The sun was well up by the time you roused and fought your way awake from the sleeping potion Frigga had forced on you. You both woke laughing at the state of yourselves and the bed. The previous evening, you had only just managed to fall into the bed drunken from the potion and had ended up in a tangle of limbs, messy hair, and blankets. Somehow the only thing still intact was Loki's one thin braid that had your lock of hair. At least his cat ears were gone. You disentangled yourselves and the blankets, still laughing and tried to wake up enough to start your day.

You sobered when you remembered what the morning was going to entail. This was going to be difficult. "We have to go see Torun this morning," you reminded Loki. You doubted he had forgotten, but you had to be sure. It was a duty that you couldn't neglect.

Loki nodded. "I know, darling." His voice was sad, his eyes haunted. This would be hard for him too.

"It's going to take an hour to detangle my hair," you whined when you saw the state of it in the mirror. Your eyes were still jet black, like your pupils had taken over the entire colored portion of your eyes. It was creepy and weird not to see the normal blue there.

Loki chuckled. "Allow me, darling," he bid you softly. You sat and let him fix your hair with a mix of brushing, magic, and curses. You laughed, but he did manage to get it back in order. "Close your eyes," you rolled your eyes that he was being silly, but you closed your eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his fingers through your hair as he braided it. "What do you think?" he asked. You heard the hesitation and worry in his voice. You opened your eyes and smiled brightly up at him before you stood and kissed him.

"I love it," you replied, brightly. "And I love you." He had braided a lock of his hair into yours after all. Anything that hurt his precious hair was something very important, especially when he did it on purpose.

After that he used magic to change your outfits to black clothes appropriate for this visit and fix his own hair. "When can this thing come off?" you grumbled at him, holding up your wrist with the bangle on it. You missed your magic. It was so very useful.

He placed a finger under your chin and tipped your head back so he could look at your eyes. He gave you a kiss when he had gotten his look. "It will be awhile yet, darling," he told you softly. You sighed and grumbled, but softened when he said: "Come, let's go visit Torun,"

You nodded and let him lead you to the gardens. You stopped on the way to pick out a stuffed bear from one of the stall markets. It was appropriate to bring her a gift.

Torun had a beautiful tombstone under the biggest tree in the gardens. It had been her favorite tree to climb. Someone had long ago nailed hand and footholds that even a toddler like Torun could 'climb' and feel they had an adventure.

Loki stayed back so you could pay your respect properly. You knelt beside Torun's grave, tears in your eyes. She had been such a gentle sweet child. So you spoke to her, like you spoke to your parents when you went to visit their graves. "I'm sorry I couldn't come play with you sooner, Torun. Your daddy said you would forgive me for coming late. I brought you a present," you told her brightly. You presented the stuffed bear and set it next to the other toys that had been left as tribute. "I'm sorry you had to leave us all so soon. Everyone here misses you. May you spent all of your days in joy in the lands of your ancestors," you bid her gently, with tears in your eyes. You turned to leave Torun's grave. Loki stopped to say a few words before you headed back to the palace. Thor and Sif were waiting for you at the entrance to the palace.

You gave Thor a hug when you saw him. He wrapped his arms around you tightly in return. "Thank you," he told you softly.

"I'm sorry," you replied. You didn't know what else to say. There was nothing else to say. Thor let you go and you gave Sif a hug too.

"Loki, Father wants us both to sit on the small council today," Thor announced when the hugs were over. Loki looked worriedly at you.

"I'll be fine, Lo. Go do your duty. I have research to do anyway," you reminded him.

He still looked concerned, but nodded his agreement.

"Breakfast first," Thor announced. He jovially took Sif's arm. Loki offered you his. You placed your hand on his arm and the four of you went to breakfast, chatting about small things while you did. Frigga was still in the family breakfast room when you all arrived. She smiled when she saw you all chatting and laughing together like the family you were.

"It gives me joy to see you all getting along," she greeted you warmly. You all bowed or curtsied to her and said your greetings. She handed a book to Loki. "The spell you were looking for last night is in there," she told him with a smile.

"Thank you, Mother," he replied and kissed her cheek. He vanished the book without an explanation.

"What spell were you looking for?" you asked him curiously.

"I will show you later, darling," he replied, with a hint of color in cheeks. You smiled at him. You was sure you'd enjoy whatever mischief he was up to.

"Dears, we do still have a schedule to keep to," Frigga reminded you when you all spent too long at breakfast. Both of the boys pouted. They had been arguing over some of the finer points of the play last night. Or something. You had lost track of the conversation having a civilized conversation about healing texts and spellbooks with Frigga. She promised to have a selection sent to your suite, especially as you would spending the day quietly studying, which she greatly approved of.

Thor went to Sif and Frigga so he could escort them to the healing wing. Loki came to your side. "Lo, you don't have to-" you started.

He just gave you a look. "Darling, do not even try. Security has been severely tightened since the attack. Torun died in that attack. I am not willing to risk your safety," he told you firmly. There was no room in his tone for arguments.

"And it's not just because you're the big strong man?" you grumped.

He laughed. "No, darling. It is only because you love you,"

"And who is keeping you safe?" you demanded, yet again cursing your lack of powers right now. You figured he would feel you could protect yourself if you had them.

"The guards that follow me around all the time." He grumbled back. "It is quite annoying, but none of us are alone anymore. The guards do try to be unobtrusive, but..." you saw his annoyance at them and the new situation. All you could do was laugh at his misfortune. He walked you back to your suite in companionable conversation.

When you arrived there, he looked so worried to be leaving you.

"Loki, I'm fine. I'm staying in the suite today with a stack of books, actually resting for once. Our suite is heavily shielded, and I'm sure you'll be listening for any call for help. Go be a prince, silly Trickster," you gave him a kiss, then gave him a push toward whatever he was supposed to be doing. He laughed and vanished in a flash of green light. You silently wished the guards keeping track of him good luck and ducked into the suite where you found a stack of carefully selected medical and healing texts to keep you entertained for the day.