"Horcruxes are the bane of my existence," Hela muttered as she watched the last piece of soul flutter away. Vali made a sound of agreement, eyes focused on the shred as it was swallowed by a portion of darkness that didn't seem to leave any trace of magic at all. "Will you be relinquishing the Hallows to me, then?" She asked tiredly.
"I thought you didn't want them," Vali replied, causing Hela to blink in confusion.
"What?"
"You said you didn't want them before, because they'll send you right back to Niflheim."
"Yes…" she replied, brows knitting together, "Vali, what are you thinking of doing?"
Vali shrugged, "I thought I could keep them. It's a win-win situation – you get to stay on Midguard, with all your powers, surrounded by your family, and I get something to do now I've finished school."
"And you don't die, or age past sixteen."
"And I don't die," Vali nodded satisfactorily. "Mum'll be pleased. I wish I could grow a beard though," he stroked his chin, which was free of all but a few hints of stubble. "I'm like Peter Pan…"
"Indeed – but it'll be dangerous, for you at least," Hela mused, "Souls that don't want to leave the Plains of the Living will actually be able to hurt you."
"I can protect myself."
"I know," Hela eyed him, before she smiled, "You might just be my favourite brother, do you know that?"
Vali snorted. "Liar. Fenrir is your favourite."
Hela tilted her head, "Too true, brother mine, too true – so would you like to get started?"
"Sure, Tiger-Lily."
"Oh, I'm Tinkerbell. She tries to get shit done despite the stupid boys she surrounds herself with. A frustrated little fairy, is Tinkerbell."
Vali snorted. "I can believe that, if what Fen says about you not getting laid in over five hundred ye- ow! What was that for?"
Six Months Earlier
"I don't know what or how you're doing it, sis, but keep doing it, 'cause it makes no sense to me so it should actually work," Vali stared at the code running across the computer screen. Eisa elbowed him as he leant further forwards, getting a grunt out of him before Admiral sat up, finally pushing Vali out of the way. "I feel like you're bullying me," he pouted, stepping to the side as Marcia prowled over, leaping up onto the futon, slipping into Eisa's lap. "Why do they like you so much?"
"Cause I'm not jumping about like a circus-freak in my free time," Eisa replied cheerily, before the screen flashed. "There. There's a running loop now. We're a-go." She pushed Marcia off her lap, getting up and taking off her nasal cannula, pressing the button on her oxygen tank.
"Eisa-"
"I'm fine, okay? It's only for a little bit, and if we tried to do this with it on, we'd get caught – we can't exactly bring it into the vents. It doesn't have wheels."
Vali's lips pressed together, before he nodded – and then unexpectedly picked her up, causing her to let out a yelp, before he walked them out of the room and towards the exit, transferring her to his back. Grabbing his skateboard when they reached the door, he looked into the living room to where Elizabeth sat on the sofa, phone dropped on the floor.
"She's still asleep," Eisa whispered, "Let's go." Their aunt was helping their mum look after them while she helped their dad move to America. Their house was already sold, meaning they were temporarily homeless. The pets had been magically transferred to the hotel they were staying in, while payments went through for their mum's new house back in central Edinburgh. Luckily, it was only for a week and a half, and they were staying in a family suite in a hotel in New York, NYC, the two of them in one room, and Loki and Aunt Elizabeth in the other – Bran wasn't with them, he was on holiday with his grandparents in Blackpool – with Elizabeth taking them out during the day. They'd already seen so much cool stuff.
Back in Britain, when they went on trips together, it had all been castles and parks and hills and monuments and forts and beaches, and more castles and forts and beaches, but in New York it was a whole other story. They'd already been to see the Statue of Liberty, the Met, the Film Forum, the Empire State Building, the Twin Towers, the MoMA, Chinatown and Central Park – they were planning to go to Ellis Island tomorrow, and both were buzzing, especially with all their dad's stories.
Right now, however, they had different priorities.
"Take a left," Eisa instructed, prompting Vali to open the door into the stairwell. "Okay, the vent should be just down…there!" Vali nodded, putting her down carefully and putting his hands up to the corners, wandlessly opening the manhole. "You remember the directions I gave you?" Eisa questioned, causing Vali to nod, tapping his head.
"Got 'em memorised, sis, don't worry. Now, let's see what mother's doing with this lady." They climbed into the vents, determined to find out what their mother was doing with this stranger.
