Frigga walked briskly to the training yard after viewing several guards enter the healing halls claiming they had fallen. Her suspicions were confirmed as she turned the corner and entered the yard. Thor swung wildly at a wooden mannequin. He hacked away at its body in full force. Raising his blade he decapitated his enemy in one foul swoop. With a forceful yell he swung down at the body again, splitting it in two and leaving his sword fully embedded in its center.
Frigga picked up the training doll's head that had rolled over to rest by her feet, "I think you have vanquished your enemy." She stated sarcastically.
Thor spun around breathing heavily. "Mother!" He yelped in surprise. "I was…you see… what brings you here?" He stammered clearly not expecting to be found out and trying to act nonchalant but failing.
"Well, there seemed to be a lot of clumsy guards today, I thought maybe I would check to see if our equipment was faulty." She smiled blatantly.
Thor looked away, "Mother I am sorry,"
She held up her hand to stop his explanation. "I'm sure you meant no harm." She dismissed before delving into the real problem, "I know you my son, and there is not much that could riel you. So tell me, what exactly is going on between you and Loki?"
Thor walked over and collapsed against the wall his mother stood by. Sweat glistening on his forehead as he leaned back, his face distraught. Thor exhaled not even trying to keep anything from her.
"I did not mean to upset him mother, we had been happy… or so I thought. I was only trying to help."
Thor looked so dejected Frigga took pity on his poor soul; she knew he only wanted what was best. The two never fully saw eye to eye which made amends harder than necessary for the brothers.
"But?" Frigga pressed.
"He said something, I cannot deny its truth and I am … ashamed; humiliated at my own missteps." Thor put his head into his hands his dismay crushing him. "He was not well and I chose not to see it. He is my brother; I should have been there for him."
Frigga patted his shoulder comfortingly, "Perhaps. But you cannot alone bear this burden. You did what you thought was best and no one can fault you for that. Now all you can do is continue trying. You need to be patient and give him a chance, as he does you. It is hard to understand one another especially after so much has changed. Perhaps one day you two will mend whatever is broken between you. For now simply being there may be enough to start the process."
"But what if he does not see it that way?" Thor looked worriedly up at his mother. "It took me this long to even convince him to get out of his rooms!"
Frigga saw the pain in his eyes and how much Loki's accusations were affecting him. She was watching his heart break for his brother, himself and all the lost time. He was feeling all the pain that Loki had already processed and held onto. Seeing it she wasn't sure if either of them could be cured of these afflictions but as their mother and their queen she knew she had to try.
"Loki is stubborn, it is one thing you have in common, but he is not ignorant." Frigga smiled down at Thor. He looked more like a child than she had seen in years. They both needed time and they both needed understanding. Pride certainly did get between the two.
"I will speak with him, but you need to show you support him. Things like this are never easy, but you are brothers. Do not give up on him so easily."
Thor looked at her hopefully, "Thank you mother."
Frigga nodded before adding, "Now clean up in here, and do try not to injure any more guards even if they agree to spar with you."
Loki sat brooding in his reading chair; he had created a spy glass so he could view Ashera and her location. Knowing she wouldn't be keen on him watching her without permission he had originally planned to create it and show her during their next lesson, but the spar with Thor had him on edge. Needing some peace of mind he tested the magical surface prodding it to show him Ashera. She was asleep; if he had calculated correctly, she hadn't gone with Jane yet so there wasn't much to keep an eye on but he glanced at it now and then to be sure. He didn't want to take any risks. Things had felt so wrong during his day he couldn't help but give himself that small bit of comfort through knowledge.
He scribbled down spells for them to work on in the coming week when there was a knock on his chamber door. He tried to ignore it but it came again, louder.
"Go away." He responded curtly.
Whoever was there only knocked louder. Raising an eyebrow he hid the glass under his pillow and placed his notes with it.
"I said leave me!" He yelled as he wrenched open the door.
Surprise encompassed him as he saw his mother on the other side and moved quickly so she could enter.
"Mother!" He bowed politely, "I was not expecting company."
"You never are my boy." She turned to shut the door looking sternly toward him. "Loki, this foolishness has to stop."
Loki looked stunned, his eyes darted over to his pillow for a moment, how had she found out about Ashera? He couldn't let her take away the only thing he looked forward too, the only enjoyment he had procured.
"I don't understand." Loki stammered, "H-How did you find out?"
"How could I not find out? The clues were everywhere."
"Mother I can explain…" Loki began.
"I know you are trying, I know this is hard. But why now?" Frigga shook her head almost defeated as she moved agitatedly around the room.
"I…" Loki couldn't find the words. He felt his shock and shook it away to try and continue. He had to fight to keep seeing Ashera. "Mother," He began before she cut him off again.
"I don't need your excuses Loki. Thor is very upset; he realizes his error, he wants to help. Can you not give him another chance?!"
Loki, suddenly feeling he wasn't in the same conversation, paused trying to decide on his next words.
"Loki," Frigga stated again finally standing still, "Don't you see how hard this is on everyone? You do not open up so how can he understand? This cannot be a single road. You both need to be more understanding toward each other."
