Authors Note:(( REVISED Chapter, Enjoy! A lot of changes to the plot.)) ((Rated for swearing and mild violence, romance.))
Ch.18
The next time Khaleesi opened her eyes, her body felt stiff, a terrible aching pain spreading throughout. Covered in a comforting layer of soft goose down blankets, she felt surprising safe despite her condition, scanning the room she wondered how long this would last. Straining to hear, she could make out the echo of soft voices in the house, smell the faint scent of smoke from the fire place.
Attempting to sit up she immediately stopped. A sharp hiss escaping her mouth, fingers touching her lips she expected to feel scabbing but found the skin smooth and unblemished under her shaky fingers. Trying once more, slower this time, she sat up pushing herself up with trembling arms. She wondered where everyone was, how long she'd been asleep.
No sooner had the thought come to mind but the door suddenly opened, startling the young woman. Surprise faded and was quickly replaced by momentary relief as she addressed her unexpected guest, voice hoarse and foreign sounding.
"Natasha…"
The redhead gave her a soft smile, pausing inside the doorway appraising the young woman's condition from where she stood.
"Hey, I wasn't expecting to see you awake so soon. I should go get Barton, I mean…let me go get Clint." She said apologetically before turning around, vanishing down the hall again before Khaleesi could stop her. Gaze shifting around the room as she waited, her eyes easily drawn to the beautiful wedding gown draped over the chair near the open windows.
She found herself slowly sliding over the edge of the bed, bare feet touch the cold marble. Palm resting protectively over her stomach she took a deep breath. Willing the pain in her body to subside. It might have taken her five minutes or more to make it over to the chair. Her bandaged hand held gingerly against her chest, but she was determined. When Natasha entered the room again, oddly alone she found her ward across the room the other woman's attention consumed by the gown.
Natasha knocked on the doorway as not to startle her. "Khaleesi, what are you doing out of bed?" She chastised, coming to stand beside her. Smiling politely, exhausted but unfazed by the other woman's warning tone Khaleesi chose to ignore her question instead posing a few of her own.
"What day is it…have I been asleep long?" She asked her voice sounding strange and gravely to her.
The other woman gave a concerned smile in return, shaking her head. "Don't worry about that, it's only been a few days. You really shouldn't be out of bed, especially not in your condition." Gently touching her elbow and she continued. "Here my darling lets get you back where you belong."
Looking downward at the gown in her hands, Khaleesi paused frowning.
"What did you call me?" She asked, hands beginning to tremble.
Natasha remained motionless, her smile suddenly becoming tight.
"I'm sorry, what's that?" She answered, her voice feigning ignorance.
With her fingers still touching the gown, Khaleesi willed it to give her strength for what was to come.
"I must admit, that was a convincing attempt at sentiment...You just cannot help yourself can you? To gloat over your self proclaimed victories." Looking over her shoulder at the doppelganger, any closer and Khaleesi could have felt her breath upon her cheek.
Natasha's hands clenched and unclenched at her sides. Gaze burning with simmering rage. Now eye level and the tricksters expression turned to an alarmingly amused smile in the blink of an eye.
Voice soft almost sympathetic, it struck the young woman's heart with fear. Each word heavier and sharper than the last.
"Your concern, my Love is touching, but misguided."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Khaleesi felt as if the air in the room were suddenly to thin.
"Did Natasha even arrive here, or are you more wicked than I imagined."
Reaching between their bodies, she grasped Khaleesi's arm by the wrist. Pulling it towards herself, she twisted the injured limb at an angle that was most disagreeable. Struggling, Khaleesi only lasted a few seconds before her face crumbled in pain. Courage wavering.
Hazel eyes shifting to bright emerald green Loki's voice spoke through its false vessel.
"You should be more concerned for our child's well being."
Breath quickening, Khaleesi forgot her pain if only for a second.
"Lies!" The horror plain in her voice as she tried to pull away.
"Ah, but I'm afraid it is." Leaning in, lips brushing her cheek. The doppelganger caressing her lower stomach with the palm of her hand.
"There, can't you feel it?...Already so strong. Determined to fight for his place."
Momentarily distracted by his words Khaleesi paled. "No...no."
Attempting to jerk away, in denial of his claims. "I was with child before you...you forced yourself on me." She said in disgust.
Loki scoffed, as if irritated and in the blink of an eye just like that, a hauntingly familiar face stared back at her. The horror in her eyes evident as she witnessed his trickery first hand, the trembling of her lips made him chuckle aloud. Hand snaking upward, hand now gently cupping her left breast, nuzzling against her throat he took advantage of their closeness. Somehow this was worse than their previous encounter, it opened a nightmarish realm of possibilities. The game may have changed unbeknownst to the Trickster, but now Khaleesi realized to her great disappointment, Loki wasn't the only one who had underestimated his foe. It could all very well just be a part of his game, a lie within a lie. The doubt taking root in her mind, twisted her stomach in to ropes.
