Rebekkah strutted into the room as though she had been told she was to be the Allmother, her face smug and her eyes gleeful. Thor watched her carefully every step since he had found her, terrified by her demeanour. When she saw you sitting in a chair, comfortable with blankets on you and Loki next to you with Odin keenly watching nearby, her mouth fell open.
"So you are the maid that informed Thor of what was going on here?" Odin demanded, not wasting a moment.
"Well Allfather, it would be more accurate to say he heard Frederick and I discussing the situation." She smiled.
"I see. So it was a staff matter, not worthy of my son's attention?"
"Well, no, but it is not my place…"
"Apparently this is old news, having been so since yesterday, did you know such?"
Rebekkah shifted slightly. "Well, no…"
"I see, well I think when your hand servant gets back Loki, we should have him seek Adelaide."
Rebekkah's eyes grew wide. "I think that a good idea." Loki agreed, looking at the maid as her emotions became clear on her face. There was a knock on the door. "Enter," Loki ordered, a moment later, Wilhelm opened in and held it as a very ornately dressed Einherjar walked in.
"You called upon me, Allfather." He bowed.
"Jan, so good of you to come, I apologise if I disrupted anything. I need to discuss a very serious issue within the staff." Odin began.
"The poisoned Light Elf?" The guard asked, looking directly at you.
"You are aware?"
"Yes, Allfather. It was reported to me, along with every shred of evidence that could be found from the healer's tests."
"Have you started investigating?"
"Of course Allfather, if there was risk that that toxin was to be ingested by Prince Loki, it goes from simply attempted murder to treason, neither a light accusation, however…"
"A Light Elf maid is not as high as a prince, none here will be so foolish as to take offence." He gently rubbed your shoulder, something everyone in the room took note of. "Wilhelm, could you please fetch Adelaide for us, her knowledge is required."
"Of course." Wilhelm bowed and turned on his heels again.
"Am I the only person in the palace that did not know?" Odin asked utterly offended.
"Well as stated Allfather, a member of staff is not so great as to warrant your knowing the basic details, I have a report already started that I was going to give you this evening." The Einherjar stated.
"Well, that is something, however, when my son's…maid, is poisoned, I am somewhat more in need of knowing, an attack on our chamber staff is an attack on us."
"Of course Allfather, I hope this never has to be something I will have to be corrected as to the protocol of on a second occasion."
"As do I, Jan. Once is once too many times."
As they all spoke, then silenced, you remained in your chair, not saying anything, all too conscious of the occasional looks everyone was giving you; Loki's hand never ceasing to touch you.
After what seemed like an eternity, Wilhelm and Adelaide returned, the older maid seemingly informed of what had been occurring, and her face and indeed glare at Rebekkah showing her anger.
"Adelaide, have the staff been discussing what happened?" Odin enquired.
"Of course your Majesty, it is effectively the biggest news in the palace, a poisoned maid has all other staff on tenterhooks; all terrified they could be next." She explained, Rebekkah throwing her eyes up.
"And among the staff, is there any murmurings as to who did it?"
"There are a few names floating around," Adelaide answered, her eyes darting to Rebekkah for the fleetest of moments.
"I see," Odin was about to continue when the doors opened, Frigga and Eir both standing there.
"So you know?" Frigga stated plainly.
"You did not tell me."
"Well I was going to, but we were investigating so to catch the culprit," Frigga answered.
"You had Jan investigate?"
"My family and our staff are at risk if there is an assassin at play, of course, I did." Frigga scoffed.
"Is it true Eir, that you agreed to the elf being brought here with Loki for her protection?" Odin asked the healer.
"It was the only way I would release her from the Healing Rooms, she is still weak, she could never fend off another attack, but here she is safe, warm and protected." The healer stated confidently.
"Indeed, tell me, Adelaide, with regards this maid," he pointed to Rebekkah, "She claims to have only come to the knowledge that this was happening not an hour ago."
