Chapter 6: Mornings

"Urgh I'm beat" Maria said as she looked at her watch "an hour here is three there…." she had just arrived back from the hell realm to dispose of her father all she wanted now was a bit of shut eye. Not bothering to change her cloths Maria fell into a deep slumber.

Loki had fallen asleep on his couch but unlike the other times that he fell asleep he had no nightmares. He slept quite peacefully and because he had given his energy to Maria he also slept very long.

It was noon when Thor knocked on Maria's door. "Maria, do you know if Loki ever left his room? I haven't seem him all day."

Maria stood up waking up from her wasted energy power nap and opened the door "He hasn't left his room that I am aware of." she said rubbing her eyes sleepily. "There was a minor threat in his chambers that kept him awake that I had to help him with so neither of us got much sleep." she replied and emphasized on sleep.

Thor tilted his head to the side out of confusion. "He is usually an early riser. What kind of threat was it?" Thor noticed that Maria was tired but he was curious.

"Nothing that could not be handled Thor. It was a magic based problem. One that sapped any energy I had in the morning." Maria said as she leaned on the door frame. "Though I suggest not waking him up he is as wasted as I"

"Then I shall let the both of you sleep. Good day." Thor left to go find his friends in the dining hall.

Maria closed the door and leaned on it she was a bit drowsy but she thought that a shower would help in waking her up. As she entered the bathing chamber she turned the water on and stepped into the warm spray. "Ah nothing like cleaning worries off after a day like today." she sighed as she washed up.

Loki leaned on the door in Maria's bathroom. "Yeah, I have to admit it helps. I just came to check on you. With Malekith resurfacing and everything. Are you alright?" He sounded legitimately concerned about how she was.

Maria jumped a moment shocked before replying "Yes I am alright just happy he is now far away from here thank you for asking." she blushed red in the shower as she washed off the rose scented soap in her hair. "Why was he worried about me?" she thought mentally.

"I was worried because you looked sad, like you were burdened with everything your father did. I imagine being around me doesn't help anything. I probably just remind you of everyone he murdered, of all the pain he caused." Loki answered her mental question aloud.

Maria sighed "It's not you at all Loki." she smiled a bit "heh telepathy?" He was beating himself up again about her past "It is more that ….I am just glad he can't hurt others now where he is."

"I know that, it's just, you were so eager to leave earlier. I know it was because of your dad but I couldn't help but think I was a part of the reason. After all I did take you to my room instead of your own. Oh, yeah, I have telepathy."

"It's really alright" she said using her own telepathy "I just don't want to be a burden to you that's why I wanted to leave. A guard is supposed to help the person they guard… heh I feel like I messed up in that area…"

"You helped me more than you'll ever know. I take care of what is mine. If you faint I'll always nurse you back to peak health. It's what I do and as my guard you should not deny free healthcare." In reality it still hurt him that she had wanted to leave. He almost thought he had someone that wanted to be around him but she was still his guard.

Maria changed into her cloths reading his own thoughts "I still don't mind being a friend also to you if you ever want one." she replied as she changed into a blue tunic and tied her hair up.

"Who said I wanted a friend?" Loki smiled a little at the prospect of having a friend.

She shrugged "Must get lonely just reading by yourself. Besides it is not wrong to have one friend is it?" as she unlocked the door now dressed she smiled a bit. "Also how'd you sleep?"

"I slept fine. Unfortunately I slept my whole day away though." Loki arched an eyebrow. "No one's ever cared if I was lonely or why I chose to stay in my room." he thought aloud to himself.

"Actually your brother was worried about you, he woke me up to show his concerns. Told him that there was a magical problem and that neither of us got much sleep." she smiled a bit. "Glad you slept better though."

"Well, it's nice to know Thor cares." Loki examined the room and saw that Maria's bed wasn't made. Loki began making her bed up. "Since I don't usually wake up this late I'm not exactly sure what to do. Perhaps the two of us should get some lunch?"

"Yes but you should eat first you didn't have any breakfast nor lunch" she replied and helped in making her bed. "Besides I was a bit worried about you as well…"

"I can always handle myself. I actually have a lot of energy usually so I only need to eat once a day. Why would you worry about me?" Loki smoothed out the blankets, exited her room, and walked to the dining hall. "Now I'm gonna run into people. This will be fun." Loki said sarcastically.

Maria smirked a bit and raised an eyebrow "Sounds like fun. Who is being pranked?"

"The first person who talks to me and isn't Thor gets a bees nest on their head."

