Summary: All's well as months passed after the fight between the Avengers and Loki. Earth is now at peace and the Avengers are standing by if their home needed them again. But it seems earth is the only world at peace. Asgard is in chaos because of a prophecy foretold of the Frostgiants rising in power and greed. The capital city will fall in destruction and chaos… unless they can seek help from the group of unlikely beings.
Steve Rogers x Loki
I
The air was chilly this time of night.
The wind that was pushing softly through the homes of families was not helping either. Anyone who wouldn't have anything important to do wouldn't think of going outside and leaving the comfort and most importantly, the heat of their homes. But for an assistant like Lemuir, he doesn't have that kind of luck.
Lemuir is medium-built with short brown hair and light brown eyes and a very busy person. If he weren't so busy being an assistant for one of the most important people in the realm, for sure he would have someone special right now.
He heated his hands and rubbed them against each other, wanting to feel at least a bit of heat. His black cloak that blended in the night wasn't doing any good at keeping him warm. He dragged his feet, forcing them to walk faster than his usual stride. His lady will not like it if he was late again, especially not when she specifically told him how important tonight was. He didn't know what was so special about tonight, but as her faithful assistant and loyal friend he will not let her down.
He reached the mountain in ten minutes, a minute early. He sighed in relief.
He entered a cave and lighted the torch that was hidden beneath a pile of bushes and leaves. The walls lit up as the light from the torch touched them, letting Lemuir see the drawings and paintings of important events that happened in the history of Asgard. The most biggest and longest, but no doubt the most beautiful and breath taking painting, is the painting telling the story of the legendary war between the Asgardians and the Frostgiants of Jotunheim.
Lemuir paused to marvel at the scenes in front of him. No matter how many times he saw this painting, or how many times he read the full story of the war in his Asgardian history book, it never gets boring for him. In fact, he gets amazed every time. He breathed in deeply and resumed his walk deeper into the cave, letting his mind replay the story and words from the book.
He was so preoccupied that he didn't notice the double doors painted in mahogany wood and designed with elegant lines from one edge to another in front of him. An echo travelled through the cave as Lemuir's face hit the doors.
Lemuir grumbled and rubbed his nose, feeling the pain of his stupidity. How many times has this happened?
He opened the doors while still rubbing his painful nose and was greeted by heat. He smiled and momentarily forgotten his predicament. He took of his cloak and hanged them, just in time to hear the clock chime midnight. He hurried to the farthest room in the cave, almost forgetting the reason why he went out into the freezing cold in the first place.
Lemuir reached the door, fixed his brown hair and knocked.
He waited for the come in before he quietly opened the door. He gently closed it and stood there, stiff. "I immensely apologise for being late again, my lady" he gave a low bow, the items in his hands almost dropping.
Lady Rim slowly stood up from her meditation, her long black hair and silk dress swaying gently as she moved. She took elegant steps towards Lemuir and touched his shoulder "It is alright Lemuir" her soft voice rang "Stand up, you have what I ask of you" Lemuir obeyed and looked straight into the grey eyes of his lady. "Of course, my lady" He held up his hands and offered the two jars that he so carefully guarded.
Rim took the jars and felt the tingle of nerves. She took a deep breath and walked back to her meditating circle. Lemuir took his place near the door and watched as his lady started performing the ritual of seeing.
Lady Rim and her kind are called the Guardians of the Nine Realms, born in this world to watch and if they decide it is needed, they may help the beings in the nine realms. But not directly, they can only help by giving them hidden messages and prophecies. For years she has watched Asgard and its people, and only once did she give a prophecy to the them. That time was the time of the Great War between Odin and Laufey.
Not even when Loki, Odin's adopted son destroyed the Bifrost Bridge did she make a prophecy, because she knew it will end well. With Loki going through a bit more obstacles involving his brother and some mortals on Midgar and then return to his senses and try to make amends. That's how the world is after all. But it was different this time.
For the past nights, her senses, her powers, have been shaking inside her, disrupting her daily activities like sleeping and eating. She thought it was nothing more, but when the night came when she tried to see to the future of Asgard, it went blank and never in years did that happen. She panicked, so she tried, over and over again to see the future of Asgard and its people until Lemuir had to carry her to bed from exhaustion. But nothing ever came out.
But she's certain that tonight will be different.
Because tonight the moons of Asgard are aligned perfectly and her powers are its peak. The perfect day to see into the future of a realm.
