Laufey sat on his throne, looking out on his once glorious empire that was now a frozen wasteland, all thanks to the Asgardians. He knew that his son, Loki was the key to getting the revenge he so craved, and restoring the Jotunheim to its glory. Of course, he was going to have to wait until his son was ready.
"I wonder just how close he is o being finished with his training." Laufey mused to himself. It had been three months since he and his queen had woken to find the letter in their bedroom. While Laufey hated waiting, he did agree with his son's decision. If he could survive out in the old barren landscape, Loki would be able to survive anywhere.
"You look impatient, your majesty." An unfamiliar voice said, from somewhere in the room.
Laufey looked around until he saw an old woman with grey winkled flesh, snow white hair, and yellow eyes dressed in a worn brown cloak. "Who are you?" He asked.
"No one to worry you, your majesty." The old woman replied. "Just someone with a bit of information you might find interesting."
"And what information would that be?" Laufey inquired.
"Information on what your son is doing."
"He is off training." Laufey replied. "He wants to help me bring Asgard to its knees."
"Young Loki is not training and he is far from desiring the fall of Asgard."
"Are you calling my son a liar?"
"I am only telling you what I know. He is in Asgard right now…he has fallen in love with the young Asgardian princess, Ava and she him. They desire to create a peace between your worlds so that they can be together."
"You lie!" Laufey shouted at the old woman.
"I would not lie." She replied. She then formed a ball of ice and had an image appear in it. It was of Loki in his Aesir form. He was on Asgard in the palace no less, sitting at the dinner table with the royal family. The princess was sitting next to him and they were holding hands and sharing looks of love with each other.
Laufey recognized the magic that the old woman was using and then he realized who she was. "You're the oracle."
The woman gave him a snaggle-toothed smile. "Now you know I am not lying to you." She then disappeared.
Laufey sat back on his throne, brooding. He was angry. He was angry at Odin for destroying his realm. He was angry at his son for sneaking around and lying to him. He was angry at his son for betraying him and being with the young Asgardian princess. He was angry at the princess for bewitching his son in the first place.
As Laufey sat there, a plan began to form in his mind. The plan would accomplish all of his goals. It would punish his son, give him his revenge on Odin, and help him get one step closer to getting the Casket of Ancient Winters back.
On Asgard...
Loki was at the palace once again, joining Ava and her family for dinner once again. They still had not told them the truth of Loki's heritage, they were waiting for the right moment. Loki was sitting beside Ava.
After dinner, Ava walked him out to say, goodnight. She returned to her chambers, where Loki was waiting for her. Ava smiled as she locked the door behind her and Loki pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He broke the kiss and looked into Ava's eyes smiling. She smiled in return, but it didn't quite touch her eyes.
"My love, is something wrong?" Loki asked, concern coloring his tone.
"I'm just extremely tired." Ava answered.
"You've been tired the last couple of weeks. Are you becoming ill, my love?" He asked, still worried.
Ava smiled at him. "I'm sure it's nothing. Possibly too many late nights of passion with you." She replied, her tone teasing.
Loki kissed her forehead. "Well then, I shall only hold you tonight and sing softly to you as you sleep, my dear princess. I can't have you exhausting yourself for me."
Ava smiled and kissed his cheek, She then pulled away and headed over to her wardrobe. She pulled out her night dress and changed into it. Loki had already changed into his night clothes. They climbed in bed and snuggled up under the covers.
Ava quickly fell asleep, wrapped in Loki's arms. She began dreaming.
Ava was standing at the end of a long dark hall. There was a door at the end of the hall. Ava could only tell this because there was a light behind it, shining through the crack at the bottom. Ava began walking towards the door.
It felt like it took her forever to reach the door. When she did, Ava took a deep breath and gripped the nob. She twisted and it turned easily. Behind the door, there was a large brightly lit white room. There was nothing decorating the white walls. Ava looked around and saw a small girl standing in the center of the room.
The girl appeared to be around the age of three. Her hair was the color of a dark night and yet when the light hit it just right, it revealed hints of copper. She had the most beautiful green eyes and pale skin. She was beautiful.
She looked up at Ava and smiled. She walked over to her and held up her hand. She mumbled something and a beautiful flower made of snow and ice formed in her hand, just like the one Loki had given Ava for her birthday. Ava felt like she knew this girl and that she was somehow important to her, but she couldn't quite figure out how. The girl handed Ava the flower and smiled. She then took Ava's hand. They stood there for a small eternity, holding hands and looking at each other. The girl squeezed Ava's hand and then lifted her other hand to rest on Ava's belly, still smiling.
Ava woke up from her dream and it was as if she could still feel the small girl's hand on her stomach. She looked over to see Loki sound asleep, holding her close. She then placed her hand over the place where the child's had rested. Ava spent the rest of the night pondering what this could mean and there was only one possibility...one that she wasn't sure she was quite ready for.
A/N: I hope you guys are enjoying this story. I would like to thank Loki's best friend for helping me through some writer's block that I had with a couple of chapters. I would also like to thank all of you lovely people for reading and reviewing and I hope you continue to do so. I love hearing from you :)