Loki stood in his chambers getting ready for the feast. The doors burst open and his brother walked in the room. "Brother, are you ready yet?" Thor asked in his thunderous voice.

"You know, Brother, there is this novel concept where before entering someone else's room you knock on the door." Loki replied.

Thor chuckled and clapped his brother on the shoulder. "Come now, Loki. The feast is ready and everyone is waiting for us."

"Alright." Loki agreed. He really hated these feasts. They were filled with too many people getting drunk and most of the girls fawned over his oaf of a brother.

They left Loki's chambers and headed for the grand dining hall. The party was already in full swing. Thor spotted his friends and began to walk over to them. Loki started to follow his brother, but he happened to glance across the room and saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

She stood with another group of young ladies, talking and laughing. She had long red hair that was done up in a style of braids and curls. She wore a deep purple gown. She was laughing and happened to turn her head in his direction. She had the most beautiful piercing green eyes...and they were locked with his.

One of the other ladies she was with, called her attention and she looked away from him. "Loki, brother, are you coming?" Thor asked.

"Right." Loki replied, walking over to join his brother and the others.

"You seemed a bit distracted, Loki. What was going on?" Thor asked.

"Isn't it obvious, Thor? Loki noticed a beautiful woman from across the room." Fandrall said before Loki even had the chance to reply. Fandrall then walked over to Loki and placed his arm around Loki's shoulders. "Alright, now. Tell me which one of those beautiful women over there you noticed? I know everything about every single one of them. I can fill you in."

Loki hesitated for a moment. He wasn't sure about telling Fandrall and the others. He knew the teasing they were likely to subject him to, but even if he didn't say anything they were likely to tease him. He may as well go ahead and tell him and hopefully get the information on the beautiful woman. "The breath-taking redhead in the purple gown."

"Ah, that would be Lady Ava. Daughter of Lord Hagar and Lady Gail. Unfortunately, you'd be wasting your time with that one." Fandrall answered.

"And why would that be?" Loki asked.

"Because she has captured the eye and heart of many a strong and handsome warrior...but none have captured hers." Fandrall explained. "She turns down every man who even asked her for a dance."

The rest of the night Loki spent with Thor and his friends, but his eyes kept wandering over to Lady Ava. Occasionally, she would look over at him, blush and then look quickly away. After several hours of this, Loki had finally worked up the nerve to walk over to her, when he saw her mother approach her. Then Lady Ava was leaving with her mother and father.

Loki sighed. He stayed at the feast a while longer before heading off to his chambers. Frigga noticed her youngest son leaving and the melancholy look on his face. She walked over to Thor and pulled him aside. "Thor, dear, what is wrong with your brother?" She asked.

"He noticed a beautiful lady and Fandrall gave him the information on her...and all night he kept looking at her and I believe he finally had the nerve worked up to ask her for a dance when she and her parents left." Thor explained to his mother.

"And who was this young lady?" Frigga inquired.

"Lady Ava, daughter of Lord Hagar and Lady Gail." Thor answered.

"I see." Frigga said, a soft smile coming to her face. "Perhaps it is time I have my dear friend Lady Gail and her daughter to the palace for lunch."

"Mother, are you going to try and play match maker?" Thor asked.

"Of course not." Frigga answered. "I'm just inviting my dear friend and her daughter to join me for lunch...and perhaps a tour through the palace and palace grounds...now if we happen to run into your brother and something sparks between him and the young Lady Ava, then that is just fate."

Thor chuckled. "I'll make sure to have Loki in the training field the same time you are taking them on a tour."