Chapter 26.
The Maids ran into the garden, their skirts flowing behind them and their laughter carried on the air. The snow had finally melted away, and Spring had returned to Asgard. And with it, several suprises that brought several Nobles to shock.
Thor was still working for the girls, taking over their chores and shooting glares at Loki when he would pass him. He had also found an ally, Cin agreeing that Floria had no place among the other Maids of high birth. She and a couple others hating the idea of a Commonner, and former slave living and playing among them. Together, they formed a plan and Thor liked the genius of it. Because, if he could not have Floria to himself, no man would. Nor would they ever want her when he was done.
Loki and Floria walked together, their secret still kept until they were ready to announce it. He would suggest revealing it finally, and she would shake her head. Begging him to keep it between them, promising that she was only his and would remain so. And he would relent, but he was growing tired of the waiting and wanted to seal their bond to keep her safe.
"It is a lovely day Sir." Floria said, smiling and blinking in the bright light. Loki regarded her, raising his eyebrow in suprise at her.
"It is. a perfect day to maybe tell one person of our intentions?" He suggested and she sighed, her heart sinking at the thought of marriage. She liked things the way they were, and wanted to avoid laying with him for as long as she could. Her fears of the pains of becoming a Wife making her feel faint, all brought on by Thor and Fandral teasing her. The other Maids did not help either, whispering how awful it was to loose their maidenheads and making her sink further into despair. He frowned, closing his eyes a moment and stopped walking.
"Must we?" She asked him and he sighed.
"Floria, it is generally announced within days of a person deciding to wed. We have waited months to say anything now, people are growing anxious." Loki said, trying to be gentle and not push her too hard.
"But you said you would wait a lifetime, if that is what it took." She said and folded her hands. "I don't want to disappoint you Sir, but I enjoy this secret greatly."
"Floria..." He started, but let go of the idea and switched topics. "Perhaps I may be able to teach you to ride soon. That should be enjoyable."
"Yes. It would be, and I would have so much fun learning from you." She said and smiled, the fear he saw in her eyes vanished and he saw the glint of the diamonds on her finger. He was happy she at least wore the ring, and saw the girls run past them again. She looked at them and then at him, her desire to join them in their game showing.
"Go on. Have fun and be free." He said, and she curtsied to him and ran along with the girls. He watched her light skirts trail behind her, her laughter carried on the breeze. He sat on a bench, a red haired girl sitting next to him and she wrung her hands nervously. He saw a basket at her feet, her embroidery on top of it and she pushed it toward him.
"What is it..." He said, searching for the girls name. She laughed, folding her hands and looked around.
"Cin My Prince, my name is Cin." She said and her eyes darted about. "I have to tell you something, and show you another thing."
"What?" He asked her and she showed him a sheet from a royal bed. He recognized the crest embroidered on it immediately and on them was blood.
"What is this? Did Thor use you and get you with child?" He asked the girl and she hid the sheet away again, tucking it under some items in a basket she carried.
"No Sir. I refused him, but someone close to you was in his chambers two nights ago. And she has been close to you since, wearing a false mask of innocence." She said and he looked at Floria. She caught a ball and tossed it to another girl, his fists clenching at the thought that she had betrayed him. She promised him that she was his, but now evidence showed otherwise.
"Have you told Queen Frigga?" He asked the girl and she nodded, her face growing sad.
"I had to, she is deceiving Her Majesty by pretending to be chaste. I could not let her lies go any further." Cin replied and he stood quickly. He bowed to her, leaving the garden and Floria paused in wonder why he was leaving. He glared back at her, and her eyes fell before he turned his back and left to see Frigga.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She burst through the doors to his chambers, her eyes red from crying and she clutched a letter to her breast. She saw him, standing near the mantle and she saw the same look in his eyes that was there that morning. She gasped, her eyes casting downward and he folded his hands neatly behind his back.
"You have been dismissed, I heard what happened." He said and she shook her head. He mouth fell open, and she tried to speak but no words would come.
"It... It... it is not true. I swear it on my life." She said and he wanted to strike her. He took a step forward, and she retreated away.
"I saw his sheets, I saw the blood Floria. How could you do that, and with him? Especially since I promised you so much, even given you everything that you are." He hissed, his anger flaring and she shook her head. She fell to his feet and she reached for the toe of his boot.
"I am still a Maiden! I swear!" She wept, he moved out of her reach and he glared down at her. "Please believe me."
"How am I to do that? The evidence was brought to me and..." He started, Floria lifting her skirts to her knees and standing in front of him. She closed her eyes, shaking in fear and he saw her pain.
"Check me." She whispered, her heart hammering and he shook his head in shock. He pulled her skirts back down and he looked in her eyes, his heart hammering.
"He truly did not have you did he?" He said and she shook her head. She gasped, her sobs becoming harder and he left her standing in the middle of his sitting room.
"Do you believe me?" She gasped, her eyes wide and he made a gesture for her to stay.
