The Uncanny Thor

Chapter 1: Hildy the Heroic- Part 1

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to Marvel Comics.

Asgard-

It was another beautiful day in the golden city of Asgard, home to Thor and the rest of the Norse Pantheon. Lessons had finished for the morning at the school for warriors, and the young Asgardians were enjoying their time away from lessons.

Not all of the students were happy, however. Gunnhild (or Hildy as she preferred to be known), one of Volstagg the Voluminous' many children, was not having a very good time at warrior's school. She was the only girl in pretty much the entire school, just as Lady Sif was many years ago. It was often believed that Asgardian females were more use at home looking after the children, or healers and occasionally magic-users.

Hildy sighed heavily as she unwrapped the piece of bread and apple that her mother had given her.

'Look, it's Hildy the Manly.' Sigurd, one of Hildy's classmates taunted her. Sigurd's lackeys hooted in laughter at their leader's joke. Unfortunately, there were bullies is Asgardian schools just as there were in mortal schools. 'Shouldn't you be learning how to cook? Or has your pig of a father eaten all the food?'

Sigurd's lackeys hooted in laughter once more. Unfortunately for Sigurd and his minions, Hildy had a line, and they had just crossed it. Nobody insulted the mighty Volstagg!

'Take it back!' Hildy howled as she leapt upon Sigurd and began beating on him. 'Take it back!'

'Ahh! She's gone mad!' Sigurd cried out, trying to protect himself from Hildy's blows. 'Help me! Get her off!'

Sigurd's lackeys all looked at each other.

'Hildy's insane! I'm not going to help!'

'Aye, let's get out of here!'

Sigurd's lackeys turned tail and ran away as fast as their legs could carry them.

'You are not worthy to speak the name of my father!' Hildy spat as she wailed upon Sigurd. 'You have no idea how much of a hero he is!'

Hildy felt a strong hand on her shoulder pull her away. It was Heimdall, the all-seeing and all-hearing sentry of Asgard. He had been in his usual position guarding the Golden City when his godly senses alerted him to the commotion at the warrior's school.

'Hildy, that's enough.' Heimdall stated as he separated the daughter of Volstagg from her quarry. 'What happened here?'

'She just went mad, Heimdall.' Sigurd said as he wiped his bloody nose. 'I merely came here to wish Hildy my greetings when she leapt upon me.'

'Hmm, is that so?' Heimdall frowned. The all-seeing Asgardian didn't need his godly senses to tell him that Sigurd was lying. 'Sigurd, go to the healers and clean yourself up. Hildy, come with me to see Balder.'

Hildy sighed heavily as she allowed herself to be led away. She was in trouble this time. The only time students went to see Balder was when they were in serious trouble. Brawling during school hours was sure to be one of those times.

A little while later-

Hildy was now standing for Balder the Bright, Asgard's fair ruler. With Thor always off in fair Midgard with the Avengers, it had come to Balder to rule in his stead. The Bright One steepled his fingers and regarded the young Asgardian before him.

'Now Hildy, this is not the first time you have been brought here before me for brawling during lessons, is it?'

'No, Balder.' Hildy bowed her head shamefully. 'It is not, but Sigurd keeps insulting my father. He calls him a pig and a coward. Volstagg is none of those things!'

'All of Asgard knows how brave your father is, Hildy.' Balder responded. 'I have fought by his side many times. He is one of our lord Thor's closest friends. A person does not become friends with Thor if they do not have at least some shred of bravery. However, your latest outburst could not have come at a worse time. The Baldersleep is almost upon me. I dare say I do not have to explain to you how important this time is.'

'No, Balder.' Hildy shook her head. She fully understood just how important recent weeks would become. As ruler of Asgard, Balder had to sleep for an entire day once every year in order to regain his health and power, just as Odin and Thor had done before him. During that time, the many enemies of Asgard often attempted to conquer the Golden City, so all those within had to be on guard.

'Your father is due back from Midgard soon, so you had best return to your classes.' Balder advised the young Asgardian. 'Try to stay out of trouble until then.'

Hildy simply nodded in response and headed back to her classes.

The home of Volstagg the Voluminous, later-

Hildy was assisting her mother and the rest of her brothers and sisters prepare for dinner. Volstagg would be sure to be hungry after his return from Midgard. Then again, Volstagg the Voluminous was always hungry.

'You are in so much trouble!' Rolfe, one of Hildy's brothers, lightly teased her. 'Father is going to be ever so angry.'

