Chapter Seven
Kalah looked into the dark, cold portal the Bifrost had opened. As she leaned closer to it, she could see white mountain tops, and the flurries of snow that she fondly remembered… some of the flurries even fluttering out to whip around them and land on their hair and skin, melting quickly.
"Now, this is going to be a strange sensation for you, Kalah. Just hold onto me and you'll be alright."
She looked up into Loki's eyes, and nodded her head slowly. His fingers wound their way around hers, as he looked back to Heimdall.
"Heimdall, please eagerly listen for my call to return… I don't want to be on Jotunheim any longer than I need to."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Kalah listened to Loki's words to Heimdall, and heard something very suspicious. He was speaking as if he would be the only one returning to Asgard. Was he planning on leaving her there once he found her home? She had been cast out of her tribe, and didn't exactly want to be stranded in Jotunheim… no home… no hunting partner… no family. Certainly, she would survive, but she didn't want to survive like that. She had begun to like being with Loki, but wondered if he felt the same about her. Maybe he planned to shun her, just as her family had, once he had gotten what he needed from her. Suddenly, her future seemed very uncertain.
"Just walk into the portal, elf. We'll be in Jotunheim in a matter of seconds."
Without letting go of Loki, she took a step into the dark portal, feeling her feet sweep out from under her, and her body being whipped around and pulled in many different directions. Just as he said, within seconds their feet were planted firmly in the snow of Jotunheim… well, Loki was on his feet, Kalah was on her backside.
Loki doubled over in laughter. "It takes a bit of time to get used to transportation… especially the landing. Come on…" He held his hand out to her, and she placed her hand in his. He pulled her up quickly, before pulling his cloak tighter around his neck. "Colder here than I remember… is your ankle alright?"
"A little sore, but it's fine… at least you can remember this place." Kalah answered.
"Yes, unfortunately I can. I would like nothing more than to forget this dreadful realm." Loki mentioned as a shiver ran up his spine.
"I understand that Jotunheim isn't exactly the most comfortable place, but there must be a reason you hate it so?"
"No, Kalah… no reason. It's just not my kind of place, that's all. Let's go."
She narrowed her eyes up at him as he set out on the beginning of their journey. Surely there was a reason he despised this place so?
"If you feel pulled in a certain direction… up a certain mountain… alert me, and we will go. Let your instincts take over, little one…"
"I remember that my tribe lived high enough in the mountains, that it's more than a days trek. We will have to stop for the night… build a shelter… build a fire… eat… and rest."
Loki huffed. That's not what he wanted to hear. His plan was to get her back to her village, speak with their leader, and get back to the warmth of Asgard… not to spend the night in this forsaken, frozen wasteland.
The pair walked for a number of long hours, before Kalah stopped in her frigid, ice-bound tracks, and looked toward the grey sky. "There." She pointed a gloved finger toward the top of a mountain that seemed to scrape the sky. "That's it… it has to be. Something tells me… I need to see what is up there, Loki."
He nodded. "Stay close to me. You'd better pull your hood up, elf. It's about to get very cold where we are headed."
She did as he ordered, as he took the lead, easily finding a narrow path through the trees at the base of the mountain. Loki was glad he had brought several very sharp daggers, as he used one to efficiently slice through the brush.
"Are you sure this is where you came from? This path doesn't look like it's been followed in ages… look at all the overgrown trees and vines."
"No, it's probably used quite often. Even though it is very cold here, things flourish and grow quickly and abundantly around Elves… it's one of our unique gifts. Maybe that means we are headed in the right direction."
Loki looked back at Kalah, giving her a questioning glare. "You're sure?"
"I'm as sure as I can be… it seems familiar. That's all I can promise." She answered, before pulling the fur of her cloak back over her mouth. All Loki could do was trust her, so he turned and continued up the path.
The way was steep, rocky, and slick, as snow had begun to melt at one time, but had refrozen into a thin sheet of ice on the rocks. Loki was surprised to see that Kalah was as nimble and graceful on the ice as he was, and he discerned that maybe she was indeed from this place. She had definitely trekked these icy conditions before.
