Five years have come to pass and Astrid was ready to return to Asgard. Her Aunt Thyra was walking with her along a valley towards a lake with a towering waterfall and she recounted their time together. Astrid had made quite an impression in Vanaheim with the people, its council, and herself. Thyra hoped Astrid would remain, but her heart was needed in Asgard. This wouldn't be the end since she and Volund had much to teach her still. Least she wouldn't be afraid to venture off to Vanaheim despite Egil's threats and anger towards this place.

"Has your mind and soul awakened Astrid?" she asked her.

Astrid looked to her aunt and she gave a slight nod. It was bittersweet in some ways Astrid thought; returning to one home but leaving another. Thyra looked to Astrid with a slight smile and asked,

"What are you most excited for when you return home?"

Astrid chuckled softly and shook her head.

"You would deem me a lovesick girl if I told you...though I miss all of my friends and family...I'm really worried about Loki."

Thyra smiled lightly.

"Ah yes, the outlier of Asgard. Such an interesting man of magic he is...there has to be more but I can see why being away would worry you."

Astrid nodded since he was always treated differently and she never understood why. He's a son of Odin yet Thor got all the attention from most. Least with her she had treated them both equally, but she did wonder if that would change upon her return. Thyra looked towards the waterfall and had a somewhat broken smile.

"Your mother loves waterfalls, she and Frode would often love to express their magic with them as a backdrop. The sounds of the falls calmed them both."

Astrid sighed and looked carefully at her aunt. In her five years, she was no longer blind to her family history yet her aunt was hiding something, and by extension her mother.

"What's the sad story between my uncle and my mother? I think I deserve to finally know. You said it yourself, not knowing one's origins or family's history is disgraceful."

Thyra chuckled somewhat softly yet bitterly at her words being tossed back. Her niece no longer wanted to be ignorant but she was still rather young. It would never be easy and Thyra questioned if this was even her news to share. Compilations would arise anyway as would conflict between her and Egil.

"Egil, disheartened, angry, depressed about not being able to bear a child with your mother; retreated often to Asgard. He would be gone weeks at a time and your mother would visit with me often. She expressed how unhappy Egil was making her and I encouraged her to really look into her heart. I wasn't the only person she leaned onto in her sad times."

Astrid knew and answered,

"Frode."

Thyra nodded.

"When I said they grew close...I meant it in the best of ways but worse for Egil."

"By worse...do you mean perhaps…."

Thyra sighed. She really shouldn't be telling her this but Astrid wasn't a stupid woman. In these five years; she had to have formed an idea about Frode and who he really was. Volund didn't make things any easier by pointing out the resemblance more so than what she had shown in family archives. Tove sure as hell would never tell her the truth and Egil would want the facts buried, so it fell to Thyra for better or worse.

"Tove found love again...perhaps even a truer love with Frode. I told Tove she couldn't do this without first leaving Egil but she didn't want to admit her failures. She'd rather maintain a lie with Egil to spare him harm but still went behind his back and had an affair with Frode. She would have a husband and yet have love with and for another man."

Astrid felt a bit sick to her stomach that her mother would do such a thing, with her father's brother no less while still married to him.

"So she stayed with my father as punishment and tortured herself with a romance that couldn't be more. How was that fair to either of them?"

"Frode had his faults; he didn't discourage the relationship between them but encouraged it. He swooned, romanced, dined with her, and shared nights with her. If you were an outsider, you would think they were a married couple and he treated her much better than Egil ever did. Tove's shame wasn't the affair, but her marriage. It's clear she was lying to herself and wanted to be married to Frode and no longer to Egil. He came to me asking for advice on how to convince Tove to leave Egil for him and I pretty much told him there was little he could do."

Astrid projected an image of Frode with her magic and studied it once more. Those same amber eyes, the soft rose hair, the nose, the delicate frame...Astrid's stomach sunk a bit deeper. She touched her own face and she even had his cheekbones.

"He and Tove found a way….didn't they? Or at least tried."

Thyra sighed deeper as she erased Frode's image. She conjured a book, a book she didn't want to conjure but it was a memory she needed to preserve. Thyra lifted the words off the page with her magic and conjured the words back into the memory she embedded the book with.

Astrid watched the scene unfold.

Her mother came by to see Thyra with a small yet worried smile. They settled into the kitchen and Thyra glanced at Tove. Her hand's were lightly cupping her stomach and Thyra had a very mixed reaction.

"You're finally blessed with a little one. I'm so happy for you." Thyra spoke softly.

