Loki reeled back, his body bumping into the door. It took enormous effort to keep his illusion of Nanna in place, as his mind was flooded with confusion, drowning in bewilderment.

Sif looked at the young healer worriedly.
"Nanna? Is everything alright?"

Loki fought to keep his tone steady, though even whilst speaking in Nanna's voice, it wobbled with emotion.
"Your....your child."
His eyes were fixated on her stomach again, and the unfeasibly small bump.
"W-who is the father?"

Sif's brow furrowed, taken-aback by such bluntness. Usually Nanna was polite, somewhat meek even, so her sudden lack of tact and disregard for privacy and protocol was completely unexpected.
"Nanna! That is a deeply personal question! I am not obliged to disclose such information to you--"

"Perhaps not. But if the genetics of the father pose a threat to your well-being then it is imperative that you tell me!"

"What genetics? I do not understand. What is all this, Nanna? Why only now are you asking such things?"

Loki took a step forward, and even in the form of Nanna he knew the illusion's complexion would be ghastly pale.
"That matters not."
He snarled, no longer caring about maintaining Nanna's trademark politeness.
"For your own safety and for that of your unborn child, you must tell me the identity of the father!"

Swayed by the healers agitated desperation, Sif reluctantly relented.
"Holdur! The father is Holdur."

She watched as Nanna's mouth opened to say something, but no sound came out. Words appeared to be failing her, which was most unsettling.

"Holdur? The slain warrior? Holdur who was previously Captain of the guards?"

"Yes!"
Sif replied tersely, growing angrier and angrier by Nanna's blatant lack of respect and diplomacy.

"It cannot be!"

"How dare you!"
Sif snapped.
"Are you implying that I am a loose woman? That I do not know who my own baby's father is?"

"Holdur has been dead for nigh on three years, which makes it impossible!"
Loki blurted without thought or consideration.

He was bristling with barely suppressed fury. His head was now filled with unwanted, disturbing thoughts of Sif having been carnally intimate with another. Some undeserving miscreant had gotten her pregnant. And now her pathetic attempts to lie about the the culprits' identity merely added to his rage. At first he had naturally presumed it to be his, hence the concern for her health, as he recalled Karnilla's words of warning regarding him having coupled with Sif in his natural, Frost Giant form.

But his senses had returned now. It didn't add up. The bump was far too small. Which meant it couldn't possibly be his.

Yet something in her wide eyes, her stunned expression, made him falter.
She looked genuinely shocked and perplexed by his last statement.

"It cannot be! How can it be so long since Holdur's death? He...he is the only lover I have had--"

"You lie!"
Loki spat, accusingly.
"Is it Thor? Is that it? Is this an attempt to keep it a secret to preserve his wholesome holier-than-thou reputation?"

"I beg your pardon?"
Sif spluttered, aghast.

But Nanna promptly turned on her heel and flounced away in a swirl of anger, leaving the shield maiden staring after her in a state of consternation.
It took Sif a few moments to regather her wits, after the healers bizarre outburst, but now her own temper spurred her into action. Hurrying after her, Sif stomped along the candle-lit hallway. Her intention was to demand an explanation and an apology.

But as she rounded the corner, she found no sight, nor sound of Nanna. It was as though she had somehow magically just disappeared into thin air.

******************************************

Loki entered the healing rooms like a wild force to be reckoned with, his presence immediately startling Nanna, who was conveniently the first healer he chanced upon.

"Allfather! What an unexpected pleasure this is."
She gabbled, curtsying respectfully.

Loki had made his form invisible after leaving Sif, and had chosen to remain so right up until entering the healing rooms. This avoided any inconvenience. He was in no mood to have to endure the looks of puzzled guards, flocking around him, announcing his arrival. This was a matter of urgency and secrecy, so he'd become visible in the guise of Odin, only at the very last moment. And to stumble upon Nanna first, was most beneficial.

"It has come to my attention, that the Lady Sif is with child."
He announced, with as much decorum as he could muster.
"Have you been attending her throughout the pregnancy?"

Nanna visibly balked. Loki's clever eyes and sharp senses missed nothing. He saw the way she swallowed hard, her small hands grasping each side of her gown as she twisted the material anxiously between her fingers.

