11
A Brush of Angel Wings
Loki had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he watched Morpheus rush into the infirmary with Brenna. He knew he shouldn't go in there yet, because the Healers were working with her, but he was terrified his best friend was going to die. So against his better judgement he slipped in the door and remained against a wall, using glamour to blend into the wall, and he listened as the Healers fought to save Brenna from Death's Kingdom.
"No," he heard as he glanced over and saw Death standing next to him. The air felt cold, but there was a sense of sadness as well and he glanced up at her. She was dressed in a black Victorian style dress with fingerless black lace gloves, black leather high button shoes and a black half-veil was pinned to her hair. Her black lace umbrella was in her hands and he swore she had been crying.
"My lady," he whispered and Death looked at him.
"You can see me?" she asked.
"Yes," he said with a nod.
"I... I..."
"Please! Don't take her! She is my best friend! I have already lost my brother and I think I shall shatter into pieces if you take her!"
She watched the tears forming in his eyes and she fought the urge to take him into her arms and comfort him. She knew he would die if she did and she sighed.
"I never thought I would find a friend, let alone a best friend. She makes me feel like I can be good and not fall back into my old ways. I'm afraid that's what will happen if I lose her. I will become the old me! No! I'll be worse! I would shut myself off to all joy and happiness because it is always taken away from me!"
Death watched the healers as she blinked then looked at Morpheus. She knew what he was like when he lost Orpheus' mother and how he begged her to not take Orpheus after he had been torn to shreds. Despair had also warned her that Loki was drawing closer and closer to her and she couldn't wait to finally be able to feast on a god. Even a young one.
"Please, Good Lady, don't take her," Loki pleaded and Death closed her eyes.
"It isn't really up to me, Sweetie," she said then opened her eyes. "It's up to Brenna."
"What do you mean?"
"If she is strong enough, she will be alright. Or if something would happen to make sure she will be alright."
"Like what?"
"Hey?! I'm not psychic, you know. But, whatever happens, we have to let it happen," she said and Loki nodded.
"So there might be a way to save her?"
"Where there is life, there is hope," she said and gave him a wink.
"Were you the one who told her father she was in trouble?"
"Yes. Couldn't stand the idea of my niece ending up as a frozen fish stick, you know," she teased and Loki smiled
The Healers treated Brenna for shock and hypothermia and she seemed to stabilize. "We have her blood pressure up now and her heartbeat is strong," a Healer declared.
"But I don't like how she is breathing. It's congested." remarked another.
"I know. But that is to be expected with a near drowning. The scans show all the water is out of her lungs. Now we just need to worry about upper respiratory trauma. And things like pneumonia."
"Will she be all right?" Morpheus asked worriedly.
"Right now she is in stable condition. But we would like to keep her overnight at least to observe her and make sure her lungs remain clear. That is always the danger with drowning victims, sir. Their lungs and immune systems are weakened by shock and trauma and they tend to develop infections easily." Healer Eir explained.
"I understand," Morpheus nodded. "May I stay with her?"
"Of course. You are her father. We permit kin to stay with patients," the Healer said warmly.
And BFF's, Loki thought determinedly. He watched as the Healers placed Brenna, still unconscious, on a gurney and wheeled her to a private room with Morpheus following.
Loki glanced at Death. "I need to be with her."
"I hope you can save her, Loki," Death said.
Just then Idunn rushed into the room. "My daughter! How is she?"
Healer Eir turned to see Idunn. "She is stable now, AllMother. Her father and Prince Loki brought her in. Apparently, she almost drowned when she fell through the ice on a pond. I believe it was an accident."
"Oh Norns! I just pray she will be okay. Can I see her?"
"Yes. She is in Room 35," Eir said. "But she has not woken up yet. Although that could be from the medicines we gave her. They do tend to make one sleep."
Idunn rushed off, wringing her hands.
When she reached Room 35, she found Morpheus sitting in a chair beside the bed and Loki sitting on the bed, holding his friend's hand. Brenna was lying on the pristine white pillow, almost the same color as the sheets.
"I came as soon as I could," Idunn said to them. "Is there any change?"
