Author's Note: Hello all! Thank you so much for the warm welcome back.

And a special thanks to everyone who reviewed. It's really great hearing from you again after all this time.

If you have a moment, please feel free to leave a review once you've finished reading the chapter!

TWO

the deepening dark

In a tempest of wind and light, Loki and I landed in Asgard with several stumbling steps. As was always expected, Heimdall, keeper of the gate, stood atop the pedestal, presiding over the gateway through which we had emerged. What I did not expect to see was the bevy of begrimed beings scattered throughout the Bifrost observatory. Those who were clearly not of Asgard were secured with chains, being escorted from the golden chamber by a company of Einherjar.

Most of the Asgardians glanced our way, unsettled by our sudden appearance. Despite their disquiet, they did not disturb us, instead continuing their way through the Bifrost with Asgard's newest prisoners. The mix of convicts was interesting to observe. Many were tall, some sported horns, and one among them was a hulking behemoth whose sharp blue eyes passed over us, heedful and full of disdain.

I had every intention of approaching Heimdall, but a cheery, booming voice intervened.

"Eirlys, what a delight it is to see you!"

We turned to see Volstagg lumbering towards us with Fandral shortly behind him. Although Loki tensed, looking none too happy to be greeted by them, I put forth an easy smile. "My dear friends, it has been much too long."

Volstagg swept forward and scooped me into a hearty hug—one not so bone-crushing; he seemed to have learned some form of restraint. "Much has happened in the many months since we last saw you," he remarked. "The Nine Realms have become a fine mess indeed without Asgardian intervention."

He stiffened once he said it, casting Loki an uncomfortable look, as though he were solely responsible for the turmoil that had been unleashed upon the other realms. When I met Loki's gaze, his expression darkened. While there was no denying Loki played a part in the Bifrost's destruction, I could not hold him to his faults when he'd done so much to mend his wrongs.

After a breath, Volstagg showed a surprising amount of tact by not allowing the moment of unease to linger. "Hildegund has been asking after you of late." This time, when he looked between Loki and me, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "She's been wondering when you'll be getting married."

My ears burned as I exchanged another look with Loki. It was a conversation we hadn't yet had—among a range of other conversations we really should have had. At the least, he did not appear perturbed by the question. Neither did he seem interested in providing an answer.

"Married again?" Fandral said, feigning a wistful sigh. "I have once more squandered my chances of courting you."

Loki all but sneered at him. "You never did have a chance."

I lifted a brow, a touch surprised by his tone. "Could we perhaps conclude this conversation?"

Fandral let loose a bark of laughter. "My apologies, good Lady Eirlys. Though, admittedly, he does have a point," he conceded, nodding to me. "You've only ever had eyes for him."

Somehow, my ears burned hotter. "I would speak with Heimdall."

With a pat on Volstagg's shoulder, I sidled around him to advance towards the pedestal. Peering up at Heimdall from the bottom steps, I gave the slight bow of my head. He responded in kind. "The day has been trying, Lady Eirlys," he said, amber eyes crinkling. "It is nice to see your safe return."

I smiled. "You swift response to our call is much appreciated."

Loki came to stand beside me, muscles tense in spite of his impassive expression.

Though Heimdall frowned beneath his great golden helm, his tone maintained an ungrudging civility. "Of course. With the Convergence upon us, your aid may be needed in the coming days," he told us. "The queen has been informed of your arrival. She will meet you by the grand entrance to apprise you of what has happened to Jane Foster."

"Then we best continue without further delay," I replied. "You have our thanks."

He gave a single, deep nod, and we strode from the Bifrost observatory.

We found Fandral and Volstagg tarrying just outside the observatory, standing alongside a pair of horses. The rest of the Einherjar were piling prisoners into several caravans further down the Rainbow Bridge. I gave the crowd a once over, my brow furrowing. "Where is Hogun?" I gestured between Fandral and Volstagg. "The Warriors Three are not often without their third."

"He has opted to stay behind on Vanaheim," Fandral replied. "His village was among those struck by raiders. It was thought he deserved to find a moment of rest amidst his kin. With all the mayhem and marauders pillaging across the Nine Realms, it's a wonder that we found any end to it at all." He gave Loki a rather pointed look. "You've really gone and mucked things up."

Loki clenched his jaw. "Oh, and I suppose you've suffered such a great deal these past several years."

When he took a single, challenging step towards Fandral, I laid my hand on his chest to hinder him. "Please, Loki, let's not start anything," I murmured just loud enough for him to hear. "We have had a very trying day. There's no need to make it worse."

Gaze seeking mine, Volstagg was quick to step in. "Here, take our steeds. We must help transport these prisoners, at any rate. We can ride on the back of the caravan with little trouble."

Fandral could not refrain from making another quip. "That is if the wheels do not burst off their spokes beneath your weight, my friend."

I suppressed a smile. "That would be very kind of you, Volstagg."

"My horse is a fine steed." Fandral gestured to his chestnut gelding. "But Volstagg's horse can presumably carry two people much better—the equivalent of one Volstagg."

Without a word, Loki stepped forward and grasped the reins of Volstagg's significantly larger horse. "We'll take the one," he said, mounting with ease. "No sense in increasing the risk of crippling the caravan with the weight of you both."

