Author's Notes: Yay! I'm catching up on everything! I've even slipped in time for a new fanfic for Capt. America. That will be a blast from the past! 3 But anyways... enjoy~!

Disclaimer: Chapter One.

I'm here on the edge again
I wish I could let it go
I know that I'm only one step away
From turning it around

Chapter 10- The Message

The magic was there. Loki could feel it deep inside as she concentrated on the warm feeling. The week had been a long one, but finally… finally she had been able to get somewhere with her powers. It wasn't much, but they were slowly beginning to resurface.

Loki took a slow breath as tried to grasp the tendrils of magic. Her hands were resting in her lap and her goal was to get something to her palms. If things went well enough, maybe she could try a spell or something.

She felt the power rising reluctantly at first, but with a little more prodding, it flickered to life. Loki smiled a little as the familiar feeling of magic danced through her body. It was still a long shot off from her former might, but it would do. She had to be patient with it. Magic couldn't be excessively forced or it would backfire into something she did not want.

The warm tingling was nearly to her hands when a jolt across her scalp shook Loki from her concentration.

"Ow…" she commented with some frustration laced in her voice.

"Oh shush," Frigga replied from behind her.

Loki flinched again as Frigga pulled her hair again. Whatever rabid desire drove the woman to want to play with her hair was beyond Loki. Here she was sitting at the foot of her bed with Frigga sitting above her with a comb and hair ties. What madness had taken hold of Loki to agree to this torment? She would never understand why her mother wanted to touch her long, black hair so desperately.

"I almost had it," Loki told her mother. Frigga was distracting her from the work she needed to do. Loki probably could have been able to do something just then, but noooo…

"Concentration is key," Frigga responded as she twisted a lock of hair sharply, "You know you must be able to rule out distractions in order to cast. You think an opponent will wait for you?"

"I know that," Loki replied. Of course she knew that. She had been in fights before! No one in their right mind sat around and waited for magic to be used against them.

She let out a sigh. Loki just hoped her hair wasn't going to turn out like some of the ridiculous styles she had seen the court women wearing. Some of their hair defied gravity; Loki didn't understand how it was possible without a spell. And that would be a waste of good magic…

"Try it again," Frigga ordered mildly as she yanked at Loki's hair again.

Loki rolled her eyes and then closed them. She let the conversation fall to the back of her mind and concentrated on finding the inner source she had touched upon earlier. Everything was proceeding as before as she took a slow breath in, but things never worked the way Loki wanted them to.

A loud horn blared outside, knocking Loki from her thoughts once more. She looked toward the window the same time her mother did.

"What is that?" Loki asked as her mother quickly tied up the locks of hair that she was currently working on.

"It seems we have early company," Frigga responded as she tidied up her work.

"I thought the Ljósálfar weren't coming for another few days?" Loki was puzzled by her reply, and by the look on Frigga's face, she hadn't been expecting it either.

Her mother got up and organized her things with a shrug, "Maybe they departed early?"

It was a positive outlook, but Loki had a sinking feeling that something was not right. She rose from the floor and walked over to the balcony. A small entourage was waiting in the courtyard below, bearing a house flag of the elves. Why did the group seem so small?

"Come along," Frigga tapped Loki's arm and drew her away from the railing. Had there been ten people? That didn't seem right for a travelling Ljósálfar company. There should have been more elves in the group…

Loki followed Frigga out of the room and toward the main hall. Something wasn't fitting. Loki could have sworn it was a strict custom for the elves to wait at the edge of the city until a regiment was sent to welcome them. It was ill-mannered to approach another ruler's abode directly… or some strange notion like that.

A flash of red caught Loki's eye and she looked over. Thor was fully attired and waiting in the hall already. Loki slipped by Frigga as her mother stopped to question a guard. Finally, she could get away for a bit. Loki loved Frigga, but sometimes her overwhelming vitality was too much.

She made her way quietly over to Thor as people rushed to get their things in order around the entrance.

Loki came up beside him and watched people go by. "So…" she ventured.

"Father asks that you behave yourself," Thor commented quietly. He was watching people as well.

"Me behave?" the thought was amusing, "I'm more worried about you."

Thor gave her a sideways glance and a small grin lit his face. He looked away as the large doors were opened, "That tongue is what he worries about."

"Thor…" Loki had the uneasy feeling again as the elves dismounted outside.

"What is it?"

