Loki's POV

It really was sweet, Loki thought, how conspicuous Thor's emotions were. His disappointment over not being able to get an apple for her was just as obvious as his attempt to mask it. Maybe the serene atmosphere of the garden made her feel sympathetic. Maybe it was him. She couldn't be sure, but she knew she didn't like the expression on his face. So, Loki took pity on him and allowed him to show off. She was glad for the apple, but even more so for the knowledge that she put that grin upon his bristly face. He looked better in pride than in defeat.

Her happiness soon soured though, when their conversation again returned to the topic of Thor's licentious past. His past upset her, though the reasons for it were complicated. Too complex for Loki to put into words, even if she wanted to. Which she did not. And while she technically belonged to Thor, her voice remained hers, and hers alone. So she remained silent, exercising control over the one thing she had and refusing to answer the prince's questions.

Loki was accustomed to living a life that was not in her own control. Jotun females had very little say in what happened in their lives. and Loki, the bastard, runtish offspring of a vengeful king, had even less. Laufey had wanted very little to do with her but that didn't stop him from restricting her every movement. She was kept away from the majority of the populace, and Laufey made certain the males knew not to touch her. The few that Loki was allowed to socialize with regarded her as strange and offered little but cruelty, so she stayed away. It was a solitary life, one that fostered a fierce independence in Loki, and a strong sense of self. For what else had she to claim?

Now even that meager claim was no longer hers. She belonged to Thor, crown prince of Asgard. And she really had heard stories. The other Jotun youths she'd been allowed to interact with were ruthless in their teasing. Once they found out what was to become of her, they gleefully told her tale after tale of Thor's lascivious ways. They tormented her mercilessly, calling her Thor's whore, telling her that she'd be nothing but a vessel for his royal seed, she'd be used and tossed aside, a disgrace. Those were the nice ones. Others were even more vicious. They sneered and told her she'd better hope she didn't end up with child. For no Asgardian prince would allow a Jotun runt to bear his child and it would be ripped from her womb before it had a chance to bring shame to the royal family.

Loki had tried to ignore them. She was skilled in allowing their taunts to roll off her back, but these were different. They squirmed and slithered their way deep inside and stoked the flames of the fear and resentment that she'd buried there. The stories were exaggerated, Loki knew that, but she had no way of knowing just how much. And now? Not only was she not her own person any longer, but she could very well end up proving her peers correct. Talk of Thor's past reminded her of what her present was, and what her future was likely to become.

It was her own fault, Loki realized. She was the one who kept mentioning his past. She needed to remember to bite her tongue, a habit she'd fallen out of now that she was away from Jotunheim. Practicing now, she chewed her lip silently, deep in thought as she accompanied her keeper down the path.

She wanted to hate Thor. Try as she might, though, Loki could not bring herself to do it. Yes, there was resentment and no small amount of irritation, but not hatred. She glanced over at him as they walked in awkward silence to the sparring ring, and tried to figure out why she didn't despise him. Even now, the frown that pulled at his lips seemed to tug Loki's heartstrings and she wanted it to be gone. Thor's generous smile and overbearing geniality were hard to ignore.

The prince radiated an affable warmth and no matter how much Loki wanted to shield herself from it, she found it difficult. His light found its way into her, threatening to destroy the shadows that she'd spent her life hiding herself in. And oh, that warmth, that light was tantalizing! The tiny bit of Thor that she'd already let into her heart had anchored in deep, and left her wanting him. Yes, she did want him. She wanted him to want her, too. And that terrified her, for within him was an astounding potential for pain. He had power over her that no one else had ever had. Just because he had yet to wield that power, did not mean he wouldn't.

Every returned smile, every question answered, every allowance she gave him was a great risk. Talk of Thor's past reminded Loki of just how precarious her situation was, and made it easier to think negatively about him. Made that risk seem foolish. Frightened her like nothing had before. She worried the apple in her hands as they walked, wondering if she'd ever feel up to eating it.

The pair came upon a large clearing, with a handful of small structures surrounding several raised wooden platforms. Each large circular area had wooden rails surrounding it, and Loki realized these were the "rings" Thor had mentioned. Only one was occupied as the pair approached, and Loki's steps slowed when they got close enough to see what was happening within the circle. Two heavily armored males were striking at each other with full force, neither one appearing to hold back. It looked violent, and reminded Loki of the fights that broke out often back home. Those fights almost always left one or both males dead, and it sickened Loki to watch them. She had no desire to watch this one, but Thor was already well ahead of her.

