Chapter 20 One Step Closer

Its midday and I'm sitting with my brother on his floor and I have changed into a green dress to make myself look a bit classier. Just in case I go to Asgard as I don't want to look horrible in front of Loki's parents aka the King and Queen of Asgard. But there has been no sign yet I can go and I'm losing hope by the hour. Please let me come to Asgard, let me see Loki. Please…

"Relax Katrina." Tony tells me as we chill on the sofa, "I'm sure we will find out soon if you can go."

I force a smile, "And you really don't mind me going?"

"You belong with Loki, we both know that." He says with a smile, "And I am happy with Pepper and Morgan. You need to live your own life but you better visit."

"You know I will." I say with a grin, "Someone has to keep you in line."

He chuckles, "Well I have Pepper for that."

We laugh and then I hear a thud outside on the balcony and I turn to see Thor has appeared and he comes into the lounge. I'm slightly gutted it's not Loki but since Thor is here, that means Odin got my message and maybe I'm allowed to go. He comes over to us, smiling but with a shocked expression on his face.

I smile as I rise to greet him, "Thor it's good to see you."

He hugs me, "You as well Lady Katrina." He looks at Tony, "It's good to see you too my friend. How are you fairing?"

Tony chuckles, "We are good. Just had some shocking revelations, that's all."

That's when Thor turns to look at me and he is staring at me, studying my appearance and is clearly shocked I haven't aged.

"You haven't aged a day." He says, shocked but delighted, "Are you really an Asgardian?"

I nod, "My brother confirmed it. Did Odin get my message?"

He smiles, "Its why I am here. He is requesting your presence on Asgard. He is most eager to meet you, as is my mother."

This makes me smile, "I can go to Asgard?"

"Yes and we must leave right away. They are expecting you promptly."

I turn to my brother, "I'm going to miss you brother, look after yourself. And don't get into any more trouble."

He laughs, "I will try not to."

We hug, saying goodbye before I follow Thor out onto the balcony and I take his hand. I am ready and I wave at my brother as the light comes down on us and then we are gone. It's amazing. We are traveling through space so fast that I can barely think, just staring at the rainbow lights and the realms we go past. It's beautiful and amazing and yet all I can think is that I am one step closer to Loki. One more step closer to seeing him again. One step closer to having a life with him again.

It doesn't last too long and we arrive in a golden room which I'm guessing is the Bifrost. It's quite plain though with the walls covered in golden plate like circle but in the middle is a podium with a man and a sword. That must be Heimdell. He's dressed in golden armour and I see his eyes, gold and shining. He really can see all.

He smiles at me as we approach, "Welcome to Asgard Lady Katrina."

I smile, "Thank you Heimdell and thank you, for delivering my message."

"It was my pleasure Lady Katrina." He tells me, "The King and Queen wait for you in the throne room."

We nod and then Thor escorts me out the Bifrost and I gasp as we step out onto the rainbow bridge, Asgard is beautiful. The rainbow leads all the way to the palace which stands tall, shining gold. There are waterfalls that go over the ledge and the water is glimmering with the rainbow light from the bridge. It looks beyond anything I could imagine and even my description doesn't do it justice. No wonder why Loki missed his home so much. It's extraordinary and its possible now that this could be my home too.

Getting my thoughts together, I get on the back of the horse that Thor is on and we ride to the palace. As I hold onto him, I find myself gawking and staring at everything as we go past. It's just so beautiful and I really hope I get to see it all. Even as we go through the town, I can't help but look at the stalls and the people who are gawking at me, some wondering who I am. However I pull myself away from the beautiful sight and I focus on the palace as we arrive. It's so much larger up close and frankly it's amazing. So much gold.

Thor helps me down from the horse before escorting me inside and I feel myself getting nervous. I'm about to meet the King and Queen of Asgard, Loki's and Thor's parents and I hope that they like me. And since Odin hates mortals, I'm not sure if he will like me even though I am Asgardian. It's just a lot to take in and I hope he lets me stay and court his son. I want that more than anything but then I start to think about Loki and to think he is here, in this palace. So close and yet so far.

"How is Loki?" I ask Thor as we go down the golden corridors.

