Disclaimer: My original characters are mine. That's all I own. That's it.

A/N: Well, I guess I'm just keeping at this for the sake of having something to do while my summer continues to drag on. I haven't said so, but I appreciate those that actually took interest in this. I didn't really expect anyone to even consider this story worth acknowledging, but thanks. It's not exactly quality fanfiction, but I'm trying my best to make it tolerable to read!

Chapter Four

It only took one simple glance from the All-Father to cause Heimdall to swiftly remove the key and return to his position outside the entrance of the Bifrost. This left the four young Asgardians on their own with the King of Asgard who glared down unhappily upon them. Thor and Loki stood stiffly before their new friends while Frey fearfully clung tightly to his sister, trying to not meet with the All-Father's gaze. As for Freyja, she merely looked on with her feet stiffly planted to the ground, but deep down, her nerves as well were affecting her behavior.

Thor flinched as his father's glare darted towards his way, causing him to automatically step forward with a weak smile upon his face. "Father, I can explain-"

"You know better, Thor!" Odin snapped, causing Frey to adjust himself behind his sister, clinging tightly onto the fabric of her clothes. "It's one thing to bring your brother to Midgard, but then you bring these two with you!" His gaze immediately adjusted itself towards Frey and Freyja, which even caused Freyja to flinch.

"Father, we're fine." Loki replied, placing an assuring hand upon his brother's shoulder. "We're not even hurt."

"You could very well have been!" Odin yelled, anger etched within his voice. "Have I not told you enough? You are never to bring others into another realm, even Midgard. I would only expect the worst to happen if we had no brought you back sooner!"

"But it's Midgard." Thor sighed. "It's not like we were in Jotunheim."

Odin scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, dangers still lie in Midgard."

"But Father, we weren't even looking for a fight." Loki replied. "We were just showing Frey and Freyja Midgard. No harm done, just a simple tour through another realm."

Odin's eye glazed over Freyja upon the mention of her name, who in response immediately tensed up as she met his stare. With a smirk, he glanced back at Thor and let out a rough chuckle. "Freyja? The very maiden that laid her sword upon your shoulder?"

"Yes, father." Thor grumbled, unconsciously rubbing the wound upon his shoulder.

"That is I, All-Father." Freyja answered, giving a slight bow.

"Well-done!" Odin praised with a roar of laughter. Thor and Loki exchanged a look of confusement at the sudden change of their father's attitude. "I have yet to meet anyone that could defeat Thor in battle."

"Well, it wasn't that hard." Freyja boasted, causing Thor to glare her way.

"No, it's hardly a surprise." Odin replied. "As Einarr's daughter, you have true potential of meeting his standards as a warrior."

Freyja merely nodded in response.

"And this," Odin's eye looked over Freyja's shoulder, causing her to tug Frey to her side. "Frey, I presume?"

"Y-yes, A-all-Father." Frey stammered, practically stumbling upon his feet as he attempted to give him a bow.

"Tell me, did Thor and Loki bring you to Midgard with good tendencies?"

"They did!" Frey exclaimed, his hand clutching tightly around Freyja's arm.

"With all due respect, All-Father, we were in no danger." Freyja added, gently patting her brother's hand so he could loosen his grip on her. "We had no intentions to seek a fight. Though if one to occur, we would have been prepared to fight in return and I rest assure you, we would only succeed. Your kin have magnificent skills as warriors and with the addition of Frey and I, there was truly nothing worth of worry."

Odin looked at Freyja with a stern look, saying nothing for an extremely long moment that brought tension to everyone's nerves. Freyja merely looked up at him with a smile, trying to keep herself balanced as Frey's grip began to grew tighter with each passing moment. Loki and Thor looked up at their father with blank faces as his lips formed another smirk, glancing down at his offspring as he bluntly stated, "No punishment."

"What?" Thor blurted out. "None at all? Not even the library? Or-"

"Thank you, father." Loki replied swiftly, elbowing his brother in the process.

"Uh..." Freyja stared blankly at the King of Asgard. "All-Father, if I may ask, why the change of heart?"

"Loki speaks highly of you, Freyja." Odin explained, causing Loki to look down in embarrassment. "I must respect my sons' decision to solidify a friendship between the offspring of Einarr, therefore, I should take your word for what has happened. Besides, if what you say is true - about their own skills as warriors - then I have no reason to doubt you. With that said, Thor, Loki... escort these two back home. Oh, and one last thing," He added, eyeing Thor and Loki sternly. "Don't let this happen again."

Thor flinched, nodding in response before he turned to Frey and began to drag him and Freyja out of the Bifrost. Freyja's feet were practically skidding across the floor as her brother held onto her for dear life. "Onward, you two!"

"Thank you again, father." Loki said with a slight bow. Odin merely nodded, allowing Loki to rush off after the other three outside the Bifrost.

Once Thor brought them outside, Freyja squirmed out of Frey's grip, leaving Frey helplessly flailing as Thor continued to drag him along. As for Freyja, she remained at the entrance, waiting for Loki to catch up with them. "That... was nice of him." She told Loki as soon as he jogged up by her side.

"He can be if he wants to." Loki shrugged. "The last time he punished us, he forced us to remain home until he returned from Jotunheim. Thor had difficulty adjusting to that, he was especially bored since he's outside more than he's ever home."

Freyja let out a chuckle as she glanced back at their brothers who were ahead of them. Frey had somehow pulled himself free from Thor's grasp and began to shove him as they walked along the rainbow bridge. In response, Thor shoved him forward, causing Frey to trip over his feet and stumbled as he attempted to maintain his balance. "He's definitely incapable of being a homebody."

Loki merely chuckled. "He always has been."

"So..." Freyja glanced at Loki curiously. "You talk about me?"

