Emma slumped her back against a stone wall and closed her eyes, catching her breath for a moment. Cold droplets of water ran down on her face and every bare part of her that wasn't covered with her soaked through dress. She stroked her belly to calm down the tiny one who appeared to be hyperactive already. It was no wonder. She had been fighting like a berserker against monster she had never seen before. She had been falling from the heights into her almost certain death, got hooked on a feeling that the giant ravens were going to devour her alive. And finally she had plunged into the cold river for a deep dive. That had actually been the most pleasant of all those experiences. Water was her element.

Once she found the way out of the water, she faced a bunch of fire demons but managed to lure those bastards into the river which worked fatally to them. The coldness and water literally petrified the beasts, turning their fiery, rocky bodies into solid, unmoving stone. In the process she saved a few Asgardian commoners who had been fleeing those beasts.

"Get in the water! The monsters can't follow you there!" She told that same thing to every Asgardian she had met on her way.

It seemed that the demons weren't very smart but even more so dangerous. They roamed aimlessly through the city, just wreaking havoc everywhere. Emma tried to avoid encountering them, because fighting those blazing beasts was just too painful, she got literally burned by their touch. She feared what all this dread and torment was doing to her baby. How much could the little one bear? She couldn't keep risking its life even when she felt herself as a coward, hearing sounds of people battling with the monster somewhere farther away. Without the baby she would have been there fighting, burning and healing.

"Oh, God, please. This is not my fight," she groaned and opened her eyes. Her body was trembling but not because of the coldness. She still loved the cold. "They are Asgardians. They are stronger than I am. They're all like Thor, right? They'll manage."

She lifted her hands, ruefully brooding over the changes of her claws. They weren't of alien ice anymore. The claws were much stronger, undoubtedly due to her exposure to the weird, magical mist in Odin's chambers. How was she supposed to tell Loki that she got an update to her claws while spending some time in his daddy's bed?

Ravens croaked while soaring majestically high above the city. At least they were safe from the monsters, Emma thought. It looked like the birds were observing the fights and devastation the demons left in their wake.

Emma forced herself to move again on barefoot, not even knowing in which point she'd lost her fancy shoes. She bet she was quite a sight, her beautiful green dress dripping wet and torn from the skirt and shoulders, the long sleeves gone up to elbows, her hair plastered down with water. From a princess to a beggar in five minutes in Asgardian style!

Emma tried to get her bearing while wandering the restless streets where alarmed groups of people, seeking refuge, passed her. The palace's high tower peaked behind the roofs in the distance and she headed towards it in the labyrinthine city.

A sudden thunderclap caught her attention and the roar of thunder that followed gave her some kind of idea that Thor had to be somewhere way beyond the palace on the other side of the city. She reasoned that if she would find Thor, she would be safe.

Hasty pace of guards' boots and clanging of their armors drew near and then grew fainter again as the guards passed a crossing street somewhere far ahead, heading into new clashes.

"Let me show you my home. It will be fun. You will be safe there," Emma grumbled on her way, recalling Loki's sweet words to her. "If you're out there in Alfheim sweet-talking with some pretty, pointy-eared elf chicks while I'm here wading in this shit…"

She detected the nasty smell of sulfur and something burned as she made her way cautiously forward. The narrow street ahead led her to a tiny square and she stopped at the sight of bodies lying on the ground, people as well as the beasts. The dead beasts reeked of acrid fumes and she did her best to avoid them. She went to the Asgardians to discover the obvious; they were all death, their faces burned and bodies beaten. One was a guard who had put up a hell of a fight and three just common men. The horrid sight and smell of burned flesh made her moving away, holding a hand on her mouth. There was nothing she could have done for them.

There were two ways to get forward; one upwards with stone stairs between buildings and the second turning right from the square. Getting back on the upper town was her goal and she moved toward the stairs when a small group of frightened citizens rushed down from that direction, screaming. And she saw the reason why; two monsters were chasing them. Emma didn't really think, she just wanted to get away. When she noticed the fallen guard's spear on the ground, she lifted it. It seemed to be enough for the other demon to take interest on her. It left the chasing to its teammate and focused on Emma.

"Oh, fuck!" Emma grunted, glaring at the beast and holding the spear that felt too heavy for her to use. She needed to drop it and run!

"Mommy!"

It was a chilling cry of a child that came from streets beyond the stairs and it froze Emma's blood. As if it would have been the voice of the child of her own, it worked like a spark, hitting in to her very core, bringing out her darkest, most primal senses. The spear dropped from her hands when her claws burst out and she leaped at the approaching fire demon with a rage of a mother beast defending its children. When the chasing demon saw how its companion got butchered by her, it turned and launched its attack at Emma only ending being decapitated before its fiery arm reached her.

Roaring and her fists burning, Emma rushed up the stairs hell-bend on getting to the child before the beasts would. She fought her way through the streets, one, two, three beasts falling at her blades as if those would have been only the silly snowmen she used for her practices back home. As she reached another square that served as a small market place, she took down four more beasts that had already slain several people there.

Her animal senses picked up two little children that were hiding in a tiny nook under a stone table. It wasn't much of a hiding place and it was a wonder the demons hadn't yet find them.

Breathing heavily she approached the corner and a stony table that held a luxury spread of silver and golden trinkets, ornamental lanterns and things she assumed were toys. Two little red-haired heads peeked behind the table at her and she stopped, only then registering the fading warmth in her hands.

A little girl and a boy stared at her wide-eyed. Emma pulled in her claws to not scare them. "It's okay," she whispered to the kids and took in her surroundings, sounds of distant battling echoing from the buildings.

The freckled-faced girl pulled herself out from her hiding place. Her gaze swept over the battlefield behind Emma and returned then at Emma's eyes. "Are you a Valkyrie?" she asked, bewildered.

Emma took a long breath before she said, "No, but I'm here to help you." She was afraid to ask it, after seeing the slain people on the ground, but she needed to ask; "Where is your mommy?"

The boy looked at his sister and then at Emma a bit worried. "Mother thinks we are at school. Please, do not tell her that we were here. She would be very upset," the boy begged.

You've got to love kids, Emma thought, relieved that they hadn't seen their parent being killed. She smiled. "You have my word."

She sensed that they were not alone and her doubt was confirmed when she noticed some fire demons climbing down the walls of the surrounding buildings. They had spotted her and the children.