Morpheus shook his head no. "Not yet. The Healers told me not to expect her to wake this soon. That she needs to rest and heal. We just have to pray she doesn't get any kind of respiratory infection."
Loki looked up at Idunn. Brenna was her daughter. Surely Idunn could give her an apple. He opened his mouth to ask then shut it. Perhaps an apple would not be needed. Please Brenna, get well. He held her hand in his, careful not to squeeze too tight.
If she gets worse I will ask. I know it's improper but I will do it.
Death watched them when something told her it was time to go and she vanished, hoping she would not have to come back.
Idunn dragged a chair close beside the bed. Then she asked softly, "What happened?"
Loki explained how they had been heading inside for supper when Thori chased a cat and he had run after them. "I don't know why Brenna was trying to cross the ice . . . or how the ice became so thin. We had just been skating on it thirty minutes ago and it was fine. But I found a big hole in the ice and she was drowning."
"Was there anyone else there?"
"No, it was just us."
"Where did the cat come from?"
"It came out of the bushes."
"Where is Thori?" Morpheus asked.
Loki realized the dog had been left behind when they had teleported to the infirmary. But before he could say so, the dog in question came into the room, followed by an irate orderly.
"Loki!" Thori yipped as he ran to the bed then placed his paws on the bed to look at Brenna. "Wake up!"
Thori gently whimpered while nudging her, but Brenna did not wake up.
"We found your dog eating a bed leg." The Orderly said, crossing her arms.
"I was hungry," Thori growled then nudged Brenna again.
"Thori," Morpheus said and the dog looked at him. "Did you sense or smell anything before the cat came out of the bushes?"
"There was an . . . odd smell . . ." the puppy replied. "It was like . . . something cold and dark. Like what I smelled before in the hall with Brenna."
Ikol, Loki thought and looked at Brenna.
"Are you alright?" Idunn asked. He wasn't sure if Odin had told her about Ikol as he sighed and lowered his head.
Morpheus scowled. "Idunn, I think something-or someone-is trying to kill our daughter!"
Loki felt his stomach tighten. He remembered what Morpheus did to those boys who had picked on him and Brenna and the idea of the Lord of Dreams releasing his wrath on him was horrifying.
"I agree," Idunn said with a nod.
"I...," Loki began then paused. "I might know who might have done this to her."
"Tell us," Morpheus said.
"Before I do," he said as he glanced at Idunn. "Has my father talked with you lately?"
"He did mention something about your being ill. Are you becoming ill again? I don't think I could handle both of you being ill," Idunn said.
"No, I am fine," Loki said with a shake of his head. "Did he mention why I became ill?"
"He said something about a dark spirit. He said it was the spirit of your former self," Idunn said then her eyes widened. "Are you saying his shade did this?!"
"Brenna mentioned something about a bird," Morpheus recalled. "But how could a bird make ice thin?"
Idunn looked utterly confused. "What bird?"
"I placed Ikol into a magpie," Loki said.
"And magpies, like ravens, can work magic," Idunn gasped. "Especially if . . Loki, do you know if this Ikol had access to his magic?"
"Yes, he does."
"I see."
"Ikol would have known that," Loki sighed. "He knows a lot more than I do."
"Loki," Idunn said and he looked at her. She knelt down when she placed her hand on top of his and the pain in his eyes hurt her soul. "We are not blaming you."
"She is right," Morpheus said. "You are not to blame for this."
"She wouldn't be here if she wasn't my friend!" Loki growled.
"I wouldn't have known about her if she hadn't made friends with you," Morpheus reminded him.
"He's right. And, don't forget, she would have still been on the streets. She would still feel like she didn't belong anywhere and she would have been torment or, maybe, killed," Idunn said.
Loki nodded when she stood up and held her hand out. Loki took her hand when he stood and she hugged him. She felt him shaking as she leaned down to kiss the top of his head and he sniffed.
"Why don't you go get some rest?"
"I .. .guess I better feed Thori." He had missed dinner but he wasn't hungry.
Thori barked. "Yes! Feed me! Or I will eat your liver!"
Loki rolled his eyes. "Come on, chow hound."
They left the room when Thori looked at Loki and his ears lowered.
