Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Marvel Universe, The Amazing Stan Lee and Joss Whedon, or anyone else involved with the movies or comics. I am not making any profits from this writing, it is all for the purposes of fun and creative writing.
Author's note: Again, I apologize in advance if characters seem OOC.
Chapter 13
" Damn, I should have asked those three to set my realm right." Hela grumbled, startling the stunned hall.
When she saw the confused and questioning look she was getting Hela let out a small huff as she spoke, looking directly at Odin, Frigga, and Thor.
" What? I may have been able to patch up the giant hole Loki Odinson left in my sky, but Niflheim still bares the marks of the great fire he used to escape. The area is nothing but charred black dirt for mile after mile, and the snow just has not been able to reclaim it. I suppose your son's power is just that strong." Hela explained.
There were exhausted smiles and soft chuckles all around, even Hela allowing the ghost of a smile to grace her lips before she grew serious once more as her white eyes settled on the three royals.
" You three better bring him home." She said in warning.
The three royals nodded mutely under Hela's white gaze that held no rule for argument. With a curt nod of her own, Hela turned gracefully in the air and started lightly floating across the hall back towards the golden cauldron.
" Um... Excuse me, Queen Hela?" Bruce called out as the goddess floated over him. Hela paused and turned her gaze down towards the Hulk's more mild-mannered counterpart.
" Yes, Bruce Banner of Midgard?" She asked.
" Uh Hi, um... Listen it's uhmm... well I... I just wanted to apologize for earlier, when the Hulk got angry and grabbed you like that. I may not know much about diplomacy or what have you but, I'm pretty sure grabbing a Queen and threatening to smash her into the floor is not really smiled upon, so I just wanted to say I'm sorry." Bruce said rapidly, his nerves getting the better of him.
Hela simply stared down at Bruce with her white, unnerving eyes, not saying anything for several long moments before she did something totally unexpected. She grinned, she the Queen of Niflheim, keeper of the dishonored dead, Mistress Death herself, honest to God grinned with actual happiness. It was a sight no one thought the imposing and yes, intimidating Goddess was capable of and yet, she had done just that.
It was equal parts jarring, and yet it lit up Hela's face, taking away some of the pale-otherwordly quality from it. In a graceful, fluid motion, Hela moved through the air with a soft swish of her billowing green cap, so that she was all but face to face with Bruce, floating before him, still smiling.
" A berserker and a gentlemen, you Midgardians are just full of surprises." Hela said as she seemed to stare straight into Bruce's soul.
To his credit, Bruce stood his ground as he faced the Queen of the Dead, but within him the Hulk was grumbling. Bruce gave Hela a wane smile, feeling all kinds of drained now that the main drama was coming to a close.
With a blink, Hela's eyes grew warm with amusement as she spoke.
" Rest assured, you can tell your counterpart that I bear neither him nor you any ill-will for his earlier actions. I must admit, it was oddly refreshing to have someone other than the Norns or other royals speak to me without fear."
Bruce and by proxy the Hulk felt himself relax somewhat at Hela's assurances. It was then that they watched Hela grow somber once more.
" Will you help Thor in his search?" She asked.
" If he'll have us." Bruce said without hesitation as he sent a small smile Thor's way, earning a grateful look from the latter.
Hela gave a silent nod at this, a small smile curling the corner of her lip. Just as she was about to turn and float back up into the air, Hela's pale eyes came to rest on Tony.
" Hello my former Merchant." She said, her silvery voice tinted with mild amusement as she watched Tony pale slightly and barely bite back a sputter of surprise before he steadied his nerve and spoke.
" H-Hey back." He said, almost croaking in his discomfort, looking all together uncharacteristically sheepish.
Hela simply smiled at the Man of Iron before she gracefully rose back into the air and proceeded to the flaming cauldron. As she came to float above the green and gold fire that roared within the great golden cauldron, Hela turned back to face the Great Hall. As the flames beneath her started to rise and fan about like the hungry serpents, Hela spoke.
" May your search for him bear fruit Prince of Asgard." She said, her voice silvery and regal as she gazed straight at Thor.
" I thank thee, Queen of Niflheim." Thor said just as formally and he gave the Queen a low bow, everyone else, save for Frigga and Odin following suit. Even the Mortals and the Jotuns bowed in respect.
