Chapter 29 –

There was not one coherent thought inside of his mind accept the feel of the spasms shuddering throughout his body as he choked and gagged against the hard cool earth. He felt the water tumbling from his mouth as his chest heaved of its own accord forcing the cold liquid out of his body. His limbs trembled as he attempted to lift himself from the ground as the last of the foul water was expelled from his lungs. He coughed erratically trying to catch his breath as he struggled to comprehend his surroundings. What had happened? He saw Thor several feet away from him with mjolnir in his hand fighting some strange beasts. His brother was soaking wet and as Loki gazed down at himself an odd thought occurred to him. Why were the two of them both drenched in water and no one else? It was a strange notion considering that there was an obvious battle raging around him. What did it matter that the two of them were sodden while the rest were apparently dry? The young prince realized that he was in a state of shock as he tried to clear his thoughts and think more rationally. He endeavored to stand but fell down instantly as he continued to move towards his brother on his knees. What he planned to do if he reached him was unclear in his mind. What use was he if he couldn't even rise? Obviously none since no one on this battlefield was giving him a second thought. It was as this idea filled his concentration that he knocked into some invisible barrier that impeded him from going another step. He extended his hand out to touch it. It was hard although he could see through it as if it were nothing more than air. He pressed his hands against it using the firm surface to help himself stand. Looking towards his right he saw a lake and noticed that some of the strange creatures had begun diving into the water. Abruptly one of them was looming in front of him as he thrust a spear at Loki but it couldn't penetrate the clear wall. The thing grimaced in pain as it fell to the ground before him and he looked in surprise as he saw Sif standing there pulling her sword free from the creatures back.

"Stay down, you fool," she muttered, "You are bringing attention to yourself. Who knows how long this spell will last?"

The fog in his brain began to lift slightly as he turned once more to the water and realized that he had seen these beasts before. They were called the Chitauri. He had made a deal with them once. It was coming back to him slowly.

"Are you deaf and stupid? I told you to stay down!" Sif yelled again in the midst of her fight against two more soldiers that had come up towards the case that was protecting him. He sank back down to the ground as he watched the Chitauri that were fumbling around in the lake. No, it wasn't them that he had made a deal with. It was someone else but they were a part of it somehow. It was on the edge of his mind but he couldn't quite grasp it. He raised his hands to his face rubbing his eyes as he tried to clear the muddle that had become his brain. As he moved his hands away from his cheeks his eyes fell upon the gold ring surrounding his finger. He touched it gingerly with his right hand, twirling it in a circular motion as he stared at it. "Natasha," he whispered as he closed his eyes.

"Why do you help protect him?" A deep rumbling voice echoed along the terrain and Loki knew in an instant who it was. "This is barely a taste of my armies. Give him up and let us leave here peacefully," Thanos warned.

"You should never have stepped foot in my kingdom in the vein of a thief," the slithering voice of the dark elf answered," We could have made a bargain had you only approached me first. As it stands, you will leave here empty handed."

Loki's eyes opened suddenly, like emeralds sparkling in the sun as he gazed once more across the water. The murkiness had finally dissipated completely from his wits, he remembered everything and he knew why those horrid creatures kept diving down into the water. He began to laugh mirthfully as he stood up once more.

"Thanos," he called out as he walked towards the clear wall so that he could get a view of the mad titan. The large purple form was several yards away but his crimson eyes narrowed as he peered in Loki's direction and he knew the Eternal had heard him. "You dimwitted freak," he jested as he purposefully provoked him," What would you have done with it even if they had fished it out." He opened his palm as he spoke and with a flash of light the Chitauri scepter reappeared in his grasp. The beast growled menacingly as he let loose a fierce energy beam from his palm that hurled towards Loki. Before he could even raise his scepter the yellow light disintegrated against the strange casing that he was enclosed in.

"It seems you have some use for my feeble skills after all, young one," Malekith chuckled as he faded into a mist before reappearing next to the shield surrounding him. Loki's faced tightened as he stared at the dark elf grinning before him. He pointed the blade of his scepter at the invisible wall.

"Loki, No!" Thor bellowed from across the fray, "Stay inside, you must stay inside."

"I cannot help from in here," he argued as he pressed the point down upon it preparing to free himself from whatever magic incased him.

