He Said She Said

The landscape of soft snow and jagged ice welcomed me into Jotunheim. The silent cheers of no one greeted me. The grim gates reminded me of a well known truth; that this isolated kingdom of ice was not home.

Soon after being escorted by devoted Frost Giants to their king's throne, I had the misfortune of spotting a white furred wolf. The captivating creature's profile flooded my mind with memories. I wondered if it was her. If she'd be cunning enough to enter these walls to fool not only me, but an entire race of giants.

The wolf aware of my piercing stares shifted in its spot to look back at me with violent orbs of yellow. My heart sunk and my gaze dropped, those eyes weren't hers. Another disappointment since encountering the nameless witch. Every wolf that crossed my path as of that night brought with it hope that soon faded once it glanced back.

"Loki?! Are you even listening to your king?" An agitated Býleistr shouted.

"He's not my king." I muttered mockingly.

"If you have no respect for him as a king then have the decency to listen to your father when he speaks to you!" The Crown Prince of Jotunheim demanded to which I smirked.

"Býleistr you mustn't raise your voice." Jotunheim's King then turned to me; "Loki, my son you were absent from Jotunheim for a week longer than planned. I was merely worried."

"Father is terribly ill. I won't forgive you if he is sent to his grave due to your mischief." Býleistr threatened.

I approached the throne and spoke directly to King Fárbauti. "I'm not to blame for the additional week of absence from Jotunheim's court. A witch deceived me and I," Placing my fingers to my chest; "as any man would, went in search to find and question her."

Guards mumbled in the background. King Fárbauti tapped his chin and Býleistr venomously yelled. "He's lying! This notorious trickster only speaks lies to gain your forgiveness, Father. Please don't - -"

"Býleistr the blood that flows through your veins is the same as Loki's. You should be the first to believe him." King Fárbauti ordered.

"But father, nothing he says is ever credible!"

"You have no proof that his tale is a lie." King Fárbauti points at his eldest.

"Nor you that it's truth!"

King Fárbauti leaned back into his throne of ice then looked to me.

"Loki Laufeyson, I grant you the assistance of your brother Býleistr to find this witch. Any resources he has are under your control. May you both grow to understand each other after this experience."

Býleistr's jaw dropped as I chewed on my inner cheek to suppress an indulgent laugh. This should pacify the oaf for the time being.

XXX

Sheltered deep within the study I made haste to read through scrolls of current news concerning other realms. However, forced breaths near my left ear made me suddenly aware of Býleistr's intrusion. His presence was an unwanted distraction. I twisted to stare at the beast, he blinked and seemed confused by the attention.

"Why have you stopped? He asked blankly.

Armed with a nasty insult on the tip of my tongue I swallowed it whole. Such comments needed to be sedated for the time being. Býleistr is a horrifically dense individual, and if used, my remark would go to waste.

"An inconvenience presented itself." I did little to conceal my irritation.

Býleistr snorted as an atrocious chuckle exited his throat.

"You'll be greatly inconvenienced I figure to gather any news of a fictional witch, Loki."

The twitch of amusement at the corner of my lips had Býleistr backing away in an attempt of self preservation.

"I won't harm you." I replied in a looming voice.

He gulped then bravely planted himself on the table.

"You don't frighten me. Father instructed me to assist you little brother, thus I will. Finish your tale about the witch."

"I already have." I shrugged.

He snapped his head left to right. "Last you told me was of her request, while you were in the tub. There must be more."

I sighed then answered; "Very well. I'll share it all."

xxx She Said

"If I go against my sister's teachings by releasing you, will you tell me? I want to know who cursed you! I promise to secure your revenge. Wouldn't you share your secrets with me? I've been such a loyal wolf to you."

"Morgana! You wretched girl!" Morgause's playful tone had me giggling.

"Whatever for?!" I replied with a smug smile.

"You'd abandon my teachings for a mere merchant!" Morgause wore a wounded expression which changed into a grin.

"He was more than that!" I protested, defending the stranger with midnight black hair.

"I doubt that!"

Morgause continued combing her gorgeous locks. Mordred fiddled with my necklace, while he was occupied I cuddled him close.

"Do carry on, Morgana. You went against my wishes by letting this fellow live. The least you can do is tell me what happened next." She crossed her arms.

"I waited patiently for a moment. The gentleman hadn't appeared to battle my spell. Laid still as stone which disappointed me. I foolishly expected more of him; that somehow he'd set himself free and speak." I said with a sore expression.

Morgause rolled her eyes and Mordred squirmed against my hold till I released him to roam outside.

