So I realized I kind of backed myself into a corner in making Lore pregnant in the last chapter, in regards to what I wanted to have happen. So, just forget that I said that.
Eliza felt cold hands on her stomach…too cold, she struggled to push them away but her arms felt incredibly heavy.
"It's okay, Eliza." A voice replied gently, it took her a moment to recognize Eir's voice.
"What—"
"I'll get Loki, he's been very worried about you." There was a heartbeat between Eir's soft footsteps retreating to Loki's frantic steps approaching her bed.
"Oh, I am so glad you are awake." He had his fingers already tangled in her hair and pressed his lips to her forehead; everything still felt too cold.
"Why are you so cold?"
"I'm not, your body severely overheated. It's taken awhile for it to cool down to even this point."
"What about the baby?" Eliza's hands flew to her stomach.
"The baby is fine, as far as Eir can tell."
"Good."
She struggled to keep her eyes open as Loki stroked her hair, and thought she must have dozed off for a moment when her eyes snapped open at the imagine of Lore being thrown backwards into the wall.
"Is Lore okay?"
"Some bumps and bruises but she's fine."
"And everyone else?"
"All fine."
"What happened?"
"The baby, I am guessing, felt threatened because you were so stressed. It let out an intense wave of magic, and because your body isn't used to it, you overheated and collapsed."
Eliza nodded and even though Loki was still talking it wasn't enough to keep her awake.
"I want her arrested!"
"Allmother this is a place of healing!"
"Exactly, I am the Allmother! And that…that beast attacked me!" Eliza opened her eyes to Loki standing over her, in a protective stance, eyes on the door of her room; as if daring anyone to come and take her away.
"Allmother it was an accident, your sister has no magical abilities naturally." Eir tried to keep her tone neutral and respectful.
"So I was tossed from my chair and into a stone wall of my own accord then? The Allfather? Odin and Lady Frigga? Are you saying we all just fell out of our chairs?!"
"No, Allmother, I am saying your sister has no magical abilities naturally but her child does."
Eliza heard her sister sputter indignantly, followed by shuffling footsteps.
"Let me pass."
"Allmother, as head healer I cannot let you disturb—"
Lore let out a screech of rage and there was a sound of someone hitting the stone floor; the doors to Eliza's room burst open showing Lore in all her rage, and she had eyes only for her sister.
"You!"
"Lore, I'm sorry, I didn't—"
"Oh, I think you did! You are a jealous little bitch, Eliza! And now you are going to ruin our family's reputation bringing your little bastard into the world. I have half a mind to banish you!"
Loki towered over Lore, looking more furious than Eliza had ever seen him, "You won't do a damn thing to her."
"Oh, and you think she would be banished alone? I'll make sure you and your precious little slut will be raising that baby alone."
"I would love to see you try." Loki scoffed at her, "You may be Allmother, but only Thor has the authority to banish anyone."
"And you would be right." Thor's enormous shadow filled the room.
"Oh good, you are here." Lore looped her arm through Thor's, "I want them punished."
Thor shook her off roughly, "I will do no such thing."
"Excuse me? She attacked me! The Allmother! Your wife!"
"And you are no longer either." Thor's voice held all the authority of a king.
Lore's mouth hung open but no sound came out, Thor continued, "After the incident in the dining hall, I called an emergency meeting of court to ask for a divorce from you."
"On what grounds?"
"On the fact that I feel I was forced into this, for lack of a better word, marriage, and that I believe you do not make a fit Queen for this realm."
"YOU BASTARD! YOU TAKE THEIR SIDE OVER MINE?" Lore screeched, her hands curled into such tight fists that the knuckles shone white against her skin.
"You are to join your parents in packing to leave the palace," Thor went on ignoring her, "You and your parents are banished from court and are not to step foot in the city again."
Lore continued to screech curses at Thor, Loki and Eliza, and while Eliza and Loki seemed mildly alarmed by her outbursts, Thor seemed merely annoyed and motioned for two guards to remove Lore from the room.
"And I have some news for the two of you," Thor said brightly once Lore's screams were out of earshot.
"Do tell,"
"I have spoken to mother and father about the two of you and under no uncertain terms are they, and by they I mean Father, to bagger you about the baby or any marriage plans the two of you may or may not have. I will not have any more stress on my niece or nephew."
Loki, at a loss of words, threw his arms around his brothers neck.
"I would hug you too but I am still a bit to tired to get up," Eliza said, relief washing over her.
"As soon as you are able I will accept it," Thor said warmly.
"Do you have any plans as to the new Queen of Asgard?" Eliza asked.
"As a matter of fact, I do, someone I have had my eye on for quite some time." A wide smile spread out on Thor's face, but he didn't elaborate anymore and left the room to give the pair some privacy.