This is set Pre-Thor. POV will change, I will let you know when it does. I own Chiara. Marvel owns the rest.

I am sorry about my absence. Work and school has me extremely busy. I will try to update as often as I can.

I believe that in a few more chapters, I will be finished with the story. I would like to know if people would like a sequel.

…

Chiara POV:

I was deep in thought when Loki sat next to me some time later. Gently, he laid his cloak on my shoulders. The temperature was dropping as quickly as the sun was. Though, I would never admit that I was cold. I glanced up at him, softly speaking. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome, my princess," He replied. He slid closer to me and let me lay my head on his shoulder. His warm arm wrapped around my waist, holding me closer to his form. "I am sorry about how Thor spoke. He does not think before he speaks. I am sure he feels terrible about hurting your feelings."

"Thor does not think a woman is fit to rule a kingdom, Loki. I intend to prove him wrong." I spoke, watching the men continue to spar. I would prove him wrong.

Loki nodded slowly, standing up and offering me a hand. "Shall we go to dinner?"

A small smile found its way to my lips and I nodded, tugging his cloak around me tighter. I could never be mad at him. Whether it was the mating tradition or just Loki, I could never stay upset with him. His hand found mine and he rubbed his thumb over my knuckles. It was a small gesture, but it made me smile. It was the little things he did that made my feelings for him grow. Neither of us spoke until just before we reached the dining hall. Softly, so the servants could not here, I asked, "Do we tell your father after dinner or during?"

"After," Loki responded quickly. He waved for me to go ahead of him as the servants opened the doors for us. I gave him a nod and handed his cloak back to him before walking in. The servants would talk about how I was seen wearing his cloak, I did not need the Warrior's Three or Sif asking questions yet either. Personally, I did not want any talk of Loki and I, but I knew we would not get that lucky. There were two seats still open, one beside Thor and one beside Lady Sif. I chose to sit by Lady Sif, away from the Alfather and Queen Frigga. When I glanced around, I noticed that Nicholai was also sitting at the table. He was sitting away from everyone else at the end, but he was still there. I quickly masked the emotion of excitement on my face and gave him a nod and a small smile.

"How are you feeling, Princess Chiara?" Sif spoke as I sat by her.

"Better, thank you," I replied with a smile. The table hushed as we all began to eat. I am sure that I was spoken to, however, I could not concentrate on anything except for telling the Alfather about Loki and I after dinner.

Dinner ended too soon. The Warrior's Three and Sif left quickly. This must have been Loki's doing because when I looked up, he was glaring towards them. When I caught his eye, his expression softened and he held a hand out for me to stand by him. I slowly walked around the table to him as the Alfather stood up to leave.

"Father, Mother, Thor, Nicholai," Loki spoke quickly. This caused them all to stop and turn to look at him. I was even surprised that he wanted Nicholai at the meeting. He may of done it for my sake, though. "May I have a word with all of you?"

"Can it not wait until morning?" Thor whined. He wanted to join the Warrior's Three and Sif. Loki gave a harsh glare and the Alfather waved his hand, silencing Thor. He gave Loki a nod and sat back down at the head of the table. Frigga, Thor and Nicholai sat on one side of the table, leaving the opposite for Loki and I. Loki sat closest to the king, thankfully. As I sat, I clasped my hands together to keep them from shaking.

Third Person POV:

The air in the dining hall was tense as the royal family, princess and her guard sat at the table. The room was empty, save for them. The king sat at the head of the table, his usual position, while the queen, the first born son and the guard sat across from the mischievous prince and the princess. If one looked close enough, they would see the princess's hands shaking underneath the table.

"What is it, Loki," The Alfather spoke. His voice nearly echoed in the room. The prince cleared his throat to speak.

"I would like to speak about a relationship Princess Chiara and I are forming," He said properly. He sat up straight, looking his father in the eyes. "I cannot ask her father for his permission, therefore, I am asking for yours for her. If she will allow it, may I court her?"

"Loki, you cannot be serious!" Thor spoke quickly and loudly. He stood from his seat, his fist on the table. The banging of his fist had caused Chiara to jump slightly in her seat. Loki's hand landed on her forearm to comfort her.

"Silence, Thor," the Alfather said. Thor's mouth seemed to hang open, but he sat down again. Nicholai's posture stiffened and he pursed his lips. The Princess held the Alfather's gaze. He took his eyes from the Princess and moved them to his wife. She gave him a soft smile and a small nod. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Princess Chiara, you are aware of Asgardian customs, are you not?"

"I have been reading up on them," She said gently. She was straining to keep her voice even.

"The first born son gets his pick of women first. Loki is the second born son," He said plainly. She frowned at the thought of marrying Thor, the natural choice. Most women would swoon at the chance. Loki was more suited to Chiara's taste. Queen Frigga saw her small frown and took a deep breath, ready to intervene.

"Yes, Alfather, I am aware of the tradition. However, my tradition differs from yours," Chiara said. When the Alfather did not react to her statement, she continued. "When an Elf is born, we are born with a unique birthmark. This birthmark indicates the mark of that Elf's soulmate. It cannot be changed or altered and it is always right."

