Chapter 8: Weakness

"I came as soon as I could!" Maren burst through the doors of Odin's sleep chambers. He looked peaceful as he slept under the cloak of gold that protected him. Frigga sat by his bedside, holding his hand and Loki on the opposite side. They both turned their attention to her, looking at her with sad and forgiving eyes. Their anger toward her had subsided due to the circumstances. Maren got closer to the foot of the bed, not taking her eyes off the king.

"How is he?"

"Fine. I fear for him, though," Frigga looked back to her beloved husband.

"Please excuse me," Loki stood, "May I speak with you for a moment?"

Loki turned Maren and led her out into the hallway. His hand was ginger on the small of her back as he guided her along with care. Maren's heart suddenly jumped into her throat. As soon as they were comfortably far away enough from Odin's sleeping chambers Loki stopped her.

"I am grateful that you have come, truly," Loki held dearly onto Maren's arms.

"Of course," Maren swallowed hard as she looked up into his eyes.

"I must apologize for the way I've acted recently. You've only tried your best to help and I'm afraid I've been less than appreciative," Loki broke his stare, turning his eyes to the ground.

"It's okay. I'm sorry, too," Maren attempted to catch his gaze back in which she succeeded, "I just want everything to be alright. Are you…are you alright?"

"Perfect," Loki smiled, leaning down to give her a small kiss on the lips.

Maren looked at him in confusion.

"I've news," Loki finally confessed, "Because my father has fallen into Odin Sleep and Thor is banished I've taken up the burden of the throne."

Maren's eyes widened and suddenly realized her manners as she bent her knee to bow. Loki watched her fall before him and secretly smiled as she bowed her head. He shook himself from his dream and took up her arms to bring her to a stand.

"Please…don't…" Loki forced the words.

"And what of Thor's banishment? If there need a new King, Thor is next in line…not you," Maren chose her words wisely, not to offend.

"I cannot release Thor from his banishment. Not yet," Loki said.

"You'll not release him. Not ever. Will you? Why do you lie to me?" Maren was suspicious. She looked into the ice of his eyes.

"What has happened to you since we last spoke?"

"Odin explained everything to me, about my past and how he took me in as an abandoned frost giant child in order to unite Asgard and Jotunheim," Loki spoke with much despair.

"At least you know what you are, now…" Maren spoke sympathetically.

"Perhaps…" Loki bit his lip, nervous for his next words, "I must confess to you, Maren. I cannot lie to you much longer. It was I that let the frost giants into Asgard the day of Thor's ceremony."

"What?" the word seeped through Maren's lips, almost like a whisper. She gazed at him, confused and betrayed. Hurt sank deeply into her expression.

"I was going to tell you before, but…" Loki could not finish his sentence for Maren had slapped him across the face with great force. He looked back at her in surprise, holding the cheek she had struck tenderly, tears welling up in his eyes.

"You were right. You are not the Loki I once knew. Betraying your brother like this? This is not the act of a great King," Maren restrained herself from shouting.

"I've only done what was in the best interest of Asgard," Loki did not hold back his shouts as he snapped back at her.

"To endanger everyone by letting in Jotun?"

"Better than having a reckless Thor on the throne! If you'd just listen," Loki went to grab Maren's hand but she pulled away.

"To more lies? How many lies have you whispered into my ears and poisoned my mind with, Loki?"

"I only mean to destroy Jotunheim to end this war!"

"That you have started!"

"That Thor started!"

"You cannot destroy a whole planet and its people for a war that was not started by them!"

"Wasn't it?"

"Oh…" Maren paused, surprised at the sudden realization that she had come to, "You mean to destroy Jotunheim while Thor is banished so you'll have the throne to yourself…is that it?"

"Because it is mine!" Loki slapped Maren so that it threw her off balance and she landed hard on the floor. He went to his knees, pinning her down.

"I would have had you as my queen! We could have been greater than Odin and Frigga as rulers of Asgard."

"Get off!" Maren struggled under Loki's strength, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Guards!" Loki called out and five guards appeared, taking up Maren.

"Take her to a cell," Loki followed behind the guards as they started for the prisoner keep. Maren's shouts and screams echoed over the halls of the palace. She kicked and squirmed as she was dragged down the steps. Finally, she was thrown into a holding cell. Loki looked down at her through the barrier, holding his hands behind his back as he watched her work her ways to her hands and knees.

"Leave us…and have that beast of hers locked up down here as well," Loki's words drove the guards away and they ran up the steps. The two were alone and a dark silence crept into the room.

"I should have you killed," Loki's voice died down.

"You should have," Maren agreed. Her lavender eyes stared at him darkly.

"Just another disappointment, I suppose," Loki turned on his heel to start off.

"You tried to take Mjolnir, didn't you?" Maren had a devilish laugh about her words. She was smirking at him.

Loki stopped and looked over his shoulder at her.

"But you couldn't! You'll never be worthy!" Maren shouted.

Loki pounded on the barrier, a snarl in his voice and tears in his eyes, "Only because you make me weak!"

He turned again and rushed out of the room. Maren was left alone on the cold marble floors of her cell. She attacked the furniture about the room, upturning the bed and flipping over tables, shattering glass and tearing apart the books. Pages flew about the room. Maren's braid had fallen out into a mess of tangles as tears poured from her face and screams from her mouth.

Lies. All of it.

Who was she kidding after all?