AN: Thank you so much again everyone for the wonderful reviews and all the favorites! Sorry for the delay again, OChem has struck again. I hope you enjoy this chapter! More serious action starts next chapter!

Enjoy, read and review! :)


Sif looked blankly at her reflection in her vanity mirror. Her eyes bore the marks of her tear filled night, and her cheeks were stained with the salty trail they left behind. She could feel her hand shaking as she applied her makeup—carefully trying to hide the evidence. Looking at her distant and broken face, however, she wondered if she could play the part. What looked back at her was not the strong warrior everyone knew. No-what stared back was a child screaming.

She had tried, successfully she would think, to deny reality. With the Bifrost destroyed and the Tesseract missing, she convinced herself that Thor would never be united with his mortal again. In her mind, there was every chance that they would be together—that he would finally see what had been right in front of him all these years. She desperately hoped he would see her less as a comrade, and more of a woman who had grown to love him.

But as she looked at her red eyes in her vanity mirror she knew those dreams had passed. Tonight, Thor would present Lady Jane to his parents and the rest of Asgard's nobility. Tonight, he would officially announce his intentions to begin a courtship with her, and all of Asgard would be expected to treat the mortal as royalty—as a potential future queen of Asgard. Sif could feel her chest tighten as she thought of the mortal, and it broke her to think that it would not be her making Thor happiest. It pained her that the smile she loved so much would be going towards a woman he still knew little of.

Blotting her tears away with a tissue, she wondered if perhaps it was for the best. The reflection that looked back at her was not that of a strong queen for Asgard. She was not the definition of Asgardian elegance that queens were expected to possess—perhaps though a warrior himself, Thor wanted a true lady on his arm. Looking at herself in the mirror further, she couldn't help but notice how out of placed she looked in her silver dress and elegant jewelry. She was much better suited in armor—she was never going to be a Sigyn.

Standing up and giving herself one more look, she took a deep breath. She could still see the signs of her sleepless night etched across her face, but she hoped the rest of Asgard's highest would pay no mind. In the mirror, she could see her door open with a familiar face to whom she sent a pained smile.

"Lady Sif!" Fandral smiled, sending one of his dashing looks at her, "I came to accompany my dearest friend to the gala! Hogun and Volstagg ran ahead so…"

"Thank you, Fandral." She smiled, cutting him off, "That would be most appreciated."

With that, she locked her arm with her teammate and tried to give him a more genuine smile, though she was certain such true smiles would be rare tonight.

There was nothing to be celebrating.


Jane looked at herself in the full-length mirror in the handmaiden's hall. Behind her, a handmaiden, who introduced herself as Saga, was preparing her hair for the feast Thor had arranged. As she looked around her, she could feel the panic growing in her chest. Compared to these women, she looked like a peasant. Surrounding her, were goddesses in their own rights who could do spectacular things—and all she had was a brain.

Why did Thor pick her against all of them? Even in the most elegant of dresses, she paled in comparison to these Asgardians. They chattered about amazing events that she could only dream of, they spoke of places and heroic tales that she would never know. Her life was a pathetic tale compared to all of them and yet—here she was—being courted by their prince.

"Please don't worry, Lady Jane." A sweethearted goddess named Gefjon stressed, "I know a kind soul when I happen across one. All of Asgard will love you."

Jane gave her a small smile before looking back at her reflection. She was adorned jewelry that was unlike anything on Earth—certainly more valuable that she could fathom-and a pale pink dress that was elegant beyond words. Though she felt like a princess, the woman staring back at her was not herself. The reflection that emitted regality was not the astrophysicist she knew she was…and she wondered if she could play the part.

"What if they don't?" Jane finally asked, "I'm not Asgardian."

"Oh Lady Jane that is laughable!" Saga smiled, "If a Jotun can pass as an Æsir, I suspect a mortal can."

Jane took a deep breath of relief before another goddess spoke up.

"But while Thor may love you," Sjofn warned, "It will be the Queen's choice who her son's wed."

