A/N: Thor doesn't belong to me, but my character does.
Chapter 1
Odin had two daughters, Hela and Rebecca. Hela was three centuries older than Rebecca. Hela and Rebecca differed greatly from one another. Hela had dark hair, while Becca had light hair.
Hela was a fierce warrior like her father and Rebecca was an artist, a sorceress like her mother, yet her power was much stronger than her mother's, she could not only use magic but also had the power over the elements. It took centuries for her to learn how to wield the full extent of her abilities. Lightning was her strength, and knew how to wield it best.
Early on in Becca's life, she learned how to wield a blade just as Hela had. She mastered the sword, the dagger, a spear and arrow.
She was jealous quite over the bond Hela had with their father but hid it well. Hela was the favoured child. The two of them in battle together was a great thing to witness, terrible none the less, but great.
Frigga, their mother had a wonderful bond with their youngest daughter. Someone who is so much like Frigga herself.
Odin and Hela, along with the king's armies, conquered many worlds together. Rebecca would only join in the fight if absolutely necessary. She preferred to stay with her mother, even if she wished that she had her father's affections as Hela had.
And then one day her father gifted her with a weapon, not just any weapon, Mjolnir, a hammer forged by the dwarves out of the heart of a dying star.
"My youngest daughter, to you I give this hammer, a powerful weapon that will aid you in future battles, a hammer that will act as a conduit of your powers. May all that live across the realms see you as the goddess of thunder, and bow to you in awe," Odin who sits on his throne, gifts the hammer to Rebecca.
"Thank you father. I accept this gift and I will use it well," Rebecca says humbly to her father and bowed down on one knee.
The family had conquered six realms by then and with the use of both Hela and Rebecca's powers, they conquered another realm, Alfheim, by the end of that century.
And then, the unthinkable happened, Svartalfheim, home of the dark elves attacked Asgard, led by King Malekith while Odin and Hela, and many of his warriors were busy in Vanaheim.
The Queen, her daughter Rebecca, and the remaining warriors, including some of the Valkyrie fought bravely against the dark elves. They fought for days. They couldn't contact Odin in anyway due to the elves sealing off the Bifrost.
Rebecca has never fought so hard in such a small period of time. Her weapon struck down many dark elves, but there were too many to handle.
"I thought Grandfather Bor, had destroyed all of them", she said to her mother as they saw who had dared to attack Asgard.
"I thought so too. They must have hidden away," her mother, Frigga responds.
Queen Frigga then came face to face with King Malekith. Their swords clashed brutally, and Malekith started to gain the upper hand.
Rebecca witnessed the fight and saw how her mother was losing the battle. She saw how her people were being slaughtered, and not just her people, the dark elves were dying just as much.
"No! Stop!" she yells out to Malekith as he lifts his sword in the air, ready to strike her mother down.
Malekith stops mid-air, and stares at her, he then places the tip of his sword against Frigga's throat in one swift motion.
"And why should I do that Asgardian?" Malekith asks.
"Because there has already been so much death. Please, can't you see? Your own people are being slaughtered just as much as mine are. We will continue this cycle until everyone is dead. Death does not have to be the answer," she begs him.
"Death and destruction is what I will cause as that is what Asgard had done to my world," he tells her maliciously.
"I apologize for the pain Asgard has caused you. But please, can't we resolve this conflict somehow? Please, allow my father, Odin, entry back into Asgard. Let us not resolve death and destruction with more death and destruction. My father will have to listen if you spare my mother her life", Rebecca pleads with him, as his eyes widen, knowing now that the young warrior in front of him is a princess of Asgard.
He searches her eyes for any deceit and finds only sadness and desperation.
"Very well, I shall head your request. Your mother shall live another day," he tells her and then disappears suddenly.
When Malekith had disappeared, Rebecca ran to her mother, unknowing that Malekith only turned invisible and watched as she yelled out worriedly,
"Mother!"
