A/N So..this is turning out to be not as "loosely" based as I had anticipated…however, this and the next chapter will likely stay relatively close to Jane Eyre, and then we shall begin to deviate somewhat. I'm not certain how this close retelling occurred, but there it is. Thank you so much for reading!

Jane decided, that very day following her tutelage, to begin taking notes about Asgard. She could compose a paper for submission, and then her time would have been put to good use here, at least in terms of her career. Sure, she'd be laughed at, but if should could procure some relics, some rocks or bring back some sort of foliage for examination, then perhaps the condescending mirth wouldn't be so loud.

She was scribbling in her notebook, sitting in the garden. The two younger Aesir children were playing along the bank of a stream.

"Are you writing poetry, again, Lady Jane?"

She looked up to see the concerned and fraught look of Torben. "No...I'm making some notes. I'm a scientist, Torben, and I will be bringing some of what I've learned here back to Midgard."

"A scientist?" and he sat next to her.

"Yes...I study the Midgardian skies."

He played with his practice sword. "How long will you be here?"

"As long as I am needed."

"I thought that perhaps you'd leave earlier..."

Jane smiled. "I had thought about that, but then, I'd miss you all too much. And besides, this is a wonderful opportunity for me."

Torben stood, waving the sword about.

"Well, young squire," came Loki's voice from behind them. "How fares your sparring acumen?" and he approached.

Torben bowed. "Good day, my Prince."

Loki smiled, and looked at Jane. "Torben here tells me that he's taught you some sword play."

"Yes, I've learned much from him," Jane replied.

Loki nodded. "Come, Torben, let's see what you can do."

And the two moved away from Jane, and into a more open area of the garden, though still well enough in sight.

She watched the two, and laughed, for she could tell that Loki was taking it a bit easy on Torben. They danced about, with Loki giving instruction here and there, and the ward always bowing in acquiescence.

After some time, after Adriel and Seth went inside, the Prince and squire returned to Jane.

"I'm going inside, my Lady...Eir needs to see to my shoulder."

"Are you alright?" asked Jane, with concern.

"He's fine," Loki said, sitting next to Jane. "He's too stubborn to allow my help," and he smiled at the boy.

Torben bowed, and his eyes pinched a bit at the Prince. He left the pair on the soft grass in the garden.

"Adriel tells me that you compose poetry," said Loki, turning his position to look fully at Jane.

"I do, a bit."

"And do those bits reside in that timeworn bound of paper which is currently residing on your lap?"

Jane blushed. "Yes."

He held out his hand, and cocked an eyebrow.

"You want to read my poetry?"

"No. I shall stare at whatever drabble lies in that volume's pit and make no attempt to understand, nor concoct any opinion," he sighed and smiled. "Yes, Jane, I wish to read what you've written," he finished.

"It's not very good. Poetry isn't my...special prowess."

Loki looked at her quizzically. "Your prowess especial? Indeed. Never mind that, Jane. Let's see anyway..."

Jane hesitantly handed him her notebook. "Are you a poet?" She rather thought he could be.

"No," he said, and he flipped the page.

"Do you like poetry, though?"

"Poetry is something," he began without looking up. "Which I've always dabbled with, though without much conviction or purpose."

"You prefer battle?"

At this, he looked at her. "No. I prefer power," and a shadow passed along his visage. "And peace..." he swallowed.

Jane stared a moment and thought that this was a veiled statement, that there was something of a deeper meaning there. "And would you use your power for peace?"

"I do now. So yes, I use my power for peace, though it is useless in the manner which I require of it," he flipped another page.

Jane thought this very odd, but ceased the subject. "What do you think of my efforts?"

"They are not refined, but they have a melancholy...they are curious for novice."

Jane laughed.

Loki returned her laugh, and then the notebook. "And where do those images spring from?"

"My head."

"That tiny elfish head I see before me?"

"The very one," replied Jane.

"No travel?"

"Not much."

Loki looked away. "And what of your past, Jane? No experiences to conjure from your peppered past?"

"Aside from this trip to Asgard, my life has been fairly uneventful."

And his eyes found hers. "No troubled tale? Your face bespeaks of sorrow and loss."

Jane swallowed. Could the sorcerer read minds? "I...well. I'm an orphan, so there's that."

He nodded. "An orphan. I know of that...I too, share that unfortunate state."

"But you have parents..."

"They are not my blood, Jane," and he paused. "And that is your limited scope? You pen an orphan's pain? There is more in those verses I just read than that."

Jane rocked back a bit. "Well..." how much should she divulge? She barely knew this man. "I...had lived an unhappy life with my uncle...and then sent to an orphanage. The place was cruel, and my only friend left me quite soon."

Loki's face crept a smile. "Indeed? Your only friend? Quite a tale of woe."

"Do not mock me, nor shall you pity me," she snapped. "You asked, I answered."

Loki's hands rose in defense. "I was doing neither one. Apologies if I've offended."

Her face fell and her brow furrowed. "It isn't something I think about often. But, the pain is raw, and I suppose...I have never quite healed from the experience."

Loki folded his hands, and his eyes fell a touch. "I am merely attempting to draw you out."

"Why?"

At this, he stood. "Diversions, apart from war, are difficult to come by when one has thousands of years to fill."

And now Jane rose from the floor. "War, I imagine, is quite a diversion."

