Chapter seven: It's snowing?! What?!
"WOW!" Astrid yelped.
I awoke with a start.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, moving my hair out of my face.
"No-o-o-o...it's...it's snowing!" she chuckled, and pointed outside at the falling white puffs. I thought it had gotten extremely cold, and now there were tiny snowflakes falling on us, from the branches above.
"How long were we asleep?" I asked, standing up and offering her a hand.
"I don't know; maybe a few hours?" she said, unsure.
"We best be getting back then, before they start looking for us," I chuckled, and walked out from under the tree's branches. Astrid walked quickly out and took my hand. It was so cold, we could see our breath. Astrid chuckled, and started to play with the snow. I laughed, and kissed her head.
"THERE THEY ARE!" Tony yelled.
I looked up and saw Agent Romanov, Tony, and Agent Barton running towards us.
"aand it begins anew," Astrid chuckled.
(POV Princess Astrid)
"Why they get worried if we are out for a few hours alone, baffles me," Loki whispered to me, laughing slightly.
"Indeed," I chuckled.
"Where were you guys? When you didn't come back two hours ago, we started to get worried," Nat asked.
"Some things are for us to know, and not you," I said, smirking, and walked past them.
"Why does your breath smell like pears?" Tony asked, catching up to me.
"Pear tree," I said, gesturing over my shoulder.
"Ahhh, gotcha," he said.
"So, you were actually worried?" I asked, walking backwards so I could face Tony as we talked.
"Well, it was mostly Dr. Jolly Green Giant and Mrs. Odin," Tony chuckled.
"Also known as Bruce and Frigga?" I laughed.
"Hey, you call them what you like, I call them what I like," he said, waving his hands in a, "what can you do?" gesture. I smiled.
"So, how long has it been snowing?" I asked, catching more snowflakes in my hand.
"About an hour. Everyone was shocked, 'cause of how warm it was earlier," he said.
"Yeah...freak snow storms are kind of common here," I said, shrugging.
"Really!?" he asked.
"Different atmosphere, remember?" I said, pointing at the clouds.
"Oh...right," he said, staring up at the sky.
"Do you miss Midga –- ahem, 'Earth'?" I corrected myself, knowing that Tony wouldn't understand if I had said Midgard.
"I actually didn't think I would say this, but...no, I don't. I really like it here," Tony admitted, smiling a bit. My tiny smile turned into a full-blown grin.
While I was still walking backwards, I glanced at Loki, who was talking to Nat. I smiled to see that they were getting along. We finally reached the gate and slipped in, not making a big deal out of it.
"What are you thinking?" Loki whispered, taking my arm in his and slowing so that we were behind everyone else.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"What are you thinking? I am curious," he said, studying my face; his eyes glued to mine.
"Well, I'm thinking about...you. Mostly," I said, slightly embarrassed to admit it aloud to him. Infuriatingly, he laughed.
"And, I'm also thinking about snow. And how much time we have until Thor barges in," I chuckled, and so did Loki. "With our luck, we have maybe ten minutes," he said, looking around apprehensively.
"BROTHER!" Thor called happily, bounding down the hall.
"NEW RECORD!" I yelled, grabbing Loki's collar and kissing him, full power.
"PARDON ME?!" he thought.
"Hold on, he'll buzz off, just give it a minute," I thought back.
I heard Thor's footsteps make a quick course correction and soon, he was gone.
"...You can stop, now..." Loki sent to me slowly, a slight questioning flavor to his thoughts.
"I know," I thought smugly.
"You're not going to, are you?!" he thought, and I knew it wasn't a question.
"Nope. I'm quite enjoying this," I thought, chuckling.
I felt Loki smile, and then he gently pushed me away.
"So was I," he smiled even wider. I laughed, and jumped on his back.
"Let go!" he laughed.
"NEVAARRR!" I yelled, in my best imitation of a battle cry. He sighed, and walked forward into the dining hall, pointing to me who, at the moment, had my arms wrapped around his head. As I was muttering, "Mine, mine, mine, mine,"
Loki asked, "Does anyone have a crowbar?"
