During Thor: The Dark World.
Authors Note:
This story will be less compressed than the movie. We learn more about the race of the Asgard. Ways are found to slow the damage the Aether is causing to Jane, and more time elapses while she is in Asgard. Odin and Frigga get to know her a bit better. Frigga especially sees the hand of Fate in Jane and Thor's relationship. Jane, more aware of the culture than the movie implies, impresses them both. She spends time with Heimdall also, seeing that he controls the Bifrost. She continues her research into the technology. And she and Thor grow closer.
This will be somewhat AU and definitely OOC for Jane, as I found her reactions on Asgard unbelievable in many respects. When your boyfriend, who is a god, introduces you to his mother, the queen, you do more than say, "hey"!
Events pick up with Jane's arrival on Asgard.
Again, I don't own these characters. I am just letting them grow a bit.
Unbeta'd
Jane sat up from the medical bed. "Did he just…?" she asked Thor. She turned to Odin, "Who do you think you are?" she exclaimed.
"I am Odin, King of Asgard, Protector of the Nine Realms" he replied.
Jane settled back, surprised. "Oh, well, I am…." She began.
"I know very well who you are, Jane Foster," Odin grumbled.
Delighted, Jane turned to Thor, "You told your Dad about me!?" she said. Thor smiled back.
Odin continued, "You do not belong here. Guards, take her back to Midgard!"
The guards moved forward and began to take Jane by the arms. Thor started to warn them, "I would not do…," just as the energy pulsed from her body, throwing everyone back. Jane slumped to the table.
Thor ran to the bed, and gently cradled her head, "Jane, are you alright?" he asked.
Odin ran his hand over Jane's arm. The energy in her body glowed through her skin in response to the King's presence. "This is not possible!" Turning from the table he told Thor, "Bring her, and follow me". Turning to a guard he ordered, "Find Lady Frigga, and bid her come to my study."
Jane had recovered enough to walk with Thor's assistance. She began to feel better and eyed Odin. This was the AllFather of legend. And he was king of Asgard. She suddenly realized that since Thor was his son, he must be the heir to the throne. She felt foolish for not really thinking this out before. As they made their way through the halls she tried to engage Odin in conversation.
"Your majesty, forgive my earlier outburst. On my world it's considered rude to compare a woman to a goat, particularly in her presence. And no one would think much of a woman who would just take such an insult. I get that it's unusual for mortals to visit Asgard, but Thor brought me here, knowing that this red energy isn't from my world." Jane said.
Thor held his breath, worried that Jane's admonishment might set off Odin's temper. But his father seemed preoccupied, and answered far more calmly than he expected.
"Ha! I might have known that any mortal woman who caught my son's eye would have spirit. Shall the King of Asgard be schooled in courtesy by such a one?" he asked. "You have stepped into events you know nothing of, and are not aware of the affect you might have by your presence here. Still, you are correct, I overstepped. You are certainly not a goat."
He turned into a large study or library and proceeded to explain about the Aether, Malekith, and the dark elves. Just as Jane was asking if Odin knew a way to get the Aether out of her, Frigga appeared.
Thor stepped forward taking her by the hand, and turning to Jane, he said, "Jane, please meet my mother, Frigga, Queen of Asgard.
Jane had taken the brief moment to compose herself. She gave a shallow curtsey, and said, "I am honored, my lady, to meet you."
Thor gave a delighted smile. He had not expected Jane to know the ways of homage. He had seen no such evidence in Arizona. Jane winked at him.
Odin gave an impatient snort. "Frigga, would you take Jane to suitable chambers. She is not entirely well, and may wish to rest. And see to it that she is properly attired to move about in these halls," he finished.
Frigga held out her hand to Jane, who hesitantly took it. "Come, my dear, let us leave father and son to have a long overdue conversation." She smiled at Thor reassuringly and he relaxed a bit. He knew his mother had his best interests at heart, and how much she enjoyed helping people work out their difficulties. Jane and Frigga stepped out of the hall, and Thor turned to his father.
