A/N: Hello all! And welcome back! As you should all be aware, this is the sequel to my first Loki fic "God of Fire." It didn't take long before my two nuses started talking to me again (unfortunately for my fingers). I have literally no idea where this is going or how it's going to end up. But they gave me a scene and I had to start writing. So this will probably get written in bursts rather than all at once.

Quick note: I am currently hardcore editing "God of Fire." Nothing changes plot-wise, but I'm adding a few details here and there and just improving the writing. One thing you should know so you're not confused later in the chapter: I finally figured out a name for the goblin home world and it is Maglubiyet, just so you know. Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own Loki or any other Marvel characters. Charlie and Islinde are mine.

Markets

I grin as I walk along the cobbled sidewalk, glancing at all of the market stalls and vendors littering the sides as we all walk down the street. It's bright and sunny, a gentle breeze sweeping through playing through my hair and making the edges of my cloak billow behind me. Islinde's black hair tickles my face slightly before it settles back down. Her eyes are roaming around constantly, taking in all the colors and people and sounds with childlike curiosity. Well, she is still a child: she's only four. Her favorite thing is coming down to the markets and looking at everything it has to offer. She's just so curious about everything.

I shake my head and turn to give my current companion a dubious stare. "Volstagg, you do realize that story sounds completely mental, right?" I ask, grinning. He had just finished regaling us both about a battle he had been a part in when the Bifrost Observatory was newly rebuilt and the Asgardian warriors were sent to restore order and peace. He was describing a situation on Nidavelir where marauders were pillaging a defenseless village and he had somehow managed to use his own body to stop what sounds like a mortar from destroying the little town. He was mainly trying to capture Islinde's attention, but she got distracted as soon as we entered the market.

He simply laughs at me. No matter how many stories he tells and how many times I tell him I don't believe a word of it, he constantly continues to tell them with the same result. Fandral claps his friend on the shoulder from Volstagg's other side. "I do believe it is quite believable, Charlie. He has the bulk to stop an aswang from charging straight through walls by simply bumping into it."

I furrow my brows. "An aswang?" I ask, unfamiliar with the strange term.

"It is a large creature found on Nidavelir," Sif explains on my left side. I turn my head to look at her. "I would say it is similar to Midgard's hippo only with fur and three massive horns on its head."

I blink, trying to visualize the creature. I finally turn to look back at Fandral and shake my head at him. Honestly, I will never understand his incessant need to make fun on Volstagg for his size. Granted, Volstagg never seems to care, taking the jokes well in stride. And it really shouldn't surprise me anymore. I just try to make sure my daughter doesn't fall into that habit.

Not that she's paying any attention to us anymore.

Hogun is wandering a few paces ahead of us. He seems to be distracted by a weapons vendor, looking at the available maces on display. All of us are out here for various reasons: Hogun wished to look for another weapon. His current one is still in good shape, but he seems to be feeling antsy with it. I tried to convince him to try a new one only to be told he can fight with many. He just prefers a mace. Fandral, Volstagg, and Sif are out here just to accompany Islinde and I. They said that they needed to come out here and speak with the people, as their council positions require of them, but I know better by now. I may not need a guard anymore, but they make sure to stick by my side whenever I wander outside the palace. I do appreciate their company though. It's easier to keep sight of my daughter when there are a few more eyes also looking out for her.

A few people stop to greet us as we pass. A food vendor happens to walk up to us. We all stop as he bows. I nod my head in return. Islinde's eyes are trained solidly on the new man, her head leaning back into my shoulder. I can tell she's a little nervous. Whenever she seems to encounter new people, she happens to hide behind whoever is closest or buries her face in the closest adult's clothing. She's shy at first, but once she gets a little bit more comfortable around them, she'll be more adventurous. The young man grins at her before his eyes meet mine. "I apologize for stopping your entourage, my lady. I just wished to give your daughter a gift from my small bakery." He holds out a cookie, eyes looking back at my daughter. I grin, my eyes trailing to look at her as well. She eyes the small object, unsure of what to do.

"Go ahead, sweetie," I tell her, taking a step forward. Her mismatched eyes jump to look at mine before she reaches out a small hand and takes the cookie from the man. "Now what do you say?" I prod her.

