Worship of the Gods
"Why do people have to be this lonely? What's the point of it all? Millions of people in this world, all of them yearning, looking to others to satisfy them, yet isolating themselves. Why? Was the earth put here just to nourish human loneliness?"
Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart
Chapter Six: Fighting the Freefall
Tamra decided that fresh air was good for the soul. They wandered onto a balcony which overlooked a sparse, grassy training area. Ellie was intrigued immediately as she leaned over the stone wall, watching warriors fighting one another. She recognised the blond, beastly man immediately.
Thor Odinson was hot-headed. As the son of the Allfather, the strength and nobility assigned to him at birth clearly influenced the righteousness he displayed. Young, dashing looks were inherited from Odin; the childish smirk was not. Still, the entire court worshipped him. Ellie found it hard to pull her eyes away from the prince's swift movements.
Opposite Thor, a foot shorter, was a man with dirty-blond hair and goatee. He danced around the prince with agility and lithe like spring water droplets would off a leaf.
"Stop hopping around me, Fandral!" Thor boomed, swinging his spear.
"Hopping is positively the only way to win against you," Fandralcried with delight. Ellie was amazed how fluid and well-trained they all were. Fandral dove beneath Thor's spear, rolling over the floor and springing to his feet. "Ah-ha!"
Thor turned and swung the spear, catching Fandral's ankles. The force knocked him onto his back and he let out an oomph. As Thor neared him, Fandral reached out and grabbed near the tip of Thor's spear. Thor tripped forwards, having to dive over Fandral so he wouldn't squash him.
"Heavy footed today, Thor?" Fandral leapt to his feet, springing like a bunny from its nest. Ellie watched Fandral's footwork in awe. He was precise and agile, stepping in perfect order with his body and sword. With a grin, the warrior moved towards Thor and the two clashed swords.
The noise rang out. Over and over their blades clanged together, with cries from Thor or Fandral every so often.
"You are intrigued by their training?" Tamra's voice took Ellie's attention. The human looked up at her language teacher and nodded, scratching the corset of her dress.
"We don't have things like this at home. Our wars are fought by soldiers who train in camps. Far away."
"Have you met these Midgardian soldiers? Are they as…" She looked at Thor releasing a great war-cry and slamming his shield against Fandral's chest. The slimmer man was knocked backwards. "Enthusiastic as the mighty son of Odin?"
Ellie's gaze fell, her mind plagued by memories. "When I was a little girl, there was a war: The Vietnam War, not many British soldiers were involved, but one day they passed through the city and the Reverend Mother made us go and give them flowers." Ellie recalled with sensitive calmness. They had been boys, only ten years older than herself at the time. She her infant mind thought they were exciting. "Not many of them came back."
"Midgard has had many wars with itself," Tamra said, 'it's terrible that Midgardians flitter with their lives against one another. I've never understood it."
Ellie's eyes widened. "Being thousands of years old, I suppose you've seen quite a few fights on Earth?"
Nodding, Tamra met Ellie's look. "Many. I've read about all of them; from physical disputes to great wars that cross oceans. You never learn."
"No," Ellie murmured, turned away. "I suppose not." She itched her corset again, struggling to loosen it an inch.
The lithe Fandral stumbled backwards, clutching his stomach as he controlled his breathing.
"Come now, you can't be tired out already?" Thor grinned devilishly, taking a step towards his opponent.
"We've been at this all morning, Thor. You can hardly blame me."
"Wait until we are on the battle field!" Thor leaped forwards, striking Fandral's shield with a bang. "With a thousand beasts at our feet!" Fandral shoved the weapon away, standing straight once more. Sweat beaded his brow.
Ellie's eyes snapped to the figure behind Thor. Loki manifested out of nothing, a spear in his hand and the same loose linen combative clothing as his brother and Fandral. The cream flute sleeves and shirt exposed healing red marks.
"What's he doing?" she asked Tamra in disbelief. "He hasn't healed."
The elder wasn't fazed by the human's reaction. It was normal for Asgardian warriors to continue their daily routine despite battle. "Embarrassing his brother is his forte," was all Tamra shrugged.
Fandral began to laugh loudly. He lowered his shield and weapon and dropped them to the ground with a soft clatter. Thor tilted his head and narrowed his eyes.