Following the sharp bends and curves of the mountain, brought them to a rather large, open clearing nestled into the side of the mountain. The wind swirling around the pair made it hard for them to hear each other, so Kalah reached in front of her and grabbed Loki's arm, pulling him into the clearing. As they descended into the side of the mountain, the large rocks on either side of them broke the force of the icy gusts and gales of the thin air.
She leaned into his ear and spoke where he could hear her. "It's getting late. If we go a little further into the clearing and into the edge of the trees there, we will be protected for the night. It will shelter us from this horrible wind."
Loki nodded and started toward the spot she had picked out… and just as she said, the wind had all but died down, and it seemed warmer in the safety of the tree line.
"Do you think you can make a shelter for us to rest in? I will start a fire, and get some meat for us to eat while you are doing that…"
Loki sighed. "If I must."
Kalah smiled at him and shook her head. He was a bit grumpy after their long day, and she couldn't blame him. He wasn't really used to this kind of thing. He was a King after all. "Thank you, Loki."
He nodded as he looked around for materials he could use for a shelter, and Kalah dropped to her knees and began to clear a space for a fire. After a few moments, she had a small fire started, and he had the beginning of a very promising shelter built.
"I am going to get some meat… I'll be back soon." She told him as she bent to grab her bow and quiver.
"Surely, you need me to come with you? You must stay safe, after all." He asked, his dark eyebrows raising in question.
"I can handle myself, Loki. I promise."
Reluctantly, he nodded as he watched her walk further into the woods before turning his attention back to their shelter. He could have easily used his magic to create somewhere for them to sleep, but he was enjoying using his hands to make their home for the night. He didn't normally have the opportunity to do something like this, as his brother and father weren't nearly as patient as Kalah.
The shelter he came up with was simple enough, but would be more than sufficient for them. Finding several long pieces of wood, he leaned them together at the top, spread them out at the bottom near the fire, and wound a pliant strip of vine around the top where they joined, holding them together. He then lined the walls with what vegetation he could find to retain their body heat inside the structure, keeping them warm for the night. He gathered some boughs from the fir trees and began to work inside, creating a soft bed on which they could rest. It was not as soft as the bed in his chambers, but it would work for a few hours… plus, he would have Kalah beside him— she was warm, soft, and incredibly beau-
"Loki! I have returned!"
His thoughts were interrupted by a female shout outside, and as he poked his head out of the shelter, he couldn't help but smile. She was glowing as she grinned right back at him.
"I told you I'd be alright… and I got some meat and berries."
"I see that." He looked down to her hand at the white hare she was carrying. "I never doubted you, little one — not even for a second!"
She giggled. "Sure, you didn't. Our shelter looks wonderful, Loki. I might actually never want to leave this place."
"Oh, by the norns! Don't go that far, elf. We are getting out of here the moment we can."
Nodding, she went to the side of their camp to clean the hare, burying the innards to keep larger, more dangerous animals from smelling it and poking around their camp later as they slept. Finding a perfect, thick stick, she cleaned it with her knife before sliding the hare onto it and heading to the fire.
"Loki, if you're finished with the shelter, do you mind helping me roast the hare?"
He nodded as he took the seat opposite from her across the fire, and grabbed the other end of the stick. They balanced the hare above the fire, turning it every few minutes to evenly cook the meat.
"So, is this what you remember doing? I know that you are a huntress… what I mean is, what was you job in your tribe? Do you remember?"
"Yes, I can remember a little… I was one of the ones that was responsible for providing meat for my tribe…"
"Doesn't a man usually do that? The hunting, I mean." He stared at her as the illumination from the fire perfectly flickered and danced across her pale skin.
Her face quickly found his after his statement. "Not all the time, Loki. The elves with the best aim were made hunters. Man or woman. Out of all the hunters in my tribe, I provided the most meat. Me… a lowly, little elf-girl…"
"You know that's not what I meant, Kalah. I just know that in Asgard, the men are responsible for hunting. The women are taken care of a bit more… delicately."
