Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Marvel. I do not own any part of Marvel just a fan of the universe and this story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line.
Chapter 6:
Snapping awake Orla blinked hard a few times as she lay in a cocoon of warmth. Her back was covered by the heavy comforter on the bed and it took her brain a moment to remember how she had gotten there. The memory of last night was covered in a light haze as she fought to wake up and the first memory was of the shower last night. She definitely remembered it as a deep blush lit up her face as she vividly remembered herself sitting on Thor's lap with the warm water failing over them, her legs pressed into his sides as she clung to his shoulders.
A sore tingle snapped Orla out of her thoughts and she tested her muscles by contracting them. The sore tingle sharpened in between her thighs and she winced before moving to stretch but stopped as she found herself draped across Thor's chest. His arm was hooked around her waist as she lay mostly on top of him. Orla wiggled her hips minorly and her blush deeped again as she realized their naked closeness.
Glancing at Thor she found he was still asleep before her eyes roamed around the room as the cold bit into her bare uncovered shoulder. The fire was dead in the fireplace and Orla debated for a tiny second to get out of bed and start a fresh one but the cold caused a shiver to run down her body she decided against it and pulled the comforter over her shoulder and over Thor's bare shoulder as well. Her eyes travelled over his trapezius of his shoulder up to his neck then to his chin. His beard was a light brown and Orla suddenly realized that her fingers were slowly petting the scruff on his face. Orla lay on Thor and just looked at him, burning the look of his sleeping peaceful face into her memory as a blush heated her cheeks. Her blush disappeared when her eyes were drawn to the scar starting on his forehead skipping past his eye and ending on his cheek right above his beard. She had noticed it before but didn't ask anything about it as she could feel and sense a part of his history that was difficult for him.
Orla's fingers left his beard and travelled the length of the scar as her mind turned to his words last night, 'It's part of you now, it adds character...I'll always be here and never let it happen again.' Orla had disappeared into the memory and as she listened to Thor's promise in her memories it started to replay the events after that. The memories of his hands moving around her body, the gentleness of his hands as he held her, and his touches where no touches had been before.
The blush was growing on Orla's face which was the first thing Thor saw when he woke to Orla's fingers against his scar. He took a moment to just enjoy the feel of her fingers absentmindedly stroking his face and his joy grew as he felt her weight on top of him. Her leg was still hooked around his hip though her hips had slipped off of him sometime while they slept. Most of her torso was angled on top of his and the arm that was stroking his face had been holding onto him all night long.
Thor opened his eyes and watched Orla's face as her blush started to spread to her ears. He wondered idly if she was remembering the shower event or drying off or again in the bed. Thor's body began to respond to his memories of the night before and grew in desire as he remembered with a minor shock his discovery of Orla's inexperience. He knew that she was shy from the first moment he stepped into the bathroom with her but he didn't know the whole story. Instead of caving into his lust for her he had taken his time lavishing her body which in hindsight was good he had held back. She was 26 for Odin's sake and as far as Thor could assume till last night she had never been in any type of sexual relationship. He thought back onto her file and could not come up with one mention of any sort of relationship outside of her family. Judging from her files from SHIELD and her body responses to him last night Thor deduced that he was the only one. It made him wonder about her more but that was pushed aside with giddiness of him being the only one, something that he would keep that way.
Thor's body was hot with desire again and he knew that he was going to take time exploring her body more than he did last night. His desires and feelings flowed into Orla via the direct skin to skin contact and she was startled as Thor rolled her over onto her back the same instant she received his feelings. Thor covered her with his body and kissed her surprised lips as she responded to his wake up kiss with great potential to follow.
Thor jumped awake suddenly, his arm flew out to touch Orla in bed but his hand only found an empty spot where she should have been. Sitting up and throwing off the covers in an instant Thor was ready for anything but stopped when a lilting "Siúil, siúil, siúil a rún," floated down the hallway from the other end of the house. "Iss go dté tú mo mhúirnin slán," Thor listened as he calmed his quick breaths down. He continued to listen to Orla sing from what he assumed was the kitchen as he dressed for the day. He was surprised by the time on the clock on the wall, it was already past one in the afternoon.