"I....I'm sorry, Allfather. I wasn't aware that you knew of the situation--"

Loki held a hand up haltingly.
"Have you been attending her?"

Nanna's eyes lowered to the ground.
"Y-yes, my King."

"So you will know the identity of the child's father, correct?"

That gave Nanna pause. She raised her head, blinking in almost animated slow-motion.
"The father?"

Loki's jaw tightened.
"Yes the father. Do not feign ignorance, Nanna. It does not become you. And don't insult my intelligence by claiming to not know."

The healer looked so pitiful that Loki almost felt a twinge of guilt for putting her on the spot in the imposing form of Odin. But he had to have answers.

"The father.....the father is regrettably deceased, my King."

Loki glared at the young woman, and she instinctively shrank back away from him nervously.
"I have heard nonsense about it being Holdur, former Captain of the guards. But you and I both know that beggars belief. The man has been dead for years!"

"Allfather, I wasn't speaking of Holdur. Even though the Lady Sif believes it to be the fallen warrior, the true father is deceased nonetheless."

Loki's frown deepened further. His head throbbed. He could make no sense of any of the information being revealed to him.

"Who is it, Nanna? You will tell me. Otherwise I shall publicly disgrace Mistress Sif by stripping her of her title and banish her from the palace on the grounds of her conduct bringing the house of Odin into disrepute."

Nanna closed her eyes, looking pained. Loki was no fool. It was obvious she was struggling with this moral dilemma. Reluctant to disclose the information to her King. Well, damn her eyes. He would exorcise the authority of Odin, and threaten her if necessary. And her steadfastness was regrettably making it necessary.

"If you refuse to cooperate, you leave me no choice other than to house you in the prisons for your obstinance, until you divulge the details!"
He delivered with a snarl.

Nanna raised watery, timid eyes to his. Her delicate mouth opening infuriatingly slowly, as Loki awaited her response with bated breath.
"I....I am sorry, my King."
She said meekly, then bowed her head in apparent shame.

"You will yet be more sorry!"

"I am sworn to secrecy, sire. To spare the feelings of all parties concerned."

Loki was so furious now, he was close to spitting blood. He longed to holler, "And what of my feelings?" but he refused to become a slave to his emotions and risk making a fool of himself. Nor could he reveal his true identity, as infuriating as that was.

He was just about to grab her roughly by an arm and haul her into the hands of a guard with instructions to deposit her into a cell, when a thought made him hesitate.

The young woman was braver than he had given her credit for. She did not fear being placed in the prisons. But she had not broken her silence when he'd threatened to banish Sif either, so who was she protecting? Her loyalty clearly lay somewhere, with someone.
His mind became a fevered buzz of possible candidates.
Thor?
No. Loki himself had been privy to her opinion of Thor. She'd disclosed to him on more than one occasion how she felt that the Thunderer stole too much of the limelight for himself, leaving little room for him.
Amora?
No. The time Loki had spent with her had more than cemented his belief that she was a trustworthy, loyal subject of Asgard.

Wait.
Was it possibly? Could it be?
Him?

Surely there was no harm in testing her?
Deliberately softening the Allfather's gruff voice, Loki placed a tentative arm on her shoulder. Her reaction was somewhat skittish, and uncomfortable, but Loki was not swayed.

"Nanna, I know you cared well for my deceased son when he was here."

Nanna's eyes snapped to his. Noticeably her bottom lip trembled precariously, and Loki felt a tiny pang of appreciation. Her silent response spoke volumes without her having to utter a word.
For whatever reason, though most likely pity, it was him.
Nanna was trying to protect Loki, beyond the grave. Perhaps in a vain attempt to prevent his reputation from being further tarnished even after death. She didn't want Odin from thinking ill of him still.
That had to be it.
.
How intriguing. How convenient. How simple this had the potential to be, if Loki were to use her unspoken admittance, this delicious information, to aid him.
In short, to manipulate her.
And his conscience played no part in the matter. Now was not the time for such absurd sentimentally. He wanted answers. And he felt sure he could trust the kindhearted, innocent healer.

