Disclaimer: I don't own Thor.
The Healer and the Blossom
Chapter 2
Loki, Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three had been riding for a few hours before they came upon a small clearing to the side of the path on which they were travelling. They decided to stop for their mid-day meal and dismounted onto the soft, grassy ground.
Fandral and Sif were loudly continuing their debate that had started when to two friends had pitched their steeds in a race against each other during the morning.
"You know very well that I am the better rider Fandral, and I always have been. Admit it!"
"Come now Sif, you cannot deny that I was ahead of you during our race. The evidence is clear that I am the better rider, not you". He looked back and arched an eyebrow at the annoyed women behind him before beginning to unpack his saddlebags and prepare the food that they had brought.
Volstagg walked to the edge of the clearing and collected a few pieces of firewood. He stacked them up in the centre of the field before turning to Loki with a questioning look.
Loki rolled his eyes. The others made no secret what they thought about his use of magic in battle, but they had no qualms about taking advantage of his skill to make things easier and more comfortable in the wilderness. He stretched out a pale hand and flicked his fingers, lighting the kindling. The fire started out with a green hue before settling into a more natural yellow.
The companions released their horses to graze in the vicinity. Their mounts were trained not to wander off too far from their riders, even in the midst of battle.
Once the food was laid out the six Asgardians sat down on the long grass underfoot. They enjoyed a moment of peaceful silence. The sunlight was filtered through the gently swaying leaves on the tall trees surrounding them. Mixed in with the grass in the clearing were small bunches of purple wildflowers. A log was laid across one edge of the clearing, moved there by some traveler in the distant past, and used by many people through the years as a place to rest and enjoy the nature that Asgard held.
Unsurprisingly, the silence was broken by Thor. "Remember the time we went on a trip to Uskral Mountains? When we tracked down the laerlot that had been terrorizing the people around?"
"Ah, of course! Now that was an exciting trip. Though it was a bit cold if you ask me." Fandral replied, eyes lit with the memory. "I very much prefer to adventure on a day such as today, with the sun shining overhead and palace close enough to return to in the evening to enjoy the feast and the company."
"But you must admit, friend, that fighting the laerlot was an exciting challenge. It gave a mighty fight before I struck it down with a blow from Mjolnir."
Sif now spoke up. "As I recall I was the one who gave the creature a mortal blow with my blade. You simply finished it off".
Loki recalled the trip up the mountains as well. They had received reports of a large, cat-like beast that had been attacking the Asgardians who lived in the area. As soon as word reached Thor he had taken it upon himself to embark on a glorious quest to defeat the beast and save the people. It had been one of the first of many adventures that the group partook in.
The cold had not bothered Loki, and he had taken great joy in constantly reminding the others of this fact as they shivered. It probably hadn't helped that Loki occasionally hidden their gloves and overcoats. They got them back eventually, but the colours had been altered. Loki's amusement at seeing Hogun wearing a bright pink jacket had been long lasting.
The others had been quite exasperated with him upon receiving their clothes back, but to make up for the joke Loki had imbued the items with warming spells. His companions had grudgingly thanked him for the extra comfort and Loki changed the clothes back to their normal state before approaching the palace.
As the friendly banter continued, Loki noticed that Volstagg was being unusually quiet. He usually enjoyed participating in the retelling of tales and quests. Even his appetite seemed diminished. That's not to say that he ate less, but Loki noted that he consumed his lunch with somewhat less gusto than he usually did.
Hogun was also silent throughout the meal, but that was normal.
Eventually the troupe finished eating and packed up the campsite, making sure to leave nothing behind to attract unwanted animals to the area. They remounted their horses and set of down the path deeper into the woods.
Thor rode at the front on his white steed, leading the way. Next came Sif on a smaller, but no less magnificent, bay horse. The Warriors Three came after in no particular order, shifting their position in the line as it suited them. Loki brought up the rear on a black horse. They were all accomplished riders, but Sif and Loki were the best, despite Fandral's insistence otherwise.
