Ljota isn't mine- she is Ljota Lokidottir's, look her up, she's brilliant. We're friends. In fact, we wrote a fic that this comes from called "Fix You", it makes sense if you read both, but this can be a stand alone. All other characters come from Marvel, and our dearest Norse ancestors.
The mortal was dead. Her baby was whisked away, placed into another room. The onlooker held the mortal woman's hand; he felt the life drain from her, felt as she got colder. His head was bowed over the hospital bed, eyes shut, trying to keep back tears.
Everything. He had lost everything. His identity, his home, his adoptive mother. And now the first person who had dared to love him in years was dead, in front of him. He screamed in blind rage.
The doctor and nurses looked at him, but he no longer cared. He could kill them all in a few seconds, and he would- oh, it would be his pleasure; they had failed to take care of the now limp body on the bed, they deserved death, they deserved his wrath.
But no, that was not what she would have wanted. And with her daughter- their daughter- a few rooms away- it would not suit him. Not yet. But the child- she had killed his love... no. No, the onlooker thought, clenching his fist again, the child had nothing to do with it. The small mortal woman, carrying his child? Half giant, half mortal, he should have seen it coming. No. No, that child was all he had left of his love. He would protect her with all of his power- and his power was much, so the child would be safe. No matter what.
The hand of the woman was very cold now, but the onlooker would not let go. He had lost so much, could the Universe just give him one minute of sorrow? The doctor put a hand on the man's shoulder. The man twitched, ready as always to spin around and fight, to end the surprise by killing it- but no, no, that would not go with the plan, calm down, ten more minutes and you can go.
"Tom?" What? Oh, yes, the man had told the faculty that his name was Tom to blend in a few hours ago- that was not his real name, of course, but he responded to it in this place. He grunted.
"Tom, I'm sorry. You- you have to let go. She's gone..." As if he didn't know that already, stupid human. But they were starting to prepare his love's body for burial- one he would never see, he was sure. He could not. He kissed the cold, pale hand, one last time, swallowed, and left the room.
A nurse directed "Tom" to a room, where he could wait as his child was prepared. The child herself was fine, no complications on her part, but...
So he waited.
Another nurse finally got him, and he walked eagerly(yet still sad from the loss of his love, of the mortal woman, poor man) to see his new-born daughter. As he held her for the first time, he felt a new kind of happiness.
He had felt freedom.
He had felt excitement of war.
He had felt brotherly compassion.
He had felt betrayal.
He had felt rejection.
Control,
Hatred,
Boredom,
Blind and utter rage.
But this past year had been different. He had been accepted by one person, after so long, and that was enough. She was gone now. But this child- he saw so much.
And he swore to protect her. On his life, which was long, he swore he would protect her. Nothing would harm her, not while he was around.
She was beautiful. Dark hair, like his, most would say, but they never knew her mother- she had the same hair. Her eyes were still the blue of a new born, but the man had a suspicion that they would be a blue-green like his later on.
There was a blue tint to her skin, which scared the nurses. It stayed that way for a few hours, and she was breathing fine, so they just presumed it was a condition- they would have to ask the father.
But as the father took the baby into his arms, the child turned a normal color- the pinkish skin of a new baby! The nurse was shocked, the doctor was amazed, but the father was unfazed, like he knew it would happen- he did, in fact. He barely hid a smile at their confusion.
He sat down with the baby, taking her in. They had wrapped her in a green blanket. Funny, he thought- he was always wearing green. In fact, under this disguise, he was at this very moment.
A nurse sat down next to him.
"Hello, Mr Nichols. I am so sorry for your loss." she said softly, looking at the baby. Ugh, he hated talking to these-
"Hmm... Thank you for.. the sentiment. " he sighed, still looking at the baby. They sat in silence for a moment. It was fitting that he stay still, he needed his daughter to stay asleep, so he could leave and her not fuss. Not to mention, he was slightly weary from grief himself... not that he would say that.
"She is so beautiful. What's her name?"
His love had mentioned this- they would ask the baby's name, and make a certificate of birth for the child for future records. Well, we couldn't have that- she could not be traced here. The government would find her, find out that she was a criminal's daughter... he could not have that. Well, then again, he was going to leave, he would not need to worry, neither of them would have to deal with it...
" Ljota," he said, pronouncing it like Loi-ta. That was the name that his love had insisted on. His name meant "fire", she had said, so why not let his child's name mean "light"? That is why the man had loved the woman- she was so clever, so loving, accepting- the light to his darkness. Of course the child would be named light- after her mother.
"Ljota? That's pretty. What does it mean?" My word, woman, the language may be old, but it was your ancestor's after all, does no one teach you these things?
"Light. It means light," the man said.
"Oh, that is so beautiful! How are you going to spell it?" she asked. Now was the time; they were going to start collecting information for that pesky certificate- time to leave soon. He gave the spelling, to avoid suspicion. Then, he put the baby down in the crib/bed that she came from.
"Sorry, Miss, just have to use the restroom, mind watching her?" he said, making his voice a little higher to sound friendly and appealing.
"Oh, of course!"
