Previously on We're Not in Kansas Anymore...
I tried to move quietly, but my boots were crunching loudly on the dead leaves, and snapping old twigs. I continued on my noisy path for another ten minutes, when I stopped, trying to catch my breath.
Run run run run.The voice chanted inside my head.
I slowly walked through the forest, trying to be silent. I figured I was already a mile or more away, and I slumped against the nearest tree, to take a quick rest.
The inner voice still chanted run, and I pushed myself up into a standing position, and took off again. Something glinted out of the corner of my eye but when I looked, it was gone. I continued to run, but when the glint returned, I stopped, at the beginning of a small clearing.
"Hello?" I called warily, and I saw the outline of a tall person, with a horned helmet on in the distance.
Loki?
I swallowed nervously, turning quickly in a circle, not wanting anyone to sneak up on me.
The figure disappeared into thin air, only to reappear closer, towards my left side now.
I gasped as the moonlight hit Loki's face, a dangerous smirk dancing on it. He vanished again, and I took that as my chance. I dug my toes into the dirt and ran, sprinting away as fast as I possibly could. I ran into something hard, and found myself looking up into Loki's cold blue eyes.
"Going somewhere, love?" he asked, cocking his head.
My heart thundered in my chest, and I backed up into another Loki.
I gasped out loud again, and whirled back around. Were they BOTH real? Was I dreaming?
"Did you really think you could escape so easily?" the other asked, studying my face.
I didn't reply, simply inched away, trying to escape from their piercing gazes. The Loki I had first ran into moved swiftly, blocking my path again.
"Are you just going to toy with me?" I spat out, glaring up at him.
He smirked wider. "Perhaps."
Well in that case! I pushed him as hard as I could, adrenaline coursing through me now. He actually stumbled away, much to my surprise. I took off again, and the Loki's that appeared in front of me I knew had to be fake, so I kept running, and passed through them, shuddering. I ran back into the forest, pushing the branches and briar-like plants away as quick as I could. I felt their stinging thorns digging into my hands and face, but I kept going.
I heard a roar of frustration, and the whole forest shrieked as birds, clearly startled, flew up and away from their nests. Feathers whipped by my face and I cried out, tripping over something, falling, crashing to the stony floor. I felt the rocks beneath me crumble and I screamed, tumbling down...down...down...into a ravine. Landing into a chilled stream, I spat out the bitter water that managed to flow into my mouth. My ribs stung in agonizing pain, and I winced. Must have broken one.
When I tried to sit up, I felt already forming bruises across my whole body. I really wished I still had my armor, but I didn't.
"I forgot how weak you mortals actually are."
I groaned in anger and frustration, slumping back down into the water. I stared up at the moon, giving up. No way I could get far with broken ribs. It hurt to much to breath right now, and I was barely out of breath.
I glanced towards the direction of his voice, and saw him picking his way down the steep cliff, his whole 'outfit' on, still gleaming in the moonlight.
"Come now, I assumed one with the Elder Star would hold much more fight and power than this! Or... are you just hiding your true potential?"
I slowly sat up, and noticed he was only ten feet away now, at the bottom, staring at me, his gaze calculating.
"What's the point?" I grumbled. "The Star doesn't seem eager to fix my problems, only its' own. And, as you said, mortals are weak. It seems I've broken a rib..." I inhaled, and groaned. "Or three... and I don't want to further injure myself, because I would like this damned Elder Star out of me as soon as possible."
He got closer, now five feet away. "Then give it up. Surely you have some way?"
I snorted, sitting up slowly. "To who? You?" I chuckled dryly. "Yeah, there's no way that that's gonna happen."
"Ah, come now, Alanna." he cooed. "I am not as bad as the stories say."
I narrowed my eyes, staring up at him. "Yeah, because you totallydidn't try to conquer my planet."
He laughed. "This is the sort of person I originally thought you to be. Witty and brave. Perhaps even a bit stupid, saying such to me, a god."
I rolled my eyes at this. The water continued to seep into my clothing and had already caused my hair to fall in limp strands around my face, dripping with the bitter water.
"Are we going to stay here forever?" I gestured around the ravine. "You cannot kill me, because you need my power, and I believe we are both in need of some sleep."
He raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. The next moment I was jerked to my feet, and I cried out again.
He really doesn't understand humans, does he? Overly rough with me twice in one day. Shocker.
He sighed heavily, and started to trudge up the hill, dragging me along. I winced and groaned inwardly all the way up the hill, and we walked home, not resting once.
The tears were pooling in my eyes, threatening to spill over and down my cheeks, but I blinked them away. I could cry later, when I was alone.
~0~
The next morning, I woke to discover some sort of gauze binding had been wrapped around my middle, efficiently holding my broken ribs in place.
The sunlight was streaming into the window, and I could see the dust particles dancing and swirling in the air. I slowly sat up, stretching out my sore body.
"Finally, you're awake." Loki's snakelike voice floated over to me and I glanced up, meeting his green eyes. He was settled by the fire, eating something off a golden plate.
I didn't ask or comment on the golden plate and goblet he was usually, simply met his eyes, and then looked away.
"I would advise that you do not try to run off again, or I shall have to chain you to me, but I'd much rather not waste my breath." he murmured, and I rolled my eyes, still staring at the dust in the air.
