As soon as you walked inside the kitchen, the large crowd of staff stopped abruptly, staring at you hand in hand with Loki.

"The Princess is hungry!" he announced, causing you to immediately turn a shade of pink.

"Okay Ladies, we can resume this later, all but myself and Anya will stay" the head maid instructs, clapping her hands together to swiftly direct all other staff out of the room.

You watched as the mass dispersed, leaving an almost empty kitchen.

"Princess, prince Loki, is there anything in particular you desire to eat?" Asks Anya, the younger maid.

"What I desire in my mouth, can't be made in a kitchen" Loki brazenly blurts out.

You watched as the maids pale skin transitioned into a deep shade of red, and by the sudden heat you felt on your own cheeks, you knew you looked the same.

"How about we leave this platter of food, this should suffice, and then we can leave you both alone" says the older maid, ushering Anya out of the kitchen with speed.

You observed them both leave, gobsmacked that Loki's little slip made them too embarrassed to stay.

"Well, you certainly know how to clear a room Loki"

"Sorry darling"

"At least they left us food before scurrying out" you laughed. Your chuckle making Loki laugh too.

You picked up the tray of food and moved it to the middle island, transferring a piece of every food to a smaller plate.

Loki watched as you manoeuvred around the kitchen. His mind repaying a fond memory.

"You know, I have a wonderful memory of the last time we were in here together"

"Oh is that so?" you say, not looking up to see his smirk, you're too busy arranging your plate of food.

"Why don't you relay the memory to me" you suggest, succumbing to your hunger and eating a piece of food before you finished piling your plate.

"Did you say relay, or replay? beacuse relay would mean simply telling you, and replay would be
re-enacting the memory"

You didn't even need to look up, you sensed he smirks but your curiosity to see if you were right got the better of you, you peek up.

Low and behold, Loki stared at you with a smug grin.

He leaned against the kitchen table, his arms folded across his chest as he stared at you intently. The curved smirk that rested on his face showed a hint of mischief.

You watched him curiously, picking up another bitesize piece of food and placed it into your mouth, licking your fingertips clean as you do so. Loki's eyes followed your every movement with interest, not once blinking.

"Relay, or replay Kitten?" he repeats

You playfully pondered over which to chose, as though the decision required a lot of thought.

"Hmmm... decisions, decisions..."

Loki's grin widened at your humour.

"I'm terribly hungry, so relay seems to be the better choice. I can continue eating while you talk"

Loki sighed in disappointment but respected your choice. "Well, one late evening..."

"Yet" you interrupt "I'm rather good at acting......I change my mind. I'm choosing replay" you say smiling.

Loki's heart hammered in his chest. His breathing suddenly heavy as nervous excitement brewed inside him.

"That, is the better choice darling" he says, pushing himself off the table and strutting towards you.

You're unaware that he planned to fuck you senseless on the kitchen counter.

You watched him power walk, his strut like a prowl, seductive, and alluring. You were pretty sure your blood pressure spiked as your heart rattled profusely against your ribs. 

Just as he was about to forcefully bend you over the kitchen counter re-enacting your last kitchen sex session, Thor pushed open the doors.

Loki spun around and cursed Thor aloud. "Again Brother! how many times will you disturb us in this kitchen?"

You suddenly had a sense of deja vu, like you've experienced something similar to this scene before.

Thor stared at Loki puzzled, not remembering the previous disturbance because he was blind drunk.

"The only thing missing is the jug of ale!" Loki continued to rant annoyed.

"Do you have ale? because that's exactly why I'm here. We have a guest and we are in need of good ale"

"Oh, I remember where that is!" you exclaim, walking to a tall cupboard and opening it. You stretched your body up high trying to reach the top, but couldn't quite grab the ale.

You suddenly felt hands grip your waist, hoisting you up enabling you to grab a large jug of ale.

When your feet touched the ground, you turn to find Loki smiling at you.

"Did you remember something?" he asks hopeful, placing his hand on your cheek softly.

