Ok demandy pants. Chapter five. I know there are parts you think are anti climatic, but they are of inconsequential to the plot. (I gave myself a new couple problems so you'll probably have two or three more chapters.
AN: VERY MUCH Unbeta'd, M content, and get your tissues ready cause this is a SADDD one..
Read On!
There's just no rhyme or reason
only this sense of completion
and in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I'm searching for
I think I found my way home
I know that it might sound more than
a little crazy but I believe
The next few days passed much as she had suspected they would. SHIELD agents were no longer sneaky but blatantly outside her house. She had been banned from her morning runs, causing her to be extraordinarily irritable and Hal woke regularly through the night wailing.
Not that any of it bothered Thor.
As days grew into weeks and Hal passed his five month birthday she stalked around the house like a caged animal. Briefly debating taking up knitting. Three weeks after 'The Event' as she called it and two thumps precluded a knock at the door. She dashed into the nursery and held her breath, fearing more attackers, only to smile when she heard the egotistical and arrogant voice of a friend. "Jane?" Tony said. She gathered Hal up who began crying, irritated that he had been bothered. She slid down the stairs and smiled as she saw Banner and Stark in the hall.
"What brings you two to my home, and knocking out my protectors?"
"Jailbreak Princess. Ready?" She nodded, grabbing the baby bag and scribbling a brief note before ducking out. Her heart reached out for her as they passed the unconscious guards, a dart in each of their necks. "They're going to be sore when they wake up." Tony smirked, and climbed into the limo at the curb.
"After you." Banner said and she slid in, smiling at Pepper sitting in the seat across from her.
"Hello." Her friend beamed, "Did my plan work?"
Jane smirked and nodded, "All the better that he was out. Was that part of your plan as well?"
Pepper nodded, "Steve didn't have other plans, so he decided to help us. He wanted to come but he said he might be over later."
"Thunders going to cause black outs when he finds out." Banner mitred. "Might want to be careful."
Jane passed Hal to Pepper after the woman reached out her arms, "He'll get over it." She said. "Where are we going?"
"I wanted to go to Vegas." Stark said, and was immediately shot a cold look, "but how would you like to visit your other child?"
Her face glimmered and shone. "Onwards!" They laughed and she smirked, Hal being passed back to her, "You're still my favourite Hal." She said softly, "But only by a little."
…
Örlög had been a massive enterprise and it had taken years for her to build it, with a team of the world's best mechanical minds. It had only been after Tony had come onboard that it truly came into the awesome and grandiose machine that it was. "Hello sweetheart." She murmured as she stroked the cool metal. Years of tireless research, of aching eyes and sore hands from typing and scribbling, and most importantly four years of coffee and pop tarts.
She placed Hal on his feet and let his little legs fly as he ran around the office. Gurgling and giggling the entire time. Minutes after they arrived, Natasha walked in and glared at the group in the room, shaking her head and leaving. "Jig is up." Banner said, leaning over the monitor. "Big guy is here."
"RABBIT." Tony said running behind Jane. "Hold Hal up, he wouldn't dare hurt the baby."
Jane laughed and pulled Hal up, the boy resting on her hip. Staring at the door she grinned as she heard him, clamouring his way through. "Not subtle is he huh." She said softly to Hal.
"JANE!" He marched in, her note clenched in his hand. He was huffing and snarling, his armour on and Mjölnir clenched in his fist.
"Yes?" She said sweetly, "Are you here to tell me how I was wrong to leave the safety of my prison?"
"It is our home, you are-were safe there." He growled.
She glanced around the room, "Tony, Pepper, Bruce, and Natasha along with all of Stark can handle me and a baby." He glared at her, his nostrils flaring. "Go calm yourself. You look like you're having a fit or something." He slumped against the wall and she eyed him for a few moments before placing Hal in his arms, "It's ok." She kissed his cheek and walked back over to the desk.
"Well Mr. Stark? How's my baby?" She said, smiling at Banner who was manning the computer.
"She's a beaut Jane." She was amused at the childlike wonder on the older man's face. "It's incredible."
"I've already patented it Stark." His face fell minutely, "But since I'm going to be off world for awhile, I'm leaving it in your care." He grinned and began mumbling to Jarvis about the next model. She moved to Banner and they began calibrating. "I still have the last bit to work out."
"They didn't get it when.." she smiled and shook her head.
"I've learn my lesson. It's up here." She tapped her head, "I went through it again after Tony sent me the hijacked copy and went through it completely. They have a good theorist, but it was incomplete after further inspection."
"How far will it get them?" Bruce asked, his watch starting to beep. She eyed him and he shook his head.
"Pittsburgh," she said smugly, "They have the distance measured from New Mexico to Pittsburgh, because they don't have the third dimension. The 'up' factor." The beeping watch quieted and he nodded as Thor lumbered to Jane's side.
"Oh, the last few letters arrived for you." Pepper handed Jane the envelopes and Jane smiled.
She shook her head and smiled as she opened the standard envelope, "I will never understand that man..." she mumbled.
"Who?" Thor said. He had been standing behind her quietly, holding the baby, in awe of his wife in her proper sphere.
"Fury got Erik a day pass to see us off." She held up the 4x6 card, and printed on it was the doctors note declaring Selvig safe to leave the asylum for one day despite having been deemed a terrorist and under lock down for life.
Thor looked at the pile on her desk, "All these are from..?"
"SHIELD agents, Stark staff.." she said flippantly "Most of them are well wishes for the baby. Five months late, but nonetheless.. it's the thought that counts, right?"
"WHAT!" He hollered. "Who told them?"
"I did Thunder." Stark said, finally pulling his nose out of the machine. "The announcement was made months ago. Some people are old fashion.." he picked up a card that was covered in stamps, "And out of touch with current fashion.."
Stark's hand had moved seconds before Thor's fists slammed against the table. He glared at Tony, "You have doomed us."
"What?" Jane looked at Pepper, who's hand was resting on Tony's arm.
"He sends this – announcement – and our son is attacked." He looked to Jane, expecting outrage, but she looked to Tony. "He is the reason Hal was targeted."
"There is nothing there that says, 'Thunder God and his little woman had a kid. No arrow pointing at us." She scowled, "If it had, I wouldn't have allowed it."
Thor scowled, furious that his wife had joined with the man he had suddenly deemed the root of all evil. "He caused it, can't you see Jane?"
Stark crossed his arms, "I did no such thing." He turned the screen around and typed furiously, and a minute later he pulled up the formal announcement. Mr Donald Blake and Dr Jane Foster-Blake of Stark Industries are happy to announce the addition to their family. Their son HALDOR ARIK BLAKE was born June 10th of this year. Please send all cards to Stark Industries in NY, New York.
"See." She said, "No one outside SHIELD would understand, and no one outside Stark would care." She pulled up her own email and dozens of similar announcements filled the screen. "Stark emails a handful of baby announcements, wedding announcements, and obits daily. The only reason ours is different is because I have clearance to SHIELD." She sighed "Thor," She said gently, her hand resting on his shoulder. He snarled and she rolled her eyes. "THOR." She snapped, "Enough." He turned and saw her arch a brow. "That's enough."
Thor sat back down and let the scientist's putter around, grumbling
...
