Authors Note: I'm so very sorry for the long wait! See the end for a more info. I don't own Loki or and Marvel related characters. Plot and OC's belongs to myself and Fandoms101.

Chapter 11

Colors fly around me as servants rush around getting last minute details in place for the wedding tomorrow. A month has passed since the night in the hunting lodge. I've never be able to shake the feeling of something being amiss since we returned to the palace. Thor seems to be less boisterous and often has a distant look in his eyes. Faria has often told me about him struggling to lift Mjölnir during his training sessions.

"Cierra?" Faria's voice pulls me from my thoughts and I look at her. "Are you feeling alright?"

Nodding, I turn back to looking out the window. "Just nervous, I guess."

"What do you mean you guess?" She stands next to me and I watch her reflection in the window.

"I just still feel like something is off. An overwhelming sense of foreboding, if you will. I just can't seem to shake it." Desperately searching for the source of my inner turmoil, I look back out the window.

"Would you like me to fetch you something to help you sleep the night?"

"I really just want to see Loki and talk to him and see what he thinks." Turning on my heel I head towards the door, but am stopped by Faria's hand on my wrist.

"Per custom, it is forbidden for you and Loki to see each other on the night before the wedding. I know you wish to see him and talk to him but I cannot allow that. I'm sorry Cierra, but we must follow custom."

Letting out a sigh, I nod and sit on the edge of the bed. "An elixir or something to help me sleep then." Nodding, Faria slips from the room. Losing myself to my thoughts again, I jump when Faria touches my arm softly.

"Something must be troubling you. You're not usually this jumpy. Here," shoving a goblet in my hands, she sits next to me, "drink this and go to sleep. It will help." I place the goblet at my mouth and drink the sweet contents down. Warmth spreads through me and the elixir starts to take its hold on my consciousness.

Black. Everything around me was black. No light, no stars, only the never ending night lay before me. I was nowhere. Turning in all directions, nothing yielded to show any clues as to where I was.

"Cierra?" My father's voice calls out all around me, echoing.

"Father!" screaming in all directions, I look for him. "Father where are you? Let me see you!"

"Alas dear child my time with you is short. Listen to me, Loki has tricked us all. The God of Mischief has revealed his true colors. He went to the Watcher and traded Prince Thor's soul for yours. You must set this right, Cierra. The God of Mischief has gone to far and has upset the balance of life and death. Only you can fix this. Right what has been wronged."

"Father? Please, what do you mean?" Waiting for a reply, I am only met with silence. Bright light grows, blinding me, forcing me to close my eyes.

Waking with a start, I sit upright panting and sweating. The words of my father resonate in my head. 'Loki has tricked us all.' Slipping from the bed, I quietly slip on a simple cover dress and leave the room without disturbing Faria. The halls are quiet as I make my way to Loki's chamber. Raising my hand, I knock quickly on the door and wait. The door creaks open revealing a very tired and disheveled Loki.

"Cierra!" His eyes light up and a smiles spreads across his lips. Ushering me inside he pulls me into his arms. "My love you know it is forbidden to see me until we are at the alter."

"I know, but I had to see you." I grip onto his shirt and snuggle into his chest.

"Is everything alright?"

"I had a terrible dream."

"I'm right here, love." He strokes my hair softly and leads me over to the bed. Perching on the edge, Loki takes my hands in his and rubs his thumb over my knuckles. "Your nightmares can't reach you out here. Not with me around."

"I'm afraid they have." Loki looks at me, confusion in his eyes.

"What is it?"

"My father… He came to me." The words get stuck in my throat but Loki remains silent. "My father… He… He told me that you-"

"That I what? I can promise you that it's not true."

"Can you promise me that Thor's soul is not in Valhalla?" Shock and surprise cross his face and he looks away to the fire. "Can you promise me?" Standing, Loki steps a few paces away keeping his back to me, remaining silent. "My father told me that you went and traded Thor's soul in exchange for mine." Standing I move to stand in front of him but he avoids my gaze. "Is this true?" Silence fills the room as I wait for his answer. "Damnit Loki, answer me!"

Startled at my outburst his eyes lock with mine. "Because I did not wish to lose you." He says after a moment.

"I knew something was off but I couldn't figure out what. Thor has been acting strange and even struggling with Mjölnir. Why would you trade your brother's soul for me? A disgraced and dishonored noble? I am nothing compared to Thor. You must take me back, Loki. You need to return me to Valhalla."

"No! I'm not going to lose you again after I just got you back." He reaches up and cradles my cheeks in both of his hands. "If anything I will take your place in Hel and have my oaf of a brothers soul returned. I cannot and will not lose you again."

"Loki, you must return me. The balance between life and death has been disturbed. I should be dead while Thor is to remain alive."

"His body will remain alive for another 11 months then fade. I would rather lose him that lose you again."

"Loki, you can't! If Thor dies from unnatural causes who do you think will be the first one to be blamed? You must take me back to Valhalla! There is no way around it. Thor is needed to maintain the balance in Asgard. Without him this city will fall into ruin. You need to take me back to Valhalla. It's the only way."

He stares at me, the inner turmoil showing in his eyes. Letting out a deep sigh, he nods, his head hanging in defeat.

Authors Note: To my readers and Followers, I deeply apologize for the long wait, life got in the way. I hope to have the final chapter up sometime soon. I also apologize for the short chapter and know it will leave many of you on the edge of your seat. I don't plan on taking a year to post the final chapter and will hopefully (fingers crossed) have it up by the end of the month. Thank you every one who as given me their support and kept pestering me about posting another chapter. I really do hope that you have enjoyed this story as much as I have. Thank you again!

Stay Classy! B.R.13