"I'd go for snow on the head but that works to." she chuckled "I'll be watching with popcorn."

Fandral walks up to Loki, "Long time no see. How've you been?"

Loki smiles, "I'm fine and you?"

Fandral smiles, "Umm, should the lady be here? My stories aren't exactly for women if you know what I mean."

Maria just shrugged her shoulders casually and opened a book hiding a small smirk "If you screwed someone while drunk Fandral what else is new?" she had to bite back a chuckle at his face which had turned beat red.

Loki smiled as Fandral's face changed color. Thor walked over and smiled, "Fandral, everyone knows of your escapades." he chuckled before looking to his brother a new change was seen as he noticed Loki actually smiling. "Loki, you're smiling."

"Don't get used to it." Loki joked.

"Super worth it to see Fandral blush red that is always a joy." Maria could not help but chuckle a bit.

Fandral chuckles "I think I'm going to just talk to Volstagg." Fandral walks away.

Thor sits next to Loki, "It's nice to see you in the dining hall brother." Loki smiles a bit. "I was worried when you slept so long and last night the way you were knocking on my door...it scared me a bit. Are you alright?" Thor eyes showed that he was worried about Loki.

"I'm fine." Loki ate a piece of ham. He was never fine. His actions and Frigga's death were always on his mind. Loki saw Thor looking at him from his peripheral vision. "Thor, I am fine."

Thor walks over to Maria, "Can I talk to you, privately?"

Maria shrugged before replying "Sure?" she was skeptical as to what the thunder god wanted to speak about and hoped that it was not his curiosity of what had occurred the night before.

Thor walked over to a far corner of the dining hall. "Do you mind watching Loki for me? I just wish to make sure he is alright."

Maria looked at Thor "Of course I will look after him. Though I would not worry much." she shrugged.

"Just let me know if he begins having problems or something please." Thor was genuinely concerned for Loki especially after last night.

Maria sighed "I will make sure he is safe thunder god that is my job after all" she said as she rubbed her temples "He will be fine do not worry" she was trying very hard not to snap at the persistence of Thor's request mainly because she did not want to mention last night where he had no memory of being possessed.

Thor smiled, "Thank you. I must go talk to Sif now. She was talking to me about the history of swords or something." Thor walked over to where Sif was.

Leaning against a pillar Maria let out a sigh of relief as Thor walked off in the opposite direction. "Thank gods" she said as she leaned against the pillar. Keeping the thunder god unaware of what had occurred that night was difficult. Had he found out her heritage or had any memory at all of what had happened for that manner she would possibly be in jail.

Loki walked over to where Maria was. He leaned his back against the pillar. "Why do you fear that you will be sent to jail? You have done no wrong as far as I know."

"If your brother found out my genetics I would be…" she said silently in her mind. "I wouldn't doubt that after…." she shook her head "never mind….it's nothing." she knew he could read her thoughts but it was her doubts that clouded her mind for some reason and at the moment she needed space to think not to be questioned. As she thought this, Maria did not want to bother Loki with her problems, he already had several of his own to deal with. "In any case your brother is worried about you. Though what he is worried about is beyond me." she said with her reply.

"Thor has always been worried about me. Probably because of guilt but I'm not sure." Loki looked over at Maria. "If you're my guard I need to know what's going on." Loki said with authority. "Tell me what worries you."

Maria sighed "I know this is silly but I feel guilty for what my family did to both you and your brother if that makes sense." she said however her worries came from somewhere unknown one Maria was still internally confused about. She never had problems with controlling her worries before it was only after her father appeared in his ghostly form that, that same control was somehow lost to her that bothered her immensely not to mention rattled some bad memories of her father's torturing sadistic side. Those she had kept locked away in the dark crevices of her mind trying to forget them. "I guess seeing my dead father rattled me a bit last night..." she said.

"It's not silly if it bothers you." Loki realised that if Malekith brought back his old, damaging memories perhaps Malekith was bringing back memories for her. That would explain why she couldn't exactly identify the problem. "Did Malekith do anything to you?" Loki could sense her many emotions. He thought it might help if he got her to talk about it.

Maria sighed rubbing her temples "Just some bad memories to be frank. He didn't harm me really...more or less triggered some unwanted thoughts of the past that I have been trying very hard to forget." her father had a sadistic side she did not deny that he was as evil as she was kind. The main thing that had rattled and disturbed Maria the most was the fear of his return. But now that he was gone from the realm she hoped at least he would be. "He was not the nicest dad of the year when I was growing up.."she said as she leaned against the pillar. "When someone did not obey his will he tortured them in any inhumane or ungodly way possible." for some reason she was telling him her story it helped a little as she let the burden off her chest. "After he tortured and killed my mother...he placed the curse on me before having his men torture me in any possible way trying to break my spirit. When that did not work he contacted some fallen angels to torment me to break. Again nothing." she looked at Loki and smiled "Honestly I don't want to bother you with depressing childhood tales though."

