The Infinity Stone

17

Aria had managed to stall out the wedding for as long as possible. Since it would not be a large ceremony, she was able to push it out into the late evening. Giving her more time to plan out different strategies. 

While Loki was busy visiting Thor on Earth, she was able to talk to Heimdall. She learned that he was growing more as a person, and was well. Heimdall felt sure about his redemption, making her feel more confident about her plan. 

Heimdall was greeted once more that day, Loki had traveled to Jotunheim, alone, and unsupervised. 

" Something troubles you, Gatekeeper?" 

" I turned my gaze upon you in Jotunheim, but could neither see nor hear you. You were shrouded from me, like the Frost Giants who entered this realm." 

" Perhaps your senses have weakened after your many years of service." 

" Or perhaps someone had found a way to hide that which he does not with me to see." Loki looks up at him and smiles.
" You have great power, Heimdall. Tell me, did Odin ever fear you?" 

" No."

" And why is that?" Loki questioned the Gatekeeper, playing one of his games with him.

" Because he is my king, and I am sworn to obey him." He replied with confidence.
" Exactly. Just as you're sworn to obey me. Yes?" It took Heimdall to answer the new ruler.

" Yes,"

" Good. Then you will open the Bifrost to no one until I have undone what my brother has started." Loki begins to head out, before Heimdall stops him.
" I would be careful. You know Aria Stark doesn't play nicely with lying foes. If she finds out, I'm afraid there is nothing to protect you." Loki slides his heels backwards to face him, the smile still lingering.
" Aria will see reason, she'll have to once we are married."

" So you're marrying her for power?" 

" No, I'm marrying her because I love her. Remember what I told you, no one uses the Bifrost till I say so." Heimdall watches his form slowly disappear, alerting Aria when it was safe to come out. Aria had all the information she needed, he suspension were correct. Loki was the cause of all the problems falling into place. 

" What will you do now?" Aria let out a defeated sigh, and contemplated her options.
" I have a feeling it will go against his word. But it needs to be done now, it can't wait any longer." Heimdall nodded in agreement, and sent a guard to go collect the others.

" Our dearest friend banished, Loki on the throne controlling Aria, Asgard on the brink of war, yet you manage to consume four wild boar, six pheasants, a side of beef and teo cask of ale. Shame on you, don't you care?"  Fandral cried out to the man having a feast. "Don't mistake my appetite for apathy." 

" Stop it, both of you. We all know what we have to do, we're just too damned afraid too." Sif said to the men, conflicted with what to do. " We must go. We must find Thor." Hogun declared. 

" It's treason, Hogun. We need Aria's help, but the poor girl under strict supervision. I feel sorry for her, even with all that is going on. Loki is still making her go through with the wedding."  Fandral ranted on about.
" Now, shh! Heimdall may be watching! It's said he can hear-"

" Yes, yes, we know." 

" Thor would do the same for us." Sif stated, just thena guard enters the room, and all four of them tense.
" Heimdall demands your presence." Volstagg quickly drains his flagon of ale.

" We're doomed." 

Sif and the Warriors Three enter warily to find the intimidating  Heimdall standing before the domes controls, then grew confused seeing Aria with him. Heimdall glared at the four accusingly, and Aria had to admit, it was nice watching them sweat. " Good Heimdall, less us explain-"

" You would defy the commands of Loki our Kind, break every oath you have taken as warriors, and commit treason to bring Thor back?" He asked mocking all of them.
" Yes, but-" Sif began to say.

"Good."

The group looked puzzled, and looked at Aria too see if she could explain. 

" So you'll help us?" Volstagg asked the confusing man.
" I am bound by honor to our king. I cannot open the Bifrost to you." With that, Heimdall leaves them alone in the dome, they all exchanging puzzled looks.

" Complicated fellow, isn't he?" Fandral asked the fellow beings in the room.
" Now what do we do?" Volstagg asked them all, making Aria roll her eyes.
" I'll give you a hint. How about you use your eyes?" They all looked at her and saw to what she was referring to.
"Look!" Cried sif, pointing to Heimdall's sword, that was struck into the control panel. They all shared a grin, and Sif hits the controls, causing the Bifrost to start up.

Amidst the fury of the Bifrost storm, the five companions dropped to the ground of New Mexico. They all clambered to their feet as the Bifrost recedes, the hole in the sky closing up behind it. Aria smiled at the thought of being back on her planet, if only Thor could have landed in Malibu. 

" He must have landed nearby. It's time to put our tracking skills to work. Spread out, check the sand for indentations of his boot prints," Volstagg said, taking charge. " The winds would have blown them away by now. We should look for signs of campfire." 

" When was the last you all visited Earth?" Aria asked the two, regarding their outdated tracking skills.
" How about we start there?" Sif asked, pointing to a nearby tow