" I shall take my leave of you now, but know that should Loki every find himself within the walls of my kingdom under like circumstances as the first time, I'll not give him up and I shall give just deserts to those responsible." Hela said in warning, her meaning clear.
If they screwed up ever again, there would be hell to pay at the Goddess of Death's hands.
Odin nodded mutely to the departing, his jaw lightly clenched. Frigga too was biting back her reply to Hela, knowing that the young Queen was right in her words and feeling. Thor stood silent as well, but he met Hela's pale and hard gaze with his own blue eyes shining with determination.
" Farewell, and good luck, for if you haven't figured by now, when it come to the Norns, you will need all the luck you can get." Hela said before she made a regal, sweeping motion with one hand.
The fire beneath Hela roared loudly, exploding upward into two fiery columns that rapidly swirled around Hela like two flaming serpents. It was an awe-inspiring site. Then there were gasps and shouts at the two large tendrils of fired engulfed the Queen of the Dead, turning into one massive, swirling column of green and gold flames. With another roar, the column receded back down into the cauldron, taking Hela with it. With a hiss, the flame dove back into the cauldron and then simply went out, like the flame of a candle being blown out, leaving only a charged silence and a smoking, empty golden cauldron.
" Damn, that Queen sure does know how to make as good an exit as she can an entrance." Clint said.
" For once, I'd have to agree with you there." Natasha said, composed and neutral as every.
There was another beat of silence after that, and then full-blown chaos erupted in the Great Hall of Asgard as everybody started talking all at once.
" Tear down every single black curtain and sign of mourning, for my son lives. MY SON LIVES!" Frigga cried proudly with happy tears streaming down her face, watching as servants practically fell over themselves to do the Queens bidding.
From where they stood, the mortals, from Steve all the way to Darcy wisely stayed quiet and simply watched on as a mad scramble broke out, the great hall rapidly emptying as the people within it all but ran out of it to spread the word that Loki of Asgard lived.
Thor for his part was just standing there with a smile on his face and tears gathering in his eyes while Odin was swarmed by members of his council and guards trying to ascertain if he was alright, and also looking to him for guidance.
" Thor!" Jane shouted as she ran through the crowd, being jostled about as she fought her way through until she was finally standing before the blond Thunderer.
" Thor." She said, breathless and smiling. Thor seemed to snap out of his daze as he looked down at Jane, the tears finally breaking free.
" He lives Jane, my brother lives." Thor choked out.
" Yeah." Jane breathed, nodding her head as her own eyes filled with happy tears.
With a small gasp, the two all but dove for each other, their arms locking around the other in a tight embrace. Thor laughed and cried at the same time as he lifted Jane clear off the floor and held her tight, burying his face into her chocolate brown hair. As the chaos still carried on around them two of them, Thor looked up when he felt a strong, reassuring hand on his arm. He smiled tearfully as he gazed back at a beaming Steve Rogers, with an equally smiling Tony and Bruce flanking him on either side. Clint and Natasha came to stand by Bruce, while Selvig and Darcy stood on Thor's other side. A bit removed, Hogun, Volstaag, Fandral, and Sif all stood at a respectable distance, happy for their Crown Prince but still knowing that they were not allowed closer.
From where he stood at his post on the Bifrost, Heimdall turned his gaze to the other realms, already trying to search out all of the possible mountains there were, all the while his low, rumbling voice echoed through the atrium of the Bifrost as he chuckled in quiet happiness. Loki lived, he survived through such impossible odds and gained the favor of the Norns, and for Heimdall personally, there was now a chance to make amends for his own failure as guardian of the gate.
Outside, the dark clouds that had blanketed the sky suddenly lifted, letting in the golden rays of the sun over Asgard, returning to it the golden splendor it was known for. It was as if winter had suddenly been chased away, leaving only warmth.
Several hours later, as darkness began to fall over Asgard, yet did not dim the grand, glittering city one bit...
Thor paced restlessly back and forth, his face a grim mask as his fingers unconsciously gripped the silver pendant that still hung around his neck. He was still dressed in his black, ceremonial armor, and his equally black cape billowed behind him as he moved.
" My friends, the Norns are hard taskmasters indeed." Thor said, his voice a low rumble.
" Yeah Thor, but maybe you should take a breather or something, you just found out Loki's alive and hidden in one of the other worlds. Just take a minute to process things." Bruce appealed from where he sat in one of the plush chairs in the common area of the quest quarters the mortals had been provided.
