All The Little Pieces

Incident In The Armoury

Author's Note: This chapter contains assault and violence. Please be advised prior to reading, if these topics make you uncomfortable.

Elizabeth sat curled up in her chair, listening to the birds sing in the garden below her windows. She had dressed and eaten breakfast, but it was such a beautiful morning that she wanted to sit quietly and soak in the fragrance of the air and peace surrounding her. She tucked the pale yellow skirt of her dress under her knees. Everything felt bright and cheery, even her dress.

It would really only be better if Loki were here. She rested her head on the cushioned chair and closed her eyes, imagining what it would be like to lay her head back on his shoulder, his arms wrapped around her, long fingers entwined with hers, feeling safe and cared for. She sighed to herself. When had this happened? When had she started counting the hours until she saw him, when did she realize his presence made her ridiculously happy? She shook her head. When did she ever want someone's company over solitude, to the extent that she even welcomed dreaming about him? At the memory of last night's dreams, she bit her lip and stared distractedly out the window.

A sound made her jump upright out of her thoughts. "I'm so sorry, my lady." Maren had entered the room to pick up the breakfast tray. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, no, it's fine." Elizabeth hopped up and handed Maren the tray. She was used to wearing dresses all the time now, but definitely not to having servants.

"Oh, this is for you." Maren smiled and handed her a folded piece of paper. She slipped out the door as Elizabeth opened the note.

'Come to the library right away. I have a surprise for you - L.'

Elizabeth smiled and felt her heart jump a little. She pulled on shoes, closed the door, and headed toward the end of the corridor. She gathered up her skirt and made her way up two flights.

The library was one more staircase away, but before she could start upward to the double doors on the landing, a palace guard appeared at her elbow.

"Excuse me? Are you here to meet Prince Loki?"

Elizabeth turned to him with a slight frown. "Yes. Is something wrong?"

The guard shook his head. "No, but he sent me to get you. Come this way." He beckoned down the corridor, away from the library.

"Um, okay." She followed the man down the hall to the little door they had taken to reach the cellars. Another guard stood in front of the door. As they approached, he opened the door for them and moved aside. They stepped onto the stairwell landing, and she noticed the armoury door was standing open. Elizabeth remembered Loki's stories about playing in the room as a child. What did he have planned? A half smile played on her lips as she walked in.

Elizabeth entered the room and stopped short. The room was indeed a small armoury; no weapons, just helmets and shields on the walls and shelves. A narrow window lent some light to the room. Loki was no where to be seen. She whirled around to face the guard. "What's going on? Where's---" A hard shove from the man toppled her over. Elizabeth caught herself on her hands and knees. She tried to stand and trod on the hem of her skirt, tearing it with a loud ripping sound.

The second guard shoved the metal bolt across the armoury door, locking them in, while the first guard removed his helmet and breastplate and dropped the on a low shelf. Elizabeth backed away from them, mind racing. What was going on? Who were they? And where was Loki?

She moved toward the wall with the window and held her palms up disarmingly. "What's going on? I think there's some mistake."

The first guard narrowed his eyes. "No mistake. We know who you are." His tone was menacing.

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm only here to meet Prince Loki. I'm sorry about the confusion, but-"

She cut off as the second guard strode forward and slapped her across the face. "Don't talk, witch!"

"What? I'm not a witch!" She ducked and raised her arms in front of her stinging cheek as the first man raised his hand. "I swear, you have the wrong person!"

"I don't think we do!" Another slap, this one much harder than the first, made her see stars. "You broke the Bifrost, you trapped us all here! The Allfather can't come home to his throne because of you! You have left our people open to your evil, but we will not let you win!"

Elizabeth blinked furiously, and swiped at her face, trying to clear the tears blinding her eyes. She needed a weapon. Nothing special, really only something to give her time to get away. Her blurry eyes fell on the nearest shelf of horned helmets. She sidled away from the men and a little closer to the shelf. "I, I didn't plan to come here, I was as shocked as anyone."

"Lies, all lies. Do you think we believe you?"

"No, I'm not lying, I'm not. I promise you." Elizabeth wiped the back of her hand across her nose. Good, no blood. It was only running from the force of the slap. She was next to the shelf now, both guards practically pressing her back against it. Her hands fumbled for a grip on the metal.

Elizabeth wrapped her fingers around one horn and brought the helmet up as hard as she could at the face of the nearest guard. The man bellowed in surprise as the metal connected solidly and blood gushed down his face. She tried to dart past him, but he batted at her shoulder with one flailing arm and then the second man was there, yanking her arms back.

The first guard wiped blood from his face with his sleeve. Blood ran from a gash on his forehead and mixed with even more blood coming from his nose. "The bitch broke my nose." He stepped up in front of Elizabeth and placed a hand around her throat, pushing her back against the wall. His other hand jerked a dagger from his belt.

He considered her face for a moment. "Loki's little Midgardian whore. You're not even anything to look at." He turned and spat onto the floor by her feet., then reached for her left wrist and yanked her arm upward with a humorless grin. The blood from his nose trickled down his lips and outlined his teeth grotesquely. "You're going to wish you hadn't hit me."