Glancing my way, Fandral released a soft snort. "I see that tongue of his has not lost its edge."

Volstagg, on the other hand, glowered at Loki in response; perhaps he had simply grown weary of the japes made at his expense.

Steering the steed about, Loki came to a stop before me and lowered his hand. I unequipped my shield, hooking it to the strap on my back, and promptly climbed up behind him. With a smile, I gave a final nod of gratitude to the two warriors. "We shall see one another in due course," I said. "And tell Hildegund I hope to take a drink with her soon."

The instant I had my arms tucked around Loki's waist, we were flying down the Rainbow Bridge, the wind whistling in our ears.

Fingers curled in his overcoat, I clutched Loki close. With every trot, my knees grazed his thighs, my cloak fluttering in our wake. Against my body, I could feel the tautness of his muscles. Questions of what had him so ill at ease flitted through my mind. Did the impending Convergence and his suspicions regarding the Aether trouble him? Or was it his encounter with Fandral and Volstagg that bothered him so?

I could not doubt my friends' discomfort in his presence. The hostility. Worst of all: I did not think I could blame them. The citizens of Asgard were well aware of the good he did and all that he had suffered at the hands of Thanos. But, much more keenly still, the memory of his trespasses—with the Jotuns, with Amora, with the Mad Titan—sat at the forefront of many a mind. Whatever good he might have done did not annul the bad.

With a deep breath, I closed my eyes to the train of thought I did not like to follow. "Are you all right, Loki?"

"I'm fine."

The reply was terse and not convincing in the slightest. Even so, it was not just the manner of his speech that gave away his lie. It occurred to me how witless the question sounded. Are you all right? Of course he wasn't. He hadn't been all right in months, no—years. Returning to Asgard with such a welcome must've reminded him of that.

It entered my mind to speak on it further, but before I could voice a single enquiry, he called to me, "You may want to hold on."

If at all possible, I drew myself closer, my chest to his back. In a heartbeat, we were off at a gallop, the wind blustering on either side, whipping the tail end of my cloak about. With a heavy sigh, I laid my cheek on his shoulder blade. Despite the concerns that continued to plague us, I felt a strange sense of calm in that moment. Loki relaxed under my touch, one of his hands coming to rest atop my own, his fingers twining with mine as we travelled down the Rainbow Bridge unhindered.

We reached the palace in minutes, its golden facade glinting in the sunlight. At the grand entrance, Loki tugged on the reins, veering us to the left. It was then that I saw Queen Frigga standing near the great, towering doors that led into the palace. She made her way towards us, a pair of handmaidens dressed in fine blue linen trailing behind her. Eyes darting from me to Loki, she positively beamed.

I dismounted first, my hand latching onto the crook of Loki's arm as I went. He climbed down just the same, albeit with a far more fluid movement.

"Your timing is most fortuitous," Frigga said. "Though both look as though you have seen much better days."

Blinking, I glanced over at Loki to see that his hair was dishevelled, a smudge of dirt marring his pale cheekbone. There was a tiredness about him, one that was all too easy to perceive with a single look. I supposed that I had become so accustomed to Loki's bedraggled appearance that I no longer noticed. I highly suspected I sported a similar look.

Queen Frigga strode forth to meet me, cupping my face between her hands. "I have not seen you in three months, it seems."

When she drew me into a hug, I returned it happily. "It feels longer at times."

Stepping back, she nodded. "Indeed. Odin has told me that you have been serving the Nine Realms well."

Over her shoulder, I could see Loki narrowing his eyes at the comment about Odin. Nevertheless, his response to the remark vanished once Frigga turned and brought him into an embrace. He froze for a moment, oddly stiff in her hold. But then he slackened, his arms folding around her. Although he said not a word, I hoped seeing his mother brought him some semblance of comfort.

Upon parting, Frigga gave us both a once over. "My handmaidens can bring your belongings to your chambers."

I dropped a hand to my scabbard and loosed a breath of laughter. "I fear our possessions were lost on Nidavellir when we were attacked by Chitauri."

Her expression turned grim. "Yes, Heimdall informed me of their unexpected arrival on Nidavellir. He suspects that they used a tear between worlds to travel there."

"The Convergence," Loki said.

She affirmed his assumption with a single nod. "We have yet to determine their agenda on Nidavellir." Loki and I shared an uneasy look, one that ended when she placed a hand on my arm. "But we shall concern ourselves with them later. For now, I believe you wanted to see Jane Foster? There is much you should know."

After dismissing her handmaidens with a kind word, the queen led us not into the palace but into the city. We trod the cobblestone roads where Asgardian denizens meandered, conversing and socializing. There was peace among them, a peace that the other realms would hopefully see soon. Despite the tranquility in which Asgard was immersed, some among the citizens glowered at Loki as we passed them by. It seemed that I was right to assume Fandral and Volstagg's unease in Loki's presence was a sentiment the rest of Asgard shared. The events of the past were not quite forgiven.