"Thor, you know I do not approve of this relationship, she is mortal and will pass from you in what may seem the blink of an eye. I would spare you that grief as long as possible. But now there is much more at stake than just your foolish heart. We must find a way to keep the Aether within her. If her body fails with it still within it will immediately seek a new host, and I do not know what would happen if it came into the body of an Asgardian or what affect it might have on that person. And we certainly cannot send her back to Midgard. That whole realm could be devastated by the evil in the Aether. It does not seem to be damaging Jane's personality or mind, and for that we can be grateful. I can scarcely believe what I am about to tell you to do, but I must, to protect Asgard, while we look for a way to remove this evil from her."
"What must I do, Allfather?" asked Thor. "I must save Jane, but I do not wish to imperil Asgard."
"You know that you are able to channel immense amounts of energy through your body, and even the lighting does your will. Each member of the Asgardian race has a power, some over the other forces of nature, some for seeing into far realms, such as Heimdall, some to see into the thoughts of others, and some to see beyond the bounds of time itself. You can channel this power, and as you know you can also apply it. If you focus on Jane you can strengthen her to resist the effect of the Aether, and slow its damage of her tissues," Odin explained. "She should last many days in such a state, while we search for alternatives."
"I should have thought of this myself," exclaimed Thor.
"I hesitated to mention it, as this kind of bond has never been attempted with a mortal before. I don't know entirely what the affects might be. And it would mean she would often need to be near you in order to maintain it. And I don't know if you could stop this flow of energy, small though it may need to be, once you have started it. This flow shouldn't weaken you unduly," continued Odin.
"Of course I will do this for Jane," said Thor. He was delighted that a way to protect her was so easily found. "I will go to her at once."
"Wait, wait, o impetuous son of mine," called Odin. "As you know, this energy is usually an exchange, between two closely connected kin, or even spouses. You can only bestow this gift once in a lifetime."
"Better and better is the knowledge you give, my father," laughed Thor. "This is no sacrifice at all to me, but rather a joy."
Odin rolled his eyes in exasperation as Thor leapt from the room.
Meanwhile, Frigga had given Jane a gorgeous gown that fit as if made for her. Now they were seated in a small anteroom near a sleeping chamber. Jane was understandably nervous, and also beginning to feel oddly tired. She laid her head against one wing of the chair and eyed Frigga, unsure of what to say. She fingered the incredibly silky fabric of the gown. It was some sort of brocaded fabric, in earthy shades of green. It felt perfectly light and comfortable, for all its volume.
Frigga broke the silence and with a slight smile said, "Do not fear me, Jane Foster. Thor has told me much about you, and out of curiosity I, too, have gone to the Bifrost chamber and asked Heimdall to tell me how you faired on Midgard. I have heard of your tireless search to find a way to Asgard, and even seeking knowledge of Asgard itself. Such persistence and, dare I say it, love, will not find opposition in me. Fate has decreed these events, and I foresee that great deeds will be done on account of, and by you."
"Thanks, I mean, thank you, my lady" replied Jane. She struggled to remember all she had read about honor and homage. But she decided to just be a bit more herself, and tell Frigga what she was thinking. "It's odd that I wasn't nervous when I met King Odin, he was rude, and I snapped at him before I even knew who he was. I was offended, and my anger kept my nerves away. You've only been k..kind, and I am finding myself very nervous," she stuttered.
"I understand that your world is quite different from mine. I see that you like the fabric? It is loomed here on Asgard, but the first secret of this fabric came from your world. Do you still have the little moth and worm on your world, which spins a durable but pleasant thread?" Frigga asked.
"Yes, we call it 'silk' replied Jane.
"We could not get the silk worms to live on Asgard, but we learned the tree they eat from would grow here. We found a way to process the leaves, and extrude a fine thread from it. Over the centuries we have refined this process, so our silk is almost magically light. It gives the wearer warmth or coolness at need. And it lasts a very long time." explained Frigga. "Tell me, what do the books of Midgard say of Asgard, and of me?" asked Frigga.
