Author's Notes: I'm feeling pretty generous today. (I'll admit, I'm BORED) Time to get another chapter up I tells my self!

Disclaimer: Chapter 1.

So give me reason to prove me wrong,
To wash this memory clean
Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes
Across this new divide

Chapter 4- Mother's Care

If Loki could say she had one hell of a night, it would have been an understatement. The torrential downpour of tears that had hit her as soon as she had gotten to the safety of her room took all her strength to control. Thor had briefly tried to get into the room, but he had eventually given up to go find other more important things than deal with a whimpering sibling.

She had barely slept. Loki had tossed and turned in bed; she couldn't find a way to get comfortable with how sore she still was. It had been a terribly long night and in all honesty, Loki hadn't wanted it to end. She didn't want to face everyone again once the sun rose.

Loki was still in bed when she heard the door click open. It was well past sunrise by now. She slowly turned over to see who was daring to be in her presence. If it was Thor again so help the gods she would… Frigga's smile crushed the rising anger in Loki's chest.

"Good morning," her mother said as she crossed the room without a sound. Loki refused to answer her. The silence only seemed to motivate her mother more, "I thought since you were available… and a little low on clothing…"

Dear gods. Loki wanted nothing to do with dresses or fancy frills.

"I thought we could look at a few things," Frigga stated as she sat near Loki.

Loki sat upright with disdain etched on her face, "I'd rather not."

"It won't be anything too extravagant," Frigga responded, "I've found some simple garments."

"No," Loki didn't want to do anything right now but stay in bed and hide from the world.

"Please Loki," Frigga was being persistent though, "You really can't impress anyone if you keep dressing in old worn out hand-me-downs."

Loki looked at her like she was crazy, "Why would I dream of impressing anyone around here… mother?"

Frigga's smile widened a fraction, "Why do you think?"

"Mother," Loki pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. This was one of the things Loki had wanted to avoid. She didn't have time for flattery and attracting men. She was still coping with the change, much less looking for a partner! It was by far the last thing on her list of things she wanted to do.

"Loki, I'm merely teasing," a chuckle left Frigga. Loki didn't find it funny.

"Oh Loki, please," she continued after Loki gave her another stiff look, "I want you to be happy… and be proud of what you are now! You're beautiful and I want to show you to the world."

There was going to be no end to this; Loki could already see that. She let out a sigh and complied, "Fine…" She stopped her mother before the woman could celebrate, "But… I'm not wearing any dresses."

Frigga looked about ready to burst, "Wonderful! We can start whenever you get out of bed."

Loki groaned. She was at least hoping to put it off for a little while longer. Maybe work into the day, not be thrown in over her head again. She didn't want to get overemotional again, and that was what would inevitably happen if she was pushed too hard too fast. Losing control was the worst feeling in the world right behind the despair in having no one supporting her in anything she attempted. But that was a whole other story.

"Come on, up and at it," Frigga said as she got up. She pulled the blankets off of Loki with a quick flick of the wrist. Loki actually whined in protest. Could she seriously not do this now?

"Up," Frigga commanded with a little more force inflecting her voice. Loki glared and got up slowly. She stood with her arms out in a defenseless manner. The folds of the robe she was in hit the floor. When had this thing gotten longer? Loki realized she must not have been paying as much attention as she thought to what she was in yesterday.

"I have everything set up in the north tower," Frigga stated as she made her way to the door. Loki rolled her eyes and followed. Leave it to mother to have everything ready and be prepared to con her into actually doing it.

"Do not roll your eyes at me," Frigga said, looking over her shoulder at Loki.

Loki smiled sheepishly, "Oh no, I would never mother." Frigga raised an eyebrow but didn't question her further. Loki knew as much as she did that this was going to be a far stretch. Certainly Loki couldn't just go walking around with the Queen of Asgard doing whatever they wanted. Well… whatever Frigga had planned anyway.

And she was right. There were guards outside Loki's door as they emerged. The men continued to follow them as Frigga set the pace leading toward the northern tower. The tower where her and Odin spent their nights. Loki cringed inwardly. She hoped Odin would be nowhere in sight if they were really going there. She didn't want another fractured confrontation.

Loki's thoughts traveled lightly back to what had happened the evening before. How could Odin say that this magic curse was a blessing? He had to be mad in his old age.

Before she knew it, Loki was walking into one of Frigga's personal chambers in the north tower. Loki glanced around. She hadn't been in this room for years, and it seemed that the room hadn't been touched in a while by her mother either.

Light flooded through the high arched windows above, casting golden rays across the walls and floor. A high, multi-paneled mirror dominated one corner of the room and next to it was a large wardrobe that took up the rest of the wall. A few humanoid shapes leaned against the opposite wall, their forms displaying the elegant clothing that was on them.

