"Gods Thor, you are such an oaf."
"I am an oaf? Pray tell your reasoning."
"For one," Loki said, sparing his brother a look over the texts he was studying, "you seem entirely unaware that I am otherwise occupied."
"You've been reading for nearly two hours. You can afford to take a break." His elder brother's look of pure conviction that this statement was not to be argued with sent a smile to his lips despite himself. Thor took this reaction as agreement and sat across the table from him in the library. Not ten minutes earlier Loki had been immersed in the history of Svartalfheim and the dark war of centuries past when lo and behold, in Thor had stormed, blathering on about Tyr and the mysterious beast again. He had honestly assumed Thor would become otherwise engaged in some other grand adventure and forget all about this. It was usually himself who could fixate so on a single issue. But in the last fortnight since first they'd heard of it, Thor had seemed unable to think or speak of anything else.
One thing he did know was that their father was right: Thor sought out glory and triumph, and for a very specific reason. The All-Father should never have promised him Mjolnir when he came of age. He was far too ready to simply prove himself worthy and be done with it to attain the mighty weapon.
"I have heard that Tyr will be returning soon - possibly this evening or early tomorrow morn," Thor was saying. "I think we should intercept him before he reports to the throne room."
"Thor," Loki sighed but his brother was having none of it.
"We are no longer children, Loki. Tyr understands our station and will report what he has seen if I command him to."
"I return to my earlier sentiment: you are an oaf." Thor smirked, but Loki held up a hand. "Honestly Thor, do you even hear your own words? Tyr is the highest-ranking officer in our army. He reports directly to the king, not the king's sons. Or have you forgotten his sworn pledge of allegiance and protection towards all of Asgard in the All-Father's service?"
"Of course I have not forgotten," Thor huffed. "But one day he will swear allegiance to me. I am his future king, and he would do well to remember that...as would you."
"As so many of you keep reminding me," Loki bit out. With a sigh of resignation, he closed his book and stared at his brother while clasping his hands together on the table. Thor almost always got what he wanted, and for the sake of his own sanity, it just made more sense not to fight him.
But that didn't mean he couldn't taunt him a little.
"You are just going about this the wrong way," Loki said with a shrug. "But if you are intent on failing, then by all means: go forward with your little plan. I'll not join you though."
"What!" Thor barked. His startling blue eyes narrowed in anger and he pointed an accusatory finger. "You are just too cowardly to pursue this, aren't you? You don't even want to try because you are afraid."
"Quite the contrary Thor." He pushed his annoyance aside at his brother's stupid gibe; whenever anyone else accused him of being a coward, it was always Thor who rushed to his defense. He was just trying to get a rise out of him. "I'm rather intrigued by the mystery. I have been since father mentioned the beast does not consume its prey. What sort of wild animal kills only for sport?"
"Then why have you kept silent?" Thor hissed. "I have been intent on keeping on this, and you have acted completely indifferent."
"By keeping on it, do you mean you have pestered father to the point where he has banished you from the throne room?" Thor balked and Loki smirked; it was obvious Thor thought he didn't know of that little incident. "Honestly brother, how could you have grown up in this palace and remained unaware that the walls have ears of their own?"
"That is of little consequence," Thor said through gritted teeth. "Thus is the reason I wanted to seek Tyr out!"
"Oh Thor," Loki sighed. "I often feel like I have so much I need to teach you."
"Ha! Teach me?" Thor said incredulously. "You've become arrogant, little brother."
"Do you want my aid or not?" he replied, annoyance flaring once more.
"What exactly do you have in mind?"
"I'll not share that with you just yet." Thor sputtered, ready to start yelling his way through negotiation, but Loki raised a staying hand - just like father did. "Do not worry. I will tell you as soon as we get Tyr's report of what he saw at Myrkviðr."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Thor demanded. "You just told me that asking Tyr will be of no help."
Loki smiled.
Falling in step behind the renowned general was not nearly as difficult as Loki had thought. Or at least, it wasn't for him. Thor seemed to be experiencing difficulty, seeing as how he could not see his own feet in front of him.
"When exactly did you master this spell?" he whispered. Loki heard him stumble in the next moment and he grabbed him with an invisible hand.
"I told you before: the invisibility spell I've cast creates a wall of protection around our voices. You do not need to whisper. He cannot hear you."
"Fancy that," Thor whispered, then cleared his throat. In a louder tone he said, "Your magic is good for something."
"Please be aware that I can remove your protection at any time. It would do you well to behave." Loki focused on falling exactly in step behind Tyr as he headed towards the throne room. They would have a small window to follow in behind him when the doors opened, and they needed to be close enough to ensure entry. If Thor couldn't adjust within the next two minutes, well, he would just have to enter in alone.
"You did not answer my question: when did you master this spell? We've been in training so much, I cannot imagine how you've had the time for this. Unless you practice as you read in the library...?"
"This was no easy task," Loki said. "I needed to ensure that I could be hidden from Heimdall's sight. To be honest, I have not mastered this completely. But I am almost positive we are evading the eyes of the gatekeeper."
