Loki stood in the middle of an abandoned clearing. He had shielded the circle so that no one would find him by casting a net of glittering green magic; the same magic he had used in his younger years to make himself invisible to even Heimdall's gaze. Around the edges of the yellowed grass, crumbling stones in the shape of forgotten Asgaridan heroes kept watch as the prince closed his eyes, opening his palms to the grey sky and letting his head fall back, black hair tumbling away from his face. It had begun to snow that morning, fat flakes drifting down and leaving whispers of winter in their wake that had awoken the God of Mischief's mind from a long slumber. The days of cold were finally coming; Loki's favorite days, even as a child, not only for the celebration of Yule and the grand hunt he had enjoyed as a young boy, but also because the cold had always comforted him. A bitterness would always remain now that he knew why, but that did not stop him from relishing in the simple joy of snow, or the familiar feeling of cold sinking into his bones.

He sighed, and in a manner almost ritualistic in nature, unclasped the fur-lined cloak around his shoulders and let it fall to his feet. The green flicker of melting magic revealed the illusion that had been his coat and tunic, and suddenly he stood bare to the wind, toes combing through the frozen grass. He shuddered. From the base of his spine, he felt each fragment of his being succumb to a creeping urge, and he permitted himself to let go. The muscles of his back flexed as he spread his arms and lifted his chest, and from the tips of this fingers, the blue began to spread.

Snowflakes landed on Jotunn skin, and a smile spread, wicked and gleeful, before a sudden noise broke through the shield. The caw of a raven echoed, and Loki saw his shields fall. Huginn and Munnin. "Loki?" A voice from behind pierced him like an arrow through the back.

"Thor." He opened his eyes, though he knew this time they were not green. He cringed.

"Brother, what are you doing here?" Thor asked, and Loki could not help but notice a note of fear in the warrior's voice. Loki turned, facing Thor, doing nothing to mask the Jotunn form he stood naked in.

"I needed to feel it again. The cold, the snow… I had to remember." Loki replied. He realized his brother had not yet seen how his skin washed blue or his eyes blood-red. Thor staggered back, shifting his weight to his heels. He was without Mjolnir, though Loki was certain that Thor would have gripped the handle more tightly. Loki laughed.

"You know it only poisons you, Loki." Thor said.

"This form? It is my truest self, Thor, you know that. I cannot just ignore it." Loki said. He turned around again and felt the beginning of horns surface at his forehead.

"Not this body, but all that comes with it. It is a memory you ought not to revisit." Thor replied, and bent over to grab the cloak Loki had abandoned on the ground. He stood and offered it to his brother. Loki took it and wrapped it around his waist.

"What would you know about which memories I should keep or discard? They are mine, are they not? Or do you simply not want to see your brother as the monster he truly is?" Loki let the words fall from his lips.

"I did not mean that, Loki. I am just trying to say… well, you have been so happy these past weeks, and I would not want some bitter thing from the past to destroy it." Thor pleaded, and Loki sighed.

"Why are you here, brother?" Loki asked.

"We have been looking for you for hours. Eventually, Huginn and Munnin led me to this meadow. Sigyn is not far from delivering your son, Loki."

"You mean she's in-."

"Yes, brother. Hurry, or you'll miss it." Thor chuckled.

Without a thought, Loki shifted back to his Asgardian form. Thor had brought with him two horses, and the god handed the reins of one to Loki, who swung gracefully into the saddle and bolted towards the palace. Thor followed, and Loki looked back to see the smile on his brother's face. The younger god's stomach churned, but he managed to smile back.

When they arrived at the palace, it was a race to the bedchamber where they were met by Frigga. She embraced her youngest son and kissed his brow before returning to the room where Sigyn would deliver. From within the chambers, Loki could hear Sigyn's cries, and for a moment, he thought he would be sick. "Worry not, brother. Your wife is a strong woman. Stronger than some men, from what I have seen." Thor admonished. Loki shot him a sour glare.

"Thor, please. Can you at least attempt to be serious while I listen to my wife scream in pain?" Loki snarled. Thor only chuckled and took his brother by the shoulders, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"All will be well, Loki." Thor said.

The Asgardian sun had disappeared when Frigga emerged again. "Congratulations. You are a father, Loki. A father to a very healthy little prince." Frigga said. Thor clapped his brother's back and sent him forward. Already unsteady legs failed to catch him, and Loki toppled toward the ground before a hand caught him by the collar of his tunic. He looked up and saw Odin, who looked upon him with a concerned expression, but one of warmth.

"Congratulations, Loki." Odin said, and the god of mischief nodded in return.

Loki coughed and faced the door. "Is Sigyn well?" He asked Frigga, who nodded.

"She is perfectly well. Beaming, actually. All cleaned up and warm and dry, and quite pleased with her baby. She's waiting for you. Go on, dear. Go and meet your Vali." Frigga said.

