Book 3: Shifted Souls

Chapter 8: What a Horrible Thing to Know the Destinies of Those You Love

"So, this is Asgard?" Barton commented. They had all made it through the Bi-Frost relatively unscathed. He did wonder when his own stomach was going to catch up with the rest of his body. As he looked around it didn't seem like he was the only one who was struggling to keep their lunches where they had started at the beginning of this trip. As he canvased the room, he noticed there seemed to be an inordinate amount of gold used in the Asgardian décor. It was literally everywhere. He then took in the sight of one of the largest most intimidating men he had ever seen. Well, did Asgardian's consider themselves men and women? He didn't know for sure.

The completely armored man in gold that stood before them even had matching gold eyes. He was standing in front of an impressive sword sunken into a raised platform in the middle of the room. The sword had to have been as tall as Lizzie when it wasn't buried in the daises. "Greetings, Midgardians," Heimdall inclined his head as his voice rumbled around them. "And Thor good that you have returned, our little Tvilling Sjel is fading." Heimdall and Thor clasped forearms. "Then we should away to her at once," Thor declared.

Several guards and Odin arrived at that moment. "What is the meaning of this Odinson," His voice seemed to make the very room shake. "Father," Thor lowered his head in deference to the man before them. Clint looked at Nat and mouthed father? at her. She shrugged. Thor lowered himself to one knee and looked up at Odin. "I have done as my Queen mother directed me to do Allfather."

Tony, Steve, Nat, and Clint had all moved to defensive positions as Odin entered. "You know that Midgardians do not belong on Asgard!" Odin's voice trembled the structure they were in once again. Odin's one eye bored into Thor. Tony was wearing his suit and stepped forward, "Yet one of you brought Lizzie here without her permission and you have not returned her." Thor looked over his shoulder, "Have care man of Iron. This is Odin, the Allfather, and King of Asgard that you speak to." Tony let his visor shut and he took a stance with his hands out. "I don't care who he fathered. Lizzie needs to come home."

Odin lifted his staff and slammed it on the floor. It knocked everyone in front of him off their feet. "Stark," Captain America warned. "Silence!" Odin pointed to Tony, "This is the man of Iron that Frigga requested?" He allowed his face to show his disdain. "How disappointing." Tony couldn't help it, he had to pop off. It wouldn't have been him had he not. "Yeah, you aren't winning any popularity contests over here either. Guess we can be disappointed together."

Just as everything was about to go pear shaped, Frigga swept into the room. As she entered, she turned her back to the room and faced Odin. She leaned forward and spoke softly to him. "My King, she needs them," she lowered herself to a full curtsey and held it in front of Odin. Odin walked forward taking her hand and raising Frigga from the low formal curtsey she held. "I hope this returns the little Tvilling Sjel to herself, but I will not tolerate disrespect from them," he spoke as he led Frigga out the door that led to the palace.

Thor rose, "We must away. Lady Elizabeth is in need of the man of iron's presence." He led her visitors down the Bi-Frost. It took longer than Thor was happy with because they walked to Lizzie's chambers. As they approached Stark seemed to become even more impatient. Thor opened the door and ushered them in. The bed was encased in a mystical looking dome, it looked like a shimmering gold sphere. It was the same Asgardian process that kept Odin alive during Odin Sleep, but of course the Midgardians didn't know that.

Tony made his way into the room right behind Thor, he seemed to stumble but catch himself as he saw Lizzie in the chamber. Tony stopped and stepped out of his suit, it closed up behind him in a sentinel pose. "What the hell is that Thor?" Thor frowned and then explained. "Ah that is a stasis chamber that allows sustenance that her body needs while she sleeps. It does no harm to her Stark," Thor turned back to the bed and leaned into the shimmering dome that was a stasis chamber and kissed Lizzie on the forehead. Tony bristled at the move. "I have brought you visitors from Midgard, Lady Elizabeth." He brushed some hair from her face as he spoke.