"Why not fight one beast for today, brother?" Loki asked arrogantly. Thor's face shifted momentarily and then he was turning around, swinging his spear with great power and might. Then, Loki was gone.
He appeared behind Thor again, closer to the human onlooker and her tutor.
Ellie leaned forward, her hands resting on the rough stone.
"Your aim is off," Loki said. Thor turned again and Loki was gone. As if knowing his brother's tricks, Thor kept turning until he had completed the 360 degree and was face-to-face with the amused face of his black-haired sibling.
Thor huffed in annoyance, his cheeks flushing red. He ran a hand through his loose hair, pushing back the blond strands. "None of your magic today, Loki," he insisted. The brother could only grin malevolently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing to the order. "Loki, come on now."
Fandral snickered. "Telling him what to do will only give him ideas." Beside him, the gathered onlookers began to clap and cheer on each of the brothers. They were mundane soldiers, not standing out as much as Loki and Thor, but their enthusiasm and gleaming grins showed their royal adoration for the men.
"Give us a show, Silvertongue!" one of the soldiers demanded. Another began to beat his wooden sword against his shield. "Mighty sons of Odin!"
"I can beat you in this form or another, brother," Thor tested, twirling his spear. Loki's back was to Tamra and Ellie, it was bent in a stance. Suddenly, Loki laughed. It was a loud, joyous ring upon Ellie's ear; far removed to the icy distaste he showed for her. Leaning over the balcony, Ellie felt excitement rippling up her arms.
"What does he mean by form?" she asked. "Fighting form?"
Tamra pulled her eyes away from Ellie's face. She was now watching something with a smirk, a proud grin. Ellie looked back at the men and stepped back from the edge, her blood cold. The air shifted. Onlookers cried loudly, clapping and stomping their feet as the raven-haired wolf reared its neck and snapped its jaw with a sharp growl.
It was smaller than Thor, jet-black and sleek against the grass. Thick, padded paws pummelled the ground close to a discarded spear and shield. It was the son of Odin, in unprecedented glory.
"That's Loki?" Ellie choked, barely able to speak over the cheering. Tamra clapped and laughed.
The wolf, Loki, ran at his opponent. Thor crouched and barrelled himself at Loki's legs, flipping him over his back. Loki landed on his feet, ripping up grass, and started for Thor. He jumped and knocked Thor onto his front with a grunt.
The spear flew from Thor's hand.
"Yield!" Loki's demanded, his voice guttural and a distant version of his human self. It was odd, seeing words come from a wolf. Ellie couldn't stop the flashback of the warg.
Thor's face was mushed against the ground, his limbs splayed out. Despite his size, Loki appeared bigger now. He demanded his brother's surrender once more. "In your dreams, you slick sod," Thor groaned, the weight of Loki hurting him. "This is cheating."
"Cheating?" Loki replied, lowering his face. His cool blue eyes were eccentric against the black fur, acting as icy daggers into the back of Thor's head. The long black snout twitched as if Loki could smell through the nose of his otherworldly form. He must be able to. Ellie was enriched.
In a flash, Thor threw his head back and hit Loki. There was a loud smack of bone against bone. Thor used Loki's cower to turn and kick the wolf in the stomach. Loki was knocked upwards, the strength of Thor causing the onlookers to cry his name.
Annoyance rippled through Loki as he shook his head and ran at Thor again. His teeth barred, he snapped at his brother. Thor's arms came out and caught the top and bottom jaw. "A beast with the strength of a stringy boy!" Thor strained, pushing back against Loki's, or the monster's teeth. In reply, the creature growled.
In a flash, Thor released Loki's jaw, who went tumbling forwards and onto his chin in a dust-emitting heap. Fandral whistled, his face bright with amusement. Ellie tried to swap an inch of his joy with her muddled mind.
Thor ripped off his cape, tossing the grey-training fabric aside. His exposed arms were muscular, as thick as the base of an oak tree. With a metal bracelet strapped around his right wrist, it glinted in the startling sunlight streaming through the thin canopy above.
As Loki rose to his feet, Thor wrapped two arms around the back of his neck and pulled him backwards. The black wolf yelped, lifting a padded paw to swipe at Thor's face. It missed and continued to struggle in Thor's grasp.
Ellie tightened her grip on the Rosary, pulling it to her lips. A chill rippled through her as she remembered the night her and Loki first met. Burning wafted through her nose, biting at the back of her throat; her car had emitted such a putrid, tear-wrenching smell. Save him, oh gentle Mother. Save Loki Odinson from any pain. I can't bare seeing any more of it.
