A/N: I have no life just so you guys know. I thought I'd be slower at getting chapters out because of how difficult it is to get into Loki's mind but I kinda came up with an idea on how to get around that (which I'm excited for) but because of this idea and having no life I've been able to shell out chapters faster than I thought I would be able too. Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter Five

This was nothing like hunting with my dad. There were no pitching tents and sitting by the fire roasting s'mores. No swimming in the nearby lake and laughing at past stories. Nothing about it was remotely fun and the actually hunting part of it—I thought I was traumatized before.

The day started off with me rushing as far away as I could to get away from Loki to find Sif. She was prepping for her hunting party with Hogun and several other Asgardian men that were chatting animatedly as they slipped their bows onto their horse's saddles and filled their bags with drink and food. Several dogs were sniffing around and being collard. Sully left my side to join them, his fat tongue lopping out of the side of his mouth.

Sif pinched the saddle of her horse and tugged on it a couple of times before turning around and jolted in surprise to see me. She greeted me with a stiff smile and a slight nod. "I thought you were to spend your day in the library. Did you need help in finding it?"

"Oh no," I said running my fingers along the thick neck of the massive steed before me. "I decided to join your hunting party…if you'll have me that is."

"But of course," she mused snapping her fingers at a stable boy. The young child rushed to her side, smiling brightly as he awaited her orders. "The Lady Hayden is in need of a mare." The boy nodded and ran off just as quick as he had come. Lady Sif turned her attention back to me. "Are the books not of your comfort today?"

"More like the company that intended to join me was not of my comfort," I muttered heatidly. I still felt violated by Loki's antics.

Sif furrowed her brows. "I do not understand."

Puffing air from my cheeks I waved Loki far from my mind. "I just decided that the point of me being here was to learn. You can learn a lot from books but that's what I've been doing my entire life. I came here to learn things that I could never even dream of—"

"Thor!" called out Lady Sif eagerly pulling her attention from what I was saying to the Asgardian King. I tried not to let it impair my mood; after all, I was used to people growing bored of what I was saying. It also didn't help that I tended to ramble on when I really should just close my mouth. "Does Volstagg not join us on our hunt?" she asked looking around for their plump friend.

"He still sleeps off the poisons of last night," mused Fandral causing me to jump slightly at his sudden voice. I turned around to see him leading a beautiful white gelding from behind me. He flashed a charming smile and slightly bowed my way. "Hayden you look radiant this lovely morning." I blushed. "Do you join us for our hunt?"

"She does," answered Lady Sif taking the reigns of the horse the stable boy brought to her. She thrusted them into my hands and I clumsily grabbed for them as the large, brown and black horse whickered. She put her hands on her hips and stared at me. 'You do ride?"

"Not actively," I admitted clutching onto the sweaty leather as I began to realize what a very stupid idea this was. When I was ten I went to summer camp and it was there that I rode a horse for the first and last time. It was also being led by one of the camp counselors and we never left the pen. I decided to leave that part out. "I'll be fine."

"Well then," smiled Thor with his usual smile in place, "let us hunt and feast upon our reward tonight."

Everyone leapt over the saddles with ease tossing one leg over the horse and sat tall. I grabbed onto the saddle and stuck my foot into the stirrup. Exhaling slowly I used all the strength I could muster to try and pull myself up. The first time was the most successful attempt as I was able to get my stomach onto its back before I slid off. Counting to three inside my head I tried again. And, again. And, again. And—

"Allow me to be of service," came the snake-like voice of Loki. Every hair on my arm stood up on its end as I felt his body press up against my own. His long fingers wrapped around my waist as he lifted me enough that I was able to swing my leg over the horse. Blushing, I quickly thanked him and turned my gaze away from him and everyone else. "It is the least I could do after this mornings indiscretions," he said and I could feel the eyes of the entire hunting party upon me.

"Brother," said Thor distracting the uncomfortable stares that were on Loki and I. He cleared his throat and Loki finally turned his gaze from me unto his younger brother. "Do you join us for the hunt this fine morning?"

