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Loki woke at dawn. He had slept better than he could remember. He had always been plagued with poor sleep, often waking in the middle of the night. For the first time in as long as he could remember he had slept straight through the night. He knew, the woman beside him was responsible. Just the simple act of sleeping beside her had brought him peace.

He looked down. Kenna was curled up into his side. Her cheek rested on his chest as she snuggled tightly against his body, the covers were all curled around her as though she were cold. He had never noticed the temperature of his room before, now it all made sense.

The fact that Kenna had touched him knowing what he may be still floored him. Her kindness and gentle spirit were there for everyone to see, and yet beneath that was a core of steel. He pulled her tighter against him. Outside of this room, the world and the future waited. He wanted to freeze this moment in time and revel in it, allow himself this one moment of peace in his life. He pressed a kiss into her silvery hair and she snuggled closer to him, making a noise of contentment in the back of her throat.

His heart swelled. He would do whatever was necessary to keep her safely at his side. He tried to close his eyes, to fall back into the peaceful moment, but he knew he needed to confront his parents. He needed to ensure Kenna's safety. He drew in a breath and leaned his head back against the pillows. He also needed answers. He needed to know what was wrong with him. Kenna might not care what he was, but he did. It mattered.

He slipped from the bed, sliding one of his pillows down alongside Kenna. She grumbled but didn't wake. He reached down to touch her face but stopped himself. He didn't want to wake her. Instead, he gently pressed a kiss against her hair. "Sleep, my heart," he whispered and he moved to his bathing room to dress for the day.

Loki strode through the palace with a new sense of purpose. He would do what was necessary for his duty, but he needed answers. Kenna had given him the courage and determination to confront his father and mother about what happened on Jotenheim.

He turned down the hallway leading to his parents rooms and someone nearly crashed into him. He froze looking down at the woman.

"You," he said, his eyes narrowing. He recognized her from Thor's coronation when she had spoken so clearly in his mind.

Sigyn flashed as dreamy smile up at the Asgardian prince and now heir presumptive. She could practically taste his magic in the air. It was more powerful than before and colder. A smirk lit her face. He had come into his Frost Giant powers and recently. It was almost enough to make up for the way Odin had treated her. She reached out and touched his chest, letting herself taste his magick.

"It's good to see you my prince," she said and she curtsied, though she kept her hand on his chest. His magick was as delicious as he would be. She ran her tongue along her lower lip impatiently.

Loki pulled back, so the strange prophet was no longer touching him. There was something both off putting and familiar about her. He moved to go around her but she stepped into his path once more, standing a little too close than was polite.

"I was wondering my prince," she said. "Do you remember the tale of how your father captured the cask of winters?" she asked. "How it can boost a Frost giants magic?"

Loki frowned down at the strange woman. "Yes of course," he responded stiffly.

"Good," Sigyn said and she flashed him a radiant smile. "I wish you strength and wisdom to get through your day my lord," she said and she bowed. She hesitated for a moment and met his gaze. "When the time comes," she added. "You know where to find me," and she disappeared in a swirl of purple magic.

Loki shook his head, the gift of foresight seemed to be eternally tied to madness. He raised his fist and knocked on the door to his parents chambers.

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When Kenna woke, Loki was already gone. She knew he had duties to attend to, but she wished they could have had a few more hours together. She knew a Frost Giant when she saw one and it was clear the King and Queen of Asgard had much to answer for. She only hoped the answers did not break Loki.

He had been through so much, her heart ached for him. She climbed out of his bed and moved to his bathing chamber. She quickly straightened her hair and her clothes so it wouldn't look as though something untoward had happened. She felt a blush rising even as she thought about kissing Loki the night before. She looked at herself in the mirror and reached up to touch the amulet that hung around her neck. She was eager to see Loki again, but she knew they would have to be careful. Not everyone on Asgard would be accepting of their decision to be together.

Kenna returned to the safety of her garden. She was confident Loki would come find her when he was able. She hated the thought of putting on the collar again, but Frigga was too suspicious of her already to risk being caught without it. She trusted Loki absolutely, and knew he would remove it once more when it was safe.

