Loki's Redemption

Chapter 13

Shelia's body is moved to a private chamber as per Frigga's directions. Loki and Thor follow along and watch as her body is placed on the bed. She is still encased in Tony's Iron Man suit. "Help me figure out how to get this thing off of her," Loki asks his brother.

They both begin searching the suit for some type of release.  Finally, when Loki is on the verge of becoming very angry, Thor suggests that he will contact Tony. He walks out of the room as Loki pulls a seat up to the bedside to keep watch over Shelia.  He sits and holds his head in his hands, trying to calm himself. Thor returns a short while later to report back. He reaches inside the left side of the neck and pushes a small lever which causes the suit to retract. Seeing her wounded body again causes Loki to stifle a sob.

"Have faith brother. She has been given the gift of Asgard itself. She must be strong to have attracted your attention, which means she has the spirit of a warrior."

Loki doesn't respond, he simply stares at her damaged body.  Seeing that he can do no more, Thor takes his leave.

Hours later Loki is still at her bedside when Frigga comes in followed by two servants carrying a basin of water, clean cloths, and other items.  "Why don't you take a break and eat something while we attend to her."

"I can't leave her side," Loki objects.

"You have to keep your strength up my son. Your human body cannot take as much abuse as your old one."

"I need to be here in case she wakes up," he argues.

"She is not going to wake up tonight Loki. It could take weeks for the damage to heal and she will need you strong and healthy when that does happen," Frigga counters.

Loki continues to sit in his chair without moving. Frigga sighs to herself thinking about how stubborn her younger son is, then tries another tactic. "We will be cleaning her wounds, bathing her and changing her clothes. How will she feel when she finds out you stayed to witnesses that?"

He jerks his head up to look at Frigga then gives a curt nod to acknowledge his aquiensence. Standing, he caresses Shelia's cheek and leaves the room.  Thor is waiting outside the door and immediately wraps his arm around Loki's shoulders, "Ah, there you are brother. Let's go to the dining hall and get something to eat."

"I'm not really hungry Thor," he responds.

"Nonsense! I'll have the cooks prepare all your favorites and we will dine like the old days," the bigger man says, giving Loki no way out of the matter.

In the dining hall Thor sits across from Loki and leans in, "you must eat. You will need your strength. She will need you when she awakens. She is on an unfamiliar world surrounded by strangers."

"Which is exactly why I need to be at her side now!" Loki nearly shouts.

"Ok, eat and then we will return. Maybe we can move her to your chamber so you can at least rest?"

"Thank you Thor, I would appreciate that."

"Of course! Now eat."

When Loki is done eating he and Thor go to his chambers. When he opens the door he stands in the doorway taking it all in. It has been months since he was last here. And while he had been away for extended periods of time before, coming back felt different this time. It no longer felt like coming home. He no longer feels comforted by his possessions or by the familiarity of it all. The lavishnes no longer pleases him, he only feels incomplete and alone, the same way he felt upon learning of his true heritage.

Summoning several servants he orders them to bring in a bed for Shelia along with supplies for her wounds, dressing gowns and other necessities. Once everything is set up he has Shelia moved to his room. After the servants leave he takes his spot in the chair he had placed by the bed and sits stroking her hair. In the early hours of morning he finally gives up and climbs into his own bed.

He dreams of her. Sean shoots her, but this time he can't do anything. He can't react, frozen in place, he watches as she cries for him to help her as she is dieing. Tony and Thor tell him it's all his fault. He doesn't deserve happiness, he brings nothing but pain and suffering where ever he goes. When he wakes up he is covered in sweat and shaking. Loki gets up and walks over to sit by Shelia again. He doesn't want to sleep, afraid the dream will come again.

Later in the day, Frigga checks in. "Have you seen any change?"

"Nothing."

"It's early still. I will change her bandages and gown. Why don't you take this chance to bathe."

"Yes mother," he says as he heads into his bath chamber.

Frigga knows Loki is extremely distressed or else he would have put up more of a fight.  When he returns from bathing she sets a tray of food down in front of him. As Loki begins to pick at the food she tells him, "Her wound looks good. I think you should ask Tony Stark and Dr. Banner to come run a scan and make sure she is getting fluids and nutrients."

"I don't know how to contact them, I'll have to ask Thor."

Frigga nods her head, "But first, tell me about this young lady that has stolen your heart."

For the first time since he arrived, Frigga sees a spark in her son. When he talks about Shelia, he actually smiles. She is reminded of the boy he used to be. The one she missed so dearly. When Loki has run out of things to tell Frigga he yawns from exhaustion.

She smiles and heads for the door, "I will ask Thor to send for Dr. Banner and Tony. You should try to sleep a little more."

"I'm ok. I don't..." Loki begins before Frigga interrupts him.

"Loki, you told me she found comfort sleeping next to you. I'm sure that would be comforting for both of you at this time," she declares and then walks out closing the door behind her.

Loki looks at Shelia laying in the bed, he won't deny that sleeping next to her always made him feel peaceful. Sighing he climbs into the bed next to her. Laying on his side he takes in her appearance. She looks so peaceful. There is no indication that she was fighting for her life. Taking her hand in his, he closes his eyes to sleep.

He dreams again. This time he is in a library walking through the stacks. A little girl with brown curly hair and bright green eyes about 5 years old runs up and grabs his hand, "hurry! This way!" she says pulling him further into the library. She let's go of his hand and begins to run. He chases after her as she ducks behind row after row. As he rounds the next corner he sees her feet disappearing under the bottom shelf of a rack. He kneels down to try to follow her but the opening is too small. Peering through, he sees the little girl approach a woman. He can't see anything above her waist until she kneels down to speak to the little girl, but her back is turned to him, "did you find him?"

"Yes I did. He is waiting for you."

"I know. Soon. I'll get to go home soon. Now you better get going. We'll be ready for you in just a little while."