Together, the three of us walked down the boulevard that bordered the water. From a distance, we could see the Rainbow Bridge shimmering amidst the golden city. In the time we spent venturing into the city, Frigga enquired about our time venturing the Nine Realms, as though we'd gone on little more than a relaxing sojourn. Did we enjoy our journey across the realms? Did we find any interesting keepsakes along the way?

Perhaps it wasn't as ridiculous as it sounded. In truth, we had seen great beauty. Felt a great calm, short lived as it may have been. In the far northern reaches of Alfheim, we'd born witness to magnificent auroras, and they'd seen us through sleepless nights.

As I told her of the wonders we'd beheld, her smile became shadowed with melancholy, the cheer in her eyes dimming. My heart dipped at the change in her expression. The sense that something was amiss swept over me. Something that she could not put into words. A vision? I pondered. She would only divulge what she has foreseen if she thought it would help—if it could make an actual difference. Uncertain of how to broach the subject during so light a conversation, I maintained my silence and hoped to speak on it later.

From the boulevard, we turned onto an avenue lined with stone buildings, banners and awnings of Asgardian red fluttering over their doors. "I am glad that you have returned to us, unintentional as it may have been," Frigga said. "As the Convergence approaches, the borders between worlds become blurred. We have come to understand that Jane Foster wandered through one such tear in the Nine Realms." Worry lines etched her brow, and her footsteps slowed. "She found something. Heimdall could not see where she had gone for a time, but now... she has the Aether flowing through her veins."

Brow cinching, I shared a look with Loki and said, "It seems you were right."

He did not smile at the fact. "What do you know about the Aether?"

Frigga withdrew a small notebook from the folds of her shawl. "This is a compilation of everything I've collected from the knowledge we hold in the library. Unfortunately, there is no information on how one extracts the Aether from a host." One hand clutching the cloth around her shoulders, she handed the small leather-bound notebook to Loki. "You best read it—thoroughly, as I know you do. All would benefit from you being well learned in the coming days."

Head bowed, he pried open the notebook and filtered through the pages. "This is everything? There are barely ten pages worth of notations."

"Yes." Her shoulders rose and fell in a sigh. "We can only hope that we shall learn more soon... before it is too late."

Upon reaching a balustrade overlooking the water, Frigga brought us to a standstill. "Take a rest and read what I have written." Her attention shifted from Loki to me. "In the meantime, I would have Eirlys accompany me to retrieve a number of crucial supplies."

After a moment's pause, Loki frowned down at the notebook in his hands. "Very well." He sidled into the shade of a tree, where he leaned back against the balustrade. "Don't take too long, lest I grow weary of waiting."

Frigga and I exchanged smiles. "We best hurry along before Loki makes a fuss," she quipped to me. "You've always had a keen eye for the best herbs and ingredients."

When she started down the road, I hastened after her. "What sort of potion are you brewing?"

"One that I hope will slow the damage done to Jane Foster," she replied. "It requires several rare herbs, which we should be able to find in the emporium."

Just south of the common market, the emporium was a small quarter of the city known for its rare stocks and exorbitant prices. Of course, such costs were of little concern to the Queen of Asgard. We climbed a series of winding stone steps that led into the emporium. The shops here even looked finer than those in other quarters: the columns were more ornate, the steps were edged with fine marble mosaics, and beautifully arranged displays sat in the windows.

Every so often, an Asgardian would pause and bow to Queen Frigga, and she would respond with the slight dip of her head. In spite of having to pause each time, she managed to maintain our conversation. "How have you fared, Eirlys?" she asked. "I see you once every few months, but I have not have much opportunity to gauge how well you have adjusted to your life as it is now."

The question was more heartfelt than her prior enquiries about our adventures throughout the Nine Realms. And yet all I could say in response was, "I have fared well enough." It was the truth, though it crossed my mind that circumstances felt... strange. After spending seventy years living on Alfheim, wandering the Nine Realms with Loki in the wake of our battle with Thanos was odd. Odd, but not undesired.

Frigga lowered her eyes. "And what of your magic?"

My throat tightened at the very reminder of it. "I have not yet seen success in restoring it."

The corner of her mouth turned upwards. "But you still retain hope."

"It's all I have."

"That isn't true. You have the will and determination to see yourself through whatever challenges the Cosmos bestows upon you." She graced me with an encouraging smile. "All you need is time."

I could not keep from smiling in return, despite my doubts.

Side by side, we strolled through the emporium, scanning the wares of shops through their storefronts. Roving from shop to shop, we soon came to the high-grade herb merchant. Though the walls bore nothing but shelves, they were sparse with potted plants and preserved herbs. Each was notorious for being difficult to grow or procure. Standing amidst these herbs reminded me of the dreamfoil; I was glad to know that it did not have to count among the uneasily procured, for it continued to prosper in the herb gardens of the palace.

Queen Frigga was quick to spot a bright orange-red flower that much resembled the sunburst sigil of the Vanir—a heartblossom. Because of its resemblance to our sigil, many Vanir coveted the flower for its beauty. For healers, the heartblossom's beauty lay in its nectar's ability to slow the spread of poisons.

Once Frigga inspected the condition of the flower, she lifted it with great care and allowed me to carry it. We moved on to find the next among her list: netherbloom, a cone-shaped pink flora that grew in the deepest, darkest places in the Nine Realms. It was infamously difficult to maintain once removed from its initial environment.

