Freya's heart was racing and she felt sick as she realised that she was trapped. This had been her last and only chance to escape execution, and it had failed. She would never see her home or her family again. Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she knew she would not win this fight, for the soldier was well-trained and armed, while she only had a dagger. Even if she managed to get herself out of his tight grip, where would she go? She had no doubt that she would not get very far without being caught. Though reluctant to resign herself to her fate, she could see no way out of this. If only Loki were here then he would be able to talk his way into releasing her… But there was no sign of the Prince. Instead all she could see was the palace as the guard dragged her back down the corridors she had recently sneaked through. They met a few other soldiers as they walked, and her captor called for the search to be ended. Freya could only stay silent and hope for a miracle.
It was a tense ten minutes as she was dragged along the corridors. Her wrist was really sore from the man's grip and she now felt emotionally numb. She had no idea how she was even going to explain herself, and there was little hope that the Allfather would be favourable. After all, she had just broken a direct order by trying to leave Asgard. Her heart was full of sorrow, and though she so desperately wished to cry, she did not want to give anyone the satisfaction. Instead she swallowed her tears and adopted the most confident demeanour she could. After all, it was the best shield she had.
They came to a stop then, and the guard threw her roughly into a small room. Freya landed on the floor and winced at the pain in her knees before she looked around. This did not appear to be a prison cell, and she could hear the lapping of waves nearby. She reached for her blade, instantly aware of the danger she was in. Just what was this man intending on doing with her? Was she going to be executed immediately? Or was there going to be something else beforehand?
"Please, I meant no harm…" She uttered, unsurprised to find herself crying. "Please don't kill me. I am sure that there is a way to undo the binding…" She was sobbing, fear having taken over now. "Please, I beg of you…" She clutched her cloak tightly around her, hoping that it may somehow protect her.
"You are certain you can undo it?" The soldier asked, stepping closer to her. Freya nodded. "Perhaps you are just saying this so you will be released. How do I know you can be trusted?"
"Please, I swear that I can undo this. Just…" She was hugging herself now, and the guard sighed deeply. A golden glow filled the corner by the door, and the next minute Freya felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean to scare you." He said softly as he crouched in front of her. "Though I am glad you aimed for the main door." He gave her a reassuring smile while she looked at him.
"Loki?" Freya sniffled and then breathed a sigh of relief. "You were the guard?" He nodded. "How did you…?"
"I realised earlier this morning you were thinking of returning to Midgard." He pointed out. "And that you were just waiting for the opportunity to present itself." Freya shook her head in disbelief. "You truly know how to release me?"
"I think so." She told him. "I'm about ninety percent sure that it can be undone."
"Then we go to Midgard." He stated.
"How? Your father has forbidden both of us from leaving and I have no doubt that Heimdall…" She began, but was interrupted.
"He won't hear this conversation." Loki assured her. "And there are other ways we can leave Asgard." He smiled. Freya took a few deep breaths to calm herself before shaking her head.
"I cannot have you getting into any more trouble because of me." Loki just grinned.
"I sincerely doubt you can get me into any worse trouble than what I have gotten myself into previously." He shrugged. "Am I not Loki of Asgard, God of Mischief, Lies and Tricks?"
"Even so, are you sure you wish to do this?" She asked, needing to make sure that this was his choice.
"Only if you are." Freya was silent as she considered it. There were huge risks involved for both of them, but she had already come so far that it was too late to do anything else. There was no turning back now.
"How do we leave Asgard?" She asked, her resolve strengthened. She had to at least try to undo this binding, and if she did nothing then Odin would have her killed. That much was certain.
"You'll see." He smiled as he helped her to stand. He tilted his head then as he realised what she was wearing, and Freya felt her cheeks blush. "A disguise?"
"Well not everyone can shapeshift." She pointed out and he chuckled. "I figured it would be easier than a dress."
"I cannot fault your logic." He shrugged. "Now this will be dangerous, and I cannot guarantee that we will not get caught. If we are, then I may not be able to talk the guards into releasing us." He warned.
"I know."
"The most important thing of all though is to trust me."
"I trust you." She meant it. He gave a funny smile and then noticed she was rubbing her wrist where he had gripped it.
"You are hurt?"
"I'll be fine."
"Let me?" He gestured before carefully taking her hand in his. He rested the palm of his hand on the sore spot and closed his eyes for a moment. Freya watched him closely, curious as to what he was doing, before she felt the pain disappear. She looked at her wrist and then at the young man, before smiling gratefully.
"Thank you." She paused. "What is the plan?"
"We need a boat." He said. "And then we will have a little time before we are noticed again."
"Does no one know you are missing too?"
"I believe my absence will go unnoticed." He said carefully. "Are you ready?"
"As I ever will be." She took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "Shall we?"
Five minutes later found them in a borrowed boat, flying over the water towards the caves and cliffs behind the city. Loki was stood at the helm, keeping a close eye for their destination, while Freya crouched low in the boat, watching for any soldiers. Both were silent, although Loki was grinning and Freya could not help but smile slightly. It was obvious that he was in his element, for he was breaking rules and causing chaos. He truly looked handsome in the starlight, and Freya wondered if she would ever see him again after this day. She truly hoped she would. She also wondered if he would truly be the cause of Ragnarok and the downfall of Asgard, but shook her head. He may be the God of Mischief but he was not evil.
"Any sign?" She asked him as they came to a gap in the cliffs.
