Hello readers! This chapter has some mythology in it that I want to briefly explain. I think everyone knows what Yggdrasil is from seeing the movies, but the Norns who are mentioned in this chapter (Urd, Skuld, and Verdandi) live at the base of Yggdrasil in the realm of Asgard. They are demi-goddesses of destiny represented as three sisters. Urd is fate, Skuld is being, and Verdandi is necessity. Yggdrasil is subject to decay because of Nidhoog, a serpent/dragon who is trapped underneath its roots but resides in Niflheim where it eats corpses to sustain itself. Lovely, right? Well, Nidhogg wants to destroy the world-tree and the Norns try to stop this process or slow it down to protect the cosmos. I hope that helps you all to understand this chapter!

Thank you to guest Abby for your review :) I'm glad that you find this story different than others you have read and are looking forward to further chapters!

Also thank you to A Wild Clover, this one is for you!

You pushed your way forward trying to get as close to the front of the crowd as you could, but the sea of people in your way prevented you from getting very far. Loki and Thor followed you which caused people to provide more room so that the two princes could weave through the crowd. Satisfied with where you now currently stood, able to see King Odin standing with Queen Frigga at the top of the steps in the hall, you stopped and waited for King Odin to speak.

"Upon my visit to Niflheim, it had become apparent that Nidhogg has caused Yggdrasil to decay more rapidly. Nidhogg was belligerent towards Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld. Nidhogg is trapped by Yggdrasil's roots and wishes to escape. Should Nidhogg successfully do this, the cosmos will be plunged back into chaos." King Odin spoke to the crowd that had gathered before him.

Immediately, people began whispering to each other about the type of disaster that would ensue if the world-tree deteriorated. You didn't fully comprehend the consequences, but you knew that life would never be the same if Nidhogg succeeded, or if there would be a life at all. You feared that monstrous creature would plunge the cosmos into chaos and that in the midst of it all, no one, not even King Odin, would be able to restore order. You preferred things to be orderly and would very much like it to stay that way. Glancing around, you saw that most people looked as anxious as you felt, except for Loki. Loki did not look fazed by his father's words, while even Thor looked slightly nervous which you had never seen from him before.

"How do your father's words not affect you?" You asked Loki eyeing him suspiciously as the nervous chattered continued around you.

Loki looked at you and shrugged, "While father has recounted the general outcome of Nidhogg's actions, should Yggdrasil in fact completely decay, the world-tree is sturdy and will not fall easily to Nidhogg's deleterious gnawing. Also, the Norns tend to Yggdrasil specifically to prevent it from rapidly decaying. This is not something they have not handled before."

"Normally, I would not bring this to your attention for the sake of needlessly causing you all to worry," King Odin began speaking again, "but, Nidhogg's aggressive behavior today has caused Verdandi to become injured to the point of being unable to fulfill her duties in slowing down the process of decay."

Gasps filled the room as you glanced at Loki expecting him to come up with some clever retort as to why Verdandi's injury was still no reason to worry, but Loki remained silent.

"As you all know, Verdandi and her sisters utilize the Well of Fate in order to delay the process of Yggdrasil's decay. Protecting Yggdrasil and essentially the cosmos itself is an important full-time duty that requires constant attention and dedication from all of its guardians. Verdandi has been taken to the healing room, but she will be out of commission until she recovers. Therefore, with only two guardians to slow down the decaying process, Yggdrasil will decay much faster until Verdandi is able to reassume her position. We are simply losing time that we do not have." King Odin finished solemnly.

You found it unsettling that an immortal and omnipotent god was saying that there was not enough time, when he had all the time in the universe because of his immortality. You had never heard King Odin speak so ominously before and his words made you feel like you were doomed along with everyone else.

In the midst of the fear and hopelessness that was rampant in the hall, a voice spoke out above the din of worrying voices saying, "King Odin, I wish to substitute for Verdandi while she is recovering."

Everyone turned around to find Laga standing behind the crowd. You reasoned that she must have entered the hall early enough to hear King Odin's dire words and had decided that she wanted to protect her realm.

King Odin slowly walked down the golden steps and the crowd immediately parted, including you, Thor, and Loki. King Odin now stood in front of Laga and said, "Laga, my dearest friend, it is most unsafe for you fulfill Verdandi's duties as guardian."

