Chapter 3- running into icy cold trouble
Hey guys. Another chapter with a bit of action in, and a reminder that Daya can take care of herself when she puts her mind to it. I just thought I would give you guys a suggestion. For all of you with Tumblr, and who are Loki fans (which I assume is all of you if you're reading this story.) you guys should so check out the blog, Loki's dirty whispers. It's awesome. Some of the more sentimental confessions are really adorable, and they have kind of been a bit of an inspiration for this story. Anyways, enjoy chapter 3
Daya held onto Loki's waist tightly as they rode across the rainbow bridge towards Heimdall and the Bifrost. She couldn't help but smile at the vibrant colours running through the bridge. When she and Loki had first become lovers, they had escaped the palace at night to lie on the bridge together and stare at the multitude of stars in the Asgardian skies. The anger she was holding for Thor had built up as they had ridden to the Bifrost. Focusing on the colours was the only way she could try to stop herself from calling the guards on the arrogant prince.
It was unlike the goddess of compassion to hold such bitter anger at once, but after years of watching Loki pushed to the side-lines at every available opportunity, she had grown so very protective of him. As they approached the Bifrost, Loki helped Daya off the horse and approached Heimdall, in hopes to persuade him to let the heroes pass.
He was shot back harshly and instead, once again, Thor stepped in to "save the day". As Volstagg passed the youngest prince he smirked at him. What happened?" he asked. "Silver tongue turn to lead?" Daya seized Loki's hand in her own and squeezed it gently, comforting him, as she so often did when Loki was in the company of Thor and his friends.
"At least Loki's tongue is known for being one of his many talents. What's yours Volstagg? Eating three stuffed pigs in ten minutes? Do be sure to alert me when that comes in useful dear". She smiled sweetly, attempting to cover her insult up as she passed by him with Loki close behind. Volstagg laughed and muttered something along the lines of "All in good jest goddess" under his breath.
Heimdall allowed them access to Yotunheim, but did not promise them a safe return. Loki hooked an arm around Daya's waist as the Bifrost transported the heroes to the realm of ice. Yotunheim, home of the dreaded frost giants. The silence at Yotunheim was eerie. With only the occasional sounds of ice falling from the ceilings of the deep caverns. Ice that could have proved to be fatal if you had been stood underneath it. Daya shivered as they walked through the snow and ice. Loki noticed and placed his arm around her shoulder, rubbing it to try and keep her warm.
"Are you not cold?"
Loki shook his head. "No, I don't really feel the cold" he replied as they all approached a secluded part of Yotunheim. What appeared to be the largest cavern they had seen so far. It didn't take long for them to notice Laufey sat on a large throne made of ice. His glare alone seemed enough to strike someone down dead.
"You should not have come here Asgardians, and with women, wives? Foolish and heartless it would seem". Laufey's voice seemed to echo through the entire cavern. His red eyes travelled to Loki and Daya, seeming to bore into them mercilessly. Daya had to turn her gaze back to Loki, not wanting to stare out the leader of the frost giants any longer.
"How did you get into Asgard?" It was of course Thor that had been brave, or stupid enough to raise his voice at Laufey.
"There are traitors in the house of Odin" Laufey answered.
Thor grew angry at his words, like Laufey had paid him the biggest disrespect with those very words. Daya noticed the frost giants began to gather around Laufey. She pushed Loki gently to alert him. He took the hint and walked behind Thor.
"We must go brother. Look around you we are outnumbered".
"Learn your place brother!" Thor spat. Such venom in his tone. Daya rolled her eyes and stepped forward.
"Loki is right Thor and you know it. Use common sense for once or we will pay the price" she hissed in his ear. Thor reluctantly turned away and the heroes began to walk back.
"Run home little princess" Laufey smirked.
"Damn" Loki whispered.
With that Thor used Mjonir to hit Laufey back against the ice, causing a fight to break out between the frost giants and the Asgardians. Daya, being able to summon magic to protect those she saw fit to, used force fields to knock the frost giants back when they overpowered her and Loki. As Loki used his throwing knives and magic, Daya used two long, thin daggers to kill enemies at close contact. As a group of five frost giants approached Loki, Daya turned to warn him and a frost giant managed to stab her in the stomach with a small icicle as she targeted a force field at Loki to protect him, knocking the frost giants back. Loki turned, threw a knife at the frost giant that had attacked Daya, aiming it at the Giants neck, before running to Daya's side.
