I walked amongst the trees silently, listening to the leaves rustle as sunlight streamed through.

It was too quiet.

My hand moved down to where my dagger was on my hip, wrapping around the handle as eyes scanned the forest for movement- a flash of black here, a twig snapping there. My woman was quick and had a knack for being invisible, I had to admit. I spun around suddenly and was greeted by a small blade at my throat, Halea giving me a half smile. She was dressed in a black bustier and tight leather pants, boots laced up her shapely calves. I knew exactly why she had chosen to wear this outfit: she was insanely skilled in combat- incredibly fast, coldly cunning and very acrobatic- but she was a strategist as well.

I'd never be able to focus like I should with my wife looking like that.

She smiled slightly wider as she saw me struggling to keep my head and moved away through the foliage, speaking in a soft tone that was much more threatening than it was comforting, "Do you trust me Thor-King?" I watched as she ghosted around me in and out of the trees, keeping an eye on her at all times. "You are my wife and I trust you with all that is important to me- but at times such as these, my love, you are not to be entrusted."

I barely blocked her first strike as she pulled her spear from her back, Halea stabbing and cutting at me in rapid, whirling strokes. I used as little effort as possible, allowing the strikes to move past me than to attempt using force to halt them- she was much too powerful for that. Halea twirled her weapon and it whipped out in a circular arch, headed straight for my neck. I ducked and returned the blow, my wife spinning out of the way with ease. And then she laughed, pointing to the ground beside my boot- a lock of my hair was there, cut from my head by her blade.

"Wife…"

"Did you think I would spare you," she asked with a devilish grin.

I lashed out with my own blade and a small slash appeared in the fabric of her midsection, her eyes growing wide as I grinned. "This is my favorite top," Halea murmured indignantly, narrowing her eyes. It was not long before more small cuts appeared in her clothing, beautiful skin peeking through the ruined garments. I had not been spared though, my vest and one leg of my pants proving to be in no better condition. She watched me as I took off my vest, like a hawk with its prey.

We fought without restraint, a series of strong strikes on my part forcing her backwards. I watched as she dropped to one knee and gasped uncontrollably, the point of my blade pressing underneath her chin. Our breathing was heavy and the forest was silent, both of us completely still. I smiled as I looked down at her, almost surprised at how calm she looked with my blade at her throat.

"I believe I have bested you," I said finally as she stood.

"Think again."

I felt a light tap on my inner thigh and stiffened, looking down to see where another of her hidden daggers had made its appearance in being aimed at my groin. "The only reason I spare you is because I have so much… fun with this particular part of your anatomy," Halea said, leaning in to kiss my cheek. She smiled before she turned away, and I watched the play of her muscles in her back as she stretched, her skin lush and flawless. Righteous male indignation roared to life inside of me- as did a barely restrained lust- and I narrowed my eyes, seeing her turn as we continued our fight. The force and will to win was fierce as we battled, though it was tempered with great respect and care for each other; I could no more intentionally bring harm to her than I could myself. We challenged each other to be faster, stronger, smarter- of course, I was more thickly muscled than she, but Halea still radiated power and experience that let everyone who encountered her know that she was a force to be reckoned with. No matter how fast I thought I was, she was always just a step ahead and able to block my advances, using what I knew was raw instinct to her advantage. And then she suddenly changed tactics, lashing out and striking my hands hard enough to send my blade flying from my grip. I went for it but Halea was already there, driving the point of her spear into the ground to stop my attempt. I reacted quickly, however, and threw my entire body forward to rip the staff out of her hands. With a kick, I sent her flying and leapt to my feet, tossing the spear behind me and kicking the dagger out of my way.

My chest rose and fell heavily as Halea picked herself up off of the ground, completely enraged.

"Thor Odin-son," she seethed with blatant distant, stretching out her hand. "My spear."

