As their feet connected with the surface of the Rainbow Bridge, Annalise stumbled and two Chitauri caught her by the elbows. Once she had her bearings, her gaze immediately flicked to an imposing figure with golden eyes standing in the center of the circular chamber.
"Welcome to Asgard, Your Grace. I am Heimdall, Gatekeeper of Asgard," he intoned with a bow.
"I-Thank you," she said with a polite nod. Astrid cooed at the stunning man, and not even valiant Heimdall could keep the corner of his mouth from twitching at the little girl's delight.
Movement caught the queen's attention and she realized Thor and a slew of guards waited near the telescopic structure they occupied. Her brother-in-law exited his air craft and strode forward, his arms open.
"Sister," he boomed, enveloping Annalise in a giant hug. "And who is this?" he laughed as he pulled away, tickling under Astrid's chin.
The baby gave an uneasy smile as the massive man reached for her. No one on Midgard had the audacity to simply pluck Astrid from her arms, and in her shock Annalise allowed it. The second she left her mother's grasp, Astrid shrieked, her face turning an unbecoming shade of red as tears flowed from her green eyes.
Mildly heartbroken, Thor realized his mistake and handed Astrid back to Annalise. "We're still practicing warming up to strangers," she explained with a guilty smile.
Thor laughed it off and wrapped an arm around Annalise's slim waist, guiding her to what looked like a small fleet of pewter-colored boats. Offering his hand, he helped the young queen into the first craft. The einherjar cautiously approached the Chitauri to help load Astrid and Annalise's Vuitton luggage into the carriers. Palpable unease weighed between the Asgardian warriors and the gray aliens, but for their mutual cause the species cooperated. Once belongings, SHIELD agents, Chitauri, queen and princess were on board the Asgardian vehicles, the crew took off in the direction of the palace.
Annalise shuffled closer to Thor as they flew, holding Astrid to her chest. "Thank you for receiving us. You put Loki as at ease as possible, given the circumstances."
"We should've invited you to Asgard long ago, Annalise. I'm glad you're here."
"How much do you know about the situation with Thanos?"
The jovial smile spread across Thor's lips faded. "Only that he's coming for Loki. My brother wouldn't tell me anything beyond that. I take it by your presence Thanos is close?"
Brows furrowing, Annalise nodded. "Loki insisted we evacuate, but he refused to come with us." She turned towards the god and watched his face, looking for any signs of fraternal affection. "Thor, Loki doesn't think he can beat Thanos," she murmured. Anna rested her hand on his forearm as she fought to keep from tearing up. "The way he talks about the battle suggests he won't survive it. That would be disastrous. The fragile order he's brought to Earth would crumble, but more importantly, I'd lose my husband." She swallowed hard and raised her chin. "I refuse for that to happen. Will you please help him?"
Thor nodded solemnly, as if he knew the question was coming. "Annalise, truly, I would like to believe I'm powerful enough to conquer Thanos. But… he's a Titan. Even with my help, I do not think Loki is a match for a being of that caliber."
Annalise's stomach twisted. She hadn't considered that possibility. "Who does have the power to beat him?"
Thor hesitated, "I'm not sure such power exists. Perhaps Father could triumph, but if he fought, Asgard would risk losing their ruler."
"What kind of parent doesn't go to any length to protect their child?" Annalise asked scathingly.
Thor looked taken aback, his jaw opening and closing before he found his voice. "But Loki doesn't accept Odin as his father," he stammered.
"Do Odin and Frigga no longer claim Loki as their own?"
"I-Well, I didn't say that. What I mean is… Their bond is damaged."
"So damaged they'd allow their son to face certain death?"
Thor broke her gaze, rubbing his hand over his bearded chin. "I'm afraid I cannot answer that. I'm uncertain."
"Then take me to them. Let me talk to your parents myself."
Thor's grip on Mjölnir tightened, causing the handle to creak.
"I-You want an audience with Father and Mother? That's highly improbable, there are hundreds waiting to be seen over court affairs. It would take months before they could meet with you."
Annalise nodded as their aircraft grazed the surface of the sea. She didn't care how difficult it was. "I would like an audience now, please," she said smoothly.
Thor fumbled for words and scratched the back of his neck. Annalise squeezed his hand. "They'll listen to you, Thor. They'll see me if you tell them it's important, which it is. You know it is."
Still flustered, Thor gradually managed a nod. "I'll do what I can."
The ships stayed close to the ground as they neared the towering castle. The palace reached proudly to the sky, like the center prong of a trident. Annalise's stomach rolled as they descended and she held Astrid, smoothing her hand over the child's back to calm herself. With a shaky breath, she glanced back the way they came, her heart already aching for Loki.