…which was how, ladies and gentlemen, Vali Sigynson and Eisa Lokidottr were scarred for life.
"-call me, any time," Robin winked, pressing a kiss to her cheek before peeling her body from Loki's, walking off into the New York crowd. Loki hummed, tucking the paper into her inner pocket, before a voice caught her attention.
"Miss?"
Loki turned her head, finding a young girl – young, blonde, with light grey eyes so familiar…Loki turned to face her slowly, noting her dirtied clothes and full backpack, celestial bronze knife on her belt covered in a magic most strange.
"Yes?"
"Have you seen someone who looks like this?" She held out a photo. Loki took it, looking. There were four people in the grubby picture, one clearly the girl herself, in the middle surrounded by three others, two boys and one girl, the girl and the blonde of the boys at least two older than her. The girl pointed to the blonde boy. "His name is Luke. I can't find him – we've been travelling together."
Loki tried to remember if she'd seen him, even out of the corner of her eye, but came up blank. "I am sorry, young one, but I have not seen your friend." The girl's shoulders sagged, before she took back the photo.
"Thanks." She went to turn away, when Loki put a hand on her shoulder.
"Wait. I may still be able to help."
"It's okay, lady, you don't need to do anything-"
"You have a celestial bronze dagger, child, and while I am unfamiliar to the magic with which you hide it from those less powerful than I, the fact that you have it at all is a sign I may be able to help." The girl's eyes widened.
"You can see through the Mist?"
"Is that what you call it?" Loki asked quietly, before she took the photo back from her, shutting her eyes and pushing her magic towards it, latching onto the essence of the boy within the photo – pictures like these always left traces. It was why she'd never let herself be drawn or painted by any artist of Asgard, in case a sorcerer tried to harness what imprint her soul left behind. Throwing her magic out, Loki found it wasn't hard to track the boy down, and so latched him to the photo, opening her eyes once it was done. The girl stared at the photo as it glowed with an unearthly gleam.
"W-w-what did you do?"
"The further away from him you are, the brighter it glows. The light will disappear once you are reunited with your friend." She handed the photo back, hearing the familiar sound of Eisa's laughter, and the rolling of Vali's skateboard on concrete. "Go. Find him."
"Are you a goddess? Which one?" The girl asked, firing the questions at her with a fierce, but awe-filled expression. Loki gave her a small smile, nodding before walking down the street, just as Vali and Eisa burst from the crowd, Vali expertly flipping his skateboard up as they collided with her, Eisa on his back. Loki kept them upright, hugging him tightly, kissing Eisa's forehead. At their feet, Lucky, Darling and Admiral wagged their tails, panting happily. Loki glanced over at the girl, who watched them with barely-concealed confusion. She heard her whisper.
"But the Ancient Laws…" Loki wondered what Pantheon the child was from, if she followed Ancient Laws – the beings that called themselves Gods had always been strict upon enforcing them.
"Are we going home soon, mummy?" Eisa questioned.
"Soon," she promised, "The house is bought, and is currently being furnished. We will be in the new house by tomorrow evening."
"Cool," Vali looked over to the girl. "Who's she?"
"A demigod, I believe, much like yourself," Loki murmured, before letting them both go and kneeling down to the dogs, scratching and petting each of them in turn, not realising Vali's confusion. "Where did you go today with Elizabeth? And where is said aunt?"
"Right here," came Elizabeth's tired voice as she finally caught up with them, "That's it, Vali, I'm banning your skateboard while you're with me."
Vali made an annoyed face, "Why?"
"Because you can't expect me to keep up with you while you're on it – how you feeling, Eisa?" Loki glanced at her daughter, who as usual, was breathless, though her breathing rattled, making Loki's smile fade.
Eisa shrugged, adjusting her nose cannula, "I'm okay, Aunty 'liz'beth. Vali makes sure I'm okay."
"That is good of your brother," Loki spoke softly, "but it is still important that Elizabeth is aware of everything. Vali is still a child, despite his insistence that he is old enough to do whatever he wants." She saw Eisa's scowl, but didn't say anything, looking back to the girl as she felt a twist of magic – but the girl was gone, the scent of Loki's magic gone, so she couldn't sense it any more. I hope she finds her friend, she thought distantly, before using her own magic to cloak them, magically transporting the dogs to their hotel room, while also enchanting them so they fell into a deep sleep, as she'd been doing every time they had to be left in the hotel-room alone.