It was days before he trusted her enough to leave, her brief amount of freedom had made her coy and smug and he had shook his head, leaving her at her computer typing furiously. Her ritual of sitting in the large chair in the nursery was skipped over for the chaise lounge in the office, the patter of rain was calming as she fed Hal. After he finished, she laid him down in the cot and snuck downstairs, grabbing an apple and a yogurt, and slipped back up to the office. Resting both on the desk she smiled and kissed Hal's cheek before sitting back down.
And coming face to face to face with the gleaming golden apple.
Her hands trembled as she held the apple. He was at the Captain's, having been mysteriously called away, and Hal was sleeping angelically in the little cradle in the room feet from her. She passed the apple between her hands and sighed. He had told her he would petition for her once they arrived, but something always drew her back to the apple. "I can't Adam and Eve-it." She chuckled, and took a bite. She chewed and swallowed and looked down at the apple, half expecting a worm to crawl out, or a sunbeam to burst from her hands, or a violent pain, or something.
But nothing happened. "How anticlimactic." She felt the simmer low in her stomach, the indigestion of anxiety had been worthless as she took another bite. It tasted like a regular apple and she continued to eat as she sat at her desk and let her pencil start marking the page with the quadratic formula that she would need to enter into the machine to calibrate it.
He arrived back hours later and stomped his boots against the mat, shaking the water droplets from his hair. He paused and took in the sights and sounds of his home. He had lived in Asgard for eons, but the opulent chambers had never felt like home. His selfish desire to remain forever had been usurped by his need to protect that which was his. His hand rested on the mantle where the bowl of keys, a misplaced soother, a pair of earrings sat. The art she had picked out suited the occupants of the house, a mixture of the absurd slashes of paint and their Viking paintings depicting his home and family. The great painting of Mjölnir in the place of honor over the mantle. When they had taken the house, it had been cold and ominous to him. All he had seen were walls and a roof in which his family would live. She had seen a blank canvas.
Like the artist, she had created a thing of beauty out of the starkness of the walls and roof. Handmade blankets sent from Norway, framed pictures of their family, the smell of thunder that clung to the foundations. She had made their house a home, and he couldn't pinpoint the moment that Asgard had ceased to be home. He inhaled and could taste the golden city on his tongue. His son's godhood would always overpower his mortal half and even though he had never stepped foot there, he would always be Of Asgard.
In a city of immortals, children were only born out of necessity, not love. Their child had been born of love and would always be more to Thor than Thor was to his Father. His Father had desired a first born son, an heir, a Prince. He had not wished for a child, not sought his happiness, only his teaching to become a great king. Jane told him he would indeed be a great king, but not as a result of his teaching, but of his greatness as a Father. He would be a wise and kind father to his people. But the more he learned, the more he feared ascending the throne.
Yet another reason why he hadn't wished to return.
He sampled the air once more and frowned, the taste was too potent, his son was no more than a babe. It was stronger, it was vibrant, it was alive and growing. He glanced into the kitchen and looked at the basket of fruit. Among the greens and reds and yellows and oranges, there was no gold. There was no single golden apple. "..if you keep telling her no, she's going to go ahead and do it anyway. Sooner or later, she's going to stop asking." Steve had called it, he had seen it coming. Why had he been so stupid.. He loved her that's why. He had trusted her.
"Please." he whispered and ran up the stairs. The aroma was sweet and spicy, a richness unknown to the likes of man. Humans couldn't make that smell, they could only..He had expected to see her writhing on the floor, to see the pale skin of death like he had when Hal was born. He had expected to see her gasping her final breaths like the man who had crunched the pill in the park and died of poisoning. But she was sitting at her desk, like any other rainy afternoon, Hal sleeping soundly in the handmade crib beside her. The patter of the rain against the large window matching her fingers against the keys of the keyboard, the steaming cup of tea sitting beside her. "Hey sweetie," she said without looking up, "Stark said he's banged out the issues. I'm really hoping he's talking about the machine and not Pepper." She shot him a smile as she sent off the message and turned in the office chair to look at him. "Something wrong?" she said curiously.
"You ate the apple." He saw the core glowing with the familiarity of Asgard. Indun was pleased.
She shrugged, "I meant to grab another one. I had this urge to eat an apple." She glanced at the core, "But it didn't do anything. I think we got a dud."
"It did very much my love." He stared at her, the glow from within more potent than even his friends. Her true heart shone through, a glow he was certain only he would see.
"You mean-"
"Indun accepted you," he felt his heart hammer, "or else you wouldn't have been able to eat more than one bite, let alone the entire apple." The stared at each other for a long while until he could take it no more and he move to her, their eyes never wavering. The differences were minute, but they screamed at him. He had known her body, had long ago memorized the smooth skin, the way his hand fit perfectly against her hip. He cupped her cheek and felt the smooth skin beneath, less soft and pliable, more sturdy beneath his calloused fingers. He ran his hand up her side, from her hip to her shoulder and down again to rest at the small of her back, he could feel her bones harden, her muscles strengthening, her very body was becoming more sturdy, ready to bear the ages beside him.
"Thor, you're starting to scare me." She said softly, "What is is?"
"You feel nothing." He asked, "You sure?"
"Thor, I have been ill before, I have given birth, I have had major surgery. I know my body. I'm fine. I'm tired, but I was up half the night with your son." Thor pulled her flushed against him, his muscled arms wrapping around her. She rested her head against his chest and sighed
She could feel his heart hammering beneath her fingertips, but his breathing was steady and calm. She looked up at his face and saw him staring at the core of the apple. "It could have killed you." His voice was broken and soft, and thick with emotion.
"Husband." She said, and cupped his cheek, pulling his face away so she could look at him. His vibrant blue eyes were pinched and his lips were tight in a scowl. She brushed back the thick lock of blond hair that had fallen in his face and combed it back, her other hand stroking the side of his face. She looked deep into his eyes and tried to convey that she was fine. Words would not appease him, even after all this time, they were still those two star crossed lovers stranded, doomed to be without one another.
"Wife." He knew he should be angry, that he should be terrified. But those eyes. Those warm brown pools of beauty and understanding. She could still level him with her eyes.
They stood like that, saying nothing more. The connection between the two had always been mysterious. She had needed a strong presence to pull her out of her lab and he had needed a quick wit to keep him grounded. Logic never once played a part in their love. The inexplicable pull they felt. She reached up and pressed her lips against his, letting the flow of passion spread from within her to him. His arms tightened their grip and he leaned into the kiss. She sighed and his muscles tensed as the new flavours washed across him, he could taste the golden city on her lips, the memories flooded his senses, suddenly making him homesick. He pulled her held her tighter and basked in the sensation. She was home to him. She had always been the answer long before he knew what the question was, and as their lips moved in a synchronization of souls he felt the crack within, and was suddenly lightheaded, pulling away he was surprised to find himself breathless. His world had shifted, and cemented into place. His hands were buried in her hair and her hands were clenching his still slightly damp shirt. "Well.." she said, her voice too was breathless and a smug look tugged at her cheeks. "I guess you're not mad."
"Oh, I'm furious." He said, kissing her shoulder. "But what's done is done."
