Loki pushes the door to the Council Room open and together we walk in. At once all the faces in the room, including an impatient Allfather, turn to look at us. I freeze at the attention but immediately Loki speaks.
"She remembers."
Odin stands, looking from his son to me and back again, frowning like he's looking for someone else. Then he nods and, to my surprise, says, "We were waiting for you both. Come, sit. We will start the meeting at once."
Loki blinks, obviously shocked too, but then he snaps out of it and motions for me to follow him. We sit in two empty chairs beside Frigga. Loki takes the seat next to his mother and I sit beside Lady Sif who smiles at me.
I look around the table, recognizing faces from the last meeting. But someone's missing.
"Where's Thor?" I ask in a hushed voice.
"He left to retrieve you two," she says. "I thought it was he who brought you here."
As soon as she says this, Thor comes through the doors. "Father, I could not—Oh, I suppose it's because they are here." He chuckles as he walks to his seat beside Odin, pausing to smile at us before sitting.
"Now," Odin calls, his voice carrying over the room, "it is time we begin." Everyone quiets down and I shift a little. This is the first time I've ever been a part of one of these things from the very beginning and the big room is making it daunting.
"Nervous?" Loki murmurs.
"Does it show?" I hiss, tightening my grip on the fabric of my dress.
His hand covers my fists and eases them apart enough to slip his fingers between mine. "A bit."
Out of the corner of my eye I see Frigga smile.
"Loki, please elaborate on your original statement," Odin says, breaking apart the moment. Loki squeezes my hand then stands.
"Of course." He clears his throat. "As you all know, when Freya first arrived here, the Dark Elf in the dungeons assumed Malekith had something known as the Amethyst. However, he did not. Until now Freya knew only that she was taken to help him find something—she did not know what. We thought it was the Amethyst but could not be sure. She told me…this morning," a hint of a smile crosses his lips, "that last night she had a dream. She can carry on further."
He sits and all eyes turn to me. I get up, take a breath, and begin. "So, um, last night I had a dream, er… a nightmare. Actually a series of nightmares all including Malekith. At one point he had my family." I can feel my throat closing but I carry on. "And this dream led me to relive what happened in his ship, just different circumstances. Instead of just asking me if I knew and torturing me, he asked me if I knew and tortured them." I can barely cough out this word so I stop.
"And what was it Malekith asked you to find?" Odin asked.
"The Amethyst."
"And you remember this clearly?"
"Yes."
"How do you know this was not merely brought on by—"
"Because!" I cry before I can stop myself. "Because it…it feels different than the other dreams. It feels like a memory when the rest of the dream feels like a dream. It just gets hazy around the edges at that part." I reluctantly pull whatever I can remember about the nightmare to the front of my mind and I don't know if my memory is warping the image, but in my mind's eye I see Malekith asking me where the Amethyst is. But as he forms the words, another elf injects me with something just like what happened in real life and then everything grows hazy and garbled and then: If you help us find the Amethyst, you will be free. But if you do not I will torture you, girl, and in the end I will kill you.
I remember my response, then kill me, and shudder.
"It was a memory," I whisper.
"What?" Odin asks.
"Malekith said that if I help them find the Amethyst then I will be free, but if not, he'll kill me." I push the sense of terror growing in my stomach as far down as I can for the time being. "Thanks to me, the force field surrounding Asgard is gone. The Dark Elves have no doubt noticed by now and are coming for me. They might even be out there right this moment. Now," I say, cutting off Odin as he opens his mouth. Not a good move but I need to say this. "Now, here's my problem. Ever since I got here, I have been excluded from every meeting except the ones that you deemed appropriate. And I mean no disrespect when I say that that's really pissed me off." Loki coughs and I glance down to see him covering a smile. "I still don't understand your reasoning behind not including me in meetings that were clearly about me but right now I'm not questioning your decisions because that won't do me or you or this meeting any good. What I would like to know is every single detail from those meetings about me and I would like to know them now. Please leave out nothing."
