There's been a change of plans (nothing big, I assure you). See, originally this fic was only going to go into Thor 2, and an episode of AoS... now I'm adding another plotline here, once that, though I'd already begun hinting towards, wasn't going to truly bring up until much later. Until my muse smacked me in the back of the head (figuratively) and pointed out that if I did that, some things would have very little impact, so it was better if I included it here (you'll see what I mean). Also, for that same reason, rather than going into a second round of AUs after Nexus, we shall be going into another Side-story, one that will go in-depth into the new plotline (while you'll get enough here to understand it, most details will be in the other fic). It's called Necklace of Songs (you'll see why).
Another important point is the timeline. It must be obvious by now, but I'm saying it anyway: my timeline is in no way Marvel's. I rearranged dates and times to fit with what I wanted in my head. A lot of things are happening later than they did in Marvel's plan (we're right now in 2015, rather than 2014), and things have lasted longer (Avengers happened on the course of a week, rather than two days). Bellow, a simple timeline, so you get a better idea:
2011 - Nightingale finishes her Masters at 19. Events of Thor 1. Marriage between Nightingale and Loki. Nightingale goes to work for SHIELD.
2012 - Events of Avengers. Nightingale reveals herself as Loki's match. First trial, the Pit, Nightingale falls into a coma.
2013 - Loki's return, Nightingale awakens. Second chitauri invasion, Nightingale dies. She meets Hel, chooses to forsake her 'human death' to stay with Loki and goes to Asgard. Loki's second trial and punishment. Events of the Encore (Nightingale) and The Return (side-story). Events of Iron Man 3.
2014 - Nightingale's birthday party. Beginning of the War against the Marauders.
2015 - (January) Beginning of AoS. (May) End of the War against the Marauders. Events of Thor 2. And so on...
There, I hope that explains where we stand right now. Any doubts you're welcome to ask. If it's something that will come up later on I'll let you know, otherwise I have no problem explaining things.
The song in the chapter is "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias... if you want to know how it sounds sung by a girl, just go to youtube and type: "Hero, Enrique Iglesias, female" it's the first result by Saellyn 136.
And that's that for now, this time there are no notes at the end (because I have a feeling people are going to want to kill me...). Anyway, see ya next week!
Second Element: Fire
From Fire we love its light and heat, it also makes us respect and fear it's destructiveness...
Two weeks after my short visit to Vanaheim I was sitting on my favored desk in a corner of the huge Asgardian Library. I'd spent a great deal of time since my arrival to the Golden Realm reading everything I could get my hands on (it was a good thing I knew so many languages, as the older texts weren't in English). I was learning a lot, focusing mostly in things I thought I might need most: history, healing, politics, the realms and races of Yggdrasil, among others.
"Princess Nightingale..." A soft voice called.
I raise my head to find my head-handmaiden: Sigyn, blonde, blue-eyed, in a light-gold dress; whenever I was in the palace she was the one to follow me around, make sure I had everything I needed. At first it had been hard, having someone so willing to serve me all the time (that and having someone follow me virtually everywhere), and the worst, I actually had six.. though only Sigyn seemed to have the bravery to actually go looking for me whenever I managed to slip away from the others; it probably had something to do with the fact that she and Loki were friends (if she could handle my match, she could certainly handle me).
"Yes?" I raised my head, confused.
It was too early for supper and I'd already had lunch (or, at least, what I called lunch when I was so completely focused in my reading, which was some tea and pastries, maybe a cold sandwich).
"You asked to be alerted when the princes returned, my lady." She informed me.
That was really all that needed to be said. Before I was even fully conscious of my actions I had closed all my books, leaving markers on the right pages, before standing up and making for the door (I didn't need to clear the desk, the servants would leave my things there until I no longer needed them). Sigyn didn't bother trying to follow me; she knew that when I got that focused I began moving fast, and if I got to impatient I was liable to use magic to get myself where I needed to be, so there was really no point.
I never expected to end up witnessing what was most likely meant to be a private conversation between Thor and Odin on the very terrace I meant to cross as a shortcut to where I could sense my beloved waiting:
"For the first time since the Bifrost was destroyed, the Nine Realms are at peace." The Allfather was telling his heir. "We are well reminded of our strength and you have earned their respect and my gratitude."
