The Hermit Herbalist

Chapter 30 - The Norns Reveal

Clint was surprised that Odin was so understanding of Loki and the position they found themselves in.  "He's mellowed with the death of Mother and everything else that's happened," Thor explained as the two men walked together around the camp.  

"So... he's really okay with Loki and Darian and me?" Clint posed and Thor gazed up at the moon.  

"I think he understands that all Loki... my brother... ever wanted was love and equal treatment.  He wanted to be respected like me, loved like me, admired like me.  He didn't get that.  I think Father knows you'll give her that love and respect and admiration," Thor answered.  Clint nodded as he looked to where Loki was surrounded by a crowd of women from the village.  For security purposes, Natasha and Sif were by her side, making sure nothing happened to her of her baby boy.  But, Clint had no worries of that.  All the village women loved Loki and adored Darian.  They kept saying how cute he was with his dark hair and blue eyes.  

"He'll grow up to be just like his father!" one woman exclaimed as Darian made bubbles with his lips.  Clint raised his eyebrow and this and Thor chuckled.

"Is she hinting that I do that now?" he asked and Thor burst out laughing.  

"Nay, good Hawk!  She means that once he is tall and strong, he will follow in your footsteps," Thor declared jovially.  Clint smiled at his exuberance and watched as Loki allowed Natasha to hold Darian.  The assassin's eyes watered a little and Clint could see her lip trembling from there.  She could never have children of her own, and Loki letting her hold her partner's son, was moving her.  Natasha turned to Loki, her heart in her eyes and the former goddess smiled at her.

"I always hoped they would be friends," Clint admitted and Thor followed his eyes.  He nodded as he observed Loki and Natasha cooing over the infant, while Sif watched over their shoulders.  Thor could see that the Asgardian shield maiden wanted to hold the baby as well, but she was afraid to ask Loki's permission for fear of rejection.  Finally, Thor and Clint saw Loki glance back up at Sif.  Her mouth moved and Sif visibly jumped.  Natasha looked up at her and rose, tilting her head to the side.  Sif sat down and she placed Darian in her arms.  Sif carefully supported the boy's head and watched as he reached up and touched her cheek.  

"I think Friend Steve would be good for Lady Sif," Thor suddenly piped up and Clint started coughing.

"When did you decide this?!" he asked incredulously.

"Just now.  They were both warriors, but Steve is a gentleman, and has fought beside women before.  He will respect her and her talents," Thor answered.

"But will she like him?  I don't think they've really talked to each other, besides saying hello," Clint reminded.  Thor just grinned and Clint wondered if he would enlist the help of Tony for this little shenanigan.  Sif seemed to enjoy holding Darian, and her face was all lit up like a light bulb.  As if on cue, Steve Rogers started walking by but he paused when he saw all three ladies sitting together.  His eyes focused on Sif as Darian cooed in her arms.  Thor looked at Clint and elbowed him in the side with a merry wink.  "It's just a look, nothing more," Clint insisted.

"It could be more," Thor said.  However, that was when a swirling light appeared out of nowhere right in front of the women.  The villagers scattered with screams, while Sif handed Darian back to Loki, and then she and Natasha put themselves in front of her.  Steve darted over as well and stood between the two women.  Thor summoned Mjolnir and Clint drew a gun that Natasha had loaned him.  "Reveal yourself, foe!" Thor ordered.  The light danced for a second before it disappeared and three women stood before them.  They each had different hair colors, and they were young, but their eyes were old.  

"Who are you?  Don't come any closer if you don't want to be shot!" Clint warned.  The three women seemed amused by this, but did not seem threatening.

"You couldn't harm us even if you wanted to," one of them said as she took a step forward.  Sure enough, Clint squeezed off a round, but the bullet bounced off an invisible shield.  

"Peace, mortal archer!  We are the Norns, and we mean you no harm," the second one said.  Thor's eyes widened, along with Sif and Loki. 

"Forgive us, Goddesses of Fate!  The Midgardian meant no disrespect," Thor quickly tried to appease.

"I most certainly meant disrespect!  Have a sign, at least.  We come in peace, or something!" Clint snapped as he holstered his gun and glared at all three women.  That was before he spun on his heel, went between his fellow Avengers and took Loki into his arms.  She was trying to soothe Darian, who was crying and wriggling around.  Loki raised her eyes to look at Clint and he just smiled at her.  

"Why have you come before us now?" Odin asked as he appeared from behind a tent.  The Norns acknowledged the All-Father with a tilt of their heads, and he returned the gesture of respect.  

"We've have come because we must set the past, the present, and the future to rights," one of them answered.  "I am Skuld."

"And I am Wyrd," the second said.

"And I am Verdandi," the third introduced.  They all looked at Loki and the former goddess froze, burrowing into Clint's chest.  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head and Darian's.  

"Your mother came to us not long after you were brought to Asgard as a male child," Skuld explained.

"She said that you would make ill advised decisions in your life and it would lead to your death.  She wanted to ensure that you would receive a second chance to make right your mistakes.  However, she didn't want anything about your nature to change.  Even in this form, you are still mischievous and naughty at heart and not to be underestimated," Verdandi continued.

"Your new, humbler, and harsher upbringing helped to form a kinder side that you always had before.  And then he happened," Wyrd said, pointing to Clint.  "The human's arrival was not something we planned."

"Wait... what?" Clint asked.

"We did not predict that your presence would have such an affect upon her; especially considering your connection with his past self," Verdandi said.  Clint glanced down at Loki and she raised her large green eyes to look up at him.  Clint ran his fingers through her hair and could not even begin to imagine a life without her or their son.  

"We believe that Frigga intervened with the threads of Fate and wove yours into hers," Skuld said.

"That would make sense," Odin cut in and Thor chuckled.  His mother had always been a champion for Loki.  

"And now, your paths are permanently joined and inseparable," Wyrd said and all three Fates approached them and held out their hands.  Clint and Loki hesitated but after a second, they offered their hands.  The Norns drew their hands together and suddenly both Clint and Loki winced.  They had pierced their hands and drew blood.

"Ouch," Clint said dryly.  The Norns took their blood and mixed them together before placing the blood on Darian's forehead.

"Your futures are permanently joined and your futures are secure in your bloodline.  What is present and what is to come," they said together.  Darian gurgled and waved his hands, smiling brightly, happy all of a sudden.  The Norns stepped back and raised their hands, saying, "Farewell!  We shall not meet again!"  The rainbow of lights enveloped them and they vanished from sight.  Clint heaved a tired sighed and glanced down at Darian.  He saw the blood start to glow before it seemed to seep into his skin.  Darian's eyes glowed green for an instant before they returned to normal.  

"Oh, boy," was all Clint said.