Visitation

by kalimecat

Loki has returned to Asgard and is imprisoned for his crimes. While in prison he has the occasional visitor, will the love of others bring back the fallen prince or is he truly too far gone?

17. Beginning of the End

HELLOOOOO READERS! Thank you so much for your continuous support of this story all of your reviews, favorites and follows have made this a most rewarding experience. Because of all your support I have been writing this story for over a year! I am so excited but you all must also give yourself a round of applause... your dedication kept me going. U ROCK MY SOCKS! I am sorry that it took me so long to update this chapter. Just blame it on the fact that February is a short month, OK? Well this chapter has been a long time coming but it have been improved by the release of THOR 2 on DVD. Well this chapter is starting to tie right into that! Well with out further ado here you go! THIS CHAPTER IS FOR U WE MADE IT A YEAR! Happy reads, and writes and God bless you all.

"What has happened?" Prince Thor bellowed frantically as he rushed into the Halls of Healing. "Where is Jane?" he forcefully demanded of the young apprentice healers draped in simple white togas. All of the apprentice's tried to quell the distemper of the mighty son of Odin. In times of fit Prince Thor had been known to smash and bash all objects present.

"Thor!" The voice of Asgard's king called as the man strode through the halls of healing. Odin's gait was uneven but he made haste as he went toward his eldest son. "What has happened, there was an explosion set off in the women's quarters?" the great king demanded.

"Father!" the crown prince looked up as his unruly blond locks swayed in his face. He rushed to the king's side.

'Thor, my dear is everything alright?' asked Queen Frigga tenderly as she darted toward her muscular son. She wrapped his in a tight embrace. "What has happened? What's wrong?" she questioned as she grabbed him by his hairy cheek forcing his eyes that were just like hers to look directly into hers.

The bulky prince allowed his shoulders to slump and relax falling into the fold of his mother's loving hug. "Oh mother," he started to murmur. "I...I...I don't know...it's...it's Jane," he started.

The crystal door opened slowly and a petite curly-haired blonde figure emerged. "Your majesties," the brown-skinned handmaiden stated slowly and wearily as she curtsied before the royals.

"Lady Sigyn," the blue-eyed queen greeted her lady-in-waiting with a kind smile. Odin nodded respectfully to the waiting gentle-woman to his queen.

"Sigyn," Prince Thor spoke up pulling away from Queen Frigga's embrace. "What news of Jane?" he asked abruptly. "What happened to her?" he continued to question his massive hands reaching out and gripping Sigyn around the shoulders his gorgeous sapphire eyes begged and pleaded for the simple minded-maiden to give him some information.

"I do not...I do not exactly know, my prince," Sigyn began her pitched voice was timid and fearful as she blinked back at the soon-to-be king of Asgard in confusion. "I...I was tending Lady Jane," she started, "As you requested, my queen," her wide-set gold orbs darted toward the female ruler of Asgard. "She was bathing...she was simply bathing," Sigyn shook her head. "I had left he bathing salon only a moment only to fetch her fresh linen towels, I came back and I noted her eyes rolling about her head, they were dark," Sigyn expressed her voice nervous. She shook her head. "She fainted in the tub!" the blonde-haired lady-in-waiting confessed as she let out a frantic squeal and bunched up her hands. "I went to retrieve her... to keep her from drowning, but when I tried to touch her Aether... the Aether...it reacted," the golden eyed daughter of Captain Arn expounded the best she could. "There was an explosion!" Sigyn gestured her sandy-colored hands wildly.

"An explosion!" the king exclaimed.

"Were you hurt Lady Sigyn?" Queen Frigga asked as she covered her mouth with her hand.

'No, majesty...I...I am alright but the bathing salon was wrecked to water in the tub disappeared when the explosion passed. I...I...called for help, Jane was awake, but unable to move, I had to dress her quickly before the guards came. Lady Dagmar accompanied them. Lady Dagmar is in there with lady Jane now. So is Mistress Eir," Sigyn informed nodding vigorously and pointing her warm colored finger toward the crystal door. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry,' Sigyn instantly started to blubber. She covered her face with her hands as tears streaked down her cheeks. She knew it seemed so foolish and she had no desire to disgrace herself in front of the king of the realm. Surely, he would find fault with her for being so emotional. "Forgive me Highnesses," Sigyn choked out through her muffled crying. "I am sorry, I knew not what to do for her. I am of no help at all," she continued.

"Sigyn, no my dear," Queen Frigga pulled arm from being wrapped around Thor's waist and moved to stand next the hysterical noblewoman. Before long Sigyn felt the queen's strong arms wrap around her shoulder. Sigyn immediately started to weep harder. "My...my...my queen," lady Sigyn stammered as she feverishly tried to swipe away the tears that flowed down her flushing cheeks. "Oh highness...I do not even deserve to be your Lady-in-Waiting," Sigyn protested shaking her head. "I ruin every assignment you have entrusted me with, your majesty!"

"Dear, no!" the queen protested she wrapped her arm even tighter around her shoulders

"Tis true, Majesty, tis true," Sigyn sniffled. "I reck everything I thing I touch!" Sigyn insisted her tiny pink lip trembling as she pulled herself from the queen's arm. She looked down at her feet. Her mind darting back to Loki. She couldn't remember all that transpired between them the last time she went in his cell. It was like a there was a thick fog over her mind. She could see her and Loki talking but then she drew a blank. Suddenly, she found herself on the ground her arm burned and hurting and Loki looming over her declaring how he would never love her. The more she thought about it, the more it made her was to crumble into a puddle of tears on the white marble floor. Or better yet run out of the healing chamber.

Sigyn felt her feet about to flee but before she could even move Queen Frigga stepped in her path blocking the young handmaiden from escaping the Hall of Healing. Frigga caught the her Lady-in-Waiting by the shoulders just before Sigyn could run. "Oh your majesty," Sigyn cried.

"Sigyn, no," the golden queen declared. "You mustn't feel that way. You have done much good in all your assignment," she told her with the stern comfort of a mother.

The blonde gentlewoman kept her head lowered shaking her head in defiance to the queen's words. "No your majesty...I...I...I"

"You have done well, Sigyn" the wife of Odin qualified. Her slender finger nudged up Sigyn's sun-kissed chin. "You have," she assured her giving the golden-eyed maid a watery smile that shown through with gratitude. She nodded her head and closed her eyes still smiling. Her gentle hands moved from massaging Sigyn's shoulders and they trailed down to holding Sigyn's shaking hands. 'What you have done," the queen started her voice quivering slight. She gave Sigyn's hands firm squeeze. "What you have done for Loki," she whispered, "I shall not soon forget it," she confessed she finally openered her eyelids and the queen's attending gentle-woman saw the liquid shining around the rims of the lovely queen's bright blue eyes.

Sigyn gasped touched by the queen's words. She started to object to the queen's words, but before she could utter a syllable from her glossy pink mouth Prince Thor chimed in. "It is thanks to you that Jane did not drown," Thor confirmed his thick strong hand rested on Sigyn slim tanned shoulders. "I am indebted to you, Lady Sigyn," Prince Thor pledged, his left hand was still secured around the handmaiden's shoulder while the right hand took her hands from his mother. Thor's hands were tawny and roughed, calloused from years of battle training. Sigyn could practically feel the groves in his fingers carved to fit the hilt of Mjolnir snugly. His hand was the complete opposite of his brother's. Thor's hand was warm, thick, firm and worn. Thor's fingers were even powerfully built, hands of war. Loki's palms were smooth, soft and always chilly, his fingers were long and slender, nimble the skillful hands of a magician used for playing tricks, but somehow none the less strong. Thor tenderly dragged her hand toward his lips and planted a sweet peck there. He smiled up at her affectionately. "Thank you, Sigyn," he mouthed.

The blonde-locked Lady-in-Waiting, bobbed her head new tears bursting forth from her liquid amber eyes. She formed shaky smile on her pink lips. She was surrounded by the members of the royal family and for the first time in such a long time she felt loved. Amongst her own family she had only earned scorn and rejection. She loved her parents and sister dearly, but her disgrace was shame to them and to show much affection to a known harlot was unseemly. To her family she had brought nothing but dishonor in their eyes, but here she was being commended by the Queen of Asgard, thanked by the Prince of the realm and honored by the All-father. Her heart swelled as her light honey eyes darted around to meet all of theirs. There was one member of the royal family who was not present, one member who she had not earned favor from, in fact for all the love she bore toward him she'd only earned his hatred. She couldn't hide the pain that washed across her face at the thought of Loki pushing her away.

"Majesties," a refined elderly voice called coming forth from behind the crystal doors. The heads spun from focusing on sweet-faced Sigyn to the wrinkled, but lovely face of Mistress Eir. The wizened healer hobbled out from the inner healing chamber leaning heavily on her can as she made her way to the royal family. Her long white locked clung to her bronzed forehead with dampness.

"How is Jane?' Thor automatically asked as he jogged to stand by the ancient medicine woman.

Lady Eir raised a weathered bronzed hand to the young prince. "Physically, she is stable, young highness," she informed.

Thor blew out a sigh of relief. He swiped his jewel crusted hand over his brow and a beam of jot rushed across his face. "I will go to her," he declared and immediately started to stamp toward the doors.

"Thor!" King Odin's commanding voice halted his eager prince. "What else is there, Mistress Healer," the great king asked as he came to before the royal healing woman.

She breathed and placed both hands on her staff as she leaned heavily upon it. "The Aether is reacting more and more, it is not stable with in side her, sire," she explained. "I have done my best to sedate her," she went on, "but even still the Aether reacts and backfires. Convergence is less than a moon cycle away now," the old healer began she looked up at the king, queen and prince with worry in her eyes, "And I have noted that these reactions have grown more and more frequent the closer we get to Convergence, majesties."

"What are you suggesting?" Thor balked back.

"I simply and saying, my prince that I believe it is becoming dangerous for Lady Jane to remain in Asgard," Mistress Eir stated firmly.

"For her sake?" Thor questioned. "It's too dangerous for her to remain off world," he immediately interjected.

"No, young sire, for our sakes," the healer declared. "Lady Dagmar is running some diagnostics, I'm sure when she is done she can give you more information on the properties of the Aether," the healer explained.

"I know of the properties of the Aether!" the Crown Prince started to yell. "I want to know of Jane! I want to see her!" he ranted.

"Thor enough!" Odin pinned the bulging muscular blonde with a firm one-eyed glare. Once again the prince stifled himself, but he emitted an angry growl aimed toward the one-eyed king.

"Thank you, Mistress Eir," the grizzly bearded ruler obliged the royal healer.

"It is my honor, my king," Eir did her best to pull her old back into a curtsy. "I shall retire now," the stark white-haired healer nodded. "I believe that Lady Jane is stable enough to be seen by you now," Eir brought her big blue eyes up to wink at the son of Odin. Lady Eir nodded and proceeded to leave the hall of healing.

Thor immediately started to walk toward the obscure crystal doors. "Thor," his father's voice was in his ear directly behind him. The great king caught the strapping warrior by the shoulder. "Stop," he ordered.

"I just need to see her, Father for but a moment," the prince of the Asgard protested shaking his head and pulling against the strong, fatherly grasp, allowing his right hand to palm at the bronze handles.

"Thor, this is getting out of hand," Odin stated his tone was even, but Thor could sense that his father was disheartened. "This is the third occurrence of these surges in the past two days," he began.

"It cannot be helped," Thor spun at Odin, "It is not her fault!" he insisted.

"It may not be her fault, but whose fault will it be if she remains here for Convergence and brings calamity to us all?" Odin inquired his voice rising and stamping his staff down on the marble.

"And so what...what...what of Jane?" Thor stammered his head dropping his endless blonde-locks just flowing in her face. "Am I just to abandon her?" he choked out.

"Do you intend to abandon your people for her?" Odin countered as he bristled and squared his shoulders. Thor for a moment looked back to Odin. His eyes wide and lost shining like a frustrated child. He was so betwixt and between, he was so lost. No outcome was favorable. He wished Loki was here. So many times when he and father would have opposing view points Loki was a voice a reason. He was silver tongues and always able to come up with a solution that somehow eased the minds of both parties. "Innocent Asgardians will suffer if this woman is not removed!" the golden realm's king insisted.

"And Jane is innocent!" Thor shouted back at his father, his voice a roll of thunder that shook the crystal ceilings and diamond chandeliers. "She is innocent!" the carrier of Mjolnir began again his tone low as he wagged his finger. "She is an innocent bystander...it is not her fault that Bor buried the Aether on Midgard and it is not her fault that she was alive to find it during a time of Convergence, so why do you condemn her to death for it!" Thor raved with a scream. His shoulders heaved as he finished.

"Jane will leave Asgard," Odin decreed as his fingers wrapped tighter around the staff.

"When the Aether has been purged from her," The crown prince attempted to qualify.

"She will leave Asgard in one weeks time," the great king proclaimed. He snorted and started to turn on his heels.

"You must give her a chance!" Thor continued to protest.

"Whether the Aether be purged from her or not Thor I will not allow her to destroy our kingdom," Odin stated flatly and marched away.

"Father!" Thor called after the king.

"Thor," Frigga whispered gripping the handsome Viking prince by his huge bicep. She waved her hands in front of his face. "You must listen to your father in this matter," she admonished gently.

