At dessert the night before everyone was to leave, Maeve couldn't help noticing that something was off about Asmund. He barely ate and didn't speak unless spoken to. His usually placid blue eyes held traces of fear. While he wasn't always the loudest person and he did seem perpetually tired, this wasn't like him.

"Asmund," she whispered at one point. "You look sick."

He gave her a thin smile, but his words sounded forced. "I'm fine."

Loki's eyes flitted up from his food, detecting the lie immediately, but he said nothing.

Maeve, however, wasn't satisfied with this answer. She didn't have to be the god of lies to recognize a terrible one when she saw it. "No, you're not."

"Leave it alone, Maeve," Asmund said harshly, his fingers twitching involuntarily almost as if they were in pain until he moved his hand under the table. Loki watched them with shrewd curiosity, wondering what could possibly be wrong. At the stricken look on his sister's face, he softened. "I'm sorry. I just don't want to talk about it."

"Fine, be like that." She took a drink of wine and went back to her dinner, irritated beyond belief with her Empath brother.

"We need to go home," he whispered so quietly that even his sister could barely hear it. "Something's wrong."

Thor and the younger Freyson brothers dominated the conversation as usual, which the quieter trio didn't mind in the slightest. They just ate dinner in virtual silence as everyone else chattered incessantly.

"Damn," Asmund muttered under his breath, his eyes screwed shut. They opened seconds later, and he stood, addressing his father out of courtesy. "Excuse me for a moment, I need some air."

Frey waved him off good-naturedly and Asmund exited the room as quickly as possible. Loki and Maeve exchanged uneasy glances.

A messenger rushed in moments later, completely out of breath. He bowed to everyone at the table more than a few times.

"Rise," Odin said formally, following court manners despite the odd situation. "Who is your message for?"

"King... Frey..."

Frey frowned, leaning forward. "All right. Spit it out, then."

"You realm... it's under attack, Your... Majesty..."

Outrage and shock coursed through the table. Corey stood to leave but Maeve yanked him back down. Anger showed on each Vanir's face at the idea of their beloved home being attacked, especially when none of them were there to protect it.

"By who?" He asked sharply.

"Frost Giants."

"The bloody lot of them can never leave peace alone for ten minutes. We just had a wedding!" Frey said through gritted teeth. "Where's Asmund? Have you seen my heir?"

"I passed him in the hallway, Your Majesty. I tried to give him the news, but he just passed right by me. It was like he already knew!"

"Oh," Loki whispered in realization, looking down at his soul mark as it all fit together in his mind. After months, he'd finally figured out Asmund, rising heir to the throne of Vanaheim, the great negotiator, the would-be healer.

He knew the secret.

"What?" Maeve asked urgently. "Lo, what is it?"

"Stay here. Don't let anyone do anything rash." His fingers gripped hers momentarily. "Trust me."

The princess nodded, letting Loki slip out of the room unnoticed due to the commotion.

"We've got to go back!" Corey insisted. "Heimdall can open the Bifrost and I can have our armies prepared."

"Shut up!" Hemming snapped at his older brother. "We've got to find Asmund first!"

"What good is Asmund in a fight? Let him stay here if he chooses! We need to save our people!"

"The one time we don't leave someone on the throne is the one time something like this happens," Vali muttered. It was an old ideal, the notion that one member of the royal family must remain on the throne no matter the circumstances. For the first time in centuries, the House of Frey had disregarded this rule because no one wanted to miss Maeve's wedding. 

Clearly, that was a poor judgment call.

"How did they even get into our realm?" Endre asked indignantly. "We have guards at every border!"

"Well, they must not be doing their job!" snapped Corey.

"It's your army!" Roscoe shot Corey a glare. "So this could be a result of poor leadership and communication."

Worry fluttered through Maeve's chest. "We are a peaceful people. We don't have a quarrel with the Jotunheim. Why would they attack us?"

"Because the ice-covered fools have no sense of morals whatsoever!" Thor said darkly. "The only smart thing they ever did was attack Vanaheim with all of its royal protectors gone."

Meanwhile, Loki moved through the hallways as quickly as possible. Once outside, he mounted his horse and rode away from the palace, only hoping that he would make it on time. In the distance, he could see Asmund riding towards the Bifrost. He was halfway across when Loki caught up with him.

"What in the nine realms are you doing?" Loki demanded, guiding Twilight to block his path.

"I'm going home. They need me there. Move out of my way."

Loki has never seen such fire in his eyes. Everything about him screamed desperation, only confirming what he already assumed to be true. A strong wind blew across the bridge, causing his dirty blond curls to fly into his face.

"How did you know there's trouble in Vanaheim?" Loki questioned, raising his eyebrows. The real trick would be getting Asmund to confirm his suspicions himself. "You left before the messenger arrived, and he said that you brushed him off completely. Like you already knew."

Asmund's horse whinnied, breaking the stretch of silence.

"A vision."