Still keeping a hand at her shoulder, Loki slowly allowed the illusion of Odin to melt away. The shimmering golden light made Nanna gasp, and as her eyes drank in the sight of him, she clutched at his shoulder in panic, then he felt her body go limp.
Hurriedly he caught her , threading his arms through her own before she fainted onto the floor.

Muttering expletives under his breath, Loki scooped her up and carried her over to one of the healing tables, before carefully laying her down.
Several tense moments passed, until her eyes flickered open, and for a fleeting moment he feared that her beholding him leaning over her anxiously, would cause her to faint a second time.

"Your....y-your highness?"
She rasped, cautiously raising a hand as if to touch him, but she hesitated for obvious reasons.
"It...it cannot be!"

Loki allowed himself one small, unamused little smile.
"Yes, Nanna. It is I."

"I had thought I were dreaming. But you are....real?"

"Quite real."
Taking her hand in his, he pressed her palm to the side of his face.
"There. Am I not real enough?"

She blushed a little, his impulsive actions clearly throwing her off-balance. But Loki had no time to consider or analyse each of her responses, he wanted only to reassure her, and so he kept her small hand clasped in his large one, even long after he'd proved his initial point.

"Nanna, there is no need to fear me. I am not a ghostly apparition, I mean you no malice and I have not harmed the Allfather in any way. You must believe me."
He said in earnest.
"I need to know I can trust you. Now more so than ever I find myself in desperate need of an ally. Do you claim loyalty to me?"

She considered this for the length of a furious heartbeat, before nodding slowly. Her eyes still rounded in awe.

Loki breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't accustomed to having people willingly agree to his requests. And the way she looked at him, so softly, so enamoured....
It rather put him in mind of when Sif had loved him.

Mentally he pushed such thoughts aside, and regained his focus.

"Good girl. Clever girl. I always knew you possessed more sense than the rest of them all put together."
He smiled again. This one slightly more crooked. Less sincere, but more devastating than the previous.
"Nanna, who is the father of Sif's baby? I must know."

He moved back slightly, allowing her space to breath, and room to sit up.

"It is your child, your highness."

At that, Loki dropped her hand and straightened. Her proclamation had winded him, because he had thought she of all people would now have the good grace to be honest with him. Her false words pierced his heart like a lethal arrow, and the pain bordered on physically painful.

"That cannot be true. You're trying to spare my feelings. The child cannot possibly be mine!"
He growled, turning away from her.
"It has been almost a year since..."
His words became trapped in his throat. Choked by all the suppressed rage and hurt he was feeling.

"Your highness, rest assured the baby is yours--"

"Impossible!"

"Your highness, your DNA has had a significant impact on the pregnancy. A Jotun embryo forms much more slowly, which prolongs the gestation period."
She explained.

Loki felt all air leave his lungs on a silent gasp. Then ever so slowly, he turned back to face her.
"What? You mean...because of my parentage....?"

Nanna nodded gently, then chanced a small smile.
"Congratulations, sire. You're to be a father."

Loki digested this information with conflicting emotions. He felt so many things all at once, his feelings came to fast and there were too many to process articulately. He sucked in a deep, calming breath and did what he did best. The only thing he knew how to, when it came to complicated, messy emotions that he had no idea how to cope with.
He filed it away mentally, then buried it deep.

"Thank you."
He replied leadenly.
"And the Lady Sif? She does not know?"

"Unfortunately no, highness. Your mother discovered that her ladyship ingested a potion which gave her false memories. Because she remembers nothing, she believes Holdur to be the father."

"Who would give her such a potion?"
The answer came to Loki almost as soon as the words had left his mouth.

Amora.
Of course.
Now her ominous warning made sense. That detestable bitch had meddled in his affairs once more, in the hopes of ruining any possibility of there being a reconciliation with his beloved Sif.

And now Loki was incensed all over again, and he began pacing the room, too angered to be still.

"Your highness, the birth of your child is expected to happen two months hence. During that time the baby will grow at a rapid rate. The lady Sif will think it bizarre, her thoughts will not be hampered on the matter for much longer."

"No indeed they will not."
He said most assuredly.

"Then your highness intends to tell her?"
Nanna asked, looking deeply concerned.
"I agree she must know that you are the father. But I fear if you were to disclose this, along with your existence....I fear such a shock may be detrimental to her health."

