"And give him twenty percent off," tells Snow.
"That's awfully generous, dear," says Linda through the phone.
"Mister Ryes is a necessary client, with a lot of friends, Linda. We could use him on our side."
"Okay. Whatever you say. How's Timmy doing?"
Snow turns on her wheeled chair to look at the side-table behind her. Within a small aquarium, soundly slept Timmy, the turtle.
"He's sleeping, as always," Snow smiles, turning back, one leg resting atop the other as she sat on her desk, reading emails and sipping coffee in her sweats.
"Heh. That's what turtles do, they'll sleep, just like men. Can you believe?! It's three pm, on a Friday! And he's still sleeping!" Snow gives a chuckle.
"Cut him some slack, Li. Working the precinct can be tough, you know."
"So is pleasing your wife," Linda grumbles, causing Snow to smirk.
Snow's eyes glimpse a slight vibration on the coffee in her favorite mug. She furrows her eyebrows.
Whatever was causing it, increased, till even she began to shake, as did all that surrounded her.
Snow jumps to her feet. Earthquake?
"Linda, I'll call you back," she says in haste, peeking out the window in utter confusion, as a form of color seemed to materialize in circle form
midair!
"Is everything okay?" Linda asks at her tone,
the second he appeared,
landing with a mighty thud.
Snow's eyes go wide.
"Uhh, yeah. Everything's fine. I'll call you back," she last says, hanging up and rushing to get her hoodie.
Snow throws it on, grabs her keys, opens the apartment door and slams it behind her, rushing down the stairs.
She comes out of the building, noting Mrs. Kettles on her right, watering her plants in her mini-garden, mouth agape and eyes wide as
the God of Thunder himself
made way towards the building, leaving behind a radius of incomprehensible marking on the road.
He bore a soft smile, locking eyes with a confused and shocked Snow hasting down the steps in her flip-flops.
"Thor! Wha…What are you doing here?" she asks. Thor's face falls slightly grim.
"I'm afraid I have an urgent matter to discuss with you," he says, eyeing around uncomfortably. She eyes around as well, getting the hint.
"Uh, sure. Come with me," she tells, heading back to the block, lending an awkward smile to Mrs. Kettles as Odinson followed.
Snow opens up her apartment's door, still attempting to grasp the situation. Thor follows in eyeing around strangely in his full armor and hammer. She turns to him.
"What's wrong?" she asks.
"…
It's Loki…"
he utters seriously.
Snow's face involuntarily takes on a look of complete concentration.
It had been a mere two weeks since everything that had happened,
since she'd last seen him.
It was hard, not thinking of it all,
of him.
Harder than it should be. Surely nothing but trouble. So, she moved on, or was trying to,
until Thor showed up.
She could have seen him, Loki, if she'd wanted to. It was easy, and because it was, it proved much difficult to avoid, but she tried. No good would come of the alternative. What was it even? What was it,
she was feeling?
No choice now.
"What happened?"
"The council have made their decision. I find it unjust."
"What did they decide?"
"They claim, by waging war against another, weaker realm, as treason, of the highest order. Only punishable by…death," he utters. Snow senses the fear in his eyes, and feels her own rise quickly in her chest.
"Oh god…"
"Snow. I beg of you. You are the only person who has seen through Loki's mind…and heart. Help me make this right," he pleas.
Snow washes an unsteady hand through her hair, letting Thor's words sink in one by one.
She felt pressured. Hesitant. Uncertain. Unable to comprehend, exactly what she'd be walking into if she'd agree.
As her mind remained clouded, throwing out warnings, and carrying on processing all angles,
her heart took lead,
rather too quickly.
"What can I do?" she says, determination clear as crystal in her eyes, filling Thor with much needed ease, and hope.
"Father does not believe that Loki acted unwillingly. He does not wish to take upon this course of action, but he lacks proof of my words. If you show him what you are capable of, if he sees the truth, he may be able to convince the council to reconsider," Thor explains.
Hearing him out, Snow nods ethically, finding sense in every word. "Okay. When do we go?" she asks, feeling as though the question was surreal.
Going where?
Asgard?!
"Now, would be best."
"…Okay. Just uh…Give me a minute to get ready," she tells. He gives an assuring nod. She walks off to the bedroom.
Shutting the door behind her, Snow presses her back against the door. Overwhelmed.