"I do, and I beg you to forgive me for my anger. I must see Frigga, and will explain everything when I return." He said and turned to leave, his feet carrying him down the halls and he heard shouting from Frigga's chambers. He paused, listening through the door and heard his mother shouting at Thor.
"Rabbit blood? How could you do that to her?" Frigga screamed, the sound frightening to Loki as she never raised her voice. "You knew that she fancied Loki and acted like a spoiled child! I dismissed her, ruined her reputation and now her parents are scrambling to cover a lie by marrying her to a man who could be her grandfather!"
"That will not happen." Loki said, slamming the door aside and glaring at Thor. "She is bethrothed to me, and wears my ring! Stay away from her Thor, I warn you!"
"You warn me? One finger and Father will have you back in the dungeon!" Thor roared at him. "Do you think she wants to bear the child of a Jotun half breed like you? Does she know about the mortals you caused the death of? How about the women you lay with before in search of your own carnal pleasures? You are a monster, and she does not want you!"
"I will tell her in my own time! Stop looking at her as if she were a replacement foe that Mortal you lusted after and who died! She is not that woman, and never will be!" Loki said and Thor roared, he took a step forward and made a fist to strike him. Odin shouting and stopping them, and they both stared at the King. To Loki's horror, he saw Floria standing near a wall with her back pressed against it. Her eyes wide in horror, and he reached for her.
"What is the meaning of this!" Odin shouted, and Loki saw only Floria.
"Floria, I can explain..." He said and she shook her head. He lowered his hand, looking at his feet and he feared then that she was gone forever. Odin threw the sheet at Thor, his finger shaking at him.
"I warned you Thor, but your arrogance ruined something so very pure. You left me no choice now, I now leave Asgard in the care of Loki. He is now to be King, as he has proven to be the more level headed and caring of the both of you." Odin snapped and Thor's mouth fell open. Loki nearly fell over backwards at the announcement and he shook his head, Odin walking forward and Floria took in a deep breath.
"My Queen dismissed me My King." She said and Odin regarded her with his good eye.
"I heard that, and the truth was revealed to me, as well as many other things. My word stands, and it is now set." Odin said and he waved Floria to follow him. "I wish to discuss many things with you Dear Girl, and I pray your heart is open to hear them."
She nodded, following Odin obediently and she looked at Loki. She paused, looking at Loki and she ran to him. Throwing her arms around him, her tears falling freely. He returned the embrace and Odin turned, his eye resting on them and she trembled in fear.
"I am so scared, what will happen to me?" She whimpered and Loki glared at the other three persons in the room. He held her close, lifting her up and carrying her bridal style to the door. He stopped then, turning around and looking at Odin.
"I choose her over any crown King Odin. I searched for a true friend in this realm, and found a gentle creature who holds my heart." Loki said and Floria looked at him. Odin nodding at Loki and stepping forward, his eye taking in what he was seeing and he smiled.
"I could not think to part the both of you. I only wanted her to understand how much she meant to you, and wanted her to overlook your past. I feared that you had lost her after what Thor said, but it seems now that no intervention was needed." Odin said and Loki turned to leave. "You are still the Crown Prince, and I congratulate you on your bethroval."
"I do as well. I am so happy for the both of you, and pray you enjoy many years together." Frigga said, her smile wide and Thor glared at Loki, and Floria looked up at him. She slipped from his arms, taking a tentative step toward Thor and she glared at him. She had never been so angry in her life, and before anyone could stop her she struck him across the face. His head turned and her hand burned from the contact, Thor not believing what had happened, stared at her in shock.
"You nearly ruined my reputation and still call yourself a friend to my father, you should beg his forgiveness by crawling like a dog to his feet." She said and Thor looked at her in shock, Loki walked to her and lifted her back up in his arms and carried her toward the door. He cheered internally, celebrating that she had made a great point and left no doubt that she was not Thor's nor would ever be.
Before he could leave, he saw Hogun walking toward him and saw his distressed daughter. Loki gave her to him, and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Take her to your home and let her rest, I will come and see her soon." Loki said and Hogun looked at him in shock.
"You are casting her off?" He said and Loki shook his head in response.
"Never, I would lay my heart before all of Asgard before I would do such a thing. I intend to marry her, but a great upset has happened in this castle and I fear for her safety now. I know she is safest with you, and you want only goodness for her." Loki said and Hogun smiled at his daughter. He did not need to say that he approved of this match, and instead moved to take her to his humble house. "I will come in the morning to see her and to explain everything at first light. Take good care of her, she is a precious and untainted jewel that deserves the kindest touch."
"I will keep her safe with her mother and I." Hogun said and he held Floria close. "Her mother will be so happy about your marrying her."
"I hoped she would, but I need to see to a few things now. I will explain everything when I can, and need to know she is safe. Take her, I trust you above all men as she is your star and I hope to earn your esteem as your Son."
"You already have." Hogun said and left with Floria in his arms, her silence worrying him and he turned back to the room and walked in. He waited to close the door, Oding and Thor staring in silence and Frigga walking toward him. She hugged him, her eyes filled with tears and he stood quietly as she embraced him.