Chapter 20
Chapter 20
When Thor came back to Asgard, he felt a mournful sting in his heart. Although his time with Loki had been beautiful, he had to admit that he'd missed his home. His friends as well as his father, but the loss that hurt the most was his mother. Frigga. He guessed Odin hadn't yet told her about the real reasons of his disappearance, still claiming he was on a quest and would return. He immediately went to the healing chambers, not risking to cross anyone's way. He knew exactly which healer he was looking for. The woman was standing with her back towards him, concentrated on a medical device. He approached her, clearing his throat to attract her attention. Eir turned around, looking at him in surprise.
Eir: "You're already back, my prince? I thought you were off to-"
Thor hushed her by putting a finger to his lips.
Thor: "Take everything you need for a medical check-up and come with me now. And don't speak to anyone."
Eir bowed her head, obeying his orders and following him out of the room.
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When they got down they were standing in front of the house.
Thor: "Eir - what I tell you now, must not be told to anyone else. Before I tell you, I need your confirmation that you won't say a word of this matter to any person. Swear it! Swear it by your life!"
Eir: "Alright. What ever you'll tell me, my highness, will stay among us."
Thor: " - Alright. As you know, Loki is a frost giant."
Eir: "Yes I know, my prince."
Thor: "And you know as well that frost giants are able to get pregnant."
Eir: "Yes, of course. Although I never witnessed a frost giant birth myself."
Thor looked down slightly before continuing to speak.
Thor: "Then I can tell you the good news that this is going to change. - Loki bares a child. - My child."
During his last sentence, Thor's chest rose with pride and he couldn't hide his lips turning into a smile.
Eir: "I understand, my prince."
Thor: "As neither I nor Loki know much of this subject, I want you to check on him and make sure that everything is alright. You will come to see him as often as necessary and won't tell anyone where you are going or of his condition."
Eir: "As you wish."
Thor gave her a nod to show she should follow him inside.
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When they came in Loki was still lying in bed, a smile all over his face, which only widened as his gaze met Thor. the prince stepped next to the bed, sitting down and waiting for Eir to start her work. The woman came forward as well, bowing her head in greeting.
Eir: "Prince Loki, I heard of your - special condition."
Loki looked unsure by her referring to him as prince, but the healer still knew him from earlier days and couldn't yet break the habit.
Loki: "Good then - how will everything go on?"
Eir: "At first I'll have to make sure that as far as here everything is alright with the baby as well as with you. The child you're baring is as much Aesir as frost giant. As you are rather small and - excuse me - fragile for one of your kind, there might be eventual difficulties appearing."
Thor & Loki: "What do you mean?"
Eir: "Well - it could be that the child grows to big. We don't know if it'll stay in its Aesir form or change forms uncontrollably. It doesn't possess the power to control its form. Also, it will deprive you of a certain part of your magic, which means you probably won't be as strong as usually."
Thor noticed Loki's frightened expression and quickly interrupted her.
Thor: "And how can we keep the baby from changing shape? I mean - as a frost giant it'd be much to big for his body."
Eir: "That's correct but - we can't control it. If it does change it's important he immediately lies down and moves as less as possible. In general, the only thing you can do is avoid any form of stress, exhaustion or sports."
As both men nodded, the healer proceeded, starting to examine Loki's stomach. At first she felt his abdomen, asking if anything hurt but Loki only shook his head, still eyeing her sceptically. Later on, she used some magic to get to know what was going on inside of him. When she was finished, she stepped back a little, looking satisfied.
Eir: "Until now everything is fine. The baby is alright, so are you."
Loki: "When will I go into labour?"
Eir: "That's a difficult question as the pregnancies of frost giants often last longer than those of Asgardians. According to my calculation, something around January next year."
Thor: "Alright then - thank you very much for you help. I'll consult you if we need anything."
Eir: "My highness, there's another thing - just to be sure nothing happens to both of them, it'd be best if I saw him at least once a month. Or better even more often. We can't really predict what is going to happen and the possibility he'll need proper medical help is rather high. If I am honest, it would be safest for Loki if he stayed in Asgard. And for the baby as well. I can't leave that often, the king would notice. And I should definitely keep an eye on him."
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Loki: "We can't go to Asgard! Odin would find out easily about us! How do we know the healer doesn't tell anyone? Or even him? Or anyone who then tells him? I want our baby to live! Thor, I don't wanna lose my child!"
Thor hadn't said anything the whole time while Loki kept talking of Odin finding out about their baby, calmly sitting by his side. But when it seemed, Loki was becoming hysterical, only saying over and over again that he didn't want to lose his child, he spoke up.
Thor: "Loki!"
At the voice of the thunderer, Loki seemed to calm down a little, reminding himself of breathing.
Thor: "Firstly, I made the healer promise by her life that she doesn't tell anyone. If she does nevertheless, I'll kill her as well as anyone who knows. And furthermore, I guess we don't have a choice. I want our baby born as much as you do. But I also wanna make sure that you are okay. And if Eir means the safest thing for you is to come to Asgard, we will do so. Odin won't find out. As thin as you are, it'll take a long time for you to begin showing anyway and till then, we will find a solution for that as well."
Loki: "And - and what if I become sick again? Or simply collapse?"
Thor: "You won't collapse, dear. And if you notice you're feeling sick or in pain, you simply excuse yourself quietly, without anyone noticing but me. I'll of course follow shortly after you left and help you with anything you need. This Baby Will Live, No matter what."
Loki closed his eyes, pulling Thor close and kissing him tenderly.
Loki: "Thank you."
Thor only smiled, hugging his lover close.
Thor: "No problem. Everything will be fine, love. I promise."