It was a cold winter's day. Loki was walking through a forest on Midgard. It was quiet here, abandoned by civilization and only inhabited by animals. He enjoyed these walks, in parts of the universe that weren't as lethal or shining as Asgard. Midgard's air smelled different than what he was used to. The air was fresh here in the woods but he knew from experience that the rest of the world didn't have this luxury. Where cities had risen, eventually, so had technology, factories and pollution. Cities smelled of that. Of dirt and smoke. He greatly disliked it. But in here, none of that was relevant. The only sounds came from the rustling of the wind, birds chirping and his boots stalking through the thick snow. His peace and quiet was interrupted by the most disturbing sight. In the snow farther up ahead lay a dead girl. She looked young, not older than perhaps eight or nine. He couldn't tell for certain, Midgardian growth had always confused him. When he approached the body, he noticed a handful more around her, all with the same fate as that first girl; their throats slit cleanly. There were fresh footsteps, only lightly snowed over and he decided to follow them back to their source. His curiosity was peaked. He didn't truly care for the fate of those girls, there was nothing he could do for them anymore anyway, but he wondered what they had been doing here. They had been in shirts and trousers barely long enough to cover their legs. It wasn't appropriate attire for how cold it was in this particular region of Midgard. Someone must have abandoned them in these woods but then the question arose, who had killed them in such a way? Surely abandoning them here would have been enough to kill them eventually. While it had snowed steadily, it hadn't been enough to fully cover the tracks he was now following and one closer look let him notice blood stains in the snow. The footsteps themselves weren't bigger than that of a child's and he anticipated seeing yet another girl dead in the snow.

He walked for minutes before the tracks stopped and he did indeed find another young girl in the snow. There was a bloody knife next to her body. Her clothes were white like that of the other's but tainted by blood. For a moment he thought her hair too had been drenched in the red liquid. He'd never seen hair so red before. He noticed her shivering and took the last couple of steps closer. She was alive. Loki knelt down next to her and she stirred, weakly but steadily lifting the knife to his chest. She barely managed to keep her eyes open but there was a fire there, a will to not only survive but to kill him to accomplish that.

"I am not your enemy."

She didn't lower the weapon and he wondered if she had even understood him. Midgard had many languages and he had yet to master all of them. He observed her closely. She didn't make a move, only shivered, and so he made certain she didn't think him a threat. He slowly opened his hand palm up to reveal a small ball of fire. Her eyes widened and her need to be warm overwhelmed her suspicion of him. She inched closer, glancing up at his face before trying to focus back on the green flame. It emanated so much warmth. The next time he spoke, he made sure that she would understand him.

"What happened to the other girls?"

She watched him, struggling to sit up. She wanted to be closer to the fire. As she sat and the light of his flame illuminated her face, he saw bruises there and a few cuts that ran down her arms and torso.

"I killed them."

"Why?"

"I had to," she said, in a tone that clearly had her wonder why he would ask such an obvious question, "There wasn't enough food for all of us. Only one. That was the exercise."

At that, he startled. Exercise? Somebody put these girls out here and made sure they'd kill each other as an exercise?

"What are you talking about?"

She frowned but didn't say another word. It was too cold and she was almost out of food. The bag next to her – he'd only noticed it now – was as good as empty.

"What is your name?" He asked gently.

"Natalia."

She wasn't supposed to talk to him, share her name with him. But he was the first person to show her any kindness.

"I can take you away from here. Somewhere warm, and safe."

Natalia hesitated. It was clear to him that she grew up knowing only pain and distrust. She was too young to live this way.

"You are much too young for something so terrible. Let me help."

She nodded. A moment's weakness made his offer sound too amazing to pass up. It was freezing and she was so exhausted. She doubted the Red Room too often lately. She knew nothing but this life, to kill when told and fight for her survival with blades if necessary. But there was more to life than all this, wasn't there? She'd like a chance to find out for herself. She refused the hand he offered and struggled to her feet. He smiled. She reminded him of Sif.

"I am Loki."

She nodded, acknowledging his name and then did it again when he instructed her to close her eyes and hold on tight. When he felt she was ready, he grasped her shoulders and called for Heimdall. The rushing sensation of being enveloped by the Bifrost swept over them and moments later, they stood within Asgard's observatory. Natalia felt sick. She fell to her knees and coughed, trying not to throw up but her body wasn't used to the kind of pressure she had just endured. She didn't notice the tall man standing in the middle of the place, next to his large sword. Heimdall looked at Loki disapprovingly.

"What did you bring the mortal girl here for?"

Loki sneered at him. He didn't help Natalia up, knowing that, like Sif, she would be too stubborn to accept help.

