Satisfaction
Later that evening, Elliot decided to abandon the company of her friends and give herself good reason to go out and explore Asgard a little further. She'd had enough of talk about wars and dying.
I've never even thought about the possibility of death, but it's all around me, she mused as she walked down the spacious entrance to the palace. It was dark outside tonight, and unnaturally so, but that made the giant golden statues of Asgard's warriors even more grand in the light of the few stars that twinkled in the sky. She tilted her head to examine the statues - the warriors were positioned with swords resting in front of them, their faces graced with stony expressions.
To be a warrior of Asgard is a big deal, she thought to herself, lowering her eyes to the deep red carpet, almost feeling embarrassed in their presence. Warriors. Meh. Can't believe I'm supposed to become one of them.
It was like this entire world was a child's story book come to life. If Megan were here, she'd probably love this. She'd probably take to Sif first, mostly because she was the only female warrior. If not her, then probably Frigga.
At the thought of her niece, Elliot let out a heavy sigh. I keep forgetting that my goal is supposed to be to get out of here.
She made her way to the edge of the roof that covered part of the walkway and stopped to examine the city. The gentle wind blew her hair around her face and Elliot struggled to tuck it behind her ears as she tried to determine where to go for the evening. For the most part, she'd been to the tavern, but that was with Thor's assistance.
Elliot blinked once and realized that she had no idea where the tavern was. Asgard was such a big, dazzling city. In a heartbeat, she'd probably get lost.
I need a map, she thought grumpily, looking at the pointed towers with distaste. Her eyes ran the length of the building, from tip to bottom, until her eyes settled on a body, stretched out along the length of the railing of the walkway in front of her.
She frowned. "What're you doing here?"
Loki closed his eyes and sighed, dangling one long leg over the edge of the bronzed-colored railing. "As you can clearly see, I am relaxing and enjoying a night of star-gazing."
Elliot pointedly raised her eyes to the sky. "There are maybe...5 out tonight. Are they really that fascinating?" She watched as his cheeks rose in response, and then he turned his face to look at her. He was dressed for the chill of the night, wearing a thick, dark green tunic that laced up, a belt for his daggers, and boots. She rubbed her exposed forearms; it was such a stupid idea to wear short sleeved clothing for a night adventure.
"Very fascinating. You wouldn't know why, of course, because to you mortals stars are nothing but pretty dots in the sky." Deftly, he swung his leg over the edge and stood upright. "Where did you intend to travel to?" He spoke very formally as he approached her.
"I don't know. I was thinking the tavern, but I can't remember where it is."
"I suggest you seek out the apothecary. It might prove more interesting."
She pressed her lips together into a line and examined his face, trying to figure out why he would suggest an apothecary. Then she pursed her lips. "You're going there, aren't you? Another scheme of yours?" Then she crossed her arms. "Have you been following me the whole time?"
He glared at her. "Contrary to what you may believe, my world does not revolve around you whatsoever. You were the one who interrupted my star gazing." Ridiculous assumptions. "Will you accompany me or not? If you choose not to I suggest you return to your chambers before the entire palace seeks you out," he said coldly.
Elliot smiled at him, but didn't show her teeth. "Walk around the city at night? With you? I'm really not that foolish, Loki."
Instead of laughing at her or snarling in her face, his face transformed; his cold disposition melted away and his brow creased in confusion.
"I was being serious. I intended to go to the apothecary tonight to pick up a satchel of sage." He sounded so innocent...almost like his stunt in Central Park. She instantly became wary.
"For what?"
Loki sighed and turned his gaze to survey the city. "Rune-casting. Sage creates a very...calming atmosphere."
"For your magic."
"Yes."
She examined his profile and then looked over her shoulder, at the palace. No guards were out. If anything, she surmised, If something does happen I'm sure someone will be able to put two and two together.
"Alright. Let's see where the master of magic does his grocery shopping." Elliot fixed him with a smirk and started to walk the remainder of the walkway. "So where are we going, exactly?"