Snow's eyes glance at her bedside table. She approaches it as if in caution. She dips her hand into the lamp on its surface, pulling out a small key. She unlocks the lower drawer, slowly pulling it open to reveal
the dagger…
Just the sight of it,
took her back,
back to everything that had happened…between them.
She stares at the weapon for a whole minute, as if trying to absorb encouragement from the meaning it grasped,
the day he gave it to her,
the day he left.
She lets out a shaky breath, closing her eyes momentarily,
alas,
having made up her mind.
She closes the drawer, locks it, gets to her feet, and heads for the closet.
Despite her doubts, and remaining confusion, she gets dressed, wondering 'How?' most.
What?
What would she do?
What would she say,
when she would meet,
with the Allfather?
It all felt very unreal still, but she didn't fight it,
she wouldn't say 'no'.
Quickly throwing on a white, button-up shirt, and a pair of comfy, black jeans, she puts on her flats, storms a brush through her dark brown, naturally-straight hair, and makes her way to the door, to find Thor holding up her kitten-clock, that had eyes moving left and right, in utter confusion.
She steps towards him, smirking slightly at how weirded out he seemed. She takes it from his hand and puts it back on the shelf. "It's a clock," she tells, walking off into the kitchen.
She opens the fridge, crouches down and opens the lower drawer, pulling out a wrap of lettuce. She comes back out and hurries to Timmy, Thor standing next to it, also confused.
He furrows his eyebrows at her. "What is that green, sluggish creature?" he asks in pure bewilderment. She lets out a soft chuckle.
"It's a turtle, Thor. You don't have turtles on Asgard?" she asks, placing the lettuce into the aquarium and caressing Timmy's shell as Thor shakes his head, staring at it.
"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go," she tells, face falling in slight fear, and anticipation.
"We should head out first…unless you want a gaping hole in your lovely home," he smirks, eyeing the ceiling intently. She sighs, smirking nervously.
"My neighbors are never gonna let me hear the end of this," she says.
XXXXX
Thor and Snow make their way back out. Mrs. Kettles and many others stare in disbelief.
The two stand in the middle of the usually empty road, right where the portal left the markings. Thor looks up into the skies.
"Heimdall! Open the Bifröst!" he calls. Snow's heart beat quickens. She eyes around expectantly, witnessing colorful lights dance around her.
Suddenly, Thor grabs her by the waste securely,
and in a flash,
they were pulled in.
Snow's mind could not entirely comprehend the process. Somehow, it felt like she was falling, but upwards. And all around her, were blinding streaks of light, in different bright shades. Her chest felt heavy, and breathing wasn't easy.
She then jerks to her feet, losing balance, but Thor holds her up, smirking at her frantic posture. When her vision adjusts to her surroundings, her breath catches in her throat.
"Oh…my god…" was all that could escape her lips.
She was in a dome-like room, its walls, floors, and ceiling, crimsoned in gold, engraved ethically and beautifully.
Her eyes catch sight of a pedestal, a sword, and a man. He was dark of skin, armed to the tooth, commonly in shimmering gold, like a knight in shining armor. His eyes, like warm honey, smiling softly at her.
Heimdall takes steps towards her. "I've been expecting you, Snow of Midgard. Welcome," he says, voice deep as he took her hand in his, placing a kiss on her knuckles.
"This is Heimdall. Gatekeeper of Asgard, and my friend," smiles Thor.
"I must say, it is quite noble of you to offer your assistance to Asgard's princes," Heimdall encourages.
"Of course," Snow dismisses, like it was the right, and only thing to do, causing Heimdall to smile at Thor, as if praising his decision.
"Come, we have much to do," Thor beckons Snow, giving her back a gentle push.
"Horses are stationed outside, as per your request."
"Thank you, Heimdall."
Thor leads Snow outside. The sun shone brightly above, heading to set. The sky clear, the clouds as if stroked with a paint brush. And across her, lied the infamous Bifröst, the rainbow bridge. Utterly breathtaking.
Hearing a loud sniff, she turns, where two able-looking steads, one honey-brown, and one white and grey-dotted, loyally stood, evenly saddled, a guard on each of their sides.
"Can you ride?" Thor asks her.
"Yeah," she says in assurance, confident in her equestrianism skills.
She walks towards the brown one. Thor heads to help her up, but she climbs it effortlessly. He smiles, and heads to climb his own.
