If anyone knew even the slightest bit about Alltid, they would know that it was not a forever garden despite the name. Alltid had a beginning and it would have an end. It was why the garden was something sought after by many people, many races. It was rumored to contain over thousands of plants never seen in all the nine realms and space itself.
Some claimed to have gone inside Alltid and, once upon a time, maybe they did. Liars were most of them, spray-painted succulents clutched in their hands as they sought their fifteen minutes of fame. Still, people would flock to anyone with so much as a sentence pertaining to the garden. The place was a masterpiece as much as a mystery.
The first flower to appear in the bare field that would soon be Alltid was a lone blue Iris. It shone beautiful in the warm rays of an unseen sun but there was the sadness of a lonely child radiating from it. The maker of the garden frowned for he did not want any of his creations to be upset. He sought to bring the flower a friend to keep them company in the field. However, no matter how far the maker searched or how many flowers he brought, the Iris was never happy. The field was now a garden and it seemed to stretch on forever, earning the name Alltid. Despite the abundant life around it, the Iris still wept for a flower it seemed destined to never meet.
Distraught, the maker went to Midgard on a lonely island long forgotten and dropped to his knees, shedding tears the Iris was unable to produce. He felt that he failed his creation, made them in a world they would never enjoy. However, from those teardrops grew a rich and beautiful green rose that seemed to wave at the maker with the wind. With an astonished smile and careful hands, he picked up the flower, certain that it would cheer up his first creation.
When the maker entered the garden, the flowers seemed to whisper to each other when they saw the life bundled in his hands. They all knew about the Iris, for if you closed your eyes at night you could sometimes hear its cries. With a new excitement, they pointed down the garden towards its center where the Iris nestled itself away in some warm dirt. It would not let any of the other flowers near it, certain that it was not meant to be with anyone.
Kneeling down, the maker smiled as the lowered the green rose, allowing it to settled down. The Rose, though only just entering Alltid, seemed to understand that the Iris had been hurting for many years. With a slowness that seemed to take a millennia and more, the Rose whispered to the Iris, reaching out to wipe away the unseen tears and ease its sorrows. The Iris, in kind, seemed to realize that the Rose could touch them, for they latched on with a glee it had not felt before.
Their roots wrapped around each other and they moved to the center of the dirt, planting themselves there to bask in the sunlight. When it was quiet and the wind died down to a gentle push, you could hear the two flowers singing, rejoicing that they were together and they were happy.
The maker would come back to the area where the Iris and the Rose sat and smile at the memories. The flowers were long gone, aging like all life does, but you could still see their roots, a light brown color as they were immortalized for remembrance. The two had stayed side-by-side, even as flowers around them came and went. They loved each other, once upon a time, and they never stopped. There wasn't anything, not even death, that could keep them apart.
"What is wrong, my heart?"
Perseus teared his eyes away from the roots, turning to see Loki standing behind him with his head tilted to the side. "There isn't anything wrong."
"You only come to this part of Alltid when something is bothering you," The god reminded, stepping forward.
"Times are troubling," Perseus sighed, rubbing his face tiredly with his hands. "It is just about my turn to embark on a quest and, Loki, I am just so tired." He looked at the younger god with defeated eyes, "No matter how far I travel or where I go, it's always me."
Loki stepped forward, pulling the other in his arm, "The world has wronged you, min blomst, and it continues wronging you. I wish with more than I have that the gods would leave you alone but it appears that your path never ends."
"I picked up on some rumors from Harmonia and Hebe that the Council is becoming unsettled."
"Do you think it may pertain to your quest?" Loki wondered, brows pinched together.
Perseus shook his head, "No, not entirely. Harmonia thinks it might have to do with the other pantheons, though she is unsure which."
The god of mischief frowned, "That poses a problem. If you are able to, continue speaking with Harmonia and Hebe and see if they are able to find out more about what may be going on. I will attempt to do the same on my end in Asgard." He ran a hand through his hair, sighing, "Do you have an idea where you may have to travel for your quest?"
"No," Perseus frowned a bit, though he didn't seem too troubled about the fact. "I was unable to get anything from Apollo, though that is no surprise. He wouldn't truly know the prophecies and Rachel can only remember so much when she gives one. It was a long shot on my part. What about you? How's Asgard?"
"Asgard's economy is doing well and the realm is the healthiest it has ever been," Loki grinned, proud of himself for his work.
"Are the citizens happy?" Perseus asked even as he smiled, pleased to see his lover the way he was.
Loki nodded, though he tilted his head, "I should hope so, though perhaps I should ask around if there is anything I shall do. I would not wish any of them to be unhappy like I once was on Asgard. It was truly troubling times for me, though I was able to find my peace."
"You are a wonderful king, my rose, the best of them all."
Loki leaned down, brushing his lips against the other's as he whispered, "My iris, it is only because of you I am able to do so much. I would be truly lost without you and your guidance."
"Mm, I don't know about that," Perseus grinned before sealing the kiss.
