Chapter 37
ALFHEIM
"Dada!"
Loki whipped around, seeing Indel at perhaps 10 by human standards, dressed like a young prince, being tickled by a version of himself.
Loki froze. No. Not this lie, not again!
"I will save you, brother!"
A small version of himself, down to the brilliant green eyes he'd held as a child. The little boy seemed to easily tip over the trickster and the two children immediately attacked their father. A lovely blond elf crossed the garden, dressed in light silver robes. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled, a smirk almost out of place on her face. Talia…
Loki felt like throwing things in rage but he didn't, silently slipping out of his bed without disturbing Talia or Indel and storming outside. He was used to dreaming and the ones he'd shared with Jane he'd come to look forward to. Those had ended as soon as she'd been hurled to his side. Tonight his dream was a similar repeat of before. The dream of being in Asgard, a prince with Jane as his wife. The only true difference had been Talia added to the exchanges but everything else down to his father's silent presence had been the same as far as he could tell.
He couldn't go back to the way he was, searching so desperately to find a place for himself in Asgard. Some place where he was accepted, not just by Asgard but by his father. If he allowed that dream to flourish once more it would poison everything he'd built here. He could admit to himself he was afraid of becoming that Loki again. The cold, silver-tongued trickster prince of Asgard had no room in his life for children.
He wasn't dressed for the weather but he barely felt the cold. He never really had and he was the biggest idiot for not realizing sooner what he was. His magic spiked and he picked up a rock, it instantly lighting on fire before hurling it in the direction of the lake.
A day. A year.
He stood staring at the lake for a time, long enough for the sun to just begin to dawn before G'dath's voice washed over him.
"I think I could feel your agitation on Alfheim proper."
He didn't even feel the temptation to smile, not turning. "Not the word for it, G'dath."
Her steps made no sound as she approached. "True, but it's impolite to point out when a warrior is afraid."
Now Loki allowed a bitter smile. Of course she would sense that. "How familiar are you with Yggdrasil dreams?"
She moved to stand next to him, adopting a more serious expression. "In what regard?"
"Do they always come true?" He wished they did, but he doubted it. Even if Odin demanded his return he doubted he'd comply. He was becoming comfortable with the idea of this being his home. "Why are some dreams fanciful futures and others feel like a warning?"
"Mhmm." G'dath thought back to all the time her father had spent pouring over the books, theorizing with other scholars. "Those dreams were more my father's specialty than mine."
The soft tone of respect in her voice indicated that her father was dead. "Does no one know anymore?"
Nodding after another considering moment. "I will tell you what I remember. The purpose depends on the origin. Some originates from Yggdrasil, and they are promises or warnings of what can be. Others are from the sister fates, a prophecy of what will be for all those bent to fate's will. But those are waking dreams and different, for those directly affected do not receive them."
Brow slowly furrowing, feeling his anger and frustration calming. "Isn't everyone fate's slave?"
"Surprisingly no. We are all under their sway because we know them to be real. We empower them but there are many mortals who do not believe and are therefore free."
So there was an advantage to being mortal after all.
He sighed and looked back to the lake. "If there are changes can the dream still happen?"
"A good dream?"
Shaking his head slowly. "An impossible dream. I can't ever have it, but it's the second dream. Similar but different."
G'dath knew enough about Yggdrasil dreams that rarely was anyone ever gifted with two. That Loki had experienced something so extraordinary left her with no doubt. Unless someone outside of fate's control altered Loki's course, this would be his reality. Unfortunately, that was someone like Thanos. "If the second dream is similar, then it is a possibility, as impossible as it seems. Those outside of fate can alter a dream. I would suggest doing nothing that would prevent this from becoming a reality."
Clenching a fist. "I'm a criminal and an outcast, it is impossible for me to ever be a prince of Asgard again!"
"Is this something you want?" Her words were quiet and thoughtful.
Shoving himself away from her. "What does it matter-…"
He jerked to a stop, G'dath in front of him. She'd moved even faster than Hela, and his daughter's speed was damn impressive. Her tone short and succinct. "Is. It."
His mouth opened to respond with something witty and hasty, but then he closed it again without a word. It mattered. He wished with everything in him that it didn't because he never got what he wanted, but it did. "…yes."
She gave him a thoughtful glance. "You don't sound very certain."
Eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Why do you want to know? To mock me?" Crossing his arms over his chest. "Yes. More than anything I want to be free to return home, to be a prince of Asgard and a son of Odin." Instinctively he glanced at one of his pale hands, knowing with but a thought it would be blue. "I wish I'd never learned the truth. I would give almost anything to be in my rooms right now, lost in Thor's shadow and blissfully unaware of what I am than for what happened to occur. There are only three reasons that I am glad I am where I am and they are here. I will give up Asgard and father for them but these dreams are a tainted poison and I wish the torment to end."
Her expression softened in understanding. "The dreams are not to mock you. They are a glimpse of what can be if you continue to walk the path you are on."
Voice ringing with frustrated disbelief. "How?"
She shrugged lightly. "Only Yggdrasil knows. If the dream changed but is still something you want, obviously you are doing something right."
His arms moved to hang loosely at his sides, expression moving to his other default. His lower lip stuck out just enough that, unconscious or not, it couldn't be labeled as anything other than a pout. "I hate playing a game unaware of the rules."
The corner of her lip twitched. "But if you're winning the game, why complain?"
His mind turned over ten thousand years worth of AEsir law crammed into his brain. "Criminals are dishonorable curs not worthy of walking on Asgardian soil. No dishonored has ever been welcomed back noble."
"You are Loki. For you, the rules are meant to be broken." Loki started to shake his head. "Did your father not break his own edicts when he found you?" Surprisingly it wasn't as hard as he thought it might be, to imagine Odin brushing aside his own edicts to sneak an infant Jötunn into his palace and into his family purely because he wanted to. He'd never seen Odin do anything without a purpose, but it was an appealing thought. Loki's lip reluctantly twitched and he subsided. "Just live your life, Loki. Think of the dream as a distant reward and focus on what you have now."
Loki's right arm rubbed his left. "Have you ever had them?"
