Hello all, so here is the extra-long finale of "Love lost in a Single Heartbeat" I hope its ok and that you enjoy it. Please, please tell me what you think. You have all been so amazing in supporting me to write this and your comments and ideas have inspired me so, so much!
The final sequel "A Heart Still Beats" shall have its first chapter by the end of the day (30/7/12) so keep a look out my lovelies. I really hope you enjoy it.
So, once again, thank you so much for the support, and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you.
Marvel owns Loki and all remnants of Asgard. Leera, Loofney, Leymina, Feyńir and Gerathaim are mine
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He god of mischief in his grief and despair was sucked through the Bifrost in the blink of an eye. With a clink of his armour against the floor of the golden sphere, Loki landed on his knees. Breathing as if his lungs were in the grasp of Thanos, squeezing them into nothing, Loki trembled. "Prince Loki..." the familiar voice of the great watcher of Asgard, Heimdall came. Loki composed himself and looked up and gazed upon the watcher standing tall with his magnificent sword in hand. Stepping down the stairs away from the Bifrost ignition, Heimdall reached out his spare hand for the young god to take. And Loki was thankful for it. Reaching up, Loki took hold and pulled himself up onto his feet, his knees slightly shaky.
"Thank you Heimdall" Loki said softly and turned around to spot his spear, Dilenreen. Seeing it, Loki reached down and grasped it, but still, he did not place his helmet on for his overwhelming guilt on his decision.
"I apologise Prince Loki for not being able to open the Bifrost sooner" Heimdall spoke, bowing his head slightly. Loki forced a smile and kindly dismissed Heimdall's words with a flick of his hand. Standing up straight, Loki bid his farewell to the watcher and walked slowly towards the golden palace, his home. Every step he took, he heard voices, terrifying voices 'you have three days', 'oh, don't worry, I will kill you', and your wife will die alone and in pain'. Loki felt sick to the core. His hands shook as if he were freezing cold and his head spun fast, giving him a dazed feeling. Allowing a trickle of a genuine tear fall down his face, Loki exhaled sharply. What was he going to do? For once, would he have to talk with his...? Father? With Odin? Loki felt repulsed at that thought, but it soon turned to hope at the fact that the All-Father, the most powerful being in all the nine realms could help him, have a solution to this upcoming fate, future, fear. Sniffing, Loki looked at and felt ever so relived at the sight of the palace doors. Exactly how fast was he walking to reach the palace at such a quick pace? Loki dismissed the quick though and broke out into a light run towards the palace doors, foci the guards enough time to open them. In doing so, Loki broke into a run and rushed straight past the guards, shoving Dilenreen in one of their hands to take it to the weapons vault along with miljonir. Whizzing past corridor upon corridor Loki was approaching the warriors three and lady Sif whom now had her foot bandaged and was leaning on volstagg for support. Their faces held a fearful expression as the youngest son of Odin raced through the palace, face White as snow and his eyes, his eyes so full of emotion.
"Loki slows down! What's wrong?" Fandral called out, stepping forward to stop the running prince, but Loki dodged the warrior and ran past him, heading straight down the hall without another word. "What did he see in Vanaheim to change him so?" Fandral whispered and looked back at his friends. The emerald green god thought to go straight to Odin, but his legs thought to go straight to his chambers, so in haste, Loki dashed to his room. On finally reaching the door, out of breath, Loki pushed it open and locked himself in, trying with all his might to stead his breathing.
"Loki, you're back later than expected..." Leera began, placing the sweet new born child back in her cot, and made for her quivering husband. "My love, what's wrong?" Leera noticed the trickster god was trembling and heard the slightest sniffle. Rushing to his side, Leera placed a hand on his lower back and rubbed softly. "Loki, what's wrong? Why are you shaking so?" Loki swallowed hard and turned his head side ways to his wife.
"I am so sorry" Loki said slowly and faced his wife fully, taking hold of her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Loki, you're scaring me!" Leera replied her voice dripping with panic, but Loki did not let go, but found that his once strong legs could not hold him much longer and he sank to the floor with Leera in his arms. Landing with a thud on his backside, Leera fell on top of Loki, her legs either side of his lap, and there she sat, holding Loki's face while he held her tight. "Look at me" Leera commanded and slowly Loki's emerald green eyes traced his wife's body and finally rested them on her beautiful face. "Please Loki, for once; tell me the truth, what is wrong?"
