Hey everyone, Its 2am and I just finished this chapter. I'm in the middle of an existential crisis and to avoid dealing with it I decided to write and I ended up with this. It's over 5,000 words. One of the longest chapters I've written. I'm fairly sure I'm going to cry while writing the next chapter. Actually I've teared up writing the last two as well so I'm guessing I'm going to cry myself to sleep writing the next one. This is just my warning, tears ahead. Enjoy.
When the light finally died down I was back in a library in Asgard. I figured out it was Asgard when I saw the towering bookcases filled with books written in languages I'd never seen before. This is weird normally when I come to Asgard I always appear at the Aesir where Heimdall apparently always knows when I'm going to show up. I decided to walk around to see if I could find someone. I was walking and didn't watch where I was going when I tripped. I looked over at what I had tripped over and was surprised when I saw a hammer.
"What the hell?" I stood up and went to go pick it up. I was surprised at how much lighter it was than it looked. I held the hammer and walked over to where I remember Frigga giving Loki and I a lesson last time I was here. To my surprise she was sitting in one of the armchairs in front to her two sons who stood before.
"How could you lose Mjolnir in the library you giant oaf?" Loki chastised his brother.
"I did not lose Mjolnir, I misplaced it. I tried calling it but it wouldn't come to me mother." Thor said glumly.
Frigga simply smiled as she saw me walk closer. "You shouldn't leave your toys lying around, wouldn't want someone to trip on them." I said lifting up the hammer by its strap. Thor and Loki just stared at me shocked. Thor kept opening and closing his mouth completely speechless.
"Mother, how is this possible?" Loki finally asked.
"How what is possible?" I said confused.
"Y-You lifted Mjolnir." Thor finally said.
"Yeah I picked it up after someone left it lying around and I tripped." I said putting the hammer down on one of the tables.
"The hammer must have deemed Lady Nora worthy." Frigga said not at all surprised.
"Worthy?" I said getting even more confused.
"Not everyone can lift Mjolnir. Including you there are only three people alive who can lift it. You're the only one of the three that isn't Asgardian." Frigga said.
"Oh. Sorry?" I said tucking a strand of my hair behind of my ear as a nervous habit.
"Don't apologize, you just caught us by surprise is all." She said giving me a smile trying to ease my worries.
"You must train with us. If you are worthy of Mjolnir then you must be a mighty warrior." Thor said about to slap his hand on my back in a friendly gesture but a force field formed before he made contact. There was a loud boom when his hand met the force field. That's weird I didn't make that happen and by the looks of everyone around the room they didn't either.
"Thor you mewling quim, she's mortal." Loki said hissing that last part. Still as pretentious as last time I see.
"Oh, forgive me milady, I meant no harm." Thor apologized.
"It's fine, sorry about your hand, I'm sure that probably hurt." I said.
"This is nothing, I have had more grave injuries from battle." He said giving me a wide flirty smile. And he still had a huge ego.
"Nevertheless you should go have a healer take a look at that. Loki go make sure he actually goes." Frigga told them.
Loki was about to argue but Frigga interrupted, "Lady Nora and I have a few matters to discuss"
"Yes mother," Loki said before walking out of the room.
"Sorry I interrupted whatever you three were doing. It's the first time I appear in somewhere that isn't the Aesir in Asgard"
"It's nothing to worry, we've actually been expecting you for quite some time." She said gesturing for me to take a seat.
"You have?"
"I'm sure you must've noticed you don't always appear in an exact order. You will appear here in the future before you arrive." She said.
"Oh, Wren, A friend of mine I meet sometime in the future mentioned it before, my timeline is becoming more and more tangled." I said.
"It has, but there is probably a reason for that."
"Bigger picture." I said repeating the stone's words to me.
"Yes, there is a grander scheme of things. That doesn't mean that the smaller details aren't important." She said.
"The devil's in the details." I say.
"You seem troubled." She says.
"Um, Sorry, it's just been a rough few days." I said rubbing my left wrist where Bucky's soul mark was.
"Death is a part of life."
"Doesn't make it any easier to accept" I answer.
