Chapter twenty-eight: Knowing their worth
Rose exhaled as she laid down her hairbrush. "Pet?" Loki asked gently as he stepped towards her. "It has been a tiring day, if you wish to eat here, I have no objections."
She smiled and reaches for his arms as he knelt at her feet. "I love you dearly. However," she rested her forehead against his. "we cannot miss this dinner."
Loki exhaled. "I do not wish to discuss any of this with them."
She was silent for a moment before whispering. "I know."
He frowns slightly. "You know what?"
"I know that you miss your home, your family."
He's silent before stating. "I hate this on occasion, you being able to read my every emotion."
"I miss Asgard as well. Even my parents, on occasion." He looks at her as if she were mad. "I know, I owe them nothing, but I cannot help it. It must have been terrible to marry someone that you despised and then bear a child you didn't want."
"You cannot blame yourself for any of that." He exhales as he wraps his arms around her waist, resting his head on her chest. "You're too good. You've always been too good."
"I'm also the woman who would let you burn Asgard to the ground in order to keep me safe and protect me." she ran a hand through his hair. "That is hardly the heart of a good woman."
"It is the heart of a queen who knows her worth."
"Albeit, a rather selfish queen to put herself before others."
Loki ponders a moment. "Alright, so we shall burn an empty Asgard to the ground."
"Morbid, but sweet."
He chuckles. "Anything for you, pet."
"Loki," she asks softly. "do you know your worth?" he doesn't answer her. "Loki, you have always been a strong and powerful man." He rolls his eyes slightly. "I know, that you don't believe it, but I truly believe that you are capable of so much, if you could just stop letting yourself be held back." His eyes flash. "I know, that seems cruel to say. You're like a great bird, flapping your wings on the top of a mountain. I'm waiting for you to soar and show everyone what you are."
He shakes his head in amusement. "You always think great things of me, pet." He exhales. "I fear that I do not always live up to your expectations."
"You have never disappointed me." she assures him. "I also know that when you feel it's time for you to soar, you will shine brilliantly."
He's silent before asking. "So, I must ask, do you wish to return to Asgard?"
"Will you be there?" he chuckles. "My love, I am more than content to remain by your side. If you wish it to be here, I shall be happy. If you wish to return to Asgard and rule together, I will be happy. If you wish to leave this palace and live in ramshackle cottage in the forest," he chuckles again. "I will be happy. As long as you are there with me and for our children, I shall be happy."
Loki is silent for a moment before stating. "I want to see if they're willing to allow us to rule as we were, together."
"I do not have to be-
"I will not go down this road without you." He stated firmly. "I want to move ahead with our marriage being formally recognized. I will not watch you being worried." She frowns slightly. He smiles as he grips her hands. "Yes, you ruled beside me with a smile. But I felt you tense every time someone mentioned Odin or if you caught a glimpse of your parents. You are my wife and you should never fear that you could be taken from me. I want you to be secure and safe. You gave up everything for me without blinking. I want you to never fear about losing me."
"Thank you." she leans forward and kisses him on the lips. After a few moments, she breaks the kiss. "So, we're going to return?"
He exhales and nods. "I believe we are." He stands up and looks around. "Where is that Midgardian contraption that Amy gifted us?"
"The wheelchair is in the bathroom." Rose stood carefully as Loki went to retrieve it. He carefully situated her in her chair before rearranging her skirts. "Have I told you lately that you're a wonderful husband?"
"I cannot recall. But," he grins at her. "I assume it was around the time I told you that you were the most valuable treasure to me, pet."
She blushes slightly. "I still love it when you call me pet."
He smiles. He leans forward and kisses the little scar on her neck, causing her to moan and shudder with pleasure. "Easy pet, we're not to have such activity for a few months."
She nods. "Indeed. Please, try to avoid kissing me there. It lights every inch of me afire."
Loki stills for a moment. He then inhales and then exhales deeply. "Norns, the things you say, pet." He begins to wheel her to the door, waving it open. "You must learn to mind what you say."
She laughs. "What? My husband has a silvertongue. I must match him compliment for compliment."
