Aleatha
I was standing in front of the Compound awaiting Thor's arrival with the team. I had arrived a few days prior from SHIELD. Only one person knew what I really was: Director Fury. To everyone else I was someone expertly trained in archery and daggers. That was my specialty. When we received news of Thor's return everyone was happy. That happiness was short-lived. Tony, Natalia, and Steve were standing outside with Fury and I. I stepped closer to Fury.
"Is this such a good idea? They don't know about all of my abilities." I whispered discreetly.
Truth is I had cast an illusion spell. To everyone else around we were just standing and waiting.
"It is good to keep your magic hidden for now. Except for your disguise. We still don't know how you appeared here in this universe. Better to keep that to ourselves, understood?" Fury was stern.
I straightened up.
"Yes, sir." He looked away.
I let down the illusion as a bright light appeared in front of us. I looked at Thor. He seemed unhappy. Then I looked at the man beside him. He was wearing green and gold garments. His hair was black, just barely past his shoulders. His eyes shone like emeralds.
"I have returned. My father has decreed that Loki finish the remainder of his sentence here on Midgard." I glanced at Tony.
He was already in his metal suit. I still had doubts that it wasn't powered by magic.
"No. Absolutely not." Tony was furious.
"What's to stop him from attacking us? Or trying to take over the planet?" Natalia was collected, but very angry.
"He will be bound, Lady Natalia. You have my word." Fury cleared his throat.
"Do you plan on staying and babysitting? Or are you going to shirk your responsibilities Thor?" I could sense the anger in Fury's voice.
"I will be here as often as my duties will allow. Someone will have to take over while I am otherwise occupied." At this point I had looked at the man in green and gold.
"No! I will not do it! Odin is insane." Tony yelled.
"Excuse me, man in the metal. It may not be smart to bad mouth someone who has an all seeing oracle. If Lord Loki is to remain, I will offer my assistance to, what's that word, baby sit? Clearly you have many responsibilities. Let this be my test. Whether I am a fit for your team, sir." I glanced at Sir Fury.
He looked relieved. It would also be a weight off his shoulders.
"Who might you be, M'Lady?" Lord Thor asked.
I knew he was royalty. He had yet to earn my respect though.
"Aleatha." He strode forward to me dragging Lord Loki with him.
He picked up my right hand and placed a kiss on it.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Aleatha. I wish it was at a better time." I smiled.
"Likewise, your Grace." I bowed.
"Please none of that, M'Lady. Here I am a friend not a Prince." He looked sad.
"Very well." I smiled.
He returned it.
"Okay, enough. Let's get him locked up." Tony was not happy.
I kept my position next to Fury. A chill ran up my spine as we made our way to the large metal building known as the Compound. I was being watched. I slowly spread my magic. No one in this crew of humans, gods, and beasts had real magic. Not the ones I met. Well, Sir Thor has his hammer which is a conduit for thunder. However once my magic brushed upon the god suited in green and gold, something happened.
My illusion spell flickered and I felt drained. Like a wilted flower. It was like a flower wilting due to the cold weather. However, that cold weather was ice magic. Nothing like what I was used to. This was way stronger and more severe. We entered the Compound moments later and made our way to the metal box. The elevator? I was still learning about this world. Sir Fury was kind enough to come up with a lie for why I had no knowledge about this world. I was a HYDRA rescue. So in terms I understood, a lab rat who was being set free to work. However, it would be underneath the watchful eye of this party. This team? No, I mean yes a team, but I see a family. As the metal box ascends upwards I feel a pain in my chest. I miss my home. I was sad. As we stepped in I kept myself between Sir Fury and the raven haired god. I noticed the tension in the room grew uncomfortable. I then felt a pain at the base of my skull. I let my magic form a shield around my mind. The pain was manageable. As soon as the doors of the met- elevator opened Tony, Natalia, Steve, and Sir Fury were the first ones out of the metal box.
I stayed close to Sir Fury. I knew I would be safe in this metal tower, but that did not mean I was comfortable with them. I felt pressure again followed by pain. As Sir Thor and Loki stepped off the metal box I rushed up to Loki. I gripped his tunic.
