Summary: The war between Jotunheim and Asgard draws to a close, but thanks to a horrible twist of Fate (or perhaps not), the nameless runt of Laufey-King is not discovered by Odin and so begins a remarkable journey of life that should not have been. Jotun!Loki AU. Set pre-/during-/after Thor/Avengers Assemble. MCU-verse only.
Warnings: ANGST! Loki-whump! Language, adult situations, violence, child abuse, dub-con, sexual assault (also of a minor), substance abuse, one abortion scene (sort of), slavery, sex trade (maybe), some mild original character/Loki M/M pairings.
Comments: This is not a slash fic. Sorry. It's Loki-centric, although I definitely show the rest of the Avengers and etc. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers. Marvel owns it. I do not get paid for this piece of work. Sadly, but understandably. LOL.
I'm going back home to Asia (my 2nd home, that is) this Saturday. Yay! But it'll take a few days to settle in, so the next update may not be fore awhile. I'm sorry!
In other news, I'm watching Pushing Daisies and am loving it. Lee Pace is such a hottie and there's something about his Thranduil that is so awesome. I have no words. No real words anyways. XD
Well, this chapter and the next will be the last Thor-movie canon pieces in this story. Soon things will diverge. I hope that we can already see the seeds for that divergence... and let's see how natural this all feels. (eek)
Thank you to: Guest, Winter Cicada, ClaMiAl, Christy68, Naerysa, InsolentKatt, Cecld, Chiharu-Anglel and wbss21. You guys are so encouraging to me and every comment counts and just helps me feel like I'm on the right track and this stuff is going OK.
Thank you to my little brother (aged 8), Martin, for helping me find a name for the King of the Dark Dwarves~
Distortions In Time
[Bitter Desolation, Incandescent Harmony]
Chapter 58
Wheels Turn IV
Headed out toward the stars, it lies – a bridge which spans the places of What Is Seen through the spaces of What Is Not. A physical bridge and a metaphysical bridge all in one – the Bifrost. Long and thin it stretches from the heart of Asgard's great capital, beneath the palace, down the centre of the city and out to the far-reaching expanse of Asgarthaharr and beyond. Perched on the edge of the sea, the Bifrost ended with the gold and bronze dome of the Observatory.
The Bifrost was a thing of glory and a feat of technology and engineering besides. Multicoloured as though it were a rainbow, the Bifrost was capable of spanning dimensions – space and time – to reach any land it set its gaze upon. How a bridge could generate the ability and power to achieve such travel (and so quickly) was a matter for much speculation throughout the known universe. The secret, guarded carefully by the Council of Mages, was often speculated upon with many visiting scientists supposing it must be a combination of material – the Bridge's actual atomic structure – combined with Asgard's powerful magicks.
Another matter of speculation was when the Observatory had actually been built, for it had sat on the northernmost edge of Asgard since time immemorial and many wondered if it were to be destroyed, whether Asgard would have memory or records on how to build such a wonder. The interleaved sections of the dome, the worked runes, the precious metals, the alignments with the stars, the actual function of the central pedestal and the apparent use of a sword to unlock the mechanism had been noted, but in reality, few knew how the mechanism actually worked. Who had built it, who had conceived of such a wonder – no one knew, yet it was apparent that few knew its mysterious workings and the infamous Gatekeepers were silent on the subject.
Heimdall rarely spoke. In silence, he stood guard at his post, day after day in the Observatory which had been likewise kept by his fore-fathers for millenia now long past. Standing before it, in the middle of it at the sword's stand or at the far end looking out to the endless vista of stars, Heimdall kept watch, his gold eyes seeing far and wide, seeing all. The eyes of Heimdall and his kin, it was said, could see the drop of water fall from a single blade of grass a thousand worlds away.
Few could escape the gaze of Heimdall, or so the stories went. Yet, as time passed, uneasiness crept in as Heimdall began to realize that the eyes of the Observatory could not see all. Nameless things and shapeless shadows shifted within the Void and whispers of foreign magick swirled through Asgard with no sign as to their beginning nor their end.
