Frida had rested the remainder of the morning, rising once again just before midday and famished. Revna had dutifully prepared food for her, assisting her to the table. Loki approached his grandmother, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to look up at him managing a smile though she continued to appear fatigued even after her rest. Though it was clear she was attempting to veil it, he could see sadness mixed with a hint of fear in her eyes. Revna had spoken of Frida's concern for him even before Frigga's visit and revelation that Loki would not be the next King of Asgard. Loki wondered whether that fear was for him or for herself. Perhaps a bit of both.

"Will you join us?" Frida asked.

"No, I'm afraid I'm not hungry at the moment. I believe I'll take a walk and perhaps work up an appetite." Loki told her.

"I'm afraid I'm rather dull company these days. A young man such as yourself has the need to get out and explore." Frida replied.

"I won't be too long."

"I will keep a plate warm for when you return." Revna said from her place at that table.

Loki exited the cottage, turning to his left and following a trail he had noticed earlier into the forest. It was not to benefit his appetite that motivated him to strike off on his own but to think. He had always found the forests of Asgard an ideal place to do so since he was a child, assisted by the peaceful and quiet solitude it provided. Revna's words replayed in his mind once again as they had throughout the morning since she had first spoken them. If he could make his father see...if he could find the right button of Thor's to push…what button and where and when should he push it to achieve his aim?

Of course his first goal was to showcase for his father in a manner that could not be denied no matter how deeply went Odin's favor for his brother that Thor was not suited to rule. That would be far easier to accomplish if it took place in front of others as well, if it couldn't simply be swept under the rug. His second goal, which would naturally be achieved if the first goal was successfully met, was to put as big a dent in his brother's bloated pride as possible. Loki glowered as he thought of the way Thor strutted and preened, the pretentious swagger that had now become even more pronounced. Naturally he never missed an opportunity to show off. As much as Thor claimed to care for and love his brother, he certainly wasn't bothering to take Loki's feelings into account concerning the situation. The man most definitely needed to be knocked down a few pegs, more than a few in Loki's estimation.

His thoughts turned as well, though through no conscious decision of his own, to she who had uttered the words that now left him deliberating. Could there actually be someone 'on his side' for once? Loki revered loyalty, to himself anyway, above most other qualities. The possibility raised her in his esteem and compelled him to wish to become better acquainted when he had little interest before. Of course he had noticed from the outset that she was rather easy on the eyes, but so were many others. A pretty face was commonplace on Asgard. That in and of itself was not enough to pique Loki's interest...at least beyond the opportunity for mere physical pleasure when the need for such arose. Though the less favored brother, he had little difficulty in obtaining such if he so desired due to his exalted position as a Prince of Asgard.

Loki could not recall ever truly loving anyone in that way, though he had of course had his infatuations over the years. A part of him feared it and was reticent to seek it out, though he couldn't explain exactly why. Perhaps it was the possibility of losing the object of it that he had witnessed others experience over the years and that he somehow, though he wasn't sure how, identified with. Too many times for Loki to count the universe had said no to him when it came to other things that he had wanted, some that seemed to be just within his grasp before he found them wrenched away. He had always believed, as his grandmother had also stated, that when he met 'the one' he would know the instant she came to be in his presence, as she would as well, but perhaps the idea of 'love at first sight' was but myth, mere fodder for sentimental novels and fairy tales. Besides, what did he have to offer now but an empty title?

All these thoughts along with others continued to percolate in Loki's brain as he continued his trek, swallowed up by the woodland that surrounded him.

For the next two nights Loki found his sleep to be undisturbed but for his own thoughts. In the mornings he had assisted both his grandmother and Revna in the garden. His grandmother passing what Revna would likely have labeled "good days" to Loki's relief. After dinner, Loki, Frida and Revna spent the evening in pleasant conversation, Loki and Frida reminiscing the past, Loki's boyhood, stories of tricks and pranks played by both on each other and others over the years. Revna had seemed rather amused which Loki found gratifying. At least she had a sense of humor unlike others he knew, which Loki considered another point in her favor.

The sun had just set, the horizon still glowing a fiery red and orange, when Frida seated in a worn armchair slowly struggled to her feet. Revna, attentive as always, rose from the equally worn cushions of the chaise on which she had been seated to assist her.

"I'm afraid I'm feeling a bit played out. However, the evening is still young as are the both of you. Don't feel you must end yours on my account." Frida said as Loki also rose from his chair and went to her, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

"Goodnight, Amma. Rest well." Loki said to her before Revna assisted her to make her way towards her bedroom. He couldn't help but notice that she seemed more unsteady than the day and evening before, a slight tremble in her hands.

Loki moved to stand before the burning cauldron that lit the room as he had the evening of the day he'd arrived. He stared down into the glowing embers of the small black stones that fueled the flames once again deep in thought. Finally he raised his head, turning and walking across the room to a carved wooden cabinet. He was unsure if it still contained what once it had long ago and was pleased as he opened it to find a few bottles remaining. Perusing them before choosing one and removing it along with two glasses and the implement necessary to open it, he closed the cabinet and walked back to the table around which they had previously been sitting. As Revna exited the bedroom and closed the door, Loki pulled the cork from the bottle of wine.