"Not a wise move," Malekith grated as the iris of his olive green eye grew larger momentarily," Reinforcements are on their way. It would be a shame if they arrived to find you and that precious staff taken after all of our hard work." He moved away from the encasement back to the fighting as he jested over his shoulder," Not that I would lose any sleep over your loss."

He stood there frozen as he debated whether or not to free himself or listen to his brother. The last time he had engaged Thanos in a battle he had not dared to bring the scepter from its hiding place. At the time he wasn't sure how well he would fare against the immortal and he hadn't wanted to chance the scepter falling into the wrong hands. But even without it he had come close to defeating the Titan, they had been an even match until the Eternal discovered a way to snap that collar on his neck. If he faced him now with the power of the mind gem at his side perhaps he could crush him once and for all. Only if he failed that would mean that Thanos would have not only him but the scepter as well. No, he dare not risk it. Not yet, he was still shaky on his feet from his near drowning. The Titan would pay for that. Loki just needed to be patient.

There was a ripping sound exploding towards the south then a rushing noise of a thousand hooves as the Asgardian army appeared on the horizon. Odin stood in the forefront riding Sleipnir as he thundered towards the battle. He raised gungnir in the air above him as he bellowed, "Thanos, I had a feeling we would meet again. You have strutted around this kingdom and terrorized these people long enough. You dare seek to hurt my sons? LEAVE HERE! I give you this last chance. You don't want to fight me! You can't possibly think to win."

The purple titan stood his ground as he roared in response, "Who said I wanted to win, All-Father? I have no quarrel with Svartelheim. But that insolent boy made a pact with me and he will hold to it one way or the other." The eternal extended out his hand as the Tesseract appeared in his grip the light from it growing rapidly as he vowed, "Until next time, Laufeyson." And with a luminous blaze from the cosmic cube the Eternal and his armies disappeared.

Loki pressed the point of the scepter against the wall once more and cast his spell. He walked towards Thor without impediment as he released the staff from his hands sending it back into its hiding place. Odin rode up to them as he surveyed the lands around him.

"What deal did you make with the Eternal?" Odin rasped as he stared down at Loki.

"He promised me the Earth in exchange for the Tesseract and we all know how well that went," Loki jested, "Has your memory grown so tired in your elder years? I certainly remember the punishments I served at your hand for my folly."

"Loki, you go too far," Odin hissed," An embittered little child you may be but you will watch your tongue in my presence. You are still subject to the will of your father and your liege." He turned his horse to face his eldest son as he continued, "Thor, what do you know of this arrangement that Thanos spoke of?"

"I know that my brother lives," Thor responded solemnly," I know that just a little while ago I feared he might be dead and it is a feeling that I never wish to know again. Let us leave this place and take him home, father." Odin glowered intently at the thunder god for a moment before he nodded in agreement as he signaled his army to return.

The moment that the swirling motions stopped his eyes opened in the chamber of the great hall and he began at once to stride down the lengthy passageway. He had only one thought on his mind and that was to locate his wife and daughter. He could feel her once more and his entire being instantly began to settle with a sense of peace that he had been missing all afternoon. However, feeling her inside of his mind was not enough he needed to see her, to touch her, to hear her voice.

"Our conversation has not ended, Loki," Odin advised as he followed him down the corridor, "I want you to tell me all about the agreement that you made with Thanos. There is more to it than just the Tesseract. I'm not as foolish as you seem to believe."

Loki stopped walking as he smiled turning back towards the All-father. His expression had nothing to do with the questions being put to him but simply the knowledge that his wife was moving toward him and with great speed. "I have nothing more to add," the trickster concluded," Thanos is unhappy that I am no longer an ally of his. Not that I ever truly was. He has a grudge to settle that is all. Or have you forgotten that if not for me, he might have had the gauntlet already? All you think on are the things that I have done to displease you and anything good that I do you immediately drop from your mind."

"Father," Thor pleaded," The past is over. Thanos' words were meant to further the chasm between you. What does it matter what plans he once had with him. He is here now and he is on our side."

"Is he?" Odin questioned as he stared intently at his sons," Or is he biding his time with new strategies? Why will you not put the mind gem back in the weapons vault as I have ordered you to do? As the All-Father and as your King I command you to do it."

