Chapter 13: Asgard

Shock and grief were all Tony knew as he paced around Stark mansion. He poured over holograms, replayed messages and yet nothing could bring him any closer to finding Brigid's whereabouts. Pepper came to see Tony disheveled and black circles lined his eyes.

"Any ideas on where Brigid is?" Pepper inquired, handing Tony a cup of coffee.

"I got video, I got a phone call and I got nothing," Tony said, throwing up his hands in frustration. "It's like she just disappeared to dust."

Pepper rubbed his back to comfort him. "I'm sure she's okay. You know Brigid. She's just like you. Probably just ran away for attention."

Tony shook his head. "You didn't hear the phone call, Pep. She was cut off. And the house. Brigid dropped her ring on purpose. She knew she was going to be taken and she left it here for me to find."

Pepper was apprehensive. "Who would kidnap Brigid? You think this is linked to that psycho in Monaco?"

Tony ran his hands through his hair in exhaustion. "Any enemies I have she does. She's my daughter. But if he were going to kidnap my daughter, why wouldn't he just do it? I would like to believe this is linked to that son of a bitch, but it doesn't add up. Nothing adds up!"

Tony threw his coffee across the room in frustration, sending the mug smashing to the floor.

Pepper held his hand. "You are a father. You are doing what a father does. I'm sure Astrid and Declan would understand and I know wherever Brigid is she knows you're trying to find her."

Tony sighed and laughed as if he had gone mad. "I tried so hard to protect her , to keep her out of danger, and I lost her anyway. Isn't that funny? She hated me for not allowing her help. Now I've lost her."

Pepper kissed his head. "You're a stubborn man, Tony. And I know because of that you'll find her. And you'll see she loves you. You're all she's got, just like me. Get some sleep."

Tony was not going to sleep. His daughter, his sole purpose for being, was gone and he would not rest until he found her.

Brigid looked all around her. She took in the sight of the golden palace and the towering statues before her. Then she saw the man in golden armor before her. It all looked so familiar but she could not place it.

"Who are you?" Brigid asked, as if she had woken up from a dream.

"I am Odin, the Allfather," the old man replied. "You are Brigid Odinsottir of Nornheim and you are here to be a bride for my son."

Brigid rubbed her head, as if trying to sort these thoughts. "I don't remember…any of this. It feels so familiar but not."

"You're an orphan of Nornheim," Odin explained. "I found you abandoned in Nornheim and you've been raised under my roof."

Brigid wrinkled her brow. "Then why can't I remember?"

"You were kidnapped from us and you're suffering from traumatic amnesia," Odin replied. "Not to worry. Your thoughts are scattered. You will learn to collect them. In the meantime, you must rest."

A younger looking woman with a river of golden curls and a yellow gown approached her. "Come, my dear lady. Let me take you to your chambers so you may bathe and eat."

Brigid left with the woman and was taken down hall to her lavish chamber with golden silk sheets and white plush furniture.

The golden haired woman offered her hand. "Come, my dear. Let me draw you a hot bath."

Brigid shook as she took the hand of the regal looking woman. "I feel like I should know you, but I don't."

"I am Frigga, Queen of Asgard, but you may call me Mother as you are my son's intended," the queenly woman replied.

"Thank you…Mother," Brigid replied, the word felt familiar in her mouth, like she had said it before. "It feels strange having a mother."

Brigid slowly undressed and shivered and covered her naked form with her arms , as if embarrassed to be bare a queen before Frigga guided her to the bath. "You are confused and weary but you will see clearly again."

Brigid delicately sponged her body. "Tell me about your sons."

Frigga smiled as she gently washed Brigid's hair. "I have two sons, Thor and Loki. Thor is my first born and your intended."

"What is he like?" Brigid wanted to know.

"He's a proud, strong man much like his father," Frigga replied. "But like his father, he casts a large shadow. So with his brother Loki, I hoped to share the sun with him by sharing my gifts."

Brigid looked up at Frigga. "Your gifts?"

Frigga smiled and opened her hand as a flower opened in her palm and disappeared.

Brigid was floored. "That's amazing! You're magic? Are you a witch?"

Frigga blushed. "I was raised by witches, my girl. I taught Loki these gifts and he is known as the God of Mischief because he uses them for tricks, mainly on his brother."

"He sounds like quite the clever man," Brigid replied as Frigga helped her out of the tub and dressed her in a fine silk dress of crimson.

Frigga braided Brigid's hair down her back and set a silver crown upon her head. "There. You are a beautiful daughter."

"I hope I do not disappoint you, Mother," Brigid said,

"You are my daughter," Frigga replied, holding her hand. "Are you ready to meet your intended?"

"Of course," Brigid replied.

Frigga guided Brigid to the main hall where Odin was joined by two imposing men. The first was tall and muscular with a red cape and silver armor and a feathered helmet atop his golden head. The man next to him was smaller with piercing blue eyes and a quizzical look upon his brow. He had black hair like a raven under his gold helmet that resembled a bull's horns. Brigid eyed these two men and they looked familiar to her, but she did not know them.

"My sons," Odin said. "I have called you here to meet your new intended and your new sister. Thor, this is Brigid of Nornheim and you will marry her to unite the kingdoms as you become king."

The golden haired man roared with laughter. "Father, please tell me you jest."

Odin frowned. "You will marry Brigid and put a child in her once you are king."

"Father, I do not wish to marry," Thor protested. "Least of all to some empty headed witch from Nornheim."

Brigid was incensed. "Empty headed? Your head must be barren if you are to insult a witch for a I might put a spell on you to relieve you of your fat mouth."

The other brother seemed to be smirking at Brigid's impudence.

"Be silent!" Odin barked.

"Father, send this bold creature back to whatever hole you found her in," Thor pleaded. "When I wish to marry, it will be to someone worthy of a king."

Brigid snorted. "She must be a terrible beast of a woman to endure you."

"Enough!" Odin snapped. "You will do your duty and marry her. Take Brigid back to her chambers."

Brigid glared at Thor as she was escorted back to her chamber. She did not know that Loki was staring at her until she disappeared from the hall.

Later that night, Brigid heard a knock on her door. Brigid opened the great door and found Loki at her door.

"Prince Loki," Brigid greeted, giving a tiny curtsy.

"You need not call me 'prince' when we are in private," Loki told her humbly. "I thought that we might speak together."

Brigid allowed Loki into her chamber and sat on the couch. "What did you want to talk about? How much of an imbecile your brother is?"

Loki chuckled. "He can be quite bold, yes. I agree the way he spoke was no way to speak to a lady such as yourself."

"Well, I'm glad we agree," Brigid replied.

"I think we ought to punish my brother for his behavior," Loki suggested.

"And how would we do that?" Brigid demanded.

Loki smirked. "Do you still have trouble with your memories? Let me help you, there."

Brigid gasped as Loki placed his hand on her head. Waves upon waves of memories came crashing to her. Then Brigid remembered the hammer and the lightning and she sobbed as Loki let go. "He kidnapped me! Your father stole me from my family."

White hot rage filled Brigid as she remembered the hammer and her eyes were furious. "Your brother killed my parents."

"He did," Loki admitted.

Brigid's fist clenched. "I'm going to kill him with my bare hands."

"I have another alternative," Loki suggested. "And if we succeed, my brother will be humiliated."

Brigid thought for a moment. "Why? What's your brother done to you?"

"Tomorrow my brother will be announced as king and I wish to spare the realm from his idiotic rule," Loki explained. "And you can punish him for taking away your parents."

Brigid thought for another long moment before she shook hands with the prince and smiled. "What did you have in mind?"