Thor looked into her eyes searching for truth and compassion there just as he did when he was very young. So many times when he didn't understand things he'd go to her. No matter how small the matter she'd sit and talk, stroke his head and explain thing so gently. He so desperately wanted to curl up into the safety of her arms in this moment. "What am I to do, Mother?" Thor murmured. "What am I to do? Let her die?" The question ripped from his throat with a painful choked out. Frigga's tender hands ran up the side of Thor's arms and then to his face she put his face between her hands, she could feel his jaw trembling. "I love her, Mother," Thor confessed.

"You are young," the golden queen replied.

"Are you saying I do not know love?" he asked bitter half-smile tracing across his handsome full lips.

"You have been in love before," she continued.

"This time is different!" he retorted gruffly.

"I know," Frigga nodded. Thor's golden eyebrows raised he had not expected those words from her. "I know," she repeated her warm hands still stroking his face with love. "I prayed for this day...and feared for it all at once," the Queen of Asgard confessed. "The day when another woman would take the lives of my dear sons," she went on smiling as tears ran down her face. "Loki has found a mistress," the queen sighed. She smiled affectionately bringing her hands down to straighten Thor's tunics. "Your love for this woman is dangerous Thor," Frigga cautioned.

"I have always loved danger," he announced.

"One of your flaws, you rush to danger," she chided.

"Because it is dangerous, Mother, does that make it wrong?" he inquired of her his gorgeous sapphire pupils that matched her's glistening as he searched her eyes.

"No, my son, no it does not make it a crime, but that means sacrifice. What are you truly willing to sacrifice?" she asked seriously. Prince Thor's brow furrowed. Somehow he'd expected different words from his mother "Go to her," Frigga stated after a pause. Thor placed a gentle kiss on top of her forehead before scampering toward the crystal doors.

"Jane?" Thor's voice was a soft coo as he pulled back the thick blue curtains.

"Thor," a sweet silver voice whispered back she was looming over the sleeping figure in the healing bed. She pointed down at the woman lying under plain white sheets while bringing another finger to her lips to signify for the prince to be quiet. Thor bobbed his head and started to tip toe toward the bed where Jane rested in a medicine induced sleep. The way the prince walked made the Vanir healer giggle. He could not tip-toe if his life depended on it. His feet were too big and his footsteps naturally too heavy to be silent.

"How is she?" the prince asked doing his best to keep his voice low.

Lady Dagmar shook her head. "The Aether surges are, too numerous for it to be good," Dagmar informed.

"What do you mean?" Thor pressed.

"The properties of the Aether are much like a magnet. The surges are like the magnet is being drawn to something... or something is being drawn to it," Dagmar's silver eyes glanced up at the blonde-haired prince.

"Something like what?" Thor asked taking another step behind Dagmar.

"I cannot say, I know not well of this power, save that it is dark. It was the power source of the Dark-Elves... it kept them."

"But the elves were destroyed,"

"And so we thought the Aether was," Dagmar stated.

"Father says that Jane must leave by the end of the week," Thor confessed to his old friend.

"Where will she go?" Lady Dagmar asked as she looked down at Jane. She placed a healing crystal to the mortal's forehead ensuring that she remain asleep for a little longer. The best way to keep the Aether from reacting was to keep Lady Jane from being startled.

"I don't know," Thor shrugged as he started to pace around Jane's bedside. "I fear to send her back to Midgard, by Convergence the realm would surely be destroyed,"

"The same could take place for Asgard if she remains!" Dagmar pointed out clutching at the prince's arm.

"Can't you do anything, my friend?" Thor baritone voice quivered.

"I am not equipped. Everything I've tried has only worsened the condition. I believe the only mage who would know of it is Loki," Dagmar insisted.

"Loki," Thor scoffed. "Loki won't help," he muttered.

"Have you tried to ask him? Have you presented him with the hope of redemption?" The healer pressed.

"Loki is still contrary. He refuses to help. He outright wishes for Jane's death," Thor expressed his face twisting as he bit into his lip.

"No, no...I know Loki. I know of his great love for Asgard...he knows of the capabilities of the Aether, I know he could not truly wish for such horrors to befall his home," Dagmar defended the goodness that she hoped was still in the man she loved.

"Loki is consumed with vengeance and rage...all toward me. I don't think that he truly wishes to see Asgard suffer, but he surely wishes to hurt me. He knows Jane's death will. And that he craves most of all," Thor informed the Vanir noblewoman.

Dagmar was at a water basin washing her hands. She gripped the round porcelain tub around the edges. "What vengeance does he think he shall have in that cell?" she asked.

"Loki talks if things that make little sense," Thor confessed sorrowfully. It saddened the blonde son of Odin immensely. Loki who had once been so wise an astute diplomat and scholar of court. Once he had presided over many matters and although Loki had the people's distrust for his impish tricks, he'd also had their admiration for his wise rulings in matters of court and state. Now he raved on like a lunatic in his cell.

"He punishes only himself, like this. He keeps himself in this sorry state when with just an act of obedience and he could be free," Dagmar insisted as she kept plunging her hands into to cool water and rinsing them repeatedly.

"He will not hear me now, Dagmar...he hates me," Thor admitted with regret. It pained Thor like nothing else to know that he had earned Loki hatred. The way Loki had screamed it at him. "I HATE YOU!" the ragged desperate scream rang clear as a bell in his ear. It was a punch to the gut, a slap to the face, a knife in the back. Hearing Loki holler that he hated him was worse pain than hearing Loki had died at least when Loki had died he could comfort himself with the fact that in Loki's mind he had felt that what he did, awful as it was, was for the family. At least he had Mother's reassurance that Loki loved him and adored him, but now mother's words could do nothing for Loki's own words of hatred and contempt lingers in his ear. "Dagmar," the blue-eyed prince turned to the silver-eyed enchantress. "Would you speak with Loki?" he asked with a loud gulp.

Dagmar's slim porcelain hands froze in the cool water. They fell into the basin with a plop. "What?" he silver lining eyes were wide. "Thor, no...I...I...I couldn't possibly go and see Loki...now...I...I," she protested plucking her hands from the cool water and trying them on towel.

"Dagmar," Thor caught her by the shoulders. "This is bigger than you or I," Thor admonished her. "This is for the fate of the realms," he told her.

"I know...I know, but I am due to return to Vanaheim soon... Olaf must face trial and...and," the raven-coiffed Vanir maiden began, trying to think of any excuse. "What even makes you think that Loki would listen to me, I've hurt him so..." she confessed. 'I am not worthy to request a thing of him," the black-haired female mage breathed.

"I believe he will," the strapping golden locked prince stated.

"How can you say that, Thor?" Dagmar questioned her silvery voice turning shrill and it squeaked from her frantic. Her high-pitched squeal made Jane stir in her sleep.

"I know," Thor said as he stroked Dagmar's full porcelain cheeks that had just a touch of rouge on them. "I know because I know that Loki has felt for you what I feel for Jane," he confessed as he planted two genteel kisses upon her rose-tinted cheeks. "Please, will you do this for me dear friend?" he pleaded with her tugging lightly as his could on her smooth ivory hands. Dagmar looked up at Prince Thor he brilliant silver eyes shimmering. She looked in his eyes and saw the desperation there. She had known Thor for centuries, he was just like a brother to her and she couldn't recall when she had ever seen his eyes so full of neediness. She didn't know how Thor could compare the love that he had for Jane to the love that she and Loki shared. Their love was born of a friendship. They knew the inner workings of each other. He had been her tutor teaching her the wonders of magic and she had been his biggest fan. They had shared everything. They were intertwined for life through the process of bonding. They had conceived a child together. Thor had known this mortal woman for only a little over a week. It seemed preposterous that he should have such strong feelings about her, but as she looked at him, she knew that unfathomable as it may have seemed Thor's love, though immature at best, for the Lady Jane was still true. Lady Dagmar could never deny true love. She was fond of Jane as well. She was a smart and spunky woman. The Vanir healer with raven ringlets conceded with a nod. Thor beamed a handsome sunny smile dancing on his full pink lips. "Thank you, thank you Mar Mar!" he exclaimed as he brought his head down and kissed her ring. "I love much, my dear friend," he assured her and then gripped her in a bear hug. Dagmar let out a little squeak. She would have returned the prince's hug, but her arms were pinned to her sides as he squeezed her tight. Finally, he released her and allowed for her silver slippers to contact the floor once more.

Dagmar allowed a gorgeous pomegranate smile to trace over her full lips, "It seems as if Jane is stirring," the daughter of the Vanir Prime Minister pointed out from behind Thor's massive shoulder. "She will probably wake up soon, " she began, "I will just give you some time," Dagmar tapped Thor's muscular forearm before she disappeared out of the door.

Prince Thor smiled as he watched Dagmar's long thick ebony ponytail sway as she exited. He pulled up a seat by Jane's bedside. She looked peaceful and sweet, just like a little girl, curled up on her side. He loved watching her sleep, she slept so daintily. He took Jane's small hands in his. His hand completely dwarfed hers. He massaged her knuckles and played with her fingers. Her hands seemed so delicate. So much like her mortal life. He gave her hand a squeezed and settled down into the chair. Shutting his eyes for just a minute. "Thor! Thor!" a soft voice called while tiny hands tugged on his fingers. Thor grumbled and little twitching in the chair. "Thor wake up," she teased swatting at his hands.

"Huh!" the strong prince grunted waking from his sleep. "What?" he jumped.

"Easy, easy, easy," Jane cooed looking up into sapphire blue eyes from the bed. "It's just me," she smiled at him. Her lips were dry and her skin looked a little pale. There were bags under her eyes, but she looked marvelous.

"Jane," Thor smiled back he clutched at her hands. "Did I wake you?"

"No," Jane flagged off, "No...I was watching you sleep for a little while," she confessed and her cheeks flushed."I've never seen you asleep before. I was sorta beginning to believe that maybe Asgardians did not sleep," she laughed.

"I assure you we do...actually in some to the small provinces to the north it is quite customary for the men and women and children to take naps in the middle of the day," Prince Thor explained. Jane nodded along. "And wait you have seen me sleep!"

"No I haven't. When you stayed with me, I always fell asleep before you," she countered.

"Yes but I was unconscious after Darcy hit me with that puny weapon. Tiny as it may be it is not to be under estimated," he said he shivered remembering the electricity coursing through his veins after just a tap of the weapon.

"The taser!" Jane laughed. "Yes, yes alright I suppose that counts."

"And you hit me with your motor vehicle,"Thor pointed out again.

"Oh goodness, every time I've seen you asleep it's because of pain caused by me!" She shook her head. I'm surprised you don't think humans are walking time bombs,"

"Never," Thor's might hand flagged off the nation and Jane felt as if a breeze blew over her. "Anyway," he began his smile starting to fall into a concerned facial expression. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel alright, tired, but fine," Jane explained.

"Good, good," the Prince of Asgard encouraged. "Do you remember anything?" he asked still stroking her hand.

Jane nodded. "Yes, yes I remember almost everything, there are a few moments that I was blank but for the most part I was completely aware of what was happening, but I was powerless to do anything about it. I wanted to stop it, but I couldn't. I can't take this think having all this influence over me and wrecking havoc and me not being able to do a thing," Jane sighed.

"I know," Thor started.

"It scares me," Jane confided in her prince.

"You don't have to be afraid," Thor's voice was strong.

"How can I not be. There's this thing inside me and it's not even from my world or your world and nobody knows what to do with it! I see what it does. All are afraid! I'm afraid!" she stated more frantically this time. "This thing has the power to wipe out your people!"

"Who told you that?" Thor interjected.

"I have ears to hear. It is all about the palace," Jane dismissed is questioning.

"It's servants gossip."
"No it's not Thor, no it's not," Jane protested. "I know I am a threat to all here,"

"No you are not, it is not you... it is the Aether," Thor argued his hold on her hands firm.

"What's gonna happen to me?" Jane asked looking up at the handsome prince with water in her brown eyes. The tears spilled out and she started to cry. She pulled her hands to her face to cover her trail of tears. Thor scooted from the chair and slid onto the bed with Jane. Thor's masculine arms encircled her tiny frame. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry," she blubbered turning her head into Thor's broad chest. Thor cradled her in his arms like a child. His big hand cupping the back of her head and stroking her auburn tendrils. She allowed herself to melt into the muscular contours of his body. She gripped at his tunics and cried the harder. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so safe in the arms of the man. In his embrace she felt so protected and loved. The only time similar was when she was with her father.

"Do not worry, Jane," he told her in a voice that was most resolute. "I'll find away to save us all!" Prince Thor promised

---

A willowy figure carrying a small oil lamp timidly tip-toed down the dank cellar steps. The hour was early morning before the sun was even up. It was the hour of day when only the night watchmen were up and about, the time when servants just started stirring, but it wasn't the time of day that a lady of her station was expected to be about. Women of nobility slept in. She cloaked herself in dark tunics, a cape the color of midnight sky, a shawl a dusty pewter and her gown was navy blue with black-pearl sequins. Her dark garments were so that she would not stand out amongst the shadows to the sleepy night guards who were eager to be relieved from duty.

She tucked her cloak tighter around her slim shoulders as she continued to march through the empty prison hallway. She walked pass rows and rows darkened, unoccupied cells. The small flame of her lit oil lamp did little to dispel the darkness that surrounded chambers. Her heart sank, she shook her head. Such obscurity, it was such a miserable way for any being to live. She wouldn't wish for a dog to have to live out his days in a cage let alone would she wish such a pitiful existence for a man who was once a prince of Asgard. She was began to think that maybe she'd taken a wrong turn, maybe she should have gone down one of the other pathways, perhaps Loki's cell wasn't this way.

