The hunt wasn't too bad. They'd captured quite a bit of game in their time out and for all intends the company could've turned back with their gains without shame. But no, they waited now. Odin leaned back into Sleipnir as the others in the party waiting in the clearing they'd just slain a deer in with some loading onto the packhorses. Thor had gone ahead a while back and Odin to frank had lost track of him. Now they'd felled a beast and were awaiting his arrival back with the entourage that had followed him. But that was fine since he knew that his son was more then capable of handling himself and even so he was surrounded by guards that would assist or warn him of a trial should it occur.

His second son, Loki, had declined going and Odin had a good idea as to why. He wished to be alone in his studies now and didn't wish to dirty himself which Odin allowed for it. Let him have his own recreation. It served no purpose in forcing someone into a task they didn't care for. But he would make up the time lost to his younger one. Frigga had gotten on his case about it as of late with good cause. He had been focusing on Thor as of late and that wasn't fair to Loki. All these thoughts raced in his mind as he waited with the company.

"Strange," Tyr commented. "I have not known Thor to be this late on the hunt."

"My son has probably raced ahead and now sallies back with his gotten gains or his embarrassment at losing the sport," Odin said easily although he himself was a tad worried. Thor could be brash but usually when riding ahead he turn back to check up on the others. All the better to show off after all...It was then that one of the Einherjar that Odin had seen accompany Thor rode up looking as if he'd come from a fight. Clearly Thor had started something and it must have gone well otherwise the man would've sprinted back to gain the support of the rest of the company.

"My king," the man bowed his head his golden helmet catching the sunlight from above. "Your son has need of you."

"How does he fare?" Odin asked as he spurred his steed in the direction that the Einherjar came from. Now Odin was worried. What troubles could Thor have to have a need for his assistance?

"He fares well, it's just that he felt that you needed to see what has transpired. Please follow me," the man said enigmatically turning and leading the way. As they approached he saw several slain foes dressed in armor and gear befitting of a hunting band. Thor was standing in the middle of them holding Mjolnir in one hand looking rather livid even as he held a bundle close to his chest. His horse was nearby with the other Einherjar walking about cleaning their weapons or checking on their horses. All looked as if they'd finished a battle.

"Thor, my son," Odin said alighting from Sleipnir approaching him. "What is this?"

"Marauders my Father," he growled back glaring at the bodies as if it would make them combust and burn. "And they carry with them a babe," he held up the bundle which contained a young child with strawberry blonde hair that began whimpering with upset. Odin could seen why he was carrying the babe wrongly. Since it didn't cause too much distress the child since they moved their head around. The child must have been perhaps a year old otherwise Odin would've intervened much faster. Thor turned his gaze away from the downed warriors and focused on the child that was already starting up to have a cry.

"Hush little one," he said in a gentle manner that Odin had only heard him use on his horse and Loki when he was smaller to his knowledge. "Behold those scoundrels lay dead before my feet. You have no need to fear."

"Thor," Odin said both touched and amused. "Their distress comes because you're holding the babe incorrectly." He gently pried the child from his son's hands and properly held the child which calmed...her. It was a girl from what he could tell. "They had the babe?" Odin asked trying to not think of the last time he'd held a young girl babe in his arms for from this angle it was as if Hela was back as a babe once more. She even had similar hair and eyes to Hela...

"Indeed I came across them as I was chasing some game. They refused to answer my questions of their intent and purpose which vexed me. I then heard the babe cry and demanded to know what purpose they had with a child. They refused to answer my inquiries and drew their weapons, so since the child was in distress I set myself upon them. I ensure no harm came to the child. Once she'd been saved I allowed for the Einherjar handle the rest of the knaves save for the leader who made a grab before I struck him down."

"So you're her savior," Odin smiled at his son still trying not to think of Hela and now perturbed that Heimdall hadn't seen this. Otherwise he knew that the guardian of the Bifröst would be the first to warn him. "We shall take her back to the palace to ensure her health and see if we can find her parents."

