Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favourited or followed this story! :D
Loki watched this little skirmish while leaning calmly against one of the white columns at the other end of the room, veiled in the gloom. He silently slipped through the doorway next to him, closer to the east sleeping quarters.
He shook his head in mock forlornness. "I really was just going for a walk."
The golden light from the torches danced in fiery flickers throughout the corridor, their shadowy partners dancing with them. Loki's own slender shadow was lengthened slightly against the wall next to him. He turned to it with a dark smile.
"Would you like to walk along with me?"
The shape of his shadow shifted until it was the exact proportions as him, and then it nodded silently, but very eagerly. Shadows got lonely too, apparently, even though they were always right there.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Loki grinned as his silhouette self detached its feet from the bottom of Loki's black boots and ghosted beside him against the wall.
He supposed it could be considered strange to conjure his own shadow to life for a companion on a trip around the palace, but it wasn't as if Loki had anyone else to walk with, anyway. Except for Thor.
Loki and his shadow stealthily made their way together through a few more passageways and rooms to the castle's east bedchambers before his companion suddenly held up its hand in a halt. Loki raised an eyebrow. The shadow soundlessly motioned for him to wait, and then its shape grew and twisted into the silhouettes of three more guards leaning against a fireplace and talking, all with goblets in their hands.
Loki rolled his eyes, sighing. The Allfather really needed to do something about the guards drinking during their watches.
He mouthed a silent "thank you" to his shadow; it had changed back to its usual willowy form, then had gestured that the scene it had illustrated was just around the corner.
An impish smile darted across Loki's lips.
Author's Notes: Hope you enjoyed the chapter and will let me know what you think of it!