fossilised | I come from a land of ice and snow

So... her first look at the man who was to be her husband. He had a pleasant face with a kindness to it, but also an arrogance that said he could be cruel and angry without realising he was being either. It did not tell her how he felt about Jotunheim exactly, for he spouted only facts, but his nose did not wrinkle when he spoke of the realm and so perhaps he did not think of them with disgust.

"Then perhaps you have not learned your lessons sufficiently, we have come not as official delegates to Asgard, but as delegates from Princess Loki to you. She is having a smith craft you armour as a gift, but has not your measurements."

None of this was technically a lie, she could be a delegate for herself. She was also not impressed by how he dwarfed them both, he was small compared to what she was used to surrounding herself with. She would never find his height or bulk intimidating.

Now that had Thor’s attention. He had little need of armour, his own was crafted by dwarves and no finer existed in the Realms aside from his father’s. He placed his hands on his hips, feet casually apart, and scrutinized the speaker. “Have you met my princess then, girl?” It made sense to him that Frigga may well had sent a handmaid to Jotunheim to begin to serve his future consort before she was to come to Asgard. Perhaps she was enchanted to endure the ice and snow. And perhaps more importantly, she was enchanted to withstand the deadly touch of his soon to be future-queen. “Come. Sit. Have your guard send for a meal. I wish to know all there is to know of Loki of Jotunheim.”

Thor, much like Loki herself, had been brought up knowing he would marry not for love but for alliance. His grandfather, Bor, had not loved his queen, but respected her. His father’s consort, mother to him through her adoption if not by blood, was loved above all others however, and Thor had grown up seeing that love as he played in Frigga’s skirts with her natural sons and his half brothers.

He wanted, therefore, the love of his wife. He wanted to slay monsters for her and drop them to her feet. He wanted her to give him her favours and for their chambers to be kept together rather than apart. He was young still and glory was still clouding his eyes, a world that did not exist outside of the palace was still a foreign concept.

“I have heard she is more beautiful than her mother was. The Queen tells me that Laufey’s consort was amongst the most beautiful of all the queen-consorts of her time. And the All-Mother is beautiful herself, so for her to say so, Princess Loki must be devastating to look upon and not instantly love.” Of course, those were the words of a mother to her son, nervous to meet his betrothed. Thor, however, did not see it as anything but truth. "I am told too of her skill in sorcery. My mother is excited to make her acquaintance as much as I."

Arrogance oozed out of every pore of him, every inch the soon to be ruler who knew he stood above most everyone else. It was not a stance she was used to seeing, Laufey had raised his children to understand that the ruler of the people was nothing more than a servant to their needs and wishes. That they were paid in service and loyalty was no more than a craftsman being paid in coin for his work. Perhaps that humble duty was what had led to her brothers growing up so wise.

Not so Loki, she had that streak of arrogance, though it manifested differently to Thor's own. She frowned, though more in confusion than anger, when he said that she was rumoured to be devastatingly beautiful. None had ever called her as such, though Tony had praised her skin and the delicate markings on them.

"I fear the Queen may have been trying to spare your feelings, the princess is nothing special to look upon and many do not even consider her appeal due to her-- difference in stature."

She wondered if he had already been told that his future Queen was a runt.

"But you speak truly when you mention her sorcery. 'Tis not just tricks of seidr, she is a shapeshifter in truth and can change her form to become anything that her heart desires."

Thor looked confused. He and Loki were seated in the grass, but since Loki had not pretended that Tony was there as guardian and sent him away, the older (younger?) man stood to the side and just watched. Thor was an idiot. He had deemed him that very early on. Loki deserved better. Maybe that was just his natural jealousy speaking, though, but he decided that she could do better. Better than the prince of Asgard…? Well, he wasn’t going to take status into consideration. Tony thought everyone was beneath him. Genius ruled all. Rule by birthright was a pale second class citizen.

