A/N: Hello everyone. I know it took me long to come with the new chapter, but school and especially theater have taken up so much of my time these last few weeks that I am happy I can still stand on my feet. So here it is, chapter twelve!
Thank you very much for the nice reviews people sent. They are really appreciated and special thanks to PeaceHeather and Raechyl for turning my attention to some mistakes in the last chapter. I'm not a native speaker so sometimes I do mistakes and might not even notice. I think I've corrected all from chapter eleven, but if not then feel free to write to me.
„I welcome you back, my Prince." A deep voice resonated behind them and Fara turned to see Heimdall, the gate-keeper. Only now the gate he had guarded for millennia was destroyed, nothing remaining but the shattered edge of the Rainbow Bridge and the dark space behind it. His eyes, of the same golden shade that betrayed those of their race touched by seidr, settled then on her. "And you, Lady Fara and Lady Jane. Your return has been anticipated."
Of course Fara was not the only not having missed his ignoring Loki and not to surprisingly she could hear a snort from the trickster. Thor stepped forward, his face illuminated with the knowledge that the Realm Eternal had remained unharmed during his absence. "Good Heimdall, how is the Allfather? Has he awoken?"
"The Allfather rose from the Odinsleep after your departure, his concern for Asgard too great. He has sent his men to accompany you to the palace."
And as if his words had conjured them up, Fara could see a group of riders approaching on the bridge's brilliant surface. Their armour shone golden in the sun and as they came closer she spotted four rider-less horses in their midst. She watched them, faintly registering of Thor introducing the gate-keeper to Jane
Moments later the Einherjar stopped their horses, dismounting and bowing to their crown prince. One stepped forth and spoke. "My prince, the King has sent us to lead you and your companions to him."
Loki had taken a step, reaching out to the reigns of his own horse, the brown animal recognising its master instantly and shaking its head excitedly with a whicker. The sound caused the guards to place their hand on the hilts of their swords. Every motion immediately stopped mid-air as all eyes flew to Loki.
Thor left Jane's side, his arm stretched out to the man who had before spoken to him. "He stands under my protection. Let him ride his horse."
"But the Allfather gave us orders to-"
"And I as your prince order you to let him be. He poses no threat."
Loki's gaze was focused on their hands, still not moving from their weapons. Anger danced in green flames in his eyes, but there was also something else - shame. The humiliation of not being able to speak and counter their disrespect. Fara's eyes flew to him when she felt his magic boiling and running through his fingers, and she feared he would send a spell at them. But then the rush of power stopped and his eyes grew cold again. His features, although tense, revealed nothing of his thoughts.
The Einherjar's lowered their hands and bowed their heads again, before mounting again their beasts.
Something soft then bumped then against the sorceress' palm, causing her gaze to shift down. Dana had also recognized her mistress after the long separation and had come up to her, her head rubbing affectionately against her arm and shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat and her hands instantly flew up to stroke the soft fur, flawlessly white and so soft. "I've missed you so much." She breathed in the warm scent, before mounting Dana. Her eyes caught Loki's for a second, before she quickly averted them.
Meanwhile Jane eyes had caught the light brown mare they had brought along for her and she began fidgeting with her sleeve. "I can't ride."
"Do not worry, you will ride with me then." Thor smiled at her encouraging, amused by her excitement. He led her to his own horse and when he had helped her up behind him they set out for the city.
How long it had been since she had felt Asgard's warm wind stroke her face as Dana's mane brushed against her fingers. Not three years, and it felt like in a former life. Yet her joy kept itself at bay at the thought of what was soon to come. Silently she prayed she would not have to face Odin or Freyja, yet knew that at least one, if not both, was inevitable.
But things had changed since she had last been her. There might be a chance that she would not be send away again. Although she had grown contend on Earth, it was never her home. Then again nor was Asgard, technically speaking, and the reasons that had once made her feel that way were no more.
Loki snapped out from the bond he, until that point, had held up with the seeress's mind without noticing. It seemed she too had been unaware of it, for her thoughts had drifted, leading him further into her secrets.
He felt as if poked with a needle and when he sensed confusion emitting from her direction he retreated even further mentally.
He too did not know what to expect from seeing Odin again. The great Allfather, who had let him rot in that tiny cell, taken both his voice and his spells from him in punishment. Were it for that old man, he'd be already dead, his flesh decaying in some obscure hole in the ground. By giving Loki time to seek remorse in that prison he had naught but proven how ill-suited he was as a king. Showing pretentious mercy against the traitor to gain favour with his subjects, was that how a monarch should operate?
