Servant of Jotunheim

Midgard

I have a father, a real father that was far from monster I had suffered at the hands of for most of my life. Although recent visions had made me doubt my own sanity on the matter.

Surt had been there on the day I was born, he held my mother's hand, comforted her through the gruelling pain of childbirth.

This was the very same frost giant that had me beaten, mocked and put into a life of servitude. There are so many things I am yet to understand.

Loki: "Valanya?" my loves voice pulls me back from my painful thoughts as we walk together.

Me: "Yes, my love?" I falsely smile, but he knows me too well to fall for such an illusion.

Loki: "What troubles you?"

Me: "I was thinking of my younger years on Jotunheim"

Loki: "What was it like?"

Me: "Less than pleasant. I recall that Helbindi would often mock me for my size in front of his father. Surt did nothing in my defence, but King Laufey would punished him".

He takes my hand and holds it tightly to comfort me.

Loki: "All that is over with now. The future is ours to enjoy together".

I know in my heart that he is correct, but I strangely desired to know the truth of my early years that had been taken from my memory.

In the same breath I knew that those false memories, no matter how painful they may have been, had played an important role in shaping me into the person I had become.

Loki: "Come, my love. I vowed to take you to Midgard after your visit with Agnarr, and so I shall".

Me: "We really do not have to".

Loki: "When the King of Asgard makes a promise to a beautiful princess, he always intends to keep his word".

Me: "And who will oversee this kingdom in your absence?"

Loki: "My brother of course. I discussed it with him earlier this morning and he is more than happy to rule while we are gone".

Me: "What if my mother needs me?"

Loki: "Ruth and Sara are tending to her every need. You needn't worry yourself".

Even with his reassurance, it did not cease my fears that something may happen while we were away on Midgard, however much I was looking forward it.

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Shortly after riding on horseback to the Bifrost, where Heimdall had opened the portal for us to travel here, we both arrive safely on Earth.

Me: "We will hardly blend in here wearing these clothes" I realise.

Loki: "What? This is fine Asgardian leather" he gestures to his chosen outfit.

Me: "Still, best not to alarm the mortals and draw too much attention to ourselves".

Loki: "Fine" he sighs.

He uses his magic to alter our appearance and seems pleased with himself for doing so. My gods, even at this very moment he is somewhat irresistible in a pair of jeans and a shirt.

Loki: "What?" he catches me staring.

Me: "Nothing".

Loki: "Shall we?"

The journey to the diner is a short one and the second we walk inside, Hank notices us and appears happy to see me.

Hank: "Anya!" he comes running from behind the counter and hugs me.

Me: "It is good to see you again".

Hank: "I thought you weren't coming back?"

Me: "Me and...Luke here decided to come for a quick visit".

Loki: "Luke?" I hear him quietly question with confusion in his voice.

With Thor being so well know on Earth, I thought it best not to use Loki's real name. I had never told Hank or his mother the truth about who I was or where it was I had fled from either.

Me: "Luke had a great idea and suggested that we should come here for lunch today. I told him so many times about how incredible the food is".

Hank: "Well it's nice to meet you, Luke" he extends his hand.

Loki: "A pleasure to finally meet you".

The King has already sworn to be on his best behaviour today. He wants nothing more than to make me happy, and is in no way envious of a mortal man.

Hank: "So where have you been?"

Me: "I have been travelling with Luke".

Hank: "How long are you guys staying for? I still have your apartment keys if you need a place to stay for the night? All your stuffs still there, I wasn't sure if you'd want it all put into storage or something".

Me: "Oh that won't be necessary..."

Loki: "Sounds delightful. We would love to stay for the evening" he interrupts me.

Hank: "Great. Take a booth and I'll go make a start on those lunches for you guys".

As soon as we take a seat near the window, I am confused as to the reason why he would agree to spending the night in another realm.

Me: "Loki, what are you doing? We cannot spend the evening here".

Loki: "Why not? Are you not glad to be back here?"

Me: "You are the Allfather to the nine realms? You cannot simply take an overnight vacation on a whim".

Loki: "What would the purpose of all that power be if I could not take the time to enjoy all of the pleasures these realms have to offer with the woman I love?"

A convincing argument on his part. It could be nice to leave Asgard behind for one night and be truly alone, especially in a realm where no one knows who we are.

Me: "Alright".

Loki: "It will be rather interesting to see where you spent your time while we were apart".

Me: "My old apartment is hardly a palace fit for a King".

Loki: "Then today I will happily forsake my title. Until we return to Asgard tomorrow, I am simply Luke, your companion".

Me: "Then today will be a rather interesting day indeed, Luke".