Chapter Four: Battle

Years later after Ellie's intense training she fights beside with the greatest of warriors. She is as respected as Lady Sith and possibly Thor. Everyone is happy for the young girl, but one is worried. Loki watches his princess closely, making sure she is in no real harm.

Loki sits in his room at his desk reading a mortal novel when a knock comes upon his door. He looks up to see the door cracking open. From the crap a fox ear is seen.

"Loki?" the soft gentle voice of his little says, "May I come in?"

Loki closes his book, "Of course, you are always welcomed here."

Ellie quickly steps in and closes the door behind her. "I've missed you Loki," she says.

Loki opens his arms to her. She quickly rushes to him and holds him tightly.

"I've missed you too," he whispers softy.

Ellie snuggles her face in the prince's chest. "Why don't you come to see me anymore?" she asks while holding back tears.

Loki's face becomes surprised, "I've just been very busy."

Ellie looks up to Loki. "But it has been months. I miss you so much big brother," she took a moment, "Is it because I have been fighting?"

Shocked Loki protests, "Of course not."

"But Loki it wasn't until I started fighting with the rest of the warriors that your visits have started to thin. Are you too worried I may get hurt, because if so I am strong, stronger than you may think."

Loki kisses Ellie's forehead. "It is not because of the fighting. Yes I do worry, but I do know you are strong. But this is no reason for my absence. I've just been extremely busy." Loki sees Ellie's pouting face. "Listen," he lifts her chin, "I promise to make more time for you."

"Promise?" she whimpers.

He nods, "Of course, I will come to visit you every day."

A smile came to Ellie's face as her ears came up. "Thank you Loki." She kisses his cheek and runs out the door. As she leaves Loki smiles and continues his reading.

Back in the training room Ellie holds a black katana. In front of her are three lit candles. She takes a stance and with one swift motion the wicks of the candles were cut off and the room was left dark.

"Good job Ellie," Zero's voice comes from the darkness. With a snap of her fingers the candles on the wall were lit making the room bright. Ellie covered her eyes for a moment allowing them to adjust to the brightness. "It's has taken you a while to hit all three correctly but you were able to do so perfectly now."

"Thank you," Ellie replies. "I'm glad that I will be mastering the katana, but I do prefer the rapier." Ellie lifts her sword up and shifts it to a new form, a long elegant rapier. "I mean the katana is a great weapon to battle, but the rapier fits more." Ellie take her stance as if she was a dueling with someone in front of her. She lunges, beats, and remises the air around her with great grace and elegance. "It just makes me feel more elegant."

Zero smiles at her student. "I know you adore the rapier Ellie, but a rapier isn't going to be the best weapon for every battle situation. What a rapier can do in one battle may not be good for another battle. Even in mid battle you could need a different weapon style."

"Yes I know Zero, and that's why I learn how to use as many weapons as possible," Ellie changes her rapier back into a katana. "Now what else is there to learn?"

Zero opened her mother about to tell her student, but was interrupted by Thor barging in.

"Ellie there's another battle in Muspelheim," Thor happily announces.

"Excuse me," Zero injects, "We were in the middle of a lesson."

"I'm sorry Zero, but I think keeping fire demons under control is more important than a lesson."

"No a lesson in how to control abilities and to learn weapon skills in order to coral fire demon and not get killed is more important than your little battle." Zero's face radiates with frustration.

Thor lowers his head, "I'm sorry Zero, I just-"

"No need for that. Just go, we'll meet you at the horse stalls soon." Zero waved Thor away and quickly left.

Ellie snaps her fingers downward and her white and green kimono fades into her battle uniform; a deep red long sleeved dress with a short hem line, black pants, dark brown leather gloves and boots, and gray metallic armor covering her shoulders, chest, and forearm.

"Let's go Zero!" Ellie yells as she runs out the room.

Moments later there at the stables and a guard is holding Ellie's pure white horse. She hops up from behind the horse and lands on the saddle with ease. "Let's get going Claudia."

They all race off to the biofrost across the rainbow bridge. Within minutes Muspelheim and the battle begin. With no hesitation Ellie formed a rapier and began striking Fire demons from her horse. One by one they went down. She notices out of the corner of her eye that she sees a demon creeping up on Fandral and she turns the rapier into a dagger and throws it right in the back making the demon collapse to the rocky ground.

"Thanks love," Fandral winks.

She waves as she creates a long spear will points at both ends. She leaps off her horse and swings her spear around taking out two demons down. She strikes to her left then right, she blocks and attack and stabs with a dagger. One after another, again and again they enemy fell. Ellie keep fighting until the signal was given to stop.

Once the horn roared she dissipated her spear and got on her horse. They rode off and was soon home.

"You're only thirteen and you are already a terrific warrior," says Hogun.

"Terrific indeed," agreed Volstagg, "Almost as good as you Sith."

"Now let's not get to ahead of ourselves. She is a great warrior, but she still has a long way to go," Sith turns and smiles to her mini-me.

Ellie smiles back and for the whole way home.

