NOTES: The story is set with the MCU characters, but with some pieces of Norse mythology mixed in. It's after the first "Thor" movie, but since Loki is present, you can just sort of gloss over the end of the movie and fill in with your own ideas about what happened instead of the brothers breaking the Bifrost and Loki letting go. So, plenty of people are annoyed at Loki, but he hasn't tried to take over the Earth.

Sia's first evening in Asgard just happens to be the night of the Harvest feast. Wine, altitude, and Bifrost lag are a heady combination for a mere mortal.

Each chapter has a song associated with it, so I'll be adding those in the chapter notes. This chapter is "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana".

"Jane! Dr. Foster!"

Oh, gods, here we go again.

I had retreated to the balcony for some fresh air to clear my head. The Asgardian wine, and the altitude, had combined to make me unexpectedly dizzy.

I turned to see who was calling. A few of the young ladies of the Asgardian court, and a young man who clearly wished to be older, were staring at me.

"If you're looking for Dr. Foster, you'll have to ask Heimdall to send you to Midgard."

The youths stared for a moment. One of the ladies, a petite redhead, found her tongue. "Please excuse us, my lady. We thought you were Dr. Foster, and were pleased that she would be visiting."

"I understand. But not every woman with dark hair is Jane Foster."

The brunette spoke up. "I have that problem all the time," she stated with a mixture of pride and mock exasperation.

"You would be fortunate to be as intelligent as Dr. Foster," I replied coolly.

The other ladies laughed. The brunette sunk into a pout. The young man struggled to come up with a reply in defense of his friend, but before he could speak, the redhead cut in. "We are very sorry to have you disturbed you, my lady. We shall leave you to enjoy the view. A lovely view, is it not?"

"It is, indeed, dear girl. Thank you for your courtesy."

The redhead grabbed the boy's shoulder and started to push him back into the palace, and pulling the other young women along with her.

"But I want to ask her about Midgard!" whined the brunette.

"She was rude to Ingdis! She should apologize!" fumed the boy.

"We were the ones who were rude, interrupting her. Shut up." The redhead cuffed the boy's ear.

"Let's go drink!" proposed Ingdis. "It is a festival, after all!"

In hearty agreement, the youngsters traced their way back to the feast hall, leaving me once again in peace.

I turned my back to the retreating youths, and adjusted my eyes to the darkness. Before me lay Asgard, dark and splendid, flickering with torches and fires of celebration of the harvest. The people were making most merry, and the sounds of revelry, both from within and without the palace, echoed on the hills.

Leaning on the stone railing, I took several deep breaths, hoping to clear my head. The landscape stilled, and I was starting to relax and let go of my irritation at once again being mistaken for my friend. Jane and I had known each other since our undergraduate days, and stayed in touch even as our graduate work and eventual jobs took us to separate points on the globe.

Which is how I found myself in Asgard, completing my research for my latest book. Jane and I had met up when she was in town for a conference, and I told her how I was feeling stuck about finding proper sources for my topic. Both of us were a bit tipsy, and giggled about the fact that she could just ask Thor to let me spend a few weeks in Asgard, doing research in the palace library.

And here I am.

The trip on the Bifrost was indescribable. Even as someone who was written thousands, if not millions, of words academically and professionally, that is the one experience in my life for which I have no words. Exhilirating, and at the same time, utterly depleting. And I'd arrived the day of the harvest feast, which started quite early and ran even later. I hadn't expected the Asgardian wine to be so much more potent than Midgard wine, and combined with the Bifrost lag and the thin mountain air, I was not quite myself.

I was also really done with being mistaken for Jane.

"Why, Jane Foster! What a delightful surprise! Thor didn't tell me you were visiting!" The voice carried a completely polite tone, yet cool, as though being polite was the most enthusiasm it could muster.

Angry, tipsy, and unsteady, I turned and raised the goblet I was holding, ready to throw it at the returning youth. Not particularly ladylike, but I was in no mood to be mocked by a beardless youth for the entertainment of a girl who wouldn't have given him a minute for a kiss.

The goblet sailed out of my hand, towards . . . ohmygodno! A tall man in a green and black cloak. I had no idea who he was, but I knew that my stay in Asgard was ending that very instant. How would I ever apologize to Jane and to Thor?

The man laughed, and caught the goblet with a graceful twist of his gloved hand. "Is this usually how you greet your callers, my lady?"