"As my grandmother said, the evening is still young. Would you like some?" Loki asked. Revna stood silent for a moment, seeming to be contemplating before answering.

"Yes. Thank you." she said, though Loki noted she sounded unsure, before she finally moved from where she stood to sit once again on the chaise. Loki poured the deep magenta colored wine into the glass in his hand and held it out to Revna. After she had taken it from him he raised the remaining empty glass and filled it before setting the bottle back on the table, seating himself in the chair across from her.

"Will you be staying much longer?" Revna asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over them.

"Do you wish to be rid of me?" Loki responded.

"Oh! No….I didn't mean to imply-" Revna said, flustered. Loki grinned as he took a drink from his glass.

"I had planned to remain two days more, but I may decide to extend my stay, depending on circumstances."

"Frida will be glad to hear it. She very much enjoys your presence. Despite her difficulties since your arrival, she is the happiest I have seen her in some time."

"I must admit, it's not often that anyone seems pleased at my presence. And you? Are you pleased as well?" Loki asked. Revna had clearly not been expecting the question.

"Anything that pleases Frida pleases me." she answered diplomatically.

"And if my grandmother was not a concern? I wish to know your own thoughts on the matter." Loki pressed.

"I would be pleased as well." Revna answered, though Loki was unsure whether her answer was sincere or merely what she believed she should say, what she thought he wished to hear. A short silence fell between the two again before, surprisingly for Loki, Revna once again spoke. "I confess, you are not what I expected. It has been some time since I have left this place….of course I had not made your acquaintance then, but I have heard you spoken of in the past by others." Revna said. Loki leaned back in the chair, taking another drink from his glass before replying.

"And what did these 'others' say of me?" Loki asked. Revna was quiet for a moment and looked down, bowing her head.

"That you care for no one and nothing but yourself, your own interests, only what will benefit you in the moment, that you are not to be trusted...other such things."

"I see." Loki responded.

"However, after seeing how you care for Frida, your concern for her and your kindness to myself I cannot believe any of it to be true."

"As any man, I suppose I have my faults. When one is in a position such as I find myself, those faults tend to be exaggerated by others. I suppose jealousy plays its part. It doesn't help that my father has quite clearly favored my brother over myself."

"Yes, I can see how that would be so. It must be a difficult thing to bear. I'm afraid I cannot relate as I had no siblings with which to be compared or measured against."

"That is most fortunate." Loki said as he refilled his glass. Revna's was not yet quite empty.

"In some ways perhaps, but it was also rather lonely, but then I suppose that prepared me for what was to come." Revna replied.

"You speak of the loss of your parents..."

"Yes...to lose both of them so soon and in such a short space of time...it was difficult."

"I'm sure it was. You must be a woman of much strength." Loki said.

"I have never thought of myself as such. I simply had little choice but to go on."

"More?" Loki asked. Revna looked down into her glass.

"I shouldn't….it is not far but the way home can be treacherous in the dark…"

"If you wish, I will see you there." Loki assured her.

"You may be no better off than I." Revna said with a slight grin as she held out her glass, Loki refilling it.

"If I were not able to find my way after only a few glasses of wine, I would be forced to renounce my title as a prince of Asgard." Loki said as Revna smiled. "I have been giving some thought to our earlier conversation….regarding my brother…"

"When will he take his place as King?"

"The day has been set one month from now. The arrangements for the coronation itself have long been in place, it was only a matter of which of us was to be chosen."

"When I was a girl I dreamed of attending such an event….to have a beautiful gown to wear...my father had dealings with your father many times, but I only visited the palace once as a young girl. My mother believed it better to live simply and be happy with our station in life. She feared I would become displeased with our own life dreaming of a life that could never be." Revna explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Was your mother a witch?" Loki asked. Again, Revna was taken by surprise by his question.

"No…."

"Then how could she possibly know what could be? Even witches themselves can't see all, only glimpses of what could be, as if reading a single paragraph of a book's chapter. My mother has always found her ability to see the future to be limited, though she cares little to do so." Loki fell silent for a moment. "Do you believe I speak truth when I say that I love my brother but my father is making a grave error in placing him on the throne, that it will spell disaster for us all, for Asgard? That it could well lead to the darkness of which Frida speaks and that she fears?" Loki asked as he locked his gaze to Revna's. Revna contemplated his question for a moment before answering.

"Yes." she answered. Taking the last swallow of the wine, she sat her empty glass on the table. As she did so a bright flash of light entered the room from the windows followed by a low rumbling of thunder as a storm approached. Revna quickly rose, Loki following suit, setting his now empty glass on the table as well.

"I should be going." Revna said as another bolt of lighting lit up the room from outside.

"I will see you there safely." Loki said as Revna came around the table.

"It's alright."

"I insist." Loki said offering Revna his arm. Taking it, Loki led her to the door. As he did so, it was if a bolt of lightning had struck within his own brain. The coronation...everyone of importance would be there along with quite a number of other citizens of Asgard. His question of time and place had been answered. There remained now only the question of what and how.

"Thank you." Loki said. Revna turned her head, looking to him questioningly.

"For what am I to be thanked?" Revna asked.

"For your company and conversation. It has been a pleasant evening. It's a pity it must end so soon."

"Perhaps it doesn't have to." Revna answered.