Chapter 13: Green Eyed Monster
As everyone was laying around the fire in a deep slumber, Thor marveled at the stars and how bright they were. It reminded him how much he missed his home. As they were nearing their destination, he was thankful for the distraction of Lady Skadi. He was pleased that they had resumed their friendship. He remembered how she looked that night as they danced, but it was nothing compared to how she looked out in the wilderness. Her lips were full and red. Her hair always seemed to be coming undone from the braid she had it in. He particularly admired how rosy her cheeks were. He liked to think that it was a reaction from being in his presence, but he knew full well it was due to the rapidly dropping temperature. That's how he knew they were close. The forest seemed to be darker as they went on, and colder. He didn't see as much wildlife within the forest as they trudged through.
Everyone seemed to feel it. Nights were quieter, days shorter, the groups spirits seemed to be very low. It was like the closer they got the more energy was lost. His daydreaming was interrupted by a sound through the forest. He sat up quickly trying to adjust his eye sight through the darkness. He looked to the group, but could not wake them. That's when he noticed Skadi was gone. The empty space where she slept sent a wave of panic through him. He felt his heart beat faster as questions started to bombard him. Why could he not wake his companions? Where was Skadi? Another sound made him turn his head. He saw a white figure descend into the darkness of the forest. Did his eyes deceive him? It was Skadi. Thor pinched the bridge of his nose to make sure he wasn't imagining things, but heard the sound again.
He followed her through the darkness, wondering what she was doing. Where was she going? As fast as he was he couldn't seem to catch up to her. He kept catching glimpses of her disappearing behind trees. He stopped when he came across a red ribbon in the grass. Skadi's ribbon that held her hair. He bent down slowly to retrieve it. When he picked it up he let it flow through his fingers. He caught site of her again, he followed more quickly this time. When he came to the spot where he had seen her, he only found her white night dress. He picked it up and without thought he brought it to his nose and took in her scent she left behind. It was still warm as he held it close to him. He could not deny the feeling of desire that coursed through him.
Her warm scent that was left behind urged him to go on. Now he knew what was going on. This was a hunt, and he was looking for his prey. He couldn't get to her fast enough, but he stopped at an open meadow that was illuminated from the bright moonlight. He saw her there, standing in the middle of the open meadow, her back towards him. He saw her milky white, nude flesh, her chestnut hair cascading down her back. She turned towards him until she was in full view for him. She held out her hand to beckon him towards her. He dropped her night dress and ribbon as he slowly made his way towards her.
As he stood in front of her towering over her, she lifted her hands to his chest. He looked deep into her pale blue eyes and saw something that he felt as well, desire. She started to untie his night shirt that was tucked into his pants. He assisted her by pulling it out of the brim of his pants and over his head. With his chest bare he wrapped his arms around her feeling her warm, bare body against his. He couldn't believe how soft and warm she was. He leaned down to embrace her with a searing kiss that almost knocked them both back. She lowered her hands to the brim of his pants and tugged slightly. She smiled at him breaking the kiss. She took a step back to get full view of him. He stood there waiting; they could see each other's breath in the cold night air. She pulled on his pants and let them fall until they were both completely naked. She stood there waiting for him to make a move. He kicked away his pants and looked her up and down. He could see the slight hesitation in her eyes and the way she shivered.
He grabbed her fiercely by the arms and brought her in for another kiss. Even more passionate if that was possible. As they were kissing they descended to the grassy earth. They were lying astride each other kissing, touching, and pulling each other. Thor, feeling his impatience growing at every touch of her, swung her from the ground on top of him. He continued to kiss her down her neck as she wrapped her arms around him, scratching him slightly. She let out little moans that drove Thor mad. He positioned himself under her as he gripped her hips gently, pulling her on top of him. She let out a moan of ecstasy as she threw her head back. She grazed his chest with her nails causing him to thrust his hips slightly. She cried his name in the cool night air.
He lay back getting full view of her. Just the sight of her gave him pleasure. He held onto her hips steadying her, making it last. She looked down at him with a look of longing in her eyes. He sat up to kiss her, when he was stopped forcefully by her hand slapping him across his face. He looked at her confused. Now she had a look of hatred and disgust across her facade.
She said to him bitterly through gritted teeth. "What makes you think you can bed me prince of Asgard without some consequence?"
She grabbed his neck forcing him towards the ground. She held him down as she licked his neck up to his tight jaw. She continued, breathing heavily in his ear, "I will be the death of you."
"Thor you've slept passed noon." Fandral woke Thor up, ripping him from his dream.
