Bound

(Alternative Universe to Nightingale)

By: Lalaith Quetzalli

Chains that free… keys that kill… the instrument meant to save the lady's life has also irremediably tied her to his match. When the time comes for the shadows to fall and trials of fire to take place, will both of them manage to remain standing till the end? How much of a difference can a bond of two souls make?

Deamarkonian

Always, to save a life, something has to be given in return.

When I woke up I took a deep breath, stretched some this way and that as I noticed I was very stiff for some reason, then I pushed the covers off me, sat up and swung my legs to the side. It was until I was about to stand, as my eyes landed on a tray on my bedside table (a tray which held some tea, my aunt's latest attempt at some miracle cure) that I froze in place as my mind focused yet again and I remembered everything.

When I had laid down on the bed it was like settling on my deathbed (almost literally!). Then to wake up, to move and suddenly realize that my body didn't hurt, that I had no trouble breathing, or moving, that I didn't feel tired and weak…that I was alive…it was the most wonderful feeling I had experienced in my whole life.

My eyes went straight to my right arm as I confirmed how exactly I suddenly found myself so amazingly healthy when I'd so recently been so terribly sick…the cuff-bracelet, deamarkonian Loki had called them, like the ones in Kenyon's novel. Wonder what the authoress would think if she were to learn that someone had actually managed to make that imagined trinket of her fiction into a reality…?

My head swam when I got on my feet, I wasn't sure if it was because I'd been so long in bed, or because my body was still growing used to Loki's energy. I could feel it…or I thought I could. An energy flowing through me, revitalizing me in ways I never thought I could possibly be helped…not quite undoing the damage of my leukemia, but helping a great deal nonetheless. It was like the cancer was still there, but Loki's energy was keeping it from hurting me; whatever the case, it was more than I could have ever dreamed of…

I slowly moved to my window-seat, where I sat to watch the sunrise…I felt a shift in the air to my side as Loki appeared.

"Nightingale…you're awake…" He whispered softly.

"I am…" I agreed.

I made a move to turn and look at him but he stopped me with a hand on my shoulder, looking slightly sideways I noticed him watching the sky as it turned lighter ever so slowly with the rising of the sun, so I turned to continue watching as well.

"I will never be able to thank you…" I whispered after what seemed like forever.

"You being alive is all I wanted, I require no thanks, though…" His voice changed something, an inflection I couldn't quite identify. "I think we need to talk my Nightingale…"

I folded my right arm then, to touch the hand still on my shoulder, our bracelets touched and I could almost feel the shiver of the energy that bound us together, that kept me alive…

In that moment I couldn't understand why he sounded so stressed out. It was until later that I learnt I had been unconscious for three days and nights straight, not waking, not even moving and barely breathing…Loki wasn't even sure I would wake. The only reason my own family hadn't gone insane with worry was because Loki had set a spell beforehand, making so any time either my aunt or my father entered the room they saw me the same way they'd been seeing me the last few weeks; they also lost any interest they might have to make small talk with me, or ask any questions about how I felt and the like.

"Is anything wrong, Maverick?" I inquired, trying to lessen the somber feeling of the moment by calling him by my special nickname for him.

"Something unplanned has happened." His lips twisted in a half-smile, but nothing more than that. "Something related to this."

Again I felt the same shiver of energy as he touched the deamarkonian on my wrist; it seemed almost like the more I paid attention to it the more aware I was of the link that it created between us. I was also beginning to become aware of other things: like the shadow of sorts that seemed to have settled upon him; whatever was on his mind was serious… and bad, at least for him. I couldn't help the hint of fear: were the bracelets failing? Was I going to die anyway?

"You're not going to die…" He whispered into my ear as he curled around my body, my back against his chest. "However, I'm afraid it's still pretty serious."

"Whatever it is, you can tell me." I assured him.

"I failed." He stated glumly.

"You already said I'm not gonna die." I said, half-confused, half-reassured. "How can you claim to have failed then?"

"It appears that the one aspect of the fictional deamarkonian I was sure I could do without… has somehow slipped through. I almost believe it to be the Norns' way of making fun of me, of us both, by giving me what I've spent all these weeks praying for, only to put on it the one price I never expected to have to pay…"

I wasn't sure how it happened, but a part of my mind managed to keep up with his convoluted speech. I could remember the one part of the deamarkonian he'd said he had kept out, because it would be so inconvenient for us: the one that would make it so we had to be in close proximity to each other all the time…

For a number of seconds I felt like I couldn't breathe… I was pretty confident I was right, if we kept the deamarkonian on we would have to stay close together… if we didn't keep them I would die. I wasn't suicidal, I liked, loved really, still being alive; yet I hated with the same intensity the idea that it all might complicate Loki's life more than was necessary, more than I ever wished, or dreaded, to; at the same time, I knew that with all the effort Loki had already gone through to create those bracelets there was just no way he would allow me to take them off… which left but one course of action:

"When are we leaving?" I inquired softly.

I refused to allow the sadness to take me over, focusing instead on the good things: I was alive, I had Loki… and I would always have him. Everything else I could deal with… even having to say goodbye to my family.

"Wha…?" He obviously wasn't expecting that.

"There is only one thing I can think of that might have happened without you expecting it." I told him with as much calm as I could. "Especially since you mentioned it was one aspect of the fictional deamarkonian that you thought you could do without… the proximity clause. Which means we have to stay close together, not sure how much just yet, but I can hazard a guess that we cannot be in different realms. You are a god, a prince of Asgard, you're needed in your realm, with your people, far more than I am here… The solution, therefore, is quite obvious: I shall go with you. Not quite sure how that is going to work with me being mortal and all that but… I will go with you to Asgard."

"I am sorry my Nightingale…" He whispered, burying his face in my hair.

"Never feel sorry for saving my life Loki." I said his name, so he would know how serious I was. "Not for that, never that."

He didn't reply to that, not verbally, though I could feel a knot of mixed emotions trapped somehow inside the still-stabilizing link between us.

"I am here Loki…" I whispered softly yet strongly.

It seemed to be enough, at least for the time being, he laid his chin over the top of my head and we just stayed there, breathing together.

We didn't talk anymore then, though we both knew a lot needed to be said yet. I'd been asleep for a few days, and it was quite obvious that he hadn't been able to return to Asgard in that time. That meant we would have to leave soon… I had to find a way to help my aunt and dad move on, stop their suffering as much as possible, while still making sure they wouldn't try to seek me out, they had to move on… And, of course, there was also the matter of me being mortal and how exactly was I supposed to get into Asgard and not be kicked out for breaking some ancient law (it would be just my luck, after having just survived the impossible)?

In the end we did not talk about any of that, choosing just to stay there, watching the garden through the window. And then, for no specific reason, I began singing. It was a little something I had been playing with in my mind for a while now, but it was the first time I actually sang the words as I'd been too afraid of trying it before… and in that moment Loki was there. It seemed right in some ways I didn't stop to think much about, some I couldn't begin to comprehend. It didn't really matter right then, all that mattered was that I sang, and Loki listened…

"All my life

Is changing every day

In every possible way

In all my dreams

It's never quite as it seems

Never quite as it seems…"

"I know I've felt like this before

But now I'm feeling it even more

Because it came from you

Then I open up and see

The person falling here is me

A different way to be…"

"I want more

Impossible to ignore

Impossible to ignore

They'll come true

Impossible not to do

Impossible not to do…"

"Now I tell you openly

You have my heart so don't hurt me

You're what I couldn't find

Totally amazing mind

So understanding and so kind

You're everything to me…"

"All my life

Is changing every day

In every possible way

And oh my dreams

It's never quite as it seems

Cause you're a dream to me

Dream to me…"

xXx

I said my goodbyes to my family that very night. With Loki's help we made them believe it was all a dream of sorts, while at the same time having them retain the conviction of reality. I knew the next morning they would find the golem Loki had left on my bed, disguised as me. All arrangements had been made beforehand, so I knew the body would be cremated (before the spells on it could fail) and the ashes spread on the garden. Then they would move on… it pained me to have to leave them, but I convinced myself it was the only choice, and that I'd done all I could to make the separation as painless as possible.

The next part was harder. Loki held me tightly to him before jumping into the Shadow Paths. We came out in a corner of a garden, and I couldn't help but lost my breath almost immediately the moment I saw the golden-haired woman in regal attire sitting on a bench, beneath a huge tree, it took no effort to guess who she was: Queen Frigg!

"Mother…" Loki called to her as soon as we were fully in the garden.

I felt almost like shrinking as I kept myself behind him. I was in a simple white dress with purple stitching on the bottom and purple flats; by my feet an enchanted bag which held all my most important possessions, mainly books, pictures and some jewelry that had belonged to my mother and I wanted to keep, and a few changes of clothing.

"Loki, dear…" Frigg smiled brightly as she saw him, and then she saw me. "And who might this young girl be?"

Because I truly was young, barely fourteen, and so small (and the ravage the sickness had done to my body in the last few months didn't help matters any). Usually I paid little to no attention to the difference in age between Loki and I, but in that moment it was, almost painfully, obvious. I just hoped it wouldn't hurt our chances of getting the Queen's help.

"We need your help mother." Loki began telling the story we'd spun together right away. "This is Nightingale, this is my dearest friend, and she's in danger."

"The Lady Nightingale…" Frigg repeated, a note of surprise in her obvious. "She's your best friend, isn't she? I shall admit I imagined her to be older…"

"Nightingale is older than her years." Loki explained simply. "And it is true she's, among my few friends, the one I hold dearest… I have brought her here before you because she needs your help, we both do."

"You claim she's in danger…" The regal woman nodded, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and honest worry.

She was worrying, for a complete stranger, simply because her son was claiming her as a friend. In that moment I realized the last thing the gentle queen deserved was to be lied to. Besides, like Aunt Kathryn used to say, all lies come out eventually, and when ours did Loki was likely to take the blame, he didn't deserve that either. He was doing more than enough for me already. So before Loki could begin to truly spin the concocted story I laid a hand on his back, stopping him in silence. He turned to look at me in shocked surprise but I just shook my head slightly at him before turning to face the queen.

