Author's Note: Hello you lovely people! I just want to take a moment to say that I'm ecstatic about the comments I got on the previous chapter. It was something I was suuuuuper nervous about and you guys, in your infinite wonderfulness, gave me such kind words and encouragement. I seriously love all of you. Also just a side note on last chapter: it was pointed out to me that it wasn't clear that the scene depicted wasn't actually Loki and Rika's first time having sex. So to clear up any potential lingering confusion, that was not their first time together. And I now intend to write a chapter about their first time sometime in the future.

So, with that part of my rambling out of the way, a couple notes on THIS chapter. This one takes place waaaaaay before any of the others I've posted so far. I picture Loki and Rika to be pretty young (by Asgardian standards), like maybe 150-200ish years old. Which is what I think of as the equivalent of an early 20-something in the human world. I guess. Immortals are difficult sometimes. Also, for a pretty big change, Loki and Rika aren't actually in love with each other yet here. I kind of wanted to show a bit of their friendship before they became big balls of confusion and secret lovey feelings ;)

And as always I'd like to thank my fantastic reviewers: Writers Block 420, DoctorLokiLove, Frostfire613, HistoryGeek1993, and Kat7CA. You're the best. Also thanks to everyone who's read, followed and favourited. And now after the longest author's note in history, please enjoy chapter 11 :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Thor or any related characters, places, etc. Just my OC and the plot. Nor do I own the Beatles song I used for the chapter title.

There is a loud knock on the door of my parents' mansion. I glance around quickly before going to answer it; I've been left home alone while my mother and father are away on a diplomatic mission and I don't want anything out of place for anyone to tell them about when they return. Satisfied that things are acceptable, I hurry to the front door and open it.

One of the palace guards is standing on the front steps. He looks at me seriously.

"I've been sent to escort you to the palace, Lady Rika."

"Alright," I say slowly. "May I ask why?"

The guard shakes his head. "I wasn't told. All I know is that you must come with me at once."

Well, this is odd. I tell him to wait for a moment while I put on some shoes, and he glances at my bare feet with some distaste. I roll my eyes as I turn my back on him; it's none of his business if I walk around my own home barefooted. I wasn't expecting a formal visit from anyone. If I had been I would have been properly attired.

I pull on a pair of soft leather boots over my leggings and head back, stepping outside and closing the door behind me. The guard nods and begins walking briskly toward the palace, leaving me to trail nervously behind him.

For the life of me I can't imagine why I've been summoned to the palace like this. If Loki or Thor wanted to see me they would have just come by themselves, and I have no business there today. Confused thoughts swirl through my head as the guard leads me up the palace steps and through the ornate doors.

I assume from our path through the halls that the guard is leading me to the throne room, but instead he takes me to a smaller chamber just off the throne room which is usually used for important private meetings. The guard gives a short bow as he opens the door, then steps back and allows me to enter.

As the door closes behind me I place my hand over my chest and drop to one knee in front of the king and queen, who are seated at a long table.

"Rise, Lady Rika, and come take a seat," says Odin.

I do as he tells me, and that's when I notice that the monarchs' expressions are grim; unless I'm much mistaken, Queen Frigga looks as though she's been crying. Hard, cold dread fills my stomach.

"I'm afraid we have terrible news," Frigga says gently, placing her hand over my own. "There is no easy way to say this, dear."

"What is it? What's happened?" I ask, terrified of the answer.

Odin responds, his blue eye sad and sympathetic. "We have received word from the envoy sent to Muspelheim. They were attacked. Several people were killed...including your mother and father. I am so sorry."

...

I look up at the sound of footsteps entering the throne room to see my mother striding towards me, her face showing great sadness and concern. I leap to my feet and meet her halfway across the room.

"Where is she?" I ask worriedly. "How did she take it?"

Frigga shakes her head sadly. "Not well, Loki. She ran off after we told her. Perhaps you should go find her. She will need a friend."

I nod. "Yes, mother. Do you have any idea where she went?"

"No. But you know her better than anyone." She pauses. "I am worried about her."

"So am I," I say softly. "I will find her, mother."

I turn and hurry out of the throne room. My mother suggested I wait nearby while my parents told Rika what had happened, so that I could be there for her after she got the news. Neither of us expected her to run off without a word.

It is fortunate that I do know her so well; I only have to check a few places before I find her in the section of the library that houses spell books. Of course; this has always sort of been our place, where Rika and I come to get away from the others.

