Wow - here we are - the final chapter and the epilogue. Thank you for all the reviews for the last two chapters.

There was a great comment from one reviewer about Loki the relationship counselor. I'm pleased to announce that Loki will NOT be applying to RELATE (Marriage Guidance) anytime soon. I just loved the opportunity of picking up on the similarities between Bruce and Loki (self loathing as a dominant character trait - the monster within etc) and at the same time take time to reflect on how far Loki's come since the beginning of KTSA.

I really really hope that this chapter is worth the wait. I don't mind admitting that I've done a total rewrite since chapter 28 went up. And for those waiting for the next installment of Tales of the Third Brother - Sorry - I've been focusing on KTSA this week, but I will try to post again tomorrow.

A final thank you to everyone that has supported these stories. You are all lovely, wonderful people.

I do not own any Marvel or HP characters and do this for my own personal satisfaction - and hopefully your entertainment.

Merrick x


Two days after Dr Banner's departure back to Earth, Eir finally permitted Loki to leave the Healing Rooms, on the strict understanding that he continue to take things very easily, and that Hermione was to summon her if she had the slightest concerns, at any time of the day or night.

Loki's three month coma had given his body all the time it needed to heal, both physically and magically, but mentally, his memory and concentration were still erratic – sometimes recalling things effortlessly, while other times thoughts would slip away from him like fog through his fingers. Eir was pragmatic, admitting that it may take a while for his full faculties to return to him. After all, he had been mortally wounded, and should by rights be dead by now; the shock of the injury – even for an Aesir or a Jotun, was considerable, and the after effects could well last for a little while. Loki tried very hard to be patient, but it wasn't always easy, especially when his magic slipped frustratingly away from his control, and tired him humiliatingly quickly...

On his second night back in his own bed, Loki was awoken suddenly in the very darkest hours of the night. For a moment he was confused, trying to work out what had woken him. He had no recollection of any nightmares, no awareness of any physical discomfort and the room was quiet and comfortable. So why was he awake?

A second view around the room answered his question. Hermione was sitting huddled over the fire, wrapped in what appeared to be several blankets, and his heavy winter cloak. Reaching for his bed robe, he hurried to her side. She did not look up as he approached.

"Hermione, sweetheart, are you alright?" He reached out to touch her cheek, gasping in shock at the temperature of her skin. "Hermione. You're freezing cold. What ails you? Are you sick?"

His wife looked up at him – eyes wide and confused. "I don't know what's the matter Loki, I've been p-permanently cold" she was shivering so hard that she stumbled over her words. "...f-for months now, but it's never been this b-bbad." Ringing the bell for a servant, he sent an urgent message to Eir and to Frigga.

Being closer, Frigga arrived within a few minutes. "Hermione, what is the matter – is it Loki?" She took in the situation quickly. "… clearly not. What is the matter my dear?" She crouched down in front of her daughter in law, chafing her hands to try to get some warmth into them. Hearing the door open for a second time, she looked back over her shoulder. "Eir. Help her. Something is wrong."

Eir ran a quick appraising eye over Hermione, concerned that she was now no longer shivering, and her extremities were turning blue. "Loki, get her onto the bed. I need to examine her, now!"

For what felt like an achingly long time, no one spoke as Eir carried out a thorough examination. Finally she turned around, stepping a little to one side, away from the bed. "Loki, come here please. It's the child"

Loki's face was blank with shock. "Is it coming – it's too early."

Eir shook her head. "The child is becoming more aware of her surroundings. Loki, she is half Jotun. Hermione's body temperature is too high for her, she is trying to cool down her surroundings." She dropped her voice further, unsure of how aware Hermione was, and not wishing to frighten her. "If this continues for much longer, even Hermione's magic, and the apple will not be sufficient to sustain her life"

Through the pounding in his head, deep inside, Loki could feel the panic coiling within him, feel the urge to scream out his fear and his rage to the worlds. Not now – he couldn't lose her now...

