Chapter 7 – Was it real?

Jane stood at the edge of a cliff, cold air crashing against her body. She had no idea how she had ended up there. One moment she had been in her cell and the next moment she was out in the open, staring over to the palace which was now situated several miles away. She stared over to the large structure and took in a deep breath, maybe she was dreaming – but it felt as though it was real. The smell of the air oozed down her nostril, the coldness brought goose bumps against her skin and she could almost taste the freedom.

"Am I dreaming?"

"Yes" a voice whispered from behind, one that she knew only too well "I guess this would be a dream in many aspects".

She turned back to see Loki walking from behind a tree, making his way towards her. There was a part of her which wanted to scream at him, a part that wanted to hurt him but mostly she smiled. She was also relieved to have a moment alone with him – even if the concept of this being a dream was a little unsettling. Did this mean she was back in the cell still? Was she just bringing this all on by herself?

"I don't understand" she muttered and moved towards him, stopping in front of him. "This doesn't feel like a dream but I guess it makes sense – so I guess you're not really here" she reached up and touched his cheek, he felt real – it felt too real to be a dream but she was aware that dreams could appear real.

"I am here" he placed his hand upon hers and offered her a small smile "but this is a dream, I'm simply invading it for a moment to speak with you. This is the safest way to speak without the others knowing of it" he sighed and let go of her hand "even projecting myself into your cell would have been too risky – I can't afford to risk anything at this moment".

Jane nodded as though she understood everything but she didn't, she was still as lost and confused as she had been upon returning to her cell.

"You do not deserve this punishment, Jane" he spoke softly and glanced over to the palace "you have done nothing to warrant this treatment but I fear there is nothing I can do now". He took hold of her hand and walked her to the side of the cliff, helping her sit beside him. "I fear the All-father wants to punish me with your demise – I know that to be the case and I cannot bend to his demands". He kept hold of her hand and ran his thumb over her soft skin "he wants to show a weakness in me, he wants to see me break and I cannot do that".

"So you're going to let me die instead of risking your reputation?" Jane pulled her hand back from him and took in a deep breath, this hurt more than the actual sentencing.

"No – it is not his intention to actually kill you" he glanced over to her once more "I feel as though he is using you to make a mockery out of me. I fear he will not be able to go through with this punishment, not when he sees it has no effect over me". Loki pulled her hand back into his "he would look like a monster himself if he punished you for partaking in my games – whilst I insist that you meant nothing".

Jane could see sense in what he was saying but felt it was a huge risk, Loki could have been wrong about this and she could still end up dead. "What if you're wrong? What if he really does want to see my dead for being a part of this?"

"He doesn't. Besides, Thor would never stand back and watch you die – he will fight for you to survive" the words seemed to bring a croak to his throat, he really didn't enjoy Thor being with Jane. "Thor will ensure your safety, I'm sure of that – I made sure to tell him this was all a game and that you didn't play a part in it of your own free will".

This brought Jane back to the moment Thor had visited her, the moment when she had insisted her love for Loki was real. That had been part of the plan, that had been Loki trying to save her and she had ruined that. "What if he thinks I love you?"

"Why would he think that? You have not shown any signs of love that can't have been brought upon without trickery" he sighed, he didn't want to put Jane in this position but it was the only way he could win and he really didn't feel the All-father would kill her.

"I'm scared" she whispered.

"I know but you are a strong woman, stronger than any other Midgard – I'd even say you were stronger than those annoying Avengers they hold so dearly" he smirked a little, attempting to cheer her up.

"I don't know about that" she smiled back, almost struggling to allow her lips to curve into a smile but she found some way to do so. "What's going to happen to you?"

Loki shrugged his shoulders "I'll most likely return to my cell and remain there until Thor takes the throne for himself – he may take some pity on me eventually and allow me a life outside of the cell. A life which will be constantly watched and never really free".

"That's terrible".

"I know but what else can they do?"

