Chapter 12

21 October 2017, Royal Pavilion, Hörfa Konungsins, Vanaheim

"My lord."

"What is it, Asger?"

"Prince Loki sends word from Jotunheim."

Thor stood up from his desk and demanded, "And what says my brother?"

"The alliance holds. For now. As long as he wields the casket, the jotuns will follow him. However, if the casket is not turned over to Grundroth after the draugr are defeated, then Prince Loki fears that the next war with Jotunheim will begin immediately."

"Yes, he has warned me repeatedly of this. What else does he say, Asger?"

"He says that the other task was completed. He does not believe that he was detected, but the object was relegated precisely as discussed."

"Very well. That, at least, is good news. I am glad."

"General Brunnhilde has sent word that the forces are holding on Alfheim. So far, the elves have not needed to do more than support, as the Valkyrie battalion is keeping the front by itself."

"Good. That is good. The Valkyries are our fiercest warriors, truly. We just have to hope that they can all hold out until it is time for the final battle."

21 October 2017, Prince Thor's Pavilion, Someplace Else

"Prince Loki sends word from Jotunheim, my lord."

Thor stood up from his desk and demanded, "Yes? So, what says my brother, Eindride?"

"The alliance is holding for now, my lord. As long as Prince Loki wields the casket, the jotuns will follow him."

"Good. As much as I loathe admitting it, without the jotuns, we will lose this war. What else does Loki say, Eindride?"

"He says that his journey into Muspelheim was undetected. He destroyed the object as the prophecy commanded."

Sighing weightily, Thor replied, "Very well. That, at least, is good news. I am glad."

"General Brunnhilde sent word via Asger that her forces are barely holding the line on Alfheim. She is not happy about the large number of Vanir that you sent in the last detachment, your highness."

"She will have to made do, Eindride. I hardly have sufficient Einherjar to protect Vanaheim. The days when we had a legion of Valkyrie to defend Asgard and the nine realms are gone."

21 October 2017, The Barnes Home, Holbrook Estates, Stamford, CT

Smoothing down the satin edge of the blanket that was stretched across her waist, Emilie said quietly, "Bucky worries a lot, Ellie. That's all."

"Well, it is his job to worry, dear. It can be overwhelming sometimes though, I know. I have both Natalia and Clint watching over me. They are wonderful, but it is a lot at times. Good, but a lot. If that makes sense."

Emilie smiled a bit, as she replied, "Yes, it does. Oh, my goodness, you don't know how wonderful it is to see you! I haven't had a friend in four years. I see my cousin, Camille, at times, since she and her match live in Greenwich. Aaron doesn't mind her driving over to see me, as long as she brings her Briard with her. I know that they are the most traditional guard dog for Omegas, but that dog truly mistrusts everyone but her and he's unusually large. I'm terrified of him. Levya—that is Bucky's Alpha-companion dog—cannot stand him either, which annoys Bucky so much that I don't invite Camille quite as much as I'd like."

"I'm sorry, Emilie. That isn't very normal behaviour for a Briard, is it? They are usually affectionate with all Omegas, I thought. Natalia has suggested to Clint several times that I should have a Briard. I want one of those little sweet little spaniels with the super silky fur that sit in your lap and just love you. I think Clint hasn't fully made up his mind yet, since he agrees with Natalia yet he doesn't want to disappoint me."

When Eleanor handed the pastry box to her again, Emilie took a small cookie and set it uneaten onto her plate. "A Cavalier King Charles spaniel? My grandmother has one. They are great little dogs."

Eleanor frowned. "Yeah, well, I wouldn't be surprised if Natalia simply brings home a Briard for me one day just to ensure the decision goes her way. She can be ludicrously overprotective at times. On the other hand, owning a Briard would mean that I could go to church or a doctor's appointment without a chaperone or one of Tony's hired henchmen needing to escort me from the car."

Emilie stopped adjusting the cushions behind her and asked nervously, "Hired henchmen?"

"Oh, that's what I call the security personnel that Tony has me use on those rare occasions that I go anywhere without Natalia or Clint. I suppose you don't know, but Tony Stark is my terminal guardian and, in some ways, he can be weird about my security, too. He thinks that being connected to three Avengers puts me at risk. As if Natalia and Clint are not enough invested in my protection that I need another Alpha getting involved."

