Chapter 18.
She shivered in her seat in the coach, her hands bound behind her back and the rough rope chafing her skin. The Footman, with his brown hair and broken teeth tied a noose and she trembled in fear and sadness at what was coming. She wanted to cry but couldn't, acceptance that her suffering would soon come to an end washing over her. She knew she would be hanged, and it hurt her more to think about all that Loki had taught her and how it was all going to waste with her soon to be death. A tear fell down her cheek, and the Guard with his black hair looked at her with lustful eyes.
"Can't we have a go before she hangs?" He asked Journ, and her former Master sneered at her. He snorted, sucking air through his crooked teeth and pulled her forward by her hair.
"She is rather pretty, all dressed up like that." He said and grabbed her breast through the fabric of her gown. The boning from her corset straining, pinching her terribly. She felt sick then, no man ever touching her like that and cried. She tried to get away, his fingers digging into her through her clothes further and she whimpered at him. Her heart sank, the look in his eyes one that she feared.
"Please Master... I promise... I will not tell anyone a thing." She said and he shook his head.
"It is too late for that. You never should have run away girl, you cost me too much money by leaving and I intend to make you pay for it. In every way possible." He said and he shoved her back in her seat. She shook harder, terrified of what was going to happen to her when they heard a horse shriek in the darkness around them and the carriage lurched to the side.
"Stop! In the name of King Odin!" She heard a voice shout and her eyes went wide in near joy. She shrieked one name, and was hit across the face for it but the voice was enough to fill her with hope.
"Loki!" She shouted again, struggling with the rope behind her back. "Help me! They are going to hang me!"
The carriage was brought to a sudden halt, and all the passengers were thrown about. Floria cried out, and the doors were ripped open by two men. Hogun stood at one, Loki at the other with swords drawn. She looked up, and did not know who to run to. A hand answered for her, and her father cut her wrists free. She sobbed, hugging to Hogun and saw Loki with fury in his eyes.
"How dare you kidnap a Ward of the Queen, and the daughter of my friend." Loki hissed, the Footman striking at Hogun with his own sword. She shrieked, backing toward the horse and the man was killed by her father. She whimpered, and he looked back at her and she heard the most awful words anyone could ever say.
"A Ward of the Queen or not. She is my property, and she ran away from me. Her sentence is death for stealing herself from me." Journ said, stepping down from the carriage with his hands up. Loki glared at the man, and brought his fist back. He punched him with a meaty thud, and her former master fell backwards holding his nose.
"That is all I will give you for her sake, be glad I am more merciful than I was in the past. Otherwise, I would have made you a head shorter right now." Loki growled, staring at the man. "Is she harmed? Did they do anything awful to her?"
"No. She is only scared." Hogun said and Loki walked over sheathing his sword. He looked at Floria, and she ran to him and embraced him. He held her close, letting her shake and Hogun saw his hands hold her near her shoulders not being inappropriate in the gesture and reaching for the last villain.
"You are safe. There is no need for tears." He said, Hogun tying the Guard's hands and trying to hide the dead carriage driver from her view. He was rough with the man, seeing the way he stared at his daughter.
"I wish to go back to My Queen Sir." She said softly and he nodded.
"Of course. We will take you there soon, after we apprehend these criminals for judgement by Odin." He said and turned on Journ. "Slavery is illegal in Asgard, that makes her free and every suffering she endured against the laws of Odin. You face imprisonment Journ. I hope you do well in your argument as why he should leave you free."
"I will not go to the Dungeon for her." He replied, standing up. "I will not go for a stupid girl and your whore!"
Journ pulled a secret knife from his belt, raising it and throwing the blade with skill Loki had only seen on himself. The blade tumbled through the air, and he grabbed Floria, turning with his back toward the blade. She screamed, Hogun running forward and killing the Ambassador with a single blow to the neck. She covered her face, looking up at Loki and he smiled down at her.
"Are you hurt Nightengale?" He asked her, and she shook her head. Loki nodded, a trickle of blood falling from his lip and his legs giving up as he fell to the ground on his knees. Hogun ran over, and Floria found the knife in his back.
"Sir! No, please. Don't die." She begged him, her hands on his cheeks and she felt tears blur her vision. "Father! Help us!"