"I have been meaning to ask something," Frigga said as we crossed the room. At our passing, the shopkeeper offered her aid to which Frigga politely declined. "Loki... how is he? As we both know, he does not often—if ever—speak of himself or his concerns. At times, I fear that he does not heal, even in the distant wake of such chaos and madness."

I averted my eyes, focussing on a small pot of goldclover. "He... he is fine, my lady."

With her hands around the small, sealed box containing the netherbloom, she gave me a look so plainly skeptical that I almost flushed with embarrassment. "How is he really?"

A lump in my throat made it difficult to swallow. "I worry after him." When we stopped at the far end of the shop, away from prying ears, I heaved a sigh. "I feel as though there is so much that is left unsaid." I thought of all the things we never spoke about: the time we'd spent apart; his nightmares; my secret fear that his desire for power—for the throne—had not been forfeit. The latter concern was not a subject of conversation one could tactfully approach.

Frigga frowned. "How so?"

I chewed on my bottom lip before replying. "He does not share his troubles, and that... worries me a great deal." There was a time when he kept everything to himself, and it led him down a path I prayed he would not walk again. "After everything that has happened, I imagine he keeps his burdens buried deeper than ever before."

"And you fear it will some day burst like a dam."

Glancing sideways, I tried not to smile at her intuition. "That may be a touch more... dramatic than I would have expressed it, but, in essence, yes."

She paused for a moment, balancing the box of netherbloom between her hands. "Eirlys, it is not your responsibility to cure his every ailment," she told me, her tone soft yet heartening. "Be there for him in his times of need. That is all you can do for one so injured as he." Reaching out, she laid a hand on my upper arm. "Loki has always been reserved about his true feelings. In time, he may be more amenable to the idea of sharing his sentiments. And there is no one in the Nine Realms he would entrust them to more than you."

The weight on my shoulders seemed to shift. It did not lift, per say, but I did not buckle under them as I did before. "Thank you, my lady," I said, putting forth the best smile I could conjure. "I am grateful for your counsel."

Our task concluded when we obtained the last of the rare herbs: a blue and purple bloom housed in an enchanted crystal orb that maintained the cold temperatures in which it thrived—frost lotus, native to the snowy mountains of Nidavellir. I carried the last of our quarry, the orb cold to the touch. After bringing them to the shopkeeper, Queen Frigga asked that the herbs be delivered to the house of healing where she would receive her payment.

As soon as all the details were agreed upon, we exited the shop and headed back to the main boulevard.

In the shadows of a tree, Loki leaned against the balustrade, book balanced delicately in his long fingers. Upon seeing him, I felt a strange sense of relief. And the reason for that relief made me shudder. Some part of me feared he would leave me behind, feared he would grasp for power—especially with the Aether so near. Will it always linger there, in the back of my mind?

Shutting the notebook with one hand, Loki straightened and sought his mother's gaze. "It appears most of what you recorded amounts to little more than speculation."

"Yes, to the misfortunes of all, our people have had fleeting contact with the Aether," Frigga replied. "Bor and his warriors documented their experiences with the stone, but none have had the privilege of studying it."

Loki hummed in displeasure. "Of course not. It is so like the Aesir to swipe aside everything of value without a second thought."

"Do not pretend you are so unalike them." Frigga raised a brow. "It is left to us to do what they did not."

In the noonday sun, we continued on our away while Loki spoke on what Frigga documented in the notebook. As Loki had said, there was not much to be told. The Aether was fluid, unlike the other Infinity Stones we'd encountered. It seemed to feed off its host, draining the life force over time, which only meant that—considering Jane was mortal—our time was ever more limited. There were several other metaphysical facts that I could not understand, but they were of little import to me. My concern lay with Jane's life being at the mercy of the Aether.

We took a right into a lane where the market just began. The smell of spices filled the air, along with the laughter of children. They ran about, chasing a toy boat that soared along the cobblestone path. If they ever noticed they were in the presence of royalty, they did not show it, for they dashed past the queen, very nearly crashing into her.

Instead of following the market road, we turned away to venture beneath an archway that led down a set of stairs. At the bottom of those stairs, we found Jane and Thor at last.

They stood by the balustrade, hands entwined, faces mere inches apart, Thor's voice drifting up to meet us. "My father doesn't know everything."

Beside me, Frigga chortled. "Don't let him hear you say that."

They both turned to face us, smiling, skin flushed. Even upon Frigga's approach, Thor did not let go of Jane's hands. "Jane Foster, please meet Frigga, Queen of Asgard, and... my mother."

Jane glanced at him in surprise and tugged her hands out of his hold. Putting a respectable distance between themselves, she gave a short, awkward bow of her head. "Hi."

Though Loki and I lingered some ways behind Frigga, we did not escape their notice. At the sight of us, Thor's grin grew wider. "Eirlys, my friend! It is wonderful to see you again," he said, coming forward to brace his hands on my shoulders.

I patted his arm. "I am glad to see you well, Jane especially." I smiled and nodded to her, to which she responded in kind. Thus far, she did not appear ill, but that was no indication of what may have been occurring out of sight.

