Preoccupation

"NO" Thor whipped his head around to look at me "what are you doing here?!" he headed for me, keeping himself between me and Loki.
"It's alright Thor" I put my hand up to his chest
"It most certainly is not" he glanced back to make sure Loki hadn't moved
"This has to end" I looked up at him "people are getting hurt" I noticed a large cut on his left bicep, covered in blood "...you're getting hurt" I motioned to the cut
"I cannot let this happen" his grip was tight on Mjlinor
"It's no longer your decision" I sighed "you've spent the last 3 years protecting me...it's my turn to protect you" I stepped to the side and around his large frame
"Grace, you don't need to do this" Tony reasoned as I approached him. Loki stood beside him
"yes, I do" Loki's eyes were dark, almost unfamiliar "Cut him loose" I turned to Loki
"Ha. You expect me to just let him go?" he spat
"I'm here to offer you a deal" I explained
He crossed his arms "I'm listening" I glanced back at Clint and Nat, and Steve on the ground
"me for them"
His eyebrows furrowed as I turned back to look at him "excuse me?"
"me for them"
"Well then, you must care a great deal for your Avengers" he came towards me "I've never known you to give in to something so easily" he reached up to touch my cheek I hit his hand away
"me for them, is it a deal?!"
He glared at me "what exactly does that mean?"
"You let them go, right now, all of them. They will leave unharmed, and they will never be harmed at your hand or your command for as long as you live" I explained
His mouth turned up in a small, evil, smile "and what do I receive in return?"
"Me. That's what you want right? I'll go with you, back to Asgard. I'll be your queen for the rest of my years"
He came closer once again, less than a foot in front of me and whispered "deal"
As he reached for me again I shouted "they go free, NOW!"
"As you wish" and without a glance behind him he waved his hand and Tony fell to the ground. Nat rushed to his side. "Well my darling, I believe our work here is done" he wrapped his arm around my waist
"I swear" Thor started "if there is a way in this universe, I will set you free" Loki called for Heimdall as we walked past Thor.
Loki's final words before we were taken to Asgard were "now brother, it's not nice to take things that belong to other people"

~~~

When we arrived on Asgard Loki was quickly surrounded by a group of guards and ushered away. Two men and a woman were left to escort me across the rainbow bridge. The bridge was long, and the walk far, but it didn't bother me. As we walked silently I glanced up at the castle, it was so different. The once golden spires were tarnished and broken in several places, the sky a deep grey. It's funny, walking down the bridge towards the city like this always brought me such joy, such excitement. Now all I really wanted to do was turn around. When we arrived at the entrance to the castle the guards left the woman to take me to my room.
"I'm Cleay, the prince has asked that I make sure you're comfortable" she explained
I nodded and pushed a small smile onto my face. She led me up many stairs and to two towering cream doors. I knew all too well what laid behind those doors, it was the room I always stayed in as a child. As the doors opened my eyes saw the same room I had looked at with amazement as a child. Physically the room hadn't changed, but it felt different. As I walked in I felt as though I was in a prison cell.
"Shall we get you into some night clothes?" Cleay asked
Having a hand maiden, another thing I thought to be such fun as a child. I sighed "yes, I suppose"
After she had changed me she left the room. I collapsed onto the bed then crawled under the comforter. I willed sleep to overcome me and tell me this was all a bad dream.

~~~

As my eyes slowly opened my room was filled with women. Mornings were quite a spectacle in the castle. There was a woman to change my sheets, one to run my bath, one to brush my hair, one to dress me, one to tidy up and one to make the bed once the sheets were changed. I let them take me over. I was so depressed that this hadn't all been a dream that I could hardly function.
After my bath I was dressed and sat down to have my hair brushed. Just as the woman finished with the tangled mess the door opened. There he stood in his dark leather pants and green tunic, fairly casual.
"Excuse me ladies" they all turned their attention to Loki "leave us please" and with that they gathered up their things and were out of the room. I stood from my chair as he shut the door behind.
"I'm here to apologize" he walked slowly towards me "it seems in my haste to return to Asgard, and being called to a meeting with my council, I completely neglected to welcome you home properly" I stared at him and shifted my weight from one foot to the other "Welcome home Grace" he opened his arms for me.
I made no effort to close the gap between us. "This isn't my home and it hasn't been for many years" I crossed my arms over my chest
"It will be again" he placed his hand on my cheek
"No" I answered sharply "never the way it was"
"You are correct" he took a step back "after all, now you are the queen"
"Not. Yet."
"Ah right, I know you're anxious to get that fixed so we shall do so right now" he took my hand. Leading me down a few stories we appeared in the main dining area, there seated were Thor and Frigga.
"Ah mother, how lovely it is to see you" he offered me a chair and sat next to me.
"And you, my son" she smiled, but it was pained
"I believe things can finally move forward now" Loki announced I looked at Thor questioningly, he simply sighed and lowered his head.
"Yes" Frigga motioned to the men standing in the door to enter the room. 4 armored men appeared and took their seats.
Frigga stood slowly "Thor, Loki, my sons. When your father died I was left to rule over Asgard. However I am only a woman, and a queen cannot rule without a king. Having said that a prince cannot take kingship without a princess at his side to become his queen, a woman that has truly loved him. We have waited years for these circumstances to come about, but they have arrived. So after his wedding I, queen of Asgard, will pass the job of guiding this realm to my very capable son, Loki. There will be a crown passing ceremony tomorrow followed by a feast." And with that she left the room. Thor placed his face in his hands.
"I do apologize brother" Loki said getting up and motioning for me to do the same "but I'm sure you will enjoy the Asgardian dungeon just as much as I once did"
We returned to my room and once the doors were shut I had questions "What was that?" I asked
"That" he smiled "was the official announcement of my promotion to king of Asgard"
"...king?" I asked "now?" I was shaking
"Yes my queen"
"She said after you were married"
"Oh" he chuckled "did I forget to mention that our wedding is to take place tonight?"
My jaw dropped "...but"
He headed for the door "I know we will be very happy"
And with that he closed the door behind him.

Notes