Love Me?

Chapter Eighteen

Loki thought of ways to escape. He could use the ice that was in his cell as a dagger and when the guard came in to give him his food, he could stab him and run off. But, he knew it was no use since he would be caught. He was too small to run away from the giants. He thought about Elli and what she must be doing or thinking. He knew that her father and brother would return with their army to get him back...or would they? They had killed his brother when he asked for them not to so why would they ever come back to rescue him. He hated when Laufey came into his cell to talk with him.

"I don't see why you must come here and talk to me when you do not love me or ever treated me as a son." Loki explained.

"I always loved you, Loki." Laufey said.

Loki scoffed and Laufey slapped him across the face. Loki exclaimed in pain and cowered away from him as Laufey knelt down in front of him so he was eye to eye with Loki.

"You were the last gift your mother ever gave to me. I treated you the way I did hoping you would grow up strong." Laufey told him.

"But I grew up the opposite of what you wanted. You made me fear you and Helblindi. I was scared my whole life. You treated me like the dirt under your feet. You made me feel like I was worth nothing. Elli and her family were the ones to accept me and treat me like a proper person. They are my family. You never were mine." Loki explained.

"It has been weeks, Loki. And yet, they have not come, riding down the icy paths with their swords in their hands raised to the skies, ready to kill anyone in order to save you. Where is your beloved family?" Laufey told him.

"They cared for me more than you ever did." Loki said.

"I cared for you in my own way!" Laufey yelled.

Loki clenched his jaw as his eyes widened in fear.

"Your family killed your brother. Do you know what they did to him? They cut off his head, burnt his body, and sent the head to me." Laufey told him.

"I was aware. But, the queen told me that they used him as a bargaining tool. She said that Odin was willing to give him up if you ended the feud. Why didn't you just agree?" Loki asked.

"Helblindi was a terrible boy. Hatred and rage fueled him because of his mother's death. He loved her so much. Maybe...even more than me. It is true I raised him to take over the Jotun throne but...he was not fit for it. He would be merciless and destroy everything I've done to make Jotunheim the great kingdom that it is today. You however, would make an excellent king once I am gone. You have experienced things all great kings must face. Fear, love, joy, and betrayal." Laufey explained.

"I am no king. I could never rule Jotunheim for Jotunheim is not my home. Asgard is." Loki said.

"Then why have they not come?" Laufey asked.

"It takes time to ready an army and plan out their attack for-"

"Excuses, excuses, excuses. Don't you see? They don't care for you." Laufey interjected.

"I do not care if the king does not care for me or his army. Only one person has to care for me in order to save me." Loki told him.

"And who is that?" Laufey asked.

"My wife," Loki replied. "With her love, she can send an army of thousands of men to come and rescue me."

Laufey stood up from the ground and Loki gulped upon seeing his body stretch out to its full size.

"We'll see about that." Laufey sighed.

He left Loki's cell and locked the door behind him. Loki looked over at his food in the corner of the room. It was barely something one could call food and Loki felt himself get sick the more he ate it, so he decided to go hungry instead. Loki thought about Elli knowing that she would save him, even if she herself would not fight. She was the one to convince Odin and Thor to go back for him. But, he was unaware of how badly hurt Asgard's army was. So, he waited and waited...and no one came. Only once a week would he eat his food. He had to stay alive if he wanted to see his child and Elli once again. Two weeks had passed and Loki had tried to escape but just as he presumed, he was caught by a guard and thrown back into his cell, resulting in heavier security. Laufey would visit to tell him that they did not care for him, but Loki knew better. He knew that Asgard cared for him and were doing everything they could to get him back. All the hope he had left went to thinking that he would be rescued by Asgard's army. As the days passed, Loki grew tired and weak and didn't know if he could last much longer. He prayed to the gods that they would send the army to save him. Back in Asgard, Thor and Odin were trying their best to recruit as many men as they could to replace those they had lost. But, there not many men eligible to join.

"It's been weeks, father. You need to get him back." Elli told him.

"I'm doing the best I can." Odin said.

"Who cares if you don't have enough men? This is the life of the father of my child that's at stake. Send the men you already have. It's as simple as that." Elli explained.

"It's not as simple as that, sweet pea. Their army right now, outnumbers ours. It could become a lost cause to save Loki if they defeat us." Frigga told her.

"But he has to be here. I cannot birth this child without him. He needs to see his child. I cannot do this without him." Elli said as her voice broke.

"We are doing all that we can at the moment." Thor told her.

"And you must not stress or worry in your condition. Anything like that could send you into a premature labor. We don't want that." Frigga added.

"He has to come back." Elli whispered.

