Birthright

Hero

"I'm scared." She didn't look up. She couldn't. It was an admission no Valkyrie should ever make. Fear just wasn't in their creed.

"I know. It's ok. This isn't like anything you've faced before." The compassion in his voice was almost too much for her.

Thor came and sat next to her, placing Mjolnir on the floor between them. Both stared at it, willing it to provide an answer, an excuse, a reason why she didn't have to do this.

Hela was strong. Getting stronger by the hour. They knew she was in Asgard now. Fandral had just arrived, breathless and bloodstained. He'd almost wept as he'd informed Thor of Volstagg's murder.

Thor, face red with emotion, had roared his anger. Above, the clouds flashed with lightning as he'd sworn to destroy her. Fandral left, also swearing - to avenge his friend.

"Be careful, I don't want to lose another friend today." Thor hugged him before he left.

Asa looked at the retreating figure. Fandral may have been a flirt, may have been more concerned with the colour of his tunic than if it could stop an arrow, but there was no doubt he was every bit is much a warrior. She'd lost count of the times he'd drawn his sword and with a cry of 'FOR ASGARD!' had lunged into battle. She prayed she would hear it again.

Loki and Frigga waited together in the main audience chamber. Frigga sat, bolt upright, dignified and solemn beside the throne. Till Thor's coronation, she was the ruler of Asgard now Odin was gone.
Loki stood, in full battle armour and gilded horns, to her left. As a mark of respect, neither wielded Gungnir; the staff of the King. It lay across the now empty throne.

The plan was that Asa was to lure Hela to them. The idea of murdering her in cold blood, in front of an audience? Too much for the diva in her to resist.

The doors at the far end of the hall opened, and they stiffened, waiting to see who would appear.

It wasn't Hela.

Sif ran to them, coming to kneel in front of them. She was pale and shaking. "My Queen, My Prince. We have to go. She's in the palace, if she gets to you..." her eyes filled with tears. Loki was astonished. He'd NEVER seen Sif cry. "It's Fandral... he got in the way... he's..."

"Odin's BEARD is there nothing she won't do!" Thor arrived just in time to hear the news. He balled his hands into fists, lightning crackling between his fingers.

Asa stood at his side, resolute. "Come on. I've caused enough bloodshed by my cowardice. Time to go. You know the plan. See you on the other side."

Loki looked at her, his eyes full of pain and fear. He could only nod, words would mean speaking and that was beyond him now. Not without crying.

Frigga nodded. "Good luck my dear. May the Gods go with you. Thor? You escort Asa then return. We need you here."

Thor nodded, and then he, Sif, and Asa retreated to the outside corridor. The great doors clanged shut, and the three of them hugged. Raising her sword in salute, Sif left. Her job was to pick off anyone loyal to Hela, guard or civillian, it made no odds. They wa ted her stripped of her influence.

"Are you ready?" The question took her aback a little. Was there time NOT to be? She nodded. Thor smiled tersely and made to leave to rejoin Frigga and Loki.

"Thor... please wait?" Asa caught his wrist. He turned back,

"Yes, Little Sister?" His voice, though previously filled with anger for Hela, was soft to her. The familiarity made Asa feel easier with what she had to say.

"If I don't speak to him again, if I go to Valhalla alone, tell Loki..." she began, still holding Thor's wrist.

"I will do no such thing. You will tell him, whatever it is, for yourself." He smiled, "there is no place for you in the hall of heroes yet. This is not your time."

"Thank you, my Prince." She saluted him, fist to breastplate. Thor shook his head.

"No, today and from all days, henceforth you are indeed my sister, brave Asa."

Now he bent and kissed her cheek, as he would family. She couldn't speak, her heart was so full. On one hand terrified, even though she was a Valkyrie. On the other, so proud that she was able to die in the service of her Queen. Despite Thor's confidence, she was sure THIS was a good day to die.

Hela stepped over the prone corpse of Fandral and motioned to her guard. "Make sure this one gets a decent sendoff. " she paused, turning ger head to look at him. "Pity. Quite a handsome chap, really. Oh, well." She shrugged and walked on, cloak billowing behind her.

Asa walked along the corridor that led away from the audience chamber. It was quiet in the palace. Those that were not in armour were either in hiding or gone. Frigga had made it quite clear she wanted no heroes and no martyrs. Heimdal was to lead the people to safety in the mountains behind the palace.

As she walked, her armour made a metallic click, and her feet echoed on the stone floor. It would have been almost hypnotic had she been able to distinguish it from the pounding heartbeat in her chest.

As she rounded a corner, she was met by the sight of a young guard, standing visibly upset and shaking. At her arrival, he spun round to face her, sword drawn. The tip of the sword danced like a feather in the wind he shook so hard.

"It's ok, I'm Asa Olafsdottir of the Valkyrie. I'm a friend." She smiled and held up her hands slowly. The guard stared at her as if she were speaking in tongues. "Put the sword down. I'm not going to hurt you." She said gently, taking a step forward.

He visibly sagged, and the sword tip hit the floor. "Im so sorry. I'm just..." he looked at her, and she could see he was just a boy.

"How long have you been a guard?" She asked gently.

"Six weeks." His face was white, his eyes filled with fear. She felt infinitely sorry for him. Asgard's armies were rightly feared, but even they had to start somewhere.

"What's your name?"

"Erik. Erik Peterson" he smiled for the first time.

"Well, Erik Peterson," she patted his shoulder. "For someone so new to this? You are brave and a credit to your family. Go. Go now and be ready to fight to protect your family and your people. One must always be ready to fight, but sometimes, one must not seek it out."

The young man smiled as he stood in front of her, no longer shaking. "Than..." his face changed from gratitude to surprise. He didn't even finish the word before blood began to spill from his mouth.

Asa stared in horror as he sank to his knees, then fell to the side, a long dagger protruding from his back.
She looked up and straight into the most evil pair of eyes she'd seen in a very, very long time.

"Hela."

"Well, well, Odin still has his pet flying monkeys, then I see? I thought I'd managed to get rid of you all. " she shrugged nonchalantly. "No matter. You'll make a good showpiece for after my coronation. Well, your execution will."

"Oh, I don't think you'll be getting one of those any time soon." Asa said with an air of defiance. "I'm sure Thor and Loki , oh and The Queen, will see to that!" Ada stood, hands on hips, deliberately taunting her.

Killing her was one thing. That was expected, but the poor boy? He was no threat, and Hela would've known that. She killed him just for sport, and THAT made her evil.

Hela held up her hand and Asa felt herself being hoisted high into the air, arms stretched out painfully to either side. Held there, by an invisible force. Her windpipe felt like it was being crushed and the edges of her vision started to dim.

"No Hela, not here, don't be hasty." Asa managed to croak. "Think of how much better with an audience."

Hela paused, hand still outstretched. A cold smile crept across her angular features. "You know, I think you're right." She withdrew her hand and Asa crashed to the floor, coughing and gasping.

Hela turned to her guard, "Bring her. Executing her in front of those she's supposed to protect will show them there's NOTHING that can stop me claiming what's mine."

"Yes, my Queen." The guard barked.

"Ooooh Queen. Now I like the sound of that!" Hela cackled and walked away. Asa prayed for the chance of a hero's death. It was all she could hope for now.