Part One -
The sky was crystal blue, clearer than glass. The sun's light beamed throughout Asgard in all its fame and glory.
A tree reached out its arm towards the sky, in the desire to feel the intense heat tingling along its spine. Its long, strong branches curled into a cup, perfect for a sturdy tree house to be built as it sighed and swayed with the morning birds. Their feathers were smooth to the touch. Their wings would spread out wide as they took a leap of faith, waiting for the whispering wind to take them away.
By the foot of the tree lay a brown, darkened bench, its rough boards ragged and dead. Its arms curled in on itself, radiating a faded gold that would peel off under the slightest pressure.
On this old, weathered bench sat a young lady. She had long, silky brunette hair falling at shoulder length. Her aero blue eyes sparkled as she looked out amongst the green. She had a small button nose and lips that softened into an angel's smile. Her small figure leaned back against the bench, her legs crossed leaving a pale blue dress flowing beneath her feet with small, black slip-on shoes. On her lap lay a book filled with myths and legends, but these stories weren't fake, as many might think — they told the truth.
"Jane?" A tall, handsome, muscular man appeared from the sidewalk to her left. His hair was golden blonde with hints of brown that reached just above his broad shoulders. "Jane, why of all wonders are you here?" He gradually walked over and sat down beside her, waiting for a reply.
Jane needn't give one to him. In response to her silence, she heard a long restless sigh. She wanted to make the most of her time as she looked out to the green with the breeze comforting her. However, in the corner of her eye she could see him observing her, worried if she was alright.
"Jane, what is troubling you?" He reached his hand out for hers, but he felt something rough along his fingertips. He noticed a book lying on her lap. Jane's hands gripped onto its spine as she continued to look out.
"What is this?" He shuffled closer to her, and subtly put his arm around her shoulders to bring her closer in.
Jane felt his smile on her. She could not help but smile in return and turn to face him. She held the book out for him to see, glad he had asked.
He smiled curiously, clasped the book and held it in front of him. "Myths and Legends around the world..." He examined the cover, and turned to the first page.
"Don't you remember this?" She leaned over to also look at the book as her smile grew stronger. "Look, there's you."
As Jane turned the next few pages, the book showed miraculous mythical characters who protected the Nine Realms. One of the characters had a golden crown with eagle-like wings on its sides. He had golden hair with shades of brown, and his face was broad and handsome. He wore a dark blue fitted chest plate with three metal circles going down his chest along with a blood red cape that trailed to the back of his legs. He had scale-like metal sleeves with gauntlets and carried a huge hammer with a leather handle.
"See? 'Thor.'" Jane looked up at him, hoping he would remember.
"Where did you acquaint yourself with this book?" He closed it, stroked the cover and handed it back to Jane. Her face was flushed, her eyes watering in anguish.
"It was from Erik, remember?" She quickly wiped her eyes. "The first few days we met, Erik found this book in the library." She saw his head slowly shaking. "Don't worry, he only gave it to me before I left." She stared down at it, remembering the first time it settled in her hands.
"I may not remember, but I understand how you feel, Jane. When I was banished to Midguard, I was confused and alone, I did not understand how my actions had misjudged my father. Then I met you." His arm slid down around her waist to hold her close. "It did not matter where I was, or how deserted I felt. I knew that if I was with you, my heart would forever beat and stay strong."
Jane felt the warming heartbeat in Thor's chest. She sat up and leaned in for a satisfying kiss. They both smiled and gazed into each other's eyes.
"Am I forgiven?"
Jane laughed and nodded her head, smiling into another kiss.
"Come," Thor jumped up and held his hand out to her. Like a princess, Jane slipped her hand into his. She stood up gracefully, both their bodies close together. "You ready?" He smiled and entwined his fingers along hers.
Jane nodded and they both walked on, the book still in her grasp. She briefly looked back towards the tall tree, her eyes rolled up to the top in wonder, but her vision was later blocked when she was led away.
A long willow tunnel lay ahead of them, its leaves freshly green, and flowers of every colour climbing up the tunnel's edge. Thor let go of her hand and rushed on ahead, standing heroically at the entrance of the tunnel. Jane laughed to herself and ran forwards, leaping into his arms. They swayed together and moved into a kiss. As they ventured through the willow, Jane reached out her arm and brushed her hand along the flowers, a soft sensation tingling her fingertips that made them shudder.
He gently placed her down and smiled. Jane raised her eyebrow as she noticed Thor running with laughter. She smiled and chased forward, jumping onto his back to slow him down. They spun repeatedly round in circles, the air brushing against their joyous faces. They stared into each other's eyes, a spark of love gleamed inside them as they smiled into a kiss and longed for more.
"Look." Thor pointed out to a flower at the end of the tunnel, but this flower was different as it was separated from the others. He took hold of Jane's hand and they walked side by side towards the exit of the tunnel. As they finally approached the flower, Thor reached down for it. He smiled and faced opposite Jane. From his hand, he gently placed the flower in her silken hair.
"A beautiful flower for a beautiful woman." The flower was like a sunflower; it had a red and orange base, with smaller pink petals around the carpel.
"I love it!" She reached up on her tiptoes and softened into a kiss. Their fingers entwined with each others' as they flew with the birds to the centre of Asgard. "Now I'm ready."
The sun danced around the golden palace; children were dancing and running around in circles, blazing with smiles and laughter. To the left, women were kneeling to harvest crops, their clothes discoloured and fragile. Surrounding the palace were horses racing and treading on hardened land, their pure brown coats soft to the touch.
Jane walked joyfully towards a well. She pulled on the toughened rope and brought out a bucket filled with cold water. She placed it on the floor next to the well and brought out a strip of cloth to dip inside.
