Author's Notes: This is a sequel to my story "Of Gods and Dragons." Please go read that first to know what is going on exactly here. If you don't care to know or have read the first story, then be my guest. I hope to update as frequently as my schedule allows. :) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine except for Lokhor. This is a twist on The Dark World movie.
Chapter 1- Tidings
A high-pitched squeal sounded through the halls. The scamper of tiny feet could be heard coming down the stone corridor.
"Nanna come back here."
Loki leaned in the doorway she was standing in as she listened to the ruckus the small child was causing. Why did bath time always have to be so hard? Nanna never had a problem with it when Thor was around. Then again, the thunderer was a bit rougher when it came to handling the little ones than she was. Maybe that was it?
But Thor wasn't here to commandeer the situation like he typically did. The god of thunder was in Vanaheim on Odin's orders. There seemed to be bandits popping up in every realm these days. Loki certainly wondered if something was going on that they didn't know about. It was a strange coincidence that these things kept happening so close together and so suddenly. She would have to express her concerns when Thor returned, because her attention was needed elsewhere at the moment.
She followed after the blonde girl with slow steps. "Nanna, if you do not come back here, mother will be very upset."
"No!" the small girl whined as she ducked behind a large chair.
Loki was about to say something else when another brushed by her arm.
"Nanna listen to her and get in the bath."
Loki watched her son, Lokhor, as he went after his younger sister. He was actually taking the time to chase her down. Loki didn't mind it; it wasn't like she was going to waste energy doing it. She crossed her arms as she watched Lokhor chase Nanna around the room.
The two were so much like her and Thor when they were younger that sometimes it was frightening. Lokhor had Loki's raven black hair and smile, but the boy had received Thor's piercing eyes. The only oddity he had was the white patch of hair close to his left ear. Loki did not know why the strange coloring had appeared, but she had a feeling it was an aftereffect of what had happened to her through her pregnancy with him. There had been a madman that had used blood magic and cursed Loki. It could have been a residual effect of the curse or something else entirely. Loki was just happy that he was healthy and happy. Lokhor carried himself with a calm, intellectual demeanor for one his age. He was more like Loki…
Nanna was another story. Her golden locks and fiery attitude were a cause of great calamity within the halls at times. After multiple losses, Loki had finally given birth to her with much relief and delight. Nanna had Thor's looks in a beautiful feminine way, but that wasn't what captivated most people. She had Loki's emerald eyes. Loki was not obsessed with herself by any means, but she absolutely loved looking at her daughter's eyes. There was just something to them, some hidden mischief or secret, which made them all the more enthralling.
Loki's revelry was interrupted as something hit the floor with a loud thud. She glanced over to find a chair upturned. Lokhor was struggling to keep his sister in his arms as he dragged her over.
"I have her!" Lokhor stated. He teetered to the side as Nanna twisted sharply in his grasp.
Loki didn't know why Nanna was fussing so much today, but it needed to stop.
"Nanna go bathe before I call your father here. You do not want him making you do you?" Loki said sternly.
Nanna stopped struggling and pouted at her. Thor was the last person she wanted to deal with over such a minor thing. "Oookay," the small blonde replied grudgingly.
"What am I being called for?"
Loki looked over to see Thor in the doorway. His face was dirty and his armor had a new dent or two along the plating. Vanaheim had certainly done a number on him today.
She smiled and shooed the children down the small hall nearby, "Go. I will be along to check on you in a few minutes."
"No!" she heard Nanna's protest as Lokhor carried her off. They really needed to work on the girl's defiance to bathing.
Thor raised an eyebrow as Loki walked over to him. Her smile remained as she tapped a finger against a new dent. The metal popped back out and reshaped as if nothing had happened.
"Did I miss something?" Thor asked her quietly, "Or were you threatening the children again?"
"I was threatening no one Thor. I merely told Nanna that she either complies with a bath or I would have you talk with her."
"You mean deal with her."
Loki rolled her eyes and changed the subject, "How was Vanaheim?"
"The raids have been put to an end and the realm is safe once more. I have given Hogun leave to attend to his own people," Thor replied. The thunderer always gave her the reports even if she did not ask. It was better to exchange information than to leave one part of the upcoming throne in the dark.
"That is good news," Loki responded as she walked around Thor. She sat on a long couch as the thunderer watched her. Loki glanced up at him as he stood there, "Is there something else on your mind?"
Thor's gaze traveled to the high arched windows, "Father… has spoken of my taking of the throne… soon. Officially."