"C-Chokehold," she stuttered, trying to bring herself back to the present. "Chokehold is illegal, you know." Tamra glanced at Ellie's hand wrapped around the peculiar Midgardian bracelet. There was another cry of pain. "He's hurting him," Ellie gasped. "Look!"
Tamra placed a hand on Ellie's shoulder and shushed her.
"But, I…" Ellie's voice trailed off as she watched Loki's sleek-furred face contort from pain-filled and pleading, into annoyance and cunning. The wolf began to shift. It contorted its body, folding backwards like a board game. Before Ellie's eyes, the black wolf shrank in Thor's arms.
Its heavy paws sunk into his body, until there were no limbs and Loki was a long slim shape. Thor stepped back, slightly confused. Then, all of the onlookers were staring at the black snake on the ground. It was quite long and skinny, with large green eyes and a quivering tongue.
Thor reached for him. The snake hissed and snapped, threatening to bite Thor's finger. He retreated slightly and took a step back. "Loki, you bastard!"
"You really don't care who you annoy, do you, Silvertongue?" a great red-haired man laughed. He was followed by a short man, with sleek black hair tied into a spiky bun. Both were breathing heavily, holding long swords.
"The Warrior's Three," Tamra said into Ellie's ear. The professor's eyes swept over the newcomers and to the human's consternate look. "Fandral is the blond one – excellent warrior. In the battle against the Marauders, he destroyed two-hundred rebels with a boot alone."
Ellie, slightly dazed by Loki's transformation and the past they shared, quietly asked: "a shoe? How?"
"He's an agile fellow. Swift and cruel like a tropical storm," Tamra said proudly. "Behind him is Hogun, the people call him Hogun the Grim. He is a Vanir." Ellie watched him, slightly apprehensively. "Soft a petal if you aren't an enemy. Don't fret."
"And the redhead?" That one continued to clap and praise the two Odinsons, a smile larger than his gut on his face.
"Ah. Volstagg. The Valiant or the Fat." Ellie thought of Frigga's words as Tamra continued, "his size does indeed assist him on the battlefield."
War was normal for Asgardians. Were nightmares as well? Ellie had scarcely slept through her dreams for several weeks. She spent her days with Tamra, or in the loneliness of her chambers with one of the many books she had been informed to read. Some were in English, or perceptively in her native tongue, she could not be sure in such a magical place.
Eating breakfast and supper alone was also a dull affair for Ellie. She was used to her own company, but the roar of Asgardian feasts made her heart ache for it. There had been no news for her since the Völva's prophecy and her conversations with Frigga were fleeting; about language studies or how she felt in Asgard.
"How wonderful, my princes!" Tamra shouted joyfully beside Ellie. Pulled from her internal pain, the human looked back up at the gathered crowd. Loki had returned to his natural form, his face displaying a proud grin which flashed white teeth. Thor was laughing beside him, and they approached the Warrior's Three.
"Who won?" Ellie asked, surprised that both lacked hatred or annoyance. It was casually competitive and not an inch of resentment swarmed the air around them.
Finishing her clap, Tamra said, "Thor was able to pull Loki from around his neck in the end. It was a marvellous fight. I always love Loki's transformations. Such an unexpected delight."
Unexpected was correct. As were the company of warriors beginning the ascent towards Ellie and Tamra. Ellie didn't feel as intimidated as one should in the face of famous beings. She couldn't shake off the thought that most were equal, all children under the presence of her God.
"Tamra, you glorious soul," Thor's loud voice approached, "how does the fairest maiden in this land do on this day?"
Tamra laughed, her voice melodic and young. "As usual, you and your brother are near to stopping my heart. You know how my poor nerves are when you fight." The blond prince grinned.
"I can only apologise," he replied. "You shouldn't worry for me."
"Easier said than done. I have seen you grow, Thor. Or have you already forgotten your childhood?"
Thor took Tamra's hand, towering over her. It was as if a grandson was greeting his grandmother, gentle and caring became the air. "Never could I forget you. Nor my brother. He was always answering your unanswerable questions."
"The two of you are just as clever as each other," Tamra said gracefully. "Never forget that."
