Jan 19 2007, Author's Nonsense: This chapter was kinda hard for me to write but needed for the continued plotline as of the moment. This story will keep moving along at a slower pace than when it started but the point is; it will keep moving! Give me more time than I used to have between posts though.

End of Chapter 10:

"My Lenneth. I would never allow someone to bring harm to you or menace your security in any form. I know you may not completely reflect my love for you but trust me on this much."

She blinked several times at his allegiance and promise to be her defender but then her face transformed from a moment of appreciation to anger as he disappeared from her view without telling her anything.

"Dammit Lezard!"

Chapter 11: Master of Time and Space

If anyone else had been in the room with Lenneth Valkyrie they would have sworn it was many more degrees warmer than in reality in thanks to the fuming she was participating in. She'd gotten over cursing Lezard's name about an hour before and was instead pacing in a way similar enough to his own that any onlookers would have considered her not as far from his personality than she would have liked to be compared. Her irritation at her new -and admittedly nicer - prison was great enough that a single hour of seething ire hadn't been enough; she was going on her third hour and while most of it had burned itself out there was enough left that she was still far from being happy.

The nerve of that…that…man! She'd reverted from cursing him aloud to instead just thinking loud thoughts in hope that in his array of powers he could read her mind from afar.

The tirade of following insults was interrupted by a knock at her door, making the silver-haired beauty freeze and slowly glance toward the door - the look in her eyes akin to someone that thought a monster might be on the other side. What was she suppose to say? Sorry your patron left and I'm here for an indefinite period without any money to pay you for your efforts? She doubted that would go over well.

After waiting several minutes in hopes they would go away and getting another -more animated- series of knocks on the door she sighed in resignation and moved to open the portal, looking into the face of a very pretty young girl.

Blonde hair ran almost down to the woman's ankles, straightened through what was no doubt a painful ritual each morning and shiny clean. Blue eyes looked over Lenneth as if measuring up the competition and then they rolled in silent misunderstanding of why the Valkyrie was rivalry at all. A beautiful cherub like face with pouty lips and high cheeks took on a neutral stance after the dismissive look and she spoke - her voice a soft soprano with a purity all it's own. This girl was someone most men wouldn't consider a opposition with other women and -probably worse for everyone- she knew that she was beautiful.

"Mother wishes for you both to come downstairs for the evening's dinner if it's not too much difficulty." the woman's voice held a sweet sort of venom to it. A nightingale with invisible fangs, Lenneth knew her stay here wasn't going to be pleasant at all now that this girl had decided she was an enemy for Lezard's affections. "Where is Mr. Lezard?"

The note of difference in her voice at the necromancer's name and the more informal way she addressed him said volumes as to her intentions.

"He had to go somewhere for a while." Lenneth explained, managing not to let out a long breath of annoyance at the situation she'd been left in.

"When did he leave? No one downstairs saw him walk out." the woman seemed intrigued, feeding off her own wild imagination as to what the great wizard was capable of.

Lenneth was about to add that he'd teleported when he walked from one of the bedrooms.

"Now now my dear." Lezard smiled at her, everything on the man as perfectly in place as when he left her hours previous. "You shouldn't lie to dear Melody Lenneth. You know I've been napping in the back for a while. The travel out here left me a bit more tired than I would normally be."

Now that Lenneth truly looked at him, there were dark circles under his eyes and his face was slightly more drawn than usual but he wasn't giving anything as to why he suddenly had the stress on his body and she picked up the hint that she wasn't suppose to ask in front of the little vixen now walking by her to embrace Lezard in a hug with a delighted laugh.

"You keep leaving me here all alone Lezard." the girl pouted as he hugged her and then pulled himself back from her. "It's very cruel of you."

"I have business of my own Melody." he replied with an easy smile. "Now then, I believe I heard something about dinner. What is your dear mother fixing us today?"

"Roast with potatoes and carrots with a few other vegetables, marinated in her usual gravy with fresh bread and cheese on the side. Spiced cider today with a desert of blueberry pie." The woman offered without a hint of hesitation, quoting it off with the same sickly sweet tone as she watched the wizard with stars in her eyes.

Lenneth shook her head, heading out the door and down the rickety steps ahead of the whore and the kidnapper, slightly annoyed by the whole little sick scene. She didn't expect Lezard to catch up to her before she reached the bottom of the stairs, his breath hot against her ear when he whispered to her.

"I'm sorry my love." Soft and apologetic as he rubbed the back of her hand gently with a thumb after taking hold of it. "I have certain appearances I must keep. I'll explain what you need to know after sustenance, I've had a fairly long day and could use the break first to gather thoughts."

She shifted her eyes to his fatigued features and while she was curious a hint of concern passed through her - just what had he done to make him this worn out? Those possibilities were dark enough to make her shudder and push away her thoughts before they took her past where she wanted to be.

"Are you all right?" she did ask, conscience nagging at her too much for her to not.

"I will be fine." he replied, squeezing her hand a little. "Thank you Lenneth."

The tender moment was past then when the girl 'accidentally' stumbled into the two of them and interrupted the rare scene of peace between them. Lezard shifted to catch the girl, settling her on her feet.

"You should be more careful Melody." he warned. "will you get some food for us both?"

"Sure." she answered happily to the necromancer. "I would be glad too, your usual booth?"

"Always." he nodded in reply and walked as if to lead Lenneth.

The Valkyrie couldn't miss the glare sent her way and she sighed to herself - starting to think the place wasn't nearly as safe as Lezard had lead her to believe. Sitting at the carved out booth before leaning across to whisper to him. "Are you sure I should eat the food if she gives it to me? What if she poisons it?"

