She stood like a step or two behind him, not sure what to do. Suddenly she felt how sweaty her hands were. Imperceptibly, she wiped them in the material of her dress. Then she looked at Loki's back, opening her lips to ask him another question.

"Eir, maybe you should come here.", Thor said, turning his head to look at her. Eir glanced at Loki anxiously, not being able to put into words her need to stay close to him. But Loki, focused on controlling the ship, only nodded, without looking at her.

"Go", he said mildly. And so she did, fighting with herself with every step closer to Thor and Jane. She looked back at Loki pleadingly, but he only nodded again. Unhappily, Eir kneeled down next to Thor, looking at Jane's pale face.

"Can you…", well-built men started, squeezing Jane's hand slightly. Eir didn't answer, instead she simply touched female's skin, trying to help her exhausted body with some energy. She stroked female's hair slowly, noticing that they are a bit wet.

"I can't do much…", Eir whispered, shaking her head. She kept looking back at Loki, but his eyes were locked on the direction he was heading. She bit her lower lip, suddenly noticing, that her hand still brushing Jane's brown hair is shaking. She moved it away quickly, hiding both of her hands in sleeves of the dress.

"It's fine.", Jane smiled mildly, trying to lay her head a bit more comfortably, "I appreciate that you are trying."

Eir forced herself to smile, and after that, again turned her head to glance at Loki's face. He was staring ahead, lips slightly clenched. She turned her head and looked at Thor thoughtfully.

"Would you mind…", she started, fixing her eyes on her hands, still hidden in the sleeves, resting on her lap, "telling me what's going on?"

"It will be fine. I am sure Loki will tell you everything when we will be done.", Thor answered, actually not so sure if Loki will tell her anything. However, he didn't feel like telling her all the story right now, too scared about Jane.

Eir nodded slowly, again looking at Loki. This time he gave her a quick glare, smiled his usual, cold smile and again focused on his duties. Somehow, she felt a bit better seeing that he wasn't actually nervous.

"Hold tight!", Loki said, clenching his jaw. Unconsciously, Eir grabbed Thor's arm, when she felt turbulence. Man drew her closer, pulling Jane into his arms with the other hand. Eir looked behind her at Loki. She couldn't help that, she had a feeling that she would rather stand close to him than to be held by Thor.

Loki's eyes were narrowed, hair messy because of the strong wind, but his emerald eyes were shining morbidly. Eir felt that something rolled inside her. She didn't like that look in his eyes, it scared her. She had never seen it before in his emerald eyes. Nervously, she moved her hair covering her face pushed by the wind. Loki opened his mouth slightly, smiling right after that. It wasn't that warm smile he gave her a few times, it wasn't his usual, cold, mischievous smile… This one was… Hungry. Savage? His perfect face was ugly with that expression on it. Hearing Thor's question, she turned her head in surprise.

"Excuse me?", she said, looking at him questioningly. Thor's eyes were locked on her.

"I asked if everything is fine!", man screamed, trying to be louder than the wheezing wind. Eir looked at him with her eyes wide open, slightly parting her lips. Then she swallowed saliva and nodded slowly, unconsciously tightening her fingers on his arm. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!", she said loudly, quickly grabbing Jane's hand. "I am sure…", she whispered to herself, closing her eyes.

She was scared. Loki was different than in the cell. He looked… She couldn't tell how exactly he looked, but it made her shiver.

Shaking her head to get rid of those stupid thoughts, Eir passed small amount of energy into Jane's body, smiling back to weak female. She bit the inside of her lip, trying not to cry. Now, more than earlier today, she was really scared. She had a feeling, that Loki she knew, she liked, was not here with them anymore.

Suddenly, she felt Thor pulling her even closer and the ship started bouncing badly. She grabbed man's arm, closing her eyes again. Then she heard Loki's laugh, ship hit the ground a few times and they were drifting again in a cold air. Eir opened one eye, then the other and looked around carefully. They were all right.

She freed herself from Thor's arms, stood up and ran to Loki. He smiled to her mischievously, showing his white teeth. Trembling, she grabbed one of his still cuffed hands and squeezed it. He moved closer and kissed her forehead, for a short moment resting his chin on the top of her head. Then, he made one step back and looked down at her.

