A/N (Long, sorry)

Damn me and my brain. I'm constantly coming up with new AU ideas even without trying.

Anyways, Aida is one of my all time favorite musicals, one of the first I listened to as a kid. Wikipedia the plot, trust me. But look up the musical one cause there's an opera version. Anyways, I saw the musical back in 2013 (Yes, while Loki was taking over SDCC, I was watching tragic love stories when I was 9 and crying over them).

But then I realized that it could make an EXCELLENT AU idea, and there's a LOTTA switching up in here. I'm talking role reversal, whole new multiverse that might not even count as a multiverse, a whole bunch of craziness.

But here's a basic synopsis of the musical:

"Conflict between Egypt and Nubia gives birth to a star-crossed love affair between Aida, the captured princess of Nubia, and Radames, the Egyptian captain who enslaved her people. With love and responsibility at odds, Aida and Radames must decide to follow their hearts or lead their people."

It's such a beautiful story (the synopsis does NOT do it justice). But of course, by dumbass brain was like:

"Okay, hear me out..."

SO, for the purposes of this AU, here are the main changes/characters:

Egyptians: Asgardians

Nubians: Frost Giants

New basic plot: After the Asgardian/Frost Giant war, the Asgardians straight up enslaved their adversaries to keep them in check and a bunch of shit goes down.

Now, I said it was a role reversal. To make this easier for me, this is what I did:

Olivia is now the Frost Giant Princess captured by Loki, Head of the Royal Asgardian Guard. And yes, now some of the Avengers are gonna need to change species to make this work cause there is only so much I can do with a handful of characters.

Now, main cast:

Aida - Olivia

(Because I, too, would probably go against my people's morals cause I fell in love with Loki)

Radames - Loki

(The best part is that Radames legit doesn't wear a shirt the ENTIRE DAMN MUSICAL, so I mean ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°))

Amneris (Daughter of the Pharaoh and betrothed to Radames) - Amora

(It makes sense after you read the new Loki book, which is FREAKIN AMAZING, btw)

Zoser (Radames's father and just an all around d*ck) - Odin

(Betcha saw that coming. 'Character that's a d*ck? Make it Odin')

Mereb (Nubian captured long ago and personal servant to Radames, who treats him quite well) - Peter Parker

(Cause FRICKIN DREAM FRIENDSHIP)

Nehebka (Nubian slave who basically is the voice of the Nubian people for Aida) - Natasha

(I didn't really have a specific reason, maybe cause the names are so similar)

Pharaoh (King of Egypt who's mysteriously dying) - King IDK any good names

(We're just gonna make him your basic king cause all my royalty options were used up. He has no name in the show anyways, so he's just "The King")

Amonasro (Aida's father, King of Nubia) - Laufey

(Omg shocker!)

Also, there's gonna be a LOTTA angst in this (it's not a secret that legit EVERYONE IN THE MAIN CAST EXCEPT FOR AMNERIS FRICKIN DIES AT THE END), so buckle your damn seatbelts, kids.

***

Modern Day

"And here is your script. You can join the rest of the cast in the meeting room." Tina, one of the assistants on the production, said. She handed the woman, called Kiera Thompson, the thick bundle of paper. On the first page was the title of the movie.

"Thor, directed by Kenneth Branagh."

"Thanks, Tina." Kiera said, smiling in acknowledgement as she flipped absently through the packet. Her lines were already highlighted, the bright yellow catching her eye whenever she flipped by it. She started walking down the hallway to the aforementioned meeting room, now fully reading the first few pages. She personally didn't have any lines in the very beginning, but she figured she ought to at least have some idea of the story.

She found all of it sort of thrilling. She received her callback a few months ago, alongside maybe ten other women. Just two months ago, she recieved a call letting her know she recieved the role.

Well, she specifically didn't recieve a call. Her mother picked up the phone while Kiera was still asleep.

