Chapter 7
Juliet wiped away her tears and chanted so her eyes would not be red and swollen when she went to see her children. When she opened the door she found them waiting for her. Their eyes were wide with worry and concern. Juliet smiled at them as she went to lie on the bed.
"Mother what is wrong?" Helen asked
"Nothing my love." Juliet responded wearily
"Mother you have been crying." Jordan said
"We can see the tear streaks. That is the one thing the charm cannot take away." Fenrid said
Juliet looked down and gave a quiet growl. Then she went and hid her face in her pillow. It was not that she was embarrassed, but she did not want her children to get worried and wonder why she was crying. Usually it was because she missed their father. Now he was here but couldn't even remember who she was. Why did he have to confront her about her meeting with Merlin and Arthur? It only made it harder for Juliet to keep from revealing who they both were and about their family.
"Mama you still have your scratches too." Fenrid said
"I know." Juliet's muffled voice said
"What happened?" Helen asked "Is it Father?"
"No, it is not. Nor will it ever be." Juliet said
"Yes, it is. It bothered you when he wasn't here, but it is worse now that he is here." Jordan retorted
"Jorgumandr, do not ever talk to me that way again." Juliet said lifting herself up.
There were tears in her eyes again and they opened up her wounds on her face so it stung and hurt. She waited for her eldest son's response. When Jorgumandr saw this he just nodded and then gathered his younger siblings up and left the room. Juliet watched as they left and then kept watching as they went to Loki's room.
She was surprised when she saw him automatically opened the door to them; he spread his arm out to let them enter. Then she remembered Loki was getting some of his magic back. He could see and hear what people were saying. Juliet knew he had heard and seen everything. He would think that one of the men in Camelot was her husband. She wanted more than ever to tell Loki that he was the man she and her children were talking about.
"No, not yet." Juliet told herself
Then she lay on the bed and let the waterfall come as her body shook. She could hear the conversation Loki and their children were having and cried harder. "Loki, something is wrong with Mother." Fenrid said "Yes, she won't stop crying." Helen added "I told you it is because of Father." Jordan answered "You really shouldn't talk to your mother that way Jorgumandr. While I'm at it what are your two real names? All I know is that they are Norsk. Very old Norsk. I am of Norway as well, that is all I know. But, your mother has a Roman name. It doesn't make sense when she has a Celtic accent. She pretends to have a British accent but it's clearly not her original accent. I will talk to her about it in a second's time. For now I want your names." Loki said
"My name is Fenrir." Fenrid said
"I am Hela." Helen said
"Mother said not to use our real names here because of the other knights. They don't like the Norwegians because of what they have done to the rest of Great Britain. Camelot is one of the only places they have not been able to touch. As long as Mother is here and Cernun does not side with them everything will be fine." Jordan said
"Cernun? Is that your father?" Loki asked
"The only one we know of." All three children said
"And he could cause harm to this kingdom?" Loki asked
"Yes, Mother is no longer married to him and has hidden our brother Iswy from him so he won't get hurt." Helen said
"Why is he not here with you?" Loki asked
"Because Cernun threatened to get him." Helen answered
"Get him as in kill him take him away?" Loki asked
"We don't know. We do know he is dead now after trying to attack Galwyn and a few horses that lived here. He went after Galwyn and fought with him while King Arthur was in battle. He lost the fight and died." Helen said
"Mother did not seem happy with him during those times. Every once in a while she went on treks with Arthur and his knights. Galwyn and Iswy were there to help. Iswy tried to ride Cornix but the Libyan stallion would not let him. He tried to strike the steed and was disbanded from the group. Mother warned him not to and chided him for trying. Then she told him it was his fault for being disbanded. She said he should wait at the hovel we called home when we visited him. Instead he worked to fight against Arthur. Mother grieved for Iswy and buried him as if he were a king. Then she went back to Arthur and aided him in every way possible." Jordan said
"She says she still senses Iswy though as if he is not dead. She knows that it can't be good because it means he was protected by something or someone perhaps Cernun." Fenrir finished
"Juliet will not have to worry about that anymore. I will keep watch to protect all of you." Loki said
"Thank you, it would mean the world to us all especially Mother." Fenrid said
"Now stay here while I go and see to her wounds." Loki said
"Will you be able to make it so they will not leave marks on her face?" Helen asked
"No little one I can't. A whip leaves scars I can make them faint with certain ointments though. They will be so faint you won't be able to see them unless you are close beside her. Only if your mother continues to use the salve for a few months though." Loki said
"That is fine. I just don't want the other knights to make fun of her." Helen said
"Even with scars your mother would still be the most beautiful woman ever to be seen. She is more beautiful than Helen of Troy." Loki said
The children looked at each other and then back at Loki. They wondered if his memory was coming back or if his knowledge was one of the naturally inherent traits in him. While pondering this, Loki interrupted their thoughts.
