Now, let the trouble begin.
Differences in this chapter: It's almost the end of Thor: The Dark World, but with Dalla included, along with the changes from the previous chapters.
Dalla and Jane were fast friends after the Hodar incident. When Thor and Loki went looking for one of them, they always found the other. When Heimdall sounded the horn, Gjallarhorn, the women were together. Dalla changed her dress into her armor.
"Jane, go to my mother's chambers!" Dalla ordered. "I must find my brothers and father! You will be safe with Mother!"
"Dalla?" Jane asked.
"You trust Thor, so you can trust Mother. And you're my friend. I wouldn't tell you to do this if it wasn't the only way to keep you safe."
Jane nodded and they went their separate ways. Dalla found the men of her family and stood with Thor and Loki.
"The Dark Elves are here," said Odin.
"Jane?" Thor asked.
"I've sent her to Mother," said Dalla.
"No safer place, Brother," said Loki.
"Let's go protect the people," said Thor.
Dalla and Loki joined him. The fighting was intense but when they heard that the castle had been breached, all three siblings went to protect those that had taken refuge within its walls, as well as Jane and Frigga. However, they were met with a devastating sight.
Dalla and Odin ran to Frigga's side, him holding her head in his arms. Dalla took Frigga's hand, still warm though the life had left her.
"Please, wake up, Mother," she begged as tears fell. "Please…"
"Sister," Loki soothed, tears in his own eyes, "let's get you out of here."
She stood up, crying into his chest. They passed Jane on the way out. Loki glared at her, but Dalla gripped his arm.
"It was the Dark Elves," she whispered. "Jane had nothing to do with it. Mother protected her. Do not take your grief and anger out on her."
He nodded and led her to his room. He let her go once the door shut and let out his own grief. They began throwing things. His curtains burst into flames, along with the logs in the fireplace and a few broken pieces that landed on the floor. Eventually, they both collapsed on the floor, with nothing but scraps of wood and ashes on the floor. Exhaustion took over for Dalla and she laid her head on his shoulder.
Thor knocked. Loki placed an illusion on the room of him sitting on the bed reading with Dalla passed out next to him. Thor shook his head.
"Father has announced that a funeral will be held tonight, and our presence is required," he said.
"We will be there when Dalla awakes," Loki replied. "Let her rest for now."
The three siblings stood next to their father and Jane, watching as the boats holding the fallen sailed across the water. Loki watched, but he and Dalla were not really there. They couldn't bring themselves to even pretend to hold in the strength of their grief. Dalla still rested next to him in his room. He knew Odin would have his suspicions about Dalla as the boats were not prematurely bursting into flames, but the whole of Asgard would see them mourning all the same and that's all their father really cared about. Loki played the whole event for Dalla as if she were dreaming it, but he knew she would know the truth.
All eyes watched as the bodies were turned into golden dust that rejoined the universe. The following morning, Thor was away, talking to Odin. Jane was resting as she became weaker and weaker. Loki and Dalla simply stayed in his room, fighting her own powers. I can't keep losing people, brother, she said.
I know, said Loki. Sister, do not hold in your grief. Let it out.
I do not wish to harm you. She laid her head on his shoulder.
He wrapped his arm around her. Thor knocked on the door again, causing Loki to put another illusion up. Just like the night before, Thor walked into a room that seemed far too calm for two people grieving.
"Why have you come to bother us this time, brother?" Loki asked.
"You seem well composed for one so upset," Thor said.
"If that is all, then leave us."
"Loki, enough. No more illusions."
Loki let it down so that Thor could see the true state of his room and of himself and Dalla. Dalla looked upon her twin, her eyes red from tears that didn't seem to want to stop. The last time Thor had seen her in such a state was after Loki fell from the bridge.
"Is this what you wished to see?" Loki asked.
"Loki, I need my brother and sister to help me," Thor said.
"You must be desperate to come to us when even the servants have avoided this room since the attack," said Dalla.
"I have come to offer you both a chance at a greater prize," Thor said, kneeling before his siblings. "Vengence."
Loki and Dalla looked at each other for a moment before asking, "When do we start?"
The siblings and Jane made their way out of the castle. Dalla helped Jane, with the aid of Fandral, take a ship to meet up with Thor and Loki, who were stealing the Dark Elves' ship.
"Do not worry, fair Ladies," said Fandral. "The princes will work out a way to save Lady Jane and give you a proper fight, princess."
"Shut up, Fandral!" Dalla yelled. "Let me just get into place for my idiot brothers!"
The small ship flew close to the surface of the water. She could hear destruction in the distance. I better not be missing anything good!
Loki chuckled as he said, Only that Thor decapitated your grandfather, missed a column on his path of destruction out of the castle, and can't fly to save his life, let alone mine.
Of course, I'm missing the best bit, she sighed. I see the ship! Do me a favor and don't piss off the oaf!
She didn't get a reply. What she got was Loki landing on her ship before Thor jumped down to join them.
"Allow me, sister," he said.
"Thor, this is my…" she began.
He pushed her aside and took over. She clenched her fists and went to help Loki up. He got up on his own but put a hand on her shoulder to calm her. Jane watched the dark-haired siblings as Loki seemed to work some magic. But then, Jane collapsed.
"Oh dear," said Loki. "Is she dead?"
Thor and Dalla knelt beside the mortal woman as Loki took over. Dalla shut out all other things as she focused on her friend, trying to wake her. She didn't notice the conversation or events around her. Not until they were flying through one of the back passageways. She protected Jane as best as she could as they passed through the boundaries of Asgard into another realm.
Sparks flew around them until they burst through and landed hard. Dalla held onto Jane as they landed, taking most of the wounds that would have seriously injured the mortal. Loki, this plan of yours better work.
It will, sister, he responded.
And no one will be hurt? Dalla held her ribs as she stood.
Do you not trust me? Loki seemed hurt by her comment.
Before she could respond, company arrived.