Chapter one:
"Of all the days to run off..." Astrid thought to herself with a roll of her blue eyes as she made haste down the corridor where she could see at the far end, a door that had been left open, leading to the outside.
With a shake of her auburn head, she passed under the door's archway and stepped out into the warm golden sun; pausing only for a moment to raise her skirts just above her ankles as she glided down a small stairwell that swept her out into a flourished ground of tall hedges and vibrant flowers.
"Erica?" she called; Astrid's eyes searched the garden area briskly for the small form of her daughter.
There was no response.
Heading to the center of the garden, four towering hedges formed an almost perfect square, the auburn haired woman walked around till she found the floral archway that led inside the tiny boxed off area where a gushing fountain resided.
"Eri..." Astrid stopped to release a heavy sigh. "There you are." she announced; there was no hiding the relief in her voice the moment she laid her eyes upon her young daughter.
Sitting on the fountain's edge, Erica stared silently into the blue crystal water while her hands dutifully weaved some white flowers into a simple garland on her lap.
Turning at the sound of her mother's voice, her round face lit up with a smile. "Looking for me?" Erica asked; her blue-green eyes sparkled mischievously.
Placing her hands upon both hips, Astrid fixed her child with a timelessly stern look though she couldn't completely stop the gentle lifting at the corners of her own mouth, "You very well know the answer to that, young missy."
Erica's smile brightened, revealing a dimple in each of her cheeks before she looked back down at the handmade headdress of flowers resting in her lap, "I love coming out here." she informed as she carefully picked up the wreath of flowers and placed it upon her head of shoulder length copper curls.
Astrid's eyes closed for a moment as a smile of fondness tugged at her lips, "I know you do..." her mother agreed as she opened her eyes once again and moved forward. "But I told you that today you would not be able to wander around so much. We are expecting visitors by midday."
Erica's smile lessened at the reminder, "The Asgardian..." she spoke knowingly, "...you and father are always talking about him."
Astrid gave a tender smile before she offered her daughter a hand to take. "The All-Father is a very close friend..." she explained, "...a long time ago, he and your father fought in many great battles, side by side."
Curiosity peaked young Erica's features as she obediently took her mother's hand and allowed herself to be led away from the fountain.
"Though the two hardly fight anymore these days, thanks to this great time of peace, they still keep their friendship alive and our alliance strong by other ways."
"What kind of ways?"
At the question, Astrid looked down into the round, expecting face of her only child; letting her gaze sweep across everything from her eyes that shimmered like her father's, to the light coating of freckles that sprinkled across her cheeks.
Giving her daughter's small hand a loving squeeze, Astrid looked away and carried on leading the way out of the gardens and back into the manor, "Oh...nothing you need to be worrying about at your age."
Which was true, more or less.
Erica giggled before she snuggled into her mother's side as they walked, "Why?"
Astrid kept her face forward as a single corner of her mouth lifted in an endearing smile. There was just so much curiosity within such an innocent little girl.
"It's men's business." Astrid answered with simplicity lining her tone. "You'll understand one day."
"Ok." said Erica with an easeful shrug, letting that be the end of that just as they were finally stepping back inside their home. "So now what are we going to do?"
"Now...we are going to go upstairs. We have to get ourselves looking ready for our honored guests."
"Guests?" Erica repeated, her brows furrowing softly with confusion, "...you mean...there's more than one person coming?"
"Oh yes..." Astrid answered, "The All-Father has two sons, both just a few years older than you, that will be coming with him as well."
Erica's freckled nose crinkled at the information, "Ugh...boys..."
Astrid bit her lip in an attempt to retain the sudden laughter that had wanted to spring forth from Erica's reaction, "Princes, sweetheart." she corrected.
Erica's copper head turned and fixed her mother with a look that clearly expressed her disinterest regarding the titles, "No..." she repeated stubbornly, "...boys."
"Come on Loki...keep up." came the insistent voice of his older brother Thor.
The raven haired boy of twelve years looked up from the book he was reading only to see his father and brother a good fifteen feet ahead on their horses. Keeping a firm grip on his hardcover and his other hand on the reins, Loki gave stirred his steed into a trot with a swift nudge in its side.
As he closed off the distance and slowed the pace once again to an easy stride once his older brother and father were beside him on his left, the dark haired boy offered a sheepish grin along with an apology. "Sorry Father...brother."