“Do you mean to tell me then that she is only beautiful through illusion?” He seemed to ponder that. He’d started to hear talk that the princess and he would be an impossible pair, that she was many times his size and could potentially beat him in battle (ha!) and that he would never survive his wedding night. But obviously that fear was already dislodged. This perfectly normal girl had served his princess and she was here, waiflike and alive. Rumours of the dangers of the Jotnar were either exaggerated or they were false.

He didn’t bother to dwell on it.

“I suppose that might make sense. I have yet to meet a Jotun but I have seen their likenesses before in books and scrolls. I looked forward to tossleling with her and proving my metal. We would have a fantastic marriage combat. I was hoping she would fight me herself instead of having her kin join in battle. Do you know of her prowess on the field of combat, girl? Has any trained her to be a shield maiden or would she rather sit at home in the furs and care for our children?”

Loki similarly did not think too highly of Thor's mental capabilities so far, but he seemed to have a childish happiness that might be easily moulded and perhaps he would not be too irksome to have to spend time with. Such would only be revealed with time, and the marriage would happen whether or not it turned out that she liked him or not. Such was the way of things in their realms.

"Do not be a fool, no Jotnar sits on their furs and does nothing. If a Jotnar cannot fight, hunt, and eat; then they do not do any of those things, unless they are somehow infirm and must be cared for. Her deformity is of size, not of capability."

Loki's eyes flashed as if personally offended, mostly because she was, and she folded her arms imperiously as if she were not talking to a prince.

"I could allow you to meet her, but perhaps you are not worthy of it if you speak with such ignorance, when I know she has researched Asgard for years."

Who was this demon of a girl to speak to him this way? Had she grown up completely on another Realm? Thor’s face, and the way he was taken aback, were almost comical. Almost. He looked at Loki as if he had never been spoken to that way before and, honestly, he hadn’t. “Do you know not who I am?”

Of course she did. She called him by name to get his attention.

“I have many Realms to know and understand, Jotunheim is but one.” Oh, his royal dander was up. Tony almost wished he had popcorn. “If tales of her beauty have been misconstrued and her size that greater than any frost giantess alive to be considered a deformity, regardless of her magical abilities, what will research into her Realm do? I must instead focus all of my attention into research how to reconstruct the palace to fit her deformity!” He was on his feet in a moment, angered and now embarrassed.

It was not a wise thing to do to him. He was young and rash and he lashed out too quickly. He would send for Baldur again, perhaps, from Vanaheim, so that he could have counsel. He could not tell his Warriors Three. Sif never seemed to understand.

His face was red from dismay. How could he love someone who towered so hugely over him? He’d be a toy to her. A child. And how could she have children by him? He needed to see her.

“You will have her come to me or if that is not possible, you will bring me to her. Immediately. I must see what the Fates have already forced upon us and pray that we may at least complement each other in battle if in no other way.” Actually, Thor looked about ready to melt from disappointment. At least he did not mention breaking off the engagement. That was beyond even him. “And I must know if I need to have your tongue removed for tricking me in anything you have said.”

The first thing that struck Loki was how much of a child Thor seemed, even more so than her though he boasted several centuries more age than her. It seemed as if he had been truly coddled in a way that the harsh environment of Jotunheim did not allow. He had never had to do things he had not wanted, beyond perhaps attend a boring state dinner or attend lessons when he wished to hunt. His friends all likely followed in his wake and none dared oppose him.

Such would definitely change when Loki took her place by his side. If nothing else, she understood the benefit of challenge. She loved her brothers dearly, but they argued and fought sometimes, and pushed one another, and she would do the same for Thor. No man could grow to wisdom if all those around him only ever said 'yes'.

"You have a rash tongue, Prince Thor," she chastised him, arms folded and not at all intimidated by his size or manner. "And you are already face to face with her, with me. As you can see, no changes to your palace to accommodate my size will be necessary, my deformity makes me a runt and not even more giant than my brethren."