"That isn't all that's bothering you." She says. I really can't lie to her. It reminds me of when I was a kid and I missed Dad. Nana would ask me what was wrong and I would tell her I was fine but she always knew what was wrong without me telling her.
"I knew he was going to die before I even met him but I tried to save him and I failed. The stone said there was no way to stop it because time wants to happen. Bucky's gone and if I couldn't save him then that means that tomorrow Steve is going to crash a plane into the Atlantic and die. I don't want that to happen but there's nothing I can do. If I can't stop it then I don't want to be there for it. I asked the stone to send me back but it said that I still had a role to play and until I did it wouldn't send me back. I don't think I can live through losing him." I said crying.
Frigga stood up from her seat and moved to sit on the armrest of the chair I was sitting on. She put her arms around me and hugged me, trying to console me.
"The time stone is a fickle thing but everything it does makes sense in the grand scheme of things. It won't be easy but you have to go on. It may not seem like it now, but you'll never be truly alone. For now there is not much that can be done, take advantage of the time you have left to say goodbye and put any grievances between you and your soul mate to rest. You don't want the last memory you have of him to be an unhappy one." She said wiping away my tears.
I don't know why but everything she said made me feel a bit more at peace. The pain was still there but at least now everything was clearer. I knew what I had to do.
"Thank you." I said.
"There is no need to thank me child." She said with a soft smile. "Now come, I have a feeling Thor and Loki are in need of lecturing." I looked at her confused.
We walked out of the library and went down a corridor. We turned and there they were fighting again.
She turned to look at me, "A mother's instinct is never wrong." She said before and illusion she made appeared in between both of them stopping their argument. "Thor Loki, that is enough" She said raising her voice. Wow teenagers behave the same no matter what realm they're from.
"He started it!" they both said at the same time.
"And I'm ending it. Is that really anyway to treat your brother. And in front of a guest no less." She chastised.
"Forgive us mother." The both said at the same time. This definitely wasn't the first time this happen.
"Don't let it happen again." She said. "Now I have to speak with your father. You two will keep Lady Nora company."
Loki scoffed and Thor turned to give me a smile.
"Yes mother." Thor said happily.
"Yes mother." Loki muttered.
"Come Lady Nora, I shall show you the power of Mjolnir." He said boastfully.
I turned to look at Frigga who just nodded before turning around and walking away.
"Let's go, don't want to keep that giant oaf waiting." Loki said angrily.
"I get that you don't like your brother for whatever reason but you shouldn't be so rude." I said getting annoyed at his pretentious attitude.
"Why do you care?" He said.
"I'm trying to give you some advice as a friend. You're brother's been nothing but nice to you, you're the one pushing him away. Cut him a break. I know he can be a bit much but have you ever thought that maybe he's just trying to impress you so that you'll stop scolding him so much?" I said.
"Thor impress me? That daft idiot couldn't even remember where he put down Mjolnir in the library." He scoffed.
"Appearances can be deceiving, you never know, one day he might just prove you wrong." I said following Thor's cheerful yet extremely loud voice.
"I highly doubt that." Loki muttered.
I followed Thor to the courtyard where Heimdall and I were almost hit by the collapsing roof last time. They had repaired it from the last time I was here.
There were racks of spears and swords and other weapons set up along with targets a few feet away. Thor was spinning the hammer around by the strap. I heard the crackling of lightning and saw it shoot out towards the targets. They where all blown to bits.
"Wow, way to go Pikachu." I say.
Thor raised an eyebrow and looked confused. "Very impressive" I said giving him a thumbs up.
"It was nothing would you like to try milady." He said.
"Uh, two things, one none of that milady nonsense, just Nora is fine. And thanks for the offer but I have a hard enough controlling my abilities as is, I'd rather not add lightning to the mix. Although, I did see some throwing knives over there I'm dying to try." I said.
"Please go on. You are an honored guest of Asgard, you are more than welcome to use any weapons here." He said.
"Well don't mind if I do." I said walking over to the rack and grabbed a knife. I looked at them and I had to say whoever made them did a really good job. The blades were really well balanced and sharpened extremely well.
