Earth-717: Thor Vol 1
Chapter 4: Princess Aeltri
Thor, Sif and Jane were all pulled through the nexus as it slowed its spinning. Heimdall drew his sword out of its slot, and stepped down from the central platform, ready to greet his friends upon their return. Loki was also present, with his back pressed against the wall of the nexus. His arms crossed, he was repeatedly tapping the side of his left foot against the floor.
Sif placed Jane on the floor, and she immediately lurched over and started vomiting on all fours. Sif made a face of disgust at her, while Thor looked at her with concern as he put her belongings down on the central platform. Loki narrowed his eyes upon seeing Jane, keenly studying her while he giggled.
"This is the mortal?" asked Loki.
Thor and Sif looked at him.
"What are you doing here?" asked Sif.
"I heard what had happened from Father. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."
Once Jane was finished, she wiped off her mouth and stumbled backwards, falling to the floor again. Thor knelt next to her.
"Miss, are you well? Have your legs failed you?"
"What? Huh? Uh, I . . . ."
Jane blinked a couple times before bouncing to her feet as she shrieked. She tried to sprint away, only to smash her face against the side of the nexus. Sif rolled her eyes. Stunned by her latest injury, Jane rubbed her forehead with her left wrist before she turned back around and looked at the four Asgardians standing before her.
"What the . . . . holy hell, who are you people?! What just happened?!"
"We are the gods of Asgard, my lady," said Thor. "I am Thor Odinson. This is the Lady Sif, the gatekeeper Heimdall, and my brother, Loki."
Jane blinked a few times and was silent for a whole minute as she tried to rationalize what she just heard.
"Gods of . . . . whoa, whoa, whoa, w-wait, no, no, no, no . . . . A-Asgard? Like, Thor, like . . . ."
Jane put up her hands and made a quotation gesture with her fingers.
"God of Thunder, Thor? That Thor?"
Thor nodded.
"The very same."
Jane broke into delirious laughter before she started to stumble again.
"Holy h-hell . . . . what kind of . . . . must be a b-blood infection, some kinda, whoa . . . . making me see some kinda crazy . . . ."
Jane's eyes rolled back as she started to faint. Thor rushed over and caught her, holding her with both arms. Sif sucked in a breath and scowled before leaning in to Heimdall.
"Mortals," she whispered.
"Give her time," replied Heimdall. "She must adjust."
Sif scoffed, not bothering to respond. Thor brushed some of Jane's mangled hair off of her face, and she stared at him with wide eyes. He smiled at her, and she took a couple minutes to reassert herself. She then slowly reached out and pressed the tips of her fingers on his cheek. Heimdall and Loki both noticed Sif's glare intensifying.
"Wow," said Jane. "You're . . . . you're real."
"I am," replied Thor.
Thor helped Jane to her feet, and she started looking around with renewed awe. She then slowly walked out of the nexus and on to the Rainbow Bridge, and she was completely floored by the spectacular sight before her.
The magnificent bridge seemed to stretch on for eternity over the cosmic waterfall, with the incredible sight of endless stars and nebulae painting the sky above it. She could then see the golden city, with buildings of all shapes and sizes, each one defying any kind of traditional architecture she had ever known. At the centre of the city was the gargantuan Palace of the Gods, the crown jewel of Asgard. Needless to say, the heavenly sight before her instantly but fundamentally changed how she perceived the universe itself.
She finally turned around, looking back at the four gods standing near her.
"You live here?!"
"Indeed we do," said Heimdall. "Welcome to Asgard, miss . . . .?"
"Jane. Jane Foster."
"Jane Foster," said Thor. "You may be wondering why you have been brought here."
"Well . . . . yeah! What gives?"
"Allow me to explain. We did not mean to cause you any distress or illness. However, you have come into contact with an ancient artifact of the cosmos, and we needed to take you away from Midgard to understand how this has happened."
"Ancient artifact? What ancient . . . ."
Jane's voice trailed off as she thought back to the orb that fell from the sky.
"Whoa, whoa, wait, you're talking about that red glass ball thing!"
"It is called the Aether," said Heimdall. "It has taken refuge inside your body."
"Inside my . . . .?"
Jane looked down at herself, and could see a flowing red stream glowing through her hospital gown from within her skin. Watching as the stream moved from her stomach to her arms and back again, she then looked up at Thor with horror in her eyes.
"Oh . . . . shit."
"Hold fast, Jane Foster," said Thor. "As far as we can see, you have not experienced any ill side effects of the Aether as of yet."
"However," said Heimdall, "we still must extract it from you. It is a token of incredible power, and given time, it may consume or destroy you."
"Destroy?!"
