Here we go again! I had some trouble writing this part, but it is done! Finally! I am starting the next one today, so hopefully I will not suffer some writer's block. Hope you had a great holiday! And of course, happy new year everybody :) So read, enjoy, review! :)
Let me know if there are some grammar or spelling mistakes.
I own nothing but OC and plot.
XVII
"Prince of Asgard. Welcome."
Milla took a step closer, her eyes never leaving the God in front of her. He stayed silent, mostly from surprise, and his position screamed in wariness. He had no idea what to expect from her, and she didn't know what was he about to do either. "You know who I am." He said finally, voice deep and steady. It was not a question, but a statement. And she smiled and took a seat. This should be interesting.
"Of course I know who you are. The Mighty Thor, Prince of Asgard, heir to the Throne." She waved her head towards the couch where he sat before she had come. "I believe Emma treated you well?" There were so many questions she wanted to ask right away, but she couldn't. Because Milla knew him, knew what kind of personality he possessed and what he liked, what he hated, she knew a lot about his earlier life before it all went downhill, but Thor knew her not. So there was no other way than pretending he was a stranger.
"Very well, thank you," he said as courteous as he was taught. Frigga's work, she knew. To be polite around strangers, this was not him around friends. And she was still not sure if she wanted him to be a friend.
"Good. I am sorry for the waiting, I didn't expect anyone." She saw how uncomfortable he was. He kept his hammer right beside him, his cape and full armour on as if he was expecting a fight when he came here. Thor looked just like she imagined him from Loki's description. Blond hair reaching his shoulders, shining blue eyes, muscles still visible underneath the leather and metal. "Would you mind setting Mjöllnir aside? I feel safer when people have no weapons in my house."
He looked at her with suspicions. Of course he didn't want to be unarmed in an unknown house so far away from home. "You can always call it back," she smiled and luckily, it worked. He stood up and put it right next to her. Milla didn't try to lift it. It was useless.
"Lady Milla, I never meant to bother you or your household. I wouldn't come if it wasn't the only option. I have one request, in the name of Odin..."
"I know why you came," she cut him off. It looked like he was tired of small talk and went directly to the important stuff. "The more important question is how?"
"Excuse me?"
"How did you get to Vanaheim? Bifrost is destroyed. And why here? Who told you about me?" not once she raised her voice. She was so curious, yes, but she kept her distance. For a few reasons.
"My Father and Mother used magic, but could get me no further. Mother said there is a rumour about a girl who helps." He answered almost instantly. That took her by surprise - Frigga knew about her? How?
"I help," she nodded. "But I can't help you. I don't know where your brother is." The words burned her lips as she said them.
For the first time, Thor smiled. And for that while, she saw exactly the man he was supposed to be, not the one he had to be. She saw careless, adventure-seeking man with a big heart hidden from the eyes of strangers. And she wanted to see more.
"That is not why I came. I need to get there and bring him home." Slowly, his face changed again. Guilt took place of pride and to-be king changed into hurt boy prince. She studied him for some time with her lips in a thin line, too afraid to express any emotion. "I know where he is."
Her nails dug into the cushion and her lips opened in surprise. He knows? How? She would have known if he appeared somewhere. No, she was not looking for him, sometimes she even assumed he was dead as everyone else was saying, but she never lost a chance to ask or listen if somebody was talking. It was impossible. Milla accidentally lighted all candles in the room by her mind and Thor flinched. A few went out right after. "Where?" she asked almost in a whisper.
"Midgard."
Milla stared at Thor for some time unable to fully understand the meaning behind his words. Midgard? "Why?" she asked.
"We are not sure," Thor answered and rubbed his tired eyes. "As far as we know, Tesseract is in his possession and Loki is not known for having good intentions."
Milla had only a small amount of knowledge about the Tesseract. She knew it was powerful and could be used as a portal to other realms, as well as a horrible weapon of mass destruction. But she also knew that it was lost for several centuries now. Her heart skipped a beat. "If the Tesseract had been found and Midgardians recognized it, the only logical explanation for keeping it would be creating weapons for defence against alien world, I dare say. Do you think he wants to use them...against Midgard?" she feared it was true. Loki had been very hot headed in decisions like this. Sacrifising a few for benefit of others, he would not hesitate to do anything for getting what eh wanted. And what he wanted the most... "Or against Asgard?"