I sit down and place my clasped hands on the table. Throughout my speech eyes widened and mouths dropped as I blatantly disrespected the Allfather in front of his Council, and for a moment no one speaks, they just keep staring at me.
I raise my eyebrows at Odin and watch with bated breath as he mulls over what I said (and probably decides how to punish me).
God, I hope it's community service.
Loki's knee bumping mine jerks me away from my thoughts.
"I'm impressed," he says lowly, the tone of his voice making my insides do a gymnastic routine.
"I'm glad someone is," I whisper through the butterflies threatening to fly from my stomach and out my mouth.
"Don't worry. I do not think he will kill you."
I turn on him. He wears a mischievous grin. "You are a complete and utter ass," I mutter.
"Am I?"
I'm about to confirm my remark when Odin finally talks.
"To fully explain everything, as you have requested, I must start with the Amethyst itself."
I nod and around me are a chorus of murmurs, some reluctant to hear what they have heard before, others indifferent.
"Neither I nor Heimdall know what the Amethyst is—whether it is truly a rock or even if it is tangible. But, because Heimdall got a brief glimpse of Svartalfheim after the field was created, we know the Dark Elves are building a device they could use to wield whatever power the Amethyst possesses. The picture you saw, Freya, when you first came to the Council Room, was a sketch of what Heimdall had seen."
I think back to the day I convinced Odin to let Loki out. The paper I had found had a circle with what looked like a hole in the center.
"Due to the way the device was described, it would be assumed the Amethyst is just that: a powerful gem stone. If it is one of the six Infinity Stones or a seventh, we know not. You remember what I told you about the Infinity Stones, yes?"
I nod.
"Then I will not repeat that part. Now, when you first arrived here, Heimdall saw when the field formed. And it later came to my attention that he knew who or what created it. It would seem that, somehow, even in your unconscious state, you were trying to defend yourself; you used the magic you didn't know you possessed to hide Asgard from all eyes and force the Dark Elves out, in the process blinding Heimdall to everything but Asgard." Odin pauses to let this information sink in.
I close my eyes and press my fingers to my temples.
"H-holy shit," I whisper.
I drop my hands to my lap and when I open my eyes, everyone is staring at me again—including Loki. Apparently I wasn't the only one excluded from this knowledge.
I look at Loki, who has an extremely peculiar smile on his face. He reaches under the table and pulls one of my hands into his and rubs small circles into my palm. I feel my nerves quiet, but only for a moment.
"Y-you can keep going," I say, glancing at Odin then staring at my free hand. I turn it over, palm down, and slowly make a fist. It feels detached, like it doesn't belong to me. And how could it? How could I have this power coursing through me that I knew nothing about? How could I not know I have the power to light a leaf on fire without a match, make a glowing ball of magic hover over my hands? How could I not know myself?
I shove my hand under my leg. I can't look at it, at my legs, at my clothes without feeling like I'm staring at a stranger.
"Freya?" Odin says. His voice is surprisingly soft.
I look up.
"Do you wish for me to continue?"
I nod frantically. I need to know if he's kept anything else about me secret.
"If you are sure."
"I am," I say. My voice wavers a little.
"Because of what you and Loki have told me about your dream, it is now clear why Malekith wants you. I too believe that now the field is down, the Dark Elves will return to reclaim you and…urge you to help them. Now that Heimdall has his Sight back, their return will be anticipated and therefore we will be more prepared. Though what I have told you is not everything discussed at the meetings, it is the most important. There may be a time when I tell you more, but until then, I hope you are satisfied with this knowledge."
"I am, thank you," I say.
"Very well. With that, may I announce this Council Meeting's end."
Loki and I stand, but no one else does.
"Why is no one moving?" I whisper, everything in me trembling with the echo of what I've just learned.
Loki frowns.
