#tcft

The terror of being chased is one that is quite unique, but not one she was unfamiliar with. Uncertainty in what should happen if you are to be caught, but when it is those that you trust inexplicably with your life? When these are people that have never looked at you with so much as a frown? Their faces twisted in hatred and anger, their voices rough and filled with such poison as they shout vile obscenities at you.

It was an alienating and heart wrenching experience. She had nowhere to go, she did not know the life outside of the castle and she paid for this.

They want their Princess back.

‘I am right here!’

Give her back.

‘I am here!!’

“Ohm?”

She awoke startled, it was a dream. She looked at the young man that had always been so kind to her, Lachin, the guard had found in her comfort, she supposed. Always speaking to her when he was off guard duty. He would share his meals with her and bring her treats, which she returned with some of her baking and offered to sing for him even if he did not understand her. 

When words were swept from her lips he would sit by her and tell her of his training and which woman he was currently chasing. If she was busy he would follow along and help with her duties. 

Right now, he moved through the dark room and knelt by the bed; she quickly reached out taking his hand in hers as she sat up, pressing her cheek to it. He wore a plain dark tunic, no armor tonight, he was handsome enough and well built though more lean than anything. Even in the dark she could see his dark hair slicked back and curling at the nape of his neck, bright green eyes searching her face. He offered her a smile, “it will be alright, tomorrow we will go through the bifrost and from there we will see what the Prince wants to do. I will be by your side.”

Lila lifted his hand to her cheek again, his knuckles brushing over her wrinkles, grateful with the knowledge that he would be there. It was a small comfort, she knew that the Prince would be there as well. How would this go? He was just going to take her back and demand to see her parents, tell them who the old woman was and they would have to accept it? 

Her future was uncertain once again. 

And in the hands of Prince Loki.

**

The Bifrost bridge was always an experience and although Loki and Thor were quite used to it, he knew Lila would be disoriented for a few moments once they arrived.

Heimdall reminded the princess that they had a schedule to keep and she smiled in return.

*The Kingdom of Tonatiuh

The small group had arrived in the morning, the Kingdom she remembered brightly now cast in grey and cold. The people were hushed and yet bustling here and there. It was as if there was a perpetual cloud hovering, the vibrant greens and bursts of colorful roses gone.

Loki had watched her take it all in, the dark guard standing carefully behind her as Lila swayed. He had been slightly jealous when she had pulled from him but let the guard rest a hand on the small of her back. She had dressed in slacks and a tunic, shaking her head at the dresses he had offered. 

Thor took lead, Loki a step behind him and quiet, blue eyes taking everything in as Thor spoke rather animatedly with the old man that had come to welcome them. He watched as she followed, quiet and carefully leaning into the guard. Loki scowled at the tall young man, eyes narrowing at how he caught Lila’s hand in his and kept her next to him. 

Heimdall had caught her hand in his large one, “come back home soon Ohm, so that we may sit and eat cookies.” Lila had giggled, nodding quickly at the large guardian. “Take care of her,” he had directed at Loki, who snorted at him.

Was she close to all except him?

He had held her close as they stepped through the bifrost knowing that she would be affected going through, the older woman wrapping her hands around his neck and burying her face in his chest as multicolored light surrounded them and she felt nothing beneath her feet. Loki had smiled softly, wrapping his arms around her securely. 

He could not be jealous, he hadn’t known she had been close with the guard.

The room they were taken to was large and spacious, Lila humming had caught his attention. 

“We used to spend afternoons here reading…” she let her fingers trail over the empty bookcases, brows knitting together. Loki noticed that although she looked worried she looked more energetic, younger even. 

“Guard,” he called to the young man that reluctantly let go of Lila, he had not only offered to come along, but insisted. This was the same one that had said he would take her punishment. “Take care of her, we will be back.”

Lila sighed softly, “this is my home and I dare say that none remember my face.”

Loki moved to where she stood, “your sister is here and I do believe that she would not be happy to lay eyes on you once more.”

Lila shifted from foot to foot, eyes skipping to the ground, “does she know why you and Prince Thor are here?”

Loki shook his head, “we did not announce that we were coming.” He reached out and squeezed her arm, she looked a little pale now that she had time to stand still. “This will work, they will have to listen to us. We will find a way to right this," he assured her.

Lila nodded, biting her bottom lip and wringing her hands. Loki caught them and gripped them firmly, dipping down to catch her gaze. “The guard will stay with you.”

“Lachin...” she supplied quietly.

Loki pursed his lips, “he will stay and watch over you, do not leave, understand? Also, try to eat something.”

