Odin's Kingdom
"Are you sure you guys don't want to stay a little while longer?" Pepper said giving Ophelia a hug as Loki held their bags next to her.
"I wish we could but we have to get going. I promised mother she could meet Ophelia finally." Loki said smiling to her. Pepper had become very close with Ophelia and Loki surprisingly over the past year. And was very sad to hear they were leaving the compound to move into their own place in London.
"Well wishes to your mother. Visit soon." Pepper said patting Loki on the back.
Ophelia and Loki walked out to the field outstretching before the compound and found Thor standing with a big smile on his face. Jane stood beside him.
"Brother! Sister! We fly to Asgard at once!" Thor said and Jane chuckled.
"Nice to see you again Lia." Jane said and Ophelia gave her a hug.
"A pleasure as always." Ophelia said then winked at Thor. Thor laughed way too loud then ushered everyone to gather closer to him. He looked to the sky and took a breath in. And with a booming voice that could collapse a city he spoke.
"HEIMDALL! Take us to Asgard!" Jane covered her ears and Loki pulled Ophelia to his chest as the bright rainbow lights pulled them into the sky. Ophelia screamed the entire time. As soon as they landed on the bridge Loki dropped her to the ground.
"Hey!" Ophelia yelled and pushed her hair out of her face pouting.
"You shriek like a banshee!" Loki yelled back.
"Oh brother, don't be so rude." Thor said helping Ophelia to her feet. "Are you hurt my lady?"
"No Thor I am just fine." Her accent peaking out more forward this time. This happened when she was frustrated. Her Sokovian heritage thriving in her tone.
"There she is." Thor said with a smile. Ophelia started spewing words that Loki did understand but Jane did not. Jane looked at Thor confused. "Do not fret Jane, my dear sister only wishes for good fortune in her native tongue." He said intertwining his fingers with Janes.
"Sure." Ophelia said and Thor chuckled to himself.
After their little debacle the four space bridge travelers made their introductions to Heimdall. Heimdall was strong and tall. His golden armor glinting in the light of the bridge. His yellow eyes showing he was all seeing. Loki introduced Ophelia and Thor reintroduced Jane, as they had already met. Ophelia was in aw of the man. He held the sword that was the key to open the bridge with a knowing protectiveness. He saw all the realms and he intended on protecting Asgard to his best ability.
"Welcome princes of Asgard. Jane Foster, welcome back. Ophelia Sorcerous of Chaos, welcome to Asgard." Heimdall said and bowed his head. Ophelia looked to Loki with a nervous smile. Did she need to bow? Loki gave no inclination as to what she should do so she did bow. A little too deep of a bow, but a bow it was. Heimdall cracked a smile at her attempt of respect and left his post to stand before them. He gestured for them to follow. They walked across the magnificent bridge toward Odin's palace.
As they entered the city there seemed to be some sort of celebration going on. There were various venders selling all sorts of goods. Ophelia smiled as people looked to her in curiosity; being that she was dressed in her earth clothing.
"Why are they all staring at me?" Ophelia quietly asked Loki. Loki looked around and smirked.
"It has been a while since they have seen a mortal, let alone two." Loki said and Ophelia nodded.
As they walked through the streets of the town Thor was stopped on more than one occasion by beautiful women and men wanting to fawn all over him. After the last man challenged him to an arm wrestling contest, and Thor won of course, Ophelia punched him in the arm softly.
"Sister! Why such violence against me?" Thor asked playfully.
"Stop flirting and lets get to the palace."
"Flirting? I do no such thing! I am simply accepting the pleasantries from my fans." He said innocently. Loki scoffed.
"Fans, he says. We are not celebrities we are airs to the Asgardian throne. Act as such." Loki said more serious than intended. Ophelia gripped his hand and looked at him.
"Calm down. Be nice." She said and Thor patted his brother on the back. Obviously used to his brothers oh too serious personality.
When they arrived at the golden gates of the great Asgardian palace Ophelia began to feel worried. She had never met a king before. Would the parents of her beloved accept her as they accepted Jane? Would Frigga, Allmother and magical force of nature, accept her as worthy in this holy realm? Frigga had taught Loki everything about magic. Would she find Ophelia's skill in the art just as impressive as her son's? This had been something bothersome to Ophelia that she had never thought would be. Mothers should be happy that their children found a partner to love. But immortal royal parents? How could a mortal from Sokovia with chaos magic live up to such expectations?
Ophelia walked silently next to Jane as Loki and Thor lead them through the grand halls of the golden empire. The ceilings were extraordinarily high and painted with depictions of the royal family. Tales told in paint to showcase Asgardian victories. Members of the royal court stopped to bow to the princes as they walked. Ophelia mimicked Jane when she bowed as well. Signaling respect for the court members. When they reached the throne room doors Thor stopped and gestured to Loki awkwardly. Loki cleared his throat then cracked his neck. His clothes magically changed to his armor and horned helmet. He waved his hand over Thor and his clothes changes as well to his signature armor and red cape. He then turned to Jane and conjured her a beautiful yellow gown with ruffles of soft silk. Lastly, he turned to Ophelia. He waved his hand and the most beautiful crimson gown of lace was upon her body. She smiled lovingly at him.
"Fit for an introduction with the king!" Thor said patting Ophelia's shoulder. He turned to Jane and kissed her on the cheek, she smiled in response.
The tall double doors opened to reveal a massive room. A red carpet leading all the way to Odin's seat. And in that seat was Odin himself. He was draped in gold robes and had no fond expression on his face. If anything, he seemed annoyed. But before anyone could say anything a beautiful woman with strawberry blonde hair and a flowing blue gown stepped from the side door next to the throne. Frigga.
"My sons. Welcome home." She said and hugged them each.
