Jane Foster, in the sky and separated
from her identity as Thor, plummets quickly toward the Alfheim
battlefield. In free fall, she managers to regain Mjolnir and
transforms in the nick of time. She challenges Malekith to battle but
she is interrupted by Queen Aelsa of the Light Elves; Aelsa plans to
surrender the land to the enemy if it will guarantee that her people
can be evacuated safely but Thor thinks this unwise. She is right, as
Malekith arrives and takes Aelsa away to negotiate peace—with the
condition that Thor be excluded. As she fumes outside the palace,
Lauffey arrives and Loki introduces her to his father, who responds
by calling Thor a little girl with a hammer. She will not forget
this. Inside the palace, Malekith suggests marriage to unite the
kingdoms; Aelsa is appalled—until she discovers that all of her
protective mages have been killed by the Enchantress. Helpless, she
agrees to the marriage. Thor is shocked but Malekith informs her of
the trial of the All-Mother in Asgard so she takes off in haste...
In Asgard, Odin begins Freyja's trial
for treason and there is a lot of acrimony thrown back and forth
between the two. Outside, the Asgardians, led by Sif and the Warriors
Three, demand entrance to the Great Hall guarded by Cul and his
lackeys, leading to a riot in the streets. Inside Freyja appeals to
Odin to accept the change that has come to Asgard but he refuses and
prepares to sentence Freyja, when Thor bursts in, with Loki in tow,
and clouts the All-Father with Mjolnir. Enraged, Odin leaps up and
the battle is joined....