"You are speaking nonsense," The Alfather scoffed. He stood up to leave the room, but Queen Frigga put her hand on his forearm, making him sit back down.

"It is true, Odin," She spoke. He turned his glare to her instead of Chiara. Chiara visibly relaxed and looked to Loki. He held her hand underneath the table, trying to help her calm down. Nicholai stared a hole through the table.

"She speaks the truth," Nicholai said softly, almost too low for everyone to hear. The Alfather turned his stare to Nicholai. He looked up to meet the glare. Nicholai felt the need to protect Chiara from the Alfather, just like he had done so many times before with other people. "I have one too, however, I have not found my mate."

"Show me," He demanded. Chiara moved her hand to the top of the table, pulling the leather cuff off of her wrist and laid it on the table. She turned to her wrist so that the Alfather could easily see Loki's mark. Thor leaned over to see the mark as well.

"It is Loki's mark, Odin. You cannot deny that," Frigga spoke in a soft voice. "What she speaks is the truth. Denying an Elf their soulmate after they've found them is like a death sentence. Our traditions aside, they are soulmates."

"How can that be?" Thor asked. His brows furrowed.

"There is a legend that belongs with the mark," Nicholai spoke. Chiara turned to him, as well as the rest of the table. This was the first time she had heard about the story. Loki took her hand in his, smoothing his thumb over the back it. "Mother told me it a long time ago, but I do not remember it. I'm sure you could find it in a book, Princess Chiara."

Thor and the Alfather shared a glance before the Alfather turned to Frigga. Chiara turned her gaze from Nicholai to the queen, tightening her grip on Loki's hand. The Alfather's face held many emotions and he was in deep thought. This made Loki and Chiara nervous. Like Chiara, Loki could not stand the thought of Thor attempting to hold her like he does. Thor moved his eyes from his father towards Loki and Chiara. He saw how they interacted, how Loki behaved towards her.

"Father," Thor spoke, breaking the silence. "I have a solution to this problem."

"This ought to be good," Loki murmured in Chiara's ear. She gave him a quick nudge to his ribs. He winced slightly, a playful gleam in his eyes.

"Go ahead, Thor," the Alfather spoke.

"What if I swore not to choose Chiara in my pick of women? I have not picked a woman yet, but that would leave Chiara out of the pick. Assuming Loki does not want anyone else, then he and Chiara would be able to court, right?"

The Alfather seemed to consider this plan. Chiara bit her lip and waited for him to speak again. It was Queen Frigga who spoke though. "That would work, Thor, however, let us not refer to this as 'picking' for it sounds as if you are choosing cattle and not a wife."

"Of course, Mother, I only meant-"

"I know, Thor," She interrupted him with a small smile. Chiara also gave a small smile, her feelings towards the queen were growing.

"Do you, Thor Odinson, first born son of Odin Borson, swear that you will not choose to court Princess Chiara of the Elves?" The Alfather spoke slowly and clearly after a minute of debate. Every eye was on him and Thor.

"I swear it," Thor replied.

"On this day, I, Odin, Alfather, will take your oath. If you shall rescind your oath, do you understand the punishment?"

"I do," Thor spoke again. Chiara gave Loki a small smile, then turned to Thor. She was grateful.

"Now," the Alfather turned his attention back to the young, soon to be couple. "Loki Odinson, if Princess Chiara of the Elves allows it, you have permission to court her."

"Thank you, Father." Loki was nearly beaming with excitement.

"Thank you very much, Alfather," Chiara spoke, nodding her head towards him.

"Do not make me regret this decision," the Alfather spoke as he stood from the table.

Chiara POV:

The Alfather and Queen Frigga left the dining hall and I visibly sighed of breath of relief. Loki wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. I hugged him tightly with a smile on my face.

"So it is true, then?" Thor asked. I jumped slightly in surprise, I had forgotten he was still in the room. "You two are 'soulmates'?"

"Yes, they are," Nicholai spoke as he stood up. He turned to me and spoke, "Princess Chiara, I would like to speak with you tomorrow morning, at your convenience."

"Of course, Nicholai," I replied with a small nod. He was hurting inside, I could tell. I wanted to find his soulmate for him, but I knew that he would not allow me to search for her. He left the dining hall quickly, followed by a guard.

"He is under supervision while his actions are reviewed. It is a standard precaution," Loki explained at my confused expression. I nodded again as Loki wrapped his cloak around my shoulders again. "It is true, brother. I am very grateful for what you did. I am in your debt."

"Nonsense, Loki," Thor said with a small laugh. "I see how you two look at each other. You have never looked at anyone that way before. Princess Chiara, I know you will be a wonderful addition to the family. I apologize for my words earlier, they were not thought out."

"Thank you, Thor. What you did has no equal, I am grateful," I replied. Together, the three of us moved from the dining hall. I could only imagine the story Thor was going to tell the Warrior's Three and Sif. I would have to prepare a defense for when Lady Sif confronted me, I know she will.

My leather cuff was left on the table, it would no longer be needed.