Let me think...apothecaries. Colonial Williamsburg, 1999.
Elliot walked around the apothecary with a surprising sense of enthusiasm. The last time she'd been to one was during a family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia when she was a child. It was, of course, designed to look as rustic as possible. She could not help but go through every container in the shop to see what was inside, peeking inside the jars with a child's curiosity.
And she did the same now, in this apothecary. The moment she entered, a smile grew on her face as the smell of herbs filled her nose, and the warmth of the fire helped to thaw her chilled bones. The elderly Asgardian behind the wooden counter greeted her at once, telling her how enthused he was to meet a mortal for the first time.
Elliot ran her eyes up and down the length of a cupboard that housed small glass jars of differently colored herbs and spices. Then she glanced over her shoulder at Loki, who leaned on the counter and spoke to the man in low tones. For a brief moment, she allowed her eyes to travel up and down the length of his lean frame.
Must be friends, she thought, opening the jar to take a whiff. The pungent smell of rosemary hit her nose and she picked up one of the leaves, rubbing it between her fingers with interest. Might be the only friend he has, though.
"Do you see anything that pleases you, Lady Elliot?" Agni, the shopkeeper asked. He shuffled from around the counter, his pale blue eyes examining her with friendly curiosity. She placed the jar back in its place.
"Not particularly," she answered honestly. "I'm just here for the adventure." She glanced pointedly at Loki, who still kept to himself, his head bowed.
"You are good friends with the Prince, then?" he assumed, sweeping his golden robes to the side to adjust his collection of herbs.
"Erm..." she lowered her voice. "Not particularly."
"No? That's a shame," responded Agni, dusting the wooden shelves absentmindedly. "He's always been very lonely, that Prince there."
I wish you hadn't told me that, Elliot thought unhappily, glancing at Loki once more. She kept learning things about him little by little that revealed his human side. Or at least, the side that wasn't corrupted by evil.
I liked things better when I assumed he was entirely evil, she mused, shuffling to another set of herbs. Her eyes scanned the row until she found one that contained small, red fruit of some kind. Elliot placed one hand on the counter for support to reach it, but she just wasn't tall enough.
Then a slim, pale hand slid into her vision and grasped the glass jar. Loki examined its contents with amusement. "You find Asgardian chilies pleasing?"
"Asgardian chilies?" She resisted the urge to snort with laughter. "What's the difference between Asgardian chilies and Earth chilies?"
"Ours have healing properties." Loki peered at her intently to gauge her reaction. "And they are a rather successful aphrodisiac."
Elliot immediately became still at the mention of the word, and Loki resisted the urge to smile as her eyes darted around, searching for the shopkeeper, but he had disappeared to his storage room.
Keep it casual. "Oh?" She opened another jar, keeping her eyes safely from his. "How so?" Her voice rose several pitches. Don't blush. It's simple science.
A corner of his mouth quirked up at her attempt to keep the conversation from entering dangerous territory. "The body's reaction to eating a chili is similar to the feelings one experience's in the heat of intercourse - sweating, increased heart rate..."
"And you would know, wouldn't you?" Elliot asked darkly, putting the jar back on the shelf. "Is it something you use frequently for your conquests?"
Not particularly, he thought to himself, recalling the tricks he used to bring maidens to his bed. "It depends."
She shook her head and laughed bleakly. "On what?"
The sensation of warm breath caressing her ear sent a shiver down her spine, and it wasn't because she was cold. Unconsciously, her fingers gripped the edge of the counter beneath her. Beside her, a wicked smile grew on Loki's lips. He released the glass jar and brought his hand up to sweep her chestnut hair to the side, to have better access to her ear.
"The person," Loki whispered, enunciating each word. "For some, chilies are the perfect aphrodisiac, and for others, it may not work exactly how you want it to. That is why you must experiment and see what brings the most success." The implication behind his words was obvious. "Honey is another natural aphrodisiac. It has been called sweet liquid gold by your people."
