The screams faded away, the last of the women disappearing through the temple's doors, footsteps pounding harshly on the stone pavement. He paid no attention to the women, ignoring the sounds of men dying, their last breaths wheezing out of them as they tried in vain to remove the arrows he had impaled them with. No, Rufus had eyes only for the girl on the dais, letting his eyes fill with relief as he approached her.

She shrank back as he drew near, attempting to curl into herself, but her chains prevented that movement. "Stay back!" She shouted, trying for a brave appearance, though her voice wavered with fear. He attempted a smile, whispering soothingly to her. "Shh...it's all right..." Rufus said, shouldering his bow. "You're safe now Alicia..."

She didn't react to the name, eyes looking too wide as she gazed at him. She was staring and Rufus found himself wondering if she liked what she saw. He wasn't a vain man, but he wanted to make a good impression on the girl, wanted her to find him handsome. A part of him hoped that the sight of his tall frame, with his long flowing locks of emerald green, would stir memories in her, make her remember who she was and what she meant to him. But she just stared, silent except for the sound of her breath, nostrils flaring as she tried to hide her fear.

His feet touched the dais, Rufus walking forward on silent feet. He kept his eyes fixed on her, watching as her breath quickened, the girl looking ready to scream. "Don't shout Alicia!" He said, hoping to save his ears from what he knew would be a piercing cry. "I'm not here to hurt you..."

She didn't believe him, he could tell by her eyes, staring into the baby blue orbs, seeing them narrow in suspicion. He smiled once more, trying to appear charming to her, and she merely frowned. "My name is not Alicia." She told him.

"It is." Rufus answered. "You've just...forgotten is all."

"I think I'd know my name." She said, her frown deepening. He didn't mind that she doubted him, just grateful to hear the sound of her voice.

"All right then...what is your name?" Rufus asked, curious as to what name she had been given in this reincarnation.

She was silent, Rufus fearing she wasn't going to answer him. He shrugged his shoulders, moving closer to her, and suddenly she was crying out, an excited whisper. "Alana! My name is Alana!"

"Alana...it's a beautiful name." Rufus complimented her. "But Alicia suits you far better..."

"Alicia's the name of a princess." She said, shaking her head. "And I'm no royalty." He hid a grin at her words, knowing just the opposite was true. Again he tried to come closer, and she tried to distract him with her words.

"Who are you?" She asked, her words causing him to pause in mid stride.

"That's a little complicated to answer." admitted Rufus sheepishly.

"You don't even know your own name?" scoffed Alicia. She suddenly gasped, a thought occurring to her. "You're not Odin are you?!"

His lips quirked, Rufus fighting back his amusement. "Hardly."

"Then who...?"

"Er...would you believe King of the Gods?" Rufus asked, a nervous smile on his face.

"Then you are Odin?"

"No...he's...kinda dead..." Rufus sighed. "It's a long story, and I'm sure you don't want to hear it while you are chained up, with stone digging into your back." He moved, this time determined to not let her stop him.

"You still haven't told me your name." Her chains clinked, Alicia trying to shift away from his reaching hands.

"It's Rufus..." He said, touching the manacles around her ankles. With a burst of Godly strength, he shattered the metal, fingers lingering on her right ankle. He could feel the tremble in her leg, Alicia trying to put on a brave front before him. Rufus had to force himself to let go of her foot, reaching over her leg to snap the chain off her left ankle. Her reaction was immediate, the girl drawing her knees up, pulling her legs away from him.

"Rufus?" How his heart soared to hear her speak his name once more, the half elf coming around to the head of the altar. Her hands were stretched up above her head, arms straining in an uncomfortable position. The chains broke just as easily as the ones on her legs, and Rufus frowned to see ugly red welts on her wrists, the results of Alicia's fierce struggles to get free.