Jane held her arms out, her wrists facing upwards. Her agitation seemed to make the red stream cycle faster through her body, and her pupils started to glow with the same colour.
"Well don't just stand there! Get it out already!"
Thor, Sif and Heimdall all seemed startled by her eyes. Loki gave a hint of a smile. Jane then started convulsing again, being held in place on her feet with her arms outstretched. Her eyes went completely red, her pupils gone. She then emitted a long string of words in a language none of them understood, in a loud and echoed voice.
Just as quickly as her episode started, she went back to her normal state, only slightly fazed by the experience.
"The hell was that?!"
"No ill side effects?" asked Sif, looking at Thor in disbelief.
"Heimdall, do you have any insight as to what just came over her?" asked Thor.
Before Heimdall could speak, Loki interrupted.
"I do."
Everyone turned to look at Loki.
"Brother?"
"I did not understand many of the words," started Loki, "but I did recognize the form. She was speaking an ancient Elvish dialect. I have studied the language during my time in the observatory."
"Elvish?" asked Sif. "Wait, that makes sense. The Aether was Malekith's weapon, so perhaps it has some intrinsic attachment to him? Contains the knowledge and language of the Dark Elves, and somehow imparts them upon whoever wields it?"
"Elves?" asked Jane. "They're real too?"
"Yes," answered Thor.
Jane's eyes lit up.
"That was Elvish? Really? I mean, that's cool and all, but it sounded kinda like Welsh to me."
Sif raised an eyebrow.
"Welsh?" she asked. "Who is this Welsh?"
"What? Oh, no, I mean, like, Welsh, like, someone from Wales. I have a cousin from there."
"Wales?" asked Thor. "Ah, yes, those magnificent beasts of the sea! You say one of them is your cousin?"
Jane was too flabbergasted by this to give a response.
"As I was saying," continued Loki, "if anyone possesses more information about the Aether and the affliction of this mortal, it would be the Elves. I would suggest you go to Alfheim and speak to Queen Alvaeriel. She will have more knowledge on this matter, that which even Father does not."
Sif glared at him.
"And since when do you give orders to me, Loki?!"
"Sif," said Thor.
Loki smiled at Sif.
"'Twas not an order, good Lady Sif, merely a suggestion. You are entitled to do with it as you please."
"Sif, he speaks correctly," said Thor. "We should ask the fair Queen for insight on this matter."
"Without reporting to Odin?"
Thor considered Sif's question, before turning to look at Jane again.
"What if we ask him and he tells us to do the same?" asked Thor. "Every moment we waste might bring Jane to further harm. We leave now."
Sif stared at Thor for a few moments before relenting.
"Very well."
"Heimdall!" called Thor.
Heimdall nodded and returned to the central platform, ready to activate the nexus. Thor then reached out his hand at Jane.
"Come with us, Jane Foster. We must depart immediately."
"Depart? Are we going through the crazy light show again?"
"Yes," blurted Sif, clearly exhausted with Jane. "Let's go."
"Alright, lady. Jeez."
Jane joined Thor again and picked up her belongings off the floor. Heimdall placed his sword in its slot, and the nexus began spinning again. Once the cosmic energy was ready, Thor, Sif and Jane were catapulted back into the cosmos. After they were gone, Heimdall again withdrew his sword and returned to his post.
Loki watched him for a moment before turning away. Heimdall then spoke without moving.
"You know more about this than you are letting on."
Loki stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. Exhaling, he marched right up to Heimdall.
"Excuse me?"
"Do you think you can deceive me?" asked Heimdall.
"I am not deceiving you of anything, gatekeeper. Perhaps you are deceiving yourself."
"You almost never come down from the observatory, buried in your books for months on end, and only now when the Aether is released do you wish to help? Does this not seem somewhat coincidental to you?"
"Tell me something, oh wise God of Observation . . . . have you witnessed me commit any crimes or false actions since I have been released from the dungeons?"
Heimdall inhaled.
"No."
"Do you have any evidence to support your accusations?"
"No."
"And if you were to take this matter to court, and attempt to try me without any evidence, what would be the result?"
"It would be an embarrassment to me and my King."
"That's right. So I would advise that you mind your words."
Heimdall glared at Loki for a few seconds. He then forced himself to respond.
"As you say, my prince."
"That's better."
Loki then stormed out of the nexus, and Heimdall resumed his watch, knowing inside that something was terribly amiss.
Much like Asgard, Alfheim is a world of great fairness and beauty. Unlike the golden realm, Alfheim's glory is because of its connection to the forces of nature, with vast forests, beautiful oceans and frosted mountains, all bountiful with the gifts of life. Numerous species existing together crafted the ecosystem of the planet, forming a harmonious world that came across as a beacon of peace and hope in the cosmos.
