"Ah, so you've returned, have you?" Sif asked as Loki sauntered up to his door. It was well past midnight, but the lady warrior had relieved the posted guard of duty in order to greet the trickster when he got home. Seeing her did not improve his already poor mood. The mage from the woods had no information to offer about Maisy's dreams that Loki did not already know or had not read in a book. He would have to find another way to make the nightmares go away.

"Had I known you'd be waiting for me I might have stayed away longer."

"Where were you?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were my nanny," he pushed past her and quietly opened the door to his room, "Now go away and shut up or you'll wake Maisy."

"She's not home."

"Oh? She and Linn having one of those silly slumber party things again?"

"She went out."

"Where?"

"Where have you been all day?"

"She didn't go looking for me, did she? I would have expected you to go with her and keep her safe," Loki pulled the door closed once more and turned to look at the woman. She hid it well, but there was worry on her face, "Where is she?"

"She wanted to go out with you, I think," Sif said, "But you were nowhere to be found in the palace. I knew she wanted to have some fun so I suggested she take Fandral."

"Fandral has been out all night with my wife?"

"You know as well as I that he would never lay an inappropriate hand on a married woman," Sif snapped, "And he is mostly competent enough to keep her safe."

"So where are they?"

"I believe they went out for a drink. They didn't say where they were going, just that they were. And they have been gone for five hours."

Loki felt his heart jump and he quickly began walking through the halls with Sif hot on his heels. If she'd taken Fandral to Caxton's that meant they were in the shadier part of town. If they'd both gotten drunk then it could be a disaster. They could be anywhere, with anyone.

"I assume you sent the guards looking for her?"

"The guards would tell Odin."

"So?"

"Odin might have taken your set of rules away, but he would be furious if he knew she was out of the palace without you."

"Then why did you let her go?"

"Because I thought she might need some time away, to have fun. Obviously I regret that decision now," Sif said, "Honestly though, the whole situation could have been avoided if you'd just told her where you were and when you were getting back."

"That's not important," he said, "We need to find her now."

"Do you know where she might have gone in town?"

"Yes, but I truly hope I'm wrong," Loki shook his head at the thought of Maisy alone in Caxton's bar. Even with Fandral by her side she'd be easy prey if someone were cunning enough.

They passed Hogun - a regular roamer of the night time palace halls - and recruited him for their quest. He nodded solemnly and told them he'd find Volstagg and meet them by the gate. When they were all four assembled and making their way to the Valkyrie's Wings it felt like old times, but in the worst way. Plus they were missing Thor, and though his older brother's presence was usually unwelcome, there was always something reassuring about having him fighting on your side. It felt like there was no way you could lose if the mighty thunder god was fighting with you.

Arriving at the tavern, Loki threw open the door and was quickly followed by the Warriors Two and Sif. They plowed their way over to the bar and a surprised looking Caxton. The barkeep was cleaning out a mug and looked like he'd had a quiet evening. There weren't many customers in the bar and the few that were there were dozing with loud snores.

"Barkeep!" Volstagg said loud enough to cause a few customers to groan, "Have you seen a slip of a woman, about this tall, with white and green hair, fair skin, and brown eyes?"

"Caxton," Loki said, pushing Volstagg out of the way, "Maisy. Has Maisy been here with a blond man?"

"Ooh, guessed right, did I? Your missus does have a man on the side?"

"No," Loki snapped impatiently.

"And now you and your hunting party gonna sniff him out and, what? Flog him?"

"If we do not find Maisy soon the only one getting a flogging will be you, barkeep," Sif declared.

"I haven't seen the dear princess," Caxton replied turning away and putting the mug on a shelf. He tossed the washcloth down as well and turned back to them, "If I do I'll send word."

"We shall have to check another tavern then," Volstagg replied glumly, "Let's not waste another moment in this grimy establishment."

Loki raised a brow when Caxton didn't defend his bar. Though the place got many insults, the owner never hesitated to defend it. Not once in the three hundred years Loki had been frequenting the place.

"You're sure you haven't seen her?" He asked once more, "Please, as your friend, Caxton."

