The Embassy 4
Loki knew that moment would come. Almost all his life, he knew that, one of these days, he would be confronted to his own blood. It couldn't be otherwise. They were too set against one another...
If only he had had a little more time...
They looked both like rabid dogs, only with more constraint. They knew that if Thor's warrior bodyguards suspected any aggression towards their master's new paramour, they would immediately take action. They were giving them tiny infuriated peeks, hoping they would get the message and get lost. Helblindi and Býleistr had momentarily forgotten that they were not in their own palace and that they would not be attended to all their little whims in this place...
When they realized the bodyguards were not to leave, they looked uglier in their growing, powerless rage.
"Don't think this is over..." Helblindi growled. "You have ruined everything and now you will face the consequences."
"I have ruined nothing, brother." Loki hoped his voice wasn't too trembling. He had to remain perfectly serene. "The plan goes as it is. I have the Crown Prince's favor and..."
"His FAVOR ?!" Býleistr shrieked and then lowered his voice from fear of being spotted. "What use is his favor to us, damn it ?! You were supposed to ..." He stopped.
"To what ?" Loki coldly asked. "To seduce him, sleep with him and then scream rape so that our parents could impose their conditions to the treaty ?"
"Exactly !" Helblindi snarled. "You were supposed to be a good little bitch and nothing more ! And now, we are set with a big load of NOTHING ! Just because you refused to do our duty to us like some stupid slut ! Open your legs and shut your damn trap, is that so difficult for you to understand ?!"
Loki heavily breathed. This was the last straw.
Had they been a little more patient and a little more calm, Loki would have still believed them. He would have still forgiven them. He wanted to believe, he wanted to forgive. He still wanted to think that he always had a family after all, that they cared for him deep inside... That all of this was Asgard's fault. That they were acting like this because of their fear of the Aesir. They wanted out of this war and they were desperate. They were not doing this to him because they didn't love him but only because they were scared for their homeland.
Their attitude indeed reflected fear. But only for themselves. Not even for their parents or Jötunheim. They wanted to save their sorry asses because Frost Giants were not holding the stronger hand in this game any more... Nothing more, nothing less.
What Helblindi really wanted was to secure his position as future Jötnar King.
And Býleistr probably wanted the same because he knew Helblindi had no brains and would be permanently dependent on him. Meaning HE would be the real King behind the curtains.
Until Helblindi probably got himself killed (with a little help...) and the throne would be Býleistr's.
This was more than a simple theory to Loki.
All this time he had hoped but hearing how little they cared, that hope was gone.
And Loki was left with nothing but anger and emptiness.
"Charming, brothers..." Loki said, with a voice he barely recognized as his own. "I didn't know you only saw me as a 'bitch' or a 'slut' or other delicate nouns you use to refer to me... I didn't know that my sole purpose in life was to 'open my legs' and 'shut my trap'... Thank you for the enlightenment..."
The two Jötun took a step back, looking dumbfounded, taken aback. The wretched crippled runt dared to talk this way ? Unbelievable ! Loki never discussed anything, never raised his voice, never stood up to anything.
This was new. Unexpected and unacceptable.
Helblindi lost his temper first. Again, he was the hot-bloodied one. Things went very fast. He raised his fist in an obvious attempt to strike his insolent younger brother. Býleistr tried to prevent him, not out of brotherly affection (he had none, not even for Helblindi), but for fear they would create a scandal. The Einherjar bodyguards, being no fools, were already drawing their swords and Loki was about to throw a dangerous explosive spell when a voice cut through all the mess.
"What is happening here ?!"
All stopped, frozen in their tracks. It was Frigga. Her son was standing next to her and she had to grab his wrist. Thor was about to let Mjölnir speak its brutal, universal language. Once again, Frigga had to be mother, queen, headmistress, diplomat, coach, and soldier all at once. Sometimes, she wished her son would marry so that she could retire. And sometimes, she knew he was capable to choose someone as childish and vain as he was and it would be a catastrophe...
"Your Highnesses, you are supposed to join the All-Father in the Realm Gathering. Not to fuss around the halls like children !"
This was pure diplomatic hypocrisy. All of them were about to go at each other's throat, even Frigga was barely containing her mouth-frothing son, and she was keeping a playful tone, as if scolding unreasonable children.
