Maybe Today Will Bring a Different Tomorrow
A Thor: The Dark World Fanfiction

Chapter 9/12

In all his travels Thor had never seen a world so abandoned and broken as that of Svartalfheim, home of the dying race of dark elves. Often his travels would take him to all corners of the Nine Realms, defending, battling and making merry amongst the peoples of each new land was a trait he maintained happily. From the light Elves' Alfhiem, Hogun's Vanaheim and the burning sands of Helhiem, to the vast cold lands of Jotunhiem, the world of Niflhiem and Midgard's little people Thor journeyed and was familiar with them, his name well-known among the inhabitants of each. But Svartalfheim was different and where the land of Jotuns was bleak, it held life, contrary to the desolate plains of Svartalfheim that held nothing of animated existence.

Thor had found the planet neither interesting nor special in any means. He respected the dust upon the ground and the dark hills as the forgotten fields where many brave Aesir warriors bled and died in glorious battle, but he saw nothing further than that. There were no violent beasts to slay, no vicious quest to undergo, not even a plant to trample there. The only breath was that of the howling winds and foreboding breezes, carrying the captured voices of the dead and dying upon its voice.

No, the golden prince had never seen beauty upon this rock, as even the skies carried a murky yellow color, blotting the stars ever out. It was a place of rot and desolation, a wicked place where only the rejected and utterly outcast ones would strive to make livable. Mute and winded, the planet stood without purpose, no people, no conquests and no flourish.

A truly dark home for a darker race.

But in contrast to Thor's disgust, Loki in all the 1,048 years he had lived, had ever found the blank world to be a fascinating thing, speaking of the magical sources that harvested from the remains. He would ramble excitedly about the means of good production, unique elements and materials that could be used and perfected into beautiful and wondrous things. The raw minerals were bountiful there, he had often said, overflowing, unused and begging to be molded into something great. The adoptive prince would explain the advantage of having such an empty world, claiming so many things that it could be turned into for the benefit of Asgard and her people.

Thor had discouraged such ideas, telling him that though it may be uninhabited, it was sacred ground because of those who had fallen on its soils. He had told his little brother to cease trying to desecrate something so precious and to look into something of more use and interest, and never to mention the idea again.

But Loki, being Loki, had refused.

Even now, in his dusty and forgotten chambers, the young prince's plans for Svartalfheim's future use were safely packed away and easily at hand for when he would strive over facts and foundations, funds and means that could make his thoughts fact.

Still, Loki had never been able to change Thor's point of view on the planet. Try and strive as he might to show it's potential for magic users and construction materials, the golden prince had only scoffed, find it neither worth his time nor his attention.

Now, with Jane, Fandral and Volstagg by his side, the Odinson found himself mourning the lack of information for his surroundings. Every part of the planet looked almost identical, the hills all terribly frightening and the plains tossed with dark sands. The wind battered against the group, flapping their cloaks and rattling their armor together with its claws.

"Where are we and where are they?" Fandral asked from beside Jane, his hand gripping at the hilt of his weapon as he smirked. "And more importantly, what now?"

Thor had directly asked the swordsman to keep his main goal in Jane's protection and act as her guard. His skill with any edged weapon bested every creature and foe they had ever encountered, and his dexterity, speed, and agility ranked higher than most fighters, leaving him flexible and more than capable to give aid. Not to mention that Thor trusted him to respect Jane's person, despite his reputation for being flirtatious.

During any battle the dashing warrior would keep to Thor's lover, prepared to give his life for her's as was required of him and what Thor expected him to do.

"Malekith can sense the Aether and no doubt knows our location. He will come, but for now we shall prepare." Thor stated in a short tone, eyes fixed on the distant hills not unlike the one they now stood on. "We should take a good sight at where we are to battle if it be necessary. We know little of this world and surprises are not a welcome gift when in the heat of a fight."

Volstagg muttered his agreement, looking over the realm of the dark elves with blunt distaste.