"I still remember some things I just don't remember who I am." Loki said
Then he left for Juliet's room just as she broke contact from his chambers. Loki knocked and entered to see the woman shaking with tears. She did not turn at his presence not caring if he saw her cry at the moment or not. This pained Loki as he walked over to her.
He touched her shoulder and bent down by her ear.
"A woman like you should not cry over a man; especially a man who makes you cry." Loki said
"If you knew who the man was you would not say such things." Juliet said
"Cernun is gone and if he comes back I will not let him come near you or your children." Loki said
Juliet turned to look at her amnesic husband. How did he know about Cernun? Juliet knew she must have fallen asleep while trying to push back the pain of her deep cuts and concentrate on what their children's conversation with him was. She cursed herself for letting herself become so tired.
"You spoke much with my children. What did you talk about?" Juliet asked
"You don't know for once. What happened did you lose concentration?" Loki taunted
"One is in no position to listen in when they are tired and distraught. Can one help if they fall asleep after a very long day?" Juliet retorted
"But you were listening in at the beginning and the end. I did sense that." Loki said
"What did you talk about?" Juliet asked
"We discussed names, the past which included history, and you." Loki answered
"Me?" Juliet asked incredulously
"Yes, you. I will keep your children's names a secret and will protect you from Cernun. Now come here so I can attend to your "scratches" as Helen put it." Loki said
"I can take care of myself." Juliet justified
"You take care of too many already. It is time for someone to help you every once in a while. Besides it is hard to dress yourself even with a mirror." Loki said
"It seems I have no choice." Juliet sighed "Get on with it then."
Loki smiled and took a rag, dipping it in soapy water. Then he raised it to Juliet's face to cleanse her torn face. She winced but did not move otherwise. Grimacing Loki said "I'm sorry." Juliet mimicked and said "It is alright. Do not worry it would hurt whether you had taken care of it right away or not." Loki smiled and continued to cleanse and purify the wounds so any infection would be destroyed and prevented from coming back.
He then took the ointments and salves and rubbed them into the cuts on Juliet's face. He tried to glide his fingertips gently as he administered the medicine. He watched as Juliet closed her eyes and kept them closed. He liked seeing this calm relaxed side to her. It made him less nervous when around her. He still worried he would hurt her though.
"You're doing beautifully love." Juliet said
Loki looked astounded at the woman. She seemed to read his every thought. He smiled warmly at her after the compliment. He wiped away the excess salve with a rag and then arranged all his tools in an orderly fashion.
"Thank you for letting me attend to you." Loki said
"The pleasure was all mine. You are very gentle; I would trust you with anything." Juliet said
"Some would say that is a fault in men." Loki mumbled
"It is not. Once people learn this the world will be somewhat more right." Juliet reassured him
"Lancelot should not have done that. He knew full well what he was doing." Loki said gruffly
"He does not care for me. He hasn't ever since I proved him wrong when he said he was the best at every combat fighting technique. I was the better especially in archery. He never was good at that and I excel in it." Juliet said
"And your children?" Loki asked
"He hates them because he hates me." Juliet scowled
"He is a fool and it will bring him down." Loki said
"I know, I have seen it. This kingdom will become ruin because of he and Guinevere." Juliet answered
Loki turned to Juliet horror in his eyes. This could not be. It seemed impossible with such a great city and fortress as Camelot. All because of two people one in particular. It just could not be so. Loki couldn't even fathom it let alone believe it could be seen.
"How?" Loki asked
"They will finally give into their feelings and lust for each other. It will be out of envy and hate for me." Juliet said
"That isn't reason enough for them to betray their king and fellow men! Why would they be jealous of you?" Loki queried
"I stop them at every turn and become an obstacle for them. My wisdom is greater than theirs. The still believe Arthur and I are secretly together. If that were true the whole of Great Britain would know. We probably would be together but, he was already betrothed to Guinevere and I love another." Juliet said
"Cernun?" Loki asked
"No," Juliet laughed "My love for him has been dead for a very long time."
"There is another?"
"Yes, but he is lost to me now."
"He must still mean a lot to you if he is gone now."
"He does."
"If you ever want to tell me about him or what happened you may."
"Thank you, I will keep that in mind."
Loki left the room smiling over his shoulder at Juliet. She smiled back and waved goodbye. He returned it and then slipped out of the room.
