"Good morning, Queen.", she said with a wide smile. Last days she kept smiling and Frigga noticed it. She was sure it had something to do with her son. And it must have been something good, otherwise Eir wouldn't smile, right?
Frigga was completely aware, that there is no future between Loki and Eir, as his future is… Well, he has no future. Even knowing that the weird warmness in her heart shouldn't exist and probably she should cut it before it is too late, somehow she couldn't. It was irrational and Queen was completely aware of it, but mother's heart always knows better than mind.
"Good morning, Eir. It's a nice morning.", Frigga pointed kindly, looking at Eir's reflection in the mirror.
"It's beautiful!", she agreed, taking brush and reaching Queen's hair. Methodically, she started combing Queen's long, soft hair.
"How is Loki?", Queen asked as usual, smiling slightly when she noticed small blush on Eir's cheeks.
"He's fine. I am sure my Queen, that he would be happy if you would pay him a visit.", she answered, gently touching Frigga's hair with brush. Eir always admired those beautiful, long, blond hair. Hers were also long, but curled at the ends and red.
"I will. Today or tomorrow.", Queen promised, smiling lightly. She haven't seen her boy in weeks now and she missed him a lot. Eir hugged Frigga, without thinking. She was so, so sure that Loki will be happy! Of course he will never admit it, but he missed his mother. She knew that very well. Actually she knew him quite well. He wasn't talking much, but she usually knew what was on his mind. Frigga stroked Eir's arm. Suddenly intimidated by her brash behavior, girl stepped back, looking at the floor, wringing her fingers nervously.
"Go for now, Eir, I have to do something. See you tomorrow in the morning.", Queen smiled, standing up. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Queen!", Eir bowed, leaving room in hurry.
And Queen knew exactly where she was heading…
Again, it came to her mind, that maybe her little wayward son wasn't that lost after all.
When she went into Loki's room, he was reading. Before she could say any word, they saw bright light in cell on the opposite side of the hall. Loki stood up incredibly fast. They both looked in the direction of light. Then, Eir's eyes locked on Loki's back as she wasn't sure what to do.
"Do not move, I will hide you.", Loki commanded in a low voice. She felt that she shouldn't argue right now, so she stood next to the wall, looking at the actions outside Loki's cell. She didn't move, didn't say a single word, she was even trying not to breathe. She knew that she was covered with his illusion, but she was too scared to move anyway.
He walked slowly to the glowing, golden window. Suddenly, cell on the opposite side of his looked as it was on fire and in a matter of seconds, window was broken and flaming creature left the destroyed room, slowly walking to next cell and breaking its window. Methodically, creature repeated its actions until all cells but Loki's were opened.
Loki was standing next to the window, not even a sign on his face that there was anyone else in room with him. He just stood there, staring at monster without even a slight sign of fear on his face. She didn't know if he was pretending or he really wasn't scared of that creature, but she was shaking out of dread, barely keeping her teeth from chattering. If the monster attacks, are they supposed to defend?
Creature stood in front of Loki's cell, staring at him. For a short moment she was sure, that monster is going to free Loki as well, but instead, it started moving again. Loki whispered something that she couldn't hear properly and after a few seconds, creature finally left, though there were still sounds of battle in front of them, some prisoners still fighting with guards.
Once creature wasn't visible anymore, she ran towards Loki and embraced him tightly, hiding her head in his robes. At first he didn't react, but after a few seconds, he hugged her back. Now, close to his body, she actually felt how much she was trembling.
"It's all fine…", he said calmly, caressing her back with one hand. The other one was on her hair, holding her head close to his chest. "Everything is fine."
She could hear his slow heartbeat and knowing he really was calm, she also started calming down. Sudden thought came to her mind and she moved her head to look up at him.
"I should go and help.", she said frantically, leaning her hands on his chest. His left hand was still on her back, stroking it gently, while his right hand moved to her waist, holding her.
"Of course you will stay here. It's dangerous out there.", he said quietly, looking around the hall full of fighting people, not actually paying attention to her. He wasn't scared, but his cold eyes were checking vigilantly what was going on outside, as if he was ready to jump into the fight if it would be necessary.
