Loki lay in Revna's bed, her warm body curled up beside him, her hand resting on his chest over the location of his heart as she slumbered. Though greatly fatigued after his exertions, he stared towards the ceiling, his mind too engaged in a myriad of thoughts to drift off into the realm of sleep. Of course his neurons were still toying with his newly hatched scheme but along with that were ruminations of the woman now at rest at his side.

Of all such experiences he could recall in his past (and there were a few he could not due to his overzealous revelling, only able to call up hazy reminiscences to confirm that they had happened at all) he would easily place this one near the top of the list, perhaps even at the pinnacle. Yet still there was something that he felt should be there that wasn't, though it wasn't a thing he could define, he was simply somehow sure he would know it when he experienced it. If asked, he would easily acknowledge that he now cared for Revna a great deal, and that was something in itself for Loki to admit to openly, but was it love? He would not go so far, at least not at this juncture.

There was still a wall of sorts around his heart that even she had not managed to break through, though he could possibly ascribe to her the honor of being the closest to accomplishing the feat thus far. But then, he found himself now caring for her far more than he had the day of his arrival but a short time ago. She had progressed far in his esteem in a very limited space of time. Could it be possible that the day would come when she would break through that wall, that he would be capable and content to say he loved her, something he had never been able to say in regards to any previous lover? That was perhaps one of the few things, maybe the only thing, that he'd never been able to bring himself to vocalize, even when he knew in some instances it would have benefited him in some way to do so though it would not have been truth.

The fact that he had asked her to accompany him to the coronation was notable in itself. Never before had he brought a companion to any event, large or small. That in itself would arouse interest and steal some of the focus and attention of those in attendance from Thor, though that had not been a conscious motivation behind his invitation at the time. Of course, if his scheme was successful, the coronation itself would be disrupted and ultimately not take place. Yet there would still be the smaller events leading up to it and the grandiosity of it all for her to experience at his side. Perhaps, if all went especially well, the next such event she would find herself a part of would be another coronation, this time with himself taking the place of his doltish brother.

The storm had passed, the rain ceasing long ago. Loki stealthily slid his body from the bed, gently placing Revna's hand that had rested upon his chest onto the mattress. As silently as he could manage, he dressed himself once again in the clothing Revna had given him to replace his own that had been quite hastily discarded. His boots in hand, he made his way to the chair on which he had earlier sat near the table and donned them. Noticing her glass she had left on the table had not been completely emptied, he stood and lifted it to his lips, downing the last swallow. Replacing it, he looked to the woman that it appeared he had been successful in managing not to disturb as he prepared for his exit, then turned and stepped to the door.

Revna opened her eyes only to see the door closing behind Loki. Looking to the floor beside the bed, she located the dress she had been wearing, Loki's illusion long since dispelled, and reached out for it. Throwing the blankets back, she rose and dressed, walking to the single window that faced the forest and the path back to Frida's cottage. She watched as Loki followed the path, he careful this time to avoid the muddiest areas still slick from the rain, before she lost sight of him as he was swallowed up in the darkness of the forest.

Revna approached the trunk from which she had taken her father's clothing and opened it, pulling from it a thick, heavy floor length hooded cloak.

Laufey sat upon his icy throne, surrounded by what was left of the once great realm of Jotunheim, now little more than a frozen wasteland. He looked down upon the cloaked Asgardian woman that stood before him alongside the Jotun that had escorted her there from the portal not far from her dwelling whose location her father, who had been involved with negotiating the treaty that had led to the uneasy peace between the two realms had divulged to her long ago.

"The seed has been planted and in fertile soil. He should seek you out soon." Revna said to the King of the Jotunheim.

"Good. I await his arrival." Revna looked down at the frosty ground at her feet. "Something troubles you?" Laufey asked.

"I have your word no harm will come to him."

"Why would you concern yourself with those who celebrated as you mourned? Did their revels not lead your mother to take her life? Is it not against them you seek your vengeance?"

"He's not like them. He's different…"

"He most certainly is." Laufey said with a slight sneering grin.

