The arrival of the Asgardian armies was preceded by workmen and builders, who rapidly constructed barracks, a large meeting hall and a mead hall.
They resembled the wooden longhouses of old but were made of a material I wasn't familiar with and were constructed with remarkable speed and ease.
With them came the Seeresses, women dressed in long robes and hooded cloaks who, staff in hand, began weaving powerful magic.
Not only did they create protective wards, but they weaved powerful weather magic as well. The temperature around the hold raised to something that was still cold but was far more bearable.
Thor was amongst his own people most of the time, easily recognisable by his sheer size and distinctive armour. Loki was by his side often as not, dressed in his Jotunn armour, unwilling to take a backseat in what was going to be one of the biggest battles any of the realms had seen in centuries.
Soon the first Einherjar started to arrive; dressed in black and golden armour, golden cloaks draped down their backs, and horned helmets crowning their heads.
Each one of them was tall, and beautiful in their own way. It wasn't hard to believe we had once taken to worshipping these impressive warriors, they exuded power and strength.

I was soon introduced to the other two friends that made up the Warriors Three; Volstagg and Hogun.
"How much did you say you…" I corrected myself, "I mean, Beaumont was involved in the casting process of the movies?" I asked Loki suspiciously after having spoken to them.
Loki grinned and winked at me. "What can I say? It's the only good thing he's done since I created him, let him have that at least."
Loki seemed to be in high spirits.
I had thought he would have been more worried and downcast. After all, we still had no idea what the arrival of the Asgardian Armies meant for him personally. I had expected him to have been dragged off to Asgard in chains when the Bifrost became operational, but that had not happened.
Instead, he walked amongst the Einherjar for all the world looking like the prince amongst gods he was, and they treated him accordingly.
When I questioned him about it, Loki just shrugged.
"Old habits die hard, and I am the adopted son of Odin after all. The AllFather banished me, but he never renounced me as his son. By right, I still have my titles and am owed a certain measure of respect and deference.
As for why they have not dragged me off in chains; Odin may see Beaumont as the true Loki, he is the one with my soul after all.
Let us enjoy this while it lasts, shall we? Leave worrying about my trial until the time comes."
That was easier said than done for me. I could not bear the thought of losing the love of my life.
Loki had plenty of distractions during the day, but I knew worrying about what fate awaited him kept him up at night.
We made a habit of sneaking out of the hold every evening until we were far enough away from the others and could practice my shapechanging. First just as wolves, and when Loki was convinced I had the hang of that, we practised flight. Loki's preferred form for that being a raven, mine a barn owl. Together we soared through the night, enjoying every moment we could spend together.
The Einherjar were not the only ones to arrive at the hold, and soon enough there was plenty to distract me as well during the day.

Until we knew where Beaumont and Halja were or until they attacked, there wasn't much to do for the defenders of Midgard but to prepare.
It was decided it would be wise to organise joined training exercises between the Asgardian warriors, the agents of various factions and the group of elite soldiers picked from armies all around the world. It would be a way to get used to each others fighting styles and pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of the combined forces.
Soon, four more camps were set up around Jotunnhold. The beautiful unblemished snow around our home became trampled and muddy and the peace and quiet were well and thoroughly disturbed.
Matt was the one in charge of the Midgardian contingent. He was well-liked within the Secret World, had led similar joined operations between the various factions before, and before he got his Bee he had been a Navy SEAL with the American army. His experience made him perfectly suited for the monumental task he was given.

