Chapter ten: Heavy is the head

After washing her face she grabbed a simple gray dress and changed into it. Her pink dress was dirty and torn, there would be no way Frigga or Loki wouldn't have noticed that something hadn't happened. She exited her bath to see Sif examining the stack of books that were beside her bed.

"Would you like to borrow one?" She offered, despite knowing that Sif would turn her down because like Thor, Sif didn't appreciate the finer things in life.

"No." Sif says politely, if just a bit stiff. "You read an assortment of books. There's a book of poetry, some books from Asgard and history of Jotunheim."

She nods. "Yes, the poetry is from Loki." Sif shoots her a slightly suspicious look. "He got it when he and Thor went to Alfheim. It's poetry about the seasons, it's really quite beautiful." Sif shrugs in disinterest. "The Asgardian books are a gift from Amy, the queen of Vanir. My mother thought the remaining books would be informative for a future queen."

Sif nodded. "Understandable." Rose sat down in front of the mirror and quickly brushes on some powder to hide the bruise on her cheek. After a few moments, Sif asked her. "How long has that been going on?"

"Reading about Jotunheim? I started that book last week, my mother figured that the future queen of Asgard should be up to date on the history of all the realms."

"I meant, with your father."

Her hands stilled for a moment, then she asked. "You're concerned for my welfare all of a sudden?"

"You are Thor's betrothed." She stated. "Had any of us been aware that your father has been-

"You'd have done nothing." She said, not wanting to discuss the subject. "There is nothing more to be said."

"Wrong. You are Thor's bride."

"And if I weren't Thor's bride," she demanded. "would you have helped me then?" Sif frowned at her. She shook her head; of course since Sif became a warrior she spent very little time in the courts. Naturally, she wouldn't have observed it. "Sif, this treatment happens to women all over Asgard! It has even happened at the royal banquet table, yet you, Thor and the rest of the warriors said nothing. A lord grabbed his wife by her hair and threw her onto the floor because she refused to drink her wine!"

Sif flinched slightly. "I did not observe it."

"No one does. Because people tend to look to other realms before bothering to clean up their own realm. There are other women who are in far worse situations." She picked up her comb and brushed her hair. "I should consider myself lucky."

"Lucky." Sif snorted. "You should leave."

"And go where, Sif?" She inquired. "My parents are not like yours. You know that I would only be returned to them and my situation would be far worse."

"You still could leave. The allmother would protect you."

"And once Odin awakens, I'd be returned to my parents. That is the law." She reminded her. "Afterwards, I shall be given to Thor. There is no reason for me to even consider fighting because I know that it will only make the situation worse for me."

She begins to braid her hair swiftly into three braids. Sif watches her for a long time in silence before asking. "Do you even love Thor?"

"Does Thor even love me?" she inquired as she continued braiding her hair, not daring to pause or even blink. Sif was looking around for information, she could sense it and knowing Sif, she was planning to hurt her.

"That is not what I asked you."

"I know what you asked," she began braiding the three braids into one. "however, you are the last person I would consider confiding my feelings in. You clearly know nothing about this life that I have been born into and it is complicated."

Sif was silent for a long time before stating. "I just hate to think that you were marrying Thor to escape your parents. He's a good man and he deserves love."

"Everyone deserves love in this universe. But you must remember that the contracts were signed and everyone has their eyes on us, waiting for the wedding to take place as soon as he returns." She glances at Sif before stating honestly. "Thor is a good person, we've known each other since we were children and that is good. It's not as if we've agreed to marry strangers."

"If you two didn't have the contract, would you have married?"

"It doesn't do anyone any good to think about such things, like love. Emotions are not how things are made in this world." She inhales as she stands up. "Sif, women in my position are little more than chess pieces in a long came of chess. That is the role I was born for. I do not have the liberty to do as I wish and please! I must play the role that is put to me. Emotions, such as love and desire…they're not to be factored into the future."

Sif bit her lip before stating. "I do not love Thor, as you claim-

She laughs and shakes her head. "There is only one reason a woman dresses in a suit of armor and follows a group of men into battle." Sif glowers at her, so she speaks softly. "I am not a fool Sif. You should tell Thor when he returns."

She opened the door and Sif asked. "The woman, who's husband pulled her by her hair…what happened to her?"

She held Sif's gaze as she stated. "She died that night." Sif jumped in shock. "Her husband was too drunk to remember what happened, but so everyone assumes that she jumped from their balcony. I think he killed her."

"Did you speak to the allfather?" Sif inquired.

"Yes, he said without a witness, it would be wise not to cast such assumptions. Remember Sif, the palace holds dangers of it's own."

With that, she turned and left the room. To her relief, Sif did not follow her as she began the long walk to the other side of the palace. She made a note to try to avoid getting seen with Loki if possible because Sif was getting suspicious. She knew she should have lied and said she loved Thor, but she wasn't trusting her face to actually project an expression that seemed believable. Sif was probably tearing up her room looking for evidence to prove her theory, but she knew well enough that books didn't confirm an affair.

She sighed and pondered back on the argument she'd had with the warriors. She realized that she had put herself in a suspicious situation, even with Fandral having her back. He could have possibly been taking her side only to see if she betrayed anything that could be used against her and Loki. So, she now had to mind her conduct and protect herself and Loki. There would be more difficult things ahead that she would be expected to endure, this one was a small pain to endure.

