Odin and Loki left the weapons vault and headed to the large library in the palace. Odin knew that no one else would be there and it would be the best place to tell Loki the truth. "What am I, Father?" Loki asked again. "Am I cursed?"
"No." Odin answered.
"Then I am a Frost Giant?"
"Only half." Odin answered. "Sit Loki. I'll explain everything."
Loki sat down in the chair behind him. He looked at the man he had thought was his father with confusion, sadness, and fear of what he would tell him.
"Many years ago, when my father was still alive and ruling, our problems with the Jotens began." Odin started his tale. "I had a sister, Edda. My father had foiled one of the Laufey's plans and as an act of revenge, Laufey kidnapped Edda. He took her to the Jotenheim and hid her where we couldn't find her…he made us believe he had killed her. It wasn't until later, after I had taken the throne and defeated the Frost Giants when they tried to take over Earth, that we discovered otherwise. I found Edda…lying there in the cold, holding you. She knew that it was too late for her, but she asked me to save you and raise you as my own."
"Is this why you've been monitoring Ava so closely?" Loki asked, concerned for his wife's safety. "Does carrying my child put her in any danger? Is she doomed to die just as my mother did?"
"Your mother did not die because of having you, Loki." Odin answered. "It is because she was left to die…you both were."
"Is Ava in any danger?" Loki asked.
"I don't believe so." Odin answered. "Monitoring her is just a precaution."
"So, she could be in danger." Loki concluded.
"It is a very small possibility, Loki. Do not worry."
Loki couldn't help but to worry. Without a word, he rose from his seat and left the library. He returned to his chambers to check on Ava. She was still sleeping peacefully. He stood there, watching her sleep for a moment, so many thoughts racing through his head. After a few moments, he walked back out of the room. He made his way through the halls and out into the garden. He began walking around, lost in thought.
I can't lose Ava, again. He thought. Having my child could be putting her in danger…and what about when she finds out the truth? Will she still love me? Is it possible for her to love a Frost Giant? His mind then went to the burn on Ava's arm. What if I hurt her? What if the Joten in me takes over and I hurt her? Loki wandered through the garden, all of these thoughts running in a loop through his head.
Loki walked around, unable to shake the troubling thoughts from his mind. All he could think about was Ava and the possibility that she would be hurt because of him...and the fact that he might lose her again. He found himself walking back to his chambers. Ava was still sound asleep in their bed. He breathed a sigh of relief at that.
Loki changed hos clothes and then climbed into the bed next to Ava. She had rolled over and was facing him. She looked so peaceful and beautiful. I can't lose her...not again...but I might...and this time for good. He thought as he gazed at her. He wanted to reach a hand out to touch her face, but part of him feared waking her and another part suddenly feared hurting her.
Eventually, Loki fell asleep from being mentally and emotionally exhausted. His dreams were haunted by images of Ava finding out the truth and hating him... as well as others where she was lying on the cold ground, her body burned with the cold heat from a Frost Giant.
Loki woke with a start, from a dream of Ava curing him with her dying breath. He bolted up into a sitting position, breathing heavy. "Loki?" Ava asked, from beside him. "Is everything alright?"
"Fine." Loki lied.
Ava pulled herself into a sitting position. She leaned over, resting her chin on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around him. "Did you have a nightmare?" She asked.
"It was nothing." Loki replied. "How is your arm?" He asked, changing the subject.
"Feeling better." Ava answered. "You feel a little clammy. Are you sure everything is alright?"
"Everything is just fine." Loki said, reaching a hand up and picked up one of Ava's hands and gently pressed it to his lips. "You don't need to worry about me. Just worry about taking care of yourself." He was then pulling away from her and climbing out of bed. He changed and was out the door.
Ava watched him leave, a look of worry on her face and a sinking feeling in her heart. She could feel the tears stinging at her eyes. There was a knock on the door. Ava cleared her throat and wiped at her eyes. "Come in." She called.
The door opened and Frigga walked inside carrying a tray that held a bowel of water, a jar of salve, bandages, and rags. "We need to get that arm taken care of." She said.
Ava nodded. "Okay."
Frigga walked over and set the tray down on the bedside table. She sat down on the edge of the bed and took Ava's injured arm and began to unwind the old bandages. "How is it feeling?" Frigga asked.
"Fine." Ava answered.
Frigga finished unwrapping Ava's arm and then grabbed a rag and dipped it in the cool water. She cleaned the wound off. "It's looking much better. It's already started healing."
"That's good." Ava replied abesently.
"Is something bothering you, sweetheart?" Frigga asked.
"I'm sure it's nothing." Ava answered, lifting her other hand to wipe at the tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks.
Frigga grabbed the salves and started to gently rub it on Ava's arm. "If it s nothing, then why do you wipe at tears?"
"Just a little emotional right now." Ava answered. "I'm sure I'm just imagining things."
Frigga placed the salve back on the tray and reached for the clean bandages, which she began wrapping around Ava's arm. "And what things might you be imagining?"
"It's...it's just that Loki...this morning..." Ava bean, but was having a hard time getting the words out.
Frigga reached a hand up to cup Ava's cheek. "Darling, tell me what it is?"
"I don't know what it is." Ava confessed. "Last night before the party, everything was fine. Loki and I were so happy about the baby and feeling him or her move...and after the attack...everything has changed. Loki woke up from a nightmare or something and he wouldn't talk to me about it. He was distant. I mean he was here in the bed with me, but it was like he was worlds away."
Frigga pulled Ava to her and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. "I'm sure everything will be just fine." She reassured Ava. "Loki loves you and nothing will ever change that. I am sure he just has a lot on his mind. You just rest and take care of yourself and my grandchild, alright?"
Ava nodded. "Alright."
Frigga kissed the top of Ava's head. "I'll leave you to rest. I'll also make sure that that husband of yours gets his head on straight and talks to you. So, just lay back and relax." She then began to push Ava back on the bed. She kissed Ava's forehead.
Ava closed her eyes and tried to relax into the covers. Frigga rose and grabbed the tray. She headed out of the room to find Loki. I knew we should have told him the truth sooner. She thought, worrying about the boy she had raised and loved as her own for all those years. Please let me be able to help him?