"You've a good heart. Sometimes that's enough to see you safe wherever you go. But mostly, it's not."- Neil Gaiman
Finally enough sunlight slipped though the small crevice (well, it's supposed to be a window) above me. I could not tell if it was noon yet by the height of the sun. There was no clock here, or analematic sundial to inform me of the time. I was somewhat thankful for that though, because it would be a form of torture to watch every second pass by while I sit here. My eyes may never leave the device, forcing me to watch time slip away as I rot. Though I actually would not rot, I am an immortal. I am too good to rot.
A breathy sigh escaped my throat. For why, it could be a many of things. Mostly my total frustration towards this whole ordeal. Frustration with myself, for my mortal-like stupidity. Nobody's perfect, as the saying goes. Obviously they were not a god.
My hands could not even lower to scratch my hair, which has grown quite long in the time I've been here. I could feel mites infest my curly locks a few weeks ago, and I have not been rid of them since. It is rather a grotesque thought, that I, so full of power and greatness, cannot even bathe anymore. I bet I smelt like a dead pig after slaughter. Peering down at my once alabaster skin, I could only see layers of filth that have accumulated. The sight made me rather sick, so I looked away.
Oh, but what to look at. Rock. Rock everywhere. Sometimes, shadows would be cast off of them, and I would determine what they resembled. Childish, I know, but you try being locked up and see if you stay sane. Yes, locked up. How many days? Ha, that would be the question, now would it not be, huh mortal? My tally marks in the dirt ended around twelve. I have lost track after then.
I shifted my aching back against the rock. The rattle of my chains echoed in the small stone room, which sounded odd to me. I had not heard noise in a long time. I could talk aloud, sure. I could even sing to keep the time passing, but those ended in the first few days of confinement. My mouth would run dry and there were not enough opportunities for water.
My fingers twitched. Oh, only if I had my magic. This would be a room of luxury. This may not even be a room anymore. I could totally destroy this and walk right out the front door, unharmed. Of course the irons clapped to my wrist were not ordinary ones. My magic was bound by them, rendering my powers useless. Maybe if I was strong, I could pull the chains from the wall by force. I would pull the steel door from the hinges in the rock and be free. But, alas, I am not Thor.
I am evil, vile, crazy, little Loki.
I realized my hands were tense in fist, my jaw clenched. I forced myself to breathe out. My toes brushed though the dirt as I dragged my knees into my chest. Slouching against the wall, my arms were still strained against the irons around them. Tilting my head back father, I saw the red ring around my wrist. Ugh. Without my magic abilities, I could not rapidly heal like before. The last thing I wanted was a wound whilst I was bound. Mites and maggots may like my bleeding flesh more than my hair.
Why am I in such of a terrible place, you may ask? I attempted to take over the realm of Midguard. To enslave the entire human race. I know, how evil of me (that was said with an eye roll, just to let you know). I had my reasons for doing so and I have absolutely no desire to tell anyone why. Some things are better left unsaid than spoken aloud. Because we may all know why, but hearing it tends to frighten people. It is true, for I do not lie about this.
In this moment I heard remarkably familiar footsteps of a party strolling down the halls of the dungeon. Were they to bring me water? Maybe a slice of bread? I did not know, but I wished they were bringing food and drink.
The ruckus stopped in front of my door. There were a few low whispers between them. Three? Yes, there were three people outside my door. Someone pressed on the door and the sound of metal on metal rang out. The key. They are going to come inside. Usually it is only the two guards.
Finally there was a click and the door swung wide open. If I could rub my eyes, I would do so repeatedly. His long red cape reached the dirt floor and his hair certainly has gotten longer. "Brother, what do you want with me?" I muttered as the guards began to undo the irons around my wrist. "I do not even get a hello?" Thor asked. I snorted and rolled my eyes. "Hello." I was not in the mood for short pleasantry talk. "Now what is your purpose with me?" I repeated. My hands were freed and the chains hit against the wall. Slowly I rubbed my wrist with my hand. I could see the blood pooling from beneath my skin. Most of it was rubbed raw. Did I struggle that much? The horrid nightmares may have been to blame for this.
"I have come to escort you to The Council." I raise my eye brows and looked up at him. I allowed us to make eye contact. "The Council?" I questioned. That was rather odd. Maybe it was called something else. Thor can be quite forgetful. "Yes, brother. I forget you have not been informed." Of course I have not been informed, you idiot! I am in prison! I was tempted to say that, but I held back. "Explain then." I said.
