Hostage to Love

Redemption

"Loki! Watch out! Behind you!" Ari shouted across the mele at him. The square was full of battling troops. ALL screaming and shouting at the rebels, now trying not to just take control of the kingdom but to kill Ari and Loki into the bargain.

Loki turned and blasted another attacker with his green energy, shredding them to atoms in seconds. He looked over and nodded to Ari.
"Thanks! You... ok?" He stabbed another of the raging hoarde in the neck, and he fell away, clutching the wound and screaming

"Im...fine...I... I just need...to....oh, just die, you little bogshite!" She whirled and plunged her sword, previously hidden beneath her robes into the torso of a particularly ugly little horned creature, not dissimilar to the one that almost cost her her life before. "I just need to get you to safety. They...." she paused and belted another with the pommel of her sword," they seem determined to get you!"

She paused for a second, catching her breath. Fighting was hard enough, but wearing this damned dress? More than anyone should have to do. She knew she was every bit as much of a target as Loki, but defending him took her mind off her own impending mortality.

Thor was busy dismantling more Cronin with Mjolnir when Loki appeared next to Ari, keeping down behind the embankment they were currently sheltering behind. "Ari, we have to go, let Heimdal..."

Ari stood and speared another attacker. "I'm NOT running. This is MY land. These are MY people. I will not abandon them."

It had all kicked off when Thor, Jane, Ari, and Loki had made their way outside the courtyard and down to the main square in the city. They intended to make a spectacle of their leaving for Asgard. Entice the rebels, and set a trap.

They'd managed, after hours of coaxing, to convince Jane to tell them everything that had happened. She'd tried to stay mute, refused and shouted, and Thor had pleaded, shouted, begged, and ultimately just held her as she cried in fear.

It wasn't until Loki suggested he enchant her and read her mind they made any breakthrough. It really was a last resort.

Not everyone could handle having their thoughts rifled through. Some never really recovered and suffered from permanent paranoia. Jane agreed instantly, and Loki, not for the first time, was impressed by her fearlessness.

"If you just 'take' my memories, then I didn't tell you, did I. Surely they can't hold it against me...can they?" She was triumphant and grabbed Ari's hands. Ari smiled gently and asked her again,

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" She looked at Jane intently, who nodded.

"Yes, I have to. I can't let you all down. Just promise me you'll save Darcy if it all goes wrong?" She clung onto Ari's hand, and plunging into the abyss of fear again, tears fell. Loki stepped forward, now laying a hand on her shoulder.

"If, as I suspect, they are simply manipulating you, Jane, your friends are in no immediate danger." He smiled gently. "Now, let me see...."

Ari stood, and Thor came to sit with Jane. She lay back against his chest, eyes closed, and Thor wrapped his arms around her. "Dont fight it, Jane, let him in." He waited, and as soon as she relaxed a little, he nodded. "Now, Brother."

Loki leaned forward and placed a hand on her forehead. Instantly, there was a bond, and he could see. The orchard, the abduction. Feel the fear, the sense of desperation. Then he saw the conversation. Every detail, including the mirror showing Darcy and Iain and the supposed monster.

As the two of them were linked, Ari and Thor watched, concern etched on their faces. They were, as yet, not privvy to the facts. After a few minutes, Loki stood back, and Jane slumped into Thor's arms.