Chapter 25

Winter's crisp

Thor, Loki and Tony walked onto the bridge as Natasha and Clint were finalising their strategic plans. Thor and Tony both had determined faces and walked quickly to the table while Loki hung back slightly and kept his face neutral.

Tony wandered over to Bruce while Loki sat at the table and Thor stood off to one side. Someone tapped him on the shoulder and after turning round, he noticed it was Volund.

Thor smiled as him broadly and said, "Any luck this end?" Thor spoke quite loudly as Volund shushed him and beckoned him away from the others. Thor was confused but followed him off to the side.

"What is it, friend?"

Volund looked sternly at him while he spoke in a hushed voice. "I've come to a conclusion." Thor looked at him while he paused, breathing unevenly. "We know of a way to kill Malekith, we always have. That was not the question at hand. It was always how we would apply the deadly blow. I think you know what I mean."

Thor swallowed as he swayed slightly on his feet, quickly glancing back towards the table. "I do not wish to keep secrets, especially from the others. If it must come to this, then at least tell them." Thor motioned with his hands towards the table as Volund bowed his head.

"No. It will be near impossible and would take a large amount of luck to subdue him without this method. I don't think we will be successful any other way." He put his hands on Thors shoulders and he raised his head to look right at him. "It is not a secret I am asking you to keep, but a promise to do whatever is necessary to protect this realm. Surely you as a warrior will understand the meaning behind my actions. Can you not see that this is right?"

He paused as Thor furrowed his brows and fumbled his hands by his sides. "Yes. I do see your point." Thor looked at him one last time and saw in his eyes that he was as serious as he was stupid. "Very well. I will give you the signal when the time comes."

Volund sighed and stepped back. Just as Thor started walking over to the table Volund called out to him and he turned round. "Hopefully after this, both Midgard and Svartalfheim will find peace."

Thor nodded solemnly, turned back round and walked over to the table and retook his stance near his brother. After seeing Loki act strangely distant, he glanced over his shoulder at Volund but then decided to sit with Natasha and Clint who were talking quietly.

When Thor had left, Volund went and sat next to Loki, on the side further away from the others. "You are holding a secret, are you not?" Volund spoke first as Loki continued to stare endlessly at the table. He shifted his eyes in Volunds direction but didn't move his head as he replied. "Some things are best not spoken about in times like this."

"And what are these times?"

Loki sighed and shifted in his seat to face him. "When change is imminent. For one, what will happen to your kingdom after this is all over?"

"You speak as if we will not win."

Loki widened his eyes and tilted his head to the side. "And you are so sure we will?"

"Of course. We have a sound plan." Volund eyes momentarily landed on Thor whose back was turned but quickly returned to Loki. "One that cannot fail. As for my realm, I am too old to be king so I will elect someone younger and wiser."

"I thought you told me wisdom does not come with lessons alone, but with age and experience."

"Just because I say younger does not imply a lack of judgment. No. I have my sights set on Jokoah, if he survives that it."

Loki licked his lips as he bowed his head slightly. "I was meaning to ask you about him."

Volund took a moment to think and while his eyes darted about the room, his attention was drawn to a shiny chain around Loki's neck. "This was his, was it not?" He lifted the pendant lightly and held it between his fingers, letting the light catch it at every angle.

Loki looked down and smiled lightly. "It allowed me to escape." He looked up at Volund who was still memorised by the jewelry and said, "It was his decision. He decided to go against him for the sake of good." He waited for a response but when Volund didn't reply he continued. "What lies ahead for him?"

Volund shut his eyes for a second, let go of the pendant and sat back in his chair. "For a person of his rank and reputation, his family would be the forfeit. But Jokoah doesn't have any family, not any more."

Loki's face portrayed panic and unease as he laid his hands on the table. "I'm sorry."

The silence between them was so strong that Loki felt his heart beat increase and he started to feel restless in his seat. Volund breathed out, straightened up in his seat and smiled at Loki. "You have a question." Loki twisted his eyebrows and his lips curled slightly in amusement.

"I could always tell when you were curious as a child. It would seem, nothing has changed."

Loki held his hands together on the table as he felt where his Jotun ridges should be. "Do you trust the frost giants?" When Volund continued to listen and not reply, he continued. "In what they say they are doing. I mean, they were just attacked by Malekith but they are not as we are. They would probably join him because of his show of power and determination."

