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

Chapter 25: Release

The room was not unfamiliar, but it was difficult for him to discern where he was in the palace. Loki glanced down at his hand and noted his blood-stained dagger fall from his grip. To his far right, he saw his family whispering to one another. Thor and his parents were eyeing him suspiciously, which left him feeling a bit unsettled.

The dagger hit the marbled floor below with a harsh 'clank' and slid away. It was challenging to breathe—almost painful, actually. He sucked in air as hard as he could, filling his lungs up. Loki coughed, and tasted the metallic flavor of blood in his mouth. The first wave of panic lapped over him, causing Loki to walk towards his family in the distance for help. Thor shook his head in shame at him, then turned away and began leaving. Odin followed a moment later while Frigga stood and watched her younger son become stricken with fear.

"Mother…" Loki attempted to yell out, but only a faint echo of his voice could be heard. He frowned and hoped she would hear him. Frigga's warm eyes filled with sadness as he stretched out his arm to her.

"Help me..." He beckoned to his mother. She hesitated to reach out to Loki, though her sympathetic expression conveyed that she wanted to. As he approached her, Frigga lovingly placed her hands on his face and examined him. He raised his hands to hers and tried to control his labored breathing.

"My boy, you do not look well. I worry about you so." Frigga spoke softly and stroked his cheek.

"Mother, am I dying?" Loki asked, genuinely afraid for his mortality. Frigga nodded her head as tears streamed down her face.

"Why does father not help me? Why are they leaving me alone?" His voice strained, threatening to crack as he probed for answers. She dropped her hands from his cheeks and stood back.

"Because of that…" Frigga said sharply and pointed behind him. Loki turned around to witness the cause of his early demise; and he nearly gasped.

"Loki, what have you done? How could you?" Estiel cried out angrily at him as she held Gynve's bloody corpse in her lap. She sat in the middle of a courtyard, surrounded by people in mourning. His mother stepped to his side and took his hand gently.

"We will always protect you." Frigga said with a sweet smile. Loki narrowed his eyes as the statement confused him.

"Guards, seize her!" Frigga ordered aloud and several large, armor-clad men marched over to Estiel. Horror wore on her face as they unsheathed their swords. Loki suddenly realized that they were going to execute her.

"No!" He yelled and began running to her. Estiel's eyes closed and she raised her arms up to cover herself as the men swung their weapons down. When Loki was within a few feet, the floor disappeared beneath him. He saw nothing but black abyss as he fell. As he continued to plummet, the darkness swallowed him whole, smothering any sense of hope. The last image of Estiel bracing herself for death bore into his mind like the roots of a tree, and he screamed.

With a violent jolt, akin to a bad collision, Loki sprung from his bed and gasped for air. He did not dream often, and over the years, he learned to suppress recalling them after waking. This time, however, the vivid scenes and strong emotions were fresh in his mind. He coughed and rubbed his eyes, noting how damp his hair felt that tousled around his face. He was shirtless, though his sleeping trousers were on. His muscles ached all over, and Loki noted he managed to open a cut near his mouth as blood trickled down his chin. When he looked around his bedchambers, he gritted his teeth in distress. He could not decipher if he had had a nightmare or if it was real.

"Are you in much pain?" Estiel's hushed voice rattled his tottering concentration and caused Loki to flinch from his seated position. She had never seen him so undone, and it startled her.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to frighten you…" She quickly murmured and rose from the cushioned chair by the bed. He watched her carefully before shifting to his side and grabbed her by the wrist. With slightly wide eyes, she gazed down at him with concern. He was covered in bruises and cuts. She had placed a few stitches on his arms, and it appeared he was healing quickly.

"Are you hurt?" Loki asked, sounding weak and raspy. Estiel raised a brow at him and shook her head.

"No, but you are. How are you feeling?" She leaned over him and eased him back down by his shoulders. Loki complied, though continued to watch her.

"Like I just came back from the dead." He said curtly, his voice less hoarse.

"Yes, I suppose you would feel that way." Estiel replied and paused for a moment before extracting a cloth from her pocket. As she wiped the corner of his mouth, he caught a glimpse of blood on the napkin.

"Did I die?" His tone was sullen, though curious. She finally allowed her eyes to meet his, and he saw the worry in them.

"Nearly... yes. It was very selfish of you to do what you did." Putting on a brave face, she stiffened herself and began to move away from the bed. Loki, still holding her wrist, and pulled her close to him.

"I did it for you!" Loki's words were brisk and severe. Estiel bit her lower lip and glanced up at his face again.

"If the end result of fulfilling something 'for me' is you being rendered unconscious for three days, and Gynve losing a century of memories, then please save your efforts for other endeavors." Estiel retorted sharply. Her eyes no longer held the look of worry, but rather, they contained resentment. It stung Loki to absorb her statement, especially coupled with that expression.

"I had no choice—it was…necessary." He said as his body froze at the surge of physical pain that moved down his side.

"Well, now that you are awake, I have to return home. My parents have forbidden me from seeing you…" She whispered, hoping he would not throw a tantrum.

"Then I forbid you from ever leaving this room." He quipped and began lifting himself up to her. She pushed back from him and shot him a glare.

"I must go." Her reply was bordering on cruel. Loki pursed his lips together and cupped her face in his pale hand.

