The Asgardian Pick Up Zone
What Thor had seen happening with lady Darcy, had reminded him of a story his father once told him. There were beings, capable of greatness, be it either good or evil, that held so much power, it gave them a demonic appearance. Could it be that lady Darcy was such a being? He knew Wanda was incredibly strong, but she got her power from Loki’s Scepter and the Mind Stone within. She wasn’t born with magic.
When lady Darcy dropped to the floor unconscious, he had looked over at Loki, to see if Loki understood the ramifications of what they had just witnessed. Loki looked shocked for a moment, before his mask of indifference was back in place. This angered Thor, surely Loki was responsible for what happened. He hauled him off the floor, demanding answers, but the Captain took the lead and Thor complied. He needed to talk to his parents anyway. He held out his hand to Jane, who was obviously concerned for her friend. She sadly realized she couldn’t do much for Darcy now, so she went with Thor.
They walked out of the Tower and into the field next to it. Tony had named that field “The Asgardian Pick Up Zone”. Thor held out his hammer in one hand, lifting it into the sky, holding Jane firmly with his other arm and called for Heimdall. One colorful ride later they landed in Heimdall’s observatory.
‘My Prince, my Lady,’ Heimdall said politely. ‘Heimdall, so good to see you again,’ Jane beamed. A horse was waiting for them and after a short ride over the Rainbow Bridge, they arrived at the huge Golden Palace. Jane loved every minute of it. Asgard was as beautiful as always, with blue skies, delicious smells and fragrant colors. How she loved it here. She was still very worried for Darcy but hoped that Odin or Frigga knew something. Guards took the horse after they had arrived and escorted them inside, to where Odin was waiting.
Jane and Odin didn’t get along, to put it mildly. After all, the man had compared her to a goat. Jane walked away to find her mother-in-law, Queen Frigga. Thor said his goodbyes and walked over to the throne room to talk to his father.
Walking in, his father was seated at his throne, conversing with one of his advisors. The room was full of people, who looked at Thor before bowing deeply to him.
‘My son,’ Odin said with a booming voice. ‘Heimdall informed me you had arrived. He said he sensed something earlier and that you are here to ask me about what happened.’ Thor grinned, nothing got past his father. He stepped closer and bowed, before offering his hand to his father.
‘Father, it is good to see you. And yes, I come in need of your counsel. Will you help me?’ Odin give him a pointed look before he stood up from his throne, thanked the advisor and looked once again over at his eldest son, his heir. In a few years, Thor would succeed him. He would make a fine king, now that he was more mature. He wasn’t altogether happy with his choice for a companion, but it seemed his son was truly in love with the mortal, so he would have to accept her. The horror. He took his son’s outstretched hand and shook it firmly. ‘Walk with me, so we can talk. There is much to discuss. They left the palace together and walked towards the stables, where they could talk in peace.
‘Can you remember how I use to tell you about the times before you were born? About the days that my father, king Bor, was king to Asgard and Keeper of the Nine Realms?’ Thor nodded.
‘Midgard was a dark place back then. Full of demons and wraiths, praying upon the people who lived in that time. People still believed in Gods and prayers were answered when we felt we could offer them something. A very long time ago a young boy, called Emrys, prayed to the Gods to help his village from demons. He was an orphan, having lost both his mother and father to the demons. The child said his father was now a demon and hunted him. The father wanted to slay the son. We helped that boy by bestowing upon him the gift of magic.’
Odin paused and walked toward his horse. Thor sat down on a barrel, waiting for his father to continue. ‘You never told me that we gave a mortal the gift of magic Father.’ Odin smiled and sat across from Thor. ‘No, I did not. But I will get to that.’ Odin looked past Thor, deep in thought, before he continued.
‘Emrys proved worthy of receiving the gift. He was trained and when he was ready, he battled with his father and killed him, saving both himself and his village from demons. Then his real work began. In exchange for receiving magic, the boy had to vow to do good. To use his new gift to help people. And he did. With vigor. He worked for many years to help the people of Midgard. Emrys aged much slower because of the magic, and after walking the earth for 400 years, he met a little boy, named Arthur.’
Thor smiled. This he knew. ‘You mean Arthur of Camelot?’ Odin nodded. ‘Yes, Arthur of Camelot. A wise king, who ruled well, with the help of Emrys. Now, you know that Arthur had a half-sister, Morgana. She was beautiful and ambitious and wanted the throne for herself, believing it to be her birthright, as she was older than Arthur. She seduced Emrys and he, in his foolishness, shared his magic with her. And so the first witch of Midgard came to be. After a vicious battle for the throne, Morgana was defeated and sent to live out her days on Avalon. Emrys often visited her and after many years, her hatred made place for tranquility and acceptance. She began to teach magic to those who showed a natural talent for it and after several years Midgard had witches and wizards.’
‘So Darcy Lewis, Jane’s friend, is a witch?’ Odin nodded. ‘I believe so. Tell me about this Darcy and what happened.’ Thor told his father everything he knew about the girl and also what he saw in her room. ‘Let us go to the library. I have a feeling I know what she is and how you can help her.’ Odin stood up, only to be stopped by Thor. ‘What about the beings you told me and Loki about?’
‘Ah yes. I have not forgotten. What I told you about those demons is what happens if a witch or wizard either suppresses their magic or cannot control it properly. Magic needs to come out one way or the other. That’s why young witches and wizards receive training. In Avalon, they would learn. If they didn’t learn, they would become demons.’
‘Does that mean lady Darcy is one of those demons Father?’
‘That I do not know, for I have not seen the girl myself. Your mother should be able to tell you that, being a witch herself.’
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Comforted in the embrace of the kindest, coolest woman in the Nine Realms, Jane cried. She cried for Darcy. Most people thought Jane only cared about her research, but this was not true. She deeply cared for the girl who started as her intern. They had become friends quickly, even though Jane was technically the girl’s superior. Darcy took care of her, made sure she ate, and always reminded her of the little things. She was deeply shocked by what she had seen and knew Darcy was in trouble. When she saw Frigga, she couldn’t help it and burst out into tears.
Frigga comforted her. She loved the mortal girl. She had helped her foolish son see reason and made him a better person and for that Frigga was grateful. Jane was beautiful and smart and would make a fine Queen, of that she was sure.
‘I know you are worried for your friend dear. Would you like to voice your concerns, so I might offer counsel?’ Jane nodded and dried her tears. She told Frigga everything. After that Frigga was secretly overjoyed. From what she understood, she could help the girl. Or better, Loki could help the girl. Oh, he would object and probably throw a tantrum, but it would not matter. Loki would be the one to guide the girl. There was no doubt in her mind the girl was a witch, who hadn’t used magic in a long time, so the magic inside her had become unstable. She needed to be one with her magic again.
She looked fondly at Jane, who suddenly became suspicious. ‘What are you thinking?’ Frigga smiled and only said to follow her. She stood up, all queenlike grace, and walked out to find her son and husband. She had a plan and when Frigga had a plan, that always worked out.