Thor looked at her, the last signs of distrust gone. Slowly, he nodded and sighed. "I need your help to bring him home." He used those words on purpose and if she was not so trained in hiding her emotions, she would have eyes full of tears right now. Thor cared about his brother, not as a king protectiong his kingdom, but as a brother worrying about his little brother.
She nodded, unable to tell him what she truly wanted. That she would do anything to bring him back, to know how and where he is. Most of all, she wished the word "home" was there, with her, not in Asgard. But either way, she would be happy beyond words if he went back with Thor and was safe and healthy. But she couldn't tell him that. What would the Mighty Thor say to her hiding an enemy of Asgard? What would he do if he found out thet she fell in love with that madman? Would Milla become an enemy, a complice? She didn't want to know.
"I will do my best." Luckily, Emma came back with a tea for Milla, water for Thor and a bowl of grapes and cheese. She apologized for taking so long, but she was clumsy and broke two cups and cut herself while preparing cheese. Milla decided to talk to her later. She was as nervous and distressed as Emma was, but she was better at hiding it. They thanked her for everything and Milla sent her to sleep. It was late, but Milla doubted they were going to sleep soon.
"But Thor, there is one thing you should know," she sipped her tea and sat straighter. "No matter what he does," Milla still couldn't say his name out loud. "I won't take sides. I help you, because you ask, but if he asked to hide here, I would offer him a bed and a protection. Do you understand?"
He looked a little unsure, thinking about her words. "I do, but I don't really understand why."
Milla smiled. It was a sad smile. "Because you both do what you think is right. And who am I to judge?"
Thor nodded. "Wise words. But listen to me. Loki is a criminal. He betrayed his own race, he betrayed his family by lying to me, saying that Father is dead and Asgard was forbidden to me. All that because he wanted to destroy Jotunheim, because he was hurt and offended."
"Yes, I do not deny that," she struggled with herself. She knew all of that, but from his point of view. How could she defend him and deliver his words without offending Thor and being obviously on Loki's side? "But have you ever thought about it from the third point of view? Think about the person you were then - selfish, reckless, proud, and above that, hurt and angered by Odin's banishment. Jotuns were about to attack with or without Loki. And in the end, you both wanted the same thing, to end this ongoing war with Jotunheim. Ask yourself, how would you manage the attack? By force? It would end with hundreds and thousands dead. He could do it without one life taken."
And Thor thought again. A lot emotions were showing on his face at once. Confusion, hesitation, anger, guilt, and in the end, he took the mask and his face said nothing. Milla wondered who taught that who. "He could do it with lies and manipulation and did it only to get the throne."
"Yes. But he wasn't always like that, was he?" she risked.
"No," Thor confirmed her words. Of course. She knew how he was and what he did as a young boy. At least a part of it. "But he has always been ambitious."
"You are ambitious as well. He proved it by mind, you by force. Loki," she took a deep breath. The name sounded so sweet on her lips. "didn't change from night to day. Neither did you. Everyone has their limit. Maybe he hit his and needs to hit another to come back."
"I fear there is no turning back for him." Thor said quietly after a few seconds of silence. And she saw in his eyes that there was nothing Thor wished more than having his brother back, to erase all that happened and live perfectly normal life. And it hurt him to know nothing will ever be the same.
"I know." She whispered back. Whatever will happen on Midgard, and even if he came back to her, she felt Loki would not be the same man that left her those months ago. There were no facts, but there was something in the back of her head telling her that something must had happened, something to alter him a little bit more. And she was afraid.
Milla showed Thor his bedroom with promise to take him to Midgard in two days when she has all she needs to create a way. He kissed the back of her palm and wished her sweet dreams with all the charm he could managed. But she feared sleep would be a luxury for both of them. There was so much to think about.
Lady Milla had to laugh on her was back to living room. And it was such a promising evening.
