SO SORRY it has taken me too long to update. Had a busy weekend last week, but I got to see Derek Hough dance live so I feel like that's a pretty good excuse. Anyways, moving on...
The group rode only a small way before Theoric decided to break for the night and finish the rest of the journey in the morning. A perimeter was created by the guards with a fire built in the center. The prisoners were allowed to be together but were closely watched. Since the princes were still considered royalty, more leeway was given by order of Theoric to the prisoners. However, confusion about what had transpired over the course of the past several days certainly made the guards a little more wary and they decided to err on the side of caution rather than foolishness. But they still treated Thor with utmost respect, especially since many of them knew him personally. Loki, on the other hand, they were sure not to trust and eyed him suspiciously even when Thor made it clear that anyone who touched his brother would first have to go through himself. Not that it mattered anyway as Loki was not really capable of much at the moment. When Thor helped his brother down off of the horse, he felt his panic flare up at how hot Loki felt. His fever had severely risen since they had left the house. Loki was barely even conscious when Thor laid him on the ground. His pale cheeks were flushed red and shone in the light of the fire. Thor looked up for Sigyn, but she was already kneeling beside them at that very moment. She lifted his shirt to inspect his wound and was dismayed to find it inflamed with infection.
"Th-Thor?" Loki called out in a fever sweat and blindly raised his hand in search of his brother. Thor grasped Loki's hand in his and squeezed.
"I am here, brother. There is no cause for fear," the older sibling assured the younger one and patted his neck with affection. Loki then muttered something as he drifted into sleep, his eyes flittering beneath their lids.
"His infection is worse and is spreading," Sigyn bit her quivering lip in worry. "I thought I had taken care of it, but his fever still has not broken. We must bring his temperature down immediately," she whispered to Thor as she laid her cool hand against Loki's face. "This fever could kill him if it keeps up like this for much longer. I fear for him if it has already begun to spread into his blood. My skills are not as refined as those of the royal house of Asgard…if only I knew more spells I…" Thor sensed her self-doubt and guilt and immediately put a stop to it.
"Lady Sigyn," he interrupted and clasped his large hand over her much smaller one and squeezed. "You have done more for my brother than I can ever repay you. You have kept him alive thus far and have saved his life. Do not doubt your skill. You will become a great healer someday, of that I am sure." Sigyn smiled at the prince's kind words and visibly relaxed. Thor was glad he could reassure her. After all, the girl was only sixteen and had been asked to suddenly do more than she could have dreamed. Gathering her resolve again, Sigyn glanced over her shoulder.
"We can try this the old-fashioned way. There is a stream not but several paces from here, but I don't know if they would let us bring him there," she admitted in hushed tones and eyed the surrounding guards.
"I will speak to the captain. He will obey me," vowed Thor and set his jaw.
"Be careful not to anger him," advised Sigyn quietly and subtly pulled her injured arm closer in to herself. Thor stood, leaving Loki in Sigyn's care, and made his way to where Theoric was laying out his bedroll.
"Captain," Thor stated, getting the man's attention.
"Your highness," Theoric nodded politely and stood.
"My brother's fever is reaching a dangerous point. His body needs to be cooled," Thor informed him anxiously. Theoric gave a slight huff at the mention of Loki and glanced over Thor's shoulder to where Sigyn sat watching over him. His eyes lingered on the girl.
"What exactly do you expect me to do about it?" Theoric asked him honestly.
"Allow me to bring him down to the stream that is near here. A few minute's time in the water should calm his fever for now," Thor told him. Theoric's eyebrow rose out of suspicion. Thor understood his natural concern. "I promise that there is no foul play here. You may send an escort with us if you like." Theoric thought about this before nodding.
"And we will keep the Midgardian here as insurance." Then the man, already anticipating Thor's concern, added in a sincere vow, "No one will touch her. Upon that I swear my own life which you may have as forfeit." Though he didn't want to leave Jane, he trusted the promise of the captain. At the moment, Loki needed him. Thor nodded his thanks to the captain and returned to his brother.
"They're letting us take him to the river," he told Sigyn and Jane as well who had joined the group. "You'll have to stay here," Thor sighed and cradled Jane's petite face with one massive hand. "The captain said…"
"I understand," Jane assured him and smiled at him to let him know she did not judge him. She shrugged. "I am in no danger. It's you who is going to get it when we return," she observed and raised an eyebrow. Thor couldn't help but mirror her playful smile and rubbed his thumb against her cheek before bending down to pick up Loki. His brother's head lolled against his shoulder like a rag doll and his limbs were heavy and limp. Sigyn moved to join Thor, but this did not escape the attention of the captain.
"No, no. Both girls stay. There is no reason for her to go," he declared and took a step towards them. Thor didn't care for the tone of the man's voice.
"She is his healer. She will accompany us to the river," Thor insisted and gave the man a hard, meaningful stare. The captain paused for a second, the eyes of his men watching him, before he allowed Sigyn to go. At the captain's nod, two guards accompanied them to the river's bank several hundred paces away from the camp.
