Chapter 10

Loki had awakened, throwing off the blanket covering him, the morning sunlight rapidly raising the temperature on the rooftop so that it was quickly becoming uncomfortable. Returning the blanket, pillow, and radio to Jane who was already up and working at her computer, thanking her again for the use of them, he stepped into the former office to change so as not to disturb Selvig who he was sure would not be rising for some time, Loki certain he would regret doing so when he did. Reluctantly, he returned his clothing to the white and khaki shades. Loki informed Jane, who had turned her attention from the computer to a device in her hands, that he was going off on another 'excursion' and would return. She had nodded thought Loki wasn't at all sure that she had processed what he had said, so intensely was she studying the device's display.

Loki arrived at his destination, Darcy having pointed it out to him the day before, just as a man appearing to be in his mid 30's Loki assumed to be the proprietor of the business was unlocking the door and invited Loki inside. The transaction had not taken long and after he had been instructed on how to use it and producing Selvig's credit card he had pocketed the night before, Loki exited with a phone in his possession.

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Phil Coulson continued to study the photographs, holding the magnifying glass over one and then another, disbelieving what he appeared to be seeing when the cellphone he had placed on his desk nearby began to ring.

"Coulson," the S.H.I.E.L.D agent answered.

"Phil Coulson? Of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division?" a voice Coulson didn't recognize inquired through the phone.

"Yes. Speaking," Coulson answered curiously as he sat up straight in his chair.

"I have your card," the voice informed him.

"In the bottom right hand corner…the number?" Coulson asked the caller.

"Three hundred twenty five."

"What's your location?"

"New Mexico, a town called Puente Antiguo," the caller informed him, Coulson turning to the computer on his desk, entering the information.

"I can be there at six. Is there a place you'd like to meet?" Coulson asked.

"The Bridge Bar."

"Six o'clock. The Bridge Bar," Coulson repeated before the call disconnected.

Coulson sat the phone down, running the short conversation through his mind again. The voice didn't sound quite like the man to whom he knew he had given his card numbered 325 and whose call he had been awaiting, If he was in a small town in New Mexico it could have been due to a bad connection but it made Coulson uneasy, especially considering the circumstances under which he had met with the man before and had given him his card.

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Loki looked down at the phone in his hand as he put Coulson's card back into his pocket. That had been too easy. The elaborate story Loki had concocted had not been necessary. No matter, he would soon have the answers he sought. He found himself once again passing by the clothing store, glancing through the window at the mannequin. He would sleep in his own bed that night and he did not plan on doing so alone.

At the business next to the clothing store, a woman appearing to be in her 40's wearing a gray skirt suit had just unlocked the door and turned the sign to display the word 'open.' Loki's eyes perused the baubles in the window, gold and gemstones glittering. The phone call had been far shorter than he expected. He had time. Unable to resist, he stepped inside.

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Loki had returned to Selvig and Jane's base to find Selvig awake, or at least a simulation of it, obviously nursing a hangover, a glass of water that appeared to be fizzing in his hand as he sat at the table where Loki and Darcy had eaten the day before.

"That's the last time I drink with a god," Selvig told him wearily.

"I've contacted Coulson. We're to meet at the bar at six."

"Six….today?" Selvig asked.

"Is that a problem?"

"I have an idea, what you said you needed, but we can't check in until 2:30. Will that be enough time?" Selvig said.

"I believe so. I neglected to return this to you," Loki said, taking Selvig's credit card from his pocket and handing it to him.

"Oh, yes. Thank you," Selvig said, placing it back in his wallet as his phone rang, reaching for it where it sat on the table and answering the call, "Hank...I was just about to call you…"

Loki turned away from Selvig, walking outside. Holding out his hand, the leather bag appeared in his hand once again. Loki emptied its contents into his palm. The sunlight from above enhanced the rainbow effect within their center as he stood staring at the stones as if in a trance.

"Are you certain you wish to see what they will show you? I warn you brother, it will only bring you pain," Loki heard Thor's voice speaking to him.

Loki looked up from the stones to find himself standing in a forest, a familiar one, Thor before him.

"I have to know," Loki replied

"What is seen cannot be unseen. What is done cannot be undone," Thor said.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Darcy said as Loki looked up from the stones, the vision having ended as her voice broke the trance, Darcy standing in front of him waving her hand in front of his eyes, "What are those? Are they like those fortune telling stones?" she asked.

