Chapter 8: Punishment or Marriage
"What?" Shock spread across each of the men's faces. They could not believe what they just heard. "My lady," Hogun managed to say, "that is a punishable offense.." It was true. She could be whipped, banished, or even forced to work in the palace for slapping a royal. "He was going to poison me. He tried to force the drink down my throat. It was the only thing I could think of that would stop him..." she forced herself to continue. "Just before..he..." "Took you?" "Yes, Volstagg, thank you..before he took me, he told me something. He said, 'Marry me, and I will spare you'."
Fandral stood quickly, almost knocking the table over. "What does he mean, 'spare you'?" Keeping her face down, and her gaze on her plate, she continued, "I asked the same thing, then he said, 'It would be a shame if your drink were to be poisoned.'" Anger dripping in his voice, Fandral yelled out, "How dare he? Refusing his hand in marriage does not warrant death! I will find him, and.." Celestrial cut him off. "Please, calm down." He slowly sat back down and nodded his head, allowing her to finish what she was saying. "I will go to him, try to talk to him, and accept my punishment. Trust me, it was worth it." The three men sadly nodded, and raised up out of respect as she left the room. "Keep a silent eye on her, Hogun."
She stood tall in front of the large doors that lead to the throne room. A slow exhale, a quick inhale, and she opened the doors. Loki, who was somewhat slouching in his throne sat up straight when he noticed it was her. "So, you have the nerve to seek me out. Tell me, do you plan to apologize?" He tapped his fingers on his armrest, staring her down. "No, my king. I came to seek an apology from you." Raising an inquisitive eyebrow, he leaned forward. "Tell me my lady, what have I done that warrants such a silly thing?" She finally looked him in the eyes. "I know you tried to poison me, Loki. If you regret it, I will forgive you." Taken aback by all of this, he rose from his seat, and slowly made his way towards her. "Celestrial," he grabbed her hands, "I am sorry. Now, I wish to hear the same from you, for you have disobeyed me several times today."
Hogun stood and listened, out of sight, when he heard her say, "I am sorry my king. Please, forgive me." He peeked around the corner in time to watch Loki hug her. Although, Loki looked Hogun in the eye, grinned, and started to rub on Cellie's back. The king whispered in her ear, "Always, my love. Always." He quickly left and went to tell the other men what he just saw and heard. Loki called her, 'my love', and she just stood there. However, just as he left, Celestrial broke the hug, and said, "Please do not call me that. I am not your love." Looking slightly hurt, but instantly changing his expression to one of anger, he simply stated, "Fine. So be it."
The next morning, Celestrial woke up to someone walking around in her room. Sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she saw a couple of ladies' maids setting flowers down on her table and desk. "What's going on," she sleepily asked. "Sorry to wake you my lady, but the king ordered for these to be placed in your room." The maid who answered her looked to be about her age. She curtsied, and led the other ladies out of the room and closed the door. Cellie looked around. She saw several bouquets of flowers, sitting all over the room. The colorful buds consisted of red roses, white daisies, and yellow carnations. Walking closer to get a better look, she saw a note sitting next to some Asgardian golds. "Good morning. Hope you like these. -Loki"
She sighed as she sat back down on her bed. Thinking of what to do today, she laid her head on her pillow, and continued on her train of thought. Finally deciding to read a book on the balcony, she grabbed her favorite Midgardian book, The Lord of the Rings, placed a few blankets on the hard ground, and started where she left off. She continued reading until the suns vanished from the sky. When she put her blankets back into her wardrobe, she picked out a simple gold dress to wear for dinner. She was so caught up in her stories of the brave hobbit, she had forgotten to eat all day. Opening her door, she looked back to her vanity, remembering something very important. She walked back and picked up her mother's necklace. It had been a few days since she wore it, and it was strange that she had not even thought about it.
Walking to the dining hall, she couldn't help but think about her family. Where were they? Were they safe? Would they really be returning soon? She could only think of one person they would stay with, so she made a mental note to write a letter when she retired for the night. When she walked in, she was greeted by a smiling Loki. "Good evening my lady," came his smooth voice, "I trust you had a busy day? Haven't seen you since last night. I do hope you enjoyed the flowers I sent you." She could smell the wine on his breath. "I was caught up in a book. You know how it is, do you not?" He thought for a minute, and returned with a hiccup, "Yes, I do." He lead her to the head of the table, and held out the chair next to him. She pretended she did not see this, and sat down next to Lady Sif. Loki shot the maiden warrior a glare, but she simply smiled and turned her attention to her friend. "Where did you run off to yesterday Sif? I looked everywhere." "Sorry, training went on longer than planned. How are you?"
After the main course was finished, Celestrial stood, and excused herself for the night. Loki quickly set off after her. He caught up with her in the hallway just outside the commotion of mealtime. "Where are you headed so quickly my lady?" he slurred out as he pressed himself against her. "I am retiring for the night Loki. Please, excuse me." She tried to push him off, but his drunk lips met her nervous lips. Finally getting him to stop, "You're drunk." He replied, "You're beautiful. Tell me, what did you find in my brother? He is dumb, childish, and arrogant." He continued to try and kiss her. "He is sweet, caring, and a gentleman. He never pushed me to do anything I did not want to do." Stepping back, "But I am intelligent, handsome, passionate, I am a king." "Power is not everything, Loki."
He stepped in closer, the smell of wine making her head spin. "Please, leave me alone, or I call for help." An uneven grin crossed his face, "Go ahead. I dare you." In an instant, her hands were held tight in his, and his lips forced to keep hers quiet. She bit his lip hard and yelled out, "Sif! Help!" Instantly, Sif and the warriors three were in the hallway, pulling the drunk king off of her. As the men walk him to his bedchambers, Loki cries out, "but I am the -hiccup- king!" Sif looked to Cellie with a sad face, "I am so sorry he keeps doing this to you. Come, stay with me this night." She smiled as the both of them shared a smile, and left the palace for the night.
After a week had passed, Celestrial heard nothing from Loki. She only saw him during meals, and even then he was quiet. He would always leave halfway through the meal, and would disappear for a while. Just yesterday, she watched him from her balcony as he rode his horse down the rainbow bridge and asked Heimdall to send him somewhere. She didn't know where, but when he came back, his smile was more of a smirk. This worried her, for as of late, he was awkward to be around.
Today, Cellie sat with the lady Frigga in Odin's bedchambers. He looked so peaceful with the golden glow of energy coming from his body. "How is he today, my queen?" "He is neither better, nor worse." Her saddened expression barely left her husbands' face. She held his hand with both of hers, gently stroking his arm. "And, my lady," Frigga looked up, "how are you?" With a slight smile, she replied, "I am well, child. And you?" Returning the smile, Cellie quietly said, "I am well." The ladies sat in silence, simply enjoying each others' company. Suddenly, a knock came at the door. The younger woman stood, and answered the knock. It was Loki. "I wish to have a word with my mother, alone." He was glaring her down, as she curtsied to her lady, then to Loki. "As you wish, my king." Closing the door behind her, she stayed for a moment and listened. She couldn't hear much, so she left for her own bed.
That night, Loki came to her room with a quiet knock. When she opened the door, he held his hand up as if to stop her from closing it on him. "Will you let me in? I wish to talk. Simply, talk." She looked him up and down before letting him in. He was wearing a simple suit of black, green and gold. She walked him over to her small table and they both sat down. "What is it, Loki?" Keeping his gaze out her window, "I wish for your forgiveness. I have been rather short with you lately. I have not been treating you nicely." She sat forward slightly, in order to hear his quiet voice. "I come with a peace offering." "Oh?" "Yes," he finally looked her in the eye. He stood, walked to her, and knelt down on one knee. "Celestrial," he asked, as she muttered "again?" under her breath, "Take this ring. Please." He almost pleaded, "Marry me, and you shall not be punished for what you did. Marry me...so that my brother can come home."
Author's Note: I know people out there are reading this, so I'll keep posting. Let me know what you think! And between you and me, there will be more like chapter 6, but only if you let me know that is what you want. If I don't know, then I won't post. A lot of people are sensitive to that whole aspect... Reviews=love peeps!