"I'm alright Darling, I'm ok" she assured him as he applied pressure to the wound. Daya stabbed another giant in the heart as it came up behind Loki. She rid them of the creature so quickly, Loki barely noticed it had been so close to attacking him.
"Honestly Loki, I'm fine. It's nothing your magic cannot cure."
He used some of his sorcery to temporarily seal the wound as he held her close, allowing her to lean against him. "Loki, you must tell Thor to pull back with the others. There are too many giants. We must leave, or we will die here."
Loki pulled Daya to some shelter behind a large rock. "Stay here. Do not move, I mean it. I will be back as soon as I can. Don't move" Loki told her sternly. She nodded and he made his way to Thor. A frost giant reached out and grabbed Loki before he could reach his brother. Instead of being burnt by its freezing cold flesh, Loki's arm turned blue, just like a frost giant's. He stared at his arm for a moment before killing the frost giant and finding Thor.
"Thor! We must go. Daya has been injured, as has Fandral."
Thor nodded, not wanting anyone else to get hurt. "Go ahead, I'll catch up" he replied to Loki before returning to keeping some frost giants at bay. Loki turned and ran back to where Daya had been hiding. She had instead returned to the clearing to help the others.
"Darling one, I don't think killing frost giants out in the open with your injury was the best idea you have had" Loki said as he ran to her side.
"Well I didn't think listening to Thor and coming to Asgard was a terrific plan either. I suppose we will just have to accept that neither one of us has been very smart today."
Loki went to pick her up as Thor caught up with them but she resisted. Wanting to remain as independent as she possibly could.
"Darling please, I can't allow you to fall behind" Loki frowned. She sighed heavily in protest before allowing Loki to hoist her up in his arms. She held onto him tightly as they began to make their way to the edges of Yotunheim. As a frost giant drew closer to them, Daya reached for one of Loki's throwing knives and tossed it at the frost giant. It landed right in the centre of its neck, making the frost giant cry out before falling to the ground.
"Perfect, did you see that? Oh Loki you taught me well it would seem" she grinned.
"Sorry I don't have time to admire your handiwork darling. I am sure you had excellent aim".
They reached the edge of Yotunheim and called out to Heimdall to open the Bifrost, but their calls were not answered. As they stood, helpless a huge beast raised its head from the edge of the ice, ready to attack. Daya buried her head in Loki's neck, almost certain they wouldn't survive this encounter. They were however saved by Mjonir. Thor had thrown it straight at the beast, forming a huge gaping hole in the beast's mouth. It fell back into the abyss beneath them. As Laufey caught up, Odin appeared. He persuaded Laufey to let the Asgardians return home safe with the All father, with a promise they would all receive Asgardian justice.
Back at the palace Loki cleared Daya's wounds before they had to make their way to the halls to receive judgement from Odin. On the way Daya laced her fingers through Loki's and spoke softly to him. "Promise me one thing, whatever it is promise me you will do what I ask you next?" she asked. He paused, unsure of what Daya was about to propose, before nodding.
"Promise me that whatever Thor's punishment is, you will not argue with Odin's decision. I do not want you to receive a harsher punishment than necessary. It was Thor that made the choice to lead us to Asgard."
Loki went to speak but was stopped when Daya placed a finger on his lips. "You promised you would comply, no matter what remember?"
Loki knew it was useless arguing with her and nodded. "I suppose your right. Alright, I promise you I won't interfere. Perhaps father will be merciful".
So, that was chapter 3. Daya can sometimes be a hard character to write. Part of me wants to make her independent and strong but obviously Asgard is a very old fashioned kind of place where I get the impression wives would be prone to serving the husband. Then again, I think I try to write Daya as having a bit of an edge, and ultimately having dear old Loki under her thumb…. But that won't always be the case. As we know, Loki does what he wants ;) Until next time guys :D