"It is, yes...but it is unsettling, and home affords little in terms of peace...well, let us say that my mind writhes often with searing torment," and he laughed. "I believe I've found the subject for my next poem."

They began to walk back to the palace. "But...it's terribly tranquil here...your home, it does not give you peace?"

He stopped in the doorway. "No. It does not."

"Because your parents are not your own?"

"That, but many other things, my Lady..." and Loki bowed, leaving her there.

What a curious conversation.

She didn't see Loki at dinner. She was told he took to rooms and didn't come out.

Jane made her way to bed after her wine with Frigga, and sat up for a spell, thinking about Asgard, her life on Earth, the wards she taught, and a bit of the Prince. She couldn't figure him out.

It was quite late when she heard it. Laughter...insane laughter...a woman's laugh, right outside of her bedroom door.

Jane got up, and pulled a robe close. She crept to the door, her heart was in her throat...she should grab her gun...

But the laughter died. Jane pushed open her door. There was no one there.

She decided to investigate, since this was the second time such a thing had occurred.

She began to creep along the hall, eerie and close in the stagnant dark. She made her way toward the royal wing, though she couldn't account for the why.

And she smelled something...smoke.

Her pace quickened.

There was a glow coming from under Loki's door. Jane hurried toward it, and opened the door.

A green fire blazed the hearth, as though entranced by magic...and it was creeping along the wall, burning some books in the process, heading for the Prince.

Loki was asleep, heavy in his slumber.

"Loki!" Jane screamed, and ran over to him. "Loki!" She grabbed his arm, pulling hard. "Get up! Your room is on fire!" Nothing.

She panicked, and slapped his face, much harder than she intended.

At this, his eyes opened warily. "What...?"

"Fire, Loki!" She scrambled for water, but found none.

He jumped from the bed, and went to the green blaze. He raised his arms, and it disappeared.

His hair was in disarray. His clothes unkempt. "What happened, Jane?" as he turned toward her.

"I...was in my room and I heard a laugh...it was insane...and then it died out, leaving my door. I decided to see if I could find the source, and I made way to the royal wing, thinking that there might be danger...and then, I smelled the smoke, and saw the glow. You were deep in sleep...I'm sorry I hit you," she finished.

He smiled. "You apologize for saving my life?" and he went to her.

Jane shrunk a bit. "Well..."

"Stay here...I'll return momentarily."

And she wrapped the robe closer, and looked at the burned books. There weren't many, she supposed it must have been an enchanted fire, or else the entire wall would've perished, there were so many books.

Jane wondered if Loki could repair the damage.

She sat in a chair by the hearth and thought about what had happened.

Laughter.

Fire.

Magical fire.

Magical fire that was definitely trying to reach Loki.

Conclusion: a sorcerer was trying to kill Loki.

Jane shivered.

She thought that perhaps the place was haunted…it was many thousands of years old.

She sat upright…if someone was trying to kill him, she shouldn't be in his bedroom…whatever comfort it yielded her.

She got up, thinking that she had stayed long enough, surely half an hour was long enough to wait in the middle of the night.

"You are not leaving?" said Loki's voice from the doorway.

"I am, it's late and I'm tired," and she turned toward him.

He stepped closer to her. "Jane, I do not want you to speak of this. The Queen knows of the event, and if she wishes to ask you questions, then answer. Otherwise, no one should know about this."

"Why?"

"Because it will create unnecessary worry."

"That you nearly died in your bed?" she looked steadily at him.

"Yes…not that many would care, mind you…but it's best to keep silent about it," and he moved closer still.

Jane took in a deep breath and nodded.

"You saved my life, Jane."

"I didn't do what anyone else would've done."

He took her hand. "In that, you are mistaken," and he looked at her tiny palm. "You are cold."

Jane nodded. "I am."

Loki looked at her, took her other hand and closed his eyes.

A feeling, deep within Jane infused her being, and she was suddenly warm.

That was how magic felt, she thought. "Can you repair your books?" and she took her hands away.

"I can," and he looked to the wall to determine the damage. "It is not that severe…the damage."

"No.." and she turned.

"You are leaving?"

Jane looked wearily. "I am tired, your Majesty."

"Your Majesty?" and Loki blocked her way. "Such formalities are not tolerated among friends, Jane."

"We are friends?"

"I should hope so, after these events…"

Jane nodded.

Loki swallowed. "Thank you, Jane…I have the pleasure of owing you my life," and he kissed her cheek.

Loki then turned, and Jane left hurriedly.

She went back to her room and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Jane Foster didn't sleep much that night.

She came downstairs a bit confused, a bit joyful, and a bit tired. She found Frigga in the dining hall, instead of the small parlor they normally inhabited for the breaking of fast.

"Good morning, Frigga," Jane said and smiled.

"Oh, Jane. Loki told me what happened!" the Queen got up and kissed both of Jane's cheeks. "Thank you, again and again!"

"It was nothing, Frigga," and Jane sat. "Is he alright?"

"He is…he went away for the day…will likely be back tomorrow…" and the Queen appeared sad, or worried, or something other than fine.

"Oh," replied she.

"My son likes you, dear…but I must tell you…Loki is not easy to get along with…and I fear that…"

But Jane never heard the rest, for Adriel and Seth came bounding in, ready for their lessons.