I swung my feet off the cot, and looked around. My armor was no where to be found, like I assumed it would be. Instead, I put on my boots and made sure the clip was still secured into my hair.
By the time I'd stood up, Loki was already packed, and standing at the door. "We still have a great distance to travel. Come, mortal."
Allie. Is it that hard to say Allie? I wondered snidely.
He waved his hand, and I felt the magic shimmer by me and the bed disappeared from sight. When I was next to him, he thrust a burlap bag into my hand.
"Eat." he commanded, and I pulled out an apple and some jerky. There were other foods at the bottom still, but I decided to save them for later.
I took a bite into the apple and he opened the door. His hand, which was settled on the small of my back, pushed me outside.
Once he made sure I had gotten on my horse, he got on his, eying me warily. He took my horse's reigns once again, and I felt a surge of magic wash over me. I tried to move my feet, but found they were frozen in place.
My eyes must have widened in shock, because he chuckled darkly. "Maybe this shall teach you to stay and do as your told."
I glared at him, not saying a word. What could I possibly say that would change anything?
We started to walk again.
I finished my apple and gave the rest to my horse, watching the scenery pass by.
My thoughts soon drifted to the Elder Star. According to Thor, I could make up practically any story for what it wanted. Perhaps it wanted to find more of the Infinity Gauntlet items, perhaps it wanted to protect them. Maybe it even wanted to find another Star, if there were even any more out there.
"Thor told me you knew more about the Elder Star than he did." I spoke quietly, breaking the steady silence we had formed.
Loki glanced over his shoulder, his black hair slicked back. "You do not know about what you hold?"
I gnawed on my lip, shaking my head. "I only know what Thor has told me. All the Star has told me is what it wanted, and even that was vague."
He pulled the reigns until my horse was trotting next to his.
"There is a prophecy about the Elder Star, one that has been passed over many generations. It is even older then Odin's knowledge." Loki murmured, looking straight ahead.
"The one where the Star chooses someone to protect it for two hundred years?" I asked.
Loki scowled and glanced at me. "Quiet." he demanded.
I scoffed. "But-"
Suddenly, I felt magic wash over my face, and I could not speak.
I started to protest, but ceased when I saw Loki and I had paused, our horses silent. He narrowed his eyes and stared into the forest, looking around.
After he was satisfied, we continued on down the rugged path. "The prophecy states that a mere mortal shall be the Protector of the Star, and shall help join worlds and win wars, or destroy worlds and loose wars. The choice is up to the wielder."
He was silent for a moment.
"The prophecy has a poem that goes with it, but it is in ancient runes, and is not known to many." he turned to glance at me. "In Midgardian terms, it would be;
The power of the Star wielded in mortal blood,
Shall bring the conquering or uniting of worlds.
The war might cease and peace be made,
Or death and destruction will rule.
The owner of the Star shall choose the destiny of the Nine-Realms."
I flipped the prophecy over in my mind, pondering its meaning.
Thank goodness I didn't actually have this Elder Star thing, because that would be bad. I didn't do well with high expectations, and it was clear by this poem that the Elder Star's expectations were ridiculously high.
I tried to speak, but remembered I still had the magical binding around my mouth. I clawed at my lips, trying to pry them apart.
The raven haired man chuckled beside me. "Don't bother."
I scowled at him and barely mouthed the same two words I had used to get through the cottage spell.
"We've arrived." Loki announced, moments after I had gotten rid of his bindings on my lips.
I finally actually noticed my surroundings. I had seen trees, but hadn't really noticed that they were slowly thickening and that it was getting darker. I craned my neck up to see the tall mountain looming in front of us. I scrunched up my eyebrows, trying to figure out why we had stopped here.
I thought we were going to use the Bifrost to get between the realms...I cursed under my breath, so low I couldn't even hear myself. Of course we couldn't use the Bifrost, it was broken, and Thor said that it couldn't go between realms! How could have I forgotten?
Loki dismounted his horse and took off his bag strapped to the saddlebag. It shrunk into a small green and gold ring, and he slipped it onto his middle finger. He slapped his horse's rump, and it galloped off into the forest.
He looked up at me in annoyance, as if he expected me to dismount already.
"I can't move when you've enchanted my legs." I said, forgetting that he technically thought I was still mute.
He raised an eyebrow and suddenly my feet were free. I got down off the horse, eying the thick woods thoughtfully. Loki grabbed my bag of what I assumed was my armor, backpack, and food, and made it into a thin gold chain, which he looped around his neck. He tucked the chain under his armor and sent my horse off as well.
He caught my second glance at the woods, and his hand wrapped around my bicep in a tight grip. "Don't you dare." he growled in warning.
I swallowed nervously, nodding once. "Not like I could get far."
He tugged my arm again, leading me forward like a horse. I wrenched my arm out of his grip, and he was facing me in an instant.
I held my hands up. "I'm not going anywhere, chill."
He narrowed his blue eyes dangerously and I batted my eyes innocently.
Scowling, he pushed me in front of him and we walked closer towards the mountain.
Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't uploaded in forever! ): But I'm on summer break so I'm slowly knocking out chapters for each one of the five? fanfics I'm currently writing! Where would you like to see this story go? I'm trying to come up with good ideas, but they're slowly running out! ):
Review please, it motivates me to write more! xx