Suddenly a flicker of images rushed through your mind. The images going by way too fast to decipher most of them. Except one.

A clear picture of Loki, his chest bare, your arms wrapped around his shoulders as his hair cascades downwards.

Loki saw your cheeks flush, they burned red when you realise his hair in the image falls downwards because he was on top of you. You're making love.

You couldn't admit what you saw, not with Thor present, and listening. You concealed the truth.

"Just where the ale resides" you lie

Loki sighed, lowering his head, hiding his low spirits.

"So, the ale?" Thor asks

"Here Thor" you say, holding out your arm for him to take the Jug.

"Actually, the guest has requested to meet you Mina"

Loki shot his head up towards Thor "who?"

"I don't no, father just called me to fetch ale, and if I should see Mina on my travels to ask her to come with me"

You looked at Thor curiously.

"Will you come Princess" Thor smiled

It was a request by Odin, you thought best to comply. Remembering Huggins warning.

Keep on good terms with Odin. He has allies everywhere.

"Yes, sure Thor"

"I'm going with you" Loki says assertive. It was a fact, and not up for discussion.

You nod in agreement.

"Great, let's all make haste!" Thor boomed

Thor held open the kitchen door and bowed, gesturing for you to walk out first.

"My Lady" he says respectfully

You giggled as you passed him.

"My Prince" you reply

Loki glared at Thor "You are not her prince" he sneered in the lowest of whispers, barging past him to catch up to you.

Thor so used to his brothers jealousy dismissed his snide remark, rolling his eyes before running to walk beside you both.

You walked in the middle of the two Gods down the hall.

"Oh wait!" you say stopping

They both looked at you as you ran back into the kitchen, disappearing through the doors.

A short moment later you returned, carrying your plate of food.

Loki smiled while Thor laughed hysterically. Almost dropping the jug of ale.

"You're most defiantly a Goddess. Now you no how it feels to have my godly appetite"

"Yes, now I understand why you have food every time I see you" you mock

You held up the plate, offering him and Loki a piece, Loki took one and consumed it, while Thor grabbed a piece then proceeded to continue taking.

One more, then another, then another, until Loki forcibly moved you from the middle stopping Thor from having easy access to your plate.

The three of you chuckle as you enter the room where Odin, and his guest wait.

"Ah, there she is!" Chimed an exuberant Odin. You still haven't got used to his overly nice tone.

"Princess Mina, I'd like you to meet a friend of Asgard. This is Prince Beren, from the realm Alfheim"

Prince Beren immediately eyed you from top to bottom, a look of surprise on his face.

"Forgive my surprised expression, Princess. But King Odin didn't mention you were breathtakingly beautiful. I find myself forgetting how to breathe around you" his voice was smooth, his statuesque image captivating.

Your eyes were immediately drawn to his long white hair, and his pearlescent skin. He was as pretty as a picture.

There was no doubt he was alluring, but then most high elves are, according to your history book.

"Maybe it's best you don't be around her then" Loki's brazen remark eliciting a glare from Odin.

"Nice to see you again Prince Loki, you too prince Thor. Ah I see you've brought the ale. Asgardian ale is hard to come by, I've heard you keep the secret recipe under lock and key, and then hidden within the belly of a beast" he laughed, deciding not to take notice of Loki's impertinence.

You chuckled finding him amusing.

He observed your eyes drifting to his pointy ears.

"I suppose I'm the first elf you've seen? Midguardians not having access to the realms mean they see no other species. Allow me to quench your curiosity"

He moved towards you, boldly taking your hand and raising it up to his ears. He traced your finger over the outline of his ears until they reached the very tip.

"Oh, they're soft. I thought the point would be hard, like bone" you say surprised.

"That's an honest mistake. We just have tough skin allowing our ears to stay pointed. In actuality our ears have no bones, look, it can bend when forced to"

He proceeded to bend his ear easily, giving you a show.

You smiled, finding elves fascinating.