G'dath considered the lake for a moment before slowly nodding. The fact that she seemed reluctant to share caught his attention. "Yes. It has been a long time but I did receive one once." She refused to look at him, keeping her tone even. There were some aspects of her past she didn't like to dwell on, and this was one of them. "It was just after my mate passed and I considered joining him." Loki visibly startled. It wasn't unheard of for light elves to die as a pair, he was just shocked that G'dath had even considered it. "I was shown a future that confused me enough to intrigue me…and so I decided to wait."
Curious. "What was so intriguing?"
Giving him a small elf smile. That quiet, humored look she'd carried when he'd first met her. "You were in it."
MIDGARD
The Other stood turned to the direction of the setting sun, an expanse of nothing around him. There were clumps of plants amidst stretches of dirt, the heat of the New Mexico day abating as dusk approached. Well out of the range of the mortal machines, the direction he faced led to the underground facility that housed the scepter. Somewhere in that maze of corridors and mortal obstacles lay the mind gem. His plans for an expeditious death for the mortals had failed. It was time to alter those plans to retrieve what Lord Thanos wanted.
"You are a difficult one to find."
He did not turn as a mortal woman flashed into existence just over his shoulder. Several Skrull disengaged their camouflage, appearing in a half moon around him. "And how did you find me, I wonder? How did you even know of me is a more prudent question?"
Lip quirking as her dark green eyes assessed the creatures around her. "Your minions talk too much."
The Other nodded slowly in agreement. "Indeed. And what is it you wish…the sparing of your pathetic planet?"
Crossing her arms loosely. "An exchange."
Now the Other turned, staff in hand. "An exchange of what?"
Hela felt her fingers twitch to simply dispense of the games and cut off his head. But that would be too neat and merciful. She had nearly a year's worth of pain to make up for, the debt he owed father too great. "I will give you the gem you seek and you will leave this planet, never for you or yours to return." The Other's head turned a little towards the soldiers masquerading as Chitauri, a gesture anyone not aware of a trap would mistake for annoyance. "I told you. Your minions have big mouths."
"Which minions do you speak of?"
She shrugged loosely, grinning at the two she'd followed here. "It really wasn't that difficult to put together. Those…"
Hela trailed off purposefully, knowing a mortal wouldn't know their species and the Other supplied it easily. "Chitauri."
"Exactly, they were assisting that lunatic that tried to destroy New York. Luke or whatever his name was."
Baring his bloody teeth. "Loki."
Shrugging carelessly as if she could care less. "Right. So I followed them, heard them mention a gem and remembered the glowing blue rock attached to…Loki's stick. Seemed easy enough to figure out."
Another slight jerk of his head. If she could see his eyes she would imagine them narrowing their focus on her. "You have the gem."
She'd left the mind gem right where it was, and the reality gem was tucked away where no one could see it. Making a scoffing noise. "Of course not. SHIELD has it. I know where in the compound it is. I can retrieve it is the point I was going to make."
Pointing his staff. "Or I can glean its location from your mind and take it at my leisure."
Hela touched his staff with the tip of her finger and smiled wildly when it melted. "You should be careful around advanced humans. Full of surprises."
Instead of annoyance or anger in his voice, there was smugness. "Indeed. Just as you should be careful around those smarter than yourself, little witch."
The Other tossed something to her that she caught. Perhaps not the brightest choice, but it had been a reflex. Opening her palm revealed a very familiar pendent. Hela looked back up grimly as the Other smiled with bloody teeth bared.
"You killed her?" She doubted it, since Amora hadn't been destined for Valhalla and she would have noticed the Enchantress entering Helheim.
"My lord will eventually."
Shit.
Thanos had ways around the curse keeping her from saying Loki's name. And the Titan had an unhealthy fascination with Loki. He would get the answer from her in a most brutally painful fashion. Amora didn't know much, but enough to damage her plans.
Hela was so focused on what could and would go wrong, she was distracted for a fraction of a second…exactly what the Other had been waiting for. She screamed as electric current shocked through her body. She collapsed to the ground, her limbs twitching in aftershocks. She tried to speak but all that left her lips were a few soft slurs.
"Curious. Such a powerful little mortal, felled by something so simple. Take her to Lord Thanos."
The Other turned dismissively, stepping onto the platform of a small transport that lowered down from the clouds. The small vessel hovered for a moment before racing across the skies and disappearing from sight. One ship remained behind, a Skrull vessel that would take her to Thanos no doubt.
A hand grabbed her wrist, dragging her limp body inside the transport and leaving her lying in a boneless heap in the center of the ship. One of them sat at the helm, the others taking silent positions around her as the ship powered up. Hela drifted through gray distance for a few minutes, feeling the ship punch a hole through space and jumping from point to point. Unlike her more graceful slips from point to point, she could imagine the universe screaming in pain.
She started to chuckle softly, eyes closed.
The one in charge of the group turned to look down at her in disdain. "Considering how painfully short your life is about to be reduced to I fail to understand your amusement."
A small smile curled her lip.
Such simple creatures. Before she was Hela she shared the past with Loki, you didn't grow up in a household with the God of Thunder and not get struck by lightning at least once. Compared to that unpleasant sensation, a Taser was like static buildup.
A black boot stopped next to her face, the Chitauri disguise abandoned in favor of his natural Skrull form. "You won't be amused for long, mortal. You are about to lick the boots of the being that created torture."
She moved in a blur.
Her hand around his throat, she lifted him off his feet as she pressed him against the hull and gestured with her free hand. The other Skrull growled and twisted but couldn't lift their feet from the floor. The pilot flew on, unaware of what was going on around him.
Her small smile grew as she purred. "You are correct. Soon you will be dead and my enjoyment of toying with you will end." He made a choking sound. "Shh…perhaps I should have mentioned that I'm not mortal." She smiled cruelly, her nails growing to sharp points, as did her teeth. "Allow me the pleasure of introducing myself. The nine realms know me as Queen Hela of Helheim and Niflheim, Goddess of the Underworld." Her smile grew, her skin flushing blue. "Or a few centuries ago I was known as Hela Lokidottir of Asgard." A jerked gesture, and she tossed his body to the ground, his neck broken. She turned slowly and snarled, lethal intent in every line of her body as her blackened armor wrapped around her, twin swords at her hips. "Welcome to Hel."
