This one is a mix between Norse mythology and the Avengers version of the protagonists. It´s a rather long chapter and I splitted it up in two. I hope you like this slightly modern version of a very old story. I had much fun writing it.
The guards heard the giggles and chuckles echo through the long hallways of the palace long before the group of five rascal young gods and a young goddess ran past them. The joyful laughter messing with their breathing as they tried to get away from the sight of their prank as quickly as possible. Usually running at the top of the group was the first son of Asgard, Thor, closely followed by Sif the loyal maiden, then Fandral and Hogun, and then Volstagg who had slight trouble keeping up. And the rear guard being Loki casting audible illusions of footsteps into crossing hallways to mislead the eventually vengeful followers.
But tonight they seemed not really like running from something rather than enjoying their little coup. Racing each other and skipping on their way to their favored lounge, to celebrate what looked like quite a victory. Greeting their favourite guard Brogarsson on their way. He smiled silently to himself. - being young and reckless, what a good time.
„You have outdone yourself, brother!" Thor roared as soon as they had closed the door behind them. „That was amazing." „I don´t think I have ever had this much fun before" Hogun called over while igniting the stack on the fireplace. „Trickster" Fandral clapped his hand on Lokis shoulder „Stupendous! Stupendous!" And then they all started preparing the stolen food from the feasting hall and got ready to celebrate. Leaving Loki close by the door where he lingered for a little while in the shadow „Why do I have the feeling though I will be the one to take all the blame. Again." he said rather to himself. „Oh brother, don´t be gloomy now. That was one of the greatest tricks you ever pulled of. Don´t spoil your triumph yet. Father will be doing that for you soon enough. Come feast with us." He raised his mug with ale „To Thyrm the numbskull!"
„And did you see Freya´s face?" Sif said, causing the notorious smirk to grow on Loki´s face. You could hear the gleeful delight in his voice „Yes, indeed I did. And you know what?" The entire group fell quiet. „Whatever the Allfather has in store for my punishment that expression was totally worth it." And he mockingly imitated the shocked and embarrassed Freya to his friends. They all roared with hearty laughter.
„It was about time. This pretentious priss had it coming." Sif said firmly. Freya was of the same age as Thor, Hogun and Fandrall, a year older then Loki and two years older than Sif. She was one of the courts most promissing young ladies, constantly followed by a crowd of other girls who wanted a spark of that glimmer. She was extraordinarily beautiful and incredibly talented with the sei∂r and the neverending praise of those features had lead on to an excessive arrogance. Especially towards those who where not showered with the approval of the realm, Sif and Loki.
„I think you might have been a bit harsh on her, brother." Thor said. Despite of their knowledge about how badly she treated Sif and Loki, the older gods could not help but to swoon over Freya a little bit. „Have I?" Loki pursed his lips „No, I don´t think so, Thor." And he blinked to Sif with one eye. „Yes you have!" The four other stated in unison. „Oh, enough with this unfulfilled yearning, boys! I will get physically sick if I have to see you all make those lovesick bobcat eyes any longer!" Sif cried out dramatically and let herself fall into the cushions of the chaise longue.
The others joined her on the seatings around the fireplace. And they went over the happenings of this evening over and over again, until the mead had made them all jolly and the food had filled their stomaches.
Earlier in the day a delegation from Jotunheimr had arrived at Asgard to discuss a new treaty with the Allfather concerning the peace between the two realms. On those occasions, that repeated every half century, the Allfather was in a particularly bad mood and not to be trifled with. Each and everyone of the counsils held by the two enemy realms was on the brink of becoming a diplomatic fiasco. The slightest misunderstanding could lead into the next war. So the Allfather retreated with his closest advisors for weeks beforehand and the Allmother was plagued with shattering migranes.
Laufey´s brother Mimir had come as an ambassador with the traditional group of nine acompany him. Amongst them was Thyrm, a young and eager frostgiant, who was said to be son of one of Laufey´s many mistresses, but refused to become a prince by Farbautis´ verdict. He was proud and kept grining derisively towards Thor and Loki at the welcoming ceremony. Freya had been bestowed the honour of bringing the welcoming mead within the golden bilgesnipe horn to Mimir. When she passed by him, Loki witnessed a glint of longing and desire in Thyrms gaze and that had led to the later retaliation plan.
When the ceremony was over Thor and Loki where supposed to keep the three young frostgiants company, whilst Odin and Mimir and their advisors would treaty with each other.
As Thor and Loki approached the arranged meeting point they could hear Thyrm brag to his fellows: „Ah, Thor, that witless oaf! You could steel his hammer from under his nose and he would not have a clue about it until you hit him on the head with it." And they would all laugh at Thor´s expense. Thor and Loki had looked at each other not even for a second and the prank was a done deal.
Loki tricked Thyrm into indeed stealing Mjölnir from Thor, who would later clatter through all the royal chambers, pretending to look for it and making a big fuss. Such a fuss that even Odin in his secluded state dealing with his governmental affairs would hear about his first born missing his favourite weapon.
In the meantime Loki had told Sif and the warriors three the plan that was supposed to be performed at the traditional farewell feast in the evening to retrieve Thor´s hammer and get back at Thyrm for his mocking. And en passant would include Freya as collateral damage, which was not so collateral at all. But that he kept to himself.
She had been showing of for days when Frigga had asked her to bring the mead at the welcoming ceremony. Not only was that a very prestigous task but she would stand next to the Queen and the first born of Asgard. She was flirting with Thor every chance she got. „Of course Frigga could never ask Sif" she had said loud enough for Loki and Sif to hear during their Sei∂r lesson in Idunns garden „that girl might loose her temper and accidentally behead Mimir with the golden horn. And then we´d be in trouble." The group of girls around her snickered endorsingly „aww, the poor girl, so much in love with prince Thor, but I tell you, Odin would never have her be queen. Much too pert this one, she has no sense of how to behove." And Freya would go on and on but Loki and Sif had gone to the other end of the orchard.
Sif had been fuming with anger „... no sense of how to behove" she had aped Freya „Whatever! I´m not after Thor for the throne!" „Too bad. The poor people of Asgard might get her for a queen then!" Loki had remarked with a broad grin. „Oh, shush."
Next chapter will be up tomorrow