Lila was surprised, her eyes wide as she stared up at him and he smiled at her softly, tipping his head towards the small offering of drink and food that had been brought in.

**

Lachin did not like the place. Often he had wondered where her home was. He was not one to admit that he did not want her to go, Ohm was like the warmth of the sun after a cold winter.  

This place, this palace, it was too cold. Her bones would ache and he wondered where she would go to sing in her odd language? Did they even have a proper garden here? From what he could see the grounds were covered in frost, he could hear no children.

Ohm belonged in Asgard.

He did not understand why prince Loki wanted to bring the old woman back here. A hand caught his jaw and he looked down into golden honey eyes. Reaching up he caught her wrist in his large hand, "I will stay with you." When the princes left, he would stay here with her. They would not miss one guard in all of Asgard.

Lila smiled softly, shaking her head. The young man stood upset, broad shoulders squaring away as his jaw jumped in her hand with a tick, and stomped away like a child. Her stomach still turned, knots making her ill, she moved through the rooms and sat. 

It was not the bifrost, she had been unable to eat properly since the prince had stated he would take her back. She had wanted to dig in her heels, to run away, but… it was what she had been doing all this time. Was it not time to face her past? Even if it meant that she would leave what she had come to know as her home? 

Loki watched, the way she was comfortable around the guard told him they had spent much time together and he wondered just how much time? He had never spoken to her before, but had felt they had an unspoken understanding as she spoke and sang aloud to fill the silence between them. 

Thor broke into his thoughts, sitting next to him, "why?" Loki looked at him for a moment. "What will this bring? This woman claims to be the missing princess, you say you understand her gibberish, but what comes from it?"

"Is it not enough to help someone? One that mother brought home to protect? One that was an Asgardian for years and lived as such?"

"Loki.." Thor sighed in frustration, there were times he wished he understood his brother, and he reminded himself to go slowly. Patience was something he was still learning.

Loki crossed his arms over his chest, "she feels hopeless and she is a princess by birthright. I will speak with her parents and sister, convince her to remove whatever workings she has wrought and return Lila to her proper state."

"Because… mother would have wished it?" Thor questioned cocking his head to the side, "we could have waited for her return…"

"She brought her to Asgard!" Loki exclaimed, surely their mother wanted to help Lila. Surely she would have believed Loki and this is where they would have been even if they had waited.

The blond frowned at him, "you can speak to me brother. We have gone on adventures due to my youthful arrogance, I am certain the reason behind this is more sound than what I had back then."

How did he explain it? He frowned, he himself did not understand why. Because of a story? Because of wrongdoing? Was it purely to assuage his broken heart? A balm for his hurt soul?

She had insisted that she was content in Asgard. Then why did he need to do this? What was the reasoning behind it after all? "For the adventure." Thor scowled at him, but Loki stood, leaving him to find Princess Lila. "As you remember it?"

She looked at him and something cracked within him. "It was not like this," she answered watching as he came to stand by her, "the home I left was warm, flowers were always in bloom, people laughing and growing. This winter," she looked over the small garden, "it is unnatural. There is something wrong and I fear more now than I have before. What if they won't see me?" Loki reached out as she swiped at the tears that threatened to spill, "I do believe I have spoken more than I ever have these past years and you are so kind to listen to me cluck away like an old woman."

Loki rolled his eyes as she waved her hands in front of herself, “I am glad for the conversation, even when I did not answer you, you talking gave me a sense of companionship.”

She shook her head, turning her back on the view, “you never even gave me reason to believe you understood me. The things you must have heard- I must have bored you.”

Loki chuckled, “Oh, never that, I quite enjoyed your reviews of whichever book you were reading.”

Lila smiled at him, “well, I may have been a cleaning woman, but my age served me well and I could sneak out of working for the day if I felt like it.”

“I did enjoy your singing,” he said, “but you are not so old.” In fact the more he studied her the more she looked younger, as if he were seeing past one of Stark’s projections to see her, really see her, though it was still unfocused, the older visage stronger. “I must say, I am quite jealous that I have not had your baking.”

She laughed, the sound soft and sweet. “But it is nothing, sweet bread is all.”

Loki glanced over to find Thor watching them with curiosity across his features, the four turning to look as the door to the large room opened, a tall slender man appearing with a too wide grin, it stretched his skin and gave him an unnatural look. “The Queen will see you, your company may wait in the room provided for them.”

Thor caught Loki’s elbow and led him into following as Lila wrung her hands, Lachin, now back at her side.

** 

Thor cleared his throat as they followed the man, “you said the Queen? We asked for an audience with the King and Queen, we have urgent business to speak with them of.”

