A/N
So this one is a bit longer! I've stuck more to the movie script in this one, occasionally chopping out some parts to make sure I can fit Iðunn into it, but overall I'm pretty happy with this chapter!
Enjoy!
TB&TB xox
Chapter Seven: Lay Your Hand On My Shoulder
The sound of cheering filled the halls of Asgard, the joyous cries of the people echoing off of the pristine golden walls, townsfolk who normally did not grace the palace unless they had a quarrel to be settled lined the walls, crowding the enormous throneroom. Loki's heart sank with every step his brother took down the hall, who was making loud shouts of jubilation, Mjolnir raised in the air, basking in the glory that was to come. Frigga snorted and rolled her eyes at his brash beheaviour, but nevertheless her pride for her eldest son shone out of her face.
"Oh, please." Loki heard Sif laugh, shaking her head at her friend and soon-to-be King. The affection for him still carried in her voice. Odin's face remained stoic and unmoved, but his one good eye flashed with amusement and love for his firstborn.
Eir-Iđunn was the only one who didn't give Thor so much as a glance, instead her gaze focused readily on her lover, a warm and comforting smile sent in his direction. Loki would have felt reassured, had he not given away Asgard's secrets to the enemy. He smiled weakly at her, knowing she would take it as his disappointment at their choice to crown Thor over him. She wore the dress he had so hungrily removed from her body the night past, knowing full well that the looks she received for wearing his colours both confused and fuelled the rumours that were already spreading of them both. Let them spread, the truth would be known soon enough, after all, he had every intention of wedding her. She just did not know it yet.
Thor approached the throne, and Loki, sensing the walls had been breached, began to feel sick with nerves. But he could do nothing. Any show of concern or any action taken now would implicate him, and he couldn't have that. He blocked out half of Odin's words so he could hear the beasts. Their footsteps. Thundering. Harsh. They were not the most stealthy of creatures, after all. He was certain Odin would catch onto them soon, and he turned his attention back to his Father and Brother, who had the stupidest grin plastered on his face, it made Loki feel all the more ill. King Thor indeed.
"Thor Odinson, do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?"
More like fight them.
"I swear."
"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"
Not likely.
"I swear!"
"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition..." Loki snorted quietly. "...and pledge yourself only to the good of all the Realms?" Thor raised Mjolnir again.
"I swear!"
"Then on this day, I, Odin All-Father, proclaim you..." Loki felt the cold before he saw it, and his eyes locked fearfully on the All-Father, who had trailed off and was surveying the halls, ice creeping across the bannisters. "...Frost Giants."
All hell broke loose, the people screaming as Thor turned and ran down the hall, Sif and the Warriors Three tearing after him, their weapons drawn. Loki followed, but a hand caught his wrist. He turned to Eir-Iðunn's fearful eyes on him.
"Loki-"
"Iðunn, I must go with them."
"I won't let you go without me." She cried, clutching his sleeve as the people around them ran in chaos. "I won't let you get hurt."
"You must stay here." He stressed.
"But Loki-"
"I said stay!" He snapped, wrenching his arm from her and running after his brother, as she watched him forlornly, unaware of Odin and Frigga's eyes on her, before Odin followed his sons.
Odin arrived to find his sons, Sif and the Warriors Three, staring at the burnt and dishevelled remains of the Frost Giants slowly melting into the ground, the Casket in the hands of the Destroyer. Odin removed the relic from it's hands and it set itself back to the chamber from whence it came, as Odin placed the Casket atop it's stand.
"Father, the Jotuns must pay for what they have done!" Thor boomed. Odin turned, remaining calm and solemn.
"They have paid with their lives. The Destroyer did its job, and the Casket is safe. All is well."
"'All is well?!'" Thor cried in disbelief. Loki gave a subtle eye-roll. The Warriors Three shifted uncomfortably and Sif squeezed her eyes shut. As much as they adored Thor, his blatant disgust at his Father's words made them uneasy – no one else would have dared to speak back to their King in such a way. "They broke into the Weapons Vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these Relics-"
"But they didn't." Odin cut his son off smoothly.
"I want to know why they-"
"The Casket of Ancient Winters belonged to the Jotuns." Odin interrupted him again. "They believe it's their birthright."
"And if you hadn't taken it from them they would have laid waste to all the Nine Realms!" Loki wondered if Thor would ever stop arguing with his Father. He was proving himself too brash and arrogant, his haste would ruin him. The thought stirred the slightest happiness in him, though guilt soon followed.
"I have a truce with Laufey, the Jotun King." At the mention of Laufey's name, Loki shuddered. He remembered him. He was a terrifying monster of a being. His silver-tongue had somehow earned him the Frost Giant King's grace and favour, if under a ruse.