She wiped her hands with a wet towel from the red paint that Lemuir bought and sat on the same spot where she always performs her rituals. She took deep breaths and felt the power of the moons and the earth beneath her fingertips. Rim relaxed her body, letting her mind go empty from any thoughts. And then she saw it.
The destruction, the bloodshed, the tears. A painful sight for the eyes. The people of Asgard crying their hearts out in fear, from the enemies that Rim thought will never come back. Frostgiants. She felt her breathing become shallow, her heart raced and she could hear a voice calling out to her. But she pushed all those away and focused on the vision.
When she looked further into the vision, she saw Odin's sons fighting alongside the warriors of Asgard. But it seems they weren't fighting alone. Other being, beings of another realm, a realm which Rim knows oh so well, is also there, helping, protecting Asgard. A wage of happiness came through her and then, black. The vision ended.
Rim opened her eyes to see Lemuir looking at her with so much worry "Are you alright, my lady?"
She took uneven breaths and answered in a shaky voice. "I am fine" she took Lemuir's offered hand and stood with almost shaky legs. "What did you see, my lady?" she locked eyes with Lemuir, a bit breathless. But she answered "Destruction, pain… war" the last part was barely a whisper, but Lemuir heard it well. "My lady" Rim took her hand back and started walking around the room with urgency, picking up various items. "We must hurry Lemuir, we cannot waste time"
"What do you mean? Where are we going, my lady?"
"Asgard"
"Asgard, but my lady"
"Take these" Rim gave Lemuir the items that she was certain Asgard will need. "My lady isn't this mad" Lemuir tried seeing what his lady was up to, stretching his head to the side, balancing the weight of items in his arms. "What's so mad about it, Lemuir?" Rim didn't see the madness in this, and she thought that Lemuir will be helping her, not talking her out of it. He loves Asgard as much as she does.
Lemuir gently put the items down, and cleared his throat. It wasn't the first time that he thought his lady's ideas were mad, but this was the first time her voiced his opinion. "My lady if we journey to Asgard right now we will reach the city in two days by horse" "And, what is the problem?"
"I hope you did not forget my lady, in two days Asgard will be celebrating the day that King Odin declared triumph in the Great War. The people will be rejoicing, and no doubt King Odin and his family will be holding a big feast in the palace." Rim crossed her arms, impatient "I still do not see the problem Lemuir." Honestly, she knew very well the event that will take place in two days. And she did not a history lesson to be reminded of it.
"My lady, we can't just march into the palace with all the guests and important people around" "Of course we can!" Is this what Lemuir was worried about Rim thought.
"The prophecy that I will give is much more important than the feast that they will have. And if I don't deliver this prophecy that feast might be the last feast in Asgard, do you want that?" Lemuir didn't answer. "The vision I have seen Lemuir, it is far worse than the Great War itself" Rim walked towards her friend and placed her hand on Lemuir's pale face, and spoke to him softly "We must tell this to King Odin at once"
Lemuir didn't know how to answer, but he found it very hard to look at those grey eyes which he memorized by heart. He closed his eyes and said in a small barely audible voice "As you wish, my lady"
II
"Hail King Odin!" "HAIL KING ODIN!" "Hail to all-father!" "HAIL TO ALL-FATHER!" "Hail… to the Hero of Asgard!" "HAIL TO THE HERO OF ASGGARD!"
The crowd cheered as King Odin's right hand-man Sir Randel ended his toast.
King Odin watched with joy and pride as his people smiled, clapped and raised their glasses to honour him. But it wasn't just the joy of seeing his people, happy and well that made tonight special. No, it was the joy of knowing his family was whole once more. He looked to his left and saw his eldest, first born and heir, Thor, smiling and watching his jolly friends make jokes and tell stories, and to his right, his adopted son, Loki, who observed the happenings quietly but with amusement in his eyes.
How depressed he was when Loki allowed himself to fall into the black hole.
He regretted the fact that he hid Loki's true history from him and allowed himself to think that he was only doing it to protect his son. How he cursed himself. But when he found out from Thor that Loki was alive, he rejoiced… but the celebration was short-lived. Loki has turned bitter and cruel, and to add more to the pain. He targeted Midgar and the mortals, and killed more than a hundred innocent lives. But it seems the world was kind to King Odin, because Midgar had, it seems, an amazing group of individuals, who also consisted of his son, who stopped Loki before he made more of a mess.
Thor brought Loki back, and the tesseract, which is now safely in the weapons vaults.
It took time to show Loki that he truly is a son to the all-father. Showing him that whether he has his blood or not, he is still family. But all the waiting has bear-fruit. Loki is now loyal to Asgard, his and Thor's bond is now stronger than ever, and he has made amends to earth as well, though some people are still wary of him. Loki does not allow himself to get affected.
