IT WAS THE NIGHT OF THE BALL. Astrid stood before her ornate vanity mirror in her old bedroom in her parents' palace in Alfheim, the soft glow of candlelight casting an ethereal aura upon her reflection. Her gown, carefully chosen by her workers and Zithara for the grand event, draped her slim frame in a tapestry of elegance and regality.  The pale blue bodice, adorned with intricate golden embroidery, hugged her form gracefully. The same hue of the bodice travelled down to her arm, creating delicate bell-shaped, sheer sleeves that cascaded down, nearly meeting the ground. The gown continued downwards, gold embroidered beads lacing down the expanse of the fabric. The light that cast upon her figure, accented the golden threads that ran from the entire gown. The neckline, a modest yet enchanting scoop, revealed a glimpse of her collarbones. Completing her ensemble were jewels fit for a queen. Her necklace, delicately crafted from white gold, adorned her slender neck, its centrepiece the luminous white gem that she always wore. In her ears hung earrings that resembled the same gem from a distance, but to Astrid, she knew they were not.

Her golden hair was pulled up in an updo, with loose tendrils framing her face. A touch of silver shimmer dusted her eyelids, an orange tint blush lightly coated her cheeks, and a sheer gloss painted over her lips. Her eyes, the colour of the sea, were framed by painted mascara, as they sparkled under the candlelight.

As Astrid took one final look at her reflection, she saw Zithara behind her, flattening out her own gown. Of course, Freyja invited Zithara, even though she was a handmaiden, she was still dear to Astrid and that made her dear to Freyja. The woman wore a dark blue dress, one that complimented Astrid's own. Instead of golden accents, Zithara's was decorated with silver beads and threads. Her brown locs were half tied up behind her head, showing off her giant makeup. "You look gorgeous, Astrid," Zithara smiled as she approached her queen, gently picking off any stray threads or lint from Astrid's dress.

"As do you, Thara," Astrid smiled tenderly.

"Are you ready yet?" A voice called out from behind the closed door. Ashjørn.

Astrid rolled her eyes, walking to the door and opening it. Her brother was wearing a slightly fancier version of what he usually wears, clearly not clearing too much of his image. "Wow, Frey is going to eat you up, you know?"

Ashjørn gasped, looking down at his outfit. "I look fabulous, thank you," he retorted. "Freyja will just have to deal with it, won't she?" Astrid rolled her eyes, laughing, linking her arm with Zithara's. "Let's get going then."

The three of them travelled to the throne room where they found the rest of Astrid's family, including Olav and Evander's wives, Linnea and Maja, respectfully. Astrid hugged her sisters-in-law, having not seen them in a while.

"Ready?" Christa announced, looking at all her children. "Ashjørn, you're really wearing that?"

The second oldest son groaned. "Yes, I look good. What is it with you two?!" He pointed to Astrid and Christa.

Christa pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "Fine, come on," she ushered her children in formation. "Ash, you'll be with Asta, Cedrick you with Zithara, please," Christa and Ymir at the front. Olav and Linnea after. Then Evander and Maja. After them, it was Ashjørn and Astrid who mocking linked arms with each other, poking fun at the three couples in front of them. Then at the rear, stood Cedrick and Zithara, hesitantly linking arms too.

The guards stationed in the throne room, opened the Bifrost for the royal family to walk through, arriving at the top of Njörd's throne room, stairs leading down to the party. One of Njörd's guards announced their arrival as they descended the stairs.

Astrid and her family saw Freyja rushing towards them, her parents following after her. "Eli!" Freyja screeched, lunging herself at the blonde goddess in a hug. It did not last long as she caught a glance at the man beside her. "What on earth are you wearing? Did you not get the memo? Did he not get the memo?!" She directed her question to Astrid, referring to Ashjørn's more casual approach to her dress code. "You're meant to be classy! Everyone else is, you look stupid!"

Ashjørn was mockingly offended. "Excuse me-"

"Happy birthday, Frey," Astrid smiled, interrupting her brother, and shooing him away; saving him from Freyja's continued wrath.