"I—I am so sorry. I thought you were that horrible boy, returning to annoy me." The adrenaline racing in my veins brought me instant sobriety, and a keen awareness of all I had just lost through my rash response.

"It's just that everyone keeps addressing me as Dr. Foster, and I love Jane dearly, and if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here, but it's always about Jane and I . . . ." My voice trailed off. I realized my explanation had only made things worse; here I was, complaining about being mistaken for the very person who had made this whole thing possible.

"You are tired of living in her shadow, perhaps?"

"No. Oh, no! I don't think I'm in her shadow at all. She's so intelligent, and of course science is more highly valued than literature, so it's not a surprise that so many opportunities have been given to her." Oh, my god, just shut up now. Whoever he is, he doesn't care about your work, your career, or anything about you.

"But you do live in the shadows." It was a statement, not a question.

"Well, I do spend a lot of time in dimly lit libraries," I replied, attempting to bring a bit of levity to the situation. This conversation had started badly, and was going downhill at breathtaking speed.

"Which explains your lovely, pale complexion." The man stepped forward, and touched my cheek lightly with his gloved hand. I stepped back towards the railing.

"I don't do well in sunlight. I burn easily." My heart was racing, and I could hear it pounding in my head.

The man's eyes flickered with amusement. "Is that so?"

I realized I wasn't breathing. What the hell is wrong with me? I am being a complete idiot here. This isn't like me at all.

"Yes. I . . ." I had no idea what to say. Everything I could think of sounded trite and ridiculous.

"Your goblet is empty, my lady. Shall we find something to fill it?" His green eyes looked directly into mine. To my surprise, I could hear him thinking, but the words were indistinct.

"Yes, I . . . No, I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong. I feel dizzy." I could feel myself swaying towards the railing.

The man grabbed me about the waist, and guided me to a divan. Somehow, I was sitting, looking out at the night, holding a goblet of water.

"The Asgardian air requires time for adjustment if one is unaccustomed to breathing it." He smiled, and tilted the cup to encourage me to drink. I stared at him.

"It's just water. It's perfectly safe."

I hesitated.

"I'll drink some first, if it will make you feel better," he offered by way of assurance, his green eyes locked onto mine.

"No, no, it's fine. Thank you." I drank, and tasted the clearest, sweetest, most amazing liquid. If this was Asgardian water, who needed wine?

"I'm sorry I threw the goblet at you. That wasn't very polite. Even if it had been that wretched boy returning to try to impress Ingdis. I really am not like that. I'm usually a very calm person. I don't know what happened." I stared at him, hoping my apology was sufficient.

"Oh, that's just Konur. He'll be fine in 20 years or so, assuming no one kills him before he matures." This was stated with such detachment that I knew the young man was in no danger. Well, not from the speaker, at least. I realized I had much to learn about Asgardian social structure. Nothing in all of my years of research and teaching had even hinted at anything like this.

My head began to clear again, and I realized I was alone on a dark balcony with a man I didn't know. For a moment, the instincts honed through years of urban living stirred, and I briefly contemplated how to make my getaway. Another breath, another moment, and I realized that I was in perhaps the safest place of all—Odin's palace, filled with guards, and occupied by my best friend's boyfriend, who just happened to be a warrior god. I laughed.

"Oh, good, you're laughing at my jokes. I do hope this means you are feeling better," crooned the man, gazing at me with concern.

"Yes, I am, thank you, my lord."

His lips twitched in a bemused smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I think I just said something wrong. But I don't know who you are, and I apologize if I have used the wrong honorific." Good going, Sia - first you throw a goblet at the man, and now you've just insulted him.

"No, no, 'my lord' is completely appropriate, although 'Your Highness' is the preferred form of address", he said, gesturing to the circlet glinting in the torch light.

"Your Highness"? Oh my god. This is Prince Loki. Thor's brother. Say goodbye to Asgard, Sia. You've totally blown this one.

No, wait. Prince Loki was wearing blue at the feast. This can't be him.

"The color shifts in the light. But I am wearing green." He smiled coolly.

How did you not recognize the circlet? What the hell kind of historian are you not to see it?

I closed my eyes and laid back against the cushions of the divan. I knew I would be going home, back to Midgard, in the morning. I've offended one of the Crown Princes twice in less than five minutes. That's me, always overachieving.

Jane is going to kill me.

I opened my eyes, and met the man's gaze as steadily as possible under the circumstances.

"Prince Loki, please accept my apologies for my behavior. I really am not the sort of woman who throws goblets at random gentlemen. Or princes, for that matter."

