Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Put on the suit, let’s go a few rounds” Steve sneered into Tony’s face.

At this point the tension in the room was causing Bruce’s mind to fog. Breathing became a chore and fuzz seemed to fill his ears. He briefly thought he’d heard Thor make a snide comment towards Stark and the Captain, however he couldn’t be sure as maintaining his emotional control had become his entire focus.

He’d just opened his mouth to confirm this fact to the others occupying the lab when a resounding CRACK filled air. In an instant he felt both his mind slip and his body freeze. Bruce’s legs and arms locked together causing him to fall to the ground. His mind, which had already been stressed, had snapped and the Hulk was currently fighting against the mental and physical paralysis. Then as soon as the transformation began it stopped. A soothing sensation seeped into his bones and sleep took over.

The others in the room had all readied their weapons the instant the noise interruption had sounded, only to have said weapons fly out of their hands. They’d turned around to confront the intruder to find that a man had somehow entered the lab undetected.

The man in question had wild midnight black hair that swept down to just past his shoulders. Half pulled back in braids, keeping his face clear. The only visible blemish on the man was a scar on the left side of his face. It shot in a lightning bolt pattern across his forehead and down across his eye. Fierce, calculating green eyes swept the room. He was dresses in armor that resembled something similar to Thor’s. Thick leathers in a slate grey with onyx colored plates strategically placed for protection. His midnight black cape shimmered with an almost blue hue and seemed to sweep the ground in an imaginary breeze. He was tall, similar if not equal to Thor and held strong, handsome features. There was an almost etherealness to him. Even more so than the two known Asgardian’s held.

His belt held one noticeable weapon. A sword with a ruby encrusted handle, though no one in the lab presumed this to be the only weapon this person held.

With the shock of the intrusion slowly fading through the space, it was Fury that broke the silence.

“And who are you?” The director’s voice was firm. Years of training kept the man seemingly calm in even the most dire of situations. However, it was Thor that spoke the answer.

“Brother?”

The man in question regarded the Asgardian severely before answering. “Thor.” His voice matched his appearance. The deep, smooth baritone commanded attention even when speaking one syllable. “Mother sends her regards.”

The minds of the others in the space were reeling. Did he say brother?

“The Allfather requested my assistance in returning our wayward brother back to Asgard. His schemes as of late have gone too far and it seems you are unable to handle the simple tasks appointed to you.” Thor had actually looked bashful at the accusations.

The man took a moment to look around the room.

“I take it this is the team assigned to assist you with the task?” The unnamed Asgardian’s eyes rolled over each of the Avengers before settling on the form of Bruce still lying on the floor. “I apologize for the unexpected intrusion. However, as this is a matter of urgency, I felt practicality overruled decorum.”

Both Natasha and Fury, being the closets, stepped protectively over to Bruce’s sleeping form.

“Have no worry regarding your scientist. I placed a strong sleeping spell over your companion. This way we’re are able to discuss matters without worry of any… emotional disturbance.”

“I’m sorry but who exactly are you?” The question came from Steve who was still standing next to Tony. The latter held a calculating look.

“Apologies, I am Prince Haraldr Odinson God of Magic and Master over Death.” Haraldr gave them a brief moment to ingest the information before turning towards his brother again. “Tell me what you can of Loki’s current plans. I assume the Tesseract is currently in his possession?”

“Not exacly, he obtained it while the Midgardian’s were testing its qualities.” Thor readily explained. “I believe they were looking for way to harness its power. They unknowingly sent a signal that attracted Loki to the Tesseracts whereabouts.” It was almost laughable how quick Thor was to metaphorically throw the rest of them under the bus. “Loki sent it off with those under his control. We know not of its current location.”

The rest of the Avengers watched as Haraldr’s strong jaw noticeably clenched. “When will mortals learn that some objects weren’t meant for their use.” As he said this, he unconsciously spun a black stoned ring on his finger.

It was at this point that Fury decided he’d been quiet long enough. “Now who exactly do you think you are coming in here and telling us what we should and shouldn’t mess with?”

“I’m the one that’s going to fix the mess that you caused.” A new fire seemed to light in Haraldr’s eyes, “Have you any idea what exactly it is that you were experimenting on? That if put in the wrong hands the safety of not only this world but billions of worlds across the universe would be affected.” Haraldr stopped to regain emotional control. “The Tesseract is much more than a simple power source. The fact that you mortals see it as such is precisely why it will be returning to Asgard with me and my siblings once this ordeal is dealt with.”

“Now wait here just a moment…”

However, the director’s words went unregarded as Haraldr returned his gaze to Thor ignoring the rest in the room. “Answer whatever questions they have Brother and wait for my instruction. In the meantime, I am going to speak with Loki and see if I am able to find clarity into what precisely is going on in our brothers mind.”

He turned to walk out the doors however he stopped right before existing. “By the way Director, you’ll find an aircraft full of your men suspended in the air not far outside range of this Helicraft. I believe them to be the ones previously held under the control of my youngest brother. You might look into checking on them. Mind control can take quite the toll on a human body.”

With that he swept from the room, cloak blowing behind him.

----

It took all of three seconds for Fury radio to Hill and order her check into the situation that Haraldr mentioned. He then turned to Thor and demand an explanation.

“Haraldr is the oldest son of Odin and Frigga. He is greatly skilled in both Seidr and battle—”

“—so a more powerful Loki?” Rogers interrupted.

“Have care how you speak. Haraldr holds more honor in one hand than even you hold in your entire being, Captain.” Thor spoke fiercely of his older brother. “Haraldr has long been my father’s favorite son. Father has been grooming him to take over the throne for many centuries. His power reaches levels that Loki could only dream of. The two have always shared a strong bond but Loki’s always known not to cross our brother, for he would surely lose.”

“Then why not send him right away?” Natasha questioned. “If they’re as close as you say wouldn’t Haraldr have been the obvious choice to stop Loki?

“Haraldr has been away from Asgard for close to a century now. The Allfather gifted him a sector of Alfheim to rule over until Odin is ready to step down in his role as King of the Nine Realms.” Thor explained to his companions. “The light-elven army of Alfheim that is under the command of Haraldr is easily the most feared in all of the Nine Realms. The demands required to manage such an army have kept him away from our family and out of contact until recently. I also have already had contact with Midgard before Loki decided to make his return here. Along with the fact that Haraldr is not overly fond of traveling to this Realm”

“What do you mean by that?” It was Tony that questioned this time. The genius had been shockingly quiet up until this moment. “What would Boy Wonder have against Earth?”

Thor regarded his new comrade closely before choosing to ignore the disrespectful nickname and continuing, “Haraldr has his reasons for regarding Midgard with caution. More importantly, now that he is here, we should have little trouble managing Loki from this point on.”

Before any of the other Avengers could comment farther Hill entered the lab, “Director Fury, the information was correct. All of the agents Loki took over have returned and seem to have control over their own minds.” She then directed her focus to Natasha, “Barton’s asking for you.”

Without another word Natasha, Fury, and Coulson filed out of the room and headed to the medical unit. A few minutes later two men came in to collect Bruce's continued sleeping form leaving Tony, Steve, and Thor to silently mull-over everything that was discussed.

----

Down in the holding chamber Loki stood, mentally calculating the chaos that should be starting at any moment. He’d planned everything accordingly and a mind-controlled Clint Barton should detonating his arrow right about...

“I’ve already stopped the explosion for happening Loki.”

Loki’s blood ran cold at the smooth tone of voice. He knew instantly that his moment was over. There never was any use in fighting Haraldr to begin with. However, Loki wasn’t ready to backdown quite yet. Keeping his back turned he chose to goad his oldest brother before the inevitable was sure to take place.

“Odin must have had faith in me succeeding in my tasks to find it necessary to send you.” Loki was proud that he’d managed to keep his voice steady as he spoke. Turning around slowly Loki briefly regarded his brother. Haraldr looked just as he always had. Strong, terrifyingly stoic, regal, and ominous as ever. “He must be desperate.”

“Perhaps so. Or perhaps I demanded to be sent down here to stop my favorite brother from possibly ruining himself forever.” A light layer of magic sizzled around the air. “Tell me brother, what exactly were you hoping to achieve here? Did you truly expect to win against all of Midgard’s armed forces?”

“I would have if you hadn’t interfered” Loki almost sneered. “I’ve changed Brother. The power I now wield is stronger than ever before. The army I command; more powerful than even that of yours. I hold true power now Haraldr, Thor and his little mortal companions never would have stood a chance.”

“Ah yes,” Haraldr spoke as he magically stepped his way into the cell, “this extra power you wield. Just exactly where did you receive such a gift”

“My benefactor gave it to me.” Haraldr was looking directly into Loki’s eyes at this point.

“Yes, your benefactor.” Haraldr was now within arm’s reach of Loki by this point. Haraldr’s shrewd gazed caused an almost uneasy feeling to settle into the pit of Loki’s stomach. “Tell me Loki, when exactly was it that the God of Mischief fell into another’s trap?”

Before Loki could even think of a response Haraldr placed a hand on his forehead. Instantly there was a flash of blue combined with a sharp pain, and then the blackness of unconsciousness overtook him.

----

A/N Hello Everyone! I’m here again with a story that’s been sitting in my brain for YEARS. I’ve always loved Harry Potter/Thor crossovers and really enjoy the idea of Harry being taken in by Odin before Thor or Loki were even in the picture. I think Harry and Thor both have the bravery and heart of Gryffindors, but Harry also knows and understands Slytherins enough to be exactly what Loki might have needed while growing up. The perfect big brother to them both!

This is my first multi-chapter fic so bear with me. Also, this is only my third fic ever posted and it is 100% completely un-betaed so I apologize for any possible mistakes. Let me know your thoughts! Any and all comments are helpful!

Chapter Text

The entirety of the Golden City was feasting in celebration of victory. The Warriors Three were recounting the tale of their valiant efforts in the defeat of the Destroyer on Midgard. Volstagg was waving the cooked leg of some animal around, demonstrating exactly how he had swung his mighty battle axe at the feared enemy. Those around him stared in awe of his bravery, laughing when both Hogun and Fandral stepped in to add their parts as well.

Thor walked past. Smiling at his friends’ dramatic reenactments. He’d stopped to briefly approach his mother, Queen Frigga. As he made to leave the celebration a resounding CRACK shook the foundation of the palace walls.

Instantly, the joyous celebration ceased, and a hollowed silence swept over the hall.

Thor felt his heart drop into his stomach and looking into the eyes of his mother he could tell she wasn’t faring much better. Taking ahold of her hand they, both exited the Feasting Hall. Neither knowing exactly what they would come upon once reaching their destination.

Making way towards Odin’s private observatory the two hadn’t even fully approached the scene when they heard the outraged voice of one that both Thor and the Queen longed and grieved for at the same time.

“Why wasn’t I told? You knew you were gearing for Odin’s Sleep. I should have been informed.” The voice wasn’t yelling. No, instead it was seething. “As next in line, I should have been the one to take over reign until you again awakened.”

“Thor deserved the opportunity to manage the kingdom in my stead.” The voice of the Allfather did not sound nearly as convincing as Thor believed his father meant to.

“Thor is incapable of managing even himself,” Thor looked down at this comment. Cursing his involvement that lead to these events. “Even if that truly was your plan, the moment you decided to banish him to Midgard, the next course of action should have been to send word to me.”

“There was more to consider at the time than making sure you were kept informed of the happenings in Asgard.”

“Had you not been so blind to what was staring you in the face perhaps you would have realized that contacting me was the wisest course of action!”

“Don’t forget who you’re speaking to, Haraldr” The Allfather’s voice was beginning to raise. “Regardless of if you agree with my decisions or not, I am still your father and King of the Nine Realms.”

“It has been many centuries since I have agreed with a single decision of yours.” Magic was beginning to crack in the air. “Never have you hidden anything from me. Especially when it involved Loki.” It was barely noticeable, but the voice of the powerful sorcerer broke at the mention of his deceased brother’s name.

“Was it not you that stated you were too occupied to worry yourself with all of the happenings in the Golden City, even to attend Asgard’s Thorrablot celebrations.”

“Yes, because I am expected to drop everything to celebrate the remedial adventures of my younger brother and his merry band of followers.”

Embarrassment coursed through Thor at his brother’s statement. Looking back, he was ashamed of the arrogance that had filled his head only a week ago. So much had changed in so little time.

“Thor and the Warriors Three, along with Lady Sif, deserved those celebrations.” Odin argued back. “It is due to their efforts that Asgard has remand prot ected from harm.”

“And what of Loki?” Haraldr shot back. “He was there on those conquests as well. Are you stating that his heroics were less?”

“Thorrablot is to celebrate the conquests of the sword not the conquests of the seidr.”

“You’ve always done this.” Haraldr found himself needing to back away from his father or else he would not be able to control his actions. “You’ve always belittled his accomplishments in favor of raising Thor to shine.” Again, Thor felt shame rush through him. If it hadn’t been for his mother’s firm hands on his arm, he would have either stepped in to cease the quarrel or walked away to stew in his shame.

“Before Thor and Loki, you taught me that magic was a warrior’s greatest secret weapon. You praised my accomplishments in both the sword and seidr. Yet when your two youngest sons are involved only Thor had the right to praise. And why? Because a piece of metal deemed him worthy?”

“Do not allow your grief to disrespect Thor in these ways,” Odin practically growled. “Loki made his choice that day. He set the Jotuns loose on Asgard. Had he not, perhaps the truth would have remained secret.”

“That’s your solution to all of this?” Shock was evident in Haraldr’s voice. “You continue to claim that keeping the truth behind his birth a secret to be the best choice? It was that decision alone that has led to us standing here today!”

“The people of Asgard would have never accepted Loki had they known the truth of his race.”

“The people of Asgard never accepted Loki because even their king acted as if his achievements were never a match to those around him. That he was lesser due to preferring the practices of seidr over sparring with a sword,” the angry warrior threw back.

Haraldr’s breathing was becoming more labored, “You should have told him what he was from the beginning. All of this could have been prevented if only you had been forthcoming with the truth. If Asgard could accept a Midgardian teen wizard as one of their own, then they certainly would have accepted a frost giant all the same. All it took was the Allfather claiming me as his son and all questions ceased. Why could the same truth not be made for Loki?”

Thor was shocked by his brother’s words. ‘Haraldr had known all along?’ He looked to Frigga for confirmation only to see regret settled in her normally kind eyes.

“Not even my influence would have been enough to keep Loki safe from others had they known the truth. Asgardian prejudice against Jotuns holds too strong for even my authority to carve a dent. No, the truth needed to stay hidden.” Odin turned to face the open balcony; taking in the city below. “Quarreling over this matter will not change the circumstances. It’s best we let it rest.”

“Of course,” Haraldr scoffed, “never willing admit to the wrongs you’ve made. Your carelessness great Odin, The Allfather of the Nine Realms, brought the death of your son. The death of my brother! And you’re just going to let it rest?”

“As I’ve stated, I cannot change what occurred and I am finished discussing the matter with you at this time.”

“We’re not even close to being finished here,” pure anger seeped from Haraldr. “I wasn’t able to be there for Loki in the ways that he deserved while he was alive, but I will be damned to the deepest levels of Hel before I allow you to brush this aside.”

“Haraldr—”

“NO! You judged Loki more than anyone else. You accepted him as your son with the plans to use him as a pawn in your political games. You never cared for him in the ways a father does his child.”

“You dare state that I did not love my son?”

“If you held even a single ounce of love for Loki in your being, he wouldn’t have harnessed the desire to release the Jotuns on Asgard. He wouldn’t have felt the need to fight against Thor!” Arms gesturing to Thor finally signaling that the king and oldest prince were even aware of his presence. “The Bifrost wouldn’t have been destroyed. He wouldn’t have fallen off the edge…He wouldn’t have let go! He’d be here! He’d be safe! He’d…”

Haraldr’s throat no longer allowed him to speak. The emotions he’d pushed aside since receiving the news of his brother’s death suddenly flooded him. A tear stung his eye and he backed away from Odin in an attempt to collect himself.

Thor was shocked. Never in all his life had he ever witnessed his strong, powerful, warrior of a brother break. Not even slightly. Yet, here he was barely containing his grief at the loss of Loki.

“My son…” Odin attempted comfort however Haraldr wasn’t having it.

“NO!” The green-eyed sorcerer breathed deeply, “No…”

Haraldr turned and made to exit the viewpoint platform. He walked over to Frigga who wrapped her arms around his solid form. Haraldr returned the gesture, holding his mother in a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry Mother.” He whispered her ear. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

“Do not” Frigga whispered firmly, “Oh my son, do not do this to yourself.”

Pulling back Haraldr regarded his remaining brother. Placing a firm hand on Thor’s shoulder the two shared a look that only the two grieving brothers new the meaning behind.

He then walked away. Thor had made to follow him but was again halted by his mother’s firm hand.

“Leave him to take his time and grieve in peace my dear.” Frigga spoke while watching the retreating form of her oldest son. “Time heals many wounds as you know Thor, and Haraldr has experienced death on levels many of us could not even fathom. However, it is this that will stay with him. He will come to you when he is ready.”

Thor sighed but resigned to heed to his mother’s words.

-----

It had been two years since that had all taken place. Just a Frigga had stated, Haraldr had approached Thor and the two had been able to discuss the matters regarding the tragic events and what had led to them.

Thor had promised his older brother to learn all that he could, to experience more than just the thrill of adventure but honest humbleness and all that it takes to be a true leader of Asgard.
Now he stood observing the medical unit run by the med-agents of S.H.I.E.LD. running around the room collecting samples from those that had been taken by Loki.

He did not pretend to understand all of the technical terms being spoken by the doctors that had approached the Avengers team, explaining the currently known information. All he cared to know was they were under his brother’s control, now they weren’t, and that Haraldr had been the one to break whatever spell had held them captive. Simple enough in his mind.

The Asgardian was comfortable standing off to the side, allowing the Midgardian healers to do their work when the main doors leading out of the unit burst open revealing Haraldr standing with one of Loki’s arms draped around his shoulders, half dragging half carrying the other god into the medical wing. Many of the agents standing about the room readied their weapons training them on the two gods.

“Clear me a bed.” The God of Magic demanded ignoring the many guns currently directed his way.

No one moved at the god’s words. They all simply stared at him. Eyes mainly focused on the unconscious God of Mischief that was supposed to be hold in a protective cell.

“I repeat, clear me a bed,” Haraldr again demanded. “NOW! He’s in need of healing.”

Hearing this Thor jumped in to assist his older brother in carrying Loki’s weight. However, he was the only one. Everyone else looked to Fury for direction. When he said nothing Haraldr was left with attempting a different approach.

“He’s unconscious,” reason seemed like the best alternative. “Please, he’s in dire need of medical attention.”

Fury continued to say nothing but nodded to a doctor in the farthest corner of the room to clear the bed in front of him and allow Haraldr and Thor to dispose their brother across its surface.

“Brother, what’s happened?” Thor watched as Haraldr ripped open Loki’s top exposing his chest. Shock over took his mind when he witnessed large bruises littering practically every square inch of Loki’s chest. “Loki…” The word came out in a whisper.

Wounds like this were not common to an Asgardian such as Loki and his two brothers. The repeated force needed to implement injuries such as these would have to be insurmountable.
Either Haraldr did not hear Thor’s question or he was simply choosing to ignore him. Instead he slid his right hand over the vambrace on his left arm. Seemingly out of nowhere the God of Magic pulled out a long thin piece of wood. Looking around the room Haraldr again landed his eyes on the Director.

“Is there any Midgardian healing treatment for dehydration?” He maintained the same tone which had allowed Loki a bed, “My brother has extensive internal bleeding and bruising. I am able to magically repair the majority of it but he’s currently too dehydrated for any of my work to stabilize him. A cold solution would be best if possible.”

Fury wasn’t quite sure what was coming over him. Perhaps it was because this Loki did not look at all like the Loki he had encountered when he had first been brought upon the Helicarrier, but he found himself again nodding to the same doctor. After which, the doctor readied an IV filled with saline previously kept in an icebox.

Once the doctor had set the IV and stepped away from this brother’s form, Haraldr jumped into work. Waving, what the others in the room could only categorize as a wand, over the God of Mischief’s form, the God of Magic began speaking in a foreign language.

Natasha, who had been sitting with Clint almost believed it to sound similar to Latin.

Blue and green swirls began to cover Loki’s body. Seeping into his skin and spreading throughout his chest and down into his limbs. The air grew heavy as the powerful sorcerer continued to chant his spells. Everyone in the room was still. Completely focused on observing actual magic.

The bruises and cuts littering Loki’s body visibly began to heal. Leaving behind little to no evidence that they had ever been present.

Time seemed to slow but eventually, a visibly warn Haraldr stopped chanting and stepped away from his work.

Slowly, Thor approached his older brother. “Have you finished?”

“For now, yes.” The other god confirmed. “He is currently not in any physical harm.”

“Then now would be a good time to explain exactly how you managed to free our prisoner from his containment cell.” Fury had been quiet until this moment; allowing Haraldr space to heal this brother.

Haraldr considered the Director briefly before providing his answer. “It is quite humorous that you believe your security able to contain my magic. I simply pulled him out after breaking whatever spell had been taking hold over his mind.”

“Haraldr?”

“What spell?”

The two questions were spoken at the same time by both Thor and Steve.

Haraldr returned his gaze to the slumbering form of his youngest brother. “It seems as if your agents were not the only ones under the mental control of another Director.” Haraldr paused briefly to collect his thoughts, “Whomever it was, their control over Loki’s mind was strong. I doubt he’ll even remember the events that have taken place here on Midgard.”

“Are you stating that Loki is innocent brother?” Hope seemed to fill the God of Thunder’s body.

“I am not sure Thor,” Haraldr dared not lean too heavily on the idea of hope, “We’ll not know more until Loki awakens.”

“And when will that be exactly.” Fury approached the two brothers. “I cannot have a borderline terrorist out of his containment unit on a hunch that he might be innocent.”

“We’ll be finding out now Director,” Haraldr stated as he walked back to the still form of his slumbering brother. “Have no worry, he contains no weapon and will still be too weak physically to cause anyone harm.”

Haraldr again placed a hand over Loki’s forehead.

Immediately, Loki shot up and grabbed the closest being to him, pinning his captor to the ground. Loki’s panicked green eyes scanned the room. Slowly, confusion over took him and he looked down at the one under him. He shot back immediately when steady emerald green eyes stared back into his own.

“Haraldr?” The question came out in a whisper. Loki’s eyes tore around the room. He spotted his other brother standing nearby along with dozens of unknown faces. Turning back to his oldest brother he asked, “what is happening?”

Placing a comforting hand on the side of Loki’s face Haraldr answered, “You’re safe Loki.”

A/N CHAPTER TWO!! I really wanted to dive a little into the Asgard side of this story. I like the idea that Loki gets a little bit of his confidence and ability to stand up to Odin from Haraldr. So, I decided to just go for it in this chapter. It’s WAY longer than I expected it to be, though I would LOVE for the majority of the chapters to hold some length (gotta make it worth it for the readers) but I wanted to get to this point sooner rather than later.

Also, Thorrablot, or Þorrablót, is apparently an Icelandic celebration of the Month of Thor. Since Haraldr is next in line for the throne Loki would have needed a different celebration to interrupt.

Anyway, I really hope you like this! All of your encouraging words have meant SO much to me! Comments and reviews are always appreciated!!

Chapter Text

His hand shook as the bottle refused to bend to his will. He’d been working all morning on a duplication spell he’d found in one of the books his mother had provided for his studies. He focused entirely on his seidr, feeling it build in his chest and willing it bend the natural energies around him to clone the simple glass vase.

However, no matter how many times he tried, the blasted bottle refused to multiply as it should.

“Aargh!” an eleven-year-old Loki threw himself to lean against the back of the settee, and grabbed the ancient tome laid out on the table. His eager green eyes scanned the text to find if there was anything he was missing.

“You’re trying too hard brother,” Loki’s attention instantly shot to the voice. Looking up, he found the form of his oldest brother leaning against the doorframe to his living chambers.

Loki huffed as Haraldr approached. “Have years of battles and conquest damaged your mind or are you simply unaware of what privacy is?”

“Oh, touchy today, are we?” Haraldr smirked at his youngest brother’s remark. “I apologize, I had knocked but received no answer.”

“And it had not registered to you that perhaps my not answering was an answer in itself?” The young sorcerer sniped. “It’s likely I was simply ignoring you.”

“It is possible,” the older agreed, “however I’d been standing in that doorway for over twenty minutes, and not once did your attention break from that bottle.” Loki’s ears turned slightly pink at the knowledge of his brother having witnesses how long he’d been failing at his task. “Besides, when have you ever denied your favorite brother of your company.” As he said this Haraldr joined Loki on the settee and wrapped a strong arm around his brother’s leaner frame.

Rolling his eyes at the exaggerated affection “Must you?” Turning slightly out of the touch Loki returned his attention to the spell book, “I’m studying, if you hadn’t noticed.”

“What is it that you are working on?” Haraldr asked while too peering into the text, “perhaps I could be of some assistance.”

“I do not need assistance,” Loki practically sneered. “If I can teach myself to turn into a serpent by the mere age of eight, I most certainly am able to master a measly duplication spell now.”

 Haraldr looked at his brother. He often forgot just how young he truly was. His power was strong already and he possessed talents in areas of magic that Haraldr, himself had only just been introduced to when at the same age; and beyond if he was completely honest with himself. Having been introduced to the craft at such an early age greatly benefited Loki’s progress.

Despite the many tricks Loki enjoyed playing on their brother and his small group of friends, the natural magical gifts that the youngest of Odin’s sons possessed often matured him in Haraldr’s eyes.

However, it was moments like this that reminded him that no matter how clever his youngest sibling was, he was still a child.

“I am only stating that as the God of Magic, I might be able to offer counsel.”

Loki kept his gaze on the text but scoffed a reply, “I may not be a god of the craft, but I am far from a simpleton when it comes to the art of magic.”

Shaking his head, Haraldr stood and walked across the room to a large bookcase that overtook the far wall of Loki’s living quarters. He scanned his eyes over the many tomes filling the shelves. Books on the topics of magic and Asgardian history, along with the histories of the other nations of the Nine Realms, filled the massive shelves; many of which Haraldr had provided to his fellow sorcerer. “You know, I once knew a wizard so talented in the arts of potions he was able to bewitch the mind and ensnare the sense. He could bottle fame and brew glory. I even knew him to be able to put a stopper to death with an ease unparalleled to any other potions master in exisitance.”^1**

Haraldr then turned and walked over to the glass floor to ceiling windows to that lead out to Loki’s balcony. Observing the vast landscapes of Asgard he continued, “I knew another that was deeply knowledgeable and tactile in the talent of charms. So much so that he was able to teach the most advanced skills to children with an unpracticed facility. And one that was incapable of even the most novice of spells yet could out preform most anyone when it came to memory charms. I myself have always favored defensive magic to most other forms.”

Loki enjoyed these rare moments. It was not often that Haraldr would speak of his past experiences. The young sorcerer could only recount two previous times that Haraldr had spoken of anything regarding his prior life. “Why are you mentioning this?”

Haraldr turned back to face Loki, “To show you that every wizard, even the greatest of Asgardian sorcerers has a niche.” He smiled at young brother and continued, “You my brother are perhaps the most talented magical being I have ever come across when it comes to the art of transfiguration.” Honest pride shone in the god’s eyes causing a corner of Loki’s mouth to raise slightly. “It comes as naturally to you as breathing. As you stated before, you taught yourself to transform into a snake at the age of eight, and now three years later I would be hard pressed to find a form that you are unable to take.”

Loki felt the need to look away from his brother. He was not accustomed to such praise being directed his way, especially concerning his magic.

 “However, you are far from being a master of your craft.”

The words were spoken firmly, causing Loki to raise his green eyes to meet those of Haraldr.

“I do not flaunt my given title because I wish to revel in my power and accomplishments. On the contrary I was purely informing you that should you need or want assistance I would be more than pleased offer it.”

Loki sat, taking in what his brother had said. When he continued to keep silent Haraldr smiled once more and made to leave the room.

“Think it over brother. I have some time left before I am due back in conference with Father.”

Before he even made it half way to the door he was stopped.

 “—if you did have any suggestions,” The voice almost sounded pained, “what might they be?”

Smirking slightly to himself, Haraldr steadied his face again before turning back to give his response, “As I stated before you are naturally talented in art of self-transfiguration, I’ve even noticed your skills in object transfiguration becoming more, and more subtle.” Again, the pride in his voice, while not showing itself outright, was noticeable. “However, you are trying to maneuver your seidr the same way you would for those spells to preform charms such as those contained in that book.” As he said this, he wordlessly summoned the text into his hand and opened it to the page his brother had previously been studying.

“Come stand by me.”

Loki stood and made his way over at his mentor’s request. Standing next to his brother Loki truly felt their size difference. While Loki was by no means small for his young age, Haraldr still towered over him; Loki’s head not quite yet reaching his brother’s shoulder. The older sorcerer turned Loki’s body around to again face the table where the empty bottle still sat.

“Alright Loki, tell me, where do you feel your seidr when you are preforming your spell work?”

Loki concentrated on building his seidr to form inside him. He felt it collect in the center of his chest. Putting a hand over where he sensed it growing, he muttered a simple, “Here.”

“Alright, now try to perform this charm the way you have been. After a moment describe how your seidr feels.”

Again, Loki concentrated on his seidr. It continued to build in his chest yet when he focused on pushing his magic out combined with muttering the enchantment it remained stubbornly inside of him. “It’s pooling side of me. I can feel it, yet when I attempt to wield it to do as the enchantment indicates nothing happens.”

“You’re saying it’s idling?”

“Yes, just sitting there.”

Haraldr nodded, “It’s because that is where your seidr is used to collecting to preform your shape-shifting abilities.” The god explained, “Your magic needs to stay within your core to transfigure your body into that of something else. This, however, is a charm used to effect external properties. In turn you need to push your magical core into a more concentrated area.

“Try again, and this time focus on moving your seidr through your arm and into your hand,” the god suggested, “Once you feel it start to pool there, say the incantation firmly, and direct it all towards the bottle.”

Loki steadied his stance, raised his hand, and focused his eyes on the bottle. Concentrating, he again felt his magic build up and pool inside his chest. Taking a breath, he then focused on pushing it down and through his arm as his brother advised. Finally feeling it collect in his palm Loki firmly voiced, ‘Endurtaka Aftur.’ He watched as the bottle shimmered in a green glow before a second, identical, glass bottle materialized next to the original.

A gasped laugh escaped Loki as he walked over to the table and picked up the new bottle. He looked back to his brother to find a wide and proud smile to have formed on the warrior’s face.

“Fantastic Loki!” Haraldr walked over to Loki and threw his arm back around his little brother’s shoulders. “Remember that feeling brother. Harness what you just felt, and you’ll never struggle with your spell casting again.”

 Loki allowed himself the moment to bask in the praise being directed at him. He wondered briefly if this was how Thor felt when Odin praised his growing weaponry and sparring skills. He pushed those thoughts aside however when his oldest brother spoke again.

“Come brother, I know of a vanishing spell that I’m sure you’ll pick-up on no time at all.”

------

 That had been the turning point in Haraldr’s relationship with his youngest brother. From that moment on Haraldr was committed to taking Loki under his wing. He was dedicated to teaching Loki the mystic arts in every form imaginable. He’d even taken over managing his younger brother’s physical training and sparring lessons. Over the centuries the two built a semi-formal master and apprentice bond unrivaled to any other in all of Asgard.

Haraldr insisted on Loki accompanying him on his diplomatic endeavors and was the one to encourage Loki to focus on perfecting his talents as a sorcerer and leave his equal leveled fighting skills to be his secret weapon. “Remember Loki, the measure of a great warrior is not in the power of his swing but in the shrewdness of his mind.”

Of course, that all changed once Odin declared Haraldr to be the one to rule over the newly negotiated Asgardian territory of Alfheim.

“He cannot go with you,” the Allfather had been firm, “He is still a Prince of Asgard, and it is high time he take on independent responsibilities as such.”

Once returning to Asgard after receiving news of Loki’s fall, Haraldr had been crushed to hear of the struggles Loki had been having to deal with in his absence. Not only hearing of but witnessing the remarks that Thor’s closest friends made in regard to the fallen sorcerer were enough to send a sword through his heart. Of course, the majority of those comment ceased after Volstagg found himself being thrown through a wall after mentioning that Loki’s ‘little tricks’ were nothing more than feminine child’s play. No one dared cross Asgard’s most powerful warrior after that.

Immediately after Heimdall informed him of Loki’s return to Midgard, the God of Magic did not request permission to retrieve his youngest brother but demanded approval from the king. After asking Heimdall for the specific whereabouts of his two siblings he apparated directly onto the Helicarrier.

Now, Haraldr once again found himself standing in a doorway while his youngest brother ignored his presence, favoring to stare out the window instead of acknowledging the company. Director Fury had confined Loki to a housing until it was determined if that the youngest Asgardian could be trusted.

The silence did not last long however, eventually Loki’s smooth baritone voice coldly rang through the space, “You’ve known all this time?”

Taking that as his invitation to enter, Haraldr sighed and decided full transparency would be the only acceptable approach to handling this conversation.

“Of course, I knew Loki, I was there when you were found.”

Instantly, the Frost Giant whirled around, shock and more than a slight amount of betrayal clear in his eyes.

“I was there for all of it Loki, you know this. I fought in all of the great battles against the Frost Giants and I was there on Jotunheim fighting alongside Odin when he finally overpowered Laufey.” Haraldr’s voice was as strong and smooth as it normally was, “However, it was after the battle had been won, and the Casket collected, that I took notice of the Allfather’s absence. I found him in the remains of a temple holding a Jotun baby.” It was here that Haraldr needed to pause for a moment. The memories of that moment flooded his mind and pinned into his core. “Loki you could not have been more than mere hours old.”

“Yes,” Loki seethed, “the measly runt sired by Laufey and left to die in disgrace.”

“By the time I had approached, Odin had already started placing a strong glamor over your natural appearance.” The older of the two continued, “I remember watching your eyes change from bright red to green.”

Two pairs of green eyes met across the room, “I had even offered to take you in as my own,” Haraldr continued, “However, Odin denied my proposal, stating that, ‘No, the son of a king should be raised by a king.’” his voice sounding slightly bitter even to his own ears.

Loki was genuinely shocked to by what his brother had stated. His mind was reeling with what ifs of how his life could have been had Odin granted Haraldr his request.  

“And you never once felt that I deserved to know?”

“Understand this brother, I always believed you deserved to know the truth from the start,” the statement was firm.

“Then explain to me why it was kept hidden, like a shameful secret, by even you! The honorable warrior God of Magic.” Loki’s calm had deserted him.

“Do not make me out to be above others Loki,” Haraldr tried to reason, “Had I been able to I would have bared this to you at the first opportunity.”

“What, were you waiting on the perfect occasion to arise?” Loki scorned, “For the moons and stars to align before exposing me as monster that I truly am?”

Faster than either of them believed possible Haraldr closed the space between them and grabbed onto Loki’s shoulders, forcing him to meet his eyes, “You listen to me, you are many things Loki, but a monster is not one of them.” When the younger attempted to twist out of his grasp Haraldr tightened his hold, “No! You are a powerful sorcerer, a shrewd diplomat, a silver-tongued menace, a powerful warrior, and the outright God of Mischief. You achieved all of this before you were even aware of truth. You consumed one of Idunn’s apples the same as I did, as Thor did, as Odin himself did! You are an Asgardian, the same as the rest of us! Do not belittle your accomplishments by hosting prejudice against the blood that flows through your veins.”

“Then WHY?” Loki exclaimed, pushing his brother back, “Why didn’t you tell me? Why follow along with Odin’s plans when you claim to so fiercely disagree with them?”

“Because I couldn’t Loki!” Haraldr finally shouted. “I physically couldn’t speak anything about it! Odin gave me an ultimatum on Jotunheim; swear an oath to keep the secret from all, including you, or forget finding you ever happened and be made to believe the lie told to everyone else.”