"What do you mean almost positive?" Thor said frantically. "You heard what father said if he finds out - "
"Calm yourself brother," Loki said with an unseen smirk. "We are nearly there. Align your pace with mine."
"But I cannot see my feet. How do you -" A mere few paces ahead, the doors to the throne room swung open and Tyr's presence was announced.
"Just hurry up!" Loki spat out. He quickened his pace until he was right behind Tyr. He could not hear Thor around him, but there wasn't time to linger. In seconds, the man's quick strides brought him inside and the doors clanged shut with finality. Loki slowed and crept off to the side where a row of tall pillars stood, ducking behind one despite the needlessness of the action. "Are you here?" he whispered despite himself. The sight of his father on the throne shook his resolve a little. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea.
"I'm right here," Thor's voice sounded directly behind him and he startled, grateful his brother could not see his reaction. Loki did not reply, but watched intently as Tyr bowed before the king.
"My liege," said he.
"Good Tyr," Odin said. "What news have you from Myrkviðr?" Almost imperceptibly, the man's shoulders slumped.
"Very little, my king. What I can say with assurance is this: the reports you initially received were not embellished by any means. I have seen the destruction with my own eyes. It is as they say."
"And what of the beast?" Odin inquired.
"We camped in the wood for days. We scoured every cave, every ravine, every gods-forsaken hole we came upon. I fear...I fear I have nothing new to share with you, my king." Odin hummed in reply.
"Well then," he said after a moment. "I imagine more are coming to seek my counsel and aid."
"The people were in great distress upon our departure," Tyr said. "So I would imagine it so."
"But were there any attacks whilst you were present?" Loki mumbled under his breath. Thor snorted beside him. As if on cue, Odin said,
"And how much damage was wrought while you were stationed nearby?" It was here Tyr paused. Then:
"Much, my lord. Four different dwellings were targeted, each attacked after we had moved onto a different region. I even stationed some of my best men as safe-keepers, but to no avail. It was if...as if the beast knew our every move and adjusted his path accordingly." Loki inhaled sharply. A beast with the foresight of a man? Wonders abounded...
"So we have an evasive monster on our hands." There was a sense of finality in the All-Father's voice and Tyr straightened. "You will be informed of what is to come next. My thanks, Tyr." The regent nodded respectively and turned swiftly to depart. It was not until Thor nudged his brother in the side that Loki snapped back to the present, suddenly becoming aware of their quickly-dwindling window to leave the throne room.
The moment they crossed the threshold, Loki grabbed onto his brother's arm and they darted in the opposite direction. It was not until they were safely out of earshot and back in his own chambers that he lifted the spell. The effort of maintaining it sent a jolt through his bones and he slumped onto his bed heavily as Thor began pacing. Gods, he did need to practice that one.
"We are no closer to answers than we were before." Thor stopped and looked at him, eyes wild. "Tyr's quest was for naught. His report merely repeated what we already know."
"You are aware that I was standing beside you the entire time, and heard his words just as you did, yes?" Loki couldn't resist the sarcasm that dripped from his tongue and his brother snorted.
"I am bored with your trickery and nonsense. I am going to go to father right now and tell him -"
"That you cloaked yourself in invisibility and spied on his private discussion with his top regent, despite his explicit orders not to meddle in these affairs?" Thor's eye twitched. "I should think not brother."
"It is as if you do not understand what is truly at stake here." Thor's voice deepened not to the point of threat, but to some somber, reserved passion. "Our own people are being devastated brother. You and I both are of age. We are no longer children who should sit idly by while father solves everything. I know you think the same, or else you would not have cast that spell and stood by me in father's chambers." Loki looked away, suddenly unable to meet his brother's steady gaze. "You are of Asgard, and her people need us. We should come together to meet this common foe. You cannot tell me you do not agree." Loki weighed his brother's words carefully. He knew, of course, that this reasoning was a mere fraction of indication as to why this weighed so heavy on Thor's soul; he wanted to prove himself, make a grand entrance into Asgard's eye as the glorious crown prince, wholly dedicated to their rescue. In one light, this was not entirely dishonorable - but on the other, the chance for glory could be clouding his judgement.
But when he spoke like that, it was hard to determine where his heart really lay.
"Of course I agree. There is something sinister afoot near Myrkviðr, and I should like to know what it is." He made to stand, but still felt woozy from the effects of the spell, so he promptly sat back down. "I will help you Thor. I promised you that before." Thor's face broke into an ecstatic smile.
"So you will come with me to speak to father?" Loki tilted his head, pondering.
"No," said he. "I've got a better idea."
In all honesty, the gathering held quite a bit more people than he had been expecting.
At least 50 country-dwellers had made the three days' journey to the city of Asgard to plead before the king, barely a week after Tyr departed. Many of their livelihoods had been destroyed; the others were terrified of an impending attack. Who was to say what would happen whilst they sought the king's assistance?
The lot of them seemed terribly out of place in the palace's grand hall. It was obvious that many had never before seen the splendor of their royalty; their mouths hung agape at the towering pillars, the stained glass windows that shimmered in the sun, the gold-plated armor that the guards wore with pride. To Loki and Thor, none of this was of import. Their mission was all that mattered.
