It was early the next morning and Loki hadn't felt a trace of Ashera's presence. Not being able to find rest he had kept checking and searching for any signs of her. It was in vain. He couldn't let it end like this. He had to be able to fix whatever uncertainties plagued her. Perhaps he would have to venture over in order to seek her out. He knew the time frame was large, at least on his end, so he would wait a little longer. Even so, perhaps he would seek a little help from the woman he was to meet with that afternoon.

*Midgard*

Ashera woke from her restless slumber still exhausted. A flash of light illuminated her alcove. The wind had picked up and was moving a storm in from the west. The air had cooled significantly and the clouds harboring the lightning were moving in fast. Rain would soon be upon her. She needed to find higher ground. The awning she had used as shelter was too close to the river and threated to flood if the storm was as bad as she felt it to be. Ashera stretched listening to the thunder as it rolled through the clouds. She could not help but wonder if Thor was the cause. That only lead her to remember what brought her out here to begin with; Loki. She picked her way up the cliff side and before she knew it she was at the top looking onto the large expanse. The night had become black. No light escaped the storms fury besides the occasional lightning flash. She witnessed it strike so far away it looked like a small thread breaking the fabric of time. She could smell the rain; its fresh cool scent assaulted the earth. It was almost upon her. Using what strength she had left she began trotting to a small decline she knew would lead to shelter. She would wait the storm out until morning. She had almost reached the cave when the rain overtook her. Pounding down in large drops it pummeled her back drenching her fur. The dirt turned to mud which covered her paws and flecked up onto her stomach. She reached the cave entrance and shook out as best she could. She was becoming lonely. It wasn't a new feeling necessarily. She never felt right anywhere. The closest was when she was out in the wilderness. Although she enjoyed a forest floor more than the red cliffs she found herself in now, she didn't have a lot of options.

Having reached a safe place she lay down again hoping sleep would capture her.

*Asgard*

Loki made his way down to the gardens wearing a hunter green tunic. He was working his way toward the far garden where a small pavilion was set near a fountain. It was an ideal place for tea and his mother loved it. He walked by the lilacs, they did not last long but he enjoyed them. Their smell subtle at first, only to grow stronger as the season went on; they had always felt calming to him. He slowed his pace as he neared the fountain hearing its water cascading down stone and dribbling into itself once more. He had prepared for this visit, but he knew he could not stay long or his resolve would falter. He put on a smile and strolled over to the table where the tea would be set. His mother stood looking over the edge of the garden into the distance. The lake that surrounded this side of the castle was mirror like, glittering with the gold reflection of the towers.

"You always did like the view" Loki stated as he joined her.

She smiled over at him, "You are a welcome sight my son. Are you well?"

There was no point in lying so he chose his details carefully. "I am as well as I can be given my experiences."

Frigga considered him. "Then let us sit, the tea shall be out in a moment."

Her smile was so endearing it was no wonder she was loved by so many. They moved to the table and as she had promised the tea arrived promptly.

Frigga still eyed Loki and soon spoke, "What else is troubling you dear?" Loki looked away and she added, "Mothers can always tell."

He sighed and decided to ask the question that made sense. "How am I to continue on like this?"

"Like what?" She questioned.

"Like a caged animal." was the curt response. He would have to watch his wording again he could not let his tensions cloud his thoughts. He still had a more pressing question to allude to.

"Loki," Frigga's tone was calm and understanding but somehow also stern and commanding. "Your father has been kind enough to allow you the freedom he sees fit. I suggest you accept it graciously. He may yet change his mind." She paused, "I can only do so much my son, and there is little proof of your prior condition. All you can do is stay out of trouble." She gave a reassuring smile.

Loki peered over at the fountain, deciding to use this moment as a transition for his next statement. "I…" he paused reluctantly giving up the information he knew was true, "…am certainly not as humble as I should be at times; nor patient. These things… they cause mistakes, and mistakes cause rifts."

Frigga, knowing there was more than what he told responded, "Mistakes can often be fixed and rifts can often be mended. I know you and Thor do not always see eye to eye but he means well. Give him a chance to show you he is trying. You need each other in this world; do not let your past guide your present."

"Yes, but what if it cannot be what it was? What if the damage is permanent?"

Frigga looked at him knowingly. "Maybe to fix these preconceptions you have to try a different course of action than you would normally take. Thor is willing to try…"

"No!" Loki said quickly, "It's not about him. It's…something else I'm… pursuing," He grit his teeth, he had nearly said too much.