Eir's eyes were calm, her voice pitched deliberately low to get through to him. "Loki, you have to listen to me. Now is not the time for you to panic. This is beyond simply healing. Only you have the power to do this. You must calm the child, and protect your wife or this pregnancy cannot continue without the loss of mother or child – possibly both"

Loki closed his eyes, trying to quell the panic, and focus; trying not to think about how unstable and unreliable his powers had been of late, and what was at stake if he failed.

Sitting cross legged on the bed beside her, Loki took several deep, calming breaths, using a technique that he had learned from Hermione herself. Shutting out the outside world, he reached inside himself, finding the calm centre within him, focussing his mind on a happy, but peaceful memory. When his body and mind were quieter he carefully extended tendrils of power, brushing first against Hermione's natural magical defences which her body had thrown up in response to its current crisis. Hush love, it's only me – see – no threat at all. Her shields gradually responded to the gentle coaxing of his powers, finally allowing him to pass.

Hermione's energies now lay before him. Already he could see how the paralysing cold radiating from her womb was causing her systems, both physical and magical to shut down to only the most essential of functions. Within her womb he could find his daughter easily. A roil of bright, fierce power - beginning to feel trapped, and lashing out with all that she had to put it right. Gradually so as not to distress the child further Loki enfolded her in his power, so like her own. Ssh now child, you know me. I know your fear, but see what you are doing….

The witch-child responded, not with words, but with a stab of fear and discomfort, tinged with irritation. I know – you are far too hot. Let me see if I cannot make you more comfortable – what you are doing at the moment is hurting your mother. Almost immediately the waves of cold started to recede, and the little witch's power responded with sadness and love. Now that she was calmer, Loki needed to keep both his wife and daughter safe for the rest of the pregnancy. In his mind's eye, Loki created an insulating barrier around his daughter, formed from his and Hermione's powers together. Once this was in place and reassuringly stable, he was able to drop the surrounding temperature for their daughter, without the cold affecting Hermione. Immediately he could feel the child relaxing, sending out little flickers of happiness and apology for hurting her mother

He had hoped to be able to bring Hermione magically back to a more comfortable temperature, but he could feel exhaustion tugging on the edges of his consciousness, and knew that his control would be compromised if he continued. With a final comforting brush of power against his now sleepy daughter's mind, he returned to his waiting body.

For a moment there was only the familiar prickly, restricted sensation as his power became re-accustomed to the containment of his body, but once that passed, he was conscious only of crushing weariness. What he wanted to do was tend to Hermione himself, but he could feel his mother's arms gently lowering him onto the pillow, with reassurances that he had done well and that she and Eir would tend Hermione while he rested…

When Loki finally awoke, it was mid morning. Hermione's side of the bed was empty, and for a moment he panicked, fearing that she had become worse while he slept, however, looking quickly around the room, he soon found her dressed in a soft warm robe, drinking tea by the fire with his mother, who was looking rather tired.

"Good morning dear" smiled Frigga realising that he was awake. "Would you care to join us? Hermione and I have been talking about what happened last night, and what I believe you have done to remedy the situation."

"Whatever you did…" interjected Hermione "… I am very grateful. I think I'm warmer now than I have been for months."

Taking a cup from his mother, Loki slid into the chair beside his wife, drawing her onto his lap. "The main problem alskling is that there is no known precedent for a mortal woman carry a half Jotun child. Although admittedly you are hardly a typical mortal woman, having both your magic, and the apple to strengthen you. Hopefully I have now ensured that you will be comfortable during your pregnancy, but I can't be there to help at the birth."

Frigga smiled, but perhaps wisely refrained from comment. Hermione who had been contemplating her abdomen thoughtfully, looked up sharply. "Oh yes you can."

Loki shook his head. "I don't know what the Midgardian customs are Hermione, but in Asgard, birthing is women's business."

