I'll Came Back To You

A knock echos throughout the room, pulling Cora from her reading. “You may enter,” Cora calls out and when the door opens she smiles seeing her father. “Father!” Cora jumps up from her chair and runs into her father's arms. He has been away for three years in Svartalfheim, he is the Allfather's adviser and oversees all treaties.

“My daughter!” Lord Kellin laughs and swings Cora around in his arms. Tears of joy fall from his eyes and he holds Cora tightly in his arms, not wanting to let her go ever again.

“I have missed you Father,” Cora cries and Lord Kellin kisses the top of Cora's head.

“I have missed you as well. Now let me get a look at you.” Lord Kellin holds Cora out in front of him at arms length and Cora blushes. “What a beauty you have become! Such a radiant flower, the sun pales in comparison to you my daughter.” Cora laughs and Lord Kelllin lets her go.

“You must tell me all about your time in Svartalfheim, Father! What where the Dark Elves like?” Cora asks and the happiness in her father's eyes vanishes.

“That is a story for another time, my Daughter. For now, dress in something more appropriate. I am needed at the Palace and I wish for you to be by my side.”

“Yes, Father.” Cora bows and Lord Kellin kisses her forehead before he leaves her room.



The carriage pulls up in front of the Palace's steps and Cora holds her head up high when the door opens. Her father steps out first and holds his hand out for Cora to take. Taking hold of her father's hand, Cora steps out of the carriage and she thanks him quietly. Standing at the top of the steps is the Allfather, Queen Frigga and the Princes, Thor and Loki. Hand in hand, Cora walks beside her father up the steps and bows deeply when she stands in front of the royal family.

“My King, Queen, Prince's...you remember my daughter Cora?” Lord Kellin introduces and the royal family all smile.

“My Lord, have you forgotten that Cora is family here?” Queen Frigga questions and Cora smiles kindly at the Queen.

“It seems that I have. Forgive me, my Queen.” Queen Frigga nods her head and she turns her back walking into the palace.

“Come,” Lord Kellin tells Cora and he follows the royal family into the Palace with Cora close to his side. King Odin calls for Lord Kellin and he pecks Cora on her temple before he lets her go and hurries to Odin's side while Thor and Loki fall back to Cora's side.

“You are looking lovely as every Lady Cora,” Thor complements and Cora smiles.

“Thank you my Prince. You have gained more hair since we last saw each other,” Cora states and Thor grins rubbing his facial hair. Loki brushes his fingers against Cora's and she glances over at him with a shy smile on her face. “Prince Loki?”

Loki smirks and grabs hold of Cora's hand, lacing their arms together as he takes to leading her down the hall. “Tell me Lady Cora, but I seem to not see you wearing my gift...did you forget it at home?” Loki questions with a raised eyebrow and Cora rolls her eyes.

“I worry that I will misplace it, so I keep it safe where I know it will always be,” Cora explained.

“Is it on your person?” Loki urged and Cora nodded her head. With her free hand, Cora reaches for her neck and pulls at the gold chain. Tugging on it lightly, she pulls the end out from between her chest and the ring that Loki gave her on her eighteenth birthday shine in the light making Thor look over.

“My brother gave you that?” Thor asks, sounding stunned and Cora nods her head meekly making Loki smirk.

“Your chest keeps it safe?” Loki teases and Cora giggles with a blush.

“Not my chest, but my heart,” Cora admits and Loki's teasing smile fades. He was not expecting Cora to tell him that.

“Brother,” Thor whispers catching Loki's attention. Thor nods in front of them and Loki turns his head to see what Thor is talking about. Odin and Lord Kellin are not heading to the Throne room, but to Lord Kellin's meeting room.

“A meeting?” Loki questions and Thor shrugs his shoulders. “This will be the forth meeting this week,” Loki states and Cora looks up at him.

“I do not understand,” Cora whispers, but Loki hears her.

“Understand what m'lady?” Loki asks.

“Father came home today, did he not?” Loki didn't answer, but the look in his eyes have Cora the answer.

“Lady Cora, you father has been back, but a fortnight,” Thor states and Loki nods his head in agreement. “He came back wounded with hardly any life in him. Father said he had been taken pri-”

“Thor!” Loki hisses at his brother and Thor looks at him confused, but from the look on Loki's face Thor knows he said something wrong. Glancing down at Cora, Thor frowns.

