"Again." He yelled.
"No." I groaned. "I have had enough. You are not shooting another arrow at me." As the final word crested her lips, another arrow came soaring toward her. She raised her hand turning it into a mug. Not her intention of course, seeing as getting hit by the mug also hurt. She caught her footing, the mug flying into her chest knocking her backwards.
"You are not trying hard enough." Loki said as he made his way to her.
"I could kill you here and now." Astra glared at him. They had been at this for hours.
He laughed, "Very unlikely. I asked you to turn it into a flower," he bent to pick up the once arrow, holding it to her. "Does this look like a flower?"
She took the mug from him and threw it against the side of the building in the training yard. "Looks as though I told you not to send another arrow at me. That is the twelfth mug I have made today. And they all hit me in the same spot."
He shrugged, "I am an excellent marksman." She glared at him. He smiled and put his hands up, "Alright, try this. Think of the best anything really. Something that brings you joy. Something you would fight for."
She looked at him and nodded. "Once more then. Go on." She pushed him away gently.
He crossed the yard and grabbed the bow once more. Fastening an arrow to the string and pulling tightly. He gave her one last glace before releasing the sting.
The arrow flying toward her, she rose her hands. She allowed all of her best memories to flood her mind. Glancing at her feet, she noticed the single lily lying at her feet. She beamed at him. "I did it! It worked!"
He rushed to her, smiling coving his lips, arms wrapping around her. Upon realization, he slowly backed from her. "I knew you could do it. We shall be finished now."
The smile faded slightly from her face the moment he pulled away. "Just in time then. I'll see you later." She turned from him making her way out of the yard in the direction of the palace gates.
He caught up to her in a few long strides, "Where are you going?" He asked.
"My mother is coming to visit today. I wanted to meet her at the Bifrost." She said continuing her course. "Would you like to go with me?"
"I believe I would. Shall we ride?" She shook her head, looking at him. He could notice the change in her demeanor. Less bright than she had been a few moments ago. "Walking then. Very refreshing and a wonderful way to avoid reaching the Rainbow Bridge quickly. What has you like this? Is it her?"
She shook her head at him again, "Of course not. I have no idea what you are talking about."
He laughed, "And they gave me the God of Mischief and Lies. I feel I may have been mistitled." He stopped, placing his hand on her arm resulting in her stopping. He turned her to him, "Seriously."
Her eyes widened, "There is nothing wrong, Loki. How do I know you are not lying about what you claim to notice?"
"Because I never lie to you." He dropped his hand from her, "Which makes it hard to understand why you would lie to me." His eyebrows pulled higher, his look questioning.
She relaxed her person and sighed, "Forgive me, Loki. I have been unjustly harsh." Her eyes met his for a moment before she looked away. "I have been dreading this visit for quite some time. I always thought she would come back once Grandmother passed and when she did not, I tried not to let it hurt. It felt so wrong for it to hurt. I had Frigga and Odin." She paused, "You. And Thor. But it always feels as if something is missing."
He nodded slowly. He had never understood her feelings toward her mother. She began so happy when she would come to visit her. Over time he noticed she would be tense before her mother's visits. And then she stopped mentioning them at all. "Because she is your mother. We cannot replace her in your heart, no matter if we try."
She smiled at him, a genuine smile. "I suppose you are right. You all do a very fine job at trying. I want to tell her to stop visiting. She is always so distracted when she is here. There is obviously something on Midgard that holds her attention. I would rather her spend her time there."
"Is that what you really want?" He stepped closer to her, pulling her hand into his.
"I believe it is. I wish for her to be happy and she is not happy when she is here." She looked up at him, "Thank you, Loki. Truly you are my dearest friend."
He chuckled, "I am your only friend."
"I thought you said you did not lie to me." She laughed. Calm washed over her. She had not discussed her decision with anyone, not even Frigga. Speaking with Loki made her confident in what she wanted.
Gradually they made their way to the Bifrost. Hiemdall met them halfway down the rainbow bridge. "Good eve, Astra" He nodded to her and bowed to Loki, "Prince Loki. Might I have a word with Astra?"
Loki nodded. "Of course." He looked to Astra, "Find me when you've finished?"
