Chapter 53

NIFLHEIM

Hela stared silently, a small smile on her face as she watched Thanos rage within the confines of his prison. He screamed threats and rattled at the bars with his fists but it held. It would always hold. She looked to the left at the demon hoards who were eager to run forward and play. It was so rare when she brought them fresh meat and hot blood.

She walked forward slowly, Thanos frothing at the mouth he was so angry. She blinked and changed forms, smiling with sharp teeth as he froze to stare at her in horror. Purring softly. "The mighty Thanos…in love with a Jötunn…runt." She put a blue hand on the bars and he flinched back from her. "Mhmm…I shall have to share this memory with father. He will be delighted that you were so easily vanquished."

"He's dead." It had been a delicious victory, yet so disappointing the runt hadn't suffered more. "The runt-…" Her red eyes flashed green and he decided not to finish that sentence.

She would use the insult for irony, if he continued using it she would rip his tongue out. "I am Lady Death, you titanic fool. He was dead. Now he is not."

"Impossible!"

She shifted her weight slightly to lean back, arms crossed loosely. "I want to take a moment so that you appreciate that all of this could have been avoided."

He bared his teeth at her in fury. "You betray the realms that you hold rule over! You have more love of life than of death."

Hela ignored him, playing with the necklace around her neck with her fingers. Since she wasn't doing it, she'd had the demons remove the two gems in his possession. They were currently in a felt pouch in dimensional storage. "When the late queen of Asgard had me utilize the Gem of Reality to whisper Malekith's name in your mind, I had no idea how clever a plan that truly was. That one whisper kept Malekith alive long enough for Indel to be conceived. That child kept Loki on the correct path, which in turn led to both your and Malekith's deaths." Hela smiled brightly while Thanos' slackened in horrified surprise. "Were it not for the two of you, Loki would have seized the throne of Asgard and ultimately brought about Ragnarok. I must aspire to be like grandmother when I grow up." She tilted her head slightly, curious, when Thanos started chuckling. Then the chuckles graduated into nearly hysterical laughter. "Whatever is so funny?"

He shook his head, giving her a look of disgust. "You. The Queen of death protective of one little realm."

She shrugged as if bored. "I am protective of them, now. They have passed my test. They are worthy of that protection."

He leaned in closer, the obsessive love in his eyes bleeding into a hate that was all consuming. "You believe I will be content with their victory? Even now the Shi'ar amass their entire armada for Asgard. The AEsir will be obliterated."

The Shi'ar. A massive collection of different species even larger than the Skrull Empire. The most prominent cast, their species descended from birds, held a fierce pride. Once an ally was accepted, it was very difficult to change that position. Their advancement wasn't impressive but their ability to use stargates to jump from point to point was. Between that and their starcracker technology, mechanics capable of forcing suns to go supernova, made them a very real threat.

Or it would have. Even as she grinned, she reflected on her actions over the last couple of days.

Sif grunted as she landed on all fours before growling and standing up. "Hela!" Hela was lounging on her throne, an eyebrow slowly raising. Muttering softly, not forgetting that Hela was not nearly as lenient with informality as Loki. "Queen Hela."

Smirking devilishly. "Lady Sif, how wonderful that you've decided to visit."

Glancing around the Helheim throne room. She hadn't seen it, but she suspected a shadow delivered her here. One of Hela's more annoying tricks. "I had a choice?"

Hela shrugged a little. "Not really." She gestured lightly and the few ghosts milling about departed to give them privacy. Sif walked forward slowly, not from fear but from respect. The woman responsible not just for Loki's life but for all of their lives. Hela rolled her eyes, liking that Sif had a bit of spunk to her. "You don't tiptoe around Thor, stop it."

Sif looked at the throne thoughtfully before replying. "I would have thought you would wish me subservient."

Hela rolled her eyes. "There is a vast difference between that and respect." Her palm tilted and a glass was placed there and filled by a wisp of a ghost before he faded. "I have servants. I find respect more useful, particularly in warriors."

Sif stiffened, thinking that Hela brought her here concerning Freyja. "I never spoke a word of his daughter to Loki."

Hela's eyebrow lifted slightly, tone sardonic. "I know or you would be very dead."

Sif felt her eyes widen in surprise and she swallowed once. "I assume you summoned me with cause." Hela nodded slightly and tilted her head towards a basin of water. There were rocks within the bowl, creating a tall waterfall. In the cascading water Sif saw an armada of silver ships hovering over a dusty world. Sif walked the distance, studying the ships closely. "What is this?"

"The Shi'ar." Sif frowned to herself. The name was vaguely familiar but she wasn't quite sure why. Sending Hela a questioning look. "You do not truly believe that a man like Thanos has but one plan, do you?" Hela made a tutting sound. "Thor's distraction is understandable. Odin's as well. Loki is unconscious and most of Asgard either mourns or celebrates their victory…you have not their excuse."

"I'm worried about him as well!" Sif growled as she shouted without thinking.

Hela studied Sif for a moment and realized Sif truly was. Waving a hand dismissively. "He will be fine." Tilting her head again towards the image. "They amass to attack Asgard."

Sif's eyes widened in horror. Their allies were already being sent home and many a brave warrior died. There wasn't time. "Asgard hasn't the strength for a second assault."

Hela was already nodding her head in agreement. "I know. And Thanos knew this as well. He was counting on it. This is a creature who has no respect for life. With his defeat he will find solace in Asgard joining him."

"What can be done?" Sif licked her lips anxiously, shifting on her feet and clearly wanting to do something.

Hela stood up and slinked her way down the short steps of her throne. "I am going to their home world. You are coming with me."

Sif didn't look particularly pleased with the prospect. "To reason with them?"

Smirking that wicked way again. "To threaten them. Well, it isn't much of a threat since I will carry it out. Ah, to promise them a trickster queen's vengeance for defying me. Yes, that sounds much better."

Frowning thoughtfully at the Helheim queen. "Why do you need me?"

Hela shrugged lightly as she walked by. "Someone has to carry my bags."

Sif scowled.

Hela crooked a single finger and very carefully two demons approached with a golden box. Each side had a handle, the metal smooth and perfect. Without looking Hela moved her hand and the top of the box went translucent. Something pulsed and throbbed within, a soft purple with strands of light that caressed the confines. And around it looped a band of green with more than four dozen twinkling stars. Every single demon except for the two carrying the box fell to their knees, faces to the ground.

Her form reverted back to AEsir, yet her green eyes seemed like frozen chips of dark jade. "The Shi'ar will not come."

Thanos lifted his head arrogantly, his voice filled with confidence. "I visited their world. Their king swore an oath to me in blood."

Hela smiled again.

Sif kept an even pace with Hela, who was slinking through the streets with one destination in mind. The bags that Hela had been referring to was a golden box that felt practically weightless. When questioned as to the contents, the trickster queen just smiled maliciously and said nothing.

The warrior goddess could feel the might of the fleet hovering above them but Hela didn't seem the least bit disturbed, climbing up the metallic steps carefully before walking forward. Unlike most courts that Sif had entered, the Shi'ar had columns surrounding it but no roofing. The people in attendance, the upper class of their races, were humanoid in appearance but had feathered crests instead of hair.

A strange series of clucking sounds filled the air, the king emitting a sharp sound and instant silence descended. "Who dares to entire my realm and my court without invitation?"

Hela stopped walking, expression blank. "Lady Death."

The guards on either side of the king froze and the females of the court scattered. No doubt they went to hover over their hatchlings. The king immediately bowed. "We are doing his bidding as agreed, oh infamous lady."

"I find it amusing that you truly believe I am pleased you are doing as Thanos desires." She gestured slightly behind her and Sif came forward with the box. The king shifted, recognizing the AEsir armor for what it was. Then his focus moved to the box as Hela brought their attention to it. "This is not a gift, before you even assume so. I wanted to present evidence of how serious I am." Her voice deepened, a growling purr. "You will stand down."

The king stood slowly, regally. "In blood I vowed to carry out the titan's desires."

Which meant that not only would he not stand down, but he couldn't. So he would have to be an example for the others. Something gruesome enough that she wouldn't have to repeat herself. Not that she wouldn't enjoy herself.

"Very well." Hela's lip twitched before she moved the distance. Dagger in hand, in four moves the guards fell to the floor dead before she roughly shoved the king onto his face. He caught himself on his hands and knees, but had no opportunity to move to defend himself before she gestured and gravity seemed to yank him the rest of the way down. Sif stood taller, a look of satisfaction in her eyes.

Hela twirled the knife in her hand as she slowly circled around the king, her green eyes shining brightly. "There is a curious turn of phrase that is often said in jest: I am going to rip his spine out." The green in her eyes deepened and Sif paled. "I do not say this in jest." Twirling her fingers, thick vines crawled up the columns, stretching out and up into a tangle. It blocked out the sights of the city, but it also blocked escape. Hela turned her head enough to address all those who remained. "You will not be permitted to leave. And when he is dead I will ask the next in line to stand down. I will continue to do so until you yield and if I must butcher each and every one of you so be it."

She smiled grimly at the memory. "I too visited the Aerie and had a brief discussion with them. For just as my father knows how you think, so too do I. I at first tried to reason with them, but I should have known better. Any species that would willingly work at your behest are not reasonable creatures."

"They believe in something greater than you could conceive-…"

Cutting him off, not interested in what he had to say. Her only interest was in conveying this lovely little tale so she could gloat. "So I settled for a not so subtle threat…after I killed their king as an example to the others." Hela purred softly. She hadn't been kind and it had been a hard death. She'd forced his court and the most prominent of the species to watch. "You see, for each realm that sustains life, there is a mother. A heart if you will. Not here, of course, since there is not life here for a mother to sustain. The nine carry some of the most powerful mothers, but outside of the nine the mothers are much smaller."

"Stories…"

Correcting him with one word. "Reality." She found it ironic that most didn't believe in such things, yet they were proven so deliciously wrong when their mother died. Hela gestured to the pulsing, soft purple entity within the box. "This is the mother of the primary home world of the Aerie, the Imperium. Their empire contains more than a thousand worlds so I selected 50 others. Only I know which ones." She turned to take the golden box and vanished it to dimensional storage. "I will keep it safe for them, for they know if any of them dare to cross me I will destroy 51 worlds…and every single resident within them." Even should they grow the balls to amass for Asgard, by then her spells would be in place. An intricate layer of protection over the city as a first defense, a hundred times more impressive and more deadly than the current wall that protected Asgard. No. That much death wasn't worth one ally. Not to them. "They're not coming, Thanos. You have lost…to two Jötunn runts." Thanos flinched back, sagging to the ground as the truth really started to sink in. She crooned softly. "Death will never claim you. Decay will never touch you. You will suffer, but neither starvation nor thirst will fell you. All the wounds that you receive will heal at sunrise…to begin again."

She turned her back on him and walked back the distance, her hips swaying. Hela crooked a finger and the demon who kept all the others in line stepped forward and bowed. "My queen?"

With a single finger she brushed its cheek. "Do you see that creature?"

"Yes, your grace."

Turning to look at the others piled on top of one another, a tide of pain barely held at bay. "The rest of you. Do you see him?"

There were screeches and growls, teeth clicking and chattering in eager anticipation.

Malekith pulled himself up by one hand to lean against the bars. Unlike Thanos he was very dead. He and Thanos were trapped here, the cage that they shared separated them by a metal divide. His left hand as well as both of his feet were gone. Hela hadn't been kind enough to retrieve them for him so this would be his constant state. But this was Niflheim. He may be dead but he still felt pain. This was his punishment.

This was his eternity.

His hatred of all AEsir made it impossible to ever regret his hand in their deaths. His one regret was that he had been felled by three infants and a female. That was a blow to his pride that he would never recover from. Especially in hearing that his siring the boy led to both of their downfalls.

"He is the enemy of your Queen." Hela raised her voice to be heard, met with the thunder of their cries. "He is the enemy of the nine realms." The chaotic magic of Yggdrasil filled her, her form glowing green and her words reverberating through time and space. "He will never leave Niflheim. I declare him rejected by death. For all time." Screeches and snarls, clawed feet stomping on rock. "And whether in this life or the next, whoever kills him I will take the greatest pleasure in ripping apart…slowly."


ASGARD

Odin slowly nodded to himself, his face not betraying his thoughts or emotions on the matter. Eir's face was full of professional apology but she took his nod as a dismissal and with a bow went to her next patient. The war had been brutal, both in terms of deaths as well as damage. Currently two adult crystal dragons, one baby, and one egg had made a nest for themselves in the mountains next to the pine forest, but it was the furthest thing from his mind in terms of priority.

Those that fought were slowly collecting their dead and Asgard would be hosting several funeral rite ceremonies for their own warriors, unable to host an event of such scale at one time because there were so many. Death had touched most of the citizens in one way or another, though the civilian casualties were virtually nonexistent thanks to his sons' planning.

Hela's army of the dead had departed as soon as the Phalanx had fallen, they dying in the same instant Thanos had been defeated and sent to Niflheim. He had no doubt Loki's daughter would make very certain the titan never died and never escaped. He felt himself smile a little with pride.

But the smile was tinged with bitter disappointment. Disappointment in himself because of his foolish, stubborn pride. He fully recognized that he had allowed this to happen. Even now, the barrier was torn down yet still Hela flitted about, never staying. He was starting to doubt that she ever would. That the time to have her here was an opportunity long expired. Closing his eye for just a moment, he sighed softly.

Come home, Hela.

With his right hand Odin lightly touched Gungnir. The cool metal still felt right and true in his hand, but the hum of power that was usually under his palm wasn't there. During the battle, after Loki's sacrifice, he hadn't noticed. He did now. A gift that he had taken for granted, always focused on steel and might. A gift that was lost to him forever.

He glanced up when G'dath sat down next to him on the healing bed. There was something very somber in her eyes, but then he knew that she and Azni had been close.

