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

Chapter Nine - Kveðjum

Author's Note: Have you voted for Recompense in the Watty Awards yet? NO? Well, then get the hell out of here and go vote before you proceed any further with this chapter. OR ELSE. Well, now you've realized I can't stop you anyway so what does it matter? My authority is falling apart by the second. I just want to throw out there that I'm very busy for the next several days and then I go back to NYU, sooo update times will most likely lengthen, and for that I am truly apologetic. Also, I really wish you guys could see all the reference photos I use for this project, not even counting the articles. I literally have a folder full of clothes and materials for reference and it's GREAT. Most I just stare at the dresses and drool. I'm attaching the image of the armor-y thing I talk about in the chapter that I'm obsessed with. Righteo, then. Onwards and upwards, mates!

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Chapter Nine - Kveðjum, or Farewell

I am unaware of how violently my hands are shaking until Jane reaches over and laces her fingers through mine gently. Her small fingers give mine a reassuring squeeze and I look up from my feet to Odin’s throne. Loki is ceremonially returning the throne to Odin, though I know he wishes he got more use of it. Perhaps it is for the best that Loki got his taste of power and will be satisfied. Then again, knowing Loki, perhaps giving him that taste of power was the opposite of a good idea.

Loki says a few words and then he and Odin embrace tightly. Loki comes and returns to my side, taking my fluttering hands from Jane with a gracious smile. He presses a warm kiss to my temple and somehow everything feels right again. Somehow, despite everything, things are looking somewhat up. Odin stands before his throne and the court cheers his triumphant return. I suppose I am glad to have Odin back on the throne in some respects...

“As you have all heard now, three days have passed since our queen, and my beloved, were taken from us. Today we also mourn the loss of our future princess’s own mother. Both women slain by an escaped Dark Elf, both women avenged by Valkyrie’s quick actions,” Odin says, voice echoing throughout the hall. I wince slightly and Loki pulls me closer to him. Today is our third day of mourning, but following today’s official announcement there will be three more days of the mourning period to include the entirety of Asgard. Tonight their remains will be given an Asgardian funeral once dusk falls. But for now...

“Tonight my sons and a small group of warriors will take the remaining prisoners back to Svartalfheim and deal with the Dark Elves personally.”

I look at Loki. “What?” I hiss. Loki does not look at me. There is a smattering of applause from the gathered people and I wonder if they truly understand what this means. They have no grasp of the implications of this confrontation with Svartalfheim. “Loki, look at me!”

Odin is still speaking fervently but I am no longer listening. My mind is processing quickly and I inhale deeply, trying to keep it all under control. I glance across the golden stairs and several steps below stand Sif, Hogun and Volstagg. I catch Sif’s eye but she quickly averts her gaze. 

I mutter under my breath to Loki. “Do not think that you are going to Svartalfheim without me.”

“You cannot come with us, my dear.”

“Loki, seriously...”

“You cannot!” his voice rises slightly, cracking his clearly rising tension. Thor and Jane are watching us carefully but they say nothing either. 

“Loki, so help me gods, I will not let you leave here without me!” I argue loudly and Odin gives us a look to kill. Loki grabs me by the arm, pulls me behind a column and then we appear in the hall outside of the throne room. I pull my arm away from him, reeling.