"This is my fault, too," Thori said and Loki frowned.
"No, it's not," Loki said.
"If he hadn't sent the cat, we wouldn't have run off and left her alone."
"That is what he wanted. He wanted us out of the way so he could..."
Loki paused then shook his head and balled his hands into fists.
"If Thor was here, he would find Ikol and send him straight to Hel!"
"Yeah! And feed him to Fenris!"
"No, he would give Fenris gas."
Both of them giggled as they headed down the hallway, but didn't see the shadow on the ceiling. Ikol looked toward the infirmary when it sailed into the room and hid in the corner. Ikol watched Morpheus and Idunn looking at Brenna when he smiled and twirled in small circles.
"You may not be dead, but you soon will be," he whispered and vanished.
The puppy followed Loki down the hall. "You need to quit eating furniture," Loki scolded. "Before they make me put you in dog prison."
"There is no prison which can hold me! I would melt the bars and escape!" Thori said, wagging his tail.
"I wish there was a prison that could hold Ikol," Loki huffed.
They headed down to the kitchens.
After eating, Loki headed back to the infirmary when he sat down on the chair and took Brenna's hand. Thori settled down at his feet and Loki wondered what she was dreaming about.
Elsewhere:
Brenna floated in a sea of light. Somewhere she heard someone singing, so beautifully it brought tears to her eyes.
She wondered for a second if she was dead as she looked around and saw what looked like someone floating in the light.
She felt something soft brush her cheek.
She heard what sounded like wings flapping.
"Hello?" she called.
The singing stopped as she looked around then looked up. Above her was what looked like a city. It had tall buildings with domed roofs and oval windows. The whole city shimmered in a silver light and a peaceful feeling filled the air.
"The Silver City," she whispered.
"Yes," a female voice said and she jumped.
Her hand reached out and brushed against feathers.
"Are you an angel?"
"Yes. I am a Guardian angel."
"Mine?"
"Yes. Yours and Loki's."
"You know Loki?"
"Yes."
"Am I dead?"
"No, but you are very ill."
"Where am I?"
"You are at the edge of Heaven."
"I'm going to Heaven?"
"Of course. Why would you think otherwise?"
"I... I had to do a lot to survive. Steal. Lie. Cheat. And I always thought I was some sort of demon."
"Who would tell you something like that?!"
"Matron Nyx. She always told me I was going to hell in a handcart for being a devil child."
"Well, she is wrong!"
"I know that now."
Brenna looked at the Silver City when she thought she saw someone flying from one building to the other and she smiled.
"Wish I could fly."
"You will someday."
"I will!?"
"Yes."
"Uh, this is going to sound silly, but, if the Silver City is where female angels live, where do the male angels live?"
"They live in the Gold City."
"Cool!" she said with a smile.
"Do you remember what happened to you?"
"I was crossing the ice. I heard Loki calling me. Then the ice cracked and I fell in the water."
"That was not Loki calling you."
"Then who was it?"
"Someone who is your enemy."
"My enemy?" Brenna repeated. Then she blinked as she realized something. "Ikol!"
"Yes. He is who called you to come to him. He deliberately did so, hoping you would fall through the ice and drown."
"But I didn't. Loki . . . he saved me. I know it was him."
"Yes, Loki saved you. "
"Then why am I here?"
"This a place of hopes and wishes. A place where the deepest wishes of your heart can be made reality."
"How?"
"Because here I am allowed to grant you one wish. As the daughter of an angel you are permitted to ask for whatever you choose, and if it is within the scope of my power, it shall be granted."
"You wouldn't . . . be able to kill anyone, right?"
"Right. Unless I am ordered to protect you, that is forbidden. I am not an assassin."
"What if my wish wasn't for me? Is that allowed?"
"What do you mean, child?"
"I mean that my wish isn't really for me. It's for Loki."
"That is permitted."
"Okay. Then I wish for you to bring Thor back from the dead. Forever. Loki really needs his brother. And so does Asgard."
"You wish for me to bring Thor back from Death's Kingdom?" the angel repeated softly.
"Yes. That's my wish. Can-can you grant it?" Brenna asked hopefully.
"I can. It is very unusual, but it can be done."