Humming, Annalise lay Astrid down in the opulent wooden crib detailed with carved golden serpents on the posts. She was relieved to have a moment alone to recuperate while Thor went in search of his parents. The baby babbled to herself, exploring her new confines as Annalise collapsed into an equally luxurious arm chair. The little queen watched as Astrid investigated, smiling when the baby eventually lay herself down with Ymir. Both mother and daughter's breathing grew deep as they found a moment to relax.
Thunderous knocking roused Annalise. Disoriented, she shot up from her chair, frantically scanning the room until she remembered she was on Asgard in Loki's chambers.
Annalise rubbed her eyes and checked on Astrid before plodding to the doors. Gripping the metal handles, she swung them open. Before her stood Thor, Shannon and a flock of einherjar and Chitauri. Thor gave her a cautious nod.
"They've granted you an audience, Annalise."
Her tummy fluttered and she gazed back at a sleeping Astrid.
"I'll watch her, your Grace," said Shannon as she stepped into Loki's chambers.
Annalise gave the other woman a grateful glance, "Thank you."
Shannon nodded and disappeared into Loki's rooms. Thor tugged at his beard, and looked between Annalise and the crowded hall. "Would you like a moment to prepare, Annalise?"
An extended nap, shower, a dossier on each monarch and a printed outline sounded amazing, but she worried Loki didn't have that kind of time. "No, let's do this now, please."
Thor offered his arm and Annalise slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. He and Annalise led the gaggle of Chitauri and einherjar to the throne room, where Odin and Frigga waited. Outside the doors stood noblemen and women who looked disgruntled. Annalise vaguely wondered if they were who she displaced. With an internal shrug, she trotted to keep up with her brother-in-law.
As the grand room opened, Thor swept Annalise inside. When the thick doors closed behind her, she couldn't help but glance back. The guards remained near the room entrance while Thor walked Annalise to the daises. Striding through the throne room took ages, all the while under the scrutiny of Asgard's king and queen. Annalise plastered a confident smile on her face, though by the time they reached her in-laws, she had thoroughly worked herself up.
Thor released Annalise's hand and bowed to his parents.
"Mother, Father, I present to you Queen Annalise of Midgard, the—."
"The woman who married my son," Frigga interrupted with a gleam in her eye.
Annalise's cheeks glowed pink as she bowed her head. "Your Majesties, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The king and queen of Asgard nodded politely as Thor took his seat next to his father. Frigga's lips parted to speak, but Annalise beat her to it. "I want you to know I respect the decorum and rituals of court, and I apologize profusely for ignoring them."
Frigga's brows rose and Odin's eye widened at Annalise's blunt approach, but the tiny woman continued.
"I wish I were here under better circumstances," she began. "Loki has sent me and our daughter to Asgard for refuge. I'm not sure what Thor has told you about me, or how much you know about Loki's… um, acquisition of Earth, but it's an untidy story that predates my relationship with your son. I realize I don't fully understand the history between the four of you, nor can I entirely comprehend the situation at hand, but what I do know is that this Thanos is coming for Loki now, and that he's very dangerous. Loki doesn't expect to live through the battle." She raised her chin, straightening her spine and ignoring the way her Manolos pinched her feet. "I'm here to ask for your help."
Odin made a noise resembling a grunt and spun Grungir in his hand. The metal bottom of the staff ground against the marble floors, making her wince. Annalise gave him credit for appearing contemplative, rather than going off on her.
Eyeing her husband, Frigga interceded. "Annalise, we welcome you to Asgard. I, too, wish the circumstances were less dire. I hope in the future you will return on your own terms."
The woman's warmth soothed Annalise enough to unclench her fists. She returned the Allmother's smile.
The eerie silence in the throne room following Frigga's welcome blaringly emphasized Odin's lack of response. The Allmother patiently glared at her stubborn husband and squeezed his hand. "Have you nothing to say to our daughter-in-law?"
Odin was wise, Annalise could gather that much from his profound stare. But he was also a father, and family caused tempers to heat. His single eye flicked over Annalise as he took in her appearance. The Midgardian queen stood tall, aided by black suede over the knee boots.
"Welcome to Asgard, Annalise."
Noting his distinct lack of title use, Annalise fought the urge to correct him. When he didn't continue, she shifted her weight uncomfortably. "Thank you, Your Majesty. And, thank you for receiving me on such short notice."
Apparently, that was the right thing to say, because Odin's face grew infinitesimally less grave. To Odin's left sat Thor, whose shoulders slumped in relief.
