Again, you reader's are so kind to me. All of your love and support and encouragement has meant a very great deal to me. I'm struggling with family stuff right now and I will say, with all of my honesty that these reviews are getting me through a very rough time. So thank you. I am so grateful (and totally giddy).

Chapter 15

Terrible Truths

Loki, the god of mischief, understood the power of words. Words were flexible and ever changing. The meaning behind them could transform in a matter of hours. And, when bent and twisted and sullied, they could compete against the strongest weapons Asgard had to offer. A single word could bring about the end of a glorious empire. A string of words could do eve more.

So it came to no surprise to him that he had been (thoroughly and ultimately) stilled by words. The mortal was clever enough to use his own words against him. She too, understood the power of words. They were, in her case, the only weapon available to her. The thought that she could compete with him stuck in his head. It brought a sliver of a smile to his face. He did enjoy a good challenge. And he found one, in Elizabeth Crane.

You would have never lied to me.

Those words sting stung him deep. Oddly enough it was a sting that he welcomed. Like a prideful soldier he wished to display the depth of his wound as if it were a badge of great honor. Never before had he been so willing to accept a stab to his ego.

It was true, that he had often (and with great relish) spat hate at his brother's clear lack of modesty. But had he himself exceeded his own right to prideful feelings?

What am I doing? He thought bemusedly to himself. It is she that makes me contemplate such silly things...Elizabeth...

She had been asleep for many hours, almost an entire day on this miserable planet. Loki had returned her to the safety of indoors, away from the chill outside. His heart still hammered with anger. She should have listened to him. But instead, she would risk her health and heart to escape.

This thought also pained him. But it was a dull pain, one that he had felt so many times before that he hardly took notice of it. It seemed that people were always trying to escape him.

Ever since the "incident" Sif had kept a watchful eye on Loki, making sure that he never got close enough to even get a good look at her hair. The famed Warriors Three were ever wary of him and often took reveled in any misgivings that leaked from Loki's stony exterior. The courtiers and servants that roamed the shining castles at the center of Asgard treated him in a similar manner. He was a god that encouraged great fear in anyone who dared cross him.

Thor was the only one who ignored any and every rumor and whisper. Loki's beast of a brother was master of many things, but never subtlety. He confronted Loki, sparred with him, protected him, laughed with him. His brother or, the god he knew as a brother, was the only one who saw him as an equal.

It wasn't enough. Loki thought despairingly. It would never be enough...

Loki, realizing that his thoughts were turning to bleak, black manners pulled himself back into reality. He was lounging restlessly in a large cherry wood chair, whose partner sat a couple feet away. What had brought him to mull over such terrible thoughts?

Elizabeth...

These days, it seemed that she was the answer to every one of his lingering questions.

He glanced at her still form, lost in a sea of light linens. Her red hair was a shock of color against the white. The thick locks tumbled over the pillow her head was resting on, like a seeping wound. He could see the slight rise and fall of her chest as each passing breath entered her.

He pushed himself out of his seat so suddenly that he surprised himself. Stepping closer to the bedside he cocked his head to one side. She lay on her back, one arm draped across her torso, the other stretched over her head. In his haste to grant her warmth and comfort he had summoned a new dress to her shivering form. It was a white almost as pale as the sheets, the hem dipped low at her neck and the sleeves fell past her shoulders. He had seen her wear similar attire in the past.

His finger forged a trail over the gentle curve of her collarbone. Her skin felt warmer to his touch, but he could not be sure she was improving.

So lost was Ellie in her sleep that she did not move at his touch, though Loki wished she would. He hoped that this long sleep would call back her energy to her.

I should have realized...He thought. That as my strength returned to me, hers would begin to fade. I can't afford to lose her now. If I am to steal the object hidden below the earth...

It was strange, as if he was looking at her for the very first time. Sudden details, ones he had not cared to notice before, were blossoming to life under his gaze. Her peachy skin was covered in a smattering of freckles. They appeared in clusters along her arms, over the bridge of her nose, and even her cheeks. Her eyelashes were long, reminiscent of Sif's overpowering femininity. Her lips were not thin, but not plump either.

