Chapter 2

They had been walking for quite a while, when the city of Asgard came into sight. It was a stunning view. Alex had never seen anything like it. It looked futuristic and yet ancient. Walking beside Loki on the main street, Alex kept taking everything in. There was a figure coming towards them. It turned out to be one of the guards Loki knew from the palace. They were being summoned to the king.

The guard escorted them directly to the throne room, where Odin, the king and Allfather, was waiting for them. He was an imposing figure, sitting on the throne. He was tall and silver-haired looking sternly at them with his left eye, for his right one was covert by an eye patch.

"Father…", Loki started but was immediately interrupted by Odin.

"What have you done this time Loki?", Odin asked with a frown.

"Nothing, I…", Loki was again interrupted.

"What is your name, child?", the king asked, looking down on Alex.

"Alexandra", she replied, not liking the way he was talking over Loki. She only told people she didn't like to call her by her whole name.

"And what are you doing here in Asgard, Alexandra?", Odin questioned.

"I wasn't exactly planning to come here. It was kind of an accident." She really didn't like the guy, he acted like it was her fault she was here.

"How did you manage that?", Odin asked, then turning towards Loki:" Do you have anything to do with this? Did you try out your magic again, without supervision?"

"No, father. I had nothing to do with this. Even if I tried, I'm not powerful enough to bring someone here from a different realm let alone Midgard", said Loki, never meeting his father's eye.

"I see. Guards! Bring this mortal to the Bifrost. Escort her back to Midgard and make sure you are not seen. We do not need another incident."

Two guards stepped forward and grabbed Alex by her arms.

"Hey! Take your hands off me, I'm not even sixteen this is sexual harassment!"

They ignored her complaints and kept dragging her outside. Alex tried to turn to Loki but before he could say anything to her, the king ordered him to stay and the door slammed shut.

Alex kept struggling but eventually gave in and let them escort her through the city, over a bridge and to the Bifrost. There the group was awaited by a strong armoured man.

The man introduced himself as Heimdall. He went forwards to open the Bifrost but as soon as it the rainbow bridge started to build up it collapsed again. Looking around confused, Alex got a glimpse of herself reflected in the golden walls and she could have sworn she saw her eyes glowing golden just as the bridge collapsed. She tried to figure out what had happened, but the others seemed to be just as bewildered. After it failed to work a second time, one of the guards went to send a message to the palace.

Soon after the king appeared and with him Loki and a woman who seemed to be the queen.

"My king, there seems to be a problem with the Bifrost. It won't open up a stable connection to Midgard", Heimdall reported.

"Then try it again."

"Of course, your majesty."

Alex was looking at Loki. As Heimdall tried to open the Bifrost, she could see her reflection on the wall behind Loki. Fortunately, everyone else was concentrating on the opening process, so Loki was the only one to see her eyes beginning to glow. Alex noticed him giving her a funny look, but he didn't say a word. She would ask him later.

Alex kept close to Loki while the adults were trying to figure things out. But after a while they didn't seem any closer to a solution than before and the queen suggested for Alex to stay with them until they could find a way for her to get back home.

Odin wasn't fond of the idea, but he consented under the condition that she would be Loki's responsibility while staying in Asgard.