With complete sincerity, Thor said, "I must apologise again. I amsmarter than Loki." The Warriors Three began to laugh behind him. At the sound of their snickers, the prince shot them a betrayed look. "Watch it. I'll set a snake on you."
"And that's smart, is it?" Volstagg chuckled. "Oh, Great Thor, you really are frightening."
"I shall use the venom to render you unconscious and then I will finish you off."
Hogun clamped Volstagg in the stomach with a loud thump. The redhead coughed. "If the venom can reach his bloodstream," Hogun said brutally. "This thick layer of fat protects against the most dyer of ailments."
"I'll crush you–" Volstagg began, lifting a huge arm.
"Not that hard to do." Hogun ducked around his friend with a sneer. Tamra raised a hand quickly, silencing them.
"Boys," she warned. Pulling their attention back to Ellie, she introduced the human. "This is Ellie. She is under the protection of Odin and will be staying in Asgard until the time being." At her words, Ellie finally heard aloud the truth of the matter. She was a prisoner in this world. Comfortable as she may be, there was no chance of her making it back to Earth without doing everything asked of her first.
"Ellie," a voice called. Looking up quickly, she met the blue eyes of Fandral. Up close he emitted an exciting, ever-growing kindness. She took his gloved hand and watched him raise it to his lips, keeping his eyes locked on her face. "Ellie Adams. I have heard about your presence here for several weeks. It is a pleasure to finally be acquainted. I am Fandral."
With her hand kissed by each of the Warrior's Three, Ellie was left feeling slightly more engaged with Asgard. The men were kind and attentive.
"How have you settled?" Volstagg asked, leaning against a long axe. "Is the Kingdom treating you well?"
"Very well," she answered quickly. "It's pristine. Completely different to my flat actually. The water here actually runs clear."
Hogun wrinkled his nose. "Sounds as if you lived in a cave? Is that how Midgardian's have grown since we last visited?"
Ellie snorted. "No, I don't live in a cave. The pipes around my flat are loose and faulty. So, the running water which is usually fresh and clean is dirty at the moment. Or, I mean, it was dirty when I left. I had to buy bottled jugs." Her rambling left the Asgardians disturbed, unable to grasp her Midgardian words. After a moment, Thor coughed.
"I trust you're enjoying the lessons, my lady?" he asked.
Ellie smiled, changing the subject. "Yes, they're very informative. Even though it's language, there's so much more about the universe than I imagined. It's kind of scary."
"As I can imagine it would be," Fandral jested. He was intrigued by the human, as were the entire court. "Humans are a rare sight in Asgard."
Thor snorted, "rare as in extinct. At first Ellie was petrified of us all. Petrified, my friend." Thor put one hand on Ellie's hand, clamping down like she was an old friend. She struggled to stand still.
Loki appeared behind Thor, having ascended the stairs with ease. His hair was tousled, having not survived the transformation from wolf to snake. As he removed his gloves, he shot Thor an annoyed look. "Hard not to be with you looming over her like beast," he said. Ellie chewed the inside of her cheek, momentarily worried that he was embarrassed by the horse incident.
"Beasts are what keep this world alive, brother! What would we hunt and feast on? Winter hunts are our favourite, are they not, Loki?" Thor greeted. "Your agility in the snow is incomprehensible, brother."
Loki continued past them, unaffected by the compliment. He didn't offer Ellie a glance. "Does a great duty to not be a thundering lug," he called back and disappeared inside a set of double doors. She watched the space he disappeared into, begging to ask about his magic.
"What are the winters like on Midgard?" Fandral turned to Ellie. "We Three Warriors hunted there once, taking down wildebeest and caribou in the harsh cold."
She met his inquisitive gaze. "Well," she said, "London doesn't have wildebeest unless you count the zoo. Caribou aren't hunted either, they're used as a prop for Christmas."
"Christmas is a festival, is it not? A red festival which celebrates a false God of winter," Thor informed the warriors around him. "They give gifts and trees to one another. So, I have read."
"How obscure," Fandral muttered, "you must be grateful to be away from such abnormality." Ellie could only laugh at their disturbed faces. Abnormal didn't exist in her dictionary anymore.
After a surprisingly calm, mundane conversation about Earth's festive customs, Ellie felt lighter. She was grinning ear to ear, watching the Warrior's Three bicker and laugh like old friends. They asked her questions about things she hadn't considered being thingsat all; the taste of British beef, Cottage Pie, or the fashion in winter. Volstagg's face was bright as she told him about the pastry pies they cooked in Camden Town. Hogun, a vegetarian, grimaced as Ellie described a Hog Roast.
