Ebony and Gold (Loki fanfic/prequel)

Chapter 6

The next few days, Keya worked in silence. She wasn't as talkative as she normally was, and her stable-hands noticed immediately.

"M'lady, if I may, you've been awfully quiet these past few days, and Bjaldgor and I were wondering if everything is all right?" Keya heaved a saddle onto its rack and looked at the red-haired man.

"I'm fine, Aydin. Nothing to report." She retorted and grabbed the saddle polish and a rag.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes, thank you for your concern." She replied blankly as she began to shine the saddle.

"Keya, I'm-" she sighed and looked up at him.

"I said that I am fine, Aydin! Why do you think that I am not?"

"Because you've already shined that saddle, m'lady." She stopped and looked down. "You've shined all."

"Except one." Bjaldgor motioned to the black and gold saddle off to the side, looking dull compared to all of the others. "You forgot Prince Loki's saddle, ma'm."

"I didn't...I don't forget...not one saddle ever goes past me unpolished. How did I...how could I...?" she dropped the polish and stared at the saddle. Aydin and Bjaldgor exchanged worried glances. Aydin walked up to her and put a hand on her back.

"Maybe you should rest, m'lady. You seem tired." She nodded and made her way to the loft to lie down. Bjaldgor looked at Aydin.

"She didn't forget. She skipped his on purpose."

"How do you know?" Aydin looked at Bjaldgor.

"Why do you think she was about to shine the same one again? She's used to shining the same amount, but she skipped one."

"But why would she skip Prince Loki's? What did he do to her?"

"It's not our place to ask, Aydin."

"I know, but I'm just curious."

"Well, your curiosity will have to wait. We have more work to do now that she's resting. Go ahead and shine that saddle then continue with bathing the horses. Prince Thor's coronation is tonight, and Lady Keya has been invited to the ball by Prince Thor. We need to get the horses looking their best."

As Aydin finished polishing Loki's saddle, Lady Sif walked into the stables.

"Where is Lady Keya? I have a gift from Queen Frigga." Bjaldgor motioned to the loft and she nodded at him. She climbed the ladder and knocked on the door. "Lady Keya, it's Sif, may I come in?" she heard footsteps and the door opened.

"What is it?" She asked quietly.

"Queen Frigga wants you to have this to wear tonight." She handed Keya the dress and She nodded at Sif.

"Thank you."

"If I may, you seem distressed. Is something the matter?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you." Sif nodded, unbelieving and turned to leave.

"On second thought," Sif stopped and turned back around. "I'm actually not. I could use some advice. And help getting into this dress." Sif smiled and Keya welcomed her into her room.

"What ails you, lady Keya?"

"Please, just call me Keya." She smiled at her as she began to unlace her work dress. "Have you ever loved someone who loves someone else?" Sif nodded.

"I have. Do you feel that now?"

"No, it's someone else. Possibly. I'm not sure how he feels, or if he even knows..."