Loki lay in his bed in his quarters on the ship that was transporting him across the sea to a new, unfamiliar land. C1-X1, his ever present protector, stood in a silent vigil beside the door.

“Keep watch, C1-X1,” Luna ordered as she made her way past the droid and into the corridor. “I’m going to have a word with the captain about our arrival time. And make sure he doesn’t cause any mischief.”

“Acknowledged,” C1-X1 replied, still unmoving in his watch over his charge.

Luna nodded in reply before she sauntered down the hall. She passed a couple of the passenger cabins, stopping only once to politely return one of her subject’s respectful gestures before crossing through the lounge to a set of stairs that lead to the bridge.

The bridge was manned by a small, but skilled, crew. The captain stood at his elevated post where he could observe everything as the airship flew through the skies over the Varangar lands.

“Captain Bellerophon,” Luna called out as she made her last step onto the bridge. “How long until we reach Yggdrasil?”

“We’ll be arriving within ten minutes, Princess,” Bellerophon answered as he bowed to Luna. “Is the young prince doing alright, Majesty? I heard what happened in Canterlot. Nasty business.”

“He’s doing ok,” Luna replied, a hint of fear behind her eyes as she thought back to the incident a few days prior. “He was just resting when I left. First time he’s been on a zep, the poor boy tired himself out in his excitement.”

“At least he found reason to smile,” Bellerophon replied. “It’s always nice to see a child so excited to see something new.”

“Well, thank you captain.” Luna replied before curtsying. “I’ll go and inform him that we’re almost there. He’ll probably be recharged in his excitement by now.”

“I hope he finds himself just as excited for Yggdrasil,” Bellerophon said with a chuckle as he looked out at the massive tree that marked the city’s location.

“Wow!” Loki exclaimed as he looked out across the city from the branches of the Yggdrasil tree. “This tree is so huge!” The airship docks were built among the branches, and its circumference was measured in miles. It was as though the city had grown around the tree and over it. At the base of it stood the royal palace, built around the tree’s very base. So great were Yggdrasil’s branches that the city was well shaded from the desert sun, taking its energy to sustain itself and protecting the people from it at the same time.

Luna chuckled as she gazed at Loki’s awestruck face, taking his hand in her’s as a pair of armor clad griffons approached them. “Ok, sweetheart, stay close and follow me.” She turned her gaze to C1-X1. “You too, tin man.”

“Acknowledged,” C1-X1 answered, following his master and charge down into the city. They were escorted through it to the palace, passing by statues and paintings of past Varangar kings at the heights of their glory, and in nine cases out of ten, the battles that ultimately claimed their lives. The trio was finally led into a courtyard that at first appeared to be indoors, but was actually shaded so completely by the Yggdrasil tree as to appear so. At the trunk of the tree, seated in a throne made from the very sap of Yggdrasil, sat Queen Freya and her husband King Vultan, who rose to greet them. “Luna! My friend!”

“Vultan!” Luna excitedly squeaked as she made her way up the throne and wrapped the much more bulky griffon in a tight hug. “How have you been, you boisterous bird of prey?” She loosened her constricting hug and playfully smacked his engorged gut. “Still eating like a king I see.”

“And still able to rend my enemies apart with my bare hands!” Vultan answered as he patted Luna’s shoulder. “And my boys are doing wonderfully as well. Balder has even started courting a young reeve named Gilda. The finest shield maiden I have ever seen. She saved his life from an assassin that tried to strike him at a dinner party. I still don’t know how she hid so many stilettos in her dress. She even fit a garrote in there.”

“Really?” Luna asked in surprise and excitement at the same time. “She must be quite the lady to tame.” She turned her attention to Freya, bowing her head in respect before refocusing her attention to Loki, who hid behind her legs. “Oh, where are my manners? I’d like you to meet my son and your guest for the year, Loki and his bodyguard, C1-X1.”

Vultan looked down at Loki and then at the droid. “So you finally became a mother, Luna?” He knelt down to Loki’s level. “A pleasure to meet you, Loki. I am Vultan, king of the Varangar people. I have a son your age. I think you two will get along splendidly.”

“N...n...ni…” Loki started stuttering nervously as he extended a trembling hand towards Vultan’s claws. “Nice to mee...meet you too, sir.”

“First time seeing a griffon?” Vultan asked as he shook Loki’s hand. “No need to be shy. We are warriors to the last, but also loyal friends that love a good time as much as the next person.” He looked behind his guests and smiled. “Jottun! Come here, my son. Say hello to our guests.”

