Imprisoned

Lilah was lying in a cell, still unconscious. The healers had treated her wound, but it would still scar. The massive use of her powers left her drained and vulnerable, keeping her knocked out for days. Frigga was watching her through the prison glass on the third day; fascinated by the stories she'd heard from Thor about her trying to protect Loki. Loki would not reveal anything to them, and so they had waited for the woman to awaken. What had happened between them? Had this nymph somehow found a way into Loki's cold heart? Frigga wanted to question this unknown woman. Though Loki was not her real son, she still considered him as her own. She needed to know if this woman had brought back the son she once knew.

Frigga was not happy that Loki was imprisoned once again, but since the circumstances had changed, Thor had deemed it necessary until they had all the facts. Loki had meant to be living in exile with no other living person or thing, so that he may think on what he had done. Somehow, a nymph had made it to that realm and brought it back to life, according to Thor's report, and had changed Loki. Though, until they had answers, Loki was to remain in his cell.

When Lilah roused from her slumber, Frigga commanded that the guards let her enter.

"My Lady, she could be dangerous," one guard cautioned her.

Frigga smiled endearingly to the young guard. "I will be fine." The guard was hesitant, but he could not ignore an order from the Queen. Frigga stepped into the cell, and over to the young woman.

"W-where am I?" the woman asked, her voice hoarse. She rose from her bed, wincing from her wounds and sore muscles. She would need another session with the Healers.

"Do not be frightened, little one. You are on Asgard," Frigga stood before Lilah. Lilah looked up from her spot on the hard mattress and into the eyes of the Queen.

"You are Frigga," Lilah gasped, recognition in her eyes. Frigga was confused. She'd never seen this woman in her life, yet Lilah seemed to know exactly who she was. Lilah bowed her head, "My Queen."

"Please," Frigga held up her hand, stopping Lilah, "I am more interested in how you know me."

"I have seen you, my Lady, in Loki's memories," Lilah explained. His memories? Could she read minds like her son? "Our minds bonded and I saw his past." Then she knew of Loki's true heritage, and she had still fought for him? There was silence while Frigga regarded this woman. "I love him."

Love? What had happened between them? "My dear, please tell me everything." And so Lilah did, and Frigga was enlightened by a side that she never knew Loki had. It was even more surprising to find out that the Tesseract had been poisoning his mind. She hoped that Lilah was telling the truth, but deep down she knew that she was. Everything seemed to make sense. But this would not sit well with Odin. Loki was still responsible for his crimes. "I'm afraid that Odin will most likely not believe your tale."

"But it's not a tale," Lilah pleaded, "He's a different man now, and holding him in a prison cell will only make things worse." Frigga wanted to help the poor woman, but there was nothing Frigga could do. She wanted her son to be free as much as Lilah did, but Odin would want proof. Tears had started to form in Lilah's eyes, fearing for her beloved. It touched Frigga's heart. "You said that exile was to be his punishment, yet the first thing you do when you bring him home is put him in a cell. If he is to redeem himself, you must give him a chance." Lilah's eyes filled with unshed tears, feeling sorrow for her beloved. "C-Can I see him?"

The guards had Loki handcuffed once more, tired of him trying to get their attention to let him see Lilah. He was hand cuffed to the wall, to keep him in his place. Still Loki had heard nothing from Lilah, nor his Brother or Father. What were they waiting for? He grew restless, and his anger still grew. Did they not realise that keeping him in this cell would only worsen the matter? Frustrated beyond belief, Loki closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. Lilah would not want to see him like this, but thinking of Lilah would only made Loki angrier.

When Loki heard the cell door being opened, he assumed they were bringing him some sort of nourishment. Though when he opened his eyes and saw that the guards were permitting Lilah entrance into his cell, his heart soared. Lilah looked incredibly tired, circles under her eyes, her skin pale. She was still the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, though. He noticed that Frigga was standing at the cell door as well. Had his Mother brought her here? At first he thought this to be a trick of some kind, to tease and torture him with what he could not have. But the thoughts were soon dismissed from his mind, Frigga was not that cruel. Frigga, his Mother, was the only one that Loki still cared for.

