Word Games

"We've been walking for hours," Fandral muttered, shooting an unfriendly look in Elliot's direction. "There is nothing here!" He gestured at the empty, barren land around them with his sword. "This is absolutely pointless, and we should never have come."

"I hate to agree," said Sif, her voice tired. "But I'm afraid that there might not be-"

"A point," Fandral finished for her, slowing to a stop. "If we leave now, we can get back before dark. I'm sorry, Elliot. It's just worth the – why are you so quiet?"

She hadn't put up a word of protest in response, which was unlike her. He leered at her, searching her face, and then noticed that she was staring past his shoulder, at something in the distance.

"Is that Loki?" Elliot said, her eyes widening. She blinked, staring at the tall, dark figure not too far away, making its way towards them. Instinctively, the others drew their weapons, unsure of what to make of this new development. Elliot took a cautious step forward, trying to make out what she could. The figure carried a dagger, and that was enough for her.

"What the hell!" Elliot exclaimed, moving towards him now. "What is wrong with you?" she shouted.

"Elliot?" Sif tried, her voice alarmed. They followed her as she walked towards him, cautious.

"I told you to stay in Asgard," was his answering response, his words clipped. Close to him now, it was Loki, his hand curled around the hilt of a small silver dagger.

"No, you actually didn't," she countered, close enough to him now to jab at his breastplate with the tip of her bow. "You know what you did? Jumped through one of your little wormholes, and left me half-conscious and out of my mind with pain on the bed!" Loki wasn't even phased by her prodding him, instead rolling his eyes.

"On the bed?" Fandral repeated, his tone incredulous. "Is that what you've been doing in your spare time?"

"She meant the hospital," Loki clarified for him, narrowing his eyes.

"Why have you abandoned Asgard?" asked Sif, approaching Loki. "With no word to the King?"

"What importance is he to me?"

"He is your father," Sif said gently. "Whether you choose to acknowledge this or not."

Loki sighed dramatically. In response, Volstagg stepped forward, drawing himself up to his full height. "We have had enough of your games, magician. You will come with us."

Fandral laughed once, and sheathed his sword, saying, "There's no point, he won't come with us. I'm going back to Asgard. To my food, and to my bed. I have better things to do than play word games with a magician."

Loki remained silent during their words, and so did Elliot, unable to find a minute to interject. She looked at him, and he was already looking at her, one eyebrow cocked in contemplation. Then, she saw a spark of familiar mischievous in his emerald green eyes, and he fixed his gaze on Fandral. "It's just a shame."

"What is?" Fandral asked, quickly.

Loki blinked once, sliding his gaze over the travelers. "Well…that you would disobey the crown prince. He is the one who dispatched you, is he not? Would you really want to return empty-handed?" His voice was light, lilting.

I see your angle, and it's a damned good one. How do you do that? Elliot though, resisting the urge to sigh out loud.

"He did not. She did," Fandral said. "For reasons that do perplex me," he added.

"But surely, he knows why you left, yes?" A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Then it seems like you are in a predicament. You need to bring me to Asgard, but I'm…not quite ready to go yet."

And just like that, Loki had managed to do what he does best. As he spoke, the others lowered their weapons slowly, realizing the predicament Loki had just put them in. Hogun swore quietly as he lowered his axe and Fandral pressed his lips into a thin line, frustrated.

"We came to bring you home, not help you," Elliot said, figuring out his angle already. "The Allfather is sick. Because of you. We need to be in Asgard to help defend the kingdom."

"Asgard has its warriors," replied Loki, his tone daring her to argue.

Elliot met his gaze, unfazed. "No, because they're here, playing clever word games with you, because your ultimate endgame is to play with people for your own enjoyment."

"Very true, and clearly none of them have the mental capacity that you do. They go. You stay."

Loki smiled then, tilting his head. "You're clearly worth more than Fanrdal and Volstagg combined."

"I'm sorry, but the last time she was left alone with you, she nearly died because of your cowardice!" Volstagg sputtered. "And she has the mark to prove it!"

Loki lowered his eyes, suddenly ashamed. "That was an unfortunate accident. Now, you have a decision to make. Either you all go, and return to Thor empty-handed, or she stays."

Arrogant, unbelievable bastard. Elliot seethed, staring at the smug look on his face. This was just supposed to be a rescue mission. A quick one. Find Loki, bring him back to Asgard before he destroyed something else. Instead he was making this entire mission about his problems, his issues. He can't find what he's looking for, so he drags her into his mess.

Typical Loki.

Or…

Elliot smiled up at him, an idea coming to mind.

"You all go back to Asgard," she began slowly, looking at the others now. "It's alright."

"Elliot, you can't possibly-!" Sif began.

"Go back to Asgard," she repeated, looking at her. "Go back, and tell Thor that Loki made me stay to help him find Thanos. That I had no choice in the matter, spin it how you like. And that if I'm not back in three days, to bring several magicians to bring us both home."

Hogun chuckled quietly, and Sif fought the urge to smile. "Very well," she said, nodding in response. "We will go. But…three days." She looked at Loki, her smile fading. "If you do not return in three days, I will personally lead the magicians."

Elliot nodded, still smiling.

Elliot knelt down and touched her fingers to the remains of the mark of the Bifrost permanently etched onto the ground. The earth was still warm and she rubbed the dirt between her fingertips, sighing.

"That was very clever."

"Wasn't it?" She stood up and turned to face Loki, a smirk on her lips. "You can't possibly expect that I would let you manipulate them that easily. I care for them too much."

Loki remained quiet, and she saw that he was staring at the scar on her arm. "Does it hurt?" She felt self-conscious without warning, and her skin felt more sensitive. The simple brush of air against the raised, puckered flesh caused her shiver, and she barely concealed it.

"Not anymore. It did, at first. I could barely use it. But I've learned to work past the pain. I didn't have a choice. Not really," she added, quiet. "So, what have you learned?" She was curious.

Loki was still staring at her scar and his eyes flicked up to meet hers. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "I did not mean to cause you harm."

All at once Elliot began to see how tired, and worn out he looked; the sadness in his eyes highlighted the bags underneath them, and unease had taken over his sharp features. Her fingers twitched with the sudden desire to reach out and touch him, to take away his unease.

"So far I have learned nothing," Loki continued, raising his voice and returning to his normal, guarded self. "I have the Dark Elves' thoughts constantly being monitored, but I have gained nothing. The Elves who work in the library report nothing to me. I feel like they are hiding information from me, at his behest."

That was quick. Her fingers stilled.

"Maybe they have nothing for you here."

"Maybe they are liars, and hiding the truth from me. Dark Elves are neither devils nor saints. They seek to better themselves in whatever way benefits them the most."

"So you think that they're hiding something because they're getting something in return," Elliot said, nodding. "From him?"

"I see no reason why not."

"But then that means he knows what you're doing," Elliot added, rubbing her neck tiredly. "Which makes it all seem like moot point."

"Not when my entire being is at stake." Loki extended one hand, then. "I'll take you back, and you can see for yourself."

Elliot stared at his open hand, wary. Another adventure. The last one nearly killed her. And now, Dark Elves?

"Thanks to your clever self, you have given us both three days to find the information necessary to eliminate Thanos, or the entirety of the Allfather's magicians will cross space and time to apprehend me," Loki said, narrowing his eyes. "I suggest we do not waste any time."

whoops.

regardless of my horrible horrible lateness i hope everyone liked this chapter.

also happy halloween!