AN: Before I begin I would like to say that this is my first time puting any of my writen work on the web, and that I own no rights to any Marvel creation. All that belongs to me is my OC's and the odd story that I have made. I would also like to point out that I do not own any music that is mentioned or used; as well as this is a more mature being said this is only the first story of at least two, please enjoy and if you have any helpful comments on how I can make my writing better I'm more then willing to hear them.

"spoken"/'thought'/'music or memory'

Ch.1

'My dearest Mellonah,

I never was able to understand why your father and mother fell in love with each other. I only know that even with all of their differences they balanced each other completely, they needed each other to be whole.

This place is a refuge for your father's family and now it is yours. Do with it what you will, though I make this one request, never turn away someone in need. No matter what they have done in the past, people can and will change with the proper care.

I foresaw great evils coming upon our people before you were born; and on the day of your birth I foresaw many strong souls rising to protect the earth and her people.

One entrapped in ice so thick it would take days to penetrate, another reborn from their own destruction, and another saved by a great power born from his mind. Two would be made to walk in the shadows of our world doing great good though much evil. A strong soul from a powerful realm forced to regain his worth in our realm. One born from ancient times, times of powerful spirits and wild demons, and another a descendent of warriors fighting for our freedom.

It was in this vision that I saw you, almost as you are now. You were the embodiment of the earth herself; healer and destroyer, calm yet vengeful, lover yet innocent.

It is because of this vision that I make my request. You must be a protector of the earth's spirit and of her people. You must also do what you feel is best for you.

You have been a warm light in my life, I'm very proud of you, just as I know your parents are.

Blessed Be my beloved granddaughter.

Love you with all that I am,

Grand-mama.'

Mellonah reread one of the many letters her grandmother wrote her before she passed away. Sitting in her kitchen by the large bay window overlooking the herb garden, she remembered her grandmother going on long ramblings of old spirits, powerful god-like beings, and ancient evils that would threaten the lives of everyone and everything. Telling and retelling of stories of the making and unmaking of the universe. Grandmother Leah only seemed to become normal when it came to her herbs, and making homemade remedies.

Mellonah was startled out of her memories by a large clap of thunder. Rushing to the window the sky was still light, not a dark cloud, "That's odd."

What looked like a tornado appeared in the cloudless valley to the west of her home. Rushing towards the back door, Mellonah snatched her long gray coat off of her chair, and raced to the very large dust devil that had started to dissipate just outside of the small oasis-like hills. Running through the sparse trees towards the small valley Mellonah could swear that she heard someone yelling out in pain. When she reached the valley a man maybe a few years older than her was struggling to stand. His cloths reminded her of the garb that the 'lords' wore to the Renaissance fairs from her childhood. Black was the underplaying color over laid with green cloth, and golden armor. His hair was, long yet cropped and was the color of pure black, was disheveled over his intense green eyes.

"You, woman," he muttered harshly, "Where am I."

Mellonah walked slowly forward, for some ungodly reason he reminded her of a scared and wounded animal, "Near my home, which is privet property."

"And where is that!" he hissed as he stumbled in a circle, his head whipping back and forth seemingly searching for something, "Come now, you bumbling quim-"

Mellonah felt fury, poker hot, sear through her. Bringing her arm in front of her she quickly swept it to the side. As her arm finished the movement, the man before her was sent backwards, effectively knocking the breath from his lungs and knocking his head against the earth

"IF you wish to remain here on my land, I strongly suggest that you take care with your words." she seethed. Taking a calming breath Mellonah reassessed the man before her, "Now, you are injured, and are obviously confused." she strolled up to the still prone man whom was now covering his eyes with his hands, "Come on. I'd better get you to my place."

Mellonah struggled a little in lifting him up, even with him slumped over and resting his weight on her, he was still quite tall,'And a bit heavy.'

After walking at a pain staking slow pace for some time, she couldn't help but glance at him from time to time. He looked like he'd been in a fight, and that he had lost. A large bruise ran along the left side of his face, and he was limping slightly favoring his left side; but it wasn't those things that made him seem almost broken. It was his eyes. Sorrow, confusion, and hate ran rampant in those green gateways.

"Mel'."

The man startled, "What is mell?"

She almost laughed, "My name... well my nickname."

"Nickname?" the man sighed, "You, mortal, are strange."

"And your name would be?" Mellonah continued undaunted by his comment.

He seemed to straiten up a bit, unknowingly drawing her closer, and looked down at her, " I am Loki, a prince of Asgard."

'Loki? Ok... the name I can buy,' Mellonah cocked her head to the side staring up at him,'But a prince? A prince of a mythical place... his head must have hit the ground harder than I thought.', Loki shifted slightly, 'That... or he's a loon.'

Mentally shaking her head, Mellonah smiled, "Well then Loki, lets hope we can reach my house before it gets dark." she adjusted her hold on him and gently nudged him to continue walking up hill.

Roughly twenty minutes passed, each step became more sure, but silence surrounded the pair. At least until a two story house came into view. Well it was more like a log cabin than a house.

Mellonah and Loki gingerly walked up the small set of stairs to the door.