"Thank you," Frey sighed. "Did he seriously not get the memo?" She whispered.

Astrid giggled. "You know how he is. Stupid," she whispered the last part with a giggle, causing one to spill from Freyja's lips too.

Freyja greeted the rest of the family. Her parents pulled Astrid's parents away, deep in conversation. The two young couples moved to the dance floor to join in on the dancing. Astrid nudged her brother, Cedrick, tilting her head down to Zithara as she looked away. A signal for him to ask the woman to dance. Cedrick gave Astrid a wide-eyed expression as if telling his sister she was insane. Astrid sighed. "Cedrick! You and Zithara should dance! You know, it's not often she gets to go out to events like these so it would be nice to give her a good time, would it not?"

Freyja nodded eagerly. "As the birthday girl, I order it," she spoke, matter-of-fairly.

Cedrick closed his eyes briefly. "Zithara, would you like to dance?"

Zithara looks to Astrid who only nodded eagerly. "I'd love to."

The two best friends were finally alone. "So, Miss Eli, where is your lover boy?" She teasing asked.

"We came separately," Astrid rolled her eyes, as the two walked over to the drinks table. Astrid picked up a glass of wine, taking a generous sip.

"Ah! So you don't dismiss he is your lover boy!" Freyja yelled excitedly. Astrid hushed her.

"Who else would you be referring to? The last time we met, you would not cease teasing me about him," Astrid countered.

Freyja hummed happily behind her glass, looking over Astrid's shoulder, up the stairs. "Loki of Asgard!" An announcer declared from the top of the stairs. The goddess turned around to see Loki, dressed in his green and black armour, decorated with gold accents. His head was adorned with his gleaming horned headpiece.

"I can sense your heart beating... loudly," Freyja whispered into Astrid's ear from behind.

"Shut up," Astrid groaned, turning back to Freyja. "Leave it alone."

Freyja smiled teasingly, gently raising her head, her eyes travelling above Astrid's head. A greeting smile graced her face. "Loki! It's lovely to have you here!" She exclaimed, quickly looking down at Astrid with a playful squint. "I trust you are already familiar with Eli here, she only talks of you recently." Astrid's face burned red as Freyja turned her around.

"Frey, don't start," the blonde queen whispered.

"I'll let you two catch up! I have to mingle around anyways! See you soon!" She kissed Astrid's cheek, ignoring her friend's words as she sent her a wink, gliding away after.

"Eli?" Loki smirked down at her, his tone questioning.

Astrid looked up at him, her face still red. "She insists on being different to everyone else, so you call me Eli. My middle name," she explains.

"It suits you," he complimented. "You look beautiful tonight, Astrid."

Impossibly so, her face grew more red. "Thank you, you look handsome tonight, as well."

Loki was about to say something else, however, a hand clasped on Astrid's shoulder, caught both of their attention. Astrid turned to see Ashjørn. "What do you want?" She rolled her eyes.

"Who's this?" He asked, looking at Loki.

Astrid turned back to Loki, seeing his defences up. "Loki of Asgard," he introduced himself, holding his hand out for Ashjörn to shake.

The second oldest Ymirson looked at it. Astrid smacked his stomach causing him to groan. He extended his hand out too and shook the prince's hand. "Ashjørn of Alfheim," her brother introduced. "Asta, can you help me find a new outfit, Frey won't leave me alone about this," he gestured down to his outfit.

"No! I told you to find something else, you deal with it," she complained.

"Ughh! I'll go ask Ced."

Astrid grabbed his arm. "No, don't! He's dancing with Thara, go ask Evander and Maja, please," Ashjørn nodded, going through the crowd to find the couple. Astrid turned back to Loki to see his face etched with slight annoyance. "What's wrong, Loki?"

"Who was that?" He asked, his brow still furrowed slightly.

"It was Ashjørn," she smiled. "He's stupid, but I love him."

"Love him?" Loki asked, voice tight with wariness.

Astrid nodded. "Of course, why wouldn't I? He's my brother, after all. Do you not love Thor?"

