Fortune Spilling
by KC
Disclaimer: dun own
Rating: R for glorious violence
Summary: Thor sets out to battle the on Svartalfheim, as requested by Queen Alflyse. However, dangerous magics are in play and the thunder god now spurns the aid of Loki, who must waste time in holmgang while Thor risks his life.
Normally Loki did not waste time on runes, but normally he wasn't to be left behind on a key battle. He was accustomed to his place at Thor's shoulder, accompanying him into battle, keeping his hard-headed brother alive from threats more subtle than axes and swords. Kneeling in his chambers, he shook the stones in his hands, whispering to them songs under his breath. Above him, the cold winter sun cast a pale, white light that hardly lit the room, make his shadow faint and indistinct.
Years of immersing himself in magic had left its mark on his shadow. It chose to ignore what he was doing, and its dark shape sprawled out on its side, watching the clouds passing by the window, occasionally glancing over to see what Loki did. If Loki exerted a little energy, he could send his shadow on errands to tip over cooking pans in the kitchen or trip Fandral over his loose boot laces, and when alone, he allowed it to do as it liked.
He spilled out the runes, his gaze soaking up how each one tumbled into place, marks up or down, and he leaned over them for a better look.
The door swung open. Loki did not look up, knowing Thor's footfalls by heart, and continued to read even as his brother came in and knelt on one knee in front of him.
"Still you play with these toys," Thor grumbled. "Even now, Wuldor awaits you in the circle."
"Wuldor is a coward," Loki said, lightly touching one rune. "He accused me solely to avoid the battle in Svartalfheim."
"Not only to avoid the fight," Thor argued mildly, conceding the point. "But you gave him perfect opportunity. Few fear you as they fear me."
"I will not have you fighting my battles for me," Loki said as he leaned up, taking a long breath to calm himself. "I am as much the warrior as you."
Thor had to smile, and he put his hand on Loki's shoulder, jostling his lighter frame. There was no mistaking the difference between them. Sun and shadow, strength and cunning, a hammer and a knife.
"I know," Thor said. "And after a holmgang, they will all know it doubly. But you brought it on yourself, pushing off allowing me to champion you in the ring."
"Like a woman?" Loki grimaced. "They'd call me Lady Loki."
"They already call you worse," Thor said. "Loki Silvertongue, Loki Liesmith..."
"Those I earn, and enjoy the earning," Loki said, but his smile faded and hesitated, glancing up at his brother uncertainly. "Wuldor is strong. I will not win the fight before you go. Can you not postpone your combat?"
"I wish I could bring you with me," Thor said, but his face was resolute. "But you must face and defeat Wuldor. I dare not imagine what would happen if you faced retribution for missing a holmgang."
"And what would happen?" Loki asked. "Stripped of my inheritance? You will have the crown, brother, we both know that."
"Loki-" Thor started, knowing what was coming.
"Stripped of my lands?" Loki laughed. "I have no land-"
"Loki-"
"-and I doubt I would much change where I sleep-"
"Loki!" Thor said sternly, cutting him off and looking over his shoulder at the open door to be sure they were alone. "You will not jeopardize your match with Wuldor. You will not jeopardize your standing as a prince. And you will stay here to face him."
"Thor-" Loki frowned, trying to sit up higher as his brother leaned on him hard.
"Win your holmgang."
"Thor-"
"And join me in our feast when we return victorious," Thor finished with a grin.
"Thor!" Loki yelled over him. "You will not be victorious!"
Their gazes met. Thor's brow knit as he frowned, trying to understand what Loki meant. Then he looked down at the runes.
"You've seen something," Thor said, and his voice was artificially flat as he spoke. "Do I die?"
"...deathless defeat," Loki said, putting his hand on two runes. "And these ones, shame in returning. Loss. Defeat."
Thor did not answer. Loki grabbed his collar and sat straighter, staring at his brother as if he could will him to change his plans and give in.
"You have to stall the battle," Loki hissed.
"Whose?" Thor said softly, then met Loki's look. "Mine or yours?"
"I'm not trying to avoid Wuldor," Loki snapped. "If you go without me, you will lose this fight. You have to-"
"No," Thor said, standing up out of Loki's grip and backing away. He shook his head once, then twice, as if he could make himself forget. "No, you have to give up this spellcraft. Destroy Wuldor and then wait. And I will go face my fate, whatever it may be."
