AN: So this is my first fanfiction in a LONG time. I'm starting from scratch, and really trying to stick to fandoms that I can keep interested in. I'm taking bits from the movie, and bits from Norse mythology, so if there's anything that you might not know about, I'll be posting short definitions and histories in the Author's Note after each chapter, just so you can refer down if there was anything that confused you.
Awesome! On with the show!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Thor, or any of the characters, nor do I personally own any Norse mythology
And one day, she was just there. It was not a big event, like the cosmos coming into alignment. There was no fanfare to greet her; no trumpets blew, no drums were beat upon, and no one was there to greet her. Had anyone been there to welcome her, they would have not had much interaction, because she arrived quite unconscious.
She arrived in Asgard quite…wetly. Her alabaster skin gleamed different shades in the reflection of the Bifrost, and her hair pooled around her head like liquid gold. She lay on one side, her arms and legs scattered in front of her as though she were simply sleeping. She arrived with nothing but the moisture upon her naked body, and the mystery that surrounded her arrival. She rested unnoticed for only a few moments until Heimdall Saw her. As he approached the small figure, he slowed down, his golden eyes burning over her limp form. He paused only for a fraction of a second before he called for assistance. And because of Heimdall's sight, he knew that he mustn't summon any ordinary help that day. For the future was present behind Heimdall's eyes, and with such a vision present in his Sight, he couldn't simply ignore what was in store. The fate of the kingdom rested upon this figure, this…girl. How such a small, and unimposing thing could have such a great effect on the time to come was beyond Heimdall, but it was not his job to question, only to act.
He knelt beside the delicate figure. It was as if some power higher even than that of the Aesir had placed her there. It was not HOW she arrived that puzzled him. It was why he did not see her until she was IN Asgard. Heimdall had never let anything slip beyond his powerful gaze, not until today. He was not frightened by the girl, simply intrigued. She had no weapons, no marks or injuries; she was simply there. The girl was not dead, not by any means; with such a presence in the eyes of Heimdall, there was no way that she could be dead. He reached out to stroke the girl's face, hand hovering inches away from her pale skin, contrasting so starkly with his dark fingers. With no contact, Heimdall pulled away, and stood guard over the wilted form.
Before another second went by, the drumming of horses' hooves could be felt upon the Bifrost. Three figures appeared in the distance, slowly turning from tiny specks to men upon horses as they raced towards the source of the call. Heimdall stood firm, waiting patiently until the three horses slowed. Two men dismounted from their chestnut panting beasts, rushing to the aid of the lifeless girl. The third man slid elegantly from the back of his midnight-colored horse, and slowly approached the group.
This man carried himself with a different air than the other two. He carried all the power and might of a warrior, but you could see the cunning behind his mischievous eyes. He floated along the glowing topside of the Bifrost with the dignity and poise of a powerful man. His mouth was set in an uncharacteristically tight line, his eyes like chips of ice; this man was not one who often showed his emotions so readily. He strode past his companions as stood in the face of the Guardian, chin held high as he addressed the Seer.
"Heimdall?" he questioned, his voice silken and calm. "What is so important that my brother and I were summoned during such an important time for the kingdom? Do you not know that Thor's coronation falls in a fortnight? Thor is much too busy to attend any matters other than that of his immediate future." The tall, graceful man was not pleased that the Guardian would not make eye contact with him, but a small part of him was glad; he, like many others, sometimes became uncomfortable under the ember gaze of Heimdall.
"I am aware, Loki," spoke Heimdall, "But I Saw you attending to the girl's arrival. I thought it best if I did not go against what the future has in store for us." Heimdall knew that revealing the path of one's life would certainly drive any man to madness. Knowing the future did not make life easier, as many would think. Heimdall knew far too many who had lived their lives by the word of a Soothsayer, always anticipating their future, not stopping to bask in the world that they were blind to. He would take treason by lying over letting the God of Mischief know his fate.
But Loki did not hear the Guardian speak, for he was too absorbed in what lay in front of him. The girl's breathing was shallow, but present. He noticed the way that her long hair spread in damp tendrils along the surface of the Bifrost; the blonde locks flashing different colors as the energy passed beneath them. She was sprawled across the bridge haphazardly as if someone has dropped her there, but at the same time held a peace about her as if she were sleeping. Never in his life had the God been drawn so strongly to something so…insignificant. And yet here he was, staring down at this pathetic, prostrate form, unable to look away. Dozens of questions bounced around in his head: Who is she? Where did she come from? What is she? Was she an enemy?
But most importantly, or so Loki thought…How did she get here?
Slowly, Loki knelt before the girl, taking in her features in more detail. Curiosity got the better of him, and he reached out to her. But before his slim fingers could meet her skin, she jerked awake, eyes flying open and back arching as though a bolt of electricity had passed through her body. Immediately, she began to scream, frantically swinging at the figures around her. The men jumped back, but Heimdall and Loki barely flinched. Her eyes were the most shocking blue, wide with the most starling fear. Her limbs thrashed about wildly, as she convulsed before the small group. Between the long, painful sounds that were drawn from her very core, she gasped for breath, almost choking on the air around her, only to let out another horrific screech.