Thor had wracked his brain for hours on end after he had whisked himself, Jane, Darcy, Selvig, and his fellow Avengers out of the Great Hall, allowing his mother and Father, the seasoned rulers of the realm to restore order gradually. Now all was quiet yet buzzing with excitement and life beneath a thin veil of calmness, all of them gathered in the common area trying to solve the cryptic words of the Norns regarding where they had hidden Loki.
" Forgive me friend Barton, I simply have not been able to keep still." Thor said, before he let out a breathless laugh and wracked his other hand through his long blond hair.
" Hey Point Break, nobody can blame you for feeling that way. We all came here for a funeral and now we find out the guy the funeral was for was brought back to life by three all powerful... kinda hot, sister goddesses, that he fought his way out on an entire realm full of mutated dogs and zombies, and that he's now hibernating inside a freaking mountain in one of the other realms. I don't know about you but I could really use a scotch right now, not mead though." Tony said as he rubbing his hands over his knees, a nervous gesture as he looked back up at Thor.
" No offense." He said quickly, not wanting offend Thor over his dislike of the Asgardian staple beverage.
" None taken friend Tony, I am scarcely believing the situation myself." Thor said with a tired chuckle, his blue eyes puffy and reddened from the tears he had shed earlier, this time in sheer relief and joy, not grief and despair.
" Thor, where are your parents?" Steve asked from where he stood by the fireplace with Selvig and Jane.
Within the rest of the common area, Clint was sitting in one of the plush sofas with Bruce next to him, while Natasha and Darcy were quietly conversing on the opposite sofa, most likely about the three Norns and Hela, and how they were four indomitable women. They had all changed out of their Asgardian finery and were back in Midgardian clothes. Yet the air about the room was still highly charged, for as the spark had returned to Thor's blue eyes, it seemed to spread to each of them.
" They have most likely retired to their chambers, perhaps doing what I am doing, brooding, trying to make sense of all this, and contemplating a possible place to start looking." Thor replied to Steve's inquiry.
After that, there was more pacing and brooding from Thor and ideas casually thrown out here and there, but for the most part, everyone was too emotionally raw and mentally drained to do any deep thinking about the Norns' clue. Despite how much they all wanted to help Thor find Loki and bring the absent part of Thor's heart back to him, they would have to wait until the figurative batteries were recharged.
Two days later...
Thor, the Avengers, Odin, Frigga, Jane, Selvig, and Darcy were all gathered around the great, round table in Odin's grand war room.
Thor was no longer wearing black versions of his armor and cape, He was back in his bright silvers and blues with his well-built arms showing, his signature red cape flowing down his back. Yet even with himself no longer in mourning garb, the necklace, Loki's pendant seemed to outshine everything else still. Perhaps because now it was no longer a the final gift of a brother lost, but a symbol that Loki yet lived, and Thor would find him at all cost.
Beside him, Frigga stood dressed in a bright green gown, with the necklace similar to Loki's chest piece still around her neck and her hair done up in an intricate, braided up-do. She no longer looked so haggard and worn with grief, a fire having been relit in her clear blue eyes. She looked like herself again, the Queen of Asgard. And finally, Odin himself stood with Gungnir in his hand, in golden robes and armor, standing a proud and regal King once more, the weariness of the past few days having seemingly melted off of him. There was quiet determination in his blue eye as well, for he had made his declarations to the Norns about what he would be willing to do, what he would be willing to give up to get his son back.
Now the three royals of Asgard stood at the round table, flanked by the warriors of Asgard and the three scientists as they all stared at the center of the table. In one corner of the room, the warriors three and the Lady Sif, also wearing their bright Asgardian armor and leathers stood in silent respect, watching on tensely.
The eleven people standing around the table all had there eyes focused on the hologram like projection that Odin had just finished conjuring, showing the spiraling tendrils of the Yggdrasil itself, represented in shimmering clear ice, with a glowing orb situated at every point where a realm was located.
