Chapter Ten

Upon my arrival to Asgard I had seen a lot of strange and unbelievable things. There were fish that grew legs, birds with tails larger than a human being and trees that came to life and tried to swallow you whole. Not to mention a bridge made of rainbow glass. It was one thing after another that constantly kept me on my toes. But, nothing prepared me for the bilgesnipe.

It was large and scaly like that of a lizard with green and yellow hues that gleamed in the light of both moons. Antler-like horns protruded from its giant head. They reared up ready to stab at anything that got in its way. Thick, red spikes protruded along its back and short tail coming to a point almost like a heavy club. Its tongue hissed between its sharp, yellowed teeth that snapped at the guards that lead it into the arena with electric poles.

It pawed at the dirt ground with its dangerously sharp claws. I swallowed hard leaning forward in my seat as I stared at the creature before me. That thing could easily kill Hogun in one swipe. It was madness for him to try and fight it. It was madness for anyone to try and fight it.

A trumpet sounded and the guards turned off their electric poles. They quickly ran off diving under the gate that closed firmly shut behind them. The bilgesnipe reared its head. Its voice roared in short, shrill echoes that made me hold my ears with both hands. With wide eyes I watched as it charged at Hogun, its antlers narrowed in and ready to strike.

I gasped.

Hogun slid out of the creature's path, his hand reaching to the sword at his side. He pulled it out with ease and let the blade slice at the underbelly of the bilgesnipe. Dark red—almost black—blood spilled out from the wound. The bilgesnipe roared and turned on Hogun, its large tongue extending and wrapping around his arm.

I screamed, closing my eyes and shielding my face in Loki's shoulder as the crowd jeered and gasped along with me. I felt Loki's hand awkwardly pat my leg before he leaned and whispered in my ear.

"Do not fret so much."

I looked up at him, my eyes blurring slightly from the effects of having one too many drinks already, and returned my attention back to Hogun in the arena. The bilgesnipe was pulling him in closer, dragging its tongue back to its saliva filled mouth. Hogun struggled, his sword already feet away. He dug his feet into the ground, slowing the process but not enough. With one more toss of its head the bilgesnipe was able to get Hogun close enough that it brought up its large hand and slapped him across the face.

"Show that beast no mercy!" jeered a drunken Volstagg, rising to his feet and swaying a bit as he cheered on his friend. Thor laughed, joining in on the merriment encouraging Volstagg to shout even more. "Rip out its tongue!"

Blood trickled down the side of Hogun's face, sliding down into his eye and mouth. I cringed, curious as to how he could even see when he made a loud yell and slid under the bilgesnipe's feet, using its tongue to trip it onto its back. He ripped his arm free and dove for his sword, skating along the ground until his fingers clutched onto the hilt.

The bilgesnipe rolled over onto all fours and jumped at Hogun, its claws extended and ready for the kill. With one quick move he managed to turn onto his back and aim the swords blade deep into the creature's throat. I closed my eyes as my stomach involuntarily turned and I could taste the remnants of the alcohol I had so eagerly downed.

Inhaling deeply and trying to keep from throwing up I turned to Thor who was standing up with arms held open. He smiled wide and boomed, "let us rejoice in pride for the Asgardian Warrior fit to carry the name, Hogun!"

The crowd went wild as Hogun pumped his fist in the air, the bloodied sword he held in his hand covered in the creature's remains. As always, his face was still but even from the distance that I sat at I could tell that he was proud. Inhaling deeply, I joined the crowd in their applause and turned to Loki.

"Is that is?"

Loki cast a long gaze my way and shook his head. "That is only the start."

Several others fought—while many more lost—against the furious and ferocious bilgesnipe. By the time Lady Sif had entered the arena I had lost count of how many goblets I had emptied.

She looked like a goddess, with her armor gleaming in the light. Her face was hard despite the smile she wore. In her hand she held her sword, her grip tight as she thrust it into the air. The crowd went wild.

I gripped onto Loki's hand as the bilgesnipe was released from its confinements and charged at her with a much faster speed than any of the others. I wasn't sure why I worried for her safety. Without a passing glance she jumped high into the air and brought her sword down onto the creature's fleshy neck, tearing her blade along its scalp and dislodging one of its antlers. It fell to the ground, crashing dirt all around her.

Thor rose from his seat, waiting for the dust settle before he bellowed. "Another!"

Rather than one, two were released charging down upon her with intent to kill. She twirled the hilt of her sword in her hand before bringing it down and hacking at them both. I gasped, letting go of Loki's hand and standing to my own feet. Again, the dust swirled around as two more bodies came crashing to the ground.

"Is that all that you have?" she teased, causing the crowd to let loose in excitement. "Come now! Give me all you've got!"

Thor laughed, his blue eyes twinkling at his friend's thirst for blood. "You are a warrior to be proud of my friend!" He let out a deep laugh once more and continued, "Rest easy Lady Sif for you a warrior worthy of the name!"