Thor looked around seeing the group already packed up to continue their journey. Thor was in disbelief as he remembered the dream. He cursed himself for sleeping so late, now he was holding the group back. He readied himself, dazed as he tried to forget his dream. Loki noticed Thor's mood and pulled him aside.
"What is it brother? You look awful." Loki almost grinned to himself.
"I'm just dreaming again, nothing to be worried about." Thor shot Loki a smile to reassure him.
"The last time you dreamt, it came true." Thor looked to Loki not sure what he meant by this, but it alarmed him. Loki left him with that thought to ponder it for the rest of the day.
Everyone departed on their horses to continue on. It had been three weeks since they were on their journey, and they knew they were almost there. The Allfather had given them simple instructions on how to find the oracle's hiding place. They had only a few more nights ahead of them until they reached the oracle. Everyone felt uneasy on how close they were getting, each becoming more nervous as every second went by. Skadi noticed Thor's disconnected mood and decided not to push him, so she kept her distance. Except for Sif, she saw this as the perfect opportunity to get close to Thor again. All day Sif was beside Thor keeping him company, she actually got a smile out of him once. Skadi looked on feeling the bitterness of jealousy creeping up on her. She hated the feeling. Watching Thor and Sif together only put doubt in her mind that Thor cared for her at all. She tried to push her feelings aside, focusing on the reason she was on this journey in the first place. She couldn't let her heart get in the way of anything.
Loki noticed the tension between the threesome all day and took the chance to swoop in on Skadi. He said to her almost in a whisper.
"Look at them, they make no effort hiding the fact that they are completely in love. You know they are to be married?"
Skadi tried to hide the gulp she had in her throat now, "Th-they are en-engaged?"
"Of course, I thought everyone knew." Loki added, trying to seem oblivious at Skadi's eyes becoming moist around the rims. She turned her head hiding the tears that would surely fall.
"I'm happy for them." She lied. What she really wanted to say was she was happy if Thor was happy. But she wanted desperately to be the reason why Thor was happy.
Loki had no heart. He pushed Skadi to the edge by asking. "You love him don't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" she said letting one little tear escape.
"Well I couldn't help but notice." Loki said enjoying her pain too much.
"There is nothing I can do about it then, is there?" she wasn't really asking him a question, she was saying it, mostly to herself to verify the fact that she and Thor would never be together. So Loki's reaction surprised her.
"Well, there is one thing."He grinned at her.
She turned to him in disbelief, and then she looked to the rest of the group to see if anyone could hear them. The group was too far ahead for them to hear her and Loki, how did that happen? Loki inched closer to her.
"There are certain ways to win your loves affection."
"I don't want him to love me through a spell, Loki. I want him to love me of his own will. True love."
He snickered at her, "Do you really believe in such a thing?"
"It's all I have." She replied honestly.
"There are ways my dear girl to make 'true love' happen. It would simply be a matter of getting rid of certain people who stand in the way." He motioned towards Sif.
Skadi realizing what he meant yelled, "I don't want to kill anyone!"
"Shhhhhh, good lord that's not what I meant. It would simply be a matter of Thor forgetting all about her."
Skadi knew Thor and Sif had history, memories together. They had known each other since they were children. She couldn't take that away from either of them. She shook her head in a silent reply to Loki.
"Come on, neither would remember a thing, trust me."
That sounded alarms in Skadi's head. Why was Loki all of a sudden interested in the desires of her heart?
"Why are you trying to help me? What's in it for you?" she questions Loki's motives.
Damn, this girl was smart. She's going to make me work for this. I like a good challenge, Loki thought.
"Well I am chastened to know that you don't believe my concern is for my brother's happiness." He tried to sound hurt, and it worked.
"So, you only wish for Thor's happiness? Why don't you think Sif is good enough for him?"
Loki looked up in mock wonder and pretended to think about it and said, "Because I have seen him with you and he's…different, happier. Truly you seem to bring out the best in him." What he really wanted to say was that he hated Sif's guts and wouldn't piss on her if she was on fire.
Skadi thought about this. If really no harm would be done to anyone, why should she and Thor not deserve a chance?
She looked at Loki, "What would I have to do?"
Yes, he had her in the palm of his hand and he loved it. "There is one simple task you must do for it to work. And the rest will be left in my care."
Skadi was terrified to know what it was she had to do, but for Thor she would do anything.
"So?" she asked impatiently.
Loki grinned at her and unsheathed a small dagger from his belt. He handed it to her. She took it hesitantly.
He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear, "I will need Sif's hair."
A/N: That little bastard, oh but I love him so. I have a thing for emotionally unstable bad guys. It doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes either. Oh yeah this is a Thor story…Go Thor! And I'm sorry for making Sif out to be a nuisance. I like her character and am only doing this for the story. Thank you, please read and review!