"My Queen…" I addressed her respectfully with a deep curtsy. "I hope you'll forgive that I dare speak to you directly, but I believe you deserve to know the truth."

There was no reaction from her; which meant that either she'd been expecting lies already, or she was waiting before judging, I hoped for the later.

"While your son calls me Nightingale and that is, certainly, a name I cherish deeply, I was born Silbhé Sebastiandottir." I switched my family-name to something she would understand better. "Loki has told you I'm in danger, and while that is, indeed, a truth in a certain way, it is nothing foreign, or violent in nature, simply the due course of nature." I realized I was being way more formal, and confusing, than was strictly necessary, and decided to make things clear. "I hail from Midgard, your Majesty, as such I'm mortal. Death should have come for me three nights ago; and it would have, but for your son's selfless actions that helped preserve my life. I know this is not the way things should have been done, and I offer my deepest apologies if, by accepting his help, I've offended you in anyway, or if I've brought dishonor to his name. It certainly was never my intent. All I wanted was to live…"

My voice actually broke at that part, and for a few seconds I felt like I couldn't breathe, until I felt Loki's hand on a bare spot on my shoulder, close to my neck. His touch calmed me enough to make me breathe deeply and order my thoughts. I briefly thought that he might want to finish the explanation, but he just stood there and I realized then that, it had been my choice to be truthful, and thus I would have to see it through to the end.

The Queen herself didn't say a word, just watching me, she must have known there was more that needed to be said, so she just waited in silence.

"Loki's actions had a… rather unexpected consequence." I went on, trying to keep calm. "For the magic keeping me alive to work as it should, we cannot be apart. We don't yet know what the actual limit on distance might be, but it was obvious enough there was no way we could be in separate realms. Which is why I came with him." I sighed. "I know that, as a mortal, I have no right to lay eye, or foot on Asgard, but I am willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure things go alright." I let out a breath I'd been unknowingly holding before making my offer. "Of course, if her Majesty believes this to be too much of a bother, or that it may bring danger or trouble upon Loki, I will leave just as I came…"

Loki opened his mouth to complain, but Frigg stopped him before a single word could leave his lips, her eyes still fixed on me.

"What about what my son has done?" She asked carefully.

"It can be undone." I stated simply, refusing to look at Loki, to see with my own eyes the horror I already knew he was feeling. "I am not ungrateful for his actions, the exact opposite, in fact. But, I will not become a problem for him."

"You would leave…" Frigg stated more than asked.

"Yes." I confirmed the words anyway.

"You would die…" She insisted.

"Some would say it is my time." I answered promptly.

I was trying to keep calm, shrug, and sound as nonchalant as possible; though I could see in the Queen's eyes that she saw through my paper-thin façade. Deep inside me, a voice cried at the idea of truly dying; while it was something I accepted, it doesn't mean I wanted to.

For almost a full minute not a word was said, by anyone. I began feeling faint, until I realized I wasn't breathing (that's how stressed out I was), and I had just taken a breath when, finally, the Queen broke the silence.

"You shall be my handmaiden." She announced unexpectedly. "You will answer to the name Nightingale only. A young lady from a distant land, come seeking sanctuary, your payment will be in your service to me. No questions will be asked, no demands made of you, of either of you. It's not the first time I've taken a handmaiden from another realm, and if you keep to yourselves it's likely that it will be years before anyone suspects anything." She took a deep breath before turning to Loki. "You might want to expand your research of whatever seidhr you made use of to save her life, if only to ensure you won't both die if something unplanned were to happen."

"Of course mother." Loki nodded immediately.

"My deepest thanks, your Majesty." I bowed deeply to her again.

Truly, things went far better than I'd ever expected; better than I had any right to expect.

My introduction as handmaiden to the Queen happened with surprising ease. Being the queen she had twelve ladies under her service at any given time, the women coming and going as either they moved on to get married or, in some very specific cases, their debts to the palace and the royal family were fulfilled. It turned out than one would be leaving that very week, and while there was a short list of candidates to take her place, mostly daughters of noble families that hoped to be accepted into service of the queen for a few years to bring honor and recognition to their families; no comment was made when I was introduced instead. No one even asked who I was, or where I was from, once the Queen announced me as her handmaiden, and that I was to be addressed as Nightingale, that was it.

While a number of handmaidens were meant to personally attend to the queen, most were left to other, lesser, tasks, like keeping her chambers in order, delivering messages, checking over meals, etc. In my case, it took less than a month for my lady to discover my interest in gardens, as well as my proficiency in tending to them. So soon those became my official duties, which at some point extended to taking care of Loki's personal garden as well.

While the Queen's gardens were certainly grandiose and quite beautiful, in my mind nothing could compare with Loki's private garden: with its huge lavender tree in the very center of it, surrounded by orchids, violets, carnations, several Norwegian blossoms I knew not the names of and roses… roses in every color in the universe! Eventually I would discover that the tree as well as the roses were grown from seeds from the very flowers in my old garden in Salani mansion; helped along by magic. Loki had specifically made arrangements for that garden like that, it was something for me, for us. No one except the two of us, and maybe his mother, were allowed inside (and the Queen hardly ever went there).

Thus my life as a handmaiden to the Queen of Asgard began.

xXx

I woke up abruptly to the sound of crystal bells chiming lightly from one of my bedposts. It took me a handful of seconds to be awake enough to realize what was going on, but the moment I did I pushed the covers off my body and moved to get off the big bed. I didn't fully process even as I reached for the long night-robe I laid every night at the foot of the bed (a part my feet would never reach), it was silk, the lightest shade of blue, with a lavender tree painted the length of the back, with its branches reaching down my arms, the front had scattered blossoms, making it seem almost like the wind had blown them around the robe. As soon as the slippers were on my feet I hurried to the door, before the pounding could start (and I knew it would, if I didn't answer the call soon enough) by the standards of those waiting outside.

I opened the door just in time, as a certain blonde was standing right there, hand raise about to knock (pound) directly on the door. The bell was something I'd come up with years before, to avoid their 'late-night visits' waking the other handmaidens who slept in the wing.

"Lady Nightingale…" Thor's voice sounded quite loud even when he was trying to whisper.

"Come inside, come inside, and keep your voice down." I muttered as I opened the door wide to him and his companions.

While he might have technically been my prince, I'd never been one to stand on ceremony for anyone other than the Queen, and the King (though with him it was more a necessity than something I actually wanted to do). Then there were the particular circumstances in which we had met; they'd been special enough to allow me some leeway.

"What happened this time?" I inquired softly as I moved after them. "No, first of all tell me, who's hurt this time?"

"Fandral." Hogun and Volstagg announced in unison as they helped the blonde inside.

"And Loki." Thor added as he went in.

"He's far worse than I am." Loki pointed quite calmly.

I was quite sure it was true, with the fact that Fandral couldn't actually walk on his own, one of legs seemed to have been rendered useless. And it was the same with one of Loki's hands, judging by the way he held his left arm tight against his chest, and yet he didn't stop his hand from falling limply downwards.

"Get him to the divan." I told the Warriors before moving in the direction of my bed.

In the back of my top drawer I kept a dozen or so glass vials covered in a thick cloth. Half of them contained powdered healing stone (two stones each), the other half contained the powder of one stone dissolved in spring water each. I hadn't always had that many, and there had been a time when no one but Loki had known I had them. It had all changed not even six months after I began living in Asgard, it had also been that day that my presence stopped going unnoticed by Thor and his friends…

I had been sleeping then too. It was a late night and the fact that I hadn't seen Loki before retiring to my quarters made me feel uneasy. I hadn't been sleeping for long when I heard a lot of noise on the hallway just outside my bedroom.

My quarters were very particular. Us handmaidens had a special area of the palace just for us, close enough to the Royal Apartments to be able to attend effectively to our Queen, but far enough that we wouldn't disrupt them. A number of handmaidens shared quarters, and I was fortunate to be allowed a private room. We also had a common room for our personal use, which connected all the bedrooms. However, my bedroom was special, because it had a second door, one that lead to a little known hallway, which connected directly to the Royal Wing (much more directly than the main hallway did).

There was a reason for how the room was built, Loki had told me, as in ancient times it wouldn't have been rare for someone from the royal family to keep a mistress inside the castle by passing her as a handmaiden. In my case the extra door allowed Loki and I to visit often, in secret; also, the mere positioning of the room meant I was closer to him, which also helped.

I barely remembered to get my night-robe; it was supposed to be a gift from my father, for my last birthday before the Cancer had returned (though I knew my aunt had had it made in my father's name when he forgot my birthday). I wasn't even fully awake when I finally reached the secondary door in my bedroom and opened it. I'd just finished tying my robe closed and raised my head, in time to see the blonde Prince of Asgard half-carrying half-dragging his raven-haired brother down the hall.

"Loki!" I half cried out before I was fully conscious of what I was doing.

Thor reacted automatically, reaching for Mjolnir on his waist at the same time he turned in my direction, expression wary.

"N…Nightingale…" Loki was wheezing, which only worried me more.

"Nightingale?" Thor repeated in shock. "You are the Lady Nightingale?"

"I am." I waved that aside. "What happened to Loki?"

"Not…ing…" Loki panted.

"If he's hurt why aren't you in the healing rooms?" I inquired next.

"I don't need healing rooms!" Loki managed to hiss with some effort.

Thor's sheepish expression was even more telling. The basics of the situation became pretty obvious to me then: Loki and Thor had fought, either a spar or an argument-gone-wrong. They had fought, and Thor had hurt Loki, badly… Loki was refusing to go to the healing rooms, yet was in enough of a bad condition the seidhr in him wasn't healing him automatically. He didn't go to the healers because they didn't want his injuries to become known, or the cause for them; which meant that, most likely, the fight hadn't been sanctioned, so an argument then. I'd just reached that conclusion when I also noticed something else: the way Loki was talking, the problems he had to breathe…

"You hurt his ribs!" I barely managed to keep myself from screeching.

"Nigh…tingale…" Loki hissed.