A horse galloped along, its long friendly face looking directly at her. Jane slowly reached out her hand, fingertips brushing against its straw hair. She lowered its head and introduced it to the bucket of water. She smiled as it sloshed through, stealing every last drop. Jane moved over to its side and boldly patted its strong muscles.
Her eyes wandered to a woman harvesting crops. She pondered over and knelt down by her. She had a young, kind face, her hair matted blond and her pale pink dress covered in mud.
"Here," Jane handed the damp cloth to the women. "I thought you'd might need it."
"Th-thank you!" The young lady accepted the gift and sat flat down. She took in a deep breath and pressed the cloth down along on her face and neck. "Thank you, Jane." She smiled politely and handed it back.
"No, you keep it. It'll keep you cool for a while." Jane stood up and wandered off, feeling pleasure and satisfaction inside.
"Oh please, Thor, please!" A group of little Asgardian girls circled Thor, jumping with happiness and laughing together.
"I have already warned you and it shall not change. None of you are worthy," Thor laughed as the girls tried to jump up on him.
"What's going on here?" Jane ran in and grabbed one of the children, swinging her around and tickling her to her heart's content.
"We want to hold Mjölnir!" A small girl with plaited ginger hair and freckles jumped up to try and take hold of the hammer. "I am strong enough!" A huge grin emerged on her face.
"You never know, maybe one day Thor will let you see the rainbow bridge."
Gasps spread throughout the children while an amused look appeared on Thor's face.
"I will?" He smiled and took Jane's hand, dragging her to the palace entrance.
As Thor and Jane ventured towards the mouth of the palace with wild smiles on their faces, they were met by a royal couple. They strode towards Thor and Jane with open arms.
"Mother, Father!" Thor reached out his broad arms and greeted them. "How is the feast coming along?" A huge, childish grin emerged on his face as he clapped his hands, clearly ready to dine.
"Sometime soon, but we have much to discuss, Thor." Odin's smile drastically turned as he raised his eyebrows and gave his son a stern look.
Jane looked from one to the other, uncertain of Odin's concern over Thor. After what seemed like a century, she was distracted by a cough. Odin's eyes immediately returned to his wife.
"Here, Jane, join me. We shall be prompt for supper later tonight." Frigga outstretched her arm and urged Jane to follow her down the corridor.
As their footsteps drew further away, Jane noticed Frigga briefly look back, giving Odin a look.
"What is blinding you, dear?" Frigga stopped and looked into her eyes. "You seem somewhat...lost."
Jane's movements slowed, feeling her face lose colour. She turned away from her gaze, looking towards the tiled floor.
"Well, it is none of my concern. We must freshen up." She smiled and continued walking along a huge corridor with bright gold strips along the ceiling.
Jane trailed behind her, her arms tightly crossed around her chest, looking down beyond the floor. Suddenly, she bumped into something unexpectedly, making her jump. She looked up and saw Frigga look down at her confused.
"Oh your majesty, I'm so sorry!" She bowed down, not wanting to stand back up.
"Jane, there is no need to do such a thing." She smiled and brought out her hand. Jane looked up at it and slipped her fingers inside. "Please, call me Frigga. Your majesty sounds too... intimidating." She smiled at Jane, and immediately opened the door to reveal a huge room.
As Jane wondered inside, she could see a luxurious white fluffy carpet which was outlined with a thin red rim. A portrait rectangular window brought in the intense sun, which opened and produced a beautiful view of the gardens. Alongside the window lay a white wardrobe with three doors as mirrors and a golden handle to open. A gold and white patterned dressing table was beside it with a beautiful red chair with padded armrests. Above the dressing table was an immaculate canvas, showing a portrait of Asgard in the blistering sun. Opposite the canvas was an extraordinary king size bed with a dark red duvet and plumped white pillows. The bed was cushioned by a golden stand that held it up, with vine like arms rearing up towards the ceiling, and a cover overhead.
"Come, sit down."
Jane wondered into her room and sat down on the chair, gazing into the oval mirror ahead of her. Frigga picked up a hairbrush on the dressing table, and started weaving it through Jane's hair.
"Frigga -"
"I know what word you intend to speak. I fathomed the same feeling." She continued brushing through her feathery hair, stroking her fingers through.
"I don't know where I belong. Asgard is Thor's home and I'm to be Queen alongside him, but Earth is where I have been all my life. I was raised there. Erik and Darcy, my friends who I haven't seen in years. After saying goodbye and with this whole wedding coming soon..." Jane's voice quivered, longingly looking at her reflection.
"Knowing where you belong is a worrisome trouble. But as you near towards an end, it is love and passion that tells us who and where we are meant to be."
Jane queried Frigga's statement.
"For I, becoming Queen felt like such a burden — a burden which I could not imagine I could carry. Living in a new world with a new life had given me opportunities which only I could withstand. You begin to feel a reason for your role in life. Odin is a wise King; he always has been." Frigga gave a slight giggle. "But one day he took my hand and said that he is only wise and mighty because of me. He said that I made him the man he is today." She stopped brushing and looked into the mirror at Jane. "Honestly, if he remembers such a remark then he should live up to it. I could continue about his imperfections, but we shall leave that for another day."
Jane laughed, having to put her hand up to her mouth as to not be impolite.
"Just by glancing at Thor, his life has changed because of you. He used to be selfish and rude, but you changed that, he's now great and mighty all because of you. You changed him. Both of you would be great rulers of Asgard."
Jane turned round. She smiled and went up to hug her.
"Sometimes I wonder how different life would be as Queen, but I know that I'll have the utmost support from your family."
"And soon you shall be apart of it." They both smiled and squeezed into another hug.
