One year later…

Jane was sitting in her classroom in the university she attended on Alfheim. She had enjoyed academic success, but missed Asgard.

And Prince Thor.

Jane sighed and turned back to her charts.

Later that night, she was writing to her father…

Dear father,

Alfheim is lovely at night. There seems like there is music constantly playing. Sometimes I think that there is.

I miss you and home so much. Though you were right, I needed to go, it doesn't stop the feeling I sometimes get. But I know that you mean the best for me.

I hope that you are well, and that the palace still lights up at night, even though it is getting colder.

Jane

He put the letter down and sighed. She seemed so unhappy. He sighed…many years lingered between Jane coming home and the now.

Perhaps he should send for her if she was so dissatisfied.

Foster got up and went to the gardens outside his small house. He went to the stables and began to brush the royal horses.

"Hello, Foster!" boomed the Prince, entering the place.

"Oh, hello, Your Highness," and he continued his work.

"And how are you this morning? Fine day, is it not?" a wide smile crossed his face as he patted the horse.

"It is, Your Majesty, yes."

Thor's brow creased. "Something is pressing upon you, I see it. Come, tell me what ails you."

Foster sighed, and turned toward the Prince. "It's Jane, sir. She seems so unhappy."

"Your daughter?" Thor looked at him quizzically. "She is on Alfheim, is that not so?"

He nodded, dropping her gaze. "For nine more years, sir."

"But a blink of an eye. We are Aesir, my man! It will pass in no time!" and he mounted his steed.

He nodded once more. "I hope so, sir."

Thor laughed and left.

And Jane's father went for a walk in the garden.

Alfheim held a glow to it almost constantly, and Jane often walked the place at all times. What was particularly fortunate was that the Realm's sun was always in slight sight, so the darkness was never terribly deep…Jane could enjoy walks at nearly any hour, and quite frequently did.

She was melancholy, those first few years in the elfin Realm, and chose not to hide that fact, nor make much of an attempt to alter it.

She was alone.

Though through her solitude, Jane discovered herself. She spent her time in some quiet introspection, and began to relearn what it meant to be Jane Foster. For ten years she studied hard, she did most everything that was asked of her, and that which she didn't do, she refrained with good reason. She was a person who understood, for the most part, who she was and what she wanted.

Jane desired respect. She was no fool.

She wanted to be loved.

She wanted to go home and make some life for herself and her father. He was getting old. He would need to take his rest…

She would apply to Odin to be an advisor. That was what her studies readied her for. She understood Yggdrasil, and she would seek to counsel him in his foreign affairs among the Tree.

Jane was readying herself after her stint in Alfheim, and was smiling.

And though she would never admit it, she was also readying herself to see Thor.

She sighed, and left for the Bifrost.

Heimdall was standing at his station, and the portal began to churn…he was waiting for the visitors from Alfheim…and he knew that Mr Foster's daughter would likely be among them.

…and there she was, falling onto the floor. "Hello, Heimdall! I'm back!" she smiled.

The seer nodded.

Jane shrugged. She picked up her bag and began to walk to the Rainbow Bridge.

Just as she did so, she stopped.

There was Thor, speaking to someone.

Jane swallowed, but continued on, ready to be as natural as possible to the Prince.

He noticed her as she approached, and turning from his companion, smiled at her. "Greetings, young Lady. What brings you to Asgard?"

Jane stopped. "I'm…coming home."

"Indeed? Well, allow me to see you there," he turned, nodded to his companion, and began walking with her. "So, you are Aesir…"

How could he not know this? "I am."

"And have you been gone long?"

"Yes, quite some time."

"Well, welcome back!" he beamed at her. "You do look familiar, now that I get a proper look…" his brow furrowed. "Stop," and he took her hand, and examined her face.

Jane's visage curled a soft smirk. "Shall I step into the light?"

Thor laughed. "Won't be necessary…I'm certain that I'll get it…" and he turned and walked with her down toward the palace. "I trust you live nearby?"

"Quite close, yes."

He nodded, and they entered the palace grounds proper. "Your father…I've seen you with him…"

"Many times," she smiled.

"I knew it! He's a diplomat!"

"Hardly," and she turned toward him.

"Hello, Jane Foster," came Loki's voice from behind Thor. He was walking at a swift pace, and passed them both in the hall. "You appear to be well. All grown up, I see," and he nodded, leaving them both there.

Her eyes had fallen at Loki's greeting, and she swallowed, looking at the Thunder God. "Hello, my Prince," and she curtseyed.

"Jane Foster," Thor whispered. "How could I have missed this?"

"You never paid much attention before, I don't see how a few years would make much difference," and she looked at him.

He smiled, cleared his throat, and nodded. "You are quite right, Jane," and he took her hand. "But allow me to see this to right. There is to be a great party this evening, and it would give me immense pleasure to have you there as my honored guest."

Her smile was wide. "A homecoming," she stated. "That is very kind, Your Majesty…but what would the King say?"

"Enough with these formalities!" and he took her down the hall toward the back of the palace, where the stables were housed. "It will be a homecoming, indeed! And there will be merriment, and dancing…"

"…and will you take some ladies with you after a spell, and will you walk with them in the gardens?"

He side eyed her. "You have seen much, little Jane," he replied, reaching the stables. "But I wish only to spend time with my neighbor. It has been far too long since we've spoken!"

"Hardly at all, I'd say," but she was still smiling.

"And I mean to see to that immediately, Jane, if you allow it."

