Firebird by NorseFan1

Chapter 13

Two days after the trial, Ana, Jane and Hermione wound up in the library, pouring over large tombs of magic, with Hermione and Ana trying to learn more about it and Jane attempting to reconcile it with science- and doing a good job at it. Ana knew that if she was going to learn healing magic, she would need a better basis of general magic anyway. Loki had begun teaching her, but she knew if she wanted to get anywhere she would need to study for herself- especially if she wanted to apprentice under Eir. Hermione was helping her expand her abilities as well, and explaining the theory behind it to Jane as they went. Jane's scientifically geared mind was quickly picking up on patterns and she was coming up with ideas of how to harness energies with the use of devices to be able to do the same things with those devices.

It was there that Loki found them, bouncing ideas off each other. He cleared his throat and brought them out of their musings, a smile tugging at his lips. "Enjoying yourselves?"

Anastasia smiled widely. "Immensely."

"Do you ladies mind if I borrow Anastasia for a while? I have something I want to show her."

"Not at all," Jane said.

"Go ahead," Hermione nodded.

"My Lady?" He held out his arm for her to accept. She stood and took it, looking back and waving goodbye to her friends, before letting him lead her from the library.

"So, what do you want to show me?" She asked.

"You will see soon enough."

They exited the palace to a courtyard, where a servant stood, holding the reins of his horse. Loki gave her a boost up and then swung up behind her. They headed out of the palace grounds and through the city, before leaving that all together as well. Now Anastasia was really curious. She had only just brushed the surface of the city, and now they had left it altogether and were heading for a mountain range.

It took them a while, but they followed a well-worn path most of the way, before heading off it, through a, relatively, small gap in the mountains. When they reached the other side, Ana gasped at the sight before her. There were waterfalls and massive lakes and beautiful flowers growing through cracks in the rock. It was like nothing she had ever seen.

"It's beautiful," she breathed.

They stopped beside a picnic blanket which had big cushions and a large wicker basket placed on it. Loki dismounted and she followed and they sat down, leaning on the cushions. "Oh this is wonderful," Ana said, hugging him.

"I am glad you like it," he said, and she could hear the smile in his voice. "I thought you would appreciate the view. And I was sure you would enjoy some time out of the city."

"Oh definitely. This is great, thank you."

He opened the basket and pulled out plates and bundles of food, as well as goblets and a bottle of wine. He poured them both a glass and they helped themselves to the food, appreciating the view and talking. Ana leant into him, happy with the day.

When the sun began to set, it looked as if the water was on fire, adding a new level of beauty to the scene, yet again taking her breath from her and she leant forward eagerly, taking in the view and committing it to memory.

She heard him shift beside her, and when she looked around, she gasped. He was on one knee beside her, an open ring box in hand, displaying the beautiful gold band which twisted intricately in a knot design with the single emerald at the centre. She felt herself tear up before he started speaking.