"A woman's life can really be a succession of lives, each revolving around some emotionally compelling situation or challenge, and each marked off by some intense experience."

–Wallis Simpson

Tony came home late in the evening to find Freyja outside on the metal overhang, seemingly meditating. He had found out that she always meditated at dawn and again at dusk, usually spending an hour, or more depending on how the day had gone. She was always unresponsive when he found her meditating. Regardless of how he tried to distract her, and he had gone so far as to fly circles around her in his suit once, he never got a reaction from her. It was almost as if she was no more than an empty shell.

He had been searching for days for information on her, puzzled and curious about the secrets she kept. A quick search through the S.H.I.E.L.D. database revealed that they, too, had little information of the Vanir goddess. And if that was true, Tony knew Fury was likely to be fuming. That made him all the more curious. How many aspects of her life did she hide and, better yet, why did she hide them? So far, none of the information he could glean was stable. Her life was an enigma he wanted to solve.

He glanced outside at her figure again, just to make sure she wasn't moving, as he asked, "Jarvis, how long has Freyja been out there?"

"No more than five minutes, sir."

"Perfect," he smiled as he walked down the hall towards her room.

It was the first time Tony had actually set foot in her room, as he did have some limitations. However, his curiosity was getting the better of him so he was going to bend the rules a bit. She was incredibly, and somewhat annoyingly, neat with her room. Everything had a specific place, nothing was ever off by so much as an inch. He grimaced at the sight. This meant that he would have to be careful when rifling through her belongings, as she would know if he had moved anything.

The first thing he looked at was her strange tablet-like computer made of diamond. He tapped the surface twice, watching as the screen flickered to life. It was password protected, and not in English, either. But it seemed the spell she had placed on him before still worked, as the elegant glyphs gave a little shudder after a second before he found they changed to English. That still didn't help him figure out what her password was. He stared at the letters on the screen, noting that some of the letters of the alphabet were missing while others were combined, and wondered as to what she would use to protect the tablet.

Pulling out a small silver circle, he attached it to the back of the diamond slab. He raised his eyebrows as the screen turned red and shook in his hands. This was the first time JARVIS hadn't been able to hack into any computer system, which sparked both intrigue and irritation in him. Guessing that he probably would waste time trying to open it, as there was no way of potentially decrypting the protection on a piece of technology that didn't have a visible motherboard, he replaced it on the bedside table and walked around the room in search of something else.

While he walked, he thought of the various hints she had given him. Each of her rings stood for a title she possessed: one that claimed her as the sister of the crowned prince, one for being an ambassador to Asgard, another for being a master sorceress, one for being named the goddess of love and beauty, the gold band with silver glyphs embedded into its surface that he didn't know what it meant, and the strange ring that looked as if someone had taken a solid chunk of emerald and cut it into a ring. He had listened intently as she had explained their meaning to Bruce after he had asked about her people's culture. Her silver circlet marked her as a member of the royal family, her necklace a memento of her dead mother, her rune-engraved bracelet a gift from a friend, and her golden armbands a gift from some dwarven brothers. The cape of feather was –

The cape! He had forgotten about the mysterious cloak that had seemingly transported him into what he could only guess was her past. She hadn't been wearing it recently, so it must be in the room somewhere. He walked over to the closet, throwing the door open to check, but found it relatively empty. The only things in the closet were the random clothes Pepper had bought for her as well as an old-fashioned tunic and leather pants that looked as if they were centuries old. He guessed that they probably were.

Where would she keep a cloak of falcon feathers? The question circled around his head, almost mockingly, as he glanced around. He checked through the drawers only to find them empty. She was hiding it, and people only hide things for fear of someone finding something they shouldn't, he reasoned. There was only one place left he could check. Sure enough, when he kneeled down to look, it was folded neatly under the bed.

He pulled it out, unfolding it carefully to make sure he didn't accidentally pull out any of the feathers. They were in perfect condition as if they had just been collected and washed. Each one was pure white and flawlessly straight. The cloak was also forked, as he had not realized before, and shaped to look almost like wings.

He ran his fingers over the edge of one of the feathers as he had before, but nothing happened. Was there a trick to it? He tried to think of what he had done differently. It couldn't have anything to do with Bruce – the very idea was ridiculous and didn't make any sense. He doubted it had anything to do with Freyja, either.

"What are you hiding?" he muttered, trying to think of what was different.

