Maryn was called for an audience with Odin and Frigga. She had been away from court for six months and had refused to return. Now, however, the Allfather and Allmother believed it would be best if she stepped back into society and started interacting with the Aesir again. Rumours had been circulating, as they always did. For the most part, they were harmless lies about what the Dark Prince had done before his death, and were easy to ignore. However, troubling news from Mithros had arrived. The new Council had sent an envoy carrying a missive, which requested Maryn's return to her home world to undergo a trial and sentencing, now that the protection of Loki's rank and title were no longer applicable.

When Maryn was shown into the private audience chamber of the royal couple, she saw Frigga standing staring down into the pool in the middle of the room, her long, delicate fingers twisting into the blue gown she was wearing. Odin stood to the side, his hands folded behind his back and his gaze on the world outside the large balcony that overlooked the city.

"Allfather, Allmother," Maryn murmured with a deep curtsy, her black gown pooling gracefully around her and her head bowed, Fenrir at her side.

"Daughter," Odin nodded as Frigga moved forward and embraced the smaller woman. Even he could see that she looked ill and distracted.

Maryn had to force her mind to focus on the two Aesir before her. The magic of the forest and even the universe around Asgard was calling to her more powerfully than ever before.

"Maryn?"

She blinked and looked at the Allmother and Allfather, her thoughts having wandered as she felt a violent tug on her mind. "Forgive me," she lowered her gaze for her magic was bubbling to the surface and she knew it would be seen shining in her eyes. "What was it you wished to speak to me about?"

Odin and Frigga shared a worried look but didn't comment. "We wish to speak to you about returning to court," Frigga said gently, the look of inattention flickering over Maryn's face as she spoke. "Odin and I believe it is time for you to be visible at our side when we hear from our people."

Maryn gained control over the noticeable effects of her magic and lifted her gaze to the royals once more, "To put to bed the rumours that the people of Mithros have asked that I come to trial for my crimes against them."

It wasn't a question and both Frigga and Odin were surprised that she even knew that the planet was calling for her to atone for her 'crimes'.

Odin nodded, "Yes that is one reason. Nevertheless, you have been away from court too long now, Maryn. I do not believe Loki would have wanted you to suffer alone as you do."

The words tore at her and Maryn turned her tear-filled gaze to the flagstones once more. "There are many things I believe Loki would not have wanted, father," she murmured. "…Is this a request or a command?"

Odin sighed, "A command."
She looked up at him and saw for a moment the toll losing Loki had taken on him. His white beard and hair and the wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes told of how tired he truly was. Frigga was the same, silver strands now laced through her still vibrant blonde locks. Curtsying, Maryn looked away from their pitying gaze, "As you wish, Allfather."

Turning to leave she stopped at Frigga's next words. "Would you have agreed if Odin had not commanded it, dear one?"

Without turning, the petite brunette lowered her head, "No, mother, I would not." With that said, she lifted her chin and swept elegantly out of the room.

Frigga sighed and turned to Odin, "I am worried about her."
The Allfather gathered her into tight hug seeing the grief and anxiety in her gaze, "She will heal, as we all will, my love."

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Early the next morning a message came from Frigga to Maryn's chambers. She was expected to be in court after breaking her fast. Odin would be presiding and would listen to any grievances or disputes brought to him for a verdict.

Feeling slightly disorientated, the princess wondered if she could beg out of the day and stay abed, however, she knew that would not be an option, not after Odin had commanded that she attend court that day.

Taking a breath and settling her magic, as she had had to do more and more frequently of late, she pushed back her bed sheets and sat on the edge of the mattress, her knees pulled to her chest. Fenrir padded over and sat before her, stretching his neck a little to drop his chin on top of her bare feet.

The creature had increased in size, his head now reached above her shoulder, and he was still growing.

Reaching out a hand, she carded her fingers through his pitch-black fur, the wiry softness of it comforting. "Will you stay with me, Fenrir?" she murmured to the animal.

Eyes on his mistress, the wolf lifted its head and pulled back, licking her fingers and looking at her with a sharp gaze that others saw as utterly too intelligent for a creature of the forest; Maryn just saw the small pup whom she and Loki had saved what felt like years before. With a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Maryn ran her hand over his ears watching them flick before he pulled his head out of her reach with a huff. He had always become irritated when she teased him in such a way. It had been something she did to pester him when he was younger but ever since her world had crumbled, she had been too overcome with grief to do much more than cling to him as she wet his fur with her tears.

Sighing and realising her light-headedness was not going away any time soon, Maryn kissed Fenrir on the nose and then stood carefully. She didn't want to fall and then have to call one of her maids to help her up. It would undoubtedly be Tora who came to her aid and Maryn didn't have the strength to endure the awkwardness that had grown between her and her oldest friend.

Dressing in a back sleeveless gown with a high neck, a yoke of gold lace set over black chiffon at the neckline and bust, and a hem of the same gold lace, Maryn started to get ready for her first day back at court. It had another two, rounded layers of chiffon edged with gold lace ending at different levels and open to the high waistline. Her hair she pinned in an elegant low bun in the shape of a flower and slipped hanging black crystal earrings flecked with gold into her earlobes.