"That wasn't so hard." She smirked and withdrew from his arms, peeking down on the child in the crib. She stroked his downy head and smiled. "We'll be able to leave next week." She said softly.
He nodded and his arm encircled her waist. Kissing her temple she leaned against him, "How did you get him down?"
"He was tired." She shrugged. "It's not that hard if you don't coddle him." She shot him a knowing look and he rolled his eyes.
"Coddle? I do not coddle."
She snickered and stroked his cheek. "You, my love, are many things, and a wonderful father tops that list."
He kissed the palm of her hand, "What about a wonderful husband."
"Oh, that's on another list." She gave him a cheeky smile and spun out of his arms. He sighed as he heard her giggle down the hall.
…
He heard the knock on the door and she danced out of the room. He had been reading on the couch and had fallen victim to his thoughts and stood, realising Hal was still sleeping. He walked to the top of the stairs, nodding to the Captain who gave him a curt nod back as he stood beside Stark. Their voices rose and grew with infliction as he padded down and gave the three a curious glance.
"…. Jane, if there was a perfect time, this is it."
"It's too soon, the formula isn't."
"Bull Jane." Stark said irritated, "You and I both know you've had that formula perfect in that pretty little head of yours for years."
"That's my Wife." Thor said coldly and Stark looked at him with an equally cool stare.
"It's the truth." Tony's gaze returned to Jane, "Deny it, Princess."
"Even if it was true, leaving was always a last ditch-"
"Jane." Tony said, "I'm not trying to shove you out the door, but you two need to go."
"Do it for them," Steve said softly, "Don't they deserve to meet them?" Jane understood his cryptic words perfectly, for it had been the very argument she had tried to wield long ago, before life had become near-perfect. She nodded, her head hanging, Hal deserves to meet his People, to know his birthright. "Three days." She said softly. "Give me three days."
Tony nodded, and looked to Steve. "Coming old man?"
Rogers looked to Jane who appeared to be holding back tears. Leaning in he pulled her tight for a hug. "You know if there was another way.."
"This is how it has to be." She said, "I just hope I'm strong enough."
Steve released her and went to shake Thor's hand, "It's been an honor."
The second they left she whirled around and buried her face in Thor's shoulder. Her entire life had come to the moment where she said goodbye to all her friends. For how long – she didn't know. For a year, for a century. Her mind was still coming to grips with being immortal.
"Jane? What happened?" she shook her head and snuffled, not ready to speak. He held her, rocking her back and forth, attempting to comfort her.
After a few minutes she sighed and nuzzled his strong chest."In three days and sixteen hours the planets and the moon will all be align, the perfect time to send us off to Asgard." He flinched and she held on tighter. "Tony said that the machine is perfect, that everything's perfect and will only be perfect for an hour."
"We don't have to go." He said, the words rumbled against her cheek and she closed her eyes tight, failing to hold in the few tears that were shed over his impossible kindness.
"Yes we do." She said, "that's why I'm crying, I know we have to. I knew this the day I married you. I married a Prince, I gave birth to a Prince and yet I forced you both to live here with me in exile." He could not deny any of her words, and yet felt compelled to comfort her.
"Is there something I can do?" he said causing her to give a half hearted chuckle.
"You're already doing it." She glanced up and his face pulled down as he saw her tear tracked face and solemn expression. "Just be the wonderful man I married and I'll survive. As long as I have you and Hal, I can survive anything."
"You are a far stronger soul than I." he mumbled as he kissed her hair.
…
There embarking was noisy and rushed. Erik arriving with the Captain who never left his side. The group gathered as if in a funeral line to say their final farewells. She turned to Pepper and Tony, "Thank you." Was all she could manage, before the two women burst into tears.
She nodded and Tony grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You keep him in line Princess." She smiled and gave Tony a peck on the cheek.
"You keep Pepper on her toes Mister."
"I always do."
Banner patted her arm awkwardly and chucked her shoulder. "You stay safe up there. Ok?" she smiled at the kind Doctor and kissed his cheek.
"Let loose ever now and then." He blushed and wandered back over to the terminal.
Darcy was a sobbing mess, wanting to come, not wanting to, she had finally been ordered to make an appearance, her emotions had dove further when Jane had told her she had left everything to her. A Still-Living will as she called it. "Darce, you have to keep everyone going ok?" She put her arms on the younger woman's shoulder and stared at her. "The house, the labs, Erik, you have to hold it all together." Darcy nodded and choked out a few inaudible words about changing her life and Jane pulled her in to hug her, like the mother she was she calmed the girl with her warm voice and soothing words. After a while Darcy pulled herself together and Pepper took over, helping Darcy leave back inside. The two had refused to; like Jane had once upon a time, stand by and watch their fried just disappear.
She glance at Thor who was standing on the platform. He was a sight for sore eyes with the baby boosted up on his hip, the capsule of their belongings to be jettisoned with them. Erik and Captain Rogers both had their backs turned to her as she approached them. "Steve." She said softly and he turned, his face in a look of mourning. "I hate to break it to you, but you and I?... It's not going to work."
"Ahh.. Sweetheart, you barely gave us a try." She chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, encasing her in his muscled grip. She had long ago admitted that if Thor hadn't fallen into her world, if he hadn't been dropped into her proverbial lap at the perfect moment, she would have been head over heels in love with the sweet and kind Captain. He pulled back and kissed her cheek, "You come back to me ok?"
"I will." He had proven himself to last the ages, he would be around long after the rest of her friends had long since passed on. She swore to herself she would come back, if only to visit him. He deserved to be surrounded by friends. For all that he had suffered, it was the least she could do.
The hardest goodbye had his back turned when her hand rested on his back. "What am I going to do every Sunday if you and Hal won't be coming to visit?"
He turned and her heart broke at the sight of his red rimmed eyes. She smiled sadly, "I've left you a couple puzzles. I'll be back before you have them done." She tried to laugh to lighten the mood, but it felt fake to both of them, "It'll only be a few years.."
Her empty promise fell flat as the older man cleared his throat and cupped her cheek. "You make sure he's good to you Janey." She started crying as she looked up at the man who had been her Father for the better part of two decades. "You and Hal." She nodded, incapable of words for the emotions that choked her. Throwing her arms around him she held him tightly, letting him tuck her under his chin and rock her as he had so many nights when she was a scared girl with no one else to turn to. He had taken her in, had shown her the stars, and now like every child, she was leaving. Only her leaving was a bit farther than moving to another country. Erik held her, whispering in her ear in Norwegian, prayer for her to have courage. "Stiff upper lip Janey." He said gruffly. "Their waiting." She nodded and he kissed her cheek.
Walking up towards Thor he opened his arm and she wrapped her arms around his waist. Looking up at him she saw her sad face in his eyes. "We don't have to go Jane." He said softly, "I can't bear to see you in this much pain."
She shook her head and her face grew determined, "I'm sure about you and Hal. I've been selfish long enough." She slipped the small receptor in her pocket, the large pads tucked away in the capsule. They would be placed where the Bifrost was to ensure smoother landings, if they had to go to and fro. He had suggested he go ahead and place them, but she hadn't been able to bear the thought of watching him leave again, after all this time.