"He just broke your truce!" Thor bellowed. "We must act!" Odin sighed wearily and commanded Sif and the Warriors Three to vacate. They bowed respectfully and turned on their heels, exchanging glances with one another. Odin scrutinised his son, his next question turning in his mind, the answer to which would dictate his son's worthiness to take his place as the All-Father.
"And what action would you take?"
"March into Jotunheim as you once did, teach them a lesson, break their spirits so they'll never dare try to cross our borders again!"
Odin's heart sank as he realised his eldest was still but a boy. He was artful in war, but his lack of wisdom left him wanting.
"You're thinking only as a warrior!"
"This was an act of war!" Thor replied angrily. Loki groaned internally. His older brother's love of battle was certainly clouding his judgement.
"It was an act of but a few, doomed to fail." Odin found that Thor was testing his patience, his resolve to remain calm was wavering, his frustration at the pride in his son cutting him to the core.
"They got this far!"
"We will find the breach in our defenses. It will be found, and it will be sealed."
"As King of Asgard-" Odin's blood finally reached boiling point at Thor's words. "-I would-"
"But you're not King!" Odin spat. Thor's mouth clamped shut, gritting his teeth and glaring at his Father. Loki sucked in a breath, his heart flipping in joy that Thor's Kingship was denied, but nonetheless afraid of his Father. "Not yet." Odin's tone was softer, more sorrowful. Thor, furious, stormed away, thunder roaring overhead and lightning crackling across the quickly darkening sky. Odin watched after his eldest, and then smiled weakly at Loki. Loki said nothing, just held his gaze, his mouth pressed into a thin line. "Go to your brother." Odin placed a hand on Loki's shoulder. "He will be in need of your counsel." Loki nodded, tight-lipped, and turned to go after Thor, but not until after he sought out Eir-Iðunn first.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Queen watched as Odin followed after their sons, her gaze turning back to her youngest son's closest companion. The people had vacated, but Iðunn remained rooted to wear he had so cruelly and harshly left her. She knew not what had been said, but she knew from the look on their faces that Eir-Iðunn was concerned and Loki was frustrated by this. She approached the girl, her eyes taking in the beautiful gown adorning her nimble body. It was a masterful piece of seam-work, Frigga never having seen something of such craft from someone so young.
"That is a most beautiful dress." She said softly. Iðunn turned, sorrow in her eyes. She smiled meekly.
"Thank you." Her voice was quiet. Frigga raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to one side, in a way very much reminiscent of Loki himself.
"It is in his colours." The way that Iðunn's face pinked did not escape the wise Queen's notice.
"Yes." She made no excuses. There was no reason to, it would only worsen things.
"You have known my son." Frigga deduced. Iðunn's mouth dropped open and Frigga bit back a grin. She had known for some time that it was going to happen. She did not need to see into the future to know that they were involved with one another. The young woman was of the age and Loki loved and cherished her in a way Frigga had always hoped he would a maiden.
"I-"
"You need not say anything, child." Frigga took her hands and smiled comfortingly. "You will make him a fine wife." The girl's blush stained her face even more.
"Wife?" Frigga's brow furrowed ever so slightly.
"He has not suggested it?" She shook her head in response and Frigga sighed.
"I see. I would have thought he would have mentioned it before bedding you." The embarrassment on Iðunn's face was beginning to amuse her and she indicated the doors. "Come, let us walk in the grounds and discuss this further. And fear not," She cupped the red-headed woman's face in her hands. "I will see to it that Odin approves of this courtship."
If only it had been so simple.
Odin was furious. He was already infuriated with his eldest for his pig-headedness, and now his youngest was having an affair with a servant girl. Despite Frigga reminding him of his duty to the girl in the wake of the loss of her parents, who was after all the daughter of a nobleman, he was less than convinced that this would be a fine match.
"I will not allow it, Frigga! She is not worthy to join him in the throneroom."
"She is as unworthy as I was, Odin, and yet you married me." She retorted. Odin squinted.
"You are one of the Aesir. She is lowly."
"She is of noble blood." Frigga argued, the bite in her voice betraying her.
"Do not let your emotions for her cloud your judgement. You are supposed to be wise."
"And you are wise? They are in love Odin, have some belief in the sentiment of it!"
"Sentiment has no place where the throne is concerned." Odin barked.
"And yet you married me though you did not love me and neither I, you." She hissed. He winced. "Our parents forced out marriage despite my love for- for-"
"You will not speak of him in my presence!" Odin rounded on her. "You will not push his betrothal to a servant because of your own dalliances with one!"