The Bifrost shimmered, the Observatory gazed out at the brilliant nebulae and drifting clouds of coloured gas and shining, exploding stars and roaring comets and whirring pulsars and silent black holes and all that lay in between.
Dark things stirred.
-0-0-0-
Svartalfheim in between the seasons of fall and winter is a dark world, a grey-brown world with heavy gloomy suns which hang low within murky skies. Whipped across the barren Realm, sand and dust and small gravel rises in large storms which whirl about in wide hurricane-like circles. From a distance, there is something majestic, something lazy looking about the wide, circular storms – but caught within it, breathing is impossible and the low visibility does not allow for easy escape. Unwary travellers, inexperienced visiting traders and unlucky locals rarely survive such storms unless sanctuary is quickly found.
During these inclement times, the Dwarves of Svartalfheim dig deep and do not rise from their homes and the Dark Elves retreat to their great ships or mountain dwellings. Illesa, newly returned from the mission allotted to him, took comfort in the great clansman Ecya, cousin to Lord Malekith and Malo. Over a goblet of hearty ale and a bowl of mountain deer stew, the experienced mercenary related the information he had managed to pull from the young Jotunn.
Just as Malekith had predicted, the Aether was not hidden within Asgard's Vaults.
-0-0-0-
Tey'cha hated cold. Tey'cha hated atmosphere-less moons. Tey'cha hated the shadowy, hooded informer before whom she sat. The two of them had decided to meet in a iz'kyr farming community's canteen – a grubby, cramped, smoky place filled with strange smells and equally strange company.
"So it is not within Asgard's Vault? You are certain?" whispered the hooded creature, grey skin just barely seen within the dim lighting.
"It is not there," Tey'cha repeated for the tenth time. "It must be elsewhere. Tell your master-"
"Was there any mention of where it might be?"
"No. No mention."
"And the Dark Elf. He did not know?"
"No. Illesa did not know... and I did not press him, for if the Dark Elves were to become aware someone was searching for such an object, even they would find themselves hard pressed not to warn Odin."
"Hm."
A pause. Someone turned on the local jive-box and an annoying, clashing tune spilled out filling up the edges of the room with extra, unneeded sounds. Tey'cha stirred, fingering the edges of her hat lapels which now hung down over her more sensitive ears. She waited as calmly as she could until the hooded one nodded slowly and pushed over three small blocks of creds.
"My master thanks you. We shall look elsewhere then."
"If I hear anything, I will contact you-"
"Best not," the alien rose, teeth bared and gleaming faintly within the shadows of its hood. "A delicate matter such as this must be dealt with extreme caution."
"Very well."
"Breathe of this matter to no one," whispered the hooded alien before slipping away in a whisper of black.
"I will not," Tey'cha said stiffly.
Tey'cha disliked suspicious clients – particularly paranoiacs and crazies who actually thought that the universe was watching their every move – as though anyone cared about someone who was chasing after a legend, a myth.
Who believes in the Tesseract anymore? Tey'cha wondered, ambling off a few hours later. Fools...
[...and elsewhere...]
[...as it always has...]
[...Jotunheim...]
Laufey and Helblindi waited for the signal which had been arranged previously - the arrival of one of the Dark Elves to a predetermined spot. Dark Elves, gifted with the ability to walk the Dark Paths, had many ways to reach Jotunheim and, although the ancient dark paths to Utgard had long lain unopened, Laufey had prepared a small delegation to await for the expected Dark Elf and Jotunn on the north-east side of the city. Our plan was simple, Laufey thought, but entirely dependent on the capabilities of the Farbjothr. If it is as terrible as they say, our kin will die this very day and even gaining an escape, the others who joined with us in our plan may not be so dependable.
When the hour of expectation slowly passed by, as the stars wandered overhead and the candles wavered and sunk within their iron lamps, Laufey sat back and awaited the arrival of his stoic, hard-faced son. Helblindi came in time and, sitting before the fire in Laufey's quiet study, said nothing but took a draught of Laufey's good ale and glared at the red and green-blue flames. After a moment, the young Prince shook his head.
