Frigga stared at Loki, horrified, as Jormagundar transformed back into a boy. He was almost the same size as Fenrir. Wordlessly, Loki picked the floundering child up and cradled him against his chest as he waded back to shore.

"Loki, what have you done?" the queen whispered.

"What any real father would do for his children. And you disapprove of this, why?" Frigga shook her head.

"You don't know where Hela went, do you?" she asked darkly. Loki felt his heart sink.

Odin

"What happened? Please, you have to tell me. Mother, please."

"Odin placed a spell on her, linking her life with the bonds placed upon your youngest son. I'm sorry I couldn't stop him…" Loki took an involuntary step back, jade eyes wide with horror and guilt.

"Please, tell me there is a way of undoing this…" he managed to say.

"The healers have tried everything. They cannot find a way to reverse it." Loki shook his head.

"No! Tell me that's a lie. Please, be lying to me…There has to be a way." He was trembling now. Jormagundar put his arms around Loki's neck, whimpering a little. "Jormagundar, I want you to go with Fandral, back to the hotel. You'll find Fenrir and Thor there." Loki said. The boy nodded.

"Yes papa. But where are you going?" Loki set him down on the ground, and got down on his level.

"Home. But I promise I will come back for you and your brother, once I'm sure you'll be safe." He pulled his son close and gave him a hug before standing up and facing Frigga. The queen glanced up at the clouds.

"Heimdall, bring us back." She said quietly. The air shimmered around them, and they vanished. Jormagundar stared at the sky for a while, obviously a little sad. Fandral picked him up.

"We'll go find your brother, and you'll be home soon." he comforted. Jormagundar shivered pathetically and rested his head on Fandral's shoulder. Upon reaching the hotel, they found Fenrir and Darcy waiting in the lobby for them. Jormagundar jumped down from Fandral's arms and ran to his brother, hugging him tightly. Fenrir returned the embrace, grinning broadly.

"Jormagundar, meet Darcy." He said, his excitement bubbling over. Jormagundar stared up at the woman shyly, and held out his hand.

"Hi, buddy. It's good to meet you." she said, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Do you mind if I shorten your name a bit? It'll be easier for me to talk to you that way." The boy nodded.

"You can call me Gunner, if that's easier for you…" he offered. Darcy smiled.

"Thank you. Do you wanna come see where you're staying?" Gunner brightened a bit at the idea.

"Is Fenrir coming with?" he asked hopefully. Darcy nodded.

"Yep. You both get to stay with Jane and me. We've got two beds and a fold-out sofa bed in our room. You guys don't mind doubling up do you?" Both boys shook their heads.

"That's all right, Moth—I mean, Darcy." Fenrir blushed and turned his attention back to Jormagundar, hoping that his near slip might be ignored. Darcy pretended to. But inwardly, she was a little shocked. Fenrir had almost called her mother? What would Loki have said to that? Jormagundar was still getting used to his new form, so he didn't quite catch it.

When they made it up to the suite, he was in awe. Never before had he seen a place that looked so comfortable. He ran over and jumped on one of the beds, giggling a little. The blankets were so soft. And the pillows…was this heaven? He wrapped himself up one of the blankets and lay there, just staring at the ceiling, contemplating his luck. Darcy picked him up carefully.

"Hey, this is my bed, kiddo." She chided as she set him down on the fold-out bed that he would be sharing with Fenrir. "You can use the blanket for now, though."

"Thank you." he whispered. Fenrir jumped up on the bed next to him, and both boys snuggled close together, sharing each other's warmth. Within minutes, both had fallen asleep.

Frigga and Loki reappeared in the throne room on Asgard. Without a word, Loki turned and went to the healer's chambers where he knew Hela was. He stepped into the room, a sense of dread.

Hela lay quietly under the covers. Loki watched her for a moment. The dead side of her body was slowly but surely taking over the whole side. If the spell wasn't stopped soon, she would basically wither away into nothing. Loki sat down next to her, at a loss. What could he do about something like this? She probably hated him…

"What do you want?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm here to help you."

"You freed him! You knew it would kill me, and you still freed him!"

"Hela, I didn't know what Odin had done…You have to believe me." He replied, his heart breaking. Hela's eyes were accusing.

"I don't want your help. Leave me be." she spat, but her weakness belied the sentiment. She whimpered slightly as the deadly pallor crept across her cheek.

"I'm not leaving you, dear." He whispered, taking her hands in his. They were cold and grey by now. He tried warming them up, but that didn't work. Hela looked like she was trying to speak, but no words were coming out. Loki watched, numbly as her eyes fell closed.

"Please, don't give up on me." He said. The girl remained unmoving. Frigga stood behind Loki, watching.

"There has to be a way, Loki." She said quietly.

"I know. I'm not going to let Odin take my daughter from me too." He glanced up at Frigga. "I will require your aid if I am to save her." He had tears in his eyes, but his voice was steady. Frigga nodded.

"Of course, my son." Frigga held Gungnir out to Loki. He took it and stared at it for a moment.

"Thank you, Mother." Loki closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. This had to work.