But then a part of him also anticipated the meeting. What would Odin say, seeing that his own darling son had let the villain out of his confinement? Who would have to suffer this time in punishment?
They passed the same streets that had greeted Fara on her first arrival, yet this time no cheers followed them on their path. Silent eyes in curious faces watched them pass from within their houses. Their joy at their prince's return was overshadowed by the presence of the traitor Loki riding next to him, unharmed and not in chains.
Jane's gaze flew upwards when they passed the great portal to the palace and Fara's heart pounded against her chest in frantic beats.
Her eyes roamed the stonework until they settled on a sole figure. A woman, clad in the finest cloth and her hair braided and pinned in a lavish design to the back of her head. The jewels on her throat and arms could not compete in brilliance with the warmth of her smile. Frigga held out her arms and after Thor had helped Jane dismount he rushed to greet his mother in an embrace. "My sons, I'm so glad to see you safe and back." When she'd let go of Thor her eyes travelled to Loki, again her arms reaching out invitingly. When he did not move the slightest of shadows grazed her features before giving way again to a smile, this time directed at Fara.
"Ah, and what a great surprise to see you again, child. How long it has been."
Fara made a low curtsey, kissing the hands that had taken her own. Her voice was shaky and she surprised by the warm expression that greeted her.
Lastly the queen came to Jane. "And you must be Jane Foster."
Jane tried a curtsey too "Your Majesty."
The bell-like sound of the elder woman's laughter filled the air before she drew Jane in an embrace as well. "Call me Frigga, child. Thor has spoken often about you."
"Oh, has he?" Jane's cheeks turned pink as her gaze met Thor's.
"Yes, and his accounts did not disappoint. You are a beauty."
The newest addition to his list of pets. The venom in Loki's voice ripped through Fara's thoughts. She had watched Frigga receive Jane as a future daughter silently, her hands clasped tightly at her back. The bitter taste in her mouth was gone with his insult.
"Come, the Allfather awaits you." The queen led them inside the magnificent structure and through it to Odin's rooms of state. Only two of the guards stayed with them, remaining at the back and eyes fixed on the Mischiefmaker.
They entered the king's office and Fara noticed she had never before been in there. The Allfather stood at a great wooden desk decorated with ivory and filigree carvings. The maps he had been studying were laid aside and his head rose to the group. She was surprised to see how weary and tired he looked.
His voice was sharp when he stood fully. "Why is the prisoner not in his confinement?"
"I have requested his help on my mission to Earth, Father." Thor tensed up. He had known this would come and he was loath of arguing again on the matter of his brother.
"You have disregarded my orders."
"It was a logical choice. He is the only one who knows Malekith well enough to help us in a fight. How else should we oppose magic but with magic?"
"No, in your emotional blindness you wished to give him a new change to redeem himself, not considering the consequences of your choice."
Fara watched Loki from the corner of her eye. His eyes were set on the ground, his features displaying faint boredom. At Odin's last words a smirk turned his lips up. However the barriers were up once more, shielding his thoughts from her.
"Believe what you will, but this changes not the fact that the Elves of Svartalfheimr are growing stronger every minute." Thor spoke, his voice growing lower again. "Malekith wants the Power Gem."
None of the women in the room dared to move when Odin at last sighed, the anger not fully leaving his expression. "Heimdall has informed me of Malekith's actions and of the events on Midgard. The Aether is no longer in its place of concealment."
Thor nodded. "And that is why we have returned. It seems to have taken a human as its new vessel."
"Her." The Allfather's uncovered eye left his son and met the woman beside him. "You brought the Aether into Asgard, beckoning Malekith to follow you and endangering the lives of thousands, billions when he succeeds in getting it. I have awoken early from the Odinsleep because of your irresponsibility and this is how you intend to keep Asgard safe?"
"Father, listen to me for once." Thor roared. "We have to get it out of Jane before it can harm her."
"Harm her? It will kill her! A living body is too weak to contain the Gem of Power. A mortal's even more so."
"Allow Eir to examine her, to see if she can help her."
"The Aether cannot just be pulled out from a vessel it has chosen. Once out it will need a new body it can settle into. Who do you want to sacrifice for that, you foolish boy?"
"Husband." Frigga walked up to him, placing her hand on the Allfather's arm. "Let the healers examine her. You cannot send the Aether back to Midgard, where no one will be able to stop Malekith from taking it."
Fara took a deep breath, her eyes fixed to the floor. "Allfather, if I m-"
"No, you may not. There is no reason for you to be here." Odin's thundering voice causing her to flinch.
"I have brought Lady Fara and she is under my protection." Thor put a hand upon the seeress's shoulder and his eyes met Odin's in defiance. The silence that followed his words lay heavy in the space between them all.
