Epiphany
Jotunheim
Maxine clutched her furs that where resting over her armour closer around her body. She wasn't cut out for the sub-zero temperature of Jotunheim like the others. This was something she hadn't thought about before arguing why she should also come to Jotunheim, not that she wanted to but once she knew Loki had been dragged into it she couldn't help but want to fight along side him.
She froze as she watched the fights between the warriors and the frost giants, she watched Thor as he put multiple enemy down with his hammer.
Her heart began to race she knew she was out of her league being here. "Get down" She heard Loki shout, before she knew it he had grabbed her and pulled her to the ground slashing through a giants body with his dagger as they both fell.
The hit the ice hard she let out a small shriek of pain, Loki led beside her with his arm still on her. "Shit, are you okay?" Maxine asked breathlessly. Loki gave her a warning look as he pulled her to her feet. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, he felt her icy cold skin it must of felt excruciating for her he thought to himself.
"I would be much better if you were not here" He said in a quite voice, even though it was quite it was warning. She knew he was annoyed at her for being there, she just wanted to prove she could help him.
She gritted her teeth together "I am just as much a warrior as Sif" She argued.
Loki swallowed hard and nodded, he had not intended to make her feel weak, he was worried. He wanted her back in Asgard where she would not be harmed, he had no idea when he agreed to go she would be coming along. "I am not disagreeing but your also more vun-" Maxine shrieked as she saw a frost giant approach him from behind.
Loki let go of her hand and swung around to stab the enemy, the giant grabbed him by his arm. Maxine and Loki both gasped, The view of damage was blocked by Loki's body, he looked down and noticed his skin turning blue. "Loki!" She cried assuming he was injured.
Loki and the giant shared a glance, before the giant could speak Loki drove a dagger through it's heart. Once he retracted his blade he pulled the sleeve of his shirt down to cover the blue area. Max ran to his side and turned him to face her. "He touched you, are you okay" She panicked knowing the touch of a frost giant could harm the skin of Asgardians.
Loki felt a wave of uncertainty come over him. He was in shock but tried his best not to show it. "I'm fine" he managed to spit out.
He looked over at the fight that was now growing out of control, he knew if they stayed any longer there would be more casualties than Fandral. He reached for Maxine's hand and pulled her "This way" He ordered. They began to run through the frost bitten land, taking down as many giants as they could as they ran. Max noticed two of the warriors carrying Fandral as Sif held of the giants so they stood a chance of getting him to safety.
Loki was shocked by Thors persistence as his friends where injured. He came to a stop pulling Maxine to a halt beside him. "Thor we need to leave!" Loki screamed across the battle field. Thor didn't answer, Maxine looked down and noticed the cracks in the floor.
"The floor is giving way" She panicked.
"Run for your lives" Hogan screamed. They did just that, they sprinted as fast as they could across the frost bitten land in hope of getting out of there alive.
"Heimdall" Loki yelled as they sprinted over the cracking ice.
Suddenly they came face to face with a blinding light, a familiar on the Bifrost. They ran towards it thinking it was there way home. They all stopped in their tracks when the saw the ALL father himself and his army stood facing them.
The faces of the group dropped, their blood ran cold knowing Odin had arrived that would mean trouble for them. "Odins here" Maxine whispered stating the obvious not knowing what else to say.
"This isn't good" Loki whispered back, Loki ran his thumb over her hand attempting to calm her from everything that had just happened.
From nowhere Thor appeared and smiled at his father looking all to proud. He shouted to his father about finishing them together. Odin look anything but pleased as he hushed Thor.
They watched the exchange between Laufey and Odin silently, they knew they were going to be in trouble once they got back to Asgard. Loki didn't let go of Maxine's hand for this reason, he knew she'd be nervous.
After they had spoken the army waved the group into the Bifrost. Fandral was being held up by the other warriors, Sif stood with a brave look on her face ready to take her punishment. Maxine was staring at the ground still holding onto Lokis hand for dear life, her heart felt like it was about to beat out of her chest.
They all stood waiting for Odin to speak, Odins vision turned to Thor who looked aggravated his father had intervened and then humiliated him in front of the frost giants.
"Warriors leave me with my sons" Odin spoke calmly. Loki released his grip on Maxine's hand and she pulled away reluctantly, he didn't look at her he kept his vision on his father. Maxine turned and joined Sif and the warriors on the horses to ride back down the bridge.
Once back to the palace grounds Volstagg and Hogun whisked Fandral off to the healers. Sif grunted angrily as she stormed into the Warriors den and threw her sword to the ground.
Maxine followed sheepishly, her and Sif had never been super close, for no other reason than Sif wanted to be THE female warrior of Asgard she didn't appreciate Maxine tagging along.
"They are in deep shit" Sif mumbled as she walked over to the table and grabbed a bottle of mead and began to drink it, she lent on the table and downed nearly the full bottle without coming up for air.
