There are no flowers, not this time [HELA]

[Loki Laufeyson]

Still quite sleepy, Loki followed Sigyn out of the room. She seemed to have an idea about something, probably relating to the past night's developments. That was good, because so far he had come up with very little. Now the anger was beginning to settle in, and he was beginning to feel a fury similar to that which Sigyn had felt earlier. But apparently she had gotten up earlier, and had time to bathe, even. Though they were affected in different ways, the anger and pain over what Freia had done tormented both of them. At least there was the comfort of knowing she had spent the night in a cold, dank cell - surely a fitting punishment for someone who adored her ladyhood above all else.

Once in the salon, Sigyn began to explain. He listened, then nodded as she shared her idea.

"It makes sense," he mused. "No one will doubt it. There are so few among us who understand how sorcery works, that the few who see through it, will not dare to argue with royalty."

The more he thought about it, the more he realized what an excellent setup this was. Hela would have to keep her mouth shut, but he needed to have a long talk with his daughter anyway. Otherwise, who else would know the truth for certain?

"We should go to the dungeon early, and speak to her before anyone else does." Whether Sigyn would want to see her mother, Loki was unsure; she had expressed a wish to tear her mother limb from limb before, or something of the kind. That would be little help in the end. But it was up to her, of course.

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

Sigyn was relieved he shared her enthusiasm about the idea. Her top priority were her boys and that they'd come out of this well. If they put Freia in front of a court, everyone in Asgard would know about the story, about the - false - reason for the princes return and they might be less frowned upon, as opposed to the truth, which would most likely result in difficulties for Narvi and Vali. People would be quite intimidated by knowing Hela had resurrected the boys. By Odin, if need be, Sigyn would flee from Asgard to keep her sons safe. She'd do anything for them.
"Then this is how we are going to do it," she breathed in relief. However, Sigyn held perfectly still when he proposed going to see Freia. She wanted to see her mother, yet she knew what'd happen. All the guards in Asgard would not be capable of holding Sigyn back and now that she was seeing things more clearly, she was at least able to stop herself. "I cannot see her, my love. By the gods, I want to. I wish to face her, yet.....," she paused, meeting his gaze, "If I go and see her now, I will kill her."
Sigyn said this with a sincerety that was almost frightening. "And someone has to be here when the boys wake up."
Suddenly, all that was to come dawned on her. Sigyn held her towel with one hand and sat down. "I need to tell Greta first. And I need to see my father. He deserves an explanation. Your family, they......well, I think we need to figure out how to tell them that Narvi and Vali are......sleeping next doors."
And for the first time since last night, Sigyn smiled.

[Loki Laufeyson]

Reaching for her hand, Loki nodded. Somehow, he understood how Sigyn felt. Being so angry that she could not safely face someone - he was close to feeling the same, but he was able to set aside that sentiment and detach himself from it. Perhaps if their positions had been reversed, that might have been different. But this was the way it was; he would be the one to confront Freia, for now.

"I'm sure that once we explain it all, everyone will be happy to see them again," Loki suggested. There was much to do, indeed. And certainly, Iwaldi deserved an explanation for why his wife had been dragged away from her home by royal guards. Loki would have regretted it, but Freia's crimes were just too much to ignore.

"I will speak with my family. Perhaps you should go to Iwaldi while I tend to them." He actually had no intention of seeing his parents before he spoke with Freia. He wanted Freia to be so frightened and destroyed that she would be unable to say a thing. If she was lucky enough for a real trial, she would plead guilty immediately, such would be her fear. Yet Loki doubted she would get a chance at any sort of fair trial. He wanted to sentence her himself.

After kissing Sigyn's cheek, he added, "I will meet you and the boys for lunch, or a late breakfast, depending on how time treats us. Remember that I love you." He kissed her nose. "We are a family again. And above all, that is what matters."

