Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel or Thor

Taking Hold

Chapter Eleven

After that night spent harassing Loki over his plight with Sigyn, Thor and Jane had spent little time together. A handmaid named Neri had whisked her away for the next five days where the only goal was to add to her Asgardian closet. She was surprised to learn that Neri had been Frigga's handmaid and knew plenty of the ins and outs of their politics. And that meant that lunch consisted of Neri giving her tips on how to better fit into Asgard's royal family and what would be expected of her.

"But Thor is always telling me that nothing is to be expected of me," Jane griped, breaking apart a chunk of bread. "Even Odin has said as much," she added for good measure. Neri sighed and did her best not to roll her eyes.

"I was talking of court. Surely you plan on standing beside Prince Thor in court?" she asked, implications in her voice.

"If he wants me to be there, then yeah," Jane said, giving a light shrug and biting into the bread.

"As you say, Ma'am," Neri replied, inclining her head. "Has the announcement of your marriage been discussed?" she asked instead, looking at a few pieces of fabric before her.

"We'd have to double-check with Thor but I think Odin wanted to hold a feast in the next few days," she replied, chewing thoughtfully. "Ooh, that color!" she said suddenly, pointing to a deep red swatch.

"We have to figure out what dress you'll be wearing for the feast then," Neri mumbled, acting as if she had not heard Jane.

"Don't I have a dress in this color?" she questioned, grabbing the swatch and looking at it closely. Neri nodded absently. "Well, why not that one?" she asked.

"Because Prince Thor will be in his armor and red cloak. Twill be too much," she said.

"Well, I want to wear it for something big and I am demanding white for my wedding dress," Jane said firmly. Neri openly rolled her eyes at this.

"What is it with you Midgardians and white for a wedding?" she exclaimed.

"It's just our tradition," she replied, frowning.

"And we will never understand it," Neri said with a heavy sigh.

"Besides," Jane interjected, "everything big is guaranteed to be with Thor and more than likely, he'll be wearing his cloak. So, someone is just going to have to deal." She crossed her arms just to prove her point. Neri finally relented and Jane had to stop herself from doing a victorious fist pump.

"Well, if you are insisting on white, then we should find a seamstress who has white fabric. I doubt it will be easy; white dresses are very hard to maintain," she noted.

"You guys don't wear white?" she asked in surprise, furrowing her brow.

"It stains too easily for most of us to wear it. Not even Queen Frigga wore it for her marriage," Neri informed. "I'm more worried that there won't be enough of the fabric to make a dress for you."

"Even if it's for the wedding, you don't use white?"

"If you are implying that a garment is only worn once, then no, not even for a wedding," she replied. "The dress Queen Frigga wore for her wedding was one of her favorites and she wore it for many occasions." Jane frowned thoughtfully, pulling the other fabric swatches towards her.

"What about gold? Would that be a color that's easy to maintain?" she asked, holding out the swatch of gold.

"Certainly, many dresses are a shade of gold here," Neri replied. Jane nodded, searching through the fabric for a piece of paper that she had brought with her. When she finally found one, she quickly sketched out a dress design and shaded one section down the center. Once finished, she handed it to Neri for inspection.

"What about that in gold with a light blue underneath?" she asked, leaning back in her chair. It was a simple design with strapless sweetheart neckline. At the waist, a triangle appeared to show the blue fabric underneath.

"I think that would work. Do you no longer wish to wear white?" Neri asked.

"I do, but I don't want to put you guys out because of it. Besides, if my friends on Earth have any say in the matter, we'll be having a wedding down there as well," Jane replied, giving a light shrug.

"If Milady is sure," she said. "It might be best if we stopped by the seamstress before we call it a day. I'm sure she will require some additions to your design."

"What's wrong with my design?" Jane demanded in a hurt voice as she scrambled up from the table.

"Nothing more than it's simplicity. You are to be the future Queen, and a place such as that demands a more elegant design," she replied.

