It had been two months since she first arrived, and Jane was comfortable in Asgard. She had fallen into a routine:

Get up

Go for a walk

Eat breakfast with Frigga

Teach the children 1) literature 2)science 3)maths

Lunch

Duel with Torben

Read to Adriel

Laugh with Seth

Dinner

Wine with Frigga

Ready for bed

And then, occasionally, traverse the castle in the quiet of night.

There was only one other time that she found herself in Loki's room, and she felt a singe of guilt at it. It was too private a thing, mucking about in a stranger's bedroom, so she gave it up (though his books were wonderful, and afforded her the opportunity to know Asgard more intimately). Yet in that one event, Jane felt more at ease than ever…the place beckoned her presence, and she constantly felt its pull. The thought of finally meeting its owner was something she both longed for and feared.

"Lady Jane! Read me one of your poems again!" Adriel was persistent, and she loved to listen to her teacher's words.

"Again, Adriel?"

The child nodded emphatically.

Jane pulled out her careworn notebook, and opened it up…

"Along the paths of might and morbidity

In tenuous teems of night

Open ended rhymes bequeath to me

A folly in my limited sight

I dream only of a tender touch

I yearn for a sip of sweetness

And though my mind thinks it much

I reach for them all the same."

Jane laughed at her rudimentary verse…but Adriel and Torben were amused.

"You are lonely," observed the young man.

"A bit…sometimes," replied Jane. "But we all of us are lonesome in some way. Even those fortunate to have a family, or children, or whatever. We all must face our demons alone."

"You need someone who understands you."

"We all need that, Torben," smiled Jane.

"But you need it more," and he rose from the grass.

Night had fallen, and Jane and Frigga were sitting out on the veranda, sipping sweet wine. They had descended into an easy manner, and conversation wasn't something ever strained between the two.

"I had so often puzzled over the mysteries of the cosmos, Frigga. I had worried myself over the algorithms and the logic…but here, in Asgard, I have discovered that not only was I right, but I was wrong as well. I'm unable to reconcile this, and I now worry over what else I shall chase…"

"Chase?" Frigga asked.

"Chase. Discover. Yearn for…" and Jane sighed. "I'm kinda young to have my questions answered."

"Have all of your questions been answered?"

"No. But most…and my muse is silent and she is irascible…she will not take this static well."

Frigga smiled. "You are well spoken, Jane Foster. You have a poet lurking within your depths."

Jane laughed. "Have I? Well…if all else fails, I shall write poetry and starve."

"It might serve you in other ways than monetary gain."

"Such as?"

Frigga took a deep drought of wine and looked steadily at the young woman. "Have you no dream of love, Jane?"

Jane swallowed. "Love? Like how?"

"Like…love. Tender feelings?"

"Romantic or otherwise?"

"Either one."

Jane looked out into the gardens beyond. "I dunno. I haven't had much love in my life…I…have pretty much always been alone. And that's fine. But love? It is…as Juliet said, "An honor I dream not of…" and I think that perhaps that's me."

Frigga shook her head. "Why ever not? You are bright, pretty…"

Jane laughed heartily. "Pretty? Frigga, please. Do not joke with me so transparently."

"I am not joking."

"You are, and I am going to bed," she kissed the Queen's forehead and went upstairs.

Jane read a while by her fire, and when the palace was silent, when no stirrings could be perceived, she put on her cloak and left for a midnight stroll.

Strange, that talk was with the Queen…and Jane hummed a tune. She made her way to the garden, and walked along its paths. The raw air was not something she had counted on, though her cloak kept her warm enough.

And since she was not sleepy, she decided to warm herself by taking her constitutional a bit further. Outside the palace gates she went, having only once before dared to escape its confines, and meandered through the rough streets of Asgard. She thought that the pulse of the place weak, and not wanting to indulge in further alcohol consumption, she headed for the hills just beyond.

Pretty. She, Jane Foster, was not pretty. She was clever, she was quick…her mind was nimble and malleable and receptive to new ideas. She cared so little for her appearance that she would attend class when she was at MIT in her flannel pajama pants, mostly because she had overslept due to studying late, but also because she couldn't be bothered with altering her appearance at the feet of mere convention. She was defiantly self assured. She was glibly contrary. She was guileful occasionally, and crafty always. But she cared little for herself, when it came down to it…not that she didn't respect herself, no. More like, she couldn't be bothered to change things to make life easier for herself.

The wood was suddenly thick around the road. There was only Asgard's two moons to supply light…the bank of stars muted in the gloom.

Something was heard…a pounding, and though Jane couldn't be certain, as she had never heard a horse's approach, it did sound like that. That, or a roll of thunder.

Big horse, she surmised.

Jane was about to get to the side of the path…she was nearly there…

And the beast reared up, neighing its fright, and knocked its passenger from its back.

Jane gasped. She hurried to the person lying on the path.

"Oh my god…are you ok? I'm so sorry…" and she reached for the person. Man. He withered a gaze…green eyes, peppered with blue, glared back at her. "I…"

And he stood, holding his right leg. He was very tall, he loomed over Jane, and his black hair whipped about his face, though the air was relatively still. He looked menacing, foreboding, and angry. He seemed to be dissecting her with his penetrating stare.

"What are you doing on this path at this time?" he breathed. His voice was elegant, deep, and silky.

"I…just needed air…"

"And this you cannot find on the main road?" he sat, and began massaging his ankle.

"Well, it isn't nearly as tranquil…do you need help?" and she went to bend and examine his injury.

"Do not trouble yourself," he snapped. He slowed, "However, if you would be so kind, please bring me that horse…"

"What's his name?" Jane looked hesitantly at the massive creature.