Saga could see the mortal's eyes widen in the mirror. Her dark eyes looked suddenly terrified as she looked at herself in her Asgardian clothing. Sensing her panic, Saga sent a glare to Sjofn before trying to calm her down.

"But I am sure you will be fine, Milady." She reassured, "The Queen has been known to disapprove of some rather…appropriate matches…but I have faith that you will be Thor's perfect."

Saga smiled as she could see a wave of relief wash across the mortal's face. In the corner of her eyes, however, she could see some of her fellow goddesses rolling their eyes. While she, too, didn't think Frigga would approve of a marriage between the two, she hated to see such panic in anyone's eyes—even a Midgardian's. Before she could say anything else, a knock came at the door to the handmaiden's hall. Peaking through the door, Thor stuck his face into the room and gave the room one of his famous smiles.

"I have come to collect my lady."

Giving Jane a final smile, Saga pushed the mortal towards her prince. She watched as Thor gave the nervous woman a grand smile and lock arms with her. It was a strange sight indeed, but Thor looked as though he was truly in love. For once, the ever-childish prince had grown up.

It was fitting.


Green eyes shot open to a strange meteor he knew well. Feeling his breathing quicken, Loki looked down to realize he was once again dressed in his elegant green robes he knew well. Shivering in the cold of space, he looked ahead at a winding staircase he had seen many times. In the background, lurking, he could hear the writhing of strange creatures—longing for a meal.

Walking forward cautiously, he wondered if he was some elaborate dream…some side effect from that wretched medicine he had taken? As he felt the rock beneath his feet, however, and the shiver from the coldness around him he knew his mind had truly been transported back. Once again, he knew he was going to have to face his benefactor.

"You thought you could escape us?" a voice finally said, breaking the silence, "How pathetic."

Loki's green eyes focused on the creature in front of him. He watched as the alien's six fingered hand steadied the figure in front of him, and he took a deep breath. Suddenly, before he could blink, The Other was behind him—his breath on his neck. Trying to seem much braver than he was, Loki spoke.

"I wanted not to escape." He lied, "My failures on Midgard were planned."

Loki watched as The Other let out a small chuckle. As he watched the alien pace back and forth, his mind was racing. Though a master of deception, he feared his mouth spoke before his mind. How was he to justify that his failures were planned? How was he to justify such humiliation?

"You see, my Lord." He started, words weaving together carefully, "After some thought on Midgard, I realized taking the planet was foolish. Why rule such a pathetic race? Asgard is much more desirable."

Loki watched as The Other seemed to consider his thought for a moment.

"I would have Asgard," Loki elaborated, "And Odin's treasures would be yours."

Before The Other could speak, however, Loki's eyes widened as a larger being walked down the staircase. He could feel his breath catching in his chest as the purple being sent a devilish smile at him, bright teeth looking hungry in the distance. Next to him, The Other gave the larger being a bow—awaiting his every word. Finally, it came.

"I was foolish to trust you, Asgardian." Thanos growled, "Your lies are transparent. Even now, your childish fears betray you. Your failures will not go unpunished. All of Asgard will be mine, after I retrieve what is rightfully mine, followed by the rest of the realms."

Loki took a deep breath as Thanos moved closer to him, towering over him with every step. Never moving his green eyes, Loki watched as giant blue ones looked down at him like a hungry predator, thirsting for blood.

"And once the nine realms are mine, once everything and everyone you love has been destroyed in front of you, I'll have your head!"

Loki closed his eyes as Thanos spat in his face. Instinctively, his hand went to try and wipe the spit away. Heart racing, his green eyes opened once again to see the purple giant getting closer to him, ready to attack when…

Blackness.

Opening his eyes again, he realized he was in his cell. In the corner, he could hear the familiar click of water dripping, and he could feel the cool stone floor beneath him. Next to him, he could see the empty cup of medicine, and he could feel the sickening force on the cell that surrounded him. Sitting up, he realized he was alone and took a relieved breath. Perhaps it was a dream after all? Perhaps it was another hallucination…?

Putting his hand to his forehead, however, his heart stopped.

It was wet.


"Does it ever get easier?"