Thor let me go and turned towards Loki. A long moment passed before Thor reached out to clasp Loki's arm in a show of camaraderie. "Thank you for coming, Brother."

"The Aether has not been seen in five thousand years," Loki replied, dismissively. "Did you think I would let something such as this go ignored?"

Eyes glinting, Thor met my gaze and shook his head.

Once all our greetings were given, Frigga drew herself up and clutched her shawl tighter around her shoulders. "As the Convergence grows nearer to its peak, I cannot help but fear the dangers the Aether may draw."

"But no one else would know that the Aether has been uncovered," I said, brow furrowing. "The Dark Elves are the only ones who would be drawn to it, and they are not likely to mount an offensive. Not without Nalak, and certainly not without any means to reach Asgard."

The ghost of a smirk alighted on Loki's features. "Did you sustain a head injury when they last assaulted the palace? Because you seem to have forgotten that."

"But that was with the aid of the Mad Titan," I rejoined with a sharp glare. "There aren't many who hold that kind of power—and even fewer would feel inclined to assist the Dark Elves."

As soon as the words passed through my lips, the blare of an alarm sounded, the deep thrum echoing throughout the city.

All amongst our company looked out over the balustrade and in the direction of the palace. Such an alarm could only come from one place. "The prisons," Frigga stated.

A stab of fear struck my heart. Trouble in the dungeons so soon after the Aether's arrival? I thought. That cannot be a coincidence.

"The marauders," Thor growled. "Fandral and Volstagg have only just returned with them." He looked back at Jane, brow furrowed.

"Go," Frigga insisted. "We will look after her."

With a nod, Thor ran up the nearest steps, shedding his cloak, and leapt over the balustrade. In midair, Mjolnir flew into his waiting hand before he made his way to the palace, a mere flutter of red and silver.

Frigga turned to Jane. "We best return to the palace. Even if we are drawing nearer to the danger, it will still be safest there should greater trouble arise." When she glanced at Loki and me, we gave a wordless assent.

Most Asgardians did not hesitate to find shelter, shutting every door and window. A number of others watched us pass by with wide eyes. Even if they did not know the cause of such distress, they knew to respect the warning. Those who trod the roads scurried out of our path, allowing us a quick passage. In our haste, we did not speak, but I did attempt to capture Loki's gaze. He cast me a short glimpse and little else. Nevertheless, it was all I needed to see. He did not believe this to be a coincidence either.

The further we walked, the more Einherjar we began to see on the roads, most of whom were heading for the palace. In little time, we reached our destination and entered through the southwest entrance, which was swarming with Einherjar. Somewhere in the distance, one of them shouted, "The queen has returned! Bar the gates!"

Once we crossed the threshold, the gate latched shut in our wake with a thunderous boom.

As we continued down the corridors, we came to a number of Einherjar distributing weapons to their comrades. With a second's pause, Loki took hold of a thin black and bronze spear. Several guards frowned at him, but they made no objections.

Sliding my hand beneath my cloak, I detached my shield and equipped it over my bracer. Side by side, we were prepared for any coming battle, though I hoped the predicament in the dungeons would not escalate into such a conflict.

Descending a short flight of stairs, we came to a stately passageway, one that connected to the entrance hall. It was in this passage that we happened upon Odin. He appeared as I saw him last, dressed in bronze and grey armour. Of course, he seemed far more harried now than he had then.

"Odin," Frigga called out to him.

He diverted from his course to meet us, pausing only to send the Einherjar further down the corridor. Upon his approach, he gave Loki a guarded glance. I was uncertain if he'd been informed of our return—even if he was, I suspected it would not have precluded his wariness. All the same, he did not acknowledge our presence beyond that. "It's a skirmish," Odin informed Frigga. "Nothing to fear."

While they carried on with their conversation, I spotted Sif among the Einherjar heading towards the entrance hall. She caught my eye, brow raised. I wanted to shout greetings to her, but I refrained. Instead, we shared a nod and the faintest of smiles before she disappeared from sight.

"Skirmish indeed." Loki all but scoffed. "There is more to this; we both know that."

Before I could even voice my agreement, our attention was captured by an explosion overhead. Peering upwards, through the latticework, I could see the bright golden glow of a shield enveloping the palace. Never before had I seen a shield of such magnitude. We were being struck from the air, a fact that served as further proof—the dungeon alarm was no mere coincidence. This was an attack.

In silence, everyone in the corridor paused to watch the shield rise. When it reached its peak, blanketing the entirety of the palace, Odin nodded to Frigga. "Take Jane Foster to your chambers," he said. "I will come to you when it's safe."

There was the hint of a smile on her lips. "You take care."

"Despite all I have survived," Odin replied, laying a tender hand on her cheek, "my queen still worries for me."

"It's only because I worry over you that you have survived," she quipped in return.

Odin graced Loki with one last look. To me, he gave a courteous nod. Parting from our company, the All-Father joined the Einherjar who continued their march into the entrance hall.

The rest of us hurried in the opposite direction, towards the corridors that would lead into the west wing where the royal apartments resided. "Listen to me now," Frigga said to Jane. "I need you to do everything I ask, no questions."

Jane responded with a fraught, "Yes ma'am."