When I did not move, she launched herself at me, the attack so swift I hardly saw it. Halea's shoulder smashed into my stomach as I wrapped my arms around her midsection, lifting her bodily off of the floor and twisting us midair. I slammed her down, her long hair splaying outwards in a curtain of black, feeling her shudder underneath me from the power. But the pain did not affect her thoughts, Halea bringing her arms up behind me and ramming her elbows down into my exposed shoulder blades. I bellowed and she removed herself from where I had held her underneath me, swinging her leg around so she kicked me in the jaw.

"Damn it Halea," I said, touching my bloodied lip as I vaulted to my feet.

I was met immediately by a fierce barrage of kicks at my head and torso, blocking most of them with ease before she kicked me once more in the face. By then I had had enough and grabbed her by the ankle, tossing her through the air. She landed lithely on her feet and tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling. She amazed me sometimes- while my stamina was far superior to most Asgardians, the one in front of me was undoubtedly my match, as she had proved both on her feet and upon her back.

Making my last bid for victory, I swept at her ankles, taking the usual uncouth woman by surprise. I continued my attacks, forcing her into one back handspring after another. Just beyond her shoulder, I could see the river and smiled, watching her near the edge. I made a wild leap just as she finished her final flip, seeing the comprehension dawn on her face as she realized where she was. I brought her down into the water, seeing arches of water fly from her hair in the midst of our grappling.

"Aargh!"

Halea stilled underneath me and I cocked my head to study her casually, smiling to myself. I had one of her arms firmly bent behind her back, beneath her as my legs and chest held her down. I reached up and fisted my hand tightly in her hair, pulling her lovely head back into a pose of submission. The muscles in her sides tensed and pulsed as she breathed, the sound of her pants more than pleasing. But still she did not give in and I knew it was difficult for her to admit defeat, even to me. I tightened my hold on Halea and I saw awareness flicker in her eyes, seeing the familiar signs of her arousal overcome her body- I could never mistake the look of hot desire on her face.

I smiled and leaned down to hover my lips above hers, "Do you concede, my love?"

"If you kiss me," Halea panted quietly, looking at me. "I will have no choice but to submit."

I loosened my hold on her hair and freed her arm, smiling before she flipped us in the shallow water. My hands flew to her hips before I laughed from being startled, Halea smiling widely down at me. "You did not kiss me. Therefore, I win," she said, her face flushed. My wife kissed me and stood, leaving me to watch wide-eyed as she whistled. Freyja raced through the trees and Halea weighted her with ease before taking off through the forest, "I will see you at the castle!"

"Slepnir!"

My steed reared up and lunged after the mare, hooves pounding against the densely-packed dirt. "You will be punished severely dear wife," I shouted out to Halea, pulling up along side her. Her wet hair flew out behind her in the wind, her body moving seamlessly with her horse's. I saw that Slepnir's nose was now at her elbow, seeing how Halea smiled at me when Freyja turned to snap at my horse.

We raced, neck and neck, taunting each other over the wind. I could see the road back through the heart of Asgard up ahead, grinning as I pushed Slepnir forward. And then Halea nudged her horse into mine, Freyja's heavily muscled body slamming into me. "You cheat," I called almost indignantly, seeing her shoot ahead as Slepnir attempted to catch himself. The two powered through turns as if they were not even there, my steed racing after her. Asgardians in the streets dove out of the way, watching us barrel through the streets.

The doors of the stables rose before us and I pulled Slepnir's reins to slow him down, my steed resisting only slightly as Freyja began to kick and whinny in triumph. I rode up along side them as the mare cantered, a smile playing across my wife's face. I could she that she had enjoyed herself, her hips moving easily along with the horse.

"I won." I laughed mockingly, along Slepnir to canter around her, leaning in to whisper, "You cheated- I told you earlier that you would be pay for your wickedness most severely."

"Oh really now," Halea asked, dismounting and walking into the stables. "What would be your method of punishment then, my King? Do you wish to whip me? Tie me, maybe?"

"Maybe."

