After what Ase had experienced the past week, she felt she had nothing more to fear. Not even Odin's possible punishment, which she would gladly receive under the excuse that they had committed treason to save the world. Of course, he would not miss out the fact that she had illegally travelled to Jotunheim using Dark Magic, and Ase admitted she deserved the blame. She could have protected her mother if she had remained in Asgard.
Yet, past is past. She must move on, as much as it hurt her.
It surprised her dearly to the point of confusion when, out of no apparent reason, Odin did not proceed with her punishment first and instead sent her to Heimdall's observatory. The Watcher of Worlds was obviously not amused by her repeatedly tricking him using magic, but knowing the unexpected turn of events with her mother, he chose to stay silent and continued his duty.
Heimdall told her that as a compensation for her treason, she must escort some guests from other realms. Ase accepted this without objections, for at least she could leave Asgard with a clearer name.
She had promptly called Fury after the battle with Malekith and he fed her with the latest bit of detail he had promised. For once, she regretted not being in S.H.I.E.L.D. when things got wrong. Coulson had been revived from the dead through means Fury could not elaborate, but Ase deduced they were inhumane. She also trusted that the results caused Coulson a great deal of harm in any way or the other. Without doubt, she needed to confirm this with the man himself. It was unfortunate she could not contact him for the moment, for he was busying himself with another assignment.
Next, Fury told her about Loki's Sceptre. S.H.I.E.L.D. had been researching it for several months, much to Ase's dismay, in a secret facility he boasted was entirely 'secure' and 'guarded'. But they unfortunately and expectedly lost it to whom they presume as HYDRA. Her first mission once she returned to Earth would be to track down the scepter. Fury also pressured her to finish her business in only a day in Asgard. Her holiday, he stressed, was long overdue.
So there she was, in Heimdall's observatory, ready in her normal Earth clothings—minus her staff—waiting to accomplish her last favour in Asgard. It seemed very strange to be in her jacket and shirt once more after wearing armour for several months.
"You didn't tell me who I'm escorting today," Ase said to Heimdall.
"It is not in the King's order to tell you," Heimdall replied. Ase raised a curious brow and watched as the Bifrost was summoned and the visitors arrived. She gasped and staggered back when she saw who it was: a frost giant without a leg and an arm.
"Father?" The word escaped her mouth and Heimdall was visibly shocked. "What are you doing here?"
Birger chuckled and embraced his daughter. Behind him were several Jotuns whom she noticed were in Birger's village. "The Convergence has united the Nine Realms, literally," he explained. "Odin saw it fit that we reassess our peace treaty. I rather admire how my people chose me as their representatives."
Ase smiled, grateful that she was given the chance to meet her father once more, only to frown afterwards. "Father, I haven't told you about mother."
Birger placed his finger on her mouth and urged her to stop, sadness marking his gaze. "I have known. I grief for her and I am sure you too. But her soul has passed to the stars. She is in a better place now."
Ase's heart sank, realizing how strong her father's love with her mother was. She nodded solemnly before escorting them out of the observatory and into the city. The people looked at the Jotuns warily, but Birger withstood their glares with a soft smile and continued on. Her father was truly a rare individual among the frost giants. He deserved the role as Jotunheim's ambassador.
They arrived at Odin's hall. The king was waiting with Thor by his side. Thor smiled at her encouragingly. From his face she could discern that he had not been punished by Odin as well.
"Welcome, Birger of Jotunheim," Odin greeted and came down from his throne. He bowed to Birger, a gesture which bemused Ase, and Birger did the same. There was a sense of familiarity between them, albeit Ase was sure they had not met before.
"Thank you, for inviting Jotunheim to your alliance," Birger began. "And forgive our hostility over the past centuries."
"And they are forgiven," Odin said kindly. Ase tilted her head, noticing that the king had somehow changed. He had lost his wife and it must have affected him dearly, but last time she saw him he was revengeful and blind with grief. Now he seemed clear and forward-looking. Perhaps he had seen the better of things again. Odin noticed her studying him and she immediately looked down at the floor.
"I am afraid our discussion must come slightly later at night. I have other important matters to discuss," Odin told his guests.
