The Asgardians {𝟛} | Marvel √

3

Odin's Palace

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

As Triston was getting his things ready, a familiar presence
approached him. He turned to them to find Lidianna facing him, out of her celebration clothing. She was wearing a dark green Hermia gown with dark gold stitching on the collarbone and waistline and the sleeves were black. Her brown hair was down and curly, like it usually was. "What in Allfather's name are you doing here?" she asked and Triston sighed.

"So your father told you what we are doing," he said in annoyance but she grabbed his weapon from him.

"I didn't need him to tell me to know what you and these hooligans were doing," she said but then he took his weapon back.

"Lidi, they broke the truce. We have to," he said to her.

"You're only doing this because your father is forcing it. He is not King. He needs to stop acting like he is," she said softly but in utter anger, before she started to walk away but Triston ran after her and grabbed her hand then turned her around.

"Don't walk away angry," he said.

"Don't walk away angry? This is madness. It's practically suicide," she said.

"You're right. This is my father. But he is only doing this because he is mad that they ruined his day," he said.

"And that gives him a right to start a war on the Frost Giants? Don't you remember what Grandfather used to tell us? They were ruthless. It didn't matter who you were," She said as Loki approached them. The two turned to Loki with forced smiles. "Hello, Father," Lidianna said softly.

"Lidianna...a word..." he said before walking off, away from everyone.

"Yes, Father," she said before she followed. Triston eyed them as he saw Loki & Lidianna get into a small argument and Triston wondered what it could be about since Lidianna usually just listened to Loki.

As much as Lidianna gave heat on Triston for always listening to his father, Lidianna would do the same with her own father. That was what made them more alike than they knew.

Moments later, Loki walked away from her leaving her silent and stood to stay still. Concern consumed Triston so he walked up to her to find annoyance in her eyes. She looked at him and forced a smile. "Have a good time. What do I care, I'm just a Princess so it shouldn't matter what I think," she said, giving hints of what Loki probably talked about with her then she started to walk away but Tristin pulled her to face him again.

"Lidi. You are not just a princess. You are more than that," he said as she looked at him with glassy eyes. She then glanced at Triston's armor to see it wasn't on properly.

"Your armor. Let me fix it," she said as she began to properly tighten it while Tristin stared at her.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why what?" she asked, not looking at him.

"Why do you get angry with me then act as you care?" he asked and she looked at him.

"Because I care deep for you," she said and they stared into each other's eyes. "Because you're my family," she said, interrupting a moment that couldn't happen between them.

"Right," he said as she finished then smiled at him.

"Be safe," she said.

"I will," he said but then she hugged him tightly. He was taken back then he hugged back.

Gates of Asgard

Thor & his band of adventures passed through the massive Gate on horseback, leaving Asgard behind. They rode alone the most astounding path in the Realm.

The Rainbow Bridge. Wide and flat. It ran straight out from Odin's palace to the mists and black void of space beyond. In the distance far ahead was Heimdall's Observatory.

Heimall's Observatory

The group drew near the Observatory where Heimdall himself, the Gatekeeper of Asgard, stood at his post on the Bridge before them, blocking their way and staring them down. There was something other-worldly about him, even for the Realm. He held a massive sword in front of him and his stern, intimidating face virtually concealed by armor. Something glinted beneath his visor like twinkling stars. "Keep your weapons sheathed and your mouths closed. This is going to take subtlety and sincerity, not brute strength. Leave it to me," Loki said before he dismounted his horse and stepped towards the Gatekeeper. "Good Heimdall-" he started.

"You're not dressed warmly enough," Heimdall said and they all traded each other looks.

"I'm sorry?" Loki asked.

"The freezing cold of Jotunheim. It will kill you all in time, even Thor. Do you think you can deceive me? I, who watches all? I, who can sense the flapping of a butterfly's wings a thousand worlds away?" Heimdall said.

"You must be mistaken. We're not-" Loki started to say but then Thor stepped forward.

"Enough. Heimdall, may we pass?" Thor asked and Heimdall stared him down.

"For ages have I 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," Heimdall said.

"Then tell no one where we've gone until we've returned," Thor said before he walked past Heimdall as he let the rest of the group pass. Volstagg walked beside the frustrated Loki and began to needle him.

"What happened? Your silver tongue turn to lead?" he asked and Loki & Triston eyed him.

"Get me off this bridge before it cracks under your girth," Loki said and Volstagg & Fandral shared a laugh. But Loki was still angry.

"Don't let them get to you, Uncle," Triston said and Loki smiled back at him.

"I won't," he said.

Thor and the others entered the Observatory and stepped 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," Heimdall threatened.

"I have no plans to die today," Thor said.

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

The Bifrost energy quickened along the Bridge as it fed into the Observatory.

Heimdall's Observatory

Heimdall turned his sword in the control panel and the Observatory's giant turret swung around and aimed towards a section of space.

As a final step, Heimdall plunged his sword deeper into the control panel. The great turret fired the rainbow light of Bifrost's energy blasted out from it. The Bifront opened at the end of the platform upon which Thor and his six comrades stood. "All is ready. You may pass," Heimdall said.

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

"To keep this bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it," Heimdall explained.

"Ah. Never mind, then," Volstagg said then Thor started towards the Bifrost then turned back to the others.

"Come on. Don't be bashful," Thor told them then the others joined him at his side before they stepped towards the Bifrost. Their bodies stretched towards the maelstrom, changed shaped as if every atom of their being was being elongated by the pull of it. Then they were jerked off the platform and inside the vortex.