AN: Heloooo all!!! So I haven't been so active this week... that's mainly because I have been preparing for a job interview this Monday! (and also been business suit shopping..... suit shopping is HARD!) But anyways. I'm uploading this chapter now because I will be too busy tomorrow. "How deep is your love" will continue after my interview. (I just did not have any time to finish the new chapter) :/  

Chapter 3

Heather and Jerry reached the kitchen in no time. The room was very well lit and several servants could be seen readying ingredients for breakfast later. They spared Jerry and her only small glances as the man indicated for Heather to take a seat at one of the empty counters. She watched him flit about the kitchen with ease as he gathered bread and other ingredients. When he finally came back to the counter his arms were full of things to make sandwiches with.

"You seem to know your way around." Heather commented as Jerry gave her some bread slices.

"I tend to be up before anyone else." Jerry explained. "As I would like to avoid at least one meal in the Great hall."

"Why?" Heather had asked before adding "You... don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I overstepped." Jerry merely waved is off and told her that it was alright.

"You can tell that the other Asgardians don't like me much." Jerry said. "Frey and Tyr holding their tongues yesterday was them acting nice. I would rather not be on the receiving end of those glares every meal time." Jerry noticed Heather's inquisitive look and said "I'm not actually an Asgardian. Thor was the one who welcomed me into the court and as you will probably find out over the coming days, not all the people here like change."

Heather nodded as they continued to make their sandwiches in silence after. It was after she had taken her first bite that she spoke again. "I have too much on my mind right now." She said with a sigh. "Too much has happened over the past few weeks that I need to process."

"Mayb-" Jerry was interrupted when the door to the kitchen opened. Both were surprised by the person standing there.

"Snotlout?" Heather asked with a raised brow. "You got up early."

"Why is everyone so surprised about that?!" Snotlout grumbled. "I saw Ruffnut heading to Astrid's room a few minutes ago and she was staring at me open mouthed as well. I can get up early if I want to."

"Riiiiight." Heather rolled her eyes.

"So what's for breakfast?" Snotlout asked curiously.

"Sandwiches, please help yourself." Jerry indicated towards the spread.

"Sure Snot. Help yourself. Jerry and I were just about to head out."

"We wer-OUCH!" Jerry exclaimed as Heather kicked him under the counter. "I mean, we were." He hastily agreed.

"So where are you two off to?" Snotlout asked completely oblivious as he picked up one of the spare sandwiches on the plate.

"Uhm...." Heather didn't know what to answer since she hadn't thought that far ahead but Jerry quickly stepped in. "I was going to give Lady Heather here a tour of the stables. They are said to be some of the most magnificent in the Nine realms." Snotlout nodded and didn't say anymore as Heather and Jerry got up.

"Wait!" Snotlout suddenly exclaimed. "I got it!"

The pair stopped and turned to the short man with inquisitive stares. "Your real name is Járnskeggi!" Snotlout said as he pointed at Jerry.

"Good try but no." The man answered with a raised brow as he bid the shorter man adieu. Once out of the kitchen Heather turned to Jerry. "I'm sorry about that." She told the man. "My behaviour might have come off as rude...."

"But you did not want your friend to hear of what you were going to tell me." Jerry finished her sentence and then indicated for Heather to follow him.

"Where are we going now?" She asked curiously.

"To the stables." Jerry stated. "I wasn't joking when I said they were magnificent." As they made their way outside Jerry proceeded to point out several places including the training grounds, the Healers' wing, and the armory. Heather did notice that several Asgardians were carefully eyeing the pair but she paid them little mind. Heather gasped when they reached their destination. "These aren't stables! This is a small castle!"

Jerry laughed as they entered "I had the same reaction when I first came to Asgard." He told her before pointing to a luxurious area near the back. "There is someone I want you to meet." He said before giving a sharp whistle. Heather didn't know how many more surprises she could take, because there before them a jet black eight-legged horse trotted up. The horse affectionately nudged Jerry with its snout and was introduced as Sleipnir.

"Th....That's really Sleipnir?!!" Heather exclaimed as the horse regarded her for a moment before letting her stroke his mane. "I didn't believe the story when I read it. Is he really one of Loki's children?" That question however was met with two very different reactions. Jerry was nearly doubled over from laughter while Sleipnir actually looked affronted, or as affronted as an eight-legged horse could look.