"Such a task would have been Loki's at one time." His tone was clearly regretful.

Mjölnir hummed dangerously in Thor's hand at the comment, reflecting on the tense muscles of the prince. He turned toward his friend, teeth grit and eyes flashing.

"Mind yourself of what Loki has become, Volstagg." The Odinson spit out, starting forward with no direction in mind. "He shares no bonds with us any longer. If we are to face him, he will die. Do not let your weapon halt for things that no longer exist."

The heavy-set warrior scowled slightly.

"I am aware of it. He is beyond redemption now." He replied steadily, but with no bitterness tinting his words, only sorrowed truth. "But I cannot help but wonder if it is our own actions that have changed him so. We once played by his side, Thor. Let me mourn that which we once had. His skills were once vast and well-toned, a great aid to our adventures. But let me ask you this, did we ever thank him for his work? I will not stay my blade, but neither will I pass by what guilty part I may have had in his downfall."

No one replied to that.

Thor knew the answer though, deep within his chest, buried under the hate and anguish he felt towards his once-brother, that he had never shown Loki gratitude where it should have been given. Often the younger prince had sought him out for approval, only to be brushed aside and ignored. Yes, Thor had hurt him, perhaps even deeply. But Loki had aided in his own Mother's kidnapping and maybe even her death. Wronged though he may have been a few times, Thor would never forgive his brother for crossing such a sacred line. Frigga, who had only loved and wished well on Loki did not deserve to be the brunt of his pent up and childish anger.

And Thor had made a vow, and never before did he break a promise made.

The four companions began to search the area, upturning rocks and scouring the ground to be sure of its firmness. Their time on Jotunheim had taught them that sometimes the floor beneath your feet may not be as solid as you may believe. Sink holes were quite possible of the dying world they now resided on and none of them were in want to suddenly find themselves falling though.

It was as they searched that Jane approached Thor timidly, obviously wanting him to ensure her secutiry and tell her that all would be well. Even as she came beside him, he could sense her fearfulness and need for reassurance. He gave it to her freely, reaching out and securing her hand in his own large one, a smile on his lips, bearded cheeks rising at the motion.

She worried him, what with her skin rapidly becoming more pale, her lips less colored and her once bright orbs darkened. The Aether was killing her and that made him sick with concern. She was so delicate and fragile compared to his own people, unused to the harshness of space travel and foreign powers.

She needed Midgard and Thor regretted having to tear her from it so suddenly.

"What do they call this place?" The human asked, looking about with wonder in her eyes. "It's all so very gloomy. Not very beautiful, huh?"

Thor nodded in agreement, squeezing her hand lightly.

"This is Svartalfheim, home of the dark elves. I have been here only a few, undesired times. I found little adventure in the nothingness it holds. And yes, it is indeed full of gloom."

"Hm, well that explains why those elves like it so much here." Jane smirked, casting a sidelong gaze at the prince. "This is where the Aether comes from, right? I mean, it belongs to the elves, judging by what King Odin said."

The muscled Odinson thought for a minute before answering, trying to recall his lessons as a child regarding the subject. As a boy he had never really taken to learning as Loki, choosing to exercise brute force rather than collect information. Of course, he always was sure to understand the basics of every subject, so as not to appear completely unknowing, but for the most part he chose battle over brains.

But this lesson was one of the few his father had taught both Thor and his adoptive brother in person, making sure they memorized every important fact.

"There are six infinity stones in existence." The golden prince began, eyes scanning the rocks before him as he stomped down to ensure their security. "Both the Aether and the Tesseract are two, the Aether bing the power gem and the Tesseract that space. Each gem contains certain abilities, each unique and different for the other. Whoever wields their power, gains their abilities while it is in use. This is how Malekith would cloud the Nine Realms in darkness with the Aether and how Loki was able to travel with the use of the Tesseract. How the elves gained the Aether is unknown to me, but it's home is here and its purpose was anything but good."