"I gather you have been informed." She nodded slightly, slowly, but didn't say anything. She and Eir were working in concert to ensure that everyone left Asgard as healthy as possible. She'd seen to the mortals personally, who had luckily walked away mostly with cuts and bruises. She was aware of the health of Asgard's king. "You would know better than any…how long do I have?"

Eir was the best healer in Asgard. She knew the AEsir body inside and out. She had discreetly learned all that she could about Jötunn physiology. Still, even with her knowledge there were some matters concerning magic that only this woman knew.

After a considered moment G'dath held out her hand and Odin put his hand in her palm. She had noticed there was a slight difference in his features, the lines of time not as deep. She grasped it lightly, frowning slightly to herself as she followed the magic before her lip twitched. "Your son did you the greatest service." Odin's brow slowly furrowed. "With your magic at your disposal, you had less than a decade in hand…something neither son was aware of."

The look she sent him was full of reproach and he sighed. "I saw no point in burdening either of them with that news."

"But knowledge like that would make every moment more important."

Odin could feel his frustration mounting and he didn't even attempt to keep it from his voice. "Loki knew one of us would die in that war and look what he did with that knowledge." Hela popped in for a few seconds at a time over the last couple of days, but she'd been blunt in telling him that particular fact.

"Yes. Look at what your son did." Now that it was over and done with she said this was pride. "The AEsir had an average life of 5,000 years with Idunn's apples. The Jötunn have the same with the protection of their icy world. Loki has never needed those apples, his magic powerful enough and his will strong enough that he could choose an immortal's life if he wanted it."

Odin frowned a little to himself. No, that didn't sound like something Loki wanted. "But he will not."

"He will only choose to live as long as she does." If something were to happen to Jane, Loki would force himself forward until his children were grown, but she couldn't see him going much further than that. "The point I am making is that you shouldn't be here. He may have made Hela from himself but he isn't her. What he did shouldn't have been possible. Yet here you are."

"I have more than a decade at my disposal." His voice was filled with surprise. He couldn't decide if there was also joy or disappointment.

G'dath nodded slowly, explaining at least a little of what Loki had actually done. "He gave you not just magic, but a gift of his life force. The magic that keeps our souls anchored to the shell you see. You no longer have an external gift of magic, but what you have is so much more precious. I would be surprised if you pass on to Valhalla before Indel is a recognized adult."

Centuries. He may no longer be able to use magic outward, but his youngest had gifted him with the opportunity to correct his mistakes. "Enough time to pay my debt to him."

She let go of his hand and sighed. "He's forgiven you." Odin glanced at her in surprise but she shrugged since it was obvious to her. A gift given so selflessly cannot come from a heart filled with rage. "You've done enough, now just continue forward and enjoy the trickster for who he is."

He felt himself smile without his consent. Enjoy the trickster. The mischief and the pranks. Now there were three children, all of whom seemed to have the same proclivity to one degree or another. But with the sweet there is also the sour. His rumbling voice softened with respect. "My condolences for Et'ana Azni. For her bravery she is no doubt walking the streets of Valhalla as we speak."

Words that reassured an AEsir were not nearly as reassuring to an elf but G'dath nodded. "Thank you. I knew she was tired. She had been wanting to rest for quite some time. Her meeting Talia and Loki delayed that but…this outcome was inevitable." She glanced out the windows, staring out towards a distant sun. "Now she is at peace."

Odin nodded. He understood that feeling. Once Eir had confirmed he had but a few short years was when he'd started pressing for Thor's coronation. With Frigga's loss, he'd lost his focus to the desire to join her. "I had almost been looking forward to that."

G'dath was no fool. She understood only too well how easily you can look forward to death, forgetting the joys you once held in life. "I see that. But Azni was tired for 3,000 years. She lost her children and her mate but she kept going because Alfheim needed her. Do try to follow her example or I will be most disappointed." A slight frown furrowed his brow but he didn't respond. "Will you be crowning your son soon?"

Standing, thinking of all that was wrong that needed to be righted. There were still over a hundred thousand people to send back to their homes, not to mention their dead. The damage to the city itself was minor but needed to be addressed. There was also Loki to consider. "The dead are due their respects and that will take days if not longer. There are repairs to complete which will take even more time. Plus this event is too important, Thor will refuse if Loki is physically unable to attend."

"And will you be crowning your eldest before or after their marriage?"

His answer of a few years ago would have been to focus on the coronation, for the good of Asgard. But he was seeing now that the stability and happiness of his family was also for the good of Asgard. "After. This coronation is important to all of Asgard but Lady Jane has more than earned her place in this family." A woman who not only saved his son from the path he had set Loki on, but who defeated Malekith. An act worthy of recognition and reward before the eyes of Asgard. "She deserves her place on the steps when Thor wears the crown."

He noticed the gleam of approval in her eyes. "I would expect he will be waking soon."

In spite of how long Loki had been unconscious, both Eir and G'dath had assured anyone who'd asked that it was his body's way to focus on healing. Hela may have given him back his full life expectancy but only time could repair the damage done to his body and his ability to use magic. Once he woke up, that process would slow so his body was keeping him asleep as long as possible.

"Then I believe it is my turn to sit with him."


Thor knelt down next to the burn marks along the marble floors. Between the scorch marks and the cracks from obvious combat the entire area was going to have to be replaced. His blue eyes moved to circular indents from where bodies had landed. He could still play it out in his mind. Every throw of the hammer. Every move and countermove to stop their foe.

But where his fingers brushed was where his father and then his brother had fallen. He'd never doubted Asgard's success. When he started to doubt the survival of his family; that was when he'd regretted that it had come to this. And a soft doubt fluttered in the back of his mind. A doubt that he could have stayed in Asgard if he'd lost both of them.

"Thor?"

He glanced up but didn't move, nodding slightly in her direction. "Sif."

She looked over the damaged throne room. The servants were moving silently, trying to sort things to begin the repairs. The rest of the palace had suffered surface damage, the most extensive of it here. Asgard was stretched thin at the moment, even with Vanaheim and Alfheim offering the aide of their skilled labor. The city was mostly intact, buildings damaged from debris and fallen air ships but the civilian death tolls minimal.

She was frowning thoughtfully. "Are you alright?"

Thor nodded slowly, his voice distant. "We were victorious."

Sif nodded in return even as she stood a little taller with pride. "Even as Asgard mourns, she celebrates."

They both turned to watch as the toppled throne was righted and braced. Court was still scheduled to proceed in the morning. The surface damage would be ignored so that a sense of normalcy could return to the citizens. The repairs would occur during the times when court was not in session.

"For a moment I feared we would fail." Sif rubbed her arm as if cold, unable to explain her shiver. She'd faced death in battle countless times before but this had been different. This wasn't a war on a distant realm or an adventure. This had been she stepping forward as a warrior of Asgard to protect her home.

When Loki's spell had been absorbed and her king had nearly died. When it was becoming obvious that perhaps only might would be the solution-a solution that Thanos seemed laughably immune to. That was when Sif had felt afraid.

"I did not doubt our success…I doubted the price for it."

Sif frowned a little. "Asgard has lost brave men before to win wars."

"But those men were not my father or my brother." Thor's answer was followed by a flinch, as if the mere mention of possibility tore at his heart.

"No. They were not." She nodded as she looked down. Speaking of fear. "Your niece is truly frightening, Thor."

"I suppose she is when she chooses to be." Thor didn't know the context behind Sif's observation, he just agreed since Loki was just as capable.

Sif had asked why she'd been chosen to witness Hela acting on Asgard's behalf. The trickster queen had shrugged slightly and suggested that since Thor had Odin to learn from for kingly behavior, it was fitting that Sif see the hard choices that a queen sometimes had to make.

Sif looked at the throne again and imagined what the appropriate action would be now that Thanos was finally defeated, even more than anyone else knew. "No doubt your father will hold your coronation soon."

Thor nodded to himself again, agreeing with her. "And I will refuse until all of my family may attend."

"Is that wise?"

Shrugging his shoulders slightly, not really concerned about what anyone, including father, thought about his decision. "I do not know if it is wise. I simply know that it is right."

She didn't try to persuade him otherwise. Both because she doubted her success and because she agreed with him. But her treacherous thoughts moved to the coronation and pain tugged at her heart. "And then you will name your queen."

A slight smile crossed his face. "The matter has already been discussed. My father knows I will not name a queen at this time, but I will begin to court the woman I hope will become my intended."

"Then I offer well wishes in that regard." Sif looked like she'd just swallowed glass.

Thor stood back up slowly, watching her try to be stoic when it was obvious it pained her to do so. His eyes had been opened, perhaps not fully but certainly a little more aware when it concerned Sif. Loki wasn't the only one who had grown.

He walked forward slowly until he was less than an arm's length away from her. Her brow furrowed slightly as he held her elbow, his thumb lightly rubbing her upper arm. "That woman's name if Sif." Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped open. Thor smiled a little. "You are trying, Sif. Even Loki sees that. It was all I asked."

"I don't…" She pulled in a steadying breath, forcing herself to regain control. "I don't abide your brother's presence for your sake." Slowly she was learning to find an appreciation and respect for him.

Thor nodded and chuckled softly. "I am aware." Tiling his head slightly to the right before turning. "Come. The training yard awaits."

She grinned with interest and followed.


Tony sat on the floor with his legs crossed, Mischief sitting across from him. Talia and Indel were currently attempting to thumb wrestle just like Uncle Tony had taught them. Surprisingly Talia was winning.

Mischief was frowning intently. "You have to concentrate."

Tony frowned right back. "I am concentrating."

"He looks constipated."

Indel tipped over as he started giggling.

Tony sniffed indignantly at the girl. "You're constipated."

Talia stuck out her tongue.

Tony stuck his out in return.

Mischief lightly tapped the Avenger's forehead with a finger. "You're still talking so no you're not." Tony gave him a look and the boy huffed. "Picture what you want." Holding up his hand, green flame leaping form his palm. "Think about what it looks like. Now…say the word."

Tony held up his hand and whispered softly, eyes widening as a spark weakly winked before extinguishing. "Ha!"

Smirking in praise, he let the green flame skip up and down his arm as it grew legs. "When you get really good, you won't need the words."

"Show off." They all turned as Hela appeared, looking annoyed, with Pepper hanging onto her arm. Tony scrambled to his feet, surprised and pleased all at once. "Pep?"

Odin was finally getting around to letting Heimdall send them back to earth the day after tomorrow so this was a nice surprise. Actually that was the story they were telling Fury unless Loki still hadn't woken up yet. The team voted on going last, mostly because he wanted his best bud to know he hadn't been forgotten.

"Thank you, Hela."

Hela's eyes flashed as she lightly batted Pepper's hands off her arm and snarled. "That's the last time or you won't have a voice. Ever again." Pepper stared back without saying anything and after a pause the trickster queen rolled her eyes. "Just consider me an immortal taxi service." She shook herself out as if settling riled fur and stomped out the door. "I'm off to bug grandfather."

Indel ran after her, leaning outside to yell. "He's in dada's room."

Hela whipped around in the corridor. "Is father awake?"

Two other rugrats leaned out the door, Mischief replying. "Nope."

The four of them all shared pleased grins before she vanished.

Pepper was focused on Tony, a very serious expression on her face. "Tony. We need to talk."

After a second Tony sighed and glanced at the three children who were now lined up. Mischief frowned at them before rapidly shaking his head. "No way. This is our room. Go somewhere else if you want privacy."

Tony took the advice and escorted Pepper down the corridor to his guest quarters. She was silent the entire way and that worried him. It was worse when she took the first available seat and stared down at her hands. Tilting his head slightly, frowning deeply. "Pep, what's wrong?"

"Nearly three weeks and you ask me what's wrong?" Her voice was soft at first but it certainly increased in volume quickly.

Jabbing a thumb over his shoulder as if pointing at Odin. "Big king on campus is shuttling everybody else home first. Pepper?!"

His eyes widened in horror as she broke down in tears. She slapped her legs with her hands and wiped at her face even as more tears fell. Her voice sounded as watery as her eyes even as she took the washcloth he rescued from the bathroom. "I'm not sad, I'm angry!"

"Ri-ight." He leaned back, looking at her like she was a ticking time bomb.

She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes, her light makeup hopelessly ruined. "The doctors say it's perfectly normal-…"

"Doctors." He cut her off, feeling a rush of worry and kneeling down in front of her.

She looked up, pulling in a slow breath before exhaling. She'd promised herself as soon as the war was over she'd tell him. The weeks that had slipped by since she'd last seen him just made the wait worse until she couldn't take it anymore. Bugging Hela had been a last resort but she couldn't delay or she'd lose all her nerve. "I'm pregnant." Tony froze, staring through her and she slowly glared. "And if you ask who the father is I will castrate you."

He heard the words but he wasn't processing it. Not at first. The first thing he remembered was his adamant statement that he never, ever wanted to be a father. The second was Loki's quiet observation that that would change once the abstract became a reality.

A father.

Him.

Some tiny little person was currently growing inside Pepper and in the not too distant future he would get to meet them. He'd spent enough time around Lock's kids that he wasn't as intimidated by children as he had been. He would get to hold a tiny little person with Pepper's gorgeous features and his brilliance. Or maybe it would be the other way around but there was no denying that excitement swelled within him.

"Tony?"

He grinned, jumping to his feet and picking her up. He spun her around, stopping to put her back on her feet when she started looking a little queasy. "Sorry, sorry, just…I can't believe it. I mean I do believe you but it. It is what I can't believe. I never, ever, ever wanted a kid but that was mostly just because of Stark Senior but me as a dad might be alright since I've been subbing in with Lock's kids for like weeks and I haven't broken them yet and-…"

Pepper smiled and cut off his rambling with a kiss. "So you're happy."

The wide smile on his face put some of Loki's manic ones to shame. "I was talking?"


The sound of steady breathing caught his attention.