"You could say that," Loki said, putting the stones back into the bag and slipping them into his pocket.

"You're into that stuff, huh? Maybe you can tell mine later. I had a reading done about a year ago. Of course Jane and Erik say it's bullshit but she did told me I was going to meet a British guy and here you are. We're going to get breakfast. You coming?"

"I don't have any money," Loki replied.

"Erik will cover you, don't sweat it. Not like we'd let you starve or anything," Darcy assured him, Loki realizing he hadn't eaten since the sandwich the day before and was quite hungry, "You sure you're all right? You're kinda spacey."

"I'm fine," Loki replied as Jane and Selvig exited the building.

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The young woman with the copper hued hair dressed in a long ankle length skirt, blouse and sweater listened in silence to the sound of the sea, feeling the slight chill of the wind coming off of it on her skin. She stood before the cairn of large, smooth stones that had been constructed on the seashore that served as a memorial and place of mourning.

There was much and many to mourn. There was Asgard itself, after that were those who had not survived Hela's wrath and Ragnarok. Of those who had survived, nearly half had fallen as a result of Thanos' unprovoked attack, a true case of kicking someone when they're down if there ever was one. Then there were those who had recently been rendered dust, also at the instigation of the Mad Titan, as he was known.

The woman held in one hand a bouquet of flowers she had collected, in the other what appeared to be a crown featuring long, bending horns that had been sculpted of clay, fired, and painted in gold by her own hand.

Kneeling before the cairn, the woman leaned the crown against it, placing the flowers in front of it, before bowing her head.

"Guardian of Souls, as Loki has taken his place in the halls of Valhalla, know that he was loved. Watch over him as he was a soaring spirit and a brave warrior--"

"Worthy of honor and glory," both the woman and the man whose voice she heard from a few feet behind her finished, Verda turning as she rose to face Thor.

"My king…" Verda said in surprise, "I didn't know you had returned to us."

"I arrived a short time ago. Thanos is dead. I return now to stand with Asgard. You have come to pay tribute to my brother?" asked Thor.

"As I do each day at this time," Verda replied.

"You knew him?"

"No, though I owe my life to him twice over."

"How so?" Thor asked, curious.

"When I was a young girl, I had run away from my sister after she had threatened to do me harm. I hid in the forest but soon became lost. One tree looked the same as any other...I heard a boy crying. I thought he was lost like me. If I could find him, maybe we could find our way out together, at least we wouldn't be alone. I was walking in the direction I thought he might be when the ground opened beneath me. I feared no one would find me. I would die there. Your brother found me and helped me out of the pit and to find my way. I had been so frightened I hadn't asked his name and he never told me nor asked mine. It was only later that I realized it had been Loki who had saved me. By that time I was sure he had forgotten me. He'd probably forgotten all about it by the next day, though I never did. I was too afraid to speak to him. I didn't feel I was worthy. Later, after what my sister wrought, I was certain I would not be welcome to do so," Verda explained, telling her story.

"I suspect it was one of his own traps he had set for me that you stumbled into. I believe I recall him speaking of your rescue. He returned home quite pleased with himself. He remained so for at least a week. Who is your sister?" Thor asked, puzzled.

"Lorelei, the criminal. She was sentenced by your father to life in the dungeon. I was sure as her sister a son of Odin would be warned against me."

"I don't recall either of us receiving any such warning. I doubt my father held your sister's crimes against you, though if he had, knowing Loki as I did I'm certain if it would have vexed our father he would have been more than happy to speak to you," Thor said, unable to help grinning though it soon faded as he looked past Verda to the cairn.

"You came here to be alone. I should be going."

Thor approached the cairn, bending down and picking up the crown Verda had left there.

"You crafted this?"

"Yes."

"It is beautifully done. May I--" Thor said as he examined it.

"It is yours."

"Thank you...for honoring him," Thor said.

"I will do so again tomorrow," replied Verda before walking away, leaving Thor staring mournfully at the crown in his hands.