At the very top of the ice structure the represented Yggdrasil was the golden orb that represented Asgard. Directly below it was an orb of light green hue that represented Alfheim. Directly below that orb, at the center of the trunk of the Yggdrasil model was the orb that represented Midgard, that swirls green and blue and had a whitish glow about it. Below Midgard's orb was the orb that represented Svart-alfaheim, which glowed a reddish violet. Directly below Svart-alfheim's orb was the orb for Helheim, that glowed a dark, charcoal gray. North of the orb that represented Midgard was the orb for Niflheim that glowed a poison green with swirls of black, no doubt representing it's... formidable ruler. East of the Midgard orb was a glowing midnight blue orb encased in ice that represented the realm of Jotunheim, where Hellblindi and his delegation had returned the day before, after wishing Thor luck in his search for his brother and also telling him that should Loki ever express a desire to visit Jotunheim and learn of his heritage as a Prince of the realm, he and by proxy Thor were free to come to the realm of the Frost Giants, despite how battered it still was from Menkos' assault on it with the Bifrost. Thor had given Hellblindi his reassurance that if Loki so desired, they would come. West of the Midgard orb was Vanaheim's orb, glowing pure white and swirling softly, this was Frigga's birthplace, the home of the Vanir, masters of sorcery and magic. It was a realm that Loki himself had always been fond of for obvious reasons. And finally, to the South of the Midgard orb stood the orb that represented Muspelheim, glowing bright red with swirls of orange, the realm of eternal flame. Home of the fire demons, ruled by Sutr, their strongest warrior. There was an uneasy alliance between this realm and Asgard, officially because Sutr could care less about Asgard or the other realms, unofficially, because nobody wanted to get charred to a crisp either by the realm's harsh environment or the equally harsh people who inhabited it. As the illusion formed completely, the orbs that represented Asgard, Midgard, and Jotunheim all dimmed a little, representing the Norn's words that Loki would not be found in these three realms.
As they all stared at the representation of the universe as Asgard knew it to be, people started making their own deductions.
" I think we can rule Helheim out at least, no way the Norns would send Loki there after they say he earned their favor." Selvig said as he pointed to the dark colored orb.
" I would agree with you their Selvigson." Frigga said as she made a gesture with her hand towards the orb in question, deftly extinguishing its glow. Selvig himself blushed slightly at Frigga addressing him directly but smiled back at the Queen anyhow.
" Don't forget Niflheim, I don't think Hela would take to kindly to anymore gatecrashing into her realm." Natasha said, the barest curve of a smile in her eye as she remembered the regal Queen of the Dead.
Odin nodded wordlessly and made the same gesture as Frigga had done, extinguishing the orb representing Niflheim.
This left four glowing orbs remaining, and undoubtedly all eyes turned to the bright red orb that glowed with swirls of orange about it. It was Tony who voiced what everyone was thinking.
" Hey gang, I may have misheard those three Badass chicks but, they did say that fire would be the key to finding Loki." Tony began before he pointed at Muspelheim's glowing orb and continued.
" That one looks fiery enough." He deadpanned.
There was a beat of silence, before Odin let smile curve up his weathered face and Frigga chuckled. Thor let out a small huff, while the other Avengers and Jane, Selvig, and Darcy all smiled or snorted at Tony's deadpanned delivery.
" A very astute observation Man of Iron, and it would make sense. Who would look for a Prince of Asgard who ironically is also a frost giant in the realm of eternal fire?" Odin said with a sigh.
" Then why aren't we suiting up and rainbowing ourselves over there like right now?" Clint asked, as if it were the most obvious thing to do.
Thor sent Barton an appreciative look, as did Frigga while Odin sighed once more before he spoke.
" If only it were that simple Bartonson, I would be 'raindbowing' myself down there personally this very instant, but relations between Asgard and Muspelheim are not the best. If I were to send you all there right this instant, there is a good chance that Sutr would roast you alive where you stood the moment he lays eyes on you." Odin said grimly.
" It is a chance I am willing to take father." Thor said with conviction as he gazed at the glowing red orb with determination.
" Us too." Steve said, speaking for his team.
" I know full well that all of you are, but I would have all of you go their and search for Loki safely... well as safely as you can in a realm whose surface could erupt like a volcano at any given moment." Odin said before he let out a small huff of annoyance all his own.
" Damn Fire Demons." Odin thought grumpily in the back of his mind while he watched Thor's face mirror his annoyance, while there were maybe some nervous chuckles here and there, and a smirk from Tony.
And yet, Odin had to commend these mortals who Thor now called friend, maybe more than friend in Jane Foster's case, for none of them looked deterred by his words of at least one possible danger that would undoubtedly be faced in Muspelheim.
