Gwen had been in Asgard for a month. Any lingering weakness she had from her near-death experience was gone. She was in her favorite spot, leaning against Loki's cell. They had spent hours talking about anything and everything, except one topic. The black gooey elephant in the room, or rather inside of Gwen: The symbiote. Loki had broached the subject once. Gwen had cut the conversation short so quickly that Loki feared she would not return, he definitely did not want to risk his one social outlet by broaching it again. They had lapsed into a natural lull in their current discourse. Just sitting there enjoying being near one another. She knew he was far too old for her, yet she could not stop herself. He glanced back at her.
"How long will you be staying in Asgard? You must miss your boyfriend?"
Gwen sighed.
"I am going to break up with him."
Loki's eyebrow raised.
"Is that so? Is there perhaps someone else?"
Gwen glanced back at him.
"Keep dreaming. I'd love to post this on social media. Should I date him? I (15f) have been talking to this guy. He's sixty times my age, he's in prison for an indeterminate amount of time. Oh, and he tried to kill me with a giant worm."
Loki chuckled.
"You missed the upsides. I am devastatingly handsome. A fantastic conversationalist. I'm a prince. I'm witty. I'm spontaneous. I will age gracefully, and my mother adores you."
Gwen smiled and shook her head.
"You don't have a job. You have no mobility. No formal degree. And you sound British."
Loki shrugged.
"I don't need a job, I am wealthy. My incarceration is temporary. And see statement one. Finally, why is sounding British a downside?"
Gwen smirked.
"Well, for starters I'm Irish. And if you knew anything about Earth history, you'd know the British and the Irish have a long history of animosity. I'm also American. So, there is the whole war of independence thing."
"You're not from America?"
Gwen made a face.
"Of course, I am. My mother was an Irish citizen when I was born. So, I have an Irish passport. I'd never move there. Yesh. My mom's side of the family are well, let's just say I come by my issues with the law honestly."
Loki laughed.
"You come from a long line of criminals."
Gwen held up one finger.
"Mostly rebels. One of my ancestors is Grace O'Malley, the Dark Lady of Doona, The Pirate Queen and all-around bad ass. Honestly, you look at any Irish rebellion my family played a part. Maybe my mockery of authority is genetic. My grandfather on that side would go on for hours about how we stuck it to the British. He would not approve of you."
"Pirate Queen hmm? She sounds like an interesting woman."
"Oh, she was, there was one story where she wanted to go sailing with her father and he said her long hair would catch on the ropes. So, she grabbed a sword and hacked it off. The stories make her out to be an uncompromising woman, who would not take shit from anyone, even the Queen of England. She was said to be quite the fighter."
Loki looked at Gwen again.
"You admire her a great deal."
"Yes."
"Yet you fight criminals."
Gwen shrugged.
"I admire what she accomplished and how she lived her life, not that she was a pirate. Anyway, you and I would never work, ignoring everything else, we have nothing in common. I love video games, you've probably never even heard of one."
Loki smiled.
"I would learn about them, for you."
Gwen laughed so hard she held her side.
"You, living a boring human life? You wouldn't even last a day before you started whining. A month you'd be begging for your father to throw you back in this cell with all your powers. A year you'd be contemplating suicide."
"I will take that bet. What are the stakes?"
Gwen turned to face him. He did the same.
"You're not getting out of there before I die of old age, so a bet would be pointless."
Loki smiled that devilish smile of his.
"You sound so sure of that. If that is so, then what is the harm in a wager?"
Gwen shook her head in disbelief.
"You're being silly."
Loki grinned.
"You're scared of a little wager."
Gwen waved her hand dismissively.
"You have nothing I want Loki."
He looked her up and down.
"Are you certain of that? What if I could teach you magic?"
Gwen rolled her eyes.
"I'm not an Asgardian."
Loki smirked.
"Neither am I."
Gwen quirked her head to the side.
"What?"
Loki shook his head and wagged his finger.
"I propose a wager. If I win, you agree to make a good faith attempt at a relationship with me and agree if it works out to be my Queen. If you win, I will teach you how to harness Asgardian magic and dark magic."
"That sounds like a bad wager. Mine is a lifelong commitment."
Loki hopped up and began to pace. He kept glancing at her and tapping his lips with his index finger finally he turned to her.
"Win or lose, so long as I live, I will give my word to stand beside you in defense of your world."
Gwen blinked several times.
"So, wait, you'll help Thor protect Earth. All I have to do is agree to this bet?"
He shook his head.
"No, I'll help you protect Earth. My Brokher's presence is irrelevant."
Gwen shook her head.
"No, no, no. There are a whole host of problems with this, not the least of which is you're an adult and I'm a teenage girl. I mean logic says you're grooming me. I also can't get into legal agreements…"
Loki shrugged.
