12
The Rewards of Kindness
Thor lifted Loki off the floor as he spun around in circle and nearly crushed Loki to his chest.
"Air!" Loki gasped and Thor laughed. Thori jumped off the bed as he ran to the Thunder God and sniffed his feet.
"You don't smell funny anymore!" Thori yelped and wagged his tail.
"But how did this happen?!" Idunn asked.
"I made a wish,"Brenna said and they looked at her. "When I was in the other place, my Guardian said I could make one wish. I didn't want anything for me, but I knew how sad you were and..."
"You wished for Thor to come back from the dead?" Idunn asked.
"Yeah," she said with a nod and Thor lowered Loki to the floor. Both of them half-ran to the bed when they sat down and hugged her. "Ack! Air!"
They started laughing when they heard someone cough and saw Death in the doorway.
"Big Guy, I knew you were in a rush, but you ruined my "Ta-dah" moment!" she said.
"Sorry, Dear Lady," Thor said with a nod.
"Can we try it again?!"
Nodding, Thor got up then walked to the door and she stood back to allow him to leave the room. She tried not to smile when she cleared her throat and looked at them.
"Hello," she said.
"Hello," Loki said.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have someone here who wants to see you."
"Who?"
Death stepped into the room as she nodded and Thor appeared in the doorway.
"Ta-dah!" she saidas she pointed with her hands toward Thor and they started laughing.
Thor walked back to the bed when he picked Loki up and sat down, placing him on his lap.
"Now that that's over with," Death said, glaring at Brenna "Don't ever scare me like that again."
"I promise," Brenna said.
"Good. I do NOT want gray hair! Dying this mess is a pain in the ass!" she said then vanished in a puff of black smoke.
Brenna gave the two brothers a gamin grin before she looked at Idunn and asked, "Hey, Mom, how does this immortality thing work? Am I gonna be eleven and a half forever?"
"No," Idunn reassured her. "You will age like a mortal does until you reach about twenty-five. Then you will not age again until you reach five thousand or so. And even then it will be very slowly. And once you are an adult and your immortality factor matures, you can no longer become ill with any type of disease. However you can be slain in battle. Or by magical means. Or by certain types of poison. Other than that though, Death cannot claim you. And even if she does, she cannot hold you forever."
"Like Thor," Brenna asserted.
"Yes, like that. Or you can choose to be reborn, which is what happened with Loki," Idunn explained. "However, that is something different that just being resurrected, like Thor. If you are reincarnated you are not your old self come back, you are yourself reborn anew and a different person than your previous incarnation. It is why Loki now is not the Loki of old who was God Of Lies and Evil. Do you see?"
"I get it, Mom." Brenna smiled. "It's sort of confusing but . . . I understand."
Then she frowned. "But . . . if you know all this about previous incarnations, then why were those boys and their fathers nasty to Loki?"
"Because you can't fix stupid." Loki put in.
"And what I just told you is not known to the average Asgardian, Brenna. Such a thing is the province of us mages and kings and our priests. Your average citizen or noble know as much about these things as a fish knows how to fly."
"But why?"
"Because they don't care to know," Loki replied. "Those boys that kept trying to beat us up . . .they are lucky they know how to read and write, and the only reason they know that is because it's mandatory in Asgardia that everyone is literate. As it is I think they use their fingers and toes to count with," the boy said derisively. "They sure won't understand about the degrees of immortality or the incarnations."
"True" Thor agreed. "Even I don't know as much as Lady Idunn about such matters. Or even my scamp of a brother here." He poked Loki playfully. "Such is the province of wizards not warriors like me."
"Thor, stop!" Loki giggled, squirming on his brother's lap. "You aren't dumb like those other men. I swear I think they have enough brains to lace their boots and that's all."
Thor nodded when he thought of something and Loki saw the look on his face.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No. Not really. I am just trying to figure out how we are going to tell Father I'm back," Thor said.
Loki had forgotten about Odin, but he was sure Heimdall had told Odin already about Thor's return.
"Why can't you just . . .tell him?" Brenna asked, puzzled. "Should I have . . . asked permission before I wished for you to come back?" she asked the Thunder God.
"No. Your wish was unselfish and kind. I'm sure Odin will understand," Thor said.
"Are you worried about how he's going to react?" Brenna asked Loki.
"Actually, I'm worried it might cause him to keel over or something." Loki said.
"Father is stronger than you think," Thor said.
"Shall we go tell him?" Loki asked when Muninn flew into the room then nearly fell out of the air when it saw Thor.
"Pr-pr-prince Thor?!" the raven squawked.
"Hello, Muninn," Thor said, grinning.
"What is going on here?"
Brenna explained as the raven hopped over to Thor and Thor reached down to pat the top of Muninn's head.
"The AllFather will be pleased to hear this."
"We would like to tell him," Loki said.
"I see."
"Why are you here?" Idunn asked.
"Oh! Yes! The AllFather wanted a report on Princess Brenna's condition."
"You can tell him I'm fine!" Brenna announced. "See?"
"He will be happy to hear that," the raven said then flew into the air and out of the room.
