The dark passageway smelled of wood smoke and mildew. In the distance,
the roar of the crowd could be heard over the pounding of drums. They
used to play here, thinking about what it would be like to be king.
Running up and down the passage, each one having his turn as ruler.
But even then, it was just pretend for him. It was always pretend for
him. What chance did he ever have against the golden son?
He belonged in the shadows. Blending in with the darkness, he melted
away from them; because for them, he was never more than a shadow.
His leather shoes made almost no sound as he walked slowly down the
familiar corridor. His emerald cape swished as it lightly kissed the
stone floor. The music and the sound of the crowd grew louder as he
paused briefly behind a wall of soft golden fabric. He shivered, but
not from the cold.
Echoes of their young voices reached his ears, their games, their
secrets. What he would give to have that all back. They had spent
hours planning this day, their day. But now it would be real for one
of them.
He never wanted any of this. But his brother did. Even when they were
younger, his brother was already planning his great conquests. He
smiled softly. They were so different, but that is why it was special.
Loud footsteps and the shattering of glass pulled him from his
thoughts. A muffled cry of "another!" reached his ears. This was his
brother, and the least he could do was wish him well.
"Like a king" Those words he really meant. He pulled away and watched
Thor walk into his moment. The moment that was planned for him from
the beginning. He followed, to take his place at the king's side.
He belonged in the shadows, the cold, the dark. He would never fit
here, with Thor. He would never be the one, who was glorious, loved,
revered. And he knew it. But his time was dawning; he would wait.
This was his life.
This was the life of Loki Odinson.