Chapter 35

ALFHEIM

G'dath opened the door, frigid air following her, and froze. Jane pulled in a fortifying breath, sitting down at the table, "Loki took Indel for a hunt." Because her balance was still off and now was a critical time for kills. Because the temperature had dropped sharply and those two had a much better tolerance for the cold than she did. She'd accepted staying behind with grace.

The elf's shoulders hunched a little, "I'll return later, then."

Crossing her arms, "Wow, even elves are afraid of me."

G'dath instantly scowled. She wasn't afraid of the human in front of her but she was embarrassed at her own uncivilized reactions. Tone flat, the words sounding like a threat but the delivery making it quite obvious it wasn't, "Do you know how easily I could kill you?"

Jane shrugged, "About as easily as Loki could."

Slowly lifting one eyebrow, "Then is it not you who should be afraid of me?"

Shrugging again, "I think the likelihood of you killing me is about as high as Loki doing it."

Raising the other eyebrow, "And why is that?" Showing G'dath her palm and wiggling her fingers. There was no mark on her skin but that wasn't the point. Jane mattered to Loki and that was the point. The healer's eyes narrowing, "I think we need to limit the amount of time the two of you are together." Jane looked thoughtful for a moment before the corners of her mouth turned up just a little. Sighing as if deeply persecuted at the younger woman, "What do you want?"

"Not much, I was just curious about something." G'dath made a small gesture as if to continue but didn't venture further into the room. Jane frowned a little, "You don't like me. Why?"

Eyes glinting coldly, "You don't want me answering that."

Bracing herself before retorting, "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know."

"Because you're going to get him killed."

Blinking quickly several times…well, that hadn't been the answer she'd been anticipating, "Huh?"

Slumping back against the door with a groan, the elf shook her head, "The ancestors above…" She closed her eyes and pursed her lips to herself, gathering her thoughts together before pushing herself away from the door, "I believe you are capable enough on your world. You understand your own culture, the rules. The way to properly assess and address others…the other realms are vastly different and more ancient than you can conceive. On Alfheim there are elves here that looking them in the eye is above your station and can warrant a sentencing before the Senate. And Loki has sworn to defend you. Every mistake you make is something he will have to bear and defend."

G'dath huffed and crossed her arms, looking up when Jane spoke quietly, "I never said I wouldn't try to learn." Her chin lifted a little, "And it's unreasonable to assume that I won't make mistakes but I'm not stupid. If you're so worried about him then teach me because I'm not going anywhere."

A sly grin, "Even if a doorway opened to allow your return?"

Deciding to run with an honest answer, even though Jane was almost positive it was no, "I won't know until that happens."

Narrowing her eyes thoughtfully, "How many languages do you speak?"

Gesturing to the books in Loki's bookcase, "None of those."

G'dath sighed softly, "So you're strongest language is earthen English."

Nodding, "Pretty much. I took Spanish in college, Latin and Greek but…nothing like these."

The fact that she was open to learning had G'dath even considering her next course of action. Unlike any other creature, light elves were highly sensitive to Yggdrasil, to the want and will of the universe. This little mortal needed to be here and it was obvious now she was capable of bravery and sacrifice. G'dath had enjoyed teasing Loki mercilessly about his attachment to the mortal, but she hadn't put much thought in the reality of the girl being here. There was an impossible amount for her to learn and she wouldn't live long enough to learn even a hundredth of it.

Until a thought occurred to her. Oh.

OH.

Nodding to herself, "I would suggest working on runes with Indel, since many of the languages are based on it, not just for spell work. There are a few books on Alfheim I will retrieve for you, learning Allspeak will be vital for your survival."

"What is Allspeak?"

Mirth quirking G'dath's lips, "No one knows exactly where it originated but every species believes they founded it. Essentially it makes it possible for each of the species in the nine realms to understand one another without having to learn a separate language for each."

Jane wanted so much to accept the words coming out of the elf's mouth but she couldn't get over her brain absolutely melting at the thought of a universal language. But the alternative was looking like an idiot and that wasn't acceptable either, "S-so…is it the first language you learn?"

Waving a hand and sitting down next to the human, the hesitation between them destroyed, "Of course not. We all have our native tongues that we are born with. I believe AEsir learn Allspeak once they are old enough to be tutored."

Jane's jaw dropped, "Are you saying Indel already speaks Allspeak?"

"Allspeak takes a very long time to learn." Then G'dath paused, thinking about the way Indel spoke, "He speaks human English and high elvish." She paused further, remembering a conversation she stumbled into between Indel and Loki, "And AEsir."

"He's not even four!"

Smirking, "If it makes you feel better, I think Loki put a language spell on him. His AEsir accent sounds correct but his high elvish is slightly muddled. I doubt Loki will start teaching him Allspeak for at least another two years or so."

