Chapter Four

The Welcoming Feast was surprisingly just as I imagined it would be. For most movies being historically inaccurate they sure did understand how those of the past partied. It was a magnificent sight to behold. The music was upbeat as maidens plucked at strings and their painted lips pressed along wooden instruments. Men and woman laughed and danced, their pints always full of ale and cider and their plates were cleaned of fatty meats and potatoes dug from the ground.

The atmosphere was light and everyone around seemed to be enjoying themselves. Thor sat in the middle of a long table with the Warriors Three to his left and an empty seat to his right. Upon my entrance he stood, beaming as usual and his voice boomed as he introduced me to the other Asgardians. They cheered and clapped, greeting me with smiles and handshakes as I blushed and smiled in returned.

Everyone towered over me. Apparently there was no such thing as a short Asgardian. Even several of the children were taller than I was. By the time I reached the table I felt as though I were a small ant making my way through a crowded picnic. Thor greeted me with a slightly bow and gestured that I take a seat.

I began to take the empty one next to him when I caught from the corner of my eye Hogun shaking his head. Curiously, I decided to take the empty seat next to it and a servant instantly brought me a plate filled of food. My stomach turned at the fat that lapped over the turkey leg. Turning up my nose I set to picking at the grapes that laid out in front of it instead.

I listened to Thor and his companions excitingly talk about their latest endeavors. They boasted and bragged and shared merriment. I smiled, enjoying listening to their tales especially one that Fandral told about their visit in Álfheimr (the realm of Light Elves).

He stood, with a drink in hand he combed his blond goatee with his free one as he told the tale. "And as we stood there before these magnificent creatures Volstagg asks, 'Where does on eat around here?'" he said in a rough, mimicking voice that I assumed was supposed to be Volstagg, "Lady Frey handed him a small grape the size of coin and Volstagg turns to Sif and he says, 'I asked for food. Do they think me a rabbit?' to which Sif replies, 'definitely not a rabbit, my friend.'"

The rest of the night went well as they regaled tales of old times past until Loki decided to make his presence. He walked into the room, a small fixated upon his face as he and Thor locked gazes. As Loki made his way toward the table that we sat at he would casually turn to a random Asgardian and place his hand gently on their shoulder. They'd exchange a few words, and shake hands when all of the sudden the rings upon their fingers turned to snakes that fell to the floor. He would laugh and turn to another person, do the same and their drinks would turn into a goblet full of spiders.

By the time he reached the table Thor looked less than amused. "My brother," he greeted gesturing that he take the empty seat next to me. I swallowed hard, hoping that I could retire soon. The last thing I wanted to do was sit next to him. "You join us so late into the evening."

"Ah, yes," said Loki taking the seat that was offered to him. "I had other matters at hand to attend too. I made a point of not showing up at all until I heard the rumors of the Midgardian girl roaming our lands." He turned to me and widened his smile. I could feel the blood in my body nearly freeze. "While our father, Odin would not be pleased to learn of such tidings I think it intriguing that a Midgardian arrives."

Thor ignored the jab about their father. "This is Hayden Waltham, an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.," he introduced.

"Charmed," hissed Loki, glowering at me as though I was the meal upon his plate.

"I'm sure," I replied and turned my attention back onto the grapes.

What followed next was nothing but sheer torture as I waited until the evening was over and I could retire for the night. Every time I shifted in my seat I could feel Loki's gaze upon me, his eyes burning through the back of my head. Part of me wondered if he could read my mind but I never once saw anything in my studies that said he could. But, I also didn't ever see anything disproving it either. It made me uncomfortable and I had to keep reminding myself that Hogun had said he was basically powerless.

Even so, it didn't put me at any ease. Especially whenever Thor would turn to speak to me and I had to see Loki staring at me through my peripheral. I was like a prey, a fly trapped in his web. If it wasn't apparent that he didn't care for Midgardians before it was apparent now.

By the end of the night I was exhausted and ready to crawl into bed when Fandral stood and asked to escort me back to my chambers. I was about to deny him—not quiet certain if his intentions were honorable or not—when Loki suddenly spoke. "Do not flatter yourself, Fandral. She is capable of walking her ownself to her chambers."

