I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Loki sat at the large mahogany wood table with his mother, Frigga and his father Odin. Thor had not yet arrived but the seat next to Loki was saved for his older brother. Loki was planning to go and visit Theia later in the day; he couldn't deny the feelings he had for her. Whenever he saw her his stomach went wild. At first he thought it was some disease, but then he remembered Asgardians don't get sick. He knew exactly what was ailing him, it was love. He couldn't deny it, not after yesterday. Not after the book, or the green seahorse he had saw her admiring, not after he had saw her crying over her father and certainly not after he kissed her under the bifrost. There was something innocent about Theia's kisses, it was as if she had never even thought of doing such a thing, it was strange, but Loki loved it.
Loki finished picking at his breakfast and placed his cutlery on his plate just as Thor walked in. The future king of Asgard strutted, rather than walked, into the room, his red cape billowing behind him. He had a grin plastered on his face as per usual, but there was something else that Loki noticed, was that worry he saw deep within his brothers eyes? Nobody could fool the God of Mischief for that long, yes that was definitely worry he saw.
"Good morning," He greeted, pulling back his chair and taking a seat. Frigga smiled warmly, as did Odin as he finished a piece of boar.
"Good morning, brother." Said Loki, he took a sip of water from his goblet. Thor then turned to Loki and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Theia wishes to speak with you, brother." Said Thor, Loki's brows furrowed as he noticed Thor's eyes darken a little. Worry, yes that is definitely what he saw. "She says that it is imperative that you meet her at the beach after you finish breakfast."
"Theia?" Said Frigga, glancing over at Loki. "Isn't that Ouranos' daughter?" Odin looked over at his wife.
"Yes, a fine warrior that man." He said, "And, I have heard, that his daughter seems to have followed in his footsteps." The old king raised an eyebrow at both of his sons, nothing passed his gaze, he knew very well that the young daughter was training for battle when her mother specifically forbade it. He also knew of the effect that it was having on his son. Yes, Odin missed nothing.
"Indeed," Said Thor. "She is a very talented warrior."
Loki's mind was wondering, what could Theia possibly want to talk to him about that made worry cross over his brother's mind? It could be serious. "Forgive me, I must go and speak to Theia." He said, Frigga and Odin nodded in approval as the young prince left.
Loki walked down the hall towards the front of the palace, his green cloak fluttered behind him and the sound of footsteps echoed along the walls. But his footsteps were not the only ones he could hear. Loki turned to see Thor jogging down the hall after him, this time Thor didn't bother to hide the worry that was on his face.
"There is something wrong, brother." Said Thor quickly as he reached Loki. "Theia was not herself, I am afraid something is terribly wrong."
"Then I will find out what is wrong." Loki turned on his heel, but Thor pulled him back by the shoulder.
"Let me accompany you," He said genuinely.
"No, I must go alone. She trusts me to listen to her, and listen to her I must." Loki said quickly. "If you are concerned wait at the fish market, but I must do this alone."
Thor nodded; he shook his brother's shoulder gently. "You are good for her, and she is good for you, I know you will make this, whatever this is, right."
Loki smiled and then turned on his heel leaving Thor in the corridor. He had no doubt that Thor would wait for him at the fish market for he knew Thor cared about him and Theia. Loki was worried about Theia; the worry in his brother's eyes had caused the worry in his mind. Theia never made him worry, he knew she suffered with visions of her father, but something in the back of his mind told him that this had nothing to do with that. Something told him that what was wrong was something far worse than visions.
Loki walked quickly from the palace and hurried through the fish market towards the beach. Once there he jumped off the dock onto the sad making the most miniscule of thuds as he did so. Glancing around he couldn't see Theia anywhere so he decided that she must be further down the beach. Loki picked up his pace a little as he travelled down the beach. The waves rolled in and the chatter from the market was distant in his ears, apart from that it was silent. There was nothing to suggest that he wasn't alone on the beach. Well almost nothing.
"Get your hands off me!" The voice rang in his ears, the distressed tone was distant but he had heard it before, it was Theia. Loki started running, because now not only his mind but his heart told him that there was something seriously wrong.
Theia stared up into the eyes of the man she had seen untying the boat on the docks only moments ago. The slime in his voice echoed in her ears, she knew without a doubt that this was the man who was threatening her mother.
"Who are you?" She demanded, pushing herself away from him so she could stand up. Her father's staff was on the ground beside her but she made no move for it, she wanted answers before anything else. "I demand to know who you are."
The man chuckled darkly as he stood from his crouch, even when Theia was standing he towered over her, Theia gulped but she stood tall, he was intimidating but she didn't want to show that he was intimidating her.
"I don't think that's the tone you want to be directing towards your future husband." The word husband rolled off his tongue, it made Theia's skin crawl. She had no intent on becoming his wife; she would never consent to marrying this man that stood in front of her. Although something told her in the back of her mind that she would have no choice.
"You are not my future husband." She snapped, "I have no intent on marrying someone like you, so I demand to know who you are and why you were threatening my mother."