Maxine couldn't even think about drinking. She was filled with dread and worry, she instantly regretted her actions on Jotunhiem. "We shouldn't of gone, we should of talked Thor out of it" Maxine began.
Sif pulled the bottle away from her lips and cackled. "Spoken like a true warrior, you sound like Loki" She said pointing the bottle in her direction.
Maxine gritted her teeth together in anger. "Well maybe he had a point. We have caused nothing but chaos!" She argued.
"Thor had to do what he did. To prove he was a worthy king" Sif defended.
"Kings think before they act, Fandral got impaled for Christ sake" Max cried she didn't understand why Sif was taking this so well.
Sif nodded. "A true warrior" she said seemingly unbothered.
Maxine shot her a look of disgust "This is ridiculous I'm going to find Loki" she snapped at the shield maiden.
Sif took another swig of her drink and laughed again. "Yes, please do go stroke his ego and tell him how amazing he is" she mocked "No doubt he is the one that told Odin of Thors plan in the first place" She droned on.
Maxine took a step closer to her in an attempt to look more threatening which Sif found all to amusing. "Have some respect for your prince" Maxine ordered.
Sif shook her head "You have enough respect for him for all of us, I wouldn't worry" She said with a wink. Maxine bit her tongue and turned away to storm off, she wanted to slap Sif but knew it would bring nothing but pain to herself. Maxine cursed her weakness and stormed through the castle.
She headed straight to Lokis quarters and hoped he would be there by now. She knocked on the door but there was no answer, having that never stopped her before she entered without permission and walked through his living space.
It was littered with books and scraps of papers with spells and runes written on them, Maxine ignored all that and walked straight to his bedroom to check if he was there.
She knocked twice before entering. "Loki?" she asked in a quite tone as she pushed the door open. She peaked through and saw Loki facing the opposite way staring out of his window looking over Asgard.
He didn't reply, began to worry if he was injured from the frost giant touching him. "Loki are you okay?" She asked as she slowly entered the room shutting the door behind her.
Loki stayed silent, she cocked her head and slowly began to walk towards him. She felt and eerie feeling in her stomach she knew something was wrong. "what did Odin say?" She asked as she reached his side.
He didn't look at her he just continued to stare out over Asgard. Maxine began to loose her temper and she shoved him slightly. "Speak to me!" She demanded.
Loki closed his eyes and let out a small sigh "He banished Thor" His tone was ice cold, he sounded numb.
Maxine's eyes softened "What?" she whispered.
Loki took a deep breath "Thor, he has been banished to Midgard" He explained vaguely.
Maxine noticed the lack of emotion in Loki voice. She looked down at his hand noticing it seemed uninjured, she carefully reached out her hand to touch him "Loki, are you okay?" She asked in a small voice.
Loki flinched away from her touch. "Don't, just don't" He quietly ordered.
Maxine began to worry more so, she'd never seen Loki this way before. "Are you hurt I saw the frost giant touch your arm, let me see" She reached out her hand again to grab him arm but he stepped back, now facing her.
"I said no Max" He shouted growing more annoyed.
She looked like a wounded puppy, he'd never spoken to her in that tone. Sure they had argued but not once in her life had Loki raised his voice to her. "Loki" She whispered in shock.
Loki gritted his teeth together and ran his hand through his jet black hair that was now loose and wavy compared to its usual slicked back look. "Just leave" He muttered. Maxine still still staring at him in disbelief, his green eyes met hers "Get out!" He screamed.
Max jumped back slightly as she'd never experienced this behaviour from him. "Why are you being like this?" Maxine yelled back in an attempt of standing her ground.
Loki shot her an icy look and took a step closer to her. She didn't realize she was walking backwards until she hit his bedpost. She quickly looked to the side and back at Loki, his eyes where cold and angry "You should never of come to Jotunheim, it is a place filled with monsters" He spat.
Her mouth twisted in anger "You think I would let you face the beasts alone?" She asked in an offend tone. Loki should of known by now where ever he went she would follow, no matter how dangerous. "Best friends protect each other" She stressed.
"Best friends? We're not children anymore Maxine" he screamed, her eyes widened and she inhaled sharply stung by his cruel words. "I am a beast, I am evil and don't need protection from you" He snapped.
Her heart was racing, she swallowed the lump in her throat, it killed her to hear him talk about himself that way. "How could you say that about yourself?" She asked shaking her head, she raised her hand to touch him but he moved out of her way. Her hand dropped back down to her side, she let out a shaky breath. "Where is this coming from?".
He smiled and shook his head. "You don't know me" He screamed, she'd never seen Loki this worked up before and it unsettled her.
"I know everything about you. You are about as beast as a kitten. Stop talking like this. Did Odin say something?" She asked wondering if Odin had called him such names.
"Not yet but I plan on speaking with him soon" Loki said in a cunning tone, she knew he wasn't telling her something and she knew that was out of character for him.
"What does that mean?" She asked in a voice barely a whisper.
