Sighing, Loki pushed a stray strand of hair from his face. He had spent the past three hours pouring over ancient scrolls and books in search of a way to hide his recent acquisition. Despite wanting to raise the child in the palace and introduce him to Mother, he knew that would only lead to disaster.
Ever since Loki had mistakenly revealed his ability to walk the paths of the great tree to foreign worlds to his father, Odin had forbidden him from using them to travel. Odin had expressly forbidden interaction with the realms beyond the nine and if he saw Legolas, the young elf would be thrown into the Bifrost with no care for the destination. While this punishment is suitable for traitors to the crown, the child would not be strong enough to survive the trip.
Despite only knowing the child for less than an hour, he already felt a kinship towards the young elf. Loki knew that he would gladly give his life to prevent the child from coming to harm. Even the thought of Legolas being endangered made him want to scream and cry in anger.
Pulling a yet another book from one of his many shelves, Loki continued his research. In order to raise the child away from Asgard, he would have to create a way to prevent his absence from being noticed. His movements were not closely monitored but he still couldn't disappear for a few hundred years without a war being started. Loki would need something… a word caught his eye. A shade!
A shade is perfectly suitable for the task. A shade is a creation that acts according to how those around it believe it should act. It needs no instruction beyond the initial spellcasting and creation, it could function for over a century before it begins to fade.
Mildred, the White Witch created the spell to help her deal with making the potions and remedies for her many customers. When she died it was almost two hundred years before her death was discovered. The shade continued functioning until it ran out of magic and began to fade. As long as Loki kept it field, he should not have the same problem
It would have no real thoughts or emotions that were not projected onto it, in contrast to cloning which would create a conscious copy. As long as nobody paid much attention, the shade would work fine. More than fine, it would be perfect.
Grabbing a quill and parchment from his desk, he scribbled a short not to Hela. He would need someone to watch Legolas while he prepared for the spell. Scooting his chair back quietly, he stood and walked back to the bedside. He drew runes in the air and whispered, his eyes glowing green with seidr, and the protection spells fell into place around the elfling.
Hela, of course, responded promptly. She would refuse to admit it but she absolutely adored children. She appeared in Loki's chambers as he was finishing up a list of supplies he needed to gather for the spell.
"Hela, thank you so much for coming. I-" He stopped short as the powerful woman waved a dismissing hand at him.
"Yes yes, good to see you. Where is the child?" Her green eyes scanned the room.
"In my bed, sleeping." Loki made as if to show her but Hela again waved him off.
"Hmm. You can come to get him when you are finished with your…" She wiggled her fingers in rough imitation.
"magic construct. Do not hurry."
Lok watched her exit the room with a raised eyebrow. Had it really been so long since she had seen a child? Ah yes, the realm of the dead. Not much time for visiting children there.
"Oh, Darling! I am your Auntie Hela. Oh, you poor thing." There was a loud snap and Hela's voice disappeared. Loki didn't have to look to know that she had already returned to her realm.
-Three Weeks Later-
The golden prince of Asgard paraded merrily through the halls. Alfheim had just sent a message requesting acid dealing with a rampaging baloth, vicious creatures known to tear men apart with their great jaw and fierce rage. The Warriors Three and Sif had already agreed to accompany him, but he would greatly prefer the aid of his brother. Thor would never admit it, but Loki's acid was invaluable to him. His tricks and magecraft had saved his life more times than he would count. He also felt bad for not speaking to him in nearly a month, it would be good to hear his brother's sarcastic comments again.
"Loki! We have received great news!" He pounded on the door and pushed it open without bothering to wait for an answer. As expected, Loki was seated at his desk surrounded by papers and books and looking extremely annoyed.
"Thor! What is the point of knocking if you just barge in any way?" The raven brother cried, exasperated. Thor chuckled. Loki said this every time without fail.
"We have an adventure brother. A baloth is rampaging in Alfheim and our acid had been requested."
"No," Loki replied, short and clipped.
"Please Loki."Thor clasped his hands together, begging.
"I am busy." Loki turned a page and jotted something down/
"You can do that later."
"Go with your friends."Loki did not even look up
"But Loki," Thor whined. Loki finally looked up, his face revealing the irritation he felt. He set his quill down and sighed.
"Fine." Thor's face lit up and he broke into a huge grin. Before he could say anything Loki interrupted.
"I will meet you by the stables in an hour, Just let me finish this and get ready."
"Of course brother." He turned and strode proudly out the room, intent on packing his bags for the journey.
The man at the desk stood and began organizing papers and shelving books. His face showed no emotion and his motions were almost mechanical. The door leading to the bedroom swung open softly and Loki did not react as a copy of himself stepped over the threshold.
The doppelganger grinned and his eyes flashed green.
"Perfect." He said before stepping through a rift and disappearing.
The first Loki continued his mechanical motions as if nothing had happened. Stepping away from the shelves and toward the door, his eyes flashed blue as they caught the light.
A lifeless dead blue.
