All The Little Pieces

A Million Shards Of Glass

"The Bifrost has broken." Heimdall's words hung in the dead silence of the room.

Thor sprang to his feet, his chair scraping roughly across the floor. "What happened, Heimdall? Are you all right?"

Heimdall shook his head. "I don't know what happened. I was at my post, and tiny cracks appeared all across the floor. I grabbed by sword and ran toward the city. As I reached it, the bridge started to shudder, and a giant crack appeared in the surface. The end of the Bifrost is a million shards of glass." He turned his gaze to Elizabeth for a long moment. "I am truly very sorry."

"Come, Heimdall. We must go see to the damage," said Thor. "Fandral, Volstagg, with us." He turned to the rest of the room. "Do not worry. You will be safe." The four men hurried out, leaving a silent group behind.

After a moment, people began to stand and talk, some walking out onto the terrace to point and gaze toward the nimbus of light around the ruined bridge, others leaving the dining room. Elizabeth sat frozen for several minutes. Eventually, she pushed back her chair and walked numbly through the arch to the stone rail of the terrace. She stared out at the faint light that still glowed bluish against the gathering dark. Her world had just exploded in front of her. There was no solution now, no going back. It was all gone.

Elizabeth leaned forward on the smooth stone of the railing. She waited for the familiar rush of anxiety, but to her surprise, the fading shock was replaced by emptiness, not sadness or panic. All her other senses felt heightened. The cool, sweet evening breeze brushed her arms and cheeks, bringing the smell of flowers and damp earth from the garden below. Somewhere in the dark rustling leaves of a nearby tree, an owl hooted.

"Elizabeth?"

She jumped at the low voice behind her shoulder and turned to see Loki's tall, slender form. He glided to the rail and stood several steps from her, gazing out at the ruined Bifrost. For several moments, he said nothing. Finally he spoke, his eyes still focused on the glow out over the water. "I know it means nothing at all from me, but I am sorry for everything you've lost."

"Thank you." Elizabeth's voice was a whisper.

Loki took a step nearer and spoke softly. "Please know that you are not alone. If you need help, if you need...anything, you are not alone here, ever."

"I...I'll remember that."

"Be prepared, it will hurt more than you think."

She turned questioning eyes up to him.

"When you realize everything that has changed, losing you old life will hurt much more than it does right now." He looked down at her. "Right now behind your mask of calm, you feel empty, but that emptiness will be replaced with tears. I don't say this to you to bring you pain, I say it to warn you, because I know."

Elizabeth stared back into his eyes. She had expected the detached expression they had held at dinner, but to her surprise, they were full of a deep sadness and understanding. "I'm sorry," she said.

Loki shook his head and glance once more toward the shattered bridge. "No, no need to be sorry." He changed the subject abruptly and looked back to her. "You enjoy reading?"

"Ummm, yes, I uh, I do. Very much." The sudden subject change put Elizabeth off balance.

"In that case, you must see our library. Tomorrow, if you like, I'll show you where it is, unless, of course, you're not interested?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No, no, I'd love to see the library." Elizabeth ventured a tiny smile. "Thank you."

Loki turned to face her. "It would be my pleasure. Now, there is nothing to be gained standing in the dark. In fact, it's growing cool. Let's go in. I'll venture a guess that you don't know the lay of the palace yet. Will you permit me to walk you to your rooms?"

He offered Elizabeth his arm and she nodded and rested her hand on it awkwardly. They proceeded in silence back through the deserted dining room and nearly empty palace corridors. Elizabeth glanced around them with a feeling of unreality. On the way to dinner, Asgard had been a new place to observe, and hopefully explore for a short while. Now, it was permanent. The way home was gone, or rather, home had been replaced. She drew a deep breath as the expected apprehension began to flood her mind. They finally stopped outside the door to her room. She withdrew her hand from Loki's arm and reached for the latch.

"Thank you."

"Remember what I told you earlier. If you need anything, you have only to ask."

"I will." Elizabeth glanced up at him. "I don't want to bother you or Prince Thor, though. I mean, you're busy, I can let one of the servants—"

"No." Loki's voice was quiet but firm. "My brother is indeed busy, but I want you to come directly to me. Whatever you need, please let me help."

Elizabeth stared at the floor. The kindness in his voice caught her off guard, and to her dismay, she felt her eyes burn.

"Look at me." In spite of the commanding words, his voice was surprisingly gentle.

She lifted her head and clenched her jaw to force back any emotion.

"Go to bed. Cry, scream, rage, whatever you must." He reached out and brushed her temple with his fingertips. "Then sleep. Sleep soundly with no dreams."

"Good night." Elizabeth moved back sharply from the unexpected touch, opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it quickly. She sagged back against the door, letting the tears spill down her cheeks.

Loki stood motionless on the other side of the door for a moment after it closed. He heard a muffled sob, then another and another. He lifted his hand slowly and pressed it against the door. "Good night," he said quietly, before he turned and walked away.