~Sorry about the wait, I was a little caught up with some things and I apologize with the filler. We will be coming closer to the actual Thor plot. But for now enjoy...
Chapter 16
Serene caught up with Loki who was walking ahead along with Thor, Frigga and Bjorn.
Queen Frigga was pointing at the different statues that littered the hallways and explained each and every one of them to the curious child.
"What is it you are going to discuss with Heimdall Serene? Not keeping secrets from me are you?" Loki said with a mischievous smirk.
"There are some things that are not meant for ears of those you cannot see," Serene answered.
She couldn't reveal the upcoming battle between the Dark elves and Vanaheim.
This would create chaos and misunderstanding, she needed Heimdall to watch and wait for any signal for help.
"You know you cannot lie to the God of Lies, this is why you dance around your words," Loki said with a challenging smile.
"My Love, if I thought it would involve you then of course I would tell you, for now I need someone with eyes to watch the development of this problem," Serene said leaning in and pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"I'm surprised you asked help from the Gatekeeper, don't you have all seeing eyes darling?" Loki asked a smile on his lips.
"Even I need help everyone and awhile my Trickster," Serene said as she tapped his nose before breaking off to catch up with her son.
"Bjorn I want you to stay with your new family until I return, if you have any problems just call for me," Serene said as she kissed his hair.
"Ok Mama, Uncle Thor was going to take me to meet his friends," Bjorn said with an excited tone.
Serene looked to Thor with a raised eyebrow.
"You must keep an eye on him, he is still a child and he is not Asgardian," Serene said holding Thor's gaze.
"Of course sister, Loki will be joining us anyways," Thor said proudly.
Loki rolled his eyes playfully, "And what impression did I give to go with you to the training yards?"
"Aye but you need to drop your armor off anyways so there's a reason," Thor said.
Loki huffed out a 'fine' before giving Serene a chaste kiss.
"Do return to me in one piece, there is still enough time left in the day for us to settle back in," Loki whispered into her ear.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Serene whispered back before teleporting.
"Whoa, why didn't we do that?" Bjorn asked amazed.
"There is a lot of motion sickness involved with that sort of travel Nephew, now come I'm sure my friends are waiting for new stories," Thor said and clapped a hand on his Brother and nephew to guide towards the training grounds.
~With Heimdall~
Heimdall stood in a very straight posture as he gazed into the dark space.
His eyes moved every so often to look at any corner of the Nine Realms.
His gold eyes held the years of many battles and sorrows.
The red and blue clouds reflected back into his eyes as the night sky shifted as her creator grew closer.
"My Lady," Heimdall spoke greeting the young Galaxian.
"Heimdall, any major disturbances?" Serene asked as she stood walking towards the open balcony looking over the falls that flowed into the universe.
"None of which need our help, my lady," Heimdall replied.
Serene nodded her head and then sat at the bottom of the platform Heimdall stood on.
"Do you ever turn your gaze away from those in need?" Serene asked looking into the abyss.
"When I was younger I did, I am not proud of my choices," Heimdall said in a regretful tone.
"Well at least you know your faults, you must withhold so much that you see, I don't envy you with that," Serene mumbled.
"We share that burden my lady, though I only report to Odin and yourself, you on the other hand have to take action," Heimdall responded.
Serene 'hmmed' before continuing her gaze into the sky.
She didn't need to see the galaxy to see what was going on in the Nine Realms.
" There is a war coming Heimdall and I need you to watch the Dark elves, I believe they are up to something," Serene said standing.
"Of course my lady and what do I tell the All-Father?" Heimdall questioned.
This was always the struggle he must obey the Lady of the Galaxy but he has a sworn allegiance to the All-father.
"Report to me and if we need to take action tell Odin, for now keep an eye out," Serene said before teleporting.
Heimdall returned his gaze to the galaxy and searched for the upcoming skirmish.
"My Lady knows well, do not question her All-father, she is not the one you will have to confront about withheld secrets," Heimdall spoke to the two raven roosting in the dome.
One of them cawed before taking flight.
~With Thor~
The dirt training grounds were covered in dust clouds from the combat training taking place between the warriors.
