▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅

❛ ᴇᴛᴏɪʟᴇ​​​​​​​​​​. ❜ ° . ༄
- ͙۪۪˚   ▎❛ 𝐓𝐖𝐎 ❜   ▎˚ ͙۪۪̥◌
»»————- ꒰ғᴏʀɢᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ
ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴀ ᴅʏɪɴɢ sᴛᴀʀ ꒱


❝ I DO NOT TRUST
THE LURE OF THAT
DARKNESS ❞

▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅

A S G A R D

Eleanora was dressed in a shift and leggings, with her blonde hair pulled back in an intricate braid. She walked beside Loki, who was in his usual leathers; the only thing that set him apart were the daggers in his hands, which became one as he handed the other to her. They were on their way to the training area where, as he'd promised, he would teach her how to use a weapon.

"But I have my powers," the Star argued grumpily, tracing the leather that was wrapped around the handle of his dagger. "Why do I have to learn how to fight?"

"It is important to have more than one mastery at your disposal," the god explained, only barely holding back an exasperated sigh; Eleanora had been protesting against physical training since he'd brought it up and they had been over this many times. "Besides, you are not yet skilled in wielding your power, are you? Surely you wish to have a backup plan should things go awry, or you are prevented from using your abilities."

"Exactly," she huffed. "I'm learning how to control my powers; shouldn't I commit all my time to that?"

This time, Loki did sigh and he flipped his dagger in the air as they walked, catching it deftly between his fingers. "A good magician does not rely solely on their abilities in a fight. The most skilled sorcerer only pulls out that talent to add an edge to their attack; shock value is an unappreciated advantage."

Eleanora cast him a sidelong glance at the resigned note in his voice. "Like your brother and his friends? They always find magic to be underhanded tactic."

The prince inclined his head. "Precisely. It is not a widely accepted practice and, at times, could make the situation more difficult than it might be without using your powers. But imagine the look on your opponent's face when they realize you have both the skill of a master swordsman and the power of a magician," Loki continued, a sly grin playing at the corners of his lips. "It adds an element of surprise, a sense of unpredictability that can turn the tide of battle in your favor."

"I suppose that's true," she admitted begrudgingly— as she always did when he proved his point in this matter. Eleanora would be convinced for some time that this was an important aspect to train in before she changed her mind again.

Loud cheers interrupted their conversation, causing Loki to roll his eyes. They had arrived at the training area to find Thor sparring with Fandral. Sif and the other two warriors stood at the edge, all but Hogun smirking at what would surely be Fandral's defeat. Other courtesans were watching on and Eleanora was quite certain that she saw the flash of gold coins being exchanged.

Reaching over to grasp her husband's arm, she tugged him in the direction of the match. Looking up at him hopefully, she pleaded, "can we watch? Please?"

The god let out another long-suffering sigh as he glanced around at the other Asgardians with an annoyed glare. "We're supposed to be training. I did not come all the way out here to suffer through the presence of these cretins; I do that too much on a daily basis already. Besides, you've already seen my brother fight; I certainly have watched him more times than I care to count to bother with another match that he will surely win."

"But that was different," she pouted. "When I saw Thor fight, I was terrified for my life. I didn't get a chance appreciate his skill then. Furthermore, since I am supposed to train, wouldn't the best introduction be to watch someone else's tactics?"

Loki pressed his lips together, clearly displeased by the logic in her argument. "Well, I certainly have far more important things to do than watch a bout that already has a premeditated outcome. Should you wish to waste your time on such frivolities, be my guest. Find me when you desire to learn something of value."

With that, he stalked off, flipping his dagger in his hand with irritation. The Star's expression fell slightly, disappointed that he wouldn't stay to watch the fight with her. Still, it was to be expected; whenever she expressed interest in something Thor was doing, Loki always got huffy with her and sulked off until she went back to paying attention to him again. Shaking off her husband's bad attitude, she went over to the ring where Thor and Fandral were moving back and forth between the boundaries.

They were both breathing heavily from exertion and sweat was glistening on their skin. Thor was only half-dressed, much to the ladies' delight as they cheered his name. While she could admit that he was well built, he wasn't exactly her type; she preferred men with leaner muscle, quiet strength hidden in his frame.

