All The Little Pieces

Masquerade

Loki glanced up and down the corridor as they paused to catch their breath. It was empty save for the guards at their posts at the end of the hall. He lifted the bottle of wine in one hand. "Let's take this to your chambers for our lunch."

Elizabeth glanced at him questioningly.

He smiled conspiratorially. "We'll talk in a moment. After you."

They walked in silence to her room. Elizabeth closed the door behind them as soon as they were inside and turned to Loki. "Ok, now what do we do? I suppose it could be any book, but the comment about the stain especially makes me wonder."

He narrowed his eyes consideringly and nodded in agreement. "No, you're right. It's too odd a coincidence not to check."

Loki set the wine on the table and began pacing in front of the windows. "All right, we need to find the best way to do this. If Fandral simply had the book himself, we could go ask for it. Since he got it from an Advisor, I'd like to get my hands on it without anyone knowing and then find out why. Something isn't right about that."

"Who are Advisors?" asked Elizabeth.

"They're a group of scholars. They specialize in all sorts of knowledge and Odin uses them to consult on various things. There's no reason for one to give Fandral a book, especially for something ridiculous like bedroom potions. I'd like to get the book without anyone knowing."

Elizabeth bit the side of her thumbnail thoughtfully. "Do you want my help?"

"Of course, unless you don't want to come. We have to get in and out without making anyone suspicious. Fandral's apartments are in a completely separate wing of the palace. It's mainly warriors' quarters, so that's the tricky part. Neither of us blend in."

"I don't know if this would work, but if we find a time when Fandral's away, then maybe?" said Elizabeth. "We could walk over there laughing and talking and make it look like we're there together. Everyone will recognize you, but they won't know me, and they'll think I'm just another girl of yours. No one should even pay attention, at least for us to get to Fandral's rooms. After we get there, I'm not sure."

Loki frowned and paused his pacing.

"Unless, um, you'd rather not, then, I mean, we can think of something else..."

"No, not at all. It's an excellent plan. Come on, let's try it." Loki opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. "And now's as good a time as any. Fandral should be training for a while still." He shot a sideways glance at her as they walked. "What do you mean 'another girl of yours'?"

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "I've read a whole lot of mythology, which apparently isn't myth at all, since, you know, we're actually in Asgard. You're not known only for mischief. There are tons of stories about the number of women you've surrounded yourself with."

Loki's face grew solemn. "That was years ago," he said quietly. "Before I learned that anyone who got close to me was either afraid of me or trying to grab power. I do better alone."

They walked in awkward silence for a few minutes until they reached another door.

Loki turned to her and held out his arm with a grin. His melancholy of a few minutes before seemed to have faded. "Shall we?"

Elizabeth took his arm tentatively, suddenly bashful.

"No, no. If this is going to work, we need to look the part." He pulled her close against his side and covered her hand with his other one.

She snuggled into him and smiled shyly into his eyes, trying to ignore the warmth coloring her cheeks and neck. "Is this better?"

"Much better."