Mischief 4 (Thryheim)
"Queen Ula of Thyheim kidnapped me once," Loki stated mildly, looking out over the Sea of Fear. Beside them, the huge, stone Hive squatted under an unmerciful sun.
"And you deserved it, I'm sure," Natasha retorted. He twinkled at her but didn't volunteer any further information, and finally she burst out, "All right. What happened?"
"I poisoned her Flying Trolls."
"Oh, right - that was my next guess. Honestly, is it any wonder I wouldn't let you out of my sight on this little jaunt?"
"Very clever, darling," he drawled. "I do hope we get to see Queen Ula, speaking of her – just wait until you take in her headgear."
"Why?" Natasha was suspicious. "Is her beauty beyond all compare? Does she lure men to their deaths?"
"Now you are simply being silly." Loki snorted.
"Pardon me. Well, back to serious matters such as Flying Trolls." She prodded him with the butt of her sword.
He was about to retort, when a massive door opened in the side of the Hive and a voice was heard. "Why do you dare to travel here?"
Loki strode forward. "We seek Fólkvangr. Is the plain hence?"
A tall woman, wearing a huge helmet that covered her face like the carapace of an insect emerged, flanked by what looked like hundreds of red trolls. "Loptr," she said in a toneless voice. "We remember you, and with no great kindness."
"Queen Ula," Natasha said, pushing forward. "Here, we brought you a little something." She withdrew a packet from her saddlebags and, deciding that any woman who wore such get-up would like a lot of showmanship, launched the gift forward towards Loki.
He caught it in one fist and handed it to the queen, who sniffed. "Jewels? I have no need of…"
"Royal jelly," Natasha interrupted, "begging Your Majesty's pardon. The really good stuff. All we ask is any information you may have about Fólkvangr."
Queen Ula inclined her head and accepted the gift. "Very well. All I know is it has something to do with talismans."
Loki bowed and, eyeing the Flying Trolls cautiously, rejoined Natasha. As they rode off she said in a low voice, "That doesn't tell us very much."
"No, but we are lucky to escape with our heads."
"Hm. Huh. Okay, good to know. And, if you ever feel the need to buy me one of those Ula hats, you just suppress that urge."