"He will. Do not worry, Elli. It is late and you need to rest." Frigga told her.

She helped Elli towards her chamber and laid her down in the bed.

"The bed is too warm without Loki." Elli spoke.

"Hush now, darling. Close your eyes and sleep." Frigga spoke softly.

Elli closed her eyes and sighed before drifting into sleep. Frigga caressed the side of her face as Thor entered the room.

"Is she asleep?" Thor asked.

Frigga nodded her head and Thor closed the door softly before quietly walking towards the foot of her bed.

"She needs him, Thor. She is losing hope and I fear that if she loses it all...she will not be able to successfully birth this child." Frigga told him softly.

"How so?' Thor asked.

"With all these complications, she needs Loki at her side to care for her. With him gone, she loses hope every day. If he is not returned to us by the time she goes into labor...she could be too weak to birth it naturally. Our healers here are not yet skilled in cutting her open to retrieve the child. This labor could very well kill her if he does not return." Frigga explained.

"She will not die giving birth to that child. We will get Loki back from that race of monsters." Thor told her.

"Don't let Elli hear you say that." Frigga chuckled.

Thor sighed as he looked over his sister and proceeded to leave the room, as well as Frigga. Loki sat in his cell, his thoughts occupied by Elli and his unborn child. His body was weak and he knew he had lost a substantial amount of weight in the past few weeks he had been here. He looked down at his arms and examined his markings, wishing Elli was here to kiss them, just as she had always done. Loki groaned as he stood up and his knees wobbled as he tried to steady himself. He sat on the floor for hours, his bed was too stiff. He looked through the barred window and sighed as he looked onto the vast land that was Jotunheim. Memories of his childhood rushed into his head and he hated every minute of it. He wondered how different his life would have been if his mother was still alive. As the days went by, he kept looking out the window, hoping that he would see Asgard's army coming for him to bring him home. But the rest of the month had gone, and still, no one came. Maybe his father was right. Maybe, they wouldn't come for him. Maybe...Asgard was never his home. Loki shook the thought out of his head. He couldn't lose hope. if he did, he would surely be dead. After some time, he couldn't even tell how long he'd been in that cell. Each day, Laufey came to visit him, asking if he would return home and be recognized as the prince once more. Loki refused him every time. He was a prince of Asgard. As Elli was into her eighth month, she found it increasingly difficult to walk around. Her belly was large and weighed down on her small frame. Her lower back and feet always ached and she wished Loki's cool hands would make her pain go away. Some days she would not eat and Frigga started to realize it. At a checkup, Eir told Elli that she could expect to have the child any day now. Since it was a Jotun child, it matured faster in the womb. In the middle of the night, Elli awoke to extreme discomfort. Frigga was at her side, asleep. She had started sleeping in Elli's room, fearing that if she experienced any complication, she could be there to respond immediately. Elli moaned in pain as she looked over at Frigga.

"Mother." Elli whimpered.

She stretched her arm out towards Frigga and took her hand in hers.

"Mother." Elli said a little louder.

Frigga awoke abruptly and quickly stood to her feet from her chair.

"What is it?" Frigga asked frantically.

"My back hurts, mother, as well as my stomach. I feel as though I shall be sick." Elli told her.

"The pain in your stomach? Are they similar to cramps?" Frigga asked.

"Yes. They come and go." Elli replied.

"How spaced put are they?" Frigga asked.

"I'm not sure. I just woke up because of them." Elli replied.

"Darling, I think you are in labor." Frigga told her.

"No. I can't be. Not while he's gone. I can't." Elli whimpered.

"Elli, listen to me. I know you need him but, you are having the child no matter what. We must get you to the healers immediately." Frigga told her.

She helped Elli out of the bed and Elli winced in pain as she arched her back. She began to cry and Frigga hushed her.

"It's alright, my sweet pea." Frigga whispered.

"Did it hurt this much when you birthed Thor and I?" Elli asked.

"Yes, but it was worth it." Frigga replied.

The two made their way to the healers and Elli's cries and moans awoke the palace. Frigga helped Elli into the healers and Eir was the first to respond.

"She has gone into labor. Please, stand by her side while I alert her brother and father," Frigga instructed. "Elli, I will be back shortly, alright? Just remain calm and do whatever Eir tells you to."

Elli nodded her head and Eir laid her down on the bed. Frigga rushed to Thor's room and found him getting out of bed.

"Mother, what is it? Is it Elli?" Thor asked.

"Elli has gone into labor. You need to get Loki now." Frigga replied.

"Mother, you know I can't just go get the army and rush into Jotunheim." Thor told her.

