When I awoke again it was past midday. Though Loki did not visit me in my dreams again, the memory of the night before still plagued my mind. Jeong had summoned something to eat for me but I hardly touched any of it and chose to go to the stables instead. Walking through the corridors, it puzzled me how everyone could continue to go on with life as though there was nothing wrong. But then again, I supposed the news of Loki being alive and terrorizing Midgard was not something the Allfather wanted publicized so I kept my wondering to myself. As I passed the Great Hall and came towards the sparring grounds, I noticed that even Queen Frigga (who was discussing something with various staff members) acted as though there was not much to be concerned about. Although, I suspected that was because she trusted Thor to do what needed to be done. Including bringing Loki home. I admired her strength and gracefulness for that.

Because of my nap earlier, I had forgotten Heimdall's earlier warning about avoiding the gardens for a time and made my way through them to the stables. It wasn't until I saw Sir Calder waiting under a shady tree that I remembered it. I tried to avert my eyes to no success.

"Lady Tynia! I thought I might find you here," he called.

I groaned inwardly before attempting my best smile, "Yes. Good day, Sir Calder."

"Good day, indeed." He came to my side, "Beautiful in fact. And where are you off to?"

"I... was on my way to the stables."

"Marvelous idea. This day is too glorious to not go for a leisurely ride."

"Yes, Tove gets rather restless on perfect riding days. I'm sure she is ready to go now."

"Of course, after you, milady."

He walked with me the entire way and had even insisted on joining me for my afternoon ride. Despite my saying that I much prefer to ride alone, he countered that he would not be a bother and mounted his own steed, ready to follow me. At that moment, I was practically kicking myself for not remembering what Asgards all-seeing guardian had said as there was no getting rid of Sir Calder. Thankfully, Tove was able to run much faster than his horse as she had less weight to carry and before long, we had completely outrun them. It wasn't until Tove and I were alone for a few moments that I noticed she had taken me to a very familiar lagoon deep in Asgards forest. Dismounting, I walked towards the water and the rush of a sensual memory came to mind. Barely a few feet away from the water, Loki had told me exactly what he wanted from me... and he also promised he would not take it forcefully. But then thinking of the night before... the memory was now tarnished.

I bent down to the water and played with the ripples. With my own reflection staring back at me, I wondered what it was that the Prince of Mischief had even saw in me. I was not so beautiful that I rivaled the other Ladies of the court; my dark hair was always down and never pulled into an attractive and intrecate decoration. I thought myself plain. And yet the way that Loki looked at me... I didn't feel plain. I felt... almost desireable. It suddenly occurred to me that if the Loki I had come to care for were there at that moment, standing with me by that lagoon, I would have asked him to do what he promised... I missed him terribly.

"There you are!"

I sighed at the sound of Sir Calders voice interrupting my reverie as he came running up.

"I was afraid I had lost you, Milady." He dismounted and walked over to me, "You should be careful in this part of the woods, you know. Many a' wild boar on Odin's table has been taken from here."

I smirked, "Yes, I can imagine."

He sat down close to me and cleared his throat, "You look as though you are plagued with troubles, Tynia."

"No. Just thinking of... a friend that showed me this place not so long ago."

"Ah, anyone I know?"

"I doubt it," I lied, not in the mood for his slandering of Loki.

Sir Calder smiled, "Well, it truly is a beautiful place. We should have brought our luncheon here as it is the perfect spot for a picnic."

I nodded absently.

The air between us grew very thick. Finally, Sir Calder cleared his throat, "So, have you heard that Loki is on Midgard?"

Shocked that he knew, I turned to him, "How do you know that?"

"Odin has instructed the guard to be at the ready when Thor returns with the wayward Prince; We are to escort him to the dungeons."

He continued on but I hardly heard a word. I felt my face turn pale at the thought of Loki's fate. Odin would send his own son to the dungeons? Though I shouldn't have been completely surprised as he had banished Thor for attempting war on the Jotuns. I suppose as Loki took his banishment as opportunity to try and rule over a realm, imprisonment was the only other option. But still... knowing what was to happen to Loki should he return was not sitting well with me. And the way Sir Calder carried on with throwing the Prince in his cell when he got the chance only made it worse.

Thankfully, my stomach grumbled which gave me an excuse to stand.

"Yes, well I suppose we should be heading back now. Who knows when Thor will arrive with Loki and I would like to get something to eat."

"Yes, I suppose your right." Sir Calder stood with me, "This time perhaps you might slow down some, so I may actually enjoy your company?"

"Oh, now where would be the fun in that?" I asked as I quickly mounted Tove and turned her towards the palace. Urging her as fast as she could go, I managed to beat Sir Calder back to the stables, give the reigns to Egil, and run into the palace before I had to be escorted by the terribly infuriating guard again.

I was making my way to the kitchens when I noticed her Majesty the queen walking alone through the tapestry hall. Despite my stomach's urgings, I walked to her and joined her.

"Good afternoon, your Majesty."

She turned to me and smiled. "Good afternoon, Tynia. Hiding from the guard again, are we?"

I smiled and looked down.

"I do not blame you at all my dear," she chuckled, "Sir Calder is a skilled and dedicated guard, but his manner can be quite loathsome."

I couldn't help but whisper in disdain, "If one could even call his behaviour 'manners.' "

The Queen gave a hearty laugh before stopping in front of one particular tapestry. I looked up to see that it was of the entire royal family, back when the Princes were quite young. It was a perfect depiction of their family structure: Odin and Frigga stood next to each other in the middle, Thor on Odin's right and Loki on Frigga's left. I turned to look at her; she was transfixed on the adolescent depiction of Loki. Though she did not say it, in my heart I knew exactly what she was thinking: she was wishing that things were simple again, that her family was whole again. She had to know what awaited Loki as soon as he was returned from Midgard, and I could tell she was dreading what was to come. And truthfully, I was too.

