More secrets uncovered.
Chapter 8:
Hela had just returned to the cold realm of Jotunheim. Vidar was still cradled to her chest. She was hoping to get some rest after the battle, and to have the healers examine the child. However, just as she reached the gates, she was stopped by a guard.
"Your Majesty." The guard began. "There is someone here requesting an audience."
Hela sighed.
"Very well. First, I wish for the healers to examine this child."
The guard looked at Vidar uncertainly.
"Your Majesty, is that..."
"This," Hela began. "Is my new ward. Any harm comes to him, and there will be a price to pay in blood."
The guard shuddered.
"Have my visitor escorted to my private study while I take my ward to the healers." She continued.
"O of course." The frost-giant stuttered before barking orders at some more guards.
Hela walked past the gates and headed straight towards the healers. After a few more threats of retribution if Vidar was harmed in any way, she left the babe in their capable hands to see who exactly was requesting an audience.
As soon as she saw who was standing near the fire, she sneered in distaste.
"Well, what do we have here?" She began.
The woman turned to her.
"I came here to speak with you." She began.
"Why?" Hela asked.
"I have heard rumours." The woman began. "You intend to destroy Odin, the king of Asgard."
Hela nodded.
"What of it?"
"And after you are finished with him," The woman continued. "You intend to go after the Mad Titan himself."
Hela again nodded.
"Let me guess, you have come to dissuade me from this." She said. "I am afraid you have wasted a trip."
"Actually," The woman retorted. "I have come to help you."
Hela raised an eyebrow.
"Help me?" She inquired. "I know perfectly well who you are. You are one of his "Children", are you not?"
The woman clenched her fists.
"He has caused me more pain then you could possibly imagine." She spat. "I want nothing more then to destroy him, slowly and painful. No matter what it takes."
Hela gazed into the woman's eyes. In them, she recognised an all too familiar fire. The fire of someone who had been wronged beyond all doubt. A fire that was often in her own eyes.
"How can you help me?" She asked.
"I know where he is." The woman replied. "I know his basis, and know the strength of his followers."
Hela studied her.
"You are strong." She said gently. "I can see it. You are a fighter, a surviver."
A smile crept upon her face.
"Very well. But betray me, and I will kill you."
The woman nodded. In the firelight, Hela could see the damage done to this woman. The many cybernetics that had replaced much of her natural body. No doubt at the fault of Thanos.
"Where do we begin?" The woman asked.
Hela grinned. She could sense that this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
The journey back to the tower was silent. The mortal avengers were still in shock from seeing an army of the dead, Thor was grinning like an idiot, still excited that he was able to fight actual draugar, and Loki was lost in thought.
Why? Why make it so easy? Surely this wouldn't have been Hela's plan of destroying the avengers?
He knew that she at least wanted him alive, and she may not take much stock in midgardians, but she would have at least recognised that Thor was a greater threat. And further more, where had she been during the battle?
Loki feared that this had only been a distraction.
His fears were confirmed when they had reached the tower. Just as the quin-jet landed, he saw four figures standing on the roof. Loki suppressed a groan, while Thor's idiot grin only widened.
"My friends!" He boomed, jumping from the jet, his arms wide. "It has been so long. How do you fare? And what brings you to Midgard?"
Lady Sif and the warriors three did not return Thor's smile, they all remained Grimm faced. Well, Hogun was always Grimm faced, but now the expression was shared by all. Hogun himself actually looked grimmer than ever, and even sorrowful.
"I am afraid we have not come here for a casual visit." Sif replied. "The Allfather has demanded we bring Loki to Asgard, immediately."
Thor's smile instantly vanished. The larger man stepped closer to Loki.
"Why has my Father requested such a thing?"
The Warriors Three remained silent. Sif glared at Loki, then her gaze flicked back to Thor.
"He wishes to ensure he is not a danger." She replied.
"A danger?" Thor demanded. "Why?"
Sif sneered.
"The Allfather fears he will betray you for Hela."
The brothers were stunned.
"You know of Hela?" Thor asked.
Hogun's expression darkened, even more, and his fists clenched.