"Now you need to hold the blade by the…" Thor started to explain but I had already thrown it and it landed exactly at the center of the target.
"Never mind." He said and went back to his targets.
I threw knives for a while.
"You have an affinity for knife throwing." I heard Loki say.
"It's my first time doing it. It's kind of relaxing." I answer throwing another knife.
"Why don't you try hitting a moving target?" He said and before I knew it there were some sort of illusion of green birds flying around. I raised my hand raking aim but Loki grabbed my arm and took the knife out of my hand. "I suggest you try using these. They're better suited for moving targets. Just some friendly advice." He said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at his taunt but took the boomerang knife he offered me anyways.
I watched the green illusions Loki made fly around the garden and I noticed a pattern. I raised my arm and waited for a minute before finally throwing it. The knife flew through the air hitting two of the illusions before barely grazing a third. It was all good until the knife started flying back. I was getting ready to catch it except it wasn't heading towards me it was heading towards Thor who was a bit distracted swinging a sword around.
"Thor!" I yelled out. The knife was too quick so instead a projected a force field around him. The knife was deflected and flew into one of the pillars. The force it hit the pillar with was enough to make it crumble and make the roof collapse.
Thor and Loki were shocked. They both turned to look at me. "Oops" I said cringing a bit.
Thor just busted out laughing.
"I am so sorry. I didn't know that was going to happen." I apologized.
"That was incredible." Thor said incredible loud.
"A shield that can not only deflect but also amplify the force of the initial attack. Impressive" Loki said with a weird gleam in his eye.
"Impressive indeed." A voice called out from the corridor leading. Stepping around the collapsed roof, A man dressed in golden armor holding a tall staff stepped closer. He has a golden eye patch covering one of his eyes.
"Father" Thor greeted him. Then that would make him…
"Odin." I whisper.
Loki elbowed me getting my attention. "Bow." He muttered as he kneeled.
I bowed my head and curtsied awkwardly.
"Rise" he said. "I thought it was time we finally met." He said looking at me.
"Nora Stark, nice to meet you." I said sticking my hand out for a handshake. Odin looked at my hand then at me before he turned around leaving me hanging. "Follow me." He said gruffly.
That made me nervous. I gave Loki and Thor a small wave before following Odin. Frigga was waiting in the corridor. Odin gave her a small nod and continued walking. She walked alongside of me. We made it to the center of the palace where enormous golden doors were guarded by guards in golden armor wearing helmets. As they saw Odin approach, the opened the doors and bowed their heads as he passed once we were inside they closed the door behind us.
The throne room was enormous. It had very high ceilings supported by golden columns. The entire place was gold. We walked towards the throne. It was set on top of some stairs. The throne was huge. Behind it was a crescent shaped statue thing. On top of either side of it was a crow. They didn't caw or anything they were just perched there and stared at me. As if I wasn't nervous enough.
"Lady Nora, I have been told of the circumstances of your visit." Odin said.
"Am I in trouble because I feel like I'm on trial." I said.
"You could say that." Odin answered, making me panic.
"I know humans aren't allowed on Asgard," I started but Odin interrupted.
"They're not, a temporary exception has been granted in your case but that cannot continue. Many believe that the stone you host will be Asgard's downfall. The power of that stone is unimaginable and in the wrong hands is capable of mass destruction." Odin said.
"The stone isn't interested in destroying Asgard and neither am I. You have all been nothing but welcoming and I am grateful. You have my word that Asgard will face no threat from me." I spent way too much time with Thor and Loki. I'm starting to speak like them.
"Frigga and Heimdall believe that as well but everyone else is hesitant and as king it is my duty to protect my kingdom and its citizens. There is a solution to this problem. If you were to become a citizen of Asgard then you too would fall under my protection." Odin said.
Dual citizenship? Or would it be interdimensional citizenship. Either way it wasn't a bad idea. Asgard is pretty awesome. Magic and advanced technologies exist here. I've learned more in the few visits and lessons here than I did in an entire year on my own.
"What would I have to do to become a citizen?" I ask.