"Of course," Birger replied humbly. "We will wait as necessary." Birger glanced at Ase and gave her a meaningful look. Perhaps he would like to talk to her later. Ase nodded in assurance and saw him being escorted out of the hall. Odin turned to the woman and cleared his throat.
"I see you must be leaving soon, so I will make this quick," Odin declared. "Your treason with Thor may have been forgiven, but I have not clarified your trickery to slip to Jotunheim, in which you use Dark Magic to violate our rules even though you are well protected while you are here."
Ase did not look down and stared at him bravely. She was no longer afraid.
After a long pause, Odin continued. "But, considering the sacrifices you've made when you are under us, I have decided to forgive you."
"Thank you," Ase replied calmly.
"No, thank you," Odin said as he approached her. She felt a sense of familiarity when he looked upon her. "Our ideology forced you out of your home and yet you've done nothing but to help us. For that, I owe you my thanks."
Odin then called one of the guards and he procured him a silver staff, just like her old one, but with enchantments carved across it. Ase shivered when she saw the intricate craftsmanship poured into it. "This is a token of good will," he said as he gave it to her. She received it honourably, feeling the extremely light weapon on her fingers. This was not human crafted, she reminded herself. This perhaps equaled Mjolnir in durability.
"Made by the Dwarves but never used. Only the strongest and worthiest sorcerers can wield it," Odin explained. "And you are worthy. You are worthy as an ally and friend of Asgard and the Nine Realms. If you wish to return, then we will welcome you with open arms."
"Thank you," Ase said once again. She hesitated for a moment, a sudden thought flashed across her mind. A brief thought, but strong enough to urge her to speak. "If I may, I want to speak about Loki."
Odin opened his mouth, but then closed it. He nodded wordlessly and signaled her to proceed. Ase straightened her back and looked him in the eye. "I think that he was still redeemable, Your Majesty. Despite his past, cruel actions, I've seen that he still had a good moral conscience. He sacrificed himself for me, for the entire universe." Ase stopped and swallowed hard, the painful truth began prickling her heart again. "I wish you forgive him. I wish you see deeper than what meets the eye, not only him but when you are ruling others. I am sure that way Asgard will stand stronger against threats even more powerful than Malekith."
Ase stopped abruptly and observed the king. He was taken aback by her frankness and her directness. If she was his subject, she would have been reprimanded immediately, but as had been said, she was Asgard's friend. It was the role of a friend to correct the wrongs of another.
After a while, Odin scoffed and nodded minutely. "A good advice. Well-said," Odin said slowly. Thor gave her another smile, this time out of pride and confidence. Thor must have had said the same about Loki as well. He deserved this. She had seen him redeem himself, even not under direr circumstances.
And she had loved him. This was the least she could do for him.
"Farewell, Ase," Odin said. "I will see you on another day."
"If Asgard is in dire need of help, then I will surely come," Ase assured him. She bowed to him deeply, still questioning the conversation she had and the nerve she possessed when addressing the protector of realms. She believed it was only her instincts playing, and bid Odin farewell once and for all.
oOo
"I am sorry to leave you so quickly," Ase said to Birger as she walked to Heimdall's observatory. "I would love to know you better if it weren't for the pressing assignment I have."
"Do not worry," Birger assured her. "I would be a wrong father I barred you from choosing your path."
Ase smiled weakly. "What will you do now? After peace has been retained across the Nine Realms?"
Birger raised his brows and pondered deeply. He looked like a sage more than a leader when he did so. "I am rebuilding Jotunheim, little by little," Birger explained. "It will take time to learn how not to be a savage all the time and rely on logic and common sense, but I will try. We will try." He seemed hopeful and never pessimistic. She wondered if she inherited any of that good quality of her father. On second thought, she did now, even just a speck of it.
"If you need help, you know you can call me," Ase told him. Birger chuckled and nodded, pulling her into another embrace. Ase relished every moment she spent doing it. She would not let this go anymore, after losing so much. She felt her mother's touch when she hugged him, her stern and firm voice when calling her. Ase twitched faintly before she parted from her father.
