Note from BlackLaceLamb: I am so sorry for the lack of updates in the past few weeks! Writer's block struck me again, but now I'm back to re-watching Thor and the words are flowing once again. To make up for it, here's an extra-long chapter for you all! Hope you like it.
All characters as well as setting is (C) MARVEL
Seren and story is (C) Black Lace Lamb
Chapter IV: A Lost Prince
As they walked outside, Seren suddenly shielded her eyes from the light with her hand. Loki stopped and looked at her in concern, her face twisted in shock and pain. But carefully she continued walking.
"Shall someone fetch your visor?" He asked, she quickly shook her head.
"I'll be alright… I need to push past this; I will endure it until we arrive in Jotunheim. It is dark there and I don't want to make a fuss." She blinked and strained her eyes, removing her hand as the sun burned into her and blinded her momentarily. "Loki?" Her hand reached out as her eyes flinched and turned red around the edges, he took her hand and helped her down the palace steps towards the shaded stables. Seren's eyes slowly adjusted to the light and a stray tear trickled down her cheek as she saw the sun unveiled, for the first time. She grinned and laughed softly.
"What is it?" Loki asked, looking up at her raptured expression.
"Is this what… day looks like?" She choked out, wiping at her eyes. The prince smiled as she carefully walked down the stairs, he caressed her fingers tenderly.
The Asgard sky was heavy with the swollen belly of the distant suns, almost at the edge of the azure horizon of the near-endless sea. The sky was dappled with dark nebulas and swirling pools of stars. Seren had never seen the sky so colourful, she had only seen the black and blue of the eternal night… never had she gazed upon scarlet clouds, midday golden sunlight, it was more glorious than she had ever imagined.
"I have never seen you so happy." Loki said softly, she looked at him and moved to stand by his side.
"I have many reasons to be happy." She said, smiling up at him. He smirked and released her hand, now that her eyes had adjusted to the blinding light.
The seven friends walked in a line towards their horses, their weapons were laid out for them and guards stood on either side of the sandstone walls. Seren ran her hand over her ivory bow.
"First we must find a way to get past Heimdall." Thor said.
"That will be no easy task, it's said the gatekeeper can see a single drop of dew fall from a blade of grass a thousand worlds away." Volstagg said, seizing his axe.
"Yes, and he can hear a cricket passing gas in Niflheim!" Fandral joked. Seren smiled as she strapped her quiver across her back.
"Jest not! He heareth all."
"Please, getting past him should be simple enough now, since he seems to be letting Frost Giants sneak by under his nose." Fandral laughed, Seren glanced at their mocking tone and her face hardened; no doubt Heimdall would be feeling rather grim, considering today's chaos.
"Oh forgive him, I mean no offence." Volstagg rolled his eyes. She swung her bow over her shoulder and started to walk towards her new black mare, as the late Parlavix king had eaten her last horse. Noticing Loki was missing, she turned to see him walking away from one of the guards.
"Everything alright?"
"Of course, are you ready?" Loki asked. She nodded and seized the black and gold saddle of her mount. They lifted themselves onto their steeds, the two lovers sharing a smile as they steadied their horses. Thor and Loki glanced at one another with a smile and with that, the warriors galloped out of the stables and out of the city of Asgard.
Seren's hair flowed behind her like the tail of a comet as they rode over the Rainbow Bridge, the hooves of the horses making golden light erupt from the ever-shifting coloured crystal beneath them. Ahead of them was the Bifrost, the gateway to the other realms and it was spectacular to behold. Seren had never crossed into any other realm before, as she had been stationed within the cosmic sphere of Asgard and her grandmother's citadel was on an entire other plane of time and space, she was yet to have the privilege of meeting the eternal gatekeeper.
They dismounted as they neared the end of the bridge and her eyes turned to the titan-like man in golden armour. She awed at his firm gaze, rigid posture and humungous sword.
"You leave this to me." Loki said with a grin, advancing on Heimdall with a cocky air about him. "Good Heimdall-"
"You're not dressed warmly enough." He said, his voice resonating with the weight of his power. Loki blinked in surprise.
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you think that you can deceive me?" Loki chuckled at him.
"You must be mistaken…"
"Enough!" Thor said firmly, his brother fell silent. Seren watched as Thor stepped in front of Loki and looked directly into Heimdall's amber-like gaze.
"Heimdall, may we pass?"
