The Infinity Stone

8

It had now been a few weeks now that Aria had been on Asgard. She missed her home everyday, but was beginning to get used to living here. She had progressed increasingly fast with magic, nearly reaching Loki's level. Not only magic, but she had also been working with the Worriers of Three, and Sif with combat, and had been able to show her true strength from years of HYDRA.

Odin had been pleased to see his son and intended getting better along now. Much to Loki's displeasure, it had not been an act. Aria on the other hand, was taking a longer time to process everything. 

With the two becoming better acquaintances, Aria felt as though she could never marry the God, nevertheless actually like him more than a friend. But that wouldn't matter, she would marry him regardless of either's preferences.  

When Frigga began to see the changes, she was beyond thrilled to see the two get along, both always being the odd one out. To her surprise it was Aria having a slight harder time getting comfortable with a friend, she would have thought it'd been Loki.  Aria had only told Loki and Frigga about her life on Earth. Frigga had asked how she had been so well at fighting, and Aria told her, Loki had been in the room with them, sitting in on the lesson. 

It had made a lot more since to the two as to how she was the way that she was. She would obviously prefer her own company rather then spend time with other, and why she was able to beat the so called best soldiers on Asgard, after the first day of training. But she was growing, it seemed that her and Loki would spend most of their days with each other, not wanting to talk to anyone else. Especially Thor and his friends. 

While Aria was reading in the gardens, a guard approached her, saying the Allfather wanted to speak with her. Why the fuck does he want to talk?

She followed anyway, irritated that she had been interrupted, while she was reading. She did however enjoy walking through the palace, it was so different from what she was used too. She was certain that her fathers money could never buy something so elegant. She loved when the sun was just placed right within the hours of the day, everything would look golden, with all the open windows allowing the light to come in.  

Her walk ended too soon for her liking, and the guard opened the door, inviting her in to the dreaded meeting. 

The Allfather sat on his throne, looking down at those who walked through the doors. The guard left the two, and shut the doors behind him. " Well this must be serious." She said, never being good at this sort of thing, Odin wanted to correct her in ways to greet their king, but he chose to ignore it. 

" I am pleased to see you and Loki getting along," Aria only nodded, hoping this wasn't the reason he called her here. "How goes your lessons?" 

" I am told that I am progressing rather quickly. Is that why you called for me, or is there something else?" Odin was slightly glad that the girl was not oblivious and was rather smart for a being such as her. 

" No, I wanted to tell you, I will be choosing my next successor." Aria was trying to understand why she was being told this, and not his two sons. She could only figure it would not be pleasant.

" Congratulations?"

" Do you know which one I'll choose?" 

" Thor, I would assume. You aren't exactly subtle with favoritism," Odin stood up from his throne, the first time Aria had seen the man stand since her arrival. He motioned her to follow him, irritated that she had to move to a second location.
" Which ever I do indeed choose, one will be in distress, this is where you will come in." She was lead into a room with a table in the center, she guessed this is where they held meetings and such. 

" Wait so you want me to babysit the looser?" If Thor was going to be the heir, that meant she'd have to watch over Loki, and that didn't sit too well with her.
" Yes, to put in simpler terms." He did not sit down, it looked as though he was waiting for another guest.
"And what if I fail, or don't want to?" 

Instead of facing her, he turned and looked out to his kingdom. " You will do it, because it is in your nature to do so. I can see through you, I know you care for both of my sons one way or another. And in the end, I doubt you will fail." Behind her, the doors where opened once more and the two guests they were waiting for entered. " Very good, lets begin." 

Now, everyone took a seat. Odin at the front, Thor to the right, Loki to the left. Aria stood, hesitating taking a seat. Odin looked at her, waiting for her, and testing her. She looked at the old man in the eyes, slowly taking her seat.

" Now that everyone is present, I have news to share with the three of you. I will not waste your time, and get straight on with it." All of this is already a waste of time. 

 " To start off, you two have known since you were boys, that one of you will take my place and become King of Asgard. After much thought, I have decided which of you it will be." Aria looked to her left, and could see how tense Loki was, she bit her lip and decided to try to comfort him, though she had never been great at it. She took his hand in hers, hidden from the other two.

Loki was rather shocked at her movement, and admittedly loved it. It almost took his mind off of what was being said, but he was brought back to reality soon after. " Thor, my son, you will make a great leader. I am proud to have you be my successor." Thor held a cocky grin while looking at the two across from him, Aria could only muster a half smile. 

" After the coronation, Loki and Aria will be married." Aria let go of Loki's hand and looked at the king in disbelief. " Is that all?" Loki nearly growled out, and with a nod of his fathers head, Loki barged out of the room.
" This is wonderful news is it not Aria!" Thor yelled aloud, she nodded her head, but stared at the king. 

" Go on my boy," Odin said, dismissing Thor, who walked out with a skip in his step.
" At this point you are screwing with him." 

" With who?" Aria gave him a knowing look.
" You have been playing this game with the two of them since they were boys, and it is not going to end well. That's why you want me to look after Loki isn't it?" 

" You are dismissed." 

Aria stood from her chair, " I'm not finished." 

" Leave now free, or be lead to the dungeons." With that, she left.