So this is a rather eventful chapter (to say the least). Thank you all for the support and alerts. Special thanks to MagicalElf73, Gen3683icy6, and Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape for the lovely reviews. Enjoy.
Chapter Five:
The day had gone by horribly slow for Isil and Loki who had spent it all with Ariel. She seemed to love nothing more than prodding Isil or flirting with Loki, except perhaps herself. Due to the grim circumstances, there was no feast held for Ainariel's arrival as was customary for the arrival of such an important person to the realm. Instead a small-scale dinner was planned.
Ainariel sat near the end of the table between Thor and Odin and across from Loki and Isil. Instead of discussing military tactics or information on Telemnar, as everyone else kept prodding her to, she kept diverting conversation back to either flirting with Thor and Loki or inconsequential facts about Alfheim.
"I simply can not believe you have not been back to Alfheim since you were sent here," Ariel gushed to her estranged sister. "The flora and fauna are so much nicer than anything found on Asgard, no offense to any of you."
"Well maybe I can, after we vanquish Telemnar once more of course," Isil said, once again attempting to get conversation back to more important things.
Ariel kept on going as if Isil hadn't even spoken, "Of course you princes are invited as well."
Loki found her completely insufferable. She seemed to have no intelligence or discretion. How she was related to Isil was beyond his understanding.
"Well like Isil said," Loki looked at her. "After we defeat Telemnar we would be glad to stay of your planet for a short time, but now we must discuss what we know of our enemy and our plans for battle."
Thor perked up at the thought of warfare, "Yes, I concur. Now have you seen any of Telemnar's supporters on your planet? For I am sure there must be some."
"Oh no," she smiled uninterestedly. "I mean we are light-elves why would be support him?"
"There are dissenters in every society," Loki snapped back. Something about her was off and it wasn't just her horrible personality. She screamed falseness to Loki. He glanced at Thor and by the confused look on his face he knew he must have been thinking the same thing. If Thor was picking up on something, Ariel was obviously up to something.
"Yes," Isil supported Loki's words. "As I recall a palace guard helped him out when he killed mother."
"Loki you simply have the most wonderful eyes," Ariel sighed as she completely changed the subject.
"Enough!" Odin yelled. "I will not permit you to make such a mockery of this gathering. This is not a vacation for you Ainariel." Odin stared down at her and for the first time that evening she fell silent. "As I have said I believe Telemnar will attack Alfheim so we must be ready to mobilize at any moment. I presume you have some forces."
"Yes," she gave an unforgiving glare toward the Allfather.
"Then as soon as Heimdal detects further activity we will send our best warriors to help defeat him," he sat back down. "I can only hope that will be sufficient. We can discuss our plans in more depth tomorrow."
They all stood up preparing to leave when Odin called out, "Loki, I need to speak to you for a moment."
"Yes father," he replied walking back towards him. "What do you have need for?"
"I simply request you keep an eye on Ariel," Odin said. "She seems mad at the best, but traitorous wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility."
"I was thinking exactly the same thing," Loki scoffed. "I don't think I have ever meet someone I have ever disliked more."
"Don't be quick to judge," Odin sighed. "You never know what one's motives could be." Loki turned around only to be stopped by his father's words once more, "Oh and Loki? Watch out for Isil as well."
Loki looked at his father feeling almost betrayed, "That girl had lived her almost her entire life and she is my most dear friend. How could you suggest such a thing?"
"I don't believe her to be a traitor, but I don't think she is taking kindly to her sister's arrival," Odin said. "That is all." With that Loki left to go find Thor and Isil who had wandered off.
"I am not sure that I will be fond of your sister," Thor told Isil as they walked together down a hallway. Thor was vaguely aware that it might be a rude thing to say, but he was never one to think before speaking.
Isil was not the least bit offended, "I would have to agree with you. It is strange, the memories I have from her of childhood were different. She was always a bit outlandish, but never this strange."
"For a while I thought that this might be how elves usually behave," Thor laughed heartily.
"No, I can assure you that they are much more sensible than her," Isil replied. Isil smiled up at Thor, she had come to regard him as an older brother of sorts over the years. Although, she wasn't nearly as close to him as she was to Loki and he could become arrogant and bratty on occasion, he would always look out for her.
Thor smiled back at her, "Yes, for no race of yours could be that foolish." Isil was very much flattered by that complemented by his remark, but before she could even thank him, Thor pulled her to him and kissed her. She was completely taken aback.
Isil quickly pulled away and without hesitating slapped Thor with every ounce of strength she possessed. She didn't regret it. What had she done to imply feeling towards Thor?
"Sorry," Thor replied. "But I had to give it a try." He smiled at her sheepishly.
"Please say you're not in love with me," Isil said as she backed away.
"No," Thor shook his head. "Just attracted, but I had to give it a try. You are probably the only girl in Asgard who would turn me down. I must ask, why?"
Isil herself didn't know. Thor was kind to her, very good looking, and a prince. "I don't know. I guess you are too much of a brother to me."
"Loki," Thor stared into her eyes. "You are in love with my brother."
"No!" she responded instantly. "I could never—" She stopped; Isil wasn't sure if she was more shocked by Thor's kiss or that the words he just said might hold some truth.
"I think I might be," the admission was no more than a whisper.
"You must tell him," Thor patted her on the shoulder. "And although I am sorry for kissing you I hope you don't forget it soon."
"Thank you," Isil said placing a much more voluntary kiss on his cheek. She hastily left to find Loki.
If either of them had been paying attention they would have seen Loki watching them kiss with a horrified look on his face and quickly rush off.
Loki couldn't believe it. Thor had kissed Isil. He didn't know why he was upset. His had told his brother he had no romantic feelings for Isil. He just hadn't realized that Thor had been asking permission.
He had proceeded to get incredibly drunk and stumbled into a near by room. This head throbbed, but it didn't hurt as much as his heart. The thought of Isil and Thor together made him sick. Thor was too flawed to be with her. Of course he hadn't stuck around long enough to see her reaction, but who wouldn't want to be with Thor? Thor got everything he wanted.
He took another sip out of the bottle of liquor he had grabbed. He knew he had said that he didn't love Isil, but his actions were obviously speaking differently. Maybe he did love her. She was beautiful and he loved her personality. It didn't matter now. Thor had her. All the alcohol in Asgard couldn't make him feel better at the moment.
"Why do you seem so sad handsome?" Ariel entered the room. How she knew where he was was beyond him.
"I would prefer not to discuss such matter with you," Loki turned away. "You are but a stranger."
"We don't have to keep it that way," she whispered in a sultry voice as she sat down next to him. She slowly leaned in and kissed his lips. They stayed together a moment before Loki pulled back.
"No disrespect meant, but I would prefer is you stopped your advances," Loki replied. Although he had to admit, she was a fair kisser. Well he had no idea if that was true or if the alcohol was making his brain play tricks on him.
"What is bothering you? Please tell me," she looked into his beautiful eyes. "Trouble with a female?" Loki nodded, he was not in the mood for divulging information, but he was not up to lying either. "Well we all now the best way to a women's heart is by making her jealous."
Loki had to say the idea was definitely appealing. It was trickery, manipulative, and just a tad bit cruel. His drunken mind thought it was in fact a very good idea. He suddenly grabbed her waste and kissed her back. Although, the thought of being with such an obnoxious women was horrible he hoped it would help sooth the pain from Thor and Isil's betrayal.
Please don't kill me. I know this is not an appealing development, but I promise it will get better (than worse again). Loki is obviously not making the best life choices right now. I actually get mad at the characters, which is very strange considering I am making up the plot….
Review my lovelies
Sassymagpie 3