Author's Notes: Again thanks to all readers/reviewers. Coming to the end now (only a few more chapters to go!)
Thor and Loki approached the bed, both suffering their own inner torment at seeing the condition of their fallen father. To Thor, this went beyond the time he was in Odin sleep. His now gaunt face was grey in hue, his hair now brittle, like straw. But for the very shallow rise and fall of his ribcage, Thor would have thought him to have already departed for Valhalla.
A sudden memory flashed through his mind. He would have been around seven. Loki had come into his room to play with him. Both were concocting a rather elaborate tale, using Loki's paper animals, when Odin came in, to wish Thor goodnight. Rather than scold them both, he sat down with them on the bed, picked up one of Loki's paper horses, and commenced to continue with the brothers' tale.
"Tell us more, daddy. Tell us more!" Loki demanded, once he got to the end.
"No more tonight. You are going to bed. Your own. Come along."
"Just one more… please!"
"Yes, please daddy!" Thor had begged.
Odin had then favoured them both with such a look of love that only a father can produce.
"Ok, just a little longer then…"
"Is there any hope?" Thor returned to the present. Odin's hand felt so cold in his.
"When the Alfmeir elves return tomorrow night, they can-" He heard Loki say, behind him.
"He is beyond even their magic, Loki." Frigga said.
Thor brought the delicate flesh to his lips and kissed it.
"Fargo will pay for what he had done." He stood and turned to face Frigga. Loki was beside her, his hand on her shoulder. "I will see to that."
"I do not doubt it. Tell me, Thor. What are your preparations so far for the impending attack?"
"I have sent out a message to all in the villages surrounding the palace. All of those unable to fight are to head up further north into the mountains. It will be a perilous journey but they are safer there than down here. Those that can fight should ready themselves. I have ordered in every warrior we have abroad, and tripled the guards on the palace entrances."
Frigga nodded. "Those are wise choices. I would have done the same. And you, Loki?"
"I have created a protective barrier around the palace. When the Alfarians arrive tomorrow night, their magic should help fortify it." Loki said. "And I have sent word to the outermost borders of Asgard. We are not their enemy but their friend. When this war is over, we will do everything in our power to rectify their squalid living arrangements."
"That is also very wise-"
"Why did you do that?" Thor roared. "It is from that very area that these traitors have derived!"
"Not all of them march with Fargo, Thor. Yes, there is a drought to the east, crops fail in the north. But this is the most squalid area of them all. They are still being punished for a war we fought many years ago!"
War? Thor had never heard of war on Asgard.
"How do you know this?"
There was a slight twinkle in his eyes. "While you were feasting before, I had a long talk with your friends, the financiers. And yes, they explained to me what a hedge fund is. They also talked about the blockade. To this day, we refuse them money, food, medicine, the most basic of needs, due to their treachery many years before. The elders would deliberately target even the most petty of crimes, for the dungeon."
Thor looked to Frigga, whose face told him the truth.
"On a purely cerebral level, one has to be impressed by the sheer effort being put into oppressing one particular group of people." Loki said, more to himself.
"Fargo offered them revenge." Thor felt his left temple start to pulse with pain.
"They see it as justice for our wrongdoing. Perhaps they are right." Frigga said.
Though shocked at the palace's culpability in the living conditions of his fellow Asgardians, Thor deliberately pushed down any pity. He reminded himself that they marched towards the palace to violently usurp him from the throne.
"Mother-"
"The answer is no." Frigga reached up and grabbed Loki's hand. "You were a big baby, Thor. During the birth, I hemorrhaged a lot of blood. I was told later I was fortunate to survive it. Then, two years later, Odin came back from war bearing a tiny, beautiful baby in his arms. Thor, you constantly cried, all the time. Loki, you were mostly silent, looking about the world with such inquisitive eyes. Now there is war on Asgard. Both of my boys will be fighting. And so will I."
