The TARDIS shook violently and then made a very bumpy landing. It was slightly rougher than usual, even if it had been the Doctor piloting her. Checking my pocket to ensure that my sonic screwdriver was safe in it, I grabbed my jacket and walked to the door. With a last look around the TARDIS, I stepped out of the doors. The sight that greeted me was not Asgard, however. I wasn't entirely sure where I was. It felt like Asgard, but at the same time, it didn't taste right. There was something in the air, it was too sweet and not quite metallic enough. I was tempted to return to the TARDIS, and reset the coordinates, yet I knew what she had told the Doctor once. She doesn't always take us where we want to go, but she always took us where we needed to go. Plus, I was curious.

This realm was filled with nature. There were trees and fields where ever you turned. Every tree was filled with fruit, the likes of I had never seen anywhere. No matter where I looked, there were plants growing and thriving. I walked further towards where I thought there would be a town of some sort. Gradually on the horizon I saw a castle looming. A nice traditional English sort of castle, with turrets and towers and flags flying. Around the castle there were what appeared to be shops and houses, in a traditional village sort of lay out. I wandered closer to the village when suddenly I heard shouts from my right. Before I could even turn around to see what the noise was, I felt myself being hoisted up onto a horse.
"What are you doing?" I shouted
"We are taking you to the castle," came the gruff reply.
"Umm, ok," I had wanted to have a look around the castle, "Why?"
"Our instructions were only to collect you," I heard another male voice from behind me, "We were not told why and we did not ask."
Then the horses started off galloping towards the castle and I didn't have any time to ask any more questions. I was holding on for dear life.

The castle was lavish on the inside. Once I was brought to the castle, two guards came rushing out and marched me through the castle doors. Before I knew what was going on, or had a chance to ask, I was hurriedly ushered into a small room. It looked a lot like a bedroom, only there was no bed, just cupboards and a mirror and a small screen to dress behind.
"Sit down there," an older lady gestured to a chair in the corner. She appeared to be some sort of maid. I went over and sat on the chair gingerly. I still didn't know why I was here, and by now I was suspicious. And I will admit, slightly worried.
"So, umm," I began, "Why am I here?"
"You are to be presented to the King of Muspelheim," The oldest of the women in the room answered. Now I was definitely curious, and very very worried. I knew what Muspelheim was. I'd spent enough time talking to Loki about the nine realms, and I knew I definitely wanted nothing to do with the inhabitants.
"Okaaay," I wanted to know more but I was slightly scared to get the answer, "So why am I being presented to the King of Muspelheim?"
"Surtr requires a wife for his son," One of the other maids began, "And to secure an alliance between Muspelheim and Vanirheim, he asked for one of our maidens."
Well, that answered two of my questions. Now I know where I am and why I was in that room. I had an inkling of the role I was to play, though I really hoped that I was wrong.
"Surtr wanted a vanir maiden to marry his son?" I asked hopefully
"Yes," came the very blunt answer. I could have given a yell in my relief.
"Then I am sorry to admit," I tried not to smile, "But you've got the wrong person." They all stopped, and turned to me.
"I'm not of Vanirheim," I told them, "I'm of," here I had to pause, "I'm of Gallifrey, technically."
They all started laughing, and I felt a bad feeling growing in my stomach.
"None of us like Surtr," one woman gasped out. I rolled my eyes.
"I understand that," I said, "He is basically what the midgardians call the devil. Big, red, horned. Yea, not my idea of a likable person." I didn't mention that he is quite a lot like something the Doctor had met once, that also called itself the devil.
"Oh we know," One of the younger woman blurted out, "That's why we are offering you."
It was a good thing that I was already seated, or I probably would have fallen down. I had suspected that might have been their plan, I was definitely dressed as an outsider when I was kidnapped. However, I was desperately hoping I was wrong.
"And what will you do when I tell Surtr that I am no Vanir?" I was trying to act confident, despite the fact I was scared sick.
"You really think that our rulers are going to let you speak?" One of the women asked in derision.
I shrugged, trying to hide my small amount of disappointment. "Well, one could hope."

I stood in front of the Vanir monarchs and Surtr, in the great hall of Vanirheim. True to their word, the Vanir had spelled me so that I could not make a sound. I have to admit, even I thought I looked a bit like one of the gentle Vanir maidens, in a simple deep blue dress with simple silver trimming and a loose black cloak. As we reached the three at the end of the hall, my captors pushed down hard on my shoulders, forcing me to kneel. Surtr nodded dismissively, while the Vanir both bowed their heads and then looked up in their own form of acknowledgement. Roughly I was pulled back to my feet held in place.
"What is your name, child?" The Vanir king asked.
"Elise," I replied, though any other word that I wished to say stuck in my throat and would not come out.
"Surtr," The Vanir queen began, "I trust that you like the young maiden that we offer?"
Surtr rose and took a few steps towards me, and the women either side of me pushed me forward and I stumbled to meet him halfway. I felt chilled and vaguely disgusted as he looked me over. I stayed as still as possible, hiding the revulsion that ran through me.
"She will do," Surtr boomed, his breath steaming out of his mouth. "I will take her now."
My stomach rolled, nausea hitting me like a wave. I swayed, barely staying on my feet at the realisation that there was no way out. I was stuck this time, and no one was going to save me.

I have no idea how long I stood there, desperation and despair flowing through me in waves. Suddenly, there was a crash and a flash of bright light. I heard loud footsteps behind me and then a voice.
"What is the meaning of this?" A voice boomed angrily.
I spun around in surprise. Behind me stood a very angry, very pale Asgardian with black hair.
"I said," He repeated, "What is the meaning of this?!"
Loki's eyes were flashing dangerously, and the hand on his sceptre was white knuckled.
"She is my offering from the Vanir," Surtr replied arrogantly, "What is it to you, Asgardian?"
I heard a low growl escape Loki's lips.
"Is this true?" He asked slowly. I nodded and then felt the tightness in my throat dissipate.
"They are offering me up in place of one of their Vanir maidens," my voice only loud enough for Loki to hear. He walked closer to me, and the maids that were guarding me hurriedly stepped back.
"Does she speak the truth?" He asked, though he knew that I would not lie to him.
"We thought to save our people," The Vanirheim queen said, "We did not know she was under the protection of Asgard."
"But you knew that she was not of Vanir?" Loki's voice had taken on a dangerous edge.
"Yes, we knew," The king agreed.
I placed a warning hand on Loki's wrist, silently begging him to not do anything stupid. He let out a breath, and some of the tension eased from his body. I said silent thanks that he was thinking logically.
"I will return to Asgard with Elise," He announced, "And tell the All-Father of all that has transpired here. If you are to be punished for this, it will be from him and be as he sees fit." There was no room for argument.