On top of it all, she was playing a role that wasn't in the original Marvel comics. She had a completely blank idea of what her character was supposed to be like. Well, besides the paragraph long blurb of backstory she was emailed after she got the role. She wasn't 100% sure why the character was added, but Kiera wasn't going to pry. It gave her a job, so the reason didn't really matter.

Kiera had studied Norse Mythology years back, so the one thing that baffeled her was the fact that her character's name wasn't Sigyn. Though, again, there was probably a reason.

Opening the door to the meeting room, Kiera still had her eyes glued to the script, finding herself strangely invested in the story. She heard a handful of people talking amongst themselves, but she kept reading, still feeling a little socially awkward.

"You must be Kiera." Someone said in front of her. Finally tearing her eyes away from the paper, she saw someone standing in front of her. "Chris." The man said, extending a hand to her.

"Well, you obviously know my name. I take it you play Thor?" Kiera asked, shaking Chris's hand.

"You'd be right. We'll be starting in about fifteen minutes, so you can take a seat over there." Chris told her, pointing to one of the seats in the circle. Kiera nodded in thanks, before going back to reading her script. She sat down cross legged in the chair, mouthing the lines she saw were highlighted for her.

"If you're nervous, it'll be fine. This isn't like a final audition or anything like that." A new voice, this time belonging to a woman, said to the left of Kiera. She turned to face the woman.

"What makes you think I'm nervous?" Kiera asked a little timidly.

"Most people usually aren't swimming in their script right before the table read." The woman said.

"Oh. I was just interested in the story. It's pretty compelling, I think." Kiera said. "So I've heard rumors that during these reads, you're sat next to people you will be close with during the movie. Is that true?"

"If that's true, I wouldn't be surprised." The woman said.

"So... My guess is you're playing Frigga, right? Which means you're Rene?" Kiera asked.

"You would be correct. Which means you're Kiera. Playing Olivia Iridottir, right?" Rene asked.

"That's right. Still not sure why she was added to the movie, but I'm not really complaining." Kiera said.

"And here is our Loki!" Someone said from across the room. Kiera perked up, looking over at where the doorway was. She saw a man standing there shaking hands with a few people. One of them pointed in Kiera's direction, the man's gaze following.

They made eye contact, holding it for longer than probably was normal.

Kiera had never seen this man in her life, but for some reason, he looked awfully familiar...

***

~Many Years Ago~

It is a time of unrest in the Nine Realms. The realms of Asgard and Jotunheim have been at war for several years. Only now has there been a slight subsiding to the conflict as the people of Jotunheim have been slowly brought to Asgard as slaves. The people of Asgard believed this was the only way to prevent future conflicts. Every so often, excursions leave from Asgard with the intent of taking more territory and slaves. And with each journey, Asgard grows closer to it's goal.

During one particular day, before dawn had risen, one of these excursions return to Asgard. This particular regiment was headed by the Captain of the Asgardian Guard, Loki, son of Odin. They return with more territory gained and a fresh set of slaves, a group of women.

Though, Loki had no idea how special one of these women really was...

***

"And what do we have here?" Loki asked one soldier, who was pushing a group of Frost Giants, all appearing to be female, forward. Their ship was still sailing down the river lazily back to the palace docks.

"We found them on the riverbank, Captain." The soldier replied. Loki looked at each woman carefully, before landing on one of them in particular. She only came up to maybe his nose, her reddish brown hair matted and messy. Probably from the pushing and shoving. The bloodred eyes that all her kind had stared back at him, defiance shining in them.

"Your realm is at war and you go wandering near a Bifrost connection point? You must have a burning desire to see Asgard." Loki said directly to the woman. He turned back to the soldier. "Put her in chains."

"Yes, Captain." The soldier said, taking some handcuffs from his belt. Slowly approaching the woman, she glared at the guard. Moving with a blinding speed, she dodged him and ripped his sword from his belt. "My sword!"

Two more soldiers went to intercept the woman, but she fended one off, nearly killing him. She left him alive, though. The other one, she had one hand gripped to the back of his armor, as she held the sword to his throat.