He shakes his head. "I swear, you say such things to me on purpose."
Rose laughs as she leans back slightly. "I really do not understand what it is I say to you that causes-
"That's part of your charm pet. You're blissfully unaware of the effect your words have on me."
She reaches up and holds his hand. "Tell me, once I'm able to bear your attentions."
He blinks. "Bear? Are they really so burdensome?"
"Not at all my love. I just wish for the strength to enjoy your passion to the fullest."
He chuckles, but he says no more. Rose hums absent-mindedly as they approach the dining hall. However, that hum ceases as they round the corner to see people hurrying out of the dining room. She can hear her mother and Amy yelling at each other. Loki chuckles faintly. "This shall be entertaining."
"Indeed." She smiles up at him. "You are the god of mischief after all."
They round the corner to see Amy yelling at her mother. "He made it possible for you to leave your husband! Rose, should not needlessly suffer because you choose to willingly suffer in a marriage!"
"You're a weak pathetic mortal!" Her mother spat at Amy. Odin, Vlander and Thor all jumped up from their seats. "You're a disgrace to Vanaheim and all those who have ruled before!"
Rose stared in utter shock as Amy drew her arm back and punched her mother in the face! Everyone stared in shock as Amy shook her bloody fist. "I've a mind to throw you in the dungeon for those words!" She looks up and sees Amy and Loki watching the whole scene in amusement. "I now know why you've got problems with them, especially her!"
Loki chuckles. "You have no idea." With a wave of his hand, Loki floats Rose's chair down the stairs. She smiles. He was now free to behave as himself and he relished the look of pride in his mother's eyes. There was fear in the eyes of her parents, which amused her. "Might we have the room?" Loki inquired. "We've come to settle this and it should be between…family, however loose the words."
Vlander nods. "Of course, come Amy. Let us have your hand seen to."
"As you wish." Amy lets out a huff as she begrudgingly takes a hold of her husband's hand. "I still may change my mind and have them imprisoned!"
"For the sake of peace," Vlander states. "we shall not."
"One day!" She states. "That's all I'm asking!"
As Vlander guides her out of the door, Loki turns to Rose. "Your parent's absence, is indeed one pleasure of living on Vanaheim."
"You cannot keep her from us!" Her father stated. "She is not yours."
Loki grinned, a grin of mischief. "And what makes you think she wants to see you, after what you did to her?"
Her parents blanched. Frigga nodded. "Perhaps, you could share some insight?"
Rose shook her head. "It was-
"No, Rose." He stated. "You do not get to be good and try to smooth things over in hope for peace. I'd have had them jailed long ago for their atrocities to you, were it not for the fact it would cause you displeasure you!"
Odin blinks. "What are you speaking of?"
Loki inhaled. "They beat Rose."
"That's a lie!" Her mother shouted, behind her hand that was covering a broken nose.
Loki shook his head. "I'm sure Odin can question the healer. Or did you forget that you both struck and threatened her in her presence?"
"That was discipline!" Her father stated. "She was willful!"
"So willful that even Fandral was aware of the marks on her skin." Loki shook his head. "I've since healed the other scars on her, such as you throwing hot oil on her neck!"
Odin turned towards her parents. For the first time, she saw anger in his eyes. "Is that so?"
Her father turned pale. "You wished the marriage to go through. I did what was necessary to break her willfulness as make her a willing bride for Thor!"
"Nowhere, did I proclaim that I wanted her battered!" Odin snapped at them. "She was to be the wife of the king! You were aware of this and you still felt you could raise a hand to her!"
"She is our daughter!"
"Yes!" Rose shouted. "I am your daughter! Not your property!"
Her parents stammered as Loki glowered darkly at them. "Have you thought of what you put her through!?" He hissed, low and dark. Rose noted bits of snow starting to come off him in his fury, causing her parents to shrink back slightly. Thor, Odin and Frigga glanced towards her, as if asking her to calm Loki, but she wasn't going to silence him on this. "You were trying to kill her!"
"Loki," Frigga spoke. "please-
"Don't make excuses for them mother!" Loki roared. "You talked to the healer yourself! You know what they were doing to her! They tormented her to the point that her heart nearly gave out!"