"Turning a great hog on a spit," Volstagg guffawed. "Such marvellous talent these Midgardian's have."
Volstagg raised an eyebrow. "That is a custom we Asgardians do not engage with often."
"Oh, you should. A roaring fire, crackling wood and the smell of burning salt," Ellie replied eagerly.
Volstagg, in deep intrigue, scratched him beard. "Any sauce?"
Ellie nodded. "There is one Reverend Mother used to make: a Sichuan peanut and roast chilli sauce. Food from heaven."
In unison, their eyebrows furrowed. "Recipes from Valhalla?" Hogun questioned, looking her over. "How is that possible?"
Valhalla was a spiritual realm of the deceased. Ellie nearly cried aloud for remembering the fact. However, her acquaintances faces stopped the joyous celebration. "It's just a saying on Earth," she said quickly. Their shoulders slumped. "Ah," Hogun replied. "You speak using many phrases we do not understand."
"So do you," she said lightly.
"Tell me," he said, "who or what is a Gordon Bennett?"
As Ellie opened her mouth, Loki's voice appeared behind her. She turned around and found him expectantly waiting, his arms behind his back in a royal stature. "The Queen wishes to speak with you, Eurelia Adams." She sensed the warriors' eyes on her as she made her way towards him. In the sunlight, he was less sinister. Still, their night-time endeavours left her believing he detested her presence more and more. She met Tamra's gaze. The elderly woman nodded towards the doors, watching the human disappear inside.
"Brother, you as well," Loki called. Ellie entered the hallway with Thor at her side. On her other, was Loki.
"Is she okay?" Ellie asked him. "Not been attacked by another warg, right?"
Midgardian humour didn't settle well with the prince. He was disturbed and bit his tongue so a cruel remark wouldn't tumble out, especially in front of Thor's well-mannered presence. "No," was all Loki said, "she has not been attacked."
Disregarding the annoyance flickering across his face, Ellie pushed it. "It's not another meeting with that dried corpse, is it?"
"Neither is the Völva here to disturb you," he said.
Thor snorted. "I am glad you find that creature as putrid as I, Ellie Adams. Father keeps us away from it." There was a disgruntled noise from his brother. Ellie looked up at the blond.
"So how come I had to suffer him? His breath is terrible."
"As I have heard," he said lightly. "Father does not tell us much about your quest. It's a great thing bestowed upon you alone."
"Don't you want to know more? Surely as onlookers of this complete disaster of destiny, might I add, you'd want to know everything?" Thor's frown told Ellie the answer. He cared for the glory of quests, not the intricate pieces of a universal puzzle. In defeat, she slumped slightly and followed the brothers. Her corset itched, feeling tighter by the hour.
She scratched it.
Ellie struggled to keep up with the brothers. Thor, limber and strong, took the staircases three at a time. Loki, nimble and agile, kept up with him easily.
With each step, Ellie pull her skirts up high and stumbled over the fabric regardless. The stone echoed her steps, soft clacking calling all around her until it was only a single pair of feet making the noise. As she reached the top of the staircase, she found Thor and Loki laughing; having battled one another into reaching the top first.
Frigga stood against a stone wall which overlooked the royal gardens. There was a smile lighting up her complexion, her eyes dancing with amusement at the two men.
"Like a little beetle," Thor teased, hitting Loki's arm.
The raven-haired prince scoffed as he stood beside his Mother. "I won, regardless."
"Oh, we can have a rematch of our morning battle if you wish. I'll knock the air from you."
"Come on then you brute." Loki began to laugh loudly, the noise singing through the air.
Approaching the Queen, Ellie sensed the topic of their conversations was not going to be the weather. She stood beside her, feeling underdressed and mundane. Frigga's gown was grey with flute sleeves which draped the floor. The beads were embroidered with runes and they covered the stitching in a beautifully medieval manner.
"Our first meeting was one of brutality, Ellie," Frigga said, her voice haunting. Loki watched the human fight the grimace which threatened to come onto her face. The Queen Mother continued: "do you remember how to fought the creatures on that bridge?"
Ellie nodded, guilt seeping into her pores. "Yes," she murmured.