"They will not be returning to us."
"As I thought," Laufey nodded slowly. "The question is 'why'."
"Indeed."
"If it was due to the Ulfrbarn, to that abomination of mine," the aged King continued, his voice a deep, ominous rumble, "it would do well to never show its face here again."
"We will know in time," Helblindi said. "He - it will come."
"Not just him."
"Hm."
"Others will come, I should think..." Laufey eyed speculatively. "Asgard will come."
"Yes..." Helblindi glanced upward at his quiet parent, "but you knew that would happen already."
"Indeed. The question is... who will come..."
[...Jotunheim waited...]
Accompanied by a small company of guards, the Imperial Einherjar, the King and the two Princes made their way as fast as may be down to the secret Vault. It lay quiet, quiet and cold. As they made their way down the steps, Loki looked about for any sign of other intruders, his quick green eyes flashing in the dimness. There were none. Only ice and dim light and the half frozen dead bodies of the Jotunn and Asgardians who had fallen. A sobering sight.
Stooping slowly, feeling his age even more, Odin bent to pick up the Casket and then moving forward again, set the ancient relic back in its place on the pedestal. Behind him, he could hear his two sons coming to a halt on either side of him, a few paces back. Thor shifted uneasily on his feet. The Crown Prince was upset. To say the least, Odin sighed.
"The Jotunn must pay for what they have done," Thor finally burst out, unable to keep his peace any longer. "For what they have done is grievous-"
"They have paid," Odin countered his son easily, "with their lives." A pause as Odin ran a hand carefully along the metal edge-work of the Casket. It was returned... "The Destroyer did its work. The Casket is safe and all is well." Odin's blue eye shifted to the side, as the elderly King fell deep into thought.
"All is well? All is well?!" Thor repeated angrily, waving his arms. "They broke into the weapons vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these relics-"
"They did not," Odin cut off his son with annoyance.
I am missing something, he thought. Surely... surely...
The Casket swirled. It whispered.
...woe to those who suppress the peace...
...woe to those who court death and oppression...
"Well, I want to know why!" Thor growled. "Why and how. How did they get into the Vault and why did they not succeed? Why did they try in the first place? They are planning some thing. I know it! Such a savage race as theirs would not attack us except if they wished to begin a war with us – targeting the Casket which is a weapon of great power."
Odin turned and eyed his two sons. Thor, tall and commanding, was shifting back and forth on his feet, obviously more than ready to take action. His blue eyes flashed with fury and his hands were clenched, ready to take up his hammer and sword. On the other hand, the younger Prince had the air of someone who was waiting. In response to Thor's questions, Loki's green eyes slid to the side and his dark eyebrow rose sardonically as the younger Prince smirked behind the King's back. An unimpressed look and beneath it, something else. Something else unreadable.
Odin sighed.
"I have a truce with Laufey-King of the Jotunn."
"He just broke your truce! They know you are vulnerable." Thor shook his head. "We know what they are like. Knowing such a fact – however, impossible it is – they will attempt again to find that weakness and exploit it."
"What action would you take?" Odin asked, stepping back and cocking his white beard upward in inquisition.
"I would march into their lands as you once did," Thor replied immediately, "teach them a lesson, break their spirits so they will never dare to try to cross our borders again."
Loki snorted quietly. Odin, ignoring his younger son – for now – focused on the older with a frown.
"You are thinking only as a warrior."
"This was an act of war!"
"It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail," Odin shook his head. "I have spoken with Alinor of the Dark Elves and with King Gornor of the Dark Dwarves of Niflheim... They spoke of Jotunheim, having some trade relationships with them, which we do not have. According to them, the Jotunn have all but lost hope in returning what was once theirs. Their imperial dreams have been crushed and their land has been brought low."
"Maybe," Thor scoffed, "but these are only rumours! From uncertain allies! Look how far they got! This is no mere coincidence-"
"We will find the breach in our defences and it will be sealed-"
"As King of Asgard–" argued Thor, mulishly.
