"And you are certain?" Kari stared back at the healer.
"I am." Eir looked at her sympathetically.
"How?"
"Every elixir has a duration period, and that one has clearly ended. His Majesty has not left you as alone as you may have thought." Eir stated. "What would you have me do, we can deal with it now before his return if you would like, I will say nothing."
"No." Kari placed her hand on her stomach. "I need some time to think."
"I understand; when is the king back from Vanaheim?"
"I am not sure, those who opposed King Roan have been dealt with, and so the time he is there now is of his own choosing. Most of the army is back, it is mostly him, Loki and his friends there now."
"I see, well let me know what you choose to do."
"For now, we shall assume everything to continue." Kari ordered. "We were long enough waiting; it is a sign from the Norn's I would think."
"Of course, I shall give you another elixir you are to take every morning with breakfast; it will hopefully stave any illness and keep the child healthy." Eir smiled. "It is odd."
"What is?"
"I was not long here in the palace when I aided the queen in birthing Thor, now I will aid bringing his child into the world."
Kari gave a small smile. "Yes. I had best get back to dealing with royal matters now."
"You are doing well with his Majesty gone; the realms people adore you and think your judgements fair."
"Good, hopefully they continue to think such." Kari smiled as she left, with the small bottle of elixir in her hand. Her heart was racing. She knew this could not end well. Thor was not a fool, to get her with child meant he would have had to lay with her, and he had not done so in many years, so how could she explain away a child?
Kari spent the day deep in thought, trying to conjure a plan that would mean her child would be fine. It was difficult to deal with the tasks that required her attention when all she could think about was that after all her worries that she was not unable to conceive, and she had done so without intending to, however that left her with the conundrum as to what she could do. Even if she thought of a way to convince Thor to accept the child, how would Loki react?
That was a concern in itself. Loki had never made mention of children at all, and she rarely saw him interact with children, only in the briefest of moments in passing. Thor was far more the natural father, children naturally gravitate toward him, but her decisions had meant them being a normal family would never happen. There was also the concern that the child would carry Loki's traits physically. His black hair and green eyes were somewhat distinct; none would be so foolish as to not see it. Sighing deeply, she thought for the day of her plight.
"You seem distracted today dear, are you not well?" Frigga asked when Kari dismissed the head of the housekeeping staff after her monthly meeting.
"I am a bit out of sorts, but not unwell, if that makes any sense." Kari explained.
"It actually does." Frigga smiled kindly. "Why do you not join Thor, Loki and the Warrior's on Vanaheim? There was an invitation extended to you also was there not. A few days away would do you good. And maybe then they may return some time before the seasons change." She jested.
An idea came to Kari; it was not a great one, but not a bad one either. "Excellent idea. I think I shall have my maids ready my things." She smiled, thanking Frigga for her wise council before heading to make the adequate arrangements.
Kari got into the carriage with her maids and the order was given to trot off towards the Bifrost Bridge. When she arrived at the Bifrost site, Heimdall was looking around the realms.
"My queen." He bowed slightly. "I have been told you wish to go to Vanaheim."
"Well my husband is there." She stated factually.
"He is indeed."
"How did the battle go?"
"It was nothing to him and his men, though he did sustain a slight flesh wound to the abdomen, it is long healed now."
"He will barely even have a scar I would wager."
"He is not expecting you."
"Good, it will be a surprise for him so." She smiled knowingly.
Heimdall nodded slightly before going over to the centre of the room and placing his sword in the ground. "Travel safely your Majesty." He stated as the machine whirred to life and Kari walked forward.
"And you keep us safe guardian." She smiled just before she took the last step before entering the machine.
Vanaheim was very similar to Asgard in most ways, though not as rich in gold, though to Kari that was not necessarily a bad thing. She re-entered the carriage and looked out the window as it made its way to the city, which was too far away, meaning it did not take long for her party to reach it. On seeing the Aesir royal carriage carrying the Allmother, the Vanir guards immediately allowed her pass. When she arrived at the palace door, the captain of the guard met her.
"Allmother." The captain bowed. "The Allfather told us nothing of your arrival. From what I gather, King Thor has gone to take a small nap."
"Very good." She exited the carriage as she spoke. "He has told you nothing of my arrival because he knows nothing of it. My maids will assist with my things; I will meet with King Roan and his wife then my husband if he is available."
"Of course Allmother. I shall inform them of your arrival. You." He pointed to a young lad. "Bring the Queen on Asgard's horses to the stables this instant." The boy obeyed, bowing to the queen before bringing the carriage driver to the stables with the horses.
"How did all fare in the battle?" Kari asked.
"It was more a slaughtering than a battle Allmother; they were no match for us, especially with your husband and his warrior friends."
"Oh yes, they are truly able beings those warriors." Kari agreed.
"Indeed." The captain looked at her, slightly curious as to her tone. "Will you require anything Allmother."
"No, thank you. I think I shall make my presence known, and then see my husband."