"My friends!" Thor bellowed once he got close enough. One of the fighters stopped to look, raising a hand to greet Thor. No sooner had he done so, than the other armored figure whacked him square across the back, bringing him to his knees with a loud cry. Loki cringed, but Thor laughed.

"Fandral! You should know better!" Thor hopped up onto the platform, entered the ring and helped the man up. As Loki approached, she could see the other bent over with laughter. Peculiar, she thought. Now that the smaller man, Fandral, was upright, Loki could see he was blond, like Thor, but with much shorter hair. That hair, along with his moustache and goatee, was styled and sharp, as if he took great care in his appearance. The other man was much larger, jovial, with a full red beard that seemed to continue all the way round his head.

"That was unfair, Volstagg!" Fandral exclaimed, though the grin on his face belied his anger. He turned and jabbed a finger at Thor, "And you! You should know better than to interrupt."

"A warrior should never allow himself to be distracted," came a sharp voice from the far side of the ring. "Or herself." A female, dressed much in the same manner as the men, hopped down from her perch on the railing and strode over to Thor's side. "Thor has taught you a valuable lesson."

"Thank you, Sif," Thor beamed, and gave her a nod. "You are both wise and fair."

"Wise enough to beat any of you fools, no matter the distractions." bragged Sif, a vain smile upon her face. Her long brown hair was tied back away from her face, and flowed down to the middle of her back. She had a fierce beauty, and Loki did not doubt her claim. There was another male, who stayed off to the side, quiet. He spied Loki straight away, and watched her intently with narrowed but curious eyes. Loki met his gaze as she climbed the steps to the sparring ring, lifting her chin defiantly and frowning back at him.

"Oy, who's this?" the large one known as Volstagg exclaimed, having finally spotted Loki. Fandral turned and his eyes widened when he took in the sight of her.

Thor came to her side and herded her closer to the group, "My friends, this is Loki. Loki, these are my friends, the Warriors Three." With one arm remaining at Loki's back, he introduced each one, including the silent one, whose name was Hogun. "And this is Lady Sif, the bravest woman in Asgard." Loki noticed that Sif puffed up at Thor's praise, and her smile was only for him. When she looked to Loki, the smile vanished.

"Where is she from?" The female did not bother to disguise the disdain in her voice. "She is not of Asgard."

"I am from Jotunheim." Loki replied with a very matter-of-fact, what-is-it-to-you tone in her voice.

Having never known a Frost Giant to be so pretty, Fandral and Volstagg both looked confused. Hogun narrowed his eyes even further, while Sif barely restrained a sneer.

"You do not look like a Frost Giant," she remarked, taking a step closer to Thor in an obvious show of allegiance. "You're small, and not blue."

"Loki became very ill when I brought her back. In her Jotun form, she could not tolerate our climate. My mother changed her to save her life, so she could live here with me." Thor grinned at Loki when he spoke the last part, and moved his hand so it was more firmly around her waist. Loki knew these people for mere moments, but she could already read each of them clear as day. Fandral thought very highly of himself, and she could tell by his grin that he was already plotting how he would gain favor with her. Volstagg seemed every bit as gregarious as Thor, and may have been even more fascinated by food than Loki was. Hogun wore his seriousness as a mask, not allowing even the briefest emotion to show through as he studied everything intently. Loki admired that. And Sif was flat out jealous. It was obvious that she fancied Thor, and viewed Loki as competition. Loki already wanted to throw her apple at Sif, but considered it a waste of a perfectly good apple.

"Live here with you? But why? What business does a Jotun have living in Asgard?" Sif's question was a valid one, Loki thought, and she was curious about Thor's answer.

But Thor hesitated, as if unsure how to respond. "Father...uh...he instructed me to travel to Jotunheim to collect Loki. That he had made a bargain with Laufey at the end of the Great Battle, and Loki was a part of that bargain. He did not tell me why, although I suspect I am to teach her our ways and perhaps foster a more permanent peace between our realms."

Loki bit back a shocked laugh and looked at him incredulously. Was Thor really that naive? Did he think her an ambassador of goodwill? She was nothing more than a reject, tossed to Thor like a leftover scrap of food to a whining dog. Either Thor was lying, or someone had lied to him.

Sif curled her lip and took a step toward Loki, one hand on the hilt of her sword, growling, "How do we know she's not a spy, sent to gather information for an attack?"

Loki's eyes widened at her brazenness, but she had no chance to react, for Thor stepped between them and placed his hands on Sif's shoulders, pushing her back solidly. Fandral and Volstagg moved to flank them, unsure whose side to take, but ready for it either way.

"That is enough, Sif!" the prince said forcefully. "Loki is not our enemy!"

