Chapter Eight

I quietly sat in Loki's chambers staring at my shaking, bloodied hands. They were folded carefully atop my jittering lap as my feet dangled off of the large, silk spread bed. I wanted to laugh at the predictability of Loki having silk sheets but the moment I sat upon the material I found myself thinking of crawling under them instead. A blush spread across my already flushed cheeks and from that second forward I did my best to keep my eyes and thoughts to the wounds on my hand and legs instead.

Titling my head to the side I looked down at the bare skin scrunching my nose at my dirtied feet and the dried blood that caked around my ankles. My pencil skirt that I had donned for the day was torn and frayed and the shirt I had kept pressed and tucked was in disarray and missing buttons. The bun that usually held my brown hair in place was no longer together; long tangled strands fell past my shoulders holding pieces of broken twigs and leaves.

Carefully, I brought my throbbing fingers up to one of the leaves that tucked itself underneath my hair and plucked it free, holding it in between my grasp. I held it up in the candlelight staring intently at the deep red and yellows that spread throughout its dying surface. Such a dangerous beauty. Only moments ago was the owner of the leaf that I held in my hand trying to make a meal of me.

"Hold out your hands," ordered Loki's voice catching me by surprise.

He had left the moment that we stepped inside his room commanding me to sit down and wait for his return. In his arms he carried several different small jars, a bowl of what looked like water and a clean, cotton rag dangled from in between his fingers. His arms expanded, an involuntary gasp slipped from between my lips as I expected everything to crash to the ground. Instead it hung in the air. With a wave of his hand the items neatly placed themselves on the wooden end table that stood next to the edge of his bed.

As he instructed I held out my hands, wincing as his cold fingers clutched around them, prying the palms straight so that the damp rag could clean out all the dirt and dried blood. I watched in silent awe as one of the small blue jars came flying our way, stopping just short of Loki's chest. He reached for it pulling the lid off and pouring a creamy, tan liquid into his own hands.

"I thought your father took away your powers?"

Loki tensed, his body remaining still as his green eyes flickered upward. The corner of his lip twitched and I quickly looked to my hands. "This may sting a little," he warned slathering the paste onto my wounds. I hissed loudly, tugging my hands away as a burning sensation tore through them. He stared at me, roughly pulling my hands back to where they were and continued to rub the ointment on them. "I told you it would sting."

"Well warning me isn't going to make it hurt any less," I snapped wincing as his fingers delicately traced at the small cuts.

He ignored my jibe and reached for my leg, pulling it onto his knee and ripping what was already torn of my skirt. I gaped, trying to keep my exposed thighs from showing when he firmly held onto my ankle and glared.

"Oh do stop being a prude. It was mildly entertaining at first but this is quite the annoyance," he sighed, his green eyes daring me to try and move away again.

I exhaled slowly and nodded. "You're right. Sorry," I muttered realizing how foolish I was being. He was trying to help me, not get a peek up my skirt.

"Besides I have been alive for a very long time. I have seen far more than just the bare skin of a woman's thigh." He titled his head slightly, inspecting the muscle of my thin legs and shrugged, returning his gaze back to the wounds on my calves. "I have seen fairer still."

I tried not to let the comment get to me. After all, I didn't want Loki finding me or my legs attractive. He was a criminal, a murderer, a mad man. He was disgusting, vile and cruel. And, yet as I tried to recall and recite every dirty deed I had learned about him inside my head it was my eyes that watched as he carefully tended and cleaned my wounds. It was Loki who had saved me from being a mid-afternoon snack. It was Loki who had brought me back to be cared for rather than sending me off to an Asgardian physician.

I swallowed hard as his fingers ran back and forth across the bare skin. The burning and pain dulled as I sat entranced by how long and gentle they were. Those women whose legs he had seen before must have thoroughly enjoyed the touch of them navigating their way across their bodies—

Blinking, I realized that Loki was no longer touching me and was instead across the room drying off his hands with a cloth. He set it neatly along the back of a large, velvet-lined celadon green chair. His fingers smoothed it, playing with the edges of the cloth before turning to face me with a bored expression.

"I suggest that you shower before the feast tonight. You look as though Hades himself has taken you hostage in his underworld."

"Um," I breathed sharply and nodded hoping that he had no idea what was going through my mind. Quickly, I stood up noticing that the pain was no longer aching at my every move. My eyes fell to my hands which had returned to their pale complexion with no indication of scarring or bruising anywhere. Flabbergasted, I snapped my head upward and beamed Loki's way. "What did you give me?"

"Only a liquefied mineral," he vaguely replied.

I rolled my eyes, deciding that was the best I would get from him. Shrugging slightly, I started to step out of his room before I stopped in the doorway. Slowly, I turned around and watched him collect the remedies and dirtied cloth he used to clean my wounds.

