The tree, supposedly, grew in the center of a great, walled garden in Nornheim. From between its giant, gnarled roots flowed three rivers, one going south, another west, and a third east. Thor instructed Heimdell to set them down nearest any garden matching that description.
"You may come to regret this day," Heimdell answered.
"Why?" asked Thor. But the guardian put the Bifrost into motion, shooting them down the rainbow bridge.
Nornheim was swampy and full of mists. They unsheathed their weapons, looking into the dark, green depths of the forests surrounding them. The last time they had been there had been for a great battle.
"This way," said Thor, leading them along a stoney path.
Loki had to admire Thor. The apples could be myth, but he was willing to pursue them for the love of a woman. Loki, thinking of Sigrid, could relate.
They walked all morning, taking a small lunch on a cluster of rocks.
"How do we know we're even going in the right direction?" complained Volstagg.
Since they couldn't know, no one answered. They carried on.
Just as Loki was about to suggest (gently) that they should go back, they came upon a door set into a wall surrounded by thick clumps of ivy. When Loki looked right and left, he could make out the wall extending outward for miles. In the distance, he thought he saw a river escaping the confines of the stone.
"Huh," said Fandral. "Maybe there is something to the stories."
Thor didn't answer but approached the door. Trying the handle, it swung open easily. Loki raised a dagger, ready for anything. Nothing happened. Thor gestured and they entered the garden.
It was the most beautiful place Loki had ever seen. He wished Sigrid could be there, for he knew she would love it. Large trees overhung the paths, flowers growing at their feet. In places, the trees opened out to reveal small meadows full of flowers of every imaginable shape and color. Birds sang raucously and, once, a white hart crossed the path ahead of them.
"Is this Valhalla?" asked Hogun aloud, voice hushed in wonder.
A soft roaring sound of many waters cascading filled the air. The path took them beside a river, down which floated swans and gees, herons hunting in the shallows. The roaring grew louder until they came upon a large waterfall.
"Look!" cried Sif, pointing.
At the top of the waterfall was the root of a giant tree. Loki's mouth fell open in shock as he took in the size of the tree looming above it. It was far bigger than even the sequoias of Midgard.
"Stairs," said Fandral, nodding toward stone steps cut into the cliff face by the falls.
"Be ready for anything," instructed Thor, leading the way.
The climb up was arduous and even Loki was a little out of breath by the time they reached the top. His ears ran from the sound of the water crashing nearby.
They ranged out along the cliff's edge, but what they met was unexpected. Three young women, clad in flowing white gowns and with long blonde hair, sat on the roots of the tree.
"Welcome," said one. "Welcome, Thor and Loki. Welcome, their companions. Welcome, to the Great Tree of Idunn."
"Good day," replied Thor. "I have come-"
"Yes, yes," said another maiden. "We know why you've come. For an apple. For a lady. An apple for a lady. You wish her to live long, for you. So, it's really for you that you want this apple." And she held up the golden fruit.
"How do you know this?"
"We are the Norns. How could we not know?"
Thor glanced at Loki. The Norns they knew were simple folk. These women were like characters from a legend.
"Will you give me the apple?" Thor asked.
"Will she accept it?" asked the first woman.
"Yes, she will?"
"How can you say that if you have not asked?"
Everyone looked at Thor, who had the sense to appear sheepish. He whispered, "I didn't want to go to her empty-handed."
Loki didn't reply, but if everything turned ill and Jane said no to Thor (with or without the apple), he was going to have words with his adoptive brother. Words that would probably involve a swift kick.
"And what of you, Loki?" asked the second woman. "Your lady lies ill. You fear she may die. Don't you wish for ann apple?" And she held up a second one.
Loki almost said yes, when it dawned on him that the third woman sat silent. "For what price?" he asked instead.
"Very good," said the first. "Clever Loki. Clever Silver Tongue. The price is a prophecy."
"Not so bad," said Fandral in a low tone.