 Loki backed away farther breathing heavily at what was just told to him. He felt his hate for the Allfather of Asgard grow even more.

“I’ve explained Wizard’s Oaths to you before,” the God of Magic continued, “even a verbal agreement is considered binding.”

“So, what you’re forbidden from unfolding the truth and in turn you allow him to carry on with his plans to raise me as a pawn in his political schemes?”

“Watch yourself Loki,” Haraldr’s tone sharpened, “Do not forget who exactly it is you are talking to. I was raised as a pawn to a game far greater than anything you could possibly comprehend. In turn, I made sure Odin’s initial plans regarding your future were never to arise. That peace instead of unity between Asgard and Jotunheim was more preferable and that decisions regarding your future were left alone.”

“That never changed his true opinion though. All my life I’ve been third best. My achievements never amounting to the levels of you or Thor in the eyes of the great Allfather. That no matter how much he claimed to love ME, a Frost Giant would never be good enough in his eyes to bless the halls of Asgard!” Tears of anger pooled in Loki’s eyes, yet refused to fall. “Always the one left alone, fending for himself while the others bask in the praise of the Allfather! Odin has never been a proper father to me, and it all makes sense now. It is not his blood that courses through my veins; we were never family to begin with.”

“ENOUGH!” Haraldr could hear no more, “I have grown tired of your dramatics. You no longer wish to claim yourself a son of Odin, fine. But how dare you claim that family is based off blood alone!”

Cold fury filled the powerful sorcerer at the words he was hearing, “For over a thousand years I have assisted in raising, teaching, mentoring, and advising you. During every one of those years you were aware that our blood was not the same, yet still you called me brother. You might be the God of Lies, Loki but it was I that taught you to detect a them. I was the one that pushed you in your studies and praised you in your many accomplishments. I was the one that turned the other cheek when I caught you plotting against Thor and his friends. I was the one to teach you to fight with both a sword and magic. I was the one that took you under my wing to teach you the subtle arts of political games. I was the one to help mold you into the being that is standing before me. I was there in every stance of the word. Do not insult me this way Loki. Thor may have had Odin, brother, but you had me.”

A/N Oh. My. Word! I have been SO stressed out over this chapter! Getting this interaction right was instrumental in setting the stage going forward. I hope I made you all proud with the outcome! Finally, the majority of the backstory is laid! Always expect a few flashbacks to pop up, I have so much fun writing them, but for the most part this story can now start moving forward! As always thank you so much for your support and encouraging words! They truly mean more than you know!!

1** I of course have to Credit JK Rowling for the quote I pulled from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. 

Chapter Text

Before either could do more than stare at each other, a knock sounded on the door.

Agent Coulson entered candidly, taking note of both Asgardian’s defensive stances. The atmosphere in the room was tense and he could tell that he’d more than likely just interrupted a private moment between the two brothers.

“Director Fury is read to debrief Loki.”

He signaled out of the room and immediately two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents entered and headed over to one in question. Despite his ill-disposed expression, the younger of the two gods did not fight while having his hands bound to cuffs in front of his body.

“Is that truly necessary?” the older questioned

“Until the Director deems Loki to be innocent of the events he organized while under is alleged mind control, he will be detained as such.” Coulson explain, “He’s already lucky to be purely confided to a housing unit instead of being thrown back into his original containment cell.”

The two Asgardians were then led to the convening platform. Upon arriving they were met with Fury and the rest of the new formed Avengers team.

After being directed into a chair, Loki simply stared at the man leading his impending interrogation.

“Now would be where you explain yourself,” The Director stated flatly.

The God of Mischief considered Fury’s statement before smirking slightly to himself, “I’m aware of the process, Director. However, I’m unsure of what exactly it is that you’re expecting me to explain. As I’m told, my dear brother so kindly clarified earlier, I have no recollection of even arriving on your wretched little planet.”

“What is it with these guys and Earth, huh?” The smart comment coming from Tony standing off to the side of the room.

Ignoring the genius’s smart mouth, Fury considered the god’s statement, “Well how about this, explain what it is you do remember, because I can’t just accept the fact that thirty plus of my best agents were mind controlled for nothing.”

Loki’s overly confident demeanor changed ever so slightly, his jaw clenched briefly, and the thumb of his right hand subconsciously rubbed at his inner left wrist; a trait he’d picked up at the age of five. Haraldr being the only one able to catch the shift for what it meant. The others in the room simply expecting this to mean Loki knew more than he let on. The oldest brothers however knew this to mean he was uncomfortable, for he’d seen the small movement more than enough times while his younger brothers were children; it often occurred after Haraldr questioned his youngest brother about his sparing sessions. The God of Magic had thought his Loki had out grown the involuntary habit.

“I know not what to tell you Director. To the last of my knowledge I was still falling in the deep void of the universe,” Loki’s voice was growing cold, “If that information is of any use to you then by all means have at it.”

Fury started growing angry at the god’s, seemingly, lack of cooperation, “So, you’re telling me that not only do you have no idea how you got here, but you don’t even know why?”

“…yes.” The statement was flat.

“So, if I say the word Tesseract, that means nothing to you?” The Director had now placed both hands on the table, leaning his entire being into the conversation.

Loki considered what he’d just heard briefly before acknowledging Fury again, “Tesseract?” He paused for a moment thinking over the term, “It has been many centuries since the cube graced the halls of Asgard. Are you stating that it’s here on Earth?”

Haraldr could tell his brother was being cautious, not responding more than strictly necessary. It wasn’t in Loki’s character to stay mute. On more occasions than not it was his sarcasm more than his actions that got him in trouble. He more than suspected the spy could tell as well. Whether this was intentional, to keep information secret or not, was the question.

“Enough of the games Loki,” It was Thor’s voice that spoke, “If you cannot tell us what your mission was in coming to Earth, then at least be upfront about where you were before.”

“I cannot dear brother,” Loki’s smooth behavior was more than cracking at this point, “For as I stated before, to the last of my knowledge I was still falling.”

“So, the Chitauri army, you have no recollection of threatening us with them? You have no memory of your plans to reign king over Midgard and all its people?” The God of Thunder was growing frustrated.

“what reason would I ever have to plan supremacy over Earth?” The question was filled with more than a minute amount of disgust. “You brother are quite possibly the only Asgardian that holds any amount of regard for this Realm.”

Steve, tired of sitting around for answers, stepped in. “What about the Chitauri? If you can’t remember your mission regarding the Tesseract, what can you tell us about them?”

Loki took another moment to collect himself, “Other than knowing of their existence, I know not the correlation between me sitting here now and their being in the cosmos.”

Something was off, something was preventing Loki from speaking. Haraldr knew is youngest brother better than any other. Very little of Loki’s usual snide or shrewdness was present. He seemed almost nervous and on edge. Every time someone mentioned Loki’s past whereabouts, he answered in the simplest way possible, not outwardly lying but definitely not giving the whole truth. Almost as if he was physically unable to answer the questions the way he wanted to.

It then clicked almost instantly.

“Enough of this,” Haraldr intervened firmly, “As I stated before, the control over my brother’s mind was strong. Stronger than even that of your agents Director.” He aimed at Fury, “it is likely that no amount of questioning will allow Loki to recall any of the information you are trying to seek. Now please, either declare him innocent of his supposed crimes or not. This interrogation is moving us nowhere.”

Fury returned the god’s gaze and added, “and what exactly makes you the master in the knowledge of mind control?”

“I am a master of all form of magic Director, the God of it to be precise,” The god responded powerfully, “and that includes multiple forms of control over the mind.”

Fury strongly considered the Asgardian before looking to each of others in the room. Each and every one of their eyes held contemplation; an almost uneased questioning. However, with the information provided there was only one fair answer.

“He doesn’t get free reign, and one of you two,” He pointed to both Haraldr and Thor, “are to be with him at all times.”

While Loki looked slightly putout at not being completely trusted, the other two Asgardians thanked the director and moved towards Loki after Fury ordered his bindings to be released.

“Now, seeing as that’s over, Stark and Dr. Banner I want you back in the lab, I want to know everything about that Staff and see if anything of ours has tracked the cube yet, Romanoff take Barton to back to Medical; I want one more check to make sure he’d cleared, Thor take this one” pointing to Loki, “back to this housing unit, and you two,” directing his attention to both Rogers and Haraldr, “I want strategy on what we do next with the little information we do have.”

--------

Entering the housing unit officially assigned to Loki, Thor looked over to his brother. Truly taking the time to study him, Thor noticed that while Loki did look much healthier than he had before Haraldr’s treatment, he still looked quite unwell. Large bags were noticeable under his eyes and his skin, while usually slightly fairer than the average Asgardian, had taken on a tone that suggested he hadn’t seen sunlight in many months.

The Frost Giant, however, took the opportunity of being without a major audience and all but collapsed on the provided bed almost immediately upon entering the space. Ignoring his brother almost completely.

“I know not why you refused to speak truthfully brother,” Thor addressed, breaking the silence, “however, Haraldr is adamant of your innocence. I have never had reason to not trust our brother’s judgement Loki, I beg you not to give me reason to now.”

When Loki did not respond, Thor walked to a chair that was positioned by the small window in the space. Looking out at the small amount of sky visible he continued, “You stated the last you knew you were still falling…two years have passed since our battle on the Bifrost.”

He turned and looked at Loki who was still lying on the bed. His eyes were closed but Thor knew his brother was still listening to him. “I do not know what your true intentions of coming to Earth were brother, but I must beg you, please do not put yourself in a situation that causes us to lose you again. I fear Haraldr could not bear it a second time.”

It was here that Loki opened his eyes and regarded Thor with a slightly raised eyebrow, “hmm, did you all grieve for me?” He asked with in his trademark blasé manner.

“Do not mock this Loki. Never had I witnessed Haraldr act in such ways as he did once receiving news of your death.”

Remembering the discussion, he’d had with his oldest brother just before the debriefing with Fury, Loki was not completely surprised to hear that Haraldr might have shown actual emotion in regard to his supposed death. While still unsure of his feelings towards all of the information that had been thrown at him, Loki was positive in one fact; the fierce brotherly love between he and the God of Magic was strong and true.  

Taking the silence as disbelief, Thor firmly added, “It broke him Loki.”

Green eyes snapped to blue. Disbelief, and more than a slight amount of concern, filled Loki upon hearing this. Broke him. Haraldr was a warrior, he was the warrior. Death did not break him, it made him stronger. Knowing that his fallen comrades were feasting eternally in the grand halls of Valhalla kept him going, pushed him farther. Never once had he shed a tear, never once had he allowed emotion to fill him when dealing with the ghost that would eventually take them all.

“What do you mean by that?”

“He grieved for you brother,” Thor continued softly, the memories of the past hurting him all over again. “For days and weeks on end, anger consumed him. Rage towards Father for what he had put you through, for not being able to be there for any of us, for not being able to put an end to our madness before it began.” He took a moment, looking more thoughtful then Loki previously considered him able to, “He blamed himself Loki.”

Shaking his head slightly, the God of Mischief mumbled, “The idiot.”

A broken chuckle slipped through when agreeing, “Yes, he does seem to have an addiction of placing too much burden on his shoulders.”

The two gods looked at each other for a moment, both experiencing a novel feeling of protectiveness towards their oldest brother. “Promise me Loki, do not do this to him again.”

Loki was silent for a long moment before replying with a simple, “I shall do what’s in my power.”

Knowing that too be the most he would receiving form him, Thor rose from his seat and moved towards the door, “Good. Now get rest brother. For you look worse than Volstagg after his encounter with the bilgesnipe.”

Loki chuckled slightly at the brief memory before laying down again. A tentative calmness consuming him for the first time in longer than he could remember.

------

Once the team had split off the convening platform Fury, Rogers, and Haraldr had immediately jumped into discussion and strategy.

“What do we know about Dr. Selvig and the few unaccounted-for agents?” Steve directed the question to Haraldr, “You broke the control over the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that had been with Barton and most importantly Loki, shouldn’t that have broken the others as well?”

“Not necessarily. As I’ve stated, the hold over Loki was extremely strong. So strong that the magic was nearly undetectable. Loki wasn’t the one holding any actual control over your soldiers or Dr. Selvig. He was simply the puppet.” Haraldr’s stomach hurt simply speaking of what his brother had gone through. Mind control such as that came with severe consequences. “It is likely that breaking the link in Loki did nothing to break the link in them.”

Looking at the many charts in front of him Director Fury “We know he’s building another portal, but why?”

“To bring his army,” the Captain answered, “the Chitauri were going to win him reign over the Earth.”

“No. That was someone else’s promise to him. A reward.” Haraldr rebutted, “He was sent for something. Why else make him a puppet.”

“If he couldn’t get the job done, then they would send someone else that could.” Fury summarized.

“So, what would they want?” Steve asked, “What does Earth have that no one else does?”

Haraldr looked at the supposed Super Solider for a moment, “Are you serious?” Steve actually looked slightly confused at the question, “That,” stated the Asgardian pointing to a screen containing an image of the Tesseract, “is one of the most powerful tools in the universe. A great many beings would more than kill to gain possession over it and your director allowed a homing signal to sound throughout space.”

Haraldr turned his attention to Fury, “I believe Loki to have been a distraction. Whomever is after the Tesseract more than likely not only wants the Cube itself but is after the knowledge you’ve gained from studying it.”

Steve looked at the many screens holding information that he couldn’t process himself, however his conversations with Stark and Dr. Banner, along with the weapon he’d found in the S.H.I.E.L.D’s storage room drove him to address the situation head on, “I think it’s time for you to be completely honest with us Director.”

“I was honest earlier; we’re preparing ourselves against those that the Earth isn’t ready to fight.” Fury explained. “Yes, we were planning to build an arsenal with the Tesseract. That’s been our plan since obtaining it. The plans only moved faster two years ago after Thor’s visit.”

“The constant meddling of things you don’t understand is the mortal population’s greatest weakness.” The God aggrieved.

“Obtaining protection from tools of any kind in order to protect the world from all threats is S.H.I.E.L.D’s top priority.”

“The Tesseract contains magic that you could never possibly understand.” The god was being more and more fed-up with the ignorance of these mortals.

“Oh yes, I forgot I was speaking to the master of all forms of magic, himself,” Fury seemed just as agitated.

Brushing off the comment thrown at him Haraldr continued, “There are different forms of magic and seidr in all of the Nine Realms and beyond, but none as strong as what contained in that cube.”

“Yes, and Earth doesn’t have any to protect itself with naturally.” Fury shot back, “So excuse us if we try and harness a little while we can in order to protect ourselves.”

Haraldr let out a barking laugh at Fury’s comment, “Oh Director,” he stated shrewdly, “you are largely out of your league if you believe that to be true.”

A/N Hello again!! Wow!! Thank you all so much for the massive amounts of support this fic has gotten!! My heart is so full it could burst!!! I’m sorry it took so long to get this out, but I wanted to be happy with the product and though I struggled to get these interactions right I’m happy with where they’ve landed. This fic is un-betaed, so I apologized for anything I missed. I do constantly go in an edit when I find mistakes!

If anyone has been wondering this fic is posted both here AND on FFN.

Also, if anyone is curious, I’ve been gaining the majority of my inspiration from Audiomachine’s album Tree of Life. Check it out! It’s beautiful!!

Chapter Text

Briefly taking in both Fury and Steve’s more than slightly confused faces, noting that even the director seemed genuine in his expression, Haraldr moved to refocus the conversation. “We don’t have time for discussion such as this. We cannot change what has happened. It is time to move forward.”

Knowing the Asgardian was right the director simply agreed, “If Loki was a distraction, we need to know who and what we could end up fighting against.”

“Loki already said he can’t remember anything –” Steve had started; however, he was cut off by an irritated voice.

“Loki is no longer a resource regarding the past,” Fury spoke firmly, “we move on from that and simply need to be prepared for anything. We need to assume that a portal will be opened and be ready to stop whatever comes out of it.”

Happy that his youngest brother was now officially out of the spotlight, Haraldr agree with Fury’s words and moved to discuss defense planning and strategy. “Whomever is orchestrating all of this shows obvious disregard to the people of Earth. They have one simple goal in mind, and I believe that to be obtaining the Tesseract.”

 “How are they going to get the Tesseract if it’s being used to open a portal?” It was possibly Steve’s first intelligent thought all day.”

“I’ve been asking myself the same question,” The Asgardian sighed. “I believe that is why they needed Loki. Make the world focus on him as a villain and they would never notice another come in and take the Cube. We need to expect the main plan to go through. The army will come, and I expect new leader to be there to guide them. One loyal to the one sending them.”

“If we’re going to fight against an entire army we need back up.” The Super Soldier went into battle mode. “What about you?” He directed his entire focus on Haraldr, “Thor said you have an army. A strong one.”

“I do.” The god confirmed, “However I see no reason to involve them in this. You mortals dug deeply into matters that should have never concerned you and now it is time you clean up your mess.” He turned his focus to Fury, “I will not risk the lives of my army because of your mistakes. Be happy you have three Asgardians willing to fight with you. Without such help I can guarantee you would lose your Earth.”

Fury had been uncharacteristically quiet for the moment, “You’re right,” He turned to Rogers, “For the time being we keep our focus on finding where the portal will be opened. Once we know that we’ll be able to move into military preparation.”

Seeing that this conversation was moving nowhere productive, Haraldr made to leave but not without acknowledging Fury once more.

“I want it made clear Director that I came to Earth with one focus in mind; find Loki. I do not believe that you truly understand the consequences of your actions nor do you show the gratitude you should towards me and my brothers for even considering assisting with this situation.” His eyes were steel, “I am willing to lend my help because Earth is in Thor’s protection. You have our willing assistance but understand this clearly: I do not answer to you. We are not enemies, but we are certainly not allies. Meddle in matters such as this again and you will be on your own.”

With that he left the platform, cloak sweeping behind him, heading in the direction he felt his brothers’ presences.

000000

Haraldr made his way through the halls of the Helicarrier guided by the natural Seidr residing in both of his brothers’ beings. The many S.H.I.E.L.D. agents he passed swept to the sides of the pathway. His intimidating aura causing many to steer clear of the commanding god.

Turning a final corner, Haraldr was met with the sight of his middle brother standing guard over the doorway leading into Loki’s assigned homing quarters.

“No one’s been in I assume?”

“That’s correct. He’s been resting for close to an hour now.” Thor took in his older brother’s appearance. To the untrained eye he looked as any other trained soldier would; authoritative and more than slightly threatening. Thor however was able to notice the almost invisible signs of concern on the elder’s face.

“Unfortunately, he’ll need to wake. We need speak; strictly the three of us.” As he spoke, Haraldr walked into the room. “Loki, wake up,” he lightly tapped the bottom of his youngest brother’s foot sending a small wakening spell through the God of Mischiefs body.

A soft groan escaped the youngest brother, “why?...”

“Because brother we need to talk,” Haraldr’s tone left no room for argument and reluctantly Loki lifted himself from the bed.

“And what is it exactly we need to discuss?” The trickster’s tone was light, almost teasing, “I under the impression that the discussion with our brother’s little friends went rather swell.”

Haraldr stared at Loki for a hard moment before making a show of setting up privacy wards throughout the space. Locking, silencing, and deterring spells were simultaneously placed on the doorway and walls and a spell was cast on any possible cameras to show a loop of Loki sleeping allowing the three brothers complete privacy.

“We’re all aware that the vast majority of what came out during that meeting was a lie, Brother.” The oldest of the three stated, “Now, while I wasn’t initially surprised at this, given the company and the fact that you are the Silvertongue of Asgard, I did start to question when you became more and more insistent on the fact that you could not remember anything after your fall.”

Loki remained quiet but squared his shoulders and raised his chin slightly in a defensive stance.

“I do not know why you felt the need to go to such extremes to protect yourself Loki, but I trust your judgement.”

The oldest and youngest of the two shared an understanding yet regretful look which caused confusion to set inside Thor. “What extremes are you speaking of Haraldr?”

“I believe Loki to have sworn an Unbreakable Vow to protect the secrets of one that sent him here,” the God of Magic explained, “the Vow prohibits him from mentioning anything in regard to where he has been or what plans he knows. To break such a Vow would cause his immediate death.”

“Brother…” Thor was speechless and looked to Loki in surprise.

“Luckily, I believe that I have deduced enough of the plan myself. Just as I am able to openly discuss the truth behind Loki’s birth being that you both know as well, once I confirm my assumptions here Loki should be able to speak freely in regard to this topic as well.”

Confident that his assumptions were correct Haraldr set out to free his youngest brother of his silence.

Turning to look at Thor the oldest of the three began to explain.

“There’s a reason someone is after the Tesseract. A bigger reason than it simply being a strong power source.” His voice and the fierceness in his eyes conveying the severity of the moment. “The Tesseract is more than a source of incredible power. There is a reason portals are able to be opened through its use. A single person could travel halfway across the universe in an instant by simply thinking about where the want to go and placing a finger on the cube. And do you know why?”

The God of Magic studied his brothers. Thor while not the most intellectual of Oden’s three sons was following his eldest brothers every word and was becoming more aware that his original mission in coming to Earth was changing drastically. Loki was looking directly at him, jaw still slightly clenched and his face was nearly unreadable. All of this assured Haraldr that his assumptions were correct.

“The Tesseract is simply a containing unit. Break the glass and inside you’ll find a much more powerful tool. A tool no one should ever be able to wield.” The atmosphere in the room was becoming thick with unease. “The Tesseract contains one of the six Infinity Stones.”

Thor felt as if the air fell out of his body. The Stones were of legend. More powerful than any other magical item in existence. “They are of legend. A myth.” He voiced his thought. Denial swept through his being.

“So is this” Haraldr stated firmly lifting his right hand. The slightly cracked, gleaming black ring reflected none of the lights in the room, “And this,” pulling the long-knotted wand out of his vambrace again, “As well as the cloak on my back!” Both two sets of eyes moved to the shimmering black cloak their oldest brother always wore. “All legend stems from some form of fact.”

The conversation paused while all three brothers absorbed the information.

“Someone is after the Infinity Stones.” Haraldr’s voice was quiet but firm, “Someone powerful enough to gain access to an army such as the Chitauri. Someone that believes themselves strong enough to wield the Stones. And that is not the worst of it.”

“What do you mean?” The God of Thunder questioned.

Haraldr was quiet for a moment before answering, “It would be simple if we were dealing with merely one of the legendary gems. However, we’re unfortunately in the midst of two.”

It was here that Loki started to look uneasy. However, he had stayed silent, informing Haraldr that he had not addressed all of the information Loki possessed.

“How do you know this Brother?” Thor asked.

“There is only one way that another would ever be able to obtain control over Loki’s mind.” Haraldr answered, “I have trained him extensively in various forms of magic, including those of my origin. We did not stop Occlumency training until he was able to block me from breaching even the thinnest, earliest accesses of his mind. Not even the worst of all torture could cause a crack to form in his shields.” Loki turned away from the other two while Haraldr spoke. “This all points to the power source of the scepter. The reason behind anyone holding it being able to gain control over another’s mind. In its heart, I believe sits the Mind Stone. If whoever is after the Tesseract had already obtained the Mind Stone, I believe it obvious that for whatever reason they are searching to unite all six of the Infinity Stones. A feat that would grant them power greater than any could ever imagine.”

After this was stated Loki let out a deep breath that he wasn’t completely aware that he had been holding; collapsing forward slighting and clutching his chest. He looked up when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Looking into eyes greener than his own he gasped out, “That’s it. That’s all I know.”

“Good,” Haraldr nodded, “Now we plan a way to guard the Stones we have.”

“The Man of Iron has not detected where the Tesseract is.” Thor pointed out.

“No, but he will soon. And when he does, I have no doubt that the portal will be opened bringing the Chitauri to Midgard. Now that Loki has full control over himself there will no longer be a reason to preserve the lives of Earth’s inhabitance. It will be a mass destruction with one goal in mind: obtain the Tesseract and scepter and return them to their master.”

“How do they plan on returning if the Tesseract his holding the portal open?” It was again Thor that asked the question.

“They don’t plan to,” It was Loki answering this time. “They never have. I was the face of the endeavor. With the scepter I would have been able to control them regardless of their true loyalty. Using the Tesseract, I would have been able to deliver the Stone to…my benefactor…The plan for the Chitauri was always destruction. They know no other way.”

“So, rule over Midgard was a hoax?” Poor Thor felt as if this entire conversation was simply for him to play catch up.

“This entire plan was simply a trick brother, masterminded by the God of them,” Loki confirmed.

“You care that little for the lives of mortals that you would subject them to the threat of the Chitauri?” Thor seemed to grow angry as this truth was revealed.

“Desperate times brother,” Was the only answer the youngest gave.

“Cease this you two,” Haraldr stepped in, “Loki is a man of shrewd strategery. He saw an out and he took it. Moving on. Our focus is now on stopping the Chitauri and whomever is leading them once they arrive; closing the portal as quickly as possible and making sure they do not gain possession of the either the Tesseract or the scepter.”

“As simple as that sounds, it will not come as easy,” Loki countered, “My benefactor has many allies, whoever it is that he chooses to replace me in this task will be relentless.”

“I am not worrying myself with such matter. I will do whatever it takes to keep the Cube and scepter out of their reach.”

“And what will we do once the portal is closed?” Thor once again asking the questions, “It would not do to have Asgard house two of the Stones.”

“You are right. The Tesseract will be returning to Asgard with us,” Haraldr agreed, “The scepter however will need to stay here on Midgard until I gain the Allfather’s permission to move it to a more secure location.”

“You would trust these mortals with another Infinity Stone?” Loki inquired, “Look at what happened the last time they were given access to such power.”

Haraldr looked at his youngest brother and considered his statement, “I would not trust these mortals with maintaining the livelihood of my horse. No, the scepter will need to be placed in the hands of one that will listen when I say it cannot be used or studied. It simply needs to be guarded.”

“And where exactly are you going to find a home such as that?” Loki spoke the words, but Thor’s face expressed that he was thinking along the same lines.

Haraldr smirked slightly, almost fondly, and answered with a simple, “Hogwarts of course.”

A/N Gaaahh!! That took FOREVER!! I’m so sorry this is so late! I needed to get it right and hopefully you agree that this is it. YES, the magically world will be making its appearance soon! I can’t wait for that moment! But have no fear this is a THOR BASED STORY the wizarding world, as well as the Avengers, will obviously show up but this is set around Harry, Thor, and Loki.

I have this ENTIRE story mapped out! That’s what I’ve been doing the last two weeks. I REFUSED to not have a complete plot for this. I’m beyond excited for this story to really get going!  Again, this story is un-betaed, so I apologize for any mistakes. I try to continually go through it and edit. Let me know if I missed anything though!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Your comments mean the world to me

Chapter Text

The battle had lasted for what seemed to be hours. Chitauri after Chitauri emerged from the giant portal that had formed over Stark Tower. The Avengers, along with Haraldr and Loki, fought with every ounce of strength in their beings to keep the people of New York safe from the alien army. Loki had been correct in assuming that his benefactor would send another to lead the Chitauri in their search for both the scepter and the Tesseract. A giant creature with skin resembling something similar to a reptile had led the initial attack on New York City. Loki had mentioned the name Cull Obsidian with ice in his tone. Once singled out it had taken the combined efforts of Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and Loki to overtake the creature.

Hawkeye kept the skies clear while Haraldr used his powers and sword to protect Natasha as she readied herself to use the scepter to close the portal. Only after Stark had sent a powerful bomb through it and into the vastness of space did Natasha fully pierce the Tesseract with the scepter causing the portal to closer permanently. It was these acts that finally defeated the Chitauri army and gained the Avengers team their first victory.

It was not until Cull Obsidian had been completely detained and the Tesseract placed under the watchful eyes of his brothers, along with Dr. Banner and Stark, that Haraldr turned his focus to his original task of sending the scepter, more importantly, the Mind Stone, to a safe location.  

He watched as two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents carefully placed the weapon into a traveling case and proceeded to walk towards the Stark Tower elevators.

“I thank you, gentlemen,” the god stated while approaching them, “however, I believe that item will be leaving with me.”

One of the agents tightened his grip on the case and responded with a quick, “We are under the orders of Director Fury to return this to the S.H.I.E.L.D base.”

Haraldr gave the two agents a shrewd once over before giving his reply. “Hmm. Yes, and I believe your director will remember I stated that I do not take orders from him.” As he said this, he cast a quick retrieval spell and sent the case flying from the agent’s hand and into his own. “This will be leaving with me. I thank you again for your cooperation.”

The oldest of Odin’s three sons turned to his two brothers.

“I won’t be long. Stay with the Tesseract. Do not let it leave your sight. I do not have faith in these mortals to keep the cube safe. I will return as soon as I am sure the scepter will be thoroughly protected.”

Both Thor and Loki nodded obediently to their bother’s command and turned to move in the direction of both Stark and a now normal-sized Dr. Banner. However, before Loki could make his way over a hand on his shoulder kept him in place.

“You did well here today, Brother.” Haraldr’s voice was firm, “Midgard is safe because of what you did. Had you not concocted your plan to make it here there is no telling what would have happened to Earth.”

Loki looked down at his brother’s words. It had not been easy agreeing to join the battle against those that had held him captive for so long, and alongside those that still did not trust him, however, he knew he and his seidr had been of help today.

After a quick nod of acknowledgment, he followed Thor to watch over the Tesseract as it too was placed in a carrying case to be sent back to S.H.I.E.L.D’s Helicarrier.

Knowing the cube was in capable hands, Haraldr turned and walked towards the open platform off to the side of Stark Tower. He had only just started the process of appariting when he heard the distinct sound of Fury’s angered voice exclaim, “What do you mean he took it from you?” the familiar feeling of teleporting way came over him and he disappeared with a smirk.

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He landed softly on slightly damp grass. He’d decided to apparate into the Forbidden Forest as to not immediately alert anyone to his presence. The sun had already started to set on this side of the world causing the ominous forest to feel alive even in the current silence. Somethings will never change, Haraldr thought to himself.

Wondering through the vast wood he headed in the direction that he knew to lead him towards the castle. Though seemingly calm on the outside, Haraldr was containing a multitude of interior battles. An uneasiness that the god had not felt in many centuries began to settle itself in his stomach.

How do I explain this?

Is she even still here?

Even for me this is insane.

However, despite the inner monolog of uncertainty he continued onward, and eventually, the heavy forest cleared and the castle came into view. Haraldr felt warmth creep up from deep within himself that he had not expected. Still the same Hogwarts.

With a small smile, the God of Magic started his journey up to the great front doors. He had just crossed the courtyard and almost reached the giant double doors that lead into Hogwarts’ grand entry hall when one of the doors opened.

Haraldr ceased his movement and watched as a familiar woman entered the square. She looked right at him, almost as if she was expecting his arrival while still not quite believing he was actually in her presence.

Minerva McGonagall had not changed in the slightest. Dressed in her traditional green robes, she continued to give off her commanding and stern demeanor without even the slightest bit of effort. Yet there was something in her eye that called out to Haraldr. A yearning to believe the being before to be real was evident. She walked towards Haraldr with a combination of caution and determination.

Haraldr however stayed in his place allowing his old professor to approach him and cause her to not feel threatened in any way. When she was roughly four feet away from him, she produced her wand and raised it to his chest.

“When you were fifteen years old, we sat in my office,” She stated firmly. “We discussed a person and private matters. What were they?”

Haraldr could not contain the smirk that overtook his face at both the tactic his old professor was using to confirm his identity as well as the memory that he had previously forgotten.

“We discussed Delores Umbridge and the fact that I needed to be careful around her.” Haraldr replied, “I confirmed that I did indeed yell at her and I believe you offered me a biscuit.”

It was this last statement that allowed McGonagall to at last lower her arm and fully take in the being that was standing before her. The man, though still resembling someone aged to their mid-thirties, held an air about him that spoke of knowledge much older than physical time. The long hair combined with the tall and commanding frame were unfamiliar to her. However, the familiar bright green eyes and the famous scar across his forehead confirmed that this was indeed the man she believed to be standing before her. It was the armor and powerful magical aura around him that told her differently.

“When the centaurs came to me a fortnight ago telling me that I would be visited by the unexpected company this is not what I had in mind Potter.” Minerva’s eyes were still weary however her voice could not contain the curiosity she was feeling.

“Well good. They weren’t wrong in their predictions then.” For reasons he could not place, being in his old professor’s presence was bringing out a side of himself that he had not encountered in many centuries. “You always could count on the centaurs to be cryptic.”

The two simply stared at each other for a moment. Neither quite knew how to approach this meeting. Taking a leap, Haraldr decided to address his reasons to the unexpected visit.

“I’ve come to see if being your favorite student continues to hold any pull in obtaining favor from you.”

Though not sure if it was due to his words or perhaps the brief familiar glimpse of the mischievous sparkle in his eye, McGonagall gave the god a once over before replying with a simple, “if that armor and whatever is, in that case, have anything to do with it, I’m going to need much more than a simple cup of tea and a biscuit.”

With that, she turned and headed back towards the castle doors. Haraldr simply smirked and followed the Headmistress. As he walked through the doors leading into the entry hall Haraldr was overcome with the warm bubbling heat of magic.

Hogwarts itself was welcoming him back to her halls. The feeling was so intense that Haraldr, the God of Magic himself, had to place a hand on his chest. An unexpected tear came to his eye and he placed a hand on the stone walls. Memories both good and bad came rushing through his mind. Almost as is if the castle had harnessed them herself and was providing them for Haraldr to enjoy. Overcome with emotion Haraldr placed both hands on the cool stone and a pulse shooting through the foundation as he sent his own magic back into the castle.

Minerva watched the exchange in disbelief. Even the castle was sensing that this was not the Harry Potter she knew. Thirteen years was not long enough to change a person this much. She continued to watch as the man in front of her composed himself and picked up the case he had previously been carrying. Knowing the halls held too many ears, the Headmistress simply turned and continued her way to her office.

Once arriving at the familiar gargoyle, she stated a firm, “felicitatem” and the gargoyle started rising to provide the stairs that lead to her destination. The headmistress’ office was almost exactly as it was when Albus Dumbledore had held the position. The walls and shelves were filled his ancient books and trinkets. The walls were still lined with portrait frames normally housing the former headmasters and mistresses. However, at this time all were empty; except for one.

Ignoring the twinkling-eyed presence held in the frame, Minerva headed into the room without a glance back to see if the man had followed her in and walked straight to a cabinet to the right of her desk. Opening the door, she produced two glasses and filled each with a generous amount of brandy. After taking a large drink of one she turned to the man in the room with her.

“You are not the Harry Potter I knew.” There was not a follow-up question. It was a clear statement showing that she recognized there had been a change in the man standing before her.

“No, not quite.” Was Haraldr’s initial replay. “However, 2000 years would change just about anyone.”

The atmosphere became heavy with the words that had just been said. Harry Potter had never been a liar. Every outlandish thing he had ever stated had eventually come out as the truth. It was this simple fact alone that kept Minerva from breaking out in hysterics due to the absurdity of the statement.

Taking another large drink of her brandy and sitting in the large chair behind her desk, the headmistress stated, “I’m going to need you to further explain that to me, Potter.”

Taking a brief moment to collect his thoughts, Haraldr approached the table, picked up the offered glass, and moved to lean against a nearby pillar.

Gazing into the amber liquid Haraldr look a deep breath and finally pushed forward into the inevitable conversation. “Were you ever informed of what it took to finally defeat Voldemort, Professor?” However, once the question was spoken, he directed his gaze first to the one he had spoken to and then to the twinkling blue eyes of the portrait hanging behind her. The portrait of Albus Dumbledore had been surprisingly quiet. Before entering the office Haraldr had expected the portrait to immediately recognize and greet him. However, other than merely quirking an eyebrow slightly upon him entering, the oil-painted lips had remained closed.

“Not in complete detail, no,” the headmistress replied as she set her drink down, curiosity fully taking over the old witch’s eyes.