But King Odin still fears that Loki is lonely and craves for love, the kind of love that neither he, nor Thor can give.
"Father you should drink, the lines are showing" he smiled at Loki and took the cup of rare wine. "It seems old age is catching up to me" Loki chuckled "You were never one to allow old age to get in the way" "True." King Odin took a sip of the wine, the sweetness combined with the right amount of bitterness, a wine fit for the royal family. Loki took the cup from his father and placed it near a small table. "Are you ready for your speech, father" King Odin sighed and tightened his hold on his golden sceptre.
"My memory isn't that good with words anymore"
"I'm sure you will remember father. And besides, they love you even if you say just one sentence."
Odin looked at Loki, his green eyes showed calmness in them. But he raised him long enough to know that underneath that calm, neutral façade is a hint of sadness. He placed a large hand on his sons shoulder "They will love you as well" he whispered. Loki made a small smile; he wanted to tell his father that he was not him or Thor, and that the things he done will never be forgiven. But he thought it was best to stay quiet.
Odin took his hand back and called his eldest "Thor, come" the blond Asgardian, walked quietly to his father and brother, smiling that charming smile. "Father, brother" Loki nodded and returned the smile "Thor"
"Is there something you need father?" "No, I just want my two sons to be here at my side, once I give my speech" Loki and Thor looked at each other, then back at their father. "Come now, don't look at me like that. At my age, you should be spending more time with me" "You're sounding like this is the last speech you'll give" Thor joked, but the kings expression didn't change "It's not, right father?"
"At my age anything can happen" "Father" Loki stayed quiet. Not trusting his voice.
Both sons walked back as the king stood, making his presence known. The voices in the palace died down, as their king walked forward to give his celebratory speech.
"Friends, we are here on this day not just to celebrate the rise of Asgard from war, but to remember the warriors who have fought for the peace of Asgard. It is not just I, who fought the war, but they did as well. A king is not a king without its people. The warriors who fought and died for their loved ones, deserves a toast more than I do"
King Odin raised his sceptre, the people following by raising their gold cups. Loki watched and can't help but think that unlike him who convinces people using cunning words, his father just needs his charm and presence.
"Hail to the warriors of Asgard" "HAILTO THE WARRIORS OF ASGARD" "Hail to the families who have a lost a loved one!" "HAIL TO THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE A LOST A LOVED ONE" "And hail to the-"
"I hate to interrupt, but King Odin I must speak with you"
King Odin stopped.
The people dropped their arms and started looking for the person who dares speak to their king like that, on a toast no less. Loki started searching through the crowd, while walking towards his father, readying himself if the person was armed and dangerous. He spotted her.
A women wearing a silk dress, was walking up to them. A hood covering her face, and a man wearing a black cloak walking behind her, holding a bag that Loki guessed was heavy. Thor stepped forward, readying Mjolnir. "Who are you? Show yourself" Thor ordered. The woman, stopped in front of the steps of the throne. She pulled her hood down and the people gasped.
Loki's eyes widened as he recognized her. The long black hair, the pale face, the grey eyes. Lady Rim.
Thor almost dropped his hammer from shock. Their father has told them the important role that Lady Rim played during the war. How she prophesized the Frostgiants going to earth and killing the human race. If it weren't for her, earth would have been made of ice right now. King Odin stood there, his face not showing the emotions he was feeling.
Shock, confused and dread. Lady Rim never leaves the sanctuary of her home, unless it is something urgent.
"It has been a long time, Lady Rim" Odin made a small bow of showing respect and his sons followed behind him. "It has been a long time, Odin. I must apologize for ruining your celebration. But this is a matter of life" Odin nodded "Then we must speak at once" "Of course, but"
Rim looked at the people still gaping at her. "We must speak alone, and you must bring your sons" Odin didn't question her. "Then let us go, Thor, Loki, come" Odin made his way through the crowd, the people letting him pass. He stopped in front of a blond-haired man, wearing Asgardian armour. "Handle things while I'm gone, Randel" "Of course your majesty"
III
The private council room was a spacious room with a large, round, gold table on the centre. The room was used for important meetings, like war strategies, food and water supply, the peace between Asgard and the other realms. Things that have caught the higher-ups attention. But occasionally King Odin will visit this room for privacy, since not even a single sound can get in and out of the gold walls of the room.
The reason why it was perfect to discuss matters of life.
