Throne Room, Koganusan Palace, The Second Ring, Nidavellir.

Once, there was a time when everything seemed perfect. Love reigned supreme in Andvari's life, and he felt invincible, as though nothing could ever bring him down. But he was mistaken. Eventually, everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

After the Asgard-Jotunheim War, The rest of The Nine deemed it fitting to leave the Jotuns to stew in their defeat. Deprived of their Casket of Ancient Winters, the Jotnar were confined to their home planet, unable to embark on conquests elsewhere. Yet, Odin's decision to take away the Casket carried graver implications than a lack of space travel and the loss of a powerful weapon. The artifact was crucial for the prosperity of the Jotnar, regularly regulating Jotunheim's atmosphere to levels suitable for sustaining their life. Without the casket, the already severe conditions of the planet became even more brutal than before. The other realms either remained blissfully ignorant or considered it a just punishment, content to let the Jotnar suffer.

Not Giva, no, not his wife. Never his wife. While Andvari was skeptical, Giva dove headfirst into aiding the frosted realm, rousing the other nobles and commoners alike into sending resources and supplies to Jotunheim. And she didn't stop there.

"I really don't see why you need to go to Jotunheim yourself, Giva. We have capable hands for this." Andvari watched as his wife meticulously reviewed the inventory of the varying cargoes around them. His sight occasionally drifted to the sturdy walls of the Dwarven ship, almost as if he blamed the vessel itself for taking his wife away from him.

"It's not that I don't trust our people, husband. Others believed in me and my cause enough to give their support." Giva checked a tick from her datapad and quickly moved on to the next. Andvari could only begrudgingly follow. "At least for the first trip, I need to personally ensure that our shipments go to the right people and aren't just hoarded by the ones in power."

"I find it hard to believe that King Laufey would hoard our aid and allow his people to continue to suffer."

Giva hummed under her breath. "The Nine found it hard to believe that King Laufey would be foolish enough to invade another realm, yet we all know how that turned out."

"You've made a fair point there, my gem." Andvari conceded before slipping his arms around Giva's waist and resting his head on her shoulder. "Which is why I worry so much for your safety. Who knows how Laufey might react if you push him too far? My heart can not bear if anything were to happen to you."

Giva reached out a hand to caress his bearding face. "I promise I will take every precaution possible, and I'll have our guards and one of the fastest Dwarven ships by my side. But I must do this—not just for the Jotuns but also for our son. When Otr grows up, I want him to know that his mother didn't just sit around while another realm decayed. She acted, and she acted with courage."

"Perhaps I will come with you then. Otr should know his father was no coward either."

"You have a task even more demanding than mine—taking care of our baby boy. Otr needs at least one of us with him. Besides, it would make for a wonderful welcome home gift if you could find a solution to my little proposal."

"Little?" Andvari chuckled. "Most would say material duplication, even on a small scale, is impossible, let alone be done in a month's time."

"Not for you, husband. Think about all the people we could help with it." Giva's lips met his cheeks as she pondered the possibilities of the future. "No more scarcity in any of the realms. It will be a sight to behold."

Material duplication proved not impossible—not for Andvari. He had finally cracked the code through sheer grit alone. However, Giva was no longer there to see his solution. A knife in the back, not by those he had feared but by the very ones she hoped to aid, ensured her a cold and lonely death far from her family.

As Andvari ran his fingers through the golden mane of her lifeless body for the last time, he came to two realizations. First, he concluded that kindness toward others ultimately harmed the giver. What truly mattered was your own prestige, your own power, and your own wealth. Second, the Jotnar were destroyers at their core, each and every one of them, and they were incapable of becoming anything beyond a blight on the realms.

So when Draupnir mysteriously disappeared out of thin air a mere night after his confrontation with the Frost Giant Somr, Andvari was convinced that this was an act of theft out of vengeance for his boldness in speaking truths against the Jotuns siblings.

After explaining his case to the king, Andvari anticipated a swift resolution involving the imprisonment of the Jotuns. Yet, he found himself confined for hours in a guest chamber before the guards even spoke to him. Even then, it was only to escort Andvari back to the throne room.