Briefly, Haraldr looked back up into the portrait's eyes and received a simple nod of encouragement.

“Ron, Hermione, and I were not on the run during our seventh year to simply hide from Voldemort,” Haraldr began, “we were following through with a task Albus Dumbledore and I had been working on throughout my sixth year.” Haraldr paused for a brief moment before continuing, “Tom Riddle had created six Horcruxes before his downfall on the night Lily and James Potter were killed. Two had already been destroyed before Dumbledore’s death and the three of us were out looking for the other four. More importantly, however, we discovered on our journey that Voldemort had another task in mind beyond killing me and overtaking the Wizarding World.”

Minerva sat digesting this information, knowing that no good would come from turning around to interrogate the silent portrait hanging behind her. “And what task would that be Potter?” She asked while looking into the hauntingly green eyes staring back at her.

“To find and master the Elder Wand.” The response was given firmly with no room for questions. “You’ve heard of it presume?”

“Simply from the children’s story, unfortunately,” she responded. “I’m assuming the legend holds true, however?”

Haraldr did not initially respond with words. Instead, he waved a hand over the vambrace on his arm, and just as it had on S.H.I.E.L.D’s Helicarrier a long-knotted wand was pulled from seemingly nowhere. “The Elder Wand,” he stated as he placed the wand gently on the desk before him. Next, he pulled the deep black stone ring off of his right hand and placed it next to the wand, “The Resurrection Stone.” Finally, he untied the cloak he was wearing and too placed it on the table next to the other two items, “and the Cloak of Invisibility.”

The two beings were silent as one fully took in the items that were laying before her. The other preparing to continue on with his tale.

Allowing his former professor to take in the information that had been given so far, he took the wand into his hand and continued on with his tale. “It is fortunate that another had won the power of the wand before Tom was able to get his hands on the actual thing. I ended up winning a duel against that owner on our hunt. Without having done so I doubt I would have been able to defeat the great Lord Voldemort by myself.

“Eventually, we were able to destroy three of the four known Horcruxes. This left only Nagini, his snake.” Here Haraldr took another brief pause to collect himself, “Unfortunately, unknown to even Voldemort himself, there was a seventh Horcrux that was made. Upon taking the life of Lily Potter and having his own killing curse rebound back to him, the remaining piece of Tom Riddle’s soul attached itself to the only other living being in the space.”

The gasp that Minerva released was involuntary. The hand that had been hovering over her glass of brandy shot to cover her mouth, jolting the glass slightly.

“Before going to meet Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest, I instructed Neville Longbottom to kill Nagini no matter the cost. I informed him that Ron and Hermione knew what to do once that was finished. Afterward, I placed the cloak on me, walked into the forest, and used the stone to call forth Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus to help guide me to face my death.”

“Then how –?” Before the words had completely left her mouth Haraldr had continued with the answer.

“He destroyed the Horcrux inside of me. However, the soul of Harry Potter remained intact.”

It was here that the god finally addressed the portrait hanging before him. “Did you know what would happen if I faced my own death while using all three of the Hallows?” Haraldr wasn’t sure if he had known it but there was a certain weight added to the question that had been hovering over him for the past two millennia.

There was a pause before the portrait of the former headmaster finally spoke, “As the tale gave to believe, one that was able to unite all three Hallows and face Death against their own game would become the Master of Death.”

“And were you aware of what the title could mean? What consequences might have come with it?” A slowly brewing anger was beginning to form within the usually collected warrior. “Were you that selfish to not only sacrifice the life of teenage boy but his fate beyond that as well?”

Minerva could no longer sit quietly as a multitude of questions flew through her mind. All of this was simply too overwhelming, “Albus what is he talking about? You knew this all along? You planned for him to sacrifice his life to that mad man?” Her voice became increasingly louder as her questions flew from her mouth. “And what do you mean by Master of Death? He was just a boy!”  

The room was again quieted as all three took in what had been just been revealed. Ultimately it was Albus that broke the silence, “I admit that the actions chosen while I was alive were not moral. That I put too much focus into the greater good. However, now I am simply a portrait that is unable to manage anything regarding the past.” All three were resounded to accept that no matter what had happened or how there was no changing it at this point and they all simply needed to move on.

“If I may be so bold, however, I do believe the current headmistress and I are still curious as to what happened to Harry Potter after the war had ended.” This comment caused the woman mentioned to straight herself in her seat, showing her obvious agreed curiosity. “Last to my knowledge, the world was made to believe he had simply vanished in the night. Having left all of his worldly possessions to the Weasley family and a fund to assist in the care of those orphaned by the war.”

Nodding in agreement, Minerva added, “Ms. Granger came to me just over a week after the news had spread to ask if our library housed any books regarding Norse magic. I remember because we had been speaking of your departure before she was quick to remember that she had originally come to inquire about them.”

A soft smile took over Haraldr’s face at the mention of his old friend and her habit of continued research before he took a sip of the brandy still cradled in his hand. Determining that the best approach was to continue to be direct, he raised his gaze to the two before him and answered with a simple, “I became immortal after uniting the Hallows and facing my own death willingly. As I hinted at before, there are certain consequences that came with the title of Master of Death.”

His two professors reacted in different ways to this information. Haraldr was quite worried that his poor former transfiguration professor’s eyes were going to fall out of her head with this information.

The portrait’s reaction was a simple, “Ah, yes.”

Before either could question the statement further, the Asgardian continued. “I had started noticing small changes prior to confirming my suspicion. I had stopped bruising when bumping into things, a sharp knife would simply pass over my skin unless intense pressure was applied, my magic swelled drastically before simply settling, and I no longer required a wand to perform even complex spells; the use of one only strengthened my power. Thestrals approached me without caution as if they sensed the conflicting life and death that resided inside of me. Everything simply seemed different.”

“And Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley, had they noticed any of these changes?” The headmistress questioned.

“Immediately,” the god confirmed, “they knew what I had done. They had known I had become a Horcrux. That I had possessed one of the Hallows at the time and after the war had ended, I told them that I had acquired the other two as well.” He stopped here and quickly finished what remained of his brandy. “What they didn’t know at the time was that I had tested my theory. Confirmed it actually.”

Rising to his feet, Haraldr walked over to the large window to the left of the headmistress’ desk. Looking out at the vast view of the Hogwarts grounds, basking in the glow of the moonlight, the god continued his story. “I needed to know if I was as correct in my assumptions, so I ordered that my house elf retrieve a vial of poison from Professor Snape’s old storage cupboard. Once he had delivered it to me, I drank it immediately and simply fell asleep. While I was out, however, I was approached by death. Whether in reality or in a dream they explained what exactly I had become and advised me to find others that too lived primarily immortal lives.”

Turning back to others occupying the room, Haraldr continued. “Upon awakening I immediately flooed Hermione. I told her everything. That I had poisoned myself and what Death had told me to do.

“Whether due to the fact that she was concerned for my mental health or because she actually believed me, we dove into research about truly immortal beings. Vampires, royal elves, beings that had created Horcruxes. Truly anything we were able to get our hands on.”

“What was it that you finally settled on my boy?” Albus’ portrait asked, “You seem healthy and quite powerful if the armor is any indicator of truth.”

Haraldr smiled at the memory representing his former headmaster, “We had been researching in the Black Family Library when Hermione came across a diary of a Black ancestor. He had lived in Scandinavia prior to the height of the Viking Age. In the diary was detailed documentation of the original Thorrablot celebrations where the Norse gods would come to Earth and celebrate the sacrificial offerings made to them in name of their protection. The diary explained that this was the last known documentation of the gods, Odin King of Asgard specifically, coming to Midgard and that they had feared the He had abandoned them.

“At this point we were desperate. All of our searchings were coming up short. We both knew that I would never survive mentally if I was living alone in a moral world. Knowing that everyone I knew would eventually perish while I was left to wander.”

The other two continued to silently take in the information. Disbelief was not an option anymore. Despite how outlandish this story seemed they were both aware of the truth being told to them.

“At the time Hermione was training as an Unspeakable and had gained access to the Time Chamber. We were aware that all of the time-turners had been destroyed during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries however the spell books located in the Chamber were still intact. It was sheer luck that she ended up finding a spell that had even the slightest chance of working. We only had one chance to get it right. We calculated everything. Down to the precise location of where these celebrations were originally held. It was dangerous, stupid, and if either of us were to mess up in our casting the end result could have been disastrous. I could have ended up at the wrong moment in time, she could have died helping to send me back 2000 years in the past. Had she been caught stealing a book such as that from the Department she could have ended up in prison. There was a multitude of faults stacked against us.

“But on Thursday, January 22^nd, 1999 in a forest in Norway, Hermione and I performed the spell, Ég kem aftur að eilífu, which sent me back in time 2000 years. It should have been impossible. It shouldn’t have worked, but it did. I arrived in a forest so quiet I thought I could hear my own blood pumping.

“Eventually, I heard celebrations and knew I needed to stay on track. I found them and using the Invisibility cloak I made my way towards Odin himself. To this day I am not sure what it was that convinced him to listen and agree to take me to Asgard with him. Whether it was the desperation in my voice, the memories I shared with him in the Pensieve that I had brought with me, or my displays of magic I performed but he did. He brought me back to Asgard with him. I’d succeeded.

“Over time I gained his full favor and after 100 years spent living among the Asgardians, he presented me with an item more valuable than any other on Asgard; a golden apple from the Garden of Idunn. They are what grant the Asgardians their youth, vigor, and virtual immortality. Once consumed I officially became an Asgardian in not only the body but mentally as well. From that moment on Harry Potter ceased to exist. Odin the Allfather and Frigga the Allmother officially adopted me as their own. I became Haraldr Odinson, God of Magic and Master over Death, Heir to the Throne of Asgard.”

As he finished his tale, Haraldr looked into the faces staring back at him. Minerva McGonagall had tears streaming down her face. The portrait of Albus Dumbledore looked to be a mix of proud and astounded. Before long, however, the headmistress cleared her throat and spoke again.

“Well, I have more questions regarding all of that information than I believe this night calls for.” She wiped a tear from her eye with a handkerchief she pulled from a desk drawer, “However, I believe what you have told me will have to suffice. To my knowledge Ms. Granger has returned the books Madame Pince referred to her and now it will be my turn for a bit of light reading.” Haraldr chuckled at this comment and a slight pink appeared on his cheeks. “You came to Hogwarts with favor in mind. What exactly was it you were hoping I would be able to help with Pott—” The headmistress cut herself off as she realized that was no longer the correct name she should continue to use.

Giving the woman an encouraging smile, Haraldr waved off the mistake, “I have an object of vital importance that needs protection while I secure a permanent home for it.”

Professor McGonagall gave the god a calculated gaze before responding, “Are you sure Hogwarts is the best location for whatever is in that case? As you are aware, Hogwarts has housed many objects for protection in the past. I believe you are living proof of how easy it can be for those objects to be discovered no matter what measures are taken to keep them a secret.”

The portrait behind the headmistress gave a loud chuckle, and Haraldr himself could not keep the mischievous smirk off his face at his former professor’s words.

“You are correct Professor,” he stated, “The halls and chambers of Hogwarts have not always been the wisest hiding spots for objects formerly housed for protection. However, I am not asking for this specific object to be placed in any dungeon or vault here at the castle.”

The wise old woman believed she was coming to understand exactly what was going to be asked of her. However, she needed to hear the exact words and reasoning before agreeing. “What part of the castle were you hoping for then?”

Smiling, the god prepared his answer, “There is only one room that I believe to be completely secure from intrusion in the entirety of the Wizarding World and we’re currently sitting in it.”

Taking a deep breath as her suspicion was confirmed, Minerva responded with a simple, “Explain.”

“Hogwarts itself protects this office,” Haraldr started, “In fifth year she refused to allow Delores Umbridge entry after she declared herself Headmistress. Seventh year Severus Snape communicated with Dumbledore’s portrait and conspired against Voldemort right in this room and none was the wiser.”

Minerva could see where his logic was stemming from. Before she was able to answer, however, the god continued.

“I am not simply asking you alone for your assistance, Professor.” After quirking an eyebrow in response, Haraldr continued, “I am asking Hogwarts and Professor Dumbledore to help as well.”

The formerly quiet portrait perked up at the mention of his name.

“Oh, and how can I be of assistance my boy?” The old man almost seemed too eager to do more than simply sit in a painted chair.

Both Minerva and Haraldr directed their gazes to the portrait, the former giving his answer, “I was hoping you would be willing to act as a guard to this item. There is no other portrait at Hogwarts I would trust with this assignment.”

The sparkling blue eyes seemed to shine brighter than they had while the man had been alive, “Well, it is not often that a man is able to cross an item off their life-long dream list after they have already passed on. To be a Hogwarts portrait guard is of the highest esteem, my dear boy.”

Minerva shook her head at the behavior of her former friend’s portrait and again turned her attention back to the man sitting in front of her. “Well then, I believe you have your answer. What exactly is it that you are hoping we will watch over?”

It was here that Haraldr seemed to remember himself and schooled his appearance back to that of the fierce Asgardian warrior he was. Picking up the case and laying it flat on the desk before him, the god waved a hand over the locked box, and immediately the latches flew open. Lifting the lid carefully the God revealed the scepter that laid neatly in the protective foam interior.

Minerva could not stop herself from leaning forward and examining the weapon before her. There was intense magic pulsating from the center of the scepter. She knew without asking that this was a dangerous object. It seemed to call out to her by name. Trying to encourage her to pick it up. A hand placed on top of her own brought her back to the present. Looking up into bright green eyes her mind became completely her own again.

“I will not tell you what it is called,” The god began, “It is best that you do not know.”

While one side of her mind wished he would agree to tell her what exactly this object was, the wiser side of her agreed that some information was not worth knowing. Nodding, Minerva stood from her chair and turned to face the portrait the hung behind her. Raising her wand, she carefully levitated Albus off of the wall and placed him on the ground.

Haraldr, carrying the scepter, walked around the desk and joined the headmistress. Taking a hand and placing it on one of the ancient stones before him, he silently willed the magic of the castle to understand his intent. Immediately, the stone began to shake underneath his palm and suddenly pushed itself backward creating a pocket in the wall. The space was just wide enough for the scepter to fit and deep enough that one would have to reach their entire arm into the pocket to grasp the weapon.

After placing the scepter down and stepping back away from the wall, the stones immediately reformed together, closing the pocket entirely. Minerva could no longer sense the powerful magic that had radiated off the scepter, for which she was grateful.

Again, taking her wand, she levitated Albus back up and hung him in front of the space she knew the scepter to be laying behind.

After placing the portrait on the wall, she turned to Haraldr, “To set the password simple place your wand on the portrait and say the password aloud. I will step back and place a silencing spell around me, so I do not hear. If you would like to add one of your own, I will not be offended.” With that, she stepped away.

Haraldr heard her mumble a quiet silencing spell and though he did not make a motion to show it he sent one of his own on top of it.

“Well my boy,” the former headmaster’s voice did nothing to conceal his excitement, “what will the password be?”

Haraldr took a moment to consider that the best approach to this would be. It needed to be something no one would be able to guess or repeat. Any of the Midgardian languages were out, as well as the known languages throughout the universe. Allspeak was an option as only Asgardians were able to speak it. However, he decided to take a different approach for the best protection.

Unsheathing the ruby crusted sword from his belt, quickly looking to see recognition form on the old man’s face, Haraldr cut his thumb and slowly dragged it around the entire frame. Once completed he took his wand whispered, “bræður að eilifu,” in Allspeak. The entire portrait glowed bright white for a brief moment before it returned to normal.

“Wonderful my boy!” exclaimed the portrait of the former headmaster, “I do believe it was a success.”

Haraldr sheathed his sword, turned to the headmistress, and silently canceled the privacy spells around her. “Thank you, Professor. Asgard is in debt to your kindness.”

No longer having the strength to stop herself, the older woman responded by placing her arms around the tall solid frame of the man before her. Felling the embrace being returned she softly whispered, “Hogwarts, will always be here to help whenever you are in need, Potter.” She could not contain the tears from forming, “Never forget that.”

Softly tightening his hold on the woman in his arms, the man responded with a soft, “Thank you,” before stepping back.  

The two magical beings simply looked at each other again before stepping back completely. They both knew their time together for the moment was over and both collected themselves and return to normal.

“Is there anything else I am able to help you with for the moment?” The headmistress asked.

“No Professor, I do believe that will be all,” Haraldr stated as he closed the empty case. “I will be working on a permanent location for the scepter and plan to return shortly for its relocation. However, I do not worry about its safety for the time being.”

Collecting the Hallows that still remained placed atop the desk, the God of Magic continued, “Now, unfortunately, I must take my leave. I must return to my two brothers in New York as well as a group of most likely angry mortals due to my current absence.” Having placed all three Hallows in their original homes he looked back to the two others. “I want to thank you for the impact you both had on my life. I know I meant more to you both than simply being one of your many students. You taught and treated me as family when I had none of my own. I have lived a long life and despite my earnestness at a point in time to remember all of my mortal friends, many have slipped through the cracks. However, I could not replace either of you in my memory. Nothing will change that.”

Again, tears formed in the usually firm headmistresses’ eyes. A simple nod was all she was able to respond with. The twinkling continued to shine in the old man’s oil-painted eyes. As Haraldr turned to finally exist the office that contained so many memories the voice of his former headmaster stopped in briefly.

“I do have one quick question my boy,” Haraldr turned and raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment. “What exactly was it that convinced the Allfather to grant you the privilege to one of the Golden Apples?”

A smirk and mischievous glint returned to the god’s face before he gave his answer, “I sent Hela the Goddess of Death back to Hel after she escaped from Odin’s original spells that kept her imprisoned there.”

With that, he turned back around and exited through the door.

Haraldr made quick work of crossing the school grounds and once he reached the tree line of the Forbidden Forest he turned back around and took one last glimpse of the first home he had ever known. After a short moment, he apparated away with a quiet pop.  

A/N OKAY. It’s FINALLY out there! I have got to say I stressed about this chapter!! Honestly, I think it turned my hair grey. More detail about Harry’s first encounter with Odin will be in future chapters but hopefully, this answers many of your questions regarding how he arrived in the past. This has always been my original plan for how it all went down and I do promise some glimpses into the finer details for this chapter later, but I NEEDED to get this out here first.

We are now into the complete fanfiction part of this story! The first Avengers section is over, they’re still a team, Haraldr did not overstep so they all still shined. I’m praying that my idea was no too far out there to where it’s complete garbage. I’ve been so worried about that.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know your thoughts! I live for your comments!

Chapter Text

January 22, 1999

Everything had been planned out. The grimoire Hermione had found while researching in the Time Chamber was clutched in the witch’s hands. Try as she might she could not stop them from shaking entirely. Both were dressed in heavy layers as they’d traveled deep into the Nordmarka Forest in Norway. Harry had just placed the final runestone in the hexagonal formation that the spell called for. Each stone contained a different Ancient Norse rune. Harry found it ironic that the spell they’d discovered was written in Norse. Hermione, however, found it fitting.
Stepping back Harry looked at his friend. He took in how rundown she appeared to be. Her hair was lying flat against her back, her shoulders sloped down, and her face was forming a wrinkle due to the constant frown she’d sported since the beginning of this seemingly impossible journey.

“This is stupid.” He tried to keep steady and seem as confident as possible however doubt snuck its way in anyway. “Go through the plan again.”

Hermione turned to look at the man she claimed as her best friend. She was aware that they had both memorized their roles in what was about to take place. The spell called for strictly two people. No more. They’d placed powerful warding spells over 100 yards in all directions to ensure complete privacy. She knew that once the time was right, exactly seven minutes after the seventh hour of the morning, Harry would step into the spell ring and perform the interior incantations of Ritorno Per Sempre. At the same time, Hermione would perform the exterior incantations. As the grimoire had stated that the external caster of the spells could be sent into magical exhaustion, they had Ron on standby with a portkey that would allow him to travel through the wards when he was needed.

“We’ve gone through it many times Harry,” the older of the two reasoned, “You step in, we both say our part, you’ll be off, and I’ll signal the portkey for Ron to come and get me.”

Irritated, the young wizard turned to fully face his friend. “Don’t make this to sound as if I’m simply stepping onto a train to go on holiday Hermione,” nerves had fully kicked in at this point, “I’m going into the past, 2000 years into the past, permanently! It’s insane!” He was all but yelling by the end of the statement. The witch could do little more than simply stand there biting her bottom lip.

“I know Harry,” Hermione’s eyes started to fill with shallow tears, “I know it’s insane, and that the odds are stacked against us, but we have to try!”

“Hermione you could die!” The wizard exclaimed, guilt and nervousness fueling his tone.

“So what?” The witch tried to reason.

Harry stepped back at the words. Eyes wide with disbelief at what his best friend was saying, “So what?” the question came out in a whisper. “Hermione, I can’t ask you to die for me. Too many people already have. I won’t add you to that list as well.”

Hermione wanted to feel the guilt and reason that Harry was trying to put on her, however, she stood firm. “We don’t need to worry about that. I’m confident that this will work, and we will both walk away fine.”

“And what if we don’t, huh?” Fear of what they were about to do settled deep into Harry’s bones, “What if it doesn’t work? What if I’m sent to the wrong time? What if I’m not sent at all and you die while trying? What then Hermione? I can’t live with that!”

Seeing true fear in her friend’s eyes for quite possibly the first time in her life, Hermione closed the space between them. She wrapped her arms around Harry’s taller frame and held tight. “I am not afraid Harry; I know this is dangerous. I know everything that could go wrong but I would rather I die tonight helping you find a life with those that you can actually live with than live a long life knowing that while I will age and eventually die anyway, you will be left to watch and live alone forever.” The tears that had been previously held at bay were now cascading down the young witch’s face. “Let me help you, Harry. Let me help you find hope again.” Her eyes were desperate. Pleading with her friend to continue along with this plan.

Harry pulled away slightly before raising his head to look up at the sky. The early winter sky was alight with stars in the early hour of the morning. Doubt was still settled firmly into his being, however, the fear of what his friend had stated was apparent as well. He knew he would be driven mad if he was left to wander the world alone forever. It was that fear that had led them here in the first place. Months of looking for an answer had finally brought them to this moment. Looking down into Hermione’s deep brown eyes he knew she was right. This was his only chance to find those he could create some type of life with. Taking a deep slightly unsteady breath, he nodded, “Okay. Okay, Hermione.”

Hermione then pulled Harry back into a tight hug before stepping away again to make sure everything was in place before their time ran out. Looking at her watch the time read 6:38 am. Just enough time to mentally and physically prepare for what came next.

“Right, now as we discussed this forest is where the celebrations took place. According to our research, you should be quite close once you arrive. Odin will be at the head ceremony table. Once you get him alone show him everything you’ve brought to convince him of the truth. I put your Pensieve in the bag I packed for you. As well as some modern-day books on magic. They should help to prove your point.”

Knowing that she was mainly talking to help with her nerves Harry simply nodded along. Just as they’d memorized their equal parts in the spell, they had gone over every detail of what Harry should do once arriving in the past.

Harry moved to sit on a fallen log while he watched the brunette witch double and triple check the placement of the runestones inside the spell space. Once satisfied Hermione too made her way over to sit on the log. She looked up into the early morning sky and took in the vastness of the stars before her.

“I wish you didn’t have to do this alone,” The witch whispered, “It’s the only part of this plan that makes me nervous.” She turned to look at Harry while he forced himself focused his gaze at the stars, “I truly don’t want you to be alone.”

Knowing that this was his own fear being spoken aloud, Harry could do no more than simply pull one of Hermione’s hands firmly into his own. His eyes were focused on the Canis Major constellation he’d been lucky enough to spot at the moment.

“There’s one thing we haven’t really discussed yet, Harry” He turned to Hermione with a raised eyebrow.

“What’s that?” He questioned, trying to rack his brain to find any holes in their current plan.

Hermione bit her lip slightly before she answered, “How you let me know it worked.”

Harry regarded the question deeply. He left the initial, ‘what if it doesn’t’ to himself and sat quietly trying to think of an answer. It would be 2000 for him. If making it to Asgard with Odin didn’t work would he even be sane? Would he even remember them? ‘Of course, I’ll remember them,’ he chastised. If he were to remember anyone from his original life it would be Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. There was no doubt in his mind. It was the former question that had him worried.

“I don’t think it would be wise for us to see or speak to each other,” The witch’s statement interrupted his thoughts. He had to agree with her though. There was no telling how much Harry will have changed by the next morning. Good or bad, however, he would render to his friend’s wishes. It was more than slightly painful to know that this was the conversation that Hermione Granger and Harry Potter would have together.

Tightening his grip on the hand he was already holding; Harry returned his green-eyed gaze to Hermione’s brown. He smiled wistfully and raised his other hand to push back a stubborn curl that had fallen into his companion’s face. “Tomorrow, January 23rd, 1999 I will place a white feather on your doorstep. One feather for every moment of happiness I have felt in the past 2000 years.”

Tears again formed in the witch’s eyes. She grasped the hand holding hers just as tightly and whispered a simple, “Okay.”

Harry brushed a fallen tear off of Hermione’s cheek and confirmed their plan with an equal, “Okay,” before they both returned their gazes to the stars.

After a peaceful last moment together, Hermione again checked her watch. It now read 7:02 am and she quickly urged them both to get into position. Harry picked up the items that would be traveling with him. Hermione had placed an undetectable extension charm on a simple backpack before packing it with as many items as she could think of. The vast majority of the Black Family Library was contained inside as well as many of the Houses magical artifacts. Harry’s photo album as well as his Firebolt and Holly and Phoenix Feather wand were currently housed there as well. More importantly, she had made sure she sent him off with Professor Dumbledore’s Pensieve which she had borrowed recently from the current Headmistress.

Making sure the Invisibility Cloak was wrapped firmly around his shoulders and the ring containing the Resurrection Stone was placed on his right ring finger, Harry stepped into the spell space firmly grasping the Elder Wand in his hand.

Hermione placed herself three feet outside of the hexagonal space and held her wand firmly in her grasp. Looking at her watch she raised her wand and stated, “On my count…”
Harry squared his stance and readied himself to raise his arm to cast as the spell indicated.

Both witch and wizard looked into each other’s eyes. Absorbing every detail, they could in these last few seconds. Counting down the seconds in her head Hermione said, “I love you, Harry,” before raising her wand to point at her best friend and begin the spell.

Harry responded with a smile and an, “I love you, too,” before raising his wand to the sky and readied to begin the incantation.

With determination in her eyes, Hermione counted the final, “Three, two, one…” and together they both cast their separate spells.

Harry chanted a steady stream of, “sendu mig aftur til stundarinnar. að snúa aldrei aftur. aftur að tíma guðanna að eilífu.”

While Hermione chanted her own, “senda hann til tíma liðins tíma. Farið að eilífu héðan. Að snúa aftur aðeins í framtíðinni.”

Powerful magical streams of blue shot out of both their wands. The winds picked up as they repeated their individual phrases again and again. Hermione’s arm was shaking as she held the spell steady. Harry looked almost ethereal as his true power radiated through his entire being. His normally wild black hair blew about his face and his green eyes brightened to a point where they were practically glowing.

She had just reached the point of no longer being able to maintain the spell when suddenly a light engulfed Harry entirely and in the next moment, he vanished.

Before she could even completely register the fact that she was now alone, Hermione felt herself beginning to sink into the darkness of exhaustion. With her last conscious thought, she grasped the coin in her coat pocket and said a simple “Paratus,” signaling to Ron to come and get her.

She’d collapsed to the ground and only just noticed a pair of boots running over to her before fatigue finally won over.

0000000000

When she awoke the next day, Hermione found herself back in her bedroom. The light outside was soft indicating that it was either early evening of the same day or early morning of the next. She was now wearing sleep clothes instead of the heavy jeans and sweaters that she’d been wearing in Norway. She smiled slightly in thanks to Ron for the thoughtful gesture. Deciding that she didn’t have the energy to fully care to leave the confines of her bed just yet she resided to lie in and digest the events that had recently taken place. ‘He’s gone.’ She repeated the phrase multiple times in her head. Each time it sounded more and more absurd. Other than the summers between school years, they hadn’t been apart and during those times they usually had the opportunity to exchange letters. For the first time since she was eleven, Hermione knew she was completely unable to reach her best friend. ‘And I never will again,’ she thought to herself solemnly.

She remembered the empty feeling she’d had when Harry had gone off to face Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest during the war. The hour she’d spent believing him to be dead had been the worst she’d ever felt.

This current feeling was new. Hermione knew Harry was alive. He was the Master of Death; he couldn’t die. He was out there somewhere. Over 2000 years old now but out there none the less. Shaking herself of the uneasy feeling of the unknown, Hermione steadied herself to believe that their plan worked.

“It had to,” she whispered to herself.

Deciding that she would drive herself crazy if she stayed in bed, the brunette witch climbed out and made her way out of the room. She walked down the stairs and entered her living room to find Ron sitting on the couch flipping through one of her muggle magazines. The couch held a blanket as well as a pillow and he too was wearing sleep clothes making her believe she’d slept through the entirety of the previous day.

“Hey,” he stated as he stood, “you okay?” His eyes spoke of how she felt. They both already deeply missed their friend.

“It worked,” she whispered, “I know it did.”

Ron nodded and took a deep breath. He ran a hand through his hair and looked around the room. “Want a cuppa?”

Smiling softly at her boyfriend, she nodded and lead the way into her kitchen. She took the kettle and filled it at the sink while Ron readied the mugs and the two sat together at the small table Hermione had in her kitchen while the water heated. Both gave each other silent support while understanding the grief they felt at losing their closest friend.

“How long was I out?” The witch asked, breaking the silence.

Ron looked up, jolted out of his thoughts, “Hm? Oh, um, all of yesterday,” he replied. The redhead was unusually quiet as he sat waiting for the water to boil. “Once I got us both back here, I assumed you’d need all of the rest you could get. I hope it’s okay that I crashed on the sofa.” He looked a little unsure as he said that, “I wanted to be close by.”

Smiling again, Hermione reached and took both of Ron’s hands in her own. She grasped them tightly and responded with, “Always.”

Ron smiled back and squeezed back before releasing her hands when the kettle began to whistle. “So,” he began while filling each mug with water, “did you two decide on a signal to let us know he’s okay?” He asked while walking back to the table. Hermione accepted the mug offered to her and told Ron what Harry had planned to do. The wizard smiled and told her that he found the white feather to be quite fitting for their friend.

The couple spent the rest of the morning simply enjoying each other’s company. They made breakfast and, in the afternoon, they sat on the couch together; Hermione reading a book while Ron listened to a quidditch match.

The later was just about to ask if Hermione wanted anything to eat when a knock sounded on the front door. The two looked at each other, their stomachs equally filling with butterflies. They’d waited all day for this moment and now that it was finally here neither was sure if they were ready for their answer.

“One feather for every moment of happiness I’ve felt in the past 2000 years.”

That was the agreement.

‘What if it’s only one? What if it didn’t work?’ dread was filling Hermione’s entire being and she grasped Ron’s hand as they both approached the door.

After taking a moment to prepare herself, Hermione placed her hand on the knob and slowly turned it. Once fully opened, Hermione took in the sight before her and fell to her knees. Sitting peacefully on the landing was a giant bouquet of pure white feathers. Clutching it to her chest Hermione openly sobbed in relief on her front step.

“He did it,” She sobbed, “he did it!”

She could not contain the emotions flooding through her. The months of anxiety over the fate of the boy she called a brother poured out of her very being. It all worked. Their outrageous plan had worked. He’s okay.

Ron stood in the doorway with tears too streaming down his face. He looked around the predominately muggle street hoping to see a sign of his old friend. However, he knew he wouldn’t. That was the deal and he was okay with it.

After a moment, Hermione collected herself and stood continuing to clutch the giant bouquet to her chest. She’d never experienced relief as she was at the moment. She had turned back to Ron when she noticed something else leaning against the stairs that led to her home. Reaching down she found a book. It looked rather old and held the title, “Hetjur Ásgarðs.”

She gasped and immediately turned running back into the house. Ron followed close by as the two returned to the couch. Setting the bouquet feathers on the table they both focused their attention entirely on the book before them.

With a shaking hand, Hermione gently opened the old tome, and immediately after a piece of parchment fell out.

Ron picked it up, smiling as he noticed familiarity in the somewhat messy writing and began to read the small note aloud.

“Ron and Hermione,

This book holds the most accurate depiction of our stories that I could find. I will never be able to offer enough to truly show how grateful I am for what you both have given me. I hope these stories help to fill the void and answer the many questions I know you have. I placed a translation spell on the pages themselves to allow for ease in reading. I beg you to live your lives fully knowing that I am more than simply happy. I have a true family and many companions. I do not look back and regret the choices that we made. I live every day knowing that I have a purpose and am loved dearly. I ask you both to do the same now. Remember your old friend but do not live in the past. You both have too bright a future to limit yourselves that way. Hermione, I beg you to please leave the Unspeakables. You are far too bright to waste your knowledge on them. Ron, you are more than capable of being the leader you’ve always feared you’re unable to be; take Kingsley’s offer. I hope you enjoy the many true tales this book holds. Rest in knowing you succeeded Hermione, I found hope again.

Always,
-H”

Once finished, Ron looked up to see Hermione holding the book close to her with tears having once again filled her eyes.

“He’s okay Hermione. Harry’s okay.”

A sobbed laugh escaped from her as she finally let got the confirmation she needed. Holding the book in front of her she carefully reopened it to find a single white feather sticking out from the pages. She turned to the marked page to see an illustration of a warrior wearing black armor wielding a ruby-encrusted sword and adorned in a shimmering black cloak. The chapter was titled: Haraldr Odinson: God of Magic and Master over Death.

Both Ron and Hermione’s smiles turned to astonished gasps after reading the first line of the chapter: “Easily recognized by his wild black hair, uncommonly green eyes, and the signature lightning bolt scar cascading across his forehead the God of Magic was the adopted eldest son and heir of Odin the Allfather of Asgard…”

Neither was aware of the illusioned green-eyed gaze peering into the living room window from across the street. Haraldr smiled as he watched the two before him dive into the book he had provided. Comforted in the knowledge that he’d settled the many worries he knew they had both previously had.

The god then turned around and began making his way down the sidewalk, blending into the muggle crowd seamlessly. No one the wiser of the immortal being amongst them. Knowing his mission was completed the Asgardian slipped into an alley and once he was sure no one was watching the God of Magic apparated away with a CRACK.

A/N Hello All! I hope that answers your questions about what happened with Ron and Hermione! After posting the last chapter I felt like Harry’s history before meeting the Asgardians wasn’t completely told and I couldn’t sit with that any longer. I received so many questions regarding Harry’s past friends and family that felt you all deserved the answer and honestly this was just so much fun to write that I no longer care about my original plan for this section. Again, I pray you all like this as much as I’ve been enjoying writing it. Your encouragement has meant more than you know!
Please, Please, Please comment or review!! It means the world to me and the conversations I’m able to have with you all spark so many ideas. Like this chapter!! Love you all! Until next time
-Mack

Chapter Text

As soon as his feet landed back on the Helicarrier, Haraldr recognized the now-familiar sound of guns cocking and knew that he most likely had several laser markings trained on him. Despite all of this, however, the fierce god remained stoic and voiced a simple, “Gentlemen, ladies,” regarding both Maria Hill and Natasha who too had their weapons pointed in his direction.

“Where is the scepter?” The booming voice of Fury cut straight to the point.

Haraldr turned an almost bored look to the leader of  S.H.I.E.L.D., “It’s safe. That’s all you should need to concern yourself with.” He made quick work of calculating those around him. He noted Fury with his two trusted agents Coulson and Hill, half of the Avengers team, as well as a large handful of unknown agents; all of which were standing around him. Missing, however, were Stark, Dr. Banner, and his two brothers. Knowing that he’d instructed them to stand guard over the Tesseract in his absence, Haraldr made to move in the direction of the Helicarrier’s main laboratory, assuming they would currently be working on a safe means for the three brothers to return the cube to Asgard.

