Slowly, Eir lifted herself up, pulling her knees to her chest, hugging her legs. Half-closed eyes, she was looking at Loki's body. Gods, was he stubborn… She frowned, reminding herself something.

Eir turned around, opening her lips to say that she's done, but something in Loki's eyes stopped her. Instead, she said "Maybe you'd like some company, prince?". He couldn't be more surprised than she was at the moment. Actually, she started wondering if she actually said that aloud, or if she just thought that. Unfortunately, he was looking at her, so all in all,

Loki stared at her, processing her words. Why would she possibly offer her company to him? Probably his mother asked her to do that…

"Why would I?", he asked, smiling reservedly, "I feel pretty good just by myself."

Eir smiled slightly, arranging strand of Loki's dark hair torn by the wind. He was so lonely down there, in this room, locked up only by himself… Did she know that already? Or was it only that disappointed gleam in his eye, which made her offer him some company?

"Why did you use my name?", he asked with cold voice, not looking at her.

"Wha…?", she started, blinking. She pulled her head up to have a better look at his pale face.

"Why did you use my name?", he repeated, still looking through the window at the empty hall.

"I… I don't know, I was just… I don't know, I am sorry Prince", she said, somewhat embarrassed, but also a bit confused. Does it actually matter right now? Nervously, with her free hand she put her hair behind her ear.

"I am not angry, just curious about that. You can call me by my name, but I want to know yours in exchange.", he said, finally looking down at her, his eyes cold and calm again, no sign of tears anymore. He almost smiled, but something stopped him, so he made only funny grimace instead.

"I… My name is Eir, prince", she said, suddenly shy. Out of habit, Eir wanted to curtsy, but she noticed, that her hand was still in his. He didn't seem to pay attention, so she decided not to do anything. Actually… It was weird, but she liked this feeling of his slender fingers embracing hers.

"Eir…", he repeated, thoughtfully, nodding his head. "Eir, you can't tell anyone of what happened here."

Seeing this scene in her imagination, she giggled quietly. As if someone would believe her! No-one would listen to her if she would try to tell them, that Prince Loki, cold, distanced, Loki was so… So…? Lonely? Vulnerable?

Everyone hated him! Everyone… Except his mother.

"He isn't bad. He's just a little… Wayward.", said Frigga, gently touching Eir's hand. "Maybe if we…", she started, shaking her head, but she didn't finish and Eir wasn't brave enough to ask Queen what did she mean.

Maybe if we wouldn't hide the truth?, Eir thought to herself, rubbing her hands on her dress.

Yes, Queen, maybe. We will never know that.

Eir checked her pinching hands. They were all covered with small cuts, which she made to herself earlier, falling on the ground.

She looked up at the cloudy sky. Before, she thought that it's gloomily here. Now, this weather was perfect. It sounds stupid, but she thought to herself, that the world can't be simply spinning around, the sun can't be shining when he is gone.

She moved her eyes lower, to his perfect face. Now so calm, without any expression on it. She admired every perfect part of it.

Back then, in his cell, sometimes he seemed to be ashamed about who he was…

"Stop. Stop calling yourself a monster. Actions, not origin create monsters.", Eir said furiously.

"Oh, so you want to say that you will still come to visit me, as I am not monster to you?", Loki asked coldly.

"Yes. Yes, I will come. And no, being a Frost Giant doesn't make you a monster in my eyes. If… If you want me to find a reason to call you monster, I would say your behavior on Midgard makes you a monster… But somehow I am sure inside, you are not as bad as you want people to think you are.", she said, looking up at him proudly.

He didn't respond, only staring at her with no smile, lips tightened and cold eyes looking at her as if he could read her thoughts.

Oh, he really made her nervous back then! She never knew it is possible to expose one with a simple glare.

I would give anything to be able to see those eyes once more, she thought to herself, hiding her face. Unwittingly, she started swinging forward and backward.

Suddenly, she felt hands covering her. Scared, she wanted to move away, but those hands were stronger. She looked back and froze under serious look of those emerald eyes she dreamed about just seconds before. Once or twice, she opened her lips, trying to formulate a sentence.

"Good afternoon, lady Eir.", Loki said, smiling mischievously.

She awoke, pushing him away, crawling back a few steps, almost falling on her back.

"Good afternoon?", she repeated shrilly, looking at this person with her eyes wide open. "Is this funny for you? Who the hell are you?"

"It's me.", he said quietly, still crouching where she left him.

Eir shook her head slightly, pulling back a little more. She was staring at him without a word, only her spasmodic breath audible in the dead silence.

"I am sorry for all this, I had to.", Loki said, feeling sudden urge to say something. He stretched out his hands to her, smiling again.

Eir, on all fours, moved to him quickly, hugging him rapidly, making him lose his balance. She embraced his neck, kissing his face. Her lips were everywhere – on his cheeks, forehead, chin, nose, lips. He chuckled quietly, covering her face with his hands and kissing her firmly. When he moved away, her cheeks were covered with tears.

"I…", she started, breathing deeply. Her nails were digging into his arms, but he didn't pay attention to that, "I was so…"

"I asked you to trust me.", reproach in his voice was too clear.

Eir looked at his face with wide smile and tears still falling from her eyes. She was looking at him like never before, as if she wanted to admire all of his face at the same time. Suddenly, she sobered.

"We need to find Thor and tell him that you are all right!", she said, trying to pull herself up, but strong hands stopped her from doing so. She looked at Loki in surprise, opening her mouth slightly.

"No", he murmured softly, brushing her cheeks with his fingers. For a short moment Eir closed her eyes, indulging in pleasure. His warm fingertips slowly wiped tears, then moved to touch her lips, which she parted unconsciously under his touch.

Today more than ever she was defenseless against his touch.

"Why?", she whispered weakly, looking at him.

He sighed quietly, moving away a little bit. Then, he stood up, offering Eir hand.

"Let's go to the ship, it will be more comfortable to talk there.", he said, looking at her expectantly. She grabbed his hand hesitantly, getting up. She wanted to ask many questions right now, but something stopped her.

Leisurely, Loki led her through the gloomy crater up to their vehicle. They were quiet, as if the words were unnecessary, but inside Eir was drowning with hundreds of questions. Calm wind soared dust under their feet, dark sky seemed brighter for her.

It's ridiculous. He comes back, explains nothing and you are happy? Logic, you know what it means?

She shook her head, trying to get rid of those thoughts. It was clear for her that Loki will explain everything. Hopefully. Besides, what's wrong with happiness? Just minutes ago she was more than sure that she had lost him forever, so it's natural that now she is happy. That's it.

"Go in.", Loki's calm voice interrupted her thoughts. With a deft move, she jumped to the ship, tidying her dress while he joined her. With a move of his hand he asked her to sit down and when she did so, he sat down opposite to her.

xxx

Short one. Actually I don't know why I posted it – maybe I wanted to "buy" myself some more time for the actual conversation of Eir and Loki, because – I am getting used to it – nothing actually satisfies me, so I keep deleting, rewriting, fussing ;) Really – I have no clue why, I simply felt a need to post this.

In the biggest part this chapter is based on Eir's memories. Those parts are copied from previous chapters, I corrected them a little, sometimes added a few sentences, but in general those were things you knew. Think this chapter as some kind of "transitional" – a bit of relief to the conscience of indecisive author. And I am not going to rush, as the next chapter will give direction for whole storyline.

Read and review!