"We better go before that big beak tells him you're alive," Loki teased.
"I heard that!" Muninn's voice called out and they laughed.
"Isn't there a saying tell a raven and you tell all of Asgard?" asked Brenna with an innocent smile.
Under one of the medical cabinets, hidden in the shadows, Ikol growled. He had watched Loki feeding Brenna the applesauce then Thor's return and the shadow twirled in violent circles.
"No! No no no no no!" he growled and watched Thor and Loki leaving the room.
Idunn noticed the look on Brenna's face as Brenna looked toward one of the medical cabinets and Idunn frowned.
"Are you alright, Daughter?" Idunn asked.
"I think there something here. Something evil," Brenna asked.
"Where?"
Brenna pointed toward the medical cabinets as Idunn turned and walked toward them.
"Blast!" Ikol growled as the shadow flew out from under the medical cabinet and headed for the door.
"Ikol!" Brenna shouted. "You can run, but you can't hide! I'm like Chuck Norris! I will always find you!"
Idunn frowned. "May the Norns blast that evil bird!"
"I should go and tell Loki and Thor that he was here," Brenna said.
Idunn nodded. "of course, dear. Who is Chuck Norris?"
"It's a reference to a guy who can beat up everybody with karate. You oughta watch Walker Texas Ranger on Loki's phone and you'll see what I mean."
"I thought a phone was a communication device?" Idunn frowned.
"It is. But the new phones you can do a lot more with, like watch movies. And Loki has a Starkphone, which is like the Ferrari of smartphones." Brenna laughed.
"A phone is smart?"
"Yup. Especially that phone," Brenna laughed. "I'll show you later." She laughed to herself thinking about showing one of the most powerful sorcreresses in Asgard the wonders of Midgardian technology.
She ran down the hallway past the infirmary desk and a Healer saw and called, "Princess Brenna, you haven't been discharged yet! Wait!"
"Sorry! I got a man to see about a spirit!" she called back and bolted.
She found that with her new Asgardian strength and agilty she could run like lightning and she soon caught up with the two brothers.
'Loki! Ikol was here!" she told him.
"What? Where is he now?" Loki cried.
"I don't know. He was hiding in the medical cabinet and I felt him. Then he flew off," she reported. "And I think he's not too happy that Thor is back and I'm not dead yet."
"Too bad! He can just suck up and deal!" Loki growled.
Brenna hummed the tune from the Wizard of Oz as she trotted beside them, delighting in her newfound energy. It felt like a million fireflies were buzzing inside her and she could leap tall buildings in a single bound. Wow that apple is like better than Red Bull! she thought.
They arrived at the Bifrost and Thor greeted the Gatekeeper. "Greetings, Heimdall. We go to see my father."
Heimdall bowed before him. "Well met again, Prince Thor. It is good to see you are back among your people once more."
"It is good to be back," Thor said. "Thanks to Princess Brenna." His large arm encircled the small girl, who smiled up at him.
"Yes, I am aware of that, My Prince." Heimdall nodded, and he bowed to Brenna. "Shall I open the Bifrost?"
"Please do," Thor said and then they were travelling on the Rainbow Bridge to the observatory.
Brenna inhaled great lungfuls of the sweet air. "Wow! I feel like super energized!"
Thor stared at her. "Loki, how many apples did you give her?"
"Just one, Thor. But it was her first one so . . . I guess it affects her a lot stronger than normal." Loki surmised.
Thor nodded. "That must be it." He led the way into the marble hall and down it to the large gold doors of the observatory.
"I'd better go first," Loki said, running ahead. "Just in case the shock makes him pass out."
Thor sighed. "Loki, he will not pass out. He is not a woman."
"Hey!" Brenna glared at him. "I saw a guy pass out once. His wife was in labor and he just fell right over on the sidewalk."
"Did they come and take him away?" Loki queried, smirking.
"Yeah but not to the funny farm!" Brenna said, and started giggling.
Thor looked from one to the other. "The both of you have lost your wits."
This only caused them to laugh harder.
"Never mind!" Loki snickered. He pushed open the doors. "Father, I have a surprise for you!"
Odin turned from the window and saw Loki standing there and smiled. "Loki! What do you mean?"
"Ta-dah!" Loki gestured and Thor walked into the room.
"Hello, Father!" he grinned at the older man.
"By My Good Eye!" Odin exclaimed, his mouth hanging open. "Thor?!"
"The one and only!" Brenna cried as she walked in behind him.
"Is it . . . really you?" Odin stammered.
"Yes, Father. I am back, this time to stay," Thor replied and then he went to hug his father.
He hugged Odin so hard he lifted him off the floor.
"Careful, brother. You don't want to crush dear old dad," Loki teased, smirking.
"Be quiet, Loki!" Thor ordered.
"My son . . .my son . . ." Odin half-sobbed. "How . . .?"
Thor patted his back awkwardly.
Loki nudged Brenna. "Norns, I hope he doesn't pass out . . .he's really upset."
"It's not everyday your son comes back from the dead twice," Brenna muttered.
