The Darcy Lewis Story
Author: daxcat79
Rating: R
Pairing: Loki/Darcy, Tony/Pepper, Thor/Jane
Genre: Drama, Humor, Romance
Warnings: Non-Explicit Sexual Content
Summary: We've heard the stories of superheroes and assassins, but no one really knows Darcy's story… until now.
A/N: I blame this story entirely on my internet wife "sunny_serenity" who actually inspired me with this story while answer a meme. So Sunny, I guess this one's all for you! Thanks so much for the reviews, guys! Please keep the encouragement coming!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I enjoy borrowing them.
Part Eight "The Thread Unravels"
In storybooks it's easy to identify the villain. They have the evil laugh, maybe a mustache, and no one ever bothers to tell their side of the story. You never hear about why the big bad wolf was trying to blow people's houses down. And I certainly don't remember them explaining why those wicked witches had it out for all those princesses who spent most of their life talking to animals and singing while they cleaned floors. They don't tell you that the wolf had been starving to death and needed to eat to survive, or that that witch you fear was once an innocent child herself, but somehow something happened to turn her into the nightmare that haunts little girl's dreams. In life it's never that simple. People can't be defined in two categories. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a reason for who they grow up to become. Sometimes you can still be surprised because the person you thought was a villain… might just be the hero. Nothing is black and white. There's always a heck of a lot of grey.
"My friend, it is good to see you once more."
He wore all gold, standing tall like a large statue, with skin like dark chocolate. "Thor… it is always good to see you in person."
I wasn't really paying any attention to the boys, because I was too busy trying to recover from the state of shock after laying eyes on Thor's world. Asgard literally took my breath away. It was like nothing I could ever imagine. It made Earth's most magnificent cities look like shit, and it was no wonder all these people thought they were gods. Thor led me towards his home with a wide and proud grin. The warriors three were there to greet us, and Thor pulled each one in a warm hug before pausing to greet Lady Sif. His eyes were soft when he looked at her, as if she were especially important. Lately I've caught him giving me the same look, and I realize what it is now. Sif and I… we're like his sisters. He sees us as if we were blood, and I find myself amazed that someone so wondrous and powerful could ever come to look at me like that… like family.
"Frigga is waiting for you, Thor," says Sif and her eyes glance towards me with trepidation. I wonder if she even recognizes me. "She waits for you both."
Are they expecting us? Heimdall certainly didn't seem surprised and neither do Thor's battle buddies. Thor doesn't seem surprised that they knew we were coming. His smile simply fades and he shoots me a glance. "Loki is dying. We have come to ask for the All Father's help."
That's not exactly what I have in mind, but I nod anyway. Sif just gives us both an inquisitive glance. "Do you really think he will help Loki? All have Asgard has been told that the son of Odin is to be tested."
"Oh don't worry, Loki is definitely going to pass," I assure her. I get the feeling she's not sure whether to be relived or worried by my answer.
"Then you should go… quickly," she encouraged and moved her fellow warriors aside to reveal our ride. I can't believe in a world filled with technology and magic I'm stuff forced to get on a god damn horse just to get to the palace.
"Please tell me you're joking." There is no way I'm going to get on top of a fucking horse. Hell no.
Thor just smiles, and it's the most devious look I've ever seen on his face. I didn't think it was possible. Obviously I was wrong. "Come Darcy, Loki is depending on us." I roll my eyes. Son of a bitch….
The moment we're inside and I can walk on solid ground again (MUST RESIST THE URGE TO KISS THE FLOOR) an older woman is flying into Thor's arms and I realize with a start that she's Thor's mother… which also makes her Loki's mother. "My son… you have returned!"
"Yes, but only briefly… Loki is gravely illl and I must not stay."
Her eyes widen with understanding. "Of course! You must see to him… you must protect Loki!" She turns, still holding Thor tight and I feel like she's sizing me up, though her expression isn't critical… just curious. "And you are Darcy Lewis."
I lick my lips and try not to stutter when I speak. "Yeah… hi." This woman is a queen… and I'm giving one hell of a horrible impression.
