Prologue

The Asgardian night sky was bright with a full moon. The stars lit up the sky as they would any other night. The streets were decorated in white snow and shining lanterns. The winter night was cold, but each Asgardian celebrated the night with warmth and feasting. Bonfires lightened the city more, making it the brightest of the Nine Realms. Frigga stood at the golden throne room balcony, watching Asgard come to life. Her gold dress flapped in the night breeze.

She could see her sons, Thor and Loki, celebrating with their companions in one of the mead halls. The two were as thick as thieves, always getting into trouble and becoming the warriors their father raised them to be. Thor had grown to be friends with Sif, a hand maiden whom, due to one of Loki's pranks, turned into a fine warrior. He had also grown tight with a trio of warriors that never ceased to amaze her or Odin.

Asgard was bright and full of commotion, as it normally was on the Winter Solstice, the celebration of the Asgardian start of winter. But tonight, it was the same night of the Midgardian Winter Solstice, and Mani, the god of the moon, would make his tribute to Odin. Frigga always appreciated Mani's duty to Midgard and his vow to protect it from danger. He had even forsaken a chance to marry Frigga to attend his duty.

She heard the great horn announcing Mani's arrival. She walked towards her husband's golden throne. Odin sat there, mentally preparing for this moment. The only time he ever saw his brother was this night once every 20 years. Each meeting brought joy and information to the two of them. Finally, he could feel the Bifrost Bridge open and Mani enter Asgard. He saw the energy cycle into the room.

"Welcome, Brother-" he greeted, but was instead presented with the image of a man stooped on a silver staff. His long white hair was matted with blood and his silver armor was dented and dirty. He held his stomach, attempting to stop the crimson flow coming from a wound.

"Mani!" Odin yelled, running towards the man. He caught him before he hit the ground. The silver helmet from Mani's brow fell to the ground, dented. Frigga cried out.

"Brother," Mani croaked, dropping his staff.

"What has happened to you?" Odin asked.

Mani sighed. "Some thing that was not destined, I assure you."

"Then tell me, brother!"

Mani's eyes glowed with pride as he remembered. "It was a glorious battle, Odin. A great dragon was ready to destroy Midgard, and I fought him to the last breath."

"Mani, you're saying that you-"

"Brother, I didn't defeat him, but he is sealed in the Midgardian moon. Unfortunately, I don't think you and I will ever see another battle together."

"Mani, you must joking!" Odin knew of Mani's playfulness, but this was absurd.

Mani chortled, but choked it out. "For once, sadly, I am not. This is the end, my brother."

Frigga gasped. This whole thing shouldn't have happened, she thought.

Mani gestured towards Frigga. "Frigga, my sister, please come hither." Frigga walked towards the two and kneeled.

Mani took her hand. "Frigga, will you forgive me? I swore to protect Midgard, but I failed."

Frigga shook her head, tears starting to run down her cheeks. "You fool," she chastised, "I can't forgive some one whom is dead!"

Mani chuckled, but coughed. "Then let me give you a gift as an apology." He took her hand in his and placed his other above it. His hands began to glow with white energy and began to envelop their hands. "In nine months time, you will give birth to a child. It will not a child of fate like your other children, but do not let it follow in my footsteps. I feel that this threat was the last Midgard would need to face for a long time. Don't let the child become another guardian. Let it enjoy the life I never had."

Frigga looked in shock. "But I haven't been with child in years! How can I-"

"You can, Frigga!" Mani insisted, coughing, "I just ask of you, continue my legacy!" He looked at Odin with pleading. "Treat this child as your own! Don't let her experience the loneliness I felt!" Frigga began to see Mani's shape disappear.

Tears continued to flow down Frigga's face. Odin held his brother with sorrow on his face.

"I guess it's time," Mani said, chuckling. "Frigga, don't cry. I think of it like another adventure, something new to explore." Odin nodded. "Yes, I guess so, brother." Mani smiled. "Farewell, Odin." He breathed one last breath before disappearing.

Odin grabbed at the empty space where his brother once was, then realized it was in vain. It has truly happened, he thought. "Farewell, brother."

"Odin?" Frigga aced, wiping the tears off her face. Odin sighed as he picked up Mani's staff. "Mani fought bravely. We will respect his last wishes."

"And the child?"

"It'll be ours, as far as anybody knows. We will not tell it of this event."

"What about Loki or Thor?"

"Not even them." He walked over to his wife. "But we will not treat this as a shame. It was, after all, a gift."

Frigga nodded. Suddenly, Thor ran into the room, Loki on his tail. "Father, did you-"

Odin nodded. "Mani has passed on."