"Ready Princess?" Tony said, and she nodded. He and Banner manned the controls as they began their start up procedure. The noise rose like a tuning fork. She had never noticed the hum before, back when she was weak. She wagered the Captain and Banner could hear it, their senses as attuned as Thor's. The distraction of the hum only lasted for so long until the final phase started and she clung to Thor. The spinning of the machine began to truly rumble, the machine shook and shuddered as it reached the proper energy levels.
"I love you." She whispered, swallowing back a mouthful of bile and terror.
"As I love you." He whispered back, "Always and forever." And they disappeared.
…
He was a bit disoriented when they landed, but no worse than the Bifrost. He looked to Jane who too seem a mite unstable. The stood for a moment to collect their bearing and he glanced out to the shining gates. Asgard was every bit as beautiful as he remembered. Despite the nearly two years it had been since he had seen it. "Heimdall." He said to the great Gatekeeper.
"My Prince," He bowed, "Your family awaits you in the Throne Room." Thor turned to help her into the litter waiting to take them into the city when he spied her smiling at the large golden man.
"Thank you." She said to Heimdall. "For watching over us. I always said I would if I ever met you." She giggled and to his surprise, Heimdall smiled. "Since you probably heard me, I figured I should keep my word."
"A woman of honor." Heimdall bowed. "Welcome to Asgard, Princess." The name had been a pet name given to her by Stark, but here, married to their Prince, that was exactly what he was. She glanced down and smiled at her son squirming in her arms. Looking down at the crystal beneath her feet his words from long ago spun in her mind 'More like a rainbow bridge'..
"Jane?" he said encouragingly, his hand extended to her, "Let us go." She smiled and held the swaddled babe close, her eyes darted around the city, his never leaving her face. The whispers started the minute they entered the great gate and by the time they reached the final throughway the street was lined with cheering citizens. They cried out for their Prince, for the son, for the Princess. Oaths of allegiance, pledges of love to her. "The Mother! The Mother! The Mother!" They cried.
She sat back and rocked Hal nervously. "Is that all I am?" she whispered, "nothing more than breeding stock?"
"You come from a world where woman hold little power." His arm was wrapped around her shoulders as he sporadically waved to his people. "Here you hold infinite power. You bore me a Son. To them that is the greatest honor a woman can give. Do not forget that we are eternal creatures. We have no need of children unless we grow tired and old and wish to rest." She gave him a confused look and he sighed and cupped her cheek, "You proved to them that you are worthy of me because I proved to them that I am not worthy of you." She blinked back tears and smiled.
"Smooth mister." She said with a dry chuckle, "Very smooth."
"What was the saying the Captain always used?" he shot her a smug look, "I aim to please." She pecked his cheek and he beamed. They entered the palace yard and he held his hand out as she stepped down, the skirt of the long red dress floating around her ankles as she stepped down daintily, more in care for the child on her hip rather than actually care of grace. Many glanced to her hair as they walked past, all recognizing the circlet in the pile of her hair as one of Frigga's. The Queen's emblem on the wife of Thor meant only one thing to them. They would soon have a new queen. Guards and attendants bowed as they entered, their belongings carried off down one of the halls.
He led her to the throne room, but stopped at the sight of the warriors minding the large doors. "My Friends!" he cried as Sif and the Warriors three greeted him. He wrapped his arms around their shoulders and the five embraced like siblings. "How fairs life?"
"Better now that you have returned." Sif smiled, "I have been beating them senseless, and they know not when to yield." A snicker was heard from behind and the four realised it was Thor's wife who had made the noise. "My Lady." They bowed and she shook her head.
Thor blushed when he and Jane met eyes, Jane knowing perfectly well that Thor could surrender when persuaded nicely, "I'm Jane, I'm nothing more than Thor's wife. I expect no preferential treatment."
"My dear lady, you will receive preferential treatment for that fact alone, as well for the child that clings to you." Sif eyed the babe as it clung to his mother. They could all see it was truly Thor's son, the same eyes, the same downy blond hair and the thunder in the boys face caused them all to acknowledged that he was indeed a true Heir.
Jane sighed, "Thor, you haven't made introductions." She held out Hal to his father and Thor scooped the boy up and held him close.
"My friends," he said emphatically, "My son. Haldor, Prince of Asgard." His face was stretched in a proud grin, far larger than they had ever seen. They smiled at the boy and thumped Thor on the back, praising his strong and lusty son.
Sif suppressed the urge to stare at the wife of her Prince. She had recalled the woman only vaguely, for at the time they had been more concerned with the Destroyer than the people Thor had met. But as Volstagg and Frendral continued to chatter on Hogun and Sif watched. She saw how the woman calmed him, soothed him. Thor had always been a tempest of restless warrior spirit, and it appeared this woman had a warriors heart with a the mind of an aged philosopher. She did not tether Thor, only pulled him back from the precipice when needed. One time in their combined history, Sif herself had been betrothed to Thor, but when she had pledged herself to the Warrior's of Asgard she had given up on marrying, on a family, on men as a oath to the Valkryies in exchange for skill, strength and a warrior's heart. Living for an eternity offered the option of changing her mind much later. While dear friends, Thor had burnt too bright for her, fire did not bode well with another flickering flame, but it seemed the warm simmer of his wife was enough to ground him, stabilize him in a way no Asgardian woman ever had before.
Jane glanced at the quiet Hogun, "Do you ever speak?" She asked causing the other's to grin.
"Yes." He said curtly.
Jane narrowed her eyes at him, "Silence only ever gives you the opportunity to observe nature, never to partake in it." The child whimpered, irritated he was no longer the center of attention. "He is truly his father's son." She smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Finally good to see him in the flesh." Fandral said. "He is a son worthy of the title, and his name."
"So you all knew?" Jane said softly. "I mean I assumed that they just figured it out?"
"Oh yes milady." Fandral said enthusiastically, "A joyous cry rang from every corner of Asgard when you bore the Royal Family a son." She shot a glance to Thor who blushed.
"A joyous cry that I presume was heard much farther than just the gates of Asgard."
"A great celebration t'was Milady. Feasts and food a plenty."" Volstagg said. "The entire Cosmos was to be sure to have heard the echo."
"The entire Cosmos heard the joyous cry that the Son of Thor was born on Earth?" She said, her arms crossing her chest and looked at Thor who was busying himself straightening Hal's tunic. "A beacon to Earth for the good and the bad." The warriors suddenly felt the tension as Thor hide like a naughty child.
"Whatever is the matter, milady?" Sif finally asked.
"An attack was made while we were on Earth," she said, while Thor remained mute, "An attempt to kidnap our son. His son." She raised a brow, "He was protected by one I trust beyond reproach and he was saved by Thor, but Thunder here blamed my people for the act. We were safe, we were hidden, but it was this place that announced us, that revealed us" He could hear the ire in her voice. "Not those you blamed."
I'm going to get an earful tonight. "It is in the past my dear." He said, and the Warriors looked at their fearless leader, who now appeared to be terrified. "All is well, he is safe, he was unharmed, and has had no further repercussions."
"REPERCUSSION!" she said and they winced. Sif smiled, proud that she was able to witness the mighty and invincible Thor tamed by a woman. Fear spread across his face as she screamed at him, "You are hereby on Night Duty tonight. YOU get to get up with him all hours because he's fussy, because he refuses to be anywhere but in someone's arms." She huffed and Thor looked at her, his blue eyes large with guilt. "We'll talk later." She snarled.
