[ Grin for grin, he dips his head in approval and, finally, begins to eat his hand pie.
The following week finds them stepping out of the Bifrost's light and onto the cobblestone just outside Ljosalfgard, capital of Alfheim. News of a Midgardian with a hitherto unseen flavor of magic among their race piques the interest of the Light Elves, Queen Aelsa Featherwine of the Fay included, who has no qualms with sanctioning Wanda's visit.
An audience with royalty requires the appropriate mannerisms -- old hat to Loki, new to Wanda. As such, she's given a crash course in proper etiquette and general mannerisms to expect from the Light Elves that ought to serve her well enough through the formalities of introduction. A royal feast is held in welcome of the Midgardian, first of her kind to visit Alfheim, with her 'handmaiden' -- still Loki to her eyes -- sitting beside her. Aelsa is a woman who naturally commands attention, but as the champagne and wine flows, it becomes apparent that she's not without her mischievous side. Talk of Wanda's relation to Thor gives way to regaling tales of the Odinson brothers in their youth, and all the trouble they managed to get into (and out of -- usually) in the fay lands.
Thor attempting to sneak upon Aelsa to steal a lock of her hair and the resultant scorching... Catching Loki as a salmon hiding in the rivers in his attempt to evade punishment for reaping chaos in the palace kitchens...
Loki, Wanda's handmaiden, joins in the laughter. If anyone could pierce through his disguise, it would be the queen. For that reason, when offered the choice of lodging in the palace or outside of it, the pair choose the latter. The less exchanges Loki has with her, the better.
The Elves escort them on horseback to their temporary dwelling: a quaint, two-story cottage alongside the Chardonnay River may have well been plucked right out of a Midgardian fairy tale. The entrance is marked by a wooden trellis covered in passionflower, some of its flowers already bearing fruit. Bushes and trees in various states of bloom encircle the property, including an unkempt garden and an adjacent shelter for the horses -- their main method of transport for their stay. A stone path struggling to stay afloat of the moss and grass leads to a wooden door besides which hangs two lanterns, their candles collecting dust from disuse. Climbing hydrangeas decorate the exterior in a mindful manner as if taught to avoid the casement windows and planters hanging beneath them. A stone chimney rises to meet the tallest peak of the tightly sloped roof, its mouth inhabited by the nest of some bird or bird-like creature that peers down at the two visitors as if they were the uninvited guests.
The interior is the very definition of cozy. The space has clearly been tidied up recently, restocked for its new inhabitants with essentials (and a little extra.) A spiral staircase leads to the second floor which includes two bedrooms and a study that overlooks the short path to the river. As education is the primary reason for Wanda's visit, the study has already been stocked with several books and writing material for her to peruse. There is also a letter detailing information on tutoring from the elves themselves.
As for Loki, the first task of his once the elves depart is to weave a spell around the property that will alert him to the presence of another besides Wanda. The failure of his disguise is not something foreseen -- rather, he's quietly excited for the challenge to maintain it in a place so concentrated in magic as Alfheim -- but it doesn't hurt to cover one's bases. ]
no subject
The following week finds them stepping out of the Bifrost's light and onto the cobblestone just outside Ljosalfgard, capital of Alfheim. News of a Midgardian with a hitherto unseen flavor of magic among their race piques the interest of the Light Elves, Queen Aelsa Featherwine of the Fay included, who has no qualms with sanctioning Wanda's visit.
An audience with royalty requires the appropriate mannerisms -- old hat to Loki, new to Wanda. As such, she's given a crash course in proper etiquette and general mannerisms to expect from the Light Elves that ought to serve her well enough through the formalities of introduction. A royal feast is held in welcome of the Midgardian, first of her kind to visit Alfheim, with her 'handmaiden' -- still Loki to her eyes -- sitting beside her. Aelsa is a woman who naturally commands attention, but as the champagne and wine flows, it becomes apparent that she's not without her mischievous side. Talk of Wanda's relation to Thor gives way to regaling tales of the Odinson brothers in their youth, and all the trouble they managed to get into (and out of -- usually) in the fay lands.
Thor attempting to sneak upon Aelsa to steal a lock of her hair and the resultant scorching... Catching Loki as a salmon hiding in the rivers in his attempt to evade punishment for reaping chaos in the palace kitchens...
Loki, Wanda's handmaiden, joins in the laughter. If anyone could pierce through his disguise, it would be the queen. For that reason, when offered the choice of lodging in the palace or outside of it, the pair choose the latter. The less exchanges Loki has with her, the better.
The Elves escort them on horseback to their temporary dwelling: a quaint, two-story cottage alongside the Chardonnay River may have well been plucked right out of a Midgardian fairy tale. The entrance is marked by a wooden trellis covered in passionflower, some of its flowers already bearing fruit. Bushes and trees in various states of bloom encircle the property, including an unkempt garden and an adjacent shelter for the horses -- their main method of transport for their stay. A stone path struggling to stay afloat of the moss and grass leads to a wooden door besides which hangs two lanterns, their candles collecting dust from disuse. Climbing hydrangeas decorate the exterior in a mindful manner as if taught to avoid the casement windows and planters hanging beneath them. A stone chimney rises to meet the tallest peak of the tightly sloped roof, its mouth inhabited by the nest of some bird or bird-like creature that peers down at the two visitors as if they were the uninvited guests.
The interior is the very definition of cozy. The space has clearly been tidied up recently, restocked for its new inhabitants with essentials (and a little extra.) A spiral staircase leads to the second floor which includes two bedrooms and a study that overlooks the short path to the river. As education is the primary reason for Wanda's visit, the study has already been stocked with several books and writing material for her to peruse. There is also a letter detailing information on tutoring from the elves themselves.
As for Loki, the first task of his once the elves depart is to weave a spell around the property that will alert him to the presence of another besides Wanda. The failure of his disguise is not something foreseen -- rather, he's quietly excited for the challenge to maintain it in a place so concentrated in magic as Alfheim -- but it doesn't hurt to cover one's bases. ]