"Nonsense. Your eyes are still blue," Loki retorted. He knew quite a bit about the Vanir, and while it was true that some of their magic wielders were gifted with visions, their eyes always clouded over afterward. "How much more time do you plan on wasting lying to me? I thought your people were in mortal danger and to be honest, it hurts my nose to hear your futile attempts."

Still nothing.

"Oh, and I know you're using illusions, too. I can feel your magic. It's incredibly powerful. No wonder you're always so exhausted. You use illusions at almost every hour of the day. That must take quite a toll on you and your health, both mental and physical."

Asmund cursed quite colorfully for a royal and ran his hands down his tired face. Secrets took a toll on anyone who clutched them close to their chest and keeping a massive secret for as long as he had certainly had an effect on him.

"What got you to finally put the pieces together? I know you've been suspicious of me."

"My reading earlier today, but I've suspected something was off about you for months. You were the only one of Maeve's brothers that I couldn't understand, and that bothered me."

"You can't tell anyone. Please."

"I don't plan on it," Loki said, glad that they were finally getting somewhere. "Who else knows?"

"No one."

"Not even your family?"

"Especially not my family."

"Do you plan on telling them?"

Asmund smiled humorlessly. "Not until after my father passes. He'd have my head for this. It's against our laws, against our traditions."

"How long?"

"A little over a year now."

Loki let out a sound of surprise. "A year? Where did you do it? Certainly no one would help you on Vanaheim, or any of the realms that would recognize you, for that matter."

"Midgard. They don't know us from the next man there."

"Ah. Smart. Very well thought out. I commend you for that."

"Thank you."

"You know, I like this side of you much better," Loki commented. "You were relatively boring without secrets."

"Yes, I'm glad the complications of my personal life amuse you," Asmund replied sarcastically. He couldn't believe that knew. He'd been so careful. Part of him hated it, but at least the burden of his secret wasn't only his anymore. "But I really need to leave, so please move."

"If you want to keep it a secret, you should go back inside. Won't it appear odd that you somehow knew that something was wrong before everyone else did?"

Asmund knew Loki was right but didn't want to listen. He wanted to go home. "They need me. People are being injured, I can help-"

"I suspect you want to help one individual above the rest, and the best way you can help her is keeping your secret safe," Loki reasoned. "I've read your laws. The punishment would be much more severe for her if you were caught. I wouldn't risk it."

Asmund looked at Loki and let out a long breath. He really did match Maeve's spirited fire and high intelligence.

"Fine."

Loki and Asmund returned to the dining room and found a fully-fledged argument taking place between Frey's family. Frey noticed Asmund's presence almost instantly and crossed the room.

"Where were you?" The king demanded angrily. Maeve's blue eyes watched them worriedly. Even though they'd shared a softer moment the day before, her father still intimidated the girl. Asmund, however, stood his ground and didn't flinch.

"As I said, I needed some air. I wasn't feeling well. Loki found me and filled me in on the way back here."

"Right," Frey said gruffly, scratching the stubble on his chin. "We have decided to go home now instead of tomorrow. Our people need us."

Asmund nodded. Already the calm mask had returned, an act that impressed Loki greatly. "I agree."

"Boys," Frey said. The princes all gathered behind him, and he gave Odin a low bow. "Thank you for your hospitality, as always, Odin."

"The pleasure is ours, my dear friend. Thank you."

A few of Maeve's brothers tried to hug her, but she pulled away. "Don't say goodbye. It's a waste of time. I'm coming with you."

"No, you are not," both Frey and Odin said at the same time.

"Why not?" She asked. "They need help. I am a princess-"

"Of Asgard," Thor finished, his voice gentle for once. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile, but it seemed apologetic. "Your primary duty is no longer to Vanaheim, little sister. It is to Asgard and its people."

"I'm not going to allow a bunch of men to sit here and dictate my actions," Maeve retorted. Loki recognized the passionate tone of her voice and worried for everyone who stood in her way. While he didn't particularly want her to go to Vanaheim, he respected it as her decision. A few flowers in a vase on the table wilted. "Our people are in danger!" She insisted. "You need all of the help you can get."

"My daughter, it is too dangerous for you," Frey said.

"Just let her come, we need to get back!" Asmund was beyond caring about yet another father-daughter dispute in their family. His wrist kept prickling, and with that came an increasing sense of fear.

"I'm not a child!"

"You're not a warrior, either! You are a princess and I expect you to act like one!"

Maeve made to leave but Frey pushed her backward. She stumbled back into Loki's arms, and he instantly stood in front of her, outrage written across his face.

"How dare you?" He seethed. A few people took a step back. An overly-protective Loki was not to be trifled with. Anyone in the realms knew to fear his fury.

"Loki-" Odin said in warning, but his youngest son ignored him.

"She is a princess! She cannot fight! She can play with plants!" Frey shouted, walking right up to Loki, who stared right back at him. "She doesn't belong in a dangerous battle. It is not her responsibility!"

