Arvid rose from the armchair, setting his drink on the table, turning to face Loki who remained standing behind the chair.
“Your friends outside-” Arvid began.
“I don’t believe ‘friends’ is quite the right word. They’re sworn to safeguard the lives of those closest to the throne. Unless you’re planning to do away with me...though after our earlier encounter…”
“I’m sorry,” Arvid said as Loki rounded the chair, Arvid side stepping from between it and the table.
”Others have done worse. Ask Sif if you don’t believe me. You could learn a thing or two from her,” Loki said with a slight grin as he approached Arvid, standing before him and placing a hand on his cheek, “I should have told you of my plans. It’s far from the first time I’ve disappointed you,” Loki finished before moving his lips to Arvid’s.
“I don’t believe now is the right time...under the circumstances…” Arvid said as he swiftly stepped back.
“Well then, I’ll leave you to fret...that’s new,” Loki said, looking past Arvid at a shelf holding sculptures of various sizes, walking around Arvid to stand before it as Arvid turned, “Is this one of Eluf’s pieces?” Loki asked, examining the black stone idol in the shape of a featureless man.
Behind Loki, Arvid removed his tunic, allowing it to drop to the floor, revealing his torso.
“It's not his style,” Loki said as he turned, “I see you’ve changed your mind-” Loki said as Arvid’s form morphed into that of a minotaur, the man-beast reaching out to grasp Loki by the throat, Loki vanishing, Dario's hand closing around empty air.
Loki reappeared behind him, a dagger in his grip, sinking it into Dario’s hairy back. Dario bellowed in pain, turning and striking Loki with his bulky, muscular arm, sending Loki soaring across the room to crash into the wall.
A second crash came from the direction of the front door as the einherjar stationed outside broke it down, rushing inside, swords drawn. Dario reached behind him, pulling Loki’s dagger from his flesh, flinging it at them, the einherjar moving to avoid it as he grabbed the idol from the shelf and barreled toward them and the door. The einherjar took a battle ready stance, Dario powering past them and sending them flying in opposite directions as he charged through the broken door into the night. After recovering, the einherjar rushed to Loki as he was picking himself up off the floor, taking hold of his arms to assist him.
“I’m fine,” Loki said, the einherjar continuing to grasp his arms as he rose to his feet, “I said I’m fine!” Loki exclaimed, the einherjar releasing their grip, “Remain here,” Loki ordered them, turning from them, heading in the direction of a doorway at the far side of the room.
Loki entered Arvid’s bedchambers, firelight from the burning cauldrons flickering on the walls. Examining the room he noticed nothing amiss until his eyes fell on a bit of fabric sticking out from the bottom of one of the two doors of a standing wardrobe. Quickly crossing the room to it Loki opened it, stepping back as the top half of Arvid’s body limply flopped out of it, his glassy, lifeless eyes staring up at Loki.
Loki looked down at the body of his former friend and lover with an expression of grief and remorse. Taking the cadaver in his arms, he carried it from the wardrobe to lay it out on the bed. Loki moved Arvid’s arms to lie across his chest, one hand atop the other, gently closing the dead man’s eyes before seating himself on the edge of the bed, reaching out and placing his palm on Arvid’s forehead.
“Arvid, son of Balfour…my friend, I bid you to take your place in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave live forever. Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those who have died the glorious death.”
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Loki exited Arvid’s bedchambers, returning to the front room to find Heimdall and two more einherjar standing along with the einherjar who had accompanied Loki.
“I’m sorry I didn’t arrive sooner. He is able to cast shadows to conceal himself from my sight,” Heimdall explained.
“See to him,” Loki said, striding past Asgard's gatekeeper, one of his two einherjar escorts returning his dagger to him as both followed him as he exited Arvid’s abode through the gaping front door.
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Thor glanced at the light red stain left on the plaster wall, the fire in the cauldron low but enough to see by, the easel and other artist’s accouterments having been moved into the corner, as Vanar clutching Wolfie climbed into bed, Thor tucking him in.
“When will father be back?” asked Vanar.
“I’m sure he’s on his way as we speak.”
“Do you love my Mommy? You kissed her,” Vanar said, Thor silent for a moment, pondering how to reply.
“She kissed me. She was unwell. She’ll feel better in the morning.”
“Father said he couldn’t come here but he did. What if he gets him?” Vanar asked anxiously.
“Your father is an able warrior. We’ve fought side by side many times against Asgard’s enemies. He’s more than capable of defending himself.”