"Come on Volstagg, this is going to take all evening," Fandral said teasingly as he danced around the larger man making quick slashes with his foil.
Volstagg held his axe was swinging in large arcs to attack the smaller man.
"Well quit dancing like a maiden and fight like a man, then maybe we can finish," Volstagg wheezed out as his face became red with exertion.
Fandral scowled at the comment before making a quick jab that caught Volstagg under his chin, nicking his neck.
"Fandral has first blood," Sif called out from her place on the fence along with Hogun.
Hogun held a stony face as he watched the other warriors shout in in battle.
Sif had challenged some of the guards and had sent some to the healers with nasty gashes.
Sif stood proudly with blood on her training armor.
The sun had cast a orange glow over the grounds when a voice bellowed out, "My friends I have returned!"
The Warriors Three and Sif stood to attention as their Golden Prince entered the yard along with Loki and a small silvered haired child.
"Good to have you back Thor," Volstagg said slapping the man on the shoulder.
"My friends we were victorious, we defeated the King of the Midguardian Giants and retrieved Mjölnir," Thor said beamingly as he displayed the returned hammer.
The Warriors clapped and gave their comments as Thor smiled at the attention.
Loki looked on with disdain as Bjorn looked at the grounds.
His eyes wandered over the different warriors that loitered the yard and then he saw the weapon's rack.
Bjorn looked at his mother's lover and saw that he wasn't paying attention.
He snuck away from the watchful gaze and scuttled towards the rack.
His eyes widened in excitement when he picked up a double-edged battle axe and held it in his hands.
His arms wobbled under the strain but the smile on his face was so big his cheeks tingling.
Bjorn swung and the blade embedded itself into the wood of the rack.
The rack rattled and some of the weapons fell making a cacophony of clangs.
The chatter had stalled when a noise broke the steady flow of words.
"What have you done you stupid child," a guard growled out in an anguish cry.
Bjorn dropped the axe in fright and hid behind the sliced rack.
"Get back here you brat," the guard said chasing Bjorn.
Bjorn let out a cry and dashed towards Loki. T
he Dark Prince looked at the frightened child as he dashed behind his legs and hid from the guard.
"Your Highness, that brat destroyed the weapon's rack he must pay," the guard said as he stood in front of Loki.
"I do not see the destroyed weapon rack you speak of, all I see is a child who wanted to hold an axe and decided to take a swing at the wood," Loki said coolly.
"Besides I would not let you harm this child, he is the son of Serene and is under my watch as she is with Heimdall at the moment," Loki added giving the guard a warning glare.
The guard's eyes widen in fear, "Of course your Highness, my mistake," the guard said in a shaky breath.
"See to it you do not do it again," Loki said stiffly as he reached down to comfort the child.
The guard bowed his head in shame and soon scurried back to his group of friends.
Bjorn ducked his head so his hair covered up his face.
"Maybe next time you should ask before playing with weapons," Loki commented as he brushed the hair back.
Loki felt a flutter in his chest as he comforted the frightened child.
He smoothed the silver hair and watched as the Warriors Three plus Sif slowly approach to meet the child.
"Hello Sereneson, I am Lady Sif and these three are the Warrior three," Sif said as she held out her hand.
Bjorn looked at the tall muscular woman.
She had coal black hair and hard facial features but she held out her wrist to grasp.
"Hello Lady Sif I am Bjorn," Bjorn answered as he grasped her wrist with his hand and she copied the squeeze before releasing.
The three men stood, shifting from foot to foot waiting to meet the newest member of the family.
"I am Volstagg, young warrior," Volstagg said as he mirrored Sif's movements.
Bjorn repeated this two more times becoming acquainted with the famous warriors.
"I am sorry to ask but does your name imply anything?" Sif asked as she looked at Bjorn.
Bjorn glanced up to Loki to see if he could answer the question.
Loki raised an eyebrow and looked to the warriors.
"You must swear an oath that this information doesn't travel to other ears," Loki spoke to the group of four.
The warriors looked at one another and all placed a fist over their heart and looked to Bjorn.
"We swear by the Nine Realms not to reveal any information Bjorn is to give to us about himself," they spoke in sync.
