Kari felt as though her world had imploded. Loki had spent the evening laughing and lavishing King Gaufrid's youngest sister with his attentions and purposely ignoring Kari. Thor gave her confused glances often, not sure how Kari was actually feeling with regards their activities the night before, she had been dismissive of them in the morning, but as the day went on, she seemed to become more morose. He was sitting with his friends and Gaufrid, discussing the great hunting terrain of Vanaheim, and how they would return the invite to him and his family to go to Asgard for more of the same.
Kari had barely eaten during the dinner, only consuming what she believed ample to maintain herself and indeed her child. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she walked over to her husband and his group, but rather than sitting beside Thor, she placed herself instead between Volstagg and Sif.
"How has Asgard fared since our departure other than not falling into the abyss, anything of scandal in the court?" Sif asked.
"Nothing of great note really. Odin fell into an Odinsleep for two days, and woke again in miserable humour. Frigga is keeping an eye on everything and court is full of the usual complaints. Though I do believe she is beginning to wish your return." She stated to Thor.
"We will leave in two days. It is not fair to expect her to worry both for father and the realm, she has had her time of dealing with such things, it is her time to relax and enjoy herself as much as she can." Thor stated, knowing how taxing the role of King Regent was. He looked to Kari. "I know you may have wished to stay longer, I'm sorry."
"I must confess, your mother sent me with the idea of me hurrying you on slightly." Kari admitted.
"I thought you stated you came because of your own desire to do so."
"I did wish to, but I was concerned about leaving everything to her, however she insisted I should come, but she suggested so with dual intentions." She explained.
"I see. Well we shall depart then so." Thor looked around. "Where is Loki so that we may tell him? Is he still with Princes Caoimhe?"
"They exited the hall in each others company not too long ago." Fandral stated with a grin. "It appears that the failure of his marriage was simply a result of an incompatible wife."
"Good, I was getting worried for him." Thor stated with a pleasant tone. "Kari, you have seemed ill all day, I think it best for you to go to a healer." Thor looked at his wife, who was even paler than she had been earlier across from him.
"Yes, I think it best if I do. I am not sure what is wrong with me." She rose from her seat slightly unsteadily and went to walk away.
"I will escort you." Thor rose from his seat.
"It's not necessary." She dismissed.
"You almost fell over just standing up, I do not think it right for you to go by yourself." He insisted. Too unwell to argue, Kari said nothing else as they left the hall together. "I will not go in with you, I just do not like how pale you have been today, I would not want you to faint in the hallway by yourself."
"Thank you." She gave a weak smile in gratitude.
They said no more to one another as they made their way to the Vanir healing rooms, Thor leading the way, having required them after the battle. When they arrived, he gave her another concerned look. "If it is something serious, have me called for."
"I will have Helena call for you if it is, though I fear it may just be tiredness or something else menial." She swore as she walked in, not sure why Thor would care, hoping that her actions last night had not given him false hope for them again; she thought she had quashed that.
The Vanir's chief healer bowed on seeing her. "Allmother, how may I assist you?"
"I need your word that you will not say anything of what I tell you." Kari ordered authoritively, realising before that none ever questioned her when she used such a tone.
The healer nodded. "Of course, you have my word."
"I am with child, my husband does not even know as I am not yet far enough along to feel unwell, yet the past day I have been very ill. I need to make sure it is nothing that may harm the child."
"Of course." The healer smiled. "It is better not to tell any until the symptoms begin anyway. I assume Eir knows." Kari nodded as she went to lie on the soul forge and allowed the healer look over her. "You're right, the child not yet a month developed, you should not be feeling ill from it yet, from what I can see there is no physical reason for your being unwell." She thought for a moment. "You remained in Asgard when the Allfather first arrived, did you not?"
"Yes, I only arrived yesterday."
"So you have been dealing with matters there in the absence of the Allfather." Kari nodded. "You are just overstressed Allmother. You should be resting yourself and your child. I would suggest getting more rest and telling the Allfather in the near future too so he does not have you dealing with such strenuous matters again."
"I was not aware myself of the child at the time of his leaving." Kari confessed. "I wish to tell him on Asgard, his name's day is approaching and it would be a superb surprise for that."
"Wonderful." The healer beamed. "A fantastic gift, please have Eir check you over again before that date." Kari nodded. "The child seems to have inherited its grandmother's gift of seidr, it is protected by it, which is a good sign that it is going to strong."
Kari bit her lips together. Loki had given his child his gifts, would he even care? Would he even want to know? She thought of him with Princess Caoimhe and she felt her heart breaking more. She gave her best false smile, thanked the healer and left.
When she got back to her chambers, she had Stefan inform Thor that she was retiring for the evening on the healer's orders. Thor's response was to return to the rooms himself and inform her that a messenger arrived from Asgard to state that Odin had fallen into Odinsleep again and Eir did not think it possible for him to awaken any time soon. Thinking of his mother, he insisted that they return to Asgard as soon as possible, but on hearing that Kari was told to rest, he decided to do so in the morning.
The warrior's were informed, as was Loki, however the younger prince requested he be permitted to remain on Vanaheim for the foreseeable future and only be called upon to return if things worsened, which Thor permitted.
That night Kari remained in the bed by Thor, but was so tired and worn, she did not stir throughout the night, and stayed over to one side, which Thor respected.
The following morning, the staff prepared their luggage while Thor and Kari had breakfast with the Vanir royals one last time. Ailbhe remained next to Kari's as she ate, the child saying she wished they would remain longer.
When it came time for them to go back to the spot where Heimdall would open the Bifrost for them, the child began to voice her upset again. "You will have Loki to keep you company a little longer." Kari smiled sadly, looking to the raven haired prince.
"He doesn't play with us like you and King Thor do." The child pouted.
"I'll have to have a word with him." Thor winked, earning giggles from Ailbhe.
Loki glanced at Kari sadly as he stood beside princess Caoimhe. "I would not be as good with children as my brother I would think."
"There is only one way to rectify that Loki." Thor countered. "The day will come you will have some of your own, what will you do then?"
"That is different, they will be mine." Loki shrugged. Kari stared at Ailbhe, her heart telling her to tell him, her head reminding her it was not a good idea. "Safe journey to you all."
"And enjoy yourself here brother." Thor grinned. "Heimdall?" With that; the sky lit up and they found in the golden sphere of the Bifrost once more. "How is father?" Thor asked the guardian.
"No change your majesty. He sleeps and your mother frets."
"Then we chose to do the right thing and return. Are the horses outside?"
"Yes, they arrived not too long ago." Heimdall informed him. "They await you."
"Will you ride back or take the carriage?" Thor asked Kari.
"Carriage." She stated quickly, he frowned at her. "I still feel ill."
"Very well, when you arrive back, head to father's rooms." Kari nodded as he mounted and she entered the carriage.
She watched as he galloped back the bridge with the warriors and Sif. She thought of Loki on Vanaheim, and his new interest in Caoimhe, she knew what she had to do. She had to do with him as she had with Thor, and let him go. This time thankfully would not require the drastic measures she had needed with her husband as he remained away himself.
It broke her heart, she knew she should hope he would be happy with Caoimhe, but she loved him with all her heart, and it was clearly not enough. She wanted to write him and explain, but she knew there was a more than likely chance he would never even read it, or it could be read by another, so she dismissed the idea, instead choosing to focus on something else, knowing it was futile. Her body was going to begin to alter soon with the constant reminder of him growing within her. Closing her eyes so her maids would not notice, she begged her tears to remain at bay.