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as Fandral ignored Loki completely. "I ensure I mean no harm, my lady," he said with a small bow. Without realizing it I started to blush wildly.

Again, Loki spoke—his eyes intently staring at the half-empty plate before him—and his tone much more menacing than the last. "Why do you not go and leech yourself onto another unsuspecting victim? Like a goat or a cow."

Fandral went red in the face, his lips tightening as he spoke in a hushed, irritated tone. "You know just as well as the next person that the cow was a woman first." He held out his hands and shook his head.

That was probably the most awkward conversation I had ever witnessed.

Swallowing hard I turned to Fandral. "Thank you, so much but I think I'll be alright on my own." Fandral nodded, and bowed once more before stealing a glare toward Loki. He turned on his booted heels and left the table.

Lady Sif yawned as she took one last drink from her goblet. "I too think I shall retire for the night." She turned to me and smiled unevenly. "I think you would like to join me on a hunt?"

"Oh," I said unsure if I really wanted to go or not. Once when I was about six or seven I went hunting with my dad and my uncle. It was a lot of fun at first, camping and roasting s'mores by the fire but the moment I saw my dad's gun aimed at a deer and the way it buckled underneath its legs and rolled to the ground traumatized me forever. "I really am not one for hunting," I admitted.

She furrowed her brows. "You are here to learn of our ways, are you not?"

"Er, well…" I could feel the heat in my face rising once more. Oh, how I hated having such a pale complexion. I knew my cheeks must have looked as though they were sunburned. "Yes I am," I finished lamely.

"So you join us for the hunt?" she asked eagerly and I could tell she knew I was uncomfortable.

"Have you seen the library?" asked Loki, his long fingers rubbing along the fabric of the table cloth. I turned to his suddenly, his green eyes slowly lifting off of the table. I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say when he asked again.

"I have not," I lied, uncertain of whether or not that was a good thing.

"I shall show it to you," he said and turned to Lady Sif, "tomorrow."

The Lady crossed her arms against her chest and rolled her eyes. "Perhaps another time then." I nodded and watched her leave with Hogun at her side. They passed Fandral who was in the corner taking with a maiden when Sif hit him in his arm and nodded that he follow.

I sat in silence for a moment well aware that Loki was once again staring at me. After a few minutes of deciding if I should say or anything or not I went with the latter and stood to my feet. He reached for my wrist and I instantly stilled. This was the hand of a thousand murders, the hand that commanded the army of Chitauri, the hand that nearly destroyed New York if it wasn't for The Avengers. I knitted my brows at that hand in absolute loathing.

"Are you not going to thank me?"

I jolted my head upward and glared. "Thank you? Thank you for what exactly? For scaring the life out of me in the library? For making me feel like a fool?"

He shrugged and let go of my wrist. "Oh come now that was all in light fun."

"Fun?" I scoffed. "You clearly do not understand the meaning of fun."

"I think it all in one's eye, do you not?"

I shook my head in disbelief. "You're unbelievable."

"I am use to such musings," he replied, nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes and turned away. "You are not amused?"

"By you? Far from it? If you don't mind I'd like to go to my room now." Before he could even respond I turned to Thor who had his arm wrapped around Volstagg's shoulder and was in deep (drunken) conversation with his friend. "Thank you for the warm welcoming party Thor."

Thor looked up at me, smiling wide. "But of course. We are glad to have you here, Hayden." He moved away from Volstagg—who turned his attention to the cold food upon the table—and wrapped his muscular arm around his brother's slender shoulder. "Are we not, Loki my brother?"

Loki pursed his lips together and tilted his head sharply. "More than so," he replied with a nod.

I glared at him, definitely deciding I did not like him at all. And, flicked my gaze back to Thor with a smile. "That means a lot to me, thank you." And with that I left the banquet room to head to my chambers.

