Hostage to Love

Searching

"Peggi! Peggi!" Ari ran across the courtyard, dress hiked up, hair flying. "Peeeeggiiiii!"

Almost as she reached the tower door, it flew open, and the older woman puffed her way out, face red with effort and awash with tears.

"Ari! Darling Ari!"

The two women collided in a hug that took their breath away. They clung to each other, sobbing. In reality, they'd only been apart a few days, but it felt like a lifetime.

Peggi broke the hug first, pulling back, and she held Ari at arm's length. Smiling, she shook her head.

"Only a few days and already so much more a Queen. Prince Loki seems to have made quite the impression. Look at that beautiful dress for a start!"

Ari's face fell. "No, Peggi. Do not talk of him, not now, please." Her eyes filled with pain, and Peggi knew instantly something was badly wrong.

Before she had a chance to say more, Ari twirled for her. "The dress, though? Yes, the dress is beautiful, isn't it! Wait till you see the ballgown they made for me. Gold and green!" It was another triumph from the Asgardian seamstresses.

This one, again in mainly green, had a moss green over dress and a deep brown underskirt. She'd deliberately asked them to sew the skirt into two wide 'legs' so she could ride her horse without having to worry about her modesty!

"Peggi?" She stopped suddenly and looked about her searching for her other lifelong companion. "Peggi, where is Aesir? Why doesn't she greet me? Didn't you tell her I was coming home?" She saw the older woman's face fall, and her stomach lurched. Peggi took her hand.

"We... we don't... we don't actually know."

"What?" Ari stared at her, barely comprehending. "How? Why?"

"She disappeared when you left and hasn't been seen since. I'm so sorry, Ari. I've looked everywhere for her."

"But we've never been apart. Ever. Her whole life. Until now..." Ari trailed off, her voice cracking with emotion. "Have you checked the arbor?"

Peggi nodded.

"The sheds behind the stables?"

Again, a nod. Ari paused, there was nowhere.... wait!

"What about the summer lodge. The hunting lodge. I took her there with Father last summer when we went hawking."

Peggi looked at her, stunned. "Oh, Ari. I'm so sorry. I didn't think... I've never been to it, so it never crossed my mind..." she grabbed Ari's hand, and together, they set off for the stables. It was a good two hour ride from the palace. If they left now, they could be there and back before dark.

Peggi was, despite her appearance, an accomplished horsewoman. It had been her that taught Ari to ride properly. Not the 'elegant' way her father and her tutors had aanted her to. All side saddle and gentle walks. No, Peggi and Ari had, on many occasions, pushed their mounts faster than many male riders were comfortable with.

Now, they quickly saddled up Ari's personal steed; named after the Allfather's mount Sleipnir, and the smaller white mare Ingrid for Peggi.

Liveried and ready, Ari and Peggi got on and walked out into the sunshine. The beauty of the morning, a sharp contrast to the harsh and bitter taste in her mouth.

As they trotted out of the stables and down towards the road away from the palace, Ari was sure she'd spotted a familiar figure at the window. Tall with a full head of hair and a beard to match.

She raised a hand, looking for a sign, an acknowledgement. Nothing. Ari sighed, her father - once her world - was now almost a stranger to her. Would that ever change? Would she become Queen when he died, never truly having made peace? It was a distinct possibility.