"You are on Asgard. We are more fluid in our beliefs and laws. It is your choice. Win or lose you get a benefit. Win or lose, I will lose something. It is a good wager."
Gwen felt like she'd regret it, but he would never be released from the cell in her lifetime, so it was a moot point. She bit her lower lip. Even if by some stretch of the imagination it came to pass she'd go on a few dates, it wouldn't hurt anything.
"So, you need to last as a normal human for one year, no powers, no help from Asgard. No Asgard tech. Just you. My part is I will do my best to help you succeed. If you cannot last that long, you will teach me magic. If you can last that long, I will attempt a relationship with you. Should you become king, I will sit as your Queen, if our relationship works out. Win or lose, you will stand in defense of the Earth and its people for the rest of your life?"
Loki nodded, he still looked like he thought he was winning. Gwen couldn't give up the chance no matter how remote at another powerful being to defend the Earth. The Chitauri and Loki very well could have won if any of the Avengers hadn't been present.
"I agree to your terms."
She put her palm on the shimmering golden forcefield. Loki matched her gesture.
"Then it is a wager."
Gwen looked up at him.
"Why do I feel like I've already lost?"
Loki smirked.
"We shall see. What do you have planned for the rest of your day?"
Gwen shrugged.
"Go for a walk through the market. Maybe sit by the ocean."
"Sounds boring. You and I are alike. You aren't meant for a life of sipping wine and watching bad actors perform even worse plays. Perhaps you should seek a more physical outlet?"
Gwen made a face.
"Why? I'm juiced on super soldier serum. I'll always be in peak physical shape."
"So narrow minded sometimes, my future Queen. You are a formidable foe with only your natural abilities, imagine if you honed them. Learned to wield a blade."
Gwen motioned around her.
"And who here would teach a human to use a sword?"
Loki sat down on his couch, lounging back.
"I would, if I weren't trapped in here. But many could. I would start with my mother, if you are interested. A Queen should know how to defend her throne after all…"
"Keep dreaming old man."
Gwen made a face, stuck her middle finger up at Loki and walked up the stairs. She looked like the odd one out in Asgard. Wearing one of their flowing dresses and a pair of cyan Chucks. She had to admit Loki was right. She was going to get bored here. Lazing about and having limitless food and wine was all fine and good. She had to admit she could watch only so many plays. She found Frigga teaching a lesson on the nine realms to a group of children. Gwen sat on a bench beside the children. Frigga acknowledged her presence with a warm smile. She continued with her lesson. Gwen was surprised when Frigga pointed her out when she started speaking about Midgard.
"How lucky we are, we have a young woman the All-father himself declared a Champion of the Nine Realms, and Defender of Midgard with us this afternoon."
All of the children looked to Gwen. She blushed a deep crimson. She still wasn't used to being called a champion of anything. She looked around at the wide-eyed children. Frigga then directed them to feel free to ask Gwen questions of her great victories. Gwen felt put on the spot. She had no doubt there was a plan behind Frigga's actions. Loki learned his ways from someone. Gwen answered questions. When she was telling them how she used her bracers to cause a shockwave that killed the giant Chitauri worm the bracers formed on her wrists. There were gasps and cheers from the children. Frigga eventually ushered the children out of the impromptu classroom.
"Thank you, Gwen. They will appreciate your stories in the times to come."
Gwen quirked her head to the side.
"I don't understand."
Frigga smiled and put her arm around Gwen's shoulders.
"Nor should you young Champion, you did not seek me out to speak of your glorious battles to my impromptu class, what troubles you?"
Gwen bit her lower lip.
"I was talking to Loki, and he suggested that I'd get bored if I just well did the normal Asgardian citizen thing and maybe I should ask someone to teach me how to use a weapon… swords. He said I should ask you."
Frigga nodded.
"I will happily teach you. First you need a proper blade. The one I gave you was functional but ceremonial. Tomorrow first thing let us go to the armory and select one that suits you. I will get my husband's permission."
Gwen went about the rest of her day. She was left to her own devices and no restrictions had been placed on her wanderings in the city or the palace. Nothing was asked or expected of her. She had at least been expecting some form of mandatory school, or do your part, but effectively the Asgardians treated her like an honored guest. A rare few knew her name and she was often referred to as champion. It felt like she was in a video game where no matter what name she had chosen she was champion, or hero to save on voice acting. Her experiences were surreal.
When morning came Frigga joined her for breakfast then escorted her to the armory. Gwen wasn't sure what to expect. The room kind of reminded her of The Matrix when Neo said guns, lots of guns. Only replace that with medieval weapons, lots of medieval weapons. How she could choose one out of all of them she had no idea.