By scent he knew he was in his rooms, wrapped up in warm covers and quite comfortable. The impulse to play dead was very tempting to obey. But his body was ready to wake up and he was very curious as to what he'd find. Loki slowly opened his eyes, not sure what he would find and hoping it was Jane, Talia, Mischief or Indel at his bedside. He would begrudgingly even accept Thor. His luck was never that good. Odin raised an eyebrow, closing the book in his hands, and Loki groaned in the back of his throat, voice hoarse. "Can I plead temporary insanity?"

Odin chuckled softly and reached for a glass of water for him. "I am afraid not."

"About the torch incident…" Odin's chuckles grew louder. "…it was a really, really long time ago and there has to be some sort of statute of limitations."

"Drink, Loki." Odin's voice was a gentle chide, obviously amused. "I was in a generous mood and I have surrendered the right to lecture you."

His hands were shaky but he managed to drink without spilling it all over himself. "Surrendered? To who?"

Shrugging lightly. "Who better than your future bride?"

Flinching, voice small. "I'll take your lecture."

Jane was going to kill him. Not just slightly. Oh, no, it would be brutal and messy.

Odin took the glass back and put it back on the night stand. His hand, weathered but still strong, rested on his son's shoulder. "Loki, I have nearly lost you too many times in one lifetime. Make that the last time."

Loki felt his brow slowly furrow, hearing the almost silent plea hidden in the words. "It wasn't exactly in my plans."

Nodding slightly in understanding. "Being a hero never is, but the next time my due time is upon me do not use up the life you've been granted in exchange for my own."

Loki still scoffed when an adjective like 'hero' was used to describe him. But then he found himself frowning slightly. "I thought you weren't going to lecture me."

"Loki." The look that Loki was given was that familiar look of exasperation and he found himself comforted from that.

"Alright. I won't." Loki sighed, then coughed roughly and his father helped him drink a few more sips, his hands too shaky to accomplish such a simple task a second time. But even when the glass was set aside his father didn't let him go, gathering him close and hugging him tightly. He was being held up so all Loki had to do was let his head rest on Odin's shoulder as his eyes closed. Loki wanted to hold him in return. He wished he could. But that little action of taking a sip of water had him trembling like a newborn colt.

He hated his body right now.

Odin's hand stroked through his hair, voice rough. "Don't ever do that to me again, Loki." And suddenly Loki was transported back in time. He was suddenly a little boy and his father was holding him close, something he'd been sorely missing for centuries. Odin chuckled softly, pulling him from his musings. "I do hope you've prepared yourself."

Frowning slightly but not opening his eyes. "For what?"

"I've made mistakes with you that I am highly motivated in correcting. I will be handing over Asgard to Thor soon, which means I will have an excessive amount of time on my hands. You will find yourself never wanting for my attention again."

What could have been taken as a threat only filled him with contentment. This was exactly what Loki had been wanting that all his tricks and mischief hadn't granted, not just his father's attention, but his focus. He wasn't an optimist and he never would be. He'd have to see that for himself before he'd believe it but he found himself hoping it was true. Smile wide on his face even if his tone was filled with false dread. "I will struggle to endure."

The absolute cheek. Odin felt the strangest of impulses, something he hadn't entertained since he'd had a very small trickster running through the halls. Deciding not to ignore it for once, he ran the tips of his fingers down Loki's ribs in reply and Loki's eyes flew open as a choked shriek escaped his son's lips. Loki's arm shifted slightly in a protective maneuver over his side, grinning again when he felt a kiss to the side of his head, still being silently held.

He wished he could just stay and drift forever but even he knew he couldn't. After several minutes of just enjoying the moment his concern for those he befriended brought him back to reality. "Did everyone survive?"

Odin nodded and let Loki rest back against the pillow before settling back in his chair. "We lost a good many warriors, but without our allies our forces would have been devastated. The Midgardian Avengers suffered injuries but nothing serious…Lady G'dath faired well but Queen Azni has been lost to Valhalla." Loki didn't say anything. His memory of meeting mother would never pass his lips, just because he knew it would be painful for his father, but from that he'd known Azni was gone. Once father left, he would quietly mourn her. In the back of his mind he reminded himself to ask Hela who Freyja was. "When you are more recovered, King Helblindi would like an audience with you."

Loki pursed his lips to himself before glancing at Odin. It wasn't practical for Helblindi to wait for him to recover before the rebuilding of Jötunheim could begin. "To retrieve the Casket of Ancient Winters. I left it in the vault."

Odin nodded grimly, that act of preparation making it very clear to him Loki hadn't anticipated surviving. "I am aware. He has insisted on waiting for you to give it to him but I believe the decision of when will be entirely in Lady Jane's hands."

Moaning softly, refusing to label his tone as whining. "She's going to kill me."

"Only as much as you deserve, I am sure." Odin's lip twitched in amusement.

"Dada?" A blur of white and blue and Loki's arms were filled with a small elfling clinging to him.

Odin smiled. "Your brave little protectors have rarely left your side."

Two more blurs were quick to follow, tears just as quick to make an appearance. It didn't take terribly long for those to disappear, once everyone was assured he was alright.

Indel sniffed and glanced up, speaking softly and worry in his voice. As if his refusal to eat would confirm he wasn't going to be okay. "Are you hungry, mama brought boar?"

Jane was biting her lower lip to keep herself contained, having been warned by G'dath to bring something from the feasting hall, even as Odin stood up and gave her a respectful nod before departing. She was quick to switch places, her brown eyes roaming over Loki anxiously. She was a mess of emotions right now but some were more practical to indulge in right now than others. She saw his fingers nervously playing with the tips of Indel's white hair and slowly shook her head at him. His green eyes met her own for just a second, took note of the devastating hurt there, and flinched away. He wanted to promise her he'd never do it again, but he knew himself too well. His life or hers? It wasn't even a contest.

Jane focused on the little ones, forcing a reassuring smile. "Let's get your father propped up so he can eat."

"Okay!" All three of them answered in a chorus.

They propped him up with fluffy pillows, Jane leaning down to put a plate carefully in his lap and murmuring in his ear. "Are you skilled at sleeping with one eye open, prince?"

He slowly frowned at such an odd question. "Not particularly."

A soft growl entered her voice and he swallowed. "Do that again and I highly recommend it." He eyed her as she straightened, judged the look in her eyes and realized she meant it.

He rallied just enough of his courage to give a slight nod when she raised an eyebrow at him. She nodded in return, satisfied for now, and helped him eat when she noticed just how weakened he was. Mischief curled in close, the tallest of the three so the one who could touch the most of his side. Talia pouted before crawling over him, Jane lifting the plate out of the way, so her ear was resting on Loki's chest where she could hear his heartbeat. Indel pouted the hardest since they were hogging all the room before shrinking into a white kitten and curling into a space between the two of them.

A third of the way through the meal, Loki wrinkled his nose slightly and yawned with a slight shake of his head. Moving the plate away, she helped tuck him back in. She was angry. She was hurt. But she loved him and those emotions could be dealt with later. Right now his health mattered more. Pressing a gentle kiss to his temple. "Sweet dreams."

Smiling as he closed his eyes and murmuring, two children and a tiny white kitten piled on top of him. "You're here to protect me, of course they are."


MIDGARD

Fury stood at the front of the conference table, his hands behind his back and a strangely mild expression on his face. All of the Avengers were arranged for the debriefing, but it was more than just relaying information to the SHIELD director. Decisions were about to be made on who would remain on earth and who wouldn't.

"I've reviewed over the reports that each of you submitted." The approximate casualty list, and the offhand comments of those that survived. Fury refused to label his feeling of Loki's survival as relief. "Descriptions of the creatures that attacked. Examinations of the fighting styles. Profiles of where these creatures might have come from. I have reports on dragons and unicorns and elves from each of you. Schematics of Asgard. A play by play of the battle with Thanos." Nick slowly narrowed his eye, his lips forming a grim line. "But what I don't have is an explanation for why the hell it took three goddamn weeks to hear from any of you what the hell happened."

Steve glanced around the table at the others. "Sir-…"

Fury talked right over the super soldier. "Do have any idea how long we stayed on red alert before saying the hell with it?"

Tony glanced at Bruce. "Does he want us to answer that?" The scientist just shook his head.

Steve met Fury's glare evenly. "With respect, director, but we weren't a priority for return."

Close to snarling, his tone barely restrained. "Three goddamn weeks, Captain."

Steve tightened his control on his own tone. "Several hundred thousand people to send back to different realms, both alive and dead. King Odin made the call, sir. We were shuffled to the bottom of the pile."

Tony crossed his arms over his chest and muttered under his breath. "Not to mention none of us were going anywhere until Locks opened his eyes."

Natasha glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and buried a smirk.

Fury met Steve's eyes for a moment longer before nodding and shelving his ire. He suspected there was more to it but they were all sticking together so he let it go. "Luckily we stayed mostly quiet or it would be your asses." Sliding a folder towards Steve as he moved on to the next topic. "Now we-…"

Tony shook his head. "Sorry to say but…I'm out." Fury swung his head around towards Stark. "You'll have Stark Enterprises backing you financially but I'm out of the game for a while."

"Any particular reason or is this just a current whim?"

Grinning proudly. "I'm going to be a father." Tony exchanged a look with Pepper who was tucked into a shadow by the doorway. Then with a smirk he lifted his hand and concentrated, delighted when a little, light blue flame leapt onto his palm. It imitated the same color as his former arc reactor. "Besides, I promised to teach a couple of brats how to play baseball. And the oldest mini trickster is really good at teaching magic tricks. I'm curious what else he can teach me."

Clint slowly stood after a moment, deciding he might as well address it since Stark had started the ball rolling. "I'm traveling to Alfheim soon. I won't be back, sir."

Fury eyed the archer thoughtfully before glancing at Natasha. "I suppose you're going with him."

Romanoff kept her eyes focused on her hands, both of them folded together on the table. "No, sir. I still have a duty to the Avengers that remain. I'm staying." Clint sat down again, staring at her silently. He wasn't surprised, but privately he'd hoped this wouldn't be her decision. She shook her head at him. "You're going."

After a moment he slowly nodded in acceptance. "You're not."

"No. I'm not." Her lip quirked when he huffed in aggravation, as if the decision of his leaving was out of his control. There was a war going on in his eyes. Part of him wanted to go more than anything, but another part wanted to stay. "Second thoughts?"

Snarling and leaning back in his chair. "The bastard won't hear otherwise."

Natasha tilted her head slightly as she considered Loki's position before nodding. "For a megalomaniac he can at times be very wise."

Clint leaned in closer, his voice lowering. "What are you going to do?"

Her own tone lowered and everyone pretended not to be listening. "I will always have red on my ledger." Her way of saying that the lives that she took would never balance against the good that she did now.

"And you don't think what you just did…"

He looked at her, really looked at her. She didn't think she deserved that fairy tale ending. But it was more than just that. She didn't want it. She only felt alive when she was fighting. This was what she wanted. She was the Black Widow. She was an Avenger. This was her life until it ended.

Steve looked at Bruce who just nodded quietly.

He was staying.

Fury looked at the Avengers that would be remaining. He also knew that Thor's visits to help would be few and far between, especially if he was about to become king of Asgard. As useful as he might be, Nick just couldn't see Loki filling in his shoes for anything short of a world ending apocalypse. "It's hardly an initiative with only three members."

Steve nodded slowly to himself before standing with conviction in his voice. "Then we recruit, sir. No one lives forever, this was inevitable. The Avengers will change with new members, new leaders, and new evil. But we'll endure."

Tony clapped his hands together once as he stood. "Okay. I may hurl soon." He turned and held out his hand to Bruce who stood up and clasped his palm. Tony's free hand moved to squeeze the scientist's shoulder before releasing him. "You ever change your mind, I'm sure Locks will think of something to keep you around. I gotta go pack. Hemi's picking us up in a couple of hours."

Pepper dropped her face into her palm. "Tony. Don't call him that."

He shrugged dismissively, never one to hesitate in handing out a nickname. "Why not?"

"He might leave us here."

Tony visibly thought about that before shrugging dismissively. "Nah…Locks will rescue us." She raised an eyebrow and Tony paused for a moment. "Eventually." She just continued staring at him and Tony realized as rough a condition as Loki was in that rescue could be months from now. Sighing. "Fine."


HELHEIM

"Come home, Hela."

One little phrase, a tiny entreaty that she shouldn't have been able to hear, was all it took.

The force of her rage from centuries ago couldn't be stopped, only conquered. The hordes created and assimilated from that rage had been beaten back and subdued. Asgard had passed the test, even if some cheating had been involved so that they could. But, she thought as she smiled, she liked cheating.

She had entertained visiting Asgard as often as she pleased, watching over them and continuing forward. Soon the old ways of the AEsir would be forced to change as generations of tricksters and physicists brought them out of stagnation. Loki and Jane wouldn't live forever, but the legacy they left behind would. And in that distant future she would fade from Asgard, to focus on her own realm. She had duties and responsibilities, after all.

There would be another reason for that distance. As the queen of Helheim she would never die, which made a relationship with a very mortal AEsir impractical. Not to mention a permanent long distance affair would never last. But with that sentence came the realization that she could have what she wanted. Loki and her siblings were reason enough to visit Asgard, but that small plea made her living with them a possibility.

It had been what she'd wanted, desperately so. To make them all suffer for what she'd lost but also the freedom to choose the life she wanted.

Hela stared up at the throne that had been hers for over 704 years. A drop in the bucket of time for most races. But it had been a desperate act of survival, not ambition that had inspired her. The crown that she had worn for just as long sat serenely on the table next to the throne.

There was no denying she had enjoyed it. Power, but more so than the power to control others. She had enjoyed the power over her own life. But that was also the problem. She was alive and the living were never meant to rule over the dead. That had been the fuel behind the rage. Home. She'd just wanted to go home. And now…finally, she could.

"Queen Hela…" Amora paused, her words trailing off to silence as she studied the rather plain way that Hela was dressed. She'd noticed that all the children that had been frolicking amongst the forests of Helheim had vanished and she'd been curious as to why.