"Just come inside." I stated. "You may not want to go see the healers Loki, though the Spirits know it is insane. However, you are going to get healed."

I did not wait for an answer before spinning around and getting back into my room. It took several seconds, but eventually Thor followed me, still half-carrying Loki, he went into my bedroom, closing the door behind him.

"Can you truly help my brother, Lady Nightingale?" Thor asked quietly.

"I can." I assured him with all the conviction I could. "I will."

Thor got Loki to sit on a divan in a corner of the room (the opposite corner from where my bed was). I would have preferred for Loki to lay on the bed, but I knew that would have been very improper, so I said nothing about it. Instead I reached into the top drawer of my night-table, there, in a cloth bag, enveloped in thick, cushy cloth were the six healing vials Loki had prepared for me in case of an emergency. I did not hesitate before taking the one with the elixir and handing it to Loki.

"Nigh…" He began.

"Drink it." I commanded with all the force I could muster, before adding more softly: "Please Loki, you need to heal."

I brought my own free hand to my chest, just below my breast; it was an unconscious gesture, though when I heard Loki's breath catching in his throat and turned to look at him, noticed how he was standing straight at me, at my hand… I realized what it must look like. And while it wasn't true (not yet anyway) I wasn't feeling the pain of his probably-fractured ribs, I was feeling the ghost of something… In the end I said nothing, remaining silent and letting him draw his own conclusions, which was enough to convince him to drink the elixir.

"Now this one." I stated next, holding up a vial of powder.

"Wha…" She shook his head stubbornly. "I don't need anything else, I'm f…"

"Dare not say you're fine." I interrupted him. "Think I haven't noticed how, in the whole while since I found you, you haven't moved your left arm, not even once? You have a broken wrist, or a broken forearm, I know not which."

"Healing powder does not heal broken bones." He pointed out with a triumphant glint.

"Usually not." I conceded. "But your arm is bleeding, I can see that too. And I can almost bet the cut is deep enough that you can reach the bone through it."

"I could see the bone through the wound when he broke it during our fight." The God of Thunder contributed helpfully.

"Thor!" Loki half-hissed, half-whined.

"Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way." I said in the most no-nonsense voice I could. "But either way, you're not leaving this room until you're as healed as I can make you."

The Trickster let out a loud, dramatic, suffering sigh before pretty much using his right hand to pull his left arm over his legs, showing just how badly broken it was. He'd broken his radius, and at least one of the small bones that made the base the wrist was out of place, the wound was bad enough that I could see the bones through the shredded muscle. I didn't even want to imagine how much it would hurt, or what Loki would have done without access to a healer…

It was at that point that I promised myself that I would learn everything I could about Asgardian healing. The next time Loki ended up injured and either unable or unwilling to go to the healers (and I knew there would be a next time, many even) I would see to his healing myself.

It ended up needing the whole content of the powder vial before his skin fully knitted (by which point his bones had been set and half-healed already, and his muscles were as they should). The whole time both Thor and I could see the shadow of pain in Loki's eyes, though he refused to let a single sound escape his lips, and even his body only tensed slightly.

Once the ordeal was over I handed Loki a cup of valerian tea, he wanted to refuse me but I wouldn't budge and in the end he took it. He made a face after the first sip, until I gestured him to the honey-pot on the table beside the divan, where the tea-set sat; he added a couple of spoonfuls of honey to the tea, mixing it carefully, before going back to drinking it.

"It seems you truly know my brother, my lady?" Thor commented abruptly. "Though, I hardly know anything about you…"

"Thor…" Loki began in a warning tone.

"Oh, I have heard of the Lady Nightingale, and I know you to be my brother's best-friend." Thor pushed forward. "But if it is so, how come he never said that you were one of our mother's handmaidens? Our friends would have wanted to know!"

"Your friends Thor." Loki corrected almost coldly. "Your friends, not mine. And I doubt very much that they care enough about me and my life to even remember I've ever mentioned Nightingale in front of them."

It looked like Thor wanted to say something, to somehow object to that comment, but in the end he didn't; either he decided it wasn't worth the fight, or he realized Loki was right.

"My appointment to this honorable position is quite recent still." I chose my words with great care. "While Loki is my dearest friend, this situation was still… unexpected. We're still getting used to all the change. That, I would imagine, is the reason why he hasn't told you about it, my lord. That and, from what I know Loki, he isn't someone to volunteer information when others haven't asked…"

Thor's mouth turned in obvious dissatisfaction, but he didn't try to deny it, he knew I was right. If he never asked Loki about matters, like me, or anything else that was connected to Loki, his brother obviously wouldn't tell him.

"You spoke of change…" Thor commented next. "Are you not from Asgard then?"

"I hail not from the Realm Eternal." I admitted, once again being careful of how much I said. "However, my old home, my past, are two topics I would rather not speak of, if His Highness would desist from asking."

"Of course." He nodded immediately before noticing something. "Why the change in address? Just a few minutes ago you were talking openly to me, making demands even."

"I have realized how rude I've been, my lord." I explained with a bow of my head. "It was not my intention. I was just worried about L… Prince Loki."

"You're his friend, his best-friend I would bet, you have the right to be worried." The blonde nodded. "And I do not mind if you address me candidly. All my friends do, and I would like to think that any friend of my brother is a friend of mine…"

I bowed my head in acquiescence.

"As long as she doesn't do it before Father or the Court." Loki commented with a mischievous glint in his eyes, though his expression was still a bit stern. "Mother might not care much for grand-standing and royal protocol, but they do. And Nightingale could get in serious trouble if she doesn't follow it."

"Of course." Thor nodded immediately. "I would never want that."

With a nod Loki went back to his tea. In a few minutes he'd finished it and it took no time after that for the first yawn to pass his lips.

"Are you tired now, brother?" The blonde asked teasingly.

Loki made a rude gesture, opening his mouth as if to curse Thor, only to have another yawn escape him instead.

"His magic must be exhausted after those wounds." I commented calmly but firmly to Thor. "Even with the healing powder, injuries like that are very taxing on the body. Also, the tea I gave him is valerian, it's a muscle relaxant as well as a very light sedative. It's meant to help with whatever residual pain he might have, make sure his body relaxes and sleeps well; sleep will help his recovery too."

"You seem to know a lot about herbs and healing, my lady." The blonde commented with an almost thoughtful expression.

"Just a bit, though I shall endeavor to learn more on the topic." I told him seriously. "Thor, if either Loki or you ever get injured again and would rather keep it from public knowledge and the healers, come to me. I promise I will always do whatever I can to help."

"The help will be greatly appreciated, my lady." Thor nodded respectfully.

"Just Nightingale, please." I smiled at him.

No further words were said. Thor just helped Loki to his feet before leaving the same way they'd come in. I made sure to lock the door and then went back to my bed.

Two weeks later I met Sif, Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg when they followed Thor and Loki to my rooms, all in need of some form of healing. A month after that I had the crystal bells installed on my bedpost, after fearing more than once that Thor's and Volstagg's pounding on my door might wake the whole palace. The bells were connected to a thick but nearly-invisible wire on the frame of the secondary door to my chambers; when the wire was pulled on a bit, the bells chimed, low enough not to be heard by others, loud enough to call my attention.

Since the morning after first healing Loki I'd begun visiting the healing wing, looking to learn everything I could about the art. Most people thought I was trying to earn a place as a royal healer, for when I ceased being a handmaiden. Truth is, after five years, I was the only one still there. Most handmaidens from noble families served a year, three at most; and those who were looking for a favor never did more than five. After five I was still there, rumors were beginning to build, people believing that I was paying with my service some kind of crime, either in my name or that of someone else… It could have been possible, even if that wasn't my case. And it wasn't like I could explain why, after five years, I was still a handmaiden.

The Queen had actually offered me the post of chief handmaiden after the end of my fourth year, with so many new girls around. But I knew that if I accepted I would have many duties that would keep me from what I truly enjoyed: the gardens, and the time I spent with Loki: either talking or just keeping each other company. So I carefully declined the offer. Still, I somehow managed to command a level of respect that no one, not even Rue, the chief handmaiden, did.

I pushed my mind back to the present as I looked over my shoulder and saw Hogun and Volstagg helping Fandral lay on the divan, the blonde was obviously in some pain. Loki, for his part, went to sit on a cushioned chair on the other side of the tea-table, still holding his injured hand against his chest in silence. Thor standing by his side.

"Sif, could I impose on you to heat up some water for tea?" I asked the warrior-lady. "It will help us all, please."

She nodded silently before taking the teapot and taking it to the small kitchenette in a corner of the handmaidens' common rooms. They were empty in that moment, thankfully. Though I knew that even if someone had seen Sif, seen any of us, no one would dare comment on it. All the handmaidens knew that I was friends with Sif, the Warriors Three, and the Asgardian Princes; even if none of them seemed to understand how such a thing was possible in the first place. At some point some of the girls had tried to start rumors that I was bedding Fandral, though those were put to rest almost faster than I found out about them; with Fandral himself explaining that we were just friends, seriously enough for the others to believe him. Though that still didn't explain why the womanizer hadn't tried to make a pass at me (maybe the fact that I was so young… though, with my position and fame some people seemed to forget those details more and more often as time passed).

"Do you know what caused this problem?" I asked over my shoulder.

In the last few years I'd gone from just having the vials with healing powder to keeping several jars and boxes with a collection of salves, potions, herbs, fruits, etc. Some ailments and injuries were better healed through more specific methods than just healing powder.

"Poison." Several of the warriors called at once.

"Blue scorpion." Loki clarified with a sigh.

I froze for a second.

"And exactly who thought it was a good idea to provoke the ire of blue scorpions?" I inquire sarcastically. "Because I know that those creatures like cold too much to seek anyone out."

"We were exploring…" Volstagg began.

My glare was somehow enough to shut him instantly, instead he just pointed to Fandral.

"Hey!" The blonde complained. "I resent that!"

