Odin, with his mighty staff in hand, walked down the center of the great hall.  Beside him followed his wife Fricka, her black hair shimmering down her back in the candle light, her midnight blue gown trailing out behind her.  Compared to Odin she was the darker beauty, for he was dressed in a radiant white suit, blue-gray cloak cascading off his shoulders to fall gently to the floor.  His hair, although blended with the cloak, shimmered long and silver down his back, his bangs falling sharply to almost hide his gray eyes.  
They both stepped at a steady pace, heads up, arm in arm, making their way to the steps to ascend their thrones, proud and commanding in presence.  The other gods and goddesses looked on silently at their leaders, their numbers full to bursting in the gigantic ballroom.
Only when Odin and his wife sat down upon their thrones did the crowd move to bow in respect, but they were quickly interrupted.  From behind the mass, gasps could be heard echoing off the walls.  Scattered heads began to turn simultaneously to see what the commotion was about.  Before long, whispers broke out among them growing louder by the minute.  Odin silenced them by banging his staff hard onto the floor, glaring at them with much coldness.
From the double doors at the far end of the hall, stood the most unexpected person.  Adorned in a beautiful black gown stood Odin’s daughter, tall and gracefully thin in stature.  Her hair, unlike anything ever seen, fell straight and gold down her back, flowing about her shoulders.  Against the blackness of her dress her skin seemed to burn with a white light, radiant and blinding to behold. In her hands she carefully held a tall wooden staff where on top hung a scale of judgment and at each of her elbows clung a guard to help her walk for she was blindfolded.   
As though hesitant, she began to make her way towards her mother and father, mouth set in sternness, head held high.  Some began to whisper as she passed.  Gossip created from long ago on her mysterious absence and blindness.  At what she could hear, her mouth began to break into a grin against her will, but she quickly wiped it away with a light shake of her head, controlled.  Even as she finally took her seat next to her father, her regal poise never faltered.  The crowd shivered in her presence as though holding its breath, then settled down again as Odin raised his staff.

                                                        ****
“Master Loki?  Master Loki you’re in the way!” Fenris looked agitatedly about as many of the other guests began to dance.  He took hold of his master’s elbow and pulled as a couple near by threatened to plow them over.  Loki ended up a confused pile on the floor.
“Fenris!  What’s the matter with you?” Loki got up quick in embarrassment, dusting off the front of his black frock coat and pants.  He straightened the ribbon tied around his collar and frantically ran his fingers through his light brown hair, hoping secretly that no one just saw what happened.
“My apologies Master Loki, but you were in the way.” Loki turned and glanced over at his previous standing spot where many people had taken over to dance.  He scratched his head in confusion.
“When did the dancing start?” He stared back at Fenris who stood motionless, arms crossed in front of him.
“Just a moment ago sir, but…you seemed to be…” He turned his head sideways, silky gray hair falling like a curtain in front of his face.  Behind it, his frown slowly shifted into a grin, but as soon as he straightened up the smile was gone, revealing only his usual seriousness. “You seemed to be paying attention to something else.”
Loki contemplated Fenris’s reaction. “What is so amusing that makes you smile so?”  His hands went to his hips, an evil smile playing across his face.
“I wasn’t smiling!” His arms dropped down to his sides, hand clasped into fists in defense.  Loki’s smile just grew.
“Oh, really?  So then, I guess taking away your power to turn won’t get you to tell me?”  He straightened up, sticking his chest out in superiority as Fenris’s eyes went wide, their yellow orbs growing twice as big in shock.  He dropped down to one knee in total submission.
“Father, please!  Don’t do this.  I beg you!”  He lifted the hem of Loki’s coat, placing his lips against the edge of it.  When he looked up, he stared at Loki with such panic.  Loki merely looked away and sighed in disbelief.
“Oh, Fenris get up.  I was only joking.” He tapped Fenris lightly on the leg with his foot and grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet.  From the little episode, people had already begun to stare.
“Thank you.” His head dropped down to hide his embarrassment, his voice barely a whisper.  Loki smiled at him humbly.
“You know, as a man you really need to lighten up.” He slapped him on the back in a brotherly fashion.  
“I will try sir.”