And then, just as the words left his mouth, it happened. The sensation of falling was incredible and sickening at the same time. He felt as if he would throw up as colors, shapes, and sounds swirled around him like a hurricane. When his vision finally settled and he could stand up straight without wanting to be sick, he looked around.

He was out in the woods near a lake, silver and gold towers loomed in the distance. A younger Freyja stood at the water's edge next to a person who could only have been a younger Loki. She loosened the ties on the front of the leather corset she wore over her blue dress, slipping it over her skirt and off, causing Tony to raise his eyebrows. He didn't know much about Asgardian or Vaniric customs, but he was willing to be that they found it appropriate to randomly undress in front of men in public.

"Freyja! What in the name of the Nine Realms are you doing?" Loki exclaimed, turning red in the face.

She slipped her dress off next, revealing the white floor-length chemise underneath, "I am going for a swim."

Without waiting for a reply, she dove into the water, surfacing a minute later. Loki gaped at her, his hand over his mouth as he walked in a small circle as though flustered and unsure as to what he should do. Freyja grinned at him as she pushed the hair from her eyes.

"Do come in, Loki. The water is marvelous."

Loki looked as if he was even more baffled by the request. Tony guessed his previous assumption was right, and he chuckled at the sight of the mischief god who was so different from the one who'd attacked New York. Loki's pale face had turned bright red and he tried to look elsewhere as if embarrassed to look straight at her.

"No, I think I'll stay here and wait for you to finish," he said, his words almost forced.

"If you don't, I shall be forced to drag you in. Leather, metal, and all," she threatened playfully.

He met her eyes instantly, doubt and alarm in his expression, "You wouldn't..."

"Try me."

He sighed, pulling off his boots, "I'm only doing this because Father will skin me alive if I ruin another set of armor."

She grinned and dove back underwater as he stripped down to his black leather pants. He walked slowly into the water and peered around in the water as if looking for her. Tony watched as he jumped, crying out in surprise as he fell into the water with a splash. Freyja broke through the surface as he lost his footing and fell. He sat, looking slightly irritated, half in the water as she laughed.

"I cannot believe you are so easily frightened," she giggled. "I merely grabbed your leg. What did you think it was? A serpent?"

For a second, Tony was certain that Loki might strike her. That was, after all, what the Loki he knew would have done. But a grin split the young god's face before he started laughing, too. He splashed her with a flick of his wrist and she ducked away.

"Catch me if you can," she dared, sinking under the water once more.

And once again, Tony was falling through air as the scene swirled together into something new. He was in what looked like a large metal seaport, and somewhat like it had come out of a sci-fi movie, that was almost empty. Strange aircraft of all sorts lined the edges. A large silver plane-like ship stood at the opening, which looked like a larger version of what S.H.I.E.L.D. record stated Freyja flew. A roughly thirteen-year-old Freyja and Loki stood a few feet from the metal ramp that led to the ship.

Loki pulled a purple velvet bag off of his leather belt, handing it to her sheepishly, "I got you something: a little farewell gift."

She pulled the golden cords that kept it closed to reveal a small silver bracelet studded with emeralds and adorned with Nordic symbols. Her eyes widened as she examined it, her lips parting in surprise.

"If you ever miss me on your travels, I thought this could help remind you," he explained, rubbing his wrists nervously. "Even if you don't miss me, just don't forget about me, okay?"

She threw her arms around him, clasping the bracelet in her hand, "Of course I will miss you. I won't forget about you, either. I promise."

Loki seemed to freeze in shock for a minute, but his expression slowly changed to a bittersweet happiness and he returned her embrace.

She let go, backing away a step, "Thank you, Loki. Keep practicing your magic."

"Freyja!" a man called from the ship. "We must leave now. Your father is waiting."

"Just six years. Write to me!" she said before turning and running up the ramp.

Loki watched sadly as she disappeared into the plane, his smile falling as soon as she turned away.

And Tony was plunged once more into the fray of colors and shapes that swirled into chaos before solidifying into something new. He was now in an empty hall that looked as if it was made of gold and copper. Silver pillars lined the edges of the room, looking as if they were only for decoration than for support. Freyja, now about nineteen, was leaning against one of the pillars, wearing a blue cloth tunic, dark brown leather pants, jerkin and boots, as she watched Loki fight a few other Asgardians.

Several different hues of a smoke-like substance trailed from their fingertips and filled the room. Forest green mingled with navy blue, bright orange, and canary yellow across the floors. Daggers of colored energy flashed through the air, either dodged or blocked by mentally created bubble-like shields.

