The man in the cell (Loki fanficktion)

War

Emily's heart raced as the impact of Hogun's declaration settled in. Dark elves—an adversary she had never before confronted, not even during her time in the high-security walls of the prison. In fact, an adversary she hadn't even known existed.

Yet, in this magic realm, the menace seemed infinitely more perilous and palpably real.

Odin had risen from his throne, his countenance marked by a scowl of resolute determination. "Thor, secure the eastern wall. Hogun, to me. We need barriers up now. Mobilize our Warriors," he commanded.

Thor had nodded, his eyes gleaming with a warrior's fierce resolve. As he began to transform, the warrior within him awakening, he had inquired, "And the civilians?"

"Get them to the sanctuary," Odin had instructed, not skipping a beat.

The room buzzed with activity as everyone hastened to their designated duties. Despite this, Emily had remained fixated on the absent one, the person who might change the tide. "What about Loki?" she had interjected, struggling to make her voice heard above the commotion.

Odin had spun around, his eyes flinty. "This is not the time, Emily."

"But he could help us," she had contended, her tone laden with conviction. Having witnessed Loki's might and craftiness, she believed that this crisis could prove his innocence if he was indeed under a spell when he attacked New York.

"Or he could stab us in the back," Odin had countered sharply. "We cannot risk  it."

Emily opened her mouth to protest further, but Odin had exhausted his patience. "Thor! Get this infuriating female out of my sight!"

Before she could resist, Thor's hand was on her arm, guiding her with a firm but gentle hold. "Emily, we must go. We have to find Volstagg, Fandral, and Lady Siff. They will be gathering the forces," he had said.

As she was led away, she had looked back at Odin, who was already issuing orders to others. The chaos was daunting, but Thor's determination served as a guiding light amidst the tumult.

"We'll talk about Loki later," Thor had assured her as they left the throne room, his voice almost drowned out by the sound of preparations. "Right now, we protect our realm."

Following behind them, Hogun had seemed equally focused on the task at hand, but Emily couldn't shake the feeling that an opportunity was being missed. The fate of Loki and the realm hung precariously, and she hoped that leaving him behind was the correct decision.

As Thor led her through the castle's corridors, the muffled sounds of the realm's defenses mobilizing reached their ears—a symphony of command and the clanking of armor, yet the halls remained untouched by the sounds of battle.

"We need to find Volstagg, Fandral, and Lady Siff," Thor had reiterated, his voice strained with worry, his pace unrelenting.

"But Loki..." Emily had attempted, hoping to persuade Thor.

"Emily," Thor had cut in, his tone softening momentarily as he looked into her  eyes. "Your heart is true, but this isn't the time. The decision about Loki's fate is not ours to make at the moment."

She had held back a response, understanding from the urgency in Thor's gaze that this was not the moment for that battle, especially with a greater war casting its shadow over them.

Upon reaching the war room, they had found Volstagg overseeing scout reports, Fandral rapidly strategizing over scrolls, and Lady Siff surveying the horizon for the enemy, her figure as unyielding as the weapon she wielded.

Thor had stepped up, conveying Odin's commands with precision. "The eastern wall is vulnerable. Hogun, you and Volstagg take the north tower. Fandral, reinforce the barriers. Lady Siff, the armory needs your command."

With brisk nods, each had set off to their tasks with the poise of warriors seasoned in battle. Amidst the storm of preparations, Emily had felt the sting of her own powerlessness.

"Emily," Lady Siff had addressed her, her voice resonant with authority. "You have the ear of the gods and the heart of a wolf. Watch, learn, and when the time comes, be our voice."

Acknowledging the directive with a nod, Emily had accepted her part to play. While she might not wield a weapon or control the elements, her role was crucial nonetheless. She was to be the link between the current strife and what might be—the potential of a jailed hybrid and the survival of a realm teetering on the edge of war.

With determination set in her heart, she had followed Thor out of the war room, her thoughts teeming with potential strategies. The chains that bound Loki might yet hold the key to their salvation,