A/N: So…Thor 2 happened…and it has completely ruined my life. I love it, but as far as fanfic writing goes, I'm in denial about the whole thing, except for the Loki-and-Odin conflict. (The old man really got on my nerves in the movie…What a jerk! He totally deserved whatever Loki might've done to him.)
I will be continuing this story regardless of what canon says. This story will contain no spoilers, for those of you who care.
I'd also like to apologize for not responding to every review, but the story's getting to the point where I can hardly say anything without giving it all away (and what would be the fun in that?) But I do read every single one of them. You're all amazing, truly.
Enough of my rambling, and on with the story!
The healers had tried removing the spell that the All-father had placed on Hela, but none of them had the strength to completely eradicate it. The situation was not helped by the fact that most of the healers were afraid of her. Frigga was the only one who sat by her bedside as if trying to save Death was the most normal thing in the world.
"Why does no one ever help?" Hela whispered quietly as the last healer left. "Even Father. I brought him back so he could help us, and where is he now?" Frigga shook her head.
"That's not true. Your father is going to do everything in his power to help you. I know he will."
"How do you know?" Frigga carefully brushed a lock of jet black hair away from her face.
"He was devastated when he lost you and your brothers, and your mother." She paused. "You and your brothers are the only part of Angrboda that he has left. He will protect the three of you." Hela closed her eyes, nodding gently.
"I wish to be alone now." She said.
"Of course, dear. If you need anything, just call for me."
"I will…Grandmother." Frigga smiled slightly. She closed the door behind her. Three of the healers were waiting in the hall.
"Please tell me there's a way you can remove that spell." Frigga said. The healers all exchanged a look, and the bravest of the three stood forward.
"My lady, we have skill to heal almost every ill under the sun, but we have never seen an enchantment like this. We can do nothing." Eir said quietly. "I'm sorry." Frigga nodded once.
"Then I shall have to find another way. Thank you for your help." Frigga bowed slightly and went to Hlidskjalf.
She had scarcely had a moment to herself when two guards approached her cautiously.
"My queen, I bring grave tidings." Frigga turned around, worry written across her face.
"What has happened?"
"An alliance of Jotuns and Fire Demons of Muspelheim. They have laid waste to several of the outlying towns. Only a handful of our people survived." Frigga closed her eyes, regretting not having known about the threat earlier.
"Do you have any knowledge of their movements?"
"They have been moving steadily towards the city. Three more days, and they will be upon us." The second guard said. Frigga nodded.
"Prepare the soldiers, and send out orders for the women and children to come to the keep." After a moment of thought, she turned back to the guards. "And send for Lady Sif, Volstagg and Hogun. I would have words with them." The guards both bowed.
"Yes, my Queen." They turned on their heels and marched off. Only moments later, Sif and the remainder of the Warriors Three came to the throne room, and knelt before Frigga, fists over their hearts.
"Please, now is not the time to stand on ceremony." Frigga said gently. They all rose, and looked up to meet Frigga's gaze. Sif glanced around the throne room, confused.
"Where is the All-father?" Frigga looked pained for a moment.
"The All-father is taking some time to reconsider his past actions. When I deem him worthy, he will be returned to his rightful place. But until then, I am acting as regent." She stepped down from the high seat, and looked each of the warriors in the eye.
"What would you have us do, my Queen?" Volstagg asked.
"You will lead the defense of the city, and await Thor and Loki's return."
"Milady, Loki is dead. I thought you were there when it happened…" he said quietly, hoping not to make the queen cry. Much to his surprise, Frigga shook her head, smiling a little.
"His body has gone missing, and there was no funeral. Fenrir, the wolf has been freed, and there are none besides Loki who possess the means or will to do so. Moreover, Hela herself has admitted to bringing Loki back from Helheim." She said, and none dared contradict her.
"I'm sorry for doubting your word, then, my queen." Volstagg said, his cheeks reddening a little at this gentle reproof.
"It is nothing, Volstagg. All is forgiven." Frigga turned to look out the window, and paled slightly. Sif stepped forward to try and see what the queen was seeing.
"What is it? What's happening?" she asked. Frigga turned back to the three warriors.
"I am going to Midgard. I shall return shortly. Go to your posts, keep our people safe, and I shall return to you as soon as possible." Frigga turned back to the window, and disappeared.
Tony and Fandral watched Loki walk along the shore of Loch Ness. The others (Jane, Darcy, and Thor) had elected to stay at the hotel. Fenrir had taken a bit of a liking to Darcy, so he was staying with her.
"You know, Loki, no one's ever found Nessie…" Loki glared at him.
"Odin put a masking spell over my son so that you mortals would remain unaware of his presence. Only one with power equal to or greater than the All-father could free him." He snapped.
"Oh, so you're claiming to be more powerful than your father?" Loki turned on his heel and strode over to the billionaire.
"That monster is not my father. You would do well to remember that, Stark." Tony held up his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay…sheesh…I'm sorry. But don't think you're the only one with daddy-issues." Loki watched him for a couple moments before turning back to the loch.
"And my son's name is Jormagundar." he said, using a tone that left no room for argument or snarky comments. Fandral watched the scene with mild interest. He had known that Odin wasn't exactly on good terms with Loki, but the fact that the trickster wouldn't even claim kinship with the king was news to him.
Loki drew his sword and held it ready as he waded out to waist deep in the murky water.
The water began to swirl, and a large gray shape broke the surface, floating a few feet from Loki. It turned out to be almost ten feet of nothing but snake-like neck. Tony watched in shock as the rest of the creature's body surfaced. Loki smiled in delight as he beheld his youngest son for the first time. Of course, he had hoped the circumstances would be different, but this was better than never seeing him at all.
The serpent's scales were a dull black. His eyes were vividly green, and from where Tony was standing he could see rows upon rows of teeth, all of them glistening white and sharp. But the saddest part of seeing such a magnificent creature up close was that he wore a collar. A golden band seemed almost embedded into his scaly flesh, just where the neck connected to his shoulders. Jormagundar reached out towards the trickster, nudging his chest with the tip of his nose and made a slight whining sound. Loki ran a hand down the scaly face.
"I know…I never came here before, but I am here now." Jormagundar sniffed Loki, ruffling his hair with his breath. "I know, I know what he did. And I am here to free you." The serpent craned his head around, getting a good look at Tony. A forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air, getting an idea of what was nearby.
"Did your kid just stick his tongue out at me?" Loki rolled his eyes.
"No, he's just getting to know you." Jormagundar let out a keening moan as Loki raised Laevateinn to sever the bonds. He brought the blade down on the collar just as Frigga appeared.
"Loki, stop!" she cried, but she was too late. The enchantment was broken.
On Asgard, Hela felt Odin's spell begin its work. Jormagundar was free. She smiled at first, but she thought about it. Frigga had promised to stop Loki before he unknowingly set the spell in motion. Frigga must have gotten to her father before he broke the serpent's bonds, right? And her brother was still freed.
Did her father not care about her?
She closed her eyes, tears working down her cheeks. She couldn't be angry at him; she'd had enough of being angry. If she wasn't good enough for Loki to save, that was his own fault.