"There are many accounts of the realm Helheim...constant war, black gates, the Náir in steadfast yearning, forever grasping for that which eludes them," Loki had begun, and had already spoken for an hour or so. He was referencing the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, the Gylfaginning, and the Gesta Danorum. Books littered the table, falling in his lap as he sat, ponderously thinking about what Hel meant...what it would mean to Jane. "None of these accounts are correct, but none of them are wholly wrong."
Jane doubtfully looked at him. "What does that mean?"
"It means that yes, Náir yearn in their torment, that yes, creatures such as Heiptir and Vanar-Drekar exist as deterrents and horror. But more importantly, Helheim is tailored to each soul. Some of it is quite beautiful...such as the orchard with the golden apples," said Loki.
Jane's face scrunched in confusion. "So...it's different for everyone?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
Jane's hands rubbed her face, "How am I supposed to prepare for that? I could face anything!"
Loki shrugged, "Not entirely...there are certain things which are constant. Hel keeps Helheim...then there are those things I've already mentioned..." his eyes lowered. "And the Garm, and Jormungand..." and he shivered.
Jane marveled at his perfect pronunciation, but noted the change in his demeanor. "The what?"
He looked up, pain in his eyes. "A hound and the sea serpent...a snake so large and venomous that no one can withstand its poison without going mad."
"A snake..." and Jane recalled her dream...Loki, strung to a stone wall, a huge snake hanging around him...
He nodded. "I faced it...the Jormungand, briefly last time..." he hung his head. "But, perhaps I'll see only the beauty on this quest...there is beauty to be found there..."
She stared blankly at him. "You faced it? How? What happened?"
"I stunned the great thing. I barely escaped..." his fingers folded in his lap as he studied her.
Jane shook her head, "No. No. No. You're not going, this is absurd! I'll just...you know...have fifty years here or so like normal people."
He smirked. "This is not a matter for debate, love."
"But...!"
"Not another word. Go prepare yourself for Sif's crowning," and he got up, magically cleaning up the mess of books.
She sighed. "And what about you?" She went over to him, winding her arms around his waist.
"I'll be preparing as well...but I understand you struck a bargain with our Princess, and she will be awaiting your counsel."
Jane nodded, placing a kiss to his mouth.
She changed her clothes and left for the other royal chambers.
Jane knocked in the enormous door softly. "Sif?"
No answer. She went in. "Sif...?
There she was, her hands running through her raven locks. "What's wrong?" Jane asked, approaching her.
"Oh, my lady! I'm in such a state! What am I going to say?"
Jane laughed and took her hand. "Tell me how you feel about Asgard"
"Asgard is my heart..."
Jane nodded. "And what do you think of when you think of being Queen?"
"Retching."
Jane smiled. "Hmmm...I wish Loki were here. He's the wordsmith."
Sif shook her head. "The Kings cannot know my sacred vow...it needs to come from me..."
"Oh. Well...lemme think."
Jane bent her head and took a pen and paper. She began to write...
"Dearest Asgard, I am honored and moved to be here before you. I hold you close to my heart, and as long as there is breath in my body, I swear to honor and defend you in all that is right." Jane paused. "How's that, Sif?"
She smiled widely at Jane, taking her hand. It was simple and straightforward, Sif had been trying too hard to be overly eloquent. "Perfect! You and the King DO have a lot in common!"
Jane smiled, patted her hand, and left for the Throne Room.
The lady went to the hall, one of the last to arrive. They had made certain that she had a place close to the front, but not directly in front...many leaders from various realms were present. Jane felt small and out of place.
As soon as Frigga's crown was placed on her head, Thor seized her quick and kissed her passionately. The company present stood and cheered. Asgard had her Queen.
Once more, Jane was unsure what to do. Loki had left with Thor and Sif, and everyone was exiting the hall to the enormous room where the wedding reception was held a few weeks previous. Jane followed the mass, and noted the difference between the Kings' crowning and the Queen's. She guessed it was the small matter of Odin's death not tampering the festive mood.