Loki sighed out of relief. "Oh. Oh, yes, of course, he's my brother," Wanting to change the subject quickly, Loki asked his next question carefully. "Would you like to dance, possibly?"

"I'd love to!" Astrid gleamed, linking her arm with Loki's as he led them towards the dance floor. She did not miss the beaming smile and two thumbs up from Freyja from the sideline, before grabbing her own dance partner.

The music swelled, and Astrid found herself swept into a rhythm with her dance partner. Her right hand clasped with Loki's, her left placed tenderly on his shoulder as he was placed on her waist, keeping her close to his chest. The pair danced gracefully across the dance floor. Their steps were fluid, besides a few missteps on Loki's part. Genuine smiles graced their faces as they basked in the tender moment.

"I didn't know you could dance," Astrid pointed out. "You are rather good!"

"Thank you, Frigga gave me and Thor lessons as children," Loki commented. "It's no surprise you're a talented dancer," he complimented, remembering when she revealed she enjoyed dancing.

"You flatter me," she gushed, continuing their dance.

Loki grinned. "I speak only the truth. It's an honour to share a dance with such a magnificent partner."

Astrid's face blushed, tucking her head down bashfully. The two continued their dance, following it up with another. And another. And many more after, unable to stop as they talked and talked throughout the night. They partook in traditional group dances, always ending up paired together. Conversations and hushed whispers were shared between them, immersed in their own world of fleeting glances and shared laughter. Astrid had fallen victim to Loki's charm and charisma, finding it impossible to draw away from his magnetic presence.

As the night grew older, the two slowed their dance to an end. They walked together outside to the empty balcony. The pair looked out to the night sky or Njörd's kingdom. "It's beautiful tonight," Astrid sighed in awe as she leaned slightly over the balcony.

"It cannot compete with your own beauty," Loki compliments, not bothering to gaze upon the dark blue sky littered with stars, rather finding solace looking at Astrid's side profile. Their gazes met, and a soft, tender silence enveloped them.

"Loki," Astrid started, turning her body. "What are your intentions?"

Loki smiled, a chuckle escaping his lips as he turned his down for a second. "My intentions are to make you continue blushing," he stated.

Astrid squinted slightly, though she could not deny the blush that crept up her neck. "Where has your recent confidence come from, Loki?" she asked.

"I suppose it's because I suspect we have similar feelings for each other," Loki shrugged, with a love-struck smile.

Astrid chuckled shyly, turning her gaze to the marble floor. "Tonight has been... remarkable. Thank you for dancing with me and all of it. However, I'm hesitant."

Loki hooked his finger below her chin, lifting her head to meet his gaze. "Why is that?"

"I think I'm afraid of a commitment such as this," she admitted. "I don't see how I could ever let someone love me."

"Perhaps..." Loki started, stepping closer to her. "I could help erase those fears?" He suggested.

Astrid could not comprehend what was happening. Her heart was beating faster, her hands sweatier more than ever before, her stomach doing constant somersaults inside her, and her head fuzzy. All this while Loki continued leaning closer to her.

But before anything happen, two of her brothers came out to find out. "Asta! We're- oh," Olav grimaced as he looked into the scene in front of him. Ashjørn gasped slightly as he saw too. Freyja quickly joined, scolding Olav and Evander for interrupting as she sensed what they were about to do. "We're leaving," he announced loudly, his protective brotherly demeanour overtaking his usually caring personality with his little sister. "Now."

"I think I can make my own way home, thank you though, Olav," she glared at him.

"No. Now," Olav crossed his arms. Astrid hated arguing with him as he never took no for an answer. She forever felt like a small child again whenever he spoke to her in such a way.

Astrid sighed, turning to Loki to see his own face of disappointment. He smiled sadly at Astrid. "It's no problem, Astrid," he clutched onto her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Til we meet again."

Astrid smiled, her classic red blush dusting over her face. "Farewell, Loki," she said. "Just send for me, and I'll be there, and vice versa," she quietly spoke, so her brothers and friend would not overhear.

Loki smirked. "Duly noted, Your Majesty."