"But if I was there-" Loki tried one more time, still on his knees.
Thor's cape swirled around his brother as he turned, striding out as if the runes had offended them. The cape drew tight in Loki's hands, then slipped away.
"Know your place," Thor growled over his shoulder. "Our fate will unwind as it must."
He slammed the door and stomped down the hall, fading away finally at the farthest staircase. Loki
listened, his eyes closed in resignation, and got to his feet, leaving the runes on the floor. There was no need to gather them back up. He did not need them, not really. The runes had only told him what he'd already deduced. There was treachery and cleverness in Svartalfheim , a kind of deviousness that Loki had not yet guessed. That Thor would survive was cold comfort. His proud brother would stoop under such a defeat, and Loki could not bear to see his brother bent forward in sadness.
"But I do know my place," Loki murmured, going to the window and looking out.
The fighting forces of Asgard stood massed on the Bifrost, resplendent in their armor with weapons polished to mirror reflections. From his high chambers, Loki saw them as knights and pawns, small enough to move along the board. And there was his brother striding out amongst them like a king, easily commanding their respect, directing their movements, so that they prepared to follow him to combat.
Volstagg stood out, three times the size of any other Asgard warrior, and beside him Fandral, three times as preening as he flourished his sword theatrically for the women at the side. Sif stood with them, stretching as she watched Thor approach. The rest of the warriors tugged on armor already strapped on, making last little adjustments or shaking off the last bits of their hangovers from the feast the night before. In front, Heimdall waited with his ax, the guardian of the Bifrost ready to allow them passage.
Fighters, all of them. Odin was occupied in Muspelheim, and Frigga must watch over Asgard in their absence. Loki leaned up on his window, watching Thor, easily following his red cape as it swirled over the Bifrost. His brother was the most intelligent person in the assemblage, and the thought made him wince. It also made up his mind.
Loki climbed up onto his window and stepped out into the open air. Fingers became feathers. The ground rushed up at him and then blurred as he veered up, balancing on black wings, swooping in low over the warriors and coming to rest on Thor's shoulder.
"What-?" Thor gasped, leaning aside, then relaxing when he saw the large raven perched by his helmet. "Where did-?"
"Looks like Odin means to keep an eye on you," Sif teased him. "Is this Huginn or Muninn? I can never tell them apart."
"Nor I," Thor said, narrowing his eyes at the bird. "Although...Muninn?"
Loki remained silent, staring at Heimdall as if daring him to say a word.
"Huginn," Thor said more confidently.
This time Loki cawed once, as if answering to his name, and rustled his feathers.
Thor caught Loki around the throat and pulled him off his shoulder, giving him a shake that brought Loki back to his proper form. Held precariously bent back, he had to grasp Thor's arm so that he didn't fall over, and he winced as Thor tightened his grip on his neck.
"A good try," Thor said with a nod. "I had a feeling you would make the attempt, but you cannot accompany me to this battle. Not today."
"If you leave me," Loki rasped, feeling each of Thor's fingertips digging into his throat. "You leave all chance of victory behind."
"Go defeat Wuldor," Thor said and let go, watching impassively as Loki stumbled and came up straight. "I will see you tonight."
Loki scowled, but there was no point in arguing with Thor when he was before the men. Every order was given with confidence, and that included orders to his little brother. As the Bifrost opened, the Asgardians marched through, chuckling lowly at the sorcerer left behind. With so many of them there, they took several seconds to pass by, and Loki gave Heimdall a glare.
"You said nothing," he commented.
"Huginn is with Odin," Heimdall said, staring straight forward as always. "And Muninn with Frigga."
"Hm." Loki frowned in thought.
"Wuldor waits for you," Heimdall said as if Loki needed reminding. "There's already a small crowd."
"Is he shaking in fear?" Loki asked. He didn't really care, but it passed the seconds as the warriors continued to step through the rift.
"He is waving around your answering note and proclaiming you a coward," Heimdall said.
"If you can see everything," Loki said testily, "take another glance at that note I sent him."
Curious, Heimdall looked, and Loki used the brief distraction and moved as if to leave, changing at the last moment into a spider that nestled in the thick fur of the last warrior. As the rift closed behind them, the last thing Loki heard was Heimdall's laughter ringing in the dome.
Tbc...