"There is no life for her where I found her. She deserves better than freeze to death so young. She deserves a chance to live."

Heimdall said nothing to it. Loki wasn't yet aware of his own origins. He and the girl shared a similar fate. He let them go to the palace without any more arguments.

Natalia remained quiet throughout the whole way there, Loki carrying her on his shoulders. She was too weak to walk. The way to the palace wasn't short. It was the middle of the night so they were unseen by prying Asgardian eyes. Only taverns still hosted people at this hour. She fell asleep before they reached the palace, finally warm and feeling somewhat safe. She hadn't been able to take in much of the city before closing her eyes. He brought her to his chambers and let her rest in his bed, making sure she was indeed still fast asleep before leaving to seek out his mother. He'd brought back a human child. He didn't know what to do about that now that she was here. He didn't want to let her go back to Midgard but he was no father; he had no experiences with children. He found Frigga in the library, still reading an old tome and he couldn't help but smile at her when she looked at him.

"You're back."

"Yes. I'm afraid I did not return alone, however."

"What? Loki, what do you mean?"

He came closer and sat by her side, taking in the tome she was reading and delaying revealing his news. He didn't know how she would react. Would she chastise him for it? Would she be proud of what he'd done? He sought his mother's approval more than anyone else's and if she were to be disappointed in him, he would be heartbroken.

"I found a girl in the woods… She wasn't going to make it through the night. She's hurt. I brought her back with me. I wish to keep her here; away from that place. What they'd made her do.. It was terrible, mother. Midgard isn't safe for her."

She sighed and closed the large book, fully turning to Loki.

"Oh, Loki… You should have left her in her own realm," she started.

She smiled at him though and he knew she wasn't upset with him. Odin had done the same thing for Loki when he had been nothing but a baby.

"You said she is hurt? Have you brought her to the healers?"

"No. I came to see you right away. She is asleep in my chambers. Her injuries aren't grave but I hoped you could take a look at them."

Frigga nodded in agreement. She wasn't going to let the child remain injured when she could help.

"What do you intend to do then? She is mortal, dear. She will age when we won't."

"I know. I will find a way."

"You always do."

Frigga smiled softly and cupped his cheek. She wouldn't be able to convince him of anything else anyway. Once Loki had made up his mind, there was no changing it.

"Let us see to her."

He nodded and they both stood, walking to his rooms together. She had not expected someone so small. She could see the cuts and bruises right away and sat down on the edge of the bed, close to her. Natalia didn't stir when Frigga touched her cheek, working simple healing magic to take care of her wounds, closing the cuts and making the bruises fade away. Loki watched them, relieved when the girl immediately looked healthier than when he'd found her. He kissed his mother's cheek with a thanks when she was done and she left them be for the night.

Loki didn't sleep that night. He kept careful watch over the girl in his bed. She tossed and turned a lot and her sleep was plagued with nightmares. She awoke in the early morning hours with a cry, panting and sweat-soaked. Loki was with her in moments.

"You are save here."

"Where is here?"

She hadn't asked the previous night. She'd just wanted to sleep, be warm. She hadn't asked enough questions then.

"Asgard. It is not the realm you know. You are far away from Earth."

She frowned but her confusion was short lived. If she was far away from her home, then she was fine wherever she was. She didn't care as much as she should. Her stomach rumbled and she ground her teeth together, expecting to be scolded. She had never been allowed to ask for food in the Red Room. There were strict times when she could eat and any other time was unacceptable. Showing weakness via her body betraying her by signs of hunger had been punished. But Loki wasn't the Red Room. Still she hesitated to ask. He just watched her calmly and it eased her nerves.

"Food?"

He smiled at her. Here, she would be allowed to ask for things she wanted. For food. She wouldn't need to go hungry.

"Come with me. Then we can get you new clothes as well."

"Am I staying?"

"Yes. Unless you do not wish to. I will find you a safe place if that is what you wish."

She shook her head no. Just this room alone was three times the size of the room she had called home. It was a million times better than anything she'd ever had. And Loki made her feel safe. She would like to stay here. He led her to the dining hall where he called for someone to bring her food. No questions were asked despite the fact that none of the servants had ever seen the human child before. Nobody would ask questions as long as she was with royalty. Even if that royalty was Loki.

His mother arrived before the breakfast did and Natalia watched her curiously. There was something special about the woman. The way she carried herself. When Frigga spotted the girl, she smiled at her and walked over to them both.

"Loki has told me we have a guest. When I came to see you last night, you were fast asleep. My name is Frigga. I am the Queen of Asgard and Loki's mother."

"Natalia."