Her eyes began a withering glare, but Thor was so handsome, how could she remain cross? "Of course. I haven't much in terms of appropriate formalwear…"

"I can have a gown tailored…"

Jane laughed. "You didn't let me finish. I have a gown, but it is not much. I'll take it out and see what I can do to make it more suitable."

"With you wearing it, m'lady, I'm confident it will be radiant," and he bowed.

Jane sighed and turning, went to find her father.

"Be careful, brother," Loki's voice was just behind Thor.

"Careful? When have I ever been careful?" he smiled, and turned toward him.

"Precisely my point. Let us not forget the arrangement father has made with the Light Elves. The King would not be pleased to see you in the arms of a local," and he turned, walking back to the palace.

"Who said anything about arms, Loki? I am merely offering her a welcome. Nothing wrong with that," there was a decided spring in his step, and a grin he could not suppress.

Loki looked at him. How tiresome to be constantly reigning in his elder brother. "Thor, please do not get yourself carried away this evening. The party is for diplomatic purposes. Mending of bridges. Not for your…" he cleared his throat and rolled his eyes. "…conquests."

"She's a girl, Loki."

"Aye. And the last girl nearly started a war. Please, do be mindful of your position and that of the crown."

"I don't need you and everyone else telling me what to do, nor to remember my position. I know quite well who I am. Jane and her father are our friends," Thor began to walk away. "It would be insulting not to invite them."

"But you didn't invite her father," Loki muttered, and left the hall.

Jane was unpacking. She was positively alight with anticipation. To think, she would be going to the party at the palace that evening, after so many years of longing to go! It was too much, and she nearly giggled.

But she didn't, because that wasn't who she was.

"Jane?"

"Hello, father," she turned, smiling. "What do you think of this gown?" she held it up to him, and then to herself. It was a cream color, with silver embroidery. "It isn't the grandest of gowns, but I like it well enough."

"It is very fine, child."

Jane was still smiling. "Child? Haven't you noticed, father? I am a woman now."

"Aye. I have noticed," and he sat on the chair in her room. "I would like you to be careful tonight, Jane. You hold a whimsy about you, and you're reaching for the moon."

"No, father," Jane went and kissed his forehead. "The moon is reaching for me," and she turned away from him, laying out her gown on the bed, her mind full of wonder.

Thor was waiting by the door near the gardens, his arms crossed in front of him, an expectant look upon his face.

"Waiting for someone?"

He turned to find his father there. "Aye, father. Jane Foster will be arriving shortly. She is just home from Alfheim."

"From Alfheim, is it? Well, a merry party it will be. I trust the Elvish Princess had made her acquaintance during her stay?"

Thor swallowed, understanding the implication. "I will need to ask Jane. She did not mention it when we spoke earlier."

"Yes, well. See that you do. A family such as the Foster's should be acquainted with their Prince's future wife. They have watched you grow. They will want to know her," and Odin patted Thor's arm, and left him.

Thor was always rather headstrong…his might was not limited to his brawn. He would need to concoct something to drive a wedge between him and the stable manager's daughter.

Odin walked through the hall, bustling with people, when he spotted his younger son. Loki was not exactly his first choice for many things, but he was an able liar, a mischief maker…this might suit him well. "Loki!" called Odin from a short distance away.

And Loki sighed somewhat. Odin seldom had anything useful to say to him. He doubted that this would be an exception. "Hello, father. Once again you've outdone yourself. The party is magnificent."

"Cease your meaningless compliments. We have a situation of a dire nature on our hands," and he took Loki's elbow and guided him to the map room adjoining the hall.

"A situation? Dire? I doubt it, Odin. There is nothing in all the Realms that can be so dire so that you may not bask in the people's adoration for the evening," he was ushered unceremoniously into the rom.

"Jane Foster," was all he said as he closed the door.

Ah, yes. Loki had seen this coming…though he was rather shocked at the timing. She had only just arrived home that very day. "What? The stableman's daughter? What of her?" and crossing his arms in front of him, leaned against the table at the far end.

"Your brother has designs on her," Odin spat, walking to the window. "And I've had enough of his frivolity. He needs to settle, and if he cannot choose one, then the Throne shall."

"What if he chooses Jane Foster?"

"He cannot!" he turned. "I have already arranged his union with Saga. She is a lovely lady, and will make him a dutiful wife."

"Does Saga know that she is to fulfill Thor's duty?" he smirked.

"None of that now, Loki. I require a service of you."

Loki rolled his eyes. "I can imagine."

"Now, I know that it has been some time since you have wooed a lady…"

"How do you know this?"

Odin looked at him with his single eye, meaning to be unnerving, but having a more comical effect. "Can you deny it?"

"Aye, I deny it. Emphatically so," and he stood away from the table and glared at Odin. How tiresome he could be. "I am no virgin, father. Nor am I unversed in the ways of seduction. You wish for Jane Foster to fall in love with me? Is this a challenge?"

He was like clay, his youngest son. "Only if you can succeed."

"You'll have your Elfish wedding, Odin. And you will have your blood of the maid on your hands. I only hope that Foster doesn't kill you in the process," Loki turned to walk from the room. "He loves his child," he opened the door. "And do not presume, even for a moment, that I do not understand what you are doing. You know my weaknesses, and you exploit them at every turn. For my part, when I succeed, I will need permission to leave Asgard and pursue my talents elsewhere in Yggdrasil."

"You wish to leave your home?"

"Nay, father. I wish to leave you," and he closed the door behind him.