Hermione snorted inelegantly. "Magic is a woman's art too isn't it? And you have magic. And birthing this very magical child is going to take both of us, unless you want me turned into an ice cube again. So you'd better get used to the idea of breaking yet another Asgardian tradition Loki because I'm damn well going to need you to help me"

Loki smiled wryly. "That's going to cause some stir in the Healing Rooms. I'm not sure what Eir will say."

Hermione lifted her chin. "Well am I a Princess of Asgard or not? If it is my wish that my Lord and husband be present at the birth – well that is how it will be." She smiled wickedly. "We have a reputation for ignoring convention after all my love, everyone will be most disappointed if we change now…."

After Frigga's departure, Hermione and Loki - by mutual consent – returned to their bed. Both were still tired, and last night's close shave had shocked and scared them both – some quiet, alone-time was definitely required. Curled up together in the middle of the bed, the fire stoked to burn all day, they both drifted back to sleep.

Much later, when the short day was beginning to work its way towards evening, and they were back beside their fire, Loki remembered the question that had been niggling at his memory since he first awoke.

"Hermione – where is Harry? Has he left Asgard again? I don't wish to appear – demanding, but I had thought that he might have been here – if only to support you..."

Hermione was ominously silent, trying to work out the best way to approach this... When she knelt beside him, Loki's heart sank.

"Loki, how much do you remember of when you were hurt?"

His eyes clouded. "I remember the blade – pain - at first, then nothing. I couldn't breathe. It's all – fuzzy after that..."

Hermione took his hand her face grave. "Loki – you were really badly hurt. You remember – you stabbed the Kursed straight through – back to front?" He nodded, "The blade was a huge thing, several feet were sticking out of his chest. He turned and grabbed you. Took you unawares and pulled you onto it; it went straight through you too, straight through your chest and spine. That's why the pain stopped. It shattered your spine." The grip on his hand tightened, her voice pitched deliberately low and even... "You were dying Loki, there was nothing that Thor, Harry or I could do - your injuries were - catastrophic. You were just slipping away before our eyes..." she had to pause for a moment, resting her head against his knee, the memory of that awful moment overwhelming her even now.

"Hermione?"

"Loki, Harry told you about the whole 'Master of Death' thing, didn't he?"

His eyes were huge and very dark. "Hermione – what did he do?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "He summoned Hela. He made a deal..."

"A deal..." Loki's voice was little more than a whisper. "Tell me?" The grip on her hand was painful. "Tell me he didn't give his life for mine... please Hermione..."

She shook her head, eyes on his. "One hundred years..."

Loki's face was chalk white with shock, voice little more than a whisper. "What?"

"One hundred years with Hela – after which she will return him, with the lifespan of an Aesir, to live out the rest of his life with us – if that is what he chooses."

Loki leaned back in his chair, reeling with shock. "How? I mean – how did he have the right to do that? He is my friend – my brother, but he has only known me for so little time – why would he do such a thing?"

"He had the right of family Loki. Do you remember when we all met up in the Leaky Cauldron – how he said he had been doing some family research. Well he found the connection. A girl named Melisandre Black, in the fifteenth century or thereabouts – do you remember her."

Loki frowned for a moment, then his face softened. "I do. She was very wise, and very very lovely. We had one night, after which Thor and I were dispatched off to Vanaheim to sort out some local trouble. When I returned a year later she was gone. I had assumed her to be married."

Hermione shook her head. "She bore you a son Loki – and died in the process. And from that child – the only heir of his family, illegitimate or no, came the whole powerful family of Black wizards. Harry's surname may be Potter, but his father was connected by blood to the Black family, as was his mother, although that connection was less well known. Generally the Blacks are all dark with grey eyes, but there have been a number of throwbacks throughout the generations with black hair and green eyes – all of them powerful wizards. But the blood connection was not Harry's only reason. Your mother had told him about the baby – I didn't know this at the time – so it was mainly for you – because I know that he loves you like the brother that he never had, but also for me and for our child, so that she can have the family that he was denied.

