A/N1: I'M SOOOOOO SORRY! I totally forgot to update on friday but here it is the new chap. I must say that I feel particularly proud and happy with this one. I hope you like it as well.

A/N2: The italic words after a line, are spells.

A/N3: BTW! Check out for the little glossary at the end of the Ch to know a little more.

As always, I do not own either Atlantis nor Thor but feel free to review and hit the follow and/or fav buttons if you like the story so far. I would love to know about what you think and feel about my AU.

Eydís' head was thrown back as she felt as if a piece of her had been burned away. She screamed in pain but she couldn't let go of the shield. She was stubborn and she had to do something. Trying to re focus, she noticed the crevice Commander Rourke pointed at. If she was unable to make strong shields, she would then help them the only other way she could.

– Húð frá syn.

The light around the pod changed a little but no one seemed to notice. They went into the crevice and Helga maneuvered with expertise through the tunnel until they finally emerged in a very dark cave. Eydís let go of the spell. She was exhausted to the point of almost fainting but she couldn't rest.

Not yet.

– Miss, are ya alright?

Eydís' eyes began to see dark spots and the voice sounded muffled but she was alright. She had to. So she turned to the doctor and answered.

– Sorry. I am. Excuse me for panicking.

– Miss, I think I know how to differentiate a panic scream from a pain scream.

– I am sorry but one can not make something out from an unexisting source, – she smiled.

Out of the many things Loki had taught her, one of the most important ones had been how to hide pain. How to masquerade it and make everyone you know think you were alright. Eydís had learned the lesson very early on. Of course, she knew her brother too well. She knew when her brother was aching and thus, she cried for both of them in the privacy of her room.

After what had happened with Balloo, Loki had not just been hurt physically but emotionally as well. People saw him differently, some even rather deviate their eyes than to engage any approximation with the second Prince. But there had been a particular day in which she had to learn the lesson rather by force.

It had just been Balloo's third month's death anniversary. The ceremony was held in the greatest of all halls. Everyone in Asgard and a very large part of Vanaheim's population had come for the sad event. As usual, the royal family was at the front.

After the service, they were all going out and Eydís, being the youngest, was the last one. This time, she caught sight of how the people looked at Loki and even overheard a boy saying:

– Is that him mother? The responsible?

The mother shushed the boy quickly but it had been enough for Eydís to hear. Her blood boiled. This boy, obviously from Vanaheim, looked a little older than her but just by a century or so. The Princess tattooed the boy's face in her mind. Long, black hair; slanted, brown eyes; well fed and with a big mole on his left cheek. Eydís held back but she would find a way to meet him again. She knew that once everyone got out of the hall, they would either go back home or remain as guests at the palace, depending on their rank. She prayed to all the gods she knew for this boy to stay behind.

The feast was about to begin, the Princess' eyes frantically looking for the boy with the mole. The last great families from Vanaheim were still coming in when she saw him. The unique mole on his left cheek right where it had been last time. The mood was grim and solemn but Eydís could barely hold back her rage. Yet, she had to. At least for a little longer.

She knew by now that children would be placed at a different table, but due to the fact that she was Asgard's Princess, she would not join them. Instead, she would sit down next to her mother, as always. But that awful boy, he would most certainly sit with the rest of the children. Things happened as she thought and, after dessert, the grown ups remained but she asked to be excused and allowed to go to the younger one's table. As no one saw a reason not to let her, she was dismissed. But Loki knew something was amiss so he observed her every move.

As she arrived at the youngster's table, many of the present stood up.

– You can seat back down again. Thank you, – she said as she reached the nearest child.

Vanaheimese if she was right. This girl had golden hair but dark, slightly slanted, eyes. This girl was seated just across from the mole-boy.

– Your majesty, do what do we owe your presence here? – she asked bowing her head and placing her right fist upon her heart.

– There is no need for such formalities. Do not worry. I was merely curious whether or not you were well attended. I understand that as younglings sometimes we can be overlooked.

– My Princess, you are very kind but we have been attended accordingly, – the mole-boy said.

– And who should you be? – Eydís asked.

The boy was taken aback by the sharpness of the tone but was a bit reassured by the calm look on the Princess' face.

– Uhmm… I am… My name is Geir, son of Vinh my Princess, – he said as he stood up again and bowed low with his right fist placed upon his heart as well.

– Geir, would you walk with me for a moment? – she asked with the sweetest voice she could use.

The mole-boy blushed wildly both by the sight of her smile and for having become the center of attention of the table.

– O… of course, my Princess, – he stuttered for a second before bowing a third time.

The Princess walked towards the door looking to the front. Geir caught up with her there and they left the hall silently. Unnoticed by all the grownups, except for one.

Eydís conducted the boy through a series of corridors that eventually led them to the stables. All along being completely mute.

