The days leading up to their departure were uncharacteristically unsettling. Both Sam busied herself with her paper and Loki just distracted himself by watching movies and cable television. At first Sam had to show him how to properly use the DVD player and TV and she could find herself sometimes taking frequent breaks from her work to join him on the couch. After a particularly funny episode of FRIENDS that Sam habitually changed the channel to the local news but she immediately wished she hadn't upon seeing the upcoming stories.

"Today we take a year in review. From the largest internet protest to the famous crumbling of New York to a massive credit card breach that affected millions of people." The local news anchor narrated as amateur and professional video footage showcased what they said. Fumbling with the remote, Sam hastily turned the TV off. Loki just stared at the now black screen; he never expected for people to still talk about his failure to rule Midgard.

"I'm hungry, you hungry?" Sam moved off the couch and walked into the kitchen to avoid Loki's stare. Opening the cupboard Sam expected to see food but all she saw was half a bag of pasta and some saltine crackers, closing it Sam returned to the living room.

"So we have no food. Get ready, you're coming with me to buy food." On her heel, Sam went to her room to change out of her sweats and into something more presentable. Just minutes later, Sam exited her room to find Loki waiting for it at the door, already open, all ready.

Grabbing her keys and wallet, Sam put on her shoes and locked up. They was about half way to the car when lightning and clouds started to form in the sky and before Sam could question it a bright beam of light engulfed them both, leaving an intricate knot printed on the ground in their place.

Keeping her eyes closed tightly still didn't protect her from the blinding light. All her senses felt overloaded. The air felt warm around her but logic told her that the air whipping around her should make her feel cold. Sam felt weightless but grounded. Sam decided to take the chance at blinding herself and peaked her left eye open just in time. Falling to her hands and knees, Sam was in awe of the room she had landed in.

Before her was a dome shaped room that resembled the inside of a clock. In the middle of the room was a raised platform with what looked like a golden man holding a broadsword. Slowly getting up to her full height, Sam took a couple steps further towards the centre, just trying to absorb everything.

"Heimdall, what is the meaning of this?" Loki asked quite confused. When Sam's eyes finally laid on him, she was taken back by him in his Asgardian attire and the fact his hair returned to it's natural black. Looking down, Sam was relieved to be still in her clothes, she'd probably faint if she ended up in Asgard naked.

"The All-father has requested your extraction along with Lady Samantha. You two are wanted in the throne room as soon as possible." Confused at what that meant, Loki made his way out of the dome, not wanting to get lost Sam sent a swift nod to the Gatekeeper and took off after Loki.

"Whoa." The word died on Sam's lips as she exited the Bifrost. Before her in all it's glory was the realm eternal; Asgard.

The architecture was similar to that of the renaissance on Earth but futuristic. Looking down, Sam was in awe of the infamous Rainbow Bridge that glowed different colours under her feet as though they were veins. Simply walking illuminated the ground beneath her. The smell of the ocean surprised her seeing as she could not see any ending to the so called ocean. And in the heart of the realm was what could only be the royal palace, where it radiated a sense of warmth and safety. The golden structure stood tallest of all the buildings.

"Would you stop stalling." Loki's voice snapped Sam out of her gaze. Looking over she noticed the few guards sitting upon horses. With Loki standing by a horse, Sam jogged to where he was and helped her mount it with him saddling up right behind her soon after.

The ride into the realm was quiet and Sam tried to focus on anything and everything except for how close in proximity she was with Loki. This had been the closest they had ever been physically, the only time they were remotely close to each other was when she coloured his hair but it was nothing like this. Right now she felt caged between his arms on either side of her holding the reigns, his chest firmly pressed against her back. Between the breathtaking scenery and Loki behind her, Sam's heart sped up just the tiniest.

This was, is his home. This is where he grew up. How could a beautiful place like this raise such a sad being? Sam frowned, trying to distract herself from such thoughts, she focused on committing the Asgardian skyline to memory. Planets as clear as day and so close only added to the backdrop. This place is unreal.