"Your Majesty... do you feel there is any hope for him?"

"My child, as long as there is love, there is always hope." She looked back at me, "And between Thor, myself, Odin even if he won't admit it, and you, I believe Loki has more than enough."

I smiled at the tender thought before my eyes widened in shock, "But, I don't-"

"I know, dear," she winked at me.

It was just then that we heard the sound of Lady Sif and the Warriors Three coming closer.

"No, I'm afraid we have not seen Lady Tynia, Sir Calder," Sif sounded rather annoyed.

I heard Sir Calder sigh, "The woman's games of hard to get are maddening."

"It could be they are not games," Fandral said, "It could very well be that she has no interest in you, Sir Calder."

I quickly hid myself behind a nearby pillar as the group passed by.

"Oh, I believe you are mistaken," Sir Calder countered, "After all, the two of us have much in common. And she is always meeting me in the gardens."

I gaped. How dare he tell people I was meeting him in secret!

"Whatever you say," Volstagg groaned.

It wasn't until the sound of their voices died down that I emerged again. Queen Frigga stood by smiling gently.

"Not even a Lady runs from her troubles, my dear," she said kindly, "Especially an Asgardian one."

"Yes, well... I will tell him that nothing exists between us, then." I lied.

"Very well, then. Well, we shall see you at dinner. Good afternoon, Tynia."

"Good afternoon, your Majesty," I answered quietly as she walked away. Truthfully, I fully intended to never visit the gardens and risk seeing Sir Calder there again. Speaking my mind to people physically capable of overpowering me was not my strong suit and trying to do so to the delusioned head of the Guard did not seem like the best person to start with. At first, I turned towards the kitchens before remembering the man had gone that way earlier and instead went to my room. My stomach grumbled at me angrilly, but I ignored it for the remainder of the day.

Dinner came and went as awkward and uneventful as I anticipated it would be; Odin ate his meal in silence and Frigga did her best to keep the conversations going. When a servant came with an urgent message we all felt a sense of dread, but it turned out to be from a neighboring kingdom and not Heimdall. Still, it must have been urgent enough as Odin quickly excused himself and Frigga followed shortly after, giving me the freedom to leave as well. Jeong had already drawn me a bath and I sank into it gratefully; my body ached from riding so hard earlier. I excused her to her own supper and stayed in the massive tub, my eyes closed and simply enjoying the warmth. After a time, my neck began to ache from laying against the side so awkardly and I began to rub it when I heard the door to my chambers close.

"Allow me to help you with that, my Lady," I heard Jeongs voice say.

"You're back already? I only dismissed you a few minutes ago."

"The kitchens were rather crowded, I decided to return." Her hands replaced mine and she began to rub her thumbs in deep circles.

I leaned into the healing massage. "Thank you, Jeong, that feels wonderful."

Turning to reach for a towel, I caught a glimpse of her face and froze. Her eyes were an eerie bright blue. Quickly, I jumped away from her and deeper into the tub.

"My Lady?"

"Loki, enough!"

I watched her carefully, positive that my instincts were correct. Finally, Jeong smirked and shimmered away to reveal what I already knew.

"You are cruel," I hissed at him.

Loki stood and walked towards a chair in the corner of the washing room, sat down and smiled malevolently at me.

"How are you even here?" I demanded. "Another dream?"

"Indeed, darling," He nodded, "Rest assured that you are safe and sound in your bed and not at risk of drowning."

"Why did you trick me and make me think you were Jeong?"

"It's fun startling you, really," he chuckled.

I closed my eyes and willed myself to wake up. When I opened them again, Loki was on the other side of the tub, completely bare, and slipping into the water. Looking away, I started to shake and looked around for anything I could grab that would help to conceal my nakedness but everything was out of reach.

"I must say, Tynia, you surprise me with your reluctance to accepting Sir Calders advances." His voice was a deep purr, causing shivers to go up my spine. "Could it be that you miss your old master more than you're letting on?"

"Loki, stay away from me..."

He chuckled and came closer to me, slowly moving through the water with precision. I was mesmerized. Before I knew it, he had me pinned against the side of the tub, his hands so close to my sides I could almost feel him grazing my skin. His eerie blue eyes gazed downward through the water. I quickly covered myself with my hands and felt my face flush. When he looked at me again, I could see the lust in his eyes.

"I think, often, of that kiss, darling," he whispered to me.

"W-w-what kiss?"

"The kiss that you were going to give me." He moved his body closer and brushed up against my arms.

"I was tr-trying to stop you... nothing more."

Loki chuckled again and caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers, "Stop me now, then."

He leaned in closer...

"It's only a kiss, Tynia..."

"My Lady?"

I sat up in bed.

"My Lady, are you alright?"

I turned to see Jeong there with a candle.

"You were quite restless, Lady Tynia," she filled in for me, "I thought you might be having a nightmare."

My body was too hot; I quickly got out of bed and walked to my balcony, "Yes, thank you Jeong. I'm alright now, you may go back to bed."

"Very well. Goodnight, my Lady."

Jeong left me there and I could not help but gaze out into the night and think about the dream. Even awake, my body still yearned to finish what Loki had started. I thought about drawing a bracing bath but quickly decided against it as the dream was still very fresh. If Loki had the power to manipulate me in my dreams while he was on Midgard, I shuddered to think what he might do when he was returned to Asgard...

Sorry it took so long, guys. This chapter was a bit difficult to write as the Avengers timeline is pretty short. We start Part 3 THOR: DARK WORLD next chapter! Don't forget to review!