"Thank you." Thor murmured, though his attention seemed somewhere other than on the present time and place. "I couldn't have done it without my brother."
"Indeed." The King agreed, before taking a more careful look at his son. "Nothing out of order except your confused and distracted heart."
"This isn't about Jane Foster, Father." Thor said, seemingly tired.
It wasn't the first time the two argued about Jane, for the most part Loki and I kept ourselves away from those discussions, as did Lady Frigg; in the end I simply did not see the point, what was meant to be, would be.
"Human lives are fleeting." Odin stated abruptly, coldly. "They're nothing. You'll be better served by what lies in front of you."
I felt as if I'd just been slapped. It's not like I was ignorant of his less than positive views on mortals, but still! I wondered if he only accepted me because I was already bonded to his son, or that I was no longer mortal... or maybe it'd simply been the pressure put on him by his wife and other son recognizing our match before witnesses...
It was also quite obvious, at least to my eyes, that Thor took offense to the older man's words. And really, at least in that instance, it wasn't just about Jane Foster, but also about Darcy, Erik, Phil, the Avengers... so many humans we knew, who deserved better than the Allfather's cold and callous words.
"I'm telling you this not as the Allfather, but as your Father." The man insisted, seemingly not noticing how much his firstborn really did not like hearing him say such things. "You are ready. The time has come to take the throne." He motioned his son to where people were moving in the lower level. "Embrace it and celebrate what you have won. Join your warriors, eat and drink. Revel in their celebration. At least pretend to enjoy yourself."
It was true, a party was about to begin, and since the celebration was for the final defeat of the Marauders, the return of peace across the Nine Realms, I would be expected to make an appearance as well, probably to sing too... most of the Aesir seemed to like it when I sang, I'd even heard some murmur comparisons of my voice with that of the elves, one in particular, though I could never remember the name.
"Eavesdropping my love?" My match's voice was suddenly whispering in my ear. "Such unladylike behavior!"
I was still trying to regulate my breathing after the scare his sudden appearance at my side gave me, only to hear him chuckle before he reached for my arm to turn me around. For a fraction of a second I considered giving him a piece of my mind, I really didn't like it when he mocked me (even if it was in good fun), but the moment I laid my eyes on him all I could think about was how much I'd missed him. Even if I'd seen him just a couple of weeks before, it had been so long since I got the chance to spend more than a few hours, maybe a night, with him... I could not hold myself back, I did not even try, simply threw myself at him, capturing his mouth with mine in a most passionate kiss.
"Wow..." My love breathed out when we broke the kiss after a while. "I... wasn't expecting that."
"I missed you so much..." I told him as an explanation.
He smiled at me. It looked like he was about to say something when he both heard approaching footsteps. Before I even got the chance to worry that we might be found he took hold of my arm and teleported us out of there and straight into our chambers.
"That was close..." I said, unable to stop myself from giggling.
I would be feeling quite different if I'd actually been caught, especially by Odin; and as flustered as his discovering me there would have made me, I was still annoyed enough I had a hard time guessing what my exact reaction would have been. But as we hadn't been caught, I couldn't help but feel like a mischievous little girl in that moment. Also, it felt good to laugh, I'd had so little reason to do so in recent months, always worrying about the war, about anything happening to my love; and whenever Hákon would hear the people talking about the war, only to then go running to me to ask about it, if his dad was really killing people, if he was going to die, if he would have to go to war too one day...?
It was one thing I really did not like about Asgard, how so many people talked about things like battle, war and death so openly, not caring that children might hear them, not caring how listening to such things might affect them. And Hákon was such a sweet, sensitive little boy... Lady Frigg was always saying he was just like Loki at that age, it made me wonder how many times my love had been hurt by words as much as by blades and bodies, and all because some insensitive individuals couldn't bring themselves to care...
"I've missed your laughter." My Maverick said right then. "Missed all about you so much. Even if I saw you just two weeks ago... it feels like it's been longer..."
"Like it's been a lifetime." I finished for him.