"Whatever you are trying to do, it ceases this instant! Do it again and I shall deal with you accordingly. Clearly you intend to act as a child who shirks their responsibilities and lacks manners. Keep whatever abilities to yourself, or I will show the meaning of a woman's wrath." Being this close was hard.
My magic was draining again. I let go, but the glaring didn't cease as I went back to Sir Fury. The distance felt better, but it was hard to keep my illusion up. Sir Fury had me hide my elf ears. We both agreed it would be better to hide my race. This party had enough to deal with.
"I like her." Natalia said.
I smiled at her.
"As do I, Lady Natalia." She smiled at me.
"Just Nat honey." I nodded my head.
"She clearly can hold her own. I still want to start you on training sessions ma'am." I felt old.
"Why do I feel old when you call me that? I am not that much older than you." I tilted my head.
I met Steve's blue eyes. Nat started laughing and Steve's cheeks turned red. Then Sir Thor's laughter followed. I looked at Sir Fury. I was confused.
"I'm lost. What knowledge am I missing?" I felt my cheeks start to burn.
I went back to Sir Fury. I crossed my arms and was trying to hide the fact I was embarrassed. Though I don't think it did much good.
"Aleatha. Captain America was frozen in ice for seventy years. He is much older than you." Sir Fury's strict tone of voice.
The embarrassed feeling was gone and I put my arms down.
"Yes sir. Sorry." I mumbled that last part.
I kept my face blank. Sir Fury knew my real age. However the party didn't. It wasn't that he wasn't going to tell them, but he needed more time to do research. Lady Nat took notice of my cold demeanor.
"Enough. Let's just get Reindeer games in his cage." I heard a scoff from Loki.
I looked at Loki. Big mistake. He was angry and his ice magic was affecting the room. It became hard to breathe.
"Sir Fury. I must excuse myself. Lest you want the cat out of the bag. Please excuse me." I rushed back into the metal box and hit the button for the first floor.
I was losing control. My magic was slipping. Which wasn't good. As the metal box started closing I felt eyes on me. I looked up to find a pair of green eyes watching me. I looked away as the metal box closed. I let my magic down. Then I did my illusion spell again.
"Jarvis?" I called out.
"Yes Ms. Aleatha?" I bit my lip.
"Please erase the last few mo-minutes." I hated not knowing much about this world.
"Of course, miss." I was relieved.
As soon as the doors opened I was running outside. Being in this huge metal box didn't do me any favors. I went for the tree line, which was covered by a metal wall.
"Dammit!" I yelled.
My magic wouldn't last long. I ran along the fence. I saw a small building. It was metal in structure, but I felt like insidious e would be safe. I rushed to it and ran in. I closed the door and fell to the floor. My illusion magic was down. I found many flowers and plants that produced food. I felt safe. I kept my hands against the ground. I felt the energy from the plants and the earth surrounding me. I started to feel sleepy now that I was safe. Except I couldn't fall asleep. I had moments before Sir Fury needed me to return. Then I heard a crash. I looked up and found a woman with red hair.
"Oh crap." I didn't move.
I didn't want to scare her. My chest started to feel weird. If Sir Fury found out I let the cat out of the bag I would be in trouble. I didn't know this feeling. I couldn't breathe.
"Hey it's okay. You're okay. Focus on my voice. Take a deep breath sweetie." I did as the voice instructed.
I closed my eyes. It seemed like many moments passed before I finally opened my eyes. I looked up into blue eyes.
"Are you okay?" I quickly pulled my hood up.
"I'm sorry. Please don't tell anyone." I looked at the ground.
"Sweetie, it's fine that you're not human." I felt uncomfortable at her words.
"No! No one is supposed to know. Sir Fury was very strict about that. No one is supposed to know I'm not human! What am I going to do!" I was being affected by the metal box and the draining of my magic more than I thought I would be.
I was enveloped in her arms. Her hands were rubbing my back. She smelled like mint and cloves. It was an earthy scent. I took deep breaths to calm down. Her scent along with the plants around me centered me. I pulled away and looked up at her.
"Thank you M'Lady." I said.
She kept her hands on my arms.
"Why is no one supposed to know what you are?" She asked.