She smiled and watched as I removed the bridle from Slepnir, a small puddle of water forming at her feet. "Whatever pleases you, milord," Halea answered as we began to walk the short way to the castle. I relished the time I got to spend with the woman before me- she was a thing of beauty and it pleased me to know that Halea belonged to me and no one else. It was my seed that had grown within her, her body that had borne my children- it was this thought and many others that kept me in an almost constant state of bliss.

"It would please me to have another child," I replied offhandedly, my wife turning to face me.

I knew that it was not her wish to become pregnant again, especially after the complications with the birth of the twins: I understood it clearly as I, too, worried for her health. But as content as I was with our children, my heart longed for more- I wanted our home to ring with the voices of babes.

We entered hand in hand, water running in small rivers from our clothes onto the gleaming wooden floors of the castle. I could see in passing the women who were having fits about us messing up their newly cleaned floors, grinning impishly to myself. We talked as we encountered many people on the way to our chambers, Halea obviously amused to no end as they took us in, soaking wet and me half-naked as well. Two older women looked as if they were having an attack of the heart, covering their mouths as I greeted them politely. Soon we reached our quarters, being greeted by Sif and the children. I left Halea with them as I went to change in preparation for my council meeting, feeling a dark sense of foreboding. I must have been in there longer than I had thought, seeing my wife move into the room. She went at her hair with a towel, sighing, "You are going to be late for your meeting."

"Halea, the duties of a king are much less appealing than that of a husband and father. I would rather be with you and our children-"

"But your duties as king come first Thor. You must do as you are supposed to," she chastised, the look on her face severe. I knew that my wife feared that I would grow bored with the throne of Asgard, but in all truth, I had no intentions in letting my kingdom delve into chaos as I watched. No, I would take care of my maiden Asgard as if she were Halea herself.

My wife took my hand as we went to the council room after we were decent, one of the guards sounding our entrance. She was quiet as we went to work, preferring to look over the very shoulders she rubbed lightly. It was both comforting and distracting to have her with me- as focused as her presence kept me on my work, it as well made me want to throw her down upon the table and ravage her like an animal.

"As I said, we would still attempt to fix the Bifrost milord. Three and a quarter years and the progress to be had is-"

I felt my shoulders raise and I moved to place my elbow on the armrest, my lips drawing into a thin line. "All the plans you have brought to me were not feasible or sufficient. I do not wish for something to happen to the Bridge to damage it worse than it already is," I replied in a rumbling baritone that I used to conceal my emotions."

Halea pressed her lips to the top of my head before her hands moved away, all eyes glued on her unimposing figure, "What of Yggdrasil? Is there not some way in which we can channel its power into the Rainbow Bridge- to reconnect it to the rest of the realms?"

"Something like that has never been attempted or even thought of-"

She caught my eye and I nodded reluctantly, seeing exactly where her mind went to.

It was Jane Foster who had inspired the spark in Halea's thoughts that turned her plans for the tree and the Bifrost into a maelstrom of fire. "I want those who know the most of the Tree to set up some scenarios with linking Yggdrasil and the Bifrost. Start working- we will reconvene here in a week," I said before pushing myself from the table and taking Halea's hand. She came quietly as I led her through the halls of our castle, locking the door behind us as we reached our quarters.

"My dear husband, what has caused this madness," Halea questioned breathily as I ripped the laces of her bustier. Her dress fell from her in waves and I hoisted her onto my waist, kissing her as I headed towards our bedroom.

"This madness is in thanks to whatever gods graced me with you and your wonderful brain, dear wife. And we should thank them many times over indeed..."

I laid in bed, watching Halea sleep.

Her face as relaxed and peaceful from what I could see, the rest obscured by her arm and her hair. Halea's body was in a graceful position, one leg bent at the knee as the sheets gathered around her hips. I smiled and watched her breathe, her breasts rising and falling leisurely.

I kissed her before stretching and getting out of the bed, looking at the scraps of her newest nightgown upon the floor. Our nights usually led to the destruction of something, which were, more often than not, her fragile garments. The castle tailors were having a time keeping up with the demands and I knew that sooner or later, they would get fed up with me. I laughed and shook my head, moving to pull on my pants.

