A/N: This is my first story, so please feel free to review and let me know that you think!

Also...

I don't own Loki or anyone else from the Thor universe.

"Damn it!"

She cursed aloud as she raced through the deserted halls. Everyone was at the coronation, where she should be. Hylda's room was almost on the opposite side of the palace as the great hall. If she had just left when Sif had come to get her, she wouldn't be in this situation. Running in late to the prince's coronation, That looks REAL classy, she fumed. The smacking of her sandal's on the marble floor echoed loudly as she hiked her dress up a little higher as she quickened her pace. Stupid gown, she grumbled in her mind, unpractical… useless… bothersome… She wouldn't lie, she enjoyed getting dressed up. Being the goddess of protection meant that she was well versed in warfare, and dresses did not suit that lifestyle. So she did relish the few times she could indulge in these simple pleasures. Not when she was late for her friend's coronation, howver.

The increased volume of the distant cheering brought her back from her muses. She was close. Knowing Thor, he was probably showing off in one way or another which bought her some time. She didn't know how she lost track of time while she was getting ready. She did take an extra-long bath to ease her sore muscles from training today but it couldn't have been THAT long. I should be the goddess of tardiness, she laughed slightly to herself. Hylda came to a stop in-front of the large doors to the great hall. She turned to examine herself in one of the glossy marble pillars. Her wavy dark hair was pulled into a ponytail just behind her right ear and she tucked away any strands that tried to break free. She smoothed out her forest green dress and the silk felt soothing under slightly calloused pale hands.

With one deep breath, she slid quietly into the celebration.

The noise in the room was almost unbearable. Every mouth was letting out loud shouts of joy and praise. There was laughter and cheering at volumes that all of Asgard must have heard. Hylda slipped through the crowd with ease, dodging the occasional elbow here and there. Everyone was so focused on the blonde prince as he made his way across that room that no one noticed the late goddess step into her spot beside Sif. Hylda smiled at the Warrior Three across the steps, who smirked back at her as they all stifled a chuckle.

"We were getting worried.." the raven hairded woman laughed, "we were just about to send the guards".

Hylda rolled her eyes at her friend, "Sorry, I took a slightly longer bath to soothe my body after training with you and Thor, combined today".

Hylda could beat Sif, not without difficulty, but she could. Thor on the other hand was impossible. What she had in speed and nimbleness, he made up for in brute strength. It was always a close match but the prince always came out on top. Today they had decided to combine their forces 'for fun' as they called it. Needless to say Hylda was exhausted by the time they were done.

They focused again on Thor, who had almost reached the bottom of the steps. As she took in the scene in front of her she felt a pair of eyes burn into the back of her skull. She turned her head slightly to see the god of mischief himself staring at her. He raised an eyebrow silently questioning her tardiness, a condescending look on his face. She knotted her eyebrows together as her cheeks heated slightly at being called out by the mischievous prince. She turned her attention back to Thor.

"Thor… Odinson…" the All-Father began to speak, but Hylda could still feel a burning stare on her. He was mocking her, trying to make her squirm in front of everyone so they noticed her current presence and the lack of it earlier. She didn't know what she had done to make the young prince so cold towards her. She had been nothing but nice to him the day they met.

Sif gripped Hylda's wrist as she pulled her along the hallway.

"Come on Hy, they'll love you" she chuckled at her friend's discomfort, "you think you'd be used to this by now".

"Sif, this isn't like the other times" Hylda pleaded. No, this certainly was NOT like the other times. Hylda was used to Sif dragging her around to meet her newest crushes, and there had been many, but this time it was no ordinary man. Sif had grown fond of a prince. Thor to be specific, the God of Thunder and son of Odin All-Father. To make it worse, Hylda was not only meeting Thor but she was also meeting Sif's new group of friends. This included the Warrior Three and Thor's younger brother Loki.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later Hy. You're moving up in ranks, soon you'll be leading the top armies. You're bounded to have met Thor sooner or later".

