The god who would be King
I do not any film in the Marvel franchise
Chapter 4- Meeting the devil...again
Thor was the happiest of men. Jane Foster, the mortal from Midgard, had finally agreed to become his wife. It had taken Thor six times to get her to finally agree. Five times he asked, and each time, Jane had politely refused. Her work and friends were here on earth. But she found she loved Thor more with each passing day. Still, she remained worried. If she did return with him to Asgard, there may be times when he would be needed back on Earth. As queen, he told her, she would be regent in his absence.
Jane was a scientist. Was she capable enough to be a ruler at such times? Despite her reservations, she finally, on the sixth time, said 'yes'. To her surprise and happiness, Thor had promised to remain on Earth, with her. He had decided earlier he was not suited to be king. Odin had allowed him to return to Midgard, for good, if Thor wished. Now Jane could continue her work, while Thor worked with SHIELD.
Jane celebrated with Darcy and Ian, but she had another friend with whom she would want to share the news.
Sarah Martin of San Francisco was in the middle of working on some recently acquired research, when her cell phone rang.
"Damn," she muttered distractedly. Always the way, and just when she was making some headway in these formulas. This work had to be completed soon, now that she was back home in San Francisco. The world was finally returning to normal, now that the alien invasion of New York was over, and the mess there cleaned up.
She answered the phone. "Yes, this is Sarah Martin." She was shocked to hear the voice of her old friend Jane Foster, who started talking, all excitement.
"Oh my god, Sarah, I have such good news," Jane giggled. "You remember the guy I told you about?"
"Wait, not the one who comes from another planet. Really, Jane, how can you seriously have me believe..." Sarah wasn't sure she had believed her friend when she told her the story of a place called Asgard, the Bifrost across which some Asgardians had traveled, and how one of them had so entranced Jane. Still, when Jane mentioned the mess in New Mexico and New York City had been caused by aliens, Sarah's world changed. All these events had been connected, Jane told her. As an astrophysicist, finding alien life was a monumental discovery. And Jane had been in the middle of it all. She had nearly died, in fact. Never had Sarah been so jealous of her friend.
"You have to come with us, Sarah. Thor and I are getting married, in Asgard! Say you'll come. I don't have many friends, and no family. I'm going to need your help. Darcy and her boyfriend Ian will there, as well as Eric. Please, Sarah. You have to come too." Jane was begging, while Sarah wondered how Jane could even doubt the answer.
"Travel to an alien world? Really? You're not kidding me now, right?"
"Sarah, don't call it an alien world. It's Thor's home. They're just people like anyone else."
"Oh, right, the legendary Norse gods. Jane, do you even comprehend the concept?" Sarah scoffed at the idea that any alien was "just like anyone else".
Jane sighed. "I have had to get used to that concept for awhile now. But Sarah, we'll be using what they call the Bifrost. It's an Einstein-Rosen bridge!"
Sarah's eyes lit up as she pondered that. "Ok, ok, I'll go. With an experience like traveling on a real live Einstein-Rosen bridge, well, when do we leave?"
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It was actually several more weeks before Jane told Sarah that they would be leaving. Sarah had packed a few things, as Jane told her most everything would be provided for her, including clothing more suitable to Asgard. Jane would need her and Darcy's help preparing for the wedding, since the queen was not there to perform that duty as was customary. Jane explained to Sarah of Frigga's death while protecting her.
"She must have been an awesome woman," Sarah remarked.
Jane nodded, remembering how Frigga had died, protecting her from Malekith. "She was. She saved my life."
Sarah met Darcy Lewis and her English boyfriend, Ian, who had moved to the States to be with Darcy. They talked about the recent past events, all of it less than believable to Sarah. But it had happened, with even the media chipping in its two cents.
In New Mexico, later Germany, New York, and England. And it had all started with the arrival of Jane's fiancé Thor.
When Thor arrived to meet up with the party, Jane couldn't wait to introduce him. Sarah met the man who was supposed to be a legendary god, according to human history anyway. She practically had to pick herself up off the floor. Here before her stood a beautiful man, at least 6'4", with long blond har, and the most sincere smile she had ever seen worn by a male. His costume was almost medieval. He grasped her hand gently, and raised it his lips. Sarah blushed furiously while Jane beamed behind her.
