The throne room was…Felicity couldn't even find the words to describe it. She tried her hardest not to look like a wide eyed tourist, but she was failing miserably. All the assembled members of the court were looking at her with contempt. The women sniffed at her dress, while the men looked greedily at her legs…until they caught sight of Sif who was walking next to her, a hand on her sword.
Thor led the way, followed immediately by Hogun and Volstagg. Fandral stood behind her. Loki had been left with the guards outside the door.
"People live here?" she hissed, then ducked her head in embarrassment as she heard the sound resonate off the walls. Thor gave her an amused look as Fandral and Volstagg laughed. That's when she caught sight of the man on the throne.
Odin was….scary. He radiated authority and power. He looked down at the approaching party, his expression unreadable. When Thor approached him he seemed to absorb this scary aura. Gone was the gentle man who'd let her ride on his horse and listen to her babbling about Oz. This was Thor, Prince of Asgard. It was easy to see why people would believe him to be a god
"Father." Thor knelt in front of the throne. "I have returned. Loki has been captured and the Tesseract contained."
"If that were true then I suspect our newest guest wouldn't be here." Odin beckoned Felicity forward. "Do not be afraid, child."
Felicity stepped forward slowly. When she stood next to Thor she knelt on the ground next to him.
"Heimdall told us of your accident, Lady Felicity."
Felicity was too nervous to look up at Odin, she began shaking. And then the blue glow began. Before she could stop it, a burst of energy left her, knocking over everyone around her.
"I'm sorry." She looked around in horror at all the courtiers who had been caught in the blast radius. "I didn't mean…I…" she looked nervously at Odin. He was going to lock her up for sure.
Odin had been knocked off his throne. He stood, his helmet askew, his spear in hand. Then he began to laugh. The court looked on in silent shock as he leaned on his staff for support.
"The great nobility and warriors of Asgard; brought down by a small Midgardian woman." He continued laughing.
"I'm sorry. It's just not every day I get to meet a god. I mean this is what it must feel like to meet Zeus. Well no, because Zeus controlled lightning, so that would make Thor Zeus, but Zeus was king of the Greek gods so maybe Thor is Ares, or Hephaestus; he had a hammer. But he was ugly and Thor isn't and can someone please stop me before I say something even more embarrassing." Felicity put her face in her hands. Thor had gotten to his feet and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Father, perhaps this conversation would be better had in private?"
Felicity had to agree. The members of the court had already looked at her in disapproval, but now the looks where filled with barely concealed rage. The women threw catty looks of jealousy at the way Thor stood next to her, while the men were clearly embarrassed that they had been so easily knocked over by a girl.
Odin waved away the court and waited until only Thor, Felicity, Sif, the Warriors three and a few members of the palace guard were left.
"My apologies, Lady Felicity. It was not my intention to frighten you." Odin gave her a smile. "But I have to admit, it was worth it."
Odin stepped down and walked over to Felicity, taking her hand in his. "Welcome to Asgard, child. I regret that the Lady Frigga could not be here to greet you, she was unwell this morning." He looked angered. "Loki's…actions have taken their toll. To first believe him dead, then discover that he is not only alive, but attempting to destroy an entire civilization." He shook his head. "But I will not add my burdens to your already considerable ones." He looked at her curiously. "There will be a feast tonight in honor of our prince's return and of your great battle against the Chitauri. Then tomorrow we will begin to attempt to understand what has happened to you and why."
"Um I didn't bring any feasting clothes." Felcity murmured.
"That is no matter." Odin chuckled. "While on Asgard, you will dress like an Asgardian. While that frock may be considered appropriate on Midgard, I will not have anyone making snide remarks because of your garb."
"Anyone who does so will have to answer to me." Thor grumbled.
"I believe that Lady Felicity will do fine without your assistance my son." Odin looked around , "Lady Sif, please conduct the Lady Felicity to her chambers. She will need rest before the feast." Sif nodded and Felicity followed her.
"Thor." Odin called. "I daresay Sif knows the palace well enough to conduct our guest to her room. I have need of you here." Felicity turned to see that Thor had begun following them to the door. Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg smirked as they walked out to collect Loki.
