A couple of more weeks passed and Fandrall was actually starting to behave…well as much as he could anyways. He was treating Loki and Ava both better, to everyone's amazement. Unfortunately, the peace that everyone in the nine realms had been enjoying was broken, when a group of soldiers of unknown origins attacked Vanaheim.

Thor was sent with part of Asgard's army to help. Loki had gone as well, since he was now considered a prince of Asgard. Of course, his skills for strategy and thinking on his feet were useful in battle. This still didn't ease Ava's anxieties over her husband being away from her and in battle, especially since she was only a week away from her due date.

It had been five days since Loki had left with Thor and the others to fight in Vanaheim. Ava had made Loki promise to return swift, safely, and completely unharmed. He had smiled and kissed her and her swollen belly before making the promise and leaving. Every night, Ava lay awake in bed, looking out at the stars and praying that Loki would return to her safely.

On this night, she lay in their bed, mounds of pillows piled around her, trying to make herself more comfortable. Each night she had added more pillows to her mounds, but tonight they weren't helping. Ava let out a groan as she tossed her pillows aside and clambered out of bed. She decided to walk to the kitchen for a late night snack.

She slid into her robe. She thought about putting on her slippers, but decided to remain barefoot. She waddled through the halls. As she walked, she started feeling pain and pressure in her lower back and pelvis. She groaned and braced herself against a wall as the pains hit her. "Ah!" She cried out and began sinking to the floor. It was then that her water broke.

"Is everything, alright, Princess?" Nessa asked as she and Vinius came out of their room.

"The baby is coming." Ava answered, breathless.

Nessa rushed to Ava's side and helped her to stand. She looked over at her own husband. "Go, get Queen Frigga. I'll get Ava to the healing room."

Vinius nodded and took off to find the queen. Nessa helped Ava slowly down the hall to the healing room. "Breathe, Ava." Nessa encouraged.

"That…is…easy for…you…to say." Ava got out between clenched teeth.

"It will help take your mind off the pain to focus on breathing." Nessa replied.

Ava tried breathing, but it really did not help. Crying out in pain, however seemed to help her. More than anything the crying out helped her frustration. After what felt like a small eternity, they arrived at the healing room, Frigga was already waiting for them inside. Ava was stripped of her robe and night dress and helped onto a bed. A white sheet was placed over her.

The healers had gathered to help with the birth. Frigga and Nessa stood on either side of Ava, holding her hands. Everything was prepared and ready for the arrival of the new life. "Alright, Princess, on your next contraction, I need you to push." The head healer told Ava.

Ava nodded. "I wish…Loki were here." She said.

Frigga stroked her daughter's hair and dabbed her forehead with a cool wash cloth. "Everything will be alright, sweetheart."

Just then Ava felt her next contraction. With the help of her mother and her friend, she leaned forward and pushed, crying out in pain as she did so. The contraction ended and Ava fell back on the bed. Frigga was dabbing her forehead with the cool cloth once again.

"You're doing great, my sweet Ava."

A few pushes later and the healer was announcing the crowning of the head. "Just a few more pushes and your little one will be here."

Frigga looked down and saw an alarming amount of blood and she was brought back to the night Ava was born. She knew that if something wasn't done, she would lose Ava just as she had lost her friend that night. She looked up at Nessa. "Nessa."

Nessa looked up at Frigga and gave her a small smile. She had already known that Ava was slipping. She had begun pumping her healing energy into Ava's body. The blood flow began to slow and then Ava was pushing again and crying out.

Another few pushes and the cries of the newborn filled the room.

Loki...

After five days, Thor, Loki, and the warriors returned to Asgard. They returned late in the evening, when everyone other than the night watchmen would be asleep. The warriors led the prisoners to the dungeons, while Thor and Loki went to the throne room to report to Odin.

"How are things?" Odin asked, as Thor and Loki entered the room.

"The prisoners are being locked up in their cells as we speak and peace has been restored." Thor answered.

Odin nodded. "Good."

Just then Vinius burst into the room. "I am sorry to interrupt, your majesty..." He began and then noticed that Thor and Loki had returned. "You two are back...well that is great."

"What's going on?" Loki asked. "Is Ava alright?"

"She's in the healing room. The baby is coming." Vinius answered.

Loki didn't say anything. He just took off, wanting to be there for his wife. Thor took off after him as well. Odin rose from his throne and made his way to the healing room to greet his grandchild, more slowly than his son and son-in-law.

Loki arrived at the outside of the healing room doors, just as Nessa was exiting the room. She looked up at Loki and smiled. "You're just in time." She said.

"Are they both well?" Loki asked.

Nessa smiled and nodded. "Go in and see for yourself."

Loki walked in the doors of the healing room. Thor was about to go in as well, but Nessa stopped him. "Give them some privacy." She said.

Thor nodded and stood in place.

Loki walked into the healing room and saw his wife, sitting propped up by a mound of pillows, a white sheet covered her from the waist down. She held their child in her arms, a white sheet covering the baby and her breast. She was looking down at the infant in her arms, smiling.

Loki couldn't help but to smile as he saw his wife and child. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Frigga came up beside him and put her arms around him. "Go say hi to your little one." She told him.

Loki nodded and walked over to the foot of the bed. Frigga silently left the room, giving them their privacy. Ava looked up at him, the smile not leaving her face. "Good surprise to come home to, huh?" She asked.

Loki smiled. "The best."

"Come closer, meet our daughter."

Loki walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He used his magic to send away his armor and was now in his simple green tunic and black trousers. Ava leaned forward and passed their daughter over to him. Loki carefully cradled his daughter in his arms.

He looked down at his baby girl and instantly fell in love. "She's beautiful." He said, looking at her pale skin, her dark mahogany hair, and green eyes.

Ava smiled. "The very best of the both of us."

Loki looked up at his wife and smiled. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Ava replied.

Loki then looked back down at his daughter. "And I love you, too...Nora."

Nora cooed and flailed her limbs in her father's arms, as if she were saying she loved him, too.