chapter 5

I swore I wouldn't let myself be over-awed by Odin. But the sight of the god king and father sitting on his throne was somewhat intimidating.

"My prodigal", Odin begins, then looks Loki over head to toe. "What is this? Why is it I don't recognize my own son?"

Loki sighs, aggravated. "You never knew who I really was, Father, but that's not important. I have come to make amends and ask forgiveness, and to ask for your blessing on my marriage."

Odin chokes. "Marriage?! You, Loki? What is this really about? What's up your sleeve?"

"Nothing I'm afraid, Father, I simply fell in love", he answers.

"Looks like you fell in a vat of lard and ate your way out", Odin says, and I feel the pain shoot through Loki's body, from his feet to the top of his head. I take his hand and squeeze it.

"Let me introduce myself", I begin.

"I don't care who you are. I mean no offense by it, dear, I'm sure you're a good psychologist, after all that's what you were hired to do, right? Not destroy my son and trick him into marrying you?"

I'm silenced by the stream of hate.

"Father, she did no such thing. We discovered food relaxes me, and I simply ate too much of it, it's not her fault. But I have changed, Father, why can't you be happy for me?" Loki asks.

"I will be happy for you if it lasts, once you're healthy again. Send this woman back where you found her."

"Where she goes, I go."

"Arrest her", Odin orders, and I scream as guards grab me and shackle my hands behind my back.

"Father, no!", Thor screams.

"Fine, I'll go back to earth, just let me go!" I yell.

"You had that choice, and chose not to take it, my son says he goes where you do, you've left me no choice", Odin responds. "My son is not leaving here again. None of you are."

Loki jumps up the few stairs to Odin's throne like the spry thin man he used to be.

"Father, let her go. I will do whatever you say. Please, please."

"Lock her up, execute her tomorrow..."

"Father, what is wrong with you?!" Thor booms.

"If you touch her, I'll..." Loki squeezes his eyes closed. I can feel the rage, the madness, coming back. Emanating off him.

"Something's wrong", Thor observes, "The All-Father would never murder a human for nothing, we protected them for many years. You're not our father."

"Time's change, son, take her away..." Odin steps off the throne and walks away.

I feel myself dragged away roughly and hear Loki scream "Noooo!"

My cell is large with clear windows all around. It's neither uncomfortable nor barbaric, especially by Earth standards. I even have books to read if I so desire.

I fear the man I love is gone. I could hear the rage and madness in his voice that I had worked so hard to eradicate with a steady dose of food and love. I'm extremely worried for myself, but I also can't stop wondering what is happening to him right now. We should never have come here, should never have thought they would accept a mortal. Loki can be proud he has so little in common with these people.

In the throne room...

"I love our father, Brother, but I will kill him if he orders her death", Loki screams, grabbing Thor by the shirt.

"It won't come to that", Thor answers. "I'll get help." Loki is left alone in the throne room, pacing and screaming.

Thor returns whispering to Heimdall and Lady Sif. "You saw what happened when Mother died. He loves his woman, if he loses her...we will lose him to madness. We will never be able to get him back. You have to help me."

"We cannot disobey the All-Father", Lady Sif insists.

"You have before when it was the right thing to do", Thor insists. "Besides, something is "off" with him. It's not like him to take such an extreme, and violent position. I'll find out what's going on, but we need to rescue Loki's fiancé now."

"Loki's fiancé", Lady Sif says with a laugh, "Of all the phrases I thought I'd never hear..."

Loki rushes over to them. "Please help me. I know you have no reason to believe I've changed..."

"If Thor believes, that's enough for me", Heimdall says.

"Brother, I love her. And she's also two months gone with my child though she doesn't know it...do you think that would sway Father?"

"Oh Loki", Thor moans, "How could you do that? You don't know what she's carrying, it could kill her. We have evidence the children of mortals and Asgardians are normal, but you're not..." He stops.

"Not an Asgardian", Loki snaps, "I'm aware, Brother."

"You have no idea what the offspring of a mortal and a frost giant might be", Thor insists.

"And as always, it's wrong for me to want anything", Loki barks, "It's okay for you to follow your conscience, even when it disagrees with Father, it's okay for you to love, it's okay for you to want a family. It's not okay for me."

"It's just not responsible", Thor insists.

"I plan to tell her soon if she doesn't figure it out herself, and she will decide what to do about it. But I don't want to give up so soon, I don't want lose..." He fights tears.

"It's okay, Brother, I promise we'll get her back", Thor reassures him.

In my cage...

"Interesting..."

I whip my head around to see who spoke. It's a female creature, grayish skin, and horns.

"We tell you to tell Loki to give it back, and he gives it to you." She motions toward my left hand. "Not a very smart god."

"What do you want?" I bark, terrified.

"The space stone."

"I don't have any space stone", I insist.

"You are wearing it", she insists, and I look at my engagement ring.