Gatekeeper's Daughter

Ch. 1

Ch. 1

I would look up at the sky every night, just to see all the stars that would shine. I guess they just brought me hope that my father would soon use the bifrost to send me back. Maybe it was all in my head, maybe it was all a dream, but I never, not for a single moment accounted it as one. This was much more than reality, this was life. Still, wishing on shooting stars was a break from life. I was lucky to see at least one but I always welcomed more, just to see how long Howard would allow me to stay on the roof, to see how many stars I could count. He would sometimes join me but the same passion didn't show in his eyes. That only happened when he was working. It only happened when a brilliant idea planted its way inside his head and formed into another idea.

I guess I could say life was different on Midgard, but that would be such an understatement. Going from a palace of royalty, to the mansion of a genius. Well not much change would be expected from someone else's eye but from mine, in was like a whole different mind set. It was a new way to wake up, a new way to explore my curiosity. I guess it was just an awoken dream. If that makes any sense.

After being stuck on the metal vessel for a few days, Howard decided we should just back to a place called 'New York.' I asked what they were searching for, and he would answer: "For a good man." At first, I thought it as a metaphor. However, when we arrived in New York I found the statement pretty self explanatory. There were posters of a heavy muscled man wearing red, white, and blue all over the streets. Children were running around with metal things painted in those same colors, using it as a shield. In Asgard, all the children would be portraying Odin with his spear. Maybe this 'Captain America' was like Odin, but now that he is gone, someone new has taken his place as leader?

It wasn't until I met Peggy that I gained more answers. As she talked about this noble person, I could see tears gently prick against her eyes. I could tell this was a touchy subject and didn't just want to blurt out my questions out of thin air. So I started with the posters and the children.

"Captain America, or Steve Rogers, as I knew him, always wanted to fight for the military." Peggy started.

"He looks like he had enough muscle to be a warrior."

"Yes. But that was after an experiment where certain chemicals were injected into his system."

I looked awfully confused. She looked at me as I was a five year old child for the second time that I've met her. "I might look young, but I understand many things about science... All you just said didn't make any sense."

"Sorry. Um... When I first met Steve, he was small. Small and skinny but had a strong mind and that was what was needed. So he was taken as the soldier who would be transformed into a super soldier."

"Apparently this 'experiment' worked."

"Yes. He was a changed man. Like any hero he defeated the bad guys, but sacrificed himself in the process." She paused as she remembered a memory. "If anyone was taken in for the experiment, this war would not have been as easy to win, even though we aren't exactly done fighting yet."

"He sounds like a good guy."

"The best guy." She loved him. It was obvious. "He promised he would go dancing with me tomorrow night."

"I know how to dance. I would always dance at the festivals at the palace. It was always a treat to participate. Thor and Loki would always dance with me. How they bickered just made me laugh, until Frigga pulled them away and made them stop." This didn't surprise her. She's heard stories of my world and so has Howard. He learned first on the vessel and we told Peggy when we all arrived back to New York.

"Your world. It sounds so beautiful and how you speak of your friends. I've never heard such a thing."

I didn't exactly understand what she meant but nodded. Then I remembered Steve's promise to her. "If Steve doesn't show up, can I come dance with you?" I really wanted to. I haven't had a reason for a celebration lately.