I didn't have a chance to question Loki about what being a newlywed in Midgard entailed, not when the carriage pulled up in front of us - concerned faces appearing out of the misty gloom that our surroundings seemed to be cloaked in. My companion - his silver tongue on full display - was quick with a tale of woe.

He let out a gasp that - had I not known that we'd JUST arrived from Asgard in perfect health and wellbeing I might have worried for him AND myself - sounded as though he was incredibly grateful to see ANYONE along the road. "Oh thank GOD," his tone, along with his arm wrapping around me tightly, fingers digging into my skin through the thin layers of the fabrics that made up Midgardian fashion. "I had thought we'd be forced to walk the entire way -" he was panting, and when I chanced a glance up, his eyes were red rimmed and looked haunted and fearful. I hoped he had a glamour over me as well, since I hadn't been handed a script.

"What's happened?" The younger of the foursome - a strapping looking boy, or perhaps in Midgard he'd be considered a man - hopped down from the carriage and came forward to offer aid to Loki and I. "You look as though you've met horrible trouble."

"We have," Loki agreed, his face pressing into my hair. "And we've only JUST started our honeymoon -" I tucked myself into his chest, thinking it best NO ONE could see my face, not with how thick he was laying on our tale of tragedy. I could make out snippets - how we'd been robbed of everything - my entire wedding trousseau, at least the part that I'd brought along for our honeymoon tour was gone - along with his own wardrobe - "at least I managed to keep hidden our treasures, and of course, MY most precious treasure is safe." His lips pressed against my temple, cool against the heat of my shame at his embellished tale.

"John, they must come with us," a woman's voice, soft and kind. "Look at her, she's terrified." Was I? Mortified, perhaps, but terrified?

There wasn't any objection to Loki and I joining their party. "Come, my dove," he pulled me away from where I'd clung to him. "These lovely people are willing to allow us to ride along with them," looking up at him, I could see the mirth in his eyes, but his expression would seem concerned to anyone who didn't know him. "There, there, my love, I know we've had a rough start, but once we get to London - we'll finally have the start we deserve." Was that - surely the clench I felt in my stomach was simply from the fear of being caught out by the Midgardians - it couldn't be from the promise I heard in Loki's words.

John, the young one, helped Loki hand me up into the carriage, and then Loki was fast to join me. The ever concerned and fearful new husband, keeping a close eye on his new bride after a most troubling experience. He tucked me back into his side, his arm over me like a bird's wing. The others - since John and the coachman stayed outside - were quickly introduced. Margaret, the kind voiced woman, was older and maternal. Her daughter Elizabeth, sat next to her, eyes sharp and her voice quiet.

"You're very pale," Elizabeth, gaze locked on my face, offered. "Are you quite sure you don't feel sick?"

I nodded, certain that if I spoke I might say the wrong thing, and then who knew what horrible thing would happen? She didn't seem to believe me, and I felt a sigh building. "I'm fine, just -" I swallowed hard and loud - as if recalling the terror of being robbed and terrorized by those who were supposed to deliver us safely to our destination. "How can people be so cruel?" My voice caught, as though I were fighting tears, and Loki's fingers tightened on my arm. I daren't look up, if I did, I might laugh.

"How terrible - " Margaret tsked. "For a young bride, on her way to a new life -" she shook her head. "We'll get you to London, safe and sound, and the two of you can get started." She smiled reassuringly and I snuggled closer to Loki, fingers tightening into the fabric of his own Midgardian layers. Started on what? I wondered.

"The Langham," Loki told our companions, when they asked him where we were staying. Eyes widened and his smile grew soft. "Only the best for my darling."

"Even with your lack of -" Elizabeth started to inquire, to question our story, but her mother nudged her none too lightly. "I only meant that you've lost practically everything."

Loki gave a soft chuckle and bit his lip. "I did say that I managed to hide our treasure," he pulled out our two small bags. "We're not so simple that we put everything in our trunks, ladies." He glanced down at my left hand, where the simple gold band gleamed. "And my bride wouldn't travel dripping in all her jewels, would she?"

Margaret laughed, truly gleeful at Loki's cleverness at getting one over our faux bandits. "Well played." Her smile was infectious. "They'll have quite a surprise when they open your trunks and find your fabric finery and little else -" her chuckles began anew. "Oh, you are a clever one, aren't you?"

"I'm not naive," was all he'd confess to. "Worry not, ladies," he glanced down at me, and I looked up at him, learning my part as we went along. "I vow to keep my bride both safe and in the state of which is accustomed to."

"A state I think she'll find more pleasurable with you at her side," Margaret offered, and Elizabeth snorted. "Don't be jealous," she swatted her eagle-eyed daughter. "Men like him aren't easily found."

"There are no men like him," I murmured, eyes still locked on Loki's.

We arrived outside of a building that was grand, even by Asgardian standards. Bidding Margaret, Elizabeth, John, and their coachman goodbye, while promising to try to meet up again - Loki waited until the carriage wheels started their loud exit before turning back to the hotel.

"Are we honestly staying here?" I wanted to know the reality of our situation, rather than the next script I had to learn. "Or are we wandering down the street so you can sell a new tale of woe?"

"Our tale of woe, my bride," why did him calling me that create a flutter in my stomach? "Allowed you to have your first taste of Migardian hospitality." He smiled down at me. "And you did remarkably well, fearful of the horrors of the cruelty of men." I shook my head. "Come now, Sigyn, let's go check in."

"We ARE staying here?" I bit my lip. "It's beautiful."

Loki took my hand and tucked it into his arm. "Did you think I - Mother would have you stay in some cesspool?" I walked along with him as a man held the door for us. "Let's go see if our room can match the impression you have of the exterior, shall we?"

"Wait," he didn't stop walking, even as we entered and moved toward the waiting desk. "Did you say OUR ROOM?"