Loki and everyone else turned their gaze to see a young fledgling walk towards them, though something more caught their eyes. Compared to the other fledgling’s Loki had seen on his way to the palace, this one stood at least two and a half heads taller than most and he was noticeably broader. He looked like he had the muscular body of a two year old guard dog.

Vultan smiled in pride as Jottun came over to them. “You remember Princess Luna, right, son? And this is her son, Loki.”

Jottun bowed his head in respect to Luna before locking eyes with Loki. “Pleasure to meet you, Loki.” He spoke, his voice carrying a slightly deep pitch for a boy his age as he extended out his claw to Loki. He tightly gripped Loki’s hand and yanked him into a powerful bear hug before loosening his grip. “I am Jottun, son of Vultan. Heir to the Varangar Empire. I welcome you to our home.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, King Vultan, Prince Jottun,” Loki answered respectfully even as his thoughts turned to Equestria, and to his best friend.

“It is our pleasure my young prince.” Vultan heartily bellowed as he let out a throaty chuckle. “Any friend or relative of Luna’s is always a welcome guest in our home. Now, perhaps you’d like to get settled in my boy? You have had quite the journey and a stout lad like yourself needs his rest.”

An older griffon of similar build to Vultan, but more muscular strode into the throne room accompanied by a reeve who carried in the exact same warrior way as he did. “Father! I heard that Princess Luna has come to visit us.”

“Balder my boy!” Vultan exclaimed as he eagerly wrapped him in an iron hug. “She has indeed.” He let loose his grip before moving to introduce Luna, who in turn rushed up and wrapped Balder in her arms.

“It’s good to see you, Balder!” Luna giddily proclaimed. “My how you’ve grown. Last time I saw you, you were only knee high.”

“It’s good to see you too, Princess,” Balder replied with a smile before looking at his companion. “Gilda, come meet Princess Luna.”

Gilda replied with a respectful bow. “A pleasure as always, Princess.” She spoke in a calm, focused manner.

Vultan chuckled heartily once more. “Balder, my dear Gilda, allow me to introduce to you our guest of honor, Loki.”

Loki looked up at the crown prince and his paramour in awe at the aura of power and authority that they radiated. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said as he bowed.

Balder moved towards Loki and circled around him, eyeing every bit of him as though he were inspecting a suit of armor. Once finished, he returned the bow. “Pleasure’s all mine, young Prince of Equestria.”

Gilda repeated Balder’s actions, intent on her own assessment of this unusual creature standing before her. “Pleasure, little Equestrian.” She replied.

“Luna, Balder, Gilda, let us talk and let the young ones get acquainted,” Vultan suggested as he smiled at Loki and Jottun.

“Agreed.” Luna replied before kneeling down to Loki. “Jottun will show you around the palace for a while. I’ll be right here if you need me, ok?”

“Okay, mother,” Loki replied with a smile as he hugged Luna.

Luna tightly hugged him back and planted a kiss on his “birthmark.” “Have fun, and don’t let me hear you’ve caused any mischief, ok?”

“I won’t, mother,” Loki said before turning and looking up at Jottun, still in awe of the boy’s size.

“It would be my honor to show you the glory of my homelands.” Jottun stated proudly before clasping his large clawed hand on Loki’s shoulder. “Come! Drink in the wonder of Yggdrasil and all she has to offer!” Before Loki could even utter a response, Jottun marched on, dragging him along.

Vultan smiled as they left before taking a seat on his throne. “So, Luna. While I always enjoy your visits, I presume there is another reason you came here with your son?”

“Yes, and I wish it were under better circumstances.” Luna replied, her tone shifting from soothing and motherly to a more serious one. “Some fiend assaulted my home, killed many of my guards and almost smothered my son.”

Vultan, Balder, and Gilda were aghast at the news. “Who would make an attempt on such a sweet boy’s life?!” Vultan asked. “They’ll find no welcome in these lands, I assure you.”

“Some foreign Tellurian,” Luna responded. “I suspect he may have been hired by my no good nephew, but alas I can’t prove that claim. The assassin remains on the loose and I fear he may try and come back for Loki. So until he is either caught or we can be sure he won’t try for Loki again, I am placing him under your charge.”

“I will protect him like he is my own, Luna,” Vultan promised. “No harm will befall him here. He will be safe.”

“Gilda and I will train him so that if that assassin is foolish enough to try again, Loki will be ready for him,” Balder added.

“An assassin so willing to target a kid is the lowest scum there is,” Gilda growled.

