Chapter 25: Beyond the Dreaming Place

One story ends. A new one begins.

Suggested music: "Beyond the Dreaming Place", Steeleye Span.

We rode to the Observatory in silence. My heart ached so badly, I had no breath to speak.

We reached the Observatory. Thor helped me down from Sigrid.

"Sigmund, please take Sia's bag inside. We'll be there in just a moment."

I looked out over Asgard. The late afternoon sun bathed the land in gold. It truly was a paradise. "Asgard is so lovely, Thor. Thank you for arranging my visit here."

Thor looked out at the landscape, unable to meet my eyes. "I am glad you love Asgard, Sia. And I am glad the visit was helpful for you."

"More than helpful, Thor! The knowledge I have gained will make all the difference in my work, in my career."

"I am sorry you must leave. For your sake, and for Loki's." Thor continued looking out at the horizon.

"Thank you, Thor. I hope that the two of you can become close, as you once were. He loves you, and respects you."

"I will try, Sia. He has been different while you have been here."

The sound of a horse in full gallop echoed behind me. I turned, and saw Loki on his black stallion.

"Sia! Sia!" Loki was riding at breakneck speed towards the Observatory.

My heart leapt. I knew Loki would not be able to change the fact of my leaving, but at least we could see each other one more time.

"Sia! My love!" Loki dismounted with alacrity, and caught me in his arms.

Thor's voice shook. "Loki, Odin says I am to take Sia to Midgard now."

"Yes, Thor. I know. But surely a few minutes makes no real difference to Odin."

Thor shifted.

"A few minutes makes all the difference for me. For Sia." Holding me tightly, Loki gazed unblinking at Thor.

"Very well, brother. I will wait inside." Thor left us.

"Sia, my love. This is not goodbye forever." Loki kissed me sweetly, powerfully.

"Loki, Odin has specifically said I am not to return to Asgard." Tears flowed down my cheeks.

"He has, indeed. But that does not mean I cannot see you on Midgard." Loki's arms tightened. "I could not bear to be apart from you forever."

"Midgard is not what you think, Loki. Life there is different—very different—than life here."

"Sia, all worlds are different. The only thing that matters is that you are there. Wherever you are is where I shall go."

"Loki, I love you. I believe you. I just don't know how I am going to go through each day, knowing I will not be in your arms each night."

"My love! My Sia! I am with you always, in your heart." He touched the pendant over my heart. "And I will be with you on Midgard when I am able."

Loki stroked my hair. "It will not be as often, or as much, as either of us would like. But I will be there, and be with you as I can."

Seeing tears at the corners of his eyes made my tears flow more freely.

"Loki. Love." I could not find words, and even had I found them, could not have spoken them.

"Sia. Love."

A kiss like honey, a kiss like fire.

"I will be thinking of you until I am again in your arms, Sia."

"As I will be thinking of you, Loki."

A sweet, lingering kiss, and another.

"I will be on Midgard soon, Sia, my love."

"Loki, my heart, I will be there for you."

"Lady Sia?" Sigmund called from the observatory. "We are waiting for you."

"Yes, Sigmund. Just a moment."

A kiss like honey, a kiss like fire.

"Be brave, Sia. I will be there for you soon."

"I will, Loki."

"Remember every day how much I love you." Loki's eyes were streaming.

"I will, Loki. Remember every day how much I love you." My tears would not stop.

"I will, Sia. I love you."

"I love you, Loki."

Loki slowly pulled his arms away. It took all my strength not to swoon into them.

We stood barely apart, and yet with a universe between us.

"Soon, Sia. Soon."

"Soon, Loki."

I turned and went back into the observatory where Heimdall, Thor, and Sigmund were waiting.

"Are you ready, Sia?" Thor attempted a comforting smile. Sigmund was looking at something very interesting on the ceiling of the observatory. Heimdall stared at me intently.

"Yes, Thor. I am ready."

No, I am not ready. I never will be ready. But I cannot stay where I am not welcome.

I stood next to Thor. He wrapped his left arm around me.

"Ready, Heimdall." He nodded at the Gatekeeper.

"Thank you, Heimdall." I nodded.

"I am merely doing what my King requires."

Heimdall's face was expressionless as he inserted the sword into the Bifrost hub. I heard the sound of the gears, and the lights began to dance. I knew what to expect this time.

The roar of the Bifrost, the rush of lights, the sense of motion without movement.

And suddenly I was standing in my living room.

"Are you well, Sia?" Thor looked at me anxiously.

"Yes, thank you, Thor." I set my bag on the floor and looked around. So familiar, and yet so strange after my time in Asgard.

"Thank you for everything, Thor. You were a wonderful host, and you have been a good friend to me." I bit my lip so as not to cry.

"Sia, you are a wonderful woman, and a great scholar. I am happy to have furthered your work, and I look forward to the finished book."

"Thor, I—" The tears came, and I was unable to stop them. "Thor, please wait just a moment."

I raced down the hallway to my bedroom, and pulled my favorite volume of poems. Flipping through quickly, I found the one I sought. I ripped the page from the book, and grabbed a pen.

Loki, My Love ~

For you, from me, for always.

Your Sia

I folded the sheet and tucked it into an envelope, and raced back to the living room.

"Thor, please—give this to Loki."

Thor sighed. "Sia—"

"Thor, please? I know you are concerned about angering Odin. But if Jane wanted to send you a message, wouldn't you want someone to carry it to you?"

Thor swallowed, and nodded. "I will do this for you, Sia."

Thor leaned forward, and kissed me on the forehead.

"Sia, please take care of yourself."

"I will do my best, Thor. And you as well."

He nodded.

"Please also give my thanks to Sóldís and Erik. I didn't have the chance to say goodbye."

"I will, Sia."

"Thank you."

I smiled at Thor.

"Farewell, Sia."

"Farewell, Thor."

Thor stepped back, and raised Mjolnir.

"Ready, Heimdall!"

The familiar rumble, the flash of light, and then I was alone in my living room.

The story does not end here.

End notes: Sia's adventures with our favorite Asgardians will continue! I'm occupied with some Real Life Things for the next few months, so I expect to have the next story complete and ready to go by the end of 2016.

As our friends at the studio say:

"Sia will return in Sticks and Stones!"

Your post-credits teaser trailer can be found here: s/12153576/1/Sticks-and-Sones