The jotun prince stood close beside his father and king as they made their way towards the castle, accompanied by a procession of other jotuns. Some dressed as warriors and guards, others carried strange and marvelous gifts with them from their world to offer up as gifts to the Asgardian’s own king. They were wedding gifts- peace offerings brought along with their most important gift… the prince himself.
Today would be the first day of their celebration and would begin with a marvelous feast- preparations would be made over the next few days for the wedding- and by the end of the week, the Jotun prince would be wed to the son of Odin- Thor. Loki wasn’t thrilled about their union… but he would not complain about it openly. This would bridge the gap between their two worlds- would help create a lasting peace between his people and the Asgardians. He swallowed his pride and fear- his anxiety and discomfort- he had to be brave… This was what was best for everyone, right?
The jotun people never dressed in much- especially not when they were traveling to other realms (they had a tendency to overheat if they wore anything heavier than what the prince wore). He wore very little- and most of what he did wear looked to be made of silk or various other light materials. Draped around his waist was an skirt- delicate and breathable- with various gold designs sewn into the material. His shoes were made of silk as well. Delicate things. Practically translucent. The heaviest thing he wore, actually, looked to be the various pieces of gold jewelry that decorated his lithe form- necklaces and bracelets- shimmering chains atop his head like a crown- rings and other strange things braided into his hair alongside the rubies and emeralds… each one painstakingly laced together in his hair, as though to show just how truly valuable he was.
Loki’s jaw clenched as they neared the palace gates, crimson eyes focused ahead rather than on all those that had come to watch the event. Citizens of the Asgardian realm gathered to watch the wedding procession- a few of them looking rather wary of their Jotun visitors- others looking a little upset- and some just watching in awe. Some had never seen a jotun before in person- the war having never reached Asgardian soil… That was a long time ago- he was but an infant- but things had never been very stable between the two realms…
Slowly, the gates opened and allowed them entrance- music sounding somewhere as they entered. Today would not be the first time he would meet the Asgardian heir, but it would be the first time they were to speak to one another at length. Their first meeting was merely a formal one- the two of them coming together to make introductions and to see whom it was that they would be bound to for the rest of their lives…
Their first meeting had gone… alright he supposed. The other prince had seemed upset about the union- probably because of his dislike of the Jotun people (neither race looked upon the other very highly)- but when he’d seen whom his betrothed would be… well… he had seen how the man was unable to take his eyes off him. Despite Loki’s own distaste with their union, he had to admit that Thor was quite handsome.
He would not let himself be swayed so easily though over something so shallow…
Finally- they came to a halt… now standing before the vast throne room with high vaulted ceilings and enormous columns. Everything shimmered like the pieces of gold hanging from the jotun’s body and from the ceiling there hung woven tapestries representative of the ‘House of Odin’. Looking ahead, the prince’s eyes fell to the Asgardians…
There had been a sense of excitement in Thor’s chest when he’d woke this morning. This was the day his future came to Asgard, and he was nervous, but eager, too. He hadn’t been happy when his father had announced his decision to arrange a marriage for him with the Jotun prince. Thor had always intended to marry someone he chose, someone he loved, not someone who was chosen for him. He’d been angry the first time he had gone to Jotunheim. The Jotnar were… well, they were different. They lived a different life, and that life was most often seen as rather barbaric compared to the Asgardians.
But then he had laid eyes on his betrothed. Loki was… every bit the prince his father had promised he would be. Oh, he was different, certainly. Smaller than the other Jotnar, slender but well toned, with clear markings, and the most beautiful dark hair Thor had ever seen. They hadn’t really had a chance to speak to one another, but the Thunderer hoped his personality fit his beauty.
And he would find out today.
Thor had broken his fast, bathed, and dressed in his most elegant robes, save for the ones that had been made specially for their union day. He stood beside his father’s throne, trying not to fidget with his nerves and his excitement as the music started just beyond the throne room. And then they came, the Frost Giant procession with their beautiful prince at the head. Loki was dressed even more handsomely now than he had been that first time, resplendent in gold and silks, and the sight of him took Thor’s breath away.
Odin greeted the Jotnar, but Thor didn’t hear a word he said. The moment his father convened the council with the intention to sign treaties with Laufey, the Thunderer made his way down the stairs to greet Loki. “We’ve some time before the feasting begins,” he observed. He turned sideways and offered the other his arm. “May I walk you through the palace grounds, acquaint you with your new home?” he asked politely.