She looked at Loki, really looked at him for the first time. The clothing made sense now. It wasn't anything she'd ever seen before but it also didn't look like anything simple. It was too much, too elegant to be the clothing of just anyone. He was a prince.

"It is nice to meet you properly. Loki will get you everything you need but feel free to come and see me anytime as well. You are, of course, welcome to stay in the palace with us."

"What's the condition?" Natalia asked with a deep frown.

"There is none, dear."

Not for a second did she believe that. In the Red Room, nothing had ever been for free. They had needed to work for everything they received there. The crappy little rooms, food, the training, even words had needed to be earned. If a girl couldn't deliver on the expectations, she wasn't going to make it. It had been simple but brutal. Frigga could tell that the girl had her doubts.

"I promise you, you are not obliged to do anything. Loki and I can teach you, if you like. You are too young not to attend school. I believe Midgard carries the same tradition? Sending their children to school at your age."

"I'm nine. I know what I need to know."

"You know how to survive, Natalia. Not live," Loki said.

She glared at him but he just chuckled.

"Eat for now. We will get the rest sorted later."

She sat down and waited for the food, watching the two royals.

"Say, dear, how do you feel? Besides hungry?" Frigga asked her a little later.

Now that she had asked, Natalia realized that she didn't feel in pain anymore. She was used to getting hurt and usually pushed through the pain but it was always still there. She knew she'd gotten injured the previous days but now she noticed that she didn't feel any of the cuts and bruises she knew should be there. She only felt hungry. She was warm and her body felt intact.

"Fine. How?"

She lifted a hand to her face but felt no bruises, no cuts. Her clothing still showed where they had been but her skin was mended. She looked at Loki. He had done something funny the day before, with the flame.

"Mother tended to your wounds. You remember what I did to keep you warm, yes? That was magic. We use it for many things. I am not very adept at healing magic, only the necessities, but mother can do it efficiently."

That made her head hurt but she just nodded mutely. She could accept that, she supposed. She felt better and that was all that really mattered. She thanked Frigga who smiled at her warmly and sat with them while breakfast arrived. It was just the three of them that morning. Thor wasn't an early riser and wouldn't come down to eat until much later and Odin had already eaten before the sun had even risen.

By the end of the day, she had gotten clothes, a room that was decently close to Loki's and she had been introduced to Thor and Odin. Loki had told them the same thing he had told his mother about what had happened; he'd just chosen to forget to mention that she was human. Thor loved her instantly. Odin wasn't too happy but didn't argue too much upon seeing his wife's face and hearing her opinion on the matter. He could never quite argue with Frigga. Natalia had given in to being taught by Frigga and Loki both and it had been decided that she attend classes with some of the other children of the realm. She had argued that. She'd rather study by herself. Loki had managed to come up with a compromise; they'd teach her for now but eventually, at least for a handful of classes, she would go with the others. After all, neither he nor his mother always had the time to tutor her.

The next day, she was introduced to the Warrior's Three and Sif, if only because she was with Thor and Loki at the time of their arrival. Fandral had teased her and for a moment Loki had worried she might attempt to kill the man. She was patient, that much he had learned by now, but whatever her education thus far had been, it had left no space for fun. Sif, upon seeing the girl's fighting spirit, had offered to train with her. Loki wasn't happy but Natalia looked genuinely happy at the offer and so he had said nothing. The girl accepted and Loki, at least, made sure to warn Sif not to be too hard on her. She was just a child after all. And much more fragile than any of them could know.

Loki had taken to teaching her about Midgard and the stars. He had tried teaching her about magic too once she'd expressed an interest but she wasn't adept at learning the practical craft so instead he taught her all about the theory of it. With his mother's help, he prepared runes and talismans to protect her from spells. She was very quick to pick up on everything he told her. She was an eager student, interested in knowing all there was to know. And she had potential for trickery and mischief. Not like Loki, not quite, but enough that he thought he should teach her more of it.

They talked about the Red Room sometimes. Natalia disliked it and became impassive when the topic came up but she answered his questions and told him what she'd learned there; how they'd taught there. He reinforced her talents and skills from there, but with much more care and kindness and soon the pain she had felt and the punishment she expected from failing faded to the back of her mind.

Frigga taught her how to act properly, how to behave and show kindness to others. She learned interactions with people that didn't include threatening them or manipulating them. She knew how to be part of a society, how to fit in when needed but here she learned how to do it naturally, without forcing herself to become somebody she was not. Frigga, when time permitted it, taught her how to read runes and the history of Asgard and the universe. Soon she knew about the nine realms, their histories, the wars, races and dangers of them all.