"You can only resent it, if it is untrue, and I'm quite sure he's right." I countered. "I hope you realize the danger here Fandral. The poison of the blue scorpion is meant to lower your body temperature, dangerously low, to the point where eventually your blood will simply stop circulating, your body as a whole will be deprived of it, and of oxygen. You will, to put it in simple terms, 'go blue'. Then die."

The gasp that left his mouth made it obvious that he'd had no idea of the consequences of being stung by a blue scorpion. Which only made the whole situation even more stupid. Who provoked the ire of a knowingly poisonous animal without even knowing if they had a chance at surviving said attack (at least long enough to get a healer)? Apparently Fandral.

"You're lucky enough I've been studying poisons recently." I announced as I finally took a salve and a couple of potion bottles. "Otherwise I would be calling the healers already."

"But the Court cannot know we did this!" Fandral cried out dramatically.

"Why?" My voice was filled to the brim with sarcasm. "Because you were stupid enough to almost get yourself killed, or because you were stupid enough to do it the day before Thor's coronation as King?"

"Both." Sif deadpanned as she reentered the room.

I nodded at her as she served the hot water on the cups I'd already added the necessary herbs to. It was a blend of valerian, kava and lemon.

"Drink that." I instructed all of them.

"But we're not hurt." Volstagg eyed the cups carefully.

He knew well that, while I would never hurt any of them (I expended too much energy and effort healing them), few of my teas had a good taste.

"There are sugar cubes, milk and honey in the table." I signaled. "And even if you weren't stung by the scorpions, all of you have more than one scratch, who said you didn't come in contact with either the that poison, or something else entirely that might take effect at any moment?"

Unlikely, but if they all drank the tea none of them would be active enough to push others to do some other stupidity before the following morning.

Loki just smirked at me as he added honey to his own tea, he knew what was going through my mind; sometimes he knew better than I did myself.

In the five years since the deamarkonian had been sealed on our wrists our link had grown and deepened. We were able to 'read' each other's mood with perfect accuracy, and had at least a basic idea of the line of thought the other was following at any given time. We were also aware when there was any danger, good things and bad. There were some times, when the feelings were particularly intense, that I could almost believe I could see some kind of shiny, colorful ribbons floating in the ether, binding us together.

"Do any of you need to be anywhere this evening?" I inquired for good measure.

"No…" Ever so slowly they all admitted what I knew already.

"Then drink the tea already." I ordered simply.

No more complaints were made, and even Thor took his own tea. He added abundant sugar to his, considering it too bitter for his tastes. Hogun was the only one who took all teas natural, with Sif it depended on her mood, Volstagg preferred to add as much milk as he could get away with, Fandral would add a bit of everything, while Loki preferred them with just a hint of honey; I tended to add more than he did and lemon (whenever the blend didn't have it already), unless I needed the tea to be especially strong, then I took it natural.

As they drank the teas I used one of the potions I'd fetched to clean the area where the scorpion had stung Fandral (there were actually two), took hold of a small knife which I used quickly to force the wound open anew, making it bleed. It was obvious in the face of the blond that he didn't like it, and the tea wasn't enough to fully erase the pain, just to take the edge off; but he didn't say a word. The second potion I poured directly over the open wound, it caused the flowing blood to bubble for a few seconds, before it slowed down significantly (it was meant to eliminate the poison and facilitate clotting). Then I spread the healing salve, before finally making sure the skin would hold together with the help of tiny adhesive bandages. Fandral would be completely healed by the next day.

With Loki things went much easier and faster. He had placed a tourniquet of sorts on his wrist, stopping the poison from spreading, which was beneficial (it was why he'd only lost temporarily the use of a hand, rather than a whole limb, like Fandral).

After the two I took care of the cuts and scratches on everyone else. They were minor things, which could have easily healed on their own, but after I'd told them about possibly having infected themselves it was better if I just helped them too.

After that they all just waited until finishing all their teas before taking leave of my chambers. Thor and Loki were the last to leave, as usual; what wasn't was the blonde King-to-be turning back to look at me.

"I truly know not what we would do without you, Lady Nightingale." He told me in an oddly solemn and heartfelt voice.

"I'm sure you would manage." I told him with a nod.

He nodded back, though I thought I could see something in his eyes, like he didn't fully agree. It was strange, I'd never seen Thor like that, so serious, so… thoughtful. If only the sudden mood had helped with what would be happening in the following days…

xXx

That morning I couldn't help but feel a tad self-conscious in the golden strapless floor-length wrap dress I was wearing. It was the same attire for all handmaidens, in fact that was the style we all wore most of the time, though the ones for everyday use were shorter and I favored the use of a shawl of some kind on my shoulders. I wore no heels, ever, preferring flats, even if they made me look small; that day I was wearing golden sandals with straps, and still no heels.

I moved silently, as was usual, until I reached a column close to the entrance of the Throne Room, where I could hear Thor and Loki talking.

"You are incapable of sincerity." Thor said right then.

I had no idea what exactly they may be conversing about, but that simple statement, and the falseness of it was enough to make me almost want to reveal myself just to shut Thor up (and who cared that we were less than an hour away from him being named King…?)

"Am I?" Loki asked with complete seriousness. "I've looked forward to this day as long as you have. You're my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt that I love you."

"Thank you." I could hear the smile in Thor's voice.

I stood there, as if speared in place. I knew I was intruding in a very private and emotional moment, yet didn't dare move, least I end up making a sound and be found out. Loki was being unusually honest and emotionally open in that moment. And truth be told, he doesn't lie as much as others might claim, he just… likes to play with words, twist them and the truth around until you couldn't help but believe something that was, in fact, a lie.

"Now give us a kiss." Loki jested.

They began joking a bit and I closed my eyes as I waited for the right moment to approach Loki. I had to talk to him before the ceremony commenced. I waited until there was a lull in their conversation before finally stepping into view, right as Thor turned to talk to Loki again.

"How do I look?" He inquired.

"Like a King." I couldn't help but answer at the same time Loki did.

"Lady Nightingale." The blonde turned to look at me in surprise. "You look most charming this day." He winked and smirked at me before adding. "Is this all for me?"

"Keep dreaming… my lord…" I made an exaggerated curtsy at him even as I smirked.

Right then the sound of a ceremonial horn interrupted us.

"It's time." Loki stated solemnly.

"You two go ahead." Thor told us with a small smile. "I'll be along. Go on."

I wasn't sure how good an idea that was, but since I truly needed to talk to Loki before the ceremony commenced I didn't complain. Loki just shook his head, probably thinking the same thing, before offering me his arm. The glint on Thor's eyes right as we went to enter the Throne Room through a mostly concealed side-door told me Thor was planning something.

"He's going to make an entrance, isn't he?" I asked, right as I thought it.

"Yes." Loki nodded with a roll of his eyes.

"The Allfather won't like it." I pointed out unnecessarily. "Neither will her Majesty."

"No, they won't, but it's not like we can do anything to stop Thor." The raven-head replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "Or like either of them will truly chastise him for it; after all, this is to be Thor's day…"

"Loki…" I didn't know what to say.

I knew he was honest when he claimed to have been waiting for the day as long as Thor, and that my dearest friend had no interest in laying claim to the crown; while he might excel at diplomacy greatly, ruling just wasn't to his liking. He would rather be an Advisor to the King, helping from the shadows was much more in his nature.

"I would rather not argue right now, Nightingale." He told me with a sigh.

Yes, because no matter how much he might not want the crown… he still wished his father at least believed him worthy of it, of the responsibility and the honor. It was one thing I could not understand, how can the Allfather be called 'allseeing' and yet be so blind to what was right in front of him? The fact that one of his sons felt painfully inferior and constantly compared to the other. But Odin did not see, and there was nothing I could do to change that; for even if I were to try, I was but a handmaiden, and my words held no weight at all (besides which, they would call attention upon myself, more than we were prepared to deal with if we wanted to keep my origins in the shadows).

"He's much too stubborn." I said, going back to the topic of Thor's upcoming entrance.

Loki nodded in agreement, and I could see briefly the glint of thankfulness in his eyes, he was grateful that I hadn't pushed. Then again, I knew him enough, knew when to push and when not to. We stayed in silence for a few seconds right as we reached the side-door we would be entering through. Loki stopped me before concealing us in a nook.

"Is everything ready?" He asked me in a low voice.

"Yes." I made a pause before adding. "Loki, are you sure this is a good idea?"

"You know as well as I that Thor just isn't ready to be King." He told me.

"I know." I nodded. "But Jotun? I mean, I don't actually have anything against them as a race but… you know Asgard's stand on them and their realm."

"And I know Thor's opinion on them, which is the most important detail." He replied. "For this plan to work I need to know exactly what to expect. It's quite easy to know what Thor will do when the Frost Giants interrupt his coronation… his reaction should be enough to make Father see just how not-ready he is. That should give us time."

"You know this is just postponing the inevitable, right?"

"It gives us more time to make sure that when Thor finally gets the throne he won't be a danger to Asgard, or any of the other realms."

"You know I stand by you, I always will." I stated calmly. "I just hope this won't get out of our hands… or yours, in any case."

He nodded to me, but even as we finally left the nook to join everyone else for the ceremony I could sense the thought neither of us wanted to voice: things were going to go so wrong…

I watched Loki climb over half the steps leading to the dais upon which the King's Throne sat, with Sif standing closest to him; while the Warriors Three stood on the opposite side. I went to stand on the same side as Sif and Loki, though below the dais, right next to Rue; the rest of the handmaidens were in strategic points all around the Throne Room.

Thor made an entrance, like we'd known he would. Also, as expected, Odin and Frigg weren't too happy about it, though neither of them chastised him. Instead, the ceremony went on. I wasn't paying much attention to it, only half paying attention to his speech; instead I stood there, tense, waiting for the moment when the presence of the Jotun in Asgard would be revealed? Shouldn't it have happened right away? Even if Loki had concealed their entrance into the realm, after that they were on their own; they couldn't have possibly gotten very far without someone noticing, without someone alerting Heimdall, and the Allfather, right?

