.

Meg had an extra bounce in her step as she exited Odin's palace. 'I'm going to be rid of Thor', she thought cheerfully.
"What's got you so giddy?" Asked a voice behind her.
Meg turned and smiled. It was her best friend (besides Timber) Zebra
(note: It's pronounced with a short 'E' like essence. Not like the animal)
"Thor is going to be outta my hair." Meg replied gleefully.
"How'd you arrange that?" Wondered Zebra.
"Oh, I have to baby-sit some sun bathing Greek for a day while you guy's work on the party. But only after I got Odin to agree to keep his 'Thunder child' away."
Zebra looked nervous. "He got YOU to do it?"
Meg frowned, "give me some credit, I know how important this is. I'll behave as long as Odin keeps his end."
"Please do", Zebra begged.
"You worry too much." Said Meg. She waved and headed home.

Timber welcomed Meg home with a horsy lick. Meg returned the affection by stroking her silver coat. "It wasn't so bad", she told Timber. "I just have to chaperon the new arrival. Whomever it is, will be here tomorrow. I'm sup-post to meet'em at the Rainbow Bridge."
Timber snorted.
"Yes, I plan on taking you with me." Said Meg reassuringly. "But, for now, we must see to the dog sled races in Greenland." Meg hopped up on Timber and they galloped away.

Snow fell heavily as twilight appeared. Meg arrived home. "Aurora does it again." Said Meg, commenting on the cascading colors spreading across the northern sky. She pushed the door open and entered. She lit the fire and place her cape on the rack. She prepared herself a bath in a hot spring just outside the cavern. Sinking into the bubbling water, Meg sighed. The heat relaxed her tired muscles. After cleansing, she put on her simple white tunic and fell into bed.

In the morning, Meg felt a wet nose nuzzle her cheek. She pushed it away but it persisted. Meg opened her eyes and found herself face-to-face with Timber.
"What", she moaned. Then, sitting up, she remembered what today was. "Oh, ya, that."
She felt, to be fair in her deal with Odin, she would dress properly. Which was something she rarely did. She put her usual navy dress on, along with her belt and cape. But, in addition, she strapped a dagger to her thigh and carefully placed her headdress atop her curls (with symbols indicating speed).
"Well, do I look presentable?" She asked Timber. She nodded enthusiastically. "Well, I guess that's that, let's go greet the Greek." It was particularly stormy that morning, but that usually didn't dishearten the seasoned Norse Women.

Halfway to Asgard, flying atop a winged horse, a young God named Hercules felt the first chill of the north.
"I really hope that they live indoors", Hercules commented to his horse, Pegasus. "Phil said that they were barbarians, but, you know he tends to exaggerate." Hercules hadn't been a God long, having just recently proven himself a hero. He was born a god to Zeus and Hera, king and qu
een of the Greek gods. Zeus' jealous brother Hades, wanted control of Olympus (home of the Greek gods) so he plotted to rid himself of Hercules, (who was prophesied to defeat him) by killing him. But, thanks to his henchmen (Pain & Panic) he was only turned mortal. Raised by his earthly parents, he was considered a freak among his peers because of his enormous strength. Finding out what he really was, he learns that in order to restore his godhood, he would have to become a true hero. Joined by famous hero trainer, Philoctetes, he trains to do so. He proves himself by defeating Hades and saving Olympus. Then, he is reinstated as god of strength and heroism. One of his first duties as a god was to determine if the Norse Gods were friendly enough to forge an alliance. Herc was a bit nervous because he didn't travel much and still wasn't fully comfortable being around the divine. But, he accepted this assignment to gain experience from a different culture. Fighting the fierce winds, Herc looked at the map given him. They seemed to be on the right path.
"Keep a lookout for a Rainbow Bridge", he yelled to Pegasus. He nodded as flakes began to fall.

Meg was standing at the entrance to Asgard. She held a hand above her eyes, trying to spot the incomer.
"See anything?" She asked Timber.
She shook her head.
"You'd think Thor would take care of the weather for this occasion", Meg commented. "Oh well", she sighed. She placed a barrier around her and Timber, to keep the wind out, and lit a torch. "That should help matters." She continued her search.

"I can't see a thing", Herc shouted to Pegasus over the wind.
SMACK!
They slammed into an iceberg and plummeted to the frozen earth. Herc fell face first into the snow, Pegasus followed and landed on top of him. He lifted his head, blowing the horse tail from his face, to see a pair of sandals before him. His eyes followed up the slender body to behold the most heavenly face he'd ever seen. Herc had seen his share of beautiful mortals and goddesses alike, but this one, in his mind, shamed them all. Quickly standing up, he knocked Pegasus down who neighed angrily.
Meg couldn't help but snicker. Hercules dusted the snow off and adjusted his tunic.
"Guessing from the bare legs, I assume you're the one from Olympus." Said Meg referring to his lack of preparation for the climate.
"Ya", said Hercules chuckling nervously. He was at a loss for words before such a vision. But, there was something else he found to appealing about her. By the way she carried herself, he could tell that she very different from the typical girl. "My name is a...a..." Herc's mind drew a blank, he couldn't remember his own name.
"Yes..." Said Meg, coaxing him along. " You do have a name... don't you?" She asked confused.
Meg wasn't use to guys acting like this. They (Thor) were usually pretty cocky around her.
"Hercules!" He suddenly blurted. "Ya, my name is Hercules."
Meg offered her hand to shake in greeting. "Megara, but call me Meg, everybody does."
Herc took Meg's hand and shook.
Meg noticed how especially gentle he was with her hand, as if she were so fragile she could bust with the slightest pressure. Herc's hand lingered in hers, Meg jerked her hand back.
"Sorry", said Herc embarrassed, blushing to the roots of his curly hair.
Timber laughed. Pegasus flinched his eyebrows at her and she shyly lowered her head.
"Timber, why don't you show uhh..."
"Pegasus", Herc added.
"Ya, Pegasus, around", suggested Meg. Grabbing Timber's face and pulling her close so their eyes met, whispering harshly; "But not too friendly!" She warned.
Timber nodded nervously and trotted away with Pegasus at her hooves.
"Well", said Meg turning her attention back to Hercules. "I guess first things first, I'll show you to your quarters, you must be tired after such a long trip. Then, when you are rested, I'll give you a tour."
Hercules nodded.
"Follow me", she started walking. He followed, hugging his chest for warmth.

After about half-a-mile or so, Meg looked back and noticed that Hercules seemed to be endlessly shivering. Meg opened her pack and tossed him a cloak. "Here, I figured you'd need this." He caught is clumsily and wrapped it around his body. "Thanks", he said gratefully.
As they came to the guest lodge, "Sorry Odin couldn't come to meet you himself, he's busy preparing for tomorrow's celebration.
'No problem', he thought. "That's OK", he finally said.
Meg entered first, then Hercules followed. "Well, here we are," she waved her hand around the room. "All the accommodations of home." Folding her arms, "I'll give ya a while to settle, then I'll be back to show you the sites. If you need anything, just holler." She said shutting the door.

Hercules sat down on the large bed and exhaled. He was feeling a bit overwhelmed. After all, he was in a strange new place, and, he had to learn to match wits with 'Meg'. 'Ahhh', he thought, just saying her name sent Goosebumps down his arms. He decided to take a short nap, to help clear his thoughts.