I was walking Ingrid out when I saw a bloody, bruised Fjolnir limping into the healing wing. I felt my jaw physically drop as I hurried to him, wrapping an arm around his waist.
"What the hell happened?!" I asked quickly as I took him to a room. "Stay still. Annette?" The ninny perked up as I spoke her name. "Get a pain relief tea."
I quickly went to work on Fjolnir's wounds. Two stab wounds falling dangerously close to his heart were the most important, but the prince's jaw also seemed injured. I wouldn't be sure how badly until I used my magic to take a look, but I knew it wasn't good.
"I got into a bit of a scuffle with that suitor of yours, unfortunately." Fjolnir huffed.
I felt my eyebrows furrow, instantly feeling enraged at the idea.
"Loki did this?!"
"Don't be too angry with him, princess. I antagonized him."
"Tell me exactly what happened." I moved to the second stab wound, knowing it was going faster because I was keeping Fjolnir distracted.
"Well, he came to Vanaheim to... intimidate me, I believe. He wasn't keen on our friendship, and believed he could force my hand in ending it. I took offense and I got a dagger to the chest. Odin forced us here to break up the fight, but I said some things I shouldn't have, princess. The blame does not fall solely on Loki's shoulders."
"Don't defend him." I scolded. I couldn't believe Loki would stoop so low. I knew he had been 'off' since he saw Elias, but this was beyond irrational.
"I'm not, beautiful. I'm just stating the truth." He sighed back, using a hand to grip my thigh, just barely above my knee, as he clenched his teeth.
The second wound was closer to his heart, falling more onto his chest than the first. I knew it had to be ridiculously painful. He gripped my thigh slightly tighter before forcing himself to release.
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't hurt y-"
"You're fine, Nir." I said softly, slowly finishing up on the wound. "Let me see your jaw."
Fjolnir turned his head. It was a fracture, and I was sure the missing molar towards the back of his mouth was probably there before the hit. I shook my head as I healed the fracture as best I could, allowing my hand to linger on Nir's cheek for a second longer.
"I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."
"Don't be, princess. It's not your fault." He nearly whispered, taking my hand into his. "Thank you for healing me. Though, I believe your prince will need a healing himself. The dagger I used was... a bit of a doozy." He cleared his throat before pulling out a goldish blade, setting it on the table. "His magic alone won't stop the bleeding; it's a design I have specifically for magic users. I only cut his arm to get him away from me, though. That I can swear to you."
It was irrational for me to be angry with Fjolnir over hurting Loki, but the admission stirred something in me. Even just a cut to the arm, in an act of self defense, managed to anger me.
"Annette will be in soon with your tea, Nir." I stated in a monotone voice, pulling my hand from his and standing to leave the room. "Stay put for now, I'll need to check you soon to make sure your chest healed properly."
Not ten minutes later an on-edge Loki entered the healing wing. "Where is D-"
He stopped when I stepped forward, looking between he and Frigga.
"What is that?" Frigga asked, worry lacing each word.
"He needs healed. It won't stop bleeding with his own magic." I sighed as I wiped my hands of Fjolnir's blood. "Come on, Lo."
He followed obediently, not uttering a single word until I got him into the private healing suite specifically for the royal family. He sat on the bed and watched as I grabbed a cloth, running it along his forearm to get a good look at the cut.
"Darling." He said softly after a minute. "I'm unsure what he told you, b-"
"But you went to Vanaheim, not even bothering to wake me before you go, to threaten him? Then over some stupid slight you decided to attack him, almost killing him?" I looked up and stared at him. "I'm the one who healed him, Loki. A fifth of an inch further to the left and you would've nicked his heart."
"I knew where I was stabbing." He grumbled in response.
I scoffed.
"A slight movement on either side and your blade would've killed him, Loki."
"Oh, the horror." Loki rolled his eyes, only fueling my aggravation.
I didn't say a word as I got back to healing, but Loki's look turned to a glare quickly.
"None of it would've happened had you stayed away from him like I asked." He grumbled as I was working, making me stop just as the cut scarred over.
"Are you kidding? Tell me you're joking." I scoffed out. "Fates forbid I enjoy spending time with someone!"
"You enjoy spending time with him now?" Loki's voice raised above his grumble, his arm jolting further away from me.
"Obviously! Why is that such a problem?! Not every person outside of your circle wants to sleep with me, Loki!"
