*Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel or any of the original characters depicted in the movies/comics.*
Chapter 14: Healing
"There is nothing to forgive! Please rise, milady. To what do I owe the honor of your presence, miss…?" Thor spoke with jovial expression and stood from his seat. He smiled pleasantly as she slowly rose to her feet.
"I am Estiel Meldaire. I am visiting a patient in the healing room. My father sent me to collect some water to quench his thirst." She spoke hurriedly, feeling a bit nervous.
"Oh, my sympathies Lady Estiel. I hope your father recovers quickly." Thor's expression changed to pity. She shook her head.
"Not my father, but Lord Gynve Frotneir. He was trampled by his horse." Dejected, Estiel looked away.
"Ah, yes, I heard of the incident." The prince's words sounded speculative. Her head perked up at his acknowledgment of Gynve's condition.
"You heard?" She became curious.
"Yes, Lord Frotneir is a highborn figure of Vanaheim, like his father. The matter was brought to my attention when it was thought to have been an attempted murder. My father, the king, will most likely launch an investigation in the morning. Are you well acquainted with Lord Frotneir?" He spoke with an air of duty and pride. Estiel felt her body tense at the thought of Loki being a suspect. She was not sure how to answer the question without sounding suspicious herself.
"Well, I only met him at dinner last evening, but I am considered his betrothed…" she trailed off, observing Thor's body language. He nodded his head and stared off thoughtfully, wracking his brain with questions.
"I see, perhaps he has already made enemies through your arrangement. The Vanir are our allies and, unless it was a politically charged motive, I am having difficulty in understanding why one would bring harm to him. Nonetheless, I offer you my condolences, milady. I promise to bring justice to this matter as soon as possible." Thor raised his pitcher to her to indicate his sincerity. Estiel hid her uneasiness with his drinking at such a late hour. She thought that he might not have been sleeping when the news reached him, but rather he was still partaking in merriment. Though he did not appear sleep-deprived or intoxicated, she wondered if he was so adapt to the lifestyle that it did not faze him.
"Thank you for your generous concern, Prince Thor. I certainly hope the matter will find resolution. My concerns are largely with Lord Gynve's recovery." Taking a swig of his hefty pitcher of ale, Thor set it down on the wooden table with a loud thud. The noise brought Estiel back to the present and reminded her to complete her task. She proceeded to pour some ice water into a tall glass and excused herself. Thor stood and bowed his head to her as she returned the gesture with a curtsy. Quietly stepping out of the room, she closed the door and went to her father.
A few days had passed when the investigation came to a head. Though it was believed that dark magic was involved, no one was able to pinpoint the caster. Loki had not presented himself in that time, which was relieving for Estiel. She worried that he would implicate himself, even if he had nothing to do with the incident, if he continued to appear at her house. Though her parents might have given it a thought or two, they could never openly disclose that Loki had any involvement. To accuse him without strong evidence would be treason to the kingdom. However, the tension that loomed in the house was apparent; no one discussed it further.
Estiel's parents offered a room to Gynve during his recovery, but he insisted on staying at the local inn. He was a man with high morals—he did not want to burden them any more with his troubling situation. The injuries he sustained were minor in appearance, but he had a broken rib, a fractured femur, and a fractured clavicle. His left eye was mildly swollen and dark, but it was healing quickly. It certainly did not take much away from his dashing handsomeness. Estiel made several visits to him and tried to keep her stays brief. He was always in the little bed, either lying on his side or sitting up to face her as she sat in the bedside chair. Gynve was not only very inquisitive, but also very open. The two would ask each other about their interests, why their goals were important, and how they grew up.
"My parents taught me the value of respecting my elders and to never treat an individual beneath yourself. They always told me as a boy, 'one must give respect to earn it' so even servants deserve to be treated with dignity." Gynve spoke highly of his family—mirroring Estiel's own values in some aspects.
"Yes, you are correct. All beings desire honor, and the quickest way to lose it is to discount one's pride." She concurred while shifting from one armrest to the other.
"Ah, pride. If only men were created equal in such a terrible truth." He retorted with a sly smile.
"What do you mean by that?" Her eyes widened with curiosity.
"Not all men have the same level of pride. Some require much more to satisfy their need for honor. In the battlefield, for example, glory can be the greatest honor, but at a price. I, myself, have a rather healthy sense of pride, but I could never wash my hands of the bloodshed if I were a warrior. I can happily meet my desires for honor through my work and sharpening my skill. Do you think me to be less of a man for that?" Gynve's voice became regretful—it was apparent that he cared about her opinion of him.
"Oh, not at all. Quite the contrary, actually. I see no honor or glory in killing, but for the good of the realm, it ought to be a selfless duty in necessary times. I do hope that we will never have to experience such adversities ourselves. In fact, I would prefer to go my entire life without a war to triumph in." Estiel tried to reassure him that her image of him had not changed. Her own family were not fighters—they were aristocratic philosophers. She knew very little of war and death. Her thoughts turned to Loki and Thor. Brothers, warriors, and always at odds with one another.
