First off thanks so much to my reviewer for her kind words! I truly appreciate them. Hope anyone sticking with this enjoys this chapter! Read and review! Let me know what you think.
-EllieMayy

"Staring at the door won't make her appear." I told my brother, as he downed another swig of his beer.

"I should be first to greet her if she comes." He told me, his eyes still intent on the door way.

I felt no sympathy for him. He had dozens of other women here he could have distracted himself with had he wanted to.
But he stood by the ba,r taking a drink, staring at the entrance to the banquet hall as if he could make her materialize in front of him.

"She's not coming Thor."

He sat the mug back down on the countertop with a bit too much force. The sound caused a few people to look up in concern, but with one easy smile my brother sent them back to their conversations.

"I asked her to come. I don't understand why she wouldn't." he stared at me and I saw weakness. "Why do you think she didn't come?"

He was making this too easy on me. I could have hurled any insult at him at that point. Instead of going for the jugular, I was honest with him. Besides, I like a challenge.

"Honestly, I've not a clue."

Most women jumped at the chance to be in the same room as my brother, even when he was completely unaware of their presence. Yet, here was this girl who had turned down a personal invitation to further become acquainted with him.

"Perhaps she is busy with the children." His voice trailed off as a pretty blonde haired women approached him. She was wearing a beautiful red dress that clung to chest and then flared out at the bottom. It was impossible not to notice the low neckline, and the jewel that hung right above her breast.

She flashed a huge smile, and then bowed to us both. "My lords."

I gave her an appreciative look over, but Thor was still preoccupied with the doorway.

She seemed to notice his inattention, and cleared her throat. This succeeded in averting his gaze, and he gave her a polite nod.

"Apologies, for my brother." I began, giving him a disapproving look. "The hour grows late."

Thor chuckled. "And the beers too many."
She laughed, a high pitched and unpleasant sound which I could not imagine having to hear again. I noted that I would keep our conversations dry at best.

"Could I persuade one of you to dance with me?" She asked, her face cocking a bit to the side as she stared up at Thor, the only one she was interested in dancing with.

"Of course." He told her, finishing the last of yet another mug of ale. "If I trip over your feet, we shall blame it on the drink."

She laughed again, and I tried not to cringe.

A hand slid up my shoulder as I watched Thor escort the pretty maiden to the middle of the room, where they began to sway to the music the band still had the energy to play.

"Mother." I stated, as I felt her presence behind me. "What troubles you?"

I turned to see a smile spread to her face. "My perceptive son- it is not what troubles me. it is what troubles your brother!" She glanced at the door and I knew she was trying to see what Thor saw. "What has him off in another world tonight? There is so much beauty here?"

"Perhaps is it not the beauty he is looking for."

My mother raised an eyebrow, "What more could he possibly want?"

"What he does not have." I answered, as I took my mother gently by the elbow and led her behind a curtained area. Once in privacy I quickly let the reflection of the peasant girl pass over my body, feeling her energy as I did so. My mother smiled, but I wasn't sure if it was at my or the image I had projected.

"You are so good at that Loki." She told me, pride twinkling in her eyes.

"I was only taught be the best." I returned, as we casually slipped back into the party.

She shook her head and changed the subject away from our abilities. "I wouldn't have him choose a bride he isn't taken with. I wouldn't want a loveless union for either of my sons."

"I am forever wed to my illusions mother."

She shook her head. "I will find a little trickster for you, Loki. You will challenge each other with you games of the mind, and your children will be scholars of a new degree."

I shuddered. "Oh mother, let's not talk of children."

She sighed, and took a look at Thor who continued to dance with the fair haired woman.

"Who is the girl you showed me?"

"I don't know much about her mother."

"Her name at least?"

"Sohvi."

"I might subtly inquire about her."

"And you my son?" She asked, as she stared out at the women crowding around Thor. "Do you see anything that catches your eye?"

"Nothing here Mother." I answered, as my mother patted me on the shoulder. "Nothing here."

x.x.x.x
When I heard the knock on the door I was sure it was going to wake Sved and Aora. I jumped up from the kitchen table where I had been reading, apprehensive. I didn't know who it could be at this late hour. Truth be told, most of my friends had married and moved away. I didn't know anyone who would have called upon me so late. I picked up at knife from the countertop, and held it in my hands as I approached the door slowly. There was another knock. I raised my knife and flung open the door to the cabin, and instantly I dropped the weapon I had held in such firm grasp.
The Prince of Asgard stood before me again, for the second time in the day. His red cape blew in the breeze, and the moonlight glinted off his armor.

"I know the hour is late." He began, apologizing as he bent to the ground to pick up my knife. "But I wanted to see you. Scaring you was not my intent."
He handed me the knife and all I could do was stare at him as our fingers grazed together.

"I am more than honored, my lord." I stood away from the door and motioned him in. "You are most welcome. But I warn you, my brother and sister are asleep."
He smiled, the orangy glow of my fire casting flattering shadows on his perfectly faceted face.
"I shall be most quiet."

I led him to the kitchen table, and he sat down. I was unsure of what to do next, so I began making a pot of boiling water from which to make whatever hot drink I could provide him with. The cold ride over had left his face reddened and his hair tousled and windblown.

"You didn't come to the gathering." He noted, as I placed the kettle over the fire. "I waited for you."
A small, and yet again somewhat inappropriate laugh escaped me. To think that the prince of Asgard has been waiting for me!

"it was not my intention to disappoint." I promised him, stoking the fire. "But I could not just leave the children."

