Chapter 13: Prince of Asgard

Recommended Listening: All This and Heaven Too by Florence + the Machine

Loki straightened his armor again, staring up and the clear sky. "The Bifrost should have been opened by now…"

"Hey." I wrapped my arms around him. "It's been five minutes. Give them some time. And you look great."

He chuckled.

"No, seriously. I always thought the helmet was kinda hot."

Loki tipped his head back, laughing. "Darcy, you are the most confusing mortal I have ever met."

"Hey, it's part of my charm."

He sighed. "Yes, it is."

Clouds gathered and started spinning in a circle above us.

Loki looked up, mouth tight. "Well, Miss Lewis, are you ready to see Asgard?"

He scooped me up without waiting for an answer and we shot into the sky. I shrieked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

We landed inside a giant dome. Loki set me on my feet and three soldiers stepped into formation around us. The five of us walked out the door and along a bridge that looked like it was made of rainbow glass. A palace stood on a hill at the other end.

"Oh, wow." I tugged nervously on my dress.

Loki slipped his hands back into mine. "You look lovely, Darcy."

The double doors swung open and the guards escorted us inside. We kept walking until we reached a second set of doors.

"The throne room." Loki took a deep breath. "Don't be nervous. Simply kneel and do not speak until the king addresses you."

"Okay." I squeezed his hand. "Everything is going to be fine."

Trumpets blared and we walked down a long carpet past a crowd of silent people. When we reached the dais, Loki sank to one knee, head bowed. I copied him.

"Rise, my son."

Loki didn't move. I reached over and poked him. He looked up.

"It has been too long since I saw you last. I am glad to see you back in Asgard."

"Your Majesty." Loki replied, "The reason I have come here is more suited to a private meeting, if I may ask it of you."

The woman standing on the dais smiled down at him. "Not here, Loki. Home." She looked out at the people crowding the enormous room. "Please leave us. You will see your prince soon."

They bowed and filtered out. Loki didn't move once the entire time. when the room was completely empty, the woman walked down the steps of the dais and pulled Loki to his feet.

She hugged him. "My son…"

"Mother, please." He stepped away. "I've simply come to say goodbye. And… possibly to ask a favor of you."

The old man on the throne blinked his one eye. "Why would you leave us again, Loki? We have forgiven you."

"And maybe you have. But what of Fandral, or Sif? Or any of the citizens of Asgard?"

"They will understand and many do not know the full story."

"No. I will not lie to my friends, not any more. My place is in Midgard, now."

"Does this girl have anything to do with your choice?" the woman asked, one eyebrow raised.

"My name is Darcy."

She smiled. "I apologize. However, my question stands. Do you love her, Loki?"

"Yes, I do. She…" he smiled, "I don't know where to begin."

"One of these days, all that flattery is going to go to my head. Then what?" I teased.

"I see why you are so attached to her."

"And so you know what I will ask?"

"I do."

I looked from Loki to his mother. "Will someone please tell me what in the world is going on?"

"My son would ask us to make you immortal, if you would agree to it." Odin explained.

I looked at Loki. "He… he never said anything."

"I didn't know how to ask you."

"My oldest son, Thor, has asked the same thing for your friend Jane. She agreed. I tell you this so you know that you will not loose your friend."

She picked up a small box and opened it. There was a small, gold apple tucked into the lining.

"I'll do it."

Loki set one hand on each of shoulders and met my eyes squarely. "Darcy, are you absolutely certain? This is permanent. Once you do this you can never go back and I don't want you to regret anything."

"I'm sure." I kissed him.

His mother took the apple out of the box and held it out. I took it. Instead of letting go, she took a step closer.

"Do not hurt my son. I do not believe you will, but if you abandon him, I will make you regret it for the rest of your very long life. You have helped him so much since he went back to Midgard and I do not want to see that go to waste."

"I would never."

She let go of the apple. "I am glad to hear it."

I turned toward Loki and raised the apple to my mouth. It was sweet and crisp, absolutely perfect.

Loki plucked the last of the apple out of my hand and kissed me gently, his other arm wrapped around my waist.

He pulled back, mouth right by my ear. "I love you, Darcy."

"Love you, too."

A/N: I'm ending this here, even though I might add an epilogue later. The point of this story wasn't to fix Loki, but to start him healing and give him a way to heal. I'm actually really happy with it. So, review, tell me if it needs the epilogue. All that stuff.

I'm going back on break so I can write my book. So there won't be anything new for a while. Thanks to everyone who read this!

-Firedance28