Freeze
The Fight
The day has finally arrived, well almost arrived. This is the last day that Thor and Cora will sleep in Asgard before they travel on their journey to Nildavellir together. The Allfather sent messengers all across Asgard to tell the nobility that there was to be a great ball in honor of Thor and Cora. Today is that day, tonight the palace of Asgard will be crowed with bodies as people dance, eat and laugh in honor of Thor and Cora. The news spread like wildfire once again and the rumor of Thor's engagement to Lady Cora seemed more real then ever before. Asgard as a whole was pleased with the news, but there was one who could not find any joy. It was just the one that brought a war to Asgard's palace walls.
†††††
Cora stares at herself in her vanity and sighs. How to do her hair? She would love to wear it down, but in the gown she is wearing an up do would be better. There is a knock at her chamber doors and Cora stands from her seat. Walking to the doorway of her bed champers Cora calls out, “Enter.” The doors open and the Queen walks in. “My Queen,” Cora bows and Frigga waves her off with a smile.
“You are beautiful my dear. Your father would be proud,” Frigga says as she walks over to Cora. Cora smiles and looks down at the floor. “Come lets get your finished for tonight.” Frigga warps an around around Cora's shoulders and leads her over to her vanity. Cora sits down and she watches as Frigga does her hair for her. “I remember when your mother use to bring you over as a child. You had such thick and long hair, it took the two of us to braid it,” Frigga states and Cora's eyes shine.
“You knew my mother?” Cora questions and Frigga nods her head.
“I knew your mother very well. She was a friend of mine growing up. It seemed like fate when she married your father, we were always together.”
“What was she like?”
Frigga glances at Cora in the mirror and continues to do her hair, “She was a lot like you. She would be in tears right now if she was here. She always cried over the littlest things,” Frigga laughs and Cora smiles. “You look like her.” Cora bites her lip and fiddles her thumbs together, no one ever spoke of her mother, not even her father.
“I do?”
“Very much so...there all done. Look,” Frigga places her hands on Cora's shoulder and Cora turns her eyes to the mirror. She gasps when she sees the work Frigga did. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Cora whispers and Frigga smiles, pleased with herself.
“I am glad, now let us go. Thor is waiting for you in the hall.” Frigga leads Cora to the door and when she opens it, sure enough Thor is standing outside dressed in his Asgardian finest.
Thor's lips turn up into a smile when he sees Cora and Frigga head off down the hall with guard following her. “My Lady,” Thor bows low and offers Cora his hand once he straitens himself. Blushing Cora takes hold of Thor's hand and curtseys before him. Thor chuckles and slips Cora's hand through his arm so that her hand is resting on his forearm. “I might have you wear red from now on,” Thor jokes and Cora shakes her head as they start to walk.
“You will be tired of seeing red once our time in Nildavellir is done,” Cora states and Thor laughs.
“We shall see,” Thor muses and Cora rolls her eyes playfully. “Do you like the gowns made for you?” Thor asks and Cora nods her head.
“Yes, they are all beautiful. I am excited to wear them,” Cora tells Thor.
“And they are all my colors are they not?”
“They are.”
“And your sleepwear?” Thor questions. Cora's face flushes and Thor laughs, “Red as well...nice,” Thor teases and Cora bumps him with her hip.
“Shut up,” she wines and Thor chuckles shaking his head.
“Okay no more talk of clothing, forgive me?” Thor asks and Cora sighs, but forgives Thor nonetheless. Soon after the two are standing outside of the Throne room. The music and sound of endless chatter fills the air and Cora's grip of Thor's forearm tightens. Thor glances down at Cora and bumps her with his hip. Cora looks up to Thor and he smiles sweetly, “You'll do fine Cora. Do not let their stares bother you, I will be right here by your side. I will not let anything happen to you,” Thor promises and Cora smiles.
“Thank you, Thor,” she says and Thor leans down presses his lips to her temple.
