So… I should probably start by apologising! I promised the next chapter 5 days after the last and here I am three weeks later! But you see, my computer died. Like COMPLETELY died. So I lost everything that was on there and that includes what I'd written for what is to come in this story which was a LOT. So I got my new laptop and was ready to go but found that I'd lost a lot of motivation when it came to this story, it was just really disheartening to have written sooo much of it and then have to start all over again. But oh well! That's what I get for not backing it up anywhere.

Thank you all so much for your patience, I really do appreciate it! And as way of apologising I made this chapter extra long :)

This chapter will depend on you having seen the film, though I don't know why you'd be reading the fan fiction if you hadn't. Just a heads up that it won't really make any sense if you're not familiar with the movie.

ENJOY!

Also before you start this one, I have made two minor changes to the previous chapter, they are marked with ***EDIT*** so that you don't have to re-read the entire chapter. It was just something I thought I should add to solidify what happened a bit more.

To the eyes of a mortal, the child would have only looked to have been around the age of four or five. She was small and vibrant, utterly thrilled by the fact that she sat atop her Father's shoulders. The child had that tiny sparkle in her eye – the one that only children possess, when all they know is innocence. Underneath the starlit sky, they stared out over the fields towards the edge of Asgard. Towards the Bifrost.

"Have you ever been there, Papa?" she asked in her tinkling voice, "Have you ever seen the Rainbow Bridge up close?"

"No, child," his voice was sturdy, it was comforting. Whenever he spoke, the young girl felt strengthened by it. "I pray that I never will."

Her Father's answer puzzled her, how could anyone possibly wish such a thing? After all, she was certain that not a single thing in creation could be more beautiful than a bridge made of the light of rainbows. She wanted to see it, to touch it, to walk upon it. More than anything. But the notion only danced through her mind for a precious few seconds before it flitted out and disappeared, overtaken by her thoughts of adventure.

"Someday I shall!" she told him, voice full of confidence, "I will meet the Gatekeeper, Heimdall! Is it true that he can see everything?"

He gave a warm smile, "So they say."

"Even us talking now, Papa?"

"If what they say is true."

"Then he will be ready for me when we meet." She smiled, "And he will open the universe for me!"

She had never been able to understand just how everything managed to be so far away. Why was there so much space between everything? If she had made the universe, she would have put everything bundled up around her, hugging her close, so that she might know all of it. She had thought perhaps, she couldn't reach the stars because they were just a little too far away and she was just slightly too short to brush her fingers up against the tiny, twinkling lights. She asked her Father to lift her up high enough for her to catch a star. He had laughed. But he had lifted her up onto his shoulders anyway. And when that had still not been high enough, the child had come to realise just how big everything truly was.

It had made her so sad and so happy all at once. And she had known, then and there that she would always long to see every inch of every thing that existed.

She pointed a stubby finger towards the sky, "See that star papa? The really bright one… when I have seen the whole wide universe, I'll go get that star for you and bring it home."

The man expelled a steady laugh and lifted the small girl from his shoulders, he hoisted her onto his hip, cuddling her small frame close to him.

"You are the only star I need, my Rosa."

He pressed a kiss to her head and she giggled as she wrapped her little arms around his neck and stared out towards the Bifrost.

If she could reach back into her past, Rosa would have covered the eyes of her infant self to protect her from this experience. The Bifrost. The door to adventures unimaginable. The place she had desired to see for so long and with such passion that it kept her awake at night. And now, standing inside the golden dome before the ever watchful Heimdall, the atmosphere hazed with dread, all she wanted was to break down and cry.

She stared into the swirling abyss where moments before the six Asgardian's had vanished, hurdling through time and space towards the cold abyss that was Jotenheim. How had she come to be here? When not two days ago, Loki had held her in his arms with promises of happiness?

He had always told her that Thor was impulsive. That he often acted before thinking in battle, taking great risks that could quite often lead to more danger. But Rosa had been well aware of Loki's jealousy when it came to his older sibling, so she had just listened quietly and assumed much of what he said to be exaggeration.

Yet, he had taken a total stranger as a wife. Not only that, but a woman who had shown him no inkling of interest. Even if she had been but a bystander, watching the events unfold she would have thought him a fool. And now he stormed into Jotemheim, risking his along with the lives of five of his friends – of Loki – just to soothe his bruised ego.

Asgards future King; a brat who took whatever it was he wanted.

