The blinding rainbow of light receded as Loki, in formal dress, stepped from it into Himinbjorg and into the presence of not only Heimdall, Asgard's gatekeeper, but also his mother, Frigga, Queen of Asgard and brother, Thor. Both were expecting to greet a disgruntled Loki as he had not been terribly keen to undertake the mission Odin had charged him to complete.
It had been Frigga who had approached Loki with the news, certain that he would accept it with less angst coming from her than if it were to be handed down to him as a proclamation by his father peering down at him from the throne. She had framed it as if Loki would be doing a great favor for his aging and overburdened father to take his place and represent him for the week long celebration in the realm of Alfheim to commemorate the alliance between the King of the Light Elves and his father Odin. That alliance had led centuries earlier to one of Odin's many relics finding its way into the royal vault to be safely stored away. If he were to represent his father well it could do much to assist Loki in finding favor in his father's eyes, Frigga had counseled in order to convince Loki to acquiesce with a minimum of his usual whining.
Loki doubted that any favor he might gain with his father would be enough. What Loki had not voiced to his mother was his fear and suspicion of what the assignment might foreshadow. It could be a sign that Thor was likely to be named Odin's heir, the next King of Asgard and Loki was to be relegated to the role of a royal ambassador, little more than a glorified PR man to stand in for his brother once Thor was King to perform duties his brother wouldn't have the time or inclination to perform himself. Thor was every inch a warrior, not a diplomat. Loki would be doing the heavy lifting, his silver tongue working overtime, only for Thor to derive the glory and benefits of Loki's efforts. The very idea sickened the young God of Mischief.
Loki had finally, grudgingly agreed. He had never had any difficulty denying others what they asked of him, even his powerful father, but his mother was another story. He would do his damndest to rearrange the heavens for her if she asked it of him, after the requisite amount of grumbling and bellyaching of course, which he knew she would expect. She might think him ill otherwise. He wasn't certain why she held such sway over him, he only knew that she always had from his earliest memory.
"Mother!" Loki exclaimed with a wide grin as he swiftly approached Frigga, setting his valise down before wrapping his arms around her in an enthusiastic embrace, "Thor, brother! It's good to see you!" he cried, sounding nearly giddy, as he unexpectedly hugged Thor as well, Thor clearly taken aback for a moment before returning it. Ending his embrace of Thor, Loki turned to see Heimdall staring at him as the imposing gatekeeper removed Hofund, the sword that controlled the Bifrost, from its pedestal. "Heimdall! I'm pleased to see you as well!" Loki said, Heimdall appearing as if he feared Loki would embrace him next.
"Where else would you expect to find me?" Heimdall replied, a curious expression crossing his features that was quickly replaced by his usual stoic demeanor.
"Point taken. I come bearing gifts." Loki said with a smile, his eyes gleaming, as he bent down, laying the valise on its side and opening it, removing a flat box. Snapping it open he revealed a sparkling jeweled necklace which he then removed and fastened around Frigga's neck before kissing her cheek, "You look exquisite. I knew it would suit you." Loki fawned.
"It's lovely. Thank you." Frigga said, placing her hands on Loki's shoulders and returning a kiss to his cheek.
"For you, brother." Loki said, removing a pair of gold armored forearm bracers, engraved with serpents.
"They're magnificent." Thor said in awe, examining them, "Thank you, brother."
"I didn't forget you, good Heimdall." Loki said as he reached once again into the valise.
"You have a gift for me?" Heimdall asked quizzically.
"In thanks for my safe journey, as well as your long and devoted service." Loki said, handing Heimdall a sheathed dagger, the hilt of the dagger gold and etched with an eye, the white of it and the blue pupil made of inlaid smooth stone. Heimdall removed it from its leather sheath, studying it.
"A handsome weapon. Thank you." Heimdall replied as Loki closed the valise, picking it up.
"Come! I have more for father and our friends. I can't wait to see their faces!" Loki said gleefully, putting his free arm around Frigga and moving her towards the exit of Himinbjorg and the Rainbow Bridge, practically skipping, Thor stepping up quickly to keep pace with them.
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Loki stood on the balcony of his chambers in the darkness, the burning cauldron in the great room behind him throwing shadows across the walls as he raised a goblet of wine to his lips. He had changed from his formal garb into more comfortable, yet stylish Asgardian clothing, black, so that along with his raven hair he was rendered almost invisible. Frigga scanned the room as she entered through the tall, golden and embellished double doors.
"Loki…" Frigga said as she spied him, orange light from the flames dancing on his back.