"Release them." She snarled. Loki pursed his lips, attempting to hide the fact that he was impressed with her swordwork. Slowly crossing over to her, he held out an open palm.

"Hand it over. Now." He said, gesturing for the sword.

"You took us from Jotunheim... And now you say we belong to you, yes?" The woman asked, standing her ground.

"Yes."

"Well, I took this soldier from your ranks. By your logic, he belongs to me now. So, release them. Now." The woman said snarkily. Loki looked at her carefully, studying the marks on her blue skin, the green armor she had over a dress of brown fur. She wore no shoes, he noted. Smiling lightly, he gestured for his men to grab the other women, holding them at swordpoint. There was silence at the stalemate.

One second.

Two.

Three.

Not moving her gaze from Loki, the woman dropped the sword, raising her hands halfway up in surrender, almost bored. The solder grabbed the sword before she could change her mind.

"She should be thrown in the river!" The soldier said.

"No, I have a better plan for her." Loki said, taking the woman by the chain between her shackles down below the deck of the ship. Turning to face the woman, Loki raised one hand. Instinctively, the woman raised her hands to shield her face, believing he was about to strike her.

"Don't." She said sharply.

"You don't want me to remove your shackles?" Loki asked her.

"Oh. Yes." The woman said, lowering her hands. Loki took them and, as he said he would, removed her bindings.

"They'll only get in the way. That was impressive up there. I should enlist you in my army. Make you my Lieutenant."

"Are you mocking me, Captain?" The woman asked, crossing her arms.

"No. Admiring you." Loki said, before removing his coat. "Do you know what will happen now? You are going to remove the filth of battle from my skin. It's been a long while since I've felt clean." Plopping down on a stool, Loki waited for the woman to take the sponge and clean his back. The woman began to scrub furiously, attempting to make it as unpleasant an experience as possible.

"You're much better with a sword than you are with a sponge." Loki commented.

"I wish I had a sword right now." The woman grunted.

"There's mine, help yourself." Loki said, gesturing. The woman paused, before signing and continuing scrubbing. "Who taught you to use a weapon?"

"My father." The woman said curtly.

"Because he knows Frost Giants can't protect their women?" Loki said snarkily. He heard the woman throw the sponge back in the bucket. "You're not finished yet."

"Yes I am." The woman snapped. Taken aback, Loki hardened his gaze.

"On your knees." He snapped. The woman simply crossed her arms again and glared up at him. "You enjoy living dangerously, don't you?"

"About as much as I enjoy washing your filthy Asgardian skin." The woman said, before grabbing the sponge out of the bucket and lightly flinging it directly at Loki's face.

"You..." He started.

"No, you know nothing about me! And you care even less. You don't understand our emptiness. You took everything from us, our wealth and wisdom. You long for our spirits, you crave to see them crushed. But let me tell you something. That will never happen. My entire life as I knew it is gone, and it's all because of you and your people. I know you look at us and see us as savage monsters. I didn't ask to look like this, blue and freezing cold. So what makes you think just because of what I am you can push me around? Or the rest of my people?" The woman said impassionedly. Loki said nothing, just studied her again. His gaze softened.

"We had legends. Stories. I expected you to be taller. Eyes completely blood red." Loki said.

"So now you're mocking my stature? Yes, I'm on the shorter side, but you 'stories' see us as over eleven feet tall, eyes completely crimson, and can't touch a single thing without freezing it. Even the slightest touch could give someone permanent frostbite. Let me clear these up. Our tallest males are only seven feet tall, only are irises are red, and we only freeze something if desired. Touching another person only hurts if we mean harm. I'd demonstrate, but I probably would freeze you." The woman said.

"What's your name?" Loki finally asked.

"Olivia." She replied.

"Captain! We're ready to dock." A soldier said from above deck. Sighing, Loki recovered his jacket and picked up the shackles.

"What? No, please leave them off!" Olivia pleaded. Loki ignored her pleas, clapping the shackles on.