"Sleipnir," and his eyes squinted a bit at her.

Jane went over and took the bridle in her hand, petting the beast. "Hush…Sleipnir…" and she petted his nose.

Sleipnir was led to the man by the dwarfed figure of Jane. "Is he yours?"

"He is my father's…" and he mounted the horse. "From where do you come?"

"Just there…" and she pointed at the palace in the distance.

"The royal palace?"

Jane nodded.

The man appeared confused. "And what is it that you do there?"

"I am tutoring some of the wards until their parents return from Jutenheim."

A small smirk crept along the sharp features of the man astride Sleipnir. "I see…well, it is the Stygian of tenebrous night. Far too dangerous for an elf such as yourself…you should hurry back, mortal pixie, for your efforts are for naught…"

And he left on the massive horse, who boasted, Jane just noticed, eight legs.

Eight legs.

And what did he mean, her efforts were for naught? What efforts?

Jane swallowed, and decided to turn back.

He was an interesting figure, she thought. His voice, especially. Other-worldly in ways than even Frigga couldn't claim. She wondered idly if she would see him again…he had a quick tongue and deep eyes…

She smiled and made her way back.

Jane went to her room, not caring to stop for anything, it was very much the middle of the night…

Her sleep was heavy and dreamless.

The morning's kiss of warmth was welcome after such a very strange interlude the night, well, morning previous.

Jane readied herself, glad for the day was not one she was required to teach.

She made her way downstairs to hear Frigga's voice.

Odd, that. Frigga was usually quite alone at breakfast until Jane arrived.

And before she could stop herself…she was in the doorway and she heard a man's voice.

A familiar one.

The voice, she was certain, that belonged to the stranger in the road the night before.

"Ah, there she is!" and Frigga stood, her hands lacing in front of her.

"Good morning, Frigga," and Jane walked toward the table. The man, whom she now surmised was Loki, had his back toward her, and made no effort to greet Jane.

"Meet my son, Jane…this is Loki," and she held out her hand, looking at Jane.

Jane finally deigned to look at him. She blushed somewhat, and held out her hand, curtseying. "It is a pleasure, Prince Loki," and she looked up. "How is your ankle?"

"Ankle?" Frigga asked.

Loki's eyes danced, and dropped Jane's proffered hand. "It is fine, Lady Jane…no thanks to you or your people."

"My people?"

Frigga sat, and Jane followed suit, stationing herself between the two. "Loki…?"

"Last evening, mother, quite late, I might add…I was riding Sleipnir back to the stables at my father's request, when he was suddenly struck with fright, and I was thrown."

Frigga gasped.

"Indeed," and Loki's eyebrow arched. "Tis a miracle of Valhalla that I am not dead…" and he smirked.

"Now, Loki, do be serious," his mother scolded.

He ignored this, turning to Jane. "And this small creature was the cause of the great beast's terror…I can only surmise, my Lady, that you were dancing with your elves and pixie comrades in that lane at such an hour…and you bewitched Odin's great mount in the process…sending me to uncertain peril."

"I did nothing of the sort," returned Jane.

"No? Pray, what was your purpose at that late hour?"

"Air."

"So you claimed before…but I must remind you…such refreshment can be found…" and he smirked once again. "Anywhere," he whispered.

Frigga laughed. "Loki, do be kind to our guest."

He sat back. "I am always kind, mother."

Jane pressed on. "How is your ankle?"

Loki downed his drink and looked at her. "You must be unfamiliar with particular traits I possess, little elf. I am a sorcerer, and I mended myself there and then."

Jane nodded. "Then why did you ask me to retrieve your horse?"

This stopped him, and he looked critically at her. "Because I wished to discern the extent of your spell…and since it did not appear binding, I asked you to retrieve my mount…to ascertain Sleipnir's continued reaction to you."

"I have no magic," replied Jane.

"No people?"

"None worth mentioning."

Frigga interjected, "Jane is from Midgard…she is an orphan…but she is quite able. She is very welcome here, Loki."

"I never did not welcome her, mother dear," he smiled at her…with a hint of warmth. "A Midgardian elf, is it then? I saw that you were mortal."

Jane sighed. She shrugged. "Sure. If you like."

"And how do you like your charges?" Loki nibbled on a piece of fruit.

"Well enough."

"No love lost, there, mother," he said to the Queen in a smirk.

"I have grown to care for each of them," Jane protested with measure. "I know that I shall not be here for very long, so why grow overly attached?"

"And she is reasonable and wise…" he continued, looking at Jane but speaking to Frigga.

Jane laughed. "I don't know about all of that…"

"But unconvinced, it would seem…"

"Loki, I can hear her fine. Cease your unnerving commentary."

Loki laughed. "Tell me, Lady Jane…"

"Jane," she corrected.

He nodded. "What have you been teaching our young Aesir of Midgard?"

"A bit of everything."

"Truly, mother," and he turned to Frigga. "You have found us a gem of an elf. There is nothing she does not understand, and despite her protests, I know that she seeks counsel with fairies."

Jane laughed. "There is plenty I do not understand, but since they know but little of Midgard, as you term it…everything is new and interesting."

"You claim no expertise?"

"Would you…if you had a puppy and taught him new tricks, and he was eager and quick…claim to be an expert in dog training?"

He regarded her with a hint of admiration. "She is humble, too, mother. What a marvel is the mortal elf…" and he stood. "Well, as enthralling as this has been, I must needs attend to our wards, for there are letters and the like their parents wish for me to impart," and he kissed his mother and nodded to Jane.

Jane watched him go, and turned to Frigga.

"He becomes easier with more intimate knowledge…" she explained.

"Oh, he's not so bad…" and Jane smiled into her sip of water.