Summary: Fandral and Volstagg accidently get caught in the middle of a scene they shouldn't be seeing...
Characters/ Pairings: Loki/ Darcy; Thor/ Jane; Past Darcy/ Fandral; Volstagg, Fandral, Sigyn
Warnings: AU
A/N: My first Darcy/ Loki fic! Yay!
A/N2:This is set in an alternate universe in which the worlds are countries. Jane is the princess of Midgard just because...
Also, the time period is based off the late 18th century. I've just finished up a production of Amadeus and watching it every night made me want Darcy and Loki in 18th century style clothes. Also its one of my fave time periods clothes-wise.
And if the language appears slightly more modern than the Shakespearean that the Asgardians commonly speak in, again, I'm basing more of it off of a later century. Not that I'm an expert in either.
With a sigh, Fandral smoothed out his waistcoat and sped up to match Volstagg's pace. He took a last look back towards the ball they were leaving and saw Hogun and Sif dancing before the crowd moved and blocked the spinning couple. It was a ball to celebrate the continuous victory of Asgard against Jotunheim as well as the announcement of Prince Thor's engagement to Jane Foster of Midgard. In addition to Thor being united with a woman he loved, it meant that he would become ruler of Midgard. With all the new territory that Asgard was gaining in the war, there would be more than enough for both Asgardian princes to lord over. Although Loki wouldn't have as much power or land as Thor, the man seemed rather content as of late and hadn't been picking fights. Fandral had first hand accounts of the tensions between the Thor and Loki years before and was relieved that a battle within the court was far less likely to happen. There truly was much to be thankful for in Asgard tonight. Though if he could just steer Volstagg back to the dance floor and adoring women who swooned over soldiers in uniform...
"Must we?" whined Fandral. "The kitchens have provided a fine selection of desserts for all-"
"I swear to you, a servant carried a tray of the most delectable confections. Ones that would make the selection in the dance hall look like helpings from Jotunheim camps," Volstagg claimed. By now, they had turned enough corners so that the ball was out of sight and the joyous noise was just a whisper.
"But if we send an inquiry to the kitchens-"
"I believe he mentioned the private library," Volstagg cut Fandral's plea short and let out a cry of victory when he found the right door. They both entered the dimly lit library and much to Fandral's surprise, a series of three tiered dessert trays were sitting on the desk. Volstagg headed straight over while Fandral took a look around. The private library was where many ancient texts and historical accounts of the royalty of Asgard were kept. Some documents were not for the eyes of the public and as far as Fandral knew, the doors were normally kept locked. The fact that it was open and waiting for someone made him feel uneasy. Fandral closed the door quietly behind him and slowly made his way towards Volstagg.
"My friend, I feel as if we are intruding," Fandral admitted.
"Just try one and then-"
The sound of the doorknob turning and the giggle of a woman alerted the two warriors that they were half caught. They headed straight to the large, floor length curtains and hid behind them. It was dark enough by the windows that they were confident no one would see them occasionally peek through the drapes. Fandral was thankful that the soldiers had been ordered to not carry visible weapons that night. It made hiding much easier.
When Loki stumbled through the door with Darcy Lewis, one of Jane Foster's ladies-in-waiting, both soldiers raised their brows. Fandral had a short romance with her when Foster first visited the Asgardian court but had not given her much thought once it was over. She'd been too much of a tease for his tastes. Neither Fandral nor Volstagg knew she was on cordial terms with the second prince. With a smirk, Loki closed the door and pinned a smiling Darcy against it before kissing her with fervor.
That made Fandral and Volstagg eyes widen and exchange a look of surprise. But Fandral couldn't help rolling his eyes when he saw Volstagg had stolen a tray of confections. Volstagg shrugged and offered Fandral a dessert and realising that they may stay behind the curtain for a while, he took one. He had to admit, they were quite paradisal with the overt sweetness being held back ever so slightly by tangy fruit. Despite their deliciousness, Fandral wasn't sure if accidently being caught snooping on Loki was worth it.