When in fact, everyone knew she meant : " Everyone is going to go their own way and forget the incident. If not, consequences will be dire."
And if Odin was the most powerful male being in the whole universe, Frigga always made sure she was known as the most powerful female. She never let the Frost Giants forget that she had a considerable amount of their own passed through her sword in her days as shield-maiden and Valkyrie.
Those two, with all their machismo and bravado, knew it.
Býleistr made his best obsequious smile. Loki had seen it many times without thinking more about it. Now, it just made him want to vomit.
"We are on our way, Almighty All-Mother." And he curtsied.
And what he meant was : "We're going so stop fretting, you meddling old cow."
Not something you say to the queen, in front of her thunderous son.
They went both their ways to the Great Hall. It could have ended like this, but Helblindi, being Helblindi, couldn't let it go this way...
He made a threatening glare to Loki who was careful not to let anything be seen on his face. It was discreet enough but Thor didn't miss it.
He did a silly gesture of male dominance. A long time later, Loki would be still mad at all this display of testosterone at his expenses.
Thor grabbed Loki by the waist and literally snogged him the most indecent way possible, making Loki bend backwards.
Loki wanted to pull him away and slap him but deep inside his seething anger, he knew Thor was trying to do the right thing. He was actually protecting Loki.
What made Loki mad was that the one that was saving him from his family's selfishness was the very one that terrorized him not so long ago.
That it was this very mouth that had insulted his brothers on the battleground, calling his kinsmen "cowards," "monsters" and "brutes" that was now plunging into his own, making him open his lips against his own will and was forcibly exploring it.
That those hands burning on Loki's waist held the hammer of death that destroyed those of Loki's race.
And to Loki's shame, he was almost glad for it.
Only Frigga's furious voice made them break the spell and go back to their senses.
But Thor had made his point. Any gesture against what was to be considered as his would be fatal.
Loki owed him now. He owed the creature he feared most than his own terrible family.
Curiously, he both liked and disliked it.
The rest of the day was really busy and Thor and Loki had barely a second to be alone. In fact, it was better this way because Loki was in a massive rage against Thor, not knowing if he had to strangle him or kiss him...
Loki was still afraid of him, his eyes that had been lit with a crazy fire that day, his hands that were tainted, that monstrous thing he kept carrying around...
And in the same time, he knew he owed his life to him. There was no mistake that his brothers went from simply discarding Loki's existence to wishing for his death.
Loki was conscious he would be now fighting for survival. And without Thor's help, it would be far more difficult.
At the end of day, there was the customary banquet. It was starting to wear Loki down, all these futile ceremonials. Being sat next to Thor and having his hand inside of Thor's large grip was tearing him between the need to hold on it for dear life and rejecting it with disgust. It was exhausting. Luckily there would be no ball afterwards and Loki would have a chance for privacy and calm.
But what of tomorrow ?
The treaty was to be signed and the Embassy was to leave the same day. What would happen then ? Would they let him back to Jötunheim like this ?
Or would they likely execute him for treachery and bury his body in the Icy Moors where no one would find him ever ?
Loki felt the cold sweat dripping down his back and unconsciously pressed Thor's hand, the only warm, reassuring thing in his life right now.
The feast went on. Loki heard a huge barking laugh. Helblindi. Drunk already. He was waving his cup as if it was a flag of victory and making silly jokes to embarrass the servants and nobles that were sitting next to him. Loki noticed that Býleistr was not making any move to remind him to behave, as he usually did. He was actually indulgently smiling, as if Helblindi was a big kid, goofing around...
That was particularly unusual. They both looked fairly at ease... In control in a way.
That was when Loki knew they were up to something.
By the end of the feast, everyone was expecting Odin to say the closing speech, wishing all good night and see you tomorrow, as he was supposed to do.
When Býleistr stood up in the middle of the room, demanding attention.
Loki felt his heart stop. Now was the time he would know of his fate. Of this he was sure.
"Almighty All-Father..." Býleistr started embracing the whole room in a display of pretended respect. " On the behalf of my noble brothers, my royal parents and our beloved country, let me say our deepest gratitude and respect for the many kindnesses you had offered us. We want to publicly proclaim our delight and great relief for the peace that is about to settle down between our realms..."
Býleistr was exasperatingly appreciative. He was making a show and Loki knew no one believed it. Yet all had to play the part...