Morning came faster than she expected. Milla found herself lying on a book and wrapped in her favourite blanket. Heavy rain changed her otherwise sunny room into a dark and shadowy place. She stretched her limbs and moaned when some of her bones cracked. Sleeping on a book gave her neck a terrible pain. She got up and tried a few almost forgotten exercises to start her body. But the pain in her stiff muscles was too great, so soon she gave up. "I should start exercise again." She murmured as she decided hot water would do her good.
Milla was not looking forward to this day. The few hours of sleep made her even more tired than before and knowing what was expecting her behind that door...she could name a dozen activities she would do rather than this. The clouds outside made her frown even more when she realised she would have to go outside to ensure a safe passage to Midgard. But it will be still more pleasant than staying inside and being a good host to another prince of Asgard. She tried hard not to think about his presence before going to sleep and luckily, the thick book helped, but there was nowhere to hide now. She only hoped he was still asleep.
However, that did not happen. As she walked down the stairs, she could hear voiced from dining room and one of them was undoubtedly Thor's. The other belonged to Emma the next...Andrea? Milla frowned again. This day just keeps getting better. She couldn't decide if her presence will annoy her or make her angry. Milla loved her friend, but she knew her well. Andrea was the type of person to flirt with men for fun and Thor was definitely a handsome object. Or the worse scenario, she would use a lot of innuendos and suggestions about her and him. And she was not in a mood for any of it. Milla took a deep breath and the moment she wanted to walk inside the room, there was another man talking. Milla froze on the spot. What is he doing here? That was not good.
Her acting skills took over her as she entered. "Good morning everyone," she said with as much joy in her voice as possible. All four faces turned to her and she did not hesitate. "It's a surprise to see you two." And it was a surprise for Leo when Milla kissed him on a cheek. Shortly after, she did the same with Andrea.
"I see you slept well?" Emma asked when she stood up to get her some breakfast. Milla waved her hand to stop her.
"No, but that's nothing unusual. I see you are having a good time without me. I won't bother for long."
Emma was, of course, the first one who realised that she was in a bad mood. And Milla didn't want to be that obvious, especially not in front of Leo who made her last evening so beautiful. But this was not his fault. It was all her. And now, she hated the silence she created.
"Lady Milla, I was just telling your friends about some Asgardian customs. I learned you have never been to my homeland?" Thor broke the silence with a playful smile on his lips. She could not resist smiling too and took a seat between him and Andrea. She could feel Leo's eyes on her as well as a new wave of red in her cheeks when she realised how she looked. Her hair was wet and tangled and she was wearing only a a long night robe and she was barefoot. She didn't expect to see anybody.
"No, unfortunately. Maybe some other time." Or maybe not, she thought.
"Consider this as an invitation then. My parents would want to meet the person who helped me find my brother."
"It would be an honour, my prince." She said automatically, hiding behind a polite smile and a nod. There was no way Milla would visit Asgard after all this is over. God knows what would be with Loki and she couldn't decide what would be worse - seeing him free, imprisoned or dead? No, visiting was not an option. "But now, if you excuse me, I need to arrange something. Have a nice day." Abruptly, she stood up and walked out of the room as fast as she could without running. Milla thought she could handle a conversation with all of them around one table, but it looked like she overestimated herself. Every time she looked at Thor, she was fighting with herself and sadly, she was loosing now. Every time she looked at Leo, she felt regrets. When she saw Andrea, she feared she will say something inappropriate or embarrassing. And Emma...Milla didn't want to talk about all this and Emma surely knew something was wrong.
"Milla, wait." She heard a voice behind her and then a hand on her shoulder. "Please."
She turned around to see Leo's smiling face. Great. "Yes?" She hated herself for not being able to be more pleasant.
"I just...I am sorry I came here so early but...I wanted to see you, to know if you are all right, you looked tense when I left yesterday." He mumbled silently as if he was shy, but his eyes were saying something a lot more different. He was openly undressing her in his mind. Milla almost laughed at the lack of secrecy. She did not regret how she looked like now.
"That's very sweet of you," she reached for his hand. "I am sorry I can't stay now. How about you stay for dinner?"
The invitation seemed to surprise him. "Of course, yes, thank you." His eyes finally found hers. "I hope to see you then."
