Sorry for the delayed update, i hope you enjoy it!

Alexa was woken by a maid, in the early hours of the morning. Her curtains were drawn to reveal the splendour of Asgard once more. She had sent the maid away uncomfortable with the attention and constant presence. She had sent her off to get breakfast trying her upmost to be polite whilst still not desiring her attention. Alexa hauled herself from the soft bed and reminded herself of her new home before she found her armour and headed off to her bathroom. Splashing her face with ice cold water did just the trick to wake her. After washing she slipped back into her armour still amazed at the beauty and craftsmanship behind it let alone the fact it was hers. The last couple of days had been whirlwind experience from one world to another. The course had been smooth aside from previous nights disagreement, but what was she to expect of the man who had tried to conquer her world? The realisation she would spend the day with Loki chilled her mood, forcing her mind to wonder why she had agreed to go. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Lady Alexa, I have brought your breakfast, may I enter?"

"Of course" the tray between the maids hands was lavish, filled with fruits and what looked like pastries.

"I have seen the Princes gathering supplies I do believe they are to leave soon"

"Thanks...umm sorry I don't know your name?"

"Belvia, Milady" she curtseyed unnecessarily

"Thank you Belvia, I hate to keep asking of you but where am I to meet them?" Alexa just about managed to ask between eating a vine of grapes.

"I can escort you there if you would like?" Alexa nodded as she gathered up the finishing touches of her armour before following the petite brunette out into the palace. Belvia led her down to the stables situated behind the palace within its' vast gardens. The stables were made of stone and were laced with bustling stable hands. The scent of stables was always something Alexa loved she had been an avid rider before getting caught up in S.H.I.E.L.D. S.H.I.E.L.D was far too advance for horses so the opportunity never arose, although the thought of Fury trying to ride a horse was rather amusing. Belvia led Alexa straight to where Thor stood with his large bay horse. Belvia turned and began to leave.

"Hey Belvia, thanks for your help, see you later!" Belvia was once again caught off guard by the midgardian's informality and openness, she let a smile slip before heading off.

Thor was unaware of Alexa's presence until she had called to her maid, his morning had been spent trying to convince his brother that Alexa would be an asset on their journey. However Loki was never easily swayed and had stayed in a mood similar to the previous night.

"Lady Alexa I see you have found us, your horse is tacked up and waiting" he gestured to the dun horse being held by a young stable boy. She wandered over to the horse impressed with the beauty of it. "Would you like help-" he stopped realising she was already atop of her steed. Alexa's horse was noticeably smaller than Thor's and was leaner, obviously built for speed. This could be fun she thought giving her horse a good rub on its neck.

Thor was somewhat speechless at the sight of the armoured Midgardian atop her horse, her brown hair waving in the light breeze. He hadn't thought a woman would have such a immediate effect on him. But he was wrong, Alexa had changed that. He was lost to the world in thought still upon the ground, when Loki and his mount found their way to them.

"As much as I hate to disturb your usual mindless gaze we have a village to get to". Loki's horse was a dark dapple grey and a similar size to Thor's horse but slightly more slender. Thor was caught unaware, his cheeks tinted at Loki's dry comment not realising how he stared.

Alexa eased her horse to join the others, her eyes surveying the interactions between the two brothers. As she rode over she caught their attentions

"I see you persuaded your little friend to come, and there was I thinking she wouldn't come", Loki spoke with an air of humour seemingly trying to cover his distain at Alexa's company.

"Your mind fails you, I am, have you know, a woman of my word", Alexa responded coolly knowing a long day was ahead and to be already arguing was not on the table. She averted her gaze to Thor and addressed him in a much warmer tone. "Shall we?" Thor nodded deeply and squeezed his horse on to take the head of the party.

The journey was a fairly long one, one that Alexa relished as so much more of the mysterious realm was uncovered to her. Her surroundings darted between green forests and open plains always with the snow capped mountains in the distance seeming to grow with every step. Thor had said they weren't to travel that far as the village was a good day or so before the mountains. Hopefully another excursion would allow her to reach the impressive peaks. The three had a rather uneventful journey though that was probably for the best. Loki had overtaken Thor to lead the group early on, eager to distance himself from the others. He had said little aside from scoffing at Thor's comments. Thor, obviously used to him carried on with his stories unflustered by his brother. The stories were often of his childhood and always held Alexa's attention as the childhood of an Asgardian prince was rather different from her own and vastly more interesting. They eventually neared a small village one that was bursting with petite wooden cottages. Riding through the village Alexa noted the abundance of cattle being herded between fields along the dusty well trodden paths through the village. The village was named Eretha and was obviously a farming village, the trio stopped as the village elder strode over to them, much to Alexa's dismay, wearing an intensely fearful expression.

