Chapter Text
Hundreds of Einherjar marched through the streets of Asgard. Right behind them, on horseback, were Prince Thor, the Warriors Three, Lady Sif, the Midgard Five, and the beloved All-Mother Frigga.
The onlookers waved to the passing warriors and greeted the prince and queen. However, both the Asgard warriors and the Avengers were lost in thought.
Steve recalled his days on the front lines of World War II. A terrible conflict during which he lost many loved ones, and in the end, he lost his life. Then he had to take part in another war, this time with aliens, and now he had to fight in another, this time on another planet. Steve wondered in his mind if it would ever end.
Bruce was afraid. Not of the war itself, he knew well that he could not die. However, he also knew that no one wanted Bruce here. He was not a warrior, or even a strategic genius. He was redundant here. Everyone wanted the Hulk. And the more often he transformed into the Hulk, the harder it was to regain control. Bruce was always afraid that this time, he might not be able to control the Hulk.
Tony... Tony didn't let himself think about the war itself. His brain was working too fast to worry about such unimportant things. He preferred to spend his time figuring out the Asgardian technology, and figuring out how to implement it into his suit.
Clint was calm. Many years ago he had learned to shut off his mind and focus only on the task. And his current task was to kill aliens.
Natasha approached it similarly. She was calm. She had seen many things, done many things. Even though it was different now, she wasn't alone and she had to worry not only about her life, but she also had to make sure the others survived, she believed in her skills.
Thor was also calm, even excited. Maybe he wasn't actively looking for war anymore, but he still liked a good battle. Even though he now valued the lives of his shield brothers more, he was still ready to throw himself into the chaos of battle.
Frigga was the most restless. She kept recalling the conversation she had with her husband...
***
"You promised you wouldn't do anything to him!" Frigga screamed, red with anger. They were left alone in the throne room. Odin was still sitting on his throne, and the all-mother was standing in front of him.
"You saw him, what was wrong with him?" The King of the Aesir asked dispassionately.
"What's wrong? Do you think I'm stupid? Loki can hide his injuries from you or Thor, but I can see through his illusions."
"What did you expect?" Odin raised his voice as he stood up. "That I would lock him in a golden cage and treat him like a prince? He betrayed Asgard and our family twice."
"He's our family too!" Frigga exclaimed, close to throwing herself at her husband with her fists.
"He is not! He was never part of this family." Odin growled. "His family left him on a rock to die. You should never have gotten attached to him. You knew what his destiny was supposed to be. Don't pretend to be a great mother now." As those words left the King's mouth, Frigga slapped him. Odin, without a moment's hesitation, slapped her on the cheek himself, sending her to the floor.
A large bruise was beginning to form on the All-Mother's face. She glared at her husband with hatred, standing up.
"I will wear this with pride." She said, turning and walking away.
***
Despite her words, she hid the mark from the blow. She didn't love Odin, but the Nine Realms were at war, now was not the time for people to discuss a rift in the royal family.
***
Loki stood by the window, looking out at the city below him. Behind him stood Sigyn. She watched the black-haired man lost in thought. He hadn't spoken since their greeting. Not when she sent the council away, nor when they were alone.
The Queen sighed, approaching the man.
"So?" she asked, knowing full well that Loki would understand.
"So what?" He replied, not turning away from the window. Sigyn rolled her eyes, accustomed to Loki's moods. Part of her was jumping for joy at the familiar interaction, though most of her was worried about the subject she wanted to bring up.
"So, would you like to tell us what happened?"
Loki tensed for a split second, and if it had been anyone else, not Sigyn, he wouldn't have seen it.
"Oh, am I petty, spiteful, ambitious, deceitful..." Loki counted on his fingers until Sigyn snorted.
"I know. You always were. And yet you never tried to start wars." She said softly, approaching the man.
"So what happened while you were gone?" she asked.
"Nothing." He replied angrily.
"Loki..."
"You don't want to know!" Loki growled, turning away abruptly. His face was contorted in rage, and his eyes glowed the green of his magic. The woman recoiled when she saw his magic practically pouring from his fingers, in the form of green sparks and green mist. She worried even more. Loki never lost control of his magic.
She looked at the man with concern.
"If it takes even a little of the burden off your shoulders, then I want to know." She said confidently.
Loki calmed down upon hearing her. He turned back to the window.
"I don't want you to know." He admitted after a moment.
***
Frigga watched as the Einherjers disappeared into the Bifrost, moving to the other side. She looked at the palace. She had spent the last one and a half thousand years here. She knew she shouldn't, that Odin would be furious, but she had had enough of him. Time to remind everyone that she was a proud Wan, not an obedient queen. With her chin held high, she entered the rainbow portal that transported her to Álfheim.
Frigga felt strangely light when she landed on the land of the elves. For the first time in over a thousand and a half, she felt at least a little free. If it weren't for the gravity of the situation, and the crowd of Asgardians and elves, she could have laughed like a teenager. But all she had to do was sigh with relief and smile gently.
"All-Mother. We didn't expect you here." The elven noble bowed low to the ruler of Asgard. Figga responded with a nod.
"Has my son arrived yet?"
The elves looked at each other. A quick glance at Thor and the Asgardian warriors showed their nervousness.
"Yes... Prince Loki arrived some time ago." The elf replied.
"Well, I assume he is with Queen Sigyn?" The elf confirmed with a nod.
"Thor, find out where the enemy is attacking and together with the elves prepare a defense." The All-Mother said, heading towards the palace.
"Lady!" Sif called out. "I would like to accompany you, as your defender, if you allow me."
"Thank you Lady Sif, you may accompany me." Frigga smiled at the female warrior.
"Natasha could accompany you as well, Queen." Steve suggested, and Frigga agreed with a curt nod.