Her eyes were widened to their maximum, and he watched as her tongue darted out to lick her lips. "F-Fantastic..." she breathed, struggling to contain her racing heart rate. "Thanks for the physiology lesson." Awkwardly, she shuffled a few paces away from him. "And thanks for invading my personal space. Perhaps I should bring a guard with me if I'm ever alone with you again."
Loki shook his head, smiling. "I think you and I will spend plenty of alone time, Elliot. After all, I am indebted to you, and you to I, once the war is over," he clarified.
She played with the hem of her tunic and met his eyes for the first time all evening. "Is it because you're tired of spending time alone?"
His dark eyebrows came together. "What do you mean?"
"The shopkeeper told me you have many friends. Is that you why you insist on dragging me around with you? Let's be frank - even if I'd said I didn't want to go to the apothecary, you would have forced me into going either way."
Loki made a note that he would have a word with the shopkeeper later. For the moment, he chose to roll his eyes to the ceiling and back. "I am alone because I choose to be - I have no time for those beneath me. And if we are finished with this conversation, I have my sage."
"Avoiding my question, are we? Fine." She wasn't offended; in fact, she was satisfied that she managed to make him so uncomfortable that he changed the topic of the conversation entirely. "I have more important things to do tonight. My arrows need me." Elliot marched past him defiantly out of the single door, into the night.
Elliot sank deeper beneath the warm bubbles, sighing with contentment. It was nice to take a nice, hot bath, graciously set by Eira.
In the silence of the washroom, she reflected on the days' events. She was still curious to know if Loki had truly magicked those scribes, or if it was all a ruse. If he had, the next phase of the plan was to wait and see who arrived at the palace tomorrow afternoon. If women attended, maybe it would be enough to convince Odin to change his mind. If not, at least she had the chance to throw her middle finger in his face.
As she expected, the next thought to cross her mind was her adventure in the apothecary with Loki. Stupid Mischief God, she thought with irritation, scrubbing her skin harder than necessary. Saying things like that. You can't say things like that to girls. And especially not to me, because I don't know what to do other than run away.
Elliot closed her eyes, the idea of sinking into the water and taking a nap very enticing. Instead, she settled for resting her head on the edge of the tub. This was a smart idea, she mused, the warmth of the water soothing her aching bones. Nice, Elliot. Then, the door creaked open, but she kept her eyes closed, knowing it was just Eira.
Her handmaiden screamed bloody murder, the shriek echoing throughout the tiny room. Elliot flailed trying to right herself and conceal her body beneath the bubbles at the same time.
"What?" Elliot squeaked, her hair dripping from her splashing. "What did you yell for?"
Eira was holding a towel in one hand, and in the other, she covered her mouth. "I thought...I thought you'd drowned yourself..." she trailed off, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "In the tub."
"I'm tired." Her bath time now interrupted, her mood did a sharp dip. "I wasn't drowning myself."
"My apologies," Eira mumbled, looking down at the floor with humiliation. Elliot watched as a flush crept up her neck and she sighed, rubbing her already wet face. She's so easily hurt.
"I'm sorry. Can I have my towel? I didn't realize I'd left it outside," she asked her, trying to make amends for yelling. "You can even dress me, if you'd like."
Eira's eyes lit up with glee and Elliot grimaced; she'd found the thing that makes her tick. Too eagerly, she spread out the towel, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Now that she was with her handmaiden, she decided to ask a question that had been on her mind all day. "Eira..." she began, once the towel was wrapped around her. "What joy do you get out of...dressing people?"
"It's my job," she replied cheerfully, escorting her into the bedroom. The chilliness of the air sent goosebumps rising on Elliot's skin. She hiked the towel up as tightly as possible while Eira rifled for undergarments.
"Do you get any personal satisfaction from it?" she clarified. "Dressing someone, I mean?"
"Well..." she stilled in the act of finding a nightgown for her to wear. "I suppose, it makes me feel needed. Appreciated. It makes me feel good, because I'm helping someone."