"Thank you," she mumbles before taking a small bite from the cookie. Her eyes light up and she giggles before taking a more substantial bite.

The young man smiles wide before bowing his head. "It is an honor to have one so young enjoy my baking."

Islinde is no longer paying attention to him, all of her attention on the cookie in her hands. I wonder what kind it is? It smells delicious anyway. Volstagg laughs before reaching out his arms to take her. "Mind if I have a little bite too?" he asks her, tickling her sides. She giggles before breaking off a piece and giving it to her favorite warrior.

I turn back to look at the man still smiling at her. "What's your name?" I ask him.

His hazel eyes meet with mine again. "Arngeirr, Lady Charlie."

I hold my hand up and shake my head. "Just Charlie, please," I request, grinning slightly. I ask everyone to just call me by my name but they never seem to listen. I hear Sif sigh slightly next to me and I turn my head to smirk at her. She's been trying to convince me that it's proper to be addressed at "Lady Charlie" but I just don't care or agree with it. It's too formal for me. I may be an official princess of Asgard now, but I still would rather be on the same level as everyone else.

He blinks at me before bowing in agreement. I'm pretty sure he won't address me by name for the duration of our discussion now. Nobody ever does after I ask them to call me by my name. They all think it would be disrespectful so they just fall on calling me "my lady" instead. It's an effective way of getting around my request. "Thank you again for your kind gift, Arngeirr," I continue, turning my mind back on the current conversation. I glance back at Islinde and Volstagg, who is currently making her laugh by making funny faces at her.

"Of course, my lady," she says. Ha! Called it! "Anything to help the young princess feel comfortable and happy."

I smile in genuine gratitude. He bows one more time before retreating back to his bakery. I look at the stone front of the shop wondering what I could do to return the favor. I know he wasn't looking for payment, but it would be nice to show him my gratitude somehow. While the majority of the people don't show us blatant disrespect, we are not always met warmly when we venture into the markets. Many Asgardians are still angry with my husband and that attitude has leaked onto myself and my daughter. I do my best to come out here so the people can meet with me on their own and over time they have started to warm up to me. And most of the people immediately fall in love with Islinde as soon as they see her. She's completely adorable, so how could they not?

Okay, I'm biased, but she is adorable.

The council members have been doing a good job with getting people to adjust to the coming change in government which is helping to warm people up to Loki again. His stunt with the old goblin council almost twenty years ago certainly helped with that. Word spread quickly that he got them to surrender and give up their positions quickly and without bloodshed. Well, here anyway. While it certainly didn't make up for his past crimes, it helped to redeem him somewhat in the eyes of the people. His continued efforts on Maglubiyet have furthered their growing positive opinion of him. Add the fact that his daughter is adorable and he could very well become the favorite prince.

Well, maybe in a thousand years.

Fandral wanders off to a pub as we pass it. Sif and I roll our eyes when we see him wrap his arms around two lovely young women and immediately turn on the charm. Some things have not changed. Volstagg shakes his head at his friend before turning to regal my little girl with a fantastic story about dragons. I was surprised to learn that Volstagg is actually wonderful with kids. I found that out shortly after she was born and he held her for the first time. He was smitten almost immediately and Islinde took to him like you wouldn't believe. He's still her favorite. I watch as her eyes widen in wonder as he describes the fantastic beasts with bold words. I grin at them both before turning to look at the stall covered in scarves and shawls that Sif had wandered into. She pulls out a deep purple shawl covered in embroidered flowers made of a silk-like material and holds it to the light. I raise my eyebrow at it. "It's a little gaudy, don't you think?" I ask her, passing a hand over it.

She cocks her head at it before nodding and putting it back. My eyes trail across the many colors passively. I'm really not interested in looking for a new shawl. Lord knows, I have plenty. Sif, after giving the rest of the stall a casual stroll, hooks her arm in mine and continues to walk down the street. "More and more of the people seem to be feeling more comfortable around you, Charlie," she points out, her eyes taking in the people as they pass us.

"I can only hope," I mumble back. "I know people were wary of me because of my goblin heritage and then I had to go and marry Loki. I'm starting to think that people are only starting to like me because of Islinde."

