Imprisoned

Ch.36-Goodbye-

"I love you my kearesta...you will be an amazing mother. I will always come back to you, no matter how many realms apart we are, I will always find my way back to you," Loki whispers. I close my eyes for a moment to soak in these final moments with him. "Can I kiss you one last time?" Loki whispers as his thumbs stroke my cheek. I nod ever so slightly and we both lean in. The kiss is long and sweet, with no hidden meanings, just a simple sweet goodbye kiss. His soft lips move slowly with mine for a few moments before we both pull apart, our foreheads still together. "Farewell my kearesta," Loki whispers.

"Goodbye Loki," I whisper back before Loki reluctantly pulls away, and with one last look back at me, he exits the room.

I stay standing in his room, frozen with the feeling of his lips on mine lingering.

When the full effect of what just happened hits me, I sit down on Loki's bed and sob. Even though I know this is the right thing to do, it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like hell.

Sometime later a small crying sound comes from the baby monitor and I hastily wipe away my tears, gathering myself before standing and grabbing the monitor and leaving Loki's room.

I open the door to my room and cross to the crib holding the crying baby girl. I set down the monitor and cradle Valerie in my arms, rocking her gently as I coo her back to sleep,

"Shhh baby. Mommy's here, I'm here."

-Loki-

It took all my strength to pull myself away from Sarah and leave the room. I will hold that last kiss close to my heart until I see her again. I wipe away my tears and put up my unbothered facade. I'm only in Midgard for a few more minutes, mine as well keep my dignity.

Thor is waiting for me out on the lawn, along with Stark, Bruce, Natasha, Steve, Vision, and Wanda. It's strange, I didn't think they would really bother to say goodbye.

Stark gives me a quick pat on the back, Banner a distanced nod, followed by Vision's formal head tilt, and then Natasha with a firm handshake. Wanda walks up to me and pulls me into an uncomfortable hug. I reluctantly let her, but only offered a couple of pats on the back in return. I did not expect anyone to hug me goodbye so I'm really stricken when Wanda whispers in my ear,

"You were good to her, thank you." My heart feels a little lighter knowing that there's someone here that cares for Sarah. Wanda pulls back and gives me a smile before turning away. Steve is the last one to walk up to me before my departure. He places a firm hand on my shoulder.

"I forgive you Loki," Steve's words catch me completely off guard and I'm openly gawking at him, along with the rest of the group. "Try to stay out of trouble," Steve warns, giving me a weary look. I regain my stoic exterior and give the captain a quick nod of my head before turning to Thor.

"What about Sarah?" Thor asks.

"We already said goodbye." Thor sighs and starts walking out into the lawn more, I follow but take one last peek in the direction of Sarah's room. Her window is open and I can see her cradling Valerie in the window as she watches me leave. I crack a sad smile before standing with Thor in the middle of the yard.

"Heimdal!" Thor calls, and just like that the magical beams of light swallow Thor and I, and seconds later we arrive in Asgard.

We arrive in the Bifrost and all its golden glory. Heimdal stands on his platform watching me.

"Loki, welcome back to Asgard," Heimdal's voice echoes through the structure and I stiffen at the memories that come flooding back.

"Heimdal," I greet, courtly nodding my head.

"I am sorry for your loss." Heimdal's statement catches me off guard and it takes a moment to remember that he has seen all that transpired on Midgard.

"Yes...thank you," I reply.

"Father is waiting for us in the throne room. Come Loki, mother is also waiting," Thor reminds me and I nod, following him from the Bifrost and mounting two horses that waited outside.

Together we ride to the palace, and as I look around everything seems the same. Not much has changed here on Asgard. The palace hallways are the same glimmering gold as Thor and I strut our way to the throne room.

When we arrive at the large double doors Thor nods to the guards and they push them open.

Sitting on his ever glorious throne is Odin, my so-called father. Standing next to him is Frigga and her face visibly lights up upon seeing me and I'm sure mine does the same. I haven't seen my mother in a long time and her caring, warm, gentle heart is just what I need right now, no matter how much I want to pretend otherwise.

Thor and I stop at the bottom of the staircase and fall to our knees for a formal bow before Odin orders us to rise.

"My son's," Odin addresses us. I internally cringe at the words. "Welcome home. Loki, it's been a while."

"You mean since you locked me up for eternity? Then yes father it has." I spit the word father making sure he's aware of my still lingering grudge against him.

"Let us not start this again. You are here a free man, redeemed after your wrong-doings. On one condition..." Odin continues. I glare at Thor. What condition is the old buffoon speaking of?

"And what condition might that be?" I spit. Odin straightens up, re-affirming his dominance in the room.

"You are to marry the princess of Vanaheim, Sigyn, the goddess of fidelity, to bring upon peace to our two realms and to strengthen the bond."

"I am NOT marrying another!" I yell in fury.

"You will and you MUST!" Odin yells back.

"Father-" Thor tries to butt in but Odin holds up a hand, silencing him.

"I know all about the events on Midgard, but that does not change the circumstances of our agreement."

"I never knew of this part of the bargain," I argue.

"Neither I father," Thor adds.

"That was intentional. We needed Loki to come back and marry Sigyn to prove to the Vanir that we are loyal and will not wage war on them. They were unsettled after the Jotunheim incident and the dark elves only added to that concern. To save Asgard from inter-realm war we must do this. Loki must marry Sigyn." Odin continues. "I am sorry for your loss my son," Odin says, giving Loki a rare, sympathetic look. "The loss of a child is a painful thing and there is no worse sorrow. But if you refuse then you will be returned to the dungeons for damning Asgard to war, and you will never see her again." The thought scares me to my very core and I can feel my anger boiling but I keep it down. Even the fact that Odin knows about Sarah is unsettling to me. He has no right to know about her, he has no idea what we went through. I take a deep, strained breath before answering.

"Fine. But this is the last time I do your bidding father, you can no longer lord my freedom over me." Odin nods and I leave the room in a huff, Thor following closely on my tail.

"Brother!' Thor calls.

"Leave me be Thor," I grumble, continuing on my way to my chambers.

"Brother please-"

"Thor, leave!" I yell, slamming my door in his face.

"You need to stop pushing people away when you need them the most, brother, you'll end up alone," Thor says through the door. I sigh, thinking of Sarah. We were so close to having everything, having each other, and it was ripped away like my heart from my chest when she told me to leave. Everyone leaves. Who would want to stay with someone that can only cause them pain? No one.

"I already am."

*****

*Author's Note*-One more chapter! I'm so excited! A lot went down in this chapter to help set up. the sequel and I'm so excited! Please vote for more! And comments are always appreciated!<3