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

"Thank you," Sigyn said, lifting her hand to hold his cheek as he kissed her. "I shall ponder whether it'd be smart just to show up with the boys after lunch. We'll ponder.", Sigyn said.
Maybe, this would be the right way of doing it. Using the moment of joyful surprise to ease everybody's minds.
"I'll have my father summoned," Sigyn added. She could not leave - she did not want to - and leave the boys by themselves. This was the first morning back in their home. She would not have a maiden dress them and share breakfast with them.
"And Loki," Sigyn hurried to add before he could depart, "I love you, too."
And there it was again, that particular feeling. With Loki, Sigyn felt invincible. Sometimes, she needed more support than him, sometimes it was the other way around. But together, as one, they just worked. It just made so much sense.

Loki left and Sigyn got dressed. She then joined the boys in bed again, being with them as they woke up.
Greta turned out to be the happiest person, after having overcome the first shock of seeing the boys alive. Sigyn had taken her aside briefly, explained the situation. The maiden's wrath almost compared to Sigyn's, but in contrast to the princess, Greta got distracted by Narvi and Vali quickly. The maiden had always been more of a grandmother to them than Freia had. After lots of cuddles, happy tears and jokes, the four of them had shared breakfast. After that, Sigyn had met her father in her chambers. Barely had Sigyn seen her father so broken. He loved his grandsons like a grandfather should. But the memory of loving his wife weighed heavily on him, especially now. Greta had had to take Vali and Narvi and play with them, because Iwaldi had more or less broken down with sympathy for Sigyn and Loki, and his own confusion.

____

Freia had spent the night in this dungeon and she knew perfectly well what had happened. When the curse had been broken, she had felt that flinch, that stinging, brief pain. It had been the only curse she had cast in thousands of years. She had had it coming and had not managed to flee in time. And now, she was locked up.

However, she sat straight as an arrow on that dirty bench, her hands - in chains, shackled to her feet - flawlessly aligned in her lap as she was waiting for what was to come. Underneath her proud, straight face lingered some kind of fear. Loki had a reputation and by now, her estranged daughter had quite a name herself. Whatever there was to come, it would not be pleaseant.

[Loki Laufeyson]

After exchanging pleasant words with Sigyn, Loki left to dress for his much less pleasant business. He was already angry, but the fact that he would not get to spend the morning with his sons only fueled that anger. No, he would have to take a small breakfast and then see the murderess, the killer of children. Of his children. As yet, even he had only a vague idea of how that was going to end.

Led to the dungeon by guards - again, both for safety and to keep him from mischief - he strode toward her cell with sure steps. He was dressed in full battle armor, a sure indication of poor things to come. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the guards, who, fortunately, acceded to his command, though he knew they had not gone far. No matter. He would do what he had come here to do, and manage the consequences as they came.

Loki had to admit, though never out loud, that even in the cell, there was something regal about Freia. She had been born for the role of a lady. A shame she would be one no more. If she thought she was going to get out of this with her name and possessions all intact, she would do well to think again.

"When was it, Freia?" he asked, his voice nearly monotone, devoid of any emotion or inflection. "The day I asked for her hand? Our wedding day? Or was it before - for you have always been jealous of your daughter, have you not?" He waved his hand again, indicating that she need not answer the last question. It made no difference. Actually, nothing she said here would make a difference, but she most likely did not realize that.

"I have the power to unchain you and return you to your life. This I would much prefer, for I would not have my honored father-in-law lose his standing as well due to your poor judgment." Of course, though he honestly did feel for Iwaldi, he had no intention of letting Freia go. Not without due punishment. She would not leave this dungeon as she had arrived in it.

"So, then," he continued idly, "how do you choose to justify yourself?"

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

When Freia heard the doors unlock and footsteps close in on her, she stood, perfectly straight, with the composure of a statue, proud and tall. Nevermind that she looked a bit disheveled, nevermind that she was locked up and in chains. She had no idea who was coming for her. Sigyn, maybe? Or her husband? The Allfather, per chance? Whoever it was, if her guess was right and her spell had been detected, the person would not come with good tidings.

Actually, Freia had the feelings there would be no more good tidings for her.

It was her son-in-law appearing, dressed in battle armor. Freia got the message, but her flinch remained on the inside. It seemed like Sigyn's ability to fight her inner battles with nothing surfacing derived from her mother.
She took his accusations with no reaction, no flinch, nothing. Loki was right, Freia had been jealous. But much worse, Freia had never thought Sigyn deserved her standing. Her daughter was not a proper lady. Not a princess. Freia did not - or had not? - realized that Sigyn had been more of a princess than Freia herself would have ever been.