Never in my life had I slept the way I did that night. It was as though every night before in my life was miserable and insufficient. I knew after I left Asgard and returned to my life at home I would never be able to sleep again. Waking up refreshed, alert and in a fantastic mood was something I wasn't accustomed too and it took me a few moments sitting in the oval shaped bed to register that I was actually awake. From the way that Sully bounded out of bed it was obvious he felt the same.

Smiling to myself, I pulled at the scalp of my head and scratched, tangling the trusses of long dark hair. I definitely needed a shower. Sighing, I stepped out of bed and walked toward the adjoined bathroom still astonished how modern it seemed. Sure, the plumbing was still something they could work on—since I had to flush with a string that hung above the toilet—but the shower was something I'd absolutely love to have in a house of my own someday.

The walls were lined with golden pebbles that gleamed under the mist of the water, and the water itself trickled from a spout that hung from the ceiling. As the water heated, the stones began to change colors reminding me of the stone work of the Bifröst. I stood in the shower much longer than I intended too as I stared at the walls around me. Eventually the water began to turn cold and I was forced to step out and dry myself off. Wrapping the cloth-like towel around my hair I set to getting dressed for the day.

Sully walked up to me as I began to rummage around my luggage for a shirt to wear. He nudged my hand with his bulky head and started to lick at it. I smiled and turned to him rubbing at his ears. He wagged his tail and licked at my chin.

"Someone's awfully affection this morning," I cooed, stroking the top of his head. He barked and moved forward, sticking his tongue along the line of my bra. 'Whoa there buddy," I said pushing him back and wiping at the drool with the back of my hand in disgust. "Let me get dressed and I'll take you for a walk to get some of that energy exerted."

As I stood up and turned around Sully stood there staring up at me with his big brown eyes. "You have to wait until I'm dressed," I sternly said and realized I had left the shirt I chose for the day on top of the suitcase.

Rolling my eyes I sighed loudly and spun on my heels to see Sully sitting by the suitcase with the shirt in his mouth. Furrowing my brows I reached down to grab it from him and heard whimpering behind me. With my hand on the shirt still in Sully's mouth I looked over to see my shoulder to see Sully laying down with his fat head in between his legs. Opening my eyes wide I looked to the dog in front of me and back to the one behind me, doing double takes before dropping the shirt and falling back onto the ground.

"What the—"

The dog that stood near my suitcase began to laugh and transform. His paws became long fingers and hands and the fur around his face molded into a head of black hair. His snout elongated into a nose and the sharp tongue that happily hung out was replaced by a wicked smile.

"Loki!" I shouted as the God towered above me, his laughter growing louder at my disheveled embarrassment. Bringing my hands to my face I could feel the heat burning at my palms as I tried to not start crying in frustration. Just then I realized what exactly had happened and I moved my hands to cover my chest. "Get out of here this instant you disgusting…"

"Yes?" he egged on.

"Foul—"

"Go on," he cooed.

I felt my entire body start to shake. "You need to leave this instant."

He titled his head and started to smile. "Ah, but you are in my home so if I wish to leave a room I shall."

"Fine," I snapped standing to my feet and turning from him. I snapped my fingers at Sully and he was quick to his feet and followed behind me. "I'll leave then."

"With no shirt on?" he asked; amused. Flustered, I turned on my heels to see Loki holding the shirt I had dropped on the ground. Snatching it from his grasps I slipped it on and walked out the room. His laugh followed after me as he called out, "Lady Sif plans on hunting this morning. Unless you wish to join her I suggest to you that you join me in the library."

Inhaling deeply, I twisted my head and peeked at him from over my shoulder. "I think a morning hunt sounds lovely."

A/N: Thanks again for reading, the comments, the favorites and follows. I greatly appreciate it! Please keep them coming. They make my dull day better :D

Ellize Avalon: Well, I'm glad she got you here and that you're enjoying it! Yes, probably one of my favorite Loki fanfics. Actually, I was never big into fanfic before so it's all her that got me reading other stories and even deciding to write my own :D And, yes I don't think Loki knows how to make good first impressions. Sully is actually based off of my best friends Dog. I didn't intend that way but as I kept writing him I was like this is something Dakota (her lab) would do. lol

Guest: He is the prince of pranks :D