Loki and Revna had spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying each other's company as Frida had previously advised in her last words to Revna. Revna was hesitant to leave the cottage, Loki deciding to attempt to ease her into doing so. Perusing Frida's bookshelf, she had found one that interested her, a collection of adventure stories that Loki recalled being read to him by Frida as a child and Revna had asked him to read to her, a request Loki found somewhat strange until she confessed that she enjoyed simply listening to the sound of his voice, finding it soothing (which would be helpful if he were to convince her to eventually leave the confines of the cottage) and that it also brought to mind how her father used to read to her similar stories. Loki had moved to the chaise and she had curled up against him, his arm around her, the other holding the book as he'd read story after story. There were a few he recalled so well that he found he almost had no need for the book.

"They will write stories of you someday." Revna had said as Loki had closed the book.

"I fear I will end up little more than a footnote in the story of another." Loki said in a dark tone as he thought of how it was far more likely they would be written about his brother, expounding on Thor's greatness. Thoughts of his brother had invaded his mind on and off over the course of the day as he contemplated his return home the next morning. Surely Thor's reveling had come to an end by this time, especially after the passing of Frida. At least he would not have that to deal with.

Yet, as the coronation drew closer, there would be other reminders...preparations would be taking place, fittings for new clothing for the ceremony among other things for which his reluctant presence would be necessary. He could not completely shut himself away and escape it as he had been attempting to do previously. He wished he could fulfill Revna's wish and remain longer. If it weren't for his plan that was to come to fruition during the ceremony, he would just as soon skip it altogether, though he knew that would never be permitted except in the event he were to be on his deathbed. He thought even if that would be the case, the show would likely go on.

He could already see how it would go in his head...Thor would make his grand entrance, jovial and prideful and acting the buffoon, showing off to the crowd as he was wont to do, especially as of late. The thought of it turned Loki's stomach. It was a good thing he was a talented actor or he would never make it through it without giving his true feelings away. But then, if all went as planned he wouldn't have to make it 'through it' as it would never conclude. At that point in the proceedings he would need to put on the performance of a lifetime.

Loki had insisted on checking Revna's wound, reasonably sure by this time it would have sufficiently healed to forego the bandaging and he could remove the reminder of that morning's episode as he continued to attempt to induce her outside. Unwinding the bandage, he was proven correct, the gash having closed, only a long pinkish-red line like a scratch across her palm that he moved to his lips, knowing the gesture would further allay her anxiety.

"It looks to be a lovely evening. Should we not venture out and enjoy it? It will be our last for a time." Loki asked. Revna, still reticent, looked down for a moment as Loki continued to hold her previously injured hand.

"Alright." she said softly, nodding, finally acquiescing. "My father's sword-" she said, standing from the chaise, Loki still holding fast her hand in his.

"I don't believe that will be necessary." Loki said. Revna looked towards the guest room door uncertainly. Loki rose, leading her towards the front door, she relenting and turning her eyes away from the direction in which the sword rested.

Loki stepped out, Revna looking around before tentatively following, closing the door behind her. Taking Loki's arm, he led her in the opposite direction of the garden for obvious reasons towards the seashore. Loki had not considered, however, that walking in that direction would lead them past the site of Frida's pyre, though little of it remained other than a scorched area, it having burned to ash and most of that carried off by the winds. It was enough to remind Revna of her last conversation with Frida and the visions she had given her that they had discussed. Though Frida had removed the spell upon her, she still recalled the images in her memory. She now found her fear of the beast forgotten, replaced by another that she had been carrying before her first run in with the creature. The two had been walking in silence, the only sound that of the sea, when Revna finally broke the silence.

"Why do you wish to be king?" Revna asked.

"As I have said, my brother on the throne would be a grave mistake. It would not be long I fear before we would find ourselves at war. He is unable to weather the slightest of insults to himself or those he holds in esteem. If one of another realm were to say a base thing about him or my mother or father we would quickly find ourselves in a conflagration. You who would not see others find themselves in the position in which you found yourself should wish never to see him on the throne." Loki answered.

"What will you do if your plan changes nothing? If Thor is still crowned king?"

"I have no desire to remain in his shadow, 'brother of Thor' appended to my name for the rest of my days. As my grandmother told me, the realms and the universe are open to me. Perhaps I shall seek my fortunes elsewhere, prove myself to be my brother's equal. I would finally step out of his shadow to cast my own."

