Always Mine (An MCU Fanfiction)

29. Another Realm

I don't own this picture. The credit goes out to the original creator and owner. I pictured South African fashion model Lauren Mellor as Freyja, the handmaiden who helps Casey adjust to Asgard and with whom Casey becomes close friends.

As I opened my eyes, I saw everything was gold, bronze, and with hints of green. It didn't resemble my room at all. I noticed I was in a massive bed with green sheets, which made me realize I was in someone else's bedroom. It was more of a chamber than a room.

Turning to what looked like a window, I hoisted myself back on my feet and looked out to see what made me think of a setting for a fantasy series. I pinched my forearms, trying to determine if I was dreaming. Feeling the self-inflicted pain, it was no dream. The shock of my surroundings was palpable, and I struggled to comprehend the reality of my situation.

It dawned on me that I was no longer in Montana. The realization hit me like a thunderbolt, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder akin to Dorothy's when she found herself in Oz.

However, I had to admit that the scenery was remarkable. However, I wondered who or what took me from my room.

Behind me, there was a shimmer. I turned around and was stunned to see the one I didn't expect to see again.

"Hello, Casey," Loki smiled at me.

"Where the hell am I?" I wondered, but had a hunch that he stole me from home for an apparent reason.

"Asgard. Our home."

"So that's what it looks like, compared to what I've read about. Oh, wait, home? My home's back on Earth."

My thoughts were a whirlwind, racing like it was the Daytona 500. The situation's urgency was not lost on me, and I knew I had to make sense of this bizarre turn of events. Plus, I could imagine Brett and Gunner waking up and finding me gone.

"Don't fret, my little sparrow," Loki gently placed a hand under my chin, making me look up at him. "In time, you will come to accept this as your home."

"How did I get here?" I wondered.

"I brought you through one of the hidden passages instead of the Bifrost. I couldn't have everyone here find out a Midgardian was brought here."

I remembered Thor explaining that the Bifrost was used to travel to different worlds or planets. Then I remembered some of the reading on Norse mythology, which mentioned a gatekeeper called Heimdall, who was said to see everything that happened in various places. 

"How did you know where I was?" I had a lot to ask, but still felt trapped.

Loki leaned into my ear and nuzzled his face into my neck. "I was Shadow," he purred seductively.

I shuddered, and my mouth dropped open in shock, but I recalled the trickster's shapeshifting ability. He had disguised himself and followed me. He had seen everything I did! I was starting to feel exposed, just as I had when I interrogated him without anyone knowing. 

I felt something being handed to me. I looked to find a golden apple in my hand.

"Once you have eaten, I'll send someone to assist you," Loki told me and turned to exit the room.

Before he left, I noticed another shimmer, and in his place was a white-haired man with a gold eye patch. I was starting to get even more confused.

I still held the apple in my hands. At the same time, I wondered what Asgardian fruit was like compared to the ones back on Earth. So, I brought the apple to my lips and bit into it. An overwhelming sweetness flowed into my mouth and the back of my throat. I took another bite, finding the flavor and savoriness hard to resist.

Upon reaching the core of the apple, I noticed my skin giving off a glow like the sunbeams. I recalled from some Norse mythology I had read before about some golden apples known as Idunn's apples, said to grant immortality to those who ate from them. I thought back to Loki mentioning that he didn't want any of the Aesir finding out that I was brought into the realm as a plain mortal. He knew once I ate the apple, I'd become immortal. There was no telling if I could leave and return to Earth when there were so many eyes around, watching every move.

The door opened, and a woman entered the room. She had long, brown hair, teal-blue eyes, and wore a blue and bronze gown.

"Pardon me," she bowed. "The King sent me to assist you."

The second she glanced at me, she let out a small gasp and turned in the other direction.

"You, okay?" I asked, sounding concerned.

"It's not important. I must help dress you," she replied.

"Whatever it is, don't be afraid to tell me," I gave her an assuring expression. "I'm Casey, by the way."

"I'm Freyja," she nodded at me. "I apologize for that. It's just you made me think of the late Lady Sigyn. She was my cousin."

I wasn't too surprised about that. Freyja had brought a gold gown with hints of green. She was surprised when I pulled off my sweatpants and tank top, as she was used to dressing and undressing someone. Freyja shared some of her backstory with me while helping me into the gown. For a long time, she had been a handmaiden for Sigyn. After the latter's death, Freyja continued working in the palace. She explained how the entire realm of Asgard was still reeling from Frigga's death and the loss of others at the hands of the dark elves who had invaded the realm. 

Then it hit me. Frigga was the mother of Thor and Loki. I could only imagine what that must've been like for them. I could also relate to everyone.

"You all right?" Freyja asked. "You look like you just saw something."

"I'm okay. I can relate to the loss. I lost my parents a few years ago," I answered. "But ended up finding a family in my closest friends."

I felt an ache at the thought of not being able to see my best friends and my adoptive family again. I wondered how I could contact them despite being worlds away. 

"I was about to say. You don't sound Asgardian nor act like one, though your essence tells me you're already one," Freyja pointed out.

"Yeah, I just ate this golden apple, and my skin looks like I applied some amazing skin lotion," I nodded.

"Idunn's apple."

"That's the one. I read about it once."

It surprised me that Freyja read me a lot faster, making me guess she figured out where I came from.

"Back on Earth, there are some stories of Asgard in legends," I clarified.

"You're from Midgard," Freyja nodded. "There was a Midgardian who visited when Prince Thor brought her here for a short while. I never got to meet her. Don't you worry, I won't utter a word of this to anyone."

I nodded, thanking her. I offered to tell Freyja more about Earth and my life back there when she expressed that Earth, or Midgard, had always piqued her interest. 

Once I was dressed, Freyja showed me to the door.