"I can't..." Loki whispered.
"Why? Am I such a monster that you cannot tell me what upsets you?"
"No, I know that if I tell you, it's I who will be looked on as a monster"
"Nonsense! What is it Loki, please for pities sake, tell me"
"I, I can't... I don't want you to love me any less, and you will, I know you will" Loki replied, dropping his grip from Leera and shuffles backwards so that Leera dropped to her knees, no longer on his lap. The pale god slowly stood to his feet and walked past his wife to stand in front of the cot that held his small child. Loki looked inside and felt his organs burn, and twist and throb. Reaching in, Loki scooped up the awake, but sleepy child and held her closely to his chest, rubbing her tiny back softly. Leera watched her husband's sudden turn of silence and it unnerved her. The young jotun prince walked away from the cot and sat onto the bed, sliding himself up to the headboard with his feet. "How is Thor?" he asked, looking up from the baby in his arms.
"Still unconscious, thought the elder believes he will recuperate after some much needed medical attention. He will live Loki. Theyna is with him now, by his side... You should see the healer too" Leera crossed her arms and leant against the wall by the chamber door.
"Why, I am fine" Loki replied, his brow furrowing.
"Loki, you have blood on your face. You have a gash along your cheek" Leera stated, examining her husband's face. Loki paused a moment. Where had that come from, and then he remembered; Thanos had knocked his helmet into his cheek when he struck him hard. "You should get it sewn up, unless you do it yourself. How did it happen? The others said you were fine when they left and the Bifrost closed. What happened during that time left alone?" Loki shuffled further into the pillows and looked down at the sweet face of Leymina. Loki uses one hand to stroke her tiny head and the other, he held out a finger for the little goddess to take hold of, yawning happily, baring her gums to the world.
"I fell" Loki lied, his eyes glowing with sadness as her gazed upon his only daughter.
"I doubt that... Loki, I have been married to you for six years. You may be the god of lies, but I can see through you; I know when you are not telling me something. When you kissed me goodbye when you left for Vanaheim, you kisses me like we would never see each other again, and I asked you why, and you promised it was nothing. I may have accepted your answer, but it did not feel right. You are hiding something from me silvertounge, what is it?" Leera's face darkened as she approached the bottom of the bed. Loki looked up from his child and his eyes fell instantly into the pools of his wife's.
"Please, do not question me so. There is nothing..." Loki lied and his stomach burned with hatred for himself when he did "...wrong. I did fall, and that is why I have injured my face. Leera, drop the subject" Leera huffed and turned around, gripping the door knob. "Where are you going?" Loki asked, his voice sounding like that of a small child when his parents leave him alone.
"Away from you for a while. You infuriate me sometimes. I wish you could be honest with me. I am your wife. I would understand. I would do everything I could to help you. Yet here you are, making me out to be stupid by saying there is nothing wrong, when I know without a shadow of a doubt that you are lying!" Leera spat and pulled open the door harshly and stormed from the room, the door slamming back into place. Loki's face dropped and he returned his gaze to his daughter.
"You knew this was going to happen, didn't you little one?" Loki whispered, lifting Leymina up and placing a kiss on her forehead. "What do I do little one? I cannot tell your mother. I cannot tell her that in three days, unless I give you up and submit my life to Thanos, her home planet will fall to ruin, and it will be my fault. I cannot give you over, my sweet. What should I do?" Loki stared helplessly at his daughter and was about to speak once more to his daughter when the chamber door burst open, knocking against the wall. Loki's gazed shot over to the intrusion and his eyes widened in horror. Leera walked into the room and closed the door, furious.
"What!" she screamed, fists tightening at her side.
"You heard" Loki stated and felt deflated. Getting up from the bed, Loki took Leymina back to her cot and stood still, his back facing the dark haired beauty.