"I do not make the mistake of assuming you would unchain me, my lord," Freia said, almost calmly, "But I am sorry for my husband's burden.", she explained.
She did not make the mistake to step closer to the bars. Who knew what Loki would do to her? He was unpredictable. Freia had never liked him. Just because. He was not as honorable and good as Thor and that was it. Loki creeped her out.

"There is no justification for my deeds, I am well aware of that. It has been millenia ever since I acted as I did. I have come to regret my actions when I witnessed the pain the deaths of my grandchildren caused. I cannot undo what I have done. It seems like someone could."
So, was Freia sorry? At the end of the day, Freia was capable of one thing: Keeping her pride. Was she keeping her dignity by not begging him, by remaining as cold as she was right now? Perhaps, she was indeed sorry. However, she had never come to spill, never revealed her doings. So after all, one thing was for sure: Freia's greatest love was herself. It had always been. Had she given away her secret, she would have faced consequences and lost her standing earlier. And this, the lady would not have.

[Loki Laufeyson]

Though she stood tall, Loki looked at her as though she were a slug crawling among the trash. He had never liked her, which was a shame for her, for if she had managed to earn Loki's respect, this would have been much harder for him than it now was. And as it was, he had a feeling he was rather going to enjoy breaking her into pieces.

She was right about him unchaining her, of course, but the only indication of this was a faint smirk. Her comment about her husband seemed sincere, though pointless. If she were truly sorry, would she not make every effort to spare him? So far all it seemed she wanted to spare was her pride. She was putting off the inevitable.

But then she spoke of not being able to undo what she had done. Loki's lips twisted violently for a moment, as though he were smothering a laugh. "Every good sorcerer knows never to cast a spell he cannot undo. By this, you are telling me that either you are not the sorceress you pretend to be, or you are lying about being able to undo it. I care not which the case is. I am simply making a point.

"Was it somehow impossible for you to have come to me and asked me to reverse the spell? Surely you are aware of my power. If you had truly cared about my sons, you would have asked me for help, regardless of what punishment you might have faced. Yes, there would have been punishment, but it would have been nothing compared to that which you face now." His eyes narrowed as he spoke.

"You are a murderess of the lowest order. You killed your own grandchildren, you made their lives forfeit before they had even begun to live. Fortunately, I was able to fix it. I undid the curse, and it brought back our sons. They live again, no thanks to you." He did not mention Hela, as Sigyn had suggested. Instead he simply waited to see Freia's reaction upon hearing that Narvi and Vali were alive.

If there was any shot at redemption for her, it was in this moment. Her reaction would help decide her fate as it laid in Loki's hands. Loki knew he could be wrong at times; perhaps there was something honest about this creature, something he had missed. Perhaps she truly had loved her grandsons. If she had, he would be able to tell. And if she had… perhaps he would spare her somewhat.

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

Freia had rarely used her magic. She thought a proper lady did not need it, should not even use it. Casting the spell had been a rare exception and nothing she had been capable of doing by herself. But the prince did not know this and so far, Freia planned on keeping it that way. She'd be punished for her deeds badly, she was sure of that. But if the truth surfaced, her alliance with Surtur, things would only get worse.

"With all due respect, my lord, I do not pride myself on being a great sorcerer. Quite on the contrary. I pride myself on not practicing magic. With few exceptions, obviously.", Freia objected. Could things get worse by Freia speaking her mind? Possibly not.
She folded her hands in front of her, averted her gaze. Even in the face of this, she mostly did not shy away from looking him right into the eyes. It was all about pride, dignity and proper protocol. "I could have, yes. Yet, I did not.", she just stated.

Upon hearing his accusation however, Freia met his gaze yet again. She seemed to be unimpressed. How could she be impressed, for Loki was only stating the obvious. Yes, she was a murderess. But hearing that her grandsons were back left her undoubtedly speechless. Freia's eyes widened. For the shortest of moments, her lower lip trembled. But Freia quickly managed to regain composure and closed her mouth. Her hands kept on shaking, however, giving away that against all odds, she was feeling something. "How?", she said, almost in a whisper.
Of course, she did not know that Sigyn had seen Hela. But did she know that erasing the spell would not inevitably bring the boys back? It seemed like Freia knew little about the curse she had cast over her own daughter. "Are they well?", she added. Expediency or honest concern? Who knew!