All this talk about home and language and Asgard suddenly popped into her mind, "Do you think Loki will ever go back to Asgard?"

Snarling, "Would you?" Sighing and shaking her head slightly, "My apologies. How important is it to you to return to Midgard?"

"Uh…not much…anymore."

Too much understanding and wisdom in G'dath's eyes, "Midgard is important to you because of the people there. "

"I miss Erik and Darcy and…" Was it sad that other than a few people at Stark towers that summed up the important people in her life?

"But other than them?"

Nodding in resignation, "If they were here then I wouldn't miss earth."

Raising three fingers, "Loki had three people that tied him to Asgard. His mother is dead and both his father and his brother turned their backs on him."

"But they think he's a tyrant."

G'dath growled softly, "You've known Loki for less than a year, and it took even less than that for him to convince you of his innocence to much of what he stands accused for. They've known him for over a thousand. Did either of them even try to understand? Did they even ask?"

Jane slowly dropped her head into her hand, "I don't know…but I doubt it. Or maybe they did but they didn't pursue it."

She didn't doubt that. G'dath suspected Odin may know a lot more than the old king allowed to be publically known but perhaps it was just her wishful thinking, "Loki won't put his hand out again. He won't beg them to take him back and he won't try. It will be up to them to convince him…and I'm not sure either of them is capable."

Jane nodded in agreement but she knew closure with his brother and father, for good or for ill, was what Loki desperately needed. She'd keep it in the back of her mind for now but she had a feeling she might have to act as mediator between the three of them, "For the books…thank you, G'dath." The healer just nodded silently before leaving.

HELHEIM

Hela looked up from her Grimoire in surprise as Thor clumped into her receiving parlor and smiled, "Hela!"

She knew it was coming. She sighed and let herself get picked up off her feet, wiggling when he took too long to put her back down. Idly she wondered how he'd gotten past Garm, but her sentry might simply have given up on the prospect of keeping the Thunderer out. Smoothing out her dress, she paused to frown, "What do you want, uncle?"

Thor put Mjolnir down, smiling, "Can I not simply have wish to see you?"

Hela warily raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, "Um, how about no."

Thor smiled even broader and took a seat, alarming in itself since the thunderer rarely sat still. The fact that he was filled with almost skin bursting excitement made it worse, "Once father holds my coronation I will announce the queen I choose to rule by my side."

Holy shit. Which one of those idiot courtiers managed it? She knew she should have been keeping a closer eye on Asgard. She'd known that Odin would be crowning Thor in the next century or so but she hadn't thought he would rush the time table. This could ruin everything with Loki if Asgard and the family seemingly move on with less than a year of mourning.

She started nodding her head. Odin would be thumped for, yet again, being an old fool.

Thor had just been too quiet as of late. But she couldn't just call him an idiot and expect him to listen. She was going to have to play this carefully to figure out who it was…and scare them off. But then she noticed the silver chain necklace around his neck.

Batting her eyelashes playfully, "I gather that it is not me."

Thor's face formed priceless horror, "NIECE!"

Cackling, "You are too easy to tease. Fine. If not me then who?"

His voice sweetened as his eyes held a faraway look of adoration. Hela felt queasy, "Her name is Larnvidia, she is-…"

Well there went her plan of subtlety, "I know who the bitch is, why would you do something so asinine as marry her?"

Thor glared fiercely, "Niece. You will maintain your respect for her. Asgard needs a strong queen. And it will unite our two realms."

Snapping at him, "I have no respect for her so it is maintained." Ranting at him was a strong temptation but she grasped on tightly to her temper. She was going to have to find someone to babysit Thor because if he actually did make her his queen Loki would leave the nine realms that very day and never return. But like in many matters, her uncle was oblivious to what was going on around him so she was going to have to get involved. Sighing, "Thor, do not choose a bride just because it makes sense. You will be miserable inside of a year. Five thousand years is a long time to be married to someone you can't stand."

"Our time together is agreeable."

Eww.

It wasn't that he was crude or in any way eluded to where his thoughts deviated but she knew men since she was well aware of Loki's thoughts until her 'birth'.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, "Thor-fine." Hela shook her head, "Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your new allies."

Thor's frown shifted to confusion, "The Vanir have been our allies for millennia."

Her expression sour as she went to her wardrobe to slip on courtly armor over her dress, "Marry her and find out who her new allies are."

"What do you speak of, niece?"

Studying her nails, "I heard you had difficulties in court recently."

Thor slowly stood up, "Hela?"

Not looking at him, reaching for her horned crown and studying herself in the mirror, "It was a Skrull, was it not?"

He crossed his arms over his own chest, mirroring her stance, "Aye."

"And Amora told you the two guards with it were probably Skrull as well."

He nodded once, "Aye."

"Where did they come from?"