The new monarch was soon brought in and was seen sitting next to her King, already eager and liberal with his drink. Jane smiled and went to obtain a glass of wine herself. She turned, and music played out, the Aesir took to the golden floor in jubilant celebration.
Her eyes took in the scene with a sort of awestruck wonder. She believed that she'd never would get used to all of this...the joy, the light, the perfume of the place...sweet, nearly drunk with aroma, it assaulted her senses.
"How is it possible that though I've known you quite intimately, you hold me in fast fascination..." Loki was at her back, whispering in her ear. "Whatever are you thinking about? Your face contorts, yet is simultaneously peaceful in thought...?"
She leaned against him, her back at his front. "I was thinking about the heaviness of the scents in the hall...and how I should like to be back in your garden, looking at the stars...kissing you, and holding you close..."
His face bent toward her ear, "That is a fantastic notion...but I thought we might dance first...I've not yet had the pleasure."
"Um...no. Not a dancer."
He turned her to face him. "What do you mean? Not a dancer? We must see to that immediately."
Jane laughed. "Ask someone else. Loki. It's not my thing." She rather imagined him to be a very good dancer, and wasn't quite ready to be utterly embarrassed by her rudimentary skills.
He stepped back a touch, looked at her crookedly. "We shall see..." He paused. "Did you compose the whole of the Queen's acceptance?"
"I did," Jane replied defensively.
He nodded. "Queen Sif possesses many fine attributes. Manipulation of words is not among them. She never knows when to stop, how to begin, what to omit, or when to press on."
"In stark opposition to you, perhaps, but a suitable companion for Thor."
He smirked. "Come, love...let's away from this stifling hall..."
And the lovers left, making way to the King's chamber, and Loki slept in Jane's arms until sunrise...the most restful night he had enjoyed in some time.
Her back hit the ground hard, and it felt as though something cracked. Shit. Please don't let my back be broken...no...I'd not be able to feel anything...and she wretched herself up into a squat, stretching her back muscles in the process.
"Dear Jane," began Thor. "I am already going easy on you..." and he laughed.
"Truly Thor...she's doing quite well. Think of where she started at two days ago," Sif observed, giving Jane a hand up to standing.
"Don't go easy on me..." Jane protested, and immediately and with force began to fence the King in the practice circle. Her face stiff in concentration, her brow trickling with beads of sweat.
Her stance was a bit off, but her technique was impressive for such a novice. It was her stance which was her Achilles heel, and threw her off balance.
They danced their violence throughout the enclosure, Sif yelling advice to Jane as she battled the King.
He cornered her, had her desperate in her fight...his strength was something, and Jane began to falter. She moaned her exasperation, and fell once more, Thor's dull practice blade at her chest.
"Harm her brother, and I'll not be held responsible for my actions..." Loki was approaching.
"It's a dull blade, Loki."
Loki turned toward Sif, "Apologies, sister. How unfortunate to have a husband with a dull blade."
"Shut up Loki," said Thor and Sif in unison.
He laughed heartily. "So Jane, how is your training in combat progressing?" He went over to her and helped her up as she laughed.
"Well...I've been on my back more than I care to admit."
"Is that so? I can attest to that fact as well..." and Loki winked. "And are you teaching her only to fight? What about defensive strategies? Offensive movement?" He was looking at Thor.
"Well, it's a bit all-encompassing, isn't it?" Thor rested the sword on the ground, and went to have a drink.
"Certainly not," Loki protested. "Combat is not merely, "whoever hits the hardest wins"...it's outwitting your opponent...it's formulating a plan...all in seconds."
"But a mighty blow is advantageous, and would negate any thought on the subject," replied Thor.
"A sad commentary on your life as a whole, dear brother," he smirked.
Jane laughed. "Why don't you show me, Loki?"
"Show you? You mean you wish to engage me in a fight?" Loki looked at her.
Jane assumed the stance Sig had shown her. "Afraid?"