Once the doors were open, Lilah rushed over to Loki, tears in her eyes. She embraced him tightly, "Oh Loki!" Loki wanted to return the embrace, but the handcuff's prevented him. Damn them! Lilah pulled away to cup his face, her fingers tracing over the muzzle. Loki craved to feel her delicate fingers on his skin, to kiss those plump lips. The lack of intimacy he could show was driving him crazy. "I don't like seeing you like this," Lilah spoke softly, tears trailing down her soft cheeks. Loki wanted to wipe her tears away, wishing she would not cry for him. He had made his bed, and now he must lie in it. He had hoped that Lilah would not have been carried into this mess with him. She should have been spared from this chaos.

Lilah turned her head to look at the guards, and to Frigga. There was a pleading look within those honey coloured orbs, silently begging Frigga to release Loki. Like Loki, Frigga was helpless to Lilah's gaze. Frigga commanded the guards to release Loki from his chains. At first the guards protested, knowing that Odin would not approve. "I will deal with Odin," Frigga stated, "Release him."

The chains were removed, the muzzle taken from his face. His jaw was stiff from not using it, his mouth dry. The guards quickly left the cell, not wanting to be in the same room if Loki lost his temper. But Loki only had eyes for Lilah. Her hands came to his face once more, this time using her powers to bring him some relief from the discomfort. "Don't," Loki's voice was hoarse from misuse, stopping Lilah from diminishing her energy even more.

"But-," Lilah protested, but Loki grabbed her hands.

"Do not weaken yourself for my sake," Loki whispered, holding her hands like a lifeline. Lilah implored him with her eyes, but Loki held firm against her. Wicked woman. She leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on his dry lips. Loki closed his eyes, in complete bliss. When he began to feel a tingling sensation on his mouth, he knew instantly that Lilah was healing him through their kiss. But Loki could not pull away. For days he had craved her touch, and now he had her in his arms, he would not waste the time they had.

Desperate for her, Loki deepened their sweet kiss to something more sinful. Lilah moaned into his mouth, pulling away. "Loki, we are being watched," a new sparkle in her eyes. Loki knew she wanted him just as much, as she pressed wantonly against him.

He sighed deeply, leaning his forehead against hers. Their arms wrapped around each other, holding on dearly. Their eyes closed, enjoying each other's company, happy to be together once more. They stayed like that for a long while, grateful to be reunited.

"I love you," she breathed, tears threatening to fall once more. Loki cupped her face and brought her eyes to meet his.

"We will make it through this," Loki promised, wiping her tears away. Loki wanted to protect her, but he wasn't sure how he could do that from within this cell. He wanted to give Lilah the world, but he was sure that he would never be allowed to leave this cell ever again. In all honesty, he knew he had brought this all upon himself. But surely it had not been entirely his fault. He wanted to show Lilah his home, with her proudly displayed on his arm. It was all futile now. Can they not see that they only needed to have shown me their love? All he had wanted was to be worthy in their eyes. To be equal. Loki took a deep breath, "Lilah, if they decide to execute me…"

"No! Don't say that," Lilah stopped his spiel, "I will find a way to free you." Loki was touched by her dedication. Her undying optimism was truly wonderful, but if his life was to be forfeit, at least Lilah would be safe. Loki wanted to believe her words, but what could she do?

A/N:

To all my fantastic readers out there who are getting a bit confused with the plot line. This is set after The Avengers, and before Thor 2. Loki was banished for however long Odin saw fit, then if he had learned the error of his ways, Odin might spare him. I hope that clears everything up :D

And also, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! My God! It makes me squeal at my laptop, hehe. Plus, I hope this chapter is satisfactory. More to come later ;)

And OMG! Have you seen the trailer for Thor 2?Heavens above! Could Tom Hiddleston get any hotter? *faints*