"Bucky would never accept another Alpha's involvement regarding me. Not even Steve."

Eleanor nodded in agreement. "Clint definitely doesn't like it and I think that they've had pretty serious words about it more than once. Tony is simply unconcerned what Clint thinks and only just afraid enough of Natalia that he finally agreed not to give me the gun he felt I needed—you know, one of those tiny little pistols that are legal only for Omegas? His Great-aunt Edie had a ridiculous gilt, mother-of-pearl handled one with a diamond studded initial on the side, which Tony felt was perfect for me. I am so relieved that I don't have to carry that thing. Yet, he was not too afraid of Natalia to cancel the commissioning of a gold-plated Omega-legal stun gun that was partially encrusted with my birthstone."

Giggling wildly, Emilie gasped, "A gold-plated stun gun?"

"Gold-plated with rubies. Don't leave that out, dear, since it triples the flashiness factor. Only Tony would decide that I needed something that over-the-top. Natalia laughed just as much as you are now when she saw it. It is odd, isn't it, that we Omegas are allowed to carry our special weapons even where no one else may carry any and that we can take a dog anywhere, as long as it is a traditional Omega-guardian dog like a Briard or Puli? It might be the only way in which we have more freedom than everyone else instead of less."

Her expression changed quickly into a frown, as Emilie said seriously, "There are other privileges we have, Eleanor."

"Yes, I know. I remember how they taught us in school that we are the most privileged women in America. I still believe that, Emilie, but now I see the imperfections in the system, too. Please don't misunderstand me, I am so grateful that I was born guardian-class and not another rating or worse…a Beta. I simply realise now that our privilege is limited to how closely our family or match chooses to follow the ideal. I escaped Mr Allardyce's attempt at a forcing, but not all girls like us do."

It was several moments before Emilie replied nervously, "You never used to be so militant, Ellie. It was Teresa who always complained about the restrictions and you who insisted that it was all meant for our protection."

Shocked, Eleanor insisted, "I'm not a militant! How can you even say that? I am so happy being bondmatched to Clint. Please don't put me in same the category as those people who demand a change in Omega rights, Emilie, that's not fair. I have no interest in having a career, buying property, or voting in an election. Those are my Alpha match's rights and I would never challenge that."

"Then what are you saying, Ellie?"

"I am just worried about security, Emilie. I've been so fearful of it that—in case anything happens—Clint has settled me with guardianship appointments three Alphas deep. What about girls who do not have such an understanding match?"

Emilie shrugged and seemed to be unable to find a comfortable position for a moment. Finally, she shifted one last cushion and then said stiffly, "I don't know. Steve is my designated guardian in case something happens to Bucky, of course. I know Bucky has a Settlement arranged, so I will be safe financially. What else can I ask for, Eleanor?"

Eleanor could not keep her voice from shaking as she replied honestly, "Nothing more. I had a terrifying experience when my family abandoned me and it has left me very concerned about contingencies."

Emilie lifted her head and looked at her friend contritely. She then sat up and turned so she was perched on the edge of her bed. She took Eleanor's hand and said kindly, "Well, Bucky says that Clint is deeply in love with you and you have said he takes very good care of you. According to Bucky, Natalia is very fond to you, so she wouldn't leave you without protection. Mr Stark has been an extremely attentive terminal guardian, so it seems unlikely that he would leave you to fend for yourself either. Your brother has always been a skunk. What happened to you is the exception to the rule, Ellie. Being fearful of it happening again would be like refusing to eat apples because you had a mouldy one once."

"I suppose that is true, Emilie."

Emilie glanced nervously over at the door, but it was still closed, so she continued, "In the end, the system actually did work as it should. An Alpha recognised your distress and brought you to a place of safety. That led to his colleague falling in love with you and bondmatching with you. OPS might be awful, but even if you had needed to rely on them, they would have bonded you to someone who could have provided well for you. We do have extraordinary privilege, Eleanor. Consider this: a Beta would have been left to fend for herself and would not have had any government services available at a single call to come get her, shelter her, and then find her a husband."