He nodded his understanding. "A vigilant caretaker you are then."

"Sved is almost old enough to stay here by himself. But I am not quite ready to leave him at night."

"How old is he?"

"10 years, and his sister Aora is 3."

He nodded. "Do they receive education?"

"Sved is training locally to become a soldier." I grinned, and pulled the kettle from the fire. "He wishes to become as Asgardian guard and protect his king."

Thor smiled. "I would be proud to have him protect the realm."

I poured the water into his cup and added the tea leaves. I handed it to him and again our fingers touched, and I felt my breath hitch in my throat.
I recovered quickly by telling him the Sved would die to know the greatest warrior now sat in his living room.

Thor laughed, "Shall you tell him of our visit?"

I shook my head, "It would only anger him that I didn't wake him."
I had no idea what was happening with me and the prince of Asgard, but I never wanted my brother and sister to feel loss again. There would be no introductions.

"How was your gathering?" I asked, changing the subject. "I saw many of the women getting ready for it this afternoon."

Thor scoffed, and took a sip of his drink. "The gathering was made tolerable by vast amounts of ale." He grinned. "I hope you cannot tell I may have had too much."

I laughed and shook my head. "I cannot remember the last time I have had a decent drink."

He raised an eyebrow. "That must be changed very soon."

I glanced up at him, and pushed the hair from my face as I did so. "You are leaving tomorrow?" I asked.

"Tomorrow or the next day he replied."

As he stared into the flames I could see the reflection of the fire dancing in his icy eyes. He took a couple more mouthfuls of drink before he turned to me.

"Come with me Sohvi…"

My eyes widened, and the cup almost fell from between my hands as I looked up at him in disbelief.

"My prince-"

"Sohvi," His voice was eager and earnest and the way he said my name was beautiful, as if he loved every syllable he spoke.

"I barely know you." I managed. "I met you a day ago."

"I barely know any of the other women here."

I wanted to ask him why he was so intent on me. I wanted to know why out of all the beautiful creatures that had lined up before him, he was somehow intent on the girl with straw in her hair and stains on her dress. I wanted to know what made him think he wanted me.

"Beyond honored does nothing to describe how grateful I am that you feel-"

My words trailed off. I didn't even know how to express myself. How to tell him that I had responsibilities. That I wasn't like the other girls- I hadn't dreamed of being princess of Asgard like they had. I had dreamed of getting my brother and sister though another hard winter. I had dreamed that my father would return from the war, and that my mother would wake back up. I dreamed of surviving.
My dreams never had a place for a prince who would never come. Except now, as if in some stupid tale I was told as a child, the prince had come.
And he awaited my answer.

"What of my brother and my sister?" I challenged him with logistics. If I left, who would take care of Sved and Aora?

His brow furrowed and he stared at me. "Of course they would come! The capitol has wonderful schools."

I could not believe it. He had overcome my most feared objection, my siblings. I could see Sved truly reaching his dream to becoming an Asgardian guard, and I could see Aora becoming a great lady she would not have the opportunity to be here.

"You would welcome by brother and sister?"

"I will have the kingdom welcome them if you wish."

I couldn't help but giggle, imaging a huge crowd bowing down to my baby sister.

"that won't be necessary. I'm just honored that you'd have them."

He took my hand, and I felt my lips part a bit too widely. "You have my word. Anything for you."

Suddenly there was crying from upstairs. I shot Thor an apologetic look as I jumped up from my chair.

"Would you excuse me?"

He nodded and stood to go. "I understand your hesitation, Sohvi. But I promise you I have nothing but respect and appreciation for you. " He raised my hand to his mouth. I could feel his warm breath and the tickled of his blonde stubble on my skin. "Whatever your decision- I will honor it."

I dipped into a low curtsey and dared to look up at him. "You are too kind."

He grinned, and waved at me before heading out the door.
x.x.x.x

I had just settled Aora back to bed, and gone downstairs when the door began to rattle again. For the second time that night I picked up my knife, and slung it open, ready to attack whoever lay on the other side. To my surprise it was the brother of the Thor, the second prince, Loki.
His black hair blended in with the night, and his pale skin shone as bright in the moonlight.

I lowered my knife, but stood my ground in the doorway. "Can I help you my prince?"

he laughed, a sound that was unnerving an hostile. "I think it I that can help you wise Sohvi."

I arched an eyebrow, and waited for him to continue.

"My brother is wed to battle. My brother is enslaved to his bride glory. I don't know why everyone seems to think he has time or motivation enough for another woman in his life. I fear you will spend your days lonely and restless, pacing the floor as he fights for weeks upon weeks. I fear you will spend your time regretting the fact that you decided to marry a man you've only known for a day. I'm not entirely sure you know what you are getting yourself into."

"I haven't given him an answer yet. I haven't gotten myself into anything."

He leaned against the doorway, and the corner of one side of his mouth turned upward. Slowly.

"But you are going to say yes aren't you?"

"How did you-"

"My brother and I have very different gifts. I consider mine more suitable for rule."

I knew my expression was bewildered as I stared up at him. "Must you even talk of it? Your father will be on the throne for a few more years at least."
"But when he goes."

"What an awful thing to predict!"

"And he will go."

"You don't-"

"There will only be one king Sohvi."

"I don't understand your meaning, my prince."

"There can be two princes, wise one, but there can only be one king." Just as his brother had hours before, he took my hand and kissed it, his lips shockingly cold against my skin.

"I suggest you choose the right side."

x.x.x.x