Chapter 43: A Picnic in the Park

"Where are we now?" Loki scanned the terrain. They were standing on a grassy knoll, a gentle breeze danced around him. The sun was shining and birds were chirping in the background. "And who came with this time?"

"All present," Sif spoke up after glancing around the group.

"Wait, Legolas is missing!" Tauriel chimed in. "But he was down with that horse. Wonder if he will show up later?"

Loki shrugged. "Who knows?"

"Actually, I am here," Legolas was walking up the hill, the horse he'd been riding following after him.

"You brought the horse?" Thranduil asked. "At least he is a fast one."

"Well, I did not really have a choice, he came along with me by whomever it is that is sending us all around the universe," his son replied.

"Norns," Sif giggled. "I'm actually rather enjoying this adventure. Beats some of the other ones we have been on."

"Would someone mind explaining this to me?" Frigga asked, exasperation tinged in her voice.

"I wish I could, mother, but I cannot. All I know is that I am still alive…"

"And you are too!" Thor exclaimed.

"What? I was dead?" Frigga asked.

"You do not remember? Saving old what's-her-name?" Loki asked.

"Jane. Her name is Jane Foster," Thor glared at Loki as he corrected him.

"I know… and you love her, right?" Loki smirked at his brother.

"Leave Jane out of this!" Thor shouted.

"You brought her up," Loki fired back.

"I told you two to stop bickering back at the Downs of Hillchurch," Frigga interjected.

"Churchhill Downs," Tony corrected as he appeared.

"Where did you come from?" Frigga asked.

"Churchhill Downs," Tony laughed.

"No, no. I meant how did you get her?" Frigga asked, clearly confused by everything.

"Who knows, but it has been interesting." Tony pulled his cell phone out and stared at the screen. "But we aren't on Earth anymore."

"How do you know? Does that device tell you?" Sif asked.

"No, honey. I don't have cell service," Tony replied holding the phone out so she could see it.

"The screen is blank," Sif observed.

"Precisely! That only happens in very remotest spots on Earth," Tony gazed around him. "And this looks too pretty to not be overrun by people; therefore, we are not on Earth."

"Why would you wish service to your cells?" Thranduil asked, staring down at Tony.

"Not my cells, your highness. These things got their names from the looks of the towers and service coverage – look sort of like cells," Tony explained. "It's how we communicate."

Thranduil lifted his eyebrows imperiously. "Silly humans."

"Well, that still does not answer where we've been dropped off at now," Loki pointed out. "I suggest we do some exploring. Why don't we split up and see what we can discover?"

"Ah, no need." Legolas' keen eyes spotted movement across the meadow. "I would say we are in the Shire as there are hobbits approaching."

"Hobbits? What are hobbits? Are they something to eat as I am starving," Frigga asked as her stomach rumbled.

"No, they are inhabitants of the Shire, although some are known to be thieves," Thranduil replied. "I have had some experience with that."

"But they do LOVE to eat, just not themselves. Very fond of food and grumpy if they miss a meal," Legolas added.

"Legolas? Legolas Greenleaf?" A shout from the approaching party interrupted their discussion.

"Sam? Samwise Gamgee, indeed it is I. Who are your companions?" Legolas asked, gazing at the group of hobbits. There was one adult female and five young hobbit children dancing about the couple.

"Why this is my wife, you remember Rosie Cotton, right? And these are our children. We were heading out to have a picnic. What brings you to the Shire?" Sam asked, gazing at the others but waiting for his friend to introduce them.

"Well met," Legolas turned back to his companions. "We are back in Middle Earth during the Fourth Age."

"Is that good or bad?" Loki asked.

"Good. Aragorn is King of Gondor…"

"King? That little sneak is king? He was always skulking around Mirkwood and brought us that vile creature to watch." Thranduil interrupted his son. "How did he become king?"

"Ah, remember those movies we were watching back at Stark's place?" Loki reminded him. "They destroyed a ring and he became King. Sam…" he stared hard at the small hobbit in front of him. "You were one of the ring bearers in the movie. Did that really happen?"