"I am not from this universe. I know nothing about this planet or Asgard. I am proficient with bows and daggers. However, my illusion magic couldn't keep my heritage hidden after coming into contact with Loki. That paired with the big metal building took its toll on me. Whatever ice magic Loki possesses messes with mine. Please don't tell anyone, M'Lady. It is hard enough with only Sir Fury knowing." I looked at the ground.
"Why does Director Fury want this kept quiet?" I bit my lip.
"He wishes to do research and gain knowledge about my kind. He knows everything about me, at least what I told him, but where I come from, my kind is not accepted by humans. Hence the secrecy. Please M'Lady. Don't let Sir Fury know you know, please?" I felt tears fall down my face.
I took a deep breath and dug my fingers into the ground. I felt the energy just below the surface. I opened my eyes. I heard the lady gasp in surprise.
"Your eyes! Why are they glowing green?!" She sounded scared.
"My magic was depleted by the ice magic. I am simply borrowing the energy from the flowers and earth around us. My magic is nature based. I am unused to the metals of this world. So it has been a struggle. This is why Sir Fury has kept it quiet from the Avengers, and all of SHIELD." I felt better now after being surrounded by nature.
I pulled my hands away from the ground and my eyes turned back to a normal green. I recast my illusion magic. I relaxed against the door. I felt tired. The woman in front of me seemed to mull over my words. I didn't know what she would do. I took a deep breath and smiled.
"I wish to tell everyone, but I'm still, what's the word, shy. In my world humans don't welcome elves. At all. We get along about as well as a mother bear and a Hunter coming after her cubs. If that makes sense. No, that's not right. Oh! Cats and wolves! Humans and elves get along about as well as cats and wolves do!" I rambled off, trying to ease the tension.
The woman in front of me started laughing.
"It's cats and dogs sweetie. I'm Pepper. You are?" She smiled at me.
It was a gentle smile.
"I'm Aleatha. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Pepper." I smiled at her.
My phone began to ring. I retrieved the magical device called a phone and opened it as instructed.
"Hello?" I a new nswered.
"Agent. Return to us." I grew tense.
"Yes, sir." I closed the magical device and stood up.
"M'Lady?" I held my hand out for Lady Pepper.
She took my hand. She gave me another welcoming smile. I opened the door.
"Jarvis?" She called.
"Yes Mrs. Pepper?" I held my breath.
"Erase the last 20 minutes of footage. Let Director Fury and Tony know that Aleatha and I are coming back." I felt relieved.
"Yes ma'am." I smiled.
"Thank you M'Lady. If you need to, Tony can know, but for now the rest of the party. I think it would be safer for now to keep it quiet." I bit my lip.
"Thank you Aleatha. I will speak with Tony about this. He may not be happy about it, but I understand that Director Fury would be upset about us having this knowledge when we weren't supposed to know. Rest easy sweetie." I smiled and hooked my arm in hers.
"May I escort you back, M'Lady?" I asked.
She smiled at me and nodded her head. As we made our way to the front of the large metal building, I held onto Lady Pepper. She felt safe. Like home. We made it to the smaller metal box inside the big one.
"Jarvis, take us to Fury and Tony." A beep sounded in response to her order.
The metal- elevator started moving up. I felt better after being outside. Even being in this metal box I was feeling better than earlier. That ice magic was stronger than any ice magic I had ever felt or had used against me. I pulled away from Lady Pepper before the doors opened. I smiled at her to let her know everything was okay. She nodded her head in acknowledgment and stepped out before me. I stayed one step behind her as a sign of respect.
"Aleatha. That was too long." Sir Fury said.
"Yes sir, sorry sir." I quickly answered, turning to the door everyone was in front of.
I saw a living area. I turned back to Sir Fury.
"What is this?" I asked.
"It is where you will be staying with Loki. I do not trust that troublesome god by himself. So there is one extra room. You will be extra security, understand, agent?" I kept all emotions at bay.
"Yes sir. I understand." I looked towards the ground as Sir Fury stepped closer to me.
"Keep your magic hidden." I nodded my head once and he walked past me.
I felt alone and isolated again. I pushed it down and smiled. I met Pepper's gaze.
"What did Fury say to you?" Tony asked.