The moment Odin's tone shifted, as he reached the most important part of the ceremony I returned fully to the present. I also felt as if I couldn't breathe. Had something not worked? It couldn't be. Loki's plans were always foolproof… the Jotun must have gotten into Asgard, so then why was nothing happening yet?!

"I swear…" I heard Thor said the words for the, third time? Fourth?

"Then on this day, I, Odin Allfather, proclaim you…" The King stopped talking before he could finish the last line.

I could sense Loki's apprehension through our link; he'd been as worried as I, until Odin finally pronounced the words we'd been waiting for:

"Frost Giants…" He murmured.

The reaction was instantaneous as Thor took hold of Mjolnir before leaving the Throne Room in a rush; Loki and Odin following right away. Sif and the Warriors Three too reacted swiftly, taking hold of their weapons, before following after the three royals.

"Everyone keep calm." The Queen called with quiet authority. "Whatever the situation might be, it will be dealt with. Until then everyone is to keep calm and wait for their return. I assure you, we're all perfectly safe."

I truly admired the Queen. She was as in the dark as the rest of us (more than some, in fact) yet she managed to keep perfect calm and take control of the situation like nobody's business. It was absolutely amazing.

xXx

The coronation was canceled in the end. Though I wasn't quite sure what exactly had happened. Aside from the fact that, somehow, the Frost Giants had managed to get into the Weapons' Vault before being stopped by the Destroyer! And how the hell had that happened? The Eihenjar were supposed to stop them long before they got that far!

After escorting all the nobles out of the palace with help of the other handmaidens the younger ones were left to straighten everything while Rue followed the Queen in case she needed any more help. I chose to go to Loki's garden to wait for him. I'd tried looking for him, but there was a lot of talk of theories regarding what might have happened and it all made me more anxious than I could handle in that moment.

It was hours later, after I'd taken to clearing some rosebushes from dead leaves to kill some time and quell my stress that I saw him appear from the corner of my eye. By the way the afternoon sun went through him I realized easily enough that he was but an illusion; which could only mean that he was busy enough he couldn't go look for me himself… the thought only served to make me all the more nervous.

"Maverick?" I inquired turning to look at him.

"Look at you, leaving dirt and leaves all over that beautiful dress." He chuckled at me.

I had to actually look down at myself to remember that I'd never changed out of the coronation gown. So, indeed, I was leaving tracks of dirt, dead leaves and dry twigs all over the elegant silk dress… I couldn't believe I'd forgotten I was wearing it.

"You truly hadn't noticed?" He inquired, probably noticing my expression.

"I was much too anxious to focus on anything." I admitted, finally standing up.

With a lazy wave of his hand my dress looked once again as good as new, which made me smile; even as a corner of my mind reminded me the dress wasn't that important.

"What's going on?" I asked him with complete seriousness.

"We're going to Jotunheim." He announced straight on.

"We…" I couldn't even fully process the thought.

"I mean Thor, his friends and I, of course." He shrugged slightly before letting out a sigh.

"Whose insane idea was this…?" I began, then stop him with a shake of my head. "No, don't answer that. It's quite obvious. Wait, this wasn't part of the plan, was it? Because if it was I must say I missed it…"

"No, it wasn't, it still isn't." He told me seriously. "You need to find a way to talk to Father, or at the very least Mother. We cannot make it to Jotunheim…"

"I'm just a handmaiden…" I reminded him. "I have never so much as spoken a word to the Allfather, I wouldn't know…"

"I know this is terrible timing Nightingale, but I really need someone I can trust to deliver this message, and time is running out." He was grim as he said that. "I wouldn't ask this of you if it wasn't absolutely necessary. I will do my best stall with Heimdall but…"

"Shouldn't he simply not let you pass?" I inquired. "I mean, it is against the Allfather's edict to go into Jotunheim, right?"

"Right, but I'm afraid the Jotun incursion might make him want answers, and it's likely he will be willing to bend the rules a bit to get those answers."

I ran a hand through my hair, things had really gotten out of hand.

"Nightingale…" He called quietly but urgently.

"Right," I took a deep breath, calling on all the conviction I was capable of. "I shall go find the King, let him know what's going on."

"Do not call too much attention upon yourself." He told me. "If necessary just tell him you overheard us talking when we were getting our horses or something."

I nodded, hoping I would remember the excuse when I was before the King.

"I need to go now." Loki informed me as his image began flickering. "Hurry Nightingale…"

His image was still dissipating when I left the gardens.

As I moved through the hallways at the top speed my legs were capable of I kept reminding myself I wasn't running, just walking fast (it wasn't proper to run inside the palace) and even if I was, the situation certainly called for it.

It took me far longer to find Odin than I'd thought it would. After checking the Main Hall, the Throne Room, the Council Room, in the end I found him in a private meeting room (after having run through what seemed like half the palace). I felt awful, fearing I might have taken too long already. I'd sensed when Loki had disappeared from Asgard, much too quickly considering that he was supposed to stall for time talking to Heimdall, which told me that yet something else had gone wrong (or not according to plan, which was just as bad in that moment).

It had been three years or so since we'd solved the matter of the deamarkonian and separation. At first we'd had to deal with a certain distance being the limit before we began weakening (first I, then him, since I was weaker than him from the start). Eventually Loki had managed to find a way to get past that. It was tricky because, while it gave us more leeway, it also tied us more deeply to each other. We felt the other's absence acutely but could function around it. We were also quite sure that if something were to happen to one the other would resent it and, of course, if one died so would the other.

After finally making sure it worked Loki had offered to return me to Midgard, but I refused. What hope had I of recovering my life after being dead for two years? Even if Loki used magic to make it so no one remembered I'd 'died', there was a part of me that simply wasn't interested in going back to that life…

In the end we did go to Midgard, for one day, to visit. I saw my father with his new wife and step-children. They were living in Germany and they seemed… happy. He was trying to be a better husband and father, and I was glad for that. He'd moved on. My aunt was another matter entirely. I saw her in the United Kingdom, but she wasn't in the house she owned in Wales, instead she was in a flat in London, standing in the middle of an empty room, going through katas for some martial art I did not know. Then her phone rand, and I could distinctly hear her voice when she answered: 'Agent Adler speaking…' She'd gone back to working for the government?! With how much she hated it the first time around?! What the hell had happened there?!

I did not know what had happened, and there was no time to find out. Truth was, she'd moved on, even if I couldn't understand the motivations behind her choices. My family was alright, safe, they'd moved on… and I needed to do the same.

The two Eihenjar standing just outside the King's private meeting room stopped me before I could get inside. And wasn't that great? They'd ruined things when they should have stopped the Jotun, who shouldn't have gotten as far as they did… yet they stopped me, when I needed to reach the Allfather before it was too late! In the end I knew I would have to do something that would call attention to me, there simply was no time to argue with the soldiers. So I turned my back to them before they could get a good enough look at me and, calling on magic, I jumped.

It was the other consequence of the tighter link between Loki and I, his magic had become as good as mine too (I could access it with the same ease as him, though I was still learning the spells I could do with it). Teleporting was one of the first things Loki had taught me; it was a good skill to have, considering how big the palace was, and how small I was in comparison (and even after five years my physical condition wasn't exactly the best).

I landed suddenly in the middle of the meeting room, swaying sideways due to lack of balance. Still, I knew time was of essence, so I forced myself to focus. I saw Odin open his mouth, obviously about to call for the guards, so I spoke before he could:

"My Lord!" I called urgently. "Your sons need you!"

That line was enough to make him stop and think, though he still got on his feet and approached me, such a power in him I couldn't help but fall on one knee.

"Speak." He demanded authoritatively.

"My apologies for the abrupt entrance, Allfather." I spoke in my smoothest voice. "L… Prince Loki asked me to deliver a message to you, in extreme urgency. Though it took me longer than I expected to find you. It's about him, Prince Thor and their friends…"

"Loki, Thor and their friends…" Odin repeated suspiciously. "Where are they? Why would they send a handmaiden to deliver an urgent message?"

"Because they're on Jotunheim, my lord." I answered promptly.

"What?!" Odin's voice boomed all around. "What madness drove them there?"

"I know not the particulars, my King." I lowered my head so he couldn't see the lie in my eyes. "I happened to see Prince Loki when they were about to leave. He said he'd no time to find you and asked me to alert you of the situation."

"Those boys…" Odin muttered, mostly to himself. "Have the stable-boys prepare my warhorse!"

"Yes, my lord." I nodded as I pretty much jumped to my feet.

When I left the room running (and this time truly running) I didn't even stop to consider how surprised the Eihenjar must have been, considering they never saw me enter… in the end I jumped again as soon as I turned the corner, to be able to get to the stables fast; the last thing I needed was for the Allfather to arrive before I did (and he actually arrived shortly after). I just prayed he would find Loki, Thor and the others in time…

xXx

When I first woke up I wasn't sure what was going on, or even where I was. After a few seconds I realized I'd fallen asleep cradled in the roots of the huge lavender tree, still in the golden gown. I'd been waiting for Loki to return, but he never had… I lost my breath for a moment at that idea, until I managed to focus and realized I could sense him, he was in Asgard, inside the palace even, and in so much turmoil I almost felt sick when I focused on him.

It was still dark, which meant the day hadn't ended yet. I knew that whatever had happened it was bad and I needed to find Loki… but as I couldn't really go looking for him like I was in that moment I rushed to my chambers. Since I'd been in Loki's garden it was faster for me to use the royal hallway to reach my quarters through the secondary door. I was walking by a door I knew lead to one of the Queen's private rooms when I tripped slightly over the hem of my dress. I was in such a hurry… and then I was falling. I managed not to hurt myself, or to make noise, but in the silence I couldn't help but hear the voices arguing inside the room: One belonged to the Queen, the other, her husband. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop on a private conversation, but I'd twisted my ankle on the fall, and it took me longer than I wished to get back on my feet, in the meanwhile I couldn't help but hear:

"How could you have done this?" Frigg was saying in a low but still obviously upset voice.

"Do you understand what he set in motion?" Odin asked in a hard tone. "He's taken us to the brink of war!"

"But banishment?" Frigg's voice broke minutely. "You would lose him forever? He's your son!"

