The next day, Pepper awoke to find Loki sitting by her bedside in a chair that she's sure belonged to the vanity.
"When did you come in?" She asked gently. The child startled awake, smoothing his features before turning to face her.
"Not long ago, Milady. Can I get you anything?"
"As admirable as it is that you keep trying to steal both my jobs," Tony chuckled playfully from his pillow. "I am here for a reason."
"I would never!" Loki scowled. "For one thing, I am not experienced enough in either field to dare compete with you, and for another, I don't think I'd much like it if we switched places."
"Take pride in the fact that you could aid me in a time of need and do not doubt your abilities." Tony yawned. "Besides, Lady Sigyn seemed to like you well enough when you were older, so there is hope for you yet. Now, run along and see what's for breakfast, will you?"
"Yes, sir." Loki shut the door behind him and the couple was alone.
"Good morning to you too." Pepper's greeting sounded quietly amused.
"Good morn, Princess." Tony grumbled. "Excuse me if I don't feel like getting up just yet."
"That's fine by me." Pepper murmured. "You had a long day yesterday. They can't possibly expect you to be up at dawn."
"I'll live, either way." Her fiancé assured her as he threw back the covers and got out of bed.
"If you insist." The redhead snorted.
Breakfast was a loud and headache-inducing affair that made Tony want to tape their mouths shut so he could eat in peace! The Avengers could be loud, but this was the thundering of a million men who were already extremely boisterous for dawn. He hated such warriors, but Asgard was an ally and as such he had to keep up appearances.
"Next time, we shall take our meals in our rooms." He hissed. Pepper nodded her agreement, trying her best not to scrunch her face in discomfort.
Breakfast was a short affair indeed.
They went walking around the palace and found themselves in Frigga's gardens.
"This is beautiful!" Pepper breathed, amazed by what she saw.
"Lady Frigga takes great pride in her gardens, and, as you can see, has a master green thumb."
"She's got help, doesn't she?"
"When she calls for it, yes. I know not as much about Asgardian practices as it would appear, but the Allmother is an extremely capable woman."
"Loki got it from someone."
"Odin won't like to hear that." A lilting, musical voice snickered. Tony and Pepper turned to greet the newcomers.
"Hello, Ladies." Tony nodded to them before turning to Pepper.
"These are Princess Sigyn and Queen Frigga. Sigyn is the one who reminded us ever so nicely to watch our tongues." Tony smirked.
"Fret not, Merchant, for your betrothed is right, to some extent." Frigga offered, obviously amused.
"Ladies, may I introduce my betrothed, Virginia Potts. Everyone calls her Pepper."
"I often find nicknames to be very amusing. They are something we lack here, and they tell much about one's personality." Frigga informed them. "Lady Sigyn has a request to make of you, Merchant, but feared you were unapproachable. If I may, I would like to show Lady Potts one of my favorite parts of the garden. It has a marvelous view of the city."
"Of course." Pepper agreed. The women disappeared into the growths and Sigyn was left to stare at the Merchant, uncertainty in her gaze.
"You can sit if you wish, Lady Sigyn. I shan't harm you." Tony assured her. She didn't, but he stood to face her.
"Speak, child, and I will see if your wish can be granted."
"I ask much if you, Merchant, but I find that I cannot be away from my husband for so long. I was wondering if... if you would be willing to let me join you all, to be with him."
"In childhood, I assume?"
"You assume correctly, my lord."
Tony narrowed his eyes in concern.
"I realize that you do not make this request lightly, but do you understand the importance of what you ask? There are many dangers associated with such actions, and I took the risk for Loki because he could not be healed otherwise. Are you sure that you can accept the consequences?"
"I am, my lord."
"Then I will think on it, and you shall have your answer by this time tomorrow."
"Thank you, Merchant!" The young woman looked fit to cry, and Tony didn't handle crying women all that well.
"Why don't we go find Queen Frigga and Lady Potts?" He murmured gently before she could collapse.
"I-. Yes, please. Thank you."
It didn't take long for them to find the duo chatting on a bench near the palace.
"Has The Merchant heard your request?" Frigga asked upon sight of them.
"He has." Sigyn murmured softly.
"And?"
"He is fair, as you said. He will have my answer tomorrow, whatever it may be."
"Good. Now, let us take our leave. I'm sure we're needed in the palace."
"Of course, my Queen." The young woman nodded and they left the gardens. Tony watched them go, eyes on the fairly timid Lady Sigyn.
"What happened?"
"She is Loki's wife, that young one, and the Goddess of Fidelity. This is not easy for her."
"She wants to be with Loki."
"Yes."
"Can you do it?"
"It is not outside my abilities."
"But?"
"There are risks involved. 'Tis not something I do lightly."
"But you can, and she wants you to." Pepper confirmed. "What do you want to do?"
"I have no fucking idea." Tony groused.
On one hand, he would do absolutely anything to be with Pepper, circumstances be damned. On the other, this was very dangerous and too much could go wrong for him to want any part of this. He had a choice to make, and as lovely as Frigga's gardens were, that decision would not come to him here.
"I need to go into the city." Tony informed his fiancé. "You should stick with the team."
"Definitely." Pepper assured him. "Be careful, please?"
"Of course."
He escorted her back to the castle and headed for the city. A walk around would do him some good.
It didn't take him long to run into trouble.
"Shall we retitle you the God of Lost Children?" Hela smirked when she saw the following her deputy gained.
"There are things I could say to that, if I so dared, but I do desire to keep my head." Tony informed her before turning back to the kids.
"You all have your assignments. I expect notes of progress on my return."
"Yes, Merchant." The group responded as one and split off. Loki narrowed his eyes.
"May I go with Volca to see Chari?" He asked, watching the downtrodden boy make his way toward the castle.
"If you think there is something to be done then do it, but do not heap your sorrows onto others."
"I would have the girl live, Merchant. We freed her… did we not get there in time? Does… does she still die?"
"There are things that even I would not dare to change." Tony muttered.
"So she does…" Loki scowled.
"I said nothing of the sort."
"Exactly!" The younger boy hissed. "Because she will die!"
"Because what I do will not affect her either way. I know not if she survives the night, so don't strain your mind. Your fear will do her no good."
"I am not a coward!" Loki snarled, glaring at the Merchant.
"Even the bravest warriors fear death, no matter what they tell you. Not many welcome my presence." Tony chuckled. "You should find Lady Sigyn. I know she has been asking after you, as have your brother and parents."
"They are not mine by blood." Loki scoffed bitterly. "Why should they care?"
"Blood is not the most important in this life. Go find your family, Loki. We'll depart Asgard soon."