His fingers encircled her wrist, stroking the tender skin. He could feel her pulling on her arm, trying to get free, but her strength was nothing compared to his. His thumb continued to caress the front of her wrist, finding her pulse point, feeling it beat faster in a nervous rhythm. He stared at the marks, and then was making up his mind, bowing down to brush his lips against her skin.

"'What are you doing?!" She gasped, pulling harder as his lips smacked against her flesh. Rufus wondered if she felt it, felt the spark of warmth as he kissed her, felt the ether caress her wrist, heal away the sting of the welts. "Stop that": Alicia hissed, jerking back hard enough that Rufus feared she would break her arm. It was with extreme reluctance that he let go of her hand, watching through half lidded eyes as Alicia held her hand to her chest, just staring at him.

"If you give me your other hand, I can heal it too." Rufus said, holding out his hand to her.

"No thank you." She shook her head, blonde hair falling forward to brush her shoulders. He moved, almost without thinking, reaching out to touch that shining, golden mass. Her gasp alerted him to the fact he was too close, Alicia flinching away from his hand, trying to slide across to the other side of the altar.

"I'm...I'm sorry..." He apologized, pulling back his hand. She merely nodded, cautiously moving to slide off the altar. She went to the far end, being sure to positioned it so that the stone lay between them.

"Rufus..." She repeated his name, and frowned. "I've never heard of a God with that name...Let alone the King of the Gods!"

"I...don't like to advertise it very much." Rufus said, a nervous laugh escaping him. She looked blankly at him, and he sighed. "I'm pretty new to the job."

"What happened to Odin?" She wondered out loud.

"It's a long story.." Rufus replied. He began walking, noting she moved when he did, both of them circling around the stone altar, never getting closer to each other. "Alicia..."

"I told you...my name is Alana!" She snapped angrily.

"Of course..." He nodded, willing to agree to anything if she would just let him get closer to her.

"I suppose I should thank you..." She said, still keeping a wary eye on him. He raised an eyebrow confused, and she hurried to clarify. "You saved me from these men...Saved me from being a sacrifice. I thank you."

"I could never let them hurt you Alic---Alana." Came his quick answer.

Again that frown was on her face, Alicia shaking her head no. "I wish you had come sooner...before the village was attacked." Blue eyes stared into his, a question deep within them. "Why did you wait so long? Why did you wait until now to make your move?"

"It's a long story..." Rufus said, uncomfortable with her questions.

"Is that your answer to everything?!" A hint of temper in those words, the girl placing her hands on her hips.

"Only when it's the truth." sighed Rufus.

"Well..." Their dance around the altar had positioned Alicia in front of the steps, the girl glancing over her shoulder at the short descent down into the water. "I guess this is good bye..." She started to turn, placing one foot onto the stone step, and Rufus panicked.

"Wait a minute!" He called out to her, and then he was teleporting, bells ringing out as he materialized behind her. Alicia gasped, frightened to see him so close, and she started to slip, her shoes wet and lacking support on the slippery stone. The scream started deep in her throat, but already Rufus was reaching out, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I've got you..." He whispered into her ear, effortlessly holding her up in the air. He watched the emotions play out on her face, the shock fading away to relief, and then to nervous panic. Rufus could tell Alicia didn't know whether to struggle or not, finding her feet dangling in mid air, the two of them hanging suspended over the pond. "Good girl..." He whispered, seeing she chose to be still, Rufus pressing his cheek against hers as he spoke into her ear. His lips brushed against the lobe, and it took every ounce of his strength not to kiss it.

"Put me down..." She said, words stiff and full of fear.

He didn't answer, still holding onto her, enjoying the feel of her curves resting against his chest. His arms were wrapped around her waist, hands pressing into her back, keeping her molded against his front. Rufus sighed, inhaling her scent, surprised to find she smelled of rich perfumes, nothing at all like the clean scent of soap and water she had favored as the princess of Dipan.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to your village sooner..." He began, still keeping his face pressed against hers. He watched as his breath stirred her hair, tiny gold curls moving from the force of it. "I didn't know what was happening...you see I tried to stay away...tried to leave you alone...that was a mistake..."

