The Green Ribbon

"Which one of you stole my green ribbon?" Eisa was in the closet she shared with her sisters, dumping out baskets of ribbons and barrettes, and riffling through piles of discarded dresses on the floor.

"None of us want that ratty old thing. The maid probably put it where it belongs, in the rubbish bin," Brita teased her.

"Not funny!" Eisa sat back on her heels. "Where in the Hel have I left it?"

"You do not have to wear it every time we set foot in the palace," Willa said.

"I do not wear it every time." Eisa pouted and looked around.

"Yes, you do." Groa shoved her with her foot. "Now move yourself. This closet is not big enough to hold all of us at the same time anymore."

"All right, I yield! Quit pushing me." Eisa crawled out of the closet on her hands and knees. "Yes! There it is!" She lay flat on the floor and retrieved her ribbon from under her bed. It was showing its age, tattered, and faded. It should have been thrown out ages ago. But Eisa could not part with it. She still remembered the night the prince gifted it to her all those years ago. The night he saved her from the torment of her stepmother. Yulla was still miserable and demanding, but she had not laid a hand on her or her sisters since that night.

"Thank the Norns." Willa rolled her eyes, "I do not think I could bear all the wailing if she had not found it."

"Oh, shut up."

"How else would she get the prince's attention if she was not always dressed in his colors?" Brita held a navy blue dress up to herself in front of the mirror.

"I will have you know that green- "

"-best suits your coloring," her sisters all recited in unison.

"Yes, we know." Groa sighed in frustration, "There is nothing in there that Brant has not seen me in a hundred times. I am going to go raid Finna's closet."

"Someone has a death wish."

"She will have you thrown in the dungeons when she becomes Queen. Besides, Brandt has already been promised to you, I do not think the dress you wear today will matter."

"She would have to catch me first. A woman must always look her best for her husband." Groa stepped over Eisa, still sat on the floor, running the ribbon through her fingers.

"He is not your husband yet. Will Anina be at the coronation? I miss her terribly."

"All of Asgard's aristocracy should be in attendance. Anina and Frode included."

"Do you think once Prince Thor is King, he will start the plans for their wedding?"

"Marrying Finna is probably the last thing on his mind."

"What do you mean? They are betrothed. They will want to get married and start living together, right?" Eisa was confused.

Willa and Groa exchanged a look. "Well, Finna is very much looking forward to the wedding. But Prince Thor has been... how do I put this? Prince Thor has been very busy. His mind has been otherwise occupied by... his training," Groa said as she made her way to the door.

"Is that why Finna is still upset that Anina got married before she did?"

"Sure," Groa said dismissively as she opened the bedroom door and leaned out into the hall, listening for her sister. Coming back into their room, "Who wants to be my lookout?"

"And now your wedding planning has started. And Willa's betrothal was just announced." Eisa sat and toyed with her ribbon as she stared up at the ceiling. "Poor Finna. The anticipation must be killing her."

"I think you meant to say, 'It is making her a complete bitch'."

"Brita!"

"What!? Tell me it's not like living with an ill-tempered house cat. Her claws are always out. She barely pays us any attention. She is jealous and mean. You look at her wrong and she takes a swipe at you."

Eisa laughed, "Has anyone tried scratching her behind her ears? Maybe she just needs a ball of yarn to chase and make her feel better?"

The girls started giggling together.

"Someone should put a clockwork mouse in her room. Keep her occupied for hours." Willa howled, earning raucous belly laughs from her sisters.

"What is funny?"

The girls froze as they turned to see Finna standing in their doorway, arms crossed over her chest.

"Nothing." They all four said in unison. They quickly busied themselves with menial tasks.

Finna narrowed her eyes at them, "We are headed to the palace for the coronation of the new King and you are in here whooping it up like drunken sailors. How very unbecoming. I suggest you finish your preparations before your step-monster arrives for inspection." She turned with a flourish and made her way across the hall to her bedroom.

"She must be on her way to a box of sand to relieve herself," Willa whispered.

The girls looked around at each other before once again falling out with laughter.

oOXOo

A select group of nobles, close family, and delegates were invited to a private gathering before the coronation ceremony to mingle with the Royals, sip wine, and enjoy little canapés in the dining hall before moving to the throne room. The King and Queen were standing on the dais chatting with another couple while Loki and Thor were standing just behind and to the side.