"With no reaction from him I shifted my attention to his dagger, the handle of which was coated in the loveliest of patterns. I wondered if they were words, ones that I couldn't recognize. A chill crept down my spine as if I was being observed. I turned my body toward the door. The wench from before! The one who brought the buckets of bathwater stood at the threshold!"

"Was she spying? I imagine the sight of you two awakened something in her." Morgause interrupted.

I scoffed at the remark.

"Surely you're entertaining such sinful ideas to make my story appear better, sister. As I was saying, the wench ran the second I laid eyes on her. I jolted up and pursued her out of the room then down the hallway." I paused and tilted my head to the side; "She was at the bottom of the steep staircase just as I reached the middle of it. When…"

"When what?!" Morgause pleaded.

"She vanished before my eyes." I mumbled.

"Vanished but how?!"

XXX: He Said

"The wench was the simplest of illusions, Býleistr." Was my quick response.

"Loki, did her spell not restrain you?" Býleistr narrowed his eyes.

I rose to my feet. "Only at first. It was evident that her magic was at it's infancy."

"Yet you played along? Stayed still while she spoke?" Býleistr whispered.

"Of course! My curiosity wouldn't allow me to move. If I showed her that her hold on me was broken, then I'd never have heard her speak her intentions."

The Frost Giant beamed and slapped my shoulder approvingly.

"Clever thinking! Then what?"

"I dried myself and got dressed. The bewildered witch still at the staircase gazed down thoroughly searching for the wench. When I arrived…"

XXX She Said

"Morgause I studied the crowds below for that wench instead I found Arthur's men! At least a dozen of them! With my eyes set on those drunks downstairs in the tavern I turned toward the room to escape when I lost my balance on the staircase."

"Oh dear, clumsy as ever, Morgana." Morgause announced.

"No! I collided with a strong chest and lost my footing! I was about to go tumbling down the wooden staircase, abruptly a swift hand pulled me in as it rested on the inward curve of my lower back. Surprised with my unexpected savior I glanced up to thank him. I was greeted by him, smugly grinning down at me." I said.

"How?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. He appeared out of nowhere and my senses shamelessly soaked in his presence. We shared a single step on the narrow staircase. His long legs were on either side of me while I stood between them. His breath caressed my cheek and I arched my neck backwards to get a better look at him. Had you seen us, you'd have presumed we were lovers standing so intimately close."

"You gawked at him?"

"You don't understand Morgause as a wolf most things were gray to me, including his eyes. I longed to peek at their true color. They were green, the most striking shade of green I've ever seen!"

"Hm. Green you say?" Morgause mumbled.

XXX He Said

"Faint blues twirled with silver, they were orbs of ice. Her eyes along with her scent aroused a rush of primal lust within me."

Býleistr's broad shoulders softened.

"Perhaps you're mistaken. It wasn't her eyes nor her scent that made your blood run hot but the Jotunheim in you especially during that specific month."

XXX She Said

"Menacing!" I declared.

"He was?" Morgause asked.

"No! My feverish skin and the reckless thudding in my ribcage threatening to burst was menacing! He awakened something. He was a handsome man with refined looks, far more striking than any prince! Oh his lips were rather inviting."

"Haha Morgana did it occur to you that perhaps his invasion of your personal space made your heart tremble in your chest? You've never truly kissed or experienced that closeness to a man before."

"I've shared a forced, crude excuse for a kiss with Tyr and a disgraceful kiss with Thor. Neither were half as blissful or thrilling as standing wrapped in the stranger's arms."

"You didn't even ask for his name?"

"No, though I did ask him other things."

"Such as?"

I bit my lower lip.

"I'll share those with you some other day, Morgause." I replied.

"You're such a tease!"

XXX He Said

"She asked me if I was Asgardian due to my dagger. She claimed the lines on it was reminiscent of Asgardian patterns she'd seen in her youth." I returned to my seat.

Býleistr eyes bulged.

"I said no to satisfy her curiosity. She in turn mentioned my broth- - I mean the Odinsons. This exquisite witch was ill-fated enough to have encountered all three of them yet found each more repulsive than the last." I ended with a devious grin.

"This news suits you well, little brother?" Býleistr inquired.

"It truly does. Since I was a young man, women tended to flock to the older Odinsons. These women constantly used me as a means to my so called brothers. I went to great lengths to protect myself from such devious women, since it usually left me with a thrashed heart and a tormented soul. I won't take my brothers' hopeful nor leftover lovers, a rule of mine if you will. I found myself ecstatic to find this rare creature in my grasp."

"Loki, she may not be swept under the Odinsons' spell but that doesn't mean she finds you attractive."

"Then why did she kiss me?"

