Chapter Thirteen

Loki was going over all that had happened since Ellie disappeared trying to figure out why she was taken and where the Frost Giants could have taken her. How could they have accomplished all of this without being seen? Then he thought about how he had been able to move around without being seen by using the dark magic. This scared Loki now that he realized someone else had learned the things that he could do. But who was it?

"Father, we need to do something. Let me go to Jotunheim to look for Ellie. I have to go now or it may be too late. Ellie could never survive there. I highly doubt that she is dressed properly for the conditions and they would not treat her with dignity. This is all about me. I know it."

"No, Loki. We must take into consideration all of our options. They may be waiting there for you to come to her," Odin replied.

"Then let me gather a small army so I will be prepared for an attack."

"I will go with him, Father. We need to do something," Thor said.

Odin looked at his sons. He was so proud of the men that they had become. "We will…"

But Odin did not finish his sentence. They all suddenly felt a huge surge of energy. The whole room pulsated with the thrum of power. They all looked at one another.

"It was not me," Loki threw up his hands and looked at his family.

Odin closed his eyes. "It is coming from below us. In the vaults."

Loki and Thor ran out of the throne room and headed straight to the stairs leading to the vaults below. Loki took the stairs four at a time with Thor right on his heels. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as they made their way through the maze of hallways. Coming around a corner they saw the guards lying on the floor outside of the vault where the caskets were kept.

The brothers ran down the hall toward the door. Loki saw the blue of the Jotunheim's casket as it was being fired, but then a purple glow overpowered it. As he finally reached the doorway he saw the Frost Giant firing the casket at someone who stood in a globe of purple energy. Before Loki could raise his hands to do anything, the Frost Giant stopped.

"Interesting," the giant said and then raised his eyes to Loki and Thor. Loki took a step forward, but the leader vanished with the other giants.

Thor stood next to Loki and they watched as the purple glow vanished from around the conjuror. The being was small and covered in dirt. Who were they? They wavered on their feet as they looked at their hands and then slowly turned around. As their face turned up to the door, Loki's heart stopped. It was Ellie. Then he watched as her body sank to the floor.

Flying down the stairs, Loki threw himself to the floor next to Ellie. Gathering her in his arms he checked for a pulse. Ellie was burning up, but she was alive. Loki stroked her cheek and gently murmured her name, lost for a moment that she was even there.

"Thor!" Loki yelled, coming back to his senses. "She's alive! Go get help! Please!"

Thor ran out as Loki cradled Ellie to his chest. She was here. He could not believe she was here with him. Looking her over for injuries, he noticed she was covered in dry mud and leaves were stuck in her hair. Ellie was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Other than being ill, she seemed to be unharmed. Loki felt so relieved that he leaned down and rested his forehead against hers.

"Oh Ellie, how I missed you," he whispered.

Loki was surprised to hear a faint, "I missed you too," as Ellie's hand lightly brushed his cheek.

"I cannot believe you are here. I was trying to find you but I did not know where to look," Loki said cupping her face.

"Well you found me," Ellie replied. "Now kiss me."

Loki did not even hesitate. He kissed her like he would never stop. They just remained in each other's arms until everyone flooded into the vault.

The healers ran to Ellie and pushed Loki out of the way. Loki's body stiffened to object, but they began to check her over for injuries.

"I'm okay," Ellie grumbled. "You need to find Anson. He's hurt!"

"Over here!" Thor yelled.

One healer stayed with Ellie while the others went to check on Anson. He pulled out a small stone and held it to her forehead. Ellie could feel the warmth of the stone seep into her and the aches in her body and the headache slowly melted away. Now that she was healed, her mind brought her back to the reason she fought her way here in the first place.

"Where is your father? I need to tell him there is an army in the forest. Loki, there is an army of Giants in the forest!" Ellie blurted out.

"What?" Loki asked confused.

"The Frost Giants have an army waiting in the forest. I heard them say that the small group was a distraction until they gave a signal for the army."

"We have to get to my father." Loki gathered Ellie in his arms and made his way out of the vault. "Thor! We have a problem!"

Ellie wrapped her arms around Loki's shoulders and buried her face in his neck. She inhaled deeply and let his smell overtake her senses. There was danger lurking and she could not think of anything, other than the two of them at this moment. Ellie held onto it knowing it wouldn't last long.

Loki could not believe Ellie was here. Ellie had been gone for less than a month, but it felt like forever. Now she was in his arms with her face pressed to his neck. She was as light as a feather, but the tickle of her breath made it all real.