"Really?! When?"
"It may take some time. But it shall be done."
Brenna felt arms embrace her and hold her close and once again she felt the soft brush of angel wings. "Now it is time for you to go. You father and foster mother and your best friend are waiting for you."
Brenna felt lips kiss her forehead. Then she was spinning through the light down a long tunnel.
But before she woke up she swore she heard the angel whisper, "I love you, daughter."
Asgardia:
Brenna's eyelashes fluttered. They slowly opened and the first thing she saw was Loki's hand holding hers. Her hazel eyes darted up and she encountered Loki's emerald eyes looking at her. They widened with joy. She felt her own mouth curve up into a smile. "Hey, Loki."
"Hey, Brenna!" His smile stretched from ear to ear. "You woke up!"
"Where am I?" she queried, her voice slightly hoarse.
"You're in the infirmary."
"Aww, man! Again?"
"Yeah, only this time you're the one stuck in bed."
At that moment Morpheus and Idunn returned to the room, having stepped out to eat some supper.
"Brenna!" the two adults exclaimed at the same time.
"Loki, is there an echo in here?" Brenna giggled.
"How are you feeling?" Idunn asked, putting a hand on her daughter's forehead. "No fever, that's good."
"I feel tired. And my throat feels kinda scratchy."
"Are you thirsty?" asked Morpheus, leaning over to hug her.
"Yeah."
"Here." Loki conjured a cup of water with a straw.
Brenna took it and Morpheus helped her sit up so she could sip it.
Thori jumped up and tried to lick Brenna's hand. "Brenna! You woke up!"
"I did!" she smiled and petted the dog. "How long do I have to be in here, Dad?"
"Until the Healers say you can leave. You almost died, Brenna," Morpheus told her.
"But I didn't because Loki saved me," she stated.
"You knew that?" Loki gaped at her.
She nodded. "I heard you and felt you holding me."
"Brenna, what were you doing on the lake?" asked Idunn.
"I was following what I thought was Loki's voice. Only it wasn't. It was Ikol."
Loki felt his jaw drop. "How do you know?"
"My Guardian Angel told me," she replied. "While I was asleep, she came to me."
"Your Guardian told you?" Morpheus repeated. "Did she say anything else?"
"Just that someday I would fly. And she granted me a wish, but it might take some time to come true," Brenna recalled.
"What did you wish for?" queried Loki curiously.
"I can't tell you. It's a secret," his friend answered. "But I promise you'll like it."
"Tell me you wished to find a way to defeat Ikol." Loki begged.
"Nope. Better. Besides, an angel can't kill people. Or whatever Ikol is." Brenna told him.
"Never mind about Ikol now, dear. You just concentrate on getting well," Idunn said with a soft tone.
"Okay, Mom." Brenna smiled at her.
"Are you hungry?" Morpheus asked.
Brenna considered. "Yeah, a little bit."
Loki jumped up. "I'll have a tray brought." He ran out of the room to find an orderly.
Soon he returned and so did an orderly with a tray. "Here you go, Princess. Healer Eir said to eat this all."
On the tray was a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup, crackers, apple juice, toast with butter and jam and a small vanilla pudding.
Brenna sniffed it appreciatively. "Wow, even the food in the hospital is good!"
Loki cocked his head. "Why wouldn't it be? It's the same food they cook in the palace kitchens."
"Because in hospitals usually the food sucks," Brenna replied. "I swear that's why people hurry up and get better."
As she ate, Brenna asked Loki how he knew she was in trouble.
Loki replied that a female voice had told him. "I think it was an angel. Your mother."
Brenna grinned. "I wouldn't be surprised. How did you know what to do when you got me outta the water? I didn't think Asgardians knew CPR."
"I watched Rescue 911 and some videos on youtube on my phone," Loki explained. "Then I just copied what I saw."
"You are amazing!" she laughed.
Loki blushed. "I'm not. I just have a really good memory."
She shook her head. "That's not a really good memory—that's like a genius memory. Most people can't remember what kind of cereal they ate for breakfast, much less how to do rescue breathing from watching a video."
"She's right, lad," Morpheus clapped Loki on the shoulder. "I didn't know how to do that."