She was cleaning out one of the flower beds as the sun rose above the palace walls. A shadow fell over her and she looked up, shielding her eyes from the sun to see who it was.

Sif and the warriors three stood in a semi-circle around her backlit by the rising sun. She frowned. None of them had ever come to the garden before. She quickly scrambled to her feet.

"Lady Sif," she greeted bowing quickly.

"You're to come with us," Sif ordered coldly.

A bad feeling went over Kenna as she took in their armor and the stern expressions on their faces.

"Where-" she started to asked but Sif's face hardened.

"You will do as you are ordered slave."

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Loki knocked on the door and his mother answered. He frowned as he took in her appearance. She was still wearing the dress she had the night before and lines of stress marred her normally beautiful face.

He lifted his eyes to meet his father's gaze over her shoulder and wished he had a moment to speak to her in private. His mother always had borne the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders. She was so strong. When he was young he had always viewed his mother as kind and gentle, but now that he had Kenna, he truly understood that his mother was the power behind the throne. She was what gave her father strength and purpose. His father might not show it in public, but Loki vowed to himself to never disregard Kenna in that way. She and all those around them would always know her value.

Loki smiled at his mother reassuringly and reached out to squeeze her hand as he entered the room. Tears formed in his mother's eyes. Loki frowned not understanding.

"Is it Thor? Has something else happened?" he asked stiffly.

"No, nothing else," Odin responded, he lifted his chin defiantly and Loki recognized the gesture. His father often used it when he didn't want to be questioned. Which begged the question. What had he done? Was this about Thor?

Loki opened his mouth to ask another question when he felt it. The pain was like nothing he had experienced before. It was like someone was hollowing out the inside of his mind. He opened his mouth to shout, but it wasn't his voice that was screaming.

He could feel Kenna's pain echoing through his entire being. His body broke out in a cold sweat and just as quickly as it had come on it stopped. The connection with Kenna was severed so suddenly he dropped to a knee as though he were a puppet with his strings cut.

"Loki!" Frigga exclaimed, she ran up to him to steady him.

He pulled back from her and he lifted his green eyes to meet hers, accusation and rage heavy in his gaze. "What have you done?" he demanded.

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Kenna was led across the bridge toward the bifrost. There, two people were waiting for them. She frowned looking from the warriors three, to Sif, to the witch Sigyn, and finally her gaze rested on the eerie golden eyes of Heimdall, the guardian of the realm.

It was fairly obvious what was about to happen. Perhaps not where she was going, but they were taking her away. Away from Asgard, and away from Loki. Frigga had finally succeeded in keeping Kenna as far away from her beloved son as possible.

"Am I to be banished as Thor was?" Kenna asked the warrior's three politely.

They all shifted uncomfortably as she pointed out the King's decision, knowing they wouldn't be here without his order. With Thor gone none but Odin would be able to command their loyalty.

Sigyn threw her head back and cackled. "Oh I like you little one. Even with the collar on...I'm almost sorry I will have to do this," she said and she lifted her hand. Indigo sparks danced from her fingers as she stepped closer to Kenna.

Kenna's eyes flickered once more to the guardian standing silently at his post. She couldn't be sure, but she thought for maybe a moment she felt a flicker of regret from the ancient man. "Watch over him," she demanded, and in just thinking about Loki she was able to push past the collar that rested around her neck.

Heimdall nodded once, and the anguish in his golden eyes surprised and scared Kenna. The ancient guardian saw all, past, present and future. She feared what might put such a look on his face.

In the next moment however, Sigyn touched her and she screamed.

The pain was like nothing she had ever experienced. It was like Sigyn was trying to hollow her out, trying to take everything that she was. But she refused to yield to it. She refused to back down. Instead she tightened her jaw against the pain and thought of Loki. Truly forcing herself to relive every memory they had shared. She felt a flare of frustration from Sigyn and Kenna smiled despite the pain.

When the pain stopped Kenna was on the ground and Sigyn was kneeling over her. Kenna panted and shivered as a chill wind from the bifrost blew over her sweat covered skin. The warriors three shifted uncomfortably. They had agreed to escort the elf slave, they hadn't expected to witness her torture.