Or more, if it would be possible, Eir thought. She shook her head, reminding her stupid brain, that there is no time to waste.
"They might need me. I really have to go. Maybe I will be needed at the clinic! Many guards might have been wounded!", she said quickly, trying to pull herself away, but he held her waist tightly and looked like he didn't mean to let go. She kept trying, but he was way stronger than she was.
"You will stay here.", he repeated slowly, still not looking at her, but checking the situation outside. She noticed as he clenched his jaw.
"Loki, let me go.", she demanded, jerking. His hands were still holding her strongly. He tightened his lips, malcontent.
"You will stay here and I won't argue about that.", he repeated, looking at her for the first time since she started the conversation. She could see in his eyes that he was truly angry, but she had bigger problems right now. Like clinic. For example, of course.
"Why?", she asked angrily. She kept on trying to free herself from his embrace, even if she knew it was pointless as he was stronger and bigger than she was, but she felt urge to do something to make him let her go. In her imagination she saw many people wounded, only a few medics to help them.
"Because you will stay here with me.", he answered shortly, his eyes again looking at the hall. At this very moment something flew in front of his cell. When it finally landed on the ground, they saw that it once used to be a guard. Covered in blood, he was moving slightly, catching his last breaths.
"They won't come in, you will be fine!", she said, impatiently. "LET ME GO!"
"NO!", he yelled at her, shaking her firmly, again looking down at her. "I am not worried about myself.", he said calmer. He looked back to check situation outside.
"Then let me go and let me see if I can help them.", she asked again, clenching her jaw. "I am not any help standing here, I promise I will come back here as soon as it will be possible and I will tell you everything I know."
"I said no. You will stay right here with me, you are safe here.", he answered, again not looking at her. His calmness was driving her crazy. She felt urge to do something. But there was nothing she could do – he was physically and magically stronger than she was. Than she will ever be.
"I can take care of myself!", she said nervously, again trying to free herself, even knowing it was pointless. She started thrusting her nails into his hands.
Suddenly it seemed like Loki lost his patience, pushed her against the wall holding her next to it with his whole body. He was so angry, that for a short moment she was afraid, but then she reminded herself of all those people outside fighting with enemies and she looked up at him proudly, gathering all her courage. Now, more than ever before, she felt really small and weak next to him. He grabbed her jaw firmly, lowering his head and whispered furiously, "You will stay here, with me, your life is more important to me than theirs. Since I can't go out with you, we will both stay right here. I consider this discussion as done."
Your life is more important to me than theirs…
She heard it over and over again in her head. She was so surprised, she even forgot to keep on trying to free herself. She was just staring into his emerald green eyes with her mouth slightly opened.
He moved away from her, grabbing her hand strongly as if he wanted to make sure that she won't run away and pulling her back to the window. She didn't say a single word. Despite dangerous situation outside, her heart felt really warm right now. She wasn't fighting him anymore, she just held his hand.
Silently, they were both looking outside. It was getting calmer down there, though they couldn't be sure what was happening upstairs. His hand was still holding hers.
After a few minutes, there was nothing but silence around them. She looked at him hesitantly, admiring his beautiful face. She wanted to ask if she can go now, but somehow she felt like he wants her to stay. It won't do any harm if she will stay a few minutes longer.
Now there was no fights in front of them, only a few corpses and ruined hall. Again, she looked up at Loki. He was frowning, probably wondering what happened.
Finally she said, a bit against her own will, "Loki, I will really go now, I promise you I will be back today. It's safe out there now and I promise you I will be careful."
He nodded without a word. Even if he felt like begging her to stay, he knew it was ridiculous, she wasn't a child and she knew how to protect herself. Besides, danger seemed to be over. All at once, he pulled her hand up and kissed it gently, holding his lips on her skin for a moment.
"Go.", he said mildly.
She let go his hand and then she left the room, her hand so cold and empty. Only that spot, which was touched by his lips moments before felt so hot…
Here we go again. Hope you liked it.