The people had gathered in greater numbers, in hopes that this would bolster the All-Father to action. To be fair to them, this was not entirely uncommon: it was traditional to hold such a gathering at a thingstead in their own villages when such events called the masses to action. In his lifetime, Loki had not yet seen one take place within the palace walls - the sight of it only furthered his dedication to his plan to get involved. With his brother beside him, they waited in the shadows of the Hall. As far as they knew, Odin did not yet know of their presence here.
They themselves were not even really supposed to know about it.
"Explain to me how this will work," Thor had said. Loki had smiled and tsked, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"A public declaration," he had responded. "You heard what father said: more villagers are coming to beseech him. A volunteer of our service will surely excite the people, and their response should be enough to sway father. Will he surely turn us down if we make an announcement in front of a crowd of sorrowed citizens?"
"Where is father?" Thor whispered. Loki eyed the crowd in front of them quickly, and gave a small shrug.
"I am not sure. He will be here soon. Be patient." Thor mumbled something under his breath beside him and Loki smirked. He found that the anticipation of what they were about to do thrummed through his veins with a fierce, electrical pulse. His hands were shaking and his knees felt weak. He wondered if Thor felt the same, but he doubted it.
His brother thrived on that feeling.
"That is perfect!" Thor had bellowed. He had grabbed Loki by the shoulders, his eyes alight with excitement. "Brother, you are a genius!"
"I am already aware," he had replied, his face splitting with an exuberant grin. It was rare for Thor to compliment him so.
"They will be in awe." Thor's eyes had taken on a dreamy look and he released his brother as he imagined the scene. "When I stand before them and declare, I shall slay the beast! Loki, can you even imagine?" So excited had he been, he had failed to notice the dark look that had passed over Loki's face.
"Who says you will make the offer?" he had said. Thor had not heard. He just kept talking.
Ever a schemer, Loki knew patience was on his side but every passing moment only served to make him more anxious. Subtly, he slid further away from Thor, eyeing the heavy, double set of doors on the opposite end of the room where he knew his father was meeting with his advisers. He swallowed thickly, hardly able to bear another moment of waiting; the anticipation of it was the worst. He allowed himself a moment to wonder what would happen if he went up to the throne and made his declaration right now. Would father hear him? Would he be angry?
Thor sidled up beside him, ever aware that his younger brother was not to be more bold. Loki chose to ignore him and the mumbled complaints, but everyone in the room stilled when the doors banged open with an authoritative thud. "Odin, King of Asgard, approaches!" a guard bellowed. As if on cue, every single person fell to one knee and slammed a fist over their heart. Loki found himself taking a step backwards instead, far more comfortable in the shadows. "Come," he murmured. It was not often he took the lead in any situation, but Thor followed behind him just the same.
They crept along the shadows behind the pillars, watching with baited breath as the All-Father came to stand before the people. "People of Asgard," he spoke. His voice instantly hushed the crowd, and the effect did not pass his sons' notice. "I know why you are here. The mysterious beast continues to plague you so, and you think me indifferent to your plight." A murmur worked its way through the crowd - his bluntness sent a spark of unease through the crowd. "Speak your minds freely. There will be no punishment here tonight."
"We are being devastated!" A voice blurted from the back. Odin's expression shifted only just. But before he could reply:
"There is nothing that can be done!" A woman's voice this time, frantic and tearful. "Your men were already with us, and could find nothing in the woods!"
"Nonsense!" someone else called out. "We are in need of your army to aid us in tracking and slaying this beast! We simply lack the manpower!" In scarcely any time at all, the entire room erupted into chaos as each man suddenly found the courage to speak his mind. A cacophony of noise - shouts, threats, crying, all and everything one could imagine - took over all of the senses. Loki was suddenly quite grateful for his lurking in the shadows; the crowd was near-manic, and seemed ready to begin tearing into each other. A quick glance at his brother, and it was obvious he was feeding off of the group's energy. His face was twisted into a forceful sneer, and it was in that moment Loki realized he was losing his window of opportunity. If Thor pounced on his first chance to speak up, all would be lost.
Time seemed to slow as the realization set in. Loki's eyes frantically scanned the crowed, desperately searching for just that one. It took hardly any time at all to find him; a man who rose up above the others, shouting "Stop! Stop!" at the top of his lungs. Loki focused solely on him, silently willing the masses to obey the man's command. Time slowed ever more, but the panic soon started to abate as the man began to speak. "Quiet, the lot of you! We are not here to start a riot, or despair in our plight. We are here to seek the counsel of the king." He turned then, to Odin, and his face was crestfallen. "We are lost, my liege," he said. "We know not what to do. Every action we have taken has failed us. What are we to do?"
Now.
He did not even spare his brother a glance. Loki scrambled to stand quickly upon the scaffold in front of them, facing the crowd. In the briefest of seconds, Odin's eye found contact with his own. He sucked in a breath and refused to allow himself to falter. "I will hunt the beast!" he shouted, sounding stronger than he actually felt. The entire room stuttered to a deafening silence, rippling outward like waves upon the water. Every eye turned towards him, and even Thor had the decency to stay quiet. Loki's heart quickened.
And then the room burst into uproarious laughter.