Chp 10: All we needed was a purpose
Darcy tried to hide her nervousness but Frigga picked up on it right away.
"You are nervous dear?"
"Maybe." Frigga gave a kind smile realizing that even though she had seen the confidence in the woman that she must be making her nervous.
"Well don't be, you've made my son happy, so I'm happy. I have a feeling we will get along great. Now we must get going or we will miss our appointment."
"We have an appointment? Can I ask you where?"
"You will see..."
*A carriage ride later*
Sif barely spoke the entire ride, only faintly smiling at Jane and Darcy. They arrived at a shop that was seemingly a nice part of Asgard than the road they took to arrive at the palace.
"I told the boys to bring you girls sooner. Now we are in such a rush to get your dresses ready for the celebration."
Darcy held back her shock and awe of all the beautiful gowns on display in the room and even more of a shock that the queen had expected her come to Asgard. The tailor gave them permission to look at the dresses and find a style, fabric and color they each preferred and she would work her magic. Just when Darcy was about to reach out and touch what she knew would be a very soft fabric, the doors opened up again ushering in a woman with long blonde hair and fair skin. Darcy figured she was clearly of wealth and must have pretty high social standing to just waltz into the Queen of Asgard's dress fitting.
"Sorry I am late. The carriage was later than anticipated." Darcy saw Frigga's face flit over in annoyance for a moment, but it was so quick that if you were blinking you would have missed it.
"No mind Sigyn, we have just arrived ourselves. I take it your father is in counsel with the King?"
"Yes, I had come along hoping to have tea, and catch up before the festival tomorrow. All-father told me I had just missed you and I could meet you here. I apologize for not asking you before..."
"It's fine Sigyn. You are already aquatinted with Lady Sif." They nodded, Sif only stared. Sigyn turned toward Darcy and Jane.
"This is Lady Jane Foster of Midgard. She is soon-to-be the next Queen of Asgard." Sigyn's face dropped open.
"You must be who everyone is talking about. I've been excited to meet you!" She pulled Jane into a hug. Jane yelped slightly but hugged her back. Sigyn turned to Darcy with questioning eyebrows.
"And who are you?" Frigga stepped up again.
"This is Lady Darcy Lewis of Midgard she is Loki's escort for all of the festival activities."
The mood changed instantly as Sigyn tensed up. Darcy wasn't sure why everyone got so quiet but she didn't let that stop her from sticking her hand out so she could shake hands with her but she seemed zoned out, her hands clenching and unclench next to her sides.
"Hey are you okay?" She snapped out of it, her voice cold.
"I'm fine. Frigga you must show the dress you plan on wearing for the opening ball tomorrow."
And with that she marched past Darcy without another glance. Jane moved close as the three other women moved further into the store.
"Oookay that was odd."
"You're telling me I think I'm bruising from that hug..."
*Later*
Darcy felt odd with a servant walking behind her carrying her bags from the dress shop. She opened the door to Loki's room knowing he wouldn't be inside.
"Where would you like your items madam?" Darcy looked up and said to him
"I guess whatever door leads to the closet. But leave the first dress bag on the chair please."
"Door to the left."
Darcy smiled hearing Loki's voice. She hadn't expected to see him until dinner that she needed to change for. The servant actually coward slightly at the sound and sight of Loki's voice. He quickly did as asked and bowed to him.
"Leave."
The servant did not have to be told twice and practically ran from the room.
"I think you've scared him."
He sat down on the bed, with Darcy moving to stand in-between his widespread legs. When she was close enough he took grasp on her hips.
"We don't have time for that Loki."
"Says who?"
"The time your mother set for dinner." He paid no mind to her words and kissed the slightly visible midsection between her shirt and jeans. Darcy let a moan out before she could stop it and Loki knew his case had been won.
"So much for a good first impression..."
*The next day*
Darcy and Loki were about 5 minutes late to dinner and while Odin frowned at the two, Frigga just smiled in knowing and told Odin to let it go. Darcy bushed and took a seat next to Loki. That was when Odin dropped the bomb on the table
"Lady Jane with this harvest festival I think it is well beyond time for you to become a citizen of Asgard. Therefore you will test tomorrow at sunset."
Just like that the life Jane had known could end today. So Darcy had spent most of the night tossing and turning trying to think of a way to help Jane. Loki had no clue what the test was, and for all it was different and never the same. So there was no way to plan anything. Frustrated Darcy yelled "Fuck" and lay down in the plush sheets to sleep. Waking up the next day wasn't any better; Darcy was tired and wanted nothing but for this day to end and for Jane to be an Asgardian. She dressed in a neutral blue and gold gown with her hair braided into a fishtail. She would style it differently for the opening ball they had to attend later. Whether or not Jane passed the test she would still be allowed to spend a few hours after words with Thor. Darcy could only hope it would be in celebration. Loki dressed in formal wear minus the horned helmet. He walked behind Darcy and began to help her button up the back of her dress.
"You must relax. Jane will be fine and we shall celebrate into the night."
"I love you but you and I both know once Odin has it out for someone he will see to whatever plans he has for them. Jane is going to be doomed, Loki my best friend may not remember anything that makes her...her. Everything could change."
Darcy let tears fall from the corner of her eyes. No matter what the two have been through Jane was Darcy's best friend. Loki didn't have much of a response because she was dead on in her assessment of Odin. There was nothing he could say that would lessen the blow of what could happen to Jane if Odin got his way. All buttoned up she turned toward the door to leave.
"I am going to find Jane. I'll meet you in the dining hall for breakfast."
She left the room only to find Jane a few feet down the hall from Loki's room. Jane ran to Darcy, tossing her head onto her shoulder, tears falling from her eyes.
"Darcy, how can he do this?! I love Thor and now he's going to be lost to me forever."
Darcy hugged her friend back trying to stop the tears from coming out her own eyes.
"I won't let you forget Thor. I promise Odin will not tear you apart. I'm sure part of the test is the wait beforehand that psyches you out. You will be a great leader of Asgard."
Darcy felt Jane stop shaking in her arms.
"How about we take a walk until breakfast? Loki told me his mother's garden was beautiful this time of year."
Jane nodded and stood up straight and wiped her face clean. For the first time Jane was not the mother figure in this equation and Darcy was. She led her to the large garden, sitting them down in the grass.
"The only way you are going to get through this is if you have a clear head…"
*Sunset*
The entire day was tinged with sadness and restlessness. Darcy had spent the day trying to keep calm with either Jane or Loki. Inwardly she was panicky, but outwardly she kept a poker face. Before she could blink, it seemed the sun was beginning to set, and while the rest of the palace was getting ready for the Ball, the royal family including Darcy and Jane were being led down into a series of dark tunnel and eventually led to a large room that seemed to be an old grand ballroom that was out of use and needed better upkeep. The light came on the instant they stepped in the antiquated room, and Odin stepped in the middle of it. Jabbing Gunir into the ground twice in the same spot the ground began to shake and suddenly Jane was no longer standing next to them and was in a pit below them and they were all on a high pedestal.
"This test will determine whether or not you are worthy of being Aseir, and worthy of title of Queen of Asgard. During this test you will not be permitted to scream, or call for help of any kind. Any of these actions will be considered a forfeit of the test and will see to your departure and your memory of Asgard, Thor, and anything related will be erased for your life, never to be returned. Do you accept this challenge Jane Foster of Midgard?"
She looked Thor in the eyes, and then back at Odin.
"Yes, I accept."
"Very well, let the test begin now."
He tapped Gunir on the ground once more and the ground closed above Jane. They could not see Jane and Jane could not see them.
"How long does she have to stay down there?"
Darcy asked calmly doing her best not to pace and show her powers.
"However long I deem fit mortal."
Odin said it with such finality that Darcy didn't open her mouth again. Instead she took a different approach. She channeled into Jane's brain, which at the moment was clouded with fear, in doing what she did Darcy was able to see what Jane could see during the test. As soon as she joined Jane's brain, she began to comfort her. It was very subtle and should Odin suspect her of getting any help she could be honest in the fact that she didn't. It was a shrouded figure who was brushing Jane's hair back, whispering in her ear.
"You aren't worthy of Thor. He could do so much better than the likes of you."
Jane stayed silent; Darcy countered what the figure said to her.
"Thor loves you more than anything in this universe."
The figure continued this time taking it a step further, making a scene appear in front of her. It showed Thor in a large bed, a woman climb astride him, Darcy couldn't see her face, but the two were obviously enjoying themselves. Her hair was dark and for a moment Darcy thought it was Sif, but the woman looked over her shoulder and Darcy had rein her surprise so she didn't alert anyone she was in Jane's head. The dark haired woman was her!
"See you poor little mortal, why settle for you when according to your fear, there is much worthier women for him. All you have to do is go tell him so and it will be."
Darcy spoke in her mind again.
"The only thing wrong with this picture is that Thor should be Loki, because that is who she is love with and besides let's not forget that unfortunate time I walked in on Darcy and Loki having sex and she has a lot more swivel in her hips."
Darcy laughed at that memory, she jumped off Loki so fast that she almost exposed Loki to Jane, if he hadn't made another cover appear on himself she would have gotten a bigger eyeful than she got. The figure scoffed.
"You are strong willed child, I'll give you that."
The skeleton fingers brushed across Jane's face then faded away. Darcy wasn't sure how long this test was supposed to last and just when she thought it was over, she felt Jane suddenly being pulled backward, an angry Malekith hovering over her face. Malekith spoke chillingly to the other dark elves that dragged a bloody and beaten Thor.
"If you had just given me my Aether Thor would be just under my dominion, but now I must use extreme measures to get what belongs to me. He shall die for your ignorance. I would not die so easy and you were foolish to believe I would forget you."
Darcy could feel Jane's resolve breaking.
"Malekith cannot defeat Thor. Too many people have his back for that. It's fake, stay silent."
Jane clenched her mouth shut, tears rolling down her eyes as Malekith disposed of Thor before her eyes. Suddenly light began to shine from ahead and Darcy pulled out of Jane's mind, glad to see from her own body again. Loki gripped her waist; signaling he knew she was back in her own body. His eyes glinted with mischievousness. Darcy smiled.
"Lady Jane of Midgard you did not say a word…"
Jane nodded and smile before suddenly tossing her cookies all over the dull floor. Darcy wasn't sure if she ever had seen such a face satisfaction but one look at Odin's face told her she hadn't.
"Jane Foster of Midgard you have been found unworthy of citizenship in Asgard, unworthy of your memories, and unworthy of to be the wife of Thor. I CAST YOU OUT!"
A portal opened from the floor, and she was sucked into it before any of them could blink. Darcy had never gotten so angry so fast and deeply in her life. Her eye began to glow bright gray, Loki noticed before anyone else could and put on illusion her eyes so they could turn back to brown. Unfortunately he couldn't stop anything else. The largest thunder crack anyone had ever heard sounded directly over of the palace. Loki knew it had to be a combined effort from Thor and Darcy's concentrated ire. Thor was the first to explode.
"HOW COULD YOU FATHER I DEMAND YOU BRING HER BACK THIS INSTANT!"
"My decision is final."
Darcy was next to let go only she held no affinity for the man so anything was liable to come out her mouth, especially knowing that Jane passed that test.
"WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT BULLSHIT?!"
"Mortal you would do best to stay out of affairs in which you have no place."
"OH FUCK THAT! YOU DO REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO HER?! HOW INTERTWINED ALL OF OUR LIVES WERE?!..."
A silencing spell hit her before she could comprehend it was being sent her way.
"Loki control her now, before she suffers the same fate as the other mortal. Now my decision is final, she is weak; her body cannot even handle a bit of fear. Irrational fear, how could she rule by your side as your queen and she cannot even hold her stomach. You will let her go and that is it."
Darcy had never seen Thor so broken then when Odin decreed he could not go after her, and as for Darcy, she would not be able to find her or remind her of anything related to Thor. According to the spell he said he placed on her. It was a bunch of bullcrap, and Darcy wanted nothing more than to strangle Odin.
"She passed the test fairly, and for you to give her the hardest that exists in our history was grossly unfair, father some of our best warriors have not been able to pass that test, yet she did. And she is not worthy of me? Maybe it not she who is not worthy of me, but you."
Frigga who had been silent during the entire debacle finally spoke up.
"My king I urge of you to reconsider. Jane has done what you've asked of her, and I have put much effort into readying her for the throne. I must warn you, of the consequences of your choice. It may cost you both of your sons."
Something in Odin seemed to snap. "
I have but one son! The one that will rule will have a queen that I deem fit to rule."
Darcy felt the pressure of Loki's grip on her waist, more rage built up in her. Odin's silencing spell was weak and it broke without much prodding from Darcy.
"You have the most callous man I have ever met. You cannot pretend to raise someone for most of their lives and renounce him as you fit! Loki get me out of here before I cause some major family riffs that cannot be repaired."
Loki looked at Odin; a mask of indifference covered his true emotions.
"It matters not, that is bridge burned long ago."
Loki guided Darcy through the maze of hallways, Thor close behind them, his face of displeasure on, so that everyone moved out of their way on the way to what she was assuming was Loki's room. Once safely inside Loki waved a silencing spell on the room, and Darcy watched as Thor fell to his knees and rain began to pour from the sky and his eyes. 30 minutes later a soft knock sounded Loki's door, and Loki continued to look out the window at the rain waving his hand to unlock the door. Frigga feeling the wards lift she let herself in the room. Her face fell even further as she looked at Thor resting his head on the edge of the bed, knees still on the floor, Loki glancing and glaring out a window and Darcy's wet face.
"My children I am very sorry about Jane. I will do everything in my abilities to help find her, but your father has shielded her well. I can see the outcome of this and he knows not what he's done."
She sat down on the bed, not flinching as Thor moved to rest his head in her lap.
"It will be okay. The first role to fixing this is to get you all back to Midgard. I cannot do that until tomorrow, but it will be done."
Loki turned toward her suspiciously.
"Why not tonight?"
"Odin has decreed you three banned from bifrost travel until then."
Loki looked at his mother incredulously.
"That man is crazy mother."
"Your father has a purpose to everything he does."
Thor rose up from the position he had been in.
"Mother this is the first time I have doubted whether this is for the good of the kingdom or just what he desires for himself."
Frigga looked down at her hands before standing. She smoothed out her dress and said
"I understand your ire my son but this is the hand you were dealt. Now will you pout or will do everything in your collective powers to find her?"
Determined the trio nodded in understanding.
"Good I was hoping you'd agree. Now get dressed for the ball. We must convince your father that we have understood his command. I must go now."
Frigga flurried out the room, Thor followed her out to go to his own room. Darcy who was a bit crestfallen looked at Loki. Understanding why he kissed the top of her head.
"My mother would not have suggested the idea if this won't work."
Darcy got up and pulled the gorgeous custom green and black gown from the closet. Not wanting to waste her time she just magicked the clothes on her body, and waving her hand so invisible hands undid the braid from earlier and brushed her hair into soft waves. She did her make-up manually leaving it natural looking. Loki told her she looked beautiful as always and stuck out an arm for her to take as she walked to the grand ballroom. As they were announced into the ballroom, people gawked at the couple. Shocked that the dark prince could have a date, let alone in one as gorgeous and graceful as the one who stood next to him. Darcy smiled and nodded at all the right times, playing her role as the domicile consort whenever Loki had to engage in talking to others about political matters, and anything Odin wished to include him on to make them all seem like one big, happy, powerful family. Thor smiled, but Darcy could see the sadness in his eyes, because his smile never once touched the corners of his eyes. She tapped Loki on his arm, saying she would be right back. He nodded understanding that she wanted to talk to Thor. She stood next to him as he watched those on who were on the dance floor, float by.
"Tough night huh?"
Thor looked at her and gave her a sad smile. He missed Jane and the thought that he may never see her again was really tearing him apart inside.
"More than I hope you will never be able to imagine Lady Darcy."
"Thor how many times have I told you to call me Darcy? Plus I made a promise to Jane that I intend to keep. No one, not even all-father will stop me from that. Also I know how it feels to lose the one person you love more than anything in this universe."
Thor looked up, over to Loki then back to me. For him it was kind of like a light switch being cut on, he knew they were together but he hated to admit that he never expected their affection to run so deep.
"You truly love my brother?"
"Without a shadow of a doubt. Thor you promise me that no matter what happens to me or to Loki that you will not give up on Jane. Find her even if I'm not there to help you." Thor's blue eyes locked with her own.
"You have my word."
She wanted to hug him but being Loki's date, that wouldn't be appropriate. She settled for sharing a smile and turning to face to crowd, but what she saw did nothing but piss her off...