She paused outside the doors to Frigga and Odin's chambers. After a moment, the guards pushed the doors open and allowed her to enter. She took a few steps in and immediately curtsied. The room was dark and apart from Odin in his great bed in the middle of the room, there wasn't much to observe. She observed Frigga to Odin's left and Loki to his right. She half expected him to be resting, but of course, he was with his mother. Loki and his mother had a stronger bond, Frigga, unlike Odin, never showed prejudice to Loki.

"Rose," she looked up to see Frigga beside Odin, a tired smile on her face. "there is no need for formalities here. We're all family."

She swallowed and approached slowly. "Thank you Allmother. Sif, said you required my company."

"Yes, but not for me." Frigga said softly. "I asked you to be here for Loki."

Loki didn't bother to look in her direction as he stated. "I do not need her to be here mother."

Frigga exhaled and shook her head. "She has been your friend for years. You said that she knows; do not chase her away now." Rose walked towards Loki and stood by his chair. After a moment, Frigga began to explain to Loki. "I asked him to be honest with you from the beginning. There should be no secrets in a family."

Loki was silent before asking. "So why did he lie?"

"He kept the truth from you so you would never feel different." She bit her lip, knowing that wasn't true. Loki had always felt different. He acted and thought differently than the men of Asgard. "You are our son Loki, and we, your family." She hesitantly and lightly placed her hand on his shoulder. "you must know that." Loki said nothing as he looked down at Odin. She could feel he wanted to speak, but didn't have the words. "You can speak to him." Frigga prompted gently. "He can see and hear us even now."

"How long will it last?" He inquires, trying to keep an emotionless tone in his voice, but she and Frigga can tell. There were more questions he wanted to ask, even if he was still angry, he wanted to know. There were things that he had to say to him, be it good or bad.

"I don't know." From what rumors she'd heard, the Odinsleep could last up to 24 hours. However, depending on how long he'd put it off, it could stretch from a week to a month. "This time it's different. We were unprepared."

"I'll never get used to seeing him like this." Loki confesses quietly. "The most powerful being in the nine realms, lying helpless, until his body is restored."

"He has put it off for so long now, that I fear," Frigga pauses as she reaches out and holds her husband's hand. Her silence speaking the words she dared not to speak aloud. There is a possibility that Odin may never awaken. "you're a good son. We mustn't loose hope that your father will return to us. And your brother."

She sees the mere mention of Thor irks Loki slightly. "What hope is there for Thor?"

There's always a purpose to everything your father does." Loki turns aside from his mother and looks up at her. His eyes carefully study her face as Frigga speaks. "Thor may yet find a way home."

Loki's eyes narrow, as if he instinctively knows how Frigga's words filled her with dread. He turned towards his mother and stated. "Rose means to have a word with you regarding that."

The blood drained out of her face. "Loki-

"She will protest, but she needs to speak with you." He stands. "I shall leave you two to talk."

Rose stares at him in shock, stammering as he turns to walk out of the room. She cannot believe that he's actually put her in such a situation. He hurries down the stairs and moves towards the door. At that moment, the doors open to reveal a line of guards who salute and kneel before him. Loki stills as one of the high priests enters with Odin's staff. The priest approaches and kneels before Loki, extending the staff to him. Her eyes widen as she realizes what is happening.

Loki has been offered the throne.

Loki turns back to look towards Frigga, utter confusion on his face. She can see that he is trying to understand why his mother would offer him the throne because not only was he not a legitimate heir of Asgard, he was also a frost giant. But Rose knew it was because Loki was her son and he'd probably been her son from the moment she first laid eyes on him.

"Thor is banished." Frigga says firmly, her tone broaching no argument. "The line of succession falls to you, until Odin awakens. Asgard is yours."

Rose exhales, not believing that she is truly here witnessing such an event. Tears of pride well up in her chest. Loki deserved this honor after being in Thor's shadow for so many years. He would finally earn the respect that he was deserved. Loki turns back towards the offered scepter. The priest holds his hands out, again, offering Loki the scepter. She watches as he hesitates, humbly wondering if he honestly deserves this opportunity. He does accept with his head lowered with humility. The priest backs away, his head lowered.

"Make your father proud." Frigga says quietly. Loki smiles faintly, a smile that said that he would be making Frigga proud. He was her son, not Odin's. "Thank you."

Loki looked towards Rose and she instantly knelt before him, her head lowered in respect. "Don't." Loki stated as he took a step forward. "Not to me."

"You're the king now." Frigga reminded him. "She is honor bound to show you respect."

Loki exhaled tightly. "I do not wish for-

"My king," she said softly. "it is alright." She looked up, held his gaze as she stated. "It is my honor to do so."

Loki stood in front of her, his fingers gripping the scepter tightly. She sensed that he wanted to say something to her, but he couldn't find the words. After a moment of deliberating, he turned and left her with Frigga. Frigga exhaled as the doors closed before turning towards Rose. She smiled at her and said. "Come join me and share with me what it is Loki says you wish to discuss with me."

Why couldn't the floor have swallowed her whole? Loki did not give her any way to escape Frigga's line of questioning. Loki may be known as the god of lies, but Frigga always saw through his. Undoubtedly, Frigga would see through hers within a moment and her life as she knew it would be over. Only once this conversation was over would she know that if it was for the better or not.

Tomeii: Another thing that she and Loki have in common, eh? I don't know if they'll bond, but I do know that Sif understands Rose a bit better after this discussion.