Her smile widens anyway, and she finally let's go of Thor. "You are to be my son's betrothed?"
I'm really not sure how to answer that, and I find I can no longer meet her gaze. "I really need to speak with your husband." My voice sounds timid to my own ears. After seeing this world, I feel woefully inadequate. No one even told me how amazing Loki and Thor's mother was. She's beautiful, and so full of strength I could never even imagine possessing myself. She oozes confidence and I am in awe of her already. "Loki's very sick."
Her smile fades just a bit as she shares a look with Thor. "Odin awaits you on the balcony. You may go speak with him while I steal away my son."
"Wait… alone? He wants to talk to me alone?" That was totally not part of my plan. I was hoping to keep Thor with me. He's the only thing keeping me from running away screaming at this point, because this is SO not what I expected and I have no idea how to behave in this environment. I'm from a little town in New Mexico. This place… these people… are to out of my league and completely beyond me. Now I really do feel like an ant, and I find myself wondering how I ever became friends with the princes of Asgard.
Thor moves over to me and rests his hands on my shoulders. "Speak from your heart, Darcy. Odin is wise. He will hear you."
Why is he suddenly so calm? He looked so nervous before, but now he's just like ithem/i and all the fear in his eyes seems to have faded away. I wonder if maybe I was seeing things before. I am so completely fucked. What am I doing here? What could I possibly say to Odin that would save Loki's life? "Uh… okay." Frigga gestures towards the balcony to my right, and I find it strange how empty the enormous room is. If I shouted I'd probably hear a friggin' echo. I think of Loki and it gives me strength. I'm here on a mission and I know I can't go back until I've faced my fears. I came to conquer… and that's just what I'm going to do. I swallow down the lump in my throat and walk towards the balcony. With one last glance back at Thor, he gives me a supportive smile. Frigga seems impressed. The fact that someone like me could impress her… well; I'm just not sure how to process that. I walk out onto the balcony… Odin's back facing me.
"My wife did not believe you would come."
I don't move any closer. I just stay where I am and try not to fidget. "I came for Loki." Someone has to care about him… might as well be me. Jerk!
"Of course you did." He turns slowly, and I get a good look at his face for the first time. He has one eye missing like Fury. He looks worn and old, but still incredibly strong and just… thick. The gold of his patch and his clothes give him an ancient look, but to see him now… he looks more human than any of the others I've met from this place. This man has seen some things, been through shit, and he carries those scars like no one else from this place.
"He's dying… because of you."
He lifts a single eyebrow, but looks amused more than anything. "Because of me, you say?"
"You have the power to save him."
He shakes his head. "Oh no, my dear… that power resides in you, and you alone."
It's like he's playing a game with me. I want to throw that damn jewel in his ugly face. "You forced it on me! You put me in this impossible position! Do you have any idea what this is doing to your son? Do you even care?"
His eyes darken, and I'm guessing I hit a nerve, but he doesn't shout. His voice is soft and smooth to my ears. "You believe this is a test. You believe I feel shame because of Loki's sins. You are wrong."
I pull out the blue jewel from Loki's staff. "Then why give me this?! Of all people… why me?! I'm just his friend! I haven't even known him that long, and we didn't exactly meet on the best of terms! Why would you give this to me?!"
Odin's eyes meet mine and I see pain in his remaining eye. This is a man who has lived longer than I could ever imagine. He may look old, but compared to me… he's ancient. He looks tired of it all… the living. He's a man who is living to death and I can tell. "Tell me Darcy, what do you know of us?"
I'm not exactly sure what he's asking, but I give the best answer I can. "My world… they once saw you as gods. Your stories are in mythology books."
"Not just stories. Long before your time I protected your world from a powerful enemy, the Frost Giants… Loki's kind. The war lasted many of your lifetimes. Many died. Legends of us spread like wildfire. They morphed and changed through time, but have you ever wondered where they began?"
I don't know what this has to do with anything. Loki is on my planet dying and Odin is trying to give me a fucking history lesson. "No."
His smile is faint, but there's a hint of pride. "Me."
My eyes narrow, arms folded in annoyance and I don't know what he's getting at. I'm not sure I really care. "I really don't see what this has to do with Loki!"