"You're a slave now. You had better remember that if you want to survive." Loki snapped at her before leading her up to the deck. Dawn was just beginning to peek over the horizon as the women were lead off the boat and into the marketplace in front of the palace. A few people were making early morning purchases. One person caught Loki's eye.

"Peter!" He called. The young man, Peter, perked up and ran over to Loki. Peter himself was also a Frost Giant, also on the shorter side. He was however allowed to walk freely unlike most of his people.

"Sir! I'm so glad you've returned home!" Peter exclaimed excitedly. The entire group made their way into the palace courtyards.

"Have you kept my house in order?" Loki asked.

"Yes! Well... Except for a few casks of wine that have gone missing." Peter said.

"Again?"

Then, a small group of men emerged from around the corner.

"Here you are, my son! Home at last!" The man at the front, Chief Minister Odin, exclaimed.

"It's good to see you, Father." Loki said.

"You were gone so long, Loki, I was beginning to worry. You were not injured in battle?"

"No."

"I keep telling the princess that no man can best you with a sword."

"No man got the better of me. Though a certain woman might have..." Loki said, trailing off.

"Really?" Odin asked, amused.

"The journey allowed us to make more maps. Even an illiterate solider could make their way to the heart of Jotunheim." Loki said changing the subject.

"And you brought home captives! We'll send them to the mines. We simply can't keep them alive down there." Odin said, finally taking note of the captive women. He gestured for the soldiers to take them away.

"Stop." Loki said, before picking Olivia out from the bunch. "Not this one. I'm going to need a gift for the princess."

"Yes, she'll be expecting something." Odin agreed.

"Send the rest to work on the grounds to help with the harvest." Loki told one of the soldiers. He turned to his father. "They wouldn't last a day underground."

"As you wish, they're your slaves." Odin scoffed. Loki led Olivia inside the palace with Peter trailing behind.

"Thank you." Olivia said.

"Give me your hands, Olivia." Loki said.

"Your name is Olivia?" Peter asked.

"Peter." Loki snapped. "I'm going to remove these, but if you dare try to escape, I'll find you myself."

"You flatter me, Captain. You don't look like a man who would chase after any woman." Olivia said snarkily as her wrists were unbound. Loki ignored her and passed her to Peter.

"I'll make an exception for you. Peter, take her to Princess Amora with my compliments." Loki said, before going off to find his father.

"At least the Captain saw that you were special." Peter said.

"What that man sees and understands could be etched on a grain of sand." Olivia muttered.

"That may be, but Loki saved you and the other women from the copper mines." Peter pointed out.

"That was surprising. And decent of him."

"When I was young, Loki saved me from being beaten to death by the palace guards. He promised to look after me from then on. He kept that promise." Peter sighed. "Look, I know what you're thinking... That I've become like one of them. But I'll always be one of us."

"Of course." Olivia said.

"And I know who you are. You witnessed my abduction all those years ago. My father was the adviser to the king before that. And you are his daughter-" Peter continued, before Olivia slapped a hand over his mouth.

"You know too much. I'm just a slave, like you now. My only hope is silence. Please, Peter. You have never seen my face, alright?" She hissed.

"No, you remain a princess in any time or place." Peter tried.

"You don't know me!" Olivia snapped.

"Princess..."

"Peter, you must treat me like any other slave. If the Asgardians knew I was the daughter of the Frost Giant's king..." Olivia said, almost frantic. She had to get it through Peter's head, otherwise she'd be dead in the morning.

"They would kill you. But our people will keep your secret." Peter protested.

"No, you must not tell anyone who I am. From now on, I am nothing but a gift from the Captain to his Princess."

"Just so you know, Amora is more than that to Loki. She's his betrothed." Peter said.

"He's to be married? When?" Olivia asked, a little shocked.

"The day his ship sinks and the Royal builders refuse to make him another. Come; let's get you to the princess." Peter said.

