THE NEXT DAY, ASTRID FOUND HERSELF STANDING IN THE THRONE ROOM OF ASGARD. The room was a masterpiece, decorated with gold accents of classic Asgardian art and sculptures. It was majestic in Astrid's eyes, flabbergasted that she had not been in the palace since she was a little child with no recollection, accompanied by her parents and two older brothers. Before her sat King Odin and Queen Frigga, with Loki standing to the side of his mother's throne.

"Her Majesty, Queen Astrid of Infinia," an Asgardian guard announced her presence to the royal family.

The Queen greeted the younger Queen with a warm smile as she stood and cascaded down the steps that led up to the paired thrones. "It is such a pleasure to have you here, Astrid," Frigga placed her aged hands on Astrid's shoulders, holding her at arms-lengths as she took in her appearance like an aunt would do to her niece, whom she had not seen for years. "I have not seen you since you were a mere child. Oh, the chaos you, your brothers and my sons would cause." Astrid was surprised; she could never recall many of her childhood memories, so hearing that she was already familiar with Odin's sons was shocking. Frigga noticed her surprise. "Oh, dear, don't worry about not remembering. You were only a small babe, as was Loki."

Astrid smiled, glad she had not offended the older queen with her lost memories. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity," she bowed her head gently, the delicate golden tiara that resembled tangled vines slightly tipping at her action. She looked to Odin. "I'd like to offer my apologies to you and your kingdom for my actions in Jotunheim, I realise now I acted rashly and out of anger," she apologised.

Odin sighed. His demanding presence was intimidating as his one-eyed gaze met Astrid's, his voice resonating with authority. "Your apologies are recognised, Astrid," he spoke. "Your actions in that realm were brave and responsible, something that a leader should strive for," he sighed once more, thinking of how he wished Thor acted more like the woman before him — perhaps then he would not be banished.

"Thank you, Allfather. You can trust that I remain to be an ally of Asgard," Astrid spoke, an air of authority surrounding her. "If the situation turns dire, you can rest easy knowing that Menvǫllr stands with Asgard."

Odin agreed. Frigga tutted, shaking her head playfully. "Let us talk of better matters," she said. "Tell me, how is your family? It has been centuries since I have been graced by Ymir and Christa's presence!"

Astrid giggled, "They are well, Alfheim certainly keeps them occupied," she told Frigga. "I, myself, rarely get the chance to see them. I believe, before yesterday, I hadn't seen them in around a year... or three," it seemed rather sad, but they were all rulers, they had their own responsibilities.

"Ah, not to fear, my child, I'm sure whatever is keeping them busy will soon subside," Frigga smiled warmly. "After all, parents would do anything for their children," she looked towards Loki, and placed a tender arm on his forearm. She then looked at Odin with a sad look, one that Astrid could decipher as one that said Frigga disagreed with Odin's actions towards Thor. "Speaking of children, I believe mine would like to speak to you," she smiled cheekily, as she nudged Loki forward. The dark-haired man rolled his eyes gently at his mother's words as she guided her husband away to a different room in the palace.

"You wish to speak to me?" Astrid questioned softly, looking up at the Asgardian Prince.

Loki gulped slightly, linking his hands behind his back. "Uh... no, yes! Yes, I did," he stumbled over his words. "Shall we go somewhere more private?" He proposed.

"Well, that depends on what you have to tell me," she teased, giggling. "I kid, of course, led the way."

Loki extended his arm out to the blonde. Astrid looped her arm through his, as he led her through the halls of his castle. They stopped in the serene expanse of the private gardens. Loki led them to his favourite bench, a stone one in the middle of the greenery, decorated with overgrown twines, flowers and moss. It was partially shaded by a blossom tree that hung overhead, the seat littered with fallen pink petals. The view from the bench was magnificent, the garden adorned with flowers of every colour, trees are different heights and sunlight glistened the grass below their feet elegantly. "Shall this suffice?" Loki smirked confidently, already gazing upon Astrid's face of amazement.

Astrid nodded. "I'm sure it will do," she joked. She gently wiped away the stray petals from the bench and sat, patting the spot beside her for Loki to sit too. "So, what is it you wish to speak to me about?" She asked, closing her eyes to bask in the sunlight, her nose filling with the mixed scents of lavender and roses that sat beside her in their beds.

Loki smiled, appreciating that someone else appreciated his favourite spot in the garden. "I wanted to check how you were. I'm not sure how your father reacted, I hope he was not as harsh as mine was to Thor," he said.

Astrid was taken aback. Not many people asked how was actually was. Mainly for her family's welfare or the kingdom's wellbeing. But never her own. It made something stir in her stomach. "Oh! I'm fine. My father was not harsh on me. My mother though, a different story," she rolled her eyes with a laugh. Loki smiled, understanding how mothers can be their child's strictest figure in their life. "And yourself?"

Loki was also taken aback. He did not have many friends in Asgard. He supposed the closest he had was his brother, but then again, that was a stretch. He sighed, immediately causing Astrid to furrow her brows in concern. "I admitted to the Warrior Three and Lady Sif that it was I that informed Heimdall to Allfather of our intentions. I told them to go somewhere safer, I suggested Menvǫllr, thinking whoever was on the other end might be able to talk Thor out of it," he paused.

