"W-What are you saying Mother?" Astrid asked during her magic lessons with her mother.

Astrid was mastering a lot of her mother's new skills today and Vanaheim came up in their talks. She had wondered if there was more to learn that not even her mother didn't know. This also had Astrid express how perhaps she's missing a connection with the realm she was born in that her mother clearly had. Tove smiled but there was a sadness to it since she knew what she was going to do.

"You should go to live with my sister for a while in Vanaheim. It will do wonders for both your magic and your soul as a Vanir woman. I should have perhaps sent you away sooner but now is the perfect time in the crux of the life you are in now. Our life spans are long so what's a few years for you to take Vanaheim in."

"Y-Years?" Astrid choked up and felt herself tearing.

Years away from Asgard, from her mother...from Loki. It was going to destroy her and not help her.

Tove sighed and stroked away her daughter's tears.

"This is not meant to be seen as banishment or exile Astrid, but a blessing; more so since your father is allowing you to take this chance. He really needs to understand what and who you are, much to his reluctance."

Astrid sighed and pulled away from her.

"When am I going?"

"Three days."

Astrid's pit grew larger in her stomach since it was so soon.

"Am I being punished?"

Tove shook her head.

"No my daughter, you seeking me out to see Vanaheim was something I hoped for. You might find it to be a home much more suitable for you."

Astrid started to tear again and got up angrily.

"Make no mistake, I would love to see Vanaheim but home isn't where you are but who you're with. Not seeing you or my friends is going to be horrible."

"Friends or a certain one Astrid?" Tove mused as she showed her how to make a flower into a toad.

Astrid didn't want to tell her mother that it was leaving her best friend that was going to be the worst thing about leaving though her mother always knew.

"Like I said Astrid, you're not banished or exiled. You can come back to me once you've stayed for at least five years. If it's longer I would be fine but no less."

"F-Five years! Mother, you can't be serious!" Astrid exclaimed in horror.

"Astrid that has been decided by my sister and myself. You need to have your eyes open to another life, a life that might not be in Asgard. You were robbed of that from your father for too long and it's cruel of me to not have you live life as a Vanir should, at least for a little while."

Astrid sighed since her mother was stubborn. She was really going to have trouble saying goodbye to her friends; to Loki.

Tove nodded as she reverted the frog back into a flower.

"Let's wrap up the lesson by having you show me what you learned and mastered."

Astrid sighed as she shot an energy blast into the air and had the orb disperse into many shards that spiked to the ground. She also used magic to teleport herself a short distance to inside the house and then back showing a book she retrieved from her mother's study. Finally, she turned a bouquet of flowers into dozens of snakes. A frown appeared and she mentioned,

"Thor likes snakes and Loki likes becoming snakes to trick Thor."

Tove was impressed as she reverted the snakes back into the flowers.

"Show me more since today's lesson was a big one."

Astrid summoned a defensive aura shield orb around herself, made a mini cyclone in her hands, and changed her nails to have black and green colors along the tips. Tove was impressed and kissed her daughter's head.

"You're going to be a more amazing sorceress in your time in Vanaheim. Don't fret and the time will go by faster before you know it." Tove expressed softly.

Astrid sighed as she conjured her dress to become a violet and blue tunic, violet trousers, and brown riding boots. She put her hair into a ponytail and went into her house to retrieve her bow and quiver just to be on the safe side since who knows what Thor's planning. Astrid left her home and met up with Thor, Sif, and Loki near the palace.

"Astrid, you're late! I was worried you wouldn't show!" Thor expressed happily.

Astrid snapped out of her thoughts and nodded, rubbing the back of her head nervously.

"Uh yes sorry, my mother wanted me to really have a long magic lesson. Really fun and I can make flowers into snakes so that's pretty neat I suppose."

Thor grinned!

"Oh you got to show me that! I love snakes. Are they tiny baby snakes or giant ones?"

Astrid smiled lightly at Thor's excitement since he did love snakes, Loki did as well since she could see a soft glint in Loki's eyes as well. She wished to show them what she did but she wasn't in a mood right now to show off.