Seeing him looking pale and shocked, as well as deeply troubled, Hermione gave him a moment, pouring a cup of wine from the jug warming by the fire, it was sweetened and spiced just the way he liked it, and gradually it brought a little colour back to his face.

"You were with me – we both saw the deal made, although Hela would only allow us to witness, not to participate– but your body was so close to death at that point that I don't know if you will ever fully remember what happened. Maybe one day I can show you in the penseive, but not today I think. It would be too much for you to take in."

Hermione took a deep breath. "But there is one thing that you should know Loki. Hela could not take him up on it, because she cannot take the souls of the living, only the dead – but Harry did make the offer. Harry offered to trade his life for yours, because he said that you were worthy of the sacrifice."

Loki was silent, sipping his wine, his eyes far away, struggling to take it all in. Rising, Hermione curled up beside him, his hand in hers, waiting for what would come next.

After some time, Loki looked back at her – his eyes damp, but his face calm

"Where is he?"

"In the room next to the one you occupied in the Healing Rooms at the moment, although that is only a temporary solution. We need to keep him safe until he returns to us, but I don't want to shut him away."

Loki shook his head in agreement. "Absolutely. We need to find a place where he can be safe, but we should not keep him behind locked doors. I for one, will wish to visit, as will you no doubt."

"And our daughter, when she is old enough. She needs to understand what he sacrificed for our sake…

ooo0ooo

A week later, Loki and Hermione paid a long overdue call on Professor McGonagall. Following the dramatic events of the Convergence, a hasty message had been sent to Hogwarts appraising her of the situation, but since then she had heard nothing. Hermione in particular was guiltily aware of the way in which she had neglected her old friend and mentor, so the chance to catch up over a cup of tea in around the fire in her office once more was very welcome.

Professor McGonagall had been overjoyed to see them, and had even shed a few tears at the news of Hermione's pregnancy. She had also been delighted and horrified to finally hear the full story of what had taken place between Loki and Hermione's departure to London and the rather vague note – written by Frigga in the confusion immediately following the battle. She reported that Hogwarts had sustained some minor structural damage during the convergence, but that the wards had protected them from the worst of it, and best of all, there had only been a single casualty, when a third year student had left the building in spite of clear instruction to the contrary, and had had his collarbone broken by a small piece of falling masonry.

The Headmistress had been very distressed however, at the news of Harry's fate. While the Aesir could be sorry but pragmatic over his absence, no one on Earth would live to see his return, and her grief at his loss was difficult to watch – especially for Loki, who, in spite of several visits to Harry's room, was still struggling to come to terms with his choice. It was agreed that Professor McGonagall would liaise with Kingsley over the best way to handle the news of Harry's "death".

Having joined the whole school for supper in the Great Hall, Loki and Hermione spent the night in their old rooms before leaving in the morning. Popping into the Head's office to say goodbye, they were greeted by Professor Dumbledore, who had been visiting his portrait in the Ministry the previous day.

Walking back down the drive towards the Bifrost point, Loki paused for a moment to look back at the magnificent building.

"While you were saying goodbye to Minerva, Professor Dumbledore said something interesting to me." Hermione – snug in a heavy scarlet cloak with a fur lining looked up at him inquiringly. "He said that the past is just a story, and when you realise this, it has no longer has any power over you"

Hermione chuckled. "Professor Dumbledore could never resist the chance to be enigmatic. I know what he means though. Strange to think that this was where all of this…." she gestured vaguely to themselves, and her expanding figure "….all started. It seems like so long ago that I was summoned to Minerva's office in the middle of the night only to discover that every Norse myth I'd ever read was grounded in fact."

Loki's arm tightened around her shoulder. "What would you have said if someone told you that you had just met your future husband?"

Stepping through the gates, which opened obligingly for them, she looked mischievously up at him. "I would have said that Thor was very handsome and seemed very charming." She was unable to suppress a giggle at the look of mock-outrage on Loki's face.

"Witch" he growled, pulling her tightly against him. "Heimdall my friend – two to come home if you please….."