A reproduction of the tale of Sleipnir - the eight-legged horse from Norse mythology, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This started out as a writing exercise (in terms of rythm and style and so on and so forth), but I'm not gonna lie: I actually quit enjoy writing this (despite how absurd the original tale is), so thought I would share it here just for fun!
For the record, the setting is before the events of Thor's banishment (Thor 1), so I did my best to capture the characters as they were portrayed before those events. (If I succeeded is up to you...)
Also, this story is a slow burn becouse build-ups are fun! :D
Hope you enjoy!
...
The Origin Of Sleipnir
~ A Defense For Asgard ~
. . .
Their boots hastily clattered against the colorful surface of Bifrost as they once again had the glorious kingdom of Asgard in sight.
"We're arriving late… Again," The God of mischief, Loki stated in annoyance, his slender hands directing on the collar of his attire as they paced forward.
"Calm now brother; it is just a council meeting. There will be plenty of those in the future," His elder brother Thor assured confidently. The fact that they were thirty minutes behind schedule didn't bother him as much as it probably should.
Loki's look of blame didn't wipe the smirk off the handsome Asgardian's face either. These days, it seemed as if nothing really could. "You do realize this is the third time in a row the two of us will be late for a gathering like this, right? The entire council is waiting for us in there - not to mention father." The slight frustration in Loki's voice was not to be mistaken, but nevertheless, it was nowhere near enough to shake the confidence of the God Of Thunder, himself.
"For someone who is known for lies and trickery, you are awfully conscientious," Thor replied with a slight grin and laid a firm hand on the shoulder of his little brother, as to assure him there was no need to be so tense. "Just relax. They've probably not even noticed,"
Loki scrunched up his nose in disbelieve and pushed his brother's heavy hand down from his shoulder, not finding his claim the slightest bit convincing. "I'm not conscientious," he huffed "I just find it a very unfortunate pattern that every time we're running late, father tends to direct the blame at me, even when it is obviously your fault," He said with a stiff stare ahead, the smooth surface of Bifrost now replaced by cobblestone when they began to approach the golden castle gates.
"I assure you brother you don't need to worry no more. When I tell father what happened, he will understand," Thor assured, but although he didn't argue further about it, Loki was still skeptical.
"At least tell me we're walking in the backdoor," the dark-haired God said with a sigh, hoping to avoid more humiliation than what was already waiting for them behind those gates.
. . .
"Greetings honorable council! Don't hold your breaths no more - Your princes are here now," Thor proudly announced when he practically slammed the gates open to the giant halls, the echo of his playful voice jumping between the broad columns that held the high ceiling.
While the assertive God of Thunder didn't hesitate with pacing straight down the hall towards the council, Loki stayed a few steps behind him, as if that would make the council's judging eyes separate him from his loud-mouthed brother. "So much for keeping it low," he muttered to himself, but stayed tall as he approached the long table where the hall split in three passages.
"I see you finally decided to join the discussion. And only thirty minutes too late," The old Asgardian King Odin spoke firmly and rose from his chair, the disappointment barely hidden in his voice as his one-eyed gaze traveled between his sons.
"Forgive us father, but an urgent matter appeared and needed our attention," Loki apologized and joined his brother's side with slow steps.
"I am aware," Odin made clear "Heimdall saw you. Although I won't consider fooling around in Vanaheim as 'urgent matter'," he said rather displeased. With that, the two brothers both felt their apology fall to the ground, since they had forgotten to take Heimdall's all-seeing eyes in consideration when they took off.
"We're sorry?" Thor tried with a shrug, not even his father's stern stare coursing the smirk to leave his face. It made Loki roll his eyes.
"I suppose you are," Odin said and gesticulated towards the empty chairs for them by the table. "Now sit down. We'll discuss this little 'incident' later. There are more important matters to be settled first," he ordered, watching his sons as they silently joined the table.
As expected, the council had been going on even without the princes' presence. That of cause, wasn't that big of a deal since neither of the brothers used to pay more attention, than what was possible with one ear.
Sitting straight across from his elder brother, Loki used the occasion to mouth an annoyed 'Thanks for nothing', to which Thor wordlessly replied: 'You're welcome', the teasing smirk on his face only making Loki roll his eyes and direct his attention back towards the council's discussions.
"Asgard may be strong, but we must face that it is not indestructible," one of the elder men claimed. "And each of the nine realms are growing hastily. An attack might be unrealistic as it is now, but that is not to say it will never happen."
"Assuming one of the realms will eventually seek out a war towards Asgard, is highly inappropriate for a kingdom which is supposed to be a role-model," another man stated.
