Chapter Nine

The following morning I woke up with Sully nearly suffocating me with his fat head lying on my chest. He perked up, his thick tongue licking at my neck as I shifted in bed trying to push him off of me. Since our arrival in Asgard he had been spoiled, especially in the dining hall. There was always food on the floor or a child sneaking their meal to him (or one of the other dogs) under the table.

"When we get back home you're going on a strict diet," I muttered tapping him on his nose lightly. He groaned, lapping at my fingers. "C'mon why don't we go for a walk, pudgy?"

Sully bounded off the bed, his paws clattering against the marble floor as he bounced up and down. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and stretching my arms to try and wake myself up. Sully wasn't having any of it. He bit down on the blankets and pulled them off my leg, lapping at my feet in impatience. Laughing, I pushed his snout away and plopped my feet onto the cold floor.

He barked once, his tongue flopping out of his mouth. "Hold on. Let me get dressed," I yawned turning away from him to fix the sheets on my bed.

"I think what you have on suits you just as well."

Quickly I spun around to see Loki standing beside Sully. The hyper red retriever was lying down, his fat tongue inside his mouth as his brown eyes stared up at Loki. My cheeks flushed as I realized I was in nothing but a t-shirt and underwear. Horrified, I covered myself up with one hand and reached down with the other to grab for my skirt I'd tossed on the floor before passing out.

It flew up out of my reach just as my fingers brushed against its fabric and into Loki's hand. He grabbed for it and held it out in front of him, frowning. "You dress like an old woman I will have you know."

Flustered, I stormed over to where he stood and snatched the skirt out of his hands. Slipping it on and wiggling it over my hips I snapped, "And how would you know what an old woman dresses like? I hear you don't spend a lot of time in Midgard—Earth!" I blinked at the slip of my tongue and buttoned the skirt. "I dress professionally."

"More like boring," he commented striding over to the suitcases that sat neatly piled near the end of my bed. Without using his hands he opened the first one and into the air lifted a pair of black underwear. "These cannot possibly fit you, could they?" he asked turning around, the underwear floating in front of his face.

Huffing, I pushed him aside and snatched the underwear out of the air, shoving it deep into the suitcase and zipping it shut. Running my fingers through my tangled hair I turned around and placed both hands on my hips. "Loki, it's too early for this. What do you want?"

"I came by to offer an invitation."

"An invitation to what?"

Loki flashed a smile as he reached down and patted Sully's fat head. The dog groaned, his brown eyes rolling to the back of his head. "Odin created a tournament many years ago that the people of Asgard regale in. Tonight it is being held and there shall be a feast, and dancing and great festivities."

I raised an eyebrow and smirked. "You don't even sound interested in it."

He sighed and brought the hand he was using to pet Sully with to his chest. "I am not. It is quite the bore and waste of time but you are here to learn of our ways here on Asgard. You will more than likely go because of that. I only wish to extend my hand as an escort." He bowed slowly, making a dramatic sweep with his hand.

I titled my head to the side and looked at Sully. He watched me for a moment, before letting out a large, loud bark. I scrapped my teeth along the bottom of my lips and sighed. "Fine," I caved flinging both hands up into the air. "But, just as an escort."

Loki stood up and straightened the collar of his tunic. "I would never dream of anything more," he replied slyly, a twinkle flashed in his green eyes.

I brought my hands to my chest and folded them firmly as I glared. "I'm sure."

"Is that what you plan to wear on such a night?"

I looked down at my slightly wrinkled shirt and dog hair ridden tee-shirt. "Of course not," I gaped turning my head toward my suitcase of reserved dresses and pant suits. "What does one usually wear to such an event?"

"Never you mind," he replied. "I will see to it that you have what you need." He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Unless you plan on partaking in such activities? Then I can have a warrior's outfit prepared instead."

I tried not to smile, but it wasn't easy. "I do not intend on joining on in anything."

"Very well then," he said with another short bow.

A knock sounded at my door and Fandral poked his blond head inside the room. He smiled upon seeing me, but it faded once he recognized Loki sneering his way. "Milady," he said acknowledgment before turning to Loki and beaming, "Little Green Loki, look how you fair today!"

Loki returned the fake smile. "How is your mother doing this fair morning, Fandral?" Fandral's face fell. Smugly, Loki turned to me and widened his already large grin. "I shall see you tonight."

"Yeah," I said lamely watching him leave my chambers. He pulled the door open that Fandral awkwardly held open and patted him a little roughly on the shoulder. Fandral winced and pulled back quickly and Loki held up his hands in apology. "I forgot that you were injured. A wolf bite, am I correct?" Fandral nodded, rubbing at his shoulder with his gloved fingers. "One should never tempt with those whose teeth are larger than thine own."

Fandral watched him leave before turning his attention toward me. "He was not always so sullen," chimed Fandral entering my room with his usual jubilance now that the tension was gone. "Actually that is far from truth."