She darted down the hall until finally she was drawn to a singular light. She imagined this must have been how a moth felt when it saw the welcoming flicker of a campfire's flame. She slowed. She couldn't rush into this light for its blinding white light nearly made her have to shield her eyes. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the brilliant glow after being in the dark for so long. Once her pupils had sufficiently adjusted she blew out the small flickering flame on her oil lamp she didn't need it. The light from the chamber penetrated the darkness and illuminated all that was taking place in the cell.

She slowly approached the cell. Her feet felt like they were stuck in mud as she noticed the glacial pace at which she was moving, but still she wanted to get a better look. She felt ashamed; ashamed of her curiosity. She looked into the cell like a spectator gazing in on an animal in the zoo. She felt ashamed of the way she crept close as if she was afraid like she was peeking into the cave of a dragon...or a Frost Giant. She shook her head trying to block out those images. She shut her eyes, then opened them again determined not to be afraid no matter what sight she saw. No matter what he looked like, whether his skin was frigid and frost-bitten or whether his eyes glistened a hellish red or if his eyes couldn't even see her. No matter what he did yelled and screamed like a raging beast, she would stand her ground and tell her piece. No matter the outcome... this time she wasn't going to run.

She bobbed her head and counted to ten to gear herself up before she decided to open her sparkling silver orbs. In her mind she was so ready to be impassive to whatever she saw. She'd convinced herself that she wouldn't react with fear because that was what he expected, what he wanted. What he claimed he craved so, but deep inside she knew that couldn't be so. She knew that the boy who showed her how to make snow angels in the palace courtyard couldn't really want everyone to run away from him in horror. She couldn't believe that the young man who she discussed music and literature with longed to be reviled and hated so. Mentally, she was guarded against whatever Loki prepared to dish out at her. But when her starlit eyes finally opened she couldn't remain expressionless to what she saw. The sight before her eyes shocked her, made her take a step back and left her breathless. She'd prepared herself for the worst. To find Loki wallowing in misery as the pain from extraction consumed him. Still, the ebony-coiffed ambassador had geared herself up for such a sight, but in no way had she expected this.

"Oh Loki," she gasped softly as her hand immediately rose to her full pomegranate lips. Her porcelain hand fell from covering her mouth and rested near h. Her heart. Her soul crumpled at the sight. Through the magic reinforced shield she gazed upon Loki's slumbering form. He was sleeping in his high back forest green upholstered chair. Loki's head was cocked back and slightly tilted to the left side. His thin lips parted, but barely as his breathing was eased and relaxed. His skin was not a startling indigo, but rather alabaster in color, flawless and pale in the light. His legs were stretched out in front of him crossed at the ankles. His posture was slumped and relaxed in the seat. One hand rested in his lap protectively settled on top of a burgundy book. His left hand dangled limply over the arm of the chair, another book dangled in his left hand it was significantly larger than the one in his lap and it seemed so heavy the it nearly dragged the sterile white floor of the cell. His clothes were ill-fitting and were loose on his body. Even though he'd been situated with his old royal garments, he'd still lost a significant amount of weight since his stay in Asgard's prison. It wasn't as if the royal tailor had paid him a visit and taken his measurements. The long black tunic was too big for Loki's bony frame and hung slightly off his narrow shoulders and exposing the flawless finish of his pale flesh.

Dagmar touched her hand to the outside of the shield. Her own magical abilities allowed her to pas through the glowing gold force-field. She padded very softly across pristine white tiled floor of Loki's cell, drawing closer to the slumbering prince. He was always a light sleeper and even her faint footfalls across the tile caused him to stir in his sleep. She froze, one foot paused in the air before she delicately allowed it to come back down on the ground. She stood still and quiet not wanting to disturb him. He squirmed and fidgeted not quite comfortable, but to drowsy to remove himself from the chair and lie in the bed only footsteps away. He twisted to his left side, nestling down deeper in the chair and tucking his body in slightly as if trying to curl into the fetal position. He murmured as he settled once more. Dagmar exhaled with relief and entranced. She'd forgotten how beautiful he was when he was sleeping.

She walked over to the cot that had been provided for Loki. It was a far cry from the luxurious king-sized bed that had once belonged to the prince, but compared to the dirt and thatch floor, compared to the stone slate, compared to the chains and fetters to which he had been bound it was a mattress made of clouds. She pulled a thin green quilt off of the tiny bed, it wasn't made of silks it was woven of simpler materials wool most like, but it was new. Hand stitched. Sigyn. Lady Dagmar hung her head. Why hadn't she taken time to sew Loki a quilt? She tried to remind herself that she'd been mixing concoctions and potions trying to aid Loki from dying from the extraction, but her gift had been on of hypocrisy. She made a remedy for a malady she had caused.

She gather the blanket in her hands and walked over to the ex-prince as quietly as she could, but even the slight sway of her skirt against the floor made Loki twitch and moan in his sleep. She hovered over him and smiled sweetly down at him. He muttered something that was incomprehensible before fidgeting and shifting in the high-backed chair. Carefully, the Vanir maiden started to removed the books from Loki's hands. Her touch was light and easy like a feather but instinctively Loki grasped for the belongings in his sleep. His distinguished face grimaced after amount of an unsuccessful attempt to recover that which belonged to him.

The silver-eyed healer smiled down upon him as she pushed a few of his straying, scraggly, black locks out of his face. His black mane was long and unruly. He was in desperate need of a trim, but they would not allow any pointy objects near the once mages domain, not even a pair of shears. She pinned the fly a way strands behind his ear. Her delicate ivory fingers ghosted along the trail of Loki's narrow jawline, feeling the elegant proportions of his angelic profile. Of course she had things to say. But the young ambassador couldn't bring herself to wake him. He was so perfect in repose. She brought her pomegranate lips to pucker against his temple, "rest well," she spoke softly in his ear. Lady Dagmar watched as his thin lips pulled into a small smile. Before her lips even brushed against his cool flesh, Dagmar felt ice cold fingers curl around her slender porcelain wrist. She attempted to tug free, but she found herself trapped in the grip. For ever attempt she made to break free of the hold the fingers squeezed harder around her arm. Her pulse quickened and she felt like a field mouse in a rattle snake's coils. Instantly as she bucked against the hold she felt Loki's long talon like nails dig into her ivory wrist. She gasped from the pain. "Loki!" she gasped frantically. Venomous, jade eyes flung open and Dagmar felt her wind pipe tighten as Loki made a fist. "Loki," Dagmar rasped in a frenzy. His right hand straying to her neck trying to pry the invisible hand from around her neck.

"Oh my love," Loki whispered cruelly as his ghostly white fingers circled around her milky throat as he forcefully walked her back to the wall. "At last," he growled low in his throat. "I knew you'd come for me," he whispered maliciously in her ear.

"L-l-loki," the silver-eyed maiden gasped as she felt herself being forced to back felt her spine roughly collide with the cold white stone wall in the corner of Loki's cell. Her grabbed her soft forearm slamming her against the wall. She yelped she was more frightened than in pain. "Loki, Please," she begged tears welling up in her starlit pupils.

"Be silent!" the prisoner ordered as he slapped his hand over her beautiful pomegranate lips. He took her in she was still such a vision, a flawless princess arrayed in finery, silver bangles around her slender neck, wrist and dainty ankles, her hair cascading down her back like a midnight waterfall, her eyes twinkling like diamonds in the sky, her supple alabaster flesh. Loki licked his lips lustfully. Then he bit into his lip, deep until he drew just a delicate dab of his own blood from his dry thin lip, the metallic taste rekindles the venom and anger with in him that had momentarily been diffused by the sight of the Vanir enchantress. Lady Dagmar's breath hitched beneath the weight of his hand. "How dare you come here!" he hissed squeezing tight on her forearm and keeping her pinned to the wall.

Dagmar twisted her head free from the clamp Loki's chilly palm put on her full mouth. "Loki," she choked out breathlessly.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded his voice trembling with rage and pain.

"Loki... p-please," Dagmar gasped. "I...I...I came to ask you for help," she choked out her pale hands turning even whiter as her air supply became short. "Please," Dagmar begged as one hand reached out to Loki pleadingly as her porcelain skin started to turn blue from lack of oxygen.

Loki's eyes flashed as they grew wide with horror at her words. His eyes then grew narrow and cold as her tightened the magic infused choke hold "Ask for help!" Loki's voice was a snap and bark. "Ask for help!" His voice quivered his curt words reverberating off the white walls and the glittering shield of his cell as he screamed. "How dare you show your face here!" He hollered. "After what you've done," Loki continued to rant shaking his head miserably. "You stripped me of everything," he panted, his breath growing ragged and his emerald eyes misting with tears. "Why shouldn't I kill you here and now?" He asked her as the weight of the force on her windpipe increased making her swan's neck feel as if Loki would snap it in two like a twig

'Loki, please," she begged. Her silver eyes fluttered, her eyelids grew heavy as she fought for consciousness. Loki was standing only inches in front of her. His emerald eyes were calloused and unfeeling as he looked down upon her fragile female form writhes struggling to find oxygen."Loki," she whispered while her hand trembled as if she was having a seizure. "Don't," she entreated. "I...I...h-have...s-s-something important to t-t-tell you..."

His expression deadly with a twisted power. The power coursed through his veins allowing his own energy to connect with hers and he could feel how her heart fluttered in panic. Loki's green eyes narrowed and gleamed wicked at the lovely Vanir woman. "Why have you come, Dagmar? To see your handiwork?" He demanded of her as he bridged the gap between them. Immediately, he released her from the clasp that the energy choke, but seamlessly, without allowing the gorgeous starry-eyed woman the dignity of taking in another shallow breath he brought his left had out to clench tightly around her porcelain throat. Hadn't she touched him when she performed the extraction? She'd placed her dainty fingertips along his forehead and temple and extracted his very essence from him while he howled, and writhes and sobbed like a child. She'd been so merciless and cruel. Their eyes had locked. He'd begged her, but she'd still done it. He let out a growl as the hurt resurfaced causing his lust for vengeance on her to be be even deeper. He smirked sickly in the choking Prime Minister's daughter face. He'd be sure to return the favor now. He'd look her in the eye as he took her life from her. .

"L-l-loki...p-p-please," the Vanir healer stammered. Liquid leaked from her sweet, silver irises and her pomegranate lips trembled as she scrambled from breath. Loki could feel her heart beat slowing, he could feel her pulse becoming fainter and fainter against his finger tips. He could hear her wheeze for air. The emerald eyed ex-prince watched as any trace of color trailed from her already porcelain face. Her hot tear dripped onto the back of his creamy hand. Loki's furious snarl faltered and his fingers loosened their hold around long and elegant throat. As soon as his hand slackened its grip Dagmar immediately began coughing, thankful for the ability to breathe at ease once more. When he'd completely released the Prime Minister's daughter, she collapsed to her knees panting. Loki stood only a few feet away his only breathing ragged and hitched as I he'd just run a marathon. He looked down at his hands and how they trembled. He could feel the moisture from her delicate salt tear still resting on his frozen flesh. His emerald eyes shot away from his sweaty, shaking palms to look back at Dagmar. Her ebony tresses had fallen in her face as she was down on all fours still gasping for air, huffing and puffing reacquainting herself with the sweet sensation of inhaling and exhaling. Part of him longed to run to her, but another part of him held him in place. He clenched his hands into tight knuckled fist and turned around unwilling to face, her unwilling to look into the eyes of another beautiful woman he'd hurt.

"Leave," the onyx-haired prisoner ground out the order. His voice was a harsh whisper, but despite the stoic cold tone that he spoke it in Dagmar could hear the shiver hidden in it. She watched as his rigid shoulders slightly shook. Dagmar managed to sit up, she touched her hand to the side of her throat easing her own discomfort from the bruises that Loki's hand had inflicted.

"LEAVE!" Loki shouted throwing his hands out by his side causing all the furniture inside his cell to rise and levitate in the air. He heard Lady Dagmar gasp in fear as he slammed his bed and table and chair and washing about the room. "Leave," he ordered once more, but the order was nearly begging. Loki kept his back to her as he bit into his lower lip. Dagmar didn't move at first she looked up at Loki's hardened arched back from her hands and knees.

Lady Dagmar scuttled to her feet, her hand gently traced a line across her throat as she gulped down the lump there. The swallow was loud enough to hear. She had every reason to be fearful for her own life, but the reasons she had come to speak to him were of the essence. "Loki," she spoke up softly she shifted her weight slowly and started to approach him from behind. Her pale hand reaching for the fabric of his tunic.

"GO!" he declared his voice cracking as he pointed a cold finger toward the force-field wall.

The raven-haired woman stifled herself jumping as bit her pomegranate lip to keep from yelling out in fear. Her red mouth quivered slightly. Finally she nodded as if convincing herself that she would do as she had been directed. She turned toward the glittering, gold shield. She walked away silently. Her and Loki both giving each other their back. She was about to phase through the shield. She closed her eyes just before her palm was about the slip out of the shield. "Your powers...they've returned," she stammered staring out into the dungeon.

Loki snorted,"Yes," Loki confessed with a growl. "Surprised?" he quipped his silver tongue laced with sarcasm.

"Thor told me...he told me you were still a Frost Giant...still blind...still unwell," Lady Dagmar rambled on in confusion.

Loki shook his head his back still turned to the Vanir enchantress. "Apparently he was gravely mistaken," the trickster elaborated his voice dark and husky.

"How...how is this possible?" Lord Audric's daughter questioned with confusion her silver eyes wide.