His body could tell the passage of time through the lack of food and expenditure of calories as he walked down the hallway smelling of savory bacon and other delicious smells and it fueled his hunger. He found Orla at the stove with a plate full of crisp bacon waiting while she simultaneously stirred the oatmeal simmering in a large pot, scrambled eggs, and cooked more bacon. Toast popped out of the toaster with a zing and Orla glanced at it before she pulled out the bacon to add it to the cooked bacon pile. Thor watched her as she moved with ease around the stove and managed three or four different tasks with familiarity. She took a sip of oatmeal from her tasting spoon before turning to the mess of ingredients spread across the counter tops to grab the cinnamon and sprinkle a pinch into the pot.
Thor stepped up behind her, his arms sliding around her waist as he tilted his head down to kiss the top of her ruffled bed head hair, "Good morning."
Orla jumped slightly at Thor's quiet approach behind her, how did such a big man move so quietly? "Morning er afternoon I guess," Orla chuckled slightly as she looked upward at Thor after he kissed the top of her head and realized that her head came to rest at the top of his shoulders. The height difference between the two was a foot; with him being 6'4 and she being 5' 4'.
Thor's chuckle rumbled in his chest directly behind her, "Yeah we slept late."
"But we were also up late…" Orla's face brightened in a flash of red as she scrapped the scrambled eggs across the cast iron frying pan.
Thor leaned down and to the side to press a smiling kiss to her cheek along with a tender beard rub, "Worth it."
Orla giggled at the tickle as Thor kissed her cheek before pulling away and stepping back from her. She cleared her throat lightly as desire shot up her torso in a lightning fast zing from his kiss and beard rub. "Food is almost done, can you get some plates?"
Thor was already pulling the earthenware plates from the cupboard and Orla smiled back at him as he began to transfer the dishes to the table. It only took him three strides to reach the table and he set the table in the exact same manner that they had sat in the day before.
Orla flipped off two of the three stovetop burners before she dumped the scrambled eggs onto their awaiting plate and pulled the last two pieces of bacon out of their pan. Thor was behind her once again with hands ready to take the egg and bacon plates from her and she turned back to the oatmeal to stir it once more and lower the heat to a simmer before joining Thor at the table.
"Think we can get through all of this?" Orla's eyes twinkled as Thor began to pile his plate full of toast, eggs, and bacon. On a normal day Orla could finish off this large breakfast with half left over for leftovers later on. She liked food and it was expounded on because of how much her healing powers pulled from her body.
"I think we'll manage to get through this breakfast feast you've cooked up." Thor said a moment before biting down a piece of crispy bacon and his face melting from tasty food joy. He focused on the food as Orla did the same as their hunger took over.
After getting enough food in her to calm her growling tummy Orla spoke up, "I fed the animals already and gathered eggs as you can see from the plate there." Orla mentioned toward the almost empty plate of scrambled eggs with a twinkle in her eye. "No chickens were harmed nor any pecks given during egg collection."
Thor groaned as he buttered two pieces of toast, "Those chickens just don't like me I guess."
Orla smiled, "It will take some time to adjust to being a farmer and they'll get to know you." Something about the way Orla said it Thor could sense a question and after a pause she asked, "Thor? Why did you decide to do this?"
"This as in…?"
"As in the whole farm thing?" Orla clarified as she watched him carefully.
Thor didn't answer right away maybe because he didn't really have an answer. When he decided to take Orla away and had started planning he remembered where his father had passed away and looked into it knowing Loki had imprisoned him here on earth for quite some time. Thor had found Odin's little farm and house and when he talked to the neighbors they happily gave him his father's property, something about it now gave them the willies and Thor knew it was because of the lingering emotions from Odin's passing and Hela's return. But Odin had found the place where no one could find him and Thor knew it was an ideal spot to hide Orla away from the world. He hadn't taken into consideration her feelings on the matter of starting a new life hidden away on a farm, he only wanted to give her a place where she could be safe. Thor also had been lost and unknowingly looking for something and the pieces just fell into place once he took Orla.
Orla sensed Thor's inner emotions turning as he completed an answer for her and she felt a little guilt creep into her as she watched him shuffle the remaining eggs around on his plate.