Kind Odin took his seat in the table, adjusting his sceptre, while Lady Rim took the chair to his left. His sons and Lady Rim's assistant Lemuir decided to stand beside their leaders.
"This must be very important for you to have decided to leave your home and come to me" Rim nodded and placed her hands on the table. "It is all-father. I have come to deliver a prophecy" Odin felt his gut lurching. A prophecy was never good. Loki listened attentively, not missing the way his father's shoulders tensed. "Should I prepare?" Rim nodded, her heart aching at seeing the old king like this.
Rim took a deep breath, closed her eyes and when she opened them again. Her grey eyes glowed and her soft voice changed into a mystical almost dazed voice. "Prepare wise king for the time is near, the giants will come back and make your people fear. Asgard will crumble and the statues will fall, and the warriors you trained, will be no match at all."
The three Asgardians stood there unmoving, feeling dread overcome their senses from the surreal situation.
"I can't imagine what you're feeling, but please listen well, because you're only hope lies, on the words that I will tell." Lady Rim smiled a smile that makes you think she was possessed.
"On another realm, where the beings are at peace, you may seek out a group of mortals that have something you may need. They are gifted and powerful, and will offer their life. But I will give you the power and you may choose what you think is right. To accept their offer or to send them back. Your decision wise king, so please choose right. "
And then silence, deafening silence.
IV
If someone told him that the celebration would be cut short, then he wouldn't have went through all the trouble to catch that wild boar for the feast. But since it was his brother who asked, and his father said it meant so much to him. He gave in. Though, he wouldn't have minded to have a taste of that boar. And why is he thinking of a food at a time like this.
"You have too much pride to allow the humans enter here. I know them!"
Because his hungry.
"Humans are nothing more than weak beings, who waste themselves!"
And his been looking at the feast table for a few minutes now.
"You know nothing of them!"
"SILENCE!"
Loki snapped out of his hungry state, and watched as his brother and his father's right hand-man Randel stop their shouting and looked at the tired and angry king.
After sending Lady Rim to a guest room where she will be staying, King Odin dismissed the party stating that he was not feeling well, and that they should continue at home. The people did not question him. The old king gathered his sons and Randel for a meeting, while telling his wife that he will be busy for a while.
The meeting was to talk about the prophecy, the giants that will rise again and most of all, the humans who will help Asgard in their time of need. At hearing the word humans, Randel's face went deep red and his fist started clenching and unclenching.
Loki always known that the warrior hated humans with passion, but he never thought it will be like this.
Randel has been arguing with Thor for a whole six minutes, telling him the reasons why mortals are of no use to Asgard in this prophecy. While Thor stood his ground, defending his friends the Avengers from Randel's remarks.
Loki cannot think of any other group of mortals that have the attributes that Lady Rim was talking about in her prophecy.
Powerful, the Hulk surely showed him that.
Gifted, Stark, and the two others, the one who he took control of and the woman who brought him back, is surely gifted in their chosen areas of expertise.
Will offer their life, Loki stopped for a moment. Now that he thought about it, will someone offer their life for a realm, for a kingdom that they do not care about, let alone know nothing about? Only someone with enough honour will die for a kingdom that is not their home. And honour in the human world has been lost a long time ago.
Loki blinked when a memory triggered in his mind, about a blond-man with a built figure. Ah yes, the super soldier, if he remembered correctly, the man is over seventy years old and has experienced the world before the twenty-first century. If there was one person who had honour, surely it would be him and the fact that he is a soldier also helps.
Loki's mind stayed at the super soldier for a little longer, before he was once again snapped back into reality, when Randel and Thor clasped both their hands together. "Then we have a deal, until next time." the blond-man gave a bow to King Odin and left.
"Come brother, we must go." Loki raised an eyebrow. What happened while he was thinking?
"Where?" "To Earth of course."
Thor took the leg of the wild boar they both hunted, the wild boar that Loki was very interested in tasting. "We must speak to my friends." Loki watched as Thor left and looked at the wild boar again. His stomach was doing an effective job in tempting him to try it. But he still has some style in him. King Odin, who watched silently, couldn't resist a smile. Loki was elegant, a man of poise. "If you want, I could get some of the servants to hunt you a fresh one when you and Thor return."
Loki looked and smiled, he bowed "Thank you, father"
Odin nodded, "You should go, you know how your brother is when you keep him waiting."
Loki bowed again and left to follow the screaming of his brother saying, 'Hurry up, brother, Earth awaits!'
Sorry if the chapter isn't any good, and for the grammar issues. If all you have time read and review.
-lightning38dragon