"Mother..." Loki said, turning his head upon hearing her gentle voice, "Would you care for some wine? I brought it from Alfheim. I'm ashamed to say I've never had better on Asgard."
"No, thank you. I only wished to say goodnight...and also that I'm happy you're home."
Loki sat his goblet on the edge of the balcony and approached Frigga who had made her way to stand near the cauldron. Loki took Frigga's hands in his own, both silent for a moment as Frigga stood staring into Loki's eyes searchingly, Loki picking up on something 'off' about her expression.
"What is it?" Loki asked.
"You enjoyed your time on Alfheim?" Frigga asked.
"Very much so. It was a pleasant sojourn but I'm happy to have returned." Loki replied.
"I'm pleased to hear it." Frigga said, pausing before continuing, "Did you...meet someone?"
"Quite a few someones. No one of any import. Oh...you mean...no. I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"I haven't seen you this happy in some time. I thought perhaps-" Frigga began.
"I suppose the wine's gone to my head. Freyr is nothing if not an indulgent host." Loki interrupted.
"You're still young. Besides, I'm not certain I'm ready to give you up quite yet." Frigga replied with a smile.
"You have no cause for concern on that score." Loki assured Frigga.
"I will see you in the morning. Goodnight."
"Sleep well, mother." Loki told Frigga, releasing her hands. Frigga turned from him, walking to the door, turning her head to look at him once more before exiting. Loki watched the doors close behind her before returning to the balcony and taking his goblet in hand, drinking from it as he grinned, looking out over Asgard.
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The door of Loki's chambers closed behind Frigga as she exited, Thor standing along the wall across the corridor. He started towards her with a questioning expression as she approached him.
"I don't believe there's any cause for concern. He was drinking Alfheim wine. He's likely been indulging in the same over the past few days." Frigga answered Thor's unspoken question.
"We'll see if his mood is as jovial come morning." Thor answered with a grin.
"Goodnight, my son." Frigga said with a tired smile.
"Goodnight, mother. Pleasant dreams." Thor said, kissing Frigga on the cheek before she turned from him, disappearing down the corridor. Thor stood staring contemplatively at the door of Loki's chambers for another moment before turning and making his way in the opposite direction.
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Loki heard a rushing, wooshing sound in his ears amidst the blackness that seemed to surround him as he experienced a sensation akin to being underwater and slowly floating to the surface, along with waves of nausea. His head pounded as if his brain was pulsing against the inside of his skull, his thoughts confused and disjointed.
All of a sudden the "water" in which Loki felt himself floating seemed to go ice cold as he fought to focus his thoughts before realizing that the sensation was more localized, in the area of his forehead. He struggled to open his eyes which felt puffy and swollen, at first only able to will his eyelids to ascend enough to glimpse a hint of blurred orange glow and a dark shadowy shape beside him. He could just make out the glistening gold of the figure's long, wavy hair in the firelight from the sconces on the stone wall behind them.
"Mother?" Loki breathed, barely audibly, willing his larynx to function and his lips to form the word. For a brief moment the idea crossed his mind that he was a boy again, everything that had passed since that time having been a mere dream. It was a comforting thought.
The figure kneeling next to him as he lay on a pallet on the floor quickly scrambled back and away from him as a groan escaped him. He lifted his arm which felt as if it were weighted to his forehead, his palm covering the source of the chill...several small, smooth, milky stones that had been placed there. Taking the stones in his hand, he struggled to sit up, finally managing to do so, looking down at the stones in his palm, his vision still slightly blurred, his pupils struggling to adjust to the firelight.
Turning his head, he took stock of his surroundings. Stone walls encased him on three sides, a silver glow in place of where the fourth wall should be. His languid brain finally clued him into the fact that he was in some sort of cell. There was no furniture, nothing but the pallet, a thin blanket covering him and another pallet on the floor along the wall on the other side of the cell. Moving his eyes from the second pallet across the cell to the far corner, he observed the figure huddled there, cowering, her arms wrapped around her head...at this point it was clear to him she was female, though of what origin or race he wasn't yet certain...her knees drawn up, as if she were attempting to make herself as small as possible. One of her arms slowly lowered just enough for her to peek over it across the cell in his direction as she trembled.
"What is this?" Loki asked in an irritated voice, clearly deeply displeased with the situation in which he now found himself.
Loki searched his memory banks but was unable to recall anything past a few moments after his arrival via Bifrost on Alfheim when he had been greeted by three grinning Light Elves offering a goblet of wine as was their tradition. They had appeared friendly enough, though too friendly in Loki's estimation as he had felt at the time they could have, should have shown more deference to the son of Odin, a Prince of Asgard and possible future heir to its throne, though his hope of that coming to pass had been fading as of late. Nevertheless, he was still far above them.