“I can’t thank you enough for this, Vultan.” Luna replied, tightly hugging him once more. “I have no doubt you and your people will keep him safe.”

“We will,” Balder promised. “I’m sure he’ll become like family in no time.”

“Gaze in wonder, Equestrian prince!” Jottun exclaimed as he and Loki reached what would be the town square. “Let your eyes drink deep of the heart of Yggdrasil!”

Loki looked around at the market place. Merchants from all around selling their wares to both locals and tourists. Weaponsmiths worked hard on their craft, producing weapons that were not only deadly, but beautiful as well. He also saw another interesting sight. “Who are the reeves carrying large shields, Jottun?”

“Those are our shield maidens.” Jottun proudly spoke. “Some of the finest warriors in the land. Females who fight alongside us men in the glory of battle. Tough as steel and strong as the mighty Ursa Minor.”

“Wow. Equestria doesn’t have a lot of mares in its military,” Loki said in awe. “Most of them are civilians.”

“What?” Jottun asked dumbfounded. “Your mares do not fight? How can that be? Your mother is a mighty warrior! One of the best in your history no doubt!  She has not mandated that all mares fight for their motherland?! Absurd! Equestrian females must be limp and weak!”

“Not really,” Loki said. “Military service is voluntary in Equestria, and the mares are strong in other ways. Like Doctor Lyra Heartstrings or Professor Twilight Sparkle. They may not be physically strong, but they’re really really smart.”

“Father always did say that the mind is your greatest weapon to hone.” Jottun replied, turning his attention to a small stand within the expansive market. The smells of various meats wafted from this vendor, enrapturing Jottun’s nostrils. He eagerly licked his beak as he grabbed Loki by his collar. “Come friend, you must be famished!”

Loki yelped in surprise as he was pulled along by the larger boy. “I am pretty hungry now that you mention it. Where are we going now, Jottun?”

“First, the finest purveyor of meats in all of Yggdrasil!” Jottun exclaimed as they neared the vendor. “Then I’ll take you to see our shield maidens spar! It’s a sight to behold!” Jottun finally reached the stand’s counter, Loki by the shirt collar, and heartily slammed his fist down upon it repeatedly. “Cook! A round of your finest meat skewers!”

Loki sniffed the air that pervaded the stand, smelling spices that he had never encountered in the vegetarian dominated Equestria. Just by scent alone he could tell the superiority of Varangar meats. The sight only added to that. Two plates were placed before himself and the prince. Each bore a quartet of skewers that had five pieces each of well cooked meat, cooked well enough to kill any parasites, but just enough rare meat in the center that some blood leaked from it. Loki’s mouth watered at the sight. Picking one up, he bit into a piece, his tongue taking in the fat laced juice and the lovely taste of the spices.

Jottun gazed upon Loki’s look of awe and delight, scarfing down his own skewers like a ravenous wild beast. He let loose a throaty chuckle, mimicking his father’s own before he swallowed his mouthful. “I take it this beats any cuisine in your Equestria, friend?”

“I’m an omnivore raised by herbivores,” Loki said between bites. “Meat based cuisine like this is practically nonexistent back home.”

“Well then you’ll have to savor as much of this as you can then.” Jottun proudly replied before he slammed the bare skewers into the counter of the stand, as if he were sticking a wild beast. “Another!”

Loki was shocked again. What would shock most any Equestrian was taken as a great compliment by the Varangar chef, who laughed heartily as he gave Jottun another serving of meat. Finishing his own meat, Loki found himself craving more. Following his host’s example, he speared the skewers into the counter, albeit not so deeply due to his lower level of strength. “Another!”

Jottun once more laughed with his mouth full of meat before he proceeded to smack Loki on the back before gulping down his second helping. “Excellent, my friend! Eat, drink, be hearty here! We’ll make a Varangar out of you yet! Come. It is time to see our Iron Reeve’s in action.”

Loki smiled back as he finished his food and nodded to Jottun. “Lead on, friend. Lead on.”

Jottun didn’t hesitate as he once more grabbed hold of Loki’s collar and yanked him away from the stand, heading towards the barracks. They crossed through the rest of the marketplace, many vendors trying to offer wares of lucky rune stone jewelry or a freshly crafted and sharpened blade. After passing one more vendor, the reached their new destination.

Like the throne room, the courtyard that served as the shield maidens’ training ground was shaded so fully as to appear indoors by the Yggdrasil Tree, and there were warriors everywhere honing their skills in various ways. Archers stood at firing ranges, swordswomen drilled their sequences together, and still others were partaking in full contact sparring. And in the ring, defeating all comers, was none other than Gilda. What Loki noticed immediately after identifying her brought a blush to his face and his hand to his eyes to cover them.