Grinning as he reached a hand across, Thor, older than him by about a year, lightheartedly clapped his younger brother on the back of his shoulder. "I'll never understand how you can carry a book around with you, wherever you go."
Loki returned the boyish grin and shrugged, "I just like reading." he answered, "...you should try it sometime, Thor." His green eyes flashed mischievously as he carefully tucked his book away in a side pocket in the saddle.
At the brotherly jest, they immediately engaged each other with some affectionate shoves and light punches despite how they were both sitting astride on horseback.
"Thor..." The two brothers, who now had at least a handful of each other's tunics caught tightly in their fists, froze at the sound of their father's voice, "Loki..." their heads slowly turned to see their father watching them with a steady blue eye.
"Behave yourselves." Odin's voice was firm, but the smile that tugged at his bearded mouth showed his obvious fondness for his two sons.
At once, Thor and Loki released each other and readjusted their garments, "Sorry Father..." they answered simultaneously.
Satisfied with their compliance, Odin King of Asgard, looked ahead at the road before them. "It won't be much longer before we reach our destination." he informed while he spared another quick glance at his children, "Rowen of Vanaheimr has been my friend through many dangers; he is a skilled warrior and a wise adviser. You must be sure to show him respect when inside his hall."
When the boys nodded their heads in understanding, Odin carried on.
"Also...this will be a brief visit...we'll be staying only a night. Rowen and I have some things to discuss. So while we attend to business, I'm sure you two can get acquainted with Rowen's offspring."
At the information, the blonde and raven haired brother shared a look of surprise, "He has a son?" asked Thor; Loki shrugged a shoulder.
Odin chuckled, "No...a young daughter."
"A girl?" Loki repeated the word that all of a sudden felt foreign to his tongue. Meeting Thor's eyes, the boys silently crinkled their faces at each other.
It was a look that undoubtedly expressed their displeasure at the idea; it was also a look that didn't go unseen by their Father.
"Oh come, come you two..." Odin intervened as his one good eye went from Thor to Loki, "There's no need to make such faces."
"But Father..." Thor interjected, "...girls like...dolls...and dresses." the older son pointed out.
"Yeah...I bet she doesn't hunt or wrestle." Loki added in.
"You haven't even met her yet...how would you even know what she likes or doesn't like?" Odin returned.
The boys shared a knowingly look with each other as if it was the most obvious thing in the world before facing their father, "She's a girl."
"Erica...stop fidgeting."
The young girl sitting at the foot of her bed dressed in a brand new gown, irritably kicked her feet back and forth while her mother tasked herself on the mass of copper colored curls that bounced freely about her shoulders.
Twisting it here and pulling it there, Astrid skillfully pinned her daughter's hair up into an intricate knot that sat at the back of her neck. "There." she announced with a proud smile.
Watching her mother finally step away, Erica gave a huffed sigh before she hopped to her feet, nearly tripping on the hemline of her dress while doing so. "Am I done now?"
"Well let me have a good look. "Her mother Astrid insisted as she took a couple steps back to appraise her child. The auburn haired woman found herself quietly catching her breath for but a second when she took in the finished site of her only daughter dressed up in her finest wear.
"Oh, my sweet..." she stated lovingly as she reached out and gently caught Erica's face in both her hands. "You look so grownup."
The coral pink gown trimmed with lace at the sleeves and neck and a shimmering white strip of ribbon that highlighted the high waist of the skirt suited her daughter's petite frame well. It's color complimented her fair skin while also making her blue-green eyes stand out vividly.
Erica looked down on herself and frowned softly, "I don't feel very grownup..." she replied as her hands gripped the fine skirt of her gown which she felt was too long for her short legs. The hemline grazed the floor, hiding her feet from view. "I feel ridiculous."
Astrid smiled and waved the comment of with a flick of a hand, "Nonsense." she assured. "You look lovely."
"I suppose..." Erica stated rather hesitantly, "But isn't this just a bit much for a visit?" the little girl made a gesture at herself that swept from her head down to the ground.
"Dearest..." her mother began as she took up her daughter's two hands in her own, "You're going to be in the presence of a King and Princes." she explained with a warm smile, "Don't you want to make a good impression?"
Erica gave a heavy shrug her pink shoulders, "I don't know...who am I suppose to be impressing?" she returned.
At her daughter's question and to Erica's bewilderment, Astrid's smile faded ever so slightly while an almost saddened light came to her blue eyes, "Who indeed..." she agreed before the faint sounds of bellowing male laughter reached her ears from down below.