" Not to be Debbie Downer and all, but what if Volcano land is the wrong place?" Jane asked quietly.
All eyes turned to the young lady who gave a small shrug as she continued.
" Muppleheim-" She began when Frigga gently cut her off.
" Muspelheim, dear." She said kindly, biting back the urge to grin widely at the butchering of the fiery realm's name.
" Yes, thank you your majesty, as I was saying, Muspelheim is the realm of fire like you all said, but what if the fire the Norns were talking about is in one of those three other realms? Jane reasoned before continuing with her hands up in a placating gesture.
" All I'm saying is that before we all go diving head first into a place that sounds like its one giant incinerator, let's be absolutely sure it's the right place, cause if we're wrong about it, then that is time wasted we could have used looking for Loki somewhere else."
" You raise a valid point Jane." Thor said, sending one of his patented sunny smiles Jane's way before he turned to Frigga.
" Mother, Vanaheim is your birthplace, know you of any great fire or like thing that could possibly be what the Norns spoke of?" He asked.
Smiling, Frigga spoke.
" While it is true that Vanaheim is a realm of immense power, it has nothing close to what Muspelheim has, for the sorcerers keep everything in order. And now that I think about it, there are very view mountains in Svart-Alfheim, so we can rule that realm out as a possibility as well." Frigga said, waving her hand and extinguishing the two orbs in question.
This just left everyone with the light green orb of Alfheim and the red orb of Muspelheim.
" Well, at least we narrowed it down to these two places that seem the most viable." Bruce said before he turned his gaze to Odin.
" Your majesty, what can you tell us about the place the green ball represents?"
" That is Alfheim, the home of the Light Elves." Odin said, reaching up to rub at his beard covered jaw, a look of contemplation on his face.
" What is it father?" Thor asked, noticing the look.
" This realm, I remember visiting it once. The Light Elves are a very powerful race, capable of many brilliant feats. It is quiet possible that the fire the Norns spoke of is the magic these people wield, but when I think further I also remember that Alfheim is not a mountainous region, it is a place of meadows and rivers." Odin explained.
" So after all the deductions, Muspelheim remains the realm that best fits the words of the Norns." Thor said, gazing at the red orb with hard eyes.
" It would appear so." Frigga said, wave her hand and extinguishing Alfheim's orb, leaving only the red orb glowing amidst the icy branches of Odin's model of Yggdrasil.
" Well, now that we have a definite destination, how do we get there safely your majesty? Steve asked Odin before he turned his blue eyes back to the remaining glowing orb and continued.
" Because based on what you've told us so far about Muspelheim, I get the feeling if we Midgardians go to this realm, we might just light up like tinder the moment we set foot there." Steve said, with a determined set to his jaw.
There was a moment of tense silence as everyone mulled over Steve's ominous words, before Frigga spoke.
" You raise a valid concern Steve Rogers, and under different circumstances we would have barred you from going to Muspelheim at all, but because you and your fellow Avengers have expressed you clear desire to accompany my son and assist him in his search, I shall devise some method for you all to be protected from the elemental dangers of the fire demons' realm." Frigga said, the wheels in her head already turning.
" Thank you your majesty." Steve said respectfully, sending the Queen of Asgard a grateful smile that was mirrored by the other mortals, and Thor as well.
" Think nothing of it, the fact that all of you are willing to risk your lives to help bring my lost son back to be is something I cannot expressed my true gratitude for. It wound wound me greatly should any harm befall you, and if I can do even the slightest to prevent such a thing, then I shall do it." Frigga said with conviction.
The queen's words struck a cord with each of the mortals, even Tony had to duck his head for a second, humbled by what Frigga was willing to do to protect them. From where they stood, the four warriors of Asgard averted their gazes, feeling the sting, but also quietly humbled. They all then shared a look and nodded to Volstaag. With some understandable hesitation the rotund warrior broke free from his little exiled group and cleared his throat lightly.
All eyes turned to him, and while the mortals looked cautious, Thor's eyes still hardened as he spoke.
" Yes Volstaag?" He asked flatly.
" Um, well your majesty." Volstaag began, feeling himself rapidly whittling under Thor's gaze before he continued.
" I know that the four of us no longer have the privilege of calling ourselves your friends and confidants, but as warriors of Asgard, we four humbly ask to join you on this mission to bring the second prince of this realm back to his rightful home. We offer you our services." The warrior said, his eyes over-bright and perhaps with a hint of desperation as the other three joined him.