"Loki!" her voice filled the room as Natasha rushed toward him wrapping her arms around him securely while she buried her head against his chest. "Thank god you are alright," she proclaimed as she reached up to touch his face," I was getting so worried. Loki, you are soaking wet? What happened?"

"Yes, of course," he snickered," I completely forgot." Before the words had even left his mouth both he and Thor were completely dried as if they had never been near so much as a drop of water all day. He turned his head and kissed her palm, then lowered it to kiss her lips. Nothing can be lovelier than this woman before him, he thought. The universe had no more to offer.

"I want your answer, Loki," the All-Father commanded, his voice stern and his face grim.

"How many times must I give it to you?" he answered bitterly, sighing in frustration as he forced himself to let go of his wife so that he could face his father. "I will not part with it as long as Thanos still lives. If you wish to punish me for disobeying your order then so be it."

"All-Father," Thor interjected as he stepped close to Odin," If not for Loki, we would be engaging in war with Svartalheim as we speak. He almost died today. Please, let this go for now."

"Almost died?" Natasha gasped, "What is he talking about, Loki?"

"Go be with your family, my son," Odin declared finally as he turned briskly leaving the Great Hall. Loki watched him for a moment before turning back to his wife.

"Don't worry, my darling," he entreated as he reached for a strawberry curl and tangled it between his fingers gently," Thor is exaggerating for effect. "

"Thor!" Hawkeye called out as he sauntered along the tile floor toward the small gathering. "I don't mean to interrupt but I really need to get back to Sheild. Will you be able to get one of your elf friends to send me?"

Loki stared at him in disbelief. He had been certain that the despicable creature would never leave. What was he up to now?

"Perhaps, in a day or two," Thor replied," There was a lot of wreckage done today in their lands, I don't know if they can spare anyone so soon."

Of course, Loki thought, he offers to leave now because he knows that it will be denied him. "If you desire to return to Midgard, I will gladly send you back. I could send you this instant if you wish it," Loki offered.

"Yeah, I don't think so," Hawkeye replied, "I have no desire to get stuck in some alternate dimension somewhere or whatever other crazy thing you might concoct for me."

"Suit yourself," Loki snipped as he took his wife's hand into his own, entwining their fingers as he gazed into her bright blue eyes. He wondered if she was happy that Barton would not be going. The thought of her missing him made his blood boil but he tried to control his temper.

"Would you feel more at ease if he sent us together?" Thor offered," I wish to check on things on Midgard."

"You really are a trusting fellow, Thor," Hawkeye quipped," but I'm not really that confident that he likes you that much more than me."

"Why not the four of us go?" Natasha offered, "Or are you that paranoid?"

"You should not leave the safety of Asgard," Loki ordered, "Not with Thanos running about, he seems to have eyes and ears everywhere. It would be too dangerous. Besides he has no intention of leaving. He is too obsessed to part from you now."

"I'm obsessed?" Barton laughed," Wow, pot meet kettle."

Loki raised an eyebrow at him quizzically; the midgardian's were strange in their speech. He had no idea what his words meant. "My darling," he whispered in her ear, "Let us go see to Rowan. This doesn't really concern us and I've missed you both so." She smiled up at him and nodded her head in understanding as they turned to leave.

"If you're serious, Thor," Hawkeye added suddenly," Then I will go with you. There is nothing more I can do here. The sooner I'm home, the better."

Loki froze as he turned around slowly. He could not believe his ears or his luck. Was the archer really agreeing to leave?

"May I talk to you for a second, Tasha?" Barton inquired. Loki felt her remove her hand from his as she walked toward him and he clenched his fist as he watched her go nearer to Hawkeye. He tried desperately to hold his tongue as the words of the Enchantress rang through his ears.

You will drive her to him all on your own

Clint whispered something to her too low for him to hear and he watched as an odd look, almost imperceptible, fell upon her features before it disappeared. "Remember, Tasha," he said more openly," You and your daughter will always have me in your corner." He gazed back at Thor and then Loki as he continued," So let's do it."

"Hold on to Mjolnir," Loki commanded the archer as he raised his hand, moving his slender fingers slightly toward the two of them, "Remember Thor, simply call to Heimdell when you are ready to return and I will open a portal for you." He couldn't deny the great sigh of relief he felt when Hawkeye disappeared from his view.