Eleanora settled herself at the edge of the ring, her eyes fixed on Thor's movements as he sparred with Fandral. She observed the way his muscles tensed and flexed with each strike, noting the fluidity of his movements despite his considerable size. There was a raw power to him that was undeniable, but it was Fandral's agility and finesse that caught her attention.

As the match progressed, Eleanora found herself analyzing their techniques, studying the way Fandral darted in and out, relying on speed and precision to outmaneuver his opponent. It was a stark contrast to Thor's more straightforward approach, relying on brute strength and force. She could probably pull off his moves better than she could the prince's considering their more similar size.

When the match ended— predictably with Thor winning— Fandral clapped him on the back good-naturedly, both of them laughing with enjoyment. The prince's gaze scanned the crowd, his smile blindingly bright as they cheered for him. Eleanora thought that any of the ladies would be pleased if he came up to them and expressed his gratitude for their support. But, to her surprise, his gaze landed on her. His smile grew impossibly brighter as he made a beeline over to her.

"My lady!" he exclaimed jovially as he drew near. "I was not expecting your presence today. Did you enjoy the match?"

The blonde was fairly positive that the other ladies were glaring at her with such ferocious intensity that, if looks could kill, she would be six feet under. "Yes, thank you. I wasn't able to observe your fighting when we encountered the witches, so it has been interesting to watch."

Thor chuckled, a hearty sound that echoed through the training area. "Thank you, my lady. But I must admit, Fandral here"—he gestured to his friend who was now approaching them—"is no slouch himself. His speed and agility on the battlefield are unmatched."

Fandral grinned, a charming twinkle in his eye. "Flattery will get you everywhere, my friend," he quipped, earning a playful shove from the other man.

"Loki wants to teach me how to fight," the woman explained. "I thought it would be wise to watch combat between skilled warriors."

"He wishes to train you?" the prince echoed, looking slightly less enthused about this. "But why would you need that? You're a Star, aren't you? You were the one to defeat the witches."

Fandral clapped his friend on the back once more, still smiling. "Ah, Thor, never mind what your brother wants to teach his pet. It is to be a weapon for your father anyway, is it not?"

Eleanora's expression faltered at the stark reminder that, to most Asgardians, she was just an object to be used during war. She had gotten so used to Frigga's and Loki's more pleasant views of her that she'd forgotten that not everyone shared their opinions.

Thor brightened at that. "Speaking of weapons. . ."

He stretched out his hand to summon his hammer, which had been sitting off to the side of the ring. It sailed towards him to land directly in his palm. Choosing to brush off Fandral's comment, she cast his weapon a curious look. Although she had seen it several times since she'd met Thor, she hadn't had a chance to see it up close.

"That's called Mjolnir, right?" the Star asked with an unexpected amount of excitement. "The great weapon forged in Nidavellir?"

The crown prince grinned at her, delighted by her enthusiasm. "Yes. It is a mighty weapon, is it not? Have you any interest in it?"

"Oh, yes," Eleanora said. "I've read a lot about legendary weapons from my mother's fairytales. I would very much like to go see Nidavellir one day."

"Would you?" Thor wondered with genuine surprise, not a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "Well, as it happens, Loki and I are set to go on an emissary trip in a month's time. Should you like to come with us?"

"I would love to," the blonde exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as the silvery glow appeared around her head at the thought of travel. She only frowned slightly as she added, "Loki hasn't mentioned anything to me about it."

Fandral glanced at the woman and then leaned closer to the prince. In a low voice— but not quite low enough— he murmured, "Thor, are you sure it is wise to take the Star with you outside of Asgard? Should anyone find out, or should it escape. . ."

"Fandral, I trust Eleanora. She has proven herself to be a loyal ally and I have no doubt in her discretion. Besides, with Loki and me by her side, we can ensure her safety and prevent any unwanted attention."

The other man gave her a wary once-over. "We shall see what your father has to say to that."

✧ ✧ ✧

As it turned out, Loki hadn't strayed as far from the training area as he'd made it sound. She found him in one of the quieter rings, throwing his dagger at targets that had been placed across the way.

"There you are," Eleanora said, by way of announcing her presence.

After following through with his next throw, the god turned to give her a half-heartedly irritated look. "Finished with your amusements, have you?"

"I would say it was more educational than amusing," she countered easily. He retrieved his dagger by summoning it to his side rather than walking across the grounds to fetch it himself as she continued, "you didn't tell me that you were going to go to Nidavellir next month."

He stiffened imperceptibly. "How did you find that out?"