Loki's eyebrows rose. She wasn't surprised in the least but Thor surely seemed that way. "And this bothers you?"
"No…" Thor responded quickly, "It is just… I do not know if our family is ready."
Loki turned toward the god of thunder with a frown, "Thor, it matters not if we are ready. It matters if you are. Your children will live no differently than before."
Thor let out a sigh. His expression was still clouded with confusion. Loki rolled her eyes briefly and hit the cushion next to her, "Come here."
The thunderer complied with the order and was sitting by Loki the next moment. She took the opening to curl up to his side. She laid her head on his shoulder as Thor finally relaxed, "You worry too much… You have made an amazing father thus far and you will be a fine king."
"Has the thought ever occurred to you that I do not want the throne?"
Loki was taken aback by the question. Well… she had thought about it before, but that was when she had obsessively struggled to take the throne for herself. Loki really hadn't given it much thought after she married Thor. She had assumed he would eventually take the throne fully and that she would be by his side, queen or not.
"Why would you not?" she asked quietly. In all honesty, Loki almost liked the idea better. They didn't have to worry about politics or assassinations or looking proper or attending annoying festivities. But… who was better suited for the throne than her and Thor? If Thor didn't take it, Loki certainly wouldn't. It would be too… strange. And even if she chose to, Thor would be right back in his position in the court anyway as a protector.
Maybe that was all he wanted?
"Sometimes… I feel that it would not be right," Loki closed her eyes as Thor tried to express his thoughts. She felt a hand run through her hair, "Our life is hard despite the wonders of our accommodations. I… am not sure that I care for it. Asgard would be in betters hands if—"
"If what?" Loki almost snapped, "If someone else was on the throne? Thor I do not think you realize that there is no one else worthy of it. Not even me… And if you step away, do you expect Odin to remain on it forever? What happens when he… if…"
Loki let her words trail off. She didn't want to finish that sentence. It was a harsh reality she was presenting to Thor, but they had to be ready. They couldn't expect Odin or Frigga to be around forever. They had to take the lead at some point—and preferably before their parents were gone. At least Odin and Frigga would be around for a time to help if Thor took his position sooner.
They were quiet for a length of time. Loki wrapped an arm around Thor and just held him. This wasn't some feeling he was having out of the blue; it obviously had been bothering him for a time. Loki just wished he would have talked about it sooner. …Maybe he didn't know how to address it. Loki definitely wouldn't have known where to start with such a topic.
"All right," Thor breathed finally. His hand brushed through her hair again as he smiled faintly, "You have made a fair share of arguments. I am sorry for doubting the decision—"
"Every king has doubts, Thor," Loki leaned up and kissed his cheek, "We will have our victories and make mistakes. This is not one of them…"
Thor dragged Loki into his lap and kissed her. Loki didn't mind really. They had long since moved from the warrior's tower into a separate area. Loki loved the west tower. It not only shielded them from the prying eyes of the court, but it made for a magnificent view in the evenings when they really needed to wind down. Loki always found sunsets with Thor were one of the best calming remedies she could give him at times.
"Mother are you coming?"
Loki looked up to find Lokhor waiting for her. His tunic was soaked and he did not look amused. "Yes," she smiled at the young boy and got up. Nanna was a handful in the bath and she really needed to get back to her current dealing.
"We can discuss more later," she told Thor with a wink.
The thunderer raised an eyebrow at her but remained silent. He was calmer and more relaxed than before. Loki had made him feel better for the time being; what else could she really do?
Thor made his way out into the training area he reserved specifically for him and his friends to use. Sometimes having the Warriors Three and Sif away from the main courtyard was nice. Lokhor kept close to his side as they passed by a group in the corridor.
"Have you been practicing?" Thor asked the boy. The Three had been overly enthusiastic about getting Lokhor into their training sessions, and Thor had obliged under the strict order from Loki that their son would not be handling anything too dangerous. Did any of them listen to her warnings?
Of course not.
Lokhor had already shown plenty of natural skill with a sword and bow, so why would the Three hold him back? Thor was uneasy with Loki finding out, but typically he was in attendance at the training sessions anyway. If anything got out of hand, he could deal with it immediately and Loki would be none the wiser.
"Of course father," Lokhor responded. The boy glanced up at him as they walked, "Fandral says I can already shoot fairer than him!"
Thor found that hard to believe but he also knew Fandral liked to talk. "Oh really?" he stated, "Maybe we should have a match then?"
