Their visitors found them enjoying the twilight almost an hour later. They hadn't spoken much since she told him her theory, but it wasn't an unpleasant silence. Loki kept finding reasons to keep contact with her, which she found oddly endearing. He usually wasn't what she'd consider physically needy, but since the attempted attack, he'd been much more demonstrative of his affection. It was nice.
She knew it was the calm before the storm, because Loki probably wouldn't be disposed to going along with her plan. Throughout the day she'd gone over the arguments again and again, ensuring that she could make a strong case. Although more emotional than usual, she thought she could count on him to be ultimately reasonable.
But when his arm tightened around her shoulders at the appearance of their guests, she knew it would likely be a long, drawn out debate. Where Loki saw a potential threat, she only saw allies. For her, the sight of Thor, Jane, and Heimdall was a most welcome one.
"I see there is much my wife didn't tell me," he drawled.
She ignored the jibe and went to greet the party. "Thank you all for responding to my summons. I appreciate you coming with nothing but my word that it was important."
"So they don't know what's going on either?"
"No, Loki, they don't. I'll explain everything, but I'm afraid I'll have to do so from bed. I'm fatigued again."
She managed to stave off any more questions until she was tucked back into her nest of pillows and blankets. The others pulled up chairs around the bed, Heimdall looking confused at being treated as an equal to a king, queen, prince, and princess. She could tell he'd rather stand guard, but she insisted he sit. She counted him as much an ally as the others.
Finally Thor broke the silence. "Sister, what has happened? I'm pleased to find you're expecting, but I suspect we weren't asked to come for that reason alone."
"No. I knew Loki and I could trust the three of you and what I'm about to tell you, I do so because of that trust. Several days ago I was poisoned. We know that whoever wishes to do me harm has been drugging my food. I succumbed to a very small amount of the poison and was rendered unconscious for four days. So far Loki has been able to keep that information secret, but the threat has not been found."
"I have seen nothing of this plot, my queen," Heimdall interjected. "I have failed you."
"Nobody has failed me! Not you, not Loki, nobody. This is the work of people who wish to do me harm and have gone to a great deal of trouble to do so. Nobody is infallible and I blame only those who perpetrated this scheme. Castigating ourselves will do no good." Her words were as much for Loki as for Heimdall. She knew he blamed himself for not stopping the culprit by now.
"Erna, what can we do?" Jane was already focused on the problem and what could be done to solve it. Never had she been more grateful for the woman's scientific mind.
"I think I should go to Midgard for a while. Would you be willing to host me?"
Everyone began to talk at once, and she could see the helpless anger cloud her husband's face. It pained her to see him so upset at the prospect of her leaving, but she wouldn't let it deter her from her course.
She had to shout to be heard over the din. "Please listen to what else I have to say!" The chatter died down, but Loki left his seat and began pacing at the foot of the bed. "As far as we know, the people responsible for the attacks on me don't know that we are aware of the plot. Loki has done an admirable job letting everyone know I've been ill with a stomach ailment. And per my instructions, Heimdall has seen you two into Asgard in complete secrecy." She turned to Loki and addressed him directly. "If I am safe in Midgard you and Heimdall can devote all your resources to finding those behind the conspiracy. You wouldn't have to worry about my safety."
"If you think for one second I wouldn't be worried sending you to another realm-"
"Loki," she stopped him before he could get a good rant going, "I know none of this is ideal, but if you didn't have to waste time preparing my food and watching me at all hours, wouldn't you be able to launch a proper investigation?"
Thor answered instead of his brother, Loki choosing to scowl at her rather than respond. "He's preparing your food?"
"We have no other recourse. Right now the number of people we can trust is pitiably small. Loki has been disguising himself and preparing all my meals, something that can't go on forever."
"I will do so as long as it takes," he retorted.
"And I'm grateful for that, truly I am, but we cannot keep this up indefinitely. I have to take myself out of the equation if any progress is to be made."
"You're welcome to our spare bedroom as long as you need it." Erna could have hugged Jane for focusing on the practicalities.
"So it's settled." She spoke more to Jane than anyone else.
"It most certainly is not!" As expected, Loki wouldn't concede without a fight.
Thankfully, Thor rallied to her side. "Brother, your Erna is right. I know it wouldn't be your first choice, but we will protect her while you hunt for those that wish to do her harm. I can even stay in Asgard if you wish and aid you."
"I don't need any help to keep my family safe," he said through gritted teeth.
"Loki," Erna appealed to him directly. "I know you'll do everything within your power to protect me, but getting help from our friends isn't an admission of weakness." She wished she could have this part of the conversation with him alone, but they didn't have the luxury of time. When he didn't protest further, she continued. "I'm confident that the culprit's reach doesn't extend to Midgard. This would simply be taking me out of play and allowing you to work uninterrupted."
