Loki watched the marcher from his bedroom window as she fed her animals. He had distanced himself, as his presence disturbed the critters. Besides, he did not want her to notice him staring.
He was fascinated by how well she was able to tame every creature, calming them down and nuzzling them. Even the large bear posed no threat to her. She even allowed it to lick her hair.
How did she do it? How could she be so kind that even the fiercest of creatures were enchanted by her? Ironically enough, that was exactly what he thought of her: enchanting.
He shook his head. "What's happening to me?"
His reflection responded, "You're turning into a sap, and all for that wimpy marcher!"
"Hey!" Loki exclaimed, glaring at the mirror. "Don't talk about her that way!"
"See? You've even stooped so low as to defend her honor! You've fallen for your own act!"
"I have not! I just..." he twiddled his fingers, "happen to find my fiancé...slightly attractive. What's wrong with that?"
"What's wrong?! You've never found anybody attractive in your life! Even if you were to start, why would it be this girl? I mean look at her!"
Loki glanced back out the window. "Yeah, so?"
"She's just so...flawless! There's not an ounce of evil in her! She's just so...so..."
The Frost Giant sighed dreamily. "Perfect."
"Exactly! She's too perfect! You have to change her! Turn her hair black or something!"
"You're right. She is too perfect. Maybe that's what makes her so interesting."
"Ugh!" the reflection growled. "Listen to yourself! Where is your pride?!"
"Oh, shut up!"
He waved his hand and draped a blanket over the mirror then turned his attention back to Madisyn. He had to get closer, but he did not want to frighten her. So he perched on a tree branch just a few feet away, scaring a few birds in the process. His grin widened. She certainly was more interesting up close.
"Hold still, Max Dog," she said in her sweet voice as she fluffed the dog's tail. "There. All done."
The dog leapt into her arms and cuddled her. Loki's heart fluttered as he heard her giggle for the first time.
"Yes, I missed you too."
Max then pulled away and yapped something that made Madisyn frown.
"Oh, you see...I made a deal with him and...we're getting married."
As the other animals heard this, they made frantic noises. She tried to calm them down.
"Yes, yes, I know, he doesn't appear very friendly..."
Loki was starting to regret bringing those animals.
"But...he's not as bad as you think."
This made his eyes widen. Could it be that this girl did not hate him after all? Could it be that he was finally getting to her? The animals screamed in protest.
"No, really," Madisyn assured them. "He hasn't really done anything to me yet...though I will admit, he still scares me a little...but he did bring you all here, and that makes me happy."
She then started singing to the birds, who sang in response. Loki closed his eyes as he listened to that sweet, melodic voice of hers. Never had he ever heard a sound so beautiful, so perfect, much like the girl it came from. He would have listened to it all day had the branch not given way beneath him. He let out a cry as he hit the ground, frightening the animals and causing them to scatter. Madisyn shrieked and spun around. Her terror faded once she saw the Frost Giant's state.
