Thor stood on the balcony overlooking the city, watching the people from his perch. His mind was elsewhere, back on earth, thinking of the battle previously won. His brother was locked away and hopefully he would not cause much trouble from there.
Thor thought of the Chitauri. What purpose did they have in invading earth? Loki acting in spite was not unusual, but why would they follow him?
The cry of a raven broke his concentration. He looked and saw Munnin flying toward the castle, crying loudly, gaining the attention of many. Thor frowned and headed inside, looking for his father. Something must have been terribly wrong for Munnin to be crying so loudly.
He followed the cries of the raven to find his father in the library. The raven had stopped moments before he entered and once he found his father, Munnin was sent away. The raven flew out the large window and back over the city.
"Father," Thor spoke as Odin poured over old scrolls, "What has upset the raven? Is there a battle brewing?"
"Not against our current foes." He explained. "I fear it is something older and far more dangerous. Older than our kingdom."
"Older than Asgard?" Thor asked.
"Yes," Odin answered. "Centuries before us, there was another kingdom far from here where the gods and goddesses resided. Now it lay in ruins."
"What happened?" Thor asked, curious as to what could have destroyed a city, especially one of the gods.
"Legend tells of a gold that was stolen and turned to a ring of power. The struggle for it by humans, gods, and other creatures brought the fall of their gods and then their civilization." Thor huffed, vaguely recognizing the lore.
"And where is this ring now?" Thor asked. "Surely you cannot believe such lore to be truth."
"I can, as Munnin and Huginn were once the crows of their god, Wotan." He explained and looked to his son. "The ring has been stolen."
"Stolen by whom?" Thor asked.
"A descendent from the thief who first stole the gold." Odin answered and shook his head. "And it is no coincidence that the goblins are becoming more brash. They are showing more opposition." He leaned against the tbale, looking at an old map of a land Thor barely recognized it. He moved closer and observed the map.
"Is that Rhineland?" Thor asked. "Are you suggesting the ruins of Rhineland are the ruins of the old gods?"
"I am not suggesting." Odin stated, looking at his son. "Long before you or I came into existence, the ruins were once a grand civilization."
"And what of the creatures who brought the destruction of the old ones?" Thor inquired, not believing his father.
"They were driven back into the earth." Odin answered. "Their leader was defeated, as was his son, and the entire species was forced back into the mountains from which they came." He stood up and looked to his son. "I fear of their return. If they return, they will likely join with their kin."
"The goblins." Thor answered. "You don't believe they, even combined, will pose a threat to Asgard."
"The dwarvish kind are old, my son." Odin explained. "Andi fear the ring has come back into play. There is movement under the earth."
"The ring? Father, you invest too much in stories." Thor jested.
"These are not just stories." Odin insisted firmly. Thor conceded.
"Then what are we to do?" he asked.
"You must find the Ring of Niebelung and return it to the River Rhine. It is guarded by the Rhine maidens. Only they are able to contain and neutralize it's powers." Odin instructed.
"And how are we to find a ring?"
"Not I, Thor." HE answered. "I leave that task to you. I will fend off the goblin forces. I know not where it is, or where it's holder may be, but there is someone who may aid us in this endevour."
"Who?" Thor asked.
"Her name is Brunhilde." Odin answered as he walked over to the window, hands clasped behind his back. "She was the leader of the Valkyires."
"A Valkyrie?" Thor asked. "I have not heard of a Valkyrie of her name."
"You would not know these for they are much different than ours. They are sisters of war, guiding the dead and fallen for an eternal war. Bringing them to Vallhalla to feast and train." Odin explained. "She resides on the far mountain in an eternal sleep."
"Why? Why is she still there?" Thor asked, confused as to why she was sleeping on a mountain.
"She was cursed by her own father, Wotan, for defying him. She pitied a human who she was ordered to let fall in battle. He pleaded for her assistance in the battle. Brunhilde took pity on the man. She stood against her father. He stripped her of immortality. But, she was still his daughter. He took pity on her and lay her to rest. She is surrounded by a ring of fire. It is said only those worthy of her love can cross the fire to wake her."
"You say she is on the far mountain?" thor asked, looking at the map. "It will be a week's ride at least."
"Then it is best you go." Odin suggested. "Leave as soon as you are able." Thor turned to leave when a thought struck his head. "Father, I wish to ask your permission for something."