Caged Bird

11

Jane leaves before Thor's coronation. Once back in Midgard, she reads scientific journals to occupy her mind and she visits the team that has taken over her research on inter-dimensional travel. They brief her on their progress, but there is little new she can provide, so she lingers only a little while before returning home. She stays in most days, her goldfish her only companions. It is a boring existence for someone as curious as she is. So when she determines that there are places she wants to see in the world while looking at a coffee table book, she gives away the goldfish and buys a plane ticket.

She travels the world for years, never settling in one place for more than a few months. Thor comes for her a few days before her 86th birthday. She has been home for a month, her health declining quickly. She is tired, weak, and having trouble eating. The little rattle in her chest tells her it won't be long. Thor helps her empty her apartment and takes her, along with the few things she can't stand to leave behind, to Asgard.

Despite the business of being king, Thor takes care of her, passing his daily duties on to his advisers. Sif acts as steward in his stead. But she cannot solve all the troubles of the Nine and urgent business calls. Jotunheim is on the brink of war with Muspelheim and Asgard needs her king when the creatures of ice and the creatures of fire agree to meet.

Thor hesitates to leave Jane, even though his delay could send them to war. She is dying, there is no question about this. But she urges him to go, as they have said their final goodbyes every day as they went to bed for the past week.

"But I do not want to leave you to die alone."

"I'll be OK. I was planning on dying alone in my apartment and hoping someone found me before I smelled up the place too bad."

"That's morbid, Jane."

"That's what being human is."

"What about Loki? Could I trust him to keep you company in your fragile state?"

"Of course."

"Good. Then I will have him take care of you while I try to keep ice and fire from destroying the Nine." He lifts her and carries her to Fandral, who takes her to the dungeon. Loki is laying down when they enter, but as soon as he sees who it is that Fandral is carrying, he springs to his feet and pulls back the covers. Fandral lays her in the bed and Loki tucks the blankets around her.

"What has happened?"

"Nothing other than the ravages of time. Thor has business to attend. He sends her to you for safekeeping." Fandral leaves her bag by the bed and exits.

Jane smiles; her voice is soft, "Hey. I made it."

Loki sits on the edge of the cot, "Yes, you did."

"By the skin of my teeth, though."

"Oh?"

"I'm on my way out. I'll probably go while I'm with you."

"But you should be with Thor..."

"Thor has to keep Muspelheim and Jotunheim from going to war."

He pauses, "How does that work? Frost Giants would not be able to tread in Muspelheim, nor the demons from there able to tread in Jotunheim. How did they even get to this point?"

"I don't ask. I just let him do king things."

Loki laughs, "Oh, Jane... It has been too long."

"Want to watch a movie?"

"Of course."

"Hand me my bag."

She tries to sit up as he lifts it, but he stops her and opens it himself, handing her the iPod and the earpieces, "Allow me. Save your strength."