"Freya," Odin says, standing. I look at him. "There is one more thing. I know that for your entire stay thus far I have not treated you with hospitality or kindness of any sort and for that I truly apologize." I feel my mouth fall open and clamp it shut. "I would also like to inform you that I, Frigga, Thor, and the entirety of the Council of Asgard have made it our goal to protect you against any threats." Odin's eyes flick to Loki. "It was only too recently that the Nine Realms fell into chaos. I wish to keep the peace a little longer."
Then the Allfather clasps his right hand and crosses it over his chest and I almost fall over from shock. "Whether you are in this Realm or another, I will do everything in my power to protect you from Malekith and his forces."
Then Thor stands, smiling broadly. "Lady Freya, I too promise to protect you from any threat the Dark Elves pose. And I will also do everything in my power to ensure your safety." He clasps his right hand and crosses it over his chest as well. Then slowly, one by one around the table, everyone stands and salutes, chorusing "And I!"
The circle makes its way around the table and jumps to Frigga, leaving Loki for the end. When it is finally his turn, he smiles at me and I wipe away the tears falling down my cheeks. He clasps his hand with my hand still in it and crosses it over his chest, holding my palm against his heart.
"And I."
. . .
"Do you wish for me to stay with you tonight?" Loki asks.
We stand by the door to my room and I try to anticipate whether my dreams will be good or bad after the meeting today.
"If you do not desire my company," he continues—I frown a little at all the things that phrase has meant in so many movies and works of literature, and he smirks—"then I will only come if I think you need me."
"Thank you," I say. I smile at him and open my door, about to walk inside when he catches my hand.
"Freya."
I turn. "Yes?"
"Today at the Council Meeting, when you learned that you were the one who created the electric field that surrounded Asgard—" I swallow the ball forming in my throat "—what were you thinking?"
I bite the inside of my cheek. "What-what do you mean?"
He takes a step closer and I take a step back, not looking at him.
"Freya, I did not read your thoughts. Though I wanted to, I refrained." He tilts my chin up with his thumb, his fingers reaching into my hair. "So, I repeat, what were you thinking? You looked very…scared." His last word is a whisper and I see his eyes turn a dark shade of turquoise grey.
I shudder a little as I try to hold back a sob. "How—" My voice cracks and the sob breaks through. I try again, but can't even get out an H when I just give up and let everything I've been more or less bottling up out.
Loki pulls me against him, one arm wrapped all the way around my torso and the other around my shoulders, and lets me cry.
After a few minutes of sobs that rake my throat, I'm left with only tears that trail slowly down my face and drip from my chin to Loki's leather vest.
"I—" I start in a whisper, trying to push the words out through my quavering lips. "I'm afraid of myself, Loki."
I feel him stiffen, but he doesn't say anything for a long time.
"My dear." His voice is thick and I can't tell if he's about to start crying too, or laughing. "Of course you already know, but you are hugging a Jotun." He pulls away to look at me. When I don't say anything, he continues. "Do you see this sleeve?" he asks, holding up his left arm. Sewn down the green fabric of his shirt is a raised, spiraling decoration that reminds me of the raised markings that appear on his skin when he turns blue. I nod. "Do you know why it differs from the other?"
"No." I study his face. It looks like he's fighting to stay calm; his jaw is clenched slightly and his brows are furrowed.
"It is late and you look tired so I shall save the full story for later, but I will say that I did not always know I was of another Realm." He grits his teeth for a moment, then he smiles. "Let us just say that I know what it is like to be afraid of who you are."
I look down at my sandaled feet standing a few centimeters away from his boots. A grin flicks across my lips.
"What?" he asks.
"I have more in common with a god," I say, looking up at him, "than I do with some of my friends down on Earth."
His laugh is a breath. "I suppose you do."
We stand there in un-awkward silence for a moment, just looking at each other. Loki is the first to break our gaze and does this only to take my hand and press his lips to my knuckles.
"Sleep well, Freya. And may your nightmares not trouble you tonight."
"Goodnight, Loki," I say and turn to my open bedroom door. But the feeling of Loki's breath on my ear makes me stop before I can enter my room.
He is making it really hard for me to go to bed—and part of me is happy about it.