"So, where now?" Elizabeth asked.
"I was looking into the new movies out, actually," Loki smiled slightly, "How does 'Mission: Impossible' sound?"
"I've been wanting to meet you for some time, you know."
Vali's head snapped to the other side of the compartment, the shut door alerting him to the fact that the bubbly blonde had found a way into his compartment without opening it. She was older than most students, too, a lot older, actually – maybe around twenty-four, twenty-five?
"I'm actually a few centuries old," she said breezily, causing Vali to start panicking – she was reading his mind? "No, just your surface thoughts. It's so much easier when you don't have a soul protecting you – it took over your barriers, you know, that sliver. Mother tore them away when she disposed of it."
Vali didn't quite get it, not replying as the woman shuffled across the seats, so they were directly facing each other. She stuck her hand out.
"I'm Hela, your sister. It's nice to finally meet you." Vali stared, thoughts running amuck. Hela… "You know, I'm sure mother taught you how to speak – maybe I'm just speaking the wrong language again?" She frowned, seemingly trying to pinpoint whether she spoke in another language.
"Hello, sister," the words got stuck in his throat. It had been nearly seven years since he'd been taken from the Dursley's, since he'd been told he had brothers and sisters – he'd met Charlie by accident, but this was clearly no accident. Norns, Hela. "Did you know where I was?"
"Yes, but only after you got into contact with Narfi. We've been watching him for many years now."
"We?" He questioned, before remembering what Eisa, and his mother and Uncle Loki had said – "You had Fenrir."
"I did, and he was sorry he could not come today, but we would have been noticed if he did." Hela said, tucking a blonde strand of hair behind her ear before fiddling with her leather jacket. "Sorry, I'm trying to be cheerful today – blonde is my happy hair."
"Happy hair?" He questioned, frowning. "Mother said you must be a shapeshifter-"
"It's more complicated than that. Being Queen of the Dead isn't all its cracked up to be – my soul is corrupted in ways you will never be able to comprehend, in ways my mother could only begin to understand."
"Oh," Vali thought on that, not really knowing how to take that in. So, he decided to switch the topic instead, leaving it for something to deal with later. "Why are you here then?"
Hela smiled brightly, and Vali saw why she called it her happy face – it was all the innocence and sunshine in the world, really, it was adorable.
"Meet you, obviously, and to offer you my support this year against Voldemort." Vali flinched, causing Hela to put a hand out, taking his tightly, still smiling. "Your Headmaster recently approached me, actually. Well, he prayed to me, and I heard him. What he said convinced me to meet with him, and the proof he gave to back up his claims proved that this Riddle boy has done enough so that I can intervene without fear."
"What did he show you?" Vali questioned, holding her hand back in an as-equally tight grip. Then, before his eyes, Hela seemed to melt into another form, blonde hair being replaced with black, jaw sharpening and her skin paling to a deathly white. Her black eyes burned with hatred as her grip became painful.
"A diary. A very special diary."
Hermione Granger did not have many friends. Many people knew that, and many people used it against her – but especially Lavender and Parvati. Hermione saw them every morning getting ready for class – sharing a dorm with them, it was quite impossibly not to, unless they had locked the bathroom door from the inside to do their hair and makeup – and she was always reminded of the It girls, from TV and movies. Lavender and Parvati were always perfectly dressed, with perfect hair and perfect teeth, and surprisingly perfect grades, even in Divination.
Obviously, due to their close proximity, Hermione was their usual target for all things mean, nasty and 'genuine'. Hermione called it being blunt to the point of pain, but she didn't exactly have anything to defend herself with, let alone a defender.
The year before, she'd thought she'd made some friends in the school-wide revolution against Professor Umbridge, or at least gained permission to approach some people in an attempt to become their friend. She must have thought wrong though, because once again she was sharing a compartment with herself, i.e. no-one.
"You're going to be fine, you'll be perfectly fine – you can always write to mum and dad, and Matilda," Hermione whispered to herself as she took her Defence text from her bag. Matilda was her cousin, only three years younger than her but potentially just as smart, which said something about both their intellects. Matilda went to Salem Academy for Witches in Massachusetts because she was American, taking muggle subjects at the same time. It had inspired Hermione to do the same, the time-turner she received in third year giving her the opportunity to do so much more work.
