Chapter 3
I moan and shift slightly, regretting it as little prickles of pain shoot up from my various wounds. I must be dead. I have to be dead. There's no way I survived that torture.
If you were dead, nothing would hurt, stupid.
I crack my eyes open and look around. Everything is slightly blurred, and, to be completely honest, I'm surprised I'm not lying in a bed made of clouds surrounded by rainbows and blue.
I try to open my left eye, but the skin around it is too swollen to open it more than a crack. I blink multiple times, clearing the vision in my other eye. Once everything stops looking fuzzy my jaw drops.
I am lying in a large hospital bed in a really big room. The walls are covered in warm brown wallpaper with thin golden curls spiraling across it. To my right is a metal night stand with bandages and some bottles filled with weird colored liquids. Farther off, pushed against the wall parallel to my bed, is a sofa that looks about two times bigger than normal. Next to that is a table. A vase of bright blue and orange lilies sits on it. I'm dreaming. I'm in one of those dreams where you shrink down and everything is too big and too bright. I need to be. If I'm not dead, I am definitely dreaming.
Taking a moment before goggling at anything else, I inspect my body. My arm that had been crushed is now bandaged with this weird brown fabric that must be a cast. A few sickly colored bruises stick out from under it, but I can tell it isn't broken anymore. My right arm looks like it had succumbed to a brutal form of acupuncture. Speckles the size of pin heads, and some even bigger, dot it everywhere; on my wrist, my bicep, even my elbow. My elbow. How do you even get a needle in an elbow?
After feeling my face, and wincing a total of thirteen and a half times, I conclude that nothing major is broken. My eye is just as puffy and half closed as it was when I woke up and I have a giant bruise on the left side of my face that stretches from my cheek bone to my jaw. I vaguely remember being punched and slapped a couple of times. I don't want to (let alone have the stomach for it) look at the rest of my body, so instead I turn my attention back to my surroundings.
The wall to my left is completely covered by a window and the landscape outside is more beautiful than anything I have ever seen. There is a large expanse of gold towers and buildings that subside to less shiny walls and roofs. To one side of what must be a village is a forest of huge pine trees, and farther past the village is a deep blue ocean that just sort of spills over into space.
"Holy crap," I breath. It looks like a scene from a fairytale, except slightly more shiny and golden.
"I see you have awoken," a voice says from behind me.
I look at the person who spoke. It's a man and he is big. He's wearing silver and black armor and is holding something that vaguely resembles a hammer. Behind him flows a long red cape. His hair is shoulder length and honey blond and neatly trimmed scruff covers his chin. His overall appearance is overwhelming, but his eyes are kind and have crinkles next to them, marks made from continuous smiling and laughter.
"I...um...yes. Yeah, I guess I have," I sputter. "So, uh, where exactly am I?"
"Asgard, my lady," the man says.
Holy shit.
"Wait, wait. You said Asgard. As in the Norse mythology Asgard?"
Now this definitely needs to be a dream.
He laughs. "Yes, that Asgard. But I can assure you, my lady, it is certainly no myth."
"Holy shit. Holy shit, so wait. Okay...holy sh-crap. Sorry! Okay, okay, uh." I take a breath, trying to sort out my thoughts that are scattered around my brain like puzzle pieces. "If-if I'm on Asgard, then...who are you?"
"I am Thor, Son of Odin Allfather and Frigga Allmother of Asgard." He bows slightly.
"Thor? Like lightning and thunder Thor?"
"I suppose." He laughs again. I must sound really stupid.
"And that's your hammer?" I ask, pointing at it.
"Yes. This is Mjölnir."
I repeat the name silently then stare at him. I open my mouth to say something, but shut it abruptly, not knowing what to say.
"Are you alright?" he asks after a moment of watching me sputter for words. "Are you in pain? I can summon Eir. She is the healer here."
"No, I'm fine, just a little...flustered. And sore. And kinda scared, too," I say, squeezing the blanket. Don't freak out, don't freak out!
"I apologize if I came off as threatening. I meant no harm," Thor says.
"Oh, no, it's not you. I've just been through a lot and I'm kind of freaking out right now. So, um..." I swallow then continue. "I'm just getting very overwhelmed."
