Chapter 6

Loki took Helen, Fenrid, and Jordan back to the nursery, making sure they were safe and content, and left to go to Merlin's tower. He knew that was where Arthur, Merlin and this Juliet woman went. He had a notion they were talking about him; mainly that Juliet knew more than she was telling. Merlin may know a little more and Arthur seemed to have who Loki was figured out. Now Loki wanted to hear more. He took caution to stay further away this time and go on the thirtieth step instead of the twentieth. He had a feeling Juliet would sense him if he were closer than that.

There Loki sat hearing nothing which meant Juliet had perceived his coming and had automatically put up barriers. He hated that this woman could read his every though or know his every notion. He wanted to know what the three leaders were talking about. He concentrated his thoughts to getting into the room to hear their every word. Suddenly he heard Juliet's voice "I can't it is too soon. It is hard as it is with him lurking at the door. He is waiting there trying to listen in on us at this very moment. I sense his presence thirty steps below us." Then there was absolute silence as Loki could hear no, see Juliet turning to look at the door and wall that separated himself from Juliet, Merlin, and King Arthur.

Juliet glided up the steps to Merlin's observatory and chambers. Merlin lightly touched the steps while Arthur stomped up them. The two men could barely keep up with the woman. When they reached the room Juliet looked around cautiously and then closed the door. She put wards on it so no one could listen in. She had a hunch Loki would try to listen in but he would be farther away.

"Gallana, what is this all about?" Arthur asked

"Be still Arthur, while my teacher composes herself." Merlin said

Arthur became silent at the command. He waited patiently while Juliet took deep gasping breaths. Her hands were shaking and her hair was frazzled. Her eyes had grown large with panic as she held back sobs. Everything that had just happened had become too much for her. She didn't know where to begin. Should she tell her whole life story with Loki or just tell Arthur who he was? Either way questions would come up.

"Where do you want me to start?" Juliet finally asked

"Tell me how you know Loki. This is not your first meeting; he may not recognize you, but you recognize him." Arthur said

"Merlin told you rightly it is Loki of Asgard. This is the man who is the father of Hela Jorgumandr, and Fendrir. He is my husband the one I told you about being separated from. I took care of him as a child; there was an instant connection as if we were meant to be together. I have been married to him ever since I freed him from Laufey's curse.

The myths say Loki became a mare and lured Svoalfari away. It is opposite. Loki was Svoalfari I was the mare Lady Gallia. I saved him and he was able to return to his human form. That was when I became pregnant with our eldest Sleipnir. Vali and Narvi came after that. I was The Star in the sky when I had the twins; because of that I had to immediately give them to Loki so they would not die. Then when the star could sustain itself I came to Midgar- Earth and met Merlin who was an orphan. I took him as my apprentice and taught him all I know. He is the only other person who knows my story.

After that I returned to Asgard because I sensed Loki in pain and had been pining for him. I told Merlin to be on his way; for he was ready to be on his own. Then I went to Loki. It was night when I visited him. He asked me why I had been away for so long; he also asked me why I hadn't yet explained why I had not come when he had been a young boy. He was in such despair because Thor had been chosen as the next king of Asgard over him. Odin had been treating him so kindly and taking to his side; building him up. Loki knew the time was coming when Odin would choose his next successor, even though they would not take over for at least a few thousand years to millennia. Loki was so sure it would be him because of the way Odin acted towards him. It just about broke his heart.

When I saw my love in this state I cried with him and explained everything. He almost went back in time when he heard my reason for not coming back when he was a young boy after I had promised to. I had to calm Loki down so he did not ruin the time continuum of Earth.

You see it was because of Julius Caesar I could not come back. He had destroyed my family and then let his men have at me and do with me what they pleased. I was very ill and had only enough strength to get through to Asgard once. When I tried Odin had blocked all passages. I could not enter. Loki hardened after that until I came as Lady Gallia."

