Ellie's head stayed curled against Loki's chest, attempting to keep her bruised and battered face out of view. Eyes squeezed shut; she listened to the steady beat of his heart. They moved in silence as he carried her back across the frozen wasteland to the bifrost sight. She used the steady sound of his breathing to keep her own breathing calm. Even though her ordeal was over she still felt like her anxiety was at maximum.

Loki held Ellie tight as he walked. Her skin was cold and her body was badly bruised. All he could think about was getting her home and getting her healed. As the men gathered in the bifrost sight, Loki glanced down at Ellie. She cradled her arm and attempted to cover her face with her hand. He could not begin to imagine what she had been through.

When his feet touched back on Asgardian soil, Loki let out a sigh of relief. They were home. It felt right to have her back, but then Loki remembered that this was only a temporary situation. Ellie was the queen of the elves. Soon she would have to take her rightful place in their realm. Even though she was betrothed to him, would she still want him after everything? So many questions played through his mind, leaving it spinning. Loki needed to get her alone so they could finally talk.

Not a word was spoken as they walked back to the palace and Loki was sure Ellie had fallen asleep. As they neared the palace, all the people of Asgard began to cheer for the return of their warriors. Ellie startled and tensed in his arms. He heard her whimper in pain as she tried to make herself as small as possible.

Loki was unsure of what to do. They had to walk through the crowd of people to get inside. The next thing he knew, Anson was at their side pulling off his cloak. Draping it over Ellie, Anson bowed his head and moved quickly away. Loki tried to thank him, but Anson disappeared back into the mass of moving men. Before the two groups of people converged, Loki tried to hurry his way through. Unfortunately, excited women threw themselves into the arms of their warriors, happy to see them returned, which blocked Loki's quick escape.

Making his way through became even more difficult as more people came out of the palace. Loki felt the irritation rise. All he wanted to do was get Ellie inside and away from everyone. With no understanding of why, the maze of people in front of him began to separate. A ripple of a whisper flowed through the crowd as they made a path in front of him. Slowly everyone began to bow. Loki looked over the crowd, confused for a moment, but quickly realized they were bowing for the woman he held in his arms. Everyone now knew who she was.

Half of Loki's face curled up into a smile and he swiftly moved Ellie into the palace. Inside, Jane and Frigga were anxiously waiting and moved quickly to his side. The two women chattered over Ellie, but received no response as she kept herself hidden.

"She needs healers," Loki said irritably, moving to the stairs and up towards his chambers.

Frigga signaled to the nearest guard, who immediately left to do her bidding, and then she quickly followed them up. Jane and Frigga hurried into the room before him and moved about grabbing pillows and blankets as Loki walked over to the bed and gently laid Ellie down. A stifled cry of pain was the only sound as she rolled onto her side.

Jane gently sat on the bed beside her. "Let me see," she said as she reached to pull the cloak off.

"No," came a muffled reply. "I don't want anyone to see me like this."

"Honey, we need to see," Jane murmured, sounding motherly. "Let us help you."

There was a pause and then a sigh. "Ok."

Jane pulled off the cloak. Ellie still covered her face with her hands. What they could see of her exposed skin was covered in ugly bruises. Some were old and yellowed, others were fresh and dark. Not only was her skin a sick looking color palette, but she was also covered in cuts and scrapes in all stages of healing.

Jane shook her head in disbelief. "Sweetie, let me see your face."

Ellie let out a sound close to a sob.

"Please, let me look," Jane murmured as she gently grabbed Ellie's left arm.

Ellie let out a tiny shriek. "I think that one's broken," she whispered.

Loki fumed. When Ellie finally pulled her hands away from her face, Jane let out a gasp. Her mind could not fathom what Ellie must have endured to look so battered and bruised. Jane was sure some of the bones in her face were broken because of all the swelling. Frigga gave Loki's arm a gentle squeeze as she quietly passed to go into the washroom. She returned a moment later with some warm water and a cloth to clean the dried blood from Ellie's face and arms. Being as gentle as they could, Jane and Frigga managed to clean her up the best they could.