***

Inside a grand room sat a beautiful woman with long blonde hair. She had handmaidens all around her, ready to serve if beckoned. Peter slowly entered with Olivia in tow, bowing low.

"Princess Amora, first in beauty, wisdom, and accessories. Loki has not forgotten you. He knows you will be at the feast tonight in all your extravagant finery. And he can hardly wait. But for now, he sends you this gift." Peter said, gesturing Olivia forward.

"Another handmaiden? I don't need another handmaiden." Amora sighed, examining her nails. "Does this gift have a name?"

"Olivia." Olivia spoke up. The women and Amora looked at her with shock.

"Did you just speak?" Amora asked.

"My name is Olivia, Princess, and I thought you might wish to know."

"How dare you! You do not lower your eyes! You do not tremble! Are you not afraid of me?"

"Would it please you if I were?"

"Not as much."

"Then I am doing as you please." Olivia said, smiling very slightly.

"Well, that's true... You were saying something about-" Amora continued.

"Loki?"

"What do you know of the Captain?"

"Only that he is well. He suffered no injuries in battle. I thought you might want to know that."

"I did! I've been so.... You're very astute, aren't you, Olivia?" Amora asked, trailing off in her previous sentence.

"Only on occasion. My true talent lies with a needle. And if you would allow me, Princess, I will make you a robe the color of your eyes. There's a dyeing process I use which makes fabric glow. It's a process used that was passed down by the handmaidens of Queen Frigga." Olivia said.

"A slave who knows her fabrics? Oh, I'm keeping her. Loki really knows me. Peter, show Olivia to the sewing room, please." Amora said excitedly.

***

Later that Night, Banquet Hall

"Peter, was the Princess pleased with my gift?" Loki asked.

"Yes! Olivia managed to make herself indispensable in record time." Peter reported.

"I'm not surprised." Loki said with a smile. "Did she tell you anything about herself? I've never met a woman like her before. And I can't help but wonder..."

"No! Nothing! She said nothing!" Peter said, a little too quickly. Loki took no notice of it, however.

The banquet hall began to fill up. Advisers, servants, as well as Amora and her father. Olivia stood by, quietly serving wine to the guests. As she walked over to refill the pitcher, a servant approached her.

"Princess, word of your arrival has spread throughout our camps." She said quietly before moving on. A dancer approached Olivia next.

"Your people cannot wait to see you." The dancer whispered. Once she left, Olivia turned sharply to Peter.

"Peter!" She scolded.

"Okay, so I told one person. Princess, your people need to know." Peter protested.

The King stood up after that, facing his court.

"As you all know, Loki has been betrothed to my daughter for many years now. Long enough, I say." He started, before letting out a short groan of pain. He paused before continuing. "I want to see her and this nation happily settled before I leave this world. Therefore, in seven days, Loki, son of Odin, will wed Princess Amora. The son of Freya has spoken."

There were short cheers that emerged from the crowd as Olivia could see Loki looking dumbstruck and Amora absolutely delighted.

The King suddenly started having a coughing fit, very slightly coughing up blood. He was rushed away as the members of the court congratulated the bride and groom.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Olivia whispered.

The members of the court started to file out of the room, followed by the servants. That just left Loki and Olivia alone in the room. He looked up and noticed she had stayed. Nervous, she went to leave.

"No, stay." Loki said.

"Yes, Captain." Olivia replied, walking over to him.

"Where are you from?" Loki asked her.

"Frays Vannet. It's a village near the Second Cataract."

"... Near the Second Cataract." Loki finished with her. "The world's an entirely different color there."

"No, it's an entirely different color here." Olivia said back.

"Fair enough."

"My father and I used to sail the river near our village. He would let me choose the course. I'd sometimes run us aground on purpose... Whenever I wanted to see something on the shore." Olivia said wistfully.

"Did you ever sail North?"

"No. My father felt that the First Cataract was too close to the Bifrost connection point."

"But there are no Asgardians there usually. Just small snowy plains and icy structures. It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen."