Hela stood on a lone cliff, the moon as lifeless as the rest of the planets in this solar system. She was the guardian of the dead but she wasn't about to destroy entire civilizations just to get rid of one Skrull craft. She looked without seeing at first. The universe was so vast, so much more than just nine realms. It made one feel small, even someone like herself. She shivered as her eyes swept over the endless sky. Were she to have truly been helpless would she have even be missed? Loki would tear the heavens apart to find her but otherwise…
Where would she go when she died? She felt goose bumps prickle along her arms. For an instant, she wasn't a warrior. She wasn't a queen. She was a young Asgardian, former or otherwise, who wanted to go home.
Sighing softly, shoving such silly desires to the side, she studied her hands. Mumbling under her breath, a green glow filled her hand, shaping into a distorted ball. The energy crackled malignantly and with her arm extended, it flew away from her to the sun in the far distance.
At first nothing happened as the energy disappeared. Then the golden sun started to crackle, the color changing and deepening from gold to orange to red. If sound could travel in space, there would be a mighty rumble more violent than an earthquake and more powerful than an erupting volcano. Light and energy exploded outward, destroying the two closest planets before it all collapsed in on itself. She felt the power rush over her, a shield of power protecting her. The collapse repeated infinitely before a great emptiness started to expand. The little Skrull ship that had been hovering just out of reach started to be pulled in by the steadily increasing gravitational pull.
It wouldn't do for Thanos to find them and a 'natural' accident always worked well in covering up evidence. Once the ship had disappeared down the black hole she sent a second pulse of exotic anti-matter and within seconds it collapsed on itself. Now with that out of the way, it was time to see if she could track down Amora.
ALFHEIM
"…-you will give me my daughter, right now."
Loki turned the corner of the trail, Indel riding on his back, seeing an elf he didn't recognize on one side of the shield to his home and Jane on the other. Her brown eyes narrowed in irritation, Talia standing against her and wrapped in her arms. "For the last time, we wait for Lokhi."
"Who are you?"
The she-elf jerked to the left to stare at him while Jane just looked visibly relieved. "I am Abril and I have come to retrieve my daughter."
His green eyes narrowing before gesturing lightly and walking through the shield. Abril followed and reached down for her daughter. Loki was there in an instant, scooping Talia into his arms. The blond haired, blue eyed elf paused to eye him. "Jane, will you please take them inside for a moment while Abril and I have a little chat?"
Talia looked from Loki to her mother to Jane before holding out her arms for Jane to hold her. Resting her on her hip, Indel dropping lightly to the ground and taking Jane's hand. "Can we have apples, dada?"
Loki grinned but his eyes held no amusement. "Of course."
He waited until all three of them were inside before turning back to Abril.
"Who do you think you are?"
Lifting one eyebrow at the elf, producing a wrapped scroll of parchment. "I think I am Loki, citizen of Alfheim and recognized by the Senate as Talia's father." Abril stiffened. "Do not even pretend to act surprised. You knew that someone would claim the girl eventually. Admit it. You were hoping it would be so."
Voice trembling. "I was hoping she would have an elf-kind household…not…"
Crossing his arms lightly over his chest. She was nothing to him and he didn't give a damn what she thought of him. "Then you should have made arrangements to secure someone you would approve. Too late, I'm afraid, for I will not give her up. She is my daughter. She is Indel's sister. The end."
Hissing. "With a mortal?"
Smiling coldly. "There is a mortal saying that I find most appropriate. Thieves that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Abril's lip trembled before she controlled it. "Now, I can be and have been known to be unreasonable. This is not one of those cases. So long as I am aware of your visits you may do so." His brow furrowed a little, eyeing the necklace around her neck that was far too aristo in comparison to her modest dress. Fingers lightly brushing against the polished stones. "Does this belong to you?"
Her chin lifted slightly. "It does now and I choose to wear it…just as I may choose to give it to my daughter."
Voice cold, eyes hard. "And that means you paid for it or stole it?" Abril didn't say anything and she didn't have to. He detected the slight flinch. A flick of the wrist and the necklace disappeared. "You are not possessing anything stolen around Talia."
"She is my-…"
His voice now sharp enough to cut glass. "No. She is my responsibility, my daughter, and you are not turning her into a thief."
She looked almost indignant. "And I suppose you never stole anything."
"I did once." He couldn't remember what it was, just something he'd wanted that had belonged to a friend of Thor's. He'd been very young, only a few years older than Talia. "In a rare moment of good parenting my father had found out and tanned my hide for it." Not quite the word for it as it had been the worst spanking of his life. "I never stole from anyone again after that." Technically true in his opinion since he had borrowed the throne from Thor without asking but he would have given it back. Eventually. "So you may visit, and I encourage it, but you are not giving her stolen items as gifts and you are not leaving this village with her. Am I clear?"
"Many in your position wouldn't accept a thief in their presence."
Speaking of living in a glass house. "You haven't been foolish enough to steal from me and since I am hardly an example of sainthood I can afford to be generous. But make no mistake, my own flaws aside, I will not allow you to ruin her future as you have done to your own."
She looked indecisive for several moments but finally Abril bowed her head respectfully. Loki gave her a pausing look before opening the door to find three ears pressed to the wood. They all looked up at him guiltily and he sent them a mock glare before focusing on Talia who instantly took his hand.
Abril smiled hesitantly at Talia. "Would you like to walk to the lake?"
Talia looked to Loki first to make sure she could. When his lip quirked in a smile at her, she nodded and reluctantly released Loki's hand to follow. Mischief appeared just as they crossed the threshold. The two shared a look before the boy made himself invisible and followed the two elves.
Jane came up to Loki's left as a flame leapt to existence in his palm and he carelessly tossed it into the fireplace to help warm up the room. Looking curiously up at him, having guiltily bowed to the temptation to hear what was going on. "Was that true?"
"Which part, eavesdropper?"
Pouting a little. "Hey, we didn't hear everything." His lip quirked with a slightly coy smile and she couldn't help stealing a kiss. "Just when you started talking about good parenting."
