Chapter seven: Roses have thorns

To her surprise, it's Fandral who speaks first and it is to Loki's defense. "Look, Loki's always been one for mischief, but you're talking about something else entirely!"

"We cannot dismiss the possibility," Hogun said slowly. "that he may have been involved in this."

"How dare you!" She hissed drawing all eyes to her as she stood slowly, biting out her words. "How dare you…accuse him of being a traitor! How dare you voice such thoughts without a shred of evidence!"

"Rose," Fandral said calmly. "I'm sure he meant no offense."

"No offense?" she snorts. "We've lost the heir to the throne and his next move is to speak so of the other prince?"

"Who else could it be?" Hogun inquired as he walked towards her. "There is no one on Asgard that's as powerful as he is!"

She snorts, regardless of how unladylike it is. "I do not think that simply because he's one of the most powerful beings on Asgard, should make him the prime suspect!"

"Your friendship with him, blinds you." Hogun states firmly. "Loki may have plotted this to remove Thor and to put himself in the allfather's favor."

"Not that Loki would ever do such a think that he would do that to Thor? That he would put his mother in such a state of despair? That he would bring war to Asgard?" No one said a word. She shakes her head. "You mistake Loki for Thor, he's never had a desire for glory or fame."

"He has always wanted the throne." Sif says.

She snorts. "And yet in my many conversations, I've yet to hear him admit to that."

Sif frowns. "You've discussed the throne with him?"

She shoots her a look. "Loki and I have discussed many deep subjects that are far beyond the scope of your understanding."

Volstagg actually speaks. "Sif, they do spend hours in the library reading. It would not be unusual for that subject to be discussed between them."

"Thank you Volstagg." She turned towards Hogun. "Might I ask, why are you even thinking such a thing? Or better yet, why would you even consider that Laufey would tell you the truth? Are the frost giants are to be believed?"

"You are friends with Loki," Sif says. "your loyalty to him blinds you."

Fandral cuts her off. "I find Rose's friendship with Loki enlightening at this moment. We'd consider ourselves to be authorities on Thor, however," he glances at her. "she and Loki have always shared interests in books and magic. She knows him better than we do, so it is good to hear her opinions. Regardless of how we feel towards Loki, she does have a point. Laufey said, 'the house of Odin is full of traitors,' he didn't suggest magic in any way. We'd do good to remember that."

Volstagg nods. "We ourselves have not even gone into the weapons vault to see how they might have breached Asgard's defense. We should, all do a thorough search of the weapon's vault and see if there are clues that may have been missed."

She smiles. "Thank you Volstagg."

"But Loki is capable of it." Sif stated pointedly. "And you heard how he spoke of Thor just now. How can you dismiss it so easily at her words?"

"Because we listen to her as we listen to you." Fandaral turned towards Rose. "You know Loki better than all of us. Tell me, is he capable of doing such a thing?"

"Betraying Asgard? He'd never do such a thing." Fandaral stared down at her and she held his gaze. "I'd stake my life on it. As to what he said about Thor, he's hurt, angry and we all know that he and Sif don't get on well. He will say anything to get a rise of her and she often obliges him."

All was silent until Hogun asked "Then who else could it be? There is no one else who could do such a thing apart from Loki."

"Actually," she states. "Heimdall, could for one." They all protested. "There have been multiple powerful beings who have been unable to enter Asgard undetected. But today, frost giants enter and he cannot see them? That alone is cause for suspicion. In addition, even though he knew that allowing you to pass was against the direct order of the allfather, he did so anyway!"

"You question Heimdall's loyalty?" Volstagg asked.

"You questioned Loki's, am I not allowed to mention other possibilities?" She inquired. "If Thor were here, you'd know that he would not take well to you voicing such words. I am not able to challenge you as I know he would have done."

"Again," Fandaral stated. "she makes a fair case, if you think about all the numerous people Heimdall has seen."

"Loki was in the throne room with us when the frost giants entered." Volstagg pointed out. "He cannot be in two places at once."

"Lest he had a clone in his place." Hogun said.

"No." She shook her head. "He was real at the ceremony."

"You cannot know this without touching him." Hogun shot her a piercing look.

"I touched his hand." Her cheeks heated against her will, but she held Hogun's gaze without blinking. "I lost my balance and he offered me his support. A clone, would not be capable of conjuring magic to let frost giants into Asgard. And no magician would be powerful enough to exhibit such magic mere feet before Odin and not have him realize."