She nodded, watching him walk away, "What is it Hiemdall? Were you not aware of my arrival?"
He shook his head, "I came to inform you that your mother will not be making her visit this year."
She nodded again, slower this time. "Any reason or…?"
"I'm sorry, Astra." He looked at her for a moment. He knew of the life her mother now lived, the children she now had. He could not bring himself to tell her of all he had seen, not when he understood the feelings she had.
She smiled, "Thank you for telling me, Hiemdall. You have all my gratitude." She left him there. Often she had thought to ask him what held her mother to Midgard, though she did not want the answer. Loki sat waiting for her just beyond edge of the bridge.
"She isn't coming, is she?" He asked rising to his feet. She shook her head, disappointment filled her features. If only she knew how loved she was, perhaps she would not feel as she did. He had never been able to tell her how he felt, and thought maybe he never would.
"Shall we go back to the palace? I must admit I am rather tired. I think I will retire early." She began walking toward him. He turned on his heel, offering his arm to her. She wrapped her arm around his.
The walk back was mostly silent. He searched for anything to fill the void. "What did you think of?"
She looked up at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"This afternoon, in the yard. What did you think of?" He pushed.
"Oh." She would never tell him that he was what she thought of. All of the moments they had shared over the years. How every happy memory she had was filled with him, because of him. "Just being young. Getting into trouble. Nothing specific. Mostly just the feelings."
He nodded, "Well, I am pleased that it worked. Perhaps your magic will begin to improve. Now that you can tap into it."
"Perhaps." She agreed. They had reached the palace. She stopped, turning to him. "Thank you, for being with me today. Have a good evening." She stepped closer intent on kissing his cheek. She stopped before getting too close. She touched his arm instead before taking her leave.
Loki stood a moment longer where she had left him. He thought strongly of following her, allowing her the comfort she needed. In the end, he knew that she disliked being crowded when she was upset. He made his way to dinner. His thoughts focused on her and only her.
A light knock came at her door. She took a deep breath, calling out for one moment. She wiped her face and ran a hand through her hair. She straightened her dress as she rose, making her way to the door.
She gave a soft smile to Loki. A plate baring different portions of the meal she missed in his hands. She stepped aside allowing him entrace to her chamber. "I would argue, but I feel it pointless." She closed the door.
He set the plate on her vanity, "You would be correct."
She peered around his shoulder, her body against his. "I suppose I should eat something." The food looked delicious. She had contemplated going to dinner, but did not think she could keep her composure well enough.
He turned to face her. She straightened herself, pulling away. He stepped aside, motioning for her to sit. He made his way to her bed, laying in the middle. They sat in silence as she ate. They so often sat this way.
He felt himself dosing slightly. He hooked his arms behind his head. He felt pressure on the side of the bed. He looked to find her crawling in with him. She made her way to his side, laying her head on his chest. She let out a sigh as she settled.
He lowered his arm over her. "Talk?"
"I wonder where she is. Hiemdall will not tell me." She shook her head. "I do not wish to speak of this."
He heard her voice crack, "Very well. What shall we speak of then?"
She shrugged. Her arm snuck over his waist, her palm turning up. Fireworks began shooting from her hand. This action always made her calm. He smirked. He remembered when she could not perform magic such as this. She would beg him to do it for her, some of his fondest memories.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked, the fireworks long dissipated. Sleep lacing her voice.
"How do you know I am thinking of anything?" He questioned.
She took a deep breath. "I can see it. Not all of it. Just little images here and there."
He furrowed his brow, "You can see my thoughts?"
She curled into him more, "Can you not see mine? I thought you could. You act as though you do." She yawned, "May we speak of this in the morning?"
He stayed silent for a moment. He wondered if he too had seen her thoughts and simply took them as his own. "Shall I go?"
Her hold on him tightened slightly. "Stay."
He did as she wished, but he could not sleep. Her earlier admittance to seeing his thoughts bugged him for some reason. Though he didn't keep much from her, some things were to remain private to him. He was able to manipulate the mind, but to see what one was thinking was not something he was privy to.
He placed his hand atop her head and concentrated on seeing the thoughts that roamed free. Though he was unsuccessful in his attempt, it would not deter him from trying.