Road to Recovery
While the adults were making plans for their return to Midgard, Evie was having the time of her life with Bjørn and her friends. They had gone to the sweet shop and introduced Evie to Asgardian candies, chocolates. After the sweet shop, they went to the town square to watch the people perform and sing. As the afternoon wore on, the guard with the children informed Bjørn and Evie that it was time to head back to the palace to prepare for the feast.
Evie and Bjørn said goodbye to their friends and were escorted back to the palace. When they arrived, Bjørn kissed Evie's hand, causing her to blush, “I'll see you this evening, Evie. I need to go home and change as well.”
“Alright, Bjørn, see you tonight.”
Evie turned and went inside the palace and walked towards her room, where she met her father. Thor smiled at Evie and picked her up, “Hello, Petal, did you have a nice time in the city?”
“Oh, yes, Daddy. Bjørn took me to the sweet shop, then we went to the square and watched a few plays and listened to the singers.”
“That's good that you had a nice time, My Princess; now it's time to get ready for the feast. Dagmar has your dress set out for you,” Thor told Evie.
“Alright, Daddy. I'll see you in a little bit.”
Thor smiled at his daughter and kissed her cheek, then set her down. She walked into her room, and Dagmar greeted her, “Good afternoon, My Princess. Your bath is ready, and I have your dress ready.” Dagmar informed Evie.
Evie smiled and went to the bathroom to take her bath. Once she was finished, Dagmar helped dry her hair and brush it out. Then she braided it and gave Evie her clothes so that she could change. Evie stepped behind the changing screen and changed into a beautiful blue silk dress that opened her eyes. Once she was dressed, she put on her slippers and knocked on the door that adjoined her father's.
“Come in, Petal.”
“Are you ready, Daddy?”
“Yes, I am, Petal. Don't you look beautiful?”
Evie blushed, “Thank you, Daddy.”
Thor offered his hand, “Now shall we go?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Father and daughter made their way towards the great hall where the feast was to be held. When they arrived, the dining hall was already full. They cheered when Thor and Evie entered. Thor smiled and waved at everyone as he made his way towards his family. Evie held on tightly to her father's hand and shyly waved and smiled at everyone as well as she followed him towards the main table. As they walked, Evie noticed Bjørn in the crowd, her eyes lit up, and she gave him a big smile, which he returned.
They reached the dais, and Evie sat between Thor and Tony. Tony smiled and leaned over and kissed Evie on the head, “You look so pretty, Evie. That dress brings out your eyes.”
“Thank you, Uncle Tony,” Evie said with a smile.
Once everyone was seated, Odin announced that the feast could begin. The people started serving themselves, and servants walked around handing out cups of wine, Asgardian Ale, and Mead. The entire hall was filled with music and laughter. Thor made sure that his daughter got enough to eat. He was pleased that Evie's appetite had increased and that she could eat more than before. Evie enthusiastically ate her food while she listened to the conversations going on around her.
Evie let her eyes wander the dining hall, looking at all the people laughing and singing and having a grand time. She smiled at Bjørn when their eyes met, and he gave Evie a radiant smile that made her heart skip a beat. After a while, Evie started talking to her Uncle Tony about what she had done that day, and he told her that he had visited the engineering guild to see how they infused their technology with magic. She also asked Tony how his sessions with her grandmother were going.
“They're going good, lightning bug; I'm starting to feel better already. How about you?”
“Me too, Uncle Tony. Grandma has helped me so much that I don't think that Steve will scare me anymore.”
“That's good, sweetheart. I'm glad you're feeling better.”
At that moment, the doors were thrown open, and the most beautiful man that Evie had ever seen entered the Hall. He was so handsome that he had an ethereal glow about him. The newcomer was also a huge man, he was the same size if not taller than Evie's father, yet Evie wasn't intimidated by him. This man exuded a kindness and tranquility that Evie had never known. Evie looked at her father, who had stood up and made his way towards the other man.
“Baldur, it's so good to see you, cousin!” Thor said as he hugged the other god. (A/N Baldur is Thor's half-brother in Norse Mythology, but for this story, they are cousins.)
The god known as Baldur returned Thor's hug, “Thor! It's so good to see you, cousin. What brings you to Asgard? I thought you had to stay on Midgard with Loki.”
“I do, but Mother and Father wanted Loki and me to return so that they could meet my daughter.”