"Whatever will happen, please, trust me Eir.", he whispered, gently touching her palm. His fingers were slowly stroking her small hand. He noticed that she was trembling. Her dress wasn't made of coarse material, so she was probably cold.

"What do you mean?", she asked, shivering. There was something new in his eyes. Something she didn't like at all.

He only shook his head, sitting down. So did she, observing as he was steering the ship. Loki looked as Thor covered Jane with a blanket. They've started their usual quarrel about everything and nothing, but Eir didn't really pay attention, allowing them to solve their childish problems on their own. She kneeled on the seat next to Loki, looking down. This place was the weirdest thing she had ever seen in her life – dark, gloomy, full of strange buildings.

What was going on with Loki? He was planning something and she was pretty sure that she will not like it at all when he will finally tell her. She tightened her fingers on the edge of the ship, clenching her teeth. Maybe he was always like this, but she never noticed?

You know it's not true.

Then what is going on with him?

Suddenly, she was pushed by Loki, who stood up rapidly, right after that grabbing her arm to not let her fell from the bench. Then his hands clenched nervously.

"Trust? Was that her last expression?", Loki asked coldly, glancing at Thor. Eir turned around and stood up, looking at them anxiously. "Trust? When you let her die?"

"What help were you in your cell?", Thor said, moving a bit closer to Loki. Eir made a step back, feeling cold sit behind her knees. She moved her hands behind her back, lifting them on the wall of the ship, protecting herself from falling. It's not good. She is too small to stop them if they will start fighting.

"Who put me there?", Loki asked slowly and then, furiously, he repeated in a loud voice, "Who put me there?!"

Suddenly, Thor pushed Loki to the wall of the ship, yelling at him. Eir opened her mouth slightly, impatiently pushing away hair from her face. She has to do something before they kill each other.

"Stop it.", she asked quietly, but they didn't pay attention to her, Thor with his fist next to Loki's face.

She looked at Jane, who was sleeping and then narrowed her eyes. Not knowing what got into her, she clenched her fists and with all her magical power she focused on pushing Thor away. As a matter of fact she did, a little stronger than she expected, making him fall on the wall opposite side to Loki. Both of them looked at her in surprise.

"That's enough.", she said quietly, standing between them. She actually hoped, that it will prevent them from fighting. She looked at Loki and then at Thor, her green eyes shining with tears. "Your mother loved both of you. None of you was better, none of you was worse. You were different, but all of her heart belonged to both of you. That's how you honor her memory? Fighting with each other? Do you know how she felt when you were arguing? When you were banished Thor?", she stopped for a second, looking at well-built man. He didn't move, looking at her. She took a deep breath, sticking her nails deeper into her skin, and continued with a low voice filled with fury, "Do you have any idea how she felt when you fell, Loki?", she looked at him, clenching her jaw.

She made one step back, shaking her head. She was breathing deeply, slowly moving her green eyes from one brother to the other. She was smaller than them, weaker, but overcome with fury, she didn't care that she was talking to Princes of Asgard. Wind was blowing her hair, upsetting her even more. She opened her mouth and started talking again.

"Because I was there. I have seen her sad eyes. Her pale face. Her smile. You know, that whenever she smiled, her eyes were still cloudy? She suffered because of both of you and none of you caused less pain. Because none of you was smart enough to stop those stupid fights. Have you ever thought how hard it is for a mother to see her two beloved sons, jumping to each other's throat?"

"She wasn't my mother", Loki mumbled, getting up. She looked at him, for the first time so coldly, with disbelief in her eyes, maybe even disgust. He lost some courage under this glare, but he still made one step to her.

"Is that so, Loki? What's your definition of mother?", she asked with trembling voice, suddenly feeling tears rolling down her face. With one furious move she wiped them, not actually aware that her face is all wet and continued.

"Who is a mother? You know, my definition can be a bit distorted as I don't really remember my mother.", she smiled reservedly, still clenching her fists – so hard that her knuckles turned white, "But in my opinion mother is not only the person who gave you a birth. It's the one who was with you all your live, who protected you, who helped you with anything she could, who smiled to you, who loved you with all her heart. And that's what Queen did. I am just a stupid servant, but please, Prince, tell me who is mother if she was not one?"