"I.... HAHAHAH.... can't believe....HAHAHA..... that that story....... HAHAHAHA..... is still around!" Jerry managed to wheeze out. "Oh Fa-, I mean Loki will get a kick out of that when he hears it."

"So it's not true?" Heather asked as Sleipnir stomped his hooves and neighed at Jerry.

"The story was concocted by a drunk Thor who wanted to make his brother seem more frightening to the mortals when they were visiting Midgard. It backfired extremely." Jerry told Heather as he tried to stop laughing. "But Loki in a sense could be considered Sleipnir's mother since he took him in as a foal."

"I'm sensing there is bigger story here."

"Oh there is. I will tell you that as we ride." Jerry stated.

"Ride?" Heather asked as brows rose and then she looked at Sleipnir. "You're kidding right?"

"Nope." Jerry laughed as he held out his hand to help Heather up on the saddle. Jerry got on behind her and took the reigns. "Are you ready for the scenic tour?"

"There's more?"

"There is always more in Asgard." Jerry answered her. "And you might want to hold on."

"Hold on? Wh-AAAAAHH!" Heather yelled as Sleipnir galloped out of the stables at full speed. Sleipnir gave an amused neigh and as Heather held on for dear life she suddenly had a stray thought that Sleipnir and Toothless should never meet.

A few hours later breakfast had begun and Astrid and Ruffnut entered the Great Hall to see Tuffnut and Fishlegs eating while Snotlout tried to flirt with one of the serving girls. Valka, Stoick and Gobber had also just found seating places and both women took seats across from the guys. A loud yip could be heard and people turned to the large open double doors to see Stormfly dragging a reluctant Nightfury by his tail into the hall. "Just let me sleep you she-demon!" Toothless could be heard groaning as Stormfly said something flirty.

"Hiccup isn't here?" Astrid now asked as she looked around. She also didn't see Heather, Dagur or Meixiu anywhere.

"Your boyfriend is fussing over my husband in the Healers' wing." A woman with very long raven hair answered. Astrid turned and frowned as she had not met this woman before. "Forgive me. Where are my manners. I am Sif."

"Sif...." Astrid's eyes widened for a moment before she shook the offered hand. "And your husband is....." Astrid suspected, and if her suspicions were right.

"Thor of course." Astrid nodded, she had been right in her assumption, and wondered what in the Nine realms Hiccup had done to send Thor to the healers. She must have said that out loud because Sif covered her mouth with her hand to try and hide her amusement. The woman did answer Astrid after and it took her a moment to comprehend that statement. "I'm sorry. Could you repeat that? He did what?!"

"He shot Thor in the posterior with an arrow........ Twice." Sif repeated before adding "Our daughter couldn't stop laughing." The raven-haired warrior left to find a place at the large tables and Astrid turned back to the others a little dazed.

"Hey did I hear that right?" Ruffnut asked from beside Astrid. "Did Hiccup really shoot the Thor in the behind?"

"Twice" Astrid added as she tried to think of any ramifications that could follow such an incident. She shot Ruffnut a glare when the other commented "Cool, wish I was there to see it."

"Where are the others?" Astrid now asked.

"Dagur and Meixiu are somewhere in the library." Fishlegs answered this time. "Meixiu had this dreamy look in her eyes and she was whispering something about spells. Dagur was following her at a distance."

"And you didn't think that was weird?" Astrid questioned. Fishlegs merely shrugged and said "This is Dagur we're talking about."

"He's got a point." Tuffnut added.

"And Heather?" Ruffnut asked. "I heard that the women have a sparring competition around noon and wanted to know if she'd come watch as well."

"Oh, she's off with Jerry somewhere." Snotlout shrugged as he took a seat at the table. A bright red handprint was now visible on his cheek.

"Jerry?!" Fishlegs was the first to respond. Snotlout, oblivious as always, didn't notice the small bit of jealousy in Fishlegs' tone. "Oh yeah. They were real cozy in the kitchens this morning. They grabbed an early breakfast and then something about a stable tour." He went on explaining. Tuffnut proceeded to jab Snotlout in the gut and the smaller man let out an "OOF" before glaring at the blonde. From there breakfast proceeded rather well, until nearly the end when a commotion outside drew the attention of many of the guards. Valka had been looking outside and Astrid saw her eyes widen. "You guys it's Heather!" Valka told them as she blanched and stood up. "We better get down there! There's blood."