“Good.  See that you do.” Loki eyed him carefully as he just stood their, his sternness now mixed with humiliation.  For some reason, Fenris had always been that way, very serious and subservient and it would take more than trying to break him of that.  At a loss, Loki shrugged his shoulders. “So, back to the question from before.  What was so funny?”
“You were starring at Odin’s daughter.” He answered sharply, glancing at the girl from over Loki’s shoulder.  
Loki’s eyes went wide with disbelief and turned around to look at the girl as well.  He began to mutter to himself. “Wow, he really was paying attention.”
“Good evening Loki!” A seductive voice rose up from behind him and he tensed, turning around slowly.  Before him stood Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility, but most of all pain in the butt.  He had become friends with her through her twin brother Frey, but nothing more.  Freya, on the other hand, had other ideas.
“Hello, Freya.  How have…you been doing?” He forced a smile as she strode nearer, her deep purple gown flowing in an invisible breeze.  He felt the magic like a wall of static that tingled up his spine.  She was trying to seduce him.
“Better now that I’ve met up with you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him, his face perilously close to her chest.  He gritted his teeth and patted her lightly on the back.
“And you Fenris?  How have you been?” She let go of Loki and instead attempted to hold his hand.
“I have been well enough thank y…”
Loki, dance with me.” Fenris’s eyes narrowed with anger from her rudeness.  Freya didn’t even notice.
“Umm…I can’t dance.” He tried to look serious, but winced as Freya squeezed his whole arm.
“Yes you can silly.  Everyone knows you’re the best dancer here.” She batted her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.  He started to tense again, sweat dripping off his skin.  From over Freya’s head, Loki motioned to Fenris, signaling his plan for escape.
“Umm…I’m really thirsty.  I’ll be right back.” Loki slid from her hold and quickly disappeared into the crowd, leaving Freya in a state of shock.
“Hey, Fenris!” Thor stepped out from behind the nearest pillar, throwing back his dark green cloak over one shoulder, revealing the dark green frock suit underneath.  As he halted, the gold embroidery and buttons on the jacket blazed in the candlelight, sending gold highlights glittering in his dark brown hair. “Where’s Loki?”
“Master Loki went to get a drink.  He should be back…”
“Loki!” Fenris and Thor both turned at the rumble of Freya’s voice, her back turned towards them, shoulders shaking.
“Oh, Freya.  Your brother was looking for you and…” Thor stopped as Freya turned to look at him, tear stained face twisted with anger.  Her mouth began to move, but no words came out.
“Miss Freya.” Fenris moved to touch her shoulder.
“Don’t touch me!” She reared back with such rage that she collided into a group of people behind her, pushing them out of the way and glaring before she ran off.  The two men just stood there, unsure of what to do.
“Damn.” Fenris looked about the room.
“What?” Thor’s hand reached to his belt, laying a secure hand on the hilt of his mighty hammer Mjollnir, ready to attack.
“I must find Master Loki.” Without looking back, he ran off into the crowd, searching.

                                                       ****
Odin’s daughter sat at her throne, fingers tapping idly on the arm of the chair to the beat of the music.  Already she had begun to get bored, her body slouching and her head falling to rest in the palm of her hand.  The movement caused the blindfold to move slightly and it scratched along her cheeks, unbearably itchy.  She had protested earlier not to wear it, but lost in the fury of her father.  In the end, it had become an order instead of a request to keep it on.
She pushed out of her chair and stepped towards the stairs, grasping onto the banister. “I’m taking a walk.” She waited for the sound of her father’s refusal to let her leave, but when none came she merely shrugged and took the stairs slow so as not to trip.
Into the crowd she mingled, the steps of the other dancers’ vibrations underneath her feet.  The sound of the orchestra near by floated on the air, making her twirl occasionally to the tune.  At times, she thought she could hear whispers, but she paid no attention.  Whatever the others had to say didn’t matter.  She reveled in her moment of freedom, feeling the hems of gowns brush against her legs, the sweep of graceful arms as she got too close.  She had totally absorbed herself into the atmosphere that before she could react, someone had bumped into her from behind, toppling her to the floor.  
“Oh my gosh!  I’m so sorry!” The gentle voice stopped her in her attempt to stand up, her breath catching in her throat.  Soft hands lowered to help her up, holding strong and firm at her elbow and waist, turning her around to face him.
