Thor's POV
Quick note: This happens at the same time as the previous chapter
The previous time my Midgardian companions and I were together, I was forced to leave on rather short notice. I do hope they do not hold that against me. I did bring two objects as a form of apology. One that Stark would most definitely enjoy, the other of which doctor Banner had found most useful.
"Ah, Friends, I have returned!"
They all perked up at the sound of my voice, Tony even getting up from his seat on the couch to come over and greet me.
"I can see that," Clint said, "And in mostly one piece."
"Yeah, where you been buddy? We've -Ack!"
I cut off Stark's surely sardonic remark with a hug. He had the tendency to natter on far too long for my tastes, this was a good way to keep it short. And if that hug happened to be a bit more forceful than need be, well… regardless, it was good to see him again.
*CrAck*
You can tell when a midgardian is done being hugged when you hear the crack.
Tony stumbled back to the couch and flopped down once I released him. I claimed the cushion next to him. I rested my head against the back of the back of the sofa and rested my new blades on its arm. It was nice to take a bit of a rest.
I was still staring at the ceiling when I began speaking, "I have traversed the edges of the realms, making certain both Fenrir* and Jormungand are secure."
"Who and who?"
I sighed, bringing my gaze to rest on -who else?- Tony. It seemed that many of the people of this realm had forgotten the old stories. The times we tried to explain why certain things happened; why Sol had to keep moving, or why my dog kept them up at night. One of these days I would have to re-explain my family tree to these people. That will not be a fun day, but as of now.
"Fenrir the Demon Wolf and Jormungand the World's Serpent, two of my Nephews. Usually Tyr is the one to feed Fenrir, but she was… occupied at that time." I would tell them of our new settlement in Norway some other time. They needn't worry about us right now.
Both my compatriots seemed shocked by the news. The Man of Iron was the first to recover from the odd paralysis.
"Your nephews? Loki has kids?! And they're what?! "
"Yes, he has children. Does that surprise you?"
"Yah."
At this Clint waved a dismissive hand in Stark's direction.
"Never mind, Tony. I'll fill you in later." He turned to address me, "Anyways, you said that you were checking on them. And you seem to be in one piece, so I assume all is well?"
"Ha! Indeed it is," I gave the archer a hearty slap on the back, to which he pitched forward. Whoops, "Apologies for the abruptness of my departure."
At that the owner of the tower waved off my apology.
"It's fine. I'd been needing an excuse to put in explosion-proof windows anyways."
"If that is the case, then you are welcome."
Stark's response was only a half-lidded stare and a remark in a dry tone.
"Don't make a habit of it."
"I do not plan to." I replied. I had no intention of doing so again. Unlike mugs, smashing architecture was considered rude in any realm.
We sat in amicable silence for a few seconds before Stark made another remark.
"Is that a glowy thing in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
"'The glowy thing', as you so put it, is an item I intend to return to doctor Banner."
"In that case, hey Bruce! Quit huddling over those books and come say hello." Clint shouted to the other room.
The doctor's head poked out the open doorway.
"Yes? Oh, hi Thor."
"Greetings! Come, sit. I believe you will recognise this, doctor Banner." I said, pulling out the leaf.
The iridescent object was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, but nonetheless my companions were mesmerized.
"This is a leaf of Yggdrasil. They are said to be able to mesmerize any beast or being who views it. And," I looked pointedly at the doctor "are thus able to calm any rage in the process."
At this everyone else glanced at Banner, eager for his thoughts.
A small smile made its way to his face. A sardonic one, but a smile nonetheless. Was he still mad about us dropping him off to explain the whole thing about Hela and… everything else?
I would most certainly not get my answer now , as Stark piped up again.
"Welp!" Tony clapped once, ever the cheerful soul, "Next time we need a herbal remedy for Hulk, we'll just bring out the glowy leaf of destiny."
"Stark, you are forcing me to reconsider my choice of giving you this." I said, drawing out the chains.
Stark's eyebrows raised near his hairline as I dropped the item in his lap.
"You shouldn't have, really."
He looked down at the broken shackles.
"No, really. You shouldn't have. Why did you? And what is this? And why did you hand me something? I don't like being handed things."
"What I just gave you is a gift. A piece of Fenrir's old fetters, made of material unlike anything on Midgard. And I did not hand you anything. I dropped it in your lap."
"... what?"
Had the man not been listening?
"I did not hand you anything. I dropped it in your lap."
He stared at the object, looked at me, then back at the shackles. A grin -one I most certainly did not like- slowly crept across his features. Banner shrunk back a bit when those features turned to him.
"Oh man, this is gonna to be fun! "
"Eh…" The doctor trailed off as Stark began dragging him off.
As Tony got to the door, Clint broke the lull in talking with a question. Stark paused in his commandeering of the doctor, turning to the source of more interesting things.
"Hey, wait a moment. If I have my mythos right, doesn't you have a niece too?"
"Indeed. Hel** isn't one for meddling though. She's smart enough to handle herself. I usually visit once every dozen or so years."
At this Clint seemed confused. Stark, on the other hand, seemed intrigued. He had dragged the doctor back over with him, setting Banner down on a red footstool.
"Uhm, isn't Hel, y'know… evil?"
Again I sighed. This would be my fifth time explaining it, as this seemed a rather common misconception among midgardians. Not to mention the… less than pleasant memories attached to the one they were mixing her up with.
"No, Hel is not 'evil' as you so put it. Indifferent and cold, yes; that I shall grant you. She is the caretaker of Helheim, the realm of the dead."
Clint blinked once, then nodded.
"Okay, I that works. But if Helheim isn't a place of fiery torment, then what am I thinking of?"
I thought for a moment before an involuntary shudder racked me; the mere thought of the fiery realm causing small convulsions.*** It is a truly horrid place. I'd rather try to lift Jormungand's head again. I'd sooner marry a frost giant.****
"You have most likely confused Helheim with Muspelheim. "
"Muspelheim?" He echoed.
"Aye, the realm of fire and demons. Not a pleasant place."
That was the point when -as if summoned- a demon entered the room.
*Not the big wolf we see in the film, he was called something different if I remember correctly
**Not Hela, Hel. Completely different beings.
***I'm using the more accurate, if less well known version of Helheim vs. Muselheim. As it turns out, in most myths Helheim is just another afterlife. It's not Hell (two l's), or any kind of punishment, you just go there when you died, regardless of how or who. Only one myth actually describes Helheim as any kind of punishment. (this is, of course, if my sources are right.) Muspelheim, on the other hand, is a fiery realm of demons. Sound familiar?
**** anyone know the myths I'm referencing?
Quick note: I am by no means an expert in Norse Mythology. I have researched a bit, but it may still be wildly off. The Marvel mythos is also different, so apologies if I got that completely screwy either. Also, there is nothing in either myth about either Fenrir of Jormugand being tended to in their captivity, but I like the sentiment. And yes, the rock-snake thing did happen in the myths. The person tied down at the time was actually Loki, shapeshifted into a fish.
Also, Clint knows some stuff because he studied up on the old myths when they started becoming relevant again. He was a member of an intelligence agency, after all.
As for why the animals are checked up on, well, they aren't cruel (battle hungry, certainly, but not cruel). Fenrir is feed daily, and Jormungand bi-annually. He is a serpent after all, they don't need to feed that often if the meal is large enough.
As to the whole situation with Thor: Ragnarok, in this story it's entirely canon with the exception of the end-credit scenes, and anything else brought up in the story.
Update note: yeah, I know I usually update on days ending in 7 (not all days, but only on ones ending in 7), but I decided, eh, why not.