Repugnance welled inside her and some darkness in the back of her mind, for a fleeting moment, hoped that perhaps the warriors might return from Jotenheim without their leader.

He had been so vile when he had learned of the Frost Giants intrusion. She had not been permitted to follow Odin and his sons into the Weapons Vault but Thor's rage had been more than evident from the moment the Allfather had sensed their presence. Memories of that morning flooded through her mind.

She had not gotten so much as a wink of sleep that night – the night before Thor's ceremony. She had lied there staring up at the ceiling above her for hours. Even it was elegant. Everything around her was. Decorated with fine golden patterns, and jewels Rosa couldn't even begin to name. She felt so… empty. Over and over again, Rosa had squeezed her eyes shut as tight as she could and opened them up in the hope that she would find herself in Loki's bed with her head rested upon his chest, and that she would laugh at herself, discovering it had all been a ridiculous dream. But she hadn't. It was real, and as the sleepless night brought the dawn closer her heart grew all the more heavy.

A tear welled and slipped down from the corner of her eye, dampening the hair at her temple.

She had stood at the sound of the door opening behind her, and turned to face Lyora as she returned to the room. Her tears had stopped but her heart still thundered against her ribcage.

It would be fine, it would all be fine. She had repeated it to herself again and again, hoping that repetition might do to convince herself of what she knew to be a lie.

The moment their eyes had met, Rosa had known something was wrong. There was pain in Lyora's gaze… and something more, something Rosa could not make out. Lyora had moved towards Rosa ever so slowly and shook her head, true sadness in her eyes. Rosa just stared in disbelief, sucking in quick and shallow breaths. No, that was not enough. She needed to hear it. She needed to know.

"Well?" the word came out raw and desperate.

"I'm sorry Rosa, he didn't- I couldn't-" Lyora cast her eyes to the floor, her shoulders stooped and her words emerged in a ghost of a voice, "he said no… he is not coming…"

Rosa hurried towards the door, "I must go to him."

"Rosa," Lyora caught hold of her, "if you leave now you'll be flogged. Prince Thor has claimed you as his wife. If you were to be seen with Loki-"

"I do not care!" Fresh tears spilt onto her cheeks, "I don't understand! Why would he send you away? Why would-"

As Rosa's knees gave out beneath her and she crumbled to the floor, Lyora caught her in time to ease her to the ground. She held Rosa's shuddering form in a tight embrace and rocked her like a child.

"How did this happen?"

"I'm sorry Rosa," Lyora had whispered, truly meaning it as she shed a tear of her own, "I am so, so sorry."

They had come for her just as the sun was beginning to rise; the women who would make her presentable for the day's events. They were to disguise her as Royalty – make it believable that she could be a Goddess. Rosa had to admit that they did an incredible job, for when she looked in the mirror – even with little more than the light of a candle illuminating her features – she saw a stranger.

They had dressed her in fabrics more beautiful that anything she had ever even touched. Materials that looked as if someone had managed to weave liquid into thread. Rich browns and golds, which glittered in the light and matched so perfectly with her skin tone that she seemed illuminated. Glowing. Radiant. Her hair had been styled into intricate coils, with small glimmering crystals adorning the locks and left cascading down her back like a flowing river.

And they had not stopped there either. Her entire face had then been painted with inks and powders. They used rouge to emphasise cheekbones that weren't anywhere near that prominent. The corners of her eyes were smokey, leaving her looking enchanting despite the sadness in them that no amount of makeup could disguise. It was such a strange experience to look into a mirror and not recognise the person staring back. Vaguely, Rosa wondered what the Goddesses of Asgard really looked like – without their powders and their paints.

She continued to stare at her reflection, lost in thought when a knocking sounded at the door. She opened her mouth to call out permission for them to enter, but Thor stepped through the door before she could speak.

A smile spread, warm, across his features.

"You look radiant," he said.

Rosa's heart thundered in her chest and she stood and moved reluctantly towards the Prince. They were alone. Totally alone. Before the ceremony. She had not expected such a chance… Hope sparked within her chest. Surely… surely if she confessed to him her feelings for Loki, he would be understanding. Rosa believed him to be a good man after all, and a loving sibling. Surely, if he knew the truth he would not see them parted.

"My Lord-" she began, instantly displeased with the fragility of her tone. She had wanted to sound confident, she had wanted to capture his attention.

But it seemed that it mattered not, as Thor cut her off.

