My greatest hero

chapter21

The next night was the dance, Eira was putting on the gown she had picked out. It was a strapless, light green gown with a darker green shear material twisting around her top. the skirt was a lighter shade of green, and the shear material was draped over it and gathered on one side, it was being held up by three light green flowers, and was falling from her waist. There were also two of the same flowers going over one shoulder. She kept her hair down letting it fall past her shoulders, she never liked having her shoulders showing, but she asked for help from one of the young women in the palace, and she was told that she should wear this gown. She soon heard a knock at her door "Come in" she said as she stood up. Loki walked in and stopped in the doorway.
"You look...." He started to speak but he just started looking her and forgot his words "I look what?" She said, feeling his stare
"You look.... Stunning" he said with a smile
"Thank you" she knew what he was going to say when he first started, but for some reason she felt a rush of joy when he actually said it aloud "I have something for you" he said fiddling with something in his hand "It's kind off silly to give it to you, but I would love you to have it" he said as he held up a necklace that was made of opal and was in the shape of a small snowflake on a silver chain. "Loki, that's not silly, it's beautiful" she said smiling. He came over and had her turn around so he could help her put it on. He moved her hair to one side so he could fasten it, which made her feel uncomfortable. She turned around "Do I look- am I dressed appropriately?" She asked, she didn't want him to think she was trying to get attention, she was realizing how tight it was around her waist as well as having no sleeves, but she also had no idea what others would be wearing "Of course, you look amazing!" He said
"Now Come, people are arriving". and they left the room. Hundreds of people were there, she had never seen so many people in one place at a time. She felt more easy when the music started, she did know how to dance, and she felt like that was the only time she fit in. Loki stayed by her side for a long time before she realized that they were the only two who hadn't changed partners, even Thor, who's partner was from a different realm would let her talk and dance with other people. "You don't have to stick to me if you don't want to" she told him "it's okay of you want to go and interact with others" she said "Are you sure?" He asked he didn't want to just leave her alone "Yes, it's fine, go on, there's lots of pretty girls I'm sure you want to dance with" she said smiling. The two of them broke apart, she was actually enjoying talking with other people, and getting to know more friends, one person she instantly connected with was Jane Foster, she was glad she wasn't the only one who wasn't royal or wealthy, it made her feel more in Place. A slow song was about to start again and loki started to walk back towards Eira, but saw someone else start talking to her before he could get to her.
"You must be lady Eira" he said as he took her hand "Yes, I am" she replied "My name is Fandral" he said with a bow "it's a pleasure to meet you. May I have the next dance?" He requested. She replied with a nod and a smile, and they started to dance. Within the course of the one song, two different young men cut in and wanted to dance with her, when the song was over there was a third man was just waiting for his turn. She realized that this wasn't happening to anyone else and thought it rather strange "Why do you all want to dance with me?" She asked "none of you even know me" "You're a beautiful young lady who has no husband, why /wouldn't/ we want to dance with you?" He said with a smirk. She could feel her heart racing "But you don't even know anything about me" she said again "Well I know you're beautiful, and that's enough for me" he said laughing"So you're saying that you don't even care about who I am, you're all just racing for a chance to get your arm around the prettiest girl" she said, her tone showing that she was angry. He didn't answer but she could see her answer in his face. She pulled away from him. She hurried to get outside for some air, someone took her hand and she was ready to pull away but then saw that it was loki "Are you alright?" He asked, seeing the anger in her face and tears forming in her eyes "No, I need some air" she said "It's okay, follow me" he took her hand and showed her the shortest way to the balcony. "What's wrong?" He asked "you seemed to be having a wonderful time" he said, sounding a bit concerned. "They don't know me. they only want me because I'm pretty. and I thought they were interested in knowing me as a person, but they didn't even talk to me, they think I'm just as a prize to fight over" she said wiping tears away from her eyes. They could hear Another song start to play "Eira" loki said "will you not-dance with me?" He asked. She giggled a little bit "What does that mean?" She asked "Well that's when you and I take a drink together, and while everyone else is dancing we sit out here together and get to know each other better" he said wiping a tear off her face with his thumb "That's 'not-dancing'?" She said laughing again "Yes it is, and I would love to have you as a partner" he said offering his arm.
"I would love to" she said taking his arm. He got her a drink and then the two of them went outside and sat down together. For the next hour they sat together telling each other random things about themselves. After about an hour he could hear that there was a song playing "Now that I know you, will you dance with me?" He requested standing and offering his hand. She took his hand and they both walked inside for the next dance.