Thor followed close behind as they made their way to Odin. He did not speak a word letting Ellie and Loki have their moment. Knowing as soon as they reached his father, he would get the whole story.

Odin sat on his throne waiting for Loki and Thor to come back and report on what happened in the vault. He knew that his sons could work together and take care of whatever problem arose. What Odin did not count on was Thor and Loki walking back into the room with a child covered in mud. Frigga and Jane sat on the side and stood as soon as the men entered the room.

"Oh my god, Ellie!" Jane exclaimed running over to Loki.

Loki set Ellie down and she threw herself into Jane's arms.

"Are you alright?" Jane asked looking Ellie over from head to toe.

"I'm better now," Ellie replied. "They had to use a healing stone on me."

"What happened? How did you get here?" Jane continued asking, confused.

"Father," Loki said interrupting. "Ellie needs to speak with you."

Ellie let go of Jane and walked over to Odin. "Sire, there is an army of Frost Giants in the forest."

"What? How can that be?" Frigga said taken aback.

Everyone stared at Ellie in disbelief.

Thor turned to a guard and said, "Send some scouts into the forest and tell the men to prepare themselves."

"You have to talk to Anson. He'll tell you what direction I came from. He saw me come out of the woods," Ellie said.

"What happened to you, my dear?" Frigga asked, stepping up to her and pulling leaves out of her hair.

"I was taken from outside my apartment building late at night. I don't even know how long ago it was." Loki moved to Ellie's side and grabbed her hands. "They tied my hands and kept a hood over my head, so I'm not sure where they took me. The first place was so cold." Ellie wrapped her arms around Loki's waist. "I nearly froze to death, but then I was taken somewhere warm. That must be when we came here. A small group separated, taking me with, and headed to the palace while the remainder of the army waited in the forest. I don't know how many there are. There were so many voices, but I never saw a thing. The only part of the plan that I heard was that the small group was to enter the palace and when they were ready the army would receive a signal."

"Why are they doing this?" Jane said to no one in particular.

Ellie looked up at Loki and said, "They are taking revenge."

At that moment, Anson limped his way into the throne room. Ellie ran to him and threw her arms around him in a huge hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Ellie exclaimed. She stepped back, but held onto Anson's hands.

"I am alright, thanks to you, my lady," he replied giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

Loki walked over to Ellie and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Tell us what happened in the vault. And please tell me, my love, why you are covered in mud," Loki said.

Ellie told her story of how she took the Giant by surprise in the forest and managed to escape by hiding in the tree. Then, how she made her way to the palace by pure luck.

"That is when I saw her crawl out of the forest and collapse on the eastern entrance to the city," Anson said. "I did not know what to make of her at first. Ellie whispered for help and managed to say danger before she passed out. I recognized her and immediately brought her to the palace. When we entered, she awoke and explained to me what was taking place around us. I meant to bring her directly to you, Sire, but we came upon the Frost Giants breaking into the casket vault. There was no time to warn anyone and Ellie refused to stay behind."

"He couldn't take them on alone." Ellie admonished, shaking her head. "I was the only one who could help him."

Anson smiled at Ellie. "For one so small, she put up an amazing fight. Ellie picked up a spear from one of the fallen guards and killed the first giant. This took them by surprise which allowed me to kill another one. However, then we were fighting for our lives."

"I think we did pretty well," Ellie stated.

"I saw you being backed into a corner while I was fighting off two. The fourth was going after the casket. I was overpowered and from then on, I saw nothing but flashes of color," Anson finished.

"I honestly don't really understand what happened after that. He backed me into one of the alcoves and when he came at me, I ducked, but his arm came around and pushed me into the glowing purple box. When he reached down for me and I put my arms up to protect myself, I electrocuted him somehow. Then when the other guy used a glowing blue box on me, I just put my arms up and a purple barrier went around me. I have absolutely no idea what I did, or if it was even me."

Loki looked at Ellie. She had touched one of the caskets and was then able to use magic. How was that even possible?

"The Frost Giants have taken their casket. They now have their power back," Thor said angrily.

Odin sat on his throne and listened to everything Ellie had to say. He was beginning to understand what was happening. "Prepare the men for battle. My sons, escort your women to their chambers and prepare yourselves. We are going into battle."

Thor and Jane left with their arms wrapped around one another. Loki took hold of Ellie's hand and began to pull her towards the door.

"I can help," Ellie said. "I don't understand what happened to me down there, but I was able to stop them. Maybe I can do it again."

"No! Absolutely not!" Loki exclaimed. "You are going to stay here with my mother and Jane."