When she finished, suddenly all courage left her body, her trembling legs gave up and she sat down, hiding her face in her hands. She was shaking, not actually sure if what she feels right now is anger, self-pity or maybe just sadness. She didn't care anymore if they will hurt each other, they can do whatever they want – all in all they are adults and she is not babysitter.

Loki and Thor looked at each other, but didn't say a single word. Thor went back to Jane and Loki sat next to Eir, one of his hands controlling the ster.

"You are right.", he said quietly, looking at her. Eir pulled her head up, surprised. Her cheeks were still wet from tears, cold wind burned moist skin, but she didn't pay attention. "You are right, she was… She is my mother no matter what. I was just angry."

Eir smiled slightly, basing her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes, taking deep breath. Exhaustion filled her from the top of her head to her toes.

"Loki, please tell me what is going on.", she asked again in a low voice, not opening her eyes. He looked down at her, noticing that now, when they were wet, her eyelashes looked thicker. What's wrong with him? He shouldn't bother himself with a servant. All in all, he was still a prince of Asgard.

"I will tell you later, there is no time now.", he said, kissing her soft hair. Again, he noticed how sweet they smelled, like some flowers. Eir only sighed, not satisfied with his answer, but she didn't say a single word. Suddenly, he stood up, almost making her fall. She opened her eyes in surprise. Fearfully, she noticed the very same savage expression on his face, as they reached their destination. Again that day, Eir couldn't help but asking herself if it's still Loki she knew from the prison. She was actually scared. She was scared, because she knew something will happen. He wasn't showing that, but she knew him enough to see that he was excited. She shivered by the thought, that he might be going to hurt Thor or this mortal, Jane. Her green eyes were locked on his pale face, but this look disappeared, Loki was again his cold, calm self. How come that one person changes so quickly?

Loki pulled her up grabbing her elbow and forcing her to walk next to him. They joined Thor and Jane. She knew that Loki can feel her body trembling by the fact, that he let go her hand and stroked her back gently while talking to Thor. He probably thinks that she is cold. Eir looked back at him, fighting with herself. She wanted to believe that this is still Loki she knew, cold, distanced, maybe a little mischievous and wayward. But that weird glance in his eyes made her anxious, scared. She wanted to be close to Loki and she was afraid to be. She wanted to hug to him and at the same time she wanted to make a few steps back. She was conflicted.

Slowly, they've reached the edge of a crater. Thor uncuffed Loki and then it happened. Loki stabbed Thor, who fell down. Unconsciously, Eir grabbed Jane's hand, holding her when they were both running down. At the same time they've reached Thor, but before she could gather her thoughts and actually heal Thor, Loki spoke to Malekith, pushing Jane in front of them. Eir stood up to run to her, but she was pushed back by Loki's spell. She stood up, clenching her fists. They were burning, because she supported on them, ripping the skin. Before she managed to react, Jane was high in the air. Eir didn't hear a single thing, only deafening silence inside her head. Something was wrong here. She could sense Loki's magic. What's going on?

When female fell, Eir rushed to her, falling on her knees in front of Jane. At this very moment Thor retrieved his hand, calling Mjölnir. He aimed it at Aether and Eir understood what is he planning to do. She moved quickly, trying to cover Jane with her body, as she was completely aware that she can stand more than this weak mortal. Loki reached them, pushing Eir down, so that she was almost lying on Jane. All three of them looked at the huge explosion next to them. Aether parted into many small pieces and Eir was sure that it's over, but then it started… uniting.

Eir parted her lips, with eyes wide open observing the situation. Malekith absorbed Aether.

It's over, it came to her mind, he will kill us all.

But nothing like that happened. He simply turned around and headed to his ship. Eir moved her lips a few times, unable to speak. Thor started fighting creatures, clearly determined to chase Malekith. But then, the monster she had seen in the dungeons before, turned around and threw something. Before she was able to understand what is this, she was pulled up by Loki and pushed away.

Weird thing started pulling Loki. Eir jumped to her feet, intending to help him, but Jane grabbed her hand and pulled back with all her strength. Before Eir managed to protest, Thor appeared and pushed Loki away. Eir sighed, looking at Jane and tightening grip of their hands.