Rubbing tired eyes, Hermione went to open her book when a knock sounded from her compartment door. Looking up, Hermione pursed her lips at the sight of Draco Malfoy. Placing her book to the side, she stood up, opening the door with a tap of her wand and a whispered password.
"Yes?"
"Granger, we need to talk. I need you to get a message to Longbottom."
"What kind of message?" Hermione questioned. Draco looked down the corridor nervously, prompting the witch to step back. "Come on in – but no funny business." Draco didn't waste time, coming inside and shutting the door, before casting what Hermione recognised as a silencing ward around the compartment, as well as perimeter and identifier-wards keyed to house crests. "Is it that important?" She questioned under her breath, before Draco pierced her with a glare – and it was only then that Hermione realised how sallow he was, the skin under his eyes bruised and his cheeks hollowed from weight-loss.
"Yes. The Dark Lord is planning to break his loyal followers out of Azkaban. My aunt Bellatrix is one of them – Longbottom needs to know, but I can't approach him."
Hermione's eyes widened, "What? What do you mean he's planning to break his loyal followers out of Azkaban? Malfoy, are you insane? Why haven't you told the Ministry? How do you even-" Hermione stopped, heart skipping a beat before she stepped back. "How do you know, Malfoy? How do you know he's going to break them out?"
He didn't stop glaring, stepping forward to match her, barely a foot away from her. "Because he's in my house. He's holed up in my home, and he wants to mark me this Christmas. He wants me to kill Albus Dumbledore." Hermione put a hand to her mouth, before his head turned sharply. "Slytherins. They're looking for me." He looked back at her, panic in his eyes. "I can't explain why I'm here-"
"Well what do you want me to do?" Hermione saw someone pause outside their compartment, dark emerald fluttering at the window. "Oh no…uh, what, why, where, who, how- who." Her cheeks burned at the thoughts that appeared in her head, but it could work, it might actually work-
And she could see a wand being raised behind the glass, could feel the wards being lowered with the school-wide given password from last year's revolution-
Her hands came up, grabbing his lapels, pulling him down, and Draco seemed to only realise what Hermione was doing at the last second, but by merlin if it wasn't better than any first kiss she'd ever imagined – and neither paid attention to the guwaffing and sounds of bewilderment and confusion from behind Draco, to the awkward pause that lasted too long before the compartment door was accidentally slammed shut, or to even the fact that all the wards around them were down.
Only a need for oxygen forced them apart.
And they weren't apart for long.
Asgard was as beautiful as ever. The buildings were golden, and water sparkled in the light. Einherjar roamed the streets, looking out for the general populace, while the common people went through their day-to-day lives. To Loki, it was a strange sight, having not gazed upon it in several decades. She'd grown used to the vastly different architecture stylings of Earth, and the way people lived.
And the magic.
Oh, the magic.
It swarmed her here, pushed her to join her brother, Lord Loki, cleansing her soul and embracing her like a mother did their child. It made ordinary citizens of Asgard look at Lord Loki in wonder, before realising why he seemed so much more powerful. Those who were even just slightly more than them could tell they were two separate sources. It probably would have been easier, however, if Loki and Loki had not been holding hands. They did love a little mischief, after all, even if it was plain as day.
"It is no different at all to my own version," Loki murmured to her counterpart, who hummed.
"But I doubt you have the same stories, and legends. Did Mjolnir ever get stolen by-"
"-Thrym?" Loki laughed, "Oh, such a glorious day, to see Thor dressed as a maid!"
Lord Loki grinned at her, "T'was quite amusing." Loki smiled at her brother, before a loud shout caught her attention.
"Loki!" Thor's angry voice echoed down the street, "Loki, what have you done now – father is furious!" Commoners made way for the boisterous blonde, and it was then that Loki realised the repercussions of a younger Thor. He held none of the poise of his other self, none of the maturity or the wisdom. Loki glanced at her own counterpart. And to think that we both know he would be crowned soon.
Lord Loki glanced back at her, squeezing her hand lightly before looking to Thor. "Brother, this is my sister, the Lady Loki – she comes from another universe, where I am female." Loki eyed their brother, keeping an amused expression on her face even as her heart beat like a birds, at a thousand beats a minute. She didn't want to be locked up, or sent back to her original universe – not when her children were depending on her.
Thor looked over her, becoming confused. "You are Loki?"
