This is set Pre-Thor. POV will change, I will let you know when it does. I own Chiara. Marvel owns the rest. (Chiara is pronounced like this: Key-R-ah. Kind of like tiara, with a 'k' sound.)

…

Two cloaked figures rode on the same dark horse, the larger figure holding the smaller tightly. Both of the riders had their faces cloaked in a dark hood, but by their body, it was easy to see that one was male and the other female.

"How much further?" The female's soft voice spoke. Her voice was weary, labored. She looked to the other rider behind her.

"By tonight, we will have reached the portal," The man replied, spurring the horse to move a little faster. The sun was just beginning to rise over the sky, painting it with brilliant colors. "I can hear water ahead, we will stop to let the horse drink."

"Is it safe?" The girl looked back up at the rider. Her pale skin flashing to the sky as she moved. The male did not answer, instead he pushed the horse again. They rode in silence, the male rider listening intently to the surroundings and the female rider gently stroking the horse's dark mane with gloved hands.

Not more than fifteen minutes later, the male was helping the female down from the horse. Her legs shook, threatening to collapse on her. She took hold of the man's arm and gave a weak smile. Carefully, she walked to the water, leading the horse, while the man took note of their surroundings. The horse bent its head to drink and the woman did the same. After pulling the gloves from her hands, she cupped the cold clear water in her hands and sipped from it. Pieces of her white-blonde hair slipped into her face. After drinking, she took a small amount and splashed it on her face to keep herself awake.

"You require water too." She turned to the man as she grabbed two biscuits from the saddle bags. The horse had moved slightly to get some grass while they rested. She held a small hand out to the man, holding a biscuit for him. He took it from her and ate quickly, she followed his suit.

"Mount up, be ready to go," He spoke quietly to her as he took a drink from the river. She followed his orders and climbed gracefully onto the horse, tightening her cloak so it wouldn't slip. He was behind her in seconds, leading the horse on. They stopped a for another water break when the sun was high in the sky. They didn't speak to each other this time. Around sunset, the man spoke again. "The portal should be just past that hill. We will be there within thirty minutes."

"Okay," She sighed softly. Before she could do anything else, an arrow shot past them. The horse whined and reared up, knocking the man off. The woman held to the horse's neck, trying to calm him.

"We've been lookin' a lon' time for you." Three men stepped from the tree line circling the man and the woman. "You're hard to find. Even harder to catch. Did you know that there's a bounty on your head?"

"A bounty that you will never see." The female's companion spoke, pulling his hood down to see his surroundings better. The horse stamped its foot impatiently, sensing danger. Another arrow shot towards the horse, but the woman deflected it, the horse stamped again, bouncing the woman. Her hood fell from her face, exposing her white-blonde hair and pale skin. Her crystal blue eyes scanned the surroundings, looking from her companion to the men.

Before she had time to think, her companion shot an arrow at one of the men, striking him in the chest. He landed on the ground with a dull thud and blood started to pool around him from the arrow. The other two men started to circle, docking arrows into their bows. Her companion struck forward, but not before an arrow landed in the horse's side, inches from the female's leg. The horse reared and bucked, tossing the woman off. She landed in the dirt with a small, "Umph."

Her head cracked against the ground, sending stars into her vision. She got up quickly, her world spinning, and grabbed the dagger from beneath her cloak, ready to defend herself. Her companion was engaged in combat with one of the men, and she desperately searched for the other. She knew she had found him when her legs were kicked from underneath her, she landed on her hands and knees, the rest of her hair falling from beneath the cloak. Thankfully, she had braided it that morning so that it would not be in her face. She rolled quickly from underneath him, slicing at his legs. Her dagger made purchase on his calf, causing him to curse aloud. She darted out from underneath him and back to her feet. Her companion was no where to be seen, picking up the sword from the man killed earlier, she held it with both hands. It was a lot heavier than she was used to, but she swung anyway. The man met her sword with his own and the sound of metal against metal clanged into the air. The force vibrated in her arms, causing her to drop the sword.

