Darcy's POV
The next three days drag by. I spend every moment I can in my room, but I am still forced to attend dinner. I sit next to Loki, who continues to glance at me curiously, but he rarely says anything more to me than "please pass the butter".
On the fourth day of my self-imposed isolation, there is a knock at the door. Quietly, I hop off my bed and pad to the grand oak door. I open it to see Queen Frigga standing there with a soft smile on her face. My eyes widen and I quickly curtsey. "Good morning, Your Majesty."
"Good morning, Lady Darcy. How are you today?"
My mouth goes dry. This is the most intense conversation I've had since I departed from Alfheim. "Q-quite well, Your Majesty. Yourself?"
An amused smile floats across her face. "I've nothing to complain about. Tell me, young one, why do you keep yourself locked in your rooms?" She bends slightly so she's closer to my height, but I am still intimidated. It's not everyday the Queen personally visits the young daughter of a diplomat.
"I...I miss my home, Your Majesty." She raises an eyebrow, expecting me to elaborate. "I miss my friends, and my tutors, and my horses. I miss the music and the sunsets. I miss…" My voice trails off and my eyes find a spot on the floor.
"You miss…?"
I sigh. "I miss my mother."
Queen Frigga's face turns into one colored with pity and sadness, and something in my stomach clenches. "Young Darcy, your mother is now in Vanaheim, a place lovelier than any other. It is our burden to miss the ones that are gone, but we should also celebrate their fortune. She is happy, I can promise you that. And she watches over you still; she cares for you and sends her love to you."
My eyes well up with tears. I bite my lip in desperation to keep them from spilling over.
"Although I did not know your mother well, I can guess that it would sadden her to see you sequestered into your chambers all these hours. Come, let us get you freshened up. You shall please your mother by playing with the other children."
I sniffle, and follow her to my wardrobe. The impropriety of the situation manages to strike me. "Your Majesty, I can call for Nanny Idsole-"
"Do not trouble yourself. I know how to dress a young lady, as I once was one...long, long ago." She throws an impish smile over her shoulder, one I'm sure she does not show often. I feel honored, and a hesitant smile begins on my face. "How about this? Lilac would look lovely with your hair." I blush and thank her.
Soon, I'm wearing a new dress and my hair is done in a braid to the side of my head.
"Now," Queen Frigga places a hand on the doll I hold. "Would you like to take this with you, or are you ready to leave it here?"
I swallow. "Take it with me, please, Your Majesty."
She nods, and allows me the doll.
"Come, come." I follow her into the hall, where we see a scandalized-looking Nanny Idsole.
"Y-Your Majesty, please. Let me escort Lady Darcy-"
"Thank you for your offer, Nanny Idsole, but I'm sure I can manage. In the future, however, please remember that a good caretaker does not ignore the needs of her ward."
"Y-yes, my Queen. Sorry, my Queen."
Queen Frigga offers a kind yet firm smile, and I'm filled with admiration. We continue on our route, and I get more and more confused as we wind through the labyrinthine halls. It will be quite some time before I will be ready to accurately navigate Castle Asgard alone.
We come to a double set of large oak doors, and the guards posted outside straighten before opening them wide.
Cool air hits my face, lightly ruffling my hair. The room is a large, circular shape, and the center is slightly lowered than the rest. Mostly decorated in browns and gold, the room has an earthy feel to it. A window opposite the doors allows some for some natural light, but the room is largely lit by light spheres and torches. I raise my eyebrows appreciatively. This room could be quite peaceful.
"Mother!" Any hope of comfort is quickly erased by the sight of the two Asgardian princes.
"Thor, Loki." She uses their names as a fond greeting. "Spend some time with Darcy; help her to feel more at home." Both boys nod dutifully, but I can tell Thor is a little annoyed at his task of entertaining a young girl. I restrain a huff of indignation.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." I curtsey as she goes, and then turn to face my playmates.
"Your Highnesses," I curtsey to them each. "I am sorry to disrupt your time of leisure." They both stare at me blankly, as if they're unsure of what to do with me.
