Ch. 1 - Falling Stars
Loki stared up at Thor, his hands slipping off the staff that Thor was holding out to him. Loki knew how much pain he had put him through and he regretted it. Thor held his hand out. "Brother, take my hand!" He shouted over the roaring in their ears.
Loki shook his head, his hands sliding down another inch. "Brother, listen to me." Thor pleaded, gesturing with his hand for Loki to take it. Loki shook his head again. "I can't take it. I know what I've put you through. I need to be taught a lesson."
Thor shook his head this time. "No, brother. You need to take my hand. Please." Loki slipped down another inch. He was running out of staff to hold. "Loki, please." Thor breathed, but Loki let go of the staff.
"No!" Thor screamed as Loki fell, the wind rushing about him. He couldn't see anything now. He didn't know Thor was, he didn't even know where he was. Suddenly he slammed on solid ground and took a deep breath.
He could smell flowers, the scent of springtime. He opened his eyes and gasped. He was laying in a clearing, in a field of wildflowers. He pushed himself into a sitting position and looked around. Trees circled him and if he looked close enough, he could make out a castle in the distance.
He heard a rustling to his right and leapt to his feet. He raised his sword but then he realized he had none. He cursed and watched as two men walked out of the line of trees. One had blonde hair, clear blue eyes, and was dressed in chain mail. The other was taller but scruffier. He had black hair, gray eyes, and was dressed in servant clothes.
The blonde one spoke. "Who are you?" Loki racked his brain, trying to think of something. He couldn't lie, because he wasn't even from here. The men wouldn't have a clue who he was. "I am Loki."
"Where did you come from?" This time it was the other man who spoke but the blonde one glared at him like, 'I'm asking the questions.' "I..." He couldn't very well say he had fallen from the sky so he decided to make something up.
"I'm from a neighboring kingdom. I got shipwrecked and I walked until I was here and then I passed out." The black-haired boy stared at him with curiousity but it was the blonde who spoke. "Let us take you back to Camelot. You can tell my father your story and I'm sure he'll let you stay."
Loki bowed, this man's father must be the king. "Thank you for your hospitatlity." He followed the two men out of the forest and past a gate. People streamed by, gawking at him, but saying nothing. Finally they reached the palace and the blonde-haired boy led him through to a throne room.
A man was sitting in a throne, talking to somebody, but when he saw the three men enter, he stopped talking and looked up. "Arthur, to what do I owe this pleasure?" The blonde, Arthur, pointed to Loki. "Father, we met this man in the woods. He says he was shipwrecked and he fell in a clearing, passed out."
"Ah, well. I shall like to talk to this man myself." He sent everyone away then turned to Loki. Loki relayed his shipwrecked story to the king and he nodded. "Well, I'm sure I can let you stay for some time." He called Arthur back in and Arthur led Loki to his chambers. "My servant Merlin, the guy with me earlier, will bring by anything you need. Just call for him. I hope you enjoy your stay in Camelot."
Arthur left Loki alone to his thoughts. He plopped onto his bed and closed his eyes. His dreams were of Asgard and Thor and a black haired woman whispering his name. Loki, Loki.