Chapter 38.

Hogun held his daughter as she screamed and cried into his tunic, Velora bringing her tea to drink and calm he nerves. She had run all the way to their home and woke them both, her eyes filled with tears and unable to give voice to what had her so sad. They eventually were able to get the truth from her, and Hogun growled under his breath. He stood and headed for the door, his wife stopping them and shaking her head to get him to calm. He stood, looking back at his daughter and and shaking his head.

"Let us get her to bed." He said, his heart breaking for his only daughter and Velora helped her to her feet gently. She guided her into a room where she had recovered from being ill before, and helped her undress to go to her rest.

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Dawn broke over Asgard the next morning, and the news traveled quickly throughout the castle. The Slave Girl was cast off and Loki would not be marrying after all. A few Noble Maidens planned to tempt him, putting on their finest dresses and making themselves noticeable. Decorating their hair with colorful jewels, and adding exotic feathers to enhance their rouged lips and cheeks. But the Prince in Question was absent from Court, and remained that way for the entire day and the day after.

Floria on the other hand, was seen walking with her Mother and Father in the city. A plain cotton dress of blue on her, and brown, flat shoes on her feet. She was a defeated woman, looking for work and taking odd jobs for the days that the Prince had vanished to afford her keep. She washed pots and plates in a tavern one day, and cleaned a wealthy familiy's rooms the next. The Wife of the Lord scowling at her as she worked, and refusing to offer her any comfort. She finished quickly, taking her pay and returning home where she picked at her food and fought tears. She retired to her bed, sleeping after bathing and washing her one dress. It hanging near the fire to dry, and she wrote letters that she would burn as she tried to find sleep.

The day after, she cleaned another Noble's home and overheard them speaking to their daughter. Both of them laughing as they spoke, and the devastating news finding her ears and making her nearly weep. The girl repeated gossip that Loki was going to marry an Alfar Princess instead, and he was leaving that day to meet his Bride. Floria returned to the work, scrubbing everything to a high polish and accepting her pay again that day and accepted their scorn in quiet humility as well.

By the time she arrived at home that night, she collapsed into her bed and fell into a dreamless sleep. Her chest heaving in sadness for what she had lost, and vowed never to look for again.

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"Floria, I need you to tidy the house. I need to go to the Market and fetch new clothes for your Brother, and some meat for supper." Velora said and Floria nodded, folding her hands and kissing her brother's forehead gently. The gesture reminded her of the way Loki would show her affection, and she felt a horrid pain in her chest at the memory. Velora saw the change in her demeanor, the way she reverted back into a shy girl that hid in plain sight, causing her worry about her. He hugged the girl close, kissing her forehead softly and carried the baby out the door.

Floria bolted it, picking up a broom to sweep and she heard a knock. Opening the door as she thought it was her mother returning for a forgotten item, and gasping to see Thor and Sif standing outside. She gave them a curtsy, lowering her eyes and standing in their way.

"Father is out right now My Prince, he went hunting to feed us all." She said and started to close the door. He stopped it from shutting, his large hand in the way and he frowned at Floria. She could see that something was troubling him, but did not dare ask what.

"We came to speak to you Lady Floria." Sif said and she shook her head.

"I am no longer a Lady of the Court, I was dismissed by Prince Loki." She said and tried to push the door shut. "Good day, I will tell Father you called."

"Floria, you must come. Loki is in the worst of states, and we fear he will slip further if no one talks sense into him." Thor said and she shook her head. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears.

"What did I do to make you tease me so?" She asked and she did her best not to cry. "He is gone, off to the Alfar court to marry a Princess there. I heard it from a Noble Family as I scrubbed their floors and they laughed about me, the cast off Slave Whore. Used and thrown away for his gain, nothing more than that."

"You heard..." Sif said and looked at Floria. "No. He is still at the Castle, he has destroyed his Chambers and is refusing to acknowledge any person who attempts to enter."

"It is true Lady. He is in a poor state, for four days he has refused food and drink. We fear he will die unless someone speaks to him." Thor said and she gasped, her hands shaking. She paced, her hair loose and she looked at the two warriors.

"I dare not... I can not hope that he still has affections for me." She said, her eyes blinking as she cried. "He threatened to strangle me. How can he say that and still love me?"

"You obviously have never seen him angry before." Thor said and put a hand on her shoulder. "He was hurt, and we do not know why. He laments his mistake, but is too proud to come to you."

"You are the only person he may speak to Floria. Please come with us, we are not above begging." Sif said and she handed Thor her broom. He took it, looking at her and blinking.

"I will go, but someone needs to do my chores so Mother is not upset when she returns from the Market." She said and Thor looked at the broom. He started to laugh, but she did not join him. He stopped, the laughter dying on his lips and he frowned.

"You are serious." Thor said, looking at her. Sif elbowed him in the ribs, and she gave him a look.

"Father and Mother forbid me to go back near him. By going, I will be in trouble but I will be in much more if the housework is not done." She said and handed him a list. His eyes went wide at it, and he looked at her in shock.

"All of this?"

"Yes, except for cleaning the chimney flue, I did that earlier." She said and Thor looked at Sif. She took the list and read it, nodding at it and looked at Thor.

"This will be easy to finish. Please go and talk to him, we will also explain everything to Hogun and your Mother." Sif said and Floria ran and for a shawl. She wrapped herself in it, running out the door and down the street. She passed several Nobles as she walked up to the Castle Gates, ignoring their looks of scorn and saw Queen Frigga standing in wait. She ran to the girl, taking her hands and squeezing them.

"Please help him. He needs you so much right now." Frigga said and she walked Floria to his Chambers. She stood before the doors and knocked, her voice plesant.

"I fear you put too much faith in me My Queen, but I will make an effort to at least save a life." Floria replied and removed the ties from her hair.

"Loki, you have a guest. May she come in and speak to you?" Frigga asked and there was no answer. Floria shivered at the scream that came from within, her eyes widening and she motioned the Queen back. She put her hand on the latch and knocked softly, the sound timid and shy and Frigga folding her hands together in nervousness for the girl.

"My Prince." She said and her voice shook. "It is me, Floria. May I please bring you some food?"

A sound came from the door, and she picked up the tray on the hall table to take it in. The door opened a crack then, and she looked at Frigga with wide eyes. The Queen nodded, and Floria swallowed hard and shook while taking a step forward.

"I will go alone My Queen." Floria said, and she stepped through the door. It slamming again and sealing behind her, her eyes and mouth opening wide at what waited for her inside.