I felt like I was losing my breath in that moment. Banished? Who? Loki? Thor? Both? Odin had a bad history of blaming and punishing Loki for things Thor was responsible for (never mind that, this time, technically Loki was the guilty one, he began the whole thing that ended up with them in Jotunheim). And yet, according to precedent Odin had never done something as horrible as disavowing one of his children! What the hell happened in Jotunheim?!

"What would you have done?" Odin asked in turn.

"I would not have exiled him to a world of mortals, stripped of his powers, to suffer alone." The Queen answered him. "I would not have had the heart for such cruelty!"

"That is why I'm King." The Allfather deadpanned, before adding in a softer tone. "I, too, grieve the loss of our son. But there are some things that even I cannot undo."

My mind began focusing around then, only one son had been disowned, and apparently banished to Midgard in the process… it couldn't be Loki, because I could sense him; also, I had a dark feeling that if Loki were ever to be deprived of his magic the deamarkonian would kill us both… I vaguely heard the Queen saying something about bringing her son back, her son, Thor… Odin said no, but I was no longer paying attention, for I'd finally gotten back on my feet and hurried to my room, too much on my mind to focus on anything specific right then.

After I had bathed I dressed in one of the more usual handmaiden dresses, a simple sand color. On my feet were brown-leather sandals with straps that wound around my ankles and up my calves. Half-absently I took hold of a bag which I filled with basic first-aid supplies (just in case) and then went looking for Loki. As it turned out, I ended up finding Sif and the Warriors Three before I found him, and after seeing Sif taking bandages off Volstagg to reveal some serious burns my healer instincts took over and I went to them.

"Why haven't you come see me?" I asked straight out as I approached them.

"Lady Nightingale!" The three men cried out in shock.

After noticing they wouldn't say anything productive right then I just shook my head, knelt beside Volstagg and began working on the wounds Sif had uncovered on his arms…

"Are these burns?" I asked as I blindly fetched a salve from my bag.

"Ice-burns." Fandral qualified.

I nodded. I should have expected that much, I'd read of the danger of a Jotun's touch, in a book Loki had gotten me, so I could learn more about the races in the Nine Realms.

"I suppose you've heard what happened." Sif stated more than asked.

"Very little." I told her. "I heard something about Thor being banished, to Midgard, I think. But that's about it."

"Didn't Loki tell you?" Fandral seemed confused by that.

"Haven't seen him since he went after Thor when the ceremony was interrupted." It technically wasn't a lie. "I was looking for him when I saw you and decided to give you a hand."

"You have my thanks, milady." Volstagg bowed his head respectfully at me.

"I do think that what you did was idiocy." I pointed out seriously as I began re-bandaging his arm. "Doesn't mean I won't give help when it's needed."

He nodded, he knew I said the truth, I'd healed him, healed them all enough times…

"Here." I passed him a small bag filled with leaves. "Drink a tea with these if the pain bothers you too much, just make sure you have nothing to do afterwards, as it's a light sedative and will make you sleepy."

"My thanks, milady." Volstagg nodded.

"Will one of you tell me what happened exactly?" I inquired turning to them all.

"We should never have let him go." Volstagg muttered, upset.

"There was no stopping him." Sif shook her head.

"At least he's only banished, not dead." Fandral pointed out. "Which is what we'd all be if someone hadn't told Odin where we'd gone."

"Who even told him?" Volstagg wondered aloud right then.

"And how did that person know?" Sif added her own question.

"I did." I announced outright. "I told the Allfather where you had gone."

"What?" They all seemed to be thoroughly shocked by that. "Why?"

There was such intensity in their looks that I was left speechless for a moment, having no words to defend my actions. Thankfully I didn't need them in the end, for Loki arrived right then to speak for me.

"I told her to." My Maverick announced as he revealed himself.

"You told her to go to the Allfather?" Fandral seemed to be getting pretty angry.

"I saved our lives!" Loki turned defensive instantly. "And Thor's. I had no idea Father would banish him for what he did."

"Loki, you're the only one who can help Thor now." Sif spoke, trying to keep the peace. "You must go to the Allfather and convince him to change his mind!"

"I don't think it's gonna be that simple." I muttered, mostly to myself, though I'm sure I was heard by most of them.

"Nightingale is right." Loki pointed out. "But suppose I do, then what? I love Thor more dearly than any of you, but you know what he is. He's arrogant. He's reckless. He's dangerous. You saw how he was today. Is that what Asgard needs from its King?"

The others exchanged silent glances but Loki didn't say anything else, just turning to leave the room, I hurried after him.

"Maverick…" I called him softly, ever so aware of the turmoil still inside him.

"Not right now, Nightingale." He didn't even turn to look at me.

I froze in the spot. Never had he spoken to me like that, so dismissive, so closed off… not even when I was eleven-years-old and nothing more than a child trying to be more than I could, pretending to know more than I actually did…

He seemed to notice what he'd done, or at least my reaction for he stopped, let out a sigh and finally turned to look at me over his shoulder.

"Please…" He muttered quietly.

I knew something was definitely wrong, and it was a very bad idea for him to try and keep things inside; and yet I didn't dare push, not when he seemed to already be standing on an edge… I just hoped I would get the chance to help before he jumped and lost himself…

I considered leaving back to my quarters, or the gardens, until I noticed I'd left my bag back in the room, so I went to retrieve it, only to find Sif and the Warriors continuing the conversation among themselves, on a line I'd never expected.

"Laufey said there were traitors in the House of Odin." Hogun commented right then.

"Why is it every time you choose to speak, it has to be something dark and ominous?" Fandral inquired with a tired sigh.

"A master of magic could easily bring three Jotuns into Asgard." Hogun added.

"No!" Volstagg cried out in denial. "Surely not!"

I couldn't hold my tongue back anymore.

"I hope you are not implying what I think you are." I said in my most biting tone as I stepped fully back into the room.

They all turned shocked eyes at me, it was obvious they weren't expecting me to return.

"Lady Nightingale!" Volstagg cried out in delayed stupor.

"I truly, honestly hope you were not just implying that Loki is a traitor to his own Father, and all of Asgard…" I hissed at them.

"Of course not!" Fandral just hesitated slightly as he replied. "Loki's always been one for mischief, but… but treason? That's another thing entirely."

"Exactly." I nodded. "Another thing entirely. Yet you're all still thinking it, I can see it in your eyes. Tell me, how many times has Loki saved your lives? Just in the last five years alone the number is already pretty high, I imagine if we tried to count them back to the last thousand years we would all lose count…"

"We're not accusing anyone…" Sif tried to be pacifying.

"But you are." I retorted. "You are turning against Loki, like you do whenever anything happens that doesn't have your approval, or Thor's. This is a critical moment. Thor is banished, there's risk of war against Jotunheim, and you choose to squabble and talk about Loki betraying Thor? The Allfather? The rest of the realm?" I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Have you any idea the kind of consequences there would be if anyone heard you talking like that?"

I could see that more than one of them had something they wanted to say, but they all were too shocked in that moment. They were looking at me with such confusion and awe, as if they hadn't seen me ever before. Did I truly look different to their eyes in that moment? Compared to every time they'd seen me, either as I went through my duties as handmaiden, or when they woke me at unholy hours of the night to see to the consequences of one more of their 'valiant quests' gone utterly wrong? I suppose I probably looked different. But then again, never before had anything they did or said truly made me angry. And yet, hearing them talking about Loki like he was a traitor, like he was the worst… it was too much for me.

"Have care how you speak of Loki." I told them in my most serious and quiet voice. "You do not know him, therefore have no right to judge him."

"But you know him…" Fandral began.

I turned cold eyes at him instantly.

"If you finish that sentence you will regret it." I warned him icily. "And for the record, you do not know me…"

I said nothing more. I'd already said enough, possibly even more than enough. So with that in mind I simply took my bag and left the room as swiftly as I could, without making it seem like I was running away from them.

xXx

Loki avoided me for the rest of the evening. I considered going looking for him in his room, but then changed my mind. I'd stopped going to his private chambers three months after arriving to Asgard. During that time I'd spent more nights there than not, feeling lost in such a different environment, and with everything that had happened. Eventually I'd managed to convince myself that I was being childish and it was time to grow up. It didn't matter that I was only fourteen, I was a handmaiden to the Queen, as good as a refugee in the Realm Eternal, and everyone around me was treating me as an adult, which meant I had to act like one. Loki never commented on it (neither my staying with him, or when I stopped doing it).

The next day, after finishing my morning routine I finally made up my mind on not stopping until I'd found Loki; however, the conviction went down the drain when Karin (Rue's second) rushed to me. She looked completely flustered, and the mere fact that she was practically running (in the dress and her favored high-heels) told me that something was definitely wrong.

"The Queen needs you." Was all she said. "In her private apartments."

It was all she needed to say. I went straight into my room, knowing it was faster, going through it and exiting through the second door. In no time at all I'd made it to the Queen's main sitting room (where she would receive guests sometimes); Rue was there, serving tea.

"Rue?" I inquired, confused.

"The Allfather has fallen into the Odinsleep." She told me quietly as she bid me to help. "I know not the details, but it was serious enough that Eihenjar escorted his unconscious form back here. At this time only the most trusted servants can be anywhere near these rooms."

"You are the chief handmaiden." I pointed out.

"True, but everyone knows you're the one the Queen trusts most, for whatever the reason." She reminded me in turn.

"You know there are things I cannot say." I sighed.

"I am not asking any questions." She told me calmly. "I will admit, your presence here has always caused me a great deal of curiosity. Everyone calls you Nightingale, though it's quite obvious that cannot be your name. You're obviously not Aesir, though that's the race you look most like, among those I know, you're still much too small… and yet you have power, I can feel it running beneath your skin. You have authority, even the soldiers listen to you, even the Warriors Three and those are some of the worst! And then there's the trust the Queen has on you, and the Princes, especially Prince Loki…"

"Ok, there's a lot I cannot say, oaths I've taken not to speak about such things." I told her softly. "But some things I can explain quite easily. The name Nightingale was given to me by someone I care greatly for, and is the one I choose to carry now; whatever my name might have been in the past is no longer important. The Warriors, including Prince Thor, listen to me because I'm as good as their personal healer. I've been helping them for years, especially when they get back from one of their infamous misadventures. The Queen knows me, truly knows me, which is why she trusts me. And about Prince Loki… we're friends, we've been friends for longer that I've been a handmaiden, and that's all I can say on that matter."

