ANNA RUNS TO FOLLOW LADY SIF out of the dungeons, refusing to look back at Loki's cell as they climb the stairs. The palace has erupted into chaos - guards are running toward the madness, while civilians and servants seek shelter. Gunfire can be heard outside, and Anna can see a glimpse of the gunners shooting down razor-like ships flying toward the palace.

One smashes into a pillar in front of them, and she grabs Sif's arm to pull her back just in time for it to crash to the ground.

"Thank you," Sif mutters, her eyes wide as she turns back to Anna.

"Anytime," she replies as they skirt the rubble and begin to run again. "Mind telling me where we're running to?"

Sif rams her shoulder into an oncoming attacker, knocking him off-balance so she can use her momentum to spin around and strike him with her sword. One of the razor-like ships zooms into the palace over their heads, guns blazing, and they duck to avoid the rubble from the impending crash. The Asgardian warrior beckons Anna to follow her, weaving through back passages until they round a corner and skid to a stop in front of Odin.

"My King," Lady Sif says, crossing her fist to her shoulder with a brief bow.

Anna stares at the Allfather in shock for a brief moment before dipping her head out of respect. He narrows his eye at her, no doubt taking in her Asgardian apparel. For a second, Anna flushes red at the thought that Odin probably knows where she disappeared to. More than that - he probably assumes she intentionally ran off to see him. She wants more from this man. More than being the silly human who blundered her way into Asgard. More than being the fool he believes her to be for falling in love with Loki. Above all, she wants him to show his fallen son more.

"Follow me," Odin commands firmly.

Sif bows, falling in step with the guards accompanying the Allfather, while Anna follows a few steps behind. She is unarmed and unaware of the enemy attacking Asgard, and - even with her advanced combat training - she is nowhere near as skilled as an Asgardian warrior. Especially clad in this ridiculous dress, she is more than happy to allow them to take the front lines.

They arrive in the throne room only to witness death and destruction. A large ship is crashed in the middle of the massive chamber, and a single invader stands in the middle of the room. With a flash, Odin uses his sceptre to strike the creature down as the group enters the room where many Asgardian warriors are scattered amongst the rubble. All of them are dead.

Anna stifles a gasp at the sight. In her limited knowledge of the Nine Realms, she has experienced nothing like the strength and skill of an Asgardian. Thor, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, even Loki - she'd seen them in combat and knew what they were capable of doing. Anything with the potential for this much carnage must be beyond even Asgard's strength. The thought frightens her, and she keeps a wary eye on her surroundings while Odin surveys the damage.

Suddenly, the king freezes mid-step and turns.

"Frigga," he whispers.

*****
Frigga

The heavy doors to her chambers open slowly, and Jane scrambles to her feet in front of Frigga. Meeting her eyes for a moment, Jane pushes herself against the wall in the corner as the queen steps forward to circle the table toward the intruder. She wields a single sword in her right hand, the blade flipped up so it runs along her forearm. Even in her blue gown, the armored breastplate and matching vambraces make it obvious that she is indeed a true warrior of Asgard.

"Stand down, creature," she warns. "You may still survive this."

The creature continues to advance with a smirk, "I have survived worse, woman."

"Who are you?" Frigga asks casually, attempting to gain further information that might aid her.

"I am Malekith," he replies. "And I would have what is mine."

Malekith glares at Jane, and Frigga glances over her shoulder at the Midgardian woman before flashing her blade forward and striking Malekith in the face with a brutal blow. 

He draws his sword instantly, lunging forward, and she parries it expertly. The blade falls from his hand and clatters to the floor, allowing Frigga to strike him again without opposition. 

Furious, Malekith moves to strike her with his bare hands, but Frigga ducks to the ground and swings her sword toward his legs. Once she is back on her feet, she spins and strikes him once - twice - before he is able to block her. 

Then, she sees her opening and sends the blade directly to his neck. 

Holding him against a pillar, she stares down at him for a moment before swinging the blade to her right at a new attacker. The creature from the dungeons takes the blade from her hand as if it were a stick, his right arm latching onto her neck and lifting her from the ground. Satisfied, Malekith turns his attention on Jane as she cowers on the far side of the room.

"You have taken something, child," he warns. "Give it back."

Approaching her slowly, Jane's breathing speeds up as she stares back at him. Malekith reaches out to grab her shoulder, only to have his hand pass through her entirely. The illusion ends, and Jane disappears.

"Witch!" He roars, spinning to face Frigga. "Where is the Aether?!"

She smirks, "I'll never tell."

"I believe you," he replies, signalling for the monster holding Frigga by the neck to send his blade into her back.

The queen cries out in pain, collapsing to the ground, just as Thor's roar of anguish echoes through the chamber. He shoots lightning at Malekith, hitting him in the face, as he charges forward toward them. Malekith's lackey grabs his master and scoops him into his arms as runs onto the balcony, and Thor sends Mjölnir after them with a cry of rage. Hitting them in the back, it sends them tumbling downward only to land on the waiting ship and escape unscathed.

Thor turns, dazed, just as Odin enters the chamber with Anna trailing behind Lady Sif and the rest of the guards. They stumble toward each other, each overcome with grief, as they approach Frigga. Anna's hand flies to her mouth as tears well into her eyes. The woman who did so much for her, the mother who loved Loki unconditionally in spite of his sins, cannot be gone. In the corner, Jane stumbles into the room with a horrified look on her face.

All are silent while Odin takes Frigga's head onto his lap - confirming their worst fear as he caresses her cheek - a single tear spilling from the corner of his eye.

Now playing: "Roads" by Portishead.

*****
AUTHOR'S NOTE

Now you know why I was putting off writing. I knew this was coming. 

3 things:

1) My heart is shattered by the events in Orlando, and I keep repeating Lin-Manuel Miranda's words: "Love is love is love is love is love." Remember that, folks. 

2) My next vlog is done, but I have yet to upload it. Expect it tomorrow! Be sure to follow me on social media @jandralee (everywhere) and subscribe on YouTube.

3) THE WATTYS ARE COMING. Think we can make Loki + The Ides Of July take the cake?

Please vote + comment. Love always.

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