Loki stepped cautiously toward the door, pressing gently until it opened fully. Within, he saw Sigyn, laying back against the pillows of their bed, her golden hair pulled into a wispy braid. Her cheeks were red, and her brow dewy with the sweat that remained from the now through ordeal. At her breast was a bundle wrapped in midnight blue. She was smiling down at it before she saw Loki in the doorway. "My love, come meet your son." Sigyn said, nearly cooing. Loki neared the bed and craned his neck, hesitating. "What's wrong, Loki?"

"I… is he…" Loki's voice broke.

"Do not be afraid. He is perfect." Sigyn looked at Loki with assuring eyes, and pulled away their son's blanket. Loki gasped. He, of course, then sighed, for beneath Frigga's weaving was a tiny and altogether Asgardian baby, skin smooth and pink, spare for the rolls of baby fat, which Loki smiled at. Vali, whose hair was surprisingly thick and dark as Loki's, began to cry in protest of having his wrappings removed, legs kicking wildly. Loki laughed and pulled a chair next to the bed, leaning to kiss his wife. She folded the blanket around Vali and gingerly lifted him, guiding Loki's hands and arms around the tiny prince. Loki leaned back into the armchair, staring wide-eyed at his son, who murmured and gurgled in his father's arms. Loki smiled. "Hello, my son. Prince Vali." He whispered.

"Now that you have said it, it is official. Prince Vali of Asgard, son of Loki. The nine realms know of his birth and celebrate Asgard's newest son." Sigyn said. "And he looks just like his father."

"Surely those blue eyes are his mother's." Loki said, looking over at his wife.

"They may turn emerald yet." Sigyn said. They heard a knock at the door. "You may enter." The princess called. It was Frigga.

"Is everyone well? Sigyn, do you need anything?" The queen asked, "My dearest son, I believe you are a natural." She nodded towards the sleeping babe in the prince's arms.

"I believe we are alright, Allmother. Thank you." Sigyn said.

"Well. Your brother has already begun planning the festivities to celebrate Vali's birth. I hope tomorrow is not too soon for a party." the queen rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Dear Sigyn, stay in bed as long as you need, and Loki, you as well. When Thor was born, Odin was beside himself for days." Frigga bustled about the room. "Loki, you will have to present him before the end of the week before the Allfather. I will be back in a few hours to check up on you. Now, the bedsheets are clean, the fire is warm, and you are all together. I am so happy for you both, and so glad to see our little prince." Frigga smiled and crossed the room to embrace Loki and Sigyn, planting a kiss on the top of Vali's head and brushing his soft cheek with her thumb.

"Thank you, mother." Loki said. Frigga disappeared out the door and left the room silent. "I bet you are tired, dove." He turned and spoke to Sigyn.

"Exhausted. Lay beside me, Loki." Sigyn said, and patted the prince's side of the bed.

He placed Vali in Sigyn's arms and took a moment to change out of the heavy winter clothes he had donned to wander into the meadow.

"Where did you go today, Loki?" Sigyn asked.

"Just… out on a walk. I went to the fields."

"You were away for ten hours, Loki. You knew I was going to deliver our son any day, and you left."

"Sigyn, I am truly sorry. I was unaware of how long I was absent, please forgive me." Loki said.

"Do not try to shrug this off, Loki. Odin had to send his ravens to find you. Heimdall couldn't see you, you vanished. I wanted you here, beside me." Sigyn sounded almost heartbroken.

"I know."

"You know? If you knew, you would have been there today. Instead you arrived only after Thor went out and dragged you back. You might still be out there if it wasn't for that."

"Sigyn, please. Our son was just born, I want to be able to focus on hi-."

"Do not 'Sigyn, please' me. Why were you gone? What were you doing so far away and shrouded for even Heimdall?" Sigyn demanded.

"Does it occur to you that maybe I wanted a break from Odin and Thor and Heimdall and you and my mother constantly searching for me? I have been happy these past few weeks, Sigyn, and I have been perfectly aware you might give birth at any time, but for the sake of the gods, I require some time away!" Loki threw his cloak to the ground, and released the spell for the rest of his clothes. He angrily searched the wardrobe and pulled on a pair of wrap pants, shooting glances at Sigyn, whose expression was burning.

"Loki! What were you doing out there? If you need time away, you could have just told us and we would have left you alone for a while. Why did you need to shroud yourself? Why magic?" Vali began to whimper, and Sigyn pulled their baby closer to her breast, kissing his head and stroking his soft black hair.

"Do you really want to see what I was doing?" Loki asked with a voice of acid.

"Yes!"

"Fine!"

"Good, show me!" Sigyn said, returning her husband's bitterness.

Loki inhaled and let his Asgardian form be overcome by the fierce cold of his Jotunn one. His skin was only half blue before he spoke. "I was afraid, Sigyn. I was afraid that my son would be like this. I went to the woods just to remember how it feels to be a monster, in case the same blood flowed in his veins. In case I needed to explain to him where he came from, so I wouldn't have to lie. Thor found me like this. Now you know. Are you happy?" Vali was crying, and tears had begun to surface along Sigyn's own lashes.