My heart breaks at the sight of her. Rika is sitting on the floor, her back against the wall and her knees pulled up in front of her; her forehead is resting on her knees and she is trembling.

I kneel in front of her and she looks up at me, tears pouring from her emerald eyes. Without a word she launches herself into my arms and clings to me, sobbing into my chest; I hug her and gently stroke her hair while she cries.

After a long while her sobs quiet and I gently lift her head so I can see her face. Her cheeks are flushed and streaked with tears which still leak from her eyes, and I've never seen anyone look so sad. I reach up and brush the wetness from her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, Rika," I whisper.

Her lip trembles and she takes a deep, shaky breath before speaking. "They're really gone, aren't they? They're not coming back."

I don't know what to say to that, but she doesn't wait for a response.

"Oh gods, what am I going to do? Where will I go? The house... It will have to go to whomever takes Father's position... I have nowhere to go."

Her words catch me off guard. I gaze at her with raised brows and shake my head. "You're not serious?"

"What?"

I cup a hand around her cheek. "Of course you have a place to go. You don't really think we'd turn you out onto the streets, do you?"

She frowns. "Loki, what are you talking about?"

"You'll live here," I reply. "Mother and Father are arranging chambers for you now. In the warriors' wing."

Rika's eyes widen. "But - I'm not a royal warrior."

A small smile creeps onto my face. "Not yet, but everyone knows you will be. You're being trained for it. It's only a matter of time before Odin makes it official."

A fresh wave of tears falls from Rika's eyes. "I can't thank you all enough for this."

"You don't have to," I say, pulling her into another tight hug.

...

Several days later I stand in my new chambers in the palace as a maid laces me into my dress for the funeral. Gods, it's still so hard to believe this is happening. The maid finishes with the dress and braids my long hair with quick, nimble fingers before curtseying and taking her leave.

I sigh heavily and stare at myself in the mirror. The black gown makes my skin look remarkably pale, or perhaps that's just because I haven't been sleeping well; my eyes appear dull and there are dark circles under them that makeup just can't cover. All in all, I look a right mess.

A knock sounds on the outer door. "Enter," I call, my voice slightly hoarse.

The door opens, revealing Loki; he's wearing the dark ceremonial armour reserved for times of mourning. He walks over and envelops me in a hug. I bury my face in his chest and wind my arms around him. We stay like that for a long moment, until Loki loosens his hold on me and takes my hand.

"We need to go," he says sadly.

I nod, unable to form words. I allow him to lead me from my chambers and out of the palace; I barely pay attention to where we're going, just concentrating on placing one foot in front of the other and trusting that Loki will get me there.

We arrive on a cliff overlooking the sea and I have no idea how much time has passed since we left the palace. It looks as if we are some of the last to arrive. Loki leads me through the crowd of mourners to just in front of the pyre, where the family of the deceased traditionally gathers. In this case, I am the only family.

Panic seizes me as Loki makes to let go of my hand and leave to take his place with the rest of the royal family. I grip his fingers tight and he stops and looks down at me.

"Rika?"

"Don't leave me. Please," I whisper desperately. "I can't do this alone."

He hesitates for a moment, glancing at his mother, who has been watching us. I see Frigga nod her head. Loki puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.

"Of course, Rika. I'm not going anywhere."

A few minutes later Odin steps forward and the crowd falls silent except for the sounds of quiet weeping. His voice is strong but sad as he begins to speak.

"Lo, there do I see my father. Lo, there do I see my mother, and my sisters, and my brothers. Lo, there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning. Lo, they do call to me. They bid me take my place among them in the hallowed halls of Valhalla, where the brave shall live forever."

He pauses as the pyre on which my parents lie is lit; the flames quickly engulf their bodies, smoke rising high into the air. Odin resumes speaking, but I don't hear much of it as I stare at the fire with my head nestled against Loki's shoulder. Tears run down my face and I'm so grateful for the support of my friend.

The ceremony ends and the assembled mourners begin to disperse. Loki stays with me, holding me and stroking my arm comfortingly, until the fire finally dies out and we're the only ones left. He pulls me into a tight hug and kisses the top of my head.

I think as long as I've got Loki, I can get through this.

A/N: The prayer Odin recites is an Old Norse funeral prayer I found online. I hope you liked :)