Author's Note: Hmmm, this was a hard chapter for me to write, but I really enjoyed writing it. Happy Holidays! And enjoy this chapter!

"She's safe," Thor informed his mother as he awoke from the spell. "Mother, Jane's alright, she's—"

Thor's mother didn't stir. Her body was draped over the ancient spell book that she had used to send her son to his beloved. The Queen of the Gods didn't respond when her son gently shook her or when he called her name softly.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

"Mother, please!" Thor exclaimed as he shook her a bit harder. He knew it was futile—shaking the Queen wouldn't awaken her—and yet, he couldn't help it. He needed to remain calm and push back the urge to panic that he so strongly felt. "Mother—!" Thor could a step back from the sleeping queen and took a slow even breath in. He needed to go get help.

"Frigga," Odin's voice broke the deathly silence of the library. Judging by the guilty look in Heimdall's eyes, Thor knew that the guardian of the Bifrost must have told the All-Father what had transpired. "Frigga!" Odin rushed to his wife's side and took her in his arms.

"She did the spell, Father," Thor informed him, as if that information could somehow help his mother. "She said that she would be alright, I didn't—"

"My Lord," Heimdall interrupted. "I must return to my post. Shall I send for someone?"

"No," Odin answered softly, his eyes locked on his wife's unconscious form. "Go, Heimdall." With a respectful bow, Heimdall left the room. Odin sighed before gracefully picking up his wife into his arms.

"Father—"

"Not a word, Thor." Odin growled. He stormed out of the room and Thor dutifully followed him. They traversed the long corridors and rooms before finally arriving in the King's Royal Chamber. Gently, Odin placed his wife on the bed and stroked a few strands of hair out of her face.

"Will Mother be alright?"

"That spell she did . . ." Odin began, with an angry glint in his eyes. "It was to re-unite you with your mortal, correct?"

"Yes," Thor answered.

"And she knew of the risks? She knew that I had nearly collapsed after performing this same spell?"

"Yes," Thor replied. "But she said it would be okay—"

"Okay?" Odin echoed. "How is this okay, Thor?" He gestured to his wife. "Your mother—my wife—could be trapped in a dream world forever because of this spell and for what? The sake of your mortal!"

"Father—" Thor began to protest with Odin held up his hand for silence.

"No more," Odin mumbled. "No more of this longing for Jane, Thor. She is a mortal, you are a God! Mortal lives flicker in and out of existence faster than you can ever comprehend! You are a God! You will live for centuries!"

"I love Jane!" Thor shouted. "Father, I have been ever since I met her."

"And look what that love has done, Thor," Odin calmly replied. "Your mother could die from her foolhardy attempt to help you be with your lover. As King, I will not let you endanger your Queen's life and your life. What if Jane had died when you were with her? You would have perished too! You have a duty to Asgard, Thor, one that you must fulfill. As a future King, you have responsibilities to your people."

"Father, you cannot—!" Thor shouted.

"Silence!" Odin yelled and Thor could hear the sky rumble outside. "I may have encouraged this love once, but now I see it for what it truly is—a danger to Asgard. You will never see Jane Foster again. You will never return to Earth and you will never, ever, have anything to do with mortals again! Is that clear?"

"Odin," A voice weakly called and Thor could see his mother's pale hand holding onto his arm. "Please, do not do this to him."

"Frigga," Odin said, relieved. He kissed her hand. "You're awake."

"Spare Thor my punishment," Frigga mumbled weakly. "He and his Jane are meant to be. I feel it."

"I must do this," Odin explained. "For Asgard." The sickly Queen was about to open her mouth again, but Thor could see what a strain talking was taking on her. While he was glad that his mother was alright, he had to make sure that she rested.

"Mother," Thor said with a sorrowful expression on his face. "It is alright."

"I am tired," Frigga muttered as she dropped her hand from exhaustion. "So tired." She shut her eyes.

"Rest, then," Odin ordered quietly as he kissed her forehead. "I will remain by your side."

"Father, I—" Thor began.

"I will be deaf to excuses," Odin informed him. "I am your King and you will obey my will!"

"But Father, I love her." Odin met his son's gaze.

"You will love another one day."

Thor stormed out of the room.

Author's Note: Please review!