Loki sat beside Odin as he lay in bed. The golden dome glowed soft, making the elderly King look healthier. It was reassuring. Loki had seen his father like this before, and he had faith that his father would pull through. The old man easily had another 1000 years in him yet.
"Why did you not tell me about the cattle?" Thor asked as he stood behind Loki as he gazed at the King.
"I didn't know. Father threw you a curveball."
"Why? We were in the middle of negotiations. I could have easily tipped our hand." Thor said. Loki chuckled.
"Tipped our hand to what? We were ordering grain not weapons for a military surge. Lord Alamand is a distant cousin of mine and Lord Bethel, while shrewd and conniving is an ally not a foe. He was toying with you."
"But what if I had given the wrong answer?"
"There was no wrong answer. Short of you ordering 5 million cattle instead of 500, there was no real damage you could inflict. If you had, my father would have stepped in immediately. He wanted to see how you'd handle the situation."
"And how did I do?"
"Terribly. I understand your instinct to hide ignorance in the face of possible enemies, but even under those circumstances, you never want to proceed without knowing every detail. Anytime new information is dropped in your lap it is both prudent and expected to stop and assess your situation."
"But surely there are situations that arise where you do not have all of the facts."
"Yes, on the battlefield. But again, we were merely buying food stuffs. Now if this had been a battlefield situation and you were doing some sort of diplomatic dance with an enemy, your instinct to fake it would be more warranted. However, you might want to work on your poker face if you ever want to try bluffing again."
"He thinks I'm an idiot doesn't he." Thor said.
"No. Mistakes are to be expected and this little trade deal was a perfect little test run to give you experience. Besides, you learn more when you make mistakes."
"He prefers trial by fire then?"
"Not usually, but with the Odinsleep upon him, I think he felt a sense of urgency."
"What happens now?" Thor asked.
"Tomorrow at 10am you will convene court, make a brief speech about the duties of the royal regent and then conduct business as usual."
"You're going to be there yes? Because I don't have a clue as to how to do any of that." Thor placed his large hand on Loki's shoulder. His eyes were filled with dread. Loki reached up and placed his hand atop Thor's and twisted his neck to look up at him.
"Yes of course." He said, patting his hand. One of the large gilded doors to the chamber opened and Frigga came in.
"How is he?"
"He's fine. It's like any other." Loki said.
"He'd put it off for too long. It's been a long day. You two should get some rest. You both have a great burden upon you now. I'll keep watch."
"You're going to climb in there with him aren't you?" Loki asked.
"What I do in bed with my husband is none of your business." She said. It made Thor chuckle.
"You're right. Let's get some sleep." Loki said, feeling more than ready to put an end to this day. They left Frigga alone to cuddle her husband as he slept. The halls were quiet, save for the extra patrols of guards that were marching around now that Odin was vulnerable.
"Thank you for helping me with the translations today. I would have been truly lost."
"You're welcome." Loki said. He smiled at Thor, but it was strained. The conflicting emotions made it hard to say more.
"I would like to hold you tonight." Thor said.
"I'd like that." Loki gave him a small nervous smile. They dressed for bed in silence, not looking at one another until they both climbed into bed. They both reached for each other and things became awkward again.
"I could just…"
"If I lay flat maybe…"
"You could put your arm…Actually, I'd like it if you spooned me tonight." Loki said.
"Really?"
"Yes." Loki rolled to his side away from Thor to let him cradle him. He sighed when he felt the large warm chest press to his bare back. The big arm that came around his midsection was strong and reassuring. He felt Thor's nose nuzzle his neck and for once, felt at peace with the man in his bed.
XxXxXxXxXx
A chair was placed next to the throne, small and lower in stature, and Thor knew that Loki would hate it. Still, court would run hours long and Loki could not stand the entire time. As they walked up the dais together Thor caught the sneer that twisted Loki's lips when he saw the offending furniture. His frown disappeared when they faced the crowd once more.
"I, Thor Odinson, Heir to the Throne, Guardian of Mjolnir, and son of Asgard am your acting Regent until such time as the King arises or enters the gates of Valhalla. Court will be now adjourned. Herald of the Court, please call the first order of business." Thor said and took his seat. The throne was softer than it looked the upholstered pad on it was overstuffed and he found he was glad for it. He rested his arms upon the arm rests and felt Loki's hand rest atop one of them. Thor looked him in eyes.
"Together." He said before returning his attention to court.
"If it please his Majesty, the Vanir delegation would like to conclude the trade deal before departure."
