Beyond The Stars (UNDER REVISION)

Home

I've been back on Asgard for two months now. I straighten my white, one shoulder dress. Since we've been back, I've kept quiet. Only speaking when spoken to. I'm the only one who's changed. Loki has become more distant with me. With a dull look on my face, I applaud with the rest of the Asgardians as Thor walks through the center of the hall, holding up his hammer in victory. He kneels and places the hammer on the ground, taking his helmet off. Odin stands and pounds his staff. Everyone goes quiet. Tuning out the voices, I replay the fight I had with my mom in my head. "Frost Giants." The unfamiliar term causes me to pay attention. Odin looks worried. He pounds his staff again before leaving. Thor and Loki share a glance before following him.

Everyone leaves the grand hall. I make my way to dining room. I find more comfort looking out at the view than I do anywhere else. Using the skill Loki taught me, I make myself invisible, not wanting to the bother. Soon, I hear heavy footsteps enter the large hall. The steps are pacing. I look to see Thor walking back and forth. I would say something to him, but he seems quite mad. He stops and grabs the table. With a loud yell, he flips it. I jump in response, startled. Loki softly walks in front of me. He looks directly at me. I temporarily forgot that he can see me even when I'm invisible because I'm still new at it. "It is unwise to be in my company right now, brother." I feel like I should let them have their personal moment, but I can't go through the doors without Thor noticing. Shit. "This was supposed to be my day of triumph."

"It'll come." Loki's voice is soft and comforting. He's only spoken with that voice to me once. "In time."

I feel more people in the room. I quietly run behind the Warriors Three and Sif. "What's this?" Volstagg asks. I make myself visible, blending into the group.

"If it's any consolation, I think you're right. About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they found a way to penetrate Asgard's defenses once, who's to say they won't try again? Next time, with an army."

"Exactly."

"There's nothing you can do without defying father." Thor looks at his brother. "No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No," Loki says as he stands.

"It's the only way to ensure the safety of our boarders."

I watch the two carefully. No one has noticed me, besides Loki. "It's madness."

"Madness?" Volstagg speaks up. "What sort of madness?"

"We're going to Jotunheim."

Loki looks concerned. "What? This isn't like a journey to Earth where you summon a little lightening and thunder and the mortals worship you as a God." Fandral joins the conversation. I feel like I should feel offended, but I'm not. "This is Jotunheim."

"My father fought his way into Jotunheim," Thor's voice sounds proud and Loki buries his head in his hand. "Defeated their armies and took their casket. We would just be looking for answers."

"It is forbidden," Sif says.

Thor laughs. "My friends, have you forgotten all of what we have done together? Fandral, Hogun, who led you into the most glorious battles?"

"You did."

"And Volstagg, to delicacies so succulent you thought you'd died and gone to Valhalla?"

Volstagg laughs. "You did."

"And who proved wrong to all of them who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this realm has ever known?"

"I did."

"True, but I supported you, Sif. My friends, we're going to Jotunheim." Thor finally notices me. "Eldrid. When did you get here?"