A/N: I can FINALLY post this chapter! After rereading it and after my beta read it and gave me the go ahead, I'm posting it dammit! I think I'm down to once a month updates now, guys/gals, like Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. That show has gotten AWESOME by the way.
Time for thanks! I've gained a few new followers: TheVoiceInYourHead-x, The Swiftstar, PrettyRecklessLaura, T-Angel, FaZerbaby, and MsLogan. Someone,also, favored this story: ReadingRose459. With all of these people, I've also gained a few voters: Re (Guest), Steph (Guest), and Amongthemoonandstars. With each vote I'm closer to the absolute outcome of this story. And although they are not a part of this site, I'm giving a special shout out to Kivutar and mutantinthetardis. Kivutar left a comment on my archive account that had me rewrite the whole scene regarding Thor and Tessa, which I hope you all like. I think it's better than what I originally had. Mutantinthetardis left several suggestions in the comments of archive.
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Ch. 12: Worse than Mere Monsters
I glower up at the smiling man; my face an absolute scowl. "My life has NOT been a lie! I can return at any time I want to…Midgard." I cross my arms under my chest with my chin held up high. I heard the others say that name before, right?
"Then, what are you doing here so late at night? Surely, you aren't here to visit me?"
"Oh course not! I was looking for the kitchen."
The man cocks his head to the side a small bit and raises a dark brow, a cocky smirk on his thin lips. "As you can see this isn't the kitchens, dear Princess. So, why are you here?" He spreads his hands out in display. "Why haven't you left when you saw the endless darkness and tortured souls?"
I blink up at him. My shoulders slack and I look around the endless darkness. Fear creeps up along my back with the knowing that there really are monsters in this place. At the very end of the stretching room is a small speck of flickering light. I could run towards it, while fighting off the shadowy hands and not look back at…. What's his name?
Looking back at his eager, mischievous green eyes, I ask, "Who are you?"
"I asked you a question first."
"That doesn't mean anything." I shake my head at him, finding it absurd that he'll use that type of childish logic.
"With something as valuable as my name, it does mean something. Now answer mine and I'll answer yours."
I glare up at him; hoping my steely gaze will render him to give me answers. His cocky ass smirk doesn't give under my gaze and neither does his mocking eyes. He reminds me of my cousins – arrogant and all-knowing.
"Fine!" I give, lightly stomping my foot. "My curiosity got the best of me and I couldn't leave until I saw what was in this cage." I gesture to his illuminated and poorly furnished cell. "Yours is the only one that has light. Now answer my question!"
Could he see the little boy or the light coming from my necklace?
"You've only answered one of my questions, Princess. There are two before that one."
"I've already told you! My life isn't a lie and when I find out a way to return I will without a backwards glance." I notice a fleeting emotion cross his green eyes, before he schools his expression. I walk up to him; ignoring the screaming smarter half of myself saying not to. "I am NOT Odin's daughter or Thor's sister."
"And if you are? What will you do? Odin will not let you go."
"That's a new question. Answer mine and I'll answer yours." I have to ignore the bite in his tone and the disdain I feel gnawing in me. He's asking so many questions that involve me being someone I'm not – living a life I've never had – like the rest of them.
"My apologies, Princess," he gives me a mock bow, his eyes never leaving mine. "My name is Loki."
An image comes to my mind at his name: a tall hunched man with a sneer on his pointed face, dressed in black, green, and gold. On top of his head rests a large golden helmet with equally large curved horns. His dark green, beady eyes hold a glimmering gleam of knowing and mischievous-ness. Below his name is…
"You're the God of Lies and Mischief." I whisper in disbelief, not hearing him completely as I look him up and down. A tight and uncomfortable ball gathers in my stomach and the lump from earlier returns.
There's another glimmer of an unreadable emotion in his eyes, before it's gone in the blink of an eye.
"You've heard of me?" Loki purrs, his smirk widening with glee.
Swallowing the lump in my throat and ignoring the ball in my gut, I remind myself that I've faced far worse than this guy. "You're in a mythology book – along with everyone else most likely. If I do say, the picture of you in the book is pretty accurate." I tell him a white lie. The angular face with its noticeable high cheekbones, green eyes, black hair, and the mischievous persona are true; however, he doesn't seem…evil. Intimidating as all sorts of hell, but not evil.
If I listen closely I can see something beyond his twisted and playful words. Beneath his eyes are dark, droopy bags and he speaks in such a way it's possible that he hasn't had a decent conversation in a while. His proud stance almost seems forced, too, as if he's hurting.
I remember seeing something in the passage next to his picture. A name and a relation. "If you are the son of Odin—"
"Am not!" His eyes are suddenly ablaze with a mix of hate and rage.
I step back at the force of his words and continue as if I hadn't heard him, "Then why are you in here?" I make my point by gesturing to the rows of inmates and dankness. For someone of royalty – even if it's not by blood – I'd accept better arrangements.
Loki's eyes flicker up and down as he looks at me. His hateful expression melts to show a glimpse of disappointment, before it changes to an unreadable façade. In a form of dejected hope, he says, "You do not know what I have done?"
"I don't know much of anything here," I say with a shrug of a shoulder. "Other than you're mentioned in a children's book and Thor is part of the Avengers." I cast a glance around me, searching for a sign of someone saving me, only to find no one. I look back up at him.
His smirk does nothing to bring the playful shimmer back in his eyes. I tighten my arms around me in an attempt to keep out the chill from crawling up my spine at his broken expression.
What did I say?
He leans down until his eyes are level with mine and, in a soft detached voice, he tells me, "I am the one who attacked your precious city."
I do not hide my shock; wide eyes and mouth agape. My body even goes slack at the force of the knowledge. This man is that monster? He is; he attacked a city and killed people! Looking at him, he doesn't seem like he'd do such at thing.
Yet, here he is – a cell far away from any favorable company.
He IS evil.
I can't even find any words to say to him as I look at the floor. I want to scream at him, bang on the glass, and all these things that I could put my life in jeopardy. I see myself doing all of these things that I want to do, yet I'm standing there looking at the floor.
I look up at him with tears in my eyes; I can't figure out—I can NEVER figure out why some individuals attack the innocent.
"Why?" Is all I can ask him.
His expression remains unreadable with that insufferable smirk on his lips. "A human life is short and pathetic. They are filled with such greed and ignorance that it is unfathomable. They cannot see through the allure that freedom is a lie and that they scramble for it and power. As if it's a tangible thing. Those pathetic insects were made to be ruled and you know this. Do not attempt to block out my words, for you know how true they are!"
I had to turn away from him and clamp my hands over my ears. His words somehow managed to break through them and whisper themselves in my head. "Shut up," I weakly tell him desperately trying not to cry. So many people were hurt and still are hurting from the devastation.
"You are a GODDESS!" He bangs against the glass, his words seething out. "Even before now you had people kneeling before you in your glory; wishing to catch the slightest glimpse of you. They craved what you have: power and the freedom to do as you pleased. And in seeing you they knew they could not possess them. They threw themselves at you like wild animals starved; screaming your name, begging for your gaze, smile, and caress."
"Shut up," I whisper through clenched teeth; desperation turning to hate. He knows nothing of my life! How could he? He wasn't there to watch me grow up; my parents, family, Madison, and Tom were. No one here knows me for me! They only know HER!
"Even when you were lost—taken they prayed to you. Praying, like pathetic children, for something other than power and freedom, a far more intangible thing they could never truly have: peace. You ARE the Goddess of Peace and Lightning, younger TWIN sister of Thor, and DAUGHTER of Odin. You will NEVER see Midgard again."