The man walked off, and the baby stayed behind- or so it looked. The baby was, in fact, in the man's hands still, though no one could see past the illusion he cast. He strode right past the hospital doors, out into the night, sleeping baby in hands.
As the man walked into a back- alley, his hair changed- the short dark cut melted into long, straight locks that reached his shoulders. His tee-shirt and dark jeans too melted with a green-gold glow into a black, green, and gold warrior's tunic, shirt, and trousers. The baby didn't notice, of course- she had felt it all along- so she stayed asleep.
The man looked up into the sky, which he had not done for some time.
"Heimdall! I know you see me!" he said up to it. He held the baby closer to his body, so her face was near his shoulder- didn't want her falling out of the Bifrost.
Loki held Ljota, and walked past Heimdall, without a Thank-you. Of course, the gatekeeper would not let such a thing pass.
"You have been gone for a whole year now. What have you been doing?" Heimdall said, his voice quite, but still angry. Loki still walked forward onto the Rainbow Bridge, a bit slower than usual with the little one in his hands.
"You are all-seeing. I am sure you know exactly what I was doing for a year, Heimdall,"
He strode right up to the gates of the city of Asgard, knowing Heimdall would not stop him- he was too busy looking over the Nine Realms to stop the "god of mischief" and his new baby.
Of course, Thor just happened to be waiting for Loki and Ljota.
"Loki!" he yelled, gripping Mjolnir threateningly.
"Shh!" Loki said, looking to the baby, who was now stirring. Thor took no notice.
"You have been gone for an entire year! Where have you been?"
"Midgard, brother! Surprised you have not noticed-"
"I have! But where... and WHY ARE YOU HOLDING A HUMAN CHILD?" the thundered. Loki clenched his jaw.
"She is-"
"You stole a human baby? For what purpose? What madness have you fallen under now?" "the god of thunder" boomed, trying to take the girl, who started to scream.
"She is mine, and you have awakened her, you buffoon!" Loki yelled, holding the baby closer. The problem with holding a baby is that you cannot take out the dagger from your coat. Taking the one from your shoe is not even in the equation. Loki was going to have to stay calm and calm Thor down.
Calming the child down was another thing. What had his love said before she... something about bouncing the child in one's arms? He tried. The baby seemed to calm down, but she still squirmed.
"She is yours?" Thor chuckled. "You have always been a good liar, Loki, but this? This is just foolish." Loki clenched his jaw. His love had once joked that he would get lock-jaw if he kept... He magicked himself so that his true form- his Frost Giant self: grey- blue skin and red eyes all showed showed.
Thor stepped back; he had always hated seeing his brother like that. When Loki had "died" on Svartalfheim, he had held that same form for a moment, making the death look more realistic- on top of many things, Thor would never forgive Loki for that. He had wept for weeks, thinking his brother dead again. When Loki came back, Odin had considered throwing Loki back in the dungeons, but after what Thor had said- Loki was allowed to be around the Aesir, the Asgardians again, but under Thor's supervision.
Then Loki got bored again, and escaped to Earth.
At this moment, Thor stared at Loki in his true form, and hid his disdain. He looked down at the baby- who had too, blended into the color of her father. Her skin had turned blue, her eyes red, a carbon-copy.
Thor blinked several times. Loki returned to his other form, the one he had grown up with, and the baby copied. "She- she is part..."
"Still cannot say the words? Frost Giant, Thor, she is part Frost Giantess. I am her father. She cannot grow up on Midgard. And I do believe you owe me a favor," Loki finished, standing very straight, with his daughter in his arms, staring into Thor's eyes. Thor was suspicious, as he always had been for the past few years when dealing with Loki- but he took a step back, mentally. Loki was right- this girl could never grow up on Earth. And, while it was a bit stretched, Loki did, in fact, save his life- he could only return something in his honor.
"Fine. Follow me- you know what is coming next?" Thor said, referring to Odin.
"Obviously, brother."
As the two men walked along the halls, Sif and the Three spotted them. Loki rolled his eyes.
"What is this?" Sif asked, staring at the baby in Loki's arms.
"Always nice to see you too, Sif." Loki smiled. Sif glowered.
"I do not forget what you did to us, Loki. Again, I ask, why have you a mortal child in your arms?" She knew the child was at least part mortal. Of course, because of Loki, she would have the life-span of an Asgardian- Frost Giants share that much, at least- but Sif didn't care.
"Lady Sif. It is fine. That child is Loki's," Thor interrupted. Sif, Hogan, Fandral, and Volstagg whipped their heads to Thor, wide-eyed, and looked back at Loki and the baby- Loki, of course, was grinning devilishly.
"Yours? You had a relationship with a Midgardian?" Fandral said, chuckling.
"You, of all people? Have you softened, Loki?" Sif laughed along. Hogan even snickered.
"Well, it's not the first! Remember, he does have other children!" he said, almost laughing. He was referring to the three children he had in his younger days, when Sif and the Three still kind of liked him- kin of him that were enemies of Asgard. Hel, the giantess in charge of Niflheim(the land of the dead), the fierce wolf Fenrir, and of course, Thor's enemy, the Midgard Serpent. But, that was different!Loki's mind screamed. How dare they compare those three- even he hated them- to Ljota, his little light? How dare they compare those monsters to his love's daughter! He who had lost everything? They did not know pain. And they dared mock him?