"But I don't –" Jane started, but stopped when Neri gave her a look. "All of my dresses are going to be 'elegant', aren't they?" she asked, pulling a face.

"There's nothing wrong with it," Neri said. "What you are wearing now is considered elegant," she informed, gesturing to the pale red dress she was in. It was very similar to the blue one she remembered wearing her first day in Asgard. It was one-shouldered and draped around her chest. At the waist, more form-fitting drapes were pinned and below that, it fell loosely to the ground.

"This? There's no way! Everyone I see has a dress similar to this. How is this considered elegant?" she asked, staring at the pale red fabric swishing around her feet.

"There is more that goes into such a dress as yours that makes it elegant," she replied, continuing on her path.

By Jane's best guess, they spent the better part of two hours talking with the seamstress, Amma. She wasn't bothered by it either; Amma actually had made a great addition to her original design. In fact, she was considering having Amma be her only seamstress.

"This isn't too much, is it?" Jane asked after they had finalized the design.

"Heavens, child, no!" she exclaimed with a light laugh. "It's going to be my honor to design for the future Queen and make her wedding dress!" she said heartily. Both Jane and Neri shushed her at the mention of Jane's impending position. Amma only tsked and waved them off, hands situated on her wide hips. "And don't you worry none about it being done on time," she adding, pointing a finger at Jane.

"Thank you," Jane said, smiling before Neri pulled her out of the seamstress's shop.

"Amma will let me know when you are needed next," Neri said, leading her back to the palace. Jane's eyes lit up when she saw the palace before them.

"Does this mean that I can finally spend some time with Thor?" she asked brightly, unable to contain her glee. In fact, she positively looked like a child bouncing before Neri with her hands clasped so. Jane watched Neri's face fall into a frown. But it wasn't at Jane's behavior, it was at the people around them. Then Jane saw it; they were whispering to one another and staring at her. She frowned as well, wondering what they thought now. It had been weeks since she had turned Elven and she would be an Asgardian in mere days. To their dismay, one of them spoke.

"This child doth not belong here!" a man shouted, pointing straight at Jane. She froze in horror, trying to stop the tears from forming in her eyes. "You should go back to Midgard, where thou belongs," he snarled at her, getting right in her face. Neri reached for her arm, intent on dragging her back to the palace, but Jane shook her off. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, picturing Thor in her mind. When she opened them, she briefly felt a warrior herself.

"You say that I don't belong here," she said, her voice firm and steady. "But what thou doesn't know is that I shall belong here more than thou could ever try. So stop trying to cow me," she said, not even realizing that she had begun to speak in the Asgardian way.

They stared at each other with cold eyes for a few moments more. The man was about to finally reply when booming laughter echoed across the courtyard. They both jumped, surprised to see Thor leaning on a wall across the way, clapping lazily. Jane almost melted with relief at seeing him. He returned the smile she gave as he strode towards them.

"Is everything well?" Thor asked, practically towering over the man who was only just taller than Jane.

"Tis fine, m'lord," the man replied, giving a small bow.

"Was that not an insult I heard you deliver to my beloved?" he asked, crossing his arms and staring down. Jane couldn't help but notice that the man was effectively cowed himself. He hastily shook his head. "Then listen well," Thor growled, leaning down closer to the man's level. His voice was still loud enough that everyone nearby could hear him. "Insult Jane Foster one more time and you will find yourself no longer living on the Realm Eternal," he threatened.

"Is m'lord going to banish me?" the man asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"That power only resides with the All-Father and the King of Asgard, but know that I will defend her. And anyone that insults Jane Foster will find themselves in a sunrise duel against me or her," Thor said instead. "Now be gone with you."

The man strode away down the street, refraining from bolting and trying to keep whatever dignity remained to him. It didn't look like one had words with Thor Odinson and walk away with their dignity still intact.

"Hello," Thor said softly, turning to Jane. He took her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles. He did it all the time, but Jane nearly swooned once more. He grasped her hand more firmly and continued to walk with her towards the palace. Neri walked swiftly behind them.