"No, mother." Loki went to pull his hand away, but Frigga held it tighter. Thor could see her knuckles going white.
"If Fargo so much as lays a finger in either of you, he will bare my wrath."
Her whole being then became suffused with such power that Thor resisted the urge to step back.
So be it, mother. I see nothing either of us says will change your mind on this.
A part of him almost wished for Fargo to come upon Frigga on the battlefield.
Or me, for that matter. I will see him utterly destroyed.
###
Thor groaned pushing back to the gentle thrusts within him, feeling soft lips on the back of his neck, light fingers stroke his sides, his hips. He grabbed one of the hands and held it in his own. There was no desire for their usual frenzied lovemaking, that night. Indeed, both seemed determined to take their time, to stroke and kiss and fondle, as though discovering each other's bodies anew. Loki whimpered and rocked a little faster within him. Wanting to complete at the same time, Thor brought his hand to his erection. As Loki stroked him, he groaned louder, feeling himself reach a peak that, while not as intense as in their usual lovemaking, still held a gentle sweetness to it. Loki whimpered louder and Thor felt the warmth of his seed fill him.
"We should sleep." Thor said, after Loki withdrew, still resting upon his back. "It shall be a long day, tomorrow."
"I agree." He felt Loki kiss his ear.
###
It seemed merely moments later that Thor awoke. Loki had rolled off him and now lay to one side, facing him. Thor reached down and pushed a strand of hair off his face, kissed his cheek then clambered out of bed to the bathroom. He hastily relieved himself, eager to get back into the warmth of bed.
That was when he noticed the figure sitting up on the bed, right next to Loki. Thor looked to his hammer, sitting on the bedside table. He could get there within three strides.
"There is no need. You cannot harm me." Fargo said. "This is not real."
"I know why you are currently despoiling my mind. The only answer I'll give is this. It will be a great pleasure on the battlefield, when I chop off your head!"
Fargo tutted. "Think on this, Thor. There does not need to be any bloodshed. Just relinquish control of the palace! You can end the coming war, right now."
Thor laughed. "And what? You'll let me live my days out on Asgard, in the wealth and comfort to which I'm accustomed, surrounded by friends and family?"
"If that is your wish."
"Is this the deal you made with the elders, also?"
The face suddenly darkened. "Yes, they did come to me, telling me that they had heard rumours from you of my treachery. I told them the truth, that you are not fit to rule. I tried to convince them to come over to my side. They proved their own idiocy when they said their place was with their king! Then they said you had talked to them of what happens in the dungeons. To begin with, they had scoffed you. But then they had discussed it, and decided that you were right. 'The older ways of torture and defilement are counterproductive.' They tried to convince me of this-"
"So you had them tortured? What mad sense is that?"
Fargo's eyes touched on Loki a moment, his expression indecipherable. Thor once more glanced at his hammer.
This may be a dream… but even so… three strides is all it will take…"You will lose this war, Thor. Don't allow any blood to be shed that isn't necessary. Forfeit me the crown and I will guarantee you no hurt."
Thor told him, in the most creative of terms what he could do with that idea.
A smile crept up the wrinkled face, though his eyes held no humour.
"Then it is settled. You will lose this war. And I will take you as my own. Every night, rather than your frost giant whore here, you will suffer my unwanted attentions-"
Thor felt himself go cold all over. He deliberately pushed down the bile rising in his throat, telling himself that he would not allow this elder to intimidate him.
"You dare speak-"
"I'll release your beloved Odin from the spell he is under, in time for him and Frigga to be executed. I will make you watch. Then, you will watch as one by one, I execute every one of your friends. They will hang from the highest tower, then I'll put their heads on spikes outside the palace to be jeered at."
Three strides…"You're the one whose head will be-"
"As for Loki, I would be a fool to kill one of such striking beauty. Tell me, Thor, is he as good a whore as he appears to be?"
Thor was now shaking with rage.
"Let's see, shall we?"
