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❛ ᴇᴛᴏɪʟᴇ​​​​​​​​​​. ❜ ° . ༄
- ͙۪۪˚   ▎❛ 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 ❜   ▎˚ ͙۪۪̥◌
»»————- ꒰ ǫᴜᴇᴇɴ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀsᴛʟᴇ ꒱


❝ IS IT YOUR PLAN TO 
KILL US ALL, LITTLE WIFE? ❞

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A S G A R D

The bed was still warm when Eleanora woke for the day, the temperature maintained by her husband's body as he still lay next to her. She stayed relaxed against him, hoping that he wouldn't notice the shift between sleeping and wakefulness. She kept her eyes closed to help with the illusion and counted the steady beats of his heart in her mind as her ear was pressed against his chest. Loki's nimble fingers lazily ran through her blonde tresses in a soothing, absent-minded way as he waited for her to rise. Deciding that she wanted to stay like this as long as possible, she wiggled closer to him to better enjoy the comfort— the movement that ultimately did her in.

Her husband let out a soft huff of air and the motion of his fingers stilled. "I know you're awake, dröttning."

Eleanora pouted a little at his observation. "How did you know? I thought I hid it so well this time."

"I could hear your breathing change," he replied. "And as much as I would love to stay in bed with you all day, the king has duties to attend to."

She propped herself up on an elbow, causing the blankets to slide down her bare shoulder. While he probably thought he was being subtle, she didn't miss the flick of her husband's eyes as they moved from her face to her chest— which had been her goal. "I could make it worth your while, my king."

The use of his title made Loki's already barely-there willpower cave and he gently pushed at her shoulder to get her to lie flat again before he positioned himself over her. His voice came out in a low rumble when he spoke next, his head already lowering to place hot, open-mouthed kisses along the curve of her neck. "You best make sure you do, temptress."

✧ ✧ ✧

Needless to say, it took them much longer to get out of bed than either of them had planned, which ended in a hurried scramble for clothes as they got dressed. As Eleanora brushed her hair, she watched her husband appreciatively in the mirror as he bent to retrieve his pants. "What are your plans for today, konung?"

He offered her a faint smile at the endearment and shrugged. "Ruling our people, as usual."

The blonde sighed and put down her brush, turning to face him properly. "Do you really expect me to believe that? Asgard's people are the last thing you care about, especially right now." Her tone became apologetic as he flinched at the unpleasant reminder of his newly-discovered heritage. "So please don't treat me like I'm stupid and let me in. You don't have to tell me everything, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie to my face."

Loki came over to her, still half-dressed, and took her hands in his. "Of course, darling. That was an old habit, naturally."

He paused to consider which half-truth he wanted to tell her. Should he share his plans to go to Midgard and talk to his brother? Or that he wanted to visit Thor's hammer, just for a trip of self-indulgence? Or that, finally, he would go to Jotunheim and make a deal with Laufey? She would surely disapprove of all of the above, but the last one especially. She would also insist on coming with him on all of these escapades, which wasn't ideal; he wouldn't be able to craft the lies he wanted to tell his adopted brother with her there. But, he could probably dissuade her from coming with him to Midgard more easily than Jotunheim, so he settled for that.

"I intend to go to Midgard today so I can observe how Thor's banishment has affected him; his return could affect our rule and I would prefer to be prepared for his arrival," he explained.

As expected, Eleanora's expression brightened at his proposition. "You're going to see Thor? Can I come too? It's been so strange without him here—"

"No, dröttning," he cut her off, using the most affectionate nickname he had to soften the blow and sway her to his side. Her look of disappointment still made him wish that he could have answered otherwise. Predictably, she opened her mouth to protest, but he continued quickly before she could. "I need you here, in Asgard. Both monarchs cannot abscond from the palace on the same day. It's true that I care little for the people, but you do not, which is why you would do this job better than I. Besides, I am not so conceited as to think that everyone is happy with my rule. While I'm gone, I want you to be my eyes and ears— especially in regards to Thor's friends."

"I suppose that makes sense," she admitted reluctantly, deflating a little. "Very well; I will rule in your absence."

