Birthright

Hel Raiser

"He's gone? That's a shame. I should like to have seen that..." she stood, looking over the now empty bed.
Dark-haired, dark eyed, clad in black and green, she was every bit as offputting as she was tall. She looked around the room. It had been a long time since she'd seen the inside of the palace. A VERY long time.

The soldier by her side shrugged.

"Just before I got here, apparently. All he said was 'she's coming'." He looked down at the prostrate guards, currently bleeding out all over the marble floor. "Pity really, quite fancied telling him what I thought of him for a change."

There was a noise at the door, and they spun round, swords at the ready.

"Who in the HELHEIM are you?" Volstaggs voice boomed out as he entered the room. He held his sword up, ready to defend himself. Sadly, swordplay was not what the female intruder had in mind.

Two daggers embedded themselves in Volstaggs chest. She walked over, resting a foot on his torso as she bent over to remove them. Volstagg dragged in a final few shuddering breaths. Looking into his now panicked eyes, she smiled coldly.

"Me? Dont you know? Oh dear. That's very remiss of him. I thought everyone would be desperate for me to rescue them from the possibility of Golden Boy." She sighed, "I'm Hela. The true heir to Asgard."

Frigga sat with Loki's head resting in her lap. She stroked his forehead. "Relax, close your eyes, and listen to my voice."

"Mother.... what if I don't... if it doesn't work?" He opened his eyes and looked up at her. She was suddenly reminded of her little boy, listening to myths and legends, eyes wide.

"Shhh, my darling." She soothed him."It will work. I promise." He smiled and closed his eyes. She stifled a sigh. If only she was as confident as she tried to sound.

Gently, she began to recite incantations. Peeling back the layers of magic. Lifting the veil of forgetfulness.

Loki's mind filled with images. Running through the woods with Thor. Walking hand in hand with Odin as he lectured both boys on Kingship. Galloping over the Bifrost bridge with Thor and the Warriors.

He smiled as he saw adventures and celebrations. Flushed as he saw pretty girls. Frigga watched the emotions and memories fill his mind. So far, so good.

Now, though, his face began to change. Images filled his mind. Falling out with Thor and Odin. Falling into the abyss. He moaned, and sweat beaded his forehead now as he recalled his time with the Dark Order. Frigga wanted to wake him, spare him, but she knew she couldn't. For his magic, his power, to be full strength, he needed ALL his memories. Good and bad.

Then he saw it. New York. 2012. The Battle. He felt the emotions, the desire to rule. The need for power. His heart filled with dark thoughts, his desire to subjugate the world. Aided by the Chitauri. The need to kill.... it was too much.

With a cry, he sat up, shaking and breathing heavily. His normally pale skin was sallow and had a sheen of sweat. Dark circles under his eyes, making him look almost deranged. He turned to Frigga, who stared at him, waiting.

"Glorious purpose." Was all he said, a smile spreading over his face. "You've given me my purpose back. Thank you, Mother." He stood and walked over to the window, looking out over Adgard. "So. Why has Odin decided to let me return?" He leaned against the window ledge, scowling.

Frigga stood, then took a deep breath, clasping her hands together in front of her. "Your father..."

"HE'S NOT MY FATHER!" Loki roared at her venomously.

"So you keep saying." Was her only response. "Your Father has gone into his last Odinsleep. He will not recover." She had tears in her eyes now and even Loki, in his current state, felt her pain. He closed his eyes and reached out.

"I'm... sorry." He said softly. "I am finding all this... difficult. For you, many years have passed. For me? I was banished last week." He took her hands and opened his eyes again. "Help me? Please?"

Frigga smiled and nodded. "You don't have to ask Loki. I'm your mother..." she raised a hand to stop him speaking. "I AM." He nodded silently.

"So. Why does that need me? Other than to make sure that witless brother of mine sits on the throne the right way round!" He smirked, making Frigga roll her eyes.

"Oh Loki!" She kissed his cheek softly. "Your brother and I need you more than you could ever imagine. You see, Thor has a challenger for the throne of Asgard. No, not you." She paused as if summoning up all her courage. Loki began to get seriously concerned.

"Who? How? I mean..." he stammered.

"Hela. Odinsdottir." Frigga's face was deathly white. "The Goddess of Death."

"WHAT!?" Loki's jaw hit the floor. "Daughter? As in FIRST child? As in she's got an actual claim?"

Frigga nodded. "Yes." There was a commotion at the door. It burst open and Thor strode into the room, closely followed by Asa and a couple of palace guards.

"Mother, Brother," he stopped, taking her hand and placing the other on Loki's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Mother," he turned and looked at Frigga, his eyes filled with sorrow.

Frigga smiled gently. "He's gone?" She said quietly, with an air of resignation. Thor nodded, "Just as I got there. He smiled and was gone." Thor looked at Loki. "He only said one thing. He said he loved us. ALL of us."

"Did he now." Loki looked at him with an air of suspicion. Thor sighed.

"Yes. He did. You don't have to believe me, but it's true." He looked at him steadily. Loki sighed, then nodded.

"Ok. Now what?"

"Well, we have to defeat Hela. Before she destroys us all." Frigga looked at her sons. "It will take your strength Thor, your cunning Loki and my magic to render her powerless again."

"What about me?" The voice behind them made them all turn. Standing in the doorway, a determined look on her face, Asa. "I was brought into this for a reason. What was it?"

"Because, my dear, you are the only one she will be able to kill." Frigga smiled as if she had just suggested Roast Venison for dinner.

"WHAT?"

"NO WAY"

"As you wish, my Queen." Asa saluted Frigga and walked away. She knew. She was the bait. Kill a Valkyrie? What better display of Helas's powers?
If she could execute a Shieldmaiden, no one was safe.

As Asa walked down the corridor, she heard a scuffle of feet behind her. Then a gentle cry of 'Asa wait, please'. She turned, and Frigga, Thor and Loki walked towards her.

"You know I wouldn't ask this of you if there was an alternative." Frigga looked at her sadly. "It's the only way. I'll try to protect you as long as I can. If we can get the manicles on her, we can neutralise her powers. Then, we can put her back where she belongs."

Loki turned. "Mother, Thor, can you give us a minute?"

Mother and son nodded and walked further down the corridor, out of earshot.

"Asa, please, you don't have to do this. Please?" Loki grabbed her hand, looking pleadingly into her eyes. She smiled and shook her head.

"Loki, you know I must do my duty. To the Queen, to Asgard... to you." She paused. "When... before... when we... kissed. I knew that I would be risking my life now. That's why..."

"You mean that's the only reason you kissed... the only reason you let me?" He looked astonishingly sad. She knew she had to tell him the truth.

"At first? I thought it would be the way to get you to come back. At first I didn't think I would feel as I do. But... well... oh Loki. If i DIDN'T feel the way I do, I wouldn't do this. Not for her, for him or for you." She smiled, a single tear dripping down her cheek.

"When all this is over, we will talk. When we are safe. Ok?" Loki looked at her and she nodded.

"Thank you." She kissed his cheek and walked away. She needed time to compose herself. Then, the plan would swing into action.

Loki watched her go, a feeling of doom creeping over him. If only he'd realised it wasn't the doom he was expecting.