"SHUT UP!" I screech, whirling around to face, seething mad, as a bolt of light crackles from my waving hand and leaves a black char on the lighted pavement. The light from the end of the chamber flickers noticeably through the agape door.
I let out a shuttering gasp and stare at my uninjured hand and the arch of char.
Loki had stepped away when the threat had licked at his cage with wide eyes. His shock is short lived and his shoulders shake with a sadistic laugh as a smirk rises upon his thin lips. He raises his gaze from the floor and attempts to look down the stretch of darkness to the dancing lights with a smile on his lips. His gaze fluidly shifts back down to me. Dare I say I see a glimmer of recognition and mirth in his eyes?
"You have grown far more violent in the past years." His voice is soft and delicate, as if not to quarrel my anger further. Although, there is still mockery in his face.
"What are you doing here?" Thor's voice suddenly booms off the silent walls.
I jump at hearing his deep, recognizable voice; it breaking me out of my own state of shock. Turning to him with an immense amount of gratitude, I can't help but smile at him. I don't run to him though, fearing that there are more monsters within the shadows and what he'd do to me once I'd reach him.
He speedily walks towards me, his footsteps nearly silent at their quick steps. Seeing him in the cell's light I see he's dressed in Medieval-like night clothes. The warmth of his hands gently clamp down on my shoulders. I shiver at the heat of them seeping into me. I haven't realized how cold I was until now.
One hand leaves my shoulder to cradle the side of my face; and I instinctively hold it to my cheek. The rough, calloused hand is just like it was when he brushed away stray strands of my hair or brushed his fingers against my cheek when I was unresponsive to everything. As a whole, it practically takes up the whole side of my face.
"You should not be here," he says softly, staring into my eyes with concern. "Come." His hand on my shoulder slides to my waist and he brings his warmth with him. I easily relax into him; searching for some form of comfort. Any form of comfort will do at this point.
"Dear Thor," Loki purrs and the tranquility is shattered. "Surely you do not intend on taking her away, do you? We were just getting to know one another."
"Not now, Loki." Thor growls, walking down the dark and I press myself closer to him.
"Very well, then. I will be here if you wish to continue our discussion, Princess. Please, come again soon."
I am not a princess!
Thor's strides are large and fast, and it takes all of my self-control not to trip or to hold onto him for my life. We do not waste time to gaze at all the monsters or talk in this jail room. I don't want to anyway, not after meeting Loki. How could he have done such a thing and attack innocent people? How could anyone do such a thing? And those aliens…. A shudder racks through my body at the distant memory of them. They were either on the ground firing at people or flying in the air with those other…monsters. I can't repress the memory of those scaled, over whale sized, airborne THINGS soaring throughout the skies anymore. They and the humanoid ones caused destruction everywhere they went. People were running around blindly, screaming for loved ones, and searched for shelter. I helped those that I could; yet, I wish I could forget what I have seen.
Too much…it was all too much.
And, even after the massive attack, people had the audacity to steal. Not even important things such as food or water; just stupid electronics and things like that. My body begins to throb at the memory of everything pinning me down to the hard sidewalk.
"Are you alright, Tessa?" The sudden sound of Thor's voice breaks my attention to him.
I blink up at him with wide eyes. "What did you just say?"
"I asked if you were alright."
"No, not that." I shake my head at him, before looking up at him as we walk to…somewhere. "You said my name, didn't you?"
"Of course," he shifts his eyes about before looking back down to me, "that is your name, correct?"
"Yes, but…I didn't think anyone here knew my name. How do you know it?" Suspicion begins to crawl up my back and claw its way into my head. Thoughts of Loki crack and crumble as I wonder how Thor knows my name.
"Your handmaiden, Madison, mentioned it when I visited Midgard." Before I can take an intake of breath, he continues, "She is very protective of you – a noble and honorable trait. She threatened me upon sight and did hit me."
A small lopsided smile makes its way across my lips at the thought of little pixie Madison hitting a big, intimidating guy like Thor. Threatening him, too. I'm very proud of her right now.
"Once her anger was quelled, she asked about you until she was satisfied."
"What did you tell her?" I ask with a quirked up brow, watching the firelight dancing off his face. He doesn't seem like a bad guy anymore. He has that princely trait that all women love; tall, fair, muscularly large, kind, and just…warm. His blue eyes glimmer and dance in the passing torch light.
Don't trust him. A voice whispers in my head. Trust no one who resides here; they'll hurt you.
"I told her you are not in any danger here; that you're safe and were treated for your condition. That you're no longer bleeding conspicuous amounts at odd times in the day and night."
I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water. He told her the truth? Well…damn!
"Thank you," I say genuinely, smiling up at him.
"You are welcome." He beams proudly.
We continue to walk down the long, golden hall with silence enveloping us. I feel at peace with him, as strange as it sounds, and I desperately search for a sense of loathing towards him and his family.
Hold on to it, I tell myself. They do not deserve my gratitude or admiration. No of it!
"Do you honestly think you're doing something that can help me," I carefully tell him, hurt and anger mixed with my words, "when all you've and your family have done thus far is cause me nothing but aggravation!" I tear away from him, glaring up at shadowed face, watching how loud I'm getting as I grasp onto a thread of hate. "And you expect me to believe the whole "blood changing" thing that everyone here – wherever HERE is exactly – is so keen on? I am not some dumb blonde who can't think! I want answers!"
Thor's massive chest rises and falls with a heavy sigh. When he rubs his scruff covered jaw it seems to add a few years to his person. Worry riddles within his eyes. "I am truly sorry for all the pain my family has caused you, Tessa Rosalin Maberry of Jersey and York. Daughter of Abraham and Rosabella Maberry. My mother and father were just so happy to know you are alive." His smile is sad and weak – forced. I know that he isn't seeing me either, no matter how many times he says my name and birth place.
He's making an effort though.
I cross my arms under my chest as I refuse to give in to his words and sad puppy-like expression. "Tell me everything you know."
Thor nods with reluctance shining in his eyes. "First," he begins, "let me take you to the kitchens. I am sure you are starving."
At the reminder of food, my stomach lets out a loud unladylike gurgling sound. I don't let that sound and its perfect timing embarrass me though. I nod and tell him to lead the way.
We pass pockets of guards as walk down endless halls. They stop us and tell us I cannot be out of my chambers unless it is to join the King and Queen.
"She is with me," Thor said to them. "My mother and father are asleep in their chambers and she is hungry. If you fear the wrath of the Terrible One, have him ask for me and I will come." After that we walked on our way without any interruption from them.
My breath is taken away once we enter the kitchen. It's large in every sense of the word. There is a high, immaculate ceiling above us and tall glass windows along the back wall. I follow behind Thor, running my hand over the smooth and cool unidentified stone islands. There are a lot of islands, stations all of which are empty and sparkling clean. On the opposite side of the windows are all the appliances to prepare the meals. They all seem medieval, but also easy to use. I dare not say modern for there's nothing modern about their appearance.
"Please," Thor says gesturing towards a long table, "have a seat." Thor makes his way to a golden framed and glass door cupboard.
I watch him from the corner of my eye as I take a seat at the head of the table. He gathers a large loath of bread, a jar of red jam, and a covered plate of dry sliced meat. Along with the actual food he cradles two copper plates, goblets, and silver ware in his arms. As he makes his way towards the table I instinctively go to get up.
"Do you need any help?" I ask, hand on the edge of the table.