Elliot chewed on her lip and twirled a strand of wet hair around her finger. "Have you ever...dressed a man before?"
Eira stood upright, setting the clothes on top of the wooden dresser. Her mistress was dripping water in the middle of the room with a face as red as Asgard's morning sky. "Perhaps..." she murmured slyly, trying to catch Elliot's eye.
"Why did he? I mean...what-"
"Have you been asked?" she asked softly, holding up a delicate green nightgown to her eye, examining it. "To dress a man for battle?"
She nodded hastily, glad Eira took the words from her.
"Well, my mother told me it means that as a man going off to battle, it could be the last time he sees you again. Why wouldn't you want your last memory of be of her before death greets you?" she asked. She turned her back while Elliot put the undergarments on. "Who asked?"
Like I'm going to tell you, she thought darkly. "Can't say. He asked me not ...I'm finished."
"Seems you've charmed the men in this palace after all, Midgardian," Eira said playfully, pulling the nightgown over Elliot's head. "I would be very flattered."
After that night, she decided that Eira would be allowed to dress her. Elliot went to sleep with some sense of satisfaction that her handmaiden was pleased with her decision.
Early the next morning, she was woken by Eira, who sounded completely terrified when she informed her that Odin requested her presence at once. Now that she knew of her handmaiden's desire to dress her, she did not resist when Eira brought her a purple tunic. She was dressed in record time, and was able to sneak in a few bites of fruit before making her way to the throne room.
Her steps slowed as she stepped over the elevated platform. Kneeling on the cold floor was Sif, her head bowed in a show of remorse. The Allfather sat in his throne, tightening his grip around his decorated scepter with each passing second. Elliot took her spot next to Sif, kneeling before him as well.
There was a stuffy, uncomfortable silence in the throne room while they waited for him to speak.
"Flogged, is the proper punishment," he began in a furious whisper. "For betraying the express commands of your King!"
You are not my ruler, thought Elliot, pressing her lips together. She admired the tips of her boots while he continued to rant.
"If it weren't for Frigga, you would both be chained to a wooden post and receive 20 lashes each." Then she inwardly sighed with relief; if anything, she wasn't going to receive physical punishment. "I have nearly 500 women in this palace, demanding for armor and weapons! There is a reason why I want the women and children sent to the mountains. You would risk their lives?"
500! Elliot had to fight to smile in victory.
Sif raised her head, never backing down from a challenge. "My King, what Elliot and I have done is not to disobey your orders-"
"But you have!" he interjected.
"It was to show you that women are born with a will to fight and protect their loved ones, no matter the cost. Asgard is my home, and I will defend her as I would my own child. Send the women home, if you so desire. But allow Elliot and I to fight. I will not run. Elliot is not born a warrior, but she has spirit, and determination! And she wishes to right all the wrongs. Will you not give us a chance to serve Asgard? My King, I understand that you may wish to protect us, but we wish to fight for Asgard. Will you allow us?"
Elliot peered up at him through dark eyelashes, and she could already see that he conceded defeat. Whether it was because he agreed with her, or because he was so tired, she did not know; but it was a relief to know that their efforts had succeeded. Unfortunately, it also meant that she had to honor her agreement with Loki.
Odin waved one hand, squeezing his eyes shut. "Search for the finest armor you can find. Arm yourselves for the war, and make us proud."
"You will not regret it, my King," Sif said fiercely, raising her voice. They both hastened to stand, and Sif motioned for Elliot to express her thanks.
"Thanks...Your Highness," she mumbled.
"A little more respect next time, Elliot," he corrected her. "But tell me..." his voice softened. "How did the women receive notification to come to the palace?"
Sif and Elliot glanced at each other. She decided to take the blow for him - again. "We recruited a master of magic," she explained. "But he isn't to blame because he didn't want to...because he was worried that he would upset his King. But we coerced him."
Thoughtfully, Odin slowly stroked his beard, raising his eye to the gleaming ceiling. "Tell this master of magic to save his skills for something more useful. Sif, I charge you with finding the appropriate armor for the women. Elliot, I charge you as liaison between myself and the welders. No warrior shall be without weapons."