Odin takes one step forward, and I stiffen. This man puts me on edge… big time. He makes Nick Fury look like a fluffy bunny. "Thor and Loki's story was told long before they were even alive to tell it, Darcy. The man you met… Heimdall… he sees all things, but there are others with a sight far more reaching. He sees worlds and people and moments, but I see time. It unravels like a thread. It's ever changing, but always with a purpose… always with a destination in mind. I do not control the thread… but I do see it. It is both my gift and my curse. It serves me well as king, but I am subject to it as no one else could ever be." He leans forward just a bit, and I realize what he's trying to tell me. "The stories passed on as legends are whispers from my mouth because one day many of them would become truth. These stories must be shared. They have meaning and purpose. Do you understand?"
I see the desperation there. He needs me to comprehend his ramblings and make sense of it. I want to make sense of it. "You're telling me… you can see the future?"
His smile grows. "I see glimpses… bits and pieces, but never the whole. The day I took Loki into my arms I saw pain and anger. I saw regret and redemption. I saw both darkness and light. His life was set before my eyes, but eventually… eventually it intertwined with another. In your stories of us… in your legends Loki has a wife."
And that's when it all clicks. I realize something and I don't know how I could have missed it before. My stomach drops. My middle name… why didn't I realize? How could I miss something so big? Maybe I didn't want to see it. "Sigyn… her name was Sigyn."
He nods. "In the stories she is Loki's caretaker, assisting him through his trials though difficult for them both to bear. In Asgard she is a whisper. She is a goddess of fidelity for her loyalty and endurance. The name is spoken with awe and respect because the burden she carries is truly great, but she faces it with a courage worthy of us."
I'm scared… now more than ever. My life is not my own. This is so much bigger than I could have ever imagined. "You're saying I don't have a choice." How can I not have a choice?
He shook his head. "We all have a choice, Darcy. The things I saw when I took Loki… they could have been prevented if I had simply put him down and walked away. I could not. I knew he would bring me pain and sorrow, but he would also bring me joy. I would not deny myself that joy, Darcy. Would you like to see your joy?" He offers me his hand.
I don't want to take it. I want to run. This wasn't part of the plan. Odin was supposed to get his ass handed to him, and when I'd finished shaming him he was supposed to save Loki and take this burden away from me. I put the jewel away, slipped back into my pocket. My eyes lower to his outstretched hand and slowly I reach out and take it. My eyes shut tight, and the balcony melts around me.
The first thing I see are two boys. They are laughing and playing together, and calling me 'mom.' I call them Nari and Vali. They look just like Loki with perfect green eyes and dark hair, but I see myself in there too and it shouldn't make me so proud. Hands slip into mine and when I look up it's Loki standing beside me. He's different. His smile is wide. His eyes are no longer haunted. There is peace and joy inside me that I never even knew could exist. I didn't know I needed it to exist. I realize this is the future… could be my future if I want it to be. I feel overwhelming love for this man beside me, and those boys own my heart like nothing else ever could because they are a part of us. For two people misplaced in this world without a clear birthright… this is heaven. This is all ours… these children… our blood. It shouldn't mean so much to me, but it does. It never did before.
I gasp and pull my hand away as if burned, eyes wide as I look up at Odin. "Now you know what it's like… to be bound by something far greater than yourself. I sent you a choice, Darcy… nothing more. You came here to judge me for the gift I have bestowed upon you. Do so if you wish, but those young boys haunt my dreams… and I would rip out my heart and hand it to you if it would make these dreams a reality." He turns away from me again, and I get the feeling I've been dismissed. I'm not quite ready to go yet.
"How do I save him?" I'm shaking… why am I shaking? I keep seeing green eyes. I hear children's laughter. I can't stop shaking.
"The power is yours to command. Loki's magic resides in you. Instinct will take over if you give up control and only then will you bond your mind to his. Once this process begins it must be accomplished. Your fate will be sealed. There will be no turning back."
That's all the answer I need. I take my leave and go find Thor. I just hope I'm not too late.
To Be Continued