"Chiara," Her companion yelled, rushing to her side. He badly beat up. "Run, to the portal. Call for Heimdall to open it. I'll follow."

She nodded and took off running, feeling guilty for leaving him behind but knowing that she had to get to Asgard. Her feet hit the ground almost silently and she ran without looking back. Before she could reach the clearing where she knew the portal would be, someone tackled her to the ground, making her roll in the dirt. She tasted blood in her mouth as she fought with the new man. He was a lot bigger and stronger than her. Quickly, he had her arms pinned behind her back, leaving her legs kicking wildly to try to make contact with his body. Her heel hit his shin and he dropped her. A sharp pain flew up her arm from her falling to the ground. She cried out, scrambling to get up. The man's hand made contact with her cheek, throwing her backwards again. Her breath caught in her throat as she shot a barrier at him with her own magic. She raced clumsily for the clearing.

"Heimdall!" She cried, breathing heavily. She grunted in pain as she felt something slice at her ribs. She looked down to see an arrow in her side. Throwing up a protective barrier, she cried out again. "Heimdall, Princess Chiara of the Elves requests permission to pass. Please, open the portal."

She could feel things beating against her shield. She turned to look, and saw two men trying with their swords to break through. Her knees buckled against her, the magic draining her energy. This is what I get for not practicing enough, she thought bitterly to herself. Her entire body was aching as she cried out again. "Please, Heimdall."

A brilliant flash of white and gold light was the last thing she saw before blackness.

…

Chiara POV:

I groaned softly in pain as I felt someone lifting me, I could hear voices yelling and I prayed that it was from the Gatekeeper of Asgard and not from the men that had attacked me and Nicholai earlier. My entire body hurt and I could not will myself to open my eyes. I could only imagine what I looked like. I tried to push away from the person holding me, but I couldn't seem to move my arms. Pain shot through my side and left arm.

"Shh," a soft male's voice cooed. "You are safe, Princess."

When I woke later, everything was bright. The ceiling was filled with white and gold swirls, the bed I laid in was soft. I looked to my left and saw my arm in a brace, then a bedside table with a glass on it. When I looked to my right, a woman bustled into view.

"The Allfather will be happy that you've woken. He has already been told, Your Highness," she said, holding a cup to me. Her words echoed in my head. I had to be on Asgard. Relief flooded my body, causing me to visibly relax. "This will help with the pain and speed the healing. It's of Queen Frigga's own creation."

"Thank you," I said, as she helped me sit up to drink. My lip felt swollen and a brief touch to it confirmed it. I had just taken a sip when the doors open and a woman with long blonde hair walked in. She looked older than the woman by my bedside. Her floor length, soft gold dress moved with her as she approached. I noticed a crown resting on her head and realized that this must have been the Queen. Quickly, I tried to swing my legs around to get up to bow to her, but she stopped me.

"No, my child, you need your rest," she spoke. I nodded and smiled softly. "How are you feeling?"

"I have felt better, Your Highness," I spoke to her. "Thank you for accepting me into your home."

"I can only imagine what you went through to get here, Princess Chiara. I pray that your stay here will be comfortable," her voice was gently and motherly. She held out her hand, "May I see your arm? I wish to make sure that it is healing properly and quickly."

Carefully, I set my arm in her hand. Her fingers were cool as they moved over my arm and down to my wrist. Her fingers moved over the cloth bracelet I had made for myself long ago, but she didn't say anything. She then held a hand up to my cheek, pausing for a second when I flinched back. I took a deep breath and nodded again, letting her hand touch my cheek. A cooling sensation spread through my cheek and I knew that she was healing it.

"Thank you," I breathed out as her hands floated to my ribs. "Queen Frigga, did anyone come through the portal with me?"

She looked up at me through her eyelashes. "No, Princess, no one came through with you. Heimdall sent a team of guards to look for your companion."

I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. I prayed that they found Nicholai.