"Yes Thor," she replied in a tired voice, before letting go of Loki's hand and sweeping over, knowing the best way to gain his trust was to show affection. He stood very still as she came close, raising an eyebrow. "You truly must be different from my Thor if you do not offer an embrace. Does having a brother rather than a sister turn your heart so hard?" Thor looked confused, and Loki could feel Lord Loki's incredulousness. Rolling her eyes, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him briefly before stepping back again – only for Thor to move, hugging her himself. She winced at his strength, but hugged him back, trying to remember the last time she voluntarily hugged her brother.
"Lovely," she murmured, before patting his shoulder and pulling away, taking Lord Loki's hand as she looked around him, catching sight of the Warriors Three and- "Oh my." She stared at Lady Sif's hair. "What in Odin's name happened to your hair, Sif?" Sif clenched her jaw, eyes flickering to Lord Loki. Loki turned to him in disbelief. "No. No. You didn't! Loki!" She chastised, hitting him, "That's terrible! What happened?" Lord Loki rubbed his arm, looking to the ground with a badly-concealed grin. Loki looked to Sif, letting go of her brother's hand to come forwards, looping a lock in her fingers, taking note of the Dwarven magic clinging to it. "Oh, dear Sif…at least you suit it. If you did not, it would be even more terrible." She sent a glare at Lord Loki, who clasped his hands together behind his back.
"Thank-you, your highness…" Sif seemed wary. Loki let go of her hair, remembering belatedly that this was not her golden-haired Sif, stepping back.
"My apologies. I am used to a high level of physical contact with your counterpart. We were shield-maidens together, in my universe, at least as children, before my father banned us from training together." Her eyes flickered up and down Sif's form. "It is strange to see you in red and silver, however – you much preferred my own colours, in my world."
"Really?" Sif seemed to be disturbed by this, perhaps from her experiences with Lord Loki. Loki sent him another glare at that, before looping her arm with Sif's. "Uh…"
"I had planned to visit my mother in this universe," Loki said breezily, "She was many years gone from my own. Would you perhaps escort me?"
"Of course, milady," Sif sent a panicked look at Thor, before Loki glanced between them.
"You are friendly in this universe. How odd." Loki started to walk towards the palace, pulling Sif along with her, who stumbled before matching her pace. Thor and Lord Loki, along with the Warriors Three followed behind them. "Would mother be in her gardens?"
"I- I believe so, right now. But the King wished to see Loki urgently-"
"And I am not the Loki he seeks. I wish to see our mother. As I said before, she was many years gone in my universe."
"The Queen was dead?"
"The Dark Elves came during the Convergence," Loki murmured, "Malekith came. Mother protected Jane, who the Aethir was using as a host. She died protecting her."
"Jane?" Sif said, as if the name was strange. In hindsight, from Asgard's perspective, it was. "Who was she?"
"Thor's betrothed, apparently," Loki replied flippantly, noticing how Sif's features contorted. Oh dear. This Sif is in love with my brother. Pity. "I didn't really care for her. She studied the Bifrost on Earth- Midguard. They call it an Einstein-Rosen Bridge, there."
"She was Midguardian?" Thor questioned from behind them. Loki glanced back at him, frowning.
"Eavesdropping is very unbecoming, especially for a Prince. But yes, Doctor Jane Foster was Midguardian, and she survived many of your universe-saving adventures. I believe she eve gained your respect," she looked back to Sif, who frowned. "I liked her too, in the end. She slapped me." Loki smiled at the memory, while Sif raised an eyebrow.
"Why did she slap you?"
"Oh, I tried to take over Midguard under the orders of a galaxy-conquering Titan. I couldn't exactly tell people I was both being blackmailed and under mind-control though, so they thought it was just me being a megalomaniac." Loki waved it off. "A lot of things went on in my universe that I can't explain."
"Indeed," Sif muttered, seemingly disturbed by her comment. "Is that why you came to this universe?"
"Yes. I discovered a way to step into a parallel world – it is funny, as I had expected to appear in Asgard. Instead, I was on Midguard, and many years have still yet to pass that I remember, such as Thor's coronation, and indeed, the Titan controlling me. I will not let that happen to my brother."
"Thank-you, sister."
"Eavesdropping," she sung, glancing back at him with a small smile, not blaming him. "It is truly nothing, brother. We are one and the same, and I will not have myself go through that again." Lord Loki bowed his head in her direction, before they continued to walk, talking of the differences between their worlds as they made their way towards the palace.