Frigga watched her wander through the long rows of weapon racks. Gwen did what she always did she fell back to music. She started humming a song she had listened to way too many times on YouTube. Eventually she started singing it softly to herself. She was singing in the Old Norse. Not that she could communicate in the language, but she remembered those words because the version she'd listened to was in that language. It was called My Mother Told Me. She would be here for hours finding something. She was no weapons expert. She started singing another song that had been dancing around her head since she'd arrived in Asgard the first time. A song called Valhalla calling.
"Sails a swaying on the crimson rivers, blood and glory in the fighting fields. Shields that shatter into splintered timbers. Iron and Steel. Fires are rising and the bells are ringing. Glory take us into Odin's halls. Golden glimmer and the sound of singing. Asgard's Call. Oh oh oh, the echoes of eternity. Oh oh oh, Valhalla's calling me, Oh oh oh, to pluck the strings of destiny. Oh oh oh Valhalla's calling me…"
She trailed off when she saw a sword. It was a slip of a thing. She reached her hand out and touched the dark blade. It flickered with a magenta flame at her touch. She didn't snap her hand back, it did not burn her. Frigga approached her.
"The blade of shadows. Crafted by the Dark Elf Keth'her to slay the lover who scorned her, Malekith the Accursed. The flame acts as iron to the dark elf flesh, it was infused with the venom of Lockan. She wore it as a pendant and when she was close, she struck, but her blow was not true. Or so the story goes. Take it up. It resists the Asgardian touch. I have never seen the flame ignite."
Gwen pulled the blade from the rack, it felt right in her hand.
"Are you sure the All-father is alright with this?"
Frigga nodded and looked up at the ceiling.
"What was the spell to shrink it… it has been so many long years."
She snapped her fingers. And spoke two words that Gwen did not understand. Frigga spoke them then asked Gwen to repeat them. Finally, after several failed attempts to get the pronunciation right the sword shrunk to the size of a small pendant. Gwen's eyes went wide.
"Did I just use magic?"
Frigga nodded.
"Yes, but the magic is in the blade. All you did was speak the words to activate it. Now hold out your hand and will the blade to it."
Gwen held out her hand and the blade appeared in it. Frigga smiled.
"Now shrink it again."
It took Gwen three attempts, she was still off on the pronunciation, it would take practice to get it right apparently. The blade appeared in her palm. Frigga smiled.
"Better, come."
Frigga turned and walked out of the armory. Gwen followed her. As they walked Frigga spoke.
"You were singing to yourself, the last song, where is it from?"
Gwen blushed.
"Sorry, I just, I think better with music. Uh… it's from it's about a video game."
"My husband would like it; You should sing it for him."
Gwen shook her head.
"Oh no, I couldn't it's much better if it's the original creator. I don't sing."
Frigga glanced at her.
"You lie to yourself as much as my son. You two are so much alike."
Gwen blushed. Frigga had led them into the market. She found who she sought. It was a dwarf. He bowed low when he saw her.
"Blessings of the All-father on you, Queen of the Nine Realms. What can this humble metalsmith do for her majesty?"
Frigga smiled.
"So formal, Brok. My young friend here requires a fine chain necklace. Something durable enough to withstand battle."
Brok chortled loudly.
"Battle, that slip of a thing?"
Frigga nodded.
"She is a Champion of the Nine Realms and has done battle with giants and monsters. She needs something stronger than gold. Even Asgardian gold."
He scratched his beard.
"I have something. I have been saving it for the right woman. You say she is one of Odin's champions?"
"How else would a human of Midgard be walking the streets of Asgard with its Queen?"
Brok blinked a few times.
"A mortal, here?"
He bowed his head to Gwen; He pulled out a shimmering golden chain of fine links. It reminded Gwen of Odin's staff.
"I apologize Champion. Here, I would be honored if you would wear this into battle."
Frigga held up her hand.
"It is perfect, one more request, my old friend, the pendant, needs a loop forged around the chain to hold it."
Gwen offered up the blade of shadows. He took it and put a jewel crafter's lens over his left eye.
"Is this, Adamantium?"
Frigga nodded.
"Such fine craftsmanship, such details on the blade. Give me a few minutes."
He moved into his work area. The pair of women were rewarded by their patience by Brok offering up the chain to Gwen.
"May I Champion?"
Gwen kneeled down. He walked behind her and latched the necklace. Gwen looked down at it, then to Brok.
"Thank you, sir, it is the most beautiful necklace I have ever seen."
Frigga offered up payment in the form of metal slips. Brok pulled the lens from his eye.
"Wear it well Champion."
They bid farewell to Brok and headed back to the palace. Frigga left Gwen by her room.
"Now you are ready. We will begin your training tomorrow. I have matters that need attending."
"Thank you, so much, for everything."
Frigga smiled and nodded. She headed off into the palace.