Book One: Worlds Apart (Loki)

Chapter Six

Early 1001AD; Katri enters Loki's cabin and pulls off her cloak, she's 21 now, and grown into a fine young woman who's beauty is the envy of every girl in the village. Niklaus has yet to be matched meaning that Katri and Loki have yet to wed, and though with each passing year she feels that slither of hope that they ever will slip through her fingers Loki assures her that they will. The last few weeks she's been feeling funny, just slightly off her usual self and Loki told her to talk to her mother, and she did, that morning. Loki rests on his bed reading, he glances to his lady love as she shuts the door and moves to him, climbing onto the bed to join him.

"I spoke to mother" Katri whispers resting on Loki's chest. "Loki..." she worries, he frowns and lifts her chin. "I am with child" his lips split into this smile that she swears she's never seen before, wide and bright and so happy.

"You are....with my child?" he whispers, she nods.

"There has been no one else" she assures him, he still somehow manages to smile wider, his eyes sparkle as he sits up, pulling her with him.

"We are going to have a child" he whispers, she nods and smiles at him, he clasps her face in his hands and kisses her. She smiles against his lips, he chuckles and pulls back. "I cannot believe it" he whispers softly reaching for her stomach. She watches him warmly. Though her mother smiled at the news Katri could sense a tenseness to her as well. Though she and Loki are not married, the village has come to see them are husband and wife in all but law and accept them as they are. Loki touches her stomach and smiles. "I cannot wait to tell mother" Loki admits.

..............

Loki opens the cabin door and slips in before stiffening, his eyes rolling slightly.

"Brother" he greets turning to face his mountain of a brother, Thor stands in the centre of the room. "What are you doing here?" Loki asks.

"I heard we were to gain a member of the family" Thor tells his brother looking around the hut. "I came to see for myself. It has been six years and you have yet to bring her home...." he picks up a book and frowns at it before setting it down. "So where is she?" He asks turning to Loki. "Where is my new sister?"

"She's in the village with her family" Loki answers. "She is telling them she is with child and that she will be moving in here, with me so I can look after them both" Thor smirks.

"Is she pretty?" he asks, Loki rolls his eyes.

"Not that it matters, but she is beautiful and funny and sweet...." Loki answers. Thor raises an eyebrow.

"Will she and the baby be coming to live on Asgard?" Thor asks. "You know mother would prefer that"

"I have yet to bring it up with Kat" Loki admits. "Her family is here....it would be a difficult decision for us to make"

"She is mortal?" Thor asks, Loki looks down.

"Yes" Loki answers. "I know" he starts. "I know the life we will have together will be short for me....but it is better then nothing" Thor nods a little.

"Perhaps" Thor turns and moves to the seat before taking his place. "Any idea how long she will be?" he asks. "Fandral is throwing me festivities for the glorious battle fought" Loki rolls his eyes. "I shall drink to you and my new sister and nephew" Katri slips into the cabin and lowers her hood shaking the snow from her hair.

"Kat" Loki states, she turns to him and then looks to Thor. "This is my brother, Thor" Loki offers, Katri smiles pleasantly at Thor. "Thor, this is Katri"

"Well Loki wasn't exaggerating your beauty" Thor comments taking Katri's hand in his to kiss the back. "Lady Katri" he greets, Katri raises an eyebrow looking at Loki who rolls his eyes.