Upon his arrival, Andvari found King Ivaldi already waiting on his throne. What truly caught him off guard was the presence of the Asgardian royals, accompanied by his own son, gathered at the center of the room. He didn't know why they were here, but it was fitting that the honored guests and Otr were present to witness his triumph over evil-doers such as Somr and Angrboda. After all, why would the Frost Giants and their master be absent unless they were already rotting in a prison cell?

With his steps leading him beside his son, Andvari noticed that they were all looking at him warily. Before the nobleman could question their behavior, the king asserted. "Lord Amberchin, we have received a confession for the theft of your creation."

It was just as Andvari expected. "I understand, your excellency. Now that the Jotuns are behind bars, I would like Draupnir returned to me so I can proceed with my demonstration when the exhibition begins again."

King Ivaldi stared at Andvari in puzzlement, the same look he was receiving from everyone else in the room. All except for Otr, his son, who was looking at him with dread.

"You misunderstand me, Lord. Somr and Angrboda remain free from the dungeons." King Ivaldi replied and gestured to his son instead. "Otr, tell your father why the children of Odin had brought you before me."

"Yesterday night, when most of the manor were asleep…" Otr swiveled back to Princess Diana for some sort of assurance, receiving a smiling nod from her. "...I snuck into your studies and hid Draupnir away. Father, it was I who did wrong. Somr and Angrboda are innocent." His son shifted anxiously under Andvari's narrowed eyes.

Otr, who bore a striking resemblance to his mother—a likeness that sometimes pained Andvari to look at—also inherited much of Giva's kindness. Kind enough to somehow be swayed by the Asgardians' words. Andvari couldn't fathom why, but it was apparent that the children of Odin schemed against his pursuit of justice. For this was all a trick and a mockery. His son would not betray him as Otr had seemingly confessed.

"I am sorry, father. I am so sorry." Otr implored while he was securely planked by Princess Diana and her brothers.

Andvari darted his eyes between Prince Thor's intimidating stance, Prince Loki's conniving expression, and Princess Diana's deceivingly earnest look. "Speak no further, Otr." Andvari's words came out strangled. Neither the flickering flame of Nidavellir nor the fires of Muspelheim burned as hot as the rage consuming him at that moment.

"But…I." Otr trembled. His misguided son shook visibly from fear.

Andvari admitted that he was not the bravest of them all, yet he had always met the demands of the moment. Just yesterday, he hastened to the king to report how Somr had started a brawl by trying to assault him, and this morning, when he attempted to deliver retribution to the very same brute's thieving sister.

Seeing Otr cowering under the Asgardians' presence, Andvari knew he needed to act. "I'll have no more of this!" He exclaimed. His steps hurried closer to his son, pulling the boy away from the three royal deceivers. "Princess Diana, you and your brother invaded my home, abducted my son to the palace, and coerced him into spouting this nonsense to shield your Jotuns. I refuse to let my son be manipulated by whatever lies you have over him."

The foreign princes and princess stood gaping, rendered speechless and uncertain, surely at a loss for words now that Andvari had uncovered their plans.

"No, Father!" Otr's voice quivered with emotion as he pleaded. His arm ripped away from Andvari's grip. "Everything I said was the truth. They didn't do anything. I can show you!" The boy carelessly rolled up his sleeves and revealed a gleaming golden bracelet encircling his wrist.

"You…" In a furious motion, Andvari seized his son's wrist roughly and scrutinized the bracelet. The faint golden glow beneath the surface metal that belayed the inner magical engravings confirmed that it was the original armband. That also meant that none of his safety measures had been triggered. A tense silence fell between them before Andvari tore Draupnir off his son. "You, out of everyone, should recognize what this project means to me. To us!" Andvari seethed. "Why would you do this?"

"I was so angry yesterday, and you didn't even seem to notice." Otr's tone quivered as he explained. "When we got home, you just went straight to your studies. I know I shouldn't have done what I did, but I just wanted some of your attention. I thought if Draupnir were gone, you'd have more time for me."

Attention. While Andvari had labored for years to preserve Giva's wishes and secure their family's place in history with the unveiling of Draupnir, Otr believed that simply removing it would capture Andvari's attention. As the Dwarven Lord repeated Otr's words in his head, his heart burned with frustration and resentment. How could Otr fail to see the depth of his sacrifices?

