Horse hooves descended upon the golden cobblestone of the streets in haste. Those who did not obey Asgardian law would be brought under the trial of the Allfather. The palace guards would not bend the laws not the rule of their king to allow a prisoner's escape- no matter the reason for persecution.

The couple had tried their best to conceal themselves within the alleys of the city, dipping and diving through the sparse shadows among the gold of the buildings. Their feet pounded with their hearts, aching in exhaustion. He pressed his hand to her back, urging her on. Her response? A tired pant as she clutched the bundle of green and red blankets to her chest. No words were spoken. No eye contact was made.

"They are headed towards the palace!" a guard called, steering his galloping steed down the cobblestone structure leading to the palace of the royal Asgardian family.

A sudden thud! Startled the palace guards as well as the woman. She came to a halt and turned to come to the aid of her collapsed lover, free hand extended towards him.

"Run, Marie!" he commanded her in a whisper, shooing her away. "Run!"

"I can't! I must-" Thundering hooves combined with battle cries drowned out her protestations.

"Go!" her beloved yelled, coming to stand. "I will follow." Without argument, she took off towards the palace once again, the bundle clutched to her chest. The neighs and yelling of the guards faded away as she reached the solid gold wall of the royal estate. Scanning quickly, she came to the conclusion that she had no choice but to scale the wall. The green and red blanket finally stirred, one hand reaching up to tangle its fingers in the beautiful red locks exposed from beneath her cloak.

"Yes, my darling. I'm here with you." The woman let out a frustrated sob as she scaled the wall with her one free hand. Gold proved to be less than welcoming; the sharp edges lacerating her hands and stealing the blood from her already weak form. The bundle began to cry the more that the woman struggled. By the time that she had reached the top, she had no choice but to straddle the wall and quiet the crying. "You will be alright, sweetheart." She cooed, brushing her thumb over its cheek. Lowering herself, she hurriedly climbed down the other side of the wall and into the stunning palace gardens.

The grounds were doused in beautiful silver moonlight. No doubt the royal family spent their fair share of time in these gardens-especially the queen and her two beloved sons.

The stories must be true. The woman thought as she slunk through the overgrown vines and trees to a marble bench. Carefully, she lowered herself onto it and settled her bundle into her lap, looking down at its beautiful face. "My beautiful darling," she sighed, her thumb tracing a chubby pink cheek. "You will grow up to be a gorgeous, kindhearted woman." The woman swiftly wiped away a single tear and inhaled a deep, shaky breath before continuing. "Whatever happens, wherever you go… know that your father and I will always be with you." The form reached up to touch a tiny hand to her cheek, bringing a quiet, sad laugh to the woman's lips. "Goodbye." She whispered, placing a last, longing kiss to the bundle's soft forehead. The baby was moved to rest on the marble, her blankets wrapped tightly around her and a sharp cry leaving her tiny mouth.

The woman did her best to ignore her child's cries as she scaled back up the golden wall. Her glimpse at the child on the bench beneath the vines and trees would be her last.

Within the palace, an Asgardian queen stirred at the sharp cries of a child. The king did no so much as crack an eye as he rolled over and resumed his nightly snoring. Frigga did her best to slide from the golden covers and adjust her dressing gown as she headed for the door of their chamber. Her pace was hurried as she followed her ears and motherly instinct to the favorite place of her youngest son- the royal gardens. Quickening more so, she broke into a run at the sight of a bundle of red and green blanket, squirming in panic and desperation from the separation.

Frigga knelt beside the bench, a protective arm bracing her over the baby as she inspected for any damage. When she found none, she let out a relieved sigh and looked down into the deepest brown eyes she had ever seen. Smiling gently, she cooed to the baby and gently caressed her plump cheek.

Hearing the palace guards reenter the palace grounds, she scooped the baby from the stone and hurried to the back corner of the garden. Footsteps followed behind her as she set the baby next to a familiar bush with sharp green leaves and poisonous red berries. A guard approached with a spear to find the queen, head tipped back and eyes closed to fully embrace the light of the full moon.

"My lady queen, I apologize… I-I" he stuttered, bowing quickly. "Forgive me, but have you seen an infant within the palace grounds?"

"I have not. Surely you would not find an infant within the impregnable palace walls?" she questioned, hands held in front of her.

"I will take that into consideration. Thank you, my queen." He rushed, bowing and scurrying off into the palace.

Frigga turned back to the bush as he left, crouching to scoop up the baby. The crying had subsided; the infant merely stared up at her with warm eyes. Thumb caressing the baby's small form, the queen felt embroidery within the red and green fabric. Pulling the blanket ever so gently, she read with a smile.

"Holly," she cooed softly, smiling as the baby reached up to press a hand to her cheek.