Bella here, everyone. It is with great regret that I announce that there will be no new chapter this week. A lot of things happened, and well...you know how that goes. But I will not leave you with nothing ;)

Here is a sneak peek of the coming chapter, and I thought I'd leave it with you a day earlier than usual.

Thank you for the kind review, introspectivesubwaystations! I promise I'm not done...not by a long shot, just derailed for a week...

Note: I don't own Thor, blah-de-blah, boo-hoo :(

Fandral woke gasping, his chest heaving at a rapid pace, and a light sheen of sweat on his skin. He glared at Hildwyn as he registered her sitting in a chair next to his bed.

"Why did you bring me back so soon?"

Hildwyn raised an eyebrow. "You call ten hours a short time? It is the ninth hour of the morning."

"I was slumbering for that long? It seemed only minutes…"

"Time passes differently in the dream world."

"Please, Princess, send me back."

"Your lady will most likely be awake now, Fandral. Besides, you should take your breakfast.

But—if you wish me to continue, there is something I will require of you."

"Name it."

Hildwyn's expression became serious. "You must swear to me that you will bind yourself solely to your Lady. You shall be no longer free to pursue any Asgardian.

Or you can decide to sever ties with the Earth maiden, and when Bifrost opens again your sworn oath shall keep you from her forever. You must choose one or the other; you cannot have both."

After the initial surge of shock, Fandral experienced a conflict of feelings. There will be no turning back from this. A promise made to Hildwyn will be a promise kept. The Queen her sister is surety of that.

If I choose the Lady Darcy, I shall be a fox trapped in a butcher's shop with everything out of reach…she shall be on Earth , while I am here on Asgard with no hope of reaching her any time soon…

But if I do not choose Lady Darcy…

He saw himself in a circle of adoring Asgardian maidens, and it suddenly made him feel hollow. A vision of the Lady Darcy and a tall, faceless Earth stranger appeared in his mind; she laughing and merry, he calm and charming and assured as he paid court to her. A fire woke in Fandral's veins and his blood burned; he clenched his hand even though it had only been a picture in the mind.

Hildwyn was watching him with an amused and knowing smile.

My choice is clear. I cannot but choose her. I may drive myself mad with either decision, but if I choose her…there is always the hope that the way to Earth shall open.

Her parting words echoed in his ears. See ya around, Fandral Dashing.

His resolve steeled, and he looked up at Hildwyn. "I choose her. I choose the Lady Darcy."

Hildwyn smiled and extended a hand to him. "Then swear it."

Tell me what you think! Never be shy! It will all help: good, bad, and ugly.

Bella