The Queen assured me multiple times over the rest of our discussion that she would make sure I am well provided for. She did not give me the specifics, but she told me she would find a home for me, and that I am welcome in the palace until then.

When I returned to my room, I cried for nearly half an hour out of pure relief. I had not realized how anxious I had become over my own future. The burden on my shoulders was lightened significantly by telling my story to a person who believed me without proof. It felt so good to get it off my chest. Loki and Thor's mother is a godsend. Literally.

So now, I am walking happily through the palace halls, having been given permission by Frigga to explore the ginormous golden pipe organ. So far, I've found more doors and corridors than I can count, but the many beautiful terraces give astonishingly gorgeous views. The palace halls are huge and airy and golden, of course, giving one the constant feel that you are about to step out into the open.

After a while of exploring my own level of the palace, I come across a strange-looking contraption in the wall. It's a very small circular room built into the wall, with seemingly no use at all. I frown, looking around at the inside, which is beautifully decorated. I step inside somewhat hesitantly, then turn full circle with my head craned upwards, admiring the lovely murals engraved in the ceiling. Looking to the right of the wide open doorway to the tiny room, I see...golden swirly things on a plaque set in the wall. Golden swirly things...geez, Victoria, come up with better descriptions! Ummmm...controls maybe? I hesitantly touch the golden plaque, and it comes to life in an almost-hologram-looking design. My eyebrows arch in surprise. I was right, it's a control panel of some sort. There's a circular knob with numbers on it, and a button with a switch next to it. I frown, wondering what they're there for.

I step back into the hall, looking around. There's no one nearby. It wouldn't hurt to just turn the knob a tiny bit. Right? Going back inside the tiny room, I stare at the golden hologram control panel, contemplating what might happen if I touch it. Finally, curiosity gets the better of me, and I gingerly touch the knob, twisting it clockwise until the number reads "1". I let go, prepared to instantly turn it back to the number it was on previously, and then jump in surprise as one of the walls of the small room begins to move towards the other wall, effectively sealing off the room. Then I start to feel slightly sick to my head, like I'm dizzy or something. It's almost like motion sickness. I grab my head, wincing in pain. After a moment, the feeling fades, and then the wall slides back into place. I let go of my head and look up, and my eyes widen. About seven guards are standing just outside the door, staring at me. Oh good grief, I've done it now...

I smile weakly. One of them steps forward, looking slightly concerned. "Are you alright, my lady?"

My weak smiles transforms into a look of confusion. "Yeah, I'm fine...am I in trouble?"

The guard gives me an odd look. "Of course not. That is, unless you've done something worthy of punishment?"

I shake my head with a nervous smile. "No, no, of course not!"

The guard smiles slightly, and I realize he was just teasing me. I grin up at him, and the guards move aside so I can exit the room. I do so with a rather red face, and then look around in surprise at my surroundings. Well, this is definitely not my level. I look back at the tiny room just in time to see the room closing itself again with the guards inside. Ok...so Asgard has elevators. That's a little unexpected. I turn full circle, taking in my surroundings. It appears to be another long hallway, and it's rather dark, with lanterns lighting the area in flickering light, along with literal stone bowls of fire on huge pedestals at certain intervals through the hallway. I look around, gaping at the beautiful designs in the walls and stone pillars. There are several golden engravings set in the walls in random places, and multiple other decorative items throughout the hallway that I stop to admire. I make my way through the stone hall slowly, astonished by the architecture. I wonder how old all of this is.

After a few minutes of walking, I reach what appears to be a dead end. But there are torches on either side of a dark doorway on one side of the wall at the end of the hall, so I keep going out of curiosity. The doorway turns out to be the entrance to a huge stone stairwell. There are no guards at the top, and I can see that the stairs lead quite a ways downward, with several passages branching off of the main one. The entire place is lit with flickering torches, and makes me feel like I'm about to enter the bowels of an ancient castle. Well...ok, that is exactly what I'm about to do. On a sudden hunch, I decide to make myself invisible, just in case this place is off limits and I didn't realize it. I don't want to get in trouble on my first day in the palace!

Fully invisible to the naked eye and heart beating a little faster than usual, I start down the stone stairwell, brushing my fingers against the worn stone wall. There are lovely designs engraved into the wall even down here, and I quite appreciate the strength of architecture. I would say that the designs look Norse, but there is a distinct Asgardian quality about the engravings that sets them apart.

I pass several branching passageways, always going further downward and following the main passage, and I also pass several sets of guards. It makes me pause, wondering if I should be down here, but then I shake off the feeling and continue. If I see something that I obviously should not be near, I will just turn around and go back. For now, however, I have permission from the Queen herself to explore.

Finally, I can see the end of the passage, a huge set of metal doors. Oddly, the area seems familiar, like I've seen it before. I step up to the doors, looking at them carefully, and then look around at the small chamber created at the base of the stairs. Why is this familiar? I go back up the stairs a little ways, to the next side passage, and look down it. Nothing. I cross my arms and turn back around, looking at the doors with a frown. Then my eyes widen. Could that be the entrance to the dungeons? That would be why I recognize-

Just then, I hear someone coming down the stairs behind me, and I turn, instantly ducking out of sight. Then I remember that I'm invisible and relax slightly. A pair of Einherjar come down the stairs, walk right past me, and open the huge metal doors with minimal effort. My eyes widen, and then I see my chance. I dash forward and through the doors just in time, almost colliding with two more guards who are being relieved of their stations. I skid to a stop just before tumbling down a few more steps, right myself, then look around.

It really is the dungeons; I was correct. I'm standing on a raised platform with a couple of steps leading down into the main prison area, and as far back as I can see, there are prison cells lining the walkway. I step down onto the floor, and looking left and right I see many more rows of prison cells. Whoa, this place is huge! I begin walking forward, wanting to get a closer look at the cell walls. They aren't even walls; they're some sort of shimmering orange forcefield. I walk up to the nearest cell on the left, intending to inspect the forcefield, but then the cell's occupant catches my eye. He's sitting on a lovely royal blue chair, feet propped up on a footstool, reading a book. His is the only furnished cell in sight, and boy is it richly furnished. The furniture looks like it belongs in a palace.

Actually, so does the occupant.

Loki.

Author's Note: I know this chapter seems like a filler, but it isn't really. Anyway, at least you know what the palace looks like! I'll update again within the next few days.

Thank you so much for reading! I love you all 3,000!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.