"He knows what it is to be alone as I do, to be ignored, his feelings deemed unimportant and disregarded as mine have been, he too has known that darkness…"

"If he upholds his end of the bargain I plan to make with him, he will have the throne he covets...of course, there will be conditions…." Laufey rose from the throne and approached Revna who looked up at the giant as he stood before her. "If you would think to betray me…" he reached out, grasping her forearm. A searing pain shot through her arm and she quickly pulled it from his grasp wth a cry of pain, her arm now ringed with what appeared to be a large, red burn, though it was not the burn of fire, but of ice.

"I have pledged my loyalty to you and I do so again. I will not betray you as Asgard did me." Revna said.

As the morning sun shone down over Frida's cottage, Loki assisted Frida in the garden, holding a large basket as Frida harvested various vegetables, she leaning on her staff and examining each on their vines with her ancient eyes before choosing which she deemed ripe and ready.

"The morning meal will be ready soon." Revna said as she approached.

"We are nearly finished. A few more days I think for the rest of these…" Frida said. Revna turned and made her way out of the garden, back into the cottage. "I see you've followed my advice for once and chosen to get to know her better...far better and far sooner than I had anticipated, but then the young are always in a rush." said Frida as she dropped one last vegetable into the basket Loki held.

"We've conversed..."

"Come now. You have done more than that. I have been around far long enough to recognize the countenance of a woman that has been well bedded." Frida said.

"Amma!" Loki said, appearing shocked and discomforted at his grandmother's forwardness.

"Why is it that the young act as if their elders should not know of such things? Did you think I stumbled upon your mother in a cave-" Frida said before quickly cutting herself off. "So, how was it?"

"Really, grandmother......If you must know, I am a king….her words, not mine." Loki said before grinning, Frida producing a matching one upon hearing his words.

"You see….you have no need for a throne." Frida's grin faded into a solemn expression before she continued. "She has been through much heartache. I would hope that you would not deign to add to it."

"That is not my intention. I have asked her to accompany me to the coronation. I will find a replacement for her to assist you during her absence."

"I believe I can spare her for a couple of days, though that may not be a concern by that time.."

"You shouldn't say such things." Loki said.

"I'm afraid the last embers of my life are quickly fading. You know it as well as I. There's no cause to mourn, I have had a long life, far longer than many others. I have seen much in my time. There is much I will be pleased not to see. I wish to join your grandfather in Valhalla with my memories of you as the boy you once were, as you are now."

"What do you mean?" Loki asked, troubled by Frida's words.

"Only what I've said. Nothing more and nothing less." Frida said as she hobbled away on her staff out of the garden towards the entrance of the cottage, Loki following behind, carrying the vegetable laden basket. Frida stopped and turned to Loki again before reaching the door. "Later this day, take her into the forest, make love to her there, think only of what you feel in that moment and that you could have that for the rest of your days. To be happy you must let go of that which makes you unhappy. All men are kings who rule themselves and do not give that power away to others to do so in their stead. Too often others pull the strings and people dance, blindly believing it is to their own tune. Do not be one of them." Frida turned again, opening the door to the cottage and entering leaving Loki standing, basket in hand, contemplating her words.

After Frida had disappeared from his view, Revna appeared at the doorway and stepped outside towards him.

"I'll take that." she said, taking the basket from him, taking note of the contemplative and also troubled expression on his face. "Are you alright?"

"Yes….I'm fine" Loki responded. "I apologize for my abrupt exit last evening. I thought it best to return. I didn't wish to wake you."

"It's alright. I understand." Revna replied. Loki then noticed the ring of red on her forearm as the sleeve of her gown crept up to partially reveal it as she held the basket. It had already somewhat healed due to Revna's Asgardian physiology but still appeared painful. "What happened?" Loki asked. Revna looked to her arm.

"Oh..I'm afraid I was a bit clumsy this morning. My mind must have been occupied thinking of other things." Revna said, smiling. "Just a slight burn. It's nothing." Loki, accepting her answer, heard his grandmother's latest words of advice replaying in his head.

"Would you care to accompany me later on a stroll?" Loki asked.