"Thank you," I said shy of just a whisper. He stiffened and looked over his shoulder with a drawl expression. "For everything. You didn't have to do any of this and well—" I sighed hardly believing that I was about to say what I was about to say, "I really appreciate it and I'll try my best to repay you."

He raised a brow and cocked his head. "I need no payment from that of a Midgardian. You have nothing to interest me."

I nodded, trying to keep his rebuttal from getting under my skin. "Very well. But, I really do mean it. Thank you Loki."

Shrugging he turned back to his task and said no more. My fingers clicked against the door way a couple of times before I sighed quietly to myself and stepped away. There was no point in trying to converse any further. Once he was done with a topic that was the end of it.

Oh well. A shower sounded much nicer than anything else at that moment anyways.

The banquet that evening was smaller than the others I had seen throughout the past few weeks that I had stayed in Asgard. According to a conversation I overheard war was on the brink between Asgard and one of the nine realms. Thor was not there that evening and I was disappointed. I had hopped to speak to him about Loki and the medicine that he used on me. Something like that could change the course of human history on Midgard—Earth.

Loki, to my dismay was not there either but even if I asked him questions I knew he'd avoid them. Frowning, I turned to my meal and pulled at the greasy meat slathered in gravy with the tip of my fork. My stomach turned and I quickly looked away from it to see Lady Sif entering upon the room.

She was dressed in a simple eggshell-white gown. Her dark brown hair curled neatly, hanging across her right shoulder. A brave and fierce warrior she was but it was clear where she earned the name Lady to her title. She was gorgeous, an Asgardian fit for the name.

Her eyes flashed my way, and I quickly forced a smile. She nodded in acknowledgment, turning away to greet a fellow Asgardian. Her painted pink lips slid upward into a glorious smile. Slumping in my seat, I stared at my meal suddenly not hungry even in the slightest.

She took her usual seat, looking over the empty ones where Thor and Loki would occasionally sit straight to where I was. Quickly, I straightened and once again tried to smile. Her face remained hard as she asked, "have you heard from Fandral since the attack in the woods?"

I shook my head, realizing that I hadn't even asked about him once since my return with Loki. He could have been killed for all I knew and I didn't even bother to inquire about it. Again, my stomach turned.

Lady Sif knowing of the wolf attack was a good sign. It meant that he was at least alive and had made it back to tell the tale.

"He should be quite alright," she said turning her attention to her own food. Plucking a grape from its vine she plopped it in between her lips and chewed for a moment before continuing, "The wolf managed to take a nasty bite in his shoulder but nothing that cannot be healed."

I breathed in relief. "That's great. Is it because of the liquefied mineral?"

Lady Sif tilted her head slightly to the right. "I am afraid I do not understand what it is that you are asking of." Quickly, I explained how Loki had used the light brown liquid on my wounds and how in only a matter of minutes they were healed. A small light burned in Sif's eyes as she understood what it was that I was asking her. "Oh. It is only a healing stone."

I had to resist the urge to mock her. Only a healing stone? As if they were all over Asgard? Something that was easy to come by? Why don't they outsource these? Think of what it could mean and the lives that it could save. Even if it was only useful for small cuts and the common cold it would be such an advancement in modern day medicine. Fury would definitely wish to know about something like this, I thought to myself leaning forward to ask Sif more.

She however turned her attention to Hogun and the conversation was no more. Once again I slumped into my seat and finished picking at my meal until I had enough and retired early for bed. To my surprise Hogun excused himself as well and we quietly walked down the long, candlelit corridors together.

He was in his usual attire of leather from head to toe. A sword hung securely at his side, his hand rested upon its hilt ready for anything should it come his way. Hogun's black hair was pulled tightly back into a neat bun, tidy and perfectly sculpted. His expression was grim as was something I'd grown accustomed to seeing. Yet, even walking in silence with a man who never smiled and rarely talked I felt the most comfortable with him.

Unlike Fandral I didn't feel the pressure of his charms and his constant flirting. I knew I wouldn't have to expect a cheesy line or some fancy dialogue from Hogun. And, much unlike Loki I didn't feel threatened or in danger of any kind. I also knew that he wouldn't use a sly tongue to give backhanded compliments or purposely try to get under my skin.

"Fandral is a man of many things, a fool among the fools, but he is a good man," stated Hogun his voice strong and even. I tilted my head curiously wondering where he was going with this. He couldn't possibly think that Fandral and I were— "he is harmless. I can assure you."

I laughed. "Thank you, Hogun."

He nodded. A small smile—if one could call it a smile—slipped on his straight-lipped face. "How does Asgard fair to you?"

