CHAPTER TWO:

↳ MEMORIES

     ENYA KNELT ON THE GROUND before King Odin, waiting to rise. When the King commanded her to rise, the young woman stepped forward to kiss both his and Queen Frigga's cheeks. It wasn't a formal welcome, Enya had asked to have a small gathering rather than a large party like the King of Vanaheim.

"It is good to see you again, my child." Frigga pulled the young blonde into a tight embrace. "It has been a few hundred years or so, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has," Enya said with a giggle. "I remember when Thor and Loki were always getting in trouble."

"They still are!" Frigga exclaimed with a cheeky wink sent her way. "You were the only one who could keep up with their ruff-housing."

"That was such a brief amount of time," Enya blushed in embarrassment. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her pink ears. "Surely the two have found companions?"

Frigga and Enya had begun to walk away from the others, wanting to have a private talk. The small crowd surrounding them would be eavsdropping– especially amongst the royals.

"Thor has, he has always been good with making friends." Frigga answered vaguely, it was common to talk lightly unless you were behind a closed door.

"Loki?" Enya asked quietly, knowing the answer. She was almost positive there was no one for the dark-haired prince, she would have known by now if there was.

"There was no one ever as good as you," Frigga said with a knowing smile. Enya blushed again, the way Frigga said that in a caring manner... made it seemed as if Loki and she had meant something more. "He never likes to admit it, but I know of your correspondence over the years."

The blonde princess would have pretended to act surprised at the news. But, Loki loved Frigga and Enya knew she was a good confidant when Enya wasn't.

"I don't even know how it started," Enya breathed out. "A hundred years ago he sent me a letter and since then I haven't stopped."

Frigga knew the love between Loki and Enya was there, but the Queen's heart broke at what was to happen this week. Despite knowing, she hadn't told her sons and knew that Enya had the right to know.

"Enya, this weekend..." Frigga sighed, grasping onto the younger royal's hand. "I know that you're expecting a marriage proposal— that is to happen— but Odin may have a different plan set in motion." 

Frigga gave Enya a sad smile, knowing where Enya's heart truly belonged.

"W—What do you mean?"

"I mean that you are to marry Thor."





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     ENYA WALKED BESIDE BOTH THOR AND LOKI through the throne room and out into the hallways, leaving the King and Queen behind. Enya was still shaken from her conversation with the Queen, reality hitting her hard about why she was in Asgard. She pretended that nothing had phased her just moments prior to the princes approaching her.

"You're so different, Thor." Enya gushed, glancing at his large form. Frigga had removed herself from the young trio's conversation. Their time was long overdue. "I don't mean you growing up but when we were younger you weren't... smart?"

Thor's mighty laugh echoed the hallways as the three walked out of the Throne Room. "Are you saying I'm daft, Enya?"

Enya blushed in embarrassment, tucking a strand behind her ears. Thor was always the one to state the obvious. "I mean no offense, I just remember you as a child blundering around as Loki tricked you to trip over a small rock!"

Loki cracked a smile at Enya's words, "it's true, brother. You were pretty ridiculous when we were younger." Enya giggled, remembering all of the times they had caused chaos amongst the Asgard residents. Before Enya could say anything, they were interrupted by the Warrior Three, who were friends of Thor.

Thor bid the two goodbyes as his friends called out to him, leaving Enya with Loki. That's when Enya felt nervous. She didn't know why but Loki Odinson had this effect on her and she had no idea what it was. Maybe after all these years, she kept in contact with Loki through letters and didn't know what he was like in person. The letters had meant something to her, had time changed Loki's perception of Enya?

"Shall we?" The God of Mischief's voice was smooth as they were left alone. As if his tone dropped a level to seduce the young princess. Enya pretended that Loki's voice hadn't deepened suddenly.

"A lot has changed since I've seen you," Enya commented as the two entered the library, which was down the hallway from where Thor disappeared off to. The two had always appreciated their education rather than going on adventures.

"It's because Thor is to be king!" Loki exclaimed in a sarcastic manner, throwing his hands up in the air. "I have always known it to be true but–"

"I see you don't want that happening," Enya replied, noting how displeased he was. "I remember the letters you've sent." They approached a couch and Enya sat down, patting the spot beside her. Her feet were killing her after a whole day's travel. 

"Of course," Loki scoffed, falling onto the couch across from her seated figure. "He doesn't care about the crown or politics. He just cares about bedding all the beautiful women of Asgard." Enya crinkled her nose, uncomfortable as Loki's rant continued. "Just be careful, Enya, Thor's charm is mighty, don't fall under his spell."

The room became quiet and Enya felt panicked. She did not mean for the conversation to turn so serious so soon. She wanted to be alone with Loki– not think about what was to come.

"I won't let that happen," Enya breathed out. She leaned forward, grabbing onto Loki's hand. She knew that it was a bold move to touch the Prince, but she did not care. "I won't fall under his spell. However, I do have a duty to my kingdom–"

"So you know of the proposal? My mother told " Loki asked, gripping his seat. It was as if he had not felt her warm hand touch his.  "I was so angry when I was told–" 

So he did know about it. 

Enya sighed, "yes. But that doesn't mean I'm promised to him." Enya threw her hands up in the air, letting go of his cold hand. "I barely remember him. But I know you Loki." 

Loki stood up from his spot on the lounge, boldly walking up to the princess a gleam in his beautiful eyes. Enya froze as he towered over her, not knowing his intentions. She may have fallen in love with the God of Mischief but it meant that she had to be virtuous to her future husband.

"Runaway with me." Loki breathed out, reaching out a hand to caress her pale cheek. However, his hand skimmed the warm surface, not fully touching her. 

"W—What?" Enya knew it was the childish side of Loki that was speaking right now but she knew that running away from their lives was impossible. The sentence moved her heart, glad to know Loki felt the same way towards her. They rarely spoke about their feelings towards each other, but now in person, it was different.

"Our letters throughout the years, surely you feel the same connection as I do. Run away with me and we can be together." Loki proposed the theory to the princess and she thought he was insane for a second.

"L-Loki, you know that's impossible." Enya breathed out as Loki grew closer to her. He had bent down, closer to her face.  Her heart beated fast as he drew her in with his mesmerizing eyes. "I have a duty to my kingdom–" 

His face was right in front of hers and she saw the heartbreak written on his features and how his eyes darkened with her denial. His breath was on her face and she wished that the man in front of her was her betrothed so she could kiss him.

She tried resisting his gaze, his dark green eyes glinting in the low light of the library. He lingered in front of Enya, teasing her. She wanted to kiss him, but it would be scandalous to touch her lips to his. 

Their faces were centimeters away and they began to exchange air from how close they were. Enya was tempted– oh so tempted– her eyes darting from his eyes down to his full lips. She knew it was risky– it was against the customs of her culture to do so, but she did.

Enya let her lips graze Loki's cheek. It was the fleeting kiss of endearment, it was her telling Loki that she cared for him. That she wanted him, but duty prevailed.  

"Goodbye, Loki." 

Enya winced as Loki slammed the door on his way out, his robes flying behind him. She knew he was hurt, she was too. Each had developed feelings for one another and couldn't do a thing about them. 

Thor was to wear the crown and she was to marry for leverage– to help her kingdom. 

At that moment, Enya wished she wasn't a princess so she could run away.

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