"I'm alright my daughter," Frigga replies sadly, "That was foolish daughter. Your father will never agree to some sort of treaty."
"Mother we have to try. I can't stand to see all this death anymore. So many lives lost, because of what? Power? Revenge? Hate? Please, if Malekith allows Father back, we have to convince him. What good is it to have a kingdom of there aren't any subjects left to rule? He spared your life today, it has to count for something," she responds.
Malekith, in his invisible form stares at the Princess, and thinks, She is wise for one as young as her. She doesn't understand the pain Asgard has caused me. Destroying my people, taking the Aerther away from me. Although, she would make a good queen one day.
"We will try Rebecca. We can't guarantee that anything good might come from this. But I believe you are correct, if Odin isn't here, there will be no chance that either side will win. We will only be left with ruins and our lives."
And with those words from the Queen of Asgard, Malekith realized that what she said was true. He abandoned his people years ago, and escaped. Many died, and he left with a few and they recuperated. He has been blinded by the power and pain for thousands of years. It's time that he thinks differently about this. He wants the Aether but there is no way he will be able to get it now that he and his warriors are at an impass.
He will have to bide his time until the Aether's power presented itself again. But for now, he has to deal with Asgard. He knows his pride will get wounded if a truce is set, but it will only be until the Aether is found, then he will continue with his original plan: All of the realms consumed in darkness as it once was with Svartalfheim at the top.
Malekith then called down his forces, they all gather at entrances of Asgard. He sent out word that he wished to speak to the queen and the princess of Asgard.
They arrived swiftly soon after.
"Malekith," Frigga greets, with Rebecca standing next to her, hammer in hand just in case.
"Queen Frigga of Asgard, I heeded the words of your daughter, and have come to a decision. I will allow access for your husband to enter his kingdom and you will convince him that a treaty is necessary," Malekith commands.
And everyone stares at him in shock, even his own people.
"I will speak to him the moment he arrives. My eldest daughter fights by his side. They will not like this Malekith. They do not concede to words of our enemies," Frigga replies.
"You will have to try. As your daughter said earlier, there has been too much death and destruction on both sides. I can continue my attack and Asgard. Will. Fall!
Your husband left his kingdom unprotected. He thought himself so powerful that he left you vulnerable. I offer a solution, I spared your life, and you owe me for that, Queen of Asgard. A life debt."
"I will try", Frigga tells Malekith.
"Come! My men will take you to the Bifrost. And I shall stay here with your daughter as leverage. If there is any indication of an assault, your daughter will suffer the consequences. Do you understand?", Malekith asks.
"I understand," Frigga replies.
Two of the palace guards left with the queen for protection as she left with two of the dark elves to the bifrost.
The elves activated the bifrost, bringing in not only Odin, but Hela herself.
When Odin stepped into the room, he immediately spotted Frigga, palace guards behind her and dark elves at the entrance of the Bifrost.
Odin was about to kill them, when Frigga stepped in front of him.
"No, my king! Don't attack" she begs.
"Frigga, get out of my way!" Odin demands. He was very frustrated when he called for the Bifrost to be opened a few days ago, and nothing happened. He knew that something was wrong. He and Hela sensed it. He was so worried for his wife and youngest child.
"My love, please, there is much that has happened, and I speak now on behalf of not only Asgard, but of King Malekith of the Dark Elves,"Frigga says and Odin gasps.
"The Dark Elves? Malekith?!"
"Yes, my love. They attacked Asgard. They weren't all destroyed by your father Bor. The elves still live. And they wanted vengeance for what your father had done to them," she says, taking in a deep breath to continue, "We fought earlier this morning. He was going to strike me down, when Rebecca stopped him just in time. His blade was at my throat, ready to strike. Our daughter pleaded for my life, and asked for this war to stop. He now wishes to speak to you for a possible treaty."
"There will be no treaty!" Odin bellows out, "He would dare lift a blade to you."