"Alfons, you need to try to be quicker. You're barely avoiding becoming riddled with wounds," Freyja said over the din. "Kylan, you need to work on your aim. Keep both eyes open and your attacks will actually hit what you aim for. Magni, do try to be more creative with your attacks. A sorcerer never goes for the most obvious chance. And Loki-"

Loki turned to face her, but was thrown backwards by a ray of light. He fell to the floor, sliding to a stop ten feet away from where he originally stood. Freyja stepped the three feet between them, her hands on her hips, and leaned forward until her face was above his.

"For the sake of Yggdrasil, pay attention to what you're doing," she sighed exasperatedly. "How many times must I tell you, never take your mind off the task at hand? Also, Kylan, that was an excellent shot. Much better."

"Forgive me," Loki said as he stood up. "I shall endeavor do better."

"I should hope so," she replied.

Out of all of my students, you have the most potential. You are creative, daring, methodical, and willing to adapt your style at any opportune moment. If you weren't so easily distracted, you would be a master by now.

Tony frowned as her voice echoed through his head and, despite there being no proof, he somehow knew that Loki had also heard it. A small smile crossed the god's face, making his green eyes shine.

The fight continued, this time more chaotically as each one tried to follow her instructions. Freyja grinned, an almost devious light in her eyes, and dug through a velvet pouch tied to her belt.

"Think fast," she called, tossing a small round object into the fray.

The little circle seemed to grow, parts of it unfolding, whirring, and rotating. Loki's eyes widened as he caught sight of the orb. He kicked it frantically to the side with his foot, but a burgundy-haired young man picked it up and tossed it at the blonde with the bowl cut. The third man, a twenty-year-old with a shaved head, tossed a knife at it in midair.

"No!" Freyja yelled, throwing her hand out as she leapt forward.

The orb was suddenly back in her hand, the knife embedded deep into the surface. It ticked angrily as if it was alive. She tossed it up into the air the second she could, waving her hand so that an invisible force pushed it higher, where it exploded filling the air with a plume of grey smoke. With the flick of her wrist, silver coils of wind blew the smoke out the door and windows.

"Alfons, that was not what I meant when I said to quicken your reflexes. If this had been a true fight, you would have killed everyone. The rest of you, good job, but remember to what I said. Acting before thinking might work in regular battle but, if you're up against a sorcerer, you're going to need to consider your actions before you go through with them. Dismissed."

The four bowed, panting, before Kylan, Alfons, and Magni left the room. Loki walked over to Freyja, a thin sheen of sweat across his face and neck.

"Did you truly mean that?"

She laughed, "Of course. I will never understand why Asgardians only think of the consequences after their actions have been committed."

"Not that. I meant about myself having the most potential."

She nodded, "You will be ready to face the Council within a fortnight."

"The Council?" he echoed, a worried expression crossing his face.

"I'll accompany you, of course, to give you the last of my advice."

"Are they truly as intimidating as you say?"

She considered this, "Believe you me, they are unlike anyone you have ever met."

And the scene caved in on itself as it transformed again. He was now on a large slab of glass or diamond, he wasn't sure which, that flickered with various colors. The stars surrounded him on all sides, but he could see the gold and silver buildings of the city to his right and a golden dome-shaped building to his left. Loki and Freyja sat on the edge of the slab, legs dangling over the edge. The only light came from the full moon above them.

"Tell me again your story of the stars," Loki said softly.

Freyja laughed, "Do you never tire of hearing it? I must have told you a dozen times now."

"I never tire of you telling it. You are a very good story-weaver."

"What if I told you a different story?"

"One I haven't heard?" he raised his eyebrows. "Alright."

"Long before the Nine Realms were created, but before there were stars in the sky, Sophossentia created six Entities which were to instigate His divine plan. Their names were Eternity, Infinity, Oblivion, Death, Galactus, and the Never Queen. Though only two shared common blood, they all considered each other family. And, like all families, they had their own troubles. Particularly when they learned of the love Eternity and the Never Queen shared."

"This story sounds familiar," he laughed.

"Don't interrupt," she scolded, though she sounded more like she was teasing him.

"Forgive me, do continue."

"Though Infinity's twin sister, Eternity, condoned the courtship, Oblivion did not. He attempted to persuade them to cast aside their emotions, but failed to make any change. They wanted to be together, in whatever way they could, but that frightened him. He loved Infinity like a brother and was afraid of losing him to the Never Queen."