"Can you please stop, I've just ate and I'd hate to projectile vomit over your pretty dress, Beren"

You spun around and glared at Loki "will you behave" you say through gritted teeth

"It's a traditional Elven robe, not a dress" Beren replied, feeling the need to affirm this to you, the slight look of embarrassment was evident on his face.

"I have to disagree, a robe implies a front opening. You may argue your case however much you want, but let's face facts. Elven men wear dresses" Loki declared

Thor couldn't contain his amusement any longer, finding Loki's snide remarks too comical, he burst out laughing, yet quickly stifled his fit when he saw you glare at him.

Your eyes couldn't help but travel down the full length of his traditional robe. Trying your best to conceal a smile when you found some truth to Loki's assertion.

It was more of a dress.

Odin grabbed the ale from Thor, displeased with his son. Thor pouted, not from angering his father but because Odin took the whole jug of ale leaving him none.

"You two may go if you wish to continue being ill-mannered" Odin barked.

Loki scoffed "If I go, then she comes with me"

"I didn't no Midguardian's were made to be ruled" Prince Beren looked at you questionably

"We are not" you answer, looking sharply at Loki.

You were not happy that Loki commanded you to leave should he do, painting a poor picture of Midgardians to the Elven Prince.

Whilst you were a Goddess now, you are originally and always will be a Midgardian girl. You were yet to feel homely in Asgard, the suffering you endured, taking the dazzle out of the Godly realm.

"Well I'm glad, I heard you're quite fierce. You're not just a rare beauty, but a natural warrior princess. The realms know of the battles you've endured, and each battle you came out victorious. You're a true marvel, Asgard is truly lucky to have you"

You looked to Odin, who stared at you like you were his most prized possession. It unnerved you.

"Have me? I am merely a guest. I am not owned by any realm" you correct

You hide a sly smirk when you see Odin's face scowl.

"Oh, so you've not unified yet?" Beren asked surprised

You looked at him puzzled, and the room went silent.

"I'm assuming the silence means you're not yet in the process of being united with Asgard" says Beren

"United?" you query

"Unification simple means the process of being united or made into a whole, it means giving yourself to a realm. Think of a realm like a giant jigsaw puzzle, every realm expands, it gets bigger. As it grows the puzzle needs extra pieces. You are a piece they want, uniting you with a realm in need of precious pieces makes it whole"

You narrowed your eyes at Odin, before turning back to address Beren.

"Why would I shackle myself to a realm, this unification sounds awfully similar to being bound. Why would I give myself such limitations"

"Many reasons, wealth, status, fame.... Protection"

"Protection?"

"A precious piece like yourself will be highly sought after, every realm will want you for themselves. Some rulers take what they want, rather than ask. And once forcibly bound, the bond cannot be broken by anyone, regardless of magic"

You suddenly felt trepidation, fearing danger around every corner.

"What is with these Godley realms, can no one act civil?"

"That's why it's best to unite, find a realm that treats you fairly, who's ruler has always treated you respectfully. I assume Asgard has been like a second home to you. Welcoming, supportive, loving?" Beren questions

You once again glared at Odin, "oh yes, I've been treated with nothing but kindness, the happy memories Odin has graced my mind brings a tear to my eye. I'm blessed to have spent time in such an honest realm"

Everyone sensed your sarcasm.

"Unification does not have to take place" Loki suddenly speaks up. "There is another way to be protected, be given wealth, status, fame, without being bound to a realm"

"Oh well thank fuck for that!" you blurt out, completely forgetting you're in the company of a royal elf.

"Do all Midguardians use such language?" Beren asked, merely curious

"Only the best kind" Loki answered for you. Smiling at your blushed cheeks

"So, you'd prefer handfasting then?" Beren asks

You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose.

"Is that the only other option?" you query, having no clue what handfasting means but it sounds better than unification.

"Yes, it's the only other option sweetheart" Loki answered, before Beren could.

"And is that a better deal than being unified to Asgard? because if you think about it, united or unified to Asgard is essentially the same as being bound to Odin" you make a disgusted face, the thought of it nauseating.