Quickly I turned my attention back onto Loki and began to pray to every God that I knew hoping he would say no. Loki smiled and locked eyes with me as he slowly answered, "I could use some fresh air."

The ride was a couple of hours long and each moment that passed my hate for horses began to grow. My legs were tender, my bottom sore and my arms ached from the constant tugging of the reigns. The mare I rode was stubborn and refused to listen to any of my commands. Every time I pulled on the reigns she would rear back her head and I would momentarily think that she was going to buck me off. It was like a mini heart attack every twenty minutes or so.

Whenever my horse wasn't being a complete pain in the rear I was able to take in the beauty of the forest around us. The suns beamed high in the sky and what light let through the canopy of the trees glittered along the decomposing ground of old leaves and twigs. Birds sang songs that sounded as though they had harmonized and rehearsed as they fluttered from branch to branch. I looked around trying to spot them but saw nothing.

At one point during the ride it was Hogun—to my very own surprise—who pulled his horse alongside mine and pointed out a deer-like creature eating at the bark of a tree. It was beautiful, with long spindly legs and hoofed feet. Their faces were shaped like that of a deer but their ears were floppy like that of a rabbits. It turned toward us as we grew closer and the blue of its large eyes opened wide as it froze in fear. One ear popped up before rushing off into the darkness of the woods.

It was magical.

As we rode I stuck to the front of the hunting party near Fandral and a couple of other Asgardians whose names I did not know. We made idle chat every so often and I did my best to keep from looking over my shoulder to look at Loki. I could feel his stare burn at the back of my head as he trotted slowly behind the rest of the group.

At the front of the riders were the dogs. Sully ran with the pack, his fat pink tongue hanging from the side of his mouth. In the seven years that I had had him I had never seen him so carefree and happy. It was like he was a puppy again. I made myself a mental note that next time I went to visit my parents I would have to let dad take Sully hunting with him.

After what felt like days gone by the dogs—Sully included—began to get rowdy. I turned to Fandral. "What are they doing?" I asked, never been hunting with dogs before.

Fandral smiled as he gestured among the woods. "They have wind of a scent and are trying to pinpoint it. Once they have the scent down they lead us to the prey."

"That seems hardly fair that the dogs do most of the work," I said without realizing what I had actually said.

Fandral barked a laugh. "A woman who speaks her mind! A fine quality. A trait that many of our Asgardian women have," he said with a wink. I tried my hardest not to laugh. It was like he had walked out of a Harlequin Romance novel. "The dogs track the hunt, we do the hunting, and the dogs are rewarded for their valiant help in the aiding of our search for prey. They love what it is that they do."

Just then one of the larger of the pack lifted up his right leg and pointed his nose. He howled. The other dogs began to follow suit. Sully looked around for a couple of moments before turning away from the others and running to where I rode. He walked alongside my horse and I, his giant brown eyes wide as he kept his eyes on his new friends. I wished I could have comforted him but the moment the dogs began to take off the rest of the riders followed close behind.

As we rode deeper into the woods the dogs began to back off and Thor, followed closely by Sif and Fandral, continued forward. In the distance a bush rustled and the snout of a pig pushed through it. My heart leapt as I thought about the poor little creature about to be killed when it emerged from the bushes and was bigger than the horses that we rode.

I stifled a scream as my horse leapt backwards and my hands slipped from its reigns. My body slammed onto the hard ground, twigs and rocks cut at my hands. The horse kicked up and I closed my eyes curling into a fetal position when another rider rushed forward and grabbed the reigns of the horse. They pulled at the horse directing her stomp at the ground near me rather than atop of me.

Rolling out of the way, I breathed heavily and felt the tears sting at my face as Loki held onto the mare that nearly killed me. Sully rushed to me, licking at my cheeks and sniffing at the small cuts along my arm. I grabbed him by the neck and gently pet his collar as I struggled to get to my feet and watched as the hunting party leapt off their own horses and began to bludgeon the creature to death.