"Greetings young princes of Asgard",he bowed respectively as the princes dismounted shortly followed by Alexa. The man's eyes darted to Alexa unsure how to address her.

"Lady Alexa is the realms newest royal warrior", Thor chirped. The man smiled and nodded his head before continuing.

"I am Boron the elder of Eretha"

"We have met before" Loki spoke up acknowledging the silver haired man.

"We seem to have been the victims of a merciless murder, we still have the poor man but are perplexed by his unusual wounds. Would you take a look?" The man spoke in hushed tones so only the three could hear, though passing villagers who had noticed the royal arrival still looked shaken from the attack and kept their distance. The brothers nodded and followed after the man with Alexa in tow. He led them to a barn at the edge of the village, one that no villagers dared approach. Alexa braced herself for the body, maintaining her work mindset she had seen bodies before not that the sight was ever a pleasant one. The door creaked shut behind them, as the man pulled back a stained cloth curtain to reveal the victim.

"It is like nothing we have ever seen before. Word of the attack has spread quickly and we would like to calm the villagers" Loki strode forward with Thor just behind, who as he laid eyes on the corpse immediately looked to his younger brother wearing an intense look of worry. Loki ignored him and carried on his inspection, he picked up a pale hand and noted its blue tint. He laid it back down before moving to the mans side. Finally allowing Alexa a clear look. A man not much older than her lay stiff on the straw covered table. His skin had a mild blue tint, but what drove the trio to concern was a large wound in the left of the man's chest. It was deep, but no blood was visible. Instead a dark blue colour smothered the wound with what looked like clear ice crystals around it. The crystals also appeared down one side of his face and leaked from his mouth trailing down his neck. Loki finally looked up, his eyes met with Thor's and he looked away wistfully towards Boron.

"I suspect no weapon was acquired?"

"No, nothing we searched-"

"No witnesses?"

"No"

Loki mumbled to himself and sighed aggressively. Thor put a comforting hand to his shoulder only to be pushed aside as Loki removed himself for the barn. Thor followed suit after a careful final glance over the man. Alexa stood next to Boron, and the two continued to survey looks over the body. Alexa had never seen anything like the before, and she had been involved in some strange going ons. No logical explanation could be pieced together in her mind. She audibly sighed thinking of the family he had left behind in his cold wake. She saw the princes outside as she left the barn in deep discussion. Thor was obviously worried and was quizzing Loki, who spoke spitefully and was clearly in a foul mood. Thor was shaking this head in disbelief and said something inaudible to Alexa. Loki turned back to him and stepped authoritatively towards Thor practically spitting words at the prince before he turned on his heel off to the horses. Alexa approached Thor concerned at his somber state, her eyes rose to his eyes as he briefly mustered up a smile, the pair then followed the route Loki had carved through the village. They reached him as he mounted his dapple grey stallion, his gaze clearly avoiding them. Boron had stumbled along as fast as possible behind to catch up.

"My princes what can you conclude, to serve as piece of mind for my village?" He looked cautiously to Loki knowing he held the answers.

"You will find no piece of mind from the truth" Loki grunted turning to Boron.

"But what is the cause of this merciless crime?" Noticing Loki's mood he spoke quietly and respectfully.

"It does not concern you" He turned his horse away to the path back to the palace.

"But-"

"We will send word soon Boron, your current duty is to calm your village. You will hear from us soon their is no doubt in my words" Thor chipped in before Loki could answer knowing his brother wouldn't hold his tongue. Boron nodded obviously crestfallen with the little he had learned. "Farewell Boron, you will hear word from us soon. I wish your village safety" Alexa and Thor mounted their horses and trotted off to catch up with Loki, leaving an anxious and perplexed Boron in their dust.

Alexa trailed after the Asgardians even more confused than Boron, it was clear the princes had come to discover the attacker, yet no word had been spoken of it. The body was another piece to the puzzle, a piece she would never of imagined. After trying to solve the mystery herself for a good portion of the journey she trotted up to the brothers.

"So are we off to find the killer?" She spoke confidently over the clatter of her horses trotting hooves.

"And what gives you that idea?" Loki replied from her left.

"Well you obviously know who they are" she trailed off

"The killer or killers in question would frightened your dear little midgardian heart past the point of living" Loki's voice was dripping with fake sincerity.

"And there was me thinking you didn't care about a midgardian's well being" Loki snorted mildly amused by her sarcasm. Thor had been watching their interactions carefully hoping their feud had faded enough for them to hold a conversation. He knew his brother's unease over the topic and knew he had to step carefully.

