"Sister." Thor breathed out as they approached him where he stood on one of Asgard's many balconies.
"I told you I would be good." Aphrodite told him letting go of Jane and letting Thor embrace her. "Jane you look lovely."
"Thank you." Jane said shyly looking down. Thor smiled down at her gently then led her onto the balcony that he was previously occupying.
"You seem pleased with yourself." Aphrodite hears her mother's voice from behind her.
"I am. I've never seen him this way."
Frigga approached her from behind. "Your time will come my dear." She said running a soothing hand up her back. "Come, I think it's time I met the maiden that has your brother so enthralled. Don't you?" Frigga said grabbing Aphrodite by the hand and led her to the balcony with a small smile.
". . . my father doesn't know everything."
"Don't let him hear you say that." Frigga spoke by way of announcing her presence.
Thor immediately straightened from his position hunched over the balconies railing. "Jane Foster please meet Frigga, the Queen of Asgard, and my mother." Thor introduced.
Embarrassed Jane quickly pulls her hand out of Thor's and mumbled out a quick. "Hi." To the queen.
Loki is in his cell thinking back to his talk with his sister while tossing a chess piece from their game in the air and catching it when a sudden loud commotion from the cells further down makes him sit up curiously and pocket the piece.
From of the cell the prisoners are panicking and shouting for help while banging their fists against their cell's energy shield there is suddenly an explosion from inside the cell, killing all the inmates inside. All that is left in the cell is a man with amour clothing and a horned mask, Kurse. He picks up the only surviving inmate and uses him to smash his way through the energy shield. That's when the palace alarm goes off.
Two guards rush to stop him but he simply lifts them by their throats and burns them with his hands. He then goes on to release many of the other prisoners from their cells.
Then Kurse approaches Loki's cell and stands on the other side of the barrier while Loki gives him a long, predatory stare. After a long moment he decides to not release him and turned to find his way into the palace. "You might want to take the stairs to the left," Loki advises. At the advice he stops and considers Loki's words before following the advice.
Frigga smiles and is about to address her with the alarm sounds. "The prisons." Frigga muttered.
"Loki." Aphrodite said, and Thor looked back at them.
"Go, we will look after her." Frigga assured him and Thor nodded running then jumping off the edge of the balcony catching Mjölnir as it flew by.
Fandral and Volstagg had appeared and joined the battle while Loki sat in his cell quietly reading despite the carnage outside.
"It's as if they resent being in prison!" Fandral grunts out.
"There's no pleasing some creatures!" Volstagg yells back.
"Return to your cells and no further harm will come to you. You have my word," Thor promises the prisoners when he lands on the steps of the prisons. He turns his head to the right only to have one of them punch him in the face. "Very well, you do not have my word." He then joins in on the fight, laying waste to all prisoners in his path.
"Odin!" Frigga stopped the journey to her chamber upon seeing her husband.
"Frigga." Odin breathed. "Go!" He shouted to the guards. "Just a scrimmage, nothing to worry about."
"You've never been a good liar." Frigga teased.
"Take them to your chambers. I'll come for you when it's safe." Odin told him wife then turned to Aphrodite. "Watch over them."
"Always."
"You take care." Both Frigga and Aphrodite told him in sync.
"Despite all that I have survived, the women in my life, still worry over me." Odin said placing a comfortingly hand on Frigga's cheek.
"It's because we worry over you that you have survived." Frigga told him then turned and began leading Jane and Aphrodite away. "Listen to me now," Frigga began telling Jane. "I need you to do everything that I ask, no questions."
"Yes ma'am." Jane responded instantly.
Once all the prisoners have been re-captured or subdued when the palace starts to shudder and dirt rains down in the prisons from above.
Thor out of habit looks to see Loki's response who stares back a blank but slightly anxious look on his face.
Meanwhile, Odin enters the Throne Room and surveys the damage and carnage done. Malekith has already moved on, and the floor is scattered with remains of Asgardian and Dark Elf alike. It is then he's struck with a realization as to where Malekith might be heading. "Frigga," Odin breathes out worriedly.
Malekith has found his was to Frigga's chamber. As they hear him approaching the great doors, Jane stands fearful and rushes to Frigga's side.
Frigga places herself before Jane with Aphrodite by her side as they stare at Malekith as Jane moves further away "Stand down, creatures." Frigga warns him.
"And you may still survive this." Aphrodite finishes.
"I have survived worse, women," Malekith calmly replies.
"Who are you?" Frigga questions.
"I am Malekith, and I would have what is mine," Malekith responds staring back at Jane. He approaches Frigga and Aphrodite share a look then glances back to Jane and understands what it is Malekith wants. Jane seems to understand this as well as she scuttles further back.
As he comes closer Frigga strikes him across the face with her sword causing him to draw his own. Aphrodite is quick to disarm him by knocking the sword from his hand.
Malekith obviously not excepting such fight from the women, has to know dodge strikes from Frigga's swords as well as from Aphrodite as they engage in a small hand to hand battle.
Malekith is beaten when Frigga pins him to a column with her sword to his throat. It's at that moment though that Kurse comes up from behind harshly knocking Aphrodite to the ground and keeping her there with his foot. He then disarms Frigga and lifts her into the air pressing her own sword against her back as a warning. Taking advantage of this opportunity Malekith approaches Jane.
"You have something, child. Give it back," Malekith demands. He reaches out to Jane, but when he does she dissolves. Realizing she's nothing but a projection he turns his attention back to mother and daughter, who simply smile in return. "Witches! Where is the Aether!" Malekith roars approaching her again.
"I'll never tell," Frigga grunts out in determination.
"I believe you," Malekith responds calmly.
It's then that Kurse slides the sword into her back and Aphrodite chokes on a sob with eyes wide as he mother fell to the floor and that Thor enters the room. He cried out as soon, as soon as he takes in the sight before him.
Enraged Thor sends a burst of lightning from, strike Malekith in the face, instantly blackening one side, before he can do more damage Kurse picks up the sobbing Aphrodite in one arm the Malekith in the other before running to the balcony.
As they flee Thor throws his hammer, knocking them over the edge but as he runs forward, a narrow ship flies up and past, out of Mjölnir's range. Odin arrives onto the scene then and stares in shock and grief at Frigga for a moment before gathering her still body in his arms.
Many thanks for the rise in follower count for this story.
As always let me know what you think and what you'd like to see in the future.