Finally, Thor nods, and I take that as a dismissal. I find a spot on the edge of the room and sit there with my doll. Quickly, Thor and Loki forget my presence and resume their game of war. I busy myself playing with Elsa's hair, admiring how much the color resembles the one shared by me and my mother. The copper color reflects off of the light from the torches, creating a mesmerizing effect. I spend the better part of an hour braiding and re-braiding the hair of my doll.
"Mother said to play with her." Despite his attempts, Loki's hushed voice carries to my side of the room.
"No," Thor's voice retorts, full of manufactured authority. "Mother said to make her feel at home. She looks pretty at home to me on the edge there."
Loki huffs.
"I did not mean that rudely, just that she does not seem like the type of girl to enjoy being around other people."
I pretend not to have heard their conversation as Loki stomps over to me, Thor reluctantly towing behind him.
"Would you like to join us, My Lady?"
Knowing better than to refuse the request of a prince, I accept. "I would be honored, Your Grace."
Loki takes it upon himself to explain the rules of the game. "You see, Thor's the hero, and I'm the villain. My goal is to steal the orb that he's guarding, and Thor's goal is not to let me." Upon seeing Thor's pointed stare, Loki quickly adds, "You can be on my team."
"Thank you, Your Grace."
"Ready...go!" Thor's voice begins the game. I study Loki's movements as he tries to concoct a strategy to get past Thor. Thor is stronger and older, but Loki is clearly smarter. He uses logic and cunning in his attempts, while Thor relies on his brute strength. In the end though, Thor wins by decisively tossing Loki across the room. My eyes widen and I clutch Elsa tighter to my chest, but Loki just laughs good-naturedly and brushes himself off, walking back to join us in the center of the room.
"Lady Darcy, why don't you take a turn?"
Thor and I are in similar states of disagreement with Loki's statement, yet neither of us argues. Not loosening my grip on my doll, I step forward to face Thor. He's at least double my height and his arms are the size of my head. I've heard tales of his good-naturedness, but he could probably crush me on accident! Still, I dig my heels into the floor, steeling myself for what's to come. He lets me make the first move-a small step in his direction-before ending my forward progress; with a grand step, he's placed himself in front of me. He reaches his meaty arms towards my frame and-
bam!
He's taking startled steps backwards.
It takes a minute before the gravity of what I've just done hits me. Oh gods. I've just punched the future king of Asgard in the face.
Loki is howling with laughter, but I am utterly mortified.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I-I am so sorry! I do not know why I did what I did, I-I-I…"
Thor glowers.
"Oh, come now, brother. You cannot seriously be angry with the girl. You scared her, and she reacted accordingly! Let her be." Loki's defense of me is harmed a bit by his continuing laughter.
Thor's eyebrows twitch before he excuses himself and stalks off to the other side of the room to do some exercises.
Loki's giggles subside but the mortified look does not leave my face.
Still choking a bit on his laughter, Loki approaches me. "Lady Darcy, I assure you, you did no harm. I do not mean to offend you, but Thor will not have so much as a bruise on his face, as there was not enough force behind your strike."
I nod dimly, still in a state of shock. I just punched Thor Odinson. My father will be livid if he ever finds out.
As if he can sense what I'm thinking, Loki softens. "No one will know what has occurred here today. Come sit with me, I think I know of a way to cheer you."
Doubtful, I follow him to a set of chairs a few feet away.
"May I borrow your doll?"
I very reluctantly hand him Elsa.
Loki wraps his hands around her and closes his eyes, already deep in his concentration. His lips twitch as he mutters something I can't hear, but when he opens his eyes, Elsa straightens.
My brows furrow and I lean in, confused yet eager to see what will happen next.
Loki sets Elsa on the ground between us and she begins to dance!
My eyes widen and I can't help it; I laugh. I laugh and clap in delight until Loki joins me. Our laughter even draws Thor in, and what he sees draws a hesitant smile to his face.
This is how Queen Frigga finds us when she comes to summon us to dinner, and I can't help but notice the happiness behind her eyes.
A/n Let me know what you think, please! Thanks for reading :)