Hullo all you lovely readers! In honor of fathers day, and the fact that I've gotten over my writer's block I decided an extra update was in order. Some of you (wolftattoo) guessed at what might happen, so that was interesting. I'd like to thank you all for the support you give me on this story, even when I don't update in months *cringe*. I'm really sorry about that. It won't happen again. If it does, you all can feel free to come to my house, chain me to my computer and force me to write. It shouldn't happen again, I have most of the chapters written out, and an outline for those I don't. I just realized though... this story is going to be LONG. Like ridiculously, when is this gonna end long. Sorry not sorry. Wow. Long author's note today. My bad.
-Darke
Sidhe had just silently closed the door to Loki's room when she ran smack into Odin. "Oh! Sir! I am so terribly sorry."
Odin raised an eyebrow. "Would you come with me please?" With a twitch of his fingers commanding her to follow, he made his way down the hall. Sidhe followed silently, her mask of indifference back up. Odin led her into the sitting room of his chambers. Frigga, Odin's wife, was already there, reading silently. She looked up with raised brows as the two came in. Sidhe bowed to her, receiving a nod in return.
"Odin, what is the meaning of this?" Frigga asked. Odin sat next to her.
"I found her exiting Loki's quarters a moment ago. You are the one who threatened my guards at sword point, are you not? Would you care to tell me exactly what you were doing in there?"
"Of course. I was the one who threatened them, and I did come out from Loki's room. I was fixing the mess Thor and your two guards made of Loki."
Odin's eyes flashed, but she met them without fear, not glancing away. "What exactly are you saying?" He asked quietly.
"I am saying that Thor's brutality was unnecessary and unprecedented, rivaled only by that of the two guards you sent to help Loki."
"How dare you question my actions, Thor's actions?"
"Thor beat Loki like a dog. You cannot deny it."
"Thor had to fight for his right to the throne."
"I understand that. What Thor did was not a fight. Loki was curled in the fetal position, trying to protect his head as Thor slammed him with a hammer. Thor knew Loki cannot fight, everyone knows it. Fighters more skilled may have been able to defend themselves, but Loki could not. Thor knew this."
Odin shook his head. "You do not understand-" He began, but she cut him off.
"No, you don't understand. I have not seen such brutality and indifference since my brother and neighbors were mercilessly slaughtered at the hands of the frost giants."
Odin leapt to his feet. "HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT ME?" He bellowed.
"HOW DARE YOU CONDONE SUCH VIOLENCE?" Sidhe screamed back. Odin snarled, his face twisted in fury. Frigga leapt to her feet.
"Enough of this!" She exclaimed. She shoved Odin into his chair and Sidhe back a few paces. "Neither of you will ever give way to the other's point of view, so may we please just move on?" Sidhe nodded tightly.
"So." Odin murmured. "You do not like my son. Care to tell me what is wrong with my guards?"
Sidhe glared. "I do not dislike Thor. I dislike his actions as of late. The guards are different. I cannot stand them. I sense that we will both continue to get angry if this talk continues. I will tell you what happened if you desire, but I recommend asking your son when he wakes. He is better to tell you what happened."
Odin nodded. "Fine. Go."
Sidhe turned on her heel and strode out of the room, not bothering to bow.
Eight o clock found one very confused and sore Loki, sitting in his bed with a bemused expression on his face.
"What on earth?" He murmured. The look of confusion was replaced with one much darker as the events of the day rushed back. "I suppose that explains the soreness." He looked to his left to see a tray of food sitting on the bedside table. His cheeks flushed as he remembered the other half of his afternoon. He wrinkled his face in self-disgust. How could he have allowed himself to show such emotion? Emotions were a luxury, one he did not have. If anyone found out… he would be a laughingstock. Even more than he was now. Loki, the man who cried because of a little pain. Who had to fight back tears at the mention of his father's actions towards him. His stomach broke the stream of his inner monologue with a loud and angry growl. Reaching over to the tray, Loki hungrily consumed everything that had been set out for him.