All was silent until Sif spoke. "You know are you are to be wed to Thor, and your behavior-

"Oh, enough Sif!" she snaps, weary of Sif and her tongue. "I am well aware that I am to marry Thor! Just as I am aware that you've been in love with Thor!" Sif's face blanched at Rose's words. Rose was normally soft spoken, but right now she was angry. "I do not need you to inform me of my duty! I can do my duty to Thor and still retain a friendship with Loki. If I had not shown him a moment of kindness, you would not have been able to ascertain that all of you were accusing the wrong man."

Fandaral cleared his throat. "Let us change the subject. Rose is right, besides, it was just a touch of the hand. Nothing to cause a scandal about. And Rose has been ill, it would not have looked well to have her fall at the ceremony."

Sif glowered at her. "Yet, we all know damn well why a scandal would be afoot if she doesn't control herself."

Rose's heart pounded in her throat. She was cared that Sif may have seen something, but she couldn't let that accusation pass. "What is it that you are accusing me of? Have I been unfaithful?"

"No!" Volstagg stated. "Sif is upset and tired. We will let this matter rest. You must be upset."

"Thank you Volstagg for stating the obvious." She exhaled. "But I want to hear that from Sif. I wish to know what insinuation it is she is referring to, lest she smear my reputation."

Fandral spoke. "Sif is angry, leave it be. You've always behaved with propriety and all manners as a lady."

She held Sif's gaze, but nodded. "At your request." She exhales deeply and folds her hands demurely. "Now, before Sif convinces me not to help you all, I will go to the allfather and inquire if he knows of any individuals who have powers on Asgard and bring their names back to you. He always knows more than he lets on."

"Oh," Volstagg asks. "and while you're talking to him-

She shakes her head. "I will not ask him to pardon Thor."

Everyone, even Fandral is surprised at her words. "But he is your betrothed." Hogun points out. "Surely-

"The allfather is angry and upset," she explains. "pushing about his son may provoke a more volatile reaction and make Thor's punishment worse. I have no doubt the allmother and Loki has already spoken to him on the subject. I will not make it worse."

"But they are not marrying Thor," Sif stated. "to refuse a mother and brother is one, but to refuse his betrothed is another matter."

"We will not press Odin for now." Fandaral stated. "Give him time to settle."

"Thank you Fandaral. There's a reason why you're my favorite of the warrior." She exhales. "If he does speak of Thor, I will not push the subject, but I will see if I can speak on Thor's behalf."

That worked, for they all nodded. "Thank you." Volstagg said with a slightly lighter tone. "You have always been one for diplomacy."

"Thank you Volstagg. We all need time to settle and breathe." She points out. "Fandral needs time to recover. Thor is gone and he would not want us to be negligent towards Asgard. He is gone and he will require that we protect his home until he returns. That will be the greatest honor that any of us can do in his name." She walked to the door and exited the room without looking back.

She walked down the hall to her quarters to change out of her dress, which was still wet and muddy from the visit to Jotunheim. She selected a deep pink gown and dressed quietly and efficiently. Her parents were probably trying to find out where the allfather and Thor had gone to.

She decided to avoid the throne room and asked a guard where the allfather was. The guard had told her that Odin had gone down to the weapons vault. She'd thanked him demurely and continued down the hall towards the weapons vault. It was good that he was examining the vault, it would be perfect for her to inquire about those who also possessed magic or the cunning to break into the vault.

The guard opened the door for her and she entered. Odin was standing before her, partly atop the stairs. She opened her mouth to say something when he shouted. "Stop!"

She instantly froze and followed his gaze to see Loki standing at the far end of the vault where the casket of winters was.

"Am I cursed?" She didn't like the tone of his voice. She wasn't sure how to describe it; he sounded tense, angry, on the edge of tears, possibly broken all at the same time.

"No."

"What am I?" he asked, his breathing heavy. She took a few quiet steps forward to try and see Loki from behind Odin's shoulder.

"You're my son." Odin said softly, a hint of consternation in his voice.

Loki slowly turned and faced Odin. Her breath caught in her chest at the sight of him. The face that was so dear to her heart was changed. His skin tone had changed to a light blue, similar to a frost giant. Even his eyes were slightly red, but it was the look in his eyes that was more concerning. He was hurt, angry, shocked, stunned, upset and struggling to comprehend what was happening to him, while maintaining the faced that he didn't care. But she could see that he was shaken to the core as he demanded. "What more than that?"

Wildestdreams8193: Omg, hello! It's been a while, hasn't it? It will all go very well. The beginning had me stumped, but I've got most of the chapters from here to chapter 28 written, just a few things to be written.