Sif laughs quietly. "She is a beautiful girl filled with life and wonder. Anyone who laid eyes on her would fall in love immediately."

I turn my head to look behind us at her. She is walking now, holding onto Volstagg's hand. Her black, curly hair is down, bouncing slightly as she skips along, looking at all of the shops. She has Loki's pronounced cheekbones (yay) but my rounded features. Her eyes are the most striking though: her right eye is a bright green. Her left is the red characteristic of the goblin race and my own eyes when my magic comes to the fore. It's an interesting combination but it just works on her. She is still so small, barely coming up to Volstagg's knees. Loki tells me she will remain this small for a while yet. She will not grow as fast as Modi and Magni—her growth will fall in line with normal Asgardian children. It's stupid how happy I was about that.

I turn to face forward again, trusting Volstagg to stay with her. She really is the only reason people are beginning to like me and I'm okay with that. She is the best thing about me.

"However," Sif continues, "you are making quite the impression yourself."

"How so?"

"Everyone knows about your position on Earth and all that you have contributed to the market and trade to Asgard. They are very grateful. They are simply nervous to show it."

I roll my eyes. "They shouldn't be nervous. I'm not going to bite their head off."

Sif smiles playfully. "I do believe they are more nervous about you setting something on fire rather than you biting a head or two off."

I pause a moment. "Touché."

"Mama! Come see this!"

I turn at Islinde's call and see her face is pressed against the glass of some jeweler's front. The owner is grinning behind the counter and she nods to me when I walk over. I smile in response before I crouch down to be on her level. "What is it, sweetie?"

She points her finger at a hair pin that is right in front. It is gold with emerald jewels spread across it sporadically. It is really quite beautiful. The owner walks over to us and looks at what Islinde is so enthralled by. "Ah, your daughter has a good eye," she compliments, pulling the pin out of the case. She hands it over to Islinde who holds it carefully in her little hands. "It is the only one of its kind that I have made."

I watch as she turns the pin in her hands, eyes trained on the shine of the jewels. She notices the shine it gives off when the sun bounces off of it and she giggles, turning it to change the direction of the light. I smile at her before standing fully to look the jeweler in the eye. "It is very beautiful," I compliment. I turn to pull out the small pouch I keep on me for when we come to the markets. "How much are you asking for it?"

Her eyes widen and she holds her hands in front of her. "Oh, for the little one? I couldn't accept payment. It is simply honor enough that she is wearing something I have crafted so carefully."

My eyes widen. "Oh no, I should at least pay you something."

She smiles at me gently, shaking her head. "Truly, it is payment enough to see her so happy with something so simple." Her eyes trail down to Islinde and I follow her stare. She really is completely taken in by that little hair pin. I smile at her too. She is amused far too easily. "I do wish to thank you though, my lady," she continues and I turn back to look at her in confusion.

"For what?"

Her eyes fall to the ground. "I have been selling in this market for longer than I care to admit and I have watched both the Lords grow up, running around the market causing mischief and chaos. Loki was always a kind child, usually cleaning up his elder brother's messes." She rolls her eyes slightly. "Well, when he wasn't causing them himself. It is nice to see him happy once again."

I grin, holding out my hand to grasp hers in thanks. I am so used to hearing negative things about Loki and about me that I have come to treasure the kind words that are pointed in my direction. They are becoming more frequent, thank god, but are still rare enough. I know I will hear snide comments pointed in my direction long before I head back to the palace, but this is one example of changing times and I honestly couldn't be happier. It gives me a mild sense of hope that more people are starting to accept me. Even if it is simply because I somehow make Loki happy.

If people see me and Islinde as his redemption, then I can accept that just fine.

I turn to pick up Islinde and sit her on top of the glass case. I know from experience that it won't break. I pluck the hair pin from her hands and pull her curls back and place the pin in her hair, keeping it all back from her face. Luckily, it matches her current dress so she can at least wear it now. She blinks at me for a moment before turning to the woman and thanking her. The woman bows her head to the both of us before turning to walk back into her shop. I pick my daughter back up and rest her against my hip, making sure to memorize the shop's name. She may have said she doesn't want payment, but I'll make sure to send her something.

