Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed this story! I appreciate everyone's input and can't wait to hear more. This chapter is a bit of a filler but trust me it will be important later on in the story. I promise that there will be more Loki in the next chapter. Just please be patient with me. Not entirely happy with this chapter but the only way for me to get through writer's block is to write so…. I do not own any of the characters (associated with Marvel comics) except my original characters Sarina, Kayan and Shah.
"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."
George Orwell
Chapter 6
Sarina made an effort to gather her nerves as she followed the servant called Agnarr down the cavernous halls of the All-father's palace. Every click of the Agnarr's boot heels brought with it a new worry. Was this invitation to dine simply the queen's way of welcoming a visiting dignitary or an interrogation of a woman that the queen saw as a threat to her sons? Either way, Sarina would guard carefully her words and dealings around Queen Frigga. She was so lost in her own thoughts that she nearly ran into Agnarr as he came to a stop outside of two massive oak doors. He did not mention her blunder but instead gave her a warm smile. "So not all of the Aesir are conceited," she thought happily returning the older man's grin.
"We have arrived at the queen's chambers your majesty. I will announce you to the queen and then I will take my leave. Do not be nervous. The All-mother is kind and just" Sarina nodded tensely as she straightened her back and shoulders so as to appear confident in her demeanor. Agnarr placed his weathered hands on the oak doors and began to slowly push them open.
If Sarina had considered the doors to be massive then the room itself was another realm entirely. "The whole of Muspelheim's throne room could rest in this single bedchamber" She gazed up at intricately carved, vaulted ceilings that were higher than any of the palace roofs in Muspelheim. Warm sunlight poured into the room through the panes of equally intricate stain glass windows. Sarina had never seen such glorious colors in all of her life, not even when she had watched the evening sun glisten off the waters of the Central River. At last she fixed her stare on the queen herself. A beautiful, elder woman with striking auburn hair that flowed loosely in curls down the honey colored gown that she wore. Sarina understood well why she commanded authority. It radiated from her very countenance.
"Your Majesty I present to you the High Princess of Muspelheim, Sarina Shahsdottir" Agnarr bowed deeply and backed gradually from the room leaving the two women alone.
"Tis a pleasure to meet you All-mother" Sarina said mimicking the deep bow that Agnarr had given. "It is a privilege to be able to dine with you this morning" When her greeting was met by a momentary silence Sarina was forced to raise her eyes and encounter the queen's gaze. She felt a wave of relief wash over when she saw that the queen was smiling.
"The joy is all mine Princess" Frigga drew nearer to Sarina as she spoke.
As she came closer Sarina realized that the queen was a great beauty herself with high cheekbones and finely sculpted features. However what was most arresting to Sarina was the aura that encircled this woman. "No one would ever question that she is a good and loving mother"
"I hope you did not think me rude last night for not conversing with you at the banquet." Frigga said motioning for Sarina to take a seat opposite her at a petite breakfast table adorned with gold leaf and bright citrine jewels. "My youngest son rarely socializes thus I thought it best to leave the two of you to your conversation. Help yourself to whatever you would like" she said as a servant placed several ornate bowls onto the table.
Sweeping a quick glance over the bowls on the tabletop Sarina could not help but smile at the Queen of Asgard. All the fruits that lay there were from Muspelheim.
"Thank you, your majesty" Sarina whispered as she reached for a large, crimson fruit in the middle bowl. "Of course, I did not think you rude. I assumed that you had other matters to attend to. Prince Loki is a rather…interesting conversationalist" She noticed that the queen herself was not eating but rather watching Sarina as she spoke. Breathing deeply Sarina realized that if she were to gain anything from this conversation she would have to be daring. "Your majesty, forgive me if I am overstepping my station but I do not believe that you invited me here this morning simply to exchange pleasantries"
For a brief moment, Frigga appeared to be angry at Sarina's bold statement but in the end her countenance softened. In fact, the queen wore a look that could only be likened to adoration.
"You are wise beyond your years princess. That trait will serve you well when you take the throne." With this said Frigga seemed to relax somewhat. "There have been rumors floating around my courts that the study of our battle techniques is not the sole reason for your visit to our realm" The queen paused giving Sarina a chance to speak.
Sarina's resolve wavered momentarily. "So the gossips have taken hold of more information than I suspected. Well, she will find out sooner or later…better she hear it from my lips than the lips of some gossip"
"For once, I fear the gossips are right. Battle is Kayan's reason for visiting this realm, however it is not the only reason that I am here" Sarina could not explain why but she felt relieved to lastly be able to share this secret with someone…even if it was the All-mother. Still, she had to be sure that the court gossips had their facts straight. "May I ask what the rumors name as my true grounds for visiting Asgard?"
Heaving a sigh Frigga leaned back in her chair. "The rumor is that a prophecy is cause for your visit. This prophecy is thought to concern my youngest."
Squeezing her eyes closed Sarina wordlessly muttered a prayer that her ancestors would see her through this. "Again, the rumors are correct"
At this the queen sat up rod straight. Her son had suffered so much and she would be damned if she would allow someone else to harm him.
Sarina was taken aback by the anger she saw burning in Frigga's blue eyes. "I should not be offended. She is simply a mother protecting her young"
"Your majesty, I beg you permit me to clarify. I mean Prince Loki no ill will"
"Please then, explain princess" Frigga said her gaze boring into Sarina.
Glancing down at her hands Sarina began her explination."In Muspelheim we put great store in the power of seers. These are women who we believe are gifted with a second sight that permits them to look into the future. From the day of my first birthday onward the Great Royal Seer of Muspelheim has uttered the same words" Sarina paused briefly to meet the queen's gaze.
The posture of the queen had calmed and she now rewarded Sarina with a tiny smile. "I accept what you say as true child. Continue"
Sarina's dark brown eyes grew cloudy as she drifted back to Muspelheim in her memory. "During the rule of this child, ice and frost will rule the realm of fire. These will be years of peace and fertility. King and queen both born of magic. Two heirs will come of this union of ice and fire. One for the darkness and one for the light but both to rule."
The chamber echoed with Sarina's words. The queen was almost certain that her ears had deceived her. She reached out to take the young woman's hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze she attempted to rouse Sarina from the stupor she had fallen into.
"Are you saying that you believe Loki to be the ice and frost of which the prophecy speaks?"
At last, meeting the eyes of the queen Sarina nodded slowly. "The seer would always whisper, only to me, the same words each and every time. She would say to remember that not all snakes were dangerous. Prince Loki is known throughout the Nine Realms to use the snake as an emblem."
A single tear rolled down Frigga's cheek as she took in the young woman before her. It broke her heart to know that this gentle creature had been forced to shoulder this secret for such an extensive time.
"Do not fret princess. Your secret is safe with me so long as no harm comes to my son. It is my fervent hope that this Royal Seer is accurate. The panic I have seen in my son seems to be calmed by your presence. Perhaps you will be the light that will rescue the Dark Prince from his own mind."