"Our books and myths don't have all the facts right, that's for sure. But even now, we measure the passage of our days, partially by the names of you, Odin, and Thor. We have Wednesday, which is a derivation of Woden, an old name of Odin on my world. After Wednesday is Thursday, for Thor, and then Friday for Frigga. Many of the languages of my world have similar names. And the books claim you as a goddess of love and marriage," Jane said.
"Jane, I will tell you this," said Frigga. On Midgard, we are often hailed as gods and goddesses. But we are merely different creatures. As Odin told you, Asgard had a beginning and as all things, it will have an end. Our lives are long, longer perhaps than you can imagine, but they are not endless. And we can be felled in battle, or from illness, or even from grief. It is partially fear of grief that causes Odin to oppose Thor's love for you. But I feel it is better to love, as intensely, and as long as you can, rather than to withhold love out of fear. Do not be afraid of the AllFather, nor of your feelings for Thor. He returns them. In the past two years of your world he checked on you every day he was not away striving to restore order. Now that you are together again I hope that you will not be parted for any great length of time."
"Seldom has a son had so much joy from his parents in one day," exclaimed Thor, striding into the room. "First, Father tells me it is possible to preserve Jane from the harm the Aether may be causing her, and now, my mother, you bless our love with your kind words."
"What did Odin tell you, Thor?" asked Jane, blushing furiously. Words like 'love' hadn't been bandied about so freely as yet.
Frigga rose, saying, "I will take my leave of you, for I think I know Odin's mind, and what you may have to discuss. Go gently my son, and do not rush overmuch; although I can see the need for haste in this case." Thor gratefully pressed her hands between his own as she walked by him and out the door.
"First, Jane, tell me, how did you know how to gentle Odin so readily, and how to charm my mother?" asked Thor.
"Well," said Jane, "I may have missed you a little bit." Thor grinned, and Jane slapped his arm. "Eric kept bringing me books on Norse mythology, Viking life, and so on. He thought it might make me less sad. I didn't think of it coming in handy when you brought me home to meet your mom and dad.
Thor grinned again, and took her in his arms. "You missed me? But only a little," he teased back. "I know I missed you a great deal. The little glimpses Heimdall was able to provide were nowhere near enough."
Jane sighed in contentment, and admitted, "I cried every day for weeks. You said you would come back, and I believed you would. I knew something terrible must have happened to keep you from returning. The only thing I could do was try to find a way to create the Bifrost from Earth, but I had no way to aim it, I didn't know where I was trying to get to."
"Sh, sh, Jane. Heimdall saw your efforts. You impressed him greatly. He understands much about how the Bifrost works. You should speak with him while you are here," said Thor.
"I will, but first I think we should talk," said Jane. "How long can I stay here? What is the Aether doing to me? Is there a cure, or a way to get it out of me? I can feel it moving through me even now, it isn't painful, exactly, but it terrifying."
"Ahh, yes, there is something we can do that will make you more comfortable, and that will give Odin and others of greater learning than I time to search out a solution. It is important that we talk about other things first, as this process may have side effects in and of itself," answered Thor. He hesitated, reluctant to push too hard, but at the same time eager to do all that he could to assure her safety, and bind her to him more closely.
"Jane, are your feelings for me the same? I know that I love you deeply, against all the customs of my people. We have spent so little time actually together, and often then in mortal danger. It isn't much to base such feelings on. But I meant what I said before, I believe that Fate has drawn us together, and since that first time I saw you in the desert, I have been drawn to you."
Jane hadn't blushed so much in her entire life, as she had in this one day. But she knew her feelings were as strong as his, and sought to reassure him.
"On Earth we call this 'love at first sight', and I feel it too. I don't understand it entirely myself, I only know that in a very deep place in my heart I love you." She searched for words to express what she was feeling. "You complete me," she finished.
"My Jane," Thor murmured. He bent his head down and kissed her. She returned the kiss with all the energy she was capable of. Relief swept through them both, but with the relief Jane was suddenly dizzy. She noticeably drooped in his arms. Quickly, Thor set her in the chair she had risen from and knelt before her, holding her hands.