Loki eyed his father with concern. He had never seen the indomitable AllFather cry. He had not even thought Odin capable of such a thing. It both shocked and stirred compassion within him.
He approached his father and brother cautiously, as if fearing he would be shooed away.
"Father . . . aren't you happy that Thor is home?"
Odin lifted his head from Thor's shoulder and blinked. "I am VERY happy Thor is home, Loki. I was just . . .shocked to see him again. I feel as if I have been given a great gift. How is this possible?"
Loki looked at Thor. "Do you want to tell him or should I?"
"You should, little brother." Thor replied.
"All right. Thor is alive because Brenna used he wish as an angel's daughter to bring him back. When she was sick her Guardian Angel came to her and offered her one wish and she used it to bring Thor back because she knew I missed him."
"And because what is Asgardia without Thor?" Brenna asked softly.
Odin stepped away from Thor and faced Brenna. His one eye was glittering with emotion. "You . . . wished for Thor to come back? Even though you were so ill?"
"Yes."
"You are an amazing child. And you are worthy to be a princess of Asgardia and Loki's best friend. And I am eternally grateful for what you have done." He came forward and hugged Brenna.
"Families belong together," Brenna said simply, hugging him back.
Thor walked over to the table and sat down. "Why don't we have some lunch?"
"That sounds like a splendid idea," Odin agreed. He followed Thor to the table, still marveling that his eldest was alive.
"Can we have ice cream?" Loki asked excitedly.
"I don't see why not," Odin laughed.
Odin paused when he turned and walked to Loki. Loki wondered what the AllFather would do when Odin knelt down and hugged him.
"Do not think for one second that having your brother back means things will return to as they were before. I am grateful to have both my sons back and my feelings for you both have not changed. I love you, Loki Odinson."
Loki was stunned. He couldn't remember if Odin had ever called him that before. He held on tight to his father and Odin kissed the side of his head.
"I love you, too, Father," Loki whispered and Odin stood. He placed his hand on Loki's shoulder as they walked to the table and Loki noticed Thor wiping his eyes. "Are you crying?"
"No," Thor said with a small cough and shook his head. "Something got in my eye."
"Sure," Brenna said and gently nudged him.
"Let's eat. Because I'm starving." Loki said.
"No problem! I could eat this whole table." Brenna laughed.
"Now you sound like Thor," laughed Loki.
Odin smiled as he sat at the head of the table and Loki sat at his left and Thor sat at his right. Brenna sat next to Loki when Odin clapped his hands to call for his servant.
Kitchen soared into the room as Odin smiled and Kitchen zoomed around Thor.
"Hello," Thor said.
"You may serve," Odin said and Kitchen nodded. A few minutes later, the food was served and they started eating.
Brenna found that besides feeling like she could run the Boston Marathon she also felt like she could eat a whole cow. She wasn't sure why she felt that way but she did. She devoured her lunch and then had seconds. Then she had two servings of ice cream and still felt like she could eat a truckload of Good Humor.
"Did they not feed you in the hospital, Brenna?" Odin asked as he watched the small girl eat enough food for a grown man.
"Oh no, sir. I had chicken soup and vanilla pudding at the hospital. It was really good. But for some reason I'm just extra hungry."
"It's the apple," Thor said. "I'm always starving after I eat it too. Idunn says that sometimes it can affect you that way."
"It does?" Brenna asked, happily eating some more ice cream. "Does it wear off?"
"Eventually, yes," Thor nodded. "The effects are temporary. Yours might last a bit longer though because you've just become immortal. Your body is still adjusting."
Odin raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware you knew so much about the golden apples, my son."
Thor shrugged. "I asked Idunn about them once and that's what she told me."
"Your metabolism changed too now that you're immortal," Loki informed her.
"Like how?"
"It's faster and stronger. You can eat whatever you want and not gain weight. Mostly."
"Then why is Volstagg so . . .?"
"Because he eats a lot even for one of us. Like the whole table three times a day," Thor laughed.
"Still that's pretty cool," Brenna said, thinking she would probably be grateful for that later on when she grew older.
Despite eating double what she normally did, Brenna found she was not sleepy after such a full meal. Instead she felt as though lightning sparkled through her veins. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I feel like I just drank a whole case of Red Bull! Her fingers drummed on her knee and she found she couldn't stay still.
"Excuse me. Is there a restroom around here?"
"Down the hall on the right," Odin replied.
Brenna ran out of the room.
Loki stared after her. "Guess she really had to go."
Out in corridor, Brenna ran up and down the hallway. But when that did not relieve the jittery feeling, she decided to do something a bit more strenuous.
She began to do cartwheels down the hallway and then when she reached the end she did back handsprings up the corridor. The amount of energy she had was amazing. She was not the least bit tired.
Man, I'm like the Energizer Bunny on steroids!
When Brenna didn't return after a few minutes, Loki said, "I'd better go look for her. Maybe she got lost."
"I will accompany you," Thor said, rising.
They walked out of the observatory into the hallway. Loki went down the hall and knocked on the restroom door. "Hey, Brenna! You fall in or something?"
