Earth-717: Thor Vol 1
Chapter 6: Odin
Heimdall removed his sword from its slot as Thor, Sif, Jane, Faradei and Aeltri were all deposited within the nexus by the Bifrost. Jane fell on her face, while everyone else landed on their feet. Thor immediately turned to Sif with anger in his eyes.
"You fled from battle?!" yelled Thor. "Now the Elves must face Malekith alone!"
Sif's facial reaction indicated she was truly wounded by Thor's words. Before she could retort, Heimdall spoke.
"My sister chose the correct course of action, my prince."
Thor turned to Heimdall.
"What?"
"I can see the Elven Realm. Malekith and his forces are retreating as we speak. I suspect that he sees no further gain to be had now that the Aether is outside his grasp. Sif has saved more lives by choosing to sheathe her sword rather than wield it."
Sif exhaled and looked from her brother back to Thor. All of the fury that was in Thor's face a mere moment ago vanished, and he instead placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Forgive me, Sif. My heated nature, the one that craves battle, got the best of my judgement. I am sorry."
Reaching out with her own hand, Sif placed it on Thor's chest. Closing her eyes, she drew herself closer, and the two nuzzled each other's foreheads for a brief moment. Having gotten up from the floor, Jane looked at this show of affection with a raised eyebrow. She then watched as Sif took a step back before caressing Thor's cheek.
"You are, as always, forgiven," she said.
That having been settled, Faradei looked over at Aeltri.
"Princess!"
"Oh, don't 'Princess' me!" chided Aeltri.
"You do not belong here! It is unsafe! You are supposed to be back at the castle with your mother!"
"If I'd stayed where I was supposed to, this whole quest would be in jeopardy!"
Aeltri then turned to Jane.
"Isn't that right, Jane Foster?"
Everyone looked at Jane, who rubbed the back of her neck as she gave a weak smile.
"Uh, well, yeah, actually. She saved my life. Used a magic laser thingy to blow up a rock that would've killed me."
Aeltri smiled in satisfaction and crossed her arms, moving her head side to side in a taunting gesture that was directed at Faradei. Heimdall then pressed the tip of his sword against the platform he was on, getting everyone's attention.
"We have no time for these trivialities. We must meet with the All-Father immediately."
Heimdall then walked off the central platform and out onto the Rainbow Bridge, heading back to the city. After a moment of hesitation, everyone else followed after him.
Malekith, Kurse, Zedonius and the rest of the Dark Elves were once again inside of the Cryptorium, which was flying through space, away from Alfheim. One of the Dark Elves had turned on the holographic display screen, showing a distant image of Asgard.
"So, the cowards flee back to the golden realm," said Malekith.
"What now?" asked Kurse. "Do we attack Asgard?"
"No."
Kurse growled at this, his patience tested. Some of the other Dark Elves backed away from him as they felt his anger grow.
"So we just stand here?!"
"For now," replied Malekith, utterly unmoved by Kurse's rage. "Attacking Asgard would be folly. As much as it humbles me to admit, without the Aether's power, I cannot best the All-Father. His shielding around his kingdom, generated by the Odinforce, is impenetrable."
"Ryyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"
Kurse threw up both of his fists before slamming them against the ground. One of the Dark Elves fell to his feet at the force of the shockwave, while the rest took several steps back. Zedonius eyed Kurse with suspicion, while Malekith turned to face his lieutenant. Kurse then pounded his fists against his chest.
"To Kurse, nothing is impenetrable! I bested the Odinson today! I proved myself the stronger! Next we meet, I will tear off his head and crush it with his own hammer! Show me Odin's shield, and I will destroy it with my bare fists!"
Kurse let out a mighty roar before looking back at Malekith. For his part, Malekith seemed unimpressed with Kurse's display.
"You will get another chance with the Odinson, Algrim, but we must think before we act. Even your fists could not destroy Asgard's shielding."
"We can't let them keep the mortal! She has our prize!"
"She does, but she cannot stay within the protection of the All-Father forever," explained Malekith, as he started to pace back and forth. "I can hear Ciridylia's voice growing stronger with each passing moment. In time, she will exist and the mortal will not, and would she not then try to find a way to escape and bring the Aether to me?"
Kurse growled again, but then started breathing slower as he considered the truth in Malekith's words.
"Of course, the Asgardians would not allow that to happen. They will seek a way to extract the Aether from the mortal . . . . something they cannot do in Asgard. Once they leave, they will no longer be under Odin's protection, and that is when we strike."