Loki had difficulty with many of the weapons and fighting styles that other Asgardians favoured, but he had taken to riding right away. He loved the excitement of urging on a galloping horse, and the thrill of soaring over a jump that blocked their path. He was light and agile in the saddle, able to keep his seat better than many a warrior in the palace.
The princes and their friends continued their ride in the forest, not particularly caring where they went. They had all traipsed through the woods surrounding the city enough as children that there was little worry of them getting lost.
For once the focus of their trip was simply to enjoy their time spent outside, without tracking some beast to attack or seeking some sort of glorious battle. Loki enjoyed the ride, putting in the occasional comment into the discussion ahead of him, but mostly remaining in a contented silence.
He frowned as he saw Volstagg turn his head to the side and give a short, suppressed cough. He had dismissed his earlier observations he had made at lunch, as the rotund warrior had perked up and acted normal once they continued their journey. However, it appeared that maybe there was some cause for concern.
It was very unusual, but not unheard of, for Asgardians to be afflicted by sickness. They had hardy immune systems, built up by their natural physiology and by the fact that they lived for such a long time, causing their systems to encounter and built up defenses against many bacterial and viral infections.
Loki himself had gotten sick a few times when he was younger. He remembered spending time in the healing rooms under the kind but efficient care of Eir, the head healer. Thankfully, as he had grown older, he seemed to grow out of whatever had caused him to be ill more often than the others.
While he did not enjoy being sick, he had fond memories of the times his mother would come and sit by his bed. If he felt well enough they would sit and have long intellectual discussions until Loki needed to sleep some more. Sometimes, when he was feeling worse she would read out loud to him while he rested, or she would simply sit with him, holding his hand or carding through his hair to bring him comfort.
Thor would sometimes come visit as well, telling him of the adventures he had gone on while Loki was bedridden, exaggerating them ridiculously to make Loki laugh.
Loki was brought out of his memories by another louder cough from Volstagg. This time Loki wasn't the only one to notice.
"Are you feeling alright Volstagg?" Sif asked, and small frown puckering her forehead.
"Of course I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Vostagg's bluff, however, was ruined by another cough.
"Are you well enough to keep going? There are other days when we can ride."
Volstagg puffed out his chest a bit and said with pride, "I am not about to turn around and head back due to a simple cough. It is probably just something in the air. I'm sure I will feel better given a bit of time".
Sif gave him a doubtful look, but said nothing more.
The hours passed, the shade shifted and the sunlight deepened to orange rays. The riders were now heading back to the palace, hoping to get back before dusk fell.
Volstagg had been looking progressively worse as time passed. He coughed regularly, and he seemed very tired. Sif had been looking back regularly with a worried expression on her face. The others had begun to notice as well and were urging their horses on a bit faster than they would otherwise, hoping to get back to the palace quicker.
Finally, the city walls came into view. The doors opened immediately for the approaching group, the ever watchful guards having noted their approach. The princes clattered back along the streets upon which they had traversed earlier that day, followed by their companions.
Loki had been watching Volstagg closely, looking at the symptoms of whatever illness had affected the warrior. Loki had spent many an hour in the library, studying whatever topic had taken his fancy at the time. He had therefore spent some time learning about the healing arts and had some knowledge in the medical field.
He made note of Volstagg's cough and slightly heavier than normal breathing. He also appeared pale and lethargic, sitting heavily in his saddle as his horse bore him towards the stables.
When the stables came into view everyone dismounted. "Volstagg, you need to go see a healer. You are obviously unwell," Thor stated with concern.
Volstagg made some ineffectual protests, but his feet betrayed him as they turned in the direction of the healing rooms. The other two-thirds of the Warriors Three followed closely behind, with Sif, Thor and Loki bringing up the rear.
The day had started out very well, and the warm weather from the afternoon still lingered. The beauty of the evening, however, was lost on the small group who made their way to the healers, hoping that their friend was alright.