Loki winced down at her just thinking about it. "I still have the bruises to prove it."
Smiling wickedly at him. "Prove it."
He rolled his eyes.
MIDGARD
Loki studied the mortal silently as he fidgeted with the suit on the table in front of him. The suit was definitely looking a little charred around the edges. Idly he wondered if the other Avengers were worse off. But he was also curious. Why did they do what they did? He understood Thor. For glory. For fun and adventure. But he didn't think that's why these humans put on their armor and fought their foes.
Blinking and realizing Stark had stopped moving, his gaze lifted to see the inventor watching him. Tilting his head slightly. "Why fight since you are not part of a warrior culture?"
He noticed Stark take just a moment to check his eyes before answering. Would the human do that every time they encountered one another? Shrugging. "Everyone has a different reason. Oh, and JARVIS, thanks for the warning."
"Apologies, sir, Mr. Odinson does not appear on any sensors."
Sighing. "Great. Anyway, why do I put on a suit and kick major butt? Cause I'm awesome. Fame. Fortune. Shwarma-ever tried it? Probably not. Your brother liked it…I think. He kinda will eat anything. Oh, and well, I'm a genius with some neat toys so why not?"
Loki's head tilting just slightly. "Interesting…" Stark turned and raised an eyebrow. "…even with a distance between where I am and where you are I can still spot a lie." He gave Tony a toothy smile, who scowled at him. "Very well, I will leave your answer as is for now, but please refrain from insulting my intelligence in the future."
Retrieving a cup of coffee and taking a sip, sitting on the bench. "Didn't think the Liesmith would appreciate the truth."
"You would truly be surprised by what I appreciate, Stark."
Tony pursed his lips thoughtfully, mind trying to puzzle him out. "Guessing you wouldn't buy me saying because it's the right thing to do."
"Not really, no."
Shrugging again and jumping off the bench, throwing a few tools into a pile. "Yeah, well, we haven't been dating for very long. I don't open up until at least the third date."
Loki considered him, quip ready. "Hmm…and have you had many third…dates, was it?"
Smirking over his shoulder. "Babe, I haven't even had many second dates."
The look Loki returned was smoldering with sensuality. "I think you will find I am worth the investment."
Tony considered him again. He was impressed. Most people, particularly heterosexual men, couldn't play the flirting game with him but Loki was just full of surprises. At least, he assumed the demi-god was hetero but he wouldn't be surprised if he was bi-sexual. Not that he was tempted. Pepper would kill him. Jane would probably kill Loki. And since he knew for a fact the two women got along it wouldn't end well for either of them. Still, he could appreciate sensual skill when he saw it. Dark eyes narrowing for just a moment. "How are you at computers?"
Within an hour Tony was blown away. Apparently Loki hadn't been joking that science was merely a baby step to magic. He breezed through computer programs, using minimal amounts of magic to fly through programming simulations. He stopped suddenly and the inventor glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.
The demi-god's eyes were sparkling with life but he was panting softly. Since he remembered what happened the last time he'd overextended himself he knew when to quit. "No more today." Turning to nod slightly towards the mortal. "Until next time."
Tony was stretched out on a sofa. "Will there be a next time?"
Smirking evilly. "Perhaps."
Sitting up suddenly, tone demanding. "Tell me you'd never try to take over the world again."
Such an adorably naïve mortal. He could understand why they were so easily fooled, they'd had to rely on Thor for a dissection of his character and his brother, as per usual, fell short in critical thinking. "Ruling was never a goal of mine…but I won't forsake a needed role for me to fulfill."
Tony almost did a classic double take. "Yeah…lay that one out for me."
Spreading out his hands casually, mentally calculating how much time he had before he had to leave. "My goal was simple, to open the portal so that as many Chitauri as possible were massacred by your pitiful forces. You needed a villain to fight." He shrugged loosely and smirked. "It sounded like fun, so of course I obliged. If I ever do return and my guidance is required, who am I to refuse?"
Tony didn't even blink, dark eyes searching his own. "You have got to be kidding."
Shrugging again. "I might be. I'm called a trickster for a reason."
Snorting and climbing to his feet, Stark stretched and ventured over to one of his thrusters. "You wouldn't have happened to make any slime monsters explode recently, would you?"
Evil smirk growing. "Maybe." Loki's expression turning concerned. "You didn't let it touch your skin, did you?"
Tony froze and paled, thinking of the hours he'd spent cleaning the slime out of his thrusters by hand because the stuff wouldn't come out otherwise. "Why?"
Muttering softly, just loud enough it could be heard. "I suppose it would depend on whether you have gained weight recently." Loki's eyes flickered down towards the mortal's stomach for the barest of seconds before speaking normally. "Oh…um, no reason."
Yelping and pawing at his shirt over his stomach, as if that would solve anything. "I can't be pregnant!" Loki didn't say anything except for a brief look of guilt to run across his face before he vanished, leaving a hyperventilating Avenger screaming for JARVIS to get Bruce.
Jane was treated to the sight of the God of Chaos lying on the floor, laughing so hard he was crying.
ALFHEIM
"You have got to stop doing this."
Loki rolled his eyes at the healer before he sighed and drank the potion with a grimace. He'd forgotten to take into account that Mischief had been watching over Abril's visit with Talia. A minor miscalculation he wouldn't make again but he'd gotten weak enough and Jane concerned enough that she'd escorted him to G'dath. She and Indel were currently with Azni while Talia and Abril walked through the village and with a sweet kiss that made his heart pound Jane had promised to wait for him there.
Such a deliciously evil woman.
G'dath sighed and pulled out a messenger bag, slipping half a dozen more vials inside. "I'm serious, Loki, start stocking restorative."
Raising an eyebrow. "Or what?"
Glaring back at him. "Or I'm going to knock you on your ass." He gave her a considering look, wondering if she was even capable. Her sharp inhale of breath, her head turned towards the door, caught his attention. "Damn."
Lord Utterow. A notorious light elf, both as a powerful enchanter, as well as carrying a significant amount of political pull. He had everything it would seem except one thing. The elf had no soul. Cold and calculating, intelligent and cunning; the elf lacked empathy for anyone and everyone and delighted in crushing hopes and dreams. When Utterow came to a village like this, he was here for a specific purpose and that was it.
