The Royal Asgardian

Chapter 7

I felt weird. Like on thin ice . I looked down and then it cracked. "Thor... Loki...."  I lost my footing. I started falling backwards. But Thor quickly grabs me by my hand. I look down to see a black abyss of space below. My heart drops and is pounding.

Thor wiggled his arm "Come on, lazy princess. Up...!"

With no effort , Thor pulls me onto the ice where I finally catch my breath. "I freaken love you!" I yell.

We all  turn and stare out in horror and wonder at the frozen alien wasteland before them. The whole planet is a massive flattened ring of jagged ice, slowly breaking apart.

Hogun looks to Thor "We shouldn't be here."

Thor starts to walk forward "Too late now." He shrugs.                    

Fandral looks scared "Actually, it's not. We could turn right around, hop back to Asgard, share a mug by the fire. Could be nice."

I walk next to Loki to hear him say " Perhaps we should wait."

Thor turns back to his brother. "For what?"

"  To survey the enemy. To gauge their strengths and weaknesses from a distance." Loki states.

Volstagg smiles "I'm liking that. Gauging, surveying. Particularly the distance part."     

Thor stops and looks to us all. "We know all we must. It's time to act." Thor heads on. Reluctantly, we all follow.

Lady Sif looks at the surroundings "He's just got to swing his hammer."

We strive to keep up behind Thor across the frozen wasteland, shielding ourselves from the howling wind and cold.

Loki looks around them, anxious. Volstagg shivers.

Thor, invigorated, turns back to his comrades. "It feels good, doesn't it? To be together again, adventuring on another world?"

"Adventuring? Is that what we're doing?" I fold my arms around me.

Thor looked to me "What would you call it?"

Fandral input "Freezing."

Volstagg rubbed his belly "Starving."

Lady Sif rolled her eyes "Whining."

Thor smiles "How about a song to lift our spirits?"

"No, not that!" Hogun speaks up. 

Lady Sif frustrated" Please don't make us sing again!"

Fandral yells "If I have to listen to Volstagg's singing voice one more time, I'll fall on my own sword!"

I nug loki "Well, now I'm on board." I look at Thor and we share a grin.

We reach the temple of ruins and walk into the central plaza. "Where are they?" I walk close to Loki.

Thor looks around "Hiding. As cowards always do. Come on. "

Thor leads us onwards towards the central plaza.

As we reach the plaza. I can sense the Frost Giants in
the shadows and crevices, that surround us now on all sides. We reach for the hilts of their weapons.

A Jotun Sentry calls to Thor. "What is your business here,   Asgardian?" The Jotun's voice itself sounds like cracking ice.

I stand behind Thor.

Thor looks to the Sentry. " I speak only to your King. Not to his foot soldiers."

The Sentry continues "Then speak."

Thor turns towards the balcony of the temple, where Laufey sits, veiled in shadow, behind a cascading waterfall.

I see that The Jotun King is ancient, noble, powerful but to proud to reveal even a hint of the years of suffering he and his people have endured.

He finally speaks. "I am Laufey, King of this Realm."

Thor starts off "And I am.."

The ice king continues "we know who you are, Odinson. Why have you brought the stench of your blood into my world?"

Thor speaks up. "I demand answers."

Laufey stands, sizing up Thor, tries to piece this together. "You 'demand?'"

"How did your people get into Asgard?" Thor asks upset.

Laufey looks to us all. "The house of Odin is full of
traitors."

Sif and the Warriors Three exchange a puzzled look, disturbed by the Jotun King's words.

"Do not dishonor my father's name with your lies!" I yell at the Ice King.

Laufey clearly upset at my outburst "Your father is a murderer and a thief. He stole what was ours, and left our world in ruins. We have the right to reclaim the Casket."

"Not when you'd use it to make war against other Realms." I reply stepping in front of Thor.
         
Laufey laughs, cold, mocking. "And why have you come here? To make peace? You long for battle. You crave it. I see you for what you are, Thor Odinson. Nothing but a boy, trying to prove himself a man."

Thor pushes me out of the way. "This boy has grown tired of your mockery."
        
The other Jotuns step in front of Thor, blocking his path. As Loki helps me up we finally see the Frost Giants now terrifying, blue-skinned, standing eight feet tall.

Loki then moves next to Thor and quietly implores
him. "Thor, stop and think. Look around you. We are outnumbered."
         
"Know your place, brother." Thor brushes Loki off.

"You should listen to his counsel. You know not what your actions would unleash." Laufey steps out of the shadows. "But I do. Go now, while I still allow it."
         
Thor simmers. Loki speaks up. "We will accept your most gracious offer."

I shake Thor's arm. "Thor please." I pleased but Thor stares Laufey down. He then turns to leave.