Jane listened with vivid attention, biting her plump lower lip with anxiousness.

"That's incredible. But really, how can the Aether turn everything into darkness?" She shifted her weight to one leg, tapping her fingers against her thigh as she thought. "I mean yeah, it's scary looking and definitely can be defined as a weapon, but it's liquid. It has a certain mass right? It can't just…spread all over like that can it?"

Thor looked at her, willing her to understand that which was beyond her comprehension. She was but a mortal, short lived and while intelligent, with a timidly sized mind. The science she spent her life searching was mere child's play upon Asgard and there was so much more that he knew should could and would never grasp.

"The Aether accesses all power and energy that ever has or will exist, and can boost the other gems' effects. With this energy it can easily spread to every world without hindrance of shape and mass." The prince frowned. "It also allows the user to duplicate almost any physical superhuman ability, which would make Malekith near unstoppable. Once the Aether is unleashed, only by harming the host can you end its power."

Jane studied his face, and Thor could find himself unable to do anything but gaze back with full honesty in his crystal-blue orbs. Right now the scientist stood as the host of the Aether, giving her the power and the ability of superhuman effects. She could be as Thor, strong, firm, not vulnerable to weakness, but she also was very dangerous and could easily cause harm to innocents and other people who would not deserve the wrath of the Aether upon them. Even if they stopped Malekith, killing him before he could accept the gem within himself, it would seek a host to possess if not caged. Jane would be its first choice and if it made it back into her system, she would be forced to go through an excruciating extraction that could not guarantee her survival. Either way, the host would be harmed.

She could die and Thor would not keep that information from her. It was her life and no one had the right to withhold anything of significance from her knowledge if it involved her being. But Thor would still protect and try to keep her from harm, as she deserved his honor and he was willing to give it, not to mention determined.

He had lot Loki to wickedness and Frigga to Loki, he would not lose Jane as well.

She was watching him intently and he saw the faltering look within her face. Reaching out with his unclasped hand, he placed his palm to her cheek, giving reassurance he knew was needed. Jane smiled weakly under his hand, her pale skin heated.

"Thor! They come! The elves!" Fandral raced to his prince's side, face flushed and breathing deeply from the light run he had taken over the hill. His sword was drawn and sweat was beginning to shine on his fine brow, but he looked ready. Thor stepped away from Jane as he continued. "Their ship appeared just over the hill, Malekith is in the plain now, he came right out and looked to us. But Thor, the Queen is with him! Bound, but alive! She is here!"

Thor snatched Mjölnir up from where he had hung her upon his belt, gripping the handle in a tight hold, his mind upon the battle sure to come. Inside he felt a wild rush of relief upon the news. His mother lived! Perhaps hurt, but still within the realm of the living and that was a great thing to be thankful for.

"How many of his kin stand by?" He demanded, starting for the hill with Jane at his heels and his friend by his side.

"He had eight guards with him and that one berserker elf of his." The handsome warrior explained. "They seemed to be awaiting our arrival, simply staying put until we approach them."

Thor paused for a moment, looking into Fandral's dark eyes for something other than the information he had been given, a silent answer to the question he was to ask.

"And Loki?" He questioned deeply, his voice low and black. "Does he stand out with as one of his mother's captors, or does he hide away like the coward he had made us see him as?"

The blond-haired Asgardian frowned at the inquiry, lips tightening together in a thin line.

"He is not among them."

The Odinson nodded mutely, waving his hand towards Jane so that his friend might go stand by her.

When he approached the scene where Volstagg stood diligently by, he caught sight of his mother and was filled with rage. She stood, arms bound before her, gagged and in the arms of the horrid monster of an elf who had caused the chaos within the dungeons when the attack started. Tall and regal as ever, she kept her chin high and her piercing orbs met his, displaying no fear whatsoever.

