Rise of The Snow Queen Chapter 10
Coming out of the Bifrost the entire group made it back. While not all in one piece at the very least they alive. But the worst was about to be unveiled.
One by one they all stepped out. Hogun and Volstagg supported the injured Fandral between them. His wound left him lacking the strength to walk on his own. He was in need of immediate urgent care and he wasn't the only one. Loki still held the unconscious Galatea bridal style in his arms.
"Why did you bring us back," demanded Thor.
"Do you realize what you've done? What you've started," said Odin, exasperated, marching up to the controls of the Bifrost to deactivate it.
Thro defended "I was protecting my home."
"You cannot even protect your friends and family! How can you hope to protect a kingdom," retorted Odin, extracting Heimdall's sword the Bifrost, deactivating it instantaneously. He tossed it into the waiting hands of the Gatekeeper. He then pointed at Fandral. "Get him to the healing room! Now!" He then redirected to Galatea. "Heimdall, take Galatea to her tower at once! Have her gloves put on and summon Frigga!"
Bowing to his King, Heimdall sheathed his sword and took the limp form of Galatea from Loki's reluctant arms. Loki wanted to follow his sister to seek an explanation for what he saw on Jotunheim. But he knew that was going to have to wait. So he simply stood witness for what was to come watching the others leave the Bifrost.
"There won't be a kingdom to protect if you're afraid to act," stated Thor, arrogantly. "The Jotuns must learn to fear me, just as they once feared you."
"That's pride and vanity talking, not leadership," said Odin. "You've forgotten everything I've taught you about a warriors patience."
"While you wait and be patient the Nine Realms laugh at us. The old ways are done. You'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls. And who can blame our enemies for attacking when you harbor a monster in our midst," spat Thor, disdainfully.
Neither Odin nor Loki required an explanation as to whom Thor referred.
"Thor, please, think before you take this any further," implored Loki. "Before you say something you won't be able to retract. Our sister is not a monster."
Thor seriously needed to do himself a favor and shut up. He was being irrational, but it was just like Thor to act with his ego instead of his brain.
"Oh come off it, Loki," said Thor. "Don't tell me you didn't recognize those spires unleashed on the Frost Giants at Jotunheim! They're the same ones that ruined the coronation ceremony!"
"That was not Galatea's fault," said Odin, firmly.
"How long have you known about her magic," shouted Thor, enraged. "How long have you kept this a secret and how many knew about it!"
Exhaling tiredly, Odin said "Since she was a baby. Galatea showed signs of her power when she was a small child. It was the main reason why she was separated from you, isolated from all outsiders. Galatea feared the extent of her power and wanted you protect you and everyone else protected from harm. Which is why she's locked herself in that tower all these years. Only Frigga, Heimdall, and I knew of her powerful hidden magic. Magic that is a gift-."
"Gift? A gift," yelled Thor. "Her magic killed dozens of our people and you call it a gift! She's an abomination that should be destroyed!"
"Thor," exclaimed Loki, shocked, eyes wide.
Hearing such cruelty from Thor to his own sister caused Odin to snap.
"You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy," roared Odin.
"And you are an old man and a fool," countered Thor, snarling.
In an instant all three were aware Thor had taken things too far. The heartbreak, shame, misery, and sorrow laced on Odin's face said it all.
"Yes," he said, quietly, head lowered, "I was a fool to think you were ready."
Taking a step up the Bifrost platform, Loki said "Father-."
Odin wasn't tolerating any interference. Pointing at Loki, Odin yelled. The ferocity and warning look on his face made Loki freeze in his tracks. He knew any action from him now would lead to even further disaster. Nothing would save Thor from Odin's wrath now. There was certainly no need for Thor to drag anyone else down with him.
"Thor Odinson," said Odin, shakily, "you have betrayed the express command of your king. Through your arrogance and stupidity you've opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war!"
Odin then stuck Gungnir into the spot where Heimdall's sword would usually be, activating the Bifrost and opening the bridge to the realm of his choosing. Then he proceeded to strip Thor of his armor, immortality, powers, and seals signifying his royal rank and position in Asgard.
"You are unworthy of these realms! You're unworthy of your title! You're unworthy of the loved ones you have betrayed," hissed Odin, seething.
Loki closed his eyes in dread and acceptance, tears building behind the lids, as Odin walked up to the top of the dais, already predicting the outcome of Thor's transgression and ill spoken words.
"I know take from you your power," said Odin, calling Mjolnir out of Thor's hand and into his. "In the name of my father and his father before, I, Odin Allfather cast you out!"
A great bolt of lightning shot out from the hammer directly into Thor's chest. Thor was unable to react in time and he was thrown backwards into the swirling vortex of the Bifrost. Sucked inside Thor vanished from sight, banished from the paradise that was Asgard.
Feeling like he'd just been punched straight in the gut, utterly breathless, Loki rushed to the side of the hole into the bridge.
"Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor," whispered Odin into the weapon, casting a spell making it impossible for someone who wasn't to take up this majestic divine hammer as his or her own.
Odin threw it into the bridge following after Thor.
Loki observed blank faced, his eyes void of all emotion.
Authors Note:
So Galatea's secret is out. Wonder how things are going to go for Galatea from here on out.