"Medium length snakes, with glistening green scales. I will show you that someday." she spoke softly, trying not to choke at her words.

"You have a snake right next to you." Sif jokes, pointing to Loki.

That made Astrid upset and so did Loki. He was always treated differently since he preferred magic to brawn. Being one for mischief also colored impressions of him before people got to know him, which upset Astrid to some degree.

"Hey!" both Loki and Astrid exclaimed at her.

Astrid shared a look with Loki and she blushed lightly, causing Sif to smile. Sif knew Astrid was close to Loki but she was wondering if she had feelings for Loki. Despite what her friend told her, Astrid always seemed to pick Loki's side more. There was care but also concern for her friend how close she and Loki were becoming.

"I'm kidding, you know that I am joking Loki...though you did become a snake once." Sif commented.

"Ah yes I love that story, don't you Thor?"

"No Loki I don't." Thor argued.

"I think it's rather fun." Loki teased.

"You stabbing me at the end is not fun." Thor professed annoyingly.

Astrid looked over Thor and Loki's petty little argument and smiled slightly. She was going to miss this and really was going to miss them both terribly.

"We were eight when that happened right. Loki did something similar to me but instead of a snake, he was a kitten since I love kittens. Instead of stabbing me, he hugged me...it was rather nice." Astrid recounted.

Loki remembered that fondly and Astrid was very sweet to him when he was a kitten.

"Well I wasn't going to stab you...I can never stab or hurt you." Loki told her.

Astrid smiled as Thor got a bit annoyed at that statement, rolling his eyes.

"Yet you would stab your own brother….real nice of you." Thor stated.

Astrid's smile started to falter since it was hard to pretend to be happy when she knew in just three days, she would be away from them. She leaned her back on a palace wall, letting a small sigh escape her. As Loki bantered with Thor, Sif noticed Astrid was quieter than usual and not as happy.

" Astrid you okay?" she asked.

Thor and Loki stopped and did notice Astrid was upset. Astrid stroked her arm nervously and shook her head.

"My mother is sending me away to Vanaheim to stay with my aunt." Loki raised an eyebrow

" That sounds nice, why are you upset?" Loki asked, a bit confused.

"It's going to be for five years with no contact at all from anyone here...she says it's a blessing and opportunity but it's pretty much exile." Astrid spoke with a shakier voice.

Loki's eyes widened. Five years he wasn't going to see his best friend, the one person he looked forward to seeing in his days just gone. Loki didn't want to see it as exile since Vanaheim would help her in her magic; but it didn't make the pain string any less.

" Why now of all times?" Loki asked.

Thor scoffed since he knew why and got mad.

"Isn't it obvious, us sneaking off there is why. Honestly I don't know why we went along with your plan since now we're losing Astrid!" Thor told his brother angrily.

Thor didn't like this scenario at all. She was kind, sweet, full of warmth, and now she was going to be gone for five years, maybe longer. Loki glared at Thor since this was no way his fault.

" Don't blame me for this! You heard Astrid, her mother said it is to connect with her roots and heritage and we may hate it but, it may actually be good for Astrid. I just hate that we can't contact you for those years. When do you leave?" Loki asked

"Three days...I'm going to miss so much about being here...I should be happy but this is upsetting." Astrid sniffled.

Would she still have needed to go if she didn't follow after her mother? It seemed too convenient that now she needed to go since it wasn't like her father to be willing to let her go.

" That soon, Astrid… What about your father? He is not exactly fond of Vanaheim, is he letting you go as well?" Loki asked

Astrid simply nodded and looked at Sif. With her gone, Thor and Loki would probably be in more squabbles.

"Please make sure both of them are alive when I come back. I would hate to return home without everyone Sif." she joked lightly.

" Oh don't worry I will keep them from killing each other" Sif smiled. She was not going to say it but she thought it was good for Astrid to go but she didn't want to see her cry.

"So since you're going to pretty much be training in magic...you definitely need to train with me and Sif before you go. Think of it as an Asgardian send off." Thor professed proudly.

