Lots of Boring Plot stuff this chapter, sorry. Small little payoff at end of chapter though. As always I am a review whore. Let me know what you think!

Thor arrives at the barracks early to collect Loki and shuffle her in with the rest of the slaves for transport. He gives her more conservative attire to wear to help protect her modesty. Unfortunately, her blue skin makes her stick out like a sore thumb. Thor tells her to hide in the back of the crowd and look at her shoes. He does not want Odin to notice her as they gather on the Bifrost. In fact Thor has made a point to avoid bringing up Loki in conversation at all in the hopes that his father has forgotten her. It would seem he has. He hasn't mentioned her since the day of the war declaration.

They go in groups, transporting men, equipment, supplies, and weapons. They touch down on the small moon which is in dispute. It is a very tiny moon but it has a breathable atmosphere and normal gravity. It is a cold moon, though warm compared to Jotunnheim. Thor can see why the Jotunns would find it appealing. What he can't understand is why his father wants it. It poses no logistical or strategic advantage or threat to Asgard. The place where they land is a wide open plain as far as the eye can see. Though completely exposed, it also means that no one can sneak up on them. The land is flat. Any army gathering to march on their position would be seen from miles away. It also means that there is nowhere to escape to, so their compliment of slaves, including Loki cannot run. What would be the point?

Since Jotunnheim does not have a Bifrost they must use space ships to ferry their army to this place. They would have also had to evacuate the people that were living here by the same method. According to Heimdall, the residents left two days ago. Now it is a war of occupation. They will dwell in the land and wait for Jotunnheim's forces to arrive and attack. Odin has Asgard's fleet orbiting the moon to intercept their ships. The real battle will be on Jotunnheim where Odin is going. He is taking the bulk of the army there to fight King Laufey. Thor and his men may be here for a long time waiting for an attack that may never happen.

The slaves are put to work doing the really heavy lifting as the servants set up and prepare the kitchen. Large tents are erected to house the soldier's sleeping quarters. Smaller tents are set up for the higher ranking soldiers. Thor gets a large tent to himself since he is the prince. Many larger comforts are brought along that Thor usually has to go without. He has an actual bed, for now. The war could steal it from him at a moment's notice. Thor has no illusions of living the next several months in such comfort. At some point this whole place will get burned to the ground. For tonight he can rest his head on a pillow and sleep well for the first time in weeks knowing that Loki is safe in his tent beside him.

At the end of the day everyone is tired. The camp is set up and the evening meal is served. The soldiers are served first, followed by the servants. The slaves eat last and are only given whatever is left. Thor makes sure to set aside some of his food for Loki. He knows they will not give her much. Loki finally sits down to take a bite of her meal when the men in the chow hall start chanting. "Sing! Sing! Sing! Sing!" A couple of the men grab her by the arms and drag her front and center. The men want to be entertained.

Loki looks out at the crowd of men. For the first time, Thor is there watching her sing and for some reason it makes her nervous. She shouldn't be, for once her breasts aren't threatening to fall out of her bodice. Again, thanks to Thor for giving her something decent to wear. He gave her pants and a white baggy tunic to hide her form, though the ensemble does nothing to hide her loveliness. Loki sings a happy tune. Her powerful voice fills the air and enchants all that hear her. At least the men are sober tonight. No ale or mead rations allowed. Loki sings for well over an hour before Thor puts an end to it and the Captain of the Guard issues patrol rotations. Loki returns to the table to find her plate of food only to find that it is gone. One of the other slaves or servants had collected it during clean up. Loki stomach growls loudly in protest.

"Come with me." Thor says to her as he grabs her by the arm. He is not forceful, but he is firm. He walks at a calm pace towards his private tent. Loki swallows hard as a sliver of anxiety festers into a roaring fire with each step they take. Thor pulls the flap back and they duck inside. The inside of his tent looks….homey. There are two large tables and several chairs. There are a couple of chests that hold maps, important papers and other administrative supplies. There is a weapons rack and a pile of armor in the corner. There is even a real bed. It is just large enough to hold the golden god, and a small blue female. It is piled high with a giant mountain of warm furs and suddenly Loki is very tired. She has been sleeping on straw and concrete for days. But her anxiety is keeping her alert. What if Thor's kindness and charity comes with a price?

Loki turns to look at the Heir of Asgard. There is an awkward pregnant pause, until it is interrupted by Loki's growling stomach.

"Oh! Here." Thor says as he reaches into his satchel and pulls out a handkerchief. Within it is a giant chunk of roasted boar and three large dinner rolls. He hands it to Loki with a gentle smile. "I thought you might be hungry."

"Thank you!" Loki says around a mouth full of food. Dignity and manners be damned! She's starving! She sits at one of the tables and devours her dinner. Thor takes the opportunity to finally speak to her.

"I am sorry for all of this. You are only here because you fought to protect me and my friends. My father can be rather cruel, especially to his enemies, though he has become more so in recent years. I fear the weight of the crown has made him bitter." Thor looks at Loki who is still chewing but listening intently. "I would like to know more about you. Who you are and what your life on Jotunnheim is like. I still hold hope than another solution to this dispute can be found, and that perhaps bloodshed might still be avoided." Thor says. Loki continues chewing her food but does not respond. She simply gives him the look that she is listening, quietly encouraging him to continue speaking. "My friends and I were out hunting for bilgesnipe that day. We were not expecting the ice bear at all. That one came out of hibernation rather early…though…it was an early spring this year. We ate the meat of the bear you killed at dinner the next night. I felt wrong eating it while you did not share in the meal, but you were still recovering I think."

Loki chews slowly as she listens to Thor speak. A millions questions are running through her mind. The first and foremost being, 'Why is Asgard at war with Jotunnheim in the first place?' She has looked at it from every angle and nothing makes sense, until she thinks of Odin himself. There Loki was, a princess of Jotunnheim captured in Asgard. Why did Odin not force her to marry his son? Political marriages are always more fruitful and bloodless than war. Perhaps the Allfather thinks that interbreeding between their species is not possible. Or perhaps the thoughts of a half-Jotunn grandchild disgusted him. What does Asgard want with this tiny little moon? It is too cold for Asgardian crops, but perfect for the growth of Jotunn crops. The minerals that are plentiful here are not very rare or valuable. Odin must be insane.

Loki then considers Thor. Thor is a sweet man. This much she can tell. He is not like his father. She can also tell that Thor both loves and fears his father. How much insanity and injustice is Thor willing to stomach from his father before he finally snaps? Lastly, what are going to be the sleeping arrangements in this tent? Loki swallows her last bite of food before speaking.

"Thor, what are your intentions towards me?" She asks pointedly.

"I don't know. I find you enchanting. If circumstances were different I would court you. But after all that you have suffered I hold no illusions about a possible future between us. You must hate me."

"You're a sweet man Thor, but you are not very bright or perceptive."

"You do not hate me?"

"No I do not hate you. BUT that does not mean I am eager to be your whore either. Where am I to sleep?"

"The furs on the bed are primarily for you. I brought along as many as I could find so that you might be comfortable."

"Well…that does explain that huge mound. I know Aesir are far more sensitive to the cold than Jotunns, but I thought that all of those were for you." They both giggle at the small admission.

"Come, let us retire." He says gently. They walk over to the bed and pull off the furs, leaving only a few for Thor. Loki makes a nest of sorts for herself on the floor near Thor's bed. When Thor is confident that Loki is comfortable, Thor extinguishes all the torches and candles and tucks into bed.

"Good night My Lady."

"Good night, My Great Bilgesnipe Hunter."