Thor swallowed hard. "The Council is made up of five gods to decide your punishment. Forseti, Gerd, Var, Snotra, and Fitch." Oh lovely. What a wonderful group of extremely forgiving immortals (once again,'tis scarcasm, mortal). "Wonderful." I mumbled. My wrists were yanked in two different directions. I let out a grunt. Grabbing an open wound is not exactly comfortable. The guards forced new irons on my arms, this time they had a chain connecting them. There was one like it already on my feet, right around my ankles.
Thor's friendly attitude and my attitude towards him was odd. You may have noticed we do not hate each other. We both agreed that when the time for my...punishment has come, that it could easily be death. The last words spoken to me should not be hateful, or so Thor says. But for these few moments, we put everything aside and painfully pretended that everything was going to be alright. Even though we both knew this was not so.
I felt two hands grip the side of my face tightly. Shaking my head only made it worse. The other guard was standing in front of me with a device in his hands. "Not the muzzle!" I whined. I attempted to stand up but it was hard because I could not push off with my hands. Squirming around helped my little. The muzzle neared my face and attached to my jaw and mouth. It felt like someone had glued my mouth closed.
"That was not necessary!" Thor shouted at the guards. You're a little late for that, big guy. "Odin's orders, sir." One replied. "I was looking forward to talking to you, Loki." Thor said. He sounded sincere. I can still talk to you, dim wit. Thor jumped back in his spot. A smile appeared and he waged a finger at me. "I forget you read minds!" He exclaimed. Of course he would. He approached me and stuck his dinner plate sized hands out in front of me. Well, he's "family" after all. I extended my arms as far as I could. His hands wrapped around mine easily and with a small pull I was on my feet.
Those giant arms enveloped around me, pulling me into a hug. My arms squished straight against my sides, pressing in on my rib cage. I could not physically wrap my chained hands around him, so I patted his chest ungainly. Air! I cannot breathe, you oaf! Thor released me from his deathly grip. "Sorry little Loki!" He jeered. Lifting his hand, he ruffled my long hair, messing it up on the top. Thor has done that since we were kids. I felt happy for just a moment. But not a moment more.
"Look what they have done to you!" He said. Lifting my wrist up, he pulled the irons back to see the open sores on my wrist. "Why do you not heal yourself brother?" He asked, looking up at me with a frown. I cannot. These are magic binding chains. Thor nodded solemnly and turned to the guards. "Release him!" Thor demanded. The guards looked back at him in surprise. "We cannot release a prisoner!" One said. " . !" Thor growled in the guards face. "I'll get the key." He replied, not missing a beat. Underneath my muzzle I smiled. It was times like these in which Thor was more bearable. In my feat of victory, I stretched my wrist out. Quickly the guard removed the chains.
Closing my eyes, I allowed the magic to surge though my body again. Much better I said to Thor, to which he smiled. Looking down, I summoned magic to heal myself. A faint green mist surrounded my wrist and the skin rapidly closed up. As soon as I was free, I was contained again. The chains were forced back on my quickly so I would not pull anything. Thank you, brother, for that was irritating me so. The guards walked in front of Thor and me, leading us though the corridors of the dungeon. "It did look rather painful." Thor commented. "I wish they do not inflict a terrible punishment upon you." His voice became softer. Oh, please. If I can take beating after beating from thee on the practice field, then I am prepared for anything they may throw at me. Thor smiled weakly. "I hope you are right." I nodded. I hoped I was right too.
We ascended some stairs before we reached a large wooden door. The guards pushed it open and light came flooding down the corridor. As it were instinct, I raised my hands to cover my eyes. I had not seen this much light in a very long time. The amount that came though the "window" in my room was not nearly enough. "Are you alright?" Thor asked. I nodded and lowered my hands. Is it me, or did the sun get brighter while I was locked away? Thor laughed at my joke. "Tis just only you." He mused. How long have I been away? "Three months and two days." He replied instantly. He knew it down to the exact day? I felt a little touched as we walked though the hallway filled with windows. So, brother. Tell me more about this Council.
Thor merely shrugged. "Sorry, but I was only told they were to decided your fate." I let out a sigh (well, the best I could with this muzzle on).
The guards walked us though another hallway and to a large set of french doors. Each of them grabbed a handle and pulled them open. I am sure Thor here could have pushed though them effortlessly, but he did not attempt to help them. I had to blink a few more times to adjust to the light outside. Three months. I thought it had been a little bit longer than that. Thor grabbed a hold of my shoulder and led me outside. Horses were there. They must have rode in from the palace to the prison. Lifting both of my hands, I stroked the mane of the black one. Thor untied the reigns and then proceeded to mount the horse. With a smile, he extended his hand to me. Ha, no way. Then I did a quick count. Three. There were only three horses. I glared back up at Thor as he began to laugh. "Come on! We're close!" He said. My feet are chained, you idiot. And so are my hands. How am I supposed to mount a horse and hold on?