"... And to make sure this peace will be an everlasting one, a crow came today from my royal father. It brought amazing news of wealth and prosperity for both our countries and will ensure our long going fraternity for centuries to come !"
Býleistr made a theatrical move of his cape. Loki wanted to rip his head off.
"My noble father has learned of the Mighty Thor's sentiments towards his younger son, the delight of his realm, and has agreed to give his hand to the powerful God of Thunder ! May they be blessed with many healthy children !"
Having dropped the bomb, Býleistr raised a golden goblet of wine as a mockery of a toast to Loki and Thor, turned into stones.
The rest went in a fast forward and confused blur.
People had made quite a ruckus but Odin kept them still. The All-Father had gone all red and his wife had palled as much. Loki thought the walls were crushing on him and he didn't dare see the look on Thor's face.
All he knew then was that Frigga dismissed the whole assembly, pretended to rejoice and reassembled the concerning parties in her private salon.
Loki remembered he had been almost dragged to it by Thor who was holding him up...
Once Odin, Frigga, Thor, Loki and his brothers were on their own in the middle of Frigga's beautiful golden boudoir with its inner fountain and birds, the tension was palpable for this comfy room was supposedly made for the peace of mind. The presence of two scornful Frost Giants in it was completely out of place.
Loki was back to his senses, hearing Odin's stern voice.
"I want an explanation and I want it now."
Býleistr smiled, his attitude no longer deferent and obviously insolent.
"My, All-Father. My King is accepting your offer for your son and heir to marry the flower of Jötunheim, of course ! There is nothing more to explain!"
Odin clenched his teeth.
"I made no offer of the sort !"
Býleistr exploded laughing.
"Of course, All-Father ! But your son provoked it with his outrageous behavior !"
Thor jumped, teeth bared, but Frigga prevented him from causing another massacre.
"He has made quite a show in defiling our precious little brother. As pure and innocent as he was, he had been probably thinking that pleasing the Heir of Asgard was a good thing to do... Except that the rules of our country are strict and that any royal showing off that he had had carnal knowledge of another royal, must marry said royal..."
Loki was about to shout that there was no such laws but he wanted to hear it all out.
"So, the only honorable thing to do is to make our little brother, the shiniest jewel of our beloved father's crown, his very own Royal Consort... and mother to his heirs."
Býleistr was barely containing his laugh. This was a last taunt. Being a male, it was impossible for Loki to give birth.
"My father is ready to agree to any terms your Majesties would demand tomorrow. No one will make any objection... At the condition that Prince Thor and Prince Loki's marriage will be celebrated the same day !"
A long silence followed this piece of news. Odin gave a look at Frigga whose neutral face was impossible to read. And then came the answer Loki both feared and hoped.
"So, be it." Odin said.
Loki closed his eyes. It was over. Thor wanted to protest but Frigga silenced him with another look. They were all proceeding to go. Loki stepped forward, stopping his brothers and looking at them right in the eye.
"I wanted to thank you first, brothers, for I think we will have little time to talk on our own tomorrow. So I thank you now, for this amazing turning point in our lives..."
His brothers were smirking, though not understanding the meaning of those last goodbyes. Loki was sparing his effect. They were thinking they had done a pretty trick on their bastard brother, on the Scourge, his mate, his offspring and his damn hellhole of a realm. Forcing on the prideful Thor a useless barren marriage with his worst foe's son and making the runt live a life of misery near that monster. What a good joke ! That would teach them a valuable lesson.
"I will endeavor myself to be Asgard's best Royal Consort, under Queen Frigga's guidance... I will bring my knowledge as a sorcerer worthy of us and my new homeland."
Býleistr immediately stopped smiling. Helblindi looked at him then Loki, not sure he heard right.
"For a start, I will bend my body and change my gender. Just long enough for me to bear the next Asgardian Heir. That child will be formidable having both Asgardian power and Jötunn's strength ! Not to mention my magic and Thor's might. The next Asgardian Royal will be the conqueror of all !"
Loki could laugh out loud at his brothers' shock and horror.
They had totally forgotten it. Loki's powers.
They have just sold their biggest asset to their worst enemies. Well, the biggest asset after the Casket of Ancient Winters that is...
Except that Odin had laid his hands on it and it was now sealed in his damned vaults. Useless to Jötunheim. That was the reason of the forced treaty.
