brown hair, a wide smile, and an air of excitement.

"Ari, Loki, may I present Jane Foster."

Jane curtseyed, and Ari opened her arms. "Jane! I'm SOOO pleased to meet you - Thor talks about you all the time." Thor blushed - a sight not often seen - and Jane turned to him.

"You told your sister in law about me?" The two women hugged, and Jane stood back.

"Your dress is beautiful, Princess!"

"Ari, please!"

"Your dress is beautiful, Ari!" Jane repeated with a laugh. "Who designed it for you? I must get them to design mine when the time comes." She side-eyed Thor, and they giggled together, an instant rapport forming.

"Well, if you ask Loki nicely, I'm sure he would!" Ari grinned, and Loki rolled his eyes with a smirk.

"No! Really? " Jane was astounded, and they walked away arm in arm, leaving Thor and Loki to talk.

"So brother, it would appear there has been a thawing in relations then?" Thor raised an eyebrow and smirked. Loki grinned.

"You could say that. And when she sees her gift, I think I might, as our Midgardian friends would say, be on a promise!" He winked, and Thor slapped his back, roaring with laughter.

"Brother, it's your wedding night, of COURSE you're on a promise!"

The two brothers hugged and laughed, making most of the company turn and look. This was a sight many had thought they would never live to see. Especially in the aftermath of Frigga's death. They had been about as far apart as it was possible to be for years, but slowly and surely, they'd come back together.

Now, several years and millions of miles later, the sun was shining on them.

"It's a pity you weren't here for the ceremony, Jane. I would have loved to have you take part!" Ari genuinely liked her, Midgardians were rarely visitors to Vanaheim. No, in truth, Midgardians NEVER visited Vanaheim, and she was desperate to hear all about Jane's world.

"Ahh well, that was a condition of me being allowed here now." Jane sighed, "Odin tolerates me at best. I wouldn't stretch it to say he likes me. And have a Midgardian take part in an Asgardian ceremony? Never happening."

Ari and Jane sat on a seat in an alcove off the main room. A servant appeared, bringing them wine and candied fruits which they sat between them.

"Oh my! These are soooooo good!" Ari closed her eyes as she bit into a peach slice that had been dusted with sugar. "I'm going to burst this dress before the night's out. I can just tell!" She opened her eyes, and Jane was stuffing a syrup dipped strawberry into her mouth, the syrup dribbling a little.

"You've got a little..." she pointed to her chin, and Jane laughed, wiping it away with her finger. After they'd calmed a little, Ari sat for a moment, just watching the room. She saw her father and Odin in one corner getting more and more drunk, each slapping the other on the back, congratulating themselves on a deal well done.

As she watched, Volstagg sat downing pitchers of ale, his little daughter on one knee. He laughed loudly at some joke or other as Sif covered her eyes in despair. Fandral sat opposite, draped as normal, in pretty girls. Hogen sat quietly, watching and holding his wife's hand. No one, until today, not even The Warriors had realised he gad a wife. Let alone one who was obviously pregnant!