She is beautiful. He thought, breathless at the sight of her. The most beautiful creature he had ever known.

In her dreamless state, Ellie's mind was desperate to awake. There were still many questions left unanswered. Her mind fought with her body, trying to will herself out of sleep.

At first, it was a battle she was never meant to win. She was too spent and needed the rest.

Ellie felt her stronger self scratching against the surfaces of her mind. She had been laying in this bed for far too long. Finally she felt herself beginning to wake. It was an arduously slow process. And she waiting with growing impatience for her body to answer her minds call. Without daring to open her eyes, she tested the limitations of movement.

She expected to feel heavy and wasted, like she usually did after sleeping for too long. Fortunately, she felt rather rested. She rolled over onto her side, briefly enjoying the overwhelming comfort of her face in the pillow and the sheets over her. She breathed in a manufactured fresh scent and almost fell asleep again. But no. Her mind was fuzzy and lacking important details, but she knew, she just knew, that she needed to be awake in that moment.

Tossing the thin linen away, she flipped her legs over the edge of the bed. It was higher up than she was used to. When she sat up, she felt her brain flip-flop in her skull.

That was a silly thing to do.

She was stilled by the unmistakable sound of chair legs sliding on a hard surface. She tore her eyes away from the floor. Loki had risen again, as if to stop her.

Of course. The details that eluded her slammed into her mind like a roaring train. The man that wasn't a man who had whisked her away to her hometown in a matter of minutes...The liar who she had let into her home and then her life who had promised that he meant her no harm at all...And then there was the absolute ridiculousness of it all. Had it all been a dream? Was she still dreaming?

He looked altogether normal. The green and gold costume-like garb he had been wearing in memory was gone. To her eye, it looked as though Eric Foster was standing in front of her. And he was dressed to the teeth in his usual dark shades and impeccable style.

It was his face that made her doubt that any of it had been a dream. He seemed completely conflicted. His perfect brow furrowed with a mixture of concern and surprise. His lips pursed and stern.

"What?" Ellie asked innocently, slipping further off of the edge of the bed.

"You shouldn't-" Loki began.

But Ellie shook her head dismissively. "Please, I can't just lie around for hours on end. I feel much better."

Now intent on proving herself, Ellie slid off of the bed and almost collapsed in a heap on the floor. She was glad that he wasn't desperate to help her. In fact he stayed rooted to his spot by his chair. It seemed he did not want to go near her, lest he scare her or anger her.

Ellie leaned against the high bed for support, her legs like jelly underneath her. She allowed herself be still for only a moment longer and then straightened up. Dream or no dream, she had never wanted to look like a ninny in front of Eric...or Loki...

Or who or what ever this...man...guy...thing...is...

She sighed, already exasperated. Ellie hated not knowing.

"Who are you?" she spat, only slightly regretting the rude tone that exited her mouth.

He too, looked exasperated. His cool eyes rolled in his head and he returned to his seat. He sat like Ellie remembered, his long legs splayed over the edge of the seat, as if he had just returned from a day spent entirely on his feet. It was one of those things that Ellie both loved and hated about him.

"You have not been dreaming, Elizabeth." Loki said calmly. "Every memory you have of me is steeped in reality, truth."

Ellie felt her heart plummet. She didn't want to believe that she was capable of dreaming so realistically. However, the truth, it seemed, was far worse.

"Alright." She said, knowing not to bother fighting a losing battle. "Why should I believe a word you tell me?"

He grinned at her question. A snarling sneer that seemed almost too familiar on his face.

"Have I not given you reason enough?" Loki questioned.

"Gods don't exist." Ellie said, even though she wasn't sure she believed herself anymore. "They can't-it's impossible."

Ellie wished he would say something. But he just sat there sneering at her, his eyes sparkling wildly. He seemed to enjoy her obvious consternation.

"They may not exist on this planet." Loki drawled sardonically. "But I am not from here. There are many worlds where creatures you mortals deem "impossible" live and thrive."