"Oh, we know of her." He growled. "First she allied herself with Jotunheim, and now she has taken Vanaheim."
Hogun's expression now made sense. He was of the Vanir, after all. But all Loki could think of was that Vanaheim had fallen.
"She has taken Jotunheim, and Vanaheim?" Thor asked.
Fandral nodded.
"The frost-giants have declared her Queen Regent."
Sif continued to glare at Loki.
"As if she is expecting someone else to take the throne." She sneered.
Loki clenched his fists. He was not in the mood to deal with Sif.
Vanaheim. Out of all of the realms to attack first... The realm of his Mother, the realm of his Sigyn... It felt as if Hela had struck him a personal blow. Vanaheim was one of the only places he had been even somewhat accepted, one of the only places he had felt at home.
He remembered the forests, the streams, the pure magic in the air. He remembered lunches in the gardens with his Mother, Sigyn, and occasionally Queen Freya and her cats.
Oh, Freya. What had become of the woman?
"What of Queen Freya?" Loki asked. "Does she still live?"
All four frowns deepened.
"Freya allied herself with Hela." Sif replied. "They say they both attacked the colony with a combined force of frost-giants and Vanir spell-casters."
"Only the children, and those who could not fight, survived." Hogun added. "They say the frost-giants caused it to snow, and that the snow was soon stained red. They say that she ran through the streets like the monster from your darkest nightmares. Weapons flew from her hands as if they had manifested from her own body. She slaughtered countless warriors, without hesitation and without mercy. She was like a demon, taking lives as she pleased."
Loki could feel his stomach lurch. So this was why Hela had sent the Draugar, so she could destroy the hold Asgard had on Vanaheim. But why? Why had Freya allied herself with Hela?
Sif's glare flicked back to Loki.
"And that is why we must take him back to Asgard." She said.
"Hey, hey, hold it."
Steve stepped in front of Loki, his arms spread out as if to shield him.
"Loki has been here all morning, helping us protect this city from errr... What were they called again?"
"Draugar." Loki whispered.
"Yes, thanks." He whispered back, smiling appreciatively. "He helped us defeat an army of Draugar, and even closed the portal."
"He even tackled one that was about to sneak up on me." Barton added.
Fandral and Volstagg were now staring at the avengers in amazement, and a little excitement.
"You got to fight Draugar?" Volstagg asked Thor.
Thor smiled excitedly.
"Yes, it was an incredible battle."
"I do not believe it." Fandral said. "I am so envious. Actual Draugar."
Sif scoffed.
"How could you have possibly defeated an entire army of Draugar, with no hammer and only midgardians?"
She through a sneer towards Loki.
"And of course with him."
Loki scowled.
"Do not underestimate these midgardians Sif." He said, calmer than he felt. "They are quite a force to be reckoned with."
His gaze flicked to Natasha.
"And I believe some of them could even defeat you in single-combat."
Sif scoffed, but Thor nodded.
"Yes, and any case," The thunderer continued. "Loki is a powerful sorcerer, you know this. Just because he does not fight as you do Sif, does not mean that he is not a great asset in battle. He has even been teaching me to use my power without Mjolnir.
Sif's eyes widened, and her gaze flicked between the two brothers.
"He has been teaching you magic?" She asked.
"Yes." Thor replied.
"B but..." She spluttered in surprise. "Magic is a..."
"What, a woman's art?" Loki asked dryly. "If the only ones who should use magic are women, then the only ones who should be warriors should be men."
"Why you..."
Sif stepped forward, as if to attack Loki, but Thor stepped between them. Steve made to stand next to Thor, but Loki stopped him.
"Best not get between the two of them." He hissed.
"Sif, leave my brother be." Thor said. "He has as much right to be a sorcerer as you do to be a warrior."
Sif seemed to calm down, and her gaze softened as she looked at Thor.
"My apologies Thor." She said. "It is just... You know that Loki and I have never gotten along."
Thor nodded.
"I am aware, but could you please at least try to act civil. We must remember who the true enemy here is."
Sif cleared her throat.
"Yes, there is still the matter of the Allfather's command."