“I certainly am,” Loki said from the doorway, Thor turning his head, Vanar sitting up in bed as Loki entered the room.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” said Thor.
“You should have been in bed some time ago,” Loki told Vanar.
“We were finishing a game,” Thor explained.
“Who won?” asked Loki.
“The final tally was five games to three, in Vanar’s favor,” answered Thor.
“Well done,” Loki said to Vanar with a smile, seating himself on the edge of the bed as Vanar laid back down, Loki leaning over and kissing his forehead, “Goodnight. Pleasant dreams.”
Loki rose as Thor made his way to the bedroom door, Loki following, closing it behind them.
“Where’s Boda?” asked Loki.
“She retired early. She had an episode.”
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“An episode? Did Vanar witness it?” Loki asked, concerned.
“No. It was short lived, likely brought on by fatigue, her worry over him.”
“Arvid is dead,” Loki said, Thor reacting with shock at the news, “Dario must have seen us together in the plaza this afternoon, overheard our plans to meet and followed him home in the guise of Stian before his murder had been discovered. I injured him but he was able to escape.”
“I’m sorry, brother, you had cared for him for some time,” Thor said, placing a hand on Loki’s shoulder, struck by Loki’s seeming lack of emotion, “Despite what the blessing says, you are allowed to mourn him.”
“I’ll mourn him in my own way,” Loki said, turning away from Thor, walking across the room to the chaise and seating himself, resting his elbow on the arm, his forehead on his closed fist in both physical and emotional exhaustion.
“It may be best if I remain for the night,” Thor said as he followed Loki, sitting down in the armchair across from him.
“I discovered him in his wardrobe. It’s fitting...we first met at the clothier. By the end of that evening we found ourselves three sheets to the wind and-– you'd have no interest in the rest.”
“You’ve spent too much time in Midgard. Asgard grew past such prejudices long before even father’s time. Though I don’t share your proclivities, I’m not troubled by them, though you’re correct that I have no desire to hear of the details.”
“Boda told me of a mortal she met in her tavern. He was beaten by two ruffians for such ‘proclivities.’ He died in her arms. At least he was afforded that comfort at his end. I visited the healer. There’s been no progress on a remedy.”
Thor, taking note of Loki’s stony expression, rose from the chair and seated himself beside Loki on the chaise.
“I had told Boda many times never to accept food or drink from an enemy, even to be wary of that offered by friends under certain circumstances,” Loki said, breaking the silence.
“None of this is your doing,” Thor assured him, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
“I'm sure Father would disagree. Say nothing to Boda of Arvid,” Loki told Thor before rising from the chaise.
“Where are you going?” Thor asked.
“To bed. Needless to say after the events of this evening...”
“You’re sharing a bed?”
“It will be far from the first time. Where else would I sleep? On this?” Loki said, indicating the chaise, “You’re welcome to it.”
“Do you think it’s wise?”
“The eitr has rendered her nearly as weak as mortals and as vulnerable. It’s unlikely she could do me harm,” Loki said, Thor recalling the bruising to Boda’s wrist he had caused with what he had considered a weak grip, “I’m more concerned about Dario paying a visit. Before I became aware of his ruse I gave away our location.”
“He would make it no farther than the door,” Thor said confidently, extending his arm, Mjolnir sailing from where Thor had sat it beside the chair into his hand.
“There’s no need to try to sooth my anxieties as if I were a child,” Loki said, recalling Thor’s assurances to Vanar earlier that day, “May I ask you something?”
“Of course,” Thor replied.
“Have you never questioned why father bestowed Mjolnir on you yet he has never gifted me such a weapon?” Loki asked.
“You have your magic.”
“A poor substitute compared to a weapon forged in the heart of a dying star.”
“What’s your point?” asked Thor.
“Asgard can afford the loss of a shepherd and an architect, even one such as I skilled in Asgardian magic, but not the heir to Asgard’s throne.”
“Father has not yet declared between us.”
“You can’t possibly be such a dunce. If Dario makes an appearance here take Vanar and Boda and flee to our old hideaway as children. It’s within the boundaries father set. I will deal with him.”
“I have never shrank from battling Asgard’s foes,” Thor said, setting Mjolnir down and standing from the chaise to face Loki.
“Not all defeats come in battle. He wants the goblet but for whatever reason he wants Vanar as well. There would be no other reason to poison her. As Arvid was fond of saying, may fortune favor us.” Loki said as he turned away from Thor, taking a step toward the bedroom in which Boda slept.
