Birthright

In plain sight...

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes!" Banner stood looking at the screen in front of him. "So THAT'S the secret metal, eh?" He turned to Tony. "Hey Tony? You gotta see this! Vibranium. A whole seam, right under Wakanda. It's where..."

"My father got the metal for Steve's shield? I hate to break it to you, buddy, but I know."

"You KNEW about Wakanda?" Asa turned to face him from where she'd been talking with Shuri about some new armour.

Tony seemed, for once, to shrink from their collective gaze. "Yeah, well, sort of, yes. I knew it was where the vibranium came from, not where Wakanda actually was. For years, I thought my old man was crazy. A city in the African savannah. I mean, honestly, wouldn't YOU think it's all nuts?" He shrugged, and they had to agree.

"Well, we're here now, and King T'Challa has generously agreed to let us have some Dora Milajae to help." Fury appeared in the lab with T'Challa at his back.

"We need to go, Klaue will be meeting his contact in a couple of hours. We have our chance then." T'Challa came and stood next to Fury. "Loki should stay here. We dont want to risk Klaue getting wind of him being here." He looked across, and Loki scowled.

"I think since I am the cause of this trip, I should at least take part!" He spoke in a low voice, trying to keep his temper. Asa would be at risk because of him? Why the Hel would he just leave her to it. These Midgardians couldn't protect her as well as he could for Odin's sake!

Asa turned and put a hand on his arm, "please Loki. I would only worry if you came with us. If I know you're safe here, I can do my job." She smiled up at him, and he felt his resolve melt. He really could refuse her nothing. He closed his eyes and took a breath.

"Very well. For you, my love. ONLY because YOU asked." He opened his eyes and stared at Fury, then T'Challa. They nodded and exchanged a look. Loki decided to ignore it.

"Ok, given Prince Moody is out of the equation, shall we go?" Tony walked towards the door. "Time, as they say, is of the essence."

Everyone made to leave, including Loki, who would accompany them as far as the gates of the palace. As they walked into the main courtyard, a small detachment of the warriors they now knew to be Dora Milaje joined them.

Asa felt an instant affinity to them. They, like her, were fierce women warriors. The general, a striking woman named Okoye, greeted her.

"It is an honour to fight with you, Captain. My warriors have heard much about the Valkyrie. From what I have seen so far, I am sure we won't let you down." She pressed her fist to her chest in salute, and Asa returned the gesture with genuine respect.

"General Okoye, the honour is mine. Let us ensure the future is secure for Wakanda and all our realms."

The general walked away to give final instructions to her troops, and the rest of the group made their way to the gates.

Loki pulled Asa to the side. "I know you are a strong and capable woman, I know you are a fierce and fearsome warrior. I want you to remember, though, that you are also my Queen." He paused, and she could see the emotion in his eyes. "I need you, my love. I need you to come home to me. Please promise me you'll be careful?"

She smiled up at him. Once upon a time, someone telling her to be careful would have felt suffocating and unnecessary. Now, though? Now, she felt warm and cared for. "You dont need to worry, my King," she whispered into his ear as she kissed his cheek softly, "I will always come home to you."

Loki let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. "I love you," was all he whispered back before his lips found hers.

Before either could dissolve into tears, she pulled away, accepting the weapon offered to her by one of T'Challa's soldiers. The length of the lance would come in handy. The further away she could kill the enemy, the safer she would be.