Hostage to Love

Traitor

"So, she plans on leaving the realm does she? Well, that's just PERFECT. A Queen who doesn't give a horses arse about her people - she'd rather leave it in the hands of that... that FREAK Jotun."  Rickman - whose real name turned out to be something pretty much unpronounceable so she just ignored it - paced as Jane sat on a chair, white faced and crying.

"That's not what I said, I just said she was spending alot of time on Asgard.  I'm sure she cares...please... please let me go.  I promise not to tell anyone.  I PROMISE just don't hurt Darcy - or ANYONE.  Not even the Queen.  Can't you just... exile her?  Or make her into some kind of powerless figurehead?  Just please don't hurt her..." It had been hours.  Jane was tired and scared and all the bravado she'd previously felt, gone in the fear that she may be responsible not only for the overthrow of a regime, but the deaths of her closest friends. She should have jumped, she thought sadly.

"You really ARE that naïve, aren't you? You REALLY think I'd let her and that freak live?  They'd only raise a counter rebellion and who would suffer?  Vanaheim.  Worse than when her traitorous father sold us to Asgard." he hissed at her, grabbing her jaw and twisting her face to his. "No, you will go back.  You will make sure they carry on with their plans and see you off to Asgard in a few days and you will make SURE you tell no one.  When we ambush, I don't want ANY resistance.  If there is a moment's trouble....." he drew his finger across his neck.  

"Oh and in case you wonder how I can possibly hope to carry out my threat if I'm busy here...." he pulled her to stand and dragged her across the room to look into a small mirror hung on one wall.  As she watched, the mirrored finish faded and into view came Darcy and Iain.  They were working in the lab, looking at the phase meter, oblivious to the large dark form standing in the corner behind them.  Jane looked on in horror as it faded from sight, some kind of cloaking device shielding it from their gaze."

"You're... you're a MONSTER!" she cried raising her hand and striking Rickman across the face.  He put a hand to his lip and tasted blood.  He smiled and shook his head.

"No child, I am no monster.  I simply get rid of those who are.  Take her back to the orchard and remember Jane, I am watching, one slip up and..." his cackle echoed in her ears as the sack was replaced.

Heimdal closed his eyes, he still couldn't see her...no...wait. There she was.  In the orchard where Thor had been.  What was going on?  If he couldn't see her till now, there must have been some kind of dark magic at work.  Not since Malekith had he come across...  He had to warn Thor.

"My Prince!" he concentrated hard and Thor, now trying to explain his fears to Loki and Ari stopped mid-sentence.

"Heimdal" he stood still, communicating.  "What news?"

"Lady Jane is in the orchard.  She has just appeared.  My Prince, there are dark forces at work here.  I fear that she may have been taken as a distraction.  Or worse.  Please, be careful."

"Thank you Heimdal, we will fetch her immediately." Thor broke their link and looked at the other two. "I need to get her, I'll bring her back directly.  Thank the Gods she is safe." he gave a little bow to Ari and left.

She turned to Loki.  "Dark magic?  I thought the elves died out..." she paused knowing the background to that. "Surely there can be no more left?"

"No, I don't think there are, but dark magic wasn't known just by them.  Others can manipulate it to suit."  For the first time in a long time, Loki looked tired and worried.  This was a VERY worrying development.  If Jane had been deliberately taken what was the purpose?  She had no value in their politics.  Even for someone as notoriously scheming as him, he couldn't work out their agenda.