It was a victory for everyone. Sif and Elliot immediately took charge of their new roles. While Sif remained in the palace, Elliot decided that it was time to explore the city of Asgard. Thor was more than willing to accompany her to the welders' place of business. Most of the welders were located in one particular part of the city, in the east, because it was closer to the mountains and firewood was abundant. Most of the blacksmiths and welders were on good terms with Thor, because they greeted him with open arms, hearty laughs, and kegs of ale.
In the palace, it was another story. Deliveries of armor and weapons came to the palace every few hours in chariots and left empty. The men and women who volunteered to assist the palace warriors received their armor in wooden crates. Elliot helped Sif with her task, which was finding armor for the women in small enough sizes. When she wasn't doing that, she traveled on her own to the welders and entertained them with her Midgardian stories.
For the most part, things moved smoothly. The welders were making new weapons and armor, their materials were fully stocked, women and men received their crates with vigor, promising to serve Asgard well with their new swords.
Even Loki contributed to the war effort. The threat of a mouth sewn shut with an unbreakable thread moved him to offer his training services to young mages.
They were stupid, in his opinion, but his mother seemed to be pleased with his effort to assist in the war efforts. After a few days of instructing them in dagger throwing, he decided to take some time off, settling on his jagged rock to clean them. The sunlight provided for sufficient illumination so he could see any spots or marks. He could easily clean them with magic, but he got more satisfaction by cleaning them manually.
And of course, when he wanted to be left alone, Thor and Elliot were the ones who found him in his solitude. With a good-natured slap on the back, Thor complimented him on his assistance. "You continue to surprise me, brother! You would assist mages?"
Loki's shoulder ached from the weight of Thor's hand. "Yes. The little cretins are more useful than one would think. You underestimate them. In the face of death, they can conjure swords and pierce hearts to save themselves."
Elliot's nose scrunched up at the thought of swords sliding through bodies. That's gross.
"Do I scare you?"
"Mildly." Her response dripped with sarcasm. "Do you think they'll come soon? What if it's all a ploy?" Elliot turned her eyes to the miraculous Asgardian sky, and through the clouds, she could see Asgard's two moons.
"I doubt that. I've spoken to Heimdall. He gives us tonight, and until dusk tomorrow," responded Thor, following her eyes. "It is beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes..." murmured Elliot, amazed each time she saw the two moons, so close to her that she felt she could touch them with her fingers, and spin them on their axises. The moon on Earth was never that close. It was terrifying, but at the same time, breathtaking.
Thor was watching her, and became concerned when she said nothing. "Are you prepared, Elliot? Have you come to accept everything?" he asked, dropping his voice to a soft whisper. Elliot did not flinch when she felt his warm hand resting upon her shoulder. It was rather comforting.
Without thinking, she tilted her head a little to rest her cheek against his fingers. "I guess. I mean, I'm here not, aren't I?" Elliot tilted her head back to smile at him, but he too was lost in Asgard's beauty. From the side, his chin was tilted up at an angle, his eyes filled with a determination that Elliot had seen once in Odin's eyes. This was the look of a true King.
Remembering who else was there, she dropped her eyes to Loki, curled over his daggers. He sat in Thor's shadow, how it's always been.
"I am pleased that you are no longer burdened with your sadness." Thor snapped from his temporary spell, smiling broadly. "Perhaps you have always belonged on Asgard."
A sad smile twisted her lips. He sounded so hopeful, but he didn't know that she still intended to return home. He didn't know that she still dreamed of Katie and Megan at night.
From below, Loki watched them, and the urge to throw one of his daggers at Thor's head grew with each passing second. Odinson looked upon her with such favor that it made revulsion brew in the pit of his stomach.
His anger got the better of him. "She is a mortal and always will be a mortal. It's mere luck that she has charmed nearly every man in this city, including you," he said darkly, staring at the shining tip of his smallest dagger.