Emma lifted her hand at the kids and whispered; "You must stay there! Don't make a sound! And don't watch!" The kids complied with her orders, returning under the table for cover.

Emma took a look around her and saw the black creatures descending to the ground. They were grunting and roaring as thought calling for their buddies. She didn't like their low, fiendish voices. At first she counted eight, but the number doubled quickly as more of them kept coming.

"There are too many of them," she whispered to herself hopelessly and placed her hands on her belly. The tiny one was moving. Tears streamed freely from her eyes because she knew that this time she was going to burn badly and the baby could die. She could die. There were just too many of them.

Emma glanced at the kids. She was the only thing between them and the monsters, and she couldn't just run away. She turned at the approaching demons, giving herself a hard slap on the face that really stung, mustering up her most bestial side. And once her beast was allowed to come out, it came surging and with pleasure.

With a battle cry of a mad banshee, she thrust her claws out once more, drawing strength from the pain, and dashed forward with a hope of taking down as many as she could.

As though becoming invulnerable to the demons' blazing damage, the fiery heat only faintly burned her fists as she sunk her claws into the nearest creature. On that instant its rocky body turned into dark ash and its remains slipped through her claws like sand in the wind.

Emma leaped forward to face another. Like being blast out of her way, the first wave of the demons burst into dust. None of the second ones got even near her as they were dropping on the ground one by one around her. She roared in confusion and noticed the glowing metal arrows sticking from their death bodies.

Then another blast came and the rest of the creatures fell around her as though they had been exploded into clouds of black powder. She came to a halt and swiveled around to gaze at the fallen beasts and the piles of ash some of them had become, her claws ready for a strike. The thin powdery ash in the air took the form of serpents before slowly disappearing in the wind.

"Emma!"

Loki's voice echoed on the market square and she turned towards the voice, seeing him running to her and leaving behind a group of strange looking archers and Asgardian guards. He looked fierce like emerging straight from the heart of a battle, like a king in head of his army. The sight of him coming to save her from the monstrous suicidal attempt, made her trembling knees nearly giving in.

Loki! He was here. She didn't have to be strong anymore. Her claws retracted when the wind brought his scent to her over the sulfuric stench of the dead demons.

Loki stopped and lifted his eyes up, seeing a few more of the demons lurking on the roofs of the buildings, moving on their way to descend. The elven archers aimed their bows at the creatures.

"Infernirs, stop!" Loki shouted his voice full of order as he spoke to the remaining creatures. "You are the last ones here! Yield now! Or fall before me!"

The monsters stopped at Loki's voice, watched him a few seconds, but heeded no warnings. They jumped down from the roofs, aiming to attack anyone they could.

Emma saw how Loki raised his hands and it looked like he'd have drawn energy, magic or whatever it was from his surroundings and then released it towards the leaping demons, obliterating them before the elves' arrows pierced them. The fire demons were turned into ash that rained down lightly, and on that falling cloud appeared a silhouette of a horned god of mischief.

Was it magic that Emma felt floating around her when Loki hurried to her? Maybe she felt the power he had borrowed returning. She wasn't sure, but it felt strange and powerful as though Asgard would have sighed. For a moment she thought she saw Loki wearing his golden horns but then her delusion fated.

Loki ran to her and she trudged to him, and she could barely stand when his arms wrapped around her. He whispered her name as he closed her in his embrace. He was here and she couldn't hold back her tears. She cried for relief, feeling his body against hers, his protective arms holding her tight and his scent lulling her feral side. She cried bitterly for all her struggles, for the death and destructions she had seen and the hopelessness she'd felt alone. But he was here now.

"It is over. I have you now, my love. I have you," Loki whispered calmingly against her wet hair, but his heart was about to burst after seeing her being surrounded by those vicious beasts.

His hands were still shaking with a tingling of pins and needles. So forcefully he channeled his magic through his hands to obliterate the fire demons with his energy blasts. He wasn't even sure what had happened during his last blasts. Those had been so strong that his magic fully destroyed the demons as though he'd been controlling the Odinforce.

Feeling his hand cupping the back of her head and his arms cradling her, Emma clutched on to him and never wanted to let go. She just held him and heard Loki speaking with a strange language to the elves. He ordered them to spread around seeking survivors and dealing with the rest of the creatures (if there were any left). The elves went on their way with Einherjars, only a couple of Asgard's guards remained with Loki to secure the place.

Emma hardly registered it as her wet and cold dress turned into warmer and dry as Loki subtly worked his magic. Her sobs slowly softened but she still trembled. She felt his hand caressing her head before his palm moved to her cheek and gently lifted her face to meet his.

His wide eyes were brimming with genuine shock as he held her gaze and his lips tried to form a smile unsuccessfully. "Emma, my dearest," he began, his soft voice shivering, his thumb stroking her cheek. "Why…? What sort of madness drove you out here? I told you to stay with Frigga."

She stared into his eyes where she usually find comfort and gave him a pained smile. "I did! It wasn't up to me to leave," she said with difficulty. She placed her hand over his on her face. "Loki, don't ever leave me here alone again!"

"Never like this, I swear." With concern he slid his other hand on her belly and to his great relief felt the baby's life force, lively and vigorous. A sigh escaped his mouth. "It is by a miracle you survived out here and you are both uninjured."

He had no idea! Emma thought, but had neither vim nor vigor to pour her heart out to him. She swallowed, finally glancing around them. "There are people who need help! And Frigga! The monsters…!"

Loki placed his hands on her arms firmly as if emphasizing his words. "The monsters are gone now. Frigga is safe. And there are people helping the others."

He stared down at her bare arms and the remains of the burned up sleeves, being only able to imagine what she had suffered.

Emma turned her head towards the corner of the market square where she left the kids hiding. She noticed the guards going through the place looking for survivors. She released herself from Loki's hold and hurried at the corner. When the kids peered under the table at her, her eyes burned with tears again but she forced a smile.

"It's fine. Come! You are safe now," she said through her tears, offering her hand, and the girl and boy scampered to her.

Loki followed Emma but stopped as he saw the children coming out from their hiding place. As he glanced around him, he noticed that there were a few more children crawling or squeezing out from shadows of the surrounding buildings that had provided them a place to hide from the creatures.

"Let's go finding your mother," Emma said gently to the kids.