"Sounds like our guests have just arrived." Astrid stated as she distinctively picked up the merry voice of her husband. Tucking an arm around her little girl, she began leading the way across the chamber floor, "Come along now, Erica...let's go greet our honored guests."
Five minutes later, Erica found herself making her way down the main granite staircase of their manor alongside her mother. The sound of male voices were growing louder by the minute and Erica couldn't help but start to feel a little nervous.
By the time they were nearing the grand dining area where all the commotion was taking place, she wanted nothing more but to run and hide.
She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was just something about this visit that seemed...off; something she couldn't quite explain.
"Remember your manners..." Astrid murmured quietly as they neared the wide doorway that would take them into dining hall, "...and don't forget to smile." her mother encouraged.
Looking up at her lovely auburn haired mother who appeared so calm in her adorned dark purple, sleeveless gown with a fitted waist and sweeping skirt, Erica was momentarily stunned; almost envious to how well she could compose herself with such a regal air when Erica herself felt like anything but.
"Ah...there they are."
Hearing the familiar sound of her father's deep voice, Erica averted her gaze away from her mother and realized that during her brief moment of distraction, she and her mother had already crossed halfway into the dining hall and were now the center of attention.
Coming to a halt next to her mother, Erica sought out the proud face of her father Rowen as he rose from his seat at the table just feet away and came towards them. She offered a tiny smile in return before quickly taking notice of the other three faces watching her and almost instantly, her features fell.
Because rising to their feet as well now, were the 'honored guests' her mother had mentioned.
The Asgardians.
One was a tall man, broad and built with fading blonde hair that reached his shoulders with a matching beard. He was clothed in a long, golden tunic and wore a gold eye patch over his right eye. His left eye was a deep blue and reflecting in its center, was a welcoming look of kindness.
"All-Father..." Rowen announced as he moved behind his wife and daughter, placing a strong, warm hand upon their shoulders. "May I present to you my wife, Lady Astrid."
At the introduction, Erica's mother stepped forward and swept into a low, respectful curtsy "All-Father.." Astrid spoke, "It is with great pleasure that we welcome you into our home."
"And we our honored to be here, dear Lady." Odin replied with a warm smile as Astrid straightened up.
The All-Father's blue eye then flickered down and met Erica's unwavering gaze who, suddenly shy, automatically took a step back into her father. His smile widened before he approached the young girl and took a knee before her.
"And you must be little Erica." Odin stated, "Your father has told me many things about you."
Erica's eyes widened in surprise at the friendly waves that were emitting from the man before her.
She didn't expect him to be so openly nice.
Licking her lips subtly, the girl lowered her head before she mimicked her mother's graceful curtsy "I am delighted to meet you, great King." her words came out steadily despite the nerves she still felt.
"Likewise, my dear." the All-Father agreed as he rose back up to his full height and once again shocked Erica when he offered her a hand to take.
She eyed the open palm with hesitancy before she reached out and gingerly placed her hand in his.
Odin led her around till she found herself facing two boys, both roughly around the same age and height, who were standing off to the side. One had blonde hair and blue eyes, and stood tall and proud just like his father. The second one, Erica noticed, was quite the opposite.
Dark hair and green eyed, he stood politely with his hands clasped in front of him.
"Erica..." Odin spoke alongside her, "These are my sons... Prince Thor, my oldest,"
The blonde boy stepped forward and reaching out, he took Erica's free hand which he raised to his mouth to plant a smooth kiss. "Hello." he greeted courteously.
At the gesture, Erica felt her face go red which caused the boy to smile smugly as he released her hand.
"And my youngest, Prince Loki."
When Erica finally fixed her eyes upon the second prince, she felt an odd tingling sensation that settled in the pit of her stomach when his green eyes locked onto face. She had never seen such eyes before. They were nothing like his brothers; so sharp, they gleamed with intelligence..and so focused too.
Following the same motions as his older brother, Loki stepped forward and reached for the blushing girl's hand. But instead of leaving a kiss upon it, the dark haired prince gave a soft bow. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Lady Erica." he spoke.
"Such formality..." she thought to herself as she found herself bobbing a light curtsy in return, "Pleased to meet you, Prince Loki..."
The raven haired prince gave a half-smile...but it wasn't out of friendliness.
"There's another meaning behind that look..." Erica's mind warned her as she took her hand back.
A part of her wondered what it meant...the other part, didn't want to find out.