Volund let his eyes fall again on Thor as he spoke. "Even the Jotun are not blind and stupid enough to follow a man that openly wants their world. If there is any reason they would go against their word for us, it would be if they were being promised another realm or if they were being blackmailed into the situation. Neither of which, I think is the case."

Loki nodded and looked over towards Thor, Natasha and Clint. The others were all making their way towards the table so he got up and turned back to Volund. "Thank you. I believe we are going to discuss the plan of attack. Do you wish to join us?"

Volund stood up next to him and shook his head slightly. "No. I think I will take my leave now. I do not wish to impose during your conversation. But don't worry, I will be with you in battle. I guarantee it."

Loki smiled and patted him on the shoulder as he left the bridge and Loki sat down with the others who had all gathered around Natasha and Clint.

After Fury had finished filling them in on all the information and ideas Bruce, Natasha and Clint had come up with, he started to run through the final plan for each of the avengers.

"Since the Jotun have not arrived, they will not be included in this strategy. Therefore we have to compensate for the loss but not leave out an opportunity for them to intervene. From Thors experience and knowledge of Malekith, he will most likely welcome conversation. Pointless words from either party will be played between Malekith, Thor and Loki while the others take aim. You will already be in position before he arrives since he will be able to tell if you suddenly appear. He will expect us to have back up anyway, but by arriving before he does, you'll have less of a chance of being detected."

Nick paused while Thor cleared his throat. "Me and Loki will distract him until the signal is given, at that point I will strike him with lightening, while Loki contains him so he can't escape. After we have done that, the others can assist. Your main priority is to make sure he doesn't escape or break our concentration. He will try to play games with your minds so ignore anything that doesn't seem real; it won't be."

Clint tapped his fingernails on the table while he cupped his chin in his other hand on the tabletop. "How long do we have to hold him off for? We are pretty limited when it comes to preventing an elf from running out from under us."

Loki frowned as he continued to stare out the window. "It shouldn't take long. I estimate I will need to use at least three different types of magic on him along with Thor's power of lightening. Each different source will take a decent amount of time to have an impact on him. I'd say at least twenty seconds each. The first will probably be quickest since he won't be prepared for it. The hardest will be the second, when he realises what we are doing. If we get to the third, it won't be as hard to defeat him, but it will be the hardest for us to keep up. By that time, I will be at my weakest and therefore my most vulnerable. It's that time I am most concerned about; that is where we win or lose."

Everyone sighed and just stared at their hands or off to the side while Thor gulped silently and stared unfocused out of the window.

Fury suddenly clapped his hands together and addressed them. "Thor and Loki, meet Volund and prepare for transportation to the surface. Natasha, Clint, Steve, you are to go directly to the landing strip and head down to the arranged coordinates. Bruce, are you up for this?"

Banner nodded and unfolded his arms as Natasha and Clint got up and headed towards the elevator.

"Good. Since this is the toughest threat we have ever gone up against, this may be my last chance to say it. Avengers, assemble."

Thor and Loki stood up and bowed slightly at Fury while Steve saluted and turned on his heels towards the door. Loki and Thor followed him out. Loki went through the door but just before Thor was about to head into the lift, he turned and quietly said, "It will not be the last time."

Nick just watched him as Thor's expression was almost unreadable and saw him turn and go out the door. Loki had hung back and had heard Thor's unusual tone. As Thor turned and saw he had been listening in, he broke eye contact and stood beside him. Once they got out the elevator, they went in the opposite direction to the others, looking for Volund as they walked in silence. After turning down endless corridors, Loki spoke, still keeping his head forwards and his fast pace. "What you said to Fury, that is... not like you. Almost as if you were... worried. But from your words, you sounded sure we would be victorious."

Thor didn't reply until they had neared the room at the end of the corridor. "I just know we will be." He turned to Loki just before they entered the room and smiled. "Because we have you." He gave him a playful punch on the arm as they opened the door. They both lingered in the doorframe as Volund walked towards them, all geared up in his robes, underneath which, metal amour peeked out and daggers were visible as they were tucked into his boots and belt.