"How indeed," Loki allowed a sly grin to ripple under thin lips as he heard the puzzlement in her tone. "A unprecedented set back for you I'm sure," he rumbled his crisp voice remained low and husky in his throat. "And after you worked so hard to rid me of my powers" he continued a scornful smirk curling on his then lips. "Surely you studied for hours on the proper technique to perform to extraction. Your very reputation as a healer hanging on the balance of your prowess to remove magic. Only to find that your surgery had not had the promising results that you hoped for. The dark-haired prisoner clicked his tongue with pity."How dreadfully upsetting for you," he continued to taunt. "Are you surprised? Or so deeply disappointed?" He asked coldly.

"Loki no," she shook her head and started to protest. "NO!" Dagmar squealed bringing herself to her feet. "Neither," Dagmar stated. "I never wanted to perform the extraction!" she pleaded. "I never wanted to hurt you," she started finally turning around and looking at Loki. She moved quickly toward him.

"Never wanted to hurt me," he began to chuckle shaking his head. The way he laughed was wild and high-pitched. He laughed that was loudly for a few seconds but then his guffawing fell flat and his flawless face turned hard as stone. "YOU RIPPED MY POWERS FROM ME!" he screamed. "And left me for dead," he continued his voice a weak whisper now that he'd been rendered breathless.

"No, Loki, please," Dagmar countered. "I did it in hopes that I could save your life. Mistress Eir told me that the only way for you to possibly survive extraction was for someone who knew your energy signature to perform it...I...I...I wanted you to live. Your powers being restored...I know not how this came to be, but it is a miracle, perhaps the very Fates have arranged this all for you" Lady Dagmar confessed as she finally dared to touch Loki. She reached out and grabbed his smooth, cool, creamy hand. She tugged on his long finger a little. She was amazed when she found him turning into the tender pull like a compliant child agreeing to be led. His emerald eyes looked into her deep gray pools. His eyes were so turbulent. A swirling green storm of anger and malice, but somewhere deep within she thought she saw the remnants of the hopeful green-eyed boy she once new. She breathed mouth slightly gaping, "Loki," her plump mouth panted, while her ivory singers slid to interlock with his. Dagmar's white hand raised to graze Loki's hairless cheek. The silver-tongued prisoner reached up and caught her hand before it touched his porcelain flesh. He then yanked away the hand she was holding. He whipped it away so fast it nearly burned.

The dark-haired mage averted his emerald eyed gaze. "What do you want from me?" he murmured quietly, tiredly.

"It is what I want for you," The pomegranate lipped noblewoman replied. Once again bringing her hand up and cupping his chin. Porcelain hands nudged the narrow chin up so that once again their eyes met. She stepped closer their bodies mere inches apart.

Loki closed his eyes, he twisted his face away unable to bear the compassion that shown through her silver eyes. "And what is that?" he choked out.

"Redemption" she whispered turning her head at the same angle his was turned."Freedom," she continued tilting his face back toward her. He feebly resisted the power of her caress. He blinked only to stare back at her gorgeous face. Instinctively, his tongue rubbed over his chapped pale lips. "Love," Lady Dagmar explained a hushed voice as she leaned her pomegranate stained lips toward his mouth.

Her warm breath sent his lips tingling with longing for her supple painted mouth. He nearly salivated. As the Vanir maiden's mouth drew closer, Loki took a step back. "There is no redemption for me now, Dagmar" Loki announced stoically,

"Yes there is!" Dagmar protested. "Jane is tainted with the Aether. Day and night myself and many healers have worked tirelessly trying to purge Jane from the substance, but it will not be removed from her. Every day draws closer to Convergence...and every day her life and the lives of all of Asgard and perhaps the realms are put in jeopardy, but with your powers restored, with your powers back Loki...you...you could purge it from her," Dagmar expressed her eyes wide with eagerness.

The youngest son of the great king scoffed. "And why would I want to do that? Why would I wish to spare the life of a such a pitiful and worthless mortal wench?" he demanded of Dagmar. "To help my brother," he snorted.

"To free yourself!" Lady Dagmar immediately snapped her silvery voice cracking. "To rid yourself of being locked away like some animal," Dagmar elaborated gesturing to the gilded cage they were in. "If you do this, Loki," Dagmar started, "Odin will release you, you'll have redemption," she offered.

"I don't want redemption!" the black-haired son of Odin snarled.

"You want to rot in this cell?" raven-coiffed enchantress argued back.

"I WANT WHAT IS MINE!" he hollered in her face slamming his palm to his chest. Dagmar reared back on her heals as his voice bounced off the walls in the small chamber.

"And what is yours? What is yours? What is your trapped here in this prison? Nothing. A few measly books? a bed? a wash basin? You could have all that was yours, you could have the respect and admiration of your people, the comforts of your own home the love of your family!" she protested reaching out and grabbing Loki by his tunics. "Don't you want that?" Dagmar inquired desperately as she clung to him, her silver pupils dilated and trembling. She pressed her face against his chest and hot tears flowed unabashedly staining the silk of his cloak, but she couldn't stop herself from sobbing. "Do you...do you remember when we were children... we were playing a make-believe game as we so often did. We were having a tea party, with my stuffed dolls," she began t reminisce, a smile across her lips as she did. She rubbed her hands against his satin tunics as if she was petting a kitten and she could feel his rigid posture starting to relax. "You were so sweet," she went on nuzzling her cheek deeper into his chest, "To play tea-party with me, Asgard knows Sif never would," Dagmar snickered. "Thor came in, Thor came in and started carrying on as if he was bandit and he tried to steal all the valuable china and costume jewelry off of the stuffed bears. You jumped up and defended my guests and pulled out a fake sword challenging Thor to a duel. In that moment Thor changed the game he wanted the be the knight and make you the bandit. You cooperated. The game ran on and in the end Thor won," The Vanir ambassador recalled with sigh. "When the game was done it was time for dinner. Thor immediately ran out, he was always so hungry as a boy. You lingered behind. You slunk out the room head lowered, pouting. I asked you what was wrong. You told me that sometimes you just wanted the chance to be the hero," Dagmar finished. Her slim ivory covered in dark blue lace slipped down from Loki's chest and fall around his waist as she felt him flinch as if he was about to turn away, but she wouldn't let him. She held on tight to his body and pulled him close. "I know that little boy who longs to be a hero is still with in you Loki," she stated firmly as she looked back up at him. "I know, I know," she whispered her porcelain fingers running up and touching on his narrow chin. He had twisted his face away from her. His eyes shut and his lip curled into a harsh scowl. She pulled his chin back toward her and his deep evergreen eyes instinctively flung open. "I know," she smiled through the tears that shined in her eyes . She stroked his long, dark hairs from concealing his emerald eyes. "I know, because I can see him, I see him peaking through your eyes," she confessed. Loki's face remained firm as flint despite the hopeful longing written all over Dagmar's gorgeous face. Long, manicured nails slid down the side of Loki's face and traced his distinguished jawline.

The prisoner could feel her delicate body quiver uncontrollably as she let out gasping cried. "Please," she begged through the torrential tears. Once again she dropped her head allowing her face to press into Loki with despair. The once prince took a deep breath, he tried to steel himself against the powerful effects of his silver tears. He was never able to bear seeing her cry. She was so beautiful and her beauty should not be marred by the stains of tears. Out of habit he could feel his chilly thumb rising ready to catch the water dripping from her gray pupils. He contained the tender reaction, but he couldn't stop his need to off her support. Loki's arms tightened around her without though or qualm. His hold body melted into hers and they both went sliding to floor a heap in each others arms. "Please," Dagmar murmured once more as she brought her ivory hands to hold Loki's smooth face. His face was damp and liquid leaked from emerald eyes.

"Dagmar," Loki's voice was soft and hesitant. His breath hitching as he looked at her she was so wondrous. His heart beat fast, he was not even able to bring his enchanted emerald eyes to look into her mystic silver pools. "I...I...I" he started so many thoughts whizzed through his mind. He longed to see Odin brought down. He longed to watch Thor writhe, yet he longed for the warmth of a family again, for the kind words of a friend and the love of a beautiful woman. Overwhelmed with the emotions that ran rampant through his soul the once Prince of Asgard crashed down to his knees. He screamed out, hit the ground with his bare white knuckled fist. The pristine white tiled floor chipped and crackled under the fury of Loki's powers. Dagmar was forced to take a step back as the tile beneath her silver slippers splintered. Loki hit the ground a few more time. His light, silver tongue had become heavy and leaden, he had no words to give. He continued slamming his hands against the ground. The action was juvenile and primitive, like a toddler a child unable to communicate his frustrations and fears and desires for he resorted to kicking and screaming hoping that a tender adult would help him sort through his mangled knot of feelings. Finally exhausted by his childish outburst he stopped pounding the floor. His hands ached. They were red and shaking. He gripped his head leaning over a wet inky locks obscured his regal face. "I...I can't" he blubbered.

Lady Dagmar scuttled on the floor next to him, she gathered him in her arms. They were so smooth and sturdy. He imagined had he been a tad bit smaller she would have pulled him onto her lap. And had he been a lad he would have readily accepted the comfort of such an embrace. He would have wrapped his arms about her graceful, swan-like neck and wept into her wavy ebony locks. He supposed as a grown man he should offer some resistance. He could feel her tugging at him and he pulled away as tears continue to pour down his face. His resistance was futile. He was helpless but to fall into her arms. He had always been but putty in her hands. Tenderly, she pressed his flushed, tear dampened face into her soft bosom where her alabaster cleavage was exposed just enough to send the imagination reeling. Her felt his silky hands pressing his face into her soft bosom. Loki tried to compose himself, tried to stifle his sniveling, but some how the flow of tears never ebbed as her hug surrounded him. He was lost in her arms for the moment as she gently rocked and swayed with him there until he quieted. "Why Loki, why?" she whispered still running her hand along the side of his cool cheek.

Loki meshed his lips together fighting against her words, "I can't," he panted back.

"This isn't what you want, I know you don't want to be the villain...the monster...you want to be the hero. So be that person Loki, be Asgard's hero," the silver eyed enchantress begged.

"I...j-just can't" the once prince mumbled. "Not now...it's too late," he whispered weakly. "I've gone to far," he muttered leaning deeper into the warmth of her body.

"Yes, you can, yes you can," she encouraged. "You can save the mortal woman Jane Foster, save her, save Asgard! Save all the realms! And you will be my hero, as you have always been since I was a girl!" she held his face in between the palms of her pale bejeweled hands forcing their eyes to meet once again. They were wide and frightened, confused, hurting, beautiful. Inside those eyes wasn't the soul of a monster. She saw the soul of the man she loved. Their eyes remained locked as their lips met as their lips slowly inched closer and closer toward the other. "Please," she mouthed as her juicy pomegranate lips gently brushed along his thin, hungry mouth. They kissed passionately for a long while. Her tongue tasted of ambrosia and new wine. Intoxicating. Her hands working a wondrous spell over his flesh. He pulled her close to him. They were both on their knees, but his fingers frantically rand down she body searching for her thighs to pull her up to straddle his waist. All the while the were both intent on the fact to never let their mouths part. His fingers slipped around her shoulders that were like polished marble. He massaged her there for awhile before pushing the silk garment down. The newly exposed flesh excited all his senses. She smelt like black orchids. "Loki," she purred her lips mashed against his.

"D-dagmar," he breathed her name. He opened his eyes for a second noting how glorious she was. He loved saying her name. Dagmar meant glorious and when he said it he called her as she was. His chapped thin lips smiled as he felt the relentless pressure from Dagmar's thirst pomegranate mouth feverishly kissing him still. He loved Dagmar so. He'd always love he knew. He went to dive back in, but another image flittered across his eyes. It was an image of another. A woman with platinum blonde tresses and skin warm colored like the sand on the beach. A maiden with eyes of liquid gold and mouth a cute pink button. He watched as those lips mouthed that she loved him. He could feel her kiss. Different than Dagmar's. Dagmar's kiss was wine. It intoxicated. Sigyn's kiss was honey, warm, sweet, healing. Dagmar's touch was electric, Sigyn's touch was gentle and full of tenderness. He could hear Sigyn whispering "I don't think she loves you as much as I" Loki jerked and he knew that the reaction was not merely from Lady Dagmar's playful nipping at his bottom lip. Just as the kissing deepened and Dagm herself about to give in to his physical demands, Dagmar felt Loki pull back."Dagmar," Loki panted, his lips stained with her pomegranate lip paint. He dropped his head and his tangled raven locks fell in his face. He sat with hands on his lap looking much like a little boy. "Do you love me?" He inquired his green eyes searching the beautiful enchantress.

"Oh my darling, need you ask?' she declared sweetly still cupping his face. "I love you for all time, by sun and by moon. Till Ragnarok, till sky-fall," she quoted Loki's vow to her the night that they had become one flesh. "I want to love you freely," the young healer began to explain. "Not like this... not when you are kept for me behind gilded bars. But when you do this act of redemption we shall be free and I will be yours. We can run away to Vanaheim, live peacefully and raise our children. That is what I want Loki... for you.. for me... for us," she swore to him leaning her head to his heart. She heard how it pounded like a drum, raced like hummingbird's wings. She kissed the exposed area on his chest. "I want to love you right this time...tell me you want it too."

"I want my throne!" he hissed at her wrapping both of his hands around his porcelain wrist and trying to forcibly shove her off of him, but she held fast on to his garments made of silk.

"A throne! A throne! A throne!" she muttered shaking her head vigorously still clinging to the fabrics of his surcoat. "Is a throne so much to you. You know the power of the Aether! You know the destruction it could cause if it is found here in Asgard. It'll plunge the realms into darkness! And you...you are willing to allow that to happen... if that happens you will have no throne because there will be no one to rule over!" she shouted.