His teeth gritted together. "Your mother would be ashamed of you, Otr." The words escaped Andvari's lips before he could stop them, and he instantly regretted it.

______________________________

Diana once told her father that nothing good came from lies and that the truth was enough. Yet, as she watched Otr crumble from his father's words, she wasn't sure if the truth alone was enough for him. Her body moved by itself over to the boy's side, supporting his frame while he refused to look anywhere but downward. Otr had done everything right to fix his mistake. Despite knowing the potential backlash and disappointment his actions could invoke, he faced all of the adults with courage. Diana didn't know what reaction she expected from Lord Amberchin, but she had hoped it wouldn't have been so harsh.

"Lord Amberchin…" She spoke up hesitantly.

The Lord's expression on his son displayed regret and uncertainty, but it was quickly replaced with fury when his eyes turned to her. "Princess Diana, I would request that you not meddle in Nidavellir's or my family's affairs anymore. I think you and your brothers have done enough."

Diana felt Thor's and Loki's arms on her shoulders. They glared at the Dwarven noble without saying anything until he shifted his sight away. So there everyone remained, with an awkward tensity throughout the throne room.

King Ivaldi cleared his throat loudly to capture their attention. "Then it is clear that Somr Byleiptson and Angrboda Byleiptsdottir stand wrongly accused. Inform them at once." He commanded, gesturing to a nearby Dwarven Guard. The Dwarven King then casted a concerned glance at Otr before proceeding. "Lord Amberchin, would you like to seek retribution from your son, Otr Amberchin?"

At the mention of his name, Otr stiffened under Diana's arms, and she couldn't help but tighten her hold around his slightly larger frame. Despite understanding that Otr needed to face the impacts of his actions, she searched desperately for any argument in his defense but found none. Turning to her brothers for support, she was met only with their solemn headshakes in response.

Otr steeled himself and stepped forward. "I can do it, Princess Diana." In his whisper, Diana noticed a flicker of strength beginning to shine through over the sadness and fear that still lingered in his eyes.

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"I…" Andvari paused. His expression was muffled as he looked at his son. "No…I do not, my king."

The knots of anxiety that had tightened in her stomach began to loosen, allowing a gentle wave of relief to sweep through her. Beside Diana, she noticed a similar transformation in her brothers; their previously taut shoulders relaxed, and their postures eased as they, too, felt the shift in the air.

"Very well. Then Otr Amberchin is free to go." declared King Ivaldi. "I will leave your family affairs to your hands."

"Thank you, my king." Lord Amberchin replied.

"But now, it is your turn to answer for your actions, Lord Andvari Amberchin."

"Your majesty?" The noble's eyes widen in confusion.

"You have disrupted my court without due process, brandished weapons before the Asgardian delegation, and made blatant threats and attempts to harm guests within my palace." King Ivaldi declared. "For these crimes, you are barred from the exhibition and confined to your home until my son deems otherwise. A formal apology and a fine will be due from you to Somr and Angrboda."

Andvari pointed to Diana and her brothers."But…what about the Asgardians, my king? They broke into my manor!" He protested.

"You are excused, Lord Amberchin. They will face my judgment shortly. Begone for my mercy has its extent. Every word you utter may convince the coming king to be less lenient."

"I…I understand, Your Majesty." Andvari hurriedly scattered, purposefully avoiding eye contact with the siblings as he went. When he reached the doorway, Lord Amberchin stopped and glanced back as if waiting for his son to catch up.

Otr gazed at the trio and spoke softly. "Thank you for staying with me. I think I'll be okay." He offered them a small, yet grateful smile before hastening to catch up with his father, disappearing together through the doorway.

As Andvari and Otr left the room, King Ivaldi turned his attention to Diana and her brothers. "Prince Thor." He began. "I made it clear that I would not tolerate any further disruptions. I expect this to apply to your siblings as well. Do you truly believe that I would hesitate to take action against the children of Odin?"

"No, King Ivaldi. We merely did what our honor demanded." Thor strode ahead of Loki and Diana. His back raised broadly to shield them from whatever was to come.