"No, sorry," he turned away again to grab another mug, "Haven't seen her. Good luck though."

"Caxton, turn around and tell me that you haven't seen her to my face," Loki replied coolly. The barkeep froze and then slowly turned to face the prince.

"Don't you trust me, Lokes? Your only friend?"

"We may not like him," Volstagg slammed a hand on Loki's shoulder, "But we're his friends too."

Loki didn't bother to acknowledge the fact that Thor's friends were being nice to him without ulterior motive for the first time in his life. He didn't move his gaze from Caxton's mismatched eyes.

"Tell me to my face."

"I haven't seen your wife. I'm sorr- gah!"

Loki grabbed the other man's throat and yanked him over the bar.

"You're lying!"

"No! I'm not!"

"You know you've never been able to lie to me," Loki snarled as his friend fought his grip, "You've seen her and Fandral. Where did they go?!"

"Alright, alright!" Caxton gasped, "They were here three hours ago, both drunk as Thor on his birthday!"

"That is exceedingly drunk," Volstagg commented.

"You're lying again! Tell me where they are!"

"I don't know!"

"Caxton, I will tear this bar apart if need be," Loki lowered his voice to a menacing hiss, "And if she still cannot be found then I will lock you in the dungeon for the next thousand years."

"He'll never tell us on that threat," Sif said, unsheathing her sword, "Torture is the only way. I'll cut off his hand and we'll see how willing he is to share."

"A mace to the foot will get him talking," Hogun said quietly and brought forth his own weapon.

Caxton squirmed, but didn't say anything. When Sif's blade lined up with his wrist, however…

"Wait! Wait! The blond guy is in the secret basement!"

"And Maisy?"

He hesitated.

"I have cut off many hands before, but that does not mean I will be swift," Sif warned.

"Gone! They picked her up three hours ago!"

"Who?!"

"Just some guys!" Caxton said and Loki dropped him. He gasped for air, "I was just supposed to drug her drink if she ever came back alone and leave her by the back door for pick up! I don't know who took her or anything."

"You are lying again," Loki growled, "Tell me who took her!"

"If I tell you who he'll kill me and burn this place to the ground!" Caxton said, "But I know she's being taken out to Idunn's orchard for the deed to be done!"

"They're going to kill her?!" Loki felt his heart stop. Three hours was a long time. She was probably already… no. He wouldn't entertain the idea. Not until he saw her with his own eyes and held her in his arms.

"That's what they said, but I don't know, Loki, maybe they spared her!"

Loki didn't bother to reply before storming out of the room. He heard Hogun "accidentally" drop his mace on Caxton's food and the screaming that followed, but he was too busy sprinting to care. He sprinted all the way to the nearest guard station and commandeered a hover ship.

He didn't wait for the Warriors Two or Sif. He sped as fast as he was able in the direction of Idunn's orchard.

A note from the author: Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I realize this is not a particularly romantic chapter and I do actually have a Valentine's chapter written, but obviously we aren't at that point in the story yet. :P I had thought that I would be able to post that one by today, but then stuff happened and now you're going to have to wait a bit. It's still quite a few chapters away, unfortunately.

Thank you for reading, sorry to leave you on another cliff hanger!

Special thanks to my reviewers:

irisheyes85: Sorry, more cliffhangers! My bad. :P

nina del carmen: Lol, glad to hear it! :)

Guest: Protective Loki go! He's on the move now! ;)

ferbette: Sif will probably try her best to interrupt Fandral every time he flirts with someone and say "hey, remember that time when you had to be rescued by me because you were an idiot who drank drugged mead?" and he'll turn bright red and try to keep being smooth, but fail miserably.

Lwolf: Let's just say that Caxton will be spending some time in the dungeon in a much less plush cell than Loki had.

Ninja Squirrel: I was laughing so hard at your review that I read it to my sister and now we both just randomly say "craaaap faaaart" because we are five year olds. XD

Thank you all for reviewing! I love you, you're the bestest! *showers you in Valentine's cards*

Until next time!