Eleanor lowered her gaze towards her lap and sighed. "You are right, Emilie. I am sorry. I'm letting the fear from having been abandoned colour everything."

First giving her friend a small hug, Emilie then quietly added, "I know and I understand more than you think. I wasn't abandoned like you, Ellie, but my family did cut off all contact when I bondmatched with Bucky. Then our first year was really, well…it was very difficult, so I didn't know what to do. The isolation has been the hardest part. I am so glad that we are moving to the Tower."

"Oh dear, Emilie, I'm so sorry. Does any of your family other than Camille keep in touch with you?"

She reached for her quilted satin bed jacket and pulled it overtop her very traditional, white smocked nightdress. Then Emilie replied hesitantly, "Somewhat, yes. My brothers have called me on Christmas and Easter. My mother is not allowed to call, but she still sends me birthday and Christmas presents. Camille has brought her youngest unmatched sister, Clémence, a few times. Bucky doesn't seem to have any trouble getting along with Camille or Clémence, thankfully."

Eleanor stretched her hand out. "Perhaps your family can reconcile one day. I hope so."

After hunting on the floor for a few moments, Emilie found her second pale blue slipper and slid her foot into it. "Papa does not like Bucky and Bucky despises him. I think it is unlikely, but I would welcome it very much."

"I'm so glad to be able to renew our friendship. I have not had anyone with whom I could talk about Omega concerns since I was at school. I know that I'm so lucky that I have a sister now—Natalia is wonderful. Nevertheless, her first loyalty is to Clint—as it should be of course—so I cannot talk about certain things. Not criticism, but just talking things out. Like friends do. I hope that we can do that with each other."

Emilie nodded and smiled genuinely. "Yes. I know exactly what you mean. Talking with someone who understands would be such a relief."

Eleanor put her hand on Emilie's and said seriously, "Bucky obviously is wildly in love with you, you know. Even Natalia says so."

"I do know and I'm so grateful. He's just so jealous and possessive that it can be very difficult sometimes. I would never, ever think of betraying him. That is what Bucky doesn't seem to see. Of course, no man on this planet is stupid enough to look at Bucky and think that he would not hunt them down and torture them to death if they even tried to flirt with me. Even poor Steve gets such harsh treatment from Bucky if he does much more than say hello to me."

Eleanor stood next to where Emilie was propped against the edge of the bed and slid one arm around her. "There just is no reason to mistrust you though. You are such a loyal, honest person, Emilie. Even if Bucky somehow thinks you don't love him, then he ought to know that he can trust you."

"Sometimes he allows himself to believe it, I think. He doesn't think that I am lying to him, but he doesn't feel that he is actually lovable. HYDRA tortured him, forced him to do horrifying things, wiped his mind repeatedly, and dragged him decades into the future. I'm the first good thing since the war that he got, or so he says, and he is ready to blow up the world to keep me."

In a halting voice, Eleanor asked, "Emilie, how did you come to enter into a Courtship with him? He wasn't always so aggressive, was he?"

"I was at one of my cousin Sebastien's engagement party. He married a very sweet girl—she's a Beta but she is Acadian, so the family approved the marriage. Anyway, Steve was invited and he came with Bucky, since they are bonded brothers. So, Bucky simply walked up—dragging Steve with him—and asked my mother if he could make an Overture. His boldness and confidence impressed me, so I was interested. Therefore, my mother allowed him to extend the Claim because he was Captain America's friend, but she didn't understand at all who Bucky is. I thought he was so handsome and charming that I just melted and didn't really care that he was the Winter Soldier. My father was horrified when he heard that I had acknowledged Bucky's Claim, so he tried to make serious trouble for Bucky. It got really ugly."

"Wow. I always thought your father was very kind and understanding. I am surprised that he cannot accept your choice, since it has been four years now.

Emilie sighed. "I am surprised, too. I don't know what Papa wants me to do. Bondmatches cannot be undone."

"Lilith—oh, you remember Jonathan's wife, right?"

"Oh yes. She's a poisonous woman."