Loki stared at her as she clasped hands with the small, red-haired boy and girl and guided them towards him. On that moment he realized the price of the sacrifice she would have made only to keep those Asgardian children alive. He knew her life story too well. He knew she would have rather died than let the children fall prey of those beasts. She shouldn't have ever made that call, not when carrying his child. The notion saddened him even he realized he should have been proud of her as any Asgardian would have, but he wasn't an Asgardian, not by birth anyway.

Emma blessed him with a subtle smile as she returned to him with the children, holding their hands. She looked him in the eye as she said "You saved us, Loki." She glanced around at the four more kids that were coming at them too. "All of us."

Loki breathed deeply, not feeling like a hero. He had betrayed his old friend, led a foreign army on the Asgard's soil without Allfather's blessing and fought his way to her through inferno. When his paths were in flames, he kept pushing forward to get to her, driven by pure rage and worry for her. The fiery chaos around him couldn't cloud his mind. He fought against the monsters with magic, steel and commanding his group. All that time he feared there was no hope for her to survive when even Asgardians were falling in the hands of the fire demons. But there she stood now, seeming calm for the sake of the children, staring at him with her big blue eyes in so disarming way that he would have given up a kingdom for her.

… …

Their quiet march across the city was not the way Loki had imagined to introduce his kingdom to Emma. He had hundreds of tales to tell about the bridges, beautiful buildings and gardens they passed, but they walked like mutes, wordless by the death and ruin that had befallen around them. Thankfully Asgard was secured and the threat finally defeated.

Heads turned at their direction as the god of mischief led the elite elf archers to the citadel, carrying two little children like a father. Again he glanced at Emma who walked by his side, wishing she would have let him carry her instead. As if being obsessed, she had demanded him that they would return every child to their parents or living relatives, and so they did. There were only the two red-haired children left he was carrying that hadn't yet found their parents. However Loki knew who they belonged to.

When they reached the magnificent hall of Asgard it seemed Loki was the last from Thor's inner circle that arrived there. Everyone else was already there reporting of the casualties and damages; Thor, lady Sif, warriors Three and the two groups of elves Hogun and Volstagg had been leading, not to mention guards, members of court and majority of citizens.

Loki ignored the people who fell silent on the sight of him while marching to his brother. "Ragnarök is canceled," he stated modestly.

Loki stopped and squatted down, letting the kids go when the little ones noticed their parents. With a modest smile, Loki watched as the red-haired boy and girl ran at their visibly relieved mother and father. The father happened to be Volstagg himself.

Flabbergasted Volstagg lifted his tiny girl in his bearish arms and held as if never going to let go, whispering his endearings to her and the boy. "Oh, my little Pumpkins! We were so worried…" In the middle of all his fussing with his kids, he looked into Loki's eyes with a nod of grave gratitude. Never in his life had Volstagg known he would one day owe his greatest debt to Loki.

Loki nodded back at him and turned his face at Emma who watched at the children in a moved manner and yet in a way that showed she found her inner peace in that moment. Loki was most certain she didn't even pay attention to the magnificent hall of Asgard they had set foot on which was dozen times greater than the throne room. He could only guess, but maybe with returning those lost children to their parents, the tormented part of her soul also found finally a way home.

"Brother!" Thor clasped a hand on Loki's shoulder and there was astonished approval in his eyes. "Hogun told me what you did in Alfheim. Only you could have tricked Valkor telling the truth and so you did. I know not all approve your decision to lead elven army to Asgard but I say it was wise of you. You saved many Asgardian lives today. Father will be proud of you."

Loki dropped his gaze. "We will see about that."

His old self would have been athirst of all the praising there was to offer, but now Loki simply kept his charmingly calm poise and turned at the general Fayreil to thank him.

Emma focused on Loki when he and Thor spoke with the elves. She assumed they were thanking the elves for the aid. She couldn't understand a thing of the elven language they were speaking but she watched them curiously. Then all of a sudden Thor raised his voice. Apparently thunder god was angry for some reason and next to him Loki looked like a kitty-cat, clearly trying to calm things out between the others.

Loki spoke to his brother in quite voice. "Thor, I saw it with my own eyes. Valkor is mad. What he did… I am sure he didn't fully understand the true outcome of his actions. For mercy's sake, please, we should leave him to his own people."

"Did you not see what he has done to Asgard?" Thor asked angrily.

Loki looked at him in a sad and pleading way. "No any less that was done to Jotunheim six moons ago," he reminded as if taking all the blame.

That's when Thor stared at Loki, realizing how deeply this matter affected his brother. He turned back at the elven general. "These portals. I want to ensure this will never happen again," Thor demanded.

Before Fayreil answered, Loki glanced at Emma and said, "I believe Allfather is the only person who can settle this matter rightfully with Alfheim. I thank you, general Fayreil, for your most generous succor in our time of need. Now, if any of you do not mind I would like to give my soon to be wife my full attention. She fought against the beasts with her bare hands and surely you agree that she deserves a little rest."

"Of course," Fayreil said formally, casting a quick, curious look at Emma. "Impressive creature. What is she? Surely not a Kree?"

"A Midgardian," Loki replied.

"Oh! It seems mortals' evolution has developed for better," Fayreil stated and spoke to Loki then. "Your Grace, you are always welcome to Falligar. I am sure that when Princess Nithi takes the throne Falligar will flourish once more."

Emma assumed by their glances that they were talking about her. An outsider, that's what Emma felt like when she finally paid attention to her surroundings and the Asgardians around her. Inside of that huge hall were people from all Asgard's social classes, from plain commoners to highest nobles and soldiers. Wounded were being treated in once section of the hall and in another people stood in line for reporting casualties and damages to the officers.

Emma recognized Thor's friends and a few faces of the court members she had seen earlier on that morning. It was hard not to notice how people kept eyeing at Loki, some clearly not liking him and others with slight admiration. She could feel their eyes upon her too, especially when Loki returned to her and took her hand to his.

Loki left his brother to deal the rest with the elves who were soon about to leave anyway. Taking Emma's hand on his arm, he watched her a while as if she was the only thing in the world that needed his attention.

"What's going on?" Emma asked.

"Just come along with me, my love," Loki said and walked her out of the huge hall.

When they crossed the bridge between the Hall of Asgard and the palace Loki spoke to her quietly, glancing over his shoulder. "There are secret pathways out of Asgard to other realms. We don't have to go pass Heimdall to leave here. I am afraid we cannot reach Midgard right away, but just say the word and I shall take you anywhere you desire to go."

Puzzled, Emma stared at him as they kept walking. That's when she took notice that they were not followed by their guards. "Why would you want to leave?"