If there was anything in the room that Loki absolutely did not want to see on herself, it was the frilly rose pink disaster adorning the makeshift mannequin piece closest to the door. It would have looked atrocious on anyone. All the pink ruffles and... were those feathers covering the collar? Loki couldn't even tell.

"All right, let's begin," Frigga simply stated with a small clap of her hands. The doors were shut as the guards remained outside. At least there wouldn't be a free show for them to see.

"What shall we start with?" Frigga asked as she went around the room opening different doors and drawers.

Loki stared at the pink disaster near her, "How about pants and… a tunic?" It was just so disgusting. What would drive someone to make something so hideous?

"All right," Frigga said from behind her. Loki broke away from the horrifying sight in time to catch the clothes being thrown her way. "Try those," Frigga said while still looking through rows of items.

What? Loki was supposed to just strip down right there and change? Sure she had changed in front of Frigga countless times when she was younger. She had been a naïve child then. This was now though. It was just…. This was just too weird.

"What are you waiting for?" Frigga commented, "Those clothes aren't going to put themselves on."

Loki watched Frigga open another drawer before setting the clothes on a table. Why was she, the goddess of mischief, being so self-conscious? Was it just because she didn't want to see how her own body had changed? Loki wasn't sure, but she had to deal with the nervous feeling or probably face a more embarrassing situation from her mother. Like being dressed as if she was a small child…

Loki took a breath, closed her eyes, and quickly took the robe off. There was no way that was happening. She snatched up the clothing and changed as swiftly as she could. When she was finally covered again, Loki opened her eyes.

The fit wasn't quite right in the shoulders as she turned for her mother to see. A laugh escaped Frigga's lips and Loki's eyes snapped to her in confusion.

"I'm sorry," Frigga tried to stifle the outburst, but she was having a poor time of it, "Loki… you put that on… backwards."

Loki felt her cheeks light up. She quickly tried to pull her arms out of the short sleeves and turn the top around but got caught in the material. Frigga only laughed more as Loki became more flustered.

"Oh Loki, here let me…" she said after a long humiliating minute passed. Her mother reached for her and helped untangle the material. Frigga straightened the top out as they got it rotated in the right direction this time.

Loki took a breath to calm down and found the top was fitting much better. How could she have gotten the direction of it wrong? It was ridiculous and mortifying! She felt Frigga looking her over.

"That could use a belt around the waist," Frigga stated, tugging on the bottom hem again.

She turned away only to grab more clothes. Loki was already done with this whole thing as her cheeks burned. She just wanted to go back to her room and hide. Seriously, putting clothes on wrong was a child's mistake.

Loki took the next pile with an annoyed look at Frigga. Her mother simply smiled and went back to her searching. Loki sighed and went at it with a renewed determination. She wasn't going to let clothes defeat her!

She didn't know how much time passed as Frigga kept throwing clothes her way. Loki even endured a handful of dresses after enough prodding. She supposed they weren't as bad as she had initially thought. Dresses were kind of a really, really long tunic… that's how she would look at them. And they seemed to be a bit lighter than pants. That could be beneficial in the warmer months when she was dying of heat and no one else was.

In whatever time had passed, Loki found herself sitting in one of the large wooden chairs that occupied the room. She now had on a rather comfortable top and gray leggings of some kind. She sat back in the chair as Frigga picked through some of the finer outfits she had.

"These things are in the way," Loki commented as she picked at one of the brooches on her chest.

"Says every woman at some time in her life," Frigga responded.

"What?" Loki was slightly confused by the statement as she looked at her mother.

Frigga looked over and blinked, "Oh." She went back to looking through the dresses, "I thought you were referring to your breasts."

"Those are in the way as well," Loki shot back with a small snicker. It was either get comfortable with the topic or die of shame. Heck, why not have fun with it?

Frigga smiled at the comment, but Loki couldn't help noticing that she seemed distracted. She sat up straighter and saw a dark green material in Frigga's hand before her mother dropped it and moved away.

"What was that?" Loki asked curiously. Her mother had thrown every other attire at her, why not that one?

Frigga looked startled, "Oh no, not that."

Loki got up and went over to the wardrobe. She caught the wooden door as Frigga attempted to close it. Loki looked at her mother, "Is there something you're hiding from me?"

She meant it as a joke, but Frigga seemed to hesitate further. Loki's curiosity was peaked now. She opened the door fully and searched for the green. What was so bad about one outfit? When she found it, she took the dress from its spot and brought it out into the daylight.

It was a long flowing piece of forest green. Black leather with gold trim made up an accenting bodice. Loki loved green and wore it often, and this outfit nearly matched the shades she typically chose.

"Mother?" Loki asked as Frigga sat across the room. She held it up to her body and let Frigga collect herself.

