"For the final time, I shall drive the wagon!"

Colin walked to the window and looked down into the courtyard where Loki and his eldest daughter were standing.

"I do not see why it matters if I drive the wagon. I am perfectly capable..."

Brenna had her arms crossed before her. Loki knew the stance, Brenna was ready for an argument.

"It matters because we will have our guest and Astrid as well." Loki yanked on the harnesses to make sure they were secure.

"I need a better excuse. Come on, try harder." She bent down to look underneath Lightning's belly where her father was now tightening a strap. She could see he was grinding his teeth, trying not to explode.

"No? Then I will make one for you." She stood back up glaring at him across Lightning's back, "How about this? Brenna I do not want you talking to our new guest. Remember we mustn't fraternize with him, he is a Midgardian after all."

When Loki slammed the side of the wagon with his hand, she knew she'd hit on it.

"So tell me Papa, should I move to the palace for the duration of his stay? I would not wish to be guilty of congeniality."

"Brenna! Stop baiting me for that is all you are doing!" Loki strode to the front of the wagon where Brenna met him.

"I am telling you the truth!"

A loud clap made them turn toward the house where Eidra stood in the doorway, "The morning meal is waiting. Brenna will you go help Helgi and Ingrid? Astrid is about to burst with excitement and you know how she is."

Brenna scowled as she tromped past Eidra into the house but when Loki reached the steps, Eidra put a hand to his chest, "What, pray tell, is the trouble this time?"

She watched Loki try his best to put on an impassive face, "She wished to drive the wagon this morning and I denied her request."

"Why?" Eidra put her hands on her hips, barring the door.

"Because she is just a girl. What if Lightning should be spooked?" He made to slip around Eidra but she moved to stop him.

"Eidra," He groaned, "I have much to do today and I do not wish to do it on an empty stomach."

"Then tell me why you do not wish her to take the reins of a wagon she has driven since she was ten seasons."

Loki looked up at Eidra, angry that she knew he wasn't telling her the truth, wondering if it was a mother's instinct or living with him for better than fifteen seasons which gave her the edge, "Because our guest will be riding in the wagon and I do not wish her to engage him in conversation."

Eidra stared at him, "What would you have her do? Move to the palace until he leaves?"

"Now you sound like her," Once again he tried to move around Eidra, this time she wrapped her arms about his waist. He sought briefly to disentangle himself from her grasp before finally heaving a great sigh, draping his arms around her shoulders.

"You are aware I greatly dislike your tactics."

Eidra smiled up at him, "So drive the wagon today but know this. You said the night last that he would be here for at least an entire season. It is inevitable, she will talk to him. It would be terribly impolite not to do so and a princess should always be polite."

Loki kissed the top of her head, "My heart, must you always be correct?"

She buried her face in his chest, tightening her grip, "Yes."

"Papa! Make Lightning run!" Astrid yanked on his arm.

"No. If you wish to go faster, call to Brenna and see if she will let you ride Agathon with her."

Astrid twisted in the seat of the wagon, looking behind her to where Brenna trotted along, sullen.

Colin on instinct put his hand out to steady the girl perched on the seat between them, "Forgive me for being forward but I couldn't help hearing the row this morning, seeing it was right under me window."

Loki glanced at him, "You are straightforward."

"Blunt, me grandad called it. I can be tactful when needed. I just don't believe in talking a lot of shite."

Loki raised his hand and waved behind him. As Brenna drew alongside the wagon, he reined in Lightning. "Let Astrid ride with you for a bit."

Brenna held out her hands as Loki handed the excited child over, "Mind you sit still for your sister, my little sparrow, or she will surely clip your wings."

Astrid giggled as she reached for the reins and shook them, clucking her tongue.

"I hold the horse." Brenna chided, lifting the reins.

As they started off again, Loki seemed to relax a bit, "Astrid is a sponge. She soaks up the tiniest detail." He watched Brenna trot ahead a bit further, "Brenna is my headstrong child."

"Aye, firstborns usually are, at least from what I've been told."

Loki tilted his head, "I do not ken."

"Ken? Been an age since I heard that word. There are people say yer birth order determines yer temperament."

"Then it would also explain my brother. Tell me, if you be so blunt, as you call it, what Asgard might expect of the coming deluge."

Colin sat straighter in the seat. If he had not managed to read all the paperwork pertaining to Asgard itself, he had in the very least, read thoroughly about the project Stark Industries would be initiating in a few days. He also knew he would need to tread lightly.

"If you'll be more specific, I'll do me best to answer yer questions." Colin draped his arm over the backrest of the seat.

Loki let the farmland pass for a minute or two, "The first wave. I spoke with Stark last season when he first presented his project plans to the High Council. He made it seem as though his intentions were purely scientific. He told us the first wave would be composed of scientists, primarily for the construction of the two portals, but also would there be scientists to study our culture, our foodways. He made a statement somewhat to the effect of calling Asgard a living history museum."