The Dwarven King regarded the three with a stony look that Diana had often seen on her own father's face, though it was rarely directed at them. "Prince Thor, Prince Loki, and Princess Diana. You have broken the laws of Nidavellir. Intruding into a Lord's household uninvited and intentionally interfered with the course of justice. While your actions resulted in the finding of the truth, consequences will still need to be enforced. I hereby bar you from the realm of Nidavellir for the duration of my reign."

"But that's…" Thor gawked.

Before he could continue, Loki quickly placed his hand over Thor's mouth. "We humbly accept your judgment, King Ivaldi." He eloquently interjected.

King Ivaldi gave a dismissive huff. "Please proceed to gather your retinue and belongings immediately." It seemed, to Diana, that there would be no other discussion on the matter.

______________________________

Asgardian Landing Dock, The Fifth Ring, Nidavellir.

Diana was relieved that they had managed to help Somr and Angrboda, though the day had unfolded differently from what she had expected. With the shuttles touching down where they originally arrived in Nidavellir, her thoughts pivoted to her new friends – wondering how each of them was faring. She regretted that she didn't have a chance to say goodbye to any of them. Yet, weighing most heavily on her mind was of Otr. She couldn't help but be worried what might befall him back at the manor with his father.

"It doesn't feel much like a happy ending." Diana murmured to herself. Most of Sir Ratatoskr's tales ended with him prevailing over adversity, and she had hoped their adventure would mirror those tales. But her reality, she realized, was far different from those stories.

Thor sat next to her on the leather seat, relaxed and content. His arms were neatly folded behind his head. "We did what we sought to do, and we don't have to sit through an entire boring ceremony because of it. I'm certainly happy with how it turned out, Diana."

"You only say that now, Thor. Talk to me again when we're face to face with Father. Heimdall has probably already informed him of our…situation." Loki added from the opposite seat. Diana had assumed her brother was asleep during the entire ride, as his eyes remained closed throughout.

Diana and Thor turned to each other and scowled. They had not even thought of that until now.

A muted thud signaled the shuttle's landing, and its engines wound down to a quiet hum. The door slid open smoothly, revealing the forms of Master Throyo, his apprentices, and the golden boar standing patiently outside.

"You're here!" In her surprise, Diana rushed out to greet the group. She bee-lined straight for Gullinbursti to seek solace in his soft fur.

Angrboda looked at the princess with a spark of amusement. "We couldn't let our knights in shining armor leave without saying a single farewell. Could we?"

"We're more like criminals in exiles than anything else." Loki quipped as he stepped off the shuttle.

"Bahahaha, that doesn't matter to me, prince. You three stood up for my kids; you're good in my books." Throyo chuckled as he clapped Loki on the back. "Ratatoskr was right to like you."

Loki stumbled slightly from the impact, his annoyance evident as he wheezed. "Perhaps next time you'll remember that before calling someone simple."

"Angrboda told you that, did she?" Throyo's regard shifted between the second prince and his apprentice, and he took in their expressions with a hint of sly wonder.

Angrboda just shrugged in response to her mentor's behavior and looked away.

Somr hummed as Thor stepped out of the shuttle and spoke. "I must confess, I didn't anticipate that you would come to our aid, especially not you, Prince Thor. My head is still throbbing from the impact you so kindly delivered." He pressed his hand to his temple to emphasize his point. "I admit. You're not half bad for an Asgardian."

"And you're not half bad for a Jotun." Thor replied with a grin. "Though you should be more aware of your surroundings next time around."

They shared a brief moment of eye contact before their hands met in a firm clasp as if they were old friends. Diana recalled a time when her brother would have relished any tales against the Jotnar. Now, his outlook had mellowed over time. She liked to think her persistent naggings had played a small role in changing his perspective—Diana had picked up that habit from her mother. Mother really knew best.

Somr continued. "I'll keep that in mind." His hand pulled away as he surveyed the three Asgardian siblings. "Thank you for helping us. Truly. Most would have happily turned a blind eye to our plight."

"I'm glad you've realized that we're not most people." Thor offered. "I knew enough of your honor to be certain you wouldn't have stolen from Lord Amberchin."

"Besides, we couldn't just sit back, knowing our sister would never forgive us if we did nothing." Loki gestured his head to Diana. "You should have seen her. She paced around enough to drill a hole in the ground."