Loki perked up a bit. "By the Nine!"
"Indeed, young prince," Idunn laughed.
After Brenna had finished eating, Eir came in and examined her, saying that she still had some congestion in her lungs and she wanted her to stay overnight. She gave her a sleeping draught and then told Loki he had better get some sleep too before he ended up back in there.
Loki reluctantly went back to his room with Thori, finding his room lonely without Brenna. He got ready for bed, but found all he did was toss and turn and then he got up, summoned a witchlight and began to read one of his spellbooks on healing mantras.
Soon he found his eyes closing and he fell asleep with the book over his face.
3AM, Infirmary, Asgardia:
The night Healer came in to check Brenna and found the girl was burning up from a fever and her breathing was raspy. Morpheus was asleep in the chair next to the bed and Idunn in a bed next door. The Lord of Dreams woke when the Healer called for a mask and some oxygen as well as some medicine to reduce fevers.
"What is it, what has happened?"
"Your daughter has developed a fever and she is having difficulty breathing," answered the Healer, a man named Torrin. "I fear she may have developed a respiratory infection."
"No!" Morpheus groaned. Then he began to pray silently, not even sure who he was praying to.
6AM, Infirmary, Asgardia:
"How is she now, Healer Eir?" Idunn queried, fear written all over her face.
"She is holding her own, AllMother," the Healer declared. "But I fear she does have pneumonia and that is not an easy disease to beat."
"But . . . she WILL do so, right?"
"I pray to the Norns yes. She is young and strong and she has the will."
The Healer left and Idunn sat in the chair and listened to Brenna breathe, the nebulizer treatment seemed to have helped, or so she thought. Worry etched her ageless features, making her seem suddenly older.
"She must fight this," Morpheus burst out. "My sister does not wish to take her!"
Idunn closed her hand over his. "I know. We must beg the Norns and the angels for her life."
7AM, Infirmary, Asgardia:
"I'm sorry, My Prince, but we cannot allow you to go in there," Healer Torrin said regretfully.
"Why? I was there yesterday!" Loki objected. "What's wrong?"
"Your friend is seriously ill. She has contracted pneumonia and the Head Healer has ordered that no one save family and essential staff be allowed to remain in the room with her."
"But—"
"I am sorry, My Prince. You must leave. Before you fall ill." The Healer reiterated.
"Fine! But I can't get whatever she has!" Loki scowled and stalked off.
Only to sneak in by the back entrance where the laundry was and up the stairs. Once inside, he waited until the coast was clear and made his way to Brenna's room.
Inside he found his friend lying in bed, her face hectic with fever and still as a wax effigy except for the rise and fall of her chest. Beside her in the chairs, Morpheus and Idunn slept.
Loki crawled under the bed and lay down, reasoning that no one would look for him there and he could keep an eye on Brenna. He was afraid that if he were not there, she might die.
He remained alert for an hour listening to the soft hush of the sleeping occupants before he too, succumbed.
Only to be woken up later by someone carrying him. It was Volstagg.
"Put me down, Volstagg!" Loki growled.
"I can't do that, lad. You know you aren't supposed to be in there, Healer's orders."
"Don't care! She's my friend!"
"Aye, My Prince. But you need to follow orders for now."
Loki did not answer but thought rebelliously. I do what I want!
11 AM, Infirmary, Asgardia:
Loki managed to slip past Volstagg as he took a nap in the chair outside his room. As before he snuck into the infirmary and took up residence in Brenna's room, undiscovered in the corner until a nurse tripped over him and knocked his glamour off.
"My Prince!" she exclaimed.
This time it was Healer Eir who ordered him away.
Morpheus shook his head. "You are wasting your time. Just let the boy stay."
"It is against regulations," the austere Healer stated.
Morpheus snorted. "I don't think that kid cares. He just wants to be with Brenna."
The Healer snorted. "She is not even awake. And he is in the way!"
Loki tried twice more to return to Brenna's room, but was thwarted by both Volstagg and Hogun who seemed determined to "keep an eye" on him and he ate supper without tasting anything, walked his dog, and went to bed in a sullen mood.
But he did not sleep long. In the dead of night he slipped like a shadow from his room, climbing out the window.