He gives me a worried look then says, "I shall summon Eir. She will be able to help." He smiles down at me before turning and leaving. The door swings shut behind his red cape and I sit staring at the wood. What happened while I was out? Where did Malekith go? And how the hell did I wind up in Asgard?
Glancing out the window again, I can make out a sparkling bridge with lights shifting and shimmering through it, looking like moving rainbows. At the end of it is a large, golden sphere with a round opening where the bridge connects with it. A large steeple-like structure protrudes from the top.
The door swings open and Thor walks back in followed by a woman. She is beautiful, with long brown hair that trails down her back and shining gold-brown eyes. She is wearing a tan tunic that covers dark pants tucked into worn leather boots. Her sleeves are rolled up and her hands are stained, from medicine, I am guessing.
"How are you fairing, child?" she asks, smiling at me.
"Okay, I guess? I kinda hurt, but it's nothing like before. But I'm just feeling really overwhelmed."
"It is good you are no longer in pain; it means the potion worked." She holds up a small vial full of purple liquid. "I have prepared another. When you wish, drink this and it will heal you further while you sleep."
"Thank you," I say.
She sets it on the table beside me and says, "As for you being overwhelmed, there is not much I can do." Eir sits on the edge of my bed, taking one of my hands and giving it a small squeeze. "But I can assure you, Malekith can not get you here. You are safe and we will keep you safe for the duration of your stay here. My suggestion is to get some sleep. You will feel much better when you wake." She smiles at me, getting up, then places her hand momentarily on Thor's shoulder before leaving.
"Was that Eir?" I ask.
Thor nods. "Yes. She is Asgard's healer and can create powerful elixirs that can cure even the most seriously wounded men and women."
"So I see," I mutter, eyeing the brightly colored liquid.
"I should leave to let you rest and heal fully," the God of Thunder says.
I swallow my nerves and give him a tight smile. "I'm fine for now. Plus, I want to know what happened while I was unconscious and half dead." Memories of the torture come flooding back and I wince, pushing them far, far away.
He frowns a little as he starts to explain. "I do not know what happened while you were being held by the Dark Elves, so I can only tell you the events that transpired during the attack." I nod and he continues. "We don't know precisely what happened, but somehow the Dark Elves breached our barriers and entered through the Bifrost. Lady Sif, one of our best warriors, my brother and I fought Malekith and I sent my brother to take you to Eir."
"Did you...kill Malekith?" I ask, becoming slightly hopeful.
"No. As soon as he realized we had rescued you, he left. I fear he shall return for you in the near future."
I don't say anything. He's not dead. He needs me for something, so obviously he's going to come back.
"Where's your brother? Is he still here?" I ask, breaking the silence. "Can I thank him?"
At this Thor becomes awkward. "I do not think that wise..."
"Why not?"
"My brother is...unstable."
"Unstable how?"
"Well..."
It's almost comical seeing such a big, confidant guy fidget.
"Well...?" I ask, shrugging a little.
"He can become very angry and violent with no explanation. I do not wish to use the word insa-"
"I was saved by an insane guy?" I cry.
"No! He was under direct orders from the Allfather that if he harmed you-"
"So you and this Sif person told an insane guy to save me?"
"Lady Freya-"
"And he listened?"
At this Thor furrows his brow. "Er...yes... I do not see-"
"If he is a psychopath then wouldn't he have, I don't know, actually done something to me? Or at least, not have listened to you?"
"I suppose I see your point, but I believe he acted under the knowledge that if he disobeyed he would no longer be allowed out of his cell."
"His cell?"
"Yes, he has caused much...conflict between people," he says. Then, when he sees the look on my face, follows it up with, "But, I do believe that my brother could change for the better if he was given the chance, as does my mother. The Allfather does not."
Maybe I should just take that purple potion now. All this information is making my brain hurt, not to mention the throbbing that has started in my bruised arm.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. As I let it out, I look at Thor. "I have a lot of questions."
"I would be very surprised if you did not," he said. "I will answer everything you ask to the best of my ability."
"Okay, thank you. So, Dark Elves brought me to Asgard, which is where the Norse gods, who I thought were myth but actually aren't, live?" Thor nods. "And I was saved by your psychopathic brother who could become non-psychopathic, maybe? And you're Thor, son of Odin?"