"But I, instead, encouraged it," she continued, closing her eyes, frustrated at herself. "I am sincerely sorry, Loki, if it weren't for me, perhaps, Thor would not be banished and everything would be swell."

Loki shook his head with a small smile. "No, no, Astrid. I highly doubt that. I don't even think he would've listened to our mother if she spoke to him. So even if you had discouraged him, I'm sure he would have continued his path of rage nonetheless."

Astrid cast her gaze downward, still ashamed. "And what they say?" She referred back to the Warriors.

He sighed, leaning his weight on his hands as they gripped the back of the bench as he leaned back a tad. "They were shocked, as you can imagine," he spoke. "They told me to try and convince Odin to change his decision of Thor's conditions."

"And?

Loki looked into Astrid's eyes. "I disagreed."

Astrid raised his brows. "Really?"

The raven-haired god nodded. "I would not have been able to change his mind either way. Plus, Thor is reckless, arrogant and dangerous as you saw. What good would that do for the Future King of Asgard," he recited.

Astrid looked back to the garden. "You know, many people have said the same of me. Would that make me a poor leader of my kingdom?" She asked.

Loki shook his head. "Of course not, Astrid. I don't see you having similar qualities to Thor. You're thoughtful, brave and passionate."

Astrid smiled, with a hum. "That's strange. I thought the same of Thor in Jotunheim."

Loki squinted to himself. "Perhaps the qualities can be mistaken for each other," he spoke, rolling his eyes as Astrid still had her eyes closed in the sunlight.

Astrid laughed. "Perhaps you might be right," she giggled. "You know it's not your fault what happened to Thor," Astrid sympathised as she turned her head back to Loki, changing the subject back to the prospect of Loki telling on Thor. "You couldn't have known what Odin would do once he found out. You were only trying to protect your brother and friends. It would be unfair of them to hold Odin's actions against us," she spoke, regarding the Warriors.

Loki scanned Astrid's face, looking for any signs of mockery or faux sympathy. But he found none. It made something stir within his stomach. "I... I appreciate that. Thank you," he spoke quietly.

Her warm smile graced her face, her eyes crinkling closed. Loki scanned her face with a smaller smile, appreciating her beauty. "It's no problem at all, Loki," Astrid opened her eyes to Loki already looking at her, a small flush of blood rose to her cheeks. "Anyway, let's change the subject. All I've talked about for the last two days have been Jotunheim this, Laufey that," she dragged dramatically. "I'd prefer to talk of something different if that's alright."

The prince nodded, laughing. "Shall we get to know each other better?" He suggested. Astrid nodded, happily. "Alright," he tapped his finger against this chin. "What's your favourite colour?"

Astrid hummed, thinking. "I think I like yellow and orange, they're warm to me, how about you?"

Loki nodded, keeping her answer in mind. "Mine would be green, I think," he contemplated. Astrid nodded, thinking it would be so considering his outfit was decorated with green accents.

"What is your favourite food?" Astrid smiled.

Loki contemplated. "I think deer or boar, served with a fruit wine, of course."

Astrid scrunched her nose up. "I'm not big on meat. I suppose that would make me a vegetarian, I believe that's what the people of Midgard are labelling it as."

Loki raised his brows in surprise but held a gentle smile on his face. "Well then, what's yours?"

"I think I prefer breakfast food. I like having blueberry muffins in the morning."

Loki nodded. "Interesting," he hummed causing Astrid to giggle.

"What?" She laughed.

"Oh it's nothing, just didn't peg you as the 'no meat' type," he emphasised, using his things as air quotes around 'no meat'.

Astrid shoved his shoulder. "Oh, leave it," she laughed. "Well, next question?"

Loki thought of his next question. "What is your favourite thing to do?"

Astrid thought for a moment. She didn't have much time for hobbies so it had been a while since she spent time for herself. "I remember I liked reading in my library," she said remembering the hours she used to spend in her parent's library as a child still on Alfheim. "I like dancing too," she reminisced on the balls her parents would occasionally hold or be invited to. "I haven't been able to go to a dance in a while though," she mumbled. "Oh! I love sewing!" As a child, her mother taught her how to embroider, knit and crochet. Astrid was very skilled in all three, but she preferred embroidery because it allowed her to show off her skilled hand better. She realised she had not sewn in years. "You?"

Loki simpered as he listened to Astrid ramble. "I like reading in the library also," he spoke. "I also like reading out here," he continued. "As a child, I used to be a prankster. I would play tricks on my brother," he laughed before continuing. "I remember once when we were small, I turned myself into a snake, Thor — being naive — picked me up, and just as he did, I turned back and stabbed him!" He laughed, snorting loudly as he did.

Astrid chuckled at his reaction. "That's a very extreme prank, I'd hate to be the butt of any of your pranks," she snickered.

Loki calmed down from his laughter. "Don't worry, my lady, you'll never be the victim of my pranks," he softly spoke. "I only prank those who would fall for it."

Astrid laughed. "Are you saying your brother is stupid?"

Loki chuckled along with her. "Of course I am."