"Husband please, listen! All this bloodshed has to stop. Haven't there been too much death at the hands of Asgardians? Haven't enough of our people died for the sake of power? Our kingdom is great, you have made it so, but at what cost? We need peace," Frigga begs her husband, thinking of what her daughter told her earlier.
There was silence for a long moment, Frigga could see her husband mulling over her words. "For you, my wife, I will try. I will speak to this Malekith. But I make no promises of peace between him and I."
Frigga releases a sigh of relief and says, "That is all I could ask for."
"No! Are you insane? We can't bow down to this…this foul creature who dares attack our home," Hela all but screeches out.
"Hela, enough!" Odin commands, "I will hear out this elf. As I said, I make no promises of peace. But he spared your mother her life!"
"Very well, father, but on your own head," she replies spitefully. Odin sends her a warning look and she bows her head in submission.
They arrived soon enough in front of the elven king, who held Rebecca next to him. And in that moment, she wished that she could strike him down with Mjolnir, but then there would be the repercussions with the rest of his warriors who would strike down as many Asgardians as possible. She could feel her power flowing right underneath her skin, ready at a moment's notice to be used.
Rebecca saw her father arrive and she felt so much relief and at the same time, she knew her father well enough to know that he and Hela would probably attack and fighting would break out again.
"Malekith," Odin greets out unkindly.
"Odin, King of Asgard," Malekith replies coolly.
"You attacked my home, my people, my wife, and now you hold my daughter hostage by your side," Odin says angrily.
"Yes, I attacked your kingdom in revenge for what your predecessor had done to my people millennia ago. We regained our strength and came to Asgard. We have fought endlessly for days while you left your people vulnerable to attack. We used this opportunity. If it weren't for your daughter, then I would have destroyed all of your people by the end of the day," Malekith speaks out.
Odin looks at his youngest quickly and turns his gaze back to Malekith.
"So what do you want now, king of the dark elves?" Odin spits out.
"I want peace. I do not wish for this bloodshed to continue. Both kingdoms are at an impasse in this war"
"That is a lie!" Odin bellows out, "You wish to regain the Aether and bring the universe into complete darkness once again! You do not wish for peace!"
Everyone was on edge as the two kings spoke, and everyone had their weapons ready.
"I do not lie now. The Aether was taken millennia ago. I can't use it now. I wish for peace, King of Asgard."
"Father, you can't trust him," Hela speaks up.
"I know daughter. Now hush!" Odin says. He knows that if he refuses this peace, he could lose many of his people as well as his youngest child. Odin looks at her again, and in his eyes, she is still so innocent. She is kind, and he knows she hates fighting. He remembers her childhood years well. He did want to keep her away from fighting, away from him, as not to taint her with death as he had with Hela. It hasn't worked out well for their relationship. She wanted his affections as Hela had and he had no idea how to give it to her now.
How is it that my Rebecca can convince one of the most ruthless creatures to consider peace?, Odin thinks fondly, and he makes his decision.
"King Malekith. Let us go into my halls and discuss what we can do to keep the peace," Odin decides, and everyone stares in shock at him.
In the minds of those around him, everyone thinks, How is he not killing him? How is it that he can consider peace?
"Very well. But as a security measure for me when I enter your halls, your daughter will be kept with my elves as leverage for my safety," Malekith says and Odin agrees reluctantly.
Hela couldn't believe her eyes as she watched her ruthless father turn into something benevolent in front of her eyes.
Odin and Malekith enters into the king's study, they sit down and start speaking about a truce between the realms.
"I do not wish any more bloodshed as do you," Odin says.
"Yes. Do you wish an alliance? What do you propose?" Malekith asks.
"I simply do not trust you Malekith. You spared my queen today and for that I owe you this meeting. This does not mean that there will be a treaty, although we can try."
"I don't trust you either Odin, son of Bor. But an alliance could work between us. We can build our trust one day at a time. Trust won't come in one day," Malekith says.