"Don't be a fool," snapped Loki. "According to legend, the Norns can command a person's death in the guise of a prophecy."
"They could say we die from a fall," said Sif, "and this whole cliff face could come crashing down." She shrugged at their stares. "I tell stories to my nephews."
Loki gazed up at the third woman. If this had just been about Jane, he would have dragged Thor away. But if the apples could help Sigrid...
"A prophecy," he said, "for two apples?"
"A low price," said the first woman.
Loki walked forward until he came to the bottom of the third woman's root, looking up at her. He spoke in low tones. "You know who I am. Is it such a low price to give me my prophecy?"
Thor hissed, "Loki! What are you doing?"
The woman, her eyes so pale a blue as to be nearly white, gazed at him for a long moment. He felt like she pierced his soul with his stare. Finally, she said, her voice low and soft, "Child of ice. Child of snow. Exiled child. You will go home. You will find yourself. You will gain two shining stars upon your brow." Closing her eyes, she bowed her head.
Loki, shaking, backed away.
"O Silver Tongue!" cried the second woman. "For Thor's lady and yours. For the Fire Lady, it will only do her good after her travail."
He reached out and caught the apples tossed to him.
"Thank you, my ladies," he said, bowing. Going back to Thor, he gave him his apple.
"What did you say? What did she say?" asked Thor. "You both spoke too low to hear."
Loki did not answer as he began to descend the stone steps.
OoOoOoO
When they returned to Asgard, Thor ordered Heimdell to send them to Midgard, never mind his friends were tired and footsore.
It was a mile's walk into the town and full dark when they arrived at last at the restaurant turned laboratory. Loki lagged behind, seeing Eric Selvig at one of the computers.
"Thor!" cried Jane, leaving her work to embrace her lover.
Darcy waved at them, her expression mild, until Volstagg stepped aside to reveal Loki.
"Oh, shit," she yelled, pulling out her tazer and firing at him.
Loki twisted, deftly avoiding the darts. He stepped back and raised his hands. "I am not here to harm you."
"Darcy," chided Thor. "You know my brother has been redeemed."
"Yeah," replied the girl, "for how long?"
"Darcy," said Jane, sharply.
Grumbling, Darcy turned back to her work after collecting the darts to her tazer.
"Jane," said Thor, "I wish to speak to you in private. But, first, I have a question for Eric."
"Uh, sure. I'll just wait on the roof."
Thor waited until Jane had left before striding over to Eric, who was nervously watching Loki. "Eric, you are Jane's guardian, yes?"
"What?" The old man blinked at him. "Oh. No. I'm just a colleague and former teacher."
"But, you are like a father to her?"
"She's certainly a daughter to me."
"Then may I take her to wife, if she would have me?"
"Huh? Oh!" Eric played with a pen. "Well. She's her own woman. It's her decision. But if you need my permission to ask, then, yes, you have it."
"Fantastic!" cried Thor, embracing Selvig. "I will go ask her at once." He bounded away.
As soon as the door slammed shut behind him, Loki approached Eric. "Eric, I know I do not deserve it, but I ask for your forgiveness for using you to to the Tesserat."
The man studied Loki. "Jane tells me you're married. And expecting your first child."
"Yes."
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
"We won't know until she gives birth."
He nodded. "I met your wife, years ago, when she first came to that bunker. We only spoke a few times, but she struck me as a strong woman, one who chooses carefully. I say this so you know it's because of her that I forgive you, and not any penance you may have paid."
"I am grateful, either way. Thank you." Loki bowed.
Eric returned the bow.
"Hey," said Darcy and everyone turned to her. "If Jane says yes, do you think I'd get to be a bridesmaid?"
Before Loki could explain to the others what a bridesmaid was, the door leading to the stairs burst open.
"She said yes!" shouted Thor, carrying Jane in his arms. She held an apple in her hand, juice staining her chin.
"This is wonderful," cried Volstagg. "I love a feast!"