Author's note - Sorry it's been a minute, trying to figure out which way to go after this chapter has proven difficult, but I think I got it.
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The motley crew raced to the Bifrost only to be stopped by Heimdall, he was waiting for them.
Loki smiled, "Leave this to me," he said to Thor before turning to the Gatekeeper, "Good Heimdall…"
"You're not dressed warmly enough," he told the group.
"I'm sorry," Loki asked.
"The freezing cold of Jotunheim, it will kill you all in time. You think you can deceive me," he turned to Loki, "I who watch all?"
The Arkynsons scoffed at that comment, the three of them never fully forgave Heimdall for not seeing quickly enough the Jotun attack on Vanaheim that killed their mother and took away their sister for so long.
Loki smiled trying to recover, "You must be mistaken," but he was once again cut off this time by Thor.
"Enough," said the Thunderer with the Arkynsons standing behind him, they were going to Jotunheim today whether Heimdall allowed it or not, "May we pass?"
Heimdall looked past Thor to the eldest Arkyson, "Never has an enemy slipped my watch…"
Andrei grimaced, if the Gatekeeper had been more vigilant Saga would still be here for him, his brothers and sister. Alek put a hand on his brother's shoulder; their fight was with the Jotuns.
"…until this day. I wish to know how that happened."
"Then tell no one where we've gone until we've returned," Thor ordered.
Volstagg passed Loki with a laugh, "What happened? Your silver tongue turn to lead?"
The Trickster huffed while Arman pulled him forward, "Come brother, our answers lie ahead."
"Be warned I will honor my sworn oath to protect the Realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed to you. You'll be left to die in the cold wastes of Jotunheim," Heimdall warned.
"I have no plans to die today," Thor told him.
"None do," Heimdall retorted.
"Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us," Volstagg questioned.
"To keep the bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it."
"Ah, never mind then," Volstagg said.
Heimdall twisted the sword in the key opening the portal to Jotunheim. The chamber around them spun before letting loose a beam pulling all nine companions through and setting them down on Jotunheim. The loud rumbling of the Bifrost quieted around them. The land of the Frost Giants was quiet, only the wind whipping around them could be heard. A cold met them that crept up on their skin slowly sending shivers down each of their spines. Flurries of snow wrapped around the group giving an eerie feeling that they all shared, this was a fool's errand and they all knew it. An ominous feeling curled around the companions. Liya's brothers looked at one another shaking off the feelings of dread. They would get answers from Laufey one way or another.
"We shouldn't be here," Hogun said what most of they were thinking.
"Too late now," Thor said almost gleefully.
"Actually it's not," Fandral pointed out, "We could turn right around, hop back to Asgard, share a mug by the fire. Could be nice."
"Coward," Andrei scoffed, "Go if you want," he sneered at the blonde.
Loki put a hand on Drei's shoulder, "Perhaps," his voice was soothing and cautious, "we should wait."
"For what," Thor asked.
"To survey the enemy; to gauge their strengths and weaknesses from a distance," Loki returned still holding Drei's shoulder.
Volstagg nodded, "I'm liking that; gauging, surveying; particularly the distance part."
Alek jeered with an incredulous laugh, "We know what we must do, it's time to act."
Thor nodded leading the way with Andrei, Aleksei, and Arman following close behind the Thunder God, followed by Loki then Sif and the Warrior's Three. The frozen wasteland of Jotunheim got colder the further they traveled. The wind continued to whip them but harder biting their ears whistling as it hit them. The bitter cold making the group huddle closer.
They reached the central plaza and still not a Jotun to be seen. The Arkynsons were still primed for a fight; they would get answers one way or another. It felt as if the open of the plaza was closing in around them and the shadows were moving along the outside getting closer. They were about to be surrounded and outnumbered not that Thor or Liya's brothers cared.
A low and gravel filled voice broke the icy silence, "What is your business here Asgardian?"
Thor peered into the void where the voice came from, "I speak only to your King. Not to his foot soldiers."
"Then speak," came the low and menacing voice of Laufey. It felt as if ice were cracking when he spoke.
The group turned to see the Jotun King sitting upon his cracked throne of ice glaring at the nine intruders studying them carefully. His small red eyes landed on the eldest Arkynson.
"How brave of you to leave your sister unprotected."
Arman jumped in front of Thor his blade ready and still as he pointed it to Laufey, "How dare you mention her!" His voice was dark and filled with rage.
The others, even his brothers, were in shock. Arman was a scholar more than a warrior, he was soft spoken and gentle. To see him with this much anger pouring off of him was alarming.
Loki moved to Arman's side, "Steady brother, we are outnumbered and we are of no use to her dead," he said softly.
Loki was seeing the consequences of his actions now first hand. He would never forgive himself if something happened to Liya's brothers on this idiotic field trip they went on. Arman lowered his sword still glaring at Laufey.
"Why did you invade Asgard," Alek asked his voice echoing all around.
"I was invited," the gruff voice of the Jotun King sneered at the boy.
"By who," Thor questioned.
"The house of Odin is full of traitors," Laufey responded.
"Do not dishonor my father's name with your lies!"
"Your father is a murderer and a thief. He stole what was ours, and left our world in ruins. We have the right to reclaim the Casket."
"Not when you'd use it to make war against other Realms."
Laufey cackled, it was low and made the air seem colder, "And why have you come here? To make peace? Bringing the Arkynsons with you Odinson," he stared at Liya's brothers, "They will not have peace with me and neither will you. You long for battle, you crave it. I see you for what you are Thor Odinson," he turned to the Arkynsons once more, "and you trying to prove that you can protect what I have already taken from you. Your father, great King that he is couldn't stop me on that day. What makes you think his three weak offspring can protect what is left?"
"This boy has grown tired of your mockery," Thor growled.
"Thor stop," Loki moved from Arman to his brother, "you need to think. Look around you. We are outnumbered."
Several Jotuns had surrounded the group as they spoke with Laufey, they were indeed outnumbered. This fight would not be an easy one as they once thought.
"You should listen to his counsel. You know not what your actions would unleash," Laufey cautioned stepping out of the shadows. "But I do," he looked at Andrei once more, "Go now, while I still allow it."
Loki continued to hold his brother back, he needed to get back to Liya, hoping that their actions didn't cause any more turmoil for the Princess. "We will accept your most gracious offer."
Thor met Laufey's eyes staring him down for a moment before he turned. The Arkynsons stared at the King for a few more tense moments before turning and walking away.
"Run back home little princess," a Jotun mocked Thor as he turned.
"Damn," Loki muttered, there was no stopping it now.