Ebony and Gold (Loki fanfic/prequel)

Chapter 8

Keya felt weaker and weaker as the days went on. She had more trouble getting out of bed in the mornings, and her feet hurt more often than none. She decided to see if Frigga would know anything.

Keya mounted Vilkaf and headed to the palace. She dismounted him and walked through the front doors, nodding at the guards who bowed back to her. She only knew where the dining hall, the Queen's chambers, and the library was, so she decided to try the Library first. She opened one of the golden double doors and didn't see anyone. She walked in and stifled a small "Hello?" next thing she knew, Loki's head peeked around a book shelf.

"Keya, what are you doing here?" he asked as walked towards her.

"I-I was just...looking for Queen Frigga. I needed to ask her something."

"Well, her and Odin went on a little trip for a peace meeting with another realm. Is there something I could do to help?" She gave a half-hearted smile and shook her head.

"No, it's okay. I'll just go back to the stables now." Loki grabbed her arm a she turned to leave. She looked at his hand then back at him. "Loki?"

"You look pale. What's wrong?" She turned back to him and he cupped her face with his hand.

"I'm fine. Just having a little trouble sleeping, is all." She trailed off as she lost herself in his emerald eyes.

"I miss you." He said as he loosened his grip on her arm and his hand fell to her waist. "At least your skin is still warm." He stepped closer and kissed her forehead. She breathed in his intoxicating scent and sighed as she wrapped her arms around him. She missed him too, and this is what she really needed, for him to just hold her.

"I miss you too."

"Then stay here for the rest of today."

"I can't. I have a long list of things to do today and I can't make Aydin and Bjaldgor do them for me again. The horses need me."

"Has it ever come to mind that I might need you? Or maybe you might need me?" Keya pulled away from Loki, surprised by his words.

"Loki, I-" the doors burst open as Thor entered.

"There you are, brother! I've been scouring the palace for you."

"Why do you always do this?! You barge into every room without knocking and it disrupts whatever is going on! Do you just want the attention so badly that you have to act like an imbecile to get it?! There must be a reason, so leave and don't come back until you've figured it out!" Thor raised his eyebrows at his brother. His silence showed that he was taken aback by his brother's venomous words.

"Loki." Keya looked at the ebony-haired prince. "That was rude."

"It's true! You and I were having a conversation and he interrupted with his obvious presence and-"

"Loki, stop!" He looked sternly at her, but she stood her ground. "You are being to dramatic, both of you." she turned to look at Thor. "He is right, you know. Barging in like that, making yourself the center of attention." She turned back to Loki. "And it was rude of you to confront his behavior in that tone of voice. You are brothers, and princes of Asgard, and gods, might I add. You should be above behaving like this. You two sound like children bickering over a toy! Now you two need to correct your behavior and apologize to one another!" Keya took a breath. The brothers were silent, and looked back and forth between her and each other.

"I'm sorry, Thor. For calling you an imbecile." Loki said.

"I'm sorry for intruding on your conversation, Loki. And I forgive you."

"And I, you."

"Now," Keya straightened her dress, "I'll let the two of you do what needs to be done. I need to return to the stables." She courtseyed and left the library. She walked outside and mounted Vilkaf.

'What's wrong?'

"Nothing. I'm fine."

'No, you're not. Do you need me to take you to a doctor?'

"No, we need to go home now." He huffed and trotted back to the stables.

-------

The next morning, Keya awoke with a nauseated feeling. She stood from her bed and grabbed the nearest bucket she could and emptied her stomach.

"Are you all right in there, m'lady?" Aydin asked from outside her room.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed to empty something out of my system. I'll be okay." Keya heard him sigh and walk away. She ran her fingers through her hair and took a shaky breath. What was wrong with her? Maybe if she really did empty whatever was messing with her body out, she'd feel better later. She decided to lay down and rest as her stomach got itself back together.

Not too much later, another knock at the door made her sit up. "Yes?" she asked and the royal doctor walked in. She had her portable medicine case with her and she closed the door behind her.

"Hello, Lady Keya, your stable hands sent for me." She sighed and ran her fingers through her mangled hair.

"Did they really?"

"They're concerned for your health. Aydin has known you his whole life and has never seen you sick. But now that I'm looking at you, you don't seem like you're not well. You seem almost...glowing."

"Pardon? Glowing?" she nodded as Keya raised an eyebrow. "Now I can't help but be intrigued."

"I know what tests I need to perform to test my theory." She sat her case down on the table to the side as she opened it.

"What theory?"

"I'll let you know after the tests." Keya sighed and let tue doctor proceed to poke and prod and take samples. She went back to her case and Keya strained her neck to see what she was doing, but even if she did see, she had no idea what for. after what seemed like eternity, she finished.

"Ah, it seems that my theory is correct."

"And that is?"

"You're not sick, you're pregnant." Keya's heart stopped. "I want to wish you congratulations and I will be seeing you quite often in these next few months. May I ask who the father is?" Keya wasn't listening. She was speechless, and didn't know how to reply.

"Lady Keya, I-"

"Don't tell anyone." the doctor tolted her head in surprised confusion. "Please. Not until I know what to do."

"Is it not Fandral? I have seen the two of you together before."

"No, it's...Loki. He's the father." She nodded and walked up to Keya and put her hand on her shoulder.

"I trust you to do the right thing. I will not tell a soul, I swear on my life. I will see you later." She walked out of her room, leaving Keya in silence.