There was no answer so he slowly pushed the door open. The restroom was empty.
Loki turned, at a loss, and then heard Thor yell, "Loki! Look!"
Loki followed where Thor was pointing and saw a figure in gray and pink coming up the hallway doing a double summersault.
Thor gaped at her. 'Is she all right, brother?"
Loki giggled. "Brenna, you trying out for the Olympic gymnastic team?" he asked pertly.
"Shut up, dork!" she called back.
"Are you going to climb up the wall next?" he teased, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Don't tempt me jerkface." She teased him.
"Maybe we should call you Spidergirl," Loki said then broke into a fit of giggles.
"You are so asking for it!"
"Do you think you can catch me?" he smirked. "Shall we find out?" He tapped her on the head and raced away down the corridor.
Thor watched the twosome running down the hallway when he shook his head and laughed. He had rarely seen his brother this happy in his old life, so seeing him like this was joyous.
The two chased each other around the pillars, their laughter echoing off the rafters. Thor observed that Brenna, though small, was swift and agile, and she complimented his brother.
They are like two halves of a whole, he mused. He could never recall Loki having a friend before like this one. He had always tagged along after Thor. He had always, Thor realized, been in his shadow.
But now he had come into his own. And Thor vowed he would stay that way. This time, little brother, you will have the childhood you always deserved. I will make sure of that.
But how can you do that, unless you first get rid of Ikol? Thor asked himself.
The Dreaming…
The doors opened as Morpheus stormed into the throne room and sat down hard on the throne. The Lords of the Nightmare Realm had retreated for now, but he knew they would return.
"That bad, Boss?" the Corinthian asked, walking in the room.
"Yes," Morpheus sighed.
"Well, I have some news for you," he said and Morpheus sat up.
"What sort of news?"
"I had one of my visions."
"What did you see?"
"I saw you, Loki, your little angel girl, Thor and the others fighting Ikol."
"Where are we fighting?"
"It's in Nightmare Realm."
"What else did you see?"
"I saw Loki fall…"
"No! I will not allow my daughter's friend to die! Not again!"
Before the Corinthian could continue, Morpheus vanished in a puff of black smoke and the Corinthian sighed.
"He never lets me finish," the Corinthian said while rolling his eyes and Lucian walked in the room.
"What are you complaining about now?" Lucian asked and the Corinthian sat down on the throne. "Get off of there!"
"Oh, he won't mind."
"Yes, he will. Now, what is the matter?"
"I was telling him about this vision I had about Loki and he ran off."
"What has the Trickster done now?"
"Well, he is about to fight the older version of himself or he will die."
"I see."
"It's not going to be easy. The Old Trickster knows a lot more about magic than he does. He is also clever. I mean, he nearly killed the angel girl…"
"He was the one who caused Brenna to fall into the pond?!"
Morpheus has told Lucian about what happened to Brenna and the Corinthian nodded.
"That is why what I saw did the one thing none of my visions has ever done."
"What are you talking about?"
"It scared me. Me!" he said, raising his hands in the air.
"What did you see?"
"I saw them fighting the Old Trickster in the Nightmare Realm. The Old Trickster seemed to be winning. Loki? He was strapped in the air in these chains of pure nightmare. His power… His lifeforce was being sucked out of him. Then…"
"What?! What happened?!"
"I can't tell you the whole thing, but I did see Loki fall."
"Was he dead?!"
"No, he was fine. Thor caught him."
"Why didn't you tell him that?!"
"I told you! He left before I could," he said as he tossed his arms up in the air then stood up. He walked toward the door when he turned and looked at Lucian. "I will tell you this. I might end up being a hero."
Lucian frowned as he watched him leave then Lucian sighed, shook his head and looked at the throne.
The Observatory:
Loki and Brenna stopped running after awhile and walked back to where Thor was watching them. "Maybe I should walk Morrigan," Brenna suggested.
They went back into the observatory and Odin gave Brenna Morrigan's leash. "There is a patch of grass just outside this building."
"I will show you!" Morrigan barked and pulled Brenna from the room.
"Loki! Are you coming?"
"In a minute! I just need to ask my father something!" he called back.
Odin looked over at him. "What is it, Loki?"
His son cocked his head and said, "I think . . . I think we should give Brenna a gift. For bringing Thor back."
"I agree," Thor spoke up. "But what kind of gift would she like?"
"If she were a boy I could give her a set of armor or a sword or . . ." Odin frowned.
"I know!" Loki said excitedly. "She told me she wished she had a cat. So why not give her one?"
"That is a good idea, Loki," Odin praised. "But where can we get one? This is not the usual time for kittens to be born."
"We can ask Freya," Loki said, his eyes sparkling. "She has cats, she would know."
Thor nodded. "That makes sense. We shall ask her once we go back to the castle. If she has one, we can put it in a box and wrap it. Then we can give it to her after Freya announces I am back."
Loki nodded, then he ran outside.
Once they had played with Morrigan a bit, they returned to the observatory. The hellhound promptly fell asleep on Odin.
"Uh, we kinda tired her out," Brenna chuckled.