"How are you feeling, my son?" Odin's voice startled Loki, making him jump. The pain in his shoulder increased tenfold, but he clamped it down and kept his expression neutral.
"Sore." He answered stiffly. Odin noticed the tension.
"Is something wrong?"
"Just out of curiosity, were those guards you sent to 'assist me' supposed to be my punishment for losing the match?"
Odin raised an eyebrow. "I must confess, Lady Sidhe spoke that you suffered some 'abuse' at the hands of the guards, but was most… reluctant to speak of it. She informed me it would be better coming from you." Icily Loki told Odin all that had happened to him at the hands of those sent to assist him. Odin's expression grew darker and darker with each word. "Rest assured they shall be imprisoned at once," Odin informed him. "No one is allowed to treat you that way."
"No one but Thor." Loki replied irritably. Odin frowned.
"Care to explain?"
Loki glared at him. "Just stop it. You believe that perfect son Thor was justified in doing what he did, do you not?" Odin looked away. "Do you deny this?"
Odin's jaw clenched. "He was required to fight, same as you."
"Can it really be considered a fight when the opponent literally cannot defend themselves?"
"If you had trained harder I'm sure-"
"You're sure what? That I might have had even the smallest glimmer of a chance? I know you made sure the fight was physical. Golden boy had to win. He is the favorite, after all."
"How dare you accuse me-" Odin began, but Loki cut him off.
"Just stop. We both know you favor Thor, let us not pretend any differently. There is no one here for you to lie to." Loki hissed. Odin glared at him.
"On what grounds do you dare found this accusation?"
"Oh let's see. If anyone had done to Thor what Thor did to me this afternoon you would have had them flogged and thrown in prison to be tortured, if you did not have them executed on the spot. Not good enough evidence for you? What about the time when we were eight? Thor had a terrible nightmare, so you stayed by his bedside all night long to make sure he was ok. When I confessed my fear of thunderstorms you told me to not be such a weakling." Odin opened his mouth to protest. "Don't. We were ten. You asked Thor if he wanted to try wine. When he liked it, you gave him a small glass of his own. I was not even allowed to taste some. Wine was for adults and those privileged." Loki sneered. "It is funny how all those inconsequential little slights stack up, is it not?" Loki looked away. "I would prefer you to leave." Jaw tight, Odin got up stiffly and left the room.
Loki massaged his aching forehead. He needed a stiff drink. Or a distraction. With a sigh, he climbed out of his bed. He would go wander the halls. There was usually something amusing to be found there. If he was lucky, Sif would be out and about. Irritating her was easy and great fun. Looking down, Loki noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt. The next week would be interesting. His magic would accelerate the healing process; most of the small injuries were already gone. The broken arm would take at least a week. The gash on his back would take a week or more, it was quite deep. Normal functions would be awkward and difficult. He would need help with the simplest of things.
"Excuse me, sir. Lord Odin commanded me to service you. If there is anything you need, please ring this bell." A small woman, meek and timid, tiptoed into the room, placing a bell on his bedside table. She looked at the floor. "Is there anything you require, milord?"
Loki closed his eyes. There was one thing, against his will, that he wanted very desperately. But first… "Is my father requiring you to tell him everything I ask for?" Loki drawled.
"No sir."
"Then I expect you will honor my command when I tell you that anything and everything I ask for is a secret."
"Yes sir."
"If anyone hears of anything I ask for, I can guarantee you will be seeing your worst fears wherever you go for a month or more, depending on how generous I may or may not be feeling. Do you understand?" She gulped but nodded. He sauntered forwards, noticing and grinning at the flinch. Her weakness and fear entertained him greatly. It was good to feel in control again, after what had happened this afternoon. Power. It was a wonderful thing. He placed his fingers underneath her chin and tipped her face up towards his. She began trembling. Loki leaned down, his lips inches from hers. "Would you like to know what I want?"
"That is my job, sir," She whispered.
"I want you to leave." He flung her away with his good arm, grinning. No, there really was nothing like power. He quietly laughed as she fled the room.
