Emprise [Fólkvangr End, Book 2][Loki Fanfiction]

Chapter Seven - Opna

Author's Note: Weeeeell, some of you have spectulated as to what may or may not be happening in Emprise. I can say with certainty that you will not find out in this chapter. Or the next one. But after that ALL BETS ARE OFF. Okay, I'm very tired, clearly, and I've been writing and rewriting and watching Friends. So much rewriting lately, which is really for the best, I assure you. Thank you to penderruth for her constant conspiring over writing with me! And now onto the properly broody next few chapters. I love hearing from you guys, so keep up the comments! <3 

Side note. Voting for the Watty Awards begins January 6th and runs through January 31st. Please make sure and give Recompense a vote for Best in Fanfic, Movies, On the Rise category. Your support is a miracle I can't thank you enough for! Here's the link: http://www.wattpad.com/wattys/showcase.

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Chapter Seven - Opna, or Open

I take a deep breath of the morning air, trying to settle my stomach. Breakfast did no good to ease my uneasiness this morning; if anything, it perpetuated the ill feeling welling up inside me. I wipe the sweat from my brow and take another deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I look down at my hands and they tremble before me, fingers twitching and dancing without control. I shake them out and look back up at Hogun who is standing opposite me. His posture is casual, his hands resting on the hilt of the sword at his hip. He offers me a calm smile and I grip my own sword in my hands, withdrawing it from its sheath and holding it out before me. My palms are slick with sweat and the sword feels undeniably heavy in my hands. The blade wavers and I drop it back down quickly to reprieve my arm.

I make light and attempt to joke, “En garde!”

“Oh, would you shut up and get on?” 

I whirl around and stare at Sif for a long while before a grin spreads across my face. I clasp my free hand over my heart. “Oh my gods, I am so proud right now!”

I deflect Hogun’s attack from behind me with my sword without bothering to turn around and confront him. I wink at Sif who smiles crookedly back at me and then I turn back around to fight Hogun like I am supposed to. Parry, thrust, block, on and on until my hands and feet are aching. My eyes are having trouble focusing, my depth perception off. I suppose that’s really what to expect from a blinded eye. I let my guard down slightly as Hogun reaches up to wipe the sweat forming on his brow and when I halt the pain rushes into me, arms and hands trembling. He thrusts suddenly, catching me unaware, my sword arm too heavy to lift, and his sword slices the back of my hand open, the stinging bite of the blade causing tears to well in my eyes. 

“Motherfu - ow!” I drop my sword and cradle my hand. “Not cool, Hogun!” I drop my sword in frustration. “I’m bloody useless with a blade lately, it seems.”

Hogun sheaths his sword and approaches me as he hurriedly apologizes. I hop up and down on my toes, shaking out my hand as the blood drips from the wound. Hogun drops to his knees before me and bows his head. “Apologies, my queen.”

I scoff, “Don’t be ridiculous. Get up, you idiot. I’m fine.” I pull him to his feet and look him directly in the eye. “I am your friend. I am sure as hell not your queen.”

“You should not speak like that,” Sif says, appearing at my side. I turn to give her a look but her own countenance is solemn. “People have expectations of you now. You have a role to play in the hierarchy of Asgard. You are by all accounts, the reigning queen, married or not.”

“I should expect your people would prefer more formal bonds before declaring people to be in power,” I state, crossing my arms over my chest, my hand still stinging. I am getting thoroughly angry and Sif is doing nothing to help it.