[Loki Laufeyson]

When Freia replied as she did regarding her magic, Loki's eyes narrowed yet again. "Of course," he said, but uttered nothing further. Of course she prided herself on not using magic. She was no different than the rest of their thrice-damned society, who honored might and muscle or ladylike gentleness over the use of sorcery. How could he have forgotten? He had once accepted Freia into his family, and perhaps had even begun to overlook how typical she was. It mattered not, however. She was of his family no longer.

However, Loki detected something in her demeanor as she reacted to the news of Vali and Narvi being back. She seemed to take the news at face value, without questioning the validity of what he had said. More importantly, she seemed to feel some new emotion, something even Loki could not identify. If it was genuine concern, however, it would not suffice. If she were genuinely happy for them, hiding that meant nothing.

It was not good enough.

"They are as well as two healthy little boys can be," he replied, an edge of cold creeping into his voice. He ignored her question of how it was they were back, since he had just explained it. It seemed he would have to make her listen. Yet his ability to care was fading quickly, as he was beginning to think about ways to remedy the situation. There was no need for a trial. He would deal with her himself.

He did not know of any alliance she might have formed, but Loki did suspect she had had some help, since she indeed seemed to know nothing about the spell she had cast. Some local sorcerer, he figured. He would get the name from her later.

"Out of curiosity," he said, his tone sounding anything but curious, "what do you think your punishment should be? How do you propose to pay for your crimes against my family? Surely you must have expected this day to come sooner or later, for you have challenged the greatest sorcerer the nine realms have ever known."

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

"Those are good tidings," Freia said, maybe entirely unexpected. Actually, she sounded quite genuine. Maybe however, she was just faking it brilliantly. Quite likely, even Freia herself had long lost the ability to know which of her actions and words were true and which were merely serving the purpose of keeping up appearance.

What did the prince want from her? Genuinely learn about her opinion? It did not sound that way. Yet the coldness in his voice and demeanour did not slip Freia's attention. She was not surprised about this. How could she be? And in return, she sounded colder as well. "I do not expect to survive your punishment," she confessed. She had not made up her mind about this. But she figured that death was inevitable. "I have hoped to pass naturally before you found out. I have hoped in vain.", she added. Freia was not delusional and she had nothing to lose, so she thought. Having been caught with her deed, she did not expect to live freely again. Of course, she could beg and somewhere deep inside of her, she felt like begging. But that was unlike her.
"When I have been young, younger than Sigyn was when she was wed to you, I would never have wanted my life to take this path, those things to happen. Yet, it has."
Was she sorry for herself or sorry for her daughter?

[Loki Laufeyson]

An idea of what her punishment would be was growing in Loki's mind the more she spoke and looked at him. He gave no hint as to what it would be, but he was entirely certain he was making the right choice. Sigyn would approve, he was certain. He rather liked the way things would turn out. It was better justice than he could have hoped for were she brought before the Allfather, and more tormenting than if Sigyn - or Loki - simply killed her.

He only chuckled as she expressed her hope that she would have died before Loki and Sigyn found out. She was a goddess; she had many more years ahead of her. She had grossly underestimated him. "You have hoped in vain," he agreed coldly. She truly deserved exactly what was coming to her.

"And worry not, you will survive our punishment. Any less would be far too kind." He stepped forward until the bars between them blocked his passage, a dark light gleaming in his eyes. This was the darkness, the fiend that had festered within him for so long, the anger and grief and pain he had kept inside for so long. And now, the cause of that grief and some of that pain had a face, a face that stood before him with pride still etched in her features. He would fix that soon enough.

"But as I live and breathe, with every day that passes for the rest of your life - a life which you will owe to me - you will wish and beg for me to kill you." If he had added just a bit of power to the menacing look he gave her, the look alone would have been enough to flay her alive. "And when I deny you, you will search for ways to end it yourself. Yet your life will no longer be your own. And I - I who will hold your life in my hands - will look upon you… and laugh."

