the very first time we see the Aether, it's clear as water. The narrator gives us "unstoppable force of destruction" (or close to that), and it's all blood-and-ash imagery in Malekith's hands, but -- something happened. It could have gone another way.

Oh, interesting. I hadn't noticed that. Destruction doesn't have to be cruel and vengeful; it can be simply a force in the world. I wonder if it will be a plot point in future appearances.