"And you will not tear them apart the way your parent's did us!" She shrieked. Her voice calmed somewhat, and was softer, but there was still a shiver of anger in her words. "They took the one I loved from me to marry you, and though I have grown to love you, I will not allow you to do the same to my son."
"My word is final on this matter." Odin sneered. "I will not acquiesce your request out of love for you as my wife. I must do what is right as King." She narrowed her eyes at him and snorted, turning and walking from their chambers. "Where do you go?" He questioned.
"I will take another bed tonight." She snapped, the door slamming closed behind her.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loki found Iðunn on the balcony of her chambers, staring up at the dark sky as the lighting signalled the fury of Thor. He leaned against the door frame watching her, unaware of his presence as he had entered her chambers so quietly.
"Thor is unhappy." He sighed, and she jumped, spinning to face him, her hand resting against her chest.
"Loki!"
"You are upset?"
"No, no. You gave me a fright, is all." He smiled and came to stand by her side, surveying the grounds. "What was said?"
"Thor is not yet King." She glanced at him.
"And this pleases you." He ran a hand through his hair and was silent for a moment.
"I thought it would, but I feel guilt." He said glumly. She frowned.
Why would you feel guilt? You did nought to-" Her face paled and she swallowed. "What did you do?" His head fell into his hands and he groaned. Her voice quivered as she spoke. "The Jotuns."
"How do I fix this?" He cried. "What have I done?"
"How... how could you?" She squeaked. He looked at her mournfully.
"I'll understand if you no longer care for me." He sighed. She shook her head wildly.
"Never. I am just... I am shocked. Your behaviour! And after what your Mother said-"
"What has Mother to do with this?" He said, surprised. She shuffled nervously.
"She knows." She muttered. He stared at her in disbelief.
"Could this day get any worse?"
"Loki, she is pleased for us."
"But what if Odin finds out?"
"She is appealing to him for us."
"She is telling him?"
"Y-yes, but-" The sound of Thor roaring loudly and what could only be a table of food crashing to the floor sounded, and Loki growled.
"I had better see to him." He brushed passed her and she followed.
"Loki." She sounded so frightened that he turned back to her, taking her hand and kissing her palm, holding it to his face.
"I will be back shortly, darling."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loki entered the great hall to see his brother, Sif and the Warriors Three. Thor sat, his hands crossed over knees, his face red with fury. Volstagg was despairing over the food, his rotund belly mourning at the eatables scattered and splashed on the marble, whilst the others were too busy making jokes at Thor's expense in an effort to appease him. He sat at his side and studied his face. "It's unwise to be in my company right now, brother." Loki grinned and nudged him. "Who said I was wise?" "This was to be my day of triumph." Thor sighed. Loki shrugged. "It will come." He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "In time." The cogs in his head turned. They needed to make peace with the Jotuns to salvage the damage he had done, but to demand to go there himself would be far too suspicious. He needed Thor for this, although sceptical of how Thor may react to the Jotuns, he had faith in his silver-tongue that he could diffuse any situation they may find themselves in. Feigning concern, he spoke. " If it's any consolation, I think you're right. About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, everything. If a few of them could penetrate the defenses of Asgard once, who's to say they won't try again. Next time with an army?" Thor snorted. "Yes, exactly!" "But there's nothing we can do without defying Father." He replied, watching Thor with baited breath as he considered Loki's words, and then the twinkle returned to his eye and a grin spread across his broad face. "No, no. Stop that! I know that look!" Thor stood and Loki followed quickly. "It is the only way to ensure the safety of our borders." "Thor, it's madness!" "Madness? What sort of madness?" Volstagg quipped. Loki smirked internally whilst his face played dumb, because, just like that, they were headed to Jotunheim.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loki marched into her room and she looked at him hopefully.
"It is resolved?"
"Almost." He grinned. "We leave for Jotunheim in a hour."
"Jotunheim?!" She squealed. "Loki! Are you mad?" He chuckled at how she had unintentionally mirrored his words.
"Worry not, my love." He kissed her quickly. "We will be safe."
"If you are going, then so am I." She gathered her skirts quickly and hurried after him as he left her room and headed for his own, no doubt to retrieve his armour. He laughed at her.
"You will do no such thing."
"I refuse to be left behind to ponder and worry on your return! I am going so that no harm will come to you." She grasped his arm for the second time that day. "You will heed me, for once, Loki Odinson!" He was surprised to hear the rage in her voice and looked down at her scowling face. "You will not leave me to fret again!" Upon seeing that nothing would change her mind, he sighed.