When they did reach the palace though, the Einherjar waited for them.
"Prince Loki, the King has ordered you to meet him in the throne room…" the Head Einherjar looked between Loki and Lord Loki. "Your Highness?"
"That's Your Majesty, to me," Loki ordered, releasing Sif as she stepped forward, Gungnir appearing in her hands to the shock of all around her. Grimly smiling, Loki looked back at her brother, happy that the staff still recognised her as a former Ruler of Asgard – it would not have come if she were not.
"I told you I was Queen of Asgard in my universe. Did you not believe me?" Lord Loki spluttered, motioning wildly to the staff.
"You did not show me that you had the King's Staff!"
"Queen's staff," Loki corrected with a slight smirk, before she banged it against the ground. The Einherjar moved out of the way, letting her through into the palace. Sweeping down the corridor, in full Asgardian dress, Gungnir in her hand, Loki felt powerful, in control – but her hand shook and her heart beat fast, and fear crept up the back of her mind because Odin is here, I am about to face Odin and what if he feels the same, what if he kills them again?
Approaching the throne room, Loki kept her eyes forward, her head high, not looking at the warriors and courtiers as she came to the doors, once more banging Gungnir, the doors opening in a low wave of magic.
And then she saw him, his eyes burning into her soul. But she didn't stop walking, not until she was right in front of the throne, the two Gungnir's positively thrumming with malcontent.
"You are not my son."
Loki refused to flinch.
"No, I am not. I am from another universe, where many things stay the same, yet my gender is not one of them. I am Lady Loki, Queen of Asgard and Protector of the Nine Realms, Queen of Jotunheim; and Lady Sorcerer of Asgard, Sorcerer of the Nine Realms. My heir has yet to be decided."
"Heir?" Odin questioned. "You have a King with which you have children?"
Loki forced herself not to bare her teeth, forced herself not to growl. Presumptuous bigot, she inwardly thought, grip tightening around Gungnir before she summoned a chair, sitting down gracefully, leaning back and placing Gungnir over her knees.
"No, actually. I had children from previous relationships. My second-youngest daughter is from a temporary relationship with my universe's Crown Prince of Muspelheim – does Gludt exist in this reality?" She questioned, honestly curious. Odin didn't reply, which was answer enough. "Hmm…well, anyway, no, I don't have a King. I rule with no-one at my side, and before you ask, no, my Thor is not dead. He simply gave up his position as Crown Prince of Asgard and is in a dalliance with a mortal, dedicating his services to protecting Midguard, now that it is attacked on a regular basis by other lifeforms. The Mad Titan made an attempt at taking over the universe, if I do recall my previous home's troubles correctly – he was defeated."
The best part about how Odin sucked in a gasp at the mention of Thanos, was how all of what she said was spoken mildly.
"The Mad Titan – he was after the Infinity Stones?"
"Yes," Loki frowned. I do hope he does not try to locate the tesseract – it is too important to the timeline to be dislodged now. Not to mention, how else would Thanos be brought out of hiding? "He was soundly defeated though, by a band of Midguardian heroes, a group whom took Thor into their number. Do not fear, Odin Allfather, for it will be many years until that happens."
"When? Where is he hiding now? We must strike!" Odin stood, and this time? Loki did growl.
"You old fool, you cannot attack him! He is far away and will only beat you if you tried facing him. Best you leave it to those who will actually get the job done, and aren't prone to winning but at a high cost to the planets and people around them."
"You will not talk to me like that, Loki," Odin narrowed his eyes.
"You have no authority over me – you are not my father, in this reality or in any other, and before you deign to strike me down for so-called insolence, remember just what exactly holding Gungnir means, for both of us." Loki stood again, vanishing the chair and looking to Lord Loki. "Where is mother? I wish to speak to her before going home - Eisa has an appointment with her doctor.
"I am right here, Loki," came a familiar voice. Loki turned, eyes wide as she saw her mother. Her breath caught, as she stared at her. Even knowing she was alive in this reality, seeing it…She dressed in teal, in a dress with golden swirls and silver vambraces and shoulder-pads, a tiny torso-piece protecting her stomach. "Why didn't you bring those beautiful children of yours? I wished to meet them."
"Mother," Loki swept over, dropping Gungnir as she hugged her tightly, tucking her head in the crook of her neck. "Mother," she said in a child's voice, squeezing her eyes shut as they watered, Frigga stroking her head, undoing her thick braid with ease, hair ties vanishing.