"Yes, but I would be ready by then. I'd be a great warrior, but right now I'm just the 'inexpertly talented' solider" she emphasized the condescending words that followed her. Until her, the gods and goddesses of protection had had a more mundane role. Hylda was the first to train to become a warrior, to fight for the protection that she was worshiped for. While people were skeptical at first, she was determined to prove everyone wrong.

"Here!" Sif said excitedly. The two girls walked into the sunny courtyard towards the group of men. They all greeted Sif warmly, except for the dark haired man in the back. He remained silent, staring at the ground with a bored look in his eyes. "You must be Hylda, Goddess of Protection, and quite the warrior from what we hear" Thor's booming voice was just as warm as the smile he offered her. She smiled shyly and nodded, holding out her hand to Thor. He shook it as he introduced the rest of the group. First was the Warriors Three. Volstagg was a large man with long red hair and a matching beard, Hogun was slightly smaller than Volstagg with black hair and the blonde haired man was Fandral. The dark haired man at the back was Loki. Loki, God of Mischief and younger brother to Thor.

'He's so different from Thor', Hylda thought, not only in appearance.

Thor was outgoing and confident, while Loki was quiet and reserved. Thor was welcoming and friendly, while Loki didn't even look up at Hylda once since she'd arrived. The group moved to the edge of the courtyard as Thor and Fandral started to spar. The other three remained close, shouting taunts and cheers, so Hylda took the time to talk to Loki. 'He can't be that bad' she mused. She stopped next to him clearing her throat slightly to say she was there.

No reaction.

"You have no interest in sharing in the fun?" Perhaps some friendly teasing will open him up.

Nothing.

"We weren't exactly properly introduced. I'm Hylda"

He scoffed slightly.

"It's an honor to meet the infamous prince of mischief" she offered lightly.

"I bet it is" It was barely above a whisper, but it felt like he had just shouted at her. He let out an irritated sigh then walked away towards the palace doors. Hylda stood there dumbstruck. Had she offended him? She was just trying to be nice.

"Don't mind him, he's a bit anti-social"

Hylda turned to see all eyes on her. Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

"Come, join in!" Thor added.

Since then Hylda had been an honorary member of their little group. She had grown close to all of them, minus Loki, but she had become used to him oddities. They shared a few words every now and again but he mostly treated her like she had the plague. Until recently. The past little while Hylda has seem to have caught Loki's interest, but not in a good way. He constantly mocks her, and belittles her. He constantly stares at her with a look of such superiority. Like she was an animal caught in a trap and he was toying her till she snapped.

Hylda tried to focus on the coronation at hand. Just as Thor was about to be pronounced King the All-Father's voice waivered. A thick tension fell onto the room.

"Frost Giants"

The room when into a frenzy. Odin and the two princes swiftly exited the room, a grave expression on all their faces. Hylda's eyes met with Sif. The woman nodded at each other and took off towards their rooms. If they were to be useful they would need to change. They were silent as they hurried down the halls, and parted without a word upon reaching their destinations. Hylda quickly stripped the gown off and took her hair out of its confinement. Her hair fell across her back in wave as she reached for her normal attire. She slid into her breeches, welcoming the feeling of pants. She strapped on her belt and slid her two swords into their sheaths at her hips. Her top was similar to that of Sif's., however the top was shaped more like a metal bra while the bottom ended a couple inches above her belly button, at her ribs. The metal straps had a metal piece on each of her shoulders that were shaped like small wings. Her outfit was more feminine than Sif's, but she was told that femininity was closely tied to the feeling of protection. Maternal instinct and all that. As Hylda finished tying her knee high leather boots Sif knocked on her door. She exited her room to join her fellow warrior while giving her head a shake to let her hair fall into its proper place. They left to meet up with the Warrior Three and continued on down to dinner hall they frequently occupied. They heard a loud bang in the distance, followed by the clatter of metal on marble. They quickened their pace.