"For the last time, you aren't bothering me. I've seen enough darkness and pain. Your story doesn't phase me. What does bother me is how you keep insisting on keeping this to yourself. Thor once said that getting things out in the open allowed the mind to better process the memories. I doubted him at the time and I still do but that doesn't mean I won't test his theory. Tell me your story. I'll listen to you. You aren't bothering me. I promise you." Loki temporarily dropped his facade. His eyes showed all his hidden emotions, his worries, that no one would ever talk to him. Maybe if he bared his heart to her she would bare her heart to him.

Maria created a blue rose out of thin air as she spoke. "I am a hybrid you could say" she said with a small smile. "My mother was a frost giant one that was very kind, a brilliant fighter, and patient." she looked at the rose "she taught me what little I could learn with frost magic while married to my father. They're marriage sadly was one for alliance not built on emotion. The condition being that if she married him he would aid them if there was a war. The heir that they bore would be an alliance tool." a small flicker of amusement appeared on Maria's face. "The problem was this father had, had a history of alliances such as this. This was what I found curious if he had so many alliances where was his wives?" she said as the rose turned color into a light purple. "I found the answer out in a hidden crypt when I was fourteen in human years. The fate of his past wives when he was finished with them was death." Maria didn't say much as she paused. "When I confronted him about the subject he tried a memory wipe. My mother was furious and then all hell broke loose. After a guard had pinned me down he tortured both me and my mother. But before she died she opened a portal to Jotunheim with a message to my aunt to keep me safe and that's the end." she said finishing her tale the rose now back to its blue hue.

"I thought I had it bad." Loki said more to himself than to her. There really wasn't anything he could say to her. After all she had been through; she needed some closure or at least some type of comfort. Anything that reassured the both of them that Malekith was dead. He knew they both needed something that would allow them to start over. Loki didn't have that but in a moment of vulnerability he hugged her. "Things can get better. Malekith is dead for one thing. He can't hurt us anymore." Suddenly he realized that he had been hugging her and others were starting to talk. In Asgard this could easily become a scandal. Most couples first hugged on their wedding night, not that Loki and Maria were a couple. They weren't, right? "My apologies. I'm not usually one for hugs." Loki lowered his head.

Maria grinned a bit knowing the customs well "No apology necessary." she said and for the one time in many hours since the incident there was genuine amusement in her eyes and joy. She took note of a few servants whispering to themselves before glaring at them with a look saying "Tell anyone and you're dead" the maids rushed off getting the hint as she semi smirked "I honestly don't care what others think of me so let them talk." she said smiling a bit the burden evidently now gone from her mind. "Thank you and I think that the theory your brother has is correct. So thank you again Loki."

"Um, I didn't mean to do any of this." Loki began to get nervous about having exposed himself to her. "You don't want to expose yourself too much lest she discover your heart." Loki's other personality whispered to him. "You're just upset because you couldn't rid me of my heart." Loki responded coldly to his own thoughts.

"It's fine." she said as if it were a spring day she did not push him away nor did she criticize him for his behavior. To her it was kindness one she appreciated immensely whether he had intended the actions or not, they did not bother her. Deciding to change the subject "Want to go for a horse ride?" she said as she pushed herself off the pillar the blue rose disappearing as she did.

Loki looked up a bit happy that she had changed the subject. "I would love to go on a horse ride." He smiled at her. "Let's go now."

Maria smiled as she walked down the corridor towards the exit of the palace that led to the stable. The smell of hay filling her lungs. Kuro noticed his mistress and neighed in delight on seeing Maria as she walked up to him patting his nose. "Hi boy want to stretch your legs?" she said as she placed the harness and reins onto Kuro.

Loki began to place the harness and reins on Esmerelda but his mind was somewhere else. The voice in his head was stronger. It had been left over from when Thanos took control of his mind, he had dealt with it ever since then but it had never been this strong. The only time it was stronger was during the battle of New York. Malekith's attack had certainly fed it with enough pain for it to be as strong as it was. Loki climbed onto Esmeralda's back and began walking her to the river. Where was Frigga? She would know how to help him but she was gone. She was never coming back. If only he had been allowed to go to her funeral. Maybe if he could at least have said goodbye…

Maria had mounted Kuro and rode up next to Loki "Something on your mind?" she knew something was wrong with Loki as his eyes seemed a bit glossed over "Loki?" she rode up to Loki.

