When Elizabeth woke, she realized that it was late morning and that Loki was nowhere to be seen. Making her way to the adjoined bathroom, she found a beautiful bronze colored dress and cape folded on the nightstand. After bathing, she dressed and left to go looking for Frigga.
/
Frigga was waiting for Elizabeth in the sitting room. Frigga had conjured the dress and the bath for her as soon as she felt Elizabeth's energy begin to stir. While Frigga waited for the girl, she inspected Elizabeth's stitching from the night before. Her stitches were small and delicate, the skill easily recognizable. On the blue cloth, was a half finished emerald vine twined around something that was unrecognizable in its current state. Frigga set it aside as Elizabeth entered.
/
I felt silly in the bright fabric and tiny crystals that made up the dress. The fitted form made me feel exposed despite the long sleeves and draping cape. The boat neck made me self conscious of the contrast my dull, pale shoulders had against the bright fabric.
When I entered the sitting room, Frigga stood and greeted me warmly. "How did you sleep last night Elizabeth?" I forced myself to stand straight. "Very well, thank you." She nodded knowingly. "Would you join me for a short walk in my garden?" I nodded and she led me to a set of wide doors.
Stepping through them, the sunlight engulfed her form and her light gold dress made her skin and hair glow. I was momentarily breathtaken by her splendor. Then I followed her through the door and was struck with an even more beautiful sight. The garden was filled with a multitude of plants and flowers I had never seen. The sunlight illuminated the seemingly limitless hues of green and all other shades of the rainbow. As we stepped further into the foliage, I noticed flowers that seemed to be made of precious stones and metals. I touched one of these and was surprised to find it was alive and growing. Once or twice, I swore I saw a flash of fur or feathers among the leaves.
It was a while before we finally reached another set of wooden doors. Pushing through these, I found that we were in a different part of the palace. Turning to me again, she smiled at the traces of wonder still evident in my expression. "And now I think we should visit the kitchens. You're hungry." I opened my mouth to protest but a small groan from my stomach spoke for me. She smiled again and led me to a small door down the hall.
Upon opening this door, the smell of a thousand different foods greeted us. Placing a light hand on my shoulder, she guided me through the kitchens. Dodging the rushing bodies and nodding in acknowledgement to each 'my lady' and 'your majesty', we made our way to the back where a small alcove housed a table and a couple of chairs.
It was sheltered from the bustle of the main kitchens and very cozy in comparison to the rest of the airy palace. After we had set down, a young girl, younger than most I had seen, brought us a loaf of bread, jelly, two cups, and a pot of aromatic tea. After serving us both, she scurried off to the main kitchens again. Taking a small sip of tea, Frigga smiled contentedly. Hoping that I was not too bold, I voiced what had been nagging me since last night. "How is it that when I woke this morning, Loki was gone, but I'm not supposed to be apart from him?"
Frigga took a small bite of bread. "He only commanded that you not leave him, he may come and go as he pleases, as long as it is his choice to do so. Therefore, when he left you in your chamber this morning, he freed you from all responsibility to stay with him, until you meet again." I nodded. Wanting to move from the uncomfortable subject of my bondage, I racked my brain for something to say.
"Your garden is very beautiful. I've never seen anything like it." She laughed softly. "It is collected from many different realms. It is also the only one in Asgard." I realized that I had not seen any other growing things in the city. "Why is it the only one?" Frigga sighed sadly. "Magic is not generally considered a worthwhile pursuit in Asgard."
I furrowed my brows. "What does magic have to do with the garden?" She chuckled again. "Magic is not just for conjuring things. Magic is in everything. Even without knowing it, everyone can use magic. Magic is what makes some people good at growing things, others compose music, and still others create beautiful works of art." I still didn't really understand but it all sounded very nice. She must have seen my lingering confusion because she chuckled at me. "Magic is the energy that we take from our surroundings. We use that energy to live and breathe. The excess energy can be stored and released to perform a multitude of other things" I decided that it all sounded very zen to me.
I ventured another question. "So, if everyone can have magic, why don't people here like it?" Frigga filled my cup again before speaking. "It is not that they do not like it, magic is just not considered an equal to brute force. Most magic here is used to make household tasks easier. Loki is one of the very few to use it in combat. Many warriors think that using magic in a fight is deceitful and dishonorable." She swished her hand dismissively. "I don't determine what is right and what is wrong." Finishing off her slice of bread, she looked at me thoughtfully. "I think it is time we returned to my chambers. We have some unfinished business with my sons."
/
Loki had left Elizabeth just before the early rays of dawn shone above the horizon. Wandering the quiet halls of the palace, he felt an aching sadness bubble up from the dark recesses of his heart. He missed Asgard. Not because he loved the place or the people, because it was his home. His childhood had been bright in between the sparkling columns. He had loved his family then.
When his peers had surpassed him in physical prowess, and he found himself the butt of jokes, he had found refuge with his mother and her knowledge of magic. Odin and Thor never quite understood, but they accepted him and his talents readily enough. When others were not so kind, Loki sought revenge in practical jokes.
Lost in his thoughts, Loki didn't notice that the rest of the palace was waking up till he almost ran into a very disheveled looking Fandral. Recovering quickly, Loki shot the man a sideways sneer. "Been having fun lately?" Fandral swept back his hair, inadvertently revealing a dainty red handprint on his cheek. Straightening himself, Fandral rolled his eyes ever so slightly. "Good morning to you too." Fandral shot a glance at the gold peeking out from under Loki's sleeve. "Are you looking for Thor?"
Loki didn't answer. Instead, he brushed briskly past Fandral and headed toward the library. He intended to lose himself for the day in a jumble of books. To his ever growing irritation, he found his plans thwarted yet again by Hogun and Volstagg. They were locked in a heated argument and Loki almost slipped past them. Volstagg was the first to notice the dark figure. "Ah! Loki! Are you looking to break your fast? If you are, I just might have to join you."
Hogun scoffed and rolled his eyes. "We just left the kitchens." He raised his eyebrows in his customarily grim expression of mirth. "If you eat much more, there will be no steed strong enough to carry you." Volstagg finished off another hunk of bread and jam. Smiling he replied, "Then I will have no need of armor. My girth would be so great that no blade would harm me. The malice of the enemy would merely rebound."
Loki could hear Volstagg's deep laughter rumble down the hallway. He was glad, for once, of Volstagg's talkative nature. He had used the opportunity to finally arrive at the library. Now that he was safe within the stacks of yellowed tomes, he let his mask relax for the time being.
Thank you for taking the time to read this new installment. I apologize for its short stature and long wait. I would like to thank those that commented. It truly does push me on. Until next time, stay limitless.