The two figures on the bed disappeared, to be replaced with two more. Loki lay under Thor, his arm chained high up over his head, his legs around Thor's waist. Thor's double had his head bent to Loki's neck and was voraciously kissing the pale flesh.
"Do it!" Loki sighed.
"Stop this!" The Thor watching demanded.
Only the image continued. The Thor on the bed pulled back, rubbing his erection with lube, before throwing the bottle aside and moving his down body onto, and into Loki's.. Loki's head turned to face the Thor watching. His eyes were now blank, mirrors to an empty soul.
"I said cease this now, Fargo!" The Thor watching shouted.
Loki started struggling, flipping up and down. "No, I don't! No wait, I don't-"
The image suddenly disappeared, to be replaced by Fargo on the bed, beside the sleeping Loki.
"How interesting. It is a pity for Loki that he doesn't like being chained while copulating. Because that is my plan, once I am king. I will chain him to the filthiest of beds and make quite the profit whoring him to any warrior who desires it-"
Thor suddenly didn't care any more that he could make no effect, in this dream. He rushed the three strides forward and picked up his hammer from the bedside table, slamming it down to Fargo-
-Only to have Fargo disappear and reappear on the other side of the room.
"Interesting. I mention executing your parents, your friends and receive barely a reaction. I even mention your own despoilment. Nothing. But speak of despoiling your pretty little whore here and this is the reaction I get. You have shown your weakness, Thor." He smiled, did a mock bow. "I look forward to meeting both you and your whore on the battlefield."
Thor opened his eyes, to find himself lying on his bed, once more. A quick confirmation around the room showed that Fargo was not in it. His heart still hammered, arms still shaking with fury.
Thor grabbed Loki and pulled him to him, wrapping his arms around him tightly, vowing once again, to personally target Fargo, while on the battlefield.
###
Thor rushed into the dining hall, pleasure flooding through his veins at the sight of the four Asgardians currently feasting on the fowl and vegetation gathered from the forest outside. Upon seeing him, the three male warriors stood. The female continued to sit in her chair, devouring the leg of a fowl.
"My most loyal companions!" Thor held is arms out to clasp both Volstagg and Hogun to him.
"And what am I?" Sif grinned.
"How have your travels abroad been?"
"We have a lot to tell you. But, it seems, you have more to tell us." Volstagg, Fandral and Hogun both sat down again. Thor pulled out a chair to join them, picking up a grape and sticking it in his mouth.
"We have heard of your adventures on Midgard, with Loki giving you no end of trouble."
Sif cleared her throat. Fandral shot Thor a bemused look.
"I will tell you all, when I have the time. Indeed, there is a lot to talk about. I am sorry you had to cut your journey to the outer lying worlds short."
"So it is true, then." Volstagg steadily held Thor's gaze. "Asgard is to fight a civil war."
"I will tell you all that I know. Pass me the flagon, Sif."
###
After the serious business of the war to be was pontificated, the five friends moved onto more cheery topics. Volstagg and Hogun started talking boisterously about their journey to the outer lying worlds. Thor refilled his flagon for the fourth time, suddenly realizing that Sif was talking louder than usual.
But then, as were the other three…
But not him. No, he was jesting at a normal decibel, surely…
"I heard a distinct loud splash and thought 'the water and Volstagg have just made contact!'" Hogun laughed. The other three joined in.
"Hogun's ceremonial knife fell out of my pocket into the water. I figured I'd rather battle the raging river than his wrath at losing his most treasured possession!"
The group broke up, once more.
"I was swept quite a distance, before I managed to grab onto a root and pull myself back onto the shore. I came back to our campsite to find Hogun sitting and reading a book, looking rather peaceful indeed."
"You may have been swept away to an even outer lying land. That of Valhalla." Thor laughed.
"Remember as a child, Loki once asked you whether it truly existed?" Hogun said, once the laughter had died down. "Such a peculiar question." He shook his head.
