There was, of course, an uproar when the rest of the Avengers showed up. Thor crushed his brother in an embrace that Loki quickly squirmed out of before they started growling at each other about Odin and Asgard and Loki's deception. The rest of the Avengers were understandably nervous at having Loki returned and talked amongst themselves and with Thor about the implications and potential dangers of the situation while Loki seated himself in the polished gold throne and lounged in it, watching the Avengers speak with tired disinterest. I, in the meantime, retreated to the shadow of the curtains by the window at the far side of the room and watched the proceeding silently, leaning against the wall with my arms and ankles crossed.
I was not interested in the politics of the circumstances; it was the emotion that had my attention. Loki was evidently displeased by the invasion made by Thor and his earthly companions; watching them discuss his behaviour and the threat he now posed with thin lips and narrowed eyes, in spite of his relaxed posture. Thor was concerned, not only for the welfare of his people or his brother, but for himself. It seemed that Odin had made a very touching speech before Thor left Asgard to live with Jane; but that speech was, in fact, given by Loki, who had slain Odin. It was somewhat disconcerting for him to think that Loki made a better father than Odin had been. Then there were the remaining Avengers, Sif, and the Warriors Three; none of which were particularly happy to discover that Loki was alive, and were all more or less set on either locking him away securely, or killing him for real.
I noticed when Loki closed his eyes, and moments later, the guards arrived. "I am afraid that I do have certain duties to perform regarding the management of Asgard," Loki announced smoothly with an undertone of irritation. "I would appreciate it if you would leave me in peace. I am expecting the return of a messenger from Nornheim at any moment." The guards surrounded the Avengers plus Sif and the Warriors, not noticing me in the shadows, and escorted them from the room, much to their disgruntlement. When the heavy doors closed behind them, Loki's position slumped into one of clear exhaustion and he held his head in his hand, sighing loudly. It was evident that he had either forgotten all about me, or had thought that I had been gathered up with the others and taken away. I took a silent step out of the darkness and into the starlight streaming through the window, looking out through the kaleidoscope of colour.
"Two years," I stated lowly, hearing Loki start behind me. I didn't turn to look, even when I heard him stand and approach me. His figure slipped into the edge of my peripheral vision, and still I did not turn, staring out into the vastness of space. "For two years I have mourned you," I continued, letting the emotions of those past years flow through me. Finally, I turned my head to look up at Loki, taking him in again as he watched me in return, uncertain. "Did you ever think about me?" I asked; my quiet, vulnerable voice surprising myself. I stared into his eyes contemplatively before spinning on my heel quickly and stalking towards the door. As I reached it and pushed, a deep, soft voice met my ears.
"I never stopped." I hesitated for a moment, not knowing if the quiet reply was meant for me to hear. I turned my head slightly towards Loki before stopping myself and shaking my head dismissively, slipping through the door and shutting it on Loki and his solitude.
"Ellie." I looked up when Tony said my name and stepped into the room where the others were all waiting. "Where were you?"
"With Loki," I responded simply without adding any sort of emotion to my speech.
"I told you. I said that she would be with the pretender." I turned at Sif's bitter, accusing tone to find her dark eyes boring into me. "What did you know of his plot? You were in on it, of course. I doubt that Loki would leave his little Midgardian mouse pet in the dark. Never mind that it hurt your friend," Sif gestured to Thor who was now staring at me with uncertainty and a quiet distrust in his gaze. "You were a trickster all along. Manipulating everyone around you. Do you get a thrill out of bending people's emotions to your will? Does it please you, to feel some measly measure of control? Because you know that you will never be truly powerful. It burns you, doesn't it? All you will ever achieve is a place at the feet of a poser playing at being a king…"
Sif broke of suddenly when I lunged for her and slammed my fist into her perfect nose, feeling my knuckles crack as her bone crunched beneath my blow. I tried to hit her again, but a steel band wrapped around my waist and hauled me away as I snarled and screamed violently, kicking and wriggling. "You bitch! I never knew anything! You pathetic, miserable cow; you wish you had power! You have less than even I do!" I stopped my squirming as an acidic sort of calm flooded my body and I relaxed in Thor's hold. "You love someone who has never noticed. I would not be surprised if he thought you one of the men," I laughed cruelly as Sif glared at me, holding a hand to her bloody nose. "How does it feel to know that Thor prefers a gentle, sweet little Midgardian over you?" I wondered with a nasty pleasure and was rewarded when Sif started shaking with rage and hurt, eyes sparkling suspiciously as she blinked rapidly.
"That is enough, Elli," Thor said in a clipped, angry voice, turning away from Sif and releasing me carelessly, making me stumble before I turned on him with burning eyes, nursing my injured hand.
"I'm leaving," I announced shortly, and Thor blinked at me, surprised.
"What?" Bruce asked. Everyone in the room was staring at me and I lifted my chin proudly.
"You heard me," I said firmly. I looked around at everyone before focusing my bitter ire on Thor. "What with you pulling me off to fight in your battle, that masculine warrior bitch picking at me every time I'm around, and your undead brother, I have had quite enough of aliens for a good long while! I'm going home," I huffed sharply. I stepped away towards the door when Thor's voice halted me.
"Heimdall answers to me and Loki, Ellie. If I say you are to stay, there is no way for you to leave." I looked back at Thor, lifting an eyebrow coolly as he returned my gaze stoically.
"You would hold me a prisoner of your realm?" I challenged and Thor's face fell as he cringed.
"No," he sighed, defeated. "I would not. If you wish to go, I will not keep you here." I snorted in irritation and walked away again.
"You're really going to abandon us?" Steve called after me. I glanced at him over my shoulder in the doorway.
"You're not an alien; you are welcome to join me, if you can't do without." I looked away again and made my way back through the castle, and the town, and over the rainbow bridge.
"I take it you know everything," I sighed as I entered the Bifrost dome. Heimdall inclined his head subtly. "Then you know that Thor won't trap me here. I'd like to go home, please," I told him with barely-held calm. Heimdall prepared the Bifrost with slow, deliberate movements, keeping his glowing eyes on me as he did so.
"Are you certain that this is what you wish?" he wondered quietly, pushing his sword down and activating the Bifrost. I hesitated, Heimdall's gentle presence having blunted my anger quickly.
I took a breath to answer when a large boom echoed through the air and I whirled around to face the direction of the noise. "What was that?" I wondered, startled.
"An explosion," Heimdall said, drawing his sword again. "Enemies are attacking Asgard!"
"And you didn't see them?" Heimdall shook his head at me gravely.
"I was watching you, I'm afraid," he told me, looking out across the cityscape and frowning. "I don't understand."
"What?" I demanded anxiously. Heimdall looked down on me with a grim expression.
"The Chitauri…" I hissed, crinkling my nose, "and the Frost Giants." I blinked at Heimdall, thoroughly shocked. Another explosion split the air and we looked back to the city again.
"We should go," I decided, swatting Heimdall's arm lightly and starting for the door.
"Yes, we should," Heimdall agreed, large strides dwarfing mine as we headed back across the bridge.