The day Loki had seen Thor for the first time had been the day it had been stolen.
And with Loki's gone, the Casket gone, their only sources of magical powers were also gone...
And if Loki said the truth, if he was able to breed, thanks to that same magic...
Býleistr didn't know if he had to laugh or cry, or scream...
To put it in a straightforward way, he had fucked up big time.
Loki took no little comfort seeing the maelstrom of conflicted emotions on his brothers' face. Býleistr then exploded with a terrifying laugh. It was both unnerving and thrilling. It didn't sound natural at all.
"Well done, brother mine !" Býleistr exclaimed, calming down. "You have positively swindled us all ! Good luck with your new life, you'll need it if you are to be made a breeding mare."
He put a hand to Loki's shoulder. It felt like a cruel serpent on Loki's skin
"Well, let me give you a first wedding present. Remember the two little runts you used to fool around with ?"
Loki took a quick breath. Memories of Sigyn, Angrboda and him, playing chess in the snow garden with pawns made of ice assailed him.
"Well, they've been disposed of the day they left. They didn't have your luck, being a royal bastard. No one was here to protect them. They were useless sluts since their births. So what was the point of letting them live ?"
Sigyn trying a green silk dress Loki had made for her. Angrboda, crying with happiness on her birthday because Sigyn had given her her favorite gold bracelet.
"I slashed their throats myself. Don't worry, it was quick and painless..."
Sigyn's crystalline laugh. Angrboda's sarcastic smile...
The last thing Loki saw and heard before passing out were his own screams, Frigga's and Thor begging him not to kill those two miserable scums.
Loki woke up and recognized Thor's velvet canopy.
Thor himself was standing near. He looked very worried.
"You're up, Little One ? Are you all right ?"
Loki tried to swallow down the tears that threatened to spill... He remembered everything in one second. All the blissful oblivion was gone.
"Where are my brothers... My intended ?" Loki calmly asked.
Loki had decided to be a proper spouse to Thor for many reasons. This marriage was not a bad idea after all. It gave him a certain amount of respect and freedom he had never known. Being of Aesir size, he would never be a runt in Asgard. People would fear him, as he was still a Jötunn, but being the Royal Consort of this country, they would be forced to give him proper respect. Once Thor would be on the throne, Loki would be second only to him. Particularly when he would turn female, get pregnant and deliver the Heir, making his position definitely secure.
And then, he would plot his revenge on Jötunheim and his brothers, the swines.
It would be slow and painful... To the bitter end.
"They are gone to Father's Office Hall, beloved. They want to set the last details of the treaty made. After our... After the ceremony, tomorrow, they will leave and they will never bother you again..."
Loki simply nodded. He had all the time in the world anyway. They would pay, whatever the cost. But not right now.
Loki had a sad flash of Sigyn and Angrboda singing and laughing on their favorite sunny spot in the snow garden. He had to stifle a moan. He would not show any display of emotion in front of his future husband. He was intended to be the perfect consort and that implied not revealing any weaknesses.
Thor sighed and took Loki's hands in his.
"I am sorry, Little One."
Loki forced a calm smile and not to betray any jolt of disgust or unease at Thor's touch.
"I don't understand how we got into this... I can't say I am unhappy having you at my side but..."
Loki accentuated his smile.
"There is nothing to worry about... My intended. I look forward to tomorrow."
Hearing this, Thor raised his head to meet Loki's eyes and Loki's heart skipped a beat.
He looked very angry. Loki couldn't see why. Wasn't he compliant and docile ?
"Stop this." Thor said, not very calm. "Stop this, right now."
"What ? My intended..."
"I HAVE A NAME !" He yelled. "Why can't you say my name ? Do you hate me that much ? We are stuck in this, both of us, and we have to make the most of it. I know that and you know it too so why can't you simply trust me ? Why am I so repulsive to you ? Don't you dare thinking that I am so stupid I wouldn't notice how much you don't like me !"
Had things been a little less hectic, Loki would have not lost his temper. But the day had been terrible since the beginning and Loki was exhausted.
"Do you really have to ask ?" He sighed. "Do you know in what circumstances I saw you the first time ? Do you really want to know ?"
Thor nodded firmly, though this question didn't bode well.
"I saw YOU..." Loki hissed. "The day your armies invaded our palace ! I saw everything, Thunderer !"