Farbauti entered a second later, she also stilling. But then she nodded slowly, understanding what Amora hadn't yet. The children had been drawn to Helheim because Hela was here. Now that she was leaving, they had all found their way to Valhalla. "Your Jötunn blood has found its mate."

Hela didn't turn, still staring. Her dark hair was pulled back away from her face but there was nothing fancy in the binding. The same with her clothing. She looked almost ordinary. Almost. "Is that what it's called?" A drive that, with her rage ended, shifted her entire focus to wanting to protect the home of the man she wanted. The fact that her father also called Asgard home made it all but impossible for her to resist.

Farbauti's eyes held a lot of knowledge, as well as regret. She had never approved of Laufey's stances but her instinct in life had been too strong for her to resist. In life she had been weak-willed, only becoming strong with the freedom of death. She'd never forgiven Laufey for Loki's loss, not knowing until after her death that her son had lived, but she had still given Laufey two more sons. "Yes. Sometimes we are but slaves to its will…and sometimes it is our will that breeds it."

Amora's green eyes shifted from one woman to the other before the shout escaped her without control. "The underworld must have a ruler!" The demons of Niflheim would overrun Helheim. Thanos could escape. So much could happen without Hela or someone like her to keep the citizens in control.

Hela slowly nodded. "Yes, it must. Just as Mjolnir is enchanted to only accept possession of one who is worthy…so is Helheim's crown." A glance slanting slyly in their direction. "Or perhaps the crown will fracture into two, for one queen of each realm…it is up to magic to decide."

Farbauti stood a little taller, realizing what Hela was saying. The trickster was quite confident the two of them would be chosen to rule, most probably with Farbauti ruling Niflheim and Amora watching over Helheim. "You will never return, will you?"

A question that wasn't really a question at all. Hela had proved herself, defending the nine realms with as much determination and honor as any AEsir warrior. The former trickster queen would age and eventually die, but only Valhalla would await her.

Hela shrugged helplessly. "Loki finally gathered the courage to live again. Who am I not to emulate my father's example?" Then she laughed. "Besides, a few centuries from now there will be a small army of compassionate tricksters and sly physicists running amuck on Asgard. Grandfather will need the support." She gave the two of them a toothy grin. "And if Thor really is going to marry Sif, as queen or as wife, then I need to be there to slap her around." She looked over each of them, holding out her hand silently to Farbauti. The Jötunn queen grasped her forearm, surprised to find herself solid, and the two silently said farewell. Their arms fell away from one another and Hela stepped up to Amora, running a gentle hand down the AEsir's face. Amora gasped as she solidified. Her smile turned sweet as she stepped past the both of them, walking for the entrance to Hel for the last time. Turning to bow. "Farewell, my ladies of death. Rule wisely."


ASGARD

Heimdall looked to the left as a figure stepped through the golden passages onto the observatory. She wasn't any more remarkably dressed than any other AEsir commoner, the long sleeved green dress simple cotton but well made. The only item she wore that was familiar were the boots on her feet, barely hidden by the ankle long dress. Hela turned to bow slightly to him before turning with a smirk to walk for the palace. After a moment the stoic gatekeeper smiled ever so slightly.

Hela walked the pathway, smirking a little at guards who stuttered in their steps but didn't even try to stop her progress. Three paths became one and she followed it through the main gate and through the familiar double doors.

Court was in full swing when the inner doors opened to admit her, both sides murmuring as she walked slowly up to the throne. She felt her breath quicken and her face pale. She wanted to run. She wouldn't let fear rule her, but the feeling to bolt was strong. Thor took a step closer from his place next to Odin, halted when Hela jerked her head 'no' and stopped a few feet from the steps. Curtseying. "All-Father."

Odin nodded slightly, feeling very curious why Hela was dressed and acting the way she was. "Lady Hela. To what does Asgard owe the pleasure of your visit?" She was free to visit as she wished, but that was just Hela saying hello. Her coming here before the throne was an official visit.

Her index finger flicked slightly to the right, a shadow of herself standing next to his throne. Her shadow spoke quietly enough that he almost didn't hear her. "You asked me to come home."

Odin blinked in surprise, his shock plain enough that a flurry of whispers ensued. They didn't hear her shadow's response, their reaction concentrated on his own.

Standing fully, her head tilted just enough to show respect as her shadow faded. "I have renounced my titles to Helheim and Niflheim and seek to return to Asgard." She refused to let her voice waver. Just as she refused to look at anyone but Odin.

"I see. And do you believe you are worthy to return?" Odin gave her a considering look.

She felt her mouth tighten, blinking quickly twice before controlling herself. He had asked for her, she was not about to grovel. "As worthy as any lost child who has found their way home."

"Child?" Odin made a scoffing noise, glances exchanged amongst the courtiers. Then he leaned forward in his throne. "Was it a child who defeated Thanos with the ease of a cat being entertained with a weak mouse?" Hela stared up at him in surprise at the compliment. She was very much aware of the warriors standing taller in pride. Odin added further to this with an incline of his head towards Sif. "Was it a child, witnessed by Lady Sif, who confronted Asgard's enemies to defend us from further attack during our recovery?" Hela felt herself blush and snarled in her head. Dammit. She didn't get embarrassed. There was also no doubt that every resident in Asgard would hear all of this before nightfall and she wasn't completely sure if she was proud or mortified. "Were these honorable acts committed by a child?"

Hela's brow furrowed just a little, not seeing Anya pushing her way through the crowd with an out of breath Jane following. She didn't know the answer he wanted. But she knew how she felt. She refused to feel weak when her voice cracked as she answered softly. "Yes."

Odin nodded slowly to himself after a moment. "What is the name you acknowledge?"

She felt slightly relieved. Finally, an answer she knew with confidence. Tilting her head up proudly. "Hela Lokidottir, sire."

Jane smiled even as whispers were exchanged amongst the audience. Loki would be so proud of her. There were tears threatening to fall in Anya's eyes.

Accepted, it would mean she would finally be folded within the family. Recognized not just by Asgard but by the nine realms as a daughter of Loki and his granddaughter. Even if she never received a title, which neither he nor Loki would allow, she would be within the house of Odin until Loki set his own house by marrying Jane.

Odin stood, thumping Gungnir loudly on the floor. "Former ruler of Helheim and Niflheim. The recognized daughter of my second son. You have protected Asgard during her time of need as a true AEsir warrior. I and Asgard do not recognize you as Hela Lokidottir." Hela jerked back slightly, her mouth parting in surprise. She would kill him. If this was all a ploy just to humiliate her she really would kill him. But he didn't hesitate in continuing and the hurt was swept away. "You are hereby acknowledged and recognized as Princess Hela Lokidottir of Asgard." Her mouth opened further, an objection caught in her throat but no sound coming out. Polite claps from the courtiers but from the warriors gauntlets hit armor in proud response to the proclamation. Thor was absolutely beaming, glancing at Sif who was hastily turned to brush away a tear. Odin broke protocol, walking down the steps. For an instant, Hela poised to run. But he ignored her instinct and pulled her into his arms, kissing her temple and murmuring against her ear. "If only your grandmother were here to see this day…welcome home, dear girl."

Hela painfully squeezed her eyes shut as she held him in return.


"You have no idea how awful you look right now."

Loki smiled just a little to himself before his green eyes met hers. He was propped up under a mountain of pillows, wearing a simple tunic and tucked into bed. He sighed softly and rolled his eyes at Hela who had silently entered. "I didn't need the reminder." He'd had plenty of reminders in the way that everyone hesitated in touching him for fear of breaking him. The mortals had been particularly horrified. He wasn't sure what a scarecrow was but once he found out no doubt Tony was going to regret calling him that. Then there was Eir and G'dath, whose combined glare was truly a force unto itself.

Hela crossed the distance and sat on the edge of his bed, raising an eyebrow. "I gather mother is relentless." Since she was the one who told him Jane was going to rip his spine out it wasn't quite an I-told-you-so but pretty damn close.

Right now Jane was too good to him but he knew it was only a matter of time before she expressed her feelings. Shuddering as if frightened. "I am never, ever angering-…you called her mother." He blinked, surprise in his eyes.

"She's worthy." She shrugged slightly as if the answer were obvious. But she was also studying him. He wasn't surprised she was here. Which wouldn't necessarily mean anything since she was free to visit now that the spell was broken. But it was something else. A knowledge in his eyes. "You've known this entire time, haven't you?" For however long was unclear, but he'd known she was what caused the events of the war.

"Winning was contingent on Asgard making the correct choices this time, once I pieced that together I knew without the details. Details we will discuss later." He didn't say anything further on the subject, just carefully lifted his arm and with a slightly trembling lower lip she snuggled into his side. She wasn't sorry her plan worked but she was sorry for the pain and difficulty he was facing because of it. He frowned suddenly as he eyed her dress. "This is a different look for you."

She didn't lift her head to look at him. "I'm a commoner now, it's appropriate."

He took in her meaning but didn't address it. Instead Loki instantly scowled. "No daughter of mine is a commoner."

Groaning softly. "Not you, too. I just want to be Hela."

Not him, too.

Which meant that she'd already been before the throne and accepted by father. "Absolutely not. Mischief stomached the ceremony, you'll live." His fingers trekked lightly through her hair. "Then you can be Hela."

Scowling as she lifted her head. "I'll live on Vanaheim."

He raised a single eyebrow. "I'll pout. I look particularly pathetic right now."

"Jerk." She rolled her eyes and lowered her head back down. Hela rubbed her cheek against the material of his tunic, pulling in a deep breath and smiling at the familiar scents of books and magic and father. But being home reminded her of a problem she needed to address right now. "I will court whom I like, when I like."

Instead of the protective snarling and growling she would expect Loki's silence was thoughtful. "If he comes to me with the proper intent I won't kill him."

Well that surprised her and it showed on her face. But then she'd noticed that Loki was always more reasonable when others weren't around for him to perform for. A smirk entered her voice. "What if we want to use each other for sex?"

"You've had sex?" Hela opened her mouth and he reminded her of the importance of her answer with one sentence. "You're not on Vanaheim."

She huffed against his neck, her fingers moving to play with the material of his tunic. He knew that nervous habit anywhere so he waited until she was ready to ask her question. "…what if that's all he wants?"

He was going to have a chat with Fandral.

Tilting his head a little in her direction. "This beautiful girl? He'd have to be blind not to fall over himself to have you as his bride."

That teeny, tiny insecure voice that he wasn't used to hearing from her whispered in his ear. "Really?"

Maybe he would just throw Fandral through a wall. It usually worked in gaining Thor's attention. Actually, perhaps he would let Thor handle it. What was the use of having an older brother if he couldn't use him to his advantage?

He tilted his head enough to look into her eyes. Her face betrayed nothing but her dark green eyes were a little too wide. By the slight movement of her jaw she was also biting the inside of her lower lip. She was scared because Fandral mattered to her. They were both tricksters but there were some matters that weren't lied about, no matter what. Lip quirking in reassurance. "I know so."

She hummed softly and snuggled into his shoulder.

"Your father is going to have to add another wing to the family corridor soon." Jane had remained quietly in the shadow of the doorway until she sensed a lull in the conversation. She wasn't eavesdropping, but she didn't want to interfere from some obviously needed father-daughter time.

Loki grinned at Jane's voice while Hela lifted her head and stuck out her tongue before replying tartly. "I had a room here once. Unless the space is being used I'll just move back in there."

Jane smiled and crooked a finger. With a sigh Hela kissed Loki's cheek and bounced out of bed. Loki attempted to lift himself a little, wilting when both Hela and Jane glared at him. "Loki, you are following Eir's orders to the letter or I'm tying you to the bed in the not fun way."

Hela jerked back and wrinkled her nose. "Oh, eww, I'm waiting outside." The idea of one's mother and father doing…that. Repugnant to put it mildly.

Loki's grin was devilish as he winked wickedly at Jane. "I seem to recall it wasn't me tied up-…"

"Not listening!" Hela ran out of the room, hands clapped over her ears and shouting.


Hela tentatively stepped forward, green eyes sweeping over the room that had been sealed but kept in pristine condition. Her hand hovered over the furniture, getting a feel for the old spells in place to keep everything exactly as it had been and swallowed thickly. She knew that golden magic of his anywhere. She willed away tears that grandfather truly had been hoping she would one day return.

Jane gave her a few minutes to wander and touch things, remembering, before walking quietly over to the wardrobe. Dresses for a young girl. Nothing in tatters thanks to the spells protecting them but Hela needed a clean break from the past. "Anya may be in Thor's Advisory Council but she has made it her personal mission in life that Loki and the children have their hearts' desires. She's already making appointments for a fitting for you. Furniture. Upholstery. Anything you want."

Hela looked over her shoulder and growled possessively. "Mine."

It spoke volumes that Jane understood exactly what Hela was saying by that statement. "You have two choices. We can keep this room preserved and create a new suite for you, complete with clothing that fits. Or. We can add a second wardrobe for your new clothes but the rest of the furniture here will be replaced, as well as new bedding."

Those dark green eyes narrowed as she studied the other woman who was ridiculously younger than her but also very wise. Sniffing and turning her back on the comforter over the bed designed for an adolescent. "I didn't like that color anyway."

Hela started to wrap her arms around herself without thinking before Jane moved and pulled her into a tight hug. "You never have to do that again."

Hela's brow furrowed but after a hesitant moment that betrayed how infrequent hugs were for her, she returned the gesture. She pulled back after a few minutes before frowning slightly. "You're still mad at him, aren't you?"

Jane grimaced, hoping she'd hidden it better than this. "That obvious?"

Hela shrugged casually, spotting a small marble partially hidden by the bed and picking it up, playing with it. "We're both female. It's obvious to me."

Jane forced herself to slowly exhale as if to rid herself of the emotion. "I know I just need to get over it-…"

Hela cut her off, frowning. "No you don't. You need to talk to him, before he's capable of retreating." Jane still didn't look convinced so the trickster gave at least one reason why Loki would put off addressing it indefinitely. "He won't discuss it voluntarily for fear you'll call off the engagement."