"A mistake?"

"Yes..." He pulled back to look her in the face. "I almost lost you again..." He knew his eyes showed sorrow, Rufus unable to keep the expressions from showing. He had spent a short lifetime learning to be neutral, to keep from letting his feelings show, and in an instant this girl rendered all of his lessons for naught.

"You couldn't have lost me..." Alicia began, her words slow and careful. "Because you never had me in the first place."

"How cruel..." whispered Rufus, shaking his head no.

"It's the truth." Alicia told him, frowning again. "Now put me down...gently!"

"I can't..."

"You can't?" She arched one perfectly golden eyebrow at him. "Or you won't?"

"Maybe both..." He admitted. "I'm such a fool." A rude snort of laughter from her, the girl apparently agreeing with him in that assessment of himself. "I find now that I have you in my arms again, I don't ever want to let you go."

"You have too!" She retorted, alarm in her eyes.

"Do I?" He smiled, but it lack humor to it. "I'm the King of the Gods, I don't have to do anything that I don't want to do." A sigh then, a mingling of their breaths together. "Oh Alicia..." He didn't give her a chance to correct him, talking over her protests. "There's so much I want to tell you...to show you...and I think now is the time."

"I need to get home." She said stiffly, beginning to struggle. She pushed at his chest, a light jab to show she was serious. "I need to help the survivors of my village rebuild..."

"Others will come." Rufus said sadly. "And maybe next time I won't get there in time. No..." He shook his head. "You're safer with me."

"I don't FEEL safe at all!" She protested, practically hissing out the words.

"You're just scared and confused...in time you'll see." replied Rufus.

"Please...I'm not above begging..." Alicia whispered. "Let me go...let me return to my family."

"No." Such a simple word, but it had the ring of finality to it. A decision had been made, once she had been no part of.

"What do you mean no?!" Alicia started to protest, even as golden energy began whirling around their bodies. It encircled them, and she let out a wild shriek, frightened of the gold light.

"It's okay Alicia...It won't hurt you..." Rufus said, clinging to her all the tighter. "At best you'll feel a warm buzz of energy across your skin."

"What are you doing?!" She cried out, even as bells rang out, and they made the jump between realities. The stone temple was left behind, drab gray walls being replaced with ivory white, pure gold glinting in the border between wall and ceiling. Plush carpeting of a royal purple covered the floor, ornate tapestries hanging on the walls, of peaceful forest scenes. He watched her face, saw how her eyes widened, Alicia glancing around the room. Her jaw dropped open in shock, and it took her a few minutes before she could speak, staring wide eyed at Rufus.

"You...you really are a God?!" She struggled to free herself of his arms, her flesh goose pimpling in fear.

He couldn't help but laugh at her exclamation. "As if the flying and arrows of light weren't proof enough?!" Her cheeks flamed, and he sighed. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to mock you..." It was a monumental effort, but he released his hold on her. Alicia shocked him by promptly dropping to her knees, keeping her head bowed low.

"No please!" Rufus protested, also kneeling down. "Don't prostrate yourself before me..." His hands landed on her bare shoulders, squeezing slightly.

"But...you're a God..." Alicia whispered, still not looking at him.

"But once I was mortal like you..." He said in reply, fingers touching her face, tilting her head up so that she met his eyes. The blue shone with frightened tears, and Rufus despaired to see them. "Please don't cry Alicia..."

"Alana..." She murmured, but it was a half hearted protest.

"Come...stand up..." He went to rise, helping her to her feet. His eyes dropped away from her face, dipping down low to gaze at her body, and started shocked. Her white dress was still soaked from her dip in the pool, and what hadn't been obvious in the dim light of the moon was now starling so. The wet gown had turned translucent, her skin clearly showing through the silk that clung to her body. He could see what she wore underneath it, panties and little else, her nipples two rosy circles that drew in his eyes, captured his gaze.