"Yes, all of that is correct."
"Your mom is Frigga?"
"Yes."
"Odin is, like, the main god?"
"Yes."
"What's a Bifrost?"
"The Bifrost is a portal capable of transporting anyone to any of the Nine Realms. It is the golden sphere which you can see from where we are located." He points out the window and I follow his gaze to the golden ball attached to the colorful bridge. "The Rainbow Bridge attaches it to Asgard. Heimdall is it's protector."
I nod. Then open my mouth to ask another question, but before I can, the door opens and Eir walks back in.
She walks directly to Thor, whispers, "I need to speak with you," then Thor gets up and they both walk a little ways away.
I sit, watching them, trying not to eavesdrop but trying to all at the same time. They're talking so quietly that the only thing I hear is, "Does she know?"
"About what?" Thor whispers.
"Does she know about Loki? Does she—who—what he did?"
"I do not believe so, no."
Eir nods and glances at me. When she sees I had been listening, she whispers one more thing to Thor, then walks over to me.
"Remember to take the medicine."
"I will," I say, glancing at the purple liquid.
She turns, exchanges a look with Thor and leaves us alone again.
"What does she mean?" I ask once the door has closed.
"I beg your pardon?"
"What does she mean 'do I know about Loki?' He's one of your brothers, right?" I try to pull as many Norse mythology facts from my mythology course last semester. "He's the God of Mischief and Lies right?"
"He is my only brother and yes...you are correct," Thor says. He looks uncomfortable.
Only brother? We must have gotten a lot of stuff wrong, then.
"But what was she talking about?"
"I do not think—"
"You said you would answer everything I ask to the best of your ability," I say.
He rubs his forehead, sighing. "I did say that," then quieter, "and I am beginning to regret it."
"So what did your brother do?" I lean forward, waiting.
He's silent.
"Wellllll?"
"Do you recall the, ah, the Avengers?"
"Yes..." I wait for a moment, then something clicks. "Oh my god! Are you an Avenger?"
He nods.
"Whoa, I—well, I guess that's kinda obvious now that I think about it. I did something fly by my dorm window about a year ago, before all of that weird alien stuff really started." I stare at my hand, thinking for a second. "So that means you know Captain America? And the Hulk?"
"Yes, but—"
"Are they nice?"
"Yes, but—"
"Wow—"
"Lady Freya, that is not what I am trying to tell you." He sits down on the edge of the bed. "You apparently remember the invasion of the New City of York."
I laugh at this, but stop when I remember what we're actually talking about. "Yes, I do."
"You know about the aliens. However, do you know who brought them there?"
I shake my head. "Not really. I saw some stuff on newscasts. The footage was really bad though. There were some rumors going around after the fact, but no certainties. The government kept it all very down low. The rumors were really farfetched though. I heard some people talking about how it was a god who came down to rule Earth or something. They were throwing around names, Hades, Osiris, Lo—"
I stop.
Thor is watching me carefully. He sits up straighter. "Loki, yes."
"Yeah," I breath. Loki tried to take over my planet. "It was him? He's the one who practically flattening New York to the ground!?"
He merely nods.
"Your brother, Loki, the God of freaking Lies and Mischief tried to take over my planet! Holy shit, Thor! Why didn't you tell me this when you mentioned psychopathic?"
"It did not seem appropriate to inform you earlier. You were quite overwhelmed so I did not think it wise to add to it."
"Were you going to tell me?"
"Eventually...probably."
I lean forward and put my head in my hands. "This is unreal," I whisper.
"I...suppose now that you know what he did, you do not wish to see him."
"No, I still want to. But along with thanking him, I also want to slap him. Mostly slap him. Where is he?" I say.
"Loki is in his cell, as I said before," Thor says. He walks to the end of my bed and sits down.
"In his cell."
"Yes."
"You were serious?"
"My lady, are you sure you are feeling well? This is the third time I have said this."
"Yes, I'm fine. Doesn't locking him up make him angrier? I mean, I'm not trying to defend the guy who tried to take over my planet, but doesn't keeping him locked up and able to brood twenty-four-seven not help the situation of 'teaching him a lesson'? You even said yourself that he was let out under orders not to harm anyone, or whatever."
