Chapter 8
Swords and Daggers
Asgard
Later that night
Her plan was idiotic, dangerous and not much of a plan at all. Maxine in her intoxicated state staggered down to the dungeons of Asgard. The main door was blocked by two guards. They frowned at one another and looked back at lady Maxine.
"Come on boys you're not going to make a lady drink on her own are you?" Maxine asked as she staggered over to the guards offering them both a glass of what looked like whisky. The men looked at each other and exchanged a small smile, for an Asgardian man, one wasn't enough to even make you merry.
The two men took the glasses from Maxine and she smiled. "Cheers boys" she said with a sly smile. The two guards set down their weapons and clinked the glasses together and downed the drinks in one. Maxine began to laugh, the men looked confused.
"Everything okay Lady Maxine?" One of the guards asked before he began blinking heavily.
"It will be" She said through her laughter. Suddenly both men clutched at their chests and dropped to their knees, one looked up at her with wide pleading eyes. Maxine rolled her eyes and shrugged. "It won't kill you, but it will give me time" She said casually.
As the men slowly passed out on the floor Maxine stepped over them with a proud smirk on her face, she pushed the doors open dramatically and began to step down the stone stairs.
She staggered through the cell block eyeing all types of weird creatures in Asgard's cells, it some of the faces where almost enough to sober her up. She turned back forward and her eyes fell on Loki. He was lead on his bed tossing a metal object up in the sir and catching it as it fell.
She walked confidently up to his cell and cleared her throat loudly. Lokis eyes widened and he sat up in his bed when he saw her stood with a big smile on her face next to his cell. "Maxine" He couldn't hide his shock.
Maxine pointed at him almost loosing her balance in the process. "You owe me an explanation" She said in a playful voice with a wink. Lokis mouth dropped open and he wore a confused expression.
He stood from his bed and marched over to the force field wall of his cell "How are you here?" He whisper shouted so the guards didn't hear him. She just smiled making Loki feel at unease. "What did you do?" He asked in a slightly louder voice. Maxine pointed at the staircase and the open doors at the top of it, now unguarded.
Loki looked stunned before the reality of the situation took over his mind "Maxine you will be sentenced for this" He warned.
The unfazed woman shrugged "Good maybe they can get me a cell across from yours and you can tell me why you are being this way" She said childishly.
Lokis jaw hardened at her idiotic behaviour. "You shouldn't be here it isn't safe for a woman like you" He warned her again growing more concerned for her.
She smiled and pointed at him again. "You shouldn't be here either" She babbled.
Loki cocked his head at his friend and knelt down on the floor of his cell so her was at eye level with her. "Are you drunk Maxine?" He asked half amused.
"They are all locked away" She argued not making sense. Loki let out a little laugh and shook his head. Maxine smiled and narrowed her eyes a little. "You can drop the spell now" She said confidently.
"Excuse me?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
She laughed and shook her head. "After all this time you think you can trick me. The illusion of yourself, get rid of it. I want to see you" She said confidently wearing a big grin on her face.
Loki smirked slightly "Clever girl even when intoxicated" He mumbled. Suddenly a shimmer of green made his body disappear. Maxine looked over to the back of his cell and there sat Loki against a wall, looking dishevelled and unkempt.
Her smile dropped from her face instantly when she saw the state he was in. "Oh my, Loki" She said in a quite voice.
Loki forced a smile and held out his arms giving her a good look at his appearance. "Happy?" He asked sarcastically. Maxine eyes softened dramatically. "Don't look at me like that" He muttered.
Seeing him like this brought all of her emotion back, the emotion she'd tried drinking away. It washed over her like a tidal wave. "You got rid of me" She said in a soft voice. Loki refused to look up at her, the tone of her voice made his heart sink.
Loki clasped his hands together on his legs and stared down at them. "I was done talking" He mumbled.
She stamped her foot against the stone floor, her heel sending a echo through the cells, it was enough to grab his attention. "You hurt my feelings, Just tell me the truth" She shouted not caring about causing attention to herself, it wasn't even a thought in her drunk brain.
"Stop, just stop. I wanted to see you that's why I left the spell, but now I see all you have for me is hate. I don't want to talk about it Maxine so drop it" He shouted now standing up.
Maxines mouth twisted up in anger "Fuck you" she spat.
Loki laughed as he walked over to the force field. "Lovely, such a charming drunk" He said with a petty smile. She glared at him and he glared back. "You should leave" He warned in a now lower voice.
Maxine pulled a face at him. "You leave" She argued childishly causing Loki to roll his eyes. Maxine suddenly pulled two daggers out of her back belt and held them proudly in front of him.
"My daggers" He said in shock knowing they had been locked away in the vault by Odin. Maxine winked at him "Put it down before you hurt yourself" Loki warned stepping as close to the force field as he could with out it burning his skin.