"Nay, I'm all right." He expertly places the plates down and the silver ware in front of me and where he'll sit. This action is quickly followed by the goblets resting near them. Between the plates he sets the food down. After, filling the goblets with a deep red and very strong smelling liquid he sits down.
Slicing the good smelling bread, he says, "My apologies that it isn't much. It's the first thing that I could think of that would be easy to fill our plates and sate our stomachs."
I look at him while filling my plate with a few slices of meat, which look like odd slices of bacon or something, and taking a portion of the bread. "It's okay." I carefully tell him, studying his easy movements. Despite his large and bulky exterior, he isn't lumbering about with his actions. He hasn't a care in the world right now; not cautious like me. Not frightened like me.
My hand burns and itches at the fresh reminder of what recently transpired. Ignoring the nauseating reminder, I attempt to hide it by spreading the strawberry smelling jam on my slice of bread. At least they have strawberries here.
I can't keep the nausea down and the words spew from my mouth. "Loki said I was a goddess. The Goddess of Peace and Lightening. Is that true?"
"My sister was. My family and I believe you are her, so in a way, aye."
"Was she…powerful?" I begin to scratch at my hand under the table.
"Very," a smirk crosses his lips, a flicker of happiness filters across his eyes. "At a very young age she was this…peaceful little girl. Nothing really bothered her; unless her family, friends, or the people of Asgard where threatened. She helped them. When she smiled or looked at them or just held their hand, you could see them relax. Be at peace.
"The powers she possessed over nature were a sight to behold. There were times I was afraid. Not of her, but of the raw strength of it."
A single side of my lips quirk up; a little girl has that affect on people? Amazing.
Licking my lips to rid of the strawberry residue, I ask my next question, "How was she with animals?" The recent events and his explanations, the puzzle pieces begin to fall and connect with each other. If I ask the right questions, everything will come together.
Thor throws his head back and lets out a hearty laugh. "Amazing! They all loved her – even our most troubling animals!"
My hand gently cups the underside of the goblet as I gently swirl its contents inside. Thor goes on how his sister was with the horses (mainly one named Sleigh-pear...Spleener…or something like that) and the other animals and how they'd hoard around her when she was near. I remember when the animals at my parents' farm did that; the horses, pigs, chickens, all of them.
They all felt at peace.
"She even made Loki and I stop fighting." Thor finishes with a forlorn expression.
"Loki…is…your brother?"
"I still believe so, aye." He gives me a single nod. "So much time has passed and I rarely go to visit him – only on the occasion where I sought his advice when I first dreamt of my sister. We've known each other since we were boys; we were raised together." Thor raises his hands to hold an invisible infant. "I saw grow from this small baby to a man. All those times we had…I cannot just toss all those memories aside."
Much like with you. I silently add. I stare down at my plate of food, hoping for it to give me the answers I greedily want. It doesn't give me anything.
"And…the lightning part? With her being the Goddess of Peace, I'd think the lightning bit contradicts with that. And you said she had a raw power over nature." There's a part of me that tells me that I need to change the subject. That the wounds Loki has caused are still too fresh. Hell, I'm still upset at what I just discovered.
"Do not be mistaken by her title of Peacekeeper – she is a true force of power if the situation should arise. There were times where I saw a glimpse of a warrior in her eyes and felt the anger boiling deep insider her. The sky would turn gray—no, black and the fire would burst forth – fire and lightning are one of the same element – and in the black clouds lightning would dance down to the earth. She never said a word to anyone how she felt in those moments; the unintentional reactions she caused would do that for her."
After swallowing a large gulp of the STRONG red alcohol (a form of wine, maybe), he continues, "She would stand perfectly still with a cold expression, so cold there was no life in her eyes, in front of an open window with the storm raging outside behind her. The cold wind would bellow around her and she'd pay no mind. In those moments everyone was reminded of who she truly was: Odindottir. Goddess of Peace and Lightning. Peacekeeper between Thor and Loki. Princess of Asgard. Together she and I were a Storm."
"She lent you her powers?" I eat a small bit of the meat, savoring the salty taste, with my "lightning hand" flat against my stomach. I remember the storm I was in when Thor came to take me away. I didn't cause that, did I?
"More than once," he says with a smile. "You've heard that she would keep me at peace during my adventures, aye? While you were still?"
When I nod, he says, "Those moments in our connection; she felt what I did and so kept me at peace. Then, there were times she completely given up her Lightning to help me. I was told she was weak in those moments." A look of helplessness crosses his face. "Time and time again she helped me like that – weakening herself to see that I survive."
These people aren't monsters. No matter what news, magazines, or anyone says I won't believe them. They don't see the pain or hurt or loss in their eyes. There is only one monster that lives on this planet and he is floors beneath us.
I close my eyes to block out the thought of that man…that-that-that-that MONSTER being related to me. That monster is a cold-blooded killer that tried to enslave my world, my home. He was the one who initiated the attack by those…alien things. He would've done anything to obtain my home and for what selfish cost?
He worse than a monster.
Taking a deep breath I look up at Thor, whose shredding large chunks off of his slides of meat with complete ease and not a care in a world. If I am this Princess of Asgard and I'm Thor's sister, Loki and I would not be related by blood. Thank God for that; I could never be related to such a fiend.
"What about the blood?" I ask, biting off another corner of the bread. "Frigga said something about my "blood changing.""
Thor's chest rises and falls with a great sigh as he leans back in his chair. He looks up at the ceiling with his eyes flickering back and forth. Once his words are found he looks at me with a neutral, calming expression. "Back in the life when we were brother and sister, and you were Princess of Asgard, you were an Aesir – as am I and nearly most who reside here.
"Many years ago, a little over twenty-five years ago, this kingdom was attacked by unknown race. They took you – my sister at the time – away from us." Remorse takes over his sleepy face as he reaches over to push back a stubborn blonde lock of my hair. "It was during that time when they forced you to drink a potion – none know how that was possible without physical harm to you…."
A dull pain begins to throb in my left side. It's a deep type of pain, starting between two of my lower ribs and it runs deep into my body. I can feel the sharp point of the pain end just below my lung. I can see myself scowling at the white starburst birthmark in my mirror at home, where that pain starts is where that birthmark resides. It's hidden under my large tattoo now. This pain is worse than when I got that years ago.
"We have come to the conclusion that, that potion has changed your blood and brought your person back in time. It changed you into a newborn baby with no recollection to this life. It is a very rare and unforgiving potion, I gather. They could have killed you then; yet, here you are." He gives up on my hair to cradle my face; a habit he seems to enjoy. "I cannot force you to remember the moments we shared together, no matter how much I wish it true. I will not force you, but I will simply not give up on you. I will call you by your Midgardian name, though you must forgive me if I call you anything other than that." A smile makes its way to his bearded, youthful face. "Sometimes I speak without thinking first."
A silence folds around us; I don't know what to say. I can only smile at his smile.
What do you say to someone who is a superhero who essentially kidnapped you, but also took care of you when you needed it most? Probably saved you?
They even claimed they knew what was wrong with me and here I sit perfectly fine and ready for anything. Eating with the man who took me away and having a civilized conversation with him. Thor even saw and spoke with Madi. What kind of kidnapper would do such a thing?
And, I tell myself, he saved me from Loki.
I place my hand over his and carefully tell him, "If – and that's a very big "if" – what you say is true…I will…keep an open mind. I'll fight things, no doubt, like when people tell me I'm her when I know I'm not or expect me to act differently than who I am. Will you be able to convince others not to force things on me?"