Steve stepped forward to stand next to Thor.
"If you want him, then you will have to get through me." He said.
"And I." Thor added.
"And me." Tony said, walking over to stand beside the two blonds. "Like I'm going to lose my magic-buddy. We haven't built that Lightsabre with our combined science-magic yet."
Natasha also stepped forward. She did not speak, but the look she sent Loki told him everything.
Bruce and surprisingly Barton also stepped forward.
"From what we've heard, Loki's pretty messed up." Barton began. "And from the sounds of it, it looks like Odin's got a lot to do with it."
Sif and the Warriors Three stared in disbelief at the gathering of people willing to stand for Loki.
Loki was also amazed. He knew that he had become closer to the team, but he had not expected them to defend him. Even Barton was standing for him. He had never had so many people in his support. The emotions were almost overwhelming. The last person who had defended him in such a way had been... Sigyn.
An idea burst into his mind. He stepped forward, pushing aside the human wall that had been formed.
"I can help." He said. "Let me go to Vanaheim, Freya knows me. The two of us have a good past. Let me persuade her away from this path. And if not that, at least let me figure out why she has sided with Hela."
Sif scowled.
"Why should we trust you will do as you say?" She sneered.
Loki sucked in a breath.
"I swear it on the spirit of my Mother, Frigga, the Queen of Asgard and a lady of Vanaheim."
Sif was silent for a long time. She exchanged a look with the Warriors Three. They all nodded. She turned back to Loki.
"Fine." She spat. "But betray your word, and..."
"You'll kill me?" Loki finished.
Sif scowled, but did not comment. She instead turned her face to the sky.
"Heimdal!"
And in a flash of rainbow light, the four asgardians were gone, leaving the seven avengers on the roof.
They were all silent, before Tony let out a breath.
"Okay, what was that?" He asked.
"That was Lady Sif and the Warriors Three." Loki replied. "Thor's friends from Asgard."
"Oh, so that was Sif?" Tony asked. He turned to Thor. "Got to admit Point-Break, I can't see why you like her so much. Yeah, she's hot and all, but her attitude..."
Thor cleared his throat.
"Sif is a mighty warrior, and a good friend."
"Yeah, sure." Tony replied. "A "friend"."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, I've heard you talk about her. And by the sounds of it, there's a little more than just friendship going on."
Loki cleared his throat.
"Regardless of the relationship between Thor and Sif, I must now go to Vanaheim."
He walked towards the lift, intending to go down to his room to get changed into something a little more suited for a diplomatic mission. Natasha silently followed him. She did not speak until they were in the lift.
"Are you okay?" She asked. "You look a little tense."
Loki clenched his fists.
"Vanaheim was my Mother's home ream." He began. "It was where I met... Her. The majority of my pleasant childhood memories come from that realm."
He shook his head.
"Freya was her mother, and to hear that she has allied with Hela, that Hela has brought war to that realm..."
"It feels like she's just made it personal." Natasha guessed.
Loki nodded. They finally reached his and Thor's floor.
"I need to know," He began as he headed towards his room. "Why has this happened? Why has Freya done such a thing?"
Natasha followed him.
"Do you want me to..."
Loki shook his head.
"No, I need to do this alone." He replied.
"Okay, if your sure."
Loki nodded.
He went into his room, Natasha waiting outside his door for him.
By the time he was changed, Barton had come to join her.
"Hello Barton." He greeted.
"Hey, what's with the last name stuff?" Barton asked.
Loki blinked.
"Why...?"
"Look, Loki I..." The archer sucked in a breath. "I know that you weren't in complete control at the time, but a part of me still doesn't like you for what you did to my mind."
Loki nodded.
"Understandable."
"But," He continued. "After what you did during the fight with the Draugar, after you tackled that thing... I just... Thanks."
Loki blinked.
"You're welcome?"
"And well..." Barton continued. "Can we just try to err... Start over?"
Loki took a few seconds to process this, then, he smiled.
"Alright then, Clint." He replied.
Clint smiled hesitantly in return. Natasha's grin spread across her face.
