Thor couldn't help but smile as he stood there, wearing traveler's clothes; he had a bag over his shoulder, and a sheathed sword in his belt.
He still hadn't tried to even touch Mjolnir, knowing he would not be able to withstand the pain if he failed, so he'd rather not even try.
Wearing traveler's clothes like this though, it really brought back memories. It had been so long! Since he and Loki had been sneaking out to visit different realms, where they would just fool around.
Loki could travel through the branches of Yggdrasil by himself, he was the only one alive who was able to sneak right out under the All Seer's gaze.
Something that had always deeply amazed Thor, awed him beyond reason… And then he had stated out loud it wasn't anything special because he didn't like being shown up by his little brother. Or just admit he didn't really believe he could ever measure up to that.
The door opened and in stepped Loki, also wearing much more practical traveler's clothes, he, though, was not carrying a bag, he didn't have to. Loki would just store any items he needed in a pocket dimension.
Why did Loki always get to be so amazing?
With a critical eye Loki looked Thor over. "Ready to go?" he asked.
Thor nodded as he smiled. "Aye."
"You remember how it goes?" Loki asked.
"Aye," Thor replied again. "I could never forget, even if it has been… How long has it been Loki?" he asked.
"Since you went with me?" Loki asked. "I think about two hundred years."
"Oh." Thor's face fell. "Why has it been so long?"
"Because you started to always insist on bringing your friends!" Loki stated. "And I don't like being stuck with three people always snorting at me! Also, they never listen to a word I say, so why bother? Neither did you by the way, it became too much of a bother. I prefer the freedom of being on my own, thank you. All you ever did was just hold me back on those journeys."
Thor looked sadly at Loki. "Loki… I would really like to go adventuring with you once more. Explore, like we used to… It saddens me that you feel like I was holding you back on those journeys. If you let me, I shall try not to."
"Well, you can start by not crying every two seconds and be helpful on this venture, then I might consider it," Loki stated as he reached up a hand, his palm towards Thor. "Shall we?"
Thor nodded as he held up his hand as well, then he pressed his palm towards Loki's.
Loki closed his eyes and so did Thor, then he felt it, his body slipping away, becoming a part of Yggdrasil's branches, though another presence kept him firm, Loki who guided him in the right direction.
Thor would not be able to navigate all these branches going in all directions on his own, without a doubt Thor would be lost here forever if he didn't have a guide.
But Loki moved with purpose and with grace… It was not lost on Thor that if Loki let go of Thor's hand, Thor would indeed be lost. Aimlessly be left to wander the branches which seemed to go in countless directions, desperately searching for a way out without even knowing where he would end up... He could end up in Helheim for all he knew, and then he would have no way to re-enter the branches.
Thor wasn't afraid though… He knew Loki had it in him to betray him, but Loki wasn't stupid. Loki needed Thor, and that was why he was safe.
Thor sincerely hoped that during this new adventure, he could find true trust in Loki… He wanted it, to be able to trust his brother.
Then finally his feet found solid ground again, and Thor looked up to see the rocky grounds of Svartalfheim, home of the dwarfs, the best craftsmen in the Nine Realms. Creating weapons and armor of great wonder.
And also means of transportation! Spaceships that could take them to the stars, which they used as their own forges, it was the ideal place to snatch up a ride so they could go to Morag.
"It feels like forever since I last saw this place," Thor admitted in a smile.
"You were here only three moons ago," Loki commented casually. "Well, your other self, I suppose."
Thor smiled. "I did always like visiting this realm, seeing their newest weapons and shields, and trying my might against them," he chuckled. "And they liked me! If I couldn't break the weapons it proved their quality!"
"Thor… Who doesn't like you?" Loki asked. "Who isn't blinded by your shining light?" he asked in a condescending tone.
"You," Thor replied.
Loki blinked, then he couldn't help but smile, amused.
"Well, let's move on," Thor suggested as he started to walk, and Loki followed.
The dwarfs all lived underground, inside of the mountain itself, getting in was easy though and Thor barely got to take a few steps before the first dwarf came running.
"PRINCE THOR!" Sounded the happy yell, and Thor smiled warmly.
"Dwarfs of Svartalfheim! Well met!" Thor beamed.
"And..." The dwarf's eyes turned to Loki, then his voice turned cold. "Loki."
Loki stared down at the dwarf, who only came up to his torso, then let out a snort.
It was not lost on Thor that the dwarf hadn't even addressed Loki by his title… Oh boy, this could turn out to be a long day.
It wasn't long before Thor stood in front of the leader of the clan, a stout dwarf with pitch black hair and beard by the name Brymir, whom laughed as he grabbed Thor's hand. "Prince Thor! So soon, and yet not soon enough to see you again!"
Thor grinned, happily shaking his hand. "Thank you for welcoming us yet again," he said.
"Ah, always a pleasure having you, Thor!" Brymir beamed warmly, then his eyes moved to Loki and his voice became very strained, while his smile was obviously fake and forced. "And you as well Prince Loki… I suppose."
Loki pouted at the obvious change in attitude as Brymir went from Thor to Loki. Just like the other dwarfs.
"Don't worry, he won't do any mischief this time," Thor stated, putting a firm hand on Loki's shoulder.