"Erm..." Loki turned away, hiding his blushing face. "Well, you know... just... about how you fight... and all..."

Freyja snickered. "It's fine."

"It's really admirable." Loki replied with a soft smile.

"What is?"

"The way you fight." Loki stated. "It's more than just pure rage and anger as our brothers fight. You're passionate and concise and..." He shrugged. "It's rather wonderful to watch. It's like... like..." He snapped his fingers in the air as he grinned towards her. "It's like a dance! The way you move. It's so graceful and light!"

"Oh." Freyja looked at him rather surprised, she wasn't used to compliments from anyone else, but her father. "Well, thank you, Loki."

"O-of course." Loki stammered, stuffing his hands into his pockets as the two of them continued down the bridge.

While Freyja gave him a quaint smile, Loki had been fumbling with a green gem necklace in his pocket. The same day Thor had been letting off steam, Loki had found it settled amonst the grasses of the forest. He ended up fashioning the gem into a necklace and was awaiting the day he would give it to Freyja.

"Oh, brother, you have horrible balance!" Freyja suddenly exclaimed with a laugh as Frey fell forward onto his face once they reached the entrance of the rainbow bridge. She skipped over and stood by his head, holding out her hand towards him. "I always said you needed work on your footing."

"Thor tripped me!" Frey complained as he tried pushing himself off the ground. He ended up relying on his sister and reached for her hand to help him to his feet. "I almost fell off the bridge a couple of times because of him!"

"Almost." Freyja emphasized, giving a sly smile to Thor. "Be thankful that he didn't push you off entirely."

"What's stopping him?" Frey scoffed.

Thor merely laughed. "It's mere fun, Frey. I wouldn't dare push you off the bridge."

"I'll take your word for it." Frey muttered, glancing over at Loki as he dusted himself off. "Hey, magic boy, you've been quiet."

"Don't tease him, Frey." Freyja hissed, glaring at him.

"What?" Frey exclaimed. "You guys tease me all the time!"

"And let's leave it that way." Freyja replied sternly.

"It's fine." Loki said, rather surprised by how quickly Freyja came to his defense. "He's probably just hurt about what happened in Midgard."

Frey frowned. "Can we not talk about that lizard? That wasn't funny!"

"Yes, it was." Freyja smirked.

"Oh, most definitely." Thor said, wrapping an arm around Frey's shoulder. "You are rather hilarious to have around."

Frey rolled his eyes. "Says you, I'll show you all. I'll be a great warrior!"

"I'm sure you will be." Freyja replied sarcasitcally, patting her brother upon the shoulder. "Now come on, Father might be sending out his own infantry if we don't get home soon."

"Infantry?" Loki questioned.

Frey groaned. "Freyja, explain."

"Once when Frey was young, he got lost so father sent out his friends to search for him. Father calls him his own personal infantry, but they're just warriors that he fights with." Freyja chuckled softly, shaking her head at the thought. "Though, they take their search-and-rescue missions so seriously that they scared little Frey so badly that he attempted to run away from them."

Frey groaned again. "Must you mention that part?"

"Brother, it's crucial to the explanation." Freyja muttered.

"Well, then let's get a move on." Frey sighed, pushing her sister forward. "We no longer need your escort services, Odinsons."

"Wait, Freyja," Loki cried out hesitantly. Frey looked at him strangely as he rushed towards his sister, placing a necklace in her hand. "Here, I meant to give this to you for awhile now."

"Oh." Freyja gasped quietly, holding the necklace before her. "Loki, this is beautiful."

"Just some reassurance." Loki said with a weak smile.

"Reassurance?" Freyja questioned.

"Of... our friendship." Loki replied quietly, feeling his cheeks flush with warmth. This wasn't exactly how he expected to give the necklace to her, but it was better now than never. "No matter what happens."

"Oh, Loki." Freyja smiled, her cheeks slightly red. "I don't think I deserve something like this..."

"No, please." Loki took it and placed it around her neck, clasping the ends together. "As friends, you deserve this much."

"Thank you, Loki." Freyja murmured, glancing down at the gem that now hung around her neck.

"Are we done flirting?" Frey sighed, giving Freyja a gentle push.

"Be patient." Freyja muttered, giving Frey a side-glance before she went over and gave Loki a quick hug. "I appreciate it. All right, Frey, let's go before the infantry calls."

"Thank you!" Frey exclaimed as the two of them disappeared into the thicket of the forest.

As Frey and Freyja made their way back home, Thor gave Loki a nudge and a questionable look. "Do you favor Freyja more than you've made me believe, Loki?'

"We don't need to discuss this, brother." Loki sighed.

"And what do you mean by reassurance?"

"Thor." Loki stated sternly, looking straight ahead, not looking at his brother.

"You'll discuss anything else, but your own feelings, brother." Thor sighed. "I see no harm in doing so."

"I rather not."

"If you say so." Thor replied, but he remained suspicious.

Meanwhile, Frey and Freyja were halfway home when Frey started pestering his sister about the exchange she had with Loki earlier.

"So, I think he likes you." Frey stated, giving his sister a poke.

"Frey." Freyja muttered.

"Well, it's obvious he does."

"Your point?"

"I'm just saying, maybe you'll end up becoming part of the royal family of Asgard."

Freyja scoffed. "Your assumption is an idiotic one."

Frey shrugged. "I'm sure father would be amused by it."

"You tell him nothing." Freyja muttered as she turned to jab a finger at Frey.

"And why not?"

"It's not important."

"And your feelings for Loki?"

"Not important." Freyja was getting fed up with her brother's pestering.

"And why not?"

Freyja merely glared at him. "Have you forgotten? I'm no regular maiden."

Frey said nothing more, leaving the two of them returning home in silence.