"You see Clint, that wasn't so hard, was it?"
Clint shoved her playfully. All three laughed, even Loki, who was still feeling the pain of Hela's attack on Vanaheim.
"I must be leaving now." He said.
Both assassins nodded.
"Okay." Clint began, before leaning closer to Loki. "But first, tell me, what's really going on between Thor and that Lady friend of his?"
Loki smirked.
"Sif has been in love with him for centuries." He replied. "Thor has feelings for her, but he's too much of an idiot to see it."
The archer chuckled.
"Oh, I need to tell Tony. This is just great."
And with that, he quickly climbed into the air vents and disappeared.
"Does he do that often?" Loki asked.
Natasha shrugged.
"He practically lives in there."
They both chuckled, before Loki cleared his throat.
"I must be leaving now."
Natasha nodded.
"Good luck."
Loki nodded.
"Thank you. I feel as if I shall need it."
It had been a long time since he had been to Vanaheim. So much had changed, and yet, this realm looked no different.
Looking around, he could see the same trees, the same fields, the same sun. It did not feel as if a war had come to the realm.
But he of all people knew that looks could be deceiving.
Looking at the people, he could tell they were different. He had half expected them to at least look frightened, haunted, even. Instead, they were all smiling, singing dancing... They were happy.
He snuck past the guards, into the familiar halls of the palace. He remembered running through them with Sigyn, so happy, so free...
He walked down the familiar corridors into Freya's personal chambers. He remembered sitting in Freya's private study with his Mother, Sigyn and the Vanir Queen. Often the older women would tell them stories, and he and Sigyn would show them all the magic they had learnt that day.
Now, only Freya sat in a chair by the fire. A goblet of wine was in her hand, and her cats were at her feet. A smile was on her face.
He stepped out of the shadows and cleared his throat to announce his presence.
The queen looked up, momentarily surprised. However, her smile soon returned.
"Loki, I might have known. Not many people can sneak up on me."
She gestured to the chair on the opposite side of the fire.
"Please, come and sit."
Loki took the offered chair, but refused the wine she offered him.
"I am surprised to see you." She began. "I have heard you were banished to Midgard."
Loki nodded.
"Yes, Odin decided to alter my sentence, after my actions during the convergence."
They both stared into the fire, obviously both remembering certain events from the convergence.
"I was deeply saddened to hear of Frigga's death." Freya began. "We all were. She was a good woman."
Loki nodded.
"Too good for Odin, and all of Asgard, really."
Freya nodded.
"Her pier should have been lit in Vanaheim, her home. Non of us were even allowed to come to her funeral. We had to hold one here, without a body."
"I wasn't even allowed to any funeral." Loki said quietly. "I had to grieve in my cell, alone."
Freya lent forward and grasped his hand.
"She lives on through us." She said. "She never stopped loving you Loki, even after..."
Loki sucked in a breath.
"I know."
His gaze flicked back to Freya, and he let go of her hand.
"She married Odin, so that Asgard and Vanaheim could live in peace." He began. "So I find it strange, that you would throw her sacrifice away so easily. It could almost be an insult to her memory."
Freya's jaw tightened.
"Is that why you are here?"
Loki nodded.
"Why? Why have you sided with Hela, and brought war to your realm?"
Freya sighed.
"It would have happened anyway."
"But why?"
Freya clenched her fist.
"Odin and the realm of Asgard have dominated over the rest of us for too long." She began. "You know this. You know the arrogance of the Asgardians, how they believe themselves superior to all others."
She began to stroke one of her cats.
"I wished to free my people from their tyranny. Surely, on your way here, you saw how much more cheerful my people are, now that we are free."
Loki studied the woman for a long time.
"You have brought war to your realm." He began. "Surely you know that Asgard will retaliate?"
Freya smirked.
"They will be too busy dealing with the other realms."
"Other realms?" Loki asked in surprise.
Freya's smirk widened.
"Surely you did not think my realm was the only one feeling suppressed by Asgard?" She asked. "Even as we speak, Hela plans to assist my brother in freeing Alfheim."
Loki stared at the woman he had known for centuries.