"Yes." He agreed wholeheartedly. "Every time we are parted, for whatever the reason, I cannot help but feel like lifetimes pass before we get the chance to reunite."
"I feel exactly the same." I confirmed. "Even when I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again soon I cannot help but feel like it might not be so."
"Makes me wonder how I could survive as long as I did without you." He whispered, cradling my face tenderly in his hands. "So many years, so many lifetimes, all alone..."
"I'm glad I did not have to go through that." I admitted, turning my head just enough to kiss each of his palms in turn. "And you did not know I existed..."
"You know, at times it feels like I did." He revealed to me in a whisper. "Like a part of me always knew you existed, I just didn't know how to find you, or where. It's like I've been waiting for you for so long... maybe as long as a thousand years. Like I've loved you for so long, like my soul was always meant to be tied to you... I just did not know it consciously..."
I did not answer him, I couldn't, his declaration had left me absolutely breathless, especially because I knew exactly what he spoke of, even though I'd lived nowhere near a thousand years, I could feel every single detail resonate inside me and knew the same was true for me.
xXx
We arrived a bit late to the celebration that evening, not that it mattered much. While at least some people probably noticed, most probably expected it, it was no secret that we were pretty passionate about each other. Something Odin and most of the Elders (set in the old ways as they were) did not approve of; since I care little for their approval, their opinion mattered little to me. Only Sif had once had the guts to ask why I did it, why I was so openly affectionate with my love even though I knew other's didn't like it:
"I do not live for the approval of others, Sif, my friend." I'd told her quite calmly. "Especially that of people who, from the very beginning, have sought any and every possible way to belittle me. Also..." I hesitated, words failing me. "I don't know how to explain it right but... sometimes I feel like I would regret it dearly if I were to hold back. I feel deep inside me a regret, of holding back once, and then not getting another chance..." My voice broke for a moment as I shook my head to clear it from the hazy memories. "Maybe it's because of the chances I lost with my father. Him always working, me always studying, later on he had his new wife and I my work with SHIELD, and then we both died; it's like we kept getting chances and ignoring them, until it was too late to turn back anymore..."
That was what I told her, and she believed me... even though I didn't fully believe it myself. I'd been completely honest with her about all but one detail. It wasn't the memory of my father that caused me to feel such phantom regret, it was another, though I couldn't truly understand it. After all, how could I regret losing the love of my existence when he was right there with me?
The celebration went on late into the night, as expected. Around the time when young couples stopped trying to dance, a call began for a song from me. I'd been expecting that too, had a song in mind too. A new one. It was important to me, close to my heart, and though I hadn't had the chance to properly write it down, arrange a melody for it, I knew I could sing it... and I just felt right then was the best moment to share it:
"Would you dance
If I asked you to dance?
Would you run
And never look back?
Would you cry
If you saw me crying?
And would you save my soul, tonight?"
By the end of the first verse the musicians (at least those still awake and sober enough to keep playing), found the right rhythm to slip into the melody I was creating. It didn't sound exactly like I'd first heard it in my head, but still, it was nice.
"Would you tremble
If I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this.
Now would you die
For the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms, tonight."
"I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away."
By the time the last word of the second verse left my lips I could feel a pair of arms around my waist, perfectly fitting, I just loved singing while in my match's arms. The strangest/most enchanting part was when I could almost hear my beloved whisper every word of the chorus into my ear, even as I sung (which wasn't truly possible, as that was one song I'd never sung before... it seemed my imagination was really that good).
It was around that time that Thor chose to take his leave, though no one in the square except Loki and I noticed. We didn't have to wonder where he was going either... the same place he went every night he got the luxury of being in Asgard: the Observatory, Heimdall. He missed Jane dearly, as much as I was sure she missed him. I just hoped that with the Marauders defeated and the Nine Realms at peace once more they would get the chance to be together again. Not being able to be with your love was such a terrible, terrible torture...
"Would you swear
That you'll always be mine?
Or would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care...
You're here tonight."
"I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away."
