It's rarely a good sign when one is woken in the early hours of the morning by the sound of one's sister shrieking loud enough to wake the whole of Vanaheim, Valhalla, and more. The sound pierced through the air, reverberating off the palace walls, causing everyone to clutch their ears while guards rushed to the scene. They'd all had the vision, the royal women of Vanaheim that is, who were born with the powers of seers. Each of them experienced visions a little differently — Nanshe always screamed — and the visions rarely brought good news.

So naturally, the Royal Family of Vanaheim was most displeased by what they saw. All except Zinia Vanir, First Princess of the Vanirs, that is. For the first time in her life — and on the cusp of her impending coronation, no less — Zinia would be leaving Vanaheim, all thanks to the vision. Unfortunately, the vision also confirmed that the trip would not be made under the best of circumstances, hence her extensive family's current dissatisfaction

For the past several millennia, the Vanir family had ruled over the Nine Realms of Yggdrasil as nothing more than a figurehead. Zinia's grandmother, Inanna, had given up the family's power, all but symbolically, to Asgard. At the time, Asgard was a force to be reckoned with — still was, Zinia could make no mistake — and the whole of the Nine Realms owed Bor, King of Asgard, a huge debt of gratitude for defeating the Dark Elves and hiding the Aether. To seal the alliance and gift of power, Inanna even arranged the marriage of her own daughter to Bor's son — Frigga and Odin.

Bor's own son, Odin, had perpetuated a legacy of strong leadership and the Vanir were content to let the militarily superior Asgard continue reigning in their stead. Still, after eons under the rule of Vanaheim, most in the Nine Realms still expected the Vanir family to maintain some oversight. Asgard military action was always approved of by the Vanir first, though it was clear the approval was more a formality.

But then, Odin's sons began to cause trouble. The Vanir family had quite nearly interceded after Odin's adopted son, Loki, had brought devastating destruction to Midgard. Odin saw he was properly confined, though, and their worries never came to fruition. Odin's birth son, half-Vanir himself, Thor, had released Loki in order to defeat the Dark Elves upon their return and Loki valiantly died in the effort… or so everyone thought.

So concerned with his own ascension to the throne of Asgard was Loki, that he failed to recognize any impending trouble with the Vanir. Forgetting the Vanir gift of sight wasn't a trait any potential ruler should "overlook," so to speak. Within minutes, they had known that Odin had been usurped by Loki. They watched, helplessly, as Thor returned to Midgard for the woman he loved and Loki prepared to rule under the guise of his father.

Well, not quite hopelessly.

"It is time for the Vanir to return to power," Zinia had told her parents, Queen Iluti and King Deus, at a seance called to monitor the goings-on of Asgard, "True power, not symbolic."

"The Asgardian army has been stronger than ours for many centuries," her mother warned lightly.

"The Asgardian army is considerably weakened after the destruction unleashed by the Dark Elves. And we have allies across the Nine Realms," she argued, "The Jotuns have cast off their lost son ever since he murdered his birth father, Laufey. The Midgardians would not stand for Loki's rule after his stunts in their realm. Even his own brother, Thor, would turn against him given this latest deceit that only we are aware of…"

Zinia had always felt she had a knack for real ruling. She'd met Odin many times when he came to Vanaheim to seek the mandatory approval for his military escapades. She was always the most outspoken debater when demanding more insight into his plans. Now, only days before her 1050th birthday, the age when she could finally ascend to her mother's throne, she desired to truly fulfil her role as a queen.

"We certainly cannot sit idly by while a known traitor holds the Asgard throne," her mother agreed, "But I do not wish to start your reign with a war between the two greatest powers of Yggdrasil."

"I pray it will not come to that," Zinia agreed grimly, "But you have never known me to act rashly in delicate situations."

It was true. Zinia was well-known for her cool head and even temper prevailing against testosterone fueled arguments with Odin. He may have technically had power over her family in his life, but Zinia's argumentative powers of persuasion had a way of winning everyone over.

"I will go in the name of peaceful progress," she said, "A trip through Yggdrasil before my impending coronation."

She left on the day of her birthday. Zinia was the eldest of Iluti's seven daughters. They were very close and they all crowded around her, with concern and heavy hearts, as she prepared to leave. They'd never left each other before.

With the bifrost recently repaired by aid of the tesseract, Zinia would be the first of the Vanir women to use the rainbow bridge since her aunt Frigga's journey to the realm. Typically, Zinia would have travelled using the Spring of Mimir, a great icy river that flowed through the roots of the Yggdrasil galaxy, linked specifically between Vanaheim and the Jotunheim but connecting everywhere due to its many tributaries through space and time. But Zinia used Mimir to travel all the time. Who knew if she'd ever have the opportunity to use the Bifrost again?

