DURING THE NIGHT, ASTRID LEFT THE DUNGEONS AFTER SHE WAS CERTAIN LOKI WAS OKAY. She ascended to her room for the night once a maid had found her and escorted her.

The following morning, she rose and was greeted by several Asgardian maids opening the curtains and helping her out of bed. She constantly said that it was all unnecessary but they did not stop. It was their duty, after all.

Astrid dressed into a midnight blue dress with silver trimming and sparkles. The maids had pinned her hair up into an elegant bun with a silver netting over it, allowing some curls to fall and frame her face.

She wandered down the hallways of Asgard's palace, taking in the scenery. Astrid stood admiring the paintings and sculptures, her eyes studying a portrait of the late Allmother.

"Your Majesty." A voice sounded behind her, startling her.

Astrid turned, finally seeing who had called her. "Sir Fandral," she smiled. The knight bowed before approaching her. "Is everything alright?" She asked concerned.

Fandral opened his mouth, then closed it. He shook his head. "Not quite. Odin has requested for me to retrieve you. If you'd follow me?" He moved to the side, extending his arm behind him, indicating the way for them to go.

Astrid nodded and followed after him. "What does Odin want?" She asked as the two walked to the throne room.

Fandral turned his head and examined her side profile. "I suppose it has to do the Asgard's fallen barriers. We aren't protected anymore due to the attack yesterday."

Astrid nodded. "Understandable." She commented.

"You look lovely today, by the way," Fandral commented with a smirking smile. "As usual."

Astrid blushed. "T-thank you," she stammered. She had never been the best at receiving compliments, especially when she was in a complicated situation with someone else. "Thank you yesterday to helping me too. I tend to forget about enemies from behind."

Fandral laughed, his blonde shaggy hair flopping over his eyes slightly. "It's no problem at all, Your Majesty. It's my duty to protect others. Especially someone as radiant as you." A red flush spread onto her face. Thankfully for her, they were outside the throne room. "After you," Fandral opened the door for her, allowing her to enter first.

She quietly thanked him and moved passed him. She entered the throne where Odin stood before a hologram of Asgard's palace, inspecting the damage. Fandral and Astrid approach to do the same.

"What is the damage so far?" Astrid asked, gazing at the hologram before her eyes flickered between Fandral and Odin.

"We are still unable to restore the palace shields. Our artillery cannot detect them, even Heimdall cannot see them." Fandral spoke. "My King, we are all but defenseless."

Astrid eyes widened. Her friends are in more danger than she realised. "Astrid," Odin spoke, bringing her back to reality. "You have the ability to manipulate energy. Our shields are energy fields. Do you think you could restore them by hand?"

"Your Majesty," Fandral interjected. "That is a lot to ask of Her Majesty. Especially since her powers are drained so quickly. It would be far to dangerous to allow Queen Astrid to do such a thing." He spoke with a determined expression.

Before Astrid could speak, Thor barged in. "She's your prisoner now?!" He asked toward Odin.

Odin sighed turning to toward Fandral and Astrid. "Leave us." The two nodded and began to leave. "Astrid, try the shields." The queen nodded.

She turned to Fandral. "Where would be the best spot to see the whole palace but is close enough to access the shields?"

Fandral chuckled as he lowered his head. "Thor was right in saying you are a crazy one," Astrid scoffed gently at the words Thor had described her as. "I know the place."

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FANDRAL HAD TAKEN HER TO AN OBSERVATORY ABOVE THE PALACE. It was mainly used to star gazing and astronomy, however, for that day, it was used to restore the palace shields. The observatory was at the top of the palace and hit just below the peak of the shield dome. All Astrid had to do was climb onto the roof.

"This is a terrible idea," Fandral spoke out as he hauled Astrid up onto the roof by her foot.

Astrid huffed as she caught onto a tile on the slanted roof, hauling herself up. "Ah, I've heard that many times," Astrid sighed with a smile. "But I'm still alive, so how terrible can my plans be?"

"Pretty terrible," a voice answer back. Astrid looked back to see Lady Sif with crossed arms and her weight shifted onto one leg.

"Hello, Sif!" Astrid grinned. "I haven't seen you around in a while!"

"Hello, Your Majesty," Sif smiled back. "Fandral, should you really be doing that?" She asked with a raised brow. Her eyes roamed over the rather silly position he and Astrid were in. Fandral, gripping her foot whilst also nearly toppling over the edge of the balcony. While Astrid was suspended in the air with Fandral's leverage, bent over the edge of the roof.

"Queen's orders," Fandral huddled out a smile. "Also, King's orders."

Sif eyes widened briefly. "Right then, do you need any help?"

"Perhaps you could stay in case I fall?" Astrid called out as she climbed further up the roof until her feet had stabilised themselves on the peak of the observatory. Sif nodded, leaning her sword against the balcony so she had both hands free in case the queen fell.

Astrid lifted her head to see the damaged shields. Parts were disconnected, pierced holes dotted around it's entirety. It was a big surface area to repair. But she was determined to help her allies. They would do the same for Menvollr.

Astrid raised her hands in the air, her finger brushing against the golden shield. She closed her eyes as she focused her energy into the shield.

Fandral and Sif watched in awe as the shield began to slowly piece back together and regenerate. 5 minutes went by. Then 10. Then 30. Then it had been an hour. She breathed heavily as she continued. Astrid was exhausted and she was nowhere near done repairing the shields.

"Astrid!" She heard Thor shout out. "Stop!" He ordered. Astrid opened her eyes, her pupils had been taken over by a white glow as she furrowed her brow.

"I'm following orders." She answered back weakly.

Thor jumped up onto the slanted roof, nearly slipping in the process. "You're going to kill yourself if you continue!" He went to grab her but her skin was scorching to the touch. "Stop this, Astrid!"

"I can't, Odin trusts me." Astrid breathed out as she felt her balance begin to break. Her eyes began to drift shut as her powers began to make her dizzy. Before she could slip, Thor caught her in his arms and brought her back to Fandral and Sif.

"Find Volgstagg," Thor ordered to the two warriors. "Then find us in the hideout."