Loki became more and more impatient as they waited for the healer to come. He did not want Ellie to be in pain any longer than she already had been. Finally Thor escorted the healer in as Jane and Frigga finished making Ellie as comfortable as she could be. Immediately sitting down next to Ellie, the healer assessed her injuries.

"Are all the warriors being taken care of?" Ellie asked quietly. "They should be healed first."

"All the men are being well cared for, Ellie," Thor answered. "Do not worry."

Ellie turned her face away. "Good."

The healer finished his assessment and stood. "The bruises and cuts will heal easily. The swelling will vanish. However, the older breaks she has sustained can be healed, but it will be painful."

The thought of Ellie enduring more pain sent Loki into a rage. "More pain?! How can you put her through more pain?!"

"I am sorry, my lord, the bones are misaligned and will need to be rebroken for them to set correctly," the healer uttered sheepishly under Loki's glare.

"No! There must be another way?!" Loki boomed. "I will not allow her to go through any further pain!"

"Loki," came Frigga's calm voice. "Let him help her."

Loki looked from his mother to Ellie, who did not meet his gaze. Yet she sent him a silent message of her assent with a tiny nod.

Letting out a deep growl, he mumbled, "Fine."

The healer quickly moved into action, laying out his things. Loki wanted to stay with Ellie. He would help her endure whatever was to come. Walking over to the bed, he reached for her hand, but Ellie flinched away from his touch. Loki stopped and stood there staring for a moment, feeling completely lost.

"Come, brother, we will wait outside while they take care of her." Thor grabbed Loki's shoulder and guided him unresistingly out the door.

It was quiet for a bit as the two men stood in the hall. Loki's mind was in a fog. He felt his heart was broken as he replayed Ellie pulling away from him. Did she truly not love him anymore?

The door suddenly opened, pulling Loki out of his fog. Frigga stepped out with an armful of rags, handed them to a guard and ordered, "Have these burned." Then she stepped back inside and shut the door behind her without another word.

Loki just stared at the door. On the other side was the woman he loved whole heartedly and all he wanted was to be next to her.

That was when the screaming started.

Loki made a move for the door, but Thor quickly stepped in front of him.

"Let them help her," Thor pressed his hand to Loki's chest. "I know this is hard for you Loki. I know you want to be there with her, but let them heal her." Thor grabbed Loki's shoulder and looked his brother in the eye.

"She pulled away from me," Loki forced out sounding defeated. "She did not want me to touch her."

"She has just been through something traumatic. We do not know what she all may have endured in that place. Give Ellie some time. Once she is healed she will start feeling like herself again and talking may be easier for her."

Loki held his head in his hands and pulled at his hair. The screaming finally stopped and he let out a long shaky breath. The door opened once again and the healer stepped out. Loki looked at him expectantly.

"The queen is healed as well as she would allow," the healer shook under Loki's scrutinizing gaze. "The cuts have healed over and the fractures have been mended. I began to rid her body of the bruising, but she declined. I managed to remove the older ones, but the deep ones still remain." The healer bowed and quickly made his way back to the healing room.

Loki looked at the door and wondered. Should he go in?

After the excruciating pain finally subsided, Ellie began to feel much better. Her broken bones were mended and her cuts were healed. Her vision returned to normal now that the swelling was gone, but she refused to let the healer waste any more of the healing stones on her just to heal the bruising. Those would heal on their own in time. The men that came to save her needed them more than she did.

Jane and Frigga moved silently about the room after the healer left making sure she had everything she needed. Blankets were piled on the bed to make sure she was warm enough. A pitcher of water was put within reach so she could rehydrate herself.

"I need a bath," Ellie mumbled. She felt so dirty inside and out.

Frigga helped Ellie out of bed, grabbed a robe and wrapped her up. Jane stood to the other side and helped her into the washroom. Jane went to start the water to fill the tub, but Ellie waved her hand and filled it with warm water. Jane's eyes widened in surprise, but Frigga just smiled. Once Ellie was in the bath, they left her in peace to wash away the sadness.