"But," Odin responded forcefully, "you are not King!"
A pause.
"Not yet."
The Vault fell silent and Odin glanced from his first son – blue eyes dawning with realization that this day he would not get his way – and then at his second son – green eyes blank and guarded. With a sigh, Odin dismissed his two sons and went off to call the guards, telling his sons to meet him at the seventh hour of the evening to discuss the breach and the information the council would no doubt have accumulated by then. Grumbling, Thor left, followed quickly by Loki.
An unaccountably silent Loki.
Odin turned to look down at the Casket again.
...woe to the one who turns his back...
...to the one who runs...
It whispered dark things of promise, terrible and great. A chill ran down his spine as he contemplated the powerful artifact. He had brought it to Asgard, knowing what it was – the precious cornerstone piece of Jotunheim.
Its soul, he thought. Yet, the kingdom did not disintegrate as I thought it would and the spirit of Jotunheim runs strong and deep even now. Somehow, its spirit was not destroyed entirely within that War and the Casket is seeking... it is seeking... something... someone...
Odin's mind wandered in the gathering dimness of the Vault.
...woe to the one who turns his back...
...to the one who runs...
...from destiny...
[...for destiny will come, they say, to those who least look for it...]
[...and the future of some...]
[...lies shadowed...]
The thoughts of the Crown Prince of Thor were increasingly dark as he contemplated the day and the results of his discussion with his father in the Vault. Wandering the halls of the inner Palace, Thor ignored those scurrying past him as he forged onward, thoughts piling one on top of the other. When he ended up in the dining hall, seeing the large table for the feast which would have ended the day with him sitting at the head, crowned and feted.
There would have been songs and laughing maidens courtesy of Mother and Father would have hired the best entertainment Asgard could offer and Loki would have told a story... and Sif and the Warriors Three would have been there to share the glory... and we would have dined and feasted until the Sun came up the next morning... and I would be seen for what I am – for what Father said I would be for so long – I would be King. I would be the destined King of Asgard. I would rule wisely and protect Asgard against any harm. I would crush the Jotunn and save our people... and now... it has come to nothing... nothing... nothing nothing nothing – I can do nothing.
Pushing a couple servants aside and to the ground, Thor picked up the table and threw it, enjoying the clatter of the remaining fruits and candles and plates and cutlery and goblets which rolled and crashed and clanged and clattered onto the floor. At Thor's angry roar, the servants scuttled off, leaving the room half dismantled and blessedly empty and silent. There, on the edges of the stairs leading down to the large balcony, Thor sat and contemplated his now bleak future – helpless and unable to do anything.
After a few moments, something dark brushed up against his thigh and turning his head, Thor's downcast blue eyes caught sight of a familiar flash of silver and steel thigh guards, green and brown coat and pale white hands. Loki.
"It is unwise to be in my company right now, young brother," Thor sighed.
"Who said I was wise?" Loki's quick, witty response brought a snort from the older Prince.
"This was to be my day of triumph," Thor finally said. "In the end, I feel as though I have regressed to that of a child. Unable to do anything to protect the people whom I swore to save earlier this day. This was to be the day I would stand tall for them, guard and shield them... save them..."
"It will come." Loki paused and then added just as quietly. "In time."
Just then, the Warriors Three and Sif entered, obviously looking for Thor and at the sight of the room, they paused uncertainly. Volstagg, lumbering forward, sorrowfully surveyed the wrecked platters of buns and fruits and creams which splattered across the floor.
"What is this? Thor? What did the food do now?" He shook his head in sadness. "What a waste..."
At the sight of the two brothers obviously in conference, the others hung back and waited. Thor said nothing, feeling more than ever that their pity was most unwanted. Loki leaned forward and murmured:
"If it is any consolation, I think you are right – about the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they found a way to penetrate Asgard's defences once, who is to say they will not try again? Next time with an army."
"Exactly!" Thor felt even more upset at the thought than before.
