All The Little Pieces

A Whisper In The Dark

Elizabeth sank deeper into the expansive tub, feeling her sore muscles relax in the hot water. Elora had left a small bag of powdered medicine with instructions that it go in her bath and a note that it would keep her muscles from being stiff tomorrow. She kept her left elbow balanced on the rim of the tub, so as not to wet the bandage or stiches underneath.

True to his word, Loki had refused to leave, insisting on getting her clothes and robe and towels and carrying everything into the bathroom for her, then drawing her the bath. He had asked Maren to bring them dinner, ready when she was done bathing. Elizabeth had left him sitting sprawled across a chair in the lower chamber, reading.

She was a little embarrassed by Loki's constant attention, but at the same time very much enjoyed having him there. Elizabeth closed her eyes and breathed in the herbal smelling steam. Today was full of contradictions. For weeks she had wanted him to really let her into his thoughts, tell her his mind, and confide in her. Now he had and she was pleased, but heartbroken for him. She finally understood the deep sadness at the back of his eyes.

Sighing, Elizabeth finally rose from the tub carefully and reached for a towel. She peered in the mirror and surveyed the bruises on her arms and face, before she dropped the soft dress over her head and adjusted the sleeve around the bandage on her arm.

She stepped out of the bathroom and walked to the top of the steps when an intense wave of dizziness hit her. Bright lights danced across her vision and her body broke out in sweat. The floor tilted up toward her and the room spun wildly away at the same time. "Loki?" she called out, feeling suddenly panicked.

He was next to her instantly. "What's wrong?"

Elizabeth could hear the concern in his voice, but he sounded far away. A grey fog clouded her vision and she tried to get her voice to work. "I'm so dizzy. I think I'm going to pass out."

He swept her up and set her down on the chaise. "Breathe. Put your head down. You're not going to pass out." Loki sat next to her, rubbing her back gently. "Deep breaths. Keep your head down and eyes closed. I think I know what will help."

Elizabeth felt his hand grow cool, then freezing on her back. His hand moved up her neck, pausing for him to press icy fingers behind her ears, and continued into her hair. The other hand wiped the sweat from her forehead and moved slowly down one side of her face, then the other. It was the delicious sensation of running ice across hot skin on a summer day. He slid his palm under her chin and held it lightly against her throat. The dizzy, sick feeling faded and she drew a deep breath. "That's wonderful," she murmured.

Loki's fingers disappeared and she opened her eyes slowly and looked at him. He smiled his beautiful smile and Elizabeth felt her breath catch.

"Better?" he asked kindly.

She nodded. "I feel fine now. Thank you." She pushed back her still damp hair. "I don't know what happened, it hit me all of a sudden."

Realization dawned in Loki's eyes. "Did you put a powder in your bath, by chance?"

She nodded. "Yes, Elora left it in the bathroom with a note to dump the contents of the bag into the tub."

"Ah, I know exactly what that was, then. It's a powder made from a tree root. When mixed with water, it takes away most muscle pain and bruising, but if the water is too warm, you'll get incredibly dizzy a couple of minutes after you stand up and walk around." He smiled. "I learned that the hard way when I was about sixteen."

"Oh?" Elizabeth could not keep the amusement from her voice. She relaxed back against the cushions. "Now I need to know this story."

"Ehehehe, well, I got in a fight with one of Thor's friends. I started it, but he finished by giving me a pretty fair beating. Thor was used to fights, for training and fun both, so he gave me the medicine, and I got about as far out of the bath as you did when it hit me."

Elizabeth tried to hold back a laugh. "Oh no."

"Oh yes. I started sweating and at first thought I should simply sit down. Then I started feeling terribly ill and dizzy, so I started back for the bathroom in case I needed to be sick and got as far as the door when boom!" He slapped his hand flat on his thigh. "I passed out and fell like a tree, face first. I woke up a few minutes later feeling fine, but with more bruises than when I started."

Elizabeth laughed with him, then winced and touched the side of her face. "Ouch, this is still pretty sore."

"Here, let's have some dinner." Loki pulled the two trays onto the chaise and they sat at opposite ends, eating and chatting. After dinner, Loki retrieved their book, and they resumed reading.

At the end of the act, Elizabeth tipped her head back and sighed contentedly. "Thank you again for everything today. This afternoon and evening has almost made me forget the morning."

Loki's expression was troubled. "I'm so sorry about this morning," he said. "None of it should have happened."

"There's nothing you could have done, and it wasn't your fault. I feel bad that you've been here all day—I mean, I'm glad you've been here all day, but I don't want to keep you from anything more important you need to do. Whenever you need to go, let me know, I'll lock the door after you."

Loki shook his head. "I didn't have anything more important. And I'll go whenever you want me to, just tell me."

Elizabeth looked over at him for a minute. If it was up to her, he would never leave. "Okay. Maybe stay a little bit longer, then?"

Loki nodded. "As long as you need. Hold on." He retrieved a pillow and soft blanket from her bed. "Lay down here and relax. I'll sit in the chair until you get sleepy."

"Okay." Elizabeth settled back and let her mind drift.

When her eyes stayed closed for a lengthy stretch of time, Loki rose and quietly closed the curtains and blew out all but one candle. He started to tiptoe to the door.

"Loki?"

"Yes?"

"Could you, um, not leave yet... please?"

He turned back at the door and she watched him, apprehension in her eyes. She propped herself up on her elbows. "Do you mind?"

He walked back toward the chair. "Not at all. If you want, I'll stay here all night."

"You can't sleep in the chair, that'll be so uncomfortable." She sat up and pushed back the blanket.

"It's fine. I've slept in far, far worse places." He sat down next to her and looked closely at the bruise on her cheek. Elizabeth flinched slightly when he touched the sore skin with a fingertip. She laid her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and let out a deep sigh.

"Would you rather sleep like this?" Loki asked quietly.

Elizabeth tipped her head back and looked up at him questioningly.

"Here." Loki swung one long leg up and against the back of the wide chaise and leaned back against the pillow. He patted the cushion in front of him. "Here."

"You mean...?"

Loki sat bolt upright. "If it bothers you at all—"

Elizabeth scooted over. "No, it's perfect. She leaned back slowly against his chest and drew in a deep breath. "Are you sure this is comfortable for you?"

"Absolutely."

She pulled the blanket up over both of them and Loki tucked his other leg underneath. For a long time, they lay still.

"Loki... are you awake?"

"Mm..hm."

"Thank you for spending time with me, and... for everything."

Loki wrapped his arms around her gently. "Thank you for being my friend."

Elizabeth reached up and laid her hand softly on his. "Goodnight."

Once again they lay still as the minutes passed. Eventually Elizabeth's breathing deepened and her hand relaxed and slipped down to rest on the blanket. Loki lay in the dark, wide awake but filled with contentment at Elizabeth lying in his arms. He could feel her heart steadily beating against his chest as she slept.

Loki raised his head slightly and pressed a light kiss to the top of her head. "Goodnight, Elizabeth," he whispered. "I love you."