"Come on!", redheaded yelled, pulling Jane and forcing her to run. "We have to hide you!"

Jane nodded and they started running towards rocks on the edge of the crater. Eir stood, looking around frantically and when she localized a small cave in the wall, she moved there quickly, still holding Jane's hand. Soon, they've reached narrow gap and Eir pushed Jane to hide there. Then, she walked inside, turning around and trying to check what was going on out there, but the rocks blocked the view.

"I can't see anything", she mumbled to Jane.

"Me neither. Rocks are too big.", female answered, standing on her toes.

Eir sighed, leaning her back on the cold, stone wall. She looked at Jane carefully. It was visible, that this mortal was cleared from destroying effect, which was caused by Aether.

"Are you better?", Eir asked quietly, looking down at her feet. She was fumbling her legs nervously, waiting for Loki to show up. She would never admit it, but she was now even more scared than before, when she lost the sight of him.

"Yes, I am feeling way better, thank you.", Jane smiled, looking ahead, also stressed.

Eir turned around, leaning her hand on cold wall and standing on her toes, narrowing her eyes in hope that it will help her to see what was going on. Jane stood right behind her, also trying to see anything outside. For last minute or so there was complete silence. Eir looked at Jane questioningly.

"Let's go", Midgardian commanded, pushing Eir slightly.

When they came out from behind the rocks, they could have seen Thor kneeling down next to Loki. Eir's heart stopped for a second and letting go Jane's hand she started running.

"Loki…", she whispered to herself, stumbling a few times on her way.

When she reached them, seeing blue skin of Loki and his closed eyes, she dropped to her knees.

"Loki!", she repeated louder than before, grabbing his hand. He didn't respond. Why did he take the form of Frost Giant? What kind of stupid joke is this? "LOKI!"

Jane wanted to raise her, but she pushed her away angrily, making female fall.

"Loki!", she whispered, shaking him by the shoulders.

"Eir, stop.", Thor grabbed her by the arms, forcing her to stand up. She was fighting, but Thor was stronger, so he simply raised her. Her eyes were still locked on Loki, looking for any signs of life. She kept her lips slightly parted, breathing frantically, as if the oxygen did not want to get into her lungs.

She was shaking her head, hair covering her face. Suddenly, she turned around and looked at Thor angrily.

"What have you done to him?", she asked coldly, tightening her fists. That's the only explanation. Thor hated Loki and he did something to him. She will find out and she will fix it. Loki will be fine.

"Eir…", Thor whispered, placing his hands on her arms, "he died honorably."

"What have you done to him?", she repeated as if she didn't hear what he said. Her green eyes were shining morbidly. He has to tell her before it's too late!

"He saved me.", Thor said, still holding his huge hands on her arms. "He saved my life."

Eir looked at him with her eyes wide open, automatically wiping her hands in the material of her dress. Again that day, complete silence covered all sounds. She opened her mouth a few times, not able to speak, but then she sobered.

"YOU KILLED HIM!", she screamed, pushing Thor away. In surprise, he allowed her to do so and stepped back to prevent himself from falling.

"Eir…", Jane moved to her, hugging redheaded female. She let her do so, still looking icily on Thor. He was responsible for the death of Loki. Huge warrior, illustrious prince Thor needed help, which caused his brother to die! All she felt at this very moment was hatred pumping through her veins. She wanted to hurt him, to make him suffer, to kill him. She wanted to make him feel at least some part of the pain she felt.

"Eir, we have to go now, I promise you that once we will be back to Asgard, I will send guards to take his body and we will arrange him a honorable funeral, for which he deserved.", Thor said, this time not trying to touch her. Eir shook her head rapidly, gently freeing herself from Jane's grip. Again she looked at Loki's body and she felt huge lump in her throat.

"I will wait here with him for the guards.", she said, clenching her jaw, turning her green eyes to look at Thor.

"You can't stay here!", Thor said loudly, coming closer to the females. Eir took one step back, crossing arms on her chest. She looked like definition of determination. And she felt like one – she was more than sure that she will stay with Loki and if Thor wants to take her with them, he will have to kill her.