Thor recalled Amora whispering her suspicions quietly before king and court, one of the few times that his father listened to her closely, "She ventured a dark passage most likely brought them, but only…only Loki was skilled in finding them."

Hela's smile was absolutely terrifying as she turned.

"Only father?" Thor blinked before looking at her with new eyes, "I have already blocked the other realms from acting as an opening for the Skrulls to utilize again. I was going to save Vanaheim for a special occasion but I suppose now is as good a time as any."

Growling softly, "Why would you wait?"

Smirking evilly at her uncle, "Because I will be almost irresistibly tempted upon seeing Larnvidia to kill her."

"Hela…"

She closed the distance, her fingers brushing lightly just under the chain and her voice honeyed, "That is such a pretty necklace, uncle, wherever did you get it?"

Thor was thrown a little by Hela's shift in conversation, "It was a gift."

Baring her teeth as her disguise swirled around her form, half of her face now revealing skeletal horror, "Let me guess, it was an engagement gift. I suspect the thought of marriage didn't even cross your miniscule mind until it was around your neck." Hela turned away from him, "Does she not look familiar, uncle?"

Thor frowned almost thoughtfully, his thoughts moving to think of Larnvidia, "She has visited Asgard before-…"

Gesturing and a door opening, leading down a corridor, "Yes, many times. I recall her earliest visit a few years before Loki's coming of age ceremony."

"How do you know this, niece?"

Shrugging before walking forward, Thor retrieving Mjolnir and following at her side, "Does it matter? The picture was painted for me quite clearly. Grandmother reluctantly allowed a courtship between the two of them, unofficial before the court since father was underage."

Thor paused, "She-…Larnvidia courted my brother?" His brow furrowed, "Why do I not recall this?"

Hela's left hand brushed against the ebony walls and carved moldings, pausing at a terrace that showed Helheim in its misty, twilight glory, "Must have been a lot of trolls to hunt. Unless he accompanied you on an adventure, more often than not you ignored Loki."

"I did not ignore my brother!"

Hela smirked to herself, enjoying the defensive tone, "Save your words for someone who doesn't know that you were a spoiled, self-centered, reckless child in those days. Anyway, father proposed moving their courtship to formality on his ceremony night and presenting his intention before Odin. She responded that Loki's true use to her began and ended behind closed doors under bed sheets…because her true intent was to woo the first son who would one day wear the crown." A rush of emotions tried to overwhelm Thor but it seemed to choke him. Frowning, his hand moved towards his throat before pausing at a feeling of not quite pain originated from his neck. Not hesitating further, as soon as he ripped the necklace from his skin his eyes cleared and he looked around in confusion.

Why had he wanted to marry Larnvidia?

Voice hoarse as guilt, sadness, and grief rolled through his mind and heart, "Niece…"

Without thinking Hela's hand found the back of his neck, the echo of a distant past when Thor and Loki would do so to one another in moments of brotherly bonding, "The habits of a millennia will not change in a few short years. You are different, certainly better than you were…but you still have room to grow. Just remember that in spite of everything he loves you." She didn't bother correcting her tense, knowing Thor wouldn't notice. Turning and opening the far door to the paths outside of the palace, "I want you to meet someone."

Thor followed, a little more subdued, "You wished to not announce our ties."

Hela nodded to herself, this path set aside for the children who chose to come here, "She knows who I am. One of the few who do. There are many dead who wash onto these shores, but children are innocent. They have the freedom to choose where they wish to go. She had no one amongst the dead, so she came to me. She was smothered by her dam hours after her birth, and has chosen a child's form to embody for her eternity." They passed by a set of tree, entering a clearing where ghostly children hid and giggled amongst nature, "She was not even granted the dignity of a name, and asked that I name her to honor the father she never met."

A little one paused in the game, a girl in the shape of a child of nine. A beautiful little pixie of a body, sparkling green eyes and smooth skin that seemed an almost pale blue. But it was the hair that startled him, jet black and in gentle waves. He didn't know who her mother was, but the girl in appearance almost identical to Loki when he'd switched genders as a child. Thor looked to Hela, silently begging her not to say what he knew she would as the child ducked under Hela's arm, "Thor of Asgard, this is Freyja."

The child pushed her hair back, grace in the gesture and voice as warm as sunlight, "Freyja Lokidottir."

Thor knelt without thinking so that he could see this child easily, his heart in turmoil, "And who is your mother?"

The little face was devoid of any feeling on the matter, snuggling against Hela contentedly, "I have no mother. My dam is Larnvidia, a queen of Vanaheim."

For the first time in living memory, lightening crashed and thunder rolled on Helheim.

ALFHEIM

It had been a successful hunt and dinner had been enjoyable but her mind had been stricken with self-doubt. She didn't want to know, but she had to know. Once Indel was entertaining himself with a bath, Jane knew it was time to ask. She took his hand and tugged him as she walked for the door. Loki accommodated her since they both knew if he didn't want to move she couldn't have made him with a crowbar. She sat down at the end of the porch and he stiffly sat next to her, frowning at her as he tried to puzzle her actions.

