Njörd
It wasn't Frey's blood. It was his. Njörds blood dripped on the white nap. Pure fear was controlling him, making it impossible for him to move. He was choking on his own blood, but it was impossible.
The wine will be deadly tonight. I will have my sacrifice before dawn.
„No. Not me!" Njörd tried to breathe, but the sound of air trying to fill his lungs was terrifying.
„What is happening to you?" he heard Freya's soft voice next to him.
„Hel." He whispered.
Loki
Frey suddenly stopped coughing. Freya let go of him, her face pale and her pupils widened. „Not me!" This was Njörd. The god had blood covering his hands, and even more dripping out of his mouth. He began to choke.
Loki realized within seconds what was happening. Somehow, Njörd had been poisoned although Frey was supposed to be the target. Njörd's face began to turn blue, and Freya shook him desperately. „What is happening to you?"
-„Hel."
Which explained everything else to Loki.
Njörd coughed again even though Freya was obviously trying to heal him. Loki didn't think it was necessary to help him anymore. The goddess of death had took him instead of the new Vanir King. Frey was recovering, looking up to Njörd, whose head fell on the table. The god of the sea's eyes were open, staring – and dead.
Freya
„What is going on? I don't understand, how could he..?" Serena cried. Loki supported her, one hand around her waist, the other taking her hand. Freya's daughter was shivering, as well as Freya herself. Freya had commanded the people on the feast to leave, but her voice was shaking. People had left, totally shocked; some silent, others chatting agitated. Loki was as calm as if nothing terrible just happened, Serena on the other hand was a mess. Freya assumed she had felt the emotions Frey and Njörd went through and those were certainly not pretty ones.
Freya had her arm around her brother. Her twin. She thought he had to die, she had felt the black presence over him as she touched him. The presence of poisoning darkness and death. And suddenly it was gone, taking hold of another prey.
Her mind was spinning, trying to cope with the situation.
Frey looked exhausted, he was walking around restlessly.
„Let's leave this room. Guards, take the body away." Loki commanded casually to Freya's own guards. She didn't mind someone else taking control.
Carefully, he guided Serena out, his back shielding her from the body. Freya took her twin's hand, who looked at her with absent eyes. „Don't stay here. We'll go to sleep and find out tomorrow what happened." She whispered, her voice coarse.
„Yara." She remembered the name of the blonde handmaiden with the dark eyes, formerly Frey's, now Serena's servant. „Take Serena to her chambers. She has to be safe, no one enters without my perdition. Take enough guards with you. Tell me when there's even a trace of a problem." She commanded, then added „I don't mind if Loki stays with her."
Freya was Serena's mother, but she felt the emotional connection and the trust Serena felt towards Loki. He was able to soothe her nerves, especially after she witnessed the fear of two men thinking they were dying. Freya would check on her daughter tomorrow. Loki would take care of her.
Loki
Serena curled up in his arms. He had been allowed into her chamber, and he doubted Serena had accepted otherwise. She was still shaking as she climbed into bed. He joined her, taking her into his arms immediately.
-„Njörd wasn't prepared. I wasn't focused on him, but suddenly, I felt his fear and his surprise. He was happy, he never thought this would happen to him." She whispered.
-„You're right, love." He stroke over her smooth hair.
-„I don't understand, I thought Frey was poisoned, he was choking and suddenly, he wasn't anymore..."
-„Did you hear him? He said ‚Hel'. She's the goddess of death and I suppose Njörd made some sort of deal with her to kill Frey. Somehow, it turned against him. We have yet to find out." He answered. „Are you sad?" Loki asked her, not knowing how she felt about Njörd's death.
„I don't now. I have no reason to like him, yet... I would like to now why he died. But if you're right and he wanted to kill Frey, then maybe it's for the best for our family. Or is it bad to think like this?" she asked quietly. He kissed her on the forehead. „No, it isn't. Your family is safer now."
-„Our family, Loki. We're to be married. I now it wasn't the proposal either of us imagined, but I don't care. I love you, so why not show it to everyone? It's a fresh start for both of us."
Loki took his time before answering. „It really wasn't the way I imagined it to be. I don't think I deserve your affection, neither do I think I will ever be part of your family." He said, hearing himself how sad he sounded. She was fitting to this world much better than he was.
-„We'll be each other's family" she breathed and then closed her eyes. „Good night, Loki."
Serena
Serena was still exhausted when she woke up. Slowly, she opened her eyes only to remember the events of the previous evening. Loki was still asleep, laying on his back and his face surprisingly peaceful. She liked this look on it. Serena yawned and moved out of the bed. „Yara?" she called as she was out of the room. The handmaiden appeared directly as if she had waited for Serena to call. „Yes my lady?"
-„I need to get ready." Serena said, her voice coarse. She didn't even wanted to know how she looked right now, but surely Yara was able to make her presentable.
After an hour, Serena was fully dressed and brushed, her hair falling down in loose curls with some braided strands. Luckily, they had make up in Vanaheimr, and she really needed it to cover up her paleness and her under eye circles. On the other hand, the night had been terrible for everyone.
„My lady. You and ..." she paused for a second „Prince Loki are invited to the council. Because of last night." She ended, looking down on her hands. Serena wondered if she simply wasn't comfortable with his title or if she feared him.
„You can go now." Loki joined Serena, not looking tired or shocked at all. Casually, he winked towards Yara who quickly disappeared. With a playful smile he said „I think she doesn't like me."
„Luckily, I do." Serena answered, feeling her mood lightning. He pulled her towards him, pressing their bodies together. „Don't worry too much. There's no reason for that anymore. Furthermore, we have a wedding to plan."
The expression about having butterflies in her stomach wasn't enough to describe the feeling she had by the sound of the word 'wedding'. The decision had been spontaneous, but still, it was the right choice. Serena intuitively knew it, and hopefully Loki thought the same. She kissed him, tasting the familiar taste of his lips. His green eyes sparkled, mirroring her own happiness in this moment.
Frey is one of my favorite characters to write about, so I couldn't kill him off :D I know this is a pretty dark chapter, but don't worry! Now there's nothing standing in the way of their happiness now :D
Liebe Grüße & lots of love