“You look amazing,” Thor breaths out and before Cora can say anything the doors to the Throne room open. Thor straightens up and together they walk through the doors. The ones closets to the doors notice Cora and Thor walk in and they bow. The bow takes on a ripple effect and slowly the voices in the hall stop and all eyes are on Cora and Thor. Thor heads towards the Allfather's throne where Odin sits. The Queen stands off to the right with Loki and Lady Sif, while the Warriors Three stand to the left.
Cora's eyes find their way to Loki like magnets and Cora's face heats up when she sees that Loki is already staring at her; his eyes filled with emotions she can not name. Quickly Cora looks away and turn her attention to the Allfather once Thor stops walking. Odin rises from his throne and the hall is silent. “My friends, I have called you all here tonight to honor my son, my first born Thor Odinson and my dear girl, Cora Barbarousdottir. Tomorrow at the break of dawn, Thor and Lady Cora will start their journey to Nildavellir, it is there that they will spend the passing months acting on my behalf,” Odin continues on with his speech, but Cora can hardly concentrate.
She can feel Loki's eyes burning into her soul, she can feel his anger like it's a tangible object chocking her slowly, adding more pressure on her windpipes with each word Odin speaks. “Let the celebration begin!” Odin's voice bellows throughout the hall and Cora snaps out of her own world. She stares up at Thor and he takes hold of her hand, lacing their fingers together. Turning around, now facing everyone, Thor raises their interlocked hands high in the air and Cora slaps a smile on to her face as everyone cheers and claps. Lowering their hand, Thor releases Cora's hand and places his large hand on the small of her back.
“Let us mingle with our friends,” Thor states and leads Cora over to the Warriors Three and Lady Sif. Fandral hands a goblet of mead to Thor and Cora. “To friends!” Thor shouts and the group crash their goblets together while Cora taps her lightly with Lady Sif's avoiding getting any drink on her gown.
“I wish it was me going on this journey,” Sif admits to Cora and Cora nods her head.
“I wish it were you as well my friend,” Cora says and Sif smiles. “You wear red better then I,” Cora points out and Sif laughs. Across the room Loki watches Cora as she laughs and talks with the people he can hardly call friends. Loki narrows his eyes seeing Thor's hand on Cora's body, it's too low for his liking.
“Go to her.” Loki looks to his side and Frigga smiles at him.
“What?”
“Go to her, my son. I do not know what happened between the two of you, but you must fix it. Do not throw such a good friend away over a petty disagreement,” Frigga states and when Loki tries to object, Frigga simple waves Loki off. Grumbling under his breath, Loki crosses the room, knowing that his mother won't leave him alone until she sees him talking to Cora.
“May I have this dance m'lady?” Fandral asks Cora seeing Loki coming towards them.
“You may,” Cora giggles and places her hand in Fandral's. Fandral nods his head at Thor letting him know to look behind him before he whisks Cora onto the dance floor. All at once the group turn and see that Loki is coming their way, a frown set deep on his face.
“Brother! Why do you not smile?” Thor questions, though he already knows the reason why. Loki says nothing on the matter and simple holds his hand out to Lady Sif. Sif starts to decline Loki's offer, but Thor gives her a warning look. Without a word, Sif places her hand in Loki's and together they head to the dance floor.
“Tell me Sif...why is it Cora and not you escorting my brother?” Loki questions and Sif narrows her eyes. “Did he fancy her more?”
“You sound jealous, Loki. It doesn't flatter you,” Sif snaps and Loki's jaw tenses, but he keeps his face clam since people are watching.
“You wear his colors, but he never notices. Though he is quick to notice Cora,” Loki continues to speak as though Sif hadn't spoken at all.
“Your silver tongue won't work on me God of Lies,” Sif says. “Thor has taken to filling in the hole you left behind when you cast aside Cora, along with the rest of us. She is quite the skilled warrior now,” Sif states with a proud smile on her face and Loki scarfs.
“She is no fighter.”
