Chosen // loki laufeyson

Chapter Thirty Three

***VERY IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE AT END!!!***

Chapter Thirty Three

Lienna

After I woke up, Loki and Thor left to help search for the imposter. I was feeling so much better, except for a complete exhaustion. Unfortunately, you could only sleep so much before your body began to reject it, so I pulled a book off of one of the many shelves lining the walls and began to read.

A knock sounded at the door. I looked up from my book.

"Lady Lienna?"

"Yes?" I called weakly.

The door opened slowly to reveal a familiar guard. "They've located the imposter. It is safe for you to leave if you wish. Prince Loki requested your presence, but the Allmother wishes for me to inform you that it is your decision."

I smiled. "Ah, Frigga. Bless her heart. I suppose I'll join Loki," I replied. "Though I haven't bathed in quite some time."

The guard laughed. "With the way the prince looks at you, I do believe he won't mind."

Giggling, I followed him out of the room.

"What's your name? I might as well learn a few guards' names, and you seem to be a wonderful companion," I said. I was going to be spending alot of time around palace guards, and I probably should have been spending more time around them considering what I got myself into.

"Maximus," he replied, his voice soft. "Hopefully I'm not too much of a bother."

"Oh, you could never be a bother. You do a great service to those who reside in the palace."

"Lady Lienna, I do believe you're one of the most kind palace members. Most don't even bother to ask our names. You think they would, considering most of the guards have been here since childhood." He bit his lip. "Please don't repeat any of that, I beg of you."

"I had no plans to. Your words are safe with me."

"Thank you, Lady Lienna. Your sweet actions are greatly appreciated and will not soon be forgotten. We've arrived." Maximus gestured to the throne room door.

I took his hand and shook it. "Thank you, Maximus."

"My pleasure," he responded. "Until our paths cross once more."

I nodded to see him off. Then I walked in to the throne room.

"Lienna!" Frigga called happily. "Oh dear, are you faring well?"

"Just tired, thank you! How are you?" I asked politely.

"Just stressed, you know, what with your wedding and Thor and now this nonsense! But, it is a queen's duty, and I'm happy to have you in the family." She smiled warmly.

"I'm glad to be here. It's so much better than a slave life and love is better than arrangement," I said as I felt Loki slip his arms around my waist from behind.

"Love is far better than most things, dearest."

"I'd have to agree with you two on that. Not many things are better than being in love with someone who would never hurt you," Frigga commented. "I often pity those who haven't found love-"

Thor cleared his throat, to Frigga's surprise and dismay. He looked hurt, by our words no doubt, but quickly swallowed the feelings after making eye contact with me.

Loki's arms tightened around my waist.

"What is it, Thor?" Frigga asked gently.

"Odin wishes to speak with us," he stated curtly.

I swallowed hard. I just wanted Thor to feel happy again, and I knew how. It just wasn't what I wanted.

Loki took my hand and together we stood near the base of Odin's throne. Odin's eye examined all the gathered palace members. The Warriors Three, a few guards, and the royal family and I. We were a small but powerful group, and for secret meetings like these, it was a perfect amount.

Odin cleared his throat and began his statements. "The imposter posing as Ben has been located and arrested on counts of impersonation and minor misconduct. I would like to formally thank all of you for your valiant efforts in searching for him and securing the palace grounds. The imposter, who we have learned is called Sian, will be kept in Asgardian custody until the other realms are contacted about the prisoner and a decision is reached."

Odin's words settled into the silence all around us. Then he continued. "Asgard's military and foreign affairs specialists as well as the Allfather and Allmother would like to also publicly apologize to Lienna Morensdaughter for all physical, mental, and emotional strain caused by Sian and also to Loki for the aforementioned issues."

Everyone nodded their agreements to the apology, and I dipped my head to show gratitude for it. Loki dropped my hand and snaked his arm around my waist. Recently, he had been showing his affection more physically than verbally.

"As a last formal statement, I would like to renounce Asgard's state of emergency and to disable all actions taken to ensure complete safety. Once again, thank you. Those members present that are not part of the royal family are dismissed to their duties and households." Odin nodded them off, and they quickly disappeared, leaving behind Frigga, Thor, Loki, and I.

"Lienna, how are you recovering?" Odin asked.

"I am well, just a bit tired as I'm assuming we all are," I replied.

"Good, good. My personal apologies for what happened, and I'm hoping you can forgive me and my carelessness." His tone implied I didn't have a choice. I nodded.

"All is forgiven, Allfather."

"Thank you. Wedding is coming along well, I assume?" Odin half smiled.

"As well as possible with everything that has happened. We don't want to rush anything or make mistakes," Loki responded. "We haven't been engaged for that long either."

"Yes, yes, but just keep it in mind," Odin replied. Then he leaned in and whispered something in Loki's ear. I bit my lip, waiting for him to finish.

Loki nodded.

"Good!" Odin said, obviously pleased with Loki's response or trying to cover something up. I chose to ignore it for the time being. "You two might want to freshen up for dinner. It's about time we returned to our normal schedule."

I thanked him, then glanced back at Thor and Frigga, who spoke in hushed whispers. Thor's blue eyes met mine for a moment. Then he looked away.

Oh, Thor. Please let your broken heart be mended.

Before I noticed, I was in my room, dressing for dinner and staring blankly put the window at the clouds that always accompanied winter storms. Funny, I thought, how the sky often reflects my life.

××××××

VERY IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!!!

As some of you may have noticed, I have no one in the cast list for Lienna (if you didn't notice, check out the cast list!). I have had a few suggestions for who Lienna should be and I need your suggestions or votes. The current ladies on the list are:

Barbara Palvin &
Emily Browning

If you have a favorite between the two or a new suggestion, please leave a comment!

Thanks for all your help,

-katiethenovelist

PS: 20 votes for a new chapter! ♡