Working Title : Loki & Annie

Chapter Thirty - Liar Liar

Inside the palace of Asgard there was turmoil brewing and everyone was aware of it. For the past day the guests and members of the Court had taken to gossiping about the cause while discussing every expression and action of the AllFather and AllMother in disturbing detail. The servants were no better, except they made sure to complete their tasks in silence and with absolute perfection lest the AllFather or AllMother's eye turn upon them.

However at this moment it was clear by Frigga's determined march that someone was going to be receiving her attention and from her expression, it was not going to be pleasant. Bodies cleared from her path and each head bowed formally as she passed, the faint noise of the heavy fabrics of her dress the only sound. No soft silks today. Today she wore the heavy weight of a brocade, the tight upper body a corset resembling the armor of her youth. If the dress was a deep red, nearly black, then it only matched her mood. Long before she approached them the guards stood even stiffer, and she ignored every last one of them. Until she came before the doors to the AllFather's personal office.

The two guards standing to each side dropped their ceremonial lances across the door, barring her way. One spoke, though there was clear respect in his tone, he had his orders. "The AllFather has ordered no one disturb him."

Frigga raised an eyebrow.

Inside the office Odin stood next to his military advisors as they all analyzed the latest dispatches while conferring over the best use of troops. Marauders were being captured and executed daily however there were still pockets of them in farther outlaying areas in some of the Realms. It was even suggested a group may have found a portal to help them slip from one Realm to another. This was unacceptable.

Odin felt aggravated, Thor should be the one standing here dealing with his brothers treachery. With a frown he looked towards the door where he could hear a commotion clearly coming from the hall. He was about to slam the door open to let his anger out on the cause of this disturbance when he didn't need to bother.

The door opened without his desire being made manifest and Frigga swept in, the guards swaying behind her as they moved to follow. Her voice was cutting, "You will ignore me no longer." Her stride brought her more than halfway into the chamber, where she met Odin's eye with a fierce gaze of her own.

"Your Majesty-" One guard spoke, the dismay in failing his King was clear in his voice.

Odin raised his hand to stop the poor man. Despite the fact Odin was facing the one person in all the Realms that he did not want to be facing, he had nothing but sympathy for both the guards. "Tis fine. I doubt the Norns themselves could stop the AllMother when she has taken an idea into her mind." His voice held humor which he felt none of.

Frigga felt her emotions bristle though she didn't let any of it show on her face. Her cheeks were already slightly flushed from the speed of her walk, she looked every inch the Goddess she was. Now her eyes narrowed just the very slightest, "Do not patronize me."

Every married man in the room shifted slightly. Many were familiar with that tone and found themselves in sympathy with the man who stood next to them. He may be the AllFather of the entire Nine Realms but he was also a husband, and his wife was most unhappy with him.

Frigga's eyes flicked over Asgards greatest military advisors. In the uncomfortably hushed silence she ordered. "Leave us."

The muscles of several of the men actually contracted to obey before they were able to stop the movement. Their instinct to obey that tone nearly making traitors of them all. They answered to none but the AllFather, despite their growing unease and desire to no longer be in the presence of the AllMother.