SHIELD's Newest

Part 9

BETHANS P.O.V. (cont.)

I needed to find the dining hall. Thor said his parents were coming, so I assumed this was a big affair. Plus, I am queen. It was a rule that I had to go, really.

I began to grow scared of what was going to happen as I made my way along winding golden corridors to the sounds of people and the smells of food. If, and I'm assuming she was, Madds was the Queen of Darkness; what did that make me? I was never going to be a nobody, not even here, and with every second that passed I became more confused as to which reality was, well, real.

Finally I found the dining hall. I entered quietly, guessing I'd already missed the beginning by the glares I got from fellow eaters. Clumsily apologizing as I slid past tables, I reached Thor still pondering over possibilities. The ground under my feet felt as real as it did back on S.H.I.E.L.D, if I recall correctly.

"Where have you been? You missed the first entertainer!" Thor mumbled to me as I sat next to him, at the head of the table. Odin threw me a small smile, and Frigga gave me a wave. They both were seated at the other end of the table.

"Thor, forgive me, but when exactly did we get married?"

His face began to crease slightly.

"Bethan, my queen, I urge you now to stop playing this game with me." He touched my hand underneath the table and looked at me with caring eyes.

He actually didn't believe me.

I needed to find Maddi, and now.

I shook my head and laughed.

"Oh, my king, you are far too good for me." I kissed Thor's nose quickly and grinned while still close to his face.

Was I under a S.H.I.E.L.D. simulation or something?

Thor smiled.

"Now, eat your food."

I ate and I talked and I laughed and I danced until the meal was over and I was bursting at the seams. The room was boiling hot and full of highly intoxicated people, so it was very easy to make an escape without anyone really noticing. I still had no idea what this "Gala" was for.

When I finally broke into the corridor, the big open panes overlooking Asgard showed me the kingdom bathed in darkness. Stars splattered and swirled all over the speckled black skies, but didn't provide any light, which was a positive. A cool night breeze pressed against my red face and helped me focus.

I was in Asgard. I didn't know where Madds was. I didn't know if I was really in Asgard. Had I been kidnapped?

I followed the corridors for a while, stealing glimpses out the panes whenever I could. The skies were truly beautiful here; but I had a job to do. If I went down enough stairs, I'd probably find the servants? Even if I didn't, I'd still learn my way around this magnificent castle that I supposed was my home.

Suddenly, I heard hurried footsteps along the corridor just ahead of me. Approaching was a pair of guards.

"Guards, here." I tried to put on a regal accent.

The guards caught sight of me and changed their route towards me.

"Yes, your majesty?" A taller guard spoke.

"May you tell me, pray, why we even had a feast tonight? Odin was invited, so it must've been important, but I had just- I had just awoken when I was alerted we were having a feast." I confided to the guards. I had to be careful.

They exchanged glances, when the taller one spoke again.

"The Dark Queen is suspected dead. She fell into a deep, deep slumber just hours before you awoke, and it is feared she will not wake again."

"Where is the Dark Queen now, my guards?"

"She's on another realm, it's suspected Jotunheim is the one chosen." The smaller guard spoke.

"Thank you. Have a safe night." I added.

"Rose?!" I heard a voice behind me shout. Thor.

"Thor, my king, hello." I spun round to face him.

"Why did you leave the banquet? We have all been looking avidly for you. Anything could've happened." He looked me up and down worriedly.

"I just came out for some fresh air and to stretch my legs, and I got lost, I suppose. I'll be more careful." I smiled.

"Please, come and say goodbye to my parents. Then you can go to bed. You look weary, my Rose."

I wasn't about to argue. The muscles in my feet ached to high hell. He took my hand and we walked back to the banquet hall, where I said farewell to Odin and Frigga. They both moved to another palace in Asgard, but a lot smaller, when Thor ascended to the throne; or so I heard. I was pretty sure this was a difficult evening for them both, but especially Frigga. Here they were celebrating their other son's wife's comatose state.

I began to feel sick with worry. The realisation hit me. What if she was dead?

After the goodnights had been said, I withdrew to Thor and I's chambers. It was the same room where I awoke. I noticed a very, very, high ceiling and spaced out room. I untied my dress and it fell down my hips and landed in a pool around my feet. Someone had left a silken nightie on the bed, which I graciously wriggled into, before falling into bed.

I didn't stop worrying about Madds. While Thor was still at the banquet room with Sif and other warriors, I just lay completely still, staring at the dress which still lay on the floor and thinking.

What if she wasn't staying anywhere as nice as this? I could pretty much gurantee she wasn't; if she was in Jotunheim as said. Slowly, the thinking got killed off by the need to close my eyes and sleep.

So close my eyes and sleep I did.

MADDI'S P.O.V.

Bethan awoke with a choke. She'd passed out in the car home and had been asleep for a good 5 hours. I'd been here the whole time.

I handed her a glass of water, which she accepted quickly and drank it all. Soon after she spluttered a lot, but she was back.

I began to feel weary. She was shouting something about Asgard and darkness, but I couldn't hear her. Her words spiralled into the oblivion of nothing currently in my mind.

Soon after, I passed out onto the sofa with her clinging to my arm, shaking it like crazy.

Then there was blackness.

Then there was ice.