I'll Fight for You

Ch 24

Heimdall pulled the sword from the pedestal keeping silent. Loki pulled her in draping his arm over her shoulders. He watched the gate keeper step down, the queen appeared behind him. She too had a saddened face; Frig did not approach. She stayed fiddling with her fingers watching the two.

"Heimdall what is the meaning of this." Loki spoke up. "Is there something we need to know about?" the gate keeper closed his eyes and reopened them again slowly. His golden iris twinkled a bit when he opened his mouth to speak.

"Odin will not be happy with what you have done. If he catches wind you had killed while he gave you leave he will throw you back into your cell." Heimdall then focused his gaze to the fighter. "If that is so will you still stay?"

"No one will know of this, her stay will be permanent."

"Only if your father allows it" Frigga walked up pushing Heimdall to the side a bit so she stood center of the two. "Come let us get you cleaned and presentable before you see the all father." She reached out grasping Tabitha's biceps. She hissed in response to her grasp that had wrapped around a bruise. The mother quickly let go apologizing quickly for causing her pain. Tabitha shook her hand to her muttering that she was fine. She got up and continued her way with frig to the castle.

Loki stood before the man in gold waiting for the females to wonder further. As they got out of ear shot he looked up to the tall ebony man. "Now what is it you are not telling me?"

"Another knows; who I don't know and if they will report your crimes or not I am insure."

"Do you think it was her?" The gods shared a gaze that looked both concerning and worry. “She is the only one I know who can view other worlds like you."

"She had disappeared for many years, why would she return now?"

"For me."

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"Must I wear such a thing?"

"If you want to convince the all father of your stay it is best you present yourself as a lady." Tabitha tugged the collar that hung near her collar bone. The dress was a simple floor length; it was a deep forest green with trims of gold, the colors that Loki always wore. It was hi collared but cut and split in ways it flattered her form. "Look you are beautiful." Tabitha mouthed Yuck into the reflection.

"I'm a fighter not some lady in waiting." Frigga smiled with a little humor in her blue eyes.

"If you were to be the bride of Loki this is what you would be expected to where, especially in formal events." She gave a wink to Tabitha as she blushed a beat red. That thought has never crossed her mind; she had hoped to stay in tunics and armor. "Now, shall we go?"

"Are you going to me what was wrong?" Frig held her grin pretending like nothing was wrong. Tabitha's eyes Pericles her not falling for her false calmness. When the queen accepted the fact she wasn't falling for it, the frown came back.

"I worry he will decline your stay because you are a human." as Tabitha went to protest Frig cut her off continuing. "But I do agree with Loki. You do not belong on earth.”  She fiddled with her hair till it was pinned up to the side. “If I must I’ll find a way to keep you here.” She took a step back admiring the girl before her.

“What about these?” Tabitha rubbed her hand along the scars on her wrist. The queen grazed them and responded.

“They look like pink ribbons to me, I can hardly see them.” Tabitha rubbed them a bit more as the queen turned on her heel and left the room. She stopped at the doorway looking back. “Now shall we go?” Tabitha picked up the corners of the floor length dress and scurried beside the mother. Together they walked down the hall finding a waiting Loki at the end. He stood in his entire armor, it looked freshly polished. His mantle cascades around him, making him look more masculine than he was. The horns on his helmet rose high into the heavens looking intimidating. His green eyes went up and down the length of Tabitha’s body, his colors clung to her form showing every curve. He couldn’t find the will to look away.

“Loki you look like a knight in shining armor.” Her voice snapped him out of his trance. He smirked grabbing her hand and bringing it to his lips to kiss. “You look like a prince for once princy.”

“And you finally look like a lady.” He kissed the top of her hand tenderly. Before he could stand erect Tabitha kicked his shin finding he wore protection on his legs. She bit her lip hopping up in down gripping her foot that throbbed from pain. Loki laughed amused as she hopped about sputtering curses.

“Now now kids lets go Odin is waiting.” The two shared a look; Loki stuck out his elbow for her to hook. He winked wiggling it out to her; Tabitha with a small protest looped her arm into his. The guards who stood at each side of the door opened the door for the trio to walk in. Frigga wandered off to the side standing beside the kind. Loki rose his hand in a fist placing it over his heart kneeling to the ground. Tabitha mimicked his movement not sure what to do, as her eyes went to his face he no longer held the smirk. He was not happy to be kneeling before someone he had tried hard to fight. Spectators whispered to each other waiting for one to speak.

“I was told you have something to ask of me?” Odin’s voice sounded so powerful. “Someone who has time and time again disappointed me and shamed me.” Loki’s face twitched in annoyance but he kept quite till he calmed.

“All father I ask for your permission to make Tabitha a citizen of Asgard.”  Loki rose his head to see the Odin looking down from his throne. “She has quite the hand in art and also a true warrior in battle.”

“So I have heard.” Odin’s hand lifted up holding her black sketch book in the air. Tabitha’s eyes went wide as he flipped open the cover and scanned over pages. “You went through many troubles; I can see the emotion in your pages.” He continued to flip till the unfinished page of Loki sat before him in black in white. “And you love a frost giant as if he was any normal man.” Loki twitched again.

“Sir if I may speak.” Tabitha stood up causing the spectators and guards to watch her intently. “I ask to stay not only because I love this man but because I feel as though I would be accepted here than I do on earth.” Odin closed the book with a low clap looking down to the fighter. He stroked his beard making eye contact with Tabitha.

“I enjoyed your company when you were here but I can’t house a human here. I must decline your request for your safety.”  Loki shot up in a controlled rage as Odin finished his sentence.

“She is no ordinary human! I thought them meek as well but she!” He turned grasping her. “She is different she can fight like lady Sif she can be like us.”

“That is enough I have given you my choice!” 

“No! You do not understand she can’-!” Frig motioned behind Odin’s sight to shush. Loki looked to her trying to find words he had lost. He stopped his rant and relaxed lowering his voice. “You are right, we’ll send her home.” Tabitha’s lips dropped open. She looked between the king and black haired nord. “But let her stay one more night, with me. That’s all I ask.”

“I will grant this to you. Tomorrow at noon I want her ready.” Loki agreed, when he turned his back the king he smiled to her. He tried to comfort her without words so no one would see. “You may go.” The two hooked arms Tabitha walked away with a pouted face as they left.  They walked fast hurrying their way to his room. The doors opened and close fast with a heavy thud. Frig was waiting in the balcony; She turned hearing the door shut.

“Frig please tell me you found a way.” Tabitha ran up to her clasping the mother’s hands. She pleaded with her through her eyes, desperate to find a way to stay.

“Is there something I do not know about here?” The two females looked over at Loki who had tossed his helmet to the side. “Will Tabitha be staying with me or not?”

“Yes, I have found a way. It will require your skills my dear. And time for me to prepare before we can begin.”

“We have tonight will that be enough?” Loki spoke up.

“Yes, but it will be cutting it short.” Frig looked to the fighter who still held her hands. “It may hurt a little.”

“Whatever it takes tell me what I must do.” The queen shook her head no with a small smile.

“No my dear, It is what I must do. Once it’s done I just need you to stay out of sight for a couple days.” She cupped Tabitha’s hands. “You two have your night, I will begin preparations.” She left the room whispering a good night to the couple. Loki watched with squinted as trying to put pieces together. He tried to figure out what she had planned and if it would work or not.