mischevious

Chapter 29 (Abigail)

I looked around the room, still sensing that those here were not pleased with leadership more than they were about a battle. I looked to Loki and then back at the crowd; it didn't take a rocket scientist to see that I was the one they were iffy on and I truly felt that if it was just Loki here that they'd have no problems following him into battle.

"You all have your choices, but I beg of you to reconsider and choose to follow us! No, I am not Jotun, but I care to wager that I am just as strong as you all." There was a gasp that was so loud, I knew I struck a nerve with many of them. "I have gone to Hel, I have been infected with the black rings and managed to come back. I have battled side by side not only Loki but also others on Asgard as an equal. I am able to stand here, on a frozen planet, and yet I stand before you with no qualms to the cold. Do you dare to say I am not worthy to stand before you, or that we are not worthy to follow into battle?" I met every leader I could find in the crowd. For the most part, the frost giants would one way or another have to follow us, but the others would have the choice.

"And you think that is what brings you honor here?" One of the Jotuns questioned.

"No." I said calmly. "What I think brings me honor here is not backing down at any challenge. So bring it." I smirked a little, knowing that I was either stupid or a little cocky.

"No man nor woman can finish the giant's horn." One of them called out.

"So you want me to get drunk? Deal, I can drink Thor under the table no problem. But, let's make this a little interesting. If - and when - I finish it, you accept needing to follow us and listen more in depth to our plans."

The room of giants nodded and a large horn was presented to me. I could see Loki and Nydr looking at me as though I was insane for doing this, but I was willing to do anything I needed to prove our worth. I went head to head with Thor many nights drinking and fighting that this was going to be nothing. Or so I had hoped.

Accepting the horn, I tilted my head and began to drink. When no amount of drinking seemed to reduce the amount of liquid in the horn but I refused to stop. I took a deep breath as I finally put down the horn.

"Buri, remove the spell! You will kill our Queen before she finishes!"

"She is no queen to us." Said the giant, though as I began to drink again, the liquid finally started to disappear. "Why should we trust a mortal?"

"Simple, she is my wife and by that means she is the rightful Queen here. She has gone through trials that half of you would never be able to overcome. Abigail is no usual mortal." Loki's voice was thick with venom and somehow his skin seemed a darker blue than usual.

As I placed the horn down after finishing, I hiccuped and grinned. "Got more? Or have I proven myself to you?" I didn't know how, but I was not slurring my words and I knew that I had drank enough to put anyone else on their ass. Maybe it was the Stark alcoholism in me, but I felt great oddly enough.

Everyone, including Loki and Nydr, stared at me in disbelief. This was only a small test to them and I knew it, but I was not going to stop until I earned their respect. Loki deserved that much and I was willing to bet that my will was going to either break me or somehow make me stronger in the long run, but until then, I would continue doing what I needed to in order to save all nine realms.

"You are still no queen of our, but I suppose we can hear you out."

I explained our plans, starting with the frost giants' roles and how the others could play into it. I also explained the self cooling units so that they wouldn't have to worry about overheating, and though I didn't say it outloud, we would hopefully not have to worry about them taking over the other realms while they were at it. I knew by explaining the units, they all would know how I was able to manage here without getting frost bitten or shivering as though I was in a freezer.