Loki looked at her and then at the two flying boats that were parked close to the palace's yard they were approaching. "You said it yourself; you don't want to stay here. Last night you wanted to leave and I should have listened to you. Odin will never let you leave. This is our only chance and there is not much time."

Emma saw the boats and stopped walking. Her frown was the first to question him. "Are you… crazy?" she asked whispering. Some people passed by and she waited as long as they were gone. She took his both hands on hers and stepped closer to him. "Are you in trouble? Oh, my god! Please, tell me you had nothing to do with those monsters …?"

Loki gave her a pained look and squeezed her hands. "Heavens no!" he whispered. "I would never put you in risk. I could not destroy Asgard. I only wanted that you are safe and I failed because I brought you here. I had no idea what was going to happen today…" He breathed. "If you want to leave, now is our chance. Please, get on the boat. I can take you to somewhere by an ocean. I can take you to Vanaheim. It is safe enough to begin with and from there we can go…"

Emma lifted her hand on his face, her thumb on his lips to stop him. "You would really take me away from here if I'd say so?" she asked in a quiet voice and after seeing his affirmative expression she continued. "We are not allowed to leave. What would happen to you if we'd get caught?"

He smiled a bit, uneasily. "We better not get caught."

His idea was exciting, setting her imagination flying wildly. Emma glanced at the boats and heaved a sigh, caressing his cheek. "Loki, I'm safe when I'm with you. Right now there is only one place I want to be."

"Just name it."

… …

Emma watched at the dark horizon where water and sky united in a way it was impossible to tell when one ended and another began. She stood in silence and felt Loki's big hand holding hers. The night was cold but she hardly felt it, a warm shawl wrapped around her shoulders. They could have chosen to be anywhere else in the universe on that night but they stood on the shore of the Asgardian sea, watching at the numbers of funeral boats floating on the dark waves towards the end of the realm. It was hauntingly quiet around them even there were probably half of the Asgard's citizens gathered on the seaside bidding farewells to their lost friends and relatives.

This was what Emma had decided. She would have loved to take a chance and run away with Loki to see other realms, but the risk of getting caught felt too heavy for her. After the chaos, it would have looked very bad and suspicious if Loki had just fled from Asgard. Loki would have ended up into the dungeon for sure and as Odin had said, she would have followed Loki there. Besides Emma had wanted to make sure Frigga was all right even it led her receiving some serious scolding from the queen.

"Do not ever dare to defy my orders again! I told you to stay back," Frigga told Emma firmly and looked at her as if Emma had deserved a punishment after the stunt she'd pulled fighting with the monsters and falling from the tower.

Emma nearly burst into tears. "You're Loki's mother. I couldn't just let you die," she said in defending herself.

Fighting her own tears, Frigga closed the girl in her motherly embrace. "Foolish girl," she whispered. "You are the mother of Loki's child. If he loses you, I will lose him."

It had been difficult for Loki to understand Emma's decision to stay, but after hearing what had truly happened in Odin's chambers he couldn't be any more relieved that both women were alive. He wouldn't have coped with the idea of loosing either of them. Only after then he grasped the magnitude of the fact that Emma had saved Frigga's life and probably Odin's too.

When Odin finally awakened later at that evening, Asgard had prevailed, but there were funerals to attend to. Loki kept avoiding Allfather and they hardly spoke before the funeral formalities.

When the funeral boats were set on fire by the burning arrows, Emma's chest ached. She felt obliged to watch as the burning boats finally reached the end of the sea. With a gentle tap of his spear Odin freed the souls of the fallen Asgardians of their corporeal vessels. Their souls, spirits or whatever entities they were now rose up in a form of sparkling mists and traveled to the stars above, passing into the afterlife. Even in death, the Asgardians obeyed their king. The still flaming boats fell silently into the abyss.

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat and felt how Loki's grip tightened on her hand. She turned at him and noticed then how people sent several bright and round items she had assumed to be lanterns up at the sky. They looked like magical, glowing balls, illuminating the dark sky as they ascended higher.

Loki leaned closer to her. "Soul orbs," he explained whispering. "Asgardians believes that a soul orb guides the soul of the dead into the afterlife."

The dark shadows played on his face as Emma lowered her gaze to meet his. "There is something after this life then?" she asked quietly and he nodded, wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Why is no one crying?"

"They leave the souls to do the passing in peace. They believe that if they cry for their love ones, the souls might stay to comfort the mourners."

Emma bit her lips together and leaned onto him, watching the soul orbs dancing higher and higher on the black sky. Sadly she pondered that she probably doomed every soul of her love ones remaining to comfort her because she didn't deal well with the idea of them dying.

She felt a small yank on her shawl and turned her face to see the little red-haired girl next to her. The very same they saved earlier. Emma's confused gaze was answered with an innocent smile.

The girl was holding a pale pink flower that resembled a water lily with both hands and offering it to Emma.

Emma smiled a bit. "Um… for me?"

The girl nodded, gave the flower to Emma and dropped a small curtsy.

"Thank you. It is very beautiful," Emma said quietly. She glanced at Loki who received a similar flower from the girl's brother and it seemed to strike him speechless.

"Thank you for saving us, Prince Loki," the boy said and then glanced at Emma, nodding like a tiny gentleman. "Fierce Lady," he acknowledged her too and then left with his sister and returned to their parents who stood further away.

Loki stared down at the flower on his hands, realizing the symbolism of the small token. It was not just a way to say thank you, but…

He was bewildered as he noticed another flower with pale pink petals floating on the calm surface of the water near him. There wasn't just one. He saw that the dark water in shoreline looked like it had begun blooming as there silently floated dozens of flowers like stars on the night sky. Amazed he stared at the sea of flowers and his gaze wandered to the people on the shore. Many of them nodded subtly at him and Loki could only hold the flower on his hands.

"Surely they are not…um… I don't understand," Loki whispered, so very confused.

"They are welcoming you back, Loki, as their rightful prince and protector of Asgard," Frigga said quietly, speaking into words this unusual occurrence. "Vatnalilja represents new life and rising again. You saved their lives."

Loki stared at Allfather then as if seeking his confirmation. Allfather exuded his old power again and looked thoughtful. "Perhaps this is not the best possible timing to express their thoughts but I assume Asgardians has spoken," Odin said and sifted his gaze at Loki. "And we will speak later, my son. There is much to discuss."