Sighing softly, "This is me, being incredibly forward since you are determined not to bring it up." His eyebrow rose, "Are…" Turning to face away from him, starting to lose her nerve, "Are you having second thoughts about me?" His brow only furrowed further in confusion and she rushed headlong into the thick of her worry, "I sometimes think you're dying to kiss me, but then you don't…a-and other times I-…"

Her face heated up with embarrassment but his hand never left hers and it gave her courage.

"No." His voice was quiet and thoughtful, "No I haven't changed my mind."

She glanced at him to see his face was set in serious contemplation, "Every step I take you counter."

Mentally he winced. It was true, he did, but it wasn't for any reason she suspected. He spoke slowly, as if the words were being reluctantly pulled from him, "There are three general classes in Asgard. Commoners. Nobles. Royal family. Each class has their own standard for courting and I find myself…not certain how to proceed." His thumb traced patterns along the back of her hand, "A prisoner cannot marry for obvious reasons and once free, no matter their previous station they are disgraced and given a commoner's standing. No expectations for courtship, a simple marriage as it is on Midgard."

Jane matched his thoughtful expression, "And each rise in class has stricter expectations."

Nodding, "If I were to simply marry and…some point in the future decide to return to Asgard and by some absurd twist of fate be welcomed a noble once more, my wife would be reduced in status to a handmaiden or concubine-…" There were exceptions around that rule. As a queen in her own realm, Larnvidia had been an exception but he refused to let his thoughts drift to her. Jane was who he wanted. He looked into her eyes, his burning with passion, "I will accept nothing less than an equal for my bride. But right now I am in a state of limbo and the path unclear."

She knew he was a planner but looks like he plans months and years in advance. At the same time she was thankful he had the foresight to think about such things. She flushed for an entirely different reason, feeling a thrill that was both deep and profound that he saw them together like that in his mind. It made her bold. Reaching up to gently trace his cheekbone with her thumb, "Let's say that we approach this from the expectation that you are a prince." Because she didn't care what Asgard had to say about it. It's how she saw him, "Obviously I may touch you like this or you would have ducked my advances."

Leaning into her palm, smirking slightly, "Very astute."

"Where is the line drawn?"

Swallowing heavily, a smirk that was equal parts naughty and naughtier tugging at his lips, "We cannot be lovers without formal leave by the king."

Grin tugging at the corner of her own mouth, "Can I kiss you or do we require chaperones?"

He slanted a glare at her, "Do not mock my customs."

Raising a challenging eyebrow at him, "So sensitive for a guy who loves to mock mine."

Loki actually slouched, just a little and looked heavily burdened, "Yes, you may kiss me." Then he smirked and Jane giggled. They both leaned in towards one another, his fingers sliding gently along both sides of her face. Her breath quickened as those clever fingers ran through her hair and maybe it was the way his hands shook just the slightest bit or the way his eyes were just a little too wide but instinctively she knew he was nervous, maybe even afraid.

She scooted closer, hand moving to his thick hair and scraping gently along his scalp. He hissed softly and his control seemed to snap, lips colliding with her own. He pulled her close, his chest pressed to hers. One arm snaked around her waist, tugging her closer while the other held the back of her head.

Too hard. Too wild.

Lips pressed and sealed tightly against her own. Stinging nips against her bottom lip and a tongue that completely dominated their conversation.

Harder. Wilder. Colder.

His skin turned icy beneath her fingers, his kiss so demanding it was hard to breathe. His actions were almost desperate and a soft keen of distress welled up in his chest. He flung himself away from her before he could hurt her, back pressed against the outer wall as he seemed to panic within his own skin before shutting down completely.

Jane blinked slowly, pacing her breathing to calm her hammering heart. Wow. She was so unbelievably turned on right now. That would be the quickest way to break all the customs he was trying to preserve. But then his reactions registered in her mind, cooling the heat in her blood. Lustful desire shifted to a desire to reassure him. She wondered just how long it had been since he could trust someone enough-and deleted the thought. She would just have to set the pace and she was alright with that.

She stood up and he curled back from her, "Shh…trust me…just trust me…" She followed. He seemed to retreat even further, even though he was right there. His body screamed vulnerable even if his face was unreadable. Smiling gently, encouragingly, kneeling and carefully cupping his jaw, whispering softly as she touched her lips to his, "…just feel…" She pressed light kisses against his lips, just gentle pressure and then releasing. Simple. Easy. He moved towards her with each touch.

Needing. Yearning.

Pulling back, she caught his searching green eyes, "Now your turn." When he became too rushed, too panicked she gentled him until he was eager without distress.