The group entered the room to see Thor and Loki sitting on the steps, Loki talking in hushed tones to his brother.

"No no no no," he stuttered, "I know that look"

They brothers had the whole grounds attention now.

"This is madness" Loki urged.

"What madness?" Volstagg dared to ask the question that dance on all our lips.

"We're going to Jötunheim" Thor bellowed. Everyone froze. What? Fandral tried to argue but Thor countered back with talk of his father's glorious battles there. Hylda looked towards Loki, his forhead was resting in his hand. He clearly didn't approve of this idea either.

"It is forbidden!" Sif hissed. Thor's lip broke out into a smile as he let out a small chuckle. He approach the group with his arms open.

"Friends, have you forgotten all that we have been through?" he laughed.

One by one he addressed the group, talking of all the adventure and glory that he let them too.

"And Hylda, who convinced the All Father to allow a woman to lead his army of Valkyries?" He put his hands on her shoulders, staring at her with his bright blue eyes. She could see the lust for adventure and war that ran through his veins. "You're kind words helped persuade him, but it was my talen-"

"Friends" he cut her off, "we're going to Jötunheim".

They raced across the bridge to the Bit Frost. Hylda dared to look at Loki from the corner of her eyes. His eyes were set forward, his face contorted into a look of frustration and deep thought. So deep, that he didn't notice her looking even when she turned to get a better look. The wind whipped his hair even further back and the light from the sun gave him a gallant sort of look. Hylda laughed to herself, Loki was anything but gallant. She couldn't deny that he was attractive though. His dark hair and green eyes, pale skin and sharp features. If he wasn't such an ass to her, or anyone for that matter, she could see him getting quite a lot of attention from women(including herself).

Loki approached Heimdall and started to speak in that smooth voice he used when he was trying to get something from someone. The guardian saw right through it however, and Loki look taken aback. Hylda held her hand to her mouth to muffle her slight laughter. However Loki heard and turn his cold green eyes onto her. He stared at her with a look of such detest, opening his mouth to tell her off…

"Enough!" Thor's voice boomed as he stepped in front of Loki to confront Heimdall. The cold look in Loki's eyes turned to one of slight hurt and irritation. The group advanced into the Bit Frost, all passing Loki. "What happened? Silver tongue turned to lead?" he asked with a smirk on his face. Fandral and him chuckled as they passed the younger prince. She didn't know why. but Hylda felt bad for Loki. As she followed the others in she lightly brushed by Loki, throwing him a slightly apologetic look.

They got into their position as Heimdall warned them that he would not open the gate for them to return if there was danger to Asgard. With that being said, he thrust the sword down and the group was pulled forward. Hylda wasn't too fond of travel through the Bit Frost, but she tolerated it because of Thor constant desire to explore. They landed in Jötunheim with a soft thud. Hylda had not expected the ground to be so icy and she slightly lost her balance. As she stumbled backwards slightly her hand shot out for something to support herself. Without realizing it she gripped a handful of soft fabric. At the same time a warm hand was firmly placed on the small of her back, slightly pushing her upright. She froze, eye glued to the ground in front of her."I would expect a warrior like yourself to have more balance then that" a hushed voice whispered in her ear. He let out a small condescending chuckle. Looking around Hogun muttered, "We shouldn't be here" but Thor paid not mind to it.

"Let's go" With that he walking into Jötunheim.

The soft fabric in her hand and the warm pressure on her back simultaneously disappeared as Loki walked around her to follow is brother. Hylda waited a moment more before looking up. The group has started forward, but Sif stood in her place with her eyebrow raised at Hylda. Wide-eyed, Hylda gave a small shake of her head to ensure her friend that she had no idea what just happened.

Turning forward they both hurried along to catch the group.

Gaaaah! Chapter One done.

How was it? :S

R&R please :)