Kurse chuckled with his gravelly voice.
"So, for now we wait, and watch," said Malekith. "Our moment will come soon enough."
If Jane was in awe upon seeing the castle of Alfheim, then she was in complete wonderment when she entered the Palace of the Gods. Words fail to describe the sheer majesty of the golden city's crown jewel, and so was she at a loss for words with how to describe either the sights before her or the utter amazement she felt.
While most in the company she was in were not entranced by the palace, one other person was: Aeltri. Being a teenager who had never left Alfheim, she too shared Jane's need to pause and just absorb the incredible and wondrous nature of her current setting. As Thor and the rest of the party marched onwards through the palace halls, Jane and Aeltri shared a brief, smiling glance, each one knowing that the other was just as astounded.
Catching up with the main group, Jane and Aeltri were then led into a meeting hall, where Odin was standing and waiting, his royal sceptre in hand. Frigga was also there, and she bounded up from her seat upon seeing Thor enter the room. She rushed over and hugged her son, kissing him on the cheek. He smiled and returned her embrace as everyone watched.
Frigga sat back down as Odin walked around the table and approached the group.
"My son, you have returned. It is my understanding that you went to Alfheim . . . . and did battle there."
"We did indeed, Father. We left immediately for the Elven Realm on the suggestion of . . . ."
Loki walked into the room just before Thor could finish his sentence. Everyone turned to look at him as he leaned his back against the wall. Frigga smiled warmly at him, while everyone else gave neutral stares.
"And how did your trip to the Elven Realm fare, dearest brother?" asked Loki.
"We were attacked," answered Thor. "By Malekith. He has indeed returned, set free by the Aether's movement. But we did learn crucial information from Queen Alvaeriel about Jane Foster's condition, and how we might reverse it."
Odin was silent for a moment, looking back at Loki before returning his gaze to the party before him.
"You were right to go to Alfheim, my son, but it appears that you brought back more than just information."
Thor then gestured for Faradei and Aeltri to stand forward. They both bowed before Odin.
"All-Father," they said together.
"Rise."
Odin looked into the eyes of the two Elves standing before him.
"You are allies of Asgard, but why have you come here with my son?"
"With respect, All-Father," replied Faradei, "Queen Alvaeriel asked that I be a part of this quest. As for the Princess here . . . . she was carried away by the Bifrost during the battle with Malekith's forces."
While Aeltri was petulant, even she knew better than to speak out of turn in Odin's presence.
"I see," said Odin. "Then you are both most welcome here. But this news, that Malekith is free of his imprisonment . . . . 'tis most troubling. How fares the Elven Realm?"
"It is safe for now," reported Heimdall. "Malekith fled once the Aether was safely back in Asgard. I do not know his current whereabouts."
"It does not matter," said Odin. "Even he could not penetrate Asgard's defenses. Not while the Odinforce is at peak strength."
"But we must move away from Asgard," said Thor. "Queen Alvaeriel told us of the Temple of Arishem, a shrine on Svartalfheim where we may take Jane Foster and relieve her of the Aether. We must do this soon, lest she be transformed into the wife of Malekith. We know not how much time we have before that happens."
"We cannot allow that to come to pass," said Odin.
"I have a plan," answered Thor. "Malekith must have a way of sensing the Aether's presence, given his bond with it. However, during the battle, I noticed that he demanded that his army find it, so while he may be able to feel where it is, he cannot pinpoint its exact location. This is what we will use against him."
"Go on," said Odin.
"I believe that he found us so fast because we used Bifrost," explained Thor. "It is like lighting a cosmic flare; there is no mistaking it. All the same, even if we go to the Dark World with a full army for protection, we will be easy to spot. Malekith will bring the full measure of his might against us, and we cannot afford for him to take the Aether's power."
"What are you suggesting, my son?"
"That we use stealth. A small party, travelling in the shadows. Faradei, the fair Queen said you are a talented scout, is that right?"
"Yes," answered Faradei.
"Then you will lead us. We go to the Dark World and move silently and carefully, under your guide."
"Then I shall accompany you as well," said Aeltri.
Faradei put his hands on his hips.
"Princess, I must insist that you . . . ."
"Faradei, please. Were you not the one who said that it was not wrong for me to want to embrace my gifts? Were you not the one who taught me how to fight and defend myself in secret and against my mother's wishes?"