"Yes, I did. I never left. I waited outside. I knew you had a thing for speaking your thoughts out loud, so I waited, and listened. Now, I will ask again, god of mischief, and you will answer me... What is going on?" Leera said, stalking towards the god. Loki spun around and faced Leera, lowering his eyes. Leera flashed her gaze across Loki's shoulder at her daughter. "Why did you say you would have to give up Leymina? Why did you say you were giving yourself up...? To die?" Loki finished, her eyes watering.
"I, I Leera ..." Loki began. Walking Leera to the bed, Loki sat down and held her in his arms. Breathing slowly, Loki opened up and told her everything. While his words danced around her ears, Leera grasped Loki's tunic tightly, crying into his shoulder. Loki rubbed her arms comfortingly and kissed her head, his eyes too sore to cry any more.
"We need to tell Odin..." Leera whispered and looked up to her husband. Sitting up straight, Leera moved one of her legs over Loki's body and pulled herself up so that she sat on his lap, facing him, holding his neck with sorrowful eyes.
"There is no way out of this. Even if Odin destroyed Thanos, his army still has command to attack. I have no choice..." Loki sighed, looking back at his wife.
"No, Loki. I will not see my daughter given to some monster or my husband, killed" Leera whispered, stroking Loki's cheek. The emerald god moved his hands up to rest on Leera's hips and held her in place.
"Leera..." Loki began but was silenced by a thin finger placed on his mouth.
"We will figure out something, we have three days. That's log enough to speak with Odin and sort out a strategy. I will not lose either of you"
"Leera, if we... If we don't... You know I love you, do you not?" Loki asked, raising his eyes, his heart giving up on hope.
"Don't say such things Loki!" Leera cried, rubbing Loki's cheekbones with her thumbs.
"In case all fails, may I ask something of you?" Loki said, raising his arms up from Leera's hips to the woman's upper back, bringing her closer. Leera rested her head against Loki's and closed her eyes.
"What, what is it that you want my love? Leera whispered in return. Loki held the back of Leera's head against his and leant in for a lingering kiss. Breaking free he paused and swallowed.
"Let me make love to you one last time" Loki's voice faltered and he heard his wife sniffle.
"You may make love to me, Loki, but it will not be the last time, and I refuse to give up on you..." Leera replied and leaned in for another kiss, both embracing each other in between tears. Loki turned and Leera dropped onto her back. Loki raised himself and covered the dark haired woman with his own body.
"I love you so much, never forget that" Loki said and leaned in for another kiss, unbuttoning his tunic.
...
"We should get up and go to your father..." Leera said, leaning against Loki's bare chest under the silk sheets. Loki wrapped his arm around Leera's back and kisses the top of his wife's head.
"Yes, I suppose you are right, though I do not wish to move from this embrace" Loki replies downhearted. Leera smiled weakly and sat up, using the sheets to cover herself. Leaning over, Leera looked down at her husband.
"Nor do I, but we must my love, come..." Leera said softly, and with her new learned magic, Leera outstretched her arm and pointed it towards her dressing gown on her dresser chair. In an instant the gown floated over to its owner quickly. Grabbing it, in a flash, Leera dropped the sheets and quickly covered herself with the dressing gown, tying the belt tightly around her waist. Loki sighed, exasperated and sat up, rubbing his face once before rising from the sheets. Leera instantly blushed and turned her back to her husband to give him some privacy as he crosses the room to place his of gown on before he walked into the washroom. Clearing her throat, Leera strode into the washroom and closed the door, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Slowly brushing her hair, Leera gave a quick smile of happiness at what had happened an hour ago, and she sighed, thinking that Loki was probably breaking his heart into other room. Placing her brush down, Leera began to open her gown, but froze a moment later. Eyes widening, Leera looked to the door and opened it, rushing across the room, knocking on the washroom of her husband. The door opened and Loki emerged, fully dressed, a solemn expression on his face. "Loki, you better return to me!" Leera exclaimed and grabbed Loki's tunic tightly, looking up at her husband. "I did not protect myself" Leera gasped and watched for her husband's expression. Loki felt confused for a moment as to what she was talking about, and then it clicked. Every time Loki had lain with Leera when she had not protected herself, she had fallen with child. Loki's mouth dropped and he held his wife tightly, feeling suddenly desperate...