Soon after taking a few more desserts, they focused on the kissing couple once more. The only woman they could remember Loki showing any interest in was Sigyn. It ended rather badly despite the King's vocal approval of the union. If Fandral's sources were correct (and they normally were), Sigyn's recent and rushed marriage to an older duke had been arranged due to a soon to come pregnancy announcement. There weren't any signs to indicate that the child belonged to Loki. In fact, Fandral had started to wonder if Loki favored the company of men over women and was simply using Sigyn as a means to prevent rumours. Fandral would have to find new sources because this new development obviously slipped past their ever-listening ears.
The kiss between Loki and Darcy continued, heat mounting by the second as hands skimmed over clothing and what little bare skin there was. Behind the curtains, Fandral and Volstagg shifted uncomfortably. Darcy seemed much more willing to lose her inhibitions with Loki. Flirty kisses and longing words were the only presents Fandral had been given by the Midgardian lady-in-waiting. Fandral wondered if that was due to Loki's high rank, Loki enchanting women more than he was given credit for or if she truly cared for the prince.
The hidden soldiers tried to force their attention to other...things as the wait became a little uncomfortable. Volstagg focused on snacking silently and Fandral tried to count threads in the curtains. Obviously, it wasn't working when he realised his eyes were wandering towards the ample bosom spilling out of Darcy's grown. They were one of the main reasons Fandral had been attracted to her. Still, it was a beautiful dark blue satin gown with silver embroidery and lace.
When Loki suddenly let out a moan that was more of a growl, attention was back on the couple. Lifting Darcy up so that her legs were encircling his waist, Loki seemed to latch onto her neck with vigor and let his hands wander under her skirts. It was then Darcy started to squirm uncomfortably against the change in positions but Loki showed no signs of stopping. Fandral began to feel his pulse beat in his ears as he tried to think about his next move. While he didn't want to reveal that he had been watching them, let it never be said that he didn't help a damsel in need. Despite the many true rumours of his conquests.
"Stop it! Get off!" Darcy demanded against Loki's insistent touches. Finally, Loki dropped Darcy on her feet with a snarl and took a few steps towards the curtain where the two soldiers hid. They could see him rub a hand down his frustrated face as he began to calculate his next move. Behind him, Darcy was straightening out her skirts and hair.
"I do not understand why you must be so insistently-"
"Chaste?" Darcy offered with haughty sass, waiting for Loki's glare on her before continuing. "My father had no sons. You can be certain he instilled into me the importance of virtue and in his daily sermons of finding a husband."
"You must remind me to thank him," Loki said, every word dripping with sarcasm and spite.
"I shall send him your grievances in my next letter," Darcy assured, earning a hollow chuckle from Loki. She ignored it and started to look at the dusty texts stacked along the shelves. When it was clear that she was content on ignoring him for the time being, Loki slid up behind her and placed a small kiss on the bare juncture of her neck and shoulder. Leaning into her, Loki folded his arms around her waist and twinned their fingers together. His demeanor was no longer tense and he seemed to be begging for forgiveness but Fandral knew what was happening. Loki never actually backed down from a fight- he merely retreated to reconsider tactics.
"Are you going to stay mad at me the whole night?" Loki pouted into her ear.
"The thought crossed my mind, yes," Darcy said slyly while slipping out of Loki's grasp.
"I can hardly bear you being cross with me."
"What is more unbearable? Me being cross or you not getting under my skirts?"
"I am not demanding you slip straight into my bed," Loki tried to reason.
"No but if I give you an ankle, you take both legs. I know how it works."
"We shall laugh about this when we are married," said Loki casually. Beside Fandral, Volstagg tried to not choke audibly on his snacks.
"Married? You keep saying that but there is no way you could earn the consent of your father," Darcy laughed bitterly, her voice becoming hard. This was obviously a topic she had already formed an opinion on. She made sure her back was turned on Loki but it meant that she was walking closer and closer towards the curtains. Fandral thought he could see a vulnerability in her eyes that she couldn't hide behind bitter acceptance, try as she might. "No, I will be lucky if my father can find a tired old general to marry me off to. Maybe Fandral will still have me. A little boring when it comes to the art of conversation but at least he is pretty to look at."
