Chapter Nine

Loki finally found Ellie sitting by the fountain. She sat about twenty feet away looking into the water and he could see the tears sliding down her cheeks. He was angry with her, but wanted to know why she really wanted to leave.

"So you have made up your mind to leave?" Loki asked with no emotion in his voice.

Ellie did not even look up. "I have to," was her only reply.

"Why?"

"I have responsibilities at home," Ellie paused. "I have already been gone for too long." She pushed herself to say, "People will begin to think that I'm dead if I'm gone much longer." She cringed but kept her eyes on the water.

Loki knew she did not have family waiting for her. He had seen to that. Jane was the closest thing she had, and she was here. "Why not stay? There is so much to learn and do here."

Ellie mustered up her courage and looked Loki in the eye. "There is nothing for me here."

Loki took a step back as though had been slapped in the face. It took him a moment to gather himself. "But I thought what we shared last night….."

Ellie closed the distance between them and said, "I will not be someone's pawn." She continued past him and headed back to the palace.

Loki was left standing alone, stunned. What did she mean by pawn?

…..

"I'm sorry." Jane said. "This is all my fault. I was talking with Ellie earlier and I must have let too much slip. She knows why she was brought here and I don't think she was happy about it. I'm so sorry."

"Do not worry Jane. This is not your fault." Thor said. "It is ours. We never should have placed either of you in this position."

Frigga got up and walked to Jane. "Thor is right. We had hoped that Ellie would help heal Loki's heart. We did not take into consideration what ill would come from our meddling."

"All will work out in the end." Odin said and no more.

Shortly after, Loki stormed out of the garden and strode directly to Odin.

"What game are you playing?" Loki asked letting the anger ripple through his voice.

Odin looked at Loki without saying a word.

"Why did Ellie call herself a pawn?" Loki practically yelled. "What are you up to?"

"Brother, do not be angry with father. It was all of us." Thor said while holding Jane in his arms.

Loki slowly turned to Thor with a glare in his eyes. "What?!"

Frigga walked over to Loki and put her hands on his arms turning him to face her. "We learned of how you cared for Ellie and decided to bring her here in hopes of healing your heart. All of us care and love you so much." Frigga brushed a hand on his cheek. "We wanted the Loki back that used to laugh and play pranks on everyone. You do not realize how much we missed you when you were gone. It did not feel like home without you."

Loki looked at his mother. He did not know how to feel or what to think.

"It was so pleasing to see you two together." Frigga continued. "I could see how much you cared for her and how much she loves you by a simple glance she would send your way."

"You think she loves me?" Loki uttered sounding surprised. "She has never said as much to me and now I will never know."

Loki left the veranda and went back to his chambers. He was so angry with his family for meddling and so hurt by the fact that Ellie could just leave him. Sitting was not an option, so he paced. From one side of his chambers to the other, he paced. When that was not far enough, his pacing included the balcony. What was he to do? The all too familiar anger began to build inside of him.

…..

Ellie couldn't return right back into the palace because she did not want to go back to her chambers. After Loki was out of sight she turned to walk through the gardens. Since she would be going home soon she wanted to see a little more of the palace. Exploring the gardens was good for calming her chaotic mind. She had told Loki there was nothing to keep her here and deep in her heart she knew that it was a lie. The look on his face when the words left her mouth haunted her. He looked as if his heart had been torn out.

Loki's family wanted to use her as a way to keep him under control. Was control even the right word? She thought about the love that shown in Frigga's eyes when she would look at her son. Maybe she was judging them too harshly. Heading back to her chambers, Ellie's mind was set. She would go home as soon as possible. No matter how much she loved Loki.

"It is almost time to make our move." Said Helbindi.

"Loki is back in Asgard. Now is the time." Said Byleistr.

"Is the army assembled?"

"They will be ready. We will have our revenge on all of Asgard."

….

Loki could take it no longer. He left his chamber and headed straight to Ellie's. He knew she would not want to talk to him he would talk to her face to face if it killed him. When he reached her chambers he paused. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm his erratic nerves and then pounded on her door. He could hear movement on the other side.

"Ellie let me in!"

There was no answer.

"Ellie please let me in." Loki said trying to soften his voice. "I want to speak with you."

"I have nothing to say," came Ellie's soft voice from the other side of the door.

"Well, than at least open the door and tell me to my face that you want me to leave and I will go," Loki said trying to sound defeated.

After a few moments, Ellie slowly opened the door. It was all he needed. Loki left his projection in front of her as he used his magic to jump behind her.

Ellie looked at his projection, "I have nothing more to say. So please go." Loki then made the projection act as though to object, but Ellie held up her hand and pointed for him to go. The projection looked angry but turned and left. Ellie watched "him" leave, but when she closed the door and turned around she came face to face with Loki. She practically jumped out of her skin.

"Don't do that!" Ellie said breathlessly holding her hand to her chest.

"Well you left me no choice. I have to speak with you." Loki replied.

"There is nothing to talk about. So go." Ellie turned to open the door again.

"There is plenty to talk about." Loki said grabbing her arm to stop her. "Why are you leaving?"

"I have responsibilities at home." Ellie said.

"You have already said that." Loki said getting angry. "What has you running home so quickly now?"

"I can't stay here anymore. I don't belong." Ellie said starting to get irritated. She didn't have to explain herself to him.

"You are not the only one who feels as if they do not belong here!" Loki said getting louder.

"How can you say that? You grew up here!" Ellie yelled as she turned around.

"Because I am not of Asgard!" Loki burst. "My father took me from the frost giants when I was a baby. I did not find out until I was grown and that is what started me down the path that I regret the most!"

Ellie was taken aback by his admission but she was full swing in this argument. She was not going to let him win or bully her into admitting something she wasn't ready to admit.