"You don't intend to, but you will. They always do." Theia stepped back but the man stepped forwards just as quickly as she had. 'They always do,' what on Asgard did that mean. Who was he?
"Well I will not be one of them, I will not be a pawn, I will not be played. I will not marry you."
He smirked again at Theia's comment, "You will, if you want to see your mother again."
Theia's stomach dropped to her feet and she sucked in a breath. He couldn't be serious, he couldn't be using Rayla against her. Only hours ago Theia had been furious at her mother, but now all of that had vanished, no hatred remained only pure fear of what this man was going to do to her. Without thinking twice Theia shoved her hands into his chest but he didn't budge.
"What have you done?" She cried. "What have you done to her?"
His fingers closed around Theia's wrist causing her to cry out, his grip was like iron, his long fingers choking the life out of her hand. Theia felt the bones creaking under the force of the grip. He began to pull her down the dune, Theia slipped to her knees and reached out for her father's staff, just as her fingers were inches from the metal the man wrenched her down the dune. Theia scrambled to her feet, her hands trying to prise his away from her wrist.
"Where are you taking me?" She yelled, "Where are we going?"
"I am taking you back to my realm," He hissed. "You will not see this realm again, and you will most certainly never see your mother again."
"No!" Theia kicked out catching him in the leg, he lurched and her other leg swiped out knocking him to the ground. In this time Theia managed to break free from his grasp, however, using his speed the man grabbed Theia's leg and she too fell to the ground.
"Puny Asgardian!" He yelled, "I, Rorek, Dark elf of Svartalfheim, will not be bested by you, a mere woman!"
Theia tried to kick out again but Rorek was already on his feet, his hand closed around the front of her tunic and he once more began to drag her down the beach. "Get your hands off me!" She yelled, the distress in her voice beginning to surface.
Why did he want her to marry him? What was Rorek going to do when they returned to Svartalfheim? Was she going to die? Where was her mother? Would she miss her? All of these questions were running through Theia's mind. She saw the glint of silver from her father's staff that was still on the dune. Why didn't she arm herself when she had the chance? Theia grabbed at Rorek's hand that was still attached firmly to the front of her tunic, she couldn't go, and she couldn't just give in. She wouldn't go with him.
"Let go!" She screamed, Rorek turned his eyes blazing red, he pulled her to her feet so her face was inches from her own.
"Silence!" He hissed, Theia didn't even realise the strike was coming until the back of Rorek's hand connected with her face sending her sprawling into the sand. Her eyes were watering, was that blood she felt trickling down her cheek?
"Theia!" Her head snapped up at the voice, Loki's voice. A small smile came to her face when she saw him sprinting across the sand towards her. How could she have forgotten that she had asked Thor to send him? Rorek growled pulling her up by her hair causing Theia to yell out once more.
Theia's eyes rested on Loki's face, his eyes were pained, his forehead creased in worry. Theia's hands gripped her hair just below where Rorek was holding, in a moment his arm was around her throat pulling her into his chest. The grip was every bit as iron as the last on her wrist, Theia felt the pressure on her throat and her hands instinctively grabbed at Rorek's arm as Loki came to a stop in front of them.
"Let her go." His voice was harsh but Theia could hear the worry in it. He was worried for her, if Theia wasn't in this position right now she would have thought it sweet that he was worrying for her, but now was not the time for such thoughts because it was becoming harder to breathe.
"This doesn't concern you," Said Rorek, his tone matching Loki's excluding the worry. "She will be mine, or she will be no ones."
Theia's head burned as his words sunk into her head, she will be his or no ones, she was going to die. Her breaths were coming in slow and sharp, every one of which pained her lungs. Loki's mouth was slightly open, Theia could see his eyes darting from her to Rorek then back to her. His eyes locked with hers for a moment, and she knew exactly what she had to do.
With the strength she had Theia slammed her elbow back into Rorek's stomach, the dark elf grunted in pain and Theia noticed Loki smile as his image began fading from in front of her. The black spots were darting in front of her vision now, her head ached and her lungs burned, but she knew she had succeeded in her job when Rorek's arm came loose from around her neck and she dropped to the sand.
Her eyes closed for a moment, for it was hard to keep them open, she hated herself for being so weak and so stupid, she shouldn't have come hear alone, not after she was discovered eavesdropping outside her mother's room. Her mother!
Theia's eyes snapped halfway open, her eyes were burning, but she had to find out what had happened. Her breath came out in rattling gasps and her eyes closed again. It was then that she felt someone beside her, a cool hand on her cheek, another on her neck.
"Theia," The tone was more worried than it had been previously. "Theia, please open your eyes."
She did. It was a slow action but Theia opened her eyes and stared right at Loki. A weak smile came to his face as he brushed her cheek with his thumb. "I'm sorry," She said weakly, making Loki chuckle lightly in relief.