Her tone was cool and her expression schooled, but Tony could probably tell that she was bracing herself for rejection.

"My friend, who also happens to be a smith of great capability, came to take the measure of you in more ways than just your height."

Tony had to laugh at the face Thor made. It was astonishingly funny, how it fell and then brightened and then fell again. He looked like he had been socked in the gut for a few moments before the corners of his lips darted up again. The blue of his eyes evening out and he squared his shoulders before offering his much larger hand to her. Palm up.

He had every intention of lightly kissing her knuckles if she took him up on the touch because while he would not say that she was beautiful, the way she talked him was charming in ways he hadn't expected to suddenly adore.

And her eyes...

"I can not say I mind your stature. Our bed will not need to be so large as I had imagined, Princess. You're paler than I was told you'd be."

That went better than to be expected. She watched the play of emotions on his face, oddly charmed by how open he was. This was a man who had never learned how to lie, and his innocence was quite endearing in its own way. That he did not reject her, but instead complimented her, was definitely a point in his favour.

"You do not listen, I see," she said, though she did allow him to kiss her hand as she said it. "Did I not just tell you that I am a shapeshifter in truth? This is not my natural skin, merely my form when I wish to appear as a race that bears this skin."

She took her hand back from him before she changed, though Aesir skin was hardier than mortal skin and he might be able to hold on for a second or two before damage occurred, to let him see the truth of who he would have to take as a bride.

"You, however, look exactly as I have been led to believe."

Keeping his very formal attitude as Loki shifted her skin, Thor made sure to look at her without stating. "And now you look more akin to what I was told to expect. You are very beautiful. No need to call the All-Mother a liar," he said. Charming. But not a practiced charm, Tony found. It just came easily to him, perhaps. Maybe he was being genuine. "Is it true that we may not touch without pain?"

He didn't believe it. And he offered his hand again, palm flat and inviting.

"My skin is like dwarven steel." And he had no interest at all in Tony from what the older man saw. Fine with him, but he didn't like this guy moving in so easily. And already. "I will not be hurt."

Tony would be a fool to be jealous, Thor obviously did not have the whip fast intelligence and wit that Loki enjoyed and so he would not usurp the position her friend had already come to fill. They both knew that she had come here to meet her future husband, was it not right that he should be charming to her?

She raised an eyebrow at his arrogant stupidity and shook her head, though in disbelief rather than refusal. "You shall bear a scar from this decision, but perhaps this mark will teach you to think before you make comment on Jotnar women staying in the furs and raising children."

One finger reached out to touch that outstretched palm. It would burn slower than most, for Thor truly was made of amazing genetic material, but burn it would. Naught could resist the touch of Jotun skin, their species was made from the ice formed where Yggdrasil's roots met the river of seidr.

Though Thor had thought himself the better for this, it was obvious in the first ten seconds that he was in pain. It did not stop him from suddenly gripping her hand and, half leaning in, half pulling Loki towards him, followed such foolishness with his lips to the curve of her ear.

His words for her alone and not her companion nor anyone else.

His voice had an edge to it, the pain causing his lips to tremble against her ear. "Our parents chose well." Never mind that it was Jotunheim's turn to ascend the Asgardian throne and give Asgard nobility for future generations her blood. In theory at least. Odin had named him Prince, though his blood was not that of Vanaheim. "You are perfection. I hope you will one day love me as I have been struck by love for you."

It was sappy and sweet. But Thor was quite the romantic warrior at heart.

It was the most foolish of romantic gestures, but Loki found herself smiling all the same. She was not so rash with her heart as to declare love immediately in return but this gave her hope that she might find happiness here on Asgard. He was endearing and she rewarded his tenacity and words with a kiss to his cheek which wouldn't burn for how light it was. His hand, though, may need a healer's attention and would likely always bear some sort of scar. She drew back and contemplated him with eyes like fire.