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Selvig, still appearing a bit ragged around the edges after the night before, slipped the key into the lock of the old motel room's door. It was an older establishment from the days of the motor inns, two stories, all the rooms accessible from outside. There being few points of interest within or around Puente Antiguo to attract vacationers and tourists, there were only a couple such places in town.

Opening the door, Selvig stepped aside. Loki, carrying his pack, entered and perused the room. It was slightly outdated, its last refurbishment having been a few years prior, though it was in good repair and clean. A queen sized bed was located against the wall to the right, a television sitting on top of a chest of drawers on the opposite wall along with an armchair in the corner and a desk and chair. Selvig followed Loki inside, closing the door.

"This way," Selvig said, walking past Loki towards the far side of the room, Loki following.

Selvig opened another door and flipped the light switch, revealing a bathroom with a tub and shower combination as well as a sink and a toilet.

"Will this do?" Selvig asked, Loki walking into the bathroom and to the tub, looking down into it.

"Yes, I think so."

"Well then, I'll leave you to it...whatever it is."

"Thank you," Loki said as Selvig exited the room, closing the door behind him.

Loki opened his pack, pulling out a small votive candle he had taken from among a few others Jane had on her desk. He sat it on the vanity before setting his pack on the closed lid of the toilet and seating himself on the edge of the tub, turning on the water and adjusting the temperature. Standing, he began to undress.

Folding his clothing, he sat them on the toilet with his pack. He had no need of matches or a lighter for the candle, as a flame burst into life on the wick. The tub sufficiently filled, Loki turned off the faucet and held out his palm, producing the bag of stones. Removing the stones from it, putting the bag on top of his clothing, he held them in his hand as he used the other to turn off the light, leaving the room bathed in the glow of the candlelight.

Loki entered the tub, sliding his body under the warm water, his muscles relaxing. He looked to the stones in his hand once more before lowering the hand in which they rested under the water and closed his eyes, slipping down farther into the tub until his head was under the water as well.

Behind his closed eyelids, Loki saw only darkness...then a flash of blinding light. He found himself standing in an almost blindingly white room, though he could discern no corners or walls. A woman stood before him in a long, powder blue gown, her wavy white hair flowing far past her waist, her brows and eyelashes white as well, the irises of her eyes a piercing deep blue.

"You have come believing your path to have been altered. You wish to see what was but is not, what would be but will be no longer?" she asked.

"I have," Loki answered.

"Are you certain you wish to know? Once you have seen you cannot unsee. Once you know, you cannot unknow."

"There are questions I must have answered."

"Take my hand," the woman said, reaching out.

As Loki did so he was jolted by a barrage of images flashing through his consciousness, images of Thor, his father, Laufey, einherjar lying frozen to death within Odin's vault, he looking up at Thor and Odin as he hung over the edge of a decimated Bifrost, the void of space below him….

Selvig sat with his upper half resting against the headboard of the bed holding the remote to the television in his hand having switched it on, flipping through the channels, stopping on a twenty four hour news station, purposely keeping the volume low as to not disturb Loki. He had little need to hear what the newscasters were speaking about as the images of chaos, death and destruction spoke for themselves. Selvig thought of Loki's appointment later that afternoon and couldn't help but wonder if S.H.I.E.L.D had been involved in any way with what he was now viewing. What had Pym meant when he'd said that he'd suspected for some time that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been compromised?

He had done his best to assure Hank Pym that Loki had turned out to be on the level and that there was no cause for concern. He had not disclosed Loki's true identity and that of his deceased brother to Pym. He had also yet to disclose it to Jane and Darcy. For the moment at least, the fewer that knew the better. Before they had come to the motel, to pass the time after breakfast until the motel opened for check in, he had taken Loki to the library, Loki perusing their offerings on Norse mythology. As he'd read the stories, he had vacillated between laughter, horror, and disgust. For a few he had related what had actually occurred that he believed could be the seed of truth behind them. Selvig had equated it to the old game of telephone. It had left him wondering what other ancient myths and legends of various cultures had begun from a seed of truth and how different that truth was from what had finally been written down after centuries of retelling, embellishments and imagination.

In the bathroom, Loki suddenly shot up from under the water with a loud roaring cry, clumsily pulling himself out of the tub. He slipped over the side to sprawl on the hard, cold tiled floor, his body shaking as if he were in a deep freeze, drawing himself up into a a fetal position, water collecting in a pool under and around him.

