Chapter 8
Hela had been considering the growing closeness between her son and the Wakandan prince. She watched them talk and saw the fond smiles he sent the Wakandan prince. It was only a matter of time before they began officially courting. The throne was a heavy burden to bear and Hela worried T’Challa could not bear that and remain able to properly court her son.
“You are glaring again sister.” Loki whispered in her ear as he teleported behind her.
“I am thinking.”
“Oh I bet it’s terribly annoying thoughts. You mustn’t glare so much, you’re expression will stick that way.” He teased before taking a seat on the couch beside her.
“What makes you think my expression shall remain that way? That’s just foolish.”
Loki chuckled.
“It is a saying the mortals have, I find it entertaining. Now tell me what’s on your mind. If your thoughts are occupied with unneeded worries how will our trickery go according to plan?”
She sighed.
“I worry about that Wakandan prince getting close to my son.”
Loki hummed seeming interested by her worries.
“Perhaps a test then, one you can disguise as a gift should he prove himself a worthy suitor of Anthony.”
She gave him a curious look and listened as he explained. She could admit it was rather interesting and possibly within her abilities. She requested Loki watch over Fenris before she took her leave. Sadly unlike with Peggy Carter she could not take him with her. Though she the goddess of death, the Wakandan people were under Bast’s protection. Hela could not simply return a soul as she had with Peggy, she’d have to request Bast’s blessing first. It was straining on her body and magic to travel as far as she could to the ancestral plane under Bast’s protection. Though Bast herself didn’t appear one of her children did. It was known among those who did approach the goddess and her territory she more often than not spoke through her children.
“Hela of Asgard, Odin’s firstborn. You’ve come quite a way, what has brought you to travel so far?”
Hela recognized the man, Bast’s first chosen of Wakanda. A warrior shaman called Bashenga.
“I’ve come to request one of the souls here, an honorable man and loved man that was once king, T’Chaka son of Azzuri.”
Bashenga was silent a moment, likely hearing Bast’s response.
“You fear the union of a descendent of Midgard and that of Asgard. Bast is not so blind to the workings of Asgard’s most famous trickster. Did you think you could deceive her?”
Hela smirked.
“I knew I could not. I come with a request for T’Chaka’s soul because it is in both mine and my son’s favor but also for T’Challa. Bast cannot be blind to T’Challa’s actions, she must know the mistakes he’s made and that he is not yet truly mature enough to take on the throne. He is a fine warrior but not yet ready to understand what it means to bear the burden of a king and a warrior. Returning T’Chaka will grant both my child and that of Bast to grow as they need to. Whether it is my son seeing his possible suitor as unworthy and learning a lesson from that or it be T’Challa growing to be a proper king.”
Bashenga was silent a moment before he gave a nod.
“You may return the soul of T’Chaka son of Azzuri on two conditions. You do not interfere with the courtship between Prince T’Challa and Prince Anthony. You will also warn Prince Loki that Bast will be displeased should he attempt any schemes involving their courtship.”
Hela gave a respectful nod.
“I shall warn him and agree to Bast’s conditions.”
When Hela returned with T’Chaka she brought him directly to his children. T’Challa and Shuri were with Anthony, Peter and to her surprise Janet. When they all looked up she saw the tearful gaze of both Wakandan royalty. Shuri was the first to run forward calling out for her Baba. T’Challa was slower to recover but when he did he rushed forward to hug his father. While the three had their reunion Hela went to her son’s side and asked if Hank and Hope were on their way to reunite with Janet.
“After hearing how they treated Anthony I’m going to stay here for awhile. Really, Anthony has never done anything to either and yet they were so rude to him.” Janet said with a shake of her head and eyes that spoke of how ashamed she was of her family.
“My apologies for bringing up such a painful topic. So what have you been up to? I didn’t expect to find you all gathered together.”
Tony glanced at the three hugging and crying royalty before he turned to focus on the project they had all been working on. Tony and Peter in equal measure were excitedly explaining it. Hela smiled seeing their eyes alight with joy over their work. Oh how she wished the others from Zeus’s side of the family would come to see the wonder that was Anthony Helason.
“Anthony, I wish to properly introduce you to my father.” T’Challa called over shocking the genius while Hela hide a smile by turning away. Hopefully T’Challa would prove to be a worthy suitor of her son.
With her son now fully focused on the conversation with the Wakandans Hela decided to go inform Loki of the warning she had been given to deliver to him. As she approached the common area where Loki was talking with Hercules and Logan. Carol was sitting nearby looking slightly stressed.
“Brother, Bast sends her regards and heavily requests no scheme of yours involves a certain courtship that may begin soon.”
Loki looked up his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Now when has any warning stopped me?”
Hela shook her head. She suspected the warning wouldn’t but his fondness for Anthony would. She went to Carol to find out what had her so unusually visibly stressed.
“What troubles you?”
Carol sighed as she leaned back.
“Where do I even start? Maximoff has been a headache and a half. Her powers have yet to be sealed as Rogers and Romanoff have been hounding the Accords council regarding the evaluations as well as the treatment towards them. They’ve claimed that Tony has twisted facts to favor him, that they’re wrongly being painted the villains, and that the evaluation results were tampered with as Tony can get into any system he wants to. It’s caused quite the delay and headaches for everyone involved. All those who gave evaluations now have to report to the council in person and give a detailed report including the reasons for marks against them or in their favor. This includes the approved members which has brought some serious concerns regarding Barnes’s mental state. The temporary living arrangements that were arranged for them upon returning isn’t working out anymore for Barnes. He’s no longer willing to even be in the same room as the others after learning of Maximoff’s past. Rogers isn’t accepting Barnes’s choice of staying away from him and his therapist fears his mental state will only worsen as things are now. With his approval also being put on hold Barnes has mentioned just getting a job and finding his own place but also brought up concerns about even being able to find a job with his background. There’s valid reason for his concern and that has added to his therapist’s worries. The entire situation is terrible for him and as much as I’d like to help the man I have no idea how.”
“If he needs a job I’ll hire him. I need a new bouncer at the bar.” Logan spoke up.
“Really?” Carol asked hopeful.
“Yeah, I knew him back in the war so I know he’s reliable. His enhancements and training just add points in his favor. I got a room here now so I haven’t been using the apartment above the bar. He can stay there until he’s approved for the team and decides if he wants to put in an application to live here.”
Carol gave a sigh of relief.
“Thanks Logan, you have no idea how much that eases some of my stress. I’ll go contact him and let him know.” Carol said standing and heading to her office.
“You are truly a kind soul.” Hercules exclaimed loudly as he pulled Logan closer to him with one arm.
Logan made a face at that.
“Not in the slightest, just been in his shoes before.”
Hela watched as Hercules ignored Logan’s comment and kissed him before running off as Logan let his claws out snarling at the god. Considering Logan didn’t go after him to kill him she suspected the two had finally gotten together but Logan just wasn’t an overly affectionate type. It reminded her that she should do something nice for Pepper. Maybe bring her lunch and some flowers.