Ellie settled herself into the water to let the warmth settle her frazzled mind. She tried to empty her mind and not think, but her thoughts turned to Loki. How could he possibly want her anymore knowing what Helbindi had done to her? Would the elves even want her as their queen? She felt broken. Ellie felt like she wasn't even half the woman she was before. Maybe going back to Earth, trying to live the life she had before was her best option. The thoughts raced through her mind at a million miles a minute and she couldn't handle it anymore.

Ellie submerged herself under the water. Wishing her mother was still alive to help her through this. She tried to bring herself into the black void, where she had found her mother and father, hoping that she could see them again. What came to her mind was completely unexpected.

Ellie lay lounged in a chair. The day was beautiful, warm and sunny without a cloud in the sky. An intricate stone patio spread out around her with lovely flowers in giant pots. Enormous trees surrounded the patio making a quiet alcove for her to be alone. A slight breeze ruffled her hair and brought a scent to her nose that was somewhat familiar.

She looked down in her arms to see a beautiful baby girl with bright blue eyes and fuzzy black hair wrapped in a pink blanket. Ellie's eyes shot up in confusion and saw Loki playing with two small boys. One with blond hair like hers and the other's as black as Loki's. Was this real? Loki looked up at her then and smiled. He seemed so utterly happy. Was this her future or her hope for the future? Loki walked over and leaned down to kiss the top of the baby's head.

Leaning into her ear, he whispered, "Thank you."

Bringing herself out of the water, she took a deep breath and wiped the water from her eyes. Now more questions rattled through her brain. The image had brought an exhilarating feeling and then left Ellie feeling utterly exhausted. She quickly washed herself and dried off. Wrapping herself back into the robe she went back out into the main room to find Jane and Frigga waiting for her.

"How are you feeling?" Jane asked, walking over to her.

"I feel much better now that I'm clean," she smiled slightly. "I can't remember the last time I took a bath. I needed to wash off the…." Ellie stopped. She could not continue with that thought.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Frigga asked, stepping up to Ellie's other side.

Ellie looked between the two women. She really wished she could have talked to her mother. Tears started to well up in her eyes. These two women were the closest thing she had to a mother. Embarrassment filled her chest, but she knew she needed to talk to someone. Frigga and Jane guided her over to the bed. Climbing onto the bed with her, Ellie began to tell them all the horrid details. The two women listened quietly, wrapped their arms around Ellie and cried right along with her.

When she reached the part of the horrific story where the monster had defiled her, she almost lost her nerve. Taking a deep breath she continued. Jane and Frigga stayed silent until Ellie finished. The three sat and held onto each other and let the emotions flow. When the tears finally ended, Ellie was exhausted. However, she was glad that she was able to tell someone.

Frigga saw the exhaustion on Ellie's face. "Let us take our leave so you may get some rest. We will be here if you need anything at all," Frigga pulled Ellie into her embrace. "Do not hesitate to call."

They helped Ellie out of her robe and under the covers. Jane and Frigga exchanged glances as they saw the bruises across Ellie's back. They could not comprehend the suffering Ellie must have endured. Ellie curled up in the bed, closed her eyes and immediately fell asleep in the comfort and warmth of the familiar surroundings. Jane and Frigga moved quietly to the door so Ellie could rest.

Loki paced outside in the hall as he waited. It seemed like forever since the healer had left leaving him anxiously waiting to be allowed back in the room. Jane and Frigga finally emerged stopping him in his tracks. Thor and Loki could see the emotions in the women's eyes. Jane wrapped her arms around Thor and they moved quietly down the hallway.

Frigga stepped up in front of her younger son and looked sadly up into his face. She wiped a tear from her eye and then hugged Loki to her.

"How is she?" he strained to say as he returned his mother's embrace.

"Ellie is well for now. She is resting."

"What do I do mother?" Loki uttered, sounding lost. "She pulled away from me."

Frigga looked back up into Loki's eyes. "Ellie has been through quite an ordeal. She will need your love and understanding."

"What if she does not want me anymore?"

"Ellie needs you and you need her more than either of you realize. She is a strong woman and right now she may need to be reminded of that," Frigga encouraged gently.

"What happened to her?" Loki asked. "I can see it in your eyes that she told you."

