Chapter 255: To Be King

Chapter 255: To Be King

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I would like to thank my beta, Akisu, for his help in this chapter.

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17th October 2012, Asgard

(Thor Odinson POV)

Thor Odinson was bemused. In the last few years, which were barely more than a fraction of his lifetime, he had learnt more about being a king than he did in the thousand years that preceded them. The God of Thunder had always assumed that being King would have brought him nothing but glory and riches. He wanted to be like his father, to live up to the songs of glorious battle against worthy foes. Because that was what Thor wanted the most, to fight worthy opponents.

The God of Thunder knew that his father loved him, but there was always this disappointment in his eyes, which was mixed in by some sense of belief. It was like his father expected him to be better, to grow better and had an absolute faith that he will, in time.

And he realized today that his father had never looked at Loki with the same eyes, he never expected him to be great, nor to grow as he had. He accepted the boy as his son, and would not deny him anything, but there was always something missing, something Loki had craved for while Thor got it without even trying. It was something that Loki tried fighting for, betrayed Thor for, and almost got himself killed for in the hope of ever achieving it. Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

In truth, Thor did blame his father for Loki's fall, because if only he had given him the approval the trickster had dreamt of, Thor would still have his brother standing by his side, today. And while Thor didn't think that he, himself, was blameless, he wasn't the one Loki was truly fighting against.

And yet, now, Thor was different. He had different priorities, different goals. He has found love and started to understand what it means to be a king. It didn't have anything to do with fighting or glory, it was a responsibility and a vital one at that. For a king's duty is to his people and for them to prosper. Thor now truly understood why he was banished to Midgard while being powerless. For a wise King does not seek out war but must always be ready for it.

Thor's ill advised invasion of Jotunheim would have caused the death of thousands of Asgardians, just for his wounded pride. It was on Midgard, that Thor understood how precious life truly is. Wasn't it ironic that it was a weak short lived species that showed him what it meant to be alive, to have a goal outside of battle and glory.

If only his lesson hadn't cost him his brother, that he thought to have perished, lost in the void.

Imagine his surprise when he heard Heimdall's claim of Loki returning from the grave and hunting down an infinity stone on Midgard of all places. The God of Thunder didn't understand why Loki even wanted to invade Midgard of all places. It was weak in resources and the mages had been hunted down to extinction centuries back. It was a primitive race compared to any of the other realms, or even most planets in the universe.

There was something fishy going on, and the Morrigan's involvement of all people didn't reassure him. He had heard tales of the Morrigan, who hasn't? She was often described as a goddess who brought death to anyone who opposed her, who had massacred an entire legion of Asgardian soldiers when his father's conquest brought battles to Midgard. For to fight the Morrigan, was to court Death. He thought that she was just a fairytale, a way to scare children into compliance, and yet she was there, fighting beside him on Midgard, and Thor had to say that the tales did not do her justice.

On the streets of New York, the Morrigan rained darkness and steel on the Chitauri and yet was merciful to his brother while apprehending him. She disappeared later, faking her death, for in the tales, the Morrigan was immortal, and the God of Thunder didn't even entertain the thought that a mortal weapon could harm her.

But the most intriguing thing was the meeting with his father that she had demanded. No one had any idea about what they spoke of, only that both parties left the meeting satisfied with the outcome. And while the Morrigan had seduced the entire court with her tales of glory and tragedy, Thor was wary of her. It was like everyone forgot who she was, what she was.

Thor stayed silent at his father's speech, and he nodded at him. A second later and the king's eyes regained their previous severity, "But now, off with you. The subject is closed and if you bring it up again, I will banish you once more to Midgard."

Thor nodded, then bowed and left. The Prince had spent entire hours in thought, his father's condition refusing to leave his mind, until he thought he had no choice. Slowly, the Prince found himself by the Bifrost. Heimdall looked at the God of Thunder with his piercing golden eyes, that Thor thought could see straight through his soul. The All Seer nodded at his Prince, "Thor."

Suddenly, he had an epiphany, why not ask Heimdall of details of the meeting between the King and the Morrigan, "Heimdall, I wished to ask you for a favor."

Heimdall nodded, "You wished to understand the change in the King."

Thor wasn't surprised anymore by the gatekeeper's knowledge, "Aye, what can you tell me about it?"

"I can tell you that the change happened immediately after his meeting with the Morrigan, a meeting that I couldn't see."

Thor sighed in disappointment, "I thought not. It was a faint hope, at best."

The All Seer, though, didn't seem perturbed, "But perhaps there is another way of knowing. There were two beings in the meeting."

"You think that I should speak to the Morrigan, one of the most feared women in the nine realms?"

Heimdall snorted, "Perhaps she is, but she's not unreasonable and neither is she power hungry. What happened to your father was not malicious in intent, at least not on her part. Speaking with her could alleviate your concerns."

"Are you sure about this? She could be an enemy of Asgard if she wished"

"She is not an enemy of Asgard, that I do know for a fact. From what I could gather, the meeting ended with an alliance between your father and her. Other than her enchanting him, if she had managed it somehow, then for all your father's power, the Morrigan is unmatched in mind magics, which means that it wouldn't have been obvious to outsiders. This clears her, somewhat of enchanting the King."

Thor wasn't convinced, "That is circumstantial at best."

Heimdall nodded, "Yes, it is, but so are our accusations as well. Meet with her and be wary at the same time. I will get you out if things get too dangerous."

Thor nodded and walked towards the Bifrost, "I trust you."

And he meant it. He trusted Heimdall with his life and if the man thought that he needed to speak with the Morrigan, then he will trust his judgement.

With a nod, Heimdall opened the Bifrost, and the God of Thunder walked through. He arrived in a valley, empty of all humans save for two beings. He recognized one of them and bellowed out, "Morrigan, there's something that I need to discuss with you."