As she'd feared, Eir finally swung the ax and put Erna on bed rest until either her blood pressure could be brought under control or the baby came, whichever happened first. She knew that despite Loki's dour expression that he was secretly happy with the decision. There'd be no hiding in Midgard this time around.
It felt like hours and hours before they were alone again and she went straight to the business at hand. "We have to find him, Loki."
"I've already dispatched troops to Alfheim to apprehend him. Heimdall is at the ready to transport them back as soon as he is found."
"Should you just send troops to Alfheim like that? Isn't that courting disaster?"
"I've already sent word to Freyr regarding the situation. He has no wish to harbor a fugitive from Asgardian justice. He wants this over with as quickly as we do."
"You've been busy." The words came out with a wry smile, Erna envying the action he was able to take. She was confined and hated her inability to act.
"I'm doing everything in my power to finish this, Erna."
Her face softened at his defense, not wishing him to think she was cross with his decisions. "I know, Loki, I know. I just feel so helpless and you know that never sits well with me."
"I'm well aware, little one." He placed a kiss on her forehead, lingering awkwardly. She thought he had something else he wanted to say, but after a few silent moments, he straightened up and gave her a strained smile. "I assume you have orders for me while you're relegated to the bed?"
"We need to figure out where the necklace came from. My father has no talent for magic, otherwise he wouldn't have gone after me in such a roundabout way. There may still be others involved that we don't know about. Can we find out if anyone else in the palace is in possession of one of these stones? And someone needs to speak to Tora again and reassure her that we're working everything out. She'll learn of his treachery soon enough, but it's not her fault she was manipulated into hurting me. You should-"
He finally stopped her with an exasperated exclamation. "Erna! We have this well in hand. I have people exploring all the avenues you mentioned, except perhaps visiting the girl. I was actually inquiring if you needed anything. Tea? Food? Anything I can do for my wife that doesn't involve mobilizing troops or questioning the staff?"
"But Loki, this is too important-"
He cut her off again. "You're too important to ignore. Amongst all this madness, I am still capable of looking after your wellbeing."
She sighed and reminded herself for the hundredth time that he wasn't being condescending or smug, he genuinely wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. Despite all the tall tales she'd heard about him, her husband turned out to be an incredibly caring man. At least where she was concerned. To others, particularly those that garnered his ire, it was another matter entirely.
Part of her relished the inventive ways Loki chose to express his fury with anyone who displeased him. A cold shiver of anticipation crept up her spine at the thought of what he'd do to Reynard once the man was apprehended. She was sure Loki would find some creative way to punish such a foul crime.
Not one to school her expression around her husband, he immediately noticed the change in her face. "And what is that dreamy little smile for, might I ask?"
She ignored the slightly incredulous tone and answered. "Just thinking about what you can do to him by way of punishment."
The shocked look he bore only stuck her as partially contrived. She'd actually surprised him with her statement. "I had no idea you were such a bloodthirsty little thing."
"He tried to murder our child. If I was capable of it, I'd be hunting him down myself. Right now I can't think of another person in all the nine realms that deserves justice more than my blackguard of a father."
His face grew serious and he placed his large hand over hers. "I promise we'll get him, Erna. All my political and magical power will be brought to bear on him for what he's done to you and our daughter. Nowhere is safe for him."
"Promise me you won't kill him right away. I want him brought before me once he's captured."
She'd expected an argument or a plea for her to stay out of it, but he merely nodded his head in agreement before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "You have my word, my queen."
Temporarily appeased, she settled back into the pillows and gave her husband a beatific smile. "Also, some tea wouldn't go unappreciated."
-XXX-
The matter wasn't as easily settled as they'd assumed. Thanks to Loki's quick thinking, a small contingent of troops was deployed to her family's estate in Alfheim within hours of the revelation. Her father, however, was nowhere to be found. To be safe, the soldiers searched the manor, outbuildings, and grounds, but they found no trace of the man. Likewise, Heimdall was unable to glean his whereabouts, but he remained on guard at the helm of the bifrost should he so much as catch a glimpse of the fugitive.
When questioned, the Alfheim staff maintained that Lord Reynard was still in Asgard. They thought that his business there was going so well that he'd summoned his wife to join him. The search confirmed that Erna's stepmother too was absent. The servants seemed genuinely aghast that any harm had come to Erna. The housekeeper ended up in such a state of nerves at the thought of her mistress in danger that the news of Erna's new royal position sent her into a faint. It seemed the only news they'd received since Erna left had been carefully screened by her father. Nobody knew of Erna's engagement, much less the marriage and were aghast to hear the letters they'd been receiving were forgeries.
Wishing to minimize the effect on her brother and sister, Erna had them brought back to the palace with the returning warriors. She explained as much of the situation to them as she dared, patiently filling them in on all they'd missed. She hoped no lasting damage had been done and was happy to see their excitement over the prospect of having a new baby to play with soon. Neither seemed upset at the move to the palace, Sigun in awe of their new surroundings and Eryk enraptured with the idea of training in the same practice yard as the mighty Thor.