"When Ellie is ready, she will tell you," Frigga replied, holding her hand to Loki's cheek. "She is your betrothed Loki, so be patient with her. You are meant to be together. Now go to her."

Frigga kissed Loki's cheek and left him to stand alone in the hall. He looked at the door and debated whether or not he should actually go in. After a few moments he slowly opened the door and peeked inside. He could barely make out the outline of her shape in the bed. Stepping into the room he quietly shut the door behind him. Moving over to the bed he saw she was curled up in a little ball on the bed with the covers pulled tightly up to her chin. The swelling was gone from her face, but the faint bruising could still be seen around her eyes. Loki desperately wanted to reach out and touch her, to make the pain and emotional scars go away, but he was afraid.

Using his magic, Loki moved a chair next to the bed so he would not make any noise that would awaken Ellie. He sat down and rested his head in his hand as he watched her sleep. Different scenarios played through his mind on how their first talk would play out. Would she be mad when she woke to find him there? Would she be happy and throw herself into his arms? Either way, he would be there for her in whatever capacity she needed him.

Ellie dreamt about the children. Her subconscious wanted to know if they were real. A big family was always a dream of hers. Brothers and sisters were a mystery to Ellie but she knew if she had children she would have many. Did Loki even want to have children? Knowing that he had issues with his brother growing up made Ellie think that children were not a priority to Loki.

Ellie startled herself awake and quickly had to remind herself that she was back in Asgard. The army from Asgard and Alfheim had come to rescue her and Loki had helped her kill Helbindi. Going from the pleasant dream to thinking she was back in the Jotunheim was a bit of a shock to her system, but she quickly relaxed into the warm comfortable bed. Ellie slowly stretched out her muscles and opened her eyes.

Nearly jumping out of her skin, Ellie had to hold back a shriek when she saw someone next to her bed. Quickly she realized it was Loki asleep in a chair. Letting her heart beat return to normal she used her magic to slowly brighten the torch light so she could see. Loki sat with his head in his hand and his face had become smashed into his palm.

Loki was awoken from his own oblivion by the sound of a giggle. He righted himself in the chair and looked over to the bed. His eyes became locked with the most beautiful pair of bright blue eyes that peeked out from underneath the blanket.

"I didn't mean to wake you," came Ellie's muffled voice.

"Forgive me, I must have fallen asleep," Loki replied as he ran his fingers through his hair. "How are you feeling?"

"Better now," Ellie replied without taking her head out from under the covers.

Loki looked at Ellie unsure how to proceed. He wanted to join her on the bed, but he feared she would not be comfortable with that. So they simply stared at one another.

Ellie spoke first. She took a deep breath and began, "I have ruined everything."

Loki opened his mouth to object, but Ellie pushed her hand up through the covers indicating for him to stop. Rising anger caused his muscles to clench as he saw the deep purple bruises around her wrist.

"I should have been honest with you from the beginning."

Loki's heart sank. This was the moment where she would tell him she did not love him.

"When your father told me who I really was…" she paused. "I freaked out. I was just a plain girl from New Mexico who fell in love with a god."

Loki's heart lifted slightly.

"Then I find out that I'm some sort of goddess that has to rule over people I don't even know. Then I have all these new powers that I don't know how to control. I handled this all wrong." She said shaking her head.

Loki leaned back in his chair and let Ellie go.

"I am the lost queen of Alfheim," Ellie looked Loki straight in the eye. "That night you helped me practice my magic; I had a vision of my parents. I saw how they met. It happened to be just like how we met. This made me realize that we are destined to be together, but I was unsure how to tell you. I had heard all the stories about what you had done."

Loki stiffened. He knew it would be hard for her to overlook his past. He knew deep down that he was not good enough for her. Anger and hurt mixed in his mind as he stood and walked over to the balcony. Loki did not know if he could look in her eye as she told him she was done with him.

Ellie watched him as he moved away from her. He was upset, but there was also evidence of pain in his eyes. This was not going how she had hoped. Slowly she sat up debating what to say next.

"I knew you hungered for power."