The room grew tense until Fandral chuckled, "Jane, Welcome to Asgard. You are most welcome."
...
After a quick change, she clung to his arm as he led her back to the Thorne room. The long silver dress shimmered as they walked reflecting the light off of his armour. Her feet held steady with the heeled shoes she was unaccustomed to. They moved through the halls, her hand tucked into his arm, her other carrying their son. She drew comfort in the warmth she felt absorb into her very bones that he radiated. He had always been a golden beacon to her, she glanced to her side, his golden hair brushing his shoulders and flowed into the scruffy beard she knew tickled her cheek when he kissed her. His crystalline blue eyes were clear and sharp, focused on the matter at hand. The attraction she had for him was barely superficial and yet his appearance had so much to do with it. For so long she'd had no other choice but to be strong, to be the solid and unwavering one. But his strength surpassed hers as if she were a kitten in the Kentucky Derby. She recalled keenly the terror she had felt when she had come across the notion of loving him. The thought had been so benign at the time she had been scared witless. Two years later, with his ring on her finger and his son on her hip she felt no greater peace that being at his side.
"Father. Mother." Thor bowed. "My wife Jane. Our son Haldor." She looked up demurely at the couple at the top of the stairs. She looked at the great Odin and suddenly felt like a child.
"Your majesties."
Frigga tutted, "None of that my dear." She floated down the stairs with all the grace of the Queen she was. "We are family." Frigga's eyes were glued to her only grandchild. "May I-" she motioned to the babe and Jane's grip tightened for a split second before relinquished her son to her mother in law. "What a beautiful baby," she smiled, rocking him back and forth. Hal gurgled and reached for the long earring. "He's a smart boy."
Jane glanced worriedly up at Odin who had yet to say anything, Thor caught her eye and sighed. "Father? Something troubles you?" Thor said, standing tall beside her, protectively.
"She shines with the kiss of Indun." He finally said.
Jane looked at Thor, "Did you not send the Apple?" he said, understanding dawning upon him, "Indun sent it."
"So it would seem."
Thor chuckled and glanced at Jane, "It would seem Stark is not the only one I must apologise to."
"You owe Steve so many times over you'd need a roll of toilet paper to mark them all off.." She smirked as her gaze returned to Frigga and Hal. The boy yawned and rested his head on his grandmother's shoulder.
"Odin, come meet the boy, before he seeks the dream world." Odin stood and walked down. He moved his hand to rest it on the boys back, but Hal reached out and his tiny fist wrapped around the kings finger. Odin looked at the boy with his one eye and Hal looked back.
"He is a strong child." Odin said, "He will make a fine Heir for you my son."
Jane's eyes narrowed, "He will succeed at whatever he chooses." Odin looked at her with a curious gaze. "He may not choose to be King."
"You would deny your son the Throne that is his birthright?" Odin said, Thor feared the older man's wrath, but was curious to note his amusement.
"No, I wouldn't. But nor would I deny him the opportunity to become a musician, an artist, a scientist, a doctor." She smiled at her son proudly. "He will be whatever he chooses. I fought for my doctorate as he must earn any title he wishes to call himself" Odin nodded his understanding. "The fact that he is a Prince should not be something to take lightly, nor should he."
Thor looked confused from his father to his wife. "Jane?"
"Your wife is far more intelligent that we credit the Humans capable of." Odin nodded to her, bowing his head to her, "Welcome Princess."
Thor looked flabbergasted at Jane. She chuckled and walked into his arms, "Later," she whispered and kissed his cheek. "Now, go saved your son from your mother before she runs away to spoil him rotten." She teased loudly, causing the Queen to chuckle.
"I feel my son already has accomplished that." Frigga gave Jane a knowing look and passed Hal back to his mother. They all fell into a lull as Frigga fawned over the child and he cooed from the attention. She glanced around the room and didn't fail to notice the large gap in the family.
"What of Loki?" Jane asked. A scowl crossed the men's faces, a look of pain on Frigga's.
"He has been reprimanded." Thor said, "You will never have to set eyes on that abomination again."
"Thor," Jane said, before his parent's could chide him for his hateful words, "He may have lost his senses, but he's still your brother."
"He's no brother of mine." He snapped.
His mother frowned and gave Thor a look. "Thor, I know what it's like."
"You don't have siblings." He retorted, "You know nothing."
"Erik attempted to strangle me in a moment of madness while I was carrying your child. The same man I took Hal to visit every Sunday who was bewitched by your brother." She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, "You cannot blame him for that which he cannot control. You can only forgive and try to move past it." Frigga and Odin looked at her, amazed by the way she calmed him. Odin had been wary of the woman that Thor had fought so hard for. While he had seen a son and a smiling face at the coronation, he hadn't placed worth in her taming the hotheaded prince. Thor's eagerness was none's fault but his own. He had raised a warrior, not a thinker. It's the way it had always been. But this wife of his, his Jane, made him see consequence for every action. She had done nothing but impress the great All father since she entered his hall. She was wise and calm and serene. She was everything Thor was not and then some. "Forgiveness is golden." He pulled Hal from his mother and into his arms, looking every bit the child that had been thoroughly admonished.
"Tis late Jane."
She smiled, knowing she had won, and turned to Odin and Frigga. "Goodnight."
"Please Jane, you must call me Mother."
Jane chewed her lip nervously, she had always wanted a mother, having never had her own. "Goodnight... Mother." She bowed her head and Frigga let a chiming laugh echo through the halls as she wrapped her arms around Jane.
"I bid you goodnight my dear." Frigga turned her head and whispered in Jane's ear, "Don't let him win. He's like his Father." Jane chuckled and returned the hug. She took a split second to bask in the sensation of soft warm arms wrapped around her, trying to picture if her own mother would have been the same. Pulling away she smiled at the older woman and the glanced to Odin. "All Father."
"Dear Jane." He said, "Good night." She smiled and followed Thor who was already storming back to their chambers.
"Well I like her." Frigga said to her husband as they too walked to their own rooms. "She is the level head that Thor needs." Odin smiled at his wife, "She is the Queen he needs." Odin said nothing and Frigga pulled him to a stop. "I know you like her, or you would have not allowed her to speak to you in the manner that she did."
The great king said nothing, his face appeared to be concentrating on forming his words. "It would appear that she may be the only one that doesn't let him lead with his brawn." Odin said finally, "It has taken me many centuries to realise what she has in only a day of being here. Mayhap's the two years since they wed." Odin exhaled and looked to his wife, "Yes. She will be a far better Queen than I was King."
"Odin." Frigga said pulling him close and kissing his cheek, "I meant to be kind."
"As am I." He stood tall and glance out to the city, "You will teach her of our ways, but I don't want her to be overwhelmed."
"She's a smart girl. She'll learn quickly."
"She is a mother, she will learn what she must. The people love her for her child, but they will tire of that quickly. She must prove herself before them."
"A ball?" Odin shook his head, "You don't-" Frigga scowled, "You would put her before the petitioners!"
"Thor saw to them upon returning from Earth. He took up the mantle of many duties that were expected of the King."
