Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel-characters!
AN: Hi! It's been a while, but life is very busy right now. I'm in the middle of my exams and I don't have much time to write. But I finally managed to put chapter 15 on paper and I hope you'll enjoy it! Thank you so much for your feedback on the previous chapter. It always makes my day to read what you guys are thinking. A lot of people hate Arta which is good. He is a bastard, isn't he? I'll try and update as soon as possible. Enjoy!
~ Fields of Blood ~
Chapter 15
Frigga restlessly tapped her fingers against her upper arms. It was a steady, constant rhythm and she knew it was working on Ulfr's nerves. The guard always looked at her with nothing but respect and love, but whenever his gaze shifted to her tapping fingers, his eyes narrowed and a soft sigh escaped his lips. Frigga didn't really care since this was the only way she could express her impatience and slight unease.
The situation was unlike anything she had ever encountered before, though a small part of her was electrified by it all. Just a small part though. After years of boredom – honestly, nothing ever happens in the Asgardian palace – there was finally a storm of events. They are negative events, but at least Frigga has the power to change that.
Arta might have a small army currently occupying her palace, but Frigga would show him just who the boss of that house was. She would fight back and she would reclaim everything. That was the part that excited her. The rush of battle was already coursing through her veins. She would lead her own army of men and she would lead them to victory. She had no other choice after all. What she was doing, was her duty.
But her excitement was mostly overshadowed by fear, doubt and distress. She feared for the lives of everyone she held dear. She feared for the horrors Arta would put Odin, Thor and Loki through. She felt doubt because she didn't know if she could actually succeed in her goal and with everything that happened, it wasn't surprising she felt distressed as well.
The door to the small chamber opened and Frigga quickly turned towards the three newly arrived men. She watched them bow deeply in respect. They all wore battle outfits and Frigga knew these men were willing to die for her and her family. They were all a few years younger than her, but their eyes betrayed wisdom. Frigga knew those three men were the leaders of the National Royal Army and even though she'd met them before, it was mostly Odin who held meetings with these men to discuss Asgard's defenses.
"My Queen," the one known as Dagr greeted her, "I wish we could meet under better circumstances."
The other two, Ragnarr and Vikarr, made a noise of acknowledgement.
"Indeed," Frigga replied, "Ulfr here tells me you have a plan to reclaim the palace."
Ragnarr stepped forward and all eyes fell on him. "Is this a safe place to speak?"
"It is," Frigga assured them. She knew now was indeed the time to be extra careful. Arta might be holed up in the palace, sitting on the throne – the mere idea made her boil with anger – but his men were everywhere. Those savages mostly kept close to the palace, but who knew what they were all up to. "This is Mýr's home. He is Loki's servant and he can be trusted, one hundred percent."
"We trust you on your word," Vikarr said, inclining his head as he did so.
"Now," Frigga said, coming straight to business, "let's discuss our battle plan."
~ 0 ~
The room was completely silent and Loki couldn't stand it. There were days when he longed for peace and quiet, but now it felt like a curse. He missed his mother's soft voice even though it had only been hours since he last saw her. He missed his brother's loud bragging and even his father's stern, but kind eyes. He wasn't even afraid or embarrassed to admit that he missed the Warriors Three and Sif. He wondered where everyone was and he sincerely hoped they were all okay.
If only there was something he could do!
Loki searched his mind, but he came up with nothing. He felt weak and pathetic. Thor wouldn't lie on his bed, staring at the ceiling like this. No, he would fight until he had no more breath in his body. Loki hurriedly sat up and felt determined to undertake action. Any kind of action. He wasn't going to be defeated so easily. Not again.
After throwing his legs over the edge of his bed, he stood up carefully. It felt strange, like he was completely out of balance and he knew it had everything to do with the anklet currently burned into his flesh. It still hurt, but he could handle the pain. He took a slow step as if to test how his foot and leg would react. The skin around his ankle felt particularly tight and the pain intensified, but it didn't become unbearable. He simply bit through the pain and walked across his bedchamber.