Thor is silent for a few moments before he opens his mouth and carefully says, "I understand what you are saying but my father does not believe it is wise for him to be running free. For that reason, we put him back in his cell even though he listened to me and did not harm anyone. I believe that the Allfather's patience has been entirely used up by my brother."
I look out the window and study Asgard, thinking. "Can I go see him, though?"
"Perhaps; but for now I suggest you rest."
The purple liquid is still sitting on the nightstand, glistening in the daylight. I pick it up and uncork it.
"Sweet dreams," I mutter, and down the drink in one gulp. Warmth spreads through me as soon as I swallow the potion. It makes me feel heavy and my eyelids start to droop. Thor stands and pulls the blanket over my exposed arms so that it rests just below my neck.
"I shall check on you once you are fully rested," he murmurs and I mutter something that comes out as a slur in response.
Then I'm enveloped in blissful sleep.
...
Some time later I wake up and instantly realize that, besides a few scars on my arms from the needle injections, I am entirely healed. I sit up, yawn and stretch, sighing as I crack my back. I open my eyes and notice how my once puffy eye now opens fully. Expecting to see the brown wallpaper from before, I'm shocked when I realize that I am in a much nicer, much bigger room.
The bed I am sitting in is slightly longer and wider than a normal king-size and is covered in a dark turquoise bed spread that I've just now realized is the only thing covering my almost completely naked body. I pull the blankets up over my exposed bra and look around frantically for a place to change. The wall across from me has a window about four feet wide that reaches all the way to the ceiling high above; to my right, the entire wall is a window.
I see a big wardrobe across the room but I don't feel like running past a giant window in my undies. To the left of the smaller window is a set of gold hooks from which hang my bag and jacket, but none of my other clothes from Earth. The door next to the hooks is partly open; inside I can see a mirror hanging on the gold wall just above a sink. A fireplace made of dark marble covers part of another wall and two chairs sit in front of it, bathed in an orange glow. On the same wall are two giant golden doors that must lead out of my room.
There's a knock on the door and I jump.
"Lady Freya?" someone calls softly. "Are you awake?"
"Yeah! Er, one minute!" I look around for a place to change and spot a door. I get up and run over to it (thank god these gods have rugs).
When I turn the handle and pull it open, a wave of relief washes over me. Inside is a small room full of clothes. Dresses of every color and style hang from a rod and shirts, tunics and pieces of light armor hang on another. Under the shirts and tunics are shelves that hold an assortment of neatly folded trouser. The wall across from me is made entirely of shelves and on each one are about five pairs of shoes. I am in heaven!
I glance over the dresses then turn to the other wall where the shirts hang. Picking out a red tunic, I pull it on, then pull on a pair of light beige pants and walk out.
I go to the double doors and grab the handle. When I pull it open, I see a girl standing in front of me. She is about half an inch shorter than I am and looks to be about thirteen or fourteen (but not knowing how time works in Asgard, I can't say for sure).
"Um...hi," I say, smiling.
She smiles back, but her light blue eyes still look nervous. "I am Lifa, and I've been assigned to help you with whatever you may need, whether it be washing clothes or retrieving more towels for your bath."
"Uh, thank you. You...already know my name."
Lifa laughs lightly. "Yes, Lady Freya. Thor has told me everything that has happened to you and I am very sorry to hear about all that you went through."
"Yeah...it was...really, really awful. But Eir healed me, so I'm fine now."
I stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Lifa does the same, twirling the end of her blond braid around her finger. A minute passes without us saying anything and I'm beginning to wonder if I should invite her inside or-
"Pardon me!" the girl cries suddenly. "I forgot the reason for which I came. Here. Your Midgardian garments." She holds out a pile of clothes and I see my pink shirt, camisole, and leggings.
"Eir had them washed and mended for you. She thought that you would most likely want them back."
I take my clothes and thank her.
"The Queen also wishes for you to attend dinner. I can help you find a dress to wear, if you would like." Lifa smiles at me.
"That'd be great. Come on in." I stand back and she enters my room, a look of wonder slowly covering her face.
"You have a beautiful room!"
"Thanks." I put my clothes on the sofa. "So, when do I have to go to dinner? And what do I have to do? I've never really eaten with royalty before."
