Chapter Twenty-five

When Skylanas got word that Odin had fallen into Odin sleep, he smiled. His plan was going just as he had hoped. He was on schedule, just a few more days, and the humans would be dying in droves. They would blame Asgard, and with Odin asleep, it would be up to his ridiculous sons to keep the ensuing war from destroying both realms.

The loss of his daughter was disappointing, part of him had hoped he could convince her to join him. He had to be content with the fact that her children would belong to him.

He was going to have to hide well after this was over, the frost giant would not easily give up his children. He would come for Skylanas, and he needed to be prepared. There was still a lot of work to do.

Lucy sat on the edge of her prison, trying to calculate how far off the ground she was. Really it was only about twenty feet, but it might as well have been a thousand for all the spiky rocks that waited down below.

She looked above her as best she could, and to the sides, looking for hand or foot holes to climb out. She reached around the corner to her right, leaning out as far as she dared, when a voice startled her, and she almost fell.

"Where are you going tiny one?"

Lucy fell onto her behind, and looked all around her for the source of the voice. Even looking for him, she could barely see him. He blended right into the surroundings, and when he stepped forward to where she was, she swallowed thickly.

He was at least fifteen feet tall. And she couldn't even blink as she took in his features. He was blue, and covered in markings, and had blood red eyes. He moved right to the entrance of her cave, standing only a couple of feet shorter than the entrance.

She met his eyes trying to look far more fearless than she felt. "Where are my children?"

He smiled at her. It was absolutely terrifying. "Your children are safe, would you like to see them?"

"Yes, please." She said softly, the last word coming out in a bit of a sob. She cursed herself, for showing weakness.

"I believe that can be arranged. Provided you answer some questions that I have."

"Questions about what? Shouldn't I be the one with questions?"

"Do you know where you are little one?"

"Jötunheim." She didn't see any harm in answering that one, but she was leery as to what other information he wanted from her.

He nodded his head slowly, "and how did you know that? Have you been here before?"

"I don't see what difference that makes."

"It makes every difference. I have been told of your identity by a man I do not trust. If you are who he says you are, then I am quite sure you have never visited this realm. And so I will ask again, but do not try my patience small one. Is this your first visit to Jötunheim?"

Lucy got to her feet, and looked down at the giant. "Yes. This is my first time here. And your accommodations leave a lot to be desired. Does everyone who visits get put in a cave? Or am I just special?"

He chuckled at that one, "you are definitely special. It is not everyday the female belonging to our greatest enemy is placed into our hands."

"Well crap." Lucy muttered under her breath, apparently they were aware who she was.

"Tell me, does the God of Mischief know you are here?"

That was a question she definitely wasn't answering, instead she crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you think?"

"I think that he has no idea where you, or his children are. That should make him quite ...desperate, no?"

Lucy frowned, "You realize that desperation is not going to make him any less formidable, quite the opposite actually. And when he finds us, and he will, he will send an army to retrieve us. Believe me when I tell you, it is in your best interest that none of us be harmed."

"I have no interest in harming you, or your children, princess. You are simply the means to an end."

"And what end is that?"

"The end of the fake prince of Asgard. He will be punished for the murder of our king, he is a trickster, and a traitor. You will not be returned, until Loki Laufeyson is brought here to pay for his crimes. Until that time, if you cooperate, and do not cause any distress, I will bring your children here to you. Do you agree?"

Lucy fought the urge to be a smart ass, and argue with the giant. Instead she breathed a sigh of relief at the thought of her children here with her. "Yes, I agree."

"Then I will have your children delivered to you. Enjoy them while you can, princess of Asgard. The man, who delivered you to me, plans to take them for his own when he completes his mission."

"I'm sorry, what did you just say to me?" Lucy was beyond fear now, all she felt was rage.

And when he laughed and walked away from her, she made the decision that Loki was not the one who was going to kill Skylanas. She was.

True to his word, the giant delivered the twins, safely to Lucy's arms. They were awake, and she expected them to be hysterical. But, true to form, they surprised her.

Both stayed perfectly calm, and once the giant had left them to be alone in the cave, Coul said, "this place is pretty cool. It looks just like the pictures from that book in the library. Did you see the giant, mom? Is dad going to grow to be as big as that guy?"

Astryd rolled her eyes, "don't be stupid Coul. Grandma Frigga told us that frost giants come in all sizes. Dad is not going to grow any more, right mom?"

"Yes it's true, your father is fully grown. And please don't call your brother stupid." Lucy snuggled them close to her, both out of relief of their presence, and to keep them all warm.

After a moment of contemplation Coul spoke again, "okay, so dad isn't going to grow to be as tall as the other guy. But I think I will. Being that tall would be awesome. Maybe when I get bigger I can even make my skin turn blue."

Lucy sighed, and realized that it was going to be a long wait until they were rescued.

Everything felt like it was taking forever. Lucy and the children had already been in Jötunheim for days now, and Loki wanted them out of there and safe. But he was also worried about what was going to happen in Midgard. And the fact that he was trapped in Asgard being an unwilling king on a throne, just made everything more frustrating.

He had sent two guards back to Midgard, and they were under orders to deliver messages to him, at least once a day as to what was happening there.

Thor and his friends headed to Jötunheim the moment they were all gathered together. They had only been gone a few hours, but Loki knew it would take them time to find Lucy, and formulate a plan for her escape.

Loki had sat at his father's bedside for a few hours after his arrival. He cleared the room, so that he could be alone with Odin.

Loki kneeled at his Father's bedside, he leaned forward speaking right into Odin's ear. "Father, I need you to wake. I know this has been said before, but it is dire this time. Asgard need its king, and I am needed on Midgard. Thor is looking for Lucy and the children, they are in Jötunheim. Please father, please hear me. The frost giants have Lucy, and my children, and I...I don't know what to do." Loki laid his head on his father's shoulder and cried. But Odin didn't stir.

So he waited. He had never been good at that in his life. And now that so much was happening, he was even more desperate to be doing something helpful. He looked down at the note in his hand. A simple printed message from Director Fury. "It's almost time."

It was all the note said, but it was enough. Loki had been informed of the newest plan, and knew the time was coming quickly. He was going to have to leave Asgard, king or not.

"So we re-enter, and this time not quietly like before. Is everyone prepared? Do you all know what to do?" Thor looked around him at the expectant faces of warriors, who were ready for battle.

They all nodded, and with smiles all around, the escape plan was set into motion.