"Of course, you recall the chambers King Odin used on your last visit; there is where you will find the Allfather, their majesties are more than likely in the main hall."
"Perfect, thank you." She smiled.
"Princess Kari?"
Kari turned to see a young girl running towards her. "Princess Ailbhe." She smiled bending down. "Are you with your tutors or your mother?" She asked looking around.
"She is with me." Queen Clara smiled. "And it is no longer Princess Kari, Ailbhe, she is Allmother now."
The little girl looked at her in awe. "You can still call me Kari sweetheart." She smiled at her. "Clara, it is good to see you again."
"And you Allmother. The Allfather said you were ill of late and could not join us here, are you feeling better?"
Kara kept her face neutral. "I am indeed. I have no idea what was wrong with me though. But I decided that as I am at full health, I would join you all, I hope you do not mind?"
"Not in the slightest. We told King Thor to send word for you to join us when you were feeling better."
"Indeed." Kara laughed at how Thor had lied for her not being there, not that she cared. "I best see my husband; I have missed him of late."
"Of course. He went to his room not too long ago."
"Excellent. I will no doubt not disturb his rest then." She grinned again. "Goodbye for now little Ailbhe, I will see you at dinner and we shall catch up then no doubt." The young girl nodded excitedly. "Queen Clara."
"Allmother." The other queen smiled as she bowed.
"How hard is it to say such a title to me?" Kara laughed.
"Odd, I will admit, but you are worthy successor."
"I thank you, but I think that debatable."
Kara walked to the rooms she was told her husband would be in with the assistance of a maid. With a smile of gratitude, Kara walked in without knocking. Inside Thor, Lady Sif, Loki and the Warriors were talking across from one another one the sofas in the living area. On seeing Kara, Sif rose to her feet immediately and bowed, causing Thor and the others to turn.
Thor stared blankly at his wife. "I thought you were staying in Asgard."
"I was told by you I could join you after the battle won. It is won is it not?"
"Aye, it is."
"And according to Queen Clara, were I to recover from my illness, of which I myself I was not aware I had, I was told to come, is that true."
"Indeed it is."
"So here I am." She smiled, at him. .
"I think it best if we let you to get settled your majesty." Sif bowed, giving the others a single look to get the to follow suit, the all rose and left, leaving the monarchs alone. Loki had given Kari a concerned look for a moment before leaving, which she gave a small smile to.
Once they left, Kari spent a moment assessing Thor's demeanour before giving a genuine smile. "You seem so at ease husband."
"I am enjoying not having to deal with court."
"Ah, yes. Well you have missed nothing of any note since your departure, other than Tyrson arguing with regards the land divisions again."
"Please tell me you are saying that to annoy me."
"Sadly not, though it is hopefully dealt with for good."
"How did you manage that?"
"I may or may not have threatened to have him publically castrated by a ravenous wolf should he annoy me, or indeed you with such nonsense again."
"You are a fearsome creature."
"It's true, it's true. Now, Queen Clara told me you came here for a nap, so take it, I am going to get changed and meet her and Princess Ailbhe for a walk." She smiled as she watched her maids bring in her clothing.
"Why are you here Kari?" Thor asked; his tone neutral.
"I expressed a wish to come here when you were leaving did I not?" Thor gave a small nod and said no more. She gave as genuine a smile as she could. "Now enjoy some rest."
Kari enjoyed herself as she spent the afternoon playing with the youngest Vanir princess in the gardens, giggling and laughing with her as the child hid behind different walls, statues and shrubs and Kari pretended not to see her and feigned shock every time.
"You are a natural mother Allmother; no doubt you and King Thor will be eager to have your own children when everything settles down from the coronation." Queen Clara smiled.
"You only say such things with five children of your own so that they will have playmates."
"My children would be too old for yours. Would you believe Ásvaldr joins his father in court now?"
"Already, Norn's I must be getting old." Kari half joked. "Who knows what the Norn's will decide for us."
"Very true." Clara acknowledged before looking to the large clock in the courtyard. "We should join the others now for dinner."
"Yes, I have yet to see your dear husband and other children since my arrival."
"My brood will be so happy to see you, especially Mina. She adores you so greatly."
"Both your daughters seem to share that trait, whatever great thing I have done to deserve their affections." Kari smiled as Ailbhe insisted she carry her in her arms.
They just entered the main hall when they were met by the Aesir party. "Ah, Allmother." Volstagg bowed, the others following suit.
Kari frowned slightly, still not entirely used to Thor's friends treating her in such a manner, though she understood it was protocol, it still seemed odd.
"Are you all heading to the dining hall?" She queried.
"Indeed." Fandral answered. "Will you be joining us?"
"I think it best if I do so now. Where is Thor?"
"Still in your chambers." Loki stated; his tone almost cold.
"I see, well perhaps someone should go back and wake him. Who is on rota for today to awaken the big grumpy bear?"