"I couldn't agree more."
He admitted somewhat begrudgingly. The fact that Sif no longer loved him, seemed to hurt more deeply now than ever before. But he shook off his melancholy like a dusting of flour, and forced a strained smile.
"We shall keep such revelations between us, for the time being. Until circumstances are in our favour. In the meantime, I will require your assistance."

Nanna stood, and began fiddling idly with the hem of her sleeves.
"What would you have me do, highness?"

"You must accompany her once I have sent her away."

"Away?"

"It is regrettable but in her best interests. I have reason to believe she may be in danger if she remains in the palace. There are certain hostile parties who wish her harm."

Nanna looked deeply troubled by this.
"Are you referring to the same person who gave her the potion, sire?"

Loki nodded, handsome face grave.
"I will see to it that you are all protected by a reliable swordsman. He will be stationed nearby should you need him. And I know you are capable of tending to the birth, and the caring of mother and child thereafter?"

His question sounded more like a statement, and Nanna nodded eagerly. Though she looked unsurprisingly afraid, she was keen to prove her reliability to him.
"You have my word I will take the greatest of care tending to them both on your behalf, my prince."

"King."
He corrected, though his tone was no longer tinged with steel.
"In the absence of Thor and the Allfather, the line of succession falls to me. Unfortunately the people will never accept me as their rightful ruler, so the charade is unavoidable."

"And....and what of the Allfather, my King?"

"Ah, he was so stricken when he learned of my survival, that he was overcome with shock. As a result I fear he succumbed to the Odinsleep once more. I have ensured that he will be well cared for in a secure environment away from Asgard and the burden of the throne. And once he awakes, he will be afforded the much-needed rest that he so rightfully deserves."

Nanna listened to his explanation, and to his relief gave a small nod of understanding. Taking a half-step closer, he smiled down at his new ally. He was finding the experience novel, and immensely gratifying. Perhaps satisfaction was in his nature, he mused. Because there was something deeply satisfying about having the unreserved, willing servitude of another. Especially one so innocent, who regarded him with such uninhibited admiration.

"So you shall say nothing to lady Sif of this, do you understand?"

"Perfectly your highness. You have my word."

"Dear, sweet, loyal Nanna. What a blessing you are."

Nanna's face visibly coloured, and she dipped her head to escape meeting his eyes. He was standing deliberately close to her, revelling in the unexpected effect his proximity had on such a fair female. It had been a long time since he'd indulged in an innocent flirtation. His silver tongue had been put out of practice for so long, especially whilst he'd been masquerading as Odin. So it felt good to engage, to put his natural skill to flatter others, to good use.

He could wind her around her little finger if he so chose to. Unlike Sif who possessed that hidden fire which he craved so ardently, despite being burned time after time. In contrast, he could easily bend Nanna to his every will. And in her he had an ally whom he could solely trust, and unlike Amora, Nanna had not been corrupted by power, greed, envy or any other evil. She was pure and innocent, attributes which would serve him well in all of his endeavours.

***********************

The following day, Lady Sif found herself being summoned by the Allfather.
She was given no explanation by the guard who arrived unexpectedly to escort her, and when she looked to Volstagg and Fandral they simply shrugged their shoulders in bewilderment.

"It is not a matter of security then?"
Sif pondered, aloud.
"Otherwise the three of us would be commanded to attend a meeting."

Intrigued, she made her way from the recreational hall to the throne room, where she found Odin sitting alone. Ominously he had dismissed the guards, which made the warrior maiden feel decidedly uneasy.

"Allfather, you summoned me?"
She bowed benevolently.

Odin gazed down from his high throne, his only eye, resting on her face with unsettling focus. Had he always looked at her so intently? She didn't think so. This was something she hadn't failed to notice the last time she was in his presence, but had questioned her perceptiveness.

"Lady Sif, I shall dispense with any pleasantries and come straight to the point. A rumour of the most unsettling nature has,come to my knowledge, one that my aged ears could scarcely believe....But now I look upon you for myself, I see it is true."

Shifting uneasily she tried to keep her expression impassive. To give nothing away. But the feeling of impending dread gathered in the pit of her stomach, adding to the nausea she already suffered from.