The man looked over his shoulder, chuckling a little. “The King and Queen have retired since Princess Milintica married, united two Kingdoms and became Queen years ago after the incident. Though they are here in the castle it is Queen Milintica you will have audience with, her husband the King is away on hunt for the day. Once you have spoken to the Queen, if you are staying the night, we will ready a few rooms and see you properly adjusted.”

“This is not a social visit,” Loki bit out

“Of course, but business often takes several days before an agreement is done. We would welcome you happily and see to your accommodations, if we had known beforehand this would have been seen to already. We can also house your servants.”

Loki nearly growled, yet it was Thor who placed a hand on his shoulder, “thank you.”

***

She wasn’t leaving. She wouldn’t go against her Prince’s wishes, not when he was just doing his best to help her.

It was her fathers voice that drew Lila out.

Prince Loki had been very explicit in his directions. She was to stay in the room and go nowhere without the guard that had glued himself to her. The young man had always been so kind and watched out for her when he could. Still, he had gone with a maid for a tray of food. Lila had assured him she would be fine, waving at him and nodding enthusiastically when he looked at her questioningly, shooing him as the maid smiled flirtatiously at him. 

Loki and Thor should be back soon, they would go and speak with the King and Queen, her parents.

Yet, in the silence she could hear people bustling through the corridors and she swore she heard them. They walked right by the room, right by the door she stood behind, hands pressed cautiously to the surface. She slowly inhaled, her body thrumming with excitement, she couldn’t remember the last time she had wanted- allowed herself to hope. She needed to wait, wait for the Prince, he would take her to them. She pressed the door open, stepping past the door frame, perhaps she could spot them? Catch a glimpse, just a quick peek.

Lila’s heart stopped, then skipped, and before she knew what she was doing she was running, feet carrying her forwards. Running towards the voice of the man that had raised her. ‘Dad… daddy!! I’m right here!!’ she could feel her cheeks wet, how long had it been since she had seen or heard one of her parents? And where her father was her mother was surely to be. 'Mom!'. 

The King and Queen, Lila could hear him laugh, the door ahead just slightly ajar the guards shifting as she ran towards them. Would they stop her? She was just an old woman-

*

The door burst open and he was a bit surprised to see an old woman standing there. She looked out of breath and the long cord of braided silver hung over her shoulder as she attempted to catch her breath.

His guards moved towards her, but he held a hand up stilling them, there was something familiar about the old woman. "You are?"

'It is me!! I am your daughter!!' But her voice was silenced and Lila struggled to keep from crying, hot tears of frustration mixed with those of joy at the mere sight of her old father. The emotions raging and roaring through her threatening to choke her, her throat tightening as she struggled to breathe.

He smiled softly as the woman shook her head, motioning to her throat. "Come sit with me, my favorite is being served."

She rushed forwards, taking his hand in hers and pressing her cheek to it.

It was nothing that he had not experienced before yet… this woman. He chuckled as she held still, brushing strands of her hair from her face he led her to the small table.

Hot chocolate. 

He had always smiled at her like a conspirator when he had shared a cup with her as a child. A quick wink accompanied it, a small secret between them and the kitchen staff that had prepared the drink.

Lila was beside herself as he led her to sit, as he began to speak, she kept quiet, eyes tracing every new line that marked his dark complexion. The white that had taken over his dark hair, she wondered where her mother was? 

He chuckled when she pointed at his ring and looked around. "My Queen?" He asked, a little confused, sighing when she nodded, "perhaps you are visiting my new friend. The Queen passed last year- oh!" He started as her cup clattered brashly against the matching plate. Surprised when tears rolled down her cheeks, he stuttered, attempting to console the old woman.

The pain that tore through her. She had come too late.

Her pain was palpable and it brought back everything he had locked away. He looked away as she gripped her hands in her lap. This old woman, where had she come from? These days were dark and dreary, his daughter had taken over and she was a Queen, one he thought not for the first time, that was capable and with backbone, what Mili wanted for her kingdom she got, though the heart of it all was missing. His daughter had become cold and distant, he hardly saw her and when he did she was curt and quick to end the exchange. 

He thought of Ixtlilal, his Ix, this woman… if his daughter had lived to an old age he thought she would look like this. Grief, it hit him hard as he stared at the woman with golden eyes. Grief he had packed away and buried with the love of his life. "Forgive an old King, I am overly tired. Please," he paused and glanced at her, "take care of yourself."

**

It was over before she knew it. 

Her father stood and the men handled her till she stood outside the door. Her heart ached, she could not survive this. She could not. It was impossible. Her mother had passed and she had not been there. 