"Then so be it," Loki stated as he raised his pointed nose haughtily into the air.

Dagmar looked up at him her silver eyes trembling with horror. "Are you truly so cold? Are you truly so heartless that you watch millions of innocent lives be destroyed? What has made you this way? So heartless!" the silver eyed noblewomen blurted out.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Loki cackled as he rose to his feet leaving Lady Dagmar's arms a gape.

"Loki, tell me...tell me how your powers returned," Dagmar asked her eyes looking down. Loki continued to walk away. He strode proudly and triumphantly as if a battle had already been won. He walked over to his night stand and leaned heavily on it. His fingers drumming against the wood.

"Leave, Dagmar," he demanded.

The raven-haired healer from Vanahiem pulled herself from the floor. She stood to her feet and looked on him. The way Loki's back was curved made her skin crawl. The arch in his spine allowed er to see the plates in his back, they rippled and rose like the scales and spikes of dragon. She walked toward him. "Whoever has done this has something to do with the Aether?" she surmised. "Don't they?" she asked still approaching him. "Don't they!" she demanded as she gripped Loki by his bony wrist. He turned facing her, devilish smirk on his face. "Loki no! No! You must tell the Odin. This can be stopped," she protested.

Loki flicked his wrist and broke out of the hold she hand on him. He locked her own arms down by her side as she struggled. "I don't want it to stop," he whispered in a cruel tone.

"You want war and violence. You want your home and family to be extinguished?" she barked back. "You are a son of Odin! How can you stand back and watch Asgard fall!"

"I'M NOT A SON OF ODIN!" he hollered in her face.

"Loki, please...please my love listen to me... our child..."

"What child?" He hissed.

"I told you of my pregnancy,"

"You said you miscarried." He started back his tone even and refined.

"I thought I did...I thought I had a still birth, but it was a lie. Olaf lied. The child was born alive...but Olaf...Olaf disposed of it, seeing that the child was Jotun... He sent it away with a midwife..." Lady Dagmar rambled on.

Loki released her wrist. "The child is dead," he spat without feeling.

"How can you say that... what if our baby is alive?" she entreated.

"The babe is dead!" he declared waving his hand. "For no one in their right mind would save a Frost Giant."

"Odin did."

"I care not!"

"You care not? You care not about the babe?" the pomegranate mouthed enchantress asked her thick lips quivering. 'You care not if the child I bore for you is alive or dead?"

"NO!" Loki shouted at her.

The pale skinned daughter of the Prime Minister sniffled. "You are indeed Laufeyson, Loki. You are just like him," she declared nodding with tears in her silver eyes. Loki watched as her imaged faded away.

---

Loki heard the grating sound of the iron door sliding against thick stone as it was budged and pulled back to be opened. Odd. He heard guards barking and shouting out orders and coming his way. Loki hadn't seen any prison guards since he'd faced extraction. He suspected it was partly for his own benefit. He'd been in excruciating pain and nearly outside of his mind in agony, he'd been weak as a kitten and perhaps his family thought to protect him from the wrath of the guards who surely wanted vengeance on the traitorous prince who had drowned the warden in a bucket a slop and driven an entire division of palace soldiers mad. Yes, surely the troops would have been happy to take advantage of the powerless magician screaming, blind and incapacitated with delirium. Loki's eyebrows knitted together , somehow he couldn't fathom that the all-father had kept the guards at bay for the soul fact that he pitied him in his helpless state, no it was for embarrassment he was sure. Surely Odin didn't want anyone to find out about the little Jotun he'd dragged home and at one point named a prince of Asgard. What would the people think? For shame!

Nevertheless, the door to Loki's solitary dungeon was opened and of about 5 guards descended the steps. They were shouting and full of false bravado. It was obvious that they were new to the palace. He could pick up from the twang in their voices that they were young soldiers from the countryside. Sons of wealthy plantation owners who no doubt bought their sons way into position. The palace patrol stomped down the steps, but they weren't alone. The thunky, thumping footfalls of the young castle officers were accompanied by the heavy, trudging steps of the shackled and bound. New prisoners. Unsentenced miscreants, thieves and smugglers debtors and pirate and a few marauders. Typical lowlifes. Once again this proved that the guards were new. They were escorting the new prisoners to holding cells while they awaited their dates in front of the courts. But the holding cells were on the opposite side and there were many pathways through the dungeons through which the guards could have escorted the prisoners without them needing to cross paths with Loki's own holding chamber.

Loki sat in high-backed chair his legs leisurely outstretched before him, while his slippered feet rested on an ottoman, the back of the chair faced the glittering force-field while he faced the wall. The chatter of the guards and the moans of the prisoners was not even of enough interest to the once son of Odin for him to lift his head. He was much more engrossed in the book he was reading a book on Elfin kingdoms involving the split between the Dark and Light Elves.

"Look here, scoundrels!" one of the fresh-faced jailers called as he yanked on the chain that tethered the line of about 15 criminals together. "You should count yourself lucky boys, you get a little treat," he encouraged and the dark-haired mage heard as all the feet came to halt just outside of his reach. "You get to see the creatures cage," the guard jeered. Loki's eyebrow arched with suspicion. This petty palace worker, dare thought he had the right to encourage peasants to stop and stare, point and ridicule their right full king. Loki's eyebrow shifted as a cruel thought played across his mind. He could flambe that out-of-place servant right then and there. He stifled himself and relaxed. No. No, he would wait. He'd wait as the Other had instructed him to he'd wait for the opportune moment to show itself to him. His shoulders squared to their normal, regal posture as his green-eyes found their place again reading across the water-stained parchment pages of his book.

The captives who'd moments earlier just been bellyaching and begging for mercy and trying to bargain and bribe the guards to release them or to put a good word in for them with the members of the council so that their sentences could be milder immediately broke into hoots and hollers with raucous amusement. They may have been marauders and pillagers, gypsies, tramps and thieves, but even they could hold their heads high in the presence of such a base and despicable wretch as Loki. They jeered and hollered hooted and catcalled and threatened. A few even dared to reach their hands out and bang on the glass shield that kept Loki at bay.

"Snake!" One tall a strikingly muscular Viking sailor hissed as a guard pushed him through the dungeon where Loki's sole cell was held. Loki kept his long angular nose buried in his book ignoring the nasty face that was being made by the bound criminal behind his back.

"Swine!" another prisoner hollered. He was short and portly, hair and piggish himself. He snorted and grunted and made all sorts hog calls while his pudgy fist banged on the plasma glace of the magic infused force-field. The rest of the chained me howled with laughter and carried on oinking at the once powerful mage confined to a small glass room. Loki merely licked his fingers and flipped the crinkled parchment page of his book.

"Animal!" a brutish, scraggly bearded man with a tattoo of a bear, ferocious and drooling on his bare back. "Guess the royals treat their pets well, huh?" he egged on the other criminals. "Oooh look the give him a nice bed," he continued pointing at the high posted cot with deep evergreen bed spreads. "They give him a bowl of fresh food," the bearded man elaborated as he pointed to the meager table. It wasn't as if the once prince of Asgard was sitting at banquet, but he at least had a table to have his meals on and he'd been upgraded to receiving a meal a day. "They even give him some nice chew toys boys," the tattooed sailor jested even further looking at the stacks of books piled in high towers in the far edge of the cell. The scraggly Viking kicked the shield wall of Loki's cell. His boot was heavy and it caused the carefully, alphabetically, ordered stacks of books to topple over. The dark-haired prisoner eyes finally flickered from the words on the page, he looked with annoyance down at the mess that the out of place subject had made. "Fetch!" the convict with the bear tattoo across his chest provoked. A mean-spirited smile sliding over his scraggly face. Loki cast a green-eyed glance at the chained pirate where he could not see, but then placed his finger down on the page as he continued his reading.

"Coward," one of the guards finally spoke. Loki's jaw tightened. He bit lip. He allowed the book to fall in his lap while his hands squeezed on the armrests of his armchair until his already pale skin was snow white. The new prisoner looked in on the once mages cell, Loki's features were obscured by the high back of the upholstered green armchair. "You make me sick," he declared before he hocked a thick wad of spit at the plasma glass shield. The nasty saliva lingered on the outside of the shiny glittering force-field and smeared as it slid down the wall. The bound and shackled scoundrels laughed loudly they were may have been terrible men but at least they could hold their head high as to the fact that they were not so deplorable as the creature confined to the stark white cell. "You attacked your own mother, its a waste of space to keep you in this cell wish you would have died during that extraction," the young soldier continued to rant.

"Come on, Ruben," one of the comrades called. "We've got to keep it moving," he encouraged. "We've got to get these prisoners booked," he explained as he put a hand on his friend's shoulder trying to pry him away from glaring in at the fallen son of Odin. "Besides," the tall prison guard with the goatee started, his bushy brown brows dropping as he glared into the white-walled cell. "He's not going anywhere, he'll be here rotting until the end of his days," he announced he snorted as well while hurling his own spittle at the force-field glass of Loki's cell. It was a loud splatter as it slammed against the shield. "Keep it movin'" a guard declared given the riled up jail-bird shove. They had their own accommodations to see. The few guards prodded the prisoners with staffs poking the along.

The dirty new inmates shuffled by the chains on their shackled ankles clanked and jangled loudly. Loki blew out an exasperated breath as he waited for the noise to end so he could continue to read in peace. "Come along, come along," a tall female guard ordered to one of the new prisoners.

Loki gritted his teeth, he squeezed his eyes shut tight as he could trying to block out the voices. He opened his eyes quickly and his green pupils darted anxiously over the pages of his book. He saw not a thing. His breathing grew ragged. He stood up from the chair his eyes shut tight, his severe lips snarling like a rabid dog, and his knuckles balled tight by his side. His powers barely restrained from strangling from turning all those filthy peasants who dare thought they could talk to their king in any kind of way into nothing but scurrying cockroaches. He clenched his hands tighter, his long nails digging into his pale palms keeping his powers from unleashing and strangling them all where they stood. Then he'd turned to guards to stone just for good measure. No. The master mage reminded himself now was not the moment but the moment was drawing nigh, he could feel it, smell it, taste it. Loki's tongue darted out over his lips. His taunt muscles relaxed as he exhaled. He started to lower himself

Loki spun around on his heals ready to freeze the guards and prisoners in their tracks. They could stay a frozen statues for the rest of their days and Loki would toss caution to the wind let the secret out of the bag. His powers were back, thanks to the Other and he was a force to be reckoned with. He growled his eyes glowing, his fingers coiled like sinister talons, his jaw set tight. He spun on his heels expecting to blink his pale eyelids and find the brawny shackled inmates and the tall guards. But they were all paces away from Loki's cell and out of the emerald eyed mages field of view, but someone was staring at him when he turned around. Well someone was a generous term...something was more accurate. Loki decided as he scrutinized the being before his eyes.

It was a strange creature that stared back at him. Loki's eyebrows raised slightly although his visage remained composed. He'd seen a creature such as this before. He it was one of the hybrid races from Musepleheim, a Minotaur. The Minotaur's were a nomadic people and outcasts throughout most of the Nine Realms. They became gypsies, vagabonds and notorious pillagers throughout the Nine Realms. They had a tendency to make night raids in the lowlands of Asgard farm valleys. No doubt this marauder was being brought to justice.

The horned monster did not flinch in the regal prisoner's presence. Loki narrowed his eyes as he examined the new guest to Odin's prison. It had a large head and with great downward curling horns and a burly, muscular, hairy body. But yet something seemed out-of-place. The mane around the creature's head was patchy and uneven and the body, a the hairs were various colors and textures. Loki supposed that a creature such an a Minotaur wouldn't have much regard for personal hygiene; it could have had the mange or fleas or any manner of fungus growing on its massive body to cause its fur to be so uneven and rough looking, but still there was something curious about its appearance. The large and imposing frame of the creature seemed to be surrounded by baggy, sagging skin. The folds in the ceases of his muscles looked like burlap sacks. The ebony haired prisoner's charcoal eyebrows arched with a miniscule twitch. It looked as if the new prisoner was simply wearing a cheaply made masquerade costume. The pale Asgardian skinned prisoner's thin lips slightly pursed and his inky, snake-like brows furrowed with inquiry. He attempted to look the Minotaur in the eye. Despite the fierceness of the Minotaur warriors reputation, they were not a heartless people. They stole and pillaged and plundered, but not without remorse or mercy. The marauding tribes each had a code of honor, a Minotaur warrior swore upon his initiation into the ranks of his brethren that he would never harm the innocent.

Loki looked into the eyes of the Minotaur, he expected to see some tenderness in deep chestnut colored pupils, but he saw none. He sucked in a sharp breath through his nostrils and he gazed into the empty, soulless, black eyes that the beast possessed. It sent a shiver down his spine. Then he heard a harsh, hoarse, deep voice come from the creature although he never saw the lips move. The words were not spoken in Old Norse or even the archaic language of the Norns which was the native language of the Minotaur. The words were uncommon and ancient. The words were in a language long forgotten. Yet the ex-prince could hear some similarities to the words being spoken to that of the dialect of the Light Elves. They had similar root words. Loki was able to interpret the base and eerie mutterings of the daunting figure before him. The horned creature kept muttering the same phrase. "Are you the one I was commissioned to find?" he inquired of the green-eyed man behind the cell. Before Loki could even respond, the ball and chain that were connected the Minotaur's thick ankles were yanked and he was pulled along to follow behind the rest of the to be jailed chain gang.