"What could possibly be amusing at this hour," Halea asked, her voice hoarse from sleep. I turned to look at her and smiled, "I was laughing at how we always seem to destroy your nightgowns."

"No Thor, you destroy my nightgowns. Do not say we."

With a roll of my eyes, I pulled on a vest and moved to tie my boots before going back to my wife's side. I stroked her hair back and kissed her, Halea smiling at me softly. "How does the morning find you," she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "It finds me… confused," I replied honestly, looking to the balcony. "The repairs start today on the Bridge but I simply do not know how to feel. I should go, though- I know that much."

"I will be here when you return, then," Halea smiled, rolling over to kiss me before hiding her face in the bedding. I chuckled and stood, giving her a longing glance as I left our home.

I rode down to the Bifrost Bridge, quietly overseeing their work.

It seemed easier somehow to think of how this would benefit my people, than to think of myself and how I felt about losing this monument to what I had lost.

The day passed easily and much progress was made, the builders consulting me and keeping me informed of what they were doing as the alchemists wove the magic of the Tree through the Bifrost- its roots stretched deep through the center of our world up to the Bridge itself, growing with a purpose as if it had not needed to be coaxed into doing so. Although it was moving quickly, it would still be some time until the Bifrost connected us to all realms again.

And then my worst fears came true, horns and alarms blaring throughout all of Asgard.

I turned Slepnir and raced back towards the castle, finding most the Aesir rushing through the halls. "Where is my wife? My children," I asked to no answer as servants brushed past me in making their escape. With a growl, I rushed to my suite, finding the door barred. I kicked it open as Aesir and guards rushed behind me, going to the nursery.

Halea was in front of the door, unconscious and covered in bruises.

"Halea," I shouted, taking her into my arms and pressing my ear against her chest. She still breathed, faint though it was, and she had a heartbeat- she was alive. I almost let out a sob before seeing the Warriors Three rush into the room, looking to Fandral, "Come- take her. I have to make sure my children are alright."

Once she was in safe arms, I opened the door to the children's room, finding them huddled in a corner. Cierian and Theia ran to me, crying hysterically as I knelt down in front of them. I clutched them to me, my son against my chest as I pressed my face to my daughter's curls- my babies were undoubtedly the most precious things in my life and I needed them safe.

"Someone find Sif. Volstagg, Hogun, stay with them."

I kissed them both, promising them that I would return shortly before I stood and went to the weapons vault, my eyes sweeping the room carefully. It dawned upon me as soon as my eyes laid on the empty crystalline box that was supposed to hold the Tesseract- the single most deadly weapon here which as now missing.

I turned to the Aesir behind me, my jaw taut, "Bring me the All Father."

When my father arrived, I informed him of what had happened with the Tesseract, hoping for some sort of guidance as we waited for word on my wife's condition. The Aesir and the guards swept the castles for any signs of intruders, putting Asgard in a state of high alert. My children were with Sif, being carefully looked after while I attempted to figure out what had happened.

"Thor, the Tesseract has the potential to destroy worlds. And in the wrong hands, I fear what world they would inflict its power upon," Odin-Father said, looking more weary than I had ever seen him.

The door opened and I looked at the healer, my eyes searching his. "She is awake sire, but very lethargic- she drifts in and out of awareness in a most troubling fashion. From what she has spoke of, it was... your son that activated the Tesseract. The queen-"

"I need to see her," I demanded quietly, looking down at the man. "Immediately."

"Yes of course sire. Right away," he replied, opening the door and disappearing into the dark.

All the curtains had been drawn, the only light coming from flicker candle flames. Halea was upon a bed, her skin flushed and her breath coming in much quicker pants than it had been previously. I sat down beside her and took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. She roused after some effort, looking up at me from underneath heavy lids. I brushed her hair back from her sweaty forehead, inhaling deeply. "I know you are tired, but I need to know what happened to the Tesseract," I murmured, my wife's eyes searching the room.