“Are you alright?” Loki stared down upon her, a look of distress seeping into his smooth features.  Her mouth opened to speak, but no words would come.  Her body was slowly shutting down the longer he held her hands in his grip.  When he finally let go, a shiver went up her spine, bringing her back into her head.  She frantically put her head down so he wouldn’t see her blush.
“Miss?” Loki waited for her to answer, but she didn’t. “Miss?” He lightly grabbed her chin, lifting her face up from the floor.  Where his hand met skin he could feel a soft heat emanating from her body.  He didn’t want to pull away, but decided it would be better if he did.  His hand slowly let go.
“Are you alright?” He waited patiently now as he watched her, her tongue playing nervously over her lips, fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly.  If only he could see her eyes.  
“I…I’m fine.  And you?” She tried to keep her voice even, but it rang high with nervousness.  Loki grinned, taken back by her concern.  He looked down to the floor as a soft chuckle escaped his lips.  When he looked back up, he saw Freya in the distance and the smile vanished from his face.  Odin’s daughter felt the mood change.  A dead silence passed between them.
“What’s wrong?” Loki paid no attention to her as he watched Freya turn to look right at him, her face stained with tears and anger, chest heaving with rage.  To get away he had only one idea.
“Want to dance?” He reached for her hand impatiently.
“Umm…I guess so.” Unexpectedly, he grabbed her by the waist, drawing her close so that she had no choice but to hold onto him.  He twirled her effortlessly into the mass of dancers just as he spotted Freya moving closer.  From far away, Freya’s vengeful shriek could be heard in the distance.

                                                       ****
“She’s been gone an awfully long time.” Odin looked over at his wife in boredom.  He hated public affairs.
“Well, then you shouldn’t have let her leave.” She looked back at him with a tight smugness, clearly not caring for whatever he had to say.
“I had other things to take care of.” He turned forward slowly, waving at a person nearby with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.  Fricka sighed in his stupidity.
“Well, you can give that excuse when something bad happens.”
He glanced at her sharply, eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”
“You have let her out for the first time in over a thousand years, in a room filled with our kind.” She eyed the subjects with a superior coldness. “What did you think would come from that?” He chuckled softly.
“Your mind only goes so far doesn’t it?” He laid a hand on top of hers, his laugh continuing in a deep rumble.
“Excuse me?” She stared at him in outrage.
Odin shifted his body to face her, talking to her as though she were a child. “I have let her out so she has nothing to hold against me.” He raised his eyes at her like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “A person that is denied certain things tends to become rebellious.  Knowing this, I have given her the best of everything she could ever want.  Everything.  I have even given up time itself to spend time with her.  To teach her things only I could teach her.” He sneered to himself as the anger disappeared from his wife’s face in total understanding. “She is completely within my grasp.” He sat back in his chair, running his hand through his silver hair.
“So, I suppose I can say that you have done well.” She gave him an evil smile.  He returned it as he tightened his grip on her hand.
“I suppose you can.” They went silent and took to watching the dancing below, but it only took a moment for Odin to spot his daughter among them.
“What the?” He let go of his wife and slid to the edge of his seat, mouth gaping open.
“What is it?” She looked about the room, trying to see what her husband could see.  He ignored her as he watched his daughter dance gracefully about the floor hand in hand with…
“Loki…” The word came out as a growl, stinging like poison.  His teeth gnashed together, his hands balling into fists, nails digging into the skin.  In anger, he slammed his fists hard against the arms of the chair, the wood creaking from the force.

                                                       ****
Loki breathed out as a giant weight fell from his shoulders, relaxing under the hands of his partner.  “Wow that was close.” He took another look around just incase.
“Was something the matter?” Her voice brought him back to attention.  He had almost forgotten she was even there.
“Umm…no.  I just had a sudden urge to dance.” He rolled his eyes at his attempt to cover up his behavior.  He was glad for the moment that she was blind, as sick as that may seem.  She smiled, more relaxed.
“Well, this beats sitting around all night.  I guess I can say I’m glad you bumped into me.”  They both laughed at the joke. Loki managed to clear his throat first.
“About that, I’m really sorry.  It’s just been…a hectic evening.” He twirled her around in a long, graceful dip, cradling the back of her head in his hand.