"Fine. But you will need more suitable attire." She grinned.
"I'm sure you can conjure something up for me."
An hour later and Loki and Eir-Iðunn met them by the observatory, only steps from Heimdall. Thor and the others frowned at Iðunn's presence.
"What is she doing here?" Sif snorted. Iðunn glared at her.
"What? You're the only woman allowed on adventures?" She replied icily. Loki smirked and Sif glared at him, stepping forward to retort, only for Fandral to lay a hand on her shoulder.
"What Lady Sif means," he said, "is that all of us are trained in weaponry and are skilled warriors. We worry for what might happen to you should battle occur." She eyed him, feeling Loki's gaze on her, watching for her response.
"She need not be concerned for my well-being." She replied smoothly. "I have been led to believe that if you are all sensible beings that there will be no need to fight with the Jotuns." She folded her arms. "So, if a fight should break out, that would give me reason to assume that none of you know how to negotiate beyond the drawing of weaponry." She turned her attention to Thor. "Or will there be bloodshed this day?" Not many people could make Thor uncomfortable, but his face stained slightly red at the harsh gaze she fixed him with. He did not know Iðunn all that well, but he knew her to be sweet and kind, he had not seen this fierceness in her before, and it unnerved him. He cleared his throat.
"I have no intention of seeing blood spilled." She nodded once and looked to Loki.
"Now what?" Loki was grinning from ear-to-ear, his lady's sharpness towards the group delighting him. He addressed them.
"Keep your weapons sheathed and your mouths closed. This is going to take subtlety and sincerity, not brute strength. Leave it to me." As he approached Heimdall, Iðunn followed, catching a remark make by Hogun in the process.
"It would seem she has inherited your brother's silver-tongue. She spends too much time with him." He muttered to Thor. She stiffened and turned back to him, her eyes hardening.
"Is there a problem?" His face coloured and he shook his head quickly.
"No, my Lady."
"Oh, don't let her faze you." Sif spat, turning to Iðunn, her features softening. "Look, we know you care for Loki, that much is obvious," Iðunn considered it a miracle she didn't turn a lovely shade of crimson, "but don't let him deceive you into believing him a good man." Eir-Iðunn tilted her head to one side.
"He rescued me from my tormentors, Sif. I owe him my life and I trust him implicitly."
"Trust?" Volstagg cut in. "He is the God of Lies, Iðunn." She tensed and looked to Thor.
"Will you not defend your brother?" Thor looked sorrowful.
"They are right. I love my brother, but he is the God of Mischief as well as lies." Her mouth hung agape and she shook her head.
"Whatever happened to loyalty?" She spat, spinning away from them and approaching her lover. They followed suit, exchanging dark and concerned glances. She was well under his spell.
"Good Heimdall-" Loki began, only for the Gatekeeper to cut him off.
"You're not dressed warmly enough." The tension in the air could have been sliced with a blade, the seven of them looking to each other nervously. Loki did not appear too perturbed.
"I'm sorry?"
"The freezing cold of Jotunheim. It will kill you all in time, even Thor." Loki licked his lips and opened his mouth to speak again, but Heimdall continued. "You think you can deceive me? I, who watch all? I, who can sense the flapping of a butterfly's wings a thousand worlds away?" He fixed his golden eyed glare pointedly on them, causing them to stare at their own feet. "Or can hear a cricket passing gas in Niffelheim?" Loki responded almost immediately.
"You must be mistaken, we're not-"
"Enough." Thor cut in, stepping before his brother and closer to the Gatekeeper. Loki glowered at his brother's back, his eyes squinted and lips curled into a sneer. The feel of her hand grasping his soothed him and he exhaled, looking down at her with a small smile. She released his hand and grinned, no longer caring of the implications of the slight show of affection. Now that Frigga would be speaking with Odin, the entire Kingdom would know of their love soon enough. "Heimdall, may we pass?" Thor queried calmly. Iðunn could have sworn that she saw the slightest twitch of a smile on Heimdall's face, but it vanished as soon as it came.
"For ages have I guarded Asgard and kept it safe from those who would do it harm. In all that time, never has an enemy slipped by my watch until this day." His eyes briefly flickered over Loki, who grimaced the slightest bit. "I wish to know how that happened."
"Then tell no one where we've gone until we have returned." Thor brushed passed him, and the others followed, Loki pausing to glower at the Gatekeeper, who did not even wince.
Volstagg bumped Loki roughly and sneered.
"What happened? Your silver tongue turn to lead?"
Loki glared sourly at him, only remaining calm when Iðunn pulled him through the door.
"Ignore him." She soothed. He nodded stiffly.