Sif struggled against Thor's grasp, "You don't know that!" she asserted through gritted teeth. Volstagg reached forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. Thor stepped back suddenly, away from both of them, as if realizing what he was doing, and straightened himself with a nervous cough. Fandral came to Sif's side, either to restrain her or hold her up, Loki couldn't be sure. Even Hogun had inched closer to the group, as if he understood where this tension could lead.

"Sif...I am sorry," the prince stammered, his back still to Loki. He lowered his head and Loki fumed. How dare he back down so easily?

Sif straightened herself up as well. "It is alright, Thor. Your temper, I know you well enough to know I shouldn't provoke you." She approached Thor again, and touched his arm.

"No!" Loki shouted, as a surge of possessiveness shot through her. She was not as willing as Thor was to have her honor marred by this female's insinuations. Her voice dropped lower, though it still dripped with anger as she continued. "It is not alright. I did not come here by choice, nor did I come with a purpose. I am not your enemy, but I'd be happy to oblige if you insist."

While the men gaped, Sif took an aggressive step toward Loki. "I see no reason to fear you," she jeered.

Loki stepped forward, too, her magic surging furiously through her veins. Her fingers flexed, itching to strike out. "Looks can be deceiving, and so can I. You would be wise to fear me, which is likely why you don't."

"I -" Sif started to talk, but froze when she saw the green sparks that crackled around Loki's fingertips. "What is that...?"

"Loki!" Thor cried out and moved to her side, though he did not touch her. "What are you doing, Loki?"

Glaring up at Thor, Loki said tightly, "Showing your friend exactly why she should fear me."

"Loki. Stop." He glanced back at Sif, who stood rooted to the spot, eyes fixed on Loki's hands. "Lady Sif means you no harm. Isn't that right, Sif?" Thor nodded encouragingly at her.

With a shake of her head, Sif seemed to snap out of her trance and stood proud once more. To Thor, with a derisive smirk, she replied, "I wouldn't want to waste the energy. Best to save it for a real threat." At that, with one final glare at Loki, she turned and stomped out of the ring and down the path.

Smug, Loki allowed her magic to recede and willed herself to calm down. After Sif was no longer in sight, all four of the men turned back to her. Arms crossed, she frowned and silently dared any of them to question her.

"Excuse us, my friends. Loki has been through much in the past few days, and I believe she needs to rest." Thor gripped Loki's arm and led her forcefully down off the wooden platform. Loki struggled silently against his hold, but could not free herself. They were halfway to the palace before Thor let go of Loki with a less than gentle shove. She stumbled, and dropped the apple, but righted herself immediately, standing defiant once again.

"What was that, Loki?" he growled at her, chest heaving with angry breath.

Loki rubbed at her arm, glowering at him. "I was protecting my honor! No one else seemed inclined to!" she yelled back.

"Your honor was not in jeopardy. Lady Sif does not know you. She is right not to trust Frost Giants." Thor growled. His fists were clenched so tight, his knuckles appeared white.

"It is not just my race that she holds in contempt." Loki fumed, quieter now. She had no interest in a shouting match. Gaining the upper hand in an argument was much easier when you remained calm while the other raged. Loki had learned that long ago.

"Not now! Not after that!" Thor's temper continued to roar. He didn't seem to notice Loki's change in demeanor, nor what her words insinuated. "Why did you not tell me you could do magic? That is what that was, yes?"

Loki nodded. "You did not ask," she scoffed. As if she'd voluntarily reveal that to anyone, let alone him! Her magic was one of her deepest secrets, and she felt foolish that she had just revealed it to everyone.

Thor blinked at her. "Jotuns do not know magic?" It was not quite a question, but Loki answered anyway.

"You said yourself I was not full Jotun. Did you not stop to think what that meant?" Loki had just about had enough. Next would be the inevitable questions about her heritage, about what she was capable of. She didn't want to answer them. She wanted to be back in her room, alone.

"I...did not..." stammered Thor. His anger seemed to have dissipated some. Though not entirely, and he stepped close, looming intimidatingly. "What else are you not telling me, Loki?"

"Everything!" Loki snarled in his face. Then, in much the same manner Sif had done, she turned and made off for the palace, not caring at all that she had no idea how to get back to her room. Getting away from Thor was the only thing that mattered. Thor called out after her, but, to his credit, did not follow. Loki moved as fast as her feet could take her without actually running, and she did not dare breathe until the dirt below her feet gave way to the smooth marble of the palace floors and Thor was left far behind.

Thank you again for the feedback, favorites, follows, all of it! It really does feel good to know people are enjoying my little story. There is still so much more to come in this story, so stay tuned!