Before he could take a second step his way was blocked, “What do you mean it’s safe?” Steve’s voice held the command that Haraldr himself was used to carrying. As the Allfather was only one to ever command anything from him, the Asgardian was unused to the tone being directed his way. It reminded the god that these mortals were not unaccustomed to the ways of the Aesir or the other seven of the Nine Realms. These humans were still unaware of, or more accurately simply didn’t care, who he and his two brothers were. Brute force and a commanding attitude were only going to cause more headaches when working with S.H.I.E.L.D.

Taking a breath, the former wizard responded, “I took the scepter to a safe location. One where it will be protected and free from curious minds.” With that he again made to walk towards the lab however he was again stopped. While the Captain again blocked his path, it was the director that gave the verbal response.

“I’m going to need more than that,” Though seemingly calm, Haraldr detected more than a hard edge in Fury’s voice. “You took S.H.I.E.L.D. property despite it being my direct order for it be returned to me after the portal was closed. I expect my orders to be followed.”

“And if you’ll remember Director, I stated that I do not answer to you.” The heir to the Nine Realms voice was steel. “The entire world has now seen what will happen when tools outside of mortal knowledge fall into the hands of your organization. As next in line to Asgard’s throne, I will not allow Earth to fall to a similar fate a second time.” With that, the god brushed past the soldier blocking his path only to once again be stopped, this time however by a hand pulling his shoulder back.

“Hey, you can’t just—” Rogers started but was cut off when his hand was thrown off and found himself being pulled forward to now be face-to-face with the stern but calm-faced god.

“I can and will do whatever it takes to keep weapons such as Tesseract and that scepter out of unworthy hands. You might have your orders to protect your little country Captain, but I have mine to protect a section of the universe. We might have won a battle today, but hundreds of lives were lost in the process and it’s all due to this organization meddling with things that ought not to have been meddled with. None of you have any idea what exactly it is that you’ve been tampering with or who in the universe knows about it. I won’t let what’s happened today happen again, so yes, I took the scepter. I took it to a safe and guarded location and that is all you need and will ever know of the matter.”

With that, Haraldr pushed Steve out of his way and made for the laboratory before he could be stopped again. Before leaving the platform, the god turned back around and focused his eyes to that of Fury, “Director I am unsure exactly what Hydra is, but I would suggest reviewing your trust in all of the agents around you. The ones I took the case from were thinking about quite heavily.” Before Fury and Steve were able to even share a shocked look, the god was turning the corner leaving behind a stunned group of agents.

----------

It was only a matter of minutes later that Haraldr was again in the company of his two younger brothers and the scientists of the Avengers team. He took a calculated once-over of the Helicarrier’s lab, noting that while both Tony and Bruce were busy looking at screens and using terms that the god had never heard before, Thor and Loki had placed themselves at both entrances to and from the lab. Nice to know that at least two people here are able to listen to orders. Placing a strong hand on Thor’s shoulder, Haraldr nodded once in greeting to the God of Thunder and then again to Loki.

“Saw your little show down there,” Tony voiced, eyes not leaving the transparent screen in front of him, “Anything we should know about?” Though the genius physically looked exhausted due to the battle that had taken place only hours prior, his eyes were clear and calculating.

Haraldr held his stare and answered with a simple, “No,” before turning his focus to his youngest brother adding, “other than the scepter is now in a safe and guarded location,” before asking for an update on the Tesseract.

Loki looked into his oldest brother’s bright green eyes with his own, a hundred questions swimming through his head. Haraldr answered with a look that simply spoke later before the younger walking over to the screens. His eyes scanned over the information scrolling across the projection. Out of the three of them, Haraldr was sure that Loki was the one that would be able to follow the two mortal scientist’s complicated information the easiest.

“Stark and Dr. Banner are currently searching through Dr. Selvig’s research in order to better understand the cube’s known properties. If I am correct, they are looking to build a containment unit that would allow us to use the cube to safely return to Asgard, without sending a homing signal throughout the universe.”

“Bingo, Reindeer Games,” Stark replied while throwing a pen in Loki’s direction. The latter caught the object easily sending a replying glare back in reference to the nickname that seems to, unfortunately, have stuck.

Haraldr, ignoring the childish antics happening around him, turned to Bruce, “Any projected timeframe?”

Bruce took off his glasses and picked up a tablet while talking around the table. After sliding through the current scans of the Tesseract Bruce sighed, “It could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Eric’s research is in-depth but neither Tony nor I have worked on something like this thing before. Luckily, we aren’t trying to make something out of the cube’s energy and are instead simply working on housing it.”

“Between the two of us, Banner, I think we’re up for the task.” Tony added with only a slight amount of cockiness, “JARVIS is currently scanning though not only Selvig’s research but all of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s database pulling anything that even mentions the Tesseract. Within a few hours, we’ll know everything we can about it before adding in our own research as well.”

The God of Magic nodded along to the information, “Very well. I must remind both of you to work with caution. Earth could not handle another attack such as the one that just took place. The Tesseract is more than a simple energy source. All that is needed is a way for my brothers to return home in one piece through its use. After that, the Allfather and I will use it to repair the Bifrost—”

“And then what Boy Wonder?” interrupted Tony. The three Asgardians turned to their gazes to the genius waiting for him to continue. “What will you do with the thing once you’ve fixed your bridge? Make your own weapons? Travel through the universe like your brother here?” He added pointing at Loki.

Thor broke his silence to respond, “With the Bifrost repaired, we will not need a tool such as the Tesseract to travel across the Nine Realms…” Haraldr put a hand up to stop his brother from continuing.

“The Tesseract will be used on the Bifrost and then it will be placed in my father’s vault where it will be guarded securely from all that are not the Allfather, including myself and my two brothers.”

“And what it will just sit there? You’ll all just go on ignoring its presence is even a thing?” The genius almost sounded unbelieving as to what the Asgardians were insinuating.

“Yes,” replied Haraldr, “We are princes of Asgard and protectors of the Nine Realms. As such, we know that some objects were not created for use and are simply meant to be protected from those wanting them to wield for their own benefit.”

The five men stood in silence for a lingering moment before both Tony and Bruce nodded to the three Asgardians, trusting their word as fact. “We’ll be required to keep Fury notified on our progress but I’m sure we’ll have you three on your way back home soon.”

Haraldr nodded in reply. After having witnessed what Tony Stark had been willing to sacrifice in order to keep his world safe, the human turned Asgardian held a great amount of respect for the genius. Though his thirst for knowledge concerned him, Haraldr was sure that with the Mind Stone currently safe within the walls of Hogwarts, sealed in his personal magical signature, Tony and Bruce were able to be trusted in their work.

In the time after that meeting, debates with S.H.I.E.L.D.’s head counsel were held on the approval of the Asgardians taking the Tesseract. Haraldr had almost reached the point of simply declaring that he was taking the cube with or without permission as a feud with Midgard was the last of Asgard’s worries, however, in the end, Director Fury had stepped in stating that he believed the cube would be in the safest care with Thor who was on the Avengers team and had declared that Earth’s protection was in his mighty care.

Sooner than scientists had predicted, a week and a half later the Avengers team along with Haraldr and Loki were meeting for a final time to send off the three Asgardians. Being that Haraldr was able to simply apparate home to the Golden City the Tesseract’s housing unit, built by both Tony and Bruce, simply held two handles: one for Thor and the other for Loki. When triggered, the two simply needed to think of where they wanted to be sent and so they would be. Haraldr had been in communication with Asgard’s watchman Heimdall. He would notify the prince of the successful return of both Thor and Loki before Haraldr himself would depart Earth.

After watching his brothers’ departure, and waiting on word from his trusted friend, a figure on one of New York’s many skyscrapers caught the God of Magic’s eye. It was a person wearing striking yellow robes. She held a stoic face and even from the great distance Haraldr could see her eyes and recognized the timeless knowledge they held. The two held their gaze until Haraldr took a quick note to the pendant hanging around her neck. With a knowing smirk on both of their faces, the two gave each other a brief nod of acknowledgment before Haraldr heard Heimdall’s voice in his head stating that the other two princes had returned safely to the Golden City.  

With a brief nod to the remaining Avengers around him, Haraldr apparated away with a resounding CRACK.

A/N HELLO!! I know what a wait right. This came out WAY later than I wanted it to but I wanted the storyline to work right and the original chapter that I wrote moved way too fast and I didn’t like it. So here we are. I have to be honest, I’m SO glad that the brothers are off of Earth. My original plot can now take place and I’m so excited about that! This should mean that chapters will be updated a lot more frequently.

I want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you that have continued to read and comment on this. Hearing from you all, asking when the next part will be out kept me motivated even when I couldn’t sit down to write. Thank you all so much!

To the questions about this being abandoned…NEVER! This will never be abandoned. It might take some time for me to get chapters out (this is my first multi-chapter story) but they will come out eventually! Writing is my therapy and I have missed it so much these past few months!

This story is un-betaed so I apologize for any mistakes. I try to re-read it even after it’s been posted just in case, I missed anything. Please let me know what you think of this chapter! Your reviews mean so much to me!!

Chapter Text

Before his feet had even fully landed on the broken rainbow bridge, Haraldr felt the welcoming warmth of Asgard. Hearing the familiar to the rushing water below, the heir to the throne took in the sight before him. The golden pillars of the palace were easily visible in the city center. The skies bright and clear on the late spring day. Haraldr turned to look at his companions on the bridge. Thor and Heimdall were speaking, the Tesseract now held in the watchman’s hands, both looking down at the broken bridge under their feet, likely discussing preliminary plans of its repair. Loki however stood to the side of them. Haraldr watched as his youngest brother stared ahead at the vast expanse of the Golden City. His brow was knitted together, and the sorcerer’s eyes were lost in thought, a rare display from the normally composed and calculating God of Mischief.

Haraldr felt a tightening in his stomach as he contemplated what was possibly passing through Loki’s mind. It had been two years since Loki had set foot in Asgard. Up until almost two weeks prior, the entirety of the city believed its youngest prince to have been dead. Haraldr shook his head, clearing it from the painful memories of the past two years. It wasn’t true. He’s fine. He’s home now. Haraldr knew it wouldn’t be as easy as simply making the statements. There was hurt to be repaired. Trust to be rebuilt. But he was determined to be there for both of his brothers this time. The inevitable confrontation between Loki and Odin would take place. Hel would most likely break loose and he as the oldest and heir would work on bringing his family back together. Or die trying. He thought as he approached the brother he’d been observing.

The two stood side by side silently for a brief moment before the older of the two spoke.

“He’s most likely waiting for us in the throne room,” he spoke softly.

“Never was one for welcome parties,” Loki replied, “though I must say I was expecting to be cuffed and chained by now. Guess the Allfather’s losing his touch.”

“Don’t be an idiot,” The response came from behind them. Thor’s wide smile consumed his face as he wrapped an arm around both of his brothers. “This is a joyous day Brother! Asgard has its princes returned safely and victorious! We will feast for days in celebration!”

Both of the other two princes threw Thor’s arms from their shoulders, one with more jest than the other, “Easy Thor,” Haraldr chided, “there are matters that need to be addressed before we break out the ale and wine.”

“You are correct my friend,” Heimdall interjected, “The Allfather waits for you at the palace.” As he spoke the three princes took note of their horses being brought to them down the path of the bridge.

Meeting the servants sent to bring their steeds, each prince mounted their horse and set off down the rainbow path leading to the grand palace. On the journey, Haraldr took note of Loki’s changing expressions. He had watched as Loki greeted his horse, black as the night sky and a trusted companion that had been with the trickster for many years. Loki’s eyes had softened as he had looked into the creature’s eyes. Almost apologizing for having been gone for so long. However, those eyes had hardened again once the three had taken off towards their destination.

Through their entire journey, Haraldr watched the two emotions flicker between each other on his brother’s face.

Faster than they realized, the brothers arrived at the palace and made their way to the throne room where they knew the Allfather would be awaiting them. Expecting the traditional setting of Odin sitting on his grand throne, waiting for to be debriefed on the happenings of the latest conquest, with a small group of Einherjar guarding the steps leading to him, all three brothers were shocked to instead find the vast hall empty save for three beings. Odin and Frigga stood at the bottom of the throne’s many stairs awaiting their sons’ arrival. Next to Frigga was a woman. With a heart-shaped face and lightly tanned skin, she was seemingly Aesir if not for her ears which came to a gradual point. Her hair was long and wavy with braids pulling the light blonde hair away from her face. Tears formed her crystal blue eyes when she caught sight of the three men approaching her.

Before anyone was aware of what had happened, Haraldr watched his wife Dagny, Princess to both Alfheim and Asgard, throw her arms around Loki, locking her arms around the god’s solid frame. Shock was visible on the trickster’s face, however, after a brief moment, he softly returned the embrace holding his sister-in-law as she wept into his shoulder.

“Come now Sister,” Loki gently pried, “there certainly isn’t need for this.”

Pulling back, Dagny placed her hands firmly on either side of Loki’s face, “You ever do that to us again and I will kill you myself,” Her voice was thick with her Elvish accent, “You understand?”

A delighted and tender smirk formed on his face and the youngest of Asgard’s princes responded with a simple, “Every word.”

The two shared another brief hug before separating. Dagny moved to welcome home her husband and Thor while Loki stood before the Allfather and Allmother. Haraldr watched as the tense exchange of stares before Loki broke the silence, “Hello Mother.”

“Oh Loki,” She approached her son and Haraldr watched as Loki was once again wrapped in a welcoming embrace before the trickster even knew what was coming. Talk about someone losing their touch, he thought with a chuckle. “We’ve missed you so, my son.” Frigga’s tears were evident in her voice.

Had there not been an audience, Haraldr was sure that Loki would have fully returned their mother’s embrace. As there was one, Loki had simply closed his eyes and lightly held his mother has she clung to him.

Odin behind them clenched his jaw. It was noted by all in the room that Loki had only addressed Frigga. The Allmother was still in her son’s arms, tears streaming down her face as her youngest son comforted her. Haraldr heard Loki’s whisper of, “It’s alright Mother, I’m home now,” and watched as he tightened his arms to more securely hold the woman that chose the two of them to be her sons.

Eventually, the two pulled back and Loki’s face was again framed by two hands. “How are you Loki?” Frigga’s normally calm and soothing voice was eager. “You don’t know how worried I’ve been. When Heimdall came and told us he’d witnessed Haraldr breaking a spell that had been cast over you…” tears had again filled her eyes. Haraldr suspected that her emotions stemmed from the fact that she too knew how guarded Loki’s mind was. She was one of the strongest sorceresses in all of Asgard. She knew the power it would have taken to overthrow Loki’s protective shields.

Loki being the sliver-tongue put ease to her worries however, “There is no need for worry any longer Mother. My mind is my own again and Haraldr has brought me back to full health.”

“Yes, we will see about that. At earliest convenience, Lady Eir will be looking you over before I am willing to believe it.”

Loki rolled his eyes at his mother’s concern, “Have you so little faith in my own magic Mother?” Harald questioned with a chuckled.

“My son has been gone for two years, Haraldr,” Frigga shot back, “Gone into the vastness and seen things people cannot even fathom. I would not even trust my own magic when it comes to my son’s health in this instance.”

This statement brought the small party back to the grave reality that had brought them all together. To what exactly it was the caused Loki to have fallen into the vastness of space. Odin cleared his throat finally approaching his family. Loki visibly tensed waiting to hear what exactly the Allfather had to say.

“Loki,” Odin’s voice was its normally commanding tone. The others in the room stood back, clearing the space for the Allfather and prince.

“Allfather,” Loki tightly replied.

Haraldr had hoped to be able to continue his unfinished discussion with Loki before having returned to Asgard. Unfortunately, they hadn’t and Haraldr knew that Loki’s current hatred for their father had continued to stew since their heated conversation on the Helicarrier.

Odin’s hard eye soften slightly, yet Haraldr knew his father better than to believe a warm greeting and an apology was about to come from his lips. “It is a day worthy of celebration. Asgard’s princes have returned in full. Know that tonight we will feast in the knowledge that all of the sons of Odin have returned to the Golden Halls.”

Thor had cheered a mighty “Hail!” in celebration of their father’s words however three other pairs of eyes turned to the youngest prince. Loki’s fists and jaw had clenched at Odin’s words. Haraldr closed his eyes waiting on the inevitable to happen.

“Is that all you have to say to me?” Loki growled. “After our last two conversations, after all that has happened, you’re choosing to talk about feasts?”

“My son—”

“DON’T!” Loki’s fragile control had finally snapped, “You lied to me for years. You had them,” he threw his hands in the direction of Haraldr and Frigga, “lie to me for years! You make me feel unworthy for over a thousand years, You compare me to Haraldr and Thor, make me feel weak because I never amounted to their physical strengths. You knew the entire time that I would never achieve what they had and always made sure I knew it as well. A Frost Giant runt is all you’ve ever seen when you look at me and now, we all know it.” Loki’s seething voice had cracked by the end.

Beside him, Dagny had clenched Haraldr’s arm. Tears had welled in her eyes again as she listened to the pain in Loki’s voice.

For the first time in many centuries, Odin truly looked sorrowful. His eyebrows stooped and is one good eye grew tired. “I cannot undo the disservice I have done. Since this truth has been revealed I have almost lost two sons and know the grave mistake I made when I chose to keep the truth from you.”

Loki’s face hardened. His eyebrows tightened and Haraldr noted his eyes narrow and knew that the God of Lies was replaying Odin’s words in his head, searching through them for any signals to their meaning being false.

“Don’t tell me you’re expecting me to forgive you?” Loki’s normally charming baritone voice was practically a growl. “You stole me—”

“I saved you!” as if oil had been poured over a flame the Allfather’s voice boomed through the grand hall. “You might choose to see it differently but that much is the truth. You were too small. You had been left to die and I brought you to Asgard and raised you as a prince! You had more than your birthright warranted!”

“My birthright was King of Jotunheim!”

“Your birthright was to die!” Odin fired back, “It is only due to the acts of Haraldr that you are not standing trial for the stunts you pulled in your reign as king or you might not have escaped death a third time!”

Loki stepped back in shock. The others around him knowing better than to intervene, “You would have sentenced your own son to death.” Loki was not accusing; he was stating a fact.

“My son no longer claimed me as a father,” Odin threw back.

The two remained stone-faced, breathing heavily while the other four in the room watched, praying to the Norns that nothing more would be said that would cause further irreparable damage.

“Why am I not in chains then?” Loki questioned, “I set the Jotuns loose, I killed Laufey and attempted to destroy all of Jotunheim. If its worthy of execution why am I not standing trial?”

Odin looked to Haraldr, the tension between the two had only slightly settled over the last two years. Haraldr had never forgiven his father for sending him away and, in turn, not allowing him to ease the strain between his two brothers in his absence. He had especially not forgiven Odin for not informing him of his pending Odinsleep. Had Haraldr been made aware none of this would be taking place. It was only the Allfather agreeing to the acts following Loki’s fall that even slightly repaired their damaged relationship.

“You remain free due to Haraldr’s efforts in rebuilding balance to Asgard’s alliance with Jotunheim,” Odin started, “In the agreement to a treaty between our two realms after your outburst, claiming emotional induced insanity, Haraldr arranged for the Casket of Ancient Winters to be returned to the Frost Giants as a peace offering.”

Loki turned slightly to observe the others in the room. It was obvious that this was not new information to them, and Loki hated the more than slightly sympathetic looks being directed his way from his family.

Once Loki had again turned back to face Odin the Allfather continued, “The new king Helblindi agreed to our terms and accepted the Casket. We have not had any conflict with Jotunheim for the last two years and, as per our agreement, once the Bifrost is rebuilt we will send provisions twice a month to assist them in rebuilding their realm. Haraldr has agreed to continue the current peace treaty when he takes over reign as Asgard’s king.”

Still processing what Haraldr had done, Loki was left confused as to why his oldest brother would go to such lengths after his supposed death, “Why?” the question left his mouth in almost a whisper, “What would Asgard possibly get out of that?”

Though shorter than all of his sons, Odin seemed to look down into Loki’s gaze when he replied with, “It was agreed in the treaty that in the unlikelihood that you were in fact alive, if Jotunheim accepted our offer of future provisions as well as the Casket of Ancient Winters, you, Loki Odinson, would be granted freedom and forgiveness by both parties for all acts made during your reign as King of the Nine Realms.” Odin paused to allow the information to sink in, “I would not have sentenced you to death, my son, however, the same truth cannot be said for the King of Jotunheim. It is only due to Haraldr’s actions that you are not bound in chains, kneeling before Helblindi at this very moment.”

Loki’s turned to look at his eldest brother for the first time since entering the palace. The risk to return the Casket to Jotunheim was astronomical. Haraldr had battled against the Frost Giants in the great wars and knew that giving them back their source of power would be a monumental risk to not only Asgard but the other realms as well. Haraldr met his gaze with a firmness that stated he did not regret his choice and it would not be questioned.

A/N After months of stress and being stuck I’m FINALLY back!! This is just the first family interaction between them all. The next chapter will really start diving into the main plot of this story. The plan for the infinity stone will finally be addressed as well as plans for defense again a certain giant purple Titan.

I was so stuck on whether to include Dagny in this chapter or not! She’s one of the few original characters this story will have. Haraldr is the future king of the Nine Realms. There are certain expectations for him and I’m pretty sure marrying a princess of another realm would be one of them. However! Remember that this story is primarily about Haraldr, Thor, and Loki and their journey to protect the Infinity Stones so worry about this story being sidetracked by a subplot!

Again, I hope you like this chapter! More to come soon! Let me know what you think in the comments!!!

Chapter Text

The air in the room remained heavy as Loki’s gaze returned to the Allfather. His skin prickled as he felt the annoyingly sympathetic looks being given to him by his family. Anger piled in his stomach as the unwanted shame of weakness started to consume him.

“So, what now?” The question left his lips through clenched teeth. “The truth remains what it always has been? A shameful secret? Brushed under the proverbial rug until we all simply forget it completely? Forced with to live with the knowledge that I was abandoned by one family, only to be lied to by another?”

Despite his attempts, Loki’s eyes watered along the edges. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried he could not stop the hurt that filled him when reminded of the lies. The shock of being dubbed the god of them, only to have fallen for another’s filled him more embarrassment than he’d ever admit to aloud.

Odin’s gaze softened as he watched his youngest son battle within himself. “What would you have me do, Loki?” His voice was level, “how do I rectify what I’ve done, in your eyes?” Despite what it might seem, the Allfather was familiar with regret and remorse. He spoke honestly of his mistakes. The loss of his youngest son combined with the possibility of losing his oldest had seen a change in the Allfather. Noticeable to only those closest to him, but noticeable, nonetheless.

Loki did not give an answer quickly.

Haraldr noticed Loki’s jaw clench and eyes tighten as he stood, contemplating what their father asked of him. The god of magic worried for what Loki’s response would be. He knew well enough to not step in and put an end to what was taking place, this was all far from overdue.

Thor stood to his left. Haraldr could sense that the god of thunder was itching to intervene between the tense conversation before them. Thor had never liked conflict between their family and, despite what many thought, truly loved both Loki and their father, and only wished for the cracks in the family to be mended.

Frigga had pulled Dagny to the side of the hall, Haraldr suspected this was less in regard to giving her son and husband privacy and more in self prevention were things to turn to blows.  

All was at an uneasy steadiness before the trickster smiled and gave a light laugh.

“Well, that would be good wouldn’t it,” he smirked, “You want to know what I want Father,” the word was said through clenched teeth, “For too long your greatness, your lies, have ruled the Nine. Your mighty throne gained and kept by bringing peace to the realms beyond, or so they say at least.”

Haraldr’s skin began to prickle as he listened to his brother speak. The peaceful anger and resentment held within his brother was seeping out of him. Now more than ever he wished he’d been able to finish their conversation. Wished for the opportunity to ease his mind, if only slightly.

“We all know how the story truly goes though don’t we,” Loki continued, “we all know who won you your throne when your lies, when your deceit, when your conquering power became unhinged, and when the monster rose, and the Mighty Odin began to fall.”

Three sets of eyes shifted behind him, and Loki’s smile grew, “As I said, it is no secret. It would seem I am not the only one that owes my life to another. The people of Asgard know of the Valkyrie’s defeat, yet the legend fails to speak of the mystery behind it. Jotunheimr was not the first victory that brought you a son. Your lies have made your throne too heavy Odin. It seems it now suits you ill.”

“Loki enough of this,” Thor could no longer hold his tongue, “what you are insinuating—”

“What I am insinuating, dear brother,” he said turning to look at Thor, “is that it is quite obvious that the time of Odin ended long ago. The realms have been kept in peace by another for centuries and it is high time that truth comes to light.”

Loki then turned to Haraldr, “or am I wrong, Brother?”

Haraldr looked directly into his brother’s eyes and with a slight turn of his head spoke, “Loki—"

“It shall be done,” All eyes turned to the one the voice belonged to. Odin’s eye was cast to Hlidskjalf as he spoke, “You are correct my son, your words speak truth that has been told to me by more than just your voice.” As he spoke, he turned his attention back to his family. “The Norns have spoken to me of this. I will not hide the fact that I have done much greatness for not only Asgard and its people during my reign as king, but for the rest of the Nine Realms as well. I have brought peace and protection to those under my watchful eye for many a millennium. However, my greatest faults have not come from my title of king, but from my title of father. I tried to prepare you, protect you, and your brothers for the futures you are all destined for, and in doing so pushed for what I thought best.

“Haraldr had grown and suffered through more than most by the time he became my son. He had his moral opinions already set and merely needed the slightest amount of my guidance to become who is standing with us now. You and Thor were my second chance, and I failed you. I was afraid if I did not push you to meet Asgardian standards, you’d grow to show your true bloodline. I feared for you Loki and the fear turned to mistrust. You deserved better.”

As he spoke his eye turned to Thor and then settled on Haraldr, “It will be announced to the Counsel tomorrow that my reign will be ending and preparations for Haraldr’s coronation shall begin to take place.”

He again turned his eye to Loki, “I know not if this is enough to stem your hatred for me, my son, but I do hope it was enough to mend the strain put on our family.”

Loki’s eyes narrowed and he smiled with his teeth, “Well, we’ll see won’t we.”

The two held their gaze before an airy clap turned their attention to the side of the room.

“Well,” Frigga exclaimed, “don’t we have much to celebrate tonight!”

She and Dagny made their way back over to the others in the room.

“Our family together again, and the dawn of a new age is at our heels,” she continued, “The Norns will celebrate with us for many a night.”

“The Allmother is correct,” Dagny added as she moved to stand by her husband, “I suspect if we listen carefully tonight, we will hear them joining us in song.”

“Doubtful,” Haraldr added as he rested an arm around his wife, “I am sure they have far more important things to do than rejoice in any matters related to me.”

“What makes up think you are the only one here they would have cause to celebrate?” she teased

“Precisely Brother,” Thor joined throwing an arm around Haraldr’s shoulders, his other thrown around Loki’s, “they are likely to celebrate all three sons of Odin and the future for the Nine. May our future enemies quake in fear of our greatness.”

“He is right Haraldr,” Loki joined, “our enemies will greatly fear being squashed by Thor’s giant head.”

It was with jest that Thor shoved his younger brother away and Haraldr witnessed a fondness he hadn’t seen in many years fill Loki’s eyes.

“There will be many grand feats in your futures worthy of celebration,” Odin stepped in, “Tonight, however, we celebrate your latest victory. Heimdall has kept me informed of what he was able to see while you were away,” he looked to his two youngest sons before resting to his oldest, “though, I’m greatly interested to know what took place when you were beyond both his and my sight.”

Haraldr’s mind shifted as he was reminded of their original task upon returning to the Golden City.

“He was able to follow you through most of your journey, however, he noted many gaps in his sight. What discussions did you cloak from him Haraldr?” Odin’s voice was steady, holding genuine curiosity.

Haraldr lowered his arm from Dagny’s waist and stepped forward towards his father.

“While our journey ended in victory over our enemy and the return of Loki to us,” the prince began, “it has revealed to us the great possibility of future conflict. It was not Heimdall I was intentionally concealing information from, but the mortals of Midgard. For I fear what they would do with the information had it been given to them freely.”

“What information, my son?” Odin’s eye hardened.

Haraldr looked to his brothers briefly before looking back to the Allfather, “Someone is seeking to unite the Infinity Stones.”

The reveal of this information caused the air in the great hall to grow heavier.

“You are sure of this Haraldr?” Frigga asked her eyes focused and shrewd.

“Quite positive, Mother,” Loki answered for him.

The queen turned her attention to her youngest, “How do you know this?” she asked quietly.

“The one seeking them out was the one that held Loki captive,” Thor’s voice held anger as he responded.

Odin was silent as he processed the information and turned to walk towards the throne, “Do we have a name for this being?”

Thor and Haraldr both looked to Loki and found his jaw set firmly.

“Well?” Odin questioned after receiving no reply.

“Not yet, Father,” gave Haraldr, “to protect himself during captivity, Loki has sworn an oath to protect his benefactor’s secrets.”

Frigga, Dagny, and even Odin himself looked in different stages of grief at the reveal of this information. Odin turned his eye to his youngest looking at him with a mix of sympathy and regret.

“We all do what we must to survive in desperate situations,” his voice was uncharacteristically soft as he spoke.

“You would know, wouldn’t you?” The trickster replied.

“Easy Loki,” Haraldr stated stepping between the two, “Father in our victory we accumulated two of the Stones. The Tesseract, which I believe houses the Space Stone, was recovered and used to bring Thor and Loki home. Heimdall is keeping watch of the cube and awaits further instruction to begin repairing the Bifrost.”

“And the other?” Odin asked, brushing off Loki’s comment, “You spoke of two Stones. It was left with your mortal comrades I presume?” The Allfather’s voice was heavy with skepticism.

“Do you doubt my judgment so severely, Father?” Haraldr joked, “No, as well-meaning of a team Thor now finds himself on, their leadership cannot be trusted with an object as powerful as an Infinity Stone. The Mind Stone has been placed in a trusted and secure location.”

“I was unaware there were any trusted and secure locations on Midgard,” Odin shot back.

Haraldr sighed, “It is temporary, Father,” he justified, “only until permanent placement can be decided.”

“Where?” The Allfather questioned sternly.

“Hogwarts,” Haraldr replied stoically, “With one I hold a great amount of faith in, concealed behind my own magical signature,” Odin continued to look skeptical, “It is safe, Father. I ask you to trust me.”  

Odin investigated his son and considered his words.

“Tomorrow we will discuss plans for its removal and new placement,” Haraldr nodded in agreement, “Is there more I am unaware of?” He looked between all of his children and received headshakes indicating they had revealed all of their information to him.

“Very well,” Frigga’s once again joyful voice resounded, “anymore discussion can wait. If I am not wrong, Andhrímnir has prepared a great feast in celebration of tonight. Let us not keep our friends waiting longer than they have already. Loki, my son, when news spread of your survival plans of celebration began straight away.” As she spoke, she wrapped her arms once again around the Trickster. “The merriments will last for weeks in your honor.”

“Hail!” Thor once again cheered loudly, “Come, Brother, let us recount our victory over the monster Cull Obsidian. It is certain to put Fandral in his place.”

Loki raised an eyebrow and smirked at his brother’s words as he walked with him and Frigga out of the throne room and towards the feasting halls.

Dagny smiled at her brother-in-laws’ retreating forms before to making her way to join the feasts. She turned briefly to look at her husband. Vibrant green met crystal blue and she nodded once in response to their silent conversation before turning and making her leave.

Now with Odin alone Haraldr allowed himself to drop his usual soldier façade. He turned and found his father facing the large golden throne.

“Father do not feel forced to hand over your throne,” he started, “I will talk to Loki. He is simply hurting from discovering the truth and my lies.”

“My lies, Haraldr,” the Allfather spoke quietly, “For the first in a long while, Loki spoke the truth in my presence. You tried to warn me all of those years ago, and I thought I knew better.”

The mighty god turned back to his oldest son and spoke firmly, “It is time Haraldr.”

“Father…” Haraldr replied shaking his head.

“He was right, it has been many centuries since I guided the peace between the realms. If it hadn’t been for you Asgard’s fate would have been lost long ago,” with a tilt of his head he gestured to the stairs, “Come,” and they both moved to sit.

“My time in this world is ending Haraldr,” the god of magic found his eyes closing in disbelief at his father’s words, “It is true. There is no sense in hiding it from you. It is for the best that Asgard adjusts to its heir ruling before my depart. Your brother’s comments only support this fact.”

Haraldr looked down at his hands, “I never asked for this.”

“And that is what will make you a great king,” Odin comforted, “Asgard already follows your judgment. They did before you were even declared as my son and heir. They will be guided by your bravery and loyalty to the Nine Realms.”

 The king and heir sat on the steps of the throne, each silently recollecting on the years and events that brought them here.

“Why make me your heir?” Haraldr questioned broke the silence, “You had Frigga and the obvious ability to have produce one of your own. What was the basis of your decision?”

Odin was silent as he contemplated his answer. He turned his eye to the ceiling, observing the glass depiction of his family. His eye floated over the representations of Frigga standing next to him and took in the sight of his sons. Haraldr in the middle with Thor and Loki on either side. Blue eye sought the glass-green staring down at him from above.

“The Norns spoke to me early into my reign,” the king’s voice was quiet and steady as he recalled the past, “They spoke of one that would come, one that would be a savior of the realms, a bringer of peace, a great king of Asgard,” he paused for a moment, “I naively believed they had been describing me and my rule. It was that belief that guided me to expand the realms and drove my boasting of our greatness, which in turn fueled Hela’s lust for bloodshed. It was when her power grew too great, too unstoppable that I’d realized I’d quite forgotten about the prophecy altogether. It wasn’t until her imprisonment that I allowed myself to hear the Norns again, to be reminded of what they told me. I was reminded again when you approached me on Midgard,” he gave a slight chuckle at the distant memory, “Even with all of my sights, I did not see you coming that night,” Haraldr looked down, a small smirk appeared on his face.

“What made you trust me?”

Odin took at his son, “There were many inquisitive aspects about you during our first meeting that made me not quite ready to officially part from your company,” Haraldr gave a laugh at the memory of his first jumbled meeting with the grand Allfather, “However, it was your memories that told me of your truthfulness. I was quite curious about Harry Potter. Found myself both worried and comforted in his presence and knew should he turn out to be a great evil it was best it happens where he would easily be dealt with.”

“You’d have sent me to the dungeons, Father,” the accusation came with another laugh.

“It is not as if I was aware of your full character at the time, Haraldr,” Odin smiled back, “It was after Hela broke free, though, that I made my final decision. Still within your first century with us, you hadn’t even tasted the sweetness of the golden apples at this point, looking like a child facing a giant in her presence. Yet you were unafraid…”

Haraldr snorted at that, “False, I was terrified.”

Odin smiled, “And yet you faced her anyway, with only a wand in hand...”

“…Swords obviously weren’t working…”

“...and conquered Death when no one else could,” Odin sat in amazement of the past, “And I knew. I knew I had found the one the Norns spoke of,” he turned his eye to Haraldr, “I am only lucky he accepted my offer, that I now call him Son.”

Haraldr looked to his father and knew not how to comment further. Odin gave him a pitying smile and raised a hand to his shoulder.

“You will make a great king,” he spoke firmly, “with or without the prophecy to declare it so.”

Haraldr swallowed slightly under his father’s proud gaze and nodded in reply.

“Alright,” Odin said standing up, “Let us join the festivities, for they are well deserved,” he made way to leave the throne room, “If we are lucky Volstagg will have left us a bite of the  Sæhrímnir.”

Haraldr laughed in reply to his father’s comments and stood to follow him. Before leaving the room, he turned and looked to Hlidskjalf. A small smile made its way to his face.

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Unknown to the feasting Aesir, there was a conversation taking place beyond the void in the deepness of space.

"Humans, They are not the cowering wretches we were promised. They stand. They are unruly, and therefore cannot be ruled. To challenge them is to court...Death"

A giant figure turned, smiling ominously in response.

