A/N: This is my first medieval/fantasy story, as well as my first AU. I've had this idea for almost a year and it all finally started coming together. Inspiration comes from The Hollow Crown series, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Other Boleyn Girl, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, and I'll later incorporate some elements from Brave (the Disney movie, yes). I hope you guys enjoy!
"I don't see why we should have to travel all this way just to meet a suitor," a fifteen-year-old Natalia pouted. She crossed her arms in defiance and wrinkled her nose. "I have no desire to marry." Her long, red curls swept to the side as she stared out the tiny carriage window. The stagecoach had just crossed a bridge and entered into a bustling village.
"This is what your parents wanted for you, my Lady," Ivan Petrovich advised the rebellious princess. He lowered his head, recalling the late King and Queen Romanov. The fire that took them was a most unfortunate incident, but the young Natalia's life had been saved, just as the Queen wished. "Your Father had arranged this marriage just after your birth. Do you not trust your Father's choice of which family you will marry into?" he asked. Natalia remained silent, her lips pursed and eyes narrowed. "King Odin's youngest son is quite the catch from what I have heard." A smile formed beneath his thick moustache. "Your parents only wanted the very best for you, Lady Natalia."
"Don't speak, Ivan!" the red-head snapped, shooting her guard an icy glare. She didn't want to hear any more about her parents whom she had recently lost.
Ivan kept silent, obeying the wishes of the young princess.
As much as Natalia detested the idea of marrying a complete stranger, she knew that she needed to go through with it. She was born with royal blood and into royal blood she would marry. After listening to only the clopping of horse's hooves against cobblestone and the rickety carriage wheels, Natalia finally spoke. "Promise you won't leave me, Ivan," she said quietly.
The tall, dark-haired man smiled for her. "Never, my Lady," he vowed.
A trumpet began to blare and Natalia scooted herself closer to the window, hoping to get a better look at her new home, the land of Asgard. Her red velvet dress got tangled up around her legs as she tried to stand up. She let out a quiet growl as she pulled up the bottom of the dress in an effort to move her feet.
"Natalia, your dress!" Ivan warned her. "Please sit, my Lady. You must look presentable for the King."
The Princess caught sight of a dark-skinned man clad in gold armor, hailing her arrival. The carriage came to a halt and the man opened the door for her. "Lady Romanova," he said in a monotone voice. "Welcome." He outstretched a large hand for her.
She nodded and took his hand, allowing for him to help her out of the stagecoach. "Thank you." Ivan followed after her and stood faithfully at her side. The man called Heimdall bowed for his future queen and Natalia curtsied back. She then turned her head to the side and stared in awe at the massive castle of gold looming before her. The palace was far grander than anything she had ever seen back home. She craned her neck, looking up towards the heavens to see the castle's pinnacle.
"Here they come," Ivan whispered into the red-head's ear. "Be a Lady," he reminded her.
Natalia's eyes darted away from the sky. She stared straight ahead towards the gold-paved entryway where four figures emerged.
The first to approach them was King Odin himself. He was dressed in his finest gold armor with a red cloak flowing behind him. Next to him was his Queen, Lady Frigga.
"My King and my Queen." Natalia lowered her head, her hair falling into her face as she curtsied.
"Welcome, Lady Natalia, to our home," Odin beamed. His white hair and beard glistened like newly fallen snow.
"Thank you very much for inviting me," Natalia began. She tried her best not to gawk at the golden eye patch that rested over the King's right eye. It wasn't lady-like to stare. "It would be my honour to marry your son," she continued, staring behind Odin and his wife in hopes of catching a glimpse of the infamous Prince Loki.
Out from behind the King stepped a young man with short, light brown hair. At first glance, he didn't look to be a prince what with his clothing of black leather and a set of archery equipment slung across his back. His blue-green orbs met with Natalia's, making the princess' face flush.
Natalia opened her mouth as if to speak, but words failed to come out. The man standing before her had a kind, handsome face that made her chest tighten and her heart race as fast as a horse. She wasn't one to believe in romantic love-in her opinion, it was a childish emotion. Her parents' marriage was prearranged-they never married for love, even though they acted tenderly towards one another. Natalia didn't know what true love was supposed to feel like. Sure, she had read many stories revolving around romance, but she never experienced the passionate emotion for herself. It wasn't until the young man began to smile that Natalia wondered if this was what true love was supposed to feel like. She managed a shy smile for the man just before he began to speak.