"It will be an ambush. The Jotuns won't see it coming. Thor, she needs him." Frigga explained.

"I will have to wait until morning so that all the men are rested. I can't do it now." Thor told her.

"As long as you do it, that's fine. Come now. She'll need all the support she can get." Frigga sighed.

As they reached the healing rooms, they could hear Elli crying out in pain. Once inside, they saw her gripping Eir's hand as she went through a contraction.

"What is happening?" Thor asked.

"Since the child is half Jotun, the contractions are much more intense. The child's size is larger than most which requires more pushing on her part." Eir explained.

Elli let out a sigh of relief and panted heavily as the contraction ended. She threw her head back into the pillow and cried as Eir ran a damp cloth across her head. Frigga looked up at Thor and he sighed knowing what he had to do. He left the healing rooms and marched down the halls to go and gather the army, knowing his father would disapprove. Odin was awake and was told the news that his grandchild was soon to be born. Knowing that he would not be needed for the birth, he went into the war room to plan his next attack on the Jotuns. Unfortunately, he was not aware that Thor had already made plans. Hours passed and Elli was in severe pain. Sweat covered her brow; her hair was already wet from it. Each contraction got worse as she experienced them and Frigga was there to hold her hand.

"How far along is she?" Frigga asked.

"Only a few centimeters. This labor will be long and difficult." Eir told them.

Elli panted as she frowned and shook her head.

"Just get it out! It hurts too much!" Elli sobbed.

"Darling, just relax and breathe slowly and deeply. Calm yourself and all will be well. It will be over soon and Loki will be returned to see his child." Frigga told her.

Frigga watched as the sun rose into the sky and asked Eir how many hours it had been.

"Six hours." Eir replied.

"How far along?" Frigga asked.

Elli winced as Eir checked and trashed her head from side to side, trying to get comfortable.

"Five centimeters." Eir replied dejectedly.

Elli groaned and Frigga hushed.

"It's alright." Frigga smiled.

"I have been five centimeters for two hours now! I can't go through with this. I can't do it." Elli panted.

"Yes you can and you will. As we speak, Thor has gone with the army to Jotunheim to retrieve Loki." Frigga told her.

"He has?" Elli asked.

"He has. A few hours ago. Any moment now and he should return." Frigga replied.

Elli smiled weakly and upon seeing her smile ever since she went into labor, Frigga beamed and kissed her temple. Thor marched his army through the harsh terrain of Jotunheim. His mission was to defeat their army but his personal one was to get Loki. Although his men were in short supply against the Jotuns, he knew that he had to do his best. Loki chose to not look out his cell window for he was truly beginning to lose hope. He could hear the faint cries of men and though it to be just in his head. But it wasn't until he heard the sound of swords clashing together that he mustered the courage to stand up and look out the window. And out that window, he finally saw what he was waiting for. His rescue. Loki smiled brightly and turned towards his cell door as it opened. Laufey stepped in and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him away.

"They will not get you. You're all I have left." Laufey told him.

"Let me go!" Loki exclaimed.

"Shut up, boy! I'm doing you a favor. I'm saving you from those monsters." Laufey told him.

"You're not saving me! I don't need your saving." Loki spat out.

Loki fought against Laufey, despite being as weak as he was. Laufey pushed Loki away and chuckled as Loki was hurled against the cold wall with the force of it. Loki groaned as he slumped back against the wall and could hear Laufey's chuckle echo through his ears. As he opened his eyes, his vision was distorted and they were not adjusting as quickly as he had wanted.

"You think you're strong enough to fight me? You are nothing but a weak, good for nothing runt, boy! I am trying to help you and the least you could do is thank me." Laufey exclaimed.

"You want my thanks?" Loki asked.

Laufey nodded his head and Loki began to remember all the times Laufey had hit him and called him names. He remembered all the time Laufey had make him feel worthless. Loki put his hand behind his back and mumbled a few words.

"What was that? Speak louder, you idiot!" Laufey told him.

"You want my thanks?" Loki asked.

"Yes." Laufey replied.

"My thanks?" Loki asked breathlessly.

"Oh, spit it out!" Laufey yelled.

"Here is my thanks!" Loki exclaimed.

With the magic he had muttered, he created an ice dagger in his hand and ran towards Laufey as he screamed. Laufey being caught off guard gave Loki the upper hand and before Laufey could react, Loki had plunged the dagger deep within his chest. Loki let go of the dagger and watched as Laufey chocked back his gasps and leaned against the other side of the wall. Loki's eyes widened as he realized what he had done.

"Loki...my son? What have you done?" Laufey asked.

"I have saved myself." Loki replied.