“How would you know?” Sif challenges and Loki stares at her with cold eyes. “Thank you for the dance,” Sif says and walks away leaving Loki alone.
†††††
Around and around, Cora is passed from arm to arm of every man. Her laughter rings out over all the others catching Thor's attention as he dances with Lady Sif. “She is not happy,” Thor sighs and Sif nods her head in agreement.
“She is like you brother in a way,” Sif states and Thor looks at her with questioning eyes. “They are both too stubborn to fix whatever happened to them.”
“You are wrong Sif,” Thor says. “Cora has tried many times to fix it. It is Loki who tries not...he keeps pushing her away,” Thor explains and Sif frowns.
“He is a fool.”
“That he is,” Thor agrees and he continues to dance with Sif.
Dizzy from all the dancing around, Cora excuses herself from her current dance partner and disappears into the shadows of the night. Out on the balcony, Cora lets the night air wash over her. “It's dangerous for a maiden to be out here alone at such an hour. You never know what kind of monsters hide in the dark.” Cora says nothing to the voice and keeps her eyes straight a head staring at the moon in the sky. “Some monsters prey on beautiful women.” The warmth of another body seeps into Cora's skin and goosebumps rise on her arms. “Maybe the beautiful woman wants a monster to take her away?” Fingertips glide up Cora's back, over her shoulders and down the length of her arms. Warm breathe hits her right ear and Cora leans away from it, “Even more beautiful in another color.” Cora shivers and lets out a shaky breath when a nose nuzzles her neck.
“Mmm...much better,” the voice mummers and soft lips tenderly kiss Cora's temple. “Don't you agree?” Hands find their to Cora's hips and Cora looks down a gasps leaving her lips as she looks at herself. She's no longer wearing a red dress, but a green one, along with gold and green jewelry, but it's not the dress that makes her gasps. No, it's the gold band around her finger that holds a small green tourmaline. Cora turns around and her brown eyes lock with a dazzling green set.
“Why?” Cora questions, her voice soft and wavering.
Loki stares at Cora a long time before he takes hold of one of Cora's hands, “Dance with me?” Cora opens her mouth, but Loki has already started to move his feet. Cora, not wanting to trip moves too and soon the two are dancing in the moon light. Cora keeps her eyes locked with Loki's as they dance in silence. She watches his face carefully, searching for any kind of emotion to tell her what he is feeling...it he feels anything at all. “What are you thinking of?”
“Your motive.”
“Do I need a mot-”
“You always have a motive, Loki,” Cora states coldly and Loki smirks.
“Would you believe me if I told you I have no motive, other then to keep you to myself?” Loki questions.
“To keep me from your brother,” Cora sighs.
“I...I want to apologize for my behavior over the past months,” Loki whispers and Cora stops dancing. Loki stops as well and leads her over to the wall of the balcony. “It was foolish of me to push you away. I know that I have a lot to make up for and maybe you won't forgive me, but there is something I need you to know,” Loki grabs hold of Cora's hands in his and holds them tightly. He brings them to his lips and kisses her knuckles. Loki stares into Cora's eyes and smiles softly, “I-I love you,” Loki breaths out and Cora opens her mouth, “No. No let me finish,” Loki begs and Cora nods her head. “I l-love you and I think it would be for the best if you stay here with me.”
Cora stares at Loki and her face contorts into one of anger. She shakes her head and rips her hands out of Loki's hold. Loki frowns and reaches out for Cora, but she slaps his hands away from her, “I-I can't believe you,” she hisses. “A-after all I've done...all I've put up with this, this is how you choose to repay me? With mockery?!” Cora's voice breaks as she shouts and Loki stares at Cora with wide eyes. Tears burn Cora's eyes and she wipes them away refusing to cry in front of Loki again, “I-I loved you. I stood by you through everything, everything Loki! Yet, here you stand mocking it all freely.” Cora looks at Loki in disgust and Loki's brows pull together, in all the years they have know each other, Cora has never looked at him like that.
