XxX
The All-Father touched the pool, disrupting the picture, 'I thought he had been lost to us.'
'We all did, Odin.' Frigga comforted her husband, 'I know you love him and he's back now. Let's celebrate our son's return!'
'He is back as a war criminal.' The King of Asgard declared. Frigga pulled back but, knowing his anger wasn't directed at her, drew closer to him once more.
'He couldn't have done pure evil, she followed him back.' Frigga answered, gesturing to the woman in the pool.
'She is connected to him now. I fear what will happen when he is banished.' Odin rubbed is forehead.
'He has not had his trial yet.' Frigga warned, protective of her son, 'They might let him stay.'
'All the same, she will go home after the trial.' Odin looked with sad eyes to his wife, 'What will that do to him, my love?'
'It will work out,' She replied, gently kissing her husband's shoulder, 'It will all work out.'
'I hope you are right dear. I hope for all our sakes, and hers, that it will all work out for the best.' Odin said, resting his calloused hand on his wife's soft one as he gazed at the pool.
XxX
A knock sounded on the door. I sat up in bed but before I could get it the door swung open and in walked an older woman. Her white hair fell gracefully down her shoulders and back, her sky-blue eyes glistened – making her look like she was a young girl again. Nervously, I pulled the blanket closer around me.
'I am here to help you get ready.' She said, setting up her things at the vanity I was too tired to take notice of yesterday.
I nodded and walked over to the chair she stood next to.
'I will make you look like a true Asgardian.' She said, brushing my hair back with an odd comb. I convinced myself I was dreaming and put up with the dress-up.
When she was done, my short hair was twisted in intricate ways and pined with beautiful sea-pearls. The make up was simple, just eyeliner and a flesh-tone lip. The delicate pearl necklace matched the beautiful flow of the sea-green dress.
'You look beautiful.' My eyes fluttered to Frigga's smiling reflection, 'You did a wonderful job Sarta.' The elder woman bowed and left the room.
'I hope you don't mind, you looked so uncomfortable in your cloths last night. I figured you would feel more at home if you looked more like us.' Her smile was so sweet, honest that I couldn't help but smile back.
'I don't mind. Thank you.' I said, turning to look at the Queen, 'If you don't mind me asking, when is the trial?'
'I am here to escort you.' She smiled, offering me her arm. I felt like a little girl taking her mother's arm as we started out of the elegant room, but I wasn't going to disrespect the Queen of Asgard.
The jury sat off to the right with the King, Thor on his right, at the front. Two places where open to his left and that was exactly where Frigga led us.
Just as we got settled the All-Father stood, 'Order, order. Bring forth the defendant.'
Guards marched in, similar to the way we had left except they were dressed a lot differently, with Loki in the middle. He was stripped of his armor, wearing just his black long-sleeve and trousers.
He was pushed down into the middle of the court and the guards just left. He had no place to run, no place to hide.
'Loki,' All-Father stated. He hesitated before he continued with a sad tone, 'Odinson. You have been accused of creating an alliance with the enemies of Asgard, making yourself a traitor to Asgard, to take over the Earth that is sworn under the protection of Thor Odinson.'
Thor's fist clenched tightly. I sighed, Jane. If Loki had caused her any pain, I mean even just a paper cut, he would be dead right now. I shuttered at the thought.
'The first testimony will be given by Thor Odinson.' The King stepped down as his son came to take his place.
Story after story was told till the jury was told all that had gone on. With each damning testimony I flinched. I worked so hard to keep my composure that by the time the court was called to an end and the jury was sent away to decide their verdict I was sure my eye was twitching.
'Natasha?' Thor asked, walking over to me and leaning over my chair, 'Are you alright?'
Nervously, I covered my eye and turned to him, 'Of course, why wouldn't I be?' I chanced a look at Loki, whose eyes were locked on Thor. They were green in more ways than one.
'Would you like some water?' I knew Thor could feel Loki's threatening stare, but he was simply focused on me and my needs.
'Sure.' I said. My head dropped, I could feel the pain burn through Loki's heart. As Thor poured me a glass of water, the jury started to file in my own heart sped up. It was never good when jury's didn't need that much time to discuss the punishment.
Thor placed my water on the table in front of me and gently touched my shoulder before continuing down to his place of honor.
'The jury has made their decision?' Odin said as he stood, clearly he was concerned about the judgment as well.
The head juror stood and nodded, 'We the jury have found Loki guilty of being a traitor of Asgard.'
