Everything Has Changed

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

It was hard for Maria to make her way through Asgard. Not merely because the streets were intricate and, more often than not, she got lost in her way through them to her designated house - but because she was so recognised.

For the tenth time that day, Maria was stopped, surprise popping on her turning face as she felt a firm tug from the back of her cream shawl. She wasn't used to being grabbed like that. Still, the smile bloomed on her face as she turned to a young boy stood behind her, looking no older than eight. His small fist held on lightly to the shawl, where it fell over her hip.

The minute she turned though, rough hands pulled the child firmly away. "Have you no respect?" the guard holding the boy by the scruff of the neck growled down, dragging the child back further from Maria. "You should not touch her royal highness!"

The blood drained from Maria's face in a heartbeat. "It's okay, Garik." she cut in quickly as the boy's feet dragged on the ground, pain flashing in scrunched up face. Well, Garik was hardly being gentle.

The warrior was tall, strong and stout, Thor sparing nothing but the best for his wife's protection whilst she walked the streets. And while Maria was grateful for the concern ... well, she just wasn't used to it. Four guards flanked her at all times the second she stepped foot out of the palace doors. So far, her months in Asgard had gone uneventful. Most people just called out when they recognised her, her identity hardly discreet with her unmissable escort.

But no one had ever grabbed her before. The child didn't mean her harm and she knew it, hurrying forward the instant Garik paused in his marching. It was a few more moments before he released the boy's collar though.

Maria knelt down gracefully to her knees as Garik let him go and stood back. "It's alright." Maria murmured, scouring her eyes over the boy to see he wasn't hurt. "He didn't know any better."

Her hands cupped the boy's shoulders, but he looked perfectly calm, as if he hadn't just been dragged around by one of her guards. Maria seemed more shook up by it than he did, blinking up at her brightly. Maria tried not to be too irritated by Garik as he just stood back, no doubt a begrudging expression on his face. "He should know his place, my lady." he gruffed, standing firmly to attention.

"He's just a boy, Garik." Maria sat back on her heels, satisfied the boy was unharmed. Still, she made a mental note to talk to Thor about this. "He didn't mean me any harm."

"With every respect, my lady," Garik went on. "The Prince Thor charged me with your protection, and there are a great many people who would wish you ill."

Maria was certain Garik didn't miss the sharp eye she cast him, but she didn't care. She knew not everybody liked her. Apparently, despite her transition, her mortal background had caused quite a stir in Asgard, hence why Thor had gone - in her opinion - overboard with the protection thing.

Yes, she'd be having words with Thor about this. Garik needed to lighten up. She didn't want to be seperated from every person she met by a wall of metal plated muscle.

It was ... different, Maria had to say. Everyday her heart still stopped when someone called her 'your highness' or bowed to her, not feeling like she deserved such preferential treatment just because of who she was married to. She was no better than the people she walked amongst, but it was a view she shared only with herself.

"My mother wanted me to give you this."

Maria watched as the boy reached into the sleeve of his shirt and pulled out a small, pretty plant, dotted with pearly white flowers. It was beautiful. Maria smiled and let the boy press it into her palm.