"I'm not interested in being delicate, Loki. I'm interested in being the best I can be… providing for myself, and not relying on anyone to take care of me."
"I'm sorry, please don't be angry. I didn't mean to sound so crude. It just makes me wonder… if you meant so much to your tribe, then why did they send you? Surely, they knew you would be killed once you reached Asgard. I don't understand."
Her eyes dropped back to stare into the fire, as a wave of sadness moved across her face. "I have wondered that, every day since I arrived in Asgard. I suppose there's a good reason I was worthless."
"You are not worthless, Kalah. That I can promise. Not to me, anyway."
She gulped at the words that flowed out of his mouth. She had longed to hear that… and she had no idea that it would come from a man that had despised her, just two short weeks ago. She cleared her throat as she began to stand. She needed to change the subject.
"Well, I think it's ready." She mentioned, pulling the hot stick from Loki's grip.
"Great, I'm famished! I'll get some bread and water from my bag that we can share."
She nodded as she watched his tall, dark frame amble toward the shelter, before bending to rummage through the satchel Astrid had packed for their journey.
Taking a seat on the fir boughs he had stacked for them to sit on, he pulled the items from the bag. "Here… we've got cheese, a loaf of bread, and two big horns of water." He looked up at her, as she hadn't moved from her spot. "Well? Are you coming? I don't want to eat alone, little mouse."
"Oh… yes. I'm sorry." She knelt beside Loki before pulling some meat from the hare and placing it in his outstretched hand.
"Thank you, elf. It looks delicious. Would you like some bread?"
"Yes, please."
He smiled at her as he tore a piece of white bread from the loaf and placed it in her hand. She lifted the bread to her mouth, inhaling the scent of the lovely yeasty delicacy. Immediately, it reminded her of the palace. She missed it. She missed being in Loki's chambers… she missed eating those yummy meals with him… and she missed Astrid. The thought of not going back to that devastated her. However, she was strong and resilient, and no matter what, she would survive.
"It's quite good." Loki said, his mouth full of food. Kalah could only nod. She didn't feel much like eating, her stomach was too tied up in knots, but she managed to get a few small bites down.
Dinner had ended, and the night had fallen around them, as had the temperature.
"We must get to sleep. We will need rest for what will come tomorrow, Kalah."
"Yes… I agree." Although she knew that sleep probably wouldn't come easy to her, she needed to try. She ducked her head, and crawled into their shelter, amazed at what Loki had accomplished. "Loki, this is marvelous. Really…"
"Thank you. It's good enough for one night."
She smiled back at him as she made herself comfortable on the far side of the thick bough bed. Loki knelt, removing his long, black coat and placed it to the side before laying down beside her. Turning to face the wall of the structure, away from him, she crossed her arms. "Goodnight, Loki."
"Goodnight, little mouse." He smiled into the darkness as he laid on his back and stretched his long legs toward the fire. He could feel the gentle heat wafting off of Kalah's small body, as her muscles relaxed and she drifted off to sleep. His arm went behind his head, as he stared into the orange flickering of the hot fire. His mind was racing… going through every scenario that the next day might bring. He hoped that he wasn't taking on more than he could handle by doing this… He had always been more calculating and thoughtful than Thor, but by heading into this situation without knowing what waited on the other side made him think of his brother. That dimwit Thor would be proud, he laughed to himself.
He became very still as he began to feel something strange. Their bough bed was shaking… but, it wasn't coming from the bed, it was coming from Kalah. He reached out to run the back of his fingers across her cheek… she was freezing.
"Kalah? Wake up… we've got to get you warm." Slowly, she stirred and began to rapidly run her hands up and down her leather clad arms.
"Turn toward me." He helped her slide to her other side, facing him. "You are very cold."
"Y-y-esss…"
"Watch this."
Loki whispered something into his closed fist, and as he released it, a golden puff of smoke rose to the roof of their shelter. The smoke began to expand and soon, it encompassed the both of them, creating a small dome inside of the structure. Immediately, Kalah felt a warmth like none other… she watched as the dome twinkled and sparkled as it put off heat that she had desperately needed. It was wondrous, beautiful… and something only Loki could do.
