Unforgotten

Chapter 18

"Your ribs have almost completely healed," Eir told me, and I smiled briefly at her as I sat up in bed.  "Your body temperature is back to normal.  Now we must get your strength up."

"Yes ma'am," I said quietly, and Eir eyed me.  I looked out the window so I didn't have to meet her gaze.  It had been a month since I had been spirited away from Stark Tower, and brought to the beautiful palace called Fenslir.  I had yet to even venture outside on my own two feet yet.  Thor made it a point to visit every day, and graciously carried me outside to the soft green lawn so I received my allotted 'outdoor time,' but I longed to actually get some exercise on my own.

"How are we today?" I turned to the door as Frigga sailed through the doorway, her incredible presence filling the room.  Eir bowed, and excused herself while Frigga sat on the edge of my bed, and reached out to touch my cheek.  "Your color improves each time I see you, my dear.  This is good." I couldn't help but smile at her comment.

"Thank you, your majesty," I said quietly, and Frigga chuckled. 

"You forever remain proper, Lady Paige," Frigga said, and I nodded.

"Habit," I answered.  Frigga held out her hand and conjured a horn, then handed it to me.  "Drink, my dear.  This nourishment elixr will make you stronger, and help your child as well," I took it from her and sniffed, then drank.  It tasted like strawberries.  I happily drained it, and Frigga conjured more.

"Your mind is troubled, my child, I can feel it." Frigga frowned as I finished.  I looked down as I handed the horn back to her, and my hand went to the ball on my necklace.

"He always did choose the most difficult road, you know." Frigga said, and my eyes snapped up to her.  "Ever since he was a boy."  I felt the tears come.

"I miss him so much," I whispered, and my hands went around my middle.  "I'm so afraid."  Frigga smiled with understanding.

"My youngest son is clever, and resilient," she said.  "When he faced Thanos, and died for his brother, I never feared he would find a way back."  I felt my heart begin to pound.

"Died?" I whispered, and Frigga's eyes widened. 

"Has Loki never told you of his past?" She asked, and I looked at my hands. 

"I guess not," I answered quietly.  Frigga reached forward and took my hands, and looked me square in the face. 

"Then we have much to talk about my child." She said.  "But not all today.  This conversation will be best spread out.  It is a lot to take in.  But you need to know."  I nodded, but my mind was spinning.  What other secrets had the man I loved kept from me?

Later that afternoon, Thor found me reading, and knocked on the door.  I smiled when I saw him – I had become accustomed to his visits, and enjoyed talking with him.  Anything to take my mind off the fact I would soon be a single parent to a child whose father was a prisoner.

"How fare you today, my lady?" He asked, sitting down in a chair next to my bed. 

"I'm better," I admitted.  I explained to him about the strawberry exlixr his mother had given me, and Thor laughed out loud.

"The best cure for too much ale, and a night of sparring!" he claimed, and I laughed with him.  "Are you ready to go outside?" Thor asked, and I nodded.  "Shall we try to walk?"  I nodded eagerly, and Thor whipped the covers of my bed aside, then lifted me easily out of the bed.  He carried me through the beautiful palace halls, and once we had reached the bottom of the palace stairs, he set me on my feet.