"BWAHAHAHAAAAA!" Tony roared, and fell to the floor. Natasha was laughing so hard that no noise came out, and Hawkeye was on the ground, almost convulsing with laughter.
"...Mine," I grumbled.
"You have finally gone insane, haven't you?" Loki chuckled up at me.
"We both knew this day was coming," I said, chewing on my sleeve.
"Quite," he replied, trying again to dislodge me.
"MIIINE!" I hissed, and held on even tighter. He sighed.
"What will it take?" he asked.
"I get to wear your helmet for an ENTIRE day," I bargained.
"Deal," he said, and too quickly, pulled me off of his back and into his arms.
"Bozhe moy, you kill me, Astrid!" Nat laughed, when she could breathe.
"Thank you very much," I smirked, and planted a kiss on Loki's cheek. He smiled smugly. He set me down and took my arm again.
Footsteps were heard, as the owner of them walked into the doorway.
The young lady drew and held a long, nervous breath. "Princess Astrid?" Verena, the head Scullery-maid asked.
"Yes, Verena?" I said, looking at her, a question on my face.
Worry was in her eyes, and she was trembling slightly...which made me wonder.
"Someone wishes to see you," she said, sounding a bit scared. Her message delivered, she curtsied and moved aside.
A tall man walked in, he looked of an age with Odin, maybe a bit younger; with long salt and pepper hair and a blue cape. I growled reflexively, and clenched my hands into fists. He had the same eyes as I did, and his nose was also very similar to mine. What hair he had left looked as though it once had been the exact shade of brown that graced my head.
I knew who he was immediately: he was my father.
I had never met him, and I'd never wanted to; I hated him. He left my mother before she gave birth to me, and I'd convinced myself that the miserable excuse for a man probably did not know of my existence.
Obviously, I had been mistaken.
"Astrid," he started.
"Do not call me that," I growled.
"You look so much like your mother," he said, in an attempt to make me smile. It did just the opposite.
"TAKE COVER!" Loki yelled, running away from me and diving under a table. Our friends were stunned, but not too stunned to take the hint and follow suit.
"Do not even SPEAK of my mother. You didn't care! And if you did, you had a very strange way of showing it," I hissed, stomping over to him.
"Astrid, I truly am sorry. I had no idea about you - Your mother never told me. I wish you could have grown up with a father figure," he said, thinking I would understand. I punched him, and his nose began to bleed.
"No sob stories, I know you're lying. You never cared about me! And, I did grow up with a father figure: I grew up with The All Father. You...you will never be my father," I growled, the tears coming.
I couldn't take it. I pushed him out of the way, holding back the sobs until I could be alone and ran to my room. Slamming the door shut behind me, I flopped down on my bed and began sobbing my eyes out.
"Astrid?" Loki asked, knocking slowly on my door.
"Go away!" I yelled, between sobs.
"Oh, I know you don't mean that," he said, opening the door. Walking in, Loki closed and locked the door behind him, then sat down on the bed next to me. I slumped over and rested my head in his lap.
"I hate him! How did he find me?!" I screamed, my voice cracking with anger.
"I think Thor - thought you would be happy to see him," Loki whispered.
"Alright, then I hate Thor, too," I hissed.
"So do I. I hate seeing you this way; It kills me," Loki whispered, pain evident in his voice. I looked up at him through my tears. He leaned down, and gently kissed my lips.
We heard light knocking at the door, then a hesitant, "Guys...?". It was Nat and Hawkeye, and they sounded worried.
"You alright?" Hawk asked, voice slightly muffled through the door. I sighed.
"No."
"Can we come in?" Tony spoke up. Wonderful; they were all here. I sighed again, mentally cursing the events of this afternoon.
"...All right..." I whispered. Loki heard me, and quickly jumped up to unlock the door. Just as fast, he was back by my side. Nat followed, and sat on my other side.