"We're not far off now." He assured her. That was when she spotted the silhouettes in the distance, and they were getting closer.
"We're being followed!" She told him, panic in her voice. Loki looked back and cursed before increasing the speed. Freya clutched onto the seat to keep herself from being flung overboard, while he began evasive manoeuvres from the shots already being fired on them. They turned down the gap in the cliffs and then Loki crouched in front of her, offering a hand.
"Trust me?" He asked. They had barely a moment before the guards caught up with them, and Freya knew she had no option. She nodded and let him help her to her feet. The pair of them then stood on the edge of the flying boat, and Freya's heart was in her mouth. She knew that if they missed, they would fall to their deaths.
"On the count of three." He told her. "One, two…" He held her hand tightly in his, and then jumped, taking Freya with him. She was too scared to scream, and she shut her eyes as she felt them fall through the night air. The sound of the guards was closing in, and she had no idea what Loki's plan was. That was when she hit the ground, and she swore under her breath at the pain.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Good, we just need to go down here." He told her as she got to her feet. They had landed in a cave, and she scurried after him down the narrow dimly lit passage. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, and her joints ached, but she knew there could be no stopping now. After a minute they reached a small cavern and Loki offered her a reassuring smile as he cast a light.
"What now?" She asked, slightly impatiently. "Do we wait here or…?"
"We're going to Midgard." He told her. "It is a complex piece of magic, but it should work."
"Should?" She asked, feeling panicked again. "You mean you've never done this before?"
"Freya, trust me. I will get you home." He promised. "I just need to know what we're looking for when we get there."
"There was something else found with the sceptre, and it had an inscription." She explained. "It's a green stone amulet, about the size of a large pebble."
"And it's on your desk?" She nodded. "Do you think you can translate it?"
"You can read runes better than me." She pointed out and he chuckled. "I think it will undo the binding."
"That's good enough for me." He said. "Now, you need to hold on to me, and don't let go, whatever happens." Freya stood in front of him and hesitated, for she was unsure on how to hold onto him. Though she had held him as a cat, it was entirely different now that he was a man, and a handsome one at that. "Freya…" He said sternly. She wrapped her arms around his chest, trying to ignore the fluttering of her heart as she felt his muscles through her shirt. He smelled amazing, and she wished that she would be able to stay in touch with this man. Deep down though she knew that tonight would be the last time she would see him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, and then said the incantation aloud. The words echoed around the cave and a bright flash of light followed, before the ground disappeared beneath them.
Freya shrieked in horror while Loki laughed, and just moments later the light disappeared. Fresh grass met their feet and birdsong filled their ears. Freya risked opening her eyes, and then breathed a sigh of relief as she recognised the back garden. She was back at her apartment block. Somewhat reluctantly, she let go of the prince and then scrambled in the flowerbed for her spare key while he kept an eye on the skies.
"We won't have long before they realise where we've gone." He pointed out.
"Then we had best act quickly." She told him, already walking to the front door of the block.
Two minutes later found them turning onto the corridor with Freya's flat on, but both hesitated as a familiar ball of ginger fluff appeared at Freya's feet.
"Meow!" Thor said. Freya scooped him up and then looked towards her flat in horror. She was certain she had locked the door behind her, so just how had Thor gotten out? She motioned to Loki to wait there, handing him the cat, while she quietly made her way down the corridor. Upon reaching her flat she found the front door slightly ajar, and she could hear someone inside rifling through her things. It seemed that she was being burgled. Drawing her dagger, she held it tightly in her right hand and hoped that she would not have to use it, before slowly opening the front door.
"I wondered when you'd get here." The burglar said as Freya walked inside. She looked in horror as she realised who it was. "Now, where is it?"
"Where is what Professor?" she asked calmly, keeping the blade out of sight. She could only hope that Loki kept away, for she knew now who was responsible for turning him into a cat.
"Don't play games with me girl! I know you have it!" He said as he faced her. She realised she had never seen anyone look so crazed before, and knew she was in just as much danger here as she had been on Asgard.
"Have what Professor? I do not know what you're talking about…"
"You do. I know where you've been Freya."
"If you're meaning my outfit, I've been at a party." She shrugged, doing her best to remain calm.
"Give me the sceptre."
"Sceptre?"
"I know you brought it home." He told her as he advanced on her. She kept close by the door, trying to keep an escape route open. "And I know you translated the runes. So give it here."
"I do not have it." She said honestly. "It is still in the office." The man laughed callously.
"You really think I am that stupid? I know what you have done Freya Wilkes. Lying won't save you." He said, just a metre from her now. "Now, before I do something regrettable, tell me where the sceptre is, and where he is."
"Where who is?"
"Loki." He spat. "I know that is what you have done. I know you have been to Asgard. I know he is bound to you. For months I tried to find that Trickster and yet you knew all along. For years I have searched for that sceptre! It is rightfully mine and you stole it!" He was shouting now, and Freya hoped that the Prince would stay away.
"Asgard is but a myth." She told him. "Now, Professor, I will ask you only once, please leave." Caygill gave a heavy sigh.
"Oh Freya, I did hope I wouldn't have to do this." He said, as he quickly grabbed her arm and tore the dagger from her grip. He held her arm tightly, making her wince. "You were truly one of my best students. One last chance. Where is it?"
"I don't know!" She said loudly. He raised the blade above them, and she prayed that she would get out of this alive.
"Your funeral." He shrugged, before bringing the dagger down…
