*Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel or any of the original characters depicted in the movies/comics.*

Chapter 21: Prison

For a moment, Estiel searched his face for emotion. Surely, he was being sarcastic, or he was ill. She touched her palm to his forehead, checking for fever.

"Are you alright?" She asked with a hint of concern. His gaze still serious, Loki took her other hand, too.

"I am perfectly well. Does this news not please you?" He replied with an edginess in his voice. He looked completely earnest, which caused Estiel discomfort.

"How can I become Queen of Asgard? We already have a queen, your mother. And once Thor is king—"

"Thor will not become king. I will see to it." Loki cut her off in a snarl. She flinched and tore her hands away from his.

"You will see to it, how so? Are you going to kill your own brother?" Estiel mocked sharply. He did not speak, nor blink at her. She took his silence as a confirmation and gasped.

"…No… that is exactly what you intend to do, isn't it?" She said with surprised expression. Loki shook his head and flashed a cold scowl.

"I have considered it, but no. I do not wish death upon my dear brother, as big of an oaf as he is. My plan is far more intricate, and if everything plays out well, no one should suffer." His tone was calculated. Estiel cleared her throat.

"Though you may not tell me, I am compelled to request the details of this plan. Will you imprison him for false crimes as you have Gynve?" Estiel's words were curt and offended Loki. He leaned close to her face.

"Lest you forget, my darling—your dear Gynve threatened me, which is an action punishable by death. Do I make myself clear?" He seethed resentment as his hands curled around her shoulders. She did not allow him to instill the intimidation in her that he was conveying.

"Loki, I am not seeking a battle with you. Please, permit me to help you find reason." Estiel implored, hoping he was not too defensive. Scoffing, Loki rolled his eyes at her.

"Reason? You think that I am insane?" He asked bitterly.

"I never said that." With a weak voice, she sounded less convincing than she should have.

"That is what you are implying! Because I care for the future of Asgard, the future of the nine realms, you think me to be mad?" Loki spat venomously and pushed on her shoulders, shoving her to the bed forcefully. She exhaled roughly and stared up at him in shock. He moved over her, pinning Estiel on her back.

"You are plotting to ascend the throne when it is not rightfully yours!" She nearly yelled at him. Loki dipped his head to her ear while he panted in anger.

"What do you know of what is rightfully mine? Are you rightfully mine?" He hissed before caressing his cheek against hers.

"Get off of me!" She exclaimed and pushed on his arms. He quickly took her wrists and drew her arms above her head.

"Answer me!" He commanded as he made eye contact with her, glaring.

"I love you, with all of my being. But I will not allow you to objectify me in this manner…" Estiel stated with a firm tone. With a moment of pause, Loki pressed his lips to hers harshly, forcing a kiss. She tried to turn her head away, but one of his hands held her jaw as the other was locked on her wrists. Muffled squeals escaped her, and suddenly, she tasted something bitter. As her eyes found his cool and collected gaze, her vision began to fade. Realizing he had slipped her a potion or a spell in the kiss, she groaned loudly in retaliation before succumbing to the medicated sleep.

Loki watched her eyes roll back and her lids close before moving off of her. Gently squeezing her hand, he sighed. Concerned of her reaction to his idea to make her queen, he took the precaution of concocting a strong tranquilizer. One of the side effects were mind-numbing properties, which would ensure their disagreement would be stricken from her memory upon waking. However, the amnesia could stretch back an hour or as far as a whole day, which he hoped for.

Though he had the power to control minds, many Asgardians possessed powers that would detect such a mental intrusion. For example, when he slipped into the psyche of Sir Sidcril's mother, he did so with ease, for her special abilities resided only in botany and gardening. In an opposite spectrum, Frigga would not only detect, but prevent such an attempt, as she was a skilled sorceress. Estiel's own powers were capable of fighting such a control, therefore he chose to use a potion instead.

Placing a blanket over her sleeping body, Loki smoothed stray hairs from her face before kissing her forehead. She would sleep for at least four hours, or perhaps longer, if she was weak. He rested on his side and faced her. It had been so long since he last had a woman in his bed, he thought. After years of sowing his seed as a young, immature man, he realized how he was never the conquest of a night with a woman. Whether they were harlots or ladies of nobility, they all sought the power of his title, the wealth, or worse—a way to get to his brother, Thor. In those days, it mattered little to him what they wanted. However, as he grew wiser, it became an empty and unsatisfying process to conduct. Though his brother would heckle him to make merry and take a woman during celebrations, Loki simply had no interest any longer.

Grimacing, Loki leaned into Estiel and wrapped his arms around her, seeking the comfort of her form against him. He knew she loved him, that she would one day allow him to bed her, and not for want of anything in return. He breathed in her scent and allowed her warmth to relax him to sleep.

Down in the dungeons, below the palace's great décor and splendor, lied a cold darkness. Humid, devoid of warmth, and festering with vermin, the Asgardian dungeons were a dismal place, indeed. Construction on a more modern prison had begun many moons ago, though they were far from finished. Gynve rested his head in his hands as he sat on a small cot. He reflected on the events that led him to be locked in a cell, and what his next move would be. He considered the possibility that he would be killed, though unlikely, and pursed his lips.