"Thor told me."

The prince mumbled something that sounded like stupid oaf before he nodded reluctantly. "Yes, I am. And what of it?"

"I want to come with you."

There was no hesitation in his voice as he responded shortly, "no."

The blonde bristled at that, annoyed by the fact that Thor would agree so easily when her own husband wouldn't. "Why not? Thor said I could go!"

Loki's eyes narrowed dangerously, a storm brewing behind his gaze. "Thor said you could go, did he?" His tone was laced with venom, a sharp edge cutting through the air.

Eleanora squared her shoulders, refusing to cower under his sudden intensity. "Yes, he did."

"Thor has no authority to make such decisions," he snarled, his temper flaring like wildfire. "If he said to jump off the Rainbow Bridge, would you?"

"That's not even what this is about!" she shot back, her own frustration bubbling to the surface. "He's your brother, Loki. If he thinks it's safe for me to accompany you, then why can't you?"

"Because I said so!" Loki's voice thundered, his control slipping like sand through his fingers. "I will not have you endangering yourself on a royal errand to Nidavellir."

Her jaw clenched as she refused to back down. "You can't pull rank on me. I'm a princess now, or did you forget? And I'm not some delicate flower that needs to be protected at all costs."

The god's expression twisted with anger and concern, a tumultuous mix of emotions warring within him. "You're only a princess by marriage," he retorted, though the fire in his tone lessened slightly as he added, "and as you are my wife, Eleanora. It is my duty to keep you safe."

"And it's my duty to stand by your side, whether you like it or not. It's supposed to be you and me until the end, remember?" she snapped fiercely, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'm going, Loki, with or without your permission. You know how much I've always wanted to see the different realms."

"And I say that you're not going. We will go to my father, if you have any further argument. I sincerely doubt he will be willing to let you out of Asgard's boundaries after he extorted so much effort to get you within them," he countered.

With a shout of frustration, Eleanora launched the twin dagger that Loki had handed her earlier towards the targets. She missed, of course, prompting them to embark on their training lesson. Needless to say, it was certainly a little more intense than a practice session usually was.

✧ ✧ ✧

To everyone's surprise, Odin thought that taking Eleanora to Nidavellir was a great idea. "Think of how it will be a show of Asgard's strength!" he had said, inclining his head towards Thor approvingly. Once they were out of the throne room, Loki could only scowl and grit his teeth. Now, a month later, they were approaching the Bridge, much to the Star's delight.

"Oh, wow!" she exclaimed, awed by the sight before her. She rushed ahead of the small group— Lady Sif and the Warriors Three had come to see the brothers off— to be the first one on the Bifrost. Even her grumpy husband had to admit that her enthusiasm was endearing.

As soon as her feet touched the Bifrost, she bent to place a hand against its rainbow surface. It was cool to the touch, and as her fingers made contact with it, she could sense a familiar— almost familial— energy zip through her skin. The vibrant colors of the Rainbow Bridge pulsed beneath Eleanora's fingertips, sending shivers of excitement through her being. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to be engulfed in the sensation, feeling as though the very essence of the cosmos was flowing through her veins.

A soft hum resonated from the surface of the Bifrost, as if it were alive with an ancient wisdom, whispering secrets of the universe to those who dared to listen. Her heart raced with anticipation as she reveled in the connection, a feeling of belonging washing over her.

"There's cosmic energy here," she announced aloud to the group. "A great celestial power created the Bridge."

"The Tesseract," Loki provided, having read much about the design of the Bifrost. "Our father channeled its power a long time ago to fashion interdimensional travel."

"You can feel that?" Thor asked, his eyes brightening with interest as he came to kneel beside her. He placed his own hand— several times larger than hers— against the Bridge, but felt nothing.

The blonde nodded. "Yes. This Tesseract must have contained the power of space within it; it almost sounds how my sister do, though much fainter."

"If you two are quite finished with being fascinated by ancient relics, you have a mission to focus on, in case you've forgotten," Sif said, her tone clipped as she shot a pointed look in the Star's direction. "The Bifrost is not a plaything for tourists."

Eleanora straightened quickly, feeling her face warm from the warrior's scolding. "I'm sorry," she began, "it's just that I've read so much about—"

"You don't have to apologize to her, darling," Loki cut in, his previous sullenness abandoned in favor of a sharper tone as he sent Sif a sharp look in return. He placed a reassuring hand on his wife's shoulder. "We have time enough to marvel over Asgard's wonders. Nidavellir isn't going anywhere."