"This is ridiculous," Thor whined before draining his wine goblet. "Why do we have to be here for this?"

"Getting nervous, Brother?" Loki asked as he looked about the room, a bored expression on his face.

"When have you ever known me to be nervous?"

"I seem to recall – "

"Loki!" Thor grabbed Loki's shoulder as he stared at the main entrance of the room. "Viggo and his daughters just arrived." A sly smile played on his lips. "Who would have thought all those years ago that Finna would end up being the plainest one." He shook his head in disbelief. "Each daughter is more beautiful than the last."

Loki watched as Lord Viggo and his wife entered with his troop of daughters. "All thanks to their mother."

"Would you just look at the red-headed little spitfire?" Thor bit his bottom lip and shook his head. "Oooh."

Loki craned his neck, "Where?"

"The only one in the room! Just there. In the green dress."

Loki scowled, "The baby of the family? She is still a child."

"Are we looking at the same girl? I see no child in this room."

"Honestly, Brother. Have some sense."

"Brother, do me the greatest of favors and distract them while I find somewhere else to be."

"You cannot avoid Finna forever. You are going to have to talk to her eventually."

"Eventually. But not today."

"Brother, this is cowardice."

"No, this is procrastination." Thor grinned at him, slapped him on the back, and ducked out of the dining hall through a side door.

Loki exhaled heavily as he made his way off the dais.

After greeting the Lord Viggo, Loki leaned into Finna, "Always a pleasure seeing you, Finna."

"Does that joke never get old for you, creep?" she whispered back.

"Never." He let his eyes drop to her chest.

"Pervert. Where has your brother run off to this time?"

Loki's smile spread wide on his handsome face. Still speaking low enough not to be overheard over the clamor of the guests eating and drinking, "Are you still holding out for my brother? How long has it been for you Finna? Has he even kissed you properly since you returned home from Vanaheim? Did he feed you some line about reuniting on the wedding night?" He pulled back to look at her face, her smile was fixed in place, but her eyes were sharp with anger, "I can assure you his needs are being met. And frequently."

"Shut up, Loki," she hissed quietly through her clenched teeth.

"Ooh, you do seem stressed. Did I touch a nerve?" He chuckled and ran the back of his index finger very subtly against the bare skin of her forearm, "I could if you wanted me to." She looked up to him, meeting his eyes.

"Touch you," he clarified. "You look like you could use a good and thorough fucking. Let me know if you ever want to know what real pleasure feels like."

Finna's lower belly clenched involuntarily. Loki's velvet voice sent a current from her ear directly to her core. "It will snow on Muspelheim before I ever let you touch me, you snake."

He smirked, "Suit yourself." He made his way back to Viggo's side.

"You seem to be one short, My Lord. Where is Anina?"

"Running behind as usual. She will be arriving soon with her husband."

"Ah, yes. Right." A pang of jealousy tore through him at the thought of her beautiful lips around another man's cock. "Lovely ceremony, by the way."

"I should hope so. The dresses alone cost me a small fortune. And I have five more to go. By the time I pass on to Valhalla, I will not have two copper coins to my name. Come! Let us get a drink before I go and greet the King." Viggo led Loki away from the women with a hand on his back as he started talking to him and intently gauging his responses.

"You are drooling, Sister." Brita rubbed her finger along Eisa's chin.

Eisa slapped her hand away, "I am not! Get off me!" Her cheeks flushed.

"Not drooling, but her eyes have bulged out of her head." Willa poked her side.

"Will you two please act your age and quit teasing me?" Eisa stood on tiptoes and craned her neck looking about.

"Who are you looking for?" Anina whispered close to Eisa's ear, causing her to startle.

"Norns, Anina!" Eisa put a hand on her chest. "You, obviously."

Anina wrapped her youngest sister in her arms and squeezed her tightly, her husband, Frode, just behind her. "For me? Or some boy you have a crush on?"

Eisa's cheeks reddened, "I do not have a crush on a boy. Boys are immature and annoying and-"

"That's right," Brita interrupted, "Eisa doesn't have a crush on a boy. She has a crush on a man," she giggled.

"Do not!"

"Come on, Eisa, you are not even subtle about it." Willa elbowed her in the side.