Summoning Heimdall, who knew better than to ignore a daughter of Mimir, Zinia was caught up in a rush of light and color. It was magnificent, much more pleasant than the chilly waters of Mimir which cut like ice even when draped in magic cloaks. Her royal guard had just arrived ahead of her and four personal assistants and two squires followed. Even later, more people would follow. Deliveries of cases of wine and Sikaru beer, plus dates, expensive fruits, nuts, and Vanaheim chocolate. Her father might insist on adding a few cases of famous Vanaheim silk or Mimir dyed wool, too. Musicians and dancers, performers and animal trainers, even magicians. She could only hope Loki would have the good sense to accept their benevolence with grace.

"Princess Zinia of Vanaheim!" She look over to see the famed Heimdall, the gatekeeper of the Bifrost welcoming her. "I am honored to be the first to welcome you to Asgard. Odin will be most pleased to have a daughter of Mimir here again."

"Good Heimdall, thank you for your warm welcome," she said, immediately catching the reference to Frigga. It was clear the people of Asgard's hearts were still sore. "I never had a chance to meet my Aunt Frigga. My grandmother Inanna arranged her marriage before I was even born, but I have heard many wonderful tales. My own mother misses her terribly."

She spoke genuinely. Her own heart felt full once again upon remembering her mother's grief at the loss of her sister.

"We all hope we can find lasting peace in the aftermath of such tragedy," Heimdall said and held a hand out to gesture towards Asgard, "Odin awaits."

Zinia wasn't willing to alert the whole of Asgard to Loki's ruse before she'd even met him herself. So, with a simple smile and polite nod of respect, she and her entourage made their way to the great city. She took a moment to view Asgard fully, for the first time. It really did shine, as if made of diamonds and glass and gold. But beyond the palace, the city was flat and free of nature—at least compared to her own home city. Parts of it seemed to melt into the ocean and sunlight surrounding the city itself.

Zinia stepped into the chariot which pulled her towards the palace. For her first political meeting, Zinia was wearing a deep crimson velvet gown—crimson was the color associated with Vanaheim. The gown was off the shoulders with a plunging neckline and a long cape that fell from the back. Surrounding her bosom and bodice was a fitted metal breast plate designed and bedecked like a corset more than a piece of armor. And hugging her bare shoulders was the fluffy stole of an ancient sabertooth, passed through her family from queen to queen. Atop her head was a crown forged from rocks on Jotunheim, a fact she hoped wouldn't be lost on Loki. The resulting turrets and spires of her crown looked almost like ice. Rising from two hidden attachments in her piled high blonde hair were two enormous white-gold gilded antlers. Antlers were always her father's sigil and she'd taken them on as homage to him. Everything else about her from her strong shoulders and long dark blonde hair to slightly crooked nose and golden eyes, of course, came from her mother after all.

Just as her chariot began to speed up, Zinia called out suddenly: "Stop!"

They waited for a moment and then another squire arrived on the Bifrost leading an enormous black lion with a huge thick, inky mane. The lion let out a powerful deafening roar, worried from the trip across the bifrost. Zinia's squire struggled to maintain a hold on the beast before finally slipping and falling on his own face as the lion escaped.

"Shadowcat!" Zinia cooed and held her arms out. The enormous ebony feline crawled into her chariot and they took off once again.

She began walking with Shadowcat at her side before the chariot driver was expecting to let her off. Her velvet cape trailed behind her and Shadowcat was careful not to step on it. He didn't know why this day was so important, but he could tell it was to his mistress. They had traveled a long, terrifying way to get here, but the cat had seen worse.

Zinia tried hard not to bite on her lip which was lacquered up with sheen above a deep black base. She was already catching Loki off-guard, in more ways than one considering he didn't even know she was on Asgard, but she hoped her carefully tailored appearance might also floor him. In an attempt to chose diplomacy over civil war, it couldn't hurt to look good. It also couldn't hurt to look regal as Vanaheim reinstated its power in full over Yggdrasil. She needed to look the part of a Queen of Nine Realms if she truly were to become one.

Suddenly, they were there in front of the throne room. Shadowcat sat down with a "hmpf" behind her as an Asgardian assistant rushed to open the heavy doors.

"Presenting, her highness Princess Zinia of Vanaheim, the first daughter of the Spring of Mirim, and future Queen of the Nine Realms!" someone announced her.