Tove managed to laugh softly and stroked her tender, growing belly.

"The haze cleared for me...it's clear what I need to do...but I'm scared. Egil's going to know…he's going to clearly know once I start showing."

"Know what...Goodness Tove are you….are you carrying Frode's child?" Thyra asked equal parts amazement and horror.

Tove's cheeks turned a soft pink.

"I know it to be his. Egil had abandoned me again for Asgard and Frode wanted to comfort me. One kiss led to another and it led us to sharing a bed...it's been the happiest and passionate moment I had with a man."

"Clearly since now you have Frode's baby inside you. After all the loveless attempts with Egil, the first time you lay with Frode you're blessed with a child. Egil's stupid on many things, but he's clearly going to know the baby in you isn't his." Thyra warned.

"I'm working on a way to leave Egil sister. Frode has accepted and acknowledged to me that it is his. He's excited to be a father and he wants me, all of me. He wants to take me, have a family with me, he's even come up with names for our baby and started on making a home for us in his place. It's just a matter of slipping away before Egil catches wind of the babe. If I can't…"

Thyra sighed.

"You know he's due back if his patterns are consistent. He's going to know the changes in your behaviors when you're with a child...a child that's not his. I just hope for your little one's sake, they won't suffer."

"I know...If he finds out, I'll retreat to Frode. He'll protect me and his child. When the baby is born; hopefully Egil will just leave for Asgard for good and I'll be a happier wife with Frode and have our baby grow up here. Wouldn't it be a perfect end for my trials of love?"

Thyra got up as did Tove and they shared a hug.

"I just hope you know what you're doing sister and that your plan follows through. I would hate for you to still be stuck with Egil and be trapped in a growing lie."

"I know Thyra...I know."

Astrid remained quiet for the longest time, processing and replaying the memory she had seen play before her. She was torn, very torn, and in some ways betrayed by her mother and 'father'. Could she even call Egil her father anymore? Did he resent her, resent the fact that the blood that connected them wasn't…hold on she thought as she looked to Thyra.

"This isn't a trick, is it manipulation for you to tear me away from my father?"

Thyra shook her head, sighing even deeper. Astrid was away on how these books worked; a majority of the parties in the memory needed to willingly impart traces from their mind to infuse the book with the words and enchantment to produce the memory in visual form. Both she and Tove did this to preserve a happy memory of the child and at the time, Tove's plan for freedom from Egil. She had to spell it out for her confused and hurt niece despite the book speaking the truth.

"Astrid, look at the vast picture you've been forming for five years. Your mother's unhappiness, your father's bitterness towards magic and his brother, and him dragging you and her to Asgard after a short while after your birth. Your clear talent for magic would not be the case if Egil was your father. For all of Valhalla Astrid, you look like Frode! You're Frode's kin, his daughter, you're not Astrid Egildotter but really Astrid Frodedotter. A secret your mother and Egil knew from your birth, lied to everyone about it, and all to save shame for your mother and father that you were a love child from an affair."

Astrid didn't get angry, she didn't even cry, she just felt numb at the realization. All those years, the laughs, the smiles, the warm hugs...was that an act, a ruse, did he ever care about her like a father would a daughter.

"Why did my father...Egil, raise me with such kindness if I wasn't his?"

"How should I know how Egil thinks? He probably sees you as a tool and for a tool to be useful, they need to be loved and cared for. Once his brother was killed, Tove couldn't leave to raise you on her own and it is easy to lie to people if the real father is dead wouldn't it. The final reason he left Vanaheim...was you Astrid."

The comments she got from Volund pretty much made that true. Hard to pretend a child is yours when you clearly look like someone else's child. Her impression of her parents were shattered but she still needed to go back to them for now. Thyra took her niece's hand, patting it gently.

"I'm so sorry Astrid."

Astrid looked to her aunt and shook her head. Thyra was a loving aunt and she wanted her to be informed. All stories have lessons and she wouldn't dare do what her own mother did.

"You have no reason to be. You were being truthful to me and it would be foolish of me to hate you. I might not want to accept this, but I have to accept it since it's the truth. I'm truly not the same woman I was when I got here, but I will be leaving a much more informed and stronger one."

"Not forever I hope; Volund and I hope you visit us frequently. There is still more for you to learn...but I know you want to return to your friends since they hold parts of your heart that you longed for these past years."

Astrid nodded softly and gave her aunt a hug. Thyra returned it with a gentle embrace. A part of her worried for her to return to Asgard with the knowledge she had, but she couldn't keep her here. Astrid grew into a woman Thyra was proud to have been a part of her life.

