Birthright

Bait

"LET ME GO YOU WITCH!" Asa hissed at Hela as they materialised on the barren world.

"As you wish!" Hela sneered,"but I dont think it will do you much good, do you?" She waved around them. "Hardly paradise, is it? " she looked about her sighing. "Hardly anything at all, really. But, we take what we can. Now, where IS that little Bilgesnipes Arse that thinks he's.... ah, Malekith! There you are."

She smiled broadly, like a snake eyeing up its prey. "So, as you can see, I came back."

The leader of the Dark Elves, once defeated by King Borr. Now resurrected by Hela and the Aether after 5000 years.

In another life, he would have wanted to rule the universe. In another life, he would have taken the Aether and destroyed Asgard, Midgard, and all the realms that dared oppose him. But now? With no army and precious few resources? He took what he could get. And right now? Hela was his best option. Keep her close; make the most of her talents and, once she'd done the dirty work? Step over her and take what should rightfully have been his.

"Hela, good to see you. I must admit, I had my doubts you'd make good on your promise after all this time. So, Odin and the Princes are dead then? It's time for us to rule Asgard and the nine realms as we were supposed to all along, eh?"

"Ah, well, let me stop you right there..." Hela turned and looked down at him. He really was a great deal shorter than she'd remembered. "Odin is gone, yes. The Princes...." she shrugged and grimaced. "Not so much."

"What do you mean, you assured me..what game are you playing witch.!" Malekith hissed at her.

"Hey! Not fair. I'm no witch." She looked truly put out by his sweeping insult. "I'm a goddess, and dont you forget it!" She wagged a finger at him.

Malekith smiled coldly. "Forgive me. Do tell me, though, how you expect to achieve the throne if they're still alive?" He made a valid point, and even Hela had to nod.

"Agreed, it's not ideal, but - and this is a BIG, but - I have a secret weapon." She looked the dictionary definition of smug.

Malekith stood, eyes narrowed. "Go on." Hela smiled and pointed to Asa.

"HER!" was all she said, triumphantly.

As if seeing her for the first time, Malekith turned and stared at Asa. Walking over, he put a bony hand on her injured shoulder - and squeezed.

Asa moaned as the wound stung. After the initial stab, it hadnt hurt so much as disabled her. She couldn't even wield a dagger, let alone a sword. Now, as he squeezed, a cold sweat ran down her back, formed a sheen on her brow, and a wave of nausea swept over her.

"So my little Valkyrie. What have you to say for yourself? How does it feel to be responsible for the downfall of a dynasty?" He sneered into her face, his breath as foul as his appearance.

"Dont fool yourself, Malekith. They don't value me that highly. Nobody is coming to 'rescue' me. Nobody is going to fall into your trap." She grinned manically. "You're doomed to fail. All of you."

"BITCH!" he spat and threw her on the ground. She lay, laughing wildly, partly in terror it had to be said. Malekith raised his obsidian dagger and made to plunge it into her.

Hela walked over, grabbing his wrist. "Enough. They will come. She just has to be alive. What you do to her later is fine by me. Just wait your turn."

He paused and looked at her, malice shining from his jet-black eyes. "As you wish..."

"My Queen!" She finished for him. He stared at her,

"Hela." He muttered. This was not how he envisaged it would go. She was getting above herself.

They dragged Asa to her feet and marched her away to one of Malekiths ship. The last remaining structures of the old regime.

Thor and Loki, together with Sif, stood at the entrance to the Bifrost. Heimdal stood on the dias, ready to activate it.

"Are you SURE you want to go alone?" Sif asked them for the hundredth time in the last ten minutes. "Don't you think this could be a trap? You need soldiers." She held up her hands in despair. "She's the Goddess of Death after all? Isn't that a warning in itself?"

Thor and Loki looked at each other, then back to Sif. Thor smiled softly. "We thank you for your concern and your sword, Lady Sif. This, however, is something we need to do. We need you to stay here with Heimdal. If ANYONE other than Loki or I try to summon the Bifrost, kill them on arrival. No hesitation. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my Prince!" She agreed and touched her fist to her armour. "If needs be? This is a good day to die."

Loki now smiled, "Oh, Sif, it won't come to that! You have many more battles to start!" He winked at her, and she smiled and shook her head.

"Only because I enjoy them so much!" She grinned.

They turned to Heimdal. "When you're ready!" Thor nodded across.

With a nod, Heimdal let his sword drop into the mechanism and below them. The machinery began to whir into action. Lights glowed and revolved, faster and faster, until there was a blinding flash.

To their left, the Bifrost swirled into being; rainbow colours filling the chamber. Thor and Loki disappeared into it, and the machine fell silent.

Sif looked at Heimdal and sighed. "I hope they know what they're doing." It wasn't a question. Heimdal nodded.

"I can see many things, Lady Sif, but the future? That is in their hands. All we can do is hope."