Eir looked up from her reflection in her wine glass and looked at the woman next to her. Sif was staring into the dance hall, watching Thor and Jane dance to an energetic tune that was echoing through the great hall. On the prince's face Eir noticed a sense of euphoria that she had not seen in some time, but behind the mortal's smile she could sense that she was screaming—just like Sif was next to her.

"Look at how he smiles," she began again, "What can he possibly see in that mortal? Am I so blind?"

Eir looked at Jane again. She seemed fragile compared to most Asgardians, especially Sif, and such fragility always seemed to attract Thor. He was a protector, a warrior, so it seemed only natural that he would be attracted to this fair, yet meek, Midgardian. Jane was something he could protect, and it was obvious the mortal was attracted to his valor.

"I know not what he sees," Eir admitted, "I think it a simple infatuation, Sif. Thor is attracted to her novelty, but novelty is lost swiftly. Intellectually, they are an ill fit. I suspect, as time progresses, it will become harder to bare."

Sif watched as Eir looked down at her wine again, swirling around the blood red liquid in her cup absentmindedly. The great healer didn't seem to enjoy these events as of late, and Sif wondered if it went beyond the repetitive nature of them. Once again, however, Eir gave her a sad smile.

"But it won't get easier." She finally answered, "Lest you move on, the pain will destroy you."

Sif watched as she looked down at her drink once again, lost in thought. The warrior knew the healer was speaking from experience, and that if she didn't head her advice, she would end up cold like Eir. She would not let this heartbreak define her future. She would not let heartbreak, even one this devastating, to overtake her like it had to others. Sending a small smile at the doctor, she said a small goodbye as she watched Eir walk off, black dress flowing behind her.

Looking once again towards the dance hall, she watched as Thor smiled and introduced Jane to a number of nobles. The mortal smiled excitedly as she shook hands with some of Asgard's best and most important residents. Sif could feel the tightening in her chest once again, and the tears start to form on the corners of her eyes. Though she knew she should take Eir's advice, she couldn't bring herself to give up on Thor.

This was a war.

She wasn't prepared to lose.


Eir gave a yawn as she walked down the halls towards her chambers. She couldn't wait to get back to her abode, finally free of the sickening music and chatter of the other gods. Once alone, she could finally rid herself of these dreadful shoes and painful dress—she could finally stop pretending to be something she wasn't. Her life wasn't meant to be glamorous, and her current dressings certainly betrayed that.

"I will absolutely not allow it!"

Stopping in the middle of the hall, Eir could have sworn she heard the frustrated sounds of her Queen. Unstrapping her loud shoes, she moved stealthily, closer to the sound of an argument. Hiding behind one of the many statues in the palace, she listened quietly.

"I will not give them my son." Frigga's voice echoed, "Asgard will be called to war regardless. At least let me protect my children."

"He is not even your own, Frigga." Odin's voiced reminded, "If we do not give them Loki, Asgard's suffering will be severe. Perhaps if we play it off as a self sacrifice, Asgard will view him more as a martyr than a monster."

Eir could hear the faint sobs of Frigga follow. A sickening feeling found its way into her chest as the conversation continued.

"Loki's death will buy time, Frigga." Odin tried to reason, "I think not this war will end well. At the very least, Thor will be saved. The stones will be saved. Asgard may fall, but the other realms will be protected from the horrors we will face."

Golden eyes widened as they spoke more of the horrors that were going to befall Asgard. Her chest hurt as she realized that the people partying in the great hall were being denied the information. Without the Bifrost, they would be trapped to endure attack. She suddenly felt what she knew Loki felt—a fear unmatched. Breathing quickly, she grabbed her shoes and moved away from statue, trying her hardest to be silent.

As she tiptoed down the hall, she could feel her heartbeat racing. Pulling up her dress, she began to walk faster, trying to escape what she had just heard. Before she could make it halfway down the hall, however, she was halted.

"Eir, how convenient." Frigga called out, "Allfather requires your audience."

Her heart stopped.


Thank you again for reading! Please review! :)

Chapter 8: Odin bestows upon Asgard's most trusted the fate of the nine realms.