"What are you sorry for?" He asked, glancing back over his shoulder. Rorek lay sprawled in the sand, Loki wasn't sure if he was dead and to be honest he didn't really care, although he hoped he wasn't because he wanted him to face justice for what he had done.
"I made you worry," She whispered. Loki bent down quickly and captured her lips with his own. It was a soft kiss, a loving kiss, with some urgency mixed in. She really had made him worry. When he pulled back, Theia's eyes were distressed; she felt the tears coming to them quickly. "My mother, I have to- He's done something to her."
"You need to go to a healer," Said Loki quickly, "He's hurt you."
"No, I have to go to her, she needs me." Theia's breathing intensified; the tears were now making streaming tracks down her face. "She needs me, there is something wrong, I have to go to her!"
Theia closed her eyes as another wave of pain washed over her, her lungs were still burning and her wrist was bruised. Loki didn't hesitate; he pulled Theia into his arms, and made sure she was as comfortable as she could be before he headed back up to the palace.
The people in the fish market made way for Loki and the girl he carried in his arms, hushed whispers went throughout the crowd, but Loki didn't care, he didn't stop. He didn't even stop when he passed Thor whose eyes went wide at the scene.
"Brother," He said quickly, "What has happened, who has done this?"
"The criminal who did this is back on the beach," Said Loki sharply. Thor nodded in understanding and hurried back towards the beach to find the criminal his brother spoke of.
When Loki burst into the healing rooms the healers rushed to him and asked him to place Theia on a bed. Her eyes were darting around and she was breathing quickly. Loki was ushered away but he could still see the fear on her face. A small healer, an old woman who was nearly twice or three times Loki's age walked over to him. She noticed the worry on his face and she placed a hand on the prince's shoulder.
"She is in shock," She said simply. "We are going to have to put her to sleep to see what is wrong." Loki's eyes darted back to Theia who was struggling on the bed. Tears were still falling down her cheeks and Loki's heart pained just seeing her like this. "You should go to her, speak to her while we do it. Some people usually struggle more if they know what is going on."
Loki went to Theia's bedside; he could see the shock on her face. Her eyes were darting everywhere. She was really worried about her mother, but he had to calm her down just long enough for the healers to put her to sleep. Her eyes shot up to Loki's and he smiled meekly at her.
"My mother," She whispered. Loki nodded as she gripped his hand; he stroked his thumb over her hand as the old healer began to wave her hands over Theia. Her eyes began to droop, every time she blinked it became harder to keep her eyes open, her mind was foggy, sleep was coming but she didn't want it. "My mother," She repeated again.
"Shhh," Loki soothed, brushing the hair from her face. "I'll find her, she's okay, I promise." Theia's eyes dropped as the last syllable left Loki's mouth. Her face didn't look as pained in the induced sleep, but he knew she was hurting even if he couldn't see it, and that is why he had to find her mother.
Loki released Theia's hand and placed a faint kiss on her forehead, he then left the room in search of Rayla, for he knew that Theia wouldn't be able to take anymore loss in her life. Not after her father.
Theia was not meant to be where she was, she knew that at least. This place was dark and unwelcoming; it made her want to run away. It was frightening her to be in the dark without any way of getting out of it. Darkness always comes at a point in everyone's lives; Theia didn't expect her darkness to come now. The last thing she remembered was Loki's face before the unwelcoming darkness dragged her under, his voice still echoed in her ears.
"I'll find her, she's okay, I promise."
How could he promise something that he didn't know was going to be true? How could he promise that she'd be okay? He saw what Rorek did to her and he was there to protect her, what could he have done to her mother, who had nobody left to protect her.
Theia thought back to the last thing she had said to her mother, it was the only thing she could do in this dark place, think.
"I will not become like you!" Her cry echoed in her head, but the truth is, she was wrong to say that.
Rayla had only been trying to protect her, if Theia had only accepted then maybe she wouldn't have been here now, in the dark. Maybe if she had accepted then she would know where her mother is now and maybe she wouldn't feel so guilty. The truth is, Theia was like her mother, she was brave like she was, if a little naïve. As soon as she was out of this darkness she would find her mother and tell her she was sorry, she would set things right, like she meant to from the moment she realised this was more than just an arranged marriage.
Theia cursed at herself, she should have never said those things to her mother. Her heart was heavy with guilt and she wanted nothing more than to apologise, she had to apologise, for everything.
"Wake up," She said to herself, "Wake up, Theia. Wake up and set things right."
The darkness was fading, Theia was being pulled forwards out of the pits of darkness that she had been thrust into because of that accursed Rorek. The light was rushing forwards to meet her, pure brilliant crystal white and all she could do was squint as the room came into focus.
So there we have it another chapter up and done, this chapter was inspired by a review by Am4444, i know its not much of a fight scene, but he still sorted him out :)
Anyway, thank you to all those who followed, favourited and reviewed, cookies and hugs to all of you :)
I hope everybody liked this chapter, drop me a review to tell me what you think and what you think might happen, we will be getting to the Thor movie soon so dont worry :D