"Leave" HE ordered in a venomous voice, Maxine opened her mouth to talk but Loki cut her off before she had a chance. "Woman I said leave!" Loki yelled at her in a tone he had never before, her hair stood up on end and her heart raced seeing the rage in his eyes. Tears pricked at her eyes and she turned and ran to his door leaving him. Loki ran a shaky hand through his hair and cursed himself.
Maxine had spent the rest of the day led in her bed crying. She and Loki had never thought like that, she knew something was wrong with him. Her mind wandered to Thor who was on earth, she felt like she'd been punched in the gut, she couldn't quite work out what she was feeling towards that.
Her ears pricked up when she heard a commotion in the corridor outside of her living quarters. She sat up on her bed and wiped her tears away. She got up and wrapped her cloak around her and headed to the door to see what was going on. When she opened it she noticed many guards running past, hushed whispered coming from everywhere. In all of the commotion she saw the Queen with tears in her eyes.
Maxine dashed over to Frigga who was being comforted already by her mother. "My queen what is wrong?" She asked worry in her tone.
Frigga grabbed the young girls hand and squeezed it. "Maxine" she said in a tone that almost sounded like relief. "The All father has fallen into the Odin sleep" She explained as another tear rolled from her eyes.
Maxine shook her head. This day was getting worse by the second, she felt guilty like she had contributed some how "What? My queen I am so sorry is there anything I can do to help?" Maxine asked.
Frigga forced a smile and let go of her hand. "It's okay, I need to be with him but.. Can you do me a favour?" She asked in a quite voice.
Maxine nodded quickly. "Of course".
"Find Loki" She requested, Maxines blood ran cold slightly and she felt the lump in her throat rise at the mention of his name. She tried to keep a straight face as she nodded. "He must take up his role" She added.
"His role... King?" Maxine answered her own question.
"For the moment" Orla interjected.
Maxine nodded and rested her hand on top of the queens. "I will find him" She promised with a reassuring smile.
Maxine turned and quickly marched in the direction of Lokis room, she felt like the walk was never ending. When she finally reached his quarters she raised her hand as if she was going to knock, she paused and let out a sigh knowing it would be useless. She grabbed the golden door handle and turned it letting herself in.
"Loki?" She asked in a semi confident voice as she entered, she took all of two steps into the room before he appeared in front of her. Dressed head to toe in his battle uniform garnished with his golden horns, he held the All fathers staff proudly. Maxines heart skipped a beat, there was something about this that looked unnatural to her. "You heard?" She asked in a quite voice unsure what she was feeling.
Loki raised his head slightly and smirked. "Oh I heard, heartbreaking isn't it" He said in a voice all too calm and confident.
Maxine bit her lip and sheepishly took a step closer to him. "He is going to be okay. I remember reading about the Odin sleep. He will be fine soon" She reassured him. Not that he needed it, to her he looked unbothered by the situation.
His lips hardened into a straight line and he shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps, time will tell" He said casually.
Maxine frowned at the blatant lack of respect for Odin. "What is going on with you?" she asked as she shook her head, Loki smirked and stared at her, not bothering to answer her question. Maxine let out an exasperated sigh "Your mother sent for you, she said you had to fulfill your role" She passed the message along she'd been burdened with.
Lokis smirk spread into a smile. "Oh I plan too" He said in a cunning tone. He took a step forward and looked Max up and down. "Step aside" he said in a low voice.
Maxine swallowed hard and remained stood in front of him. "You're scaring me Loki, you haven't been the same since Jotunheim" She said in a quite voice.
Loki let out a short laugh "You have no idea how appropriate that is" He joked.
"You are acting insane" She argued.
He pressed the staff against her chest and cocked his head. "Is that how you want to speak to your king?" He asked in a low tone with a smirk on his face.
Maxines blood boiled, this wasn't her Loki "Are you fucking kidding me stop acting like this!" she shouted pushing him in the chest, he didn't move a muscle almost like he was expecting her to react that way.
"Careful Maxine, you have no idea what is going on here" He warned.
"Then tell me" She argued again now working herself up even more.
"Silence unless you want to spend the evening in the dungeons" He threatened in a louder more powerful voice.
She gritted her teeth together and slapped him across the face. He looked to the side and let out a little laugh. "Do it" She ordered.
Lokis smile dropped when he lifted his head to face her, he looked directly into her eyes. She stood her ground and refused to break eye contact. "Stay out of my way Maxine, it is whats best for you, that I can promise" He said in a low tone.
Maxine frowned at the sudden change in him. Loki pushed past her with out another word and exited his room. Maxine turned quickly to follow him, as she approached the door a shimmer of green ran over it. She frowned and grabbed the handle, the door was locked, She reached for the lock and tried to turn it but it wouldn't move.
Loki, She thought to herself. He wouldn't dare place her in the dungeon so locking her in his bedroom was the only way to keep her contained. Maxine slammed on the door and screamed his name but no one came. Loki was smarter than that, he'd soundproofed the door, the only person that was going to let her out was him.