I let out a breath at the same time my love spun me around so I was facing him, we swayed in each other's arms for a little while, letting the music carry on; the tune the musicians had built was polished throughout the last verses and sounded quite beautiful in that moment. It no longer seemed like an improvisation, but a truly wonderful performance. Eventually, though, I turned my back once more to my beloved, though without stepping away from his arms, and went back to the song, it was already reaching its end, but I wasn't about to leave it incomplete:
"Oh, I just want to hold you.
I just want to hold you, oh, yeah.
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
Well, I don't care...
You're here tonight."
"I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain, oh, yeah.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away."
"I can be your hero.
I can kiss away the pain.
And I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
You can take my breath away.
I can be your hero..."
In that moment my match truly echoed those last few words into my hear, his low, husky voice sending a shiver through my body and forcing an involuntary sigh out of my lips. In that moment I could picture it perfectly, almost as if it were an actual memory: the love of my existence singing that song just for me... I wondered if I might be able to convince him of doing exactly that some day... I'd never heard him sing, but there was a part of me that was sure he had a beautiful singing voice, he had to...
xXx
On the morning, Loki and I woke up to news that Jane Foster was in Asgard. Which apparently had caused quite the reaction in the palace, as never before had a mortal been allowed to set eyes on the Realm Eternal (I did not count, as by the time I arrived to Asgard I was already immortal). Sigyn revealed to us during our private breakfast (we woke a tad late to have it with everyone else) that Thor had, as we expected, gone to see Heimdall in the late hours of the night (a number of people in the palace knew about it too), he'd spoken to the Gatekeeper, and something had apparently made them both very anxious, as they stood on the edge of the Bifrost for hours, no one knew the reason why. Until the prince disappeared into the Bifrost, only to return a short while later, with Jane in tow. It was early morning by then. The part that confused me most, though, was how Thor had immediately taken Jane to the healers, he seemed to be under the belief that something was terribly wrong with her.
Since there was really nothing that could be done, I decided to go back to my own work in the library, while Loki chose instead to spend some time with our son, while the boy was barely four years and a half he'd been insisting on learning things, and my love had decided to begin teaching him meditation and possibly some basic exercises. Also, they deserved to have some time just for themselves, as father and son.
At lunch I joined the two most important men in my life for a little picnic in our private gardens, before going back to the library, Loki accompanied me then, as our son had to see his tutor for the next few hours as he was taught along with other children who lived in the palace.
The surprise came when the doors connecting the library to the Hall of Science (an entrance that was rarely used) opened abruptly to allow Odin Allfather, Thor and Jane to pass, all three looking particularly upset by something.
"There are relics that predate the universe itself." The King was saying as he walked to the main desk in the middle of the library, where the oldest, most important book were placed on display. "What lies within her appears to be one of them. The Nine Realms are not eternal. They had a dawn, as they will have a dusk. But before that dawn the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged."
Loki and I kept our silence, just listening, trying to understand what was going on.
"'Before the eternal night, the Dark Elves come to steal away your light.'" Thor quoted from the book before turning to his father. "These were the stories mother told to us as children."
"Their leader, Malekith, made a weapon out of that darkness, it was called the Aether." Odin explained stoically. "While the other relics often appear as stones, the Aether is fluid, and ever changing. It changes matter into dark matter, and seeks out host bodies, drawing strength from their life force. Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness. But, after eternities of bloodshed, my father Bor finally triumphed; ushering in a peace that lasted thousands of years."
"What happened?" Jane asked, curious.
"He killed them all." The Allfather replied simply.
"Are you certain?" Thor pressed, not quite believing it. "The Aether was said to have been destroyed with them, and yet here it is."
My love had to cover my mouth with his hand to drown my gasp as my mind raced through implications before reaching the obvious conclusion: the Aether had been found, and it was somehow affecting Jane, that's why Thor had taken her to Eir and her team of healers and they'd spent the whole morning there...
"The Dark Elves are dead." Odin insisted, obviously not liking his son disbelief.
"Does your book happen to mention how to get it out of me?" Jane asked, somewhat hopefully.
"No, it does not." He answered calmly, as if he couldn't care less.
We held our silence as the three took their leave, before returning to our seats, though neither of us went back to what we'd been doing before, instead focused on processing everything we'd just heard and the different level of implications.