"Apology accepted, dear Lady Sia."

He knows my name.

"Of course I know your name. Everyone at the Court knows that you're Jane's friend, here to do research for your work in Midgard. The Allfather was less than pleased with the idea, but the Queen and I both persuaded him it would be a useful gesture of goodwill towards your planet to create an exceptional opportunity for an exceptional scholar."

Frigga and Loki persuaded Odin to let me come here. Thor didn't mention that. He said it was "but a trifle" to arrange my visit.

"I am grateful for your efforts on my behalf, Your Highness."

"But a trifle, dear lady, yet I am glad you are pleased. Dr. Foster has spoken highly of your work, and of you."

Really? She has? I mean, she's always been supportive, but I never had the impression that she really paid attention to anything I do.

"That's very kind of her. Jane is a lovely person."

The Prince smirked. "My brother certainly thinks so. It's good to hear a more objective party express a positive opinion of her. Mother likes her well enough, for her intelligence. But she's not Queen material, and Father is absolutely opposed to the idea of Thor partnering with a mortal woman."

"Perhaps Odin would prefer Thor choose a mortal man for his consort?" The words were out of my mouth before I'd finished thinking them. Dammit. Think, then speak.

The Prince laughed. "That would be an entertaining sight! However, the gender is not Odin's worry. He simply believes that we have no business becoming involved with mortals on an individual basis. We defend the denizens of the Realms, as is our duty, but Odin is utterly opposed to the idea of befriending them. They are too different, our ways are mysterious to them. And, of course, there is the reality that our lives are long, and yours — so brief."

Right. Yes. I am mortal.

"I am sorry, Lady Sia. I did not mean to speak so . . . harshly." Prince Loki seemed to be genuinely concerned.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I am keenly aware of my own mortality, and it is not an offense to remind me of it." If you only knew, you long-lived god, I have no doubt as to the finite nature of my existence.

"Are you enjoying your stay in Asgard?" The tone was polite, pleasant, and bland.

"This is only my first day here, but so far, it's been the most interesting day of my life." A bit thrown by the most recent topic, I found myself unable to match his detachment.

"Meeting so many people I've only read about—feeling like I should know them, yet here they are, living and walking and talking, and not just beings out of myth."

The Prince shifted. "We are all myths. Is that not what your Midgardian philosopher Campbell tells you?"

"Joseph Campbell? Well, yes. That each of us goes through the Hero's Journey in our life, at least once, creating our own life as a myth." I could see the syllabus of the course I'd taught on Campbell rising at the back of my head.

"Which makes the word 'myth' even more applicable, taking it as 'Make Yourself The Hero', yes?" the Prince added.

"Wait, you've read Joseph Campbell?" I stared in disbelief.

"I have read many of your Midgardian books, as well as books from all of the Realms. Knowledge is not owned or confined to only one culture, one people, one Realm. As a ruler, it is important that I know the philosophies and beliefs of all my people."

Right. He's a Prince. Which means one day he'll be a King. He has to know everything about everything.

Holy cats, I'm talking with Loki. The Dean of Faculty is never going to believe this.

"Do you believe it? That's all that matters." Prince Loki looked directly at me.

"I do. I mean, I do, but it's just so incredible, and I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and it was just a dream, and I'll be back in my apartment in San Francisco, and I'll still have all this unfinished work."

"This book is very important to you."

"Yes, it is, Your Highness. This is the result of 30 years of work, of research, of study, of traveling the world to find everything that can possibly be found. It has to be right. It has to be perfect. This is my life, all in one book."

"And now you travel not just the world, but the Realms, on your quest."

"Yes. I do. It's my life. I would go anywhere to find what I need."

"I hope then, dear lady, that you find what you need here, so that you may cease your searching."

"If what I need cannot be found in the library of Asgard, then it does not exist. This place is the seat and source of all knowledge. What exists in Midgard is but a shadow of this place."

"Ah, you think so?" The Prince looked skeptical.

"There is no other civilization as ancient or as advanced still in existence. It must be so," I replied with my usual statement on the subject. I'd debated this countless times in lectures, workshops, and academic forums of all kinds. This was a familiar and easy conversation.

"There are parts of each Realm which even Asgard does not know about," he replied. "Perhaps one of those is the actual source, and Asgard is but the shadow?"

"If it's unknown to Asgard, then we mere mortals have no way of knowing. But if there is such a place, I would go there!"

The Prince chuckled. "Would you? Without knowing anything about it?"