“You, you care for no one...” Cora laughs bitterly with a shake of her head as realization hits her, “You know not what love is.” Cora backs away from Loki and starts ripping the jewelry off of her, “You were right,” Cora cries, her voice shaking as she pulls the ring off her ringer for a second time. “You...you are a m-monster,” Cora whispers and throws the ring at Loki. As he ring bounces off Loki's chest and lands on the ground, the illusion Loki cast on Cora fades and she stands once again in her red dress. “You are heartless.” Cora turns on her heel and as she walks back into the throne room a loud crash followed by screaming cuts through the music.
“Frost Giants!” Someone shouts and Loki smirks. He runs into the throne room and searches for Cora. Over all the screaming and shouting, Loki hears Cora's voice and he soon finds her after. She's with Sif and the both of them are sneaking out. Turning himself into a fly, Loki follows the two.
“Grab your weapons and come fight,” Sif orders and Cora nods her head. “Don't forget to change, quickly. Now go!” Cora takes her heels off and throws them to the side. She picks the end of her dress up and sprints to her room, much like Sif. Loki changes back into his human form and barges into Cora's room.
“What are you doing?!” Loki shouts seeing that Cora has already taken her dress off.
Cora looks over her shoulder and glares, “What's it look like?” she snaps as she wiggles her way into a pair of black leather pants.
“You're not fighting. You're not a fighter,” Loki crosses the room and tries to stop Cora from getting dressed.
“Stop it!” Cora shouts and pushes Loki away from her as she shoves her feet into a pair of boots.
“No,” Loki shakes his head and snatches the sword out of Cora's hand. “No. You, you can't go,” Loki orders and Cora laughs in his face as she puts a vest on.
“Last time I check you weren't king,” Cora says with a scarf and Loki glares at her.
“You're not going!” Loki shouts and with a flick of his wrist he makes the bed chamber door's slam shut.
“What are you doing?!” Cora yells and runs over to the doors. She tries to open them, but they won't budge. “Open the damn doors!”
“No,” Loki simply says and tosses the sword on the bed. Cora glares at Loki and storms up to him.
“Let me out,” Cora hisses and Loki bends down so that he his eye level with her.
“You're not going anywhere.” Loki smirk and ruffles Cora's hair.
Cora screams and pushes Loki away from her, “I hate you!” she shouts and Loki's smirk drops. She's never said that to him before. “People are dying!”
“Better them then you!” Loki shouts and Cora stares at him in horror. Breathing heavily Loki runs a hand through his dark hair and glares at Cora. “You can't not go! I will not allow it. You will not be put in harms way, not while I'm still breathing.”
“You ar-”
In the blink of an eyes Loki is standing in front of Cora. He grabs her shoulders roughly and glares down at her, “I can't lose you!” Loki shouts in Cora's face and Cora's eyes widen. The words echo in her mind, those are the same words she said to him when Loki went off to war. Loki eases his grip and sighs. He cups Cora's face and strokes the apple of her cheek with his thumb, “You're my weakness,” Loki whispers. “My only weakness...” Loki mummers and leans down closing his eyes.
Slap
Loki's eyes shoot open and Cora's rips herself from his hands. A red welt is form on his cheek, he did not see that coming. Loki huffs out a laugh and nods his head, “You'll regret that,” Loki states, his voice low and steely.
Cora glares at him and crosses her arms over her chest, “You're selfish and I hate you,” Cora states, her voice eerily clam while her eyes scream in rage. “Go. To. Hell.” The words are soaked in venom and they sting Loki's heart, but fuel his anger. Cora turns and starts to walk away, wanting to put as much distance between herself and Loki as possible in her room.
“I am not done with you!” Loki growls and he reaches out grabbing hold of Cora's wrist in an iron like hold. Everything after that happened so fast. So fast even, that Loki believed it could have been a nightmare. A horrible nightmare...that he caused.