Loki smiled with fiendish delight. "Let it begin," Loki whispered in the mind of the creature. "I am the one!"

---

The Imperial City was even more wondrous than Jane had imagine. It had the quaint old world charm of Baghdad, the cosmopolitan luster of New York City and the enchantment of Oz. The rainbow bridge ran all the way to the gates of the city. The city was walled and the streets were paved with golden cobblestones. When the watchmen trumpeted for the gates to be opened Prince Thor and Lady Jane were met with marvelous fanfare. The citizens of the Imperial City lined the streets. They were cheering and screaming waving flags and playing tambourines. Above maidens and children leaned over the balconies and showered the couple with flower petals and confetti. Jane was in awe. Thor waved back and greeted the people. For a moment Jane could only gawk at all the smiling faces that seemed elated at their arrival. "Wave," the prince of the realm encouraged as he raised up her elbow so that she showed her hand to the people. Jane fell into rhythm as Thor clicked the reins and signaled for the horses to ride on.

"Is it like this every time you come into the city?' Jane whispered in his ear.

The son of Odin tossed his head back and laughed. "More or less," Thor confessed with a jovial laugh.

They made many stops as they went through the city and at each stop the people flocked to them. Maidens swooned as Prince Thor passed. Children called to him trying to get the strapping prince's attention. Little girls ran up and greeted lady Jane. They stared at her with such fascination, they reached up and touched her hair and stroked her skin. What must Asgardian children thought of a human? She wondered. The girls showered her with gifts, necklaces and crowns made of flowers. As they walked through the market place the merchants constantly presented them with favorable gifts. She received beaded jewelry, vases, bushels of ripe fruits, silk clothes of gold and purple. The vendors gave her samples of their foods. All that she sampled was divine and she was sure she would gain ten downs by the time she walked down the strip. The men and women lined up and bowed to her and kissed her hand.

Thor pointed out many areas of interest to Jane. He took her to the museums of art and history. The buildings were golden domed and made of sparkling limestone. Thor showed her their courts and other palaces that belonged to some of the other mos high-ranking officials in Asgard. He showed her the universities of war, medicine and literature were. The tall bastions of silver and marble seemed to rise as tall as mountains and left the earthly scholar speechless. He showed her the gorgeous University of Mages, where Loki had studied and taught. It was quite a sight to behold made of onyx and sapphires. The whole city was one shiny treasure chest. Thor had even more to point out. He was such a good tour guide. He had fun little anecdotes for almost every place they stopped. Jane couldn't help, but notice that their wasn't a corner of the city that Thor did not share some fond memory of a time with his brother. They went to the Royal Academy, the school Thor attended as a boy. Thor had endless stories to share about the mischief he and Loki made during their childhood. They took in a show at the theater, Thor talked on and on about how Loki loved theater and he always wanted to go to the opera. The show was thrilling. The music got the heart pounding. She had never seen anything like Asgard's pageantry. They had dinner at a swanky upscale tavern where they ate by candlelight on the veranda.

"This day has been amazing!" Jane raved starry-eyed as she came out into the crisp night air of the Asgardian autumn. Thor noticed the slight shiver that ran over her shoulders and he immediately draped his rusty bronze cape over her shoulders. She carefully tucked the shawl warm from the warriors own body heat around her shoulder and murmured a thank you as she breathed in his aroma that lingered on the fabric. It smelt like cinnamon and smoldering cedar logs.

"It's not over yet," He warned her a slightly mischievous look in the way he held his smile. He looked as if he would burst if he didn't reveal the secret soon, He wiggled his golden eyebrows at her before he pulled her toward the carriage. Jane let out a small yelp as she stumbled behind her handsome and strong prince.

"Thor!" She shrieked as she raced behind him. His efforts to get her toward the chariot caused her to to bump and knock over some of the merchants flower pots. "Sorry!" Jane called back with giggle as she continued to chase after her bold and impetuous prince charming. `

"So where are we going?" she finally asked with a sigh of blissful defeat.

"You'll see," the blonde son of the great king teased her. He clicked his tongue and pulled on the reins and at once they were off. All of a sudden the beautiful white stallions sprouted wings and before she knew it they were soaring over the city! The chariot was pulled by six white stallions through a sea of endless stars. The sight was beyond belief. Asgard was astounding. She'd thought that she'd seen all the glitz and glamor of the Imperial City, by foot, but that was nothing compared to this birds eye view of the sparkling city at night. Asgard was a gem. The finally landed at the Observatory that sat on top and orbiting mountain. The walked through the silver doors and Jane felt like a kid in a candy store she didn't know what to look at first. Their were 3 dimensional holograms of stars and suns. Their were ancient star-charts that showed wonders of the universe. But the thing that caught her eye and sent her racing toward it was a giant telescope. She immediately went to it. It was such a powerful instrument. She'd gazed at he stars many times she'd looked at the cosmos through some of the strongest telescopes int the world. She'd even had a brief summer internship where she worked at NASA, but those scopes didn't hold a torch to this one. She looked through the lens and she could see the gases boiling on a far away star. She could see a new star forming in a cluster a swirling dust. There were so many wonders she was able to behold. Jane nearly started hyperventilating as she took in all the sights. "Thor! Thor!" she called keeping her right eye pressed toward the glass lens of the telescope but waving her hand beckoning the prince forward. "You've got to see this," she called.

Prince Thor had been behind Jane the hold time smiling with pride at the fact that he had picked a surprise that seemed to have pleased Jane so. He merely put his hand on Jane's slim shoulder to let the young astrophysicist know he was there. She turned around gazing at him with bright brown. Eyes. She pointed like a little girl so excited that words couldn't form in her smiling mouth. Thor spied through the telescope. Thor looked through and then pointed the Midgardian star-gazer to another amazing sight within the heavens. "Jane look at this," the blonde-haired warrior began he tilted the telescope up and aimed it at a beautiful nebula that swirled with brilliant colors of browns and gold and green. "That's Ygdrasil," Thor whispered in her ear as he sweetly tucked one of her auburn locks behind her ear. He watched with more than a little amusement as her mouth dropped. Jane gazed at the form of Ygdrasil. She had thought that when Thor talked of the Worlds Tree's branches that it had been more physical than a literal body. "The branches are visible every 100 years or so," Thor shrugged. "But seeing them like this is only possible during Convergence," the son of Odin expounded. Jane Continued watching the celestial bodies, she saw several planets drifting closer and closer to the trunk of Ygdrasil. Thor pointed out a few of the planets, but explained how not all nine of the realms would be visible from this angle because some of the realms were beneath them. Jane saw the realm that Thor called Svartalhiem, the Dark-World. All the other realms were so bright and colorful. Alfheim a beautiful bronze, Vanaheim was a mix of green, tan and white, Muspelheim was a fiery red and Jotunheim was crisp arctic blue, but Svartalheim truly lived up to its name. It was dark barren and foreboding. As Jane stared up at the strange realm a horrid feeling came over her.

It was not a feeling she didn't recognize. It was a feeling she'd become all to familiar with. It started out with her feeling as if she was boiling inside her skin, she could feel the perspiration starting to form on her temples, forehead and drip down her back. She felt light-headed and splitting headache took over her skull. She grabbed her head trying to steady herself. It did no she clutched at the telescope to keep herself upright. "Jane! Jane!" Thor called. Jane could hear Thor calling her name, she could feel his big hands firm clasping around her shoulder shaking her mildly, but with some force. For all that she couldn't break her trance.

Her eyes were tinted in dark red and black. She saw strange images, images she didn't understand. These creatures. Creatures with expressionless, white faces and empty hollow black eyes were marching and charging upon the palace of Asgard. There was a strange star ship that descended on the Bifrost. It was a hideous ship, not like the ships that Thor had shown her the Asgardian's had it was grotesque, gothic and completely alien. Then she heard screaming. She heard such awful, bloodcurdling screams and cries. The sobs rose and filled her ears until they were ringing with the wails. "Jane!" Thor called to her forcefully once more taking her by the shoulders and shaking her enough to rouse her. Jane Foster spun around wild and reckless looking at Thor with glass eyes that were tinted nearly black. The dark tint faded like fog clearing over a field at the first glimpses of morning light. The crown prince felt the body of the mortal woman slacken. She collapsed against his chest. "Jane! Jane!" he continued to yell as he gathered her in his arms. He scooped one arm under her legs so that he was able to carry her. Jane blinked as she felt her feet being lifted off the ground.

"Thor," the auburn haired human spoke up... "I'm...I'm alright," she muttered although her head remained leaning heavily against his shoulder and dizziness washed over her.

"No you are not," Thor chided her sternly. "It was the Aether, we must get you to the healers," he protested.

"Thor, it was nothing, I'm fine now" Jane insisted managing to lift her head from the support of his strong solid shoulder. She kicked her legs forcing him to set her feet down on the floor.

'Jane it was hardly nothing, I was calling you and calling you...you were unresponsive, you were trembling and swaying and staring into space. Something has happened. We must get you back to the healers ward," the blonde prince explained sternly.

"Nothing happened!" Jane fibbed frantically her voice came out in a squeak and Thor watched as her face turned bright red with agitation. "Please," Jane muttered back she dropped her head. "I'm sorry I did not mean to shout at you," the mortal maiden apologized. The son of Odin obliged his beau with a simple incline of the head and giving her a small grim with his full lips to show that he had no hard feelings about the matter. "It's over now," she brought her head up and smile at him. Her smile was warm and full of energy, but there was something that lied beneath the surface of her expression. Thor couldn't quite pin it though. "It's over and I feel fine," she sighed as she smoothed down the silk of her Asgardian garments. " Please," Jane begged once more. "I promised your mother that I would help her and a few other maidens prepare for Lady Sigyn's Bridal Shower," Jane explained. She was somewhat relieved she had actually remembered. She'd been having such a wonderful day she almost had completely forgotten about the queen's request. She looked back up and noted Thor's mouth was pursed he was set to speak, but Jane cut him off wagging a finger in his handsome blonde face. "Now it was you who told me I should never break my word to a queen," she reminded him.

Thor could not bear her disappointment. The behemoth of a prince allowed his shoulders to slump. He started to chuckle to himself. The smile underneath his golden mustache becoming more than evident. He wondered what the people of Asgard, what the ranks of the Einherjar and what his own warriors would say if they saw this. Thor the Conqueror lost every battle he faced up against this mortal woman. It was borderline humiliating, but as he brought his bright blue eyes to look into her pleading brown pupils he wonder if their was man alive, mortal, Aesir or of any other race in the nine realms who would do much better?"Fine," the prince huffed. Jane wrapped her arm tight around his arm. "Well let us get you back in the palace for your big night," Thor laughed as they linked arms and strolled from the top floor of the observatory.

"the party will be tomorrow, but your mother wanted us to decorate Sigyn's chamber tonight," Jane explained as she lifted up her skirt and scuttled down the winding staircase of the floating observatory with her arm still linked around Thor's muscular bicep.

"That'll be nice," Thor nodded allowing his calloused bronzed hand to affectionately pat Jane's small olive fingers. Thor started to chuckle to himself. "This is the second time mother has tried to plan a bridal party for Sigyn," the blonde-haired prince informed.

"Really?" Jane asked as she arched a brown eyebrow. "I didn't even know she was engaged!" Jane expressed.

"Yes, I'm sure you'll meet him tomorrow," Thor began, "But she is now due to be wed to a very wealthy plantation own from the country, he started attending court about 200 years ago. His family is fairly new to the gentry class in Asgard but they have many connections in Nornheim," Thor elaborated.

"Well," Jane began as they finally approached the exit, "he sounds like quite a catch!" she winked.

Thor smiled then shrugged. "All I can say is it is about time he asked Lady Sigyn to marry him," he nodded as he escorted Jane into the chariot.

"Have they been courting long?"Jane asked. She was proud of the way she used proper Asgardian vernacular.

"Not exactly, but he is the reason Sigyn isn't married now," The prince continued. "He and lady Sigyn slept together while she was betrothed to another," Thor whispered to Jane.

Jane crinkled her nose with repulsion at the thought. "What? NO!" she gasped. "That can't be true! I couldn't imagine Sigyn would ever be the type to cheat," Jane Foster spoke up for her friend. It had barely been a week, but Jane had become quite fond of Lady Sigyn, she was so sweet and high-spirited warm and gentle-natured. She couldn't imagine a woman like her being unfaithful.

"But it was, Theoic confirmed their tryst"

"Well that doesn't mean it's true, what about Sigyn! What did she have to say about the event? That man could have just been lying on her!" Jane began to balk defensively.

"Well Sigyn didn't deny the incident. Anyway the man she was due to marry was very hasty to annul their betrothal arrangement," Thor explained as he stepped next to Jane on the floor of the chariot. he clicked his tongue and allowed the white stallions to spread their wings as they whinnied and took off into the night sky.

"Just like that! Just like that?" Jane shook her head.

"I mean what would you expect Jane why would a man want to bind himself to a woman who had already proven herself unfaithful before they had said their wedding vows?" Thor asked back surprised that Jane seemed so aghast over the matter.

Jane swallowed. She realized what that must have sounded like in Thor's ear. The fact that she was supporting a man being ok with his wife to be cheating. It wasn't that at all. She was never a supporter of cheating. Donald had cheated on her. She found out more than once. The first time she forgave him. He was one of the only serious relationships that she'd ever had and she had been so fond of him. When he promised he wouldn't do it again she'd so readily believed. She knew how much that hurt when you were faithful and the person you loved was not. She didn't want to give Thor that type of impression. She wasn't that type of woman, but she couldn't believe that Sigyn was that type of woman either. "I'm sorry Thor," she began, "I suppose that person's reaction was completely reasonable, but Sigyn just doesn't seem the type..."