At that, Fandral's jaw dropped and he thought of witty things to later drop in front of her to prove those words wrong.
"You know the only reason I am a lady-in-waiting to a princess is that she enjoyed my sass," continued Darcy. "Which was an accident in the first place because how was dumb little me to know I was talking to the princess?"
Darcy started to move towards a large cushioned chair, which was a slight relief but also meant she was almost out of view.
"You are more than fit to be my wife," Loki promised suavely, moving behind her.
"I think you mean mistress," pouted Darcy, picking at her skirts. "Mistress to a prince? I suppose I could do worse."
Unfazed at her disparaging remarks, Loki squeezed her shoulders and showered them with light kisses as he began again softly.
"You have the beauty of a goddess, the grace of an angel and the wit of a demon."
"Demon wit will hardly move the king, nor grace and virtue. I'm no Sigyn."
"Do not say that," Loki commanded coldly, taking a step back. If Darcy noticed the undercurrent of hostility boiling beneath his surface, she didn't care.
"Divine, exquisite Sigyn," Darcy started to recite mockingly and sat down on the chair. "No one could ever hold a candle to her virtues. A duchess that can weave through political tensions as easily as a fish in water. Shame she couldn't wait long enough to stay off her back before she secured your hand."
"My previous...infatuations for her were unfortunate. I admit that," hissed Loki through clenched teeth. "I will admit that a hundred times to you and yet, you throw it in my face every second you feel threatened."
"If my insecurities are so distasteful to you," Darcy began, voice steadily rising. "Perhaps you should find someone more of your standing to roll around on library rugs with. A prince surely has his pick of all the women in court."
"Perhaps I should."
"Maybe you should start with that whore, Helga Olafsdoffir! I've seen the way you two have been eyeing each other!"
"Stop being so absurd. I have no more interest in her than I do with any other woman at court," Loki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
"You could have fooled me!" laughed Darcy, near sorrowful hysterics.
"It's truly tiring that you continue to listen to the slander being thrown about."
"Well, what am I supposed to listen to? No one knows of our relationship and all women in court do is gossip and there is not a word I can say in reply. All I can do is sit and feign interest about the latest conquest of Loki Odinson! The prince that all woman now want while Thor is lovestruck."
"Then listen to me. To my kisses."
"Kisses are empty promises when they have to be kept secret."
"Your letters were the only thing getting me through this war," Loki swore suddenly with renewed passion.
"What?"
"I read your letters every night at camp and in between battles. Over and over until I had them memorised," Loki moved out of sight and Fandral fought Volstagg to try and get a better view. He thought he could see Loki kneeling in front of Darcy. "I may not have paid you any mind at our first meeting because I was star struck by a succubus when you came to court. But I have grown to understand you surpass her in every manner. You offered comforting words to a man who barely spoke a sentence to you when I first learned of Sigyn's lies. You heard the news of my...true parentage and sought me out. I spat at you and demanded you leave but you stayed and assured me that it meant I was no less of a prince to Asgard than Thor. Your letters and gentle words soothed me when I wondered if this war is worth fighting. I am in your debt and hope you can accept my love as payment. I love you Darcy Lewis of Midgard. I would give up this kingdom tenfold to be your husband. I would face the wrath of King Odin and live happily as a beggar if only you were my wife."
Fandral and Volstagg stood completely still, holding their breaths as the confessions hung in the tense air. Everything that Loki said and suggested spun in their mind. Thankfully, Darcy broke the silence before they accidently stuck their heads out.
"Loki," gasped Darcy in a panic. "You...you cannot mean-"
"I do. Every word. I cannot promise a kingdom if we wed but I can promise you that I will love you more each day we spend together."
"Please, do not give up a kingdom just for me. A chance to rule even a small-"
"Say yes. Tell me you will," Loki insisted and the room fell into another strained hush.
"Oh Loki, you do not know how happy it makes me to hear you say that but...I cannot," confessed Darcy, causing Volstagg to almost let out a gasp of his own until he bit his lip.
"What?"
