Three days had passed since Freya had left the Avengers Compound, and she was growing rather fed up of packing. She had spent two days at her childhood home, gathering all that was needed, before she had travelled back to her apartment with her parents. Her sister had joined them that evening, and all of them were doing their best to sort through Freya's worldly possessions. It was not an easy task, especially as her phone kept pinging with emails and messages from work, but at least it was going quicker than if she had been doing this on her own. It was not the easiest of times, for her mother still did not quite believe Freya's story, and her father kept asking questions that she did not know the answer to, but they were at least pleased that she finally had a job. Astrid was much more sympathetic, for she had met Thor because of Freya, and she did her best to ease any tensions. Photographic evidence helped, as did the video calls for meetings, but Freya could not blame her parents for being sceptical, for it did sound rather fantastical when she explained that she would be working with Norse Gods. She still couldn't quite believe it herself, and her excitement was outweighing her doubts, for Ragnar's words had settled into her brain. Though she had no doubt that Ragnar wanted nothing to do with humans, she was curious as to why he had been so concerned about Loki's motivations. After all, he should not be bothered if she got hurt and left, while Freya was wise enough to know that the Trickster had his reasons for asking her to be their consultant. She just hoped that she would be able to save herself from being manipulated for his own ends.
"Which shall we have today? Eighties, Nineties, Disney, or Holiday Roadtrip?" Astrid asked as they cleared up from lunch. The youngest Wilkes had decided to be in charge of the playlists as they packed, and so far no one had complained at the choices.
"Eighties." Their mother decided as she washed up. "How are we getting on?"
"I have no idea how we're going to get this all done." Freya admitted, but her father just smiled at her while Sif sat in one of the many boxes that filled the apartment.
"Don't worry Frey. You know what we always say…" Her father said as he returned to packing up the kitchen. "Where there's a Wilkes…"
"There's a way." She finished for him as she started wandering towards her room. She was rather grateful that they had all chosen specific areas to pack, but it was not easy seeing her flat gradually empty. After all, this had been Freya's home for the past few years, and she had no idea what her new place would be like. Though she had seen pictures of the settlement, she did not know where abouts she would be living, or if she would be sharing with strangers.
"I really hope you're right about this one." Freya continued as she reached the door.
"When have I ever been wrong?" He asked, causing her to smile, while Astrid laughed.
"When you got us lost in Somerset that one time and nearly drove into a bush?" Her mother suggested. "Or when you took us down that footpath thinking it was a shortcut but took us the long way round? Or…"
"When you decided to book us tickets for the band we liked, but it turned out to be a tribute?" Astrid continued, and Freya couldn't help but giggle at her father's indignant expression.
"Alright, so maybe I have been wrong a few times, but I promise you I'm right about this one."
Sure enough, Friday morning saw the entirety of Freya's possessions packed and loaded onto the moving van, while the apartment had been cleaned from top to bottom. Standing in the middle of the empty space, Freya felt a mixture of sadness and joy, for she had many happy memories here, but she was moving on to better things. Locking up for one last time, she posted her keys through the letterbox before picking up Sif, who was already howling in protest at being locked away in her cat carrier.
"Ready?" Astrid asked as she picked up her suitcase.
"As I ever will be." Freya gave a slight smile, although she was trying not to cry. She hated goodbyes and endings, even though this was the start of a new chapter.
"Cheer up sis! You get to spend the day with me first." Astrid pointed out, and Freya rolled her eyes.
"That's why I'm sad!" She joked, and Astrid just shook her head before they headed for the train station.
A week had passed since the Treaty had been signed, and it had been no easy feat sorting everything out for the move. Everyone had questions, and there was just so much to do. Even the simplest of tasks were taking ages, and Loki wondered why humans had to make things so complicated. He was desperately fed up of meetings and forms, and he longed for freedom. Of course, even in New Asgard, he did not have that. Though he and Thor had spent a few days in the settlement before their people had joined them, he had not been allowed out of sight at any point, and he wondered just how many more restrictions were to be imposed. He had been forced to accept a number of compromises when the agreement was drawn up, and he was still trying to work out a way of bending the rules. It was frustrating to say the least to not be able to use his magic, and the urge to create chaos was strong, but he knew he had to behave for the sake of his people.
However, he had to admit it was good to see his people settling in to their new home. The ship had landed yesterday, and ever since then he had spent his time pointing people to their new houses, settling arguments and soothing fears. It was rather exhausting work, but no one else was such a skilled diplomat, and his ability to sweet talk people had proven to be an advantage, for there had been a number of disappointed people upon seeing their new settlement. Of course, Tønsberg was just a foundation upon which they could build, and once he had explained that, they were far more understanding. However, the reality that Asgard was truly gone had hit some people harder than others, and there was still much to be done to deal with the aftermath of Ragnarok. He knew he was still reeling from everything that had happened, but he was determined not to let it affect his work, and there were already plans for a memorial for those who had been lost. Loki just dearly hoped that it would give them all some much needed closure.