"Soon all of Asgard shall see you." His hands were upon her waist, it took every ounce of her self control not to push him off of her.

It didn't feel right. It was awkward. Forced. Surely he felt it too.

When Loki touched her it felt warm and safe and… sensual. Every single time he so much as brushed his fingertips against her, electricity seemed to course through her body. So why did Thor still smile at her? Why could he not feel it?

"Please, My Lord, if I could speak to you for a moment-" her voice shook.

"Fear not, they will love you – my people. Today is my day of triumph and I share it only with you. Today I give you a Kingdom."

But why? The question died in her throat, "My Lord, please. You must listen to me-"

"You will forgive me," he said, cutting her off once more. Perhaps he knew her rejection was coming, "but I must leave you now, the ceremony is close to beginning and we must both be prepared in time."

A sickening mixture of sadness and disgust swirled inside her. Loki had not been exaggerating when he had called his brother self absorbed and impulsive. He bowed to her.

"I swear to you, my undivided attention as soon as the day draws to a close, you may then ask what you will of me."

He flashed her a smile before turning towards the door.

"My Lord-"

The door boomed closed behind him and Rosa let out a huff. He was nervous, she concluded. Nervous to the point of total distraction, though to his best efforts he disguised his nerves with a carefree and confident attitude.

The handmaidens had come for her not long after that. They were to escort her to her place at the base of the steps to Odin's throne. Off to the side. Hidden, until Thor would reveal her to his subjects. The women had spoken with reverence. They had curtsied. And called her 'My Lady.'

Every single Asgardian was present. The roar of the crowd was near deafening and the rejoiceful cries only increased when Thor emerged and made his way towards Odin Allfather with a smile plastered across his face.

A single stamp of Odin's staff resounded out and silenced the crowd and Rosa watched as he stepped forward, looking down upon his son.

Any second they would call her forward…

Any second it would become real…

Rosa lifted her gaze towards Loki. He stood strong and regal upon the steps leading to the Throne of Odin. He would not look at her, though Rosa was sure he knew that she was there… how could he not? He did not look saddened, or angry… he showed nothing. Did he feel nothing? While Rosa stood, barely able to stand under the weight of her heartbreak.

Rosa could not help but to wonder what would happen if she were to just turn and run? Right then and there… what would they do to her? Her next thought sickened her all the more; what would happen to her if she didn't?

She never had the chance to find out, for Odin's speech fell into silence. Rosa glanced up. The Allfather stood, staring ahead. But he was not seeing crowd before him, no, he was somewhere else.

Panic spread like wildfire as he uttered two words, "Frost Giants."

Thor immediately leapt to his feet, Mjolnir in hand. Odin ordered his guards to control the crowds of panicked people as he turned and headed immediately for the Weapons Vault, followed only by his two sons.

"Loki!" Rosa tried to call out to him but her voice was lost in the panic of the crowd's cries. They pushed against one another, voices gradually growing louder and angrier. Fear was blooming in many of them, but the majority wanted answers. What was going on?

What was going on?

It happened so fast. Everything was happening so fast. The maids who had guided her to her place at the steps of Odin's Throne had hold of her once again.

"Come, My Lady," they urged her.

Disorientated, she let them lead her away from the chaos. Urging her forward, they lead her to a room she had been in many times before, the Banquet Hall. She had always been the one to serve yet today she would sit and be served. Served by women she had known as friends, yet now they called her 'My Lady.' No sooner had they entered the room, did they leave again, this time without Rosa.

Rosa stood in the silence of the room, a table topped with the complete celebratory feast before her. She waited. Why was no one else joining her? Queen Frigga, or other guests who would have dined with them. Why were they not brought there, too?

She waited in the silent room for what would have been twenty minutes. She felt more awkward and uncomfortable alone in that room then she ever had in her life. Soon she began to contemplate leaving. Going to Loki's room and waiting there for him where she would beg him, on her hands and knees, to run away with her.

Sudden happiness sparked inside her, the ceremony had been interrupted! She had not yet been named Thor's future bride. The smile that awoke upon her lips suddenly vanished as the door to the Banquet Hall doors were pushed open, accompanied by an angry roar.

Thor's presence was taken as permission by the servants to emerge from their hiding places and resume preparing the feast. Prince Thor only pushed them aside. Rosa watched, utterly shocked, as he marched towards the decorated table, took hold of it and overturned it with another throaty cry, sending the beautiful meal to be strewn across the floor.