Our little troupe continues to walk down the street, stopping at random shops, chatting with a few people who stop us, that sort of thing. Sif, Volstagg, and I discuss random topics about battle techniques and fighting styles as we walk. Sif has been training me on how to use a spear—mainly how to throw one accurately. I can use a staff pretty effectively due to some Kenpo training I've done on Earth whenever I go there for business or to visit my family. I've started to dabble a little in various martial art forms just to expand my knowledge and experience. I've been showing some of the moves to the Warriors Three. Hogun seems to be the most interested in the style. Sif has been the most encouraging when I expressed a desire to learn new styles and insisted that I do.

We all come to a stop outside of a new coffee shop. I grin as Volstagg and Sif both walk inside. I follow them at a much more leisurely pace. Islinde pulls on the sleeve of my dress and I let her down so she can chase after them. The coffee smell permeates the air and I take a deep breath, letting the familiar smell waft through me. The shop has only been here a couple years and it has been an instantaneous hit. I smile at the owner before wandering over to the counter. My greatest triumph was getting coffee exported here and I thank my lucky stars every day for the wonderful gift of caffeine.

I don't order anything but Volstagg and Sif both do. It's as Volstagg receives his cup that I hear the voices of two women pipe up a little louder behind me. Sif's body turns just slightly in their direction, while my eyes dart to the left, trying to catch them in my peripheral. They were talking about Loki—I had just elected to ignore them—but their topic of conversation has shifted. "… cannot believe she would dare walk around like she owns the place."

"And dragging that demon child with her? Disgraceful."

My eyes narrow and I see Sif move to grip the hilt of her sword. I place a hand on her arm before looking over to Volstagg. He heard what they said as well. He nods at my pointed look before setting his mug on the countertop and picking up my daughter. "Let us go and see if we cannot find our wayward warriors, my dear princess." He picks up the mug in his free hand before leaving the shop.

Now it's just us four and the shop owner who is busy preparing Sif's drink still. The women are still going on about me and Islinde, mainly calling me things I do not wish to repeat. They're only complaint about my child seems to be that they think she's a demon of some sort and I am more pissed off about that than what they are saying about me. I could give two shits what they think about me.

I finally turn on my heel to face the two women. Their backs are facing me, so they continue to whisper loudly in the small space. I grin before walking up behind them, grabbing a chair from a separate table, and placing it at their own before taking a seat myself. I fold my hands on the table before giving both women in front of me a pleasant smile. Their conversation came to stuttering halt as soon as I set the chair in front of them, their matching blue eyes very wide. They look so much alike that I guess they are sisters. Both have brown wavy hair. Only one has a more pointed face while the other has rounder, softer features. "Good morning, ladies," I greet, keeping the smile on my face. I, however, allow my eyes to morph to their red counterpart.

They need to at least know that I am not pleased.

They don't bow their head to me and they don't acknowledge my greeting. While I'm not big on how people tend to greet me here—it's all bowing and curtseying which I find to be a little much—I only object to it if the people are respectful. These two women are not. While I took them both by surprise by my action, their eyes are settling back into matching disdainful expressions and I bristle at the blatant lack of respect. Sif moves to stand just behind them, not that they notice. The owner is staying out of it, watching curiously from the counter.

"To what do we owe the pleasure, my lady?" the pointy looking one asks, heavy sarcasm lacing the word "my."

I give them both a sweet smile. "I couldn't help but overhear your enlightening conversation and decided I wanted to join in." My eyes dart between the two. "Let's see. So far you have labelled me many colorful things including a fire wench who is using sorcery to control the royal family, called my husband an ice monster undeserving of the throne and the family who adopted him, and called my daughter a demon child. Care to elaborate any further?"

They both remain silent. I don't continue, waiting for either one of them to speak. I feel the tension mount before the other sister finally speaks. "I hardly think the topic of conversation needs elaboration."

"Oh, but I think it does." I grin slightly and they shift uncomfortably. "Care to explain to me why you think that way?"

"We are only stating common facts. Ask anyone and they will certainly agree with us."

I cock my head to the side. I don't tell them that I hear the exact opposite the majority of the time, but what I hear and what they hear are two very different things. I let that go. I can't exactly argue with them. "Okay, let's move on, shall we? I don't care what you say or think about me or Loki. Your opinions are your own and you have a right to them. However." I pause slightly, eyes narrowing at them both. I see them swallow uncomfortably and I feel a little satisfaction that I can at least make them squirm with only a look. "If I ever hear you speak of my daughter that way again, the consequences will be very severe."