XXX She Said

"He answered my questions with a steady voice. Soon the conversation grew and I became weary of my rapid heartbeats as well as Arthur's men ascending. I demanded he'd let me take my leave, I fidgeted against his towering figure. He laughed and shifted his stance, leaning down toward me. He spoke teasingly, telling me that I fidgeted like a child to which I foolishly asked if I looked like one to him. In response he lowered his gaze to the swell of my breasts then answered with a definite no, you're far from it."

"My, my Morgana." Morgause purred.

"He's to blame for these emotions threatening to spill out of me! Morgause, I wanted to understand and help him when I traveled beside him as his wolf but on the staircase on that winter night, something changed."

"What happened next?"

"Arthur's knights were nearing the staircase. I wouldn't allow them to recognize me. They'd only drag me back to Camelot. To shelter myself from their gaze, I might have let my previous desires loose with an ill-intended attempt at distraction."

"Morgana. what did you do?"

I mumbled my answer.

"Raise your voice."

"I kissed him without reserve! I latched my arms around the crook of his neck and pressed my body against his torso. I trailed the tip of my tongue over his lips then shamelessly deepened the kiss. Our bodies melted together and my fingers laced into his dark locks. It was a pleasurable torment, especially since that one passionate kiss might be the only one I ever share with the him."

XXX He Said

"She slipped out of my embrace near the end of the kiss. Distasteful knights attempted to climb the stairs, separating her from me. I stood at the top of the staircase while she was at the bottom. She somehow escaped out of the tavern."

"Why search for her?

"She has my dagger."

XXX Three Months later

I departed with a small army of my best soldiers. We braved the harsh weather to return a child to his clan. This journey touched my heart.

I dismounted my horse and took the boy inside dreadful gates. With the child cradled to my chest I started to gently hum to him. He dug his fingers into my robe, he wouldn't let me go. I felt the swell of love within my heart for the sickling of a boy. To appease him I entered his domain. My men surrounded me like a shield. They were about to risk their safety.

The innocent captivated my undivided attention; so when a voice beckoned me to approach, I was startled. I regained my usual stance; head held high, shoulders back and features stern.

Sebastian, a soldier of mine, gulped at the hoards of people around me. They were different.

"I've been told that you've traveled far to return to me something of value?" The wide beast on a throne asked with a hopeful voice.

I nodded and detached the crying child from my arms. He thrashed his limbs and reached out to me. I inhaled sharply, this moment alone was harder than the month long journey for me.

The crowd gasped and whispered to one another. The king descended from his throne and collapsed before the child. A beaming smile graced the boy's features as he ran to the kneeling king. The reunion was met with encouraging claps and heartfelt sobs.

"You've made an old man whole once more. Thank you for returning my youngest to me, - -" The king paused and glanced at Sebastian. "Tell me what is the name of your commander, this man is a hero."

"My commander is most pleased to see you reunited with your son. We weren't aware of his ranking. Now that this discovery has been made, might you offer some reward to us? Gold?" The soldier pleaded.

I intervened on Sebastian's suggestion.

"Kind ruler of these harsh lands, I request but food and rest for my men. Gold won't satisfy their bellies nor will it help them sleep."

"Such a wise leader, I'm curious, child. Show yourself before my hall, lower the hood of your cloak." The king of Jotunheim said.

I complied, exposing my face to the king. The Jotunn citizens gawked at me. Sebastian introduced me without delay.

"I present to you, a commander with a soul of a warrior and the heart of a mother, Princess Morgana Le Fay." He ended with a boyish grin.

I flinched at the title of princess, had it not been months since anyone acknowledged me as such?

"I am Fárbauti, ruler of Jotunheim. I am forever in your debt for your selfless act. You saw a child of skin different than your own yet didn't hesitate to venture out of your realm to bring him home." The king spoke with tears in his eyes.

XxX

Helblindi sat besides his father at the head of the lavish table. Tonight's feast was in honor of his return. I was, his favorite Midgardian, and dinned at the edge of the table with my men. I seldom lifted my gaze from my plate, but ate only a bite or two.

When a roaring voice echoed from the next room, both I and my men jumped to our feet with swords in hand. Helblindi happily leaped from his seat and ran toward the booming voice. The doors slammed open and there stood the one called Býleistr. The youngest embraced his apparently big brother while he heard an earful of a speech on safety from someone, whose luxurious fur collared cloak was all I could see.

The boy appeared to be struck with an idea of sorts.

He protested till Býleistr set him back on the ground then grabbed the other man's gloved hand and dragged him toward me. I visibly stiffened at the nearing figures.

"When did you become so demanding?!" The stranger with jet-black hair asked in an amused tone.

They called him Loki. He was utterly enamored with Helblindi; till his gaze found me standing at the end of his destination.