"She came to Stark tower and tried to extort Clint and Natalia for a dowry. She threatened to make trouble, but it would only have made her and Jonathan look bad."

"Are you serious?"

"Sadly, yes."

"Are you happy with Clint, honey?"

Eleanor nodded and offered her arm to Emilie, who stood up unsteadily. "We are still working things out. I make dumb mistakes. I'm kind of useless at so many things and Clint is different than most Alphas. It is a challenge sometimes to balance the bond between Clint and Natasha."

Surprised, Emilie exclaimed, "You love him."

"Oh my gosh, yes. You will understand when you meet him, since you know me. He is so like what I wanted in so many ways, which is funny because I didn't see that at first. Bucky is pretty close to what you always said you wanted, remember?"

Emilie snorted derisively. "Yes, of course. Tall, very strong, handsome, very high rating, and extremely attentive to me."

In a teasing voice, Eleanor added, "I remember you liked dark hair a lot. And full beards."

"Yeah, you aren't wrong. He has a wonderful thick beard, too. But you always said dark hair and the businessman type. You wanted clean-cut look."

Eleanor shrugged. "Yeah, well, I hadn't met Clint then. I had no idea what I wanted. Apparently, I like 6'2" men with longish, eternally messy blond hair, huge arms, and a massive chest. It seems I prefer an Alpha who is more masculine than handsome, has no clue about tradition at all, and is quite stupidly good with an ancient weapon."

This made Emilie laugh out loud. "Well, I didn't think I would go for a sniper with a metal arm, but somehow it was the only thing I wanted."

Smiling at her friend, Eleanor answered, "Mine's a sniper, too. Crazy. So, so far from our daydreams."

"Eh, well, daydreams aren't real. Bucky and Clint are. You know what really is crazy?"

"What?"

"I still love him even though he makes my life so hard sometimes."

Eleanor hugged her friend and then, as she began wrapping herself up in a thick heavily-embroidered purple wrap, said, "We are going to work on this, Emilie. You won't be isolated anymore, which is good. And he is going to take more missions, apparently, since you will be in a secure location. That will give him another focus, right?"

"Maybe. Or it might make him worse when he is home. I don't know."

Suddenly pausing in the act of pulling on her deep violet gloves, Eleanor asked, "What about Captain Rogers?"

"Well, I can barely say hello to him without Bucky growling."

"Yes, but what if Captain Rogers found a match? Would that change the dynamic?"

"Uh, maybe? Bucky would trust him around me. That would mean they could socialise more normally. Do you know something that I don't?"

"No, not really, but you said that your cousin visits sometimes?"

"You aren't serious. Clémence is protected better than Ft Duffield. Neither Marc-Pierre nor Sebastien will let Captain Rogers get within a mile of her. My uncle is holding out for a dowry."

"Oh no! Not some rich old widower or a slimy arriviste looking to use your family's status."

Emilie quickly explained, "No, no, it's ok. I just mean that they aren't accepting candidates without a dowry. A normal, successful Alpha is fine."

"Captain Rogers could probably manage one, you know. It wouldn't be a bad connexion for your uncle to have either, right?"

"Well, you have probably interacted with Steve a bit more than me, right? I've barely been able to say hello. Is he the super, ultra-traditional sort? If he is more like Bucky, then it won't work. However, if he is practically a Victorian then it might. Clémence is so nervous about being judged for her choices that she gets panicked when reading a menu."

Eleanor tilted her head and seemed to think for a moment before she said, "Natalia said that is exactly what Captain Rogers is like. Of course, she was trying to convince me to acknowledge the Claim from Clint then, so I'm not sure if she was being totally honest. However, I think she is right. He is really formal and a bit caught up with following proper procedure and all that. He might be just what Clémence would like."

Emilie took a deep breath and then said seriously, "I had never even considered that idea. Bucky would probably be completely on board with getting Clémence to visit if it was for the purpose of allowing her to meet Steve. I think he'd enjoy doing it without Steve having a clue it was coming, honestly. If he thought he brought the match about, then he would feel more secure about it, too. Yeah, it is a very good idea. Clémence is getting very frustrated that my uncle keeps bringing around businessman in their 40s."