"An alliance…yes. Many lives has been lost already. None of us can afford more losses," Odin replies solemnly.
"There is something that could work in both our favours…" Malekith suggests.
"And what is it?" Odin asks.
"Our alliance can start with a union between your kingdom and mine. A union with one of your daughters," he suggests, thinking of Rebecca, the young princess that captured his attention.
"No! I refuse. You will not touch one of my daughters," Odin yells out in fury.
"Then how will we sustain an alliance such as ours, if not through the power of a familial bond," Malekith spits out.
In the end it was decided that one of the daughters of the King will marry Malekith. They brought this matter to the two princesses as well as the queen, and all of them refused at the same time in shock. Hela was the worst, she became slightly violent and her mother had to cast a spell on her to bind her till she calmed down.
Malekith stared the entire time at Rebecca, making her feel uncomfortable. She knew she would be the one chosen to marry him. The very thought made her want to do violent things.
Yet Rebecca swallowed her pride, anger, fear and violent thoughts, stepped out and said, "I accept the betrothal in order for the peace to be kept."
And so it was, the details of the alliance was ironed out over a span of seven weeks, as was the wedding ceremonies.
Two ceremonies would be held: One on Asgard and the other on Svartalfheim.
The alliance worked like this, the peace will be kept between the two realms as long as Rebecca is alive and married to Malekith. No harm must come to her through the hands of the dark elves or anyone they might instigate to harm her.
The marriage contract will be seen as null and void if the Dark elves attacked Asgard or its people unprovoked.
Rebecca must be able to come to the aid of Asgard if called upon by the All Father, Odin. She must still attend to some of her duties as princess of Asgard, including her studies with her mother.
Rebecca wasn't all too happy about the contract as she felt like an object to be passed around the two kingdoms. But she kept her mouth shut, in fear that the peace treaty will be put in jeopardy.
The wedding ceremony had arrived, it lasts three days on Asgard. And the first day they had to stay together the whole day with a chaperone, hands tied together. It was really awkward and barely spoke to one another.
The second day, their hands got tied together again. And they had to spend the whole day with the family of the bride. This was a strange day for all of them. No one liked the idea of marrying the baby of the family off to the dark king.
The third day was the official ceremony itself, led by Odin. Rebecca was so nervous about the whole thing that her mother had to give her a calming draught. The last part required to make the wedding official was to be made one, through making love, but because there had to be two ceremonies, the love making had to wait until after the second one.
As almost husband and wife, Rebecca and Malekith stepped through the Bifrost and into Svartalfheim, to her new home. The ceremony was quicker than of that on Asgard. The ceremony was led by one of the King's advisors, they had to put their foreheads against each other, stare into each other's eyes as they said their vows given to them by the advisor.
"From this day forth, we shall be united as one. From this day forth, I will be loyal to you as you are to me. I will protect you and I will stand by your side," both of them repeated after the advisor.
"I will be your husband as you are my wife," Malekith says and then Rebecca responds the same,
"I will be your wife as you are my husband."
The elves celebrated with their king for their new queen. They were still weary of her but in time they will come to trust her and love her dearly.
They then went to their room. Rebecca knew what was coming and she was nervous.
"Rebecca, my wife. Why do you look so nervous?" Malekith asks, even if he knew why she was so nervous.
"I've never…" she trails off anxiously.
"I understand. I'm nervous as well. You looked so beautiful today. I admire your courage to fight for this peace of both our people's," Malekith says. His plans are to keep the peace for as long as the Aether is undiscovered, if his new wife stands in his way when the time comes, then the peace between the two realms will be none existent.
The two then consummated their marriage, and they became one. But no one knew that combining and Asgardian and an elf would have an effect on both their souls. They created a soul bond that night, one which they could sometimes feel each other's emotions, and automatically know if either were in danger. But this bond is still new and will take years before it's developed into something great. For now, it will slowly become stronger as they start to care for one another.