"Let me send you off with this." Thyra expressed gently.

She carefully got the flowers she and Astrid gathered on their venture today and placed the purple flowers intricately in Astrid's hair. Astrid laughed softly since she never imagined her firm aunt doing this, but it was a sweet gesture. When the flowers were placed in her hair, Astrid looked up to the sky with a slight frown.

"This isn't goodbye Astrid. I will be waiting for you when you need me. You're stronger than you know and I know you'll put your heart in the best hands."

At that thought, Loki came to mind first. Eventually Thor came into her thoughts but Loki and her had this...connection and she hoped he would meet her when she returned.

"Heimdall, I'm ready! Take me back!" Astrid exclaimed.

With her words, she was enveloped in light and was being brought back to Asgard. Her waiting in faded breath for her to be back on the Bifrost Bridge and to wait for her dear friends, to reunite with them once more.

Thor was looking for his brother since he was in the mood to go hunting. He thought to check his bedchambers and sure enough, Loki was casually reading in his bed. He couldn't understand why his brother enjoyed reading so much and it bothered him that he was just hiding away in his room. Loki and him had gotten a bit distant but their interests were also to change as well. He wanted his brother to join him and have fun and not be locked away in his room.

"Brother, you're wasting such a wonderful day. Come hunting with me, and get your mind off things."

Loki rolled his eyes and ignored him, annoying Thor.

"Loki come on!" he exclaimed.

" I don't want to hunt Thor, I am enjoying my book" Loki stated calmly

Thor rolled his eyes and stormed to his bedside.

"You used to like going out with me a lot brother, especially with hunting. Are you sick?"

Loki sighed in annoyance

" I am fine, I just don't want to hunt. Things change Thor and I don't want to hunt with you. It doesn't mean I care about you any less, but there are better uses of my time then hunting animals for sport. We have different interests now." Loki expressed

"Bet you would go hunting if Astrid asked you." Thor goaded.

Astrid he thought and his mood grew a bit sadder. She was never one to hurt innocent things.

" Maybe if it was for food, but you know as well as I do that Astrid is not keen on hunting" Loki expressed dismissively.

Thor's face fell a bit and he sighed.

"You think she's ever going to come back Loki?" Loki sighed.

"If she likes Vanaheim so much she could stay longer. We can't influence her and her choice to return is on her...if she decides to come back at all." Loki said.

This angered Thor and he ripped the book out of Loki's hand.

"You need to be in better spirits. Astrid would hate it if you didn't hold out for her return. I haven't lost that."

Loki glared at his brother and quickly snatched his book back. He examined the book and thankfully Thor didn't tear or damage the book.

" I was enjoying my book Thor, you know I always preferred reading to fighting." Loki expressed

"And there you go, changing the subject. Don't think of me as stupid brother." he argued.

Narrow focused Loki thought with a disgruntled groan.

" If you want to go hunt ask Sif, I am sure she will always be happy to accompany you" Loki stated in an annoyed tone.

Thor was about to respond and argue until a knock was heard at the door.

"Young prince, are you in?" a guard asked.

" Yes come in" Loki expressed calmly

The guard came in and he noticed Thor was there as well.

"Both of you are here. I have a message from Heimdall. You are both needed at the Bifrost Bridge." he spoke to the princes. Loki looked at Thor and reluctantly put his book down.

" Did he say what the issue was?" Loki asked

"He simply told me that 'Five years came to pass'." Loki's eyes widened and he tried to suppress a smile. He rushed out the room.

Thor chuckled and ran out after him.

"I know that look brother, there's a secret in Heimdall's words."

Loki was in disbelief Thor wasn't getting it, but it was to his advantage.

" You really should have studied books more than fighting brother… see you at Bifrost" Loki said before he ran out to the stables. He got his horse ready and mounted before riding off, not even waiting for Thor.

Thor, annoyed but then took a few moments to think about it. His eyes widened and he cursed under his breath since Loki was going to get there first.

"Loki! Wait up! You're not getting there before me!" Thor yelled as he followed after him.

Loki was going fast, and he was excited. He was afraid Astrid would not return but that message reassured him that she had come back to them...To him

Astrid waited next to Heimdall for Loki and Thor to meet up with her. She wondered if it would be like it was before she went away. Time has a way of changing things, but she missed both of them terribly despite her adjustment in Vanaheim. Of all things on her mind, she wondered how they had been and if they were both still good to each other.