The horses ride calmly across the bridge, and into the lively city that, to Snow, seemed as though out of a fairytale scene.
The domestics eye the outsider strangely, some curious, some in doubt.
And from a distance, the palace shimmers in the sun, with every inch of gold. A mighty empire, taking the mortal's breath away.
Coming to stop a few feet away, it is even bigger than she imagined. Descending the horse, Snow follows Thor into the palace, a place out of a dream.
Thor leads her to a room, informing her that the maids would be readying her to meet the Allfather, when the time comes.
As if a foriegner on an alien planet, Snow follows the maids' instructions reluctantly, from soaking in a floral bath, to dressing in a gorgeous, formal gown, fully-sleeved, silky-smooth, falling an inch from the ground, and green in color, per Frigg's mischievous request.
Lastly, one of the maids seats Snow down, braiding small strands of her hair, and the rest lay free, for a touch of royalty.
And when she was ready, Thor was there to pick her up. His face lights up upon seeing her new form. "The maids have really outdone themselves. You look breathtaking," he compliments.
"Thanks," she brushes off nervously, fiddling with her nails intensely as they walked down a spacious hall of marble floors, enormous columns, engraved walls, and gorgeous ceilings, a guard in every sight.
"Are you nervous?" he asks, noting her tense posture. She laughs out.
"What gave me away?" she asks sarcastically. He smiles sympathetically.
"Well, ease your concerns, my friend. I must conquer, father would be difficult, but he will listen. And I will not leave your side. Also, mother will be there," he tells. Her heart skips a beat.
"How is that calming?" she smiles.
"She will keep father in check," Thor explains, amused, causing Snow to laugh heartedly.
"I must thank you again, for agreeing to…all of this," his face falls slightly. "When my brother hears of what you've come to do, he will be forever grateful," he smiles softly at her. Snow's heart clenches in her chest.
"How is he?" she asks.
"He's…hanging on."
"Does he know I'm here?"
"No. Not yet."
"Thor, do me a favor. Don't tell him. I don't want to give him false hope," she says seriously. Thor takes a moment to consider her words, slightly disappointed.
"Very well," he last says, both reaching the throne's doors.
'Here goes nothing.'
XXXXX
Entering the throne room, Snow finds the situation oddly similar to when she was on the Helicarrier, headed to meet Loki for the first time.
Why did Asgardians have to be so intimidating?
The Allfather, radiating wisdom, and power, sat high on his throne, Frigg calmly stood by his side. Snow found it almost impossible to look anywhere, but at Odin himself, more out of fear than admiration, getting second thoughts.
But no. She would suck it up, and see this through to the end. No turning back now.
Thor eyes her warily, uncertain on what course of action to take to ease her obviously active nerves.
He places a comforting hand on her back, leading her forward till they were a mere five feet from the base of the throne.
Odin notes the color of her dress, and turns to Frigg, cocking an eyebrow. She simply smirks in reply.
Thor kneels, and Snow follows.
"Rise, child," Odin speaks, voice booming across the walls. She does as told, trying heartedly to keep her cool. At least Loki was easier to face.
"Tell me, Snow of Midgard, why are you here?" he asks suspiciously, yet, he bore a plain expression on his aging features.
The question seemed to awaken her, and it was as though she was at the company, in a meeting, with something to present, in her own way with words, boosting confidence into her soul, enough for her tattered thoughts to come together, and works as though on adrenaline.
She steps forward,
and speaks.
"I am here because,
there is wrong,
that needs to be made right," she says.
Odin raises an eyebrow, as impressed as his queen.
"As a child, I was burdened with certain powers, I see as both blessing, and curse. These powers, allowed me to see through Loki's heart, in a time where a maker of war would feel confident and powerful,
he
felt scared,
and alone,"
she tells.
At that, Odin raises a dismissive hand. "That so, you claim. What is your proof, child?" he questions seriously, his tone shutting Snow up momentarily. Thor steps up angrily at his father's attitude.
"Fath-"
"Silence," Odin commands. Frigg scowls at him irritably, but says nothing, also awaiting proof.
Clenching her jaw irritably, Snow thinks of a quick way to get through the constant, persistent doubts that danced across the Allfather's eye.
She turns to Thor, whispering something in his ear. Thor furrows his eyebrows momentarily,
then smirks.
He stands back in a ready stance.