Adelaide did not even attempt to hide her scoff. "It was her that declared it to the entire of housekeeping in the Messer's hall yesterday, with poor Frederick trying to get her to shut her filthy trap for once." The room turned to the other maid, who seemed to be trying to get out her defence, but she was silently trying to form words. "If I may speak freely Allfather." Odin nodded. "Rebekkah relishes in putting down any other member of staff she can, this one," she pointed to you. "Being her most loathed, for reasons not known to anyone, probably not even Rebekkah. Since the day she arrived, she has had it in for her, and would only want to spread rumours about her to try and have her cast out, every last member of staff, housekeeping or otherwise knows that."
Odin took a moment to assess his faithful maid's words, he walked over to Rebekkah, who had the audacity to try and seem guiltless to him. "And you have nothing to say in retaliation to such words?"
"She's unimportant, why would I care about her?" Rebekkah shrugged.
"I am curious, if she is so 'unimportant', then why, pray tell, are you still discussing it in my son's quarters a full day after it happened?" Odin challenged. "Though it is obvious really, you wished to inform my son, implying it was something untoward so he would feel the need to report it." Though Odin's voice was low, there was a menace brewing under it.
"I think this bitch is trying to use our family as pawns in her little game," Loki stated in disgust. "Are you someone's pawn father?"
Loki's analogy enraged the king, and even Thor took a step back as he turned again to the maid. "Is that your game, treat this realm's royal family like little puppets?"
"No, Allfather, I would never…"
"Father, I…" Thor began, the manner Odin glared at him caused him to cower slightly. "I think I require a new chambermaid."
"I think you right there." Odin snarled in agreement. "Adelaide, is that daughter of yours still looking for a change in employment?"
"Yes, Allfather."
"Tell her to be here tomorrow morning, and that I will reimburse her previous employer for the loss of earnings."
"Thank you Allfather, she will not leave you down."
"With you as a mother, I can assume even her worst is better than this one's best." He glared at Rebekkah, who looked indignantly at him. "You, are demoted to cleaning the soldiers' garderobes." He stated, turning away from her.
"What, no." She shrieked.
Everyone, from the other chambermaids to the Allmother stared at her in disbelief. "I beg your pardon." Odin's voice was eerily calm.
"I…My apologies Allfather, I…I…please."
"If you think you can plea to me, after your actions just now, I fear you need to see the Healer for a severe issue within your head. You are to be put on a menial pay also until you become proficient at your job, am I clear?" Tears welled in Rebekkah's eyes. "Now get out of my sight." She stood there, staring at him. "GET OUT!" You pulled Loki's arm so that it was an, albeit meagre shield for you, as you cowered from the large booming voice of the Allfather. Loki, sensing your terror, leant down and gave you the protection you wanted. Rebekkah seemed to physically jump into the air before turning and fleeing the room. "Have the guards keep an eye on her," Odin ordered.
"Allfather."
"Even if she is innocent of anything else, she is clearly as trustworthy as a feather as a paperweight." You frowned at the Allfather's odd analogy. "Jan, come, we have much to discuss, Adelaide, go speak with your daughter, should she require a nursery maid, I'm sure there will be eager takers since neither of you two seem willing to give them any duties." He commented to his sons.
"Well Thor does not have to worry about siring children to keep them busy, he is nothing more than a large toddler the vast majority of the time anyway," Loki commented.
"I feel as though you try but fail to shut your own mouth some day's boy." Odin sighed in irritation.
"I don't even try; I will admit that here and now," Loki stated nonchalantly in return. Frigga shot him a warning look before she and Eir came over to check on you.
"Better since yesterday." Eir smiled. "You are getting some colour back in your cheeks, or you were until you were scared out of your very skin."
"I imagined he could roar, but that was like a bellowing bull." You murmured.
Loki chuckled at your words and stayed close by. His mother eyeing him carefully. "Dare I ask what you are planning?" she looked at her son before she looked at you for a moment.
"I would not want to ruin the surprise mother." He grinned wickedly in return. "But I swear to you; it will be spectacular."