Rue just nodded. I knew I could trust that she would not turn the things I'd just told her into gossip; she knew when some things were meant to be private, it's why the Queen had chosen her to be chief handmaiden. She also knew I'd been offered the post and declined, and that while protocol indicated that she outranked me, in practice things weren't quite like that.

"Go." She told me, offering me the tray with the tea. "I will stay here."

I took the tray and went into the Queen's private sitting room (it was only meant for family, and the most trusted handmaiden, and it also had the doors for the Queen's private bedroom, as well as the King's).

"Your Majesty?" I called quietly as I placed the tray on the table there.

"Nightingale?" She asked softly.

"It is I, my Queen." I nodded. "I've brought you tea."

"Have you heard what happened?" She asked as she sat on the comfortable chair, signaling for me to sit in the other chair.

I knew that if the other handmaidens were to see me the gossips would go through the roof, but I just sat as bid, taking a sip of the second cup of tea.

"Rue just told me." I nodded. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner."

"It just happened." She assured me. "And there's nothing you could have done to change it. I requested your presence for another reason… Loki needs you."

It was as if her voice, those words, flipped a switch. Suddenly I was keenly, almost painfully, aware of the link between Loki and I, of the storm of emotions that he was trying to contain inside. Trying and failing…

The moment the Trickster God stepped into the room, exiting the second bedroom, the one where Odin laid, he froze, eyes fixed straight on me. Frigg didn't say a word, simply taking her leave from the room, caressing Loki's hand briefly with one hand before moving past him and into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

"Loki…" I called quietly.

He didn't say a word, only turned as if about to leave the room.

"Please don't leave." I managed to stop him.

I walked until I was standing right behind him, though I didn't try to touch him, I could sense he wouldn't react positively to that. I wanted to offer him my help, my support, but in the end what came out of my mouth was another thing entirely:

"If you don't wish to see me I will leave, you shouldn't have to." I told him quietly. "Your family needs you now, while my presence is unnecessary."

For a handful of seconds there was no answer and I decided it was better to leave things like that. However, before I could give more than two steps he stopped me.

"Don't leave…" He whispered, voice breaking in the end.

I could almost hear a me in the end…

"Loki…" I turned around slowly, feeling a compulsion to help in any way I could.

"I… I know I've been evading you, I haven't been fair to you, I just…" For the first time in all the years I'd known him, Loki seemed to truly be at a loss for words.

"Loki…" I placed a single finger over his thin lips to stop him. "You need not tell me anything. You owe me nothing Maverick. Whenever you wanna talk I'll be here, whenever you need me, I'll be here. Until then…"

Before I could finish the sentence he quieted me.

"No Nightingale, I owe you much…" He refused to let me deny that. "This is not about the deamarkonian. You must know that is no debt in my eyes. You being alive, and especially you being here is something that has brought me untold joy. I know not what I would do without you my Nightingale…" He took a deep breath before giving one step back. "If anyone deserves to know this, it's you. Even if, after all is said and done, you decide you never want to lay eyes on me again… I'm a monster…"

I didn't get the chance to deny his words, before I could even think of them, he changed right in front of me: alabaster skin turning cobalt blue, marked by twisting dark tribal-like marks, his jade-green eyes bled red and black, like old blood; I vaguely became aware that the temperature in the room had dropped several degrees.

I had no need for anyone to tell me what it was I was seeing, it was ice clear…

"You're Jotun…" I whispered, with calm I could hardly believe myself.

"Yes…" He nodded, watching me with a blank stare, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"But you're no monster." I finished the statement with a tentative smile. "You could never be a monster in my eyes. No matter the color of your skin, or your eyes. You're still… you."

"I am a Jotun." Loki almost hissed, though I could see the pain behind the anger. "I am the monster children's nightmares are made of…"

I wanted to keep denying it, but a part of me knew it was no use, I would never be able to convince him just through denial; so I tried a different tactic.

"Loki, who told you, told us all that Jotun are monsters?" I inquired, feigning ignorance.

"The tutors, historians." Loki enlisted blankly. "It's in all the books…"

"Exactly." I interrupted him. "And do you know who writes the books?" I didn't wait for an answer. "There is an old saying on Earth: History is written by the victor… one could also say it's written by whoever's left… you get my point. Aesir wrote history, so of course they would say that their enemies, the Jotun, are monsters!"

"It's cannot be that simple."

"But it is. Just like Aesir think that humans still worship them and live like they did in the Dark Ages… I wonder what some would do if they found themselves in the technology-filled world that is now my old realm…" I shook my head. "The point stands. You cannot judge a race through what is said of them by their enemies. It would be like asking someone, anyone you've ever pranked to express their judgment on you…"

It looked like he was honestly thinking on that, something I took advantage of as I moved closer to him, raising my hand until it was but an inch from his face.

"You cannot touch me." He whispered somewhat brokenly. "I will hurt you."

"No." I shook my head empathically. "I don't think you ever could."

Then, before he'd a chance to insist, or try to change back, I pressed my fingers to his cheek. I could feel the cold, numbing, almost biting, beneath my fingers; however there was no pain. I turned my hand then, just enough to caress the side of his face, ending with the tips of my fingers on the corners of his lips.

He reacted in a way that I would call instinctive, holding my wrist and lowering his own head enough to kiss first the tip of my fingers and then my palm.

"Thank you…" He whispered against my skin, in the softest voice I'd ever heard.

I'm not quite sure what happened, but seconds later I was standing on my toes, one hand braced on Loki's shoulder, the other pressed against his chest, and my lips were being molded against a pair of colder, yet somehow, at the same time, hotter, ones. There was so much passion, tempered by the most incredible tenderness in the contact.

We separated when we ran out of breath, though he kept our foreheads pressed together. I could see his skin going back to the alabaster tone slowly, beginning on his lips, forehead and the hand he had on the back of my neck, fingers threaded in my hair (that I could not see, but I could feel the gradual change in temperature).

We stayed in that position for what could have either been forever, or just a minute. Eventually Loki opened his mouth, as if to say something, but before he could the moment was broken by the echo Odin's other door closing, as his attendants left.

"I wish I could hold you and kiss you forever…" Loki confessed in the softest of whispers.

"But we have duties to observe right now, I know." I nodded with a small smile.

I made to leave right then, but he refused to let me go.

"We trust you." He said simply.

It was enough, even if I didn't feel like I should, he wanted me there, so I followed him into the King's chambers. Where he was laying in that moment on his bed, enveloped by a golden energy, magic, his, in its purest form. The Queen was sitting beside him and when she raised her head at our entrance and saw both of us there, she just smiled. Loki went to sit on his father's other side, while I stood behind him, saying not a word.

"So, it is true then…" Loki stated more than asked, though we all knew what he spoke of.

"It is true." Frigg nodded almost sadly. "I asked him to be honest with you from the beginning. There should be no secrets in a family."

"So why did he lie?" Loki really wanted, needed, to know the answer to that.

"He kept the truth from you so that you would never feel different." The Queen explained. "You are our son, Loki, and we your family. You must know that."

I considered it for several seconds before daring to open my mouth and speak.

"Even more so, I think." I said quietly. "Because you're not family by accident, as is almost always the case; instead you're such by choice." I stared straight at Loki, willing him to believe me. "They chose you Loki. Whatever your ancestry, your origins, Odin Allfather chose to save your life, and not only that, but to make you his son…"

I may not fully agree with a lot of things the man did, I may never fully like him… but I did believe that he loved Loki, in his own, half-twisted way. He could have left the baby in an orphanage, or worse even, in that temple to die… instead he took him to Asgard, and into his own family. A voice in a corner of my mind told me that it was quite possible that, in the end, Odin's only true mistake was to believe that he needed to be a King more than he needed to be a Father. After all, Thor's excessive allowances had been as much of a crime against him as the overly harsh punishments had been against Loki.

"She's right." Frigg nodded. "I will never forget the day he came back, with your little, almost fragile form wrapped in his torn cape. He brought you straight to me, rather than to any healers. Asked me to make sure you were alright; and then, once we were both convinced you would be just fine, he asked me what I thought of having a second son…"

Loki let out a breath, it was obvious he hadn't know the story, nothing beyond the fact that he was Jotun and adopted… he hadn't realized that Odin had truly wanted him.

"The war made a lot of extreme measures necessary." Frigg went on. "The magic shields were up all the time, I spent months practically sequestered in the Royal Wing, my private apartments even. The number of people I was truly in contact with during that time, even among my own handmaidens, was small enough that we could claim that I'd been pregnant, and even more so, given birth, and no one had noticed. Your birth was announced and celebrated along with the end of the war with Jotunheim."

And years later, with so many disliking or simply not understanding the younger Prince, they'd forgotten his birthday, focusing only in the other celebration.

It was sad, but not uncommon, in any world. One of my classmates… her birthday had been in Christmas Eve… hardly anyone remembered it, focusing instead on the more popular celebration. She'd told me once that even some members of her family had forgotten a few times.

"Fa… he said that there were plans…" Loki whispered, almost pained. "But that they no longer mattered. What were those plans?"

"You are Laufey's first born." Frigg explained quietly. "Odin was convinced that if Laufey one day died, and we could help you get Jotunheim's throne… there would finally be peace between our two realms…"

"Because the Kings would be brothers…" I muttered in realization.