"I will try. I cannot guarantee though."
"Okay, then. I'll…see where this takes us!" I smile up at him, ignoring the apprehension crawling up my spine. I will ATTEMPT this! I will actually listen to them as they will with me.
A memory of my mother comes to mind. It's a small, seemingly unimportant thought – faded and frayed at the edges and not completely there. All I can recollect is that she's holding me close and petting my hair. She whispers to me, her breath barely disturbing the air around us, "You were made for great things, Tessa. The moment your father and I held you, we knew you'd be destined for greatness."
This can't be what she meant…, can it?
Thor carefully lets go of my face, gets up, and wraps his arms around me. He hugs like Uncle Pete; tight and full of love. I feel a flicker of safety in his arms.
"Thank you," he says, "you will not regret this. I promise."
I pull away from the hug to give him a sheepish, toothy grin. "Is the offer to eat breakfast with you guys still on the table?"
He beams his smile radiating and infectious. "Of course! We'll throw a grand feast! Morning, noon, and night!"
"Um, that's not really necessary." It's too much of a party. "I wouldn't mind spending the day with them though. To actually talk to them and see what they have to say."
"Aye," he nods, scratching the back of his neck. He gives me an uneasy, apologetic smile. "My apologies, Tessa, I wasn't thinking. My mother and father will be more than happy to break their fast with you. Privately, I'm sure."
"Thanks," I pause to find the right words, "I probably wouldn't be completely comfortable if it were a lot of people."
"That is completely understandable. Let us finish here and I will show you to your chambers."
"My chambers?" I raise a brow at him, thinking that the room I woke up in is enough.
"The one my father spoke of several days ago."
"Oh…." The Princess' room.
We eat the rest of this small snack in silence after my comment on how good this stuff is – mainly the bacon-like stuff. (Apparently it's from a wild boar, so…yeah…bacon.) The clangs and tings of metal utensils on ceramic plates echo in the air loudly over our soft chewing. Looking at Thor, though, I can see he's holding back from just tearing the meat to shreds like he first started to. Much like I do when I find something utterly delicious.
Taking one of my last slices of meat I rip off a large piece of it. Thor blinks owlishly at me. Soon a grin breaks itself across his face and he devours the bread and meat like a starving dog. I try to keep in my snorts of laughter through my bites.
…
"Two hundred-one, two hundred-three, two hundred-four... Are we there yet?" I cry out childishly, growing tired of climbing up the spiraling staircase. My legs are beginning to ache from all the steps and I can feel myself getting dizzy. "Two hundred-six, two hundred-seven…."
"Almost," I can hear the chuckle in his voice at my counting. "Why? Are you growing tired?" He looks over his shoulder with a smug smile. A smile I've only seen in my older cousins when I was a kid. I'd love to slap it off of him like I do with them.
"No! Just getting bored." I look back down at my feet and resume counting, "Two hundred-fifteen, two hundred-sixteen," a yawn breaks my counting. "And tired…. Two hundred-eighteen…."
"Would you like for me to carry you?" His holds out his hand briefly.
"No, I'm good." Although it does sound amazing to just sleep right now. "But, if we don't get their soon I'm gonna pass out on these steps. Two hundred-twenty-two…." I didn't even have the energy to stop and stare out through the small windows we passed by. My legs just kept going up and up and up and up and around and around and around and around.
How could this girl do this every day and every night?
"Tessa?"
My nose nearly collides with Thor's back at his sudden stop. "Yeah?"
"Are you alright? You've stopped counting."
"Oh, man!" I groan looking back at the steps we went up. "I'm not going down and starting over again. Do you know the number?" I look at him for a glimmer of hope.
"Three hundred-one."
I can't help but laugh. "Thank you!" We resume walking up the steps. Just before I start counting, before I take a single step, Thor tells me we're only a few steps away from the room.
Thank you, Lord!
"This will be your room; you may do as you like. You may sleep, eat, and bathe in this room. You may use all that you see fit and try on the gowns, as well."
"She has a bathroom in her room?"
We walk up the next few steps to stand in front of a thick red wooden door with silver ivy stretching up and across the right side of the door. There's even a small, rose tinted window that the ivy curls around. The doorknob matches the ivy metal work.
"Wow," I say, lightly knocking on the door with a single knuckle, "impressive door."
"Aye," he says with a small, forlorn smile. He walks up to the door, pressing his thumb down on the flat, curved handle and pulls the door out. It doesn't creek like the other one. He gestures for me to enter first with a sweep of his hand.
"Thank you." I nod and smile at him, walking into the dark room. Thor's hand brushes against mine and there's a hiss to the far right of the room. That hiss brought a small spark of life, which soon becomes a blazing fire. Absentmindedly, I walk into the growing circle of light. I watch as the light dances on the furniture in the room and highlight the farthest corners. Just by this single source of light I can see how large this room is.
This is MY room?
Underneath the thick thrown ornate rug the floor is stone, as are the walls, a dull gold in the firelight. Drawn curtains keep out the moonlight and the flames in. Against the furthest wall from the door, I can barely make out the bed. It looks like I could fit five sumo wrestlers across it. The length is something other than impressive. A giant could lie on that bed!
I can't wait to see how this all looks like in the daytime.
Thor walks in and out of the circle of light carrying long pieces of wood – torches. He takes two and perches them on either side of the door, the backside of it is covered in metalworked ivy. Almost like a tree. Very carefully, and very quickly, candlesticks are lit and placed into the copper candelabras by the bed.
Now that the room is lit further – no matter how dim – I can make out a sofa and two loveseats surrounding a low table, tall and full bookshelves against eastern wall, an elevated vintage globe beside the large fireplace, a vintage desk with a piece of written paper on it near the bed, and three other doors. All are bathed in the golden glow of the fire.
"Will you be alright?" Thor asks, standing in the light, smiling.
"Um," I look around, licking my lips, "yeah. I should be, I guess." Glancing at the bed, I spot a pretty doll in a silky gown and long blonde hair.
"Why did you light the fireplace and candles?" I ask, glancing back at him.
"Your eyes linger on the farthest and darkest corner, you haven't left the fire's light since it was lit, and you hold yourself to cease the trembles on your person."
I can't help but smirk at his words. "That's very observant of you, Thor."
"Thank you." He beams proudly, the night shift rises with his swelled chest. He visibly deflates when he looks at me with a deep seriousness in his eyes.
Eyes that look so much like my own when I'm so serious.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I should be," my nod is not at all convincing. Looking up at him with the fire at our sides, warming us both and the crackling wood the only sounds for a while, I ask, "How do you know that I won't leave?"
"Where will you go if you do?"
It's such a simple rebuttal. Where will I go if I manage to escape this tower? This palace? A palace that I know nothing about and don't know if I'll be going up or down. Then, there are is the village – the lands – outside. Sure, from afar, when I was looking down on them, the people seemed normal but that could change once I'm among them. Odin has made it very clear that he doesn't want me walking about this castle on my own. I can't leave during the day because of the obvious fact that people are awake and I can't leave during the night because of the dark.
Tonight, I was led to a dungeon full of monsters. What if that happens again? What if I'm led back to Loki and forced to listen to his words – his lies – and that power inside me becomes too much to control? True, I hate what he's done but I can't imagine killing him. Hurting him (be it punch, kick, or slap) I can see myself doing time and time again. Lightning can kill people though and I have no control over it.
I don't want to be a monster like him. I need to find a way to control this power.
