King Loki
It had been nearly two days since Thor’s banishment and you were still trying to process it all. You haven’t seen Loki since your last talk, nor Lady Frigga since you had awoken. You thought to visit Odin but now did not seem like the time. You decided instead to use the unusual calm to gather your thoughts and maybe practice your knife skills. You made your way to the garden but paused as you reached its entrance. Standing next to a tree admiring the flowers was Frigga. You slowly began to back away as to not disturb her but her voice caused you to pause.
“I’ve been expecting you.”
Of course she has. Frigga turned to you and you could see the toll that everything had put on her. She still had her feminine grace, but she looked like she had aged 1000 years. You had never seen her look more fragile. You held your breath as you slowly moved to her. She took a seat on a nearby bench, turning her attention back to the flowers. You cautiously took a seat next to her but kept your gaze on your lap.
“He’s the king now.”
You felt your brow crease as you processed her words.
“Loki.”
She had seemed to sense your confusion.
“I see.”
You didn’t know what to say, or what she wanted to hear. It was all so bittersweet.
“What do you think of all this?”
You took a breath, collecting your thoughts. Honestly, you’ve been trying to process all this for a while and it still hasn’t sunk in. But the silence began to eat away at you and soon words began to spill from your mouth without as much as a thought.
“Loki will be a good king, he is very wise.”
“And Thor?”
“Thor would also have made a good king, he has his people’s confidence.”
You heard Frigga sigh and chanced a glance in her direction. Her eyes were still fixed on the flowers.
“I’m afraid you are wrong, sweetie.”
She turned to face you, your gaze meeting hers. She wore a smile, but there was sadness in her eyes.
“You are right to think they would both become great kings. But they are too young, neither of them is prepared for the burden of the throne. They are still so young, have so much to learn.”
Her voice cracked and she turned her eyes back to the flowers taking a deep breath.
“I’m afraid I will lose both my sons to the throne.”
Both? Her words caught you off guard.
“My lady?”
Her voice was shaking but her face was calm.
“Thor is banished and Loki-“
She fell silent and worry built up inside you. Your gaze dropped to your lap. What is wrong with Loki? Your hands began to shake, you grabbed on to the edge of the bench to keep yourself calm.
“He was always… jealous of Thor. Longed to be his equal. I don’t think he truly intended to be king or realized the challenges that come with it.”
“What’s going on with Loki?”
Your voice was shaking as much as hers as you looked up to her. You met her gaze and noticed the soft amber hue reflected in them. You glanced back down and noticed the stone bench beginning to turn red. You lifted your hands up, not realizing your power had even activated. Frigga reached out slowly catching your hands in hers. You instantly felt your powers subside.
“He’s safe, do not worry.”
You brought your gaze back up to hers. The love in her eyes never ceased to take your breath away. You couldn’t remember your mother but you felt like this is what a mother's love felt like.
“What’s happened to him then?”
Frigga sighed.
“It was too soon for him to take the throne, he needs guidance, but will not accept it for fear of looking weak. I fear if he continues down this path he will be lost to his ambition and fear.”
“You must talk to him, help him. If he is king he has the power to bring Thor back right? They can rule together.”
“He will not listen, he fears looking weak. He will not undo the last command of his father.”
“That-“
You paused noticing the sadness in her eyes. You calmed your voice.
“That doesn’t sound like Loki at all.”
“Fear and power have a way of changing us, sweetie.”
You dropped your gaze again. You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. Loki seemed confused last time you spoke, but you figured the conversation ended well. What could have happened? You were trying to process your thoughts when a thought clicked in your mind.
“What do you want me to do?”
Frigga gave a soft smile.
“Always observant.”
She had been waiting for you, there was obviously something she thought you could do to help the situation. She grasped your hands harder.
“Speak with him, he will not listen to his mother right now, but maybe he would listen to a friend.”
You stared back at her in shock.
“If he won’t listen to you, what makes you think he will listen to me?”
“You are the only one who truly understands him.”
Your shocked expression only grew larger. A smirk crept onto her face.
“I know you know. You would be the only one he would tell willingly.”
You nodded slightly.
“He trusts you. You may be the only one who can get through to him right now. Please?”
There was a hint of desperation in her voice. You slowly nodded and Frigga gave you a quick smile before patting your hand and standing abruptly. She turned to walk away but paused and turned back to you.
“He has changed since you last spoke. Be prepared.”
With that, she turned and left. You sat in the garden digesting all the information. What does she mean he’s changed? How much could happen in a matter of days? You sat there thinking about every possibility before deciding the best course of action was just to go speak to him. You stood up from the bench and slowly made your way back to the castle. The unease in your stomach getting worse with each passing step.