"Exactly." Frigg nodded. "However, we pushed away those plans years ago. Not because we don't think you could do it but…" She gazed at Loki with eyes so filled of love I lost my breath. "I was afraid of how the Jotun would treat you and… I am selfish Loki. I may not have given birth to you, but you're my son… I love you so much, and I don't want you to go…"

Loki left out a half-gasp, half-sob at those words and I could feel inside our bond how all the darkness that had been drowning him began falling apart, piece by piece. The walls shattered and, for the first time since Thor's coronation was announced, I could feel peace in him. And a hint of guilt. I knew what he was going to say a second before the words came out of his mouth:

"I let the Jotun in." He confessed, lowering his head penitently.

I held my breath, having no idea what reaction to expect.

"I know." That certainly wasn't what I'd had in mind.

"What…?" Even Loki seemed to be at a loss on how to react to that.

"You knew your brother wasn't ready for the crown." Frigg elaborated. "I saw the same, but Odin was simply too stubborn… I told him I could still be regent… but he insisted that our sons were old enough… it was supposed to be the two of you, together, you know? Yes, Thor would be the one to carry the title, but we both believed you would be by his side Loki, as you always have been. I even thought that you could handle being King, but the Council wouldn't have it…"

"It would be insulting Thor, as the firstborn, if he was passed up for the younger one." I muttered, not even noticing I was speaking out-loud.

"And there's the fact that hardly anyone in Court likes me." Loki added with a half-smirk before shaking his head. "Not like I ever wanted the crown for myself. Anyway. Though I don't know how Thor would have reacted to the idea of me advising him."

"You've always advised him." I almost snorted.

"It is true." Frigg agreed. "And while he may not always accept it, he knows when you're right my son, he knows when to listen to you…"

Jotunheim would claim the opposite, but then again, most of the times they did manage to get out of the messes they (or mostly Thor) got them into.

"So you're not angry for what I did?" Loki didn't quite believe it. "I betrayed…"

"You did what you thought was necessary when no one would listen to you." Frigg interrupted him. "It might not have been the best way to get things done, but I fully believe you had nothing but the best intentions."

"Things weren't supposed to go like that." Loki admitted quietly. "I didn't actually do that much. I was in Jotunheim, and purposefully made a comment on how the coronation would be ruined if Jotun tried to invade Asgard. I knew they knew about the Hidden Roads. The entrance on both sides is cloaked, but some of us still know. Even if Heimdall wasn't able to see them get into Asgard… I imagined he, or someone else, would notice their presence right away. They were never supposed to get as far as they did!"

"Indeed." Frigg nodded. "I know of those Roads as well. As I know that you travel them, and the Shadow Paths frequently."

Loki just shrugged, not about to deny it.

"I would just ask you to be more careful." Frigg went on. "Even if it was not your intent for things to happen as they did, it still happened. And the Jotun may try again, especially if they find out how precarious our present situation is."

I could feel Loki's guilt rising. He believed it was all his fault. And I couldn't help but think I should have realized that plans never go exactly as they're supposed too, should have known things could, and most likely would, go wrong…

"Father…" Loki's whisper sounded almost like a prayer, or a plea…

"You can speak to him." Frigg encouraged him. "He can see and hear us, even now."

"Some things might be better said and heard when he can actually answer." Loki decided with a shake of his head. "Even if it is only to decide I am unworthy…"

"Loki!" I couldn't disguise the horror I felt at the mere idea.

"Your Father would never do that." Frigg chastised him right away. "He loves you. Whatever mistakes he might have made in his parenting, never doubt that."

Loki sighed and I was sure we were both remembering when he'd said similar words to Thor. Had it just been the previous day? It somehow felt like longer…

"How long will it last?" Loki inquired right then, signaling to the sleeping Odin.

"I don't know." The Queen admitted. "This time is different. We were unprepared."

"I never get used to seeing him like this." Loki said softly. "The most powerful being in the Nine Realms lying helpless until his body is restored."

"He's put it off for so long now, I fear…" She didn't dare finish the thought, though she extended a hand to entwine it with that of her husband.

I turned my eyes away respectfully; I was quite sure that whatever trust some handmaidens might have had in the past, never had one been allowed to witness the things I was witnessing; it was all so incredibly personal…

"You're a good son." Frigg told him with a smile, before suddenly turning to me. "And you are a blessing to us all, Nightingale."

"As always, it's my pleasure to serve, my lady." I told her with a bow of my head. "You, all of you, have done so much for me. A lifetime won't be enough to express my gratitude."

Frigg and Loki just shook their heads; more than once they'd told me there was no debt, but I couldn't help but feeling like that and they chose not to insist in that moment, thankfully.

"We mustn't lose hope that your father will return to us." Frigg declared, turning to Loki again. "And your brother."

"What hope is there for Thor?" Loki was truly confused by that.

"There's always a purpose to everything your father does." Frigg reminded him. "Thor may yet find a way home."

With a sigh Loki got on his feet, I could sense his mind working a mile a minute; I imagined he was focusing hard on what had happened when Thor was banished, trying to discover how he could come back, what plans his father might have made. Odin and his plans… really!

Before I could say a single word to either help him focus or relax (I wasn't sure which was preferable, to be honest), we all heard the loud echo of metal banging together, and on stone. Seconds later a contingent of Eihenjar, in full battle armor, were standing at the opened doors to Odin's chambers.

I didn't breathe, and was almost sure Loki didn't either, as we waited to see what would happen. Had Heimdall or someone else heard Loki's confession or found out what he had done some other way? Had someone called the guards to come for him? Or…

Not. I could sense the tension in Loki's form, but the Eihenjar did not enter the room, instead they dropped on one knee in unison, heads bowed in respect. And then, the Head of the Council marched in solemnly, ceremonially holding Gungnir, the King's staff, in his hands.

Loki and I both turned silent, shocked eyes to Frigg, we did not understand…

"Thor is banished." Frigg explained serenely, looking straight at Loki. "The line of succession falls to you. Until Odin awakens, Asgard is yours."

My mind simply stopped working after those words were pronounced. Loki, King of Asgard?! Why did that sound so wrong? It wasn't that he didn't deserve it, because he certainly did, a thousand times over even, but it wasn't something he wanted!

Ever so slowly Loki turned back to the Councilman and extended his arms. I could sense his hesitance, and knowing there was nothing else I could do, I focused all my faith, my unwavering support, making sure he felt it through our link. In a second his form straightened and relaxed at the same time and he took hold of the offered relic.

The moment the staff was off his hands the Councilman got on his feet, though he kept his head bowed and walked backwards away from Loki so as not to turn his back to him.

Once more Loki turned his eyes to his mother, who smiled proudly at him.

"Make your father proud." She told him, bowing her own head briefly in respect. "My King…"

With a wave of his hand, Loki dismissed the Councilman and Eihenjar, who bowed once more to him before taking their leave. The doors to the chambers closed before Loki turned to me. I didn't let him say a single word, instead I gave a handful of steps, until I was standing right in front of him, before slowly but swiftly dropping to one knee, pressing a hand over my heart.

"My King…" I whispered with absolute devotion.

"No…" He shook his head. "Never shall you kneel before me, my Nightingale. Never."

I just smiled and took the hand he offered as I got on my feet.

In that moment, as we stared into each other's eyes, I wanted nothing more than to stay like that, to stay just us; but it was still true that we had duties, more so with him being named King. While he might have never meant to get the Throne, it was his, and he had to honor that, his name, and that of his Father…

Slowly Loki turned around to face his unconscious Father, he pressed a hand to his chest, while holding Gungnir with the other one.

"I shall do my best to make you proud… Father…" He whispered solemnly.

He nodded solemnly at his mother, caressed my cheek briefly, and then left. I wanted to go after him, to follow and support him every step of the way… but I had my own duties to see to, so I just went to stand by the Queen in silence.

For a few seconds the only sound in the room was our breathing, until the Queen spoke.

"You were the one who warned Odin of where they'd gone." She stated, not asked.

"Yes, my Queen." I nodded, then I couldn't help but add. "Loki appeared to me before they left, asking me to do so. I must apologize, my lady. Maybe if I'd been faster, been quicker to use my magic, I would have found the Allfather in time to stop all this madness from happening…"

"Regardless of how fast or slow you had been, my sons and their friends would still have gone to Jotunheim, Odin would still have banished Thor, then fallen into the Odinsleep, and Loki would have had to step up in their place…" She sighed. "In the end, we would have ended exactly where we are right now."

I didn't reply to that, I honestly didn't know what to say. But the next thing the Queen said took me completely by surprise:

"Nightingale… you have been my handmaiden for almost five years…" He whispered. "My most loyal… my most trusted…"

I have no idea where the speech was going, but I couldn't help the fear. Was she going to dismiss me because I wasn't fast enough? No, that couldn't be it, she'd already said it wouldn't have made a difference.

"All these years you've done your duty to me, to the crown and to Asgard." She was suddenly standing in front of me. "But now there is someone who needs you more than I ever could…"

It felt like water falling over me, a light shower that went through my whole body. I blinked, and then noticed I was no longer wearing the handmaiden dress, instead I was wearing an elegant floor-length velvet gown in a very dark color (looked black, though under the light it shone either blue or purple); the neckline and the bell-like sleeves were violet, and there was intricate golden stitching in the round neckline and the sleeves from shoulder to elbow (where they were tight on the arm). Even my shoes changed, from the strapped flats to delicate golden slippers.

"Your Majesty…" I honestly did not know what to say.

"Loki needs you." She said simply.

In the end, that was enough, we both knew it was the truth, even if I'd never expected for things to change so radically, and in such a short time. Still, decisions had already been made, and all that was left was to move on, so I did. That was how I went from being the Queen's handmaiden to becoming the King's Advisor…

Here we are! A brand new AU! (I hope people aren't getting tired of these yet, I still have plenty of ideas. Though, I promise, as soon as I get a copy of TII:tDW I will get working on the actual sequel to Nightingale).

This is my self-present for my birthday (which is tomorrow... this seems to be a new tradition of mine, second year in a row...! And your reviews would be very welcome additions to this (yes, I'm blatantly using my birthday to fish for reviews, I have no shame...)

Hope you enjoyed this, and what's yet to come!

Full size poster and set of wallpapers, as always, can be found in my DA page, under the name Princess-Lalaith.

The story will be updated every two weeks (this one only has three chapters).