"Thank you, darling," Loki said gratefully, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.

✧ ✧ ✧

Eleanora's first stop of the day after a quick morning meal was to see how Frigga was faring. She'd stopped in every day of Thor's banishment to make sure the queen (as she had never stopped thinking of the Allmother by her official title, even if she had given her position away temporarily) had someone to talk to and wasn't left alone to worry.

"You were right," she began after the customary well-being exchanges. "Ruling is burdensome for Loki; I fear what he has planned. I'm not afraid of him," she added hastily, "never that, but how his schemes might affect his mentality. Just this morning he tried to lie to me about what the day had in store for him. A little thing, I know, but after pressing him on the matter I'm convinced he hasn't even told me the full truth."

"The revelations of his heritage have troubled him," Frigga agreed. "He tends to act rashly when upset, and this is unlike anything he's experienced before; it is only natural for the consequences to be just as drastic. It is in times like these that your presence and insight are most valuable. You possess a wisdom and clarity that few others do. Continue to stand by him, to support him, but do not hesitate to challenge him when necessary."

The blonde twisted her fingers in her skirts uneasily at the older woman's words. "That's what I'm afraid of," she admitted. "I don't know if I have the strength to challenge him, let alone if he would listen."

"My dear, you should know by now that Loki never listens to anyone," the Allmother said with a wry smile. "Though he does have the habit of admiring strong-willed women; he will hear you even if he does not heed your advice. Sometimes the most you can do is offer a suggestion. Speaking an idea into existence may be enough to sway him, even subconsciously."

Eleanora hesitated for a moment as she debated on whether to tell Frigga what she knew about her son's current course of action. ". . .I know he wouldn't want me to tell you this, but this morning he said that he was going to Midgard to observe how Thor's banishment has affected him. Knowing him, this visit isn't merely one of brotherly concern; I worry that the pain he carries now will cause him to do something he'll regret later."

The Allmother's lips thinned as she conceded with the blonde's concerns. "Heimdall is bound to serve the king, but he has a certain loyalty to the queen as well. I know he will already be watching Loki's movements so it would not be much of a stretch to ask him to assuage your reservations."

"Why didn't I think of that sooner?" she wondered aloud, feeling suddenly relieved now that a solution had presented itself. Of course, she knew that Loki could travel the realms without Heimdall knowing, but she could at least start there. Then, if the Watchman couldn't see him, she would know that her husband was. . . up to something. "I will go see him after this— thank you, Frigga. I will ask after Thor as well since I worry about him as a sister would, out there in the vastness of the realms."

Frigga's expression softened as her thoughts drifted to her elder son. "Thor is resilient, Eleanora. He possesses a strength and determination that is rarely seen, even here in Asgard. I have faith that he will find his way back to us; I know that Odin would never have made it so that it was impossible for him to return at all."  

✧ ✧ ✧

After bidding the Allmother good day and promising that she would return tomorrow, Eleanora tracked down Sif and the Warriors Three— just as her husband had asked of her. They were in one of the smaller antechambers, the same room they'd gone to after Thor had been banished. Unsurprisingly, Volstagg was eating as he lay haphazardly on one of the couches. Fandral paced while Hogun was a silent, observing statue. Sif sat properly in a chair farther from the door, her sharp blue eyes watching her friends' movements carefully.

At her entrance, only Fandral responded in what would be considered an appropriate manner (not that she cared much for that sort of thing) by pausing in his pacing to welcome her with a bow. "My Queen, what can we do for you?"

The blonde took a minute to speak as she was well out of her comfort zone when directly dealing with politics. She had learned more during her stay in Asgard than she'd previously known, of course, but as princess and married to the second son rather than the first, her position mostly required her to make appearances rather than any important decisions. She let her gaze roam over the quartet as she considered her approach. If she were Loki, she would lure them with pretty lies and cajole them over to her side with empty promises. If she were Thor, they would gravitate to her naturally thanks to the prince's cheerful exuberance and charm. Naturally, she was like neither royal. She did not have her husband's way with words nor Thor's confidence. She only had herself, with her rustic background and simple talents. But, she was also a Star: a being destined to fill the world with light as she lead others to their own greatness. So, Eleanora decided to go with the easiest path forward: she told the truth.