I pursed my lips together in a strain smile. "How is your shoulder?"

"Nothing that cannot be healed. It was only a scratch, milady."

"Thank you for fighting that wolf to protect me," I croaked trying to keep my voice level. He could have died. As Loki had said it was dangerous to fight something with teeth larger than your own. And, its jaw could have easily crushed Fandral's glorious head of hair. "I'm just glad you're alive."

Fandral titled his head and smiled. "Are you truly, milady?"

I stuck my tongue to the inside of my bottom lip nodded. "Of course," I replied slowly deciding that now was the time that I put a crush to Fandral's advances. "We are friends."

"And, friends we are," he said a little too enthusiastic for my taste. "That is why I have come to ask you—my friend," he said with a wink, "if you would join me in tonight's festivities? There will be dancing and laughing and glorious battles in which I intend to win for you…" he bowed and widened his ridiculously charming smile. "For my good friend, that is."

I laughed, realizing that this wasn't going to be as easy as I had hoped it would be. "I actually have a prior commitment," I said almost apologetically.

"Oh," he replied, his smile faltering. He nodded and bowed slightly. "If I had known I would not have implied that you and I go as companions instead."

"You didn't know," I said trying to keep my smile in place. His expression was like that of a lost dog's and I had the sudden urge to hug him and tell him I'd go with him instead.

But no that wouldn't be fair to him, to myself—and never thought I'd say this—but fair to Loki either.

"Even so, I do intend to win this tournament for my dear friend." I started to tell him that he really didn't need to do that when a small, thin woman dressed in plain white garb entered. She curtsied to Fandral and then to me. Fandral nodded at her and turned his head to the side to look at me once more. "I will take this as my cue to leave." He lowered his head and bid the maiden and me a good bye, but of course not without winking before he left.

I shook my head and turned my attention to the brown-eyed brunette. "Can I help you?"

"His Lord has asked that I come by for a fitting," said the woman in a frail voice.

"A fitting for what?"

"A dress for tonight's event."

"Oh no, no, no," I said holding up my hands as she walked toward me with a measuring tape made of cloth. "I don't need a handmade dress. It's fine. I have outfits," I quickly said turning to my suitcase, "that I can wear and it's really okay."

"He said that you would try to argue about that but—" she paused and pursed her thin lips tightly together, "—mind you these are his words and not my own, 'the garb that she dons are of an elder Midgardian's taste' and that it is my job to ensure you wear the finest Asgardian robes tonight."

I felt my face heat up as I carefully maneuvered my arms across my wrinkled tee. The woman smiled sympathetically and took a step forward, holding out the measuring tape and wrapping it around my hips. "Loki always wants the best," she murmured before twirling her finger and setting to measuring my height.

I opened the door to my chambers to see Loki standing with both hands behind his back. He was dressed in finer green robes than what I had grown accustomed too. The gold of his armor hit the candlelight, shining bright. Even dressed in his silks he looked ready for battle. I tugged at the bottom of my lip with my teeth; all the Asgardian's looked as though they were going off to fight a war at any moments notice.

Still, he looked—I hated saying this—but rather amazing.

Hesitantly I opened my mouth preparing to comment on his attire when he simply stared at me, slowly cocking his head to the side. "Wh—what?" I asked looking down at the gown that I had slipped on just mere moments ago.

"If one did not know better you could almost pass for Asgardian royalty."

"I—I," I blushed wildly and looked down at the gown once more.

It hung loosely off my shoulders, held together by two golden buttons. The silk fell down into three folds, trickling down my legs and pooling near my feet. It was off-white, with a gold sheen that glittered in certain lights. Even when Elga, the maiden that had custom made the dress for me ordered me to put it on I felt as though it were too much for me. It had to have been the most beautiful dress I'd ever laid eyes on.

"Thank you," I lamely muttered, pulling at the dress with my hands. "It is really beautiful." Loki nodded and held out his arm for me to take. "You look dashing," I finally said as I slipped my hand along his sleeve and followed him out of the room.

He held out his chin and smirked. "I know."

I pursed my lips together in a tight smile, and tried to keep from laughing. "Confident as always."

"Confidence is a key ingredient should one wish to have those fear them."

I cocked my head. "Why would you want others to fear you?"

"Fear generates a response much faster than that of respect. You cannot rule a world with a gentle heart alone."

"So, you wish to rule with an iron fist?"

"I wish to rule what is rightfully mine to rule," he said stiffly.

"And, what do you believe is rightfully yours?"

"Never you mind that," he sternly replied keeping his jaw tight. I nodded catching on that the conversation was over.

"Brother! Hayden!" Thor greeted us both with a wide smile as he stood from his seat and waved us over to the table. When we approached he looked from me to Loki, his smile widening as he pulled his brother in for a hug. Loki tried to wiggle free from Thor's grasp but only failed quite miserably. "Hayden you look positively radiant this evening," he commented gesturing toward the dress that I wore.