As an enchanter, Utterow would easily see through his elf disguise. Loki debated staying as he was but this was the sort of elf who frequented the courts of other realms, like Asgard. He did not want it common knowledge that he was alive. Loki had less than half a second but he'd dealt with trickier situations. He turned as a rather cocky elf, long golden hair and brown eyes, stepped into the healing room.
G'dath stood, placing herself slightly in front of Loki. "Lord Utterow. This is a surprise."
The enchanter smiled blandly at her before glancing at Loki who smiled shyly and projected demur. "And who is this enchanting young elf?"
G'dath almost gave herself whiplash as she jerked around. There was no glamour in place this time. The AEsir male Loki had been replaced by a she-elf with similar features. He chose the least challenging gender, but he didn't think of himself as female today since this hadn't been an inspired choice. This was a disguise, nothing more. Loki's green eyes sparkled with mischief. He was a changeling, after all, did G'dath forget already?
Loki bowed his head slightly and offered the enchanter a generic elven name. "Llana."
Utterow walked the distance, a wolfish smile on his face as he leaned in. "What a beautiful name." He reached out to brush a lank of hair behind Loki's pointed ear, the intimate gesture between elves normally reserved for close families and lovers.
G'dath's eyes widening before snarling. "Lord Utterow."
Ignoring her. "Where are you from, my dear?"
Smiling pleasantly, picturing Utterow's defiled corpse rotting away in Niflheim. "The northern providence, above the Enosk River."
"A wonderful land and quite beautiful…I can see why you would call it home." Loki smiled just a little wider, carefully hiding how sharp the edges of his teeth were as was the very real possibility of his eminent attack.
"Lord Utterow?"
The enchanter turned to the new voice, his smile turning cruel to see a she-elf being restrained, her daughter clinging to her. "It has been quite some time, Abril." Abril said nothing, knowing exactly who he was, and he grabbed her golden hair harshly. "You will answer to the Senate for daring to steal from me." She didn't bother trying to defend herself, knowing Utterow didn't care about what was taken. It was only about the execution to him. Chuckling softly, huskily. "Perhaps they will gift to me your offspring in payment."
She would face death brought before the Senate with dignity but as distasteful as his threat sounded it wasn't un-imaginable. He couldn't have her. She would rather anything. ANYTHING.
Bursting into tears. "Please, no!"
Anything, my dear?
Abril stilled, instinctively her eyes moving to Loki who wasn't wearing his disguise. Dressed in his AEsir armor, raising a single eyebrow at her.
She'd never dreamed someone like the Prince of Asgard would wish to protect her child, and suddenly it became enough. Concentrating, knowing he would hear her thought to him.
Please take care of her.
Loki smiled the slightest amount and nodded. Abril's tears cleared, gaining strength from his gaze.
"Papa!"
Utterow sneered at Abril and reached down for Talia, stunned to find the girl gone. He jerked and looked around but she was nowhere to be seen…and neither was Loki.
VANAHEIM
In spite of popular opinion she wasn't omniscient. Amora may have been on the same planet as Thanos but they had moved her. It was the where that currently eluded her. She needed a distraction, and Fandral was ever so useful in providing one.
Hela laid back on the setae in a small inn on Vanaheim, watching Fandral enter from the small kitchen with a bowl of grapes. It was a thoroughly domestic activity but the two of them had grown unusually comfortable together. Fandral was beside himself. He'd never entertained just one woman for so long but he was strangely content. She was a puzzle, a beautiful, brilliant enigma who didn't lack in imagination and he couldn't see her ever boring him.
Hela was a bit more practical. She was waiting for the penny to drop. She knew he hadn't told his little friends about her, and as much as he might think things could remain as they are forever she wasn't a fool. Dirty little secrets never lasted. Still, she wasn't about to deny herself the pleasure of his enthusiasm while it lasted.
The knock at the door made Fandral jump and Hela smirk. Sometimes she hated always being right. Sif barged in a second later. "Fandral, Thor-…" Her dark eyes widened and she made a choking sound as she froze. Blinking and recovering quickly. "Queen Hela."
Nodding slightly. "Lady Sif."
An uncomfortable silence started to stretch as Sif's eyes moved from Hela to Fandral and back again.
Fandral cleared his throat. "Might I have a few moments of privacy, Lady Sif?"
The warrioress nodded slowly, stunned. "C-certainly. Thor will not be departing for Jötunheim for several days hence so there is time."
Fandral's eyes widened. "Jötun-…whatever for?"
Spine stiffening in respect. "The All-father wished to open peace talks with the Frost Giant's new king."
Snarling. "Why would the All-father discuss anything with those frozen monsters?"
Sif shrugged loosely. "I know not. Thor wishes us to stand as his and his father's guard."
Fandral nodded solemnly. "Allow me to dress and I will join you presently." Sif nodded in return and stepped back outside, the door closing after her. Fandral turned with a soft smile of regret, Hela already standing with her back to him. "I apologize, dear lady, that-…"
"Jötunn are frozen monsters to you?"
Oblivious to her chilly tone. "Whatever else could they be?"
Her arms crossed, still facing away from him. "Living, breathing beings who deserve as much respect as any other creature in the nine realms."
The blond AEsir paused, not believing what he was hearing. "Surely you jest, milady."
"I kid you not." When her voice deepened he detected what he hadn't before: the barely contained rage. "I am the guardian of Helheim and Niflheim, AEsir, do you doubt that I may visit those of Valhalla at my choosing?"
He would be an idiot to state otherwise. Brash and self-absorbed though he may be, he had never been described as an idiot. "I would expect that of any in the nine realms, you would be able to do so."
"Do you truly believe there are no Jötunn in Valhalla?" Snorting when he didn't protest to the contrary. "Of course you do. For who would ever expect that a Frost Giant could lead an honorable life? I assure you there are those there…not many, I will grant you that much. Which means they are a people just like any other."
Fandral had been putting on his armor, but he paused in the involved act. "Hela, why do you care for them? They are Asgard's enemy…your enemy."