"I am honored to meet you, friend of Jane," he said in a pleasant voice.
"Likewise," Sarah said, trying not to act like a schoolgirl. "I'm sorry. I don't know much about Norse gods. I was always into the Greeks myself."
Thor chuckled as he put his arm around Jane. "I am Asgardian, Sarah. Nothing more." He turned to the small party and said, "We should head out to the departure point. Heimdall will be waiting."
"Heimdall?" Sarah repeated.
"Heimdall is the Gatekeeper of the Bifrost. He will make sure we reach Asgard safely," Thor answered.
As they started off for the car, Sarah took Jane aside, and asked, "Are you sure you want to marry him?"
Jane smiled and nodded. 'Absolutely, Sarah. He's so perfect, so brave and honest. He's almost what one could imagine in a god such as the Vikings believed in. And I love him."
"Then you're doing the right thing, girl. I'm happy for you." Sarah placed an arm around her friend's waist as they walked to the car.
The small party drove to an uninhabited area outside Puente Antiguo in New Mexico. There would be no one to see them there. Eric Selvig joined them shortly before they were to leave. Sarah gave him a tight hug. "Eric, it's so good to see you. You're looking well." She remembered her feeling of horror at seeing her friend parade himself naked on TV for all to see. She was happy he was doing better.
"It's great you're coming with us. I know Jane is happy about it. But this bridge..."
Sarah interrupted him. "Yes, I know. Have you ever used it..." she started to ask, when she saw him shake his head. But the shine in his eyes betrayed his emotion as well. He was just as excited as she was.
Thor greeted the man as an old friend. Thor's brother had not been kind to the scientist during his quest for domination of the Earth, and it had taken Eric many months of therapy to get back to his old self again. Thor wanted to pay him back in some way for what his brother had done. He had decided that Selvig would be allowed to see some things no mortal had set eyes upon, once they arrived in Asgard. He was sure his friend would find it more than fascinating.
The car was packed, so fortunately there was no need for luggage. Everything would be provided for them, according to Thor. Once they had reached the departure point, everyone exited the car and stood where Thor told them to be. He looked up at the sky and called out, "Heimdall, we are ready."
Sarah watched as the clouds overhead began to darken and swirl in a circular motion. A tornado-like funnel descended upon the party, where they found themselves enveloped in a bright light. Suddenly, a rushing wind seemed to surround them, carrying everyone into an impossible color-lit darkness.
Sarah felt as if her lungs were unable to take in enough air, when she found herself landing on a polished floor, butt first. "Well, that was graceful." She saw a hand reach down, so she grabbed it. It was Thor looking down at her with a big smile. "Thank you," she said, embarrassed.
"It takes time to learn how to return on one's feet, Sarah of Midgard." He released her hand, and greeted Heimdall, thanking him.
"So these are your wedding guests, Jane. Not many mortals have been made welcome in Asgard. See to their proper behavior," Heimdall warned sternly, but his face softened into a smile, as he continued, "my Queen."
"Yes, Heimdall. I will, I promise." Jane smiled back, her brown eyes twinkling.
"Who is that?" whispered Sarah.
"He minds the Bifrost so that no one tries to enter Asgard without permission. He also sees everything that happens in all nine realms," Jane explained.
"Nine...realms? There are more?" Sarah was about to faint, or so she felt. Her amazement was that overwhelming. "You'll have to tell me all of it, everything, Jane."
"You'll be so surprised, once you know it all. Not that you'll necessarily understand everything."
An air ship stood on the bridge, waiting for the party. Thor led them into the ship, and it lifted off, and slowly hovered over the bridge as it headed for the largest structure in the city.
"That is the palace," Thor proudly declared.
As the ship ventured toward the city, Sarah took in all the spectacular sights around her, but her mind could not fathom it all. Water was everyone, with falls creating such a sound, she could barely hear herself think. The buildings ahead of them were unlike anything on Earth. And the sky...it was impossibly day and night at the same time. Light was all around them, clouds painted in blue, purple and pink, while a fully dark, star-lit sky hovered above them.
She stood and peered over the edge of the vessel. Below them was nothing but empty space filled with swirling nebular clouds.
Jane watched her friend, smiling. Coming to Asgard the first time could be more than a mere human could bear.