...
Two days to go
...
"You know that won't work!" Loki exclaimed, walking back and forth in one of the All-Fathers meeting rooms. Odin sat at the head of the table, with Frigga one side and a battered and bandaged up Thor on the other side. Thor had been told to stay in the healing chambers, but when he had awoken the night of his arrival back into Asgard and heard the situation with Loki, he refused to remain bed ridden, and so, here, the next day, he sat in discussion, his friends standing close by in case he needed aid quickly. Leera sat in the corner of the room with the small child in her arms. Loofney still rested in the healing chambers, still leg still stubborn in its healing process. Odin sighed and rested an elbow on the table, leaning his head against his hand.
"It could Loki" Fandral piped up. Sif and the warriors three, much to Loki's disagreement, had been brought into the situation, along with Gerathaim his body guard.
"No it would not. A replica of boy of use would not work! It would not last. And once he finds he has been played, he will not hesitate to move on to Midgard. I suggest, Thor, that we inform those friends of yours, the 'Avengers' of a possible upcoming attack." Loki looked to his brother and Thor nodded quietly, still in pain and found it easier not to speak.
"Then what do you suggest?" Odin piped up, looking tiredly at his son.
"I go..." Loki began
"No!" Leera hisses, interrupting, but Loki raised a hand to her and continued.
"I will go... With..." Loki looked across to his wife for a moment, unsure as to what his reaction would be to his suggestion. "Feyńir. If I can have his body... I can change his body. He would be a shape shifter just as I. I can change his form to that of a female. As he is... No longer with us, the change would remain; he would stay as a female. I would go with him, and present him to Thanos..." Loki heard a gasp from his wife "... I know he is our son my love, but he no longer lives, what else is there? I will not give him Leymina..."
"Exactly Loki, he does not live! How would you pull that off?" Leera gasped.
"I can say, that because she is a new born, she did not survive the journey of the Bifrost. It would be no lie as it has happened before with one of the goddesses of long ago whom journeyed to Midgard with her new born to present him to his father on earth. He died during the transport. I would have still kept up the bargain. Thanos would be presented with the child and myself. He would have no motive to attack earth. You cannot prevent the course of nature..." Leera agreed and sighed, the thought of her little son being dug up and given away. But she thought, better that than losing Leymina as well. This situation pained her greatly.
"That seems... A good idea Loki... But you left one thing out" Sif spoke, hobbling forward, leaning on a chair for support.
"And what may that be?" Loki stopped pacing and looked to the female warrior.
"You, Loki. How are you going to work that out. There is no one here you can change into your appearance and offer up" Sif replied and all the company felt instant grief at that thought.
"I know, but my daughter is more important than me" Loki admitted and placed his arms behind his back, resuming his pacing.
"You are both as important as each other!" Leera shouted and Rose from her chair, existing the room in haste with her child in her arms. She could not listen to much more. Loki moaned, and rubbed his temples, taking a seat and the table and dropped his hands on the table, looking up towards his father.
"I know not what to do. That is the only solution..."
...
One day remaining
...
And so, the meeting began, one more in the same room. The discussion had gone on for what seemed like hours. Leera refused to attend, now wanting to listen to Loki talk about giving up his life. Sif had also stayed away, with Theyna, to keep the lady Loki Company during this time. Cooks had come back and forth the room with beverages and an array of foods, and everyone ate, except Loki. "I know of a way" Gerathaim's voice echoed throughout the momentary silent room. All eyes were fixed on the guard as he spoke. "My wife... Has been taken I'll, and she will not life to see many more days..." Loki gasped at the information and looked to his recent friend, with sympathy in his eyes. "I have discusses such ideas with her during the night. I do not wish to live without my wife..." Gerathaim's voice shook and he looked his prince straight in the eyes. "If your lord agrees, I wish for you to change me. My position in Asgard, as soldier to the All-Father and bodyguard to you, is to protect you, to keep you safe from unwelcoming situations. I will live up to such a claim, and will proudly take your form and go to Vanaheim with your son. I care not what is inflicted upon me, for I would soon reside with my wife in Valhalla. If I am to die, then I wish to die with honour, and protecting your life, Prince Loki, is a great honour indeed" Gerathaim finished and Loki shook his head, pushing back his seat and Rose to his feet.