Right now, in the captive of Malekith's elves, stood Frigga, Queen of Asgard and wife of Odin Allfather, not the gentle and sweet mother Thor had always known as a child. Her emotions were dressed for battle and not an eyelash would bat in terror or with lack of bravery.

Pride flooded Thor's heart at the wonderfully challenging sight before him, knowing her to be the woman who gave birth to him and who shared his blood with.

A warrior at the heart.

Malekith stood before his kin and prisoner, cool blue eyes settling on the golden prince of Asgard with no visible, but plainly understood, distain passing between them. Thor growled under his breath at the creature, hate bubbling viciously within his veins and pulsing with a demanding urge to kill. He stepped up, Mjölnir pointing threateningly towards his foe in his firm grip.

"Release her, creature, or you blood will stain the dead ground beneath your feet. You have no right to hold Asgard's Queen in such a manner and I demand her bonds be cut if you value your life!"

The elf merely raised a brow at the outburst of Thor's anger, but otherwise his face remained impassive and slack.

"And would you also seek your brother's freedom, Asgardian? Return the Aether to us and I will not allow my kin to shed neither the blood of your family just as the Allfather did to ours."

Thor snorted at the brutal offer with no intention of accepting it in his mind. He would not bargain for anything and the elf was due to comprehend that fact.

"Loki is no brother of mine and his chosen company is his own. He needs no freedom beyond that which he chooses for himself!" He snarled at the elves, his weapon humming with electricity, too focused to notice the look of utter anger that passed over his mother's face at his words. "I will not have leverage against me, Malekith. Release the Queen and battle me with honor! Are you but a coward who kidnaps women to get what you so desire? Fight me and I would see your skull shatter beneath Mjölnir's might!"

If Thor had not known the race of dark elves to be stoic and blunt, he would have thought that it was amusement written across Malektih's face at his challenging words. The elves behind him seemed agitated and all had their sights set upon the golden prince, their less disciplined emotions allowing raw hate to be seen in their features.

The deaths of those executed upon Asgard's world seeped into the remaining elves just as Odin had said it would. Being the last few of their dying race, these creatures stood tightly bound and vividly sensitive to their kin, blood and kind. The sudden killing of so many at once left them bruised inside, unable to digest the feelings in any other way but rage and by despising the cause. In plain understanding and statement, Thor was their available reason and target.

While not as strict in emotion as their leaders, the dark elves held a certain place where to draw the line at. They would keep focus, but with a determination to slaughter, allowing them to change their direct goal slightly, enough to keep them without complete unity.

And that was to Thor's advantage.

"Surrender the Aether." Malekith spoke directly, eyes frimly upon the prince. "Your world will burn, but the quick death of your mother is ensured with your cooperation."

This time it was Fandral to reply, his voice jovial and full of comical relief for the current situation and the density it brought.

"I say, good elf!" He grinned terribly, a twinkle sparking in his brown eyes. "You are the worst bartering scum I've ever come to see. For the cooperation of both parties, a somewhat equal amount is due to both dealers! No to mention the drastic-"

Mjölnir flew through the air with a sudden jerk, passing swiftly by Malektih's pointed right ear and shattering the skull of one of the guard behind him. From that moment, both elves and Asgardians clashed, weapons flashing in the dull light of the heavens with no compassion to the wounds and battle beneath her rays.

The elves were swift, agile and much lighter than any Asgardian could ever hope to be. They slashed their blades without mercy and with deadly precision, consistent in their attacks on the three warriors and their attempts of Jane's person. They never touched her though, being met with the violent and ready force of Fandral, stabbing and thrusting accurately as two advanced on him. Volstagg also fought his disadvantage with the lightness of his elven opponent. Still, he displayed only determination at the trying test, surely to see the color of the creature's blood upon his weapon.