He did not see the hurt in Elliot's eyes at his words. He just doesn't do sentiment, she thought bitterly, turning her eyes from him to look at the two moons. She inhaled deeply and steeled her nerves. That's fine.
Loki peered up at Thor. "You sound like you mean to make her an Asgardian citizen."
"I do not see why it would prove detrimental," said the elder, sounding thoughtful. "Perhaps...if all goes well..."
I need to stop this, now, Elliot thought, biting the skin of her bottom lip. She still hadn't told them - either of them - about her potential arrangement with Langley. She nodded enthusiastically, just to please Thor. Sometimes he was a future king, and sometimes he was an excited child.
With a flick of his wrist, Loki sent one of the daggers flying through the air until it landed neatly in the middle of a tree trunk. The whistling sound of the dagger caught their attention. Elliot's eyes widened with alarm at the thought that one of them could have been injured.
Now that he had her attention, Loki spoke directly to her. "I will expect you in my chambers an hour before we are to leave for war."
"What for?" Thor glanced between his brother and his friend. The corners of Elliot's mouth tightened with disappointment.
"The mortal has agreed to dress me for battle," murmured Loki, not bothering to hide the smugness in his voice.
"You have?" Thor turned to Elliot. "I had hoped you would dress me."
And then Elliot was caught in one of the most awkward situations in her life: choosing between men. Panicked, her eyes darted between the two of them, unsure of what to do. She tried for compromise. "Can't I dress you both? Loki first, then you?"
"Loki's armor takes more time. Perhaps I will seek out another." He wasn't disappointed, or jealous. It just a simple inquisition, but since Elliot would occupied, he would seek out Sif, or perhaps even Frigga would be willing to dress him. If all failed, he had no problem dressing himself.
Thor's attitude towards the entire thing made her feel worse. "I'll visit him earlier," she suggested. "Besides, Sif will be busy dressing herself, and I'm sure the Warriors Three have ladies...maybe Fandral has two."
"Very well!" He nodded in agreement. "That works perfectly. But have I told you about Sif's latest accomplishment, Elliot? Shortly before I arrived on Midgard, she committed a most extraordinary act of bravery..." he rambled, oblivious to Loki's growing scowl.
In the end, Odinson always wins, he seethed. "I don't like to share."
Loki's eyes darkened from their pale-green eyes to their old emerald hue. The last time Elliot saw them, a dagger was being driven into her leg. A little nervous, she managed a cool response. "Your jealousy is unbecoming. And I'm coming to you first, right? Be happy that you're first, for once." Promptly, she turned back to Thor's conversation.
Loki stared at Elliot for a few moments longer, examining her profile before lowering his eyes to clean the final dagger. From beneath his dark eyelashes, he eyed the spot where he'd stabbed her before.
First, for once. Her casually spoken words echoed in his mind and served to mock him. For once. So she too thought that he would always come second best to the Thunder God.
His hands began to clench around the hilt of his dagger. He thought she had faith in him, that she sympathized with him. After all, she too was a younger sibling. So why did she fling such comments in his face?
Loki recalled the look in her eyes when she asked if he was tired spending time alone. For a moment, he saw sympathy for him, but when he examined her further he could see understanding. That perhaps she spent her youth alone like he did, doing childish tricks for attention. Her concern for him was so disarming that he had to end the conversation before he said too much.
It was a ruse, he thought, standing stiffly. All a simple trick, to get me to do what she wanted, just so she could be sent home. The scribes had been magicked, the battle plans were in the motion, and there was a good chance that Asgard would prove victoriously. Surely, she would request to be sent home after the victory. Elliot was certainly intelligent - her plan was set in motion, and would go off without a hitch.
Without bidding them goodbye, he left the courtyards. He decided that he would follow through with his plan as well.
a/n: apologize for the delay, hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! More Loki/Elliot interaction will continue over the next few chapters. Isn't it a shame that Elliot keeps insulting Loki with casual quips? Might come back to bite her in the behind later...
please please review and let me know what you think!
