A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

NINE

~ Meanwhile On Vanaheim ~

"I've got this completely under control!" Sif shouts over to Thor while he decides to finally join them on the battlefield.

"Is that why everything's on fire?" Thor found the sight rather amusing considering everything was 'under control'. Unexpectedly Sif stops an arrow aimed at Thor with her shield and gives Thor a pointed look.

"You're welcome." Sif laughs hoping Thor is embarrassed by his remark. A distant roar causes all fighting to cease as a huge rock troll approaches. An Asgardian troop steps towards the troll but is swatted away like a fly. Sif turns and gives Thor a look.

"All yours." Thor watches as the Troll smashes it's club on the ground.

"Hello." He tries communicating with the troll but all it does is let out a giant roar at Thor.

"I accept your surrender." This was nothing for Thor. He decided he was bored of the monster so smashes it with one swing.

"Anyone else?" Thor looks around as the Maurauders lay down their arms and surrender.

"Perhaps next time we should start with the big one?" Fandral points out obviously tired from the fight, and annoyed by how quickly Thor ended it.

~

"King Frey. I hope you're well." Thor approaches the King and the Princess after the battle to pay his respects. Thor was informed of what Frey had been doing to Astrid. After all, she had to explain why Frey suddenly wanted to wage war on Asgard, and as Astrid is a dear friend to Thor he hated King Frey for it. However, he has to stay friendly for the sake of his father and Asgard.

"Thor I must say it is a pleasure to see you again." He didn't exactly sound happy talking to Thor but that was probably because Frey hates Loki's guts for humiliating him the way he did.

"Ah before I forget, would you please inform Odin that I will be visiting in a few days time." Thor didn't like the sound of it. Loki had just arrived back in Asgard and I'm sure word had got out about it. He looked over to Astrid who refused to bring her eyes up to anyone. Since the events that happened 2 years ago, she was never the same. Thor missed seeing her bright smile. She was always so happy, and now she was broken.

"May I ask why your highness?" He probably sounded rude but he had to make sure Frey wasn't going to try any funny business. Frey glared at Thor, but he had no choice but to tell him the reason for his sudden visit to Asgard.

"Of course. My dear Astrid is to be married." This shocked Thor. Sif wasn't far away from Thor and heard of the news so came and joined Thor by his side. Both Sif and Thor looked over at Astrid again but her expression hadn't changed. She obviously wasn't happy by this and didn't have a choice.

"Whose the lucky guy?" Sif tried to lift the mood after feeling the awkward silence. But again Astrid only looked down toward her feet.

"We're not sure ourselves yet. We have a few suitors lined up so I guess we'll see who wants to pay the most for her." Both Thor and Sif were horrified by the Kings comment.

"So you're just going to sell her?!" Sif raises her voice as she steps forward but Thor grabs her arm before she could go any further.

"I think what my comrade is trying to say is... is this something you want Astrid?" Thor didn't really know how to cover Sif for her outburst. But he didn't like the idea of it either. Frey looked down at Astrid waiting for a response and when he noticed she wasn't paying attention he cleared his throat which woke her up. Usually she would be punished for something like that. But if she were to marry she would need a perfect body.

"Oh uh... yes, this is something I've wanted for a while now. I'm happy to do this and make my father proud." She's good and putting on a fake smile but her eyes still tell a different story.

"Your majesty!" The King was called off to the side.

"Please excuse me." As he left he glared at Astrid. It was a look that was enough to scare her. She knew what it meant and she was warned to watch her mouth.

"Surely you aren't okay with this?" Sif whispered to her. She was worried for her friend.

"No, I'm very happy to be honouring my father with such a task." They could tell she wasn't but she had to watch what she said because her father wasn't far away from her. It was silent for a bit. Astrid looked back down towards the ground and Thor and Sif shared a look. They could tell she was feeling uncomfortable with the topic.

"Loki has returned to Asgard." Her eyes lit up for a split second. She was aware of what he did on Midgard. But she also remembers the last time their eyes met. Loki looked helpless. All he ever wanted was his fathers approval. She grew up with both the boys so she always knew of how Loki felt, always feeling like Thor was the favourite. Then to realise his whole life was a lie... She couldn't blame him. She wasn't thrilled with it either though. To kill 80 people in the space of two days, was horrifying. But she knew that it wasn't her Loki.

"Thank you Thor, Lady Sif for your help today, I really must get going." Astrid curtsied to them to show her gratitude before walking back to her father. She bid farewell before she could say something stupid.

~

They ended their conversation and had started heading back to the others.

"Surely that can't be allowed." Sif spoke up. She felt strongly about these sort of situations. Especially as this happens to women all around the universe. But to witness it first hand angered her.

"I shall speak to my father about this, however I fear there won't be much he can do. He can stop her from marrying in Asgard, and of course they would not be allowed to make any sort of payments there... but stopping her from finding a suitor. I don't think there's much my father can do there." Sif let out a sigh. Astrid and Sif didn't always see eye to eye, but at the end of the day the were still friends.