"Perhaps you have a measure of worth after all, my future husband, and I no longer view our upcoming binding with trepidation. But we still have not accomplished what we came here for, Tony needs the measure of your limbs for the armour he is crafting. He is a great friend of mine, a mortal from a Midgard that no longer exists, his craft is exquisite."

The look she turned on Tony was obviously fond.

Though they had not known each other that long it seemed as if their souls were the oldest of companions, she could not know how tightly they were bound across time and reality.

"Now seat yourself and draw back before you damage yourself further, and be glad that I can change my form so that our furs may yet be shared."

Thor was absolutely going to have to see a healer for the wounds to his hand, the smaller outline of his betrothed’s fingers forever marked on his flesh. As any good Asgardian, scars that held meaning were worth their cost and he loved the beauty of it in the ugly way it marred his skin. Perhaps he would wait until later to see the Healers. He wanted to show off his mark to his friends for there had never been a truer symbol of a bond about to occur.

“Midgard still exists,” Thor said with an arched eyebrow, hand dropping to his side. “Our delegates returned less than two years ago from their centennial visit to the major cities of that Realm. What has occurred, Lord Tony, for the princess to claim your home no longer apart of the branches of the World Tree?”

Oh. Well this meant he was up and Tony had FRIDAY split the armor open so he could walk out of it. At least Thor looked impressed by that. “Start the scan,” he told the AI and Thor was enveloped in light he actually looked as though he might try to fight off. Until Tony started to speak. “We’re from another reality. Another Earth. Midgard. Whatever. Some other Asgard invaded and we’re the survivors. Loki’s helping us find a home.”

Thor blinked. “Is this true? Have you spoken to the All-Father on this matter? I’ve heard whisperings of the fabric of the Void breaking down but I thought it all a jest.”

"No one's laughing."

Loki was still impressed by the armour and its capabilities herself, but she had seen it enough now that she could hide just how brilliant it was behind sparkling eyes. But that enjoyment faded quickly as the subject of the ruined Midgard took hold and she shook her head soberly.

"It is no jest in truth. Our Midgard still stands, but this Midgard stood on an Yggdrasil across the Void. The Asgard there sees mortals as chattel and slaves, purging the world they lived upon and forcing those who lived upon it to do unspeakable acts. They do not use their might with worth to protect those weaker than themselves, but to create themselves as gods among ants."

She took a seat on the grass, legs folded beneath her gracefully. For strength was not her forte, but dexterity and grace were.

"These survivors, numbering a few thousand at the most once more have been rescued, are petitioning my father for assistance in finding a new home in the branches of our Tree."

“I would see their encampment,” Thor suddenly insisted, though Loki might have an inkling, as he sat, that her prince mostly just wanted to spend time with her. Tony didn’t seem so keen on the idea, though. The scan was finished. They should leave.

But Loki seemed pretty keen on having Thor around too. He was doing his best not to let it bother him. “I think for awhile none of us are going to want to deal with any more Thors,” Tony said, crossing his arms over his chest. “And we should go.”

Thor frowned up at him. “You speak far too familiarly, mortal,” he said, making Tony roll his eyes.

“Seriously? I’m over alien royalty.” That made Thor look even more angry. Oh well. He didn’t care at all.

"Why should it matter if he speaks familiarly? Those of royal birth should be secure in their position whether it is acknowledged or not, that is what my father always taught me. I am Loki first and Princess second, he used your name, is that not respect enough?"

Loki might already be quite fond of Thor, but she was clearly not about to take any nonsense from him. He had been spoiled and was not the better for it, she would make sure that he knew a King should be humble as well as confident, a lesson that both Odin and Frigga had been trying to teach him for decades.

"This encampment is not Asgardian soil, nor yet Jotunheim soil, we have no right to visit unless invited. Should you wish to go, I will put your request to their council and they will receive you in state as you should be received."