So this was the man she was to wed? An angry, tantrum-throwing brute.

And then Loki was there… ever calm, ever steady, moving to sit by his brother. Soothing him. Ignoring Rosa completely. Rosa dropped her gaze to the floor, she was just so utterly confused. Why was Loki acting like this? He told her he loved her. He'd spent every possible moment with her for months, reassuring her that the declaration was true. He held her as if she were precious. He looked at her as if she were the only thing he was capable of seeing… he'd promised her that he'd tell his family about her. Not even a day ago, he'd promised it. Yet he let Thor take her… it made no sense. What had happened?

"We're going to Jotenheim," Thor's declaration managed to stun Rosa from her thoughts.

Her heart immediately picking up pace. Her eyes shot towards Loki, who still ignored her completely. No, Thor could not have been serious. He could not truly have meant to lay siege against the Jotens with only five others to accompany him. It was totally ridiculous.

"Come, my bride," Thor held his arm out as means of escorting her, "you will see us off to the end of the Bifrost, and it will be you to see me return with Laufey's head. I shall present it to you as a wedding gift."

"Thor," said Sif, true concern in her voice, "you cannot mean to bring her with us."

"Only to the end of the rainbow bridge." Thor replied simply, "I wish for her to see me emerge victorious."

Whatever Rosa had expected the Rainbow Bridge to be, this was more than that. 'Beautiful' didn't at all do it justice. It wasn't beautiful, it was beauty. Rosa found herself totally awestruck, and for a few precious moments, standing upon the legendary Rainbow Bridge, Rosa forgot any and all pain she had been feeling.

She stood, silent, as Loki approached the Guardian Heimdall, attempting to persuade him to let them through. Heimdal as it were, was not one to be fooled. He was well aware of their intentions. In the end, it was Thor who was granted the permission necessary to access the Bifrost, and so the Asgardian Warriors moved forward into the golden dome beyond Heimdall.

"What happened? Silver tongue turned to lead?" Volstagg chuckled as he passed Loki.

Rosa saw Loki's jaw clench. Heimdall turned and moved to follow Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three, approaching the swirling gate of the Bifrost. Every step drawing them nearer to the frosted wastelands of Jotenheim. As they move forward Rosa could stand it no longer, she took hold of Loki's arm. Her fingers wrapped around his forearm, tight and desperate.

"Loki…" she whispered urgently, "please, don't go."

She was taken aback to meet the burning hate in his eyes. She had never seen it in him before, such pure loathing. For a fleeting second he was completely unrecognisable to her. She found herself frightened by him and her resolve faltered enough for him to manage to reef his arm out of her grasp. He then turned and followed the warriors into the dome, composed as if nothing happened.

And so, Rosa had done nothing but watch as they had disappeared into the reaches of space.

Rosa lifted her eyes to the see that the abyss continued to swirl hypnotically before her. Back in the present she watched, not daring to do so much as blink, praying with every heartbeat that they would come back soon. She just needed to know that he was ok.

"Can you see them?" Rosa asked in a voice so fragile it frightened her. It was like glass crafted far too thin, if anything were to touch it, it would shatter. Still, it cut through the air like a knife.

"I see all." He said calmly, his gaze never wavering.

"Is…is he alright?"

"Who?" There is meaning in his voice, she did not miss it.

"Please…" a whisper.

"His spells protect him."

As she closed her eyes, her heart clenched and the tear fell.

He would be alright, he had to be. Please, let him be alright.

It was then that Odin had appeared out of nowhere, furious and dreadful, atop his eight-legged horse. He had roared at Heimdall to open the Bifrost and just as soon as he had appeared, so too was he gone. Leaving nothing but deafening silence in his wake.

With bated breath, Rosa waited. Time stretched on for what must have been an eternity. Dragging out the silence, until Rosa was convinced that it was over… they were all dead… no one was coming back.

A flash of light momentarily blinded Rosa. The golden dome was suddenly filled with cries of pain. She blinked furiously, trying desperately to make her eyes adjust. She immediately knew the cries were not Loki's, it was not his voice. But still she needed to see him, to know that he was alright. The ache in her chest eased instantly when her eyes fell upon him, standing deathly calm as Thor strode forward, screaming at his Father. As the shouts of Father and son surrounded them, Rosa took a step towards Loki. Relief washed through her like water breaking through the walls of a dam.