"Thor," Sarah began, walking over to Jane's betrothed. "There's water, and there are falls, but where is the water falling to?" She went back to the edge of the bridge and looked down. "It's impossible. The water goes where?"
Thor shrugged slightly. "It goes...there," he said, pointing down. He had never thought of it before, having grown up here. He was used to what seemed normal for him.
Sarah whispered to Jane, "I wonder if any water ships have fallen over. Shades of flat Earth beliefs, huh, Jane?" Her friend merely smiled at her.
When they reached the palace, Thor led them to the throne room, where Odin waited to greet the friends of his son's bride-to-be.
As each one was introduced to the king, Sarah was unsure of protocol, so decided to adapt what she might do on Earth if she met say, the Queen of England. She curtsied. Then she noticed Jane stifling a laugh. Oh, what the heck, Sarah thought. I tried. At least the king didn't seem offended.
Odin stood, scepter in hand. "Welcome to Asgard, friends of Jane Foster. You do us honor by attending my son's wedding and coronation."
Eric Selvig stepped forward. "It is we who are honored, your majesty."
"Son, show your friends to their rooms. Then return here to me." Odin tapped his scepter on the floor, watched as two guards moved to accompany the group, and sat back on the throne.
"Yes, Father. Jane, everyone, follow me." Thor led them to their rooms. When he showed Sarah her room, she was amazed at the beautifully appointed furnishings. But better than that she saw open doors that hung from ceiling to floor. They led outside onto a large balcony overlooking a lake. Waterfalls dotted the perimeter of the lake, or maybe it was an ocean, it was so vast.
"Does it please you, Sarah?" Thor asked, flashing a smile.
"Absolutely. Thank you very much. Uh, Thor, when may I see Jane? She said that there would be much to do, and she would need my help."
"I will tell her that you asked, but for now, rest. Enjoy the wonders my world has to offer. If you need anything, push this button, and someone will come."
"Thank you again." Sarah gave the tall Asgardian a wide smile, and watched him leave. Once he was gone, she went out onto the balcony, and took in the vista. "I think I'm going to like it here," she mused aloud.
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That night, there was a feast in honor of Thor's guests. As he entertained everyone with stories of his victorious battles, which had their humorous moments as well, he mentioned his time on Earth when he assisted the heroes called the Avengers. Loki came up in the conversation.
"Wait, the guy who was in Germany, and who practically decimated New York...was your brother?"
"Yes, Sarah. Sadly, Loki has an insatiable need to rule. Earth suffered from that need, when he led the Chitauri to attack your world."
"I met him! It was in Stuttgart, Jane. Remember I told you I had a ticket to the Schafer museum gala back, oh, about a year ago?"
"I do. You met Loki at the gala?"
"I kind of ran interference outside actually. He was going to point this staff thing at some man who compared him to the Nazis I assumed. He refused to kneel to your brother. Very brave, really. Before he could kill the old guy, I asked him not to. Can you believe that? This tall man in a green cape and some horned helmet was saying he was going to take over the world. It was insane. No one knew who he was."
"You challenged my brother?" Thor asked, sure it had been Loki by Sarah's description. He knew Loki had been trouble in the land across the sea from New York, but what he had done there, Thor didn't have all the details.
"Yeah, stupid, huh. He did save my life that night though. It was like something out of a nightmare really. A plane or a jet starting shooting at him, and he pushed me out of the way." Sarah thought a moment, and leaned closer, whispering. "Thor, do you think I could see him, just for a few minutes."
Thor shook his head. "Father would never permit it."
"Please." Sarah explained to Thor, Jane and the others how she had been invited to attend the museum opening, and what had happened as a personal witness. "I truly believe he saved my life, and I would like to say thanks, that's all."
"No one visits him." And that was true. When Loki had first been imprisoned, Frigga, their mother, saw to his needs. Now she was gone.
"Do you mean to tell me you haven't seen him since his imprisonment, your own brother?"
"No," Thor answered, his head lowered briefly, as if ashamed.
"Then maybe he needs that. Just one person telling him he isn't hopeless, that he did something good." Sarah grew more insistent. "Please ask your father."
Thor was still angry at Loki, but felt compassion for his lot. "I will ask Father, and let you know, Sarah. It is his decision."