Why does Father not see this? These beasts will stop at nothing – nothing –
"There is nothing you can do without defying Father."
Defying Father – well, Thor mused, that is the easy part. What I can do is more difficult. I cannot go down there and kill them all myself – unless it is true and their numbers have dwindled so far... but perhaps not. At the very least, we could go down and find out the truth of the matter for ourselves, find the reason for the attack and bring such information to the session later on tonight...
Thor sat up straighter, his mind racing as the puzzle pieces fit together. Loki, catching sight of his older brother's face, leaned back, a look of consternation crossing his face.
"No – no – nononono. No, I know that look!" Loki's green eyes widened. "You can not be seriously thinking that-"
"It is the only way to ensure the safety of our borders," Thor said, standing up and moving forward, leaving his younger brother sitting behind him, shoulders slumped.
Of course Loki disagrees... but that does not mean that my idea has no merit. This is as it always was between us.
"Thor. It is madness!"
Volstagg's red-brown head rose at the sound of Loki's risen interjection.
"Madness? What sort of madness?"
"Nothing," Loki said. "Thor was merely making a jest."
"The safety of our Realm is no jest. We are going to Jotunheim."
Loki was rubbing his eyes now, clearly worried. Hogun stiffened, Volstagg blinked, Sif sighed and Fandral took a step forward, shocked.
"Jotunheim?"
"Thor," Sif tried to keep her voice calm. "Of all the laws of Asgard, this is one you must not break! You cannot be thinking of this in all seriousness."
"Indeed!" Fandral agreed. "This is not like a journey to Earth or some backwater planet, where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god. The Realm of savages who would tear you apart with their bare hands as soon as look at you. The Realm of ice and darkness which has swallowed the unwary without a single word. The Realm most hateful of Asgard and its kind. This is Jotunheim!"
"Yes," Volstagg added heartily, "if the Frost Giants do not kill you, your father will."
"My father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies and took their Casket," Thor continued undeterred. Behind him, Loki was putting his head in his hand, a sure sign of defeat. "We would just be looking for answers. Answers Asgard needs. I am not suggesting we enter Jotunheim for war. We would only ask a few questions."
"It is forbidden to enter Jotunheim," Sif pointed out again.
Thor was not to be moved. They must come with me, he vowed to himself. We are in this together. For Asgard.
"My friends, have you forgotten all of what we have done together," the Crown Prince moved toward his blonde-haired childhood friend. "Fandral! Who brought you into the sweet embrace of all the exotic maidens within Yggdrasil?"
"You helped..." Fandral laughed, "...a little."
Thor smiled and chuckled and moved onward to the taciturn soldier. Hogun, who I trust at my back during battle...
"And you Hogun! Who led you into the most glorious of battles?
"You did." Hogun nodded slowly.
"And Volstagg, delicacies so succulent that you thought you had died and gone to Valhalla?
Volstagg chuckled, "You did."
"Yes," Thor moved onward to Sif, still wearing her fiercest ceremonial battle armour. "And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this realm has ever known?"
"I did," Sif replied stoutly, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
"True – but I supported you, Sif." Thor paused, for a beat, allowing his words to sink in. "My friends, trust me. All of our lives, we have gone out to seek justice and glory. Well, both. In equal measures. Every time, no matter what we faced, we survived-"
"Through sheer dumb lucky," Loki mumbled.
"-to tell the tale and glory in our strength. This is another matter entirely. This is not something we do as young people who wish to glory in their strength and youth. This is something we must achieve for Asgard. We must do this." Thor ascended the short stairs and turned to Loki and then back to his friends. "You are not going to let my brother and I gain all the glory, are you?"
"What?" Loki blurted out in shock.
"You are coming with me, are you not?"
Loki sighed and smiled tiredly. "Yes. Of course." With that, the slender warrior-mage stood proudly at Thor's side. "I will not let my brother march into Jotunheim alone."
"And I," Volstagg added quickly.
"And I," nodded Fandral with a sigh.
"And I," Hogun added, "the Warriors Three fight together."
