Author's Note/Disclaimer: Hello! I've had the premise for this little fic in my head since I first saw Thor, but I didn't know where to go with it so I just left it on ice. But then I saw Avengers (and then I saw it again and again), and now I think I have a plan for this character I've got! I have the first three chapters of this already as rough drafts, so I figured that I'd go ahead and upload the first. If the response is good, I'll keep up with it. If not, I'll get right back to work on my other fictional baby, Embraceable You, which I am still thoroughly devoted to and have every intention of finishing (I promise, and I apologize for the delay to those of you who read it). This will eventually become a Bruce/OC, because Mark Ruffalo is just so cuddly. How could I possibly resist? But I do hope to focus more on action and plot and drama than I usually do, so it shouldn't get too mushy. I also intend to emphasize my OC's friendship with Loki and Thor a great deal, because I think it's fascinating to consider how a person would respond to their best friend going off the deep end and trying to rule the universe.
With that being said, let me point out that I do not own Marvel or The Avengers, and have no plans nor intentions to make money off of this. I just wanna have a little fun. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter One: Tried and Found Guilty
The young woman at the foot of the throne kept her head low, ignorant to the proceedings around her, her gaze firmly fixed on the floor. Her eyes were red and dry. It had been over a week-perhaps two, she didn't know-before they found her, trapped inside that cell. He had left her there, alone with nothing but her guilt to keep her company. Her despair had nearly consumed her, and she felt hollow inside. When she had finally been found, it had only taken one look at the shame on her face to discover what her role in the Trickster's plot had been.
She hadn't been fed nor allowed to rest. They'd simply grabbed her and thrown her down before the All-Father, calling her to testify for her crimes.
Her own father wasn't even present. She doubted that word had yet reached him at his post. True to her name, Sága had seen all that transpired during her confinement, and knew the Bifrost was lost. Even so, father still stood at the end of the Rainbow Bridge.
When he learned that she had been charged and tried before anyone even informed him that she'd been found, not even Odin could save them from his wrath.
With that thought in mind, she raised her head and forced herself back to the present. Thor was arguing her case, attempting to defend her before the king. Thor had always been a good friend, as had his brother. Once.
The All-Father noticed that she was no longer despondent, and raised his hand for silence. Even the softest murmur ceased immediately.
"Sághildr, daughter of Heimdall. You are charged with aiding the rebellious Loki, by revealing paths that should have remained hidden, thus allowing the Frost Giants to infiltrate our realm. This is a grave charge against you. My son Thor suggests compassion, citing your friendship with Loki as the basis for your betrayal. What do you say to this?"
Silence reined in the grand hall as she collected her thoughts. When she spoke, her voice sounded strained and tired.
"My king… This thing have I done; I have not denied it, nor do I, nor will I ever. It was my love for Prince Loki that made me vulnerable to his deceit. I know I can be trusted no longer, lest I fall again to such deception. The shame I feel," here her voice broke, and she took a moment to compose herself, "at the result of my careless words is alone the worst punishment I have ever received. Yet I realize that the horror of my crime calls for even greater." She raised her eyes to the throne once again, finding the All-Father studying her with interest. "If you consider it a worthy punishment, my king, I shall take a vow of silence until such time as you allow me to speak again."
The hall erupted in frantic whispers as Odin considered her suggestion. She hung her head, staring at her dark hands in contrast against the pale white stone beneath her, waiting for his decision.
"Arise, Sághildr." Thor was at her side immediately, gently gripping her arm to help her stand. "Your suggestion is just, daughter of Heimdall," Odin announced. "From this day forward, I bind your tongue, and only I have the power to loose it. You will say nothing until that time, or else your punishment will be most severe, and I will show no further compassion." She crossed her arm over her chest and took a deep bow, saying nothing. "Thor, take her to her father."
"At once," Thor obeyed. "Thank you for your mercy and justice." With that, he turned and led his friend out of the hall, through the castle and the city, and to the very end of the rainbow road. They travelled in silence, Thor striding purposefully with a grim expression on his face, Sága trudging just a step behind and holding onto his hand as if for her life. Perhaps even more than she had feared the outcome of her trial, she feared her father's reaction. If he rejected her for her crime, it would ruin what little there was left of her.
Her fears were unnecessary. Heimdall turned from his post at the sound of their approach. For perhaps the first time in his long life, he relaxed his grip on his greatsword, allowing it to fall to the ground with a clatter. He rushed to his daughter and wrapped his strong arms around her tightly enough to crush a mortal.
"I could not see you," he gasped, voice thick with emotion. "I was so afraid that you were lost forever. Oh, my daughter…" She held onto him just as tightly, weeping, though not a sound escaped her throat.
Thor watched in surprise. It was no secret that Heimdall was deeply fond of his mortal-born daughter Sághildr, as she was of him. Yet neither was particularly expressive of sentiment, and such a display of emotion was unheard of from them.
"Loki had trapped her in an enchanted room," Thor informed him softly. "Sága has been charged with aiding him in the discovery of alternative paths into Asgard. Though she was a victim to my brother's tricks, her actions still contributed to his treachery. Thus she has been tried and found guilty, and sentenced to silence until the day my father lets loose her tongue."
Heimdall pulled away, holding her at arm's length. He tried to look her in the eye, but she would not meet his gaze. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly anyway. "I believe I have you to thank for your father's lenience. Thank you, Thor Odinson."
Thor hung his head for a moment. "We were all taken in by Loki's deception, Sága more directly than most. He used her love and affection against her. The court does not agree with me entirely, but I do not find affection to be a crime."
Heimdall smiled grimly, placing a heavy hand on Thor's shoulder. "You will make a great king, Thor." He looked out over the edge of the Bifrost for a long moment. "There will be no threats against Asgard this day, nor the day to come. I will take my daughter home."
He retrieved his sword and returned it to its scabbard on his back, then picked up his daughter and walked away, carrying her in his arms.
Thor watched them go, then gazed out over the shattered edge of the road, trying and failing to see what the guardian saw out there. With a great sigh, he ran a hand through his hair. "Is this what you wanted, brother?"