"Yes." Thor said. Lord Alamand and the others stepped forward with a roll of parchment in hand.
"We spent last night drafting this up for your approval Majesty." He said. A page took it from his hands and ran it up to Thor. He in turn, handed it to Loki. Loki unfurled the contract and scrutinized it closely and found a small but important typo in the quantifying of payment.
"Lord Bethel, does your speech impediment also translate to the written word?" Loki asked. The craggily old bastard gave Loki a wiry smile.
"I must not have been paying attention. My apologies."
"Everything else checks out. Correct this one word here and we have a bargain. Agreed?"
"If Thor is agreed my prince." He said. Loki scowled.
"Of course." Thor said. Loki handed the parchment back to the page boy, barely concealing his sour expression.
"What is the next order of business?" Thor asked.
"General Gundirth's petition for new armor for the Einherjar Majesty." The Herald called. The Captain stepped forward. He face said contrite but his body language said smug.
"My King, it has come to my attention that our armor suffers some very unfortunate defects and vulnerabilities that could endanger our men. I humbly ask for a new commission of armor for our fighting forces." He said. Thor wanted to charge at the man and slap that smile off of his face. How in the hell had he heard Thor's comments from last night in a closed room? If he said no straight off, he would be viewed as petty and unsympathetic to the needs of Asgard's army. But the thought of saying yes and giving this man what he wanted made him nauseous with anger. He turned to Loki.
"He's playing you and everyone can see it." Loki said at low volume.
"What do I do?"
"If anyone else had made this request, would you hesitate to say yes?" Loki asked.
"No. I would have agreed immediately."
"Then you have your answer. Revenge can wait for another time." Loki said. Thor turned his gaze back to the General.
"Your request is granted. You have my leave to pursue a contract, however, final approval of the new armor design must go through me."
"I thank you King Regent for your wisdom and generosity." He said and bowed out of the court, victorious and still smug.
"I'm going to beat the shit out of that man at the first opportunity." Thor said under his breath.
"No. You won't."
"What is the next order of business?" Thor asked.
"The Judgement and Sentencing of Criminals. Bring forth the accused." The Herald called.
"Oh no." Loki muttered.
"What?" Thor asked.
"No, no, no, no. I forgot this was supposed to take place today." Loki said.
"What?"
"Today is the trial of Kelda Northman. You are to pass judgement and sentence upon her." Loki said.
"What did she do?" Thor asked.
"She murdered her Lord, a Nobleman by the name of Ulrich."
"When?" Thor asked.
"A week ago." Loki said.
"Why did I not hear of it?"
"Lord Ulrich's lands are in the far north. Most of the court only learned about the crime this morning." A scrawny young woman, dirty, starved and covered with scars was dragged before the court. Thor did not want to imagine the kind of treatment she'd been receiving while awaiting trial. Her clothes were clean and still had the fold wrinkles in them from whatever shelf they'd been taken from. But this did not hide the haggardness of her hair and face which were coated in a film of oil that hadn't quite washed away with whatever spritz of cold water they gave her. She had shackles on her wrists and feet and they were bleeding. From the throne, Thor could see her collar bone sticking out, which mirrored her gaunt cheeks.
"The accused was found standing over the body of Lord Ulrich with a knife in her hand and her person covered in his blood. This was witnesses by several people, who heard screams and ran to assist their Lord. Kelda Northman, how do you plead?"
"I had to."
"Guilty or innocent. Please speak up."
"It's not that simple…"
"Did you or did you not plunge the dagger into his body?" The Herald pressed.
"Yes but…"
"The accused pleads guilty Majesty."
"No! He was hurting me! Look at me!"
"Silence!" Thor's voice boomed. He was on his feet, passion and rage consuming him. Loki grabbed his arm.
"A word alone Thor." Loki muttered to him. "His Majesty and I shall convene to the royal study to decide the fate of the criminal." Loki announced. Loki pulled Thor around behind the throne and led him to a door hidden in back. Behind the door was Odin's personal study and the moment the door shut Thor yelled in frustration.
"She's not a criminal! It's obvious her master was abusing her. She acted in self-defense!"
"I know." Loki said.
"Then what is there to discuss?"
"Thor, one of the unsavory parts of maintaining power is politics. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a lamb to the wolves to appease them."
"Are you seriously suggesting that I sentence her to death?"
"Think Thor! Your position is very precarious. General Gundirth has backers that would see him ascend to the throne. They are waiting for you to make a mistake. You are a blacksmith. You're a commoner. You're not a member of their club. If you acquit that girl, the nobles will view you as an adversary. You will make enemies if you let her go."
