Loki was looking much better after some tender loving care from his dark elf. Elena made she he was comfortable, and within moments of coming into contact with each other, alone, they had fiercely made love. First in the bathroom, amidst the warm water and candles, and again in the bedroom, on the fresh sheets Elena made sure were there.

"I wish there was a way I could rid you of the scars," she whispered, tracing the scarred words on his chest as they lay there, "I still can't believe they did this to you."

"I refused to offer your name," Loki replied, "My own doing."

"Still..." Elena sat up, "Weren't you scared?"

"Scared? Of what?"

"I don't know...dying," Elena continued, "The Chitauri could have killed you."

"Better than you being killed as well."

Loki's words made her sad. She wished he cared for himself even an ounce as much as she did for him.

"Elena..." Loki began, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

"For leaving," he said, his voice starting to shake, "For abandoning you and our baby. You did not deserve that."

"You couldn't have known I was pregnant," Elena said, cutting him some slack, "I mean..." Her hands rested on her stomach,"I shouldn't have slept, I would have been able to protect her..."

Loki cupped her chin in his hands, "No, love. You mustn't blame yourself. We will find her, and get her back."

"And then what?" Elena sighed, "I've killed Odin. They'll kill us both."

"No," Loki continued, "We have another hope."

"And what is that?"

Loki swallowed, "Malekith."

"...my father. But he's dead."

"I don't believe he is," Loki told her, "Come. Let us sit by the fire, and I can show you."

Elena wrapped herself in a blanket and went to the chair by the fireplace, settling herself there in Loki's lap. He kissed her head before outstretching his arms, "Watch." The illusions Loki created with his magic always made Elena's heart skip beats, but this time, it truly was amazing.

"The Asgardians thought they'd destroyed the Ether," he explained, showing the ether and dark elves in the air, "But they buried it. Far. Thor's grandfather made sure of that. And recently...it's been awakened."

"The Ether...the ultimate power force that won't ever be destroyed."

Loki smiled, "You've done your research."

"What else was I to do while I waited?" Elena looked up at him, "So the Ether has awakened...what do we do now?"

"We go to Svartlfheim," Loki told her, "And you present yourself before him. I know that as mutual enemies of Asgard, we can come to a sort of agreement. That, and I know he will be glad to see how wonderfully his daughter has grown."

Elena touched the edges of her ears, the sharp points. She wondered why she hadn't thought of this before. But then it occurred to her that Loki knew much more than she did, and he was more than willing to share it.

"How can we know he'll protect us?" Elena asked.

"Because, as his heir, you can offer to be a monarch of one of the nine realms he will be able to rule, in exchange for helping him to destroy them, perfectly."

"Me? As Queen..." She turned and looked at him, "And then you could finally be King. My god, I couldn't rule alone, and I wouldn't know how. I'd need you at my side."

Loki blushed a little, "Well...yes, but only under one circumstance."

"And that is?"

Loki gently lifted her into his arms, standing, and then set her on the chair, appearing in his Asgardian clothing. He then reached into one of the secretive compartments within, retrieving a small box.

"It should be where I put it...ah."

Elena covered her mouth, "Loki, what are you..."

"Since we are in Midgard, I see it only fit that it is done in Midgardian tradition," Loki said simply, dropping down to one knee, "Elena Rose Ward. Mother of my child. Love of my life. Daughter of the Dark Elves. I love you." He opened the box and a small, sparking ring was in it, intricately carved around an emerald stone, "Please, will you do me the honour, of being my wife?"

Elena could barely choke out the words, but after clearing her throat she pulled him into a kiss, "Yes, Loki!"

Loki's face broke into the biggest smile she'd ever seen, "You mean that? You will marry me?"

"Of course I do!" Elena said excitedly,

"Where did you get this ring? It's spectacular..."

"I got it shortly after I left your home in New York," Loki told her, "I stopped in Jotunheim."

"But isn't it closed off?"

"Only to those who don't know the way. I was able to find one of the last remaining treasure troves, of my own father, Laufey. This delicate little ring was there amidst other frozen gold and silver. It spoke to me, and I knew it was to be yours."

"But...that was before you knew about Luna."

"True," Loki bit his lip, "But I knew I wanted to marry you. After the experience we had, how I felt when I was with you...like I've never felt before. I could not simply walk away. I thought, when I've conquered Midgard, I would come back and propose."

"I can see why things didn't go according to plan," Elena said with a little laugh, "I mean..."

"If it's all the same to you, we've found our way, haven't we?"

"But...we can't marry in Asgard, or Jotunheim..."

"Then by Midgard tradition, perhaps here?" Loki asked, "I don't wish to rush things, but it may be wise to do so soon. Before we properly ascend to the throne."

Loki, always so thoughtful of the little details, she mused. But he was right.

"We've already rushed everything, haven't we?" Elena said, "I know where we could go, get this done quickly. Tomorrow. We can't waste time, they must be looking for us by now."

"You're sure you're ready?" Loki asked, "There is no turning back."

"I've been ready my entire life," Elena said, "It is my birthright."

"You are a smart girl."

Elena looked down, "The sooner we marry, the sooner we find her."

"Elena," Loki took her hand, slipping the ring onto her finger, "I swear to you, we will find Luna. And I will die before I fail to do so."

"I hope that doesn't happen..." Elena whispered, pressing her forehead to his, "I can't lose you, too."

"Then you won't, because I refuse to allow it."

–

Jane Foster couldn't believe her eyes. Was it really him? Was it really Thor? Standing in front of her, in the pouring rain on the outskirts of cloudy London? She slapped him across the face just to sure. As he recoiled in pain, she realized that yes, it was him. Then, a second slap, for leaving her behind.

"Jane," Thor said breathlessly, "I am sorry. I want to make this all up to you, I really do. There were wars being fought between the realms, and..."

"As excuses go, that's not bad," Jane smiled a little, "But go on."

Thor's eyes grew sad. Jane wasn't used to seeing him like this. Something was wrong.

"Thor, what's wrong?"

"My father is dead," Thor managed to say, his voice quivering, "And Loki is missing."

"No..." Jane shook her head, "He didn't...?"

"There lies the problem," Thor said quietly, "We don't know if it was him, or..."

"...who else could it be?" Jane asked urgently.

"Whoa, you're still muscly," Darcy appeared next to them, "What's up? How's space?"

"Darcy..." Jane closed her eyes.

Thor nodded in her directed, "Good to see you."

"Thor," Jane urged him, "Who else did it? Who else could have killed Odin?"

Thor wet his lips, "Her name is Elena..."

"Elena? What, is she a god too, or...?"

"Sort of," Thor continued, "Before Odin was killed, she was in Asgard...giving birth to Loki's child."

"WHAT?!" Both Darcy and Jane shouted in unison.

"That freak that tried to blow up New York?!" Darcy threw her arms in the air, "Holy shit!"

"Loki is still my brother," Thor insisted, "And he is missing."

Jane shook her head in disbelief, "That's awful."

"Ugh, no, not that!" Darcy's face wrinkled in disgust, "Just, Loki...somebody HIT that! Gross!"