Thor smiled, motioning towards the flowers Loki and Emma was holding. "You are supposed to lay them on the water with the rest of them," he advised.

Emma watched Loki as he looked adorably lost with words. She knew then that they had made the right decision to stay in Asgard and not to flee.

Loki turned at her and his eyes were gentle. "It seems you are welcome too," he said softly.

He offered her his hand and she took it. Together they kneeled on the waterline, laid the flowers on the water and let gentle waves carry them. As they followed the blooming sea, the shape of the flowers returned Loki's thoughts back to Alfheim under the crystal ceiling of the dining room. He remembered his conversation with Valkor, his doubts that had led him to discover the truth about Valkor's plans. He pondered what could have happened if he hadn't cared of his old friend's odd behavior. He would have never find out about the attack in time. He would have never reach Emma in time to save her from the fire demons. The thought tightened his throat like am acid lump. What if something like that would happen again and he wouldn't be there for her? He knew they had made the wrong decision to stay. Maybe somewhere else he could have been able to protect her better without his responsibilities. Then the flow of his thoughts stopped with a troubling notion and he turned to watch her sorrowfully. Or maybe it was because of him that Emma kept getting hurt.

… …

After Odin's speeches and ceremonial rites, the royal family gathered in the palace's dining hall with court and friends to honor the passed and quietly celebrate the victory over the fire demons. It was already late at night but the long tables were set abundantly with food like in small banquet. Candles and fire holders lit the large chamber where people ate and drank as though trying to forget the unfortunate events.

No matter how taxing the day had been, Loki had no appetite. A servant keenly refilled his wine goblet but Loki had no desire to drink more. It felt like this would be his last supper. He sat rigidly at the royal table with his family and contemplated Emma who was allowed to participate in the formal meal. It was a big gesture from Odin to acknowledge her, however she was seated at the closest large table among lady Sif, warriors three, Volstagg's family and some court members. She looked beautiful, dressed in a long dark blue evening dress. To Loki she was like a serpent that shed her skin, recovering from almost anything, but it was never going to erase the pain she had suffered.

Every time Loki's gaze met with hers, Emma smiled to him endearingly even she hardly felt comfortable in her surroundings. Loki took note how Volstagg's smallest children had taken like to Emma and surrounded her with questions. Her vivid expressions made Loki smile as she talked to the kids. Especially when the little boy took her hand on his to study it thoroughly, probably trying to figure out how her claws worked. It pleased him to see that the presence of the children saved Emma from the vulturing Asgardians such as lady Thyra who casted glances at Emma from the other table.

Loki knew he should have been happy for finally having Emma in his life, but his contentment was clouded by that haunting image of Emma being surrounding by the fire demons and fighting for her life. He couldn't get it out of his mind, or her genuine concern for Frigga. Emma had been awfully worried for his adoptive mother's wellbeing, but for his shame, he failed to allow Emma a chance to say proper farewells to her own mother.

With a long sigh Loki dropped his gaze, being sick of watching the people feasting as if nothing bad would have happened. Were Asgardians so used to death and destruction that they rather stuffed themselves with treats than mourn the loss of their fellow men. In the corner of his eyes he noticed as Odin rose from the table and he turned towards the Allfather who told the people to carry on feasting.

Odin looked at his younger son, his expression indecipherable. "Whenever you are ready, son," Allfather said, referring to that talk they were meant to have, and left the table.

It wasn't unusual that Allfather sometimes sough some private time and left the banquet to gaze into the universe as though trying to foresee the next upcoming threat.

Was now the time, Loki pondered and followed Allfather with his gaze as Odin made his way across the dining hall to the open balcony. When Odin wanted a private talk, the matters were always difficult. Loki sat a while, collecting his wandering thoughts. He felt a gentle hand on his hand and met Frigga's encouraging smile. She didn't have to say a word. Her eyes spoke on her behalf, telling him to speak with Odin.

Loki rose calmly and first ambled to Emma who sat at the long, boat-shaped table. His guards trailed behind him like shadows. Loki felt people's stares following him too. Mostly he felt Emma's gentle eyes on him as he came to her and touched her shoulder.

Loki gave her an uncertain smile as she placed her hand over his, her fingers caressing the back of his palm. "I am confronting Odin now. Wish me luck," he said and stroked her softly.

Feeling a bit worried to hear that, Emma got up from the bench and gave him a hug. "Good luck, honey. I hope all goes well," she whispered, not giving a damn as people stared at them openly. She looked at him in the eye then, seeing that he was greatly troubled even he tried to hide it. "Do you want me to come along?"

"This one I must do alone," Loki said determinately and straightened himself while letting go of her. His gaze swept over the people at the table, not expecting to get any wished for good luck from warriors three or Sif.

Loki was about to leave when Volstagg cleared his throat. "Loki," he began and glanced at his kids before lifting his eyes back at Loki. "I wish it goes favorably for you with Odin."

Loki stared at the man, surprised to hear him saying that.

Fandral raised his goblet with a smile. "You did well today, Loki. Let's hope Allfather agrees."

"Today you proved you are a warrior," Hogun said with a small bow of head. "May luck be in your favor."

Loki was left wordless by their sincere wishes. After all this time it felt as though they would have been his friends.

Everyone turned at lady Sif like waiting for her to say something. Sif rolled her eyes and looked at Loki then. "Break a leg!"

Loki snorted with a small smile. "Thank you, my friends."

As he was about to carry on, he felt a big hand on his shoulder. "Good luck, Brother!" Thor said behind him.

Loki glanced over Thor with a nod and went on to meet Allfather who already stood on the far end balcony. On his way Loki looked at the golden city below that reached all the way to the sea and appeared to glow against the dark silhouette of the mountains. Darkness of the night mercifully concealed the damage done to their streets and buildings, and everything appeared as same as always. Still Loki knew nothing was same anymore. Even he had become different somehow.

Emma sat back on the bench and watched Loki go, feeling uneasy for him. He seemed so unusually reticent to her that she feared this was the moment when Odin was going to decide his fate and perhaps hers too. She was surprised in a good way how these people treated him with more respect now, but wasn't sure if that was a good sign in the current situation.

Thor captured her attention then as the thunder god placed his hammer on the end of their table, grabbed the little red-haired girl, named Hilde on his lap from the bench and sat next to Emma.

"Look what I got. What is this? Is this a little pixie I got?" Thor jested with Volstagg's girl and got her giggling.

"No!" Hilde laughed delightfully.