"Well, maybe if you would have stopped and thought about how your actions would affect everyone, maybe you would not have to regret them!"

This time, Loki was taken aback. He went to open his mouth but could not think of a reply. She was right and Ellie stood with a smug smile on her face.

Loki couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed Ellie by the arms, pulled her to his chest and crushed his mouth to hers.

Ellie was taken by surprise, but remembered she needed to stay strong. She tried with all her might to push him away, but Loki would not give up. He held her tighter. As his mouth claimed hers, the smell of him overwhelmed her. She was lost. Ellie could not deny it any longer. Loki was the one reason she wanted to stay. Ellie grabbed Loki's face and threw herself back into the kiss. She loved him.

Her body felt consumed by him and all rational thought escaped her. Before she realized what she was doing, Ellie pushed his face away and looked up into his eyes. He looked back at her trying to catch his breath.

"I love you." She whispered. Ellie felt horrified that she admitted it out loud and waited for his rejection.

The look that passed over his face was one of surprise that turned into shock and then finally ended on joy. He reached up and placed his hands on either side of her face.

"And I love you." He whispered back.

Ellie looked up at Loki trying to process that he just returned her declaration of love. Their eyes locked and she could see a deep twinkle of honesty. All she could to was pull his face back down to hers. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed with all the feeling they had. Loki backed Ellie up until the backs of her legs hit the bed. She stumbled but Loki pulled her back to him. Ellie looked up and Loki's eyes told her how much he wanted her. They wasted no time and practically tore each other's clothes off. Loki playfully pushed Ellie down onto the bed and flower petals sprang into the air and floated down like snowflakes. She looked around and saw that the bed was covered.

Loki stood above her and thought how beautiful she looked lying naked amongst the flowers. When she gazed up at him with her bright blue eyes he couldn't wait to join her.

….

Ellie lay on her stomach with her arms above her head and her face turned towards him. Loki lay on his side next to her, the entire length of her petite form touching his. His head rested on his arm as he looked down at her beautiful face. Watching her sleep was the closest he felt to peace. What his family had done, though their intentions were good, still made him angry because they almost drove Ellie away. She had made her intentions clear. Home was where she wanted to be, but now that he had her, Loki would not give her up without a fight. And fight him she tried. Ellie was holding her own in that argument but Loki knew he had to cheat a little bit.

By that one act of kissing her until she was breathless, he got her to admit that she loved him. When those words came out of her mouth, Loki felt like a king. An actual king. He wanted to be worthy of Ellie. The only thing he could think of was how much he loved her and he wanted to say it back. Over and over again. Loki managed to whisper it back but then he had to show her repeatedly how much he loved her.

They made love over and over throughout the night, amongst the flowers he had left the night before. They could not get enough of each other. Looking at her sleeping face, he thought of how she looked, laid out with the flowers surrounding her. Right then, her hair was flared across the pillow in golden waves. Loki picked up a flower that still lay on the bed after their night of intense play. Slowly he began to rub the petals across Ellie's shoulders and then down her back.

Ellie lay quietly just enjoying the feel of the silken flower petals sliding against her skin. She enjoyed all the attention that Loki paid to making her use her senses. Especially touch. Ellie thought back to the night before and how he made her feel. Not only her mind but her body as well. Finally admitting to Loki that she loved him, had lifted the heavy weight from her shoulders. Hearing that he loved her back sent her emotions soaring. Ellie knew she was made to love him. They were made for each other.

Loki was different when he was with her. Ellie was beginning to see that now. She had heard the stories of the horrors that he had caused, but with her he showed love. Uninhibited love. Ellie slowly opened her eyes and looked up into Loki's face as he watched his hand trace the flower over her skin. He looked content. Ellie smiled to herself as she realized that his family was right. They wanted their son back and she finally understood that she was the key. The love that he felt for her calmed his inner demons. Loving him was what she wanted, but she wanted so much more.

"That feels nice." Ellie said breaking the silence.

Loki looked down at her and smiled. "Good morning." He leaned down and kissed her.

Ellie looked up into Loki's eyes and mustered her courage. "Loki, we need to talk."

The content look on his face froze and then vanished all together. He pulled back a bit and apprehensively asked, "Yes?"

"I am so thankful for everything everyone has done for me and I want to stay here with you, but I really want to finish my education."

"No." Loki said quickly.

"Wait. Just listen to me…" Ellie tried to say as he sat up.

"It is impossible. I love you and I will not let you leave now. You belong here with me and I will not let you…"

Ellie quickly threw herself over Loki pushing him back down on the bed and straddled his hips. She grabbed his face and planted a huge kiss on his lips to silence him. Once she was certain that she had stopped his rant, she pulled her lips away. When she seemed to have his attention she continued.

"Loki, I love you."

He smiled and relaxed back into the pillows.

"I want nothing more than to stay here with you. I cannot think of anything that would make me happier, but I really want to finish school. I only have a year left and then I am finished. Then I can come and stay here with you as long as you will have me." Ellie finally got it out.

Loki lay there looking at her for a moment. He wanted to argue with her. Let her know he never wanted to let her go and going back to Earth would never happen. He stopped and thought about what she had said the night before. How his actions would affect others. Loki was learning quickly it was better to not argue with her. Ellie wanted this and he wanted her to be happy. How would he live without her for an entire year?

"You know that I cannot come to Earth to be with you." It was all he could think to say to her.

"I know." Ellie sounded upset. "But I will come back here as often as I can to visit. I need to do this Loki. I have worked so hard to get where I am and I can't quit now."

Loki nodded his head. "I understand. This is important to you, so it is important to me. We will make this work somehow. I promise."

They spent the next hour just being together before they dressed to finally go get something to eat.