When Melantha arrived Loki, disguised as Odin, hurriedly ushered her into his study. The nobility and the Svartalfheim entourage were shocked by the informality and the lack of procession, but Loki did not wish to waste one moment. The sooner he informed the Dark Elf Queen of the truth the better.
"King Odin, I am sorry to hear of Prince Loki's passing."
Melantha took a seat in one of the plush chairs, blatantly disrespecting him by not waiting for him to sit first. Loki didn't particularly care since it was Odin she was being rude to.
"Terribly sad, terribly sad," he replied, checking around the room for any places someone could be listening in. He checked for eavesdropping spells, but found none.
"I wish to speak with Maisy Sichore when you and I have finished out business."
"How do you know she is still on Asgard?"
"A guess."
"Spies," Loki rolled his eyes, though she could see only one of them (what with the eyepatch), "You must have them everywhere."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Melantha crossed her legs and smoothed the moon-colored fabric of her skirt, "Is Maisy still on the realm or not?"
"She is. And she would enjoy a chance at conversation with you as well," he went to the door and let Maisy in. Melantha stood politely and even nodded with respect, though even as a princess Maisy's social status was far below the Queen of Svartalfheim.
"Hey Melantha," Maisy curtsied.
"I am so very sorry to hear what you have gone through."
"Thank you, but it's not been as bad as you might think," Maisy closed the door and nodded at Loki. He let his disguise drop with a wicked smile.
"Ta-da."
"Oh damn you, Trickster," Melantha replied wearily. She pinched the bridge of her nose and dropped back into her seat, "What have you done with Odin?"
"He's safely stored away on Midgard," Loki lead Maisy over to a seat and half sat on the back rest of the chair, "I would appreciate it if you did not go looking for him."
"What would I want with him?" Melantha shook her head, "He hates me and I am not fond of him."
"Just so long as you don't get any ideas about killing him. I still might have uses for the old man."
"He is safe from me."
"Excellent. And I've invited you here with another request."
"I suppose you would like me to keep your identity a secret from the rest of the universe, hmm?"
"Yes, if you wouldn't mind," he smiled, "And I would also like your help in maintaining my marriage."
Melantha looked to Maisy, who shrugged.
"Don't look at me. He hasn't told me anything about this new scheme of his."
"You'd better explain yourself," Melantha crossed her arms.
"Gladly," Loki nodded, "When I faked my death I knew that it would make my relationship with Maisy complicated. I cannot be myself with her in public since I am dead and I certainly cannot be Odin and be married to her—"
"Can we just never mention that idea again please?" Maisy looked sick, "I might throw up."
"Precisely."
"What does this have to do with me?" Melantha asked impatiently.
"I'm getting to that," Loki snapped, "I also cannot invent a new Asgardian to be with her because anyone of the right age would have to have a firmer background and at least know some people on the realm. I cannot make up an Asgardian to pretend to be so I thought perhaps I would create a Dark Elf."
"What are you talking about?"
"If I were to pretend to be a Dark Elf Ambassador then I would not need to worry about coming up with a complicated Asgardian backstory for my new persona."
"What does this have to do with your marriage?"
"Maisy has a long life ahead of her," Loki squeezed Maisy's shoulder, "She will be expected to stay in Asgard even though I am dead. And so that I can be with her even in public she will need to 'remarry'."
Maisy stiffened and turned to look at him.
"What?"
"You'll be marrying me, of course," Loki assured her, "In whatever new identity I come up with. That way we can still behave as a married couple in public and we'll be able to see each other more often."
Loki was reluctant to wear a new face for the rest of his days, but it would allow him to be with Maisy and he would be able to help raise their child. And it would make it easier for their baby to understand until they were old enough to learn the truth about their father.
"And what do you want me to do?" Melantha asked. "Endorse this new persona that you create?"
"That's exactly what I am asking of you," Loki nodded.
"And what do you offer me in return?"
"Peace negotiations between our realms and an eventual treaty."
He'd known she would require compensation for her part in the ruse and he was glad to give it. Of course, he'd already concocted a hundred ways to make the treaty work in his favor more than hers, but for now he just needed an enticing offer.
"What makes you think I want that?" Melantha leaned back in the chair.
"Forming any sort of alliance with Asgard, or simply making official peace with us would gain you the respect you desire from the other kingdoms," he said. "And it will keep the more thickheaded Asgardian warriors from demanding I invade Svartalfheim for revenge."
"Might we work out a trade agreement as well?"
"What in the nine could you have on your barren little realm to trade with Asgard?"
"You would be surprised," Melantha smiled, "All sorts of interesting things can be found when one takes the time to mine for it."
"Such as?"
"Enchanting gems."
Loki raised a brow at that. Enchanting gems could be used to enhance the magical power of a spell and were highly sought after. The darker the color, the more powerful the gem, but any variety was incredibly rare.
"You've a mine full of enchanting gems?" He laughed, "I'll believe that when I see it."
