Chapter 34
Loki was five months along. He was constantly hiding the Small bump on his abdomen with seidr even though his only living contacts perfectly knew he was carrying a child… Thor’s child. There was no news of Thor, all Loki could do was endure the wait!
He had not dared to venture out of his rooms after the fateful encounter with Allfather in his mother’s chambers.Loki was getting restless with worries both old and new. He was anxious about Thor’s well-being as well as about eventual war with Thanos! The memories of sanctuary and nightmares of other’s torture did not allow him to sleep. He was tired of crying alone and decided to seek his mother. Her presence always calmed him so he thought her memories will help and walked towards he rooms without alerting the guards! He was yet admiring her portrait when he saw Odin standing up from couch! His heart stopped beating … and without a thought he teleported back! Now his heart was beating like he had ran a race to Alfheim! He couldn’t sleep that night and many nights after that. Loki had yet to find a solution if Odin decided to march here and harm him or his child… but he couldn’t stop thinking.
Healer Eir was pressing him to drop the enchantment hiding his pregnancy. It was sapping his strength, weakening him. And he never left his chambers so there was no need for him to use so much of seidr…
They were still arguing about it when they heard bifrost opening. Loki dropped the glass he was holding…
“Thor! It must be Thor…”, he grinned. Suddenly he was rushing out of the room.
“ Where are you going?” , Lady Eir called after him.
“ Going to welcome him!” , he called back ignoring Hogan who was following him with other guards.
“ Don’t let him ride a horse, Volstag ! You must take a Skiff , Loki”.. She called after him.
Loki was getting restless wanting to be with Thor…. The flyer in which Volstag had forced him was going with top speed. Yet he couldn’t wait to see his love, his king.
They were almost at observatory when they heard bifrost again. Loki was confused.. why was Heimdal opening bifrost again? Has he called someone else after Thor? Is there an attack?
He was running towards the observatory chamber as soon he was out of the flyer skiff! He found it empty except Heimdal… Thor was not there!
“ Thor…? Where is Thor, Heimdal? He has come right?”
“Yes Prince Loki. King Thor arrived, but he had to depart to another realm immediately.”
“What? Then why did he came?”
“ He had a prisoner with him. He sent the prisoner to Jotunheim and asked me to deliver a message to king Helblindi.” , Heimdal answered.
“ Who… who is this prisoner? What message?”
“ I don’t know the name of that creature, my prince. And I cannot divulge more information about the message than that the Jotun king is requested to contain it.”
“ Creature..?how did it look? And why send it to Jotunheim than Asgard’s dungeon?”…Loki was confused. Heimdal provided no answer.
“ And where is Thor now? Has he gone to Jotunheim?” , without seeing me was left unsaid.
“ No. He ordered me to send him to Helheim.”
“ What? Are you insane? How can a living being get into Helheim? You know it’s impossible…” , Loki panicked. Everyone knew that entering Helheim with a living body was impossible. Hela, goddess of death did not tolerate trespassers. She would kill his Thor… No no no …
“ Send me. Send me to Helheim… I ..I can speak with Hela. Request her to spare my Thor.. please Heimdall… send me there.” , the trickster was so distraught that he was speaking nonstop without giving opportunity to answer. Still Heimdal tried to say,
“ No Prince Loki. Our king knows what he is doing.. please calm down…”
Loki screamed… “ Are you going to send me or not…” He moved past the gatekeeper, “ Or I will go myself. It’s not like you have ever listened to me. Whatever comes from the mouth of liesmith cannot be trusted right?” Heimdal tried to stop him but failed…. Loki almost reached the sword.. and he was about to succeed but suddenly something pushed him back. He was caught unawares and fell back from the stairs , his hands instinctively covering his belly. He looked up to see Odin Allfather staring at him , gungnir held in hands for support like a stick. Loki scrambled back towards the wall, panic gripped his heart. Odin moved forward as if to touch him.. but faltered looking at fear written all over the face of younger god.
“ Calm down Loki, I won’t hurt do” , he tried to assure.
“ You will ! You always have!” , Loki whispered shrinking into himself.
“ Allfather, Do not approach near him.. King Thor prohibits it.” , Heimdal’s baritone voice disrupted them. Surprisingly Odin turned away from Loki and asked
“ Where is Thor now? Can you see him?”
Relief flooded in Loki’s veins … off course, Allfather would cast him aside at first mention of his golden son. He suppressed the bitter disappointment down and tried to focus on breathing.
“ I can’t see King Thor right now, he entered Helheim’s barriers.” , Heimdal answered.
“What… Hela allowed him to enter that easily? With his body? ”, Odin looked thoughtful. “ And what was he doing here if he wanted to visit Heilheim”
“ Bring him back… Heimdall.. please. He would die.. I.. I want to go there! Send me! “
“ You are in no condition to travel between realms Loki! “ Odin said looking directly at his abdomen.Loki looked down , he had dropped the glamour while trying to follow Thor. And now Odin knew…
“ Allfather, the king have commanded me to protect his concubine and his unborn child. You are not to approach him or try to hurt him.” , Volstag approached near as Raer and other guards moved closer with hands on their weapons.
“ Don’t worry. I am not going to hurt him. I merely wish to speak with him.”
“ Then you will have to wait till King Thor returns. Please move away from Loki.”, Heimdal answered. Loki stared dumbfounded.
“ Come on lad, let’s get you back to the palace.” , Volstag said as he offered a hand to help him up.Loki accepted.