"Hey Loki?" she said trying to break his trance like state of mind.

"What?" Loki said a bit harshly, "I apologize, I was just deep in thought..." It wasn't a complete lie, he was thinking. He just didn't tell her what he was thinking about. It would just make the two of them feel worse but he seemed to speak without trying. "If only I could have said goodbye..."

"To your mother right?" Maria looked solemn for a moment before her eyes lit up. "I almost forgot something but you reminded me of it."

"What did I remind you of?" Loki arched a brow and stopped Esmeralda from walking. "Is it a good thing?"

"I think it is though" from thin air Maria produced a blue crystal and handed it to Loki. "It's a memory gem managed to make it when dad wasn't looking….It uses anything that belonged to a person that has passed and makes the beings memories visual all of them...it's how i remember my mom…" she smiled "I hope it helps." she honestly did hope it would make Loki feel better she owed that to him after he had helped her feel better. (done XD)

Loki swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched her memories. "Mother." He smiled, a tear slipped down his cheek. "I miss you. I didn't mean what I said. You are my mother." Loki watched Frigga's memories.

The memories show Frigga smiling and the last memory was that of her thinking of Loki and how much she loved him granted he had his flaws but he had good intentions. Frigga's memories had hope and love instilled in them as Maria watched in silence this was what she could do for him to repair what damage could be repaired from a shattered past. "I wish I could help him more." Maria thought "Not just the illusion but I hope this may help him" A breeze blew through as if Loki's mother was consoling both the riders. Mara smiled.

Loki actually cried as he watched her memories but they were happy tears. When the breeze blew past Loki handed the crystal back to Maria. "If you tell anyone about this...just don't tell anyone."

Maria smiled and shook her head "Keep it Loki" she said then grinned nudging Kuro to a canter. "Race you to the forest same place this time no teleporting" she said as she nudged Kuro to go faster. She was happy she could help him it placed her mind at peace.

Loki nudges Esmeralda into a gallop and passes Maria easily. Then he slows down to same pace as Maria. "Thanks and you know I could pass you?" He smiled, "I thought that perhaps you wouldn't mind just riding next to me for a while."

Looking to Loki Maria slowed Kuro "Sure I don't mind" she said with as Kuro slowed down a bit as the horse tossed his head back and forth as if impatient but reluctant and had the horse walk side by side with Loki's. "Also don't worry I won't tell anyone what happened out here."

"Thank you so much." Loki laughed a bit. "I know it seems a little weird but I have a reputation to keep up. Think what Thor would do if he knew I still had feeling. He is such a hugger." Loki looked over at Kuro. "Maybe we should move faster, Kuro looks impatient."

Chuckling a bit at Kuro's restlessness "He's always been like that. When meeting a new person he gets jealous a bit." she says patting Kuro's neck. "Also is having feelings that bad of a thing for you Loki?" she said looking at Loki curiously.

"It is bad for me. I kept them trapped so long. I'm like a bomb. If I were to release all my emotions, it wouldn't be good. Besides it's better this way and safer. I don't like being exposed." Loki smiled, "That doesn't apply to you though. You're nice to talk to."

Maria grinned "Well I suppose keeping emotions in check is better than being like Fandral when he is drunk or when Thor loses his temper." she said attempting to lighten the conversation also a bit amused as the earlier conversation. "I am curious Loki have you ever owned an enchanted journal?" she had a slight feeling that Asgard did not use much magical artifacts but still she was curious.

"Well I had a journal but I haven't used it recently." Loki raised a brow. "Why? Do you have an enchanted journal?"

"I do. The enchantments keeps others that you do not want to read the journal out." she chuckled "My brothers always would get into mine so I enchanted it one day to play minor pranks on them if they read it or a forcefield would appear to knock them backwards if they touch the book. Minor stuff like that."Maria shrugged "I just thought if you don't want to show your emotions to me or anyone else in Asgard that the journal may help clear your mind."

"I've come to the conclusion that it may be beneficial to show my emotions to someone. Maybe I could let some of the pain go. Anyway I decided it would be best to talk to someone. Since you are around me a lot you are the best candidate. However, you tell Thor anything though, I'll stop talking to you. I know he asked about me but he didn't even seem to care that his own mother had died, at least not in front of me. If he had I might have more respect for him. As it is, I couldn't care less about him." Loki looked over at Maria to see what she thought of his course of action.

