"Why didn't you tell me what happened?!" Loki hissed at Sif. They were at the table in the feasting hall and they'd had the good fortune of being seated next to each other. Maisy had not been invited because now Odin was trying to keep her out of the public eye. Loki hadn't seen his wife since that morning when he'd left for work. She hadn't been in their room when he got back.
"What do you think I just did?" Sif hissed back, gripping her fork so tightly that it broke.
When Loki sat down Lady Sif had quickly informed him of what she knew of Drin's actions from that afternoon. She didn't know much, Linn had just told her that the young man had attacked Maisy and the Midgardian was immensely upset about it. Upon asking where his wife was, Loki received only the information that she was safe.
"You are telling me that he ambushed her during her training and," He waved his hand in the air, "Did something to her? Where were you?"
"On the other side of the palace, I thought Odin had summoned me."
"Drin must have known to get you away from her," Loki swore loudly, attracting the stares of several nobles. He glared at them and stood up, "Where is she, Sif?"
"Linn told me not to tell you," Sif's eyes were steel, she would not give in, "I do not know why, but I assume it is because she knew you would seek Maisy out in your anger."
"You won't tell me? Fine. I'll ask Linn then."
He strode out of the dining hall and shoved the guards by the door out of his way. They looked at each other and then at Odin, who had a stormy expression. The guards decided it would be best to follow the fallen prince and rushed after him. However, when they got to the hall he'd already disappeared.
Loki went straight to Linn's room, knowing that she wouldn't be working at this hour anyway. He didn't bother to knock and simply knocked the door in. Linn shrieked and then laughed.
"Oh it's you. Why'd ya hafta do that to my door?"
"Where is she?!"
"Whoa! Calm down!" Linn jumped off her bed and put up her hands peacefully, "Just calm down!"
"Linnea, where the hell is she?!"
"Oooh, watch your language there, princey!" Linn tried to laugh, but it was strained and Loki could see the fear in her eyes. She thought he was going to hurt her. Or hurt Maisy. He took a deep breath and put a kind hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, Linn. I apologize," He sighed, "Sif just told me what happened. I need to make sure she is well. Can you tell me where she is?"
Linn narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"She's fine. You should be getting ready for Taka af Brúðr, don't you fink?"
There it was again. That magical presence that took Linn's place. Loki wished more than anything that he had his magic because he could figure out who it was and what they were up to. Sadly, he'd have to rely on his cunning alone for this one.
"Linn," Loki said, "Have you run into anyone strange lately?"
"Nope."
"I think you're lying."
"Loki, honest, I haven't come cross anyone stranger than you!"
"Then perhaps you do not remember it," He felt her forehead as if checking for a fever, "There is someone's magic rooted in your mind."
"What?!" Linn sounded genuinely scared by this, but then Loki felt the magic roar to life and her eyes narrowed, "That's terrible. Can you get it out?"
"Perhaps," Loki kept his hand on her forehead, "But that depends upon who is asking. Am I talking to Linn or whoever is spying on Maisy Sichore?"
She flinched at this.
"Someone spying on Maisy? What for?"
"I'm not sure. Though, I suspect it is because they want to ensure no real feelings develop between Maisy and myself," He wondered if this would be too obvious of a ploy, but he thought he might go for it anyway, "Such a shame they aren't here to stop it."
"Stop what?"
"Oh, nothing," He removed his hand and turned away casually, "But Maisy and I are married you know, interactions are bound to happen."
"What kind of interactions?" Linn's voice had gotten crisper and colder.
"Linn," Loki chuckled, "I'm not going to discuss that with a young lady like yourself!"
"So something has happened? When? And when in the nine realms did you wed? Did Odin enforce it? Or was it a choice?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Loki moved toward the door, "I'll see you in four days Egil, if you can wait that long to get your hands on her and get her away from me. You're plan to throw us together may have backfired on you."
"That was never my intention!" Linn's eyes widened and her controller seemed to realize that he'd given himself away, "I mean, fink you're crazy. Who would do such a fing?"
Loki spun back and grabbed Linn's shoulder harshly. He would have felt bad if she'd been in control of herself, but she was not. And though it was not wise to threaten an intergalactic criminal, Loki could not tolerate anyone spying on Asgard, so he put on his most intimidating face and snarled at the young laundress.
"You want Maisy? Fine," His snarl turned into a toothy grin, "If all goes according to your plan you may collect her when you wish. In the meantime, get out of this girl's mind. I would hate to do so, but for the good of the kingdom I won't hesitate to snap her neck here and now if you refuse."
"So you still have hopes of being Asgard's king, hmm?" Linn chuckled, "Still feign loyalty? You ought to have been more loyal to the realm that birthed you, trickster."
"How do you know-"
"This isn't my first time using a vessel to spy on Asgard, fool. It is the only time I've had a personal interest," Linn shuddered a little, "But from what I've seen Maisy quite likes this pink welp so I will leave her. Believe me, you and I will have words when I arrive."
"I look forward to it."
"You seem like a reasonable man. I know you will do whatever it takes to save your own skin and the golden spires of 'the Realm Eternal'," Linn's nose began to bleed a little, "So keep in mind that if you want me to leave you in peace you'll keep your distance from Maisy."
"That will be difficult," Loki commented, "I did not lie when I said we were married."
"How did that happen?" Linn seethed.
"I'll tell you all about it in four days time, Belison," Loki supposed he should reassure Egil that nothing remotely romantic had happened between himself and Maisy, but he thought it would be more fun to leave that worry nagging at the other man, "Now get out."
With a final shake and a loud gasp, Linn fell to the floor and when Loki felt her forehead he could sense no magic there. Good. He would have hated to kill the sweet laundress, and anyone who found out about it would hate him as well.
"Four days until a confrontation with Egil Belison," Loki muttered to himself, "Hopefully I haven't made him too mad."
He then recalled his reason for being in Linn's room in the first place and shook her awake. She groggily told him that Maisy was hiding in the fabric storage room and then she fell back to sleep. Loki put her on her bed and left. Now that he had one matter taken care of, he only needed to make sure that the idiot, Drin, hadn't wounded Maisy physically or psychologically. And if the brat had hurt her, well, Egil would have to wait his turn to make the boy suffer.
A note from the author: once again, my utmost thanks to everyone for reading. I truly do appreciate it. I love getting those little emails that say someone has followed or favorited or reviewed (those make me especially happy). I hope you are all enjoying the story. Special thanks to ferbette, CheetahLover, and Lwolf for the reviews, you guys are amazing people! :)