"Really? He actually transformed into a snake?"

Sif nodded, mirth still in her expression. "Yes. It really was hilarious. Thor screamed like a child."

"I can imagine that," she giggled. "That's my trickster."

Maeve spent the day before her wedding riding horseback around the nearby village with Sif. Neither wanted to remain inside while the wedding preparations were being finalized, and the day was simply too beautiful to spend indoors. Over the year since Loki and Maeve's betrothal, the two had formed an unlikely friendship. First, there was Lady Sif, dressed in her formal armor, tall and strong. Then, there was Princess Maeve, barely reaching Sif's shoulder and wearing elegant gowns. Both enjoyed finally having a female companion even though they were very different indeed.

After a long day, both women finally returned to the palace after sunset, laughing about the stories they'd shared throughout the day. 

"Katla, where are the boys?" Maeve asked, poking her head into her bedroom. The lady-in-waiting looked up from stitching a light pink dress.

"They're in the lounge at the end of the hall. I believe they've been drinking all night."

"Odin's beard, this ought to be good," Sif muttered, a smirk spreading across her sharply-featured face. "Come on, then."

Maeve hurried after her, doing her best to keep up. "What do you mean, this ought to be good?"

"Have you ever seen your fiancé intoxicated before?" Sif asked. Maeve shook her head, causing Sif to grin further and pull her down the hallway. "Well, you must before you chain yourself to him for all eternity. It's often quite a spectacle. Come on!"

They ran towards the lounge, sidestepping servants who eyed the two friends curiously as they decorated for the wedding celebration. With a wicked grin, Sif pushed open the door at the end of the hall.

Immediately, loud laughter reached Maeve's ears. She entered the room, wondering what exactly she'd encounter there.

"It's Maeve!" The four men cried, clinking their tankards together in the center before drinking deeply. "And Sif!" 

The blonde princess chose an open seat next to Loki, who took one look at his bride and giggled for no apparent reason.

"Hello, love," he greeted, slurring his words a bit. The usual purr of his voice had all but vanished, and she supressed a snort. "Don't you look pretty? You're very pretty. Very pretty indeed."

"Oh, thank you." Maeve kissed his cheek and peered into his cup. "How much did you have to drink?"

"Not that much," he protested. "At least, I think. Maybe."

"Your silver tongue has turned to lead," she teased.

Sif pretended to gag at their flirtation and stole the bottle from Corey, drinking deeply from it.

"Sif, are you free tonight?" Thor asked, his voice even louder than usual.

She lowered the bottle, a glint of mischief in her dark eyes. "No."

"Why not?" He wailed dramatically.

"Because I'm drinking with you fools."

"Hear hear!" Corey cheered, raising his glass again.

Loki winked at Maeve. "Want something to drink? We've got mead, we've got... actually, that's all we've got."

"Um, you can pour me just a bit, I suppose."

"Maeve, live a little!" Asmund leaned back in his chair. He looked looser than usual. She wasn't used to seeing her brother so relaxed and she wasn't sure that she liked it. He hadn't drunk as much as the others, but each refill lowered his defenses a little more and his caution had all but slipped away. 

She picked up a glass of the sparkling golden liquid and mock toasted before sipping it and closing her eyes. "Mmm."

"That's Asgardian mead," Loki told her. Eyes still closed, she grinned and imagined that she was tasting the sunshine. "You are the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

"So you've told me."

Next to them, Asmund and Thor were in a deep argument about who would make a better king. Their conversation clearly irritated Loki. Distaste crossed his normally-placid face. The alcohol running through his veins prevented him from hiding his emotions like he normally would and talk of the throne always played on his insecurities. 

"I'm stronger than you! I proved that earlier when we arm-wrestled!"

"Strength does not make a king." Asmund downed another drink and set it on the table with a loud clink. "What does? I don't remember!"

"Me either!" 

The eldest brothers laughed and shoved each other good-naturedly. Maeve, who had already begun to feel the warmth of the strong drink, giggled at their antics. 

Thor stood up and assumed a stiff posture. "I'm Asmund of Vanaheim! I'm annoyingly patient and caring and I have no sense of humor unless I'm drunk as a skunk!"

Maeve's eyes widened, as did Sif's, but the men only laughed, including Asmund, who also rose.

"I'm Thor of Asgard! I have pretty girl hair and I'm incredibly strong and I carry around a silly little hammer to prove I'm something special!"

The future king of Vanaheim scooped up Mjilonir from the table and thrust it in the air without comprehending the meaning of his actions. 

Everyone stared. 

"By Odin, he's worthy!" Thor yelled, pointing to Asmund with his tankard. "That's so cool! Isn't that cool, Maeve?"

"Oh yes," Maeve said, nodding vigorously to cover up her shock. "Very cool."

"Can you believe it, sister?" Asmund lowered the hammer and grinned. "I don't even want to be king, and yet I will be the coolest one ever!"

Then he passed out and fell onto the couch. 

"All right, I think it's time for you boys to go to bed," Maeve said, standing. She brushed her dress off and pursed her lips, contemplating how exactly to go about this. "Corey, take Asmund to his room. Sif, take care of Thor. I've got Loki." 

She wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her soon-to-be husband up off of the sofa. He nearly tipped over, laughing at his blunders. 

"All right, this way," she mumbled, grunting under most of his weight. 

"You're small," Loki commented as they began to slowly trudge towards his room. 

"Believe it or not, I noticed. And it doesn't make this any easier, so please keep walking."

"That's not an insult. I like you this size, flower. You're cute."

"And you're drunk. To quote your brother, I think it's safe to say that you are 'drunk as a skunk,' Lo."

"Perhaps I am."

They stopped outside of his door, and Maeve struggled as she tried to hold Loki up and unlock the door. After a moment, she managed to open the door and drag her soon-to-be husband inside. The princess deposited him on the bed and breathed a sigh of relief. 

Loki looked at her tenderly. "You really are the most amazing woman I have ever met."

She felt a furious blush creeping up her pale cheeks, especially because she thought that this time, it wasn't the alcohol talking. 

"Thank you," Maeve said softly, sitting on the bed next to him to brush a few raven locks out of his face. She leaned her head on his shoulder. "You should get some rest, try to sleep this off. We have a big day tomorrow."

HI!

I'm so sorry it's been so long (what, a month?)! I want to start updating this story again. I know this one was short, but it was a fluffy filler chapter. The upcoming ones will be more substantial, I promise. 

Next chapter is the wedding! Get excited!

Love you all! Thanks for sticking with this story!