"I needed to keep you safe." Thor's answer came suddenly as he looked at her. A powerful wave of protection eliminated off of Thor as he stared her down. "I brought you here to keep you safe. If you don't want to stay…" He couldn't finish his sentence, the thought of her leaving was like an axe in his stomach.
"No Thor," Orla's voice was soft as she reached across the table to clasp his hand, "I understand." Her thumb rubbed across his knuckles as she released a deep breath. "I've always liked farms, there is a measure of peace working the land and raising animals. Maybe I'm more like my grandparents than I previously thought." Orla chuckled at the thought of it, her mother was always out and about busy furthering her career. Orla took more after her grandparents, enjoying a slower and simpler paced lifestyle.
Thor watched her and could tell she was happy here or at least beginning to be happy here, she was comfortable here and that was all Thor needed to know. His fingers woven in with Orla's as he looked at her thoughtfully.
Orla immediately sensed the change in atmosphere and looked at Thor as he held her hand gently. This was different from a moment ago but Orla couldn't determine what had changed.
"Orla…"
A high pitched squeal broke Thor's sentence and atmosphere the two were enveloped in. Orla and Thor looked down the hallway to the bedroom where the sound was originating from and as confusion covered her face Thor released her hand. He stood quickly and rushed down the hall toward the sound leaving Orla sitting at the table perplexed. The sound cut off suddenly and Orla strained her ears to hear Thor speaking in low tones.
Standing silently and beginning to walk down the hall Orla's stomach filled with anticipation with each step closer to the open bedroom door. She stood silently in the door frame as Thor stood leaned over the fireplace and a flip phone pressed to his ear.
"I understand. I'll be there shortly." Thor snapped the phone shut and turned to find Orla silently standing in the door frame. His heart dropped with the thought of what he had to do and the sight of her confused and worried face. "Orla…" He was in front of her and taking her by the arms in an instant, "I have to go." His heart ached in his chest painfully as he saw Orla's countenance be crushed by his words. Words rushed out of his mouth as he tried to explain everything about the farm and neighbors helping as Orla's head dropped lower.
Orla fought back the suffocating fear and locked it away deep within her as she looked up into the worried face of Thor. She reached up and placed a finger on his lips, "Shh it's okay I understand, you have a job to do. Don't worry about me now hurry you've got to get ready." Orla forced a sense of calm into Thor as he held her arms.
Thor nodded, released Orla, stepped back, and turned to the walk in closet on the back wall. He disappeared into the closet as Orla fought to control her emotions, she couldn't let him see her fear and uncertainty and cause him to worry about her. It would distract him from his mission and he had to go and save lives. She pushed it down deeper and a second later Thor emerged from the closet dressed in his black armor and signature red cape. In his hand was a large hammer axe with a strange wooden handle.
Orla's attention was pulled away as Thor handed Orla a thick envelope. "Here is money for anything you'll need and papers concerning property if you need them."
Orla nodded mutely and a strange silence descended upon the two, she pocketed the envelope, and Thor moved towards the bedroom door. The silence stretched out upon the two as she followed him through the house and outside.
Orla stood silent by, proud of him but also sad and anxious to see him go. She was filled with uncertainty but had to force a calm control over herself to not cause him worry.
Thor looked up at the cloudy sky and his grip tightened on Stormbreaker. His gut was on the ground and he was torn in two between staying with Orla and having a job to do. Looking over at Orla he found her standing on the porch silently, her posture rigid and clasped hand in front of her body. Turning towards her it only took him two large steps to reach her before he swept her against his chest in a crushing hug. Only one of his arms held her to him as he kissed her hard in a smothering kiss.
"I will try not to be gone too long but I don't know how long it'll take," Thor placed his forehead against Orla's.
Orla looked into Thor's eyes not far from her own, "If you or anyone get injured I'll come."
"No." Thor's answer was quick.
Orla faltered a moment as her hands travelled to Thor's shoulders and one hand ran up his neck into his hair. "Um...okay I'll be here then...waiting for you." Orla forced her anxiety down and kissed Thor one last time before they broke apart.
Thor walked back to his original spot in the driveway and without a moment's hesitation swung Stormbreaker in a circle with his hand. Thor shot up from the ground and disappeared into the cloudy sky.
