Anara wakes the next morning to find herself cocooned in Thor's arms in the middle of a huge bed. Easily twice the size of hers, it's framed by large dark wood columns and topped with dark red hangings. On the opposite end of the residence wing from her rooms, Thor's balcony faces the mountains with an unobstructed view. Careful not to wake Thor, she looks around, wondering what a Prince of Asgard has in his private chambers. His room is surprisingly simple. Like hers, a large wardrobe sits against one wall, though it is larger and more elaborately carved. A smaller version of his father's desk takes up another corner, and stands with various versions of his armor flank a mirror on the wall near the bathing chamber. The only other decoration in the room is a gigantic head of a beast mounted above the wardrobe. The thing could easily have swallowed her whole. She shudders slightly at the thought, and Thor stirs. Pulling her in close, he nuzzles her neck.
"Good morning, my lady," he whispers. She shivers again but for another reason, and rolls over to face him, kissing his chest. Before they get further, they're interrupted by a knock on the wall of the bathing chamber and the sound of Thor's servant, Alrik, clearing his throat. Anara pulls the sheets around her as Thor sits up in bed.
"Yes, Alrik?" he yawns.
"Forgive the intrusion my lord, but you'll be late for weapons practice if you don't get up now."
Thor looks down at Anara. "Then I guess we better get up. We wouldn't want to be the butt of any more jests now would we?"
Smiling, Anara nods.
"My lady," Alrik says, "Gabrielle brought you a change of clothes."
Walking into the room, he sets a pile of neatly-folded clothes on the desk.
"She also told me what you eat to break your fast." Looking to Thor, he says, "Shall I bring in breakfast, my lord?" Thor looks to the balcony, judging the time by the light. "If it's ready, yes. Otherwise we will be late."
Nodding, Alrik disappears for a moment then returns with a tray of fruit and cheese and a pitcher of juice.
Bowing to Thor, he says, "If you need anything else, I'll be next door."
After he leaves, Thor gives her one last kiss before getting out of bed. Anara admires the well-muscled view for a moment before following him. Gathering up her pile of clothes while Thor admires a view of his own, she grabs an apple from the platter and wonders at Gabrielle's color choice today – all black. While not opposed to the choice, she usually doesn't wear all black. It reminds her of her sister.
Thor notices the change in her expression. "Anara, are you ok?" he asks, coming around the desk and encircling her in his arms.
"I'm fine." she says, as she leans into him. "This outfit just reminded me of my sister. For twins, we were always such opposites at times. She loved to wear all black while I favored lighter colors. We never grew out of that," she says wistfully.
Thor turns her in his arms and kisses her gently. "We'll find a way to get you home," he says, looking into her eyes, "I promise."
She rests her head against his chest and listens to his heart beat for a moment before pushing away gently. Looking up at him, she says, "I know. Now let's get going before we're late. I had enough teasing last night!"
Seeing her smile again, he kisses her forehead. "Then I guess we better get dressed," he says laughing.
Rebraiding her hair on the way to the training room, Anara finishes tying it off as they walk into the room. As before, Loki stands with Roygan, looking over and discussing his new staff. More gold in color than the prototype, it is an impressive weapon with its double spiked spear-tip surrounding a glowing blue orb of energy. She can sense its vibration the moment she enters the room. Loki and Roygan turn at their entrance.
"Good, you are here." Roygan says.
Loki takes in her black outfit and raises an eyebrow but says nothing.
Nodding to both, Anara says, "So, what are we testing today? We know the staff will hold up to my blade. Are we to test the spear-point today?"
Loki hands her the staff to inspect. The energy from the blue sphere pushes against her mind, forcing her to use the Force to block it. She hands it back, looking at Loki to see if the energy affects him but senses nothing.
"Does the energy of the sphere not give you a headache?" she asks them. She receives questioning looks in return.
Thor replies first. "I feel nothing from the spear," he says. "Unless Loki hits me with it," he jokes.
Roygan and Loki both shake their heads, indicating they feel nothing from it as well.
"Do you experience the same effect when working with the scientists on your projects?" Loki asks her.
"No, the energy signature is different, it does not affect me the way that staff does," she replies, puzzled.
Roygan joins the conversation. "I think I know why. The energy you're using in the labs to try to power your technology is the most dilute form of dark energy. What we use in our weapons is much more concentrated."
Anara nods in understanding. "That would explain it. I can sense the energy source you use, but it's not much different than what I'm used to in my own galaxy, so it's easily ignored. "This – " she points to Loki's staff. "This is like having a Candarian wasp buzzing in my head."
Seeing their questioning looks, she elaborates. Holding her hands about a foot apart, she says, "A flying insect about this big, with 6 wings, a giant stinger and a nasty disposition."
Changing the topic back to her original question, she asks it again. "What exactly are we testing today?"
Roygan replies. "Well, with your permission, we'd like to see what the spear tip can do against your lightsaber. "
Anara considers for a moment, using the Force to scan the future for the possibility that her weapon could be damaged. Seeing nothing in the immediate future, though still uneasy, she reluctantly agrees.
"Very well. But I suggest we take this test outside. If your energy weapons are anything like ours, they will ricochet off my blade. I would not want to damage this room or any other."
When the other Companions join them, they head to the upper practice field. Thor walks close to Anara. Speaking quietly, he asks, "Are you sure you want to do this? I can tell you're reluctant."
"No, it's fine. I'd like to see what happens as well. It's just that without a replacement, I'm not as quick to risk my blade as I normally would be."
When they reach the practice field, Roygan has Loki fire the staff at stone targets at the end of the field. Bolts of blue energy blast against the targets, blowing them to pieces. Showing Loki how to adjust the energy output, they test fire it again. He hits the next series of targets, blasting off pieces, but not completely destroying them. When everyone is satisfied that the energy bolts won't cause undue damage, Anara and Loki square off. Putting her feelings of unease to the back of her mind, Anara focuses and ignites her lightsaber. Closing her eyes, she can see the dark energy clearly. Watching it build up, she is ready when Loki fires. She intercepts the bolt easily, catching it on her blade. As she predicted, it ricochets, hitting the ground harmlessly, as she intended. Sensing no harm to her blade, she nods at Loki to fire again. He fires a couple of bolts in quick succession and she blocks them just as easily. Loki turns up the intensity of the bolts but says nothing. Only the change in the hum coming from his staff alerts her that he's done anything. He fires again at her. Her Jedi reflexes take over and she flips out of the way, the bolt hitting the hill behind her. Her feet barely touch the ground before he fires again. This time she flips, catching the bolt on her blade.
"What are you doing?" she asks him mind-to-mind, not wanting to alarm the others.
"I'm having a bit of fun. Besides, we both could use a challenge," he replies as he fires at her again.
They spar like this for a while, Loki slowly ratcheting up the power. She can sense the concern from the others as they start to realize Loki's ramping things up.
Just that slight bit of distraction is enough to cause what happens next. Loki fires at Anara again. A split second too late, she brings her blade up to block it and misses. The bolt hits Anara in the chest, throwing her back hard against one of the target stones. She hears bones crack but doesn't feel any pain as she slides into darkness.
Thor runs to her, screaming at Loki, "What did you do? Why did you turn up the power?"
Finding Anara slumped against the stone, unconscious with a smoking burn on her chest, he shoots his brother a deadly look.
"She should not have been harmed," Loki says, his voice shaking. "She's had the golden apples, at worst she should only be bruised."
Thor glares at him a moment longer, then spinning up Mjölnir, says, "We will have words later, Brother." He flies off towards the palace with Anara clutched to his chest.