I close my eyes to force out all the images of bursting flames and recent storms that I undoubtedly created, and the sick amusement on Loki's pointed face. All the emotions that I couldn't read and those I could I force from my mind.
"I…," I quietly start, unable to look Thor in the eye, "I don't know."
"Tessa," Thor's massive hands gently fall to my slumped shoulders and I lazily bring my head up to look him in the eye, "though it may not seem like it now, you are very well protected here. Guards patrol up and down these halls night and day to ensure the safety of the palace's residences. Everything my mother and father have done thus far is to protect you. When you break your fast with us in the morn, all will be made clear to you."
Remember what you promised, I tell myself, you won't fight too much. You'll listen.
I can only nod.
Feeling Thor's lips and scruff against my forehead causes my body to tense and back to straighten. I can't push him away and I don't know why. Something deeply buried inside me welcomes the warm and familiar feeling. My eyes close as my hands rise to cup his elbows. Losing the effect of shock, my body relaxes.
Nothing can hurt me. It's a fleeting sensation coursing down to my fingertips and toes.
He'll protect me. Him, the Warriors Three, Sif, Odin, Frigga, the guards, they'll all protect me.
Loki, too. A voice whispers in my ear when Thor pulls away.
I smile at his smile; seeing no evil or malice in it.
A laugh rips past my lips at Thor's sudden flourish bow. When he rises, he has the cheesiest and toothiest grin on his face. I notice that the hairs closest to the corners of his mouth stick out a little bit like whiskers.
"May you have pleasant dreams this night, Tessa. Someone will come to fetch you in the morning." Thor says with a chivalrous quality.
I give him the best curtsey I can in my pajamas. "Thank you, and may sweet dreams enter your mind tonight, Thor."
He gives me one last bow at the door before leaving. The door doesn't click with a lock; I'm free to leave. I can't though, I know that now.
Loki's voice worms itself in my ears; poisoning my mind. "How does it feel to know that your entire life has been taken away from you and your existence on Midgard has been all a lie? You will NEVER see Midgard again!"
I collapse on the soft, bouncy, yielding bed shivering with his words weaving in my head. I know next to nothing of these people. That Norse mythology book was a gift for me when I was going through a phase and had requested it for a present. I haven't looked at it or read it in years. I've only glanced at Loki's picture and what he was the god of to ease my curious mind. Seeing Odin's name was pure luck.
"You are a GODDESS!"
"Loki lies," I mutter to myself, trembling as I curl under the blankets and clutching onto the doll. "Loki lies, Loki lies, Loki lies…." I softly chant this over and over again as sleep takes hold of my body and mind. Slowly my lips stop moving and the words are lost in my sleep lulled brain. Even his words can't penetrate through the fogginess that is sleep.
Yet, admits the fog, I can see the silhouette of a man. The fog is too thick to see him clearly; however, I see he's on his knees hunched over. That is the last thing my mind can produce before I fall completely into sleep's embrace.
…
Not a sound enters my ears; everything's blissfully silent. I can't hear any birds, guards, servants, or crackling wood. There is life moving about the castle with a renewed vigor – I can feel that, but not hear it.
Opening my eyes with a flutter, I see sunlight streaming in through the curtains covering the windows and outside door. Rolling onto my back, I raise my arms from beneath the covers and I stretch them and my legs with a groan. Since I've first arrived I haven't felt so…peaceful. Brushing back a lock of my hair, I look around the room as I leisurely wake up from my blissful sleep.
In the light of day everything in this room is so magical. The colors seem to be alive with color and vibrating with life. The coldness of the stone floor does not even penetrate the ornate Persian-like rug – it's so soft and plush, too.
The tips of my fingers brush against the long sofa as I walk by it. The plush, microfiber tranquil colored seating sends goosebumps to rise on my arm. It's almost as if it's begging to be sat in. Glancing at the low table that is surrounded by these seats, I spot a fine China tea set. I walk around the seats to crouch next to it. My finger slowly traces the cool porcelain curve. The white five cup teapot and its surrounding cups are decorated with elegant dark navy and petite rose décor. Each piece is trimmed in gold with a northern star pattern for added beauty.
The bookcases are so tall a sliding ladder is needed to reach the upper shelves. I brush my fingers against what I can reach. The old leather is unyielding under my fingers. Each book is different than the last – thin, moderate, or thick.
Picking a random book I turn it over to read the title. Surprisingly it reads: History and Legends of Asgard. I mindlessly flip through the thin, brittle edged papyrus pages; treading more carefully when some crumble. I pause when I spot a picture (hey, the words are too tiny to read this early in the morning) of a towering, golden palace and a rainbow bridge. Rocking the book back and forth I see the page gleam and sparkle in the light. It reminds me of the movie pictures in Harry Potter series.
Cradling the heavy book in my left arm, I take a closer look at the page in attempt to read the page next to the picture. I have to blink away the heavy sleepiness coating my eyes, hoping to read the tiny and thin words more easily.
"Asgard is, first and foremost, the home of the powerful pantheon of gods and goddess – the Aesir. This is the home of the mighty and renowned Thor Odinson. –"
"Your Grace?"
I jump and lightly yelp at the soft knock and gentle voice on the other side of the door. Regaining my hold on the book, I snap it shut and slide it back in place. My feet don't make a sound as I quickly make my way across the large room.
"Who is it?" I call out, my hand wrapping around the doorknob.
"It's Gersemi, Your Grace."
The actions I took a few days ago come flooding back to me. I close my eyes at the instant overwhelming feeling of guilt and stupidity gnawing inside me. I lightly bang my head against the door muttering "stupid" over and over again in a multitude of languages. And a far worser swear word to boot. My mother would be so proud of me.
"Cazzo," I grumble, thumping my head against the metal part of the door. "Cazzo, cazzo, cazzo." I even yelled at a poor guy for listening to his boss. Then, afterwards he carries me to my car with blood spewing from my mouth and dripping from my nose.
Big. Stupid. Head. I am.
I can still see the fear in Gersemi's eyes and feel her trembling in my hand as I remember it all. Even with the twisted sense of satisfactory that I got my answer out of her, I went about it all wrong. I don't threaten poor, innocent girls with stabbing them so deep in their eye they'll die nor do I threaten them by slitting their throats. My parents raised me better than that!
Looking through the frosted window I see the top of her silhouette. Taking a deep, cleansing breath I open the door to greet her.
She's still the sweet-looking, pretty girl she was those handful of days ago – albeit more fearful looking now. Her chin is low and her big doe eyes gaze at the floor like it has some great story to tell. Her hair is curled from her face and in a low ponytail. The powder blue colored, Roman styled dress hugs her around her waist and flows from her hips. The long skirt of the dress brushes against the floor and the neckline is modest. Much like the last time I saw her she has golden clasps are on her dress – only this time there are two on top her thick straps. There's a subtle glimmer on the flowy dress, too.
"Good morning, Your Grace." she says quietly curtseying. "The AllFather and AllMother sent me to fetch you. Prince Thor had said you will be breaking your fast with them."
"Oh, um, thank you. I'll be out shortly."
Say you're sorry!
Gersemi looks up with apprehension in her eyes. "Um, I beg your pardon, Princess," I try not to cringe at the word too many people have called me that, "but the Prince has requested me to assist you in getting ready."
"Oh…, then, please come in." Stepping back I gesture for her to come in with a closed hand. I make sure not to do what I've done last night with Loki. Thankfully, lightning does shoot from my hand when she steps through the threshold.
I can't help but notice her stiff gait is when she walks by. Why would Thor send someone who's terrified of me? Doesn't he know what happened between her and me?