Even now, there was laughter in his eyes, but not nearly the sort of laughter she could ever have wished to see. This was openly mocking and, worse, a growing evil in its purest form. Still, he had yet to harm her in any way. So far, he had used only words, and words were wind. He was merely taking his time, drawing it out for the sake of his own amusement.

"How does it feel to be at the mercy of Loki, murderess? Do you wonder what it is I have in store for you? Or do you doubt my words? Do you crave an end to this game? You have put on a good show, but there is no victory for you here. You will give me what I want, and then I will give you what you deserve. And what I want…"

With a sudden motion, he pulled his arms back, as though yanking something out of Freia without having touched her. A wisp of white sprang toward him, formed a shape that looked like Freia herself for half a second before wrapping around itself and forming a circle. Within the circle was Freia's reflection. If she watched it, she would see herself go from being her current self, not young but certainly beautiful, to aging in a matter of moments, until her appearance was that of a bent, haggard old woman. She would also feel weak and exposed, as she no longer had access to her magic. If she doubted the reflection, she could touch her own face and feel the wrinkles and warts that had grown there. The essence of her beauty and her magic were gone, now floating above Loki's hands in the circle. Yet this was only the beginning.

"… is everything you once held dear."

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

His demeanour darkened even more and slowly, the uncomfortable knowledge of being entirely exposed to a god's, a prince's mercy overcame Freia. Her strong facade started to crack as color left her face. Her composure remained intact, but the sincerety and determination that had surrounded her had faded. She did not speak a word, for no words would change whatever the god of mischief was going to do. Moreover, what was there to say? She was also facing the wrath of a father that had been hurting. A father capable of worse than she had done.

She had had this coming and now it was time to pay the price for her conduct.
Freia winced and stepped back as the man with the darkness in his eyes stepped forward, yet there was no place to hide, no shelter to seek, nothing that'd keep her from her fate. And so it happened, that Loki used his magic on her, yanked her own out of herself only to hold this magical mirror right in front of her. Suddenly, Freia felt as if she were aging rapidly. She felt tired, sore, weak and ...old. The grace she had uphold was leaving her. Gasping, she reached out to touch the bars, hold herself, because her muscles did not seem to be able to hold her own weight any more. Freia touched her face. Her flawless, soft skin felt hard, hairy, wrinkly. She was out of breath, even though she had not physically worn herself out. Her dress did not seem to fit, neither did her skin. Everything was wrong.
"She never deserved her crown," she spoke surprised about the rusty sound of her own voice, "She never deserved the position of a lady for she has never been a lady. She never deserved to be cherished and loved.", Freia muttered, complained and maybe, even begged. "Nothing you do to me will change that. She's not worthy of you and you are not worthy being married to one of my own."
Did that even make sense? Truth was, young Freia had wanted a happy family and a daughter she loved. On her conditions. That had not happened. And since she did not take well to not getting what she wants, she had cursed her only daughter and her unborn grandchildren.

[Loki Laufeyson]

Before, Loki had been angry, but the pain and grief had been offset by the thought that at least he had his sons back. Yet her words managed to reach that dark place within him, exactly the most dangerous place for her to speak to at the moment. As she spoke of Sigyn, rage began to grow inside him, slowly enough that he was able to keep it down for now, thought it would be obvious in his eyes.

"It is you who are unworthy," he said, his voice low, rumbling in his throat. "You did not deserve to become part of my family. You did not deserve to be raised to the heights that being a princess' mother brought you. I have always known that. If I could have had Sigyn without bringing you into the fold as well, I would have happily done so. I would have accepted Iwaldi and even Greta and her family, but not you." He glared at her. "You are a failure, Freia the Child-Killer, in every way imaginable. You failed as a lady, as a wife, and as a mother. Your maid was a better mother to your own daughter than you were. Your life has been utterly worthless."

He swept his hands so that the mirror disappeared and turned into a ball, glowing softly with the white life-force he had taken from her. It hovered in front of her, as though taunting her. "You would do well to remember that I own you now. I am the one who will draw out your torture. The more you anger me, the more I will torment you, murderess." He looked down at her, at the now old and broken body his victim now owned. Now that he had broken her physically, he would have to break her spirit.

