The beginning
Chapter 6:
It only took Loki about a week to complete all seven talismans. During this week, everyone in the tower were tense. They were all afraid of falling asleep, as they feared Hela would attack them in their dreams. Staying awake for so long was fine for Steve and the two Asgardians, as they had a high amount of stamina. However, the same could not be said for Bruce, Natasha, Tony and Clint. Tony attempted to horde all of the coffee in his lab, Bruce looked like he was going to lose control of the Hulk any second now, and the two assassins were attempting to use methods of staying alert that were used for long-term missions. It got to the point where the four of them were camped out in the common-floor, with Steve and Thor waiting to wake them up if anything seemed to happen in their sleep. Thankfully, Hela seemed to be preoccupied with something other than eliminating the Avengers.
Loki went seven days, twelve hours, twenty-six minutes and thirty seconds without even one second of sleep. Normally, this would not have been a problem due to his stamina. However, as he was putting much of his energy into creating seven talismans to shield the Avengers and himself from Hela's mirror, it was much harder to stay awake. By the end of it, he was very thankful for coffee, one of the better Midgardian inventions, in his opinion.
Once he completed the talismans, he sighed in relief. He had had to use his magic to craft objects out of silver, which were small enough to ware with a chain around the neck. Then, he had had to smear the objects with the herbs and periodically cast enchantments of concealment and protection. In all, it was exhausting. But he was glad of the result.
He looked at the seven identical talismans spread before him on the desk. He had thought long and hard of what shape the talismans should be. And finally, he decided on a shape that he believed would please Thor, and piss Hela off. Hopefully, it may also convince Odin that he was still loyal to Thor, and therefore did not have to be taken back to Asgard.
Just as he had finally relaxed, Thor entered his room.
"Brother, how are the talismans going?" His brother asked.
Loki grinned.
"I have just finished. Care for a look?"
He gestured to the desk. Thor's gaze flicked to the talismans. At first, he appeared shocked. Then, he walked to the desk in disbelief. He picked one of the talismans up with a shaking hand.
"Is... Is this..." He began hesitantly. "Mjolnir?"
Loki could see tears appearing in his brother's eyes.
"Yes," He began. "I thought that this form would be appropriate, as your hammer was once a symbol of your power, and of protection. Hopefully this will prove to Odin that I am still loyal to you, and hopefully it will also anger Hela, as it seems that she hates both you and Mjolnir."
His brother only looked at him, still clutching the small silver hammer tightly. Loki was thankful he had put charms on them to ensure they were practically indestructible.
"Do you like it?" He asked.
Suddenly, Thor swept him up in a tight embrace.
"Oh brother, thank you!" He boomed.
"Thor... Please... Can't... Breath..." He choked out.
Thor let him go and Loki fell backwards onto his bed.
"I am sorry," Thor began. "But thank you. You do not know how much joy I now feel."
Thor sat on the bed next to him. Loki put a hand on his shoulder.
"I know how much you grieved after witnessing Hela destroy your hammer." He began.
Thor looked down at the talisman in his hands.
"Yes, I am still greatly disheartened from seeing it." He began. "It is just... Mjolnir and I... We shared a special bond."
He sighed.
"I feel hollow without it. Now, I do not know what to do. I wish to fight Hela, but I fear that I will not be of much use. Without Mjolnir, I do not have much of my power."
Loki frowned.
"Thor, you still have your power." He began. "You just need to learn how to access it without Mjolnir."
Thor looked up at him, hope shining in his eyes.
"You believe so?" He asked.
Loki smirked.
"Of course. Magic courses through your veins, just as it does in mine, and as it did in Mother's. While your magic may manifest differently, it is still part of you. You do not honestly think that Mjolnir was the source of your power?"
He smirked mischievously.
"Who are you, Thor, God of Hammers?"
Thor shoved him playfully. The two laughed.
"So, do you believe that you can access your powers to rain thunder and lightning upon Hela?" He asked.
Thor smiled.
"Only if you will teach me."
He stared at his brother.
"You honestly want my help in accessing your magic?" He asked.
Thor nodded.
"Loki, you are the greatest sorcerer in the Nine Realms. If anyone can show me, it is you."
Loki smiled. And then, he chuckled.
"Just imagine Asgard when they learn that their mighty Thor is learning how to directly use magic, which they all see as a woman's art."
