Author's Notes: Things are riling up! So excited to post these!

Disclaimer: Said it before~

Mirror, mirror, what's behind you?
Save me from the things I see!
I can keep it from the world,
Why won't you let me hide from me?

Chapter 25- Last Night

Loki paced the hallways. She had been distracting herself all day with as many menial tasks as she could. She had gone so far as to help Eir clean out the storage pantry in the healing room, let Frigga play with her hair and all sorts of dreadful clothing, visit Sleipnir without anyone really noticing, attempt reading some of her favorite books, learn some trivial spells she hadn't cared to know before, tidied up her room when it wasn't even messy, tried to make some sort of edible food with Volstagg—that didn't turn out too well—and even considered talking with Sif.

Talk with Sif?

She really was going mad! Loki bit her lip as she continued her walk. She had passed the closed doors of the grand hall—what was it? Ten times now?—and was still waiting for Thor to be done with his trifling meetings.

She didn't want to think about what she was faced with. Overnight Thor had raised the security around Odin's chamber. She wasn't sure why, but she had the darkest feeling that he had had some sort of premonition of an attack.

Could she really blame him? How many attacks had happened already when Odin was awake? Too many. How could they be safe when the All-Father was in Odinsleep?

"Loki."

Loki stopped in her steps. She turned around slowly and met the fiery orange gaze of the one who had addressed her. Heimdall was following her?

"You seem agitated," he stated.

No shit. Loki hated the vulgar language, even in her own thoughts, but this was a situation where she was beyond the point of caring for civil words.

"And you are not at your post," Loki responded with a cool tone.

"What has caused you such distress?" the dark-skinned man took a few steps toward her.

Loki fought the urge to back away. As far as she knew, Heimdall's vision and hearing had undoubtedly been blocked when the Jotuns had cornered her. Was this an interrogation to know what had happened? She wished the gatekeeper luck; he was going to need it to get anything out of her with the cursed necklace on.

"I am merely worried," Loki replied. It wasn't a lie.

"About?"

"…Everything."

Heimdall considered her answer.

"Everything is a large burden to carry. Should you not focus on one thing at a time?"

Loki took a deep breath. It made sense, but she couldn't just carry on with her life while her imminent demise loomed over her head.

"Calm your mind," Heimdall advised her, "The answers will come in the stillness."

Loki acknowledged his words with a nod, "I will… consider it."

They went their separate ways at that. Loki wandered the halls before finally steering her feet toward the warrior's tower. There was one thing she wanted to settle.

She swept into the commons area gracefully and glanced around. Hogun was adjusting the straps on a glove and no one else was in sight.

"Hogun," she spoke to the warrior.

Hogun looked over at her and went back to his work. When she crossed her arms and didn't move, he let out a sigh, "What is it?"

"Where is Sif?"

Mild surprise registered on his face before he hid it under the slight scowl he always wore, "Why are you looking for her?"

"That is none of your concern."

"If you are going to start something—"

"I intend to finish something that should have been dealt with a long time ago."

Hogun looked her up and down. Loki glared back. If he wasn't going to tell her then she would just find someone else.

"She is in her room," Hogun replied at last.

"Thank you," Loki responded. Had that really been so hard?

Loki went down the opposite side hall that led to the shield maiden's room. She raised a hand to knock but Sif spoke up.

"Come in."

Upon opening the door, Loki knew the shield maiden regretted her premature command. "What are you doing here?" she snapped as she set an armor piece aside.

"I am here to speak with you—"

"No. Get out."

Loki ignored the blunt cutoff. "No."

Sif's eyes narrowed. Loki noted how close Sif's sword was to the other woman. It might be best to keep distance between them.

"Are you hear to rub it in my face tha—"

"I am here to apologize."

Sif's mouth shut and her expression turned to that of confused suspicion. Silence fell like a thick blanket in the room.

Loki took the quiet as a sign to continue. "I know you dislike me greatly and I cannot change that… but I would like to apologize for everything I have ever done to you. I am sorry our relationship… hasn't been the same since I… modified your hair."

"You cursed my hair," Sif spat.

"If I could change it, I would," Loki stated. She was hoping that Sif would see the sincerity in her words, even if she knew that the shield maiden would never believe her.

"Get out of my room," the bite in Sif's voice lessened, but it was still there.

