Captive (Alina's version)
Chapter One: Alina
"Wake up, little mortal!"
I didn't want to. I rolled away from the lightly accented voice, not ready to accept reality just yet.
"I said. Get. Up."
I felt a tiny stab of pain in my ribcage and yelped loudly, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.
"That's better. Now, look at me."
I turned toward the voice and saw a tall man standing over me, with longish black hair and piercing green eyes that almost had a playful gleam to them. I gasped softly when I realized who it was. Loki of Asgard, God of Mischief and Lies. "You!" I whispered, the fear clouding my voice.
Surprisingly, he knelt down beside me, his leather armor making no sound where it touched the floor.
I flinched away when he reached out a hand to touch my cheek, making him tsk in disapproval. "My guards were not kind to you when they brought you here. They will be punished severely for harming what's mine," he promised me, his fingertips emitting a soft glow as he healed the bruises that I hardly remembered getting. I wondered what he wanted from me, why he'd brought me here. Then something he'd said finally registered in my brain and I finally had the nerve to speak. "'Harming what's yours'? I'm not yours though... you make it sound as if I were your toy, or something..."
Loki smiled at that. "Aren't you mine, though? I've heard your prayers to me. Heard you crying for me when you thought everyone was sleeping. You begged for a simple sign of my existence. And here I am, right in front of you."
"But... but.. Loki... my Lord..." I found myself adding, feeling my eyes widen at that slip.
Where did that come from? I wondered if he had influenced me to say that, and the grin he gave me wasn't exactly convincing me otherwise.
"Did you mean to say that?" He asked, almost triumphant as he pulled me to my feet. I groaned briefly as my muscles protested the sudden movement. Almost inhuman, he moved that fast. And then I remembered what I'd read in all my research; he's not human. He's Jötun. Frost Giant. Shit.
"No, my Lord.." I finally answered, hoping and silently praying to any other deity listening that this wasn't Loki thinking that I had somehow sworn a desperate oath of fealty to him. But it was beginning to look worse with every passing second. I sighed heavily, my shoulders drooping as I became resigned to my fate.
He seemed to sense this as he cupped my cheek, stoking it almost lovingly with his thumb. "Do not fret, mortal. I'll keep you safe here in Asgard, so long as you serve me. Is that clear to you, Alina?"
I couldn't help the gasp of wonder that slipped out after hearing him say my name. This is really happening. You can't back out now, 'Lina. I collected my thoughts and raised my gaze several inches to meet his. "It is, my Lord. I will serve you."
Loki gave me what a appeared to be a genuine smile and sighed happily. "Excellent. Now, you'll be sleeping in my chambers, and someone will come to fit you with Asgardian clothing and a bed. You are to speak to no one unless they speak to you first, save for me. I don't mind hearing your voice," he admitted, smiling softly. I couldn't help but smile back, nodding so he knew I understood.
"What's wrong with the clothes I have, my Lord?" I wondered.
He chuckled. "Human servants are quite desirable here, they're something of a rarity. There's only one other mortal here, and he's an old man. But, the clothes are to mask your identity as a Midgardian, so that no one tries anything rash. Like trying to take you from me. We wouldn't want you getting hurt."
I nodded, still not quite believing my predicament... but I'd play along until I could figure out what was going on.
Loki opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off by loud knocking on the massive doors behind where I stood. Loki stepped around me, facing the entryway.
"Enter," the god barked out, seemingly impatient.
One of the doors swung open to reveal a burly figure with blonde shoulder-length hair and pewter-colored armor covering most of his torso and leaving his arms and shoulders bare. A hammer hung at his waist, ready to bash whatever foe tried to get in his way. Blue eyes surveyed the scene in front of him, and his gaze lingered on me before moving to Loki. "Brother, what is the meaning of this? Who is this maiden?" he asked as he moved closer to us, coming to a stop in front of me. He was just as tall as Loki, but wider and far more muscular.
"She is my servant, Thor. Her name is Alina."
Thor finally smiled at me, taking my hand and kissing the knuckles. "Well met, fair Alina." He let go of me and turned to Loki. "Is she here of her own will? I will not have you enslaving the mortals I've sworn to protect."
Loki smirked. "Yes, dear brother. She chose this path, and I helped her along it."
Thor nodded at the other god's cryptic explanation. "Will she be residing within your chambers, then?"
"Yes, until I can trust her not to run away." He winked at me and I tried very hard to keep my knees from buckling. He and Tom Hiddleston could be twins. And like a portion of the Internet, I had a deep, almost embarrassing crush on Hiddles ever since he was in Thor. I shook my head, remembering that I was in the room with two gods, one of which was staring at me. I smiled nervously at Thor.
"Where do I start?" I straightened my clothes and faced Loki, my new master.
"You can begin by going into my study and re-shelving some of the books." He stepped forward and touched my forehead. Instantly, I felt something shift in my mind, accompanied by a splitting headache.
"Wh-what was that?" I asked, wincing at the new sensation.
"That was me conveying the knowledge of Asgardian runes and higher speech. Not all of my books are written in Midgardian languages, you see."
"Ah, alright." I shook my head and looked around Loki's chambers, decorated in various shades of green and black. I headed down the hallway right next to his bed, passing a few closed doors, reaching one at the very end that stood ajar. I pushed it open and nearly gasped. Books of every size were stacked on tables near gap-toothed bookshelves that went from floor to ceiling. A lone window let in the light that slanted into the room, and my bare feet sank into the luxurious carpet. Oh yeah. This is a room I could spend a few days in.
A large hand on my shoulder accompanied by a bass voice told me that Thor had followed me.
"Are you certain you wish to serve my brother?" He half-whispered.
I turned and looked up into his concerned ocean eyes. "I am. I know it sounds foolish, but it's actually better that I do. I'll get better treatment here than on Midgard, I assure you."
He shot me a confused look but didn't pursue the subject, releasing my shoulder and picking up a book at random. He spoke to me as he examined the cover. "Loki said that when you've finished with your duties, that you may accompany my friends and I in our hall, if you wish." He looked at me over the edge of the book, smiling.
I nodded quickly, not quite believing what I'd heard. Hang out with Thor, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three? Yes, please!
The thunder god grinned. "Excellent! They will be most pleased to meet you, and will have many questions for you, I'm certain."
I smiled, my first real smile since I'd woken up. "I can't wait," I admitted honestly.
"I'm sure you can't. But Thor, she can hardly come and visit if she hasn't worked yet!" Loki's soft laugh brought mine and Thor's attention to the door, where the trickster god leaned against its frame.
I nodded, knowing a reminder when I heard one. I started the stacks of books by name, putting my new knowledge to good use.
"Just come back down the corridor when you've finished, Alina," Loki ordered, "the clothier and carpenter will arrive then to take your measurements."
I nodded and kept working, not saying much. I heard him chuckle quietly as he and Thor left the room.
Authors Note: Thank you for reading my first ever posted Thor story! As a note, this takes place before the movie, even though Alina has already seen the movie. So, the events haven't happened yet. I hope that makes sense. I'll be updating this as often as I can, so please stay tuned!