Ellie turned to Loki to press her argument, but Odin stepped in.

"I know you are brave Ellie, but this battle is for men of Asgard. We do not yet understand what has happened to you in the vault, and the power may only be temporary. If it is not, I would like you to stay here and protect Frigga and Jane if they are to get past us."

Ellie reluctantly nodded. She could not argue with the king when he asked her to protect his wife.

"Come Ellie," Loki said pulling gently on her hand.

They walked hand in hand out of the throne room. Loki led her upstairs to his chambers. She realized that she had never been to his room before. He pulled her directly into the washroom leaving her no time to look his room over. With a wave of his hand, Loki filled the tub with warm water. Ellie's eye shot up at him with surprise. Loki just smirked and went to grab some soap. Ellie unlaced her boots and slid them off of her feet and sighed with relief.

"Just getting those things off feels so good," Ellie moaned laying her head back.

Loki walked up to her and unzipped her hoodie. Ellie raised her head to look up at him.

"Let's get you cleaned up," Loki said pushing the sweatshirt off her shoulders.

Ellie peeled the rest of her clothes off and sank into the tub of amazingly warm water. Never before in her life could she remember water feeling so good. She dipped her head below the water to try and rinse the dirt out of her hair. When she resurfaced Loki sat on the edge of the tub behind her and began to wash her hair. He massaged the soap into her scalp and Ellie closed her eyes to relish the moment. When her hair was thoroughly lathered she dunked her head again to rinse.

"I must go prepare," Loki said and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. He pulled back and their eyes locked. Loki began to lean in once again. Hesitating, he groaned and moved out of the room.

Ellie was left to finish her bath and she hurried through washing off the rest of the dirt. When she was finally clean, she got out of the tub and dried herself off. Loki's robe hung on the wall so she grabbed it and threw it on. After rolling up the sleeves, she tied the rope around her waist and walked out into his room with the robe trailing behind her.

Loki looked up from pulling off his boots. Smiling, he stood and walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her burying his face in her hair. "You smell wonderful."

"I smell like you," Ellie said with a smile.

Loki looked deep into Ellie's eyes. All he wanted to do was strip his robe off of her knowing she was wearing nothing underneath. He wanted to make love to her one more time, not knowing if they would ever have the chance again.

Using all of his dwindling will power, he released her and said, "I must get ready."

Ellie sat down on his bed while Loki walked over to a closet and started to pull out clothes and lay them on his bed.

"You look really nice in jeans and a leather coat," Ellie commented.

Smiling, he said, "Thank you."

Loki unzipped the coat and threw it on the bed. Ellie couldn't help herself and laughed out loud.

"What is so funny?"

"Your shirt," Ellie snickered.

Loki looked down at his t-shirt and laughed himself. "I thought if I wore an I Love New York shirt, people would be less suspicious if they thought that they recognized me."

Ellie just shook her head with a smile and Loki continued to get ready. He stripped off his jeans and pulled on a pair of leather pants, then sat on the edge of the bed to strap on his leather boots. When he sat up, Ellie sat watching him with her head tilted to the side.

"Is there something wrong, my love?"

"I'm just realizing that I am watching the man I love prepare to go into battle," she said with a hitch in her voice.

"All will be well, my love. Have faith," he said cupping her cheek and looking into her eyes.

Loki stood and pulled off his t-shirt. Ellie's eyes were drawn to the chain around his neck.

"Where did you get that?!" she exclaimed as she flew off the bed to grab the pendant.

"When Thor and I went to earth to find you, we went to your apartment. I found this lying on your bed and I needed something of yours to keep close to me. I did not know if I would ever see you again. I am sorry for taking it."

"Don't be sorry. I'm glad you have it. My mother gave it to me after she got sick," Ellie murmured as her finger traced the stone. "I was given strict instructions to never lose it or sell it. I don't know why she would ever say that because it's beautiful and it always reminds me of her." Ellie finished, looking a little sad.

"Here," Loki said taking the necklace off.

"No," Ellie said pushing it back over his head. "I want you to keep it. Have a little piece of me when you go out there."

"I love you, Ellie," Loki said as his hand brushed across her cheek.

"And I love you," she replied as she leaned into his caress.

Ellie finished watching Loki change. He wore his usual leather and metal. But this time he wore a shorter coat and a large metal plate across his torso. Putting his foot up on the side of the bed he strapped metal plates to his shins and then some to his forearms. Loki stood up straight and looked down at her watching him.

"My warrior," Ellie said standing up and brushing her hand across the details of his chest plate. "You look fierce."