A/N1: Hi there. Here goes the eighth chapter. I really hope you are liking the story so fa.

A/N2: The italics, are thoughts.

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.

It was rather a tortuous journey. With so few people, keeping things in place was difficult but they managed. Also, privacy was highly complicated to get. Even to relieve themselves, they had to go in pairs due to safety issues but she was able to sneak away a couple of times to check herself up. Eydís thought that the failed spell had taken its toll but it hadn't been that bad. It's true that she had markings all over her torso but with one of Eir's balms, the marks disappeared fairly quickly.

As for the work load. Rourke hadn't been wrong. It doubled for everyone so that alone was reason enough not to see Milo but the fact that he was always at the front and she was either at the center or in tow, made it complicated to meet during travel hours. Yet, at meal times it was different. She would finish her duties and then look for him to eat together. He was mostly alone, surrounded by books, studying the journal. The young woman imagined that the reason she wanted his company was because, in a way, Milo reminded her of Loki. One meal time she even said it out loud.

Like everyday, she had saved two rations of "food" (as much as she had delayed the natural decomposition of more organic ingredients, people were beginning to get suspicious so she had to stop) and took her usual spot to his left when she arrived. Milo was focused on the pages of the journal so he didn't notice her until she spoke.

– Bon appétit.

She handed him his ration.

– Oh! Thanks, – he smiled.

Milo had noticed her insistence of being close to him during this "quality time" and had grown fond of the girl. He had truly been surprised at first when he had shared the journal with her and she began reading it almost flawlessly. It had then become sort of a custom to compare notes and interpretations during these times. Milo felt less alone now and more confident. After his mistake at the intersection's tunnels, many had stopped talking to him almost completely so he valued a second opinion. It was nice to have a friend.

– What do you think of the road so far? – he asked.

– I think the whole place is astounding. Few times have I encountered such a path.

– You've seen ruins like these before?

– More or less. Though, during those times, I had always been with my brothers, – she said with a nostalgic smile.

– You mention them quite often but you've never really told me anything about them, – he answered.

Eydís doubted for a moment.

– Rory is big, blonde, charismatic and a bit of a brute but he can be very caring, courageous, protective and noble, – she made a pause. – Dean. Actually, you remind me of him.

– Really? How so?

– You are both intellectuals and, most of the time, underestimated. There is more to the both of you than what meets the eye but people do not understand you. They are either afraid or envious and thus, you prefer solitude.

Milo shrugged a little.

– Is…is that how you see me?

– For the most part, – she kept smiling, – but do take it as a compliment please.

– Alright, – Milo said with a light laugh.

Days passed one by one and personal chats like this didn't happen very often but they got to know each other fairly good in other important aspect and that had to do with their minds and their abilities of interpretation and translation. Milo enjoyed this friendship very much and he began to relax around others but, instead, Eydís began to tense. They were being followed. She could feel it and every passing day their followers came closer. It got even worse after Vinny blew up that column. Therefore, she placed wardings all over the convoy. If they came to the camp, she would know.

Nevertheless, ever since then, she had been having this funny feeling at the tip of her stomach. It was barely a tickle but it was weird. At first she had thought that it was due to a kind of food poisoning but after taking Eir's remedy and getting no results she guessed it was something else entirely. She was so focused on that feeling, that from time to time she tended to forget where she was and what was she supposed to do. One of those times, Eydís was brought back to reality by the loud noise of the digging machine far to the front. When she looked at the huge wall blocking their way, she figured things out on her own.

The architecture was beautiful though quite simple and making a hole in there broke Eydís' heart. She had noticed the other path, the true path (which was being used by their followers) days ago but she couldn't say a thing without a very good explanation and a plan on how to move every piece of equipment over there as soon as possible. Nope, it wasn't worth it.

Besides, from a time now, she had been uneasy not only because of their followers but something in the core of the convoy was bothering her. There were whispers from some tents at a very late hour. There were awkward looks from some of her companions towards Milo. Some comments even made her suspicious and the more they advanced, the worse it got. She even picked up some talk about Milo and her that didn't sound neither promising nor flattering. It was weird and if having lived with Loki didn't help her detect lies 1,000 miles around, nothing would.

I wish Roar and Deki were here, she began thinking as they crossed the freshly dug tunnel. I wish I could speak with my parents. I even wonder if Heimdall can see me at all or even hear me.

– I am joining this expedition father, – she had said the very next morning during breakfast.

– Sister, are you sure? – Thor had asked.

– I am afraid of the outcome if that is what you were wondering, but I would forever regret it if I overlooked this opportunity.

– Then I am coming with you, – he said resolutely.

– Roar, – she said softly using that beloved nickname, – I thank you from the bottom of my heart but I think I need to do this on my own otherwise we would arouse suspicion.

– But…

– She is right my son, – Odin interfered.

– What?!

– She needs to do this on her own.