If she ever, ever found his diary…assuming magic wielding Norse demi-gods had those…and found out who hurt him she would kill them slowly. Very slowly. He was treating her like she was a treasure that at any moment would be taken from him.

His fingers gently tangled in her hair, kissing her sweetly. She could quite happily spend the day just sampling his lips. He broke the kiss, panting, and leaning his forehead into hers and eyes closed, "I know how to free your magic…" Jane blinked to focus her pleasantly fuzzy brain but remained quiet as his breath quickened, tongue licking his lower lip and obviously nervous, "Learning magic takes centuries and-…I could give you that-I could give you a lifetime, my lifetime-…" His hands reached out to cup her face, green eyes open and wild and fierce, "But I won't let you go. I will never let you go. I will kill anyone who tries to take you from me. Tell me no."

The last he said as a command.

His possessive, manic words should terrify her. They don't. Her heart bursts into flames as her fingers sink painfully into his thick locks and yank him back to her, kissing him as if permanently marking his lips as her own. He gasps into her mouth before making a growling sound that didn't even sound remotely human.

He wasn't human. He wasn't even close. The body of a man, but a truly otherworldly being who'd had too much taken from him. She didn't doubt the passion nor the conviction of his words. The previous men in her life who'd stayed just long enough to take what they'd needed before leaving, he wasn't like them. Everyone had always just taken, but not him. Not Loki. He was selfish but she'd known that as soon as she'd met him. This was a man who would keep her because she was something he wanted and needed.

She was perfectly fine with that.

Idly she wondered if he realized she was just as disinclined to ever let him go. Pulling back and brushing her thumb against his temple when he whimpered softy, "Hey." His eyes blink open and she smiles, "I'm telling you yes. You think I don't know what I'm getting myself into?" Erik, Darcy, anybody on earth would scream at her to run away. Jane Foster ran away from nothing.

Loki watched her closely, her eyes almost glowing like embers as he drank her in. She didn't say it but he could see it in her gaze, feel it in the way her hands were wrapped in his hair. She'd suffered loss and heartbreak. She'd been taken from and she was refusing to allow it to happen again. He was wanted. And he had no doubt once he opened the lock to her magic, even if he wanted to he'd never be able to slip away.

He couldn't wait to find out what a glorious creature she would become.

They could both hear Indel fumbling around inside and knew the boy would eventually come wandering out. Feeling particularly brave in that moment, she taught him a new trick with her lips to his that left him gasping for air, a wicked smirk crossing her face as she went inside.

Loki just sat there and blinked slowly. Evil, evil woman.

The knock at the door turned heads, the door opening and Talia running inside with a large grin. She bypassed Indel to wrap her arms around Loki's leg. He gave Azni a subtle glance who nodded slightly, but significantly. He almost grinned as he picked the girl up, Indel immediately turning and raising his own arms. Indulgent, Indel was soon occupying his other hip.

Jane smiled in greeting, missing the subtly between the two of them, "Would you like some tea, Azni?"

Azni smiled pleasantly, "I am afraid I cannot stay long, the storm that is coming soon will put at least a foot of snow on the ground. I need to be home before then or G'dath will never let me hear the end of it." Loki smothered a chuckle but Jane giggled. There was a wicked twinkle in Azni's eyes, "However, she did ask that I give this to you and requests that his reaction is memorized for later questioning."

As soon as Jane saw the book her eyes brightened in delight. Azni ignored the question in Loki's eyes and bid them goodnight. Loki's expression immediately soured as Jane slowly pulled out the thick volume of Norse Mythology she'd begged G'dath for. Jane found a seat, Indel wiggling until Loki set him down. Indel pointed excitedly, sharing the couch with her, "What's that?"

The boy loved books almost as much as his father. Dusting off the outer cover primly, "This is a collection of legends from Midgard. I thought we might figure out which ones are real and which ones aren't."

The look in her eyes was wicked as she said this, staring at Loki who sat in a chair with a huff and crossed his arms. Talia curled up in his lap, her head pressed into his shoulder, thumb in her mouth and fingers curled over her nose.

He silently mouthed his three favorite words to Jane when he was stuck in a situation he didn't like, even though he didn't actually mean them. 'I hate you'. She stuck her tongue out at him and he looked away to hide his grin, she catching him off guard for that one. She flipped the pages over to a section that said rather appropriately labeled 'Loki' and Indel pointed excitedly, "Dada, that's your name."

Grumbling softly, "So it is." Snarling loudly, "I want it declared for the record that most of that is complete and utter tripe."

Grandly turning a page, "Notated and dismissed."

Indel frowned at his father, "What's tripe?"

Jane snuggled the boy against her, "I'll tell you when you're older." Smirking as she glanced back at Loki, "One word: Sleipnar."