"Hi," Jane replied breathily. "I'm so glad to see you," she added, looking at him. Even still, she felt like a lovesick child.

"I should like to believe that they will stop talking now," he said, sounding weary.

"Have you had to tell them off a lot?" Jane asked.

"Have you need of standing up to them often?" Thor countered, looking down at her and raising one eyebrow.

"A few times," Jane replied, watching the floor beneath them. By now, they had entered the palace and were making their way to their chambers. Neri had departed for the kitchens to help with the evening meal.

"You did well," he offered. At his words, Jane smiled brightly up at him. She wasn't sure she had made a good enough point on her own. "I was merely afraid of what might happen if it was not made clear that you were not one to be trifled with. They seem to have forgotten the incident with the Aether already," he continued.

"I don't see how," Jane countered. "They were terrified of me then. Some of them still seem to be."

"Tis no matter now, Jane," Thor said, brushing it aside as they entered their chambers. "Come, let us bathe and relax before dinner. Surely, you are exhausted and in need of such things."

"A bath does sound really nice," she said, giving a small sigh as she thought of a bubble bath filled with hot water. Thor nodded, heading into the bathroom to prepare the bath. "So what happens if one of them says something again?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her. She couldn't believe that it would come down to a duel so easily.

"I did not speak falsely in the market, Jane," Thor replied, finding her perched on the small counter she had insisted on having. Thus far, it's only purpose seemed to be a seat. "Should they insult you again in the belief that you do not belong here, it will come down to a sunrise duel between the man who spoke foolishly and either you or I. Mayhaps both," he said, giving a light shrug and slipping out of his armor.

"Thor, I would never survive a duel against anyone, even from here," Jane protested.

"Jane Foster, doth you wound me?" he asked in mock surprise, hands pointed at his chest. Jane laughed, shaking her head at his antics. "I am the best and strongest warrior Asgard has ever seen. A duel is different from the mock fights you have seen. But they should quail at both where I am concerned. And you, Jane Foster," he added, pausing to point at her. "You are capable of pushing Asgard's strongest out of bed in the middle of the night. Your Asgardian strength is rivaling that of when you were Elven. They know this not, but if they remember the convergence, that should be enough to make them quail. Have I made my point?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow and watching her.

"Yes, the God of Thunder has made his point," she relented with a sigh. "Can I take a bath now?" she asked. He chuckled and nodded, motioning towards the rapidly rising water. He slipped into the water behind her, arms locked around her waist.

"So, besides the insults you suffered today, did you enjoy your time around Asgard?" Thor asked after a few moments of quiet.

"Hmm," Jane hummed, leaning back into Thor's chest. "I did, but I think Neri took me to every seamstress she could find. I was so happy once we got to Amma's shop cause that meant we were done. It was odd being apart from you," she noted.

"It was very lonely around the palace," Thor agreed.

"What did you do while Neri was keeping me busy?" she asked, looking back at him.

"I trained a bit with Sif and Fandral – even battled with Loki," he added brightly. Jane looked at him in confusion for a moment. "That was quite an interesting fight. Beyond that, Father and I talked more of what being a King holds."

"Sounds just as boring," Jane said, pulling a face.

"How do you mean?" Thor asked, smirking at her expression.

"Neri saw fit to explain Asgard's politics to me. She even went so far as to explain what might be expected of me," she scoffed.

"I know that I have told you Father and I expect nothing of you," he added gently, "but Neri holds a point. Our people are expecting to see something of you. And that is all she is trying to prepare you for. I would take her council wisely; she was my mother's handmaid before you."

"So she says. But I find that hard to believe," Jane said lightly.

"Then believe it so, we even asked her to be your handmaid because of that reason," Thor replied.

"Why were you in the market earlier?" she asked after a moment's quiet. "It seemed awfully convenient that you were right around the corner."

"Me? I was actually coming to look for you," he replied. "I doubt it would have taken me long to do so." Jane made a thoughtful noise and fell silent. Before she realized it, Thor had reached up and rubbed at her shoulders. She leaned into his touch, a grateful sound escaping her lips.