Faradei sighed, knowing that Aeltri was speaking the truth.
"I have to do something, and I will be no burden to the party. Thor, the Lady Sif, obviously Jane Foster, you and I. That makes five, a fine number. Large enough that we can fight if we must, but small enough not to draw much notice. Or would you rather send me back to Alfheim so that I be shut away by my mother for the next two hundred years?"
Faradei realized that he did not have a proper argument against Aeltri's position.
"I saved Jane Foster's life with my magic. I can make a difference with it. Please let me come."
Aeltri then turned to Thor and Sif.
"If you'll have me, of course."
Thor and Sif nodded in approval at her. Smiling, she then looked back at Faradei, who gave another sigh.
"I might as well say yes," he said, chuckling. "Otherwise, you'll just keep pestering me until I do."
"That's my Faradei," said Aeltri, grinning widely.
Thor then turned back to Odin.
"With this party, we go to the Temple of Arishem and extract the Aether, and once it is in the open, we place it in an Uru Casket. Then, and only then, do we use Bifrost to return to Asgard. Place the casket in the weapon's vault, and once the Aether is forever out of Malekith's grasp, we can vanquish him with the full force of Asgard's army."
"A fine strategy," admitted Odin, "but how do you propose to reach Svartalfheim in secret and without Bifrost?"
"I may be able to help with that."
Everyone again turned to look at Loki.
"I know of secret passages between the realms that require a certain mystic touch to activate," continued Loki. "I can use one of them to lead you down a path that will go straight to the Dark World. It is your only chance to do so without catching anyone's notice."
"You would do this for us?" asked Thor.
"Of course, my brother. What else is family for?"
Everyone was silent for a few seconds. Sif looked unconvinced, but Thor nodded.
"Very well. We will take Jane Foster and . . . ."
"Hey!"
Everyone wordlessly turned to look at Jane, who gave a short wave before putting her hands behind her back again. She gave a weak, embarrassed laugh.
"Uh, sorry to interrupt the whole, um . . . . meeting, but, I am here, you know? You don't have to talk about me like I'm not. And why are you calling me by my full name? It's just Jane, guys."
Many of the people in the room exchanged glances. Jane's embarrassment grew, made apparent by how much she was blushing.
"Right."
Odin took a step towards her.
"So you are the mortal who was infected by the Aether."
"Yeah, I am. But I'm not 'the mortal'. I'm Jane. And you are?"
"I am Odin. Son of Bor. Son of Buri. All-Father, ruler of Asgard, king and protector of the Nine Realms of the World's Tree.
Jane opened her mouth for a moment before closing it. Giving several quick nods, she then held out her hand.
"Well, that's certainly impressive. Um, nice to meet you . . . ."
Odin looked down at her outstretched hand, and she quickly withdrew it, nervously giggling to herself.
"Right. You wouldn't want to shake hands with a lowly mortal. What was I thinking?"
Sif rolled her eyes. Loki snorted, amused by the whole ordeal.
"It has been some time since I have met a mortal of Midgard," said Odin.
Loki's ears perked up at this. Frigga gave him a sideways glance.
"The last time was . . . . unpleasant," continued Odin.
"Well, I'm off to a great start," said Jane. "Look, sorry about any disrespect, I'm just, sorta overwhelmed by all this, ya know?"
Jane then rubbed her stomach with both arms.
"Also, anybody got anything to eat? Somehow I doubt there's a KFC around here."
Frigga stood up and walked to Odin's side.
"Of course we can bring you something to eat, Jane," said Frigga, before turning to look at Odin. "Isn't that right?"
Odin nodded and turned to Sif.
"Fetch the royal chef and ensure the mort . . . . that Jane, receives a proper meal."
Sif bowed to Odin and walked out of the room.
Loki led the party to a cavern just outside of the city's borders. Gesturing towards it, Loki flicked his wrist, and a translucent, rainbow-coloured veil appeared over the cavern's entrance. He then turned to look at his brother.
"I've activated the seal. When you pass through this cavern, it will take you straight to Svartalfheim. From there, you're on your own."
Thor held out his hand.
"Thank you, brother."
Loki shook Thor's hand and bowed to the rest of the group. The five adventurers then marched through the veil and into the cavern. Once they were gone, Amora teleported next to Loki.
"So . . . . what now, dear Loki?"
"Now, my beautiful Enchantress . . . . now, we watch . . . . as Thor goes to his doom."