"I would like to preface this by asking if I may speak frankly with you." She waited until she had received nods of agreement— Sif's, of course, was last and most reluctant. "I know my husband is many things, and being a difficult person to get along with is certainly one of them. During my years in Asgard, I have observed him being on the outs when you went hunting with Thor or celebrating at feasts. I also know that much of that is by his own design. Similarly, you have treated me with the barest respect, merely because it would displease the Allfather if you did otherwise. Thus, I would hesitate to truly call us friends, but I believe I could at least consider us allies.

"It is with this relationship in mind that I come bearing this warning. As wife and queen, it is my duty to stand by my husband. Therefore, if you are to do anything that would affect Thor's banishment, I would not be able to help you, should you be caught. However, Thor is also my brother and I would like him returned to Asgard in one piece. Should you, say, plan a rescue for him, I would not stop you. With Asgard on the brink of war with Jotunheim, I would think it very unwise to let one of our best fighters stay on Midgard when we might need him here."

"My lady," Hogun began in his solemn voice, though there was stunned tinge to it, "what you speak of is treason."

"To hell with treason, it's suicide!" Volstagg exclaimed through a mouthful of pheasant. "Is it your plan to kill us all, little wife?"

Eleanora watched him eat impassively. "Of course not. It was merely a suggestion, should you find yourself wishing for an adventure."

Sif's bright, blue eyes studied her with a warrior's calculation. "Thor would do the same for us," she offered, her tone giving nothing away regarding what she thought about the blonde's offer. "We will think it over, my lady."

The Star was surprised by the unusual note of respect in the brunette's tone. Her eyes were sharp as they considered Eleanora, as if trying to assess the true meaning behind her words rather than immediately jumping to mistrust. It was an even better outcome than she could have hoped for, if she were being honest.

✧ ✧ ✧

Her horse's hooves pounded against the Rainbow Bridge not long after her talk with Thor's friends. The celestial buzzing of the colorful road beneath her echoed the whirring thoughts of her mind. She knew that if Loki found out about her proposal, he would be less than pleased at Thor's potentially early return. But she was genuinely worried about the state of her husband's mind and what consequences his rash decisions would create. After all, when he had a plan, he usually went through with it without thinking about the end result. While Thor was by no means level-headed, she hoped that, between the three of them, they could reach a consensus.

Heimdall was standing in his usual position with his eyes to the cosmos when she finally reached him. (Oh, how she wished she could fly like Thor— that would make the commute so much faster!) She slid off her horse just outside the golden orb and made sure her mount would stay while she went to talk to the Watchman. He was, of course, already expecting her appearance.

"My Queen," he greeted her, his voice deep and rumbling from his chest.

She came to stand beside him and looked out at the starry sky. "Heimdall," she returned politely. Then, thinking carefully about how she phrased her question, she asked, "what can you See of my husband?"

He was quiet for a moment as his gaze stared far off into the far off distance. The guard was motionless next to her, his hands wrapped comfortably on the hilt of his sword, which rested between his feet. ". . .I cannot See him," he began, unease entering his tone. "He is hidden from me. Perhaps my lady would know how this is possible?"

Eleanora had expected as much, but she still slumped a little in disappointment. Still, she would not give away her husband's secrets so freely. "I'm afraid I do not know all the workings of his magic. While it is true that I have seiðr of my own, I am no illusionist and am not able to copy his skills; he would have to explain it to you himself. Might you at least be able to tell me where you last Saw him?"

Heimdall cast her a sidelong glance as if he could sense that she wasn't telling the complete truth. But, as she was his queen, he was sworn to answer her even if she hadn't given him the response he had been hoping for. "The king came to me earlier and requested that I send him to Jotunheim—"

"Jotunheim?" the blonde demanded, outraged. "He went to Jotunheim? And you sent him there alone? When we're on the brink of war with them?"