The crowd roared in agreement, chanting out her name. She bowed dramatically, blowing kisses in random directions throughout the throng of excited people.

"Wow," I breathed, sitting back firmly in my seat. "She is amazing." Loki nodded but said nothing. I turned to him, flinging my eyebrows upward. "Have you ever seen anything so amazing!?"

"I have known Sif for many years," was all he replied.

A few others fought, some not as lucky as others. I'd never seen someone die before. Movies and books were one thing but watching it happen in action left me feeling sick to my stomach. These men and women who fought were not just fighting for their lives, but for the entertainment of their family and friends. I knew that Norse Mythology was gruesome at times but this was—

"Who is that?" I asked as the crowd began to grow silent.

A woman with long, red hair tied in a thick braid stepped out into the arena. She was well-built with a heavy top and lean, muscular arms and legs. She wore a warriors outfit similar to Sif's but much shorter and fairly revealing. It was low-cut and short, and hardly protective at all. Her face from what I could see was pretty to look at and from the attention the men were giving it was no question that she was just as popular as Lady Sif.

Loki nearly groaned as he replied, "she is a sorceress and the Queen of Nornheim, Karnilla."

"A sorceress? You mean she does magic like you?"

"Unlike myself hers were not taken away," he spat, his lip curling as he watched the Amazonian-like Goddess of a woman stride through the arena.

The beast was let free.

Karnilla held out her long, slender fingers and waved them toward the bilgesnipe encircling it in fire. It roared, kicking up its front legs and hissing loudly as she walked around it. With another wave of her hand the fire was gone and without a moments hesitation the creature charged at her.

Its horns bent down, ripping at the fabric of her attire. The crowd gasped thinking that she had been struck down when she suddenly vanished and appeared behind it. The bilgesnipe came to a halt, and sharply turned around. It growled, sticking out its tongue and extending it the way that the previous one did to Hogun.

Karnilla held out her hands. Blue smoke floated from her palms, wrapping around the beast's thick tongue causing it to quickly turn to ice. The bilgesnipe's tongue fell midair and onto the ground, smashing and breaking as it hit the surface. The beast roared painfully as it started to back away from her, rolling its wounded tongue back into its mouth.

I swallowed hard, reaching once more for Loki's hands and gripping onto his fingers. "She's not just fighting this thing to prove herself as a warrior," I whispered, horrified that people were enjoying this. "She's toying with it."

Loki raised a finely arched eyebrow. "And, what is wrong with that? These are lowly-creatures, do not feel pity for them Hayden."

I swallowed and turned to Loki. "Lowly creature or not, it is still a creature."

My eyes closed tight as I heard the beast cry out in anguish once more. The crowd shot off in excitement, cheering as the sound of the bilgesnipe fell to the ground. Inhaling deeply, I let go of Loki's hand and placed my hands into my own lap before turning my attention back to the arena.

Karnilla held up her hands as the previous winners did before her, swooping low so that anyone close enough could see down her tunic. As she straightened her gaze settled to where we all sat. At first I thought she was staring at Thor as he announced her a warrior worthy of the name when I noticed that Loki started to shift in his spot.

"Do you know her?" I asked, feeling uneasy with the way that she stared so intently at him.

"We've been acquainted," he answered though that wasn't exactly the answer I was looking for.

I wanted to press the subject further but the candles began to dim one by one until only the light from the two moons shined down upon the arena. Drums began to beat, heavy and loud. Each one matched the banging of my nerves. A trumpet followed after and from the entrance of the arena walked Fandral, both hands in the air as the crowd cheered him on.

"Oh no," I gasped, bringing both hands to my open mouth. I could feel Loki's gaze stare at me curiously but I kept my eyes strictly on Fandral and his stupidity. "Please don't—"

"My Fair Lady, Hayden!" he shouted. I slumped in my seat and groaned. "I shall win this for you…" he dramatically bowed low, freeing his bow and arrow from the leather straps on his back and standing with both of the arrow already knocked into place. "My friend!"

The gates slid open and there were no guards to lead out the bilgesnipe. Instead, three of them—much larger than any of the ones that had been fought that night—stampeded out and charged Fandral's way. With ease, he let loose his arrow, grabbing for another one and releasing it before the first of beasts fell to the ground.

I stood up, following after Loki as we trailed after Thor to congratulate the warriors who had won. I swayed slightly, holding onto the train of my dress in hopes that I wouldn't trip over the fabric. My vision blurred, and I blinked watching as Loki slowly became two people rather than one. I wasn't sure if I preferred the result being that I was drunk or that Loki was playing tricks on me.

"You walk as though you are a newling learning for the first time," whispered Loki into my ear, placing his hand onto my back to keep me steady. Well, that answered the reason for seeing double. "Midgardian's surely can hold their liquor better than this can they not?"