Sigyn gestured at Kenna and in a shimmer of magic Loki's amulet appeared resting below the collar. Sigyn bared her teeth aggressively. "Clever boy," she muttered and she grabbed the amulet and ripped it off. "But not enough to protect you from me," she assured Kenna. And this time when she went to take all of Kenna, there was nothing to stop it.

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Loki's eyes were like flint as he glared up at his mother. "What have you done?" He demanded a second time.

Odin was unmoved, but Frigga flinched at the coldness she hadn't expected from her beloved son. "I-" Frigga shook her head, backing away. He couldn't know, not yet. The slave wasn't gone yet. They needed to stall him until Sigyn could finish the job.

"I have to go," Loki said, spinning away from his parents. The need to find Kenna and help her was so strong he could hardly breathe.

"STOP," Odin ordered.

"I have to help Kenna," Loki said. He tried to think what could have happened. It had only been hours since he held her safely in his arms. She had been in his rooms, in the palace, nothing could touch her. Nothing but the two people in this room. He spun back to face them. His mother looked guilty, but his father's face was as hard as ever.

"Who is Kenna?" Odin asked imperiously.

Loki's eyes flashed dangerously and static electricity filled the room. Frigga took a step back. This was all going wrong. She had hoped to explain, to gently help him understand. It couldn't happen like this. Loki would never forgive them this.

"You know who she is," Loki said through clenched teeth.

"The slave," Odin said emotionlessly.

"Yes father, the slave," Loki bit out the words, hating himself for having to call her that.

Odin waved a hand dismissively. "You needn't concern yourself with her she-"

"Is in pain," Loki replied. "More pain then-"

Frigga cut him off. "And how would you know that dear?" Frigga asked, slipping forward to try to soothe Loki and save the situation.

"I felt her," he said his hand coming up to hover over his chest before he dropped it back down.

Frigga's eyes widened but she didn't say anything. Her hand came up and covered her mouth in shock. Her son had bound his magic to the elf slave. She raised her eyes to meet Odin's, but his gaze revealed nothing. Either he didn't understand or he didn't care. The situation was far worse than she could have ever imagined.

"She is gone," Odin replied sharply. As usual failing to read the emotions of his own son.

"Gone?" Loki asked as horror gripped him. Had the pain been enough to cause her death? He closed his eyes trying to find her. He reached out with his magic, he could teleport to her in moments if he could just find her.

"Yes, Loki she is gone,"
Odin barked, breaking his concentration. "She is a slave and she has been sold."

Loki went cold. "Sold?" He asked. "She is a person."

Odin scoffed "No Loki, she was a slave, a light elf. She fetched a good price. It was foolish to keep her as nothing but a gardener. I assure you there are many who would pay for her rarity."

Loki felt sick to his stomach. Sold. They had sold Kenna as though she were nothing but an object. As though she were nothing. As though she meant nothing. When she was everything to him.

"Loki," Frigga said in a soothing tone as she placed her hand on his arm. "You'll see, it is for the best," she assured him. When she touched him however she could feel his magic coursing through him. She had never seen such darkness around her son. It frightened her, and reminded her of Sigyn's words. Damn the witch for being right.

"For the best?" Loki asked hollowly as he looked back and forth from his father to his mother. "It was for the best for one to be sold?"

"It was necessary. She was beneath you Loki," Odin replied callously.

Loki's jaw tightened as his hands clasped into fists. He could feel the swirl of power that had turned his skin blue right at his finger tips, his anger made it easier to call up than he had every imagined. It begged to be used. It begged him to fill the room with the icy rage that flowed through his veins.

"Beneath me? Is this because of my friendship with her? Is that why you sold her? To keep us apart?" he asked as shame burned through him. Had he done this? Was this somehow his fault? "And if I had simply bedded her and cast her aside instead of befriending her? Would you still have sold her father?"

Odin's face betrayed nothing as he gazed down at his son. Loki was still so young and idealistic. In time, he would understand, in time he would be able to look back and see why this was the only way.

"Or if it had been Fandral or Volstagg instead of me?" Loki challenged as he began to realize the full extent of what he had done. Was it because he had brought her to his room last night? Had he just left her alone, would she still be with him? Something tightened in his chest and he began to pant as his magic swirled within him, as uncontrolled and uncontrollable as his emotions.