"ENOUGH!" he yelled. The baby woke up again, but this time, he was willing to use gentle magic to make her sleep. He was still fuming. Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three were staring at him.
"Do not dare compare my child to those... abominations! She is different. Will I deny myself pleasure, will I deny myself love, companionship, when I get so little of it from those who called themselves my brethren?" he said, swallowing, trying not to use all his magic or weapons to kill them- not with Ljota in hand.
"I came here, of ALL places to ask for help! She," Loki said, glancing down at his daughter again, "She has no mother. Would you deny a child, mighty Sif?" he said, maliciously. Sif looked at the baby, and somewhere in her heart felt compassion for the black-haired man in front of her. She looked at Thor, her eyes demanding a word with the Prince of Asgard ASAP. She stalked away, and the Warriors Three followed her, looking at Loki and the baby over their shoulders.
Thor and Loki walked along to Odin's throne room. They had never quite gotten used to the absence of Frigga, their beloved mother. Even Loki still considered her mother. She had always tolerated him. If only-
As soon as Odin laid eye on Loki, he stood, and told the guards to leave. "Leave Loki and I to speak," he said, looking at Thor now.
"Father-"
"Now. I command it," Odin said, his voice daring Thor to contradict him. Thor looked at Loki again, wishing him luck with his eyes. Loki only smiled smugly. Thor walked away.
"Why are you here now? You dare come back after leaving us for so long?" Odin started, sitting again, clutching his Sceptre.
"Why, I thought you would accept me, All father!" Loki half-teased. "I have been gone for so long, and now am in need of help- your son said he would repay me, I am sure you wish him to keep his honor," Loki said, cutting to business, gesturing to the green bundle of baby in his arms.
"A child? You have a child?" Odin said, not quite believing that the child wasn't another monster.
"Mm, yes. I did think that was rather evident," Loki said, looking back and forth between Ljota and Odin.
"And why do you think we would help you? I have allowed you so much, Loki, but-"
"Because she has no family besides me!" Loki snapped, and Odin raised an eyebrow. "Her mother died two hours ago. Her… grandparents on Midgard do not quite know of her existence. You cherish children, you cherish Midgardians, but yet because she is my child, you are wary!"
"Why would I not be?" Odin said, his voice raising a bit.
"Because, as you so often pleaded, I was your son. She is your granddaughter, then, is she not?" Loki said, with a mad smile played across his face.
"Unless, of course, you wish me to seek help from her real grandfather, Laufey-"
"-No!" Odin said. He could not have a half-Midgardian on the Jotenheim, nor could he have a young half-Frost Giantess on Midgard. As much as he despised the idea, the "god of wisdom" could only see the girl growing up on Asgard. Loki smiled.
"You shall raise the girl here. But if you cause any damage, do not expect me to make your punishment lesser for the sake of the child," Odin said, his voice grave.
"Of course not, father" Loki said, smiling smugly. "Why would I expect anything else?"
"What is the child's name?" Odin asked, curious now.
"Ljota," Loki said, turning away. Odin could figure it out, he thought. He started for his own chambers, when Odin's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"What is her second name?" Odin asked. Loki was angry again.
Odin knew that Loki wouldn't have picked out a middle name- that was a Midgardian custom, not so much an Asgardian one. Odin knew this,and Loki knew that the All Father was trying to trick him by reminding him of the state of his child. Odin believed that if Loki was serious about the whole Midgardian idea, he would have followed the custom. Loki was angry. But he turned that around.
"Frigga." he stated simply.
"What?" Odin asked, though he heard perfectly well. Loki turned around.
"Her full name is Ljota Frigga Lokidottir. Are you not proud?" he said, smiling again, but inside he was crying. He needn't be reminded of his love, that's why he came to Asgard! And he was the one called heartless? When Odin said nothing, Loki turned back, and walked to his old chambers, where he magicked a crib for his new daughter.
But as he made it, he thought. As he did, so did Odin. see, not only was Odin surprised by the quick response of his adopted son by middle-naming his daughter after beloved Frigga, but he was perturbed by the third name. Lokidottir. Loki Daughter.
On Asgard, like in old Midgard, if you were of nobility, your surname was your father's first name and an attachment. Loki of course knew this. He himself had been called Odinson. He now figured his real surname was Laufeyson, but he put that aside. Thor too, was Thor Odinson, it was tradition. But a female broadcasting the surname? That was rare.
Odin knew Loki had a purpose for everything. If he was saying his daughter would be called Lokidottier, he was re-affirming that his daughter would know of her origins. Loki, Odin knew, swore he would not make the mistake Odin made, and not tell her what she was. She would be half Frost Giantess, half Midgardian, raised on Asgard, and know it. She would be the daughter of Loki, and proud.
Without the real Frigga to foretell the future beside him, Odin didn't know whether that was wise, or disastrous.
Loki, on the other hand, was only glad he was in his old home- safe to silently sob over his lost love. No one would comfort him. He only had his little light now.
