The Broken Court
It doesn't take Astrid long to find the All-Father standing before his now crumbling throne. Knowing what could happen should he discover her, the princess quickly finds a place to hide. After several minutes she grows bored of spying on him with his few warriors starring at his throne when much to her delight, Thor joins his father, Astrid gets slightly closer and barely misses the crown prince's view thanks to a falling piece of rubble.
"You're going to make them you prisoners now... Am I right?" Thor ask knowing his father has already sent general Ivar and his men to take the Midgardian women into custody. "Leave us." Odin orders his few warriors standing by his side. The king waits for them to be out of sight before walking towards his heir. "I don't wish to fight with you." He says with exhaustion. "Nor I with you... but I intend to pursue Malakith." Thor informs his father with authority. "We possess the Aether. Malakith will come to us." Odin states believing his words will end their argument. "Yes. And he will destroy us." The blonde tells the crazed king.
"You overestimate the power of those creatures." Odin says as anger with his heir begins to build. "No I value our peoples lives." Thor matches Odin's tone as his own anger begins to build. "I'll take Jane and Darcy to the Dark World and draw our enemy away from Asgard... When Malakith pulls the Aether from Jane it will be weak and vulnerable... And I will destroy it and him." Thor says putting a bit more force into his words. "And if you fail, you risk this weapon falling into the hands of our enemy."
"This is some good stuff. I wish I knew how to conjure myself some popcorn or something." Astrid thinks but remembers she needs to remember the important stuff to tell Frigga. Feeling Jo move on her shoulder, the sorceress pets him before picking him up to place him on her other shoulder. With Jo happy once more, she returns her attention back to the drama playing out before her.
"The risk is far greater if we do nothing. His ship could be over our heads right now and we'd never even know it." The crown prince tells the king knowing their argument isn't over yet. "If and when he comes his men will fall on ten thousand Asgardian blades!" Odin yells while barely being able to hide that his ever failing health is beginning to both him. "And how many of our men shall fall on theirs?" Thor questions as his anger begins to reach its boiling point. "As many as are needed!" Odin yells before nearly collapses. "We will fight! With the last Asgardian breathe! With the last drop of Asgardian blood!" The king yells after receiving from his short episode. "And how are you any different from Malakith?" Thor ask softly allowing his anger to subside after witnessing his father's near heart-attack. Odin lets out a sinister laugh. "The difference, my son is that I will win."
Knowing their conversation has ended, Astrid quickly sneaks off.