“Well then, I do hope She is ready.”

A/N AAAHHHH I’M SO SORRY!!! I said I was back and then disappeared again. Well, I’m back now and am so happy this chapter is out!! It was hard for me to piece together exactly how I wanted this to go but I’ve sat on it long enough. What do you think?? I’m very excited about the future of this story!

Obviously, the italicized section was borrowed from the end credits scene of The Avengers (2012). I did not write that or any of the Marvel or Harry Potter characters mentioned in this story. I simply enjoy writing my own multiverse fanfiction. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!!

-Mack

Chapter Text

Green eyes watched as the Bifrost spun to life. The bright colors reflected against the shining gold of the palace even from the great distance. Far below the private viewpoint, soldiers could be seen preparing the large, covered carts for prisoner transport. Horses had already started leading the first of the carts across the rainbow bridge to collect those that would be arriving soon.

The green-eyed gaze returned to Himinbjorg when a faint gust of wind sounded from the golden observatory. A flying red mass was making its way toward the balcony.

Thor flew with great precision, Mjolnir spinning faster than even an Æsir’s trained eye could see, and landed on two steady feet, a proud smile prominent on his face.

“Forty minutes, exactly,” Thor’s proud smile widened even further, “and I even brought you a keepsake, Brother.”

Loki was quick to catch whatever had been thrown to him, snatching it out of the air without moving his eyes from Thor’s overly cocky face. Looking down to his hand he examined the grey stone that now rested in his palm. He briefly observed the rock before looking back to his brother with a raised brow.

“Kronan,” It wasn’t a question, Loki was more than well versed in the many races that inhabited the Nine Realms, “The Marauders will band with just about any walk of life these days.”

“Fear not, Brother,” Thor jested, “one well-placed swing and Mjolnir had the beast crumbling to nothing more than a pile of rubble.”

Loki barely held off a dramatic roll of his eyes.

“Yes, we are all very impressed in your ability to swing a hammer at the bad men,” his bored tone only causing Thor’s smirk to grow wider, “If only some of us weren’t so busy sitting in Council, managing the peace of the Nine, then we’d all be able to embrace our inner childish beast, slaying the monsters and basking in the cheers and glow of our heroism.”

Thor laughed, “You say all of that, Loki, and you wear that shiny pin on your robes,” he added with a strong poke to the gold Valknut now pinned on Loki’s right breast, the symbol of being the First in Council to the Allfather, “yet we both know you miss the rush of a battle. Your wits and shrewdness might be put to best use in the politics of Court but we both know there’s a reason you keep a dagger on hand. The roar of battle is in our blood, Brother.”

“You are quite foolish if you assume he keeps only a single dagger within a hand’s reach.”

The brothers turned at the unexpected, musical tone of their sister-in-law; the new queen of Asgard.

She stood in the doorway leading to the platform, golden skin and sparkling blond hair radiated second to the natural beauty of her heart-shaped features. A small smile formed across her lips as she’d watched the brothers’ banter.

It was no secret that the marriage between the former heir of the throne and whoever he was to marry would be one of convenience, one made to solidify the alliance between the two realms. However, it was a surprise when Haraldr had chosen the third daughter of the Alfheim’s king and not the predicted eldest of his five.

Though a grand beauty, many were shocked by the former prince having been drawn to the slightly airy and almost whimsical personality of the former princess, Dagny. Her kind disposition and outspoken nature had many questioning the match, yet after almost a century of bonded marriage, there were none who doubted the loving, devotion the new king had to his queen.

It had not quite been a full year, yet the Nine were thriving under the reign of their new Allfather and Allmother.

In the time since the coronation, Loki had indeed been promoted to First in Council to King Haraldr and Thor had taken over Haraldr’s previous position of Head of the Defense and was currently splitting his time as evenly as possible between Asgard and Alfheim. Luckily, Haraldr’s century of building and training his vast army made it so the majority of Thor’s work focused on maintaining and strategizing the army’s strengths for possible future battles with the general that Haraldr had previously left in charge during his time away; a fierce woman that Thor was only mildly frightened of, there was rumor she had even been a Valkyrie.

In between those duties, he’d been assisting in the rounding up of the pillaging terrors, known as the Marauders, across the Nine. Alfheim had been protected after the destruction of the Bifrost but Realms such as Vanaheim, as well as smaller worlds that were under Asgardian protection such as Nornheim and Ria, had been left defenseless. As the one troubled with causing their destruction, Thor had seen to it to rectify and avenge those lost to the ragtag invaders.

Which brought them to where they currently were, Thor had just returned from Vanaheim, having stopped one of the last known groups of Marauders with his trusted companions of Lady Sif and the Warriors Three.  

“Was it not three days ago that my husband had to physically stop you from using a knife against Adils Thrainsson in Council?”

Her lightly teasing, whimsical voice carried over the two. Standing by them in the sun, her light blue gown shimmered in the rays and caused her equally blue eyes to shine. She had a much smaller stature than both Thor and Loki yet, while seemingly delicate, both knew there was much more to the new queen than met the eye.

Thor laughed joyously at her arrival and raised an eye to Loki at her comment.

“You act as if he wouldn’t have deserved it, my Queen” the smirk that met her was full of mischief.

Dagny smiled back at him, happier than anyone would know that she was once again in the teasing presence of her two brothers-in-law. She looked around the platform before raising her eyes to the ever-present stars of the Asgardian sky.

“The Allfather has been notified of your victory, Thor,” she stated before meeting his eyes, “Council will meet in the morning to discuss plans moving forward with those brought back from Vanaheim.”

Loki and Thor looked at each other briefly, “They sent you to give that message?” Thor asked, “Is there not someone less important than the Allmother to be made as a messenger?”

Dagny, who had been looking out to the city below them looked back, her eyes doe-like as aways, “Oh, no one sent me, the winds simply told me of Thor’s return,” she spoke as if this was a means of communication that all received from the weather, and looked back out to the cityscape. “The skies darken, and the stars are shifting. The winds whisper of great change.”

The two sons of Odin looked to each other again. Comments like this from their brother’s wife were not uncommon but often left them with a foreboding sense of curiosity, “I best be off, I do believe Frigga is waiting for me in the gardens.”

Before either could further comment, the queen turned and made her way through the doors and down the hall.

Loki watched her make her exit, slightly stumped by her comments. Change was coming, the great aligning of the Nine Realms would be happening in only days. A happenstance that had not been seen since the rule of King Bor. Great celebrations had been underway for weeks in preparation.

“You know I think she enjoys doing that,” Thor’s eyes stayed trained on the door Dagny had just left.

Loki smirked at his brother, and mentally pocketed the Queen’s comment for later, “Unnerved are you, Thor?”

“No,” Thor’s eyes narrowed, and Loki’s smirk grew, “Shut up.”

Loki’s laugh could be heard as Thor vacated the balcony.

“Oh, and thank you for the gift, Brother,” Loki called out, “It will do nicely for target practice later.”

Thor gave a nonverbal reply as he made his way down the hall, and headed toward the training grounds.

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Haraldr stood on a terrace just above sight of the training grounds, observing the new and old recruits. Lady Sif was currently sparring with a young lad, not making any acts of going easy on the poor boy.

“Is Vanaheim secure?” The voice of his father carried from just below. Ever the Allfather, he thought with a shake of his head and waited for what he assumed would be Thor’s response.

“As are Normheim and Ria,” Thor’s voice was as stoic as any trained warrior giving a report would be, but Haraldr noted an air of confliction inside it.

He knew his middle brother had been struggling between his obligation to the Nine and the longing in his heart. He’d made note to talk to Thor about his growing infatuation with the mortal Jane Foster. The two had discussed Thor’s brief visit to Midgard after the Bifrost was destroyed and his then promise to the mortal. However, now that the Bifrost had been restored and the Nine brought back to peace Haraldr knew his brother was battling internally between duty and desire, and the talk he’d been putting off would need to happen sooner rather than later.

He was not the only one to notice the change in Thor as he heard his father comment as such.  

“Human lives are fleeting; they are nothing,” Haraldr dropped his head into his hand, pinching between his eyes. Or perhaps our father will simply go ahead and do it for me “You’d be better served by what lies in front of you.”

Haraldr again looked to Sif, almost performing before them in her sparring, and knew he was not the only one observing the woman.

“I say this as your father, reminding you that you have a duty to the Nine and beyond. That Haraldr has placed their protection in your arms. You have a duty to the future of this realm. You cannot put forth the succinct life of one mortal above all others.”

Haraldr looked to the skies above him, mentally taking note of all he would have to rectify when he was finally able to speak with this brother.

It had been almost a year since he’d taken over the title of King and while the transition had gone as smoothly as possible, Haraldr knew it would be many years, if ever before Odin kept his opinions to himself. He’d loudly questioned Haraldr’s decision to make Loki his second in command and thoroughly vocalized his preference for Thor to take a seat on Council as well.

However, Haraldr knew his brothers better than any other and made calculated decisions to have them readily at both of his sides in terms of strategy and defense. He used their strengths to his advantage as King of the Nine Realms. Thor was a warrior through and through, never had he tried to challenge Haraldr for the throne because he’d never wanted it. The desire to rule had never come to his mind. He was a protector and would not find fulfillment seated in Council every day.

Loki was a strategist. He thrived in a setting that allowed him to mentally solve the puzzles of politics and debate the ongoing issues that arose through the realms. He’d been delegated the task of assessing and reevaluating the treaties held between Asgard and their many allies, as well as handled the vast majority of the daily dealings of Court. His place in Council also allowed Haraldr access to all Asgard’s seemingly hidden information through the use of Loki’s many silver-tongued talents and manipulation.

Between Haraldr and his two brothers, Asgard’s people and those under their protection had finally found their well-deserved peace.

If only that peace would extend to Thor, Haraldr thought as he continued to observe the ongoing training below. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he failed to hear the footsteps that came up from the stone staircase to his right.

“Haraldr?” The voice of his brother in question snapped him out of his thoughts, “I would have expected you to be too busy to observe new, recruit training.”

“Ah, but Brother what kind of king would I be if I allowed myself to forget where the stories of warriors begin?” Green eyes met blue, and a smile formed on both their faces, “It humbles me to see the future of Asgard’s defenses grow.”

Haraldr cast his gaze over that of Thor. Taking note that while his smile was true, it did not reach his eye.

“These are your new recruits, correct?” the King asked, “The ones you’ve brought back from your quests?”

“Hm, many relished the chance to honor their families and the throne with their service in our ranks.”

Haraldr looked to his brother, watching as his blue eyes roamed over the sparring sessions below, “They joined because of your leadership,” he placed a strong hand on Thor’s shoulder, “You’ve done Asgard proud.”

Below, two young men laughed while helping a third back to his feet. Sif stood off to the side allowing them only a brief moment of rest before calling them back to their marks.

Haraldr leaned forward, allowing his forearms to rest on the ledge before him, Thor followed in suit a moment after.  

“You know,” his voice just above a murmur, “had I settled my gaze on what lied in front of me, I would have allowed myself to continue on with what was simply expected of me.”

Thor’s head shot to his brother’s, “Brother—”

“I would have married Ásleif,” Haraldr continued, “The alliance would have been strengthened, my duty would have been fulfilled,” He turned his head and met the almost apprehensive gaze of Thor, “and I would have gone the rest of my life feeling as if there was a missing piece of myself lying inside of me.” He paused briefly to collect his thoughts.

“Thor, I will never tell you what choices to make with your life. Not as your King and certainly not as your brother, but I must ask you to act with caution.”

Thor looked down at his hands, “I know all of the risks. I know my life will far exceed hers. That in sixty years I will have not aged a day, yet she will be withering away.”

Haraldr watched Thor’s eyes as he spoke, noting the devotion that settled in them at the mere thought of Jane Foster.

“And yet my heart calls for hers, and I wonder if even though I can only hold off the eventual pain, would it be worth it? Would the memories be enough to get me through, until at last, I meet my end and enter Valhalla?”

“Is it love you hold for her, Thor?” Haraldr felt the need to question, “For despite your seemingly instantaneous connection, you only, truly, knew her for a moment.”

Thor did not answer right away, allowing himself the moment to think over what his most trusted companion asked of him, “I know not the meanings of the feelings I hold for her,” he spoke his world to the sky, “Yet, my mind has not found rest since our departure.”

The King of Asgard let out a soft sigh at his brother’s words, for he knew that despite his longing to, he would not be able to protect Thor from the hurt that laid ahead.

“No one knows of this struggle more than I do, Thor,” he reminded, “There’s reason as to why I left to find Odin all of those years ago. I could not stomach the thought of everyone I knew passing on while I was left to stay behind. The hurt I felt when I made my decision to leave was worth the pain prevented.

“If this is truly what you wish to pursue, for as long as time allows you, I will support your choice,” Thor’s eyes shot to his, disbelief filling them, “We have loose ends to finalize here, and you already know your duties to fulfill as Head of Defense, however, the Bifrost is open to you whenever you need it.”

Thor knew not what to say at his brother’s words. Everyone he’d spoken to in regard to Jane had told him to move on. That, while a bond had been formed, it was all for not as he was no longer locked in a mortal form. That her life would be less than a heartbeat that he’d never be ready to lose.

Yet here was his brother, his king, giving him his support. Simply asking him to act with caution in order to protect his heart.

No more words were spoken on the topic, Haraldr gave Thor’s shoulder a firm squeeze as the bell signaling training’s end rang.

“Go with your brothers and sisters in arms, Thor,” his king advised, “Celebrate your earned and deserved victories and allow your mind to settle for tonight.”

With one last past to Thor’s shoulder, Haraldr turned and walked from the terrace. Leaving his brother to his own thoughts.

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It was late in the evening when Haraldr finally allowed himself to retreat to his rooms for the night. Though he was able to delegate most of Asgard’s rule and protection to his Council and warriors, there were many things only he as king was able to handle, one being the continued puzzle of the Infinity Stones.

There had been no new information given or found since the Sons of Odin had returned from New York just over a year prior. The Tesseract was currently sitting in the Vault and the Mind Stone had been left safely at Hogwarts. Haraldr and Odin had debated time and time again about its safety at the school and possible places to relocate it to but between the protections surrounding Hogwarts as well as those specifically placed by Haraldr in the scepter’s hiding place, the stone rested peacefully.

As a precaution, Haraldr would send Hugin and Munin periodically to receive reports from Minerva McGonagall on both the resting place and school. He’d originally been worried the Mind Stone would cause the school’s magic to change. Luckily, there had been no noticeable changes, which allowed him time to find a permanent future location for the scepter.

The King often thought of the brief moment he’d had with the unknown woman in yellow before his departure from Midgard. He’d recognized her attire and magical aura as one of the Masters of the Mystic Arts, a branch of magic that, while not as ancient as the Wizarding World, predated many of Midgard’s sciences.

Even from the great distance, he’d felt a compulsion towards what rested around the woman’s neck. One he only felt when in the presence of one of the other two known Infinity Stones. He knew not what rested inside but knowing what he did of the secret group of sorcerers, he felt no need to seek a new home for the possible stone.

Walking into his chambers he stopped at the sight of his queen standing before the large floor-to-ceiling windows of their bedroom.

Still, in her blue gown from that morning, Dagny watched the Autumn snow fall from the sky. She did not startle as Haraldr’s arms wrapped around her waist and simply tilted her head as he bent to place a kiss to the space between her neck and shoulder.

“How are you, my Queen?” he asked as he tightened his hold around her.

Dagny did not answer with words right away and simply laid her arms atop her husband’s.

“Something is coming, my dear Husband,” she turned in his embrace, and reached up to wrap an arm around his neck and placed one just under his jaw.

Haraldr’s eyebrows pinched together at her comment.

“What do you mean?”

“I do not know,” her voice never raised more than a whisper, “The air is changing, it is growing thick.”

Dagny’s innate seer abilities and her almost eccentric views on the worlds around them drew him to her. He never believed her to be fictitious or bizarre and at first, she had reminded him of an old presence that had burrowed deep inside his heart. What started out as a fond appreciation for one that was unafraid to view the world in a different way had grown into a fierce love and affection for the one that completed his warrior heart.

“I fear a darkness is coming.”

Haraldr’s normally stoic green eyes meet the almost fearful, doe-like crystal blue of his wife. He tightened his hold around her waist before drawing her completely into his arms, bringing one hand to rest against her golden head, holding her securely in his embrace.    

He made to speak, hoping to bring a sense of comfort to his wife, but cut off when his eye caught the swirling lights of the Bifrost coming to life.

Dagny turned her head at the change in her husband, and the two watched and wondered who would have needed to use the rainbow bridge at this time of night. Especially given there were only a handful of people with permission to use the Bifrost at their leisure.

“Were you aware of someone leaving tonight, Haraldr?” As her question reached him, Haraldr felt a growing pit of dread form in his stomach. He knew not why but as he watched the Bifrost’s gate close, his wife’s words were coming back to him, I fear a darkness is coming.

“No, my love, but I fear whatever comes back might possibly be the source of your unease.”

King and Queen held each other’s gaze before Haraldr grabbed her hand and the two exited their rooms and quickly made for the golden observatory.

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A/N Hello!! IT’S SUMMER BREAK!!!!! That means no work until AUGUST!!!! I HATE that this took me so long to get out. I absolutely HATE IT! BUT now that I’m free to work on this as I please, my goal is to get more chapters out faster. Again, I’m really sorry for the delay and I want to send a HUGE thank you to those of you who keep coming back to this story, to those that reach out during the breaks to check in, and to those that are constantly showing support for this story!

I’ve said this before, but this is my first real story that I’ve written and is quite a big undertaking for me BUT while there might be breaks between chapters I want it in writing that this story will NEVER be abandoned!! NEVER! So, I beg you to please not give up on me. Sometimes life hits and I don’t get time to sit down and write like I’d like but I’m never giving up. I PROMISE!

Anyway, as always, I’d love your feedback on this chapter!! Your comments always mean so much to me! I loved getting the chance to write more of Dagny. I hope you enjoyed getting to know her character a little more. More to come soon!!

Love,

Mack

Chapter Text

Haraldr and Dagny quickly made their way through the golden halls before Haraldr halted turning towards his Queen.

“Go my find my mother,” he instructed, “we know not what we will be dealing with and until we do I want you out of harm’s way.”

Dagny, though not one to hide from danger, nodded at her husband’s command. It was common practice between the Allfather and Allmother, to keep one in safety during uncertain times in order to protect the throne. She gave her husband a brief kiss and gave his hand a light squeeze before she turned and made her way back up the halls.

Haraldr watched her leave before he silently apparated out of the space.

He landed just outside of the observatory.

“A bit late for intergalactic excursions is it not?” He asked the Watchman.

Heimdall did not turn to meet his King, eyes focused on the great beyond, “I heard your words clearly, my King, Thor is able to use the Bifrost at his leisure.”

Haraldr walked to stand shoulder to shoulder with his friend, “And I was naïve enough to assume he’d at least wait a full day.”

Heimdall briefly moved his eyes to his companion, “I do not believe it was his intent to leave so soon.”

Haraldr raised an eyebrow before he turned his eyes to scan the stars before him, “Urgent matters on Midgard?”

“I lost sight of Jane Foster.”

The King looked contemplatively at the Gatekeeper. There were very few things that could block Heimdall’s sight. His and his brother’s magic being two of the few. Whatever shielded Jane from his sight would have to be of immense power.

“She unknowingly studies the Convergence,” Heimdall continued, “She’d been observing an anomaly produced by it when I lost sight of her. Thor insisted on investigating the situation. I expect to hear from him shortly.”

Haraldr considered his friend’s words. The two had been strong companions since before Heimdall had taken his post and Haraldr held him in great esteem, only second to that of his brothers.

“Send me word upon his arrival,” Heimdall nodded accepting the command, “The Queen is growing weary, my friend.” Heimdall looked to his friend, eyes holding questions. He was quite fond of Asgard’s new queen. The two had been introduced long ago through his friendship with the former heir and had developed their own bond through their common connection of sight; Heimdall being able to see all that is present and Dagny seeing a possible future, “The Convergence grows nearer, and she warns of a growing darkness. Her eyes hold fear when speaking of it.”

Heimdall considered his King’s words and turned his gaze back to the stars ahead, “I will extend my sight as much as possible,” Haraldr smiled at the unwavering trust Heimdall had in his word and nodded in thanks. He rested a hand briefly on his friend’s shoulder before he turned to exit the observatory. Knowing that Heimdall was aware of his and his wife’s growing unease brought a sense of comfort to the King.

Once onto the bridge, he again silently apparated, this time landing in his study to wait on word of Thor’s return, passing the time by reading through reports on the latest Marauder defeat.

Though he had not the sight of Heimdall, his magic could sense the change in the Realm. His seidr, stronger than any others before him, almost vibrated across his skin as all Nine Realms grew closer to each other. He’d originally believed this feeling had been what caused his wife’s unease however, upon seeing the fear in her eyes he knew she spoke of something different. Something that had possibly not been seen in many millennia. However, before he could think on it longer, the voice of Heimdall spoke in his head. “Thor has returned to the Golden City, my King.” Haraldr made to stand from his seat but the Gatekeeper’s voice spoke to him again before he made it completely upright, “and he did not return alone.”

“Throne room?” his question was swift.

“Infirmary,” was the only reply.

The King cursed under his breath as he made his way out of the room.

He’d almost reached the hospital when he caught sight of Loki talking to a young maiden on a terrace.

“Loki,” green eyes meet green and the poor maiden let out a gasp at the presence of the Allfather before she bowed in a slightly ungraceful curtsy.  “I required your presence in the Infirmary.”

“What could you possibly need at this hour, Brother?” The young girl’s eyes bulged at the candid speak of his brother. “If you cannot tell, my presence is already required elsewhere.”

“Our brother returns from Midgard,” Loki simply raised an eyebrow in response, “and he’s brought something of intrigue along with him.”

The two sets of green eyes held before Loki turned to his young companion, “Forgive me, Asa, it seems our time has indeed been cut short.”

Haraldr watched as Loki brought the girl’s hand to his lips before he smiled charmingly at her blushing cheeks. She nodded and quickly vacated the space, bowing once again as she passed the King.

Haraldr watched her leave before he turned a raised brow back to Loki, who simply shrugged in response.

“I lost two years Brother; I have a lot to make up for.”

With a shake of his head, Haraldr turned and continued on towards the hospital, his youngest brother now at his side.

“Now enlighten me, what exactly is it that Thor has brought back to the Eternal Realm?”

Haraldr did not slow as he looked over to Loki and gave his answer, “A mortal.”

Loki had enough sense not to speak on it but looked deeply intrigued by the news. The two turned the last corner and saw that the Infirmary doors were already open with two soldiers standing guard.

“She is ill,” Thor’s voice softly rang out to them.

“She is mortal,” Haraldr grievingly pinched his eyes closed at his father’s response. He’d hoped to beat him here as he’d assumed news of Thor’s return, and more importantly, his guest would spread quickly, “Illness is their defining trait.” Loki did not contain his eye roll.

“I brought her here because we can help her,” Thor’s voice sounded desperate to their ears and both internally cursed that their feet weren’t carrying them fast enough.

“She does not belong here in Asgard any more than a goat belongs at a banquet table,” Haraldr’s jaw clenched at his father’s words, as a small pit of ice seemed to settle in his stomach. Loki didn’t seem to be fairing much better.

“Did he just?” Jane Foster bravely questioned from her position on the examination stand, “Who do you think you are?” She looked Odin squarely in the eye.

“I am Odin—”

“And luckily that is all you are,” Loki’s voice carried into the room, cutting off the former Allfather’s words. Odin stood straighter as his two final sons made their entrance into the room. Thor’s head shot to their direction as they walked in. His nerve-wracked eyes turned hopeful in Haraldr’s company.

“Brother,” Thor started but stopped when Haraldr raised a hand to steady him.

Instead, the King of Asgard turned his focus to the one laying on the table, “Jane Foster, welcome to Asgard,” he smiled kindly at her and walked to her side, “I apologize for my father’s comments.”

“Your father?” Jane turned to look at Thor, “You told your family about me?”

Thor approached the table, as well, standing across his older brother, “Something is within her, Brother. Something I have not seen before.” Haraldr gave an inquisitive look in response before he scanned his eyes over Jane. There were no visible markings on her to tell of any illness. Yet, there was something unsetting about her aura.

“Her world has its healers,” Odin snidely commented from behind them, “They’re called doctors. Let them deal with it.”

Haraldr ignored his father behind him and called Loki to his side, “Do you feel anything?”

Loki let his eyes roam over Jane’s frame. His face concentrated as he picked up the aura Haraldr was questioning and turned to face the King, “It radiates the same as the others.”

“What does?” Thor questioned. Both he and Jane looked slightly fearful.

Haraldr did not answer him and instead turned to Lady Eir, “My Lady, may I examine your scans of Dr. Foster.”

The Healer came forward, “Of course, my King,”

Jane sent a quickly mouthed King? to Thor before she was instructed to once again lay down on the table.

Eir quickly brought forth the soul forge, showing both Haraldr and Loki the analyses she’d gotten before Odin’s arrival.

“It has invaded her completely,” Loki’s eyes were alight with curiosity.

“And if it is not removed soon, it will consume her entirely; bringing forth her end,” Haraldr finished gravely.

“Enough of this, Haraldr,” Odin practically scorned, “illness or not she has no business being here. You should be ordering your guards to remove her at once.”

Two soldiers stepped forward, anticipating an order as such from their new king. One of the two took initiative and reached for Jane’s wrist.

Thor seeing the action quickly yelled, “No!”

The two soldiers were immediately thrown back as red energy burst from Jane’s body. Haraldr quickly threw up a shield protecting those around him. In an instant, the energy dissipated and Jane was left exhausted.

Thor, Haraldr, and Loki ran to her side. The former asked if she was alright while the latter two watched the red force come forth under her skin when Haraldr cast over it with his seidr.

Odin observed the action whispering, “It’s impossible.”

Eir too stood examining Jane’s skin, “It’s as if the infection is defending her,” she thought aloud.

“No,” the comment came from Loki, “It’s defending itself.”

All three brothers looked at each other uncertainly before Haraldr extended a hand to Jane, “Come, I believe I know what this might be.”

He helped her gently off the table before addressing Thor and Loki, “Take her to the library,” he stated, “I will meet you shortly.”

The three left, Thor gently guiding a still slightly breathless Jane, exiting into the hall.

Haraldr dismissed the healing staff and guards present before he turned to face Odin.

“Father, you have got to stop this,” it took all of his control to not growl.

“Stop what, Haraldr?” Odin fired back, “Never, in all of the history of the Nine, has a mortal set foot on Asgard. It is the Realm of the Eternal.”

The King barked a laugh, “I find it funny you say that Father,” Haraldr’s voice rose just slightly, “because between the two, which one of us is actually eternal?”

Odin made no verbal comment but tightened his fists in response.

“That’s what I thought,” a smirk formed on the King’s face, “A bit hypocritical of you to say those comments now, isn’t it?”

“The two matters are not at all equal, and you know it Haraldr,” Odin tried to reason.

“It matters not if I know it, Father,” Haraldr’s voice continued to rise, “What matters is, that woman has the power of an unknown entity flowing through her veins, and mortal or not, I am King and protector of the Nine Realms. One of which being Midgard.” He leveled his eyes with Odin’s, “It is my duty and right to use any means within my disposal to find a way to cure her. So, like it or not, until I find a way to do so, she will be staying on Asgard under my, your King’s, protection.”

Haraldr intended to end the conversation there and turned to exit the room.

“This is not how it is done, Haraldr,” Odin’s voice boomed, “As king, you cannot just allow anyone into the Golden City. It is not their right.”

Haraldr stood in the doorway, contemplating his answer to the man he called Father before he turned, a firm yet quiet response on his lips, “Perhaps not when you were King,” and left without further word.

00000

Haraldr found his brothers and Jane the royal studies of the library. Jane and Thor were glossing over an ancient tome, Thor patiently explaining the runes and their meanings. All eyes turned to him, however, when he set a larger, seemingly more ancient book on the surface before them.

“I will simply speak candidly,” Haraldr began. Thor and Jane looked eager to hear what he had to say, Loki looked instead to Jane with a mix and intrigue and apprehension. “We are in the midst of a third Infinity Stone.”

Thor’s eyes bulged and he looked down at Jane, an arm firmly wrapped around her shoulders. “You are sure of this, Haraldr?”

 The king in question looked apologetically to his brother, “Quite sure, Thor.” He strengthened his belief by opening the tome, revealing a page filled with ancient runes and pictures that depicted beings called Dark Elves and the dark, infinite energy wielded by them. Haraldr explained as such for Jane’s sake.

“The last record of this energy’s presence, what we call the Aether, was noted 5000 years ago when our grandfather, King Bor, defeated the Dark Elves and squandered their plans to use it to cast darkness over the Nine Realms and beyond.”

Thor’s eyes told those around him of the questions filling his brain, “Mother told us the stories of the Dark Elves' defeat as children,” he stated, “That Bor brought an end to both them and the darkness they sought to use against the Realms.”

“You cannot destroy an Infinity Stone,” Loki spoke, “Their energy is far too powerful for it happen.”

“Loki is correct,” Haraldr continued, “I believe Bor knew it as well,” he flipped a few more pages in the book, “It is noted, clearly, that the last battle between the ᴁsir and the Dark Elves was during the last Convergence. I believe Bor used this to his advantage, hiding the Aether in the center of the Nine’s alignment.”

“A clever choice,” Loki noted, “a hiding place that is only vulnerable once every 5000 years; not a bad idea.”

“Yes,” Haraldr agreed, “until the future comes, and an inquisitive astrophysicist goes looking into anomalies right above its hiding place.”

Jane had the decency to look a little bashful at his comment. Haraldr, for his part, was doing his best to keep his annoyance at yet another mortal digging into information that Midgardian minds were not ready to handle, causing yet another interaction with an Infinity Stone to occur, to a minimum.

“What happened?” Jane questioned, “With the Dark Elves?”

Haraldr looked at her, looking more like the seasoned warrior he truly was, “He killed them all,” his voice was solemn.

“Are we positive that’s true?” Thor inquired, “The stories say the Aether was destroyed along with the race yet here it is before us.”

“Unfortunately, we only have what is written to go off,” Haraldr looked grave as he spoke, “And we cannot fully deny what has been told to us as truth.”

Loki gave a small laugh, “If we are to always believe what is told to us Brother,” he turned his gaze to meet that of the King, “then at least two of us in this room are dead.”

 Haraldr gave a smirked laugh in response, “I am not ruling any ideas out. Heimdall has already extended his sight, looking for any irregularities within the Nine and its borders. In theory, if by chance any of the Dark Elves did in face survive the battle, there is a great possibility that they would feel the Aether’s call, as they once did before, now that it has again been awakened.”

Jane swallowed and asked, “And does that book happen to mention how to get it out of me?”

Haraldr met her eyes solemnly, “No, not for certain,” Jane’s face grew slightly somber, “But fear not Jane Foster,” he smiled, “for you are in the presence of the Nine’s strongest seidr masters, a third is sitting in a room a few floors above us.” He walked over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, “You are in the safest hands you could possibly be in Jane. And I promise we will fix this.”

Jane smiled at his encouragement, the worry lessening slightly from her eyes.

Haraldr smiled back, “Now, Day will be rising soon, go and rest. I will speak to Dagny about having clothes sent up to you. You can trust that you don’t want me to pick them myself.”

He was pleased to hear a small laugh fall from her as Thor took her hand and lead her out of the room.

“If you wish to make on your promise, Haraldr, you’d best act quickly,” Loki spoke as he stepped to stand at his brother’s side, “We all saw how rapidly her energy drained after the Aether flared to life.”

Haraldr had nothing to say in response, for his thoughts had already warned him of such.

“Have you ever seen anything like this, Brother?” Loki asked, “A life force invading another?”

The God of Magic’s jaw clenched at the question, memories of a distant life flashing across his mind, “Only once, and not to this scale.”

“And what was the outcome of that instance?”

The King’s eyes looked down briefly before they hardened ahead of him, “Death.”

Chapter Text

Haraldr stood facing the grand views of Asgard before him. Behind him sat the Council, each giving him a report on their divided responsibilities before at last Thor, who normally stayed as far from this chamber as possible spoke.

“The last of the Marauders, at least those of our knowledge, will be arriving through the Bifrost within the hour. As with all the others, they will be held in the dungeons to face trial, whereafter those whose fates lay past trail will await transport to Jotunheim, where they will spend the rest of their miserable lives in chains under the rule of Helblindi.”

Haraldr smirked to himself at the rushed report given by his brother. It was no secret that Thor detested having to sit in Council and it was only made worse by the fact that the woman who had captured his thoughts the last two years was currently wandering around somewhere in their home realm.

The king turned to face the rest in the room. He looked to each of them, the majority being old men that would soon be passing their seat to whichever heir they had declared. A few were younger, closer to Haraldr’s age and the last were his brothers. While Thor was all but fidgeting in his seat, Loki sat with an elbow resting on the table before him, his hand supporting his head. His youngest brother was usually relatively attentive during these meetings, carefully listening to the other Council members as they spoke to find areas where he might believe them to have withheld or falsified any information given.

This morn, however, the God of Mischief sat contemplatively and Haraldr did not have to use Legilimency to know where his brother’s thought lay.

It seemed all three Sons of Odin had much more pressing matters at hand than worrying over the carefully laid out plans that Haraldr had spent the better first half of his reign strategizing over with the new King of Jotunheim. With a promise to send a third supply of their monthly provisions as part of their peace treaty, Jotunheim would house those sentenced to life in prison by Asgard’s King. The prisoners would then pay for their crimes by rebuilding the ice realm while baring their chains, and if the report was anything to go by most did not last further than three months on the frost-ridden planet. 

No, it was quite clear that all three brothers’ minds sat on one thing, the Aether. Loki and Haraldr had spent the rest of the night searching through their vast texts, looking for anything that would draw the invading force from Jane Foster without causing her further harm. Nothing was found within Asgard’s knowledge so the two had turned to the vast library Haraldr had brought with him from Midgard. Loki had been told that this collection held many rare tomes and had originally belonged to the Black Family, a now extinct household that had in its prime been one of the most affluent members of the Wizarding World. However, even after searching through texts that covered both light and dark magic the two were unfortunately still at a loss of how to cure the mortal.

“Very well,” Haraldr placed both hands on the table before him, leaning his weight onto them slightly, “I thank you all for your time and the many steps you all take in order to secure and maintain the safety and peace of Asgard and the rest of the Nine Realms. I do believe that will be all for today,” this comment cause many to turn their heads in question as the sun had not risen to even late morning, “Heimdall will be overseeing the coming of those being brought in from Vanaheim. With that being said, I see no further reason to hold your time here.”

Despite the King’s words no member of the Council made to stand.

Haraldr looked over them before giving a clear, “You are dismissed.”

At his quiet power, the Council members immediately stood, each placed a bent arm over their chest and bowed at the waist to their Allfather, before vacating the space, leaving only Haraldr, Thor, and Loki present.

“Is there any news in regard to Jane, Brother?” Thor’s voice was urgent, and he did little to disguise his worry over the mortal.

Haraldr sighed and looked to Loki, who had pulled a book from seemingly nowhere and started to flip through the pages outwardly ignoring the other two around him.

“No Thor,” he sighed again, “Nothing as of yet. We do not carry enough solid information on the Infinity Stones to be sure anything would hold over their power.”

Thor’s brow pinched at the news. Magic was not his strong suit, and he knew that he would simply have to follow his brothers’ lead when it came to curing Jane. The knowledge that even Haraldr, the God of Magic himself, was at a loss of how to pull the Aether from her left him with a plummeting sense of unease.

“We are not giving up Thor,” Haraldr walked to his middle brother, firmly resting a hand on his shoulder forcing him to meet his gaze, “If the knowledge does not rest in Asgard there are many other places we can go to find it. I promise.”