"We are currently unaware of the individual who commuted the terrible deed, but we know of their origin". Thor glanced to Loki to sense wether he was clear to continue. The pause was longer than Alexa desired as she began to grow frustrated at the withheld information.

"Is anyone going to enlighten me on this, or am I going to have to beg" Loki turned to Alexa and smirked.

"I wouldn't be opposed to you begging to me"

"Of all people you are not getting me to beg, it's a turn of phrase, it basically means tell me." Loki's smirk faded somewhat. "You seriously thought I was going to beg?"

"Are you humans not used to it enough already?" The smirk returned though his gaze was fixed forward. Thor inwardly winced knowing Alexa had a short tolerance of Loki.

"Don't get your hopes up, it's never going to happen...never" Alexa spelt out the last word slowly whilst restraining herself knowing if she wanted information she would have to play ball.

"So it is word on Frost Giants you seek?" Loki clearly ignoring her presence whilst he spoke.

"Frost Giants?"

"We fear they are the ones who murdered the innocent man, they are..." Thor paused unsure how to describe the enemy of Asgard whilst in his brothers Jotun presence. Loki picked up on Thor's pause knowing he was trying to bypass his reaction and refrain from offending him.

"Cruel blood thirsty monsters, destined for destruction and to spill blood. They're from a realm as cold as their hearts and remain Asgard's prime enemy" Loki spat the words knowing of the fear they would strike in the new warrior. Alexa was taken back my Loki's sudden outburst. Her grasp on her reins tightened and she swallowed before speaking up again. But she was cut off by Thor.

"That is not all they are brother"

"Is it not? Then tell me what praise have you ever heard a Frost Giant earn?" Loki stopped his horse and faced Thor his eyes icily cold. Thor paused unable to commit to an answer, knowing Loki was asking of himself.

"I thought not" Loki squeezed his horse on unintentionally catching up with Alexa. The silence wore on until Alexa thought Loki had calmed sufficiently enough to be questioned.

"So these umm..."

"Frost Giants" he mumbled, avoiding her completely.

"Yeah those, they're Asgard's enemy?"

"Yes"

"And we are still at war with them"

"A truce is in place"

"So that means-"

"That they have breached the terms of agreement. No Asgardian would expect a Jotun to hold a truce. They expect very little of the Frost Giants. And it seems the Asgardians are correct" Loki started harshly as his patience was wearing thin, but as he progressed his voice slowed and allowed his mind to wander. Alexa detecting his discomfort slowed her horse so she was in line with Thor allowing Loki to ride out of earshot.

"So Jotuns are Frost Giants?" Alexa quizzed Thor on the topic all the way home, desperate to lean of a creature that could cause such a horrific death. Thor obliged to her questions though seemed somewhat uneasy at the topic especially as his gaze drifted to Loki.

Alexa had trotted on ahead once the palace was in sight eager to gain a little speed. She dismounted but was then aware she didn't know where to lead her horse. Thankfully the princes arrived shortly, reducing the amount of time Alexa spent looking undoubtably lost.

"Where should I take my horse, I think he has earned a rest"

"Loki would you take Alexa's horse, I must urgently speak with our father" Loki immediately scowled.

"You are not King yet, do not command me like one", Loki near on shouted, he turned and lead his horse off, dragging the animal behind him.

" I would like to do it myself, my horse deserves my attention after our long ride" Thor cast Loki a mixed expression before leading Alexa and their horses to their stables. A stable hand took Thor's horse from him, Alexa declined protesting she wanted to do it herself. Thor stood at the stable door watching Alexa untack and soothe the horse. She was gentle and loving to the horse, he was bewitched with her as he watched her. Her delicate hands soothed the animal's neck, it stretched clearly grateful of her attention. He knew she had caught his attention but he was now realising the extent of his feelings and the hold she had over him. But she had never seemed to show any herself. She seemed to be a tightly closed book, with her feeling trapped within the pages, that was if she had any feelings for him at all.

"Thor your father is waiting for our presence" Loki paused noticing Thor's discomfort as he had caught him watching the midgardian, " I believe this is of more importance than-" Thor instantly uncomfortable with what he knew his brother would say marched off to the ornate doors which Loki leant against. Loki raised a brow as Thor strode past noting the tint in his brothers cheeks. Loki cast a brief look to where Alexa emerged before heading off after Thor to seek out The Allfather.

So another chapter written and hopefully enjoyed! Please review I'd love to know what you think! Do you guys like Alexa(I do but I might be biased :P ) and the story so far? Constructive criticism is welcome especially as this is my first fic! Reviews and follows are always appreciated! Just as a teaser i have the story pretty much planned out now, just need to scribble it down for you guys! thanks for reading! And keep reading! Don't forget to follow and review and fave if you feel so inclined! Xx