"HELP ME!" she cried, whipping her head back and forth, looking at all the men, but not seeing them. "OH GOD, OH GOD, I'M DROWNING, I'M DRO-" Her cry was cut off as she gasped, and fell unconscious once more.
Loki was stunned into silence. This was a rare occasion indeed. Her breathing had become heavier since the fit, her skin flushed slightly from the exertion. The God of Mischief rose to his feet abruptly without taking his eyes off the girl.
"Hall, Amund," he barked. Both guards snapped to attention, crossing one closed fist over their heart. "Take the girl to the Healers, see that she is given the best of care, and send for me the instant that she wakes." The two warriors nodded, and got to work lifting the girl from the ground. It was only then that Loki noticed her true nakedness, and shouted for the guards to stop. He removed his emerald and black cloak, and draped it about the girl, leaving her with some sense of dignity. He may be a trickster and a fox, but Loki was not one to allow an innocent woman to be humiliated.
"Gentle, Hall!" he reprimanded, as the men roughly hauled the comatose girl onto a saddle. "See that she is properly cared for." Amund mounted his horse behind the girl, gently wrapping his large, armored forearms around her small frame. The two warriors made haste back to the city, no physical evidence of the girl's presence left. Loki and Heimdall watched them go, until they were no longer visible along the horizon.
"I demand answers, Heimdall," said Loki, slowly turning towards the Guardian.
"And for that, Your Highness, I demand questions," rumbled the Seer.
"Where would you like me to start, O Mighty Guardian of the Bifrost?" Loki spat the words at Heimdall, growing impatient with the elder God.
Heimdall gazed into the eyes of the young prince of Asgard. "Start, Prince Loki, with what I know burns against your tongue. It will not be the most important question that you ask, and the answer will be unsatisfactory."
"How did she get here?" He said, drawing closer to the Guardian. "How did a pathetic GIRL, manage to get past the All-Seeing Guardian? Or is your sight FADING, dear Heimdall?"
"I know not how the girl arrived here," Heimdall rumbled. "One moment she was not there, and the next she was. It was as if fate had stolen her, and placed her here without my knowledge. But you have yet to ask something that matters, Your Highness." Loki's eyes tried to pierce the gaze of the Guardian, but to no avail. Silence fell upon the two, locked eye to eye, battling for control of the interrogation.
"Who?" It came out in an echoing syllable, ripping through the peace of the air. "Who is she, Heimdall?"
"She is…" Heimdall paused, considering his words, "A girl."
"YES, I know that!" roared the thin God. "But WHO. IS. SHE?" He stood there, nose to nose with the Seer, panting and angry. Heimdall gazed down at Loki, unblinking.
"Who, is not important, Loki," he said. "She will tell us that when she wakes. You are missing the big picture, Your Highness. Who is not what you should be asking." Loki paused at these words, turning on his heel, pacing about the Guardian. His eyes were narrowed in concentration, until he grasped the idea from his head, eyes flying open, and whipping around to face Heimdall.
"She cannot be of Asgard, Heimdall," Loki spoke deliberately, tilting his head slightly to the side. "So if she is not Aesir…WHAT is she, Heimdall?"
Finally, the Guardian smiled. "At last," he sighed. "I cannot promise that you will be pleased with the answer, Prince Loki, but it is of great importance. It holds the f-"
"Yes, yes, all well and good now just tell me!" demanded the Prince. Heimdall looked into Loki's eyes, ember gaze meeting pale blue stare, preparing the younger God for what was to be said.
Heimdall paused. "She is…"
"SHE IS WHAT, YOU OLD FOOL?" bellowed the God, wind whipping his hair out behind him, making Loki look all the more enraged. Heimdall took a slow breath, and answered softly on the exhale.
"Human."
AN: Heimdall: In some Norse mythology, Heimdall was not only the Guardian of the Bifrost, but also a powerful Seer. For the purposes of my story, I have him acting as a Seer. He was described as, "handsomely gold-toothed" and "shining...[with] whitest of skins". I rather like the dark, brooding Heimdall of the movie, so I'm going to keep him that way. He also possessed the great horn, Gjallarhorn, which was meant to warn all the gods of the Ragnarok (The End of Days/The Transformation)
Aesir: The race of the denizens of Asgard. All residents of the Realm of Asgard are Aesir (aside from Loki, SPOILERS, SORRY), which is why it is so bizarre for the girl to be a human.
Bifrost: Also known as the Rainbow Bridge, it is the connection from Midgard (Earth, and the Realms of the Dark Faeries and Frost Giants) to Asgard.
Hall and Amund: Yes, I googled Norse baby names on this one. Hall literally means "Warrior Hero" and Amund means "Protector with a Sword". I thought them to be fitting names for Warrior/Guards.
Review please! I'd love to know if I should continue with this or not.