"What...?" Alicia asked. "Why are you staring at me?"

Not much could make the King of the Gods blush, but seeing her in this dishelved state, seeing her nearly naked did him in. He just knew his cheeks were reddening, and yet he couldn't tear his eyes away from her body, staring with longing at her. He didn't notice her frown, barely aware of her gazing downwards to see what had him so enraptured. But he did hear the gasp, and to his regret her arms crossed over her chest, hiding her breasts from him.

Rufus blinked, the spell partially broken due to the placement of her arms. "Forgive me..." He looked at her face, seeing the pink blush of embarrassment on her cheeks. Alicia stared down at the floor, avoiding looking at him and he sighed. Even without the distracting sight of her exposed body, he found it difficult not to stare at her. He just couldn't help it, she was so beautiful, and he had to wage an inner battle with himself, fight to keep from taking her back into his embrace.

Instead he was casting about that gold energy, using ether to fashion a robe for her. He could see the surprise in her eyes, Alicia staring at the hand that held the soft cotton robe out to her. She made no move to take it, just watching him cautiously. "Allow me..." Rufus said, moving to place the robe over her shoulders. It was then that she moved, Alicia gratefully gripping close the robe over her front.

"Thank you..."

"Don't mention it..." Rufus said, trying out another smile on her. It appeared to only frighten her, and she none too subtly tried to inch away from him.

"Where are we?" She asked, eyes cautious as she watched him.

"Where are we?" Rufus repeated, licking his lips nervously. "We're in Asgard. Valhalla to be more precise."

"Am I...did I die?" She asked, looking upset.

"No!! No!!" Rufus was quick to protest. "You are most certainly still alive."

"Oh." She looked downwards, fingers fidgeting with the ties of the robe. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I told you...to keep you safe." answered Rufus.

"I don't feel safe at all." confessed Alicia.

"Maybe in time that will change..." Rufus said, giving her a hopeful smile. She merely looked away, making him sigh.

"What do you want from me?" She whispered, voice small and uncertain.

Everything! Was his private thought, the half elf desperately desiring the girl's all, wanting her heart, her body, and her soul. Out loud he merely said this, "I want...you to be safe. I want you to be happy. To remember your true self...to remember us..."

"There is no us." Alicia shook her head. "You must have me confused with someone else."

"No...there's no mistake...You are my Alicia." Rufus stretched out his arm, touching her hair. He tucked several gold strands behind her ear, fingers playing with the ends. "You just...lost your way."

"Alana! My name is Alana!" She said insistently, tolerating his touch with a grimace. He continued to play with her hair, just staring at her as though his gaze could force her to remember the truth. She shifted, and fidgeted, growing uncomfortable with his looking, but made no move to flee. Rufus felt he could have spent an eternity just looking at her, running his fingers through her hair over and over again. But at last he sighed, and gave a shake of his head.

"I have to go now." He said, voice dripping with regret. "But I'll send someone in with some gowns in your size. Please..." He swept out an arm, gesturing at the room. "Make yourself at home."

Alicia said nothing, just staring straight ahead, ignoring him. He sighed again, and was moving, disappearing into a whirl wind of ether. He was almost completely out of the room when he heard it, a low muted sob that his sharp ears picked up. Alicia giving into tears that he was helpless to prevent.

"Alicia..." He said, rematerializing in a different part of Valhalla. He sighed and leaned against a wall, hands raised to brush back his bangs. "Damn it!" He was suddenly slamming his hand into the wall, his fist making a dent in the stone. "I'm such a fool..."

"You got that right." A female voice said, booted heels clicking on the marble floor. Rufus glanced up, and stifled back a groan, seeing the gorgeous Goddess clad in a form fitting green and white tunic. "What were you thinking, bringing a mortal to Valhalla?! And a live one at that!!"