Thor looked into the unwavering eyes of his king. He’d never had cause to doubt the fierce warrior. He remembered how greatly he’d looked up to his older brother as a child. The ever-present older sibling, the teacher, and confidant, and the resolute all-encompassing power that made up Odin’s eldest had Thor aspiring to be that same kind of protector to the Nine. Looking into Haraldr’s eyes now had Thor feeling as if he was once again that small boy, relying on his big brother to save the day.

He smiled, somewhat tightly and turned to make his exit.

Loki closed his book, giving it a light toss away from him in frustration before he stood and made his way over to Haraldr.

“If the information is not housed in even Asgard’s library then where exactly do you suggest we turn our search?” Though he didn’t look it, Loki felt the exhaustion of the extensive research that had been held throughout the night, “There is no library vaster than that of the one we just spent the last hours searching through.”

“No,” Haraldr agreed, “but as I said before, Asgard does not hold all of the knowledge of the Nine,” he turned to face his brother, “We have yet to search through Alfheim. Hogwarts might even have something we could use,” he paused briefly before continuing, his mind once again drifting to the yellow-clad woman he’d seen in New York, “and I believe there might even be one other group I could reach out to in order to find clarity on this.”

Loki raised a brief questioning brow, “Well, when you are ready to set off to seek that knowledge let me know. Until that moment, however, I have other duties, of which you so kindly bestowed on me Brother, to attend to.”

Haraldr watched his youngest brother make his leave. Though he spoke it in a way that would seem as if the God of Mischief was bothered by the amount of work placed on his shoulders, Haraldr knew Loki saw it as an opportunity to prove his worth and took the load with great responsibility.

Left alone, Haraldr allowed himself to shed the warrior king persona and tiredly sat down in one of the grand chairs placed around the table. He ran a hand over his face before he rested his chin in his palm. Everything had changed in a matter of mere hours. The peace he’d fought so hard to provide was now slowly tearing at the seams and the longer it took for him to find a solution to the current Infinity Stone problem the weaker Jane Foster’s mortal form would become. If the Aether consumed Jane completely there was no telling what would become of Asgard and beyond.

He was meant to be the God of Magic, an all-knowing source of magical information, and yet there he sat stumped. For the last 2000 years, he had been the leading seidr master, an educator to those new or advancing in the craft and yet at that moment all knew for certain was that he was at a loss of what to do.

The king stood swiftly from his seat; the continued feeling of unease following him as he went and left the grand Council meeting chambers. He made his way quickly through the halls looking for the only presence that could bring him a sense of comfort in that moment.

It took him a few empty searches, but he eventually found her in the gardens, her back to him, humbly kneeling next to a bush of blooming roses with a pruning blade in hand. Even with his silent entrance, she stood to greet him before he’d even fully entered the blossoming space, her seidr calling out to his.

Frigga smiled widely at the presence of her oldest son. She immediately set her gardening tools down and made her way over to him with open arms.

“Now what have I done to deserve this pleasure?” Her voice aloft with excitement, wrapping her arms around his solid frame. “Are you not meant to be in Council at this hour?”

“Good morning, Mother,” Haraldr returned her gesture wholeheartedly, “I dismissed Council for the day, for my brain is far too restless to sit through idle chatter of old men.”

Frigga chuckled and to Haraldr it was the embodiment of magic, “Well I will take any opportunity to have the King’s attention for myself,” she pulled back smiling, “As his mother, I believe I deserve it far more often than I receive.”

Haraldr looked down and smiled lightly at her teasing tone. Frigga placed both of her hands on his face, lightly cupping his jaw, and looked into his eyes. Haraldr could hide his true feeling from just about anyone, but Frigga had the distinct ability to see right through him, a mother’s trick she’d once told him.

“What is troubling you, my dear son?” her soothing voice made Haraldr almost want to collapse his tired weight into her arm.

Instead, he settled for resting his cheek further into her palm, “I am sure you know of Jane Foster’s presence.”

“Oh yes,” she confirmed, “there is little else I have been made aware of in the last few hours.” Haraldr chuckled at what his mother was implying, “Why do you think I am here so early? I had to make my escape from your father’s complaining somewhere.”

Her smile further put ease to Haraldr’s growing worry, a feat only his mother had ever been able to accomplish. Her vast knowledge of the Nine and beyond allowed her to see the worlds for more than what they seemed. She rarely ever grew agitated or worried and Haraldr had always looked up to her valiant and comforting demeanor.

Haraldr was well aware that before his reign, Frigga had been the shoulders and heart of The Nine Realms, the one that supported and provided continued life to the ruling head.

“I know not how to help her, Mother,” Haraldr admitted quietly, almost afraid to bring a voice to the words.

Frigga’s eyes held a small level of pity at her son’s words, though she remained silent, soothingly rubbing a thumb along his defined jaw, encouraging him to continue.

“The last the Aether was seen it was being prepared to be unleashed, the Dark Elves had already contained it themselves,” Frigga continued to listen, quietly supporting him as her son thought out aloud, “There is no written knowledge of what exactly Bor did with it, where he hid it, or how it was done. Nothing that states what the Darkness was contained in,” Haraldr let out a frustrated sigh, “Bor wanted all to believe he had ultimately destroyed it.”

Frigga took in what Haraldr had spoken of and gently reached down to grasp his hand. She led him over to a stone table and chairs that held a small banquet of food and drink. She wordlessly poured him a drink and placed a plate of meat and cheese before him before pouring her own glass and taking a seat.

The former wizard looked at her questioningly before she pointed at the plate, “Eat,” she ordered, “You are exhausted, my son. You will never find the answers you seek with a tired mind and body that is hungry.”

Haraldr made to protest but Frigga cut him off, “Eat,” she insisted, “and listen.”

Haraldr only waited a moment before he conceded taking a bite of cheese.

Frigga smiled again at her son, “I do not worry about the fate of Jane Foster, for she is in the presence and safety of my three sons, led by your guidance.” Haraldr shook his head at his mother’s words causing her to reach across the table to grab his hand, “The Norns blessed me with three children, Haraldr. Each of them was placed in my path when it was most needed. As much as I love him, I can only imagine what the Realms would be under Thor’s reign, especially in a world without your guidance. Or one where you were not there to look over Loki. We saw a taste of his resentment towards your father for his upbringing. I do not even want to fathom what it would have been like had I been left to give him a piece of the sun on my own.

“You are already on the path to being a great king, Haraldr,” she angled her head to catch his gaze, “You have been through more than any other should ever possibly go through. You hold compassion for those around you no matter their status of life. There has never been a mountain or battle you have not conquered. And you are already showing your vast use of cognitive processing in seeking out the help of the wises person in Asgard,” he gave a chuckle at her comment causing her to smile in return, “You will find the answers as you always have before, though perhaps not in the ways you assume you will.”

Haraldr sighed and pushed away his plate before resting an elbow on the table, his head once again falling into his palm, “I am the God of Magic,” he stated, “I am meant to already hold this knowledge.”

Frigga tightened her hold on the hand in hers, encouraging her son to look up, “You are not all-powerful and knowledgeable, Haraldr,” she spoke looking directly into his bright green eyes, “Though your magic is great, you are not above all others and like it or not, others across the Nine will likely hold information you do not yet know. And do you know what that makes you?”

Haraldr simply looked back at her, his brow furled, which caused Frigga to smile, “Just like everybody else,” she finished.

Haraldr smiled lightly in response. Two thousand years and a time-traveling spell prior to that comment would have brought much more comfort to him than it did now.

“Now,” the former queen continued, pushing the king’s plate back in front of him, never letting go of the hand held in hers, “explain what we know so far and let’s see if I can be of any help.”

Haraldr, still uneasy yet much more reassured in his mother’s presence, filled his plate with more food and did as his mother insisted.

00000

Heimdall stood monitoring the arrival of the prisoners from the Bifrost. He kept his thoughts to himself as he listened to the grumbling of Volstagg. He’d been watching the Realms vigilantly looking for any signs of what might have been causing the Queen’s growing weariness.

The Prisoners coming in now were the last of the Marauders to be sent through and this group looked to be just as pathetically incompetent as the rest of them. Yet one of them stood out from the rest. The Watchman could not exactly place what it was about this particular prisoner that caused a sense of unease to settle within him but whatever it was reminded him of the Allmother’s worry.

“Lord Fandral,” he called out to the warrior put in charge of this group.

“Lord Heimdall,” the younger of the two walked over, slightly confused as the Gatekeeper usually kept to himself during the prisoners’ transport.

“Watch that one,” he ordered pointing with this gaze to the large, masked being.

Fandral turned and noted who Heimdall had been speaking of and his eyes narrowed as he tried to place the creature in his memory of his time on Vanaheim. As distinct as the mask was Fandral had no memory of fighting against the beast, so with a faint nod of his head he took the ordered suggestion and followed the group to the carriages stationed to transport the prisoners to the entrance of the dungeons.

“Remind me,” Heimdall’s voice carried over to him again, “What exactly have you been doing with the prisoners’ armor in the dungeons?”

Fandral turned his head back again in question. Once he passed the care over to the Einherjar stationed in the pits he typically allowed himself to forget about the miscreants altogether, “Their weapons have already been stripped from them. Whatever is currently on their backs as of now is what they will have until their trial. It’s always been standard practice.”

Heimdall considered the words given to him, his eyes casting over the group once more, “Strip them,” he ordered, “Down to the last scrap of cloth.”

Fandral walked back to the dais the other man stood on, “Is there something I should know, Heimdall?” the soldier questioned, “Have you seen something?”

The two locked eyes, the golden orange of the Gatekeeper held their ever-stoic appearance, “No, but there is an unease about that creature that the rest have not held. Take my word and make with the extra precautions.”

The blonde warrior considered the words spoken to him and nodded, “I’ll see that it’s done.”

The two nodded once again to each other before Heimdall turned his gaze back to the cosmos before him and Fandral made his way out the entrance to the golden observatory. Climbing into the carriage Volstagg caught his eye, silently questioning what that had been about. Fandral shook his head at his friend, signaling they’d discuss it later, his mind focused on the group of Marauders around them, his eyes settling on the large, masked beast in the corner.

00000

Haraldr had just stood from his place at the table reaching out a hand to his mother when the voice of his father rang from his right.

“With all that has happened within the last twenty-four hours, would it not be wise for the King to be discussing strategy in the midst of his High Council?”

Haraldr kept his back turned for a moment, clicking his tongue against a tooth, before he turned to Odin, “You are not wrong, Father,” he stated, “I dismissed the meetings this morning and sought out the wisest counsel in all of the Nine,” he smiled down to Frigga, “it is only an advantage that her wisdom comes with the benefit of food, drink, and much better company than those old shoes.”

Frigga laughed lightly in response before addressing her husband, “Come now Odin, can a son not gift his mother with his presence.”

“He is King now, Frigga,” Odin insisted, “He has a duty—”

“I have a duty to protect the Nine,” Haraldr interrupted, “Trust me, Father, I know what responsibilities my title holds, and I know for a fact I achieved much more during this meal than I ever would in the midst of that Council.”

Odin again made to comment but Haraldr kept speaking, “I am not the king you were Father,” Odin’s eye met his, “I will protect all within my care, to the best of my ability and beyond if I am capable of managing it. You sought guidance through the use of the men that sit around that table. Those whose families have held seats for millennia and look at all of the greatness that served you. No one can take away all that you achieved while you sat on the throne. But that time is over, Father,” Haraldr’s voice was unwavering, “You declared it so when you placed my crown on my head, in front of all of Asgard to see.”

Odin’s jaw lost a sense of tightness at his son’s words, “You might not agree with how I choose to go about things, and that’s fine, but it will not change my decisions. You told me I have it in me to be a great king. If you truly believe those words then I need you to stop questioning my choices,” Odin stood straighter at his words, but his eye lost a bit of its intensity, “There is a darkness approaching, Father. Darkness that no one alive in this realm has ever faced. I will not apologize for where I go to find clarity on how to protect the people, and Realm, I love against it.”

Before Odin could respond an alarm sounded throughout the palace. The three looked at each other questioningly before they all quickly exited the gardens. Haraldr stopped an Einherjar as the soldier ran down the hall, asking him what order had been given to sound the alarm.

“I know not who gave the order, my King, but there has been a disturbance in the dungeons,” the young soldier answered.

Haraldr looked to his parents briefly, both of their faces matched his in level of contemplation before he gave a single nod of thanks to the lad and sent him off with a firm, “Go, make to your post.”

The guard nodded and ran down the hall to follow his king’s order.

Haraldr looked back to his parents briefly, both of them nodded in understanding and watched as he apparated away.

00000

Fandral followed the guards normally put in charge of stowing away the prisoners after their arrival in the Golden City. He listened to them as they harshly instructed the group of miscreants where to go.

“Put those six in that cell on the end,” An older guard instructed to another who nodded and made to follow as told, “I’ll put the rest over here.”

The blonde warrior raised a brow at the lack of precaution the two were taking with the prisoners, “Are you telling me you don’t check the prisoners for weapons before you place them in their cells?”

The older of the two guards stopped what he was doing and turned to face his superior, “We were informed they’d already been stripped of all defenses, my Lord.”

“And you trust that on word alone?” Fandral questioned with a raised brow after not receiving a response.

“We’ve never had reason to doubt, Sir” the younger one answered for him.

Fandral looked over the two, it was clear to him why they’d been stationed this far underground, “Hm,” was his only reply before he looked to the Marauders still standing in their line waiting to be placed in cells, “Strip,” he ordered.

Those standing in line simply looked at him, none moving.

Fandral walked before all of them and drew his rapier, “I do not believe that was a suggestion, Gentlemen.”

Those before him all growled in complaint but did as instructed and all pulled off their pieced-together armor, shirts, pants, and shoes. All except one.

Fandral walked over to the large creature on the end, “You too, good sir. Let’s see what’s hiding under that armor,” he jested, “If I’m not wrong, you have beautiful eyes,” the warrior could not help but joke through the situation. When the creature continued to stand there, Fandral raise his weapon, “Now please,” his eyes grew firm.

The creature raised its hand to, what Fandral believed, remove a piece of armor. The warrior was surprised however when the arm made a cut in the opposite direction, making to knock the sword from his hand.

Reacting instantly, Fandral spun out of the way bringing his sword back down to the creature's back. His opponent moved quickly though and brought a leg out, kicking him back and pulling air out of his chest. The now semi dressed Marauders join in the fight as well, causing the other two guards to draw their weapons. Fandral pulled himself back up and quickly deflected a blow that came from his right, spinning and taking down the Marauder that had attacked him. His head spun as he looked for the prisoner that he’d originally been fighting. He caught sight of something turning a corner further down the hall and fought his way through the mob around him. Many of the prisoners had found weapons from the storage at the end of the chamber and were fighting with guards that had heard the brawl from the stairs above.

Finally making his way through, Fandral ran around the corner only to stop in his tracks, eyes growing wide as he took in the scene before him. The creature stood in the center of the hall with some kind of stone in hand. Before Fandral could make to stop it, a massive hand crushed the stone and the warrior watched as it transformed before his eyes. Matter similar to lava flowed from the stone and throughout the creature, bubbling its skin beneath the surface and causing the beast to grow.

Fandral watched as it struggled to handle the power of the transformation and his eyes widened when the beast let out a howling roar and was thrown back when a powerful blast of red burst from within the beast, sending him flying back into the wall. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was a giant horned beast making its way out of the dungeons.  

00000

Dagny made her way peacefully through the city. She enjoyed mornings when she was able to step outside of the palace and wander the streets of Asgard as she would have before she became Queen. It was rare for her to have a true moment alone as, like it or not, there were many duties she was to fulfill daily as part of her new role. This morn she’d left her and Haraldr’s chambers before any of her maids had arrived. It was late Autumn, and this time of year provided one of her favorite natural phenomena in all of the Nine Realms, and she was determined to witness it at least once before the season was over.

She had just entered her destination when she found Thor and Jane having a private moment before her.

Jane pulled away after a moment, “I like the way you explain things,” she looked up into Thor’s eyes, “What’s going to happen to me?”

Thor’s gaze grew with determination, “We will find a way to save you, Jane. There is no one known to be more powerful than Haraldr, I have no doubt.”

“I would not allow it to be known to your father that you said that, if I were you” A willowy voice spoke from behind them, “He’s having enough trouble handling the transition of power as it is.”

Dagny smiled down at the two before her. Thor chuckled at her comment and returned the sentiment before he turned to face Jane, “Jane I want to introduce you to Dagny, Queen of the Asgard.”

Jane’s eye widened, “Queen?” and she took two steps to the side, “I am so sorry,”

Dagny walked over to the two, her smile widening as Jane tried to find composure, “Fear not, Jane Foster, for this is not the first time I’ve walked in on one of my brothers-in-law when he was with a partner,” she smiled teasingly at Thor, “I am lucky, for you are fully dressed, which cannot be said for the last time I happened to walk in on Loki and one of his companions.”

Thor let out a barking laugh and Jane turned slightly red at the queen’s comment.

“I was just about to take Jane on a walk through the village, would you care to join us, Sister?” Thor asked.

Dagny smiled again, “That is kind of you, Brother, however, I am exactly where I sought to find myself,” she said as she walked over to a wall that was covered in thick green vines, “It has been far too long since I witnessed the blooming of the east vines,” As she spoke a ray of sun filtered into the space shedding light on the foliage. Before Jane could ask what she meant by that, bright orange flowers started blooming before her eyes, covering the once green wall alight in vibrance.

An amazed laugh escaped Jane and the queen turned to watch her. The scientist walked over to the wall amazed at the almost magical flowers before her. Their petals shimmered in the sun as the rays brought out the unique shades of orange throughout them. The three stood in the midst of the blossoms before the sun’s rays shifted and slowly the petals started to close returning the wall to its green state.

“It happened so fast,” Jane’s voice was aghast in amazement.

“It is why we must do our best to live in the present,” Dagny replied, “For the beauty around us is not everlasting, we must simply appreciate it when it is in our midst.”

Jane made to comment further when an alarm sounded from the palace. Thor and Dagny looked questioningly at each other.

“That’s coming from the prison,” the Queen commented.

Thor looked down at Jane, apprehension evident in his features.

“Go,” Dagny encouraged, “She’ll be safe with me.”

Thor nodded and ran up the steps before he jumped over the ledge of the balcony, grabbed hold of Mjolnir’s soring handle, and flew towards the palace.

Dagny turned to face Jane, her jaw slightly ajar at Thor’s exit, and smiled, “Come let’s make our way back towards the palace. I fear these streets will not be safe much longer.”

As she turned her head shot to the skies, crystal-like eyes scoping out the ever-present stars in the daylight before she made her way out of the pavilion.

Jane looked slightly apprehensive at the alarm still sounding from the dungeons and followed Dagny obediently.

00000

Thor landed in the dungeons and observed the chaos taking place around him. Half-dressed prisoners were fighting against the prison guards. He almost laughed at their pathetic states before he noticed Fandral laying on the floor, a pool of blood puddled under him.

“Fandral!” the prince bellowed as he rushed over to his companion. He had just reached his friend when a faint rush of air was felt and Haraldr was seen standing on the entrance platform he’d just vacated.

The King took one look at the mess before him before he clapped his hands together and forcefully pulled them apart. The Marauders’ bodies went with the action, and all instantly found themselves locked within the white cells they’d previously been fighting around, many pounded on the transparent golden walls in amazement and frustration.

Haraldr smirked at the confused and angry reactions of his prisoners. It was rare that he had to use his power in such ways, but it was always fun to see the faces of those he had to use it on.

“Brother!” His smirk fell from his face at Thor’s call, and he rushed over to him when he spotted him on the ground, a fallen Fandral laid on the ground.

“What happened?” the king asked quickly running his hands over the warrior, his hands glowed blue as he silently healed the man’s wounds.

“I know not, I found him here after I arrived,” Thor’s voice was that of a practiced cadence.

Haraldr nodded before casting a wordless enervate and the warrior shot up before rolling to his side, coughing out a small amount of residual blood.

“My King,” he gasped, “A monster,” his mind and heart were racing.

“What do you mean, my friend,” Thor asked patiently, trying to help his injured friend find clarity.

Despite Halaldr’s healing, Fandral’s body still ached intensely, “There is a creature, a beast,” he corrected himself, “It’s made its way out of the prison,” his wide eyes turned to Haraldr, “A darkness has entered the palace, my King.”

Haraldr’s jaw clenched at the words spoken by the fallen warrior, and he turned his hard eyes to his brother, “Get him to the infirmary,” Thor nodded placing his friend’s arm across his shoulders before making to stand.

The King surveyed momentarily before he quickly apparated out of the space.

The king landed in the Throne Room and ran to place himself on the seat of Hliðskjálf, as it was the only vantage point that gave him a sight similar to Heimdall.

Heimdall, do you see anything?

Nothin— the Watchman had started but before Haraldr received a finished replay he too heard the roaring of technology as it made its way toward the city.

Cast up the shield, the king ordered before he apparated onto the rainbow bridge.

Haraldr stood and sent out his magic around him looking for what had flared his senses before when his seidr caught onto a massive presence. The king sent out a revelio and watched as a massive ship showed itself.

Haraldr had only just caught sight of the protective shield he’d instructed Heimdall to erect before the cool sense of magic surrounded him and he shot into the sky, a clouded smoke carrying him toward the ship.

Wanting to be precise in his aim, Haraldr drew the Elder Wand into his hand and shot a powerful blasting spell into a fiery opening in the ship. The entire vestal exploded and Haraldr continued on towards the palace not stopping until he was sure the shield had risen completely. He’d just made it to the erected portion of the barrier when three more ships made their way to him, these three shooting red beams towards the gunmen that had made it to their post and fired back at them.

Haraldr continued fighting his way through the sky, taking out another invading ship before he turned and noticed a giant Arc was making its way toward the palace. He took notice of Thor being pulled by Mjolnir and shooting bolts of lightning at the giant ships as well. Two more detached from it and shot through the sky. One made to crash through the barrier and exploded upon impact, the blast hit his brother sending him falling. Haraldr caught sight of it and slowed Thor’s dissent and pushed him across the opening in the shield.    

The King then raced his way through the air faster than any of his Aviators were able to in their ships, as he saw that the last section of the shield had yet to be formed and followed the path of the last alien ship as it rose higher in the sky and banked down to cut into the opening. Seeing what the ship was about to do Haraldr did the only thing he could think to in the moment and pointed his wand behind him before yelling, movere cito, and shot himself through the air and through the ship entirely causing it to crash to the ground.

Haraldr landed rolling across the ground at the foot of the steps leading to the palace as the last of the shield finally formed.

“Haraldr!” At the cry of his mother, the king’s head immediately shot up and he watched as she ran across the stone pavement to him.

“Mother,” he almost groaned out as he stood, “you need to go.”

She placed both of her hands on his face meeting his eyes, “Hold still,” she instructed, looking over the gash he felt on his head.

But Haraldr shook his head, “No, go back to the palace and do as we planned,” He pulled her hands from his face and held them firmly in his grasp, “Keep Jane safe.”

“She is in the safely of your wife,” she affirmed, “You do not need to fight this on your own.”

“I have soldiers, Mother,” his voice was angry with worry, “What are you doing out here? You should be behind the shield, you should be safe.”

“I saw you take to the skies and knew you wouldn’t make it back before the shield held in place.”

“Precisely,” he shouted, “I am the King. My place is out here defending our people.”

“And I was the Queen!” Frigga shouted back, “I am not some helpless maiden, Haraldr, I have just as much right to defend my realm as you.”

It was rare that Frigga’s voice ever raised above a soft chime, and her ferocity took Haraldr back for a moment. He’d made to speak further when a roaring from above caused him to turn. He pulled Frigga behind him as the Arc made its descent.

Steadying his stance, Haraldr caught Frigga pulling a sword out of the folds of her skirts, where she had gotten it, he did not know.

The bottom of the Arc met the ground and instant a door slid open. Haraldr threw up a shield as red jets of laser shot out at them. He grabbed ahold of his mother and leaped out of the way when a device was thrown at them and watched as it began pulling everything within reach through a destructive portal. Suddenly, white-masked beings began emerging from the ship, all armed with firing weapons and many with the alien grenades.

Haraldr immediately sprung into action pulling the sword from his side. Frigga met him stride for stride, taking out as many of the unknown creatures as possible. Haraldr had cut the head off one of the beings and Frigga caught sight of ice-colored hair and eyes, as well as point ears.

Her heart plummeted to her stomach as the realization hit her, “Dark Elves,” she sneered, and shot out a shield of her own as a bolt of red made its way towards her.

Haraldr whipped around at the statement, his eyes narrowed before all seemed to halt as being emerged from the ship. He unlike the others was maskless, boldly bringing forth his identity.

“Malekith,” Haraldr sneered, and once more pulled Frigga to stand behind him.

The Dark Elf, stood before them, “I see my reputation precedes me.”

“You are the one following the call of Darkness,” Frigga’s voice was steadfast in the presence of the Dark being.

Malekith smirked at her, “Its call awoke us, calling out to us to finish what was started long ago,” he had almost closed the distance between them, “Make no mistake, woman, I will have what was mine.”

He let out a growl of pain as Haraldr shot a blast of fire across his face. The Dark Elf snarled as he focused his attention on the Asgardian King. The two squared off, each drawing their blade before Malekith shot forward pulling Haraldr into a duel.

As the two leaders met in combat more and more Dark Elves emerged from the ship, all making shots towards the former Queen. She magically deflected them before cutting down one and turned to take out another, but one had snuck up behind her and grabbed hold of her hair, pulling a blade to nest against her neck.

Haraldr disarmed Malekith of his blade and sent a hard kick to his chest before he turned to see his mother in a hold with the Dark Elf’s arm ready to bring a final blow. Before he knew exactly what had overcome him, power seeped through his veins and a bolt of bright green light shot across the space hitting the creature, sending its body flying through the air, dead.

Power flowed through the Master over Death’s being and he sent his magic out casting over the area pinpointing the exact places the Dark Elves stood his magic held with precise ease.

“Where is the Aether?” the Dark One demanded rising and standing before Asgard’s King.

Haraldr smirked before declaring, “I’ll never tell you,” And shot his magic up through the ground and into the Dark Elves surrounding them, a burning light erupted from their bodies bursting forth until there was nothing left. A true display of his power.

Malekith smiled in reply to his soldiers’ demise, “I believe you,” and pulled a weapon similar to those used by his soldiers from behind his back and shot Frigga where she stood, slightly shocked at the magical exhibition of her son. The movement was so fast that neither King nor former Queen could deflect.

Sound ceased to exist in Haraldr’s ears. He might have been screaming as he watched his mother’s lifeless form fall to the ground. His magic exploded around him pulling at anything he could to make right of what had just happened.

Malekith used the distraction to make his way back to his ship. Haraldr shot burning blasts of magic his way one, the ground beneath them shaking with his fury. One of the shots landed on the side of his face, a deep burn settling across the skin. The Dark Leader had made to grab one of his soldiers but fell from the pain pushing the elf out of the ship as it took off into the sky.

00000

Loki had been sitting at his desk in his study, making his way through a report brought in from Alfheim, when an alarm sounded throughout the halls. He genuinely enjoyed the workload that Haraldr had put in his hands. He was the first person to be brought the majority of Asgard’s problems and oftentimes handled them himself, leaving the larger issues that resided outside of their home realm for the King to deal with. He knew his father had not allowed others the privilege to problem solve without his input so being bestowed the title of First in Council and to be given the freedom to actually do his job was a matter the youngest of the princes handled with care, for he knew the entirety of the Nine was waiting for him to mess it all up.

He immediately made his way out of the chambers and in the direction of the throne room. He was making his way past a vantage point that displayed the open cityscape when he watched as three unknown ships quickly made their way towards the palace. Quickly transforming his attire into his armor, he made to find his brothers and assist those currently fighting whoever it was that was invading the Eternal Realm, only to stop when a sizzling feeling of magic curled up his spine. Unknown to most, he’d placed wards throughout the palace that would alert him of unknown magical presences and if this sense was anything to go from, someone had just triggered one of them. He reached out quickly to determine which of his ward had been triggered before he apparated out of the hall.

He now found himself just outside of the doors that led to the dungeons. The bodies of two Einherjar lay at his feet, both looked to have been dried and burnt from the inside out, their bodies still steaming.  Below he could faintly hear the sounds of battle and made to make his way down to inspect the disturbances further, when a second sizzle of magic hit him from out of nowhere, signaling that a second ward had been disturbed. Following his trail, Loki made his way throughout the halls, he found three more bodies in similar states to the two he found outside of the dungeons. Thinking about where he was and where he had started Loki knew what direction whatever was setting off his wards was headed and silently apparated to what he believed would be the final destination.

His feet landed softly on the golden floor and from his vantage point in the dark corner he watched the shield projector as it spun to life. He had watched Haraldr add his own protections to the device, making what was already a technologically advanced defense mechanism, virtually indestructible.

Suddenly, the doors to the room opened and a large creature walked into the space. Loki’s senses were almost suffocated due to the amount of dark energy flowing from the beast as it made its way to the shield’s homing vestal.

“I wouldn’t do that,” The monster turned sharply at Loki’s words. Stepping out from his spot he presented himself to the intruder, “Whatever your intent is with that device I can assure you; it will be all for not.”

The beast started towards Loki, stood his ground, and simply put a hand out between then, “Ah, ah,” he tried to reason again, “You do not want this,” yet the beast continued on, “Very well then,” Loki sighed and pulled out two long daggers and prepared for battle.

The beast charged him, but Loki had already readied himself and swiftly apparated behind the creature and sent a powerful blasting charm at his back, sending him flying into the wall. It wasn’t the noblest of moves, but Loki justified himself with the fact that he was protecting the shield projector. The creature flared around and roared at Loki before he again charged towards the prince, leaping through the air only to land on nothing, as Loki had cast an illusion, made known to the beast when a dagger flew through the air, embedding itself in its thick armor.

To Loki’s frustration, the beast simply pulled it out and flung it to the side.

Well, if a blade won’t work, Loki thought to himself and reached into his sleeve and pulled out a sleek ebony wand. The beast charged again, and Loki wordlessly fired deflecting spells its way. Despite his efforts, the beast’s armor was practically impenetrable and the creature got a swing in that sent the prince flying through the air. Landing hard on his side, Loki growled out a curse and stood again before throwing a power-filled stunner at the creature that hit it squarely in the chest, sending the beast flying back into the far wall. Seeing that the beast was still conscious, Loki fired a second and third stunner its way before giving up on the strategy and briefly looked to the projector knowing he had to get the thing out of the room. He pointed his wand to the beast and dragged it from the space before quickly firing limb-locking charms as well as a strong Incarcerous, and watched as the creature struggled to escape its bindings.

Loki heard heavy footfalls coming towards the room and turned just as Odin followed by two Einherjar entered the hall leading towards the room he'd previously been fighting in.

Odin took in the disheveled and breathless appearance of his youngest son before he turned to face the bound being, still struggling on the floor, and walked over to the creature.

“We followed its path of death,” Odin told his son.

Loki nodded, panting before asking, “Any idea what that is?”

“Something of which I’ve only heard in legends told by my father,” Odin spoke looking directly into the creature’s eyes, “A cursed being that was formerly a Dark Elf, created by the power of the Aether.”

When he finished, he turned back around and walked back to his son, “You showed true strength in being able to defeat it on your own.”

“Where is Haraldr?” Loki asked, he knew not how to take the comment made to him by Odin.

“Last I saw he was battling outside the palace shield,” Loki nodded and, seeing as his father and two other guards could take care of the bound cursed beast, started down the hall, “You did Asgard well by protecting the shield, my son.”

Loki did not look back as he made his exit.

He had been prepared to apparate as he had before when he saw Thor, Volstagg, and Sif making haste down the hall.

“Thor!” at his call his brother stopped and turned to him.

“Loki,” Thor almost sounded relieved at the sight of his younger brother, “A ship crashed before the perron just before the shield had completely risen.” Loki tried to conceal his relief at having all of his work pay off and joined his brother as they continued toward the doors exiting the palace, “They are Dark Elves, Brother.”

“I know,” Thor looked at him questioningly at his response, “What I don’t understand is how Heimdall didn’t see them coming.”

They turned the corner to see Haraldr standing at the base of the perron, just on the other side of the shield. The bodies of Dark Elves laid around him. Some were missing limbs or even heads. There were burn marks on the ground and walls in the shapes of bodies. Heimdall arrived shortly after them.

Their brother had the, seemingly, last elf held in the air by his throat, “Where is your leader?” the growl that had become of Haraldr’s voice was nothing either Thor or Loki had heard before and when they caught sight of his face they stilled after noticing his eyes had gone completely back.

The unnamed elf smirked at the question, black blood spilled from his mouth as he smiled, “Can your watchman not see?” the answer was gargled as Haraldr tightened his told causing the creature to choke further.

“My watchman has informed me that your Kursed one has been taken prisoner and the Aether is still in our protection,” the King growled, “which means as destructive as your plans were, you’ve failed.” His hold continued to grow firmer, and he pulled the Dark Elf in closer, “Now tell me where your leader is headed, and I’ll make your end quick.”

The one in his hold continued to smirk at him so Haraldr took a different approach. He ripped the being’s helmet off and firmly placed a hand on his head, forcefully searching through his memories.

Thor, Loki, Sif, and Volstagg could only stand and watch as their King brought the creature to a screaming state with only the touch of his hand. Loki remembered the feeling of Haraldr teaching his Occlumency and how painful even his brother’s gentle probing felt, he could only imagine the pain the Dark Elf was in.

After a brief moment that felt much longer than it actually was Haraldr dropped the now still creature. Turning to face those around him, Haraldr allowed himself to rein his magic back in, his brothers watched the whites of his eyes and bright green irises return.

“Heimdall,” the King called the Gatekeeper forward, “Send word to Alfheim. Have Brunnhilde ready her troops and find wherever Jane Foster is currently residing. I wish to see her at once.”

“Brother, what’s happened?” Thor asked, only to fall to his knees at the sight laying feel away.

Haraldr wordlessly walked over to the peaceful, still body of his mother. He bent down, and as gently as he could gathered her in his arms, carrying her towards the others around him, before using his unique magic to walk through the barrier, extending it to the Gatekeeper behind him. He looked to his two brothers, both of their faces burning with grief and anger, before he lowered his gaze back to the ever-resting one in his arms, “They’ve declared war.”

Chapter Text

Haraldr was vaguely aware of those around him. Thor had crumpled to his knees, his face staring after Haraldr before turning up to the sky as if the stars would bring him clarity on what had happened; two tears streamed down the sides of his face. Sif knelt to comfort him, with Volstagg placing a firm hand on his shoulder. Loki had gone completely still and was doing his best to take in deep breaths that were rapidly becoming harder to pull in. His hands were clenched in fists, his knuckles so white they almost looked pale blue.

Haraldr looked to his right and found Heimdall standing at the base of the perron’s steps. The guardian’s gaze looked distant, and the king knew he was doing his best to search for their enemy throughout the cosmos despite their veiling abilities.

“Heimdall,” the king addressed, “What is the word from Brunnhilde?”

The guardian turned to his king, golden eyes both focused on who had addressed him while also continuing their original feat, a skill only he possessed. “The first of her troops are ready to depart at your word, my king. The rest will be waiting in Alfheim for your orders.”

Haraldr nodded in response, “Make your way back to the observatory, send them to the north barracks upon their arrival. I want her here within the hour. Your and Brunnhilde's signatures alone will be able to pass through this barrier.”

“Of course, my king,” Heimdall placed an arm over his chest and bowed at his waist before turning to make his leave.

“Heimdall,” gold eyes met green as Haraldr’s tone changed from that of a king to one of a friend, “The Aether is known to bend the faces of reality. The dark elves had it in their possession for years before their defeat. There is no limit to the advancements it allowed them to make to their ships. Do not blame yourself for not being able to see past its illusions.”

The watchman paused, taking in his friend’s words before he nodded and left to make his way back to his post.