As the afternoon drew to an end, Loki had to admit that it was rather rewarding to see everyone housed, but he was glad when the job was done, even though there was still one name left on the list. He smiled slightly as he knew that the Midgardian woman would be in the middle of her own move, and he wondered how she was getting on. He had barely heard from her in recent days, and he hoped that she was not having second thoughts about helping them. After all, she had already proven her dedication in finding them a new home, and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Loki was also looking forward to Freya's arrival, for he had missed her company, and he could not wait to see her reaction when she saw her new dwelling.
"Finished so soon brother?" Thor asked as Loki returned to the hotel that was to be their palace.
"Everyone is settling into their new homes." The Trickster assured him. "When do they arrive?"
"A little after midday tomorrow." The King said as they walked along the corridor. "I take it you won't be meeting them?"
"I would rather like to avoid that if possible. Stark hates me, and Banner…"
"That's understandable." Thor smiled. "You are certain in your choices for the palace quarters?"
"I am." Loki said truthfully. "It is only right that the council and nobility stay here, and then the town is split into the different specialist areas, for that was how we did it at home." He paused. "And it is a little too late to change that now, considering…"
"That's true." Thor agreed, but Loki had the feeling that he was cycling round to something. "And you are sure that Freya will be happy here?" Thor asked, while Loki groaned. The God of Thunder could not believe that the Trickster was just being nice, and expecting nothing in return.
"I am hoping she will be, for if she is happy, she will stay, and that works in our favour."
"You have never gone to such effort before for a mortal."
"I have not spent much time with humans." He pointed out, wanting to end the conversation before it went any further.
"Yet you have done much for her. I am still confused as to why, for if you are just using her for the sake of New Asgard, then…"
"She is a friend." Loki stated. "Nothing more, nothing less. I just want to make sure she is happy here, for she is giving up much to help us."
"I'm glad." Thor smiled, while the Trickster was a little relieved to reach his own chamber. "What time is she due to reach us?"
"Somewhere around 3 o'clock I believe." Loki told him, for Freya had sent her travel details across earlier that day.
"Then I'll make sure there are no meetings you're needed for in the afternoon." Thor promised, before leaving Loki to rest.
Freya smiled as she sat in her hotel room near to Paddington station. The sisters had spent the day exploring London, having spent the morning in the British Museum, and the afternoon on Oxford Street. As much as Astrid hated museums, she had been unable to refuse Freya's request, especially once she had been bribed with the offer of lunch, and so she had followed her older sister around the galleries. Freya spent a while in the Early Medieval gallery, for she loved seeing the various Saxon and Norse treasures, and she smiled as she looked at the Sutton Hoo display. Everyone was gathering around the famous helmet and golden clasps, but she stared at the other objects, wondering if the sceptre from the ship burial would summon a Saxon god. It certainly looked a little like the one she had managed to summon Loki with, and she had idly wondered how many objects in the museum could be used to summon deities, before Astrid had dragged her away to the café. After a visit to the bookshop, the young women had then headed to Oxford Street to do some shopping, for Astrid was determined that Freya would be well dressed for her new role. Freya had no idea how she was going to fit her new purchases into her cases, let alone carry it all, but that was a problem for later.
"Please tell me you're not working now." Astrid said disapprovingly as she handed Freya a cup of wine. The younger woman had been determined that Freya not spend her last evening in England alone, and was staying in the hotel with her despite living in London already.
"I'm just finalising the travel plans." Freya assured her, though she was really checking her emails. There had been surprisingly few calls in the last day or so, and she wanted to make sure that she had not missed anything important. She had to admit that she was a little disappointed at the lack of messages from a certain Trickster, but she knew that he must be busy with relocating the Asgardians, and she was aware that their friendship was likely to change once they were in New Asgard.
"What time do you need to be at the airport for?" Astrid asked as she climbed into bed next to her and stole the covers. Freya just rolled her eyes and reached for the bag of snacks that they had accumulated over the day, before pulling out a packet of cookies.
"Eight, but my train is at half six in the morning." Astrid groaned at this, for she had never been an early bird.
"It's a good job I love you."
"You have to. You're my sister." Freya pointed out as she raised her glass in a toast. Astrid just rolled her eyes and pinched one of the cookies, before raising her own.
"To the future?"
"To family." Freya smiled. "Thank you for this week. I honestly don't know how I would have managed it without you."
"Well, I hope you've told these Asgardians not to mess with you, for they will have to face me if they upset you." Astrid said, while Freya laughed.