"My apologies," he said, inclining his head. "I thought the lady knew of the king's movements. I am sure you know that I must obey whatever His Majesty commands. If he wishes to go to Jotunheim, I am bound to send him there. May I ask where you thought he was?"

The Star stared at him in livid disbelief, but for all her annoyance (mostly at her stupid, idiotic, reckless husband), she would not sell Loki out. If Heimdall didn't know about the god's trip to Midgard, she certainly would not be the one to tell him.

"That's not important," she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "How long has he been gone?"

"He came to me earlier this afternoon."

Eleanora glanced anxiously behind her, out through the opening of the watchtower, but there was no telling the time in space. Still, she knew that when she'd left the palace, it had been well approaching evening; that was several hours, at least. She whirled on the Watchman. "Send me to Jotunheim. He's not back yet and you can't see him; something must have happened."

Heimdall regarded her with a look that bordered on sympathetic. "I must apologize to you once more, my Queen. The king has ordered me to prevent you from following him to Jotunheim by any means necessary. It seemed as if he predicted that you would wish to seek him out. I know it is not my place, but I must agree with him in this instance; it is unwise for both monarchs to visit enemy territory."

She groaned in frustration and glared at the pinpricks of light shining in the darkness, knowing that one of them was currently hosting her husband. "Damn you, Loki. Fine. I—"

"He is calling for his return," the guard interrupted her, leaving his post to activate the Bifrost.

Relief swamped her at his announcement, momentarily blotting out the anger she felt at Loki's deliberate omittance of his trip in the first place. Bright white energy crackled to life and shot out to the cosmos. In the span of mere seconds, it died away to reveal her husband returning to their realm at last. His gaze fell to her first and neither were surprised to see the other. He then turned his attention to Heimdall. "What troubles you, Gatekeeper?"

"When the queen asked me to search for you, you were shrouded from me, like the Frost Giants that entered this realm," he stated.

The god remained unbothered by this observation, his only indication that anything was amiss was the flick of his eyes in Eleanora's direction, slightly accusing as if it were her fault that Heimdall had realized this. "Perhaps your senses have weakened after your many years of service."

"Or perhaps someone has found a way to hide that which he does not wish me to see," came the calm retort.

"You have great power, Heimdall. Did Odin ever fear you?"

"No."

"And why is that?"

The Watchman contemplated him evenly. "Because he is my king and I am sworn to obey him."

Loki's eyes narrowed the slightest amount at the reminder of the man he currently hated. "He was your king and you're sworn to obey me now. Yes?"

There was a long pause before Heimdall gave his reluctant answer: "yes."

"Then you will open the Bifrost to no one until I have repaired the damage that my brother has done," he ordered, turning to stride from the watchtower. "Come, wife; I wish to have words with you."

Really, Loki had no right to be mad at her when he was the one who went to Jotunheim without saying anything. Rolling her eyes at his dramatics rather than being actually worried about the oncoming argument, Eleanora waited until he had left the orb to say one last thing to the guard. She met his unsettling amber eyes unflinchingly, her tone quiet as she spoke: "I cannot undermine my husband, nor would I want to. Just as you could not send me to Jotunheim, you can now also not open the Bifrost; I will not go against him in this. However, my husband has only expressly prohibited you from opening the Bifrost; not any. . . visitors that you may receive. Should you encounter any unexpected guests, I assure you that they will know how to wield a sword just as well as any warrior."

Heimdall regarded her with that same, unyielding gaze. Though he did not give any outward signs of recognition, she had no doubt that he had been privy to her conversation with Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, so he should know exactly who she was talking about. "I will take that into consideration, my Queen."

Eleanora couldn't help but smile a little bashfully at him, pleased by the respect in his tone. During his conversation with Loki, he had never addressed the god by his title and even called Odin his king, despite the role no longer really applying to him. Yet he had not hesitated in calling her his queen. While she knew that she could never compare to Frigga— nor would she want to— she was starting to see the appeal of the role. After a life living mostly secluded on a farm in Alfheim, she enjoyed the ambassadorial demands of the position and connecting to all kinds of people. Where Loki only sought power and the company of those of equal status, she made it a point to be the 'heart' between the two of them to gain favor from those around them.