Morning's light found him curled at the foot of her bed, having tried several healing spells to no avail before exhausting himself.
Volstagg returned him to his room to sleep, but as soon as he was awake, he was once again plotting ways to escape his jailors and return to Brenna.
Brenna showed no improvement that day or the next, and by the third day, Loki feared she was going to die. He vowed that they would have to drag him from her bedside but to his shock no one said anything when he appeared there.
"The AllFather has said that you can stay," was all Eir remarked when she caught sight of him as she checked the fluids on the drip.
Loki remained silent, but when she had gone, he turned to Idunn and said, "Why can't you give her one of your apples?"
"I cannot without Odin's permission. And he has not given it," Idunn moaned.
"Does he know?" Loki cried.
"He knows she was sick but . . ."
"I will tell him!" Loki cried, and then bolted from Brenna's room and raced to the Bifrost, for Odin had gone back to check upon the bier.
The Observatory:
Odin looked up from petting Morrigan when Loki burst into the room. "Loki! What has happened?" His heart grew cold when he saw the tears upon his son's cheeks.
"Father! You have to let Idunn give an apple to Brenna!" Loki half-sobbed. "Before it's too late! Please!"
"An apple? Is she that ill? I thought she would recover." He held out his arms and Loki ran to him.
"S-she's not!" the boy cried. "I don't want her to die! Not like Thor. I can't—" he dissolved into tears.
Odin just held him, sadness in his gaze. "All right, son. Tell Idunn I said she may give her daughter an apple. And I am sorry that I waited this long." He patted Loki's back and then handed him a handkerchief.
"Thank you, Father," his son sniffled and went to call Heimdall to open the Bifrost.
Asgardia, Infirmary:
"Idunn! Idunn!" Loki cried as he ran into Room 35.
Idunn started up from Brenna's bedside. "By the Nine, Loki! Why are you shouting? That's no way to behave."
"Sorry, but—FathersaidBrennacanhaveanapple!" he said so quickly that he sounded garbled.
"What?" she put her hands on his shoulders. "Now tell me—slowly—what you said."
"Father said Brenna can have an apple!" he repeated, pausing for breath.
"He did?!" she smiled. "Holy Valhalla, let me go and get one!" she vanished in a puff of blue smoke.
Morpheus appeared in the doorway just as Idunn teleported to the orchard. "Has something happened?" he asked, alarmed, looking towards the bed.
"Something really great!" Loki said excitedly and he told Morpheus what Odin had said.
"Oh, good!" the god looked relieved. "I was so afraid . . ."
He stopped speaking when he felt a disturbance in the Dreaming. Suddenly Death appeared in the room.
Loki went pale. "No!" he yelled, standing protectively in front of Brenna in the bed. "You can't have her!"
"Relax, kid. I'm not here for her."
Morpheus frowned. "What is going on at home?"
"That's why I'm here. Those psychotic meddling Fear Lords have learned you are not at home and are attempting to invade the Dreaming and take over!" she told him. "You have to come back and drive them out!"
"But Sister, my daughter . . ." he trailed off.
"Don't worry, sir!" Loki interrupted. "I can look after Brenna while you—um—go and kick someone's butt!"
Morpheus looked upset. He didn't like leaving his daughter at such a time.
Death tapped her umbrella on the floor. "Brother! You are the only one who can deal with them! Now move your butt before you don't have a realm anymore!"
"All right! I'm coming!" Morpheus growled. "But I will be back!" Then he disappeared in a puff of black smoke and so did Death.
Loki paced the room while he waited for Idunn to return. He looked at Brenna and wondered how they were going to give her the apple when she was asleep.
Thori bounded into the room, wagging his tail. "Is Brenna awake?"
"Not yet," Loki told him. "But maybe soon."
The hellhound jumped on the bed and began licking Brenna.
"Thori! Get off!" Loki cried, and picked up the dog. "She's sick, you can't just . . ."
"But I want her to wake up!"
"So do I, but I guess we just have to wait," the little god told him.
"I hate waiting!" grumbled the puppy.
Idunn returned with a single shimmering golden apple.
