Avengers The Captain's Secret Book 2: Waiting for Thor

Part 6: Day Two in the Map Room

LESEDI POV

I stayed in the map room all day. I was trying to figure out what to do.

"You have not eaten," Heimdall said pleadingly.

"I nibbled a little with Steven," I swallowed hard. "I'm fine. He is playing with Brooklyn in the nursery now, thoroughly entertained." My gaze poured over the maps. "You said there is a hiding place--"

"Yes, but only the royal family knows where it is hidden and only one of the line can open it," Heimdall said. "I think it may be here, someplace in this mountain--"

I shook my head. "Seems too obvious."

"My lady--"

"The medicine and food have been taken to the forests?" I asked. I didn't want to talk about Steve, I just didn't. The thought made my heart wince, made me want to collapse into a fetal position and just lay there. But I had a whole kingdom to think of.

Sif entered the map room with Steven on her hip. My son loved her very much, calling her "Siffy." At the moment, however, he looked sleepy. "My lady, it is Steven's bedtime."

I turned away from the table and took Steven into my arms. I lifted a single finger, signaling Sif to wait. "Hey, Stevie, have a good day?"

"Yeah," He put his arms around my neck, expecting me to take him to bed. This would be the first time I didn't, and I felt a pang of guilt, squeezing him back. I told myself not to let this happen too often, but for now, time didn't seem on Asgard's side, and I had no timer.

"Mommy's got work to do, so Sif is going to tell you a story tonight--"

"But I want a Daddy story--"

I forced a laugh, swallowing the small lump in my throat. I pulled away slightly to look at him. "Well, how about you hear about Uncle Thor and Siffie, and the Warriors Three?" I asked him, looking pleadingly at Sif. She told him some stories. "Maybe about the Aether Stone?"

"How about the first time I met your father?"

Stevie gasped, "Yeah!"

I felt relief. She had not told him our story, at least, not from her point of view.

Sif opened her arms. "When he practiced, he defeated most of your uncle's army in the process."

I handed him over.

"He did?" Stevie's blue-green eyes went wide.

"I wasn't there for that one, Siffie," I smiled as he hugged her. "You should tell him."

"Well, I met your father some years ago after the war on Midgard--"

"Oh!"

"Yes, that was when he met your mother, I'm told," she said, moving away. "This man named Fury had your mother kidnapped and your father came here with the Iron Knight to ask your uncle for help..."

The door closed.

"So I will meet with the forest council, tomorrow." Heimdall exhaled.

"Yes."

"Try to find this hidden Asgardian lair."

"It may save us all." I breathed a sigh of relief, and took another deep breath, changing modes. "So much depends on us finding that cavern, Heimdall. I hope we find it...and that I can truly open it."

"Yes, milady, but it isn't going anywhere."

I looked up at him.

"Do you realize we have planning and searching the maps for almost two days?"

"We have?" I felt tired, but I didn't realize how much time had elapsed. I know that I caught a nap when I sent Heimdall to send more supplies to the forests in case we had to evacuate the city. It took time to locate niches and stashes we could hide and access quickly.

"I should return."

"But--" Another knock sounded on the door. "Come in." I immediately regretted it when I saw it was Ingemar. "What is it?"

"You need rest, is all," Ingemar said softly. "I've come to walk you to your door."