"Who might you be?" he asked the frightened figure in the far corner, peeking at him as if she were afraid at any moment he would come for her and tear her limb from limb, "How did I get here? Who's responsible for this outrage?" The girl remained silent as Loki impatiently awaited an answer, "Answer me!" Loki commanded, wincing at the volume of his own voice as it reverberated in his still pounding head, the figure scrunching herself farther in the corner, covering her face with her arms once again.
Loki struggled to his feet, the room spinning for a moment as he put his hand out, bracing himself against the stone wall. Once his equilibrium had been reestablished, he studied the girl. She appeared to be around his age, though her exact age was uncertain considering Loki's lifespan, looks could be misleading, and of a race indistinguishable from Asgardians or the mortals of Midgard. She was certainly not a Light Elf, at least not fully, he couldn't see her ears to tell for certain if she may have Elven blood. Though her ivory skin was almost fair enough, her hair was golden, not the snowy white common to the Elven race. She was dressed in a sky blue gown he could tell had once been quite elegant but now hung off her frame in filthy tatters, the sleeves missing. How long had she been here, he wondered?
Watching her for another few moments, he stowed his menacing tone and moved towards her, slightly stumbling, still somewhat dizzy. The girl peeked over her arm at him again, her eyes widening in fear.
"It's all right. I mean you no harm." Loki attempted to assure her as he kneeled in front of her, "What is this place?" he asked far more gently than his earlier inquiries. The girl slowly lowered her arms, staring at him, "Can you tell me where I am?"
The girl shook her head, continuing to stare at Loki unblinking, her eyes wide and teary.
"You don't know?" Loki asked, the girl once again shaking her head, "Can you not speak?" Loki inquired next. The girl slowly shook her head once more, placing her hand on her larynx. Cautiously she turned her body to face Loki, "I'm Loki, of Asgard." Loki said, introducing himself.
The girl made a few gestures with her hands, Loki unable to understand their meaning, though gleaning she was attempting to tell him her name. An idea dawned on Loki as he noticed the girl's footprints in the thick dust on the floor. With his index finger he traced his name upside down from his perspective in the dust in front of her.
"Loki" he repeated.
The girl stared at the letters for a moment before reaching out and touching the dusty floor under Loki's writing, beginning to trace letters herself...H-U-L-D-A.
"Hulda? You're of Asgard?" Loki asked, Hulda nodding, "How long have you been here?" Hulda answered by shaking her head and shrugging.
Loki stood, turning from Hulda and walking to the silver field of energy enclosing them within the three walls. Reaching out towards it, he placed his hand only centimeters from it, feeling the slight vibration of its energy. As he moved his hand closer, Hulda jumped up, frantically gesturing but too late as a surge of energy knocked Loki backwards, sending him sprawling on the dust covered floor, the stones in his hand flying across the cell, his body seizing. Hulda ran to him, moving her hands under his body, holding him as the seizure continued for a few moments before ceasing, Hulda assisting Loki to sit up as he shook off the last vestiges of the shock he had just sustained. Turning his head to look at Hulda, she gestured wildly with her hands.
"I don't understand…"
The sound of a heavy door opening echoed outside the cell, Loki fighting his way to his feet, Hulda grabbing hold of his arm and standing with him.
Three men who appeared to be of Elven heritage, clothed in black leather and armor appearing to be carrying staffs disengaged the forcefield, two converging on Loki, the third wrenching Hulda away from him.
"I'm Loki, son of Odin, the Allfather, King of Asgard! Release me at once or suffer my father's wrath!" Loki exclaimed loudly and forcefully, The Elven guards, at least Loki supposed that's what they were, pointed their staffs at his midsection. Loki began to step forward, the guards touching him with the ends of the staffs. Loki felt an electrical charge spread out over his body, rendering him immobile. He watched helplessly as the third guard dragged Hulda from the cell. Once outside of it, the two guards before Loki withdrew their staffs, Loki again finding himself able to move. They turned to also exit the cell as Loki charged at them. One of the guards, turning, held out his hand, palm towards Loki, a blast of energy sending Loki flying into the stone wall behind him leaving him in a crumpled heap on the floor, gasping in pain as he struggled to catch his breath.
The two guards exited the cell, reengaging the forcefield. Loki, grimacing as he sat up, watched them disappear out of sight, followed by the sound of the heavy door somewhere outside the cell slamming closed.