"Well, I'd want to know the weather, so I could pack appropriately, and whether there's electricity, so I know whether to bring a laptop or notebooks and pens. But yes, I'd go!" I found myself sitting up straight on the edge of the divan, ready to spring up.

"I believe you would," replied the Prince, with amusement.

A wave of exhaustion quickly replaced the exhilaration.

"For now, however, I should go to sleep. Today has been quite the day, and I want to make an early start tomorrow. Thor has said I will have full access to the library, and I have only two weeks here, so I want to spend every minute possible among the books. Not that I don't enjoy your company, Your Highness," I added quickly, "It's just that my time is so short."

"No offense taken, my lady." He stood, made a small bow, and offered me his arm. "Do you know your way back to your chambers?"

"Actually, I don't think I do. Sóldís guided me to the feast hall, but I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure which side of the palace I've ended up on."

"I shall take you back to the hall, and to Sóldís."

"Thank you, Your Highness. That's very kind of you." I rested my hand lightly on his arm. This was all so familiar; all those years of theatre were finally proving of use.

Prince Loki said nothing as we walked, and I felt no reason to break his silence. He was shielding his thoughts, but not the fact of his thinking.

We turned a corner, and the light and noise of the crowd washed over us. I reeled a bit, and the Prince steadied me with his other hand.

"Sóldís! Sóldís!" the Prince called out.

Sóldís hastened to the Prince's summons.

"Your Highness", she said, bowing low. "I see you have met Prince Thor's guest."

"I found Lady Sia on the balcony. She is overcome from her travels, and not yet accustomed to our Asgardian air. Please see her to her chambers, and ensure she has all she requires."

"I shall, Your Highness. Prince Thor has already made arrangements for her, and I am at her side for all else she might need."

"Very well then, Sóldís. Thank you for your service to Thor's guest."

The Prince turned, made another little bow, and took my hand.

"I wish you sweet rest, Lady Sia, and a most rewarding day tomorrow. I hope you shall enjoy your time in Asgard, and that my brother takes proper care of you."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I appreciate your gracious care this evening." I found myself reverencing by reflex, and looking up into those flashing green eyes. I felt myself sway slightly, and straightened quickly to recover my balance.

"May you rest well also, Your Highness."

Prince Loki smiled. I felt like a lamb gazing up at a wolf.

"Thank you, lady. Goodnight." He released my hand and turned towards the dais, to rejoin his family at the fore of the hall.

Sóldís gestured to a nearby passageway. "Come now, my dear, let's get you comfortable and tucked in. I know you're eager for tomorrow, but it will be a much better day if you have a good night's sleep first!"

As Sóldís led me to my chambers, I made a mental map of the passageways so I would not be lost again.

I felt slightly disappointed that Prince Loki was not walking with me.

"Loki, what happened to Sia?" demanded Thor, jumping up from the table.

"She was faint from the wine and the thin air, brother," Loki replied flatly. "Sóldís has taken her to her chambers to tend to her."

"She is Jane's friend, and under my protection, and if you so much as think—" Thor blustered.

"Brother, please! If any of our Asgardian ladies were in such distress, would you question my coming to their aid?" Loki looked at Thor with the blandest of smiles.

"I know your ways, Loki! As does Berthe." Thor's eyes narrowed. "Sia does not."

Loki laughed, a full and hearty laugh, unexpected from him. "The lady is a scholar of Norse literature, Thor. Of course she knows my ways. She knows all about me. About you. About all of us."

Unappeased, Thor continued. "She knows the legends and myths, brother. She has not had to deal with your trickery in person."

"I assure you, Thor, that I hold even less interest in your guest than I hold in Berthe." Loki did not blink. "I, for one, care not for mortals and their brief lives."

Thor flinched inside, but remained firm to Loki's eyes. "Loki! You—"

"Both of you, stop. Now." Frigga set her cup upon the table with a commanding gesture. "I will hear no more of this. This night is for revelry, for giving thanks. Can you not simply enjoy a feast together for a few hours without arguing?"

"I am sorry, Mother." Loki bowed, looking into Frigga's blue eyes. Frigga probed, but could not read his thoughts.

"I, too, am sorry." Thor bowed. "I will do better to love my brother." Frigga nodded, convinced of Thor's words.

"Very well. Come, let us have our goblets refilled, and toast to another successful harvest for Asgard."

The Princes resumed their seats at their mother's side. The page filled the goblets with mead, and the three toasted, and drank, silently.