Loki made a disgusted/choking sound, "My father's horse, a gift from the court of Vanaheim. And no, I do not have a wolf nor a snake as children. I can shift form as easily as any mage but I have never had interests with any four legged member of the animal kingdom. I have one son, him…and I am not nearly as cavalier in my personal affairs as the stories suggest."

Her eyebrow quirked slightly, "But there are hints to interests in both sides of the coin."

He rolled his eyes at her before shrugging. He wasn't ashamed of that aspect of his preferences. It would scandalize Asgard if he openly admitted it but he'd never had any issues as to the gender of his partner, "My mother told me once that love is love, no matter the outer package."

Jane smiled and nodded, agreeing with him and flipped a page, "Can you appear as a man or as a woman?"

Shrugging, "Of course, but that is no consequence. I believe what you truly wish to know is if I have a preference to a gender…and it depends. I have gone now for centuries as a male, the gender I was born with, but when I was younger it would change daily based on my mood."

Pointing out some pictures to Indel, Talia obliviously asleep, "Did it matter to Asgard?"

His eyes darkened, "Yes. Because of my magical preference, some believed I should never change to male…and some believed that because I could comfortably live as a female, there was something corrupted in me." Surprisingly Odin hadn't seemed to care one way or the other. Even on his girl days his father still referred to him as 'he' but the fact remained that Odin hadn't acted ashamed or rebuked him on those days.

Jane shook her head, "Wow, get a penis, get a sword. Idiots." The tension in Loki's shoulders relaxed and she smiled to see it, "I notice you didn't mention Hela in that list."

Huffing, "She is not my child, she is a part of me."

Eyebrows hiking, knowing the answer but curious to his response, "She's real?"

Indel turned with a frown, "Who?"

"Come here, Indel." The elfling carefully climbed into Loki's lap, finding a spot not occupied by Talia, "Now, just as there are planets, there are people who live on each of them, yes?" Indel nodded. Loki twirled his fingers and a diagram of planets hung suspended in the air. Jane's eyes widened in amazement and she scooted closer to watch, "There are nine realms that are the most important in total, each of them with a very important planet. There are other planets in each realm of course, but these nine are vital. They keep what we call the World Tree together. To lose them leads to our end." Yet another reason why he'd let go of the Bi-frost. He hadn't been in his right mind when he'd tried to destroy Jötunheim and he'd been terrified of facing his father with that much disappointment waiting for him, "At the very top of the tree is Asgard, then Alfheim and Midgard…and down here we have Svartalfheim and at the bottom is the underworld, and Helheim. There is a very special Queen on this planet, and when we die we either go to see her, or we go to Valhalla above Asgard."

The little boy frowned again, "Who's the Queen?"

"Her name is Hela. Once when I was quite young I tried a spell I shouldn't have. It almost killed me, but it did not. Instead when I woke a girl lay next to me, a girl with my smile. My father explained that I had divided my magic in half, but somehow it didn't make either of us any weaker. When we were old enough, Hela wanted to leave so I went with her and helped her conquer Helheim, so she'd have a home of her own."

An oversimplification of a very difficult time in his life. The court was terrified of Hela, feeling how otherworldly and powerful she was and talk had spread of banishing her powers or even killing her. Unlike him, she had no true claim as a child of Odin and therefore didn't have his father's protection. Nor could Loki by technicality claim her as his child since he wasn't old enough for it to be acknowledged. He'd just turned old enough to go into his first battle and he'd chosen Helheim's demons as his proving ground. He didn't ask his father for permission, nor did he tell anyone his plan until he returned without her, and by then it was too late for anyone of Asgard to do anything about it. That was truly when the court started fearing him. He was almost positive there were times, particularly after he returned from Midgard, when his own father had feared him.

Indel's brow furrowed in thought, "But you made her?"

Loki hedged a bit, "Of a sort."

Grinning suddenly, "So she's my big sister."

Groaning, "Do not ever tell her that."

"But she calls you dada, right dada?"

Loki smirked slightly and nodded, "She calls me father. I have not seen her in a long time, but I assume she still does." Obviously untrue but he wasn't prone to sharing all of his secrets. Not yet. He noticed his son frown at him, brow drawing together but not speaking.

Jane's lip twitched as she turned another page, "Did you really cut off Sif's hair?"

Rolling his eyes, "No. I have enjoyed tormenting her over the centuries but I would never do something so stupid."

"But you turned it black?"

His expression turning blank, not interested in sharing that bit of history with anyone yet, "Yes."

Jane blinked twice but decided not to press him on that one, turning a page before frowning suddenly while pointing out a dwarf to Indel, "Did the whole…" She pantomimed stitches going through her lips and Loki lost what little color he had. It didn't happen quite the way the story depicted it since he hadn't cut off Sif's hair and he didn't go to the dwarves to get replacement hair.

