A Lesson On Pride 3

"Lady Sif," the lad knelt to the ground and placed his fist over his heart before relying his message, "Thor is currently in the throne room. The guard said that they will trap him in there and then open the gates once they do so."

"Very good," Sif nodded at him while absentmindedly fiddling with her hair, "Return to your post and spread the news of the call that will alert us for the attack among the men."

"Yes milady," he got up and ran off into the waiting crowd of warriors. They made camp on the outskirts of the citadel, far away enough for Thor to not notice them, but close enough for them to travel to Thor and to bring him down. The men mingled around in groups, polishing weapons, checking armor, or having a last sip of mead or a bite of food before anything happens.

Sif stared into the crowds of men, lost in thought and only to be brought up when she heard Fandral shuffle next to her. She turned to him and saw he is not at ease, he looked pale and sick. She could not find pity within her to give to Fandral. It is his own fault for drinking until he cannot remember anything that happened the night before; and she had thought Thor was bad.

"Fandral what ails you?" she asked. She raised an eyebrow, showing him that she knows his discomfort is because of him getting drunk on the eve of the most important mission of their lives.

"I know not Sif." He muttered, he ran his hand through his hair and sighed tiredly. "I do not remember what happened last night or how I had awaken in my room when I remember being in the bar last night."

Sif sighed and gave him a condescending look, "I should have not left you down there or Volstagg. I should have ensured that you went to your room when everyone else was. Must I always baby-sit you men? You people need to be looked after like children."

She gave him a small smile, but it disappeared when she saw that Fandral was withdrawn and quiet. Perhaps this is more serious that I have let myself believe, she thought. She pondered what would be the best solution to his problem and said, "If you do not feel well, then go rest and leave the rest to us. You look too sick to be of much help."

"No Sif, I am fine. I can go through this and I need to do this. I need to redeem myself just like you and the rest. I have blood on my hands; I will not let some sickness hold me down on my path to redemption." Fandral gave her a hard look and felt anger rising inside of him.

"Do you remember anything that happened last night in the bar?" Sif swiftly asked to avoid an argument with Fandral

Fandral calmed down and thought for a moment and his eyes brightened up when he said, "There was a woman that went into the bar. We shared drinks and words for awhile. I remember that she is a very beautiful woman, long raven hair and a lovely smile. She had the cleverest things to say and I would have preferred it if we had met in a different way. She was so charming… I must admit, I wonder where she has gone so I may meet her once more."

"Well that woman is long gone and of course you would get drunk with a woman. The ever so charming Fandral, wooing every maiden he sees and forgetting them so quickly after." Sif rolled her eyes, but smiled, "Rest while you can and be weary of strange women, no matter how beautiful they are." And with that she walked off and started barking orders at mingling men.

Fandral stood there pondering what he should so and decided to go to his tent and take nap. As he lay down on his cot, he replayed memories of the night before and thought about the woman in the bar. He remembers falling asleep in the bar, but he woke up in his room on his bed. The woman… that woman also did something to him, however he could not remember. He gave up about thinking more about it and decided that his nap is more important.

When he awoke, he saw Volstagg's furry beard hanging over him and had a grim look in his eyes. Fandral glared at him for Volstagg was shaking him rudely awake. While blinking and rubbing sleep from his eyes, he had only one thought: It was time to overthrow the king.

As the warriors traveled to Thor's home they were met, to no one's surprise, with no resistance for the guards supported their cause and surrendered under no threats. The Warriors Three and Sif lead their group through the golden abode and into the entrance to the throne room and quickly barged in.

Lady Sif was the first one in and she drew her sword and cried out, "Thor!" but a small gasp of confusion surprise. No one was there, the throne room was empty, and there was no Thor in sight, only Mjolnir was visible on the throne.

The warriors filled the room and milled around, they were all unsure of what to do. The Three and Sif stood in a corner, trying to figure out what has happened and where Thor might be.

"There is no way Thor had known about this" Sif hissed, her eyes were bright in fury, "Do you think it is possible for there to be spies within the resistance?"

"We have no way of knowing," Hogun gruffly said, he crossed his arms and turned around to face the warriors.

"Men! Organize yourselves and search this place. Open every door, ask every Aesir, look everywhere for Thor. Honor yourselves with finding that damn coward. Go."

In seconds, the warriors left to search for Thor and left the Three and Sif alone in the throne room.

Volstagg wondered over to Mjolnir and tried to pick it up. After being unable to do so, he leaned against the throne wondered why his former comrade and friend ran away like a whimpering coward. Something is not right, he thought while scratching his beard absentmindedly, even though Thor has changed greatly, he would have never run away, rather than stand and fight for his place.

"I have seen Thor!" a warrior runs in to the room, yelling on top of his lungs. "He rides to the Bifrost! He is seen with a companion, but no one can identify that person."

"Damn that coward," Sif screamed hitting a column with her sword, "We will never reach him on time and by the time we get there, he could be in realms unknown."

"I shall go and alert the others and try to catch up to him" the warrior bowed quickly and ran out of the room"

Fandral felt a warmth blossom within him it filled his entire being and he looked around feeling confused and light-headed. He vaguely listened to Sif, Hogun, and Volstagg argue about what to do while feeling as if he drank the finest mead and the entire tankard. Suddenly a woman's voice in the back his head slowly began to speak a strange incantation and he found himself saying the words over and over again until he was shouting on top of his lungs. His face flushed a deep red and his eyes had a wild look to them. The others noticed him and rushed over to try and help him, but once they touched him, they found themselves unable to move.

Instead, the Warriors Three and Sif saw a green haze forming out of nowhere and engulfing them. They struggled to move, but the unseen force held them in one place. Fandral was still reciting the incantation as if his life depended on it.