"Really? Do not keep secrets from your favorite sister. Tell me who it is, and I can tell you if I think they would make a suitable beau." Anina brushed Eisa's hair off her shoulder and gave her cheek a little pinch.

She was flustered, "No one! I swear it! I do not have a crush on-"

"Prince Loki!" Brita blurted out. "It is Prince Loki."

Anina straightened up and looked at her youngest sister wide-eyed. "Eisa, is this true?"

"No! Brita is being obnoxious."

"Please," Willa said, rolling her eyes, "It is true. She is obsessed with him."

"Will you shut up! I am not!"

"Eisa," Anina spoke softly, "the prince is very handsome to be sure, but you should be with a boy closer to your own age. Hmm?" She gave her chin a little pinch.

"I... I... do not even want a boyfriend. They... they only want to get under your skirts. I will not risk my reputation. Father and Mother Yulla will choose a suitable husband for me when I come of age." Eisa wrung her hands together in front of her. "Besides, I am far too busy with my studies to worry about boys. Even if they are tall and flawless."

"Eisa..."

"What? It is not like I even have a chance with him anyway. He is so handsome and smart and- "

"Norns, Sisters! It is worse than we thought." Brita put her hand on the side of her face in feigned shock.

Eisa rolled her eyes, "I am going to go find some apple cider." She did not give her sisters a chance to follow her as ducked and maneuvered through the crowd. She got to the edge of the room before she turned to scan for Loki and her father. Maybe they had stepped out for air? She took a glass of cider from a servant and ducked out of the dining hall.

She scurried down the corridor looking for the doors that would lead out to the orchard. Sipping her cider, she found a quiet bench in a cluster of pear trees. Sharing a room with three sisters, she rarely got a moment of quiet contemplation. She sat and sipped and thought about what her sisters had said. Her cheeks flushed again as she remembered Loki, leaning in, and whispering to Finna, a beautifully mischievous smile on his handsome face. He had not even acknowledged her.

It is like he did not even see me. Ugh.

She dropped her head and stared at her green satin slippers as she stretched her legs out in front of her. She pouted to herself. She did not have a crush on Prince Loki. She just enjoyed looking at his face. She could not help it if he was really handsome, and smart, and tall, and strong, had really great hair and a voice as smooth as silk.

"Stupid, handsome Prince! Damn you and your gorgeous face!" She shouted into the air as she squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.

She bolted upright as she heard a low chuckle come from her side. Thor was standing not ten feet away from her.

"Your Highness," she curtsied low and stayed there, "I apologize. I thought I was alone."

"Rise, little Spitfire." He closed the distance to her and regarded her thoughtfully. "What are you doing out here alone and cursing handsome princes?"

Her face was so red her cheeks burned, "I... I... I..." She was stammering, at a loss for anything to say. "I do not know, Your Highness."

He laughed, "Very well. Let us start with something simple. How do you find yourself to be alone in the orchard?"

"Oh," she wrung her hands together, "I stepped out to get away from my sisters."

"That is understandable. I have only one sibling, but it felt like having five at times." He smiled at her before taking a sip of his wine. "And whose face were you damning?"

"That...that was a mistake. I apologize. I should not have said that. M-my sisters were teasing me for choosing a green dress on the day of your coronation, My Prince. Accusing me of improper thoughts about Prince Loki. Green favors my coloring the best. I... I have nothing against red, Your Highness, it just does not suit me because of my hair and eyes."

He spread his hands out wide, "I take no offense."

He eyed her curiously then moved to stand directly in front of her, "Your name is Eisa, correct?"

"Yes, Your Highness." She bobbed her head respectfully to the prince.

"Eisa... Your parents have named you aptly." He twirled a lock of her hair around his thick finger. "Glowing embers... Where does the red hair come from?"

"M-my great-grandmother. Ulli, my mother's grandmother."

"Ulli the Red? Who fought alongside my grandfather, King Bor?" Thor asked wide-eyed. She nodded in affirmation. "Ulli the Red is your great-grandmother?" Thor looked at Eisa in awe.

"Not just mine. Finna's too," she laughed.

"It's just so few are gifted the fire by the Norns..." he touched her hair again, "and for you to be a direct descendant of one of Asgard's most legendary and ruthless warriors... well... "he lowered his voice, "that makes you a very rare treasure indeed." He let his hand drop to her arm, rubbing the bare skin there with his thumb.