"We have heard some… interesting news, upon arriving back… regarding you and Loki." Volstagg said.
Thor inwardly sighed.
"Speaking of which, why hasn't he graced us with his presence, yet?" Hogun asked.
"He is probably asleep, still."
Volstagg's lips crept up into a slight smile. "In your bed, am I right?"
Thor straightened his spine, mentally preparing himself. "Yes, in my bed."
He caught the somewhat bemused looks between the other four.
"So you two are… engaging in relations?" Hogun asked.
Thor folded his arms. "Yes, we are." He said, tersely.
"Yes!" Volstagg punched is fist into the air. "Pay up!"
To Thor's complete astonishment, the other three started searching their pockets and pulling out coins to give to him.
"I was only out by three days!" Hogun moaned.
"What is this?" Thor demanded.
"A little wager between us. As soon as it was discovered that you and Loki are not blood related, we wagered on how long it took for you to engage in relations."
"No, it was on how long it would take for you to tell all of us." Sif corrected him.
Thor felt his face diffuse with blood.
"Clearly, I won!" Volstagg said.
Thor opened his mouth and let loose a string of expletives that only seemed to amuse his friends greatly. He then slumped in his chair, admitting defeat.
There was a light knock on the door.
"Enter."
Thor felt his presence before he even turned to look.
"Ah, Loki. We were just talking bout you."
"Volstagg, Hogun. I trust you had an enjoyable voyage to the outer lands."
"That we did."
"If you'll excuse me a moment, I need to speak with Thor."
Thor swiveled around in his chair. "Anything you need to say to me, you can say to them also."
Loki looked to the other four and hesitated only momentarily.
"I have checked in on the evacuation and it appears to be going smoothly. They are as far as the Vartonion pass. I have sent riders out with more blankets and water. I have also fortified more guards around the palace, and strengthened my protection. It will still need fortification from the elves, when they arrive tonight. Fargo's army is still coming, at a slow but determined rate. Perhaps if we send out riders to them early-"
"Loki stop, a moment. Let us not talk of the politics of war. My friends have just arrived from being away many months. I am appreciating just a few moments of time with them."
Loki's eyes narrowed a little. "We go to war tomorrow and you are sitting and eating and drinking mead! Too much mead, from the smell!"
"I will drink the antidote in a moment. Just come, sit with us. Have one drink. I promise I will get to the business of war." He pulled out a chair. "One drink."
Looking as though he was being forced to eat his own sleipnir, Loki stepped forward and sat beside Thor, his body rigid. Thor signaled Hogun who poured mead into a jug and slammed it in front of Loki.
"Ah yes, we were talking of you." Thor reached around to tug at his hair. "Of our… relations."
"What exactly were you saying?"
"Ah…" Thor kissed him on the flesh just below his ear. "This, my friends, happens to be the most frustrating Asgardian I know. He constantly riles me. There are times that I can't decide whether to kiss him or punch him. Oftentimes, still, I'm verging on the latter."
"Thor, cease this. You are embarrassing Loki." Hogun said, quietly.
"You four made wagers on when would tell of our 'relations.'"
"Of course they did." Loki said, somewhat tersely.
"It is beyond that. I am utterly bewitched by the beauty that sits beside me."
Loki momentarily touched his hand to his forehead, then picked up the jug and drank the mead in one gulp.
"Perhaps we should take the antidote now." Sif said.
"One moment." Thor stood up to disappear into the small room to the side. He quickly relieved himself, then started to return to the dining room, only to be stopped by the conversation he heard within.
"… literally!" Loki said.
"But you are a master of bewitchment." Hogun said.
"I have not done anything… this time!"
"We know you, Loki. And we know Thor. We know of the hurt that you have caused him. We know you are full of cunning and great plans." Volstagg now spoke.
"If you hurt him again, you will answer to us." Sif said.
"Believe us on this. You will not like it if you have to answer to us." Hogun said.