Shivering, Khaleesi closed her eyes tightly, anything to break his gaze. Clint may have grinned down at her but it was Loki's laugh, his voice cruel and unforgiving that sounded from her lovers lips.
"Our short time in the study was merely a taste of my wrath..." He boasted. "A punishment of sorts for your disobedience and folly."
"Long before that however, now that was quite the opposite. The way you shuddered in ecstasy, a far cry from unwilling. The soft, sweet crush of your body beneath mine begging for release. I merely had to bid my time, and when the moment presented itself how could I waste the opportunity. I regret only that you called out his name instead of mine. Given the rewards for my patience though, I suppose I can overlook the mistake."
With a bark of laughter he smiled, truly amused. "It really isn't so farfetched? I was controlling Barton before you ever laid eyes on him. He is nothing more than my puppet. You're fate was decided before you even drew your first breath. Barton may have sullied you...but it is I who has established their legacy in your womb. You can deny it all you like, ignore what is right in front of you but it will not change the truth. I promise you in time, like many things you will come to accept what I am telling you."
"Tell me, what will you do when Barton is old and weak...when he cannot hit his target any longer and he withers away forgotten by all? You were meant to be Queen, to sit at my side and rule Asgard. Everything I did, I did for us..."
All at once the words died on his tongue, his grip lessening as the look of bewilderment spread across his face, the emerald green eyes looking down between their bodies.
Blood blossomed like some terrible flower across the midsection of the pale green top the redhead wore. Khaleesi twisted the blade with her small hand in a clockwise motion the rotation deliberately idle as her anger took hold. Her expression never faltering as she watched the guise begin to fall away and soon Loki stood before in his true form. His hands hovering over the hilt of the blade not daring to touch it yet. There was no hateful sneer on his face now, just pained confusion. He had lacked the foresight in this possibility. Loki was nothing if not vain and even with his more depraved schemes he could never fail to try and take credit in some way shape or form. Check on his investments if you will, it was proving to be risky endeavor.
Loki took one slow shaking breath after another. Mouth in a tight thin line as he tried to speak around the searing white hot pain.
"You ungrateful...What have you done?"
She licked her lips, taking a carefully measured breath holding his gaze she had a faintly vengeful smile.
"Oh what bite, what rebelliousness you have my dear sweet would-be King."
No one likes their words spit back at them and Loki was no different. She finally let go of the blade as the blood began to soak into the waistline of his dark pants. She'd buried it so deep in his flesh the blood had dripped on to her fingers. When he finally made to pull out the blade in one swift motion, he nearly doubled over. His legs buckling out from beneath him. The wound searing with agonizing pain, his vision fading to white.
"What have you done, what have you done to me!" He bit out at her retreating back with a howl.
Khaleesi fought to remain conscious, her body weakening slightly under the stress. Focusing her anger she twisted the blade again.
"What you deserve!" She cried out. "My child will never know your poisonous lies, your cruelty."
Stepping away, she moved with agonizing slowness. Blood stained hands falling to her stomach as if to shield the unborn child.
"He will be kind, joyful and strong. His heart will be pure and he will know love...He will be his fathers son!" She said defiantly.
Baring his teeth, Loki spat a mouthful of blood at her feet as he tried in vain to remove the blade. Eyes blazing.
"Now who is the liar!?" He seethed, blood stained teeth shining. "The All-Fathers prison cannot hold me, once I remove this cursed blade I am going to..."
She didn't answer him again until she rested her good hand on the mattress, a safe distance away.
"Don't bother Loki. Its an enchanted blade. Only the owner of the dagger can remove it." Laying her upper body on the edge of the bed she carefully crawled back onto the mattress lying on her side she rested her head on the pillow. Her own pain and discomfort consuming in its own way as Loki knelt on the floor. His upper body curling forward in agony.
"Who is the owner? Tell me now!" His voice increasing in volume, filled with venom and hatred.
Loki was about to start swearing again when he was interrupted by a voice.
"I am, you prick." Loki's eyes grew wide at the sound of Clint's voice.
Standing in the doorway glaring at the demi-god before he approached, kneeling down beside him. he knelt down.
Loki had no choice but to listen to the words. His hands slamming down, cracking the floor.
He struggled to sit upright again, his glare directed up towards Khaleesi in the bed. Teeth bared like a wild animal and she feared he would spew more filth but as he made to speak by the grace of the Gods the words were never uttered. Clint grabbed him by the scruff of his hair forcing him backwards, silencing him instantly.