The king then turned, walking without acknowledging whether those around him had made to follow. His feet were slow as he made his way up the steps to the palace. The weight in his arms grew heavier and heavier with each step, the reality of who he was carrying solidifying in his mind.

The Allfather knew he only had precious moments to feel the momentous loss of his mother before he would have to shield his own grief and turn his focus to addressing matters at hand; how Malekith had been able to arrive in Asgard without Heimdall’s notice, the beast currently writhing in his deepest dungeons, and the thing that had sparked all of this to begin with, the Aether which still currently resided in the mortal Jane Foster.

Reaching the top of the perron, Haraldr took a deep breath before looking down at the body in his arms. Frigga’s face was peaceful in her eternal rest. If not for the blood on her robes and wound to her chest, the former Allmother of Asgard looked as if she were simply resting.

Haraldr’s jaw tightened as he made his way towards the throne room, the designated meeting space after moments such as these. He gave no acknowledgement to those he passed or to their inquiries or cries as they noticed whose body he was carrying in his arms. He wouldn’t answer any questions until he reached his destination, until he reached the one that deserved the answers first: his father.

Odin’s back was to him when Haraldr arrived in the throne room. Despite the dark elves’ best attempts, the grand hall stood proud. Hlidskjalf continued to sit atop the staircase leading to the elevated platform. The ornate glass ceiling depicting Odin’s family and the stories of how they’d protected the Nine was left intact; the golden walls and pillars stood firm.

At his footsteps, the former king turned his face, already hard with grief. How the news had reached his father already, Haraldr did not know.

Odin approached his eldest son, eyes set firmly on the restful face of his beloved. He cradled Frigga’s cheek in his palm before raising his blue eyes to the green of the king.

The two held each other’s stare for a long moment, each silently conversing with the other their hurt, their anger at what had transpired before Odin again lowered his eyes to the resting face of his queen.

“It was Malekith.” Odin’s jaw clenched at his son’s words. “She fought valiantly, Father. She protected her realm with honor. It was I who failed her.”

Odin raised blue eyes to meet green, “In her final moments, I do not believe it was solely her realm she was fighting to protect, my son.” Odin’s mouth quirked in a grief-stricken smile. “The Mother of Mothers would never allow her child to fight a battle on their own. No matter how capable they are.” Odin placed a strong hand on Haraldr’s shoulder. Speaking to his son, “Frigga had strong foresight; she chose her path with clarity.”

The sincerity in his father’s words caused the new king’s heart to clench further. Frigga had known what would happen to her and chose to stand with Haraldr against Malekith anyway.

Eir appeared in the hall, followed by two other healers who were maneuvering a transportable healing station. Haraldr was unsure of who had notified her, but he gently placed Frigga’s body on the table when the lady softly asked him. He took one last look down at the body of the woman he called mother before he stepped back, allowing the healers to examine the body of the woman whose soul had already left. Haraldr’s heart clenched in his chest as he knew their work was in vain.

One brief scan from Eir confirmed to all in the room what they all feared to be true: the former queen was indeed dead.

Cries of disbelief filled the room from the court members who had used the space as a sanctuary during the attack. Soldiers and civilians alike allowed themselves to grieve for the woman who had led them for many a millennium.

Two sets of quick footfalls turned Haraldr’s attention to the side of the room, where he found Dagny and Jane entering the hall. The queen’s brow was furrowed, and her large, crystal eyes were glassy with tears. Jane Foster stood beside her, grief-stricken, with one arm cradling the other.

An uneasy hush fell over the great hall at the presence of the mortal doctor. All eyes had turned to her, and blame rushed up to her from all angles.

Haraldr made to step their way when a loud crash was heard behind him. He turned quickly to see Loki breathing heavily, hands still clenched, with the remnants of a banquet table and chairs surrounding him; the wood splintered and cracked. He hadn't moved from where he’d originally stood, but his fists trembled at his sides, white-knuckled and shaking. His gaze locked on Jane, not with calculation, but rage.

“This is on you,” his voice was lethally quiet. “You and your mortal stupidity brought them here.”

Thor, who too had followed his brother into the palace, stood closest to his younger brother and held a steady arm out to him. “Brother,” his voice was strong but conveyed the grief coursing through him, “your grief is as strong as my own in this moment, but we must not allow ourselves to place blame as such. Mother would–”

“Do not speak to me about what she would have wanted,” Loki growled, “She is gone because of this mortal’s ignorance.”

“Frigga isn’t here to voice her opinions on the matter,” the response came from behind Thor. Eyes turned to find Sif's jaw clenched. Grief and anger filled her eyes. “But Frigga is not the only loss today. Over two dozen soldiers lost their lives today. Fandral almost lost his life today! Were it not for the mortal’s interference, the Aether would be safely hidden away. The Accursed would have never discovered–”

“The Aether would have been discovered regardless of Jane’s involvement.” The shieldmaiden was cut off before she could continue with her accusations. The small crowd turned towards their king at his interference. “Jane only discovered it due to the Convergence. Malekith would have felt its call once the portals between the Realms fully opened. Perhaps, had Bor allowed documentation of its continued existence and resting location to be known, we could have prevented what has taken place. However, there’s no use inquiring about what-ifs at this time. It’s happened. Frigga made her own choices in her final moments. We must accept them as she would want us to and honor them as we should for any of the other fallen, as she stood while others hid to protect the realm she loved.”

His voice sounded tired. His grief evident to the others in the room despite his attempts at keeping it at bay.

“Jane Foster,” Two words spoken, and Haraldr’s voice changed back into that of the fierce warrior he was known for being.

At the king’s words, every eye turned back to the doctor. Jane stood there, arms limp at her sides, doing her best to stand steady while the weight of everyone’s attention bore into her being.

“I have only one question to ask of you before I send you away for the time being.” The king continued. “Do you have the courage to match your intellect?”

Jane looked at him with unsure eyes. “What?” Her voice was soft as she continued, “What do you mean by that?”

The king’s hard green eyes bore into her own before he spoke again. “According to the reports I’ve been given on you, you're one of the brightest scientists of your generation. Your inquisitiveness doesn’t allow you to stand down to a challenge. You place yourself in some of the most dangerous situations to experiment and take in the evidence, but then you leave to return to the safety of your lab to look over the results. Like a bird swooping after prey only to eat it in the safety of their nest.”

Jane wasn’t sure if it was a compliment, for it seemed the king was dangerously close to calling her a coward. “However, I’ve yet to see you stand up for something that didn’t pertain to your specific interests. I need to know that you’re capable of working toward the greater good rather than solving a problem because it holds your interest. Before we’re able to move forward, before I am able to tell my people not to condemn you for bringing the Aether to our land, I need to know that you will do whatever it takes, that you will do whatever I ask of you to bring justice to what has been done to Asgard. To fight for something bigger than yourself.”

Jane was speechless. She stared at the Allfather, mouth agape, processing what had just been said to her. She’d been told that her focus on her work was little more than obsessive at times, but to be called selfish had never been spoken directly to her. She turned to look at those in the room with them. Thor stood to the side of her, only the hand of Sif keeping him from intervening, Volstagg beside them. To her other side were Loki and Dagny. The former’s posture and eyes were both fueled with rage. Jane could not read what the latter was trying to tell her in her sad eyes and open stance. Odin stood behind his eldest son, face hard as stone. Lady Eir and her maidens stood with the countless other Asgardian citizens observing the interaction; the unintended repercussion of her actions floated on the cot between them.

“Of –” Jane quietly started, “Of course I will do whatever I can to help make this right.” She looked briefly down at her feet before raising her eyes again to the king. “I never meant for any of this to happen. Had I known what that stone contained, I–”

“You would have tried to study it in more depth before it invaded your body,” Haraldr finished for her. “There’s no need to falsify information.” The disapproval in his voice barely cloaked, “I have what I need from you. Rest for now. Brunnhilde will be arriving shortly to begin planning strategies for handling the dark elves moving forward. Until then, however,” He paused, moving his gaze to his brothers and wife, “we have a funeral to prepare.” He looked back at Jane, “You are dismissed, Doctor. One of my soldiers will escort you to your rooms. Rest. You’ll need it.”

She opened her mouth to protest, looking to Thor briefly before one of the Einherjar placed a firm hand on her arm and led her out of the room.

“Is she to be imprisoned in her rooms forever, Brother?” Thor’s grief was mixed with worry over what had just transpired.

“Jane Foster is no prisoner of Asgard. I promise you, Thor.” Haraldr reassured. “I was not lying when I told her she would need her rest. The Aether is consuming more of her energy than you realize, Brother. If it is not removed soon, it will consume her entirely.”

Thor made to speak on the matter further, but the king raised a steady hand to him, “I cannot speak on this more, Thor. Our mother’s body is lying behind me. At least two dozen Einherjar lost their lives to the dark elves as well. Arrangements are to be made. Families need to be notified. The shields are in place. Malekith will be recovering as well. We are not in immediate danger at the moment and will discuss this at an appropriate time.”

With that, he turned away from Thor and walked back to where Eir and her healers were standing over Frigga’s lifeless body.

“Lady Eir,” He began, “I know this is outside of your typical duties. However, there are few others my family and I trust. Would it…” He had lost the proper words to use to continue talking, king or not, the body on the table before him belonged to his mother.

The healer placed a calm hand on his arm, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “There is no greater honor, Allfather, than your trust in me in this moment.” She did her best to smile reassuringly at him. “I will take care of her. Have her ladies bring her garments to the Infirmary.”

He did his best to smile back before she turned to gesture to her healers. The king and his companions watched as the body of the former Allmother was carried out of the room. Odin looked to his eldest before he followed.

Haraldr turned and looked around the room, taking note of who had made it back to the meeting destination after the attack. His counsel stood together on the left side of the room. Many discussed amongst themselves matters Haraldr could only guess upon, his first being the topic of Jane. Four of his five generals of the Einherjar stood together. He made his way over to them. Each gave their king their report of the attack. The Allfather thanked them all and honored their loyalty to their realm before dismissing them, instructing them all to be ready to meet again once the warriors from Alfheim arrived to discuss strategy moving forward.

Haraldr took a moment to survey the throne room again. It had slowly cleared, leaving only his wife, brothers, and their two friends. He took a deep breath, mentally reminding himself that he was in the presence of others and couldn’t feel his emotions at the time.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, mentally pushing his grief back down to deal with later. Slowly, a hand slid into his—steady, sure. Dagny. She said nothing, but her fingers curled around his own, anchoring him to the present, to control.

Order. That is what was needed in this moment. He needed a list of casualties and to begin integrating the new recruits to the Einherjar. The king made to address both Lady Sif and Volstagg to begin these orders when the heavy doors at the end of the hall creaked open—not gently, but with purpose. Heads turned as the golden light from the outer corridor spilled in, silhouetting the figure standing in the doorway.

Brunnhilde strode forward, armor gleaming with the starkness of any blemish and ready for battle, her dark braid swinging against her back like a banner. The air shifted with her arrival—not just because of her reputation, but because in a room choked with grief and silence, she was a storm.

“My king,” she said, voice strong but tempered, bowing her head just enough to respect the throne without dimming her authority. “I came as quickly as I could.”Her eyes swept the room, taking in the wreckage of the day, then the blood that coated the king’s chest and arms. Her jaw tensed. “What are your orders?”

—-----------------------------------------------

“There is no excuse for you holding back!” She pushed back, “You have the power to end any enemy with less than a thought, and you chose not to. These deaths are not on Malekith alone!”

They stood in Haraldr’s private office, a grand, vaulted chamber filled with relics and books from centuries of study and travel across the Realms. Sunlight spilled through the high, curved windows, striking the dark-polished wood and dancing through dust motes hanging in the stillness.

“YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT!” A glass pot behind them shattered. Neither was affected by the small loss of the king’s control.

The general and king stood across from one another, eyes boring into each other, “There is risk to using that power. Balance will always be necessary, and that comes at a cost.” He reasoned. “I have not released that power in over two millennia. The strength of Asgard is strong enough to protect the realms without need of it. Loss is a part of all battle. We accept it and honor every lost warrior for their strength. My family is not exempt from that. I would not do any of them the dishonor.”

“Protecting them is not dishonoring them,” Brown eyes bore into green challengingly.

The king stood before her with grief sharply carving its way through his stomach. He was barely keeping it contained. “You think I wanted this?” He questioned sharply, almost seething the words. “You think I didn’t try to get her back behind the shields. She fought back, Brunn! She’s the one who told me to always know where the line was with my magic. I’m kept at bay by her words! She knew what would happen if she stayed. She chose this!”

His voice was almost raw from speaking the words his soul knew to be true. Despite not understanding why his mother had chosen to stand outside the wards, he knew she had her reasons and knew she was aware she would die that day. He didn’t have to understand it. He just had to accept it, even if it shattered his being to do so.

Brunnhilde stood firm before him, smaller in stature but no less commanding. Her jaw was tight, her brown eyes fierce with fury barely held at bay. Frigga had meant everything to Asgard, but for Brunnhilde, the bond had been personal. It was the queen who had pieced her back together after the fall of the Valkyries.

This wasn’t blame she hurled at her king. It was grief. Jagged and hot, radiating between them like a pulse.

“And the Aether?” She pushed, closing off her emotions as best she could. “Why has it not been contained? Between you, Loki, and Frigga, the situation should have easily been handled by now.”

“Do not suggest I’ve neglected my duty.” Haraldr shook his head, “It is not as easy as simply pulling the essence from her body. The Aether has infected almost directly to her core. To pull it out by force could kill her.”

“And?” Haraldr’s jaw clenched at what his general, friend, and confidant was suggesting. It wasn’t as if the thought hadn’t come to his mind. It’d be easy to pull the force from her and contain the essence. However, every approach he’d considered so far would shock a mortal’s body too much to the point of death. He couldn’t risk it.

“And?” He pushed back, “This is a life we are trying to preserve. And no mere civilian life at that. While technologically behind us, Dr. Foster is one of the reasons Midguard is as advanced as it currently is. Her life is integral to the advancement of one of our realms. I promised Thor I would do everything possible to protect Jane, and I will.”

“This is a battle none alive have faced before,” she pushed back. “It is high time we consider the truths that lie before us. Stop thinking like a brother or son and act as the king you are. Jane Foster dug her own grave the moment she put her mind in places it had no right to be.”

Brunnhilde was and had always been the only one to push back at him so directly. She’d known him too long and had lost too much to be afraid of the power that flowed through his being. Haraldr looked to his general, his closest friend. She wasn’t the kind to throw a defenseless soul to the wolves without cause. She was a protector, a Valkyrie. For her to say this now meant she saw the line already crossed.

The silence between them stretched, charged, not empty. Neither looked away.

“How many more must die,” she said, voice low, “before you’re willing to sacrifice one to save the rest of the Realms and beyond?”

Haraldr looked away, memories stirring in the shadows of his mind, echoes of choices made in the past, of blood traded for strategy, choices made for him outside of his control. He would not condemn another to the slaughter. Not yet. Not by force.

“None,” he said at last, turning back to her. “If I can help it.”

Brunnhilde opened her mouth to speak, but he raised a hand gently. She paused. Even in moments of tension, she yielded to his authority, grudgingly, but with respect.

“The shields are holding. Malekith was wounded in the assault. He’ll need time to regroup, and if I were him, I’d retreat to Svartalfheim. The wastes will conceal them while they recover. But for now... we have a sliver of time.”

Brunnhilde crossed her arms. “And what do we do with it?”

“We tell her the truth,” he said. “I have two rituals I can attempt—ancient, unstable ones. Neither was designed for living vessels. If I try them, I don't know what they'll do to her... or if they'll work at all.”

“And if she chooses neither?” The Valkyrie pushed back, “We have an army at the ready. Our time to act is now. We cannot wait for her to sit and contemplate her choices forever.”

The king hummed in agreement, crossing his arms and moving to stand before a window overlooking the Golden City. The destruction was many, but they were lucky, as it could have easily been worse. His citizens were already working to make right to the damages.

“If Dr. Foster wishes against either of our methods of removal, which in my opinion is valid due to the uncertainty of their safety or affectiveness, the door will open as to whether she’ll keep her word to me to as to whether she has the courage to act in the way that needs to be done. For there is a role she could easily fill in the battle that lies ahead.”

Brunnhilde moved to stand next to her king. Questions filled her eyes. “And what role would that be?”

He met her gaze, the grief in his eyes momentarily giving way to cold resolve.

“Bait.”

Chapter Text

The dark sky above Asgard shimmered in quiet mourning. 

The entirety of the Golden City had gathered to farewell the warriors lost in the fight against Malekith and his army. Thirty-two boats carried the lifeless forms of the fallen, having been cast from the bank of the large lake that led to the falled-edge of Asgard. 

Leading them was a larger, intricately carved boat that carried the body of Frigga, dressed in her best and decorated in all of the jewels and finery to reflect her high and honored rank as one of Asgard's greatest Allmothers. Petals covered the interior of the boat from citizens who had gently tossed them to her as she passed; tears cascading down their cheeks as they had done so. 

Haraldr stood at the high dais surrounded by his family, Gungnir held tightly in his grasp, watching the body of the woman who had chosen him to be her son sail further and further away from him. Until finally, it was only a faint marking in the distance, only noticeable by the light flickering from the lantern attached to the boat. With his father and Thor to his left and Dagny, Loki, and Brunnhilde to his right, the Allfather forced himself to hold steady for what he had to do next. Feeling the weight of the eyes on him, he hesitated only a brief moment before signaling to Ullr to light his arrow. The king’s jaw tightened as he watched it soar through the air and land perfectly on oil-coated wood, setting it aflame. 

Soon, the air was filled with more and more lit arrows, each gently finding its mark, lighting the procession ablaze.

As Frigga’s boat neared the edge, Haraldr raised Gungnir and strongly slammed it on the ground, sending his Seidr to cradle her pyre gently over the falls. A sparkling mist formed of Frigga’s body, and the entirety of Asgard watched the soul of their former queen depart from them, passing through the vastness of the cosmos. Then, one by one, hundreds of shimmering orbs filled the sky as the citizens of Asgard celebrated the souls of the fallen and their journey to join Frigga and their fellow warriors to feast forever in the Halls of Valhalla. 

--------------

An animalistic scream coursed through the air, shaking the tunnels deep under the Asgardian palace. 

Kurse, the Dark Elven warrior turned beast, lay chained across a stone table, ancient runes carved into the Uru bands, strengthening the legendary metal further. The king, his two brothers, and the general stood round observing the creature take his torture.

Haraldr watched, eyes cold, as he held the beast under his spell for a moment longer before lifting it. 

Kurse growled, eyes wild and raging as the enchanted pain was alleviated. His monstrous form pulled at his restraints. 

“She knew what you are,” the beast sneered, “She saw you standing beside her as she fell – weak, unworth–” 

His voice cut off as a red haze encapsulated his form again, forcing the beastly screams to fill the room. Haraldr neared the side of the table, emotionlessly looking down at the creature before he again lifted the spell. 

“Your master will be regaining his strength,” His voice was smooth, unwavering. “Where is he now?”

The beast growled and pulled at his restraints again in answer, causing the king’s eyes to narrow, “I will find the answers I seek, one way or another.” He kept his voice level as he lifted his hands; a soft blue haze drifted from them to the beast's head, forcing it to turn; their eyes connected. “Tell me where he is and I will end your suffering.” 

Again, the beast snarled in reply. 

The king tilted his head and gave a small, resounding sigh. “Very well.”

In less than a breath, the beast started shaking, guttural growls of pain escaped the trapped form; the king was calm, stoic eyes focused and unmoving. 

The others in the chamber remained where they stood, none wanting or daring to intervene as the king sought out the information he needed to find Malekith’s whereabouts. Thor looked to Loki briefly to find the sorcerer’s eyes hard and focused on their eldest brother, jaw clenched, and hands loosely at his sides at the ready, in case anything was to go wrong. 

The middle brother shifted his stance, readjusted Mjolnir lightly in his hand, and moved his gaze back to the scene before him. He’d seen Haraldr use his unique Seidr to his advantage before, but never quite to this level of intensity. Interrogation was nothing new to the warrior, but to see a beast of this caliber be brought to such a state was as fascinating as it was unnerving, and Haraldr hadn’t laid a single finger on him.

Brunnhilde leaned lightly against the back wall, arms across her chest, sword strapped to her waist. This wasn’t the first interrogation she’s witnessed from her king, though it might be the most brutal in terms of technique. Still, not an ounce of blood was lost. Unneeded and unnecessary with Haraldr’s skills, determination, and current fury. 

Before long, the king stepped back with a slight blink, and Kurse’s scream shifted to a defiant snarl. 

“My master will unmake your golden palace,” He sneered.

Haraldr backed away, face remaining emotionless, “Doubtful, now that you’ve just given me the answers I seek. I’m prepared to meet Malekith where he stands.” He turned to walk away from his prisoner, motioning for his companions to follow.

Kurse howled at the king’s retreating form, using what energy remained in him to writhe in his binds, “The light will die, and what’s left will kneel before the true eternal.” The beast sneered at the king, “You think death can touch me, Asgardian? I have become it – death itself.”

The king stopped and slowly turned back to face the beast, his eyes gleaming with invigorated fire, and a faint smirk flitted across his mouth, “Then let us see whose claim it answers.” 

Kurse again made to growl at the king when the room flashed bright green and then fell silent. Lying on the table was the massive, still form of the creature, the remnants of a sneer frozen on its lifeless face. 

Three pairs of eyes shifted to their king. For an instant, as fast as the green light died, a ghost of regret crossed his eyes, but was gone as quickly as it came.

-------------

The group made their way out of the dungeons and up to the war council chamber. The heavy doors sealed behind them with a boom that echoed down the marble hall. Haraldr moved across the space, passed the large table housed in the center, to the windowed wall that overlooked the city, jaw tight and eyes focused. 

Thor walked to the table, placing Mjolnir atop. Brunnhilde took a seat, leaning back in her chair, eyes wafting over each of her companions before settling on her king and confidant. Loki remained nearest to the door. For a long stretch, none of them spoke.

Torches flickered against the gold-veined walls; even their light seemed subdued after the green flash that had filled the chamber below.

Brunnhilde was the first to speak. Her tone was low, measured. “I’ve seen that before,” she said. “Once during the Frost Wars. You swore it would stay buried.”

Haraldr didn’t turn. “Necessity does not adhere to promises,” he said simply.

Brunn’s eyes tightened as she processed what he said.

“I’d never seen it used.” Loki’s voice was low, calculated. “You swore no honor lies in it.”

Haraldr’s gaze remained looking out the window, “That creature was beyond honor.” He paused and then continued, “The Aether had corrupted its entire being. A swift death was a mercy as much as a punishment. Besides, Malekith will have felt its defeat.” His law tightened, “He’ll now know what he is up against. I might have faltered once before,” He turned to his companions, eyes fierce with age, “But not again. Do not doubt, I will do whatever is necessary to end Malekith and anyone else who questions the strength of Asgard.”

“You will not face this battle alone,” Brunnhilde stood as she spoke. “Though it’s strange,” she said. “I’ve seen you end man, gods, and beasts, and yet it’s this calm that unsettles me most.”

Haraldr turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing. “If my calm frightens you, General, it’s only because you’ve forgotten what comes before a storm.”

She met his gaze and, after a long moment, nodded once, the corner of her mouth raising. “Then let it come.”

“What is your plan, Brother?” Thor spoke to move the discussion forward. “Malekith will be planning to return for Jane.”

The king hummed in agreement. “Asgard’s shields will hold. I can extend them past the palace if necessary, but you’re right, he’ll be looking for her and will return with a larger army if necessary to get what he wants.”

“What do you suggest then?” The Thunderer questioned, “Asgard just survived a battle on its lands. Do we relocate the citizens to high ground in case of his return?” 

The king shook his head, “Malekith will be biding his time while he awaits the full Convergence. Heimdall stands watch and has kept me updated on its progress. We’re within a day of the final Realms alignment.” He walked to the table and, with a wave of his hand, a map burned with light. 

A dozen golden projections flickered across its surface, a model of Svartalfheim rendered in shifting topography, its bleak ridges and obsidian fields glowing faintly in the gloom. 

“Malekith’s connection with the Aether allowed me to find his whereabouts through the Kursed Beast. He has withdrawn his Arc and what’s left of his army to the ruins north of Svartalfheim’s equatorial ridge,” he said. His voice was low, steady, carrying easily through the chamber. “He hides within the storm fields, where the Aether’s lingering energy distorts the very air. No army can march through it unseen. No spell can pierce it cleanly.” He glanced up. “Which is why we will not march directly. We’ll draw them out.”

Brunnhilde leaned forward, one gauntleted hand tapping the rim of the map. “A decoy strike.”

Haraldr inclined his head. “You’ll lead it. Bring half the Einherjar and a regiment of our armies of Alfheim. Strike from the eastern ridge – loudly to draw them out.”

Her mouth curved in a thin grin. “Loud? I’ll bring Lord Volstagg.”

Thor stepped forward, studying the projection. “And while she draws their fire?”

Haraldr’s hand drifted to the far edge of the map, tracing a near-invisible line through the rock formations. “There are older paths. Unstable, forgotten, but still open.”

Thor’s eyes shot to his brother, but the king continued, “Loki will see us through them. I know them well enough, but he’s mastered maneuvering them with the ease necessary for this endeavor.”

At that, all eyes turned to the youngest prince. Loki’s expression didn’t shift, but a flicker of satisfaction crossed his features. “I do so enjoy being the convenient expert in ancient, forbidden things,” he murmured. “But yes. The paths run along the surface half-formed between realms. Few know of them now.”

“Fewer still will survive them,” Haraldr added evenly. “You’ll ensure that we do.”

Loki’s smirk faltered just enough to look human. “Naturally.”

Haraldr turned the map again, this time a projection of Asgard flared bright. A red dot pulsed near the center, the Aether’s current resonance, locked within Jane Foster. 

“She goes with us,” he said.

Thor took a deep breath. “You’re sure that’s wise?”

Haraldr’s gaze softened, not with gentleness, but with gravity. “Malekith will come for her, whether we wish it or not. She is his vessel, Thor. If we do not control that encounter, he will.”

Haraldr looked toward Loki, who lingered near the door like a shadow waiting to be commanded.

“Send word to have Dr. Foster brought here at once.”

Loki’s brow lifted, the faintest twitch of curiosity crossing his expression, but he opened the door without question. The sound of his voice carried briefly down the corridor before fading into the deep silence that filled the chamber.

“What are you considering, Brother?” Thor asked. There was an edge of anxiousness in his tone, rare and unfamiliar to Haraldr’s ear.

“The time has come for us to make a decision,” Haraldr replied, his voice level, deliberate. “Two options remain to us, both dangerous, both desperate. But before we choose, I must see whether either is still within our reach.”

As he spoke, he swept a large section of the map table clear with one arm, scattering scrolls and empty goblets aside.

Loki returned quietly and shut the door behind him. “She’ll be here momentarily,” he said. His gaze flicked over the bare table. “What do you need of me?”

Haraldr met his eyes, green against green. “A prayer to the Norns, it’s not too late.”

Moments later, the great chamber doors opened with a groan of iron hinges. Jane Foster entered, weary but resolute, accompanied by Queen Dagny, who had refused to leave her side since the funeral the night before. The queen’s presence was quiet but grounding, an unspoken reassurance in the room’s charged air.

“Jane Foster,” Haraldr greeted, his tone that of a king preparing his court. “Malekith’s forces regain their strength even as we speak. They are preparing for a return strike.” His gaze sharpened, piercing. “He is coming for you. We must do what we can to separate the Aether before that time comes.”

Jane exhaled, tension in her shoulders loosening slightly. “Finally,” she said, with a small, brave smile. “What do I do?”

Haraldr gestured to the stone table, now cleared and ringed with soft gold light from the runes carved into its edges. “Lie here. I must first see how deeply the Aether has taken hold.”

Jane obeyed, climbing up and lying flat as Haraldr drew his hands above her body, palms hovering inches from her chest. The air around them pulsed faintly as he wordlessly cast a full projection of Jane’s soul to form over her.

The image hung above Jane, made of light and shadow: her form outlined in gold threads, her life-force pulsing with steady rhythm. But among the gold, veins of crimson-black writhed like roots of rot; webs of Aether energy, burrowed deep into every layer of her being.

Dagny gasped softly before she could stop herself. Even Loki’s face hardened. The Aether wasn’t just inside Jane as it had been before; it was woven through her, body and soul.

“By the Norns…” Thor breathed, horror settling over him like ash.

Jane blinked at the image. “That looks bad,” she said, trying, and failing, to keep her tone light.

Haraldr’s face remained unreadable. He lowered his hands, and with a flick of his fingers, the projection vanished into sparks. For a long moment, no one spoke.

Finally, Loki broke the silence. “Tell us you have a way,” he said quietly.

Haraldr’s jaw tightened. “I had two.”

He began pacing, every word weighed with grim precision.

“The first, a Severance Rite. It would have required splitting her spirit from the Aether’s tether, like unbinding a soul from a cursed relic. Dangerous, but not impossible, so long as the Aether’s hold was incomplete.” His gaze dropped to the table. “It is far past that now.”

He paused before continuing.

“The second, a Soul Partition. I would have created a barrier between her essence and the Aether’s will, forcing them apart long enough to transfer the Aether into a containment vessel. But to perform such magic, the host must still retain dominance over their soul.”

He looked at Jane, and she saw something she hadn’t before in his eyes—pity.

“She no longer does. The Aether doesn’t merely inhabit her; it is her, now. Every breath, every heartbeat, it mimics as its own. Neither ritual had been performed on a mortal without irreparable consequences. It was only in desperation that I was willing to consider them now.”

Thor stepped forward, his voice rough. “Then what are you saying?”

Haraldr met his brother’s eyes. “I’m saying we are too late to consider removal without harm.” His tone was iron. “To tear it out now would kill her.”

He let that truth hang in the air like a sentence passed.

Thor’s hands clenched at his sides, his jaw trembling with restrained fury. “There must be another way.”

“There may yet be,” Haraldr said quietly. “But not without cost.”

The silence that followed was heavy enough to crush the breath from the room. 

The torches flickered against the high stone walls, their light bending through the blue-tinged haze that still lingered from the projection. It was as though the room itself was holding its breath, unwilling to disturb the heaviness that had settled there.

Jane was the first to move. Slowly, she swung her legs off the table and sat upright. Her expression wasn’t one of fear or despair; it was calm. Thoughtful. Acceptance had a strange kind of grace when worn by those taking hold of their own death.

“So that’s it,” she said quietly, looking from Haraldr to Thor. “You can’t remove it. And if you try, I die.”

Thor’s jaw tightened. “We will find another way. Haraldr –”

But she held up a hand, cutting him off with surprising authority. “No, Thor.” Her voice didn’t waver. “You don’t need to protect me from the truth. I think I’ve known since the first time the Aether…woke up inside me. It’s not just in me; it is me now. Or at least it thinks it is.”

She gave a half-laugh, one without humor. “And honestly, if I’m the reason that thing has any hold on this world, then I’m not going to sit here and let everyone else fight my battle for me.”

Haraldr watched her carefully, expression unreadable. It was the look of a being who had seen countless soldiers face the end and recognized something rare when they did not flinch.

“Dr. Foster,” he said, his tone softening. “What you speak of is not bravery. It is sacrifice.”

She met his eyes. “Is there a difference?”

--------------

The room went still again.

Loki shifted from where he stood by the far wall, studying her with a tilt of his head. There was admiration there, but also something like sorrow, before his eyes shifted to Thor. Dagny looked between them all, her queenly composure wavering just slightly.

Jane turned to Thor. “If Malekith wants the Aether, then let him come for it. For me. He’ll sense it, he’ll follow it.” Her eyes hardened. “So, use me.”

Thor stepped closer, his voice heavy. “Jane—”

“Use me,” she said again, firmer this time. “He’s too dangerous to let recover to full strength. You can’t draw him out without bait, and I’m already the hook he’s caught on.”

Haraldr exhaled through his nose, slow and deliberate. He looked to Brunnhilde, who had remained silent at the far end of the chamber. The Valkyrie inclined her head once, grim and approving.

“She’s right,” Brunnhilde said. “Malekith won’t stop until he’s taken what he believes is his. The mortal’s courage may end this faster than any weapon we carry.”

Thor’s fists clenched, the tendons in his forearms taut. “You ask me to stand by while she is used as bait? That is not courage; it is madness!”

“It is strategy,” Haraldr countered quietly. Then, softer: “And it may be our only one.”

Jane’s gaze flicked between the brothers. “I know the risks. If this ends with me, then maybe it’s supposed to. I didn’t ask or want to be part of this, but I won’t be the reason others die trying to fix what I can help end.”

There was a silence in which only the crackling of the torches filled the hall.

At last, Haraldr inclined his head slightly, an acknowledgment, not an order. “Then so be it. But you will not face it alone.”

“I never thought I would,” she said softly, glancing at Thor, whose anger had given way to grief. “You really think I’d miss another chance to save the universe?”

Haraldr’s lips twitched with the faintest ghost of a smile. “Mortals,” he murmured. “Forever fearless when they have no right to be.”

He stepped forward, placing a hand lightly over her heart. A flicker of silver light pulsed between them, spreading briefly through the air before fading. “I will weave what protection I can. It will not shield you from the Aether, but it may hide you from his sight for a time.”

Jane nodded. “Then let’s make it count.”

She slid off the table and stood straighter, the weight of her decision settling fully across her shoulders. Thor moved to her side instinctively, and for a moment, the god and the mortal simply stood together in silence, warriors awaiting their fate.

Haraldr looked away first, his expression unreadable once more, though a shadow crossed his eyes that none could name. He turned toward Loki and Brunnhilde. 

“Prepare the legions. When Malekith senses her, he will come with everything he has. And when he does…”

He glanced toward the great windows where dawn was breaking over the spires of Asgard.

“…we will be ready.”

-----------

The halls were silent as Haraldr made his way through them, only the clapping of his feet against the marble to keep him company as he navigated the corridors to his personal office. He walked in to find the space already occupied.

Odin sat at his desk, the weight of centuries etched into the lines of his face. Even in his own realm, the former Allfather’s presence carried authority that pressed against the space between them. Haraldr stood before him, armor gleaming faintly, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze was steady, but the faint tremor of unspoken emotion lingered in the edge of his eyes.

“You’ve grown into your purpose,” Odin said, voice low, resonant, carrying both pride and warning. “I have watched you walk paths no son should bear, and yet… you endure.”

Haraldr inclined his head, words measured. “Endure, yes. But endurance does not erase loss.” His jaw tightened. “Frigga’s death is… my failure to protect her. No spell, no army—”

“Your heart demands accountability,” Odin interrupted gently. “It demands vengeance.” His eyes softened just a fraction. “And yet you do not break. That is why I named you heir.”

Haraldr shook his head, looking away from the other man. Every ounce of his being was used to maintain his composure.

Odin leaned forward slightly. “Your restraint is your greatest weapon. Malekith will not see it coming. He will expect wrath, fury, chaos, but you have learned something far more dangerous: control. And control, my son, is what will keep Asgard alive.”

Haraldr’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I will not break,” he said. The words were both reassurance and vow. “Malekith will answer for what he has done. But I… I cannot let my grief dictate my sword.” Haraldr exhaled slowly, the edge of tension leaving his shoulders, though not the shadow behind his eyes. “I will honor her. I will honor Asgard. And I will not fail.”

The former king inclined his head, eyes lingering on his eldest son with a mixture of pride and assurance. “Go then, my son. Rest. For the battlefield awaits. But remember this: even the strongest cannot stand alone. Trust those who follow you. Trust… those who love you. And do not forget your greatest weapon. The Norns did not misplace their faith.”

The two held each other's gaze, a silent conversation held between them. Before Haraldr raised his chin in understanding, nodded, and left. Not seeing Odin turn his gaze out the window, a twinge of contemplation flitted across his face.