There was one arrival that left the biggest impression of all, that of Sif's Valkyrie.
A flight of winged horses suddenly graced the skies above the hold, each mounted by a Valkyrie dressed in white and golden armour.
Elegant and deadly, the warrioresses circled the training grounds, as all those below looked up in awe.
"Look mum, it's aunt Sif, doesn't she look amazing?" Jessie breathed to me, her eyes wide. Sif led the formation, looking magnificent in her armour, every ounce the goddess she was.
The Valkyrie landed and set up their own camp near the Einherjar. I gave them some time to get organised, then took Jessie with me to greet them.
Several of the Valkyrie were already sparring in the snow.
They had removed their armour, wearing nothing but white leather trousers, soft white leather boots and a cropped sleeveless top, their muscles bulging and rippling with every move.
"Look at how strong they are, their stomachs look like washboards," Jessie sighed in admiration. "You don't mind if I hang out here for a while, do you mum?"
"What, and leave my daughter alone to make doe-eyes at a bunch of thousand-year-old warrioresses?" I teased her as she blushed.
"As long as you don't get in the way you can ogle as much as you want." I grinned.
"Mum!"
"Come, I want to see the winged horses, they are just as beautiful," I said as I pulled Jessie along.
We found Sif by the corral, looking after her steed.
"Hey, aunt Sif!" Jessie greeted her cheerfully.
"Hey, kiddo!" Sif smiled at her. She had taken over Thor's habit of referring to Jessie as such.
"Did you two come to see the horses?"
"Is that one yours?" Jessie asked before I could say a word.
"Yes, this is Swift. I missed her terribly, and she missed me too," Sif smiled as the horse nuzzled her shoulder in agreement.
"She's beautiful. Can I pet her?" Jessie asked.
"Only when I'm around, they can be dangerous. They are war trained after all."
Jessie gently petted the white steed, who nuzzled her in return.
"They are all mares," Sif explained to me. "All Valkyrie are female, even our mounts."
"Thor must have been so disappointed by that," I grinned.
"Did he tell you he wanted to be a Valkyrie when he was little?" Sif laughed. "He used to go around on a little hobby horse that he and Loki had glued wings on that they cut out of Thor's bedsheets. Thor was heartbroken when the queen took him to the side and explained that could never happen!"
Sif handed Jessie a bucket of apples.
"You can go and give them an apple if you want, they'll love you for it. Make sure they get one each!"
Together Sif and I watched as Jessie was surrounded by winged horses in no time.
"You've raised a good kid," Sif smiled.
"I did okay. She made it easy," I smiled back.
"Is that something you and Thor want too? Children, I mean."
"We've been talking about it it," Sif confessed. "But then I was sent to Midgard. I think perhaps after all this it might be the right time. Having spent time with your family, we'd love to start our own.
How about you and Loki?"
I hesitated.
"I don't know. There was a time I wanted a large family, but that was when Jessie was little. To be honest, I thought I was done with nappies and teething and parent-teacher meetings.
If Loki really wanted to, I'd be open to it, but Loki is convinced he'd make a terrible father."
"I can't say I agree to that," Sif mused. "Perhaps in the past, I would have said the same but seeing him with Jessie and having been forced to look at endless selfies of him with his godson, I think he'd be a natural."
I smiled at her.
"I agree with you. The thing is, it's not something that has happened for Loki in the past, not even when he tried to have a daughter in the hope of claiming Laufey's staff that way.
He hasn't exactly lived a life of celibacy, and it is not like we've gone to great lengths to take precautions since he moved in with me either. It's not something that seems to happen naturally for him.
But until Loki feels it is something he really wants, I don't see the use in seeking help with it either."
Sif nodded in understanding.

I left Jessie with Sif and wandered around a bit, seeing if I could find that tall, dark and handsome husband of mine somewhere.
I found him deep in conversation with Thor and Matt.
"This is only going to work if we actually practice together," Matt argued. "Right now, each of the factions, the military contingent and your Einherjar all stay in their own camp, mistrusting each other."
"Your humans are suspicious of my men, fearing they place themselves above you mortals, and my men have a lot of mistrust and very little understanding of the technology you now have at your disposal," admitted Thor as he ran a hand through his hair, lost for a solution.
Loki suddenly grinned.
"Brother, do you remember when we went to aid uncle Freyr during the siege at Alfheim? We faced a similar problem there, if with a smaller amount of factions. Do I need to remind you of how we solved that problem?"
Thor began to grin.
"I'll get the cooks to set up cooking fires and bring barrels of ale and mead. Matt, could you provide similar sustenance for your men? Pizza, burgers, any of Midgard's delicacies will do!"
Loki smiled from ear to ear.
"I'm going to London, there's someone who I think can help! I'll be back anon!"
And without even as much as a kiss goodbye for me, he left with a jaunty bounce in his step. I smiled and shook my head. Whatever he was up to, he was enjoying it more than a little.
"Any idea what they are planning?" I asked Matt as I watched Loki head towards Agartha, stand still, shake his head at himself, turn around, run back to give me a quick kiss and a "Love you!" and leave again.
"The best way to raise a soldier's morale is through his stomach," Matt grinned. "My guess is they are planning a feast for all present, giving them a chance to mingle and get to know each other. No idea what Loki is up to though, that's your department."