"Where is Cierian?"

I stroked her curls in an attempt to soothe her, "He is with Sif, darling. You must tell me- was it him who activated the Tesseract?"

"The children were just playing," Halea breathed, closing her eyes and swallowing. "The children were just playing. Hide-and-seek. I must have forgotten to warn them against entering the vault- when I went to find Cierian he had his hands upon the Tesseract. He was shaking Thor and his eyes were the most unnatural blue-"

"My love, just calm and speak slowly," I pleaded, seeing her eyes slide open again.

She looked towards where I knew the sunset was, her face looking drawn, "I tried to tear it from his hands and when I did… he screamed at me, but it was not the scream of a child. It sounded like- Thor, it sounded like Loki's scream. And then Cierian dropped the Tesseract, which I lunged for, but by the time I got there the portal was already opening. It was all I could do to get them both in my arms and into their room, but as I tried to close the door to the vault, it disappeared- and I knew no more."

I nodded grimly as I tried to absorb her words, looking to my father.

"I need you to gather the builders- the Bifrost needs to be repaired as quickly as possible. I would go myself but…"

"You are needed here Thor-son," he replied, nodding as he turned. "But you must keep an eye upon your son as well. The Tesseract holds more than just the power to destroy- it can enslave one's mind and drive them completely made. I know, for I have seen its power. Do what you must- I will send your mother to help you."

Halea groaned once before falling unconscious, her skin beading with sweat once more.

I took a cloth from the nurse and began to dab at her forehead, sighing heavily.

I cared for her through the majority of the night and the next day, running between her temporary quarters and that of Sif's, my concern for Cierian growing the more I played Halea's words over in my head again and again. However, no matter of watching revealed anything to me, my son seeming… normal in every way, shape and form.

When I returned to my wife's room, I found her on the balcony, nurses hovering over her as she tried her best to stay polite. "I am with her," I said, dismissing them politely before turning to Halea.

"Thank you," she breathed, her eyes closed and her hair blowing in the wind. "Do not think it ill of me, but I just needed to be by myself for a few moments."

"I understand."

Halea turned to look at me and tucked her hair behind her ear, seeming to search for words. "I do not want to, but I must ask you-"

"How bad it is," I finished for her, my wife nodding reluctantly in reply. "It is bad. We must complete work on the Bifrost as quickly as possible so we can send scouts to each of the realms in search of the Tesseract. Hogun and Fandral will go to Jotunheim, while we go to Midgard- I think it only wise."

"And the children," she questioned quietly, a careful look of calm overcoming her beautiful features. I furrowed my brow quickly and rubbed her shoulder, "I believe it in their best to leave them here with Sif."

Halea turned to look at me fully and shook her head, her eyes locking with mine in a serious manner. "No, it is not. You… you did not see our son Thor and I fear for him; I will not let him from my side after this night. Sif should go to Hel- the Tesseract could be there as well; Hella is sly and only Sif is as devious and cunning as myself. I will go with you to Midgard, but only with our children at our side, where we can watch over them," my wife replied sincerely as she started back into her room.

I followed her, Halea making her way to our sovereign suite and going immediately to the nursery.

"Ama," Theia said as soon as she saw her mother, dropping whatever toy she had and racing to Halea's open arms. I watched them embrace before turning my attention to Cierian, seeing how warily he watched his mother. "Son," I asked softly, kneeling down in front of him.

"Is ama sick too?"

We both exchanged a look and I opened my arms to him, "Sick? Are you ill?"

My son sat upon my knee and I pressed my hand to his forehead, finding his skin almost unnaturally cool. "I do not feel well papa," Cierian said, turning to look at his mother. When he did, his hair parted at the nape of his neck and I pulled it back to reveal a long, almost beautiful- had it not been upon my unsuspecting child- dark mark on his flesh. The mark disappeared almost at once, fading into his skin as if it had never been there in the first place.

I clutched my son tightly and stood, running out of the room to find a healer.