"A tiny troll then?" Thor guessed, lowering his voice.

"No! It is me, Hilde!" the girl giggled and got Emma smiling too.

Thor looked surprised. "Oh, so you are! You have grown. You are soon as big as your father," he said playfully and glanced at Emma. "And I see you and Rolfe have a new friend here."

Hilde beamed at Emma. "Her name is Emma," she said, excited, and then whispered to Thor not so quietly. "I don't think she is a mortal at all, I think she is a Valkyrie."

"Really? What makes you think so?" Thor carried on, amused.

"She fights like a berserker!" Rolfe, the girl's brother who sat at Emma's other side, replied.

Hilde added, "And she can fly. I saw her black wings when she flew over the city today."

Thor grimace at Emma. "You can grow wings too?"

Emma shook her head with an uneasy smile as heads turned at her direction. "I'm afraid that's not true. I can't fly."

"See, I told you. Mortals do not fly," Volstagg told to his kids. He sighed apologetically and grabbed his cup, letting out a good-natured laugh. "Please forgive my children for being so curious of you. You are their first mortal and their imagination is running wild," he said to Emma across the table and took a gulp of mead.

"It's fine," Emma reassured, enjoying the little ones' company more than the adults'. Some people stared at her as if she'd been a freak but she did her best to ignore their gazes. Then there were people who ignored her and that was fine with her. The kids however were simply delighted to be around her. She had saved them after all.

"I said I can't fly. I was more of gliding down. Those wings weren't mine. Odin's ravens helped me out because I fell from that high tower after a fire demon pulled me down," Emma explained in a quiet voice to the kids.

Fandral overheard her and toasted with his cup merrily. "Well, Volstagg, it seems you have a challenger what comes to battling and storytelling. How refreshing to hear a bard of the fairer gender. My dear lady, please carry on!" he encouraged her playfully and Emma was baffled by the attention.

"So, that's how you ended up on the upper town?" Thor asked with a mighty frown. "It was lucky for you that Mother managed to sent the ravens after you in time."

Emma shuddered. "Yeah."

"I want to fly with the ravens too!" Hilde yelped.

"Me too!" Rolfe joined in.

"You want to fly?" Thor asked, amused. "How about I give you a ride with Mjölnir sometimes?"

"Would you?"

"No!" Volstagg objected loudly. "You would absolutely not do such a thing!"

The kids and Thor all groaned, disappointed. Little Hilde ran back to her mother who sat at the other side of the table.

Lady Sif gazed a long while at Thor who jested with the little girl. She too would have gladly sat on Thor's lap, and in fact given him as many children as he would have wanted. Being a warrior had been her whole life, but Sif would have given up her warrior ways if Thor had showed her the same kind of affection Loki showed to his mortal lover. To her bitter disappointment Sif feared that another mortal had already claimed that place in Thor's heart.

Thor felt lady Sif's brooding gaze on him and he cowardly hoped to evade it. "I am good with children," he assured abruptly to Emma.

Emma smirked to Thor's desperate attempt to earn a few godfather points. "I can see that. You still need your brother's approval if you want to become the godfather of this baby," she said and glanced at Loki again. "And you'll have to help me keeping Loki out of the dungeon."

… …

When Loki stepped next to the king, his personal guards remained behind, granting them some privacy. Odin and Loki both stared a while far ahead at the dark horizon.

Loki glanced at Odin sideways and clasped his hands together behind his back. On the moment like this it was easier to let Allfather begin.

"I had been looking forward to this day," Odin said thoughtfully. "Sometimes fearing that I will never see it coming."

Loki gave him a painful frown. "The day Asgard would fall? Ragnarök?"

Odin glanced at his son and motioned his hand towards the city. "Look! Asgard still stands," he said and shook his head then. "No. I have been waiting the day I will see you grow and become what you are mean to be." He watched Loki and turned towards him. "It is here. The winds of change whisper through the leaves of Yggdrasil. Do you feel it?"

Loki heaved a long sigh. "I am tired of riddles. If you are going to punish me for everything I did wrong today then just do it. But before you lock me up into the dungeon, I would ask you to reconsider your decision concerning Emma," Loki pleaded.

"There is nothing left to reconsider. Today she earned her place in Asgard and proved she is a fitting companion to you. She saved my queen and me, and her actions spared many Asgardian lives. You have my blessing to wed her and raise your children together. It is a meager recompense to offer you. You restored order in two realms. Therefore I see that your punishment is served. I reinstate all your rightful entitlements. From this moment your liberty is returned to you," Odin stated and nodded to Loki's guards who bowed at the king and left quietly.

Puzzled, Loki glanced behind him at the leaving Einherjars and returned his gaze back at Odin. "You are giving me back my freedom?"

Odin nodded. "I would have returned to you your magic as well but it seems you have already broken free from my spells ages ago. Frigga taught you well. I understand it now. It is within you. Magic is a part of you. You were born with it. And when its power comes from your heart the strength of it is unstoppable."

Loki stared down at his palms, thinking again how he destroyed the fire demons so completely with his magic. He had done it for protecting Emma.

He turned and watched Emma longingly as though she had been in another dimension, out of his reach, even she sat there only further away. "I only wanted to protect her. I brought her here so that she would be safe, that she would never have to fight or feel pain again," he said, his voice growing emotional.

And turning his eyes at Odin, Loki continued. "You were right when you said I would betray her. I already have by bringing her here to face pain and war like she hasn't seen before. I don't want to be the god of mischief anymore. No matter what I do pain, madness and ruin follows me as though I am cursed to bring plain misery around me."

Loki paused and looked at her. "Emma deserves better. She loves me and this cannot be the way love is returned to her. I cannot trap her here and force into a life she doesn't want to have like Laufey did to my birth mother."

Odin looked at his son. "Why the change of heart? She is yours to have."

"She is all I want, but I know that my love is wounding. Everyone near me suffers. Look what happened to Valkor. And Emma could have died. I just want her to be safe and happy. I understand it now, I do not own her. It was cruel and selfish to bring her here. She would do better without me."

"You said you will take full responsibility of your child," Odin reminded.

Loki's eyes glistened and he swallowed, glancing at Allfather. "I am. Wed us. So that my child and Emma will always have Asgard's protection but please, set her free. Let her return to Midgard with the child. In return I shall harness my powers to guard Asgard. I would rather be alone forever than see her getting hurt because of me again," Loki swore mournfully.