"And if we can't?" Thor looked at Odin earnestly. "My Father, we can't leave this foundling alone."

"You propose we adopt her?" Odin raised an eyebrow incredulously. "She may yet have family."

"If she does have kin, then I shall escort her back personally. But if not I wish for us to care for her," Thor said earnestly. Odin continued to star at him incredulously. Had this small child so taken his son?

"She's...she's cute," Thor muttered almost embarrassed looking at her giving her the goofiest smile he'd ever seen across his eldest child's face...No he'd had that look when he'd come back with Loki... "And it would dishonorable to shove off her care to another so callously when she is on such distress." He finished regaining his more regal air to his manner.

Odin held in a laugh. Yes his son for all of his bluster and swagger was a kind-hearted man. One that would make for a good king. "Then, it shall be so," Odin agreed with a smile. "I do not think your Mother would object." She may yet be a way for me to make amends to Hela in a way. No this girl would not grow up to be like Hela but maybe...Perhaps he was being a bit a fool but a part of him felt as it the Norns had granted him a chance to do better with another girl. Also Thor was corrected, Odin looked down at the girl. She was rather charming. And since he insisted on taking responsibility far be it for Odin to speak against it. It was good sign indeed. But still to the more pressing concern now...

"Still there is the issue of those brigands coming upon our lands without a warning from Heimdall," Odin said. "It disturbs me that Heimdall didn't see this coming."

"So...we have a mystery," Thor mused before brightening up. "My Father. If it would please you to take the child to Eir. I shall investigate this with the brightest mind of Asgard to see if we can ascertain the whereabouts and means of these marauders! I swear my father I shall ensure that they do not come forth again."

"See that this is so...but take with you some guards," Odin said. He had a good feeling on who he was talking about when he said cleverest in all of Asgard.

"Never fear, I shall take the Warriors Three and Sif with me and my brother. Do not fear my father. They shall not trouble the land again."

"Then see that it is so."

"LOKI!" It was perhaps a good thing that Loki had just gotten up to put away a book he'd been looking at. Otherwise he would've banged his knee on the table...again. He was going to stab Thor for this one if it wasn't for a good reason.

"LOKI!" Thor busted into the library without a care for decorum looking scruffy and just back from the hunt that Loki had declined to go on. Loki was tempted to scream at his foolish and boorish brother for his lack of manners. However he did have a decorum and besides he could get him back later...

"You are here! Good, I need you!" Thor walked forward with a grin up to a rather perturbed Loki.

"For?" Loki said slowly as if talking to slow child...since for all intents and purposes he was one.

"I am in need of your wit and wisdom. You're the cleverest in all of Asgard. I've come across a problem and I need someone as clever as you to figure it out."

Well...well now, he wasn't expecting that. Mayhap he wouldn't cause mischief to him...Well this time. One had to maintain an appearance after all.

"Very well," Loki said professionally putting away the book and crossing his arms. "What services do you require?"

"Well we were on the hunt and we found a bunch brigands. They were of a boorish and brutish type and trespassing on our lands since I hadn't seen them before." He did wish Thor would hurry up the narration on where he came into the equation. "So I naturally asked them what they were doing on our lands. They didn't answer so I naturally challenged them. It was then that I but heard a cry of a babe among their ranks. They were manhandling the child most cruelly so I attacked them and I ensured that the child was fine with me before laid into them most viciously."

"You'd better have otherwise this would be a rather grisly tale. Of course, you just put the child into a battlefield which naturally would be safe for a young child. How thoughtful of you not to get the child out of the dangerous situation immediately before continuing your glorious fight. Pray continue about this magnificent rescue."

"LOKI!" Thor squirmed uncomfortably which amused Loki. Loki wished no ill will on the child of this tale but making his brother squirm was amusing and took the edge off of his annoyance. Well that and the direct need of his services. "As if I would be so brutish as to endanger a mere babe. As I was saying I attacked after saving the child and ensuring she was safe. I smote down the miscreants and brought the babe to palace where she shall be cared for."