Eisa stood there staring at the prince, not sure how to respond.

"I don't..." He raised his eyebrows at her, not the reply he was expecting. "I mean... thank you, Your Highness. You are too kind." She curtsied again.

"You are quite fun to talk to. What are you drinking, Spitfire?"

"Apple cider, My Prince." She motioned to her glass on the bench.

"Would you care for some wine?" Thor offered her his goblet.

"Thank you, but my stepmother would make my life Hel if she caught me drinking. I am underage for wine."

"Surely you jest?" Thor ran his eyes greedily over her body.

"No, Your Highness, I have just started secondary school," she replied with a wide smile.

He cocked one eyebrow at her. "Pity."

"What is?"

"Never mind." He took a few gulps of his wine.

Eisa watched him for a moment, "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Is it true that all marriages in Asgard must be approved by the King?"

Thor chuckled, "No, not all marriages. Just nobility. Commoners may marry whoever they please."

"So, after today, you will be our King, and my father will have to come to you first with whom he intends to marry me? And you must approve the match?"

"Yes. I suppose. What has you thinking about marriage this day?"

"Well, this is going to sound silly, but I would hope that my father would choose someone kind. He may not be the best judge of character. And Yulla hates me. I do not doubt she would try to convince my father to promise me to an absolute brute. Being his last daughter, I am afraid he would just pass me off to the highest bidder." She was going to continue, but she caught herself rambling after noticing the odd look on Thor's face.

Thor regarded her for a moment. "You may be his last daughter, but you are by far his fairest. Wars may break out for your hand, My Lady." He took her chin in his hand, "I have no doubt offers will drown your father in parchment the day you come of age." He moved his hand to the side of her neck. "But if it makes you feel better, I promise I will not let him marry you to someone less than ideal. Not that any man in Asgard would be worthy of a treasure so precious. Hel, I may even keep you for myself. Would you like to be Queen of Asgard one day? I think you would look very fine by my side."

She blinked up at him, truly at a loss for words.

"Have I made you uncomfortable, Spitfire? Perhaps you would prefer my brother?" Thor lifted the green ribbon at the end of a braid in her hair.

"No! No, apologies Your Highness, I..." she licked her lips to no avail, her mouth was as dry as desert sand, "I can never tell when someone is joking with me is all. I do not mean to offend. I am just not used to this type of humor."

Thor was not laughing, "You had better run along before I do something foolish, like kiss you."

Eisa laughed nervously, "Kiss me? You are too funny, My Prince. You would not want to kiss me. I have never kissed anyone before. Well, that is not true. I made Osmond Nielson kiss me once, but we were in nursery school at the time, so I do not think that counts. But yes, you are correct, I should get going. I have a coronation to attend. Of course, you would know that. Obviously! You are the one being crowned! I will probably catch Hel from my stepmother. She is always telling me not to wander off. And here I am, in the orchard spending time with the Crown Prince as he jests with me. Are you nervous? You must be really nervous. I know I would be nervous if I had to stand in front of all the citizens of Asgard. But you probably are not nervous because you are used to it. I mean, you have been a prince your whole life." She stopped herself from rambling, ready to turn and sprint back to the palace when she noticed the prince's smile and his eyes full of mirth.

"Your naiveté is enchanting." He drained his goblet and tossed it over his shoulder. He grabbed Eisa around the waist, pulled her flush against him, and lowered his head to hers. She squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating the worst, but Thor did not kiss her mouth. He placed a soft, lingering kiss on her cheek, then spoke close to her ear, "I look forward to seeing you at the feast tonight, little Spitfire." The wine was heavy on his breath.

"Eisa! We have been looking everywhere for you. Oh..." Anina stopped dead in her tracks as she saw her baby sister in Thor's arms.

"Ladies." Thor smiled widely at Anina and Groa as he released Eisa. "I was just bidding this beauty farewell. How lucky am I to see two more?"

They both curtsied to him, "Your Highness," they said in unison.

He put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I would love to stay and chat some more, but if you will excuse me, I need to find my father. There is a matter I need his council on." He gave Eisa a sly grin as he walked backward a few steps before turning and heading toward the palace.

The girls watched in stunned silence as the prince strode languidly down the row of trees and disappeared around the corner.

