Frost & Fire

Chapter 17 (Loki)

"My King we have news." Hredr said as he walked up to the war table.

I stood there with my hands splayed out on the map of Jotunnheim as I looked at all of the marks of the damned rebellion covering it. There were red markers in the shape of swords set on spots where we'd had skirmishes with the rebels. Places where we had lost men, good men, in defending our home.

"What is it?" I asked.

He rushed the table and said "We've captured two high ranking members of the rebellion. I think we can learn a good bit from them and possibly even break the rebellion itself."

My head came up at that. "That would be great. But we can't be too rough, I don't want my queen to come back and be ashamed of her station here."

He nodded slowly. "With respect my King, may I speak freely?"

I nodded though I was afraid I knew what he was going to say.

"I have seen some of our people who are happy with the changes, they really seem to think it's a good thing. But there are more who are upset about having a human queen who is trying to change our ways. Is there perhaps a way to make her understand that severe punishments are required for those who break our laws?"

"There is not. And what's more is that you know this. She is kind and good, she makes me want to be something other than the brute I have been for so long. Is that not a good thing? To find someone who makes you want to be a better person than you are?"

"It is my king, however, when that person is making you into something other than what is needed to rule it makes me question if it's a wise decision for you to stay here as king. There are so many who want to take the throne from you that you have enemies on almost every side. The council is having a hard time figuring out what they should do to keep enough of the peace that there isn't a civil war. Maybe—"

There was a commotion outside of the room and as we looked at the door and he moved in front of me to act in his station as royal protector I conjured two daggers in my hands. The door opened and I saw my brother standing there with a worried look on his face.

"What is it?" I felt my stomach drop as I asked, terrified of the answer I would receive. Was it something with Abby? With the baby? I wasn't sure which was worse.

"Abigail is acting strangely and I wonder if you could come check on her. I know you are dealing with a lot here brother, but your wife and child need you."

"Of course." I nodded to Hredr and said "You know how I would want you to rule in my absence." He nodded and I smiled, he truly was one of a kind. "What is wrong?"

"Well, she and Pepper have been at one another's throats a great deal lately. But she has also been keeping the house so cold that none of them can stand it. Tony is worried something is wrong with the young because she is keeping her rooms at nearly freezing."

"Near freezing? And she is not cold at all? She's comfortable in those conditions?" I was getting more and more concerned as he spoke. When Thor nodded I felt as if something was wrong. I looked over to Hredr. "Who is our most accomplished healer?"

He thought for a moment and said "I believe that would be Leytla. She has delivered more children here than any other. And she has been around a long time so she has more than just experience, she has intuition."

'I need her to meet me where we've been traveling to Midgard. She is going to come with me and help with my child."

He nodded and left quickly, running actually. Thankfully Hredr knew when haste was the only thing that mattered, and in this time was of the essence.