It was the lark, the herald of the morn,
No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks
Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east:
Night's candles are burnt out…
I want to go to Asgard…
And with these words, for Loki was shocked beyond response, she fell asleep. He did not move, he barely breathed.
There was little he could think of that was less desirable than Asgard's light, for he desired the anonymity of the dim of the far reaches of Yggdrasil. For what purpose could she claim this wish?
He wanted nothing more than to leave Midgard once seeing Erik. He wanted to re-create what they had enjoyed on Vanaheim. Indeed, he had believed that tomorrow at this time, they would be in such a dwelling, beginning their lives anew.
Should he insist that they do just that? Should he tell her no, they would not be going to the Realm Eternal? Should he deny her, his wife, whom he could scarcely deny anything? Indeed, had she requested anything, anything else, he would have gladly acquiesced. But…did he want to begin their lives as husband and wife with an argument?
Perhaps he should ascertain her design, and then decide how to act.
And so it was…when the wax from the candles did spill their last, and the blooms were beginning their wilt, that Jane arose to the sounds of Midgard's birds, the song she hadn't properly heard in many months. She stretched, and felt her husband's limbs wound round her tightly.
Her husband.
And she smiled.
For the first time since they had arrived, almost a week ago, Jane had slept soundly. Loki had been right. Get married, and Fate shall be appeased.
What did Fate want with them? Was this enough now…?
She had believed, in her slight naivety, that this would do the trick, and so she wished to go to Asgard, to end the war.
End the endless war. Make peace. Do as Loki had said many months ago now, and make an example of their love.
Jane believed that that was Fate's design. To show all of Yggdrasil that it didn't matter what race you were, love was love, and that was enough. She wanted Odin to see and accept her as his daughter. To accept his son once and for all. To announce to all of the Realms that he loved his son, no matter whom he married.
She rose and went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and thought that she never did ask Loki to just perform some magic and clean them for her.
Jane wrapped herself in a robe and went to the kitchen. She brewed some coffee…and she looked around at the room.
The flowers were still lovely. Mostly roses, she noted…mostly purples and reds. Jane went to them and took one of each…she smiled, as a thought materialized…
"Well, Jane Odinson. You are looking lovely this morning," boomed a voice hushed in whisper.
Jane turned. "Hey!" and she ran to Thor and threw her arms around him. "It's been ages," she said into his shoulder.
"Aye, and we are brother and sister now, is that not so?"
Jane pulled away. "It is!" she beamed.
"Congratulations. Loki is a lucky man."
Jane shrugged. "I guess so…Thor?"
"Hmm?" and he leaned against the countertop, folded his arms, and smiled at her.
"I want to see Odin."
His brow furrowed, his face fell. "Why?"
"Because…I want to help him see sense. Does he know that we are married?"
"No. I was on my way to Asgard now to see him and deliver the news."
Jane nodded. She turned and poured herself some coffee. "I want to go."
"What? Today?"
"Yes. Today…right after we see Erik. And then…then Loki and I…"
"Loki and I what?" said his voice from the bedroom's doorway.
Jane turned to look at him. "Morning," she said, smiling.
"Brother! How wonderful! I wished to be here," and Thor approached. "But was caught up with the Iron Man, as he calls it," he went to hug Loki, but the latter pulled away.
"What were the two of you talking about just now?"
"Well…" Thor began.
"Going to Asgard," Jane replied smartly.
"Is that so?" and Loki entered the kitchen, and got some coffee for himself.
"Yeah, I told you that I want to go."
"We hadn't devised any plan, Loki. Jane was just…"
"Oh, I understand, Thor. You needn't elaborate," Loki sneered. "I understand that my wife was about to sneak off to Asgard with my false brother."
"Loki!" Jane exclaimed. "I was only trying to make Thor agree with me! I know that you don't."
"No," he replied, glaring at her. "No…I don't agree. I want only to take you to see Erik, and then leave Midgard. Go away…" he went to her, took her hands. "Please, love…let us escape…perhaps to some unknown bits of the Tree, a stray leaf, mayhap? I can conjure a house, much as I did on Vanaheim, and we can live out our days…filled with sweet wine and roses…"
"But what about everyone else, Loki?" she pleaded, her eyes straining with emotion. "What about Midgard, and what about Asgard? What about everyone who will suffer Odin's wrath because we didn't at least try to make him see?" she paused. "He loves you, I know that he does…"
"He does no such thing," Loki spat, dropping her hands.
"But how selfish to have this opportunity and not take it! And what if he forgives you?! What if this has been Fate's plan all along? What if we are meant to bring the Tree together at last? Make things easier for those who love one another in secret, unable to openly declare it…living a lie…" Jane swallowed the lump in her throat as she watched her husband physically react to her words. He stiffened in his spot, not looking at her…back tense…and Thor waited with bated breath. "Loki, I love you. I love you so much. But, I can't just think about what might have been…I couldn't when I was drawn to you, and I can't now. Why would we waste the opportunity to set things right, now? Why not try…?"
Loki now turned toward her. And tears were falling quite freely. "Because, Jane…this is the moment we have been both crawling and flying toward…I feel it…this will determine our lives, henceforth…"
"But what will happen if we go to Asgard?"