After their marriage night, they barely touched again. Malekith was not used to sharing his bed, his room or anything really with someone else. He was annoyed when he saw her in his bed. He knew that if he got married that he had to share his space, but that doesn't mean he can't get annoyed.
He had to teach her some of his customs, so that his subjects would not reject her. She didn't like it much, but she had to do the same to for him when they would travel back to Asgard again.
They started to fight more with each other, and if Malekith and Rebecca couldn't agree on something, then they would use their swords to make the decision for them.
Rebecca wanted to hang one of her art works at the top of their bed, it was a painting of one of the gardens from home. Malekith refused. Their screams of rage could be heard three floors down from the castle they stayed in. It's a gloomy place, being the dark world and all.
"I will not have something like that be hung up in my room," Malekith yells out.
"This is our room! Not just yours anymore! It will brighten up the place. I want it in our room. We have enough space on these empty. Dead. Walls!"
"I don't like it! My word is final as your husband and king," Malekith tells her.
"Ha! I don't care if you like it or not. You are my husband yes, but you have yet to prove to me that you are my king!" she laughs mockingly.
"Argh! You infuriating woman!"
"Argh! You infuriating man," Rebecca mocks out, and then suggests, "Why don't we have a little duel between the two of us. The one who wins, is the one who gets the say. I win, the painting stays, you win, the painting gets put into another room."
"Very well wife, I agree," Malekith says.
And fight they did, the duel lasted over twenty minutes. Their swords clashed, if he strikes, she spins out of the way gracefully, if she strikes, he blocks. Eventually, they were both so out of breath, but Rebecca had a plan formulated. She trained with Hela regularly and this duel was a breeze.
She ducked out of the way as Malekith swung his blade at her face, then she squatted low, kicked his legs from underneath him. He fell down; she jumped on top of him, blade at his throat.
"I win. Now, can you send someone to hang up the painting or shall I try my luck with putting it on the wall," Rebecca tells him smugly.
Malekith stares at her, shocked that he was beaten in a duel by his own wife. He thought he would win. He knew she could fight but didn't know she could fight so well.
"I'll send someone up," he says, still dazed, "I didn't know you could fight so well."
"Well, I have been training my whole life, and I did fight against your forces for days before I met you. Just don't let anyone else know that I can fight so well, I could lose the upper hand then," she says with a wink.
And so it started, if they didn't agree, the sword would be their deciding factor.
Rebecca got into a routine, every three weeks, she would stay in Asgard for a week, still training not only with her mother in her magic and powers, but also battle strategy with her older sister. Malekith still wasn't too happy with these terms that were in the marriage contract but he got used to her leaving every few weeks. He hated that his wife, the queen of Svartalfheim , was not there by his side, but then again, he did enjoy the alone time.
Hela did not make it easy on her. She thought her sister weak for marrying the dark elf instead of fighting till her last breath.
While they were training one day, her sister spoke to her,
"Little sister, you might be married to that elf, but your training will not suffer for it," Hela says as she slashes her sword towards her sister.
"True, sister. You make sure my training is always brutal and that I can't walk for the next three days," Rebecca replies, her voice full of humour.
"Becca," Hela stops fighting and says.
"Yes?" Rebecca asks confused. Her sister rarely stops mid-fight to talk to her.
"Sister, I wish to speak to you of a matter of importance. Father no longer wishes to conquer other worlds as we have been doing all these centuries," Hela tells her seriously.
Inwardly Rebecca was happy that the bloodshed will stop, but she saw Hela's face and knew that she was upset with her father's decision.
"You do not approve of father's decision sister," Rebecca states.
"I do not. Father said we would conquer hundreds of worlds, and now he wishes for peace. Our father who singlehandedly defeated some of our greatest enemies, wishes for peace. I don't want peace!" she says angrily.