"Loki has always been troubled." The Allfather's speech was metered and intentional. "I am sorry that you've become involved in his schemes. You do not deserve this chaos."
Prickling, Annalise took three steps forward. Her need to defend her husband and king overpowered common sense. Her movement sparked the einherjar flanking the thrones into action, prompting them to lurch forward to defend their rulers. The clink of metal armor echoed until Odin held up a hand, "Enough. She is not a threat." The warriors stepped back into place, once more watching over the royal family.
She'd be a threat if she wanted to be, Annalise growled to herself. Odin continued speaking, which distracted her from her being perceived as insignificant. "My youngest son has always had darker tendencies. But, he wasn't always so… volatile. He used to have an innocence about him," Odin reflected.
"That part of him still exists. Bits of it, at least," Anna offered.
Frigga smiled sadly while the Allfather stared contemplatively at the young queen.
"I believe it. There is good in him," he agreed.
Annalise brightened, "So, you'll help us? You'll help him?"
Odin sighed and his face grew steely. "I cannot."
Disappointment shadowed Frigga's face, her grief evident as Odin spoke. "If I aid him now, I will only reward his misbehavior. It would ruin his conscience, or what little remains of it. As much as it pains me, he will have to learn from his mistakes this time." Though his words carried a tone of finality, Odin's regret was palpable. He did love his son. "How did he fall so far?" he murmured.
Frigga's empathetic expression turned cool and Thor flinched at Odin's density.
Annalise gasped in surprise. Her vision went red while her nails bit into her palm as she clenched her fists. How could he sound so remorseful yet refuse to help Loki? He was the root of Loki's problems. "You say that like you don't know!" she sputtered. "You raised him to be a king, and then you took that away. You were supposed to give him a family, a sense of security and worth, but you lied to him and it broke him. He had to take Earth by force, he had to kidnap me to get what he needed."
"We will untether you from Loki at the first chance—," started Odin.
"No. I don't want to be untethered. I want you to defend my husband. I want you to be there for your son and support him the way he deserves. He may not have gone about taking over Midgard the right way… But he is a good ruler—mostly—and order is restoring under him. Earth was a shitshow when he got there. Political stability was iffy at best. Famine, poverty and lack of clean water plagued millions. Using his Seidr, he's provided aid to a slew of countries, alleviating the suffering of many people—."
Frigga raised a hand, "A shitshow?".
Annalise felt heat creep up her neck. She swore she was refined, maybe just not in that particular moment. "Er, a mess. Earth was a mess."
"I see. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Your Majesty." Clasping her hands in front of her, she cleared her throat, "As I was saying, he is a decent ruler. But, without you, he has no future."
Odin gazed down at her proudly, skeptical of Annalise's intentions. "And if I were to give him this future, where will you be?"
"If he continues to reign, I'll be at his side. If… he's had enough of being king," she sighed hopefully, "and steps down once Thanos is no longer a threat, I will stay with him, too. I love him," she said, raising her chin.
Odin's white eyebrows rose and he huffed dubiously. Frigga beamed, the corners of her warm eyes crinkling.
With a bang, the fifteen foot paneled doors burst open and into the throne room scurried Shannon with a wailing Astrid. The poor woman's cheeks glowed when her heels echoed on the marble floor as she trotted to her Queen's side. Panting, she held out the baby and a blanket to Annalise, "My Queen—," her gaze flicked to Frigga, "My Queens… I-Your Majesties—I apologize for interrupting," she babbled.
Annalise gave Shannon a reassuring smile and took her child, tossing the knitted baby blanket of her shoulder and nodding dismissively. Shannon made to leave before realizing her queen was still standing. Grabbing the back of a nearby chair, she clumsily dragged the furniture to Annalise. Breathing a sigh of satisfaction, the flustered woman retreated.
Though Astrid quieted in her mother's arms, she continued to whimper and fuss. With a sigh, Annalise pulled the blanket so it draped over her shoulder, chest and the baby. Once covered, she began unbuttoning the center of her blouse. "What I mean to say," Annalise plucked at the front closure of her nursing bra, "is that Loki needs your help. He deserves your help." Perching on the chair, Annalise rocked Astrid onto her side and tucked her under the blanket.
As he realized what Annalise was doing in his presence, Odin began to bluster. Thor turned an endearing shade of pink. Astrid latched on with a stuttered hiccup and immediately calmed while her mother peered down at her, crooning to the baby in the process. "Because Daddy is… Well, maybe not one of the good guys. But he's… neutral." Astrid hummed and gurgled from beneath the blanket and Annalise returned her gaze to Asgard's royal family. "Will you help him?"