With that roar, a huge gust of wind whipped through the hall, snuffing the lights out! Her parents yelled and cowed down upon the floor. "Love," rose said gently. "the lights, please?"
He exhales and with a wave, the lights come back on. He glances towards Odin. He inhales and growls out. "If anyone had dared, to lay a hand on mother, I know that you would not have stood for it, much less have returned her to those who treated her like that."
Odin was silent before admitting. "I would not." he glowered at her parents, who were practically sobbing on the floor. "They will be dealt with accordingly." He turns back to Loki. "Why did you not say this before?"
Loki didn't hesitate. "Why did you not listen to what I had to say?" Odin flinched. "You cannot demand that I speak and demand I be silent in the same breath."
"Loki," Thor warned. "father is-
Odin held up a hand, silencing Thor. "He is right." Odin studies Loki. "I have been unfair to you." rose felt Loki inhale sharply and she moved closer to him. "I had conference with your mother and she brought to light a great many things I turned an eye to." He studied Loki carefully before stepping towards him. "There were a great many things…I could have said better that night in the vaults." Loki inhaled deeply. "You were right, I did not intend for you to sit on the throne. I had intended for you and Thor, to rule over your prospective thrones, in harmony, like brothers. I did not foresee that my rule would cause you both to take separate paths."
Loki stood there, silently staring Odin down. "Allfather," Rose said softly. "did you ever loved Loki?" everything went silent and Odin looked towards her, shooting her a look. She holds his gaze. "Do not look at me as if I've lost my mind by asking such a thing. You forget that I was there in the vaults as well."
"Rose," Loki said gently. "there is no need-
"There is." She stated. "I have wanted to say this for so long. I must speak it." he nods silently, taking a small respective step back to allow her to be in the forefront. She held Odin's gaze. "I love Loki, I have loved him for so long we can barely remember the moment we did fall in love with each other."
Odin shifts his staff to another hand. "Was it truly so long?"
"Yes. My earliest recollection was when we were children. At least, that as when I had the recognition I loved him. I have given him everything I can possibly give. We've lain awake together at night, holding hands, saying nothing while hearing everything. We've shared a great many things, our fears, our hopes, our dreams." She holds his gaze. "I know his deepest fear, because I watched it come true in the vault. Your confession made it seem as if he were a prize you took from Jotunheim to barter peace. Your silence did not aid in this image you presented, nor did your detachment or slights towards him."
"I did not-
"But you did." she said. "You did, whether you meant to or not, he did notice. He did feel it and he did see it. You blindly let him grow up in Thor's shadow and for all intent and purpose, he still loves Thor." she held his gaze. "There has never been a moment that he has not tried to I've up to your standards, only to be pushed aside. So yes, he does need to know that you loved him growing up, he needs to know that you love him still."
Odin studies her before smiling faintly. "Your time together has brought a change in you."
"We have been discussing if we were to return to Asgard and accept your offer. We are so inclined," everyone straightened. "but we both have conditions."
Odin turns to Loki and inquires. "What are they?"
Loki takes a moment and clears his throat. "I want my marriage to Rose formally recognized and acknowledged. I want it agreed that she will be allowed to rule beside me as my queen."
Odin's brow arched. "That is quite a request."
"She said once she wanted a man who would burn Asgard down for her." Loki stated without blinking. "I intend to change it to suit her and others who will sit on the throne after us."
"Indeed." He turns towards Rose. "What do you wish?"
"I want you two to become father and son again." Loki and Odin shifted. "I want you to tell the truth, to all." Everyone let out a collective sound of surprise. Even Loki stared at her, clearly taken aback. "You tell the truth of how you brought Loki to Asgard. Your secrets brought us to this point. I want to see you formally acknowledge Loki as your son, at the swearing in ceremony. Words, seem paltry, but I believe they can go a long way in healing. You will make it clear to the people of Asgard that he is not the lesser prince, nor was he ever, nor did you love him less than Thor."
"Rose," Loki stated. "that is-
"I will accept nothing less." She turned and looked up at him. "For you deserve nothing less."