"Assuming none of them will ever seek out a war is naïve! Or have you forgotten what happened with Swartelfheim? Or Jotunheim for that matter!" a third one exclaimed as he rose from his chair to make the power of his statement stronger.
"I agree! Those imbecilic Frost Giants have been bugging Asgard like a plague ever since that incident! We don't need any more like those on our tale," the one sitting beside Loki agreed as he slammed his fist into the table. It made Loki glance down at the veins bulging out beneath the skin of the man's clenched fist.
"The council is split all-father. What is on your mind?" a fifth man then questioned when the disagreements continued, making everyone raise their gaze towards Odin, who sat by the end of the oval table.
For a moment, everything was silent to the point where only the crackling fire from the torches was heard. And then, Odin slowly rose from his chair, both hands firmly placed on the edge of the table as he leaned in over it a little.
"A wise King never seeks out war," he began as he let his eye wander between the council members, the light from the torches reflecting in the golden surface of the patch that covered the other. "But he must always be prepared for it."
The familiar quote made Thor and Loki catch each other's eyes across the table, both of them clearly remembering that phrase repeated throughout their childhood.
Standing up straight as the golden cape straightened out behind him, Odin continued, the certainty of his voice never wavering. "For the sake of Asgard and all its inhabitants, we must always be shielded from any potential danger," the King stated.
"But all-father; building a defense wall all around Asgard?" one of the men interrupted in concern, for the first time letting the princes know what the whole meeting was actually about. "Who would even be able to complete such a task?"
"I will take the offer!"
The sound of a new voice echoing through the hall made the entire council direct their attention towards the gates, watching in surprise as an unfamiliar persona trudged closer. The sudden interruption even made Thor turn in his seat, a slight frown finding its way onto his forehead at the sight of the broad man.
Despite all the skeptical looks now resting on him, the stranger kept a smirk on his face when he approached the council table, giving a small bow as an apology for his sudden presence. "I apologize for the interruption mighty all-father, but I was strolling by the open gate and couldn't help but overhear; you are planning what sounds to be a pretty huge project, am I correct?" he questioned quit confidently, regardless of how misplaced he was among the mighty council.
The lag of hesitancy immediately had an unsettling effect on Thor, and he had no intention in leaving his skepticism unspoken. "And who are you supposed to be?" he questioned firmly "What is your purpose here? What is discussed in the council is none of your business," he made clear and stood from his chair, the uncomfortable sound of it skootching across the polished floors, resounding through the halls.
"My apologies you Majesty - Forgive me for not announcing myself," The broad man apologized and bowed his head "It so happens I am a very experienced mason. I have traveled far and wide through the realms, and have the experience and abilities to single-handed construct the wall you desire."
"That's impossible!" Thor growled and hocked his fingers into the strap of his hammer that until now had rested by the side of his chair. Odin, however, waved him off before he could get any further.
"And what sort of payment, do you wish for in return for your creation of this wall, mason?" The old King asked curiously, telling his eldest son to sit back down by a simple motion of his hand.
The mason shrugged a little. It didn't take long for him to come up with an answer though, giving away that he had given it plenty of thought beforehand. "Big projects crave big payments, although I consider my request rather small compared to what you will be given in return," he said.
Although it was well hidden, the slight bit of slyness in his voice did not pass Loki unnoticed. After all, he had practically invented that mischievous tone himself. However, the young Asgardian continuously stayed silent for now and let the mason speak out.
"In the return for Asgard's total safety for centuries to come, I only ask for three simple things," The mason continued "The Sun, the Moon and the hand of Valhalla's own Goddess Freya. In return, you will get a wall so tall, so thick and so dense, no being in this or any other realm will be able to penetrate its defense," he announced with a noble bow to follow, as if the price for his work sounded more than fair to everyone.
Skeptical muttering immediately exchanged between the council members, all of them finding the payment much more advanced than they liked to agree to.
"Wait, which son is he talking about?" Thor questioned somewhat nervous as he looked to Odin for answers.
"Not 'son' you moron - The 'Sun'," Loki corrected him with a roll of his eyes. This made Thor fall more at ease, though it didn't quite make the case that much better.
"That's madness," one of the council members whispered.
"Indeed. We can't exchange celestial bodies for a wall! Let alone an Asgardian woman!" another one agreed, the tension only growing as the council thought the circumstances through.
Nevertheless, everyone once again fell silent when Loki raised his finger to add something to the discussion. "If I may interject for a moment," he began and leaned forward in his chair to gain eye contact with the mason by the table's end. "I can't help but emphasize the fact that you offer to complete this enormous task all by yourself? A wall so thorough strong as you describe it will take a very long time to build," he stated thoughtfully.