"Never has an enemy slipped my watch until this day," His eyes flickered for a moment and Seren's dark eyes narrowed at him "I wish to know how that happened."
"Then tell no one where we have gone until we've returned. Understand?" Thor said, before moving past him to enter the Bifrost. The others followed close behind, Seren walked next to Sif as she felt a little uneasy about this venture.
"What happened? Silver tongue turned to lead?" Volstagg laughed, Fandral and Sif joining in. Seren turned and glared at them, but they didn't notice her irritation; Loki gritted his teeth and followed them.
The seven of them entered the massive room of gold, decorated with magnificent, intricate wheels and gogs, and in the centre stood the keyhole to unlock the power of the Bifrost. Seren took her place and looked into the open void of space, trying not to flinch as Heimdall used his sword to activate the mechanics, lightning erupted throughout the dome and she felt the power surge around her. The Bifrost spun at a blinding pace as the warriors took a steadying breath, preparing themselves to face the Frost Giants.
"Be warned. I will honour my sworn oath to protect this realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed to you, and you'll be left to die in the cold waste of Jotunheim."
"Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us?" Volstagg asked lightly.
"To leave the bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it." Thor grinned.
"I have no plans to die today." Heimdall looked at the cocky prince and gripped his blade.
"None do." With a last push, the bridge was opened and the warriors felt the magic of the Bifrost take them. Seren forced her eyes to stay open as she felt her body rip into a million pieces, but it was not painful. The universes spun around them as their armoured bodies were shot through space like an arrow from a bow, colour and light flooding their senses until at last they tore through the atmosphere of Jotunheim. Before them was a sphere of ice, crackling in the cold and Seren sucked down as much warmth as she could before they landed. With a final sigh of power, the seven warriors were spat out into the freezing realm.
Instantly they felt the bitter wind on their cheeks, Seren gritting her teeth as her fiery powers weakened under the heavy air. She wrapped her cape around herself, shaken by the overwhelming cold. Everyone looked at the wasteland, the once powerful Jotunheim; it was surprising how this had once been the world that almost brought Midgard to an end.
"We shouldn't be here." Hogun said softly, the first to say what everyone was thinking. Loki turned to make sure that his beloved was all right, his eyes widened. Seren's skin was a deathly white and her lips were chapped and raw, frost crusted her eyelashes and her pale blue veins along her chin and eyes were beginning to show through her skin. Seren was a living star, and not used to the cold at all, her home was a polar opposite to Jotunheim in every form. But one sharp look from her made him hold his tongue; she had too much pride and the last thing she wanted was pity.
"Let's move." Thor said. He took the lead and they slowly moved closer to the inner sanctum.
A few shards of ice and rock came tumbling down next to them and a heavy cloud of breath escaped Seren's frozen lips, her hair and skin was visibly exhuming steam from the heat slowly leaving her body. Sif saw her and stayed close to the fiery archer, she should not have accompanied them.
They advanced through the icy realm; the shattered pillars greeted them as Thor forged ahead. In the back of his mind, Loki wondered what this world would have looked like in its prime. Auroras in the sky, mountains that sparkled like diamonds in the moonlit night, vast plains of untouched snow? Yet it was thanks to his father that Jotunheim was in its current state.
It wasn't long before they reached a magnificent fortress of ice and rock; well, it hadbeen magnificent in a forgotten time.
"Where are they?" Sif asked, unnerved by the lack of a welcoming party.
"Hiding, as cowards always do." Thor said. Seren had had enough of Thor's brash tongue.
"Be mindful how you speak Thor, we are entering their dominion," She muttered, just loud enough for him to hear. "Don't do anything stupid." But Thor kept his eyes fixed on the high throne before him. Her hair whipped the air behind her as she felt her bones turn to stone at a deep, chilling voice.
"You've come a long way to die, Asgardians." Laufey sneered.
"I am Thor Odinson!" He declared proudly, as though it would have made a difference.
"We know who you are."
"How did your people get into Asgard?" Thor asked cruelly. A heavy silence filled the air, and none of them liked it. Laufey turned slowly to look at each of the warriors in turn, before a deep exhale left his mouth.
"The House of Odin… is full of traitors."
