It was almost like a funeral march as we neared Heimdall's watch post. "I'm so sorry, My Lady." Heimdall whispered. I hold my chin up high and try not to let my gaze waver from the gateway. "It's alright Heimdall, I'll be back someday. Do not worry." I give a small smile. The guard behind me snorts and undoes my bounds. "On you go girly." He says, pushing me forward. I take a deep breath and step into the portal. I close my eyes and walk into the swirling blue light.

Within seconds of entering, I'm thrown against hard onto the Midgardian ground. Odin had said that he was going to send me here. He said it might teach me life lessons, but I knew it was just poppycock excuses to justify my leaving.

I struggle to get to my feet, but when I do I immediately lean on a tree near by. After catching my breath from the fall I stand and take in my current apparel. I'm dressed in a green dress that possesses a square cut neckline that shows some of my breasts, or it would if not for the small scarf around my neck, the fabric then hugs my waist tightly and then falls in a bell shaped skirt. Upon looking closer, the green is accented with a golden rose pattern. I smile and reach to touch my necklace, but it is not there. I inhale sharply and began to look around the area that I'd fallen from. Suddenly, something strikes my head softly. Taking the mystery object in my hand I realize that it's my necklace and I smile. "Thank you." I whisper. Unknowing if it was Thor or Heimdall who had sent this to me, I felt it best to thank them just the same.

Placing the necklace in its proper place, I start to walk out of the forest that surrounds me. Dragging my large dress through the shrubs and trees I finally find a hill that leads to a type of town. I slowly approach the stone archway that seems to be the back entrance to the town. I shivered as my bare feet touched the stone walkway. Up till now I hadn't even noticed that I wasn't wearing shoes. "You dress me up like a doll with all the essentials, except shoes?" I grumble. As I continue walking down the path I come across a dress shop. Candles are lit inside and I can see faint shadows of people inside.

A bell jingles as I push open the small white door. I walk straight up to the large table with an elderly woman sitting behind it. "Excuse me Milady. But, is it possible that I could find a pair of shoes here?" I elevated the pitch of my voice and used my sweetest voice. The old woman leaned over and looked down at my feet, then back up at me. "How can it be that a girl who looks like ya do, can buy a dress such as yours, but not have a good pair of shoes and stokin's?" I blush furiously. "Well I- I just-"

"Behave yourself Grandmother. Perhaps she values warm clothes before her shoes." A soft voice said. Looking behind the elderly woman, I saw a young lady with blonde hair, blue eyes, and in a yellow dress. "What's your name?" She asks, coming closer to me. "M-Mira, miss." I curtsey and bow my head. "Well, Mira, do you have any money?" The lady asks. I shook my head in shame. "No, miss. To be honest I've just arrived here and I haven't the faintest of clues as to what I am to do." I look around at the people milling about the small room. "So, you must have come on a boat? All by yourself?" She asks, pulling me behind the counter. "Well, I was sent away. Exiled is a better word for it I think." I felt shame seep into my words. "Oh you poor dear. If you don't mind me askin' where did you come from?" I thought for a moment. "I came from Norway." I say. It's where my father was born, grew up, met my mother and died.

"Norway?!" The elderly woman exclaimed, nearly dropping the knitting needles she held in her wrinkled hands. "My lord child, you be a long ways from home. Who ever would send you away?" I blush, thinking of Loki and our kiss. "Grandmother, perhaps we should close up shop before you bombard her with questions." The lady says calmly and with a bright smile. She ushers out the remaining people and turns the sign at the door to say CLOSED. "Please, have a seat. I'll get you some tea." When she leaves I sit next to the elderly lady and ask, "What's tea?" She almost drops her needles again. "You don't know what tea is? My lord, what kind of home did you live in?" She asks, looking as if I'd just told her that I'd slain a dragon. "It wasn't my own home, but it was welcoming." I say, eyes downcast.

"Here we are dear. Have a taste and tell me if it's to hot." I took it in my hands and brought it to my lips. It was warm and tangy as it traveled down my throat. It had a the sent of the oranges Lady Frigga and I would grow in the garden. I sigh with happiness. "I'd ask if you like it, but that smile on your face says it all." The lady says. "Oh, deary me, where are my manners. My name is Kathleen, and this is my Grandmother, you can call her Lady Grace." I nod and take another sip of the tea. "Alright then, I suppose I should tell you of my predicament." I sigh and look at the to people in front of me.

"I was an... apprentice to the Lady of a large home in Norway. She and her husband had two sons. After years of being together, I began to gain feelings for the younger of the two." A blush creeps into my cheeks. "His name was Lo-" I cut myself off with a cough. "I mean, his name was," I briefly looked out the window to see a store across the street. In silver letters it said LOGAN & CO. "His name was Logan. Logan Odinson." They look at each other then back to me. "But once I'd found out he had similar feelings, well, we thought that nothing bad could happen to us, and then I realized the dangers he would face being with me." A tear fell into my tea cup. "My mother was something of a royal, but my father was not. People thought me an abomination and if Logan were to cort me, then he'd feel their wrath as well, so I tried to shield him from it. However, my efforts failed me when he came to my aid once. He got so angry that," I pause, thinking of a way to explain Loki's condition to these women. "He got so angry that his heart almost gave out. He ran a fever so high and he cried in his unconscious state." The tears fell faster. "It was all my fault. But Logan needs me. He's the love of my life, and now I feel like I've been ripped from him just as I was beginning to become attached to him." I wipe my eyes dry.

"I'm sorry. I suppose it's not as interesting as you might have thought. I suppose the short version would be that I fell in love with someone I couldn't have and he loved me back. But his father thought me a danger and sent me far far away. His brother, um, Thomas, promises me that I'll see him again, but I do not carry high hopes for it. It'll soften the blow when he tells me Logan's gone to wed some other woman." Kathleen sniffled and wiped away her tears. "My dear you mustn't lose hope. If he loves you as much as you love him, then why wouldn't he come see ya?" Lady Grace asked. "I'm not worthy of his love. He's practically," I giggle. "a god."

"Poppycock!" Lady Grace declares. "If you strip a man of his title, he's just a man in fancy clothes, correct!" She looks over at me with small eyes. "Yes ma'am, but-"

"There's no but's about it! You will see that boy again. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not in a year. But someday, you will see him. In the meantime, you may stay and work here. We'll take care of ya, as long as ya earn yer keep." I nod enthusiastically. "Oh! Thank you so much madams! I promise, I'll do the best I can to help you. I promise!" I had a smile on my face that stretched from ear to ear. "I'm glad you're so enthusiastic about this. You'll start in the morning. You know anything about clothes and seeming?" I nod furiously. "Yes, it's one of the many things My Lady taught me in Norway." I beam.

"Good, then hope to it!" Lady Grace stands and walks to the back of the shop.