"Do they intend to stay?" Frigga nodded to the attendants who opened the doors for them, gracious not to have to stop their conversation
"Perhaps." Odin said, "Perhaps not. It matters not. She has been kissed by Indun. They will take the throne in due time. Sooner now that he has his own Heir."
"Is that all you see, All father? An heir." Frigga said. "It is obvious that Thor and Jane worship that boy, but to only call him an Heir is like only calling your Throne a chair. It is so much more.. He is so much more."
"Aye," Odin said and finally smiled, "And I believe Jane understands that."
"I beg pardon?" she asked, confused. "She said he must earn his title."
"Thor and Loki were taught that they would be Kings. They were taught how to be Princes, how to be Warriors. Never were they taught that life is sacred. That is only a lesson a Human would know."
"She was a human." Frigga said, understanding.
"A candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long." He said, nodding, "She understands that, far better than you or I or Thor."
"And what about Loki?" Frigga said, "do you think she'll-"
"I think tis a dangerous path for her to tread. But I sense a warrior's heart within her."
"We can only hope." Frigga said, "I pray she brings peace to this family."
"I feel she very well might My dear." Odin said.
...
Jane knew he was angry, she knew he was upset, but he would never show in front of anyone else. Jane smiled and stopped, asking everyone's name as she did. From the guards at the Throne room, to the guards at her door, the maid washing the floor and the girl that had been sent to tend to Jane. "Oh I don't need help."
"Beg pardon you ladyship, but the dress of Asgardian's is far too much for one woman to bear." Jane stammered and blushed, and looked to her unhelpful husband. "Thor?"
"Gretel, you will be her guide and confidant while we are here." Thor said, the timber of the Prince ringing soundly, "Anything more and she will ask."
"Very well my lord." The girl curtsied and smiled at Jane, "You are very brave milady, if it is not too bold."
"No not at all." Jane smiled meekly and saw Thor carry Hal and rest him in the cradle that had been brought into the room. She sighed, relieved that no one had come to take him away, no nursemaid or nanny to fill her role. Any children she would have would be hers, and Thor's. They would raise them, not some surrogate that would fawn over him and see to his every whim. When raising Princes one had to tread lightly. "Only if you don't mind me asking why you say that."
"The Prince is a... Well a volatile man." The girl whispered after Thor left the room. "And he is well known in the belly of the city as a .. Vagabond."
Jane laughed and rolled her eyes, "I hit him a couple times with my car.. Um, my-"
"I am well versed on Earth Technology milady."
Jane sighed and barreled on, "Well, there was the first time I hit him, then I took him to the hospital. He was unconscious, but that was because my assistant Taz'd him."
"Taz'd?"
"Electrocuted." Jane corrected, "She electrocuted him, a pretty powerful dose too. But then he broke out of the hospital and I backed into him. Then I bought him breakfast."
"Jane, you humble me with your side of the tale." Thor grumbled as he walked back into the room, his hair wet and dripping on the floor. "The true picture is far less.. charming."
"I thought you were pretty charming." She said, flirting shamelessly with her husband. He grunted and turned to mind to Hal. "Gretel, I'm going to need directions tomorrow."
"Of course milady." The girl said enthusiastically, "We have a magnificent basking pool and-..."
"Where is Loki." Her face fell and the girl withdrew slightly, "You will not be an associate, I will protect you." Jane cupped the girls face and looked at her, "I just need to be pointed the way. Will you?"
"Tomorrow morning." She whispered. "Milady." Gretel stood and bowed, "Milord." And with that she left a little more shaky. Jane walked over to where Thor was standing and wrapped her arms around his waist, kissing his strong back.
"And what are you up to." He grumbled.
"It's a surprise Dear." She snickered, "I keep wanting to use the colloquial's that other girls use, but I can't bring myself to call you 'Honey' or 'Baby'" She laughed and he felt himself thaw slightly, "Are you still mad?"
"You made a fool of me before my parents." He groused. "Not a pleasing sensation."
"I'm sure, but I promised to be honest, as did you." He turned and looked at her, "If you won't be honest with me then we're going to have a problem."
"I have been nothing but honest Jane." He said bitterly, "I may not have been forthcoming, but I have always been honest."
"Would they say that in the bowels of the city." He flushed crimson and she scowled. "It would seem not. Tell me what they would say."
"-.. It's nothing." He said sharply.
"I'm sure Sif would tell me." Jane said, "I feel like she's still got it in for me."
"Sif is as plain as day, and as straight to the point. She and you have a great many things in common." He said, distracting her from the former conversation. "Volstagg is a sap for a good meal and a well told story, either cause him to be as pleasant as a petted cat, you called Hogun, strong and silent, always watching. Fandral is a louse and-"
"as are you?" She raised a brow and he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"It was when I was young and foolish. I had been a reckless Prince with a head full of air and eyes to dull to see true beauty, my love." He bent down and kissed her cheek, "But I have found a Goddess and intend to worship her for all of time."
She smiled and turned to prance away. "Good." She walked into the room that he had emerged from, obvious that the plumbing was slightly different. She heard him clump out of the suite within and she rolled her eyes. Worship me eh?...
. . .
His fist clenched the sheets as he gulped in air. He awoke in his chambers, alone and cold. Looking around the golden room he was met with only darkness. Had it all be a dream? "No." He said firmly, his heart thudding out a strange rhythm. Fear clawed at his skull and tore at his innards, attempting to escape. There were flickering candles, there was his Hammer, but nothing else. No sign of another life that had been in the room.
He racked his mind trying to think of what they had done prior to going to bed. He remembered the fight, he remembered her giggling with the maid, attempting to befriend the girl, but he recalled nothing else. Glimpses of meeting with his friends as she had readied for sleep, they had moved Hal into another room deeper within the suite where he wouldn't bother anyone. He heard movement out the door and low voices, standard for the palace life. No, I haven't been here in two years.. he thought firmly. I'm no longer accustomed to such rituals..
His eyes glanced around the room once more for something anything that would confirm she was truly there, that he hadn't imagined their nearly three glorious years together. All the beautiful mornings, all the majestic evenings. Every fight, every bitter argument and every opportunity to make amends. He moved to get out of the bed and buried his hands in his hair after finding nothing. Nothing.
It had been a dream. A beautiful, wonderful dream. One of Loki's tricks, Indun pulling the fold over his eyes, taunting him with what could be. His buried his face in his hands and sighed. He did not weep, he did not mourn. For – how could one mourn that which they had only been tempted with.
A gurgle and a coo were audible from a room over, more cruel punishment. Punishing him for what he knew naught, but ..
But these rooms were his. They hadn't been in his rooms. Climbing out he felt the wave of drunkenness hit him as he wobbled on his feet. Stumbling out the door he caught wind of snickers and jeers from the staff, but he ignored them. They had once upon a time been accustomed to him staggering and swaggering about. They would once again. He found the suite and pushed open the doors, staring at the beauty cradling his son, singing the words of the odd little song that soothed the boy. "Look what the cat dragged in." She scowled.