"Aye, that sounds about right. Asgard is based first and foremost on the Viking culture. We know, or rather we knew little about them so this has been looked upon as an unimaginable opportunity."

Loki nodded to a wagon passing in the opposite direction, "Stark has seldom focused on an opportunity that does not further his personal interests and I do not recall cultural enrichment as being high on his list."

"He is, if you will, the conduit. That he'll profit from it, I've no doubt but this is why I've been sent here, to assure that his interests don't override the interests of yer own people. There will be some adaptation. Others like meself will be remanded into your communities to learn, to document and record yer ways and they will be subject to strict rules while in Asgard. Does that answer yer question?"

"It tells me what I already expected. What will happen to people who break the rules?"

Colin shifted in his seat, "They'll be sent back to Midgard and removed from the program."

"But the damage will already have been done, what then?"

"With any luck, incidents will be few and far between."

Loki turned to stare at him, "However, there shall be incidents."

"Aye, nothing is inevitable. I'll not lie to you."

He watched Loki's face darken, "I am greatly concerned."

Colin tapped the back of the seat."We'll do the best we can." As he trained his attention on the landscape however, he could only think, So am I.

He'd had little time to look around the day before, so quickly had he been handed over to Loki and so he took everything in with equal interest as they rolled through the city streets toward the gates of the palace proper.

Stark had phrased it correctly, a living history museum. If he hadn't been reminded when he awoke in the middle of the evening to take a piss and was forced to use the chamber pot then seeing the citizens of Asgard go about their daily lives was a firm reminder that he'd essentially stepped back in time.

As they passed by, citizens stopped and bowed to the wagon, greeting them with calls of, "Your Highness," and "Milord." Children ran behind the wagon yelling and laughing, making him wish he'd something to throw them, some coins or a bit of chocolate but among the many rules he'd read, there was one which stated that there should be no random dissemination of Midgardian goods unless pre-approved by the Asgardian Council. He'd concluded long ago that the rule makers of the world sat about all day figuring ways to sap all the joy out of life.

They had been traveling perpendicular to the palace down narrow lanes which started gradually to widen until at last they entered what seemed a vast open area at the convergence of a good number of lanes and streets, the parapets of the palace taking center stage at one end, the spires rising glistening into the sky. Colin was reminded of St. Peter's square in Rome as he took in the great fountain at its center.

"Who's the chap in the center of the pool makin' like Moses?" Colin looked up at the sculpture as they passed.

"Moses, I have not heard that name in a number of years."

Colin turned to him, "You've heard it at all?"

"Chris used to try his best to convert me to your Christian religion. What I would not give to have him here once more to tease me about your remark."

"He's passed on then? This Chris?"

Loki nodded, "He was a dear friend, and he would be more than amused that you have likened my father's image to a Midgardian prophet. Odin posed for this fountain when I was but a babe in arms."

Colin looked about the sea of people milling about the square, talking, trading at small carts and stands, making music with instruments that sounded very much like fiddles, flutes, a deep bass drum as they turned towards the line making its way to the outer gates of the palace.

"This friend of yers," Colin ventured, "Was he white haired?"

Loki cast him a curious glance, "Yes he was, what gave you to ask such a question?"

He knew he'd once again opened his mouth too wide, "Ah, I figured if he were passed on, he must be an old man." He was digging deep and he waited for Loki to call him on it but he simply nodded.

"He was quite old in fact. Our friend Sally was his wife."

As they came to the line, the guards waved aside those wagons ahead to make way for the wagon. Loki swiveled around in his seat to make sure Brenna was still behind him, then they continued through the high arched gates into the center courtyard.

"The celebration of the summer solstice will be upon us within a few days. This is the reason for all the activity." Loki hopped down from the wagon and walked to where Brenna had halted her horse. She handed down Astrid who was trying to turn in all directions, her mouth open in a great O when not filled with words.

"Papa, so many people! The man has pups, might we have one? Will we see grandmother? Where is the king?"

As Brenna dismounted from Agathon, Colin gave his hand to steady her.

"Thank you, Master Denehy."

"Pleasure, will you be tagging along with us now?"

The voice at his ear made him jump, "She will be taking Astrid and visiting Lady Jane for her lessons. We have a formal visit to make and then we will be off to inspect the longhouses."

Colin felt his face redden as he straightened up, "Ah then it's off to yer lessons with you."

Brenna smiled then and if it were possible, Colin felt like his face was lit with fire, "Wave bye to Papa."

Astrid gave a half hearted wave, still gazing about the courtyard as they walked up the wide steps through the palace doors.