She stepped through the doors confidently. Shadowcat rose instantly beside her and walked steadily. If she hadn't known better, she really would have thought she was seeing Odin again. The elderly man was perched in his throne, leaning forward to regard her carefully. Loki would have to play this well. She had met Odin many times.

"Uncle Odin!" she said warmly, "It is so wonderful to see you!"

Zinia had absolutely never referred to Odin as "uncle" once in her life. In turn, he'd always seemed to view her as more a political partner than the biological niece of his wife. There wasn't much warmth, if any, exchanged between them.

Loki-Odin smiled broadly. It was an expression she was almost positive she'd never seen Odin wear in his lifetime. He looked her up and down, not quite in the way an uncle should look at his niece either.

"Zinia," he began (Odin had never referred to her as anything less than Princess), "I've been informed that today is your birthday. Allow me to wish you glad tidings!"

Zinia quirked an eyebrow trying to hold back her laughter. Someone, probably a spy, had run ahead of her arrival to prepare him. What he'd been told, and how the information was relayed, she could not fathom as she suspected the whole of Asgard may very well have believed Odin was still alive and ruling. Either way, did Loki not know his own father? From her experiences with Odin she gathered he likely wasn't exactly demonstrative and open with his sons, either. Her mother had relayed in passing, thanks to letters from Frigga, that his cold demeanor had frequently been a point of contention within the marriage. Perhaps Loki thought Odin a better uncle than father and husband. More likely, he was simply playing off of her own demeanor.

"You seem in quite a good mood," she lied smoothly, only cutting him a break to perpetuate the game a bit longer, "I had worried my surprise arrival might cause some… hostility?"

Loki-Odin took a moment to consider this and she could sense a growing anxiety as he debated his next move, "Asgard would never turn away friends from Vanaheim," he said slowly and then, with genuine emotion, "Especially not after the passing of my late wife."

Zinia nodded solemnly. "My family sends their regrets for missing the funeral, it was all arranged so quickly," she said. "We did host our own vigil on Vanaheim. I hope that you will tell me about the Asgardian funeral. I know my mother very much wishes to know the details of her sister's final send-off."

He looked very uncomfortable at this suggestion. She was fully aware he had been incarcerated at the time of the funeral. Suddenly and sharply, guilt twisted in her stomach. That had been an awful memory for her to trap him in. Adopted or not, he was doubtlessly angst-ridden over missing his own mother's funeral.

Nevertheless he gave her a curt nod. "Indeed, if we find time to speak privately-"

"-Actually, uncle," she said, looking to the Asgardian guards flanking either side of her, "I had very much hoped that we could speak privately now. There is something of great importance that I simply must discuss with you before I retire for the afternoon."

He shifted in his throne, clearly uncomfortable, "After the journey? Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to be escorted to your chambers to rest briefly?"

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Odin," a flat out smirk was gracing her features now and she couldn't bite back her sarcasm, "You are always so thoughtful. But I must insist…"

With a weary sigh Odin lifted his hand and gestured for the armed guards to leave. They did an about face and exited the hall. It was at this point Zinia began to ascend the stairs to his throne. Shadowcat let out a soft growl behind her and she breathed out a quiet "Stay."

Loki-Odin looked like he had absolutely no clue what to do so he stood, watching her cautiously. "I must admit you've piqued my interest, niece," he said.

"Have I?" she asked, "Well you've piqued mine. Such a warm welcome I almost thought you might embrace me." At this she plopped herself right down into his vacated throne, more to see what he'd do than anything else.

Zinia could see the worry etched into the creases of his elderly face. It was priceless. She bit back another laugh. "Now see here, Zinia, you've always been a great favorite of mine but that does not-"

"Have I? A great favorite?" she asked, leaning forward in faux-surprise, "Why I never knew that, dear Odin! Tell me more!"

His mouth was slightly agape and his expression more panicky than ever. He began to emit a stutter, searching for what to say next and Zinia couldn't help but laugh aloud.

"Or should I call you... Odinson?" she asked with a sneer.

Immediately he shifted forms and the Odin-facade fell away, replaced by a startlingly taller, leaner man with long slicked-back raven-black hair, wearing an emerald cloak beneath golden armor. He was glaring down at her quite menacingly, his eyes ablaze with insane anger and his skin almost sickly pale. She almost felt afraid and, for a brief moment, wondered if she might have better sense to actually be afraid. Either way, she stared back up at him defiantly, her chin held high, her smirk unwavering.

"Well, you most certainly shouldn't call me that," he spat at her, literal spittle flying from his mouth.

