Ava woke the next morning, her head throbbing from the ache in her nose. She walked into her bathing room and washed her face. She looked into her mirror. Dark circles had formed under her eyes. "No going to the market today." She muttered to herself.

She went about getting herself ready for the day and then headed downstairs. She was relieved when she found that her father had already gone for the day. She grabbed the headache remedy and poured it into some tea that she drank. Once she was feeling a bit better, Ava went out to the stables and cared for the horses.

"How about I take you out for a walk today?" She spoke to the two horses that belonged to her father. One was a brown stallion and the other was white mare, that had been her mother's horse. Ava readied the horses and let them out into the yard to walk and run.

Her mother's horse did run about with her father's horse. Lady, that was her mother's horse, stayed with her. Ava reached a hand up and stoked the large mare's nose. "You're such a beautiful girl, Lady." Ava told the horse.

The horse neighed and nuzzled Ava with her nose. Ava let out a small giggle. "Thank you, Lady." She said.

A while later, Ava allowed the horses to still run about the yard, while she went to her garden. She weeded and watered it. She then picked a few items to use for dinner. She started to get the items together, when there was a knock on the front door.

Ava walked to the door and opened it up. Eira stood on the other side. "What are you doing here?" Ava asked.

"Well, that's a fine way to..." Eira's reply fell flat when she saw the bruising on Ava's face. "He was angry last night, wasn't he?"

"I...I just got in his way." Ava replied.

"Ava, he shouldn't be treating you like this." Eira replied. "He is your father. It is his job to protect you, not harm you."

"I'm fine, Eira. It will be healed in just a few days."

"But it shouldn't be happening at all." Eira replied. "You don't deserve this."

'Thank you for stopping by and for your concern...but I really have to be getting to work now." Ava replied, closing the door and shutting her one and only friend out.

Loki...

Loki sat in the library of the palace, reading over one of his favorite tomes. "What has you in here reading today rather than with your brother and friends, my son?" Frigga asked, as she sat down next to him.

Loki closed the book and looked at his mother. "I didn't feel like watching the training as they do."

"Why not?" Frigga asked.

"Because I hate seeing a once great general in such a state as Lord Hagar is." Loki answered.

"I see...you know he is only this way because he lost the love of his life." Frigga replied.

"I know...I remember you saying his wife died in childbirth. Do you know anything of the child?" Loki asked.

"A daughter." Frigga answered. "Her mother named her Ava just before she died."

"Lady Ava...he hasn't brought her to any of the feasts, when he attends." Loki said.

"He is probably overprotective of her, not wanting to lose her as he lost his dear wife...or at least that is what I hope." Frigga replied. "Why are you so curious about this, my son?"

Loki shrugged. "I was just wondering what kind of life his child would have. I know that when he leaves here, Lord Hagar goes to the taverns...and drinks heavily."

"I see." Frigga replied, a worried expression on her face.

"Is something wrong, Mother?" Loki inquired.

Frigga wiped away her worry and put a gentle smile on her face. "Just thinking, my son. It is almost dinner time. You should get washed up."

"I am a grown man, Mother. I don't need you to tell me to clean up." Loki replied.

"Then get up and do it." Frigga said, playfully smacking his leg and getting up.