"You cannot do anything to us," one says, her head tilting back slightly to try and look down on me. Not that it works.

"Insulting the royal family is tantamount to heresy," Sif pipes up, alerting both women to her presence. They both twist in their seats to stare at her in surprise. "You can expect that you both will be monitored closely by the royal guard. And if we hear so much as a hint of anything threatening, you both will be banished to live out your days as mortals on Midgard."

Really? They can do that? Cool. I grin at Sif while she gives them both very pointed and threatening stares. I push myself up, the chair scraping against the stone ground. Their attention swivels back to me, but that arrogant shine is gone from their eyes, leaving them more wary and scared. While I prefer not to scare people, I do admit it has its uses. "This has been a lovely chat," I quip, smiling at them both. "Enjoy your day, ladies." And with that, I return the chair where I found it and walk out the door, Sif following behind me with her coffee.

I pause outside of the shop, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Once I know I have my emotions under control and my eyes have shifted back to normal, I open them, loop my arm through Sif's again, and we make our way back along the street headed in the direction of the palace. "Well that was fun," I comment.

She snickers, taking a sip of her coffee. "That it was. I have known those two women since I was a young woman. They are not agreeable women." Her eyes dart to stare at me out of the corner of her eye. "You handled them well, Charlie."

I shrug. "I've learned a thing or two about diplomacy. Even if it would be easier just to set them both on fire and be done with it."

She smiles again. "I agree. I would love to slice them myself. However, that would cause more problems than it would solve."

I nod. That it would.

We walk in silence until we find Fandral and Volstagg outside a pub. Islinde is standing across the road with Hogun, who is now looking at a collection of leather-bound books. Islinde is still learning to read, but she is already starting to gain a fascination with stories, especially the written kind. I claim all credit for that, considering I started reading to her when she was still in the womb. And yes, I read Harry Potter to her long before picture books. I have my priorities straight.

She sees me out of the corner of her eye and turns to look at me before running to me. I get down so I can easily pick her up and rest her against my hip. "Mama, can we see Sleipnir today?" she asks, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

I grin. "Do you want to a trip to our special field then?"

A smile lights up her face and she nods enthusiastically. I laugh and agree to the plans.

"Is Loki busy today then?" Volstagg asks as the men move to gather around us.

I nod. "King Thukmet is visiting to discuss matters with everyone. As his advisor, Loki needs to be present. He suspected it would take all afternoon."

Sif shakes her head at me. "You are still so formal to him."

I sigh, rolling my eyes. "Well, he refuses to just call me Charlie. And as long as he continues to call me Lady, I'm going to continue calling him King."

"He is your cousin," Fandral points out, as if that is going to change my mind.

"Distantly," I respond. "I know it annoys him that I call him king just as much as it annoys me that he calls me lady. I'm waiting to see when he'll break."

"You say that as if you will not break first," Hogun says, raising an eyebrow at me.

I smile. "Well, I won't."

They all shake their head at me and I stick my tongue out at them in response. I glance down at my daughter, who is watching us with an uninterested expression. Her head has already fallen onto my shoulder. She's bored. "Oh, alright," I mutter down at her. "Ready to go see Sleipnir?"

Her head pops up and she nods happily. We all smile before turning and officially making our way out of the market and back to the palace, passing by the bustling people. "So will you just be at the field, then?" Sif asks.

I nod. "I'll make sure to return before sundown."

She bows her head in understanding. None of them are going to trail me there. The field I am talking about is the same one that Loki took me to all those years ago to start my fire training. It's become a special spot for the two of us and has grown to be a place for our family now. The rest of the extended family and guard has come to realize this and allows us to spend time there alone without any interruption. Only Sleipnir is ever there with us. I could really use the break from all the people and politics and I know Islinde really wants to spend time with Sleipnir and me as well. It'll be some nice mother-daughter bonding time while Loki deals with official royal business.

As long as it's not me doing it. I am perfectly happy to spend a nice relaxing afternoon with my little girl. We are both long overdue for it.