She stuck her tongue out at him "You don't need them so I thought it was a shame they go to waste" She said in a casual tone hoping to get a rise out of him.
"You're drunk you need to go" He told her again now loosing his patients with her behaviour.
Suddenly there was a commotion a few cells down, one inmate of another cell holding a man against the force field, the man screamed in agony as his face burnt and his skin began to turn black.
Loki's eyes widened at the scene. "Maxine" he said calmly.
"Loki" She said in a small voice, the sight making her sick to her stomach and the smell of burning flesh sobering her up.
"Maxine get out of here" Loki shouted.
Maxine froze staring at the sight "W-whats he doing?" she asked in a panicked voice. She turned to Loki quickly, her eyes wide with fear. "Loki what's he doing!" She shouted becoming more and more frantic.
"Get out" He screamed knowing now she was in danger.
Her head began to spin, she knew she couldn't shout for guards. She quickly turned to Loki who was grasping at his own hair in stress because she wasn't leaving. "How do I get you out?" She asked quickly as she tried finding some kind of control panel on his cell.
"You can't. Run now" He ordered. As he shouted that the force field of the cell dropped and the dead man was thrown to the floor. A large monster like creature jumped out of the cell along with multiple others. The monster walked to control panels for cells smashing them with his fists until the force field dropped on them.
Maxine began to breath heavy as she turned back to Lokis control panel and began hitting it. Her Midgardian strength not even enough to scratch the device. "Shit" She cried as she hit it over and over.
Suddenly she was grabbed by her hair and pulled back, some man tried to drag her to the floor but she managed to head butt him taking him by surprise. "the dagger Maxine!" Loki screamed as he helplessly watched. Maxine took out the daggers and plunged them both into the chest of the man.
He dropped to the floor with a thud, her eyes widened in shock, she'd never killed before. She looked up at the commotion in the room, in mates fighting and more being set free, suddenly an alarm sounded.
Maxine rushed back to Lokis cell not managing to see a way out through the crowd of convicts. She looked up at him with panic filled eyes. "What do I do?" Her tone full of fear. Loki opened his mouth to speak "Loki what do i-" She began again but was cut off as a sword plunged into her back.
She looked down at the sword sticking out of her stomach and coughed, she looked back up at Loki who was on his knees with tears in his eyes. Suddenly the sword was ripped back and she too fell to her knees letting out another cough and her head hit the floor.
"No!" Loki screamed letting out a green energy blast making all the furniture in the room fly and break against the walls. Loki had a mad look in his eye as he looked up at the monster. "I'll kill you" he spat in a venomous tone.
The monster carried on walking making it's way to the stairs killing anything in it's path. Loki looked down and saw Maxine led on the floor. Her eyes where still open as she lead coughing up bits of blood.
Loki stood and let out another scream this time pushing his fist against the force field sending a burning vault through his body, he screamed again in rage as he punched the wall repeatedly.. His hands beginning to turn bloody and burnt. He let out one last cry and burst of energy that shattered the force like glass.
He jumped out immediately ignoring the state his hand was now in, he fell to the floor next to his best friend. He grabbed her underneath her shoulders and dragged her onto his knees.
Tears began to roll down his cheeks as he stared at her pale complexion. "Maxine" He whispered, she looked up at him, a single tear falling from her eyes.
He stroked her hair as he held her, she coughed and cried in pain as blood dripped from her mouth staining all of her teeth in the process. "Oh my god" Loki heard someone whisper.
He looked up and saw Sif and the warriors three. Using his injured hand he wiped his tears away leaving a trail of blood on his pale skin. "Cover us, get Thor!" He ordered.
The warriors began to fight and Sif nodded. "He's coming" She promised before turning to join the battle against the inmates.
Loki looked back down at Maxine who was staring up at him. Something in her eyes was calm, more calm than him. "Stay awake you hear me" Loki ordered in a shaky voice
"Loki" She spluttered as she spoke, Loki instinctively held her closer hoping somehow it would ease her pain. "It feel good to touch you" She whispered, Loki had his arms around and pressed down on her wound with both hands, her hand slowly trailed down her body until it reached his. He took it and placed it in between both his hand pressed down firmly on the wound making her cry out in pain.
He pulled her up slightly so her back was resting against his chest, her head flopped back onto his shoulder as she struggled through the pain. Loki pressed his lips against her ear as he held her tight. "You're going to be okay" he whispered as silent tears fell from his eyes.
He closed his eyes and tried his best to use magic on her, but nothing was happening. He let out a little sob and buried his face into the side of her next feeling helpless.
Maxine coughed again as she tried to speak "You're bracelet... it's restraining your... magic" she coughed knowing full well what he was trying to do.
"It's okay, you're okay" He whispered into her neck. Her eyes began to flutter open and shut, she could feel her self getting lighter, she knew she was dying.