Loki and Thor bowed their heads in reverence. Then Loki looked up at Frigga. "Mother!" he yelled as he ran to her side. "Loki! What is wrong?" Frigga asked, concerned. "Can't you feel it?" Loki said, "You have something alive in you!"

"Oh!" Frigga hadn't realized the heartbeat she felt until Loki mentioned it. Odin chuckled. "I forgot that you two have never experienced this." Thor and Loki gave confused looks. "Your mother is with child."

"With child?" Thor asked, confused.

"Fool," Loki said, "We are going to have another sibling!"

The idea finally dawned on Thor. "Father, Mother will-"

Odin nodded. "This is the time to celebrate!" He proclaimed, "By summer's end, you will have a sibling, be it brother or sister."

The two brothers jumped in joy.

Frigga smiled. This child might not be such a curse. She might be exactly what we need to bring this family together.

~Nine Months Later~

Thor paced in front Frigga's chamber, strangely quiet. Loki sat on a bench, twiddling his thumbs. When they heard Frigga scream, they both flinched at the sound, then calmed when there was a silence. "This is all so damning!" Thor said, punching a wall. "Mother suffers, and we can't do a thing about it!"

"Calm down, brother," Loki chided. "Mother will be fine. She has given birth to the both of us and ended up just fine."

"Your brother is right, Thor," Odin said as he walked towards them. Both boys looked to their father. "She will live. She has done this before when you two were born." He winced as he heard another scream.

Loki could feel the tension building up in the room. "Hey, Thor, I bet it will be a girl," he taunted, smirking. Thor glared at Loki. "No, I think you will have another brother, one who wields a hammer."

"I think it'll be a girl who rivals Sif in beauty and as a warrior."

"No one compares to Sif when it comes to beauty or battle prowess."

Odin smiled. Despite Loki's methods, he usually did an effective job of distracting Thor when it was needed. "I think it'll be a sibling that will make us all proud. It'll be strong and beautiful."

Thor gave a confused look. "How can a boy be beautiful?"

Odin chuckled. "What about Fandral? He is a type of beauty."

"Thor is just jealous because Fandral always gets his pick of the women." Loki said.

Thor growled just as Frigga gave a loud scream. The three men quieted. This scream continued a while before it stopped. It was too quiet for a moment, and the three men stood still. Suddenly, a new cry was heard. Odin smiled.

A midwife excited the chamber, a gentle smile on her face. "My lord, Lady Frigga is ready to see you." The brothers looked each other with excitement, then at Odin.

Odin nodded, "Go ahead." The two ran into the room with Odin behind them. Frigga sat in her bed, smiling tiredly. Odin went straight to her side. "Are you alright?' Frigga nodded. "Yes, dear."

Thor and Loki stood in awe above a bassinet. It held a small white haired baby girl, sleeping in a bundle of silk. Her skin was pale, but soft. She snoozed quietly, oblivious to the commotion around her.

Thor stared at the being in front of him. The baby was so small compared to himself. He started to touch its hand. Odin looked over Thor's shoulder. "Thor, Loki, meet your baby sister."

The baby girl opened her eyes. They were a golden brown, similar to Mani's gold eyes. Odin looked at Frigga, who nodded in recognition. "Her name is Midna," he finished.

Odin smiled as Thor played with the baby's small hands. Midna gripped one of Thor's fingers and squeezed it, gurgling. Loki just watched, content. Both boys looked proud and curious for this new sibling.

Odin walked to the bassinet and gently picked Midna up. "Loki, would you like to hold your sister?" Loki gave a bewildered look. "You want me to hold her?"

Frigga nodded. "She is your sister, Loki. Go ahead." Odin walked towards Loki. Loki awkwardly held his arms out as Odin put her in his arms. Loki looked into Midna's eyes as she did his. Midna was quiet, then began to gurgle happily. Loki was surprised.

"Well, son, what do you think?" Odin asked.

Loki was speechless, still perplexed by the happy child in his arms. Thor smirked. "For once, the witty Loki has been silenced." "I-" It was true. Loki didn't what to say. This child in his arms was foreign, new.

Odin smiled. Mani indeed had given them a gift. He had given Odin a daughter, another child to love. I will honor this gift, brother, for as long as I live.

Author's Note: Hey! This is my first Fanfiction on this site, so criticism is accepted and welcomed. Flame it, burn it, do what you want! I am a huge fan of Thor and The Avengers, but this is one part of it. I will be also writing Midna to be in a Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes one too. Please review!