"And of her family, what news do you have of that?" Loki looked at Thor. Surely someone would've made the effort to just check for that?

"Of that we are uncertain as well as the origins of babe as well as the miscreants. That is where I have need of you. Heimdall didn't see them."

Oh now that was an issue. And...Thor came to him first...Well now.

"Then I am at your service brother," Loki said a bit touched that Thor thought to seek him. "Do you remember where this happenstance occurred?"

"Aye and we ride forth once ready but Father insisted we bring others so I proposed the Warriors Three and Sif."

Alas you couldn't have everything. Still he'd bask in the fact Thor came to him first. That was something at least.

"Very well, let's get them then."

"Excellent!" Thor smiled at him as he all but sprinted out in his hast to find his companions. "We shall have a merry adventure to tell in the feast and solve this mystery!"

Loki allowed his brother to walk slightly ahead before casting a double of himself to go towards the Healing Halls. He did want to see the reason for the fuss.

"LOKI! HURRY UP!"

Mayhap he was going to stab the fool after all.

"You know when you come back from a hunt I'd expect you to come back with boar or deer not a babe," Frigga commented as she looked over the girl that Odin had brought to her. She cradled the child gently rocking her back and forth which made the rather frightful girl relax. She seemed skittish which worried Frigga. What had this child gone through before?

"Blame Thor for this," Odin shrugged leaning over her and tentatively tickling the little girl's chin which made her giggle. "He found the brigands and slayed them due to him thinking she was in danger. I felt that you needed to see her. Thor seems to think that we're adopting her."

"Is there no word on her family?" Frigga continued to rock the girl who cooed happily and...hmm.

"Curious," Frigga pushed with her magic only to feel something push back. It was strong...Very strong but with no focus. A prism of light contained with her form.

"My king, she has magic. Quite powerful once she is trained," She looked at Odin who looked taken aback by this news.

"Then perhaps we have the reason why she was taken...The question is where from. But I still think we need to check with Eir on her health."

"Of course," Frigga said. "I take it you want me to accompany you and Thor to Eir?"

"Just me, my love," Odin said with a smile. "Thor seems to want to investigate the brigand's kill area to see if he can ascertain more. Thus he's gone to prepare himself and gather as he called "the cleverest man in Asgard"."

"Loki?"

"Of course."

"That will please him," Frigga nodded with approval as she began walking to Healing halls. "It does him good with being wanted as such..." She looked at Odin pointedly.

"I know what you thinking my love," Odin said ducking his head with slight shame. "I do my best."

"It is not good enough," Frigga countered. "He feels neglected. You need to reach out more."

"I...It is difficult for me to do. Even now..."

"Then try harder," Frigga urged. "Your youngest son needs you."

"I will endeavor to do so," Odin promised. "You have my word on this."

She nodded knowing that was all she was going to get. Odin was trying but Frigga oft got the impression that it wasn't enough for her vivacious son. She would continue to press for her younger son.

"Majesties," Eir bowed as they entered the Healing Hall. "How can I assist?"

"My king has come across this child in the wilds while on the hunt," Frigga softly put down the girl on the examination table much to her displeasure which she made known through fussing slightly. "We need to check on the child."

"Of course," Eir fired up the machines with her magic and began to scan the child who was soon distracted by the magic around her.

"Such power she has," Odin said as he too felt the energies of the child. "Should she be trained her power would be immense by her coming of age."

Frigga turned her gaze from the machines to give him a hard look. Odin to his credit turned to meet her gaze.

"Fear not, she will be no weapon for Asgard. She shall be as our subject or should Thor not succeed in finding her family, our child. She is her own. Long did I learn that lesson with...her."

"So shall she not be," Frigga said firmly know full well what he spoke of. "She is a child and will be treated as such."

