Prologue

This day was just like any other on Asgard, and no one could have possibly been aware that the minute events of today would impact the fate of the rest of one Asgardian's life. The sun shone high above the glistening city, making the golden buildings appear even more majestic than usual. Beneath the soaring towers the Asgardian warriors trained fiercely, overseen by huddles of fawning young women discussing which of the battling men would be their future husbands. The All Father sat high on his throne attending the day to day duties of a king, discussing with advisors and granting audience to those who requested it, whilst in the great hall the Queen was attending her own guests.

Queen Frigga quickly placed her book to the side as the doors to the hall opened and her guests were ushered in. A bright smile graced her beautiful face as a woman of equal beauty approached her. The two friends found themselves in a long embrace, silently making up for the years it had been since they had seen each other last.

"Queen Frigga, my dear, how are you?" The woman sighed as she pulled away.

"Please, Helena, there is no need to use my title, you are my oldest friend." Frigga replied squeezing her friend's hands. "Now tell me, how is Vanaheim fairing?"

"Oh very well indeed! My husband appears to be settling in to his new role in the government, and the city is thriving! Almost as thriving as Asgard one might say!" Helena gushed, the dazzling smile never leaving her face.

"That is very good to hear!" Frigga replied, "And how", she continued, "Is your little one doing?" The Queen now turned her attention to Helena's knees, setting her sights just next to her friend.

Cowering behind Helena was a small girl, who stood no taller than the woman's waist. Having not been particularly interested in her mother's conversation, she never really did understand the things adults talked of, her ice blue eyes, full of awe, had been surveying the grand hall carefully, taking in every detail. However, now aware that the conversation had been turned to her, the child slowly brought her attention back towards the women, waiting for her cue. Frigga knelt so that she was now eye level with the small girl. "Tell me Anya how are you?" Brushing one side of her silvery blond hair behind her ear, she looked up towards her mother, silently awaiting her encouragement.

"It's alright Anya." Helena answered her daughter's terrified look, encouraging her to speak. Looking back to the regal woman knelt in front of her, Anya bowed her head slightly and quietly answered. "I am well, thank you your highness."

Frigga laughed softly. "My gods they grow so quickly, I remember when she could barely walk." She exclaimed as she stood straight again.

As the two woman laughed and reminisced about the years gone by, the doors to the hall cracked open slightly as two boys, who had barely entered adolescence, peered in. The small girl, who had noticed the boys before the grown-ups, now hid herself further behind her mother's skirts, tugging at the fabric to convey a silent message. Stopping mid-sentence, the women also turned towards to door and Queen Frigga, quickly recognising the faces, invited her sons into the room to meet the visitors. "Thor, Loki, come say hello to our guests." The door was swiftly pushed open by the taller of the two boys, who quickly made his way across the room, leaving his dark haired brother to trail behind. Once both her sons had reached the ladies, Frigga continued her introduction: "Boys, you remember Lady Helena and her daughter Anya." The young princes bowed their heads respectfully and the elder of the boys looked up to Helena saying "Good afternoon Lady Helena, I hope your journey here was a pleasant one."

Helena turned to Frigga, clearly impressed by the politeness of her two sons. "My how they have grown! The last time we visited they were no taller than Anya, but now they are practically men!" At such a compliment Thor, who considered himself a man already, stood taller, pushing his chest out proudly, causing the two women chuckle softly. The younger prince, Loki, however merely smiled, he was somewhat distracted, his eyes fixed on the slither of silver hair that peaked out behind Lady Helena's skirts. Sensing where his gaze lay, Helena stepped to the side, which only caused Anya to retreat further. Being an only child, she had not been near many boys in her short years and princes, she felt, were rather intimidating boys to start with. Pulling her skirt tight, forcing Anya to come out of her hiding spot, Helena reassured her daughter once again. "Come now Anya, there is no need to be afraid, they will not bite. Say hello to the young princes."

Eyes downcast, Anya took a small step forward and whispered a meek "hello" towards the ground.

"Properly please Anya." Helena insisted softly

The young girl lifted her icy eyes, first resting them on the elder prince, however she quickly decided he was far too tall and therefore scary she quickly looked towards the young Prince Loki who, although still extremely tall in her eyes, seemed a lot less intimidating. His eyes were softer and more inviting, and there was a glint in them that drew her to him. He smiled at her softly, as if to reassure her that her mother was indeed correct, he would not bite. Finally after a deep breath she fulfilled Helena's wish. "Hello young princes. I hope you are well." Quickly looking up to her mother for approval, she swiftly took a few small steps backwards. After Helena had given her a small nod, Anya quickly retreated behind her mother's legs once more, earning a soft laugh from Frigga.

"We are both well Lady Anya, thank you for asking." Thor beamed at the young girl, bending down slightly so he was at her eye level. Being addressed by name gave Anya caused to squeak slightly and bundle her fists tightly in her mother's skirt once more. Thor chuckled softly, as his mother had done, and stood once again to his full height.

"My, Frigga, what polite young men you have raised! They shall find no trouble charming the ladies in years to come!" At the thought of women and wives both of the young boys pulled slight faces, but only enough so that they were seen by little Anya. For the first time since arriving in Asgard, Anya let out a small giggle, which was only heard by Loki. The Young Prince shot her a wide grin and a wink, which only caused her to smile more and finally set her at ease in the glistening city. Before Anya could make her way out from behind Helena's skirts her mother had reached down to take her hand.

"Boys, I believe Arild is waiting for you down in the training ring, you do not want to be late again now." Frigga reminded her sons.

"No of course not mother." Loki bowed his head at the women as a parting gesture. "Come along Thor, I'll race you!" The Young Prince laughed as he began to dash off.

"Now come along Anya, let us take a walk in the gardens." Helena said as she began to lead her daughter in the other direction. As the two mothers chatted freely, catching up on the years that had gone by, Anya looked back over her shoulder at the door the Young Princes had dashed out of and smiled widely to herself.

Hello! Thank you for making it through the prologue of my story! Hopefully you're intrigued and want to read on! I am (fingers crossed) looking at regular updates and will try my best not to leave you hanging! This is story idea that I've had in my head for ages and I'm enjoying writing it so far! In the next chapter, the main bulk of the story is going to begin Pre-Thor, but it is going to sort of merge into the first film, whilst hopefully avoiding becoming an insert fic! If you have any questions, comments or feedback so far I would love for you to leave a review! And rest assured the next few installments will be coming soon!