Anyone, even the most ignorant of people, could pick up on the malice in his voice. When the word "mortal" passed through his lips, it hit Ellie coated in a sea of condescension.

Ellie wasn't an ignorant person. In fact, her powers of observation were very rarely matched.

"So why are you here?" She pressed.

Loki visibly deflated, if only for a second. "I do not wish to be here. I was cast out by my own kind. And this, this floundering slab of rock is where I find myself."

Ellie gulped as a palpable tension filled the room. The silence was only broken by the gurgling grumble of Ellie's stomach.

Loki's grin widen as a healthy flush of red blossomed on Ellie's face. She unconsciously lowered her arm to attempt to block out the sound.

"I-" She started, but was interrupted by Loki. His hand shot into the air and with a snap of her finger a flurry of food covered plate appeared on the table across the room. Ellie stared at the table and then at Loki, who was looking entirely unaffected.

"Did you just...?"

"I merely called up whatever those servant-types were grueling over in the kitchen five floors below." Loki rattled off, completely uninterested. "There must be something there that could...satisfy you?"

Ellie's flush grew five shades. Everything he said sounded like a veiled insult. She huffed, but shuffled over to the table anyway. The smell of the food was attracting her and she did not want an encore from her tummy.

Loki fell back into the seat. How mortals managed to survive for this long baffled him. Ellie was in constant need of sustenance and sleep. All things Loki could go without for weeks at a time. Keeping her happy and healthy was more work than he had planned for.

Ellie returned to the bed with a bowl full of fruit. Judging on what was made available to her, she guessed it must be early morning. She hadn't the slightest idea what day it was.

Her stomach quivered for food but she didn't want to eat. Loki's eyes were still on her and it was more than a little unsettling.

"What happened?" Ellie ventured, hoping to deter his gaze.

"Pardon?" Loki said, boredom soaking his words.

"You said..." Ellie began, feeling hesitant. "You were, erm, cast out?"

She could tell right away that he would dismiss her question.

"I was." He said, as if it was the final word.

"You owe me the truth, Loki." Ellie said. She blanched under his terrifying glare and almost retracted her demands. "Maybe not...the entire truth...but...something."

Loki was filled with hate again. It came in flashes. First when he learned the truth of his lineage. Then again when he had gazed at his brother on earth. Seeing Thor happy and revered among the mortals had done something to him. And then another flash had come when Heimdell, the noble gatekeeper, had refused to see him as King of Asgard. His hate was as unpredictable as his lies. Who was she to demand any truth from him? He did not want her sorrow, her empathy, or her pity. Why should he owe her anything at all?

"At least tell me..." Ellie said loudly, breaking his concentration. "..why am I here?"

Loki sighed, as if her questions caused him great annoyance. Ellie offered him her own glare. She was sick of being looked upon with such superiority. She popped another grape into her mouth, crunching loudly.

"You are, my dear Elizabeth," Loki said, leaving the chair once more and traipsing over to the raging fireplace. "A victim of fate."

Ellie cocked her head to one side, pouting in confusion. "That doesn't answer my question."

Loki looked at the girl over his broad shoulder. "No...but this might."

Ellie watched horrified as he transformed in front of her eyes. The clothes became inky shadows tearing away from his form. His suddenly became smaller and in a flurry of green and black a new shape appeared before her.

The bowl of fruit slipped from her grasp and hit the floor, shattering into jagged pieces. Ellie lunged backwards into the center of the large bed, clutching the sheets to her.

"You-you-you!" She stumbled over her words, paralyzed with disbelief. "You were the cat!"

She felt the color drain from her face. There was no mistaking the creature. The green eyes, the large ears, that slithering snake of a tail.

As quickly has he had transformed, Loki returned to his own body, a triumphant smile on his face.

"Surprise suits you, Elizabeth." He said teasingly as he rearranged his scarf around his shoulders. "May I say you look quite...ah, cute."

Ellie's lips pursed. "Why? Why were you...a cat?"