Apologize!
With my back to her, my forehead again meets the door once it's shut. Gathering my wits I turn to face her with a sigh. You've done wrong. I tell myself as I walk over to where I see the sparkling light blue dress. You've done a LOT of wrong – yelling at innocent people for following orders. You promised you'd keep an opened mind. Just keep pushing for home.
"Gersemi," I call out from behind her.
"Aye, Your Grace?" she jumps away from the door's threshold.
"Please listen to me when I say—holy shit is that MY closet?!" I rush past her to stand in the massive walk-in closet full of dresses and shoes. There is a dress of every color – from long to short and the layered Medieval English gowns to the flowy Roman and Grecian dress. While some are modest, there are others that are revealing. All seem complicated to put on. The shoes range flat to high-heeled; there are sandals for spring and summer and boots for fall and winter. Each shoe is different from the last. There are cloaks and wraps, too!
"Wait," I drop a particular gorgeous golden high-heeled sandal and step back, "no this isn't what I was gonna do." Shaking my head, I look at the amused young girl standing in the doorway.
"Aye, it is your closet, Your Grace. I take it it is to your liking?"
"Yeah, but I wasn't gonna say that at first." I wave my hands in front of me, as if it could erase the actions I've just done.
Attention span of a blonde.
"What I was going to say, Gersemi, is that I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to—" I raise my hand to stop her words; trying not to smile when she stops short in her sentence.
Lowering my hand I look in her bright brown eyes. There's a glimmer of fear in them. "What I have done to you…last week was wrong, I shouldn't have done that. I was just so…mad and I took that out on you. You have to know, the things I've said and done I didn't mean it. I was acting – it's my job on…Midgard. I still shouldn't have done that to you and for that I'm sorry. I'm truly, truly sorry!
"Remembering it now causes me to feel physically ill and disgusted with myself. I will NEVER threaten or harm you again, Gersemi."
By the time I'm finished, Gersemi's shoulders have relaxed and the fear in her eyes are gone. A form of gentleness has taken hold of her. She even has a kind smile on her face. "You are forgiven, Your Grace." she says with a nod of her head.
"I have a suggestion." I cautiously walk up to her, mindlessly waving my hands about as I explain, "Thor and I made a promise to each other last night. I promised Thor that I'd keep an open mind about this whole thing, and he won't force-feed me any of this "Princess of Asgard, daughter of Odin" stuff. How about you and I do the same thing? Starting over, I mean? Let's completely forget what has happened between us – a clean slate."
I hold out my right hand. "I'm Tessa Rosalin Maberry; it's a pleasure to meet you…?"
Gersemi blinks several times at my offered hand, before collecting herself and taking my offered hand. Unlike the custom on Midgard, she doesn't merely shake it. She raises it bit and curtsies. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Tessa. My name is Gersemi Jaridottir."
I shake her hand the best I can with how she holds it, smiling. Finding this exchange to be very amusing. Aside from how we met—just control, alt, delete it from memory.
"So, Gersemi," I turn from her to face the large wardrobe, "do you have any idea how I should dress for this meet 'n' greet? The only royalty I've ever met was Queen Latifah."
"The AllFather and AllMother have often been very fond of the more…flowy dress, Your Gr—"
"Please, call me Tessa."
"Tessa." Gersemi smiles, a form of softness flooding her eyes. "May I make a suggestion?" She goes to reach for an imaginary gown, apprehension in her step.
"Please do." I gesture for her to go forth.
"While all these dresses will look marvelous on you, Tessa, there are three that I suspect you will adore and the Royal Family will respect." She pulls out the three dresses and three pairs of shoes. She hangs them on a pole for my observation with the shoes under them. Each dress is different from the other in color and length.
"Would you like for me to draw you a bath while you choose, ma'am?" Gersemi asks, once the dresses have been hung and the shoes have been placed.
"Sure, I could use a bath. An actual bath, too." I shudder at the of people sponge bathing me again. "And please," I give her a kind and gentle smile, "call me Tessa and only that."
"I'm sorry," she curtseys (I should ask her to stop doing that, too), "I will try harder to remember."
Shrugging a shoulder I let it roll off my back. "Don't worry about too much. Calling me "ma'am" just makes me feel old and "Your Grace" is someone for royalty."
From the corner of my eye I see her open her mouth to retort, but quickly closes it.
"If you need me, I will be readying your bath." She says, taking her leave.
Well that didn't sound weird at all.
The first is a crimson red Roman styled dress that flows down to my mid-calf. A shawl-like wrap falls from the left shoulder and wraps around the torso to the right side, it neatly and smoothly seems to disappear into the back of the dress. The right shoulder is decorated with small golden blossoms, two peek-a-boo between the seams of the wrap on the bodice. The edges of the light fabric on torso are decorated with sparkling maroon coloring edges. Walking behind the dress, I see a small bow and the two maroon strands fall just past where my knees would be. The golden shoes are flat-heeled sandals with O-rings and studded detailing and double buckled closure. It's like those battle odyssey sandals.
The middle bronze dress is the shortest; the ruched skirt with ruffled underlayer hem, fully lined, falling just above my knees. The silk-satin on the right shoulder drapes down to the left hip – a draped bodice. What catches my eye the most is the bronze and green sheer lace, gold and gunmetal beaded and crystalloid embellishment that takes up the entire torso. It reminds of armor. Then, I brush my fingers across it and feel the lacey material. If I were to wear it, the sheer would only reveal an extensive amount of my collar bone; ending just above the swell of my breasts. The lace and fabric would hide everything else. The golden high-heeled shoes are a work of art. The split top features latticework sunbursts and shoestring laces. The open toe sits atop a beveled, contoured platform.
The last is a sparkling, shimmering light steel blue gown with silver embellishments on either of the bodice and around the back. Much like the others it flows, only down to the floor like a waterfall. Silk curves down from the shoulders, between the breasts, the boarder falls past the waist and hips, and meets in the back. Encircling around it. Inside boarder is the silver embellishments. Falling from under the bust is an undecorated satin tie. Over the tie, a drape of the steel blue falls decorated in light sky blue shimmering lines. It falls over the unornamented, long skirt to the floor. It fans out with the skirt, seemingly becoming a part of it. The sandals are flat and light green with leather straps and they have a large, very light green corsage flower; matching the buckle detail in the back.
"I like this one," I tell myself, picking up the long skirt and letting it gracefully fall back down. "Not too busy and not too sexy. After what happened, I could use a few positive points."
Walking out, I call for Gersemi. The once closed door across the bedroom is now open. I hear water running as I draw closer.
"I'm in here…, Tessa."
Ignoring the pause, I step in the room.
"Wow…." My eyes widen in amazement. Not from the Romanesque bathroom – with its abundance of stone and granite materials or the pillars and stone walls – it's because of the running water arching and twisting in from the window and into the tub. It's steaming as it gathers in the large and circular tub, too.
"How are you doing that?" I ask, raising my hand so that I can feel if it truly is water. It is and it's comfortably warm. It turns my fingers bright pink. The rushing water washes over my hand and trickles down my arm.
"It's common for women of Asgard to learn magic; especially those who work and live within the castle. The Queen is an expert in such an art – illusions mostly."
"Where are you getting this water?" I walk over to the window to see if there's a body of water below. The room is so high up, I can't see the ground. No matter how much I squint or follow the trail of water I see nothing down below. Just specks of stuff.
"There is a lake not too far from here. Do not worry, it is being cleaned and warmed before it gathers in the tub."