"Oh, Sweetie," Nat said, her voice sad as she stroked my hair.
"Jeez, I guess THAT guy got the Wrath of Astrid," Hawkeye said, chuckling just the slightest bit. Loki's head whipped around to pin him with a warning stare, but I had to chuckle a bit, too – I suppose Hawkeye was right; my Paternal Pretender HAD managed to awaken my "wrath". I smiled wryly, but then started to cry again.
"We'll take care of him, kid," Tony said, patting my shoulder.
"Thank You, Tony," I choked. The air suddenly felt tense, so I looked toward the door. There, looking more confused than his usual, stood Thor.
"Milady?" Thor asked, confusion coloring his tone. Everyone turned to him, and glared. Loki actually growled, and his hand began to turn blue. I threw a pillow at Thor's head; he was too surprised to dodge, and it hit his face with a slightly satisfying "whoomp".
"YOU are responsible for this," Loki snapped at him, pointing to me.
"What have I done?" Thor asked, protesting, hands up in a helpless gesture.
"You told THAT MAN about me," I hissed. "I hate him for leaving my mother – which you would have known if you had only taken the time to ask your BROTHER," I finished, seeing a light finally dawn in his eyes.
"Ohhh...I sincerely apologize, milady," he said, sorrow and contrition written on his face.
"I'll think about it, Thor," I grumbled, and collapsed back onto Loki's lap. He gave Thor their look that said, 'go, she needs quiet, and your presence is not helping'. Thor nodded, took his leave of our friends, and quietly headed for his own chambers.
Loki looked down at me, and calling a silk cloth to him through his sorcery, wiped a tear off of my cheek. My sobs returned, heavier than before; it was as though a dam inside me had broken, and I didn't think I could regain control on my own. I could barely hear the others talking, but I did hear concern in their voices.
"How long does it usually take her to get over something like this?" Natasha asked, stroking my hair again.
"Usually, it is over by now. I admit, I have never seen her this shaken," Loki whispered, a bit of fear coming out with his words.
"I...I never want to leave this room..." I whispered.
"Hey, don't talk like that, kid," Tony said, rubbing my back.
No-one realized that Thor had left my chamber door open. That is, not until we heard the infuriatingly familiar voice of my "Father" – in my DOORWAY.
"Astrid?" Sven spoke, looking around and finding me in the middle of my friends. Before I could but take a breath, Loki had his strong arms around me. "Help me hold her back!" he yelled to Tony and Hawkeye. I almost got free of him in that moment, and I tried to lunge at Sven. "LET ME GO!" I howled, twisting about.
"Get out," Nat, Tony, and the Hawk growled.
"but I must" he started. Hawkeye cut him off. "You "must" leave! She doesn't want you here. You've ruined her childhood, and she will never get that part healed." He slammed the door in Sven's face.
I collapsed onto the floor, as the sudden burst of strength I felt left me. Loki still held me, and I soaked the shoulder of his shirt with my tears in mere seconds.
"OK, we need to do something about this," Nat said, hands on her hips, red hair in disarray.
"What we need, is for Astrid to get some rest, methinks," Loki answered, swooping me up off of the floor and placing me down on my bed. Surprisingly, I fell asleep soon after. My emotional outburst had completely drained me; my dreams were not pleasant. I had nightmares about my childhood, and about my father.
"When you are very upset, you cry in your sleep," Loki remarked when he could sense that I was awake.
"What?" I asked, my eyes sore and my voice weak. My thoughts felt foggy, and I tried to clear things up.
"No noise, just lots of tears. You soaked your pillow." he said, pointing to the dampened pillow case, draped over the bed frame to dry.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"10 o'clock in the morning. You slept a lot," he said, standing up. "You needed it."
"Yeah...I suppose I did," I rubbed my eyes and looked up at him. His long black hair was all messed up, and that amused me. His eyebrow quirked up at my weak smile.
"Bedhead," I chuckled, running my fingers through my own hair.
He laughed, and sat back down.