It was amazing to see Thor so easily back down. Loki already had him wrapped around her pinkie in just a few short minutes. Tony understood that, though. He too had been whisked off of his feet by her. "Aye. That would be... Acceptable," Thor responded, curling his fingers around the near constant ache in his palm. "Will you send for me as soon as you hear? It would gladden me to know my wife before she becomes such."

Tony rolled his eyes. And then marched back to his armor. "Yeah don't call us. We'll call you. I got what I needed," he announced like a petulant brat.

Thor scrambled to his feet to offer Loki a hand. His uninjured one. "I already long for your return."

From inside the armor, Tony scoffed. Loudly.

Loki could not help but be charmed by Thor, he was so genuine and warm enough that the over the top compliments seemed to make sense for him. She squeezed his hand briefly, her own flesh toned in order to not harm him more, and then stepped back to be with Tony. It was good to see what he was willing to learn, that boded well for his time as a king.

She waited until she and Tony were out of earshot, before she turned to him with a smile that was almost pure relief.

"He was not disgusted."

It was a rare moment of truth that she would reveal how nervous she had been about that, for she was still basically a child about to be wed to someone she had never met before. This had greatly eased her heart.

Oh great. Well how could Tony say bad things when Loki was so happy with the encounter? He couldn't. "He was much less than disgusted," he pointed out, using the HUD to pan towards Loki do he could see her. "He was taken with you. That's a pretty good sign."

He didn't have to be so greedy. He could be much happier for Loki if he just let his own hang ups go. And maybe he could have a place with her. The people on New Earth (or whatever they would call it) just weren't a good fit for him.

And he didn't want to be tied down. Not to a single planet any more.

"He's immature but I think you'll make a good man out of him."

"That is what I think also, though he lacks the sharp intelligence I might have hoped for, he is sincere and could possibly develop a wisdom of her own in time."

Loki smiled suddenly and brightly, it felt as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She didn't love him instantly, as he proclaimed to with her, but she no longer feared a life being bound to someone cruel or terminally dull. She could be happy by his side.

"I fear his conversation may become dull in time, however, you will have to allow me to employ you so that I have your company when I need it."

Which would be often.

"You're a shapeshifting, teleporting sorceress.. Pretty sure I don't have to let you do anything." But he was grinning inside as he said it, jovial. He didn't have a lot of friends. Keeping any that could keep up with him was incredibly important.

By the time they got back to the other place, beyond the gateway created in Jotunheim, Tony was tired but not as annoyed as he had been. Helblindi would be pleased that his sister was happy and now Tony could get back to finishing up the armor while the rest had their discussions.

Tony was all for the move. He was all for the help Jotunheim offered to rescue people from the training moon. He was about ready to just get on with life.

"Are you staying or going back to the ice palace, Elsa?"

Loki also did not have many true friends. She had companions who's presence she tolerated and visa versa, but it was just as important to her to keep around those who stimulated her mind and made her feel secure. She would have Tony permanently moved to Asgard when she married there if he was not careful.

"I am still a delegate for your negotiations, which you have yet to attend properly I might add, and so I will be remaining here."

Her voice was amused and teasing.

"I do not know how you have come to be on the council when you are so lax with your duty."

"I fix stuff when it breaks and I make stuff when we need it," Tony pointed out. He was on the Council because they needed him to be. Maybe Cap felt some obligation too, but mostly it was because the eccentric inventor belonged there more than anyone else.

And Tony was sort of adept at shirking duty anyway. He was well known for it.

"Aren't you going to run back to your brother and let him know about Thor?"

"I will let him know in due course, be careful lest I think you are trying to be rid of me when I recall your offer for a roll in the furs this evening."

She was fired up from the relief of knowing she would not be wed to some brute or fool, and she had enjoyed what they had done together before. Yet she was sure she had not been particularly good, a novice at any activity had much to learn, and she wished for Tony to be her tutor in this.

"Or perhaps you have another to share your furs tonight?"

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