The golden palace of Asgard was a bright place, a place of calm and beauty, no matter what had taken place before a large gathering there, as there was now. Celebratory noises spilled from the windows and floated out onto the balcony, where Valkyrie stood.

"It seems odd to celebrate now," she said, studying the sunset with her intense blue eyes. "When it feels we should be mourning."

"I do not mourn the avoidance of war." Thor, the young prince of Asgard moved to stand beside her. "I do mourn my brother's passing."

"Loki will be missed, trickster that he was." Valkyrie looked to the skies. "We should toast to our memories of him."

"We must not let those become tainted now," Thor said somberly. He looked at Valkyrie and tried to smile. "We'll see if we can fix the Bifrost in the months ahead. Midgard is an unstable realm, I wish to be able to protect it if the need arise."

"You enjoyed Midgard?"

"Very much so, at times," Thor admitted as the two turned to head back into the banquet hall. "I wish to be able to stay there, but with my duties here….."

"Of course, the prince should reside in his own realm," Valkyrie said.

"Of course. The question is, does he desire to?" Thor sighed. "You do not know how privileged you are to be a simple warrior."

Lady Sif, clad in her dress armor, gestured at Thor as she overheard the remark. "Thor, she has defended and avenged, fought the incredible and the mighty, and carried the worthy to their great reward. You are speaking to Valkyrior, Brunnhilde, shield maiden of Asgard!"

"I am fully aware of my friends and their identities," Thor said, bemused. "Your purpose for this speech?"

Sif raised her cup to Valkyrie. "You may hit the future king for calling you a simple warrior. She is one the bravest among us."

"I thank you for your permission, Lady Sif," Valkyrie chuckled. "For having lost a battle, you seem in high spirits."

"Lost the battle, I did, but Thor won it," Sif said proudly. "As a result, the Allfather was saved, and our prince has returned to us." She slapped Thor on the shoulder and disappeared into the gathering.

~Fall~

The Allfather may have been saved, and Thor may have been returned to his seat at Odin's right hand, but the kingdom had to move on from celebration. Days later, Valkyrie and Sif sat down after a tough sparring match with each other.

Sif wiped the sweat off of her forehead, shoving her thick, black hair off of her neck. "Good match."

"One day I will beat you," Valkyrie promised, breathing heavily. She shook her thick blonde braids back.

"Yes," Sif replied, huffing a laugh. "In your dreams, perhaps." She untied her hair and let it fall around her shoulders. She sobered. "But you said you wanted to speak to me of a troubling matter after?"

"Yes," Valkyrie said. "I am glad you remembered."

"So you tired me out so I cannot fight you if I should not like what you say?" Sif asked, smiling. Upon noticing her friend's solemn expression, she frowned. "Brunnhilde, is something wrong?"

Valkyrie, upon hearing her real name, shook herself from deep thought. "No, Sif, I am well. My concern is for Thor, and Midgard."

"You worry for Midgard?" Sif asked in surprise. "Loki is gone, the Bifrost is destroyed. We cannot travel there, they cannot travel here if the bridge between worlds is broken. I know this well, my brother speaks of it."

"I know of Heimdall's position. Gate-keeper is a difficult occupation. Yet Thor said he gave the Midgardians his protection. At present, no Asgardian can go to Midgard unless Odin uses a good deal of his power to send him….or her."

"Until the Bifrost is repaired."

"Allfather alone knows when that would be. I sense that Midgard needs protection, now. I cannot explain it, but I feel they are in danger."

Sif nodded. "Your words are true and speak from a good heart, as always. But Valkyrie, who would you decide to send to Midgard, until the Bifrost is in working order? What Asgardian would wish to stay there for so long as a protector?"

Valkyrie smiled a little. "Have you known me this long and not guessed?"

Sif shook her head. "Surely you do not mean…."

"But I do. I wish to go to Midgard and protect it. To do so would be an honor, and a privilege."

Thanks for reading, guys! Please let me know what you think in a review, it helps me out. As always, I'll see you in the next chapter!