"Loki..." said Thor.
Loki turning back to face him, his stony, stoic mask slipping for a quick moment to expose an expression of profound grief. Thor embracing his sibling.
“I grieve with you your loss, brother,” said Thor.
“His mistake was involving himself with me. It rarely turns out well for anyone it seems," Loki replied as Thor ended the embrace, gripping Loki's shoulders.
“This is not the first time Asgard has faced danger. We will emerge victorious as we always have. The goblet is safe in the vault. I will keep watch. Sleep well, brother.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The clanking of chains filled the throne room as Boda, wearing a simple gray gown, was led in shackles by four einherjar towards the throne upon which Odin sat. Beside the throne stood Loki, both father and son glaring down at her as she and her guards reached the presentation area at the foot of the dais.
Turning her head to the left, Boda’s eyes fell upon Frigga who stared back at her in silence with an expression of sadness and disappointment.
“I’m sorry–” Boda began to say to Frigga in a choked voice before Odin interrupted, his booming voice echoing through the expansive chamber.
“The prisoner will be silent!”
Boda turned back to face Odin, looking up at him as he stared back at her icily.
“You have been brought before me to face justice for your act of treason against the throne and the people of Asgard. Do you admit to your misdeeds? What have you to say for yourself?”
“I had no intention of harming anyone.”
“You don’t consider enslaving another’s mind, stealing their free will as causing harm? You seduced my son in the hopes of using him to gain knowledge that would assist you in your scheme.”
“I didn’t ‘seduce’ him! He was the first to call on me!” Boda exclaimed.
“You sought to usurp the throne,” Odin continued, ignoring Boda’s protest, “You believed you could do better than myself governing Asgard and safeguarding the peace of the realms?”
“No! Not at–” Boda began, her eyes meeting Loki’s, his face expressionless and unfeeling as if he were a statue. Breaking off, she paused for a moment, hanging her head, “You sent my father and many others to their deaths.”
“Your father willingly pledged to sacrifice his life in the defense of Asgard and the realms. He was in no way coerced to do so. He died honorably and nobly defending others who could not defend themselves.”
“I needed him more than did the realms,” Boda responded, continuing to gaze at the stone floor.
“I held your father in high esteem. He earned my trust and respect and the high station to which I raised him. Your actions dishonor him,” Odin said, silent tears escaping Boda’s eyes upon hearing his words.
“My King…” Frigga spoke, Odin looking to her and raising his hand in a gesture demanding silence, Frigga acquiescing, bowing her head.
“For your act of treason, I sentence you to death, the sentence to be carried out immediately,” Odin said, banging Gungnir, his spear, on the floor, the sound echoing through the throne room.
“What?!” Boda said, raising her head.
As Odin stood from the throne, an einherjar approached from behind Boda and her guards carrying a golden gilded block, placing it on the stone floor in front of Boda. The guards surrounding her took hold of her, moving her to her knees before it. Boda witnessed Odin magically produce a large axe in his free hand, offering it to Loki who took it from him, stepping down from the dais.
Boda struggled against the guards as they held her firmly, forcing her head down onto the block as Loki approached. Boda fought to turn her head to look up at him, their eyes meeting once more, Loki staring down at her coldly as he raised the axe.
“Loki! No!” Boda cried out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Boda shot upright in bed, her cry reverberating off the plaster walls of the cottage’s bedchamber. Loki, lying awake on his side, his back to her staring at shadows from the cauldron’s flames, turned over and sat up, startled.
“What is it?” Loki asked as grasped her arm, Boda’s breathing slowing as she leaned forward, covering her face with her hands.
“Your father...he ordered my execution...he gave you the axe…”
“It was only a dream,” said Loki reassuringly as he relaxed, turning his head toward the door as he heard a knock.
“Is everything alright?” Thor asked from the other side.
“All’s well. Only a nightmare,” Loki called out in answer to his brother.
“It was so real…I was taken before your father as on that day…”
“Boda, look at me," Loki gently commanded, Boda slowly lowering her hands, turning her head to face him, “Even if my father were to threaten me with the axe, I would never do such a thing.”
“When did you return?”
“Not long ago. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Your friend, you broke with him?”
“Yes,” Loki replied tersely.
“Did he take it as badly as you feared?”
“He accepted it nobly and honorably,” Loki replied as Boda studied his face, noticing in the dim light from the cauldron burning low near the far wall that they appeared red and slightly swollen.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”