Her words were hissed. "You forget yourself. I am no longer welcome in your land because your people are cowards who fear truly powerful warriors." She easily heard him bodily jerk at such an insult to the AEsir. "I will tell you something more. The status quo will not be maintained. Either the nine realms will enter a new era, or it will end but change will move swiftly. The amulet that you wear, you do so to remind you of a friendship long dead. Do you expect him to return that friendship when you offer nothing but disrespect?"
Reflexively clutching the necklace around his neck. "I have jested with the prince-…"
His voice trailed off as she turned, presenting him with blue skin and burning red eyes. Her words were a low growl escaping sharp teeth, refusing to label the treacherous undertone in her voice as hurt. "Speak your pretty words now, AEsir. Dare to placate the Jötunn runt before you that you are horrified you've been fucking. Do not think that Loki will be any more forgiving if you make your opinions of us known to him." Her lip curled in a hollow victory as Fandral's horror deepened. "I knew if I waited long enough you would prove yourself just like the rest of your kind. Fair well, Asgardian."
She turned and disappeared through the golden passages, leaving a speechless Fandral in her wake.
ALFHEIM
Jane couldn't say what pulled her from her sleep but she was suddenly awake and staring at the ceiling. At some point she was curious if Loki was just going to create a third bedroom but she wasn't brave enough to ask. Because thoughts and questions like that led to other questions about him sharing a room with her. Sleeping next to her. She would gladly volunteer to be the little spoon to his big spoon. And other big…
Jane kicked off the covers as her face flushed.
She was never getting back to sleep now.
Stupid Asgard and its stupid traditions.
She frowned when she heard a creak. Not a normal creak of the house settling but the kind caused by feet crossing floor. Deciding since she wasn't going back to sleep soon she'd check to see if one of the children needed a glass of water, she climbed out of bed and opened her door. Her eyes widened to see a man with white hair slip into the neighboring room and she didn't think twice to snatch up one of Loki's throwing knives before charging for the door. A weathered hand reached out and snagged her wrist effortlessly and she started to look into Odin's blue eye. She dropped the knife, mouth hanging open and he caught it with an easy movement.
He wasn't dressed in his armor, a simple cloak throne over robes. He inclined his head towards her in greeting. "Lady Jane." Her mouth opened, her eyes darting to the three sleeping figures curled together on the bed. "Not to worry, they will sleep the night away peacefully."
"All-Father…" Throat working, panicking. "You can't take him. We-Indel needs him. Please! He'll just waste away in prison-…"
Odin held up his hand to stall her panic. "I have no intention of interfering, but-…I found myself needing to check up on him." To see him well with his own eye.
Brow furrowing. "You knew he was here the whole time." It wasn't a question but a realization.
"And I ask that you not tell him, for I fear it will only cause him to run again." One of the reasons he was here without his son's knowledge. Nodding to himself as he slowly sat on the edge of the bed, hand reaching out to idly stroke through Loki's dark locks as if to chase away bad memories. Despite the fact that Loki shouldn't have noticed, his spelled sleep so deep, his head moved in the direction of his father's hand and Odin felt years of regret ease and strengthen all at once. A child that rarely touched others, but obviously needed that contact.
He had never been prone to hover over his sons as his late wife had, not since they had both been very little, but now that she was gone the compulsion to protect the family that remained had only grown stronger. He missed Frigga terribly, probably always would, and he was desperate to preserve what little of her remained. The fact that of both of his sons, Loki had been the boy she had doted on the most only strengthened his need to earn back his child's love and trust.
His gaze moved from his rather unique son to the two children sleeping next to him. Pride filled him in a way it rarely did. A fine grandson, and if he wasn't mistaken, a granddaughter as well. Indel was in the middle, thin white hair sticking up in random sections and face serene. Talia was snuggled next to him, her corn-silk colored blond hair out of its usual braid.
Jane frowned to herself, not sure she agreed with that assessment. And then she thought about it. Loki was still hiding something very big about himself from her. And even to those in the village he was friendly with, he was using an assumed name. Odin was right, Loki would run. The All-Father's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"With his mother…gone, I knew there was nothing in Asgard that could help him recover. I had hoped that perhaps some time left to himself would speed matters along…but time is always so very short."
"You let us escape Asgard."
Something in his gaze told her he was amused rather than insulted at the assumption to the contrary. "I am the All-father, Lady Jane, and my boys are not nearly as clever as they believe themselves to be." Jane coughed a laugh behind her hand. "Thor would do what he thought best with or without my blessing, so I provided neither."
"And when Loki pretended to die…"
He nodded and completed the thought. "I understood the circumstances better than his brother, so I told no one the truth nor corrected the assumptions of his death. Asgard will continue to mourn her prince until he is ready to be found."
Frowning. "Does Asgard mourn? I was under a different impression."
Odin sighed softly. "As perceptive as Loki is, he seems to have an inability to perceive the truth for the good when it is in his direction. There are a great many in Asgard who mourn his loss…" His eye told her he was one of them. "The boy has helped him rediscover his heart but he needed a push, and then I thought of you."
And the pieces all fell into place. She knew someone had tampered with the arch. It was too obvious. And she did believe Loki's claim of innocence, especially after he explained why going to earth was out of the question. But it did leave her asking the question of who would have anything to gain in her being here. "You manipulated the wormhole."
"Loki is not the only one skilled in magic, although my son long ago surpassed me, is that really so surprising?"
No, no it really wasn't.
Huffing to herself. "I suppose not. But why would you want me anywhere near your son? I felt like you-…"
She blushed and ducked her head. "Didn't approve of you?" She looked up in surprise but she shouldn't be. Odin was blunt, much as Thor was. "You are very perceptive, but it is not a personal dislike."
Frowning softly. "Then why…"
Odin nodded to himself. "Thor is to one day be king of Asgard, a privilege and a burden. He must have a shield maiden at his side who is an equal counterpart, a warrior the people respect who is also a queen. Do you see yourself able to fit that role?"
Tucking a lose strand of her hair behind her ear. "No."
Nodding. "A wise assessment, which is why I felt you and he were an ill-fit match." He studied her for a moment, face unreadable. "I can return you to Midgard, if you so choose."