"Your Highness's," a young servant walked through the doors, bowing instantly. "The Allfather has requested your presences in the throne room."

"Come, my child," the Queen spoke again, rising from the bed. She then helped me stand, making sure that I could support my own weight. I refused her help as we walked to the throne room. I kept my head high, trying to look as regal as my title said I was. The Queen curtsied to her husband briefly before taking her seat left of him on the throne. On the right side of the king stood a man of about twenty-five with shoulder length blonde hair. He sported blonde scruff and blue eyes. His face was calm, but his stance was not. He was dressed in black and silver armor with a red cape flowing behind him. He held a short, silver hammer in his hand.

To the left of the king stood another man. This man was taller than the blonde one. He looked about the same age, but had black hair instead of blonde, it also touched his shoulders. He looked more serious than the other, but his stance was more relaxed. He wore black and gold armor with a green cape. His hands were empty and clasped in front of him.

The king himself sat in the center of the room, one eye covered by a golden eyepatch and the other watching me intently. His armor was all silver and he held a staff in his hand. Instantly, I curtsied deeply, biting back the pain in my side. My white-blonde hair fell to one side, free of its braid. It was only until then that I realized just how dirty I was. My cloak held blood stains from my wounds and dirt from the battle. My once clean tunic and trouser's were also stained and ripped.

"Rise," Allfather commanded. I did so slowly, looking up at him.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for allowing me into your home," I spoke clearly before he could say anything.

"You claim that you are Princess Chiara of the Elves. Yet, your home was destroyed years ago," He accused. I noticed the blonde man tighten his grip on the hammer. "Do you think me stupid, girl?"

"No, Allfather," I spoke quickly. "It is true, my home burned years ago. I was but a child. I do not remember much of it, but I do remember my mother's handmaiden. She snuck me out of the castle. She took me to a portal and told me that we had to leave."

I looked down for a second, catching my breath. The memory was causing emotions to rise and I wanted to cry as I thought of it. Taking a deep breath, I looked back up at the king. By now, he had risen from his throne. Loudly, he repeated, "Do you think me stupid, girl?"

"No," I spoke softly against his yelling. Queen Frigga rose with him, setting a hand on his arm. She whispered into his ear and he turned to look at the black haired man, then to me. I bit my lip, watching them with wide blue eyes.

"Loki," He boomed again. "You are the God of Lies, tell me, is she lying?" I looked to the Loki, the black haired man. He must be one of the princes. That must mean that the blonde man was the other prince. Loki stepped down from the stairs, moving towards me silently. Without asking, he grabbed my hand roughly. Instinct took over and I jerked back. He held my hand tighter with his hand, looking into my eyes. Taking his other hand he grabbed my chin and held my head to face his eyes. It was then that I noticed how much he towered over me.

"State your full name," He spoke for the first time. His voice was smooth, dangerous. I recognized it as the first voice I heard on Asgard, though it sounded very different from now.

"Princess Chiara Elizabeth of the Elves," I breathed out, looking into his eyes. Even if his hand wasn't forcing my face to his, I couldn't look away from his eyes.

"Your home burned, yet you live?"

"Yes, my mother's handmaiden saved me," I repeated. I felt a small pressure inside of my head as I remembered the memory again. He was using magic to view my memories. Gently, I pushed back against his mind to show him that I was equipped with magic as well. Suddenly, he tore his eyes away from mine, looking down at my wrist where my cloth bracelet lay. He looked up at me and I pulled my hand back.

"She's telling the truth," He spoke as he stepped back, looking to his father. Odin raised an eyebrow at me, then to Prince Loki.

"You are sure?"

"I am not wrong, father." Loki said, eyeing me. The Allfather and the prince stared at each other for what seemed like an hour. Odin seemed to believe his son because clapped his hands together and every guard in the room bowed.

"Princess Chiara, you have our hospitality," Odin announced. I sighed with relief, my shoulder slumping slightly before I found myself falling backwards as blackness clouded my vision.