A/N: Double Update! Whoo-hoo! Not going to make a habit out of this, but enjoy. This chapter explains why Loki was never really close to his own children. A Wild Clover expressed her concern over why Loki would care for Thor, but not for his own children. I had planned this all along, and was delighted to get such a reaction.
Thanks to all the guest reviewers as well! Keep 'em coming. I love them!
Odin returned to his chambers, contemplating the recent events. He took his seat on the throne. Ever since Loki had discovered his heritage, Odin had felt more and more alienated from him. But perhaps it had started earlier.
Loki found Frigga and Odin walking in the garden.
"Father! Mother! I have wonderful news!" Frigga turned to see Loki smiling.
"What is it, my son?" she asked. Loki's grin grew wider, if that was at all possible.
"Angrboda is with child. My child!" he exclaimed. Frigga threw her arms around her son.
"This is wonderful news!" Loki returned the embrace, his excitement spilling over. Odin was silent during this whole exchange. Loki was so wrapped up in his good news that he failed to see the king turn on his heel and walk away.
Yes, it had begun that day. Odin's mind drifted through the past, calling to mind all that had been said or done concerning Loki's children.
Most fathers would be delighted to become grandfathers. Odin, however, wasn't. His dislike of the situation became even greater when it became obvious the Angrboda carried not one, but three children.
Then, the night that the Norns had come to him with their foretellings. The eldest of these children would embody Death itself. The second would be Pain, and the third, Sin. Odin of course was horrified by these bodings. Then he'd listened to the Norns concerning Ragnarok. The eldest would lead the assault against Asgard and all the realms. The second would be his own death, and the third would slay his beloved son. He couldn't let that happen.
As he thought back, he was not proud of what he'd done in the wake of receiving such grim tidings. He had driven his son farther away, and through his actions, brought about the destruction he had tried so hard to avoid.
Loki sat outside the healer's chambers, head in his hands. His children were dead, from what he'd heard. Stillborn, all three, and his wife had died in childbirth. The healers hadn't been able to do anything to help her. Frigga found him there, and silently sat beside him, not saying a word. Loki stared blankly at the door, sensing Frigga's sympathy.
He didn't want sympathy, he wanted his wife back.
Even if he couldn't ever meet his children, he wanted so badly to seek comfort in his beloved's arms, and perhaps give comfort in return. He'd never see Angrboda again.
Finally the dam broke and tears spilled down his cheeks. Frigga laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Loki ignored the contact, his body wracked with silent sobs. His mother pulled him into her arms.
"Why?" he croaked. She stroked his hair, unable to respond. Oh, how much it hurt her to see him like this. She knew there would be no comfort for him, not for a long while at least. "Why did she have to die? I-I loved her so…" he drew a shuddering breath. "Why?"
"Oh, Loki…no one knows why this happens. I'm so sorry, my son. So, so sorry." Loki acted as though he didn't hear. Finally he moved to get away from her arms.
"I thank you for your sympathy, Mother, but I wish to be left alone now." He whispered hoarsely. Frigga inclined her head, and slowly stood up. She kissed him on the forehead, and disappeared down the hall.
Odin had seen many things. He had also done many things. Placing that spell over Angrboda to ensure her death was one of the more regrettable. Keeping his actions concerning the children from Frigga and the rest of the royal house was by far the worst. Of course, he hadn't really killed his adoptive son's offspring. He had taken the infant Hela to Niflheim, and left her there. Fenrir was bound and sent to Amsvartnir, an island just off of Niflheim's desolate shores. Jormagundar, he cast into the oceans of Midgard. He had thought that the problem was taken care of. He hadn't counted upon Hela actually surviving and coming back, bringing tidings of her brothers to Loki.
Loki's wrath rivaled Thor's as he walked forward to the throne.
"What have you done?" he demanded. Odin watched him impassively.
"What I must in order to keep the realms safe."
"But, they were mere infants!"
"They were a danger to us all! I did only what I had to!" Loki took a staggering step back.
"You killed her. You killed Angrboda, and lied to me. You made me believe that my own children were dead…" A shudder ran through him. "I loved her, Father, and you took her from me without even thinking of what the outcome might be…My own children curse my name because of you."
"They are monsters, Loki. They were from the start."
"I would have still loved them! But what would you know of love?" he spat.
"Silence!" Odin stood up. Loki clenched his jaw, and left.