Chapter 18: Feelings
Many unspoken things raced through Loki's mind as he sat alone on his throne. His fingers grazed the cheek that Brigid kissed. He had not received that kind of affection from anyone other than Frigga. Loki knew to sort out his feelings he needed to consult the wisest person in Asgard. He entered Odin's bedchamber where he found Frigga by Odin's side.
"My king," Frigga greeted, bowing her head.
"Mother, how fares Odin?" Loki asked as he sat by her side.
"Still no change, I'm afraid," Frigga replied before she noticed someone was absent. "Where is Brigid?"
"She is in the library. It was my gift to her for her loyalty and sacrifice for me," Loki replied.
Frigga smiled knowingly. "You have not come to speak about Odin."
Loki nodded. "I've never felt this way about anyone. I scarcely thought I could."
"You care for her?" Frigga said with a warm smile.
"More than I ever thought I could," Loki admitted, knowing he could not hide his feelings from his mother. "I want to do something for her but I do not know what."
Frigga smiled, glad to see her son had some joy in life. "I'm sure it will come to you, my son. Share your interests with her, show her the palace. I'm certain she will appreciate it."
Loki nodded, considering her words and then he knew what to do. "I thank you for your wisdom, Mother."
Frigga smiled and bowed her head. "I'm glad to serve you, my king."
Loki entered the library where he found Brigid reading a book. However, Loki knew there was something off about her. She was too quiet and she appeared too pale. Loki smiled proudly. "Your magic is impressive. It took me thousands of years before I could conjure a full projection."
Brigid appeared from behind Loki with a gloating smile. "And I just accomplished what took you thousands of years in days. "
"Most impressive," Loki replied dryly, "How did you do that? Learn a full spell in a matter of days?"
Brigid shrugged. "Well, having an entire library to yourself helps. But I was taught well by my mother and my father. I also have a photographic memory. Its why I got my PHD so young. And I read a book on Norns and their powers. I am learning to channel my inner eye so I saw you coming."
"You are truly a goddess," Loki told her.
"I am just learning to harness my powers," Brigid said humbly.
"Well we all must take small steps and you're just trying to make me feel better about the magic?" Loki laughed.
"Is it working?" Brigid asked with a cheeky smile.
Loki sighed, admitting defeat. "Yes, I must admit. Listen, I wanted to ask you and I understand if you don't want to, but I thought we could have an ax throwing game, like your mother and father used to?"
Brigid's eyes glowed with delight. "I didn't know Asgardians played axe throwing! I would love to!"
Loki offered her his arm. "Would you care for a tour of the palace before we head to the garden?"
"Why not?" Brigid asked enthusiastically before giggling like a little girl.
"What's so funny?" Loki asked.
Brigid smiled wistfully. "It's just…when I was a little girl, I used to tell my father I would visit Asgard one day. It's strange that I actually have."
"Well, I think your father would be proud of you," Loki replied.
He and Brigid roamed the halls. "That large structure is our observatory," Loki said.
"Wait, so you study the stars just like we do?" Brigid asked in disbelief.
"Essentially yes," Loki answered.
Brigid was taken aback. "This is amazing. This is what I studied in school before I got my PHD."
Loki led her to the gardens where he conjured a target and two axes. "Well, we all know you're clever, but how well can you throw that ax?"
Loki tossed his ax, where it landed just outside the target. Brigid smiled before she tossed her ax, embedding it dead center in the target.
Loki gazed at her in disbelief while Brigid grinned cheekily.
"How did you do that?" Loki asked. "The only person better than you is my brother."
Brigid conjured an ax before guiding Loki into position. "Take a step back. Hold your ax straight and take a step with your non dominant foot before you throw."
Loki took a step back and made sure he held his ax straight. Just as Brigid said, he took a step with his right foot before he threw his ax. This time, his ax embedded itself next to Brigid's just missing the bullseye.
"You learn quickly," Brigid commented.
"You're a good instructor. Your birth parents taught you well," Loki complimented. "But do you know how to use that when it matters?"
Loki advanced on her with his ax, and Brigid raised her defense, blocking his attack.
"Never use a low defense. Always attack and defend from high," Loki instructed her. "You fight well. Where did you learn?"
"I was bullied when I was a child, so I learned to defend myself," Brigid explained. "When I went to university, I took a self defense class."
Loki nodded. "You are a good fighter but always keep your weapons up. Do it."
Loki advanced again, and Brigid was on the defense, her ax raised high as she blocked Loki's attack. Brigid then advanced on Loki, swinging her ax high before she tripped him and pinned him, her ax at his throat.
Loki smiled at her, impressed. "You're most impressive, Brigid Stark."
Later that night, Brigid slept uncomfortably. She sweated in her sleep as she awoke. Brigid knew something was not right. She closed her eyes and then she could see her father, much to her delight.
"Father, Father, I'm here!" Brigid cried, desperate for her father's attention.
Tony did not hear her and turned away after stapling a picture of her on a telephone pole. Brigid broke the magic with a gasp. Brigid put on her robe and walked out to the gardens, where she was found by Loki.
"Can't sleep?" Loki asked.
Brigid sighed. "I saw my father. He's looking for me, still. I fear something will happen if I don't go back. "
"You wish to leave?" Loki asked.
Brigid nodded tearfully. "He always looked after me. He needs me."
Loki nodded, considering what to do. He had come to care for Brigid and it burned him to let her go. Yet he knew she needed her father, and he knew what was right. "Then you must return."
Brigid was taken aback and touched. "I'm free?"
Loki smiled bitterly. "You were my guest, never my prisoner. I will take you to Heimdall."
Loki escorted Brigid to the Big road where they met Heimdall. "Heimdall, you will escort Brigid Stark back home."
Heimdall nodded. Brigid turned to Loki. "Thank you for being so kind to me."
"You are a wonderful friend, Brigid," Loki said with a smile before he handed her a stack of books. "Here, I pulled some books from the library to continue your magic. You will make quite the goddess."
Brigid stared tearfully at Loki as Heimdall inserted in sword in the pedestal and the Bifrost glowed and whirred to life. Brigid turned back to Loki, fearing the worst if she did not speak now. "Loki!"
Loki turned as Brigid threw her arms around him and her lips melted into his. In a shimmer of light, Brigid was gone. Loki remained in the observatory, shaken by his first kiss with Brigid. He withdrew to Odin's chamber, where he met Frigga. Loki wore a grim expression, concerning his mother.
"Loki, is something wrong? Where is Brigid?" Frigga asked, worried for her son.
Tears sparkled in Link's eyes. "I sent her home."
"Why? Did something go wrong?" Frigga asked.
"No," Loki replied sadly. "She wanted to be with her father."
Frigga held his hand. "I can see when I'm being lied to. Why did you let her go?"
Loki's heart tore in two as he knew he could not deny the truth any longer. "I love her."
In a flurry of light, Brigid found herself looking upon a familiar sight. She beheld the brilliantly lit up Stark Tower. Brigid entered the building and took the elevator. Brigid's breath stilled as the elevator doors opened and she beheld her father for the first time in ages. Tony turned to find his daughter standing before him .
"Dad," Brigid breathed.
Tony stared at her, fearing he was dreaming. He reached out and embraced Brigid, and his heart soared to find she was real.
"I knew you'd come back, Little Leprechaun," Tony whispered tearfully.
Brigid lingered in her father's embrace and her heart was glad to be back.