"Loki, it's beautiful… and, why didn't you do that sooner?"
He laughed as he held his arms out. "Come. Lay with me."
"Uhh… Shouldn't we be sleeping?"
"Yes, elf, we should… don't you want to get warm first? Come."
Slowly, she inched closer to Loki, until her face lay in the crook of his neck, and he wrapped himself around her. Yes… this is where she wanted to be. As she began to get warm, she melted into his body. Each crevice and dip of his body was filled with her as she relaxed, nearly falling back to sleep… until she felt him.
His face had turned, and he began to plant sweet, light kisses on her forehead. "Look at me, Kalah."
She did as he asked and as soon as her face was level with his, he pulled her to him, placing his lips against hers once again. She had begun to think that the kiss that happened in his chambers before was all a dream… but no, it was happening once more. Soon, their kiss deepened, and she could feel a shot of that same warmth that he was using to heat the outside of her body, travel inside of her… all the way down to her toes.
Loki leaned up, hovering above her, and began to work those same laces on her leather armor. She quickly reached up, stilling his hands.
"Loki?" He could see the wariness and trepidation in her eyes.
"If you don't want to do this Kalah, just tell me. I want you terribly bad… I have ever since I first saw you. My body is aching for release right now, little one… is yours?"
She had never been with a god before, and wondered what it would be like. The truth was, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. She released his hands. "Yes, Loki… yes."
The wide grin that spread across his face was the largest she had ever seen, as he ducked his head and began to nibble on her neck as his hands went back to work. Before long he had unlaced her top, allowing her breasts to spring free. He filled his hand with one, as his mouth paid attention to the other, allowing each small nub to harden before moving back to her mouth. "Little one, you are absolutely exquisite."
His long fingers moved to the laces on the front of her breeches, making quick work of them, and Kalah kicked them off once they reached her ankles. Without wasting time, he unlaced his breeches as well, letting himself spring free, and moved in between her legs. Positioning himself at her entrance, he asked again. "You're sure this is what you want?"
"Yes, Loki… it is. Please be gentle."
"Do not worry, little mouse, I will try not to hurt you."
With that, he pushed inside of her fully, before beginning a slow, easy rocking motion… he truly didn't want to hurt her. He had never been with an Elf, as she felt better than any other woman he had bedded before. He could almost feel her glow as he moved inside of her, reveling in the ecstasy he was immersed in. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as they moved together, finally finding their release in unison.
They laid together for several moments, Loki resting his head on Kalah's chest, catching their breath. She couldn't believe that had just happened. Being with him was marvelous… being that close to him felt right… even though she knew she would be very sore the next day. Not very conducive to hiking up a mountain.
"Oh… my darling…" He leaned up, kissing the tip of her nose. "Thank you… You are so very lovely."
She giggled as she hid her face in his chest.
"No need to be shy now…"
He moved to the side of her, pulling her close to him as they cuddled on the fir boughs. Loki played with her silver hair, and ran the tips of his fingers over her pointed ears, and down her naked arm, trying to memorize her body. They had no need to cover themselves up now, as his spell was still keeping them warm, and they enjoyed just laying together for a few moments before drifting back off to sleep, finally getting a little rest before having to rise early the next morning.
The light woke them hours later, and they rose, having a bite to eat and getting bundled up. Kalah wasn't looking forward to their trek today, because she had a feeling that they would find what they were looking for… she wasn't ready for that. If she had her way, she and Loki would stay in their little slice of perfection, here in this mountain, forever. What had happened the night before was still very much in the forefront of her mind. Loki had made her feel better than she could remember ever feeling… but now, it was back to reality.
"Are you ready, elf?" Loki asked, throwing his satchel over his shoulder.
"No… but I suppose we must go anyway, right?"
"Right. It will all be okay, little one. I promise. We just need to get to the bottom of this. "
She nodded, and pulled her cloak up around her mouth, as she watched him turn to get back on their trail up the mountain.
She had a feeling that it wouldn't take them long to get where they needed to go, and unfortunately, she was right…