"It's beautiful. I sometimes feel like I'm still walking in a dream," I admitted realizing that Hogun had passed his chambers and I was no longer heading toward the direction of mine. I slowed my pace but he encouraged me to follow him with a slight nod of his head. Hesitantly, I pursued. We weren't outside at least. "What is a slugorth?"

"A creature that lives in darkest woods of Asgard but it is hardly a threat. They cannot move above surface so they lurk underground feigning to be nothing but mud. They sit and wait until an unwitting creature steps upon them and is then that they slowly engulf them." He looked at me curiously and shrugged. "A human is in no danger of one. They usually consume small woodland creatures."

"And apparently shoes," I muttered under my breath.

"I am sorry?"

"Oh, nothing," I breathed waving my hand in passing. "So, where are we going?" I asked, changing the subject.

Hogun straightened and held his head high. "The Lady Frigga wishes to speak to you."

I stopped in my tracks. "Thor and Loki's mother?" Hogun nodded. "I—I don't…why exactly would she want to—uh—to see me?"

Hogun pushed his lips firmly together and gestured toward a large set of red doors that stood to his left. I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to remain calm as I walked forward and positioned myself awkwardly in front of them. He strode to where I placed my feet, giving me a nod of what I could only hope was reassurance and pushed the heavy doors open with ease.

They scrapped along the marble floors, echoing throughout the silent halls. My heart pushed against my chest, screaming to jump out when I suddenly gasped at the beauty before me. The room was a reminiscent of Loki's; wide and open shaped in a circle the way all the chambers were. A large bed made of the same star-like material with deep gold sheets sat in the middle. Flowers from the garden outside were potted and placed throughout the room, the sound of a stream resonated off the walls even though there was no water anywhere.

To my right a giant bird squawked causing me to jump at the sudden sound. It had to have been one of the most beautiful creatures I'd ever laid my eyes on. The bird itself was small, about the size of a small parrot with brightly colored feathers of gold and greens and hidden hues of red that flecked throughout. Its long tail swooped down into chunky layers nearly touching the floor from the five foot perch it proudly sat on.

Entranced, I stepped inside the room carefully walking toward the magnificent bird. My fingers extended forward, reaching to touch the silky feathers when the doors slammed shut. I bounded upward, my hands dropping instantly to my side as I spun around noting that Hogun had not followed me.

"You must be the Midgaridan woman that I have heard these walls speak of," came a small, yet powerful voice.

I twirled around to see quiet possibly one of the most beautiful women ever. The woman before me was tall—so tall in fact that she towered over me. Her slender body was wrapped in a simple white gown that slit along the side of her legs reveling the thick, toned muscle. Her golden hair was pulled into a braided bun with a few curls trickling down her to the small of her back.

With bright blue eyes she stared at me, almost disinterested and flashed a white, clean smile. "My sons tell me that you are here to learn of our ways." I nodded, uncertain if I was even allowed to speak in the presence of an Asgardian Queen. I realized it sounded absurd the moment that I thought it but even so I was flabbergasted as to what I should say. "My late husband," she whispered, chocking slightly on his name, "the All-Father Odin would never hear of such a thing. My son Thor does fine work at the role he was born into. I can only trust that he knows of what he is doing."

I shifted uncomfortably, slowly understanding that she was not happy about my being there. It never actually occurred to me that others might have felt that way as well. I just assumed that the other Asgardian's didn't pay me much heed because I was a Midgardian—I was beneath them—not that I was actually unwanted.

It did make sense. After all I was on their land, the first actual human known to travel to Asgard. It shouldn't have been such a shock that people despised me because of it. But…it was.

Pushing the sudden hurt aside I feigned a smile. "I can assure you my Queen that I am not here to put any harm to Asgard. I am only here to learn what we can. It did come as quite the shock to learn of other worlds. Nick Fury is only—"

"Nick Fury is a fool," she hissed. Her eyes dimmed and she quickly regained her composure, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress and clearing her throat she smiled once more. "What is it that they call you?"

"My name is Hayden," I said trying to keep my voice level and professional. I knew I sounded weak, looked weak…S.H.I.E.L.D. was going to fire me the moment that I returned. I wasn't cut out for this line of work. Blinking, I forced myself to remain in the moment. Self-loathing and bashing could wait. "I am sorry if my being here has upset anyone. I didn't think—"

"My son, Balder he is often enthralled with Midgardian women. I believe he is even courting one now…her name escapes me though." She paused and turned to tend to one of her potted flowers. "Nanny or some dreadful name like that."

"You have another son?" I asked, curious as I had never heard of that. I had assumed that she was the Step-Mother of Thor and Loki only.