"Jane, Loki is much more formidable than he appears to be...even without his magic. That is one of the advantages he has over me..." Thor explained. "Opponents underestimate him. Sadly, I seldom have that issue."
"Just so, Thor. Your reputation precedes you. You smash, they scatter," Loki was looking at Jane, however, and he picked up Thor's practice blade. "First and foremost Jane, all war is deception. You should appear weak when you are strong, strong when you are weak. The best battle won is when there is no fighting..." he was examining the blade, moving it through the air in swift motion. "And perhaps most importantly, the most advantageous opportunities are found in the midst of chaos..." and he struck her blade hard.
It startled her, but recovered quickly. And he assumed an offensive stance, pushing her backwards, Jane trying to keep up...but she did, and soon had him in defensive mode, a smile played at her lips.
They performed their dance along the green, but Jane's hold grew weak...and before she knew it, his sword turned around in a swift movement, tearing her's from her grasp, and she was pinned against the stone wall...his sword against her chest, his other hand held her right arm, his knees locked against her thighs, his face inches from hers.
"It appears you are caught, Jane," and he smiled into her mouth.
Jane kissed him soundly, and in his distraction, pushed him with all of her might, grabbing his sword, and knocked him to his back. She was breathing hard, the blade's tip at his throat.
He laughed, then stopped, and darkness fell over his countenance. "Are you as aroused as I am?"
"More," she breathed.
"Well, Jane, if you kiss your opponent, you shall no doubt be victorious over them," observed Thor, taking Sif's hand and leaving the arena.
The lovers laughed, and went inside to ready for dinner.
Jane was on her stomach, naked, as Loki tended to the bruises on her back.
"You are positively blue..." his fingers traced an inch over her skin, green light grazing the injuries softly. The tones disappeared under the work of the magic.
"You're blue, aren't you?" Jane asked innocently.
He stopped. "What do you mean?"
She turned toward him, and rested her head on her hand. "I mean, you're a Frost Giant, and they are blue."
His face hardened and he got up. He began changing from his day wear.
"Loki?"
"I don't wish to discuss it," he said flatly.
She sat up. "Why not?"
"Because it's not something I care to dwell on, at least not any longer. For too long it was the source of my torment, and if I think on it at all, I become angry and despondent."
"But...it's you! It's...who you are..."
He turned toward her, his eyes flashing. "Don't say that, not ever again. It is not me...I am no monster."
She shrunk a bit. "Loki...you're not a monster...but to deny your heritage, it's..."
His hands rubbed his face in frustrated energy. "I have abandoned that 'heritage' as you've termed it in favor of an Aesir as Odin desired...since Odin was always right and noble in his intentions..." he was sarcastic, and sounded wounded.
Jane swallowed. She knew that the subject was sore, but had no idea it still bled. "I'm sorry..."
"Do not apologize!" He was desperate. "It's Odin's burden. He was the one who brought the monstrous to Asgard...he was the one who deceived..." He stopped. "And I forgave him," and he left.
Jane was confused, and she twisted the blanket on the bed in distraction. Oh my, he still hurt from it all.
She got up and went to the balcony. She would give him some time, and if he didn't return in an hour or so, she'd go looking for him.
And there he was, as she knew he would be, in his garden, staring upwards.
Jane walked over to him, and placed her hands on his back, rubbing him softly. "I don't care, you know..."
"You should."
"I don't."
He sighed deeply. "I do."
"I know...but as you said, it's not you," Jane began. "You are lovely, you are brilliant, and strong, and kind...and I am so in love with you I can't see straight."
"Exactly. You can't see, Jane. And if you saw, you'd run," Loki said with sadness echoing in every word.
She made him face her. "I wouldn't. I never will. I don't care if your skin is blue, red, black, or the alabaster I see before me. It's your soul that I love. Your essence that fills me...your exterior, though wonderful, is hardly what matters."
He touched her face. "I think I believe you."
"I have no reason to lie," and she pulled him close, kissing him in the starlight.
She led him back to the room, where he continued his labor on her injuries, and kissed where each of them held their angry blush.