"Did he want Infinity as his own lover?"

"No, Loki. He was afraid that Infinity was capable of loving someone more than him.

"Now, to find a way to separate the two, Oblivion employed the help of Death. As she had always loathed the two for interfering with her work, it was easy for him to manipulate her hatred. She was sent to destroy the Never Queen as Oblivion distracted Infinity and Eternity."

"What did Infinity do when he learned of the betrayal?

"Well, the Never Queen was the embodiment of all possibilities. Had she been allowed to die completely, all things which were to happen would never be, which Eternity explained to Death. She regretted her actions when she understood and helped Eternity to scatter pieces her soul across time.

"Infinity, whose love for his brother was now replaced by hatred, chased Oblivion across the void. He trapped Oblivion in the darkest corner of the void as he could not bring himself to kill his brother. With his search for vengeance over, he found little reason to exist. But Infinity could not simply take his own life or everything would cease to be. So, after much coercion, Eternity gave him the same fate as the Never Queen, creating the universe as we know it."

"What happened in the end?"

She shrugged, "No one is certain. Some believe that the pieces of his soul seek out those of the Never Queen's. Others believe they exist only abstractly. We will never know, as Eternity, Galactus, and Death have not been seen since the dawn of creation."

"Hmm. Shall we create an ending for them?"

"It doesn't work that way, Loki," she sighed.

"Why not?"

"Because you cannot change history."

Loki gave a hesitant nod, turning his gaze out towards the stars, "What do you believe happened?"

She smiled, "I like to think that each piece of their souls are out there, seeking each other out still."

"Two beings searching for each other throughout all of time and space," he mused. "You always were a hopeless romantic, Freyja."

The goddess scoffed, giving him a playful push as though trying to act as if he had offended her. Loki gave her a shove back and the two broke into laughter.

The scene shifted, and Tony found that he didn't feel so nauseated by the change. Was he getting used to the transitions? This time he was in a long hall made of marble. A tall, thin man, at least Tony thought it looked vaguely masculine, with blue-black skin and silver eyes sat on a large throne made of marble. He was oddly proportioned, looking as if someone had stretched too far, leaving him angular and skeletal. His black hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck. In front of him, a similar being stood. Tony nearly gaped in horror at the sight of the two, uncertain of whether they were oddly beautiful or absolutely terrifying.

The other creature was tall, slender and angular as well, but its skin was a shade paler than the man's. Its eyes were a surreal hue of electric blue, which Tony was certain he had seen before, that shone with a brightness that was not present in the man's. Both shared the same gaunt look as if their skin had been wrapped taut around their bodies. The appearance would have left any other creature looking emaciated, and yet the two looked more regal and enchanting because of it. When the one standing spoke, it was Freyja's voice that left its lips.

"You wished to see me, Father?"

"It is time you receive your birthright."

Surprise painted her face, "Birthright? I don't understand what you are speaking of."

"It was decided at the end of the Æsir-Vanir war that a certain object would be held and guarded by the more suitable of my children. Until the Council decided which of my children was the correct choice, it was Odin who was to guard it."

"What object do you mean?"

He waved his hand towards the table, motioning for her to look. She walked quickly towards the table and pulled off the velvet cover to reveal the Tesseract. Her eyes widened.

"Is this-?"

"Yes. The Council has decided you are the more suitable to protect it. Be warned, if this falls into the wrong hands, it will mean the destruction of the Nine Realms."

"Ragnarök," she whispered.

"You must never let that happen, do you understand?"

"I do."

"Then you must take the sacred oaths, as the Protectors before you have."

She nodded, walking back to the center of the room and kneeling before the man. When she bowed her head, he began to speak once more, his voice echoing through the room.

"Do you, Freyja Njorddottir, swear upon your life and soul to protect your charge with every fiber of your body and mind?"

"I swear," she said, not even looking up as coils of grey smoke trailed down from his palms and curled around her to weave what looked like ropes restraining her.

"Do you swear to uphold these expectations, no matter the consequence or situation?"

"I swear," the coils tightened, her eyes shining silver now.

"Do you swear to give your life to protect what must never fall into the hands of those who wish would abuse its power?"

"I swear," the coils looked more like chains now, tightening around her like snakes, and Tony wondered if they hurt.

"Do you swear to sacrifice everything, no matter what the cost?"

