Sorry the chapters are taking so long, but I have school getting in the way, so I don't have much spare time. You'll have to wait it out, I'm afraid, and I'll try and get each chappy to you ASAP.

*hugs*

The days that passed after my arrival in Asgard felt like a dream. I spent most of them in another form, trying to avoid the prying eyes of the palace's inhabitants. In doing this, I managed to learn more than I ever thought I would. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their tactics, their fears; all were revealed to me. The Warriors Three and Lady Sif would speak freely in my presence, unaware that the young guardsman that stood in the corner was not all he seemed. Of course, I had heard of them before. When I was a young child, Lady Sif had been a hero of mine, and had first inspired me to pick up weapons and learn the art of combat. But hearing her speak about the banishment of Thor, I could tell that she was not as icy and as strong as many people believed. She spoke of him with more than respect, and although she never in fact said anything to confirm her feelings, she never said anything to deny them. She fought in the traditional Asgardian style, which was to stand your ground no matter what was returning blows. A brave tactic, but stupid.

Volstagg could not go for more than an hour without a meal, but despite his size still he was a formidable fighter. Vandral always needed some form of recognition for his actions, or he would not perform them in the first place, and he fought like every battle was a performance. And Hogen always dreamed of his homeland, and his fighting style was that of his people.

I do not pass this information on to my king; I store it in the dark corners of my mind, for I feel that on day I may need it.

However, despite my initial comfort hiding in Asgard's halls, I cannot shake the feeling of unease. Whenever I pass Heimdall, the gold clad sentry, and feel his eyes on me, it grows still. For now I dismiss it; I have to concentrate on blending in, and one mistake in my disguise could mean my death.

For now I stand on a platform, overlooking the kingdom of Asgard. I check every direction before relaxing, returning to my true form. My eyes roam over the city before me, as well as the rainbow patterned bridge leading to the Bifrost. Loki had told me to keep my eyes open for his return from Jotunheim and the business he had to attend there. He had done the same only yesterday, visiting Thor in his banishment to tell him of his father's death. He had admired this suggestion from me, and taken it up immediately.

I do not mind being left in Asgard, as someone needs to make sure that the kingdom itself remains unaware of mine and Loki's plans.

As my eyes scan the vast realm below, a flash of white light signals that my king has returned. I don the guise of a serving boy, and make my way to the vast palace entrance, where he waits for me. We duck into an unoccupied chamber, allowing me to become myself again. Only then do I realise that my king is in great distress, and it shows clearly.

"Is anything amiss?" I ask.

"I do not know. Possibly," he replies. "I believe Heimdall suspects me. He could not see me in Jotunheim, and that worried him."

"We cannot let unconfirmed thoughts and suspicions hinder us, My Lord," I say, briskly. "I feel uneasy around the gatekeeper also, but letting that bother me will only arouse further distrust."

Loki nods, his face relaxing.

"However," I continue, "that does not mean we can let our guard down. I will keep watching the kingdom with my ravens, and alert you if anything is wrong."

"Good," Loki sighs. "Thank you for your council, Lady Raven. I must visit Frigga. Keeping her thinking I still care for her is vital."

I say nothing to indicate that I know my king is lying. The woman he called his mother still holds a place in his heart, and even though he denies his love for her, it is still obvious to me.

I make my way to the top of the highest tower in Asgard disguised again as a serving boy, and think of my mother. Her death was so long ago that I hardly remember her face. But I remember her voice. To me, her lullabies were sweeter than the songs of morning birds, and I know every word she sang as well as I know my reflection. I do not weep when I think of her, but a sad smile makes its way to my face as I climb the final steps to the top of the tower. I check for any observers before becoming me again. I breathe in the cold air and relax, possessing a lone raven and flying high above the golden palace. Before I am able to lose sight of the kingdom completely, something catches my eye; a white beam of light emanating from the golden dome of the Bifrost. I dive down, just in time to see the Warriors Three and Lady Sif vanish. I return to my body, and run to inform my king.