❀ Beauty and the Beast ↠

❀12❀

I woke to a loud banging on my door before Ragna practically jumped on me, it got me wondering what she was so excited about. She urged me to get out of bed and dress immediately! I rubbed my eyes and rolled out of the bed, taking my gown from Ragna's hands and covering myself before demanding to know what all the excitement was about. The woman beamed as she threw me down before the vanity and began to un-braid my hair and brush out the waves. "Odin has decided to entertain the idea of you and the prince!" She gushed. Loki? Really? I didn't think that the prince would be concerned with such matters yet he wasn't strange with me when we last spoke which implied that he knew nothing of the arrangement. "Thor's already waiting downstairs ma'am we must hurry!" My mood shattered. Thor? He was such a simple, pompous oaf! I could not bear the idea of his company for any extended period of time. He was one of those people that were fine in short bursts but never for longer for you may find yourself going mad. Plus I was still angry at him over his absence from the war. I thanked Ragna and told her that I could manage on my own to which she wished me luck and hurried out of the room. I sighed and walked out onto the balcony. Above those tangerine mountains, kissed to their heady blush by the sun, were clouds that moved in shoals. And so the sky was equal parts blue and a chorus of greys, streaked with silvers and golds. A beautiful morning if only I was more hopeful of the day's events. Movement to my right caught my attention, it was Loki as he mulled about his balcony in only a robe! Myself, at least, had some form of nightgown on yet not him. Once his eyes met mine he didn't recoil in embarrassment or dismay like he used to, he just smiled a little before pulling his robe tighter and walking back into his room - presumably to dress. Once he had gone, I decided to do the same and pick a dress for the day. I found an old brownish one and decided that the bland colour may be the best choice to deter the prince. Once the dress was fixed around me, I walked out into the halls and walked reluctantly to where the prince was standing. He looked confident and brave and way too full of himself. He greeted me politely and smiled his charming smile but nothing about him peaked my interest. He was plain and simple and just not what I was looking for - not that I was looking for anything in particular mind. He spoke for what seemed like hours trying to impress me with stories of battle and war when I knew full well that his stories were exaggerated. He had seemed to have forgotten that I was a warrior myself and that I knew all there was to know on war and its spoils. It was hardly as glamourous as he was making it seem. Though one thing that did interest me was that hammer of his! Imagine having a loyal weapon that would simply come to your hand as commanded. Would have put my sword to shame. He was showcasing it and showing off his strength by throwing it around in his hands even though I knew full well that it wasn't about strength it was worthiness. He offered to let me try, placing the hammer down on a concrete slab in the gardens. I curled my fingers around the handle and exhaled deeply. Although I did feel the hammer move, I did not continue. Why would I crush the pride of a simple man with my possible ability. I did not need an answer to this question. I was worthy enough in my own mind and that was all that mattered to me. Once Thor had gushed once more about his pride and joy, I had to excuse myself. I could not take him any longer! I ran around a corner and pushed myself through some bushes to a small clearing with a large tree and a fountain, leaning against the tree to catch my breath. "I don't blame you for running," A suave voice began that I recognised instantly as Loki's. "If I had to listen to that drivel I would probably do the same," I sighed and sat on the slab. 

"So you heard of Odin's plan?" I asked nervously. Loki nodded but didn't say anything. "I don't want to disobey my king but I cannot stand your brother," I moaned to which he seemed to prick up at. Loki sat beside me yet kept his distance. He didn't like to get too close to me probably since what happened in the clearing the other morning. 

"Brown?" He asked looking down at my dress with a confused smile as if he was amused by my choice of attire. I asked nervously if it was obvious that I was trying to deter the older prince. He just laughed. "It is certainly out of character, I'll say that," I laughed a little and curled up at the thought of being thrust against Thor and practically being forced to like him when I simply couldn't. I complained and moaned asking why Odin was so set on paring me with the older prince but Loki just scoffed. "You're a warrior, a quality he admires," He began but he wasn't finished. "Plus, you are a radiant woman, and Odin is a vane man - He is partial to the idea of handsome grandchildren," I smiled a little and laughed to myself. "What?" He asked almost annoyed as if I was laughing at him. 

"Radiant is not amongst the common compliment's I have received in the past," He simply scoffed, claiming that most men of Asgard did not possess a vocabulary past that of a child which made me laugh a little. Loki looked around and stood. 

"Thor will be awaiting your return," I sighed and didn't stand almost in defiance which he seemed to notice with a raised brow. "I know somewhere that he won't find you if you're interested?" he asked nervously as if he was taking a huge risk but I assured him that I would take anything over another long conversation with Thor. Loki smiled and ushered me out the back of the clearing towards the stables, keeping an eye out for anyone who would give away our location.