"Something horrific…I cannot say."
Jane sighed. "Thor…what do you think?"
The Thunderer was listening raptly, he sighed and shook his head. "I do not play with Fate…never dabble in her designs. I cannot say what my opinion is of all this…"
"Speak, man! Give Jane a proper answer!" Loki was very nearly shaking with his insistence.
Thor looked at him. "I think that Jane is right. It is worth a try, and I shall accompany both of you. Nothing shall harm you."
"Oh, that is a comfort," Loki replied with derision. "And what of the great power Odin has? Frigga can only do so much…and sadly, Thor…your hammer lacks against the might of the King."
"My hammer is in no way lacking!"
"Are we still talking about Mjölnir?" Jane asked with a smirk.
And they all had a laugh.
"Janie…I'll always be worried about you," Erik Selvig was in his kitchen, filled with medications, for he was still recovering from all that he had seen and everything that had happened to him since the night Loki sent him away.
"I know…but try, Erik. I'll communicate…I promise. No matter where I am."
"Are you truly married to the lie smith?"
Jane nodded.
"I cannot believe it. After everything that I had told you…what would your parents say? Some guardian I turned out to be."
"My parents," Jane began. "Would be proud of who I am, standing up for what I believe, being in love…being married. They would be grateful for everything that you have done for me. Stop being so silly." Erik shrugged, and Jane thought that he looked terribly small, weak, and frail. "Don't worry, Uncle Erik. Everything is gonna be alright," she gave him a hug. "I promise."
At that, Erik pulled away, and looked at Jane, horror struck. "Jane," he breathed. "This is the last time I will ever see you."
"Oh stop! No it isn't! I'll be back!" she laughed.
"No…no you won't," he stood. "Jane…run away…run away…"
"I can't," she told him, taking his hands. "I'm married. I'm in love with Loki, Erik. My life is with him."
"Then…then…you'll die," he whispered.
"Jane?" Loki's voice pierced the room, fraying the edges of the air.
Without looking away, Jane said, "Coming," she swallowed. "Uncle Erik…I gotta go. I'll be in touch, alright?"
His eyes never left hers. "Don't do it, Jane, whatever you're about to do…just don't," he whispered.
But Jane went to Loki, and took his hand.
They left the flat, and Jane was horrified.
"How was your visit?" Loki asked her after a few moments. They were standing in the small garden around the back, and Loki was going to transport them to Stark Tower to meet Thor.
"Fine," she choked.
"Jane…don't lie to me."
She looked at him. "Loki…Erik isn't well. He sounded…crazy…like he never recovered from Alfheim."
"How would you like to handle this?"
"Well," she replied. "I guess that maybe Tony Stark is rich. He can maybe see that Erik gets the best care. And then, once we get wherever we are going, I can check in on him, you know, after we are settled."
Loki was looking steadily at her. "Of course."
"Really?" and she smiled up at him.
"What, do you honestly believe that I wouldn't be supportive of your concern over your foster father?"
"No!" she paused. "No, but…I appreciate it all the same."
He smiled and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
"So why is the prodigal son coming here with his wife again?"
"Because it is where we agreed to meet, Mr. Stark. Are you really going to take issue with this?" Thor was looking out of the massive window. "If this works, this plan of Jane's, then everything will be at peace in the Nine, and Odin will turn his eye from Midgard."
"Literally," said Tony, clapping his hands. "But there hasn't been a threat here for almost three months. I thought the big Cyclops was over it."
"Careful, mortal," Thor warned, looking at him. "It certainly is true, the King hasn't been so fixed on Midgard, but that does not mean that he won't return his gaze, or his ire."
At that, Loki and Jane appeared.
Tony took a long look at them both and laughed. Loki looked crookedly at him.
"I was expecting something else," Stark explained.
"Such as?"
"Something…more," he shrugged.
Jane laughed. "Nope. We're pretty normal, Mr. Stark."
"Call me Tony," he said, approaching, and took her hand. "Fury is on his way…your mammoth of a brother here," and he turned to Loki. "Will send word via your seer guy in the sky if and earn everything is ok. We're counting on you two."
"No pressure," muttered Jane.
"Hey, this is your idea, Mrs. Odinson. I was cool with the status quo; Odin not bothering us, we not bothering his eye."
"Jane is a good soul. She sees past her own needs," Loki interjected.
"Quite a Prince you have there, Janie," and Tony walked away.
"Are we ready, then?" asked Thor.
"Ready," said Jane.
Thor went to Loki. "I never thought I'd be traveling this way again."
"What, the more effective way?"
"Just so," and he smiled.
Jane took hold of Loki's right arm, Thor his left. "Frigga is there already, waiting for us," he mentioned, just as the office fell from view…
Jane saw Tony's look just as they disappeared…and it was concerned.
And the air pressed around them, and the cold filled their lungs, and Loki, steady and true, did not waver, though he had thought for a fleeting moment that he would divert them at the last second, desperately not wanting to do this…
…they landed in a golden chamber. Jane was holding onto Loki…Thor was letting go…
"The Prince has returned with a Princess," said an impressive voice.
"Heimdall," said Loki.
"Asgard," whispered Jane.