"The violence… did that scare you?" Frigga questioned, sliding her soft gaze to Ellie.
"Yes," Ellie admitted, "and no. When I… hurt that creature, I wanted to."
"You did the right thing, Ellie."
"Did I?" she asked immediately. Thor folded his arms behind her, frowning.
"The Queen would be dead if you hadn't intervened," he said. There was an edge of misunderstanding; similar to Cecelia. "My brother would be dead. Why do you question it?"
Ellie turned and felt the breath disappear from her lungs. Having tried and failed to make Cecelia understand the complexity of her philosophical and spiritual beliefs, it was only an endless battle she would face. With a shrug, she looked back at the Queen.
Loki watched Ellie with brute fascination. Doubt, annoyance and need radiated from her in waves of overwhelming Midgardian pity. He narrowed his eyes, an itch within him wanted her to retaliate with her Midgardian God. When she remained silent, there was disappointment biting in his head.
"Language was your first lesson, Ellie," Frigga continued. "You are doing well; so, I have heard. Second lesson, physical training."
"Exercise?" Ellie asked dumbly.
"Battle training. You are as useless as a new-born lamb. When the time comes for you to complete the prophecy, you must be ready in all aspects of war. This isn't your world anymore, Ellie."
"What?" she asked, her stomach dropping. "M-Me?"
Frigga wasn't surprised by Ellie's disbelief. She offered the human a half-hearted smile, it was all she could muster after the hours of relentless arguments with Odin. The King wanted to wait for Freyr to meet the human. However, Frigga's intuition was a pulsating, living creature which screamed that time was of the essence. "I apologise that this is all rash. It is the only way."
"Can't I just dip in and out? Drop the stone off and that's it?"
Frigga shook her head. "No, Ellie. I think you know the answer to both of those questions. The Àlkar stone's resting place is guarded by creatures of eternal darkness. You must be strong enough to reach the centre."
Ellie's heard birds squawking far away. Their screeches becoming fainter as blood rushed into her ears, swarming the drums and drowning her in damnation.
Numbly, Ellie returned to her chambers later that evening. Her appetite gone, her hope destroyed, and any maternal desire vanquished. Frigga was signing Ellie's name to a contract of death. Only death was the outcome of Ellie's journey. She was sure of it.
Cecelia was rushing out of the bathroom, her arms full of old towels. As soon as the girl spotted Ellie, her cheeks became flushed and she darted past her.
"Cecelia…" Ellie started, but the girl was already out the door and it was closing. The thud was gentle, barely a creak emanating. However, in the bitter wholeness of Ellie's chambers, it was like locking her in a prison. The air was swallowed from around her.
Grappling at her back, Ellie attempted to pull the corset undone by herself. Her fingers scraped at the knots and lace, to no avail did they pull it apart. They were tightening around her stomach and ribs, threatening to split her open like a strung turkey.
"Bastard thing…" she hissed, turning on the spot for a better look. "Just get it off of me." Yanking harder, the air was harder to intake. She scrunched her face up, panting slightly. "Damnit. Get off of me!"
Tears leaked from her eyes and her lip wobbled. Grinding her teeth together, the screaming sound of silence was making Ellie's situation harder to bare. She stumbled to the vanity table, one of her hands knocking over a pot of hair ribbons.
Yanking open a drawer, she rooted through with her other hand reaching behind her back. Crying harder, she let out a frustrated grunt. Her fingers grabbed the rose gold pair of scissors, long ones made for fabric, and shoved them into the front of her dress. Snipping along the intertwining lace, it came apart with a snip.
With the first layer off, Ellie pushed it from her shoulders and used her clammy fingers to undo the corset binding her body. Hot tears dribbled down her cheeks and lips, coming faster when she was free of the other layers.
Falling out of the long underskirt, she was finally bare. With the cold night air kissing her body, she made it to the fresh bed and grabbed the silk sheets once more. Her Rosary clutched in her palm, Ellie curled up held it to her lips. She inhaled the prayers of the Virgin Mary, calling for her warm arms and gentle voice. As she once did as a child, scared of the dark, she begged for the kindness of a mother.
References:
– Loki's power - after reading the Thor comics, I've decided to incorporate some depth to his character from this. Hope you don't mind! If you don't like it, please comment!
please review / comment your thoughts – they make my writing improve and your experiences better! x