Time Lady of Asgard

Chapter 3

Thor, Sif, Loki, and the Warriors Three walked from the Palace across the grounds. They reached a group of Attendants who ready their battle gear for their journey.

"Loki..." Nightingale called out.

Loki went over to her. "Damia..."

"Don't go," Nightingale grabbed his hand. "Loki, for once, just let your brother get in trouble...don't go,"

"Tell me what's going to happen,"

"I don't know." Nightingale admitted, "But there's just this feeling that something bad will happen. So I ask one last time if you love me...stay,"

Loki kissed Nightingale's head. "I have to go," he said, beginning to return to Thor's group.

Nightingale pulled him back, kissing him. "Then you had better return back to me,"

"You have my word,"

***

The Asgardian group drew near Heimdall's Observatory, where the Gatekeeper of Asgard stood at his post, blocking their way.

Heimdall held a massive sword before him, his stern, intimidating face virtually concealed by armor.

"Keep your weapons sheathed and your mouths closed. This is going to take subtlety and sincerity, not brute strength. Leave it to me," Loki dismounted and stepped forward. "Good Heimdall..."

"You're not dressed warmly enough," Heimdall interrupted.

Thor, Loki, and the others traded looks.

"I'm sorry?" Loki asked. "You must be mistaken...

"Enough," Thor stepped forward. "Heimdall, may we pass?"

Heimdall stared him down. "For ages, I have guarded Asgard and kept it safe from those who would do it harm. In all that time, never has an enemy slipped by my watch...until this day. I wish to know how that happened,"

"Then tell no one where we've gone until we've returned," Thor walked past Heimdall as the Gatekeeper let the group pass.

Volstagg walked beside the frustrated Loki, needling him. "What happened? Your silver tongue turn to lead?" Volstagg asked with a laugh.

Thor and the others entered the Observatory, stepping onto a platform.

Heimdall climbed into the large control apparatus at the center of the room and readied the Observatory. "Be warned. I will honor my sworn oath to protect this Realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, Bifrost will remain closed to you. You'll be left to die in the cold wastes of Jotunheim,"

"Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us?" Volstagg questioned.

"To leave the bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it,"

"I have no plans to die today," Thor declared

"None do," Heimdall inserted his sword into the control panel, and the apparatus of the Observatory started up.

The Bifrost energy quickened along the Bridge, feeding into the Observatory.

Heimdall turned his sword in the control panel.

The Observatory's giant turret swung around, aiming toward a section of space. 

Heimdall plunged his sword deeper into the control panel as a final step. 

The great turret fired, and the Rainbow light of the Bifrost opened at the end of the platform upon which Thor and his five comrades stood.

"All is ready. You may pass," Heimdall said.