Loki returned Thor his powers before Thor returned to Asgard, Jane with him. Thor and Jane walked into the palace, heading towards the throne room, where Loki and Ava awaited them. "Thank you for coming, Brother." Loki greeted him.
"Of course." Thor replied.
Ava walked over to Jane. "Come with me." She said, leading Jane away.
"Where are we going?" Jane inquired.
"To see Frigga." Ava answered. "Perhaps the news of another grandchild will get her from her chambers."
"What do you mean?" Jane asked.
"After the funeral…she locked herself in her chambers and has refused to see anyone." Ava answered. "It is as if she has lost a piece of her own soul."
The two women made their way through the corridors and soon arrived outside of Frigga's chambers. Ava knocked on the door. "Frigga?" Ava asked. "I have someone here to see you."
They could hear some shuffling on the other side of the door and Frigga soon opened it. Her skin had paled and dark circles were under her eyes, but she still held her regal beauty. She looked at them both, a small smile made its way onto her face as she looked at Jane and took in her swollen belly. "Well, I am glad to see that my son has found happiness." She said, walking closer and pulling Jane in for a hug.
Jane hesitantly hugged her mother-in-law back. "Thank you." She replied, unsure of what else to say.
Thor and Loki…
"What is the plan, Brother?" Thor asked.
"We lead an army into the Jotunheim and find Laufey and destroy him." Loki answered. "The Jotuns will then be too busy fighting amongst themselves for power to bother coming back to Asgard."
Thor nodded. "How is Mother?"
"Not well." Loki answered. "She has locked herself in her chambers and has refused to see anyone."
"It does a mother's heart good to see her sons together again." Frigga said, entering the throne room, Ava and Jane flanking her. "I just wish it hadn't taken your father's death for this to happen."
Thor walked over to his mother and embraced her. "I am sorry, Mother." He whispered to her. "I wish there was something I could have done."
"There is nothing that you could have done." She replied, hugging him tightly. "All that matters is you are here now."
"Mama!" a tiny voice called from down the hall.
Ava turned to see Astrid running towards her, tears streaming down her little face. Ava bent and opened her arms, her daughter running right into them. "What's the matter, sweetheart?" She asked.
"I…I had a bad dream." Astrid answered. "The Frost Giants attacked and I couldn't find you or Daddy…or Rafe…everyone was gone."
Ava stood and held her daughter close. "Nothing like that is going to happen." She soothed.
Loki walked over to them. "We aren't going to let anything happen to you, sweetheart." Loki told his daughter. "And you will never be alone."
Rafe then entered the room. He looked around him and then he spotted Thor. "Uncle Thor!" He exclaimed.
Thor smiled, unable to be melancholy around his nephew, whom he had not seen in three years. "Is that you, Rafe? My, how you have grown."
"Who dat, Rafe?" Astrid asked, looking down from her mother's arms at her brother.
"That's our Uncle Thor. Daddy's brother." Rafe answered. "We told you about him."
"Oh." Astrid replied. She then looked at Thor. "Hi, Uncle Thor." She greeted shyly, waving her hand.
Thor smiled at her. "Hi." He replied.
"Alright, you two need to go back to bed." Ava announced. "I'll tuck you both back in."
"I wan' Daddy tuck me in." Astrid said, looking between her parents.
Loki held his arms out for his daughter and she leaned over to him. He carried her back to her bedroom and tucked her into bed. "Tell me story, Daddy?" Asrid asked.
Loki looked at his daughter and couldn't turn down her request. "What story would you like me to tell?" He asked.
Astrid thought for a moment. "Any story."
Loki thought for a moment and then began to tell her one of the many stories Odin had told he and Thor in their childhood. Little Astrid's blue eyes that were so much like Loki's own, were beginning to close. "Night Daddy. I love you."
Loki kissed her forehead. "I love you, too Darling."
Loki retired to his chambers, where Ava was already awaiting him. "Rafe is in bed, sound asleep." She said, walking over to him.
Loki pulled Ava into his arms and held her tightly. He kissed the top of her head. "I do not know what I would do without you or our children." He told her, his voice cracking slightly.
Ava wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Loki." She replied.
"I love you, Ava."
"When do you leave for battle?" She asked.
"In the morning." Loki answered.
Ava pulled back slightly and looked up at him. "You will return to me."
"As always, I will." Loki replied, leaning forward and resting his forehead on hers. "I will always return to you, my queen."
"I never got to give you your proper welcome home the first night." Ava replied.
A small smile crept across his face, but it didn't quite touch his eyes. He lifted a hand to caress her cheek and then pulled her lips to his for a tender kiss. They spent the evening wrapped in each other's embrace, making love as if it were their last night together. The next morning they rose before dawn.
They dressed and readied themselves for the day. Ava then went and took care of getting the children ready. Loki was dressed in his battle armor and had called the warriors and guards together for a meeting in the throne room. They walked out together, Loki taking his place in front of the throne, Ava and their children stood at his right side. Thor and Jane stood at his left. Frigga stood with Ava and her grandchildren.
"A grievous act has been committed against Asgard." Loki addressed the crowd. "The Jotuns have attacked and killed my beloved father, your king. I stand before you, as his successor. We cannot let this crime from the Jotuns go unpunished. It was an act of war. Today, my brother and I will lead you in battle against the Jotuns. We will avenge the death of our king and we will bring an end to the Laufey's reign of terror."
The crowd of warriors and guards shouted, ready for the battle. Loki and Thor then led them out and through the city. A few guards remained in the palace and city as protection for the remaining royals and the city. Loki and Thor mounted horses and several of the warriors did as well. They soon left the city and arrived at the bi-frost. Heimdall opened the bridge and sent them all on their way.
Ava watched the light from the bridge, a sinking feeling in her chest. Something didn't feel right and she just couldn't quite put her finger on it. She then looked over at Jane, who seemed to be worried as well. Ava put on a brave face and walked over to her. "No matter how many times they go off into battle, it is still hard to watch them go and then wait for them to come back." She said knowingly.
"It never gets easier." Frigga agreed.
"I…I wasn't worried." Jane lied.
Ava smiled at her. "We know the feeling, but at least once this is over, you and Thor will be able to return to Earth and you won't have to worry about these battles again."
Jane wasn't sure what to say to that. She just nodded and then turned to look back out the window.
Ava couldn't shake the sinking feeling in her gut. Something wasn't right. She just knew that something was going to happen, but what she wasn't quite sure of. Please let Loki return to me, safely. Please let this feeling just be me being paranoid.
A/N: I'm thinking of bringing this fic to an end soon, but I have an idea for another one! It will be Loki and Ava, but in a different way. I hope you guys are enjoying.