Feeling my stomach turn I spun around and unfortunately threw up. Again, my stomach lurched—the pain caused me to cry out—when Lady Sif appeared at my side. She shoved a knife into my hand and I stared at it wondering what she wanted me to do with it. As the sunlight caught the tip of the blade it didn't take long for me to put two and two together.

"Oh no, I couldn't do that. I would much rather just watch then—"

"You wish to learn our ways and the first kill is a right of way. It leads to the warrior's path," she said matter-of-factly.

My hands began to shake as I tried to hand her back the knife. "I've never killed anything in my life before. And, I am not cut out for the warrior path. Please, if I could just—"

Lady Sif tore the blade from my hand. "You only prove that Midgardians weak, my new friend."

With tear-stained eyes I watched her walk toward the group and her hand raise high above her head. Just as it came down I turned my head and cried out just as the pig squealed its last breath. Inhaling deeply, I blinked my eyes open and stared through the tears at my dirty, and dried blood-stained palms. They were shaking uncontrollably and I swallowed hard as I tried to keep from crying.

This was much worse than when I had gone hunting with my father. At least he didn't try to make me kill anything. And, I wasn't kicked off of a horse.

"Perhaps I should take you back to the castle," whispered a voice above me. I looked up to see Loki sitting on his horse nearby. The sun shined behind him, giving him a halo effect. If I didn't hate him so much I would have thought him a beautiful angel rather than the treacherous snake that he was.

Wiping the dirt off of my palms onto my jeans I shook my head. "I'm fine," I lied.

"Suit yourself," he said and trotted off to join the rest of the hunting party.

Swallowing hard, I turned around to watch him leave when Fandral appeared in my line of sight leading my horse and his own. "Are you alright milady? That was quiet the scare you had." I nodded, smiling lightly as he put his hand gently on my shoulder. "Come now, I think there has been enough excitement for one day." He leapt onto the back of his horse and I moved my gaze onto my own who stared at me as though daring me to get back onto her back. Fandral held out his gloved hand. "You can ride with me."

Breathing unevenly I reached for his hand and he pulled me in front of him with ease. Settling in between his arms I looked over his shoulder to see Loki glowering our way. The Lady Sif rode behind him and whispered a couple of words to him. He did not turn his attention away and instead continued to stare even as he spoke back to her. Feeling guilty for whatever reason I could possibly feel guilty for, I turned my gaze to the ground below us and watched as the dirt kicked up underneath the stallion's feet.

That night I walked into the banquet with my eyes cast to the ground. I knew that I was an embarrassment upon myself. The Lady Sif had given me a great honor by allowing me to kill the boar and I had refused her. I wasn't even particularly nice about it either. It was disrespectful, and quiet frankly, something I feared that would get back to S.H.I.E.L.D. and probably get me fired.

Making a commitment to myself I swore that I would do what I had to do to redeem myself. I was there to learn. Not to be an awkward outsider and make everyone around me feel uncomfortable. I did that easily enough at home.

The moment that I took my seat at the table Thor greeted me as though nothing had happened that morning. I smiled, grateful for his hospitality as a plate of meat slathered in some sort of gravy was put in front of me. My stomach groaned at the sight of it, the memory of the frightened beast nudged its way forward. There was no way that I could eat that and so once again I settled for the fruit in for me.

Not much longer after I had arrived Loki joined the banquet as well. Thor was pleased to see his brother and I began to think that Loki often skipped the dinner banquets. He was there to torment me, I just knew it. My hands dragged across the cloth of the table and into my lap, each finger slowly curled into a fist. Both legs began to jump up and down as Loki took his seat next to me and smiled.

"I see you made it back," he said leaning into me so that I could smell his spice-like aroma. I hated myself just a little bit more for thinking it actually smelled rather good. Much better than the food that sat untouched in front of me. "I was beginning to worry."

"I'm sure that you were," I said through clenched teeth still angry at him for his antics that morning.