She looked at Loki "I swear I will say nothing Loki. Unless your brother has a mind reading ability like you he will get very little out of me." she smiled a bit. "Thor seems more worried about you if anything." she said before shrugging a bit. "Also I don't mind if you talk to me about your troubles. I'll listen and help out if I can."

"It's not just my troubles that I want to talk about. Believe it or not I grew lonely in my room all by myself. I yearned for some decent conversation and finally it has arrived. It's so rare that I meet anyone who loves magic and pranks the way I do. It's actually kind of nice." Loki smiled. He realised that he smiled more often around her. "Why can't I stop smiling?" He thought to himself fully aware that Maria probably knew his thoughts.

Maria just shrugged a bit "I love using my abilities because I was taught it is not a bad thing." she said and did not read Loki's thoughts. He seemed so at peace right now that whatever thought he was thinking she did not wish to disturb it. "In any case I am glad I could be pleasant company. Everyone needs some at some point in their life" she said as she patted Kuro's neck.

"That is true." Loki stopped Esmerelda at the river. "Do you swim?"

Tilting her head to the side Maria eyed Loki with an arched eyebrow before replying "Yes, I know how to swim"

Loki hopped off of Esmerelda. He magically switched into some shorts. "Would you like to swim with me?" He walks over to a lake nearby. "I used to swim here as a child." Loki walked into the lake. "Come on."

Maria follows Loki to the water "sure" she wore a tank top and shorts as she entered the cool water.

Loki swims underneath the water. As Maria looks around a little and enters the water, Loki surfaced in front of her splashing her surprised and shocked face. "Your face was priceless." Loki laughed. "You're drenched in so much water." Loki couldn't hide his amusement at seeing Maria's face after the water had hit her.

Maria stared shocked before grinning and splashing Loki back with the cool water watching his surprised face. "Touché" she said before diving into the water to avoid another splash.

Loki laughed, "I'll get you back for that." He swam under the water after Maria but she was a faster swimmer than he was. So, plan B, when she resurfaced for air he was going to splash her again.

Maria went into the shadows of the water before resurfacing for air "hehehehe he won't catch me that easily" she thought grinning then diving below the water noting that Loki was silently swimming beneath the water towards her.

Loki swam under her. He swam quickly upwards hoping that he could get her by surprise. However, she dodged his predictable attack and smirked. Loki surfaced for some air and chuckled, "She is actually quite fun and amusing to be around."

Maria smirked a bit under the water as she swam to the furthest end of the water then surfaced and began to try and scan as to where Loki was she noticed he was by her previous spot in the water and tried not to laugh as she splashed him. "SURPRISE ATTACK" she yelled grinning from ear to ear as the water hit Loki in the face.

Loki laughed, "You win this time." He suddenly said with a slight mischievous grin on his face as he levitated about 40 gallons of water above her head. "Try to avoid that."

Maria looked up "Oh crap" she cursed under her breath before taking a huge gulp of air and diving down into the water before the huge water ball fell down on her knocking her sideways.

Loki swam to her and hugged her as he guided them both to the surface for air. "Hmm, how can I possibly splash you?" A large shadow covered the both of them as the 40 gallons of water drenched them both. "I finally got you."

Maria laughed even though the water had been a surprise "You did indeed. I surrender to the water fight" she chuckled a bit amused.

Loki saw the sun beginning to set. "Thor will be looking for us and it is getting late. Do you want to head back to the castle?"

Maria shrugged "That is up to you do you want to head back?" she said wringing out the water in her hair.

"We could spend the night out here." Loki smiled, "I did it a lot when I was young. It was nearby here." Loki got out of the lake. "Hmm, I think it was that way." he said as he led Maria off into a nearby clearing.

Author note:

Awe Loki you are slowly falling for Maria how cute. *watched the Loria ship sail* hehehehehehehe. Hi Guys I am glad to give you chapter 6 of The Light in My Darkness. (stuff is getting so interesting its amazing and i am dying a slow and wonderful death. XD) anyway enjoy I won't spoil what happens in chapter seven. But I hope you all love it and tell me what you think. I am trying to upload as many chapters as I can before I go to bed so yeah. Say good night Cerberus

Cerberus: woof

XD anyway. All my stories are now on google docs so thats why if you all see a bunch of updates it is because I am alternating and saving the chapters. (makes uploads so much easier.) Anyway later guys ON TO CHAPTER 7 HAZA!