Thor wanted to scream out. He wanted even more to smash the ugly hag with his hammer. But, the great god of thunder was immobile; no muscle would flex, no speech could leave his lips. He was held at bay by a terrific power he had not experienced in many centuries of life. Loki's birth mother seemed to have found a way to harness evil, and crack it like a scorching whip at her whim. Thor was left with only stinging tears clouding his unblinking eyes.

Darcy and Ian were worse off than Thor. The couple crumbled to their knees like shattered statues.

Where was the girl? Thor thought…the changeling? Where was she?

Like a wish Embla appeared in her true form.

Something is not right, Thor observed through clouded eyes. Why is she-

BREAK

"Em…bl-"

Loki's speech came in halting breaths. Her delicate body wilted against his unmarred chest. It was she who had taken the fatal knife blow from Na`l.

Loki's right hand gently rested below Embla's breast bone; sticky, warm fluid streamed through his fingers. As Loki attempted to sit up and gather the mortally wounded Embla with him, his eyes met the wild, glare of the woman who called herself his mother.

Na`l's thin lips were drawn into a tight line of anger. Clearly this had not been how she intended the transaction to play out.

But the god of mischief was consumed with fear over the dying being in his arms.

"Why?" he whispered into her ear, his lips caressing her hair. "Please do not leave me. You have made yourself intriguing to me, not an easy achievement."

He tried humor to fell the terror clenching his heart.

"I am glad yer impressed."

Her voice was a quiet surprise.

Was the old woman giggling?!

"Get out! Loki screamed at Na`l towering over them. "Get OUT!"

"She will…" Embla struggled for air. "have nay choice."

Hush you, do not speak." Loki admonished. "I will get you away from here."

"Nay," her pale hand reached for his. "Ya asked why…"

Loki's hand stained with precious blood clutched at hers.

"I don't understand."

"'Tis how," she swallowed hard to regain what little voice she had left. "'Tis how ya live."

"Not by your death!"

Loki turned round to look for Thor.

"Loki," she pleaded.

He gazed upon her. The weak smile was one of the loveliest lights to shine on his face.

"Loki, I am yer guardian. I was born to-"

He cut her off.

"Thor!" desperate, Loki shouted. "Do something!"

Thor regarded his brother with helpless silence.

"Em…"

The slightest shift moved within Loki's embrace. He stared down at the closed eyes.

"Embla?"

Her name was a supplication from him for her life.

"Never…good…bye"

No sooner had the promise left her lips, her face eased into a peaceful continence. Loki pressed her hand to his lips.

"Please," he begged in vein. "Please…"

BREAK

Thor's body snapped back to life; a steel trap ready to clamp down on its pray. He flexed his hand once, as if in one fluid motion Mjölnir, touched down briefly on the god's fingers before it went with crushing force into Na`l's face. Gray strands of hair bounced backwards, her head snapping from the body.

Loki unsteadily rose with the lifeless Embla in his arms.

"You're too late!"

Brother screamed at brother.

"It was her powers," Thor kept his eyes even with Loki's. "They were like nothing-"

"You save everyone you love," Loki's words spit from his mouth. "But, you cannot save someone for me?"

"I am sorry, Loki."

A new blast of searing air cut through their confrontation.

"And do you wish to save her?"

A fully restored Na`l questioned him with a mocking smirk.

Thor's hand squeezed Loki's shoulder.

"Brother, don't. She means to trap you."

Loki cut off any further warning.

"How?"

Na'l presented him a gilt cage.

"You come with me, of course."

Thor sniggered.

"You will never take him."

"Oh, I don't have to, Odin's son." Na`l countered. "He will choose to come with me, or she remains as she is, deceased."

Loki ached with intense anguish.

"You have the power to bring her back?"

Na`l's lips parted into a half smile.

"I may…I mean to say, I should. It'sall academic at this moment."

"She is lying, Loki."

Thor steely blue eyes glared at the hideous woman.

Na`l laughed, and then addressed her son.

"Your brother believes I should go. Very well, I will be on my way."

She swung the cage before Loki's confused gaze as she turned to leave.

Loki' astute mind already began to arrange his shape inside her trap.

"Half a chance that she may be restored does not equate to one's freedom."

"You're hardly in a place to bargain, my son." Na`l quipped. "You intentionally took my husband's life and offered me no chance of recompense."

Loki face fell.

"How do you want me?"

"Smart boy."

Na`l cast Thor a menacing smile.

Thor's mind raced for the words to un-break this woman's spell.

"Loki, I know you mourn," Thor squared his shoulders to his brother, "but this is not the way!"

"And if it were you?" Loki shook him off. "If it was the human you loved?"

Thor had no rebuttal. He knew exactly what he would do; take the hag's deal to save his beloved's life. He could take down the old lady after he had time to think more clearly.

Embla reminded Loki of a sparrow fallen from her nest. So slight was the weight in his arms. Closing his eyes, Loki kissed her cool forehead. His lips pressed against her ear.

"Never goodbye."

Loki regarded Thor.

"Take her...please."

He held out the precious bird to his trusted brother.

"Loki, I-"

"Do you remember what I did on the Dark world?"

"I do."

Loki's lifeless green eyes moved from Embla to Thor.

"Then you must."

Thor opened his arms to receive the young woman who had so captured his brother's heart. He had to ask, bide for more time.

"If he should refuse your offer?"

"Then she is ash, and your brother lives, free of my interference."

"Loki, we can-"

"What brother?" Loki shouted in Thor's face. "Refashion her from ash? I have no such magic at my disposal."

"And you're truly certain this monstrous woman does?"

Loki turned his back to Thor.

"What form?"

Son asked of mother.

"What else?" Her sharp pearl teeth shone, "A serpent, my son." Her long fingers released the clasp of the cage door. "I should mention that a plan to alter your form once inside will meet with failure. I am that powerful."

Thor silently telegraphed his final appeal to his brother.

Do not do this! You are more cleaver than she!

Loki looked upon his brother one last time.

"Thank you, brother. Give her the best of care."

"I will." Thor nodded. "And I will find a way to bring this woman, your jailer, to her knees. You must know I won't give up."

"As long as I am with her, Embala may live. That is what matters. Do not interfere further."

"Your time is up!" Na`l barked. Get in the cage! I have other business for you."

In the blink of an eye, Loki had transformed to a beautiful, black snake. Deep green stripes ran the length of its sleek body. He curled into a ball inside the confines of his new prison, Na'l's cage. She appeared as close to delight as a being of such depravity is capable of.

"What a treasure you are!" She clicked her tongue, "My most cherished jewel."

A ghostly green pupil shone through a small slit. Thor empathized with his transformed brother. Loki wanted the chance to see Embla alive before he was taken away.

Loki was not given the opportunity. His mother was as cruel as she was powerful. She and the contents of her gold leafed cage rode out on the same overwhelming force she had come.

BREAK

The walls of pod fell away, leaving no trace of the temporary detention. Darcy and Ian were upright, beaming at Thor.

"You sneaky beast!" Darcy punched Thor's forearm. "Why have you been hiding your new squeeze?"

"Darcy," Ian elbowed his wife. "Don't be so boorish. The groom sheepishly smiled at Thor. "We are happy to meet you're guest."

"My…wha-?"

Thor's arms were unburdened. He looked in shock from Darcy then Ian.

They possess no memory of what transpired here!

"Come on, my luv." Ian took hold of his bride, "Best we see to our other guest now."

"Okaaaay"

Darcy winked over her shoulder at Thor.

"Talk to you latter, lady killer."

END