So yeah, second chapter. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy :)
Chapter 2: On Jotunheim
We didn't really get to do much together because by the time we got to his chambers, Loki and I were informed of a break in. We raced down to The Vault where the break in had taken place. We found Thor, Odin, and my father standing there, watching as The Destroyer walked back into its chamber. The Destroyer was a huge, metal protector that Odin created to guard his most prized treasure of war, The Casket of The Frost Giants.
"Frost Giants", I said quietly as I looked at the shattered remains of three or four of the large blue beings.
Odin nodded at me. "I do not understand how they got in."
"Father", Thor said, anger present in his deep voice, "we must retaliate."
"No", Odin said sternly, "that would only make things worse. The Destroyer did its job, The Casket is safe."
"But Father—"
"No!"
We stared at the AllFather and his son.
"If I may make a suggestion", my Father said, his fire-like voice cutting the tension between the father and son, "Let my daughter go to Jotunheim; she's strong and the Frost Giants naturally fear our kind, so they would be less likely to attack a Princess of Fire."
I looked wide-eyed at my father, not used to the praise being directed at me.
"No!" Loki said, and then hung his head, obviously not meaning to speak his mind. "I mean, Father, it's too risky."
"Yes, my son is right. Laufey and I have a truce."
"He has just broken your truce!" Thor roared.
"Enough! I forbid anyone to go to Jotunheim!" Odin said, with a tone of finality.
Thor, Loki, and I left The Vault, and went back to the now nearly empty banquet hall.
"Arghh!" Thor yelled, as he flipped over the remaining banquet table, sending decedent food everywhere.
Loki and I stood behind a pillar.
"You were worried about me", I pointed out.
"Well, yes", he said, "If you are gone how will my physical needs be satisfied?"
I ignored his objectification of me. "You were worried."
He smiled, his cold charade melting. "Of course I was. I love you, Phoe."
"What is this!?" A loud voice interrupted our conversation.
We came out from behind the pillar as The Warriors Three, Sif, and my sister entered the hall.
One member of the trio, Volstagg, looked at the ruined banquet. He was a huge, red-haired Asgardian whose love of food was almost as great as his love of his friends.
"We should fight back!" Thor roared in anger sitting down on the steps beneath where Loki and I were standing.
"Your father forbids it", Hogun, a black-haired, stern Asgardian replied.
"Besides", Sif interjected, "It's too dangerous."
Loki sat down next to his brother, and I went over to Ember.
"We should go", I whisper.
"No, I want—"
"Don't argue with me, little sister. These are concerns for the Asgardians, not us", I said harshly.
She glared, but obeyed, knowing that I would make her leave whether she wanted to or not.
I hope they don't do anything stupid.
I was right to suspect.
. . .
Thor's POV
I watched as the two Fire Giantesses left the room.
"It is not wise to be near me now, brother", I said to Loki who had sat down next to me.
"Father knows what he's doing, but", he paused, "I think you're right. If they got in once, what's stopping the Frost Giants from getting in again?" He whispered.
"Exactly."
"Yes, but you can't do anything without disobeying Father…No, Thor. No", he continued as he realized my idea.
I rose from the steps. "My friends, who was it that lead you into so many victorious battles?"
They all smiled, except Loki. "You did", Hogun said.
"And who", I continued, "is going to be king of this realm?"
"You are", Sif smiled.
"My friends", I said smiling, "we are going to Jotunheim."
We left for the Bifrost immediately, much to Loki's disapproval, although he came with.
"Heimdall", I addressed the Bifrost guard. He wore a suit of gold, and held a huge sword.
"Let me handle this", Loki said, stepping in front of me. "Heimdall let us past."
"You're not dressed warmly enough."
Loki looked confused.
"Everyone is forbidden from Jotunheim, by order of The AllFather", Heimdall said, not moving.
"Heimdall, may we pass, we only wish to help", I said.
He looked at me with his golden eyes. "Very well", he said, turning toward the Bifrost.
We followed him. Loki still stood looking confused as Volstagg passed him.
"What? Silver tongue turned to lead?" he laughed at my brother.
Loki frowned, but followed us in.
"If your return threatens the safety of this realm, you will be stranded in Jotunheim", Heimdall said as he slid his sword into the Bifrost "engine."
"I have no plans to die today", I said smiling.
"They never do", he replied and pushed down on the sword. The Bifrost roared to life, and the massive dome started to spin faster and faster. The six of us were hurdled through space, leaving Heimdall behind.
"Ouch", Fandral said as we hit the hard snowy ground of Jotunheim.
"C'mon" I said.
"It's too quiet", Sif said as we made our way to The Ice Palace.
"You've come an awful long way to die, Asgardians", a low voice said.
"Laufey" I addressed the Frost Giant King.
His red eyes locked on me, his massive blue body sat in an even more massive ice throne.
"Your father and I have a truce. Leave now, while I still allow it."
"You broke that truce", I said, taking out my hammer, Mjölnir.
"Brother, stop and think; we are vastly outnumbered" Loki said, appearing next to me.
"Know you place, brother", I said.
I glared at Laufey but began to leave with the other five.