"Yes we were all very surprised," Thor nodded.

"You were surprised?
"Of course, Lady Sigyn was betrothed to Loki," Thor explained. the astrophysicist's eyes went wide. She hadn't expected Thor to say. In that case it made sense why Sigyn would be unfaithful. She bit her lip before she allowed the remark to come out. Although, now completely justifiable in her eyes, she knew Thor would not share her opinion. Still it seemed odd that a Lady-in-waiting would be betrothed to a prince. She she realized she didn't have all the facts, but she didn't wish to inquire more about the matter. They road for a few moments in silence. Thor allowed Jane to take in the splendor of the Imperial City's majestic night skyline. Finally, he broke the silence. He couldn't take silence for very long. He cleared his throat allowing his baritone voice to surface. "Do you like the city?"

"Like it?" Jane questioned back. "I love it! It's incredible!" she raved.

"And you think you could be happy here?" the prince pressed. His voice told her that he was anxious for an immediate reply even though he didn't look at her. Jane paused. She still wore a smile on her face, but her mind tumbled. Could she be happy here? Asgard was like no place on Earth. It was wondrous and mysterious. There was so much to study here. She could keep herself occupied for months at a time researching the properties of the Bifrost. She would be pampered and treated like a princess, there were enough servants in the palace to wait on her every whim. And o course there was Thor. They hadn't spent much time together on Earth. No time that anyone would consider appreciable, but in that week, they'd fallen in love. They'd been kept apart for so long. She longed to spend time with him. To have a real relationship and not a whirlwind romance, but could she truly be happy in Asgard?

For a moment her eyes went wide. What about her research? She'd worked so hard for so long to prove that her theories were reality, now she would be able to prove them, she couldn't just stay on Asgard and let her research die...could she? Could she really get used to living like a queen? She was sure their were many women who would have leaped at the opportunity to become a princess. Jane wasn't sure she was suited for a princess life style. She was simple midwestern girl. She was a scientist, not a Miss America. Being out amongst the people today had been fun and flattering for the moment, but it had also been exhausting. She was sure if she like people bowing and kowtowing to her. She wasn't sure she didn't like it was just all so new, strange and foreign. She wasn't Asgardian and she knew despite the fanfare that she received today that eventually it would become a problem, the people of Asgard were friendly enough to a tourist, but if she became a member of the royal family they would expect a member of the royal family to be one of them to know the history of their people to know represent them before all the realms. There was Earth. Earth was home. She couldn't imagine living the rest of her life and never touching a computer, never going to a McDonald's again, never riding in car. There were still places on Earth she wanted to see. She had always wanted to China. She couldn't imagine never going to the movies or having the chance to sit at home and prop her feet up on the couch and watch a marathon of her favorite specials on Discovery Channel or watch reruns of the Twilight Zone. What about her family? Her mother... she hadn't even said goodbye. Darcy, annoying as Darcy could be sometime she was a faithful friend and had been her only real friend for sometime. They'd never see each other again. Eric. Eric had been there for her and her mother ever since her father died. He'd always been so protective of her. He'd be so worried. She'd be worried about them. But then there was Thor. She cast a side glance at him he was so perfect as his hair fluttered in the wind.

Her tongue responded almost against her will, "Yes, Thor, I could be happy here," she stated just as they arrived at the palace gate.

---

Jane met up with the other women of court who Queen Frigga had asked to help with Lady Sigyn's bridal party. Normally, the bridal party was part of the over all betrothal ceremony, sometimes the betrothal ceremony took place 6 months to years before the wedding and other times it was only a few moths before the wedding. It normally depended upon how wealthy the family was, how much money they intended to put into the wedding ceremony itself. The betrothal ceremony was usually a chance for families to showcase how much the match was worth father's would proudly display the dowries their daughters would leave with and grooms would show would brag about the bride prices they were willing to pay. It was also a time for the couple to pledge themselves to only each other before the actual wedding day. Jane soon found out that Lady Sigyn's family had not been willing to give her a betrothal ceremony a second time around, being that before her father put much money into it, naturally being that she was to marry a son of Odin, but when the betrothal was annulled, Lord An considered the money wasted and he couldn't risk such finances again. he wasn't even willing to five Sigyn the elaborate wedding that she'd always dreamed about. He was just going to higher a simple shaman to give a small ceremony to Sigyn and Theoic in the courtyard of their country estate. It was Queen Frigga who insisted that Lady Sigyn be married in a small private ceremony in the palace chapel. It was also the queen who proposed to throw her lady-in-waiting a proper bridal shower and send her off in style.

Odin's wife had recruited a few of her other close Ladies-in-waiting who were also friendly toward Sigyn. Lady Dagmar and Lady Sif came. Sif looked bored to tears the whole time the women worked decorating the room, but she worked nonetheless without much complaint. Lady Sif was quite handy with sword, lance and bow, but when it came to flower arrangements, hanging lanterns and laying out tapestries, she was all thumbs. It didn't go unnoticed how the other women giggled at her inapt attempts. The Queen of Asgard had managed to convince Sigyn's mother and sister to attend the bridal party. Honestly, neither of them much wanted to a bridal party was supposed to be given for a young woman who was a maid and they didn't want to seem as though they had in anyways supported Sigyn's brazen harlotry during the time she had been engaged to the King's son, but being that it was a royal request to attend they could not deny it. Also in attendance was Lady Sigyn's closes friend Liv.

Soon all the decorating was complete. The chamber looked like a lovely forest of gold, white and silver. They had brought in exotic trees and shrubs to fill the large chamber and they dangled gold and silver chains about the bows and branches. They had set up exquisite candelabra and vases full of flowers bursting with color life and energy. After the women had finished admiring their handy work, the queen allowed some servants to come in a serve them refreshments. The women ate together sitting on velvet and silk cushions while they sipped tea and stuffed their faces with decadent bonbons as they discussed Sigyn's day. In the morning Lady Sigyn's mother and her sister were going to take her to a seamstress to get a fitting for her gown. but they needed to keep Lady Sigyn distracted for much of the day, "Lady Jane you and Sif shall be the B-team, dear" Queen Frigga explained. Jane nodded giving the queen a pleasant smile.

"What?" Sif managed to rail as she slammed her cup of tea back on the table. All the gentlewomen raised an eyebrow to the warrior woman's abrupt display.

"Lady Sif, is something the matter?" the blonde-haired monarch asked calmly as she merely lifted her own teacup to her pursing lips.

"Why. yes! I...I mean no," Lady Sif corrected herself. 'I'm sorry your highness, but I have a training session with the Einherjar tomorrow. I cannot miss it to merely take Lady Sigyn and Lady Jane out to the market place," the female Einherjar insisted.

"I see,"began Queen Frigga, her voice calm but somewhat stern and she narrowed sapphire blue eyes at Lady Sif. it was not like Sif to challenge a royal decree. "Well perhaps then, Jane and Sigyn can accompany you to the training," the royal woman posed.

"i don't think..."

"Nonsense, Sif," The queen interrupted the shield-maiden's protests. "it will be splendid. Sigyn will most definitely feel the need to go with Jane to all her activities. You merely mention that you would like to show Jane how use a sword or bow or something," Frigga waved her hand. "That should take up two hours or so. Enough time for the rest of us to continue to get things set up for the festivities,"

"I surely wouldn't want to impose on anyone. It is just that Lady Sigyn takes her duty to me very seriously and she will stay attached to my hp, I don't want to keep your from your work Lady Sif," Jane explained with a gracious nod. "Lady Sif you need not feel pressured to train me," Jane responded. Truth be told the thought of wielding a weapon held little appeal for Jane. She was a woman of science a woman who liked to gather solutions by non-violent means. "Perhaps Lady Sigyn and I can just come and watch," jane proposed.

"Watch!" Sif scoffed. "Impossible! The training grounds our off-limits to civilians and you are not even a civilian Lady Jane, you are a mortal..." the shield-maiden quickly pointed out.

"Lady Sif," the queen's voice rose to a motherly scold. "that will be quite enough. Lady jane is a guest in the royal household and her viewing a training session would be more than permissible for but a few hours. Just to keep her and Lady Sigyn occupied, besides I'm sure Prince Thor would welcome her presence," The queen added for good measure looking over fondly at her eldest son's beau. She gave a kindly smile to the human in the midst of immortals and gave her a wink.

"That in and of itself is part of the problem," Sif mumbled as she slouched in her seat.

"Beg pardon," the Queen of Asgard stated.

"Nothing. my queen, I am happy to do my part in this matter," Sif conceded with a sigh.

"Marvelous," the radiant sapphire eyed queen beamed. "Well if all matters are settled," she began and then dismissed them.

The women started to scatter, Jane stayed behind and introduced herself to Sigyn's mother and sister. "Hi," Jane said coming up behind Sigyn's relatives. They had just finished thanking the queen for her hospitality and kindness in throwing Sigyn this soiree. Queen Frigga most graciously told them to think nothing of it and that Sigyn was practically a daughter to her. The queen expressed how she would be most saddened to see lady Sigyn depart to the countryside with her husband, but that naturally Sigyn, and her family were welcomed at court. The pair of women turned around in simultaneously. They were both beautiful women Jane noted they all bore a striking family resemblance. Rana was very different in appearance than Sigyn. She was tall and sturdy build with fiery red hair and outstanding blue eyes, but despite the fact that they had different traits their facial features were fairly similar. Both women possessed a golden tone to their skin and hand similar puckering lips. Although Jane noted that Sigyn truly favored her mother. They were both short in stature, busty and blonde with wide-set eyes and long dainty noises, the only true difference in them was eye color. Sigyn's mother had pale blue eyes that contrast greatly with her daughters large gold doubloon pupils. "I'm Jane," the mortal woman began as she stuck out her hand to greet the two nobles. "I'm a friend of Sigyn's" she went on. "I just adore her," she continued smiling pleasantly at the beauties. "She's so sweet," Jane gushed with energetic compliments. "i can't believe she is getting married. I have only known her a short time but she never mentioned she was engaged. I...well anyway...I'm sure you all are quite happy for her," the auburn haired woman of earth concluded.

"Oh we are! We are!" Sigyn's mother exclaimed. 'Honestly happy doesn't even begin to describe how we feel!"

"Relieved!" Rana panted placing her hand to her heart.

"It's so kind of you to say such things about my dear Sigyn" the blonde-haired woman of the house of Arn continued. "Sigyn has always been a sweet girl," the older woman praised.

"Sweet and foolish," Rana, Sigyn sensual, red-headed sister reported rolling her eyes toward her mother. Jane's smile faded as she heard the cruel remark.

"Oh tish-tosh, Rana," Sigyn's mother shooed the buxom red-headed girl at her side. "Let us thank the Fates that that is all in the past," the blonde-haired Asgardian noblewoman replied. "Sigyn will be getting married and our family will no longer have to bear the brunt of her humiliation," Sigyn's mother insisted.

Jane's frown continued to deepen the more she heard Lady Arn talk about her own daughter. She looked around trying to think of away to escape the conversation. Finally she spotted it. Lady Sif was by the door. She was just ending a conversation with Lady Dagmar and she was about to make her exit. Jane seized the opportunity to catch up with a fitful type of nervous laughter."Excuse me, for a moment will you Lady Arn," Jane began. 'I just must go and discuss something with Lady Sif," she explained, but before Sigyn's mother or sister could excuse the mortal woman Jane had already left them. "Lady Sif!" she called out to the dark-haired shield-maiden who was about to depart from the woman's quarters. No doubt the warrior woman had enough of the ladylike gathering. She was ready to go and spar work up a sweat or at least down a pint of mead and frothy grog down at the tavern.

Jane was no simpleton she knew Lady Sif did not much care for her. What she wasn't sure of was why. Ever since that evening when Sif had interrupted her and Thor dancing at the ball it had been more than painfully obvious. She'd brought it up to Lady Sigyn, but Sigyn stated that she Jane had danced with Thor for almost an entire hour and generally the prince was expected to circulate the dance floor with many women. Jane supposed that made sense, but still Sif had practically shoved her off of Thor. It was Sif's fault that she'd had that other outburst with the Aether. The push was hard enough that Aether felt threatened. Jane mentioned it to Thor's companion's Frandal and Volstagg and even the grim face one, Hogun. They all stated for her not to take it personally, they said Sif didn't like any women. They laughed about it. Still, Jane couldn't help, but think that this was far more personal than what they were letting on. Jane noted that Lady Sif didn't keep company with many of the women at court, but she certainly didn't have disdain for every single maiden. She was cordial to most, she was friendly to a select few. Lady Dagmar, Sigyn and a woman who was introduced as her brother's wife. Naturally, she had nothing but the highest regard for the queen. Thor said that Sif was a bit suspicious of strangers, but he was confident that in no time they would be calling each other sisters. Somehow Jane highly doubted that. Still, she'd had enough speculation and second guessing. She'd sought answers from everyone but the source herself.

Jane was soon standing directly behind the warrior woman. She was surprised to see Lady Sif in clothing other than her polished armor. Still her garments were simple, burgundy tunic, black tights, knee-high boots and a crimson sash around her middle that allowed her to carry her daggers. 'You need something Lady Jane?" Sif turned around to ask. her shoulders were held high and so was her head. She was a statuesque woman. Tall and strongly built she was toned and tanned and Jane had to admit despite the smile on her face she was slightly intimidating.