"Guards, he's ankles are chained together." One of the guards nodded and slipped off his horse. Sticking the key in the lock, he gave it a nice turn and the irons fell to the ground. He gathered them in his hands and then remounted. I wiggled my hand chains in the air. "No, brother, they have to bind your magic somehow." Thor said. "Come!" He patted the spot in front of him on the saddle. "I'll hold on to you." My shoulders sunk and my head tipped back to the sky. Gods, why me?
I sighed and approached the horse. Thor removed his foot from the stirrup so I could mount. My hands reached up for the horn of the saddle and I pulled myself up. Effortlessly I swung my leg over to the other side and sat upright. Thor placed his arms around me and grabbed the reins. This saddle was not big enough for the two of us. I was closer to my brother than I would like to tell you. "Cozy?" Thor asked, resting his head on my shoulder. Slowly my head turned towards his, my eyes glaring harshly at him. Laughing, he withdrew his head. "Let's go, little brother." Thor said. The four of us started off down the dirt path.
I wished we would make it to cobblestone or brick paved roads soon. The dirt road was full of holes and bumps, causing me to jolt and move around. The horses were around galloping pace too, which only made this worse. I winced as we hit a large bump. "Sorry." Thor apologized. Leather. I am not wearing leather. I am in linen. As a prisoner, I was not allowed to wear my full regalia of metal and leather. I simply had on a green shirt with brown linen pants. And linen is not the material you wear when you go riding. Quickly I was beginning to understand why. Thor laughed at me. Brother, I would smack you if I could reach. This only made Thor's deep laugh louder. Quickly, I tipped my head back. He let out a grunt and dropped a hand from the reins. "You hit my nose!" Thor said. He could not hear me laugh, but he could see my shoulders move up and down like I was. "Oh, be quiet." He demanded.
After galloping along the dirt path, we reached one paved with stones. This was a little better, but I was not going to feel good when I dismounted. On the top of this hill, I could see pillars. How come I had never been this way before? Where are we, Thor? I felt him shift. "Glitnir." He said. Glitnir? As in The Court? "Yes." He replied. Great, now I was beginning to feel nervous. The Court was made of pillars of pure gold. The ceiling was cast in silver, the rest of the building comprised of marble and obsidian. It was the ruling and justice hall of the gods. I did not expect this.
A guard dismounted and unlocked the large gate. We rode though and he locked it up behind us. Nearing the building made me fidget. I wish I would not have asked Thor where we are. Get a hold of myself is what I needed to do. I am Loki for Valhalla's sake! I almost got away with ruling Earth. This trial was nothing to me. Thor must have sensed my uneasiness. "Loki, do not worry, for I shall protect you." His confidence in his words did not assure me though. Thanks, brother. I know I have done wrong, but I truly deserve the punishment I receive.
Placing my foot in the stirrup, I dismounted the horse. Once my feet hit the ground I moaned (or tried to). I ran my hands down the inside of my legs. Oh how I ached. "Saddle sore?" Thor asked. I nodded vigorously. He chuckled and gave me a pat on the lower part of my back. "It cannot be that bad." He joked. I struggled to stand up straight. You forget your own strength, you idiot. Thor smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I do forget."
Thor's attention turned to something else. I looked at him quizzically and followed his line of sight. My stomach lurched and I instantly looked away. Frigga and Odin. I would say mother and father, but they are not anymore. To be truthful, this probably was all Odin's idea. I did not ask though, I was almost certain I was right.
Thor went over to his parents, hugging his mother. I could hear them talking, but I could not make out what either one was saying. The guard was clasping the irons around my ankles again, locking it in place. "We are all ready to go." The guard told me. I gave a short nod and walked between the two of them. Each grabbed my elbow and we walked towards the entrance of Glitnir. "Brother! Brother, wait!" Thor called out. The guards stopped and release their grip on me. Thor ran quickly over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Good luck, Loki." He said, and I nodded. "I love you, brother." He whispered as he pulled me into another big hug. I closed my eyes tightly and held on to his scarcely spoken phrase. And I love you.
Thor released me and stepped back. Odin and Frigga had walked up the hill to where we were. Frigga smiled at me, and opened up her arms to me. I evaded her gaze. I have been hugged too much today already. Whipping around, I turned my back to them and allowed the guards to take a hold of me again. "Loki." She whispered to me. I nodded forward to tell the guards to walk. "Loki." A louder voice boomed. Odin. I did not hesitate to continue walking. "Loki, look at me!" He shouted. There was no way I was going to turn around now. The large doors to the great hall opened up and our small party stepped inside. This was it, and I was ready.