Thor wasn't sure how to react to his friends' protectiveness of him. On one hand, it was sweet that they cared so much to give Loki this talk. On the other, he did not need their protection. He was already aware of, and prepared for, the fact that Loki may hurt him, in the future.
Then Loki spoke once more.
"If I do hurt Thor, then I will gladly hand myself over to you, for whatever punishment you deem fit."
"Is this yet another trick?" Hogun asked.
"Thor is right. It goes beyond mere relations. I am… overcome."
Volstagg snorted. "Yes, if you are having relations with Thor, you are overcome with the one part of your body that-"
"How dare you belittle me? We are in love, you ignorant fool!"
Silence reigned. Thor contemplated whether this would be the most optimum moment to come out of the room. He saw it as quite typical of his and Loki's relationship that the first time Loki admitted to being in love with him, wasn't to him, but to someone else. Loki then capped it by insulting them.
The silence continued.
Well… cannot stay in here all day…Thor stepped out of the room. All five turned to face him.
"You heard that entire conversation, didn't you?" Fandral's face was now blushing red. Hogun looked to the ground.
"Of course he did!" Loki spat.
"Volstagg, get the antidotes." Thor no longer wished to be inebriated.
###
"I will send word back to the King that you and Loki have, once again, been the most gracious hosts." The elf ambassador walked with Thor from the dining room to the front doors, where two guards stood, holding them open. Loki walked a little behind. Thor had noted that he was not quite his delightful self, that night, at dinner. He had been quieter, less effective in his weaving of charm.
"The elf warriors occupy the barracks to the left of the palace. There, they will be well rested and fed, in preparation for the battle tomorrow."
The ambassador smiled, holding out his hand. "You are fortunate that King Ellysius is willing to join you in this fight. He does not usually become involved in other's disputes."
Thor took the hand and shook it. Loki stepped forward and shook the hand also.
"To be bold, the King was most taken with you. He would not take propriety but simply wants to inform you that you have an admirer."
"I am much complimented." Loki replied.
"Ah…" The ambassador looked from Loki to Thor. "Very well then. I bid farewell." He strode towards the palace front doors, turned and waved back, before the guards closed the doors behind him.
"It seems you have many admirers, Loki." Thor grinned, as both started to walk back down the hall.
"There is only one admirer that I truly care for."
Loki suddenly turned and sprang on top of Thor, his legs around his waist, his arms around his back, teeth clanging desperately with his. Thor found himself driven back into the wall.
"Well, well…" He was quite aware that they were in full view of the guards.
They're probably enjoying watching.
Thor found himself instantly reacting in a pleasant way, to the thought. Pushing his hardness into Loki's, he walked him across the hall and into the open doorway of the now empty dining room. Loki's mouth was now on his neck, biting and kissing every bit of uncovered flesh it could reach, his hands tearing desperately at Thor's tunic. Thor helped him by raising his arms and allowing him to raise it over is head.
Thor used one free arm to clear a space on the table, tumbling plates and empty goblets to the floor, before sitting Loki on top.
"Aren't we amorous tonight?" He lifted Loki's arms and pulled his tunic off, as Loki made short work of his leggings, shoving them down. Thor stepped out of them, legs shaking with anticipation.
The door is open. Anyone could walk by and look in.
Thor moaned, leaning down desperately for Loki's mouth, hands stroking, pinching any bit of flesh he could find, as he shoved his leggings down and off his body.
It occurred to Thor that this may be the last night that they make love.
Nonsense! We will prevail!He thought of Fargo. If he succeeded, would he act out his threats of torture and defilement?
Presently, he felt long fingers touch his face.
"Do not be afraid. You will not be hurt."
"It's not me I'm frightened for."
A light smile touched Loki's lips. "I cannot be destroyed. I'd like to see him try."
Thor's mind went to the moment when Loki was convinced that Thor had allowed Fargo to take him to the dungeons.
The utter fear and desperation in his eyes. The tears, the pleading.