Ailbhe erupted in giggles. "King Thor is not a bear, he's a person." She stated factually.
"If you ever hear him snore and you would beg to differ." Kari retorted earning laughs from the warriors, who knew well she spoke the truth; Loki remained silent, with his jaw clenched. "Ailbhe, you need to release me so that you can go with your minder." She smiled kindly to the child.
"But I wanna stay with you." She whined, gripping in tight against her.
"I am not going anywhere soon; we can spend more time together tomorrow." She offered as an incentive. Seeing it as a fair bargain, the child released her after a tight embrace and went to her carer, Queen Clara saying her goodbyes as she too left.
"You are so natural with children, my own adore you also." Volstagg commended. "As do Hogun's." The quieter warrior nodded in agreement. "You and Thor are well suited to being parents."
Kari gave a smile in return but said nothing. Looking to Loki, she noted his mood declining visibly by the second. "So, let us make our way to the hall, Sif would you be so kind as to go to the chambers and do something to get Thor to get out of that bed."
"Such as what exactly?" Sif chuckled.
"I am not sure, throw a jug of cold water on him, toss the mattress to the floor with him still on it, release a wild boar in the room, or a bull, anything that comes to mind really." Kari shrugged indifferently.
"You are a cruel woman to do such a thing to her husband, Allmother." Fandral exclaimed dramatically.
"Be glad I was not the woman chosen for you so Fandral." She stated. "So what news is there with you all?" She asked as Sif made her way still laughing to the chambers and Kari, the warriors, and a morose Loki made their way to the hall.
The meal was a pleasant affair. She sat next to Thor, who spoke loudly and often, as was his natural way. Throughout the meal she ensured their wine goblets were next to one another, purposely making it that Thor unknowingly drank both, while she feigned drinking at all. She attempted to speak with Loki, but his replies were simple and to the point, not allowing much room for conversation.
"I hear Ailbhe was all but attached to your hip this afternoon Allmother, I hope my youngest was not an inconvenience to you." King Frederick stated as he took a drink from his own ale tankard.
"Not at all, she is the most adorable little thing, I have a great fondness for her, and indeed your other children." Kari smiled in return.
"There is none that cannot find that child endearing." Thor agreed.
"I would think she would all but go home with you both." Clara joked. "Before your arrival Allmother, she was attached to the Allfather."
Kari turned to Thor and gave a smug smile. "It would appear then that I am favoured over you then."
Thor gave a deep chortle. "And pray tell wife, what is the proof of that?"
"She wishes for my company tomorrow, not yours. It appears you have been replaced."
"We shall see." Thor gave a wink and a laugh, his increasing inebriated state causing him to enjoy the banter with his usually distant wife.
Due to her constant switching of the drinks, Thor became quite drunk, and Kari found herself having to feign a slightly intoxicated state also so to add credibility to her pretence that she had actually drank the contents of her goblet. By the end of the night, she had had a pleasant evening, but Thor was slightly worse for wear. It took Loki and Volstagg to assist him back to their shared quarters.
As soon as they arrived back, the pair placed Thor on the bed, where it did not take much time for him to drift to sleep. "Will you be alright dealing with him?" Volstagg queried, looking at his drunken friend, knowing their servants were gone to bed for the night.
"He will sleep it off." Kari dismissed. "This is not the first instance of such."
"Indeed not, goodnight your Majesty." He bowed and left, leaving Kari and Loki to look at one another.
"You never mentioned you were coming." Loki commented.
"I had not planned to."
"So what changed?"
"It's complicated."
"Isn't everything. Where will you sleep?"
"I will sort myself, I always do." She smiled at him, but he did not return the gesture. "Is there something the matter?"
"I am not sure, is there?" Loki challenged.
Kari thought to tell him her reason for coming for a moment, but decided against it. "Good night Loki."
"Good night." He responded before walking out the door abruptly.
Kari was unsure what Loki's issue was, but she had not the time to think about it then. She turned to look at her husband and took a deep breath as she walked over to the bed.
She had been forced to undress an unconscious Thor more than once before, so she was somewhat capable at achieving it. Soon she had him in only his underwear. "Kari?" Thor groaned sleepily.
"Yes Thor?" She replied, knowing well he would not recall anything she said in the morning, he never did.
"Why are you so cold to me?"
Kari swallowed as she began to untie the dress she was in. "I have no choice, it was the only way." She answered sadly.
Thor mumbled back something incoherent, so she knew he was gone back to sleep fully again; so she continued with her simple yet horrible plan. In all the years of her deception, what she was about to do was the first time she felt truly guilty. But as she thought of the child growing within her, she knew she had little choice. It needed her as its mother to protect it, and she would do so by any means necessary.
A/N This is a work of fiction, what I write in this is not in anyway to be taken as advice for something like this. NEVER EVER do something like this to someone, it is the cruelest thing in the world to ever do. I actually know people, my own father included that this was done to. Seriously, don't do it!