Jane sucked in a shocked breath. "I thought it was binding."

"Okay, for fear you'll postpone the wedding indefinitely. That is still within your power and he's aware of it." A sweetly sad smile crossed Hela's face. "Someone very wise once told me as I'm sure Loki was told that you can only yield to compromise so much. If this is the dynamic of your relationship you abide then say nothing. If, however, you demand an equal partnership then now is the time to let him know that because he may not hear you later."

Sadness filled Jane's expression. "Azni?"

Shaking her head and tossing the marble onto the comforter. "Frigga, actually. She told me, who I passed on to Azni for when Loki was ready to hear it."

"Then I have to tell him soon." Jane pulled in a fortifying breath as she said this. Not yet. Loki was barely capable of walking around yet and he would go entirely on the defensive, but soon.

"I would recommend before Eir loosens his restrictions." Then Hela grinned wickedly. "I'm also going to teach you a spell."


"Another!"

There were fewer patrons than normal but the merriment was slowly returning to the tavern. Those that had died were celebrated, the remembered fallen now entering the gates of Valhalla. They were now toasting to victory in the great feasting hall. Still, for those left behind it was the sadness of such a long separation before meeting them again.

A bar maid brought over another tankard, Volstagg grinning happily. As far as he was concerned he couldn't ask any more from life. His wife and children had been uninjured. The royalty that he defended had survived. Life was wonderful.

Hogun nursed his own mead quietly, grim with the knowledge that eventually another battle would ensue and eventually they would not be so lucky.

Sif leaned over the table and shredded her slice of bread of a small plate. She was relieved at their victory and she was annoyed with Loki for making her worry. She'd secretly took G'dath to the side to find out exactly what his chances were for a full recovery. Apparently there was no worry on that end, but his insistent need to push his body too far might slow his recovery time. She scowled silently to herself. Idiot.

Fandral leaned back on the bench, resting against the wall behind him and silently staring at the table. He'd seen her. Walking the family corridor with Lady Jane. He'd listened with both ears as the gossip had spread. Lady Hela was finally home.

Sif glanced at the blond swordsman before sighing. She'd seen enough of that love sick expression in the mirror to recognize it for what it was. "Talk to her."

"You heard the prince." Fandral didn't even flinch. He didn't even glance in her direction. He just stared distantly with a distinct lack of hope in his expression.

Rolling her eyes at his ignorance. "He said what was expected." She leaned in a little closer. It wasn't that she understood Loki any better than she probably ever would, but she knew the rules of courtship. "If you approach him with honor he will accept your intent to court her."

"She does not wish for my approach, can you not see that?"

"No." Hela was much more subtle but Sif had seen moments where her control wasn't solid. Where longing had filled those green eyes as she'd looked at Fandral from afar before hiding it again. She always vanished before he saw her.

A chair was pulled back next to Volstagg before it was filled by a thunderer who was looking at Fandral intently. Those blue eyes were a strange combination of curiosity and protective fury. "Why does my niece feel your only intent is physical?"

Fandral's eyes widened. "I never-…you have to know-…"

Thor slammed his fist into the table, the wood splintering and Volstagg barely quick enough to rescue his mead. "I know my brother's observations and since he is currently unable to enjoy the fruits of his mischief I can only assume he speaks truth." Sif grabbed her mug to keep from commenting, keeping her mouth busy. Loki often committed mischief just for the sake of it. It was a bonus if he was able to observe and laugh about it. Just this once she suspected there was a lot of truth to what Thor was told. "He has asked that I resolve the matter on his behalf and I will honor that request."

Fandral didn't flinch, his eyes meeting Thor's filled with resignation. "I did not approach her for I feared being unwelcome with her eminent status as princess."

Thor pulled back, scowling heavily. "Has it ever mattered to me who I call friend?"

"No-…"

A snarl matched that scowl. "Do you think Hela so shallow-…"

"Of course not!" Fandral leapt to his feet as he shouted his response. He pulled in a deep breath, shoulders pulled in tight. "The prince made his own rejection of my worth as Hela's suitor painfully clear."

Thor sent Sif a look who rolled her eyes while Volstagg sighed and put down his mead. "To be fair to the lad, I had yet to inform him the way the game is played."

"Game?" Fandral sat back down as he asked his question.

Volstagg nodded firmly. "Lady Hela is protected by the men of her house until a suitor is approved by the father. Loki said everything that he was supposed to as her father. Your response was to persuade him with an act of valor or the fulfilling of a task."

Thor nodded with a slight grin and ordered a tankard for himself.

Fandral looked floored. His father had died in war when he'd been a boy. He'd never heard of such things.

Sif pulled a face to herself. "How utterly barbaric."

Hogun glanced at her. "It is tradition, to prove his worth as husband. Only if he yields and does not pursue her further, then he is proved with ill intent."

She sighed. "I am aware, but it is still barbaric."

Fandral glanced around the table. "So I should ask the prince for a task to prove my worth?"

"Aye." Now grimness edged Thor's face as he glared at his comrade. "If you do not then what she believes is correct…and I will stand in the honor ring in my brother's place."

Fandral's eyes widened before he nodded and ordered mead for himself. Loki's retribution made one wary but he had always been more intimidated by Thor. The thunderer wasn't bluffing.


Loki still looked like he'd escaped from a concentration camp but he now had enough magic to help him move around a little. He was still confined to his rooms, the wrath of every woman he knew including Sif waiting on the other side of those doors.

He looked up over the book in his lap, sitting next to the open windows of the balcony as Hela slipped inside. She was wearing a lovely long sleeved green dress with flared sleeves that fit her curves and pooled almost to the floor. It was similar in fit to the dress she'd returned to Asgard in, but neither Anya nor Jane would hear of her even keeping that previous dress. This one was well made and obviously AEsir designed for a member of the royal family.

He noticed she was still wearing her boots under it and smirked a little to himself. She was never going to change and it delighted him. He carefully put the book to the side, sighing with a huff when it wobbled in his hand and magic helped see it to the table.

Growling softly. "I hate my body." Hela sat down in the chair opposite him, tucking one leg towards her torso and looking like a little girl sitting there. But she didn't say anything and that grabbed his attention. Frowning lightly. "Hela?"

She pulled in a deep breath before slowly exhaling. "I want to give you a memory."

"A memory?" Nodding slowly, looking down and idly playing with the leather strap that went over the front of her boot. Then he understood. She wanted to show him how these strange turn of events came into being but she really didn't want to talk about it. "Alright."

She nodded as she reached her hand out and touched his temple lightly…and the world as he knew it fell away.

Loki frowned to himself, looking around at an Asgard unlike any day he'd ever seen it. The buildings were pristine. Impeccable. Untouched by age or imperfection. In the distance he could see and hear the great feasting hall, no doubt teaming with the most valiant of the warriors that had fought, bled, and died for the glory of Asgard.

Valhalla. This was Valhalla.

How?

He glanced behind him to see a wrought iron arch without a gate that led to starry nothingness. Looking down, he saw the marble formed cobblestones under his feet, kissed by mist. Then he noticed the long dress with the green lining. The pale, feminine hands. Hela's body. Hela's memory, but he was actually living the moment.

He wondered if this was some strange twist of her design since she still had the Gem of Reality but he didn't question it. Instead he walked forward, the pace slow but not tiring. An ever expanding realm of peace that had all manner of species living in harmony with one another. He knew in the distant fields there were warriors training. Battles were being fought with no agenda other than to enjoy the thrill of victory and combat. But there was a different purpose to this visit and he was curious to see what it was.

The pathway expanded suddenly, entering the road of kings. Only the noblest of warriors, the highest honored of the honorable dead, found peace within these structures. He walked up to a wooden door that opened for him without knocking. He entered slowly, barely containing a gasp of surprise to see his mother sitting at a small loom, humming softly.

Her golden armor was brilliant, her dress a flow of ivory. Such a sweet smile crossed her face as she rose, her work abandoned, and embraced him. He couldn't help the tears that came to his eyes, even though it was silly to cry. This was just a memory. Her fingers moved through his hair, such a familiar feeling that he committed to memory.

Frigga pulled back just enough to smile reassuringly, her thumb brushing away a tear on his cheek. "Come sit with me."

He sat down on a loveseat and instead of sitting with him Frigga chose the stuffed chair across from him. He felt slightly stung but wasn't given time to say anything.

"Your world is ending, grandmother."

Loki blinked in surprise and turned his head to the right, Hela sitting next to him in the dress he had seen. He glanced down to see his light armor on his body.

Frigga was nodding knowingly at Hela. "I know."

Hela's brow furrowed slightly. "How can you know?"

Her smile was sad. "With death the veil of secrets and lies are abandoned. You were young and you were angry with us, and you have every right to be."

"Angry isn't the word for it." Hela glanced away, bunching up the material of her dress between her clenching fists. "I raged then…I'm angry now."

"I know." Frigga smiled softly, looking Hela over. "So much like Loki. When his rage breaks free of his control it is a true fright to behold." But his beautiful mother had never been afraid of him, which made him love her more.

"You think he was wrong?"

Frigga was quick to shake her head, her eyes holding a regret that she'd held in life. A regret that drifted away as she spoke since there was no room for regret in Valhalla. "No. We were wrong for keeping the truth from him. I should have had the courage to defy my husband…and by the time I was strong enough to do that Loki had grown up and I knew the truth would only hurt him."

"Then you don't blame him for rejecting you?"

Now Frigga smiled. "Loki would say and do whatever was necessary to keep the truth hidden. He didn't reject me, just as I never rejected him."

Hela was watching Frigga carefully. "And you don't blame him for his envy?" His envy of the place that Thor held in their father's heart.

"No. I loved him as much as I could, but I know that little boys need the love of a father more than a mother." The two women shared a knowing smile but even in death Frigga was perceptive. "It is wonderful to see you, Hela, but why have you come? What is troubling you?"

Hela pulled in a slow breath, wincing almost imperceptively. "I've pushed it back as long as I could but I can't stop the events anymore. In my rage I wished for Asgard's downfall…and now it will happen. Through Thanos."

Frigga looked thoroughly confused. "And so you come to me instead of Loki?"

Hela turned away, looking out the window that showed nothing but soft perfection and finding herself irritated by it. "He won't care, even if I could visit him in the dungeons. He's so lost he would help it happen."

"How long have I been dead?" Frigga asked as if asking about the weather.

Loki found himself absolutely riveted, watching each woman in turn. Hela was right. At the time he'd been too angry to care. Even later. Even after Svartalfheim his petty need for revenge would have clouded him from giving a damn until it was too late.

"Not even a day. But the path is opening, I sense it. I can't beat it back because Fate is trying to arrange it." Loki sucked in a startled breath.

"I would have thought you would assist them."

Hela's mouth formed a hard line. Yes, she wanted the AEsir to suffer. But not all of them. It had been centuries but she still remembered Anya. She was torn, in all honesty. Love and hate, battling for dominance.

"Not when the burden falls on father. Why should he suffer because of the rest of you?"

"Then there's still time." Hela frowned while Frigga leaned forward and took her hand, her soft tone insistent. "Love can save him. Love can bring him back to us."

"Love? His heart is shattered, more so because you are gone." Hela looked as incredulous as she sounded.

Frigga was silent for a moment, used to guiding without revealing. But she was dead now. There was no reason she couldn't express herself completely. "My last vision, I saw something. I saw a girl. The Lady Jane Foster."

Hela slowly lifted an eyebrow. "I think uncle wishes to court her."

"She is the one who can save Loki." Hela blinked in surprise but Frigga continued speaking. "There is so much that is possible but there are two who must find him. Lady Jane…and a boy."

"A boy?"

Frigga nodded grimly. "Your brother."

Hela snarled. "Where?"

"I wasn't shown that. You must show Loki something before he leaves Svartalfheim." Hela felt her eyebrows jump up. Loki was escaping the dungeons for Svartalfheim? Why? When? Frigga lifted her hand and Hela tilted her head, eyes closing as fingers caressed her temple…and gifted her with a memory. A vision. Loki's eyes widened. What he'd seen on Svartalfheim. His vision of his father rescuing him from Jötunheim's snow…and Frigga's gently chiding face. He felt his vision blur. "The timing has to be perfect." Frigga's hand touched Hela's face to convey the importance of her words. "Perfect." Hela nodded even as Loki ducked his head, trying to stifle a sob. Hela had known where to go on Svartalfheim to kill the dark elf clan and he'd never questioned it. But that wasn't what was tearing at his control. His mother truly had known he loved her until the end. He startled as arms came around him and he cried silently against her shoulder. The conversation continued as if uninterrupted, Frigga now sitting on the love seat and Hela occupying the chair. "Thor and Loki will part ways on Svartalfheim. Make certain he finds the smallest moon of Alfheim. Et'ana Azni is there." A curious little smile crossed Frigga's face, her head tilted slightly as if she were listening to something. "She found her way there a long time ago." Her hands continued to rub soothingly up and down Loki's back.

"You think I should speak with her."

Frigga smiled after a considering moment. "You might leave an impression."

Hela lifted an eyebrow and snorted. "To what end? Asgard will burn. When Loki let go he not only turned his back on all of you…he was the only reason Asgard wasn't consumed centuries ago. The rage will not be quiet, this isn't about defeating a foe. Asgard has to make a choice. The right choice."

Frigga nodded even as Loki lifted his head with a soft sniff. Her thumb brushed away tears even as her gaze remained focused on Hela. "And what is the right choice, Hela?"

"Asgard has to accept father back as a prince, whether he chooses to embrace his Jötunn side or not." Hela growled softly. "Thor and especially Odin have to admit to their guilt in these chain of events and strive to fix it." Then shrugging as if the last were obvious. "My banishment must come to an end." It was also the least likely to occur and her lack of faith showed on her face. "When those three conditions are met, the rage will end and the wish will shrivel and fade."