In an impressively short amount of time, the area between the various camps was turned into an impromptu party area. Cooks from both realms set up barbeques and cooking spits, ale, mead and beer kegs were rolled in, long trestle tables were set up, and there was even a makeshift dancefloor.
Soldiers from every faction wandered over, curious to see what was happening. Each of them stayed in their own group, eyeing each other suspiciously.
When Loki returned he was not alone. Dave the Ghoul, the Tabula Rasa's resident DJ was with him and he had brought his mixing table.
Loki's eyes were sparkling mischievously as he stood in the centre of the area.
"Asgard!" his voice rang out over the crowd, easily heard by all.
"It has come to my attention that the Midgardians are convinced that as gods you surely are too stuck up to dance!
So listen, and hear my challenge!
Who will step up to teach these mortals we have not forgotten how to have fun since we left their little ball of mud?"
Thor stepped forward with a wink at his brother, Fandral joining him right away. Some others stepped forward as well.
"Midgard!" Loki's smile became even wider.
"Asgard believes you are still stuck in the Middle Ages, dull, boring, and most importantly, without a sense of rhythm!
Who of you will step up to prove these arrogant godlings wrong?"
Cedric was one of the first to step up, quickly joined by members from the various factions.
"Which side are you on, Loki?" a voice came from the crowd. Loki's smile became impossibly wide as he gave a small mocking bow.
"My own as always, of course!"
Laugher and good-natured jeers went up, both sides well familiar with Loki's reputation.
"I will start, showing you how it's done!"
Loki stood in the middle of the dancefloor. He hesitated for a moment.
"I'm going to need a hat," he grinned. His eyes glowed green for a second, and suddenly he was wearing a white suit and a white fedora, then turned to the side, one hand on the hat, and nodded at Dave.
The first notes of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" began playing. A cheer went up from the Midgardian side.
"That's what you're starting with mate?" Cedric laughed. "Setting the bar a bit high, are you?"
Loki just shrugged as he moonwalked across the dance floor.
"Feel free to join me if you think you can do it better!"
Cedric waited for a few beats, then joined Loki on the dancefloor.
After a few moments, Fandral shrugged and said "This is far too simple Loki, surely you are just warming up?" and joined them as well, copying their steps as he danced along.
Smooth Criminal flowed into the Macarena 'to make things easier for those who couldn't keep up before' according to Loki who was quickly joined by Thor.
Thor didn't know any of the moves but gamely bluffed his way through, making it up as he went along to great laughter and cheers.
This was followed by Asgardian skalds playing one of their own songs.
Loki changed sides quicker as the music changed, sometimes claiming victory for Midgard, sometimes Asgard, but always the side he was on. As far as I could tell, the rules changed just as fast to whatever suited him.
Others noticed the same thing of course, but no one really cared, it was too much fun to watch the dance battle take place.
Food and drink flowed freely.
Soon people were dancing by the sides, Midgardian soldiers and agents teaching Asgardian warriors how to Moondance and the moves of the Macarena, while the Einherjar were showing them how to dance Asgardian style.
Sif had joined me while I watched Loki, Thor and Cedric dance to Beyonce.
"I'd almost forgotten how well he moves for someone his size," she sighed as she eyed Thor adoringly. For a moment we each admired our own husbands.
"Hey, make room for one more!"
One of Sif's Valkyrie rolled a keg towards us. She wore her hair braided in a high ponytail and had white markings on her face.
"Meet my second-in-command. Her name is Brunnhilde, but people call her Val."
"Long story," Val grinned as she put the keg upright and expertly removed the lid with the butt of her sword.
"Val, this is Sorcha, my sister-in-law."
"Loki's wife?" Val's grin became wider. "Lost a bet?"
"Long story," I grinned back.
She had three tankards hooked on her belt that she now dipped into the barrel and handed to us. I smelled it carefully and recognised it as Asgardian mead. I politely took a sip and grimaced.
Val closed the keg and sat on top of it.
"Norns, I had forgotten that those sons of Odin can dance." Putting her hands to her mouth she yelled: "Hey! You with the skinny ass! Shake that booty!"
Loki looked at her, a grin on his face. His cheeks were red from dancing and his blue eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Val! What are you doing sitting there? There's room for more on the dance floor! As a matter of fact, all you ladies, come and join us!"
Sif threw her head back and laughed. "And give up the best seats in the house? Are you mad? No, we rather sit here and watch you lot make fools of yourselves!"
"Suit yourself!"
Loki winked at me and held out his hand. To my own embarrassment, I blushed. Would he ever not have that effect on me?
"Dance, pretty boy, dance!" came Val's reply.
Loki happily obliged.