"Hello Freya. It's nice to see you too." He greeted her, folding his arms across his chest.

"Lord Rufus..." Freya did not return the greeting, a scowl on her lovely face. "I thought we all agreed it best if you leave that mortal girl alone." Her hands were on her hips, and she glared at him, disapproval in her eyes. "And yet I find out you not only snuck down to Midgard but you brought her back with you!"

"That mortal has a name Freya." Rufus said tiredly. "I would have you use it, and address her with the proper respect."

"Fine...Alicia..." She pursed her lips together as though she had tasted something foul. "How could you my Lord?! After you expressly forbid any of us from interfering in her life!"

"She was about to die Freya! Do you understand? I couldn't let that happen!" His explanation was heated, Rufus staring at the Goddess.

"If it was her time to die, then so be it. She had a good life as a mortal, peaceful by their standards, and full of happiness." Freya retorted.

"She was only eighteen! Eighteen years...do you realize how short a life that is for a human? No..." A bitter laugh from him. "You wouldn't understand at all. Only those who have been mortal realize how precious life truly is." He pushed away from the wall, approaching the Goddess. "I kept my word...I no longer even watched her in the Water Mirror. I had to find out second hand that she was about to die." He closed his eyes, thinking how grateful he was that he had been in time.

"Who?" wondered Freya out loud.

"Gefjun." answered Rufus. "Alicia's soul was slated to come to her. She recognized the girl, and came to me, asking what should be done. I saw my chance and I took it."

"Fine...you saved her, now return her back to her family." Freya said, her words sounding very much like an order. "That mortal, Alica, has earned her right to reincarnation free of the memories of her past life. You have done your good deed, but it ends here, do you understand me?"

"I think you forget your place Freya." Rufus all but snarled at her. "I am ruler of the Gods, not you. You answer to my whims, my moods. And if I want Alicia to stay here, then by all means, she will remain here."

Freya let out a hiss of air, eyes narrowed into a hate filled glare. "You may be a God now Rufus, but you still think like a mortal. Do you think to seduce her? To make her your Queen?"

"I hadn't thought that far..." Rufus shrugged. "But so what if I do?"

Her lips were a thin line of disapproval, Freya shaking her head no. "This goes against everything we know, everything we are. You cannot possibly think this will go unchallenged!"

"Let the other Gods protest. I care not." Rufus said.

"Rufus!"

"Calm yourself Freya...right now I'd be content with her regaining her memories." A sigh then, Rufus fighting to keep the pain out of his eyes. "But it doesn't look like it'll be happening anytime too soon. She doesn't remember me Freya..." He said the last softly, all hint of anger gone from his voice.

"Of course she doesn't." Freya replied. "The fates were sure to seal her memories away, wanting to reward her with a chance at a happy life."

"And they didn't think she could be happy with me?" wondered Rufus, a frown on his face. "Don't answer that!"

"I think someone needs to..." Freya said. "Maybe then you will understand the truth of the matter. Rufus, you're a God now...and Alicia...she is a mortal. Love cannot exist between the two."

"Why not?" For that Freya had no answer, merely shaking her head no over and over again. Rufus smirked, and said, "Even you do not know why. Perhaps it hasn't happened because no God has made the attempt to love a mortal."

"Mortals grow old and die." Freya reminded him. "They live such a short time."

"That doesn't matter up here." grinned Rufus. "Time stops for everyone in Asgard, even humans. Alicia need never age pass her eighteenth year, so long as she stays by my side."

"You think you've thought of everything...but even you are not all knowing." Freya sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "Fine...dally with your mortal...woo her to your heart's content...and when it turns out wrong..."

"You will be waiting to tell me I told you so, right?" asked Rufus with a laugh. "Relax Freya...you worry too much." He began walking away from her, and she called after him, voice betraying the upset she felt.

"Someone has too..."

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To Be Continued...

Gefjun is a Goddess who gets the souls of maidens who die as virgins.

Michelle