"I'd love to see you go against Thor…"
"He's such a nice guy though." Astrid said. "I still can't believe he was in our house."
"I know. It's so strange. I mean, if you'd told me ten years ago that I would be working with the Norse gods and interacting with the Avengers, I would have called you mad, but now…"
"Now you will be living with them." Astrid smiled as she topped up their wine.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" Freya asked, eyebrow raised as she felt the effects of the alcohol hit her.
"Just tipsy." She shrugged. "You'll need to build up your tolerance to keep up with them from what I've heard."
"So you're being helpful?" Freya was not convinced. "Wait, have you been reading up on…?"
"Well, it is good to research holiday destinations." Astrid shrugged, and Freya laughed.
"I'll see what can be done." She assured her. "Though maybe don't visit in winter. I hear it gets very cold."
"Then all the more excuse to visit you soon." Astrid said as Sif came and curled up nearby. "I do have one question for you though Freya."
"Go on."
"What is he like really?"
"Thor? He can really be quite scary, but also really rather approachable. It's hard to…" She began, but Astrid cut her off.
"I mean Loki. You've mentioned him a few times, and I've seen just how much you've written about the man. How do you know him?"
"Archaeology is a dangerous pastime." Freya shrugged, while Astrid frowned. "You won't believe me."
"Try me." Astrid stated, while Freya knew there was no escaping this one. Draining her cup, she made herself comfy before telling her sister everything, for she knew that she would be believed this time.
Freya had barely been able to sleep that night, for she was rather nervous and excited at the same time, and the alarm had been set for a ridiculously early time. Her sister had groaned as their phones pinged, but Freya had just rolled out of bed and set about making some tea while Astrid had tried to hide under the covers.
"If I have to get up early then so do you." Freya pointed out.
"Why did you have to choose such an early flight?"
"I take after dad, what with wanting to make the most of the day at the destination." She told her. "And I have a few hours in a car on the other end."
"Ugh…" Astrid grumbled. "Please tell me there's coffee?"
"Coming right up." Freya smiled.
An hour later found them saying goodbye at the train station, and Freya blinked away tears as Astrid gave her a rare hug. It had been nice to spend some quality time with her sister for once, and she was determined to fulfil her promise to show her around New Asgard once she was settled in. Of course, she had to get there first. Waving through the train window as it departed the station, she saw Astrid wave back and wipe away a tear, before the train left the platform behind. Freya then made sure that she had everything to hand, and smiled sadly as she found a stowaway in her backpack. On top of her passport sat a small plush bear and a book, and she read the note that came with them. Please look after this bear, it said, and I hope it gives you some inspiration. Freya had loved the Paddington Bear books when she was a child, and she had been a little disappointed to find the dedicated stand closed by the time they had reached the station yesterday. She realised then that this was where Astrid had snuck off to when she had dropped off her bags at the hotel, and she grinned as she knew how much her sister supported her new mission. Making sure that the bear was safely tucked away, she messaged her sister to say thank you, before double checking her flight details. She knew she would have a few hours at the airport first, but she did not mind too much, for she rather enjoyed having the time to grab some breakfast and get to the departure gate without rushing. As the train pulled into Heathrow, she sent a final message to the Asgardian Council, before heading towards the Check In desk. The queue was not very long thankfully, and Sif was rather subdued as they waited to be seen.
"Next!" An older lady called, and Freya smiled as she handed over her passport and boarding pass to the clerk.
"Good morning." Freya greeted. "I'm hoping this is the right place to check in my cat as well?"
"It is." The clerk answered as they typed in some details on their computer. "Where are we travelling to?"
"Oslo, Norway." She said, but the clerk frowned as they looked at their screen.
"There are no flights from this airport to Oslo today."
"What?" Freya asked, panic rising through her veins. She was so certain that she had booked for today, and that she was at the right airport. She was usually so meticulous in her plans, so just how on earth had she gotten this so wrong?
"There are no flights to that destination today. Are you sure you are at the right airport?"
"I… But…" Freya uttered as she wondered what to do. "There must be some…"
"I'm sorry Miss Wilkes, but you are going to have to step aside while I check in our passengers."
"There has to be some mistake!" Freya argued as she pulled up the flight booking on her phone. "It clearly states…"
"There is nothing more I can do to help you." The clerk said as they placed Freya's passport on the counter. "Next!"
"But…." Freya objected, but the next people were already being seen to. She stared at her phone and at her boarding pass, before trying to get another clerks attention, but they just ignored her. As the next passengers went on their way, Freya went back to the desk.
"This clearly state that there is a flight today! Why would you…?" But she did not have the chance to finish her question, for two security guards appeared behind her. Not knowing what else to do, Freya went with them, all the while hoping that she would get to New Asgard soon.