He reached the door in a matter of seconds and without hesitating, he grabbed the latch. He didn't know what he'd expected to happen, but of course the door was locked. Loki might be in his own personal bedchamber right now, but he was as much a prisoner as everyone else.
Except for his mother. He only felt relief when he thought about her. He had done the right thing getting her out of the palace and he greatly hoped she was as far away as possible now. It meant he had one concern less.
He pulled the latch one last time, but he couldn't get the door to open. For a moment he wondered if there were any guards stationed outside, but he quickly shook those thoughts away. What did that matter in the end? Exactly, nothing.
Loki sighed and turned to face his chamber. If only he had a weapon here. It didn't necessarily have to be a big weapon. Everyone knew he was better with daggers than with swords. However, there wasn't even anything pointy or sharp lying around.
Loki was growing frustrated which he thought was better than feeling scared. No, frustration was definitely better and it was all directed at one man. He swore he would kill Arta for everything he caused. He would kill him for laying one finger on him! If he didn't have any weapons, he would use his bare hands. Loki knew his fantasy was just that - a fantasy - but he enjoyed the idea and it gave him extra strength.
That was all that mattered.
Loki heard the lock of his door turn and he quickly stepped away from the door and towards the bed. He knew Arta still had plans for him, but he couldn't figure out what kind of plans. He knew why Odin and Thor were kept alive (to suppress any possible rebellion) and he knew why Arta wanted Frigga (because he was morbidly obsessed with her and he wanted her to be his queen), but what possible use did he have for Loki? He wasn't particularly loved by the people – not like Thor was loved and adored – so he didn't have any influence there. He was smart, yes, but what did that matter?
His mind was directed away from the many questions when the door flew open and two savages entered. Loki felt insulted that Arta believed two men could control him. Then again, two men could control him since he had no magic and no weapons, but that was entirely beside the point.
"The king wants to see you," the man on the right said. His voice held no emotion which surprised Loki. He had this image in his head where all of Arta's men were nothing but despicable, angry, hateful and vile brutes.
"He isn't the king," Loki replied coldly, but with enormous confidence. He wasn't afraid of those men because what was the worst that could happen? They could beat him, but it would be nothing compared to getting whipped. He certainly wouldn't be killed because Arta still needed him for unknown purposes.
"Lord Arta sits on the sits on the throne," the second man said. He clearly disliked Loki's statement and his brown eyes showed anger and this was the kind of man that fit Loki's stereotype. Loki felt strangely amused by that fact. "Our Lord is in charge of this realm now and his wish is our command."
"Sounds to me like you're his good little dogs," Loki said boldly. He didn't know where this confidence came from, but he enjoyed it. Obviously this was better than being a whimpering, crying coward.
"The king wishes to speak to you," the first man said, appearing completely untouched by the current events. He seemed entirely disinterested. "Behave and nothing will happen to you."
"As if I am afraid of you." That was a lie. Loki was afraid, but he now knew how to hide that. He might feel strong and confident and he might not want to be beaten, but that didn't mean he didn't care about it all. If possible, he did want to avoid getting hurt even more.
The apathetic man stepped forward and Loki expected the worst now. However, nothing happened and the man only placed his hand on Loki's shoulder.
"Come on," the man said, "we best not keep Lord Arta waiting."
Loki didn't protest and he certainly didn't bother to struggle. That would be pointless anyway. A small part of him dreaded to think what would happen now, but there was another part that was simply curious. Perhaps now he would find out why Arta was keeping him alive.
~ 0 ~
Frigga pinched the bridge of her nose. She couldn't stand the fact that they were all discussing battle plans while they should already be out there fighting. Every minute that passed was a minute that her loved ones could be in pain. She felt nauseous by that idea and she dreaded to think what Arta had planned for her family. It was time to intervene.
