Chapter 13: Very Dark Futures

A few weeks passed by, and Celestrial was still an emotionless shell. She would spend time with her friends, and even Loki. She would laugh, but it was a practiced one. Never showing her true emotions, people believed it was just the passing of her family. It was so much more than that, because now, she didn't have much in the way of what to do with the baby. She was so unattached to everything right now, she couldn't even think of possible names for her child.

"What do you think of Nari?" She looked up from her thoughts, and saw Loki sitting across the table from her. They were having dinner together regularly, and he kept giving ideas for the child's name. "I do not know if it will be a boy or girl," she said quietly. He continued staring at her, wondering why she was still so distant. "I love you, darling." She stayed quiet, but glared into his eyes. Slowly rising from her chair, she kept eye contact, then turned to walk away. Whenever he talked about love, or being together, or even the baby, she would instantly shut herself off. He had given her time since the death of her family to cope, but it seemed that things were not getting any better. It was starting to worry him.

The next week, Cellie had a nurse come check on the development of the baby. Even if she did not keep herself emotionally well, she wanted to make sure the child was healthy. Her uterine growth was too big for a woman of her size at six months. Today, the older woman who knew a lot about babies decided to do something different, to try and uplift the young woman's spirits. "May I see your ring?" Curious, she walked over to her jewelry box, and took out the ring that Thor had given her. She tossed it in there when she found out about the mortal woman. Bringing it over, the nurse said, "No. The ring the father of the child gave to you." She sighed, and stepped up to her bedside table. Opening the drawer, she took out the emerald encrusted ring. She kept it here because lately, she had been considering her king's offer. What else was she to do?

The nurse threaded the ring, "now lay down, preferably with some pillows for support." She did as told, as the older woman held the ring over her now noticeably swollen belly. After a minute, it started to swing in a very slow circle. "Hmmm," the nurse breathed heavily out her nose, "that is not a good sign." This worried Cellie, "Why not? What is wrong?" Shaking her head, she replied, "It is a very weak movement which predicts hardship, but it suggests you are having a boy. Have you thought of any names?" Not really knowing what to say, she dismissed the woman, and figured it best to talk to Loki. He was pretty good at finding out things. It took her almost an hour, but she finally found him out in the gardens.

"My love, you look worried." He watched as she stepped along the stone path. She started to waddle a week ago, and he found it adorable with the way her belly moved. "I just had a nurse examine the child," she said as she sat down beside him on the cold marble bench. "Was something wrong?" "No, well, maybe," she continued, "she said the baby was quite large being only six months along…" She paused as she looked into the distance. "Tell me, what else did she say?" Meeting his eyes, "Trying to make me happier, she did a little test to see what gender the child would be." Loki's eyes lit up at the mention of knowing such a grand thing. "Did she find out? We need to plan for the child. Buy him, or her, appropriate things." Finding a blade of grass more interesting than his piercing gaze, she admitted, "She also said that since it took the ring a while to move, and when it did it moved slowly, hardships are to be befall upon him."

His face lit up, but at the same time darkened. "A boy? We are to have a boy? We are having a boy!" Loki jumped up, hugged Cellie, then took her hand and led her inside. He was so excited, he almost forgot about the darkness that apparently haunted his sons' future. Almost. "Come, let us discover what shall happen to our son." He led her to his bedchamber, and sat her down on the bed, as he knelt in front of her. Eager to put his hands once more on her belly, he smiled, then his expression faded to one of concentration. Almost as soon as placed his hands on her abdomen however, he quickly pulled them away. She looked at him, and noticed his face was full of worry. "What did you see?" He paused, trying to catch his breath. "He will be a heartbreaker. There will be times where we will not be there for him, and that, he considers dark. It is nothing to worry yourself over dear, just that he will be a typical boy."

He hated lying to her yet again. He did not see heartbroken women his son would leave. He did not even see a future for him. In fact, he did not see him living past birth. A very worried look came across the king's face. This would probably be his only child, and he may not even live. He knew that there was nothing he could do. Fate, is something not to be messed around with. Knowing it may be a bad idea, he went into his study after Cellie retired for the night. He looked at many different books of spells, magic, and potions. In order to become such a master of magic, he had to collect all of these books. He needed to learn as much as possible. This potion he was to create, however, was something dark. First of all, you do not mess with fate or destiny. He was going to play with both, and try to make something that would ensure his only sons' life.

After breakfast the next morning, the now obviously pregnant Celestrial decided to go for a walk. It usually kept the baby from kicking her ribs. Walking along the familiar path of the gardens, she found the warriors three talking in hushed tones behind the stone wall. She could barely hear what they were saying, so she made her presence known. "Hey guys, what are you being all hush-hush about?" They quickly stood from their crouched positions and shared guilty looks. "Um, just talking about..um.." mumbled a caught Volstagg. "Thor," Hogun admitted. "We do not wish to lie to you, my lady," he continued, "we have been learning of his actions through Heimdall, and we are trying to figure out what to do." "Oh, that reminds me, I need to check up on him today," she said with a smile. They smiled and waved to each other as she left. The last thing she wanted to do was to learn new things about Thor from his friends. Fandral elbowed Volstagg in the belly, "Next time, just spell out what we are to do," as sarcastically as possible, "since we want all of Asgard knowing our plans."

She stood at the end of the rainbow bridge, in front of the bifrost. Every day she would be here, talking to the all-seeing gate keeper Heimdall. This man towered over her by a good two feet. He had dark skin, and bright eyes that allowed him to look into each of the realms. "He is starting to learn his lesson, but his emotions for the mortal continue to grow. He and the older man now travel to a tavern." "I bet you he is about to get drunk again," she looked playfully at the large man. "I am sorry, my lady, but I do not make bets," came a stern reply. "Oh, I was just joking." He nodded, and continued staring off into space. Growing tired, she turned back towards the palace. "His future is dark to me…" "I know Heimdall, but…" he cut her off with a warning look, "No Celestrial, your child."

With everybody giving her warnings, she did not know what to do. If her sons' future was this dark, how bad was it really going to be? She was very worried, and thanked Heimdall for his time. She quickly made her way back into the palace, not wanting to be late for her dinner with the king. Arriving on time, she showed herself to her seat, and starting placing different foods onto her plate. She looked up to see a still frowning Loki. "What is wrong, my king?" He looked up to see her sad face, and realized his face was not so different. "Just tired, my love. That is all." Once more, she glared at him. She did not want the love of the king, for she still loved Thor, but apparently, he did not feel the same about her anymore. Were her feelings starting to change as well? Most of their supper was eaten in silence, save when Cellie groaned about being used as a punching bag by her little boy. She could tell he would be strong, so why would his future be so dark? As she got up to retire for the night, Loki walked her to her own door, and kissed her cheek. "I do hope you realize how much I love you, Cel..." she slammed the door in his face.

The king went back to his room to look over those potion books again. There had to be something he could use. Every time he paused, he saw visions of the future, playing out in his head.

He saw a small boy, about the age of 5, with a dark head of many curls. His skin was white, but his eyes were a deep green with a hint of gold. The two of them played Hide and Seek in the gardens, while he heard the beautiful laughter of Celestrial coming from the bench. Looking over to where the laughter came from, he saw her. She was once again with child, and had to sit for a moment to rest. His vision started to blur. A bright flash of lightning, in the midday of Spring worried the king. As he heard the thunder, he saw Thor walking upon them. He was beaten and limping, as if coming back from battle, when Cellie rushed into his arms. "Thor, my love, are you alright?" When she lifted her hand to his face, he saw the ring that his brother had once given to her. No.

"I am alright my love, I just need rest. Brother," he turned to face Loki, "thank you for keeping an eye on my wife. My child is due to arrive soon, and it bothered me that I had to leave." The small boy ran up to the tall blonde. "Uncle Thor, you are safe! Mommy, he is okay! Daddy, come give him a hug!" Cellie looked to Loki with a slight scowl, "You know he refuses to hug anybody but you, Nari."

Loki was confused. Was this a real vision, or just his mind playing tricks on him? It was probably a thought on what would happen should Thor return. But would she really accept him back, after everything he did? Or is this what is to happen if he should be successful in saving the child? No. He knew he might lose Cellie, but not his son. Tired, and overthinking everything, he decided to crawl into bed. It has been many a moon since he has had a good slumber, and he did not count on this one being any different. When he closed his eyes, all could see was Cellie. A very pregnant Cellie.

She was on the ground, in pain, and throwing up blood. Frigga came running up to her side, trying to help her to the nurses' wing. Frigga was unable to help her up, so he came over, bent down to pick her up and carried her to the healing rooms. He layed her down gently on the closest bed, kissed her forehead, and whispered softly into her ear...

Author's Note:So, tell me what you think. Just a couple of more chapters left! So excited!