Suffering in Silence
Thor walked beside Sif, arms crossed over his broad chest. “Thor, I fear you and…he… are getting too close, you will get hurt when he- “. Thor held up a single hand to silence her, “He won’t. Something changed, and you would do well to remember he may have fallen, but he is still a prince of Asgard, a title I fought hard for him to keep.” Sif shrank in on herself a bit, taking Thor’s hand in hers, causing him to stop. “I’m sorry, but how can you forgive what he has done?” Thor’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t notice, busy trying to caress his hand. “I forgive because he deserves the chance,” the Thunderer replied, pulling his hand from her grasp. “You’re wrong about him, poor thick headed Thor,” she whispered, thinking he could not hear her as she turned to walk ahead. Sif missed the flicker of anger and hurt in Thor’s eyes, heading to Odin with long strides that left Sif far behind.
The Thunderer opened the doors to the Hall of Kings, closing them as Odin spoke. “Thor, my son, I have considered your requests. I have passed them along to the council to discuss, and they will have a decision within a month.” Thor processed the information, nodding his head slowly. “I know you have Loki’s mask. May I know why you took it with you?” Thor heaved a sigh, “He needs to be given trust before he shows it to us. I know my bro-I know Loki well.” Odin pinned Thor with a stern look from his single glittering eye. “I must trust him? I have no reason to, my son.” Thor tensed up as Frigga swept in, her skirts hiked up so she could get between Thor and Odin before it became a brawl. “He’s asking us to trust him with Loki, my dear husband. I support Thor completely on this, so will you trust US with Loki?”
Thor stared at his mother, a look of awe consuming his expression and smothering his previous anger. No one dared to stand up to Odin like Frigga did, and Thor was so grateful for her support. Odin let out a sigh, nodding. “Fine, but you must let the Midgardians know. When they call for your help, Loki will have to go with you or back into a cell.” Frigga turned to Thor, embracing him. “Hurry on now, the faster you return, the faster Loki will be free to heal.” Frigga smiled as she whispered, helping Thor to ease his guilt and worry.
The Thunderer left Frigga with a message for Loki in case he didn’t make it back in time to bring his dinner, running full-tilt to Heimdall who just smiled with his peculiar eyes focused on the Thunderer. “I believe you will succeed,” The Gatekeeper said simply, leaving Thor confused as he sent him to Midgard.
-
After a few hours of alternately yelling and doting on her husband, Frigga gathered a small feast of Loki’s favorite food and drink, taking it by herself to Loki’s cell. The Guards seemed to hide in every crack and crevice, fearing Frigga’s wrath should they bother her. It broke her heart to see Loki curled up in a corner of the room, his once soft green eyes cold and blank. “Loki, my son,” she called softly. Loki looked at her, “I’m not your blood, and you don’t have to call me such anymore.” Frigga sat down, setting the food and drink on the bed. “Blood or not, I will love you the same as I always have,” She said gently, brushing his hair back from his forehead soothingly. Loki leaned into the touch, cringing a bit with the movement. Frigga could tell he was hurt, but she didn’t delve into it as to give Loki peace.
They ate in relative silence, speaking occasionally of the past, only happy memories, and of the present they spoke of hope. Frigga cleared the dishes from Loki’s bed before she tucked him in, singing an old lullaby. Loki could feel the magic flowing in her words. She could not remove the mental scars, but she could ease his pain, create a small safe-haven within his mind, and watch over him for the night as he slept. Frigga weaved the magic through her words, hoping against all odds that Thor would return before she had to leave her other son to the wolves that lurked in the shadows. The beasts that lurked in the men who were supposed to protect her family, she made sure to weave a little present into the magic’s that would protect Loki. What a present indeed, for any who attempted forced relations or torture would suffer the greatest agony in time, and they would be marked for the rest of their lives.