Chapter 7; Left Behind
It didn't take too long for Elaine to reach the bifrost. Leaping off her horse, which she stopped beside Heimdall and Thor, she ran over to her father
"Father? What is going on?" Elaine cried running over to her father who turned at her voice. Ladislaus smiled and took his daughters hands.
"Hush, there is nothing wrong, I have sudden need to leave for one of the other realms, I called you down here to tell you as I couldn't find you before." He said.
"I feared something was wrong." She said with a smile before hugging Ladislaus tightly. She sighed into his shoulder before pulling back. He took her head in his hands.
"Now you be safe while I'm gone, no doubt Tahira and Maddalena will try their best to get under your skin, just try not to lose your temper...like last time..."
Behind them, Thor chuckled and all three of them looked at him.
"That was an amusing day, I never would have thought such a girl as Elaine could have such a temper on her," He said looking at Elaine. She turned back to look at her father.
"I'll try my best father," Elaine promised and he planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Thor, I am trusting you and your brother to watch over her alright? Keep her safe." Ladislaus said walking over to pat the young man on the shoulder. Then he stood in front of the gateway. "When you're ready Heimdall."
Heimdall nodded and stepped up to his place, sliding his sword into the slot. Thor guided Elaine back to a safe distance as they watched Ladislaus, the pale dark haired man, just like his daughter, vanish into the bridge. Heimdall removed his sword before turning to Elaine.
"I will watch over him. Go home and rest," He said with a small nod at them. Thor nodded back at the man before guiding Elaine out.
"Did he say how long he was going for?" Elaine asked Thor as she mounted her horse. He shook his head.
"I do not think even he knew how long he would be gone." Thor replied as they set off for the palace at a fast pace, which Elaine found matched the pace of her heartbeat. Loki was watching for them at the entrance.
"What happened?" He asked, taking hold of Elaine's arms gently, his eyes concerned.
"Father was just...leaving for another realm, for business. Now, I'd like to be alone for a while thank-you." She said brushing past him, her head down, watching the floor as she walked away.
"Silver tongue failed you brother?" Thor said, clapping him on the shoulder. Loki looked at him.
"What do you know? Of anything? I had my chance and it got away from me!" He snapped, turning his head away.
"Chance for what? Elaine? Brother you know she scoffs at love."
"But she thinks I'm doing it because I am her friend and trying to make her feel better."
"You honestly love her though."
"Ever since we were children, there is no one else."
"Then tell her!" Thor encouraged.
"I tried, and it ended in her believing I do not truly mean it!" Loki cried at him, furiously pointing in the direction Elaine had gone. "And it won't be long before another man beats me to her."
"Then make her see brother, talk to mother, talk to Sif if you have to, perhaps one of them will know what to do." Thor suggested before making his way into the castle. Loki sighed, smoothing his hair back absently.
Elsewhere, Elaine had made it to her room. She collapsed onto her bed, suddenly exhausted. Sometimes she wished her father would just leave his job and stop leaving her here alone. Well, she had her friends but her father was special and she always missed him when he was gone. She sighed heavily and rolled onto her back. She couldn't be bothered moving to get changed and simply looked out to the stars before she fell asleep.
The next morning the sun hadn't even risen beyond the horizon but Elaine was washing herself and getting dressed for the day. She had remembered she had promised to make an appearance at the sparring field and last night, she had dreamt of many things, but most importantly that now with her father gone she would most likely become a burden on her friends. As she stared at herself in the mirror she decided it would be best for her to start to learn to protect herself, at least enough to keep her alive. She pulled her long hair back into a ponytail, and dressed in her riding pants, the only pair of pants she owned, and a long sleeved shirt. She looked at herself and laughed.
Elaine made her way down to the training field to find Hogun and Volstagg already there. Seeing her, Volstagg waved her over.
"You came prepared today!" He cried, clapping her on the shoulder so hard her knees collapsed and she hit the ground. "Sorry!" He cried, picking her up easily and putting her back on her feet. Elaine couldn't help but laugh.
"Where are Thor and Loki?" She asked, looking around.
"They will be here soon," Hogun replied with a small nod at the two figures making their way across to the field. Elaine smiled and waved at the figures who sped up their pace seeing her.
"You came!" Thor said upon reaching them, sweeping the girl up into a hug before pulling back to get a good look at her. "We shall teach you much today!"
"Only enough to protect myself, I do not wish to become a warrior of any kind, knowledge is still my best weapon as mischief is Loki's," She said with a grin turning to Loki. "I apologise for my hasty departure from our conversation last night."
"There is no reason to apologise; perhaps today we can continue it."
"I'm afraid I must decline, in my father's absence, I must look after what work he left unfinished before leaving, which will probably take me a few days to sort out knowing his methods."
"Of course."
Despite his best efforts, Loki knew she heard the note of disappointment in his tone, but she avoided acknowledging it and turned as Sif and Fandral arrived.
"Well we are all here, who wants to teach Elaine first?" Thor asked looking around at his friends.
"I shall," Sif said with a smile, cutting in before Loki. "I think a womanly approach would best serve her first."
Thor nodded his agreement before the men all went off to train against each-other, leaving Sif facing Elaine.
"Do you remember what Thor taught you?"
"Yes…" Elaine said with a nod, thinking back. Sif didn't wait much long before diving at her. Elaine sidestepped, pushing Sif's fist away and off to the side and moving away.
"Very good," Sif said, turning to her once again. "We do not have the brute strength of the men, but we are much smaller and quicker and so use that to your advantage when you face one of them later on."
Elaine nodded. Sif picked up a training staff and threw it to her. She caught it and looked at it confused.
"Your training begins."
Elaine couldn't deny, Sif knew what she was talking about and teaching and she learnt a lot from the woman. She couldn't hold off any of her friends for very long, or very well, but it was enough to make her proud of herself that she could actually defend herself, at least somewhat. Thor was easily very proud of her, like an older brother, and he hugged her in congratulations. Bu there were still the few bruises she now nursed due to ill timing, and more often than not whacking herself with her own weapon in her haste to block an attack. Other than that, she felt good. Loki and Thor walked her back to her room to clean up for the rest of the day; since it was barely past dawn. She left them waiting outside as she changed into pale dress that was a mixture of sunset colours. She stepped back out to them.
"I have business to attend to." She told them, gesturing at her father's room, which was right next to hers.
"Will you come join us for dinner tonight?" Thor asked, glancing at Loki.
"Of course I will; sitting area again?"
"Yes, I will send Loki to fetch you when everything is prepared."
Elaine smiled at them. "I will see you then."