"I wish to apologize." I snapped my head his way and raised both eyebrows. The God of Mischief wanted to apologize to me? This oughta be interesting. "I forget that Midgardians are creatures of the weak. I do not mean you harm, Hayden." Well, that was probably as good of an apology that anyone could get from him.

"Don't turn into my dog and try to take advantage of me again and we'll pretend this whole thing never happened," I said turning my gaze back toward the crowds of people laughing and drinking in merriment.

Loki shrugged. "I was merely being playful."

I looked at him from the corner of my eye. "Yeah well let's try and keep the playfulness out of my bra."

"But, then where is the fun?" he mused and I could feel my teeth grinding against one another. "I request that you join me this evening—"

"Join you? Not in a million years," I spat reaching for my wine goblet.

Loki grabbed onto my wrist just as I was about to bring the rim to my lips. He uncurled my fingers; taking the drink from my grasp and setting it back down onto the table. I watched him curiously, as his own fingers slowly let go of my hand. Again he made me shiver but not in the revolted, disgusted way that I felt I would be accustomed too. Perhaps it was a good thing he took away the wine. It clearly was going to my head.

"Hayden, I have a proposition to make with you." I lifted my eyebrows and gestured that he go on. "I will answer any question that you wish to know about Asgard and our ways. Think of me as a guide, if you will. I will also do my best to keep the—" he paused and flashed a small smile, "trickery to a minimum."

I brought my arms onto the table and folded them, tapping my fingers along my arm. "And you want what in return then?"

"I seek a stone. I have come to the conclusion that you would be the best person in which to aide me in my search for it. This stone is on your precious Midgard and seeing as I would not be fit to go alone you could be my guide upon their soil."

"No."

"No?"

"No," I repeated and turned my attention back to the wine. It ran smoothly down my throat, flaming my tongue as it danced along the surface. My head started to grow woozier than it was moments before. Pushing it away I glanced at Loki. "I don't know what this stone does but with your track record I'm going to say it's not anything good. And, I won't be aiding a mass murderer so that he can do what it is that he does best."

"What if I were to say it brought peace unto all the nine worlds?"

"I would call you a liar." I frowned. "Come now, Loki don't think me a fool. I may be naïve but I'm not stupid."

Loki shrugged and popped a grape into his mouth. He chewed for a moment before twisting in his chair to speak with his brother. They exchanged a few words and Thor looked to me with a smile on his handsome face. The blood in my face drained. This couldn't be good.

"This is a fantastic idea, brother. I admit I have been busy and not able to show you all that you need," he said to me offering a sympathetic gaze. "Loki knows just as much as I do about our history and our world. You will have no greater person to show you our world than in my brother, Hayden."

"Great," I sarcastically said through a forced smile. Thor nodded and returned to his feast and his friends. Loki smugly smiled but said nothing to me. "Well played. I'm still not helping you in your search for some voodoo stone though."

Loki took a long drink from his goblet, smacking his lips together before tilting his head and looking at me through the side of his eye. "We shall see."

Thank you for reading. Please rate, comment, review. I promise that I absolutely love them. They make my boring day a little less boring :D lol

Ellize Avalon: Yes, that is what I was going for. :D That'd he be a jealous type. He just seems the jealous type to me. Oh, Fandral he has to be charming. He definitely strikes me as a ladies man (:

mydarkestway: They should have kept those deleted scenes in there :( I'm very sad they didn't because they showed his and Thor's love for one another. And, yes I want the title Prince of Pranks, the God of Mischief to hold true :D And, Sully is a red-golden retriever. My best friend's dog is a lab. Their personalities are just alike.

Guest: Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Anita Simons: Why thank you! And, we'll just have to see ;) though I think it'd be difficult for anyone to handle Loki haha

piratewitch92: It totally made sense to me! I think in obscure thoughts so things like that make sense haha and thank you I'm really glad you are having fun reading this. It makes my day when people enjoy something I write (:

Kieekaa: Thank yoooooou. We can fangirl later haha and I figured you would. You do it with everything you read. (it's okay. I do too but you know this). lol