"Enough," she said vehemently. She knew she didn't have to raise her voice to the get the men's attention, but this was the only way to express her irritation. "We keep talking and talking and talking, but no decisions are getting made. We must act now."
"We understand you feel frustrated," Vikarr said, "but we need to discuss these sorts of matters. We cannot attack the palace directly. It is a fortress so it can withstand a siege for days, weeks even."
It was Uflr who spoke next. "Then how did Arta get in so easily?"
It was a question Frigga knew had been bound to be voiced, but she rather not answered it. As she had explained to everyone present that it was Arta Sigdanson who attacked them, she had conveniently y left out the detail of how he had managed to seize the throne so easily.
"The palace must have a weakness," Ulfr continued when no one answered. Since he was a simple guard – not part of the royal elite - he wasn't obligated to know the palace's every hall, entrance and exit. The only part of the palace he knew like the back of his hand was the west wing where the bedchambers were since that is where he had been stationed for the last couple of years. "And if Arta knew how to exploit it, then so can we."
"It is obvious how that bastard managed to infiltrate the palace so easily," Dagr said, his voice betraying anger. He turned to Frigga. "I am sorry, my Queen, but clearly Arta had help. There is a traitor in the house of Odin."
"He is no traitor," Frigga heard herself say. She hadn't really meant to voice that thought, but she was glad she had. "My son had no choice and if I ever hear anyone say differently, I will personally make sure that person never speaks again."
Ulfr and the three army men said nothing. They simply stared at their Queen. Frigga knew her words were harsh, but she didn't care. Right now she wasn't a Queen defending her realm, she was a mother defending her son. Loki – and Thor – would always be her first concern.
"I know what we must do," Frigga continued to say when a long moment of silence had passed, "there is a hidden pathway that leads straight into the heart of the palace-"
"A hidden pathway?" Ragnarr asked incredulously. "Now is not the time to belief in myths."
Frigga knew she should have told the men earlier of this, but there simply hadn't been time yet. Besides, she hadn't thought it would be so important. It turned out she was very wrong and that pathway would lead them to victory. It was all thanks to Loki really. If he hadn't told her about it, Arta would have already won.
"The pathway is real, I assure you," Frigga said impatiently, "how do you think I got out of the palace in the first place?" She didn't wait for an answer. They had already wasted enough time. "Anyway, I can lead a small group of men through the hidden passage. It's very narrow so it is best if only a dozen or so men accompany me. It will be enough to get into the palace and open the doors for our entire army."
Ulfr smiled triumphantly. "Arta won't know what hit him."
"It is indeed a good plan," Vikarr agreed, "but you cannot go, my Queen."
"I must certainly can!"
"It is too dangerous," Dagr said.
"My entire family is inside that palace," Frigga said stubbornly, "do you honestly think you can stop me from going to them?"
The three men exchanged doubtful glances.
"I will go with you," Ulfr said as he placed his right hand over his heart and bowed down. "I will follow you and protect you just as I promised Prince Loki I would."
Frigga smiled gratefully at the guard. "Thank you, Ulfr," she said before turning towards the three other men again, "now gather a dozen of your best men and make sure the rest of our army is ready for battle. We have no more time to lose."
"Yes, my Queen," Vikarr said.
Finally, Frigga thought, finally I'll be able to save my family.
~ 0 ~
Much to Loki's surprise, he wasn't guided towards the throne room. It was almost a relief because the last thing he wanted to see was Arta sitting on his father's throne. However, since he wasn't brought to the throne room, Loki did wonder what was going on.
The two savages never let go of his arms as they walked with him through halls and across corridors.
After a few minutes, Loki began to understand where they were heading to.
He wasn't proven wrong and when they finally reached the Weapon's Vault, Loki found Arta waiting for him. The old man grinned and Loki was again reminded of how much he despised that man. He clung onto that anger and hatred as if it was the only thing keeping him alive right now.
"You look well, Loki," Arta said. He threw the two savages a glance and Loki felt how his arms were being released. "How is your back?"
