Having momentarily lost track of Loki, Hermione worked her way quickly around his known favourite haunts. The Library would have been her first choice, had she not already seen him leave. Beyond that was his study (or Loki's Lair as it was known within the family), their chambers, and finally the top of the tallest of the palace towers, known simply as The Observatory. Apparating to the top for speed, she was relieved to find Loki sitting against the wall, his arms around his knees. For a disorientating moment, Hermione was forcibly reminded of the Loki of her earliest memories, horribly damaged, volatile, scared to death. It must have been the way he was seated, arms wrapped defensively around himself, eyes very far away, something frozen and poised for flight in his body.
Not wishing to startle him, she knelt in front of him, glad to be wearing her jeans for once. She put a hand on his arm...
"Loki?" There was no reply, she reached out combing her fingers through his hair. "Loki, sweetheart, talk to me." For long moments it appeared that he had closed off, even to her, but eventually he raised his head – the look in his eyes was all too familiar.
"I thought I was done with those things Hermione – thought WE were done. I don't like it. I've been far too susceptible to them in the past – what if it happens again...? There cannot be another New York – even if you have to kill me..."
Hermione sat down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Sweetheart, you have come a very long way since those days. You are very different now. More self confident, more centred. More balanced. Besides – you felt – believed yourself to be completely alone in those days." He looked down at her, the fear in his eyes beginning to fade as she continued... "What makes you think that I would ever allow that to happen again? Wherever this leads us, I will be right where I belong. By your side."
Loki sighed, "But what do we do Hermione. We have no idea who has the Aether, or what has happened to them since. And we're running out of time."
Hermione smiled, she knew that she would get a chance to finish her plan eventually...
"Simple – we call in reinforcements. Now if you're feeling up to it, let's head back to the Archive. That way we don't have to waste time going over this twice.
ooo0ooo
Someone was after him, he could feel it. Years of living on the criminal edges of wizarding society had sharpened his instincts. Let others call it paranoia, the prickling at the back of his neck, the twitching of his magic had kept him alive thus far. At least he was safe here in this poky little rented room. He was no Harry Potter Merlin knows, but he was more than capable of constructing wards capable of keeping pretty much everything likely to be hunting scum like him out.
So were the stealthy footsteps on the stairs only a figment of his overstretched imagination?
Without making a sound, he hefted his wand, creeping silently over to press his ear to the door.
When the door exploded inwards seconds later it took him completely by surprise...
ooo0ooo
When they arrived back in the archive Loki was hugged by both Frigga and Thor, Jane – more reserved put a hand on his arm, but the relief in her eyes was reassuring.
Once they were seated, Loki looked at Hermione. "So what is your plan...?"
"We're acting as though this is something that we have to deal with alone. But we have other options." She looked around the table and smiled. "We call in reinforcements..."
She turned to Loki. "You and I need to go back to Earth to meet up with Harry and track the Aether. Assuming that Malekith doesn't have it already, it is likely that whoever does have it may not understand what they are dealing with. We have to find them before Malekith does, because even though we haven't seen him in 5000 years, the Convergence is approaching and the Aether is vulnerable. We have to assume that Loki isn't the only one that can sense it. He'll be coming.
We need to get the scientists together on this. Jane, you need to go to London too – to meet up with Eric Selvig and find out what he's working on. If he's in touch with Dr Banner in New York, it might make sense to get Eric there too
...And Thor." The King of Asgard looked up at her, smiling, in spite of his concern, at the ease with which she took command and ordered her forces. "On that note, it's time to call the Avengers. If Malekith succeeds, we are not just looking at one realm, but all nine. "
Frigga touched Hermione's arm. "And what would you like me to do?"
Hermione's face was suddenly serious. "Prepare our people for war..."
ooo0ooo
That evening, Hermione and Loki stood on top of the Observatory, watching the sun set into the void. "We just never seem to get a break do we?" she sighed. "Why can't we just get on with our lives – I'm so tired of trying to save the world..."
Loki wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head. "You managed to save me too. I think that may have been even more impressive."
Hermione turned into his arms. "I don't want to fight aliens, or the forces of evil anymore, I just want to be here. I want to wake up with you every morning, and help Jane with her research, and play with the boys, and brew potions with Lucilla. Instead Jane and I are going back to London tomorrow, you're stuck here, and Thor is off to New York." She gripped the front of his shirt frustrated. "It isn't fair".
Loki's fingers tucked under her chin, gently raising her head, so that he could kiss her. Despite the troubles looming on the horizon, the kiss was easy, gentle, but full of promise.
"Hermione, we have been through so much already, we have to believe that we are going to survive this too. Even I cannot believe that the Norns are so cruel as to bring us together, only to pull us apart again."
"Would now be an inappropriate time to cite Romeo and Juliet, Abelard and Eloise, Jack and Rose?"
Loki's face was confused. "Jack and Rose... I do not think I am ..." The pop culture reference was lost as his wife's lips brushed languorously against his, a hopeless distraction as always….
"Loki" her voice was little more than a whisper, a little breathless.
"Yes alskling"
"Since we only have tonight, before all hell breaks loose once again, can I make a suggestion" she reached up and whispered something in his ear which made his eyes go wide, and very dark. With a smile that was pure devilry, he wrapped his arm around her waist, and transported them straight back to their chambers, somehow managing to lose most of their clothing in the process...
ooo0ooo
Immediately after breakfast the following morning, they all assembled in Thor's study. Thor was dressed for combat, his face serious. "We have to make some practical decisions. While the boys are still babies, Loki remains my de facto heir. Assuming that Loki and I may be in and out of Asgard for some days, Mother, I have appointed you as Regent in my absence. Jane, this is no reflection on you as my Queen, I know that you will have your hands full with the scientists, and may well need to be away from Asgard yourself.
Thor unrolled a parchment scroll. "This document confirms everything I have said. I need to sign it, as do you Mother, as my regent, and Loki, as my appointed heir. Loki, as Lord Chancellor, you also need to add the seal of Asgard." Once this had been completed, Thor bound the parchment, putting it aside, to make space for another.
"This document sets out what is to be done in the event of my death." Jane gave a small gasp of distress. "It is an unpleasant thought sweetheart, but it must be considered. Until Bjarte is of an age to rule himself, the realm will be ruled jointly by you mother, and by Loki, in council with Jane and Hermione. The Norns forbid, but should anything befall Bjarte, Brandt will be next in line, and after him, Loki, and any children that he and Hermione may have in the future."
The group in Thor's office was silent. His words had brought home to them the seriousness of the situation. There was a very real chance that people that they loved were going to die. That some of the people in this room might not return. It was a sobering thought.