I was just about to join him on the dancefloor when I realised something was wrong.
The crowd surrounding the stage slowly fell silent, but from where I was standing I couldn't see why.
Slowly the crowd parted. The music fell silent as the Asgardians kneeled one by one.
Not sure why, but unable to help themselves, the Midgardians joined them.
On top of the largest horse I had ever seen sat an impressive-looking warrior who, despite his age, was the same height as Thor, his shoulders almost as wide.
A long white beard fell over his armoured chest and an eyepatch covered one eye underneath his large horned helmet. A red cloak with ermine trimming fell down his back.
In his hand was the spear named Gungnir, the grey eight-legged horse he rode was Sleipnir.
Odin, the AllFather, had arrived.

I looked around me, everyone had knelt down as Sleipnir slowly walked through the crowd. I wasn't sure what to do.
"You are a Goddess Queen. You do not bow."
Loki's voice whispered in my ear.
I looked at him. Loki was kneeling next to Thor on the dancefloor, his eyes cast down. I could just see the green glow of his magic dim as he looked at me from underneath his eyelashes.
My eyes held his for a moment to signal I had understood him.

Sleipnir stopped before me.
"Who are you, mortal, that you do not kneel before the AllFather?"
Odin did not raise his voice, but he could be heard by everyone present nonetheless. I had to crane my neck to look at Odin.
Loki and Thor were gods. Most of the time they could easily be mistaken for one of us, but they had this aura, this way about them that soon made you realise they were more than that.
Odin's aura was so powerful, his presence and willpower so strong, that I felt my knees buckle beneath me.
Who was I to stand before this King of gods as an equal? I was nothing but a housewife past her prime who had gotten lucky when Gaia picked her chosen, wasn't I?
I struggled to meet his gaze, that piercing blue eye staring into mine, into my soul.

And then I remembered.
I remembered the first time I had seen Loki cry, in that dingy apartment in Aeldwic, when I held him in my arms as Loki sobbed "He never wanted me…"
I remembered the first time Loki had shown me his scars, to try and convince me not to worry about him getting hurt.
I remembered the words he had spoken then: "My father did not like me much. His belt taught me from a very young age how to ignore pain."
I remembered the countless night when Loki's night terrors woke me as he cried in his sleep "Please father, no more. I'll be good, I promise! I'll be good from now on!"
I remembered Odin was nothing more than yet another bully, an abusive father who took his temper out on a defenceless child.

My voice was steady and clear as I answered him: "My name is Sorcha, Goddes Queen of Jotunnheim, Worthy of Mjolnir, Chosen of Gaia, Knight Elect of the Knights Templar, and one of the most powerful magic users on Midgard. I am Jessie's mother and Loki's wife.
And I will not kneel before you."
Odin's gaze held mine, but I would not, could not yield. I knew what he was. I knew who he was. And I was not afraid.
It was Odin who looked away first.
"Very well, your Majesty. I hope your troops will be more disciplined on the battlefield than whatever this display is."
Odin looked at Thor and Loki.
"Come along son, enough of these shenanigans. There is work to be done.
You, boy, will come with us. We have much to discuss."
And without waiting for a reply he turned Sleipnir around and rode back to the Asgardian encampment.