"Loki" A powerful voice boomed. Maxines' eyes fluttered open and she saw Thor stood in all his glory, she let out the smallest smile to see he had returned.
Loki snapped his head up, his cheeks stained with tears a sight that stopped Thor in his tracks. "Thor" Loki cried in desperation.
Thors face turned to a look of horror as he saw her in Lokis arms bleeding. "Lady Maxine" Thor whispered in horror.
"Thor please, please" Loki begged almost choking on his own words. "Get her to a healer" He shouted.
Maxine began to panic even more at the thought of Loki having to let go of her. "Don't leave me" She whispered in a weak voice.
Loki pressed his lips to her ear again and tightened his grip on her. He knew he'd be placed back in the cells and this would be the last time he held her, regardless of if she survived or not. "Shh you're okay" His voice cracked as he spoke.
Thor swallowed hard, the sight in front of him breaking his heart. "Loki" He said in a deep voice.
Loki took a shaky breath and looked up at his brother "Now brother, please there is no time" He pleaded.
"I have to take care of the inmates, Loki" He said in a deep tone. The look he gave Loki, Loki knew what it meant, he wanted him to take her while Thor took care of the carnage that was happening in the prison.
Loki nodded "I understand" He said to his brother. Thor took one last look at Maxine and turned away reluctantly to get order in the cells. Loki lifted her off the ground and picked her up in his arms. She let out a little cry of pain. Loki felt the searing pain in his hand as he held her but would not let it stop him. "I've got you" He said with more confidence in his voice.
Sif and Fandral covered Loki as he made a break for the stairs with Maxine.
Loki ran like the wind through the halls of Asgard, he knew he was a long way from the healers and he had to be quick. Maxine struggled for breath "Loki I need-" Her voice was strained and she almost began choking on her own blood.
"Talk later Maxine just breathe for now" Loki said breathlessly.
Maxine groaned in pain as Loki came to a sudden halt in front of multiple set of stairs "This is my fault, they saw there was no guards" Maxine choked out.
Loki eyes each set of stairs as his chest heaved in and out, he was trying his best not to panic and remain rational. "Left" He muttered to himself. He made a dash for the stairs on the left, once he got to the top he kicked a the door that was standing in his way and it flew from the hinges. The handmaidens screamed in shock as the door landed in the middle of the room with a bang.
Frigga turned quickly to see Loki stood covered in Maxines blood with blood of his own dripping from his hand. "Mother" He cried with soft eyes, reminding Frigga of a small scared child.
She quickly ran to him with nothing but concern on her face. "Loki".
Tears began to fall from the dark haired princes eyes. "Mother help me please" He begged.
Frigga looked down at Maxine and took a shaky breath, she turned quickly making sure Orla was not in the room to see this. She turned back to Loki and Max. Max was gasping for breath slowly fading away. "Maxine" Frigga whispered as she stroked the girls blood stained cheeks. Frigga looked up at Loki "She was in the prison?" Frigga asked, Loki nodded as tears rolled down his pale cheeks.
Frigga turned quickly and brushed her arm against a table sending it's contents tumbling to the floor. "On the table" she commanded. Loki wasted no time laying his best friend down gently, once she was down he looked over at his mother. Frigga pressed her hand against Maxines chest. Max let out a small cry before her eyes closed and body went limp.
Lokis heart beat rapidly against his chest until he felt the warm touch of his mothers hand on his cheek. "She's sleeping now she isn't in pain, it will hold her until you get to the healer" Frigga told him in a calm voice.
Loki wiped his cheeks clearing away the tears leaving a bloody mark as a replacement. "Thank you" He whispered in a shaky voice.
"Loki" Frigga began before she was cut off by a loud bang. All head turned as three dark elves appeared in the room. Frigga turned to Loki and grabbed him by the wrist. "Loki, go" she commanded.
Loki shook his head. "No I'll fight for you mother, take her" He argued.
Frigga pulled him closer. "Loki she will die. Go now!" He ordered, Lokis lip quivered as he didn't want to leave his mother but also knew he had to take Max or she'd die. He felt helpless. Frigga sensed that and smiled at him. "I am the All mother my boy do not underestimate me" She whispered in a low voice.
Loki nodded "I love you mother" He told her in a shaky voice.
"I love you, now go" She urged. Frigga turned and drew her sword as Loki scooped Maxine up from the table and made a quick exit out of another set of doors.
It didn't take him long to reach the healer. There where no guards there to stop him, all were either protecting the All father or at the prison. He approached the doors of the healing suite and kicked them open. Three woman jumped and their jaws hit the floor when they saw Loki, who should of still been locked up.
Loki stormed into the room. "Help her" He demanded.