"Oh, it's a much better deal!" Chirps in Thor

You look at Loki for confirmation "Yes, it's much better" he confirmed, walking towards you taking your hand "and it's my preferred way"

"Well okay then. If that's a better option, then hand-fasting certainly has to be better than the alternative"

"Great, and will you allow every realm to ask for your hand? Because many will want you" Beren queries, smiling. Hopeful you say yes.

You spun around recognising what asking for your hand meant. "Excuse me ...what?"

"No!" Loki snarls

"She is or will be handfasted to my brother" Thor says, supporting the idea of marriage with Loki.

"Can I just confirm if Hand-fasting means marriage? Because I'm getting confused now"

Loki takes your hand, holding it gently while explaining.

"Hand-fasting takes place during the wedding ceremony. This is where the bride and groom's hands are bound together with ribbons while they say their vows. It symbolises the entwining of two lives..... our lives"

"Of course it doesn't have to be a prince of Asgard, their are many Princes who have more to offer you. One with a throne. There is no higher title than Queen" Prince Beren says, eyeing you candidly.

His remark made it perfectly clear he would be one of the many princes to ask for your hand in marriage.

"She cares not for high perches or commanding positions!" Loki snaps stepping towards Prince Beren.

"There he goes ruling you once more, imposing his views, asserting what he think's you want. I hate to imagine how he'd behave once he's secured you in wedlock"

Loki snarled at Beren, both Princes rooted into a stance, their gazes locked on one another.

"Secured me?" you growl annoyed

"Okay, okay, enough of this wonderful conversation" Thor says, gripping Loki by the shoulders, trying hard to pry him from his assertive place in front of Beren.

You watch Thor's face redden as he strained to move Loki. After Loki doesn't budge, not even an inch he gives up, moving to Prince Beren instead, guiding him to the other side of the room to sit.

Loki calmed himself when he saw Beren had moved further away from you. He turned to approach you wanting to explain his view. But at this point you'd had enough of the talk.

"Loki, I'm not in the mood to carry on with this topic, everything is all a bit much"

"But darling.."

"Please Loki. I need some air"

"Good idea, I'll take you to the gardens" he insists

"No, I wish to go alone"

Loki's heart broke, suddenly fearing he'd lost all the progress made with you. Everything now reverted back to the beginning.

"Princess are you leaving?" Beren stood from his chair and called out to you, seeing you walk towards the exit

You turned to look, "It was nice meeting you, but I'm needed elsewhere" you lie, moving towards the door to leave.

"But Princess I'm in need of healing, one only you can fix I've heard"

You looked confused at Prince Beren, you didn't recall seeing him physically hurt. Your curiously walked over to him, and sat down.

"Queen Frigga relayed your unique healing abilities to Odin, and Odin immediately thought of me. I'd be forever in your debt if you could help me get rid of my battle scars"

"Battle scars?"

"On my torso, I have deep scars inflicted by the enemy in war. The battle lasting longer than anticipated, by the time I reached a healer the wounds were to old to heal. They're a bad reminder of many men lost. If you could take them away, I'd be eternally grateful"

You were saddened by Prince Berens words, you knew the pain of torture on your own body. If you were left with scars that reminded you of Grayah and Munnin you'd detest looking at your body too.

"I'm happy to help" you say sincerely, shelving your sour mood

Prince Beren smiled wide, standing up in eagerness.

You awkwardly watched as he removed his robe, pulling it over his head, folding it neatly and placing it down on the chair.

He stood in front of you, his upper body fully exposed.

Loki slowly walked over to you, positioning himself behind the chair you sit on.

"Well, I'm certainly relieved Elven men wear pants under their dress" Loki blurts out, breaking the awkward silence.

You rolled your eyes and stood up, ignoring his remark even if you did find it funny.

Beren's body was muscular, every inch of him lean and toned. You glanced over his body, seeing a few small scars slashed across his chest, and lower stomach. But they were not unsightly as you had imagined by his story.

"I have a few on my back too" he says, seemingly knowing what you're thinking.

Beren turned around showing you his back, flexing his muscles as he did so.