When they shut, the outside sounds faded into a low rumble and Brenna headed off down one corridor while Colin followed Loki through the halls until they came to a set of double doors which he flung open, "This was my old bedchamber. When I returned to serve my brother, I had another bed made for the room as the original is in my chambers at the manor house. I seldom stay overnight, Eidra is adamant that I am home each evening."

Colin tried to take it all in. The grandeur of the room, the marble floors, huge fireplace, balcony overlooking the city, rich drapes, gleaming wood. Loki had walked to a wide wardrobe and opened the doors. "You are to meet my mother and father and I wish you to seem respectable. The tailors from Midgard have given you peasant clothing. You'd do better to wear your own strange garb but seeing as you are of equal stature as I, you should fit into a finer cut from my wardrobe. Come here."

He was again surprised at the amiability of the man before him though he knew not to let his guard down so soon. He had been warned of the royal family as a whole.

"Here, take these garments and put them on."

Loki handed him a lightweight shirt that felt made of silk and a pair of soft breeches.

"Where do you want me to change, might I ask?" Colin scanned the room, wondering if he was going to be expected to strip in front of the prince.

"Over here, you may use my bathing room." Loki guided him to a doorway near the wardrobe. Colin peeked in to find a sumptuously appointed bath with gilded mirrors on the wall. "You shall have to leave the door open for light. There are no reasons for torches when I am not here."

Minutes later, Colin was standing before Loki.

"Much better, now we will find Thor and visit Odin. Keep in mind, his mind has become enfeebled. He is largely bedridden now."

As Colin followed Loki out of the bedroom, he took one more look into the chamber. There beside the wardrobe stood the white haired man but this time he was staring pointedly at Colin who shivered at the intensity of his stare. The man then turned about and patted the wall just to his right. In the morning light from the balcony, Colin could barely make out what appeared to be the seam of a tightly fit door. It seemed to have been made to blend into the décor and Colin would never have noticed it on his own.

"Master Denehy, hurry along. We have much to do today." Loki called from the corridor. When Colin turned to look once more, as he expected, the man had vanished and with a sigh, Colin closed the bedchamber door behind him.

"Keep in mind that our father is not in full possession of his wits, Master Denehy." Thor murmured as they stood before a set of gilded wooden doors, "Take not what he says too much to heart."

Colin felt his heart racing, "I'll keep it in mind, yer Majesty only don't build me up too much, I'm already on pins."

Thor gave a nod and the guards opened the doors for them. Colin saw a regal older woman stand from a chair beside a grand bed made of blond polished wood. Nestled beneath coverlets piled high lay the remnants of a robust giant of a man. Colin was brought to think of his grandfather as he followed Thor and Loki to the bedside across the large chamber.

"Mother, Father, I wish to present to you the Midgardian Agent Colin Denehy."

Colin stepped forward and bowed low first to Frigga, then to Odin who had fixed him with his one good eye. "Yer Majesties, thank you for yer gracious hospitality."

Odin grunted, struggling to sit up further in bed. Frigga took his arm and pulled him forward to rearrange the pillows behind him until he was upright at the headboard.

"Denehy is it?"

"Aye, yer Majesty." Colin looked to Frigga who smiled though her eyes betrayed concern.

"So you are here to see that Asgard is made safe for the Midgardians?"

Colin was taken aback, Odin seemed to have a keen grasp of what was going on so far. "And our agency will be doing the same on Midgard in preparation for visitors from Asgard. Our aim is to establish a solid connection between...realms...perhaps for commerce, most definitely for cultural studies."

Odin waved his hand at him, "You seek to demystify our world."

"Begging yer pardon, yer Majesty but if you could explain.."

"Once our culture has been studied, dissected, we will no longer be seen as a superior race, rather we will be seen as..." Odin scowled, "Merely human."

"With due respect, yer Majesty, we are all made of the same stuff.." He saw Frigga give an imperceptible shake of her head and he continued on, "Of course with a few exceptions to quality, but that's what we wish to determine, why yer people are so different from us."

Odin leaned forward, "Because we have power beyond your comprehension, did not the Tesseract undoubtedly prove this? I would think your kind would wish to keep our worlds quite separate."

"Ah," Colin clasped his hands behind his back, "I see yer meaning, yer Majesty, however it's rather out of me hands. Unless you could think of a very valid argument, events have already been set in motion."

Odin leaned back into the pillows in seeming defeat, "So I have been told." he closed his eyes and lay his head back, staying in the same position quiet, until he began to snore. Frigga gestured to the doors, "I think that is your lot today. Let us repair to the corridor to talk, shall we?"

Colin found Frigga much more spry than Odin, asking harder questions. How many people would arrive with the first wave, how long the project would take to finish, what the extended plans were. Colin tried to answer judiciously without giving any more information than was necessary until Frigga appeared satisfied.

"I thank you for humoring an old woman."