"Loki, child, oh my daughter – you have suffered so much. I'm so sorry you never got to say goodbye to me." Loki's shoulders shook. "Shh, my darling. I'm here now…let us go to my gardens. Bring us there."
"Y-yes mother," Loki mumbled into her shoulder, before transporting them there. She continued to hug Frigga tightly for many moments more, before finally pulling away, but not straying far, taking her hands and kneeling down in front of her as she sat down on a stone bench. "I have missed you so much."
Frigga smiled kindly at her, leaning down to kiss her forehead, "Tell me, daughter, why did you come here today?"
"To see you," Loki breathed, becoming a little confused. "Why? Do you think there is another reason?"
"Well, I did, until I saw you arriving alone – don't you want to introduce me to my grandchildren?" Frigga laughed slightly as Loki blinked.
"You want to meet them?"
"Indeed. I had been wondering for centuries why tiny buds of your power have been walking Midguard's soil."
Loki's mouth parted a touch. Hela and Fenrir...she sensed them! She could help me find Einmyria if she is here-
"How many? How much power did you sense?" Loki questioned breathlessly, holding her mother's hands tighter. "When did you feel them appear? Was it all at once? Were they far apart-"
"Calm yourself, Loki," Frigga instructed solidly, causing Loki to quiet, shoulders dropping as she untensed, waiting patiently. "I felt much magic over the centuries – multiple reincarnations, in the case of two souls, and simply longevity for two others. One is truly immortal, while another has the life-span not of Midguard. So, six." Six. It made sense, seeing as Sleipnir was still alive on her Asgard, as far as she knew… "Are all your children, Loki? Truly?"
"Yes. My youngest you would not have sensed, for I adopted her upon my arrival to this reality's Midguard. Her name is Eisa. Disregarding reincarnations, my next oldest is Einmyria Gludtdottr, and then Vali and Narfi Sigynson."
"Sigyn? I have heard that name before – Loki of this universe once befriended her, before her father took her to Alfheim. He is an ambassador."
"Yes, it is much the same in my universe, though Sigyn is dead in my land," Loki swallowed painfully, squeezing her eyes shut before pushing it all away. No need to upset Mother. "My older children you have definitely sensed. My very oldest is Jormungandr, and then Sleipnir. After them came Hela and Fenrir, and then of course, Narfi and Vali, and Einmyria."
"And Eisa," Frigga added. Loki smiled softly.
"And Eisa. When she heard I was visiting you, she did actually wish to come, but she has school, and I'm trying to keep her physical activity low…"
"Why, my sweet one?" Frigga questioned. Loki gave a wan smile.
"A mortal disease, of sorts. It's called cancer – Eisa's in remission, meaning she isn't in any danger of dying, but she's still fragile, and she has to go to regular check-ups with her doctor- healer, in case the disease returns. Her lungs were quite damaged."
Frigga let go of one of her hands, bringing it up to her cheek, "You feel too much in every universe, it seems. But I did hear your comment about an appointment – she is having one of these 'check-ups' soon, yes?"
"Yes mother."
"Then you must go – and I will make arrangements with one of my handmaidens to have my face for a short time, so I may visit you tomorrow morn with Prince Loki." Loki felt honoured at her words, a true smile forming on her face.
"Mother…thank-you, oh, this is a lovely day. I will see you soon, mother." Loki stood, pressing a kiss to Frigga's forehead, squeezing her hands. "I will inform Lord Loki of my departure. May tomorrow come swiftly."
Frigga squeezed her hands back, before letting go. "Norns guide you, Loki." And so Loki travelled back to the throne room to say her goodbyes, not knowing how Frigga shut her eyes, shoulders drooping as a woman came out from behind the trunk of a tree with golden apples. "Iðunn…"
"I heard everything I needed to hear. I'll think about it, Seidr-sister, but I give you no guarantee. How many children need immortality, again?"
Eisa | Daisy Johnson | (Chloe Bennet)
Vali | Harry Potter | (Daniel Radcliffe)
Narfi | Charlie Weasley | (Kenneth Bek)
Fenrir | (Henry Cavill/a German Shepherd dog)
Hela | (Phoebe Tonkin/Malina Weissman/Melissa Benoist)
Jormungandr | (Dylan Rieder)