"Sister, isn't it for the best? Asgard is the greatest realm over all the others already. Is it necessary?" Rebecca asks warily.
"It's not. Our father has been blinded. It started with you and that elf. An alliance with them. We should've struck them from the first moment we entered Asgard."
"I'm sorry you feel this way sister. This marriage is not ideal. I didn't want to marry Malekith, but this is for the best. We can't change what happened, we can only move forward," she tells her older sister who scoffs at her words.
"The realms around us, those we have conquered, fear us, respect us. They call you the goddess of thunder while they call me the goddess of death, for so great are our powers. Sister, if you and I can stand together, we can conquer many worlds. We can try to convince father, and if he doesn't follow suite then we can overthrow him, you by my side. I will be queen of Asgard and I will destroy the dark elves for you, so you can be free of your bonds," Hela tells her.
Rebecca was horrified, she couldn't believe her very eyes and ears. Her sister wanted to overthrow their beloved father. Her sister is proud of the chaos she causes. Her immediate reaction was to run to her father and tell him everything, but on the other hand, she longed for freedom. She wished for a love like her mother and father had, a union so beautiful and her sister could grant her that.
"Sister…You have given me much to think about. I need to process what you have told me. You speak of treason Hela," Rebecca tells her.
"I will give you until your next visit to come to a decision, whether you are with me on this or not, Asgard will be mine," Hela replies.
"I understand sister. I don't doubt your words," she responds. She knows that her sister has changed over the years, she became harsher, crueller towards everything. She wished she could still have her somewhat care-free, eager sister back.
Rebecca turns around to walk to her room, when Hela grabs her arm, saying in a threatening tone of voice, "This conversation will not leave us."
"I understand sister," she replies to her sister.
When she came to her room, she released a sigh of relief when she was finally alone. She slid her back down her door and sat on the ground, arms on her knees. She bangs the back of her head slightly on the door.
Everything was just starting to come back into order in my life. The battle on Asgard, getting married, getting used to a new world, my husband's bad moods, training with my family, and now just as my routine was getting better, my sister had to throw in betrayal as well. Betrayal to my father, my king, she thinks gravely.
That evening at dinner, her sister acted as if she said nothing of betrayal to her. It was as if the conversation never happened, and that's just how Hela wanted it.
It was another two days before she had to go back to Svartalfheim, she focused all of her energy on her studies with her mother, to distract herself.
"What's the matter daughter?" Frigga asks concerned.
"Why would you think something is wrong mother?" Rebecca asks.
"I raised you Becca, you are my daughter, my blood. I know you. And I know especially when something is bothering you."
"It's nothing, really," she tells her mother.
Frigga raises an eyebrow at her, showing her that she doesn't believe her daughter.
"All right mother, you win. I'm just anxious, I have many responsibilities not only to Asgard but also to Svartalfheim. I'm helping with some of the restoration of the kingdom, as well as focusing on my duties as the queen and a wife. I'm still getting used to it," she replies, knowing that she just told her mother a half-truth.
What will mother think of me if I betray father? She will surely hate me, Rebecca thinks.
"Ah, I see, it's getting a bit much for you. Worry not daughter, this is normal. When I married your father, I was so overwhelmed that I actually became sick once. Your father was so worried. He couldn't understand why I felt so ill, until I told him. He helped me work through everything. Daughter, know that I am here and you can confide in me, and maybe you confide in your husband as well, he could also make it easier for you if you tell him what's bothering you. In marriage, husbands and wives support one another," Frigga tells her daughter, hoping that she will not become ill as she once had herself.
"Thank you mother, your words mean much to me. I miss you dearly when I am away," Rebecca responds.
"I miss you too my daughter. It is strange not to have you here with me every day," she tells her daughter, hugging her tightly. "I love you so much daughter, and I wish the best for you," her mother whispers in her ear.
