Disclaimer: I do not own Loki or Thor or any other characters belonging to Marvel. I do however own this plot line and the OC's that appear within this story. DO NOT STEAL!

Please comment and critique. I love hearing what you have to say!

~B.R.

Chapter 1

Looking out over the expanse of Asgard, I gently rest my hands on the gold rail. I sigh softly, my mind taking me far from the feast that was taking place behind me. The dress I am wearing was designed by Queen Frigga herself. The dark green and gold material clung to my body, flaring out slightly around my feet. Assorted belts were slung haphazardly around my waist; a sheer gold shawl draped across my arms delicately. My hair was loosely braided, strands falling out and framing my face. Compared to every other maiden here, besides Queen Frigga, I stood out the most.

"Darling, why are you by yourself? Do you not enjoy the feast?" I turn and bow to Frigga politely.

"Forgive me, my Queen, I was just lost in thought."

"Something troubles you?"

"No, no," I shake my head slightly, "just needed to take a breather is all, I will return momentarily." She gives a motherly smile and nods her head turn back and melding in with the crowd. I turn back around, looking at the expanse of stars and galaxies that splatter the night sky. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end at the feeling of someone watching me, a cold chill running down my spine. I turn slowly looking across the crowd, finding no one's eyes toward me. I swallow the lump in my throat and slowly walk down the long balcony, distancing myself from the rowdy feast. Reaching the end of the vines a bench sits under a beautiful arbor of vines and fruits. I sit on said bench, listening to the distant shouts and bellow of Thor. I pull the waist long braid over my left shoulder and absentmindedly play with the end, looking back out to the sky. After sitting there for a few minutes, the faint rustle of cloth and leather bring my attention to one of the pillars.

"Is someone there?" I ask softly, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Such a lovely maiden such as yourself should not be alone on such beautiful night." A rich and velvety voice says softly.

"Please, show yourself, kind sir. I wish to know who I am speaking to." My voice is timid and weak, not at all how I wanted to sound.

"In due time, fair maiden." He chuckles softly. "Might I have the honor of asking your name? Or shall I continue to call you a maiden?" I can tell a smirk hangs on the man's lips even though I cannot see him.

"A true gentleman would offer his own name first before asking another for theirs." I counter evenly. Again he chuckles at my comment but doesn't come out from behind the pillar.

"You think me a man of the gentle nature, beautiful maiden?"

"Are you not?"

"Some would call me a monster." His voice is soft and sad.

"Well, have you done something that would cause someone to call you that?"

"... Well not directly..." He hesitates to answer but eventually gets it out.

"Meaning?" Standing silently, I carefully pick my way over and lean against the same pillar.

"Meaning that what I truly am is why people will call me a monster."

"Somehow I doubt that." His soft gasp sounds in my ear along with a faint squeak of metal and leather.

"Precisely meaning..?" He leaves the question open, waiting for my answer.

"Well if at least one person doesn't see you as a "monster" as you put it, then you are not a monster. I may not know who you are but I can tell from the way you talk that you are far from a monster."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I can just tell."

"CIERRA!" The voice of my uncle bellows down the open path, bouncing off the pillars. I gasp softly and gather my skirt in my hand.

"Forgive me, I must go. May I have your name before I leave?" I move up onto the path lined by the vines waiting for his answer.

"In due time, gentle maiden. I do not doubt that we will meet again in the near future. Go now, and return to whomever calls for you." I open my mouth to say something but decide against it and close it, hesitating to leave.

"I bid you a good night then..."

"And to you as well, Cierra." I blush softly and make my way down the path to my waiting uncle.

"Gave me a heart attack when I could not find you in the crowd." He wraps me in his arms protectively. "Were you with someone?" he peers over my head, trying to find another person.

"It was someone who I could not see, Uncle. But there was someone there. He would not give me his name, though he said that we would meet again." Bringing my head out of his chest, I gaze up at his slightly wrinkled face. He looks down at me, his hazel eyes warm and gentle. He looks back up then smiles as he shakes his head, his gray hair rustling softly.

"Come now, Cierra, we will retire for the night." He loops my arm through his and we make our way from the feast back to our lovely home a short distance from the palace. Bidding each other a good night we go our separate ways to our rooms. Closing the door to my room softly I turn and find my handmaiden, Faria, asleep on the end of my bed. I giggle softly and walk over to her, shaking her shoulder lightly.

"Faria... Faria, wake up. Uncle and I have returned." She rouses slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Lady Cierra?" She mumbles tiredly, looking up at me with half lidded eyes.

"Yes Faria, it is me. Come now, to bed with you." I sit her up and undo the laces of her dress, gently pulling her arms out of the sleeves. After her doing this so many times with me, I know how to help her out of her dress. After getting her out of her dress, she gingerly moves up and curls under the purple duvet and falls asleep. I chuckle softly and strip off my dress and hang it up so it won't wrinkle. I move to the bathroom, enjoying the feeling of my underdress swirl around my ankles. I finish my rituals and head back to the bed and curl up underneath the duvet as well and drift away.

*Cierra = See-air-ah

**Faria = Far-e-ah