"Forgive me, please?" His plea was sincere, though she did not back down.

"Not today." Estiel snapped and waited for his response. She was hurt, therefore she would see to his punishment. After a thoughtful exchange of glances, he spoke.

"…I realize that my actions never seem to manifest as virtuous, regardless if my intention was stemming from love. It is only through your belief in me that drives me to become better. I humbly request that you stay with me, for I do not desire to be without you tonight, or any night forward." Loki suddenly felt shame in his request. Feeling weak and pathetic—he could not look at her. As he rested in the bed, she sighed deeply in defeat.

"Move over." She ordered and crawled onto the mattress beside him as he stiffly scooted back to give her room. Lifting her head to the pillow next to his, she turned away from him, and his body curled around hers. With his arm wrapped over her possessively, she held his hand gently. Loki smelled her hair, the scent of citrus and honeysuckle graced his senses.

"I thought I had lost you…" Estiel whispered, her body becoming tense. He felt her shoulders tremble a bit, which he took as a sign of her crying. Loki pressed a kiss to her head and rested his chin over her shoulder.

"You could never lose what is a part of you…" he murmured back as she squeezed his hand tightly.

They lied together like that until peaceful slumber found them.

At daybreak, Estiel awoke in his bed, alone. As her sleepy eyes searched the room, she realized that Loki was not present. A small frown grew on her face as she sat up. The curtains were drawn and there was a tray of breakfast foods basking in the morning light on the study. With less-than-graceful movements, Estiel plopped out of bed and tiptoed to the desk. Upon seating herself, she noticed a folded letter beside the tray. As she picked it up, a tiny object fell out and into her lap.

It was the engagement ring that she had returned to Loki—the one he flung across the room days ago. Suddenly, she felt a smirk lift her expression. After opening the letter, she began to read it and sipped on a glass of juice.

Dearest Estiel,

I hope this finds you well. My apologies for not greeting you in person this morning—you were resting so soundly. My absence in the royal palace has no doubt created a dubious number of problems that I must rectify. However, to show you where my priorities are, I recovered your ring when I awoke. I have faith that you will accept it again and keep it permanently.

Thank you for staying with me; it prevented further night terrors from invading my dreams. Furthermore, I hope that you will consider staying regularly. Arrangements can be made to send for your belongings. I shall find you later today to discuss it, if you wish.

All my love,

Loki

Estiel raised a brow and carefully read the letter again. With an exaggerated sigh, she leaned over and rested her forehead on the edge of the desk. Though the request was desirable in some ways, she knew it would have severe repercussions with her parents. Not to mention, it would not be held in high esteem socially for her to live within Loki's quarters before wedlock. She would be considered a harlot, a courtesan.

No, she could not bring herself to such political scandal. It was already too much to be implicated in the situation regarding Gynve. The only reason her family's name escaped slander in the predicament was due to Loki's underhanded actions. She decided that the only way she would consider moving into the palace with him would be after they were married—and that was not happening any time in the near future.

With the sound of a knock at the door, Estiel sprang upright in her chair and froze. Wide-eyed with surprise, she quickly tucked the letter under the tray and stood up. Another knock caused her to grab at her hair to ensure it looked presentable. As the door opened, she saw the last person she would ever expect—the queen.

"Your highness!" Estiel bowed her head, lowered into a curtsy and paused in that stance. Queen Frigga smiled at her and quietly entered the room.

"My dear, you may rise. Please, have a seat." Her charming voice was soothing—clearly, Loki received his allure from his mother, Estiel thought.

"Yes, my queen." She answered and promptly returned to her chair. Frigga, with the grace of a butterfly, moved to an empty seat across from her. She wore an intricately embellished gown of white and gold. Her light-brown hair was pulled into a dazzling braid that cascaded down the side of her neck. Estiel felt like a mess in her drab teal dress, that she now wore for more than two days. She had been, after all, tending to Loki and had no need to change until now.

"Lady Estiel, I hear that my son was in your care while he recovered from anaimia. I wanted to personally thank you for your kindness and great skill in restoring him to full health." Frigga spoke happily as she gave her a soft, warm smile. Estiel returned it, though a nervous one.

"Your highness, if I may, no gratitude is necessary—it was my honor. However, I must ask, who informed you that he was suffering from anaimia?" She questioned meekly. Frigga blinked and quickly grinned at her.

"Loki, of course. He recanted the whole story over breakfast this morning. He seems quite taken with you, as well. In fact, he says he plans to court you. I can certainly appreciate him taking an interest in someone who has the gentle hand of a healer, such as yourself." Frigga gushed as she took Estiel's hand. A nervous chuckle escaped her, feeling overwhelmed by such flattery.

"I formally invite you to assist our Grand Master in the healing arts. It would be a privilege to have such a skilled young woman in our palace. To accommodate your needs, a room on this floor will be made up for you within three days—please say you will accept!" Frigga was smiling widely at Estiel, who appeared slightly catatonic.

She was beginning to wonder if Loki's intentions truly stemmed from love.

Anaimia is anemia in ancient Greek for 'lack of blood'

I hope you enjoyed this chapter ^_^ it is my pleasure to write this! And do not fret: Gynve is not gone for good. Update on Sunday~ goodnight.