"Did you see the Lady Amora's face?" Felicity heard Fandral ask Volstagg "She looked so furious, perhaps she will want me to comfort her later."
"Your room is this way, my lady." Sif said leading her away from where Loki was standing.
"Sif, if I'm going to be stuck here, you might as well call me Felicity." Felicity said, following her.
"Stuck?" Sif looked at her in confusion. "You appear to have nothing hindering your mobility."
"It's a figure of speech." Felicity laughed.
"Sif" a haughty voice said from behind one of the pillars.
"Sigyn." Sif stiffened. "And Amora, what an unpleasant surprise." The two women stepped out and looked at Felicity with dislike.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce us?" the taller of the two women gave Sif a sickly sweet smile. "Seeing as Thor has made you his personal errand wench."
Sif raised her eyebrows, then turned to Felicity. "Pay them no attention. They are of no consequence; they just haven't realized it."
"At least we have a place." The smaller of the two looked at Felicity with rage.
"Sigyn, you of all people should realize that you no longer are a part of the court." Sif gave her a smirk, "now if you'll excuse us, the Lady Felicity is tired from her journey. And being fatigued makes her annoyed." She looked at the obvious tears in the two women's gowns from when they had fallen earlier. "And I daresay you don't want another demonstration of what happens when she is made uncomfortable."
"Hella take you." Amora hissed.
"She has tried, but so far she hasn't succeeded." Sif smiled and lead Felicity away.
"What's their problem?" Felicity asked as they rounded the corner.
"Sigyn was betrothed to Loki. She was tolerated at court after his death because of her father's position as former leader of the palace guard, but she fell considerably from the Allfather's favor after she pleaded with him to recall Thor and allow Loki to rule Midgard." Sif glared ahead of her.
"She loves him doesn't she?"
"Perhaps. Mostly she loves the power being married to him could have given her. Had he taken over Midgard, she hoped to be his queen. She hates you for foiling his plans and because Heimdall mentioned that Loki had kidnapped you with the intent of taking you as…" Sif broke off.
Felicity shuddered. "And the other one, Amora?"
"The Enchantress." Sif growled. "She and I have a deep and painful history, but her hatred of you stems from her desire for Thor." She stopped in front of a large door which Felicity supposed was her room. "Pay them no mind, they know better than to threaten an honored guest of the Allfather. Especially since Thor publicly placed you under his protection."
"Great, wait….He what?" Felicity looked at her in confusion. Sif gave her a smile.
"You were riding on his horse with him when you entered the city and you were wearing his cloak. In addition he touched you in open court before dismissing all the courtiers."
"He did that to be nice." Felicity said as Sif pushed open the door.
"While you might not be aware of Asgardian etiquette, Thor is. His actions were a warning to anyone who might want to cause you harm, specifically any man who might want to take advantage of you."
"Is there a book I can use as a crash course in et..." Felicity stepped into the room and gaped. "This…this is bigger than my apartment."
"This is your receiving room." Sif grinned. "Your sleeping chambers are beyond that door and your bath chamber is over there." She pointed to two doors at opposite ends of the room. "There is a room which conjoins the two where you will find your clothing. Heimdall estimated your measurements."
"Does that ever get creepy? Him knowing everything?" Felicity asked as she walked around the room, taking in the beautiful view of the city from the large windows.
"There is no more honorable man than Heimdall." Sif looked amused at Felicity's wide eyed surprise.
"Thanks Sif."
"You are welcome, Felicity." Sif turned. "If you need anything, just call one of the guards in the hall. There will be some servants along later to help you dress for the banquet." She gave a bow and left.
Felicity found the bag Tony had packed for her after her bath (If you could call it that, her bath tub was an actual swimming pool). In addition to the promised clothes and supplies, Felicity found a book on Norse mythology (with a post-it note that said "For research" on it), a Starling City Rockets sweater, and a wrapped package with a note. Felicity opened the envelope.
"Hey Smoakie, so I got you this because I saw the way the lightening lord was looking at you and I thought it might come in handy. You're welcome,
-Tony"
Nervously she opened the wrapping paper and out fell some Iron man lingerie.
"Damn you Tony." she laughed
