Ch. 1 This will be mischief done big
Stealing Thor's first night of love. All maidens of Asgard were going to kill him for that! Loki cherished the prospect: just imagine the look on Sif's face, her anger, her helpless accusations — and how much she'd HATE Thor. Oh no, Loki didn't want lady Sif feel hurt; upon his honour, he respected her a ton for courage both in battle and in fighting the conventions of womanly ways. No, really he might even do her a favor: she'd been so immersed in martial arts that never got to understand the nature of her 'comrade feelings' for Thor. If only tricks and magic could cure hard-headedness...
So Loki, god of mischief, mused while waiting for his brother Thor in one of the snuggest dark corners of Asgard royal garden. Not far off was a small birch grove that hid a moss covered old stone well. Water smelled funnily, and no one in their sane mind would try tasting it — but Loki was wiser than that. Those many colored blotches on its surface were nothing but of particles of diluted bifrost substance, and this well, if dared you drinking from it, took you quick through the veins of Yggdrasil to other worlds - but no further than Midgard, actually. The liquid was too meager to let one travel far.
Still, it worked well enough to accomplish the plan at hand. A wisp of rough night wind swayed the tree tops above, as the young man bit the endings of his raven black hair, suddenly deep in thought. A low voice whispered in the back his head: and what if Father knew?.. but then:
- Lookiiiii!..
Thor's quietest utterings could scare a bear out of winter sleep. The god of thunder, blinded by darkness, helplessly groped at boughs and bushes, wreaking havoc and disorder with his clumsy massive limbs.
- Looookiiiii!..
A hand stretched out of the shadow and pulled Thor the Dismayer into the thicket, right into the arms of his brother.
- Ah, Loki, great! I knew you were somewhere around.
- Of course you knew, we had an appointment here! — one couldn't suppress irritation at such a dumb greeting. — Come on!
Thor followed obediently, his golden hair shimmering and eyes glinting like sapphires in the dark. Even as a teenager he looked a stunning male beauty, and Loki couldn't help wondering, time again: how come such an outstanding youth still wasn't stripped of his virginity blossom? Loki laid out his plan again, repeating the key points:
1. Take Thor to Midgard
2. Get Thor tipsy, but not wasted
3. Instruct a lady to seduce Thor
4...and triumph over the scene when the boastful oaf tells everyone of his achievement.
Correct and precise. You could trust Loki on anything.
Upon reaching the well, as brothers stood on different sides of it, the Sorcerer stretched out his hand over the hollow stone tunnel. With a pleasant murmur he summoned water up; a twitching, playful stream rose to the air before his eyes, jingling like a young maiden's laugh. Loki laughed back, but bit his lip and regained control the very next moment, and commanded the water to form a bubble in midair. Ah, this water magic — mesmerized him out of wits again! He opened his eyes to see how Thor gaped at the liquid in front of him that still kept chiming with a girl's voice.
- Why? Why did you never do that before? Is this a mermaid?
- No, brother, this is only water. – Loki puffed haughtily and tilted his head backwards, making an impression by waving his hands in wide sleek motions.
- But… it sings so sweet! How come it talks?
- Because I wanted it to.
Now this was a lie, a deep voice registered in the back of Loki's head. He wished water remained silent, but could not help it. Magic, like any other force, when implied to the object retaliated with the same impact. Loki charmed the stream out of the well — and it strove to charm him in return. And almost managed to, again. Later on, being more powerful, he would be able to hush the reflective effects, but the danger remained there forever: once you lost control over the conjuring, the spell would crush on you with its full power.
Nevertheless, this was way more elegant than the bucket they had used on previous occasions. Loki stooped to the bubble, wincing at the unpleasant smell, touched it gently with his lips and started sipping. Thor followed his example, without much pleasure, but with anticipations for the journey to come. Brother said, he was taking him to some special place tonight…
It took long to finish the bubble. Sickened by extensive drinking, the two sat uncomfortably beside the well, waiting for the liquid to reach their veins.
- Loki.. I think, it's kicking in!
- No, not yet, Thor. Be patient!
- But I feel my insides itch. — At this, Thor's belly rumbled in protest. — I guess, this water's no good for digestion.
- And what would you expect. Anyone willing to pee rainbows has to pay a price.
They both laughed at this, even though it didn't go well with their flooded stomachs.
Finally, Loki felt the energy uplifting his limbs, almost elevating him from the ground. Time has come. He glanced at Thor, who paced the small clearing in vehement boredom. Having caught the sign, Thor anything but ran up to him. A hushed "Ready?" , responded by a nod. They clambered carefully on the stone brink of the well, stood face to face, and Thor closed his arms around Loki's frail figure, clasping him tightly to his chest. The other put his hands comfortably on the broad shoulders, and smiled wryly. The blonde's eyes twinkled in response. Brothers drew a final deep breath, and jumped into the darkness.