Baldur looked at Thor, surprised, “You have a daughter? Was it with that Midgardian you were with before?”
“No, Evie was from someone else. I will explain later. Would you like to meet her?”
Baldur smiled, “Of course, Thor, I would be honored to meet your daughter.”
Thor clapped Baldur on the shoulder and led him towards the dais where Evie sat.
Evie smiled when she saw her father leading the handsome man towards her. When Thor and Baldur reached Evie, Baldur stared at Evie wide-eyed. He looked between the little girl and Thor, then chuckled, “By Odin, Thor, the little cherub is your mirror image.”
Thor's chest puffed up proudly, “She does, doesn't she?”
Baldur nodded, “There is no doubt that she is your daughter,” Baldur said, then bowed, “It is a great honor to meet you, little one. I am your cousin Baldur,” Baldur then to, ok Evie's hand and kissed, making the little girl blush and giggle.
“Thank you, Cousin Baldur; it's nice to meet you as well,” Evie said and curtsied.
After greeting the little girl, the god addressed the King and Queen of Asgard, then Loki, and was introduced to Tony. Baldur then sat down next to Evie, served himself his dinner. As he ate, Baldur would talk with Evie and tell her about his journey to Vanaheim and the mischief he, Thor, and Loki caused when they were younger. Evie listened with rapted attention to everything Baldur told her, and when the dancing began, she gladly agreed to dance with her cousin.
They danced for a while, then she switched and began dancing with Bjørn. Baldur sat down next to Thor and watched the little girl dance and laugh with her friend, and he smirked. Baldur nudged Thor, and he motioned with his head towards the children when he got Thor's attention.
“They make a handsome couple, don't you think?”
Thor frowned, “Do not start, cousin. Evie is only a child, and I will not betroth her to anyone.”
Baldur chuckled, “I know you won't Thor, but she could not do better than Tyr's son. Their children would be strong and beautiful.”
Thor narrowed his eyes, and Baldur laughed, “I am only jesting, Thor, calm down.”
Thor huffed and punched his cousin.
After the feast, the days seemed to fly by. Evie and Tony had daily sessions with Frigga and were getting better by leaps and bounds. While that was going on, Thor and Loki discussed with Odin how to deal with the two Midgardian wizards that were still trying to find Evie. According to Heimdall, they had not given up their search, and each day were getting closer and closer to Stark Tower. Thor finally decided that he would hear the two wizards out and see what they wanted. If they were a threat to his daughter, he would allow Loki to dispatch them. From what Heimdall had informed them, the wizards cared a great deal for his daughter and seemed only to be interested in her welfare, but Thor wouldn't take any chances.
Finally, the day arrived that Frigga informed Odin and her sons that Evie and Tony were cured and could return to Midgard. One last farewell feast was held, and the following day, they returned to Midgard. As soon as they landed on the helipad, the group was greeted by the Avengers. Evie smiled and ran towards Steve when she saw him; Steve was surprised when Evie hugged him.
“Hi, Steve, it's good to see you.”
Steve smiled down at the little girl, “It's good to see you too Evie, how have you been?”
“Great! Grandmother Frigga helped me with my problems. I'm not afraid of you anymore!” Evie said proudly.
Steve had to clear the lump in his throat, and he picked up the little girl, “That's great Munchkin, I'm glad I don't scare you anymore.”
Evie hugged Steve around the neck, “Me too, Steve.”
After that, Steve put Evie down, and she greeted everyone else. They went inside, and she told them everything that happened and how Frigga helped Tony as well. As they talked, JARVIS suddenly interrupted them; Mr. Odinson, two men, had arrived demanding that they see Miss Evie.
Thor, Loki, and Tony looked at each other. They didn't think that the wizards would show up so rapidly. The Avengers looked at the three men confused, “What's going on, guys?” Clint asked.
Thor explained what Heimdall had seen while they were on Asgard and the Avengers tensed. Natasha instantly reached for her gun, “Whatever they're planning, we'll stop them.”
Steve nodded in agreement, “We're with you, Thor, in whatever you need.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Thor said with a smile.
“Now, should we invite these Midgardian weaklings up?” Loki asked with a grin, “I am curious to see their so-called magic.”
Tony nodded, “JARVIS, invite them in and take them to the communal area.”
Of course, sir, JARVIS replied.
“This is going to be interesting,” Tony said as he looked a Loki and grinned.