"Fandral," Sif shouted, "What are you doing? Stop that! Stop!"

The green haze surrounded them and their pathetic cries to escape became muffled until silent. The haze stayed in that one spot for the longest time, and then ever so slowly, it faded away. It faded away and the spot where the Warrior Three and Sif stood was empty. The Aesir throne room was barren and silent with no one in sight.

They kept their eyes closed in fear of what they would see if they opened them. They all felt the same feelings. It felt like they were all flying faster than a well shot arrow. The rush was incredible, exhilarating, but dangerous. The feeling of falling to death was terrifying and present even though he felt the touch of his friends holding onto him. Their hold gave him comfort during this time. They had no idea what they are going through, but they sense magic surrounding them and running through their bodies and had some idea that they are being controlled by magic. Fandral noticed that he is still saying the incantation the voice in his head chanted and he willed himself to stop, but it was no use. He could not stop.

It seemed like eons had come and go until the warriors realized that the sensation of flying receded and they all opened their eyes. They were in the Bifrost and only two people stood before them. It was Thor being held by Heimdall.

Thor had a bloody gash on his head and blood slowly dripped from his face and Heimdall held his sword at Thor's throat.

"What on earth…" Volstagg staggered toward Heimdall and asked, "What is the meaning of this? I thought you serve the king, but your blade is at his throat."

"My duty is to the King of Asgard." Heimdall looked at every person before continuing his explanation, "The moment Thor fled from the throne, and he gave up his claim as King. I am here to protect Asgard and from here, the Nine Realms as well. He is a threat that cannot be let go to wonder about. I watched silently, unable to confess my opinions and now Thor is no longer king. I do not need to hold back."

He glanced toward the entrance, "The others are coming. And also, Odin has awaken."

"What?"

Everybody flinched, except for Heimdall, when Thor spoke. His voice was shaken and fear filled his entire being.

"That is impossible… he was only asleep for a few weeks." Thor began to look about for an escape route, but held himself still when Hogun walked over and pulled out his dagger and causally placed the tip over Thor's heart.

"You will stay quiet and you will not move at all. Now that your father is awake and mobile, he will know of your crimes and he will punish you for what you have done." Hogun's eyes glittered in a quiet rage, "You will pay for what you have done Thor. You are covered in innocent blood and by the Nine, I hope your father gives you what you deserve."

"Calm yourself Hogun, I have reclaimed the throne and Thor will be punished." Odin appeared in the entrance and walked in. He was followed by the royal guards and the other warriors.

"My king." The Warriors Three and Sif bowed as Odin walked by them and took his stand in front of Thor.

Thor dropped his head and refused to look at the Allfather. Odin felt a rush of pity and sadness at his son, Thor, his once brave undefeated son is now a whimpering coward that slain his own brother and a city of an innocent race.

"Thor, what has brought you to this?"

"I was king father," Thor mumbled, "They were all enemies to the peace you have created Allfather. I did what was in my power to protect it and to prove to the Nine that I am an able king."

"You allowed your pride to get in the way of your judgment Thor and now Alfheim have an entire city of dead to bury. Worse of all, they are all innocent citizens of that realm and the guards had no warning and their warriors had no time to prepare to try and protect their people." Odin grabbed Thor's shoulders and pulled him up to look at him in his eyes. "You are a disgrace and a child for I have to clean up your mess and mistakes that are now fuel to a kindling war Thor! As king of Asgard, I set upon you a fate worse than death: you will be bound and tied in chains of fire and have the spit of Surtr drip upon you until Alfheim's city is back to its former glory and its population returned."

Thor's eyes widen and he whispered, "but father… the Alfars… they do not conceive children quickly… only a handful every passing year and some years no one is born. It will take eons… please father you cannot do this to me! Please don't!"

Odin suddenly placed his thumb on Thor's forehead and the other on his throat and chanted a spell. Once he finished, he let go of Thor and ordered the guards to take Thor to the dungeon.

"Warriors Three and Lady Sif, I hereby give you your positions back. Because you have abandoned your posts as warriors and turned against the throne of Asgard, I have allowed Thor to live. That is your punishment and that is all." Odin glanced at them and turned his gaze to Heimdall.

"Heimdall, I thank you and others for your work. If you have not stopped Thor, he could have thrown the Nine into war and destroyed Yggdrasill. Keep a watchful eye on Thor. We do not want him to be causing anymore trouble." And with that, Odin exited the Bifrost and left the Three and Sif with Heimdall.

"I wish Odin would have just executed Thor like how Thor killed Loki." Hogun grumbled.

"No," Sif sighed and felt weight being lifted from her shoulders. "Odin Allfather is just in his actions. Thor will be in pain for many centuries and we should have been executed for treason, but Allfather gave us our titles back. Our punishment is Thor being allowed to live."

"I smell a boar being roasted," Volstagg sniffed the air like a hound, "Come friends enough of these dark thoughts and let us be merry once more for the evil we have fought is gone and locked away!"

He then took Hogun and Sif by the arm and pulled them from the Bifrost and to the Allfather's home. Only Fandral stayed behind, he had something on his mind and he needed to ask Heimdall.

"Who was with Thor when he arrived here?"

Heimdall turned his golden gaze to Fandral, "No one was with him. He was alone and managed to open the Bifrost before I was able take him down. He defended the entrance, but once I closed it, he only continued fighting until I put my blade at his throat. Only then did he give up."

"Oh… I see." Fandral still had a million questions and Heimdall seemed to sense this.

"Go join your friends Fandral. I see a dark haired beauty for you and no, she is not Sif."

"Farewell." Fandral took his leave and Heim was left behind to watch the cosmos and every secret within it.