Thor hammered at the three elves that cruelly craved for his death and suffering, readily dancing away from Mjölnir's pounding effects and leaving the prince stumbling slightly. He had never drawn weapons with an elf before, considering that Asgard's relation with Alfheim to be considerably good and level. He had gotten drunk upon their realm many a time, launching into fist fights and verbal abuses without delay, but he had never used Mjölnir on them and now saw the difficulty. Mjölnir was a heavy creation to bear, her might feared and her abilities envied, but heavy nonetheless, the complete opposite of his current foes. The elves dodged his blows and smite him upon the arms without fear of his customized hammer.

Yet the prince held out, knowing that sooner or later Malekith would have to try to ensnare the Aether back from Jane's person. He hated the idea of having to temporarily allow her to be placed in harm's way, but his choices were quite limited. Either his love died of a suffering death as host to the Aether, or she faced the elves' rage, even with Fandral fighting loyally by her side.

Either way Jane's survival was not insured, not to mention that of his mother's life.

"Thor!"

The cry came from Volstagg as he struggled, motioning for his prince to look upon their friend.

Fandral, speaking of the flirtatious warrior, dislodged his weapon from a screaming elf's shoulder before swiftly finishing it off with a harsh blow to the temple. Even while Thor and Volstagg battled the four remaining elves, the berserker moved quickly for the sweating Asgardian, who only avoided his blows by fast dodging. The golden prince watched as keenly as he might while fighting as the darkened elf struck his friend upon the hip with his mace, sending the man to the ground with a pained yelp. Yet still he fought, rolling from beneath the elf's weapon and snapping his own blade up and into the stomach of the creature.

The berserker roared in fury, swinging a violent backhand across the downed warrior and sending him sprawling into the dust. As he skidded to a stop, he laid still, breathing ragged and a moan escaping from his torn lips. A noble lion torn down by a bigger beast.

And Jane was left without protection, the berserker eying her helpless form.

That was all Thor needed.

In a fit of anger for the hurt his friend was caused and the attention now placed upon his beloved, the prince struck out, lightening crackling. It struck the four remaining elves with a vicious sting, halting their maneuvers and biting into their armor as they cried out. The cackling light also hit the large creature who had moved towards Jane, but the effect was not like those of his kin. While the others collapsed lifelessly to the dirt, the berserker let out a howl of unchecked hatred, charging the prince as he smoked from the strike.

They both hit the ground grappling and Malekith saw his opening.

He tossed the Queen aside from where he had stood observing the battle, making a direct stride for Jane's trembling form. Volstagg had taken to seeing to Fandral once Thor had taken down the remainder of his opponents, unwittingly forgetting the elven leader in his concern for his friend.

Malekith grabbed the frozen mortal roughly, dragging her to him and placing a dark elven blade to the soft flesh of her exposed throat. Jane let a squeal of fright escape as she was manhandled. Unfortunately the Aether did not react distressfully towards the elf's attack, as if sensing the presence of its foundations. The power rose to the mortal's eyes, blackening them as if they held the starless night sky within.

Malekith was summoning the Aether to himself.

By then Volstagg had noticed his grave mistake in turning his back to Thor's beloved and left his downed friend's side to face the creature.

"Thor!" The heavy-set warrior cried, advancing toward the elf with weapons brandished.

But the prince was still leaden with the task of crushing the berserker elf beneath harsh and powered blows and was unable to turn his attention from the challenging opponent intent on his blood. With Fandral wounded terribly and Thor otherwise occupied, the bearded Asgardian could only watch in raw horror and nagging guilt as the Aether became airborne, extracting itself from Jane's being as she lay captive in Malekith's grasp. It drained from her, floating above the battle scene until completely removed from its host, leaving the human limp.

Frozen eyes of steel looked to where Thor toiled, with the smallest scent of smugness swirling in its depths.

"Your world will burn, Asgardian. My kin have not been slain in vain."

Malekith went to slice through Jane's throat, to allow her to bleed freely upon the ground where his people had been sacrificed so many, many years ago, ignoring the warrior that made to stop him. He would reclaim the Aether and reap darkness upon all that had been known to these people, taking back that which was rightfully of the elves.

