Hostage to Love

Magic is just Science....

"Ari? Ari, you must listen to me, darling girl..."

The soft voice cut through the pain like a hot knife through butter.

"Mama?" She opened her eyes, and she was back in the garden. Her garden. This time, she knew right away that she was hovering around death.

"Ari!" The perfumed arms engulfed her, and she felt her mother hold her tightly. "You are strong, Ari. You just need to hold on." They sat together in the little arbor, holding hands. She looked at her mother's face. It was as beautiful as she remembered, but now, she frowned with worry.

"But Mama, I'm so tired. I've tried, I really have. I just can't do it. If they can save..." she trailed off as a small toddler wandered towards them, dark hair and green eyes giving away her parentage. "Etta?" The little girl looked up and stretched out her chubby arms.

"Etta?" Her mother stroked the little girl's hair. Ari nodded.

"Yes, Margaretta, for a girl and Baldur for a boy." She smiled and kissed the little girl's forhead. "So, she survived then?"

Her mother shook her head. "Ari, if she survived, how can she sit with us now?" Aria looked sad then down at her daughter and took her hand. "Where you go, she goes. There is only one way for her to survive."

"But I told him... they must take her... save her even if it will mean I... die." Ari had never feared death, believing she would go to Valhalla, but now? At the moment, she would pass? She was scared. To take everything from Loki. His wife. His child.

"No child. Loki will never make that choice, and you know it. But, my darling girl, you will not die, not if you fight on. You want Etta..." she paused, and now she kissed her pretty granddaughter, "to survive, so you must. I believe the Midgardian..."

"Jane?"

"Yes, Jane, can help. Even now, she is summoning the Bifrost. Go back, my darling. Go back and be with Loki. He is terrified. He is losing his mind with worry. You must help him. You must be strong again... for both of you." She kissed Ari on the cheek. "I will always be here for you, darling. You only have to ask. But please? For me? Stop trying to die to do it?"

Her mother's soft laughter faded, along with the scene, into blackness. As she became aware of the room again, there was an overwhelming sense of peace within her. It was going to be alright.

She turned to where Loki sat, praying by her side. "Loki? Look at me, darling..." she paused, letting the pain wash over her, biting her lip.

Loki's eyes snapped open, and he smiled gently. "Kjaer..."

"Loki, it's going to be alright... I promise..." she closed her eyes and drifted away.

"HEALER!" Loki almost screamed, jumping up. "NO! NO! IF SHE DIES...."
His face darkened, grief bringing out the rage once again. Strong arms pulled him back, a voice in his ear.

"Come, brother, we are back. We have someone with us who can help." Thor was there and guided Loki to an antechamber. There, standing looking about as shell-shocked as it was possible to be, was a man. Standing next to him was Jane.

"Loki? This is Donald. He's a doctor. He can help Ari." She pushed 'Donald' forward, and he bowed in a daze.

"Donald Blake MD, Midtown Hospital at your service... sir?" He had no idea how to address a prince, let alone a god. Right now, though, he could have called Loki anything he wanted.

"Come Donald Blake. Save my wife and child and the world, quite literally is yours. Fail me..."

"Loki..." Jane's voice was quiet and soothing.

Loki nodded, "Forgive me... Donald?"

Donald smiled. They were all the same. God , Prince, man, when faced with this, they were all the same. "It's ok. Take me to her, we can do the Ohmygodthisvanaheim" bit later.. "

Loki sat with Thor and Jane. Once Donald had been introduced to both Ari and the healers, they left the room. He would call Loki back at the appropriate moment.

The three of them talked quietly. Of Asgard, of the coronation, of the wedding and mostly about Ari. Loki's face, despite his grief, shone with love and pride. Thor and Jane could only pray Donald was as good a doctor as Jane recalled.

After about thirty minutes, one of the healing assistants came into the room and curtseyed. Loki was on his feet in an instant.

"Yes?"

"Please come with me, Your Highness. Dr Blake wishes to see you." She couldn't look him in the face. She was too scared.

Loki glanced at his brother, fear etched on his already sharp features. Thor nodded and smiled. "It will be ok. Go... GO!!!"

As Loki ran into the room, he would have thought someone had been murdered. Blood-soaked cloths lay on the ground, Donald, now clad in a makeshift gown, was elbow deep in blood. Loki stopped, Ari was lying, eyes closed, motionless. There was silence.

Before he could say or do anything, Donald spoke to him. "Come here, Loki... you'll want to see this..."

For once in his life, Loki was scared to look. He gingerly approached and was almost sick. Ari was cut open from belly button down, her flesh prised apart and being held by metal instruments Donald had obviously brought with him. Donald smiled, his hands working deftly and delicately.

Suddenly, Loki became aware of what he was looking at. A baby. Still in its protective veil. A living baby, squirming. His mouth fell open, and his eyes filled with tears. Donald turned to him, "Now, I'm about to open the amniotic sac and pull out your baby. It's going to look a little rough, but bear in mind she doesn't feel a thing, ok? Once the baby is out, we'll prepare it for you to cut the cord."

It was at this point, that Loki fainted.

Donald smiled, yep. All the same. Not waiting, he proceeded, and by the time Loki was revived , he was ready.

"There you go, Dad. Just there. He indicated, and Loki took the scissors in his hands, shaking like a leaf. Moments later, it was done, and their daughter wailed in protest.

"Congratulations, Your Highness. A fine daughter!" The healers all clapped, and softly, there was a gentle murmur from the other end of the table.

"Loki? Is that you love...is our...is our baby..." Ari was in no pain thanks to herbal draughts and a strong pain blocker from Dr Blake, but she was awake. Just. The crying baby had made her open her eyes.

Loki, now carrying their little girl, swaddled in soft cotton, appeared at her head and leaned over.

"Ari, darling Ari... this is our little girl."

"Etta...." she smiled vacantly, and her eyes filled with tears. "Mama...."

"Yes, this is your mama Etta. She's worked so hard to get you here." Gently Loki unwrapped her and laid her skin to skin on Ari's chest. Etta snuffled and mewled like a kitten.

Loki felt the tears fall but cared not one bit. For once, his image was nothing. Family - his family - was everything.

He was just sad there were those who would never see him in this moment. Or so he thought.

So wrapped up in their moment, he failed to see the slight shimmer in the corner. Feel the light breeze and smell the scent of roses and Lily of the Valley.

So devoted to his new family, he didn't hear the "I love you my son" from the mother who'd never truly left him and the father who'd prayed for him to find a love like he had.

By the time Loki was aware of anything, it was nothing but a movement in his peripheral vision, a passing sigh in his ear.

Science? Doubtful. Magic? Possibly. But then wasn't magic just science they didn't understand yet?