"It's not too cold," Sigyn commented as she waded into the calm river that flowed lazily in the moonlight. "It should not send him into shock." Thor nodded as he carefully began to wrestle Loki out of his shirt after having already removed his own. The guards remained on the bank a few paces away, close enough to see though not to hear. Loki remained delirious; his eyes stayed closed but nonsense tumbled drunkenly from his lips. Thor anxiously eyed Loki as he gingerly pulled his brother's arms out of his sleeves and tossed the bloody shirt aside for later. Lifting his brother into his arms yet again, Thor followed to where Sigyn stood in the center of the stream. The water swirled around her chest though it only came to Thor's waist. Managing to find a hidden boulder to sit on under the water, Thor settled his younger brother into his lap. He slowly lowered Loki into the cool water, allowing his brother's back to rest against his chest. Thor felt a tremor run through Loki's body before his muscles began to unconsciously relax at the relief. His head nestled comfortably beneath Thor's chin, and all of the tension seemed to float away with the river. Even his breathing slowed to an eased, normal pace and he became peacefully silent with sleep.
"Much better," Sigyn smiled as she took in Loki's countenance. "He looks calmer."
"Yes," Thor agreed as he gazed down at his sleeping brother. "He looks more like himself."
"Mmm," Sigyn agreed as she let her eyes fall to her playful fingers making small ripples in the flowing water.
"Sigyn, what is your opinion of my brother?" Thor quietly asked in the stillness. Sigyn peeked at Thor with one eye to gauge his intent. After deeming it was merely that of a curious, watchful older brother, she replied.
"He is different now. He is not like he used to be." She stated this with a hint of sadness.
"He told me…" continued Thor gently, "…about your common love for magic and how he used to tutor you."
"Yes, we both love magic, but for different reasons," explained Sigyn as she waded forward towards them, her eyes on Loki's flushed face. "He, for the mischief and joy that it brings." Her hands swiftly scooped up a cupful of water in a spirited manner. "Me, for the healing and help that it brings." She measuredly let the water trickle through her fingers and onto his head to cool him. "Our reasons are often shared by each other, though we receive the most enjoyment by watching the other delight in their own way…but he has changed." Sigyn's bright blue eyes met Thor's and she briefly paused, her manner serious. "I know what he is." Thor's eyes softened in compassion for his brother and a flicker of guilt crossed his face, knowing his brother was sensitive about his true parentage. Sigyn's lips quirked upwards. "He has not told me, but I have heard the rumors and by the look on your face just now, I now know that they are true." Thor couldn't keep the spark of surprise from his eyes but he did not miss the glimmer of mischief in her own, taking subtle pride in her own trick.
"But that does not frighten you? Or concern you?" Thor deduced curiously. Sigyn shook her head.
"No, it does not. What he is is not who he is. It is the who I am concerned about. The man I met before is not the same one here now."
"Do you love him?" Thor boldly questioned, desiring the truth. Sigyn showed no evidence of surprise by his query and paused in consideration before giving her gentle answer.
"I believe I did love him…once. He needed me, and I could not help but give him love in return. It was almost like a dream…but he has changed." Sigyn's face twisted with genuine hurt. "Bitterness festers inside of him like a disease. Anger overflows faster at the smallest things. He builds up walls like he never did before…he no longer trusts." Silence took its turn for a moment, and Sigyn's beautiful face softened as she watched Loki sleep. "But there are moments…moments like this when I catch a glimpse of what he was like before, and I wonder if…he can be that way again. Perhaps not in whole, but in part at least." Her youthful face then grew sorrowful, as if she had already lived a thousand lifetimes. "I do not know what his future holds, but I pray it is one that brings him much happiness and blessing." Though perplexed by her sadness, Thor gazed at the young girl in awe and caught a glimpse of what Loki saw in her.
"For one so young, you have much insight and hope. It is no wonder you captured his affection," Thor complimented. Sigyn glanced up at his words. A shy smile shone in the moonlight as her golden hair fell like a curtain to hide innocent blushing with eyes downcast in humility. Thor smiled in return. "Perhaps he can become whole again," mused Thor as he looked upon the girl. Little else was said between the two and before long they waded out of the river to return to the others, each one a bit calmer though more solemn, while Loki all the while slept peacefully and unaware.
It wasn't until the next early evening that Theoric's party reached the palace of Asgard. The Aesir living in the surrounding villages at the base of the palace watched with wide eyes as their princes were led by the captain of the guard to the palace gates. Such strange occurrences had happened in the realm recently, and the people were restless and scared. Of course, the sight of Prince Loki instilled fear and it was not at all surprising that he was under guard, but Prince Thor? Surely the warrior prince had not done what was rumored—that he had rebelled against the king and committed treason? And yet the nature of the escort—armed guards surrounding the royals—was anything but typical. As the large, golden gates of Odin's household opened and swallowed up the party, the people of Asgard could only wait for news of the verdict of their king.
It's about time to face the music for our group. Only one more chapter and then an epilogue! Please review as I love reading them! Thank you again for reading!
