CHAPTER 8
The next morning, Lina awoke to swollen eyes and a sore wrist. She didn't want to move. She didn't want to interact with anyone. She just wanted the bed to swallow her whole and never let her go.
A light knock at the door brought Lina back to reality.
"Who is it?"
"I have a message from the queen. She would like to walk with you today in the garden if it suits you, my lady."
"Tell her I will be there."
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She tried to cover her bruises by wrapping her hand and wrist in some fabric, intending to play it off as an injury from training. Lina couldn't do much about her eyes and she worried the queen would inquire about it when she saw her this morning.
In the garden, there were many flowers that lined the walkway. The fragrances and colors were a dazzling delight to the senses. Lina spied the queen sitting on a bench waiting for her.
"Ah, Lina. I was wondering when you were going to come."
"Apologies, my lady," Lina said, her head bent towards the ground.
"Is everything okay, my dear?" Frigga asked, tilting Lina's head to look at her.
"They will be. In time they will be."
Frigga nodded as she led Lina through the garden. "You know there are flowers from every realm in this garden. Long ago, Odin created this place. It was a reminder that no matter what realm we encountered, and no matter how much evil lay in it, there was something beautiful within it." She picked a red flower that was outlined with a brilliant blue, the fragrance bringing a smile the queen's face. "You just need to look hard enough." She pinned the flower into Lina's hair.
They shared a moment. Lina grew very appreciative of Frigga's presence and friendship. "My lady," she asked. "How do you know when you are falling in love with someone?"
Frigga's smile remained on her face. "I'm afraid it's not something I can simply tell you, Lina. It can be different for each person. But," she said, sitting on another nearby bench, "for the king and I, I could tell when he let down his walls around me. I could see every bit of his soul. I would let my heart out to him without worrying about it being damaged. When he hurt, I hurt. When he was happy, I was happy. I always wanted to be with him and the moments that went by when we were apart were too long. Even now I feel that way."
Lina nodded.
"Why do you ask?"
Lina shrugged. "Trying to figure out what's going wrong with my fairy tale I suppose."
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Returning to her room, Lina spied a long package on her desk. She walked over to it and read the message on a card that was placed upon it.
"Thor tells me your archery skills have great potential. Your father asked me to give this to you when you were old enough. Make good use of it."
Lina started to unwrap the package. A long black case lay before her eyes. Her hands made way to the latches and flipped them open. She lifted the cover to reveal the most beautiful bow she had ever seen. It was sleek, blue, and elegant. The string was white and there were Asgardian markings near the handle where her hand would sit. She pulled it out of the case and examined it.
There were no arrows, though.
Lina thought nothing of it. She could always get some from the practice area. She stood in her stance and pulled the bowstring as if she were going to let loose an arrow. Her eyes widened as the empty space filled with a bright blue arrow. It was glowing and almost seemed to be made of crystal. She eased her tension on the bow and the arrow disappeared.
She looked up towards the sky outside her room. "Thank you, daddy."
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"You wanted to see me, mother?" Loki asked.
She nodded, smiled at him, and invited him to sit on the couch with her in her quarters.
"It's been a while since you've come by to visit, my son," she said.
"I know. I've been busy lately."
She nodded. "So how goes things with Lina? Are you getting along well with her?"
Loki clenched his fist. "It could be worse."
Frigga laughed. "As you always say." She walked over to the window across from the couch she was just on. "She is a bright girl."
"She's brilliant," Loki agreed under his breath.
"She's wonderful company nowadays."
~She's amazing company.
Frigga turned to see Loki looking at the ground, a lone tear running down his face. She acted as if she didn't see it and continued looking outside.
"Mother," he asked.
She faced him. "Yes, my son?"
He thought hard about the next question he was about to ask. He would be opening a can of worms he never, ever intended to open. His mind was going to explode if he didn't. "H-h…how do you know if you're falling in love?"
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She didn't go to dinner that night. She was practicing with her new toy. It was exhilarating being able to use an instrument such as this. It was powerful, it was accurate, and it was from her father. It made her smile. She felt revitalized when using it. Her father's strength rose inside her as she danced around the field letting loose arrow after arrow.
As midnight approached, she retired to her room. A small box caught her eye on her bed, another message attached to the lid. "Garden" was the only word on it, but she recognized the handwriting all too well. She tossed the card to the side and lifted the lid of the box. Inside was a simple green emerald on a silver chain. It was radiant. Her heart fluttered at the idea of Loki giving it to her. For a moment it made her forget that she was upset with him.
Gathering her thoughts, she went down to the garden. The fragrances she had been met with earlier that day still lingered on the night air. Lina found the same flower Frigga had given her earlier that day, picked it, and sat on a bench waiting for Loki.
"It isn't wise to practice on an empty stomach," he scolded, holding out a bag to her. She could smell dinner within it and snatched it from him. "You're very welcome."
He waited a few minutes, allowing Lina to eat before he started to speak.
"About the other night," he started, his voice growing quiet. "I'm sorry you had to see that. And I'm sorry that I acted that way towards you." He glanced towards her wrist noting her bruises.
"You think I'll be so quick to forgive you?" she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "Giving me gifts and trying to woo me with your words." She shook her head. "Why is it, Loki, that whenever I get close to you, you push me away? Why do you not want to open yourself up to someone completely?"
Loki looked down as he sat next to Lina. "I've found it easier to get through life without any attachments."
"So having sex with anyone that comes along is how you get by? How you fill your cold heart with love and satisfaction?" She was surprised at the tone and anger she put into those words. She saw Loki's face change, clearly hurt by what she had said. "Do you know why I read those Midgardian stories, Loki?"
He remained silent.
"They talk of love, acceptance, and triumph. They show what falling in love can be like, how it can make you feel as if you're floating on air with nothing to worry about. They illustrate the beauty of accepting what's different until it proves too difficult to bear. Their endings are always so special, with the prince getting the girl, good outdoing evil, and everyone living happily ever after."
Loki still sat quiet, now looking at Lina's face. She was looking down at the flower.
"I'm looking for my happily ever after, Loki. I want to find one for you, too. If you keep pushing me away, though, I don't think I can." She looked back at him. For the first time he saw right into Lina's soul. Her heart was open to him, his for the taking if he wanted it.
"And where were you going to try and find me a 'happily ever after'? I fear that no one wants to be a part of my fairy tale, my storyteller," he said.
She paused. "I could be your 'happily ever after'…"
Loki looked at her in surprise. "After all I've put you through, you still want to risk a love with me?"
"What's life without a little adventure?" she asked, a small smile gracing her lips.
Loki grabbed the flower from her hands and pinned it in her hair as his mother had done earlier that day. "Indeed, my little flower. Indeed." He cupped her face in his hand and looked at her face. He saw her swollen eyes and his heart ached. "I hope I never hurt you again."
She rested her hand on his. "I know you won't."
He smiled a genuine smile, one Lina had never seen before. "So is that it then? Are we bound to each other forever now?"
Lina giggled. "Nope. You still have to court me."
Loki groaned.
"What? Do you not want to play this game of chase?" she mused, standing up from the bench.
"I'm just not used to not getting what I want when I want it," he explained, standing and looking down at her, his body dangerously close to hers.
"Then consider this a challenge. Good night, my lord." Lina turned to walk away from Loki, smiling to herself as she did.
When she was out of hearing distance, Loki replied, "Good night, my love."
I've been putting out chapters like there's no tomorrow. So many ideas and so much inspiration! I'd like to get some feedback. Do you like where the story's going? Any comments, questions, concerns? Send me a review :) Thanks for reading!
-sparrowlina