Frey a braced herself for the fatal blow, but it never came. Instead the Professor hissed in pain and the dagger dropped to the floor as a cat sank its teeth into his leg. Caygill tried to get the creature off of him, while Freya took the chance to move. The door was blocked, but she knew exactly where the amulet was, and so she ran to her desk. Papers and books were strewn everywhere, and the artefacts she had been studying prior to Loki's appearance were in among them.
"Give me the sceptre Freya, and no one needs to get hurt." The Professor said calmly. The dagger was back in his hand, while he held Thor by the scruff of his neck. Freya hesitated, knowing that the man would not hesitate to kill her beloved friend.
"I swear on my life that the sceptre is not here. It is on Asgard." She told him carefully, all thoughts of the amulet gone for the moment. "Please, let Thor go. He…"
"Oh. Another trick is it? I'm not making that mistake again." Caygill said calmly as he plunged the blade into the cat's chest. Freya screamed in horror as her faithful friend let out one last pitiful mew, while Caygill threw the creature at her.
"Now, tell me…" But he did not get the chance to finish his sentence as Loki pulled him back. Freya could only hold her pet close, choking back tears as Thor took his final breaths in her arms. She cradled him to her, telling him how much she loved him and gave him one last scratch behind the ears before he passed. Sorrow threatened to overwhelm her, but the sound of the two men fighting brought her back to reality.
"Your death will not be in vain." She promised her cat, before gently setting him down. A flash of green light alerted her to the fact that these were two magicians fighting, and she scrambled tog et out of the line of fire. Her hand grabbed a round object of green marble, and seconds later she found her book of runes and a pen. Her eyes were stinging with tears, and her heart was racing, but she knew that time was of the essence. She hurriedly translated the inscription, desperately hoping that it was right as she hid under her desk. All she could do now was hope that the binding would be undone and that Loki would continue to defend her once he was released.
"I free you of these bonds." She said as she held the amulet in both hands. There was no flash of light this time, and Loki kept fighting just as fiercely as before so Freya had no idea if it had worked. She reached for her phone then and hurriedly dialled for the police, hoping that they would get here quickly. Caygill was so focused on disarming Loki that he did not realise what Freya was doing until half way through the call, at which point he threw a hefty spell at the prince. Loki fell, and Freya had the phone torn from her grasp before she was dragged to her feet. The Professor wrapped an arm around her neck and smiled cruelly.
"Enough games now Freya. Where is the sceptre?"
"Asgard." She told him, struggling to free herself from his grasp.
"Then we go to Asgard." He decided.
"Can't." She croaked as his grip became tighter. "Bifrost."
"Ah." Caygill looked at Loki who was just stirring. "You will take me to Asgard and retrieve the sceptre." He instructed.
"That may be difficult." Loki warned as he got to his feet. "Asgard is no place for mortals."
"Freya went."
"She was a prisoner, and will be killed on sight if she returns." The trickster pointed out. "However, I can fetch the sceptre for you. All I ask is that you let her go."
"You are in no position to negotiate." Caygill warned. "I do not trust you liesmith."
"I give you my word."
"No." The Professor stated. "Here is what is going to happen. You will take me to Asgard and retrieve the sceptre." Loki appeared to consider this for a moment, before adopting is most charming smile.
"Very well, but we should go outside first for the Bifrost to work."
"No…" Freya whispered, for she knew that the Professor would not be kind to Loki.
"Very well. If you are telling the truth then Freya has nothing to fear." Caygill relaxed his grip, and Freya went to move, only for her hands to be grabbed. Seconds later she had them tied behind her, and Caygill held a knife to her throat as they made their way outside. She truly feared for her life, and she had no idea what Loki was planning. She desperately hoped that help was on its way, and that she would survive this.
"We go no further." Caygill stated as they reached the centre of the garden. Loki bowed his head, before giving Freya a reassuring smile. That was when the God of Mischief disappeared, and Caygill grunted as something hit him from behind. Freya stumbled and fell to the grass just as the Professor collapsed, and she rolled out of the way before he trapped her.
"Did it work?" Freya asked as Loki released her.
"I believe so."
"That's good." She smiled as he helped her to her feet.
"I'm sorry about Thor." He said, meaning it. Freya just sighed deeply.
"I'm guessing I won't see you again."
"I doubt I will be allowed to leave Asgard for a long time yet." He sighed. "It has been an adventure knowing you."
"It's been a pleasure." She told him, before noticing movement out of the corner of her eye. In an instant she was stood between the prince and the professor, and she winced as pain spread from her side. The Professor laughed callously as the student fell, while Loki knocked him unconscious. He bound his hands together and then hurried to the fallen woman's side. She clutched her chest where the blade had pierced it, and he knew instantly that this was a mortal wound.
"No…" He murmured. "No, no, no…" He placed a hand on the wound in a futile attempt to stop the blood while he cradled her to him. He had grown rather fond of the girl, and had no wish for her to die. "Stay with me Freya."
"Loki, I…" Her breathing was laboured, and he knew she had only minutes left.
"I am so sorry Freya. I never meant for you to get hurt."
"It's alright Loki." She told him, struggling to smile.
"It's not." He paused then as he realised that there was something he could do to try and save her. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on remembering a spell his mother had taught him, and then recited it. Freya was growing weaker, but she tried to stop him, having accepted her fate.
"It's okay. You don't…" She coughed, and he winced as he saw blood on her lips. "I…" Her eyes were getting heavy now, and Loki panicked.
"No Freya, stay with me." But his pleas fell on deaf ears. She gave in to darkness just as a bright light appeared, and three men stood where they had not before.
"Leave her son." A familiar voice commanded as Loki felt two pairs of arms try to pry him away.
"No, please, let me save her!" Loki begged, but he was no match for the two soldiers. "No! No!" He screamed, knowing that it was too late.
"It is for the best my son." Odin said as he looked upwards.
"Father, please…"
"Heimdall!" The Allfather ignored his son, and the last thing Loki heard was sirens before the Bifrost enveloped him.
He spent the week in Asgard's dungeons for his actions, but his anger did not dissipate. Freya had deserved so much more than what she had got, and her death was his fault. He had never intended for her to get hurt, and he knew that she had not meant to bind him. From what he had learned, the woman had only ever wished to expand her knowledge, and the binding had been a complete accident. Loki had wanted to see more of her after this adventure too. He rarely made friends, and he knew that human lives were short, but he had been determined to remain friends with Freya.
"Loki." His mother's voice was soft, and she looked at him sadly as she stood between two of the Einharjar. "You are free to go."
"She is dead. Isn't she?" Loki asked, knowing that he would not be being released otherwise. Frigga merely bowed her head.
"Why would he not save her? She did nothing wrong!"
"He has his reasons." The Queen said as they left the dungeons. "It is regrettable, but at least we can be certain that the bond is broken."
"Then can I ask something of you mother?" Loki asked after a moment.
"What is it?"
"Teach me the healing spells." Frigga smiled sadly at her son's request. "I cannot have another die when I could do something."
"Of course Loki." She told him as she pulled him into a hug. "I am sorry about your friend."
"As am I." He sighed. "As am I."