“Lady Cora...forgive me I did not know-”

“It's fine...I thank you for being so honest with me,” Cora whispers and she excuses herself from the two princes.

“Thor, you idiot!” Loki growls and Thor bows his head down in shame. Loki turns on his heel and Thor grabs his arm.

“Where are you going brother? Father told us to be at the meeting,” Thor states staring at Loki with sad blue eyes. Loki opens his mouth, but before he can speak Lady Helena calls both prince's.

“Your presence is called upon,” she tells Loki and Thor before she heads into the meeting room. Thor stares at Loki and Loki runs a hand through his slicked back hair.

“As soon as Father states his business with us, I will leave.” Loki swore and Thor nodded his head.

“I will make sure you are in the clear, Brother,” Thor assures and together the two princes head into the meeting.



In the garden, Cora sits on the ground with her head in her arms on a fountain, hidden by bushes and trees. The water feature fills the air with rippling water and muddles the soft cries that come from Cora. Her tears spill into the fountain and Cora curses the Allfather as well as her own father. How dare they lie to her! For two years she lived without her Father and for what? What did two years of being tortured do for the kingdom? Nothing changed, the rich are still rich and the poor are still poor. Kellin missed two years of his daughter's life, why? What was so important in Svartalfheim, that Kellin had to go?

Cora's tears soon stopped as her mind tried to make sense of as to why her father had been kept and tortured for two whole years. She couldn't understand why the Allfather let it happen, why didn't he save Kellin? Sitting up, Cora wipes away her tears and looks at her reflection in the fountain. Her eyes are red, puffy and her make up is smeared, her nose is pink and her cheeks are flush. Scarfing in disgust, Cora looks away from her reflection and pushes herself up onto her feet. The bottom of her gown catches on her heel and she stumbles back, but before she can fall into the fountain, strong arms wrap around her waist pulling her away safely.

With her face pressed against a stone like chest, Cora takes the short time to collect herself. With a deep breath, Cora opens her eyes and she sees the green and black material in front of her. “Loki,” Cora breaths out and wraps her arms around the young prince. Loki rests his chin on top of Cora's head and holds her close, rubbing her back with his hand. Loki loosens his hold on Cora, ready to sit down and talk to her, but Cora's hold tightens on him. “Don't let me go,” Cora begs and Loki gulps not sure what to do.

“Lets sit down, darling,” Loki suggests and when Cora doesn't move Loki sighs. Bending down slightly, Loki lifts Cora into his arms, walks over to the fountain and sits down with Cora in his lap. Cora hides her face in the crook of Loki's neck and he lets her, not saying anything as he thinks of what he can do to not make this situation any worse then it already is. “Cora...” Loki's chest rumbles as he speaks and Cora says nothing, letting him speak. “We need to talk, darling.” Hearing the tone of voice, Cora picks her head up and she stares into Loki's clear blue-green eyes that seem to always change.

“About the meeting?” Cora mummers and Loki nods his head.

Loki licks his lips and grabs hold of Cora's hand, he laces their fingers together and Cora stares down at their entwined hands. “The Allfather sent your father to Svartalfheim two years ago to settle a despite between them and Asgard. The Dark Elves' King wanted to start a war and my Father was not strong enough, he still is in no shape for a war,” Loki explains and Cora listens to him without saying a word. “Their King found it insulting that Odin did not come to Svartalfheim himself, so he kept your father there as a prisoner...”

“What will happen now that Father is back?” Cora fears and Loki sighs.

“Your father was not let go out of kindness,” Loki states. “He was told to deliver a message and it was a message that my father was hopping wouldn't happen.”

“We're going to war?” Cora muttered and her heart hurt from the thought.

Taking a breathe, Loki gave Cora's hand a light squeeze and he kissed her temple, “The worriers of my father's time are getting older, too old for battle...” Loki closes his eyes and shakes his head, “Every man of age is being sent to wa-”

“No!” Cora shouts realizing what Loki is telling her. “No! No, Loki please! Y-you can't go!” Cora cries jumping off of Loki's lap.

