The golden-haired prince shivered. His royal armor and vibrant red cape were no match for the frigid coldness of this realm, and he now wished he'd listened to his father's advice. But, he'd come this far already. He had a goal, and he was not going to turn back now. The crown prince of Asgard would never let a little chill deter him from any mission. So, wrapping his cape tighter around his shaking shoulders, Thor trudged on.

To any outsider, Jotunheim appeared to be a barren wasteland, frozen solid. Though Thor had been there with his father on occasion, he still could not understand how the frost giants managed to survive here. There was no warmth to be found anywhere, and very little life. No sun in the sky, no flowing water, no trees. The ruler of this realm, Laufey, had carved out his castle in the side of a rocky cliff. Sure, there were likely vast caves and tunnels behind the icy exterior, but still, it was nothing compared to the lavish golden palace Thor called home.

As he approached, Thor looked up at the imposing stone structure. Even now, as a young man who was just about fully grown, one who towered above most Asgardians and had the brawny strength to match, he was nothing compared to this race of giants. Thor carried with him a bravado and courage that had always served him well, but in this instance, he was grateful to have Mjolnir firmly in hand. His hammer, instilled with power beyond measure, was really the only thing giving Thor any peace of mind right now.

"The son of Odin, come to claim his property," came a gravelly, bitter voice from high overhead. Thor looked up and could barely make out the shape of Laufey in the dim light.

"In accordance with the deal you struck with my father, yes," Thor replied, speaking forcefully, refusing to show any apprehension.

Laufey growled, obviously unhappy with the deal. Odin had warned Thor that the Jotun king would likely try to turn him away, or convince him to leave. "I was unaware that Asgard has taken to purchasing royal spouses like cattle. Or is my offspring to be merely a plaything for the brat prince?"

Thor clenched his hammer tight, anger coursing through his ready veins. He called out, "I am not here to discuss the terms that were negotiated. I am here to take what is rightfully mine. What you agreed to give me."

He actually did not know much about the terms of this deal, only that the AllFather had made it a long time ago. The only details he'd been given were that he was to retrieve this frost giant and bring her to live in Asgard. Thor suspected he was retrieving his bride, but the king had refused to confirm it. And from what the young prince knew of Jotuns, he was not totally sure he liked the idea.

"Already you speak of my child as an object. I fear her fate in the hands of such an impertinent fool. Odin promised me a man. All I see before me is a boy." Laufey practically spit the last words out, as if to emphasize the insult.

"I am a man!" Thor raged, raising his hammer threateningly. "I am strong, and brave and I need not prove my worth to you! Now bring me what - whom - I came for, or blood will be shed and it will be on your hands!"

Though Thor could not see it from where he stood, Laufey frowned, resigned and nodded to his guard. The guard retreated into the cave and emerged on ground level a minute later, leading a small form. Thor strained his eyes to see, but could not make out much. The guard towered over the figure he roughly pulled alongside him. She was female, Thor could tell by her shape, but because she looked down, her hair covered her face. The pair stopped a few meters in front of Thor and the guard unceremoniously thrust the girl toward him. She stumbled when the beast let her go, and fell to the ground, where she remained.

Unsure what to do, Thor wavered and stood still, studying the strange Jotun before him. She was unlike any frost giant he'd seen before. She was unique, and not only because she was female. The most obvious difference was her size. Thor estimated she would just reach his chin at full height. Tiny for a frost giant, but perfect for him. Her skin was blue, like the others, but it was smooth despite the intricate linear markings. Even her black hair, which blew in the snowy breeze, but did not reveal her face, was strange. Thor was fascinated already.

"She is not full Jotun," Thor stated, rather than asked of Laufey. He watched as the guard retreated back into the hidden cave opening, leaving the pair alone on the icy ground. Laufey remained at his high perch, looking down over them.

"That was not a requirement," was the king's only response.

"I was promised a princess," Thor argued, though he really had no intention of turning away this already enchanting creature.

"She is my blood; she fulfills the bargain. You've gotten what you came for."

Before Laufey had finished his words, the female began to stand. Thor watched rapt, as she rose to her feet. Shaking her hair away from her face, she looked up and met his gaze with a defiant stare. It was a transformation, Thor realized. Standing before him was not the meek, frightened girl that had been his first impression. This creature was strong-willed, a fiery temper likely lurked inside her somewhere. Horns jutted out of her forehead, typical of her race, though they, too, were smaller. That intricately marked blue skin was barely covered, the cloths just enough to make her modest. Her features were delicate, much more so than most Jotun women. Vivid crimson eyes, which glared at Thor, were bold, unafraid. Beautiful. She will be a challenge, Thor thought to himself, and he smiled.

"What is your name," he asked softly, not even sure she would understand him.

The answer came in a feminine voice that sounded mellifluous to Thor's ears, like honey, enchanting him further.

"I am Loki."