Thor chuckled.
"I always believed that to be a little ridiculous." He said. "After all, if women can be mighty warriors, then surely men can be great sorcerers."
Loki smiled.
"Pease remember to tell Sif that."
He had always disliked the hypocrisy of the woman. After all, she, like him, was trying to fight gender stereotypes. Her situation was like his, only in reverse. And yet she was too foolish to see it.
After a few seconds, Thor spoke.
"While we are discussing warrior women," He began. "Earlier, I noticed you sparing with Lady Romanov."
Loki smiled. He had quite enjoyed fighting with the assassin. Surprisingly, she actually gave him a challenge. Too many of the Asgardians used brute force, and did not try to use slyer attack methods. Agent Romanov, on the other had, was not afraid to use such tactics.
"Yes, she was quite formidable." He began.
Thor smiled.
"Stark believes that there was something... Else, between the two of you."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"How so?"
Thor sighed.
"He seemed to think there could be potential for a relationship between the two of you."
Loki frowned. It had been centuries since he had last courted someone. Not since...
He shook his head.
"I admit, Romanov is quite intriguing for a Midgardian," He began. "However, I do not believe anything will happen between the two of us."
Thor frowned. He put a massive hand on Loki's shoulder.
"Brother, I know your heart still mourns for Sigyn." He began. "But surely, after all this time, it would be best to move on. You need to put the past behind you."
Loki looked down and clenched his fist.
"I can't Thor." He said quietly. "I just... I do not even know if she is alive or... What if she is out there, somewhere, waiting for me?"
He looked into his brothers eyes.
"When... When the Chitauri were torturing me... They... They showed me visions. Visions of her. She was... She was still as beautiful as the last day I saw her. And in every single vision, they forced me to kill her, slowly, intimately, in every way I know she feared. And they said that if I did not do as they said, then..."
He shook his head and blinked back his tears.
"What if she is alive? What if they have her and I... I need to save her Thor? I need to find her?"
Thor wrapped a strong arm around his brother.
"Do not worry brother, we will find out the fate of Sigyn, no matter what it takes."
He then looked into Loki's eyes, a serious expression on his face.
"But brother, what if she is dead?"
Loki clenched his fist.
"Then I will avenger her." He replied. "And then... I don't know."
He grinned bitterly.
"Perhaps something could come of myself and Romanov."
Thor sighed. His brother had suffered much, and now he was going to do whatever it took to heal him.
"I hope something does." He began. "At least one of us should be happy with a woman."
Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Do you not have Jane Foster?"
Thor shook his head.
"After what happened with the convergence, we decided it would be safer to just be friends."
"You mean she, as the Midgardians would put it, dumped you?" Loki asked.
"What, no." Thor replied quickly. "She didn't dump me, I dumped her... Err, it was a mutual dumping."
Loki smirked.
"Whatever you say brother."
"Come, let us give these talismans to the others." His brother said quickly.
With that, the two brothers stood and gathered the six remaining talismans.
The past five weeks had been an excruciating experience for Hela. After her conversation with Skjold, they had discussed how best to unite the waring factions. After long hours of debating back and forth, Hela was finally forced to accept that she could not simply force the frost-giants into submission. Skjold argued that if she won through violence alone, then she would be no better than the Asgardians. And so, in the end, she had had to settle for diplomacy.
It was hard. The frost-giants were frustrating to negotiate with, and Hela had little patients for such methods. She was a warrior, not a diplomat. She had to resist the urge several times to simply kill the faction leaders.
Thankfully, Skjold was able to help her. She was truly thankful that the old frost-giant had decided to side with her.
Things were helped along once they were able to spread the true tale of the lost prince of Jotunheim. Once the frost-giants heard of what had happened to their King's only son, their loyalty to their race served to make them more willing to join her cause, regardless of what either she or Loki had done. Instead of blaming Loki for the death of Laufey, they put the guilt purely on Odin.
They were only further outraged to hear of Loki's torture at the hands of Thanos. Though many feared him, the frost-giants unanimously agreed that the mad Titan had to die, just as much as Odin. Hela was pleased. Maybe, after seeing how willing the frost-giants were to follow him, Loki would join her.