"Floria." Loki said and touched her face. "You are so beautiful, if I do die, it will be an honor to protect something so innocent."
"Father! Help him!" She screamed. Hogun ran forward, removing the knife and helping Loki into the carriage. He kicked the Guard out of it, stabbing the man and killing him in anger and helped Loki to lay on the floor.
"Get in Floria, we have little time." He said and looked at Loki, he gave her a cloth, and had her press it against the wound. "Thank you, for her life."
"I would have done it again. For I am a fool. A fool who loves her fully and unconditionally." Loki said weakly, his eyes closing and his breathing becoming weak. Hogun shut the door, taking the seat and turned the carriage, racing back toward the Castle and asking the Norns to let the Prince he once despised live. Also making a promise to himself, should he live.
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Hogun paced with Frigga, Floria having been given a sleeping draught and was now sedated back in her chambers. The girl being so saddened and distraught, knowing that her friend was dying had to be forced to rest. He looked up, Thor and Odin walking in together.
"Is he still?" Odin asked and Frigga nodded to her husband.
"He is, no word as of yet if he can be saved." She said and wept. Odin held Frigga, his wife sobbing for the son she adopted and raised.
"Hush now, the Norns work as they do. I have come to a decision, after learning the truth of what happened, and Loki will be restored to his place in the succession. He sacrificed his heath and body for an innocent girl, and has truly been humbled by his punishment." Odin said, his wife looking him in the eye and frowning.
"For all your wisdom, you are still blind." She said and sighed. "Loki acted out of love for the girl, he wished to court her but thought her father would never allow it to happen. Loki is humbled, but by a force more powerful than even you."
Hogun let out a breath, Odin turning toward him and he smiled at the Warrior. The door behind them opened, and a brown haired woman walked in wearing rags, and nearly screamed at seeing her husband she that thought gone. Her knees buckled, and her breath came in gasps. Hogun ran to her, holding her close and the woman shook in his arms.
"It is over for you Lady Velora. I believe my Wife, Frigga will be happy to give you something lovely to wear." Odin said, hid personal guards having fetched her from her torment. The woman stepped forward, her eyes falling to the floor in respect and she curtsied.
"Thank you so much, my King and Queen. I cannot thank you enough for caring for my daughter so as well." She said and Frigga opened her hands to the woman, taking both of hers.
"Floria has brought all of us such joy, and has made this castle a brighter place. Let my Ladies take you to a bath, and a warm bed, you must be so weary from your journey." She said and the woman frowned. Her eyes filling with tears, and she cried.
"I thought never to see her again. Please, I pray now that your son is not called to the Summerland and allowed to live. The guards told me how he saved her twice, I have so much to thank him for as well." Velora said and Frigga smiled. Her Maids guiding the woman away, and promising a hot bath and to let her sleep in a warm bed. Hogun followed, wanting to see his wife after so long, and Frigga smiled at the reunion.
"There is much to talk about Velora, and I will tell you every story you want." Hogun said and she hugged to him again, he did not care that she was filthy and he kissed her. "Our daughter is so beautiful, and I thank you for her."
"Your welcome Husband." She said and he walked after the Maids. "I hear she is clever as well from the Guards who brought me here. I want to see her, soon."
The doors closed, and Frigga sat on the couch, Odin joining her and the doors opened again. The Paige walking in and bowing, his breath hard grom running and he smiled to the Queen and King.
"My Lord and Lady, it is good news from the infirmary. The would was dangerous, but not mortal." The Paige said and bowed to them. Frigga smiled in joy, her eyes shining and Odin stood folding his hands behind his back.
"We are truly lucky this night. Let us all rest now, for the dawn comes soon and it seems that one of my Sons has a great ceremony that will need to be planned for him." He said and looked back at his wife. "Love is a grand thing, is it not?
"It truly is. And it should be celebrated in all forms, I will tell Loki that he is to be restored in public. When he is recovered." Frigga said and Thor scowled from the perimeter. "Don't frown so, she was never yours Thor. Leave the girl alone, and go rest."
"Yes Mother, I only hope she knows what she faces with him." Thor said and turned to leave. He stopped, Frigga looking at her son and frowning at him.
"She faces happiness, she has looked deep into the fire and found her true joy." Frigga said and Thor left, his fists clenching and he released them with a sigh.