"No. I am not. I should be, but I am not, because you are not. Why didn't you tell me of this fear before?" Sigyn turned her attention to the babe in her arms, trying to quiet the baby's fussing.

"I did not want you to worry about it. I wanted you to feel safe, not like I could just snap at any moment. Like this… I'm sorry, Sigyn. I am. Our son is beautiful he will always look more like you, no matter how dark his hair grows, or how green his eyes are. He is of Asgard." Loki let his voice go soft.

"He would be beautiful no matter what, Loki. Just as you are."

"And you."

They were silent for a moment. Vali fussed until Sigyn offered her breast to quiet him. Loki stood in front of the fireplace, Jotunn blue receding, his breath quieting and muscles relaxing. Sigyn beckoned for him to lie with her again, and he did.

"Forgive me, Dove. I do not mean to worry you or cause you pain. Especially not today."

Sigyn simply leaned to kiss him sweetly on the lips. Between then, Vali cooed, and they laughed. A knock came from the door.

"Enter."

A surprised laugh escaped Sigyn's lips at who entered the room. Volstagg, Hogun, Sif, Fandral, and finally Thor, who was burdened with a rather large object in his thick arms. "Good friends, what brings you here?" The princess asked. The group clumsily shuffled before them. Loki rose, donning a robe and going to meet his brother.

"Frigga told us you were in need of something, so we have been scheming." Fandral said.

"We have decided, with due help from Thor, to give Vali his first gift." Sif said.

"From Lady Sif and the Warriors three, officially," Volstagg said cheerily, "for the new prince of Asgard."

Thor placed the blanket-draped object on the floor and pulled away the wrapping. It was a beautiful cradle of rich mahogany wood, carved with care and stained dark. The rockers were smooth, and the head rose up to form the shape of a noble horse looking down into the bed. Sigyn gasped and smiled. "It is beautiful."

Loki looked at his brothers friends and nodded. "Thank you. We are grateful for it, truly."

"We never would have guessed little Loki would be the first of us to need such a thing, but we are glad to give it." Fandral said, teasing at first, but for the first time, Loki could tell the warrior was sincere.

"Do you like it, brother?" Thor asked.

"Well, yes, naturally." Loki replied.

"More importantly, does Vali like it?" Volstagg asked.

"Let us see." Loki took up his son and blushed as the rag-tag group emitted a series of 'oohs' and 'awws'.

"He looks just like you, brother." Thor remarked, stepping forward to get a better look at the tiny prince.

"Oh dear, it's another one." Fanral quipped.

"You have just erased any friendly emotion you had established between us, Fandral." Loki said dryly. He smiled as Thor's fist made contact with Fandral's shoulder. Loki gingerly placed his son in the soft bed of the cradle. Vali looked up, eyes dark and sleepy, and did not protest being removed from his parent's warm arms. The warriors cheered, which, naturally, the babe did protest, and Loki took him up again.

"We ought to go. We have already made the new prince cry, and insulted his father. Sigyn, you are lovely. Loki, congratulations. Men, let's go." Sif said. The Warriors Three filed out after her, leaving Thor with them.

"Might an uncle hold his new nephew?" Thor asked with a soft smile.

Loki turned towards Sigyn, eyes wide. Thor was about as gentle as the element he commanded, but Sigyn nodded and smiled and brought Thor to her side, instructing the thunder god on the proper care and holding of a baby. Before long, Thor was walking about the room, telling Vali stories about Loki in a hushed tone. "If he keeps going at this pace, we'll never get him to leave." Loki said.

"He needs one of his own. I sense that Sif will be receiving a proposal once the excitement of Vali's birth had passed." Sigyn replied.

"You are much cuter than your father was when he was your age." Thor said from across the room, a little too loudly.

"Get out, Thor."

"And much nicer."

OHMYGODIAMSOSORRY. I hope you all will forgive me for being such a horrible updater of things. I promise promise PROMISE that I will start back up with this again. I saw Thor 2 and was sort of shocked back to life by it, and after seeing how many of you have followed this story and kept following it in recent months, despite my negligence, I want to finish it for you. I feel terribly about being so absent, and promise much more writing from how on. Since so much time has passed between updates, it made sense for me to write this chapter a little farther down the road, so please forgive me if you feel like anything is missing. If I get enough requests, I will write something for in-between to satisfy those needs. Anyways, here it is. The birth of Vali. Also, I didn't really intend to make Thor a big teddy bear in this chapter, but it happened anyway. I want to write another more serious Thor chapter sometime soon. I hope you enjoy my less-than-triumphant return, and swear to you I will not abandon you again! I love ya'll! Thanks so much! Tell me what you think!—Em