We hastened through several long corridors, each more narrow than the last. Frigga and Jane walked with greater celerity, their steps frantic. Loki and I took up the rear, some yards behind them, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings as we often did.

The moment we entered the hallway that would lead into the west wing, Loki called his mother to a halt. "Wait, stop." She and Jane looked round, bewildered. "This is a ridiculous plan," he said. "The apartments will be deplorably insecure. There are too many points of access to defend."

"I would have her taken to the north wing, but the dungeons have yet to be secured," Frigga countered.

Loki shook his head. "Then we would fare better in the astronomy spire. The stairs would be infinitely easier to barricade."

Frigga fell silent for a moment, careful to consider his suggestion. "Perhaps you are right. However, we would need to—"

A rumble sounded somewhere deep beneath the palace. The four of us looked about, our eyes drawn to the latticework window on the lefthand side. Stomach churning, I watched as the palace shield began to crumble, its golden sheen retracting little by little. A terrible chill drenched me from head to toe the very instant we were left vulnerable. That feeling worsened at the sight of an aircraft heading for the palace—and it was careening straight towards us.

My instincts led me to Loki. Eyes wide, I grabbed his arm and yanked him backwards. We barely had a chance to scurry back the way we came before plummeting to the ground. Just seconds after we struck the floor, the flying craft crashed into the palace, shattering the latticework, broken stone surging in all directions. When the hull hit the wall, it came to a stop.

I did not wait for the dust to settle to lift my head and gaze through the sudden bout of disorder. Blood draining from my face, I realized I could not see Frigga or Jane. But I did not assume they were dead. The large black craft must have separated us.

With a dry swallow, I looked down at Loki. He lay on his back, motionless, eyes closed, blood marking his brow. My heart nearly stopped right then, and I reached out, grasping the lapels of his overcoat with both hands. "By the Norns, Loki, wake up." I slid my hands further up his chest to cradle his head. "Please, open your eyes. We need to get out of here."

He blinked up at me then, his regard slow and unfocussed. The circumstances of the last few moments seemed to escape him until they made an abrupt return. "Eirlys." He held my face between his palms and surveyed my condition for the second time this long and ever-worsening day. "My mother?"

"I do not know." Staring up at the ship, I eased into a crouch. With my hand on Loki's elbow, we both stood. "Nor can I discern why this vessel sits, unmoving."

The body of the ship was pyramidal in shape, a fin protruding from the top and a much longer one digging deep into the ground. Dark even in the sun, the black metal reminded me of the Dark Elf ship we'd stumbled upon earlier. No, I thought. This is a Dark Elf ship. But how could that be possible? The Dark Elves wouldn't have been capable of this, not after their previous failure.

"They've blocked their own door," Loki said, gesturing to the centre of the aircraft, which was pressed up against the wall. "The fools have bought us time."

But they also blocked our path. They'd destroyed the floor, the gap left by it's fin too great for us to cross. With a deep breath, I started towards the ship, tripping on a stone or two as I went. Just beneath the ship's underside, there was a small space where the ship's bottom fin did not quite touch the wall. The space was not enough for either of us to climb through. Even so, I could see a small segment of the other side.

"My lady? Can you hear me?" I called. My gaze remained on the ship for any sign of movement. "Jane Foster, are you there?"

Frigga appeared, and I could not withhold my sigh of relief. The slant of the ship gave us a diagonal window, allowing me a view of her face. "We are both all right," Frigga assured me.

Loki pressed himself close. "As are we."

"I fear more of our enemies have begun to fill these halls," she said, her speech quickening. "It would be too great a risk to attempt to reach the astronomy spire now. Jane Foster and I will continue to the west wing. Find us there."

Although it was not the preferred option, Loki gave his begrudging assent. "We'll be forced to take the long way round now."

"Yes." Frigga looked between the two of us. "Look after each other."

"Be careful, my lady," I said.

Her eyes crinkled with amusement. "Should I not be telling you that? You two have a talent for finding yourselves in the most perilous of situations."

In spite of everything, I still laughed.

Without warning, a slab of metal came from above and fell to the ground with a massive clang. Loki and I backed away, looking upwards to see numerous beings attempting to climb from the hole left behind—the escape hatch, as it were. All it took was one glimpse to confirm that they were, in fact, Dark Elves.

Loki tugged on my arm. "We best leave now. Lead them away from here."

Upon nodding to him, I said to Frigga, "We shall see you soon."

Then we were running, down the corridors from whence we came. Our path went unhindered, which was perhaps a blessing and a curse, for that meant there was not another soul in sight. No Einherjar. No Dark Elves, except for those on our tail. I knew, no matter how fast we ran, we would have to face them sooner or later.

Reaching the large double doors that would give way to the entrance hall, Loki and I paused, our hands resting on both handles. The sounds of battle drifted through, ever increasing and ever nearer. Breath uneven, I stepped back to draw my sword. At my nod, Loki pushed the doors open.

In the entrance hall, a squadron of Einherjar was locked in conflict with a score of Dark Elves. The sight before us felt all too familiar. We once clashed with the Dark Elves in the palace, long ago. I did not think we would face so many again in these halls—nor did I expect such firepower.