"Loki. You look thinner. Have you been eating?" She asked pinching his cheek and Loki groaned.
"I am fine mother." He said and then turned to Ophelia. "This is Ophelia. Ophelia; this is our mother Frigga, Allmother to Asgard and the nine realms." Ophelia bowed then nearly jumped when she felt Frigga pull her into an embrace.
"It is so very nice to finally meet you my dear. Thor speaks of you in kind. And Jane, welcome back." Frigga smiled to Thor then placed Jane's hand in Thors. "I suspect you two wish to speak to me. Come, let your father meet our Ophelia."
Loki lead Ophelia close to the throne and they both bowed to the King of Asgard.
"Rise." Odin said in his intimidating tone. Ophelia straightened herself and looked to Loki who took her hand.
"Father, meet Ophelia of Midgard. Native of Sokovia and bringer of chaos magic." Loki said with pride as he introduced his lover. Odin sat up in his seat and lowered his eyes at Ophelia. Odin did not treat Loki with the respect he showed Thor but he did worry for the partner he would chose to spend his days with. And for Loki to choose a moral woman to share his life with was surprising to him. For Thor to fall in love with a mortal was more understandable to the king. For in Odin's eyes Thor was much like his mother in the way of emotion. He felt everything and loved the creatures of the Nine Realms. Loki on the other hand did not much care for mortal beings. It was only recently that he began to see Earth as a home world.
"You bring a sorcerous before your king as your betrothed." Odin said looking to Loki. Ophelia's face ran cold and her eyes widened. Loki and Ophelia were certainly not engaged, or at least they never spoke about it.
"Ophelia and I have not made such an arrangement as of yet. But I assure you I intend to take her as my wife in time. With your blessing, I shall continue to court her."
"And what does the Allmother think of this union?" Odin said looking to his wife who now stood beside him. Frigga placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled to Ophelia.
"She would be an honored addition to our family. If she so wish, that is." Frigga said and Odin nodded, his mind whirling with thought. Ophelia had never thought about what would happen if Loki's parent's didn't accept her. What would happen? Would she be banished from being with him? Do they even have that much control over him?
"So be it. We shall meet again this evening to dine. You are dismissed." Odin said then leaned to look over at Thor and Jane. "Welcome home my son, daughter." Thor and Jane bowed then so did Loki and Ophelia.
That afternoon Loki ushered Ophelia around the palace showing her his favorite things and hideaways. The many libraries being his most favorite. He showed her texts of ancient magical spells and history of the realms. Everything fascinated her. The royal gardens were lush this time of year in Asgard. The flowers were bright with color and the trees were tall with leaves. The sparkling pools that seemed to be endless were as clear as the blue sky. She had never known anything so beautiful.
As evening approached Loki and Ophelia met up with Thor and Jane in a small tavern in town. They had a pint, or two, and chatted about their first day in Asgard before meeting with the king and queen that evening.
"So, tell me brother. Why does mother seem more enamored with Jane than she usually is?" Loki asked then taking a large sip of his drink. Thor looked to Jane nervously and Jane nodded.
"Wonderful news this day. Jane is with child."
"Congratulations!" Ophelia said then stood and hugged her while she sat. Jane laughed with joy as she patted Ophelia's arms. "But wait... the drinks." Ophelia said now realizing Jane had been drinking while pregnant.
"Do not worry sister. Asgardian ale is of no harm to the unborn. All the pleasantries without the ache." Thor said. Ophelia let out a breath of relief.
"I never thought I would have children. But, Thor makes me wish for them. And I guess that means the family name will live on." Jane said.
"Your family name as well, Ms. Foster." Loki said tipping his glass.
"How very Midgardian of you Loki. To Ms. Foster and our babe!" Thor said and the four toasted.
As the sun set it was now time for them to reconvene in the throne room for supper with Odin and Frigga. The evening meal started off simply with small talk about taxes and Thor and Loki needing to be in Asgard more to adhere to their princely duties. Which annoyed Loki. He did indeed love being back in Asgard, but he enjoyed being on Earth with Ophelia lately more. Which shocked him. But it was the truth. He did like it. And he knew that he would eventually have to return to Asgard to be the prince his father wished him to be. But would Ophelia stay with him? Or would she miss home too much? They hadn't had those conversations yet about where to live or if to marry or have children. They were enjoying their lives as it were. Being an Avenger, saving the world from the bad guys, taking it day by day. But what about the future?
"Jane?" Thor asked as the conversation became quiet Frigga gave him a knowing look. Jane cleared her throat and dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin. She then took a large swig of her wine and looked to Frigga.
"Well. Thor and I have some news. Joyful news." Jane said looking between the king and queen.
"Go on then." Odin said. Jane looked nervously to Thor. A sign of herself that was rarely seen. She was always a force of nature. Never showing weakness, always showing her strength.
"I am with child." Jane said and Frigga's face lit up.
"I knew it!" Frigga said placing her hand on top of Odin's which lay on the table before him. "Isn't this great news darling? An air born in love." Odin showed no emotion for a moment. Considering how to react to the news.
"Father?" Thor asked. Loki and Ophelia looked to each other. Nobody said a word.
"I congratulate you on your first child. You have proven yourself to be worthy of the Asgardian namesake. You shall be granted immortality, if you so wish, so you may live a long life with your child and my son." Odin said and Thor's face grew as happy as ever.
"Thank you father!" Thor said and Odin smiled to his son.
"But first, you shall wed. I will not have my grandson born out of wedlock. He is a prince after all."
"We don't know if it is a boy or girl yet my king." Jane said and Thor nudged her. He leaned down and whispered into her ear. Her eyed widened and she turned to Frigga.
"How do you know. It is still so early?" Jane asked her.
"I know all things." She said.
And that she did.