Jane blinked in surprise. G'dath had asked her what her response would be if the way back to earth presented itself. She couldn't answer at the time. She could go back? Pick up where she left off, pick up her research now that she knew the arch worked…and do what? Research and watch someone else leap through the arch to exciting new worlds. Leave Indel and Talia and Loki and go back to her boring, nothing life instead of-…
She felt her heart break and reform in the same instant. No. She'd finally been given a dream of a future she hadn't known she'd wanted until she'd met the man who could give it to her. Not just of what he could do and what he knew, but a life with a man who was challenging and brilliant and aggravating and loving. He made her head spin and her emotions burn. He brought her to life. He was a pain in the ass and she couldn't imagine spending the rest of her life without him in it.
She was in love with him.
Such a simple word for something so profound. Not just in love with him, but the type of love that she'd only read about in books and fairytales. An emotion deep and meaningful enough that she loved him more than she loved herself.
"No."
Odin blinked at her. "No?"
Shaking her head firmly. "I'm staying with Loki." It felt right and her heart throbbed with joy. "I'll return to earth only if he were going there…" Smiling a little. "…which I doubt is any time soon."
He approved of her courage and her loyalty. "And the boy?"
Eyes narrowing, protective emotions she couldn't even label making them the color of amber. Not just his boy, their boy. Her boy.
"If you do anything to that little boy it will be a race to see who tries to kill you first."
By the Norns what had he done? Any child the two of them created would be absolutely frightening. Still, he couldn't have asked for a better match. He allowed a very small smile to cross his face to reassure her he meant the child no ill will.
His gaze moved to the children again but his hand remained. "I am aware of your actions to save Loki's life, which makes you more than worthy of Asgard, but your strength is not as a warrior. You are an intellectual. That is not to say that you are not brave, but you would be a strategist, a negotiator, an innovator. As soon as I met you, I knew you would be a more suited match for my youngest. Loki is intelligent but unwise. Cunningly adaptive but stubborn to a fault…but then he takes after me in that regard." Instead of annoyance as she might expect, she got the impression Odin was proud. "You will challenge him and my hope is you will remind him of the man he used to be." Odin shook his head slightly, gazing down at Loki who looked so young and peaceful in sleep. "Time is such a vicious adversary. You think you have all the time in the world. I wanted so much for my sons, but I know that I made mistakes with both of them…and suddenly you realize all your good intentions were for naught. Hopefully Loki is wiser with Indel than I was with him."
"Wiser?"
"We tell ourselves to keep secrets to protect innocence. We tell ourselves that things are hidden to spare feelings but when a truth is discovered that cuts too deeply, there is a fallout. And I am afraid Jötunheim and your world suffered because I kept a truth from Loki for far too long." Jane looked like she was about to ask but didn't as Odin smiled slightly, rubbed his thumb affectionately across his son's forehead, and rose. "It is not my truth to tell. I can only tell you that this truth, when you discover it, is at the core of his heartbreak. If you can somehow manage to mend what I have broken, you will have my eternal gratitude."
Inching towards them protectively. "And then what? Banishment? The loss of his powers if he ever returns to Asgard?" She knew it would kill Loki to lose his magic. She wasn't sure about it literally harming him but it would devastate him, possibly beyond recovery.
Odin's tired smile had a tinge of sadness. He'd more than earned her mistrust, and he knew Loki would be even harder to convince. "That will be for my son to decide. If he can heal, there will be no need to protect him from himself and…he has been punished enough. Perhaps too much." Nodding slowly to himself. "Yes…too much…" He walked quietly for the door. "All that he needs, all that he ever needed, was acceptance."
"Why couldn't he find that in Asgard?" She slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide in shock.
He glanced at her, a spark of pain in his blue eye even if he knew her question didn't come from a malicious place. "Because even those ancient and wise…can be foolish."
Odin stepped outside the door, closing it behind him and sighed. Hela was staring at him with deadly intent and arms crossed. "Hela."
Not moving an inch. "Odin."
Slowly shaking her head. "What must you think of me?"
Raising an eyebrow. "Do you really want me answering that?"
Sighing again tiredly. "No."
Eyes narrowing. "If you ruin everything I will help Thanos burn Asgard to the ground."
"Ruin what, Hela, what are you up to?"
Her lip curled from her teeth. "What do you care? Are you not content now that there are no tricksters on Asgardian soil to muck things up?"
Voice rumbling. "I am the All-father-…"
Snapping. "You're a tired old man who has the communication skills of a newt."
Blinking once at her. "You are fixated on lizards this year."
Smiling reluctantly at him. "Maybe." Then her eyes flashed coldly, as mercurial in her moods as her father. "Manners, Odin. You and your son need to work on that. How is it that someone so politically skilled, so indulgent in other customs…who manages to speak politely to mortals forgets himself so easily around us?"
"You and Loki know better."
She nodded slowly. "Ah. I see. So because we are not inferior we are not deserving of courtesy."
"There is still a certain decorum that both you and Loki are well aware of and ignoring it is an intentional insult."
"One, I have no interest in speaking to the king of Asgard. As far as I'm concerned, he's a blind asshole who I have no use for. Two, we are on Alfheim soil so at most you are a king and I am a queen. And despite AEsir chauvinistic opinion as I reign alone we are on equal footing. I might be interested in speaking to Odin but since you have a pathetic track record of listening to queens I probably shouldn't bother."
"When have I not listened, Hela, we haven't spoken in centuries?"
Snapping at him again. "Whose fault is that?" He frowned at her silently. "And I wasn't talking about myself. Frigga knew Loki better than anyone and you never listened to her." Odin flinched but he couldn't deny her words, they cutting as deeply as she'd intended. He hadn't listened when it concerned his sons, and he was truly regretting it.
Pushing the mantle of king to the side. "I am finding regret in that. Can you acknowledge that your love of lies makes it difficult to hear sincerity?"
Her lip twitched. "I might be willing to acknowledge that in a decade or two…I make no guarantees about father."
Odin felt his own lips twitch, which prompted a rather pleased smile from Hela. "What is it you would speak to me regarding?"