Her mother was silent for a long moment, and Loki wondered what she was thinking.

"It was… a dress I never wore," Frigga said at last.

"Never wore?" Loki was confused, "Why wouldn't you wear this?"

"Because the time never came," Frigga responded.

"What do you mean the time never came? Was it for a celebration of some kind?" Loki pressed. She wanted to know. This was the only thing her mother had not thrown at her in a heartbeat. There had to be something behind it.

"I was going to wear it… for your coronation."

It took a moment for the words to sink in. Loki couldn't find words. Her mother had thought that her, Loki the Frost Giant, had had a chance to inherit the throne?

"I had one made for each of you," Frigga continued, "Your father… he had a hard time choosing between you both Loki. You and your brother were both worthy of the title in his eyes."

Loki turned away with a sickening feeling in her stomach. It certainly didn't seem that way, even now.

"Loki," her mother was almost pleading as she continued, "Please don't look at your father's decision as putting your brother above you. He tried so hard to pick between each of you… and his decision came from a dream..."

"A dream?" Loki's voice cracked. A dream had decided the throne of Asgard?

"Yes… A raven came to him in a vision and showed him many things… I don't know of all he saw that night, but his decision was final the next morning... He's also had visions recently, but hasn't been able to interpret them yet." Frigga hesitated at that point, "Loki… I've told you before. Your father has a purpose to everything he does."

Just like the wretched dragon. Loki didn't want to face that shattered part of her life yet. She timidly looked back at her mother and parted her lips quietly, "…Can I wear it?"

She didn't know why, but the urge to wear what her mother would have worn for her coronation was too strong. Even if Loki had been told no, she probably would have tried it on anyway.

"Of course," Frigga was surprised at the question, but rose from her seat to help with the intricate lacework in the back.

Loki turned toward the high mirrors as the dress was put on in pieces. It was the first thing she had willingly volunteered to put on, and she needed to see it personally.

It had been a wonderful morning for Thor as he strolled into the commons area of the warrior's tower. He had refused to be moved from his room there until the proper time came for his kingship. It was nice having a little area set aside for him and his fellow comrades to meet and talk. It also kept the warriors away from any prying eyes that were watching in the court.

Thor passed by the hallway leading to the Warriors Three's rooms. He stripped gloves from his hands and set them on a window ledge. He had been sparring with Hogun and Fandral for most of the morning and he was finding this open time to be a nice break from the boring humdrum of the political life.

He passed the small alcove that turned sharply into a little hallway that led to Loki's room. The guards weren't stationed outside and it suddenly made Thor wonder. They should have only been there if Loki was within. Where was she?

Thor circled back around the commons area, passing the hall to his room and the one to Sif's. There were only a couple of others in the warrior's tower, but Thor mainly stuck with his brother/sister and the four comrades he had known since he was young.

"Thor come sit down!" Volstagg howled from in front of the fire. He and Sif were working on some sort of small roast spitted over the open flame. It was no doubt one of Volstagg's food experiments. "You'll miss out on this wonderful delicacy!" Volstagg tried to persuade him.

Thor chuckled and strolled over to his friends, "Now the last time I had some of your cooking, I was sick for a week."

"That's not true! You loved it!" Volstagg retorted.

"Training went well?" Sif asked as Thor continued to strip pieces of armor and leave it here and there, scattered around the area. He would have to pick it up later; Hogun did not like finding pieces in his seat or covering the tables. It was a vexation of his. Things should be stored in a proper place every time it stopped being used.

"Yes," Thor couldn't help but make a face, "Though I do not think double teaming me was a wise move for them."

"Since when is that ever a good idea against you?" Volstagg laughed as he prodded the cooking meat with a small stick.

Thor chuckled and finished removing the extra weight from his body. He let the topic settle before bringing up one that might not have been as friendly. "Does anyone know where my bro- sister went?" he asked casually, mentally cursing the slip up yet again.

Sif's eyes narrowed a little at the mentioning of Loki, "No… I saw her with your mother earlier, but she hasn't come back yet."

"I think they were heading to the north tower," Volstagg commented with food in his mouth. The warrior popped more grapes in his mouth from a nearby dish, "That's what I heard some guards saying."

"Loki went there?" Thor was baffled by the thought. Loki was trying to avoid their father right? That seemed like the most illogical place to be if she really didn't want to bump into him.

"Seems like it," Volstagg was eying the meat over the fire now.

Thor nodded slightly and turned to go, "Thank you, I think I will go find them."

"Thor," Sif spoke up. He turned back to the raven haired woman. "Why hasn't Loki been put away yet? I thought we had decided that it was for the best?"

Thor wasn't sure if she looked angry about it or merely annoyed. He shrugged his shoulders, "Things have changed."

"I do not think it is appropriate or safe to let her walk freely around the palace," Sif stated, "Especially after what he said to your father."