Loki raced across the Bifrost eager to see Astrid again. He had so many questions for her about her time there. Mainly he just wanted to see his best friend again. Loki saw Astrid from afar and smiled as he got closer. Loki stopped his horse before getting too close. He hopped off and ran to Astrid, hugging her deeply. After pulling away he saw that she definitely changed. Her rose colored hair was longer and down to her back. She had small purple flowers in her hair that were lovely. Astrid wore a purple flowing dress that was modest yet eye-catching and she still had that pendant that he gave her years prior around her neck. She had gotten more beautiful, or maybe he just missed her so much.

" You're finally back Astrid. I've missed you terribly."

Astrid clung on to Loki and rested her head near his neck. She couldn't come up with any words, but she did miss Loki and didn't want him to let go. Glancing at Loki's face it was clear he lost a lot of his boyish looks and looked more like a man to her. His blueish eyes were still warm and she was glad she was back. Loki rested his hands on her back respectfully though a bit tight. He did not want to let her go. He wasn't going to admit to Thor but these 5 years were the longest moments of his life.

" Did you wait long?" Loki asked softly

"Heimdall did the smallest of small talk to pass my time. I'm thankful he humored how to relay my message since I know you would get here first." Loki chuckled

Naturally Astrid was clever. If the message was 'Astrid was on Bifrost', Thor would have gotten here first. Thankfully it wasn't since they had a few moments to themselves.

"Well I did understand it faster than Thor did, that's for sure"

"Clearly...I missed you so much Loki, so very much."

She kissed his cheek tenderly, perhaps even more tenderly than she had before. What were they she thought...definitely close friends but...did she want more like her aunt suggested. Her heart grew warmer and her heart raced but it all felt...calm and right to her. Loki smiled as a light blush spread across his cheeks. Astrid was always the best part of his days, and it seemed that did not change, but he felt nervous around her. His stomach fluttered more so than before. He was happy he got here first, since he wanted just a bit more time before Thor.

" I missed you too Astrid, it was very dull time without you here" Loki admitted

"Wish I could say the same but...wow a lot happened. Family history lessons, my aunt pushing me to the brink with my magic, getting to see Vanaheim's council and lessons of diplomacy...the only thing I didn't like was harassment but I handled it and made an ally there as well."

Loki chuckled, since it sounds Astrid had a very productive time there. He felt relieved that she did not come back with anyone, more specifically another man.

" I cannot wait to hear about your time in detail. It sounded like so enjoyable and knowledge." Loki mused.

Thor finally caught up to his brother Loki and a fair maiden was next to him. His eyes trailed over the maiden and he couldn't believe what he saw.

"Astrid? That really you?" he asked as he got off his horse.

" Of course it's Thor. I've missed you so much. "Astrid said with a warm smile as she went over and hugged Thor.

Thor hugged back and grinned at the way Astrid's body lingered on his. He had missed his friend, but Astrid had grown even more beautiful and a greater warmth in her being. Her father had told him to press on with his affections since Astrid and him made a good pair. He pulled away grinning and stroked her cheek gently.

"Maybe a fair maiden who wanted to see a god, a god of thunder if you will." Thor attempted to sweet talk. Astrid chuckled softly.

"You haven't changed much Thor. I missed you. How have you been?" Astrid asked

"Been doing well for myself. Lots of training, lots of hunting, lots of parties, Sif and I are doing well and training to be great warriors. Needless to say most of your training was with magic right?"

"My aunt did focus more on the magic side of combat so I might need to brush up on real bows and spears. How is Sif doing?" Astrid asked softly.

She did miss her only female friend. Even if she and Sif only trained for most part, Sif was still her friend and she cared about how she was as well.

"She's actually doing real well and excelling in combat. They actually let her into a program for her to fight the front lines soon; she might become the first female warrior Asgard will have...I mean non Valkyrie warrior you know."

"Sif is extremely skilled in her fighting.. I am proud of her nonetheless in what she decides to do in terms of combat."

Thor grinned and he playfully kissed her cheek.

"Maybe I can convince my father to throw you a feast! It's an honor that you've returned to us and that things can pick up where they left off!"

Astrid was still internally reeling from her news about her true lineage and the past five years were fun but also exhausting. The last thing she needed was a loud celebration in her honor.

" Do allow me to unpack and settle in again before that. Last few days...years I should say, were eventful to say the least, and I would like some time to be at peace before I interact with all my friends and your family again." Astrid smiled softly.

That was a bit of a blow Thor thought, be he understood. She must be tired and needed her energy. He would listen and not impose the offer further.