Thor taught her how to have fun. He showed her how to let loose at feasts and how to enjoy her childhood with plays, games and even brawls, though Loki scowled at that. She smiled more often and, though still very guarded, she learned that it wasn't bad to let that guard down every once in a while. They weren't her friends but they were the closest thing to those she had. They looked out for her. Natalia found herself grateful.

She was especially grateful for Sif's training. It left her in bruises every time and Loki always took care of them and patched her up (he even bettered his healing magic for her sake). She knew he wasn't happy that she got hurt every so often but he never said a word about it and she was grateful for that too. She was happy when she got to train with Sif. Sif didn't pull her punches, though sometimes she wished she would because getting hit by the force of her hurt a lot and had broken bones more than once. She taught her how to swing a sword and how to defend herself. And Natalia was a good student. She couldn't best her (and how could she, she was still a child) but she managed to stand her ground every once in a while.

Loki taught her how to fight with daggers. Where swords needed a steady and strong hand to keep them up and her swings consistent, daggers felt much more natural to her. The way they lay in her hands, the way the steel felt between her fingers, and how easy it was to miss a throw if her aim was off. It all felt good to her. She could fight in close combat with these which was something she had been taught to do in the Red Room. Guns and her body and sharp objects. That was what she knew how to fight with. Asgard didn't have guns. Asgardians didn't use their body in the way Natalia had been taught to do. They were brute force and physical prowess. Natalia was grace and acrobatics. Loki's teachings with the daggers enforced that style and she beamed at him every time she managed to please him. Her aim got exceptional in no time at all and keeping up with Loki wasn't as difficult as it had seemed when they first started these lessons.

Against Sif, she found herself using the daggers more than the swords. The shorter distance of her blades against Sif's meant more danger and the need to be much closer to her target than Sif needed to be in turn but she was quick on her feet, small and nimble and able to get between the spots in Sif's armor that left her open to hits. She didn't throw her daggers to hurt but to distract and then come in for the strike. She never hurt Sif but the warrior was well aware that if she so pleased, once she was close enough, she could. She was impressed with the girl.

"You fight like Loki," she told her one day.

Natalia was beaten and exhausted, bruised but looking pleased.

"It suits me better than your style."

Sif nodded to that, huffing a laugh. The child wasn't built for brute strength and swords, though she had the skill for the latter. Loki's dodgy fighting style did indeed suit her better.

"You will be a great warrior one day."

Natalia smiled at her.

She had trained with her for a little over a year now. A year since she'd been brought here, to Asgard, living in the palace with Loki and the others. It hadn't felt that long. Sometimes she still woke up in tears in the middle of the night, her dreams more reality than nightmare. She'd remember the Red Room and run to find Loki. Loki always reassured her. Loki's presence always calmed her. Sometimes she ran from the training too. When she was reminded of something from her past, from Earth, from the girls she'd killed to live or the training she'd received in the Red Room. And she'd panic and run right into Loki's arms. He was never far away. Sif had never asked questions but made sure to be more careful the next time and even Loki warmed up to her because of it.

As a girl, she'd always noticed Loki's rising jealousy towards his brother. And she'd always noticed how it seemed to dissipate when they were together, just her and him, because Loki was important to her in a way that Thor could never accomplish. She loved Thor but whenever possible, she remained at Loki's side. Even now, years later, when she had grown into a capable young woman, that was something that hadn't changed. She was a fully integrated part of the royal family now and had been introduced to Asgard's public years ago. She was well liked by most but a majority of the people didn't understand her love for the trickster God. He wasn't cruel but his mischief and lies had taken a bitter taste in most people's mouth. They distrusted him and Natalia had a habit of following in his footsteps.

Loki was still searching for a way to grant her a longer life. She was in her twenties now, time was flying. She wasn't allowed the elixir that could make her immortal like the rest of them, not yet anyway. But until then, he was searching the universe for an alternative. He almost crushed his mother with his hug when she came to him one day to tell him of something Heimdall had seen. She had asked the gatekeeper to keep an eye out for anything that might help Loki in his search. And indeed he found something. The Midgardians had developed a serum of some kind that looked rather promising. Loki went to steal enough for Natalia to take.

She aged slower from then on out. She was nearly seventy now but didn't look a day over twenty-eight. Besides Frigga, Heimdall and Loki, nobody knew she had taken the serum. Her secret was still well kept. Loki couldn't be happier. He'd grown more than fond of the girl he'd rescued and now that she was living much longer than any human normally could, he got to enjoy the time they had together. He would have been devastated to watch her die when they had barely had any time together. He hoped that soon she would be allowed the elixir, ensuring that she would live for many more years to come. They didn't know how long the serum would last for, though many check-ups and investigations suggested that it wouldn't stop working all of a sudden. Frigga would plead her case soon.