"Jane, Jane, stay awake a little longer," pleaded Thor. "I did not think my kisses were so worthless, as to put you to sleep," he teased. "That is not a maiden's usual response," he added, hoping to rouse her ire a bit.
Jane glared at him, and primly folded her hands in her lap. She knew he was teasing her, to keep her alert, and resolved to give back as good as she had been given. "Well, I haven't much to compare you to; over the past couple of years I haven't dated much. But I think your kisses might be rated a bit above average."
"You wound me, Jane" Thor retorted. He was pleased to see that she had roused a bit. "Now hear me, I can aid you in your resistance to the Aether, but I will need your consent to do so. You have seen me wield Mjolnir. I can channel great amounts of energy and it is possible to give a little of this power to you, to help you resist the effects of the Aether. Would this be acceptable to you?" he asked.
"Would this harm you in any way, Thor?" Jane replied. "I won't do this if it weakens your or harms you at all."
"No harm will come to me, but I must tell you that this is not a casual offer. This is something I can do only once, for only one person. And the AllFather is not sure that I will be able to rescind this power once it is given. You would need to remain near me, at least at first. We do this, not just for you, but for the safety of those around you." He had resolved to be scrupulously honest with her, so she could truly make her own decision.
Jane was more than a bit shaken by his information. This sounded awfully important, and parts of it frightening. She didn't want to carry the burden without his aid, but she wasn't sure about accepting something so momentous from him. She didn't feel she had the right. But she also didn't want to endanger others.
"This sounds like a proposal," she exclaimed. "'Something you can only give once, and only to one other'? Is this a form of what my people would call marriage?" she asked.
"It is common between spouses, yes, but in the long history of my people, at great need it has been given between family members, or even comrades in arms," explained Thor. "Remember, this is not just for your safety but for the safety of Asgard. Odin is worried what would happen should this evil get loose here."
"Well, it seems to me as if I really don't have a choice. The effort of resisting the Aether is exhausting, and I wouldn't wish this on anyone. But does this place any other obligation on either of us? Everything is still so new, I don't want to force you into anything," she said.
"Jane, I cannot feel forced in this. I want it more than I should," insisted Thor. "But you say you are resisting it? What is it trying to do to you?"
"I don't want to think about it too closely. It's intent on bringing darkness, and death," she whispered. "It keeps trying to push its way into my mind, to force me to do and say hateful things. I feel as if my mind is fighting a battle, to keep my own identity."
"I can aid you in this struggle, will you let me help you?" asked Thor. His heart squeezed in fear for her safety.
"What do I need to do? asked Jane.
Thor looked about the room, and seeing another chair, brought it in front of Jane's. He sat down, knee to knee with her and took her hands. "Rest here, relax. You need do nothing, just do not resist me," said Thor. "If you can, try to see me in your mind's eye."
Jane let her head rest against the wing of the chair. She could feel Thor's strong hands holding hers. She concentrated on holding his image in her mind. Thor thought about Jane, and focused on sharing the energy within himself with her. He visualized a field, or bubble around her, gently contracting around her. The field contracted into her skin. He envisioned it contracting into a small ball surrounding the Aether. Once he felt he had contained the Aether he exerted himself a bit more and channeled some energy into Jane, in an attempt to strengthen her ability to resist. He opened his eyes, and found Jane watching him with bright eyes.
"Did you feel anything at all, Jane?" he asked.
Now that he no longer needed to concentrate Jane felt free to move. She leapt into his lap and looked up at him. "I felt it all. I can sense the Aether still within me, but it isn't pulsing the way it was. And I feel more myself. My thoughts aren't so dark. Thank you!" She ran her hand up his arm, to the epaulets at his shoulder. He cradled her head in his hands, and looked into her eyes. As she gazed up at him she became lost in the blueness of his eyes and the intensity of feeling she saw there. For Thor the ability to think rationally seemed to have left him. There was only Jane, and the peace of the moment. He bent to kiss her, and finally their lips met. They were both feeling overwhelmed with the moment and the kiss began chastely, but quickly heated into the slide of lips and battling of tongues. Their hearts raced, and when the need to draw a deep breath became overwhelming for Jane she pulled away, gasping, and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I can see that you are feeling much better," he smiled.