Walking back, I stick my hand in the high walled tub sighing when the warmth seeps into my skin.
"There is a selection of soaps and oils, for your liking." Gersemi gestures to the open cabinet near the tub. "May I suggest the cherry blossom scent?"
"Which one is that?" I look over the numerous glass vials, lingering at the shades of red and pink. Common sense telling me one of those has to be it.
The running water remains suspended in the air as she gracefully walks towards my side. She reaches up to the second highest shelf and shows me a light pink colored vial with a deep red flower glass lid and cork. She opens the vial – the distinct pop bursting from it – and the romantic scent wafts up into my nose. I take the vial from her and inhale the lovely scent. I almost forgot what clean smells like!
"I'll take this one!" I bounce on the balls of my feet, growing giddy from the thought of a bath.
Smiling, Gersemi begins to move her arms again and the water begins to fill the tub. "Please," she says, "put in as much oil as you like. I must warn you though a little does go a long way under running water."
"Got it." I pour a splash of the cherry blossom oil into the tub. Noting how the churning water agitates the oil and soft pink bubbles begin to rise. Placing the glass bottle on the black stone edge of the bathtub I pick up a pink and red bar of soap with a cherry blossom on it.
"Did you choose a dress?" Gersemi asks. The tub is nearly three-quarters of the way full.
I sit on the edge of the tub with two more vials, the consistencies different from the first. "Yeah, the long blue one with silver embellishments." I trail my hands down my sides as if that would help her in seeing which one I'm talking about. Even though there's only one blue one pulled out.
She smiles, nodding her head. "Lovely choice, Tessa, that would suit you wonderfully. Would you like to wear any jewelry?"
"Nah, I'll stick with my necklace." I mindlessly twirl my silver key necklace as I look at the mountains of rosy pink bubbles.
Glancing up from the rising steaming water, I see Gersemi watching my necklace. I choose not to say anything; things are still too awkward for me to point things like that out. It feels weird for her to be treating me like this – asking me about dresses, jewelry, soaps and oils, and basically treating me like royalty. Even though I've asked her not to call me such.
"Where did you get that necklace?"
My head snaps up at her sudden question. I wasn't expecting her to ask.
"Um," I look down at it, the diamonds sparkling in the early morning light, "to be honest, I really don't know. I've had it for forever; since I was baby. I guess. I don't know anymore." I rub my face tiredly; all these past conversations and actions are confusing me too much.
"It's lovely. Truly."
"Thank you." She and I share a smile, and a chip of our first encounter is gone.
Gersemi looks down at the comfortably hot and soapy filled tub remembering why there is water streaming and floating in the air. "Your bath is ready." The flow of running water splits and runs backward out of the window and I imagine it falling back down to the late with a splash.
"If you need me, I will be in the next room over readying your dress." She curtsies at the door before leaving.
Definitely need to ask her to stop that. I tell myself, stripping out of my old pajamas.
…
After forty-five minutes and one soapy beard and afro later, I'm running my hands over the silk-satin material as Gersemi leads me to where I can "break my fast" with Odin, Frigga, and Thor. (After the initial shock, I try not to think of how this beautiful dress fits me perfectly.) Thankful, that it won't be some feast.
Gawd, I hope there's a lot of food. I'm STARVING!
I catch brief whiffs of the cherry blossom scent soap I've scrubbed into my skin and the matching shampoo and conditioner oil in my hair. Gersemi has let my hair stay down, but has styled it in loose ringlets. I reluctantly let her use the seemingly unused make-up to delicate paint my face. When I looked in the mirror, I was happily shocked with how I looked. It even feels light on my skin – almost as if it's not even there.
Time and time again, I go over what I'm going to say to Odin and Frigga. Each time I tell myself to stay calm and to look at it as an audition.
Don't lose your cool. Listen to them. Ask them questions.
"Your Grace." Two deep, obviously male voices sound before me.
Snapping out of my daydream state, I blink at the bowing guardsmen. Like all the others, they're dressed to the nines in Medieval golden armor with outward curved horns helmets and elegantly dangerous weapons. They're standing in front of a dark red velvet curtain. I can hear the noticeable sound of various birds and streaming water.
"The AllFather, AllMother, and the Mighty Thor have been anticipating your arrival." says the bearded guard on the right, standing tall and intimidating.
They both reach in the middle of the curtain and pull it apart, bowing as I walk by.
The honey brown haired girl walks ahead of me in a proud stride. Far different from our earlier experiences. When she stops I do too, watching her fall into a very low curtsey wondering if I should do the same.
"Your Majesties, may I present to you Tessa Rosalin Maberry."
I lift the skirt of my dress in a small curtsey. I'm not completely sure what I should or should not be doing anymore. Thor promised me he wouldn't force me to do anything, but at the same time he said he wouldn't give up.
They're not monsters, I remind myself as Frigga walks up to me with open arms. Loki is the only monster—the only vile creature here.
"Tessa," she says softly with her arms wrapping around my shoulders, "good morning."
I falter when my hands rise. Do I hug her back?
Looking up for help, I see a grinning Thor. He wraps his armored arms around himself and rocks side to side, mouthing, "Hug her."
An easy smile tugs at my lips and I hug her back. "Morning, Frigga."
"How are you this morning?" She looks even more youthful and gorgeous in the natural light of day. She's dressed in a fitted satin lavender gown with a white scoop shawl stitched around the neckline and draped over the shoulders and matching frill around her wrists. Her long dark golden hair is tightly curled and swept over her shoulder. I even spot minuscule gems in the curls, which match the ones hanging from her ears.
Even her eyes have a sparkle of youth and mirth in them.
"I'm doing well, thank you." I tell her.
She leads me to a wooden table with a white cloth draped over it. My mouth nearly waters at the sight and smells of food on it.
The thought of them being hideous, destructive monsters melts away with the loving and motherly affection Frigga is showing. Her voice is soothing and calming, a beacon in the dark. Day in and day out she spoke to me as I remained unmoving. She asked me if I could move and asked me to squeeze her hand each time she saw me. Even though Odin has not spoken to me while I "slept," she and Thor have spoke highly of him and said he asked how I was fairing. Now, seeing him without all his stubborn rage and kingly air around, I can see the fatherly concern etched in his face.
"How did you sleep last night? I assume your quarters are to your liking?" Odin asks from standing at the head of the table. Like Thor, Odin is dressed in dark clothes with armor on his arms and most of his chest. He and his son lack any form of cape.
"Very well, thank you. It was bit of a climb though. Although, I did like waking up to the quiet." Thor holds out his hand when Frigga and I reach the table, when she splits to sit next to Odin I take the offered hand. The young man pulls out the seat as he guides me between it and the table. Smiling, I sit down as he pushes the seat in.
"Thank you," I tell him, smiling at his princely manner.
"You're welcome." He nods, taking a seat between me and Frigga. Straight across from Odin.
People dressed in powder blue and gold clasps or armor step forth all at once and lift the silver domes. My eyes widen when I look at the rainbow array of foods; my stomach growls. There are various types of smoked or salt rubbed meats, loafs of bread, fresh jars of fruits and jams and honey, sausage strata and frittata, roasted potato slices, ham and cheese quiche, and cupcakes the size of Thor's fist. The drinks are kept in intricately decorated bronze pitchers and goblets are by our plates.
When I reached for a pitcher a young man, seemingly in his early teens, steps forth and asks, "Would you like goat's milk, Your Grace?"