“Don’t worry.  I wasn’t exactly paying attention either.” She spun out and away from him, her gown whipping sharply around her.  She spun back in, grabbing onto Loki’s other hand, wrapped in his arms.
“You know, I don’t think your…” He paused for a moment, trying to think of a polite term. “Father…has ever told anyone your name.  I mean, I know your four brothers, but you are a complete mystery.” He picked her up by her waist and spun her around, her hands safely on his shoulders, legs dangling off the floor.  Her head looked down upon him.
“Typical of him.” She made a face as Loki set her back on the floor; he took her hand and spun her around once more. “My name is Amora.”
Loki looked at her more closely, studying her face as they danced.  She was very beautiful. “Amora…”He whispered it and let it echo on the air, reveling in its beautiful sound.  He tightened his hold on her arm. “My names Loki.”
She pulled away so quickly he almost lost his balance.  She wrapped her arms around herself.  “Loki?  The Loki?”
“Ahh…yes.  Is there something wrong?”
“My father told me about you.” She took a step back.
“Oh he did, did he?” He gave a disgusted smile, rolling his eyes.  His hands went to his hips in aggravation.
“He said you were evil.  That you would kill some one just for the pleasure of seeing them suffer.” She was taken aback by the sound of his laughter.
“Wow, really?  Did he say anything else?” Now he was truly interested.
“Well, he did mention that you were the ugliest being in all the worlds.  That you had a misshapen face, no hair and rotting…”
“Flesh?” Loki couldn’t help, but laugh.  
She looked more uncertain now. “Yes.”
“It’s funny.  Your father always did like telling tales.” He trailed off, his face taking on an expression of reminiscence.  After a moment, he looked back in her direction, face serious. “So…what do you think?” He stepped close to her allowing only an inch of distance between them. “Do I seem hideous to you?” He took her right hand gently and lifted it, placing it on his cheek.
Her heart stopped in mid-beat, her mouth dropping open.  Her throat began to tighten and she gulped back the breath that had refused to rise.  She cleared her throat to speak. “Umm…no”
“Good.  That’s all that really matters to me.” He let go of her hand thinking her hand would fall from his face, but it didn’t.  She left it there to linger.  A blush crept into his cheek, a blazing heat.
“Come with me.” Being surer of herself, she let go of his face and grabbed his hand.
“What?”  Her sudden change of attitude was unexpected.
“Come with me.” Amora pulled on his arm and he followed.  
Through the crowd they moved swiftly, ignoring the people that took the time to stare.  They left the ballroom behind as Amora took one of the side doors, leading Loki up a magnificent spiral staircase.  It took a while to travel up, but when they got to the top, she took a left turn into a long, carpeted hallway, decorated with tapestries.  About four doors in, she stopped, turning the knob of a very large door and lead Loki inside.
The room was furnished with dark wood furniture, the huge vanity, the cushioned chairs and four-posted bed all the same.  Even the walls were of the same wood as Loki could see from the parts that weren’t covered with tapestries.  The hangings on the bed and at the closed balcony were a deep, midnight blue, sparkling in the light of the moon coming in from the windows.  Loki looked around at the beautiful knick-knacks that sat upon the random tables, touching one here and there when it looked interesting.
“Where are we?”
“In my room.” Her voice was so off handed that Loki didn’t quite realize what she had said until it hit him.
“What?” He turned around sharply, watching her as she speedily walked across the room towards the vanity.  Her hand went to the knot of the blindfold behind her head.
“Finally.  I can take this thing off.” She untied the knot and threw the blindfold onto the table.  When she turned around, Loki stopped, starring into two beautiful black orbs.
“You’re not blind?”
“No.  I can see perfectly well.” She walked over to him.
“But…why the blindfold then?” He looked down at her when she got close enough, noticing that her eyes were a shiny, solid black.  They reminded him strangely of two mirrors.
“Well, the blindfold is magic so I can see through it.  But…the only reason why I wore it tonight was because I was ordered to.” She turned sideways, a frown passing over her face.
“That’s odd.” Amora nodded her head in agreement and sat down in a near by chair.  Loki did the same. “Do you know why you were ordered?”
“No.  My father just got really upset when I refused.  He doesn’t like to explain things much.” She glanced at her hands lying limp in her lap.  Loki chuckled.
“He never really was good at talking.  But, since we’re here we could talk a bit.” He smiled at her softly.
