Lost Daughter
Chapter Two
Loki did not take Sleipnir back to the stables right away. Instead she walked him around the city, trying to clear her head. After a while she was so entrapped in her own thoughts that she forgot to steer him. Sleipnir was no dumb horse, however, and began to walk about of his own accord, he could tell that his mother was distressed. He took her far from the city to a cliff overlooking the ocean and white, sandy beaches. It was one of her and Thor's favorite places to play as children, away from the prying eyes of their parents. Loki blinked, finally realizing where she was. She laughed, though it sounded bitter and foul upon her tongue.
"You know me too well, boy." She reached down to stroke the horse's strong neck, he neighed softly in return.
She dismounted and went to the cliff's edge, the salty winds blowing her long ebony hair about her. The cliffs seemed less beautiful without Thor by her side. Loki bit her bottom lip, what was going to happen to him? They had done some pretty ridiculous things in the past, but this... and then there was Laufey's interest in her on Jotunheim. Sleipnir walked up behind her and rested his head over her shoulder, she could feel the horses broad chest at her back. It was his way of hugging her. She reached up to pet the soft skin of his nose, feeling his hot breath upon her fingers.
She sighed. "What am I, Sleipnir?"
The horse didn't reply, not that she expected him too. She looked at her hand, the one that recently turned blue by the Jotun's touch. It looked just as normal as it ever had; long delicate fingers and perfectly manicured nails. She turned her hand over to look at her palm, looking for any sign of imperfection."Perhaps I am cursed..." she said solumly.
Sleipnir nipped at her shoulder, biting both flesh and clothing. Apparently he didn't like the tone of her voice. "OW! Alright alright, bad Mother, I understand."
They remained there for some time, until the sun began to set into the ocean's horizon. Sleipnir had lain down, tucking his many legs underneath him and Loki rested against his belly. She was content enough to fall asleep then, letting the evening sun warm her skin and the gentle summer breeze move about her hair. Loki didn't wake until she heard the sound of hoof beats approaching. She binked, she sun had finally set, making way for the vast numbers of stars and nebula in the night sky. She looked at the stars until a familiar white mare blocked her vision.
"Mother..." Loki said reverently, looking up at Frigga All-Mother, Queen of Asgard.
Frigga smiled down at her, eyes shining with motherly love. "So this is where you ran off to, Loki. Your father was worried about you. You didn't take Sleipnir to the stables like he asked."
Loki looked a little sheepish and stood up, Sleipnir standing with her. "Is it wrong to desire a walk with my son?" She quipped, trying to change the subject. She mounted Sleipnir and stood beside her mother, who urged her mare into a walk.
"No, but you were doing more than just walking with my grandson, weren't you?" Frigga looked to her daughter. "What troubles you?"
Loki let out a sigh, "... What has happened to Thor?" She could worry about that first, then other things.
Frigga's lips tensed into a thin line. "He has been stripped of his powers, and Mjolnir taken from him. Currently he is kept in his rooms, under guard until your father thinks of a more suitable punishment for him."
"Oh..." she had expected some sort of punishment, but she still felt bad for her brother. "He was always proud to wield Mjolnir."
"That is what got him into this mess in the first place, pride and arrogance." Her mother stated matter-of-factly.
Loki snorted in agreement, but made no further comment. She loved her brother dearly, but she wanted to beat him over the head with his own hammer most days. There are many times where she felt like the older sibling, and he the younger annoying brother. Sif and the Warriors Three hadn't helped with that either. They thought he could do no wrong as it was.
She was silent then for a while, they had reached the stables and dismounted, handing over the horses to the stable hands. Loki walked with her, escorting her to the chambers she shared with Odin. "There is something else too..." she said, voice barely above a whisper.
"What is it, my daughter?" Frigga frowned, Loki noted that it made the worry lines on her face more prominent. She took her mothers hand and kissed her knuckles.
"While on Jotunheim... King Laufey kept looking at me," Frigga tensed a little as they walked, Loki didn't notice. "When he did, I felt something, here, as if someone grabbed my heart and squeezed a little." She tapped at her chest with a finger.