"Prove to who?" Revna asked. Her question seemed to catch Loki by surprise. He was silent for a moment before answering.

"Everyone." Loki answered.

"I thought you didn't care what others thought of you." Revna replied.

"Perhaps not everyone…" Loki said.

"I believe only one." Revna said, recalling the coldness between Loki and Odin she had witnessed. Loki could sense the darkness rising within him as the conversation progressed.

"I'm not sure where you're going with this. I've expounded on the subject previously." Loki said.

"I suppose I don't understand, perhaps I can't."

"No...I don't suppose you could." Loki said. He thought of what Revna had said of her father. Even her mother in her madness had attempted to take Revna's life because she loved her and thus wanted them to be together in Valhalla. No, Loki thought, she didn't understand, she couldn't possibly understand.

"I've never aspired for such things. There is only one thing I've ever wanted, that has ever mattered to me. Even the power of the throne could not grant it to me, I could not command one to feel what they do not." Revna said, a tinge of sadness and longing in her voice.

Loki knew well to what she was referring. He wanted to shower her with treasures and glory so that she would forget all the darkness of her past. There would be no more nightmares, no more beastly visions to plague her. But was that love? It seemed to Loki there must be more than that, there must be that undefined something which he was still yet to experience. The epiphany that would give him knowledge he had yet to acquire that he awaited had not come, though it had felt several times as if it soon could. It was as if something was keeping it at bay as the walls of a fortress keep out the enemy during a siege, but at the same time that same wall also keeps those protected by it prisoner within it.

Loki and Revna continued to walk along the shoreline in silence, both ruminating upon their own thoughts. Revna came to a decision and brought their walk to a halt, turning to Loki.

"What I told you of my last conversation with Frida...that was not all she said. There was more."

"What was it?" Loki asked, curious.

"She had shared with me her visions….visions of you, your future. She said I should not tell you of them, that it's dangerous. That's why she didn't share them with you. She said you must continue on your path...but I can't….I have to try…" Revna said, sounding anxious and troubled.

"What visions?" Loki asked, confused at Revna's words.

"You are to die." Revna said, hanging her head, tears welling in her eyes. Loki looked to Revna aghast and disquieted. He knew that glimpses of the future, as he had said, were as a single paragraph in the chapter of a book, yet death was death, whatever the context around it may be. He recalled his first night there, how he had seen a vision of the same while in his bed. "What if as a consequence of your plan-" Revna began. Loki, quickly seeing where the conversation was headed, interrupted her.

"I will be with you at the coronation, nowhere near the vault when the frost giants enter it. No one but the Jotuns will die. My father has a mechanism, the Destroyer, it will render them ash. The Jotuns know nothing of its existence. That is the trap I spoke of. I suppose before it's unleashed upon them a few of the einherjar that guard the vault may fall, no one who matters." Revna looked to Loki in disbelief.

"My father stood guard in the palace and the vault at one time! Did my father not matter!? You would betray your own...send the Jotuns down upon them with no warning? Sacrifice their lives merely to prove yourself right to your father? I suppose after you will celebrate." Revna swiftly turned and strode back towards the cottage. Loki, in shock at the turn the conversation had taken, stood speechless for a moment.

"Revna! Revna, wait!" Loki called after her. Ignoring him, Revna continued her trek towards the cottage. She seemed no longer to be concerned with the beast or any danger to herself. Loki stopped following her and stood straight, mimicking the posture he had seen his father employ. "Stop!" Loki called out loudly in a commanding voice. Revna froze then turned slowly to face Loki. As he made his way to her, she bowed her head, falling to one knee before him.

"Is this what you want?" she asked. "It's true...what they said of you."

"As I once said, I am flawed as any man."

"You are not just any man. You are the son of Odin, the Allfather, a Prince of Asgard…even if you are never king you are still set above them, they are your people."

"You're right...I should consider their fate." Loki acquiesced, raising Revna to her feet.

"You should consider yours as well." Revna turned, once again walking towards the cottage. Loki caught up to her, taking hold of her arm.

"Come back with me." Loki said. Revna, caught by surprise by his request, turned again to face him.

"I can't…I will return with you only when you are sure...when you know what it is you feel. I've been a fool far too many times."

"But you will be alone here….are you not afraid?" Loki asked, puzzled.

"There is nothing for me to fear. I am mad, or do you not remember?" Revna replied.

"Perhaps it is I that has something to fear. Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Will you read to me more stories? The ones with happy endings?"