I thanked him quietly, feeling suddenly uncomfortable now that most eyes were on us. They watched Thor and Loki with curiosity and I could tell that Loki wasn't usually at such gatherings. Thor, however, was overly pleased and instantly made room for the two of us to sit at his side.

Lady Sif and Volstagg greeted us both with stiff nods, which I returned—though Loki remained completely still—and I started to look around to see if I could spot Fandral. He was no where to be seen and I started to feel guilty. Then again, I remembered that he was going to partake in the tournament. Which, reminded me…

"So, what exactly is this tournament?" I asked as I took my seat at Loki's side.

Thor gestured dramatically to the giant arena before us. It reminded me vaguely of what a gladiator battle would look like. The pit below was a wide circular area with seats centered around it and the King along with his companions sat directly in the middle. Everyone jeered and cheered as they waited eagerly for the festivities to proceed.

"It is a battle of wits, of courage and of strength. Those who fair well are honored among the Asgardian people," boomed Thor as he turned to Lady Sif and murmured something in her ear. She nodded, and stood to leave. I noted that she was not dressed in a gown like the other woman among us where but in the same outfit she had worn the day I arrived in Asgard. Thor turned his attention back to me and leaned forward in his seat. "It is very thrilling. You will be amused."

I nodded, feeling my heart slam against my chest. "And, what is it that they fight against?"

"Bilgesnipe."

"Bygul..what?"

"Bilgesnipe," repeated Loki, his eyes entranced on the empty arena below. "They are repulsive creatures that trample anything that gets in their path. They do not care for those that they hurt, nor those that stand in their way."

I slowly turned my attention to where Loki's gaze focused and swallowed. "Do people die during this tournament?"

"There is no honor in failure," whispered Loki.

I felt the color drain from my face as a horn sounded off somewhere in the distance. Everyone around us began to quiet down, their voices draining until there was nothing but silence. Thor took that as his cue and rose from his seat, his hands held up and the crowd began to cheer wildly.

"People of Asgard! As you all know there has been rumor of war but there is always rumor of war. With these rumors we wish to have only the strongest—" the crowd cheered, "the bravest," the cheering grew louder, "men and women worthy of the title, Asgardian Warrior." I brought my hands to my ears as the crowd roared to a deafening height. "Let us put away the worry of what tomorrow may bring and enjoy tonight!"

Smiling, I turned to Loki whose face remained the same as before. There was no emotion, his eyes hard and his lips tight. I sighed and turned back to the area watching as a man dressed in heavy armor and his black hair pulled into a tight bun atop his head. I squinted, and leaned a little bit further. It was Hogun!

He turned to the crowd, holding up one arm in the air. The crowd cheered once more, men and woman rising from their seats and throwing their fists in excitement. Someone nearby began to stomp their foot, others followed suit until the entire arena was shaking. I turned to Loki—my face drained of all color by now—and asked him where I could get a drink. He snapped his fingers and a woman dressed in a maiden's garb brought over a goblet handing it to him with a smile.

I took the drink from him, and drank heartily ignoring the stinging that burned at my throat. He watched him cautiously, a small smile tugging at his lips. Gulping loudly I set the drink down into my lap and sighed.

"I warn you that if you drink like Volstagg it will not take long to end up looking like him." I snapped my head toward Volstagg who was already on his fourth drink. His cheeks were rosy, his mouth wide open as he cheered along with the rest of the crowd. Wine stained at his tunic and trickled down his flaming red beard. I scrunched my nose and handed my drink to Loki. He nodded, holding up the goblet only for another one to be replaced. "However, you look much better in that dress than he ever would."

"Bring out the beast!" shouted Thor and the crowd went wild.

A/N: I know I say this every chapter but seriously thank you guys! :D I love the comments. Keep them coming. They make my day.

Guest: Thank you! I am really glad you're enjoying it. And, that means so much to hear you have no idea. I wanted to take a different take on him than what other fanfics are writing. Yeah, he's a hardass and kind of a dick but he's also a prankster and I wanted to catch that side of him. So, I'm glad to know that it's working (:

Usedmemories: :D I think people tend to forget that he is a warrior of Asgard. I've been doing a lot of research on him and some of his stories-while some can be really disturbing-he is very brave and skilled fighter. I plan on doing more with that as well (: Thank you for the awesome comment!

Theta-McBride: Thank you! Haha that was probably one of my favorite lines so far. He's witty-regardless of being a jerk-so it's fun to write those sort of lines :D

Ellize Avalon: I have no life as of now so it's easier to update sooner! Haha. And, yes Frigga was a bit of a bitch. I really enjoyed her in the film and some of the other things I've been reading about her she comes off as nice. But, even the nicest people have their sore spots and she is still after all a queen. My goal was to try and get that across that she is only looking out for the well being of her people and for her sons (: