Stolen Stars:

Chapter Twenty-One

Exile

It takes your mind again

You've got sucker's luck

Have you given up?

(Exile Vilify- The National)

0o0o0o0o0o0

He was foolish to think it would be that easy. But that was the problem, wasn't it? He didn't think. He went along with Thor and Rose, not sparing a thought to the consequence of his return.

Loki had found himself sprawled on the marble of the Great Hall; sore and worn from the dual battle in his physical body and his soul. Granted, it wasn't the first time he rent his soul from his body, but the shock was enough to spin the senses about a couple of times.

When he regained faculty over his body, Loki pushed himself to his feet. The first thing he saw was the goddess who visited him in his Chitauri prison. The same shining woman contained in a slightly altered body. It filled him with fear and awe, and then he snapped out of it. He remembered how Rose got into this position in the first place. The vile thing that burrowed Itself into his head, waiting to strike and tear apart everything Loki was and had.

It was rage and desperation that made Loki bolt towards the Bad Wolf. Everything was out of his scope, out of his control, and he hated it.

"What did It do to her?" Loki demanded, running up to his Midgardian. A hand shot out and grabbed his arm. The Norn—Seidh—warned him not to touch her. It pained him that he could not help, but it appeared as if the thick shimmering mist that encased Rose and the All-Father was beginning to subside.

In moments Odin dropped to his feet, but Loki only had eyes for the woman who released him. Soon she, too, was no longer covered with the gold fog. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"I'm fine, Thor," Odin was saying, brushing off his brother before turning to Rose. "Thank you, Rose."

She smiled at Odin's gratitude, and chuckled slightly before answering.

"Well that was—"

Loki felt it, an echo of a burn along their bond. Rose doubled over, clutching her forehead and Loki called out her name. She did not answer, and Loki watched in horror as she crumpled.

He did not feel himself move, but the next thing Loki knew was that he was holding Rose and she was trembling. The flashes of pain thrummed through the bond. Loki tried to push the stinging aside, but it was persistent.

"My head," Rose choked out. She was sitting upright, but the only thing propping the woman up was Loki's own arms.

"What can I do?" Loki insisted, frantic. Her eyes fluttered open and her fear mirrored his.

"I'm sorry," she breathed. "You can't."

"Can't what?" he snapped, stunned. Something was wrong; perhaps the Other's poison had seeped into her from his journey. Loki turned to the king, his face contorted with dread and anger. "Get the damn healers in here. Now!"

The All-Father stiffened from the order coming from Loki, but he nodded at Thor. The prince was as shaken as the rest of them over Rose's state, and took off out of the hall without question.

"S'not gonna work, Loki." A cold sliver shot down his spine at her words, and Loki looked back at Rose. Her face was pale and tears stood in her eyes.

"Tell me what is wrong, Rose, please," Loki begged.

"It's Fenris. It's poisoned her body."

Seidh knelt beside him as he gaped at her. She brushed a hand over Rose's forehead and frowned. Rose batted her away, and Loki felt Rose's hand grasp the front of his tunic. Loki pulled her tight up against his chest. Such a protective instinct was raw and unfamiliar, but the confusion of the moment had him panicked like a wild beast.

"Poisoned?" Odin repeated from behind them, stunned.

"To what extent?" Loki added, watching as the Norn fell back to her heels, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Why did you agree to such a thing?" Seidh murmured to the sickly looking blonde. To Loki's growing confusion and alarm, Rose seemed embarrassed.

Frustrated by the lack of information he was receiving by either woman, Loki decided to find out the extent of the Bad Wolf's damage himself. Without warning Rose, he dove into the bond to scout for the source of the poison and draw it out. If it was anything like the Other's, then it would logically follow that he could reverse the flow and take it inside his own.

"No, Loki!" Rose shrieked, shoving him away. Loki broke from her, hurt and wide-eyed at the lack of trust on her part.

"I can help!" Loki insisted. He reached out to her again, but she smacked him away. Rose's hair stuck to her pale cheek, and her eyes pleaded with him.

"I told you, you can't," she snapped. "Not without killing yourself. I'm dying."

Loki stopped breathing.

"What?"

Rose's breathing was shallow, and it looked like she was holding back a tide.

"The Vortex energy—it's—no one can survive that much," she stammered, reclining slowly until only her forearms kept her propped up. "I'm just g-glad I could save Odin while I had the chance."

"But…you can regenerate," Loki blurted, hinging on the only hope he had left. "It'll only change your face. You'll be fine after, yes?"

He felt his blood run cold when she avoided his gaze and instead lowered her head, her shoulders tight against the pain. Loki reached out and took her shoulder. He shook with the effort to remain calm. There had to be hope. He could live with Rose of another face, only as long as her soul remained out of the clutches of Hel.

"Rose…you'll regenerate?" Loki prompted, his voice thin. Rose's eyes closed tightly, her expression screwed against her tears.

"I can't—I can't regenerate," Rose whispered, still not looking at him. Loki felt his body go numb at her words. It was a nightmare, it had to be. "I had to give up my lives to get you out of Hel. It was my bargain with Hel, to get us all out."

"No…" Loki choked out. "No, Rose, tell me you didn't." When Rose said nothing to assuage his horror, Loki felt madness creep into his soul again. Part of him faintly registered Thor's return to the Great Hall, with the blue-robed healers following, but he paid them no heed as his attention was fully on the dying Rose Tyler. His fist slammed into the ground before him, cracks lacing out like spiderwebs. "You're lying!"

Fate cannot be so cruel…

"Leave her be, Loki," the king admonished sharply, pulling Loki away from the trembling Rose. "What is done is done."

"UNHAND ME," he screamed, lashing out at the king. But to Loki's growing ire, Odin ignored his temper and held onto his arm firmly. The healers were at Rose's side now, and Loki could do nothing but watch as she grew weaker before his eyes. Loki's anger dwindled down to fear and guilt once more.

Here he stood, no better than he was when the blue-and-yellow human agreed to take him into her home, to heal him of his madness. Rose Tyler saved Loki only to have death take her in the end by his very actions.

Look at how you repay her kindness, Cunning One, Loki spat at himself bitterly.

His hand clenched into a fist, and he could feel the power flow unbarred through his core. Eir was smoothing a mixture of herbs upon Rose's brow, but Loki could see by the look in his eye that there was little hope that it would help.

Damn fools, no poultice can save her. Magic goes beyond herbs and words…Loki's breath hitched at the possibility. There. That was it.

"Let me go, father," he pleaded.

"The healers are doing what they can," Odin muttered.

"Our healers do not have the skills nor the willpower," Loki said, his tone strained. "I do. I know I can save her."

"You have not faced such a force, Loki," Odin warned. "It could kill you."

"Rose Tyler saved your life and mine," Loki spat, impatient and fraught. "Her service to this realm outstripsanything I have done. She does not deserved to die—not now. If saving her costs me my life, so be it."

Odin fixed his adopted son with a grave scowl, and Loki held it level. They glowered at each other for a tense moment before Odin sighed.

"I cannot make your choices for you any longer," the All-Father finally said. "Do what you feel you must, but I do not believe it wise."

A mirthless smile tainted Loki's face.

"When have I ever been wise?"

The king's jaw was tight, but he nodded and dropped his hand from Loki's arm. Loki was moving to Rose before his father's fingers left the fabric of his sleeve.

"Stand aside," he barked at the attendants as he knelt down. The pale woman's head was cushioned by a wrapped cloth. Rose's hand grabbed at the edge of his tunic.

"Loki, what are you doing?" Rose croaked, her knuckles white from fighting off the golden poison eating at her mind.

"Hush, Rose," Loki murmured, brushing the damp strands from her feverish temple. "It's going to be alright."

"Don't…" But she could not speak as another wave of pain seized her body. Loki's heart skipped; she was fading fast. He had to work quickly. Loki took her free hand in his left and leaned over her forehead, his fingers resting on her brow. He could feel her shallow breath on his face. The fact that Rose could not fight him was testament to her state.

The first thing he saw was the ravaged state of her mind. It was like a wildfire had burned its way through her brain. Sparks went off and was absorbed into her nerves, leaving behind blackened scars. The bright light of Rose's lifeforce was drifting away, dragged by some unseen influence. He could feel it, and it felt like knives in his gut.

"Please, don't leave me," Loki rasped, not knowing he was saying the words aloud. "Not again. Please."

And so he dove. He plummeted after the source of the darkness that was taking over Rose's soul; a force that gripped at her like black cords. Unbreakable and absolute. Loki feared it was beyond even his magic to pull her back.

But he paid that thought no further mind, for he knew exactly where he and Rose were being led.

A dark goddess drifted into his vision, her skin dancing with the souls of the dead. Rose was nowhere in sight, but the bond thrummed with her fading presence. It frightened him more than the Queen before him, but Loki clamped down on his uncertainty. There was too much at stake.

Well, well, well. Loki Laufeyson. This is a surprise. Trying to take away what is rightfully mine are we?

I am here to uphold your side of the bargain, Hel.

Is that so?

You asked for Rose Tyler's regenerations. Not her life.

It is not my fault her body was already being placed in a fatal position. I had no say in what she did or did not do once her soul reached topside. You can take your complaints to the Fates, I suppose.

The Fates I will deal with later. As of the moment, I am convinced the best route is to return Lady Tyler to her body.

She hasn't left it yet, Laufeyson. Perhaps a better use of your time would be to say your goodbyes. You have other things to attend to in any case, don't you?

I do not think you understand me, Loki grinned. You see, I will not let you have her life.

Hel's laughter was light, and her braids tinkled as she shook her head in disbelief.

Oh, my dear fallen prince. I know you aren't so naïve as to think your power can outstrip mine.

Of course not, Loki agreed.

So what is it you desire, Loki? Hel purred.

I am interested in examining the terms of your agreement with Rose Tyler. Perhaps we can reach a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Hel brushed Loki's shoulder, her poise exuding nothing but detached curiosity. They call you the Prince of Chaos, the Deceiver. They say Loki does not give more than he knows he can get back. Your power is worthless here, and you know this. Why place yourself in such peril for a simple mortal?

Rose Tyler is not simple, Loki stated, and so I know the asking price is high.

Sacrifice then? How strange. I would pen the Weilder of Mjonir or the Goddess of War as the type to lay down their life for another. The Valiant Child as well, as we both have seen. But not you. No. Loki plays on the edge. He will not give everything for the sake of another. And if the stakes are too high he runs, or cheats. Until now. Exciting isn't it? How love can blind you to your own self-preservation?

I am merely opening the bid. Changing the terms, if you will.

But that's not all, is it? Hel murmured in his ear. I could very well take both of you as my own and end this conversation right now. Rose Tyler signed the contract. I am under no obligation to alter it. So are you willing to bet your very life?

If Loki knew anything about life and its games, it would be never to show your full hand. Loki remained silent. As Hel's dark eyes pierced through his, Loki had a sinking feeling that she knew what lengths he would go to in order to secure Rose Tyler's well-being.

Hel smiled lightly at his silence, and studied his face.

You can stay here too, if you like. I know what awaits you among the living, Trickster. Your punishment would not be so dire in my realms.

The King knows that Ragnarok was not my doing.

Hel's calm flashed, and Loki felt there was almost a caution behind it.

I do not speak of the All-Father.

Loki narrowed his eyes in confusion. And then he caught her meaning. His heart gripped in his chest, but he forced down the dread that was beginning to resurface.

I have my own contingency plans.

Ah, yes, Hel muttered. But can you run forever?

That matters not, Loki replied stiffly. And it is not what I have come to you for.

Hel looked at him askance, as if evaluating the prince and his worth.

Rose Tyler left behind six lives. What do you have to lose that would be the grander value?

I can wager my bargaining skills are far superior than the mortal's. And yes, that includes what I have to offer.

Hel raised a fierce brow in predatory interest.

Convince me, Asgardian.

0o0o0o0o0o0

It was too bright at first, and her brow furrowed at the light that shone through her eyelids. Rose nearly groaned. Her head was sore, but not anything worse than the last few sessions with Loki. She could have sworn she drew the curtains before going to bed.

As awareness slowly livened her body, Rose realized that there was a strange, soft weight pinning her right hand to the blankets.

Sighing lightly through her nose, she turned her head to the right and cracked open one eye.

An unfamiliar mess of hair the color of burnt copper—and the head attached to it—rested on the mattress beside her elbow. The person's hand was curled gently over her own. Rose blinked in confusion, then came to the realization that the sharp plane of the man's cheekbone and long fingers wasn't so unfamiliar after all.

Rose watched quietly as Loki slept on, breathing deep and even, at her bedside. After a moment of consideration, she carefully pulled her hand from under his and lightly touched the soft reddish hair in curiosity.

It wasn't a wig. What on earth (or Asgard) had made him dye his hair?

Please, don't leave me.

Rose gasped, the memory of her last waking moments flooding back to her.

Loki shifted, disturbed from his sleep by the noise. His hand on the blankets flexed, as if missing hers. Rose stared at him, wide-eyed, as he slowly lifted his head. His tussled hair stuck up in strange ways as he straightened in the armchair. Loki smiled up at her in what looked like painful relief.

"What did you do?" Rose demanded, pushing herself up to sit.

The smile faltered into faint surprise. His jaw went slack and his lips parted in momentary confusion. If Rose wasn't worried about his life, she would have found it adorable.

"And why are you ginger?"

"Ginger…?"

"Your hair," Rose gestured hastily. "It's red. And…what's happened to your face?"

Loki stared, expressionless for a beat before rolling his eyes and passing a hand over his forehead and cheeks. The raised, circular scars disappeared.

"The remaining marks of my jotun visage. Annoying, but easily concealed." He looked irritated, but it didn't seem to be directed at her. His nose wrinkled in mild disgust. "I think the hair was something of a practical joke."

"What did you do?" Rose repeated, afraid about what she was about to hear.

Loki's gaze turned sardonic for a moment.

"I saved your life, Rose. I would think you could be a little more grateful."

"Why aren't you dead?"

"You are quite welcome by the way."

"Loki!"

Her ire seemed to deflate his bluster, and Loki sighed.

"I took the harsher effects of the Bad Wolf into my body and healed you," he explained quietly.

"That's impossible," Rose sputtered.

"Not if you make a deal with Hel."

"You what?"

Loki was not fazed by her outburst, but he seemed to realize his face was within slapping range and stood. Rose watched, stunned and furious, as he walked towards the floor-length windows of her room. He was massaging the palm of his left hand with the other—a nervous tick if she ever saw one.

"You were dying, Rose," Loki said simply, staring blankly at the pale Asgardian dawn. Like it was all the explanation needed.

You could have killed yourself! Or we could have both been dead! How is that better? She wanted to rail at him for such a reckless choice, but Rose reeled in her anger.

"What was the deal?" she asked.

He did not face her as he spoke.

"I have been withdrawn from the Apples of Idunn. My life will be that of yours; long, but eons will not pass before my eyes as it once did." Loki's hands flexed, as if he could feel the diminished immortality. Rose felt cold at his words.

"My jotun blood sustains my magic and my strength," Loki muttered. "So at least there is that." His head inclined towards her, but his eyes remained off to the side, not quite meeting hers. He swallowed. "I do not regret my decision, Rose, if that is what you are concerned about."

Rose pushed the blankets aside and swung her legs to the floor. She walked around the bed towards Loki, stopping about a foot behind.

"I'm concerned about the fact that you risked your life. The Bad Wolf killed the Doctor when he—" Rose choked off at the memory. "You didn't have the luxury of regeneration. And I gave mine away. The overflow could have killed us both outright."

Loki finally turned to face her, his appearance pensive as his eyes passed over Rose's distraught expression. He took a half-step towards her.

"Would you believe me if I told you that I didn't lose half as much as I went in ready to give away?"

A little smile tugged at the corner of Loki's mouth, but Rose could see that he was completely serious.

"What? You mean you were going to…" She was unable to finish the sentence.

"Trust me."

Rose studied his face. He was Loki, the God of Lies, thousands of years old with even more tricks up his sleeve. Loki, the Father of Falsehood, who had manipulated Death herself in releasing her soul and his for the second time—asking her to trust him. To believe that he would have given his whole life away for her sake. It was truly hard to believe he would do it all if he thought he wouldn't come out the best for it. And despite Loki's words, he didn't quite come out unscathed.

Rose reached up and fingered the copper strands she was unaccustomed to. Loki waited, his face patient but his eyes tight with worry with the anticipation of her answer.

"As long as you trust me," she countered earnestly. It was the truth.

Rose's heart lifted at the broad smile that finally graced the prince's face.

"As long asthe next time you barter lives," he argued playfully, snatching up her hand, "you consult me first.All of your regenerations, Rose? Really?"

"I was in a bit of a hurry!" she protested. Loki gave a dramatic sigh and dipped down to bump his forehead lightly against hers.

"I suppose—" he murmured. Rose felt a delicious tingle as Loki's warm breath swept over her lips. "—I will have to forgive you this—" He was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Yes?" Rose called as she took a step back from Loki. A second glance told her the newly anointed ginger was as unhappy about the interruption as she was.

"Lady Tyler?" Thor asked as he opened the door, peeking his head through. "You're awake!"

Rose had no time to speak because he had trotted over to her and swept her up in a bear hug.

"Praise Valhalla for your health," the blonde giant grinned. Rose patted the warrior on the back fondly.

"Thank you, Thor," she chuckled as he released her.

Loki coughed, looking uncomfortable and slightly vexed by the display. Rose rolled her eyes.

"Yes, yes, Rose is alive and well," he said to his brother. "What is it that you have come for?"

"Father requests your immediate presence, Loki," Thor stated. "We must to Nornheim. And if the Lady feels well enough, she may come too."

"What for?" Rose asked.

"Nornheim started Ragnarok. Odin will demand answers for such action," he explained. "It is a delicate situation. I fear war."

Rose exchanged a worried look with Loki.

"You should stay here. It is safer," he said. Rose cocked a brow in derision.

"Like hell I will," she replied haughtily. Did Loki really think she would allow herself to be left behind? "They did this to me, too."

Loki did not look happy about it, but said nothing more.