"So the Aether has been discovered, it's affecting Jane, but there's no need to worry, because those who would want it are all dead..." I couldn't help the light snort that came from me. "Yeah, right. It cannot be that simple."
"Why not?" My Maverick asked, even though I knew he thought the same, he still wanted to understand my reasoning.
"One: it never is, simple, I mean." I answered honestly. "On the other hand, King Bor, and his historians already lied regarding the destruction of the Aether... who says they did not lie about the death of all dark-elves as well? And..." I couldn't help but hesitate for a moment before adding. "I've been reading some things. It started with the Tesseract, I wanted to understand its power better..."
"What did you find?" He sounded intrigued by that point.
"That's it, I hardly found anything about the Tesseract itself." I tried my best to explain. "There was one interesting detail, though, in an old journal. It said that the relic known as the Tesseract, or the Cube, was most likely a device created to harness another object of unmeasurable power, something called the Space-Gem, which is believed to be one of the Infinity Stones..."
"The Infinity Stones...?" Loki repeated, shocked. "But those are supposed to be a myth!"
"So was Thanos supposed to be, remember?" I couldn't help the grim tone on my voice. "Besides, Odin mentioned other relics, most of which appear like stones... What if he was referring to the Infinity Stones? What if this Aether is one of them?"
"If you're right on one thing you're most likely right on them all." My match admitted soberly. "Which means Jane is playing unwilling host to one of the greatest and most uncontrollable forces in the universe... one others will be coming after soon... the kind of enemies no one will know to expect because everyone believes them to have been vanquished ages ago!"
When he put it like that it sounded even worse than when I first thought of it.
"I may be wrong..." I admitted, hesitantly.
"You may..." He began, then shook his head. "But you don't really believe you are, and neither do I, to be honest. We need to put everyone under high-alert. Preparations need to be made before we're attacked by these dark elves..."
xXx
It was our intention to warn the Queen and afterwards seek out Sif and the Warriors Three and ask their help so we may warn everybody in Asgard in time... we never made it that far. While we did speak with Lady Frigg (and she promised to share our theories with Thor and make sure he understood the gravity of the situation), before we could go in search of our friends (and they'd finally, truly, become our friends), the Allfather intercepted us.
"What is this that I hear you've been spreading ridiculous tales about upcoming invasions and the return of long-defeated enemies?" The King demanded, angrily.
"We're doing no such thing." Loki stated, deadly calm. "We explained to Mother a theory we came up with after hearing of what ails Jane Foster, and fitting it with a number of things Nightingale has discovered in her readings. After comparing the information we decided it was wise to be prepared, just in case. As unlikely as an attack might seem to you, Father, it would be better to be prepared and have no danger coming our way, than for the enemy to find us unprepared and vulnerable."
"All you will manage is to cause unnecessary panic..." The Allfather began sharply, before fixing his stare straight on Nightingale. "Is that your intent, young lady? To push Asgard into chaos with old tales and lies?"
"You will not call my match a liar, Allfather!" Loki hissed, thoroughly offended.
"What in the name of the spirits are you talking about?" I blurted out, absolutely shocked. "Why ever would I want to cause trouble for Asgard and anyone who inhabits it? This is my home now too, you know?"
"You're not one of us..." Odin began.
"That's all there is to it, isn't it?" I interrupted, beginning to get upset. "You don't like me, never have, probably never will. Is it because I was born human? Is it because you don't think I'm worthy of your son? Of his name, and by connection, yours? What else do you expect me to do in order to prove myself to you? Because I already gave up my family, friends and my home... twice! I even died! What else is there for me to give?"
Odin Allfather didn't answer me, and the next words to came out of his mouth were such that I couldn't help but wonder if I'd slipped into the Twilight Zone and not noticed, or what in the abyss was going on!
"You are a threat to my son, to Asgard, and to all the Realms." The Allfather stated.
"She is my match!" Loki practically roared in fury.
"Where did you get the song from?!" The older man demanded next.
"Wha...?" I was speechless by my confusion. "Song?"
"The one you sang last night." The King insisted. "Who gave you that song?"
"What does that song have to do with anything?" I really did not understand the old man.