"They could kill you" Jane sobbed a little, the idea of Loki being killed was too much to handle – even if she still couldn't tell what was truth or lies.

"They could have killed me before but they didn't, Jane" he didn't enjoy her sobbing but wasn't well equipped to deal with it. "I will be fine, the old man would see death as a swift punishment and I'm sure he wants to drag it out".

Jane nodded, that part did make sense.

"You need not worry about me, Lady Jane" he leaned over and kissed her "now rest, you have a busy day ahead of you – you are returning home, I promise you".

Jane wanted to believe him but she couldn't, yet she rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. She listened to the sound of his heart, finding comfort in the way his chest moved with each breath he took.

"You need to wake up" he whispered "wake up, Jane" the voice altered slightly and soon began to boom more. "Wake up! It's time to prepare you for the execution!"

Jane opened her eyes and found herself back in the cell, a guard stood in front of her with an older woman who had been shouting to wake her. "We need to get you ready" she spoke, the guards pulling Jane to her feet.

"Ready?"

"Yes, we need to get you cleaned up and ready for your execution" she muttered and walked beside them.

Jane fell weak in their grasp again and was soon being carried out of the cell, taken to a chamber where the women cleaned her up and dressed her in a simple outfit. It was black and her hair was pinned up. "I don't understand" she muttered, feeling sick and weak from everything.

"You have to look your best before the swordsman takes your head" the one woman spoke, the others hushing her.

Jane felt the entire colour drifting from her body "I'm being beheaded?" the words seemed unreal as they left her body but she knew it was real – she knew this was going to be her execution. It made sense; she was dressed like they had been back in old Midgardian times.

The women finished preparing her, not caring that Jane had become a mute – unable to move or speak before they guided her out of the chamber, taking her to the court yard where everyone waited to witness her death.

Loki was wrong, that was all Jane could think about as she was walked up the steps and towards a man holding a large blade. She glanced out to the people, so many of them there to witness this and only one stood out to her – Loki. He was stood with guards around him – towards the front of the crowds, in perfect vision of all that was happening.

"Jane Foster, of Midgard" the man beside her spoke "you have been charged with the crimes of treason and trespassing and are to be executed by beheading". The crowds of people fell silent as the man spoke "you are allowed to say your final words now and we encourage you to do so".

Jane glanced to him, it was a simple guard – she didn't know what to say. "I – what?"

"Speak now or forever hold your peace" another voice chimed in, this time from her other side. This was Odin, who stood on a platform to their left – alongside Thor, Sif and the warriors three. Thor was whispering to him, almost seeming as though he pleaded but Odin didn't seem to pay any attention "speak".

Jane nodded, her entire body shaking from what was happening to her. She glanced to the swordsman who was sharpening his blade, this was really happening – Loki had been wrong.

"I – " she glanced to Loki who seemed to remain uncaring about it all "I didn't mean to do all that I have done. I am just a girl – I'm just Jane. I'm not a criminal and I don't deserve this punishment and I'm sorry – for anything I've done that has led to this moment. I was just living my life and then Loki came into it – he offered me adventure and I took up the offer. I believe anyone would have – he became an important part of my life and still is". She sobbed a little and took in a few scattered breaths "I am not guilty of all that you have charged me with – but if falling in love with a man..a God such as Loki is a crime then I am guilty. I love him and I'll die now with that being my crime" she looked back to Loki who seemed to stare through her again.

"Enough!" Odin shouted from his platform, bringing a level of relief to Jane – a moment that didn't last long before he spoke again "commence with the execution, we need not know more about her foolish love".

Jane gasped and was forced to kneel, her head pushed forward so that her neck rested on the wooden edge. She took in fast and broken breaths, the tears streaming as the swordsman moved to her side. "Oh God…" she whispered, closing her eyes – she didn't want to see it coming but knew it was as the crowds all gasped "I'm sorry….I love you, Loki" she whispered, waiting for the sword to swipe down and take her life.