"In my defense," I slurred as I poked at his chest, "I don't really drink that much. So, my tolerance is lowwwww," I said deepening my voice. Loki rolled his eyes as I started to giggle. "Oh, come on that was funny."

"Your idea of what is funny is drastically different than my own."

"That's because you're grumpy," I said bounding down the stairs and rushing to meet up with Thor. "Thor!" he turned around and looked me up and down a couple of times before laughing and grabbing me by my shoulders.

"Do my eyes deceive me or is Agent Waltham actually having fun?"

I smiled awkwardly and suddenly forgot what it was that I wanted to ask him. "I have fun," I chided slowly turning my gaze toward the line of warriors who were receiving their praise from other Asgardians. "How often do these events happen?"

"Once a year," beamed Thor. "I used to participate many moons ago. Those were the days of young man's triumph," he shouted, reaching out and grabbing Loki by the neck. He tugged his brother in for a friendly hug and ruffled his hair a bit. "Were they not my dear brother?"

Loki shoved Thor away, straightening his robes and his hair. "Of course, Thor," he replied, his voice low and the least bit amused.

"Hayden, my friend," cooed Fandral with two women draped around each arm. He smiled at me, winking once before whispering to both girls. They giggled amongst one another and nodded, sultrily walking away and standing away as they waited. "I told you that I would win, did I not?"

"And, what a valiant win it was," shouted Thor slapping his friend on the back.

I smiled, crossing my arms against my chest. "You could have been killed."

"And then songs would have been sang in my honor," he replied.

"You were foolish," I said reaching out and poking at the shoulder that had been bitten by the wolf. "They nearly ripped your head off because of that wound."

Fandral shrugged. "A mere nick," he scoffed, waving it off like it was no big deal.

"Well," I breathed heavily growing slightly annoyed that he was just pushing away the concerns of the night's events, "congratulations on your victory."

He bowed, reaching for my hand and kissing the top gently. I wasn't certain but I could have sworn that I heard Loki growl. I looked over my shoulder to see him standing beside Thor talking with Sif and Hogun. Volstagg was stumbling, hugging the both of them as he congratulated each friend. Loki didn't even look my way. Perhaps I did just imagine it, I thought wistfully and turned back to Fandral with a spinning head.

"You do not look well," he commented before looking me up and down and smiling slightly to the side, "though that dress is absolutely ravishing my lady."

"Loki had it commissioned for me," I said, grabbing onto the fabric of the dress and holding it out for him to see.

"So, it is Loki that escorted you to tonight's events?" I nodded, looking back over at my shoulder and noticing that he was no longer beside Thor and his friends. Frowning, I turned back to Fandral. "Would it be too presumptuous of me to ask for a dance?"

"I—uh—I really don't think that is—"

"I did just almost die in your honor," he rebutted, holding out his arm for me to take. "Believe me when I say that Loki is not one to care about a Midgardian woman."

"What?" I snapped a little bit louder than I intended.

Fandral held up his hand. "I mean no disrespect, Hayden. I myself do not care if you are a Midgardian or not. Loki, however, does not care about others besides himself. Especially, not a Midgardian."

Before I even realized what was happening I reached out and slapped him across the face. A couple of onlookers around us gasped and as my hand began to sting I instantly regretted it. Never in my life had I struck another human being.

I opened my mouth ready to apologize when Fandral shook his head and smiled, "do not worry about it, Hayden. It is I who should be apologizing to you for being so forward." He bowed slightly, excusing himself. I watched him walk away, extending his arms and greeting the woman who waited for him.

"Hayden, perhaps it is time that you get some rest. You have had a lot to drink." I looked up at Thor and sheepishly nodded realizing that he was right. "I am glad that you enjoyed yourself though. You should smile more often."

"Thank you," I whispered, looking around for Loki. My face paled as I noticed that he was completely gone.

"Do you need an escort?" asked Thor, waving over one of his guards.

I shook my head no, ready to tell him that I was fine on my own when Loki appeared at my side and grabbed at my elbow. "I will see to it that she be properly bedded, brother."

Thor looked at Loki, his blue eyes darkening as he continued to wave over the guard. "I do not want it to be of trouble to you my brother. Enjoy yourself tonight. It has been a long time since you have mingled amongst others."

"I, too, have tired and wish to retire for the night," said Loki. His voice was stern and hard and there was no arguing with him, "I escorted Hayden here. I am more than capable of seeing to it that she returns to her chambers safely."

Thor nodded, and reached out to grab my shoulder. "Good night, my friend. Rest well."

Hayden: Haha that is always good reason to start reading something and I'm glad that you actually enjoyed it instead! And don't worry I have some Loki and Hayden time planned very soon (:

Ellize Avalon: He is quite the pervy one. (: hahah I was reading up on mythology and watching some old Thor cartoons and he's kind of skervy at times lol Don't worry! It's coming soon enough.

Fang500: Thank you so much! :D And, I am really glad to hear that you are enjoying it so much. That's all any writer really wants (: