Haunted

by GreenNGold19

Set after the events in the Avengers. Loki is returned to face his punishment from the court of Asgard. He is sentenced to live in his Jotun form until the court deems him fit to serve as Prince of Asgard again. But a visiting princess may cause Loki to see his punishment as more of a blessing in disguise. This is my first story so please read and review. Loki/OC

11. Chapter 10

Thanks so much to everyone who left reviews. Shadow Realm Triforce, I'm planning on exploring the toll that the prophecy has taken on Sarina in later chapters. NikitaFuryaHaywire and Iwolf thanks for the encouragement! Guest, your review made me Welcome to the new story followers/favorites: ballofstring66, LocaMonkey24, indy's girl, ian904, Science Queen, Sgoilear, Biscuits1107, Veeaay and LadySuilenroc! The next chapter will be longer and I hope to have it up sometime this week!I do not own any of the characters (associated with Marvel comics) except my original characters Sarina, Kayan and Shah.

An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth

Want someone to hurt you, make you die the way I do

I don't think that I could be so

Cold hearted

~ Coldhearted

Chapter 10

The Throne Room of Asgard was second only in size to the Great Hall. Golden walls shone in the flickering light cast by hundreds of torches. If she had been here for any other reason Sarina might have found it beautiful. Now it stood merely as a façade. A mask that to hide the true inner workings of the Asgardian court.

Sarina did not even realize that she was biting her tongue until the sharp, metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. Thor had all but begged her to come with him to entreat the All-Father to restore Loki's magic. The discussion was not going well to say the very least and her blood was beginning to boil.

"Father, I beg you to see reason!" Thor pleaded. Odin's face remained stoic as he gazed upon his child. The God of Thunder was crestfallen at his father's utter lack of compassion for his youngest son.

"Restoring your brother's abilities now would make me appear weak to the members of the court" The All- Father's golden armor shimmered in the torchlight of the Throne Room as he descended the steps to stand before his son. "And we cannot be certain that your brother will not try to cause more unrest here in Asgard."

Thor refused to look at his father. Instead he kept his eyes locked onto the cold marble floor of the throne room. What kind of man would stand by while his child suffered needlessly?

Taking a deep, trembling breath Sarina stepped forward. "I may yet live to regret this" she thought desperately. "…but it must be done"

"You do mean to say your son, do you not All-Father?"

Odin turned to face Sarina with astonishment written across his wizened features. She was all but certain that he had forgotten that she was even present.

Sarina decided to use his surprise to her advantage. "Throughout this entire conversation you have referred to Loki only as Prince Thor's brother but never as your son. Have you given up on him so easily?"

"Princess, you forget that you have no place in this court and therefore no right to question how I choose to refer to its occupants!" Odin all but growled. "It would serve you well to hold your tongue."

The look of rage that sprang into Odin's eye should have made Sarina quail before the mighty King of Asgard. Instead she found that it caused the words to roll off of her tongue more freely. "I may have no place in this court All-Father that is true but I do have a vested interest in the welfare of Prince Loki as you are well aware! You should want to protect a relic such as he that was so hard won. After all, a damaged relic is of no use to a king or his kingdom."

Sarina now stood directly in front of Odin. Thor would later tell of the fire that sprang into her eyes as she defended Loki. Save for Lady Sif, he had never seen a woman fight with such determination and purpose.

A silence fell upon the throne room as Odin considered Sarina's harsh words. Frigga had spoken with him early concerning the princess's interest in Loki as a possible suitor. His younger son might still prove useful as a tool to strengthen Asgard's political alliances but he would not be held responsible if Loki chose to rebel again.

Grasping Thor by the shoulders Odin forced his eldest son to meet his gaze. "I will return Loki's magic on one condition. Thor, if your brother chooses to once again betray the trust of this family I will hold you personally responsible. Do you understand?"

A mixture of hope and relief flashed across Thor's strong features. "Of course, father. Loki will not betray you again of that I am certain."

"So be it," Odin said rapping his golden staff against the room's marble floor. "I rescind the punishment leveled against Loki of Asgard and return to him the magic which is his"

With a sense of awe Sarina watched as a brilliant emerald light rose from the tip of Odin's staff and gradually filtered into the surrounding air.

Thor was breathing heavily by the time that he and Sarina reached Loki's bedchambers; he had run nearly the entire way. Bursting through the door, he quickly knelt by the bedside of his younger brother with a look of hopeful anticipation.

Astonished by the man she saw lying on the bed Sarina remained in the doorway for a moment allowing her mind to come to terms with what her eyes were seeing. Gone was the cerulean skin of a Jotun. In its place sat alabaster skin nearly as pale as the marble that had covered the throne room floor. "So this is the visage that Prince Thor grew up seeing," she thought taking in the sharp contours of Loki's face that were now clearly visible.

"Has he stirred since we have been gone?" Thor questioned Kayan who had remained behind to watch over Loki. "Father agreed to rescind his punishment."

Kayan shot his sister a worried glance as he answered the Golden Prince. "No, he has not. Sand Lotus nectar is a difficult poison to draw out. It will not be simple."

Tears threatened to spill from Sarina's eyes as she saw the devastation that filled Thor's eyes at what Kayan had said.

Clutching his brother's limp hand in his own Thor turned to look at Sarina. "Please, speak plainly with me. Will Loki survive?"

At first, unsure of how to respond Sarina took a moment to sit down at Loki's side and take hold of his hand in the same way that Thor had. Placing her thumb against the vein in his wrist she felt the strong pulse throbbing beneath the pale skin. Loki was fighting the poison even as they spoke. Regardless of whether or not there were any outward signs. "He will fight," she stated simply.

Smiling Thor gazed at his brother's sleeping form. "Aye, if there is one thing that Loki knows how to do well it is fight"