As Thor walked outside, once again everything just looked way too good to be real.
The air was so clean and fresh, the sky the most brilliant blue, the grass around him the sweetest green and there were… people.
So many people, servants, warriors, scholars… Thor swallowed as his eyes grew misty again. Everyone seemed so happy, so relaxed. They were chatting and joking, discussing the latest rumors, it was so mundane… So normal.
Slowly Thor approached the dining hall where a big feast was laid out… Food was plentiful and this was just breakfast.
Meat, fruit… more meat… mead, wine.
Emptily, Thor looked at the big feast, just as a loud booming voice came.
"HAHAAA! My prince!" The ringing laughter sounded as a big strong arm was put around him. "Out and about I see! Well, better enjoy it, your last day of freedom! HAH!"
Thor turned his head, wide-eyed, to see a head of red hair and a beard, a man whom was always smiling and always happy, honestly happy, the kind of happiness that felt warm and bright, coming from the inside and thus easily finding its way outside where people could feel it, not bothered at all by his own big gut as he grinned.
"Volstagg," Thor breathed.
The older man blinked as he removed his arm. "Is everything well my prince?" he asked.
"A-Aye. I think so," Thor stammered.
Volstagg looked at him, then smiled softly. "Getting a bit nervous, my prince?" he asked. "It's going to be fine, you will do great. I am sure of it," he assured.
Thor blinked, a bit confused.
Volstagg, though, smiled as he reached forward his hands and put them on Thor's shoulders. "I've watched you grow! Become such a strong proud man, I have no doubt you will do us all proud. So just relax."
"Thank you..." Thor blinked, not really sure what to do with himself.
"Come on then, let's eat!" Volstagg beamed as he piled up food for himself, and then blatantly stuffed a big chunk of meat on Thor's plate too, then finally grabbed two giant mugs of mead guiding Thor towards their usual table.
Thankfully Thor didn't need to start on any conversation as Volstagg was happily chatting from his seat opposite Thor... Talking about his own family, how proud his wife was of Thor and how she looked forward so much to witnessing the ceremony. How Thor would be sure to set such a good example for Volstagg's own two young sons whom really looked up to Thor, and would be so proud to witness it all. It was so hard not to cry, please Volstagg. Stop.
Then suddenly Fandral came running from behind. "Morning my prince!" he beamed as he jumped over the bench to sit beside Thor.
Thor looked at him, once again there was so much energy from the man, so much happiness, his eyes were shining, his smile was flashing… Fandral had been such an easy going, happy person. Thor couldn't help but swallow…
Fandral blinked. "Thor, are you hale?" he asked.
"He's starting to get nervous," Volstagg laughed. "No wonder, tomorrow he will be king. It is a big day."
"To-Tomorrow?" Thor asked… Oh, okay, so it wasn't today. Tomorrow… okay, that was good, he had time to think, to consider.
"By the Norns," Fandral blinked. "What a rare sight to see the Thunder god shake."
Thor blushed as he looked down, if Fandral only knew… At this time originally Thor had been very convinced he wouldn't ever be scared of anything. That though was before he witnessed all the horrors the universe had to offer… So much pain, so much suffering; he closed his eyes just as the last member of the Warriors Three took a seat on the other side of him.
"Look!" Fandral addressed Hogun. "Thor is daunted by a task! I never thought I would see the day."
Thor was squirming, desperately wanting to escape.
"It is though his most daunting task yet, it makes sense," Hogun replied calmly.
"It'll be fine, with Thor on the throne then maybe we can finally do something worthwhile," Fandral grinned as Thor slowly picked up his mug of mead, hoping to calm himself with the beverage. "Prove our worth in the glory of battle, maybe we can finally kill some Jotunns!"
That made Thor spew out his mead.
There was complete silence, everyone looked at him, speechless.
"Thor?" Fandral asked, honestly shocked.
"Kill some Jotunns?" Thor asked, astounded. Fandral had said that so casually! As if it was the same as just going to play a game of ball, something you just did.
"Yes..." Fandral hesitated. "There are no beasts more ferocious, if we kill some we will be sure to be recognized as true warriors at last. Isn't that what we have been waiting for?"
Gaping, Thor looked at Fandral, was the man serious? Jotunns were living people, you couldn't just…
Then he noticed the other two were looking at him with wide, shocked eyes.
"I.. I am sure we will have more than one chance to prove our worth in the near future," Thor then told them in a strained smile.
"Lead us to battle, Thor," Fandral grinned. "You are going to do amazing!"