"Do not dishonour my father's name with your lies!" Thor shouted, Seren's heart sunk as Laufey rose to his feet
"Your father is a murderer and a thief! And why have you come here? To make peace?" Loki listened to every last word with care, determined to amend his brother's foolishness. "You long for battle. You crave it. You're nothing but a boy, trying to prove himself a man." Laufey said, his scarlet eyes piercing into Thor and bruising his pride.
"Well, this 'boy' has grown tired of your mockery." The others watched as Jotun soldiers emerged from behind the pillars, they were easily outmatched. Seren's frozen lips parted in shock as a nearby Frost Giant formed a terrible sword of ice, her fingertips stroked the carvings along her bow.
"Thor, stop and think." Loki finally stepped in, leaning over to mutter in his brother's ear. "Look around you, we're outnumbered-"
"Know your place brother!" Thor spat.
"You know not what your actions would unleash… I do," Laufey almost seemed saddened by the brothers' quarrel. "Go now, while I still allow it." One of the Jotuns, likely a guard, advanced on them and they watched his movements carefully.
"We will accept your most gracious offer." Loki said, bowing slightly. Seren let out a sigh of relief; the others relaxed a little and waited for Thor's next move. He let out a cruel growl and his eyes narrowed at the Frost Giant that looked down at them with a grunt. Loki turned and his arm brushed Thor's. "Come on, brother." Thor sighed internally and turned to leave.
"Run back home little princess." The Jotun muttered. A chill ran down Loki's spine.
"Damn." Everyone grimaced and knew what was coming. Thor grinned and gripped Mjolnir. With a pleasing smack, the Jotun guard went flying and the cocky prince turned to the others.
"Next?" He said with a laugh. Frost Giants poured from every crevice as everyone prepared for the fight; Thor was already smashing his way through them with all too much enjoyment.
Seren took out her bow as she leapt to avoid an icy sword; with her back flipped, she drew her bow and killed one of them, he shattered into pieces as the diamond-tipped arrow pierced their flesh. Hogun's mace grew its spines, Sif's blades emerged, Fandral's sword gleamed and Volstagg's axe was swift. Loki spun and blades went flying, shards of ice came crashing down as all around them the Frost Giants swarmed to them like ants to honey.
"At least make it a challenge for me!" Thor called out, Seren narrowly avoided a swing of a sword and she felt like punching Thor in the face. More and more Jotun emerged, roaring in anger at the prince's foolish taunts. He was enjoying this fight and didn't want this pleasure to end, but everyone else wanted to get back to Asgard as soon as they could. Even when a colossal frost warrior knocked him back, Thor lifted his head with a smile. "That's more like it!"
Sif was fighting with courage and skill, but was taken off guard by the mighty hand of her opponent. She fell to the floor, but Hogun was there for her and took out the menacing Frost Giant. Loki raised his head to see the furious eyes of scarlet charging at him. He backed up, only to reach the edge of a cliff, turning to stare at his attacker. The Jotun leapt… only to fall through the magic and shatter on the rocks below. With a flick of his wrist, the real Loki crept behind a pillar. Seren felt the fire within her fading faster; her heat leaving in thin wisps of steam and she staggered on her feet. A Frost Giant smacked her across the floor and she hit the stone with a growl of surprise. Her chest ached as she quickly drew her bow; the icy sword hungered for her. She fired not at the warrior but at the ceiling, making frozen stalactites smash down and take out four at once.
Sif blocked a shower of ice while Volstagg swung his axe. A terrible cry of pain escaped him as a Jotun seized his arm, the metal eroding instantly and ice-cold flesh burned at Volstagg's skin. He knocked the Frost Giant back and looked at the painful mess on his arm, clenching his fist tightly.
"Don't let them touch you!" He warned the others. Sif looked at Thor, silently asking him to stop, but he had no intention of fleeing. Loki gave a battle cry and charged at one of the Jotun, his blade sinking deep into his guts. The Jotun's hand lashed out and gripped the prince's arm, the metal fell away and Loki's heart stopped.
Yet the flesh did not rot… instead it was… blue?
They looked equally surprised as Loki's arm was unhurt by the touch of the Frost Giant. With a quick flick of a blade, the icy menace fell and the God of Mischief looked down at his freezing hand. He watched in silent shock as the colour slowly receded-
Seren howled in agony and his head shot up, everyone else was too preoccupied to help her. A Frost Giant withdrew his blade from her arm; her mouth was agape in a choked cry, blood spattering the cold floor.