"Something does not feel right," Loki said in earnest. She didn't like this sudden advancement of the elves' visit.

"Everything will be fine," Thor promised her.

Loki said no more as the arriving group proceeded inside. Some men in the back were carrying the flags Loki had seen earlier. They bore a symbol of a water drop and a rose. Loki didn't recognize the house insignia.

Most of the men were dressed in formal armors with the same sign imprinted on the breastplates. There were only a handful women among them, beautifully dressed and as graceful as swans. Loki felt a little resentful of their delicate steps.

And yet… something was off. Loki looked over the group as Thor left her side and greeted the first elf with a wide smile, "My friends, you look well. I hope the journey was not perilous. I am Thor, Odin's son." Thor even glanced back to her, "This is my sister, Loki."

Loki crept forward as the tall, platinum blonde elf nodded politely in response, "It was a pleasant ride Odinson. Tell me, where is the All-Father? Freyr sends his finest wishes."

"Freyr did not come?" Frigga looked confused as she stood a distance back.

"A matter of urgency arose that he could not disregard," the man responded, "I apologize for the unconventional trouble this has caused."

Loki noted an odd lilt in the elf's voice. He carried the accent of the Ljósálfar, but there was a strange ring to it compared to what she could remember. The idea that Freyr had not come with them set her on edge even more. Something was definitely not right here.

"A friend of Freyr is a friend of Asgard," Thor courteously accepted the strange situation presented to them, "May I know the name of whom I speak to?"

"Galdor, of the House of the Blood Rose," the elf replied.

"Galdor," Thor repeated, "Welcome to Asgard. Let me lead you to the All-Father. He is waiting for you."

Loki caught Thor's arm as he turned to lead the group down the hall. She followed her brother closely and leaned into him so no one would overhear her, "Thor… I am telling you something is not right."

"You worry too much sister," Thor responded quietly.

"I mean it Thor," Loki was trying to quell her rising anxiety, but Thor wasn't seeing any harm in the situation at hand. She glanced around her as the group pressed in closer from the narrowing hall. Loki's voice dropped to a whisper, "Freyr is not with them. Does that not seem the slightest bit odd to you?"

"It doesn't."

"Any company traveling so far would have at least double the men that they have as well," Loki was trying to come up with some sort of explanation for him, for herself, for the nagging feeling that gnawed at her mind.

Thor looked around the company as they walked, but he did not answer.

"Thor," Loki pressed, "Have you even heard of the House of the Blood Rose?"

"The line may be new," Thor retorted. His eyes fell on Loki, "Please sister. If you have nothing more than worries to tell me then you may take your leave. If you do not wish to be in the High Chamber, I will not force you."

Loki felt offended by the remark. She was only trying to reason out the oddity before them. This had nothing to do with being comfortable around another group or her disagreements with Odin.

Maybe she was wrong? Maybe the Blood Rose was a new house in Alfheim and Galdor was sent as a formality of introducing the new line to the Asgardians. But the feeling Loki had said otherwise. It was too perfect. Too easy a claim to make. She had a sneaking feeling in the darkness of her mind that Galdor was not who he claimed to be.

But Thor wouldn't hear of it. He was too trusting. Loki knew her brother would give anyone the chance to prove themselves noble and honest. He trusted too easily and rarely thought of the what-ifs. Hells, he had even gone so far as to still trust in her enough to let her roam outside a cage. Even after what she had done to him…

"Thor…" Loki breathed as the group approached the throne room doors. She tried to grasp his arm again but Thor shook her hand off.

"Sister, I think you should return to your room."

Thor looked at her sternly. It wasn't a suggestion; it was a command.

"Fine then," Loki responded. She felt wounded, "Do not cry to me if I am right."

Loki didn't wait for his reply and was off down the hall in the opposite direction of everyone. Many of the elves glanced at her curiously and Loki even caught Frigga's troubled look but she did not concern herself with any of it. If Thor wanted to act all high and mighty, then she would let him. Her opinion didn't matter anyway. She was a traitor and a silver-tongued manipulator right? She felt even more hurt by the thought. Why should Thor concern himself with the words of a woman that didn't even know the reason of her own suspicion?

Thor didn't know what Loki's problem was today. The elves had arrived earlier than expected; they couldn't very well deny them hospitality just because of that reason. The group was small and looked to be traveling lightly. Their matters had to be of utmost urgency to ignore their own deep-rooted customs.

The blonde warrior brought the group into the High Chamber. Odin was waiting for them on the throne. His good eye was closed like he was contemplating something.

Thor gestured for the group to stop and he approached his father alone. "Father," Thor started, "The Ljósálfar are here." He turned to Galdor and presented the elf with a long gesture of his hand, "This is Galdor…"

"Of the House of the Blood Rose," Odin finished for him. There was slight impatience in his voice.

Thor looked at his father surprised that he would take such a tone with their guests.

"Tell me, Galdor," Odin stated, opening his eye and staring at the small host of elves, "Where do you really hail from?"

"Pardon?" Galdor looked taken aback by the question.

"I do not know who you are trying to fool," Odin stated, "but Freyr would never send a subordinate for his own dealings." Thor took a step back as the All-Father rose from his seat, "Tell me. Where do you really come from and who sent you?"

The elves glanced at each other with misgivings. Thor was still shocked that Odin was approaching them in such a manner. Had he missed something? Odin was reacting like Loki had spoken to him instead of to Thor in the hall. What was going on?

A tense moment stretched between the groups as the guards along the edge of the room moved to draw their weapons.

"All right," Galdor relented. His accent washed away as he met Odin's gaze with a solid resolve, "My master sends his condolences."

"Condolences?" Thor spoke up.

"Who sent you?" Odin repeated. Thor noticed his father's stature was tense. Was it fear he was seeing? What was he anxious about?

"The Blood Rose," Galdor replied, all traces of his intricate accent were gone now. The other elves were slowly shifting into a half circle behind him.

Odin's chin lifted at the title, but he said nothing. Thor didn't know what the words meant so he tried for more of an explanation, "Who is this man claiming to be the Blood Rose?"

"I will spare your lives if you leave now," Odin offered the group before him with no room for argument.

Galdor let out a laugh. Thor didn't see what was so funny. Were they threatening Asgard or Odin? He wanted to know what was going on, not sit in the dark.

"No no," Galdor recovered from his fit, "You see… we have been given a sacred task by our lord, and we intend to fulfill it or die in the attempt."

Frigga came up beside Thor with a sword in hand. Thor hadn't even seen her come around the room. "You can try," Frigga stated.

"My children," Galdor held his hands out as he addressed the other elves, "Let the sacrifice commence."

Thor was disturbed by his proclamation, but had little time to dwell on it as the entire group leapt into action. Multiple bodies clashed with the guards and a few had the bravery to run at Thor and his parents.

Mjolnir flew up from Thor's belt and was in his hand as a blade swung straight for his throat. He blocked the strike with an arm, letting the weapon bounce harmlessly off the woven armor of his sleeves. Thor struck the man in the side and sent him flying across the room. The clash of steel next to him brought Thor's attention momentarily to his mother. A woman dropped to the floor at Frigga's feet before she advanced on the next person coming at them.

"Bleed! Bleed all of you!" Galdor's voice filled the chamber as he turned in a circle. The elf was in the middle of the chaos and everyone was too busy with the followers to confront him. His mad howls continued to fill the room as Thor brought his arm back over his shoulder, "Bleed for the Rose as his Thorns work!"

With a mighty thrust, Thor threw Mjolnir across the open space. The hammer struck Galdor as he turned around to face Thor again. The elf flew backward and hit the floor with a thud. Thor wasn't going to let this man ruin their home or harm his family.

Thor commanded Mjolnir back to his hand and proceeded to help his mother deal with the last of the attackers. The fighting was barely a minute in passing, but when it was over, Thor was thankful. Only a handful of guards had been injured. Unfortunately, the elven population either was dead or lay dying on the floor as the assault came to an end.

Galdor was one of the few survivors. He was still laughing despite the obvious pain he was in from getting hit multiple times. "You…" he coughed as Odin advanced toward him with slow steps. "You… All-Father… will die. Asgard will bleed and burn…"

Thor gripped Mjolnir tightly but Frigga put a hand on his arm. Odin's face was grim as he loomed over the elvish leader, "Why?"

"Our master has many reasons," Galdor smirked, the blood across his face making the expression much more ominous. Thor didn't like his words, "The Blood Rose will come… and blossom over your corpses."

"Father," Thor still didn't know what this Blood Rose was, "What is he speaking of?"

Odin looked at Thor. In the moment it took for the action, Galdor seized his chance and jumped up from the floor. Thor let out a shout as a hidden blade sprung from the elf's sleeve and curved upward at Odin from his blind side.