"I will lose Mjolnir if I sentence her to die! What of justice Loki?"
"Justice is a fairytale for children Thor. I learned that a long time ago."
"You're wrong." Thor said. He looked down at the floor and closed his eyes to think. These people care about appearances.
"What are you planning to do Thor?"
"Let me think!" Thor paced about the room. He wanted to spare her life.
"What if I sentenced her to life in prison and then let her go later after the fuss dies down?"
"The guards will notice that she is no longer in the dungeons. Even if you let her go she'll still die. The people out there will have her killed at the first opportunity. She's not safe beyond the palace walls." Loki said.
"I got it!" Thor smiled.
"What?"
"Do you trust me?" Thor said with a big fat smile. "Don't answer that. Just play along." He said and walked out of the room.
"Wait! Thor! Damn it." Loki cursed as he ran to catch up to his husband. Thor stood before the assembly and looked down on the little woman with a stern expression.
"Kelda Northman, for your crime of murder against your master your punishment is as follows: You shall live. For the remainder of your days you shall serve here in the palace under my direct supervision as a slave to my husband. The palace shall be your prison and I shall be your whip master. Raise your hand against either of us and you will wish death had come to you this day." Thor said, acting as menacing as he could muster. Loki stepped towards the girl, his back rigid and his nose in the air.
"Bring her." Loki said and proceeded towards the royal apartments. The guards shoved the girl along as she whimpered in fear. Thor watched Loki and the girl as they left and he was alone on the throne in the den of wolves.
"Next order of business?" Thor asked.
"The Lords Gaelson and Morrson wish to dispute the land around a creek that separates their fields." The Herald said. Thor withheld a groan. No matter what he decided he was bound to make an enemy of someone.
When Loki and his new slave reach his private chambers he ordered the guards away and shut the door. The took the key for the shackles and unbound her hands.
"Here. You may remove the cuffs from your ankles as well."
"Thank you my prince." She said. She was a tiny thing, like a thimble.
"You have a horror story to tell. I want to hear it. I warn you child. Do not lie to me." Loki said. Her wet eyes reflected terror. She was afraid of him. Good. Her stomach growled then and her eyes shifted to sideboard where a fresh loaf of bread and a jug of wine lay. It is almost lunchtime. His return to his apartment early had no doubt interrupted the servant's schedule.
"Go on. Have it." Loki said. She dove at the table and picked up the enter loaf and bit into. With her back to him, Loki could see the lash mark scar peeking out of her low dress collar. Loki could only vaguely recall Lord Ulrich, but what little he did remember had been petty and unremarkable. Loki let her get a few bites down before asking his first question.
"How many times did he rape you girl?" He asked. Kelda swallowed down her dry mouthful of bread and turned round to look at him.
"I will tell you of anything you wish to know my prince, but I beg you, do not make me speak of that." She said. Loki gave a small wistful smile.
"You must have suffered indeed then. The shame of such humiliation and defilement is a hardship that is easy to fake. For those that have suffered, to speak of it is like reliving it. You could have told me a horror story about the worst things he did to you, daily, hourly even. That you cannot bring yourself to speak of it at all, tells me you had every right to defend yourself."
"Does he hurt you too?" She asked. The question caught Loki off guard. She was a cheeky nosy thing for a victim. It heartened him to see that her spirit had not been completely extinguished.
"No. No Thor does not hurt me." Loki's eyes dropped and now he turned his back to her.
"Someone did." She said.
"Yes. Someone did."
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Nothing. Listen to me carefully Kelda for your position, though protected is not without danger. We will keep you housed here in one of our personal servant rooms. There is a small chamber down that hallway. It was meant for the future governess of my children but for the time being it is yours. When you are with me in public you will cower in fear. I likewise will say and do things to you while in public that are unkind. You must never leave the palace. To do so would put you at terrible risk. The nobles will want your head for what you have done, but will restrain their need for vengeance if they feel you are suffering adequately in your current station. Do you understand?"
"Yes my prince."
"Good. Your life will be lonely Kelda. The other palace servants will look down their nose at you and worry that you might try to harm us. These chambers, while large and luxurious will be your prison. I will have the head matron assign you your duties. Perhaps, one day, when the public have forgotten you, I can arrange your exile to a quiet village with a new name."
"Thank you!" She cried out and crumpled to the ground at his feet, and hugging his legs.