Back at the stables Ellie refuses to give her horse to the guard and insists that she will unsaddle her horse herself. She takes Claudia to her stall and unsaddles her and begins to brush. While brushing Claudia's snow white mane Ellie notices a small cut on her neck. It didn't look serious, but Ellie didn't want to take the chance of it getting infected. So Ellie set off to her room to gather some healing cream that Zero taught her to make.

She gets in her room and searches around on her large oak desk for the cream. Scanning over the many bottles and canisters on the desk she finds the light purple bottle she was looking for. She quickly grabs it.

"Everyone is give great praise out in the dining hall," a familiar voice comes from behind.

"Loki?" Ellie asks as she turns around. Once she sees her prince charming she smiles and rushes for a hug.

"It nice to see you too," he chuckles.

Ellie backs away a bit. "I'm sorry," she says, "I couldn't help myself."

"That's fine," Loki takes his hand and strokes it down Ellie's face. He notices a bit of blood on her cheek covered mostly by hair. He moves the blonde hair and sees a cut. "You're hurt" He says concerned.

Ellie touches her face and feels the sting once finding the cut. "Oh I didn't notice, no worry thou it'll heal soon."

Loki wipes his thumb across leaving only drying blood.

"You didn't have to heal it," Ellie remakes, "I would heal on its own."

Loki grins, "I know, I just couldn't bear to see your beautiful face hurt."

Ellie smiles as she leans her face into Loki's hand.

"Now why don't you go get cleaned up for the feast." Loki kisses Ellie's forehead.

"I will as soon as I go apply this to a wound to Claudia."

Loki nods, "I will send a hand maiden to assist you once you're back."

Ellie waves as Loki leaves her room. She quickly runs down to the stables. There stood her white steed Claudia. "Hi there girl," Ellie says, "I'm back." She takes to the bottle and uncorks it. Taking a small amount on her finger tips she gently rubs the light yellow cream one Claudia's wound. "There you go girl that should help you." After finishing the applying the cream she kisses her horse good bye.

Once back in her room she saw the hand maiden Loki had sent. "Hello there," she says. Ellie gives her a friendly smile. The maiden helps bathe and dress the princess. Once done Ellie thanks the hand maiden for her survives and runs to the great hall where the feast will be held.

"Ellie," a strong voice calls to her.

She looks to see Thor walking toward her.

"Hello Thor," she waves to the Asgardians prince.

"What a beautiful dress you are wearing tonight my lady," Thor flatters.

Ellie looks down to her whit fluffy sleeved dress and loose leather corset. "Thank you," she replies, "Have you seen Loki?" she grips the green pendent Loki gave many years ago.

"Why yes, brother sits by the fire place speaking to our mother."

"Thank you Thor." Ellie leaves her bother with a quick hug and rush to her Loki. As she passes by the people around her she says her hellos and thanks for the complements of the battle earlier today. Finally she gets to the fire place and eminently sees Loki. In that moment she runs and jumps into his arm. "Loki," she calls.

Loki quickly catches her and holds her tightly. For short, but sweet seconds he stood there holding her close to him as no one was looking. After the seconds he places her down gently.

"And where is my hug," Frigga says from behind.

Ellie smiles greatly and hugs her mother. "Hello mother."

"Hello Ellie, that is a beautiful dress you are wearing," Frigga complements.

"Thank you I have been took."

Frigga simply gives a loving smile, "Dinner will start soon." Then she leaves with the smile still on her face.

Loki comes for Ellie and embraces her gently. "I see that you like the dress I left for you," she whispers.

"No wonder I didn't recognize it, and yes I love it," she whispers back, "It is a gorgeous dress."

"White suits you well," he takes a breath, "It makes you look like a bride."

Ellie smile grows immensely. "Come dinner is going to start." Ellie leads Loki to the table where food it piled high. Ellie and Loki sit next to their brother Thor. After Odin gives his speech of how well the battle went and how proud he was to have Ellie as an honorary daughter and warrior they began their feast. Everyone was talking of the battle and how much Ellie has improved with her battle skills.

After dinner Ellie walks to her room and without changing collapses on her bed. "I'm so tired," she groans.

"We are going to have to work on you stamina aren't we"

Ellie turns her head to see Zero sitting on her desk in front of her. "You finally piped up," Ellie remarks. "You've been quite all night."

Zero took a breath, "I just thought you could have so you time, and you did well on your own today."

"Do you mean with socializing or battle?"

"Both, you are doing better with both. Maybe now there's no need for me to be popping up even minute to check up on you."

Ellie shoots up, "Are you saying I'm not going to be seeing you anymore?"

"Of course not," she says, "I will always be there with you."

Ellie takes a breath of relief before plopping back down. "That's good, I would miss you."

"You just need me to make sure you butt does get in trouble," Zero jokes.

Ellie giggles slightly, "That and I would really miss you Zero."

Zero smiles at her pupil. "It's time for bed."

Ellie rolls over and closes her eyes to await the dreams that lay ahead.