"Do you think I can win?"
"It is hard to say. I do not doubt your ability… but would it not be hurtful to Fandral's pride if you won?"
"I think he can stand to lose a little of his ego," Lokhor shot back.
Thor smiled. He was rounding on nine years, but Lokhor had as quick a tongue as his mother. What was the thunderer going to do someday? Be talked out by his wife and son? The thought was amusing and daunting.
"There you are!" Volstagg called over as they stepped out into the courtyard, "We've been waiting all day!"
Thor shook his head as the burly warrior waved both hands frantically to get their attention. Lokhor ran out to greet the warriors as Fandral got up from his seat on the nearby wall. "What are we planning today?" the blonde warrior called over.
"I challenge you to an archery contest!" Lokhor declared.
"Archery? My boy you know I am no good with that…" Fandral whined dramatically.
"The challenge has been declared Fandral," Thor grinned at the warrior, "You either accept or deny it."
"It'd be the death of my reputation if I declined," Fandral sighed to himself, "I agree then…"
The smile that lit Lokhor's face almost had Thor laughing again. He could never understand their interactions. They were as strange as Loki's odd relationships.
"Volstagg, why don't you run through some steps with him while I get the mark set up," Fandral commented over his shoulder as he walked off.
The burly warrior grunted in response and took up his axe, "All right."
"Outstanding!" Lokhor laughed. The boy ran over to the rack to find himself a proper weapon.
Thor shook his head and leaned against the small stone wall that ran along the outer ring of the courtyard. Volstagg tapped the blonde's arm with the back of his hand, "Takes after you."
"No, he does not," Thor responded. Lokhor certainly had some zeal in him, but his fascination was much like Loki's. He was much more studious than Thor had ever been and the boy held a keen wonder for the books Loki would hand him. His sights may have been on fighting while with the warriors, but his mind was on magic in the evenings.
"Come on now," Volstagg was watching Lokhor take his time. The boy's hands landed on a smaller sword and he brought it back over with a serious expression. "A sword today, eh?" Volstagg was mildly surprised. Usually Lokhor preferred axes or longer range weaponry.
Lokhor took his spot with the slim rapier in his hand. Thor watched his foot slide forward into a stance that was too wide. Lokhor looked down at his feet; it took a moment for his son to correct it. He was learning Fandral's style quickly after they had made him switch weapons. Lokhor would have a well-rounded understanding of just about every weapon once they were through the basics of everything. It was how Thor had learned, and he would be damned if Lokhor didn't at least have some of the same knowledge he had received.
"Ready?" Thor looked over at Volstagg. The burly warrior nodded with a cool look. His axe was resting against his shoulder in a relaxed stance. Volstagg really only had to worry about Lokhor's speed right now. His strikes would get stronger as time passed. Thor raised his hand and dropped it, "Then go."
Lokhor was immediately moving his feet and ducked under Volstagg's axe as it came slashing across the open air. The larger warrior was going kind of easy on him still, but that didn't mean Volstagg didn't have to try at times.
The burly warrior blocked a strike away with an armguard and shoved Lokhor backward. Thor watched his son take a couple steps back before regaining his balance. One too many steps. Lokhor brought his sword up in time to deflect Volstagg's axe.
Thor watched them for a time. The blows went back and forth with neither individual giving any ground. Lokhor's face broke into a fleeting smile at one point. Thor hoped he wasn't getting overconfident; his stance was still shaky and Volstagg could have knocked him down in a heartbeat if he chose to.
Two too many steps. As if the warrior had been given the order, Volstagg tripped Lokhor up the next moment. The raven-haired boy hit the ground with a yelp, his sword tumbling out of quick reach. He rolled onto his back but Volstagg stopped him from rising with an axe pointing close to his face.
"Watch your footing on that parry," Volstagg offered despite the menacing position of his weapon, "We wouldn't want you getting caught like that on the battlefield."
"And maybe you should watch your back more."
Thor blinked. Suddenly there was two of Lokhor standing in front of him. One on the ground and the other was holding his sword to Volstagg's back. Had his son finally mastered the illusion tricks Loki was teaching him? This was both good and bad.
Volstagg glanced over his shoulder at the other boy. Thor couldn't even tell which one was the clone. With Loki, he could only ever guess the real one with how they talked or paused in reaction times. And even those hints were few and far between… Lokhor had certainly outdone himself on this creation.
"Drop the axe," the second Lokhor stated. He prodded Volstagg's back gently to get his meaning across better.
