Rise of The Snow Queen Chapter 11
Upon leaving the Bifrost Loki, Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three were immediately sent to the Healers Pavilion for treatment and scans to check for any life threatening injuries from those who didn't appear injured. Fortunately all of those who were hurt were quickly taken care of and brought out of the danger zone.
For Loki he wasn't damaged physically, but his mind was another story. Loki stood apart from the others on the balcony connected to the pavilion overlooking the city. He couldn't get what occurred in Jotunheim out of his mind. His focus kept shifting to two alternate subjects.
Loki inconspicuously looked at his hands turning them over in the light. Loki remembered how his skin had turned blue like the Frost Giants when one of them had touched him instead of burning similar to Volstagg's injury. Then he kept looking in the direction of Galatea's tower. It had been hours since Heimdall had brought her there and still no word from her. Heimdall had left to return to his post, but there was no sign of her since. His mindset constantly returned to the raw power he saw her display. It was like nothing he'd ever seen before from her. Loki was beginning to understand why she'd isolated herself for all these years, but while this did provide answers even more questions arose.
Loki knew it wasn't coincidence. The two were linked, but the question was how? He had a theory, but he needed to prove it first before confirming anything. With all the chaos that was happening there was only one person he knew to get them from.
As Loki was stuck in his musings he listened discreetly to what the others were conversing over.
"We should never have let him go," said Volstagg, breaking the ice, awaiting treatment from Hogun for the frostbitten burn on his arm, nursing a full goblet of wine.
"There was no stopping him," sighed Lady Sif, softly.
That was a lie and they all knew it. Each and every single one of them could've done something to delay Thor until Odin had been made aware, but simply chose not to. It was in fear of Thor's wrath instead Odin's which is where it should've originally been placed.
"Well, at least he's only banished, not dead," offered Fandral, trying to somehow keep on the bright side of things. "Which is what we'd all be if that guard hadn't' told Odin where we'd gone."
Hogun had currently been mixing herbs the healers had freely given when asked into a salve paste for Volstagg's burn. Upon reaching Volstagg he drenched his palm and fingers in the substance. Hogun then proceeded to rub it into Volstagg's skin, bone, and muscle where the burn was to rid him of the infection.
Volstagg winced at the sensation, but didn't object. He'd undergone many other treatments and knew very well this one was necessary. Thankfully the salve made quick work and his wound was healed right away.
"How did the guard even know," said Volstagg, voicing what was on all of their minds.
Turning fully to face his comrades, Loki declared "I told him."
Lady Sif and the Warriors Three all stared at him in disbelief.
"What," said Fandral.
"I told him to go to Odin after we'd left," repeated Loki. "He should be flogged for taking so long. We should never have reached Jotunheim."
Shocked, Volstagg demanded "You told the guard?"
"I saved our lives," defended Loki. "And Thor's. I had no idea Father would banish him for what he did."
Rising from her seat, approaching Loki, Lady Sif beseeched "Loki. You must go to the Allfather and convince him to change his mind."
"And if I do, then what," said Loki. "I love Thor more dearly than any of you, but you know what he is. He's arrogant. He's reckless. He's dangerous. You saw how he was today. He was more than willing to put all of us in danger all because he was thirsting for a fight and we nearly lost Volstagg and Fandral. Is that what Asgard needs from its king?"
This was a question where they all knew the answer, but didn't want to say it. Lady Sif and the Warriors Three all appeared to want to continue arguing with Loki over Thor, but despite their love for the man they couldn't contest Loki's logic. No matter how much they wanted to.
Having sufficiently gotten his point across Loki made to leave in order to pay a visit to his sister. Just as he got to the doors Hogun's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Loki," called Hogun, gruffly. "Galatea's powers, did you know about them?"
Loki froze with his hands on the pavilions doors. Lady Sif and the Warriors Three all watched Loki waiting for his response.
"No," answered Loki, lowly. "No, I did not."
And that hurt him more than he would care to initially say.
Authors Note:
Happy New Year!