"Don't you dare look her you fucking coward!"
Clint looked up at the bed, his gaze only for her. His sweet, brave girl. Rattled and traumatized, she'd kept it together though Clint himself fought the urge to simply kill Loki and be done with it. He'd begrudgingly promised the Queen and Thor he would not execute the demi-god. Wrenching Loki's head to the side he whispered to the Trickster. Low and menacing, he meant to get his point across the first and final time.
"If she lost the baby because of you...Pray they've hidden you where I can never find you."
Releasing his hold he wiped his hand on his pant leg, openly disgusted by what he had touched. Wheezing, coughing hard Loki spat on the ground again. Strangely silent now, his demeanor subdued. Either the mortal had not heard his full conversation with his former beloved or something else had captured his attention...but what? What in the nine realms could possibly have kept the archer from extracting his revenge now. Perhaps it wasn't what, but whom. Interesting he thought. Very interesting.
Crossing over to the bed Clint happily touched the side of her face relieved to see she was otherwise safe. Leaning into the touch, all the while fearful. Khaleesi wondered if Clint had heard all of Loki's supposed confessions. His next words seemingly putting the well warranted fears to rest. Or so she hoped.
"I'm so sorry Khali, I never wanted to put you in this position...but its over now." She smiled tiredly. Grateful that her genuine fatigue masked the terror she felt inside. Loki's words haunting her. Clint kissed her brow pulling the blanket back up.
"I'll be back as soon as I can, I love you."
Watching Clint walk back to the wounded god, he grabbed him by his hair again dragging him up to his feet.
For once they had been one step ahead of the trickster they couldn't afford not to be after what had happened to Khaleesi. Once the dagger had been squared away Natasha had laid it in the folds of the wedding gown out of sight. Not knowing if or when the god would make an appearance they couldn't risk him seeing the rouse. Natasha had whispered carefully to Khaleesi that they knew Loki well enough to know he wouldn't be able to deny the temptation of showing his face again, his vanity wouldn't allow him to simply run. He'd believed in his victory far too deeply to do anything else. What they needed was for him to believe in it enough to not use his clone, to show himself for long enough that his physical form would be stuck. He hadn't disappointed.
Clint hadn't been entirely honest with Khaleesi, not just in regards to their plan but their future together. There'd been certain conditions set in place in order for everything to go smoothly. He may have wanted to marry her, and no matter what contempt he felt for Loki the pair had been betrothed since birth, there was no denying that. She was Asgardian royalty, and Clint was merely a mortal man. Frigga, well aware of her second child's shortcomings had seemed oddly uncomfortable with the notion of Barton taking his place. How had she phrased it? Oh yeah, it 'broke tradition.'
When the gown for Khaleesi had arrived from the All-Mother no had been more surprised than Clint. Convincing the All-Mother of his worth had only been the first hurdle in a long list of otherworldly red tape. She may not have liked the idea of their impending marriage but she had no problem using it as leverage to keep Barton from killing Loki. If he wanted Khaleesi, if he wanted immortality than he had no choice but to swallow his pride. To ignore everything his gut was telling him, as he once again found himself for the second time traveling to hand off the Trickster to his own people.
Everything he had done, he'd done for them. He'd done it for her.
()()()()()()
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Khaleesi slept for what felt like weeks and when she awoke Natasha, the real one, was setting down a tray on the nightstand. A bowl of hot oats drizzled with cream and honey on it, a cup of tea beside it. Sitting up, she found herself to be famished and couldn't seem to recall the last time she ate a decent meal. Wordlessly allowing the other assassin to check her wounded hand, Natasha began taking off the bandage and rewrapped it once she determined it was healing properly. Swallowing the last bite of her meal, she sipped the hot tea carefully her mind wandering.
"Natasha…is there a way for us to know if the baby is alright." Holding the teacup, she waited for the woman's answer.
"I'm not sure, it's not as if there's a hospital near by. Is there a way for Thor to send a midwife?"
Khaleesi nodded. "We can always ask the All-Mother...she knew of my pregnancy before anyone."
That feeling of dread returned, and she was overcome with a horrible realization. The tea cup slipping from her fingers and shattering the metal tray.
The redhead beside her easily flew in to action gathering the tray and setting it aside.
"Khali, what's wrong."
Exhaling a shaking breath she willed herself not to cry. Betrayed, wounded, nothing could describe what she felt. No one could know, she had to protect Clint, she had to think of her child. Shaking her head she forced a tight smile.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just frazzled nerves...Worried about the baby I suppose."
Regarding her skeptically, Natasha had no choice but to accept the other woman's answers though her finely tuned instincts told her otherwise.