Thor looked at Loki, obviously at lost, trying to understand what Loki meant.
"Oh, you are not stupid, THOR ?" Loki raged. "Well I am not either ! I saw you, or have you conveniently forgot what you did ?"
"What in the name of the Norns are you talking about ?" Thor asked.
"What am I talking about !?" Loki could have strangled him. " With that damned hammer of yours, you BURNED an entire hall with Jötnar soldiers and civilians in it ! You burned them all to the crisp and then you LAUGHED about it ! You LAUGHED as if it was the funniest thing of all ! You were totally insane ! And I am now bound to a murdering MADMAN !"
Thor was mouthing the words "hammer," "burn," "hall"... Trying to make sense of it. Then, while Loki was biting his tongue in anger and self-disgust (he had simply and purely ruined his tiny chances with Thor), Thor's expression went from puzzlement to realization.
"You... You saw that ?" Thor said, seemingly amazed. Loki nodded without speaking. He didn't dare to say more. He had done it too much already.
"Oh, beloved..." Thor said it in a very sorry tone. "It wasn't me who destroyed that hall... And it wasn't my thunder, nor fire..."
Loki was all hears, barely hoping for his answer.
"YOUR kinsmen did. They used that weird blue box to stop me from entering... Except that they didn't seem very skillful with it and it simply exploded. It killed everything within its range and I was spared because I hid underneath the window... Later, I told Father about that weird box and we took it away. It seemed so dangerous, even for your people... I was laughing for the cruel irony of it. Certainly not because I was on a bloodbath ! It wasn't me, Little One I swear !"
Loki took a long time to realize what Thor was saying.
It made sense. There was only one "weird blue box" that could "explode" and "kill everything within its range." It was the Casket of Ancient Winters. It had to be. Loki has studied the Casket for his apprenticeship in magic and he had discovered that the device could be out of control and so, had to be handled carefully.
But, of course, who would believe the royal cripple ?
They had used it in an inappropriate manner, despite all his warnings, and that had provoked this horrible butchery.
And finally, Thor's only crime had been to be there. Thor was a soldier and a soldier fights in battle, nothing else.
Yes, it made sense. Or instead, it made none. This whole war was a farce.
In the end, Loki was glad it was over and done with.
Even if it was with a marriage with a complete stranger.
"I am sorry Thor, I didn't know..."
Instead of overburdening Loki with guilt, Thor made the most joyous smile Loki saw on a face. Except his dear dead friends, no one smiled at him that much...
Loki started to notice the waving blond hair, the blue eyes, the pearly teeth... He was already handsome when Loki thought him to be a psychopathic killer. He was even more when Loki discovered he was none of this.
"Let's not talk about this, Little One. We should think about what to do next..."
"What to do next ?"
Thor smiled sadly.
"You don't really want to marry me, right ? You want to be free, from your family, from your brothers, from me..."
Loki thought quickly.
"Thor, we cannot step away from this wedding. The peace depends on it now. Trying to snake our ways out of this would only deepen the conflict and start a new war."
Thor cast his eyes down.
"But I don't want to be married with you for that... I don't want you to hate me for that. I only want your happiness."
"I am not hating you, Thor." Loki sincerely said. "In fact, I am really grateful. I had no future in Jötunheim, except being a commodity to sell to the highest bidder. Here, at least, I will have a goal, a purpose in life." Loki tried a brave face. "I'll do my best, Thor. I won't disappoint you, I promise ! First thing, after the wedding, I'll change into a female and I will..."
He had no time to finish his phrase for Thor kissed him the same way he did in front of the brothers.
A moment passed. Loki lost his sense of time. It was easy to give up his control. Thor knew how to kiss and please. For the first time in 48 hours, where his life had been totally upside down and changed forever, he felt very good. He felt heavenly in fact...
Needless to say, the only one to make him fly that high with touches had been Thor all the time.
But when Thor broke the kiss, Loki realized he was crying.
The reason for it was simple. He was safe, warm, almost happy... While his dearest friends were dead, the Norns knew where, rotting under the earth or devoured by the ice beasts...
It broke his heart to be alive, instead of them. To be savoring life while they were gone forever. Sigyn and her gentle soul. Angrboda and her bright mind. They had deserved a life. He wasn't sure he had the same merit.