The entire ride up to the palace was silent although everything around them was lively and when the did finally get to the golden gates, the skies darkened further showcasing the brilliance of Asgard. Galaxies and nebulae of all colour painted the sky. Sam was again too caught up in her mind that she didn't notice they had stopped when Loki dismounted the horse. Shaking her head, Sam swiftly dismounted and followed Loki to the throne room. Walking there they were both met with glare's of disgust and that only flared Sam's temper.

How can they look at us as if we are scum? It took everything she had to refrain from putting them in their place.

"It's not worth it. They are blinded by preached prejudice. Don't give them any power over you." Loki noticed the looks and how Sam was negatively reacting to them.

"That's rich coming from you." Sam muttered trying to relax her hands that were balled into fists. But soon her anger dissipated when they finally entered the throne room.

Engraved pillars lined the edges of the golden room, detailed tapestries hung from the walls, the floor was decorated with twisting and turning Celtic knots leading up to possibly the biggest ornate throne Sam had ever seen. Not one but two cases of stairs lead up to the royal chair made of what looked like pure gold with two spherical torches on either side. Perched on either wing of the throne was Odin's faithful Huginn and Muninn. Odin himself sat comfortable between them holding the infamous spear Gungnir, watching Loki and Sam reach the base of the first set of steps.

Not knowing the formal greeting of a God, Sam just bowed her head hoping that it would suffice.

"Pardon me, your Majesty but to what do we owe this impromptu visit?" Sam was surprised at how even and diplomatic her voice came across.

"It has come to my attention that Loki has been placed into your care." Odin rose from his seat as another figure came out from the right of where they were. An older woman with dark golden hair in a flowing violet dress made her way towards and past Sam and engulfed Loki into a hug Sam could see he visibly melted into. Sam could only assume that this was Loki's adoptive mother, Queen Frigga of Asgard herself.

"Oh how I've missed you." Sam could hear Frigga whisper to Loki before pulling away. "How rude of me. Welcome Miss Samantha, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you." Sam didn't have time to process what Frigga had said when she pulled Sam into a hug. The warmth that only came from a mother radiated from Frigga and Sam was sure she could bask in it forever but as soon as it began it had ended.

"T-thank you, your Majesty." All the composure Sam had with Odin had dissipated when talking to Frigga.

After Sam was thrown into an interrogation from Odin and an genuine warm conversation from Frigga. It wasn't until a good hour later that Frigga convinced Odin to let Sam and Loki go and sleep.

"Loki, take Miss Samantha to the guest chambers and then you are excused for the night." Loki nodded his head to the side signalling Sam to follow, this time they took a hallway Sam hadn't noticed.

"So that was... awkward. Is he really that serious all the time?" Loki gave a nod, not really feeling like ranting. "Wow, that must be such a buzzkill. Your mom, I mean, Frigga seems like a lovely person, very warm." They didn't walk for long when Loki stopped right next to a door that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

Loki felt drained physically and emotionally. He didn't know how Sam could be this energetic after travelling through the Bifrost when he himself felt like his legs were going to give out. Then having to be in the company of Odin and Frigga drained him completely

"Go to sleep Samantha. Tomorrow is a new day." With that Loki left Sam in the hallway going in the direction of his own chambers but as he rounded the corner two guards were waiting for him.

"Prince Loki, we are here to escort you to the dungeons as per the All-Father's request." Really wishing he had his magic back, Loki was forced to follow knowing full well he was no match for two Asgardian royal guards.

In the dungeons, Loki was met with catcalls from prisoners and guards alike. Paying no mind and keeping his chin up, Loki walked with the guards to the end of the long room where he was all but thrown in a cell and locked in. Surveying the room, it was lightly furnished with items from his own chambers. The term 'royal treatment' came to mind. Settling down onto the bed, Loki drifted off faster than he ever had the chance of knowing possible.

A/N: and that's it for this chapter, I know it's not as long as the others but describing Asgard really threw me a curve-ball and really took a lot of creative juices out of me. From here on out, we should be entering The Dark World with a few minor adjustment :) Review and let me know what you thought of this chapter and if I was able to do the Aesir and Asgard justice :)