Melting His Icy Heart
Chapter 10
A/N: I changed the ending from what was in the movie, b/c, while I did like the ending, it wouldn't fit for my story.
When they got back to Earth they were back at the warehouse and immediately went to the car.
"So, who's Richard?"
"Really?"
They headed back to Erik Selvig's place. When they walked in they met not only him, but Darcy and Ian as well. Andrea blinked when she realized Erik had no pants on.
"Dear god…"
"Are you well, Erik?"
Erik looked at Thor for a moment before asking a question that sent a spike of pain through Andrea's heart.
"Your brother's not coming is he?"
"Loki is dead."
"Oh, thank God!"
Andrea's skin burst into flames and Thor gave Erik a sad look, prompting him to amend his statement.
"I…I meant…so sorry."
"Thank you."
Erik went to hug Thor while Andrea collapsed into the nearest chair and refused to even look at anyone. Thor felt his heart breaking for her sorrow, and he knew Jane felt the same. Darcy didn't realize what was wrong.
"Hey! What's up with you huh? You're all gloomy gus over here."
"Darcy…not now…please?"
Andrea's voice was soft and pleading, and it made Darcy frown in a rare show of concern.
"Hey…you ok?"
"No…no I'm not."
Erik gave her a sad look, feeling bad for what he'd said but he couldn't help his relief after what he'd been through.
Back on Asgard…
Loki approached Odin, standing before his broken throne, still wearing the guise of the soldier.
"Forgive me, my liege. I've returned from the Dark World with news."
"Thor?"
"There was no sign of Thor, or the weapon, but…"
"What?"
"We found a body."
"Loki."
He gave the king an apologetic look and watched in amazement as the man broke down and cried. He had no idea what to make of this, it meant that Odin really did care about him. It changed everything for him. He took a deep breath and revealed himself to Odin, waiting until the man finally realized he wasn't alone. The look of shock and joy on Odin's face nearly made Loki crumble.
"I lied?"
Odin pulled Loki into a crushing hug, making Loki gasp in shock. He could never remember a time when Odin had hugged him.
"I have never been so happy to hear you say those words my son."
"I'm…sorry. I was hurt…and angry…and I let my emotions blind me to the truth…I'm the god of lies…I'm supposed to be able to see the truth…"
Odin stopped Loki's sudden bout of rambling by raising a hand.
"Loki, once Malekith has been dealt with I must go into the Odin-sleep. I want you to handle the throne while I do so."
"I was planning to let everyone think I was dead and spend the next few decades on Midgard with Lady Andrea."
"I think I might have a better idea Loki."
Loki followed Odin, looking confused as to what he might mean.
Back on Earth…
Andrea had mostly tuned out the group's frantic science ramblings, neither understanding any of it nor caring about it at the moment. When Thor summoned his hammer from where he'd hung it on the wall she sat up and paid attention.
"I better get my pants."
Andrea snorted softly at Erik's words and rolled her eyes.
"That might be a good plan."
Andrea and the group went to Greenwich, Andrea sticking close to Thor while the others did their science thing. The sight of the Elves ship landing in the middle of Greenwich was…unnerving to say the least. She and Thor landed in front of Malekith, Andrea darting off to one side while Thor started to fight the dark elf. She kept her eyes on the rest of the elves, knowing Malekith would have them attacking soon. When they moved she started barbequing them. She blinked as things started vanishing around the place as Jane created anomalies all over the place, it was a surprisingly effective method of making the elves go away. She noticed Jane and Erik in trouble and moved their way, frying the elves that were chasing them. She laughed a bit when Darcy and Ian appeared, Darcy holding and kissing Ian.
"Darcy?"
"Jane!"
"Ian?"
"Selvig."
"Mew mew."
"Mjolnir."
"Close enough."
Andrea shook her head, giving up on correcting Darcy's pronunciation. They ran in and watched as Thor entered the swirling mass of Aether and debris surrounding Malekith, carrying Selvig's poles with him. They all prayed this would work. When it all stopped Jane ran to Thor, seeing the elve's ship falling towards his unconscious body. She laid over his chest and then looked up in shock when the ship was just gone.
"Everybody okay?"
They all heaved a sigh of relief that it was all over.
Later they gathered at Erik's table for breakfast.
"He's gonna come back. Except…ya know…last time he was gone for like, two years."
"Well it's only been two days so…"
"Did he say anything before he left?"
"Yeah, he had to figure some stuff out with his father. He kinda committed treason…on our way out."
"Oh."
Back on Asguard…
Thor stood before his father's throne.
"You once said there would never be a wiser king than me. You were wrong. The alignment has brought all the realms together. Every one of them saw you offer your life to save them. What can Asgard offer its new king, in return?"
"My life. Father I cannot be king of Asgard. I will protect Asgard and all the realms with my last and every breath, but I cannot do so from that chair. Loki, for all his grave imbalance, understood rule as I know I never will. The brutality, the sacrifice…It changes you. I'd rather be a good man than a great king."
"Is this my con I hear, or the woman he loves?"
"When you speak, do I never hear mother's voice? This is not for Jane, father. She does not know what I came here to say. Now forbid me to see her, or say she can rule at my side. It changes nothing."
"One son who wanted the throne too much, and another who will not take it. Is this my legacy?"
"Loki died with honor. I shall try to live the same. Is that not legacy enough?"
Thor held out his hammer to Odin who waved him off.
"It belongs to you. If you are worthy of it."
"I shall try to be."
"I cannot give you my blessing, nor can I wish you good fortune."
"I know."
"If I were proud of the man my son had become, even that, I could not say. It would speak only from my heart. Thor…Loki is not dead."
"What? No, I held him in my arms as he died."
"You held a copy of him. He had planned to let everyone think him dead so that he could return to Midgard and remain with the mortal woman Andrea until her last days. When he saw my grief at losing him he changed his mind."
"He did?"
"Yes, and I have a much better plan for him, provided the Lady Andrea is willing of course."
"What plan is that father?"
"Stick around awhile longer and you will see my son. He should be bringing her back here shortly…or returning alone depending on her answer."
Thor looked confused but sat on the steps near his father to await the return of his brother.