Nine Realms

Along their travels through Vanaheim to the Bifrost, Twilight had been told many tales by Gullveig about what Asgard would be like. And yet, standing here, looking upon the place herself, she realised that those stories utterly paled in comparison to the real thing. This was a place of grandeur and scale she had not seen in any of the nine realms thus far, with even the great Jotun-fortress of Utgard-Loki seeming minuscule next to it. Spires and palaces of immaculate architecture were abound here, as though all who dwelt here were kings or Queens. Each building glistened in the light of the sun, and there was something that just felt divine about it all. As such, it took little imagination why this place was referred to by so many as the highest of the realms, whether it was at the top of Yggdrasil or not. The ponies gawked at it for many a minute, much to the amusement of their guide, Gullveig, whole folded their arms and arched an eyebrow at them.

"You know...I'm not impatient or anything, but..."

Twilight, hearing her words, shook herself out of that state, chuckling nervously before looking to her other friends. Together, they made their way forward, and it was here that they started to notice the local people, the Aesir. Like those of Vanaheim, they appeared human, and yet, much like with Gullveig, there was this feeling as one looked to them that there was something more going on with them. On top of this, all of them were clad in some form of armour, be it simple chainmail dress or full-plate, and weapons of all stripes, from swords, to axes and shields, were found hanging from the belts of all they encountered. This was a race of warriors, and it was something reflected in their expressions as they looked to the group of newcomers. In truth, it was far from a warm reception, as they were looked to with suspicion and even a little hostility. The Equestrians were nervous, but Gullveig, as ever, kept her cool, which was something Twilight was more than curious about.

"They're not exactly happy to see us, Gullveig. How are you going to convince them to accept you? Or to give us help?"

The woman beside her, smiling down to her, gave a brief wink, before confidently striding past the rest of the group. The rest of the ponies watched, as did the Aesir, who perhaps suspected that she was up to no good. And while Gullveig did have a plan in mind, it was no attack. Instead, she stood in the middle of the square they'd entered, stretching out both hands, and before anyone could process it, both hands were lit in flame. All stepped back at this display of magic, even Twilight and her friends, and they watched as the sorceress carried on with her show of power. Her fire raged all around her, never getting close enough to any of her audience to harm them, yet being made into all manner of shapes and colours. The crowds marvelled at this, staring with wide eyes at a magic they had perhaps never witnessed before.

"Well, she certainly knows how to put on a show," Pinkie remarked.

Twilight nodded to this, but remained silent as Gullveig carried on with her demonstration. There came a time, however, when the young Princess could see another group of Aesir approach, this time led by another woman, who was dressed not as a warrior, but in a far more regal manner, with a silver circlet about her head, and brown hair heavily braided that cascaded down her back. Twilight assumed that this must be someone of great importance, and it appeared as though Gullveig had the same notion. For soon, the sorceress ceased with her display of fire, and after taking a few steps closer to the new woman, she dropped down to one knee, hands outstretched before her.

"I am Gullveig, of Vanaheim. I came to pledge my services to the benefit of Asgard and its people."

The new woman looked to her with scepticism, before gradually turning her gaze to the Equestrians. Twilight too approached, followed shortly by her friends, and soon, they were all together, standing next to Gullveig and looking up to this woman. A long silence fell over all who had gathered, and many in the surrounding crowds had looked from one side to the other, perhaps curious as to what would happen next. After a time though, the woman gave a slight bow of her head.

"I am Frigg...wife to the All-Father...Queen of Asgard."

Hearing that, Twilight immediately dropped to one knee, bowing her head slightly to show respect for the one before her. The others matched her, and after a time, Frigg spoke up again.

"Heimdall sent word ahead of who would be arriving here, though I had, at first, doubted exactly what would be arriving."

Her eyes had glanced over to Twilight and her companions as she'd said that.

"You have my sympathies, young Princess. For you to have travelled so far through so many dangers...it is remarkable that you could have made it this far."

A smile crept onto Twilight's lips.

"With respect, your Majesty...my friends and I have a long history of being in danger."

Frigg matched her smile.

"Oh, I've no doubt."

She turned, looking over her shoulder slightly, to the path she'd walked down to get here.

"I know you seek my husband's aid, but for the time being, he is resting. He will not receive audiences for now."

Then, she looked back to them.

"But take heart...for he will awaken in a mere two days' time, and when he does...you may make your request."

Twilight's smile widened, and she gave a further bow of her head.

"Thank you, your Majesty...we won't forget this."

Frigg nodded to her, then turned to face Gullveig. Here, there was a slight pause, as though one woman was sizing up the other, though as to why, Twilight could not say. Eventually, however, The Queen of the Aesir spoke, albeit in a more formal way than she had with Twilight.

"Asgard could always use those of talent, and it appears that you have abilities in abundance, Gullveig of Vanaheim."

Gullveig looked up to her, giving a slight nod.

"I pledge my power to the service of your people...and I swear to you...the All-Father will have great need of my magic."

Frigg raised an eyebrow once more.

"Indeed? We will let him decide that."

Here, she turned, taking a few steps back down that path, allowing Gullveig and the Equestrians to stand tall once more. Once they had done so though, Frigg stopped, turning back to face them, bearing a small but genuine smile.

"Asgard welcomes you, strangers. Enjoy your time here, however long it lasts."

Again, the group bowed to her, staying silent as she started making her way away from them. Her entourage followed, and after a minute or two, she was gone from the square entirely. Raising their heads again, Twilight and her companions looked to one another, at once amazed and relieved all at the same time, as evidenced by the many sighs they let out. Gullveig, placing her hands upon her hips, took a moment to glance around at the place she intended to dwell in for the foreseeable future, while Twilight, thinking hard on what had happened, looked to her friends with a smile.

"Well...that went better than expected."