"That is good. Sometimes she has too much energy for this old god," laughed Odin. He stroked the puppy's head.
"We had better take our leave, Father," Thor said. "I am sure Freya and the other AllMothers will want to let the rest of Asgardia know I am home."
"And I have to feed Thori. Before he eats MY bed!" Loki laughed.
Odin bid them goodbye and they called Heimdall.
Once they were back in Asgardia, Loki and Thor exchanged conspiratorial glances.
"Brenna, would you mind getting Thori? He's probably with Gaia." Loki asked. "I need to ask Freya something."
"Okay. I can't wait to see what she says when she learns Thor is alive," Brenna grinned and went to fetch Thori.
Loki headed to Freya's quarters with Thor. The halls were empty this time so no servants passed out as they went by. Loki knocked on the door.
"Come in, Loki," Freya called.
Loki opened the door and said, "Hello, Freya! Wait until you see my surprise!"
Freya looked up from a basket where she was petting a large fluffy white cat. "What do you mean, Loki?"
Thor stepped into the room.
Freya almost fell over. "By the Nine!"
"Greetings, Freya," Thor grinned. "And yes, this time I am alive."
She climbed to her feet and embraced the tall warrior. "How, Thor? Loki, tell me you didn't make some crazy deal with Death!"
"No. It was Brenna," Loki began.
"Oh Norns! I thought Brenna was sick in the infirmary."
"She was. But she got better." Loki explained how Brenna had used a wish to bring Thor back. "And now we want to reward her with a cat. Do you know anyone who might have a cat they are giving away?"
"I do. Me. My Lyantha had a litter of kittens six weeks ago. They are almost ready to go to new homes." She gestured to the fluffy white cat in the basket.
Loki peered into the basket and saw five kittens inside next to their mother.
There was an orange tabby lying next to a fluffy white female, a mackerel brown tabby, a calico, and the smallest was a black kitten with a white chest, paws, and a white star on his forehead.
Thor came and knelt beside the basket to see the kittens. "Which one do you think she would like, Loki?"
Loki studied the kittens. "Do you know which ones are boys and girls?" he asked Freya.
"There are three boys and two girls," Freya answered. "The calico and the white one are girls. You do know that these are magicats, right?"
Loki nodded. "What sort of magic do they have?"
"When they are older they will be able to do all these things. They can teleport, like a mage, and travel into other dimensions, like the Dreaming. They can See magic, both enchantments on things and people and places. Their meow can frighten away enemies, making them run off in a panic. They can seem larger than they are, and climb up anything. And they are telepathic.
They may develop other specific magics but it depends on the cat. They are also extremely loyal to their chosen person. A magicat will never ever betray his or her Chosen. He or she will die before doing so. And they are a good judge of character too. "
Loki petted all the kittens. Then he asked if they had names.
"No. I leave the names up to the ones they choose to go home with."
"How do they choose someone?" Loki asked.
"They lick them on the forehead," Freya answered.
"So we should bring Brenna here so a kitten can choose her," Thor said.
"That would be best." Freya said.
"We can do that," Loki said. "When should we do it?"
"Whenever you wish," Freya laughed.
Loki looked at Thor. "Do you want to do it now or later?"
"Feed your dog first," Thor said. "So he's not rowdy. Then we can bring Brenna to see the kittens."
"That's a good idea, big brother."
"Yes, I do have them," laughed Thor and he ruffled Loki's hair.
Loki met Brenna with Thori as she was returning from the garden.
Thori bayed when he saw Loki. "Finally! Let's eat!"
Loki patted the puppy. "All right. You act like you haven't eaten in a year. Didn't Gaia give you treats?"
Thori wrinkled his nose. "They were some green vegetable things. Tasted like grass!"
Loki laughed. "So what is the problem? You eat grass."
"Only if my tummy hurts," the hell hound whined. "I'm not a horse."
They took Thori to the kitchens and got a bowl of meat scraps and giblets with gravy from Maeve, one of the under chefs.
Thori gobbled it down.
"By the Nine, chew it!" Loki rolled his eyes.
"He's a dog, Loki. They never chew," Brenna said.
"How does he not choke?"
"He's a dog." Brenna said.
Thori licked the bowl clean. "More?" he whined hopefully.
"Not right now. If you behave, then yes," Loki told him.
"I will!" Thori wagged his tail so hard his hind end wagged too.
"Now remember, you promised!" Loki said, wagging his finger when they reached Freya's quarters.
Th e puppy suddenly sniffed. "Cats!"
"There are cats in there?" Brenna looked delighted.
Loki nodded. "Yes. Freya loves them." He frowned at Thori. "You better behave! No chasing the cats inside there. Or else no more extra food."
Thori sulked. "I want to bite their silly tails. And eat their livers! Cat gut!"
"Gross, Lucifer!" Brenna groaned.
"Hey! You want me to get an icicle?" Loki threatened.
"No!" Thori yelped and tucked his tail between his legs.
"Just you mind your manners!" Loki said sternly. He opened the door and they went inside.