"Thanks for doing that." Sarah wondered how being imprisoned had changed the outlook of this man who would have taken over Earth. According to some news reports, he had come awful close.
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Sarah followed the guard, who led her to one of the cells deep in the dungeons. It was nothing she imagined. Quite humane, it seemed. It didn't smell bad, there were lit cells, and everyone seemed docile enough.
The guard brought her to one in particular, turned and waited silently. Sarah walked up to the large glass window. She saw a man lying on a bed, tossing something up into the air. As he caught the object, he would repeat the action. Sarah mustered her courage, and said, "Hello, Loki."
At first, he didn't respond. Could he even hear her through the glass? She saw him raise his head to see where the voice was coming from. He then sat up on the bed, and looked her way, setting the cup on the floor. He peered at her, eyes narrowing, as if he were trying to remember something. Then recognition showed. "I know you."
"Yes, you should. Earth, Stuttgart Germany. That night at the museum. Do you remember now?"
Loki stood and went over the window where Sarah stood. He looked down at her. "Yes, in the square. You were the only one brave enough to stand up for the old man."
"Then you do remember." For some reason, Sarah felt pleased.
Loki grinned. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" The sarcasm in his voice took Sarah aback.
Putting on a brave face, she answered, "Coincidence, really. Life never ceases to amaze me. You can imagine my surprise, when I find out that the brother of the man my friend Jane is engaged to be married to, is the same man from that night in Germany."
Loki began to walk slowly parallel to the window, hands behind his back as he spoke. "And you came here, wanting to view the failed King of Midgard in his element."
"I wanted to thank you for saving my life that night, when you pushed me aside just as that ship started firing on you." Sarah noticed that Loki didn't seem quite so formidable as he had that night. There was no armor, no glowing staff. He seemed quite harmless, really. Tall, but harmless.
Loki wondered why the woman was really here. To taunt him? Would Odin be that cruel? Would Thor? He pressed his forearm against the barrier, leaning closer to the woman, as he said deliberately, "I did not save your life that night. I needed room to fight, and you were in the way!" He stared her in the eyes, unblinking, reveling in the fear he saw there.
Sarah stepped back from the glass as if she had been slapped. She knew her face was red from embarrassment, but she managed to speak. "I'm sorry I wasted your time then." She nodded at the guard, who started to lead her back down the hall.
"Wait." Loki had not had anyone come see him, not even Thor. Now he was sending away the one person who had bothered, for whatever reason.
Sarah stopped and turned only her head. "Yes?" she asked, looking back at Loki as he stood near the window.
"Stay, just for awhile. Please."
He seemed contrite, even pleading, so she gave the guard a nod to wait for her, and returned to the cell's window.
"I wasn't entirely honest with you," Loki started to say. "I was attempting to get you out of the line of fire that..." He was interrupted by Sarah, who was now angry at his words and treatment of her.
"You should have been executed for what you did to my planet, in both Stuttgart and New York City."
Her sudden change took Loki by surprise. His brow furrowed as he listened to her.
"Do you remember Dr Shafer? He died from the trauma of the wound you inflicted upon him. But he lingered for 8 days in constant pain, until he finally passed away, or so the papers said. As for New York City, the body count was in dispute for months, let alone the damage you caused."
"Why the accusations, when you said you came to thank me?" Loki demanded, his blue-green eyes narrowing.
"Your attitude reminded me of what I should be saying." Sarah had not meant to get angry at Loki, but she was hurt he had denied what she perceived as concern for her well being. Once he admitted he was helping her, it was too late. "Well, I need to go. I've been here far too long already." She nodded once more to the guard, and left.
"Come back, if you wish." Loki put on his indifferent face, and casually repeated, "I don't get many visitors, you understand." Loki went no further, not wanting to beg for her attentions. He turned away from her gaze. But from the corner of his eye, he watched her depart, and found himself hoping she would return.
Later, as he tried to take his mind off the mortal woman, Loki found himself reading the same page of his book, over and over. He attempted to concentrate, but didn't take in one word in ten. This angered him, as he felt he didn't need her attentions, nor anyone else's. Perhaps this was a trick of Odin's. To provide him with the small taste of company, only to snatch it away. There was no real reason for her to return. Still, he hoped she would.
Author's note:
Still working on this story, albeit slowly. Thanks for reading!