Fara had known her presence was unwanted and unwelcome. She winced once more when she heard Loki's chuckles inside her head.
They waited for Odin's decision. At last he spoke. "Lead her to the healer's wing." He said to the guards with a final look at Jane. "And let a room be prepared for the Vanir."
"What about Loki?" Thor asked.
"He may reside in his chambers, but he is your responsibility, Thor. If you trust him enough to take him with you to Midgard, then surely this will cause no problem. However if he offends again in any way it will be you who will face punishment alongside him."
"His voice?"
Odin let out a short laugh and Loki's hands closed into tight fists, the smirk on his face disappearing. "I do not see why he would need his voice. He is still under my sentence. Should he not repent until the end of these three months, he will die. Should he commit any malevolence, he will die. The son of Laufey will not be the source of further harm."
Thor and Jane bowed and left for the healers'. Loki bowed too, his arms stretched out to both sides and his mocking grin plastered again into place as he fixed Odin. The guards watched him carefully as he exited.
The son of Laufey, this was who he was and finally Odin had grasped the truth. Yet the cold indifference in which he had uttered the words had been like another blow, seeking to humiliate Loki and disgracing his whole existence until that point. These words practically begged for revenge, but not yet. After all, Loki could wait.
Fara stayed behind. She had been gone for so long that she didn't really know where to go now she was back.
"Come, I will lead you to your chambers." Frigga stepped beside her, offering a comforting smile. Fara nodded, the desire to leave Odin's presence unbearable. Before they had reached the wooden doors the king's voice reached her one last time.
"Freyja will be notified of your disobedience."
"Very well, your Majesty." Fara did not turn around, but stepped through the door and followed Frigga in silence.
They walked through familiar corridors and halls she had only seen in her dreams for the last months. The structures' grandeur she had missed for so long now only served to suffocate her. Of course Freyja would be informed about her presence. The question was what would her punishment be this time?
"I was really surprised to see you again. " Frigga broke the oppressing quiet.
"Thor insisted on my accompanying them."
"I can imagine he must have felt great comfort when he found an old friend on Earth."
"The Crown Prince has formed many friendships upon his last visit to Midgard, all of whom are far more useful than a Vanir maidservant."
"It was not Thor I spoke of."
Fara lips parted only to seal themselves again in quiet contemplation. The struggle for words was a hard one.
"My Queen, I doubt my reappearance could make any difference."
"You know, I never wanted you to leave. I tried to persuade my husband against it when I realised what influence you had on Loki." A sigh filled with sorrow at a son's fall escaped her lips. "He suffered greatly after your departure. He was never the type to show his feelings openly, but I know he did. A mother's instinct."
Fara's thoughts were in complete disarray. "All relation between your son and I has come to an end a long time ago."
"I understand." Silence again.
They reached a door and Frigga indicated her to step inside. The room was much more luxurious that her former maids' quarters. Light blues and gold ran in fine patterns on the bed sheets and furniture and a small balcony opened a stunning view over the city and to the waters and stars beyond. A small desk stood at the wall to her left and to her right the bed was facing the open balcony.
Her mouth opened in protest, but Frigga sensed her thoughts. "You are no longer a servant, but a guest and you will be treated as such."
Fara's eyes were filled with overwhelmed gratitude. She had not expected this in the least. "I thank you, your Majesty."
"I will organize a dinner in celebration of my sons' and your return, as well as Jane's arrival. You may wish to bathe and change clothes." Her eyes travelled down her form, curiously eyeing her Midgardian garments. "I will send servants to bring you a collection of gowns that should fit you and to help you get ready."
"I don't know what to say."
Frigga shook her head, a shadow grazing her still youthful features. "The Allfather will not approve if I appear too familiar with you. Not yet, at least. He is weakened by the interruption of the Odinsleep and needs his peace, but know that you have a friend in me. I am truly glad you have returned, however long your stay might be." She bowed her head and Fara curtseyed, ashamed at her jealousy of Jane earlier.
The queen turned then and made for the door, when she hesitated. "One last thing. I am not sure if you're aware of it already by your powers, but I will say it nonetheless. Loki and your sister...he never married." She paused, not turning to Fara, but listening for a reaction. None came. "I just thought you should know, even if it does not make a difference. I will see you later."
The door behind her closed with a thud and Fara was left alone. Her whole body seemed to turn and her legs threatened to collapse beneath her. With a blank expression she lowered herself onto the bed, taking deep breaths as she sat there. Her eyes were unfocused, staring through the air.
The queen was right. It no longer made a difference.