Orla remained standing looking up into the grey sky for a long while after Thor had flew off into the cloudy cover. A sigh escaped her lips and she fought to control the rise of panic that hit her suddenly. Resigning herself and steeling her spine she turned and went back into the house.
Orla immediately went to work packing the leftovers in containers and cleaning the kitchen. She was surprised by the amount of cookbooks she found when going through some of the drawers in the kitchen. The thought hit her with an audible gasp, this was Odin's home before he passed away. That was something Thor had been very hesitant to discuss with her and Orla knew that he was probably still dealing with it in his own way. Orla pushed past thoughts of her own grandparents home after their death and she focused on cleaning. Organizing the kitchen how she wanted it set up along with a thorough cleaning before she finished and moved onto to the dining room and living room. Everything was pretty much good but she completed a thorough dusting, sweeping, and mopping. Orla paused when she came to the bookcase to peruse through the small bookcase in the living room and admired the way the light flowed through the room. After that she cleaned the guest bathroom and moved onto the two other bedrooms, sweeping and mopping them as well before cleaning the master bed and bath room.
Orla didn't know what she was expecting when she climbed the stairs attached to the brick wall of the living room fireplace to the attic but she knew from the outward view of the house it was a single floor plan not a two story home. The attic was a ½ attic with vaulted ceilings to allow movement. Orla was blown away by the viewing window on the ceiling and the totally open space besides the brick wall. Another fireplace was on the opposite side of the brick wall and it would heat the upstairs area well. Orla swept and mopped the open floor space and by the time she was done she realized that dusk was upon the earth. The last thing she did for the day was to feed the animals and mess up milking the cow. With plans to reteach herself how to milk Orla took a quick shower before turning in for the night.
She had worked herself hard all day long as to not think about Thor's departure but as she sank into the bed that night his scent filled her nose and memories exploded in her brain along with a torrent of emotions she had kept bottled up the whole day. Curling into a tight ball Orla hummed the tune of Siúil A Rún and thought about the story behind the lyrics. A woman lamenting her lover who has left on a military campaign and Orla found irony in the symbolism of the song and her present situation.
The next morning Orla was coming out of the barn when she was startled by someone coming down the gravel pathway. Orla's first instinct was to hide to protect herself and for a moment Orla feared for her safety but Thor had made sure that she would be safe there, even if he wasn't there.
Irene raised her arm in greeting and called out to Orla, "Good morning! I brought your shirt and jacket from the other night."
Orla calmed her rapidly beating heart once she recognized Irene and jogged to meet her, "Good morning, thank you."
"It's no problem, I also brought you a book on animal care." Irene surveyed around them and a shiver ran through her when her eyes turned southward towards the sea. There was something about the small canyon leading to the ocean that gave her the creeps.
Orla's eyes followed Irene's to the small canyon a good distance away from the house and felt Irene's discomfort at the place. "Please come inside, I'll put on some tea." Orla said to put her ease before the two women headed inside, Irene's anxiousness disappearing once she entered the tranquil and very clean home.
Irene's eyes travelled along the wood in the home as Orla quickly poured water into the metal kettle and flipped the burner to the stove on. "Is Thor still out in the barn?"
Orla's face dropped at hearing Thor's name and she cleared her throat lightly, "Actually Thor had to leave for work."
"He's gone?" Irene couldn't hide her shock. "What… I mean where er when?" Irene stumbled over her words.
Orla was pulling two cups from the cupboard so she was able to hide her turmoil ridden face. "He left yesterday."
"I thought he was settling down nicely…" Irene mumbled.
"It can't be helped," Orla slid the cup in front of Irene. "He'll be back when his work is done."
Irene studied Orla as she sensed more in her voice. "When will that be?"
Orla's voice was quiet and soft in her reply, "I don't know."
Irene didn't know what to say and they were both saved when the kettle whistled steam at them. Orla hurried to get the water and soon the two women were busy sipping tea and their chat turned to the farm. Irene was worried that Orla was in charge of the farm by herself with fall in full swing and preparations were happening daily. After they were done with their tea Irene spent the rest of the day with Orla showing her the ropes with the animals and winter preparations so at the very least Orla would be more familiar with taking care of the animals. With promising to visit again soon Irene and Orla parted ways for the night leaving Orla with a quiet and lonely house.