A storm of emotion crossed Loki's face at her words and she realized they would have to discuss this further in private if she was to win him to her side. "Heimdall, the suite next to ours is empty and ready for guests. Could you give us a moment?"
"Of course, my queen." He stood and gestured to Jane and Thor. "Your majesties, I will accompany you to your chambers."
Both Thor and Jane hugged her before they left, but in a matter of minutes she found herself alone with Loki.
"Please don't be angry with me." He still stood restlessly and wouldn't look at her.
"You… I…" He ran a hand through his hair and seemed at a loss for words, which was a rarity for him. "Why must you do this?"
"Loki, try to look at this through impartial eyes. This is the wisest course I can see."
"What if SHIELD tries to use you to lure me to Midgard? What if something goes wrong with the bifrost and you're trapped there? What if you go into labor early?" The anguish on his face made her ache, but she had to steel herself and think of the greater plan. Sentimentality wouldn't save them.
"I can't give you any guarantees, but I do know Thor will do everything in his power to keep me safe. And we can call to Heimdall to return me if something goes amiss."
"I don't like it."
"I'm sure nothing about our circumstance is optimal. And I don't like leaving any more than you do, but we have to resolve this before the baby comes. Surely you see that?"
"I can't protect you if you're not here."
"But Loki, don't you see? That's all you'd be focused on if I stay. I'm a liability at this point."
"Don't ever think of yourself that way, Erna." The raw conviction in his words startled her. "I would defend you both to the death."
The emotion behind his words moved her, but she couldn't allow it to cloud her judgment. "I don't want it to come to that. Ever. If I remove myself from things then you're able to focus on finding who is responsible for this. I won't lie, Loki, not when it's just the two of us. I want whoever endangered the life of our daughter to pay. And if I could help you, I would, but I'm in no fit state to do so."
He seemed to deflate before her eyes, finally succumbing to her logic. "You won't take any undue risks?"
"Do I look like I'm able to do much more than loll around the house?"
He ignored her glib response, eyes burning into hers. "I cannot lose you, Erna, either of you. You must promise me you'll keep yourself safe."
"I swear, Loki."
"Will you stay with me tonight?" Hot tears pooled in her eyes at the sound of this request. She was usually the one making such an appeal. Nothing in her wanted to deny him this.
"I would love to. We can leave in the morning." He stalked back over to her and his arms closed around her. But despite any external danger, she felt safe. "I wouldn't leave unless I thought it was truly necessary." The tears began to flow as she relaxed into his body. She'd held it together and stayed strong in front of their friends, but now she wanted to acknowledge how upset she truly was.
"Shh. I know. I don't have to revel in it, but I know this is what's probably best. I'm not upset with you, little one. You understand that, right?"
She nodded, catharsis from her tears mixed with a measure of apprehension. Knowing this was the wisest course and feeling pleased about it were two different things entirely, Loki was right about that. "Promise you won't do anything reckless in finding who's responsible?"
"You won't be rid of me that easily, my queen."
She surprised him when her arms tightened around his waist in an almost painful grip. "Don't you ever say something like that! I'll never want to be rid of you. Never." Sobs overcame her body as she clung even tighter to him. "Don't even joke," she managed through the tears.
The conviction in her words caught him off guard, so he simply held her until the tears stopped. He had half a mind to ask what had agitated her so, but if the answer had something to do with pregnancy hormones, he knew he didn't want to hear it. At least for the time being he could pretend it was something else.
When the soft sniffles abated, he put her at arm's length and looked into her red-rimmed eyes. "How about we both promise to keep ourselves safe until we're together again?"
"Okay," she managed weakly. "Loki, I'm sorry I-"
"You have nothing to apologize for, Erna. Nothing. I'll do whatever I can to ensure you can come back to a safe home."
The fatigue etched in her face told him she'd had enough excitement for the time being. She needed to rest if she was to travel to Midgard the next day. "Get settled back in bed and I'll go next door to let everyone know we've decided on a course. While I'm out, I'll fetch some tea and those little cakes you like."
He waited until she made it back to the bed before transforming into the now-familiar form of Halfrida and disappearing through the door. It took several deep breaths before she felt calmer, though still a bit ashamed at her outburst. She'd come so close to saying more and was glad she'd stopped herself. It was likely to be a difficult conversation and one they didn't need to delve into yet.
Erna sighed as she sunk into the mattress and started arranging her pillows. The last thing she truly wanted was to leave him, but there was no other way. And while it didn't feel right, she knew it was for the best. She'd try her damndest to see this detour as a learning experience. After all, she'd always been curious about Midgard.
Yes, she'd enjoy it in whatever ways she could and pray Loki could sort things out at home. She had faith in him.