Jottun turned his attention to Loki, noticing the new color of his face, then turned it back to Gilda, who was locked in a grappling match with another shield maiden. “Something troubling you, my friend?” He spoke as he turned his gaze back to Loki.

“Ms. Gilda is naked,” Loki pointed out like it was the most obvious answer, still keeping his gaze averted from her.

“And?” Jottun asked dumbfounded as he refocused his attention to Gilda, who was in the midst of pinning her opponent to the ground, trying to subdue her.

“Public nudity isn’t something done in Equestria,” Loki answered. “I’ve always been taught never to look at a naked mare unless she and I are in love.”

Jottun chuckled, once more slapping Loki on the back. “Loki, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Our warriors train like this because our fur and feathers protect us from the sun and it teaches us to focus on fighting when one is without clothes.”

“You truly have no nudity taboo?” Loki asked, slowly lowering his hand but not looking in Gilda’s direction.

“You should have known it by now, but we Varangar are a proud people!” Jottun exclaimed as he beat his hand to his chest.

“Including of your bodies?” Loki asked, managing to tame his blush. “That’s a new concept to me, honestly.”

“You’ll have much to learn during your time here.” Jottun reassured as he witnessed Gilda triumph over her vanquished foe, letting out a war cry as she strutted throughout the ring. Jottun cheered boisterously, excited by her victory.

Loki found himself caught up in the cheering as he basked in Gilda’s victory. Before he felt himself pushed toward the ring and into the midst of the shield maidens, and right into the sight of Gilda.

As Gilda basked in the glory of her victory, she looked down and locked eyes with Loki and Jottun. “Ah, Jottun. Loki. Come to see me earn my praise in the eyes of Woden, did you?” She leaned against the edge of the ring, snickering a bit at Loki’s reddened cheeks.

“Actually Gilda,” Jottun started before giving Loki another good shove. “I was hoping you might give our guest here a first hand lesson in self pride, and maybe a few fighting pointers?”

“Absolutely.” Gilda replied as she extended her clawed hand out to Loki. “Your father wanted Balder and I to train our little friend here anyway. No time like the present, eh kid?”

“I suppose not,” Loki replied as he reached out to Gilda’s offered claw, keeping his gaze firmly on her face and refusing to look further downward toward her curves as he gripped her hand.

Gilda could only muster a chuckle as she took him into the ring’s center. “You Equestrians are such prudes, kid. A sense of modesty gets you killed in battle. Why do you think I spar naked? Besides, I’m sure Balder loves the show. Don’t you, babe?” she called to Balder, who was indeed watching from the sidelines.

“How can I not, my little Valkyrie?” Balder replied as a grin spread across his face. “You take no prisoners in your fights and it gets me wild when you defeat your enemy.” He slipped her a sly little wink.

“Oh you always know how to get me going,” Gilda purred, running her tongue over her beak with a look that promised bedroom fun later. Turning her attention back to Loki, she grinned at him. “Alright then. Let’s do something about that sense of modesty, kid.”

Loki said nothing as he felt Gilda start to remove his shirt. He could feel the dry, hot desert air on his bare chest. “Looks like you’ve already had some training, going by those muscles,” Gilda commented with an appraising look. “Now lose the pants.”

The redness of Loki’s face turned a shade darker as he eyed the other Varangar shield maidens around him, feeling their eyes burning into his very soul. Beads of sweat rushed down his face as he trembled nervously. “I...I...I...I...I...I can….” He stuttered as he gripped his belt with trembling hands. The reeves around him began offering words of encouragement, urging him not to be shy or self conscious. Demonstrating that beneath their valor and battle hardened faces, they had compassionate hearts to the last.

“Come on, kid,” One spoke up. “You ain’t got nothing we haven’t seen already.”

“Nothing wrong with showing a little skin, ain’t that right ladies?” Another voiced. Her question was met with a resounding “A’oo! A’oo! A’oo!”

Loki sucked in a breath and shucked his pants in one motion. Like ripping off a band-aid, he thought.

“There you go kid.” Gilda congratulated, patting Loki on the back. “Now lose the boxers and then we can get started.”

Loki stared up at her. “Boxers too? Seriously?” Gilda’s only reply was a quick nod as she placed her clawed hands on her hips. Gripping his only remaining garment, Loki discarded them and stood in his full glory before his new teacher.

“There we go!” Gilda cheered with spread arms and a grin. “Now we can get to the most brutal training you’ll ever experience in this life or the next!”