Then as one, they all dropped to one knee and held their arms over their chests with their fists at the shoulder, the traditional warriors salute as a very contrite Fandral spoke.
" Please allow us a chance to help you." He said quietly, no trace of the self-assurance and perhaps arrogance he was known for.
Thor's face remained hard as he stepped forward past his fellow Avengers, his bright red cape billowing lightly behind him as she slowly made his way across to stand tall and imposing before his kneeling former friends. Thor was silent for several long, agonizing moments before he took a deep breath as spoke.
" You have my thanks for volunteering your services. I shall allow you to accompany me for the more warriors we have, the better we can defend ourselves against the threats Muspelheim undoubtedly holds." Thor said, his voice severe and unyielding as gazed down at the four.
The warriors three and Lady Sif all looked up with gratitude shining in their eyes, but that did not soften Thor in the slightest as he spoke.
" I know not what your motivations are, whether you wish to accompany me because you genuinely desire to bring Loki back home, or that you wish to somehow come back into my good graces by going on this quest." Thor began, holding up his head when Sif moved to speak, no doubt to tell Thor that it was the former that was their motivation. Thor simply did not wish to hear it.
" I would think you four were smarter than that, to know that simply accompanying me on this quest will not erase you grievances toward my brother. To be honest I really don't care. I know who my friends are, and you four shall provide further protection for them. As you have offered your services, therefore I accept as your Prince, but nothing more." Thor said with an air of finality before he turned away, not bothering to wait for any response.
" T-Thank you, your majesty." Sif said softly, no doubt holding back tears as she and her fellows rose to their feet, gave stiff nods to Odin, Frigga, and the mortals, before retreating back to their secluded little corner in silence.
Thor made his way back to the round table, his eyes on the glowing red orb as he spoke.
" Muspelheim is where we shall search first." He declared.
" Before anything else, I shall send a message to Sutr, see if he will allow you all into his realm if he were to know that you are there simply to search for Loki." Odin said, grabbing up Gungnir with a determined glint in his eyes.
It was mirror in Frigga's eyes as she too spoke.
" I shall go and consult the tomes of Seidr and..." She began, but trailed off as her eyes widened in realization.
" What is it my wife?" Odin asked as all eyes turned to the queen in concern.
" My boy." Frigga breathed as a smile spread across her face.
Before anyone could ask her anything further, Frigga all but sprinted out of the room, pausing at the door to gesture to everyone else that it was alright and to stay where they were before she disappeared out the door.
Everybody did as Frigga asked, wondering what had her running out of the room. Thor was fighting tooth and nail against the urge to run after his mother anyway, but a reassuring hand on his arm had him turning a smiling Jane, giving her a small, tired smile of his own as he settled in to wait for his mother to return.
It was a ten minute wait, but finally Frigga came trotting back into the room, carrying a dark leather bound book in her hands, the pages yellowed with age and the covers fraying at the corners. It was the way she held this book with tender reverence that had everyone knowing that this was no ordinary book. With a smile, Frigga spoke as she came to stand before her husband and son.
" My loves, Loki himself aids us in our search to find him and bring him home." She said as she held out the book and continued.
" This book comes from his room, contained within it is a spell that will shield against the harsh heat and flames of Muspelheim. I can use it to ensure that the they" Frigga gestured to the Avengers. " Are protected."
Frigga was beaming, albeit with a sadness to her eye. Thor's face broke out in a bright grin while Odin nodded.
" Well then make hast my wife, do whatever is necessary to ensure our son and his fellows can search for Loki unharmed. I shall send my message to Sutr and should he protest, I will tell him where he can put those protests." Odin said as he tightened his grip on Gungnir and shared a look with his wife before they both turned to their son and his fellows.
" All of you go and prepare yourselves, I shall have the spell ready within the hour." Frigga said.
" You heard her majesty, suit up!" Steve said with a grin of his own. That was all the prompting any of the other Avengers needed as they all piled out of the room. The warriors three and the Lady Sif, all with looks of determination and veiled sadness on their faces followed suit, no doubt to garb themselves in their war-time armor and retrieve their weapons.
