L O R E L E I

The redhead stumbled through the forest by the Lord and Lady's home, hoping for a temporary escape from her troubles. Reaching a small clearing, Lorelei collapsed beside a log, buried her face in her arms, and wept.

This whole endeavor had been a disaster. Not the pursuit of the marauders, but her pursuit of Thor.

For many years now had she desired him. His smile could make any girl swoon, his hammer Mjolnir had been the doom of countless foes, his charisma could make anyone his ally, his strength was legendary, and his rise to the throne was inevitable. Anyone would want to be his queen.

Queen. To hold such a position would change everything for Lorelei. She would no longer be some orphaned witch with no name, but a queen with power and respect.

But every woman in the Nine Realms knew of the prince, giving him an endless supply of admirers vying for his affection. Anyone could capture the Odinson's attention, but few could keep it. Lorelei had hoped that their longstanding friendship would make her stand out among the crowd, but that advantage was also shared by Sif.

So Lorelei had turned to magic to win his heart. The sorceress had hoped that enthralling Thor would help him realize his hidden feelings for her.

After the battle with the marauders, she had finally gained the courage to approach him and express her affections for him. There was no magic this time; Lorelei wanted Thor to return her feelings freely and genuinely.

But he had not. Her sudden confession had caught him off guard, and he had awkwardly attempted to tell her how he viewed their friendship in the gentlest way possible.

The rejection crushed Lorelei. Despite his explanation of how he "cared for her as a close companion and ally", it did not ease her pain. Fortunately, the uncomfortable moment was interrupted by her sister's entrance, giving her a chance to escape.

"Lorelei!" Amora's worried voice in the distance only lowered the redhead's spirits even more.

Amora had Loki; Lorelei had no one.

Lorelei had briefly considered pursuing the younger prince, but she had decided against it upon seeing how he looked at Amora. Any woman would kill to have a man gaze at her with such affection, but the brunette was somehow oblivious to his feelings.

The redhead felt a gentle hand rest on her shoulder.

"I do not wish to speak, sister," she choked out.

Amora sighed. "Very well."

Lorelei somewhat expected her to walk away but the brunette settled on the grass beside her, remaining silent.

After a long moment of silence, the eldest sister spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "What is wrong, Lorelei?"

Finally, having collected herself, the tearful sister lifted her face. "No one loves me," she said miserably.

"Don't be silly. You are loved by many people."

"You do not count," she said, her words pouring out faster and louder, "Frigga does not count. Friends do not count."

Lorelei sighed. "I wish to be treasured, to be cherished. I wish to have a man's affections and devotion."

"It will come, Lorelei," Amora assured, "in time."

Lorelei snorted. "Easy for you to say. You have Loki."

"What are you talking a—"

"Oh please." The redhead's somber mirth was only fueled by her sister's attempt to deny the obvious. "A blind goat could see how fond he is of you."

"Well...it would be foolish for him to choose me as his object of affection," Amora said softly, looking down at her hands in her lap.

"No!" Lorelei sat up, startling her sister. "You are wrong. I know you have always thought yourself unworthy of him because of your lack of a name or heritage. But you must not let that hinder you. You are powerful and destined for so much more that this. You only have to take action and claim what is rightfully yours!"

Amora took her sister's shaky hands in her own and gave her an even look. "Which one of us are you talking about, Lorelei?" she asked knowingly.

Lorelei deflated, losing her desperate fire and returning to her sad reality.

"I do not know," she admitted.

Amora stood and brushed the grass from her clothes.

"Come." She held out a hand to her sister. "It's getting late and we must rest."

Lorelei silently took her hand to stand, and the two walked back toward the village.

As they neared the village, their feet began to drag. Amora remained quiet, something that was not too unusual for her, but it was a different kind of quiet. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes were distant. A part of Lorelei regretted bringing up Amora's complicated relationship with Loki; she knew Amora would not pursue the prince if it meant risking their friendship. The fool.

She and Amora reached Lord Erik's home, but before they could open the door, Loki came rushing out, nearly colliding with them. He clutched a large piece of rolled parchment in his hand.

As soon as his his eyes landed on the sisters, he grabbed Amora's hand and dragged her away from the house.

Of course, Lorelei thought, rolling her eyes.

"I must show you something." He stopped and looked back at the redhead. "Both of you."

Surprised, she followed the prince and her sister.

Loki checked their surroundings with wide and bewildered eyes, a strange contrast from his usually calm demeanor. Stopping under a lamp illuminating an abandoned street, he turned to face the sisters and explained his past suspicions of Lord Erik and Lady Sigrid.

"I was searching through the house and found this hidden in the basement under a pile of old boxes."

Loki unrolled the parchment, watching Amora and Lorelei with a cautious look in his eyes. He hesitated before holding it out in the dim light.

Lorelei looked at it and froze. Everything in and around her seemed to come to a standstill.

It was a portrait of the Lord and Lady with two small children. Lady Sigrid stood beside her seated husband, cradling a tiny infant with a shock of bright red hair. Lord Erik sat proudly on his official seat with a small toddler--no more than a year old--on his knee. The young girl beamed, her bright hazel eyes shining and brown hair combed neatly.

Lorelei would recognize those eyes anywhere.

The girl in the picture was Amora.

* * *

I finally fulfilled my promise of a prompt chapter publishing!

Let me know what you guys think of this revelation!!!

Chapter 11 will be published this next week!

Don't forget to comment and vote!!! :)