Regardless of the resemblance, I sensed something was different. These Dark Elves were different. They were creatures from the ancient days, born before the universe itself. Their weapons were more powerful, outmatching our forces even if their numbers did not.

In the face of such disadvantage, the Einherjar waged on. Those swift of foot dodged and weaved between blasts, striking down the Dark Elves. Encouraged, I shared a glance with Loki before flinging myself into the fray. Moving apart, we circled around a bronze column and took the Dark Elves by surprise; they clearly had not expected anyone to assail them from behind.

Loki did not hesitate. He attacked first, stabbing upwards with his spear, slicing through armour and backbone. I rolled forwards, a bright red blast soaring just inches past me. Rising on one knee, I blocked a second blast with my shield. I launched myself at my assailant, running Silvertongue through his heart. Several Dark Elves, all of them wearing white masks, turned on us then, having noticed our arrival at last.

To my right, Loki ducked a blast and threw a handful of knives, each of them meeting their mark. There was but a moment's pause as we observed the scene around us. We'd brought down four Elves in the span of thirty seconds. Knowing that the Dark Elves in our wake drew closer with every passing second, we started forwards to stand amongst our allies and immersed ourselves in the heart of battle.

While Loki moved to engage another Dark Elf, I ensured that we were protected, keeping my back to him to absorb every strike. To this day, it still felt odd to bear a metal shield. I'd been so accustomed to having magic at my fingertips, creating barriers and utilizing them with ease. In heedless moments, I'd caught myself attempting to cast spells. Only time will tell, I reminded myself.

"Lady Eirlys!"

I looked in the direction of the Einherjar who had called my name. But what caught my attention was the Dark Elf tossing a device—a device meant for Loki. He was in the midst of a fight, blocking and dodging, unable to see the device coming his way. Just as he ended his adversary's life with a spearpoint through the throat, I rushed to his side, shield braced over my head.

Brow cinched, Loki spun around to face me the moment the small, cylindrical device descended upon us. I heard it clink off my shield and drop to the ground. Reacting swiftly, he wrapped an arm around my waist, turning us so that he could kick it aside. The cylinder hit the nearest column several yards away. It hadn't even completed its fall when it exploded. Or rather it... imploded. A vast swirl of dark matter ate into the column, consuming and destroying until it consumed and destroyed itself.

When the implosion dissipated, silence descended. We looked about to see that the last of the Dark Elves in the hall had been dispatched, bodies of enemies and allies strewn throughout. But that did not mean that the battle was ended yet. The Dark Elves who had followed us down the corridor joined the conflict at last. In a single swift glance, I counted five. If there had been any more in the vessel, that meant the rest had gone after Frigga and Jane.

"We cannot linger here," Loki insisted. "They can handle the rest."

Even if I knew he was right, I hesitated. Of those who survived the battle, eight Einherjar were still standing. They may have surpassed the Dark Elves in number, but that did not guarantee victory. There was little chance of the Einherjar surviving a second skirmish with Elves such as these. However, none of that mattered if the enemy reached their quarry: Jane—the Aether, to be exact.

Though the thought clung to the back of my mind, I sought the doors to the apartments. The doors themselves were gone, swallowed by an implosion of dark matter if the jagged edges of the doorway were any indication. Heart thudding against my tightening chest, I peered round at the Einherjar. I did not wish to leave them to battle a foe they had dwindling chances of vanquishing. And yet I knew I had no choice.

With a heavy breath, I quashed my reluctance and headed for the royal apartments, Loki at my side. My eyes widened once we entered the corridor. The long hall was lined with corpses, Einherjar and Dark Elf alike. As we walked past them, I felt my blood run cold. There were more Einherjar than there were Dark Elves.

Footsteps sounding from our left broke through the gloom welling within me. In seconds, half a dozen Dark Elves entered from the passageway that joined the west wing to the southwest entrance. The instant they spotted us, they skidded to a halt, mere yards away. As they lifted their weapons to strike, I leapt in front of Loki to absorb any blasts that would come our way.

In the end, my precaution was not necessary, for we precluded their attacks from ever being loosed. Together, Loki and I crossed the distance faster than the Elves could retreat backwards.

Lowering my shield, I slashed through the first Elf, my sword tearing apart his mask. Bile rose up in my throat, and I refused to see what death I'd wrought. When I moved to engage the others, flashes of magic flickered in my peripheral vision. In a heartbeat, I recognized the magic of Loki casting his illusions. Once they took form, the Dark Elves were firing in all directions, positively dumbfounded by the abrupt change in the battlefield.

Backing out of the fight, I stared at the copies of Loki evading every attack, sending the decreasing number of Dark Elves into a confused frenzy. Before I could even think to reenter the conflict, every single duplicate of Loki shouted in bizarre unison, "Eirlys, go! Find my mother and bar the doors."

I spotted the real Loki amidst the mayhem and watched him skewer a Dark Elf from behind. Perhaps these Elves were not as formidable as I feared, I thought with a small flicker of relief.

Preferring not to waste time voicing a response, I continued on our intended path and sprinted down the hall. At the foot of the stairs, I slowed. No sounds of battle or otherwise came from above. Still, I maintained my wariness, climbing the curved staircase two steps at a time, shield poised before me.