"A word of warning," Mellonah looked directly into his eyes, "In this house you can not lie. You can tell partial truths, but no one has been able to lie. Don't ask why, 'cause I don't feel like explaining it at this moment."

Her new house guest looked intrigued by her statement as she opened the back door. The door led into a small entryway that had herbs drying on one wall, and hooks that held a cloak and a satchel on the other. There was also a small bench under the hooks. Mellonah hung her coat, carefully sliding it off while still supporting Loki, then she helped him take off his green cloak and hung it next to her own. Gently guiding him into and out of her kitchen, she took him into the small living space and aided him in sitting on her recliner.

"I do not need your codling woman." he growled, "Nor do I want it."

Mellonah shook her head as she turned away towards a door that was next to the stairs, " Let me get the guest room ready. You're going to need to rest with your injures, I'm no doctor, but I can tell when someone has bruised ribs. "

"I said-" he seethed

"Loki!" his teeth clicking together was heard as she hissed at him, "Deal with it. You are on my land, in my home. You have obviously been in some kind of fight, and fell from a great distance if that imprint in the valley back there is anything to go by."

She turned to him, her face was soft, relaxed even, as she gazed at him, "Now when you can walk out of this house with out collapsing in pain you're more than welcome to go where you will. Until then you, Loki of Asgard, are in my care; and I will not allow further harm to come to you while you are here."

Turning abruptly back to the guest room Mellonah set to putting fresh sheets on the bed and opening the small window to allow fresh air in.

She gazed out the window into the sparse forest that surrounded her home, 'He's been taking care of himself for a while, it's only natural to refuse help. Just breath, and focus on his recovery.'

Mellonah startled as she heard heavy shuffling and gasping from the doorway, "Loki, why didn't you wait for me to give you a hand?" rushing to him she directed him to the bed. After he sat, she could see that he was in great pain, "I'm going to get some medicine, please don't stress yourself any more."

Thankfully the bathroom that had the meds and first-aid kit was right next to the guest room. Grabbing the ibuprofen and a small glass of water she walked back to Loki. Handing him a few pills and the water she waited patiently for him to finish. Putting the glass on the nightstand, Mellonah started to remove the elaborate armor, heavier garments, and his boots. Her fingers moved without hesitation as they glided over each buckle and lacing. Loki seemed to tired and hurt to put up any resistance as he was undressed, until all he wore were his pants and shirt. Setting his armor aside near the closet, hanging up the heavy leather, and setting aside his boots, she then took a closer look at his face.

'Well that's going to need ice, and grand-mama's salve, but it could have been worse.' she thought as her fingers gently ran over the raised and red skin, "Do you have any other wounds, bruises, painful areas?"

"Yes..." he seemed shocked that word came out of his mouth.

"Where?" Mellonah was making a small list in her head to grab from the bathroom, kitchen, and from the herb cabinet in her room.

"My chest. It's hard to breath." Loki's astonished look had yet to leave his eyes, " And my left leg... no!"

Mellonah stood, " As I said before, no one has been able to lie in this house, only tell partial truths." a small smile appeared on her lips, "I'm going to get somethings to relieve the pain."

Gathering what she needed to treat him, she returned and started applying a salve to his bruised face. Then applying the same salve to his ribs, as her hands ran under his shirt, "Can you lift it without much trouble?"

Sighing Loki just lifted his shirt, allowing her to lightly wrap his ribs so as to put slight compression but not restrict movement. Sitting back on her heels she grabbed a large silver bag, and handed it to him. "It's ice. The cold will reduce the swelling." Her hands started rolling up his left pant leg, "Good thing you only bruised your ribs, they will heal faster that way then if they were cracked or broken."

Mellonah's hands ghosted over his bruised leg, "Well your knee isn't swelling, but your ankle is. Here lay back." she gently pushed him on to the bed. The propped his ankle up with a pillow, "Now don't move, and do not tense up. I'm going to do something that will heal this."

Loki raised and eyebrow at her comment, as she placed her hands an inch or so above his ankle. Mellonah closed her eyes and pictured a deep green mist coming from her hands to surround the injury and sink into it to heal it from the inside out. She heard him release a hiss then a relieved sigh. After five minutes or so, she became dizzy, muttering a thanks to her ancestors she stopped picturing the green mist and opened her eyes. The discolored and swollen ankle was gone, leaving behind pale skin and a strong ankle. She placed her hands on the once damaged joint and begin massaging it.

"How..." Loki whispered

"It will feel sore for a little bit, but that will pass by tomorrow." Mellonah could feel her exhaustion weighing her down.

"That drained you? How could a Midgardian even do such a spell."Loki was secretly enjoying the attention to his once throbbing ankle, Mellonah noted.

"I'll tell you later, right now I need to sleep." Mellonah turned her eyes to his chest, "I'll see what I can do to speed up your ribs after I've gotten some rest. I, I haven't had to heal anyone like that in a few years... I'm out of... of practice."

Mellonah even in her half asleep state, brought the light blanket over him, effectively tucking him in, then stumbled out of his room. Using the wall to support herself, she walked around to head up the stairs to her room. Once reaching the top of the stairs she turned down the hall and nudged her door open. More out of habit then thought, she took off her shoes, snatched her comforter, and curled up on her bed. Mellonah was asleep within seconds.