Two of the woman rushed to him and took Max from his arms placing her on a near by bed. The other healer approached the prince. "Prince Loki" She began in a quite voice, she'd never personally met the man before but she'd heard enough story's.
"Shes been stabbed, please Midgardians aren't like us" Loki pleaded.
The nurse nodded and looked down at his hand that was soaked in blood. "My prince you're hand" she said calmly.
Loki shook his head and crossed his arms over his body, he ignored the excruciating pain running up his arm. "My hands are just fine, see to her please" He demanded.
The nurse offered a small reassuring smile. "She is being seen to. That's quite the injury sir, it might need a potion or two" she told him in a sweet voice. Loki unfolded his arms and held out his hand in front of him, he knew it would be unwise to refuse treatment for such an injury. "Come now while you wait for her, may as well" The nurse added. Loki reluctantly nodded and followed the woman into another room leaving Maxine alone with the two nurses.
Hours later Loki sat on a hospital bed, his hand was almost completely healed. The nurse said he could wait in there as it was much more quite than the waiting lounge.
Loki for the first time in a long time prayed for her recovery, the last he'd heard is she was having a blood transfusion and she was now resting. He'd hope the Asgardian potions would work on her like they did him and she would be healed soon, but for now he had to suffer and wait.
Suddenly the door to his room opened and he sat up straight hoping it would be someone updating him on Maxine. Instead Thor walked into the room and hastily walked to Lokis bedside. "Brother" Thor greeted in a deep voice.
"Is she okay?" Loki asked in a small voice.
Thor sighed when he reached the bed. He turned around to see if anyone else was in the room before speaking. "Brother i need to speak with you" He spoke in a low gravely voice. Loki frowned at him "Mother is dead" Thor said sadly. Loki clenched up, a lump formed immediately in his throat and he closed his eyes.
Thor placed a hand on his brothers shoulder. "She died like a true warrior, protecting Asgard and everyone in it" Thor added trying to make the situation sound better than it was. Loki knew that wasn't the case, he knew his mother most likely died because he didn't stay and help her fight.
"No there has to be a mistake" Loki babbled.
"Brother no" Thor said quickly. Loki brought his hands up to his face to hide the tears from his older brother. Thor swallowed hard and looked around the room again, paranoid someone was listening in on them. "Father is on a rampage Loki" He spoke quietly finally after letting Loki have a few moments to process the news.
Lokis hands dropped from his face, his expression was that of a broken man. He opened his mouth to speak but his tongue turned to led and he couldn't find the words. "I..".
Thor sighed "He blames Maxine for mothers death" Thor said darkly.
Lokis eyes popped open. "That is not true, that monster would of escaped and killed the guards regardless of if Maxine was there or not. I should of been there to protect her" Loki snapped at his brother.
Thor ignored the tone Loki took with him, Thor had, had an hour or so to process the news. "Father doesn't see it that way" He told him.
Loki paused for a moment "And you Thor?" Loki asked.
Thor looked to the ground and let out a deep breath "Mother loved Max. We all love her" He told him. Thor looked up knowing what he was about to say was wrong on many levels but necessary. "Loki you need to take her and run" Thor stated.
Loki's brows shot up. "What?" He said confused by his brothers rash statement.
"Get out of Asgard and lay low" He told him quickly. Loki sat confused wondering why his brother would help him like this. "My girlfriend.. Jane, she is infected with the ether and could die" Thor added in a quite voice.
"What are you talking about Thor?" Loki asked in a more pressing tone.
Thor looked conflicted, he didn't want to go against Asgard but he knew he had no choice. "Come with me and help her, In return I'll let you walk away" Thor said reluctantly.
Loki suddenly felt a tiny glimmer of hope. If this was true him and Max could actually be together without a barrier in between them. "She isn't awake yet, I don't know if she will even live" Loki whispered remembering the brutal reality.
"We don't have time, it has to be now before father gets here" Thor pressed.
"Heimdall?" Loki asked wondering how they could pull of such a stunt without the all seeing man noticing them.
"Is a friend we can trust" Thor said quietly, Loki raised an eye brow impressed at how thorough his brother had been putting this plan together. "Can I trust you brother?" Thor asked.
"Yes" He answered immediately. Thor put his hand out and Loki took it, he pulled him to his feet from the bed and they walked side by side into the next room where Maxine was resting.
A nurse was hovering over her bed checking her vitals when she heard the footsteps and turned. Her eyes widened "My princes" The nurse stood next to the bed greeted with a confused look on her face.
Thor stopped in front of the woman. "We will be taking her now, sorry" Thor told the woman with a quick cheeky smile.
"No-" she began to argue.
"Saying no to the future king of Asgard?" Loki asked tilting his head to the side rendering the woman speechless. The woman stood shocked not knowing what else to say. Loki took that opportunity to grab Maxine from the bed and carry her out of the room, closely following Thor.