'Shut up, Rolfe.' Hildy retorted. 'I was defending his honour.'

'Father's going to be ma-aa-ad.' Rolfe continued.

'I told you, shut up!' Hildy yelled, brandishing one of the dishes at her brother.

'Mother! Hildy and Rolfe are fighting again!' Flosi, one of Hildy's sisters, called.

'Rolfe, stop picking on your sister.' Hildegund, Hildy's mother and Volstagg's wife, called from the kitchen. 'And Hildy, stop fighting with your brother. We need to finish preparing dinner before your father and his friends return.'

Hildy and Rolfe did as they were told and carried on preparing the dinner table, occasionally glaring at each other.

BOOM!

The door to the dwelling was thrown open as the master of the house returned home.

'Ho, family!' Volstagg's voice boomed from just outside the house. 'Where are the children of the mighty Lion of Asgard?'

'The mightily fat Lion of Asgard.' Fandral the Dashing quipped.

'Silence!' Volstagg responded. 'The very ground of Asgard quakes beneath Volstagg's boot!'

'All thanks to his enormous girth.' Hogun joined in the friendly ribbing of the Voluminous One.

'Come to me, my children!' Volstagg beckoned his offspring. 'We have gifts from fair Midgard!'

'Yaaaay, father!' The children of the Voluminous One squealed as the pounced upon the hefty Asgardian. Normal men would collapse under the onslaught of so many children, but Volstagg was no mere man.

Volstagg sauntered into his home, barely showing any sign of struggle from the weight of all the children clinging to him.

'Greeting too to the finest woman of all Asgard.' Volstagg said as he kissed his wife on the cheek. 'The days I was away in Midgard seemed like an eternity without your beautiful face, milady.'

'Oh, hush.' A blushing Hildegund smiled as she beckoned everybody over to the table. 'Come, dinner is ready.'

'Ah, my favourite words.' Volstagg grinned as he rubbed his hands together in glee. 'Come family, friends, let us eat!'

After dinner-

'Ahh, delicious…' Volstagg sighed happily as he sat back in his seat. 'I have missed your fine cooking, Hildegund.'

'Oh, stop it.' Hildegund tutted. 'Rolfe, help me and your sisters clean up while your father talks to Hildy, will you?'

'Aww, mother…' Rolfe groaned.

'Rolfe!' Hildegund snapped at her son. Rolfe knew better than to argue with his mother, so he did as he was told and followed the rest of his siblings into the kitchen.

Volstagg leant forwards to talk to his daughter.

'So Hildy, what is this I hear of you fighting during classes?' The Voluminous One asked.

'It was Sigurd.' Hildy explained. 'He called you a pig and a coward. I couldn't stand back and let him besmirch your honour like that.'

'Indeed.' Volstagg nodded. 'I trust you did smite him well?'

'Volstagg!' Hildegund hissed at her husband from the kitchen. Volstagg cleared his throat before continuing.

'Ahem. Yes. Fighting is bad. Of course. You should not fight during class, no matter how good your intentions.' Volstagg said. 'How many times have you been disciplined for fighting in class?'

'So you expect me to just stand back and allow everybody to insult you?' Hildy countered.

'Your father is right, Hildy.' Hogun chipped in. 'Aye, your intentions were good, but there is a time and place for fighting. Class time is not that time.'

'This has to stop, Hildy.' Volstagg continued. 'How are you to become a fine warrior if you are thrown out of school? What will happen to you then?'

'I have an idea that might help.' Fandral said. 'Remember what happened to Thor when Odin found him to in need of discipline?'

'Aye, he was stripped of his memories and banished to Midgard.' Hogun remembered.

'What? I am to be banished?' Hildy yelled. 'Mother! Can you hear this?'

'Perhaps it is for the best, dear.' Hildegund said as she walked in from the kitchen. 'Not the banishing part, but maybe spending some time in Midgard could help you.'

'I know somebody that would be more than willing to assist you, Hildy.' Volstagg told his daughter. 'She is one of the finest warriors in Midgard. She has defeated many villains in her short time as a hero.'

Hildy's face lit up as she recognised the person her father was describing. She had hugely enjoyed the tales her father had told of his friend's brave exploits in Midgard.

'Father, you do not mean…' Volstagg simply nodded in response.

'Oh, I do, my dear Hildy. Now come, we must prepare for your departure…'

TBC…

Next: Hildy the Heroic- Part 2

Who does Volstagg have in mind to mentor his daughter? Will I ever plan to feature Thor in this story? Tune in next time to find out…