He said nothing only stared. He let every inch of her embed itself in his mind. Being rationale along with patience and wisdom would never be his strongest attributes. But they were hers. She had been far too clever for that tiny blue planet, her mind far too sharp for any endeavor that the humans could conjure for her. She would always be far more than he deserved. "Jane-" she rolled her eyes and disappeared into the adjoining room to put Hal down and returned quickly. "I-" his brow knit as her arms crossed her chest. "I seem to have lost a few hours."
Her scowl did nothing but deepen, "You were drunk. I saw you after you dumped Erik in my bed, and thought you didn't have the capability of inebriation." Her foot tapped as he tried to remember. Glimpses of the previous evening were still blurry. "Fandral and Volstagg brought you here and I told them to take you elsewhere. Hogun told them to take you to your former chambers and that was it."
"Sif?"
She shrugged, "Not with you." Her gaze narrowed, "Why?"
He looked down at his bare toes and rubbed his forearm nervously, "She was my voice of reason, before I met you." He looked back at her and couldn't hold it in anymore. He reached out for her and pulled her tight against him, his bare chest cold against her cheek, "I awoke, alone, in an empty room, fearing I had dreamed it all."
Her frown softened and her compassion bled through, "For that I am sorry. I should have left you a note or something to come find me when you were sober." He kissed her neck and she moaned, unable to refuse him.
"Jane." He said, his voice husky and rough, "I love you far too much than I should."
"I know." She said, and he leaned down and kissed her. The need to consume her a violent storm inside him. She was stronger now, more durable now. The Kiss of Indun had done what it was supposed to, it made her Asgardian. Never to age until fate deemed it necessary.
She jumped into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist. Her hands buried into his hair and she moaned as his hands found the bare skin beneath her shirt and his calloused fingers traced the lines of her ribs. "Thor-.." she sighed and her nails scrapped against his scalp. Thor walked them back towards their bed, her legs still wrapped around him. Her gown was around her hips and his pants were the only thing between them and what they wanted were shed as easily as his shame of his wanton need of her. He sat on the edge and his hands held her hips in place as she started to moan. He had believed himself to be dreaming, and that pain would be a sharp memory for a long while.
Their skin was as bare as their souls were to each other, his blue eyes rimmed with thick emotion, her face a flood of homesickness and worry. She lifted onto her knees enough that he could insert his long hard length into her. Sinking onto the pulsing heat and they both sighed. Neither moved for what seemed eternity, simply reveled in the sensation of once again being connected. He trailed kisses from her cheek down her jaw line, she threw her head back and he feasted on her neck like a hungry animal. The masculine pride rose up as he saw the marks on her skin that he caused, the world would see that he had claimed her, the red chafe of his beard on her shoulder a badge of love he had marked her with. Suddenly, just being connected wasn't enough. A renewed vigor claimed him as he flipped her over and began moving in and out, his thrusts smooth and even. He may be the mighty God of Thunder, but looking into her eyes, the whimpering sounds of need coming from her mouth, this was all he ever needed. Her. All of her, every aspect, every curve, every bit of her soul she was willing to give him but looking into her eyes, the whimpering sounds of need coming from her mouth, this was all he ever needed. Her. All of her, every aspect, every curve, every bit of her soul she was willing to give him. Her voice screamed his name and her soul cried out in teary pleasure at him. He continued to thrust through her release and found his barely seconds after she had just come down from her own.
He pulled her with him as he fell to his side and his arm tucking around her waist. "Never leave Jane." He mumbled.
"I love you." She whispered, her breath chilled the skin. She could hear his breathing even out, and the slight snore that rumbled beneath her cheek was proof enough to her that he was asleep. "I just hope you forgive me for what I have to do." She mumbled, pulling his arm tight around her.
…
She walked through the golden grove to where the dark man was sitting. It had been years since he had been banished, but he wasn't sure exactly as time crawled past while he sat chained to the tree, surrounded by glory and food and happiness, but never able to touch. The ultimate punishment, no food would ever fill his hunger, no amount of wine slake his thirst. He was doomed for all eternity to misery. He heard a soft crunch and his eyes flashed up.
Her dainty steps through the garden made him believe even more that she was but another mirage, having become accustom to them in the year that had passed. "Loki." Her voice chimed. "We've never met, and if Thor found me here I'm sure I'd get an earful. In fact, I'm probably going to get an earful either way." He blinked several time before reaching a hand out, positive it would brush through her like all the others.
She took a step back, flinching from him, her arms enfolding around a blanket at her chest. "Please." He rasped, "Please." Her face drew a look of confusion until the pieces clicked together.
"Put your hand down." She said. He looked at her and hesitated, then complied. He stared at her as she placed her hand on his face, her warm palm possessing the vibrancy of life that the garden couldn't fake. Substantial beings were beyond its ability.
His silver tongue had rusted in his mouth until her hand drew back and he nearly wept with the loss of contact. "Wha-"
"I want to introduce you to someone." He looked away from her face and realised her hands weren't clutching her chest, but a bundle in her arms, "Your nephew, Haldor Erik Thorson." He was speechless as she pulled the babe's face away from her shoulder and he gazed at the glowing face of the child.
"A mouthful for such a small thing." He said before his mind could stay his tongue.
Her laugh was a chiming ring and it warmed him. "We call him Hal."
His face grew dark, "He is no nephew of mine, I would have to be Odin's son for that." He spat.
She looked at him, as if appraising his emotion like he were a study. "We, as sentient beings have the ability to choose whom we love, as our father, our mother.. Our brother." She said, smiling down at the boy. "My father died a childless man because he was only the man who participated in my conception. He was no Father. Erik Selvig is my Father. He is the man I chose to be my father. He walked me down the aisle, he cried when I first brought him his grandson, and he made Thor swear to always protect me, that is a Father."
Loki's eyes flashed with recognition. Erik, the man he had bewitched to make the portal machine, was the man she called Father. "Are you here to punish me?" Loki said, pulling at his wrist. The chain was infallible to any of his sorcery and tricks. He could still recreate himself, but his true form would always be chained to the tree. The recreations would only scare, but he sensed his illusions would not scare this creature with her warm eyes and a serene smile.
"No Loki, I'm here to forgive you." She cupped his cheek again, her warmth seeping into the very bones of his sallow face, "You have the capability of greatness, yet you continue to choose to walk in the shadow."
"I grew up in a shadow." He spat, "The shadow of Thor. Great and golden Thor."
She smiled down, shifting her son from one arm to another. "Thor is not perfect. He's messy, he's twice as stubborn as I, he is arrogant and childish, and swears like a sailor, but he is a wonderful Father, and a loving husband." Loki stared at her as if she were mad, "If you focus too much on the head of the pin, you will never be able to see the thread." He cocked his head and looked at her. This was Thor's wife, the mother of his child. He should be trying to hate her, trying to kill her like he promised all those days ago in the Bifrost. But he couldn't. His sister-in-law had charmed him into complete submission. "Loki, don't fight the darkness, don't bask in the shadow. You need to find your own light. It is in the darkness that we understand the light." She said sagely, "You should understand it more than any." She scowled at the door behind her, "Thor should be here, I've been trying to get him to talk to you, even to talk of you, but he's so obstinate." She sighed and chuckled. "But I figured you would like to at least meet your nephew." Loki wiggled his wrist until the chain was loose enough for him to stand. He did not reach out for the child, but peered over the thick blankets to get a good look.