" Jane Foster, perhaps you and your two colleagues can lend me your aid since you will not be going to Muspelheim, for I am not one to ever turn down able-bodied hands." Frigga said with a smile on her face and a fire in her eyes.
" You don't have to tell me twice." Selvig said, while Darcy gave her own nod of agreement.
" We'll get him back." Jane said as she smiled up at Thor.
" Indeed." Thor replied softly before he leaned in a pressed his lips to Jane's in a lingering kiss before they parted and Jane hurried off to join Frigga, Darcy, and Selvig as the quartet headed off to help the Queen of Asgard prepare the spell.
Thor nodded to his father as the King of Asgard too departed from the room with a quickness in his step, no doubt going off to summon his trusted messengers, the twin ravens Huginn and Muninn to convey and carry his message to Sutr in the realm of eternal flame.
Thor stood in the empty war room a moment, his eyes yet again settling on the ice-model of Yggdrasil and the single glowing red orb that remained out of its other eight fellows. Staring at it a moment and feeling his eyes well with tears for a moment, Thor spoke.
" I'm coming brother." He said softly before he turned away and headed out of the war room with determination in his stride, his red cape billowing behind him.
About forty-five minutes later...
Everyone stood in the war room once more, all of them suited up as Steve had ordered. Steve himself was garbed in his famous Captain America suit in bold red, white, and blue, his signature shield in hand. The Black Widow stood in her suit with her signature belt, gauntlets, and guns ready. Beside her Hawkeye was in his black and purple outfit with quiver and bow at the ready. Tony being Tony had opted to wait to put his suit on, the briefcase that was actually the Ironman suit ready and waiting. Beside him stood the Hulk, standing calm yet grumbling lowly with teeth gritted and massive fists clenched. And finally, rounding out the group was Thor, with his imposing Asgardian armor, silver sleeves, gauntlets, and red cape, with Mjolnir lightly humming in his hand. The pendant around his neck glinted brightly against his chest armor as he stood with his fellow Avengers waiting for his mother and father who had yet to arrive.
Standing a little ways apart from the core group stood the warriors three and the lady Sif. Vostaag stood in his copper colored armor with his battle axe ready, beside him Hogun was in his dark blue armor with his spiked club and sheild, Fandral in his light green armor slipped his broadsword back into its scabbard at his hip, and the Lady Sif stood in her silver and red armor with her silver shield and double-bladed staff. They also each had a large pack with them, loaded with food, extra weapons, and first aid materials just in case, courtesy of Frigga.
The sound of approaching footsteps had everyone turning to the door to see Odin and Frigga walk in hand in hand with Jane, Darcy, and Selvig following close behind. Frigga, Jane, Darcy, and Selvig all looked a bit tired but they were all smiling, and no one commented on the fact that one of Selvig's sleeves was sporting a rather prominent singe to it. Odin looked slightly disgruntled but otherwise fine. In Frigga's hand was a flat, oaken box, the kind meant for jewelry.
" Are you alright mother?" Thor asked as he strode forward to meet his parents halfway.
" I am well my son, and the spell has been completed without any major calamity." Frigga said with a smile, although she did send an amused look Selvig's way, watching at the man ducked his head to hide his sheepish smile.
Thor then turned to Odin.
" Has there been word from Sutr?" Thor asked.
" Yes my son, Sutr has received my message and replied swiftly." Odin replied before continuing.
" Sutr has graciously given his consent to all of you coming to Muspelheim, and has assured me that none of his people shall move to hinder you in your search in anyway. However, that is the extent of the protection you shall receive. You all will be fair game to the fires and the creatures of the realm." Odin said grimly.
" Then so be it." Thor declared, while the mortals and the four Asgardian warriors all nodded in agreement.
" The you five will be needing these." Frigga said as she stepped forward and opened the box she had in her hands.
Within its velvet lined confines lay four prism-like, rectangular pendants that seemed to contain a swirling energy that glimmered lightly.
" I, with the help of Jane, Darcy, and Selvigson have crafted for you these talismans. They will shield you and your weapons against the heat of the fire demons' realm so long as you wear them at all times." Frigga explained.
Steve was the first to take a talisman, temporarily pulling back his blue cowl so that he could slip the talisman's simple yet sturdy iron chain around his neck. The other four Avengers all followed suit, the chain for the Hulk's talisman magically elongating to accommodate its larger that life wearer.