It had been unfair since their birth. They had been doomed since the start. Such short lives and for what ?
He felt Thor's gentle hands on his face. He was drying his tears. That kind gesture made Loki felt weak in the legs.
"We will avenge them." Thor quietly said.
Loki looked at him, totally taken aback.
"I don't know who those people your brother killed were but he has slain innocent lives only to make you miserable. Treaty or not, he will pay for what he had done."
In that instant, Loki's heart melted.
Thor was not a monster anymore. He was more sensible and kind that many that Loki knew or had met. Maybe he had inherited more of his mother than people thought. For these kind words only, Loki was ready to do anything for him, this very minute.
He then took Thor's face with both his hands and kissed him on his own.
Thor let him do it with a surprised jolt. Still holding Thor, he made him lay down next to him. Thor was all red with confusion.
"Do you wish to anticipate on our wedding night ?" Loki asked as a half-joke.
Thor opened his mouth that has turned wet and red.
"But... Little One, are you sure ? It seems a bit... We are in no hurry, I can wait..."
Loki caressed his face. It was the first time he touched someone like this. All his fears were gone. He was more confident than he ever was... Or so he thought...
"I've never been so sure..." Loki smiled.
He wasn't that much sure of himself once he was totally naked and he had to behold the sight of the Thunderer stark naked.
He had actually seen male and female nakedness many times, even Sigyn and Angrboda when they went to the royal baths together but he wasn't attracted to nudity or to anything else for that matter. Even his own body felt dirty. He had been so shamed about himself he couldn't even imagine what could be shared between two people.
And Thor's presence was overwhelming. He was sculpted to perfection, every muscle marvelously defined and toned. He was so different from any Frost Giant and yet so close to Loki, though bigger.
Loki was lost. He had no idea about his own wants and feelings.
Thor shook his head, embarrassed by Loki's confusion.
"Little One, you are not ready for this and we have plenty of time..."
Loki, on his back, grabbed Thor's shoulder to pull him towards him.
"No, Thor, my intended, my Lord, my husband, my whatever you want me to say..." Loki held Thor close. It was warm, though very heavy... "I do not want to wait right now. For all you've done for me, you deserve this..."
Thor was unconvinced but complied. Everything his beloved wanted, he would get
Thor's mouth was as hot as fire. Loki heard noises he didn't know he could make. Sensations he had no idea they could exist.
He came first in Thor's mouth and apologized profusely. Thor only laughed and told him there was other things to discover.
Loki almost screamed when Thor put his tongue in... THAT place.
Loki shivered for what seemed like centuries when Thor used to slowly abused that soiled entrance with his tongue. Loki managed to warn him with a shaking voice that he was not going to kiss him until he cleaned his mouth after he was done. Thor laughed again and told him this was just a necessary beginning. Loki shouldn't make promises he wasn't sure to make...
Thor used his fingers. Loki was paralyzed. It took him several minutes to be sure Loki was ready. He asked again if he was really alright with all of this. Loki wasn't certain of it but he wanted Thor. As surprising as it was and though he was embarrassed beyond words at his newfound lewdness, he wanted to go all the way.
When Thor slowly took him, it felt like an internal tear at first. It made Loki cry despite Thor's gentle care.
When Thor managed to move, it was a little better but not that great.
Until Thor touched something deep inside and that made Loki tremble from head to toe.
When they fell asleep together, at the end of this insane day, Loki felt lighter than he had ever felt. In body and mind, he wouldn't be the same anymore.
The wedding took place in the morning. Loki's brothers had insisted on it.
It was a very quick, formal and private thing presided by both Asgardian and Jötunn justices of the peace. It had to be so the wedding contract could not be compromised. It was a depressing absence of grandeur and protocol. Thor was a little sad. This was not how he had pictured his own wedding. Not to mention that the wedding night occurred before... Nothing was done properly. But as his mother had promised him there would be something more public and dignified later, that this was only for diplomatic reasons. It was a relief for Thor. Loki deserved better than this depressing affair.
The treaty was quickly signed afterwards. It was made as fast as the wedding.
Loki felt like a knot in his chest that has been there for centuries was being slowly untied, letting in a smooth and clean air.
But only as he saw his brothers disappearing on the Bifröst, as he felt Thor's heavy and tender arm on his shoulders, he felt truly and well free.