– Geir, – the boy was startled but the Princess' voice was soft, – are you loyal to Asgard's crown?

It was an odd question.

– Of course my Princess, – he seemed nervous.

– Are you?

– Y… yes, – he assured again.

– Lying to a member of the royal family is a great crime upon our laws, – her voice had turned almost threatening.

– I… I am not lying, – he tried.

– Then why did you call MY brother, Asgard's second Prince and YOUR Prince "the responsible"? – her voice was ice cold now and her eyes shot daggers.

Now Geir understood. He felt a surge of panic flow through his body and he turned ash white. He had obviously never expected to be overheard at the ceremony let alone be confronted by the Princess herself. Without knowing when, Geir began trembling.

– I… that… uhm… e…, – he didn't know what to say until he blurted, – That is what everyone is saying.

That was the moment Eydís lost it. She turned crimson red and her eyebrows furrowed like never before in her life.

– THAT IS A LIE! – she screamed.

The ground shook, the floor of the courtyard cracked, the horses whinnied and the boy fell backwards in panic, unsure of what to do but cry out of fear.

– THAT IS A FILTHY AND HIDEOUS LIE!

Magic.

She could do magic and she was losing control of it but she didn't care. She was about to jump over the boy like a lioness upon her prey but a pair of strong arms held her back.

– I FORBID YOU TO REPEAT THOSE WORDS EVER AGAIN YOU HEAR ME! – she screamed while squirming, trying to break free. – I FORBID YOU! I FORBID YOU! I FORBID YOU!

– EYDÍS THAT IS ENOUGH! – the owner of the arms suddenly yelled.

Eydís was perplexed and the shaking of the ground stopped instantly, her breathing heavy.

– That is enough sister! – he said again feeling her melt almost completely on his arms. – Guards! Take the boy back to the hall and escort the Princess to her chambers I believe this has been too much for her.

Without looking at him and still panting, she was set free. A pair of very impressed (and a little nervous) guards approached the trio. One took the nearly-frightened-to-death boy and the other waited for a moment for the girl to move before he dared ask:

– My Princess?

There was really no need to be angry at the guard, he was merely following orders. Eydís felt ashamed and without taking her eyes from the ground she began walking. Shortly after she found herself in her room all curled up on her bed and tears rolling from her eyes. Why had Loki stopped her? She had done nothing wrong but defend him, hadn't she? Every time she remembered how Loki had yelled at her more tears fell from her eyes until she fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was dark. No one seemed to have bothered to come up looking for her at dinner time and there was no tray of food that indicated that she would receive any more food that day. Eydís guessed this was part of her punishment so she just got up and changed her black and silver dress for her simple night gown. She undid all the little braids that had been done in the morning, brushed her hair and then put it all together with one simple braid. For the next hour she tried to fall back to sleep to no avail so finally she decided to make a much needed visit.

Without even putting a robe before leaving her chamber, she went out. The guard at her door was a bit surprised to see her like that but regained composure soon enough and tried to stop her. He looked young. Older than Loki and Thor but young for a guard. This had to be one of his first jobs for sure. With the great visit of so many important people, the vast majority of the more experienced guards must have been taking care of the attendance. He was probably sent here because there was no one else available.

The helmet didn't allow a great look of his face but Eydís could make a refined nose and a pair of big, dark-green eyes. There was also some blonde stubble on his face so she assumed he was blonde as well.

– My Princess, I was ordered to not let you go into the hall again.

– That is alright I am not properly dressed anyways. What is your name?

– Sindri, son of Bård. At your service, – the guard answered making the usual salute with the fist and the bowing.

– Nice meeting you Sindri. Worry not. I shall keep as far away from the hall as possible but there is a visit I must do, – before Sindri had a chance of arguing she continued. – You may escort me there if you want.

She had most likely created a lot of inconvenience for many people that day, she didn't want her list to grow any longer. Sindri looked relieved and saluted again. Eydís began walking. It wasn't going to be a long walk but she didn't feel comfortable having someone behind her, not today.

– Sindri, – the guard looked at her, – would you walk by my side please?

The Princess half turned, pleading with her eyes. The guard couldn't deny her petition and simply walked forward, to her right. She resumed her way, again, mute but feeling better with Sindri by her side. Two minutes later, about ten paces from a huge, golden door, Eydís stopped.

– Could I go the rest of the way on my own? – she asked.

– But that is…

– I know.

– My Princess, – Sindri saluted one last time bowing more solemnly than before.

He walked to the wall and he placed his back there with a smile on his face. She thanked and approached her destination alone. It was obvious that Sindri never expected a Princess to behave this way. To ask permission rather than to order around but he imagined it was due to her young age. He followed her with his eyes and silently prayed for that essence never to leave her.