"Odin may have been a cruel father, and a horrible tyrant," He began. "But there is one valuable lesson he gave me. A wise leader, never seeks out war..."
"But they must always be ready for it." Freya finished. "I know these words all too well. Frigga is the one who taught them to him."
Loki studied Freya for a long time. There was something in her eyes. Something that told him there was more to her reasoning. Finally, he realised something.
"Vanaheim is not the only reason why you have sided with Hela and her desires for revenge." He said in realisation.
Freya nodded.
"Do not tell me that you have began this war for... For her." He continued. "Do you honestly think that Sigyn would have wanted this?"
Freya tightened the grip on her goblet.
"No, of course not." She replied darkly. "My Sigyn was a good, and kind young woman. And yet, Odin banished her."
Her gaze flicked back to the fire. Then, her eyes returned to looking into Loki's, and there was a new fire within their depths.
"Of course, you do not know the whole truth of her banishment."
"I beg your pardon?" Loki asked. "I am aware of why Odin banished her. He wished to cover up rumours."
Freya scoffed.
"And let me guess, Odin told you this? Loki, you and I both know that you are far too intelligent to believe his lies."
"How do you mean?" Loki asked.
Freya sucked in a breath.
"I am sorry I did not tell you this sooner." She began. "But Odin forbad anyone from telling you, and back then I feared his wrath. Now, I am less willing to keep secrets from you that you must know."
Loki lent in closer.
"What?"
Freya's eyes met his.
"Sigyn was banished, because she was with child."
The statement hit him like a wall of bricks. It couldn't be...
Freya continued.
"At first Odin demanded she cast the child out, but she refused. She would not destroy something the two of you made. And so, Odin banished her. He claimed that it was to cover up the scandal of a bastard being born from two underage members of hour houses, but we all knew the true reason. He did not wish to tarnish his own reputation."
Loki was beginning to think he should have accepted that wine. The words kept echoing in his mind.
With child. Sigyn had been... With child. His child.
Freya continued.
"I am doing this, because of her." She said. "Once we take down Odin, I hope to find out if he knows of where she is. If anyone knows the location of Sigyn, it is him."
"And what if he doesn't." Loki asked.
"Then I shall force him to help me find her, and the child." Freya replied.
"And if... If they are dead?"
Freya's expression darkened.
"Then I will avenge them."
She stared into Loki's eyes. As he stared at the Vanir Queen, he did not see the woman before him, but the daughter that so strongly resembled her. The girl he had loved.
"Join us Loki." Freya said softly. "If you ever loved Sigyn, then you will help me find her."
She grasped his hand.
"I know of your loyalty to Thor. I assure you, I will try my hardest to convince Hela to spare him. He is Frigga's child, just as much as you are. I am bound by blood and her memory to protect him."
Loki pulled away. He stood up.
"You would use my love for Sigyn against me." He said. "You only reveal the truth to me when it suits your desires. I used to respect you, and yet you are no better than Odin, or Hela."
He turned to leave.
"My loyalty is not with any of you." He continued. "My loyalty is with Thor, and the friends I have made on Midgard, and... And to my Mother and Sigyn."
"But is Hela not your Mother?"
He turned back to glare at Freya.
"She is not." He replied coldly.
And with those final words, he vanished back to Midgard.
As soon as he returned, Loki collapsed onto his bed. He could hardly think, the words of his and Freya's conversation still echoing in his mind.
With child. Sigyn had been, with child.
They had been intimate many times. He had been her first, and she his. They had come together in the darkness of night, loved each other more than they had ever loved anyone. Their love had been like a burning fire, so passionate, so pure, so bright.
And yet, Loki never thought, he had never considered the possibility that their little rendezvous could have resulted in something more.
With child.
But surely Sigyn would have told him if she was. They were always honest with each other.
A flash of memory appeared in his mind.
He was sitting by the river that flowed near the palace of Vanaheim. He lay, his head in the lap of the woman he loved. Sigyn was playing with his hair gently, combing her fingers through it.
"It is a beautiful day." She mused, looking out to the water.
Loki hummed in agreement.