One does not need to kill a man to destroy his soul.
Soft lips suddenly touched his nose, his lips, his cheek.
"Do not be afraid. I will not let him hurt you." Loki kissed his ear. "Do not be afraid."
"I love you." Thor said simply.
Loki responded by smiling, once more wrapping his legs around Thor's waist. Thor searched around the table for anything to gain access. Finally locating a tub of lard, he scooped some up onto his fingers, and tenderly slipped them into the tight entrance.
"Beautiful, intelligent, majestic creature." Thor leant forward to kiss his lips once more, as Loki thrust up and down onto his fingers. Thor scooped more lard onto his erection and moved forward to slowly ease his way into the body. Loki shuddered and reached his hand around Thor's head, lightly stroking his hair.
"You are loved." Thor started to thrust. "And cared for." Loki whimpered, moving his body up and down in time with the movement. "And needed."
Thor lifted him off the table and walked around to his seat at dinner.
Yes, yes.
He sat down (every time I eat here now) letting Loki control the rhythm, as he moved up and down on top of Thor (I'll be thinking of this moment) Loki started to mewl, picking up speed.
If someone comes in… sees us in such a compromising position…Loki threw his head back, crying out, as Thor started to thrust up and down in earnest, completing, himself, moments later.
Loki then looked back to him, grinning.
"Should we continue back in the bedroom?"
"That was…" Thor felt overcome.
Loki laughed a little. "I know."
###
Thor groaned, rolled over, feeling his mind slowly rise from the deep chasm of sleep. He reached for the one beside him on the bed, only to find himself grasping empty sheets. Frowning, he opened his eyes. He appeared to be surrounded by a dim green light. Loki stood to the side of the bed, in full battle amour.
"Loki! Why didn't you wake me?"
He went to clamber out of the bed, only to find himself suddenly back down on the mattress. Frowning, he tried again. Again, as he went to go outside the confines of the bed, he was instantly thrown back down.
"What is this?"
Frantic now, he used all of his strength to jump at the invisible barrier keeping him hostage to the bed. He hit something cold and unyielding and rebounded back down.
"It will not work, Thor. If you had your hammer, then perhaps you could break free from my magic. But, unfortunately…" Loki gestured to where the hammer sat, on the bedside table, just outside the confines of the barrier.
"You did this! Why?"
"To keep you safe."
"This joke has gone far enough! Release me now!" He reached forward and tried clawing his way out of the barrier, only to find his fingers deflecting backwards. "I demand you release me from this prison!"
"It is no joke, Thor. I intend to keep you safe. You cannot go to battle-"
"Loki!" Thor roared. "Release me!"
"-I saw on earth how you constantly placed yourself in danger, with the most idiotic of actions. More than once, you were moments away from death! No, I cannot risk you dying in some ridiculous battle."
"This from the one who caused me to fall thousands of feet, almost to my death?"
"That was then. This is now. Now, I've decided that I am rather enamored with you. I do not wish to see you needlessly risk yourself in battle."
"This is not your decision to make! I decide whether I go to battle! Release me now!"
"That I cannot do. I'm sorry, Thor."
"I am a king! It is my duty to go into battle for my own land!"
"You are also my lover and confidant-"
"Ah then you admit this is complete selfishness on your part!"
"Perhaps that is true. But I love you and cannot bear the thought of you coming to harm."
"And yet you still go to battle and risk your life!"
"Do not be concerned, Thor. I am too clever to die in battle. We will defeat Fargo and I will release you from these binds, unharmed, unblemished, as beautiful and strong as you have ever been."
"Loki…"
"Do not be overly concerned, Thor. I will come back in and release you, soon enough."
Loki then left the room. Thor called out after him, until his throat felt on fire.
But it was to no avail. He tried, in vain, to break free of the confines of the bed, only to be knocked back down, every time. Thor cried out in frustration.
I need to get to that battle! Damn you, Loki! I need to be there!Tbc…