"I fear we will live to regret this," Sif shook her head.
"If we are lucky," chuckled Volstagg.
Thor smiled, broudly. "Then it is settled. We are going to Jotunheim!"
-0-0-0-
Within three-quarters of an hour, thanks to their long practice slipping off on quests, the six gathered beyond the armoury and the first inner gate where their horses were lined up already waiting thanks to the ever grim Master Farfin who had received Thor's message earlier. Settling their favoured weapons more securely upon themselves, the warriors looked about uneasily, wondering if Odin would burst out the great doors of the Hall at any moment roaring Thor's name.
"I still think we should do it my way," Loki was still hissing at Thor and Sif. "The Paths would get us there with little to no interference-"
"But it would take too much time," Thor replied firmly. "We will go to Heimdall. He is certain to let us pass."
"I hardly think he will," Sif shook her head, disbelievingly, hands on her hips. "Never in his right mind would he countenance breaking such an important Asgardian law."
"We will tell him Father sent us-"
"And if he decides to ask Odin?" Loki tried again. "Our trip would be rather short-"
"We will try my way first," Thor said, "then we will try yours."
"Very well," Loki shrugged and moved off, allowing Volstagg to draw closer to compare the virtues of maces versus truncheons.
During the general rush of mounting, Loki took a few short minutes to send a small message through one of the nearby guards to his father. Walking away and setting his foot in his mount's stirrup, Loki grimaced. By the time we get to Heimdall, Odin will have caught wind of what Thor has planned... and if not... I will just need to delay our departure... somehow... hmmm... something that does not raise Thor's suspicions, or, even worse, Sif's or Heimdall's suspicions. After all, my meddling in such a way would not be greeted with the casual acceptance that Thor so often receives for his 'exploits'. And if we were to end up in Jotunheim... then... then... Loki shivered. That would hold some serious ramifications indeed.
Thus, deep in thought, Loki followed behind as the group surged out and down the main causeway which ran from the Palace down the middle of the city and out to the Observatory – the Bifrost itself. Thanks to some persuasive words on the part of Thor and Fandral and Loki, the final gate opened, allowing the group to continue unimpeded down the bridge, the hooves of their horses sounding strangely hollow on the rippling coloured bridge. Arriving at Heimdall's Observatory a few moments later, everyone dismounted and approached Heimdall who stood before his post, sword in hand, face stolid and uncommunicative.
As usual, he was dressed in his finest. His gold helmet, however, was gleaming just a little brighter, his armour newly polished, his boots' leathers freshly oiled and everything looking well groomed for the coronation. The coronation that never was, Loki smirked, lengthening his stride to bypass Thor.
"Leave this to me." Loki said.
"You are not dressed warmly enough," Heimdall's soft voice was unperturbed.
"I am sorry," Loki started. "But-"
"You think that you can deceive me."
"You must be mistaken-"
"Enough!" Thor's voice broke through the usual argumentative discussions Heimdall and Loki were apt to have (and enjoy). "Time is of essence... Heimdall, may we pass?"
With that firm tone, Thor stepped in front of Loki, meeting Heimdall's serene, clear-eyed gaze with his own. For a moment, Heimdall seemed to be seeing something far in the distance over their shoulders and Loki had to ignore the urge to look over his shoulder. Then, gold eyes sharpening, Heimdall broke the silence.
"Never has an enemy slipped my watch until this day." A pause. Then, the usually monosyllabic guardsman added: "I wish to know how that happened."
"I rather thought that the All-Father was looking into it," Loki had to point out slowly. "Surely, he can find the breach and the Mages-"
"Ah," Thor rolled his eyes, "as usual you are so quick to rely on old witless men and your tricks to find the answer-"
"The Mages are hardly witless-"
"But they are old."
"Age has nothing to do with-"
"Enough, Loki." Thor gave his brother a hard stare. "Come, Heimdall. You understand the gravity of our situation. This must be dealt with - and swiftly. Therefore, tell no one where we have gone until we have returned, understand?" Thor asked.
