Early explanation to avoid confusion:
I have read that Asgardians age normally until they reach adulthood, then it drastically slows down. So, on that basis, they're grown now, but it will still be over 500 years prior to the events Thor.

L O K I

The Bifrost was always a welcoming sight. To the ordinary citizen of Asgard, it represented the might of the Realm and its people. To the returning warrior, it signified a successful adventure and, most importantly, a safe return home. Not everyone was gifted with such a comforting sight at the end of their journey.

Luckily, Thor's company was welcomed with such a gift as they returned from a victorious conquest. They had gained recognition as an effective and determined group, composed of the two respected princes, the renowned Warriors Three, the legendary Lady Sif, and two of the most skilled sorceresses in the Realm.

"Did you see how I came up behind the giant and struck him down, felling him with only a single blow?" Fandral boasted.

"You would not have had the opportunity if Amora had not distracted him," Hogun spoke.

The sorceress grinned as Fandral gasped and pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense.

"I'm sure, with practice, I could conjure such a trick on my own," he countered.

"Oh, please," Volstagg scoffed, "The only illusion you're capable of conjuring is how you keep you're hair so...how did you once call it? 'Soft and youthful'?"

Fandral made a show of flipping his hair back. "You're just jealous."

"Ah yes," Thor spoke, "I'm afraid we would be lost without our enchantress."

Amora grimaced at the nickname, her face growing red.

As the others bellowed with laughter, the woman gave Loki a pained smile. He could only snicker at her embarrassment.

While she was no seductress, he still found her enchanting. Amora's beauty drew many suitors vying for her hand, but, much to the prince's relief, they often went ignored. However, Loki cherished their friendship too much to threaten it by joining that line.

Another round of laughter brought him out of his thoughts. The others looked at him expectantly.

"Sorry, what?" he asked.

Amora had a gentle smirk on her face. "I said, next time you can distract the guard while I sneak into the complex."

Loki tolled his eyes, but before he could respond, Thor spoke first.

"I think Lorelei would be much more suited for the job than my brother," Thor spoke up before Loki could respond.

The redhead giggled, running a hand through her hair. "Oh Thor, you're making me blush."

As Lorelei moved her horse closer to Thor's l, Loki turned to see Amora watching the pair pensively. Her brow was furrowed, and her lips were pressed in a thin line.

Over the years, Lorelei had acquired an intense ambition, an admirable quality of it did not have more troublesome tendencies. She had certainly drawn more attention to herself than her sister. While Lorelei craved attention and recognition, Amora often carried herself with a quiet humility.

Lorelei's interest in the golden prince was well known; unfortunately, so was the prince's poor history with relationships.

* * *

A M O R A

After the feast, Amora was exhausted as she closed the door to her chambers. Loki collapsed onto the sofa with a heavy sigh, leaning back his head and closing his eyes.

She observed her friend for a moment. His smooth face shed its usual mask, revealing the weariness that weighed him down. The journey alone had been tiresome, but the feast only prolonged their activity.

Over the years, Loki and Amora were rarely apart. Throughout the day, they both trained in the yard together, studied in classes together, and practiced with Frigga together. Likewise, their recreational time was often spent in the library, the gardens, or the city. However, the two were far from reclusive, often spending various parts of their day with some combination of Thor, Sif, Lorelei, and the Three.

Amora frowned as she thought of her sister, beginning to pace silently about her room.

Amora always knew that Lorelei's extreme ambition and haughtiness were only to mask her insecurities, but now Amora feared that such negative influences were beginning to twist her sister. The redhead's fiery and passionate personality had grown over time into a quiet volatility that had resulted in a heightened level of sensitivity.

"What is troubling you?" Loki asked, craning his head to look up at her.

"Did you not see how foolish Thor was acting when we returned from Vanaheim?" The concern in her voice was laced with annoyance.

"Yes, but Thor always acts foolish," Loki replied with a smirk.

This earned him a sharp but amused glare.

"That may be so, but this was different." She stopped her steps in front of the sofa. "Lorelei had enthralled him, Loki."

The prince frowned. Of all people, surely he was aware of the strength of Lorelei's enchantments; he was the often closest available male for her to practice with while in training with Frigga.

"I fear for her," Amora admitted softly, "What if one day she goes too far? You know how horribly she takes rejection. What if one day it pushes her down a darker path?"

"Amora, I believe you worry too much about your sister. You speak as if she is only one step away from this 'darker path'."

"Because we once walked that path," she countered, "You know how they found us, but you do not know what Karnilla was shaping us into."

"That was long ago." Loki stood to look her in the eye, and he added softly, "And you are nowhere near that path, Amora."

"But Lorelei and I are not the same person." Amora sighed. "I only want to protect her, but I fear that my attempts to save her would only push her away."

Loki placed his hands on her arms. "Speak to my mother about the matter. She will know what to do."

Amora nodded, knowing that the queen would provide wise counsel.

A knock at the door sounded.

"Yes," Amora called, and the door opened to reveal a guard.

"The Allfather requests both of your presences in the throne room."

"Thank you, Theoric," Amora said with a smile.

The handsome brunette smiled with a bow of his head and left.

Loki frowned. "How do you know the guard?"

Perplexed, Amora turned and said, "He's a friend. We were in the same orphanage together."

When the prince's frown remained, Amora rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm. "Come on. Your father is waiting."

* * *

L O K I

Upon entering the throne room, any thought of that guard left Loki's mind. This room never ceased to amaze as well as tempt him. Its grandness signifying the prosperity of the realm and the wisdom of its king.

However, what caught the prince's attention was the concerned look on his father's face. This must be a very serious matter.

The air hung thick with growing anxiety over what troubled the king. Sif and the Three were already present, Thor and Lorelei were nowhere in sight.

The tense silence was cut by a series of giggles. The door burst open, and in walked a disheveled Thor with an arm around Lorelei, whose hair was in a disarray.

Loki cast a sympathetic glance to Amora, but she was not looking at him. She observed the arriving couple with her lips pressed in a firm line, trying to hide her disapproval

Thor's smile faded as he looked up at his father's grave face. He nodded. "Father."

"There is trouble on the outskirts of our land. A small group of marauders have been pillaging distant villages. You are to put an end to their vandalism." He paused and regarded the weary group. "You will have two days to recover and prepare before you leave."

When he stopped, the company exchanged glances. Was that it? Was that all that troubled the Allfather?

"Allfather," Sif spoke up, bowing her head slightly, "Is that all? Why does this mission carry such severity?"

Odin paused and glanced at the two sisters present. "It is in Nornheim."

Amora's face instantly paled, and Loki placed a hand on her back. He could only imagine what was going through her mind.

They were going to Nornheim. His friend's former home—if one could call it that—where she had been born, kidnapped, and raised by the land's monarch, Karnilla. It was a only a place of pain for Amora, a place that she had not stepped foot in for almost 500 years.

And now she had to remember, relive, and return.

* * *

I know this one was a long one, but I think it gave a good look at how everyone has changed over time.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to leave them for me!

I feel kind of self-conscious about this work, so let me know how I'm doing!

Thanks!