With the note, Frigga had sent a large carved wooden box. Inside was the crown Maryn had worn the day of her wedding. Trembling, the princess lifted the delicate gold ornament from the velvet interior of the box and ran her thumb over the largest of the green gems, which was set into the centre of the headpiece. Mustering up the strength to put on the crown, Maryn took a deep breath and set it on her head. The only other ornaments she wore were her wedding ring and Loki's pendant around her neck.

Fenrir walked beside his mistress toward the throne room, his gate shortened to match hers. She knew he could sense that she was struggling and tried to use a spell to strengthen her body. It worked for a few moments but then her strength was sapped again and she nearly stumbled at the guarded doors. One of the soldiers standing sentry reached out a hand to steady her but she waved him away, her other hand reaching out to lay, in a seemingly delicate hold, on her wolf's shoulder. The creature was the only one privy to the tightness of her fingers on his fur and the way she leaned almost her whole weight onto him before she gained her footing and lifted her chin, walking into the throne room with as much poise and grace as she could.

The herald announced her and she walked up to the dais steps and then curtsied to Odin, Frigga standing at his right hand and Thor at his left. When she straightened, Odin motioned for her to climb the steps and stand next to Thor. She made her way to Thor's left refusing to show any weakness despite the sudden pain radiating from the fingers on her right hand.

As Odin called the levee to order and started to hear requests and complaints Thor glanced surreptitiously at Maryn. She was dressed impeccably, and seemed as though she was effortlessly and fully engrossed in what was going on in the room around them. However, he could see the glow of sweat on her brow and the muscles in her jaw clenching and unclenching. Leaning toward her, he murmured lowly so that only she could hear, "Are you feeling alright, sister?"

Maryn's hands balled into fists as a phantom weight pressed down on her chest. She couldn't breathe let alone speak.

Thor saw her face turn as white as snow and then, as suddenly as she had paled, there was an audible crack and her small form doubled over, her golden crown falling to the stone floor with a ringing clink.

There were a few moments of silence and then another snap and Maryn's voice broke with a tight scream as she fell to her knees, her arms wrapping around her torso. Shock had everyone frozen around her but the sight of crimson blood dripping from between her lips and bruises forming around her throat as she gasped for air, tears streaming down her cheeks and her eyes wide and terrified, galvanized Thor into action. He wrapped his arms around her and tried to help her sit up but, with another sickening crack, Maryn's back bowed and a shrill scream of agony broke from between her lips before she started coughing and gagging on her own blood.

"Bind her magic, Allmother!" Tora screamed, terrified as she ran from the crowd staring in traumatized silence at the foot of the throne's dais.

Frigga knelt beside Maryn as she writhed in agony, deep bruises appearing on her skin as her spine curved and she screamed again. "It is a dark spell cast to kill her," the Allmother murmured as she waved her hand, her glowing white magic wrapping around Maryn as she cried out, her hand reaching for Thor's before the agony slowly receded.

The God of Thunder held her to his chest as her eyes closed and she fell into unconsciousness, her body relaxing against him. He lifted his eyes from the blood smearing her skin to his mother, "What happened?"

Tears sliding freely down her cheeks, Frigga shook her head, "It felt like a surge of power. The only explanation must be Mithros trying to assassinate her."

Odin put his hand to his wife's shoulder, the world of magic as strong as what he had just witnessed seemed too surreal. "Take her to her chambers and call for a healer." He then turned to the crowd around him who had looks of fear and horror painted clearly across each face. "The audience if finished. Pray for your princess," he dismissed them.

Thor stood, carefully cradling Maryn in his arms before he turned and carried her out of the throne room. Frigga, Odin and Tora followed behind, the hulking form of Fenrir trailing them.

Once in her rooms, Thor and Odin stepped back and let the two women settle Maryn in her bed. Frigga waved them from the room and used a spell to change Maryn's blood-stained gown into a soft, white nightdress. She then sat down beside the bed and started a new spell.

"Allmother, what are you doing?" Tora asked having settled beside Maryn on the bed and started running her fingers through the hurt woman's hair to make sure she stayed calm, her own magic wrapping around the brunette to help her heal.

"I need to fully bind her magic, and make sure that whatever spell this was cannot break through the defences again." Frigga spoke grimly.

Tora felt tears fill her eyes, "She won't be able to use her power again?"

Crying silently, Frigga pressed her lips together and nodded, "It is the only way I know how to protect her."

Conjuring a bowl filled with warm water and a soft cloth, Tora nodded and then proceeded to gently wash away the blood dried around Maryn's lips and chin.

Frigga had refused to call for a healer and instead set about healing the broken bones in Maryn's wrist, arm and her three snapped ribs with spells.

"My Lady," Tora spoke up when Maryn was settled and healed, but still lay silent and still as death. She looked up at the Allmother, "What if this wasn't Mithros? Perhaps it was the bond she has with Prince Loki? What if the Trickster still lives?"

Frigga closed her eyes but shook her head, "He did not survive the fall, Tora. No one could have survived such a thing." Reaching out the Allmother cupped Maryn's cheek, watching with a sad smile as Fenrir hopped up on the bed and settled down on the mattress at his mistress's feet. "Loki is dead, Tora. But I will not see my daughter die as well."