Frigga nodded slowly, her face reflecting her own doubt. "These are not choices that will happen easily, perhaps not at all without guidance."

Hela's expression soured. "It's hardly a test if I have to guide the solution."

Frigga made a slight chiding noise. "It's still a choice. You are merely voicing an option they might not have thought of."

Loki moaned unhappily as the memory-vision-whatever it was faded. He craved just staying and basking in his mother's company. Hearing her soothing voice. Feeling her wrapping him in motherly protection. Slowly he opened his eyes to see Hela sharing the chair with him, snuggled into his side. He passed a hand over his face, wiping away the last of the moisture.

He tapped the arm rest with a finger before slowly nodding to himself. "And so you guided."

Hela nodded slightly in return. "When grandmother mentioned mother I knew she was the one. The only species, the only person, that could break fate's hold on you without facing exile for it."

Tilting his head to the side until his head rested against hers. "How did you know Asgard would choose correctly?"

Hela shrugged a little, her expression clearly stating her lack of optimism at the time. "I didn't. Grandmother did."

"And Thor? Father?"

She wrinkled her nose. "That was the wild card. Thor found regret at your loss on his own. I just pointed out a few arrogance/neglect issues. Grandfather was the real challenge. You can't just tell him he's wrong, you have to show him and beat him over the head with it since he's more stubborn than both of us combined. When he secretly visited you on Alfheim he and I chatted. Thankfully he'd already come to a few conclusions. I suspect Anya had something to do with it. He fears her." She grinned a little to herself when Loki chuckled quietly, liking the image of the AEsir servant pushing around Odin. "Plus he had time to think. He spent months moping without you around to cheer him up and I think he started realizing Asgard needs a trickster or two running amuck."

Loki didn't reply. Didn't even look like he was considering it, his green eyes watching the unannounced occupant in the room with them. When the gruff voice washed over both of them, the former trickster queen tensed. "Considering the number of children running through these halls that are tricksters I fear your estimation is low in that regard, Hela."

Hela peeked over her shoulder, Odin standing there with his hands resting behind his back and an unreadable expression on his face. Whispering at Loki but not taking her eyes off grandfather. "How long has he been there?"

"Long enough." Loki's reply was almost droll.

Hela sighed softly, imagining Odin's revenge would be creative. It wasn't anything punishable before court, talking ill of the aged monarch, but revenge was an honored tradition amongst them. "Damn."


Loki wondered, not for the first time, how in Hel he was stuck in this situation. He thought he'd made himself clear. He wanted Thor to take care of this. Stupid idiot. He'd thrown a glamour on just before the door that had been knocked slowly opened and Fandral had peeked inside. The little ones didn't knock, his first clue that whoever was entering wasn't family.

If this was the prelude of things to come when Talia was old enough to start catching male attention he would just happily strangle the first boy and leave his mangled body on the floor as a warning to all the rest.

"Prince?"

Loki shot Fandral a glare, the AEsir not daring to enter further. It occurred to him he hadn't invited the other man in but the warrior should know him a little better than that. Pointing to the chair next to his own. "Occupy yourself there before I set Mischief loose and have you blamed for it." Fandral's lip twitched but he obeyed, sitting next to the trickster who stared at him before slowly exhaling. "I gather my brother spoke with you."

"Yes…and threatened to challenge me in the honor ring." Fandral's lip twitched, equal parts amusement and nervousness.

Loki didn't even react except to raise a single eyebrow. He would never understand why Fandral was more fearful of Thor than him. The swordsman had seen a least some of what he was capable of. But then so had Thor and his brother never even flinched from him when he turned savage. The oblivious nature of the AEsir would ever confound him. "Then shouldn't you be staying far, far away from me?"

Fandral lifted himself taller in his seat. "I wish to court your daughter."

"No." No explanation. Still no reaction beyond a flat refusal.

"I-…" Fandral paused for a moment, not used to this. Gaining Loki's attention usually left one with the impression of falling short of his standard. The problem was he wasn't comfortable with this particular dance and he had no idea what would meet Loki's standards for who was worthy to court Hela. "I realize I have not proven myself to your satisfaction so I am here to fulfill a task."

Loki shifted his head enough so that with his elbow on the armrest, he tilted his hand to rest his thumb under his jaw and index finger touching his temple. "That is supposed to impress me?"

"Thor-…"

Loki pushed himself out of the chair, glaring down at Fandral. "My brother is not Hela's father." His eyes narrowed and flashed. "I had thought he had the sense to warn you away from her."

Fandral didn't stand, swallowing once and offering Loki the truth. "I love her."

Loki sneered. "And you think that sways me? Men in love are fools."

"Then we're both fools." Fandral's response was quiet but quite correct. He was most definitely a fool in love.

Loki's voice quieted dangerously, purring softly as he spoke. "Pursue her and I will kill you."

Fandral slowly stood, not with aggression but in a posture of formal defiance. "Then you will have to, prince."

Loki's lip twitched as he sat back down. "Approach her carefully, Fandral. You may have my approval but never assume she isn't the deadlier of the two of us."

After freezing for several seconds, Fandral's jaw slowly dropped open in shock. "Prince?"

Loki rolled his eyes in Fandral's direction, tone dismissive. "This isn't about me. Anyone too afraid to confront me and stand their ground will never last." Not that he wouldn't have hesitated in tearing Fandral apart if he questioned the other man's motives.

"Then-…that was my task?"

Sighing, Loki relaxed back in his chair. "I find tasks a waste of time. Ah, but a test to my standard is much more suitable to my nature." Fandral slowly started to smile. "Hela is a woman with her own mind and her own will. Such a decision should be hers to make."

Which reminded Loki of a discussion with another woman, long overdue.


Fandral had left his chambers some hours ago, leaving Loki to his thoughts. Thoughts that always drifted back to Jane and that she was obviously angry with him. He had to admire her fortitude. He didn't dare approach her about the subject, because he was afraid of being told no. The engagement was binding, but a marriage could be put off indefinitely. And she was clever enough to figure that out. He'd done everything in his power to help make her into a shield maiden for a prince, to elevate her status from ordinary to extraordinary. He should have worked harder to convince her.

He walked slowly in front of the windows, back and forth. He was tired of staying indoors, specifically in this room. He had plenty to keep him occupied but he was feeling a little claustrophobic. Which he supposed was why Eir had set his release date for tomorrow. The healer had the uncanny ability to know exactly how long healing took, even for his condition. But he suspected G'dath's influence in this particular instance.

He knew Jane not confronting him yet had everything to do with his health. The thought of hiding a century or so came and was forcibly dismissed. He wasn't a coward. He would face his fear…who was he kidding, anyway?

Loki turned to walk in the other direction, stopping to realize Jane was silently standing there with her arms crossed. Not good. He hadn't even heard her come in, his mind endlessly turning with all the horrible ways this could end. The fact that the look in her eyes said quite clearly she was ready for a conversation made it worse.

His eyes darted away from her towards the door, to ask about the children who were with him every chance they got. It was at their need and insistence, but there was no denying they made an excellent shield to hide behind. She held up a hand. "Their uncle decided they needed the fresh air." He opened his mouth and she cut him off effortlessly before he could make a sound. "And no, we are not discussing this tomorrow because then you'll start hiding."

Automatically he went on the defense with such an accusation. It didn't mean it wasn't accurate but he wasn't going to admit it. "I don't hide."

Rolling her eyes. "Right." His lips thinned. "You teleport quickly in the opposite direction behind convenient obstacles."

"Precisely." It could have been offered as a small attempt at humor. Right now neither one of them were smiling.

"The point is right now you can't do that or you will suffer the wrath of at least three women trying to protect you from yourself. So I'm taking the choice of conversation away from you."

His eyes narrowed, irritation and suppressed anger hidden there. "So because of my perceived physical weakness I am nothing more than an invalid to you."

Jane just slowly nodded, not in agreement but well aware that he wouldn't take a statement like that well but saying it for a reason. "Not a good feeling, is it? To not be given a choice."

Loki tightened his jaw to control his tone. "Your point is well made."

Jane huffed at him. "Oh I haven't even gotten to my point yet."

He tilted his head towards her as if to offer a concession. "I shouldn't have decided for you. It won't happen again."

Jane's eyes narrowed. His tone was a little too soothing. A little too coaxing. And since he was so good at manipulation she knew he was doing it on purpose. "Stop it."

He blinked once in surprise before his expression shifted to unreadable. "Whatever should I stop? Breathing? Sorry, it is a must."

Jane tightened her control on her temper. "Loki we are going to talk about this or it's going to be a damn long time before I'll even entertain the discussion of a wedding." He backed up a step unconsciously and she huffed. "Is this what you really want-…?"

"Of course it is!"

Jane found herself smiling, putting a gentle hand on his arm. "Not that." This was not a man who loved halfway. This was what he wanted more than anything.

Loki paced his breathing, eyes narrowing just a little as his mind turned. "Then what?"

"A marriage where you're the man and you decide everything and I'm the meek little wife who just spinelessly obeys your every whim."

A disgusted look crossed his face, his eyes flashing and obviously taking offense. "You have NEVER been weak and our interactions have NEVER been thus."

So she changed the example of the type of unequal partnership that was more to Asgard's flavor. "Or maybe you want a woman who voices her opinions but has no true voice because you make all the decisions. Is that what you really want? A marriage like your father's?"

Loki didn't doubt that his parents had loved one another. Frigga had been brought up in AEsir society before becoming queen. She was used to the way most households were maintained in Asgard, which Jane just brutally summed up in one sentence. He'd seen his mother's frustrations at time, although he'd been too young to realize the subject of that frustration usually revolved around his being told the truth. Jane had been brought up on Midgard, a different way of thinking and acting. He had found himself enjoying that common ground of give and take that they shared.

"No." No, he didn't want his father's laughable idea of marriage.

"No. Of course not. You worked too hard to help me become who I am."

Loki's voice lowered, not putting persuasion behind it but insistence. "And you should understand that their safety will push aside your wishes."

Jane crossed her arms and gave Loki a look. "I am not talking about their safety, Loki, and you know it."

Loki felt his shoulder blades twitch, feeling his defenses rise. "I made a choice for the good of my family."

"Loki. Let. Me. Finish." He reigned himself in by clenching his jaw and giving her a sharp nod. "You choosing to send them to Helheim isn't pissing me off. You can talk me around all you want but until we focus on why I'm upset I'm going to stay upset."

By the Norns she was magnificent.

Loki gave her a considering look before tilting his head slightly. "You wish to have a conversation as an equal, which I have already conceded. What more is there to discuss?" He shrugged just a little.

Jane nodded slowly to herself, understanding where he needed this clarified. "It's not the lack of discussion, prince. You have no right-…" She took a step closer and used her finger to emphasize the point, poking him firmly but carefully in the chest. "NO right to knock me out and drag me wherever the hell you please. That is right up there with cavemen dragging around their women and I won't stand for it!"

Loki squashed the guilty impulse to flinch, instead focusing on one very important point. "You chose to be my shield maiden, Jane. A shield maiden is more than just at a warrior's side. She protects the children during the battle."

Jane pursed her lips slightly. "She's someone you trust."

"Yes."

Now she was nodding as if in agreement. "Someone you protect."

"Of course."

She lifted a single eyebrow at him. "Someone who protects the children in your steed…who can't do that if she's unconscious." Loki grimaced. "Someone who will make her own choices if the children are safely tucked away and protected. Like under Hela's care." Crossing her arms, Jane slowly shook her head and sighed. "Your idea of compromise is laughable and we're going to work on that."

"I do not compromise." His tone was flat. Final.

Her eyebrow quirked as her eyes flashed amber. "That is what having a marriage beyond your father's means, Loki." He blinked as surprise crossed his features. Finally. She felt like shaking him but knew this particular misunderstanding wasn't his fault. Their relationship had no rules, but they were both still burdened with the way they were raised. "There's no going back to a Jane who wouldn't be seriously pissed off. The shield maiden you inspired has her own thoughts and opinions and will. We'll clash horribly sometimes. We'll disagree. But that also means that you don't always get your way, brat."

He instantly scowled with that particular adjective. "I'm not a child."

She stepped into him and he immediately wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. "I didn't say you were. I said you're a brat. There's a difference."

She also knew his acting as he had didn't have to do with a conscious lack of respect. He hadn't believed he'd be alive to worry about the fallout so he'd let the tactician side of his nature decide the best, safest course without worrying about anything else.

Loki sighed softly and conceded. "I will endeavor to improve."

Her lip quirked slightly, considering the lack of firm commitment to that statement before retorting. "Then I will consider the wedding."

He tilted his head slightly as he considered her counter offer. "I will not decide matters for you again and I will agree to work on…compromise." His face twisted when he said 'compromise' as if he'd said a particularly dirty word. He held her gently before his right hand brushed along her side, palm pressing lightly against her stomach. "There is another reason that I acted as I did."

Her eyes slowly widened, her hands reflexively shifting down as she looked down before jerking her head back up…and caught the wicked twinkle in his eyes. She growled and held out her hand, using magic to yank a rolled up sheet of parchment to her and proceeded to lightly smack him with it as he cackled and tried to duck out of the way. But all too soon his body warned him to take it easy with screaming muscles and trembling knees and he collapsed back into a chair with a scowl. She carefully sat down in his lap, parchment abandoned, and ran her finger down the top of his nose, distracting him. "See? Brat."

When he'd alluded to pregnancy, fear and joy in equal measures collided. Not so much over the prospect of motherhood. She already had three little rugrats…four with Hela and five if you counted Loki during his immature moments. The fear was over the whole pregnancy thing. She wasn't the biggest fan of pain, in spite of the reward. Still, she knew eventually he'd convince her to give him at least one more child.

A thousand years was a nice, round number.

He hummed softly against her neck, kissing the skin there softly in apology as he pulled her against his chest. "You enjoy the trickster."