He pressed his lips against his daughter's forehead as he adjusted her blankets. It was hard to believe how close he had come to never seeing her again. He had been distracted and it had nearly cost him his life. He should have been aware of his surroundings instead he let the titan catch him off guard. He could never let that happen again. He lay back against the bed as his mind raced. The archer was gone and now he only had the Enchantress to deal with. It seemed evident that she was the one who had tipped off Thanos but perhaps that was too obvious.

"What was Thor talking about? What happened to you?" Natasha asked as she appeared before him. She was wearing a long silk nightgown in a deep green. Her long red curls fell across her alabaster shoulders as she moved closer laying a hand against the post at the foot of the bed, she was a sight for sore eyes.

"Thanos knocked me into the lake and Thor had to pull me out," Loki advised as he did his best to downplay the events. He did not wish to make her worry. "He exaggerated to incur sympathy from Odin. I'm fine. It's over." He gazed at her lovingly. She was the sweetest thing he had ever known. The rest of his ambitions paled next to winning her. "How is your head?" he asked softly," does it still ache?"

"I feel much better," She disclosed stepping closer to him. He could see the outline of her shimmering tips through the silken material of her gown and he longed to take them between his teeth as he licked his lips subconsciously. A devious smile came upon her face as she kneeled against the bed. Moving like a cat, she crawled over him. She glided her hands under his shirt, her fingers against his bare skin as she kissed him heatedly. He slid his arms around her pulling her flush against him, his hand reaching up to hold the back of her neck as his other lingered across the small of her back. "I love you," he breathed against her, suckling her soft pink lips before reclaiming her mouth with fierce urgency.

She pulled away from him, rising slightly as she gazed down at him. She moved her hips gently rubbing her body against his growing arousal through the fabric of his pants. She meant to torture him, he laughed to himself, as he shuddered at the sensation of her closeness. The strap of her gown fell down her shoulder as she bit her lip provocatively unbuttoning his shirt slowly as her blue eyes pierced his own. She spread his shirt apart taking in the sight of the muscular planes of his chest as she trailed her fingers along his abdomen. He ran his hands up her thighs pulling the silken material up around her waist. "You are so beautiful," he rasped," so beautiful." He moved to pull the gown up over her body but she placed her hands firmly against his wrists holding them still against her hips.

"Promise me that you will never leave me," she demanded, "I hate losing the feel of you. I hate it." She increased the pressure on his wrists as she spit out the last words. Her body continued to wriggle against him, driving him crazy as he arched himself upward anxious to fill her, to be buried in her sweetness.

"I swear it," he conceded," you will never feel the loss of me again." He sat up suddenly capturing her mouth once more, his hands still held tightly against her hips but his lips were free and he made good use of them as he moved gently across her jawline to the soft spot behind her ear. She moaned as she let go of his wrists pulling his shirt off his body before wrapping her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling against his long black hair. He called upon his magic ridding them of their clothes as he flipped her beneath him.

"Loki," she exhaled leisurely as he positioned himself at her entrance, her fingers feathering across his face, her gorgeous breasts rising and falling with every breath. "I have never given myself so completely to anyone before," her voice falling over him in hush tones as her hands ran down his shoulders," I can't be without you now. I couldn't bear it."

"We will never be kept apart," he promised as their bodies joined. They moved together in a frenzied fervor as they abandoned themselves to their primal rhythm. The world ceased to exist as the intolerable pleasure of their climax filled them both. Then all was still, subsiding. She was lying by his side as he hugged her tightly to himself.

"Once Thor returns," Loki revealed hesitantly as he played softly with the long curls of her hair, reveling in the feel of the velvety ringlets," I'm going to devise a trap for Thanos. He needs to be taken care of once and for all."

"You gave your word, Loki," she snapped as she rose quickly from his side," You swore you wouldn't go off without me again."

"You will come with us, of course. If you require it," he soothed as he tugged her back to his side, a sigh of contentment escaping his lips as he felt her nestle back against him. "Frigga can watch over Rowan. I wish it wasn't necessary but it must be done. You and our daughter will never be truly safe until he is gone. Besides, I made a vow to him that I would be the one to give him death and I intend to keep that promise."