Conjuring a force-field, Snow uses her powers to push Thor to the other side of the room. The guards within unsheathe their swords furiously.
"Stand down," Odin commands, smiling contently at the girl's persistence.
"I think that's proof enough, your majesty," she tells tiredly as Thor pushes off the floor, grinning in anticipation. "Loki started a war against my people, I have no reason to defend him, if I hadn't felt, first hand, what he'd been through."
"And what would that be, precisely?"
"My people call it brainwash. A state where someone is tortured in all and every way, leading a man to a point of compliance, and unawareness.
But…
your son fought through. He helped us end it," Snow says, eyeing Thor for backup. He nods in full agreement.
Odin takes a moment of silence. "Your words are compelling, my dear…but, I'm afraid, the council would not allow Loki to walk free, on the claims of a mere mortal," he says.
The room falls silent.
Everyone was thinking.
Thinking of what to say,
how to act.
Something.
Snow felt her heart gradually sink at the thought of not being able to help him,
of letting him go.
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't right.
And in that moment, Odin witnesses the girl's eyes light up. She speaks.
"If the council want to punish him…if the council refuse to believe anything but their own words, then so be it," she says.
Their eyes go wide. Was she giving up?
Like hell she was.
Though she knew she would probably regret this, out of options, she did it anyways.
"Wouldn't the greater punishment,
be banishment,
to the realm he supposedly sought to claim as his own?" she offers.
"And let him fall to the hands of your people?" Frigg asks in disbelief, speaking up for the first time.
"No. Of course not," Snow assures. Then falls silent, pursing her lips. "…I'll take him under my wing," she speaks, words she herself momentarily doubted had escaped her own lips.
The room falls silent, the royal family shocked at Snow's words.
"Why are you helping my son?" Odin asks her seriously. The question caught her off guard.
'I don't know,' she wanted to say, but that would erase all she had just said, leading them back to the start of this godforsaken conversation.
So, what would she say?
"…Because its what's right…" she utters, trying her best to seem confident in her words, to believe them.
Odin notes her hesitance, yet remains his silence.
Hope.
He saw hope.
As did Frigg, as did Thor from the start.
It was clear then,
she
would be Loki's salvation.
XXXXX
Walking out of the throne room, Thor jogs by Snow's side, grinning from ear to ear. Odin had agreed to weigh Snow's suggestion, noting that she would be informed of the outcome, and advising heading home for the time being.
Upon hearing this, Frigg and Thor rejoiced.
The God of Thunder smirks at his companion. "That truthfully went better than I had expected," he says.
But Snow wasn't listening. She was in utter denial, soon fading to awareness, too much awareness
of what she had just done.
Did she seriously just agree to taking the God of Mischief home?! Had she lost her mind?!
And there was something else, this nagging in her heart. This need.
Suddenly, she halts to a stop and turns to Thor. "I want to see him," she says.
Thor's mouth seals shut. It takes him a moment to process her out-of-the-blue request.
He then gives a nod.
XXXXX
In a cold, lonesome dungeon, deep below of Asgard's glimmering palace,
he lied, chained to the walls by both arms, muzzled like some animal, shirt-less, with a scarred back…
hopeless…
He barley heard the door creak open, refusing to look up.
And at the doorway, she gives a slight gasp, feeling daggers stab at her heart. A light shone down from a window far in the ceiling, lightening his form,
like a fallen angel.
It broke her.
Thor stood back, eyeing his brother painfully.
Snow took slow steps forward.
She came only a foot away from his limp body, down on his knees in surrender. She kneeled down.
And it was when no whip came lashing down onto his back, did he look up, vision fazed.
What he saw,
made him believe he was dreaming,
and when her hand reached out to caress his cold face, he felt his heart jump, grazing him with familiar warmth.
But how?
She can't be real.
For god's sake, she was even wearing Asgardian clothing. Green!
Her teary eyes locked with his, and he felt devastation flood his senses.
How desperate was he, for his mind to conjure a hallucination as cruel as such?
Out of sheer sorrow, he pulls out of her grasp, causing her to retract.
At first, it hurt, then, a look of realization crossed her features. Snow pushed to her feet.
In that moment,
a fire had lit in her chest.
A sense of determination.
No more doubts remained.
No denial.
It was clear then, what she'd done.
She did not regret a word.
XXXXXXXXXX