"Oh okay….least let one of us take you home though, maybe even ride you across the bridge on horseback." He grinned.

" I will allow that. Loki can bring me back; he is not competitive when he has another person with him on horseback. I know you'd race at breakneck speeds even with me with you to beat Loki. You understand right?" Astrid chuckled, throwing Loki a soft look.

Thor chuckled a bit but he couldn't help but feel a bit angry and jealous at his brother. Why Loki Thor thought; he was faster, stronger, and probably the better rider than Loki. What had happened in her time in Vanaheim to want Loki more than him?

"Fair enough. I will allow you to ride her Loki and take her home. Be back before sunset." Thor expressed with a light smile as he got on his horse and raced off.

Loki smiled and got on the horse. He offered a hand to Astrid with a much noticeable smile.

" Well shall I take you home?" he asked softly.

"I'd love that very much, my prince." she humored softly.

She took his hand and got on the horse with care. Astrid gently wrapped her arms around Loki's waist.

"I'm not hurting you am I?"

Loki blushed and placed his hands on hers. He felt warm and happy at her embrace. Maybe his mother was right...maybe he was a man with growing feelings towards Astrid...but he was scared to push things.

" Not at all my dear Astrid" Loki said softly before he motioned for his horse into a gentle gallop.

The ride was peaceful, serene, and Astrid took in the sights of Asgard; a home she had been away from for a long time. They decided to ride to her house first before Loki needed to return his horse to the stables. Loki helped her off and Astrid let her hand linger in his. She bit her lip nervously as they approached her house.

" How was Vanaheim? Did it feel like home in any way?" Loki asked softly.

Astrid sighed and locked eyes with Loki's.

"It felt a lot like home. My Aunt Thyra was a wonderful caretaker and teacher. I'm going to make frequent visits since I don't want her to be lonely. Plus councilman Volund has taken a shine to me so I must visit him as well. Right now I need to come back to live in Asgard….even if aspects are very wrong now."

"Like what? Did something happen?" Loki asked concerned

Astrid sighed again. She didn't want to share too much just yet since it was a lot even for her. The things she learned might make Loki not want her and perhaps he would want to be away from her.

"More like what I learned. My father being the main thing..." she whispered.

Loki was confused, and concerned. He gently pulled Astrid into his embrace

"Whatever it is, we will talk about it more. For now unpack, rest well, I know you need it. I promise we will talk more when you are well rested"

"So tomorrow I'll see you?" she asked with a soft smile, or rather a small smirk.

Loki chuckled softly and could see the warmth and fire in her eyes.

" Count on it my dear" Loki said with a smirk of his own.

He kissed Astrid's forehead gently and felt a light pleasant shiver down his spine. Astrid...how happy you make me, Loki thought. He removed his lips from her forehead and gently stroked her face. Astrid took the feeling in and unlike Thor, there was a sensitivity and softness to Loki's caress.

The door swung open abruptly and it was Egil. He had a slight glare on Loki before his sights shifted to Astrid.

"Astrid my girl! You're back! Get inside! Your mother made your favorites!" Egil exclaimed in a loud tone.

" No need to yell father. I am right here. I was saying goodbye to Loki" Astrid said calmly.

Part of her lied, since from what she heard she didn't know if she could trust Egil. She would have to call him father still in the meantime since he did raise her but it bothered her knowing the truth. Egil looked at the pair and realized they were just that, a pair.

"Hey now, where's Thor? Wasn't he here to pick you up? I thought I told him to be mindful of your return?" Egil asked, seeing how Loki was the only one there.

" Thor had matters to attend to but he did greet me at Bifrost, and he knows Loki will make sure I would get her safe and unharmed" Astrid explained.

Troubling, absolutely troubling Egil thought. She was supposed to have missed Thor more and not Loki. Yet low and behold, Loki was at his doorstep bringing her home and not Thor.

"Right...well get in, get in. Food is getting cold as we yammer about."

Egil gave Loki a very cold glance. He didn't care if he was Odin's other son; he was a snake and knew Thor would be perfect for her like he was to his own wife. Astrid groaned threw a soft glance to Loki

" See you soon Loki" Astrid said softly before going inside and glaring at her 'father'.

She might be in a place she grew up, but it felt less like home. Her home among homes would be with Thor and Loki. Astrid knew she had changed, but did the world of Asgard change with it; especially her dearest and most closest friends. One thing was certain...she would be spending a day with Loki and that brought comfort and love into her heart.