– But father, that is madness! – Thor continued.

– My love, would it not be wise to send her at least with a guard? – Frigg said.

– I am afraid not. If Heimdall is unable to see the ruins of the city, if there are any left, there must be a reason for it. Sending Eydís would clear the mystery. Sending two or all of my children would arouse questions, – he made a pause to look at a very quiet Loki. – Sending her with a guard might prove difficult to keep the secret of her birth still a secret. For now, we do not need that. Do you understand my star? If you go, you will be completely alone.

– I understand father.

– We might be even unable to see you through Heimdall's eyes.

– Yes, father.

– In that case, – the King sighed, – we shall see you placed correctly in Midgard from the Bifrost chamber. You must be ready by midday.

– Yes, father.

– I shall see you then.

Eydís had left the breakfast room shortly after. There were lots of details to polish and too little time. During those last few hours, the word "alone" hadn't seem like much but even though there were lots of people around her, she felt utterly alone. And now, above all that, she felt like she could trust no one.

Eydís closed her eyes and fell asleep in the back of a truck for what felt like hours. When she woke up, the convoy had stopped. Most of the cars in the font were parked on a vast platform outside the tunnel but still in the main cavern The young one walked to where everyone stood and saw, far above their heads a carved-in-the-rock ceiling lamp with various holes that irradiated light. It reminded Eydís of a bee hive.

– Alright. We'll make camp here, – she heard Rourke say but her eyes were fixed on the lamp.

It was a curious artifact and Eydís wanted to check it out in more detail if she could. Loki would be interested about the functioning of the thing.

– That thing is going to keep me up all night, – Vinny said and she smiled.

People began moving to get their chores done and by the time dinner was ready the light in the lamp had dimmed. Fascinating, the Princess thought. Due to her contemplation of the light on the ceiling, it took longer than usual to hand out her rations so when she went to the pile of books looking for Milo she was surprised not to find him there.

– Eydís!

She looked to her left and saw her friend waving a hand, sitting with a group of people. They looked at her with curious eyes but, most of them smiled.

– Good evening. My name is Eydís, – she said when she was close enough.

– Hello there, I remember you, – said the doctor. – Good ta see you lookin' fine.

– I did tell you it was nothing to be worried about, – Eydís smiled.

– Here, sit over here, – the mechanic girl said as she scooted over.

– I am awfully sorry. I have not been acquainted with some of you. I have heard of the young mechanic Audrey and the explosive expert Vinny. Of course I know Dr. Sweet and Milo but, what are your names?

– Oh, well, that's Mrs. Packard and that's Mole. We were just hearing about Sweet's story.

– I see. I am very pleased to finally meet you both, – her right hand went to her heart and she bowed her head just a little.

Audrey hid a laugh behind one of her hands.

– Why do you do that? – she asked.

Eydís looked confused and blinked rapidly.

– I believe I do not understand your question?

– Talk like that or make those funny gestures with your hands. It's… weird. Even the way you seat and walk are all too proper.

Never before had the Princess been confronted like this.

– I suppose it is merely the way I was brought up. My mother always told me I should be proper and polite as much as possible. To be honest, I know no other way of doing things, – she said with a warm smile, – and I do not dislike this way.

– Where're you from? – Audrey kept asking.

– A little place in Norway.

– I didn't know that, – Milo said.

– You never asked.

– And are you here for the adventure like Milo or are you here for the paycheck? – Vinny asked.

– Neither, though I am vastly enjoying the adventure.

– So, what's your excuse? – Sweet pointed out.

– I am in a journey of self discovery.

– Look girl, all that sounds very pretty but why would someone leave their cozy home to come all the way to the center of the Earth? – Vinny asked again.

Eydís wasn't sure why but she actually wanted to talk. She needed it and these people without knowing it were hitting all the right buttons to make her open up. It felt nice to be back in a group dynamic. As much as she liked her time alone with Milo, group chat made her think of her family. She decided to tell the truth, or at least the essence of the truth.

– Shortly before coming, my parents revealed to me that we shared no blood bonds…

– So that you're adopted, – Vinny interrupted.

– Uhm, precisely. It was a nasty blow but thanks to my brothers I was able to get over it for the most part. But it was precisely that help that made me realise that I had never done anything on my own. They had always been there, guarding my every step, taking me in as one of their own. I thought that if I am able to succeed in this mission I will learn more of myself than I ever did. At least that is what I hope for.

– I didn't know you were adopted, – Milo said after a moment.

Eydís laughed.

– All that explanation and that is all you remember?

Milo blushed.

– Are you planning on looking for your real family? – Audrey asked.

– Yes.

– How?

The Princess took out her silver locket.

– I got a clue inside.

– Ay Dios. It's beautiful, – she said while holding it on one of her hands and touching the intricate carvings with the other.

– And what's in it? – Milo ventured.

– A secret, – Eydís winked.