“I’d like that.” She smiled back, watching as Loki lit a candle with the snap of his finger.

                                                        ****
“The guards are waiting for your command father.” Vidar rushed up the steps, bowing at his father’s feet, his long black hair falling to hide his face.  Odin paid him no attention.
In silence, he sat in his throne like a statue, face purpling with his growing rage.  The fist upon his staff tightened and shattered it into a million pieces, making many of the guests near by turn to look.  Vidar flinched as the shards rained down upon him.
“You should have never let her out!” Fricka’s words were like venom, snapping in her outrage at her husband’s foolishness.  Her own fists slammed against the arms of her chair.
“Silence!” Spittle flew from his mouth as he turned to look at his wife. She instantly became silent. “I’ve had enough of you!” He dismissed her with a hand and went back to staring at the doorway.  The doorway that Loki and his daughter had used to leave.  
“Do you think they will come back?” Vali’s voice drifted from over his father’s shoulder, even and careful so as not to upset him further.
“They will come or I will have this fortress burned to the ground if need be.”  He took a moment to watch the blissful guests, dancing and talking to one another, oblivious to all that was going on.  He turned from them without a care.
“Father, the door!” Baldur, Odin’s eldest, ran from a hallway near by, hand already on the hilt of his sword.  Odin stood up.
From across the room, he watched the door open, his daughter walking through it, blindfold on, a smile on her face.  Behind her appeared Loki, holding onto her hand and talking to her, his chest heaving with laughter.  It made him sick.
“Tell the men on my signal.” Baldur nodded, running back the way he had come. Odin looked to Vidar.  “Silence the orchestra when I tell you to.” Vidar stood up from the floor and bowed his head to leave.
Keeping Loki in his sight, he waited till they reached the center of the dance floor, hand in hand, beginning to start a new dance.  Odin grinned evilly and pointed to Vidar.  The orchestra stopped immediately.
Everyone in the room froze in their tracks, looking about them to see why the music had stopped.  Some of them were even beginning to yell at the musicians for their incompetence, profanities scattered about the room.
“Loki!” Odin’s voice rumbled over the others, silencing them all.
Loki watched as all eyes turned to face him, backing away to leave him alone in the middle of the room.  Amora clung to him and stared up at her father, seeing the anger full upon his face.  She would not leave him.
“Guards…arrest him!” From every doorway and hallway around the room, Odin’s guards appeared, running fast.  In a rush, they toppled Loki to the ground, pinning him down with their weight, holding his arms behind his back.  Fenris pushed out from the watching crowd.
“Master!” He ran at the guards and started pulling them off, flinging them like paper dolls across the floor.  The on-lookers gasped, backing away when the fighting got too close.  He had put up a good fight at first, but their numbers were too large.  He soon found himself on the floor, their swords pinning him down so he did not dare to move. Loki began to struggle.
“Let him rise!” Odin walked down the steps and stopped, watching the guards pull Loki to his feet, his body caught in their strong embrace. He laughed triumphantly.  “For such crimes you have committed!” He paused in the confusion that passed over Loki’s face, the intense silence of the crowd. “You will be sentenced two nights hence!  But, until then…you will be jailed!  Take him away!” Loki ground his teeth in anger.
“There better be a good explanation for this Odin!” The guards began to walk Loki out of the room, his body unresisting their powerful hold.  
Without breaking eye contact, he glared at Odin as he passed, his anger-ridden face shifting into an evil smirk, daring him.  It was only when he reached the doorway of a dark tunnel did he turn away to stare at Amora, deep green eyes pleading for her to stay safe.  He vanished into the darkness.  
Amora ran at her father, tears seeping out from underneath the blindfold. “Father!  What are you doing?” Odin glared down upon her, rage dripping like syrup from his pores.
“You...” The word rolled off his tongue like it had a bad taste. “I will deal with you later.”  He whispered it like a snake, looking at her with disgust. “Take her to her room and lock the door!” She grabbed on to his arm.
“Noooo!” She screamed it at him, tears running down her face.  From behind, her brothers Vali and Vidar took her by her elbows, pulling her away.  She struggled in their grip, kicking and screaming all the way across the room.  Even when the door closed to block her screams, the sound lingered in the quiet hall, the crowd staring at Odin in fear.