Disclaimer: I don't own Thor or its characters. Just my OCs.

A/N: Hi, everyone! Can I just say, I never expected a response quite like this when I first uploaded this story. I can't thank any of you enough for the support you've shown me. You're amazing. So, here's chapter ten! Hope you enjoy!

AgnetCoCo: Here we are! Another chapter for you! And I've started working on chapter 14. Good times! Thanks for reviewing!

Simone98: Yes, he finally gets it! Men are so dense sometimes! ;) Thanks for the review!

anon: Well, thanks so much for your kind words! I'm trying to do a million and one things right now. Like I'm trying to learn how to paint and draw, I'm learning to drive, I'm saving up for Disneyland Paris this year, and I'm trying to keep on top of my fanfiction and my novel. It's hard work! Thanks for reviewing!

OmuiYuni: Why, thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much! Thanks for the review!

Happy reading!

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Dangerous Minds

Chapter Ten

While Astrid was languishing in Asgard's dungeons for her crime, Loki spent his days reading to Freya, who still lay comatose in the healing room.

Her parents visited every day, but with their duties, they could not spare the time that Loki could; so they trusted him to stay with her and keep her company while she healed. He would talk to her about what their friends were up to and about where he was going to take her when she woke up. He would whisper secrets to her and tell her stories and create wonderful images in magic, even though she couldn't see them... Anything to try and bring her into consciousness. But when the fourteenth day of her unconscious state arrived, Loki began to feel a little more anxious. He was sat quietly that day, holding her hand as he gently ran the backs of his fingers over her cheek.

"If you can hear me, Freya, I need you to hold on to my hand." He told her, "Please... I will do anything for you if you just come back to me. Please, please stay with me. Do not leave me."

He drew her hand to his lips and kissed it, squeezing it tightly as he rested his forehead against it. He sat with his eyes closed for a while, just savouring the feel of her hand in his. His peace was disturbed, however, when he felt her fingers tighten around his. His eyes snapped open, and he moved quickly so that he was hovering over her, his other hand moving to her face as he kept a tight hold on her fingers.

"Freya...?" He spoke quickly, looking for any signs of life on her face, "Freya?"

He saw her take a deep breath, and she began to cough, moving to quickly sit up as her eyes shot open in a panic. He reached out to steady her, quickly hurrying to reassure her that she was safe. He felt relief wash over him in a glorious wave. She'd come back to him, and everything was going to be fine.

"What happened to me?" She asked weakly, looking up worriedly at Loki, "I thought I was dying."

"You were." Loki breathed, "You were, but my mother saved you. You have been unconscious for two weeks."

Freya looked so confused and vulnerable. Two weeks? It was hardly surprising, in fairness. The last thing that Freya knew, she was dying. Loki carefully at on the bed beside her, moving his hands to her arms to comfort her. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked down at the bandages around her waist, and she winced as she moved to try and get comfortable.

"Astrid... Where is Astrid?" She asked, gripping her friend's arms as she remembered the woman who put her in that state.

"In the dungeons. Rotting." Loki told her, "Father will decide the appropriate punishment for her."

"You found me..." She whispered, moving closer to him as she reached out to touch his face, "You found me, Loki."

"I did." Loki agreed, taking her hands before they could reach his face and drawing them to his lips to kiss them, "I found you. And you are still here with me."

Freya let out a soft sigh as Loki released her hands before moving around her to plump up her pillows and help her lean back against them. She watched him for a few moments as he went to get her a cup of water, remembering what she had said to him when she thought she was dying. Oh, no... He knew that she was in love with him! How stupid he must have thought her!

He passed her the cup which she drank from gratefully before setting back on the table at her bedside. She settled against the pillows and pulled the blankets around herself, looking to the stack of books that sat near the cup of water. With a frown, she reached out slowly and picked up the first book, running her hands over it softly. Had he been reading this to her? Why did it seem as though she had only just read it herself?

"You didn't get to the end, did you?" She asked him softly, "Sense and Sensibility is my favourite Midgardian book, Loki... Did you know that?"

"I did." Loki replied with a warm grin, "How did you know that I hadn't reached the end of it?"

"I don't know..." Freya whispered, "Were you reading this to me?"

"I've read a lot of books to you over the past two weeks." He answered her softly, letting out a sigh as he stood from his seat, slowly leaning down to kiss her head, "I will go and collect your parents. They need to know that you are awake."

"Thank you." She breathed. feeling a wave of emotion beginning to overwhelm her, "Thank you for everything, Loki."

The Prince stopped in his tracks, turning back to her slowly and sitting himself down on her bed. She looked healthy, bright-eyed and so beautiful that it made his heart clench painfully. She was still here. She was going to get better. He just knew that she was. And he was going to make up for every day that she had missed in her comatose state.

"Thank you for staying with me." He spoke to her so gently as he leaned down to kiss her forehead, and Freya couldn't fight her blush as he left her to go and find her mother and father.

She suddenly thought back to the night she almost died. As she tried to let go of her life and be at peace, away from the pain and fear, she had heard him pleading with her. And she tried to grab on to the last part of her life force and she held on tight. She wasn't going to let go when she heard him begging her to stay.

"Don't you dare leave me like this!"

She had confessed her love for him in what she believed were her dying moments, to give herself the peace she wanted. She hadn't stopped to think of him in those moments. She hadn't stopped to think about how he would go on with his life knowing that she had felt so strongly for him. What if she had left him with a life of guilt and despair? Rather than being able to grieve over her, would he have been stuck with her words in the back of his mind forever? Oh, she had been so selfish. Shame flooded her as she thought of how badly her actions would have affected him. Burying her face in her hands, she finally let the emotion come through, and she felt her body begin to shake.

She had a lot of making up to do.

"So... I hear that Prince Loki is taking you out today." Elina's words were soft as she helped Freya into her dress, steadying her as she winced in pain, "Are you sure that you are fit to go horse riding?"

The wound was still hurting Freya when she stood up, sat down or had to bend in any way. So, she could understand Elina's concern about her riding horses with Loki. She knew that he would be gentle and take care of her, and she was so desperate to get out of the palace. She needed her freedom again.

"Loki will take care of me, Elina." She replied with a grin, "If there are any problems, he will bring me straight back here."

"You have only been awake for three days..." Elina said again, tying Freya's dress carefully, "Just... Please be careful."

"I will be." Freya answered quietly, turning to the young apprentice and embracing her as gently as possible, trying to hide the grunt of pain she almost made when she had to bend slightly to hug her, "You have been wonderful, Elina. I will forever be in your debt."

"Nonsense." Elina laughed sweetly, gasping as she saw Loki standing in the doorway of the healing room with a small smile on his face, "Oh! Your highness!"

She hurried to curtsey, earning a nod in return from Loki who turned his gaze straight to Freya, admiring her deep blue day gown. For some reason, since she had woken, Loki had looked at her differently, and she couldn't understand why. His eyes were softer, and his voice was more gentle. He touched her more too, which she wasn't really complaining about, but she had no idea why he was doing so.

"Good morning, Freya." He said with a warm grin, "You look lovely."

"Thank you." Freya replied, allowing him to kiss her hand, "As always, you look very handsome."

His cheeks reddened slightly as he bowed his head, looking up at her through his eyelashes. Confusion spread across Freya's eyes rather quickly. He was blushing? Loki, God of Mischief and Lies, was blushing? What had she missed in the two weeks she'd been unconscious? She dreaded to think what had gotten into him.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked her, watching as Elina placed one more flower into the back of her braid, "I only have the one horse ready. I thought it safer for you if we ride together."

"Where are we going?" Freya asked as Elina took a basket of medical supplies out of the room.

"We are going to your favourite royal garden for the day, but I thought that it would be better for you to go on horseback." Loki answered, grimacing with concern as Freya winced, placing a hand on her stomach again, "Are you sure you wish to go, Freya? You are still in pain."

"No, I am alright." Freya assured him, straightening herself and moving slowly towards him, "While we're out you can finish reading Sense and Sensibility. Your voice is soothing."

"Your wish is my command." Loki replied, picking up the book from the table beside Freya's bed, "Now, if you'll allow me, my lady."

He took her hand and pulled her into his side, supporting her around the waist. It was necessary that she had some help walking, due to the pain that she felt with each step she took. She probably wasn't fit enough to go out, but she couldn't stand another day indoors. They set off slowly, and only after a few steps, Freya had to stop, biting her lip as the soreness started to flood around her belly and back.

"Freya, this is clearly too much for you." Loki said quietly, "You cannot possibly go out if you are in this much pain."

"Please, do not let me spend another minute in this room." Freya pleaded through gritted teeth, "I need fresh air."

Loki nodded gently when he saw the look on her face. She was tired of feeling like an invalid. She was tired of being cooped up inside all day and she felt completely useless. The Freya he knew was a girl of nature, who loved to be outside, flying over Asgard or creating new flowers and animals with her magic. She didn't particularly enjoy being inside and sitting down all day. She wanted to be outside, exploring and going on adventures.

"Can you manage the walk down to the courtyard?" He asked softly, "It is a long journey."

"I do not know." Freya breathed, "I just wish to be outside."

Loki steadied her and then eased her onto a bed close to the door, hearing her let out a whimper as he did. He knew he would probably have to bring the horse up to her, which seemed rather ridiculous, but he had to do what was necessary. Freya wanted to go outside, so outside she would go. By any means necessary.

"I will go and fetch the horse." He said softly, placing the book on the bed beside her, "Rest yourself."

When Loki left her, Freya let out a half sob, clutching at her stomach. She was in a lot of pain but she couldn't let Loki or Elina see that. She needed to be outdoors and be with the nature she loved so much once again. She needed to just go and spend a lovely day with Loki, and get away from being babied by everybody around her. Erik had been a nightmare when he had visited her. He had been all over her, fussing over everything, asking her if she was alright if she so much as winced. It was growing so tiring.

Outraged shouts caught her attention though, and as the loud sound of hooves filled her ears, she knew that Loki had arrived with the horse.

"Loki! I demand to know what is going on!"

Freya gulped as she heard Odin's voice booming through the hallway, and as Loki jumped from his steed and left him outside the healing room, the Allfather followed him with strong strides, demanding answers from his youngest son. Loki helped Freya to her feet and supported her again, taking slow steps with her as they met Odin at the door to the healing room, the book held tightly to Freya's chest.

"Father, Freya needs to go outside and she cannot walk to the courtyard." Loki said quietly, "I have promised to take her to the gardens."

"So you ride through my palace on horseback?" Odin asked, "How do you expect the poor girl to mount the horse, Loki? If she can barely walk, she certainly cannot mount a horse."

Loki walked slowly with Freya towards his steed, gently rubbing the animal's nose and running his hand through the stallion's mane. With a warm grin, he looked into the horse's eyes, and then he gave his father a rather smug smile.

"Down." He said softly, and the horse, much to Odin and Freya's disbelief, began to lay on the hard floor beneath it, "Now, Freya... Come and sit down."

He eased her onto the saddle with her legs over one side, and then climbed on himself, holding onto her tightly as he tried to settle her securely. She was in his arms, warm, comfortable and without pain. She was more than happy. He patted the side of the horse's face gently, stroking his mane again.

"Up." He ordered quietly, smiling as the horse stood with them both on it before turning to his father, "This will not happen again, father. Not after today. I just did it to ease Freya's journey."

"Your chivalry does you credit." Odin told him, "Take care of her, Loki."

"I always do." Loki answered him with a polite nod of his head, "If you need me, we shall be in our garden."

Odin smiled knowingly and nodded in return, watching as his son clicked his tongue in the horse's ear gently to set it off walking, and his eye never left the pair until they were out of sight. When Frigga had told Odin to expect love in the air, the King hadn't known what she was talking about until he just saw Loki with Freya. Odin had never seen him be so gentle with the girl. Of course, they had always been very dear friends, but this was different. He had stayed by her every day as she had been comatose. He had taken the time to bond with her parents and to bond with Erik, despite it being clearly difficult. His son was making a real effort all for this one woman.

And of course it was no secret that Freya was madly in love with Loki. She had always had that look in her eyes when she gazed at him across the banquet table or across a room. So, perhaps Frigga was right. Maybe love was in the air. Perhaps there would be a wedding on the horizon, too.

As Odin's thoughts left him, he moved away from the healing room and back to the chambers he shared with Frigga. He suddenly realised that he had a lot to discuss with her.

-TBC-

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading so far!

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