I stood in the field, out of sight of the house, with my bow in my hand and my quiver of arrows slung over my shoulder. I had said my farewells to my family early this morning. They all wished me luck and hoped that I would find my happiness again.
"Heimdall!" I called to the heavens. "I want to come back!" Immediately I saw the clouds rush together and form a tornado aimed at me. I closed my eyes. The wind picked up, my hair whipped around my face, and I felt my feet leave the ground. When everything became still again and my feet were on solid ground, I opened my eyes. I was standing on a small island in the middle of the sky. Heimdall took up a long pole and used it to push the island through the sky.
"We discovered the magic of the bifrost still exists at that point so we are slowly building outward again to reach it. Only then can we start building a proper gateway again." I nodded. "Are you staying long?"
"I don't know." I stopped watching the city and turned around to face him. "Ever since...well...I've been depressed and my family tells me I'm not myself anymore. We hoped that maybe if I came back here I could find some happiness again. I'm not so sure though."
"Loki is not dead, if that's what you feared."
"Really!" A smile lit my face for the first time in months.
"I caution you though," he said. "It may not be as joyful as you perceive it to be. I will let Odin tell you himself."
"No, Heimdall, please tell me," I begged.
"It is not for me to say." We gently numbed into the mainland. "I trust you can find your way to the throne room from here?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you, Heimdall." I hopped off the island boat and began running. Behind me I heard him say, "Safe travels, Lorainne."
I ran all the way to the throne room as fast as I could. I nimbly dodged the people in the streets selling their wares and I ran right past the guards. I knew they knew my face. I reached the throne room, breathing hard, and slowed to a brisk walk. I saw Odin was sitting on his throne. He didn't seem surprised to see me. I reached the throne and knelt with my fist over my heart. As much as I supported Loki's kingship, I knew Odin truly was the best one to rule Asgard.
"I'm glad to see you again, Lady Lorainne," he said as he motioned for me to rise. "I see Heimdall told you that Loki still lives."
"Yes! Where is he?" I asked eagerly.
"On earth." He sounded sad.
"But where?" I asked. "Why didn't he come find me?"
"He is on earth, in your future. The year two thousand and twelve, to be precise." I was stunned.
"Why?"
"Since the bifrost has been broken, travel throughout the realms has been increasingly unreliable. The way your family sees it, you have been gone for four months now. However, it may be that if you go back now, no time would've past. Or you may go back to a time before you left."
"But what is Loki doing?" I asked.
"That is where we need your help. I didn't want to force you back here but it is getting desperate. Loki has made allies with the chituri and he is using their army to try to conquer Earth. He wants to rule them. We want him back here. Not only is he causing destruction there, but I fear he needs a home again." Odin seemed to shrink in his seat. "I think I may have been too harsh on him. It would hurt any child to learn they are adopted. And I did always favor Thor. It is my fault." I stood in silence for a minute, reflected on what he told me.
"But why do you need me?" I asked into the silence. "How can I help?"
"Loki loves you." Odin stared deep into my eyes. "He would do almost anything for you. You can get him to stop this madness, to come back home. I tried sending Thor already, but some meddling humans got in the way and Loki escaped Thor. He is still trying though. But the love of a brother is easy to ignore, and Loki was always a little jealous of Thor. But his feelings toward you are the purest part of him."
"I will do anything to have Loki back, my lord."
"First, though, you need sleep." He smiled a little and reached out to put his hand on my shoulder. "You look like you haven't had a proper night's sleep in ages. See me again in the morning." I bowed again and retired to my room. Tonight, I felt, I might sleep soundly.