"You're not the warriors three nor are they the son of a King, Loki."

Loki felt ill. He was breathing too fast and his hands were fisted at his sides as his magic swirled through him. He fought to keep control of himself. If he let any of his magic loose now he would destroy the entire wing of the palace. People would suffer, as Kenna had suffered. All because of his mother and father.

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The slave was left laying on the ground unconscious, smoke rose from her body from the power of the magic it had taken to steal away all she was.

Satisfied, Sigyn turned to the warrior's three. She tossed the amulet at the Lady Sif who snatched it out of the air. "Give that to the Queen and tell her I warned her."

Lady Sif nodded though for the first time since all of this started, she looked uncertain. Hogun stepped up next to the tiny elf and picked her up in his arms.

Volstaag turned to Heimdall. "To Nowhere," he commanded.

Heimdall nodded and activated the Bifrost.

"Oh, and when you bring her to him," Sigyn called over her shoulder just before she disappeared. "Do tell him to watch his back, and that my advice is to never remove that collar if he wants to live," she said with a wink.

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"Loki please," Frigga begged, feeling the rise of Loki's power was terrifying. She had never realized the true depth of her son's power. Not until this very moment. Her quiet, studious, shy son. He would be one of the greatest magic users who ever lived. It only strengthened her resolve that she had done the right thing to protect him, but it would take time to repair the damage they had done to their relationship.

Loki swallowed, his jaw set, as he fought to keep his magic within. "Who was she?" he demanded coldly.

Frigga's eyes snapped up in shock. "You don't-" she started to asked but bit back her words. She had been so certain the elf would have used her previous status against Loki. Why hadn't she? Frigga frowned in confusion.

"Tell me!" Loki snarled, his green eyes blazing.

Odin was unmoved by his son's rage. He couldn't feel the power rising in the room, couldn't feel the potential danger Loki represented. It was his folly. As usual he disregarded Loki's abilities simply because he didn't understand them.

"You know who she was Loki," he replied bitterly. "You were there."

Loki began to deny it, but then he went very still as he wracked his memories. It was so long ago, and he had been so frightened. A little girl in a white dress. She had looked like an angel to his young eyes as she wept, kneeling in the blood and the mud over her father's body.

"Ljosalfar's daughter," Loki whispered. Of course, it seemed so obvious now. Her familiarity with the palace and her power. "She is royalty. She is the last remaining daughter of the house of the Light Elves. Why did you take her memories? It was you wasn't it?" Loki demanded and his eyes flashed from his father back to his mother. "You are the only one powerful enough to control Sigyn."

"Ljosalfar led a revolt after the dark elves destroyed his people, she was there, she witnessed the violence. She could not be allowed those memories. She could not be allowed to raise an army and destroy the peace we paid for with the blood of Asgard," Odin growled.

Loki looked up at the All Father, his rage was burning through him so completely he hands began to shake. "I remember that day differently," he said coldly. "I remember a father begging you to take care of his beloved daughter. I remember you swearing you would look after her as though she were your own. She should have been raised as a princess in this palace beside Thor and I. She should-" Loki cut himself off as the injustice of it choked him. Had Odin just honored his word, none of this would have happened. Kenna would have been raised as a princess and Loki would have been free to woo her, to be with her.

"She was in the palace," Odin replied. "She was safe."

"You stripped her of her memories and made her a slave!" Loki raged.

"Whatever has happened to her since has been your fault," Odin snapped back. "I put her someplace safe, someplace she was protected."

"Oh yes, protected, right up until the moment you sold her," Loki spit out vengefully. He turned on his mother, his eyes filled with pain. "Where is she?" he asked in a dangerous voice.

"It doesn't matter," Odin replied. "A slave is gone and you are the heir to the throne, it has no bearing on your life." Odin slammed his staff down against the floor, making Frigga jump. "You are dismissed."

Loki felt like he had just been slapped. He was light headed and dizzy as he left the throne room. He had to find her. He just needed the power to do so. Kenna's absence was like a hole had been opened up in the middle of his chest. A hole in his heart that in time would fester and rot.

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Hope you enjoyed the update!!!