"I feel much stronger, but I am still tired. I have been on three worlds in one day! I'd like to sleep, and then maybe you could show me around a bit." Jane suggested.
"Then sleep you shall," said Thor. "Here," and scooping her up, he strode to the bedchamber, and lay her gently on the bed, "You should find this comfortable." He stood over her, looking down at her, and apparently realizing what he had done, his eyes darkened.
Having just felt the strength in his arms, Jane was suddenly less sleepy. "Stay with me, for a while?" she whispered.
"I don't think you would get much rest that way, but I will sit here for a bit," he replied. He went into the antechamber and plucked up one of the chairs. Returning with it he put it next to the bed, and took Jane's hand in his, using the other to stroke her hair. "Rest, Jane. Tomorrow we will see more of Asgard, and see what the scholars here can find about the Aether."
Jane pouted a bit, but she was tired, and relaxed, sighing into the soft bed. "Fine, I can think of more interesting things to do here, but if you're not interested, I'll just sleep." She eyed him, wondering what response this would get her.
Thor threw back his head and laughed, "Wench, I can think of better things to do as well. There will hopefully be time for some of these 'better things' soon. But for now, let us rest and recover. When I do make love with you I would do so without the threat of ruin and destruction over our heads. It should be a time of joy, not desperation." But he did lean down to kiss her, as a way to let her know it wasn't lack of interest. He carded his fingers through her hair, and held her head in his hand, kissing her deeply.
Jane kissed him back and by way of invitation parted her lips slightly. Suddenly the kiss deepened and his resolve to wait weakened. This woman had beguiled him completely. It was only his love for her, and his concern for her well being that gave him the strength to draw back slightly, and resting his forehead against hers, he breathed deeply and murmured, "Jane, Jane, rest now. Tomorrow there will be more time to explore both Asgard and our feelings!"
She relented, although she wasn't sure she would be able to rest much. She settled back, and smiled at him. She was a bit confused by his reticence, but she was assured by his words and the passion in his kiss. She closed her eyes and tried to settle back down. Surprisingly she felt herself drifting off to sleep. Thor's presence was reassuring. She wondered to herself, 'Does he sleep? I know he eats and drinks, but does he get tired? When does he rest? I'll have to ask him…..'
Thor watched her, and saw that she was quickly falling asleep. He sat with her a cycle, keeping her in his thoughts. When he was sure she was sleeping soundly he rose from the chair, and padded as quietly as possible to the door of the antechamber. Spying a guard down the hall he beckoned to him.
"How long is your watch yet, Arnfreyer? I do not wish to leave Lady Jane unattended, but I have things to do in other parts of the palace. Can you watch here, and send for me if there is any disturbance? Do not go in, but send quickly for me. "
"My lord Thor, my watch does not end till the dawn, some 4 cycles from now. I will stand here, and if any disturbance arises I will send one of my little friends to you," said Arnfreyer, producing a small bird from a roomy pocket in his cloak. "If you see this little one, return quickly. Is the mortal woman unwell?"
"No, not precisely unwell, but she has experienced much this day, and may dream. If she wakes before I return, bring her to the AllFather's study, where the scholars and the Allfather are working on an issue of great import. I shall be there," said Thor. He eyed the bird as Arnfreyer returned it to his pocket. Well are you named 'Birdfriend. How do you get the little creature to trust you?"
"It takes great patience, Lord, but having them at hand is very useful," answered Anrfreyer. "Have you not seen the Allfather work with his ravens?"
"Of course, but I had not thought to use these small ones as messengers. Perhaps, someday I could find such a helper," said Thor. "But for now I am too busy."
"If ever you decide to seek such a companion seek my aid, Lord. I would be honored to help you," said Arnfreyer, who resumed his post.
"My thanks, Arnfreyer," returned Thor, striding away.