Children, she marveled, were remarkably resilient, but she withheld the worst parts of the narrative. They'd eventually have to make peace with what their father had done, but she'd at least spare them the heartache while they settled into their new routines.
Loki proved an accommodating host, greeting each child warmly with the promise of a personal tour of the palace. And though he was gifted with charm, she saw past the smile plastered on his face as he escorted the two chattering children out of the room. The smile didn't falter until he joined her back in their chambers late that afternoon.
"I'd hoped to meet them under more auspicious circumstances, but they are delightful children." He sunk into the bed, still fully clothed, weariness rolling off of him in waves. "Exhausting, but delightful."
"Thank you for showing them such kindness, Loki. You have no idea how much I appreciate it."
He rolled onto his side so he was facing her before continuing. "Were you worried about how I'd receive them?"
She hesitated slightly before replying, but knew he'd see through it if she tried to soften the truth. "Yes. Please know I don't think you cruel, but the situation is a difficult one."
"They are innocents in all this, Erna. Despite my rage, even I can see that. And you love them, so that alone means I'll see to their safety and happiness, second only to your own."
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid they're our responsibility now."
"If you recall, you wanted it." He rushed forward before she could form the protest he knew was coming. "I know you wouldn't have wished it under such horrid circumstances, but it was your wish to foster them at the palace and at least one good thing has come of this."
"They truly found no trace of Rania?"
"None. She left months ago, telling the staff your father had summoned her here. Do you think she's involved?"
"Honestly I don't know. I'd like to think she is incapable of doing me harm, but I can't be certain. She loves those children though. For all her faults, she loves them. Why would she abandon them to help my father with this plot?"
"That's a question I cannot answer, little one. But I hope we find answers when we get our hands on Reynard. I have patrols scouring every inch of the paths between Alfheim and Asgard. We'll search every realm if need be."
She watched as he grunted with effort and heaved himself back up onto his feet. Loki rolled his neck with an audible crack before moving back to the doorway. "You're not leaving are you?" Tears began to well in her eyes before she even finished the query.
"I have to see to the troops and make sure they understand their deployment plans."
"No you don't!" The heated exclamation seemed to shake the fatigue from him. "You have generals for that! I've been cooped up all day with only intermittent snatches of information and you want to leave me again?"
He watched in horror as the tears began to trail down her pink cheeks and hiccuping sobs shook her frame. The situation didn't warrant such a response, he was sure of it, but he absolutely knew better than saying that out loud. "But little one, I need to see to your safety."
"By leaving me?!"
Rooted in place by such an unexpected outburst, he studied his hands rather than continue to watch her agonized face. "Only as long as I have to." He might very well be the king of Asgard, but at that moment he felt remarkably like a child being scolded for bad behavior.
"You don't have to do anything. We have servants to relay messages. If you don't want to stay with me just say so."
The last sentence was enough to dispel his paralysis. He stalked over to her side of the bed in a handful of long strides, startling her into silence by kneeling beside her. "I'll stay, but don't for one second think that it's because you shamed or guilted me into doing so. You can just assume that I'd always rather be with you, but it's taking everything I have not to wreak unimaginable havoc on the realms looking for the man that tried to murder my wife and child. I understand this is a difficult time, but you must not let such doubts overwhelm you. Even if I can't always accommodate you, know that I always want to stay with you."
He sighed and continued, the patient tone holding, but still wearing thin. They were both on edge. "It's like I take one step forward and three back when you get like this. Can't you see that I… that I want you, Erna? I will always want you."
"Even when I'm crying for no reason?"
Though his face was blurry through the tears, she saw his expression soften and heard a gentle chuckle in response. "You have plenty of reasons, little one. But I don't want doubt to be one of them. Please don't question my feelings for you, all right?"
She merely nodded, wishing she was bold enough to ask for a precise definition of those feelings. But Loki continued before she could pluck up the courage.
"And as for you," he started, placing both hands on her stomach. He leaned in closer before continuing. "That statement goes for you as well." He looked back up at Erna, sincerity shining in his eyes. "This is my world. Right here. The two of you are everything to me. Never forget that."
He nudged her over and climbed in next to her. The bulk of his armor didn't even bother her as he pulled her into his arms. If anything, the familiar smell of worn leather comforted her almost as much as his words had. Thankfully, the tears stopped and she could enjoy the warmth of his embrace.
After several minutes he rose again and she tried to put on a neutral face, taking his words to heart. "I do still have an errand that needs attending to. It's something I'd rather see to myself, but it shouldn't take very long."
"Okay." The logic of it did nothing to stop her heart sinking at the prospect of him leaving again. She knew it was completely irrational, but couldn't stop herself from feeling a distinct sense of despair. Pull yourself together, she chided herself.
"I also want to make a quick visit to Eir. I know you've been cooped up here all day and it's probably driving you mad." That at least earned a smile from her. "So if she'll give permission, I'd be honored if the queen would join me for dinner. I hope she won't object to the small trek to our private table. If not, we shall feast in bed. Is that agreeable?"
"It sounds perfect. Thank you, Loki."
"I'll be as quick as I can."