"That feels amazing," she sighed, letting her head rest against his shoulder. Thor couldn't stop himself from kissing along her throat. The unexpected tickle from his beard caused her to jump and send water splashing over the bathroom floor. Her reaction surprised and amused him at the same time and he burst out laughing.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked, aiming for a puppy dog look but failing miserably because of his laughter. Now Jane was chuckling as well and she sent water splashing at him. He only laughed harder while wiping water out of his eyes and brushing his hair from his forehead where it had become plastered with Jane's antics.

"You caught me off guard, that's all," she explained when she finally stopped chuckling. "I wasn't expecting you to start kissing at my neck. And the last time we kissed, your face wasn't so scruffy," she noted.

"Do you not like it?" he asked, motioning towards his face with one hand. She sighed, rolling her eyes. Leave it to Thor to completely miss a joke and think she was being serious.

"We seriously need to teach you about joking around," Jane replied, smirking at him. "And it's fine," she added, moving back to his arms. "I'll never forgive Neri for taking me away from you for a week," she sighed, somewhere between being serious and joking.

"Yes, but if five days is the longest we are apart, is it truly that bad?" Thor questioned, staring down at her. Not a day had gone by since their reunion that he was not captivated by this woman before him. She had been through so much, and yet here she stood in his arms. A lesser man would have been panicked by her utter trust in his willingness to defend her. But he found that he was quite up for any challenge that should befall them. He felt a sudden need to be even closer to her and swiftly moved in to kiss her.

Jane's small noise of surprise melted into a moan as she returned the kiss eagerly. She threw her arms around his neck, fingers knotting in his damp hair where it had begun to curl at his shoulders. His own fingers found their way threaded through Jane's hair, pressing her to him further. But still his urge was not sated and he found himself moving so that she was perched on the edge of tub where it met the tiled floor.

Jane broke away to catch her breath, which was more ragged than she thought possible. Thor only moved to kiss at her jaw and throat instead. He made his way towards her ear and gently caught her earlobe between his teeth. She immediately pulled away from him, making a sound that he found absolutely adorable. He caught her ear again – just to hear the sound – and Jane twisted in his arms, claiming his mouth once more. She smirked inwardly at how easily he could be distracted but she couldn't hold much thought after that. Thor was everywhere he dared be at that point and she was lost to the sensation.

"You two had best get dressed. The evening meal will be ready soon," a voice said from the doorway. Jane's eyes snapped open and landed on Neri standing in the doorway. Her eyes were politely averted but there was a red streak across her cheekbones. Jane promptly shrieked and leapt back into the water, angling herself behind Thor so that she was hidden.

"Thank you, Neri," Thor said, a slight chuckle in his voice. "We will be down shortly." She inclined her head and quickly left the room. Jane sighed, pushing herself out of the water and reaching for a towel.

"Why didn't she knock?" she exclaimed.

"Why would she have need to knock?" Thor asked in a confused voice. "She knows I would not dishonor you so there is nothing for her to fear entering upon."

"Thor, we were naked in the tub!" Jane pointed out. "On Earth, that's usually a pretty big deal."

"For most of my people, that would be as well. But Neri is a handmaid, your handmaid I might add, and there will come times when she will see you in states of undress."

"Why?" she demanded.

"If you require help dressing and when we have children. Jane, we are more relaxed with such things here on Asgard than you are used to on Midgard," Thor said, watching her carefully. Her eyes were scrutinizing him. "We never intend for others to see us in moments such as these, but it is something we know might happen and so are not bothered when they do. If you wish her to knock when she enters our chambers, you need only say."

Jane gave him a pleading look and a weak half-smile. "Please?" she asked.

"Very well," Thor said, nodding once. "When we see her next, we will mention it to her." Jane really wanted to fit in properly here but there were certain things that she would not give up. And her privacy was one of those things.

Oh dear, our poor scientist is being forced to do womanly things! Oh no, the horror!

~LE