"In about an hour's time," Lifa says, stroking the curtains that hang from the canopy over my bed. "I will explain everything once you are dressed and ready. Where's your closet?"
I point to the door and she rushes over, eager to see more. I don't blame her, I'm eager to look in my closet even though I already know what's in it. Lifa opens the door and lets out a small gasp as she walks in. I laugh.
"Are you not coming?" she calls, her voice loud and excited.
"Yes, I am!" I call and I follow her in.
"You are going to be dining with the Allfather and Frigga, the Queen," the girl says. She turns to me. "Along with Thor, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three." Lifa pulls a red ruffly dress off the rod and holds it up in front of her. Peeking her head around, she looks at me with a scrunched up nose; we exchange looks and I shake my head.
"Find something more...flowy," I say, walking to an elegant looking gold one. No.
"So what do I need to know for this thing? Any tips? Pointers?"
"Be polite, do not interrupt, sit up straight. I do not really know what else to tell you for I have never eaten in the presence of the Allfather."
I nod and we both continue to look for a few minutes more, me saying no to almost all the ones she holds up.
Lifa taps my shoulder. "I think I may have found one." I can hear the smile in her voice.
When I turn and see the dress she is holding, I gasp. The gown is a dark blue, almost navy, and the gauzy straps have little sequins and jewels that shimmer and shine in the light that doesn't really have a source.
"Well?" Lifa asks, smiling.
"Yes. That is perfect! Definitely yes!" I cry.
She holds the dress out to me and I take it, running my fingers over the soft fabric.
"I also found these." She holds up a pair of silver high heels and I nod, unable to take my eyes off the dress. "I'll leave so you can change, Lady Freya. If you wish, I could also do your hair. I've always wanted to do someone's hair, but I have three brothers, so I haven't gotten the chance."
"If it isn't too much trouble, I would really appreciate it," I say.
"It is no problem at all. I would be happy to do it." Lifa smiles and hurries out, closing the door behind her. Once she's gone, I pull off the tunic and hang it back up. I shed the pants and throw them in a messy pile on top of some others. Taking the gown off the hanger, I unbutton the back and step into it. It floats down around me, coming to a stop just above the floor. I step into the shoes and strap them on to my feet, feeling way too tall.
"Okay! I'm ready! But I might need help walking."
Lifa opens the door and her eyes widen. "That dress looks so beautiful on you! Here, I'll button it." She quickly buttons up the back then helps me waddle into my room. "I'll do your hair, and then Thor should be here to show you to the dining hall."
"Thank you," I say and sit down on the edge of my bed. Lifa crawls on and sits behind me, her hands working quickly on my hair. Two minutes later, she hops off the bed to inspect her handiwork.
"Is it good?" I'm a little nervouse; she said she's never done this before.
"It is much more than 'good;' go look," Lifa says, pointing at the mirror.
I get up and walk over to the mirror. I gasp, seeing my reflection and tilt my head to look at my hair. It's pulled into a loose braid and some dark waves frame my face.
"M'lady, I do not mean to be rude, but what is that marking on your shoulder?" Lifa asks.
I crane my neck to look at my right shoulder where my small, star-shaped tattoo is. "It's a tattoo," I say, touching it absentmindedly.
"It is a very pretty marking."
I glance at her and she smiles. "Thank you. And thank you for doing my hair. This is pretty good for having three brothers and all."
"Thank you, Lady Freya."
Someone knocks on the door and I walk over as I say, "You can just call me Freya."
Thor stands there smiling and now, instead of his armor and cape, he wears a grey cloak and some of his hair is pulled back. He looks even more handsome than he did before, if that's possible.
"My lady, you seemed to have cleaned up a bit," he says, looking at my dress.
"Yeah. One looks considerably better without a swollen eye and a giant bruise on her face," I say, trying to cover up my red cheeks and nervous laughing.
He smiles then holds up his arm. Chivalry is not dead! I take it and then turn back to Lifa.
"Thanks for all your help."
"It was nothing. I hope you have a wonderful time at dinner," she says. "I will see you tomorrow. If you do not mind, I can get your chambers ready for your return, lay out some night things."
"That'd be great," I say. The doors close and Thor and I begin to walk down the hallway toward the delicious smell of food.