Now, she stood before a great gathering of frost-giants. Thousands upon thousands of them stood before her. She had just been declared Queen Reagent, until the rightful King was ready and willing to take his throne.
"People of Jotunheim!" She began loudly. "A thousand years ago, I sort revenge against Odin and Asgard. The self-proclaimed protector or the Nine Realms had used me, his own daughter, as a personal weapon since I was little more than a child."
The frost-giants grumbled amongst themselves in anger. They adored children, and hated hearing of anyone abusing them.
"I sort allies throughout the Nine Realms to help me in my quest. However, many feared the power of Odin and of Asgard. The memory of his conquests was still fresh in their minds. None were willing to help me, except for one. Your King, Laufey. Only he had the courage to stand against Asgard."
The frost-giants cheered for their late King.
"We fought a mighty war. However, we were unfortunately defeated. Back then, we had little allies. But now, Odin and Asgard's strength is waning. Only two years ago, the Bifrost, which allowed the people of Asgard to travel between the Realms, was destroyed by Thor Odinson. They were unable to sustain control of the other Realms. And though the colonies have now gained back the majority of their strength, and though the bifrost his now repaired, the damage has been done. The other Realms now know what it is like to be free of Asgard. Now, they may be more willing to join us in overthrowing the Realm eternal!"
Hela raised a clenched fist. The entire crowd cheered and the ground shook with their exclamations.
"Now, we will stand, and we will fight! The time of Asgard is over! Before, I fought for vengeance. Now, I fight for so much more! I fight for freedom, and for justice! The people of the Nine Realms have suffered for too long. I was forced to watch as my only son, and your rightful King, was manipulated and abused by Odin and Asgard. He, like us, was pushed into the shadows. And now, he, like us, will rise from the shadows! Soon, he will see the truth and join us! Stand with me, people of Jotunheim, and together, we will free the Nine Realms from Odin Allfather!"
They yelled, and Hela smirked. They all began chanting.
"Hela! Hela! Hela!"
Later, she was sitting in her chambers, Fenris at her door, guardian vigilantly. She held her Vanir mirror in her lap. She had been trying, yet again, to see her son. However, she was unsuccessful.
For the past five weeks, she had tried and failed to visit Loki in his dreams again. She was even unable to see him in the mirror. She could only think of one reason for this.
He had found a way to ward against her.
Of course he would have done so. Hela knew of his intelligence and his power. So of course he would have already found a way of warding himself and his companions from her sight.
It was truly frustrating and heartbreaking. Never before had she felt so rejected. It felt as if he were pushed her away, more forcefully than ever. It only caused her to remember their conversation.
"You are not my Mother, you are only a... A stranger."
She gripped the mirror tightly. She would get her son back, no matter what it took. She would convince him to join her.
She was broken out of her thoughts by a hesitant nocking on her door.
"What?" She asked.
"Your Majesty," A servant asked from the other side of the door. "There is someone in the throne-room asking for an audience."
Hela frowned.
"Is it important?" She asked.
"It is Queen Freya of Vanaheim."
Hela frowned. She knew that something of her conquest of Jotunheim must have surely spread. But she was honestly not expecting an emissary so soon after she had taken full control, let alone another monarch. Nevertheless, she still stood and left her chambers to see what the Queen of Vanaheim wanted.
Freya stood in the throne-room, awaiting her. The woman was of course accompanied by her two cats. Hela remembered that the woman was always accompanied by her cats, just as often as Hela was by Fenris.
The woman was quiet beautiful, only a century or two older than Hela. Her golden hair fell in a long braid down her back, and her grey eyes examined her.
Hela approached the smaller throne she had had to commission, as she felt rather ridiculous in the original throne intended for frost-giants.
"Freya Queen of Vanaheim." She began calmly.
Freya smiled.
"Hela, Queen of Jotunheim."
"Queen Reagent." She corrected.
Freya's lips twitched in a smirk.
"Queen Reagent." She replied.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked.
Freya studied her intently.
"My Volva's saw you rising from whatever prison Odin had put you in." She began. "And four the past weeks we have watched your conquest of Jotunheim."
Hela smirked.
"And?"
"And," She continued. "I have heard that you wish to overthrow Odin."
Hela raised an eyebrow. She knew of how attached Asgard was to Vanaheim. So much that many unions were born between the two races.
"Has Odin sent you to dissuade me from this path?" She asked.