However, while the outward appearance of the kingdom of the Light Elves was as serene as their world at large, not everyone within the kingdom felt at peace. Princess Aeltri, the teenage daughter of Queen Alvaeriel and heir to the throne of Alfheim, was staring out the window of her room, which was at the top of one of the castle's towers. Her telescope in hand, she used it to look up into the stars, something she did at some point almost every day.
Sighing in disappointment, Aeltri put her telescope back on its podium and took a seat on the sill of the stone window. Dangling her feet over the edge of the stone, she stared out at the rest of the kingdom, which was formed of the gorgeous houses, courtyards, buildings and markets of the Light Elves. The entire kingdom was surrounded by a vast valley with multiple lakes, and was connected to the main continent by a gargantuan stone bridge etched with the artistic carvings of her ancestors.
Waving her feet back and forth, Aeltri discarded her sad and lonely thoughts and instead started to move her palm in a way that generated a tiny green energy bubble. Allowing it to grow to the size of her fist, she then started to use her power to make it dance through the air. Just as a smile started to appear on her face, there was a knock at her door.
"Aeltri?"
The bubble exploded into a show of light strands, and Aeltri's face became miserable again. Her mother opened the door and walked into the room; a matronly figure with long, blonde hair and the immediate aura of regal stature. She was wearing the refined and elegant garb expected of a queen. As she stepped inside, she saw the last sparkles of the fading magical bubble.
"Aeltri!"
Aeltri sulked and rolled her eyes, knowing what was coming next as her mother rushed to her side.
"Why must I continuously remind you how using your powers is forbidden?! And look at you! Your party starts in but an hour and you are still not in your regal attire! What would your . . . ."
"Let me guess, mother," interrupted Aeltri. "You're about to ask what would my father think? Hmmm? Is that right?"
Alvaeriel blinked at Aeltri's impudence.
"Isn't that what you always ask to keep me in line? Make an appeal to father?! Always my father, who was never here?! Just because he's gone doesn't mean you get to use him to control me my whole life!"
"Aeltri, whatever is . . . ."
"Oh, spare me! It's always the same! Aeltri, act like a princess! Aeltri, be formal! Aeltri, never use your natural gifts in public, never be your true self, because what would the people think if they realized that the heir to the throne was a freak!"
Her eyes flaring with green energy as her frustration grew, Aeltri then yelled and threw both her arms forward. A powerful green beam emitted from both of her hands, lighting up the sky around the tower. Alvaeriel yelped in terror upon seeing this display, and she instinctively seized Aeltri around the waist and hurled her into the room, away from the window.
As Aeltri fell to the floor, Alvaeriel closed the wooden window shutters, breathing in and out a few times before turning around to look at her daughter. Alvaeriel felt pangs of guilt as she saw the raw contempt in Aeltri's eyes.
"Aeltri, please, I do not want any of this, but I do what I must to protect you. If the people were to learn . . . ."
"That's exactly it!" shouted Aeltri, as she stood up. "You don't want me! You never did! Ever since you learned I was a mage, you wished I'd never been born! Or at the very least that you and father had another child before he died, just so you wouldn't have to live with the shame of putting a magic-user on the throne!"
"I never said such a thing!"
"You don't need to! YOU NEVER NEEDED TO!"
Once again filled with blind rage, Aeltri fired a green blast from her right palm, incinerating the door to her room. Alvaeriel gasped, and could only watch as Aeltri tore out of the room and sprinted down the hall.
"Aeltri?! Aeltri!"
Aeltri had zero regard for her mother at this moment, knowing that she wanted to be somewhere, anywhere, where her mother was not. Running at top speed, she soon arrived at the grand spiral staircase at the centre of the castle. She was about to rush down it when she suddenly crashed into another Elf who was walking up the stairs.
"Going somewhere, Princess?"
Aeltri blinked twice as she took a step back.
"Faradei."
Faradei smiled at her. He was slightly taller than her, and had a thin but muscular build. He wore a yellow band around his forehead, and an olive green scout uniform that indicated that he was a high ranking officer in the kingdom's Honour Guard. He had a bow latched around his torso, and a quiver full of arrows strapped to his back.
Faradei put his hands on his hips as he spoke to Aeltri.
"I'm sure wherever it is you're going, it will still be there if you take the time to walk."
Aeltri folded her arms and gave Faradei a stern glare.
"Besides," said Faradei, gesturing towards the staircase. "Going as fast as you were, you would've gone straight over the railing and fallen twenty stories to the castle lobby. I doubt that would look good in the morning news."
Despite her anger, Aeltri couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Faradei and Aeltri shared a brief smile as Alvaeriel approached.
"Oh, Faradei, thank you for . . . ."