"That is a matter between them, not you," Thor put it simply. There was no need for Sif to be throwing herself into their family matters. It wasn't like Loki was being allowed to do whatever she wanted. There were guards ordered to be with her all the time, and they were keeping a very close eye on her. As far as Thor knew, Heimdell was probably on constant watch over Loki. There was no need to clutter it up further.

Sif backed down and nodded. Thor gave a mental sigh of relief. He turned to go but Volstagg jumped in.

"You better be back to try this boar," he said.

"I will my friend," Thor agreed and then was on his way.

He made his way across the citadel and up the winding stairs. He wasn't sure if his mother or Loki would still be around, and he wasn't sure where or what they were doing. Knowing his mother, it could have been anything. She was almost as devious as Loki when it came to her little schemes.

Thor stopped at the first level. He noted the guards standing not too far off from the stairs. "Is my mother here?" he asked.

One man nodded and gestured toward the door nearby, "Yes, my liege. They have been in there all morning."

That struck Thor as strange. What could they have possibly been doing for hours?

"Thank you," he stated and crossed the small threshold. He tapped lightly on the door, "Mother?" When no immediate response was given, he turned the handle, "Mother, I've been looking for-"

His sentence trailed off as he swung the door open and stopped dead.

The most beautiful woman he had ever seen was standing in front of the high standing mirrors. Her black hair cascaded into silky waves around her shoulders, the pale skin that was underscored by the dark green and black of the gown she wore… It took Thor a long second to realize who he was staring at.

Loki looked like some dark, divine being that had fallen from the heavens and had landed right there, in front of the mirrors. She turned to look at him with wide eyes and Thor quickly snapped his mouth shut. Had he been gawking?

"Oh Thor," Frigga spoke up from the side. Thor directed his attention to her and Loki hastily turned away. His mother was smiling at him, "We've been having a bit of fun."

"I see…" was all Thor could manage. Why was he so stunned? It wasn't like Loki wasn't attractive as a woman. And it wasn't because he was seeing the full change of Loki's figure for the first time… It was just… he couldn't put a finger on it.

"What do you think?" Frigga asked as she gestured over to the embarrassed woman by the mirrors.

"I…" Thor tried to put something into words as his gaze shifted back to Loki. He wanted to say so many things as he watched Loki's face in the mirror, but all that he could achieve was, "She's beautiful…"

"Thank you," Loki responded quietly. Her eyes were downcast; a light blush was dusting her pale cheeks.

"What brought you up here?" Thor tried to steer his attention back to his mother with an obvious question.

"Loki needed some better suited clothing for her body, and I have more than enough to share," Frigga responded with a grin. Thor was sure that this hadn't started out as a mutual idea. His mother had to of coaxed Loki there somehow.

"Are we done?" Loki demanded softly. Thor still couldn't get over how she looked in the dress. Was there something wrong with him or was this a normal brother to sister feeling?

"I think we are," Frigga replied. She shooed Thor toward the door, "Let's get you changed and we can be on our way."

The door shut in Thor's face. He stood outside awkwardly waiting for them to come out. He hadn't been lying when he had said Loki was beautiful. And he liked the dress on her.

That was it. It couldn't be anything else. He was just happy seeing that Loki wasn't sulking or pushing his mother away for a preferred solitude. That had to be it. Right?

Thor ran a hand through his hair and started when the door opened behind him. His mother emerged with a small pile of clothes followed by a still rather embarrassed Loki. Thor wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved that Loki had changed into a simple tunic and pants.

"Now these should last you until I am able to get everything moved down to your room," Frigga was rambling as she walked.

Thor caught Loki's eyes as she followed their mother. He couldn't read past the guarded stare she gave him. Had Thor interrupted more than just trying on clothes? He hoped not.

Frigga paused as the guards straightened up. She looked at Loki with a smile, "You should go out with Thor. It is a beautiful day out."

Loki hardly batted an eyelash, "I'm fine mother."

"No, really," Frigga stated, "I think you two need to spend time together."

Thor stepped forward, "I promised Volstagg that I would try whatever he is concocting in the commons of the warrior's tower."

"Then Loki can go with you," Frigga responded almost instantly.

Loki didn't seem too thrilled by that notion. Thor clapped a hand on Loki's shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm sure it won't make us sick this time."

"Charming," Loki muttered under her breath.

Thor steered Loki toward the stairs without any resistance. It wasn't like Loki had anywhere else to be for the time being. At least she had the option of going to her room if things became uncomfortable. Thor would allow it.

He went down the stairs with Loki and made light banter out of the things Volstagg had created before, but the nagging feeling from before never quite left his mind. It settled in the back of his thoughts as he tried to ignore it with small chatter. But it would never quite leave…