80 years later…
It wasn't as if they hadn't fought together before, they had on numerous occasions. Yet, Thor conceded, they had never fought together at a disadvantage before.
They were surrounded and outnumbered.
One glance to his left at Loki told him all he needed to know, the creased brow of his brother's as their eyes met in agreement confirmed his fears.
For the first time in hundreds of years, Thor allowed himself to be pushed to his knees, sword pressed against his neck.
"One move Odinson. One move" spat the foul breath of the leader of attackers.
"If you kill me, I have no control over what will become of you" Thor warned, he knew far too many warriors for his death to go un-avenged. The man laughed.
"You think your friends can help you now? Alone in the forests of another world? With nothing but a trickster to your aid? Where, Odinson, is your mighty defence?"
Loki slumped where he knelt and Thor knew their attackers hit home. The words were not for Thor, directed and spoke to him, yes, but this man was far smarter than that, he knew that by attacking Loki's fierce lack of confidence, he could break their defence. He knew how strong a weapon Loki truly was, this man was no fool. He didn't underestimate his brother.
If there was only a way for Thor to make Loki see. Thor's muscle was of no use now, they were too outnumbered, but Loki. His brilliant Loki with his quick wits and powerful magic could save them.
Yet one look at the man he loved made his heart sink. Loki believed this man. He thought himself too weak.
The men surrounding them started to laugh and jeer at the mighty princes of Asgard, how easily they fell when not surrounded by others. Were these, weak shells truly the best Asgard had to give? Thor pummelled the earth with frustration, chains digging into his skin hard.
It was hopeless.
Amidst the laughs and Thor's display of angst, everyone missed the thin smirk that flickered across the tricksters face.
He even had Thor fooled. Good. This meant his plan would work.
"Please." his voice was croaky and weak. Thor's worried eyes surveyed his lover carefully, had Loki truly given into their fate? "Please, at least let us have some water. You've pursued us for three days, we've had little time to rest, at least allow us that before you take your prize." he inwardly praised himself, he almost believed the weak little boy act himself.
If there was only some way Loki could make Thor know of his plan.
The man laughed,
"Very well, let the cattle drink before slaughter."
"Thank you" Loki croaked humbly, and then it occurred to him.
He projected his voice into Thor's head;
Thor, if you flinch so help me I will kill you myself. Good. Now keep your eyes down, no not at me, the floor. Now when I say ready, I need you to break the chains around your wrists understand? I know you can love, and its vital you wait until I say ready. Trust me.
Thor could hardly believe his ears, surely it was his imagination praying Loki had a plan. He didn't dare steal a glance at his brother. Ironic, he thought, to die next to the one he loved, and not able to have a last look at the beautiful features he had memorised over the years.
Trust me. Loki's last words lingered in Thor's mind. He did trust Loki, with his life.
The man turned his back, his cockiness proving to be his undoing.
"Ready!" Loki roared, springing to his feet with a coiled fury he had hidden skilfully. Thor snapped the chains with ease, pivoting around Loki to break the chains binding his brother also. This happened seconds before anyone could register what was happening.
By the time their attacker turned around, Loki cast a spell so powerful, it knocked the closest ten men off their feet and out cold. Dirt and soil flew up around them. None had a clue what was happening.
Thor smirked at Loki, pride barely hidden in his features. No, Loki's expression warned.
They weren't out of his yet.
They circled, back to back and each drew their swords.
Loki had ridden them of the immediate danger, they were only outnumbered 10 to 2 now. It was Thor's turn. He assessed, there were only three men of true danger, the rest looked to be adequate fighters, match enough for Loki, easy for Thor. He could see now a way out. It wasn't so doomed after all. Fear and doubt flickered in the faces of all the men against the brothers.
"Confident now?" Thor taunted "Who will be the first to fight the princes of Asgard?" three ran towards them.
A sharp glance at Loki said he was ready. Arm outstretched, he grabbed Loki's own and swung his brother up sword-like, kicking two down, spinning again to punch the third out cold. It was a move they had perfected over the years.
They grinned at each other.
"Swing's a bit lazy today isn't it?" Loki taunted as they once again, circled back to back.
"I'll swing at you in a minute" Thor grunted as the remaining seven decided to attack on mass.
Thor fought the majority, leaving Loki with two. Tough, they acknowledged, but bearable.
They refused to think of the other in settings like this.
The fear they felt for the other's life was too strong, and would break their concentration. It still didn't stop the worry that swarmed their minds subconsciously though.
They were experienced fighters, yes, and they knew their strengths, but they still feared that one day one or both of their lucks would run out.
Twice Loki was knocked back before he managed to get a good enough lunge to kill both men with one short sweep, by which time Thor had only two opponents remaining.
The big oaf looked like a child playing a game, Loki mused. It wasn't even a fair match, Thor was by far the strongest out of the three large men fighting.
Soon it was over and they could both take a breath.
Relief washed over them as they saw neither was badly hurt, apart from a small cut or two, a bruise here and there. Nothing when they looked at the carnage around them.
Loki grinned at Thor, who began to return one before danger flashed through his blue eyes.
He reached out a hand to Loki but it was too late "NO!" Thor shouted.
The leader had woken, and was now behind Loki, dagger pressed sharply to the younger's neck.
Loki licked his bleeding lip, straining to see his attacker.
The mans foul breath stained the air;
"That was quite the show Asgardians. I wonder how you planned the attack? No doubt trickery!" he dug the dagger closer to Loki "You came very close. Too close if I'm being honest. But not. Close. Enough" he spat the last words and began to laugh as he saw the fear, as Loki did in Thor's eyes.