Freya looked up when they entered. "Brenna, I am glad to see you are better."
"Thank you, AllMother,' Brenna said, giving a little bow since she was wearing trousers and a tunic.
"Loki, make sure your dog behaves," the goddess warned.
"Yes, My Queen."
Thori sat, grumbling under his breath about cat stew.
The large fluffy white cat in the basket hissed at him. "Mrrow! What is THAT doing in here, Freya?!"
"Calm yourself, Lyantha. He's just visiting," Freya soothed.
"Good!" the cat sniffed.
"Hey! I have a name! I'm Thori Lucifer, the Lord of Fire!"
"Oh joy!" Lyantha sniffed. "Like I need to know that! Listen here, puppy! You try bite my kittens and I will make hellhound croquettes out of you!" She suddenly appeared three times her size.
Thori whimpered and hid behind Loki.
"Scary kitty!"
Lyantha went and lay back in the basket, purring.
"May I see the kittens? I'm Brenna Idunnsdottir." Brenna asked the magicat.
Lyantha purred, her blue eyes twinkling. "Of course, thank you for asking."
"Wait!" Thor said.
Brenna looked at him. "Why?"
"Because I want to thank you for making it possible for me to come back," Thor said. "And Father also along with Loki."
Brenna stared at them in awe. ,"A kitten for me? Thank you."
She knelt next to the basket. The kittens sniffed her fingers as she petted them.
Lyantha purred, talking to her babies. Finally three kittens began to move towards Brenna. The white one, the orange one, and the black and white one.
The larger kittens pushed and stepped on the smallest one making it meow.
"Hey! Don't step on him!" Brenna cried and went to take the orange kitten off.
Just then the tiny black and white kitten blinked himself out from under his bigger brother and into Brenna's arms. The girl grinned at the kitten, who had large green eyes. "Hello!" She said. "You might be small but you're really smart! Do you want to come home with me?"
Their eyes met and Brenna felt drawn to the small kitten with the smart sassy attitude.
The kitten meowed at her and then licked her forehead.
Brenna heard a little voice in her head. "Yes! I choose you!"
"Oh! He says he chose me!" She cried, her eyes shining.
Lyantha meowed. "He has chosen well. He might be the youngest and smallest but he is the smartest of my kits, see he has learned to blink already."
Brenna hugged the kitten to her. Then she kissed the tip of his nose.
"Well, what will you call him?" Thor asked, smiling.
"His name is Glimmer. Because he is small but he shines."
"I like that!" Loki approved.
"Good," Brenna laughed. "I almost named him after you, but then I figured two Loki's were too much in one place."
"That is true!" Thor laughed.
Loki looked down shyly. "Thanks, Brenna."
"I'm not sharing my bed with that little scrap!" huffed Thori.
"As if I would sleep in your bed, you smelly dog!" Glimmer mewed. He suddenly blinked from Brenna's arms onto the floor to confront Thori.
"Thori, be nice!" Loki ordered, alarmed.
The hellhound walked over and sniffed the kitten, who puffed all his fur out. "Are you supposed to scare me? You're a tiny scrap!"
"At least I don't drool like an idiot!" Glimmer retorted.
"I could bite your liver out!" The puppy barked.
"Your teeth come near my fur and I will turn you into a dust mote!" The kitten hissed, his green eyes glowing.
Brenna and Loki tensed ready to pull the two pets apart.
But Thori gave a puppy laugh. "That will be the day, scrap!"
"Bite me and see, dust mote!" Glimmer sniffed then began to groom his fur.
Thori looked puzzled. "Aren't you afraid I will annihilate you?"
"Why? You would need to catch me first," the kitten told him. "And I am here, there, and everywhere!"
Glimmer blinked all about Thori.
The hellhound shook his head, confused.
"Tricky kitty!"
"And proud of it, drool monster!" Glimmer purred.
"I'll show you drool, scrap!" Thori barked and went to slobber all over Glimmer.
But Glimmer blinked onto Brenna's shoulder. "Missed me, missed me! Now you gotta kiss me!"
"I'd sooner kiss a cactus!"
"I'm not sure if they like each other or hate each other," Loki said.
"I think it's a bit of both," Brenna said, petting her cat.
"Here, let me give you a cat kit," Freya said. "I give all my kittens' Chosen these." She opened a closet and picked up a green wicker basket with a pillow inside, some cat toys, two bowls, a small brush, and a pretty green collar with jade stones in it and a tag. "Here you go."
Brenna handed Glimmer to Loki so she could take the basket. "Wow! Thanks! That collar is really snazzy!" She picked it up and examined it.
"I like pretty things," the goddess laughed, and she inscribed GLIMMER on the tag before Brenna put the collar on the kitten.
Glimmer preened.
"Hey! Why didn't I get toys?" Thori complained.
"You did. You ripped them apart and burnt them," Loki pointed out.
"I was bored!"
"And dumb!" the kitten put in from Loki's arms.
"I'll show you dumb!" growled Thori. "You are begging to be made into barbecued feline!"
"Cats rule and dogs drool!" Glimmer shot back, flexing his claws for a bit more effect.
