Chapter 2
'Why do we have to go to a place which is in the middle of nowhere?' Chiara asked with a skeptic tone. Jace glanced at her with a smile and replied, 'no one can see us, Amma.' Chiara was about to speak again but decided to remain quiet because it was a valid argument. Instead she merely sighed crossly as she followed Thor as she carried her own bag and Jace's guitar. 'When I said that we should only pack the necessaries, did you think that a guitar fitted to that description?'
'You are the one who always says that music is life.' Jace said as he proudly walked beside his uncle.
'It is definitely taking mine life.'
Thor suddenly stopped and turned around. 'Let me take it.'
'Oh no, I am fine. You don't need to do that.' Chiara's tone had changed completely. She breathed heavily and was about to walk again but Thor took the bags and the guitar from her. Chiara mumbled, 'of course I slept with the wrong brother.'
There was no doubt about the place. It would be impossible to not see it. A large, round circle with thousand of patterns was engraved in the ground. Jace smiled and ran toward it. 'Amma, have you seen it?'
'What does it mean, Uncle?'
The kinship between was still new, and when Jace said 'uncle', Thor could not help to feel as if he was hit by a car like the first time he came to earth. Jace noticed and smiled shyly as he apologized. Thor merely smiled and said, 'you have not done anything wrong.' In the middle of Jace and Thor's bounding stood Chiara and observed Thor. Her eyes witnessed her dissatisfaction but when Jace smiled and laughed, it was too difficult to not feel some sort of gratefulness. Thor spoke as he guided them toward the middle of the circle, 'I will tell you all about it when we come home.'
The word 'home' made Jace smile more but once again Chiara felt fear as she watched her son's excitement. For eight years she had been his home, and now she was about to be replaced by strangers. Thor smiled as he said, 'it will be easier if you close your eyes.' Jace obeyed but Chiara remained stubborn for a while until Thor glanced at her with insisting eyes. Once again she sighed and then obeyed.
They were not sure what had happen but one thing was sure. Closing the eyes was a good idea. They felt how the ground vanished. They were groundless and there was nothing to hold on to until they safely landed. Chiara open her eyes rapidly and Jace opened his eyes slowly. They found themselves in the middle of a large world. Jace smiled but Chiara could barely breathe. 'Welcome to Asgard', Thor smiled. Jace began to run forward to explore the world which appeared to be above clouds. Castle and unknown materials surrounded him and pleased him. He called for his mother but Chiara did not share the enthusiasm. There was no doubt that she was surrounded by beauty but her legs were weak and she questioned whether it was safe to move. Thor and Jace watched her for a long time but she merely stood still and said, 'I really regret this'.
'Amma, come on!' Jace cried. His voice was loud and won much attention. More figures appeared and though Jace was happy, he was not ready to trust strangers. Behind him Frigga appeared with a shocked and happy smile. She observed her grandson, who ran toward his mother when he noticed her. Chiara embraced her son as Frigga approached them. She laughed briefly, 'he looks just like him.'
It was true. Jace looked just like his father and nothing like his mother. While Chiara had dark skin, brown eyes and dark hair, her son was almost a contrast. His blue eyes were deep as sea and his skin was fair. He had dark hair but even this feature was incomparable to Chiara's because his hair was black was coal while Chiara's hair had difference nuance of darkness. Frigga stopped in front of them. 'You must be Chiara.' She nodded. Frigga's gaze turned toward Jace, 'and you must be the brave Jace.' Jace didn't say much but his fear decayed and his eyes became warmer. Frigga repeated, 'you look just like your father.'
A small and weak smile appeared but his voice was serious, 'Is he here?'
The smile vanished rapid but return as quickly and weakly when she nodded. 'Why don't you come inside? You must be tired and hungry.' Chiara and Jace obeyed but they held each other tightly. However, when they reached inside the castle's door, Jace hid behind his mother. There were more people and their gazes turned toward them. Four people in amours and with weapon stared at them. They were later introduced as Volstagg, Hogun, Fandral and Sif. In the middle and on a throne sat the king. There was no doubt that he was Thor's father. He was Odin. Thor stood behind them and urged them to meet Odin.
It was the same comment. 'You look just like him'. The truth was that Chiara did not mind, and Jace was happy to know that his father's figure had always been with him. He asked again, 'Is my father here?' It was the same reaction and the same nod. However, one thing changed. Volstagg grunted aggressively as he said, 'Have you not told him what kind of man his father is?' Jace hid behind his mother again as Volstagg's large voice filled the room. He was scared but Chiara was not. Instead placed Jace with Thor as she determined walked toward Volstagg. 'Don't you ever dare to talk that way in front of my son again!' There was horror, confusion and fear in the mind of everyone. Her bravery was unexpected. 'If you ever scare my son again, I will rip out your heart, and I don't give damn about how strong you are. Don't think for one moment that I am scared of you because I am not.'
Volstagg's emotion were hard to determined but Thor, Odin and Frigga smiled proudly as they watched the mother's heart fighting for her son. The rest were both impressed and annoyed. She was after all only human. 'It will not happen again', Thor assured.