It was eerily bright. It can be observed that Loki was not quite ready to have the conversation with Iðunn. She was quite versed in many things, and her prowess was extensive. He knew he could outwit her, but he was tired from worry over Jane, and was distracted.
He looked about for the tree, for he should know exactly where the thing was when Jane was brought back. He would use his magic to send her to Asgard, since the plan of arriving largely unnoticed with a minimal interaction with the fertility goddess had gone awry.
Loki was standing at the bottom of some stone steps, likely an entrance to the side garden to his right for Iðunn. Her palace stood to his left, rather modest in comparison to that of Asgard, but a palace nonetheless. The immediate garden was an open expanse, a rolling meadow of considerable size.
There…at the far end…it had been moved. It was larger than Loki remembered, its branches quite heavy with the fruit. The thing nearly glowed with copious apples.
"Well, fancy a dark prince of Asgard paying me a visit. It is a wondrous day, indeed," purred a voice behind him.
His mouth curled a smile, and he turned. "Iðunn, it is a pleasure, as always."
"Oh, Loki. Do not shower me with your falsehoods. You derive no pleasure in seeing me," and she slunk toward him. Her hair was a long, lustrous auburn, her skin alabaster, but its shade altered a bit, as though the system had a mind of its own. Her eyes were large and green, her mouth boasted thin lips, but were a pleasant peach. Her nose was grand and regal. She wore boots, with gold pants form fitting to allow quick movement, her tunic short and sleeveless, and the same color as her pants. Her hair was piled high on her head, some long curls escaping their captive pin. She walked up the steps, and Loki followed.
"On the contrary, I always take pleasure in observing beauty."
"As do I…we share that pastime. Tell me, how is your fair brother?"
Iðunn brushed passed him, deliberately running her hand across his arm.
"He is hail enough, and recently wed."
"Indeed?" and she turned with a hint of surprise. "Wed? Its a pity. I never receive news…nor invitation…nor any attention at all from the handsome princes of Asgard…" she pouted.
"Actually, Iðunn, Thor and I are recently Kings."
Her eyes flew open, then fell in a squint. "You…you both…are Kings? How is that possible? The pride of Odin would never have agreed…"
"Thor insisted," and Loki shrugged, smirking. "So, I am now King of the nine realms, and I come for one of your apples."
"Have you, King Loki?" her voice dripped with emphasis. "Well, by all means…do have one…" but she made her way close to him, and placed her hands on his chest. "…but what have you to offer me in return? And what about your travel companion? She is still some time from here…"
Loki leered. "I have anything you could desire…and I shall simply wait for my friend until your minion brings her."
"Anything…?" her voice suggestive, her hands roaming down his body.
Loki laughed and stepped back. "Truly, Iðunn, something else must interest you. Haven't you enough offspring?"
She cocked her head and turned away. "Your "friend" as you term her…she is a bit more, wouldn't you agree?"
Loki swallowed. "A bit more? She is a diversion."
"And is she successful in her occupation as the King's diversion?"
"She is adequate."
Iðunn then turned to face him, holding two glasses filled with a red liquid. "Pity. Adequacy is so…dull."
Loki knew better than to accept anything from the goddess. "I thank you for your hospitality, Iðunn, but I require no refreshment. Let us discuss the payment you require for your apple, so that I might leave you to your day…"
Iðunn smiled at him. "You refuse my offer of refreshment? Oh, what has Odin taught his wayward son?"
"To not take drink when one is not thirsty."
She placed the glasses down on an obliging table. "Well, then…payment, yes. I'll take your adequate diversion."
"Pardon?" Loki's mouth felt dry.
"If she is only adequate, perhaps I might train her to be exemplary."
He laughed. "Come now, Iðunn…do be serious. What could you need with another attendant?"
"Oh! But she wouldn't be an attendant, your majesty," she whispered. "She would be my pupil…" and then she turned away. "It gets so dreadfully dull here…you have no idea…your little diversion would suit me quite well…I could teach her all that I know, and within a century, I could return her to you. And she would be much more than a diversion, she would be a prize…" she hissed the last bit, turned toward Loki again, her eyes flashing.