"You want me to beat you, I suspect. You want me to justify everything you have ever thought of me. I'm afraid you'll have to try harder." He chuckled darkly. "You now stand a bent and fragile old woman, devoid of all your former property and titles. I return you from where you came - from nothing. But I am not through with you yet."

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

"I deserve to be nothing less but a queen," Freia managed to spit, using the last bit of her strength. The state her body was in scared her, not being able to act as she pleased, because she was old and weary. She knew, she was entirely at Loki's mercy, was she not? His words did not worsen the feelings she felt. Yes, Freia was scared, intimidated, felt exposed. But that did not keep her from continuing to rant and argue with Loki. Was she having an ace up her sleeve?

"Everything I have ever thought of you? You're nothing, but a monster, robbed from its cradle by his own father. Do not even try to deny it, Loki, Laufey's son! I have my ears and eyes everywhere. You should select your servants more carefully.", Freia almost snickered, "How arrogant, a Frost Giant in Asgard, raising his voice!"

She leaned towards the bars, showing an incredible will to put up a fight, even if this was her last. "You will mark my words, changeling. For he will find me and make me his queen and you will regret the day you chose to marry this Asgardian hussy that I shamefully call my daughter. You will burn in Hel if he is merciful. I curse the day I was forced to marry that poor example of a man! I curse the day I endured the pain of bringing that malicious wench into this world."
Was Freia losing her mind? Fact was, she was not holding herself, keeping her composure any longer. Something had snapped, but what was it?

[Loki Laufeyson]

On and on Freia went, and Loki felt the urge to tune her out. He was a monster, that was nothing he had not heard before. But then she brought up his past - his true past. For a moment, an expression of confusion crossed Loki's face.

She knew. How could she know? He and Sigyn had been careful, and though Thor now knew, he was not so dumb as to have had an open conversation around servants. He felt well and truly stunned. How in the Nine…? And of all the others who could have come across that information, why had it had to be her?

No matter. She was on her way to losing her mind without Loki's help. No one would believe the rantings of a crazy murderess. Though if he did ever find out who had been her informant, he would be sure to permanently freeze his lips shut.

He was fortunate to not have interrupted her, for she went on about some mysterious man. Her associate, no doubt, who had helped her cast the curse. At least, so Loki thought. The madwoman then dared to insult not only Iwaldi, but Sigyn, again. By the time she finished, Loki's eyes were flashing, his jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists. The warning signs.

"Do you think this man will save you now, Queen Murderess? Now that you are nothing but an old hag, feeble and ugly? Iwaldi may have stood by you, but I promise you, this lover of yours will not. No man in all the Nine would have been so blind as to keep you as a wife, save my poor father-in-law. I have longed to show him his mistake, but I thought better of it! How wrong I was!

"As for that 'wench,' you refer to a princess of Asgard, you half-witted slut. You brought her into this world for me, and the moment you did so, your usefulness was ended. You should have honored your family by dying in childbirth. For now you have brought upon them nothing but dishonor and death. You are a failure in every respect."

With a sudden, violent turn, he channeled his anger into pitching the glowing globe across the dungeon, where it slammed into an object in another cell. That object turned a greyish-white and glowed softly, as though moonlight were shining on it. He levitated it up and out of the other cell so Freia could see.

"That was your life, Lady Whore, and it is now contained within the being of this chamber pot. I will take it and place it in one of my guest rooms, so you can be used in the very way you deserve to be: so that the guests of Asgard may piss freely on you. What do you think of that, Freia of the Sluts? Your very existence is tied to this chamber-pot, and, through me, your every moment relies on its condition."

He leaned in, his eyes wide and bright, his lips forming a maniacal grin. The look was one of the most terrifying Loki possessed. "How's that, for a Frost Giant? Does that suit you, Queen Harlot? Am I big and dumb and evil enough for you, or do you wish for more proof? For this Frost Giant remains a prince of Asgard, and you remain lower than dirt, and there is nothing you can do to change it!" He snickered, then started to laugh openly. This was the perfect setup!