The royals and their closest friends knew that lines would be drawn in the sand and sides would be chosen by the commoners and even a few nobles now that everyone knew Loki's origins. The graffiti would be cleaned off and then painted somewhere else. Other crude declarations were posted, saying that those who were loyal to the crown should support the true heir to the Iron Throne. Thor and his friends could tell that Loki was starting to twitch with unsettled energy. "He's going to explode one of these days," Thor said as he, Hogun, and Volstagg gathered around Fandral's bed. The Dashing Knight's wounds had been tended to, but he had still not been given the all clear from the physician and was thus still confined to bed. A bandage was wrapped around him and his upper body was propped up on pillows.
"I can imagine the strain of remaining loyal to the woman he put on the throne, while at the same time hearing of people who support his own claim to the same throne," Fandral pointed out. Thor nodded before glancing at Volstagg and Hogun. The latter seemed even more dour than usual and Thor looked to Volstagg to explain. The voluminous warrior just shrugged his shoulders.
"Hogun? You seem even more down in the mouth than normal, and that's saying something. Anything you want to talk to us about?" Thor posed and the warrior stiffened.
"Absolutely nothing, sire," he said curtly, falling back on etiquette. Thor frowned.
"Hogun, as your friend, but also as your prince, I command you to tell me what is wrong," Thor commanded. Hogun looked visibly dismayed, but swallowed, a sign he was about to speak.
"The little Sand Snake we took to Dragonstone kissed me there, my prince. But now, she avoids me and does not speak or even look at me. I am confused and angry about her treatment of me," Hogun admitted. Fandral whistled, Volstagg's eyes widened, and Thor looked perturbed.
"Well, that is... ahem! Women are confusing creatures, Hogun. But, I would maybe speak with her father before you do anything. It would be the most prudent course of action," Thor said. Hogun just bashed his hand against his forehead. The door suddenly opened to Fandral's chamber, and four people entered: Oberyn Martell, Ellaria Sand, Ser Loras Tyrell, and Lyanna Mormont. The young girl was in the lead.
"I am glad to see that you are healing, Ser Dashing. You did not look so healthy when we first arrived," Lyanna Mormont stated in a slightly disinterested tone of voice. Fandral smiled at her.
"Thank you, Lady Mormont. I'm sure even an ounce of concern on your part towards another is a great achievement," Fandral countered and Lyanna Mormont's lips twitched up ever so slightly. Everyone became distracted when Ellaria Sand sat on the mattress beside Fandral and drew him in for a passionate kiss. Ser Loras was quick to steal one of his own, but Oberyn Martell remained further back. He looked to Thor and tilted his head, silently indicating that he wanted to speak to him in private. Thor joined him outside the room and they closed the doors behind them.
"How is everything with Loki and the Queen?" Thor queried.
"They are still a solid front against their enemies. However... there are people who want to see them divided. The talk is now in the palace. And nobles do not need graffiti to get their message across. They do it in little ways; neglecting to bow to one but showing respect to another. Addressing one and ignoring the second. Some are more vocal," Oberyn whispered and Thor knew immediately who he was talking about.
"Lady Catelyn Stark," Thor said and Oberyn nodded.
"She has been isolated in her chambers, but not before she burst into the throne room and said Loki wanted to steal the throne for himself at the top of her lungs," Oberyn explained and Thor choked and started to cough.
"How did Loki find the restraint to not kill her right then and there?" he asked, truly surprised he had not been informed of her death.
Oberyn chuckled darkly and said, "Only because the Lady Frostborn and the Warden of the North both held him back. I will say, the former Lord Commander did nothing to save her. He just stood there." Thor knew why. He had heard that Lady Catelyn had not been kind to Jon growing up in Winterfell. It would make sense that he and Loki would share a common dislike of her. "But, her opinion isn't what matters here. Our Queen and Ser Loki have always known her feelings. This is nothing new. However, they are afraid that her brazen words will inspire others to be vocal. If there is one thing Daenerys and Loki agree on: it is presenting a unified force to their enemies. Together, who would not fear a warrior queen and archmage, who both ride fire breathing dragons?" Thor had to agree with him on that score.
"So, how do they plan on dealing with this?" Thor asked. Oberyn shrugged.
"I might be the Master of Coin, but the Queen seems to be limiting this particular scheme to herself, her husband, and her Hand. Only they seem to know what's going on," Oberyn admitted. The Asgardian prince frowned. Why was Loki not allowing any other member of the small council to join in on their discussions? What was he up to? Suddenly, somebody brushed by Thor, not really moving him, just startling him. It was a young squire, out of breath and bright red. "Ho there!" Oberyn called and the young lad tripped up, falling flat on his face on the stone floor. Thor winced at the pain that probably caused and went to help him up. Once the boy was on his feet, he bowed quickly to the both of them. "What is the hurry there, young one? Surely the walls of the city are not on fire."
"They might as well, ser. There are some people marching towards the Red Keep, demanding that the Queen Daenerys step down in favor of Lord Loki!" the squire admitted. Thor gasped and was swift to take off after Oberyn as they ran for the courtyard of the Red Keep. Upon arriving on the walls overlooking the city, they found Loki and Daenerys already there. Unsullied were standing on either side of them, but what was more impressive was them being flanked by Drogon and Rhaegal. Loki had a firm grasp on his dragon's bridle, while Daenerys was lightly stroking Drogon's snout.
"We want a king! We want a king! We want a king!" the rabble cried, bearing clothes that had Loki's symbol painted or stitched on them. They were all commoners, not a noble or higher-class person among them. Thor looked at Loki and saw him raise his eyebrow ever so slightly. That was when he turned to Daenerys.
"I swear to you my undying loyalty and love, sister," he said in a clear voice. He bowed his head and knelt before her.
"I thought I would never see the day," Thor whispered, but Oberyn heard him.
"Maybe your father wasn't worthy of his loyalty and love," Oberyn pointed out. Thor was not going to come up with a retort because it would have been pointless. Daenerys smiled at Loki and raised him up.
"And you have my undying loyalty and love, brother," Daenerys answered, raising him up and kissing him on the forehead. Loki had to stoop since he dwarfed her. The peasants stopped chanting and gaped at the public display of fealty and affection from their Queen and her Hand. They turned to face them, and their expressions were frightening. "If you leave now, I will be merciful and forget this display of rebellion from you."
"Return to your homes and give thanks to the Seven that your Queen is benevolent and keeping me from enacting terrible vengeance upon you. Go!" Loki bellowed and both Rhaegal and Drogon roared, scaring the gathering away from the gates of the Red Keep. If Thor was not so used to hearing his own thunder, he would have covered his ears at the mighty wails that had been emitted from the dragon's mouths. He heard a snicker from beside him and saw Oberyn staring at Loki and Daenerys with admiration on his face.
"And that, dear Odinson, is why they make a good pair. Too bad they're actually half-brother and sister, otherwise they would make a deadly married couple," Oberyn whispered before he walked away.
YOU ARE READING
Loki: Storm of Swords
FanfictionWesteros: during the reign of Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, first of her name. Queen of the Andals and the First Men; Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. By her side is Ser Loki Frostborn, first of his name and house;...