"Run home to daddy, pretty princess", a Frost Giant sneered.
"Damn", I heard Loki utter.
I turned and smashed the giant's head with my hammer.
"Next", I said as more Frost Giants lumbered toward me.
. . .
Loki's POV
My brother is an idiot. I threw more orbs at three approaching Frost Giants.
I ran as a particularly large Frost Giant bounded after me. I stopped when I realized I had run to the edge of a ravine. The frost giant roared in confusion as it slipped through me and over the edge of the cliff as it attacked. I poked out from behind the ice as I waved my hand, my decoy disappearing.
"The ice is breaking!" Fandral said, and then yelled as a large icicle shot through him. He was almost immortal so he'd be fine but it had to hurt.
I was distracted by his cry, and a Frost Giant grabbed my arm. Instead of my skin freezing like expected, it turned light blue, like the skin of a Frost Giant. The giant looked at me in confusion and I killed him. I stared wide-eyed at my arm as it slowly turned from blue back to peach.
We ran, leaving my brother who was smashing giant after giant.
All of the sudden a huge beast roared and fell onto the ice. We ran faster, dodging large holes in the icy ground as it collapsed under the creature's weight.
"Thor!" I yelled back at my arrogant brother.
He finally started after us. We skidded to a halt on the spot where the Bifrost had dropped us. The monster reared up, and Thor jumped into the sky. The monster was about to attack when Thor sped downward, ripping through the creature's ugly head. It screeched as its body fell over the cliff. He smiled until more frost giants surrounded us. Laufey stood amongst them, his body at normal size.
"You should have listened, Asgardians", he said.
Just then the Bifrost opened and a flurry of fire poured out. The Frost Giants screamed as they melted into nothing. Laufey dodged the attack, and scowled at Phoe as she landed gracefully in front of us, her armor gleaming.
"What are you doing here, Fire Giantess?" he spat at her.
. . .
Phoenix's POV
I knew that Thor and his friends would do something so rash and stupid, but Loki? I didn't see that coming. I rode briskly to the Bifrost.
"Heimdall, the Asgardians were foolish to go to Jotunheim", I said as I jumped off the horse.
"I tried to tell them."
"Let me pass, then tell Odin what they have done, I fear a war will break out if he doesn't restore the truce he had with Laufey."
He nodded and a minute later I was flying at high speed toward the icy realm.
As I neared the surface I saw an army of frost giants, and sent a plume of fire out in front of me before I even landed. They screamed and melted.
Laufey glared at me.
"What are you doing here, Fire Giantess?" he spat at me, as I landed in front of the stunned group of Asgardians.
"Saving my", I paused, turning to them, "mislead companions."
He stepped toward me. I shot a stream of orange fire at his feet, and he leapt back.
"I wouldn't do that again, I really wouldn't."
"Watch yourself, Little Princess; when you are queen of Musphel I will destroy you and your realm."
"Oh? Is that a threat, Snowman?" I said, slightly amused.
"Musphel will fall; I will make sure of it."
"And how do you expect to do that? You seem to be forgetting that fire melts ice every time," I hissed at him.
He was about to respond when a blinding light came from the sky; the Bifrost was opening again.
We ducked, but the Frost Giants flew back from the force it expelled. Laufey clung to a rock as Odin descended from the Bifrost.
"Laufey!"
"AllFather", Laufey said calmly as he stood up and approached Odin, "Your boy has sought out war."
"These were the actions of a boy; treat them as such."
"No, he will get what he came for. There will be war."
Odin frowned. "So be it."
Just then all of us were sucked back into the Bifrost.
"What were you thinking!? Do you realize what you have started!? For years we have been at peace with Jotunheim and your stupidity has caused war to rage again!" Odin screamed at his eldest son.
"The Frost Giants must pay for—"
"If Phoenix hadn't come to your aid, you would have all been killed!" he continued, addressing all of them.
I shifted uncomfortably in my armor as my name was mentioned.
"When I am king—"
"Ah, but you are not! Not yet! I was wrong, Thor, you are not ready to become king."
"I am", Thor protested.
"You are a vain, cruel boy!" Odin yelled.
"And you are an old man and a fool!" Thor yelled back.
"Father—"Loki started.
"Silence!" he hissed at his younger son, who stepped backward.
Odin turned back to Thor, "You are not ready to be king of Asgard; you have disgraced me and the AllFather before me! I take from you your powers, and I cast you out!"
Thor's armor and cloak fell away as he was sucked back into the stream of the Bifrost, the one connected to the realm called Earth, home of the human race.
We all stood dumbfounded as the commander of thunder fell to Earth.
Odin took Thor's hammer, and whispered something against it. Then he threw it into the stream after his son. He turned to me, pain evident in his good eye, but it softened as I made eye contact.
"I thank you, Phoenix, Princess of Musphel. I did not exaggerate when I said my arrogant sons and their friends would be dead if not for your skill and bravery. I will forever be in your and your father's debt."
I didn't know how to respond, so I just bowed my head slightly.
He walked out of the dome. I turned to the others who looked just as shell-shocked as I did.