Yet as his thin fingers tightened to swiftly end the task, there was a sudden intruding presence of steel within his heart, cutting cleaning through armor and skin to his life source.

Rudy lips at his pointed ear, his last understanding was that he had been slain, far too easily for his rank and with the disgrace of having a woman to be his killer.

"You will never touch a child of mine again, filth." Frigga snarled, twisting her summoned blade and shredding the torn organ within the elf. "No magic, spell, binding or chains could have restrained me from delivering to you my wrath. Die knowing that there is no bond greater in all creation then that between a mother and her child, blood or not."

Asgard's Queen viciously pulled the weapon free, allowing the elf to fall without glory or drama as she caught her son's love safely within her arms. She gave no word to Volstagg as he came beside her as she cradled the young woman protectively in her arms. She merely sat still, awaiting the arrival of her eldest child as he finished off the monster, trusting him to complete the task without further issue.

Above them the Aether glowed darkly, hostless and controlled by the Queen's magic.

When Thor did defeat the creature, he made sure to sever the head from the body in fear of it reawakening. He made his way back towards his companions and mother, sweat gleaming upon his brow and muscles sore from the fight. Making a beeline for his mother, he stopped before where she now knelt, still holding Jane tenderly in her grasp.

"Mother, how is she?" He inquired, too afraid to touch her for fear of causing further harm. "Is she well?"

Silence greeted him.

He did not understand her lack of explanation and looked over to where Fandral was being tended by Volstagg. The large fighter shrugged, clearly not knowing the reason for the Queen's silence either. They had succeeded and she should be rejoicing in their victory.

"Mother?" He tried again, hoping to gain a reaction.

The one he received was not to be expected.

Upon her name being called upon once again Frigga stood, gently putting Jane down with a frame shaking with anger and she looked to her son, whose eyes widened at her rage. Instead of congratulating him and ensuring his health, the Queen raised her hand and struck him, hard, upon he cheek. He stumbled in shock, mouth agape as she hit him once more, lips thinned and without mercy showing in her eyes. The crack resounded through the dull air, leaving even Volstagg in shameless disbelief.

Never had the Queen raised her hand against Thor or Loki, leaving such to Odin to take care of. She was the symbol of safety and sanctuary to both her children as they grew and became young men. She was gentle, kind, serene, never hurting intentionally. Thor knew that all she ever desired was to be the soft to Odin's hard, the warmth to his cold and she had been just that to both her children. Loki had had more need of her company then Thor, but she treated them both with affection and love, never harming them in any way.

And she had struck Thor.

Frigga lifted her chin to her son, cold eyes displaying disappointment and hurt, clouded with burning anger. She was a lioness on the hunt.

"I had thought better of you, Thor." She snapped, fists clenched at her sides. "You shame me with your cruelty and heartlessness. Whatever happened to the boy filled with undoubting love?"

Thor only stared at her, unable to reply to the accusation.


Behold a long chapter with probably a billion terribly obvious mistakes that my poor, tired mind cannot seem to find. I meant to update sooner but things happened. So now here I am, having not slept in 48 hours and now posting a new chapter. Crazy, unprofessional, but hey, its an update! Also, I'd like to thank all of my reviewers for reviewing, and all those who PMed, favorite, followed, it means a lot.

There will be a sequel called 'Fraternal Bonds' after this is completed, so yeah...

ALSO!, I figured out Loki's exact age in Thor 2 and really...he's rather young...maybe 22 in mortal years? His real age is 1,048, considering when Odin found him (Thor 1 tell us the year) and the time until Thor 2 came out. Young, for Asgardians who live to be 5,000, right? Also, it's kind of awesome to have his 'real' age, isn't it!? YAY!

We're drawing close to the end! Should I have Frigga hit Thor again? lol

Thanks again and please review!

-Ireland Ranger-