Chapter Text

The first pale fingers of dawn stretched across the sky, brushing the high spires of Asgard with light that glinted off the golden walls of the shimmering shield still held in place. The Rainbow Bridge stretched ahead, a perfect prism of color arcing over the void, its surface alive with the hum of latent Bifrost energy.

Along its length, soldiers from Asgard and Alfheim stood at attention, formations precise, armor gleaming faintly in the early light. The air carried the sharp tang of frost and steel, mixed with the subtle scent of war-magic and sharpened blades. Heimdall had brought them all. An unbroken line of Einherjar and Alfheim warriors, their faces a mix of resolve and unquestioning loyalty to their Realm and king.

Brunnhilde moved among them, her armor gleaming in silver, gold, and blue, a striking contrast against the sea of uniformed warriors. She walked with a predator’s grace, nodding at Lady Sif and Volstagg as she passed, their presence anchoring the front lines with steady familiarity. 

“Positions,” she called quietly, her voice carrying just enough to echo along the bridge without disturbing the meditative calm of the early hour.

The soldiers stiffened, weapons raised in silent salute. Shields clicked, spears shifted, and bows found their ready position. Somewhere in the distance, the faint cry of a horn signaled the final moments before departure.

Above them, the light of the rising sun caught the edges of the Rainbow Bridge, turning it into a streak of molten gold and violet. The formation held its breath. Everything waited.

—------------

While Brunnhilde and her armies waited for Heimdall to receive his orders from their king, Haraldr, Thor, and Loki readied a hovership to take them through the secret veins between the realms. Frigga had known of the veins and shared the knowledge with all three of her sons. Haraldr and Loki had been the two curious enough to seek the pathways out, Loki being the one driven enough to master their channels with ease. 

Dagny had accompanied Jane down to the dock, hoping to bring a sense of calm to the small party before their departure. The queen, though soft and gentle in demeanor, was no stranger to war and made note to never shield herself from the realities of what it often took to maintain peace. 

She watched her husband take the cloak from his shoulders and wrap it around Jane’s small frame, her body disappearing with a shocked gasp, her head remaining the only thing visible. 

“Put that over you when I tell you to.” The king’s voice was stern. “Malekith won’t be able to see you, but he will be able to sense the Aether as soon as it arrives on Svartalfheim.”

Jane nodded, though she was distracted by the phenomenon taking place around her. “How does this even work?” she questioned while spinning around and throwing her hands in and out from under the cloak. “Wait,” She stopped, “How are you not invisible whenever you have this on?”

Haraldr continued to move around the boat, looking over their few supplies while Loki and Thor both paused at her question and turned to hear how their brother would respond, neither knowing the correct answer. 

“I wear it inside out,” He confirmed without looking up, “We’re ready.” He turned to face Dagny, who stood on the dock. “Our people will look to you in my absence.”

Dangy’s large, crystal eyes held a glassy sheen as she met her husband’s striking green. “Do not make us wait too long but find the answers you need.”

The king nodded in reply, and Thor and Loki shared a curious glance at their sister-in-law's choice of wording, before Haraldr gave Loki the command to depart. 

The God of Mischief, being the skilled pilot of the group, swiftly guided them through the air and across the valleys of Asgard. 

Jane, both uneasy with the speed of the craft and weak from the power of the Aether, suddenly collapsed to the floor of the ship. Thor ran to her, gathering her fragile form in his arms, reassuring himself that she was okay. 

“Is she dead?” The joker questioned, “Shall I turn the ship around?”

Haraldr turned a sharp eye, “Focus, Loki.”

Loki smirked in reply and made a sharp turn, lining the ship to head straight towards a cliff face, and accelerated to full speed. Haraldr braced his stance, focusing his gaze while Thor secured Jane tighter in his arms. 

“Loki?” The questioning hesitance was evident in Thor’s voice.

“Patience, Brother,” Loki reassured, “If it were easy, everybody would do it.” His grin widening at the couple on the floor before accelerating even more, hurling the ship towards the stone cliff face.

“You’re positive we couldn’t apparate?” Thor quizzically shot at his older brother.

“Too loud with the great distance between realms.” Haraldr shot back through the great wind, which caused his hair to fly around his face, “That, and the pressure of travel, would kill her.” 

Thor looked at the jagged rock getting closer and considered the options.

Jane squeezed her eye tightly and held on to him as much as she could when suddenly, everything went dark, the air grew tighter until, with a jolt, they were skidding across a barren, ashen wasteland.

“Ta-da!” Loki sang. 

Jane let out a shaky laugh, still pale, still shaken, but alive. Thor exhaled, a mix of relief and exasperation, muttering, “You truly are impossible, brother.”

Loki merely grinned, hands dancing across the controls, ready for the next leg of their perilous journey.

Haraldr, having already steadied himself, closed his eye and mentally called out to Heimdall. He raised his hand and drew three, shimmering runes in the air, signaling him of their location and motioning the guardian to open the gate to deploy their armies.

—-----------

Atop the dais of the Observatory, Heimdall’s golden eyes scanned the horizon of Svartalfheim. Even through the faint shimmer of the Rainbow Bridge, he could sense the pulse of the enemy, dark, restless, and aware. He stood perfectly still, the wind tugging at his cloak, the weight of the moment pressing against him like a living being.

Then, a faint call caught his attention, the intricate weave of runes only Haraldr could conjure. Golden lines traced through the space between realms, forming a precise signal. Heimdall’s eyes narrowed.

“Finally,” he murmured, voice low but carrying the authority of centuries. He turned to the Valkyrie at his side.

Brunnhilde’s dark hair caught the light, her expression sharp and unyielding. “It’s time?”

Heimdall inclined his head once. “The king has confirmed their position. They are on Svartalfheim’s surface. Prepare the legions.”

Brunnhilde’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. She turned to the ranks behind her. The soldiers of Asgard and Alfheim waited, their spears and shields glinting faintly in the dim light, armor polished and taut with anticipation.

“Today,” she called out, voice ringing across the bridge, “we move not as watchers but as hunters. Every Dark Elf that falls is a step closer to Malekith’s defeat. We are the spear and shield of Asgard, let none forget it!”

The army answered with a unified roar, the sound reverberating across the Rainbow Bridge, shaking the very air.

Heimdall’s hands drew Hofund, the blade glinting in the light, and guided it into the lock, opening the Bifrost. 

With a swirl of light, the gates of the bridge parted, opening way for the advance of thousands of armored warriors, the clash of steel and magic barely restrained by discipline.

Brunnhilde blew her horn and led the vanguard, her sword raised high, every motion precise, commanding as she led her Pegasus to charge through the portal. A symbol of her unwavering bravery and loyalty to the Crown. Behind her, the soldiers surged forward in perfect formation, their banners whipping in the wind. Even in the dim, red-tinted light of Svartalfheim, their presence was a beacon, a signal that the hunt had begun.

Heimdall remained atop the dais, his gaze sweeping the battlefield. He could feel every heartbeat of the army below, the pulse of magic through the ranks, the echo of every Dark Elf stirred by their arrival.

“Now,” he whispered to himself, voice almost lost in the wind. “Let them come to us.”

And as the shadowed plains of Svartalfheim trembled beneath the advance, the first stones of Malekith’s carefully laid plan began to crumble.

—----------

Thor gently placed a hand over Jane’s form as she lay on the floor of the moving ship. Haraldr stood at the bow, eyes grazing over the horizon for any sign of Malekith or his Dark Elven army, Loki at the helm, piloted them across the vast, barren terrain.

The God of Mischief let his eyes roll over the resting mortal; her body was fading before them. “The power that flows through her veins,” he queried, “Witnessed so few times before now. In a mere mortal at that. It’s a wonder she’s lasted this long without it consuming her entirely. Not many can handle such weight.”

Thor folded his arms, his gaze shifting from the resting woman to studying their older brother with wary fascination. “You carry it well, Haraldr,” he said. “This kind of power. Most beings would be devoured by it.”

“Most beings,” Haraldr he took a controlled breath before he continued, “have not made peace with what they are.”

Thor and Loki met eyes. They’d been raised on stories of their brother by others. He had never boasted of himself to them, but the two youngest sons of Odin had always looked in awe of the oldest of them. The fierce protector of the Realms stood in front of them now, even after having displayed how effortlessly he could end any enemy, and yet all they could see was the one who cared for them and proved his love for not only their family but for Asgard as a whole. 

“As your brother, Thor, I must say: best to prepare yourself now.” Loki turned the focus back to him. His words were harsh, but his tone held no mocking. “Her body grows weaker as each hour passes. Consider your options; what lies ahead is not a battle worth fighting.”

“Surrender is not in my nature,” Thor reputed, “Nor in hers. I believe Haraldr has a plan. I have every faith that today will not be Jane’s last.”

Loki huffed, “This day, the next? A hundred years – her life is nothing compared to ours; you delay the inevitable. It’s a heartbeat. And then what?” He pushed back, forcing their eyes to meet. “You’ll never be ready.”

Thor’s brow pinched in defiance and made to push back against the Mischief’s words when Haraldr’s voice cut in.

“It would not matter whether she were a Midgardian human or an Asgardian goddess, Brother.” The oldest of the three turned to face them. “Death seeks out all in the end. It is an inevitable game of cat and mouse. Some races are simply better at playing than others.” He looked to Thor, “Why deny our hearts their longing? Knowing that happiness is not eternal does not negate the importance of feeling it even once in a lifetime.” He turned to Loki, “To decide for someone that is of sound mind, even if our means are meant in protection and love, is a dishonor to them.”

Green eyes held each other, “To love someone is to trust their judgment, despite your feelings on the matter.”

The brothers stood in silent contemplation, each wrestling with their own demons on the matter, when a horn was heard in the distance. Three heads snapped in the direction, ears straining to confirm what they’d heard. 

“Brunnhilde,” Haraldr smirked. “We’re close. Thor, wake Jane and cover her in my cloak.” Thor quickly made to follow his brother’s orders. “Loki, keep us steady and draw us away from the battle. We want Malekith as far away from the Arc as possible.

Thor knelt to wake Jane from her rest but found her eyes wide open, her normally rich brown irises were blown wide, a black film having encapsulated them. “Jane?”

“They know we’re here.” Her voice sounded distant, “He can feel the Aether. “

Thor looked up to find his brothers observing the interaction. Loki’s jaw tightened in thought as he continued to navigate them across the tertian, while Haraldr’s eyes, cold and precise, scanned the horizon. “Keep her close. Do not give him an opening. If he senses Jane fully…” His jaw clenched. “…there will be no warning. And cover her in the cloak. Now.”

Thor quickly followed his directions and soon Jane’s form was nothing but an illusioned essence between them, the cloak doing its best to conceal the Aether’s presence.

--------------

The battlefield on Svartalfheim was a storm of ash and fire. The clang of Asgardian steel rang out like war drums, and Brunnhilde’s voice carried above the chaos sharp, commanding, unrelenting.

But Malekith was not listening to the battle anymore. He stood atop a ridge of obsidian, his gaze fixed not on the fight before him, but on the invisible pulse of power in the air.

The Aether.

It should have been here.

The rhythm of it had throbbed beneath the surface, faint, distant, but enough to draw him here. Enough to bait him. And now…

Now it was gone.

He closed his eyes and reached into the darkness, feeling for it, a hunter listening for its prey. He brushed against shadows, the hum of elven minds, the rage of dying soldiers, and then, nothing. The power that had sung to him like blood in the water had vanished.

A trick.

A low, guttural snarl rolled from his throat. Around him, his captains faltered.

“Lord Malekith?” one ventured.

“Silence.”

Malekith raised his hand, and the battlefield stilled for him. The soldiers turned their pale faces upward as he whispered in the old tongue, and the air trembled. He cast his senses outward, following the faintest residue of the Aether through the cracks between realms.

And there, faint but undeniable, was the echo of its host.

Jane Foster.

He saw her in flickers of memory and light: the human woman weakened, her body wracked by power too great for her frame. He saw her surrounded by two Asgardians and another figure cloaked in powerful, shimmering darkened haze. Haraldr.

Malekith’s lips curved in cold amusement. “So. The sons of Odin play their little game.”

He turned to his generals. “Follow me.”

The commander hesitated. “My lord, the Asgardian forces – “

“Leave them.” His voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “They were never the prize.”

At his signal, the Dark Elven generals turned like a wave receding from shore; swift, silent, disciplined.

Brunnhilde watched in confusion as a portion of the enemy broke away from the fight and turned northward across the wasteland.

Malekith’s ship rose from the smoke, sleek and black, the runes on its hull flickering alive. He stepped aboard, still smiling to himself.

“They thought to distract me with a skirmish,” he murmured. “But shadows cannot fool one born of darkness.”

He gazed toward the horizon, where the faint shimmer of Bifröst residue still clung to the air where Thor and the others had gone.

“Prepare the convergence chamber,” he ordered. “We go to reclaim what was stolen.”

The ship lifted higher, engines roaring with dark energy. From below, the battlefield continued, Brunnhilde’s army fighting a pointless battle, victorious over nothing.

Malekith turned his eyes toward the distant storm and whispered, “The Aether calls for its master. And I will answer.”

--------------

The clang of metal on metal rang through the barren fields. The stench of smoke and burned earth filled the air as Brunnhilde drove her blade through the chest of another dark elf. She yanked it free with a sharp twist, the lifeless body falling into the ash at her boots.

“Hold the line!” she barked, voice raw but steady. Her soldiers answered with a unified cry, unyielding, unafraid. The Asgardian banners whipped behind them in the wind, silver against black.

But something was wrong. Malekith’s generals were turning back. Only his generals.

Brunnhilde had fought in wars longer than most gods had lived. She knew when an enemy broke ranks and this retreat was too clean. The elves were withdrawing with precision, not panic. She could feel it in her bones this was a strategy, not surrender.

Her gaze snapped upward. The skies, once streaked with firelight, were darkening unnaturally fast. The wind shifted, carrying with it the echo of something ancient and vile.

He’s gone quiet.

Brunnhilde turned sharply and shouted for the Gatekeeper, “Heimdall!”

It was only a moment later that golden eyes flared behind her own: Heimdall’s gaze, vast and all-seeing, bridging the realms.

“Brunnhilde.” His deep voice carried through her mind.

“He’s gone,” she said without preamble, blood still running down her forearm. “Malekith pulled back his generals; his army continues fighting, but it’s leaderless. He’s left the field.”

Heimdall’s eyes shifted, seeing what no other could; his focus sliding past her, across realms and distance, until his expression hardened. “He knows,” he said quietly. “He knows where the Aether is.

Brunnhilde’s grip on her sword tightened. “Then he’s headed for Haraldr.”

Heimdall inclined his head once, the gesture tight, clipped, all urgency with no ceremony.

“I will warn him.”

The golden light vanished and with it, the last moment of peace.

----------

They’d only just left their small ship to begin making their way on foot, when air around Haraldr shimmered. The faintest hum threaded through the ruins like the echo of a bell heard from underwater. He felt it before he saw it, the pulse of the Bifröst’s energy, delicate and insistent, brushing against the guarded edge of his consciousness.

Then Heimdall’s voice came, deep and steady, yet carrying an undercurrent of urgency.

“My king.”

Haraldr straightened, setting aside the sigil map he’d been studying. The light in the war-sphere dimmed as he gave the Watcher his full attention.

“Brunnhilde reports movement. Malekith has withdrawn from the front. His army remains engaged to hold her forces, but his ship is already in flight toward your position.”

Haraldr exhaled slowly, a faint nod acknowledging what he already suspected. “He’s realized the Aether isn’t there.”

“You have minutes, perhaps less.”

He glanced toward Loki and Thor by the far wall, both checking their weapons and wards. “Then that will have to be enough.”

Heimdall’s voice dropped lower, almost as if to reach past the weight of duty.

“My king… if what comes cannot be stopped – ”

“It will be contained.” Haraldr’s tone was quiet, unyielding. “You have your orders, Heimdall. Send Brunnhilde the signal to hold the line until the last of Malekith’s fleet is down.”

A pause. The faintest hum of approval.

“As you command, my king.”

The vision faded.

Haraldr turned to his brothers. Thor was already moving toward Jane, checking her pulse, her weapon, her trembling resolve. Loki adjusted his blades, eyes darting between them, calculating a dozen outcomes at once.

Haraldr felt the shift in the air, the distortion of incoming power.

“Positions,” he ordered, voice calm, controlled. “He’s coming.”

Then, to himself, so low it barely reached the air, he sent a final prayer above:

“Frigga, guide my hand.”

Then sky shimmered and tore open as Malekith’s ship revealed itself and descended like a wound upon the world, its shadow crawling across the ashen plain. The air energized, ancient, hateful, hungry.

Malekith emerged with his generals in formation behind him, their armor slick with the soot of the dying realm. His smile was thin, venomous.

“Thank you,” he said, voice soft as decay. “You’ve brought her home to me.”

Thor surged forward, Mjolnir blazing. But Haraldr’s arm shot out, catching his brother across the chest.

“Wait.”

Thor’s expression twisted confusion, then anger. But Haraldr didn’t meet his gaze. His attention was on Malekith, who was already raising his hands, dark power rippling through the air.

“Let us speak,” Haraldr said. “A trade, perhaps? Amongst kings?”

Malekith’s grin deepened. “You would bargain with me, Allfather?”

“I would swear an oath.” The king lifted his chin, “The Aether, for your word that Asgard will remain untouched.”

The air stilled. Thor’s breath caught. Loki’s eyes flicked to Haraldr, realization dawning.

Malekith’s greed overcame his suspicion. He extended his hands, his voice sliding into a hiss.

“Done.”

Haraldr raised his own. Shimmering cords of gold intertwined their clasped hands. Words of power laced through the air like threads of fire, oaths ancient enough to shake the dust from forgotten realms.

And then, with a flicker of shadowed light, Malekith’s hand speared forward, gripping Jane by the throat. She convulsed as crimson light erupted from her eyes, her mouth, her very skin like liquid fire.

Thor roared and lunged but Haraldr caught him again, forcing him back.

“Wait,” Haraldr hissed, voice low but sharp as steel.

Jane’s scream fractured the air and then the Aether burst free, a storm of red chaos writhing above them. She fell, limp, into Haraldr’s arms.

He pressed a hand to her heart, it was fading quickly.

With a determined resolve, his ring flared with ancient light. The Resurrection Stone shining bright against the crimson storm. His magic dove deep, threading through what was left of her spirit – searching, calling, demanding.

For a heartbeat, she was gone.
And then, breath.
A faint, fragile breath

And he pulled and pulled, not allowing the soul to escape his grasp.

“Live,” Haraldr whispered. “Live, Jane. For him.” And he pulled one more time.

At last, her eyes flung open as a loud inhaled breath flew past her lips. “Thor…”

Haraldr immediately turned his focus, “Now, Thor!”

With a mighty roar, the Thunderer raised Mjolnir to the sky, sending down a powerful strike of lightning cascading right toward the fresh cloud of darkness, shooting it outward away from Malekith’s reach.

“Loki!” The king signaled to the sorcerer.

The sorcerer tore open a pocket dimension, pulling a glass orb from within. His hands moved in a blur, etching containment runes in the air. The Aether resisted, writhing violently, its crimson tendrils clawing at him.

Malekith turned to the king, furious at the betrayal.

“You gave your word.” He snarled.

“I said you could have the Aether,” the king confirmed, “I said nothing about simply handing it to you.”

“You would deny me my destiny?” Malekith hissed, unsheathing his blade.

“I’ve denied more powerful beings of worse.”

Haraldr’s own blade ignited, dark runes crawling along the rubied handle and up its edge like living fire. When they clashed, the world shook.

Power met power, Malekith’s void energy colliding with Haraldr’s pure celestial force. The ground split beneath their feet, light and shadow colliding like stars dying in their birth throes.

Malekith laughed between strikes, his voice echoing through the chaos.

“You think yourself a savior? You think you alone guard the realms? You know nothing, king of ashes. I was not the only one hunting the Aether.”

Haraldr parried, twisted, struck each movement sharper, heavier. “If you are aiming to surprise me, try again.” He sneered, “There will always be those who seek the Stones.”

“Does it not?” Malekith sneered. “A Dark Lord came to me on the edge of the void. One who courts Death herself. Offered alliance. Promised dominion when the stars themselves were snuffed out. I declined, but others will not.”

Haraldr’s eyes blazed. “Many have tried to reach me; few succeed.”

They collided again, weapons ringing like bells of war.

“I did.” The smug glint that flared in Malekith’s eye fueled the king’s rage.

Behind them, Thor battled Malekith’s generals, lightning streaking across the torn sky. Loki stood over Jane, hands outstretched, weaving containment runes around the raging storm that was the Aether. The red energy screamed against his spell, warping the ground in fractal cracks.

“I almost have it!” Loki shouted, limbs tiring, sweat cutting through blood sliding down his face. Finally, the last of the essence filled the orb, the darkness angrily pulsing on the glass.

Thor brought Mjolnir down, crushing one of the dark elves, but two more advanced, one reaching to its belt.

“LOKI!”

But it came too late.

The dark elf pulled a black-hole grenade from his belt, hurling it toward Loki and Jane. The grenade hit the ground with a hiss, and the air collapsed. The pull was instant, crushing, all-consuming.

Loki, thinking quickly, threw Jane out of the way; the force catching him instead, dragging him toward the void.

Haraldr saw the glint, and without thought, moved.

He slammed his palm into Malekith’s chest, forcefully sending a pulse hurtling the dark commander backward into a splintering pillar of rock, and hurled himself toward Loki, magic surging from his hands. He made it in just enough time to throw his brother clear only to be pulled swiftly into the void in his brother’s place.

Loki hit the ground, to turn back eyes crazed “NO!”

“HARALDR!” Thor bellowed, struggling against an onslaught of elves.

Brunnhilde burst through the smoke on the back of her steed, Pegasus braying at the chaos, blade raised to join the fight, and froze.

“Haraldr!” she shouted, flying forward as the ground split.

Haraldr’s scream of pain pierced through the air as the black hole destroyed everything near it. No magic fast enough to allow him escape. “Protect…them!” he forced himself to command. And the pull took him.

Light collapsed – and the world went silent.

Brunnhilde landed and fell to her knees as Loki dragged himself up beside Jane, blood pouring from his nose and temple. Thor stood frozen, chest heaving, staring into the crater where their brother had stood.

Above them, the Arc flared to life. The four watched it fly away, and Loki looked down at the broken glass under his palm – empty, the Aether missing.

Brunnhilde looked toward it, then to the void.
“Was it worth it?” she whispered.

Jane looked down in shame. Thor didn’t answer.

He only stared into the smoke and fire as it drifted across the plains, his heart breaking in silence before he called out to Heimdall, his voice sharp and commanding.

“Lord Heimdall,” Thor’s voice commanded attention, his duty and training covering his grief, “Open the gate.”

At his words, Brunnhilde stepped closer to the still sitting forms of Loki and Jane, hands on her steed’s reins.

It wasn’t a moment later that the clouds cleared above them and the Bifrost opened sending them hurling back towards the Golden City.

—-----------

The healing halls of Asgard shimmered faintly in the torchlight, their golden veins pulsing with the rhythm of slow, deliberate breath.

Jane sat atop a working table. Lady Eir tended to her wounds with care. Her eyes determined as she put all her focus into healing the remaining members of the family of Odin.

Loki lay motionless beneath silken sheets, his pale skin marked by the faint traces of dark energy that had once been the Aether’s chaos. His pulse was steady now, but weak, too weak for a god.

Thor stood across his brother’s bed, arms crossed, face drawn in a war between anger and grief. Brunnhilde leaned against the far wall, her armor scorched, her expression somewhere between defiance and mourning. And beside the bed, Dagny moved like moonlight; quiet, precise, her long hair loose, eyes pale with the gift that saw more than sight could offer.

When she spoke, her voice was calm. “He is not broken.”

Thor’s head lifted. “He used his Seidr to bind an Infinity Stone. He drained himself near to death.”

Dagny’s gaze flicked to Loki, then back to Thor. “A testament of his strength. It is rare for a mage, not even in the old days of Alfheim, to contain such power and survive. What you see is not weakness. It is proof of what he is capable of.”

Loki stirred faintly at her words. His lips parted, his voice dry as dust.

“I failed to hold it.”

“No,” Dagny said softly, setting a cool hand against his brow. “You contained it. It is only by the fault of the Dark Elves that it was lost. You held the unholdable, Loki.”

His eyes fluttered open, unfocused, searching the room until they found Thor’s. There was no mischief there now, only the hollow exhaustion of one who had given everything and survived in spite of himself.

Thor exhaled slowly, his voice low. “Rest, brother. You’ve done enough.”

Loki’s lips twitched something between a smirk and grimace. “That would be a first.” His eyes slid shut again, and Dagny nodded once to Brunnhilde and Eir, who stepped out of the room.

“He will recover, in time.” The queen turned to Thor, her expression shifting — not unkind, but sharp with urgency. “You cannot linger. Heimdall has seen it. Malekith moves toward the realm of Midgard.”

Jane straightened. “Earth.”

Dagny inclined her head. “The Convergence draws to its point of unity, a specific square in a city they call London. Your mortal companions have learned more than they realize. Dr. Selvig has constructed a device, primitive but precise enough to direct the convergent energies. You will go with the mortal Jane Foster. On my authority.”

Thor’s jaw tightened. “And if Malekith succeeds?”

“Then all realms will burn,” Dagny said simply. Her tone did not waver. “Go. Finish this.”

-------------

The storm had already begun when they arrived; the air shimmering with distortion, buildings bending at impossible angles as the Convergence tore through the seams of reality.

Thor guided Jane through the warping streets, every step accompanied by the hum of collapsing space. The world around them seemed to fold and unfold at random; cars flickering in and out of existence, trees stretching unnaturally toward rifts in the air that led to other worlds.

Ahead, in the center of the square, a familiar figure darted between devices lined in a rough circle, each glowing with unstable blue energy.

“Erik!” Jane called out, running forward as Thor followed close behind.

Selvig spun, wild-eyed and disheveled, holding a tablet filled with unreadable data streams. “Jane! Thor! You’re alive!” He gestured frantically to the devices around him.

Jane sprinted to her companion, “The Convergence is collapsing all nine realms into alignment; everything is overlapping!”

Selvig’s frantic eyes grew wider at her explanation as if she’d just delivered him the final piece to his mental puzzle. “I’ve calibrated these sensors to detect the energy spikes, but I can’t maintain stability across all focal points at once!”

He grabbed a coil of wires, plugged it into a central hub, and nearly electrocuted himself in the process. “If we can direct the energy through a single channel, just one, we might be able to force the alignment field to close!”

Jane’s mind was already racing ahead. She crouched by one of the pylons, scanning the readings. “Your anchors are too close to the distortion point; that’s why your signal keeps phasing out!”

Selvig blinked at her, bewildered. “That’s… that’s what I said! Darcy and the boy are relocating them now.”

Thor glanced between them, brow furrowed. “So, you can stop this?”

“Maybe,” Jane said, fingers flying across the control panel. “If we can synchronize the phase emitters, they’ll act like polarity beacons, redirecting the convergent energy toward a single nexus point.”

Selvig hesitated, then nodded. “That’s what I was trying to say! We’ll funnel it –”

“Right into Malekith,” she finished grimly.

A new vibration rolled through the ground, low, thunderous. The sky darkened as a massive shadow passed overhead. Malekith’s ship descended through the warped clouds, its black hull splitting the storm apart like a blade.

Selvig stumbled back, eyes wide. “Oh, no.”

“Get behind cover!” Thor ordered, lightning already crackling through his armor as he stepped forward.

The ship hovered above the square, a dark maw opening at its base as Malekith himself descended, his form half-shadow, half-light, crimson veins of the Aether writhing beneath his skin.

“Son of Odin,” he hissed, voice carrying across the square. “You cannot stop what has begun.”

Thor raised Mjolnir. “We’ll see about that.” He turned his head just enough to look at Jane. “Do what you must. End this.”

And then he charged with a bolt of lightning that split the sky. The two powers collided, light and shadow twisting in a maelstrom that sent shockwaves through the city. Jane barely held her footing as the ground split, pulling reality apart around them.

-------------

Jane looked to Selvig. “We can redirect the convergence flow if we recalibrate the emitter nodes; it’ll pull him into the nexus!”

Selvig’s hands shook, but he nodded. “Let’s break physics!”

They scattered, racing to the devices as Thor launched himself into the storm.

Jane pulled out her phone, rushing to hit a number on her speed dial.

“JANE?” Darcy’s frantic voice flooded her ear.

“Darcy! Realign the fifth node! We’re pulling from the wrong realm!”

“What? What does that even mean?” Darcy’s voice was breaking up over the line.

“Just turn the knob to the left three times!” She instructed before hanging up. 

She looked to the sky just in time to see Mjolnir strike true, slamming into Malekith’s chest and throwing him through the air, only for him to vanish mid-flight, reappearing behind Thor, the Aether twisting space around him.

The two clashed, lightning and darkness colliding in arcs that bent the air itself. Each strike shattered stone and tore the storm wider.

Jane adjusted a pylon, her fingers flying across the controls. “Erik, hurry!”

“I’m trying!” he barked, sweat beading at his temple. “It’s like herding cats – angry, interdimensional cats!”

A portal opened nearby, revealing the frozen tundra of Jotunheim, and a frost beast stumbled through, bellowing before collapsing under the warped gravity.

“Jane!” Thor called, narrowly avoiding a blast of Aether energy that melted a statue into slag. “Whatever you’re doing, do it faster!”

“Working on it!” she yelled back, twisting two cables together. Sparks flew.

Malekith raised his arms, the red light within him pulsing brighter. “You cannot contain what is eternal! The Aether will consume all realms, and birth them anew in shadow!”

Thor swung Mjolnir, the hammer glowing with blinding light. “Then it dies with you!”

He hurled it, and the weapon collided with Malekith’s chest, lightning coursing through his veins as the Aether shrieked in defiance.

Selvig shouted from across the square. “Now! The alignment’s peaking – do it now!”

Thor drove forward, every strike of Mjolnir landing with the fury of ten storms. Malekith countered, his own power distorting gravity itself; chunks of the Earth lifting, twisting, and falling around them in bursts of red light.

Lightning met Aether again and again, until Thor was driven to one knee, his armor scorched, his breath ragged. He lifted his gaze, saw Jane still fighting to keep the device active, saw the faint shimmer of another realm bleeding into theirs, and knew what he had to do.

He hurled Mjolnir skyward, calling down every ounce of power left within him. The heavens split open. The weapon struck true, blasting Malekith backward straight into the convergent field.

Jane hit the final command. The air howled, a violent, deafening snap as the energies imploded. The Aether screamed, Malekith with it, as he was torn through the collapsing portal, his power unraveling into starlight and dust.

For a heartbeat, silence.
Then the shockwave hit.

---------

The Arc began to break apart overhead, fragments of black metal burning through the air. Thor tried and failed to stagger to his feet, body battered, eyes fixed upward as a massive piece of the hull tore free, falling straight toward him.

Jane screamed, running across the square.

“THOR!”

And the sky started to fall as she reached him.

Jane desperately pulled at Thor’s broken body, but she was no match for his weight.

“Jane, get out of there!” She heard the desperation in Darcy’s voice but would not leave Thor to face death on his own. She looked up as the blade-like edge of the ship made its way down to them and threw her body on top of Thor’s, wrapping her arms around him, waiting to meet their ends together.

But the end never came.

Confused, she lifted her head and found a woman standing over her. Long, curling brown hair was blowing in the wind, and she held a carved, thin piece of wood above her head, out of which a shimmering, silver shield was being projected, holding the falling ship at bay.

Jane noticed her arm shaking at the weight of the force, but her brown eyes tightened in determination before she let out a scream, and the shield brightened, strengthening. Suddenly, more people started appearing around her and Thor – out of thin air.

A second person, a redheaded man, ran to stand beside the woman. He, too, raised a wand-like piece of wood and bellowed a strong “PROTEGO!” and a second shield blended into the woman’s, enlarging and strengthening it.

More and more shouts of the same word formed a giant shield, holding off the fall of the Arc before, in a split second, the ship vanished. Wanded arms fell, and all turned to face Erik, who was holding a now recalibrated activation device, as he spoke a simple, “Everybody okay?”

Jane didn’t answer and instead turned back to the body under hers.

“Thor?” She grabbed hold of his armor and shook him by his shoulders, “Thor, are you alright?”

Thor could only blink in response and let out a groaned, “Jane,” before slipping into unconsciousness.

“Thor!” Jane’s voice held panic as she ran her hands over his chest, looking for wounds.

“Let me see him.” 

Jane turned sharply at the voice. It was the woman who had stood over her before. The one that had started the shield that prevented her from being crushed by the Arc.

Without waiting for a reply, the woman dropped to her knees, waving her wand over Thor’s body. Jane’s eyes widened as a light blue mist formed over Thor before the woman waved her wand a final time, vanishing the mist and turning to face her.

“He’s going to be okay,” the woman smiled at her, “He’s simply exhausted from the battle.”

“Who are you?” The words had come from Jane’s mouth without her full recollection.

The woman looked down at the unconscious body of Thor, the barest hint of a smile gracing her lips, and again met Jane’s eye, “An old friend of his brother.”

Jane opened her mouth to question further but was interrupted as the red-headed man made his way over to them.

“We should leave,” his voice was strong. His eyes were wavering as he looked down at Thor. “S.H.I.E.L.D. will be here any minute. The portals can’t be hidden by news coverage, but luckily, this one here is already known across the world,” he gestured to Thor, “My team is almost through working over the few muggles and any street footage that caught our involvement.”

The woman nodded, her eyes roamed over Thor once more, before she stood, her wand held down at her side.

The man raised his own, an almost uncertain determination fell over his face, and he opened his mouth to, what Jane could only assume, cast a spell. Before he could speak, however, the woman cut him off.

“Leave them,” her voice was soft.

“Herm—”

“Leave them,” it was more determined this time, “I’ll take the fall.”

The two held a short, silent conversation before the man looked around them. Sirens could be heard off in the distance, quickly making their way to the site of destruction.

“We need to go,” he held his hand out to the woman, who took it eagerly.

The woman looked at Jane one more time, “Be well, Jane Foster,” and the two vanished with a small ‘pop.’

 Jane’s brain was firing at a mile a minute. What just happened?

“Who, the hell, were they?” Darcy voiced Jane’s similar thoughts.

Jane didn’t know how to answer, and before she could, the sirens were heard getting closer. “We need to get out of here,” she gestured to Erik to come and help her with Thor. “That guy was right. S.H.I.E.L.D. will be here any minute.”

Thor groaned as he was raised to his feet, body supported between Erik and Ian, and the five made their way back to the car.

-------

A groan escaped Haraldr as he jolted awake. His lungs burned. It felt like all the air had been knocked out of his body, only to forcibly rush back in. 

As gracefully as he could, he rolled over to his side and took in the dark views around him. His body ached greatly from the force of trying to navigate the wormhole created by the grenade. But he was still whole, a fact of which he was immensely relieved to find. 

Everywhere he could see was filled with a dark, clouded vapor. The landscape was covered in hard stone; large rock formations protruded from the ground in all directions. He looked behind him and noticed he rested on the edge of a cliff. A dark moon cast little light, and the air held an unnerved stillness.

By the views around him alone, Haraldr knew where he stood, and that knowledge was enough to harden his breath. Helheim bent to his command, though even for the Allfather, its gates did not open lightly.

Out of comfort more than necessity, Haraldr drew his sword from his side and held it securely, the rubied handle catching what little light it could.

He turned sharply and steadied himself in a defensive position when the sound of footsteps came from his right. He squinted his eyes to try to better see through the mist, but the darkness around him made it difficult to make out anything specific. A form was growing ahead and slowly sauntered its way closer. Haraldr’s jaw clenched, and his eyes tightened as a woman stepped into view.

Dark, wavy hair fell over her shoulders, and her blue eyes sparkled with chaotic delight.

“Hello, Harry,” Hela’s lips were curled in a wide smirk, “it’s been far too long.”