Chapter Twenty-one: All in the Family

Emma wasn't sure what was more shocking. The fact that Thor was her grandfather or that she had something inside of her that predated the universe and that evil elves were after it to use as weapon. Malekith sought to use it to return them to darkness or so Odin had told them. His father had put a stop to it thousands of years ago. Okay, so maybe the last part was extremely terrifying. Odin was adamant that the dark elves were dead but for some reason Emma had a feeling that they weren't. Odin hadn't known how to get it out of her so how could he be so sure that the elves were dead?

Emma had been upset after the bomb that had been dropped on them. The god of thunder had been kind enough to show her the library and he laughed at the look on her face when she laid eyes on it. Emma had been sure that she probably looked like an idiot with her mouth hanging open and her eyes looking on in wonder. It was the biggest library she had ever seen and it was more than likely bigger than any library on Earth. Emma sought comfort in the books she could read while Thor went off with Jane, they both needed time to themselves. She was found by Frigga with her nose deep in a book.

"Pardon me, I came looking for my great granddaughter but it seems to me that she's been buried in a book," Frigga spoke, startling Emma.

"I'm sorry," was Emma's immediate response and she wasn't sure why it was.

"No, my dear, you may read anything you like in here," Frigga said.

"Thank you, your majesty," Emma said and resisted the urge to curtsy again.

"That is unnecessary, you may call me Frigga or grandmother. In fact, I think I would prefer it if you would call me grandmother," she said brightly. "Only if you wish to, of course."

"You seem to be more understanding than the Allfather that you have a great granddaughter," Emma said softly.

"When I was told I wasn't at all surprised knowing my son," Frigga said fondly. "I was never fortunate enough to have a daughter of my own but now that you are here, all I see is a blessing before me."

Emma was touched by her words and gestured for Frigga to sit down beside her. They talked for a while about Asgard and what Thor was like growing up. She had even mentioned Loki and his love of books but Emma could tell that it was difficult for her to talk about. She couldn't imagine what Frigga was going through after everything her son has done and still loving him as she so clearly did.

"You probably do not care to hear about Loki especially after what he did on Midgard," Frigga said.

"He is still your son despite the lies he tells himself or you," Emma told her.

"What makes you so sure about that?" Frigga asked.

"He calls himself the God of Mischief and Lies. Anyone who calls himself that must lie to himself more than anyone else," Emma replied.

"You're a very wise young lady," Frigga said warmly. "And I am very proud to call you my granddaughter. There is something that I wish to give you."

Frigga pulled a beautiful necklace out of the folds of her dress. Emma had never seen anything quite like it and normally she wasn't a jewelry person but for that necklace she could be. It was a simple dark purple gem, encased in gold on a simple matching gold chain. In the center of the gem pulsed a tiny golden light.

"This was something that I was going to give my daughter that I was unable to have so I think this rightly belongs to you," Frigga said. "I made it myself so I hope that you can accept this gift."

"Thank you, Grandmother," Emma said gratefully and allowed Frigga to place the necklace around her neck.

Emma smiled at the necklace. It paired well with the dark purple gown that had been given to her. She loved it.

"It is imbued with some of my magic so it will protect you as well," Frigga told her and pulled her into a warm embrace.

Frigga had decided that Thor had enough time to spend with Jane and they both set off to find them. They discovered them talking closely on a balcony, over looking Asgard.

"My father doesn't know everything," they overheard Thor telling Jane.

"Don't let him hear you say that," Frigga said in amusement.

"Hello, Grandfather," Emma chirped happily causing Thor to choke on his saliva and Frigga to chuckle.

"Jane Foster, please meet Frigga, the Queen of Asgard, and my mother," Thor introduced. "I see that you have already been acquainted, little one."

"She likes me and I like her," Emma said cheerfully.

"I knee that you two would get along," Thor said with a soft smile.

It had been a lovely moment but was quickly ruined by the sound alarms going off.

"The prisons. Loki," Frigga and Thor said in unison.

"Go, I will take them," Frigga told her son.

Everything seemed to happen so fast. One minute they were talking and laughing, the next they were under attack by unknown forces. Emma knew it wasn't a coincidence, they were here for what was inside of her. She knew that they would do whatever it took to get it from her. She mentally began to prepare herself for what was about to happen and she started by trying to calm her racing heart. Within the palace they ran into Odin who told Frigga to take them to her chambers where he would meet up with them. For a moment Emma could have sworn that she had seen a touch of concern for her in his eye but it was gone as soon as she saw it. She looked away when her great grandparents shared a somewhat intimate moment. It was clear that they loved each other. Emma couldn't help but smile.

It hadn't been long after they arrived in Frigga's chambers that Malekith soon found them. Frigga placed herself before Jane and Emma, gripping her sword tight in her hand. Emma pulled Jane into the background as Frigga placed an illusion on them. She had begged Frigga to let her fight but she was told that would mean giving the Aether up to the elf. Emma knew that Frigga was right and was helpless to watch as Frigga was stabbed through the back. Emma couldn't stop the dark elves from killing the woman she called grandmother. It was more devastating when Thor came in, yelling and throwing his hammer in attempt to stop them but it was too late. Odin stumbled in after him. Emma and Jane came from behind their hiding place to look at the grief stricken scene before them. With tears in her eyes, she clutched the necklace that Frigga had given her. There was a part of her that couldn't help but feel as though this was her fault. If she hadn't found the Aether with Jane then none of this would have happened. Emma swallowed her tears, this wasn't about her right now.

"All I see is a blessing before me."