Loki laughed, though it was far colder than I had expected it to be. "Right." He shook his head. "I never thought you'd be so gullible."
"Not everyone is inept at keeping platonic relationships." I rolled my eyes and began washing my hands at the sink.
"Are you insinuating I am?" I could feel that he had stood up, his anger now swarming me.
"Three out of four warriors could attest." I hummed, a condescending thickness coating my words.
"Who told you that?" Loki now grabbed my shoulder, spinning me to face him. "Fjolnir? You know, he-"
"Your brother." I said with a patronizing laugh. "What is it? I can only befriend people you've slept with?"
"Shut your mouth." Loki growled, his grip on my shoulder tightening a fraction.
"What is it? Am I making you angry?" I smirked as the words left my mouth, and Loki harshly released my shoulder.
"If you enjoy spending time with Fjolnir so very much, go back to Vanaheim!" He shouted, loud enough that I felt myself sink in the knowledge anyone near the room would've likely heard him.
I scoffed, but Loki didn't say a word more, simply teleported out of the room without another glance in my direction. I stood there for a minute before I walked back to my study; Frigga was already sat waiting for me.
"He didn't mean that." She sighed. "He's just upset."
"Seems he doesn't handle that well." I murmured as I went towards my desk.
"The woman who showed up to his chambers." Frigga sighed. "The night it happened, she claimed a black owl brought her an invitation."
I felt my face drop, still as I looked from Frigga to the owl perched sleepily on my shelf.
"Well why wouldn't he just say that?"
"He struggles, dear girl." She sighed. "God of lies, it makes it hard for some to believe his word when the truth benefits him."
"I always believe him." I shook my head, groaning as I rested my forehead on my palm.
"Yes, darling, you do. But since the incident in his chambers he has grown increasingly insecure of your ability to continue doing so. I truly hope you don't take his tantrum to h-"
"It's fine, mother." I huffed. "I understand his frustration makes him act impulsively. I cannot say I'm very different in that regard, but I'm not leaving."
Frigga's warm smile could calm a hurricane, I was convinced.
"Good. We would all miss you far too much. Him especially."
"I'm going to go speak with Fjolnir before his departure."
"Whatever for?"
"So he can take his bird and leave me alone." I said nonchalantly, calling for Elias as I went towards the door.
The feathery creature landed on my shoulder and I calmly walked to Fjolnir's room, petting his head as I told him how much I'd miss him. Fjolnir was already smiling when I stepped in, making me narrow my eyes.
"Didn't I tell you not to meddle with my relationship?" I questioned as I stepped further in.
Fjolnir cleared his throat. "What do you mean?"
"Sending Elias to invite women to Loki's room, my room." I tilted my head and Fjolnir sighed.
"I... I did that."
"I'm aware."
"Princess, listen please." He begged, sitting up further, "I only wished to see what he would do. He's... Known, for certain behaviors, and I didn't know you'd be allowed to come back before the month was up. I sent Elias before you received Odin's raven."
"So you... What? Tested him?"
"Yes."
"That's not okay."
Fjolnir sighed, his back hunching slightly as his elbows rested on his knees.
"I'm aware. I had heard rumors, about his behavior while you were away. I knew even then they were likely nothing more than blatantly false allegations, whispers to entertain, but I wanted to be sure."
"Why? Why is that any of your business?"
"I take great pleasure in your happiness, princess. If you're with someone who's behavior was to ruin that, I would feel very cross."
I couldn't detect any lies, though I wasn't quite as good at it as Loki. I stared at Fjolnir for a moment, before I motioned to Elias.
"Come, bird." He said with a sigh.
Elias didn't move an inch, staring at him.
"Bird." He tried again. Elias still didn't move. "That's peculiar."
"He... Has grown attached, I think." I huffed, petting his head softly.
"Then it seems he's no longer my owl." Fjolnir smiled softly, waving his hand as blue mist went from Elias to himself. "I suggest you imprint him, though it seems it won't make much difference." He stood and went to walk towards the door, but stopped to look at me. "I'm sorry, princess. I will take full responsibility for the fight, ensure my father does nothing in retaliation or request for compensation. Consider Elias a small token of my apologies."
I only nodded before walking ahead of Fjolnir and out the door, wondering to myself why everything in life has to be so ridiculously dramatic.