"No! You will not die for me, no one will" Loki snapped
"My prince, please, to carry on living without my with is something I could not bear. Let me end my life and join my wife by doing such an act for you. Please" Gerathaim also stood and called out to Loki.
"No, Gerathaim"
"You once asked, my lord, if we thought you to be merciful. The soldiers replies were yes, they thought you to be gracious, kind and merciful. I replied quite the opposite. I said you to BA a tyrant, unjust and heartless. But during this time and since the day I first worked for you, I saw a change! I saw the real you. The kind, gracious prince that was so described. And now, is resembles even more in the new information's acquire. You, my lord, ventured to Vanaheim to rescue Prince Thor, knowing your life was in peril, yet you did so anyway. You risked your life for another. You showed such love, my prince in doing so. You showed kindness. My lord that is what I ask, that you live up to this now, and show me mercy, and kindness, for it would be a kindness to me my lord, that I might be with my wife in Valhalla. For it would be torture to leave me here without her my lord, and I do not believe you to be heartless any longer" Gerathaim finished and Odin, Frigga and the rest of the company looked on, touched at this soldiers offer. Loki sighed and shook his head.
"It would be a kindness?" Loki said unsure, facing Gerathaim.
"Yes, my lord" Gerathaim nodded and places a fist over his chest. Loki gave up, and nodded his permission sadly. Loki swallowed then looked up at the company, then to Thor.
"Then I shall go to Midgard, to send warning." Loki said.
"Are you sure you are the right person to go?" Thor spoke up, his voice coarse.
"I am the only choice, you are in no condition to leave this realm." Loki pointed out. All agreed to what was decided. Frigga Rose to her feet and left the room with her weary husband, for the meeting had gone on too long. The warriors three supported Thor and left the room leaving Loki and his guard alone. "I do not like you offer, Gerathaim, know that" Loki spoke. Gerathaim walked around the table and paused in front of his master.
"I lied my lord..." Gerathaim admitted. Loki frowned and held the guards arms.
"About what?" Loki asked.
"I did not wish to sat the truth in front of the others. The other day, when you told me to have the morning of to spend with my wife. I did my lord; at the grave yard. My wife passed away a week ago. I have tried to live like normal but I cannot. When I offered to come with you to Vanaheim... I was hoping there was trouble, so that I could protect you... And ... My lord, I will gladly serve you tomorrow as your twin" Loki dropped his mouth wide and unexpectedly, grabbed Gerathaim and pulled him to him. Loki, apart from his father and Thor, had never embraced another man and it felt strange.
"I'm so sorry Gerathaim. Thank you, thank you so much" Loki whispered.
"A pleasure my lord." Gerathaim answered and pulled away smiling. "Shall I go to the gardens to fetch your.. To fetch your son?"
"Yes, please, that would be a great help" Loki replied and Gerathaim left without another word and the god of mischief died a little inside.
...
Presentation day
...
Loki stood in front of the royal family and the warrior friends of Thor and hovered his hands over the pale, lifeless baby on the table. Leera stood in the room, holding her daughter, afraid. The god of mischief rubbed his hands together and placed one on feynir's cold head and the other on his stomach. Leaning down, shading the baby from sight, Loki began to mutter words. After a while, all thought it was useless, for there was no change, and Loki had to stop every now and then because it was difficult for him to do what he was doing on his dead child. Finally, after complete and utter silence, the small child that was once Feyńir, now resembled little Leymina in every way shape and form. Looking up at the audience Loki gave a smile of accomplishment and sighed with relief. Next up, Gerathaim walked to stand in front of the emerald prince and nodded. Loki cupped his guards face and, using his craft, spoke words of thanks, gratitude and apologies into the guards mind, not wanting the others to hear. Gerathaim smiled on hearing and his eyes told Loki that all was well. Loki took one deep breath and stared into the blue eyes of his guard. "this will hurt" Loki spoke, as he knew from changing into other beings, and disfiguring his body sent racks of pain coursing through his body.