"Your father would disagree, I think," the brunette refuted with forced politeness. "He appreciates punctuality in his assignments."

Eleanora looked between the two, confused by the sudden tension that crackled in the air. Even Thor seemed to be slightly apprehensive as he stood to join them, his brows furrowed just enough for a crease to appear between them.

"You are not wrong, Sif," he agreed after a moment, mostly to keep the peace. "It is time that we are on our way." To the Star, he added more warmly, "do not worry, Eleanora; I am sure you will see the Bifrost more than enough times to grow sick of the sight eventually."

Somehow, she didn't think that was possible, but she conceded anyway. She still admired at the colors that danced across the surface of the Bridge as they walked, so bright they were almost neon against the darkness of space around them. As they got further away from Asgard, Eleanora began to take more notice of the stars that sparkled against the blackness. She could hear them, more clearly than she ever could back on Alfheim— so much so that she could almost remember the old songs that she used to sing with them.

Curious about the calling of her sisters, she wandered away from the group without her noticing, moving closer to the edge. Her gaze was fixed on the constellations with wonder, having never been this close to them in humanoid form. It was only when she felt a slender, long-fingered hand gently grasp her arm that she jerked back to reality, gasping slightly from the surprise at how near the rim she'd gotten.

"Come away from the edge, darling," Loki all but pleaded with her, tugging the woman back towards the center of the Bridge. He cast the blackness below them an uneasy look. "I do not trust the lure of that darkness."

Eleanora nodded without protest, leaning into him a bit as an anchor. I'm no longer a Star, she told herself firmly. It would be a shame to join my sisters again so soon, especially without fulfilling my glorious purpose. She missed her home, of course— both the physical Alfheim one and the one from her previous life— but she only had impressions from when she had been in the heavens as a celestial object; she was sure that if she returned to that life, she would regret her choice. She would join her sisters soon enough once more, but for now it was time to concentrate on the life that she was living.

So, instead, she reveled in the touch of her lover, taking his hand from her arm to lace their fingers together instead. She gave him a comforting squeeze, silently promising that she would not take such an interest in the edge again. Loki seemed a little surprised— and maybe unnerved— by the gesture of affection, but to her relief he didn't pull away. Eleanora suspected that he wanted to appear stoic in front of their audience and holding his wife's hand destroyed that image. She couldn't help but smirk faintly at the thought.

When they arrived at the Watchtower, Heimdall was waiting for them, as they'd expected. He did not turn away from his position as he watched the galaxies around them, but he did greet them kindly. "Lady Eleanora, I get to meet you at last. I have Seen much of your movements over the years."

"Oh," the blonde replied, caught off guard. "Um, thank. . . you?"

The Watchman smiled in amusement, finding her uncertainty refreshing after dealing with the confidence from kings and princes for so long. "You are most welcome." Though she could not see his gaze— as fixed as they were on the cosmos— she could imagine that his eyes were piercing and wise, seeming to hold the secrets of the universe within their depths. He continued, "your journey has been foretold in the threads of fate. You carry the weight of destiny upon your shoulders, Lady Eleanora."

Eleanora— despite knowing this already— gave him an uneasy look, not used to having someone shove her history in her face like that. "Well, I am a Star. It would be strange if I didn't."

"Hmm," was all he replied to that and moved on to receive the rest of the group. "Your Highnesses, Lady Sif, Lords Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg; a pleasure, as always."

They gave him a similar response as he finally turned away from his post to insert his sword into the key slot. At Thor's nod, the quartet said their goodbyes and departed so that Heimdall could send them on their way.

✧ ✧ ✧

N I D A V E L L I R

Travelling via Bifrost was a sensation that Eleanora had never thought she would experience. The rush of colors swirling around her as she hurtled through space was both exhilarating and disorienting. She gripped Loki's hand tightly, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She could just barely see him through the whirl of light around them and a part of her was envious at how unphased he seemed by the journey. Although it felt like it took minutes or even hours, they were truly only travelling for a matter of seconds. As the Rainbow Bridge deposited them onto solid ground with a soft thud, Eleanora blinked, trying to adjust her senses to the new surroundings.