"Unhand her!" Loki spat, he threw a blade and killed her attacker quickly, Seren fought to stay on her feet. Loki rushed to her as she gripped her arm, but blood was dripping from between her fingers.
"I'm fine! I do not need you help!" She snarled, but Loki did not listen and instead stayed at her side to protect her as the terrible cold was creeping in, smothering her fire. Seren struggled to draw her bow as she fought at Loki's side; they both knew she couldn't last much longer.
Fandral was grinning as he fought with one of the Frost Giants, his silver blade gleaming in the icy light. As it was knocked out of his grip, he slid along the ice to retrieve it, slicing through the Frost Giant with ease and turning with a smile. Suddenly a fan of icicles shot out and pierced him, he screamed in pain and that was the final straw. His shoulder was limp as blood spread across the fur along his chest and shoulder; with a flick of his wrist, Loki killed the Jotun who summoned the ice.
"Thor!" Sif shouted at him. He did not listen and continued to attack the Frost Giants, Hogun and Volstagg helped Fandral off the shards of ice, it was barely inches from his heart.
"We must go!" Loki roared at him, seizing Seren around the waist as one of her knees buckled and she gritted her teeth, he pulled her weight against him.
"Then go!" Thor growled, almost in annoyance. Mjolnir went flying from his hand and struck down a whole line of Jotuns. With that final insult, Laufey could take no more. His magic split the ice and a gleaming crack ran towards a colossal beast locked in ice. The creature's larynx rumbled and Loki looked up in horror, Seren felt her stomach drop. The crack broke the ice across the monster and Volstagg hoisted Fandral onto his shoulder.
"RUN!" He shouted. With that, his friends turned to get the injured back to Asgard. Though she normally didn't want others helping her, Seren wrapped her arm around Loki's shoulder as they fled across the vast icy terrain.
"Thor!" He shouted to his brother, the beast broke free. Thor continued to fight as his friends ran for their lives across the ice. There came a mighty roar as the ice beast started to chase them, claws sinking deep into the ice as it picked up speed. Pillars of stone came crashing down around it but it still raced after the Asgardians, it almost trapped Sif but with lightning reflexes she slipped free.
Frost Giants charged at Thor, determined to bring the prince to an end. He thrust Mjolnir into the sky and summoned the almighty power of the storm before throwing his arm down and blasting his foes away. Cracks erupted across all of Jotunheim, splitting the world apart like shards of glass. The beast was one of more unfortunate inhabitants, as with a mighty cry it fell between the cracks.
"Heimdall! Open the bridge!" Thor shouted as they reached the edge of the cliff.
Their eyes widened in fright as the colossal claws of the ice beast seized the edge of the cliff and it rose to glare at them. A terrible roar blew freezing, foul breath at them and Seren felt all hope of escape leave her; her eyes flickered in and out of focus as she struggled to stay awake.
Suddenly Thor shot into the sky, holding fast to Mjolnir and leaving his friends. The six remaining warriors gripped their weapons as the beast leered at them; Sif and Hogun readied themselves to protect their injured comrades.
There was a flash of scarlet and Thor came flying back at them, straight through the skull of the ice beast. His friends looked up at him as the monster fell and he landed on the ice, triumphant. Thor turned to look at his allies, but was instead greeted by his enemies. At least a thousand Jotun warriors were advancing on them, led by a furious Laufey. They were surrounded. With two warriors down, it seemed that this battle was already won.
Like a shining aurora the heavens split open as the Rainbow Bridge burst through the skies of Jotunheim. There came a mighty crash as someone landed on the icy cliff, the Asgardians held their breath as the deep whinny of a horse echoed across the wasteland. Odin Allfather raised his spear, Gungir, and the Jotuns took a step back in fear, Seren felt like she was going to be sick as shame crept into her heart. But in Odin's presence, she felt warmth flood her skin.
"Father! We'll finish them together!" Thor shouted with a broad grin on his face.
"Silence!" Odin hissed at him. Thor's smile fell; Loki and Seren glared at him in silence. Laufey rose to meet the Allfather, his scarlet eyes flashing at the deep bags under his eyes and his tight grip of Selphinir's reigns.
"Allfather… you look weary."
"Laufey, end this now." Odin said.
"Your boy sought this out." All eyes turned to Thor, who felt his stomach clench.
"You're right. And these are the actions of a boy, treat them as such." Odin tried to cover his son's mistakes, but all could see it wasn't working. "You and I can end this here and now, before there's further bloodshed."
