𝐋𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 ★彡 ˡ.ˡᵃᵘᶠᵉʸˢᵒⁿ

XXIX

ODIN LED HIS SON, THE MENVOLLRIAN QUEEN, THE MORTAL AND THE TWINS THROUGH THE CASTLE. Odin pushed open heavy doors revealing a magnificent room full of large hovering replicas of galaxies and realms. He headed toward a large book, coated with gold leaf, inside old Asgardian text. The Allfather opened the book as he began his explanation.

"There are relics that predate the universe itself. What lies within her appears to be one of them. The Nine Realms are not eternal. They had a dawn as they will have a dusk. But before that dawn the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged."

Astrid looked to the book as she read; "'Born of eternal night, the Dark Elves comes to steal away your light.' These sound like stories my mother would read to me and my brothers as children."

"Their leader, Malekith made a weapon out of that darkness, it was called the Aether. While the other relics often appeared as stones, the Aether is fluid and ever changing. It changes matter into dark matter and seeks out to host bodies, drawing strength from their life force. Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness. But after eternities of blood shed, my father Bor, finally triumphed, ushering in the peace that lasted thousands of years." Odin explained. Astrid furrowed her brow, something Odin noticed. "I trust your father explained your powers to you, Astrid?"

"Partially, the main thing I know that this stone I wear controls them." Astrid spoke, touching her white gem that hung around her neck.

Odin sighed. "I suppose they kept it from you to protect you." Everyone furrowed their brows at Odin's words. "You are entangled with these relics. That's why the Aether was familiar to you. You can replicate their power."

Astrid widened her eyes with worry. "What?" She whispered. She knew of the relics. She knew that if all the relics were used in unison by the wrong person, it could end the universe. The idea that her powers could replicate the overwhelming power of the Infinity Stones was terrifying to her.

Thor placed a hand on Astrid's shoulder, being able to read her emotions fairly easily. The small action grounded her and she sent an appreciative smile back. The Hod twins looked to each other quickly at the new information, their eyes gleaming.

"What happened?" Jane asked. "To the Elves?"

"My father killed them all."

"Are you certain?" Thor questioned. "The Aether was said to have been destroyed with them and yet here it is."

Odin nodded. "The Dark Elves are dead."

"Does your book happen to mention how to get it out of me?" Jane asked.

"No, it does not."

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THEY LEFT THE ARCHIVE ROOMS AND DISPERSED. Odin went back to his throne, Thor and Jane went off somewhere for privacy, while Astrid, Jinx and Janus where left alone in the Asgardian castle. That is until Frigga approached them.

The Allmother spotted Astrid and quickly glanced down at her stomach them back up to her eyes. "My dear, may I speak to you in private?"

"Certainly, Allmother," she turned to her guards and created a portal for them to head back to Menvollr. Once they had left, the two Queens walked through the hallways linked at their elbows.

"So, I noticed you're flourishing, my dear. Has anything changed since I last saw you?" Frigga asked gently.

Astrid blushed a deep red but taking a deep breath to comprise herself before the Allmother saw. "I don't believe so."

Frigga smiled. "Oh, there's no need to lie to me. It's quiet clear you and my son have made up to some degree. I'm well aware of your feelings for Loki. Though he's troubled you in the past, it seems your resentment for him has subdued."

Astrid widened her eyes, ready to counter back but she saw no use in it. "How did you figure it out?"

Frigga laughed. "I'm his mother. I'm also a woman who can read other women quite well." Astrid chuckled at her words. "I'm also the Goddess of Motherhood." This made the younger queen pause. She turned to Frigga, her expression one of silent terror. Frigga's was one of silent knowing.

"Whatever do you mean, Allmother?" Astrid gulped.

Frigga laughed once more but this time it was quieter. "I think you know what I mean, darling," she teased resulting in Astrid's face to burn red. "I'm going to see him now, would you like to join?"

Astrid contemplated. "If it were alright with you, I'd prefer not. You deserve to speak to your son privately. I'll busy myself in the gardens if that's okay? I do love the garden here."

Frigga smiled. "If that's what you wish. Thank you."

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LOKI SAT IN HIS EMPTY CELL UNDER ASGARD'S PALACE, WATCHING AS VOLSTAGG AND FANDRAL HAULED IN NEW PRISONERS TOO TAKE UP MORE CELLS. "Odin continues to bring me new friends. How thoughtful."

"The books I sent, do they not interest you?" A voice spoke out from behind him. There Frigga stood behind him inside his cell.

He had read all the books Frigga had sent while he was at Astrid's. "Is that how you expect me to wither away for eternity? Reading?" He spoke bitterly.

Frigga sighed. "I've done everything in my power to make you comfortable, Loki."

"Have you? Does Odin share your concern? Does Thor? How about Astrid? It must be so inconvenient them asking after me day and night." Loki bitterly spat.

"You know full well how much they care for you. And you know full well it was your actions that brought you here."

Loki huffed in annoyance. "My actions. I was merely giving truth to the lie that I had been fed my entire life, that I was born to be a king."

"A king? A true king admits his faults. What of the lives you took on Earth?" Frigga scolded.

Loki turned away from his mother in contempt. "A mere handful compared to the number that Odin has taken himself."

"Your father-" Frigga began but was cut off by Loki's shout.

"He is not my father!"

"Then am I not your mother?" Her question gave him pause as he hesitated. His face clearly torn. Loki and Frigga had such a special relationship, and by denying Odin as his father, Loki was also denying Frigga her title as his mother.

"You're not."

Frigga smiled with tears brewing in her eyes. "Always so perceptive about everyone but yourself." She takes a step forward and extended her hands out to him. Loki reached out to touch them but his hand phase through. An illusion. Loki looked to his mother, sadness in his eyes as her hologram disappeared.