"Answer me!" He almost snarled.
"No one gave it to me!" I snapped, my distress and defensiveness growing at his attitude. "All the songs I sing, they're mine, they come from inside me, I create them."
"That's impossible..." Odin murmured, abruptly very quiet.
"It's not." I insisted, fighting to keep calm, even if I still didn't understand anything. "I've been doing it since it was young. I write music as well as play and sing it."
"Not that song." The Allfather insisted. "That song is not yours! So tell me where you got it from! Tell me now!"
"It is mine." I insisted pointedly. "It came to me in my dreams, which isn't exactly rare. The first few times I could hardly remember anything upon waking, but after a while I was able to recall more, until I finally memorized it all. Last night was the first time I dared sing it. What in the abyss is it about the song that bothers you so much?"
"That wasn't the first time I heard that song." Odin said, voice completely emotionless. "I heard it once before... a long time ago."
That honestly left me speechless, whatever I might have been expecting, that wasn't it.
"Maybe she heard the song somewhere and then began dreaming about it." My Maverick said in a dismissive manner. "What's the problem with that? Last night's song wasn't even the point of our conversation." His eyes narrowed. "I do not like you implying that my wife is in any way a threat to this family, to this realm, or any realm, Allfather..."
"Well, she shouldn't go around spreading lies..." The King hissed.
"They're not lies." Loki was beginning to sound tired by that point. "And we're not saying they're absolute truth either. At this point it's only a theory..."
"Of which you have no proof!" The old man insisted.
"Still, we better be safe than sorry." My love refused to back down. "Or would you rather wait until we are attacked and Asgard is in shambles before admitting that we were right?"
"There is no attack coming, because all the Dark-elves are dead!" The Allfather snapped.
"And what if they aren't?" My match challenged "What do you think will happen to Asgard? And afterwards, the rest of the Realms, because I do not believe someone like Malekith wouldn't try something if he managed to get his hands on this Aether, especially with the Convergence coming! What do you think will happen to Jane then?!"
"You care too much about what happens to a mere mortal..." Odin began.
"And you care too little." My Maverick retorted. "She is your firstborn's intended, father..."
"She's no such thing!" The King pretty much roared his denial. "And she shall never be! No mortal shall ever..."
"Is that really all that matters to you?" I interrupted, testily. "That's she's mortal? You should focus on what your son wants rather than what you want."
"Given time, Thor will come to his senses, he will see reason..." Odin insisted.
"Love isn't a matter of reason Allfather!" I cried out, all passion and emotion in my ever word. "Matters of the heart are not for the head to understand. And a match of souls... the stars know those are rare enough, and such a blessing, one that cannot be questioned, denied, or ignored. The Higher Powers have seen fit to grant your son and Jane this most amazing gift... and all you focus on is that it goes against what you believe in... Can you not see how fortunate Thor is, to have found his match, Allfather?"
The Allfather did not reply, indeed it seemed like something in my words had finally made him stop, though exactly what or why, I knew not. It's not like he'd ever cared much for what I had to say... why then was that moment different? I did not get the chance to ask (and I'm unsure if I'd have had the courage to question him on the matter) because right then the echo of an explosion almost deafened us, at the same time the palace shook violently.
Loki and I turned to look at each other in silence, both coming to the same conclusion in no time at all, it was fairly obvious, really...
"They're here..." We whispered in unison.
Odin reacted swiftly, seemingly forgetting our argument completely (or at least pushing it to the back of his mind) before walking in the direction of the throne room, at the same time he began calling orders left and right to servants and soldiers. My husband and I looked at each other once more before we went after him.
Once in the throne room, soldiers began gathering and the Allfather's orders became more precise. Loki took a moment to use his magic to canvas the palace and its surroundings to get a better idea of the situation, while I used magic to project myself to my son. I found him and the rest of the children he studied with, as well as their tutors, with Sigyn and the other handmaidens, hidden in the safe-room in our chambers. That, at least, put me at ease.
"Send a squadron to the weapons vault, defend it at all costs." I heard the King said right then. "Seal the dungeon."
