Chapter 12: By a Lover's Bedside

As Loki entered the room, he saw HIS Melody lying in the ivory, healing bed, breathing peacefully as she slept from months and even years of fatigue. She was wearing an ivory gown that looked similiar to a scrub while her hair had been brushed and her body had been cleaned. She looked so peaceful in that bed as she slept, almost like an angel, according to Loki's mind and eyes. Loki neared closer to the bed as he sat down in the chair beside the bed, grasping her hand tenderly without trying to wake her...until he heard a moan in the room as the moan turned to an innocent question, "Loki...Is that you?" Melody had woken up and was staring into the eyes of the man who saved her life.

Loki reached his hand out to cup her face in his hands as he beamed, "Yes, it's me. Who else could it be?"

"I'm so glad to see you once more, my love."

"Are you all right? Is everything to your comfort?"

"Yes, it is, my love...Thank you for your consideration, Loki."

"I promised to keep you safe and happy...and much like Hunter and you, I never break a promise."

"I know you won't, especially not towards me..."

"Is there anything you require? Maybe something to eat or drink?"

"Umm...Maybe some water, please. My throat feels rather dry from hours of bedrest."

"I can get it for you," Loki responded as he grabbed a goblet from Melody's bedside table and poured water from a pitcher into it, helping Melody sit up as he helped her drink the fluid. Melody drank all the liquid before Loki placed the goblet back on the table, helping his lover back into the bed. Loki then grasped Melody's hand as she laid back down, explaining to her of his visit: "Melody, I want to thank you for everything we've been through."

"You're welcome...but, why would you want to thank me, a peasant from Asgard?"

"I want to thank you because you changed me for the better, and because of your sacrifice for me back in Jotunheim, I too made a sacrifice that allowed me to return to Asgard not as an escaped crminal, but as a noble prince of Asgard."

"What sacrifice did you make?"

"...After I was thrown in prison for my crimes, my father had a vision about you and Hunter finding me and changing me for the better before I escaped...When I did escape, he let me go, knowing you and Hunter would find me. After you found me, he and my brother, Thor, watched over me until I made the 'Ultimate Sacrifice,' which was made when I was willing to give up anything and everything I had left in exchange for your right to live, even though I felt unworthy of forgiveness."

"You have always been worthy of forgiveness, Loki, ever since I met you."

"And now that you're here with me in Asgard, I will never let you go back into that darkness nor will I let anyone or anything harm you...From now on, you are welcome to my family."

"I'm happy because I'm here with you, and anywhere you are is my home...I love you, Loki."

"I love you too, my sweet angel, Melody." As Loki finished his sentence, Melody leaned closer to Loki, cupping his face in her hands as she kissed him passionately, causing the God to feel at peace as his lips met hers. 'Her lips are so soft,' Loki thought to himself as he kissed her with the same passion he had for her as he felt her arms wrap around his neck. When their kiss broke so the two could break away for air, Melody smiled innocently before she stated, "Your hair is shorter now..."

"Do you like it? It used to look like this before I became evil so I thought I should look as I did when I was younger."

"It doesn't matter what I think as long as you are content with your appearance...But if you wish to know, I say it makes you look handsome because I can see your eyes better. They glow even more now when you don't have a curtain of black across it." Loki laughed as she stroked through his hair, staring at him with a heavenly gaze of love and warmth that made him feel at peace more than ever before. Loki cupped Melody's face as she stared at him until he explained why he wouldn't be able to visit her tomorrow morning, "Melody, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it? You can tell me anything."

"I have to meet with my Father and the Asgardian council tomorrow morning, so I won't be able to visit you tomorrow. I might only be able to visit you tomorrow night."

"That's quite all right...I might miss your company, but that cannot be helped."

"I must repair all the damage I caused, my love. But, I promise to send a visitor here until I can visit you every day..."

"What do you mean, 'every day?'"

"I mean...I wish for you to stay with me in my bed chambers, only if that's what you want of course because after all, you sleep more peacefully when I'm around."

"I do?"

"Yes. I was observant and noticed this while I spent time in your camp."

"Well, if it's your wish...I guess I cannot stop you. I too wish to stay with you, my Loki."

"So, you'll stay with me in my bed chambers?"

"Of course, my love..."

"Thank you, Melody. it makes me content knowing you'll be by my side."

"You're welcome. Anything I can do to make you happy makes me just as joyful." As Loki sat and stared at his beloved Melody, he kissed her once more before he set off to leave for the night, "Well, I guess I should go now, my sweet. I'll see you in the night when my form is known best to you."

"I know you'll visit me, my love...but before you go-"

"Yes, my Melody?"

"Could you please stay with me until I fall asleep once again? This is my only wish until you visit me again..." Loki sighed deeply before he smiled as he laughed, "...Of course, Melody. I shall remain here until you fall asleep." Loki held Melody's hand as she started to sleep once again, stroking her cheek as he soothed her to sleep. Melody kissed Loki for the final time that day on his cheek chastily until she fell fast asleep minutes later from fatigue of almost losing her lover on that fateful day when he almost sacrificed everything for her. With her asleep and content that she'd remain with him as a forgiven man and returned prince of Asgard, Loki left Melody alone to dream of him until he visited her in the night, a time where she loved him the most because he always protected her from harm at night. Loki smiled at the thought of Melody being his forever in Asgard and the thought drove him into a peaceful dream that he called 'reality.'

He realized that life was not a lie because now he had Melody and nothing could bring him more happiness other than her smile, her nature, and even Melody herself. Thinking more about his new life with Melody as he laid in his bed, he began to think of asking her a very, important question that could change both of their lives forever...The thought of such a question brought a smile to Loki's face as he closed his eyes and slept peacefully through the night until morning when the real work began for him and his redemption...