"Then see for yourself," she took off her necklace and held it out to him, showing him the dark red color. He'd thought it was some kind of ruby made to look like the Aether that the Dark Elves had lost during the Convergence, but upon closer inspection it was, indeed, an enchanting gem.
"How am I to know that this came from Svartalfheim?"
"When you are a false Dark Elf Ambassador you will simply have to make a trip to come see for yourself."
"So you will endorse my new persona?"
"If you will agree to trading with us. And, am I correct in guessing that you will trade with us if we do indeed have enchanting gems?"
"If you have gems as dark as this then I certainly would."
"Wait until you see the black ones," Melantha laughed and offered her hand.
"Provided the gems are truly there, then we are in agreement."
"They are. I will endorse you."
They shook on it and Loki saw Maisy looking a tad confused out of the corner of his eye.
"Let me see if I've got this straight," Maisy said. "Loki is going to pretend to be a Dark Elf ambassador to Asgard and I'm supposed to 'fall in love' with this ambassador guy and then marry him - err - you? As the elf?"
"Correct. Though we will have to wait some time before we can marry or else our friends and acquaintances will be suspicious. You are supposed to be a miserable widow after all."
"How long should we wait?"
"I will introduce your new persona now," Melantha suggested, "To begin establishing your new self. I would say that in six months it would be appropriate for Maisy to begin showing interest in you beyond a friendship, but obviously you cannot formally begin courting until a year has passed."
"A whole year?" Maisy's hand nervously went to her stomach.
"If not more."
"Why?"
"Asgardian mourning periods can last anywhere from a year to a decade," Loki explained, "Depending on the relationship. A year ought to be enough since we have only been married that long and since you are not of this realm."
"The baby will be born by then," Maisy said quietly, thinking of how strange it would be to have a whole new person running around in less than a year's time. Someone new to love and hug.
"Baby?" Melantha asked.
"Oh, right, hardly anyone knows. I'm pregnant," Maisy smiled at her.
"Norns," the Dark Elf Queen's eyes widened and she stared at Maisy's belly, "My most heartfelt congratulations. You two did move quickly, didn't you?"
"It kinda happened by accident," Maisy scratched the back of her head and blushed, "But anyway…"
"I can understand why you wish for the new identity," Melantha said to Loki. "Your child will need a father. You are sure you want your identity to be of Svartalfheim though?"
"Why not?" Loki shrugged, though he knew exactly what she was getting at.
"A half Midgardian, half Jotun baby raised by a Dark Elf and the widow of the god of mischief. Your child will not have an easy life. Many will despise them."
"But many more will love them," Maisy said firmly, "I will, Loki will. Thor, Linn, the Warriors Three, Sif, the Avengers—"
"Svartalfheim will look favorably on the child as well," Melantha smiled slightly, "And you did make friends with the Air Elf tribe. And even some of the Kree."
"Exactly," Loki grinned and put his hand back on Maisy's shoulder, "We will raise our child to be strong. Even if others frown upon them they will stand tall."
"Very well. It seems you have everything planned for," Melantha smiled again, "And you will, of course, invite me to the naming ceremonies?"
"I don't know what that is, but you are absolutely invited," Maisy, feeling emotional again, reached over and gave the queen a hug. Melantha stiffened and patted the Midgardian's back awkwardly.
"Then we shall make plans for our new Dark Elf ambassador!"
A note from the author: Oi! Ten thousand years without posting will give you such a crick in the neck! Sorry it's been so long you guys. :P I don't even have a good excuse. I was going to post a while ago, but then my computer had to update and I kept forgetting after that. My bad. Thanks for being patient.
I hope you guys liked this chapter and the return of Melantha. She's one of my favorite characters to write. :)
Thanks so much for reading/favoriting/following!
Special thanks to my reviewers:
MetallicarBaby: I hope you had a lovely "Nightmare Before Christmas" as well as a lovely Christmas and New Year!
Guest: Maisy's "second" husband lol ;) She'll be married twice and once!
Dragoncat: No one has thought about it because I forgot about it for a while... *grins sheepishly* But I'm editing that little loose end back into the story.
Ninja Squirrel: I explain a bit what's up with Heimdall in the next chapter, but basically, from this point things are supposed to be like an altered version of the Thor: Ragnarok timeline, but it doesn't perfectly go along with that timeline because that timeline leads to Infinity War and... yeah, I'm not going to go there or even touch what happens in that movie with a ten foot fanfic pole. Anyway, I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I'm off to a bumpy 2020 so far, but I'm optimistic that it will get better from here. :)
xlokiswolfx: Congrats on starting with school! I hope it's going well for you! I'm pretty sure you're going to be an amazing vet nurse and that all of the animals will love you. I love picturing Linn smacking Loki upside the head and him grumbling an apology and then she hits him again and he says sorry really loud and then Linn says "dat's better! And oh my gosh, I just hit the freaking prince of Asgard! I'm so sorry!" and Loki would probably say "King, actually," and Linn would flip out. XD
You guys are seriously all the very best and I love you all and your sweet reviews! Thank you! Until next time! :D