𝐋𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 ★彡 ˡ.ˡᵃᵘᶠᵉʸˢᵒⁿ

II

AFTER ARRIVING IN JOTUNHEIM, ASTRID IMMEDIATELY STORMED OFF TO WHERE SHE KNEW THE JOTUN'S THRONE ROOM WAS. She and her family had dealt with Laufey and his Frost Giants before, it was Ymir who trusted Odin to protect the casket centuries ago, and clearly, his decision was in vain. As Ymir couldn't be here to fight this battle himself, Astrid was taking that responsibility in his honour.

The Hod twins and the Asgardians rushed after her to match her fast pace. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should think about this?" Janus announced to Astrid from behind.

With a furrowed brow, Astrid spun around to face her guard with curiosity. "Since when did you become so concerned about a confrontation? You are usually in the frontline, yet here you are, trying to be as far away as possible," Her words were like venom, spitting out of her mouth at her prey - salt to a fresh wound. "Since when did Janus the Brave become so meek?"

Janus narrowed his eyes in a glare, though he knew better than to fight with Astrid, she was his queen after all. "This is not our fight. It is theirs," Jinx interjected, pointing to the six Asgardians. "Fighting will only worsen our relationship with the Jotuns."

"They worsened our relationship with them when they misused my father's casket!" Astrid argued.

"You were only a child!" Janus argued back, recalling the Battle of Tønsberg between Laufey, Ymir and Odin in 965 AD. "This is no one's fight but Ymir and Odin's!"

Astrid's hands clenched in fists. "Do you see them here, Janus?!" Janus quietened, taking a quick step back, his muscular arm stretching out in front of Jinx protectively. With a furrowed brow, Astrid looked down, her eyes quickly noticing a familiar glow. Her fists were glowing, the blinding light seeping between her fingers, begging to fully escape to fill in the darkness of Jotunheim. Her rings grew warmer against her skin due to the intense light being blasted at them. Quickly, Astrid took a breath and the light slowly vanished. She sent an apologetic look towards her guards. "I owe my father my life and I will not sit idly by as someone blatantly disrespects him."

Without waiting to hear their next argument, she turned her back on the twins and continued her journey to Laufey's throne room. She heard footsteps approaching her from behind. "Your Majesty-" she recognised the voice from earlier and interrupted them.

"Astrid."

The raven-haired god breathed out a smile. "Astrid. I-"

"If you're trying to convince me to stop, your attempts are in vain, Loki," Astrid spoke her mindset on only defending her family name. Although she detested Thor's arrogance and overall ego, she did relate to him as they both shared the same urge to protect their family's honour. Perhaps she was too harsh to him on first impressions.

Loki shook his head. "No, actually, I wanted to admire your determination respectively. You truly are a spectacle. I've heard many stories, all more fascinating than the last."

Astrid smiled to herself. "Are you saying my first-ever battle was lacklustre, Odinson?"

Being the God of Mischief, Loki immediately picked up on her teasing tone and a small smile, indicating she was only joking. "And if I was, Ymirdottir?"

Astrid stifled a laugh, her mind temporarily erasing any thought of Laufey and the casket and instead focusing on the playful conversation she was having with the Asgardian prince. "Well, who would've thought the God of Mischief could be so cruel," she jokingly planted her hand over her chest plate on her armour, pretending his words had broken her heart. Loki chuckled. Before he could continue, he watched as her smile turned into a frown. It was then that he realised they had reached Laufey's throne room, and it was seemingly empty. "Laufey! Reveal yourself! I know you are here!"