She conceded that point silently. She loved his naughty, mischievous side. Even when it was an inconvenience she still enjoyed it. But her warning had everything to do with his vow. "Be careful, prince. Don't make promises you can't keep. Hela taught me a new trick." He lightly kissed her jaw before tilting his head back with a questioning expression. "She once threatened to turn Thor into a ball-less gecko."

A wicked grin curled his lips, hearing and imagining Hela issuing that threat. But his humor slipped to gentle warmth as he cupped her face, murmuring. "I only make vows you will help me keep. You are what keeps me honest."

Jane sighed as if resigned, a small smile belying her words. "The burden of a lifetime."

"So you are still marrying me." He was grinning with mischief but she could see anxiety hidden in his eyes that betrayed the silent question he was afraid to ask.

Grumping softly, running her fingers through his hair. "Yes, I'm still marrying you." She leaned up to kiss him softly, a gentle caress to his cheek that he took for forgiveness.

With that reassurance Loki found himself back on firm ground, all mischief now. "That's good. I would hate to see Nicholas burst a blood vessel when I declared I was moving to Midgard to woo myself into your good graces again."

Poking at his side with a finger, grinning at his reflexive flinch back to ward off tickling. "Thin ice, buddy. Really, really thin ice."


The time had fairly flown by. It had been 20 days since the battle before Loki opened his eyes. It was another three weeks before he had enough strength to take short walks through the corridors. Since apparently he wasn't trusted with the responsibility of his own health, which galled him to no end, Eir had set the earliest date for the marriage could be at the two month mark post war.

Since neither Jane nor father listened to his objections, he stopped offering them.

On the eve of that date, Loki standing on the steps and holding his staff, he watched Thor escort Hela down the runner to receive her title. The little ones were all lined up, Mischief a little jittery but not nearly as bad as when this had been his turn. That should be him escorting Hela but today hadn't been the best so Thor was there at Hela's gentle insistence.

As words of acknowledgement passed between his daughter and his father, his eyes moved to find Jane. She was standing down at the front of the crowd next to Pepper and Tony. As if she were a favored friend of the family and not his intended. He buried the growl aching to be released. She belonged up here. Her eyes met his and she smiled reassuringly. He checked his own expression and realized he was scowling.

A shiver traveled through him as he felt her magic caress his own. But then Hela moved to take his hand, presenting them as a family for the people of Asgard. Almost complete, was all he could think. But then he realized the next time he would be on these steps, they truly would be.

So 83 agonizing days post war and suddenly it was the day. The day. The day that he was going to become somebody's husband. He stared at himself in the mirror and felt a small amount of pity for Jane. How had he managed to convince her to tie herself to a family of tricksters?

Once she was irrevocably his then he would gloat.

His armor was his more ceremonial golden pieces, shined to perfection, and emerald cape flowing over his back. There were intricate carvings in all of the metal, to show himself as the head of his household. It wasn't the same armor as what he would wear for Thor's coronation. This would be the full armor that would now be his for anything not so formal, fitted over his light armor. He brushed a finger over the half-moon piece on the front. He would always be Odinson, but he would be officially setting up the house that his children would be under. A bit backwards from the tradition but then he had always balked at tradition anyway.

Thor was almost directly behind him, dressed in his silver armor, Mjolnir on his belt and red cape flowing proudly. "Brother-…" And whining which was completely unbecoming for a king-to-be.

"Thor." Loki snapped the word without turning, more than ready to throw his brother out of his rooms. Physically that wasn't going to happen for a long, long time but his magic had enough of a punch now that he could accomplish it. He was quite used to Thor being a protective bully, but his own nerves made Thor's overbearing presence grate on his patience until he was ready to strangle him.

Hela made a big production of rolling her eyes, still fussing over Loki's armor. Odin had firmly told her that her blood stained armor was inappropriate unless she was going to allow it to be cleaned. It would be a cold day in Hel before she allowed that. Instead he'd commissioned a new set for her, golden with green lining. She'd worn it for her title ceremony. She'd wear it again today. She, like Sif, thumbed her nose at AEsir society a little by wearing tight breaches and boots. That green lining came down in armored strips past her knees so it almost looked like a dress until she moved. "Uncle, go pester somebody else if you're not going to be helpful."

Indel was adjusting his blue tunic, nodding his head enthusiastically. "Yeah!"

"She's a vision, father. You don't want to miss this." Hela whispered this softly in Loki's ear, sensing his muscles unwinding. Then she turned to glare. "Uncle, if you have to carry him to the steps of the throne so be it but your little brother is becoming a husband today whether you like it or not."

Loki froze for just a moment, matching Hela's glare and making sure he spoke clearly. "You are not carrying me."

Thor ignored Loki, jabbing a finger in his direction as he focused on Hela. "I know he is hiding by illusion."

Of course he was. The last thing he wanted was for Jane to walk down the runner and see him in his ridiculously skinny form. He took off the glamour behind closed doors, nowhere else. Hela shrugged, well aware it would be months more before he regained even a hint of a healthy physical condition. "So? Eir has given her leave that he is strong enough, that should satisfy you. Grandfather approves, that should further satisfy."

Tony borrowed a corner of the mirror to adjust his tie, dressed in his best tuxedo. "You really need to get over this brother-hen complex, thunder."

"L-…"

Loki snarled and cut Thor off. "Do not make me kick you out of my own wedding, brother." There were times when Thor reminded him of an overenthusiastic golden retriever. Right now he felt like he'd just kicked him as a puppy. Glaring mildly, voice soft and clearly not meaning the words. "I hate you."

"I know. I'll take over the spot as best man, problem solved." Tony grinned sunnily as he offered what he felt was an excellent solution. Thor turned to glare viciously at the inventor, who squeaked and hid behind Hela. "Never mind."

There wasn't exactly a best man since this wasn't a mortal wedding. But there were little modifications made to the ceremony to try to incorporate some of the Midgardian traditions that Jane would expect. There was one AEsir tradition that was held with some esteem. Thor was supposed to stand to the right as Loki's elder brother and act as 'escort' as they ascended the steps towards the throne. It was a huge honor that Thor refused to relinquish to anyone.

Hela had clearly had enough. "Continue and I will be taking your position."

He glared at Hela, not as viciously, and was completely ineffective on her.

"Hela." A feminine voice caused head's to turn, Sif in the doorway. The warrior goddess wore her armor over flowing red robes. The silver metal was shined meticulously, sword in its sheathe. It was obvious Hela was needed for Jane. Thor's blue eyes looked over her armor and she may have stood a little bit straighter under his appreciative gaze.

Hela nodded a little to Sif as Indel grabbed her hand, glaring at Thor. "Behave yourself." Turning her head a little in Tony's direction. "Anthony, if you do anything that rumples them I will exact the penalty in any manner I choose."

Hela swept out of the room as regally as a queen, Indel still holding her hand, with Sif following her. Talia grinned, golden hair neatly braided, dressed in light pink. "You look pretty, papa." Tony made a choking sound while Thor chuckled.

Loki turned with a small smirk and winked at Talia, tweaking her nose gently. "Thank you. So do you, milady." Her grin brightened and she skipped out after Hela while trying to mimic her.

Mischief rolled his eyes as he followed, wearing his new silver armor over dark green. "Great. Just what this family needs. Two Helas."


Jane was sitting in front of a mirror as Anya was putting little crystals into her hair, which was swept up and away from her neck. Looking at her in the mirror. "Thank you."

Anya smiled, attaching the last crystal before stepping to the side. Jane looked at her hair in awe. Anya pointed to the changing screen. "I had one of the girls put your dress there."

Indel was bouncing on the balls of his feet, staring up at her with adoration in his green eyes. "You're pretty mama."

Talia shook her head quickly. "Nuh huh, papa is pretty, she's beautiful."

Mischief ducked his head shyly as he grinned, blushing. He did offer a small thumbs up, a rave review from him.

Hela stepped up behind her, sharing a look with Anya, a hand on each shoulder. "He is going to love it."

Jane nibbled lightly on her bottom lip. "Are you sure?"

"Would you like me to change into Loki to show you his expression?" The words sounded like they were offered in jest but Hela's expression was serious as she spoke.

Jane felt herself melt a little, reaching up to squeeze one of the hands on her shoulders. "I'll wait and be surprised."

Hela smirked, picking up Indel who kept his arms raised insistently. She rested him on her hip as Jane stood up and slipped behind the changing screen. Indel sighed theatrically. "Are we going to have to stand on grandpa's steps AGAIN?"

Hela snorted softly at the boy before asking him a reasonable question. "Do you want her to be our really real mother?" Indel nodded his head enthusiastically. "Then yes. Besides, she's going to be a princess now. It's her turn to get stared at."

Jane's sarcastic tone drifted over the screen. "Thanks, Hela."

Hela smirked.

Indel asked her in all seriousness. "Like you and Talia?"

Hela rolled her eyes. Thor had marched her down the runner before the throne but she'd had her titling ceremony. Loki had been rather smug about it until she threatened to tell Tony he still got sick before big events. She really wouldn't have but he'd backed off so she counted it a win. Strangely enough he was rather calm today.

"Yes, like me and Talia." Hela answered with a sigh.

Sif had silently stayed to the side, watching and waiting. She was fulfilling her role as escort, a privilege that she took seriously since Loki had been the one to appoint her. It was also the perfect opportunity to ask when Loki should know about Freyja. Not today, obviously, but Hela usually had an instinct about such matters and it was difficult to get her in a semi-alone moment. "Hela, is there ever going to be a good time?"

Hela knew without asking exactly what Sif was alluding to without needing clarification. She was actually surprised the blunt warrioress had refrained from asking for as long as she had. I'll tell him when the moment is right, no sooner.

Sif nodded slightly, hearing Hela's reply in her mind, and pushed it out of her mind as her responsibility.

"I want tails."

Hela glanced at Indel who was studying the tails of her armor intently. They were similar in nature to the tails at the back of Loki's armored jacket so it made sense Indel wanted to emulate him. "When you are old enough armor will be designed as you like it."

"Really? I get to choose?" Indel asked in all seriousness, wanting to be sure it was the truth.

Hela nodded slowly to the little boy. "Yes, you get to choose." Indel opened his mouth but Hela cut off the next question that she knew was going to follow. "No, that will not be for several centuries so you may not pester yet."

"You're no fun." Indel stuck his lip in a pout up at her.

"Having a migraine is even less fun." Her dry tone caused Anya to start giggling behind her hand.

"What's a…my grain?" Indel asked with a perplexed expression, carefully pronouncing the unfamiliar word.

"A very large headache." Hela answered with a small shrug and a twitch of amusement on her lips.

"Oh. Why not call it that?" Indel asked in all seriousness.

Jane laughed from behind the screen.

Hela turned her head to aim a retort at the laughing human. "Laugh now. He's about to be your son."

"But he's still your little brother." Jane's response drifted back to Hela.

Snorting. "There is that."

"Why?"

Jostling the boy a little in her arms, giving him a warning look. "Because." He huffed but stopped asking since he didn't want to be put down.

Jane swept out from behind the screen and everybody took in a deep breath. It was a traditional color of white, the robes flowing to the floor like a ball gown. A carefully constructed bodice cinched her waist to show off gentle curves. With the crystals winking in her hair she looked like a princess in a fairytale. There were a few accessories to the piece to tie it to Asgard. Strong in reality but made to appear delicate, golden gauntlets wove from her wrist up along her forearm. At the front the bodice dipped, a line of gold metal in clear imitation of the half-moon of Loki's armor.

Jane pulled in a slow breath before exhaling, checking herself out in the mirror. "I think I'm ready to get married."

Hela clucked her tongue. "You were ready to get married months ago. This is just the details to a role you've already accepted."

Exhaling slowly, trying to suppress a grimace. "And a title."

"There's no crown for a princess." Hela rolled her eyes. If she could put up with a title, Jane would live.

Jane arched an eyebrow in the former queen's direction. "So says the Goddess of the Underworld."

Hela adjusted Indel a little on her hip while Talia started holding up her arms to be held. If anything her title now was Former Goddess of the Underworld but those were details she was not going to bring up because that would require yet another ceremony and if she could avoid another one of those for a century or so she would be ecstatic. "Okay, there might be a title of that nature but I doubt grandfather will announce it today." Reaching down, Hela picked up Talia as well so there was a small child resting on each hip. "Those are usually just announced in court."

"Can't I just inherit Loki's?" Jane asked looking and sounding a touch wistful.

Hela snorted. "Don't be absurd. Joke as you wish but it may not even be a concern. There are many in Asgard who are not the God or Goddess of this or the other."

"Malekith." Sif's grim reminder of the proof that Jane was a warrior when required had Hela reconsidering.

"Hmm…there is that." Hela used a wisp of magic to fix an errant caramel lock until Jane's hair was perfectly arranged. "There is an order for everything, mother, even though father and I balk at such things. Royal title. Armor. You would need to enter your first proving ground to walk away with a goddess title…and you killed Malekith. That, by definition, was your proving ground."

Jane turned, her tone lightly pleading. "I had help. Lots and lots of help."

Hela's lip twitched in amusement. "For killing such a creature? What matters to the warriors is that you faced your enemy with honor."

"I don't have armor." Jane was grasping at straws at this point and she knew it.

"Considering how many traditions grandfather has been tweaking lately I doubt anyone will quibble about that."

Talia frowned. "What's tweaking mean?"

Hela smirked, a ghostly hand appearing to 'tweak' her nose. "That." Both of them giggled.

"You can't give her Goddess of War." Sif said this with defense.

Hela shrugged in agreement. "It doesn't suit her, anyway."

"Goddess of the Heart?" Sif asked this thoughtfully.

Hela wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction. "You might as well call her the Goddess of Love-no. No. I have it."

Jane looked from one to the other, worried this was something the two of them would be able to make into reality. "Hela-…"

"Goddess of Humanity." Hela said this with a snap of her fingers and a pleased smirk. It was Sif's turn to wrinkle her nose.

Jane rolled her eyes. "Really?"

Mischief made a face. "Really?"