Freya shook her head.
"Odin did not send me, I sent myself."
Hela raised an eyebrow.
"For what reason have you come hear?" She asked.
Freya looked directly into her eyes.
"I seek an alliance with you. It is my wish to free my people from the tyranny of Asgard."
Hela lent back in her throne and thought for a long time. Finally she stood.
"Come, let us discuss this in somewhere more comfortable."
The vanir Queen followed Hela to personal study. Hela had arranged this room so a warm fire would burn in the hearth, without melting the entire fortress. Fur covered chairs sat the fire-place, and that is where the two women sat. Hela ordered wine for herself and her guest, and soon they both sat before a warm fire with a goblet of wine each.
"So," Hela began. "You seek an alliance with my cause?"
Freya nodded.
"May I ask why?" Hela asked. "After all, from what I have heard, Vanaheim has quite a good relationship with Asgard."
"You have evidentially heard wrong." Freya replied.
Hela studied the woman intently.
"What has Odin done to you?" She asked calmly.
Freya's gaze flicked to the fire. Her grip on her goblet tightened.
"He took something very dear to me."
The woman was silent for a long time. Then, he eyes flicked back to Hela. She stared straight into her eyes.
"Tell me," She began. "Are the rumours true? Is Loki truly your son?"
Hela nodded.
"Yes, after Odin imprisoned me, he stole my newborn, intending to make him a puppet-king of Jotunheim." She replied.
Freya's gaze flicked back to the fire. She appeared lost in thought.
"I knew him." She began. "Very well, in fact."
Hela raised an eyebrow.
"How so?"
A smile began to creep onto Freya's face.
"My kinswoman Frigga would constantly bring him to Vanaheim during his adolescence." She replied. "He was truly an intelligent young man, always willing to learn. And during his visit, he became quite close with my younger daughter Sigyn."
"I have heard of her." Hela began. "What was she to my son?"
Freya's lips twitched in a smile.
"Oh, the claimed to only be friends, but we all knew the truth. We all knew they were lovers."
Hela had suspected this. After how Loki had spoken of her during their conversation, she had suspected that there had been something with this Sigyn.
"What happened to her?" She asked.
Freya's expression darkened.
"During their late five hundreds, Odin caught wind of something that could have brought scandal to the house of Odin. I did not mind, I only wanted my daughter to be happy with the man she loved. But Odin... He only cared for his reputation."
"What happened?" Hela asked quietly.
"There were rumours that Sigyn and Loki had been intimate." Freya began. "Normally, this would have been easy enough to cover up. It could have been brushed of as mere rumours. However, the results of the intimacy were hard to ignore."
Freya's eyes once again met Hela's.
"Odin discovered that Sigyn, was with child."
Hela spilt her wine in her shock.
With child? No, it could not be.
"The child was Loki's?" She asked.
Freya glared at her.
"Of course it was." She spat. "My Sigyn valued loyalty above all else. She would not have betrayed Loki."
Hela held up a hand.
"My apologies, I did not mean to offend."
Freya's expression softened. She looked into the fire, her eyes full of sadness.
"Odin saw no other way of preventing a scandal, than to banish her."
Her grip on her goblet tightened.
"I did not even get to say my farewells. She was only a child, and she was exiled from the Nine Realms. And with a child on the way."
Her eyes met Hela, and the Goddess of Death could see the fury in their grey depths.
"I do not know if she still lives, or what happened to the child." She began. "But I do know this, Odin must pay. I came here to seek an alliance, to avenger the injustice of my daughter's treatment at the hands of Odin. And perhaps, he will be able to tell me of her fate."
"Does Loki know?" Hela asked. "Of Sigyn's pregnancy, I mean."
Freya shook her head.
"Odin strictly forbad it."
Hela's thoughts turned in her mind. A new plan was blooming in her mind.
Loki had loved Sigyn, that much was obvious. Perhaps, if he were to learn of this, of his child... Then perhaps this could be enough to persuade him to finally turn against Odin.
Hela extended her hand.
"I accept your offer of an alliance." She bed.
Freya grasped her hand. For once, the golden-haired queen smiled widely, and Hela could see why she was regarded as the Goddess of love and beauty.
"Where do we begin?" Freya asked.
Hela smirked. Perhaps there were some merits in diplomacy.