EVERMORE ─ marvel

II. The Nine Realms (Sort Of)

Chapter Two
Naomi

The United Nations and the World Security Council decided they wanted the rest of the Nine Realms as allies for Earth. I thought it would be easy enough, after all, not all the Nine Realms are still around. Asgard is destroyed, Svartalfheim has been deserted since the Dark Elves died out, as has Niflheim since Hela, goddess of death, died. All that remain are Vanaheim, Jotunheim, Muspelheim, and Alfheim. Thor, Kieran, Jade, and I have been Vanaheim for days now trying to convince it's leader, Njord, to ally with us. Our efforts haven't led us anywhere.

"The Vanir are at war with the Frost Giants, we don't have time to play politics with Earth." Njord tells us for the tenth time as we walk through his palace, a beautiful structure made almost entirely out of sea glass. It's fitting given that Njord is the god of the wind and sea.

"You are the one that started this war, Njord, you can be the one to end it." Thor urges. I've allowed Thor to do a lot of the negotiations the past few days. These used to be his people after all, he used to be the king of Asgard, the protector of the Nine Realms. They'll listen to him more than they'll ever listen to me.

"The Frost Giants can't be trusted. They're always plotting, always scheming. You weren't here after Thanos laid waste to everything and everyone. You were sulking on Earth while we suffered. The Frost Giants tried to take advantage of our weakness and exploit it for more power, it's what they do. You'd know that if you'd been here, your majesty."

"I'm not king anymore." Thor replies quietly.

"No, you're not. But I hear Queen Valkyrie is too busy with Earthen quarrels to help aid the rest of the Nine Realms. You two are no different." Njord replies stiffly.

"Valkyrie has given Asgard a home again on Earth. She didn't intervene here because she was trying to fix our broken kingdom, and even if she hadn't been, the United Nations wouldn't have allowed her to help."

"So why would I want to ally my people with a planet filled with bigots who hate anyone different from them? Earth may have been isolated the past couple decades, but word still spreads. We in the Nine Realms know all about the struggles of the enhanced people and of the Asgardians and Skrulls. I can't subject my people to anymore pain, not after all they've endured."

I grip onto his arm and urge him to stop his pace, and he does so out of shock, he's mouth is practically gaping open. I don't think anyone, especially a human, has ever laid a hand on him before. He's a god after all.

"I understand wanting to keep your people from harm, believe me I do. But no one can handle things all on their own," I tell him, glancing briefly at Kieran. "Learn from Earth's mistakes, isolation and shelter isn't the answer. We need to band together, not shift further apart. If you sign the Treaty of Unity then we will make sure that your people are never put in danger again, and we will ensure that together."

Njord's expression softens from shock to contempt, letting my words sink in. With a quick glance at Thor, then a sigh, Njord says: "If you help Vanaheim defeat the Frost Giants, we will sign the treaty. That is my condition, discuss it with your Earth leaders if you must." And then he pulls his arm from my grip and stalks off, leaving the four of us alone in the hallway of his palace.

"Your power of persuasion never ceases to amaze me, Naomi." Thor says with a smile, though it's only half hearted, I know he's unsettled by the ultimatum we've been given.