Frigga turned to me and smiled that only a mother would ever wear. "He is a fool, but yes he is my son. He is not round much but when he is it as though he had never left. Loki and Thor often quarrel with one another as children but it was always Balder who was able to break them apart." She laughed suddenly. "If only he was there in that Midgardian city that Loki had tried to overrule."

"I don't think that is really—"

She sighed and turned away from her plant, folding her hand in the crease of her dress and smiled sweetly. "I care for the Midgardians, I truly do. Your species of human is fascinating but this is my home, my world and I do not wish for it be harmed. I know of what Fury intends to do with the knowledge that you will give him and if I ever believe that it will bring war to my home I will not think twice of ending your life."

I blinked, trying my hardest to keep my mouth from hanging open. "As I said before my Queen, I can assure you that I am not here to bring any harm to you, your people or your home."

"Good." With the wave of a hand she dismissed me, the thick red doors opening despite no one being around them. "You are free to leave."

I nodded, unsure if she meant leave her chambers or Asgard completely. Deciding not to press my luck I bowed awkwardly and left her room hoping that I could find Thor as soon as I left. He would know what I should do, and perhaps I could just ask him what it was that I needed to bring back to Fury and go home completely. It was obvious that I wasn't exactly wanted.

"Oh, and Hayden?" I turned around. "I ask of you to only do your job that you were sent here for and nothing else. Fandral included."

That time my mouth could not help but hang open. Before I could reply the doors slammed shut in front of me and it was—of course—none other than Loki who stood behind me. He stared at me for a moment, surprised to see the room I had just left. His mouth began to open, his long finger pointing at the door in question. I held up my hand, shook my head and walked down the corridor deciding that I could talk to Thor in the morning. I had realized how shaken up Lady Frigga had left me until I was completely out of her presence.

Rather than leave me alone as I had hoped, Loki followed after. "What is that you were doing in Lady Frigg's chambers? She hardly speaks to anyone as it is, let alone a common Midgardian woman."

I inhaled sharply. "You know, I have a name," I snapped, growing annoyed with this constant habit of him calling me a Midgardian. "It's Hayden in case you have forgotten. Not Midgardian Woman. Not Midgardian Weakling. Not Midgardian Child. And, not Midgardian Whore," I seethed recalling how he had a lovely earful after that one, "it is Hayden. Hay-Den."

"My apology's Hayden," he said his tongue rolling off of my name with far too much emphasis. I rolled my eyes and continued to briskly walk the long hallways. "I hear that Fandral has requested to see you," he commented.

"Are you his errand boy?" I snapped, brushing a strand of hair that had gotten loose from my bun.

"I do the bidding of no one," retorted Loki, "I only find it amusing."

"Well, I don't care. I'm not going to anyone's chambers tonight but my own."

"I can assist you into my own if that is what you really want," he said a smile placed upon his pale, thin face.

I huffed and turned sharply around. "Let me get one thing straight. I am here to learn about Asgard. Not to fornicate or whatever it is that you and Fandral and Lady Frigga think."

Loki barked a laugh that took me by complete surprise. "The Lady Frigga wished to see you in her chambers to speak of fornicating?"

"No," I said slamming my teeth tightly together. "Don't you have some poor child to frighten or some naïve maiden to impregnate?"

"Would that be some Midgardian courtship that I am unaware of?"

I stopped in front of my door and relaxed my shoulders. "Good night Loki."

He bowed his head slightly, sweeping his arms dramatically. "Good night…Hayden." I opened the door with a hard push, ready to slam it behind me when Loki's hands caught it from closing. Turning around, I raised a brow, exhaling heavily. "For a Midgardian, you are not half as bad as one would expect."

With that, he let the door close.

A/N: Oooh I cannot wait for you guys to read the next chapter :D And, I just want to thank you all so much for following, favoriting, commenting/reviewing this story. Just knowing that people are interested in, and that you guys are enjoying it as much as I'm having fun writing it makes my day, especially since this is my first fanfiction. It's hard at times playing with characters who are not my own and I have trouble with Loki. So, hearing that you enjoy the direction that this going in and that you can't wait for an update, or that you're enjoying the story in general gives me warm fuzzies! Thank you all so much.

Ellize Avalon: Eep! Sorry! I'm glad you didn't die though and hopefully having an updated chapter so soon has cured any left over near death experiences you might have had!
Am4444: Thank you! I'm glad to hear! :D I'm pretty sure if he had tried anything else Hayden wouldn't have none of it haha. Thank you again. You have no idea how relieved I am to read that. I tend to over worry that I'm not doing the characters justice, or that I am straying away. So comments like that are my favorite to read 3

Theta-McBride: Thank you!