Fear

I love you...

You froze. Loki was hurt.

"W-What... what happened?" you asked, voice shaking.

"They were attacked by bandits on their way home. He was, of course, the goal, and his injuries slow them down. He hasn't been able to ride his own horse, my dear, let alone ride it fast as they were supposed to do."

"Why was-", you started, frowning, but then you realized that he was the prince. Of course he would be the goal of an attack.

"He's a prince. This happens sometimes, I'm sure you've noticed his scars."

You had, indeed, noticed his scars. When your hands felt their way down his body you would occasionally find one, screaming its existence out by being even paler than his already pale skin. You had just never thought of where they came from.

"So... so when will they come back?" you asked. You tried to calm your shaking hands by pressing them to your sides, but you failed. Frigga thought for a moment.

"In two days, perhaps. I do not know how slowly they have to travel for Loki's injuries not to become worse."

"But he has been to a healer, he must have!"

"Yes, of course, but Eir is the master and she's here. Did she see to his shoulder?"

"Yes, she did."

"Good. I worry about my son's pride sometimes; he's not one to admit that he's hurt if he doesn't have to."

You rolled your eyes, which made the queen laugh, but then she adopted a very serious face.

"He needs someone to take care of him", she said.

You gulped.

"I can take care of him, if that's what you mean, my queen", you said.

"I am not sure I approve of your relationship, my dear. Loki needs to marry someone of his own class to keep our reputation on a good level. We would not need our names dragged to the dirt."

You felt the blood rushing to your face and raised your voice.

"I would not 'drag your names to the dirt'!"

"I am sure you have no intention to, but that is what will happen if Loki marries you- "

"So someone 'of his own class' would be better, no matter how disgusting they may be, than someone your son is happy with? What kind of mother would sacrifice their son's happiness for good reputation?" you said coldly. You had had enough, and, breathing heavily, you left the queen and walked back into the throne room.

"Your majesty wanted to see me?" you asked. To your surprise, Odin was smiling. He had tears in his eyes and leaned forward as he saw you.

"You do not need to use such formalities in my presence, dear."

You nodded, and he continued.

"I have a few things to discuss with you. First of all, I want to apologize."

"Apologize?"

"I have lied to you, dear, not directly but through my sons. Not all things they have told you are true, and for that I am ashamed, but please, do not hate them. They know as little as you.

I was in love with your mother. You are strikingly much like her, more than you realize, I think. When I first saw you, I thought you were your mother. Then, of course, it hit me that your mother has grown just as much as I have. Hopefully, she hadn't forgotten me, because I haven't forgotten her. We were in love, we wanted nothing more than to be together, but my being a prince forced me to marry Frigga. She is a wonderful woman, and I do love her, but she is not quite like your mother.