Suddenly, as if some divine being was smiling on them, ice exploded between the two men. Odin staggered backward from the icy tirade but Galdor was not so lucky. The ice pillar rose up and seized the elf's arm, locking the limb in an icy tomb. Spikes shot from the icy surface and impaled the rest of Galdor's body to it.

Thor looked to see who had done such a thing. Certainly none of the magic masters were nearby at the time. The answer shocked him.

Loki was in the wide doorway with a hand outstretched toward the gruesome sight. Her face shimmered with perspiration from what could have only been a terrible exertion of her own power. Since when had Loki regained the use her magic…?

Her arm dropped and Loki straightened, visibly trying to look like the act hadn't bothered her in the least. "Really?" Loki said after catching her breath, "You had to have all the fun without me?"

Thor couldn't help but crack a smile at her absurd humor. She crossed the room as the icy spectacle cracked and faded away. Galdor's corpse slumped to the floor with the rest.

Odin's expression was unreadable as Loki stopped next to Thor. Thor really didn't want this turning into another family feud moment, so he rolled straight into the discussion at hand, "The Blood Rose?"

"The Blood Rose… Sanguine… is an old companion… fallen from the honorable path," Odin responded. The All-Father took up his seat on the throne again and looked at them wearily, "He was one of my best warriors in the years Asgard was in war. Long before we settled our borders. A master of magic… but he hungered for greater powers… darker things… In his quest for more power, he came upon a very old, very dark magical art… blood magic."

"Blood magic?" Loki repeated. Thor couldn't help but notice her sudden intense interest in Odin's words.

"Yes…" Odin hesitated. Maybe he had noted Loki's interest as well, "It is a very powerful magic… but comes at great cost to the user."

"It can destroy the body and mind," Loki filled in the gap before Thor needed to ask.

Thor wasn't sure what was stranger at this point. The fact that Loki knew about the type of magic Odin was describing or the fact that the two were conversing almost normally.

"He was defeated in the Bloodmist Canyons. We lost many warriors that day," Odin continued his explanation, "His blood magic seeped into the soil and tainted the land. Nothing has grown there ever since… Sanguine was sealed away in a tomb of bones beneath the earth… and now he has returned to destroy Asgard once more."

"We will stop him!" Thor jumped in. If Odin had done it once, they could do it again!

The All-Father studied Thor for a moment before his gaze shifted over to Loki. "We will see…" he stated.

Loki seemed to be contemplating something as Thor turned to look at her as well. Frigga approached them and shooed them toward the door gently, "We will see to it that this gets cleaned up… please go to your chambers and ease your minds."

"Thank you mother," Thor replied. It was a generous offer considering he should have stayed to help. Maybe it was just Frigga trying to keep the peace in the family right now; he wasn't sure.

They were nearly half way back when Loki suddenly stopped in the middle of the corridor.

"Loki?" Thor hesitated a few steps ahead of her. She was looking more shaken by the events than she had let on earlier.

"Thor… I…" Loki was searching for words as her gaze stayed on his feet. What was she so fearful of?

He closed the distance between them with a couple steps. Thor took Loki's chin in hand and lifted it so that she was looking him straight in the eyes. "You know you can tell me anything," he told her.

"There was a voice…" Loki's voice came out in a whisper.

Thor was confused by the statement, "A voice? …When? What do you mean?"

"I heard a voice today… earlier… ordering the attack in the high chamber," Loki seemed unsure of her words, "I ran back… and it was already happening…"

"Do you know who it was?" Thor asked. Hearing voices was never a good sign in anything… even if it was Loki.

"No…" Loki pulled away from his grasp, "I also heard it the day the stjarna bani appeared in your room…"

That troubled Thor greatly. Was it this Sanguine that Loki was hearing? Could she know anything more about this person that he was unaware of? Why her?

"Before you ask," Loki sounded relieved from the confession, "I know nothing more about this than you do."

"There is no warning for it?" Thor wanted to make sure. Maybe they could use it to know when another attack was coming.

"No," Loki responded solemnly, "I've only heard it during the incidences."

"I see…" Thor sighed. Curse it all! That could have been extremely useful early warning tool to use. He wrapped an arm around Loki's shoulders and started them on their way back to the warrior's tower.

"We will figure this out… I promise you sister."

It was a promise that Thor fully intended to keep.