Chapter 11

The first thing I heard when I came to was not the harsh beep of some monitor or another but someone humming a melody I didn't recognize.

For a moment, I thought I was dead. Then my ears started working

"…vitals…Loki…magic...reactor…"

Everything comes crashing back as my eyes fly open.

Loki, pain, stick, blood, reactor, failing, pain, dad, Clint, boom.

Clint?

I whimper and struggle against the nurse-type person. "Clint? Clint…hurt…where…?"

"Sweetie, you need to settle, you are just healing. Please, lie back down…someone got get her father!"

Someone at the back of the room darts out and returns barely a minute later with my dad in tow.

"Taylor, shhh, it's alright, calm down."

"Dad?" my voice is a meek whimper, although clearer than it had been in days.

"Right here, glowstick."

"Clint?"

He shoots a glance at the nurse person, who returns this gaze with an unsure glance to my left. My dad then gives here the look he gives insufferable bigwigs. She sighs and pulls back the curtain the left of my bed.

There, on a hospital bed, lies Clint

I stare at him for a moment just to make sure that his chest is rising and falling beneath the bandages, before relaxing back into the surprisingly comfy pillows

"Where are we?" I turn back to my dad

"Um, Asgard, I think. Thor said something about healers fixing Loki's magic. Nurse here can tell you exactly what happened."

I turn my gaze to where the Nurse is waiting patiently behind my dad, studying my chart

"Ah, yes. Hello, my name is Solskinn, I am the chief healer here on Asgard. About ten days ago, Prince Thor, along with your other companions, tumbled through a portal made by King Odin with you in his arms. He told us you required immediate medical assistance, along with the man over there, who was carried by the green beast. You had a fractured skull, a concussion, about five completely shattered ribs, a broken hip, lacerations on your knees, wrists, and ankles, and a sprained ankle.

"What about my arm and the reactor?

My dad perks back up. "Well, Loki's thugs crushed your arm like tinfoil from the elbow up, and one of the exposed inside parts cut into your stump. They stitched you back up, and I created a new arm, this one made of the same metal some of Rhodey's planes are made of. Also, if anyone but an Avenger grabs it, the outer layer will heat up until they let go. I did have to remove the old arm and put the nano bots on standby, though. I had to completely replace the rector and some wiring, but you should be fine now."

I nod, already looking forward to the new arm

"Where are the others?"

"Thor is out visiting old friends and getting a late birthday present for you ready, Natasha is out scoping out allies against Loki, I'm pretty sure Steve has buried himself in the palace library, and Bruce is getting a better understanding of magic. You should be out of here tomorrow sometime."

I smile as I nod and pause to take in my surroundings. The room is about the size of the living room back at the tower, the walls painted a soothing daisy-yellow with white trim. Instead of monitors cluttering the room, there are balls of multi-colored light floating around Clint and me, casting soft glows onto different parts of our bodies. Sunlight streams through the big windows, with a pristine view onto the glimmering streets of Asgard

I sigh contentedly as I sink back into the comfortable nest of pillows surrounding me, letting sleep lull me as Solskinn resumes her hummed tune and my dad's fingers lace through my hair

A~A~A

The next morning, I am woken by a healer gently shaking me, waving a tray of steaming food under my nose

I wake up and accept the tray as the healer sets a bundle down on my bedside table before exiting the room

I dig in to the warm bread and steaming porridge, reminding myself to ask Solskinn for the recipe as I wolf it down

As soon as the last spoonful of both passes my lips, the tray is gone in a poof, leaving only the faintest scent of warm bread.

Upon further inspection, the bundle on the table is revealed to be a simple green, hooded, short-sleeved tunic with brown, tight-looking leggings, and a pair of old black boots, with a black cloak if necessary.

I smile because it's nothing like the typical attire Thor has told me about, which means one of my friends has pegged my style perfectly.

I'm just finishing lacing my last boot the best I can with just one hand when there's a knock at the door.

"King Odin requests your presence in the War room, milady."

I nod.

I walk over to Clint, make sure he's still breathing and sleeping undisturbed, and brush a quick kiss onto his forehead before grabbing the cloak and stepping out into the hall where a healer is waiting.

"Lead the way."

The healer nods and motions for me to follow.

I listen to my boots against the glossy marble flooring and then the rough cobblestone streets as I take in the wonders of Thor's home planet.