"You talk of her like she's not even here!" Loki growled. A nervous Frigga recognized the look on her son's face and glanced down at his hands for daggers out of habit. Thankfully, none appeared. "May I remind you that as my brother so kindly pointed out a few minutes ago, Maeve's primary duty is to Asgard now, not Vanaheim. She is now considered a member of the House of Odin, not the House of Frey, and therefore has no more allegiance to you than a foreign diplomat has with their king. She is under no obligation whatsoever to listen to a man who has done nothing but hold her back her entire life."

Maeve hid a smile behind Loki's shoulder. Of course, he'd be able to put her father in his place in such an eloquent, educated manner.

"And you would let your wife foolishly wander into a battle she could perish in?"

"I would not let my wife do anything. I trust her to make her own decisions."

"That. Is. Enough."

Odin stood bagging his staff on the floor. The sound echoed throughout the dining hall and everyone turned to him.

"While childish disputes are going on in my kingdom, innocents are being slaughtered in another. This is something I will not stand for."

"Father, if I may-" Thor began.

"You may not."

The god of thunder fell silent for once in his life.

"Maeve, while I do not doubt your bravery and I commend you for your loyalty, you are duty-bound by Asgard laws and traditions to leave with your husband on a diplomatic tour of the realms tomorrow morning. You cannot go with your brothers." She opened her mouth to protest, but Odin cut over her and she fell silent. "I have spoken. That is my final word on the subject." He shook Frey's hand, then Asmund's. "Go. If you should need it, my armies shall be with you. Be safe."

"Thank you, old friend." Frey left the room, his sons trailing after him. A few embraced Maeve, and while she wanted to be angry with them all, her true fury was directed at her father, so she hugged them back.

After everyone was gone, she addressed Odin. "I think I will retire early for tonight, my king." The disdain in her voice was evident to everyone remaining in the room. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Loki on the cheek. "I'll see you upstairs."

"That's fine," he murmured, his eyes still on his father.

The princess sank into a clearly-exaggerated curtsy and left, letting the door slam on her way out.

"How is it that I never noticed how insolent your wife is?"

Loki turned to Odin and opened his mouth to say something, but Sif grabbed his arm and dragged him out into the hall, Thor and his friends trailing behind them.

"Unhand me, Sif," he snarled. Although she was a good friend of Maeve's, the two had never been on wonderful terms and neither desired to be.

"And have you say something stupid to the Allfather? I think not."

He rolled his eyes and escaped her tight grasp only for Thor to replace her. Now, struggle was pointless. His brother always possessed more brute strength than him.

"Loki, it's no use. Walk away and cool off," Volstagg suggested.

"You all saw how they treated her! Doesn't that bother any of you?"

"Yes, it does. If you were too busy being high and mighty to notice, I also stood up for your lady," Thor snapped. "Both Father and Frey are set in the past. As long as the thrones remain theirs, we need to fall in line with what they say. It is our duty."

Loki thought about Maeve, and how much courage it must have taken to stand up to both Odin and Frey at the same time. He thought of Asmund, who blatantly ignored the rules and did something treasonous under his own father's nose.

"It is our duty, Thor, to keep what is good and alter what can be improved. Traditions included."

"All the same, you cannot alter your traditions overnight." Secretly, Sif appreciated Loki coming to Maeve's defense a few minutes prior. Being one of the only women in Asgard's army certainly wasn't easy, and while she had no affection for the younger prince, he may have gained her respect. "Playing the part now will give you chances later on."

He hated to acknowledge it, but Sif was right. "I suppose I've obeyed his silly orders for over a thousand years. A few more won't kill me."

"Oh, that's the spirit," Fandral joked, laughing heartily. "Go find your lover, Loki, or I might find her for you."

A dagger appeared in the air out of nothingness. It hovered dangerously close to Fandral's nose. Loki smirked.

"Don't think I won't do it." A snap of his fingers and the dagger disappeared.

He found Maeve sitting on the floor of his balcony, holding a shriveled flower in her hand. In a very measured voice, she said, "hello."

He sat down next to her. "It's not really fair to take this out on the daisy now, is it?"

She smiled a bit at his joking tone. The blackened petals shivered and began to shift back into white, but her smile soon faded, effectively stopping their revitalization.

"Just playing with flowers. It's apparently all I'm good for."

"Don't say that," he said, tilting her chin so she faced him. "Our fathers are idiots who don't understand. Someday, it will be different, but I swear to you that you and I will be on even footing no matter what they think. I refuse to let you be anything less than you are."

"Thank you. Especially for having my back down there." She laid her head on his shoulder. "What was wrong with Asmund?"

Loki hesitated. His eyes followed the Rainbow Bridge all the way to the Bifrost as he thought of the promise he made.

"He wouldn't tell me."

I'm so happy that I've been able to update more frequently. Let me know what you think of this chapter! I think it answered a lot of questions but created some more. What's going to happen?

Vote and comment, please! Xo