Heimdall nodded slowly.
"So you will go to Jotunheim and court whatever you may find there..." he said slowly, turning away and taking Thor with him inward, leaving behind Loki standing there still uncertainly as the horror of what was about to happen settled down upon the warrior-mage.
Heimdall will let us pass, Loki blinked. He is breaking one of the first tenets of Asgardian law so easily? With the mere word of Thor that all will be well? Loki frowned crossly. Of course the law is bent for Thor. Thor's word is law... at this rate, if the guardsman does not send word to Odin sooner than later, we will really end up meeting Frost Giants – and what then... surely Thor will not... he would not...
"What happened?" Volstagg was passing Loki by now, "Silver tongue turned to lead?" The rotund warrior chuckled and moved onward, laughing with Fandral as Loki slowly stirred and followed the group into the Observatory.
As everyone took their usual positions, Heimdall stood at the pedestal and inserted his sword, starting up the Observatory's internal mechanisms.
"Be warned," Heimdall finally added. "I will honour my sworn oath to protect this Realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed and you will be left to die in the cold wastes of Jotunheim."
Yes, Loki snorted. Well. Most of us would die thanks to foolhardiness. If we were truly stuck there... would Thor last the week? I think not.
"Could you not just leave the bridge open for us?" Volstagg asked curiously.
"Leaving the bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it," Heimdall said, his voice not reflecting any annoyance at the fact that yet again the same old question was being asked. Again.
Loki, however, could not stifle a sigh. How can they not understand this? He rolled his eyes. Anyone who knows anything knows this...
"I have no plans to die today," Thor promised with a smile.
"None do," returned Heimdall placidly and activated the final phase of the dome, allowing the warriors, one by one in quick succession to be pulled, tugged, thrown into the powerful path of the light stream – and outward to the stars.
[… here…]
[… silences hold fast…]
[… but not entirely so…]
[… the skies are empty…]
[… on Jotunheim…]
Thor arrived on Jotunheim.
[...a blossom of gold in a grey land...]
[...the spark of a fire in black wood...]
[...beginning of an...]
[...who can know...]
[...the Norns, the Fate, the Player...]
[...the one who lays plans...]
[...no one...]
OK. Some interesting developments. Developments I hope that will tie into plot points later on this fic and also later on in the sequel. Should I ever be crazy enough to write a sequel.
I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter and found some interesting world building stuff in it, despite the fact that it is largely action and plotting packed. . There's going to be divergence in Chapter 60 or maybe even 59. We'll see what happens!
Let me know what you think! Encouragment is the gas in my engine. Although I'll always write, reviews or no, comments do help me know whether I'm clear with my vision or not.
Thanks so much!
-KI
Alien Glossary:
'auzha – fucker
chi'iano – a radioactive piece of rock similar to uranium
cho'ai - lover
Dou'ma – idiot
iz'kyr – a kind of frozen stone powder which is used as a narcotic for some species
kalo – a kind of purple-red fruit, similar to a pomegranate or dragonfruit
kol-sava'atha – a titanium-rich ore
Morning-star - a mace
n'ch'nka – a kind of cow
oma'auzha – mother-effer
oto'oa - big sister
r'senk'ne – a kind of deer/cow hybrid
udji'oo – a drug, like opium
Asgardian Glossary:
bikkja – bitch
Brenna-Fir – the Immolation
Drakka Thyod – Dragon Race
ergi - womanly, weak, "gay"
Fiendfyre – a phoenix-firebird
Flauguna – flying feet/teleportation
fotr'ro - footstool
Ginnung – the Void
harhvila - high bed
Haugbui Bustathr – the Shrine of the Kings
Hiti-mothr – Flame Fury (also known as Lachruth)
Kaesia-Seithr – Spirit-Spear style
Koma a Aldr – Coming of Age
Kveykva-herklaethi – Light Armoured style
Laegja – the Immersion
Ofolr Leith – Dark Paths, Other Ways (crossing the Void)
Ominni-tith - the Forgotten Times
Rikr-Hringraevi – Grand Cycles of Time
Runa a Fyrsta – Rites of Initiation
Runa a Kelda – Rites of Spring
Runa'a'vetr – Winter Solstice
Saga-Vefr – Story-weavers
seithr - magic
seithrmaster - mage, sorceror
Skjald-borhyrr – Wall of Flame
Skipa – the Infusion
Skokkr-a-Mir – concealment skills, Box of Mirrors (also known as Col'ca-cenedril)
stormerki – mysteria
Tveir-Andlit – illusionary skills, Double Face
Velspara-Speki – the Well (of Wisdom)
Elvish Glossary:
skreyppa – slippery one
gargani – snake
fintalenir – trickster
vanwa – defeated one, impolite term for "loser"
caitahto – liar
curunar – fiery one
Lachruth – Flame Fury
Col'ca-cenedril – Box of Mirrors
Cebir-Gondlug – Spike-Stone Dragon
Am'loce Norie – Dragon Race
raudhaust – high bed
Jotunheim Glossary:
Aldinn Stathr – Ancient Place
Almror'ganga - Long Range Weapon Contest
Arlang'leith – the Annual Caravan
Atfirth – energies
ausa'songr fugl - flow-songbirds
blakkrbjorr – black beer
Blakkrbjorn – black bear
blakkrgras – black grass
blargras – blue grass
blar'iss hros - black ice horse
Blaufe'irsteinn - blue fire stone
Brandr'ganga - Unarmed Combat
Dagaheim
Dauthr'ganga - Death Duel
dvegr – dwarf
dyrspeki – zoologist
Eybjarg (Chasms of Forever)
Faetha'snaer - "Mother", "who births the snow"
Farbjothr – the Destroyer
fauld – a part of armour around the lower midsection
Fjor'fylgja – Life Mate
Flara River – Treacherous River
fleygja-skip – flying/shooting ship
For-Eldra – Ancestors
Forn Vegr – Old Ways
Frothleikr'ganga - Battle of Magick
Fylgja'snaer - "Father", "who aids the snow"
Gastropnir
Glima'ganga - Battle of Swords
Gnaefki-Seggr – High Guard
Gnottvatn (Lake of Abundance)
Gothahus – temple
Grarfjall – Grey Mountains
grarulfr – grey wolves
Griotunagardar
hafnathr – sea serpents
heillgrjot – healing stones
Heimsrsal – Soul of the Realm
heithrsker – crystal flowers
hjarr'veithr - rabbit chaser (a kind of eagle)
Holdra River – Hero's River
holkimurtr – small flat fish
Holkn Vollr – Flat Plains
holmganga – a method of ending feuds/disagreements
hota-eik – white oak
hvaeta – wheat
hvitr'steinn - white fire stone
Innaheim – Inner Realm
iss'hona'by - ice honey bee
jarnkottr – iron cat (beast which Laufey released in Thor)
jarnvithr – iron wood
Kaldrfjall (Cold Mountains)
Kero Fornvetr – Casket of Ancient Winters
kostrboth – a method of proving virility for the purpose of marriage
lagreinn – small one (epithet)
lagr'hyggr – fool
Lengi Ofrithr – Long War
luthrblom – trumpet flower
manisilfr – moonsilver
Meir'brothir – Older Brother
melrakki – white fox
Myrkr Skogr – shadow forest
Nattura – spirits
Northri Stjarna – North Star
rjothr'auga haukr - red-eyed hawk
silvralmr – silver elm
silvrfiskr – silver fish
Sithr Efingi – True Heir
Skalldi
skordyr – Jotunheim goat
Smar'brothir – Younger Brother
snaerharra – snow rabbit
snjarlang'hvartha - snow camel
Storrholl – Great Hall
thurblakulfr – giant black wolves
tunglbom (moonflower)
Utanheim – Outer Realm
Utgard
vaetki – nothing
ventrmellin – winter melon
villrkyr – wild ox
Virtha Aevi – Coming of Age
Vit'ganga - Battle of Wits