"Of course it is. It's Jotunheim. I would like to see that part of my realm again."

"I will take you sailing. South. You can be my guide."

"Would you let me steer?"

"Would you run us aground?" Loki asked with amusement.

"Oh yes. Wherever there are no people. I'd kick off my boots and run. There'd be no one around to tell me to behave like a... To behave." Olivia said, catching herself before she slipped.

"There'd be no ties of time and space to bind me."

"And no horizon I could not pursue."

"I'd leave the world's misfortunes far behind me."

"I'd put my faith and trust... In something new..."

But why should I tell you this? A stranger I've just met? Olivia thought to herself.

A woman who I hardly know at all and should forget. Loki seemed to reply in his mind.

"A journey we could only dream of." Olivia said.

"And how is it I say these things so easily to you?" Loki replied. He shook his head. "This is meaningless. I'll never take you sailing. I'm never going to leave Asgard again. Instead, I'll sit on a throne and send other men off to their expeditions."

"You talk as though you've been enslaved." Olivia snarked.

"Not with chains, maybe. With a marriage promise." Loki said. Olivia took her shawl and started wiping her eyes. "What's that for?"

"To dry my weeping eyes. Forced to marry a princess? Oh, what hardships. I know you want to go to land that other people have been living in for years and say you 'discovered them.' But instead, you're being thrust upon the throne. Oh, what a tragedy." Olivia said with heavy sarcasm.

"You've gone too far!"

"No, you've gone too far! If you don't like your fate, change it! You are your own master, there are no shackles on you. So don't expect any pity or understanding from this humble palace slave." Olivia said, before stalking out despite Loki's protests.

***

Amora's Dressing Room

Olivia quietly entered Amora's room, finding her almost attacking her hair with a brush.

"Here, let me." Olivia said, taking the brush and calmly gliding it through Amora's hair. "How's your father?"

"I don't understand it. This illness of his came on so suddenly. Weeks ago, he was healthy. The court healers have no idea what it is." Amora said sadly. "Well, it was a magnificent feast, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Princess."

"Oh, there is so much to do to get ready for the wedding. From the bronzed entry statue of me, to the centerpieces of lillies and roses shaped to look like... Me."

"It must be difficult."

"Planning a wedding?"

"No. Being a princess."

"Oh, you have no idea. The responsibilities.... Overwhelming."

"Your people must expect so much."

"They want a perfect goddess... And I'm just..."

"Normal." Olivia finished.

***

Slave Camp

"Olivia, you're here. Can you come with me?" Peter asked.

"Where?" Olivia asked.

"Our camp." Peter replied. "Look, everybody knows I'm the one who can get things. And our people... They've asked for me to get them you."

"Why? So they can see a reckless fool dressed as a servant?" Olivia asked. Peter opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "That's what I am, Peter. My father told me to not leave the boundaries of our village. But I didn't listen. I took Natasha and the other women up the river. I had to see the waterfall. And that's where the Asgardians captured us. I deserve this. And our people deserve a leader who thinks of them, not for her own selfish desires."

"Olivia, our people want their princess." Peter said, leading her to a clearing lit by a fire. Not for warmth, of course. The Frost Giants had no need of it. It was for the light.

As soon as Olivia walked into view, the people started whispering among themselves. She spotted Natasha in the group and ran to her.

"Natasha, I'm so sorry about this. I was stupid, I-" she started. Natasha brushed her bright red hair behind her blue ears.

"Princess, it's alright. I'm not saying this is ideal, but now we have a sense of direction. We needed a leader. And now you're here." Natasha said. One of the women passed her a dress haphazardly sewn together out of scraps. Natasha passed it off to Olivia. "We need our princess."

Olivia looked at the faces of her people. They looked back at her hopefully. She looked back at Natasha, who nodded at her. Olivia took a breath.

"I'll do it." She said.

***

The River's Edge

Olivia's task today was to join the washerwomen and clean some of Amora's things in the river. There was an almost satisfying rhythm in the work. It almost made Olivia forget her situation.