"Necessity." Loki began. He saw no reason to hide bits of truth from her. "My body was close to decomposing. The smaller form kept me safe and inconspicuous. Or so I thought..."

Ellie was gasping for air. That whole time.

"I-I spoke to you! I-Oh, god." Realization after realization fell on her head like a brick. She felt so foolish.

"There is no need to fret." Loki said, unsuccessfully masking his amusement.

"And you were the ghost!" Ellie said aloud, pointing at him. "I-You-locked me out of my house..."

"Also necessary."

"Necessary!" Ellie blanched. "How-"

"I needed to test my limits. I was recovering you see. Thanks to you."

That stilled Ellie. "Thanks to me?"

Loki held his words. He could have lied then. Told her some silly take about how her love and affection healed him. How he would not have survived without her. He could have melted her fragile little heart and whispered lie and after lie until she was mess of a puddle in his arms.

Lying, however, as fun as it was, took time and thought and work. Time and thought and work that he needed elsewhere.

"As weak as you mortals are," Loki said, approaching the bed. "Your spiritual energy is seemingly unending. Constant contact with you has restored my powers. That is why you are here. I have business that needs attending in this city."

Ellie wasn't sure she was hearing him right. "Business."

"Nothing you need concern yourself with. Once I am done-"

"Wait." Ellie said. She leaped off of the bed again. "Am I-? You brought me here because I make you stronger."

Loki shook his head. "No Elizabeth, you restored what powers I already had. No need to flatter yourself."

Ellie's jaw dropped. Still, still, at every turn he managed to slip in an insult.

A fleeting thought occurred to Loki. The doctor was close. He had to go.

"I must leave you." Loki said, hardly caring. "I must warn you, Elizabeth, I have taken your last little...adventure into thought. It will not be so easy for you to wander away again."

"What does that mean?" Ellie shouted. "What have you done."

"You cannot leave." Loki said simply. "Oh, don't be mad at me..."

Ellie was glaring daggers straight into his chest. He rounded the bed and stood in front of her.

"I do this only for you." He said. He tucked his finger under chin and raised her face to meet his. Anger and something like humiliation swam in her stormy eyes. "I am...rather fond of you, Ellie."

Ellie felt a brazen blush flood her cheeks. She felt down and low, trapped like a bird in a cage. She watched as Loki turned away from her. He was going to leave. Just like that.

Ellie cried out in frustration and turned away from him. She stocked over towards the window, pulling the curtains open. A city full of people, free to go about their way, taunted her. She heard his hand on the door, heard the fateful click.

"And you just expect me to stay here. Locked up here until you might have use of me?" Ellie cried.

Loki felt his veins freeze over.

Locked up here until you might have use of me?

He had hear those words before. They had sprung like eagles from his very lips, cloaked in the same accusatory despair that escaped Ellie. Loki's eyes closed tightly, a familiar feeling of panic welling in his chest. How could he leave her now?

Ellie could feel his presence behind her. Sure enough his arms wrapped tightly around her waist and pulled her into his chest.

Loki felt her small body against his. He could smell her terror and her sadness.

"Loki..." She wished for him to leave her be. She tried shake him off but he only held her faster. She realized how strong he was.

His head dropped down against her shoulder. Like a willow he fell onto her, his forehead nestling in the curve of her neck.

"I am sorry..." Came his voice in a whisper, broken and desolate.

Ellie could feel his cool breath on her shoulder and the weight of his sudden sorrow bearing down on her.

"I am sorry for any anguish I may have caused you."

Ellie could feel her heart cracking under the pressure of his tone. She wanted more than anything to believe him. He had been there when she was desperate for company. And when she had protested he had not left her again.

Too quickly he was gone again. Ellie spun around wondering where he had gone. He was heading for the door.

"Loki!" Ellie called out again. "Please don't just leave me here like this."

Loki steeled himself, trying to block out her pleading.

"Loki!" Her voice echoed from the high ceilings.

Ellie was met with a slam and click. The room suddenly felt much larger. And much, much emptier.

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