Rebecca finally went back to Svartalfheim. Her husband welcoming her as usual with a cold stare. Rebecca has learned to mask her emotions from her husband and the surrounding elves as not to appear weak.
"Hello husband," Rebecca greets her husband.
"Hello wife," he replies, coldly.
Malekith is still upset that I have to leave to Asgard. He really needs to get over it. His mood is not making mine any better, maybe I should take Hela up on her offer just to get rid of her husband's cold face, Rebecca thinks.
When they were alone in their chambers, he asked her,
"How was your trip to Asgard?"
"It was productive. I studied with my mother again and trained with my sister, Hela," she responds, keeping her voice as neutral as possible. She looks up at the painting above their bed a smiles a little as she imagines herself in the garden, filled with peace.
"How was your time here, husband?" she asks, wanting to change the subject.
"It was the same as usual," he replies in the same tone of voice she used.
A few days later, Rebecca still couldn't sleep. She would wake up in a sweat, dreaming of her sister and her face showed the amount of sleep she was getting with the dark circles under her eyes.
Malekith just stared at her, wondering what was bother his wife. And he knows she won't tell him, as she is just as stubborn as he is, and this is why he didn't ask her.
Another week had passed and Rebecca was dead on her feet. She stayed in their rooms, she still ate but not as much as she usually did.
She couldn't take it anymore.
It was midnight and she was still awake, Malekith has been asleep for over an hour already. She remembered her mother's words, she knew she had to tell him of Hela's words to her. He would not take kindly to it, for her sister wants to destroy the elves. She made her decision, she will not betray her father and her husband. She has worked hard for this peace that she is trying to create.
She wishes no more bloodshed.
"Malekith!" she calls out to her sleeping husband, he doesn't wake up.
She puts her hand on his shoulder, and tries again, giving him a little shake, "Malekith!" she calls out again and he startles awake.
He looks around the room trying to spot any danger but finds none. He looks at his wife, knowing that she has never woken him up from his slumber before.
"What is it?" he asks alert.
"I need your help," she states, her face showing so much emotion, the same emotion he saw on her face the day they met.
"With what? What happened?" he asks concerned.
She sits up on the bed and he follows suite.
"My sister spoke to me while I was on Asgard. You must know that she is powerful and that her skills in battle surpasses mine. She does not like the treaty between the two realms. On many occasions she has told me of her dislike of our union and the peace my father now wishes to keep," she says taking another breath and continues as Malekith listens intently,
"My sister has expressed her wish and will to overthrow my father, but not only that, that I do it with her."
Malekith frowns, and asks, "Do you wish to join your sister? Is this why you have not been able to sleep?"
"No, I won't join my sister. I must let her know of my decision the next time I go back to Asgard. I fear of the bloodshed that will follow. She will go through with this whether I join or not."
"I see. You do not wish to betray your father," he states and I nod.
"And I do not wish to betray you, for if my sister overthrows my father, she will come for this world and destroy it with the full might of the Asgardian army," she tells him.
"I can see why you would worry. Why did you not come to me sooner? Our home could be in danger if your sister succeeds," he replies irately.
"I wanted to process this first, but I realized I couldn't do it alone. My mother saw me worried and I just shared that I felt overwhelmed about everything. She urged me to speak to you about my worries. She said you might be able to help me with them."
Malekith's irritation went away immediately as he heard her words. He could see now that his wife was being vulnerable in front of him. In all the months that they have been married, not once has she been this vulnerable except on their wedding night when they consummated their marriage.
"It is two more weeks before you leave for Asgard. We will think of something. I do not like the idea of you going back there if your life could be placed in jeopardy," Malekith replies. He feels these protective urges come over him for the young woman he married. She is his, as he is hers. He doesn't feel honour bound as he had before to protect her, now it feels as if he has started to care for her.
"Thank you, husband," Rebecca replies in relief. She lays down, facing her husband. He watches as she finally falls asleep, he gently caresses her face and then falls into deep slumber as well.