"It's fine," Loki said through gritted teeth.
Arta carried on as if nothing special was happening. "Good to hear," he said, "I do not want you to experience any discomfort."
Loki has always been brilliant at reading people and he normally could always tell what they were thinking or planning, but he just could not understand the man currently standing before him. Arta was unpredictable which made him dangerous, but Loki refused to feel intimidated. Instead, he stared into Arta's dark eyes as if challenging him.
"Discomfort?" Loki echoed. "You should have thought about that before you burned metal into my flesh."
"It was necessary," Arta stated.
"Where is my father?" Loki asked. He was relieved his voice sounded strong each time he spoke. "Where is my brother?"
"I could ask you a similar question," Arta countered, "where is your mother?"
Loki swallowed heavily.
"I know you have helped her escape, Loki," Arta said without sounding angry. In fact, he almost sounded disappointed which again made no sense. "It is the only logical explanation. It matters not, however, because in the end she will be found."
Loki said nothing because the last thing he wanted was to reveal anything unintentional. The less Arta knew the better.
"I haven't called you here to discuss your family, though," Arta said. Loki realized how sly Arta was in that moment. With ease he had ignored Loki's question about his father and brother. He was more cunning than Loki gave him credit for. It simply told Loki he needed to up his game as well. Finally he felt ready to oppose Arta without fear holding him in a death-grasp. "You are here because I need you."
"And why is that?" Loki asked. Suddenly, a fog lifted from his mind and he understood. How could he not have realized before? He couldn't help but glance to his right where the giant doors of the Weapon's Vault were located. Right now, they were closed and they would remain so for a very long time.
"Don't play dumb with me," Arta sneered, "I have not the time for that. You knew these doors lock automatically whenever the palace is under attack."
"It shows again that you are not the true King," Loki said simply.
Arta ignored his statement. "Odin can open these doors," he continued, "but he would rather die than comply to my wish. He is a very stubborn and proud man after all. Then there is Thor, but I'm afraid that whenever I speak to him I will feel myself becoming dumber by the second."
"You underestimate my brother," Loki said. He didn't know why he felt the need to defend Thor. He just refused to stand there and let his brother be insulted by a crazy, power-hungry bastard. "He can kill you within a second."
"Another reason why I rather let him rot in a cell," Arta chuckled. He appeared amused by Loki's animosity. "So that leaves you."
"I cannot open the vault," Loki replied instantly, "like you said, only my father has the power."
In the blink of an eye, Arta stepped forward and placed a hand around Loki's throat. He squeezed tightly, cutting off Loki's air supply. His dark eyes widened with fury and his face turned completely ashen. "I said I do not have time for your games, Loki! I know you can open the vault as well. The entire royal family can. Now do as I ask or I shall make your darkest nightmares come true again!"
As soon as Arta let go of him, Loki fell to the ground. He had lost all strength in his legs and he gasped for air. The skin of his neck ached and carefully he reached up to touch it. This only added fuel to his the fire that was his hatred.
He looked up and defiantly met Arta's gaze. "Go ahead, kill me."
Arta slowly lowered himself until he was at eye-level with Loki once more. "I would never kill you," he whispered harshly, "I think you underestimate my threat." With his right hand, he grabbed Loki's ankle that held the golden anklet and he twisted it.
Loki refused to scream, but he couldn't help the tears invading his eyes. He bit down on his tongue until he could taste the blood.
"I can make your life a living hell. Your stay in the fort in the forest will feel like a feast compared to what I can do to you if you do not obey me. Now get up," Arta spat, "and open the bloody vault."
And what else could Loki do but comply?
A lot, whispered a small voice in the back of his head, you do not have to comply. Loki pushed himself up so that he stood again and his mind was racing. He needed a plan and quick. He needed a way to finally kill the bastard standing before him.
And slowly the machinery in his head clicked into place and Loki knew what he had to do.