"I only stood by the truth." Diana sheepishly added, avoiding all eye contact while her fingers gently stroked Gullinbursti's fur. "I hope Lord Andvari can have enough faith in the truth to forgive Otr."

"The King requested our presence to explain what had happened after the three of you departed." Throyo's voice carried a comforting warmth as he addressed Diana. "Have no fear, princess. Andvari may be an arse, but the boy is courageous and will come out fine in the end."

Somr glanced toward the horizon, where the palace stood. "We'll need to return soon. They'll be announcing the end of the investigation and the results for the crafting competition."

Angrboda's eyes twinkled as she leaned closer to the group, lowering her voice. "But just between us." She paused. "Prince Sindri hinted we might be hearing some very good news."

Thor raised an eyebrow before erupting into cheers. "So that means Prince Sindri chose you as the winner?"

The Jotuns only grinned widely back.

Loki joined Angrboda's side and added. "All your hard work has paid off."

Diana smiled and knelt down to whisper congratulations to the boar, Gullinbursti, who affectionately nuzzled her back. "You all deserve the recognition for your success."

"As much as we gladly take this win, it would have been interesting to see how we fared against Draupnir. Based on what we've heard, it's a marvel in of itself." mused Somr.

When Lord Amberchin's bracelet was mentioned, Angrboda's attitude took a turn. "Too bad its creator doesn't view our skills as favorably as you admire his." She remarked dryly to her brother.

"My mother always says we should stay true to our path, regardless of what others say or do." Diana contributed thoughtfully.

Throyo nodded in approval. "Then the queen of Asgard is just as astute as the rumors suggest."

"She is that and more. Although I'm not exactly looking forward to hearing her astuteness on our trip when we are back on Asgard." Loki admitted with a wry smile.

"Every tale must find its fitting end." Throyo pondered sagely. His voice echoed slightly in the crisp afternoon air of Nidavellir.

Diana gazed at the second ring and sighed. "I only hope Father and Mother can understand our actions. I wonder if we could have done things differently, perhaps even better." The image of a downcast Otr tugged at her heartstrings, filling her with a lingering sense of guilt.

"Take it from an old wisen Dwarf, Princess. It's good to reflect on your choices but don't let the 'what ifs' constantly weigh on your mind or drag you down. I'm sure Ratatoskr would agree. We all carry our share of regrets." Throyo advised kindly.

Thor's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? From the way Sir Ratatoskr retold his tales, I always imagined your adventures as a breeze. He looked fondly upon them."

Master Throyo laughed, a deep rumble from his chest. "Bahahaha. If you count running for our lives most of the time as a breeze! We've had our moments of glory, but there were plenty of tough times too. Keep me talking, and we'll be here all day."

"Thank you once again for standing by us." Angrboda expressed her gratitude but glanced at the forge master in a look that could only be meant 'not this again.' "We best leave you to your departure before Master Throyo begins on his stories."

Somr nodded to his sister with a similar expression. "If you ever need any forging done in the future, just know we're ready to repay this debt."

"Think nothing of it, Somr." Thor replied with a broad grin as he prepared to walk over to the landing pad. "It was great meeting all of you."

Diana nodded enthusiastically. "We'll definitely come visit again." She promised.

Angrboda's smirk was playful as she teased Loki. "Only if you don't forget about us in the next few days."

"We won't. I..." Loki responded earnestly, his eyes lingering on Angrboda. Diana noticed her brother's shoulders tighten, a flicker of intent crossing his face as if he were bracing for something. Yet, after a moment's hesitation, he relaxed, opting to hold back whatever had been on his mind. "..I hope to enjoy more of your company next time."

Diana wasn't quite sure what was going on there, but it couldn't be anything bad given the wide smiles everyone shared at the moment. The exchanges of farewells continued until the Asgardian trio and their retinue made their way to the landing zone scarred with runic circles. As the light enveloped them, Diana cast one last glance over her shoulder, memorizing the rugged beauty of Nidavellir and the faces of their new friends. The colors of the Bifrost danced around the siblings, sweeping them from the realm of dwarves to the familiar halls of Asgard.