Anina looked over to where Eisa was standing, trembling, white as snow as all the color had drained from her face. "Eisa!" she rushed over and wrapped her in her arms, "Eisa are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head, "No. No, I am fine."

"What happened?" Groa took her hand in both of hers.

"He... um... he said... he told a joke. I think... I think it was a joke... He asked if I would like to be Queen of Asgard one day. H-he said he may keep me for himself. H-he offered me wine. He kissed my face!" As if just realizing what had happened, her hand flew up to her cheek and wiped the moisture away. Anina and Groa exchanged a look of concern.

"I do not understand," Eisa continued. "He is in love with Finna. Why would he make a joke like that?"

"Eisa, sit down." Anina guided her back to the bench. She sat between her two sisters, still trembling, and trying to make sense of what had just happened.

"Eisa, the Prince was most likely not joking with you."

"No, do not be silly."

"Do not underestimate the draw an untouched maiden has on an oversexed man, Sister."

"He is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than anyone else in Asgard. He is used to getting what he wants. And once he is King, there will be no one to tell him that he cannot break off his betrothal to Finna and choose his own Queen."

Eisa swallowed thickly, "Finna will murder me in my sleep."

"Probably."

"Oh, yes. Definitely." Her sisters said at the same time.

"I would never... Thor? I would never," Eisa repeated. "What do I do?"

Anina clasped her hand, "Stay near us tonight. Do not go wandering off by yourself. Do not engage either prince in conversation. If he asks you to dance, politely decline. Tell him your stomach hurts. Tell him you are on your period. Nothing scares a man away faster than menstruation."

"By tonight he will be my King. I am to lie to the King? How do you deny a KING!"

"Shhhh, calm down and lower your voice."

"What we are not going to do is panic. Nothing has happened yet. You are still quite a few years away from becoming of age. There is plenty of time for Thor to lose interest in you and fixate on someone else."

"Have you forgotten that Finna was betrothed to Thor before she was a day old? I do not think the future King is concerned about my age!" Eisa spat.

"Shhhh. Father had to rush that betrothal before Odin could change his mind. Calm yourself."

"I do not want to marry Thor! Norns!"

"Relax, Eisa, Thor is not marrying anyone anytime soon."

"He pressed me to him and kissed my face!"

Anina took a deep breath, "Just be glad that was all he did."

"Should we tell Father?"

"No!" Anina and Groa said together.

"That is a very bad idea," Groa said. "It would only cause more trouble. You know how Father is, he would do something rash, and his head would end up on the chopping block. Prince Thor is already on Father's shortlist after the One Boot Incident."

"You just need to keep this between the three of us for now. You do not want Finna to catch wind of this. She would rip your hair out."

"Yes. Yes, of course, you are right. Oh," Eisa's face turned from white to green, "I think I am going to be sick."

Anina started fanning her with her hands. Groa gathered her hair up and blew cool air on her neck. "Choke it down, Sister."

"Groa, what is the One Boot Incident?"

"A story for when you are older." Anina continued to fan her sister.

The three sisters stayed in the orchard until Eisa had calmed down enough to compose herself. Once they were back inside, they found their family and dodged the barrage of questions from Yulla. Eisa kept scanning the room, looking out for any sign that she would have to evade Thor.

And then it happened.

Prince Loki looked her way, smiled, and gave a little wave of acknowledgment. Eisa's heart leaped in her chest and started hammering wildly. She gave the tiniest of waves back as she smiled widely back at him.

When he excused himself from the group he was chatting with and started sauntering in her direction, she felt butterflies explode in her stomach. He was smiling warmly as he made his way over to where she was standing and held his arms out like he was expecting a hug.

Oh, my Gods! Oh, my Gods! Oh, my Gods!

She stood up straighter, ready to fall into his arms.

"Anina! I am sorry I missed your arrival," Loki walked right past Eisa to greet her sister who was standing right behind her. He embraced her, "I have not seen you since your wedding. How are you adjusting to married life?"

Eisa turned her back to them quickly, her face on fire with embarrassment. She was staring at her feet, trying not to sob when she heard giggles. She looked up to see Willa and Brita trying to hold in their laughter.

Eisa was mortified. Of course, they saw that. Today is officially the worst day of my life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Viggodottirs:

Finna, Anina, Groa, Willa, Brita, Eisa