"Does Prince Loki seem...nicer? More polite, maybe? Or am I imagining things?"

Zora looks at me strangely as we walk down a large, stone hallway. She's headed back to the library, while I am on my way to speak with the Queen, since it's already mid-afternoon. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I've noticed this quite a lot recently, but he just seems...less of a jerk, if you know what I mean."

Zora glances around discreetly, probably to make sure there was no one within hearing range of my disrespectful words. Then she looks back at me, readjusting her wings on her back. "Yes, I understand what you are talking about. He was rather preoccupied when I brought him his noon meal, but I have noticed a few subtle changes recently. He doesn't try to frighten us anymore, and is actually rather civil when he wants to be."

I nod, feeling relieved. So I'm not crazy. Good. "He did frighten me this morning, but it wasn't with any malicious intent." I shake my head with a smile. "He's just inclined toward mischief, and thinks it amusing when we fall prey to his tricks." Zora rolls her eyes at that, and I pause. "I think he also enjoys using his magic. It probably gives him a sense of freedom."

Zora gives me a look. "You aren't going to become a soft one about him, are you?"

I frown. "Soft one?"

"It means that you pity him."

My eyebrows raise. "I do pity him. Sure, he deserves what he's going through, but that doesn't make it any easier for him to bear. And anyway, I can't help feeling sorry for those in prison. I'm just a compassionate person, so you'll have to get over it." I give Zora a slightly teasing smile, but I know she understands that I'm serious. She's a rather intuitive person herself. She rolls her eyes at me again, but this time a smile of her own is playing 'round her lips.

"I'll forgive you this once, then," she says, using a bit of Midgardian dialogue that she picked up from me. I grin.

"Good, because now we must part ways," I say, giving a mock curtsy. She returns the gesture with much more grace, and a teasing look in her eyes. She knows how much trouble I've had with getting my curtsy right. I give her a mock glare. "Don't rub it in."

"You can only learn if you observe another doing it properly," she says, unapologetically teasing me. I roll my eyes.

"I'm going to be late, and I'm going to tell her majesty that it's your fault," I threaten. She straightens.

"Then I'll tell her you're in love with her son," she returns smugly. My jaw drops.

"What?! I am not! Why would you say something like that?"

Zora smirks. "And it's not my fault you're late."

I glare at her. "Now, that's not fair."

Zora pretends to think. "What is it that you always say? 'All's fair in love and war?'"

I groan. "Alright, alright. You win. But I really will be late if you don't shut up, little birdie."

Zora gives me an outraged look, gasping. "How dare you!"

But I'm already halfway down another hallway, laughing triumphantly.

I slow down once I'm out of her sight, still grinning to myself, and make my way towards the Queen's chambers. She requested that I meet her there, in the sitting room that adjoins to the AllFather's rooms. Noma told me that it is quite an honor to be asked to her chambers, but I didn't take that very seriously. Frigga knows my secret; it's likely she just wants a private place to talk with me. I'm sure there's no great honor involved. I frown as I turn the corner leading to the royal chambers. Wait...if she wants privacy, has something gone wrong? My heartbeat speeds up a little, but I try to ignore it, stepping up to the doors of the Queen's chambers.

The guards on either side of the doorway push open the large doors for me, allowing me passage. I smile distractedly, entering the room and taking in my new surroundings with wide eyes. It's the most feminine room I've seen in the palace thus far. Beautifully etched pillars steady an arching ceiling, gorgeous golden drapes sweep down from fixtures in the ceiling, and a lovely little pool in the center of the room is flanked by a couple of daybeds/benches. And I recognize it almost immediately, even though I've never stepped foot in this room before. It's from a deleted scene in Thor: Dark World that should have been included in the movie. Actually, most Marvel deleted scenes should have been inclu-

"Are you alright, dear?"

Frigga's voice snaps me from my thoughts. I look at the Queen, who is standing before me, and smile graciously. "Yes, I apologize. This is a lovely room."

Frigga smiles back. "Isn't it? I thought at least one room in the palace should have a feminine touch."

I grin. "I completely agree, my queen."

Frigga motions for me to sit down, and we both settle on one of the benches facing the small pool. Then she looks at me with a serious expression. "I called you here because I feel this conversation requires a bit more privacy than usual."

I was right. I nod in understanding, swallowing. I sincerely hope this isn't bad news...

"I have a proposition for you."

I blink. "A proposition, my lady?"

Frigga nods, a knowing smile on her lips. "Lady Dahlia and I have been observing you and your training over the past two months." My eyes widen, but she is quick to reassure me. "Don't worry, we agree that you are doing quite well. Even better than she initially expected."

I raise my eyebrows. "She? Not you?"

Frigga's smile never leaves her face. "I never expected any less from you, Victoria. You have done your best, and I am impressed. But not surprised."