"We are to be escorted down to the drop point. The others will already be in position. When the signal is given, we advance." Thor spoke in a plain voice as Volund followed them out the door, nodding every so often as he checked his garments.

When he had finished checking everything was firmly in its holders and strapped up tight, he nodded and simply said, "Good. Lets put an end to this."

"What do you want us to do?" Gangr held his lapels as Malekith paced on the roof.

"For the meantime, nothing. I feel the avengers will want a confrontation and they will want it soon. They are the arrogant type and will attempt to compare their meager strength to mine." He turned to look at them for a second, an evil grin gracing his face. "They will lose, of course. During the confrontation, they will try to tempt me away from my plan. From completing my destiny." He paused as he looked at the city, daylight lighting up all corners of it. "Who are they that they would take this away from me?"

Suttungr and Gangr gave each other slightly confused glances while Malekith continued. "I am this realms rightful king, and they are nothing. Mere ants under my boots."

Gangr smiled. "I believe that... comparison, is one similar to what Loki used. One he made before he failed to invade this realm and was apprehended by the avengers. Do you not think you are underestimating them in some way?"

Malekith ran his tongue over his teeth. "Not at all. I know they are strong. The only real threat is Loki and I doubt he will be able to perform all forms of magic necessary to defeat me. There is only one way they can weaken me to sufficiently leave me vulnerable to attack... and I am sure he will not go there."

Gangr and Suttungr kept their confused expressions as Malekith jerked his head up suddenly and breathed in the city air. Not the freshest and cleanest, but for Malekith it was rich and full of desire. "They are gathering." He turned on his heels and walked quickly over to Gangr. He withdrew a blade from his belt and Suttungr immediately put himself between the two of them.

"I mean no harm to him. I am giving him a weapon. See?" He held the blade length ways in his out stretched hands towards Gangr and he took it after waving Suttungr down.

After he had taken it, Gangr started inspecting it, turning it to view it from all angles, light catching it every so often and blinding him momentarily.

"It is a special blade, made from iron. My main weakness." Malekith kept his eyes on it while Gangr furrowed his brows.

"Why would it be of use to me then?"

"Because, gentle giant, the field with which they will have to contain me will be blocking certain forms of magic. One of which will be your Jotun ability to conjure spears out of thin air. The force field they will use is designed to affect me in a negative way, also destroying anything I might have to use against them. They will surely trap me in one when I arrive. Loki will conjure it and once I am inside it, I cannot leave until he drops the field. Of course, he will not, so I will kill him. Now the knife; because it is made of an element which is not part of my magic, will be able to exist within the field. They will not suspect you to bring something that can harm me, so you will be able to use it once inside. Once the battle begins, I may require assistance in getting rid of the few who will be hiding. No doubt that archer remembers me and he will definitely not miss a chance to bury one of his arrows in me."

Gangr placed the blade in his belt, looked up at Malekith and curled his lips on one side of his face. "Well we can't have that, now can we?"

Thor, Loki and Volund stood side by side, spread out in a courtyard surrounded by several abandoned buildings. They all stood still as Thor awaited a signal from Hawkeye telling them that they were in position and prepared for whatever happened next.

Loki tilted his head towards Volund and spoke quietly so Thor couldn't overhear. "What I said earlier, did you get what I meant, what I was trying to say?"

"I think so. You always used to speak in riddles and that is another feature you have not yet grown out of."

"I am serious." Loki risked a glance at Thor who had his back to them. "I know for a fact that the Jotun have turned against us." He dropped his harsh tone. "I am not even sure they were ever with us."

"They are a strange race." He smiled slightly. "You included, but they are cunning as well, just as you are." Volund looked around the courtyard, then back down at his feet. "You may not think it but Thor is also cunning when he needs to be."

"We are talking about the same person here, aren't we? Tall, arrogant, obnoxious and the most indiscreet man in all the nine realms, and that's after you've included the frost giants."

"The same. But he can be subtle when he wants, when he is told." He leaned in just as Thor put his hand to his earpiece and listened in. "Just remember, that in some situations, he might know more than you do, and vice versa."

Loki watched him as Volund looked back up at the surrounding buildings and Thor walked over to them. "Natasha and Clint have the area under surveillance via Iron man. He is helping the last few civilians get to safety." He tapped his ear again then added, "The area is clear and he is on his way. We are ready."

