Apologies to everyone that got an update to this story tonight. I stupidly deleted the first chapter of this story out of the Manage Stories section as opposed to Doc Manager.
I have no excuse. I am an idiot and I throw myself on your mercy. MM x
Prologue
The tavern where he was meeting Dalan was not the sort of place that you would expect to find a Prince of Asgard. Accordingly, Thor had abandoned his scarlet finery in favour of a stout leather jerkin, and a dark cloak. Pulling the hood over his bright hair, concealing his face, he stuck to the shadows as closely as he could.
Dalan – up until the previous day, a guard in the royal household for as far back as Thor could remember, was seated in a quiet corner, nursing a large tankard of the landlord's finest; his bright red hair, always a novelty in Asgard, was, like Thor's concealed under his hood. His face was tense and anxious.
Flagging down a serving man for a drink, Thor dropped into the seat opposite him.
"Dalan."
"My Lord?"
"Thank you for meeting with me old friend." There was a pause while the servant brought Thor's ale. He took a cautious sip – it was better than he had expected.
Reading his expression, Dalan smiled. "D'you think I would meet you anywhere that didn't serve good ale my lord. I know you better than that"
Thor smiled briefly, but the tension in his face did not dissipate. He gazed into his tankard, as if hoping to find the answers he sought in its depths.
"I understand that you were one of the men that escorted my brother to his punishment."
Dalan's face was grave. "Indeed I was m'lord. Forgive me if I presume, but that was a bad business." He looked around nervously. "No doubt your Lord Father will do what he must, but I could never serve no lad of mine like that. I can understand execution – if what he's done warrants it – at least that's quick and clean. But what we took that poor lad to... Turns your guts to water it does. And those bastards that took him – what he was goin' to was bad enough – there ain't no call for how they treated 'im."
If possible, Thor's brow drew down even further. A large brawny hand reached out and grabbed Dalan's arm. "And how did they treat him Dalan?"
Dalan's eyes were bleak. "Beggin' your pardon my lord, but how do you think they treated him. A royal prince, and a mage, stripped of his power and authority, in chains and helpless. And never like to see anyone to complain to... He was always good to me your brother, but he was difficult to know, and a lot was suspicious of 'im on account of 'is being different an' his magic n'all. I tried to help 'im as much as I could my lord, but there was five 'a them and only one 'a me an' I got a wife and three littl'uns to care for. What 'appens to them if I gets a knife in my back one dark night?"
Thor nodded, he hated it, but he understood. "Dalan."
"Yes my lord."
"Where did you take him?" Dalan's weathered face was a study in shock
"You mean you don't know my lord?"
Thor shook his head. "Father sent me straight to Alfheim when we got home. By the time I came back he was gone."
Dalan's face had gone from shocked to terrified. He trusted Thor, but he was about to give him the worst news possible. "Sorry I am to tell you my lord – we took him to Her. To the Cave."
Thor was out of his seat, reaching for Dalan, his face dark with rage. "You lie damn you. Father would never..." he dropped back into his seat, his head in his hands – knowing that he would. When he looked up his face was grey with shock. Now he understood why Dalan had felt unable to continue working at the palace. Gods, the place was five days journey on horseback. His little brother had been there nearly a week!
When he spoke, his voice was a whisper. "You need to tell me how to get there Dalan. Please."
Dalan looked up at him bleakly. I'd be happy to m'lord." Tears filled his eyes. "When we got to the cave, just as they were draggin' him in, he stopped and looked back. He were feelin' the sun on 'is face for the last time. I'll remember that look for as long as I live, if I'm blessed with your Lord Father's years." He scrubbed at his face "he was hardly more'n a boy, and he were so afraid. Bless 'im he tried not to show it, but you could see in his eyes."
Leaving the tavern, they paused for a moment, Dalan giving Thor the direction that he needed. He put his hand tentatively on the Prince's arm. "Get to him my lord, even if it's only to..." he was lost for words for a moment.
Thor put his hand over Dalan's, before tucking a generous size pouch into other man's tunic pocket.
"Get yourself and your family away Dalan. And thank you my friend."
He needed to pick up some things from the palace. He must be on his way within the hour..."