Odin saw how tears escaped from his son's eyes and he cautiously glanced around him as though sensing something unusual. It was happening. Allfather stepped closer to his boy and put his hand on Loki's shoulder. Deep down he knew he hadn't been the father Loki would have deserved, but maybe it wasn't too late to start now.

"You are wrong. You will be a good husband to that girl," Odin said calmly, his hand squeezing Loki's shoulder gently, "and better father to your child than I have been to you. I will not let you miss out on that. I am proud to have you as my son, Loki." Odin received his boy's tearful gaze. "You are worthy of your love ones. Do not ever forget that."

Loki took in a deep breath. Those words he had craved to hear for all his life. Speechlessly he stared at Allfather who still continued.

"The only person you are lying to right now is yourself. You are not cursed, my boy. What happened today was not your fault. Today you showed us who Loki truly is. You acted like a king. Accept who you are and let go of the past. You must know that only you have the power to alter your fate. So, give up your burdens and your fears. You will not be alone. In life nothing blooms without growth. Sometimes growing is painful. Just let it happen."

Giving up his heart aching burdens, Loki felt it happening.

… …

Emma felt unusual shivers running through her. Her hands rested on the table and the massive gilded table under her palms was vibrating just barely for her to feel it. She noticed how the untouched wine in her goblet seemed as restless. The surface of it trembled with the small vibration. She glanced at the others who apparently hadn't noticed the same yet, being fully immersed in conversations. All except Hogun, whose gaze was fixed at Thor's hammer that sat on the table between him and Thor. Mjölnir was visibly shaking and Emma stared at it as it seemed to become more and more restless. The symbol of Odin flashed on its side and disappeared.

"What's wrong with your hammer?" Emma asked, feeling the table quivering under her palms even more.

Thor glanced at his weapon. "What? There is nothing wrong with Mjölnir."

Hogun stared at the hammer without blinking. "Mjölnir is misbehaving. Look!"

Everyone at their table watched the restless weapon and Thor watched it even more closely hunching towards it. "What is the matter?" he asked as if talking to a friend.

"Maybe Mjölnir wants some mead. It had a rough day," Fandral suggested and earned a few laughs.

As if they would have been witnessing some cosmic, paranormal event the trembling of the mighty weapon grew stronger until it fell over with a thump and its handle moved pointing towards the balcony like a compass needle. The closest goblets of mead spilled over by the thump and Emma felt how the baby woke up. She lifted her hands from the table, not liking this weird ouija game.

Thor gaped at his precious hammer and lifted his gaze to see that its handle was pointing straight towards his father and brother who still were talking.

"What are you doing?" Thor asked from it as it seemed that Mjölnir was still shaking and even sluggishly moving along the table away from him as though something was pulling it. Thor placed his finger over it to stop it from going.

All the merry conversations in the dining hall ended by a sound of a sigh that echoed faintingly around them and the fires fluttered as though the haunting sigh was going to blow them out. People gazed around them, confused. The Einherjars, who had been standing on guard, pulled out their swords. Queen Frigga rose from her seat, sensing the change in the air.

Emma gasped as she felt something cold slithering over her shoes and touching her ankles. On the same time she, and all the rest, saw how the golden and green striped serpent-like apparitions manifested on the tables and floors. The long, ghostly creatures looked like they were formed from pure magic that seeped from the cracks of the reality and they all were moving towards the same direction, the balcony.

A few of the Einherjars swung their blades at the serpents only to discover they weapons had no effect on the magical creatures. Little Hilde curled on her mother's arms. There were a few screams already.

"Loki!" Thor grunted in his low tone of voice.

Just before the terrified screaming was about to begin, the serpents turned back into the glowing, greenish mist which immediately converged around the unprepared god of mischief.

Emma's eyes snapped at Loki and she sprang up from her seat. Loki was being surrounded by that strange mist that hid him from her.

"Loki?" she sighed, worried, and took a few running steps forward, not paying attention to the hassle of the puzzled people behind her.

The Einherjars hurried to protect their king, but Odin lifted his hand at them and the warriors stopped, eyeing at the strange happening and lowering their blades.

Sensing that someone was coming near her, Emma glanced at her side to see Frigga stepping next to her. Queen's gaze was focused on her younger son and a blink released tears falling on her cheeks.

It made Emma shudder with worry. "What is…?"

Frigga gave her a small smile, touched her shoulder and whispered, "It is fine. Go to him."

The phantom mist cleared off and Loki stood there his head high like a magnificent statue. Cautiously Emma moved towards him across the hall, leaving Frigga behind her. First she saw the golden horns of his headpiece, but it was not his helmet she had used to seen on him. It was an elegant combination of a crown and a helmet with pointy horns put together. The horns were not so long than she recalled he had on his helmet. His clothes looked changed too, modified, more black than green.

When the veil of stubborn mist was clearing off, Loki took a cautious breath. Whatever had happened just now, he was still alive. His perception was clear as ice. He felt the magic running through him. He felt the magic that was everywhere in Asgard, he felt it rich and thick and ready to be harvested if he would have so chosen to. And yet he felt normal, only more contented and whole.

First he noticed Emma who stood staring at him in the empty part of the dining hall, already closer to the balcony. Then Frigga. Then the armed Einherjars who in Odin's orders returned back to their posts. Then he saw how everyone gazed upon him further away their mouths gaping. The hall was silent, except some clanking sounds of someone accidently knocking over their goblets. Thor stood at the end of the table pointing his hammer at him. Loki couldn't understand why his brother seemed so annoyed and why was everyone staring at him as though he'd pulled a naughty stunt of his own.

"I knew you had it more within you than dabbling in mischief," Odin said, observing Loki," but I never knew it would take a mortal to bring out the best in you."

Loki placed his palm over his heart and an uncertain smile played on his lips. "What happened?"

"You are more than before. You gained the power that has always been rightfully yours, as a god," Odin said simply and let this settle in before he nodded towards Emma. "And she will stand by your side because she has chosen you. She is strong. She will survive. She has already become a part of Asgard and we shall protect her, but trust me when I say she will be safe with you. She stays. Besides, Frigga is fond of her. If you are not keeping the girl, my queen will."

Loki gasped, not amused.

Odin turned then more matter-of-factly as he added, "We will announce your betrothal in few days and your wedding ceremony will be held in next full moon, in three weeks. It would be a fair occasion to officially restore your princehood."

"In three weeks!" Bewildered, Loki stared at Allfather who continued.

