"No! I will not allow you to kill the man I love and the father of the child I carry in my womb."
The entire court gasped at Ava's announcement. Then they began to murmur amongst themselves. An angry expression came across Thor's face. Odin's face was a mixture of fury, shock, and something else Ava couldn't quite identify. Frigga was standing there with her hand over her mouth and her eyes wide. Ava could tell by looking in her mother's eyes that her hand over her mouth was to hide the smile.
"Everyone, but my family out now!" Odin commanded.
Everyone cleared out, leaving only Odin, Frigga, Thor, Ava, Loki, and a handful of guards. Loki looked at Ava as everyone was clearing out. "Is this...what you were trying to tell me before everything happened?" He asked.
Ava nodded. "Yes."
Before Loki could reply, the room had cleared out and Odin was calling their attention. "Ava, you mean to tell me that you have gone to bed with this monster and are now carrying his child?" Odin asked, working to keep his fury under control.
"I have made love with this man and as a result, I am now carrying his child." Ava corrected.
Odin was about to say something, but Thor was livid. His face was glowing red with his anger. He marched down from his place at his father's side and pulled Ava and Loki apart. He then grabbed Loki by the front of his tunic and hefted him up. "You swore to me you wouldn't disrespect my sister."
"I never disrespected Ava." Loki replied.
"You took her to bed without marrying her." Thor growled.
"Thor! Stop it!" Ava shouted, puttung her hand on her brother's arm.
"Not now, Ava." Thor replied. "I have to teach him a lesson in respecting women."
"Thor, did it ever occur to you that I was the one who seduced Loki?" Ava asked her brother.
Thor looked at Ava, a dumbfounded expression on his face. "You...no...just no."
"Thor, put him down." Frigga commanded, her tone one of motherly authority.
Thor looked back at his mother before setting Loki down on his feet. Ava walked back over to Loki's side. She looked up at her father. "I think it's time to let him out of these chains." She said.
"Not just yet." Odin countered. "Just because you carry his child, doesn't mean that he is not guilty of conspiracy and betrayal."
Ava was about ready to say something, when her mother spoke up. "Odin, that is enough of this." She then produced a key and handed it to Ava to unlock Loki's restraints. "This must be why they have been sneaking around and keeping secrets from us."
Ava unlocked Loki's chains and helped him remove them. Loki rubbed his wrists for a moment before wrapping his arms around Ava and hugging her tightly. Ava hugged him back just as tightly. They broke their embrace after a few moments and then turned back to Ava's family. Ava reached over and laced her fingers through Loki's.
"Now, I think we need to give them a chance to explain everything." Frigga said. She then gave Loki and Ava a look, prompting them to begin.
"The story, I told you about how we met was true." Ava began. "I just left out the fact that when I had gotten lost, I had ended up falling through a portal and landing in the Jotunheim. Loki found me and built a fire to warm me. He saved my life...and that day became my best friend. I would go to the Jotunheim after that to play with him and eventually I talked him into coming here, too. Over the years, I fell in love with Loki."
"And I fell in love with Ava." Loki added. "I swear, all I have ever wanted was to be with Ava. I never wanted the attack to happen. I only ever hoped that we would be able to have peace between our worlds so that Ava and I could be together."
"And why didn't you tell us this before?" Odin asked. "Why make us believe you were of Asgard?"
"We never said Loki was from Asgard." Ava replied. "All I said was he was not one of our warriors or of Asgardian nobility. You just assumed that meant he was a regular citizen of Asgard."
"Then why did you omit the details of the truth?" Odin asked. "Why didn't you say everything from the beginning?"
"Because I thought that once you got to know Loki, that when we told you the truth you wouldn't object." Ava answered.
"We were planning on telling you soon." Loki added.
"And what about you defiling my sister?" Thor asked.
Ava glared at her brother. "Enough, Thor. I went to bed with Loki willingly and I now carry his child. Just accept it and move on."
Thor let out a grunt and glared at Ava and Loki, but remained silent after that.
Frigga looked at her husband. "I believe them." She said.
"And why is that?" Odin asked his wife.
"Because, over these last couple of months, I have seen the way they look at each other. They truly do love each other. Besides, I trust our daughter's judgement." Frigga answered. "If she feels strongly enough to throw herself between him and a blade, then obviously he can't be a monster."
Ava smiled at her mother, glad to have at least one member of her family on their side. She looked at her father and could see that his temper was cooling. Frigga then gave him one last little push. "Besides, we should give him the benefit of the doubt for our grandchild."
Odin sighed in defeat. "Alright." He finally said. "We will seek peace with the Jotunheim for your sake and for the sake of the unborn child." He then looked at Loki. "I do have one question to ask you."
"What is it your majesty?" Loki asked.
"If your father is not willing to make peace with us, what are you willing to do? Are you willing to give your loyalty to Asgard? Are you willing to turn against your own father?" Odin asked.
Loki looked at Ava and all he could think about was their love and the child she carried. He then thought about how his father was apparently willing to let him die. "I will gladly give Asgard my loyalty."
"Good." Odin said. "Now, everyone go and rest. We will discuss how we will work on that peace later. We will also discuss more about your relationship, since you're expecting a child."
"Yes, Father." Ava replied.
She and Loki then turned and headed out one of the back ways to Ava's chambers. Thor left with them. Ava noticed that the angry look had not left her brother's face and that he was still quiet. "Brother..." She began, stopping her walk. Loki came to a stop next to her.
Thor stopped just ahead of them. He turned and looked at them, his expression a mixture of anger and hurt. "Ava, how could you have lied to me? I helped you keep your secrets from Mother and Father, but you couldn't trust me with the truth?"
"Thor...I..." Ava began.
"That's the last time I help you with anything." Thor said, before storming off to his room.
Ava felt the tears stinging her eyes. She had never meant for things to happen this way. She felt Loki wrap his arms around her and pull her to his chest. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair. "I'm sorry I'm causing so much trouble for you, my love." He whispered to her.
Ava buried her face in his chest and hugged herself tighter to him. "It's not your fault." She replied, blinking back the tears.
Loki kissed the top of her head again. He then scooped her up into his arms and carried her the rest of the way to her chambers. He set her down and then grabbed one of her night dresses for her. Once she had changed into it, they climbed in bed and snuggled up together.
"So, we're going to have a baby." Loki said, hoping that he could help bring a smile to his Ava's face.
Ava gave him a smile and placed a hand over her belly. "Yes. We didn't really get to just talk about it...are...are you happy about having a baby with me?" She asked, her smile fading.
"Of course." Loki answered, placing his hand over hers. "I am honored that you are having my child."
Ava smiled and stretched up to kiss him. "I love you."
Loki kissed her back. "I love you." He then leaned down and kissed her belly. "And I love you."
Ava soon fell asleep, snuggled up with Loki. Once Loki was sure that Ava was asleep, he went to find Thor and talk to him. He wanted to try and help make things right between Ava and her brother. He hated that he was causing problems between Ava and her family.