"You hurt my cat and I am going to shove an icicle down your throat!" Brenna threatened the dog, waving her finger at him.
"Loki, she's being mean!" the hellhound whined.
"Only if you hurt her cat," the godling pointed out.
"Can I eat other people's cats?" the puppy panted.
"No!"
"I never get to do anything fun!" Thori grumbled.
"Don't be a jerk, Thori." Brenna said, admiring her kitten.
"Let's go put this stuff in the room." Loki said. "Heel, Thori!
The puppy came to walk beside him. "I was good, now can I have some more food?"
"Yes, after dinner. I will give you a bone," his master promised.
"Yes! A bone, bone, bone!" the dog yipped.
Glimmer shook his head, making his tag jingle. "Did someone take a shovel to his head or something?"
"Grrr! I'm shocked nobody's used you for a medical experiment!" Thori snarled.
"You would be the perfect candidate!" Glimmer spat. "They'd be wondering how you lived missing a brain!"
"You had better not leave those two alone together," Thor said. "They might kill each other."
Brenna placed the cat bed with the toys in the corner next to her bed. She put the bowls beside it. "Shall we go to supper?"
"Is it supper already?" Loki asked.
"I don't know but it feels like it," his friend said.
She took Glimmer from Loki and held the kitten close. Glimmer curled up in the crook of her arm, purring.
They all went down to the hall together.
"Thanks again for the kitten, Loki. This is becoming the best Christmas I have ever had." Brenna said, smiling at her best friend.
"Me too," Loki agreed. He wondered how the rest of the kingdom would react to Thor now that he had been resurrected.
When they entered the dining hall, everyone turned to look at the two children and Thor. Mouths fell open all over the hall and it grew so silent you could have heard mice speaking.
Until Sif got up from the table and ran and hugged the Thunder God. "Thor?! By the Nine! You're-alive!"
"Yes, I am," Thor said and hugged her. His eyes suddenly widened when Sif kissed his lips and the sounds of cheering echoed around them.
"Wow! I didn't know she liked him that much," Brenna asked while Sif stepped back and Thor was blushing.
"They have been friends for years," Loki said, giving Thor a wink.
Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral all came up and gave their friend hugs and slapped him on the back. "It is like a Yule miracle!" Volstagg said, grinning. He saw Brenna. "And there is another. I thought the lass was on her deathbed."
"I got better, thanks to Loki and Idunn," she told him.
"I am glad," the jolly warrior said. "I see you have acquired a pet."
"This is Glimmer," Brenna introduced the kitten.
'I am a magicat of an ancient bloodline," Glimmer mewed. "A familiar and no one owns me!"
"Aye and you're a feisty little thing!" chuckled Volstagg. "I did not mean to offend."
"It's fine, Volstagg," Brenna told him. "Don't be so touchy," she whispered to her cat.
"Are you going to tell us how you returned from Valhalla?" asked Fandral curiously. "I would bet my gold mirror there was magic involved." He winked at Thor.
"Not that kind of magic," Thor replied.
"I made a wish," Brenna said.
"A...wish?" Hogun asked.
Brenna explained how she had been given one wish as an angel's daughter and had used it to bring Thor back.
The Warriors Three and Sif were quite impressed with Brenna's selflessness and pleased that Idunn had made her Asgardian also. They sat with Thor, Loki, Freya. Idunn, and Gaia at the High Table and toasted the princess' and Thor's return.
Freya stood up and made an announcement that Thor was returned from the dead by a selfless wish from Brenna and the whole hall cheered, clapped, and lifted their tankards in a toast to her.
"To Princess Brenna!"
Brenna found the regard of so many eyes on her disconcerting and she blushed fiercely.
Loki nudged her, grinning. "You are red as a strawberry!"
"Shut up, Loki!"
Fandral nudged Volstagg and whispered, "If he doesn't marry that girl when he's grown, I'll eat my boots!"
Volstagg looked at him askance. "Really, old friend, they are children, by the Nine!"
"Children grow up," Fandral said smugly.
"You are incorrigible." Volstagg replied.
Hogun looked over at them. "What has he done now?"
Volstagg told him. Hogun sighed. "Is that all you think of?"
"No," Fandral replied. "Sometimes I think about food. And the best mead to go with the food. And how to romance a lady during dinner. And then what happens after dinner . . ."
Hogun rolled his eyes. "Your mind is permanently stuck between your legs."
"I can't help it!" Fandral muttered.
The maid came around with the ale pitcher again and began to refill the warriors glasses. As she leaned over to refill Fandral's he slyly reached out and pinched her bottom. She cast him a saucy glance. "My lord!"
Fandral smirked.
Brenna almost choked on her apple juice. "Loki!" she hissed. "Did he just-?"
Loki nodded. "You just noticed? He's always doing that."
"Is he like a walking sex machine?" Brenna whispered behind her cup.
"Uh huh," Loki answered. "Fandral will chase anything in skirts." He jerked his chin at the narcisstic warrior, who was charming the serving wench. "She will be in his bed by nightfall or I'm no magician." Then he coughed and blushed.