She smiled lightly but at the same time didn't like training. At least with Sif she encouraged magic weapons but Thor would want her to use her arrows and try using real weapons. It seemed he saw her like another Sif but she could never be as much a warrior as she was. She nodded reluctantly as they sped off to the training ground and it went on as expected. Thor trained Astrid with her arrows; ranging from target practice, Thor slashing her arrows, and she even used her magic to shoot them. Thor even had her train with a real spear, but it felt heavy and not as good as her magically conjured ones. Next was combat training with Sif and it was much more aggressive on Sif's end. Mostly, Astrid was defensive with her magic since she didn't want to damage Sif too badly. Sif did rough her up a bit but Astrid was able to hold her own and managed to get Sif on her back once. Once Astrid had enough, she mended up a wound on her shoulder from where Sif had cut her and sat with Loki. Thor and Sif trained together, which made Astrid content yet melancholy. Loki lingered on Astrid and couldn't help but feel torn.

" I'm going to miss you Astrid, I can't think how these 5 years will go where I won't see you?" Loki commented

"Likewise since...it's really going to kill me not seeing you." she sighed.

"Can you promise me something?" Loki asked soft smile

Astrid tilted her head since she knew she was coming back and was going to see Loki again, what was there more to promise. Loki took her hands in his and gave her a lighthearted smile.

"While you are there, learn all the magic you can and learn about yourself. I know you spend time with us but your mother is sending you for a reason. I want you to know your roots too, but it cannot happen if you are always here. Take this opportunity to really seek yourself out for me and uncover your roots and maybe even secrets about yourself." Loki said softly

Astrid smiled softly and nodded.

"I will since...you're right. I don't know much about myself at all and there is a purpose to everything. Who knows, I might uncover my own glorious purpose and maybe find out why my father hates his home so much...aside from him being a brute in a magical world."

"Why don't we go somewhere else. Thor and Sif will be at this for long time and neither of us really want to watch that" Loki sassed lightly

"They would hate being left so leave copies of us here." she whispered with a smirk.

Loki smirked but obliged and made a copy of both of them. He took Astrid's hand and they went to the library. They were able to secure a recliner and got a small stack of books and tomes to read together. Astrid rested her head on Loki's lap and had this strange fluttering in her heart.

" I know you need this trip but I'm not fond of the idea of not being able to talk to you in any form for 5 years.. You're my best friend" Loki said softly

Astrid nodded but she also thought of something that gave her tiniest of hope.

"Who knows, you might find a way to make a copy that can defy reality and reach me from Asgard. Your magic always captivated me and you taught me nothing is truly impossible in some aspects." Loki smiled

" I will definitely practice more, but I don't want to make promises I may not be able to keep, so I promise I will try" Loki chuckled

Astrid smiled softly and put her book down just to look up at Loki's face, gazing into his soft tender eyes. The feeling in her heart only sped and she bit her lip tenderly at him. Her mother had given her a slight talk about men and love but...could this really be how it starts? They were close but...would they be 'that' close. Loki smiled softly and held Astrid's hand. They were soft and fit nicely in his hand. Lately he felt strange being around her, not in a bad way. He wondered if it would feel the same when she returned.

Astrid got up from his lap and glanced at their interlocked hands. It made her feel warm and safe. She noticed a loose hair in Loki's face and moved it gently behind his ear.

"Please stay safe, healthy and happy while you are there, I will feel better knowing that you won't be miserable there"

"Likewise...Don't waste away on me. I know most people give you a hard time...but don't lock yourself up. I want to return to…" she trailed off since by the time she would return, they wouldn't be teens anymore, but adults.

" I cannot imagine anyone taking your place in my life, but I will learn my magic and live on." Loki mused

"Just don't become a harmless yet harmful flirt like Thor is when I come back. If you tried...you would get their hearts."

" I cannot see myself flirting with anyone here, I will be friendly but they are Thors' type" Loki chuckled

Astrid wondered what Loki's type was but decided not to ask to maintain what they had. She rested her head on his shoulder and gently stroked his hand. It almost felt like magic was coursing in her, but it was a different feeling; one that would make her leaving harder. Loki smiled softly and put his arm gently around Astrids waist. He was not going to cross any boundaries but he wanted to hold her one last time before she left for what will seem like eternity.