"There are two ways to become a citizen of Asgard child." Frigga said. "The first is to marry someone who is a citizen of Asgard."
"I can't do that, I'm actually engaged." I said raising my hand so they could see my engagement ring.
"There is one other way. You swear your allegiance to Asgard and it's people in front of its best warriors in a ceremony. They will all say whether they agree to welcome you into their ranks. If at least three of them agree then you will be granted citizenship. You will be welcome here whenever you arrive. But that also means that if you are needed you will be summoned just like any warrior of Asgard shall if the time ever arises." Odin explained. I can only hope Odin has better timing than the stone does.
"That sounds good. One small problem though, I can't exactly control when I'll leave so there really isn't a lot of time to plan anything or rally votes." I say.
"We shall keep it simple. We'll summon all warriors at once." Frigga said. The crows flew out of the throne room. "We have to do something about your clothes." She said.
"I don't have any other clothes" I said.
"Leave that to me." She closed her eyes and saw the space around me glow slightly yellow. For a second I thought the stone was sending me back. When I opened my eyes I was wearing a dark maroon tunic long sleeve top. With a black corset belt on top of it. I was wearing leather tights and short boots that reached mid calf and laced up. It matched my necklaces perfectly.
"I love this outfit. Thank you" I told Frigga.
"I thought you'd like it." She said smiling. At that moment the doors opened and people started walking in. Leading the group was Thor. Loki walked slightly behind him and to the side. Everyone stood around until I finally spotted a very familiar face.
"Nora, a pleasure as always."
"Heimdall, sorry I didn't stop by earlier. I should've at least let you know I was here."
"Not to worry. I saw you appear in the library." He said.
"You saw me?" I said.
"I can observe anything in the nine realms. Seeing you appear in the library was not very difficult." He said confidently.
"Good to know." I said.
"I also have to offer my condolences on your loss. You're soulmate was a brave man. He died a hero." He said.
I felt a knot in my throat at the mention of Bucky. "Yes he did" I said managing to hold back.
Before anyone could say anything, Odin tapped his staff three times making everyone in the room quiet down.
"You have all been summoned here to determine whether or not Lady Nora of Midgard will join your ranks as a warrior of Asgard. Does anyone present nominate her as a potential warrior and citizen of Asgard." Odin asked. Everyone turned to looks at each other. There were whispers.
"A midgardian as a warrior?" one of them whispered.
"She doesn't look like much of a warrior." Another said a bit louder.
"I nominate Nora as a worthy candidate to join the ranks." Heimdall said.
"She has been nominated by Heimdall gatekeeper of Asgard." One of the guards who apparently also acts as a herald called out.
"As stated by King Balder, three votes are needed to obtain the rank. Who here votes in favor of Lady Nora being a warrior of Asgard?" Odin called out.
The room went silent for a while until Thor's booming voice rang through the throne room.
"I say aye, if she can lift Mjolnir then she is worthy of being a warrior and citizen of Asgard." He said.
"She can lift Mjolnir?!" Voices said loudly throughout the throne room. I was getting dirty looks from a lot of people.
"Silence!" Odin said and everyone shut up.
"Aye." Woman in red and silver armor yelled out. "It'll be good to have some competition." She said nodding in my direction with a small smile.
"Aye!" Three guys said at the same time.
"If Thor said she is worthy then the warriors three are with him." The bigger guys of the group said.
"The ayes' have it. Lady Nora step forward and kneel." Odin said.
I stepped forward and kneeled at the base of the stairs, below the throne. "Lady Nora do you swear to protect Asgard and all of its citizens from any threats that may arise?" Odin said.
"Yeah?" I said making him give me a stern look. "I mean I do"
"Do you swear to faithfully serve Asgard?" Odin said.
"I do." I said.
"Do you swear to use any power you may wield to protect the Nine realms of Niflheim, Muspelheim, Asgard, Midgard, Jotumheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, and Helheim from any threats?"
"I do."
"Do you swear loyalty to Asgard, it's citizens and it's king?" He said.
"I do." I said.