He frowns, "He settled quite well back into Asgard but he misses you terribly. Speaks about you often."

This makes me smile, "Does he know I'm here?"

He shakes his head, "He is unaware. Father swore me to secrecy but don't worry, I'm sure you can see him. You are an Asgardian after all."

Then we stop outside large golden doors and it must be the throne room. I feel so nervous but I have to do this.

"You will be ok." Thor reassures me, "Just be yourself."

I nod and I take a breath before I knock on the door and go inside. The throne room is gigantic and gorgeous and gold. The walls have rulers displayed in golden frames and the ceiling has hand painted carving of Asgard's history... and its unbelievably beautiful. But quickly I focus on the thrones and see King Odin and Queen Frigga sitting there waiting for me. I go towards them as I look at them, studying them as they look at me. Odin is older, with a golden eye patch and has a staff in his hand. He looks mighty. While Frigga is in a blue dress with gold plates on it and she is rather beautiful. The rulers of Asgard and Loki's parents.

When I reach them, I curtsy as I smile and try to be respectful. The last thing I want to do is offend them.

Odin gestures to me to rise, "Lady Katrina, you are most welcome in Asgard. We have heard a lot about you from our son and were surprised to get your message. I wish to know what your intentions are on Asgard."

I then explain, "When me and Loki parted 20 years ago, I understood that me and Loki couldn't be together as I was mortal. I didn't want him to see me age and die or be parted from his family because of me. So I let him go but yesterday, upon having not aged a day since he left, I discovered that I am an Asgardian. I must have been adopted but we don't know of the circumstances." They both seem startled by this but I go on, "So I came here to ask you for your permission to court Loki and be with him or at least visit him on Asgard if I'm not permitted to stay. As I miss Loki terribly and… I love him with all my heart."

It falls silent and I look at them as Odin and Frigga seem to think. I know my cheeks have gone red from my confession but they had to know everything. I'm being me and honesty is the best policy. I just want to see Loki.

Odin then speaks, "Before anymore is said, would you mind if my wife checks you are indeed an Asgardian?"

I nod, "Off course your majesty."

Then Frigga gets off her throne and comes down the stairs to me with a kind smile on her face. I remember Loki telling me all about her. He always said he was closer to his mother and she taught him all the magic he knows or at least most of it. I hope she likes me too.

"Relax child, no need to be nervous. May I have your arm?"

I smile as I hold out my arm and I watch as she runs her hand over my arm and I can see my golden magic glowing in my veins. It's beautiful and then she removes her hand and my arm returns to normal. She smiles brightly at me before turning back to Odin but stays next to me.

"She's an Asgardian." She confirms, "With very powerful magic."

Odin nods and he looks at me, a smile on his face, "Lady Katrina, you are an Asgardian and therefore you belong on Asgard." He tells me before going on, "As for my son, you have our gratitude for everything you did for him. The man who returned to us had love in his heart and finally I could see my son again. No pain or darkness. And the fact you put our son first before your own happiness, has to be commended. So I would be honoured for you to stay and court my son."

My eyes widen and I can't believe it. I really can't. Not only has Odin granted me permission to stay here but is thankful for what I did for Loki and wants me to stay and court him. It's unbelievable but I am so thrilled. I can court Loki and be with the man I love again. I'm so happy and can't wait to see him.

I finally speak, unable to hide my smile, "Thank you your majesty."

"You belong in Asgard and with our son. We shall have a ball and feast tonight to celebrate your courtship and you can see my son then." He declares before saying, "And in the meantime, my wife can help you chose a gown appropriate to wear."

Frigga smiles at me, "Come along, we shall go to my chambers and get you ready."

I smile and after thanking Odin again, I follow Frigga out of the throne room and to her chambers where dresses are already waiting for us. It seems they had already decided before I arrived that they wanted me to stay and court Loki and had been prepared. It makes me smile and I spend the rest of the afternoon with Frigga. She is eager to know all about me and I tell her all about my life as I try on many beautiful Asgardian gowns. Frigga really is a lovely woman and so nice. She is amazing and yet all I can think about is in a few hours I can finally be reunited with Loki, the love of my life. I can't wait to surprise him and be in his arms again. Just have to wait a little longer.