Nidavellir was made of metal and heat, the sounds of hammers swinging and work being done echoing through the forge. Dwarves— though in her opinion giants was a better term— were busy around them, hardly paying their guests any mind. She stared at the legendary forge in awe. One of the dwarves came towards them, his expression welcoming as he recognized the princes of Asgard.

"Thor!" he boomed happily. "And Loki. We've been expecting you ever since your father sent word." He nodded to the blonde. "And who is your friend?"

"This is Lady Eleanora," Thor replied, "my brother's wife."

But, Eleanora did not hear the rest of the conversation, nor the introduction of the dwarf, whose name was Eitri. Her hand had gone to her head as she felt the telltale signs of. . . one of her sisters. Shocked, she abandoned the group and began to make her way towards the source of the feeling, ignoring Loki's concerned calls of her name.

The dwarf hurried after her, putting a large but gentle hand on her shoulder. "My lady, it is not wise to wander off in the forge. It is too easy for you to be trampled underfoot."

She brushed him off, intent on her mission. Ducking underneath the swings of hammers and darting around the movement of the other blacksmiths, Eleanora made her way to where the bright light shone in the middle of the darkness. Three giant, metal rings surrounded the ball of flame whose power was being harnessed by the eyeholes that were connected to the main part of the furnace. The blonde stared at the scene in shock, no longer impressed by the sights around her. Instead, she was angry.

Whirling on Eitri, she glared at him with a fury she did not know that she could possess. The telltale silvery glow shimmered to life around her, but instead of it being triggered by feelings of happiness as it usually was, this time it was caused by rage.

"That's a Star," Eleanora spat, pointing to the orb. "You're enslaving a Star to power your forge? How dare you! Do you have any idea of the suffering you're causing? Stars are not your toys, they are celestial beings deserving of respect and admiration, not to be harnessed like some common fuel!"

All three men gave her varying looks of worry (Loki) or surprise (Thor and Eitri.) The glow around her intensified, casting a pulsating aura of starshine around her. Eleanora's anger surged, fueling the luminous energy that enveloped her.

"Sister, calm yourself," a new voice entered her mind, the familiar, scintillating whisper slipping through her thoughts. "Ease your wrath; I beg you not to be up in arms for my sake. I am Nidavellir."

The unexpectedness of her sister communicating directly with her was enough to relinquish some of her ire. "You. . . are Nidavellir?" she questioned back in her mind.

"Yes. I am not enslaved, as you think; my deal with the dwarves is very much symbiotic. Even if it wasn't, I am quite happy to make the sacrifice. Weapons capable of defending the realm against the encroaching darkness are needed— will be needed in the future. This is my glorious purpose."

"Oh," Eleanora said, more of her fight draining out of her. "But. . . you're dying. They're killing you."

A soft laugh, like the ripple of water of over stones, echoed in her head. "On the contrary, sister, I am very old. I have been dying for many centuries now and my time is close at hand. All Stars die, you know. It is nothing to be afraid of."

"I. . . I didn't know," Eleanora murmured, her voice tinged with remorse. "I thought. . . I thought they were exploiting you."

Nidavellir's presence in her mind offered a soothing reassurance. "It's understandable, sister. Your care for me is touching, but there is no need for guilt. My fate was sealed long before your concern reached me."

"Sister. . . I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. I should have trusted you more."

The Star's presence sparkled with warmth. "You are still young and have many mistakes yet to make. There is nothing to forgive, sister. Your worry is a testament to your love for me, and for that, I am grateful. Our paths shall not cross again in this life, but I hope to see you in the next."

With that, her sister's existence retreated from her mind. Eleanora sank to the ground as the glow from her power disappeared from around her. Alarmed, Loki caught her and joined her on the floor of the forge. Overcome with emotion, she buried her face against his chest. She screwed up her eyes as heaving sobs racked her body. Loki held her tenderly, one arm wrapped around her waist while the other cradled her head against his chest.

Softly, so that Thor and Eitri couldn't hear him, he whispered, "this is why I didn't want you to come, darling. Not because I don't want you by my side, or because I think you can't handle yourself, but because I knew how the forge was run, and what you would think of it."

"Why didn't you just say so?" she breathed out shakily through her tears.

And for that, he had no answer— or at least, one that she didn't want to hear. Lying had always come more easily to him than the truth, especially when it came to expressing emotions.

A/n: did you spot the tease for Infinity War? 😉 (A long way off, I know, but I couldn't resist.)