A part of me couldn't help but think that his priorities were all wrong, he should be focusing on the people rather than on relics... but still.
A look between my love and I was enough, I knew that the situation was bad outside, and he knew our son was safe.
"You should go look for Thor." I told him quietly. "He'll need you."
He nodded, having already come to the same conclusion.
"My love..." He whispered, holding my hand briefly.
"I promise to stay inside the palace..." I began.
"I know I cannot make you promise to stay safe." He told me honestly. "Just like I cannot promise you the same in return just... don't get killed."
I nodded, I would do my best.
He was leaving the throne room pretty much at the same time Lady Frigg and Jane went in. The three exchanged quick glances but neither of them stopped.
"Odin." The Queen called to her husband.
"Frigg." He acknowledged her presence briefly before turning back to the commander he'd been giving orders to. "Go!" Then he turned back to his wife. "It's a skirmish. Nothing to fear."
"You've never been a very good liar." She pointed out calmly.
We all knew what was going on was no mere skirmish. Still, I wasn't so petty as to say 'I told you so...', there were other things we needed to focus on.
I raised my head just in time to notice Odin staring at me, except he didn't look angry or annoyed anymore; instead, a different kind of shadow had fallen on his eyes, it looked almost like... worry? For me? Then he turned to look at Jane, his expression unchanged, I had no idea what could possibly be going through his head in that moment.
"Take them to your chambers." He told his queen. "I'll come for you when it's safe."
More soldiers marched by right then, including Sif. I was only half aware of the way she seemed to be actually glaring at Jane... however, I did not have time to focus on that, so instead I just cleared my throat discreetly and extended my hand to her. No words needed to be said, she pulled a dagger, sheath and all, from her belt, before handing it to me, then moved on. It wasn't one of mine, actually a bit longer and more curved than what I was used to, but it was still better than the possibility of facing an enemy weaponless.
I did not pay any attention to the Queen's and King's exchange, but the moment she began walking away I immediately followed, as did Jane. Neither of us said a word as she grabbed a short sword from one of the passing warriors, I understood how she felt... Jane probably did as well, she just had no training for battle (not that I had that much training, but at least it was enough that I did not feel completely vulnerable).
"Listen to me now. I want the two of you to do everything I ask, no questions." Lady Frigg instructed as the three of us stepped into the Royal wing.
"Yes ma'am." Jane answered automatically.
I kept my silence, my instinct telling me already it was a bad idea. I just hoped it wasn't as bad as the hole in the pit of my stomach seemed to imply.
It wasn't that bad... it was worse.
The moment we got to her chambers, Lady Frigg instructed Jane to hide in the safe-room, before shielding the door so no one with evil-intent could find it. After that she donned her armor over the gown she was wearing and then began working on the illusion of another Jane. It was at that point that I knew exactly what was planning; an instinct also told me that, as good as the Queen's magic was (and if anyone surpassed my love in magic, it was she), it just might not be enough. And she probably knew it too, there was a reason she'd shielded the door to the safe-room as she had, she planned on drawing Malekith's attention, not only to the illusion of Jane, but also onto herself if necessary.
So while my mother-in-law was working on that, I slipped into the safe-room with Jane and began working on my own last-minute plan.
"Give me your clothes." I told her, even as I began to strip.
That day I was wearing a calf-length gray silk dress with short slashed-open sleeves and a round neckline, as well as silver slippers (to compliment my jewelry). My hair had been half-up, with my fore-bangs pulled back to leave my face free. I undid that too, leaving my hair down, it was a bit longer than Jane's, but it'd do... or so I hoped.
I knew Loki would have a heart attack when he found out what exactly I was doing, but there was little time and I didn't exactly have a lot of options.
Jane had no idea what I was planning, but she did as I instructed her. The golden dress, when on me, almost reached the ground (I was a couple of inches shorter than she), but aside from that it fit fine. The shoes were another matter entirely as I had no intention of wearing heels (had never liked them, and wouldn't be able to fight in them).