"He's right", Sif said, tears forming in her light eyes as she looked at where Thor had stood only moments ago, "we owe you our lives, Phoenix." Then she hugged me. I wasn't expecting the affection and I froze, my arms hung stiffly by my sides as she squeezed me.
The ride back to Asgard was silent, except for the hoof beats of our horses. My head was spinning with what had just happened. I was both furious with Loki and relieved that he was safe. I was confused at Sif's kindness towards me. I was shocked at Thor's banishment. I was worried about what my father would say about all of this.
The six of us entered one of the many lavish living rooms of the palace. The three warriors sprawled onto the furniture with exhaustion. Sif sat on the edge of a couch, and I just stood in the doorway. Loki started pacing back and forth, his hand up by his mouth; his brow scrunched in thought.
"Loki, you must go to your father, beg him to forgive your brother", Sif finally broke the silence.
"No", Loki said; he'd stopped pacing, "I love my brother more dearly than any of you, but I also love Asgard. You heard my father, Thor is not ready to be king, and Asgard will meet its end if Thor returns now." He stormed past me, out of the room.
"He may speak of a love for his brother and for Asgard, but he has always been jealous of Thor", Sif said, when he had gone.
I had remained silent until then, but I reflexively defended Loki.
"What's to be jealous of? He's right. Sif, you may not like Loki and I understand you have feelings for his brother, but you can't pretend that Thor would make a good king. He's arrogant, rash, and immature."
She just stared at me. She looked as if she was going to respond but I left the room before she could.
I knew Loki would go to his chambers; he's done that when he's upset ever since he was a boy. I'm the only one who's ever cared enough to notice this trend, maybe with the exception of his mother.
He laughed softly as I stepped into his chambers, his back turned to me.
"You always know me so well", he said, turning. He frowned when he saw that I was scowling at him.
"You could have been killed", I said tightly, controlling my fiery temper.
"It was not my decision to go to—"
"No, it was your conceited brother's! But you followed him!" I yelled as I ran forward. I shoved him, and he fell onto his bed.
"I had to, love", he stood up calmly, and took me in his arms.
Hot, orange tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought them off. I struggled against his hold, not really trying all that hard to get away. I felt him kiss the top of my head, and I stopped thrashing. He let go when I gave up.
"Loki", I started, "Asgard can't lose you. You are the only one who makes any sense around here anymore. I believe in your father, but Thor…" I put my forehead on his armored chest, listening to his heart. "Besides", I continued, ignoring the magma tears that were creeping out again, "I can't lose you either."
He brought my face up, and I stood on my tiptoes as our lips met. I was still tall in my shrunken form, but he was taller. Of course I soared over him when in my natural, giant form, but I rarely took that form, especially while in Asgard.
Our lips parted, and I smiled, the movement of my cheek muscles causing some orange tears to spill out over my face.
"You should be King of Asgard, not Thor", I breathed.
"Do not cry, My Flame," he cooed as his long pale fingers brushed the hot drops away. "I am sad to say you are the only one who thinks I'd make a better king than my brother."
"I know", I said, my voice sympathetic. I reached up and brushed a strand of dark hair off his face, trailing my hand down his frame as I do.
"We never got to finish what we started earlier", he grinned, changing the subject.
I shoved him on the bed again, this time playfully. My dress melted away and I shook my tiara out of my hair. I blushed orange as he stared at me.
"I'd almost forgotten how beautiful you are", he said, his armor dissipating into the air.
My whole body was now the creamy orange color it turned when I was excited. I joined him on the bed.
"You are so warm", he said as he buried his face in my hair that spread out behind my head.
…
We only took a few minutes; we lay next to each other on his bed, breathing heavily, his hand clasped around my still slightly orange one. We just lay there for a few more minutes until we decided to get dressed.
"You have a very dirty mind", he laughed as we walked slowly back to the throne room.
My orange blush returned as I remembered that he could read minds. One of his many abilities…
"Phoe!" Ember bounded over to me, stopping when she saw I was with company. "Loki? Why are you—never mind. Did you hear about Thor? Of course you did; you were there! Was it scary? Jotunheim, I mean. I'm sure you kicked their—"
"Ember!" She was making my head spin, and it was already slightly foggy from what I just got done doing. "I was just taking a walk and I ran into Loki. Yes, you are right, I do know about Thor. No, Jotunheim was not scary, we are Fire Giants, remember?" I said each word as if I was talking to a small child. Loki snorted at my sister.
"Well, anyway, father wants to see you; he's in the East Wing", she shrugged and walked past us humming to herself.
"How are you two related?" Loki laughed.
"I could ask you the same question. Thor is like a blonde ape, about as intelligent as one too", I smiled, and then quickly kissed him when I made sure we were alone again.
"True", he said.
"I should go", I said, sighing at the floor, "my father is only patient with Ember, with me…not so much."
I started to leave him, and then turned back. "You think its hard being over shadowed by your older brother, try being overshadowed by your younger sister all the time. It's even worse because she's a foot shorter than me."
He laughed again, and I left him to go face my father.
...
Many thanks for reading. Write a review and stuff if you have time :)