Milla nodded. "I would ask you to spend a night here too," she happily noticed sparks in his eyes and continued, "but there are urgent matters I need to discuss with Thor." She enjoyed the change on his face. The power of promise, of hope and of course, imagination.
"Maybe next time?" he asked with smile. She giggled.
"If you promise to please me." She winked at him and turned around. Her mood was a lot better than before.
Dinner time came earlier than she wanted. She ought to be looking forward to the event, but the day had been going downhill since the moment she invited Leo to eat with them. And all of them noticed it. Even Thor who basically had no idea how was she behaving in a good mood. She hated saying all those words in that sarcastic tone but she just could not stop. She felt empty and angry and nothing they said made her smile sincere.
When Leo stood up to go home, she ran after him and kissed him on a cheek as an apology. He smiled and said it was all right, that everyone has a bad day from time to time. Milla promised to make it up to him, and it looked like he wasn't angry with her. She could love him at that moment.
As she came back, Emma was just sitting on a couch with Johnatan with tons of papers and drawings in front of them. Milla looked over their shoulders to discover they were arguing about Johnatan's suit and the guest list. Other time, she would at least watch them and offer an opinion, but if she sat down now, she would probably say how stupid they are in less than five minutes. She looked around to find Thor, but he was nowhere to be seen. She was glad for that. There will be time to talk later.
Milla walked out of the house and headed to one of the benches in garden. It was her favourite spot after the sun was down. Luckily, the clouds were gone for a little while and moon lit a little fountain right in front of her as well as a few trees around that were hiding the bench from anyone sitting on a terrace and looking down. Shadows that branches made were making the place very peaceful. Almost as it belonged somewhere else. A perfect place after a long, horrible day. Now, in this garden, hidden in the dark, Milla let herself think about some of it.
When she went out in the morning, she was constantly battling with her thoughts. Part of her could not stop thinking about all memories that Thor's arrival brought back. She was fighting that part, because she was sure that if she let it win, she would end up in tears or worse, angry and doing something incredibly stupid. The other part was forcing her to think about all theories that Thor suggested last night. And those thoughts could make her feel helpless. So she chose what she always did, long time ago. She chose work.
But that didn't go so well either. It was a long time since she visited the place where the portal could be created. Decades in Midgardian time. Sure, there were times when she thought a little vacation back to her favourite realm wouldn't hurt, but something had always come up. Someone always needed help. So after a while, she stopped making plans and kept working. She could not leave those people. But now, as she was standing at the bottom of a Rocky mountain, the desire to travel came back with all it's strength. And stole that little piece of happiness Leo left inside her before.
A surprise came when she entered a hidden cave and saw it. Someone had to be here not long time ago. There were symbols on the wall, the ones that, when drawn in right order, could create a passage to Midgard. Someone knew the way. Her way. Milla certainly didn't do that. She made sure to clean the wall with a spell at the same time as leaving the realm. A clever trick when she didn't want anyone else to follow her. But the person who drawn these made a mistake. One of them was not right. And she didn't want to imagine where the portal would take the person.
Of course, her first thought was that it was Loki's work. He stole her writings about secret passages from Vanaheim. But the fear was soon gone when she remembered what Thor said. It could not be him. It was impossible to get to Midgard through this portal. So she simply cleaned the wall and casted all protecting spells she knew on the place. She was helping the Prince of Asgard after all, safety was first.
But on her way home, she was not so lucky. Milla had nothing to think about anymore, so the unwelcomed thoughts were waiting for her. So she took a turn left and went to the city centre, hoping the buzz will change her interests. She walked past the market and bought some chocolate, then visited a bookstore and of course, took a new book out, then she walked around her favourite confectionery, tempted to sit down and eat her favourite ice cream. The sweet waitress once thought little Adam, Andrea's son, was hers. Milla had to smile. Those were the easier times, when the only thing she had to worry about was if she was not spending too much time with her prince. Now she knew it was not enough.