Thor edged closer, dropping his sword and putting his hands up. It was true, the only thing Thor would loose a fight over was Loki. Now his life was on the line, Thor was giving in.
"Druthbar, we both know you don't want to do this. We're sorry for intruding, we underestimated you. Let my- let Loki go, and we will leave, no harm done" Thor tried his best at reasoning, Loki rolled his eyes. As much as he loved him, Loki agreed with the others that Thor couldn't form a convincing argument if he tried. Now was Loki's turn.
"Do it Druthbar. We did kill your men after all, what's one prince's life when so much blood has been spilled already?" he saw fear in Thor's eyes again, he shook his head against Loki's words "Kill me!" he shouted "If you're a man. Do it. But I have a request." He held up a hand.
"Do you really think your in a position to bargain, prince?" Laughed Druthbar.
"Do you not realise the power you are taking on? Killing an Asgardian prince, there would be a high price over your head. If you want to win, I suggest you listen to me" Loki breather heavily, the knife cutting him slightly. "No magic. I swear on my word." Loki put his hands up, and Druthbar exhaled.
Thor shifted from foot to foot restless. He could not watch Loki die. He couldn't.
"Name your price" the attacker grunted.
"Kill me. In return for the spear we came for." Druthbar made a noise of protest "Listen. You get to kill me, avenge your men and keep Asgard's army out of your land. All for the price of a spear which to you is but a mere trophy. It's a fine deal" Loki could hear Druthbar's brain ticking over.
Thor saw the inward struggle the man was in. Fear twisted in the pit of his stomach. How could Loki expect him to watch him die? Did he not understand the love between them? Of course he did. He just knew their duty came above emotions. Thor should remember that. He couldn't accept it.
"Deal" the man spat.
Thor's heart sank. There was nothing he could do, and Loki refused to meet his eye. Tortured, Thor began to walk towards the spear that was the prize they had come for. Tears slipped down his cheeks, knowing that the moment his hands clasped the metal spear, his love's life would be taken. There was nothing Thor could do, his sword was on the ground, and a deal was a deal. Loki had bargained this wager himself. Thor's hands were bound by his own honour.
No last words were spoken, their eyes didn't meet for the last time.
So this was the end.
Thor drew a ragged breath and picked up the spear, his heart breaking as he heard a body slump to the floor.
"Loki!" Thor gasped, spinning around to see the man he loved, bleeding on the floor, Druthbar running away through the woods.
Instead, the image was not as he expected. Loki was no on the floor, but very much on his feet, bloody dagger dripping in his hands. Druthbar, dead at his feet, eyes wide in shock. Their eyes met, Loki's wide own and Thor's watery pair.
"Will you ever not fall for that? Stupid oaf." He dropped the dagger, and ran to throw his arms around Thor, who let a sob of relief pass past his lips.
"You idiot. I thought you dead! Do you know what you just put me through?" He held Loki tightly.
"And there was me thinking I was the one who just faced death?" Loki laughed "I'm here, see? Safe and sound. Thor your squishing me!"
"You couldn't let me in on the plan? I don't care, take the pain" He laughed in relief. They were safe.
"Oh because your such a good liar aren't you! Those eyes couldn't keep a secret if you tired" Loki spoke fondly, leaning against Thor's shoulder.
"I really hate you sometimes." Thor mumbled, kissing his hair and down the side of his head to Loki's lips.
"I love you too" they smiled as their lips met.
It was a kiss of relief, neither could get close enough to the other.
"For a minute there, I thought we were both dead" Thor sighed.
"For a minute" Loki conceded, smiling "so did I."
They began to walk quickly away from the haunted place.
Silence hang comfortably between them, as the took each other's hands, matching their strides.
It was minutes later, as Thor shifted his hold, that he realised what he held in his hand.
"Loki, we did it!" realisation sank in fully, holding up Odin's spear, that had been taken by Druthbar's men in a short but successful raid of Asgard. How they had don't it, none knew, for it had never happened before. The brothers had offered to retrieve it, as it offered them time alone, and between Thor's strength and Loki's magic, no one put up a fight against them going alone. They just hadn't expected Druthbar to play as dirty as he had.
"We did" Loki agreed, never one for outward displays of victory like Thor, but his eyes showed his true pleasure at their win. He never truly lost the childish need to please Odin, even as a grown man. Something, Thor guessed, that stemmed from their childhood and the rivalry that had been set up between them.
Thor tightened his hand around Loki's own. He held the spear out to Loki.
"This was your win. You take it back" Thor saw his brother's eyes warm at the gesture. No words were spoken, but an understanding lingered in the air between the lovers. Loki's eyes were grateful as he took the spear.
"Let go home, ready?" Loki asked Thor. He was tired, it had been a long day, and it would be an even longer night, if the Asgardian court had anything to say about it. Any victory, no matter how small, constituted a feast in their eyes. Loki simply wanted o be alone with Thor, and Thor wished nothing more for the same in return. It has been a long day.
"Nooo" Thor whined like a baby "Loki you know I hate travelling by magic, it makes me feel sick!" Loki laughed at the pitiful look in his eyes.
"Then walk home. See you in a hundred years" Loki began to walk away jokingly.
"Fine, fine. I'll come" he ran after him "but if I'm sick, I know who it will be on Loki!" his voice boomed through the forest, and Loki yelped as he ran from his brother, their laughter mixing as Thor chased him.
"Whose scared now, huh?" He called as a flash of green disappeared though the trees, a red flash following soon after.
"You'd have to catch me first love!" Loki called over his shoulder.
Asgard wasn't going anywhere, perhaps, they could afford to stay away a while longer.