The days passed in mostly the same way as Orla developed a pattern of waking in the morning to immediately feed the animals and milk the cow before making breakfast. After breakfast she would spend a good three hours chopping wood and stacking it before tending to the garden behind the house to prep it for upcoming winter and the further away spring. Lunch was followed by brushing all the animals and petting chickens along with mucking stalls and cleaning barn tools. Nights were spent curled up with a book about gardening or animal care after a light dinner and shower before Orla would fall asleep with pillows curled around her while she thought of Thor and tried her best not to miss him.
Irene made sure to visit Orla twice a week along with Orla spending one night a week at dinner with the family. Those visits were always filled with new things for Orla to learn and she realized after the first visit that she was not prepared to run a farm all by herself. She was always learning new things and had a list longer than a kids Christmas list of things to learn and apply at the farm.
Two weeks had passed in a blur before Orla had even realized it one morning as she brushed Marshell's coat. It was a surprisingly warm day and Orla was tired of doing the same thing as nature outside called to her. Wanting to enjoy the sunshine while it was here Orla haltered Marshell and led him outside for a walk. The two wandered around until Orla found a surprisingly well trod path and decided to follow it. Before Orla knew it she ended up at the base of a very steep hill covered in nothing but grass. The grass had turned golden with the autumn season not long ago but Orla barely saw it as the halter rope slipped from her limp hand. An unnatural shiver had raced up her spine as she was memorized by the field of grass waving in the slight breeze.
Before she even knew it Orla was climbing the steep hill as Marshell shied away from her and stayed at the bottom but she didn't notice as she was drawn unknowingly up the hill. The small path led up the steep hill and opened up into a wide flat field. Once arriving at the top another shiver shot through Orla's body as she stared and moved forward toward the one of the rocks in the field. She stopped when she arrived next to the rock and there a few feet away was the cliff's edge. Orla looked down at the rock perplexed by it before she found herself sitting down upon it to stare out at the sea. Orla was only there a few breaths when a lightning bolt of emotion struck her causing her to slide off of the rock and onto the grass as she was dragged into the emotion laden memories that this place held.
Odin's peace and worry before his passing, Thor' grief and anger at Odin's death and then his and Loki's fear at the arrival of their sister Hela, Thor's disbelief and fear at Mjolnir's destruction at the hands of Hela, Loki's panicked call to Heimdall for the Bifrost bridge and ensuing fight within the Bifrost before Thor returned to this place when Thor lost his eye. Thor's loathing and regret at himself for failing his people and finalization of having to start Ragnarok and ensuring the destruction of his home world Asgard.
Orla lay frozen on the grass, tears spilling from her eyes as time passed as she was lost in the memories and emotions of this place.
Thousands of miles away Thor was in a meeting when he suddenly got hit with a lightning bolt of fear. Shock shook his body and Steve glanced his way but Thor managed to hide the unknown fear from his face as unease coursed throughout his veins for no apparent reason. The meeting drug by after that as Thor fought to control the fear and unease running rampant in his veins. There was no cause for the emotions but Thor's brain instantly connected it to Orla back in Norway. As soon as the meeting was adjourned Thor made a speedy exit to find a quiet place to make a phone call to the neighbors since there was no other way to contact her.
Thor was able to force the calm in his voice when Grandma Heidi answered and Thor could ask about Orla. Irene had the best information so Heidi turned the phone over to her so she could speak with Thor.
"Orla comes over for dinner once a week and I visit her twice a week. She is handling the farm as best she can by herself and she is going fine."
Thor had to bite back his worried grumble sigh, "Okay but can you please go up and check on her." After another moment he added, "I just have a bad feeling that something happened."
Irene tried not to let her perplexed emotions show on the phone as Thor's worry was evident. "Anything can happen to someone on a farm and she is up there by herself so I will go and check on her." Irene hoped this would placate Thor and he would calm down but now that he mentioned it Irene did start to think of all the things that could happen to someone working on a farm and with farm animals.