"Perhaps he was merely gazing at your beauty." Frigga quickly recovered. "Many Jotun have sought the beautiful women of Asgard."
"Oh by the stars I hope not!" The very idea made her shudder. Even if it were true, that still didn't explain her skin turning blue. She decided not to mention that part just yet. They had reached the large golden doors of the All-Father's chambers and stopped just a few steps away.
Frigga smiled at Loki, reaching up to smooth her wind-tossed hair, "Do not fuss too much daughter, everything will sort itself out in time." She raised up on her tip toes to kiss Loki's forehead, as she was slightly taller than her now, she always teased Loki about it.
Loki closed her eyes and smiled. "Thank you, Mother. Your wisdom knows no bounds." She gestured to the doors, "Let him know that I am well, please?"
"Of course. He worries about you so."
Loki bowed slightly, "Sleep sound, All-Mother." She turned to walk to her own chambers. Frigga watched her go, smiling until she was out of sight, then she frowned. She opened the great doors to see her husband standing out on the balcony, looking down at the city. She closed the door behind her.
"Our daughter as the radiance and grace of a Queen." Frigga spoke as she stepped next to Odin, he put an arm around her.
"Of course, she learned from you." Odin smiled, Frigga slapped him on the chest gently. "Cheeky." They both chuckled.
Frigga was silent for a moment. "I think you should tell our daughter the truth."
Odin looked down at his feet, this was something Frigga brought up often behind closed doors. "I hardly think that this is the appropriate time, considering Thor's punishment."
Frigga gave him a look. "Is there ever an appropriate time, Odin? Or are you going to continue to make excuses?"
"Frigga..." Odin looked pained.
"I know.." She reached up to stroke his beard, "She's my daughter too... You do not have to tell her tonight, but I urge you to tell her before Laufey's visit. Loki mentioned his interest in her while on Jotunheim, it's possible he knows. She needs to hear it from you."
The All-Father nodded, both relieved and concerned at the same time. "Not tonight then." He gave her a tight squeeze, eyes full of promise, "Tonight I shall have you." He kissed her then, and she couldn't help but giggle.
Loki had retired to her rooms and bathed. Once back on Asgard she had completely forgotten that her clothes were stained with blood from the battle. She lay in the hot bath for nearly an hour until her skin was bright pink and she was certain that all the Jotun blood was off her. She exited the bath chamber and donned sleep robes. The fabric was of a dark green and slightly translucent against her skin, hinting at the feminine curves underneath.
Her bare feet padded over onto the balcony and looked towards her brother's chambers. Their rooms were always next to each other ever since they stopped sharing a room as children, and even then they would occasionally sneak into each others beds. Her brother's rooms were dark, she could see nothing from the windows. When she passed by to reach her own chambers earlier there were two guards at his door, as Mother had told her. Curiosity now fluttered in her stomach, but she doubted the guards would let her in at this hour, so with the help of her magic she gracefully glided over to her brother's balcony and slipped inside.
She could barely make out her brothers room in the darkness, the only light coming from the windows. She could see enough to tell that her brother had made a mess of his quarters, as he usually did when he was upset. Tables and chairs overturned, ornaments thrown off the walls, weapons everywhere. She carefully tiptoed to her brother's bed, careful not to step on anything sharp. There she made out her brother's sleeping form, naked above the covers, which were a mess. He was snoring softly, something he usually did when he wasn't sleeping well. She leaned down to brush a few stray hairs away from his face.
"I am so sorry I got you into this mess brother." She whispered. In truth it wasn't completely her fault, but she said the right words to put the idea of entering Jotunheim into Thor's head. She felt guilty. "I have failed you. I couldn't get you out of trouble this time." She leaned down to kiss his forehead, then his nose, then the corners of his lips. "I'll try harder next time... if there is one."
Loki stood up and left his chambers as silently as she had entered, and hoped tomorrow would be better.