My eyes sought Loki's. His head hung in defeat, he had known he was a traitor and now he just awaited the consequences.
'As such, we have decided that he will be banished,' The juror looked up to meet his king's eyes, 'to earth, stripped of his powers.' Everyone's eyes wandered to Thor, remembering his banishment.
The King nodded, not letting any sign of his relief show, 'Very well.'
Loki looked up quickly, caught off guard by his punishment. He sought my eyes; I couldn't help the smile that broke through on my lips. The weight of last night being our last chance together lifted from my shoulders.
Still smiling, I turned to look at Thor. He didn't seem as happy as everyone else. Both his fists were clenched tight, a red anger colored his face.
'Father I don't believe—' He started to say as he stood.
Odin silenced him with his hand, 'It is settled. Loki Odinson, you are banished to the Earth and stripped of your powers. Maybe you will learn something from being mortal.' He turned to Thor, remembering when he had been banished, before looking to his youngest son once more, 'Tomorrow you will be on Earth.' As Odin turned away the court dismissed itself as Loki was taken away.
Quickly, I stood and made my way to Thor. I stopped by his side, 'Why don't you look happy? He gets the same opportunity you had, he might learn something.' I looked to him with hopeful eyes.
Thor looked up to me, his eyes softening instantly. He stood and gently took my shoulders in his hands, 'You will be alright, keep close to Clint, and do what is right for you. You need to think only of yourself right now. I will come to Earth once I am done here.'
My eyes had already widened when he had taken a hold of me now my mouth fell, confused by his words.
I simply nodded and he let me go. I stood there, watching, as the god of thunder left the court.
My thoughts mulled over everything that had taken place within the course of a week. Just yesterday I was scared Loki would be sentenced to death, that last night was the last time I would ever see his true eyes. Now he was coming back to earth. With me.
I didn't know exactly what to feel. I was pleased but I was scared. What would S.H.I.E.L.D. do? What would Clint say? What would become of…us?
My nose wrinkled at the thought, was there even an "us"?
I rubbed my temples as I started towards the door. I needed time to think.
XxX
I stood awkwardly in my normal cloths, waiting for the guards to bring Loki to the edge of the bridge.
The bridge keeper stood, his sword in place, as he stared out over the other worlds. Thor stood, with his arms crossed, next to the All-Father who held the Tesseract.
My eyes lingered to the beautiful object. It was so small compared to the power it held.
Finally, the guards appeared escorting Loki. Odin walked forward and released his son's bounds, Loki took in a deep breath as he released the lower-face mask, repeating to him his sentence once more.
Loki stumbled as his powers were pulled from his body.
Thor looked as if he wanted to disagree but his respect for his father ultimately won out.
'You are always welcome on Asgard,' The King said as he turned to me, 'we greatly appreciate your hand in escorting Loki to earth.' His smile told me that he did sincerely care for his son.
I smiled and gave a slight nod before turning to Thor.
He smiled and gave me a hug, careful of the strength difference.
'Take care of yourself, remember what I said.' Thor whispered in my ear before he pulled back.
'Are you ready?' Odin asked, holding out the Tesseract to me.
With a single nod, I looked to Loki – whose eyes shone with a new hope – before reaching for the Tesseract.
I was going home. We were going home.
In a flash, time and spaced pushed in against me. Blackness consumed me before I could give it another thought.
XxX
'It was foolish to send him to Earth.' Thor said to himself as he gazed at the place his brother and friend had been standing.
'He deserved a choice.' Heimdall stated as he gazed out over the abyss.
'She is my friend.' Thor said, turning to face the gate keeper, 'He will hurt her.'
'You don't know that.' He replied, his eyes staying open as he watched the past, present, and future unfold before him, 'You will be King one day, your destiny is known to you. Your brother needs to find his place.'
Sighing, Thor turned towards the broken bridge. Again, he had no argument for the all-seeing gate keeper.
XxX
Loki landed with ease from many years of practice. His hands ran back through his hair as he looked around at the deserted forest, he couldn't believe his Fate. He was banished to earth, free from any other punishments. Stripped of his powers, he was normal. He was no longer in his brother's cold shadow, no longer looked upon as the monster.
He turned around, closing his eyes and smelling the clean air. He got what he had longed for.
He was with Natasha. And that was all that really mattered to him.