"Allow for me to serve you in any way, my Lady," he said, his eyes not once leaving her gaze. "I am Clinton Barton, the King's guard."
Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach. He wasn't her prince, after all...
"I see you already have a guard," Odin noted, smiling at Ivan. "But Clinton has been very loyal in serving my family and fighting witches."
Witches. The very word was enough to make Natalia cringe and clench her fists. It was because of foul creatures such as those that the deadly fire started in the Romanov home. She felt Ivan's hand on her shoulder and she forced herself to remain composed.
"Oh, Loki, dear, don't be shy." Frigga said suddenly. She turned around, motioning for her son to step forward.
"I'm not being shy, Mother," a deep, silky voice laughed. "I was simply waiting for an introduction."
Natalia finally tore her eyes away from those of Clinton Barton to get a glimpse of her future husband. He was attractive, she couldn't deny that. His slicked back raven hair and porcelain skin gave him a very princely look.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Natalia," Loki beamed. "You are most beautiful," he added, taking her delicate hand in his to kiss it. Loki's emerald eyes glanced up to admire her face. He couldn't help but notice that the light in her jade eyes had faded as she stared back at him. She also failed to give him that bashful grin which he had just seen her giving the guard-boy. Loki couldn't let his disappointment show, though. He simply needed to make a better impression on the woman he would soon call his wife. And oh, how he wanted to make her smile. Just one look at her fiery red hair from over his parents' shoulders was enough to mesmerize him. Now that he could finally see her lovely face, he knew that this was love at first sight. She made his chest ache and his heart want to sing sweet songs of passion. There were no women in Asgard who he could compare her natural beauty to. Natalia Romanova was one in a million, what with her flowing crimson curls and full lips. Loki was determined to make his queen gaze upon him with lust-filled eyes.
"My Lord," Natalia said in a distant tone. Her eyes flickered over to Clinton for a brief second and she felt Loki's grip tighten around her fingers. Staring back to her prince, she saw that he had a kind smile across his lips.
"Allow me to escort you inside, my Lady," he coolly told her.
Natalia turned to Ivan and watched him nod in approval. The red-head gave in and allowed for Loki to lead her inside. She was truly curious to see what wonders his palace held. "Please, call me Natalia," she said softly once they were out of earshot from the others.
"Natalia," he breathed, enjoying the sound of her name passing his lips. "Of course." He stopped just before the castle doors. "You may call me Loki, if you wish." The prince smiled and opened the door for her.
The inside of the palace was even more grandiose than the outer walls. Natalia walked along the marble floors, letting her dress trail behind her.
"You and I will one day sit upon the royal throne as King and Queen," Loki commented.
Natalia eyed the staircase leading up to four thrones made of gold and only the finest precious stones. She assumed that the third and fourth thrones belonged to the King's two sons. "I don't really wish to be Queen," she admitted, absently eying the tapestries lining the walls.
"You are like my Brother, then," Loki chuckled. He clasped his hands behind his back as he sauntered towards her.
"Oh?" she arched a brow in curiosity as she watched Loki. Natalia had wondered where the eldest Odinson was hiding.
"Thor," he said, glad to have her undivided attention. "He chooses to hunt witches and fight as a warrior, rather than rule a kingdom."
She lowered her head to stare at the floor. Again with the witches, she thought to herself.
"He is truly missing out," Loki continued. A brave hand reached out to gingerly grab Natalia's chin. "You are by far the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon."
Natalia rolled her eyes, wondering just how genuine his boyish charms were. "Do you say that to every woman?"
Loki began to chuckle softly. "To my Mother on more than one occasion."
"She's quite beautiful," Natalia murmured. She stared up at Loki beneath her long lashes. Maybe, just maybe, he would start to grow on her. She smiled for him, wanting only to be polite and please the man she would soon share a bed with.
When Loki saw her smile his eyes lit up. He wondered if her earlier glances at Clinton Barton were all in his head. Now that she was smiling for him, things were looking up for Asgard's next King. "Her beauty pales in comparison to yours," he added with a wide grin. "My darling Natalia."
Their time alone was cut short once King Odin, his Queen, Clinton, and Ivan stepped into the castle. "I pray you two are getting along well," Frigga smiled.
"Yes. We are, Mother." Loki smiled and looked from his Mother, to Natalia. The corners of his lips abruptly turned down as he noticed Natalia stealing a longing glance not at him, but at Clint Barton.