"To ask for my hand without your father's blessing would truly make you a beggar. I cannot live with that on my conscience. This court would eat me alive if I were to become your fiancée. We both know you need someone who can take care of you both politically and-"
"I bare my soul to you and you simply mock me," Loki accused acidly, standing up and walking away from Darcy back into better view of the curtain.
"No-"
"I say I will give up the one thing I craved for all these years and you continue to belittle your worth to me? Am I not important enough for you to fight for? Do you not think I can make my own decisions?"
"You misunderstand-" Darcy tried, following Loki but he cut her off again.
"No I understand very well. More clearly than I ever have, in fact. Obviously my words continue to fall on deaf ears," Loki swallowed painfully and clenched his fists. "If you feel we should cease this relationship then I must agree. Not much can be made with empty gestures. I bid you goodnight."
With that, Loki bowed his head and left the room briskly. The soldiers continued to stand in uncomfortable silence as they watched Darcy fall to her knees and start to sob once the door clicked shut. Her cries were heart-wrenching and Fandral couldn't help but want to go and comfort her until the tears subsided.
By the time her tears started to slow, a sharp knock on the door startled her and the unseen guests. The door opened to reveal a servant.
"M'lady, you are wanted by the Princess Foster," he announced, likely choosing to ignore her tears and fallen position. It wasn't his place to offer her comforting words anyhow.
"Of course," Darcy sniffled before standing and straightening her skirts. As she dabbed her face dry, she took a confection from one of the trays and followed the servant towards the princess. When the door had been closed for a good twenty seconds, the soldiers finally left the safety of the curtains.
"By the walls of Valhalla!" Volstagg cried.
"Yes that was quite, ah, illuminating," Fanral agreed.
"We must help them!"
"Help them?" Fandral raised an eyebrow at the suggestion.
"Yes, two lovers lost- we must reunite them. Somehow get the King's approval of the Lady Darcy. She is a fine maiden and while does not have much rank, obviously loves Loki-"
"It is not our place to meddle. We were not meant to hear, to know any of what passed in this room. Do not be a romantic."
"I thought you were meant to be the romantic in court? Do not let Lady Darcy's words of your faults cloud your judgement."
"My judgement is not at all clouded. Prince Loki is meant to marry someone of his rank. Thor is lucky, as tumultuous his relationship with Princess Foster has been. A second prince marrying just for love is far fetched. Besides, how do we know what Loki said was true? It could have been sweet words and manipulations to get her into his bed. When he realised that it was an impossible feat, he ended it."
"Those were not simply the words of a man trying to seduce a woman into his bed. You know that. You saw his face. You saw her tears!" Volstagg placed the now empty tray back onto the desk with a loud clang.
"Even if I did believe it, what can we do? Nothing."
"Well I am going to help them, whether you join me or not is another matter. I cannot, in good conscience, ignore what I saw and heard."
"So what are you going to do?" Fandral crossed his arms and Volstagg deflated slightly.
"I...I do not know yet but it will come to me," Volstagg insisted somewhat confidently and Fandral knew in his gut what the right thing to do was.
"Fine, I will help you come up with a plan," folded Fandral with a sigh but he secretly was excited by the prospect of a happier battle plan.
"Excellent! Come, let us enjoy the rest of the ball and perhaps an idea will hit us."
"All right, but I'm not following you through anymore dark rooms in search of sweets. It got us into enough trouble as it is."
"Come, come, we shall debrief Hogun and Sif," Volstagg said joyfully, taking a handful of desserts before heading towards the door.
"You want to include more people into this crazy plot? Oh good. I suppose the blame will be spread out a bit more evenly now," said Fandral sarcastically, following his friend and fellow soldier out towards the ball. Before he forgot, he picked up a couple of desserts for himself. After a bite, he still couldn't be sure that they were worth the wrath of Odin but then again, he never let his stomach guide his way. Though if Volstagg seemed to be the one now letting his heart lead his decisions, Fandral decided that just this once, he'd be the stomach. Hopefully, his gut didn't completely fall out when they were under the eyes of King Odin. Also hopefully, they'd get the name of this dessert.