'Natasha, can you believe it?' He smiled as he turned to her. His smile quickly fell as his eyes scanned the forest, 'Natasha?' His heart stopped as he saw her lying on the ground. Instantly he drew to her side, 'Natasha?' He gently shook her, trying to wake her. Carefully, he pulled her into his arms.
He could feel her heartbeat, but it was weak. Loki knew he need to get her to a healer, but he had no idea where to find one.
Loki brushed her hair back from her face as he watched her. He knew he needed to do something and fast. Calculated, he thought over strategies but they all seemed useless. As his worry grew and his eyes darted nervously over her he caught notice of a lump in her jacket's pocket. Delicately, he opened the slits and pulled out the lump.
It was some sort of calling device.
After working on it for a few minutes, Loki found a contact list and hit the call button for the only one on the list he knew would help him because Natasha was with him and needed help.
'Tasha?' A worried voice called, 'Are you back? If you aren't, you get some damn good service from space and I'm switching to your plan.'
'She's hurt. I don't know where we are.' Loki said into the device, his eyes never once leaving her face.
'Loki.' Clint's voice grew terse, 'I swear if you—'
'She needs help. Something happened when we traveled through the Tesseract. She needs a healer.' Loki stated, 'She is hurt.' He knew the man would come for her.
'You are an hour away from me. Keep her warm and I will bring help.' The other end went dead.
Loki tossed the phone to the side as he cradled her head, 'I promise, I will keep you safe.'
XxX
Clint couldn't move fast enough. His boots were barely on when he left his apartment and sprinted to his car. Laws were broken as he raced to her. He left the keys in the car as he got out and headed towards the woods.
Loki stepped out from the shadows, Natasha cradled in his arms.
'What happened?' Clint demanded, his fists balling.
'I don't know, we went through the passage and she was on the ground when we came through.' Loki said, holding her close to his chest so that he knew not to take her from him. His green eyes flared, daring him to try.
Clint pulled off his jacket and added it to Loki's, which was already wrapped around the small beauty, 'We need to get her to a hospital.' He said turning back to the car. Loki followed, his eyes never leaving her face as he waited for her to stir.
XxX
My eyes burned and I questioned whether I wanted to open them. Finally, I had to as the voices grew louder around me.
White, bright white filled my vision.
'Ahh, there you are.' An older man said. A doctor.
'What happened?' I tried to sit up but he made me lay back down.
'You passed out; you've been out for the past three days.' He said, his bright eyes twinkling down at me, 'But everything seems alright. I need to take a blood sample though.'
I nodded and let him poke my arm. Once he was finished, a new face, a familiar face, filled my vision.
'Tasha…' Clint sighed, his face relieved that I was ok.
I smiled back up, 'How did I—'
Clint moved closer so no one else would hear, 'You were coming back from Asgard and you just, passed out. Loki called me and—'
'Loki!' I instantly sat up looking around; my eyes frantically searching.
'He's at my apartment. Been trapped there for the last few days, it's been kinda...awkward. He hasn't eaten or slept, just stares out the window with his arms crossed. Course I couldn't sleep either with him being all...there...' Clint said, rubbing his neck nervously. Instantly I was at ease as he spoke. Loki was safe and Clint hadn't killed him.
'Fury is here with Steve, Hill, and Banner.' Clint continued, moving to sit on my bed.
'What? No Stark?' I joked, wincing as I sat up.
'Tasha, why is he back here?' Clint asked, not giving a pity laugh to my bad joke.
I bit on my lower lip, 'He…he sort of got banished from Asgard. They made him come to earth to...learn something. Like they did with Thor, remember? He doesn't have his powers anymore.'
Clint dropped his head into his hands, 'Great.'
'He's not bad once you get to know him…' I whispered, reaching my hand out to touch his arm.
Looking up to me, Clint smirked, 'I let him into my apartment, didn't I? My arrows are locked away safely in my closet.' He held his hands up in mock surrender.
'Yeah, and that makes me worry about you a bit.' I smiled, leaning back in my bed. Clint took my hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. I was happy to have my friend back.
We both turned to the knock on the door, 'Excuse me?' The doctor said as he came back in.
I smiled and sat up, hoping I would get to leave.
'I need to ask you a question Ms. Romanoff.' The doctor said looking at his clip board.
I looked to Clint, both our eyes filled with worry.
'Did you know you were pregnant?' He asked, looking up in all seriousness.
My mouth fell; I didn't even look at Clint's expression because I that one word echoing through my head.
Pregnant.
XxX