"Is there any danger for her?", Jane asked kindly, looking at well-built male knowingly.

Thor kept quiet for a few seconds, but then he said slowly, "I don't think so. Malekith is far away from here."

"Then let her stay.", female said, brushing his arm. Thor clenched his jaw, but then nodded.

"I promise you someone will come here as soon as possible.", he said, turning around and walking away quickly. Jane smiled to Eir for the last time and hurried after him.

Eir turned around to look at Loki. She dropped to her knees, slowly pulling her hand to touch his face. Without emotions she noticed that this hand – her hand – is trembling. Her warm fingers reached cold skin of Loki's cheek. She was gently brushing his face with her fingertips as if she wanted to remember it perfectly.

It can't be happening. Yesterday they were saying goodbye to the Queen and now… Loki… Her Loki…

She moved her hand to his raven hair, weaving her fingers in them. They were so soft… How come she never noticed that before?

Slowly, she grabbed his hand with both of hers and pulled it up, feeling a huge rock on her heart when she noticed how heavy it is, when its owner is so inert… She hugged to it, kissing his palm a few times. Then, without thinking, she laid down right next to him, hugging to his cold body. She hid her face between his neck and arm, kissing his skin gently.

Not a single tear left her eyes so far. The pain she felt inside her heart was so overwhelming that she almost felt it physically. Blunt burning inside her fingers, hands, arms, chest, legs… She could not cry. She wanted badly to do so, but tears didn't come no matter how hard she wanted them now. If she thought she was in pain yesterday, today it was agony. Thrilling to the bone, slow death.

She cursed herself inside for those stupid thoughts today. How could she ever be afraid of him? How come she never told him how much she cares about him? Of course – he was cold, introverted, ironical, sometimes rough, but he was the first one who kissed her, who noticed woman in her, who listened to her… It seemed that he liked her. Even if she was just nice entertainment for him and he didn't share her deeper feelings, he was there for her, patiently teaching her magic, sometimes teasing, looking at her carefully when she was telling him with flushed face what she learned at the clinic… Is it possible to live without him?

She knew him for like a month and a half, but she truly didn't remember how was her life before she met him. Even if her mind told her that it is possible to live and kept promising she will be fine one day, her heart was yelling it doesn't want to live, it doesn't want to be fine. She always thought of herself as of rather tough person. Since she remembered, she had to take care of herself on her own, so she was more than surprised by her reaction.

But, to be fair, he was actually first person with whom he spent so much time and he seemed to really enjoy her company. So did she. And now he is left only in her imagination.

xxx

He was looking at the tiny figure lying next to his fake body. It was annoying him, but he really had to force himself not to run to her just yet. He had to make sure that Thor was far enough. How come he became so fond of this servant? Before all this on Earth, before he ended up in prison, he wouldn't even look at her. As a matter of fact he didn't – she was his mother's servant for quite a while and he had never seen her before the day she came to his cell.

He smiled to himself, thinking how innocent she is. Eir didn't resemble in any way females he liked earlier. Cheerful, sometimes funny, shy Eir. His Eir.

At first he thought about leaving her be, not telling her the truth, but he noticed in a surprise, that he can't bear the thought that she wouldn't be next to him. Especially that he expected she will go with Thor and Jane, but she stubbornly insisted on staying with his body, waiting for guards. As a matter of fact, he didn't expect her to do that, he thought she will be too shocked to withstand to Thor's decisions.

He chuckled breathlessly thinking how she yelled at Thor, he could actually feel her rage. It caused some stupid, mawkish feeling inside. But he had to admit, even if it was foolish, it was still nice to feel that someone cares.

Loki looked around carefully, but there were no signs of his brother return. It's time.

xxx

Well. It took me longer than I expected, but you have to forgive me – this chapter was the hardest for me to write so far. I simply don't like rewriting the movie, so I was trying to skip most of the actions from Thor: The Dark World, but then it seemed incomplete. So I wrote it with dialogues from the movie, but then I deleted them. What you just read is something between those two versions and I have to admit I am still not satisfied, but I can't make it any better. I left a few lines from movie. Maybe one day I will rewrite it. Let me know how you liked this chapter in reviews! ^^ To the next chap.

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