Chapter 9
A/N So life is busy (work, conventions, commissions, hospitals) not that it should be in the way, but I need to have a flow to work on a chapter, I can't start on one, stop and then continue. So I need an hour or two to actually write. Excuses, excuses, I hope it doesn't make a difference and you guys like it nonetheless.
"Yes, just like that!" Natakhta had never been more enthusiastic with a new partner. The new guy was both elegant in his movement, but also quite a sight to behold when he was still. She had ideas for duo dances, but no one was ever a good match. And what was more was his eyes. His eyes were even brighter green, almost unnatural so, brighter than hers. What made her spectacular was her fiery red hair. Like flames they framed her petite face. And flames was what their act was going to be. If she was the flame that burned, Loki would be the scorned skin the flames left. The past week every night he'd practice with her for as long as was necessary before he had to return. Where to, she wasn't sure.
Loki on the other hand felt his chest swell every time Natakhta would say something to encourage him, praise him even. He had never enjoyed something as much as he did dancing right now. He knew this was all for a higher purpose; freeing Thor. But if all was said and done, he might actually stay with the group. Thor would be a great addition, it was not beyond Loki to realize Thor was quite the looker. It was that Thor had no time to look upon the maids (if they actually were maidens, probably not.) in the slums because he had been too tired from working. Surely Thor could help by being a strongman or maybe even handing out drinks and the likes. If Fury was serious about keeping Loki, Thor was going to have to stay as well.
Speaking of Fury, he would, rarely, watch both him and Natakhta practice, nod in approval and leave without saying a thing. After a few nights practice he gave Loki three coins. Not much, but it would allow Loki to buy new simple clothes or something like that. "I can see you're serious, so I want to let you know so am I. Buy yourself something nice, if anything, even if you'll never dance for a show, you're good practice for Natakhta." And he left before Loki could thank him.
"Yes, yes just like that." Natakhta was grinning while a particular hard move worked out as planned. As she'd bend over backwards, Loki flipped over her showing no fear or hesitation. As he did he held the torch he was holding to his lips so when he stood firm on the ground, he let a giant flame bellow over the audience.
"I sure hope you don't intend to burn the Pharaoh…" Phileas Colosson joked as he walked toward the two. Sweat was dripping of both their foreheads as Loki held a hand out to Natakhta to help her up. "Can't do that, he's already dead…" She said.
"Yeah funny thing about those pharaohs… As soon as one dies, a new one is placed on the throne. In this case his son, Antonankhamon." Loki had hardly paid attention to the throne ascension. Instead he had kept a close eye on executions or anything the like. No such things had occurred, but Loki was still afraid to find his brother body one day maimed near the palace. Maybe the ascension of a new pharaoh would go hand in hand with the execution of the murdered of the previous ones. Besides the chores he had to do for Stieth, the dancing practice, there was also the matter of trying to find as much evidence as he could against Obediah. So far no such luck. Everyone who may know anything keeps their lips tightly together. Everybody fears the man. But he had not found a single person that did not loathe man as well. He sighs.
"When is he meant to ascend the throne, this new Pharaoh." Loki asks.
"In twelve days, with the full moon. The highpriest tried postponing for another full moon, but he would not have it. Smart man, I wouldn't give that rat more opportunities to steal the throne from underneath his royal bottom." Phileas said. That made Loki look up.
"What do you mean?" he dares to ask Colloson.
"It doesn't take a genius to see that man is up to no good." The greek says.
ooOOoo
"I'm a genius!" Tony says. He places the last seal on the papyrus. He just assured Thor and Pepper's survival, for at least another full moon. It demands more proof then Obediah has delivered so far; namely his word, which was based on hearsay from people who all mysteriously perished during the assault. Or nowhere to be found, which basically probably meant dead as well.
Vali, good old Vali, had only once come to Tony. He had told him he had found Thor's brother who would vouch for Thor's innocence and even more had seen a suspicious looking man entering one of the entrances close to Tony's quarters. After describing him they concluded it had been the man that had attacked Tony when Thor had saved him.
In fact that was more proof then Obediah had. He would be able to save his few friends he had. At times like these he really wished Rhodey wasn't somewhere completely different. But right now he would give the order to release Thor and Pepper. He called for Obediah.
ooOOoo
Thor groaned. He and Pepper were near starving as they haven't had anything to eat for days now and the water that was in their cell was starting to run out as well.
"How is it Tony doesn't realize…" Pepper sighed for what may have been the seventieth time that day. "How can he even think I would do…" she looked at Thor. "that WE would do such a thing, if we ever get out of here I have some words I'd like to tell him." Pepper's mood changed from upset to sad to angry in minutes and sometimes Thor wished she would just stop talking. It didn't help.
"I just wish I could see my brother one more time before we die… if we die" Thor whispered.
"Your brother is really important to you, isn't he?" Pepper asked.
"He is. He is all I have left. Our parents have died. He's… he's very smart, but not very strong and I fear he'd die of hunger if I'm not there. Or people would take advantage of him." Thor could almost see some of the lowlifes of the slums crawl in their hut to drag Loki out of it and have him do their dirty tasks. He involuntarily shuddered.
"I'm sure he's fine, Thor." Pepper said and she laid a hand on his shoulder. Thor smiled, as he appreciated the gesture. He wasn't so sure she was right though.
ooOOoo
"Are you insane?" Obediah shouted. He was supposed to have respect for the future pharaoh, but he was angry right now. Tony could see the vein popping on his head.
"I wish not to be spoken to like that, Obediah, not even by you and especially not right now. You made a mistake and two of my most loyal servants are in prison without food because of that. I want you to focus on finding the real culprits and release them. I want to have them here, in my room, now!" Tony said, and he made it clear there was not argument to be made. He could nearly hear Obediahs teeth scrape over themselves as he was grinding them in anger. 'Why is he so upset?' Tony was truly baffled. Obediah had been with them since… since he could remember, why won't he trust Tony?
Obediah stomped out of the room, shouting things at servants.
"Oh and we need to start working on that crowning ceremony!" He shouted after his highpriest. He could swear he could hear the man growl in the hallway.
ooOOoo
The two guards that had been guarding them opened the door to their cell.
"You two are free, but requested by the prince." Thor and Pepper looked at each other in confusion. Almost suspecting a trap they stepped out of the cell carefully following the two guards closely. They both could use a shower, some food and rest, why would Tony summon them?
As they walked among the halls of the palace they notices two different kinds of faces. Those who knew all along they were innocent and were happy they had escaped a cruel fate and there were those who were either still suspecting them or almost wanted them to be the evil creatures they had been branded by Obediah.
None of it mattered, as long as Tony said they were innocent, they were. Going against that is like going against god himself.
Thor nearly missed the beautifully adorned hallways of the palace, as much as he hated them before as they kept him away from his brother.
As they entered Tony's room they saw there was a mountain of food and drinks for them, ready to be enjoyed.
No words were said as Tony rose from his pillows and hugged the both of them. Pepper was crying, Thor simply smiled. They stayed like that for another minute or two before Tony finally spoke up.
"I missed you guys, I had to annoy quite a lot of people before I could make them realize it couldn't have been you!" Tony said. "I'm sorry it took so long, now let's eat, you guys must be starved." And the would-be pharaoh sat down with his two servants, but mostly just close friends he could trust, and ate.
Thor and Pepper had forgiven him even before they had been released from prison. After all it was not Tony who had framed them. They eat and eat, and drink even more, until they fall asleep on the pillows they were eating on. Three smiles welcomed all that would dare to enter the room. Pepper woke up an hour later, gets up and readies herself to leave for where Rhodey was posted.
ooOOoo
Loki got the good news from Vali the next day, who had heard the news from Obediah himself. "You were right about that guard, it would seem." He had said to Vali, after which the high priest had walked off, clearly annoyed by this set back. Just because this was fixed though, Vali asked Loki to be vigilant and try to find as much info as possible, to get the real culprit behind bars.
Loki agreed, as this man had tried to get his brother killed. No one messed with them.
He was a considerably amount more happy when he returned home to Stieth, Peghee and Bukhee. When he told them the news of his brother's release the three of them hugged him and he nearly choked on his tears as he fought them back.
"What's wrong?" Stieth asked as he pulled back, hearing Loki cough.
"It's just… you treat me as family… I've never been so… happy since…" And Loki slumps down on the floor, losing the strength in his legs and losing the ability to make full sentences.
"There, there" Peghee said. "We ARE your family and you are ours. You're welcome as long as you'd like to stay; you do such wonderful work for us. If you decide to go with that dancing group, then we understand, but we'd hate to see you go. If Thor actually ever gets out of that palace, he's welcome as well. If he's as strong as you say he is I'm pretty sure he'd be able to help us out as well. He sounds like a nice man, just like you." Peghee smiled.
"Aw yeah, he can teach me how to fight!" Bukhee excitedly exclaims.
"Now, Bukhee, if you want to learn how to fight I could show you just as well!" Stieth said, pretending to be insulted.
"But you're no palace guard, dad!" Bukhee said.
Loki kept listening to the three argueing about learning how to fight (or not, Peghee decided, thinking it to be too dangerous) and other trivial things. Tears found their way down his cheek. As he had said, Stieth and his family, the entertainers he was with, Thor still in the palace, but at least safe… He was truly happy right now. And soon he'd see Thor again and help him escape the palace. If he did, they'd probably had to run, but it was worth it. Because no matter how much joy he has now. It's nothing compared to being reunited with his brother again. He would put more effort in his dancing, so that when the pharaoh demanded their presence, of which Fury was sure he would, he'd be the best the pharaoh would ever see, and hopefully could pull their glances away from Thor long enough for him to escaped. He hated using Natakhta and Fury like this, but it was the only way he knew he would have a chance of getting inside the palace.
ooOOoo
"You mean, you have seen a young man with bright green eyes?" Pepper asked Paia.
"Yes, woman, I have, what's up with him anyway?" Paia asked.
"Nothing you should be concerned with, that's for sure." Pepper said. "Any clue as to where he went?"
"Nothing you should be concerned with, servant-girl." Paia countered.
"Fine, whatever, be childish, I will find him on my own!" Pepper said, storming off the stairs.
A/N Life will continue being busy for the upcoming weeks, but I'll try to keep updating this fic weekly if possible! ^_^
