Ava woke in the middle of the night to the sound of something moving about her bed chamber. She stuck her hand under her pillow, but couldn't find the dagger. "Who goes there?" She called into the darkness, as she discreetly searched her bed for the dagger.
A weight came on the bed behind her and then a hand clamped over her mouth and pulled her head back, exposing her throat. "Looking for this?" The familiar voice of the guard asked, as he gently pressed the cool metal of the blade to her throat.
Ava's heart was pounding in her ears. She could feel the panic setting in on her. She knew that wouldn't work. She knew she needed to remain calm or else she wouldn't escape this.
He chuckled into her ear. "I was expecting more of a fight...perhaps you've finally decided to give into me?" He whispered to her.
Ava could hear the menacing smile in his voice. Her eyes had finally started to adjust to the darkness around her and she began to look all over her room for anything that could be used as a weapon.
"Well, let's begin my dear." He said, as he moved the dagger from her throat and down to the front of her night dress. He dipped the blade under the fabric and began to slice it.
Ava's eyes finally found a vase not very far from the bed. She focused on it and soon had it flying through the air and hitting her assailant in the head. This had caught him off guard and caused him to loosen his hold on Ava. She pulled away from him and ran across the room.
"That was a mistake, Ava." He told her, anger coloring his tone.
"No, the mistake was you coming in here." Ava replied. "If you leave now and never bother me again, no one ever has to know about this and no harm will come to you."
"And who will harm me, my good lady?" He asked, sneering the word lady. "Will it be you?"
"I will fight you off and it will be noisy...and Loki will come to find out what is going on...just what do you think he will do when he finds you trying to harm hos bride?"
"None of that will happen." The guard replied. "You won't be able to fight me off long enough."
"Really?" Ava asked.
"Besides, I know you really don't want your precious prince to know about this. Why else would you continue to keep your arms covered and hide the bruises from the other night?"
Ava glared at him. She lifted her arm and waved her hand, sending him flying into the wall behind him. She then used her power to pick up anything, tables, vases, mirrors, etc. and throw it at him. He managed to dodge a few of the items as well as take a few hits. He made it across the room to her. Ava let out a scream just before his hands wrapped around her throat.
Loki...
Loki was sitting on his bed reading by candle light. He was having a hard time concentrating on his reading, his thoughts going to Ava and their coming nuptials. He couldn't wait to make Ava his wife. He loved her more than he thought he possibly could love another person.
He closed his book and set it aside. He lay back on his bed and closed his eyes, trying his best to get to sleep. He was just about to drift off when he heard crashing noises. He climbed out of his bed and left his chambers. He heard the crashing sounds again, they sounded like they were coming from up the hall.
"What is that sound?" Frigga asked, entering the hall.
"I don't know." Loki answered. "It's coming from that way."
They walked up the hall, following the sound. It was then that they heard a loud scream...coming from Ava's room. Loki raced up the hall and burst through the doors to Ava's chambers. Anger washed over Loki at the sight he encountered. One of the guards had Ava pushed up against the wall, his hands wrapped around her throat.
"Get your filthy hands off of her now!" Loki ordered, his voice a low growl.
The guard looked at Loki, panic in his eyes. He released his hold on Ava and she sunk down to the floor gasping for air. The guard then took off running towards the balcony. Loki used his magic to close the doors and lock them so the man couldn't escape. He then used one of his throwing daggers to hit the guard in the leg to slow him down.
Frigga entered the room and went over to Ava to check on her, her face showing only concern. "Are you alright, dear?" Frigga asked, her hands examining Ava for any injuries.
"I...am...fine." Ava got out between gasps.
Loki knew that Ava was in good hands with his mother, so he focused his attention on the guard. He invaded the man's thoughts to find out exactly what he had been up to, entering Ava's chambers...when he read what the guard had been thinking, rage filled him.
Loki stalked towards the guard, the rage in his eyes. "How dare you." Loki growled at the guard.
"Please...Prince Loki..." The guard pleaded.
Loki pulled out another throwing dagger and threw it into the guard's chest. The force, with which Loki threw the dagger, caused the man to fall to the ground. Loki reached him and grabbed him by the throat, hoisting him up in the air. "You dare think you can come into my lady's chambers, with such malicious intentions, put your hands on her and not suffer any consequences?" Loki asked the guard, his grip tightening on the man's throat.