Sounds of a door opening, followed up heavy footsteps, forced his grey eyes to narrow as he lifted his head. Not knowing what was coming for him, Gynve rose to his feet. The red cape and blonde hair of a hulking man indicated that he was in the presence of Prince Thor.

"Lord Frotneir, I am here for your statement." Bellowed the righteous-sounding prince. Gynve respectfully bowed his head and placed his clenched fist over his heart.

"And my statement you shall have, my lord." Gynve did not trust him, given that the younger brother had put him in such a dire predicament. Thor moved his flaming torch over a few lanterns that hung on the wall to chase away the darkness.

"My men have informed me that you attacked my brother, Prince Loki, and your betrothed. If it were up to me, I would end you right here, but the king believes it would strain the treaty between Asgard and Vanaheim because of your title. You will be sent back to your homeland and face trial for your crimes against my family and Lady Estiel. I will collect your statement and you will return to Vanaheim at sunrise." Thor's usual jolly tone was absent, replaced by contempt.

"I cannot confess to crimes that were not my own. In fact, I should not be in this dungeon in the first place, as I am innocent." Gynve spoke with conviction.

"Of course, I cannot expect a coward to tell me the truth." Thor barked coldly, having taken it personally that someone would attack his kin. Gynve scoffed at his comment.

"I am a man of honor, my prince. Perhaps you should examine this matter with less bias, for it is your own brother whom should be here, not me. He struck the lady, and had it not been for my gifts and the aid of the healer, you would be investigating a murder." Gynve's voice seethed with spiteful confidence. Thor let out a low growl.

"You dare implicate my family's good reputation in your treacherous actions!" Thor yelled, raising his sword. Gynve stepped closer to him and narrowed his eyes.

"I speak the truth! If you are a protector of the realm, then you will seek justice for all, not merely that of your name!" Gynve shouted back, his grey eyes full of anger. Thor clenched his teeth and glared at him. Lowering his weapon, he backed away.

"I shall see to justice, for it is my duty to serve the nine realms. Nevertheless, do not forget that my loyalty is with Asgard, first and foremost, Lord Frotneir." Thor spat in reply.

"I understand, as my loyalty is with the truth. I shall give you my statement, and I ask that you speak with all parties involved—including Estiel Meldaire's parents." Gynve advised sternly. Thor raised a brow at him.

"What do they have to do with this?" Thor sounded confused and annoyed.

"They are aware of the connection between Prince Loki and Lady Estiel, and would validate a motive for him to make an attempt on my life." Gynve retorted calmly.

"Preposterous! My brother is a man of valor and credibility. He would never engage in such a foolish idea. What you suggest is completely ridiculous!" Thor's patience had run out, he was ready to attack. Gynve crossed his arms and stood tall.

"Never say never. Love can blind a man, if he does indeed love her. He faces not only attempted murder, but conspiring to claim a betrothed woman. Even if you do not look into this yourself, he will be brought to the courts of Vanaheim for such transgressions." Gynve's tone was threatening, which tipped Thor over the edge. He roared loudly, drawing powers of the heavens above Asgard to crash with thunder and lightning. Though they were well underground, the rumbling thunder shook the dungeon. Thor hammered a fist into the rock wall and it crumbled beside him, creating an opening into the vacant cell on the other side. Gynve's brow furrowed, realizing the might of the God of Thunder.

"Do not threaten me! I am Thor Odinson of Asgard, and I will smite you where you stand, Lord Frotneir!" Thor bellowed like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Gynve sighed quietly as he suddenly grew concerned about the fate of Asgard under this temperamental young god's rule. He developed a new appreciation for his own realm as more mature beings.

"Forgive me, my lord. I was not threatening you, as I am earnestly seeking justice, that is all." Gynve sounded diplomatic. He knew that he would not get very far with Thor if he continued to cite the dark prince as a criminal. Thor grunted and rotated his shoulder, loosening it from his blow to the wall.

"You shall have your justice, but mark my words: if any of your statements are to be found false, I will personally rip you apart and scatter your remains into the Ether Abyss." Thor's words were full of anger. With his eyes glaring at Gynve, he turned and walked out.

Gynve leered after him as the door closed. His lips twitched as his small chuckle dissolved the tension in the room. Thor's promise to scatter his limbs into the 'Ether Abyss' was humorous, for such a place only existed in childhood fables. Gynve sat down smiling as he thought the naïve prince really believed such a place was real. He wondered how many times he uttered that phrase to enemies in battle before killing them.

Back above the dungeon in Loki's bedchambers, Estiel and the prince were startled awake by the shaking thunder. Loki blinked his eyes a few times and slowly sat up, like a slinky cat. He watched Estiel look around the room with panic on her face. He reached his hand to her and stroked her back tenderly. She squeaked and instantly turned to face him.

"My darling, do not be frightened. It was only thunder." Loki murmured, desiring her to lay next to him again. Estiel stared at him with a bizarre expression plastered on her face.

"Who are you?" She asked suspiciously. He gave her a perplexed look before swallowing hard.

The potion… it had erased too much.

*Uh oh, what will Loki do now?

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