Vali is anxious for the birth of his daughter. He has been conversing with Grid and Freyr over Rigs' condition, which is not ideal. She has been resting in her bed alone for the last few weeks, but the fatigue and the fever are getting worse. Vali's worry is evident, and all of Asgard prays to Valhalla that the King's family will survive this stress. He doesn't ask Narvi for assistance, feeling that it shouldn't be his brother's burden to bear if something does go wrong.
On the night that Rigs finally goes into labor, there is a hush over all of Asgard. Even Narvlheim feels the pressure; Hela seems particularly nervous, like she knows something. She has secretly asked all of the able sorcerers to be prepared to perform resurrective spells, if it comes to that. Loki and Sigyn are at Vali's side, comforting Heimdall and his wife, afraid for their own son as well as their new daughter.
Narvi can feel the strain from far away. He has been on Einheim with Amund for some time since his last visit, monitoring the portal and making certain that no outsiders come through by accident and get into trouble. Einheim is lethal by its own accord, and it is Narvi's job to keep an eye out for strangers; he became a gatekeeper of his own realm after all.
"Amund, I am worried about Ragfrieda. Something is wrong." Narvi's concern is clear on his face. Amund doesn't know how to comfort him.
"Should you go to Asgard and see if there's something you can do?"
"I don't know, I don't know what I can do. She hasn't been poisoned, and the child isn't early. But the problem is Rigs, not the baby. The baby is strong."
"Only you can know that." Amund says, shrugging.
"I know, I know..." Narvi shakes his head, fighting with himself and what he should do. But in his heart, he feels the future more strongly than most, perhaps only second to Hela. Even the Seer cannot prepare for what's to come.
"G...go." Amund has to practice some speaking, and it makes Narvi smile. Amund kisses him gently, and sends Narvi on his way.
He hopes that his journey is not too late. Rigs does not have much time.
...
He arrives in the Bifrost, this time with no one to greet him but the Seer gatekeeper. Narvi hurries to the palace, afraid he is too late, but is instead met with a room of people who are celebrating.
"Narvi, I'm so happy you came!" His mother greets him, excitedly. She embraces him and sends him to Loki for the same treatment. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the sound of the baby's cry.
"Is everything alright?" He asks, still not convinced.
"Yes, everyone is fine. She is about ready to greet the world. Grid keeps peeking her head in to make sure the healers of Asgard have got it under control. Rigs is in some pain, but says she is feeling better now that we are at the end." Sigyn has gone through this before, and is wise; having her first two children on Vanaheim gives her a different perspective, as she could not have the twins in a lavishly furnished and warm environment such as this.
Loki looks most shaken. He keeps nibbling his fingernails when he thinks no one is watching. Occasionally he calls out to Vali to find out a report; the King pokes his head out of the room, assures everyone that things are going smoothly, even says hello to Narvi in a passing glance, but then returns to his wife.
Another hour has passed since Narvi arrived, and there has been no change. But he can feel that the baby is coming. She is speaking to him.
"She is strong," he says to no one, hardly aware that he is speaking aloud. Sigyn catches it.
"Who is, dear?"
"The daughter. She has strong magic."
Loki sits beside Narvi, and holds his hand. This is all too familiar for the boy's father, and he craves closeness with his children more than ever. Hela is here, but she is almost constantly in her own world, not concentrating on the here and now as much as what could be. Her eyes flicker up to Narvi every few moments from across the large room, watching his actions. She looks nervous.
There is a tremendous scream from the room, and everyone present sits up in silence. Their ears are peaked to the sound of anything familiar, or even unfamiliar, as it would signify a change.
Finally, there she is. The loud cries of the girl, who is strong like her mother, and fussy like her father, as Narvi predicted. All the people in the hall breathe a loud sigh of relief, and start to grasp one another's hands in celebration. Narvi is thankful that his intuition appears to be incorrect, and he finally feels somewhat at ease.
Vali exits the room, with a small babe in his arms. She is wrapped in goldenrod yellow, very similar to her mother's favorite color, and has the dark skin typical of a family from Dagheim. Vali is extremely proud, and cannot hold back the tears.
"My friends, my family, this is Laila!"
Narvi smiles, having already known the girl's name, satisfied that her parents felt the same spirit come through. But just as soon as he is grateful for his knowledge, Narvi cannot help but have the terrible feeling again that something is wrong. He stands and walks to Vali.
"Do you want to hold her, Narvi?"
"How is Ragfrieda?"
"She is... fine, Narvi, why are you so concerned?"
"Something is wrong."
Vali turns to see back into the room, just as the last healer leaves his wife to rest. The moment he exits the room, her countenance falls. She is very pale; a difficult feat for her complexion.
"Rigs?" Vali calls out to her. She gives him no answer, and doesn't stir.
Narvi wastes no time and pushes Vali aside to rush into the room.