"Odd," Eir's observation cut through their quiet conversation. "She is human."

"A human with this kind of magic?" Frigga walked over to the monitor. "How can that be so?"

"I know not and yet she has it," Eir said with a hapless shrug. "But I can assure you that aside from a few cracks in her bones she is healthy."

"Creaks?" Frigga looked over the girl worriedly. Was that why the girl fretted? That would explain much. Previous mistreatment would make a babe fearful of a new touch.

"They are not recent," Eir assured her. "And it seems her powers are healing it swiftly."

"She is human," Odin muttered looking at the readings with his ponderous expression.

"We can not take her to Midgard," Frigga said shaking her head. "They would but exploit her."

"Then we shall not tell her origin," Odin said firmly. Frigga closed her eyes and sighed. Oh no not another secret.

"Odin Borson, you might be my king and my beloved husband, but sometimes you are a fool," Frigga said severely. "We can not hide such a thing. She won't be as strong as most Asgardians. Nor would her life be long compared to ours."

"Perhaps I can fool her magic to think that she is at least to give her the durability," Odin said. "You said as much that she would be exploited by Midgardians."

"And her age? What of that? Can you defy death itself?" Frigga said harshly.

"No, not I or any," Odin admitted. "But I can ensure that she won't get hurt due to normal life here."

"I would suggest," Frigga said sighing internally realizing that she would have to go along for at least this. "That we be the ones to cast whatever enchantments for her durability. Her small frame and lack of control could be a problem. But my king, Odin Borson, we need to tell her. I will not have this hidden from her. This secret cannot keep."

"I shall once she reaches of an appropriate age," Odin agreed. "After all would you tell a child she wouldn't live as long as her brothers?"

No, no she wouldn't. Not till the girl had a firm grasp upon things. It would be beyond cruelty to tell her beforehand and Odin knew that she knew this to be so.

"Very well, and I shall hold you to this. So swear I, Frigga Queen of Asgard," she said giving him hard look. Odin bowed his acceptance.

"Then this shall be so say I, Odin Borson, King of Asgard. With this oath we make a pact," Odin concurred sealing it. "Eir you have born witness."

"I have," Eir bowed her head. "And I affirm it."

"Then the pact is set," Odin said putting on his regal persona. Frigga sighed at the other secret that she needed to keep from her children...Although this one was more understandable that Loki's to say the least. "Thus shall it keep."

"As I said I shall hold you to it."

"So you have said."

"Well I shall prepare a care package so she can receive what she needs according her age," Eir said walking into a storage room.

"Good, now that we have said thus, it begs the question what name shall she have?" Frigga asked looking back at the girl. "For since we've adopted her it would not do for her to be nameless."

"Sigrid," Odin said solemnly.

"To celebrate Thor's victory I presume? Nay I would say Ylva for she was found in the woods and survived a battle," Loki said coming into the room with a smirk. Frigga raised an eyebrow at the doppelganger her son was projecting.

"Loki Odinson, are you not supposed to be with your brother?"

"I am," the duplicate said. "But I wished to see the babe that my dear brother thought to save." He leaned over and she...reached for him with both her magic and her hands instinctively. Loki raised an eyebrow as he looked back at Frigga astonishment written on his face.

"She is strong," he commented. "Fantastically so."

"That she is," Frigga smiled at the two before leaning over to take newly named Ylva off of the examination table.

"Ylva...I approve," Odin said shocking Loki's double. "Until her true name and family comes forth thus shall she be known. Ylva Odindottir shall she be. So shall it be."

"You have named her Loki," Frigga smiled fondly to her son going along for now the idea she was of Asgard bloodlines and not a foundling human that had just now become Asgardian. Loki gave her a smile back before the magic that sustained it wore off leaving only remnants in the air.

"You see I am trying," Odin said with a grin looking at her. "And shall sally on with that."

"See that you do."