"Oh calm down," she ordered while narrowing her eyes, "The Trickster God can't take a joke? Or are you just pouting because you've been beat at your own game?"

"How did you find out?" he asked, "Everyone thinks I am dead."

"Poor darling," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Your own mother was Vanir. We have the power of sight, remember? Every female in my family saw what you did."

"What do you want?" he demanded.

"Right now? Well I'd still like you to calm down, and then I'd like a proper introduction," she said before crossing her legs and holding out her hand, "I'm Zinia Vanir, Princess of Vanaheim and impending Queen of Yggdrasil."

He took her hand, looking unsure of what to do with it before bringing it to his lips for a chaste moment and then dropping her hand unceremoniously, "Loki of Asgard. It is a… pleasure, to finally meet you."

His neglectance of a formal title was not unnoted. He was very politic; Zinia could appreciate that. She could also appreciate that right now might be the only time she would ever have the advantage over the God of Mischief. She had caught him off-guard once and she had no doubt that the first moment he had to himself to begin plotting he would use to his full advantage. If there was a time to play with him, she had to do it now.

"Is there somewhere else we can go to speak?" she asked, "No matter which one of us is sitting in this throne, it's quite unequalizing."

She searched his face for any sign of emotion to her peace offering but his features were stoic when he replied, "Of course. That would be for the best."

He extended his hand again to help her up and walk her down the throne steps. "Now, I hope this won't be too troublesome a request," she began, keeping the game going for as long as possible, "But is there any way you can make your Odin disguise visible to everyone but myself? No offense to your late… foster... parent, but he wasn't exactly a looker," she concluded, feeling it may even be insensitive to chance the words "adoptive father."

Next to her, Loki finally released the ghost of a real smile, "That can be arranged, yes."

The halls of the palace were as ornate as the exterior and throne room. Gold pillars and billowing silk drapes lined the endless spiraling long hallways. Shadowcat fell a few paces behind them, along with her ladies even more behind that, with her squires carrying her things following last. Loki was barely touching her, as if he was afraid, but Zinia was used to that. The princess and future queen of the Nine Realms was an introduction not many could handle. However, she was pretty sure this was not the reasoning Loki was being so cautious with her. Like most of Asgard, he still saw her and her family as nothing more than a figurehead. It was clear his caution was due to the fact he had no clue why she was there.

They came upon a cluster of Asgardian guards in the hall, all of whom immediately stopped their discussion to stand to attention upon seeing "Odin."

"Please escort my niece's servants to our guest quarters. I will have one of my private guardsmen escort her to her chambers after we have had a moment to speak alone," Loki told the guards. Apparently whatever charm he had cast that still allowed her to see him as Loki really did keep him disguised from the rest of the world.

The guards saluted and lead her ladies and squires away as Loki pulled her into a room behind a set of great oak double doors that two more guardsmen opened for them. The room they entered was empty of anyone else and Zinia quickly gleaned that these were his private quarters. Currently she stood in the first antechamber of the rooms, peaking out behind billowing curtains on the opposite wall lay what appeared to be a bedroom and small library, and a bathroom and balcony behind that. But Loki remained in the antechamber where a great oval table and many chairs lay waiting. He pulled one of the chairs out and gestured for her to sit. She half expected him to pull the chair out from under her, as his rage was barely disguised, but he simply took a seat next to her.

His face was stern and trying too hard to be expressionless. His body posture suggested he was ill at ease. So Zinia performed the opposite function; she slumped into the back of the chair in a most unladylike, but very relaxed, fashion.

"You don't look pleased, Loki," she said with a smile.

"You've yet to tell me what you want."

"What I want I already have," she replied simply with a shrug, "I am Queen of Yggdrasil, or will be after my coronation in a few weeks. As such, I cannot say that I am pleased with the deception you're perpetuating on Asgard. The throne is not yours."

Loki's shoulders tensed and his fists clenched at his side. "The throne is not mine? May I remind you that Vanaheim's rule has been symbolic since our grandparents were alive?"

"Perhaps it has been functioning that way," she said, "Only because we have allowed it to. And the alliance that held the agreement between Asgard and Vanaheim in place, the marriage between your foster parents, is no longer in place now that they've both passed."

"So you simply intend to start overruling all Asgardian decisions?" he asked with a sneer, "Your military is no match for ours, it hasn't been for centuries!"

"First of all, why would our decisions need to overrule yours? Our realms have always naturally leaned towards similar opinions," she said, "And though it is true that Vanaheim's military is no match for yours… We have the other realms on our side. You're not exactly the most popular man in the cosmos right now, dead or alive."