"Yer Majesty, 'twas no trouble."

Frigga took Loki by the arm, "Is my son being an accommodating host to you?"

Colin nodded, "Most gracious seeing he's got his hands so full most of the time."

Frigga laughed, "Indeed, tell me, will you be joining us for the evening feast this night?"

"I am not sure, Mother." Loki patted her hand, "I was rather hoping to be home early again. Much shall depend on our schedule."

Frigga locked her arm into Thor's as well, "Then I shall let you away. It was a pleasure to meet you, Master Denehy."

Colin bowed, "The pleasure was all mine, yer Majesty."

As the bedchamber door closed behind her, Loki nodded to Thor then to Colin, "The visit went better than expected. Brother, will you be accompanying us to the longhouses?"

"I will. I have not ridden yet today."

Loki groaned, "My guest cannot yet properly ride a horse. I will take the wagon but mark my words, Colin," Loki turned to him, "You shall learn to ride before the next moon."

Jane put the tip of her pricked index finger in her mouth to stem the droplets of blood, "Damnit. I don't think I'll ever get the hang of this."

The seamstress at her side patted her shoulder, "You will in time. How much sewing had you done before this?"

Jane grimaced, "None."

"And here you are stitching a linen wall hanging."

"Mmm, oh yes." Jane nodded, covertly rolling her eyes at Brenna who covered her mouth with her hand, "So, Bren, you were telling me about your guest."

Brenna was sitting in the window seat, using the sunlight to sketch by. She paused with her pencil in hand, "Papa has not let me talk to him for any length of time as yet but I can tell you, he is as tall as Papa. He has short reddish brown hair, thin, not as muscular as Papa."

"We have it easier on earth. None of this manual labor stuff. People are lazy. They only exercise if they absolutely have to."

"Gods yes. He has an open, honest face, a wide smile, dark blue eyes. He is from Ireland, I can hear it in his speech and he has a quick wit, a fine sense of humor."

Brenna started to sketch again.

"Might I see, Bren?" Astrid had left off the dolls at her feet and was standing on her tiptoes at Brenna's elbow. Brenna tipped the sketchbook toward her.

"You are drawing me!" Astrid clapped her hands and dropped back to the floor where she picked up the rag doll she'd been carrying around and whispered into its ear,. "My sister is drawing me."

"You have to be careful with agents." Jane pulled the needle through the linen, "But then you know that."

"I do."

Jane paused admiring Brenna's silhouette in the window, "So you never answered my question earlier."

Brenna bit her lip, drew a few more lines.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Jane resumed her stitching, "Damn! Caught myself again!" she stuck her thumb in her mouth as the seamstress clucked her tongue.

Brenna looked down at Astrid who was cradling the doll like a baby, "When I visited the school in April, I called Chase and we spoke for a while. At the very least we could still be friends."

"No reconciliation?"

"Noooo, he has moved on in any case. He is seeing a woman at college."

Jane searched Brenna's face for emotion, "You're okay with that?"

"Yes, it has been almost two seasons. We broke off our relationship just before graduation. I mourned, I recovered, and I healed." Brenna resumed drawing, "Besides, I knew soon after the kidnapping that we weren't destined to be together. After old Astrid passed on and her companion became seer.."

"I passed on?" Astrid piped up.

"No, silly, another Astrid. Pay no attention to us." Brenna nudged Astrid with her toe, "I went to visit Trena, how did she put it? One from Alfheim would come to alter my life's path...that person would be the key."

"The key to what?" Jane wrinkled her nose, bringing the thread to her teeth and nipping it short.

"I have not a clue." Brenna shrugged, "Trena is still green, Astrid read more into her visions."

"What?" Astrid tapped Brenna's leg making her jump.

"I was not speaking to you, once again, let the grown-ups talk."

"Might we go see grandmother?"

"After I am finished with my drawing." Brenna shoved Astrid playfully with her foot, toppling her backwards onto the rug. "Trena will become more adept with time. It took..." She stopped herself, glancing down at Astrid, "It took the old lady a lifetime to perfect her skill."

"Coming back to your guest." Jane was threading the needle with a length of red thread, "He's going to be in your household for a year? Your father is going to have to let down his guard a bit."

"He cannot help it. I may push him to the limit but I am conscious of why he does what he does. Ever since...the incident.." She still referred to those lost days with great difficulty, being abducted, watching her father die, pulling him back from oblivion, it was easier to give the living nightmare a nondescript name, "We have shared a deep connection that goes beyond the spoken word. I feel his concern, I simply wish he would treat me as an adult from time to time, able to make my own decisions."

Jane folded her stitching, laying it on a sewing basket at her feet and stretching, "It's what parents do. Someday you'll suffer the same way." She stood from the chair, "I need a break from this. Let's go see what granny Frigga is doing, shall we?"