The Companions reconvene at the appointed hour and are joined by Odin's top generals and his master at arms. Talk is hushed and stops completely when Odin enters the room, his mood somber. He sits at the head of the table, and the others join him, the generals left standing in the intimate space.
"I have called you all here because Asgard faces a potential threat from realms outside our own," he begins. "And while we do not know in what form this threat may come, we must prepare."
He looks at his generals, stopping for a moment on each one.
"Generals, I wish I could be more specific as to this threat, and as time moves on, we will know more, but for now, prepare your men. Get them into fighting shape and ready for war."
The generals all nod. If they are surprised by these orders, none of them shows it.
"Master Roygan, I understand you are working on new weapons?" Odin asks his Master At Arms.
"Yes, your majesty. Several prototypes are ready for final testing and then production, should they pass," Roygan says.
"Good. Keep me informed as to your progress."
Odin then turns to the Companions.
"Though we do not yet know the nature of the threat posed by Darth Daeva and Loki, we must alert our allies to be watchful, for likely Loki will not be so bold as to make a direct attack on Asgard, should he go down that path. I want you, Asgard's trusted Companions, to go out to our allies in the Nine Realms and tell them what we know."
The companions all nod their acquiescence.
"Thor, I want you and Anara to go to Midgard and tell our allies there what is transpiring. Since they have knowledge of Anara's world, they may be able to offer additional advice."
Anara and Thor nod in agreement as Odin stands, putting his hands on the table and leaning into it.
"I will caution all of you, should Loki return to Asgard in the next few months, make no move against him. I too have searched the paths of the future, and what Anara has foreseen so have I. Any attempt to influence Loki in his early dealings with Darth Daeva will prove disastrous for us and those we protect. For now, patience is our only ally."
Odin pushes back from the table and turns, "You have your duties. Report back to me when they're complete," he says and leaves the room.
The generals bow to the Companions and leave the room with Roygan, already discussing the new weapons and battle strategies. Left alone, the Companions decide who will visit which allies and discuss what they should say.
"Anara, what should we tell our allies to do, should Loki come through their territory with an army? You can't mean by "no interference" that they should let him through, do you?" Fandral asks.
Anara shakes her head. "No, should Loki and Darth Daeva form an army, the path has already been chosen. Your allies should defend themselves, of course," she says. "The only thing we cannot do at this point is go to Loki directly and warn him against her. Should he return to Asgard alone, say nothing to him of her, for if he hasn't already learned of her existence by then, and he subsequently learns of her, he will seek her out."
Anara sighs and puts her head in her hands for a moment. Looking up at her friends around the table, she says, "I am sorry, my friends. I thought my sister safely imprisoned in a galaxy far from here. Had I foreseen any of this, I would not have stayed here."
Sif puts a hand on Anara's shoulder in comfort. "How could you have foreseen this if Odin could not?" she asks. "This is not your doing. We must have faith that Loki has learned the lessons of the past and will not fall into darkness again." The others nod in agreement.
Thor stands and holds his hand out to Anara, who stands to join him.
"My friends, we do have work to do, but I would beg you to hold off a few days," he says. Looking into Anara's eyes for a moment, he then turns to his friends.
"I have asked Anara to be my betrothed, and she has agreed. I would ask that you be witnesses for us at the signing of the contract on Friday."
The Companions all nod and stand to give Thor and Anara their congratulations. Sif gives Anara a warm hug and whispers, "He'll make you a fine husband, but beware, he snores worse than a sick goat!"
Anara bursts out laughing and hugs Sif back. Thor gives the women an inquiring look, but is quickly overwhelmed by congratulations.
The next few days are a flurry of activity as the Companions prepare for their missions, for while things are peaceful in the realms, no travel between them is ever truly safe.
Friday morning dawns cold and clear. Anara spent the previous evening packing, so after stealing quietly from Thor's bed, she returns to her room to change into her workout gear before heading to the training room for a quiet workout, knowing it might be the last one for a few days. They leave for Midgard immediately after the betrothal ceremony later in the morning.
Moving through the forms, she lets her conscious mind go for a time, living wholly in the moment, enjoying the physical freedom of the Jedi martial arts. At the end of her practice, she senses the presence of another in the room with her.
Gabrielle stands quietly by the door, waiting for her. Taking a moment to slow her breathing after moving through her final form, she approaches her assistant. Gabrielle holds a small towel out for her.
"It is time, m' lady."
Anara nods her head and follows Gabrielle out the door and back to her rooms. Because she will be leaving directly after the ceremony, Anara dresses in her typical cream colored Jedi robes, but dons her more elaborate bracers and leg armor as well. She decided to leave off the breast plate, knowing the technology of the bracers will conjure it if needed. She hopes it won't be.
The betrothal ceremony really was as utilitarian as Thor described. The two were presented with a contract which they both signed, which was then witnessed by the three remaining Companions. The Lord Chamberlain then stamped his seal in wax at the bottom of the parchment document, and the proceedings were over.
Outside the palace, they are met by servants holding the bridles of five large Asgardian horses. Standing next to them, petting the nose of one while trying to keep a basket filled with apples that look as if they were cast in gold away from the others, is a regal woman in a simple white dress with sleeves that fall to the ground. Blonde hair cascades down her back, and her blue eyes dance with the simple joy of being around the horses.
Thor's eyes widen at the sight, and he approaches the woman with apparent reverence.
"Iduna, my lady, we are honored by your presence."
Iduna turns from the horse she's petting, holding the basket close to her stomach, one arm looped through the handle, the other held out for Thor to take.
"My dear Thor, I am happy to see you. Your father asked me to come. I have a gift for your betrothed."
Iduna looks around Thor at Anara and beckons her forward. Thor takes Anara's hand as she nears and presents her to Iduna.
"Iduna, may I present my betrothed, Anara, Princess of Alderan."
Anara gives Iduna a small bow. "Well met, my lady," she says by way of greeting.
In reply, Iduna takes an apple from her basket and hands it to her.
"A gift for your betrothal. Eat it and enjoy youth and good health," Iduna tells her kindly.
"Thank you, my lady. This is indeed a great gift." Anara replies humbly.
Taking a bite, Anara first notices the incredibly sweet taste, unlike anything she's had before. Then upon swallowing, begins to notice a level of vitality she's never felt before. It is intoxicating, but the feeling begins to level off to a general sense of incredible well being as she finishes the golden fruit. While she's absorbed in the sensation, Iduna hands out apples to Thor and the other Companions as well, saying, "Allfather wishes you to be in the best of form on your mission. May you all enjoy continued youth and good health."
As they all finish off their apples, a servant arrives with a tray filled with flagons of mead. The Companions each take a flagon and offer up a toast for the success of their pending missions. Draining their cups in one draught, they smash the flagons on the flagstones in unison. "Skål!" they yell together. Then mounting their horses, they race to the Bifrost gate.
Thor and Anara are the last to leave, wishing to time their arrival with the fall of darkness along the East Coast where SHEILD's helicarrier currently lies anchored. Heimdal nods at them as he slides his sword into the gate pedestal. As they walk into the Bifrost, Anara hears Heimdal say, "May the Force be with you," before they're swept away.