Loki gulped in fear as he nervously hid his private area behind his hands, his blushing turning the darkest shade of red one could imagine.

The central hall of the palace was in uproar with riotous laughter and the clashing of steel mugs overflowing with mead as Luna, Vultan and many of his court dined on the many courses of meat and bread spread out before them, save for a small platter of greens that Luna herself partook in. Vultan himself engorged upon a platter of bovine legs, ribs of the wild boar and wings of a fowl whilst washing down a large goblet of mead like a voracious glutton. After rending the seared flesh of the leg held held in his claws, he proceed to remove the blood stains from his maw with a napkin before he turned his attention to Luna. “So there it stood! A massive beast unlike any I’ve laid my eyes on! It’s eyes glowed red like the fires of Hel and it’s claws and fangs gleamed in the light of your moon! As it raised its massive claws up to strike me down, I raised my trusty shield and let out a mighty roar, challenging the creature to do it’s worst! It brought down a tremendous blow, but its razor claws couldn’t even scratch the paint of my shield. Before it could land another blow, I thrust the tip of my spear into it’s neck, bringing the devil down with one fell strike!” He let loose another uproarious chuckle before once more sinking his teeth into his meal.

“Truly your father tells amazing stories, Jottun,” Loki muttered to his newest friend as he enjoyed his plate of boar and bovine meat. To his left was Gilda, staying near her pupil, and Balder sat right next to her in turn.

“Father is proud of his achievements!” Jottun exclaimed as he tore into his boar shoulder, ripping out a large chuck and gnashing on it in a manner like the wolf. “As all Varangar should be! We savor each of our victories and learn from our failures!”

“Here, here, little brother!” Balder added before he gulped back his mead flagon in a single breath before tossing it on the ground. “Another!”

Loki drained his milk, good stuff even though he had wanted to try the mead. But his mother wouldn’t allow it. Still, he was really getting into the spirit of his hosts, and tossed his flagon to the ground. “Another!”

Gilda laughed as she heard her student. “I like this kid, Balder! He’ll fit right in with us! He’s got a warrior’s spirit!”

“So it seems,” Balder replied, trying to keep his sides from splitting with laughter. “This kid’s a riot!”

Luna found herself giggling as she watched Loki ingrain himself with his hosts. It eased her mind seeing him so happy, knowing that’d she’d have to return home without her precious baby by her side. A hint of sorrow lay behind her eyes as she took a swig out of her flagon.

Gilda grinned at Loki and ruffled his hair. “We’ll toughen you up too. Teach you our ways, kid. Far as I care, you’re already one of us.”

Loki’s only response was a hearty chuckle and a playful punch to Gilda’s arm before he found himself digging into his meal.

“Yep, kid’s practically an honorary Varangar.” Balder replied, raising his flagon in a toast. “To our new guest, Loki! May his life be filled with many victories and wonders!”

“To Loki!” The others at the table returned, raising their mugs and clanging them against one another.

As Luna finished her flagon she turned to Vultan. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble my old friend, I’d like to speak to Loki in private.” Her voice carried an inflection of sadness.

“By all means, my dear.” Vultan assured, his tone much more soothing as he motioned for Loki to go with Luna.

Leaving the table, Loki followed Luna away to the corridor, where there wasn’t anybody else to overhear them. “What is it, mother?”

Luna turned to meet Loki’s gaze,a couple tears streaming down her face before she wrapped him tightly in a hug, placing a kiss on his forehead. “You be good for me, ok sweetheart? Promise me you’ll behave.”

“W-What do you mean, mother?” Loki asked as he looked up at her. “I don’t understand.” Then realization crossed his face. “No. No you can’t go!” He hugged her with tears in his eyes. “Please don’t go, mother!”

“I have to Loki.” She replied, almost sobbing. “I’m needed back home. I want to stay here with you but I can’t.” She gazed into his watering green eyes, wiping a few tears from his face before attending to her own. “Now promise me you’ll behave, ok?”

Loki choked back a sob and dried his tears before nodding. “I promise, mother. I’ll behave. I’ll make you proud. You, father, Uncle Aysel,  and Auntie Celestia.”

“That’s my good little prince.” Luna replied, tenderly caressing his cheek and meekly smiling before planting one last kiss on his forehead. “I love you, Star Child.”

“I love you too, mother,” Loki said. “I’ll write every day.”

“I know you will.” Luna responded before she returned to the central hall to say her goodbyes Vultan and the others and before she took one final look at Loki, seeing another tear streak down his face.