Chapter Four
Disclaimer: Thor belongs to Marvel. The story title belongs to Within Temptation.
Many months had passed since I had claimed my sword Elderstahl, and I began to tire of only ruling Muspelheim. I yearned to extend my rule over the other realms, yet I could not act upon that desire. For if I were to attempt to seize another realm without any sort of reason for doing so, like as not the other realms would band together and make it far more difficult for me to continue my campaign. This was a worrying problem, yet I could not see a way to avoid it at the moment. As a whim to pass the time, and to possibly aid my plans, I took to finding out how the political affairs of the other realms stood. I knew that there had been a war betwen the Aesir and the Vanir some time ago, but that appeared to have been resolved. The Light Elves never truly involved themselves in others' problems, but their realm was far from Muspelheim, so it would be difficult to reach without someone becoming aware of my movements.
Then an interesting rumour reached me: the Jotuns, led by King Ymir, had declared war upon the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. This could prove interesting. I knew the Jotuns far outnumbered the Dark Elves, but they had very little magic, whereas the Dark Elves did. I resolved to keep an eye on the situation, as they might be a way to turn it to my advantage. The war continued for some years, and I heard that the Jotuns were besting the Elves. I was not truly surprised: in a battle, superior numbers are the greatest aid of the lesser beings, though I required none but myself to win a fight. Eventually, an envoy of the Dark Elves was sent to appeal to Odin, for his people's aid in the war, as the numbers of Dark Elves were dwindling, and they feared extinction. The Jotuns outnumbered them at least ten to one now. Odin refused aid. I assumed this to be because he had not been ruler for that long. He probably did not wish to lead his people into war while he was still uneasy in his rule.
I assumed all the Dark Elves returned to battle, after their failed mission. I was wrong. I began hearing rumours from my lieutenants about another trespasser in Muspelheim. This had not happened for a few years, so I was mildly surprised to find another young fool attempting to test his mettle here. I thought they had all learned their lesson, considering all the punishments I had meted out in the past. I ordered this being to be brought before me. My people deserved another meal. My servants departed to search Muspelheim for the uninvited visitor, and I was left alone. Or so I thought. The moment my last guard was out of sight, a shadow-like form seemingly moved of it's own accord, streaming and twisting through the air, to land at my feet. The shadow solidified, revealing a Dark Elf, kneeling before me. So... this was the trespasser.
I stood, and looked down at the elf. No-one had ever had the audacity to come into my realm and seek me directly. I was torn between ripping him apart for his brazen behaviour, or laughing at him for his stupidity.
"You dare to enter my presence uninvited, Elf?" I demanded. I still wasn't sure what to do with him, but he needed to understand that I would not tolerate such behaviour. He still knelt, with his head bowed, like a supplicant to court, but he did not respond. I willed a ring of fire to surround him. "STAND!" I shouted. As he did so, the circle of flame expanded, forming a cage-like structure around him. He had no room to move- he could not escape now. "I will only ask you once more, Elf." I moved so I stood directly in front of him "why have you come here?"
He raised his head slowly. "I came, your Majesty," he began "to beg you to aid my people in the war."
I was speechless. He came to ask me for aid? Did this elf have any idea who I was? Why in Hel's name did he think I would even care about the Dark Elves' plight?
He spoke again- without permission! "My Lord Surtur." he stated. "You are a mighty and powerful being, yet you have only one realm under your sway." I decided to listen, as this sounded like it could lead somewhere interesting. I sat back upon my throne and gestured for him to continue. "If you will lend your aid to the Dark Elves, and help us win this war, then I have been assured that my people will pledge loyalty to you."
"And do you speak for your entire race, Elf?" This sounded promising, but I was not going to waste my time on a battle unless I was sure I would gain something from it. He smiled.
"I do, my Lord. For I am Malekith, Ruler of the Dark Elves, and I give you my word, I will swear fealty to you when the war is won, and my people will follow." I nodded. This deal was worth making, and defeating the Jotuns would not be difficult.
"Agreed." I stated. "Return to your people, and tell them to begin a retreat from Jotunheim. I am sure you do not wish them to be between me and the Jotuns when I join the battle." Malekith nodded fervently.
"Thank you, my Lord. I will never truly be able to repay-"
"You can repay me by obeying me!" I snapped. "Go. Remove your people from Jotunheim. If any of them remain there when I arrive, I will not be held responsible for their fates." Malekith paled at that, bowed, and departed in a swirl of inky smoke. I prepared to depart, smirking to myself all the while. Malekith had no idea that I was becoming involved for my own reasons. I had no interest in sparing him or his race. But now that he had involved me in this war, I could act without consequence, as I was aiding a fellow ruler. Ha! My real interest in this was to conquer Jotunheim, wiping out the Jotuns if necessary.
I belted Elderstahl around my waist. It would be amusing to see what effect a sword of fire would have on Jotunheim, as the world was practically forged from ice. And when I had dealt with the Jotuns, my next target would be Svartalfheim. Malekith was a fool. I did not want his people's loyalty. They would be the second race to fall to me. I made one last arrangement before my departure, which would ensure my return here. I finished chanting the spell and, sensing that it had worked, I took off and flew rapidly towards Jotunheim. It would not do to delay on my bargain with Malekith...
To be continued!