"You humans are always in season," Thori remarked.
After the feast was over, the room cleared and Loki looked at Thor. He was still in awe that his big brother had returned from the dead. He fought the urge to pinch himself and Thor gave him a smile. Suddenly the air turned cold as they watched Death walk in the room and Odin stood, looking at her.
"Who are you?!" he demanded.
"This is Lady Death," Thor said. Death was wearing black leather pants, a white silk shirt, a black leather vest and her dark hair floated around her shoulders. She held the handle of the black lace umbrella in her hands and she smiled at Thor.
"Good to see you, Big Guy," she said and he nodded.
"Why are you here? Freya asked.
"I just wanted to see if everything was alright," she said then she looked at Brenna. "Oh! You're awake!"
"Yeah. I am," Brenna said she got up and walked to her. She saw some tears in the corner of her aunt's eyes and Death smiled. "Are you ok?"
"Seeing how my niece isn't dead, I am more than ok!"
"Can I… Can I give you a hug?"
"Ah, no, that isn't a good idea. The whole Death Touch and all," she said with a grin then shrugged.
"Oh."
"Hold on!" she said then waved her hands and her clothes turning into what looked like a black Haz-Mat suit and she held her arms out. "Ok. Hug away!"
Laughing, Brenna walked closer then hugged her and Death lightly patted her back. Loki quickly got up when he ran to Death and she held her arms out. They hugged as she felt him shaking and Loki whispered "Thank you,".
"You are so welcome," she said then let go. She waved her hands as she changed back to her original outfit and tapped the end of the umbrella on the floor.
"My Dear Lady," Odin said and she looked at him. "You have our eternal gratitude for allowing Thor to return."
"Aw…," she said when a black puff of smoke appeared and Morpheus appeared.
"Pardon my intrusion," Morpheus said with a bow.
"What's wrong?"
"I am here to warn you. One of my creations, the Corinthian, has a vision which concerns Loki," he said and they looked at Loki.
"What sort of vision?" Idunn asked.
"He said there will be a great battle with his older self. With Ikol. In the vision, all of us are fighting him in the Nightmare Realm, but it is Loki who is suffering."
"How so?" Freya asked.
"He is in chains and is hanging in the air. His soul… His lifeforce is being sucked out of him."
"No," Thor growled and walked to Loki. He saw the fear in his little brother's eyes and placed an arm around him. "We will never allow that to happen."
"There is more."
"What else happens?" Gaia asked.
"Loki will… Loki will fall," Morpheus said with a sigh.
"No!" Brenna said.
"Are you saying my son will die?" Odin demanded.
"That is what…"
"Ah, no, he's not going to die," a voice said and they turned to see the Corinthian walking toward them.
"Who are you?" Freya demanded.
"I am the Corinthian," he said with a bow and they glared at him. "Whoa. Tough room."
"You dare come here after we find out you have prophesied my son's death?!" Odin growled.
"I just said he isn't going to die," he said then looked at Morpheus. "If you hadn't have run off, I would have told you the rest."
"What happens to him?" Brenna asked and he looked at her.
"Nice to see you up and about, Princess," he said with a grin and she shook at the thought of the teeth in his eyes smiling as well.
"Will you please tell us what happens to my little brother?" Thor asked, looking at Loki.
"It is true that you all will have to fight with Ikol, but Loki's fall has to do with him being freed from his torment. He falls and, well, you catch him," he said and Loki smiled up at Thor.
"How do we defeat Ikol?" Brenna asked.
"Ah, that's the thing. You can't kill him without his soul escaping and hiding in someone or something else. What you need is a cage."
"What sort of cage?" Idunn asked.
"Me," he said, pointing to himself.
"You?!" Gaia asked.
"Yep," he said with a grin. "See, I can take souls of people and things while they're asleep and take over, but I can also take them and keep them forever."
"Is this true?" Odin asked, looking at Morpheus.
"Yes," the Dream Lord said with a nod.
"And he can never escape?" Loki asked and the Corinthian saw the worry in his eyes.
"Nope," the Corinthian said with a shake of his eyes. "Once I eat them, they're done."
"Eat them?!" Idunn said and the Corinthian walked to her, Freya and Gaia. He slowly lowered his sunglasses as they looked at the teeth where his eyes should be and all three set of teeth smiled. He clicked the teeth together as they gasped and Morpheus sighed.
"Behave," Morpheus growled and the Corinthian slid the sunglasses back up. He walked to Morpheus when he placed his hand on the Dream Lord's right shoulder and gave them a smug look.
"How do we get to the Nightmare Realm?" Thor asked.
"No, you're not going!" Loki said with a shake of his head.
"Loki, he has to go," Brenna told him softly. "Because he's in the vision. Besides, we need him to fight. Something tells me Ikol won't be alone when we face him, am I right?" she asked the Corinthian.
"They always do, kid," the nightmare laughed. "They always bring along some friends to the party."
"We need to sit down and plan out a strategy," Morpheus said.
"Then let's retire to the War Room," Odin said, leading the way to the chamber.