Immediately we unsheathed our weapons. Ceremonial, yes, but deadly nonetheless. Thor sprang to his feet with one word, "Where?"
"The relics hall." Odin replied and beckoned all of us closer. "Thor, Loki, come with me." They nodded solemnly. "The rest of you keep the people here and guard them." The three of them walked out through the door behind the throne, trying to walk calmly as if it wasn't a potentially huge threat to Asgard. Only Loki managed it. He hadn't been called the god of mischief for naught. I learned that when he tricked me into believing he knew nothing about my birthday. And all the time he was helping my family plan an extravagant surprise party.
"Please, everyone remain calm." Lady Sif had climbed the steps and was trying to get the people's attention. "Listen!" she yelled but no one did. To help, I extinguished all the candles lighting the room so that only the bright sunlight was left to shine upon Lady Sif. After everybody had turned their attentions towards her, I slowly brought the light back to normal. "Odin wishes for everyone to stay in this hall. It is one of the safest places in all of Asgard and we can protect you in here. Odin wishes that you all remain calm; it is likely only a small band of rogues. You know they pose no true threat to us." She walked down the steps to me. "Thank you for that."
"No problem," I replied. "What do we do now/"
"We walk around, talking, pretending like it is normal until we hear something." She pointed at the warriors. "You boys start walking perimeter that way." She pointed the opposite way.
It was not long before a messenger hurried over to Lady Sif and me.
"The Allfather says the frost giants have been disposed of and two guards died defending the relics." He bowed and waited for a response.
"You are dismissed." Sif walked over to the nearest guards. "Report the the relics hall at once." Then she returned to the front of the room and nodded at me. I once again dimmed the lighting. "The frost giants have been disposed of. The coronation will be held at a later date. Thank you for your cooperation." The hall quickly began to empty. We saw the boys making their way toward us and we left the hall. They caught up to us quick enough and we hurried to the relics room. Before we got far we heard an unmistakable roar of anger and the sound of plates being smashed. We all exchanges concerned glances and hurried into the royal dinning hall. Inside Thor was standing, breathing hard, above an overturned table. We stood in shock for a moment before Volstagg broke the silence.
"What have you done‽" he exclaimed. "All this food-wasted!" He stooped down, grabbed a chicken leg, and began eating. Thor sat on the step behind him, still fuming. As I watched, Loki stepped out from behind a pillar, no longer wearing his helmet. I wondered how long he had been standing there. He sat beside Thor as the latter growled, "It is unwise to be in my company right now, brother."
"I know," muttered Loki as he stayed there anyways.
"What's troubling you, Thor?" I asked the uncomfortable question no one else would ask.
"What's wrong is that the frost giants were able to penetrate our defenses. Now they think they are superior." He stood up and began pacing. I glided around him and took his place beside Loki on the stair. "Surely all the realms are laughing at us to see that we let first giants in. I want to know how they got through. I want to go to Jotunheim."
"Brother, no," said Loki sternly. "I agree that it is shameful to Asgard, but you know as well as I do that traveling to Jotunheim is forbidden."
"But I must know how they got in. I mean to start no war; I only wish for information." He straightened his back. "Who's with me?"
"Thor," said Lady Sif. "I agree with Loki. This would be treason." Thor brushed her comment aside as he strode over to the boys.
"Tell me," he began laying a hand on Hogan's shoulder. "Who has led you through the most glorious of battles?"
"You have."
"And who has ensured the kitchen staff no longer tremble at the sight of you?"
"You have," Volstagg replied with a full mouth. Thor turned to Sif.
"Who proved that a lovely young maiden could be among Asgard's finest warriors?"
"I did," she shot back.
"True." Thor frowned at her. "But I supported you."
"Lorainne," he turned to me. "Who has helped you to rise to great social standing?"
"Loki has." If he hadn't taught me I would be only a lowly farm girl.
"Fine." He turned towards the door. "If none of you will come, I'll go by myself."
"You're not leaving without us," Lady Suf protested as she and the other warriors grabbed their weapons. "You need someone to keep you out of trouble."
"Good. Are you coming, Loki?" Thor asked.
"You want me to?" He looked up at Thor, less as a prince, more as a younger brother who is often left out of the fun.
"Of course!" Thor said and Loki beamed. "You as well, Lorainne." We jumped up and followed Thor to the stables. This was going to be interesting.