Jane stared up at the tall warrior. She gulped. "Yes...Yes..." she declared clearing her throat. The auburn haired scientist but on a smile. 'I couldn't help, but notice that you didn't seem too excited about our assignment together," she posed.

"i explained to her majesty that i just felt that it was in conflict with my schedule," the dark-haired warrior expressed nonchalantly.

"Well you agreed to help with the event of Sigyn's bridal shower," Jane interjected.

"I did and I have I came and helped set up tonight and believe me Lady Jane it was not a task to my liking. But i did it for Sigyn, because she is a friend and I am glad for her finally to be receiving some justice...and some honor. She is finally going to be a with a man who is truly worthy of her, a man she is worthy or...unlike so many I know," Lady Sif responded with a sarcastic tone. Jane but her lip. For the first time she realized what it was between them. Sif didn't think she was worthy of Thor.

"What are you trying to say, Sif?" Jane asked outright.

The chestnut haired warrior of Asgard bristled. How dare Jane address her so plainly. She was a warrior of Asgard, An Einherjar of highest ranking, she was a woman of court and Jane, a mortal thought to speak to her as if they were equals. They were not. "I've said what I've said Lady Jane," Sif replied back. her tone was calm but somewhat strained. "I didn't mean anything in particular by it," she insisted.

"Well it just seems to me as though..."

"Jane i was going to offer to train you in the ways of weaponry if you'd like," Sif posed as she pulled a sharp dagger from the side of her silky crimson sash and flipped the blade in the air. She caught it flat in her palm. "it seems as if you are going to be staying in Asgard for quite some time," she said a hint of bitterness lingered on her tongue as the words came off it.

Jane shrugged. "Well maybe not as long as you'd think,"

Lady Sif's deep earthy brown eyes opened wide with pleasure. She tried to keep her lips from curling into a full on beam. "Well no matter," she waved her hand now a smile that was pleasant and easy on her face. 'Everyone is Asgard man or woman, serf or noble trains in some form of weaponry. Your time in Asgard would be less than proper if you didn't do the same," Sif remarked kindly. "I would be happy to assist you in learning a weapon of your choice," Sif offered she grinned more sincerely. "It'll be more reasonable for Sigyn to stay by your side while your training if you need tending to versus her being by your side while you simply sit and watch the warriors train," Sif explained cleverly, "Besides I'm sure Prince Thor will be very impressed," Sif added as she wrapped a strong-arm around Jane's delicate frame and gave her a wink.

Jane Foster considered the offer of the shield-maiden for a moment. It did seem plausible. Besides she did want to impress Thor. Thor had done much to change and acclimate to life on earth. He'd even helped her cook breakfast. She suppose in all fairness she needed to make adjustments as well. What if Asgard was to become her home? What if she was to become queen? The people of Asgard would want a queen who upheld traditions and who respected their customs and beliefs. She'd never held a weapon before though, unless one counted her jeep when she kept hitting Thor. She nearly snickered as she pictured his feet flying over his head each time he came in contact with the vehicle. Perhaps, this was Sif's way of apologizing. Perhaps it was a peace-offering. Jane had nothing against Sif, in-fact, she rather liked her. Or at least she admired her. She admired any woman who was strong enough to pursue their own goals despite societal norms. Surely she had done the same. She was a young woman from a small Midwestern town. her own mother was a caterer by trade, but she didn't start heavily pursuing catering until jane's father died. Her mother thought that Jane should be a teacher or if she had to pursue science become a nurse or dentist. The town really needed a god dentist, but when Jane said she wanted to be like her father and be a researcher it was certainly unheard of. There were so few female astrophysicist in the world let alone in a small town in New Mexico. She felt like she and Lady Sif had that in common. Lady Sif gave her hope. Hope that her life...if she were to make a life on Asgard wouldn't just have to be the life of a barefoot and pregnant queen, rather she could still pursue her career. She wanted to be friends. Sif was someone who was important to Thor. Finally, Jane agreed with a nod.

---

Shortly after all the women left the chamber. it was nearly time for supper and all would meet in the great banquet hall for a feast. Jane strolled along with Lady Dagmar and shared about her day with Thor. Dagmar detained them just for a minute as she stopped at her quarters only to change into more formal evening apparel for the supper. "We had such a lovely day," Jane couldn't help but swoon as she said so she stayed in the foyer of Lady Dagmar's chamber while the raven haired enchantress slipped into her dressing room to slip into an elegant flowing dress for dinner.

"Oh yes I can quite imagine." Lady Dagmar called from her walk in closet where she slipped a silver gown over her porcelain body. "What did you do?" the young enchantress inquired.

"What didn't we do!" Jane laughed back heartily. "I think Thor showed me every corner, every nook and cranny of the entire city. We went to the marketplace and to the academy and universities, to the theater..."

"Ooh the theater! I love the theater. Asgard has a splendid opera scene. Loki and I... we used to go to the opera together all the time," Dagmar reminisced with a wide grin.

Jane's eyebrow immediately raised to Dagmar's statement. "What to gauge out people's eyes," Jane murmured under her breath as her eyes dropped and her brown brows knitted together angrily.

Dagmar's plump pomegranate mouth changed from an easy grin that was warm and full of fond memories to a full scowl as she came out of her dressing room. She looked like a lovely angel in her white chiffon evening wear. The sleeves ran long like a train, they nearly touched the floor, but they were made of such delicate lace material that it looked as if she was wearing snowflakes on her sleeves. "Excuse me?" the silver-eyed maiden replied her large starlit eyes looking questioning at the mortal woman in her quarters.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Jane said but her voice was not apologetic at all. She raised her hands as if offering a surrender. "I'm sorry, but it's just while on Earth, Loki I supposed decided to take part in one of his favorite pastimes and visit an opera house in Stuttgart, Germany. While he was there he killed nearly 20 people, gauged man's eye from its socket, entrapped nearly 2000 people in the square demanding that bow to him and he was going to execute a defenseless elderly gentleman, a Holocaust Survivor!" Jane ranted breathlessly, "for not bowing to him," she explained. She finally looked up from her trembling hands, she brought angered eyes to stare Lady Dagmar in her face, which was always pale, but now was simply white with horror. It wasn't the revelation to her all that Loki had done that shocked the Vanir noblewoman so, it was common knowledge now the atrocities that Loki had committed on Midgard, rather it was the vehemence with which Jane spoke of his crimes. "So I'm sorry I just find it all too ironic that you say he loved opera so," Jane chuckled sarcastically. The young astrophysicist began to feel like a heel, perhaps she had spoken too boldly too soon. She didn't even know of Loki's relationship with Dagmar. Thor had mentioned that Dagmar had been Loki's apprentice and that was why she was so confident in his abilities to know how to remove the Aether, but she'd imagined Loki as a strict schoolmaster and an aloof professor. She had certainly had her fair share of those. Brilliant doctors and researchers who demanded much of their tutors without offering much support. "Lady Dagmar, I'm sorry," Jane offered no longer able to stand the awkward silence that had fallen between them. The only sounds in the room were those of the crackling logs on the fire and plopping of sugar cubes into their cups of tea.

The daughter of the prime minster held up a regal ivory hand and silence the auburn haired scientist. "Vanaheim is not always a peaceful realm," she began to explain. "Our king is young, weak and idle," she informed as she stirred her tea. She kept her eyes down cast. Her silver eyes hid beneath porcelain eyelids and long ebony eyelashes. "we have suffered from many civil wars over the centuries," she continued. "It was for that reason that my father began sending me to Asgard, to escape our war-torn country. As I grew older I became more involved in the politics of my realm. I always had political obligations being that my father is the Prime Minister, but it wasn't until sometime later that I took on the active role of being an ambassador. Most of the wars that took place in Vanaheim were carried out by viscounts and marques vying for positions, but one of them had gotten into the king's ear pushing for the king to fund an army for Vanaheim which would have led to much violence and bloodshed, my father tried to talk reason into out king, but he could not seem to dissuade him. The situation was getting desperate. I advised my father to send for a certain silver-tongued diplomat that I knew well in Asgard who I thought would be the only one who could make out king see reason. He did. That Diplomat came to our court. An army prepared to march, but the diplomat brought an opera troupe to the palace to perform before the king before the army march. Many of the courtiers and nobles grumbled about the silly and showy display. They questioned the Asgardian that held back an army merely to enjoy a night of entertainment. The diplomat replied 'If only all battles could be settled as they are in an opera, settled on stage, rather than on the battlefield. If only they could be settled with costume rather than in armor. If only they could be ended with words rather than with sword, then battle would be truly a thing of beauty and not a nightmare to send our children shrieking in their beds at night, but a lullaby by which they could fall asleep,'" Lady Dagmar ended, finally, bringing her bright gray eyes to look into wide brown ones.

Jane touched her hand to her throat, 'That's truly beautiful," she confessed.

The ambassador nodded subtle smirk creeping across her painted lips, "Loki said those words, and the army did not march," Dagmar explained. "I know what you must think of him..." Lady Dagmar began as she stared at the mirror. Her deep colored mouth broke into a small snicker only to keep from having tears roll down her porcelain cheeks. "You think he's a monster,".

"Yes!" Jane barked out immediately, "How can I not? After all I've seen him do!" she protested bitterly.

"He has done monstrous things," Dagmar confessed. "But he was not always so," she reminded herself. "Once he was boy who I played with in the courtyard. He was so shy, so worried about being out shined by his older brother, he was clever and fun, energetic, impish. Once he was youth, where Thor was self-assured Loki was insecure, sly, witty a brilliant scholar who already far advanced his own professors a master mage, a good friend, I could tell him anything then," Dagmar shrugged.

"I didn't realize your knew him so well," Jane remarked quietly.

"Oh yes, once I knew him very well," Dagmar nodded.

"But he's not that person that you and Thor describe anymore!" Jane insisted. "You have to see that look at everything he has done!" she continued.

"I admit, he is different now. He is absolutely terrible," she mumbled shaking her head to blink back the tears that were starting to cloud her eyes, "But I believe one day Asgard's prince will return to them, that Thor's brother will return to him," she nodded finally allowing one small silver tear to trickle down her ivory cheek. His fingers played with a ring upon her finger. She only wore the ring to bed. It was gold and beset with gorgeous blue gems. Queen Frigga had given it to her just as she was supposed to leave after Loki's funeral. It was a ring Loki had tried to give to her long ago and it was only after she'd thought he'd perished she'd been willing to accept it. How foolish of her. "That Loki will return to me," her voice trailed off to be a wistful distant whisper. Jane watched as a silver tear trailed down Dagmar's ivory cheek.

"You...you love him?" Jane inquired softly?
The prime minister's daughter merely offered back a nod as she could not bring herself to speak just yet. Dagmar immediately began swiping the moisture away, she laughed nervously as she tried to distract the scientist's attention away from her display. "Look at this," she motioned with her hands. "You did not intend to hear me jabber on so I am certain," Dagmar explained her pomegranate lips cracking into a watery smile. "You had something you wanted to tell me..." Dagmar prompted.

Jane batted brown eyes before shaking herself to respond. "Yes...Yes I've...I've just been wondering about the properties of the Aether...I just wanted to know besides these surges," Jane expressed shaking her hands as if trying to shake something icky off of her skin. "Are there any other side effects?"

"Mistress Eir and myself have researched the same matter," Dagmar informed. She walked through her chamber disappearing from Jane's sight for a moment. Quick enough she reappeared with an old and weathered looking book in her hand. "I pulled this from Loki's study," she informed secretively. "It seems here," Dagmar began as she opened the book and scrolled through the pages until she landed on the right one. "That the Aether has always been heavily connected to the Dark-Elves, not merely as a power source to help them conquer foes, but as a life force. The leaders of the Elves, particularly their generals," she pointed out, "were heavily connected to the Aether," Dagmar continued to elaborated as she read over the dusty text. "Here," she pointed to a few scribblings, she murmured a few words that were rough and gritty on the tongue. "Well," she started. "Loosely translated, it would say that the Aether calls to them," the silver eyed healer informed. She heard Jane Foster suck in a sharp breath. She turned around and looked at Jane who looked stricken. "This says that the Aether can give visions to the host as the Aether's strength grows. This Was how he Dark-Elves were able to conquer so many of their enemies..." Dagmar began to expound.

"Grows!" the brown-eyed scientist nearly shrieked, "And what happens when it grows beyond what my body can handle?' she pressed.

"Please Lady Jane, this is one of the last stages, you haven't experienced any such visions, have you?" Dagmar asked nearly jovially, with a smile on her face. Jane did not return the expression. Her eyes still were wide and fearful. "Have you?" Dagmar inquired.

"What? Wh-what? No, of course not," the auburn haired Midgardian retorted instantly. She bit her lip afterward. She didn't know why she had lied. She'd never been a liar, but the whole thing just made her so afraid. She didn't want it to be true. She wanted it to be over. This was more than she could handle. 'No, I was just curious, I suppose it is the scientist in me that wanted to know. I hate not knowing all the facts," Jane shrugged and faked a smile.

Lady Dagmar smiled and closed the book. "You may take it if you like," she said passing it to the mortal woman. "Now we better be at once to dinner, it is terribly rude to keep the royal family waiting!" she jested and darted down the hall with Lady Jane on her heels laughing anxiously as thoughts of the terrible vision lingered in the back of her mind

A/N Well you guys you made it. We a drawing to the end of this tale, but it's going out with a bang. Next Chapter the Attack on Asgard!