I understand why he speaks so highly of it; I can honestly say I've never seen any place that compares.

Once we reach a set of gilded doors within the palace, the healer stops but motions for me to walk up to the doors, so I do.

The doors swing wide to reveal a breathtaking room, complete with gilded vaulted ceilings and shimmering white marble floors.

Seated around a table in the center of the room are Steve, Bruce, my dad, and Natasha, all dressed similarly either to me or Thor.

Thor is in full regalia, helmet included, standing tall between two thrones.

One throne, the smaller of the two, is occupied by a beautiful lady in flowing robes, a musing look upon her face. She must be Thor's mother, Queen Frigga.

The other throne, the bigger of the two, occupies an imposing man wearing a golden eye patch. He, too, is in full armor, a staff by his side. He exudes age, power, strength, and wisdom. He must be Thor's father, King Odin.

Thor motions for me to bow low with a fist over my chest, which I do to the best of my abilities without splitting anything.

"Lady Stark-dottir. It is a pleasure to see you. Our son has spoken highly of you, young one. I trust you are well?"

"Yes, your majesty, thank you for your generosity."

Odin nods before gathering everyone's attention as I sit.

"We are all gathered here today because we hope to be joined in the war against Loki Laufreyson, so that he may pay from his crimes against our planets. Lord Rogers and I agree that he must pay for his actions. Does anyone object to this notion?"

Nobody, not even Thor, says anything.

"He has allowed an attack on Asgard and directly led an army to attack Midgard. He has slain thousands, and one of Midgard's champions lay ill as we speak. Lord Stark has expressly voiced his opinion on what Loki has done to his family and home, does anyone else have anything to say?"

I clear my throat as I raise my hand. "Allfather, the one in the healer's room – Lord Barton – means something to me that no one has before. Loki is the direct cause of his suffering, and I say he must face justice of some kind for it."

A quick glance around the table show five other people with similar expressions.

Odin nods. "All in favor of a trial, with Loki muzzled, for all of Loki's crimes, say aye."

All six Avengers plus Odin give 'ayes' while Frigga peacefully abstains.

"Then it is decided. Thor will send word with the trial date. Dismissed."

I have just reached the doors when Thor's voice rings out behind me.

"Lady Iron, may I see you for a moment?"

I motion for the others to go along as I walk back to where Thor waits. He walks out through a smaller, nondescript door, motioning for me to walk with him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better, Thor, thanks. Your home, by the way, is awesome."

Thor chuckles deeply. "That it is, that it is. Now, we are headed to the armory, I trust your father told you about my gift to you?"

I nod. "Thor, you didn't have to, really…"

Thor just looks at me strangely and laughs. "Of course I did. Now come on!"

He pushes open a heavy steel door to reveal a room full of staffs, staves, swords, and knives of all kinds, sizes, and materials.

Thor leads me to another door in the back, this one smaller and less heavily guarded. It swings open to reveal a smaller room, this one containing more familiar weapons, such as my dad's suit, my suit, guns, knives, bow and quiver, Tasha's gun belt and Widow Bites, Steve's shield, and Clint's bow and quiver, which make me wince slightly.

Thor drags out a box from the corner, opening it and pulling out a knife gun belt and a knife holster.

I give a low whistle.

Every holster is done to match my bow, black with pearl webbing. The main waist/chest holster has a black buckle and is slim, so I can hide it under a jacket or shirt. All the ankle holsters are made of padded elastic, made to fit comfortably against my skin.

"Wow, Thor…"

"You like them?"

"Yes!" I turn and give him a huge bear hug, feeling his laughter rumble in his chest.

"Good. A fearsome warrior such as yourself should be armed with only the best.. Arm yourself and we shall go to find lunch!"

I nod and strap a knife to my chest, near the right shoulder and shrug on the cloak to cover it. I slide one of my slimmer knives into my left boot and holster a gun on my left hip. I also strap on my bow and quiver, more for peace of mind then actual security.

I follow Thor back out, listening to him tell me about a replenishing spell that was put on our quivers so we'll never run out of arrows.

Thanks to shortcuts, we soon reach what I conclude to be the ceremonial dining hall. Thor glances at me before barging in, leaving me to follow.

People are laughing and drinking and generally having good time.

I paste on a smile and dive in.