As she wrung out a pair of trousers, she heard someone dismiss the soldiers watching them work. To keep them in line.

"You were watching me again. All week, your eyes have been on me." Loki said to her.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Olivia said, brushing the comment off.

"Do you think you're going to claim your freedom just because you've caught my attention? You are beautiful, but I'm not easily led."

"If I've been looking in your direction, it was to see if your goblet needed filling." Olivia said, glancing back at him.

"I have no goblet now. And yet, you're looking." Loki commented. There was a beat of silence.

"Excuse me, Captain, I have linen to wash." Olivia said, standing up to follow the other women away.

"I did not excuse you. Stop there." Loki ordered her. Olivia stopped in her tracks, rolling her eyes.

"You wanted something from me?" She asked sarcastically.

"Oh yes." Loki replied. Olivia took a step back at his tone. It suggested something she wasn't exactly expecting. "I want to make your life here easier, Olivia. Tell me how. What can I do for you?"

"Help my people." She replied, trying to fight off the blush rising in her cheeks.

"I want to help you."

"I am my people. And I cannot continue to live in the comfort of the palace while my people are suffering and dying. You want my 'affection,' Captain?"

"I could have your 'affection' right here if I commanded it. I want to know if you feel anything for me-- aside from contempt."

"I... I don't know." Olivia replied, averting her gaze. Loki smiled warmly at her, taking her hand in his.

"Then let's find out." He said. Before Olivia could do anything, his lips were on hers. She shut her eyes, finding she wasn't as revolted as she thought she'd be. She started kissing back, tentatively.

"Olivia, I was just-" she heard Peter say behind her, before he cut himself off at the sight of the two of them. "Olivia, Amora requests your presence."

"What?" Loki asked as he pulled away from Olivia.

"The Princess. Your betrothed." Peter said, as if explaining it to a child.

"Of course." Olivia said, taking the washing and darting away, her face bright red.

"I'm so confused." Loki said, gazing at her as she walked off.

"Oh no..." Peter said quietly.

"Peter, come with me." Loki said. Peter scurried to his side as they approached the nearby marketplace. "I've never questioned what I was told before. What's going on?"

"I can't believe he's changing..." Peter whispered to himself. Peter knew something was going on, and it terrified him.

***

Another Part of the Marketplace

"This will look lovely on you." Olivia said, holding up a bolt of fabric and showing it to Amora. "I'll say this for you Asgardians. Your thread count is amazing."

"Why hasn't Loki come to see me again? We're to be married in three days, and yet... Olivia, I must make things right with him." Amora told her. Olivia shut her eyes at her words.

I shall not envy lovers. Or long for what they share. This isn't right. She thought. She was shaken from her thoughts when she saw Natasha run by with fruits and fabrics in her arms.

"Natasha, where did you get that?" Olivia asked, praying she didn't steal it.

"The Asgardian Captain! He's giving away everything he owns and he's giving it to us!" Natasha said excitedly before running off again.

"Look! He's preparing to move into the palace! Olivia, apologize for me. I haven't exactly been the best to him lately and I want to be on good terms when we wed." Amora said.

"Oh, no, I can't!" Olivia protested.

"You can. You always know the right thing to say. I never do."

"Princess, please don't make me..."

"I would never make you. But I am asking you as my friend." Amora said, before Olivia sighed and nodded, not meeting Amora's gaze.

***

Later

"Thank you." Olivia said once she found Loki later that night.

"It was nothing. Actually, it was everything, but it doesn't matter." Loki replied.

"Captain, I'm here to tell you that the Princess is sorry about not being the best to you lately. And she wanted you to know that...." Olivia started, but trailed off upon seeing Loki's gaze.

"Olivia." He said calmly.

"You are betrothed to my mistress!" Olivia protested.

"It was arranged by my father and it will be unarranged by me."

"You could raid another country by tomorrow and rebuild your fortune. Loki, you're an Asgardian and I'm a Frost Giant. Nothing will ever change that fact. I don't know why you even bothered to do this."