Loki glared, almost disgusted at his flaunting ways.

"Ok, well which one bothers you the most? if it works it shouldn't take too long"

Beren took your hand in his, stepping closer to your body.

He placed your hand on an old scar that resided lower down on his body, right on the V of his hip, the sculpted inguinal crease.

You hear Loki shift his feet, he was getting restless, and fidgety. Finding your hands on Berens body too hard to watch without getting uncomfortable.

You closed your eyes, partly because you want to concentrate but also because Prince Beren refused to avert his gaze to anywhere but your eyes.

"There, all done" you say, opening your eyes smiling

Beren looked at you skeptically, before looking down at his body in shock.

You hear Odin stand and walk towards Berens side, gasping in amazement at your healing abilities.

"Outstanding!" Odin says in surprise

"She truly is" Beren replied, both your eyes meeting as you look up. You smile, averting your eyes.

He stared at you in awe.

Loki glowered at him as though he wanted to throttle him then and there.

You felt the heat come from behind you. Loki becoming charged at seeing Beren ogle you.

"Are you just going to gawk at my Queen all day or do you want to be healed!" Loki snapped

You quickly moved your hand to the next visible scar, continuing your healing.

"She'll never be a Queen with you" Beren replied under his breath

Your anxiety started to bubble as you worked your healing magic on each scar.

"What was that?!" Loki asked angrily

"I said, she'll never be a Queen. Not with you anyway. You're a second born son, you have no claim to a throne. This unique Goddess deserves a crown, not be wasted on you"

Loki's eyes turned red, his fury fully engaged. He barged towards Beren accidentally shoving you away, causing you to fall.

Beren looked at you on the floor not seeing Loki swing his balled fist at him.

You hear a loud crack as Loki's knuckles struck Berens nose with full force.

"Loki!" you yell in shock, seeing the bloody state he left Beren's nose.

Loki looked down at you, saddened to see you on the floor. He immediately kneeled down to you, his face grieved as he realised he was the one who pushed you down.

"I'm sorry, please forgive me Kitten. I didn't mean to shove you" he pleaded, pulling your hand into his.

You pulled away your hand seeing his bloodied knuckles, angry his jealousy yet again caused a big scene. This time more violent.

You stood up and rushed over to Beren, who stood holding his head up, trying to stop the bright red blood from streaming.

"Just be still Beren, I can heal it" you say with haste and concern

You proceeded to move your hand towards his injury, gently touching it so not to cause pain. Within mere seconds the broken nose was fixed, you even cleaned up his blood.

"There, does that feel better?" You ask with remorse

Beren smiled gripping your waist, his boldness taking you by surprise. He seemed to have a desire for punishment, did he not just see Loki get enraged and violent with just words. Touching you would just make it worse.

You quickly retreated back, removing his hands from your body. But he stepped forward "you're deserving of a Queen's title and no less. Don't bind yourself to someone unworthy of you"

You narrowed your eyes "who I bind myself with is none of your concern, stop stoking the fire Beren, because next time I won't stop Loki, nor heal you after his carnage"

Loki smiled smugly, quickly standing up and holding you from behind.

You spun around and faced him "no Loki, I do not condone your actions. First all this talk of unifying with Asgard, hand fasting, and now this violent rage. What happened to calming the storms? I asked for peace"

You broke away from his grip and hurriedly move towards the door before Odin, Loki or Beren could object.

Loki stood and watched you leave, his heart heavy, and his head full of emotions.

He felt Thor's weighty hand on his shoulder, guiding him away from Odin and Beren. Loki sighed when out of ear shot of anyone else "I'm losing her all over again Thor"

"Patience Brother"

Loki turned around angry "patience! really Thor, that's your advice? See what patience has led to, it's brought princes here seeking her hand. And now that one knows she's not bound or handfasted then every eligible King, prince and noble man will come sniffing. It takes just one tug of her heart from one of those mewling quims and she'll be smitten, lost from me forever"

Loki stormed out, the last of his patience hanging by a fine thread.