Wrong choice of words Ellie thought instantly as Loki let out a forced laugh and looked over his shoulder at her. He shook his head as he looked away. Ellie got out of bed and pulled the sheet with her to wrap around her body. This conversation was not working. Hesitantly making her way behind him, she stopped. His shoulders were so tense and she knew it was all her fault. She wanted to reach out and touch him, but was not sure if she should.

Loki looked out over the city while it felt like his heart was breaking. The woman he loved with every fiber of his being seemed to be slowly ripping out his soul.

"But that's what they are to me Loki…..stories," She said quietly. "I have only seen the good in you."

Loki was stunned for a moment. What had she just said?

Ellie waited for him to do something, but Loki just stood there. It was too late she realized. Her words had pushed him too far away.

As Ellie moved away Loki turned to finally look at her. On her shoulders were the defined outlines of hands bruised in her soft skin. Loki reached out to gently grab her arm. Ellie screamed and pulled her arm away. Loki pulled back in shock from the utter fear in her eyes.

Ellie quickly turned back to him. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that. I'm so sorry!"

"No," Loki's shoulders slumped. "I am the one who should be sorry. I am the one who failed to protect you," he uttered. What you have been through, I cannot even fathom. I should not have grabbed you like that. But these marks…." Loki said as he slowly stepped towards her and reached his hands up to her shoulders without touching her.

Ellie looked to where Loki was looking. When she saw what he could see plain as day on her body she sank to the floor in tears.

"He was too strong…I couldn't stop….him….no matter how….much…I screamed." Ellie managed in between sobs. "No one…would…help…..me."

Loki fell to the ground in front of her. He reached his hands towards her, but did not know if he should touch her so he rested his hand back on his knee.

"They broke me Loki. I'm ruined," Ellie said into her hands. "Nobody will want me like this. I'm not worthy enough to be a queen. I'm not good enough even to be with you anymore."

Loki sank back on his heels in shock. Ellie thought she was not good enough for him anymore? He let out an internal yell of happiness. Ellie still loved him!

"That was the other part I never told you. We have been betrothed since birth." Ellie said resting her hands in her lap. "Helbindi didn't know that you were his brother. So he thought that the right to my hand and the power that came with it belonged to him. He felt that gave him the right to take what he wanted. Whatever he wanted."

Ellie paused. Loki waited for her to continue. There was so much he wanted to say to her but he wanted Ellie to keep talking. He was afraid if he interrupted she would stop.

Ellie took a deep breath still looking down at her hands. "All I could think about was you. I wanted to be with you, but I thought you were dead."

Loki leaned back towards Ellie.

"So all I wanted to do was die so I could be with you," she continued and let out the last of her breath.

Loki slowly slid his hand across the floor and stopped just a few inches before he touched her knee.

"But then I would remember the dream," Ellie stopped. She timidly put her hand on the floor. "It felt so real."

They both looked down at their hands. So close, yet not touching.

"I wanted it to be real," Ellie moved her hand closer. "I could feel you touching me. Your breath on my skin."

Ellie slid her hand closer, so her fingers were in between Loki's yet they were still not touching.

"You wanted me to live. You made me promise to stay alive."

Loki sucked in his breath. "It was not a dream," Loki said as he intertwined his fingers with hers. "I had the same vision."

Ellie let out a sob. Loki moved to release her hand, but Ellie tightened her grip.

"My legs were wrapped in yours. Your hands were in my hair. Our lips touched. Our breath mingled. A little of our souls." Ellie closed her eyes remembering the feeling.

"I told you how strong a woman you are." Loki said gently squeezing her fingers.

"I was."

"You still are. Only a strong woman could have survived. Right now you may feel battered and bruised, but that will end. I will help you any way that I can." Loki lifted their hands to his heart. "I love you Ellie. Nothing that has happened will ever change how much I love you."

Silent tears fell down Ellie's cheeks.

Loki reached up and gently wiped them with his thumb. "I will forever be here to wipe the tears from your eyes."

Ellie leaned her face into his hand and rested her hand over his. Grabbing his other hand, Ellie turned herself into his lap and wrapped his arm around her.

Leaning back into him Ellie whispered, "I love you too." She then kissed the palm of his hand. "I never stopped."

Loki leaned his head into hers and kissed that spot behind her ear as a tear slid down his cheek.