Volstagg let out a sigh and chucked his weapon to the side, "All right. You got me this time."
The second boy smiled as the first got up. Lokhor retrieved his weapon as the second dissipated. Volstagg must have assumed the first was the fake, because his face contorted into shock. His eyes were wide as he looked at Thor.
Thor chuckled. He was about to give Volstagg a hard time when an icy voice spoke up next to him.
"I do not see what is so amusing."
Thor jumped. Volstagg's reaction hadn't been to the clone's disappearance. Loki was standing next to him with her arms tightly crossed. Her lips were pressed into a thin frown. It had undoubtedly been her clone of Lokhor and not one his son had conjured up!
…They were dead.
"Loki... good morning my—"
Loki didn't let his greeting go into any flattery, "Just what have I told you about training him like this?"
They had been caught. At least Lokhor hadn't been doing anything terribly strenuous this time… Loki really needed to relax.
"Answer me Thor," Loki's sharp eyes burned into him.
"Loki I think we need to consider the possibility of something happening…"
Loki hissed under her breath and turned away. She walked over to Frigga who was standing on the stairs outside the door, "The All-Father asks for your presence in the High Chamber. I expect you to go immediately."
Thor frowned but he couldn't refuse a summoning. He glanced at Volstagg and gestured with his head quickly. He didn't want Lokhor training if he wasn't present. It would only infuriate Loki more.
Volstagg looked disappointed but nodded in understanding. Fandral was watching from a distance. They would find something else for Lokhor to do. Thor followed after Loki and his mother. Loki was still fuming as they left the courtyard behind. Thor would have to talk with her later.
"Koi koi."
This game was becoming more annoying by the second. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn't allowed to play and had to watch Volstagg struggle through it. Lokhor wanted to hit his head on the table in front of him. He was practically playing for the burly warrior himself.
"Koi koi!"
Fandral seemed to be doing better at the table beside them. Lokhor looked over at him. He seemed to actually understand the game, unlike Volstagg. Why they had to drag him along to the backend of the markets to play a game he couldn't participate in was beyond him. He could have spent his time elsewhere studying or exploring.
The flash of gold eyes caught Lokhor's attention. The golden eyes were watching him from the shadows. It took Lokhor a moment to realize they belonged to a small cat. He glanced at the two warriors and then slowly got up.
Lokhor made his way between the tables and chairs of the tavern. The cat instantly bolted out the door as he came closer. Lokhor followed the creature out into the alley.
"Come here," he breathed as he chased it with a smile.
For some reason, ever since Lokhor could remember, animals never came near him. They avoided him at all costs. He still had no idea why it happened. Horses would shy away from him, saber cats wouldn't come near him, and all sorts of small creatures kept their distance. The only time he could touch an animal was if someone forced it to stay or held onto it.
The cat disappeared around a corner and Lokhor picked up speed to catch up. He turned the corner and found nothing. Lokhor glanced over his shoulder and then up to the edges of the rooftops around him. The cat was nowhere in sight.
His eyes roamed the corners and shadows for some sort of hole or crack that the feline could have escaped into. He moved forward. There were no holes in sight. Where had it gone?
A small breeze ruffled Lokhor's hair. White strands fell into his face and he brushed them away. He wondered about the white streak through his otherwise black hair. His parents had said it was something he was born with. It was another curious oddity in his life.
He watched dried leaves scatter ahead of him and then… Lokhor blinked. They disappeared. Had he imagined it? He watched as more leaves suddenly vanished a few feet in front of him. What was going on?
Lokhor took a step back and observed the strange phenomenon for a long moment. A thin wavering line seemed to stretch through the air around the lane. He wasn't going to go near the spot without knowing what it was. His mother had told him of places in Asgard where people could cross into different realms, but one right in the middle of Asgard's marketplace was highly unlikely. Should he go tell someone about it?
The raven-haired boy was about to turn back and find the warriors but curiosity got the better of him. Lokhor grabbed a rock and gently threw it at the anomaly. The rock disappeared into the ripples he could make out in the air.
Lokhor stepped forward and stuck his hand through the waves. His arm disappeared up to his elbow. He could feel a gentle breeze on the other side. The air was heavy, like it was going to rain. It was definitely a different place.
He glanced over his shoulder before stepping into the anomaly. The world changed in the blink of an eye around him. Lokhor looked around as he took careful steps across the stone floor. He was in some sort of decrepit building made of metal. He passed a shattered window and looked out. The ground was gray and looked cold and hard to the touch. What sort of stone was that? It was cracked in places and strangely shaped metal objects littered the rectangle area. Old buildings dotted the open ground beyond.