"Of course he is!" Volstagg laughed.
"Indeed," Hogun smiled. "FOR OUR FUTURE KING!" they all shouted, all Thor could do was just sit back, stunned. What was he supposed to do?! None of this felt right.
They all took it so lightly, so casually, as if being king was no big deal at all.
Just then a fourth figure came, this one tall and clad in green, now standing behind Volstagg like a looming shadow.
Everyone turned to Loki whom was standing with his own plate and a frown on his face, as well as narrowed green eyes fixated upon Thor's face, and Thor shrank back. Loki was doing a really good job looking like a human sized monster bat ready to eat Thor right now.
The Warriors Three looked at Loki, frowning a bit at his looming appearance.
"Oh good morning, my prince," Fandral finally addressed the younger prince in a relaxed welcoming smile. "How unusual of you to join us of your own volition," he casually pointed out.
Loki did not respond to the blond, his face remained in a stern frown and his eyes kept strictly on Thor as he stepped forward, sat down next to Volstagg in front of Thor, and put down the plate with a heavy clink. Then he sat there… His eyes still not moving from Thor. His entire face looked stern, almost angry. And his body was like a marble statue, if it wasn't for the dark tense air around him. So tense that clearly the Warriors Three could sense it as well.
"So what issues may you have this fine morning?" Fandral then asked Loki. Probably commenting on his odd appearance.
"I am not yet sure," Loki replied in a cold voice.
Thor looked back at his younger brother, who's eyes remained the same, almost in a show of challenge. Thor could not say he remembered much of what had happened the day before his first failed coronation. But he was fairly sure that this hadn't happened. Loki acting so suspiciously, then again their encounter earlier in the day would have made him suspicious.
Thor looked down, looking at his plate of untouched food… How… How could he even begin with this? His Jotunn brother in front of him. He had hope, it was not too late, he was right there! He wasn't dead!
But… What could he say? How could he make Loki understand?
Panic was gripping Thor, his heart beating so loudly. He was shaking. He wanted to say something but what?! What was he supposed to say?
"Come now, Thor is already nervous, you need not mock him, Loki," Volstagg stated.
"Oh really," Loki asked in a sneer. "The great and mighty Thor nervous over such an insignificant prospect as his own coronation? How quaint."
Thor blinked, then looked up at Loki's frowning face… Had Loki always been so condescending? Even back then?
Loki's glimmering green eyes narrowed, filled with suspicion and distaste.
What surprised Thor the most was how blatant it was, Loki was barely even making an effort to hide it.
"Well, I believe he will be a great and magnificent king!" The sixth and last one of their little group stated, a warrior maiden who now sat down on the other side of Loki, then offered Thor a warm, kind smile. "You do not need to listen to Loki. You will do great."
Thor didn't know what he wanted more, to laugh or cry. Thor shook his head, then a chuckle escaped his lips and his eyes widened in shock! Thor clasped a hand over his mouth as he looked up in shock. How could he laugh at this?! What was wrong with him?
"Thor?" Sif asked.
Thor looked at her with wide eyes, his body was shaking, betraying him, he was about to bust out in hysterics and big sobs! He was losing it!
"My prince?" Fandral asked.
"Are you hale?" Volstagg entered.
Thor felt it, Loki's green eyes on him, staring.. Burning. Sif's voice... Fandral's voice. Eyes, eyes came from every direction and his name, called over and over from all directions. Thor's heart was hammering in his chest, he couldn't breath, the sounds were so loud. It was too much.. TOO MUCH! Thor stood up from the table as he gasped for air which lead to utter silence as all the people looked at him in surprise. Thor didn't even dare look back.
He had to close his eyes to hide his tears… If these people only knew, what had happened under his leadership, what kind of pain and destruction he had brought.
"E-excuse me," Thor finally managed to get over his lips. "I.." he didn't say anymore as he turned around, and then hurried away, as quick as he could without running.
Though he could feel a pair of green eyes burning into his back as he made his escape, stumbling like a drunk lunatic over chairs and tables, the eyes not leaving him until he had rounded a corner and from there made it to the first empty study where he slammed the door and finally broke down.
He couldn't do this! Thor was unable to go for half an hour without losing it… Loki was onto him already, of course he was! He was Loki, the smartest person Thor had ever known.
Thor would just screw it all up again, like he always did… All the blood, all the scream… the corpses...
A cold limp body of a god laying on the floor; Thor grabbed his head… a head rolling across the ground… people, turning to dust… gone… gone… gone…