"I know it is perilous, King Odin," Laga began, "but we cannot simply stand idly by while she recovers. Who knows how long it will take? As you said, we are wasting precious time while Yggdrasil rots beneath us. I reign over the springs and wells; I am qualified to assist Urd and Skuld in using the nutrients from the Well of Fate to sustain Yggdrasil's life force."

For someone who had been so startled earlier as a result of Loki's prank, Laga was currently displaying an enormous amount of courage in willingly offering to put herself in a dangerous position for the well-being of Asgard as well as the other realms. If Laga did take on the position, it would put an enormous strain on her. Standing next to Loki while watching the exchange between King Odin and Laga, you admired her for her tact and bravery.

King Odin looked down at Laga and spoke, "While you are the most qualified individual here, I have reservations about sending you down there when you are not accustomed to the conditions. Even Verdandi who has spent many years down there has been injured."

"I anticipate my time protecting Yggdrasil to be rather stressful and dangerous, but I do not believe that I could stand by knowing I have something to contribute while the fate of the cosmos hangs in the balance. I want to do this," Laga said firmly, "but I want to ask for your permission first since you are king."

Odin looked thoughtful for a moment before placing his hand on Laga's shoulder as he gave the verdict, "Please stay safe down there, I would not forgive myself if something should happen to you. You have my permission."

Laga bowed her head in respect, "Thank you, my king."

"I think the gratitude must be given to you, for you are taking on a big responsibility of your own accord in order to promote the safety of Asgard and the other realms. We owe you our thanks." King Odin said.

Then, King Odin did something that you had never witnessed him do before, King Odin kneeled before Laga, a lesser goddess. Your eyes widened in shock at the sight before you as did everyone else's eyes.

"Well, I never…" Loki trailed off in astonishment.

"Are kings even allowed to do that?" You heard Thor ask no one in particular.

Once the initial shock had worn off, everyone in the hall followed King Odin's lead and kneeled. As your knees touched the cold, hard palace floor, you marveled at the scene. You were positive that you would never witness something like this again in your life, as long as it may be. Glancing upward from your position, you were able to see Laga because everyone else had kneeled and you could see that she looked uncomfortable and embarrassed at the scene. Laga was quiet and content with her status in Asgard and her normal duties. Laga was not accustomed to a crowd of people kneeling before her and it showed. You couldn't blame her, however, because it was rather overwhelming to be in such a position of authority. You were thankful that you were not likely to be in any type of position.

Finally, King Odin rose to his full height as did everyone else in the hall.

"All of Asgard thanks you for your diligence and selflessness. I will escort you to where Urd and Skuld reside so that I can inform them of your decision to join them in protecting Yggdrasil. Let us go now." King Odin spoke.

Laga nodded, "I am ready."

King Odin turned to face the sea of faces looking back at him and announced, "As a result of Laga's service, you are all able to continue your daily lives without the threat of battle. I hope you are all eternally grateful to Laga for what she has done. You may all return to your previous activities."

With those words, King Odin and Laga disappeared. Gradually, people began to exit the hall murmuring different things about the recent events. You, Loki, and Thor remained were you stood as the hall became empty except for the three of you.

Loki spoke first saying, "I feel bad for pranking her now."

You gave a small laugh as you said, "I feel bad for being a witness."

Thor looked at you both in confusion and asked, "What is this prank of which you speak, brother?"

Loki turned to face Thor and bit his lip saying, "I slightly startled Laga earlier today with one of my tricks."

"Brother!" Thor exclaimed, "That was not very nice, especially after what she just did!"

Loki lowered his eyes to his feet as he mumbled, "I know, brother."

"Well, there's no use feeling too guilty about it." You chimed in, "What's done is done. Besides, Laga is certainly alright; otherwise she would not have assumed the responsibility she just took."

Loki lifted his head. "You are right, Aurora. I did not trick her out of malice either, so I suppose that I should not be too hard on myself."

"I would still refrain from causing too much mischief, Loki." Thor said eyeing his brother.

Loki cracked a smile as he said, "Oh, I would not say that, Thor. However, I will abstain from bothering Laga from now on; she will no longer be a target of mine."

"I think we should just take what we can get, Thor." You laughed.

Thor sighed heavily, "I suppose you are right, Lady Aurora. It is a start."

"A very small start." You added.

"Indeed." Thor agreed as Loki snickered and disappeared.

"Well, it hasn't started yet." You laughed at Loki's sudden disappearance as you and Thor exited the hall.