"I am deeply sorry Sif… from the bottom of my heart. If things could have been different…" Loki choked on her words and faded out. If only Thor had found interest in the shield maiden and not her. She wouldn't have to make this insufferable decision.

"Go," Sif turned away.

Loki watched the shield maiden go back to her armor. She wasn't sure what Sif was thinking. There was no use in dragging this out further. Loki backed up a couple steps and pulled the door shut.

She took a long breath as she stood in the hall. She had expected to be yelled at, raged at, or even have things thrown. What now?

Loki returned to the commons area. Hogun had departed, most likely for training. She took her usual spot by the fire and stared at the dancing flames. What would it take to have a peaceful life?

"Loki?" Thor's voice broke her from the turmoil inside her head. She looked up as he approached. Shadows danced across his features as he neared the brazier containing the fire.

Was it late already? Loki looked out the windows. It was indeed evening already. Had she been sitting for that long?

"What are you doing here alone?" Thor inquired as he stopped in front of her.

"Thinking," she gave him a little shrug. What else could she say?

"Is there something on your mind?" Thor was searching her expression for answers.

"What do you think I am pondering?"

A sheepish look crossed Thor's face, "I would hope something cheerful…"

Loki rose from her spot and walked around Thor quietly, "Then it was cheerful."

"Loki…"

"It was," she stated. Loki moved on to her room with the blonde warrior following behind.

Once they were alone, Thor rounded on her, "Loki, tell me something. What did you write on those papers yesterday?"

"Papers?" alarm shot through Loki. She looked over at her desk. Had he actually looked at them?

"Yes, those," Thor responded as he closed the distance between them.

Loki refused to back away, but her confidence dropped. "They were nothing but scribble."

"Then why did they say there is a traitor among us?"

She bit her lip. She couldn't say it if she tried. She was the traitor.

"I don't know?" she replied. Her anxiety was slowly rising again. What was she going to do!?

"Loki," Thor cupped her cheek gently. His eyes were stern, "You know you can trust me with anything."

"I know," Loki responded. But you cannot trust me…

She wanted to finish the sentence but her lips wouldn't form the words. This inability to speak was driving her insane. If the necklace didn't kill her the lack of free speech would!

Thor let out a muted sigh and walked over to the bed. Loki watched him prepare for sleep and lay down. She followed his example as the chaos kept building within.

A thought occurred to her as she sat on the edge of the bed.

If she killed Odin, their child had a chance to live.

She had to kill the All-Father.

Tears welled in Loki's eyes. It was for the best if she wanted their child to live. It would tear her apart knowing she would never see the results. Killing Odin would certainly mean death for her. But if Thor at least allowed their child to be born first… the situation was a little more bearable.

"Loki don't cry… come here," Thor stated.

She looked at the god of thunder as he offered his arms out. Loki would destroy the trust he held for her. She would save the one hope they had for the future.

"Loki…" Thor was growing more frustrated as she didn't move. He wiped tears from her face with a hurt expression. What was she doing? She was ruining the last night they would ever have together…

"There there…" he scooted closer in an attempt to console her better.

Loki forced a small smile to her lips. He was trying so hard to make her happy…

Thor reflected the smile, but his eyes were still full of worry. Loki had to make the emotion go away. She couldn't accept seeing him like this.

Loki pulled Thor close and kissed him fervently. Thor returned the action after some hesitation. His arms wrapped around her as she kissed him desperately. She needed this. She needed the contact, the closeness, all the love she could get.

Tomorrow would see to it that she never saw those things again.

Loki poured all her emotions into their kiss as she pushed Thor onto the bed.

This was the last night she would spend with Thor. The last night before she would be alone forever.

Again.

Thor let out a loud sigh as he stretched out in a large chair in the warrior's tower. He was taking a brief break from all of his harrowing meetings. They had to find sustenance some time during the day.

He debated on trying to find Loki in the little time he had. She had still been sleeping when he had risen in the morning. He hadn't known what to expect from her constantly shifting moods last night, and well… things had ended pretty well. He just hoped every night wasn't an up and down experience while she was carrying his child.

Thor decided he would find the mischievous woman before heading back to the High Chamber. As he moved to get up, hands covered his eyes. Thor chuckled as he was gently pulled against the back of the chair again.

"What witchcraft is this!?" Thor exclaimed. He doubted that anyone other than Loki would attempt such a thing with him. She was really the only person who could sneak up on him. She was like a silent feline; one would never know she was there unless she wanted them to know.