"Agent Romanov...was very worried about you," Loki told me.
"Really?" I asked, grabbing the cup of warm tea that Loki set on my nightstand.
"Yes. Every other minute she was checking in on you," Loki smiled.
"Oh, Gods," I laughed.
We sat in silence as I drank my tea. I had questions, however, and no time like the present.
"Where's Thor?" I asked Loki.
"He went off, with Sif and the Warriors Three. They started their search for the Other, again," Loki said, shaking his head slightly.
"They'll be all right," I told him, rubbing his arm. He smiled at me, happy to see me calm, and not crying.
"Heehee!" A girlish giggle rang through the hall outside my chambers. I didn't recognize the voice, so I put my tea on the table, and gently rose from my bed.
"What goes on out here?" I chuckled as I reached the door, and opened it. Loki simply smiled from his perch on the side of the bed.
"She's coming," another girl whispered loudly, her voice deeper than the first.
"Hide!" another girl squeaked.
"Ow - you're stepping on me," the fourth girl yelped. By this point, I had the door fully open, and could watch the comedy unfolding before me. I had to smile – but I also was unbearably curious.
"What is going on out here?" I asked, staring at them.
"Beg your pardon, Princess," the third one said, dropping a smart curtsey. The rest giggled insanely, but then stared in awe behind me. I turned around to see Loki standing lazily in the door way, his hair now Perfectly smooth. I smirked.
'they have good taste. I'll give them that,' I thought.
"Pardon given, do not worry," I said, looking down at them. "What are your names?" The one with the frizzy hair went first.
"I am Katerina, milady," she said, curtsying. Her frizzy hair was dark brown and had strands of gold woven into it. Her eyes were the same shocking shade of metallic gold, and her skin was an olive color. She wore a white top, with blue leggings.
"Hello, Katerina," I said pleasantly. She squeaked silently, and turned back to her posse.
"Nno!" the third girl yelped in protest, as her friends pushed her forward. To her credit, she quickly gained her balance and faced me.
"I am Daila, my lady," she said, her voice cracking slightly. She wore a yellow dress with flowers embroidered into it. Her hair was light brown, and her eyes were warm.
"Daila," I bowed my head slightly to her in acknowledgement. She curtsied, and quickly scurried back to her friends. And then, the smallest one came up. She was skinny, and very petite.
"I am Greta, Princess," she squeaked, her voice small, and pleasant. She wore a shirt with puffy sleeves, and a vest over the top. Her skirt started at her chest, and dragged on the floor when she walked. Her short hair, cut into a bob, was a mix between red and purple.
"Greta," Loki beat me to it.
She squeaked loudly at the sound of his voice, and swooned into her friends. I heard a quiet snort of amusement from Loki, which he quickly hid behind his hand.
"Oh, please!" Daila said sarcastically.
The tall one came forward last.
"I am Vanessa, Princess Astrid, Prince Loki," she said, smiling wide. Her voice was full of sunlight, and her long brown hair was braided tightly, and lay over her right shoulder. Her satin tunic was light blue, and her leggings were black, with boots that laced up to her knees.
"Vanessa," Loki and I said together.
She smiled, curtseyed, and walked back to her friends.
"Girls, girls!" Frigga called, walking down the hall. "Queen Frigga!" they chorused, running over to her. I placed my hands on my hips, and looked at Mother Frigga.
"Mother," I started with a smile, "are these your new ladies-in-waiting?" I asked.
They chattered happily, and hugged Mother Frigga.
"Yes, my darling Astrid," she laughed, kissing the girls each on the head. "Quite a happy lot, don't you think? They'll certainly keep me busy!"
I laughed as Loki wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me to his side.
"Come now girls, let us give them some privacy!" Mother Frigga sang as she walked down the opposite hall, the girls on her heels, still giggling. As soon as they were gone, Loki took me by the chin, and kissed me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, and stood on my toes. He brushed my cheek gently, and smiled, against my mouth as I kissed him back.
"Better?" he whispered with a smile.
"Better."
