"You seem happy this morn," Loki smirked at the dark-haired Aesir who sat down next to him.
"That I am," she nudged his shoulder with hers, tucking a lock of mahogany hair behind an ear.
"And why would that be?" he asked, placing a finger between the pages of the spell book he'd been reading.
"I have my orders."
Loki felt his good mood evaporate, "Pardon?"
"I received my orders this morning at breakfast. Herja did too as did Night and Kara."
"And where would you be going?" he asked solemnly, silently cursing the twisting in his gut.
She didn't seem to notice, "Herja and Night are being sent to Vanaheim, so it's just me and Kara. We have been stationed in Alfhelm."
"When?" he felt his throat closing.
"Tomorrow… noon…"
"Tomorrow?" he gasped, unable to keep the pain out of his voice.
"Yes," she finally looked at him, "Are you well?"
He hesitated, "I am… well." Loki stood and walked away. He couldn't do it; he needed space.
Why?
Why did this have to happen now?
"Loki!"
He continued stalking toward the palace. Her footsteps, lighter and quicker, came up behind him. A small hand grasped his arm.
"What is wrong with you?" she demanded.
"Leave it alone," he jerked his arm away from her.
"I will not leave it alone!" she appeared in front of him, arms crossed defiantly, "Loki, you are my best friend. Something is bothering you. What is it?"
He shook his head. It was not something she could fix. How could he even tell her?
"Do not concern yourself with things that do not concern you," he replied coldly and brushed past her.
It was a lie. He knew that. She was his best friend and he lied to her. He had to.
She couldn't know.
Loki made it to his room, locking his door without her catching him again. The book he'd forgotten about until know was dropped unceremoniously onto a table. He dropped into a chair, his head resting in his hands, fingers through his hair.
He had to tell her.
No… he couldn't.
She mustn't know… not now.
He'd waited this long… he could wait some more.
Loki avoided dinner and breakfast. He couldn't bear to face her, though when noon rolled around, he found his determination faltering. She was leaving… could he really let her go without a proper goodbye? Could he live with himself if he refused himself that last moment with her? Would she been angry with him if he could?
He came to a last minute decision and ran to the stables where, thankfully, they had his horse ready. Thor's white horse and Sleipnir were visible on the RainbowBridge as were the various other horses of close friends and family of those Valkyries leaving. He pushed his horse, flying through the streets and across the bridge, arriving just behind everyone else. The commoners moved aside as he walked through the crowd to the mahogany waves that were, probably, tangled in the quiver on her back.
"Loki!"
He heard her before he could brace himself for impact as she attacked him, pressing her body flush with his. She seemed completely oblivious to what she did to him when she did that. He was able to hide it masterfully… but still.
"I have been looking everywhere for you," came the disappointment he'd been waiting for.
"I… have had… things…" he murmured against her hair.
"Mhm… like what things?" she asked, pulling away slightly to bore her aqua eyes into his.
"Spells," he hedged. She shot him a disbelieving look.
"It must have been important for you to miss spending time with me."
She was teasing of course, but he couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Hey," she brought his attention back to her, "No sadness. I will be gone for a few years but then be right back and it will be as if I never left… ok?" He could only manage a nod. The battle within him was enough to make him physically ill.
Should he tell her?
"Valkyries," Odin's voice rose over the general hum of last farewells, "Nothing makes a king prouder than when young men and women chose to defend their land. Today… we send four bright and capable young women into the realms where they will join with their sisters and continue in the peace of the Nine Realms. We thank each and every one of you."
The four dropped to a knee, saluting their king. Odin stepped aside and the four made their way to the golden dome. He still had time, not much of it, but still time enough to say his piece.
No.
He would not.
He'd waited this long… he could wait some more.
At the entrance, she turned and shot him a brilliant smile. He returned it best he could and watched as she stepped through. The dome spun and shot a beam of light into the cosmos and then another. Loki felt his heart sink further.
She was gone.