"Goat's milk?" Peering into the pitcher I see the white liquid that resembles milk. Shrugging my shoulders I sit back down. "Sure why not, I had weirder."
He pours it into my cup. Taking a sip, there is no noticeable difference.
So far, so good.
A/N: Well, I think that went pretty well, don't you? Even though the meeting with Loki wasn't long (and neither was the one with Steve; trying to keep it equal), I think it was…in character. My beta didn't say anything and tried to match with what mutantinthetardis said. (I already had that written.)
With Chapter Thirteen complete, it SHOULD be a shorter wait. However, my classes this semester are Monday through Friday and one of them is a Creative Writing course. That means reading works and writing fiction. Then there are Calculations and my CPR class. Plus, another one to boot. I really don't want to make you guys wait that much in-between chapters. xD
Answers to reviews:
BleachLover11- It's DOUBLE cliffhanger. ;) YES! Thank you, so much. I was really worried in the beginning, now it's just a matter of Tessa actually interacting with them. That should be fun. Um…by "F***" do you mean Frigga? That's what I got in the review. But, yes, I can honestly say that Frigga will give her the potion. What I CANNOT say is if Tessa will remember or not. Remember no one actually knew the contents of the potion, only that it made her into a newborn baby and lose all of her memories of being a princess.
I'll update as soon as I can.
Nashira Kozoroh- Thank you!
fangirl-friend2- I want to start this answer off by saying, I don't mean to attack you in any way, shape, or form. I'm merely giving my personal input and defending Steve. So, here we go:
I have read (and reading) very well thought out Steve/OC stories, where he does have his gentlemanly manner and a bit of a…modern manliness (not so perfect) way about him. In those stories, I personally saw the relationship develop between the two of them and the OC didn't automatically "swoon" over him. That mix is a very difficult thing to work with and keep up with.
I'd never classify any superhero as "safe," for they all have supervillains following them and the villains could always harm the significant other. That could have that person running away and screaming for the hills. And let's not forget that Steve fought in WWII, where I'm sure he got PTSD and he lost his best friend. I'd go far as to calling Bucky his brother. If I remember correctly, you see a bit of the PTSD after the credits in his first movie. Being a "man out of his time" can cause a feeling of isolation. That is something the OC and Steve have to work out together, and that could be very taxing on a relationship. Imagine being thrusted into a foreign country and you have to immediately start changing yourself as you see and hear all these new things.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a guy having gentlemanly mannerisms. I would enjoy it if a man was being respectful of me. Let's not forget that Steve Rogers is a human being, and no human has perfect manners. Hell, Steve is in his early twenties and I'm sure he wasn't always a perfect, adorably awkward man. It's obvious before the serum Steve had zero luck with the ladies, because of how he looked, but he was still attracted to them. No matter how he acted – no matter how much of a gentleman he was – they didn't find him…worthy of their time. It wasn't until the serum when women start throwing themselves at him. For obvious reasons.
I'm not gonna forget about Loki; Asgard's "ugly duckling." From what I've gather from seeing Thor and the Avengers and a little bit of Norse Mythology reading it is customary for the Aesir men to be fair-headed, have beards, be big and beefy, run into battle roaring, and do NOT use magic because it is seen as feminine. The Marvel version of Loki has sleek black hair, no facial hair, very lean with his muscle, actually THINKS (kinda like the Captain) before entering battle, and uses magic. So it's safe to assume that women weren't too attracted to him either.
Personally, I can see both Steve and Loki being gentlemen when courting someone. Be it sweet, surprise love letters at their door, a bouquet of flowers or a single flower, chocolates, basically learning their likes and dislikes. Sarah (Steve's mother) and Frigga help shape their sons to respect those they court – being a "gentleman" is nothing to be ashamed of.
You're not mistaken. I will admit I did quote Loki a little bit with the "I'm Tessa Rosalin Maberry of NYC & NJ." I only did that though because this fanfiction site gives us a very small amount of characters to work with when we have to write our summaries. On my archive account, you can see a much more dramatic summary. (The link is in my profile if you'd like to read it.)
I'm sorry, but I cannot allow that. I am truly, deeply, and sincerely sorry that he left; however, I can't take a second vote from the same person. It's one of those "If I do it for you, I'll have to give everyone else the same treatment" moments. If it's any consolation, I do have an actual Loki/OC story idea. It just might be a while until it's actually posted; I intend to finish PoA first and it depends on who "wins." If Loki wins, I'm gonna start on my Steve/OC story. Same thing if Steve wins, I'll post my Loki/OC story.
Don't get me wrong, I do like Loki and have read more fanfics about him. (Simply because everyone seems to make Steve out for this naïve, apple pie, cookie cutter, momma's boy and that annoys me a little. There will be more Steve/Tessa moments and I hope to avoid that.) Loki IS the "bad-boy" everyone wants; tall, dark, handsome, and actually intelligent in battle. Past the looks though, there is something else. Something deeper. I see Loki being…borderline possessive, overly protective, with his lover because of all the…hardships his been through.
Personally, I like the fact that he uses his mind rather than his brawn in a battle. I'm a HUGE lover of magic and he has that ability. If you read Norse mythology, you're heart would just break at the suffering he faced. There are three that come to my mind: how Sleipnir was conceived, his three monster children, and the titled "Loki's Punishment."
Both Steve and Loki are handsome in their own right and, if you look closely, share many aspects. Both plan before they attack, are artistic (Steve with human artwork and Loki with his magic), and they know what it's like to be the little guy. Steve is a superhero and wants to do the right thing for others. Loki is the beaten villain who wants the world to see him. They both need a guiding hand and fixing to their person. Tessa could feel safe with either one of them. "Safe" as in feeling protected from the evils of the world, for Steve and Loki are very strong and very smart in the ways of battle, and knowing that neither of them would ever harm her in any way, shape or form. It's simply a matter of WHO she ends up with.
Re (Guest)- Sweet, a vote! *marks it down* Yeah, that's a common comment I get for those who vote for Steve.
Amy (Guest)- Oh my gosh! THAT'S where you went? I thought I lost a reader! Thank you SO much for your review.
Steph (Guest)- *double checks name* Oh, wow, you really went to both sites?! That's cool. You can absolutely vote as a guest. Just know that if you were to go to archive and vote there AND here, you're vote would only count once for the fairness of the "competition."
*blushes* Thank you.
Amongthemoonandstars-Lol One vote for Loki.
***VOTE COUNT:***
Loki- 18
Steve- 10
REMINDER! On February 14th, 2014 at 11:59pm (USA, Eastern coast time) all votes will stop being accounted for. Those of you who have NOT voted and you have a preference; please vote before the given date.
Next time on Princess of Asgard:
"While you were in the Tower, Tessa," there was a brief falter in Odin's voice when he said my name. I look up at him from my near empty plate, sensing that this will need my undivided attention. "Did you see or hear anything out of the ordinary?"
My eyes slowly widen at his words.
…
The Queen hands me an extra glass full of clear liquid. The bitter odor reaches my nose before I even have it in my hand. There's a shimmer swirling with the glass; I put it off as the sun peaking through the indoor garden's canopy.
…
In all of these books, I see boundless opportunities before me. What reside in these books could be the answers I have swimming around in my head. Much like everywhere on earth this grand place has a palace, magic, historic figures, and a history. This "grand library" holds so many secrets to me that are eager to be brought forth.
…
I burst through the last few, screaming, "STOP!" I throw myself between them. Yanking Tandril's raised down and away. "Stop this!"
Next chapter's title:
Blood Eagle