"Though I must admit," he whispers, "I do hope your sleep is fitful so that I may join you once again."
A shiver runs down my back and I hear him chuckle.
"Well, the faster you let me go to bed, the faster you can come check on me," I say, glancing over my shoulder. He's gone; so, finally, I walk into my room and close the door. I get ready for bed, unable to keep a smile from my face despite my still spinning stomach and nerves, then I lie down.
Despite Loki's original hope of pleasant dreams, my mind subconsciously listens to his second comment and it's as if I'd just closed my eyes when my screams and Loki wake me.
Loki's words must jinx it because from that point on, my nightmares get worse and more frequent. I wake up at least once each night to my own screams or sobs, and several times more just because the dreams are awful. If Loki doesn't wake me up fast enough, my body rips me out of the dreams itself; after three nights of this, the sensation begins to physically and mentally hurt.
During the day I'm at turns irritable and silent, which I know is annoying to everyone around me. Luckily it doesn't seem to affect Loki at all. Probably because, well, he is Loki. Or maybe because he has bad dreams too…
After a few more days of my snippy comments, Peter finally decides to do something about it. The two of us—Loki is with Frigga—march down to the Infirmary to see Eir. She tells me how my dreams are just a reaction to everything I've been through. "Yes, yes, I know!" Then she says she will make a special medicine to help put me into a deeper sleep where the nightmares can't follow. "Thank god. Thank you!"
She also tells me that if I somehow accidentally drink the whole vial, I might not wake up. Ever. "Oh shit." After promising not to do that, we leave and go visit Peter's ship.
Repairs finally started on it two days after I remembered the Amethyst. The Asgardian mechanics are making good progress and to my dismay, Peter could be leaving in two days if everything goes as planned.
"So you're saying," I say, pointing my wooden sword at Peter, "that if I beat you right now you will take me for a spin in your spaceship once it's fixed."
"Right."
"But only someday."
"Also right." He grins.
"Screw you," I mutter. "I want to fly around space tomorrow!"
"Enough of this pointless banter!" Loki cries. "Freya, I am truly happy you are feeling better after a full night's rest, but I would very much like to move on from wooden swords."
Thor laughs.
I look at Loki and he raises an eyebrow.
"I'm waiting," he says. I turn back to Peter.
"En garde!" I yell, dropping into my fighting stance. Peter does the same but a little more clumsily. I take advantage of this and jab at his waist. He blocks successfully but I'm already two steps ahead and closing in. Our swords knock over and over and I smile at him as I push him farther toward the edge of the training area. Chopping down at his head, I cry out in victory when he stumbles a little at the top of the hill. I place the sword against his neck like they do in the movies then turn to look at Thor and Loki.
Thor is clapping and nodding, but Loki just stands there looking mischievously amused.
"What?" I ask. "Didn't I just wi—"
Then the hilt of Peter's sword hits my back and I tumble to the ground.
I roll over and look up at him. He's laughing and cheering. I frown, trying to keep my own smile from showing.
"I guess that means I win," he says and holds out his hand for me to take.
"I guess it does," I say, taking it. He pulls me up and I dust myself off. "Touché by the way."
"Touch-ee to you too." He grins. "I'll still come back and take you for a ride though. I'm not that coldhearted."
"Wow. What a gentleman." I pick up my sword. "But seriously, thanks. I'm really excited."
We walk over to where Thor and Loki stand. Thor laughs even more than before and Loki smiles. I walk over to glare at him.
"Why so smug?"
He brushes his thumb against my cheekbone and rubs at some dirt. "Never turn your back on the enemy," he says, the side of his mouth turning up.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Peter say something to Thor then they both look at us, smiling.
On our way out of the Armory, I'm walking with Peter. Thor and Loki follow us discussing something involving the Dark Elves. I'm trying not to listen.
"So," Peter says. He shoves his hands in his pockets and I look at him, frowning at his smirk. "You're into the tall-dark-haired-mysterious-bad-boy type, huh?"