Loki, Thor, and the others marched through the cold, frozen wasteland known as the Jotunheim. They were on high alert, ready for any surprise from the Frost Giants. All of a sudden Loki stopped and everyone stopped with him. "What is it, Loki?" Thor asked.
"Listen." Loki answered.
It was then that they could all hear the quiet crunching of the snow and ice all around them. They were surrounded by the Jotuns. Everyone took a defensive stance as they were attacked. Loki tossed his throwing daggars at several of the Jotuns, taking out a good chunk. Thor threw his hammer and sent it flying, knocking over several of the Frost Giants.
The warriors all fought bravely and valiantly. Sword, spear, and shield were raised. Those with special abilities used them and did their best to take down more of the cold army of the enemy. They broke the Frost Giants' formation and brought the army down easily. They marched towards the throne, but Laufey was nowhere in sight.
"Where could that coward be hiding?" Thor demanded.
"We must return to Asgard." Loki replied.
"What? Why? We have to find Laufey!" Thor protested.
"He knew we were coming." Loki countered. "He'll be in Asgard, heading straight for the weapons vault."
Ava…
Ava sat in the small dining hall, with her moth, Frigga, Jane, and the children. Three guards were in the room with them. The rest of the remaining guards, were scattered through the city and in the palace. The group sat, picking at the food on their plates, no one could eat nor could they concentrate.
They were all lost in their own thoughts. Everyone was worried about the war that was taking place in the Jotunheim at that very moment. A guard burst through the door then, weak and bloody. "My queen!" He called, looking at Ava.
Ava rose from her seat and rushed over to him, one of the other guards with her. "What is it?" She asked.
"Your highness…" He coughed out, "The…the Jo…Jotuns…have…come."
Ava looked at the other guard that was beside her. "Get him to the healing room." She ordered.
"Yes, my queen." He replied, helping the other man to his feet and working to carry him to the healing room.
Ava then looked at Frigga. "Take Jane and the children to your chambers." She said, and turned to another of the guards. "Go with them."
The group nodded and did as Ava said. "And what of you, your highness?" The remaining guard inquired.
"I am going to the weapons vault." Ava answered. "I can't allow Laufey to walk out of here with the casket."
"I am going with you." He replied. "I was ordered by the king to protect you with my life."
Ava nodded. "Then let us go."
They then quickly and silently made their way to the weapons vault, where Laufey and his men were already fighting with the destroyer. Unfortunately, the Frost Giants quickly took down the destroyer. Laufey was walking towards the casket.
Ava lifted her hand and flicked it, throwing Laufey aside and into a wall. She then called the casket towards her with her power. "I see the young new queen of Asgard challenges me." Laufey said, standing up and facing Ava.
"I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to take this." Ava replied. "I can't allow you to bring harm to the nine realms."
"And I can't allow that, Highness." The guard beside Ava said, lifting his spear and pointing it at her.
Ava looked at him. "A traitor?" She asked.
"I am sorry, but…they had a better offer."
Ava squinted her eyes and with her mind, tossed the traitor guard aside. She then took off running down the hall and out of the vault, the casket in her hand. She had to think of something to do. How many of the guards are traitors? She questioned in her mind. Are my children safe with the guard that is with them? She wanted to go to them, but if the guard with them wasn't a traitor then she would be leading the enemy right to them.
"Dammit." She breathed as she ran. She could hear the others behind her. She could almost feel their cold breath on the back of her neck. She used her power to make some of the weapons that adorned the walls, come down and fight with the guard and the Jotuns.
Suddenly, a plan formed in her head. Ava concentrated on opening a small portal in front of her. It opened and it was just big enough for the casket. Ava tossed it in and then quickly closed the portal. It had been so long since she'd opened a portal that it had taken a toll on her body just to open the small one, to send the casket to another part of Asgard.
She lost her balance, tripped, and tumbled forward. "And so the queen falls." Laufey said, his voice menacing as he caught up with Ava.
"She sent the casket somewhere." The traitor guard spoke.
"Where?" Laufey asked, speaking to Ava.
"Where you'll never find it." Ava answered, breathless. She then lifted her hand and flicked it, trying to send the Frost Giant king, flying into the wall, but failing to.
"Using that power to create the portal made you weak, didn't it?" Laufey asked, his tone taunting. He then laughed evilly. "Now, tell me my pet, where did you send the casket?"
"No." Ava replied, defiantly. She began to push herself up, trying to stand, but failing.
"Here, allow me to help you, Highness." Laufey said, his tone mocking. He then bent and clasped his hand around the upper part of Ava's arm and lifted her up.
Ava bit her lower lip to hold back the cry of pain that threatened to escape at the touch of the Frost Giant. It burned and the pain was excruciating, but she wouldn't let him have the satisfaction of seeing her pain or hear her cries.
"Go ahead, Highness. Let your sweet cries of pain out." Laufey taunted. "I can end this torture. All you have to do is tell me where the casket is. It is rightfully mine."
"Never!" Ava cried, blinking away the tears that threatened to escape.
Laufey laughed. "Suit yourself." He replied and tossed her against a wall.
Ava hit the wall hard and fell down to the floor. She knew she needed to get up, but she was far too weak. She managed to push herself to her hands and knees. She was working on standing, when Laufey grabbed her leg. The burn bit through her and she almost cried out, but refused to. I will not give him his satisfaction! She thought with determination.
"You know…I had an Asgardian princess once before…maybe this time I shall take the queen and ruin her for her king." Laufey said, his hand slipping higher up Ava's leg.
A fury built inside Ava then. Through sheer force of will and the raw power of self-preservation, Ava was able to find her strength. She kicked her leg and caught Laufey in the nose, hard. She then looked up and saw a sword lying not far from her. She stretched and grabbed for it. She blindly slashed back at the enemy king, trying to get him to let go of her.
Finally, her sword found purchase and landed in the flesh of his shoulder. He howled and let go of Ava. Ava pushed herself to her feet and began to limp away. She had no idea how she was pushing herself this way, but she was. After she had gotten a few feet away, she fell onto her knees, unable to move anymore.
"You will pay for that." Laufey said, as he stalked towards her.
"You will pay." Ava countered.
"You are in no position to be making threats." Laufey replied, a cruel smile on his lips. He then lifted the sword that had been embedded in his shoulder and brought it down towards her.
Ava moved as quickly as she could. The blade of the sword didn't strike at its intended target, her heart, but missed. However, it did strike her in the stomach and implanted itself there.
"No!" Loki cried from just down the hall. He lifted the scepter and used his power as king to destroy Laufey. He was getting ready to run to Ava, when the other Frost Giants and the traitor guard entered the hall. Loki looked at the guard. "You failed to protect your queen!"
"He's…a traitor!" Ava managed to gasp out.
"Laufey had a better off." The guard replied.
Loki lifted his scepter and destroyed them all. He ran to Ava and knelt down next to her. "My love." He said, the tears glistening in his eyes.
"What happened?" Thor asked, entering the hall.
"Laufey." Loki answered, not looking away from Ava. "We have to get her to the healing room."