"Well, it is relieving to hear you say those words. However, I must ask you something. What is it that you seek in life, Lady Estiel?" His question caused her to look slightly confused. She blinked a few times before sighing. Gynve watched her patiently as he narrowed his eyes.
"I seek the great truth. Life itself can be a glorious, beautiful lie. I would rather see all there is in raw, unabashed truth. I want it so badly that I could waste my existence waiting for it." She gasped as the thought of Loki entered her mind again. She was talking about him; how he has kept most of himself a secret from her, only showing what he wishes for her to see. And she would wait forever for him to show her the true workings of his mind. The realization stung worse than a knife piercing her throat. Gynve noted her exasperated expression.
"Do not regret your words, for I understand why you value honesty so much. You must have been hurt by the lies too many times. The difference between you and the next girl is that you are intelligent enough to know when you are being lied to. Ignorance is not bliss in our realities." Gynve spoke with earnest, and she could feel his ache. He, too, had been a victim of a broken heart. Whether it was a lover, a friend, or a family member, the scars that lies leave behind run deep. They spent some moments in thoughtful contemplation. When it was nearly time for her to go, Gynve thanked her for keeping him company and requested she visit tomorrow. With a smile and a nod, she agreed.
Estiel returned to the inn with the intent of only staying for a short while. However, the visit eventually grew longer and longer as they would get carried away in childhood stories. They would make one another laugh hysterically—at times, to the point of tears. She could not imagine a time in her adult life where she was so carefree and made to smile so much. The kindness in his voice drew her in, and she felt powerless in denying him her company as the time passed. She told him of her secret fascination with fireflies; she once believed they were a colony of tiny people—fairies.
"That reminds me of the time I spent a summer in Alfheim, and I had a wisp that had somehow managed to find its way into my trousers when I was dressing. The wisps are made of spiritual energy that just float around and illuminate the night. Marvelous people, the Light Elves! You can imagine my surprise when they pointed and laughed at my behind, glowing like a firefly." Gynve recounted fondly as he sat a bit closer to the edge of the bed. Estiel giggled at the thought of him trotting around regally with a glowing bum.
"I can envision the moment when you realized it was there. I suppose no one could have taken it as gracefully as yourself." As she continued to chuckle, Gynve reached a hand out to her. When Estiel noticed he was beckoning her own, she blushed and reluctantly placed her hand into his. He leaned forward and wrapped both of his hands around hers.
"Estiel, I cannot express what a joy it has been to spend time together; to share and learn about one another has been a precious gift. I want you to know, and forgive my boldness, that I am beginning to feel a connection with you. I am excited and honored to one day claim you as my wife. I can only hope you feel the same in return." Gynve smiled at her. Estiel felt panic rise to her cheeks as she lost herself in feelings of betrayal. Pulling back her hand from his grasp, Gynve gave her a saddened expression. She quickly cleared her throat and looked at him sternly.
"My lord, I am grateful for your kind words, but I am rendered somewhat speechless. Please forgive my rude response while I step outside for a moment; I must collect my thoughts." She stood up and proceeded to leave. Gynve did not attempt to stop her—he felt as though he had offended her with his brave statement. Estiel softly closed the door and walked to the front of the inn.
Once she was outside, she noticed that the sun was setting and the smell of spring was in the evening air. Leaning up against the building's wall and closing her eyes, she let out a disheartened sigh.
"What troubles you, my darling?" a familiar voice questioned by her ear. It should have startled Estiel, but she was too emotionally strained to care. She closed her eyes tighter and frowned.
"Go away, I want to be alone." She demanded and crossed her arms. Loki, standing beside her, slipped one arm behind her neck and another around her. He held her firmly to him, staring at her with a look of concern.
"I am sorry, but I cannot fulfill such a dire request. I have missed you so." He placed a trail of tiny, chilled kisses from her temple to her jaw. Estiel whimpered as she turned to face him. His green eyes looked pale and full of trepidation. She leaned her forehead into his intimately.
"You mistake my statement for a request. In any regard, I have missed you, too. Is that the entire reason you came to see me?" Holding his gaze, she watched him blink slowly, as though he could not move while he thought.
"I came because I actually have a request of my own to make." Loki's words were smooth and brooding. She wanted to kiss the source of those words.
"Well, go on. You have my attention." Estiel bit her lip, trying to contain the urge to throw herself at him. Loki's body tensed as she traced her finger over his chest. With a swift jerk of his arm, he seized her hand. Her eyes fixated on him while she tilted her head to the side. Loki gently pressed a kiss into her palm before returning her stare.
"Will you marry me, Estiel?"
Gah, finally! I hope you all have been enjoying this story so far. I see a lot of people reading, but without any feedback (good or bad) I can't tell if you think it's interesting in each chapter. Except for those of you who have been following this from the start-THANK YOU *squishy hug*!
It truly makes my day when I get the notification of a follower, fave, or review. And yes, if you have criticisms, do not hesitate to let me know, too! Thank you again for keeping up with this story and hopefully I will continue to entertain you :)