One could say that the Realm of Asgard is far from Earth, but that would not be entirely accurate. For the distance between Asgard and Earth is measured not in meters or miles. The journey from one point to the other cannot be traveled by placing one foot before the other, or by flying an aircraft. The two exist on opposite sides of the Bifrost wormhole.
It is much easier for Asgardians to travel to Midgard, which is what Earth is called on Asgard, then it is for Earth-lings to travel to Asgard. Asgardians can travel relatively easily between Realms. And if Asgardians can do something, you can be certain they will. So, to put it plainly, the people of Asgard have, and still do, travel to Midgard. They do this by journeying over the Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge that can transport them to any of the Nine Realms.
With the long history of intimate contact between Asgardians and humans came some misunderstandings. Humans have called the beings of Asgard everything from demons and monsters to angels and gods for the abilities they possess. Asgard has found a place in human literature, history, culture, and lore. Thursday, to take one example, is named for Thor, son of Odin, Allfather of Asgard.
Like any father and son, Odin and Thor enjoyed a complex relationship. Odin loved his son and wanted what was best for him. But Thor was stubborn, proud, and arrogant. On the day that Odin was to bequeath the throne to Thor, a great banquet was held with all Asgardian royalty present—including Thor’s mother, Frigga, and his younger brother, Loki. The kingdom was at peace with its neighbors, and all were set to celebrate with a great feast. Thor’s closest companions were in attendance as well: Fandrall, Volstagg, and Hogun—together called the War-riors Three—and the Lady Sif, a proud and skilled warrior.
At the very moment that Odin was to bestow the crown unto Thor, a chill frosted the throne room’s very air. The Asgardians looked about them. A chill like this—one that stabbed at your bones—was not common in Asgard, and it could only mean one thing. Frost Giants must be near. The icy blue inhabitants of Asgard’s oldest enemy, the land of Jotunheim, must have somehow entered the Realm despite the truce between the kingdoms.
Odin, Thor, and Sif rushed from the throne room to the Vault, where all the greatest treasures of Asgard were kept. Sheets of ice covered the walls, and the Vault’s sentries had fallen prey to an onslaught of ice. A giant suit of armor known as the Destroyer, powered by Odin’s very life force, stood at the far end of the Vault. The Destroyer’s only directive was to protect Asgard and its people. When a threat was posed, the Odinforce within the Destroyer would burn bright and lay waste to the threat. It had done that now—and recovered what the Frost Giants had intended to take: the Casket of Ancient Winters. Laufey, king of Jotunheim, once tried to use the casket to cover all Nine Realms with ice, so that he might rule over them. Odin and the Asgardian armies had battled for the Casket and won, then secured it in the Vault so that it might never again be misused.
Thor was furious about the Frost Giants’ attack. To him, this was clearly an act of war.
Odin reminded his son that Asgard and Jotunheim had a truce. Who was to say that Laufey ordered this attack? How could Thor know that these Frost Giants were not acting of their own accord? How would Thor have Asgard respond? Odin asked.
Thor replied that he would march to Jotunheim and teach them a lesson, just as Odin had once done.
Odin fiercely forbid it. No Asgardian would travel to Jotunheim and jeopardize the peace that both Realms had recently enjoyed.
Thor was enraged. His nostrils flared—along with his famous temper. He shouted, overturned banquet tables in the now-empty hall, and smashed anything in his way.
His friends had seen him like this before—it was not atypical behavior for him. Thor grabbed his fabled hammer, Mjolnir, which was cast from the heart of a dying star. He studied the incredibly powerful weapon and told his friends and his brother, Loki, that they were going to Jotunheim.
His friends pleaded with him. Of all the laws of Asgard, this was the one he must not break.
But Thor’s mind had been made up. He asked for his friends’ trust. This was something they must do.
The Warriors Three and Lady Sif reluctantly agreed, and Loki joined them. As they headed out toward the Bifost, they feared they would live to regret this action and trembled at the thought of Odin’s rage coming down upon them.
All of them quaked with fright, except for Thor: Thor the mighty. Thor the arrogant. Thor the foolish.