The Winter's Sun (Bucky Soulmate Fanfiction)

Chapter 20: Eve of Battle

AN: Remember when I said that I was going to be changing things up from the movies? Yeah, here's where we are going to start a major shift. Personally, I believe that if you add a whole new character to a story, the entire plot shifts. Elysia's existence within this fanfiction changes the entire storyline. Of course, I still take inspiration from the Marvel movies, but now I'm going to start winging it. Hopefully everyone will still enjoy where I take this!

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"Mother, it's time to go."

Elysia had known that sending her mother off with their people was going to be difficult, but to actually watch it happen was worse than she imagined. It certainly didn't help that Frigga had kept trying to convince her to come along to the Stronghold. And judging by the tightness of her brows, Elysia knew it was about to happen again.

"My girl," Frigga reached out for her hands and urged her, "it is not too late for you to join us."

War was set for tomorrow; so it was a little late for her to change her mind. She tried to imagine how hard this was for her mother. One child banished, her soulmate practically in a coma, and her two youngest leading their warriors into battle, all while she would help their people hide away.

Fighting a war was hard, but it was far more difficult to sit on the side and wait for your loved ones to come home.

A fragile smile graced her lips, "You did not raise me to run from a fight."

Elysia couldn't imagine abandoning this battle. She never searched out violence, like Thor might, but she did not shy away from it the way she once would as a child. There was a certain pride in defending her home and the people who bowed to her along the streets. And there was especially no honor in fleeing a situation that she had caused.

Her only regret was breaking her mother's heart in the process.

Frigga's lower lip trembled slightly as she reached out and gently tapped her under the chin, "Chin up, darling. And remember, do not be a hero. For the road they walk is lonely and filled with wounds."

She gazed upon the intricate braids adorning her daughter's head, the ones she had weaved at dawn. It had been a peaceful moment for the three as Frigga delicately tied up the hair of her two children. It was considered a privilege to braid the hair of one who was about to head into battle, and over the years she'd had plenty of experience doing so for her husband and Thor.

She just did not expect to be doing the same for Elysia and Loki so soon.

There were tears in the older woman's eyes as Elysia gently nudged her towards the group waiting on their Queen.

She forced herself to turn and head back into the castle. It took her a couple minutes to find Loki, yet there he was, watching from the balcony as the people began their trek. She approached him quietly and took solace in his presence.

Loki had already taken his moment to say goodbye to their mother. The two stood in silence until the end trail of their people finally disappeared from sight.

"I'm sorry."

The sudden apology cut through the air, startling her. She looked up at him, but his shoulders were stiff as he resolutely kept his gaze forward.

"What do you think you've done that requires forgiveness?" She wracked her brain as she mentally reviewed his actions over the past few days. She came up with nothing. He'd been perfect; a model son, brother, and leader.

Loki looked as though he swallowed something bitter, "I'm sorry that I am his son."

She jerked her head back in surprise. "What?" The word barely escaped her lips.