Sam stared at the tall Asgardian in a mixture of awe and confusion. "Well… ah… yes, it ah… did happen. But I don't know much bout these movies you be talking about mister, ah…"

"Loki of Asgard," Loki supplied the information. "And that over there is my mother, Frigga, and one of our warriors – the Lady Sif." Both ladies smiled at the introduction.

Thor coughed.

"Oh, right. And my brother, Thor."

"And I am Tony Stark, genius, playboy, and philanthropist," Tony completed the introductions. "I'm assuming you already know Thranduil and Tauriel."

"Ah, yes. Least, I've heard of them before," Sam replied.

Thranduil's gaze traveled to the large basket the couple was carrying. "Any chance you have any champagne in there?"

Sam stared up at the elven king. "Ah, no. I don't think so. Don't rightly know as I've heard of this champagne."

"It's a bubbly wine that unfortunately, this dude has become overly fond of," Tony explained.

"Well, they do have wine at the Green Dragon," Sam volunteered. "It's only a few miles back that way." He pointed in the direction he had just come from.

"No worries," Sif piped up. She held up a large bag she was carrying. "We brought along a stash from the horse race."

"Horse race? You were in Rohan?" Sam asked. "How is Merry doing? He went back a few months ago and we've not heard from him in a bit."

"Ah, no. We were not in Rohan," Legolas replied. "We were on another world actually."

Rosie's eyes grew wide. "You mean there are more worlds than the Shire?" She blushed and patted Sam's shoulder. "And of course, where my Sam traveled to. How did you travel there?"

"That's what I am attempting to figure out," Frigga replied. "One minute we were watching Legolas as he won the race…"

"On our horse," Loki added.

"Paid for with my money," Tony chimed in.

"Well… you said we could use that plastic card if we needed it. We needed it," Loki retorted.

"For a horse?" Tony shouted back.

Thranduil shrugged. "That lady said it was the thing to do if we wanted to get to the circle of winners."

"Winner's Circle," Tony corrected.

Sam looked totally confused.

"But we are back in Middle Earth, correct?" Loki asked eagerly.

"Ah, yes. The Shire to be exact," Rose answered.

"Excellent. Mother, this is where I plan to remain. I am not returning to Asgard," Loki announced his decision.

"IF they will let you," Sif countered.

Loki shot her a look.

"Who will let him?" Frigga asked.

"The Norns. At least, that is who we think is behind all this this traveling to and fro," Sif explained.

"Loki, you must return to Asgard to answer for your crimes," Thor said sternly.

"Ah… try and make me," Loki taunted him. "Besides, I'm dead there… again. Right?"

Thor looked slightly confused.

"You may not take my wizard," Thranduil interrupted.

"See, they want me here," Loki smirked.

"Until they find out what you are capable of," Sif retorted.

"What? Me? I have done nothing wrong?" Loki looked innocent as he spoke.

"Um… New York was nothing?" Tony asked.

"Nope, not me," Loki replied. "Must have been an imposter."

"Loki…" Thor looked at his brother. "Are you seriously trying to deny that you had nothing to do with the Tesseract?"

"Tess is an actor?" Sam asked, confused as he knew a young hobbit lass named Tess. "I... uh… how do you know her?"

"Not her, an infinity stone," Thor explained.

"Actually, I would rather meet Tess than discuss this silly rock," Loki replied. "Could you possibly introduce us?"

"Ah… I suppose so," Sam was still completely confused.

"Honey, we came out here for a picnic," Rosie reminded him. "Perhaps after that?" She glanced at the large group. "Although I am not certain we have enough food for everyone."

"Ah, not to worry," Tauriel spoke up. "I brought along some food from our race party."

Rose brightened. "Excellent. Shall we eat then?"

"Perfect," Frigga jumped in, glad to avoid a fight between her sons that she knew was brewing.

The ladies all quickly organized the food, spread out several blankets, and proceeded to oversee the impromptu picnic.

"Don't think this is over," Thor spoke quietly to Loki.

"Sorry, staying here," Loki quipped. "They love me here."

Author's note: Sorry I have been remiss at updating this tale. Hopefully I can post a bit more frequently now.