Best of Friends

Chapter One

                                            •••

Vanaheim was in ruin.

Svartalfheim, the realm of the dark elves and home of Malakith, had invaded and laid waste to most, if not all, who inhabit Vanaheim. Odin, the protector of The Nine Realms, had brought in his army to fight against Malakith and find refuge for those who may have survived.

It was looking bleak, there appeared to be no survivors. Odin and his army had lost all hope and were preparing to return to Asgard when all of a sudden they heard the cry of a young girl. Odin turned his men around sharply and ordered that they find the source of the crying.

His men searched far and wide through the waste land, but the one who found the girl was Odin himself. There she was, no older than Odin's own children. She sat in a dark corner under the rubble of what appeared to have been part of the palace. The girl gazed up at the all father with bright blue eyes full of tears and a face white with fear. Odin reached out his hand to the girl, who flinched at his gesture, but hesitantly took it.

What were the chances that such a young, fragile being could be the only one to survive the hate filled destruction of their home. This little one, he was sure, had something special within her.

Odin brought the young girl home to his wife and Queen, Frigga. He knew that her motherly instincts would benefit the child greatly and that she would be well taken care of. Frigga took the girl, covered in dirt and bruises from the invasion, and gave her a warm, comforting bubble bath. After the girl was clean, the queen brushed the girls beautiful, icy blonde hair and dressed her in comfortable clothes to sleep in.

The King and Queen of Asgard decided on that faithful day, that the girl will grow up in their care and be raised as a Goddess. A Goddess of what exactly? That would be decided when she came of age. Though, the girl would always be reminded of her past and the brave young child she was, not to forget how it was she became.

When the child was well rested and ready to speak with Frigga, the first question on everyones mind was, what is her name? Can she even remember it?

Fortunately, the young girl was very fond of her name and remembered it with ease. The girl found in the rubble of Vanaheim palace, went by the name, Megan.

Then came the day that Megan was to be introduced to the King and Queens own children. The two young princes of Asgard, Thor and his younger brother Loki. The boys were immediately intrigued by the new girl who now resides in the palace and were curious to know more about her. Megan was shy at first, but once the princes began talking she was at ease and found herself laughing along with them. It wasn't long before the boys were smitten with their new companion and the three of them built the foundations of a beautiful friendship.

Time passed and the three children spent everyday together. Megan began to grow into a confident and caring girl, a girl that kept the princes in check when it was necessary. The brothers would often tease and joke with the girl, but as they got older they proved that  they would do anything to protect her.

Loki and Megan would spend hours in the library, reading books and reciting poems to one another. While Megan and Thor would reenact battles for the King and Queen. They were the strongest however, when all three were together, they would laugh and play in the palace gardens all day long, without a care in the world. They learnt about the wonders of The Nine Realms and Odin would tell them stories of some of his finest battles.

"Megan, you must know that one day we will take you to wonderful parties and I will dance with you all night" the young Thor chimed

"That's sound charming but what if I would rather dance with your brother?" She responded, causing Loki to blush and softly smile.

"Ignore my brother, he is very forward"

"Maybe you could both dance with me"

Then came the day that Megan, the young girl from the ruins of Vanaheim, would come of age. The day that it would be decided, what she was to be the Goddess of.