Had she asked for her? Had there been anyone else aside from her father? Had Mili been there? Was it quick? Did she suffer?

Question after questions assaulted her. Grief blinding her, Lila walked through the empty halls towards the rooms they had been put when she skidded to a halt as Mili stepped out of the door, Lila's heart dropping like a stone as Mili smiled at her. 

“Where do you think you are headed to?” she asked coldly, taking a step down towards Lila, the guards accompanying her looking away. “Let me be very clear old woman, I am the Queen.” Mili stepped towards her, leaning into her space and lowering her voice, “convinced the royal prince’s of Asgard of who you are?” she smiled as Lila’s mouth fell open, “of course I recognise you, think I will let you come and ruin everything? Did you truly think I wouldn’t be ready for this?” she hissed.

Lila shook her head falling back, shrinking as Mili lifted her hand, fear making her blood run cold. She should have listened, stayed in the room, Mili already uttering dark words, eyes shifting from soft brown to black. She had only wanted to see them!! She opened her mouth, a sob falling as Mili grinned, the door opening behind her, “My Queen?"

Lila cried out, a strangled noise, he was here!! It was his fault! Everything! And she had married him after all. Grief, rage and betrayal shook her body. This was unfair, she had done nothing wrong and now here stood her sister and that man… and they were married. She had been chased and beaten, lived through being thrown into a new world, and now she had missed her mothers passing?! She could not even speak to her own father? Her own father who did not recognize her??

Mili smirked as Lila glared at her, hands balling into fists, "are you thinking it is unfair?" She asked, ignoring the man behind her. "You have no idea what unfair is! You should never have been born!" Black magic pulsed through the air and Lila winced as it pushed her back onto her heels, making her slide back along the stone flooring.

“OHM!!!” A body flew in front of her small frame, arms wrapping around her, she recognized the armor. Lachin towering over her and covering her, blocking her from Mili. Where had he come from? He had not been in the room behind Mili, she could hear Thor and Loki cry out, Mili was already midcast, she should have known. She had known this probability was bound to become reality.. She had just hoped. She had allowed herself to believe prince Loki's words, that this could be fixed, that she could return home, that her sister could see reason and..

And she had been a fool.

What a fool. A naive child. Had she learned nothing in her exile? She felt a shift deep within her, her heart hardening.

Loki moved quickly, he could feel the dark twisted magic forming with every uttered word, Lila was closer to her sister, he was further away, could he reach her in time? His own magic whipped out, shielding the two as Mili shouted, darkness blasting outwards. Lila cried out, Lachin taking the brunt of the hit even as Loki caught them in his magic, he felt Thor’s hand on his shoulder and bright light engulfed them. 

Heimdall.

He grinned, grateful the guardian had indeed been watching.

“YOU WON’T GET AWAY FROM ME!!!” Mili cried out angrily, “you!! Bringing her here!!”

Loki saw Thor wrap himself around the guard and Lila, Lachin nearly knocking Lila over as he staggered, but her sister was not aiming at them. He realized this a little too late and staggered back as something dark hit him full force in the chest before he felt it slip up to his shoulders and down along his arms till it settled to wrapping around his wrists. 

Mili sneered, full of self satisfaction as she straightened, readying herself for another attack, “you won’t get in my way again, not when I have to finish what I started!!” she growled angrily even as the four were lifted and already flying, the bright colors of the bifrost carrying them up and into safety.

Thor shouted as Loki struggled with his magic, catching a glimpse of Lila wrapped in Lachin’s arms. He could not worry about this, he was busy building a shield, anger and fury whipping through him. That she would attack after all this time, Thor and his relationship was rocky and he often attacked but it was with the knowledge that his brother could not only take it but deflect it or come back. Lila did not have that. Loki winced as something tightened around his throat, his magic fluttering with it, he would not give in just yet, whatever she had done he could undo, later...

Thor was reaching for him when the second impact of dark magic struck, throwing them apart, it was stronger than Loki had accounted for, dark sharp talons tearing at them. Loki was ripped away, the hit of escaping the travel path of the bifrost punching the air out of his lungs and disorienting him as he attempted to call out to the group.

Had they seen? Did they know they were seperated? Was the guard still with her? Thor? Would she be safe? This had been a mistake. He should have just kept her at home.

He could hear Lila cry out from somewhere above him, searching he spotted them following his path through the air, muffled by the two men wrapped around her. He struggled to wrap them in magic, to ensure they would not be harmed as the gravity of the planet pulled and tugged violently at them, dragging them dangerously faster towards its surface.

He was glad that she was at least shielded by them and this was the last thought he had as darkness swallowed the small group.