Odin opened his mouth to speak, shaking his head, but Thor beat him to it.
"Father, please. This is Loki, your son. If you don't come to his aid, he will die."
Quirking a brow at his oldest, Odin challenged Thor's right to speak. "You will not interrupt me again. Loki will not conquer earth only to be rewarded with a wife and child. This matter—."
"This is a family matter, Odin," Frigga's voice cut through the tension in the throne room. "It is not your place to make this decision alone."
Odin's eye blazed, his fingers squeezing around Grungir as he stared at his wife. The Allmother held up her hand again, shaking her head.
Staring at Frigga with hope bubbling in her chest, Annalise held her breath.
Frigga rested her hand on Odin's shoulder. "There are many circumstances that must be considered before making a final decision."
Odin blinked, his eye searching his wife's face as he processed. "I will not change my mind—."
Frigga narrowed her eyes at him. "That's enough discussion for tonight. Annalise, you must be exhausted from your travels. We shall all retire for the evening and continue this discussion tomorrow."
Annalise didn't want to wait until tomorrow. Loki didn't have until tomorrow. What if Thanos was there now? But, the Asgardian queen's voice held an air of certitude and the younger queen kept her mouth shut. Now that the Allmother mentioned it, Annalise sagged from fatigue. She hadn't realized the toll leaving Earth had taken on her body, not to mention being pregnant.
Astrid finished feeding and Annalise did her best to clean the baby up. Moving her to one arm, she tried to push from her chair and faltered in her weariness. Immediately an einherjar and a Chitauri were at her side, gently hoisting her up from the chair.
Cheeks rosy, Annalise cleared her throat, "Thank you."
Annalise lost track of their responses as Thor, Odin and Frigga rose, the two men branching off to speak with an advisor. Frigga, however, trained her eyes on Annalise and strode forward. The younger queen shifted her weight as her guards stepped back to allow the queens a modicum of privacy.
The Allmother's smile was hesitant as she approached Annalise. "May I meet my granddaughter?"
"Oh, of course! I forgot—there's just so much going on," Annalise blathered while scrubbing at her face with her free hand.
The corner of Frigga's mouth turned up in a smile. "It's quite alright, dear. Her name is Astrid?"
Annalise nodded and handed over the babbling baby. With practiced hands, Frigga accepted her. The child glommed on to the emerald pendant hanging around the Allmother's neck, while Frigga stroked the little girl's cheek with a finger.
"Strength. What a fitting moniker," she cooed. Astrid clapped her hand to her mouth, then flung her palm open to blow a sloppy kiss at her grandmother. Frigga let out a musical peal of laughter, completely smitten with the baby.
Her joy relaxed Annalise. Presenting your offspring to your mother-in-law, who also happens to be Queen of Asgard, is slightly daunting. Eyes twinkling with mirth, Frigga motioned at Anna's middle. "And the other? How far along are you?"
Though Astrid was evidence enough that she and Loki had had sex, the existence of yet another fetus amplified the fact that they'd been together. That her in-laws knew she and their son had been… intimate wasn't quite the level of familiarity Annalise desired yet. Ignoring her own blush, Annalise pushed her hair from her face and cupped her little belly. "Sixteen weeks, Your Majesty."
Ages of schooled expressions couldn't keep the grin from Frigga's face. "How exciting."
Children sixteen months apart were more excitement than Annalise had wished for, but she nodded. She and Loki would make due. With the help of many.
Astrid yawned and squirmed in Frigga's grasp, making grabby-hands at her mother. Frigga transferred the baby back to Annalise with a kind smile. "You should rest. Tomorrow will be another long day."
Annalise's heart sank as the woman turned to leave. She didn't realize she'd been hoping for reassurance from Frigga.
"Wait," she blurted.
Face poised with a warm expression, Frigga turned and gave her attention to Annalise. The younger woman stuttered, desperate for encouragement.
"I-You're Loki's last chance. If you don't help him, he'll die. Please don't let him die," she whispered.
Frigga's face grew solemn, her lips no longer curved upwards. Without hesitation, she embraced Annalise, wrapping an arm around her and Astrid. "It is not yet time for my son to die. We are not ready to let him go," she murmured against Annalise's ear. Pressing a kiss to the little queen's cheek, Frigga cupped Annalise's face. "We'll speak more in the morning, my dear. I look forward to seeing the two of you at breakfast," she said. Both women dabbed at their eyes, dashing away unshed tears.
Annalise could breathe again. Loki did have a chance. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You're welcome, daughter."