Realizing this was due to his confrontation with Thor, Loki quickly regained his composure.
"He cannot see beyond himself." He sated simply.
Frigga looked sadly at her youngest son. "You are correct."
Loki again looked stunned for a moment at the statement.
"Thor does not see how things are for you. He grieves for his loss, the loss of his brother." Frigga looked at him with sorrow in her eyes, "Your intentions were of a noble cause but not for the right reasons and in truth, you did not show yourself to be the most trustworthy before your departure. It is unfortunate that you became so swayed in the years after. Though not your fault, it has sent ripples across the realm and has caused a great rift between worlds but more importantly the two of you." Frigga walked over to the balcony. Leaning on the ledge she beckoned to Loki who now stood sullen by the door. "Loki, I do not blame you, but your brother means well. I understand how frustrating it is, no one understands what it was like for you. You fight a battle no one can see, and I fear no one ever will. Please at least let us aid you as best we can. We simply need a little leniency from you. I have spoken with Thor. He misses you and thought things to be going well."
Loki leaned against the ledge next to his mother, arms folded and a scowl on his face.
"Things will never be as they were and I do not intend to further waste my energy on those who cannot see the same."
"Very well, but I still stand by my word. You are a good man and I know in the end you will make the right choice, give your brother another chance." Frigga patted his arm and retreated to the door.
Loki looked after her as she shut the door behind her. He suddenly had a lot to think about. Hopefully the following days went quickly. He couldn't help but want to see Ashera, and after so much confusion, hoped he could regain control of his emotions enough before they met again.
***Vanaheim***
Cassidy stood on the high balcony that overlooked the Vanaheim city square. The sea of black cloaks and dresses were just as stark as the weather. The drizzle was cold and harsh on everyone. Cassidy looked dazed as the faces of her people looked up to her. Navire stood next to her looking over the crowd; he raised his hand for silence though no one spoke. It was as if he tried to quiet the rain. He looked to Cassidy, and backed away from the edge in order to give her the command.
He had been impressed by her tenacity the day before. He went over the events in his head.
Having been summoned to the conference room he stood before Cassidy who locked the room with magic, adding a shield no one else would be aware of but him, she turned with a stern look.
"The autopsy has been completed." She stared at him harshly.
Meeting her gaze without hesitation he had responded, "And the results?"
She evaluated him for a moment, "Nothing we do not already know."
Turning she walked over to the fireplace. "I have set their resting ritual for tomorrow. I will give a eulogy. I expect you to be by my side."
"Of course," He bowed his head in acknowledgment.
"I will need your assistance in Asgard; my plan will require more support."
Raising his eyebrow he motioned for her to continue.
"I am in the process of gaining favor from Asgard as you well know. You have mentioned before that I need more than one of the royal family to trust me. Having thought more on the subject I have decided they also need to trust my court and my people. You are going to attend banquets with me from now on. Now that my parents are to be laid to rest you should be seen with me as often as possible as you are to be training me for my duties."
Navire was fully impressed; he had not expected such a well thought out strategy form his dim witted niece. "I agree, but what of the King and Queen? They may not have forgiven me for my actions in the war."
"Then we will convince them otherwise." Cassidy stated confidently. "They hold frequent banquets and I believe I can acquire an invitation to their hunting party in a few months. You will join and show them your worth; offering your kill to their majesties at the end as a suitable peace offering. Couple that with your best behavior at court and they will have to trust you."
Navire agreed with the proposed plan and though he had his reservations he applauded her new thought process. As her advisor he did have to point out the major downfall. "What of your people here? If I am not to be looking after Vanaheim how do you expect them to follow you? Like a good game of chess you have to think carefully before you set the next piece down." He crossed his arms as he continued, "We have a split of those who support Asgard and those who oppose them. How do you expect to unite our own kingdom in this endeavor?"
Cassidy grinned, "I will make a vague announcement during tomorrow's events. It will cater to both sides. We have to make them rally on their own, so eventually we must change one sides mind to be like the other." She said with a wide smile, "And which emotion do you think is easier to manipulate?"
"People of Vanaheim!" Cassidy's voice rang out above the crowd bringing Navire back to the present. She paused and looked over all that stood before her.
"Today is a sorrowful day. It marks the ending of an era. My parents, your rulers, our King and Queen, are at last resting peacefully. They showed their love and compassion for their kingdom and their people. They showed a grace and prowess that the entire realm can be proud of." Her voice rang out. "But not all is lost with them. With my parents passing I am now tasked with the opportunity to rule. I may not have asked for this privilege, but it has fallen to me none the less and I take the task seriously. I ask for your kindness and your patience as I learn my duties. I will finish the works of my parents to the best of my abilities and serve you all with as much valor as they did in life. Their treaty with Asgard will be re-established with fair contract and we will once again flourish. I will not let my people suffer any longer at the hands of others, including outdated indentures from the past."
A murmur passed through the crowd but Cassidy ignored it.
"We will show our strengths and we will find our place within this realm once again."
Cassidy gave a small smile and looked back at Navire who winked to the girl who had begun to learn so much.