"We are beyond diplomacy now, Allfather. He'll get what he came for: war… and death…" Laufey said, his voice menacing with the promise of battle. Seren closed her eyes and grimaced at his words.
"So be it." Odin said.
A dagger of ice appeared in Laufey's hand, Seren lurched forward to protect Odin but with a thrust of his spear, he cast Laufey backwards against a rock. The Asgardians seemed to melt together into the light as the Bifrost took them home, Seren's mind reeling as space spun around them at a breakneck speed. All the while, she felt Loki's hand gripping her wrist.
They were spat out back in Asgard, in more ways than one. The Bifrost was still spinning when the ever-arrogant Thor turned to his father.
"Why did you bring us back?"
"Do you realise what you've done, what you've started?" Odin asked.
"I was protecting my home!" Thor spat.
"You cannot even protect your friends!" Odin practically tore Heimdall's sword out of the Bifrost lock and threw it at him in anger. "How can you hope to protect a kingdom?" He growled. "Get them to the healing room! Now!" Sif and the Warriors Three ran back to the palace, Loki started to take Seren with them but she pushed him off and sunk to her knee. She crossed her arm over her chest, her eyes pleading up at her king.
"Allfather I-" Odin whirled around and glared down at her, her lips snapped shut at his angry gaze.
"Huntress." His eye took in her shaking, frozen form and the blood that was pooling on the golden floor. "I expected better from you…" He spat. Seren turned her gaze away, still kneeling, her shoulders hunched in disgrace. He hadn't lifted his hand to her, so she didn't move. Thor saw her and frowned at her deathly pale skin and the blood on her arm, but the guilt was smothered by anger.
"There won't be a kingdom to protect if you you're afraid to act." Thor said. "The Jotuns must learn to fear me, just as they once feared you." Loki glanced down at the woman kneeling at his side, but turned to look at his father and brother.
"That's pride and vanity talking, not leadership. You've forgotten everything I taught you about a warrior's patience." Odin said, trying to calm his son's temper.
"While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us. The old ways are done! You'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls." Thor growled, but his father had enough.
"You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!"
"And you are an old man and a fool!" Thor snarled. Odin paused and looked at his golden heir, his eye falling to the floor as his heart was heavy with pain at Thor's words.
"Yes. I was a fool… to think that you are ready." Loki stepped forward.
"Father…" But Odin turned to him and shouted for him to stay silent, the younger prince grimaced and Seren lifted her head to look at Odin and Thor. Only the Allfather knew what was to happen next.
"Thor Odninson… You have disobeyed the express command of your King. Through your arrogance and stupidity, you have opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horrors and desolation of war." Odin spoke solemnly before piercing the control panel with his mighty spear, Seren watched in silent shock as the Bifrost began to open.
Odin moved towards his son, seizing a disc of armour, "You are unworthy of this Realm…" He tore it from him. "…unworthy of your title…" Thor's scarlet cloak was ripped from his back. "You are unworthy…" Seren could do nothing but watch as Thor's face crumbled, and she could sense the pain and fury that radiated off Odin. "…of the loved ones you've betrayed." Loki looked between them, the two golden ones fighting with fierce tongues and broken hearts. While he and his lover remained silent.
The Allfather stepped back to the control panel, turning to face Thor.
"I now take from you your power!" Mjolnir went flying into Odin's hand, and the scales of Thor's armour crumbled. "In the name of my father…" Thor's eyes were wide. "…and of his father before…" Loki's fist clenched tight. "I, Odin Allfather," Seren leapt to her feet, her mouth open in a silent disbelief. "CAST YOU OUT!"
The force of Mjolnir threw Thor back into the swirling vortex of the Bifrost. Light, fire and thunder seized him, stripping Thor Odinson off all riches and power and casting him far into the cosmic beyond.
Loki, his eyes red with supressed tears of disbelief, seized Seren by her uninjured arm and brought her to his side. She followed him without question, but turned to look at the Allfather one final time. Loki clutched her tightly, and she felt her eyes prickle with tears as she looked at Odin.
She didn't see her king. She didn't see the great conqueror Odin, wielder of Gungir. He turned and looked at her and Loki briefly, before marching back towards the city.
Seren saw a father, who had just banished his golden son to a place she didn't know. Thor was truly lost now.