Shrugging but explaining her thinking. "Your humanity is what saved him. Plus, you are proof of what human potential can become. I actually find it appropriate."

Darcy pushed open the door, wearing soft purple robes. Pepper followed a few steps behind in a champagne colored dress that pooled to the ground. Darcy paused to assess the dress and nodded with wide eyes. "Wow. Boyfriend is going to be drooling over you."

Talia made a face. "Boys that are friends drool?"

Darcy grinned wickedly while Pepper sent her a strained look.

Hela winked at Talia. "All boys drool."

Her friend tried to look innocent when Jane sent her a scathing glare. She held up both hands innocently at Jane. "I didn't say anything."

Jane sighed slowly, shaking her head and her tone full of warning. "You and Tony are about to be talked to about corrupting little ears." And it wouldn't be her doing the talking was the silent part of that warning.

Pepper sighed. "What did he do?"

Jane glanced at all the little ears silently listening to the adults talking and decided to not actually say anything yet. "I'll tell you at the feast."

Three tricksters shared a look before the questions began.

"Do we get presents?" Indel bounced against Hela's hip as he asked.

Talia was nibbling her lip. She wasn't as gifted at causing mischief as her brothers but she was trying to learn. "Cake?"

Mischief, being the older brother, pulled the word out of what he remembered Tony saying once. But it was unfamiliar so he flubbed it a little. "A bas-ket-ball…um…cork?"

Indel's eyes brightened, nodding his head rapidly. "Yeah, that would be hella-fun."

Jane just fumed and pointed.

Pepper sighed again. "I'll talk to him."

"Considering the revenge Loki will initiate with your child I recommend it." Pepper paled and Jane kept talking before her friend could get the wrong idea. "He has a thousand years of pranks to teach and he knows how to manipulate anyone into getting his way." Pepper opened her mouth. "Anyone."

Pepper turned and walked away, presumably to go yell at Tony.

Jane slanted a slightly devilish look in Hela's direction who sighed. Mischief started clapping slowly, proudly, while Darcy's jaw dropped. There was an art to manipulation and that had been to a degree that Loki would have been proud of displaying.

Darcy's voice was a squeak. "He corrupted you."

Sif crossed her arms while shaking her head. "You have no idea, human. Pray you never find out."

Hela scowled at Jane. "Fine. Goddess of Humanity is off the table."


A wedding was typically a small, intimate affair with just immediate family coming before the king for a few words and documentation of the changes in a house. For the nobility the occasion was larger, court invited in attendance with the family. But this was the marriage of a prince of Asgard, to a woman who would not just be princess by marriage, but had proved her worth to earn that distinction.

The halls that had overflown with people for the titling ceremony had returned for such an affair. Instead of the small feast that would be traditionally held, there would be several spread out around Asgard to celebrate and toast to the new couple.

The citizens wore their best, quietly talking amongst themselves. Many were eager to catch a glimpse of the new bride that their king had found worthy of their prince. Whispers had already traveled far and wide with tales of her bravery and beauty.

Trax and G'dath stood next to one another, the healer frowning in puzzlement at a group from Alfheim that had journeyed here. Which was odd since the typical dignitaries of Alfheim were also present. There were other dignitaries here for the occasion, but the Vanir Queen Sigyn and her consort Logan were known to Loki. Their presence was understandable.

The Jötunn King Helblindi and his brother Byleistr made perfect sense as well. Welcomed both as Asgard's allies but also as Loki's kin. With the Casket of Ancient Winters returned to the planet, their world was slowly healing. Craters were starting to fill, the bitterest edges of winter dulled and even the flowing crystal rivers were replenishing. Loki had an open invitation to visit whenever he chose, already reminded that he would be their representative for trade agreements and it was a task the trickster was eager to tackle.

But the six elves from the Senate made no sense. There were dignitaries within Alfheim who came to such ceremonies, not the most distinguished of the Senate. They might be here to welcome and escort a newly immortal Clint Barton back to Alfheim but she doubted it.

G'dath leaned towards Trax. "Why is Nifen here?"

Trax, the former elder of Alfheim's moon, whom Odin had appointed to the Advisory Council to be the voice for the newest light elf citizens of Asgard, could only shrug lightly at G'dath. She had elected to stay as well; she and Eir sharing healing responsibilities. Besides, Loki had already stated it was her responsibility to make sure his children were taught magic properly and she was looking forward to it.

The Avengers were assembled one last time on Asgard, dressed in formal attire. Steve had a look of quiet nostalgia, looking over each of them in turn. It had been a good team and he would make sure it continued. Humanity needed people not afraid to stand up and fight.

Erik stood quietly next to them, taking it all in. He was equal parts proud and sad. Pride that Jane was striving for what she wanted, and it was evident even to him that this was what she wanted. Sadness that it took her leaving earth behind to finally find the appreciation that she deserved.

The audience quieted as King Odin walked regally to his throne, Gungnir held in his hand. It was only a matter of time before a new king would sit on that throne so he holding the mantle was a memory the citizens committed and cherished. He nodded slightly to begin the ceremony.

One by one they walked down the runner, Loki at the head of the procession with Thor standing to his right. He didn't wear his helmet nor carry his scepter; a small, harmless modification to tradition to make this more personal for Jane. Indel. Hela. Talia. Mischief. Each of his children followed behind in clear mimic of his gate and each had an escort on their right as well. Tony. Fandral. Anya. Sif.

Hela kept her face forward but couldn't stop her eyes from wandering to her escort. She blushed and lightly scowled to see Fandral had no qualms in watching her. She had yet to accept his formal request to court her. She still hadn't decided if she had teased him along long enough or if she would accept tomorrow.

Loki stopped at the foot of the steps, turning his head to the left. He swallowed anxiously once, a moment in time stretching out to forever. Would she come? Was he a hopeless fool for believing such an exquisite creature would wish to publically tie herself to him forever?

But then the audience parted, a sea of gasps rising as Jane walked slowly across the distance to him. Pepper and Darcy followed behind her but Loki only had eyes for Jane. A goddess. He would swear she had a glow to her that only he could see. A vision in white with touches that spoke quite clearly she was his as much as he was hers. Then she smiled and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Any nervousness faded away as she met him on the runner, brown eyes shining with love. He froze for a heartbeat, just staring into her eyes before Gungnir tapping very lightly against the marble reminded him he wasn't done yet.

Breaking tradition just a little, Loki leaned down enough to kiss the back of her hand before resting her fingers lightly in his palm. Jane blushed even as she smiled brighter and squeezed the palm holding her own. She couldn't stop staring at him, he was so beautiful. How, was all she could think? When Thor hadn't returned she'd been resigned to spending the rest of her life alone. How could she be so lucky to have found him? With her free hand she lightly grasped enough of the dress to not trip over it, both of them turning from one another to face Odin.

The old king was beaming down at both of them, pride and pleasure evident. "Asgard. It is an honor and a privilege as king to host the union of families and the setting of houses. As a father I have the unique honor of welcoming a new daughter to mine family. Of seeing the first of my sons wed…and the setting of the house of Loki, as my father before me set the house of Odin. Yet even as this day will see my son walking forward to his own house, his own line…he will always be a son of Odin."

Odin nodded slightly as he stepped onto a small platform on the landing and both Loki and Jane walked up the first series of steps in unison. Thor kept even pace with his brother, his face beaming with pride. Once the pair of them had reached the landing, Thor stopping on the step just before it, the children crossed to the right side of the steps, the escorts taking over the left side of the steps.

A servant stepped forward, a silver tray carrying a thread of gold and two gold rings. Odin took the thread in his hands and raised it high for all to see. Ceremonial, a symbol of the union the two of them would share. There were soft murmurs and nods from the audience. He wound it around their joined hands before taking two rings and lifting them high. Not something that was traditionally worn past the wedding day, the trickster and the physicist shared a look. Even as Odin slipped the ring into the palm of each of their free hands, it would be a symbol they would both continue to wear.

Loki and Jane turned to face one another, the golden thread glowing before absorbing into their skin. The rings were exchanged so that they each wore the simple gold bands on their left hand, the traditional fourth finger that Jane was used to. The band fit snugly against the ring that she always wore, as if the two were made as a set. They both turned to face their king.

"Lady Jane Foster, citizen of Asgard, today you are the wife of a prince of Asgard. By marriage you are a part of this house and this family. A sorceress by birth. Mother to these acknowledged children. But you have proved your worth as the defeater of Malekith the Accursed. Asgard owes to you and your family a debt that can never be paid, except with the highest honor ever given to a human. From this day forward by bravery and might you are acknowledged by Asgard as Princess Jane Foster."

Odin thumped Gungnir down mightily and a cheer filled the air. Jane blushed hotly even as both she and Loki turned, their fingers interlacing as they faced the citizens. The children, the escorts, Thor, they were all beaming with smiles. Tony caught Loki's eyes, the inventor wiggling his eyebrows. Jane noticed Darcy winking at her. The pair of them sighed in unison.

Gauntlets to hearts, the men bowed and the women curtseyed. Jane almost silently whimpered and Loki glanced her way before whispering softly. "It will be the only time." Which was a relief to Jane.

After a respectful wait everyone rose once more. Loki expected his father to announce the feasting to commence, so the crowd would slowly start to disperse after well wishes was offered. He didn't expect Gungnir to thump again and the crowd to quiet. He barely kept himself from throwing a questioning look over his shoulder.

"People of Asgard. We are here to start a new future, standing on a new victory and a new beginning." Cries in echo of that pride immediately filled the space. "All across Asgard, across the nine realms, the healing has already begun. We rebuild. We teach. We learn from past mistakes…and old grievances are forgiven and forgotten. A new understanding, not just to our allies of Vanaheim and Alfheim, but to our new friends of Jötunheim. On the note of change and renewal, a special envoy from the Senate of Alfheim has made a request to share with us all the ceremony of the passing of Et'ana."

Loki's eyebrows hiked up, not expecting that. He didn't mind sharing the spotlight with such an occasion for whoever the next Et'ana would be-…okay. He minded.

Words were whispered amongst the AEsir as a group of six light elves glided forward. The elves bowed respectfully to Odin but didn't climb the steps, who nodded to them in turn, a small smile on his face. The elf in the middle turned, hands pressed together. "I am Nifen, of the highest chair of the Senate." Talia sent Indel a nervous look, the two joining hands with Hela who sent them both reassuring looks. Her expression said quite clearly she would tear apart any threat. "Our Et'ana, our Queen was Azni, who was the very last of her great family. In the usual order or things, we would hold ceremonies to search for a family as a fitting replacement. Et'ana, prior to her passing to the next life, left a request of her choice…and Et'ana will always be honored."

Then Jane jerked when Nifen himself glided forward and held out his hand to her. Gasps tore through the crowd. Eyes widened. Murmurs started to fill the throne room, eyes filling with dawning understanding. Loki straightened a little before beaming. Jane would make an excellent Queen for Alfheim, since her only duty would be to call the light elves to war, a responsibility she would not take lightly. Her eyes widened in understanding, head swinging around to stare at Loki. He just winked at her unhelpfully.

Jane wanted to refuse. It was bad enough to be a princess but a queen? No. That wasn't her. That was someone clever. Someone wise. Hela tilted her head back a little, green eyes meeting her own as if reading her mind, even though that was impossible here. Those green eyes said quite plainly if she could do it, so could Jane. Jane narrowed her eyes but allowed herself to be led to the front.

It felt like the entire universe was watching her. So many eyes staring at her. Only this time she was facing them instead of turned away. She felt her face burn and her breathing become shallow but she grit her teeth and forced herself not to run.

A soft murmur of high elvish filled the air, a swirl of golden magic wrapping lightly, lazily around her. Any light elf with magic that sees her will see the glow that no one else could, identifying her for who she was. Jane stifled a giggle as she glowed before it faded, realizing it tickled.

Nifen turned to the crowd as the last of the ceremony was concluded. "Et'ana Jane."

Royal descendants. They were her children by marriage, but they would be recognized and revered by Alfheim. There was a pause of reverence.

Whispers whipped through the crowd as the elves, both those that had journeyed here as well as those that were now Asgard citizens, took to one knee and bowed in respect. It would be the only time such a formal display would be given, the red on Jane's face deepening.

In unison the elves rose, the remainder of the audience still watching in awe. Instead of turning to move back within the crowd, those six elves bowed to Loki.

Realization crossed Hela's face at the same time it crossed Loki's, who jerked around to stare at Thor. The bastard winked at him, obviously knowing all about this mess. He was suddenly thrown back in time, back to when he threw out the poisonous idea of going to Jötunheim that ended up with his brother in exile. He wanted to turn to the elves and plead 'no, no, no' but something in Thor's eyes stopped him.

Equals. Once Thor ascended they would be equals. This was as much his dream as it was his brother's. Loki swallowed his objections and moved down the steps to stand on Jane's right. She smiled at him in relief when he threaded their fingers together. He was married to a queen, and while he would never face the ceremony nor hold the title that she had, it still elevated his status to match her own. But it was more than that. It would pass down through the generations just as his magic would, their children inheriting the title of Et'ana.

For one glorious moment, time expanded to forever, seeing the countless generations that would begin from his and Jane's union. Lives that would impact Asgard. Boys and girls that would grow up and touch the lives of others. Multitudes of spell casters and intellectuals that would not only change Asgard, for better or for worse, but would affect all the nine realms.

Loki grinned, they all did, as a cheer rushed through the crowd.


NOTES:

Sorry about the delay, kids. I wanted to be sure to get this part right.

There will be an epilogue very soon 'cause I'm a softy who likes a little bit of a fluffy ending. I might be writing a small sequel after this. Trust me, if I do it will not be this long, depending on if I can get my lazy muse to return my phone calls.

Thank you to every single one of you who reviewed. Excellent both for motivation as well as helping me figure out where my writing style needed to be tightened up. I also want to give a special thanks to PeaceHeather who helped keep me on schedule while keeping me sane, made me laugh, and provided excellent feedback that was both detailed and sincere. You rock, girl.