Loki hid his swallow by turning away. This he had not counted on. This was unforeseen. If Jane would touch that gem, then he would know where she was, how much time he had…he could trick Iðunn into believing he accepted her bargain…and then send Jane away as soon as she arrived, and he would follow…he was fairly certain that his magic could penetrate whatever spell held the apples from this distance…
"Well…King Loki? What say you?"
He turned to face her, his face impassive. "Of course. It sounds a reasonable enough bargain."
"Excellent…"
At that, the Hraesvelgr was seen in the distance. Iðunn smiled and approached the oncoming creature. Loki was behind her, sneering.
The great bird dropped a lifeless Jane in a heap at the bottom of the steps.
"She has a poor constitution, my King," and she went down the steps toward Jane. "She bleeds…" and as Iðunn came nearer, she turned toward Loki. "She is mortal…" she whispered. "She is why you desire my apples..."
And with that, a green light flashed from his hand and Jane disappeared.
Iðunn screamed and turned on the spot, and when she pivoted, a great blade emerged from her hand. Loki then held a sword from his stores, and went at her. He felt drained, he and used his magic too often…but he engaged her…
Iðunn's blade turned into a serpent, and Loki dismissed it quickly by severing its head.
He gathered up his magic, and hurled it at her, sending her flying…he must act quickly, he couldn't keep up much longer…get an apple.
He ran toward the tree…perhaps he could obtain one without summoning it.
But as he drew nearer, Iðunn emerged from behind it, large and looming, at least 20 feet in height, and her voice boomed. "You are depleted, Loki…I sense it…"
He skidded to a stop. Summon it, now! And an apple found its way to his pocket…but as he began to fold the space of Helheim, he was pushed to the floor, Iðunn's magic pinning him down.
"My King," as she regained normal size. "Going so quickly?" and she smiled.
The press was severe, and since he was exhausted, he succumbed. Jane would be here in a day or two with Thor…he could withstand anything she had in mind…his magic might even replenish itself in that time…and he would send the apple to Asgard as his final act before Iðunn took him in…
The tiny golden apple materialized in Loki's chamber in Asgard. He had miscalculated, his mind weakened along with his magic, he had meant to send it to Heimdall, for the observer would get it to Jane immediately.
But it would only have delayed her acquiring it, had she been there.
Jane awoke in a cave. She hurt all over and was freezing. She shook as she attempted to get her bearings. The last thing she recalled was being flown over the garden in Hel…and sharp pain in her shoulders…and retching all over herself.
She looked down. Yep. She had retched all over herself.
Her shoulders burned. She could barely move them without the split of pain. She bent her elbow and touched her left shoulder. Blood covered her fingers.
She needed to discern where she was. Where was the great bird? Was it hovering outside of the cave? She crawled to the gape, and peered hesitantly out.
A white landscape filled her vision. There was no bird. There was no garden. What the hell happened?
Jane began to rise to her feet, but not being able to adequately use her shoulders inhibited any graceful movement she might enjoy. She crawled over to the wall of the opening on her elbows, and inched her way up, by sliding her body and pushing against it.
Her breath could be seen in vapor form, and she walked slowly out of the cave.
She looked around.
A bit of snow covered the floor. Evergreens were all along the sides of the hill she found herself perched on. A bit more discerning a look, and she spotted a small town about two miles from where she was…at the bottom of the landscape.
Tears began streaming down her face. Panic filled her head. She trembled in her station, trying to decide the best course of action…she could call for Heimdall…
"Heimdall!" Jane screamed. "Heimdall!"
Nothing. Maybe she needed to be by a port of the BiFrost…maybe he wasn't looking for her…maybe something dreadful, more dreadful than this, had happened.
For there was no doubt in Jane's mind as she looked about her in her panic as her breath caught and her eyes streamed and her heart beat like the march of a thousand elephants in her chest.
Loki had sent her to Midgard.