"You are with child."
He stated unceremoniously, and Sif's worst fears were confirmed.

How had he discovered her secret? Had it been Nanna? Her behaviour the previous night had been most peculiar.

"Y-yes, my King. I am expecting a child."

"Yet you are regrettably unmarried. You realise these unhappy circumstances will raise questions, and draw unwanted attention? I need not remind you that the realm eternal is held in the most highest regard, and many strive to follow our example. The House of Odin cannot be seen to condone children being born out of wedlock."

Sif felt the heat of rising anger begin to course through her veins, and her cheeks reddened due to embarrassment and her rising temper. She had dreaded this day and had always feared it would come sooner rather than later. That she would be exposed, and her condition disclosed as public knowledge.

"Yes, Allfather. However, the father of my child died. It was an honourable death."

"But that does not alter the fact that you were unmarried."
Odin pointed out, without feeling or any hint of remorse.
"So therefore, for forms sake I must request you leave the palace, and the citadel of Asgard until the child had been born."

"Request?"
Sif heard herself grating, without being able to stop herself.
"It is not a request. You are ordering me--"

"Yes."

Loki was taken aback by Sif's unveiled resentment, and he found himself admiring her bravery. Answering the mighty Odin back, was unheard of. But even though he had long despised the Allfather's staunch beliefs in the ways of old, he had to take this opportunity. To use it to his advantage.

"A humble, unassuming residence has been allocated you, west of here on the outskirts of the forestland."
He informed a distinctly tight-faced looking Sif.
"You shall be accompanied by Nanna. She will reside with you--"

"Nanna? Must it be her? She disregarded all propriety by asking me personal questions--"

"Yes it must be Nanna. She is attentive in her duties. I trust you will cast all petty grievances aside, and be thankful for small blessings, Lady Sif. Many women before you, have had to suffer childbirth alone, without the aid of a skilled practitioner."

Bristling, Sif stood rigid and unmoving. Anchored to the spot by the weight of her increasing anger.

"And Heimdall shall take up residence nearby."
He continued, opting to ignore her incredulous expression.
"He will act as your own personal guard and be responsible for your safety."

"Heimdall? But he is the keeper of the bifrost?"

"Precisely. Can you think of anyone more befitting to keep a watchful eye over you?"

"Unarguably no, but who is to be guardian of the bridge in his absence? I cannot ask this of--"

"It is none of your concern, Lady Sif."
He interrupted her again gruffly.
"Please do not upset yourself with the trifling details. All has been taken care of. Now prepare your things, your party shall leave before sundown."

Realising the matter was now closed, Sif bowed half-heartedly, and left the room in a huff, slamming the large, gilded doors behind her.

She was inconsolable, almost itching, with anger.

Well, the throne be damned.
Yes she would comply, because the Allfather's orders were final, but to hell with returning to the palace once her baby was born.
She was done.
The insult at being sent away as though in disgrace, was deeply offensive and hurtful. Her behaviour hadn't been shameful. It was not her fault nor her ex lover's that he had lost his life before they'd made any wedding plans.

Had their been wedding plans?

If only she could remember. It was very disconcerting being unable to recall how life had been with him. Surely she must've felt some love for him? But there was no sadness in her heart for his death. She felt loss at Thor's departure. And for Frigga's tragic demise. And even the disgraced prince....she had felt saddened after all, that he had lost his life. So why she felt nothing for Holdur, was beyond her comprehension.

But as for the House of Odin....Sif no longer felt obliged by duty to protect the crown. It was all a golden facade. The archaic traditions were hypocritical and insufferable. Why couldn't she remain in the palace just because she was expecting a child and was still unmarried? The very concept was insulting and demeaning. Frigga would not have permitted it, but alas she was not here, and Odin was a stickler for propriety and maintaining order and all faithful subjects must abide by the rules. The rules that were set by his father, King Bor. Even though it was all a sham, littered with lies, treachery and corruption.

As she stormed down the hallway, temporary blinded by bitterness, she did not notice Tyr lurking behind one of the large columns, surveying her with curiosity.

Something had clearly ruffled the Goddess of War's feathers, and he made a mental note to make it his priority to find out just exactly what that 'something' was.....