Selvig, hearing Loki's cry, jumped from the bed, rushing to the bathroom door. Throwing it open, he spied Loki on the floor in the candlelight before flipping the light switch.

"Lok-" Selvig began to say before a hand appeared from behind him covering his mouth, another arm wrapping itself around his body, dragging him away from the doorway, back into the motel room.

"Here!" Verda said, holding out a pair of Asgardian shackles.

"Why do you--no, I don't want to know," Sif said, removing her hand from Selvig's mouth and pulling his arms behind him, placing the shackles around Selvig's wrists before grabbing the back of his shirt, hauling him over to the armchair in the corner of the room and pushing him down into it, "Are you Coulson?" Sif asked as Verda rushed to the bathroom.

"No! I'm not Coulson," Selvig said.

"Sif!" Verda called from the bathroom.

Sif left Selvig, returning to the bathroom as Verda attempted to lift Loki's torso off the floor, Loki babbling words and phrases that made no sense to either woman. With an expression of disgust at the sight of Loki's nude form, Sif reluctantly took hold of his legs, Verda his upper half, the women removing him from the bathroom. Reaching the bed, Verda pulled the blankets aside as she laid Loki's upper half into the bed, his head on the pillow, the water still dripping from his hair, soaking into it, as Sif moved the rest of him into the bed.

"Thank you," Sif said as Verda quickly covered him with the blankets and comforter.

"An ant has no quarrel with a boot…..freedom is life's great lie….you will know peace…" Loki babbled, his eyes closed.

"What's wrong with him?" Sif asked Verda before turning to Selvig,"What did you do to him?"

"You must be truly desperate…was that her last expression? Trust? While you let her die?...Who put me there?!" Loki raved, angrily crying out the last.

"Nothing! He said he needed water, a pool…."

"Take him and go," Verda ordered Sif.

"I know who he is. He told me. I'm trying to help him," Selvig said to Sif.

Sif grabbed Selvig's arm, raising him from the chair and removed the shackles before leading him to the door and with a hand on his back moved him through it, closing it behind her.

"Your savior is here!" Loki cried, his body continuing to shiver.

"Yes....you saved me, you saved Asgard. Loki…it's me...Verda. I'm here. Come back!" Verda pleaded.

"I, Loki, prince of Asgard….Odinson…the rightful king of the Jotunheim...God of Mischief...do hereby pledge to you my undying...undying…"

"Loki!"

"Undying fidelity….dying…I'm dying…" Loki said, his voice growing strained, hoarse, as if he were being choked.

"No! You are not dying! I won't let you! Not again! Listen to me! You have to come back!"

"Dying…"

Desperate, not knowing what else to do, Verda slapped Loki hard across the face, then as if wracked by guilt after the assault swiftly pressed her lips against his. After a few moments, Loki returned the kiss. His body still shaking slightly he opened his eyes to gaze, confused, into hers.

"Verda?….What are you--jHow did I--"

"I'll explain later. Sif is with me. She helped get you into bed," Verda told him. Loki now recalling where he was and what he had been there to do, undressing, getting into the tub, putting the stones into the water. Realizing he was nude under the blankets, a grin spread across his face.

"I'm sure that made her century," Loki said as Verda smiled.

"She's scarred for life," Verda laughed before her eyes grew teary once again, "I thought I would lose you."

"You believe it's that easy to be rid of me?"

"I'll let them know you're all right."

"They can wait," Loki told Verda, grabbing her arm as she began to rise from the bed, "I have something for you."

"Let me guess. It's under the blankets," Verda said with a grin.

"I'll save that gift for another time. I don't intend for them to wait that long," Loki said, returning a grin of his own.

"You certainly do like to flatter yourself," Verda responded with a smirk.

"If you could bring me my things."

Verda slid off the bed and returned to the bathroom, grabbing Loki's pack from the toilet along with his clothing. Returning to the bed, she found Loki sitting up. After handing him the pack, he opened it, pulling out a flat rectangular box and handing it to Verda.

"What is it?" Verda said, opening the box, her eyes falling on a necklace, the round gold pendant surrounded a many branched tree, tiny leaves of gold dangling from the branches, catching the light, "It's beautiful…"

"I believe it fit for a queen."