"Who Melony?" he asked, purple eyes shifting across the room to the kitchens door. "I suppose I wouldn't put it past her…she does have a lot of potential after all. I'll simply ask her when she brings it."

"And she'll tell you?" Lenneth seemed doubtful.

"Of course she will." Lezard smirked. "The two of us have an understanding of sorts."

"Good enough." Lenneth stopped him before he started explaining. She really didn't want to know any sordid details about the man that had returned to watching her.

"Ah…my goddess you make the world weep in happiness at the thought of you…" he said absently before the food returned - smelling as divine as Lenneth had once been.

"Thank you Melody, now before you go you aren't trying to kill my beloved Lenneth are you?" He asked bluntly, making even the girl start a bit at the directness. "I would hate to have to stop giving this place patronage because you attempted to poison my date."

"I am above that form of attack." the girl bit out with a bit of hurt and annoyance. Sending another glare at Lenneth who she figured was behind the insinuation and rushed off to the kitchen again with a small dramatic cry.

"See." Lezard didn't seemed the least bit taken in or phased by the act. "No poison here. Besides, I think she'd fear her mother's wrath more than mine if she did something that stupid."

"Not faith-inspiring." Lenneth sighed and picked at her food, mostly watching Lezard eat as she never seen him before - it was as if he hadn't eaten in days…he had a few extra helpings before she'd made it half way through hers…any form of dinner conversation replaced by the show of his appetite.

After a long while, and many plates later, many other people that must live near the area came in to eat, a few waving at Lezard as if he was familiar but most keeping to themselves. Once he'd finished a second piece of pie he excused himself from a conversation with the older woman that had made the food about the finer points of baking to lead Lenneth back upstairs. She didn't even bother lingering on the idea of Lezard in an apron making cookies - that was more than her already abused mind could comprehend at the time being.

Once they'd closed the door and moved to sit down in the main little area Lenneth just glanced at him, waiting for some sort of explanation for the bizarre day and her hours of being ditched earlier with his semi-exhausted return.

"Well?" she finally asked when he waited longer than she was comfortable/patient with to start.

"Ah…I guess I should clarify today." He commented as he touched his chin thoughtfully. "None of this can be told to the people downstairs or anyone in this area."

"I picked up that much after the implications earlier." she motioned for him to continue.

"I had to leave you here today because someone -an aggressive someone- was stalking and measuring the defenses of my tower. To get to you, or to get to me through you - neither of which is acceptable." he was picking his words, choosing carefully what he would and wouldn't tell her. "I brought you here to keep you safe, that much I mentioned earlier. Few people, more or less gods, know of this little backwater Bed and Breakfast so it was as safe a place as I could muster outside of my presence."

"You told me that part." she reminded with her temper getting shorter.

"All in good time my Lenneth." he smiled at the impatience which didn't help her tolerance of him but made her pull in her sharp tongue a little more. "When I left you it was so I could launch a counterattack before the threat ever reached a danger. I had to battle an opponent I didn't expect would be as strong as what I was faced with. I won, obviously so because I'm here, but it took more effort than I expected or really like. Nonetheless now you are safe, and that's all that really matters."

"Who was it?" Lenneth asked. "Don't just say 'someone'…I have to know anyone it might be if it they give you trouble Lezard. Given you still have most of the powers of the creator."

"It was Loki." He shrugged. "Which leaves me to believe that Hel is also behind some of the things going on. She never seemed like the sort that would take an opportunity like the one now for granted."

"Then you have to let me go back?!" Lenneth had to force herself from raising her voice at this new information. "Asgard isn't equipped to fight Nebilium!"

"Now why would I let you go back?" Lezard laughed a bit, eyes devious as he watched her. "All in good time sweet Lenneth. My spiders are still getting all the strands of my web in place. Do you think I'd allow Hel to take Asgard? There are plans you and she and no one will see coming…I did tell you when we first met my dear; I am the master of space and time."

The mischievous sparkle in those tired amethyst eyes sent a shiver down Lenneth's spine, what was it this madman had in store for her world? More frightening, she was starting to wonder if the overachieving mortal wouldn't manage to do everything he hinted that he would. He'd certainly managed so far after all…

End Chapter

Eh, the end seemed a little weak for me so far…but I might go back and fix it later. Not sure yet. Guess I'll see. A little shorter than I wanted but I finished it where I wanted it to be for now. I liked the little jealously thing from a Lezard fan girl. Thought it was a cute little bit to add in. Ah well. Moving the story along at least. Keep reading and I'll keep writing!

-Aura

To my reviewers:

LotornoMiko - You should try WoW, it's great…I love my Blood elf way too much to be healthy heh. And as far as timeline stuff goes, Lenneth was suppose to have already been the new Odin in the original timeline and she traveled from that timeline to try to stop Lezard in the story of the second timeline. After that she stayed in the second timeline (trapped as the Valkyrie) until Lezard pulled her soul and transfused it. Not sure if that explains it or not…most of the action is happening in the second timeline without them being fully aware that Lezard is still jumping through the time stream.

Yes one my favorite lines involved that 'casualties of war' phrase, made me laugh when I wrote it…I wanted to keep it all right. Thanks for the nifty review.

Lezard Valeth - I don't know why Lezard would stress the word bed over breakfast. innocent stare He just must have felt like it at the time. wise nod

Fox of Anubis - Maybe they have turned, maybe not. Though it does tend to mean more for someone when they're being protected - however freaky the circumstances. Yes even Lezard does have weaknesses but I tend to think of them as more mental than physical by this point in time; or social even.