Once the exchange was done I slipped back out of the safe-room, concealing myself behind a column as I watched the exchange taking place. While I always knew that Lady Frigg was a Warrior Queen, I had to be honest with myself and admit I never actually imagined her fighting. She was amazing. She had disarmed Malekith in a way that almost made it look easily, slashed at him several times before eventually pinning him down, blade to his neck... the problem came when that other creature, the monster, interrupted. He disarmed the Queen, taking hold of her by the neck and raising her until her feet no longer touched the ground; then he pressed his own sword against her back in warning.
Malekith for his part (or that's who I thought the other Dark-elf was) turned and walked to where illusion-Jane stood.
"You have something child." He told her darkly. "Give it back."
He reached for her then, only for the illusion to dissolve at his touch.
"Witch!" He roared at Frigg. "Where is the Aether?!"
"I'll never tell." The Queen stated regally.
One did not need to be a genius or a pre-cog to know what was coming, so after taking a moment to place a very light illusion on myself, just enough that he may not notice I was not Jane, I let out what I hoped sounded like an involuntary squeak, before dashing out of my hiding place and behind another column.
"No!" Lady Frigg cried out in distress.
She probably realized what I was doing, the danger I was putting myself in... I did not care, because a second later Malekith's attention was on me, which meant he wasn't ordering her dead. Of course, what I did not consider was how the extra-long dress would affect my ability to fight. Still, I gave it my all. And it the end it was enough that I managed to cut the dark-elf on the face, a deep gash that went from his temple to his chin, leaving his cheek a bloody mess and almost cutting out the eye too.
The monster then seemed to decide I was more of a threat than Lady Frigg, as he threw her down unceremoniously before going after me as well. There was no way I was going to win that fight. In a matter of seconds I'd lost my only weapon; also, before I got the chance to use any magic I had the awful creature holding me back in such a way I could draw no runes, and as true fear began taking over my mind I lost any ability to call on my beloved's magic. In the back of my mind, though, I could feel his panic as he realized something was terribly wrong.
Malekith reached for me then, grasping my face almost violently. For a second or two nothing happened and then...
"Witch!" He snarled viciously. "You're not the one who holds the Aether!"
While the dress might have had enough of a trace of the power to trick him for a little while, the moment he'd touched my skin, the truth became obvious.
"No, I'm not." I told him calmly.
"And I suppose you won't be telling me where it is either..." He hissed through his teeth.
"Never." I answered proudly.
"I believe you." He nodded.
I knew what was coming before he moved a single muscle, however, knowing something inside your head doesn't prepare you to the reality of it, to the pain...
It was as if the hottest fire invaded my stomach, pain taking me over from the inside out; and even as I looked down I couldn't fully comprehend what my eyes were seeing, the very blade I'd been deprived off, burying deep in my body.
"NIGHTINGALE!"
I wasn't sure if I was hearing that scream with my ears or inside my head... it did not seem to make much of a difference.
The pain grew exponentially when Malekith took hold of the dagger again before yanking it out almost as viciously as he'd put it in (I did not think such a thing was possible). I was vaguely aware as he turned away from me, moving in the direction of Lady Frigg, who was looking at me with horror even as she tried and failed to get on her feet (it seemed she'd hurt her leg when the monster threw her).
"No..." I gasped, horrified.
I'd done what I did in order to protect her... if she got killed anyway... I couldn't even process the thought (though that might have been the pain muddling my brain).
The sound of thunder broke through the haze in my mind, followed by a rush of cold air that made a corner of my brain (the only part that hadn't yet succumbed to the awful pain in my body) realize ice magic had just been used.
I mostly lost consciousness around then, experiencing brief moments of lucidity, though mostly I was aware of little other than the pain that wracked my body. I knew in the corner of my mind that I was bleeding heavily, I was also growing increasingly colder, neither of which bode well; though there was nothing I could do about either. Even with a hand pressed to my middle, it simply was not enough to stop the blood-flow.
I didn't know when exactly I dropped to the floor, or when Jane left the safe-room. Though I'd just enough awareness left to notice the moment my match knelt beside me, using his cape to try and stop the bleeding even as he called to me almost hysterically.
"Me...a...mi..." I mumbled, not even conscious of what exactly I was saying.
The last I saw were his wide green eyes looking at me full of fear, then I stopped feeling pain a second before blacking out.