"Rise Lady Nora. From this moment on you are now a warrior and citizen of Asgard with all the responsibilities and honors that come with it." Odin said. "Welcome home." He said.
"Thank you." I said with a curtsy. The throne room erupted into cheers and claps.
"Tonight we feast." Thor cheered. "Come Nora, we shall revel in this victory and regale in stories of past victories." He put his arm around my shoulder and dragged me along. Looks like I'm partying tonight.
Thor led us to a giant dining room where the table was sent with food and wine.
The set up was buffet style and everyone just sat or stood and picked at the food.
"A bit overwhelming isn't it." Loki said popping out of nowhere.
"More like extremely overwhelming. I was expecting a quick visit not being initiated into the ranks of Asgard's warriors." I said laughing at the story Thor was telling.
"I think it's the first time father has ever allowed a midgardian to stay on Asgard, let alone be granted citizenship. Why you?" He asked.
"Don't know. Maybe I won him over with my amazing personality." I said sarcastically.
Loki just raised an eyebrow and looked irritated at my answer.
"Nora," I heard Heimdall say from behind me. "Congratulations are in order." He said with a smile. I think that was the first time I ever saw him smile. It's been a really weird day. Maybe this was all a dream. I pinched myself and nope, still here.
"Apparently. Thank you for the nomination" I said.
"There was nothing to be thankful for. It was meant to be." He said giving me a look. Yup, I've really messed up my timeline.
"Before I forget, the Allfather wished for me to give you this." He handed me a stone. It looked like quartz. It was white, smooth and round.
"Um, thank you?" I said confused.
"The stone is how you'll know if you are being summoned in Asgard. The stone with glow slightly with a golden hue." He explained. "If that occurs go outside and I will transport you to the Aesir."
"Wow trans dimensional pager." I said with a small, forced smile. One more thing that'll zap me away at a moment's notice with me having any control. The stone was just the right size I could place it in the center of the latticework of my pocket watch necklace. It matched the style perfectly.
"Nora, come and have a drink with us." Thor called out.
"Enjoy your night. I must return to my post." He gave Loki a nod before walking away.
I walked over to where Thor, the woman from before, and the self-named warriors three were sitting.
"There she is," Thor greeted. "Here grab a drink." He said handing me a bronze cup of wine. Nora, this is Lady Sif."
He said naming the woman from before.
"Lady Nora, It shall be an honor to fight alongside you." She said giving me a handshake.
"The honor is all mine and please just call me Nora. I'm not one for formalities."
"Very well as long as you extend me the same courtesy." She said with a small smile of course.
"Of course Sif."
"And the Warriors three. Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg"
"Hi, nice to meet you all." I greeted.
Volstagg said, "pleasure to meet you."
Hogun just nodded and said "Milady." I had a feeling he was going to be a tough nut to crack.
Fandral on the other hand was the complete opposite. "Lady Nora it is an honor to be in the presence of such an strong and beautiful warrior such as yourself." He said taking my hand and kissing my knuckles.
"She's betrothed Fandral." Sif deadpanned.
"Oh," he said backing away slightly embarrassed. I'm starting to see why Sif was so open to the idea of me joining the ranks.
"A toast, To Nora, to being initiated into the ranks of a warrior of Asgard. We look forward to fighting alongside you." Thor toasted.
We all drank and ate a bit. Then Thor brought out a flask of Asgardian liquor.
"Oh that looks good." I said. I was curious besides how much different could Alien liquor be to booze back on Earth.
"Oh no, this was aged for a thousand years, in the barrels built from the wreck of Brunhilde's fleet. It was not meant for…"
"Who's Brunhilde?" I asked.
"He was…uh?" Thor said apparently having no idea himself.
"He was a ruler of Helheim who tried to invade Asgard but was stopped by King Baldur, Thor's grandfather." Sif explained.
"Oh, sound's interesting. Now pass the flask." I told Thor putting my hand out.
Thor raised the flask over his head out of my reach. So instead I used my newfound control over energy projection to move the flask out of Thor's hand and into mine.
"How?"