The day no one wanted came and she was on the Bifrost bridge. Her father wanted no part of this day as her mother walked her to Hiemdall. He looked carefully at Tove and Astrid with a very neutral expression.

"Vanaheim?" he asked.

"Yes Hiemdall. Be sure my daughter is not allowed back until at least five years to this day, no matter how much she cries." Tove told him with conviction in her voice.

Astrid had cried all her tears the night before into her pillow and just accepted this had to happen. She looked behind her to see Sif, Thor, and Loki as well. Least her mother was giving her one last goodbye with them. Astrid first went to Sif and gave her a small hug.

"You promise right?" Astrid asked.

Sif chuckled softly and returned the hug with force.

"Yes, you will have your two princes waiting for you. I'll be sure Loki keeps his stabbing to a minimum and that Thor keeps his power and anger in check." Sif spoke comfortingly. Next she went to Thor and he pulled her in a tight embrace. Astrid returned the hug and started to tear up.

"Don't cry Astrid. This isn't goodbye, far from it. I know I will see you in Asgard again. Think of this as your heroine's journey; to learn, to grow, to become an even stronger woman. Who knows, next time I see you; you might be a master of all things magic."

Astrid giggled at that and pulled away with a smile.

"I doubt that I would be a master at such a young age Thor; but I'm definitely going to learn all I can and study all I can do in my time."

Lastly, she approached Loki and both of them were quiet. Astrid hugged him softly. As they hugged, she could feel Loki putting something around her neck. They pulled away and Astrid saw a crescent moon necklace with a dangling emerald. Astrid smiled softly as she traced the necklace's pendant with her fingertips.

"This is so you have a piece of me with you in Vanaheim. Hopefully it lifts up your spirits until we meet again." he whispered softly.

Astrid carefully placed the necklace under her shirt so her mother wouldn't see and demand she give it to her. She wanted this token and she was going to keep it close to her heart.

"I'm going to miss you Loki. Please don't forget about me."

"I'm not going to forget about you Astrid. Just live your life in Vanaheim and learn all you can for me, like you promised."

They shared another hug before Tove called for her daughter to go. Astrid pulled away and she ran to her mother's side as Hiemdall opened the bridge to Astrid. She was enveloped in a rainbow light and her whole being was transported to Vanaheim at quick speeds. She landed outside a small forest village and could hear gentle footsteps coming towards her.

"My darling niece, it's finally nice to meet you."

Astrid got up and saw a tall woman with long blonde hair to her back, flowers in her hair, tender blue eyes, and strong yet delicate face. The dresses she wore were ornate yet beautiful but seemed to be more fitting of an older woman. The woman nodded and looked over her niece. Clearly there was potential and these five years would do her well. Astrid didn't know of her past and Vanaheim but that will change.

"It's finally nice to meet you auntie."

Astrid's aunt chuckled since there was a quick endearment in her niece's eyes, familiar set of amber eyes.

"I'm your Aunt Thyra, yes. Tove wants you in my care for the next few years. You're going to awaken my little blossom, learn about our kind, and learn some important truths. Now come inside, lunch is getting cold as we speak."

As Astrid followed her aunt to her cozy forest home, she wondered just what would happen in her time here. She clenched onto the necklace Loki gave her as she entered her home away from home for the next five years, wondering what there was to discover in her time here.

Author talk-So slow burns are what I do usually in romances and yes I realize just now how slow burns with Norse beings akin to gods is going to be long. For the next chapter, so this story is not at a snail's pace, I will highlight key moments of Astrid's life in Vanaheim. This way this story doesn't drag and we might touch upon start of the romance between Astrid and Loki soon. Key chapter moments will be written since I think that when the start of the first Thor movie starts they are like 1,500 years old maybe and they are like 16-17 right now. This is just so the pacing doesn't drag and the key fluff and drama aspects get covered. More to come.