It had been a long few weeks. Odin had Thor and his companions go with him to all the Nine Realms, to try and bring peace to the civil wars that had ensued. Rienne had gone to a few of those missions but always tried to find an excuse not to go. Thor had explained to her what happened to Loki. It seemed Frigga was hiding out and listening in on Odin's proclamation of punishment. A wave of relief had washed over the poor girl once Thor explained what happened.

Odin had forbidden anyone, especially Thor, Frigga and Rienne, from visiting Loki. However, it seemed that would not detour the girl from trying. Odin had asked her to go with Thor once again on a mission of peace. She had to think of an excuse quickly. Today was the day she would visit Loki and there was nothing that was going to ruin that. She had explained to Odin that she was getting sick. Headaches, dizziness and some vomiting. Odin told her she could visit the healers and she would be fine. Rienne insisted she didn't feel well and pleaded with him for her to stay.

"Rienne if you are going to lie to me, please make sure you have thought out your lie thoroughly." The girl gave him a sheepish and awkward smile.

"My king… I truly am sorry I just… I thought if I told you the truth… that I just simply didn't want to go, you would be angry with me… I'm sorry…"

"You know you have to do these peace missions. As Thor's future wife and queen you must show everyone what a dedicated spouse and ruler you are." He wasn't angry with her just a little frustrated. The girl nodded to him, letting Odin know of her understanding. "I will allow you to stay this time however, you will go on the next, understood?" Her eyes glittered with delight and she thanked him. He had no idea she wanted to stay for Loki.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The dungeons of course were filled with guards. Odin had informed them that he strictly forbid Thor, Rienne and Frigga from visiting Loki. She knew it wouldn't be easy… but she had to go see him no matter what the cost. Even if she were caught it would be worth it to see him. 'I cannot keep hiding my memories of Loki from Odin… he will find out soon enough that I've been lying… when he does… he will surely punish me… I'd rather see Loki one more time and be caught, then never seeing him again.'

Rienne rounded a corner and sure enough there were two guards standing watch. She had previously gotten past the first four by either knocking them out, or awaiting her chance to slip away. It seemed however, these two were ever vigilant and would not be distracted. 'oh forget this!' She thought. She knew she wouldn't be able to talk her way out of this. Loki was the one with the silver tongue not her. The only thing she knew was how to fight and defend. She was dressed in her usual attire that consisted of light-weight armor similar to Lokis'. It allowed her to move rather quickly and she hoped it would be enough so that they wouldn't recognize her.

Rienne rapidly ran up to the guards, her armor clanging as she did. The guards, now in a battle stance and pointing their spears to her, stood ready to defend. She had her head lowered, in hopes of not being recognized. Her hair was in a bun and some loose strands hiding her face. Rienne swiftly managed to disarm them and knock them out. It seemed all that training with Brunhilde really paid off.

She dusted herself off and quietly moved the bodies to one side and out of the way. 'I must hurry… before they wake up or any more guards show up and see this…' The girl rounded a corner and saw many cells. Each one filled with a dozen prisoners. As she made her way through the long hallway of dungeon cells and some of the prisoners eyed her closely. There were a few of them that even went as far as to whistle at her and try to grab her attention. Ignoring them, she continued to look around for Loki.

"Well look at what we've got here…" It was one of the prisoners. He had his hands on the glass and a disgusting smirk on his face. "Are you here to give me a conjugal visit my dear?" Rienne scowled in disgust at this man's advances. She was about to reply back when someone else spoke up.

"I highly doubt she wants to bed someone who sleeps with his fellow inmates." It was Loki. Rienne turned around and her eyes lit up like the night sky at the sight of him. He had his signature smirk on his face and his eyes shone with mischievousness.

"You only talk big because you hide behind that cell Loki!" The prisoner didn't take too kindly to what the young prince said.

"Watch your tongue or have it ripped from your head." Rienne hissed back at the man. The prisoner only grunted but walked away. The girl now stood in front of Loki's cell, her eyes had softened at the sight of him.

Loki was indeed surprised to see her. He knew Odin had forbidden any visitors. He was informed by his mother, when he was first placed in this cell, that Odin had 'taken away' Rienne's memories of him… but the look on his love's face said otherwise. Perhaps this was some kind of cruel trick being played on him by Odin?...

"Loki…" Rienne placed her hands on the glass in a feeble attempt to try and touch him. He walked closer to her but still kept a safe distance. "Loki I can't believe you're still alive… I thought surely the All-Father would have-"

"Executed me?... He wanted to however, it seems mother prevented him from doing so… didn't he take your memories of me away from you?" He sat down, back against a wall and book in his hands, as close to Rienne as possible. He had hoped that it was true… perhaps then she could live her life without him… happy… but deep down inside he wished it wasn't… he couldn't lie to himself… he deeply loved the girl and didn't want to give her up for anything in this world.

She clutched onto the necklace around her soft, slender neck. "Even in death you protected me Loki… it seems Odin's magics were no match for yours… the ring prevented him from taking my most precious possession… my memories of you…" Loki could feel his heart begin to beat furiously against his chest. She was so blissfully unaware of how she made him feel… she could make him go mad with desire and she would be none the wiser. How he desperately sought to feel her lips against his… to have her soft hands caress every inch of his body like they used to…

She broke uncomfortable silence when she let out a soft giggle. Something that made Loki inwardly smile. No one laughed the way she did… it was definitely her and not some trick. "It seems your mother provided you with… a few things." He raised a brow at her. "The queen has you spoiled young prince. You're the only one I can think of who would have a king's bed and furnishings in a prison cell." She started to laugh this time, unable to contain herself. Her cheeks were now a light pink and tears were clinging to the edges of her eyes from laughter.

"I have to make the best of a bad situation." He focused his gaze down on his book.

After she controlled herself, Rienne took in a deep breath. "Loki…" she had gotten his attention once more. "You have no idea… how much I missed you… I mourned for you every day… and after I lost the kids I thought my whole world was over…"

"Yes… mother also informed me of the details on what happened to them… I was aware of Jormungand thanks to you on Midgard…. I was worried for Fenrir and Hella…" Rienne could tell he genuinely missed his children.

"Yes… I have yet to see Fenrir and Hella… did… your mother tell you the exact nature of the punishments Odin placed upon them?..." Loki only nodded. His eyes were now narrowed in a glare filled with hate that did not go unnoticed by the girl. "Calm yourself… I will find a way to free them."

"All this… is my fault…" Loki swallowed hard. "I failed to secure Midgard as my own… I failed not only myself but you and the kids…I'm just a miserable failure… I will forever live in Thor's shadow…"

"Enough Loki. I will not allow you to talk that way." She let out a sigh of frustration. "I know you well enough to assume that you're planning your escape as we speak." She gave him a big, warm smile. A smile that melted his icy heart. She ran her fingers through her soft midnight hair. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her… how she made him feel like no one in this universe mattered but her… he wanted to ask her how she possibly could still love him even after everything that just happened… But he couldn't… he felt as if this was the first time he saw her… as if this was the first time he was going to tell her of his feelings for her… she was the only one who could make him this flustered… the only one that could fill his heart with these emotions…

"Even if that's true… you cannot come back to see me." His statement was firm and his emerald orbs looked deeply into her honey ones. She was taken aback by this.

"B-but Loki I-"

"If Odin were to find out, he will be furious. I do not want… anything to happen to you." Loki placed a hand on the glass cage. This time it was he who made a feeble attempt to try and reach out to her. Rienne placed her hand over his and felt a slight coolness that emitted from it.

"I will visit you every chance I get… whether you like it or not… I promise you." Her eyes were filled with determination.

"My heart fills with joy to see you two filled with so much love." It was the queen. She had been silently standing close by and listening in on everything. Rienne hurriedly took a step back, fear evident on her soft face. "Do not fret my dear." Frigga now stood next to her youngest son. A look of worry placed delicately on Loki's features. He was afraid his mother would tell Odin of Rienne's visit.

"My queen please forgive me… I… um…" What excuse could she possibly give Frigga for visiting Loki? The queen was no fool… and if she had been listening in, then she knew Rienne had been lying about her lost memories.

"It's alright. I will not inform my husband of this and I will promptly erase the memories of the guards you put down." The girl gave the queen a nervous smile but thanked her. Loki tried to take hold of his mother's hand her but it only disappeared as soon as he touched it. "I am a hologram. I cannot physically visit you my son, as much as I want to." Her face was filled with sadness. "This is as close to you as I can get." The queen moved over and stood in front of Rienne. "You cannot keep visiting Loki this way. Odin will find out if you do. If you come to my chambers, I can create these holograms for you so you and may visit Loki that way." Frigga gave a warm smile.

"My queen… you are not angered with me?... That I lied about my memories?..." Rienne fiddled with her hands.

"Well you didn't quite lie… more like… no one asked you if your memories were truly gone." Now Rienne knew where Loki's silver tongue had come from.

"Thank you mother." Loki had a calmness wash over him.

"Rienne you must leave here immediately. There will be another time for you to visit Loki." The girl nodded. As much as she hated to admit it… the queen was right. The guards she hand knocked out might come to at any moment and she couldn't afford to be caught.