A diplomatic visit, his father taking him so that he could observe courtly behavior. He hadn't been all that old, perhaps 14 in human terms. It hadn't even been an intentional insult, just a poorly chosen phrase and there was sudden outrage. Several of the adults had been screaming but he'd remained silent, waiting for Odin to calm everything down. He didn't. It was brought before a moderator and it was decided he would have his mouth sewn shut so that his uncivil tongue would stay in his head.

He was dragged away to a section of the dungeons that delved out punishments to prisoners. He wasn't locked up, simply punished before being returned to his father. Over and over his mind focused on only one fact as he was being held down and screaming in pain, that Odin hadn't said a word. It was the last time in his life he'd ever waited for someone to speak up for him. Even now he fully acknowledged that he'd been young so he might remember events differently but it was what ingrained in his mind.

It was the day that forged his silver tongue because he may face punishment, but he would have his full say regardless. He didn't say a word now except to press his lips together because Indel would never hear that story. He might tell Jane in the future but not now. Her jaw dropped before shuddering in horror, "Okay, Asgard officially sucks."

His eyebrows rose, mind back in the present, "Pardon?"

Indel turned, "Why does Asgard suck?"

Loki frowned at his son, "Indel."

"What? She said it, I'm just repeatin' it."

Pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh, "Jane, refrain from teaching my offspring slang."

Jane giggled a little and turned a few more pages before stopping with a wide grin on her face, "Two words: wedding dress?"

Loki suddenly remembered an afternoon with Thor in a wedding dress, full beard of course and miserable face covered by a veil, trying to get his hammer back. Loki threw his head back to laugh.

MIDGARD

Natasha Romanoff kept her face free of all emotion, green eyes silently observing and analyzing. The room that she was in was unremarkable, as was the building housing it. She wasn't even certain where she was, having been flown here in secret but she suspected it might be somewhere in France. There were four screens, the silhouettes of three of them with men, one with a woman. That was all she knew. She suspected origins in two of them but the accents were distorted.

Her eyes moved from screen to screen as they talked, mostly to themselves as if she wasn't here. It was just as well, in her opinion, it was never good when the council dragged a field agent before them. She suspected why she was here but she was never one to simply act. She was much too careful to act impulsively or prematurely.

"Agent Romanoff, you were given specific instructions concerning your observations of the alien hostile, Loki."

Not moving, not allowing her body to betray a hint of her thoughts or feelings. The council didn't care what she thought and would only see emotion as a weakness, "Yes, sir."

The male voice was dripping with disbelief, "Yet somehow such information just wandered into Anthony Stark's hands."

"How would such a security breech occur?"

It always came back to Stark, who was a brilliant man and a reckless idiot. She mulled over the merits of pistol whipping the inventor, "Stark is belligerent, undisciplined, and intelligent…I would be more surprised if he failed to find secured information."

"Are you saying this American is a security risk?"

An information leak was serious, but more so the fact that it could be accomplished than what was taken. And any organization that would casually order a nuclear strike at the risk of millions would not be above killing someone as prominent as Stark. Choosing her words carefully, tone even and face blank, "Any civilian is a security risk."

"She is repeating our own thoughts of this Avenger Initiative."

"Agent Romanoff…have you informed Agent Barton of your findings?"

A slight amount of outrage crept into her voice, "Of course not, sir."

"And your report?"

Reaffirming her hold on her composure, "Shredded and burned as instructed, sir."

"And are you comfortable with keeping this conversation from him."

She was a spy who had left a bloody trail in her wake for years and they were concerned about her keeping a secret from Clint? This didn't bode well. Yes, she was close to Clint but she had never allowed her attachment to anyone to interfere with her duty. That they thought she would was both insulting and worrying, "Of course, sir."

"Very well. Dismissed."

Natasha nodded her head before turning to exit to the side corridor. The door sealed shut behind her, the conversation continuing, "If we really are shutting down these Avengers, now is more prudent than later."

"Her attachment to Agent Barton could be an issue."

"Collateral damage?"

"No, we can't risk an agent of her skill set with a vendetta against us."

"Shame, really, she truly was a fine operative."

"See that it's done."

The four screens went blank.

There was a feeling in the air that left her skin buzzing. Natasha always prided herself in her finely honed instincts, they responsible for saving her on a number of occasions. The checkpoint guard not at his station was her first clue. Seeing the metal security bars already in place over the windows was the only other clue she needed. Spinning neatly in the air at the sound, she avoided the two bullets aimed to tear through her torso and landed in a crouch.

Natasha didn't see people, she saw movement and it all became a dance. Spin and kick. Flip and snap. Lift and strangle. She flowed through the seven agents, two with broken necks, one shattered sternum, and four with internal bleeding. Yanking open an air vent, she flew through the narrow passageway gracefully and slipped out the last grating to an unoccupied office.