Loki let his head fall back and closed his eyes in concentration, breathing steadily. Thor darted his eyes around as he saw Volund take out a knife from his belt. Volund saw his quizzical look and said, "Iron crafted. As a last resort of course."

Thor nodded without replying and stopped when he felt the atmosphere change slightly. "Loki?"

"It's working. He has heard our call. His arrival is imminent." Thor held Mjolnir high, causing the skies to rumble and the clouds to gather over their heads. Iron man was a mile or two out of their location as Natasha and Clint repositioned themselves so they could get a better view of the three of them in the courtyard below.

The skies grew quiet as they waited, Loki still motionless and with his eyes closed. Thor was pacing slightly, eyes wide and ready for a fight while Volund stood still, all the time alert to everything around him. Natasha and Clint stayed silent while they watched the courtyard light up then go dark again. Smoke appeared in front of them and everyone apart from Loki and Volund jumped. Thor stepped back in shock then stood forward with a strong stance and Mjolnir held high in his hand. Loki lowered his head down and whispered, "Malekith."

Before the smoke had fully dissipated, a tall, slim figure walked out before them; coat catching some of it as it continued to disappear. Once their view had cleared, Natasha and Clint took aim at him; Clint with his bow and Natasha with her guns. Loki held his hands behind his back as Volund made no move at all and Thor felt restless just doing nothing but didn't advance.

"Loki, how nice to see you. You do know that you are going to be responsible for more than just the deaths of the humans, now don't you?"

Thor added a snide comment before Loki could reply. "Like you're not threatening to rule this planet and possible destroy it in trying." Malekith tilted his head to the side and nodded, adding, "Yes, that too."

"If you are talking about Jokoah, he knew the consequences. Like us, he sees you as a threat. Someone who shouldn't have the honour of calling themselves king. It is a power to be earned; not a role to disgrace."

"You should talk." Malekith spoke his mind with a harsh tone before he continued more softly. "Now Loki, because I am nice and a very generous king, I will overlook that treasonous comment and give you my offer, one last time. Join me or suffer the aftermath of my actions."

Loki continued to hold his hands behind his back while he kept his gaze firmly on Malekith. He narrowed his eyes while he continued to stare at him, hoping he would flinch or drop his gaze. Instead he smiled manically and started to laugh under his breath. "I can see from your... actions that you do not wish to be welcomed as an ally of mine. You clearly wish to be counted as the rest." He began to shout as he looked up, directly at Clint and Natasha. "The others, who by the way I can clearly see, are hiding behind, possibly the three move naive and gullible beings on this planet right now." He turned his head to look at Volund who kept his face neutral while he approached him. "Even you. You, who are much cleverer than even I care to admit. But you didn't think you could actually win did you?"

He turned and slowly walked back to his original spot. "In a way, it is sad that I will have to kill the two princes of Asgard, but if you will not bend to my wishes, you not welcome to be in my presence."

They all looked up as the sound of engines hummed over them and flashes of light lit up the courtyard. Iron man landed in front of Thor, Loki and Volund, facing Malekith and he stood up and lifted his helmet. "Sorry I'm late. Just saving innocent people. Hope I didn't miss the beginning." He smiled as he strode over to stand next to Thor who had a look of disgust and determination on his face.

"You are fighting your battles with little robotic men? Truly, what fun this shall be." His bilious tone turned hostile as he bared his teeth in a grin before the temperature grew cold. He continued his manic grin as he held his palms up and closed his eyes. The wind picked up and began swirling around them, blinding Natasha and Clint but not the four of them in the courtyard.

"Now!" Thor shouted over the sound of air rushing past their ears. Loki brought his hands up above his head and clapped them together, giving off a burst of green light that grew and encased around them all, including Malekith. He stumbled slightly, causing his concentration to falter but not fail as Thor brought Mjolnir up to the skies as the air became live with electricity. Iron man aimed his palms at Malekith and all together, Thor brought down his hammer, Stark fired his repulsors and Loki threw a knife directly aimed at Malekith's neck.

So very close to the end, I can taste it. And by that I mean, I can imagine what I'm going to write. Since it's probably my last chance to add one of these in, here, have a cliffhanger. Oh please do tell me what you think of it so far.