Alvaeriel was silenced by Aeltri turning around and scowling at her. Faradei immediately stepped in, standing between the two.
"My lady," said Faradei, "I think it best if you allow me to speak to the Princess. Alone."
Alvaeriel was silent for a few seconds before nodding and stepping back. Faradei then turned around and placed his hand on Aeltri's shoulder, giving her a reassuring grin.
"Come with me, Princess."
Faradei lead Aeltri down the velvet-carpeted path away from the staircase and towards a grand stained glass window, which was covered with a beautiful artistic rendering of three Elves tending to a lush garden. The image was shattered by line divisions, which formed shapes that were painted with every conceivable colour.
Aeltri sighed and pouted before Faradei could start speaking.
"Are you going to tell me some simple story with a prepared moral to show me how I'm acting so awful?"
"No. I was going to tell you that you're right for being upset."
Aeltri gave Faradei a look that indicated she was honestly perplexed.
"Princess, ever since your powers manifested, you have constantly been told to keep them secret from the populace, and that is for good reason. However, wanting to embrace your gifts is not wrong either. I do not have a simple story for you because there's no simple answer here. There is a reason that most of our people distrust magic, and if they were to find out about you . . . . I may not be able to guarantee your safety."
Aeltri rubbed her left forearm with her right hand as she looked downwards with saddened eyes.
"Princess, your well-being is my absolute priority, the same as your mother. She does not try to hide your power because she harbours disdain for you. She does it out of love, and out of fear . . . . the people would not understand. Not the same way I do."
Aeltri then looked up, meeting Faradei's gaze.
"Is that my fault? Or the people's?"
Faradei exhaled, taking a moment to consider Aeltri's question.
"I wish I could present a better solution. I truly do. But for now, I'm asking you to trust in me, and your mother, at least for a while longer."
Faradei took a step forward and placed his left hand on her chin.
"Have I ever steered you wrong, Princess? Have I ever failed you?"
"No."
"Every time you've stumbled, who was the one who was there to take your hand, to make sure you did not fall?"
"You."
Aeltri closed her eyes and then forcefully shoved her body against Faradei's, hugging him around the torso. Faradei placed his chin on her head, gently caressing her hair and shoulders. Their embrace was then interrupted by the crashing sound of a white beam of light landing just outside the castle gates.
Aeltri and Faradei both turned to look at the beam in astonishment as it dissipated. Alvaeriel rushed up to them.
"Bifrost," said Alvaeriel.
"What?" asked Aeltri.
"Asgardians have come," answered Alvaeriel. "They have not visited our realm in many years. Faradei, make sure they are given a proper greeting."
"They are allowed inside the castle? Without knowing their motives?"
"They are Asgardians. They would not come if it was not important."
Faradei bowed.
"It will be done."
Faradei jumped over the staircase railing, leaping from floor to floor with graceful ease. Alvaeriel then began walking towards the stairs.
"Come, Aeltri. We must be ready to accept these guests."
Aeltri kept looking through the window with curiosity. She had never seen an Asgardian before, and was quite interested in knowing what they were like. After a few more seconds, she then turned and joined her mother, following her down the stairs and towards the lobby of the castle.
The gargantuan silver orb that Malekith and his forces were trapped inside had now left its tomb, and was hovering several hundred thousand kilometres from Earth. The exterior was in a constant state of rotation, with the red, glowing markings on the outside always moving, even when the orb itself was not. While for the last fifty thousand years the orb had been in a state of hibernation, it was actually Malekith's flagship, and the most advanced construction ever built by the Dark Elves.
It was called the Cryptorium.
Inside the Cryptorium, Malekith was looking at a holographic display screen of Earth. Kurse was standing with him, along with several of their soldiers. Sighing to himself, Malekith then turned around.
"It is not here. It has been moved again."
"Can you sense where?" asked one of the Elves.
Malekith again closed his eyes, concentrating all of his effort on channelling his connection to the Aether.
"It is calling out . . . . it remembers that I am its master, and it speaks to me . . . . I can hear its power, I can feel it grow . . . . it is in a vessel, a mortal . . . . but I hear another voice, another presence."
"Who?" asked Kurse.
Malekith opened his eyes, and all of the lines in his face went soft.
"Ciridylia."
The Dark Elves all looked at each other in surprise.
"The mistress?" asked one of them.
"My beloved wife," said Malekith, almost as if he did not believe it. "I thought it impossible, but I can hear faint whispers of her voice . . . . the sweet voice I thought forever erased from the cosmos. She lives . . . . in the Aether. In the mortal. She speaks, as if to tell me where she is."
"Where?" asked Kurse. "Where?!"
"The place where our misfortunes began . . . . Alfheim."