Table. Chair. Two windows both barred and locked down. Certain she was going to have to blast her way out and calculating her low odds of success, she paused to see a shimmering open window between the two barred ones. After a split second of forethought, she dove head first through the opening, performed a neat flip in midair, and landed on her feet. Turning with a frown, she watched the window seal and disappear in a flash of green.

Magic.

Interesting.

Natasha looked around thoughtfully but when a dog barked she slipped into the shadows and disappeared. From the roof Loki glared at Hela who was carefully studying her nails, "Explain to me again why this had to have my expert attention."

Blinking innocently, "I can't interfere, remember?"

Absolutely no expression crossed his face, "Bullshit. If you like the damn woman so much, you save her."

Tisking softly to herself, "Stark is amazing. One meeting with the man and you're already talking like him."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, "Hela…"

Cutting him off with a decisive gesture from one hand, "I wanted her surviving to be by your hand. It will make her more agreeable to listening."

Hela was too powerful to ever really need his help for anything. The fact that she thought he would actually believe her was insulting. It only made it worse that their magic manifested in a similar fashion. She could just as easily have saved the spider and pretended it was him involved. Green eyes slowly narrowing, "My getting involved with these Avengers isn't part of my plan."

Her darker green eyes copied him, "Nope, it's mine."

"Hela, don't you dare-…"

Huffing at him, "Your way is impractical. The only way the Other will be primed for destruction is to flush him out of hiding. That requires the scepter and someone has to wave it around as bait. SHIELD won't. That leaves these defenders you say you hate but you secretly like."

His voice growled but his tone veering towards pouty, "I don't like them."

Loki was such a child.

Rolling her eyes, "Please. If you lived on Midgard you'd be best friends with Stark and pranking the Hel out of Fury."

Crossing his arms over his chest, what Hela knew to be a defensive move for him, "If I lived on Midgard I would kill Stark and subjugate the planet."

Snorting, "Before or after you traded archery tips with Barton?"

"After." He blinked twice, "Wait, b-I wouldn't even speak with Barton, let alone…" Her grin didn't change and he scowled at her, "I hate you so much this century."

Giggling and leaning in to kiss his cheek, his surprise that she didn't pass through him never failing to amuse her, "I love you, too, father."

He huffed and faded. Amora appeared, crossing her arms over her ample chest, "I did my part. I was key to her survival, now will you lift this curse?"

Hela turned and raised an eyebrow, "So you can ruin everything with petty revenge, no. I think not."

Amora gaped, "You promised!"

"I never gave a time table. The curse will be lifted, though, but not until the appropriate time."

Stomping her foot childishly, "It's not fair."

The trickster queen raised the other eyebrow, "Reap what you sow, Enchantress. Why should I be generous when your every effort is to your benefit alone?" Then Hela shrugged loosely, "Besides, the curse does nothing more than prevent you betraying his being alive."

A slightly troubled look crossed Amora's face, "Thor mourns him. Still."

Hela felt her jaw tighten involuntarily, "I know he does, and he will for a time longer." Despite how it may seem she didn't enjoy Thor's grief. She was a trickster and teasing came naturally to her, and though she was and always would be practical, deep down she did have a perhaps naïve hope for a happy future.

"Why?"

Looking away to study the skyline, "Because he took father for granted. Everyone did. The God of Mischief, reduced and dismissed as Thor's faithful tag-a-long. They saw his worth when he was needed. When a trick or sly word could save a life, but otherwise he was dismissed. I am going to make it impossible for that to ever happen again."

"How?"

An amused smirk curled Hela's lip, "Father thinks this is his clever little plan but it's not. It's mine. The part of Asgard that truly matters mourns him. Thor regrets losing him and Odin is learning of his failures as a father. If the pieces come together as they should Loki will be welcomed home and Thanos will learn the price for bringing suffering to my house." Her look turned sly, "I might even reward you if you play your part."

Tone demanding, "What reward could the queen of Helheim offer me?"

Hela had and always would have plans within plans. She already knew what her intended result was for both Loki and the Avengers, it wouldn't be too difficult to incorporate Amora into those plans…and it would serve Sif right in her opinion, "It is what I can reward you as Thor's niece."

Amora blinked twice, "I'm listening."

Smirking. She would need to think carefully how to move the little chess piece before her. And Thor was still waiting for her on Helheim. It was time to visit Vanaheim, "Come find me in New York."

Hela disappeared without looking back, leaving the enchantress behind. Amora snarled as she turned, only to scream and bonelessly collapse. Her limbs twitched, a soft whimper escaping before her eyes rolled back. A dark silhouette moved out of the shadows, partially obscuring her unconscious face.

NOTES:

Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that I'm going to get a few reviews with FINALLY in the comments?

What can I say, I like a gradual build. (Or I'm just a terrible tease)

As always, thank you everyone who reviews. A lot of you are very good at making me laugh.

NEXT:

Larnvidia meets Lady Death; Pepper gets a visit from the God of Mischief; Anya get recruited