"The horse?" Arthur interrupted

"Yes, when Loki heard this he became infuriated and full of wrath. I am still amazed I was able to calm him. He wanted to reprimand Odin as well. Instead I talked so Loki would forget about even trying to go through with any of his plans. My tale was still on his mind though. Still he was relaxed and happy after that. We would have stayed together, except Odin sensed my presence for once and banned me from Asgard for the rest of eternity or until Loki and I truly become united. I am hoping it is now." Juliet said

"Gallana, you are confusing me." Arthur said

"She was with Loki until Odin made her leave. Then she would visit every once in a while though not in person; during this time she was in Rome with a family of her own when Gaius Julius Caesar ruled. He tortured her family to death and let his men have their way with Gallana. When they were finished she became very ill. This was when she decided to go back to Asgard to see Loki. But Odin blocked all passage ways. Thousands of years later she returned as a horse so Odin would not sense her. She was safe for a time then the Jotuns found out about Loki's great horse. To protect her Loki changed into a horse and was renamed Svoalfari by Laufey king of the Frost Giants. He went through great pain with Laufey and then Gallana saved Loki. They were married and begat Sleipnir; Gallana was also pregnant with Vali and Narvi but because she had to stay in horse form to have Sleipnir they did not start to form in her womb until she became human again.

Gallana had to leave at that time to be the star that told of Christ's birth. That is when Vali and Narvi finally started to develop. Our dear friend went to great lengths to protect them from her light and the star's light. When they were old enough to be without her she gave them to Loki. They were still infants then.

When her time was done to supply the Star of David with enough light until it could shine on its own she left and came here; she met me as a young boy and trained me. While doing this she sensed Loki in emotional pain. She went to him and comforted him. (I was fully trained by this time). That was when he finally asked why she had not come back when she said she would. When she explained he became enraged and engulfed with hatred. She was barely able to calm him down. They were reunited once again and thought nothing would separate them ever again.

Odin sensed Gallana though and cast her out. He scolded Loki for being with a woman he was not married to. Then Loki explained that they were married. Odin said if Gallana and Loki were meant to be they would find each other and she would finally be able to return to Asgard because they would finally be together forever."

"That was when you came here. Cernun married you and helped rear your and Loki's children along with the child you had with him Iswy. I do not mean to offend but I pity the boy and his father. Iswy died so young; and what you did to Cernun renaming him for his betrayal. It is barely even imaginable." Arthur said

"Yes, but we have more pressing matters. Loki is here, he is here for a reason. He probably came looking for me. He must have collided with the meteor shower that came early this morning and lost his memory. Now he has no powers because of it and he is mortal like everyone else." Juliet said

"Excluding you of course." Merlin said

"Yes, that is right." Juliet said

"Why do you not bring back his memory?" Arthur asked

"It is too dangerous he could die and my powers would be spent. I would be vulnerable and lose the only man I love. Besides he has finally met Jorgumandr, Hela, and Fendrir. I will not take their father away from them." Juliet said

"Then why don't you just tell him the truth?" Arthur said

"I can't it is too soon. It is hard as it is with him lurking at the door. He is waiting there trying to listen in on us at this very moment. I sense his presence thirty steps below us." Juliet said holding back the tears.

Then she felt Loki's eyes upon her and knew he could hear and see into the room. She knew his powers were getting stronger but only the simple ones would come back until he remembered who he was. Juliet did not know when this was or when it could happen. She only knew it needed to happen.

The healer looked at the wizard and king before with worried eyes. They knew they were now being spied on. The meeting was adjourned when Juliet left the room and went in the opposite direction on a different staircase that adjoined the other one right in the middle. She sped down quickly tears streaming down her face burning the open wounds she had. She wanted to get a way as quickly as possible before Loki caught up to her.

Loki knew he would have to be lithe and quick to meet Juliet at the middle of the stairs. He had seen her run out and step in the opposite direction. He looked through the walls so he could keep track of the woman. When she reached the thirtieth step he started to sprint leaping over some of the stone platforms. He reached the middle just as Juliet turned onto the last stair before it.

"Juliet!" Loki said grabbing her and pulling her towards him

She screamed and then buried her head in his chest sobbing. There was nothing else she could do.

"Juliet, what is it you can't tell me yet?" Loki asked "I knew when you looked at Arthur and Merlin you were going to have a discussion about me. What did you say? I know you know more about me than you are letting me believe. What is it?"

"Loki…. I, I can't!" Juliet cried

She pulled away from him and ran the rest of the way to her chambers. Loki let her go he could see she was in turmoil and wished he could get her out of her distraught state. How could he when it was over him though? He looked up knowing Merlin and Arthur were standing somewhere above him. He knew they would tell no one of what happened. Loki still spoke out: "No one need know of this." Then he glided down the steps to his chambers to prepare ointments and cloths for Juliet.