"Don't you?"

"We lead such elaborate lives and I don't know who's words are true. Strangers, lovers, husbands, wives. I don't know who's loving who. Too many choices tear us apart. I don't want to live like that."

"Too many choices tear us apart." Loki repeated. "I don't want to love like that... I just want to touch your heart..." He took her hands in his and pulled her closer. Olivia looked into his green eyes and all at once her doubts flushed away.

"May this confession be the start." She said, before he leaned down and kissed her softly.

"Are you cold?" Loki asked. Olivia laughed shortly.

"No, of course not. But you could have at least kept a blanket or two." She said, smiling.

"I couldn't. We enter this world naked, without possessions. I want to be a new man for you, Olivia. Reborn. Cleaned of my past sins." Loki said to her. She smiled and curled up closer to him. She perked up at the sounds of drumbeats.

"What is it?" She asked.

"My armies have returned. The King will be expecting me at the victory celebration. Go back to the palace. You'll be safe there." Loki told her, letting her go and turning to leave. He paused, before running back to her. "Wait. Take my amulet. If anyone bothers you, show them this, and they'll let you pass."

Olivia took it and traced her fingers over the interlocking snake pattern. Loki pressed a kiss on her lips before turning away.

"I love you." Olivia whispered. Loki turned around.

"I heard that." He said. Olivia covered her mouth with her hand, realizing what she said.

"I don't know what you mean." She said.

"Say it again. I command you." Loki said. She snickered and shook her head. He rushed back over to her and tried to peel her hand off her face. They both started laughing, Olivia refusing to give in.

"Captain!" A soldier said. Loki shoved Olivia behind him, shielding her.

"I heard the drums." He said.

"But we've captured the Frost Giant King!" The soldier said.

What? No no no! Olivia thought, but bit her lip to keep from squeaking.

"The King? You've taken him alive?" Loki asked.

"Yes, Captain." The soldier said.

"Find out which men are responsible for this. I'll see to it that they recieve the highest honors. Tell the others I'm on my way." Loki said.

"Yes, Captain." The soldier said, before he started walking away. Loki turned back to Olivia, now a short distance away. She couldn't hide the horror on her face.

"Olivia, our countries are at war. I can't change that." Loki said.

"But he's my-" Olivia started, before saving herself. "He's my king."

There was a short silence between them.

"Just go to your soldiers." She said, turning, and running along to the camp.

***

The Camp

"Princess, say it's not true!" Natasha exclaimed.

"I saw our king dragged through the streets with my own eyes." One man said.

"I've heard they've already executed him." Another replied.

"And they're carrying his head around on a spike!" A distraught woman cried.

"No, no!" Olivia cried. Peter approached the camp, out of breath.

"King Laufey still lives. I saw him taken to the prisons." He reported.

"But it's only a matter of time before the Asgardians slaughter him." Natasha said.

"I always imagined your father would march upon Asgard in triumph. But now we have no hope. When the King dies, so does Jotunheim." One man said to Olivia. She shook her head.

"No! Jotunheim will never die! Whether we are enslaved or whether we are far from our native lands, it lives in our hearts. And therefore... It lives. We just have to keep going. No matter what." Olivia said, standing in the middle of her people.

A pillar of hope.

***

A/N

And that's act 1. I cut a few scenes out for a few reasons (mostly laziness) but they weren't *100%* important.

Ah well. That took forever to write.

Shit, I still have to do act two... GODDAMNIT.

Just a note, once you finish both parts, please listen to the musical. It's way too underappreciated. If more people know about it, maybe it will come around more often. As I said, it last came here about 7 years ago. Most musicals come around every 3 or 4. Spread the word, try to get your local community theatre to do it!

Also, sidenote, the song I added is my favorite one from Act 1. The song the duology is named for is in Act 2 and will be the media for Part 2

(And yes, original Radames was Adam Pascal from "RENT")