"Yes. It should be enough time for you to settle your thoughts. Now go and make merry! You have deserved it, son. There are four realms in gratitude to you."

"Four?" Loki gasped in wonder as Odin was leaving. He could only count three; Jotunheim, Alfheim and maybe Asgard.

"Midgard!" Odin reminded, pleased. "Your first conquest. The girl has not told you yet, has she?"

"Told me what?"

"The Loki's challenge. Mortals are cleansing their realm in your name."

Loki remembered the boy, Damien, and the silly videos they made. Those had been a jest. Midgard was his now?

"If you wish to visit Midgard every now and then with your wife, I am sure that can be arranged," Odin promised as a token of goodwill very unlike to him.

"Thank you," Loki said sincerely. "I know Emma would like that." He knew she would really love that. She wouldn't be trapped in Asgard as he'd feared. She could still see Logan and her long-lost mother. That would make her happy and when she was happy, he would be happy.

Allfather smiled to his boy and left. First Odin walked to Emma who had been waiting their talk to end next to a golden pillar. He contemplated her a small moment with an approving nod. "You have received something precious that is hard to gain. I trust that you will appreciate the true value of it," he said to her quietly.

Emma clenched her fists a few times nervously. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to go sealing your magic or whatever that stuff was. It was an accident…"

"Oh, that? Consider it as a gift, but that is not what I meant. You have received a permanent place in my son's heart. So, I see that it is your obligation and privilege to continue keeping him on the right path from now on," Odin advised in a good-natured tone. "You saved my queen today. The next time we dine here, I will see that you will be sitting at our table."

"Thank you, sir."

Emma smiled curiously after Odin as he carried on to the dining hall. The long nap had done him good. He was like a different man.

Odin returned to his wife and told the confused people to carry on. He simply confirmed what a few already had guessed; Loki had earned his magic and full freedom back.

Standing alone on the balcony, Loki's mind was whirling with the paradoxical notion how something this tremendously good had flourished from something so utterly dreadful and wrong like the threat Asgard had faced. The thought of being freed from his punishment at last was heady and still incomprehensible. Odin's long longed-for words to him were invigorating. Odin was proud of him and believed that Loki will become a good father and a husband.

Loki was in control of his own life once more. Master of his own destiny. He had gained the power meant for him as a god just like Thor regained his power back when Thor proved to be worthy of Mjölnir. That small flare of joy Loki felt inside was slowly growing into a bonfire of happiness.

Even after all the troubles, he had many reasons to celebrate, he realized and lifted his eyes at Emma. He had her to share it all with. And thank the Norns, Allfather was wiser for not letting him separate from her on his desperate moment. He felt his heart beating in his chest, perhaps skipping a beat with his misguided thoughts of ever allowing himself to leave her. She was the light of his life, and he was going to shelter her, cherish her, keeping that light burning brightly. He was stronger now to do it. And his mind was clear to see that he was not cursed of sowing misery around him.

Cautiously Emma continued towards Loki and he, after laying his eyes on her again, approached her. She took a moment to take in his new horns and the complete change of his mood that was now more contented and adorably amazed. There was something new about him, something imposing and exuding power, but not in the scary way like before. Still it made her tingling inside.

Emma felt silly to ask but she asked anyway. "How did it go with Odin?"

Loki let out a short, soft chuckle, still trying to figure it out. Returning back to the normal life felt puzzling. "Um, better than I assumed," he sighed. "My punishment is over. I am a free man."

Emma smiled. "That's great. Congratulations! Nice show by the way. You scared everyone here," she said but Loki frowned, puzzled. "Snakes, Loki? Why does it always have to be snakes?"

Loki spread his hands and clasped them together, taking a step closer to her. "I have no idea what you mean."

"That phantom mist just now, turning into snakes all around here and freaking out everyone. It was the same thing that happened when you blasted those fire demons and saved me. I saw snakes forming from the ashes and the shadow of you with your horns," Emma explained and looked up at his horns again. He looked good, godly. "I've got to say I love your new horns. Better and smaller than on your helmet."

Loki lifted his hand to touch his new headpiece, only then registering it. "Oh!" He grinned, perplexed, by these strange changes. His fingers followed the bendy shape of the horn, finding it pleasing in size. For once magic had worked for him without him consciously controlling it. Strange and exciting! Winds of change whispering through the leaves of Yggdrasil! He understood it now. He wasn't just an adopted Jotun anymore. He had become Thor's equal, a true god of Asgard.

To Emma he seemed a little lost and she touched his elbow as he was examining his new headpiece. "Is everything okay?"

Loki stopped fiddling with his horns and took her hand, his thumb touching her engagement ring. He felt simply overwhelmed with joy. "Everything is fine," he assured and his dimples bloomed on his cheeks as he watched her. This lovely creature of his was probably never going to know how much she had changed him, for better, he thought. He was never going to leave her. "In fact, everything is glorious."

His voice was soft and relaxed, and Emma took his word for it, being blissfully ignorant of his struggles with his conscience just a while ago.

"So, you're free again. Loki is back!" Emma said triumphantly and moved closer. "Do you want to celebrate your freedom? They seem to have a lot of that mead here and your friends are waiting for you."

Loki lifted his free hand to caress her cheek. "I want to celebrate only with you, and I believe there will soon be a hot bath waiting for us."

Emma flushed. She didn't know why, but being this close to him felt so intoxicating. "Um, sounds good to me. This day was exhausting."

"We can wash away this day and start a new one, together," Loki suggested and offered his arm to her. She took it and they headed out from the dining hall.

On their way out Loki noticed how Frigga gave him a nod of approval, looking at him with a smile of a proud mother. Loki sent her his bidding of goodnight.

Loki saw how people still watched him, sharing blank stares and whispers. That snake surprise Emma mentioned about must have been beautiful, he thought and smiled his charming, broad smile. She had to tell him everything about it and about 'Loki's challenge'.

"Don't get carried away now, Brother!" Thor warned playfully and laid his precious Mjölnir back on the table as it seemed to calm down.

Loki grinned apologetically at warriors three and lady Sif while passing their table. "Sorry! No more snake surprises from now on," he promised and didn't mind at all about their rumbling in annoyance about the little show they had just witnessed.

God of mischief and Emma retired earlier than others on that night to Asgardians relief. What no one paid attention on that night was that Thor' hammer moved like a compass needle on the table, its handle slowly turning in Loki's direction.