A soft giggle behind him made Thor smile. "There is no witchcraft, darling…" Loki nuzzled into his neck. This was a new mood indeed. She didn't remove her hands as she breathed against his skin, "Unless you really want me to cast something on you…"

"Anything you can conjure up to get me out of the meetings, please do," Thor responded. He took Loki's hands away from his face and she wrapped them around his shoulders.

"What are you up to today?" he asked.

"Sleeping…" Loki replied curtly, "There's nothing else to do in this heat."

"I do not see you sleeping now," he teased.

"I was hoping you would join me."

"Loki the meetings…"

"You are king. Reschedule."

Thor laughed. They both knew he could do no such thing. Not on such short notice.

"All right," he replied, "I will for a short time."

He followed Loki to her room. It was strange really. Thor couldn't see Loki being one for lounging about and sleeping all day. Was this the motherly changes he was seeing? She certainly didn't look like she had been getting much sleep the past few days. There were dark circles under her eyes. Thor could see the circles beneath the illusion covering them if he looked hard enough.

Loki settled herself in bed almost instantly. Thor took a moment to remove armor pieces that would cause discomfort. Loki watched him quietly.

He sat on the edge of the bed and casually asked, "How have you been feeling lately?"

"Tired. Stressed. Nothing out of the ordinary," she responded simply.

"No sickness or overheating?" Thor was concerned for her, but he knew Loki could handle herself well. He just wanted to be sure there wasn't anything he was missing.

"It comes and goes," Loki let out a small sigh, "Eir was gracious with the cooling spells."

Thor curled up with her. The healer certainly had been! Loki's skin was freezing! After a moment of being unable to handle her cold skin, Thor finally grabbed a blanket. He wrapped Loki up in it with much protest from her and then snuggled up to the cool bundle.

It was much better than touching ice while he laid there.

"Was that really necessary?" Loki whined softly. She didn't sound terribly annoyed.

"If you weren't so cold, I wouldn't need it," Thor chuckled. He kissed her cheek gently. Why was her face warm and the rest of her body the opposite?

They fell into silence. Loki's breathing evened out. Thor was sure she had fallen asleep. It was good for her to rest and not take things too hard.

His assumption was wrong though as she spoke up after a time, "I am sorry Thor."

"Sorry?" Thor was baffled by the apology, "Might I ask for what?"

"Everything," she whispered.

"Loki…" Thor wasn't sure how to respond. She had apologized numerous times in the past few days at random times. Was this for the Midgardian attacks and such? He had already forgiven her faults for those incidents. "That is all in the past now. We have learned from our mistakes and will become better people because of what has happened."

"I…" she hesitated. Had he assumed wrong and there was something else on her mind?

"Please promise me something."

"What is it?"

"No matter what happens… please protect our child. Even if something happens to me…"

Thor's worry rose at Loki's words. Did she know something was going to happen? He wouldn't let it! And of course he would protect their child with every fiber of his being! That promise included Loki too!

"I will always protect both of you," Thor pressed his meaning gently.

Loki was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. Thor waited for her to proceed, but she let out a sigh instead.

"Who is it?" she snapped at the intruder.

The door opened and Fandral stuck his head inside. "I hope I'm not being a bother but Thor…" the warrior frowned a little, "You're needed in the grand hall."

"What now?" Thor grumbled. He didn't feel like moving yet.

"Considering you're late, I think they want you to at least show up," Fandral quipped.

Thor let out a groan. Had that much time gone by already!? He shoved himself up with a grunt and made his way over to the door. He glanced back as Loki sat up elegantly.

"They also informed me the meeting may run late this evening…" Fandral let the news slip out.

Thor rubbed his face in annoyance, "Why?"

"They did not tell me."

Thor let out a loud breath through his nose. This was not what he wanted to hear.

Loki watched him with a curiously lightened expression. He wasn't sure what she was thinking about the news.

"All right…" he spoke after a moment, "Let us go."

"Have pleasant conversations," Loki bade them farewell as they left the room.

Thor smiled at her and followed Fandral out into the halls.

"Your mother is also going to be there," Fandral stated lowly as they walked.

Thor could have let out another groan. He had to be extra good and maybe actually listen if Frigga was going to be present. This was going to be the longest meeting of his entire life!