"Well then," Frigga eyed him suspiciously, Loki was clearly not telling the whole truth. Still she would always try to help her son. "You are a brilliant man Loki, I am sure you will find a solution to whatever problem you have encountered." She paused to sip her tea before continuing. "That being said, things change my dear, you have to decide whether you can stomach the change or not. If whatever you are pursuing is important enough I'm sure you can find a way to make it right. You are very resourceful and not just with your tricks." Her eyes gleamed, she was proud of her son. "Trust in yourself and don't be foolish."

Loki considered her words for a moment. He knew she was right. He could fix this. Perhaps in an unconventional way, but he had to try. He had been its cause and he would have to do something about it weather it changed anything or not. He had to trust his instincts.

Frigga broke his concentration as she added. "Perhaps it is as simple as a misunderstanding." She smiled; clearly she had her own thoughts on what Loki might be pursuing.

Loki nodded; he had a plan and hoped he could locate Ashera in order to fulfill it. "Well," he stated standing from the table, "I shall take my leave mother, thank you for the tea." He turned to leave, pausing a moment to add, "And your wisdom."

Frigga smiled and said "Go, but let us do this again soon my son."

Loki nodded before disappearing into the garden.

He knew now what he had to do. As he left the garden he plucked a small bunch of light blue lilacs and headed to his chambers. He concentrated and felt a small prick of life at the outskirts of his reach. Relief flooded him. He was not too late if he could at least find her. With that he headed to the field with new determination.

A white wolf padded through a thick forest, the moss soft beneath its paws. Behind it there was a cabin. A black car with tinted windows rolled up. The animal darted behind a bush. A shorter man in a suit emerged. Two other suited men held guns ready and searched the perimeter. The first man stood looking worried at the front door his hand fidgeted in his pocket. Once in a while the edges of cards showed as he reached in and out of the pocket nervously. The wolf's emerald eyes narrowed. A name appeared in its subconscious but it couldn't reach it yet. The bodyguards returned and nodded. The first man knocked on the door all traces of worry gone. "Miss Convel? We are here to help. Hello? If we could just speak to you for a moment?" The man looked to his bodyguards before pulling his own gun and kicking down the door. The wolf bolted knowing what was next. Gunfire could be heard as it ran through the forest. Another shot sounded loud and close.

Ashera jumped up and circled looking everywhere for the danger. She was in a cave, it was dark; she could smell the river below her and hear the dull pattering of rain falling. Thunder still rumbled above. She was safe.

Ashera restlessly switched her tail against the cave floor. It had rained all night and sleep had not come to her again. The dull morning light illuminated the canyon. She had been right to move, the water was well above her first resting place. She suddenly wished she hadn't stashed her bag so far away. Her body was muddy and sore and her discomfort was growing. All fight had gone out of her by now and only thoughts of repairing the damage remained. Loki may be the God of Lies but he had been honest about teaching her. She would give it another try; she owed both of them that much given the circumstances. She did have some stipulations to go over though. For one he would have to give up his irrational fear of her if she was to stay. How she would find him to tell him these things was another story. If he had given up on looking she wasn't sure she could locate the breach again.

She growled in frustration, if he was looking maybe he would see her now. Not that she wanted him to see the mess she was in and her pitiful condition. In her anger she had deprived herself of sleep and food. Her fur was dirty and matted from her long trip and her short travels in the rain. Her paws had cracked and still bled slightly. She sighed and thought about the Prince.

It had only been a few hours when she felt a shiver come over her. The air had turned tense and held an odd static, then she heard a light "fump." She turned in time to see the end trace of a shimmery portal. No one was there and the image disappeared as if it had been an illusion. Ashera stood to investigate anyway. Padding over to the end of the cave she stared at the bundle of light blue lilacs tied together with the smallest strip of green fabric. She sniffed them quizzically.

"Fool." she thought.

The God must have used a strip of his own clothes as its tie. Its fineness was permeated with his scent, the lilacs adding a delightfully sweet floral aroma to the mixture. This was his submission. She had to admit, he was quite eloquent when it came to peace offerings. She smiled despite herself. Once the storm passed she would go home, clean up and wait for her next encounter with Loki. She took the bundle between her teeth and carried it to her resting spot. She allowed the fragrances to lull her into a restful sleep at last.

A/N: Hello! I have been busy with all the holiday festivities that are going on but I hope to post at least one more chapter before the new year! Thank you all for your continued reading!