“Cora-”

“Swear to me that you won't go!” Cora pleads. “Thor is more then enough, you both don't have to go-”

“Cora-”

“I can't lose you!” Cora screams at Loki and the air becomes tense at her words. Standing up Loki, walks over to Cora and grabs for her hands, but Cora turns her back to Loki.

“Are you really going to be mad at me in a time of war?” Loki questions in a light and teasing tone, trying to lighten the mood. Loki walks up behind Cora and wraps his arms around her waist, “You know you can't stay mad at me forever. We are best friends, we can't be angry for no more then a few minutes,” Loki jokes as he trails his nose along the back of Cora's neck. Cora bites her lip to fight off the giggle that wants to come out. Loki gives her sides a tickle and makes loud nom onom nom sounds as if he is eating Cora. Unable to hold it in, Cora giggles and Loki grins in triumph, pleased that he was able to make her laugh.

Cora manages to pull away from Loki and she wraps her arms around herself. The smile on Loki's face fades and he walks over to Cora. “Come,” Loki says and holds out his arm. Cora slips her arm through Loki's and Loki leads her to the stables. “As a Prince of Asgard, I have to lead the a wave of worriers into battle as well as Thor. He is taking the first wave and I the second,” Loki explains and Cora bites her lip feeling her eyes sting with tears. In the stable Archer is ready for battle, decorated in the royal colors of Loki, green, gold and black. Cora sees the horse and lets go of Loki, running over to the steed. Wrapping her arms around the horse, Cora lets her tears fall and Loki sighs running a hand through his hair.

Giving Cora a few moments with Archer, Loki walks over and pulls Cora away from his horse, “You mustn't shed so many tears, darling,” Loki whispers as he wipes away Cora's tears with his thumbs. “I haven't even left yet,” Loki jokes and Cora shakes her head with a pitiful laugh. “Let us ride to the Palace steps with our heads held high and smiles on our faces...what do you say?” Loki asks as he wipes the last of Cora's tears away. Sniffling, Cora nods her head and Loki smiles, “Good girl.” Loki tucks a few strands of Cora's hair behind her ear and kisses her forehead. Taking her hand, Loki leads her over to Archer and helps her up onto the horse. Loki gets on behind her and grabs hold of the reigns.

Loki rides out of the stables and heads towards the Palace steps where Odin, Frigga and Kellin are waiting. Loki gets off of Archer first and he helps Cora down. “Loki.” Loki looks over at Odin and he smiles at Cora.

“I'll be right back,” he says and Cora nods her head staying by Archer. Ignoring her father's burning gaze, Cora focuses on Archer and whispers her fears to him while she strokes his mane. Footsteps come up behind Cora and she turns around slowly knowing that this is goodbye. “Hey...what did I say about crying?” Loki asks trying to sound stern, but he gives up when the tears fall from Cora's eyes. With a sigh, Loki wraps his arms around Cora and lets her cry into his chest. Cupping her face with his hands, Loki looks into her hazy brown eyes and smiles softly, “Everything will be fine,” he mummers and leans down kissing away her tears. Over and over Loki repeats himself, trying his hardest to reassure Cora that it will be okay.

Pulling away from Loki, Cora lifts the necklace from over her head and Loki frowns, “Cora-”

“Take it...it'll be like I'm right there with you,” Cora whispers and Loki sighs, but nods his head. “You better bring it back,” Cora threatens and Loki chuckles. Bending down slightly, Loki lets Cora drape the necklace over his head and he tucks it in his shirt.

“Everything will be fine, darling,” Loki states, his voice full of confidence and Cora nods her head. Pulling her into one last hug, Loki kisses her temple, “I won't be gone long.”

“Liar,” Cora snaps playfully and Loki laughs. He tightens his hold and lets her go.

Shrugging his shoulders, Loki gets on Archer and looks down at Cora with a smile, “I'll come back to you,” he says and rides off towards the Bifrost.

Cora watches him, but something comes over her, “Loki!” Cora shouts and Loki stops riding. Cora runs to catch up to him and Loki looks down at her, “Don't get Thor's stupid ass get hurt too much,” Cora smirks and Loki nods his head with a laugh. He tightens the reigns and winks at Cora before he rides off.

Notes