"Almost as beautiful as you."
Sigyn shoved him playful.
"Loki Odinson, one of these days that silver tongue of yours is going to get you into trouble."
Loki chuckled.
"Darling, I am the God of Mischief. Part of that is getting into trouble. But another part of it is getting out of trouble, and a silver tongue can do just that."
They both laughed.
Suddenly, they both heard rustling in the bushes. Loki sat up, startled.
"What was that?" Sigyn asked.
Loki got to his feet and approached the bushes cautiously. He knelt into the bushes, and found a little creature within them. When next he stood, a small infant snake was curled around his arm.
"Look." He said, extending the arm with the snake to Sigyn.
Sigyn at first flinched, but then seemed to calm down. She extended a hand and stroked the snake. The snake flicked out it's forked tongue.
"It likes you." He said, smiling.
Sigyn smiled. Loki sat down next to her, and they both admired the snake.
"What are you going to do with him?" She asked.
"I do not know." He replied. "Perhaps I will take him back to Asgard."
Sigyn chuckled.
"A snake is the perfect pet for you."
Loki also chuckled.
"I cannot leave him in the world alone." He argued. "It is only a baby. Predators will devour him before he has a chance to grow."
Sigyn sighed and looked off into the distance.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
Sigyn nodded absently.
"Just, thinking." She began.
Her gaze flicked to him.
"You are a good person Loki." She began. "Even if not many see it."
Loki smiled.
"I am only this way because of you." He said. "You are the light of my life."
Sigyn smiled. She laced her fingers in his.
"I wish this moment could never end." She said. "You, and me, together."
"We will be together forever." Loki said quickly. "It is you and I, against the universe."
Sigyn smiled sadly.
"Never say forever."
Loki frowned.
"Why, what is going on?" He asked.
Sigyn sighed.
"I... Well... I must tell you something."
"What?"
Before Sigyn could reply, she was interrupted.
"Prince Loki."
They both turned to see a guard had arrived.
"Yes?" Loki asked, slightly annoyed.
"The Allfather has requested you return to Asgard, immediately."
Loki sighed. A request from the Allfather was more of a demand than anything else. He glanced back to Sigyn.
"Next time, I suppose?"
Sigyn nodded.
"I suppose."
And with one final kiss, Loki stood up and followed the guard back to Asgard.
He remembered the following events all too well. That had been the last time he had ever seen Sigyn. A mere day after, Odin informed him that she had been banished, due to the rumours that had been spreading concerning the two of them. Odin had said it was for their own good, but Loki could not stop his feelings.
He had locked himself in his chambers for weeks, his food being delivered to him by his Mother. She had tried to help him, but it was not enough.
The only companion had been the snake they had found. And yet, not even he was enough.
Loki had tried so many ways to find her. From tracking charms to his own Vanir mirror. Nothing worked.
He had ended up throwing the mirror against the wall. It had shattered into small fragments, and he had cut himself numerous times while cleaning them up.
Now, he walked to his desk and opened one of the draws. He drew from it the only remaining shard from that mirror. As he gazed upon it, thoughts echoed in his mind. His heart was at war with itself.
He was loyal to Thor. He loved Thor.
And yet, he also loved Sigyn. Even the thought of her brought tears to his eyes.
With child. Sigyn had been... With his child. He had no doubts that child had been his. Sigyn was loyal beyond all reason. She would never have betrayed him.
He clenched his fist around the shard. He could feel it breaking his skin, cutting into him and drawing blood, but he did not care.
What should he do? Should he continue to answer to the man who had lied to him for so long, or should he... Should he betray Thor, one of the only people who still loved him, so he could join Freya and get some form of answer out of Odin? It was possible that the old fool knew of where Sigyn was, if she was even alive.
He had to do something. He could have a child out there, lost, alone...
He gazed into the fragment. He could only see his green eye. And yet, when he stared into the fragment, it was not his eye he saw.
He sucked in a determined breath. He knew what he had to do. He would not do this for Hela, or Freya. He would do this, for her, and their possible child. He could only hope that his brother and the avengers would forgive him.