When I reached the top, the corridor of royal apartments was simply... empty. Although odd without the usual Einherjar, it was far more unsettling to see it bereft of anyone. The mortal remains in the lower apartments indicated that there had been a victor in the struggle. If it had been the Einherjar, they would surely be holding position at the top of the stairs. But if it had been the enemy...

I was racing down the hall before I even finished the thought.

The distance felt endless. Passing by the doorway of an unoccupied bedchamber, I found the doors splintered to pieces, four slain Einherjar laying in its remains. Their blood was still spreading across the stone floor; they'd been killed mere moments ago.

Pulse pounding in my ears, I persevered and kept onwards. Upon entering Frigga's chambers at the far end of the corridor, I stumbled to a halt. My eyes fell upon her first, trapped in the hold of a monstrous behemoth. With a single glance, I recalled seeing him in passing inside the Bifrost observatory. Looking at him now and realizing his link to the Dark Elves, it became clear what he actually was. He was one of the Kursed, a Dark Elf that had undergone a metamorphosis to become a savage weapon. Having been gone since the fall of the Dark Elves, they were scarcely more than a legend. Stories that children told to frighten one another.

Another entity in the room garnered my attention right then—a second Dark Elf, standing some ways to my left. Unlike the other Elves who'd infiltrated the palace, he did not wear a mask. I took it as evidence that he was their leader. If these were the ancient Dark Elves who'd come in search of the Aether as we suspected, then that meant he was the wielder of darkness himself: Malekith.

Once I took in the scene laid before me, I raised my sword and levelled the blade at Malekith. "Let the queen go. Her death will gain you nothing."

Jaw clenched, I heard nothing but my heart, the beat more rapid than I thought possible. I looked from Malekith to Frigga and the Kursed that held her by the throat, sword aimed at the most vulnerable part of her armour, just beneath the arm. All I could think at that moment was that if I had my magic, I would've been able to extricate her from their clutches. But I didn't have my magic. I would never be fast enough to reach her.

Malekith narrowed his eyes. "Her life will gain me nothing either."

I needed to stall for time. "Not if I give you the Aether in exchange for her life."

"Silly little girl." He shook his head. "You cannot deceive me."

It was then that I knew they would show no mercy. My entreaties would not enact any difference. They intended to take her life, and it was left to me to stop them.

Against my better judgement, my feet were conveying me towards them.

"Eirlys, don't!"

Those two words were enough to stop me. When my gaze found that of Frigga, I could not breathe. I saw in her eyes all the fear, the sadness, and every bit of resolve that burned within.

"Everything will be all right," she said.

Any thought of responding vanished at the sound of metal slicing through the air. Aiming to kill me, Malekith had thrown a long knife with great speed. I reacted faster still, bringing my shield up to block the blade. It embedded itself in the Asgardian steel, down to the very hilt.

In the seconds it took to defend myself, I did not see the blade pierce Frigga's side.

By the time I looked up, she was tumbling to the ground, the sword clutched in the Kursed's hand stained with blood. I may have screamed, but my senses were too overwhelmed by the sight of Frigga falling for me to heed my own voice.

Although I knew the Kursed could not be harmed by my hand, the impulse to retaliate surged through me. I grasped the hilt of the dagger lodged in my shield and wrenched it free. Rearing my arm back, I sent the blade flying across the chamber. It struck Malekith in the shoulder, and he cried out in pain, the sound of it mildly gratifying. A lack of sense drove me towards him to end his life, regardless of the Kursed that still remained, but familiar footfalls entering from the corridor made me pause.

The very moment the Kursed dove for his master, seeking to bring him to safety, a streak of lightning shot across the chamber. White hot heat crackled throughout the room, searing the right side of Malekith's face. I did not have to look to know it was Thor. While I was vaguely aware of him launching himself over the steps, attacking the pair again, the frantic urge to reach Frigga's side overcame my desire to inflict further harm on the Dark Elves.

I all but collapsed to my knees beside her. One glance, and I knew it was too late. Her eyes were closed. She seemed so at peace. At rest, even. But she did not breathe. And the blood... the wound... I placed my hands atop the wound, trying to staunch the blood, trying to heal. If I could summon my magic just this once. Just this once. If I had my magic, I could undo the harm done unto her. Yet... and yet... It would not have mattered, in the end.

She was already gone.

I withdrew my hands and stared at the blood coating my fingers. My awareness of everything around me dimmed, my vision blurring, darkening. Tears spilled from my eyes, going mostly unnoticed as a numbness spilled into my veins, ladening my limbs, clouding my thoughts.

A familiar pair of arms enveloped me, dragging me backwards, away from Frigga's prone form. I did not fight. I did not cry out. I simply turned in Loki's embrace and pressed my face to his shoulder, my bloody hands hovering in front of me. He held me close, silent and unmoving, his regard never leaving his fallen mother.

Hurried and harried, Odin arrived but a moment later. As soon as he saw Frigga at the bottom of the stair, his steps ceased. He stared up at Thor with a tear-filled gaze before kneeling beside his wife, cradling her head to rest his cheek upon her brow.

In the stillness of the room, no one said a word.