"It's fine, just do it" Gerathaim spoke and closed his eyes. Loki tightened the grasp around Gerathaim's head and bore his eyes into his soul. Focusing, Loki began to mutter and visualise himself on this man. For moments it seemed, that Loki just stood staring at the man, until after several words, Gerathaim began to shake and he called out in pain. Loki breathed hard and held the man by his arms so that he would not fall. Gerathaim cried out and shook, and gradually his golden hair lengthened and slowly the colour began to change, darker and darker, until it was finally black. Then a crunch was heard as his body began to get thinner and taller. Gerathaim felt like he was about to pass out from the pain, but no matter what, Loki supported him.
It was nearly a whole five minutes of bone crunching and exclaims of agony until there he stood, in front of Loki, a sorting image. "How do you feel?" Loki asked and Gerathaim looked down his body and grimaced.
"I fell hungry. Don't you ever eat?" Gerathaim joked and Loki smiled happily, chuckling. Then, looking over his shoulder and turning, Loki picked up the small baby girl from the table and kisses her forehead before handing her to his look alike.
"Do you remember what to say?" Loki asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I do, my lord" Gerathaim replied, and it sounded so strange for Loki to hear himself call himself lord. The guard straightened and walked to the front of the room. Before leaving, Leera rushed over and kisses the child on the head and kisses Gerathaim on the cheek, thanking him from deep down in hierarchy heart. And so, each person in the room took turns in thanking his bravery, including the All-Father and the queen and all bid him safe and painless passage to Valhalla for they all knew, including himself, that he would not escape Thanos alive. But he was ok with that, though it may sound strange, because it meant he would sew his love once more and risked in her embrace in a world where there was no pain, no death and no suffering. A world of love and peace. And that is where Gerathaim longed to be.
Taking hold of Gerathaim's arm, Loki guided him from the room, after kissing his wife and child (Loki had visited Loofney that morning and spent a while embracing his son and telling him how much he was proud of him) and saying farewell to his parents. The trickster god had told Thor of his plans, that as soon as Gerathaim is sent to Vanaheim, Loki would have Heimdall send him close enough to where the avenger, the man of iron lived, so that he could be informed of a possible incoming war. And it was decided that while Loki was on Midgard, Odin was summon a select few guards, with extraordinary abilities to hunt down Thanos on Vanaheim. The plan seemed good, and was likely to word very well.
After a silent walk, Loki and his double arrived at the golden sphere and Loki turned and stopped facing his look alike and daughter. "You do not understand how much this means to me dear Gerathaim. I will never forget this day, what you have done in the rest of my years. May the heavens bless you and your wife greatly because of your actions this day" Loki said, his voice slightly trembling.
"It has been an honour to serve you my lord. I pray all goes well on Midgard. Thank you, for giving me this opportunity to see my wife, to live with her once more" Gerathaim replied and nodded to his master and walked past into the sphere. Loki turned and watched the golden watcher open the Bifrost, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw his small child disappear with his guard into an array of lights. Not a moment after, Loki ran to the place where his former stood and he face Heimdall.
"Good Heimdall… to Midgard, if you would" Loki said and the golden watcher nodded, placing his sword once more into the instigator and turned it.
"Once more, my prince, it will only be open to you if there is no threat posed" Heimdall spoke.
"I doubt I will return, good Heimdall…" Loki said solemnly and clenched his fists. A surge of power set off the sphere once more, and as it spun and spun, bolts of light coursed through the room, flickering and sparking. Breathing in and holding his breath, the god of mischief felt his body thrust forward harshly and was sucked through the cloud of colour. As Loki shot straight towards Midgard from the Bifrost Loki thought of his wife, his daughter, his son… Gerathaim. He prayed that they would be safe, that whatever fate was to be cast upon Gerathaim was be quick and painless, and he hoped that Stark, the avengers, would listen and aid him. For Loki knew, that, even though Feyńir and Gerathaim's disguise was perfect, they were not the real deal, and Thanos would figure it out. And he would come. Loki closed his eyes, and for that split moment, all he could see in himself was 'monster'.