"We will meet again," Ase promised him. Birger nodded and lifted a hand at her. Heimdall called upon the Bifrost and a surge of light began to engulf her. She studied her surroundings momentarily, knowing that it might be a long time before she could return to Asgard again. But she knew she would return. She promised to do it.
Her figure finally dissipated from Birger's eyes, leaving nothing but traces of her body's energy. Birger's face sank in sadness, but knew it was the best for her. He had been lonely, but at the very least he knew he had another family left.
Just as Birger turned around, he saw Odin waiting there for him. Out of respect the Jotun bowed to the king, but he was prevented from doing so. Birger flinched when Odin himself touched his arm and forced him to lift his face.
"I thought I could see her go, but alas," Odin said in disdain. "She's a good woman. She's Loki's only companion when he was in prison, I was told."
Birger tilted his head and quirked a smile. "Were you? Or is this the man speaking for himself?"
'Odin' twitched his head, but remained passively observant. Birger's smile grew sharper and he took a step forward. His gaze was an intelligent one, more towards the cunning end. "If you are wondering how I know, child, is that one knows when it is his kin. There is nothing but cold surrounding you."
'Odin' shivered, but remained firm to his ground. "Are you threatening me?" he asked. Birger chuckled and shook his head. This calm demeanour unsettled him further. This man was more than what meets the eye.
'No, child. I am merely questioning your intentions," Birger said softly, his tone denying his ominous expression. "Why are you deceiving all of your allies? Why are you deceiving Thor, Asgard, and my daughter?" Birger made sure the last mentioned was stressed. He did not want his daughter to be meddled with.
His opponent pondered for a long time. Then he spoke surely. "I want to make amends," he said. "I've done too much wrong." He then lowered his voice so Heimdall could not hear him.
"I loved Ase too much. I do not want to pain her with my past."
Birger lifted his chin and nodded, the dark visage disappearing from his face. "I am glad that you want nothing but good for my daughter," Birger told him. "But be careful not to do the same mistake as mine."
To this, Loki could only nod.
oOo
After going incognito for several months, Fury finally see this goddamn woman. And he could not describe it, but she was different. Different in a strange way. Her appearance was the same, her mannerisms were the same, her attitude and her rebellious way of speech towards him were still there. Yet, Fury knew Ase had experienced something in Asgard which had changed the way she looked at him. Such transformation, a deeper, inner transformation, always mesmerized Fury.
"Welcome back," he greeted and shook her hand. He flinched when he felt her colder skin. "Have enough of your holidays?"
"Sure do," Ase replied curtly. Fury studied her for a moment, wondering if she was a copycat or something, but assured himself that she wasn't. He cleared his throat and handed her a confidential file. Ase opened it swiftly and swallowed its contents.
"You are going to track down the scepter at whatever cost," Fury instructed her. "We last found it in Europe, but lost it from the radar. We, however, assume it is still around that area. We need a field agent to search for it, especially since you have… unique abilities after coming back from Asgard."
"I see what you mean there. It will be done," Ase mumbled without lifting her eyes from the papers. She saw that she was being assigned several agents later to help her, which she did not mind considering Europe was such a large place to search for one scepter. She frowned deeply and glared at Fury. "There is something I haven't told you, about the stone in the scepter, the Tesseract, and the object responsible for the Greenwich incident."
Fury creased her brows and stepped closer. Ase noticed he was being wary even in the base. This she had never seen before from the confident man. "There are six of these objects. They are called Infinity Stones," Ase whispered to him in her softest voice. Fury widened his eye and stared at her in disbelief. Ase sighed in dismay and closed her file.
"I trust you have your methods in finding them," Ase said to Fury. "But let me remind you, that these objects are not to be meddled with by humans. I need to go on another holiday to Europe because you did."
Fury chuckled in amusement. Perhaps she had not changed too much in a span of one year after all. Ase stepped back and bid him goodbye. Fury had not told her about his wariness yet, not because he did not trust the woman, but because he wanted to observe the enemy's moves first. He did not want to alert any spies that he knew of their plans. And Ase, he was sure, must have caught his slightly uneasy state. Her intelligence should have warned her of any impending danger quickly.
Little did he know that this would be the last time he saw her.