"Alright thank you," with a minor sense of relief at Irene's promise to go and check on Orla Thor ended his phone call. But the knot in his stomach still remained and worried flushed through his system as he knew in his gut that something was wrong with Orla. Closing his eyes and breathing deep Thor focused his thoughts on Orla. For a moment Thor imagined his emotions stretching across oceans to Orla in Norway but felt silly at the notion. With his eyes still closed Thor focused on his breathing to calm the raging emotions that were not his own. He could only presume that it was Orla since she could sense and project emotions but he doubted that her ability could reach thousands of miles but if it could then wow, she was getting stronger. Even with the fear, worry, and loneliness emotion storm raging inside of him he had to trust that Orla was safe and healthy while he worked.
As important his job was he wished that he could go home and be with Orla. Taking deep breaths Thor send out a silent plea to Orla. "I am working hard to be home with you soon and I can't do that if you are not focused. I need to know that you are safe." Thor realized his voice had deepened more towards a commanding tone and he softened it to continue. "You are stronger than you know. Please…" A few more deep breaths took place as Thor battled his emotions rising to the surface, neediness to know if she was alright and the wanting to return to her side. Another emotion rose in Thor and it burned in the back of his throat as he tried to choke it down and deny it but he knew as soon as he had left Orla on the farm. "Orla...you are my home."
Back in Norway rain had begun to fall sending the temperature plummeting to freezing as the sun disappeared behind the rolling black thunderstorms. Dusk had fallen but was not seen behind the storm rolling over the countryside. Orla was not aware of the time and temperature changes as she had been pulled into Hela's darkness as it was trying to take over everything that this place was.
"You are stronger than you know." Odin doubled back on his words, being the same ones he said to Thor when he had fought Hela and lost his eye.
Orla's confusion was felt by Odin as he watched over her curled up form in the freezing rain. A light shine emitted from his body as he stood beside her. "I will always be here," he explained to ease Orla's confusion at what she was assuming was his ghost. "At least in spirit, I will be here as long as I am needed." Odin's head lifted and looked out across the ocean as he heard Thor's pleading to Orla. He listened to Thor's voice beckoning Orla to be safe before turning his head back down to look at the woman lying on the grass.
"Asgard was destroyed and Thor has lost his home and his way." Odin squatted down to be closer to Orla as she battled Hela's darkness and other lingering emotions from Odin's passing and Thor's helplessness. "Your father came from Asgard Orla. The home you never knew about was destroyed and you have lost both of your homes as well." Odin paused as he let Thor's words of Orla being his home flow into Orla's consciousness. "I want to see my son find his home and be happy and he has now found it within you."
Orla's consciousness immediately registered the implications of Odin's words and suddenly her childhood made sense. A piece that had always been missing in Orla's life was suddenly slammed into place at Odin's words and it left Orla baffled by the revelation.
Odin didn't give Orla any time to work through her parentage as he could see Hela's darkness would find a way to crawl into Orla's mind at the lapse in her concentrated focus. Placing one hand on her forehead Odin pushed Orla out of the memory hold, effecting releasing her from the emotion bond that had locked her in place.
"Go. You are Thor's home now." Odin admonished to Orla as she blinked at him, clarity building in her eyes as her mind was freed from the Odinson's families troubled emotions. "Go and wait for him."
Author's Notes: Siúil, siúil, siúil a rún is Gaelic and translates to Come, come, come O love and Iss go dté tú mo mhúirnin slán to And may you go safely my darling. It is from the chorus of Siúil A Rún a traditional Irish song, if you want to know more or hear it Google and YouTube yo.
Activations….really hard to describe and everyone reacts differently to them as they are extremely personal. In fact Thor leaving was written two days after my SO had a short notice activation order and left so...yeah this is how I deal with it ie Orla's cleaning.
The hill that Orla visited is the same hill that is seen in Thor Ragnarok, even though the movie used a field in Georgia and cliffs from Norway's Lofoten Islands along with CGI I created it. Oh and Orla and Thor's home is in Norway's Lofoten Islands.
So I wasn't able to finish this story in time for November but hey I am still working on it. So close to an end, so please hang in there a little while longer. Thank you for reading and please review if you like this story!