"I swear, on my life, my soul, my mind, and my world. I will not fail."

Swirls of color, shadows of shapes, waves of garbled sound all destroyed the scene, and barely any of it seemed to bother him. Tony watched almost apathetically as he fell through all of it and into something new. He was in a large bedroom that seemed to be made of titanium. Powder blue curtains hung over the windows, though they were opened just enough for a streak of light to come in.

Freyja sat on the edge of the bed in a white chemise, someone tangled in the sheets behind her, as she stretched. She ran her fingers through her hair to push back the errant red curls and smiled. Turning to glance over her shoulder, she gave a soft laugh at the sight of the person on the bed. Tony walked around to see who it was, curious to see who her lover was at last, only to stop in shock.

She ran her fingers up the pale skin of his arm, smiling as if she couldn't believe he was there. Her hand reached his face where his ebony hair was messily splayed out across the pillow. She brushed a few strands out of his face, a gesture that seemed too intimate as Tony watched, and stood up. She walked over to the vanity and dug through the drawers until she found a silk drawstring bag.

Carefully picking out a few objects that looked like crushed seeds, she moved towards the window and opened the curtains just an inch more to reveal a balcony. She stood in silence, slowly chewing the seeds, and gazed out into the myriad of gold and silver towers beyond the crystal window.

Loki sat up where he lay in bed, looking around until he spotted her, and got up slowly. Tony was forced to avert his eyes until the prince tied the sheets around his waist. He only looked back when the rustled was replaced by soft footsteps walking past him. Loki wrapped his arms around her shoulders, kissing the curve of her neck.

"Good morning, love," he whispered. "How was your night?"

She smiled, glancing at him, "Unexpected."

"In a good way?"

"Perhaps," she gave him a sly look, prompting him to grin in return.

"What is that you're eating?" he asked, his expression turning serious once more.

"Bird's Nest."

He closed his eyes, "I am an extraordinary fool. The idea did not occur to me that-"

"It doesn't matter," she said. "It occurred to me. Besides, I would not take back my actions."

He smiled again, "I would not, either. In fact, I just might-"

Something went wrong then. The memory ripped apart violently as if someone was tearing it at the seams. Tony gripped his head as pain lanced across his skull, the feeling similar to if his head was splitting in two. When he opened his eyes, he was back in Freyja's room. Unfortunately for him, so was Freyja. Her eyes blazed in anger as she grasped his shoulder too tightly. Something about the woman was frightening in a way Tony had yet to register.

"What in the name of Helheim are you doing with this?" she yelled, tossing the cloak onto the bed.

"Uh…Well, I-"

It wasn't often that Tony was rendered speechless. But his head still ached from being ripped out of the memories, and Freyja was genuinely frightening him, which was not conducive to thinking of glib remarks.

"What did you see?"

He stuttered incoherently, trying to back away, "Nothing, I didn't-"

"Do not lie to me," she snarled. "This cloak is imbued with my most personal memories, ones which are only shone when a question is asked. What question did you hold?"

She was furious beyond reason, coils of her silver aura snaking around him. As he scrambled for words, something he hadn't needed to do in a long time, he wondered if this time he had gone too far. She had told Bruce that the Vanir were not as physically strong as their Asgardian cousins. But she had also said that what they lacked in strength, they made up for in magic.

"What did you see?" she demanded.

He pulled away from her grasp, stepping back to keep away, "If you didn't want me to know something, you shouldn't have hidden it. Guests should be upfront about things."

"What is wrong with you?" she yelled. "Is it customary for a host to search through his guest's belongings? Do you not respect one's privacy here? Is it too much to ask for you to stay out of my private life?"

"It is when you've slept with the enemy!"

He regretted it the second it was out of his mouth. Idiot, he thought to himself, what has Pepper always told you about speaking without thinking? Freyja turned red in the face, though Tony was ninety-three percent sure it wasn't because she was embarrassed.

"Get out," she hissed through her teeth, letting go of his shirt.

"But-"

"GET OUT!"

He was thrown backwards, along with several other objects in the room, as a wave of silver energy blew up around her. Looking up at her, he realized that it would be in his best interest to do as she said. Despite his careless attitude, he knew it would be beyond stupid to stay in the same room with an angry woman who could tear his mind in two. He wasn't suicidal.

He walked out as quickly as possible without running, a voice in the back of his head wondering what Freyja would do now that her hour of meditation had gone to waste.