"He looks like Thor." Loki observed. The blue eyes looking back and the sparse white blond hair that was scattered across his head gave him no doubt to the paternity of the boy.
"Poor child." She muttered and Loki couldn't stop the traitorous grin that spread organically across his face.
Loki reached out his one free hand to touch the child, half afraid she would pull him back. She didn't and his hand landed on the child's brow, "May you always know happiness Haldor." Loki said, blessing the child. The boy gurgled and smiled at his uncle, his chubby little arms flailing about. "Restless thing." He cooed. "behave for your mother. Your time will come."
"Your time will come as well Loki." Jane said. "They tell me of a manipulative and childish thing, but I feel you are merely misunderstood." She sighed and smiled sadly, "I'm afraid I must go. I'm sorry, but Thor is probably already tearing apart the palace looking for us." She smiled down at her little Hal and chuckled. "Overbearing fool." There was nothing but warmth in her words, and Loki snickered at the woman who saw right through Thor's act and yet still loved him. "I will attempt to visit as often as I can, Loki. Misery only invites more misery."
"I thank you." Loki said, still in awe of the graciousness of his brother's wife. His Brother's wife, when did he start thinking of Thor as his brother again. He felt warm lips on his cheek and realised too late what had happened as she scurried off. Jane Foster was truly the most formidable and bravest of all the humans, of that he was certain.
Quickly he was coming to realise that it may be the only thing he was certain of anymore.
His eyes caught the cold reflection of a feast, the smells wafting through the garden, filling his senses with the intoxicating aroma. The punishment of the garden was incessant, but glancing at the place she had disappeared from, he thought that there may just be a flickering candle in there. Somewhere.
…
Thor was screaming at a poor maid when she surfaced. Far away from the door that held the Garden, she ensured. "Thor." She said, and he looked to her, both exasperated and relived.
"Jane." He kissed the boy's forehead and pulled her close. "'tis a large palace." He said softly, his words were sure, but she heard the fear beneath them. "Please let Gretel help you." Jane smiled at the maid who had covered for her.
Reaching out a hand she gave the maid a gentle squeeze, "He didn't hurt you I hope." She said. Gretel shook her head and Jane looked her with the gaze that made the poor child feel like she was standing in her mother's kitchen being tended to. "Poor thing," Jane shook her head and wrapped her arm around the girl. "Are you sure you're ok?"
Gretel wiped away a tear and nodded, Jane shot Thor a cool look and he stared at the toes of his boots, "I'm sorry Gretel." He said. "I shouldn't have yelled."
"S'alright milord. You were worried."
Jane shook her head and kissed his cheek. "Overbearing fool." She shifted Hal and looped her arm with the girl, "The Queen is expecting me, lead on Macduff." Gretel giggled and they walked on conspiratorially.
"She is going to be the very death of me." He grumbled and glanced down the hall, "wonder it hasn't happened already." He had woke to a empty bed, the cradle with his son bare and sheets were cold, the cradle and her nightgown had been enough for his hammering heart the second time around. She always rose with the sun, but in New York, where it had been her city, her land, he had been but a visitor. After some time, he had come to think the city as home, and same with their house and their room. It would remain, tended to by Darcy, in case they wished to return, and he knew eventually Jane would grow stagnant with none but petitioners and philosophers to tease her mind into queries beyond his ken. He was standing like a fool in the hall when a blade was pressed against his throat. "You know it's treason to slay a Prince."
"Ah, but the Prince had best be not a fool then Aye?" he turned and saw Sif's black eyes glimmer back. "You smile like a love struck fool."
"My wife is a terrible tease, and every turn of my head she causes my hair to grey."
Sif chuckled, sheathing her blade, "Ah, it needs a few greys Thor. You need to be dignified." She jutted up her chin and tried to hold a stern face, but they both broke out in childish giggles.
"It's good to see you Sif." He slung an arm across her shoulder and they walked through the halls, letting their feet guide them and their mouths ramble on about the years it had been since they had last seen another.
...
Jane arrived in the open room, stepping around the open flame she walked to the Queen's side and stared out at the stars, "They're beautiful." She said.
"Thor told us you were a stargazer." Frigga said, "You study them."
"They tell us so much, about the beginning of time, what to expect about the end of time." She bounced Hal on her hip and he sighed and rested against her shoulder, "They are there to make us realise that we are not as big as we think ourselves to be."
Frigga beamed at the girl for a long while, "I could not have chose better for Thor had I the list of all the girls in the cosmos." Jane blushed and tucked her head against her son's, kissing his downy crown. "You are just what he needs."
"Milad-.. Mother." She said softly, her heart hammering.
"Yes Jane?"
"Are we.. can we be heard here?"
Frigga smiled, "Have a secret to impart upon an old woman?"
"I saw Loki."
"Did he harm you?" Frigga gasped, "Child you shouldn't have called, you-."
Jane shook her head vehemently. "You misunderstand. I went to talk to him. Thor is heartbroken over the loss of his brother. He has been for all the time I've known him." Jane swung Hal around causing the boy to giggle and smile, "He needs to forgive him, but I think Thor has so much fear, so much anger inside that he will never be able to be the King Asgard needs until he can quell that flame." Frigga stared at her. "So I took Hal to Loki, to introduce him to his nephew." Frigga scowled, "Peace," Jane said, pulling all her memory of her Shakespearian class, words that were dignified and sure, "I would not have put my son in harm's way. Loki seemed.. Lost."
"He was always a tender child. He would perform his tricks to a mute audience. The All Father, bless him, wanted warriors. Thor was truly the golden son Odin wanted, Loki has always been to bright for this realm. He would have fared better in Alfheim where the Elves would understand his illusions, respect them more."
Jane nodded, "That's what I assumed. But I am no warrior." She smiled, "His silver tongue won't work on me."
"Tread carefully dear." Frigga said, "But if there is any help I can offer, please let me.." Jane saw the mourning mother in the old woman's eyes. "I miss my son." Frigga eyed the babe clinging to his mother's breast. "I can tell you will be just what this boy will need to be a great King."
Jane sighed, "Thor will be a great king."
"Thor was not given all the tools he needed." Frigga said, "And he would have suffered for it had it not been for you my dear."
Jane blushed, "Wasn't there something you wanted to tell me."
They looked out for moment more and Frigga sighed, "Yes. I want to show you what the people will expect from you when you are Queen, come." Jane stared at the woman, she felt her own fear rise thick in her throat. "Come along dear, the people are waiting."
THERE! They're on Asgard, AND Jane's immortal.. HAPPY!.. I know the whole Becoming-Asgardian was anticlimatic, but that's how it was supposed to be. (She begged me to stop messing with her heath, but I still got one or two tricks in my bag). So some points were raised in a review and gave me a couple ideas. I don't want Hal to be a brat, but he IS Thor's son, so we'll see how that goes. Staying in Asgard? We'll see. Avengers meeting Sif and the Warriors? Unlikely.
Ok, so I sacrificed much needed sleep to get this one done and to press the least you can do is review. Mwah ah ah (See what I did there?). And I already know what most of you are going to say. "This Chapter.. I like it... ANOTHER!" *smash.
Love you all! Happy Reading! ~~ SWL