Moments later, the alarms echoed throughout the palace. Loki and Hermione were both awake instantly.

"Do you think we'll ever get a full night's sleep again?" Loki scrambled out of bed, dressing them both with a wave of his hand. He turned to Hermione "You know what to do. Go to them, wait for my messenger. If this is real, get Mother, Jane and the boys out."

Hermione nodded, reaching for her wand. "I'll be back as quickly as I can"

He caught her shoulders. "No. Stay with them." As she started to protest, he cut in, holding her hard enough to bruise. "If it all falls apart and you're here, they will be stuck there with no way out. Stay with them until I send a messenger or until Malekith is knocking on your door. If the worst comes to the worst, use this..." he put a shining green globe on a chain around her neck. "... break the glass, and it will transport you, and whoever you are holding on to straight back to Hogwarts castle. Disappear and don't look back. If Thor and I die, those boys are all that are left. Keep them safe." He pulled her against him, kissing her hard and desperate, for a single moment she clung to him, reluctant to let go, until he set her firmly away from him.

"If I am alive I will find you. Now go – and alskling..." she stopped and looked back at his beloved figure, tall and slender, even in his armour, spear and knives in hand... "be careful – please".

She nodded briefly. "You too. I love you..." She checked the dagger on her hip, wand in hand, as she disappeared into the darkness.

"I love you too," he murmured, praying to whatever gods were listening that they would all survive the night.

oo0oo

In the observatory, Heimdall sent the Bifrost streaking across the Void to the roof of Stark Tower, knowing that the Man of Iron should be arriving very shortly. Although unable to see anything, he could sense a sinister looming presence in the darkness. With only two days to the Convergence the stakes were rising. He needed to close the Bifrost, and join his people in the defence of his home, but the All Father's instructions were clear. Wait for the Man of Iron.

He closed his eyes, sighing with relief, as he felt the Bifrost move. He was on his way.

Behind him, Heimdall heard the rainbow bridge shudder as the first Ark ship materialised.

The distinctive figure of Iron Man stepped into the Observatory, just as it lurched as the ship brushed past it..

"Heimdall my friend. Can I give you a lift..."

oo0oo

The routine for such emergencies was well rehearsed among the palace guards. Loki – having the benefit of dressing with magic, was one of the first to arrive, but was quickly joined in the Throne Room by his brother, and the Warriors Three, moments later, Harry and Sif arrived together, both pulling on armour and checking weapons, Romanoff and Captain America, dressed for battle were hard on their heels

Loki looked up at Harry with a taut smile. "Two wands Harry?"

The wizard looked at the second wand, longer, slender, with curious knots along its length. "I don't use this much – I don't like it much to be honest, but it's a hell of a power boost in an emergency."

Loki shrugged. "Power boost sounds good to me". He turned to Thor. "Is it Malekith?"

His brother's frowned "We cannot be certain yet. All we know at the moment is that we have a riot in the dungeon. Dalan has sent a troop to subdue it. Whether this is the attack, or merely a diversion I know not..."

He was interrupted by a terrible ripping tearing noise, as the entire hall shook. Pillars and great chunks of stone were falling as the Ark Ship smashed into the far wall, as the craft halted, spilling elves into the Throne Room

The two brother's looked at one another. Focusing his power, Loki sent a clone - just long enough to deliver the message he had hoped he would not need... "Go"

Thor turned to Dalan. "Leave this to us. Take your most trusted men to the room in the East wing where the Midgardian is housed. Whatever you do, do not let them take him..."

Dalan bowed his head. "My Lord" then he was gone.

oo0oo

By the time Loki's messenger arrived Hermione had already collected Frigga from her chambers. Her mother in law was not only dressed, but armed. In her youth she had been a shieldmaiden of Vanaheim, and had taken care not to lose her skills. Now they might be used not in battle, but in the defence of that which was most precious to her, her grandsons.

As they approached Thor and Jane's door the palace shook, with a dull roar as the ship impacted. Frigga and Hermione looked at one another fearfully. The door stood ajar, Thor had clearly not waited to shut it.

"Jane!" The Queen of Asgard emerged from the bedchamber, already fully dressed. "What's happening Hermione, is it Malekith?" At her sister in law's tense nod, she turned white. "The boys!"

Hermione took charge. "Frigga, Jane, take one of the boys each." While they collected the babies, she took a moment to throw what she could into the bag on her back. They should have supplies at their destination, but a little extra could not hurt.

Jane's eyes were wide and fearful as she cuddled Bjarte. "What about Thor and Loki?"

Hermione's heart was torn with fear for her husband, for her best friend and for her brother in law, but there was no time for such distractions now. Malekith's primary target was the Aether - but if he could take out Odin's grandsons, at the same time, so much the better. "They have their part to play, we have ours Jane. Take my hands. And whatever you do, don't let go"

She closed her eyes, focussing – her instructors voice clear in her head. Destination, Determination and Deliberation. It had been a while since she had carried this many passengers.

With a sharp crack, they vanished.

Five minutes later, a group of Dark Elves crashed through the chamber door, weapons drawn...

I have a horrible feeling that Hermione and Loki's goodbye nearly turned into that waterfall scene from The Last of the Mohicans - I hope I dialled it back in time... M