On the other hand, Eydís opened the door very quietly, checking the bed first. There was a bundle there so she proceeded to go in, closing the door with equal care. Eydís had to round the bed to see the face, making sure it was not an illusion. When she decided it was not, she climbed on but instead of cuddling right next to him, she aimed for his feet. She felt so ashamed and angry and only the gods knew what else that she rather not face him yet.

– If you came all this way to sleep like a dog, why bother at all? – came the silky voice from the top of the bed.

Eydís simply curled up in herself more. Tears on the verge of her eyes again.

– Eydís? – he called again.

– He was spreading lies about you, – she answered and the dam cracked. – I… I could not stand by watching and doing nothing. People blame you for something you did not do Deki. They do not understand just how important was Balloo for you as well. You are innocent Deki, innocent. How can you be so calm? How can it not affect you?

Eydís was sobbing by now. She felt her brother shift on the bed.

– Eydís, come here, – he called but she couldn't move. – Eydís, please.

She dared look up and was surprised to see her beloved brother's eyes all watery. For the first time in months she saw his mask break and, more importantly, she saw the real him. The brother that she so much loved felt alone, hurt and in pain. She complied instantly.

– It does affect me and I am also responsible for what happened.

– NO! No you are not! – Eydís cut off.

– I made the arrows, – he looked down.

– Did you intended for this to happen?

– No.

– Did you know of the consequences of your acts?

– No.

– Then you are not to blame Deki. Please understand that, – she said tearing up again.

– Ignorance is no excuse, – he argued, – so creating fights trying to convince everyone otherwise will not solve anything.

– Deki, – his sister whispered.

– They are right to blame me, to point at me, to hate me, – he said bitterly.

Eydís could not bear her brother saying such things. It broke her heart.

– Then I will love you for all of them, – she answered with a resolution as never before had Loki seen her use. – I will love you for all of those people who will not.

– Eydís…

– If I am not allowed to fight them then I will love you. For every bad look I will take your hand. For every gossip I will embrace you with all my strength and for every direct insult I shall give you a kiss, like this…

The frown on her face became a smile as she jumped to her brother, embracing him around the neck and kissing him loudly on the cheek.

– I will let Roar do the punching if you want, – the little girl said letting go of him.

That placed a smile on Loki's face as well.

– Will you be able to fulfill your oath? – he asked teasingly.

– I will until you release me from it, – she answered with a serious look.

They watched each other for a moment both much calmer and happier as well.

– Come here little star, – Loki embraced his younger sister.

She embraced him as well feeling much more at peace. After a while they separated from each other and he invited her to lie back on the huge bed. The Princess loved Loki's room. He had placed a spell on the whole ceiling making it reflect the daily night sky and the little dots emitted a very soft light just at night forming the constellations without needing to go outside.

– Congratulations by the way, – he said.

– What for?

– For awakening your magic.

Eydís widened her eyes in surprise. It was true and she had completely forgotten about it.

– Thank you. Do you think anyone else noticed?

– Possibly, – he said with a hint of humor.

– Oh dear, – she blushed and covered her face.

– Do not worry little star, I shall help you catch up with this fine art and I am most certain that mother will be more than happy to teach you as well.

– Thank you again.

They laughed and talked some more but at some point of the night, they both fell asleep. It wasn't until next morning that Frigg (who had been looking for the Princess) found them embraced to each other and in deep sleep. It was unusual to see the Prince rest like that after all that had happened, therefore, the Queen allowed a couple more hours of slumber for them before giving Eydís a great lecture for the fight and a congratulation for her, just awoken, magical talent.

Yes, she may have had little need of masks in Asgard but she had learned how to wear them at will and so, she hid from everyone in the escape pod her physical pain. She hid her tears when all the survivors rounded up at the shore of the cave's lake lighting up a single candle in a soldier's helmet and letting it float on the water. Rourke began his speech:

– Seven hours ago, we started this expedition with 200 of the fines men and women I've ever known. We're all that's left. …

She'd put away the guilt for now.

– I won't sugar coat it gentlemen, we have a crisis on our hands but we've been up this particular creek before and we've always come through paddle or no paddle. I see no reason to change that, policy now. From here on in, everyone pulls double duties. Everyone drives, everyone works. …

Milo was alive, she was alive…

– Looks like all our chances for survival rest with you Mr. Thatch. You and that little book.

– We're all gonna die, – Mrs. Packard said while putting out her cigarette.

– Okay, – Rourke began again, – saddle up. Lieutenant, I want this convoy moving five minutes ago.

Everyone began moving once again. Everyone began preparations again. Everyone but Alice Kraft and Eydís was never going to forget why.

Glossary (considering a site I found which was a dictionary of old norse to english plus a construction of my own. Feel free to ask for the link if you wish):

1. Húð frá syn - hide from sight