Chapter 3
The Asgard Universe - The Twins of Fate Saga - Summary/Content Note
At the table, Gwen picks up a cup but before she can reach for a pitcher of mead, one of the warriors who volunteered to wrestle picks it up and fills her cup for her. She tells him thanks as he pours the mead.
The warrior grins down at her, clearly eager to catch her attention. Like most of the other men, all of them a head taller than her, he's a big Asgardian with a broad chest, rippling arms, and a full beard, the very definition of "ruggedly handsome."
"My pleasure, Lady Gwen. The least I could do for you."
"Thank you for offering to be my champion against Thor as well. I'm sure you would have been a good match for him. Loki did well though with that win, huh?"
“Oh, I would have done far better. I could have taken Thor down in less than half the time it took for Loki." The warrior chuckles and shrugs, leaning against the table and watching Thor and Loki. He takes on a teasing tone, clearly trying to impress her. He flexes his arm, a muscle bulging under the leather of his vest. He looks back at Gwen, arching a playful eyebrow.
She knows he's trying to keep her attention, and she smiles, playing along.
"I'm so sorry, you know my name, but I don't think I caught yours. I think I should know the name of the man who offered to wrestle a god on my behalf."
The warrior grins, clearly thrilled that she's giving him attention. He puffs out his chest a little bit, looking even more arrogant and proud.
"Ah, how rude of me. I am Einarr, a most valiant warrior of Asgard," he boasts. He grins wider, still flexing his arm, clearly trying to draw her eye to his impressive physique.
"That was my rudeness, not yours. I should have asked sooner. I know Midgardians don't come to Asgard often so thank you for your kindness towards me."
Einarr chuckles, clearly enjoying Gwen's attention. He leans in closer to her, dropping his voice to a charmingly conspiratorial level.
"Oh, you are a charming one, my fair lady. You are most welcome," Einarr gives her a sly wink. His eyes flicker over her face, taking in her features with open admiration, especially her lips and curves.
Gwen thinks Einarr is handsome, and if she weren't thinking about Loki right now and that kiss, she might be interested in him, at least for a little while. For now though, she is feeling good, tipsy on Asgardian mead and feeding off the energy of the party and the attention she is getting. She doesn't get this kind of attention on Earth, and she doesn't ask for it there either. Tonight, she is enjoying it. She wonders what the team is thinking about it. Thor is definitely seeing a new side of her, one that is more playful and flirty and outgoing. And she just met Loki, who knows what he is thinking. He doesn't know her usual demeanor.
Gwen continues her conversation with Einarr. It doesn't hurt to make friends in other realms, right? She sips her mead.
"A warrior of Asgard... you've seen plenty of battles then? I know Asgardians do love their fighting."
Einarr's grin widens as he leans against the table, clearly enjoying Gwen's interest and the way she holds his gaze while sipping her mead.
"More than I can count! Fought frost giants on Jotunheim, trolls in Nidavellir. I even battled a dragon once. And of course," his smirk turns teasing, "I've sparred with our dear Thunder God himself." He is boastful but charming. He takes a swig from his own cup before gesturing at her playfully. "And what of you? Do warriors of Midgard fight battles worth remembering?"
"That is impressive!” She raises her eyebrows at his exploits. “As for Midgardian warriors, I mean, there are the armies and all of that. I'm sure you've heard from Thor about the Avengers? They are all here tonight too. I’ve fought plenty of battles as part of that team, defending Midgard from all kinds of threats. The team even fought Loki, but that was before I joined."
"Ah! So you are one of Thor’s famed Midgardian warriors!" Einarr's eyes light up with recognition, and he grins, half impressed, half amused. He raises his drink to her in salute. "Now that I know you’re no mere pretty face, I must ask—have you ever fought a dragon?" There’s a playful challenge in his tone, clearly testing whether she can match his own boasts. Around them, a few other warriors have begun listening in on their conversation with interest.
"No, I have not fought a dragon, but I know if I ever come across one that needs defeating, I'll be calling on you." Gwen's charm is out in full force now. She can't help but smile, especially as she sees the others listening in. She catches Loki's eye and almost winks but thinks better of it.
Einarr throws his head back with a roaring laugh, clearly delighted by Gwen's teasing. His grip tightens around his drinking horn as he leans closer, eyes gleaming with amusement and something more flirtatious.
