Beyla ~ (Loki)

21.

Suddenly Jane's eyes open, it's clear that the Aether has taken her over, she rises and looks ahead. "Malekith." She speaks.

After landing their ship, they walk over to watch Malekith and his men in the distance.

"Alright, are you ready?" Jane nods her head.

Loki nods smugly. "I am." They rise from their hiding spot and Malekith spots them standing on a hill in the distance. "You know this plan of yours is going to get us killed."

Thor agrees, "Yeah, possibly." Loki holds up his shackled hands for Thor to uncuff him. "You still don't trust me, brother?"

Thor searches his brother's eyes. "Would you?" Thor takes off Loki's cuffs. "No, I would not." Loki takes out a dagger stabs Thor and throws him down the hill. After stabbing Thor and throwing him down the slope, Loki walks over to Thor. "You really think I cared about Frigga, about any of you?" He kicks Thor in the stomach. "All I ever wanted was you and Odin dead at my feet!" Thor raises his hand, attempting to summon Mjolnir, but Loki cuts off his hand making Thor scream out in pain, Jane rushes over to Thor but Loki grabs her and turns to face Malekith and his dark elves.

"Malekith, I am Loki of Jotunheim and I bring you a gift!" He throws Jane at Malekith's feet. "I ask only one thing in return, a good seat from which to watch Asgard burn with my lover."

Algrim speaks to Malekith, "He is an enemy of Asgard, he was locked in a cell." Malekith walks over to Thor squirming in pain on the ground. "Look at me." Malekith uses his foot to turn Thor, he then lifts Jane in the air and extracts the Aether from her, in that moment Jane has a vision of Earth, then as the Aether leaves her body Jane falls to the ground.

"Loki, now!"

Loki uses his diversion tactics and we see that he had never amputated Thor's hand, Thor quickly summons Mjolnir and shoots lightning at the Aether attempting to destroy it, but he fails as Malekith is still able to absorb it and turns to leave on his ship. Two of the dark elves start attacking Thor but he quickly takes them down, Algrim then throws one of his vortex weapons in the air, Loki pushes Jane away and he is nearly sucked in when Thor pulls him out, Thor then attacks Algrim but he beats Thor down, Loki goes over to them and impales Algrim from behind, Algrim slowly turns and suddenly pulls Loki into the blade that is sticking out from him. "No!" Algrim takes a step towards Loki. "See you in hell, monster!" Algrim then realizes that attached to the blade in him is his own vortex weapon, it explodes before he can do anything destroying him; Thor then rushes over to Loki. "No. No, no, no! Oh, you fool, you didn't listen!" Loki nods along, shivering in the black sand. "I know. I'm a fool. I'm a fool!" He squirms in pain. "Stay with me, Brother. Beyla is waiting for you." Loki's body shakes, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." "It's okay." Thor nods his head, "It's alright. I'll tell father what you did here today."

"I didn't do it for him." He closes his eyes and as he dies his skin turns to its blue Frost Giant form, Thor cries out in anguish.

~

On Svartalfheim an Einherjar Guard uses the ship that brought Thor, Loki, and Jane onto the planet to return to Asgard, he goes to see Odin at the palace. He hears the voice of Lady Beyla, "Why will you not tell me? Am I not family?" Odin grabs her shoulders lightly. "He will-" His gaze matches the guard at the doorway. "Forgive me, my liege. I've returned from the Dark World with news." Odin turns to Beyla, "Relax in your gardens, Beyla." She huffs turning around and passing the guard.

Once alone Odin looks at the guard. "Thor?"

"There's no sign of Thor, or the weapon, but..." He takes a step closer to Odin. Odin studies the guard's stance. No guard in his fleet would ever have such a relaxed stance. "What?"

"We found a body." Odin stares at the guard noticing all the tricks and trades he's seen for years through Frigga, then his second son. There's a moment's pause. "Loki."

The warrior doesn't reply but just looks at Odin. The voice wasn't in morn or question. Odin was speaking directly to him. "Loki," Odin says again. The guard unveils his form, reviling Loki behind the trick. "You're getting better." Loki praises his adoptive father.

Odin sits on his throne. "You tried to spread false knowledge, again. Why?" Loki looks at the golden throne. "I deserve it. Beyla and I deserve to rule." Odin sighs resting his head. "My son. May we discuss a bargain?" Loki leans further on his feet. "Go on."

"My point here is on its close. Thor was expected to govern long ago, but we know where his heart lies. I need to take a vacancy. I need someone to fill my place." "And am I not suitable?" Odin strikes a smirk. "You, my son, are more than suitable. These people may be yours, as long as the impression of myself is front and center. They must never know I was gone." Loki smirks taking over the appreciation of the Allfather. Odin nods. "Shall you escort me down?" Odin says reaching his arm out for his son.

~

I roll in the sheets, feeling restless, I sleep all hours of the night and most of the day. How come I suddenly have this energy? I stand up, my feet against the cold golden floor. I move to sit at the window, viewing the garden below. I run my fingertips over the lock. I open the window and feel the breeze fall over my face. "Be careful. You may fall." I look behind me but see nothing but the dark shadows around the room. I huff shaking my head. "Beyla." I hear him. The voice makes my nerves peak. I remove myself from the window. "Beyla, darling." I turn around once more and see him.

Loki, healthy and well, standing in front of me. I gasp tumbling back towards the window. My knees hit the ledge and I gasp as my balance is knocked off. My body drops out through the window, but two arms wrap around me, holding me from my death. His long dark hair hung over his face, his eyes green as emeralds, his smile wide. "Loki." He pulls me back into the room, pulling me flush against his chest. "My Beyla." He breathes quietly, holding me, pressing kisses to my head every second. "You... you're dead. Your father, and Thor, everyone told me-" "They lied. It was an extension of the cell. I am so sorry, my love for how they treated you." Tears prickle in my eyes and I cling to him. "Loki." I sob in his clothes. "I know, darling. I am home."