Crossing her arms. "I just want this confirmed: did you tell Thor you would be attempting his coronation again?"
Frowning. "I have other matters on my mind at the moment."
Raising an eyebrow at him. "Jötunheim?" He silently nodded and she nodded in return, pleased. "Since I have a feeling this needs to be said I will: if you attempt Thor's coronation while matters between you and Loki are unsettled I will be displeased."
"Hela, what do you want?"
She squared her shoulders. "To settle a matter, first and foremost." Odin stared at Hela in surprise, his left hand reflexively holding his bruised right shoulder. Her eyes flashed again. "I have never in my life encountered such an idiot. You managed to surpass Thor so…bravo." She started clapping sarcastically.
Voice rumbling with anger. "What is the meaning of this?"
"The words were from me, the punch was from Frigga. Whatever games in court you play, you knew that she would want Loki at her funeral rites." She gave him a nasty sneer. "Don't worry, I'm sure father will have his own anger to express." Crossing her arms in a huff. "Now onward to the rest. The bracelets were my biggest contention. Your ability to communicate with Loki my greatest concern."
"Loki never has issue in speaking his mind."
Fists clenching, keeping her arms crossed to resist the temptation to reach out and shake him. "But you don't hear him. You hear sentences and you pick and choose what you will listen to. You pay attention to what was done but not why."
"Actions speak the loudest."
Her eyes narrowed. "Actions. Do you really want to focus on actions because there are certain ones you have committed, just in recent memory, I would love to discuss with you." Odin's mouth opened, then closed. "I didn't think so."
Rumbling softly. "Then what would you have me do, Hela, the past is what it is-…"
"Apologize!" Odin was taken aback, her unrestrained scream in that moment an echo of Loki's devastation when he learned the truth and lost all control over his emotions. Her fists trembled at her sides. "I don't care about me, but you owe him at the very least that much." Odin shook his head slightly. "Don't you understand anything? He has a right to be angry. Hurt. He should want to gut you for the lies that not only gave him a physical reason for why he was mistreated, but confirmed that you don't care about him. That you don't even like him, let alone love him." Pointing a shaking finger at him. "Say them. Say the words."
Roaring. "Of course I love my son."
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, studying him for far too long before slowly nodding. "If you tell him that, then I'll forgive you." Her eyes flashed. "And if you dangle chains in front of him again-…"
"He has been exonerated, Hela, save your threats for someone truly afraid of you. Were he to return this very evening he would do so as a free man."
Crossing her arms. "Fine."
Unable to hide how deeply troubled he was to even ask this question. "Will he return?"
Her head tilted just a little, measuring the sorrow she could see. Enough sorrow and regret that not even pride could keep Odin away anymore. "Yes. Will he stay is the question you really want to ask. And the answer depends on what you do with the time you have. He might, if you make it clear enough that you want him there. I can say this much, welcoming him officially and then ignoring him isn't going to cut it. You have to have a real conversation, with words, or he'll just assume the worst as he always does and he'll leave at the earliest opportunity with his family. And no, if you screw this up I won't interfere again."
He walked up to her slowly, not wary for his sake but her own. He held out his arm in silent invitation and she ducked under it easily, leaning into his shoulder. Squeezing her and striding slowly forward. "Walk with me to the Bi-frost site."
She went without fuss, the pair of them walking through the barrier surrounding the house. "I know you want to, but you can't visit him again. He has to come to you."
"Why the games, Hela?"
"He knows about your interference in sending Jane to him." Odin stiffened but didn't bother denying it. "Right now he's waiting, expecting any day now you will send an edict demanding his return. Or you'll just send Thor. You have to wait until he's ready."
"Why is he afraid of me?"
She shot a frown at him. "He's not. He's afraid of what will happen to Indel if Asgard learns his heir is a dark elf."
Odin nodded slowly, beginning to understand. "He truly is a magnificent father, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is." She didn't say it out loud, she just thought it very hard. Especially compared to the paternal examples he had. "You do realize Loki and I react alike to many of the same situations."
"I am well aware the pair of you have vicious tongues."
Mumbling under her breath. "We both like hugs." Odin paused to look at her strangely and she shrugged. "What? I thought you knew."
He shook his head slightly. "Loki has fought being held by Thor for centuries-…"
Rolling her eyes at him. "Thor hugs like a boa constrictor. You give good hugs." Her voice took an imperious turn. "If you're to be a good father, he requires more of them."
Frowning. "Is that the truth or a deception to torment your father?"
Grinning and delighted he remembered that was one of her favorite games. "What do you think?"
He studied her for a moment before squeezing her shoulder and walking again. Grumbling gruffly. "Very well."
She looked over at him, frowning gently at the pain she could see and it didn't all have to do with the possibility of losing Loki. "I'm sorry about grandmother."
Odin would never cease to be amazed at the strange contradictions that made up Hela's nature. Much like Loki, who could dispense death coldly without a care and yet be so loving in the next instant. "As am I."
She slipped free just as the Bi-frost markings came into view and he knew she would erase them so Loki would never know he was here. As he stepped within her soft voice reached him. "He loves you…" Odin turned, feeling something catch in his throat, realizing she wasn't just talking about Loki. And what followed threatened to break his heart all over again. "…he just stopped believing that you love him."
"Why?"
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Because of something I said once I suppose…and it turned out to be true." He kept listening so she continued and even he could see the wistfulness in her eyes. "Odin will do what is best for Asgard, even if it's not best for us." Before he could ask what she meant by that. Before he could deny it. Before he could apologize-he was swept away by the Bi-frost. Then a slow, trickster smile spread across her face, eyes sad. "…not to worry, father, you won't have to believe that for too much longer…"
With a sweeping gesture the runes faded from sight, and so did she.
NOTES:
Whew. This should tide you over for a little while, just in case this next chapter takes me longer than normal to post ;)
I know, I know. My notes last week didn't even begin to cover all that went on but hey...I like surprises.
(Just a hint: I'm purposefully misleading you with my 'NEXT' notes, so just let your little imaginations run rampant.)
NEXT:
Tony runs into Hela; Natasha resurfaces; Odin meets Helblindi; Loki asks Jane a very important question