Asgard
The trio of Thor, Jane, and Darcy stepped through into the observatory on Asgard and Heimdall was waiting for them. "Heimdall my friend, it has been too long" stated Thor stepping forward to greet the stoic guard of the Bifrost Bridge.
"That is has Odinson" replied Heimdall noting the two young ladies that Thor had brought with him from Earth.
Thor looked around and found the rest of the observatory empty, "I was sort of expecting a grand reception, certainly you would have told my father of my impending arrival hours ago when I decided to return" said Thor as Jane and Darcy stepped next to Thor.
Heimdall turned to the ladies seemingly ignoring Thor's statement. "Welcome to Asgard, Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis." Heimdall bowed to the duo before turning back to Thor "The All-Father awaits you in the throne room" He informed prompting a nod from Thor who led Jane and Darcy out onto the Bifrost.
"Alright you two, hang on to me and I will fly us over the Bifrost Bridge and the city so we can meet with my father as soon as possible. After that I will show you both around my home." Informed Thor as the two grabbed on and he used Mjolnir to begin the flight to the Palace.
Jane watched in awe as they flew over the rainbow Bifrost Bridge with the vast ocean several miles below it. They ended up above the city next, people shouting up to Thor as he flew them overhead. Jane saw so many people in the short amount of time that they flew over the city that was in front of the Asgardian Palace. The scope and majesty of the new world she was seeing was beginning to set inside her mind.
The trio landed just in front of the throne room and Thor began to lead Jane and Darcy towards the Throne Room when a voice rang out to him, "Thor."
Thor turned and a childlike smile came across his face "Mother" he said going to Frigga and giving her a huge hug.
Jane and Darcy approached awkwardly as the mother and son continued their embrace. "Your meeting his Mom?" asked Darcy excitedly prompting a shocked look from Jane.
Frigga let go of Thor and smiled brightly at him "It's been too long" she said knowing that the last time she had seen Thor was before he had left to go stop Loki on Earth. Letting Loki go may have put Asgard in a precarious position but Loki being on the run was a personal win for her but she knew that things were going to be very testy with her husband, Odin.
Thor turned to the side and presented Jane and Darcy to his mother "This is Jane and her friend Darcy" he stated with a proud smile.
Jane smiled as she approached and quickly bowed figuring that bowing was probably the more proper greeting. Frigga laughed at Darcy who was simply staring with awe of her surroundings, Jane punched Darcy in the knee who snapped out of her stupor and looked around quickly before awkwardly bowing herself.
Frigga approached the two women "Bowing is not necessary" she said prompting Jane and Darcy to both stand straight. "So, you're the human that my son has fallen for" she said with a smile. Jane's face turned bright red as Darcy stifled a giggle.
"I'm about to introduce them to Father and then I will show them around our home" explained Thor prompting a surprised look from Frigga who looked at Jane and Darcy with a slight concerned look on her face. Odin was not going to like Thor bringing humans to Asgard without permission not to mention the tongue lashing Thor would be receiving for letting Loki go.
Frigga looked the two over and then back to Thor, "How about I show the young ladies around while you and your Father talk" she suggested as she moved past Thor and stood between Jane and Darcy. "I think it's best to let you boys talk and I will give them a personal guided tour of the palace, we can meet up later when you have finished" she said now without waiting for Thor to respond. She whisked Jane and Darcy away as Heimdall joined Thor at the door to the throne room.
"Be ready Odinson. Your father has not been his normal self recently. Loki's escape and dealing with the Jotuns have stressed him especially lately" explained Heimdall as he opened the Throne Room door.
Thor entered and surveyed the room, noting the guards spread throughout while also detecting Sif and the Warriors Three standing in front of the throne clearly reporting on something. He approached cautiously waiting for Heimdall to announce him or Odin to acknowledge him.
Fandral turned and spotted Thor walking up with Heimdall and revealed a toothy smile prompting looks from Volstagg and Hogun. The Warriors Three moved to embrace Thor but were waved off by Heimdall who then put his hands behind his back while Lady Sif finished her report.
Odin locked eyes with Thor who smiled hoping his father would happily signal him, instead Odin raised his hand stopping Sif who still did not look at Thor. "She's ignoring me" Thor thought to himself as Odin sat back in his throne.
"Leave us" he said with no emotion or tone. Sif turned and walked past Thor without giving him a second look while the Warriors Three each gave Thor a reassuring pat on the back as they passed. The guards all turned and went to other posts while Heimdall started to turn to leave when Odin called out to him "You stay."
Heimdall nodded and stood as still as a statue as Thor approached the throne. "Father" he started.
"So, look who has finally chosen to return home" Odin said not even trying to hide his disappointment. Thor looked at Heimdall who remain stone faced as Odin spoke "Have you any idea the damage you have caused with your actions?"
Thor stepped forward "I'm sorry for disobeying your orders, but I will not apologize for doing what I believe to be the right thing. Loki has done terrible things but I refuse to sentence him to death" stated Thor with strength.
Odin shook his head and moved to be mere inches from his son's face, "Tensions with the Jotuns have gotten worse…between your excursion there, Loki's attack, and you allowing him to escape on Earth have pushed Jotunheim and Asgard to brink of war for the first time in ages." Odin turned away and stared at his throne "Words will not stop this war from happening, we have all moved past that point."
Thor thought for a moment "If words won't stop then perhaps giving the Jotuns something as penance for what Loki and I have done to them. Hand me over to them, I will answer for both of our crimes against them."
Odin shook his head "Stop being a child. You think offering yourself to them will solve anything? You mean nothing to them, Loki is the monster they are looking for, they will gladly take you but not because of what you did but because it will increase their chances in the war to come" explained Odin.
"What would you have me do?" Thor asked hoping that he could provide an answer to the problem that could at least save some lives.
Odin smiled internally at the thought of Thor hoping to find other ways to stop the fighting between Asgard and Jotunheim that didn't include a war "Perhaps he has grown up a little bit after all" Odin thought to himself. Odin sighed, how was he going to explain Volla's vision of his death to Thor, that he was soon going to have to lead their people into a conflict they were probably not going to be prepared for. He needed Thor to learn lessons immediately that he had intended to teach over time.
"I need you to reflect my son, think on what you have done regarding Loki. You may truly believe that letting him live was the right thing to do, but sometimes a King must make decisions that seem like the wrong thing because it's the right thing for his people. People before self, Thor. Even if you feel that allowing Loki to leave on Earth was the right thing to do, you must come to understand that it was the wrong decision" explained Odin putting his hand on Thor's shoulder. He could see that Thor was nodding but knew that he did not yet understand. "Heimdall would you join us in the library, I believe it is time for Thor to learn some much needed history" Odin said getting a quick affirmative response from Heimdall.
Thor turned to walk with Odin "I brought someone with me father. I would like to introduce you to" he said with a hopeful gleam in his eye.
"I know of our visitors, I will meet them at dinner later tonight after which they will be returning home" stated Odin without even a breath.
Thor shook his head in disbelief "They do not need to return to the Earth so quickly, I want them to stay and enjoy Asgard to see the world we have to offer."
Odin stopped and looked into Thor's eyes as if staring directly into his soul. "Bringing them here is another selfish decision that you must move past if you wish to be a great king. You will understand after our talk in the library but the humans will not be staying past tomorrow morning and that is final."
Thor wished to speak more but Odin had clearly made his decision and the two continued their walk out of the throne room and to the library in silence.