"I...I am...sorry." The guard gasped. "Pl...please...have...mercy?"
"You really believe you deserve my mercy?" Loki asked. "You intended to violate my love." Loki tossed him to the ground and pulled out another dagger.
Frigga pulled Ava to her feet and quickly dragged her out of the room, wanting to keep her from seeing what Loki was about to do. Neither of them was going to stop him from doing it, it was the punishment for the crime the guard had been about to commit after all.
"Are you alright, Ava?" Frigga asked her again.
Ava nodded. She could still feel it, where the guard had gripped her throat and closed off her air, but she could breathe just fine. "I fought him off as long as I could...and then Loki came in before he had the chance to do anything else."
Frigga pulled Ava into her arms for a hug and stroked her hair. "Thank goodness, you're alright."
Ava hugged her queen back and allowed herself to draw some comfort from the embrace. While Frigga could never replace her mother, Ava did feel a bond with her and loved her as another mother. She could feel that Frigga truly did care for her as if she were her daughter...and that was enough.
Loki emerged from Ava's chambers a few moments later. "Ava, my darling, are you alright?" He asked, walking over to her and his mother.
Ava pulled away from his mother's embrace and turned to him. "I am fine." She answered.
Loki pulled Ava into his arms and kissed the top of her head. He held her there for a few moments before pulling back and holding her at arm's length. He ran his eyes up and down her, taking in a visual inspection to make sure that she was indeed alright. His eyes instantly caught sight of the cut fabric of her night dress. The cut partially exposed her breasts. "He didn't...?"
Ava shook her head. "No, you came before he could."
Loki pulled Ava back to him. He was relieved that he had gotten there in time, but still angry that it had happened in the first place.
Frigga went back into Ava's chambers and grabbed her robe and another night dress from her wardrobe. Other guards were called to carry out the body and to clean up the room. Frigga took Ava to another room, where she could change into her other night dress, they came out of the room as soon as she was finished. They found Thor and Odin standing with Loki, speaking about what had happened.
Once he had finished speaking with his father and brother, Loki walked over to Ava and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I am taking you to my chambers, where I can keep you safe." He told her.
Frigga thought of protesting for a moment, since they were unwed, but she thought better of it under the circumstances. Perhaps it was better for Ava to stay with Loki, besides they would be married in just a couple of weeks.
Loki led Ava down the hall to his chambers. Ava slid out of her robe and slid into the bed. Loki climbed in next to her. The night dress she was wearing, was sleeveless and Loki happened to see the bruises on her upper arms. "These look old." He observed, as she traced the bruises with his fingertips.
"Three days." Ava replied.
"This was not the first night he came into your chambers." Loki stated.
"No." Ava replied, answering anyway. "But he did not...that night either. I threw him off the balcony."
"Why didn't you tell me, my darling?" Loki asked.
"Because I knew you would be angry...and I didn't want to have to worry you when you had just returned from battle." Ava answered. "He hadn't tried again since that night...I had been keeping all of my doors closed and locked...reinforced with the magic you taught me...and I kept a dagger under my pillow...Besides, I didn't think he would try now that you are home."
Loki stroked her cheek. "You should have told me and I could have protected you better."
"I know." Ava replied, looking away from him.
Loki pulled Ava into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Don't be ashamed." He told her, as he rubbed his hands up and down her back. "If anything like this ever happens again, do not be afraid to tell me. I will keep you safe."
"I know you will, Loki." Ava replied, snuggling closer.
Loki kissed the top of her head once again. "I love you, Ava."
"I love you, Loki."
Ava felt safe and secure wrapped in Loki's arms. It was the first time since the guard had first tried to attack her. She rested her head on his chest and let the sound of his heart beat lull her to sleep. Loki lay awake for a while, watching Ava sleep. There was a peaceful expression on her face.
He breathed a small sigh of relief. He was glad that she was unharmed and that she seemed to be just fine mentally. Loki kissed her forehead.
"Loki..." She mumbled in her sleep and snuggled closer to him.
Loki smiled, glad that she still seemed to be happy. Part of him was worried that she wouldn't feel safe anymore...and perhaps leave him. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was afraid of losing her love...and this attack reminded him just how highly the other men of Asgard coveted her.
"I love you, Loki." Ava mumbled. "I need you...always."
Loki felt reassured by Ava's sleep rambling. He soon fell asleep, holding her tightly.