Loki grinned when he saw it. "Now how can we get her to eat it?"
"We might have to wake her," the goddess said.
"Would that be bad?" Loki wondered.
"Not as bad as not doing so," Idunn said.
She went over to the bed and gently shook Brenna's shoulder. "Brenna, darling, it's time to wake up."
The girl stirred and opened her eyes. "Mom?" she asked hoarsely. "Is it time for more medicine?"
"Yes and no, dear. I do have something for you to eat if you can chew it." Idunn said gently.
"Umm . . . I . . . my throat hurts . . ."
"Oh Norns!" Idunn looked alarmed.
Loki was thinking. Suddenly he remember something he had seen on a video. It had been a commercial for something called Motts "—applesauce!" he exclaimed.
"What?" Idunn cried.
"Applesauce," Loki repeated. 'If Brenna can't chew the apple, we can make applesauce with it and she can eat it that way."
"Loki, that's brilliant!" Idunn praised. She waved her hand and the golden apple became soft applesauce with cinnamon.
"May I give it to her?" Loki asked.
Idunn smiled. "Yes, of course."
Loki sat on the bed with the bowl of applesauce and a spoon. "Uh . . . okay, now I'm going to give you some applesauce, Brenna. It will help you get better."
"It will?"
"Uh huh. Because it's special applesauce," Loki told her.
He dipped up a spoonful and fed it to Brenna.
She swallowed cautiously, relieved when it did not hurt her throat. "Mmm! That tastes good!"
"Want some more?" Loki asked.
She nodded.
"Open wide," he teased and gave her a second spoonful.
The applesauce was like nothing she had ever tasted before. It was sweet like a golden summer day and tart like the brisk winds of autumn. The cinnamon added some spice to it, but it did not overpower the pure taste of the apple, which lingered on her tongue long after she had swallowed it.
She felt something strange occurring. The pain in her lungs was gradually going away. It no longer hurt to breathe. She took a deep breath and found she did not want to cough.
She gazed up at her friend. "Please, sir, can I have some more?" she asked, mimicking Oliver Twist.
Loki wrinkled his nose. "Don't call me sir! I'm not my father!" he laughed, and gave her a third spoonful.
This time the apple taste was like fresh pressed cider, with a hint of honey. As she swallowed she could feel something happening to her.
All of her aches and pains seemed to melt away and she felt as if she could run for miles.
"This stuff is incredible!" she cried and let Loki feed her the rest of it.
No sooner had she finished the bowl then she noticed her skin was . . . glowing slightly. And she was no longer tired or sick. Instead she felt wonderfully healthy. Not only that but she also felt stronger than she ever had in her life.
"Holy cow! What was in that?" she asked. "I feel like . . . like . . ."
"Like you've been reborn?" Loki finished, grinning. "Well, in a way you were. That applesauce was one of the Golden Apples."
Brenna felt her jaw land on the floor. "The golden apple? Like the ones that grant you immortality?"
"Yes, daughter," Idunn answered, beaming. "Now that you have eaten it, you are one of us."
Brenna looked down at herself. She didn't think she looked any different, but she definitely felt different. "Wow! I was sick and now I'm . . . not."
"And you never will be again," Idunn told her hugging her.
"Awesome!" Brenna hugged her mother back. Then she jumped off the bed and hugged Loki.
Loki caught her in a tight embrace like he never wanted to let her go. Now he would never have to worry about her dying. Unless someone killed her she would live forever, just as he would. "So . .. how do you feel?"
"I feel like I could run five miles and not grow tired!" she said. "Is that how you feel all the time?"
"Uh, no. Not all the time. Only after I just ate an apple like you," he admitted.
They exchanged glances and for the first time since he had lost Thor, Loki felt truly happy.
Until a throat being cleared made him turn towards the door, expecting to see Morpheus returned.
Instead he saw a familiar blonde figure in glittering silver armor, a red cape, and a winged helmet. "Hello, little brother! Guess what? I'm home!"
"Thor?" Loki gasped.
The God of Thunder held out his arms.
Loki ran into them, feeling as if all his prayers had been answered at last.
A/N: So I hope I made up for that cliffie with this surprise!
Hope you all liked!