Brymir's eyes narrowed, clearly he didn't believe Thor.
"Come now, surely you are not still mad?" Thor asked. "A glorious weapon came out of it, a masterpiece, you said so yourself."
"At the cost of three forges! And several dwarfs nearly killing each other!" Brymir exclaimed.
"I didn't do anything, I only talked!" Loki defended himself.
"And you're very good at talking, aren't you, Prince Loki?" Brymir asked in an angry tone.
Thor sighed, what Brymir was referring to was when Loki had been visiting two different dwarf clans, then started to dare the two, setting them up against each other.
A little word of:
"Have you heard what the clan of Gungans said about you? The armor you make can't even withstand a common kitchen knife!"
And then to the other house a word of:
"Have you heard what the clan of Edran said about you? They said your swords are so brittle they will break when hitting a common rabbit."
Both dwarf clans had become furious with each other, and each started to mass produce the best and most amazing swords and armors seen to man to prove the other wrong, then they got into fights and almost killed each other…. It had not been pretty.
Of course, Loki had been sent to purchase new armor and swords for the Asgardian army and the two clans' feud had benefited him greatly in this endeavor… That was the issue though.
Loki had used his silver tongue to set the dwarfs up against each other, and get him the best possible deal. It had been underhanded trickery and the dwarfs… did not appreciate being tricked!
Also, nearly starting a clan war was not putting Loki in a good light… Loki had almost gotten away with it too, if one of the sons of Gungan hadn't realized Loki was the first one telling them stories of other dwarfs talking ill of them, and then finally they had managed to compare stories and time lines and, well…
There was a reason Loki hadn't been to Svartalfheim for three hundred years.
"I'll keep an eye on him," Thor informed. "He won't leave my sight until we have left this realm."
Brymir still looked doubtful and Thor sighed. In the past Thor had been quick to jump to Loki's defense, in fact he probably would have done so right now too and just told the dwarfs that if they had been tricked that easily, it couldn't be Loki's fault. Then laughed at the whole thing... Thor had laughed at the whole thing back then... When he first heard of it he had found it hilarious...
Thor sighed deeply, suddenly realizing he had spent an awful long time defending Loki's honor when Loki didn't deserve it.
And talking down Loki's abilities when he did deserve praise. No wonder Loki often came across as confused.
"I never apologized for my brother's actions in that dispute, did I?" Thor asked. "Brymir." He looked at the dwarf, then bowed. "I am sorry."
Brymir blinked, Loki though didn't bow, he just stood as he snorted.
Though Thor then forcefully grabbed Loki's head and pulled him down, forcing him to bow. "HEY!" the younger god shouted.
"Loki is sorry too," Thor informed.
"If people are foolish enough to fall for such simple words, it is no fault of mine!" Loki protested, still with Thor's hand on his head, forcing him into that bowed position.
"You're not helping, Loki," Thor muttered.
"We are going to be off this realm as quickly as possible anyway!" Loki stated.
"Yes! But hopefully we'll both be back soon, and the dwarfs of Svartalfheim are our allies and friends! We owe them much. You would do well in respecting them!" Thor stated.
"I respect who I chose!" Loki stated.
Thor groaned but finally let go, allowing Loki to stand up, and he stood up as well. "Please forgive me, Brymir," he asked the dwarf.
"No." Brymir shook his head. "An insincere apology is no apology at all. Clearly sincerity is beyond Prince Loki at this point. You though..." He looked at Thor with an impressed smile on his face. "Odin chose Asgard's new king well!"
"Erhm," Thor halted. "I..."
"Ah yes, the coronation has been postponed I hear, hopefully not for too long." Brymir sighed.
Loki rolled his eyes. "If you don't mind, we are in a bit of a hurry. We need a ship!"
"We humbly request that we may borrow a spacecraft," Thor then said, completely cutting Loki off.
Brymir's eyebrow rose. "For you, Prince Thor, always," he informed, then his eyes glided to Loki whom was pouting, looking the other way.
Thor sighed, he grabbed Loki's head a second time and then bowed down taking Loki with him. "We thank you!" he stated, letting go of Loki who nearly stumbled after being let go.
Brymir smirked, amused, and even chuckled. "For that display, you may even have a nice one," he commented."When would you like to leave?"
"As soon as possible," Thor informed.
"Well, the ships are this way." Brymir turned and started walking.
"Come on, Loki." Thor grabbed Loki, pulling the younger god with him.
"HEY!" Loki exclaimed. "I can walk myself, Thor!" he exclaimed as he was dragged along by Thor.
"I am aware, however I promised you wouldn't cause any mischief," Thor stated.
"I am not going to..."
"You are the god of mischief, Loki," Thor pointed out.
"Okay, that's a fair point," Loki had to admit. "Though, you used to like that! You thought it was funny! You thought the dwarf thing was funny, you laughed your head off for weeks! Is older Thor truly such a spoilsport?!"
"Yes, older Thor is truly such a spoilsport," Thor stated, dragging Loki with him. " The fate of two different timelines and all of that."
"You're no fun anymore," Loki pouted.
Thor smirked. "I don't know, I am having plenty of fun right now."
And Loki scoffed.
Thor only shook his head, ignoring his little brother and continued their walk while not letting go of Loki's sleeve for one single second.