" Hulk likes his necklace, thank you Thor's mom." Hulk said as he grinned down at Frigga, who couldn't help but smile back.
" You are most welcome Hulk, and should anything trouble you, smash it to bits." She said, making the Hulk's grin widen.
" Better suit up, thanks your majesty." Tony said, with his own talisman tucked under his shirt, before he picked up his briefcase and activated it. Within seconds the armor unfolded itself and assembled over Tony's body so that he stood as Ironman, the HUD closing down over his determines face with a small clank and the arc reactor flaring with light.
Natasha tucked her talisman under the collar of her suit and Clint did the same, both of them looking ready to head into all our war, training and deadly instinct taking over.
" I thank you warriors of Midgard, for taking on this dangerous task. I speak to you now not as a king, but as a father. I stand to loose to sons, not just one, if you could, please bring them both back to me." Odin said as he stepped forward to eye the warriors assembled.
" You have our word your majesty." Steve said with conviction, while the other all nodded in silent respect.
" Be safe my son, and be patient, do not let your eagerness to find Loki cloud your judgment." Frigga advised before she gathered Thor into a tight hug, which he fervently returned as he spoke softly into her ear.
" I shall do as you advise mother, but I will return with Loki or not at all."
Frigga felt her eyes fill, but she nodded mutely and pressed as tender kiss to her eldest son's temple before she forced herself to let him go.
Odin then stepped forward and took Frigga's place, pulling Thor into a one-armed hug as he spoke.
" Be careful in you search my son, I want you both returned to me. Understand?" Odin said quietly.
" Yes father, so shall it be." Thor said as he gave his father a final squeeze before he let go.
Thor then turned to Jane, who came forward with her eyes over-bright.
" You better bring yourself back, or else." She said with a watery laugh as she and Thor embraced each other tightly.
" I give you my word Jane, that I will return." Thor said against Jane's hair before they drew away and he picked up one of her hand, planting a kiss on the back of it and smiling.
" Deal?" He said, much like he had in the desert of New Mexico, what seemed a life-time ago.
" Deal." Jane said before she and Thor met in a tender kiss to seal it.
When they pulled apart, Darcy and Selvig stepped forward.
" Wishing you all the best Thor, I know you'll find him." Selvig said as he and Thor shook hands.
" I hope you find him Thor, and kick some fiery ass if anyone there tries to stop you." Darcy said with a smile.
" I most certainly will Lady Darcy." Thor said and he clasped her hand and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.
Then Thor grew somber as he turned to his friends and fellow warriors.
" Come, for Heimdall no doubt awaits us, and my brother has waited for long enough."
Everyone somberly filed out of the room with Thor, Frigga, and Odin leading the way. Once they were outside in front of the palace where the horses were ready and waiting, Tony took to the air with the roar of his thrusters, while the everyone else mounted their steeds. With a final farewell to his parents and Jane, Darcy, and Selvig, Thor urged his white stallion into a gallop with Steve, Clint, Natasha, Vostaag, Fandral, Hogun, and Sif following behind him. The Hulk let out a loud roar before he took off running, his large feet thundering over the ground.
The band of warriors passed through the city of Asgard, not pausing at the subjects who bowed or stared at them as they ran past, or flew in Tony's case. At breakneck speed they reached the Bifrost where Heimdall stood waiting with his great sword, Tony having touched down with a metallic clank and now walked into the grand atrium with the others.
" We go to Muspelheim." Thor said with Mjolnir in hand.
" Yes my Prince, so you must. Know that once you have found he whom you seek, simply call out to me and I will direct the Bifrost to your location, you will not need to return all the way back to the mark the Bifrost leaves." Heimdall said with his deep, rumbling voice.
" Thank you Heimdall, we shall do our best to remain safe in the fiery realm." Thor said with a nod as he and everyone else came to stand before the swirling opening of the Bifrost as the gatekeeper placed his sword into the dock, activating the bridge with a low hum, filling the Atrium with light.
" I shall do my best to keep you all within my sights, good luck to you all." Heimdall said as he turned his sword and opened the Bifrost.
In a flash of dazzling, prism-like light the Thor, the Avengers, and the warriors three and the Lady Sif were all sucked forward into the Bifrost that would take them to Muspelheim's fiery surface.
" I would see both princes of Asgard returned to us safely." Heimdall rumbled as the light faded from the Atrium, hope shining in his glowing amber eyes.