Loki abruptly rose from his chair and began pacing about the room. He whirled back to face her. "And if Thor returns?"

Zinia shrugged. "Either way, you no longer hold the throne of Asgard. And given how anxious your brother was to return to Midgard when you last tricked him, I don't think he's going to pose much of a threat to my rightful authority."

Loki stopped pacing, brows furrowed. He looked like a desperate animal. A desperate animal about to start bargaining… "Why come speak to me first?" he asked, "Would you rather have me on the throne of Asgard and acquiescing to your little game over meeting with Thor and potentially have him challenge you?" It was veiled in a threatening, know-it-all tone, but the hope in his voice was all too clear.

Zinia snorted and stood up herself. "Don't think yourself so lucky," she said, "I will be contacting Thor and requesting his presence eminently. Though I may rule Yggdrasil as a whole, it is not up to me to decide who reigns superior over Asgard. That is Thor's right. Perhaps he will still give the throne to you."

Loki scowled at her in a manner that suggested he found this possibility unlikely. She pressed ahead anyway realizing that, at this point, it was unlikely anything she said wouldn't make the fallen prince uncomfortable.

"I came to you first for several reasons, first being that I do not know you," Zinia explained. "I have seen your exploits through many unfortunate, unstoppable visions. I have heard many tales. But I know from my own personal experience that our past does not define us. I had to meet you for myself."

She dared to walk over to where he was pacing, placing a hand on his forearm to stall him. He stopped and looked at her, brow still furrowed, the unmistakable signs of anger and annoyance still permeating his being. She hoped very much that she could end this on something of a good note. Zinia did not need the God of Mischief and Lies plotting against her before she was even coronated. Perhaps her earlier teasing had gone too far; some part of her had hoped he might appreciate it as a gesture calling to mind his own nature.

"But I also came to you first because I do not plan to be a rash or uncaring ruler. The last thing I would want would be to start a civil war by bringing your brother here unannounced. I did not wish to surprise you," she explained. He raised his eyebrows at that and cocked his head, acknowledging the hypocrisy of the statement. She genuinely blushed. "Well, I didn't want to surprise you too terribly. I… couldn't resist," she admitted.

Loki sighed. "Well, as I apparently have no say in the matter, I'm not sure what else you're waiting to hear from me," he said.

"Is Odin… is he dead?" she asked slowly, already searching his face for a sign of deceit. "The vision was unclear at the end. We weren't entirely sure what you'd done with him."

Loki didn't answer right away. He was staring her down, hard. Clearly, he thought she had no right to come in here making demands for such information. Zinia disagreed entirely, both because of her birthright and because she currently still had the upperhand. Instead of reminding him of his precarious position, she tried a softer tactic.

"Please, do not lie," she requested quietly.

"No, he is not dead," he answered finally, not making eye contact, "He is in Odinsleep… but it is a more permanent situation than typical Odinsleep."

Zinia did not ask him why he didn't kill Odin. She suspected it may have had something to do with a shred of love for his adoptive father. In fact, Loki had been worried about the release of magical energy from killing such a formidable figure and had chosen a more cowardly, but safer, option.

"Can we wake him up?" she asked, trying to sound ambivalent but not fully able to mask her tone. She would be none to thrilled about the idea of bringing Odin back to power.

"Well I'm sure there is something that can break the sleep… I just have no idea what it would be," he said flashing his first smile since they met.

She looked down, somewhat abashed by how glad she was to have his confirmation. "I hope to have your brother here by this evening. I think it may go better than you expect. I think he will be happy to see you alive," she said.

Loki rolled his eyes, like a petulant child. "Last time he discovered I was alive, he threw me from a plane."

"Last time, you were attempting to lead an invasion on Midgard," she said with a laugh, which seemed to surprise him. "I will see you later this evening."

Loki nodded. Zinia wasn't sure what possessed her to do it, but she leaned upwards to kiss his cheek. He visibly startled, which made her smile. "Till then," he said finally.

Waving a hand the doors opened for her and a guardsman stepped forward to lead her away.

Well! That's a pretty different direction from my initial writing of this story. Please, please let me know what you think of this updated version. And if you really want the old one back, let me know; I've saved it but I'm not going to publish it elsewhere unless my arm is twisted. Reviews are my fuel for updating anything on this site, so I hope you'll let me know what you think of the new direction!

I promise I'm updating "The Speed I Lack" soon enough, I just want to get several chapters of this up first, but the writing is going pretty quickly.