()()()()
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When the big day had finally arrived, Khaleesi attempted to put everything that had happened out of her mind and allowed herself to be filled with excitement. A little tired but otherwise she felt much better hardly any soreness at all. Clint had said Loki had been detained and that was all he had said on the matter. She had not questioned him. Her fingers had healed, joint stiffness the only noticeable aliment. Natasha had brought a simple looking black dress for the affair it wasn't anything fancy, she knew no one would mind. Clint had declined the offer of any royal attire Thor had offered upon their arrival, instead opting to let Khaleesi be the center of attention. Keeping to his black slacks and a black button up dress shirt, a dark gray silk tie completed the look.
Thor's family had arranged for servants to come with them and they had turned the large dining hall into a reception room using the long table to place the seating. It was a very modest affair but everyone seemed equally excited. Sitting in their chambers, Khaleesi sat at her vanity as Frigga herself was braiding pieces of her thick hair and pinning it up in intercut ways, tiny silk ribbon and delicate flowers woven in. The Queen had shooed away the servant who had started to task explaining it would be her great pleasure to do this for Khaleesi.
The two women had talked very little since sitting down, a uncomfortable silence stretching between them. Khaleesi's eyes watching the older woman's fingers work. The Queen smiled without looking at Khaleesi's reflection.
"The answer to your question is yes sweet girl, your son is healthy and will be strong willed and stubborn like his father." The Queen laughing softly at the way Khaleesi's eyes widened.
"Don't fret my dear, everything happens as it should. In time you will come to accept that."
The Queen placed her hands on Khaleesi's shoulders as she finished, pausing to appraise her work. Her expression somehow different then before as if she had more to say but held it back.
"There, perfect. Alright my child you look stunning. I should think Clint will nearly faint when he sees you. It's very sweet the way his eyes follow you always seeking you out." Khaleesi forced a smile. "Thank you, your Majesty."
Frigga tilted her head, her content smile unwavering. "Please Khaleesi, call me Mother."
()()()()()
It was a great honor to be married by the All-Father Thor had explained to Clint as he got ready. All Clint cared about was seeing his future wife and not making a total fool of himself during the ceremony. Thor had promised it was not a complicated ordeal, then again that was what he'd said about New York. When Clint finished shaving he wiped his face with a clean towel and starting working on his tie on. Thor had been giving him an interesting look as he did so. Finally as Clint tugged it through the last loop bringing the knot to his throat he couldn't take the Gods stare any longer.
"What is it Thor."
The thunder god paused before answering.
"My mother tells me you will take Khaleesi to Midgard…but you had failed to mention this."
Clint's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"That's because I hadn't decided if we would go…"
Thor smiled good naturedly despite the sigh that followed.
"Your new bride will not be able to make the journey my friend...you must have considered this."
The Groom regarded his teammate coolly. "Like I said, we haven't decided yet."
When Khaleesi walked into the hall she was positively glowing the dress hugging her curves, the train was a few feet long and trailed behind her. Clint found himself unable to focus on the words being spoken by the All-Father, he could only look at her and rub the soft skin on the top of her hands with his thumbs. Natasha had to nudge him in the elbow to get his attention when he was supposed to complete the union by kissing Khaleesi. He gladly complied, pulling her into his arms and not caring if they had an audience and kissed her passionately.
The reception proved to be a grand and joyous occasion.
A small band of musicians played lively music and everyone around them enjoying the festivities, ale and food being sampled by all. Clint danced with Khaleesi one hand holding her hand lovingly in his other pressed to the small of her back. Every now and then he would trail his fingers up along the row of pearl buttons on her spine. She closed her eyes swaying along with him, head resting on his shoulder. All evening she had wracked her brain and it always circled back to the same things. She loved Clint Barton with all her heart. They deserved to be happy didn't they?
"My husband…would you like to know a secret."
Clint nodded his head kissing the hand he held. "Yes I would."
Khaleesi bit her lower lip, allowing the words to flow free.
"We will have a son at the very end of summer when the weather is hot and he will be a strong, kind man like his father."
He looked down at her with an expression she had never seen before, pulling her tightly against him.
"That's the best secret anyone's ever told me little dove" He rested his chin on the top of her head then his eyes catching Natasha's from across the room. His gaze spoke volumes to the other Assassin. They deserved this happiness she prayed to God they would be allowed to keep it.
To be continued...
Authors Note: ((Steve Rogers may be making an appearance in the continuation or separate sequel. Toying the idea of a love triangle between he, Khaleesi and Barton. After the wedding Barton would be tempted to help Natasha and Fury in their time of need but wouldn't want to leave his wife unprotected in her pregnant state not knowing who he could trust. Given that Steve doesn't trust the organization due to the Hydra infiltration he would be tempted to help.))