As they entered the Observatory, standing to enter the Bifrost, Heimdall followed, giving them words of caution, setting them up for departure.
"Be warned. I will honour my sworn oath to protect this Realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed to you. You'll be left to die in the cold wastes of Jotunheim." Eir-Iðunn's eyes widened at the words, suddenly feeling very uneasy. Thor's smug response made her all the more nervous.
"I have no plans to die today." Again, there was that brief twist of a smile on Heimdall's face.
"None do."
Before she knew what was happening, she was sucked so quickly into twists and flashes of dazzling colour, her stomach flipping at the sickly sensation, which vanished with a thud. The chill the coated her was more cold than anything she had ever felt in her life, and she was grateful for the furs Loki had insisted she wear.
"Loki?" He looked to her as the others took in the vast expanse of land. "Do you feel how cold it is?" He wrapped his arms around her in a brief hug.
"A little."
She didn't have time to ponder his statement before a voice boomed around them.
"I know who you are, Odinson." They raised their eyes to meet the Jotun King. Loki clutched her protectively.
"Laufey." He mumbled under his breath.
Iðunn was fearful, he could feel the terror radiating off of her, and wished he had forced her to stay behind. The conversation that passed between Thor and the King fell on deaf ears as he held her close, mutterings words of reassurance that all would be well, until a particular line spoken by the Jotun caught his attention.
"And why have you come here? To make peace? You long for battle. You crave it. I see you for what you are, Thor Odinson. Nothing but a boy, trying to prove himself a man." He immediately left her side to stand with his brother, fearing his brash reaction. Sif, he noticed gratefully, took his place beside Iðunn.
"This boy has grown tired of your mockery." He hissed.
"Thor, stop and think. Look around you." Loki whispered to him. "We are outnumbered."
"Know your place, brother." Thor snarled. Loki bristled at that, but said nothing, a quarrel between them was the last thing they needed right now.
"You should listen to his counsel." Laufey retorted. Clearly he had heard Loki's words. "You know not what your actions would unleash." He looked to Loki, the Frost Giant smirking. Loki felt the gaze burning him and for once had to look away for his own sanity. "But I do. Go now, while I still allow it."
Loki clutched Thor's wrist and tugged gently, addressing Laufey.
"We will accept your most gracious offer." He headed to Iðunn, grinning. "See? I told you all would be well."
"Run back home, little Princess." Loki whipped his head up at the Frost Giant's words, his face paling, Thor's face changing from furious to gleeful. "Damn."
Mjolnir sailed through the air, smacking the King straight in his stomach. The Frost Giants roared and charged for the group, who drew their weapons and engaged in battle. Iðunn screamed when a Frost Giant lunged for her, but Loki pulled her aside before it could touch her. Dragging her away quickly, he hid her inside a nearby crevice, praying to the Norns she would be safe there. "Stay here!"
"Loki-"
"For once, listen to me!" He yelled, shaking her. "I won't see you hurt." He left her there, running back into the fray. He caught a pained cry from Volstagg.
"Don't let them touch you!" He pondered for a moment as he sent out a duplicate of himself to distract a Jotun, sending them hurtling over a precipice when they dove for him. He chuckled and spun, fighting hard amongst his brother and friends. Impaling a Frost Giant with daggers, he is horrified when it grips the bare skin of his wrists, but instead of feeling any pain, his skin begins to turn blue like the Giant's. Both confused, he takes the opportunity to boot the creature away from him, his head spinning as his skin returned to it's normal pale shade. "Thor! We must go, now!" As he turns to go back for his beloved, his face paled even more at the sight before him, a monster of a Frost Giant looming over her, snarling as she shrank back, screaming. Thor spots it just as he does and hurls Mjolnir towards the creature, shattering it. Her screams become even louder and as he reaches her he realises why – a shard from the Giant was now embedded in her stomach. She is shrieking loudly as blood seeps from the wound, tears streaming down her face. Loki, frightened, scoops her up in his arms. "Can you hold onto me?" He whispered. She struggles, but her her arms wrap around his neck.
"It hurts!" She sobs.
"I know, I know it does, but we will get you to a healer, I promise, love." He runs, Thor's face whitening at the sight of her. As more of the Frost Giant's surround them, there is a deafening noise and a blinding light, and Odin is there atop his steed, Sleipnir. The battle stops as Laufey faces up to Odin, complete silence aside from Eir-Iðunn's sobs of pain, Loki cradling her in his arms. He heard nothing of what was said between the two Kings, he is trying too hard to calm her, promising her that she will be aright, but as the shard in her stomach melts and the wound turns black, oozing more blood, he is not so sure any more.