She rose to her feet and slowly walked to her house. It was dark now, asleep. Milla was happy for that. And as she was walking, she gave up and tried to solve one of the mysteries. When Thor comes to Midgard, when he finds his brother and stop him from this foolishness, what then? He will take him back to Asgard. But what will happen to Loki? She didn't know Odin, but as far as she heard, he was not the one giving mercy to traitors. And as much as she didn't like the word, Loki was a traitor. He may die. A sudden chill ran through her spine. But at the other hand, maybe Frigga and Thor will persuade Odin to keep him alive. She was sure they both still loved him, especially his mother. And then, will she feel better? When she knows that he is safe and at home? Or will she be tempted to see him again? She could, pretend she was there to see Thor and to meet the famous God of Mischief...
Milla poured a lot of whiskey to her glass. She hardly ever did that, except the anxiety attacks. It never helped though. It was only an idea, but that was better than nothing. At least alcohol made her mind lighter. And sometimes, she slept better after drinking. Emma was not talking with her for days when she did that. The girl always knew.
"May I join you?"
She instantly turned around, scared by the sudden voice. When she saw a big Thor's figure, she calmed down. Without a word, she pored him a glass of the same whiskey and handed it to him. "To the unexpected." She said softly and took a sip. A warm feeling shortly filled her insides and she turned to the terrace. Thor followed.
"I didn't want to frighten you, forgive me." He said quietly, as polite as he could. She smiled.
"There is nothing to forgive. But may I ask you for something?"
"Surely."
"Stop being so overly polite. I feel old then."
Thor laughed. "I can do that," he said and his face instantly changed into a friendlier one. "I would gladly have a friend like you."
"You have me," she nodded. Thor could be so easy to talk to. If the circumstances were different. Where were so many ifs right now. "It's a pity you don't live next door."
"Maybe it's time to move." he answered and drank. There was something less happy about the way he said it.
"I don't really think a future King would be allowed to move."
"Maybe the future King doesn't want to be a King."
That amazed her. "Why not?"
Thor looked at her a bit puzzled. She knew he was considering if it was wise to tell her. His brother had a similar look on his face moments before he told her about his origin and why he left Asgard. "I am afraid I would not be the wise king that Asgard needs."
"You were raised to be kings." She said almost in a whisper. A sentence Odin used to say to his sons. "And once, a crown was almost yours. What changed?"
"I changed." He said. "I was a fool then, selfish. Just as you said yesterday. I didn't realise what it means to be a ruler. I was built for battles, not for politics. That has always been Loki's job." There was something sad in his voice. For some while, Milla only kept looking at him, in case he wanted to say something more. Moreover, she could not find the right words. Everyone had always knew that Thor would be a king when Odin decides it was time to go, or when he dies.
"Have you ever told that to Loki?" she asked in a while. Thor shook his head.
"There wasn't an opportunity. When I realised it, it was too late and Loki sat the Throne. And his mind was already possessed by this poisonous dream. I should have known sooner."
"Yes," there was no point in denying that. Thor looked at her, maybe a bit offended, but she continued. "I thought about your brother a lot today," she admitted. But he didn't need to know why. "And you should have known. All your lives, you have been Odin's favourite, don't deny that. You are everything a son should be - strong, handsome, clever. You had right to be selfish. And I know you love Loki, but..." she took a deep breath and remembered some parts of hundreds of conversations she had with Loki. "...but he had been your shadow since the day Odin took him to Asgard. Everyone saw your talent for battles, but no one saw his talent for tactics. They saw the confident prince, not the second one that was spending time with books rather than with hammer. And let's be honest, the warriors three and lady Sif were tolerating him only because he was your brother. I would be madly jealous myself."
"I know. I realise it all now," he said, nodding. Milla had to drink so she would shut up. Luckily, Thor didn't ask how did she know all that. "I've made a mistake."
And in the silence, she created an image in her head. A perfect world. A world, where there would be three people sitting on this terrace. Milla, Loki and Thor. They would joke around, and drink and the later it got, the more philosophical their words would be. There would be no regrets and broken promises, no hurt, no disappointment. Loki would hold her in his arms and she would feel safe. And she would laugh as Thor would make fun of Loki for loving her. a perfect world. A dream.
But the reality was the exact opposite. "We all make mistakes." She laughed, bitterly. How ironic that they were both talking about trusting the same person. "I can't even count mine. There are so many."