Loki limped his way through the halls, assisted on both sides by his father's guards.
"You sure got beaten in there, didn't you?'" The first guard whispered nastily.
"Yes," The second guard agreed. "Too bad your silver tongue couldn't save you in your battle."
"Is it even worth being called a battle?" The first guard queried. "More like Thor beating a child." Loki gritted his teeth.
"What's the matter, silver-tongue has nothing to say?" Guard 2 taunted.
"I may have lost the battle, but I am still the son of Odin," Loki hissed. "And you will treat me with respect, understand?"
The guards sneered. "Oooh, I'm very sorry, 'my liege'." Guard one mocked.
"Please forgive us humble guards," Guard 2 added. Loki rolled his eyes.
"Let us help you into your room 'milord'," Guard one snarled. Guard 2 opened the door and guard one shoved Loki inside the room. "Oh I am so very sorry. Allow me to assist you." He pulled Loki to his feet, wrenching Loki upwards by his broken arm. Loki gritted his teeth but could not hold back the moan of pain that escaped him.
"Here sire, allow us to help you out of your armor." Guard 2 tugged on the breastplate, tearing Loki's skin where the armor had broken and dug into his flesh. This time Loki could not hold back a cry of pain. With a laugh, guard two kept tugging and Loki kept screaming. They wrenched his broken arm through the sleeve of the armor. Fresh blood from Loki's back dripped onto the marble floor. Suddenly, the imbedded metal hit his scapula and stuck. With a snarl, the guards yanked and pulled. Loki yelled in agony.
"ENOUGH!" Sidhe burst into the room. The guards dropped Loki in surprised and he tumbled to the floor, gasping. "Get out." Sidhe hissed. The guards glared at her.
"Our orders are to help him. I don't know who you think you are-" He cut off with a start. A sword point, drawn faster than he could blink, rested against his neck.
"Out." The two guards scurried out of the room. Sidhe rushed to Loki's side. Slowly and gently, she pulled him to his feet, freezing every time he moaned. She led him to the bathroom and set him on the rim of the bathtub. He sat down and leaned his head against her stomach, breathing hard.
"What… are you doing here?" He gasped. She gently ran her fingers through his hair, working loose the blood caked in it.
"You needed me," She stated simply. He laughed weakly.
"I don't need help."
She raised an eyebrow sardonically. "Oh really? Would you like me to leave?" She turned to go, but he clung to her.
"NO!" He sighed. "Help me. Please."
"Everyone needs someone, Loki."
He breathed slowly. "Well as long as you're here; get this thing off me, won't you? It's stuck in my back." Sidhe frowned, placing her hands on the broken place in the breastplate.
"I'm sorry. This will hurt."
Loki gritted his teeth as she pulled the shards back, then up and out of his skin. She then pulled the plate over his head and threw it on the ground. Her fingers worked quickly to unlace the ties on the back of his shirt. She gently pulled it off, minding his broken arm, revealing bruises and cuts. One cut in particular was long and deep, running across his entire back. The guards had tried to drag the breastplate across his back instead of lifting it up. The shards embedded in his back had dragged across his skin, ripping and tearing until it became stuck in his scapula.
"Gifts, from my brother."
Sidhe gently traced her fingers across the bruises. He shivered, and she withdrew her hand. "I will return. Do not move." He raised an eyebrow.
"Like I could?"
She wrinkled her nose in frustration and strode out of the room. Loki sat at the edge of the spacious bathtub, staring into the mirror and thinking until his world turned black.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Sidhe strode furiously to her room. Curse Thor. How could he do this to his brother, even for the throne? As she passed the feasting hall she became even angrier. That she had been forced to watch that abuse without being able to help… It made her furious.
"I swear to you, no one will ever hurt you like that again," Sidhe swore.
"Sounds serious," A voice rumbled from behind her. She whirled. Thor. It took all of her willpower to keep her expression neutral.
"Congratulations." Sidhe stated flatly. She turned to go but Thor stood in front of her. He opened his arms.
"Thank you. Like anything else could be expected when fighting my weak brother. Come here."
Sidhe wrinkled her nose in disgust. He was obviously drunk, she could smell the mead from where she stood. "No."
"Excuse me?" Thor asked, eyes narrowing.
"You think I would applaud you for that display of monstrosity?" Sidhe asked, tone conveying her disgust.
"I had to fight for my throne!" Thor exclaimed.
"You had to fight, not beat him like a dog!" Sidhe yelled. She shook with fury. She shoved past him, but Thor grabbed her from behind. He spun her to face him and shoved his lips to hers. He smelled of ale. Angrily, Sidhe bit him, and he jumped back. With a snarl, she punched him in the face, causing his head to snap backwards. "Touch me again and I will not hesitate to place several daggers through your person." She hissed. With anger incensed, she strode quickly to her room. Grabbing her bag, she ran back through the halls, ignoring Thor as she passed him again. Thor was a nuisance. An irritating, bumbling idiot. An irritating, bumbling, dangerous idiot. She entered the bathroom and all thoughts of Thor flew from her mind. Loki lay on the floor, still and unmoving.
Oh, a cliffie. How did that get there? ;) Sorry guys, I couldn't resist. I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update. Y'all are going to hate me, I'm sorry... Please don't leave this story! I love every one of you that reviews, follows or favorites :) you all mean soooo much to me. (I'm getting sappy, I'd better end this now...) Review please! Virtual hugs from Loki and Sidhe if you do!