"Oh-ho! Then you shall have me at your side in an instant, my lady!" He taps a finger to the side of his nose playfully. "Just whistle."
Loki, who has been watching their entire exchange from across the room, suddenly takes a sharp step forward as if to intervene... only for Thor’s massive arm to block him. Thor grins down at Loki, holding him back with ease, knowing full well his younger brother's intentions.
"Don't you dare, little brother," Thor whispers.
Loki shoots him a sharp sideways glance but stops his advance, glaring in frustration.
"And what makes you think I was planning something, hm?" Loki, darkly murmuring in reply.
"Because I know you, Loki. And I know that look on your face; you're jealous." Thor chuckles at Loki's petulant grumble. Loki's pale skin flushes ever so slightly at the accusation, but his jaw clenches and his eyes flicker back to Gwen.
"Hmph, me? Jealous? Never." Loki tries to sound unbothered, his voice low and dangerous.
"You can lie all you like, but I know the truth. You're jealous of the attention she's giving Einarr. Just admit it," Thor laughs, giving Loki a hearty clap on the shoulder. He knows he's right, but also takes delight in teasing Loki every opportunity he can.
Gwen beams at Einarr's enthusiasm. At that moment, she catches sight of Natasha.
"Nat! Come here."
Natasha looks up at the sound of Gwen's voice, smiling at her and making her way over. Her eyes flicker with curiosity as she sees Einarr standing so close, with his gaze focused intently on her friend.
"Well, well... What's going on over here?" Natasha asks, a hint of teasing in her voice.
She still has the attention of a few nearby warriors, so she looks around at the group.
"I don't know if you all have had the pleasure of meeting Natasha. She is truly a warrior of Midgard. She could beat me with only her little finger. Nat, this is Einarr."
The group turns and stares in open admiration as Natasha approaches. Even Einarr can't help but let his eyes roam hungrily over her, taking in every detail. Thor is grinning at his friends now, watching the others react like star-struck children.
"By the gods, a true beauty, and a true warrior all in one. It is an honor to meet you, Lady Natasha," Einarr says, with a low whistle, clearly impressed, his eyes lingering a little too long on Natasha.
"If you are interested, tell these guys a story of one of your missions and you'll have your pick of admirers." Gwen whispers, leaning in to Natasha.
Natasha smiles wryly at Gwen, already seeing where this is going. She glances over at the now-transfixed group of warriors, all of them now watching Natasha with rapt attention and an air of admiration.
"Oh, really now? And I suppose you're suggesting I do some bragging of my own?" Natasha asks, low and amused.
"I think you should. How often are you in Asgard? Get that attention and maybe have some fun."
Gwen winks at her with a mischievous smile.
Natasha chuckles softly at Gwen's playful words. She's not usually the type to seek out attention, especially not from a group of burly warrior men... but she has to admit, there's something entertaining in it. She looks back at the group, considering Gwen's suggestion. It couldn't hurt, right?
"You're right, it's not every day that I get to impress a group of handsome men from another realm. What the hell? I could do a little bragging tonight."
"I'll leave you to it." Gwen excuses herself from the group, letting Natasha take over the attention. She touches Einarr's arm on the way out. "Pleasure to meet you."
Einarr grins at her as he turns back to look down at her, clearly enjoying her attention just as much. When her hand touches his arm, he gives a little bow and takes her hand, kissing the back of it.
"The pleasure is all mine, my lady. You will come find me later, yes?" Einarr looks up at her with a charming grin.
"We'll see how the night goes. Maybe we can have a drink later." Gwen smiles softly.
Einarr's grin widens at that, clearly pleased by the possibility. He squeezes her hand once before letting go.
"I'll hold you to that then, my lady."
With one last lingering glance, Gwen turns and walks away, though not without catching Natasha’s amused expression over her shoulder as she spins some exaggerated tale about one of their past battles to an enthralled audience of warriors.
She could have stayed there with Einarr and the other warriors, but she put their attention on Natasha, and Natasha seems more than fine with it.
Gwen weaves her way through the cluster of people chatting and laughing while sipping her freshly refilled cup of mead. She is a little tipsy and certainly happy Thor invited her to this celebration. What a night...