A laugh somewhere nearby made Lokhor turn. He followed the sound cautiously. His feet brought him into an open foyer that turned into stairs further down. The stairs seemed to descend in a square spiral that led into the depths of the giant building around him.
Where was he? A large tower?
He peeked over the rusting rail. His gaze followed a long drop where the stairs circled around in their square formation. Some kids were dropping items over the edge. Lokhor watched as a bottle disappeared some distance below, only to reappear a few feet above where the kids were standing.
It was amazing. They seemed to have found the same strange portal that he had, but theirs had its ending in nearly the same place.
"This is amazing," he heard an older female state.
"Yea, it's awesome. Give me your shoe," another spoke up.
Lokhor heard footsteps coming up the stairs. A brunette was walking up them and only paused to watch more items fall through the strange void. She held a box in her hands and was determined to figure out the hissing noises and flashing lights it was making.
Lokhor backed up as the woman continued to climb the stairs toward him. What if he was found? He didn't know where he was or who this woman was. She looked easy enough to defeat if he had to defend himself, but Lokhor didn't want to make a scene. Not if there were others with her…
He ducked down the hall he had come from as the woman's footsteps echoed on the stone.
Lokhor reached out for the place where he should have come out of, but his hand brushed nothing in the air. Where had the anomaly gone!? Did it have a different entrance on this side!?
Lokhor turned sharply as the footsteps approached. Where could he hide!? He was about to duck into one of the side rooms when something tugged at his body. The sensation of hands seizing his clothing and then dragging him backward was undeniable. Lokhor tried to brace his feet against the stones but they slipped along the surface as if it were ice. With a yelp, Lokhor stumbled forward straight at the wall at the end of the hall.
The worn metal around him disappeared and was replaced with black stone. Lokhor's eyes darted around the dark place he was suddenly standing in. His gaze dropped to his feet. "Ah!" Lokhor gasped and staggered away from the long drop off before him. He turned in his place and listened as his voice echoed around the hollow chamber. He was on some sort of rock outcropping in the middle of a tall, vast room now. He looked up at the high walls and then over the side of the ledge again. Either way seemed to go on for miles.
Lokhor followed the ledge toward a large, black block that sat in the middle of it. A menacing red glow emitted from the center of it. As he approached the large stone he noticed it was comprised of two stones, not one single piece. The top one was floating inches above the bottom one. The red glow was coming from between them. What was keeping the top stone up?
He stood on his tiptoes to see what the glow was. His eyes narrowed as a liquid flowed along the bottom of the floating stone. It looked like blood. Lokhor took a couple steps back. His mother's warnings rang clearly through his mind.
Never touch or approach something magical that you do not understand.
He had already broken that rule once.
Lokhor wanted to keep his distance. But he couldn't go further than the meager ledge he was given to stand on. How could he even get out of this place? He should have never touched the warped anomaly in the market in the first place. Not listening to his mother's warning had gotten him here. Now what?
He looked around again. "Hello?" his echoed voice was the only reply.
The silence that followed unnerved him. The one time he had wandered away and this had to happen. Lokhor mentally cursed himself.
A metallic ring brought him right back around. He stared at the stone blocks as they rung again. It was almost like music to his ears. Was it the strange liquid making the noise? "Hello?" Lokhor repeated.
The clatter of debris falling somewhere made Lokhor turn his head toward the drop off. In the second he was distracted, the red liquid lashed out from the center of the two stones. It curled around his wrist and pulled him against the bottom stone with a sharp crack.
Lokhor flinched and cried out as he felt his ribs hit the corner. Hopefully it hadn't cracked anything! He tried to fight against the hold but the strange liquid wouldn't let go. Was it alive!?
"Stop!" he pleaded as the strange solid-liquid tightened its grip. Suddenly, it dispersed and Lokhor shouted as it pierced his hand and wrist like thousands of little needles. As quickly as the thing had attacked him, it was coursing through his arm and under his skin. Lokhor dropped to his knees as he felt the strange entity crawl through his veins.
Pain lanced through the back of his skull and Lokhor closed his eyes in a silent scream. He felt his body hit the black stone beneath him as his body went numb. He twisted on the ground. Slowly, as if being rocked to sleep, he succumbed to the numbing blackness filling his mind. His body finally stopped moving as he lost consciousness.