"Every girl had her tricks." I said pouring a bit of the liquor into my cup before handing it back to Thor. I took a sip and it didn't taste any different except for the slight aftertaste. It was a bit like cinnamon. "That's good, don't see what all the hype was about." And just as I stood up the room started spinning.
"You were saying." I heard Sif say.
"That is strong. I like it." That made the guys start laughing.
"I think we shall get along very well Nora." Thor said.
"Thor!" I heard someone yell.
We looked at the other side of the dining room and saw a very angry looking Odin and Frigga. The room was completely silent. I think Thor's parents just busted his party.
"Mother, Father you've finally joined us." Thor said with a fake smile.
"How many times have I told you, you are not to touch the special reserve!?" Odin yelled, making the entire room shake. Everyone took that as their cue to leave.
"I meant no disrespect father."
"Let this be your warning Thor. Disobey me again and there will be consequences." Odin chastised.
"Yes Father." Thor said apologetically.
At that moment I started to get the chills.
"Uh, I'm sorry to interrupt you but I'm uh…" the chills started getting worse and I started glowing.
"You're leaving." Frigga said.
"Yes thank you for everything. Until next time." And then I was gone. I opened my eyes and I was back in the apartment in London.
I looked around and looks like no one was home. Before Steve left, he wanted to talk so I guess I'll just wait. Besides I still felt a bit tipsy.
I was standing in the middle of the living room when Steve walked through the door.
"Nora?" He said not expecting to see me there.
"Hey, I just got back from Asgard like five minutes ago." I said. I was expecting him to kick me out not pull me into a hug.
"You scared the crap out of me." He holding me and kissing the side of my head.
"Sorry, I really wasn't expecting it. How long was I gone?" I asked.
"A couple of hours. We thought you'd be back sooner but after three hours we thought you were gone like last time." Steve said.
"It was a day for me. And trust me when I say it was a long and crazy day." I said hugging him tighter.
"I thought I lost you." He said tearing up a bit.
"Hey, I'm not going anywhere." I said putting a hand on the side of his face.
"I can't lose you Nora, not you too." Steve said crying.
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault." I said starting to cry.
"Baby no, it's not you're fault. I shouldn't have gotten mad at you. It wasn't your fault. If it's anyone's fault it's Hydra's. I'm so sorry." He said starting to sob. I just held onto him.
"I miss him." I said.
"I miss him too." Steve said.
"I wish it had been me instead of him." I said.
"Don't say that." Steve snapped. "Don't ever talk like that. Losing Bucky is not on you."
"I should've warned him" I sobbed.
Steve rubbed my back. "There was nothing you could've done. We both knew how hard headed he was. It wouldn't have mattered what you told him. He still would've found a way to be on that mission. I was in charge. I should've sent him back to Brooklyn after Azzano."
"He wouldn't have left without you." I told him.
"He never wanted this. He didn't enlist he was drafted and did his duty. He deserved better." Steve sobbed.
"He was a hero." I cried out.
"Schmidt will pay for this. Hydra ends tomorrow." Steve said angrily.
"Tomorrow it's all over." I said even though Steve didn't understand the double meaning to my words. "Promise me something."
"Anything." Steve said.
"No matter what happens tomorrow, you'll try everything you can to make it out of there alive. I don't want to lose you Steve. I can't" I cried.
Steve looked at me with his tear filled eyes. "I'll try," He said, his voice cracking "but incase it doesn't, remember your promise to me and to Buck. If I reach the end of the line first you don't go after me, you go on and live your life."
When he said those words I knew, Steve didn't want to make it out alive tomorrow. He wasn't planning on getting out of this alive, not if it meant living without Bucky. He wasn't just apologizing and making amends, he was saying goodbye.
I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. I just cried. "Steve please. Hold me." I said.
He pulled me onto his lap as he sat down and held me, rocking me, and rubbing my back, crying with me. By the time I was done crying. He had fallen asleep. I moved out of his lap and shifted us so I was lying on the couch and I was holding Steve in my arms. I didn't sleep that night. I just lied there trying to memorize everything about him. Tomorrow was going to be one of the worst days of my life.