I blush at her words. "You are very kind, my queen."

"I am only speaking the truth," she says. Then she returns to the situation at hand. "Lady Dahlia and I have considered an array of options for you here in the palace. But I believe there is one that suits you better than the rest of them." She looks into my eyes. "You have courage, my dear. You are loyal, and self-sacrificial, willing to put the well-being of others ahead of your own. This governs your every action, making you highly protective of those you care for." She pauses, and I am not sure whether to blush or be confused. But she continues before I can open my mouth. "You are a warrior at heart, my dear. And because of that, I would like to offer you a position as my bodyguard."

My eyes triple in size. "Wha-but-I-I mean...don't you already have bodyguards?"

Frigga shakes her head. "I have not needed a bodyguard for many years. But there are dangerous times ahead of us, and you must train to defend your people."

I frown. Wait, this isn't about protecting her? "Then...should I not train as a soldier amongst your warriors?"

Frigga shakes her head again. "You are not a soldier. You may be able to follow orders, but you would question them. You require the freedom to dictate your own actions, with a single goal in mind. That is where your strength as a warrior lies. And that is why I was pleased when you requested that Sir Halvor train you. He has the same mindset as you do."

That is very true. Sir Halvor and I hit it off well from the very beginning because of that. We are both protectors, but we also know how to attack. Apparently Loki took it a little too far with the "attack" part.

"If I decided to accept your proposition, what would my job be, exactly?"

The Queen smiles. "Your official title would be lady-in-waiting, but you would be a warrior trained to defend."

"And my main priority, should a danger arise, would be to protect you, correct?"

Frigga nods. "Officially, yes. But you are required to obey whatever directions I may choose to give you."

I meet her eyes, and read the unsaid meaning behind her words. "Even if it means leaving you unprotected..." I finish quietly. She nods again, her eyes never leaving mine.

She knows.

I nod slowly. "Then...I accept your proposition, my lady."

Frigga smiles, sympathy in her eyes. "I knew you would. Shall we discuss details, then?"

Over the next hour, the Queen outlines my duties and the expectations of a bodyguard, and answers my many questions. But throughout the session, one thought won't leave my mind.

I am to be her protector...and yet I must let her die.

~ Loki POV ~

I pace back and forth in my cell, breakfast forgotten as my concerns from my time under the Mad Titan filter through my memories. For a long while, those memories were elusive and foggy. But Victoria's touch seemed to jog my memory, and now I remember much more clearly my initial discoveries concernig her. Namely, the unusual strength of her magic, and the seeming connection of her magical energy to my own. My puzzlement over the issue returns in full force, as well. I've never a seen two magical energies mix and swirl together like Victoria's did with mine, and I want to know why.

"Hello, Loki."

My mother's soft voice fills the cell, and I turn around to find her standing near my chair. She's not truly here, of course. It's merely an illusion. But it's enough. "Mother," I say before I can stop myself, and step forward, wishing I could touch her. But if I did, the illusion would disappear. She smiles, though a questioning look is in her gaze.

"Victoria came to me earlier, saying that you wish to speak to me. Is something wrong?"

I purse my lips, mind immediately returning to my dilemma. "Yes. I…" I pause. "While I was training Victoria on Midgard, I discovered a strange anomaly in my magic." I look down at my hand, remembering the odd occurrence. "Every time my skin comes into contact with Victoria's, our magical energies...intertwine." I meet Frigga's eyes. "I've never seen anything like it, and I would like to know why. Do any of your books speak of such an occurrence?"

Frigga frowns. "Your energies intertwine, you say?"

I nod. "They seem to...mix, I suppose."

She thinks for a moment. "I will search through my books. I do not believe it is a matter of serious concern, but it is worth investigation."

"I would like to look through them myself," I say. Frigga nods in understanding. I need something to occupy my mind.

"I will have Victoria bring them to you in the morning. When she comes, I will join you. I would like to see this 'anomaly' for myself," she says with a slight smile. For some reason, the glint in her eyes makes my face heat slightly. But I ignore it and nod.

"Perhaps you will recognize it when you see it."

She shrugs, and steps forward, extending her hands towards me. She looks up into my eyes as I pass my hands through hers to terminate the illusion. A smirk is in her eyes. "Perhaps."

Author's Note: Hello, dear readers! Sorry that I haven't been around much for the past….year. I have a lot going on. But I'm going to do my best to update more regularly now that I'm out of school!

Anyway, what do you all think? I know, I still haven't gotten to meeting Damien….I promise I will get to it eventually! Most likely in the next chapter, though. But hey, at least you know what Frigga wanted to talk to Vikki about! What do you think of Victoria's decision?

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! And I love you all 3,000!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.