Luke walked through the halls of the palace. The place was so large he was afraid he was going to get lost, maybe that wouldn't be so bad…Luke didn't exactly mind being lost in a place as cool as this. It almost looked like the carpet was paved with gold.

Luke wandered the halls, looking for the entrances…did Alivia say the courtyard by the stables, or near the kitchen? He honestly couldn't remember. Luke gazed around the corners, took lefts into regal chambers and rights into expansive dining rooms. He doubled back through hallways, ran into guards and tried to ask them for directions. They only scowled and shook their heads. Something told him they knew, but didn't want to tell him…

But no matter, he thanked them for their time and walked on. In no time Luke found himself near the kitchen…at least, that's what it had to be, there was no other place in the world that could smell do wonderful. The fresh smell of bread, and the warm aroma of tomatoes with basil. He peered through the door way and saw a whole mess of men and women cooking, stirring, baking and tasting. It was just like back home at his bakery.

People working together to create something. A smile formed on his lips, Luke could never be angry or sad around food…something like that just didn't seem possible to him. He fixed his shirt, straightened his pants and walked forward into the kitchen.

"Hello." He said, perhaps a little too loudly because the entire place seemed to stop and stare at him. He froze, patted his hair down and began again. "Hello. I-I'm Luke." He walked forward.

He heard whispers, people looking side to side.

"Who is this?"

"A mortal? In Asgard?"

"I think he is a guest of Thor's, you know how he loves his mortals."

Luke looked around and said. "You guys seem busy, but I'm trying to get to the Warriors Three's training place. Coul…" Luke looked around and saw plenty of pots boiling, flour everywhere, and faces that looked like they were ready to drop. He had seen this plenty of times in the bakery, they were swamped. "You guys look really busy." He looked over everything. "Would you like some help?" He smiled…he might as well offer right?

They looked towards each other, and the chatter started again.

"Is he mad?"

"A mortal?"

"Well…why not? His aid could be of some use, could it not?"

"Perhaps we shall earn favor with Thor if we entertain his mortal pet."

So Luke was put to work. The rolled out bread, he cooked stew, he took direction from the other workers. They worked for hours. They roasted boar, they minced pies, they chopped vegetables, and they poured stew. Luke even stopped to ask who all this food was for, but then he just shrugged the question away. Perhaps this was all for Thor and his family. Perhaps there was important guests coming to discuss politics, maybe Thor and his family always ate this much. It didn't matter, when he got home he could tell his friends he help make an Asgardian meal! How many people could say that!

Thor walked through the halls in search of Luke. He had told the Warriors Three to tend to him, but the moment Thor returned he found Loki's chambers empty. The All-father was in a foul mood, and his decree made Thor even more distressed.

"Loki will remain here on Asgard where we shall mold him into what we need him to become." Odin had said.

Thor tried to reason with his father. There was no way Luke would remain, not willingly. Furthermore the reputation of the Avengers had already been stained, if Luke did not return the other mortals might turn against his comrades. The situation was too out of hand and keeping Luke here would only worsen matters.

But there was nothing Thor could do. Perhaps…perhaps this was for the best. The man of Iron was clever, no matter what would happen he could find a way around the problem. Not only that, but being in these Asgardian halls might have awoken some part of Loki hiding in Luke, he may even have traces of magic within him.

If Luke had access to Loki's sorcery than perhaps…just maybe…

But Thor had to be sure, he had to examine the matter further. This could work…there was no other option, this had to work…for all of their sakes.

Soon, they were finished, and Luke and the other workers fell to the ground.

"Not bad…for a Midgardian."

Luke laughed. "Well thank you…I had fun doing it." He looked towards the window, night had fallen. He sighed. He wanted to be able to see the Warriors Three train, and who knew what time it was back on Earth. Matt must be worried, and Leon too.

Luke sat up and dusted the flour off of his pants. "You wouldn't happen to know where Thor is, do you? It's been great fun, but I need to get back to Earth."

The kitchen staff laughed. "The whereabouts of the prince are never known to us. However, he maybe in his chambers."

Luke leaned forward. "Chambers?"

The staff pointed him back in the direction he came. He thanked them for their help and walked towards the halls again, determined not to get lost. He past the same guards, the same doors, the same portraits and came to large door.

"This must be it." He knocked three times…and the door slowly opened. First and eye peeked through the sliver, than a beautiful hand, and then a face. The face of a woman. Luke stepped back, shocked and embarrassed.

"Oh…I am so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

But the woman stepped out from behind the door, he body draped in a gown, and her face heavy with shock, fear, love…and sadness, as if, after all this time…something had been returned to her.

"Loki."