Bjorn watched in awe as a gold light enveloped the warriors and the surrounding people who didn't even speak the oath, glowing brightly before going out with a wink.
"All right Bjorn you may show them," Loki said encouragingly.
Bjorn nodded his head before he imagined himself transforming into his other self.
He could hear his bones break and rearrange.
A few gasps escaped and were heard.
Bjorn felt the final shift and shook his head to ruffle the fur.
He let out a roar and took cautious steps out towards the others.
Fandral squatted down and extended a hand out towards the cub.
The silver bear meandered his way towards the hand and sniffed the offered hand.
Fandral laughed when the bear licked his hand and wiped his hand on his pant leg.
A cacophony of laughter ensued when the bear decided to bite the cuff of the leather pants of Volstagg and proceeded to rock his head to play tug of war.
"Aye quit it, I need these," Volstagg cried out and shook his head.
Bjorn let out another growl before he let go and walked back to Loki and stood on his hind legs to imitate the Aesir.
He took shaky steps and started to walk.
Shocked gasps were heard as the cub started to walk like a two-leg.
"He's a were-bear!" Someone screamed.
Panic ensued as those who had only heard about the rogues fled the scene.
The Warriors Three, Lady Sif, Thor and Loki stood alone in the training grounds as Bjorn transformed back into his more human looking form.
He let out a sob and ran. "Bjorn, wait," Loki called out as he attempted to follow the distraught child.
He looked wildly for the child but saw nothing.
"By the Nine, Bjorn where are you," Loki asked continuing his search.
"Find him before something happens to him," Loki growled out to the guards and the group.
Thor nodded and broke off to find his nephew.
~With Bjorn~
Bjorn had sprinted off and found an abandoned hallway and continued his fitful disappointment.
Why were people so naïve, not all were-bears are monsters.
Bjorn saw a garden and walked through the archway.
"Halt, who goes there," two booming voices called out.
Bjorn held back a gasp as two massive wolves approached him.
Their ebony fur shined like a raven's wing.
They made Bjorn feel like a mouse.
"I am Bjorn Sereneson," Bjorn managed to speak out.
One of the wolves tilted his head and looked to the other.
"Sereneson? Mother never mentioned a new brother," the wolf spoke to the other.
"Mama rescued me when she came to Midguard," Bjorn spoke up.
"Hmm that explains it, Mother did not smell like she was with child, where is she now Bjorn," the other wolf asked.
"I don't know I sort of ran away from her lover and Uncle Thor because people panicked about my other form," the child said looking at the ground.
"Brother you are free here, this is the Unknown realm, this is where beings come after the rest of their kind have either been killed off or to find sanctuary, mother is in charge of this realm," the first wolf said as he stretched his legs in front of him so he was stretched out into a laying position.
His other brother mimicked the position so they didn't intimidate the younger sibling.
"Can I ask what your names are?" Bjorn asked.
"I am Birger and he is Frode, together we protect the realm," Birger spoke.
Bjorn nodded his head.
"Bjorn where are you?" a voice called out.
Bjorn tilted his head to hear the voice again.
"Bjorn, please come out you are not in any trouble," Loki called.
The wolves sat up ready to protect the gates.
"Hey it's ok, it's Mama's lover," Bjorn said reacting.
"He is not been welcomed yet," Frode spoke with a growl.
Bjorn raised an eyebrow confused, "Ok, I'll just go, I hope to come back soon brothers," Bjorn said as he raced back towards the entrance.
"Aye brother, do not forget though only Mother allows those she can trust are allowed here, do not say a word about this realm," Birger said with a huff. Bjorn gulped and nodded his head before leaving.
~With Loki~
Loki was at his wits end looking for the child.
Serene would have his head if he couldn't find Bjorn.
Loki growled and cursed.
You stupid man, you were suppose to watch the child, she trusted you and now if you cannot find him, she will never forgive you.
He continued calling for the child as he entered Serene's wing.
He heard the patter of feet and soon saw the small child.
"Oh thank the Norns, where have you been?" Loki said as he caught up with Bjorn.
"I was hiding," Bjorn spoke as he looked at his feet. Loki sighed shaking his head.
"Well come, I'm sure Serene would like to see us," Loki Spoke as he led them to his rooms.