She could not have torn her eyes from him if she had wanted to. She saw it immediately too; something was wrong with him, she could see it though he was trying to hide it. He seemed… changed. His eyes met hers for only a moment and she saw the hate again, but as a tear escaped onto her cheek, his gaze softened momentarily. She was so close to him, she had only to move the few paces past Thor and she would be at his side again.

"The Jotens must learn to fear me just as they once feared you," Thor proclaimed, cutting Rosa from her thoughts. The spell was broken, Loki dropped his gaze from her with a shuddering gasp.

"That's pride and vanity talking-"

Rosa stood in silence, cringing at the harsh voices. Her gaze fell upon Loki once again, as something more drew her gaze. Her eyes fell upon a gold chain laced between her fingers. Strange… it looked like her… her hand flew up to her throat and she came to realise the absence of her emerald. She stared at Loki's hand with furrowed eyebrows; how could he have had it?

"Here, take this off. You can't be seen wearing it."

That's right, Lyora had taken it… but that meant…

"I'm sorry Rosa, he didn't- I couldn't… he said no… he is not coming…"

Rosa's eyes widened as realisation hit her. Her eyes shot up and met Loki's, her hand still at her throat. Loki saw the change in her, though he did not understand it.

As panic took hold of her, Rosa found she could not breathe. Lyora had given her chain back to him. He could only have thought that…

Hope. She could fix this. She had to fix this. She had to tell him, she had to explain, "Loki-"

"YOU ARE A VAIN, GREEDY, CRUEL BOY!" Odin's voice drowned her out.

"AND YOU ARE AN OLD MAN AND A FOOL!" Thor roared back.

Silence rang out and a heaviness filled the room. Father and Son stared at one another, fully feeling the gravity of what was passing between them. To Rosa, it mattered not, at that she cared about was reaching Loki. He did not know… he did not know…

"Yes…" came the voice of Odin, it was so very weary, "I was a fool. A fool, to think you were ready."

"Father," Loki pleaded. The first time she had heard his voice since their return. His attempt to interject was rendered useless however, Odin turned to him and snarled, silencing him. It was not for him to speak. It was not his argument to take part in. Neither he nor Rosa needed to be there.

Just walk away, Loki, she urged him, walk away and I shall follow…

"Thor, Odinson… you have betrayed the expressed command of your King. Through your arrogance and stupidity, you have opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war!"

The dome was illuminated with brilliant lightening, stemming from Odin's staff. A selfishness awoke within Rosa; Thor was to be punished for his actions… she would not have to marry him. It was going to be ok.

Odin strode forward, ripping Thor's badges of honour from his armour, declaring him unworthy. Though she tried to ignore it, the look of heartbreak upon Thor's features was awful, she could not help but to pity him. She stood watching, completely helpless.

"I now take from you, your title! In the name of my Father, and his Father before, I Odin Allfather, cast you out!"

She was nearly too late. If she had glanced away for even a second she would not have seen him move. Loki had taken a step forward, certainly to defend his brother. Rosa knew he was jealous and resentful of him, but she truly believed that Loki loved Thor dearly. He was going to protect him. He was going to stop the All-Father. He was going to get in the way of the spell Odin cast.

Rosa moved without thinking, "Loki, no!"

Time seemed to slow down. She moved forward, crossing in front of Thor to push Loki aside only to be hit by searing heat from one side, sending her to collide into Thor on the other. She and the golden haired Prince were knocked off their feet and sent hurtling towards the swirling entrance to all other realms.

She was falling…

Well there you have it. Next chapter, Midgard.

I'm not sure if the tone of this chapter worked. I was trying to have it seem, I don't know if detached makes sense, but yeah detached. Like it was all a memory. As you would have noticed, this chapter was heavily from Rosa's perspective and I think that given what had happened, she would have felt very numb and distant from the events. Not really being able to process that it was really happening. Sort of shell-shocked, I guess. So I was trying to convey that through the narration. Not sure if it worked, but I hope so.

Before I go, I have to thank you all for being so patient as well as express my overwhelmed appreciation for all the reviews I've received from you. Though I wish I could, I can't reply to all of them. Though I try to respond to a fair few per chapter. I just want you to know that I read every word you take the time to write to me and I appreciate any criticism or advice you offer, though I may chose not to incorporate it at times.

I won't make any promises regarding the next chapter a I don't want to jinx myself again, but I will tell you I'm working on it!

Ok, that's all folks! Thanks for reading!