The other Gods direct their skeptical looks back at the mason, but the broad man just smiled confidently. "I'm afraid you are mistaken your Majesty," he said despite how obviously right Loki was, "If given the task, I can have your wall finished in nothing more but three seasons, starting from tomorrow."
The mason's certain claim made the council mumble skeptically once more, all of them finding it hard to believe that his statements were true.
"I've had enough of this nonsense," Thor growled and clenched his fists on top of the table "This whole thing is highly unsettling. I say we turn him down this instant! No being in the nine realms would possibly be able to build such a wall in only three seasons!" he claimed, only loud enough for his father and brother to hear.
"Exactly," Loki spoke thoughfully "It is highly unlikely that he will finish in time."
"What is this now? Are you trying to mock me?" Thor spat out in annoyance, but Loki just calmly folded his hands on the table.
"Quite the reverse, brother - I actually do agree with you," Loki assured, though Thor was still a bit suspicious. "In terms of time, the mason's offer is an impossible task. Instead of turning him down, however, I suggest we agree to his price, but set him up for strict conditions. When he fails to meet the terms, we will simply use whatever he has reached to build as the foundations for the rest of the wall."
Loki's well-crafted suggestion drowned in the mumbling of the rest of the council, but Odin had listened carefully to every word. And when he raised his hand, the cauncil immediately fell silent.
For a while, it felt as if everyone held their breaths before the King finally spoke. "We will accept your offer," Odin said. The simple words send a shockwave of disbelieve through everyone around the table. However, just when the council members began to protest, Odin once again raised his voice above the crowd. "On the conditions that you must complete the task single-handed and in nothing more, but one season."
Although this appeared to be even more impossible than the task the mason had suggested himself, the big man was surprisingly hopeful with the terms. "You have yourself a deal All-father~," he said, causing some of the council members to let out a small chuckle, the Asgardians finding the acceptance of such an offer so ridiculous that it was amusing.
"I have but one wish, however, before everything is completely settled," the mason then added, once again grasping the council's attention.
"What now?" Thor muttered in annoyance, but the mason just continued unaffected.
"My faithful stallion Svadilfari has been my companion throughout all of my constructions. Having him by my side throughout the creation of this one would only bring your wall more strength. This will be my final addition to our deal," the mason said.
Odin studied the mason thoughtfully while the council quietly discussed the matter. However, when Loki cleared his throat, the old King moved his attention towards his youngest son.
"Father. If I may interfere once again," Loki began when he had caught his father's eye, "It is already a task of such difficulty that we can be certain on our side. What much of a difference can a horse make?" he said with a confident shrug, having both Odin and Thor's thoughtful eyes rest on him as he spoke.
"Very well," Odin then said firmly and returned his gaze back to the mason, "As you wish, so be it. Your stallion may contribute in the makings of the wall," The King announced, ignoring the skeptic murmuring there was to follow from the council. "But know that if the wall does not rise around Asgard by the time of the last day of winter, the Sun, the Moon and Freya will remain out of your possession, and you will leave Asgard without payment."
The confident smirk only remained on the mason's face by the All-father's agreement. "If all goes well, neither of us will be disappointed, your Majesty~,"
. . .
"Are you mad?" Thor questioned somewhat harshly when he caught up with his brother on the way out of the dark halls.
"Possibly, but you have to be more specific than that," Loki simply answered, although he had a feeling of what his brother referred to.
Not having the patience for Loki's games, Thor irritably stepped in front of the trickster, forcing him to stop by placing a firm hand on his chest. "The mason," Thor growled as low as possible, hoping to avoid attracting any further attention to the two of them. "If I could tell something was off about him you sure could as well. So why did you convince father to take the offer?"
"I did not convince him," Loki huffed and moved Thor's hand away from his chest. "I simply stated that a horse wouldn't make much of a difference. Thanks to me, we avoided yet another discussion that would have lasted longer than neither of us care to sit through. The act of accepting the offer itself was none of my doing," the young man assured with a lifted chin, confident with his case despite his brother's suspicion.
"You better hope your assumptions are correct, unless you want the entire council on your tale," Thor muttered as the two picked up their walking once again.
Loki still didn't show the slightest concern towards the matter. "Please, brother, you know just as well as I that meeting a deadline of one seasons on such massive a project is practically impossible," Loki assured assertively.
"Practically?" Thor repeated in slight concern, but Loki just continued.
"Have faith in my judgement. By the winter's end, you will come to realize that this deal has only been a benefit to Asgard."
. . .