"Simply reminded me that I am being watched just as Lord Loki is." I saw the pity on Lady Natalia's face.
I didn't want pity. I just wanted to go home.
"Come with me, sweetie. Let's get you settled." Lady Pepper came and led me to the room I would be staying in. When I walked in I was not happy in the least. It was too much, and too bright.
"Can we do more earthly tones and some plants? This room will be fine for now, I would just feel comfortable, this way will suffice for now though. No rush Lady Pepper." I bit my lip.
"Sweetie. It's fine. I'll come back in a few days and we will go over what colors and plants you want. Just try to take it easy. I will have Jarvis give you access to the greenhouse when you need it." Lady Pepper said.
"Thank you M'Lady!" I hugged her.
"Just Pepper, Aleatha. It's my pleasure." She hugged me back.
I smiled at her when I pulled away, until I saw Lord Loki at the door.
"I will escort you out, M-Pepper." I held my arm out for her.
She draped her arm on mine and I led her to the entrance of the confined living space. She turned to me.
"Please try to get along with Loki. He is not as bad as my husband and the Avengers think. Do not let what you have learned cloud your view of him." Pepper gave me a smile.
I glanced down and then back up at her.
"I swear, I will give Lord Loki the chance he deserves. Just please make sure the same is said for me, L-Pepper." I smiled at her.
She nodded her head and left. I turned and rushed to my room. I pulled the curtains open and looked at the window. It was odd. I didn't know how to open it. Then I remembered the voice Lady Pepper had spoken to.
"Jarvis?" I called out.
"Yes, miss?" The voice seemed to come from all around me.
"How do I open this window? I require it to be open." Silence followed.
I didn't think anything would happen until I heard a strange noise. I jumped back as it came from the glass. The pieces of glass were moving on their own. Then it stopped.
"Jarvis?" I was curious.
"Yes, miss?" I moved to the windows.
"How did you do that? Was it magic?" I couldn't hide the eagerness in my voice.
"No, miss. It was done electronically." Electricity did that?
That wasn't possible. Then again, I never thought I would see a carriage without horses.
"Thank you Lord Jarvis." There was a loud noise in response.
I stepped up to the window. I took a deep breath of fresh air. Even in this metal box, the smells of nature from outside were enough for now. I stepped away and walked out into what I assumed to be the living area. I saw weird furniture in the sitting area. Then I went to the kitchen area. Nothing looked familiar. I had never seen any of these items before. I saw a hall and went down it. There were two other doors. One was open and led to a bathing area. I was surprised at the size of the tub. I would enjoy that. I glanced at the other door. It was closed. I raised my hand to knock and the door flew open. I met a pair of emerald green eyes. I backed away to the opposite side of the hall. He had surprised me.
"What do you want, mortal?" I didn't care for the disgust in his voice.
What did he have against mortals? Yes they can be judgemental, however races of all kinds are that way when it comes to the unknown.
"Well, Lord Loki, this mortal has come because she lacks the knowledge of the food area." My voice was thick with irritation.
I was far from mortal. Mortals didn't like my race. I had been through many wars to save humans. I didn't care for being compared to a race who judged me when I risked my arse to save theirs.
"Do you mean a kitchen? My you are dumb for a mortal." He said, disgusted with me.
"Fuck off." I said.
I could care less for his attitude. I walked away and went to the kitchen, as he called it. I opened a white box. It was cold inside. I found so much food that I didn't know what to do with it. I retrieved a couple of apples. They were cold to the touch. That was fine with me. I went to the sink as Sir Fury made it known and turned it on. I rinsed the apples off. By this time Lord Loki was in the room I had dried off one of the apples. I tossed it to him. He caught it and looked irritated. I frowned.
"I hope that is enough for food. I lack the knowledge of this time. So I can't cook here. Fend for yourself God of Mischief. This will be enough for me." I picked my apple up and walked away.
"Wait." I turned to him.
"Yes, Lord Loki?" I asked.
He didn't respond at all. I sighed irritated. Do not let what you learned of him cloud your view of him. I glanced back up at the God of Mischief, looking into those green orbs that seemed lonely and lost. Wondering what he'd say next.