CHAPTER 3
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters except my own.
CHAPTER 3 Hel of Helheim
Neither of them knew how long they simply stood in that embrace before Hel drew back enough to glare at her father. "How often do I have to tell you not to die on me?" she asked. Loki tilted his head slightly: "I think one more time." His daughter growled lowly at his bad joke and stepped away from him. "If you can joke already I suppose death wasn't too hard on you." Hel turned towards his corpse. Just as my messenger said. A clear stab through the heart.
"I have to admit: You look a bit pale," she finally said. "A little sun would do well for you." Loki followed her line of vision to his lifeless body. "Well, that may prove difficult at the moment." A thin laugh escaped both their lips, similar in the madness lurking in the depths.
It took them a moment to register that a new presence was approaching them. He wore a uniform that identified him as a guard from the royal palace. In an instant Hel's eyes focused on the man, the glint of a predator lurking in her green orbs. "Well, well, well," she purred. "What do we have here? A lost birdie." The guard was now almost upon them. Of course he couldn't see Loki's shimmering ghost, but Hel was very much alive, breathing and visible – at least until she waved her hand over herself. "Since when do you choose to disguise yourself?" her father murmured. "I have to admit, I am disappointed. I taught you better than this." His daughter, who had already turned towards the guard and took a few steps in his direction, looked back at him. Her inky curls fell over her shoulder, her once again sun-kissed eyes shone with hunger. "Have you ever heard death clicking down the halls of Asgard in flimsy heels?"
Her snarl made Loki laugh. One of the rare honest laughs, that would make his brother believe there was still something to save inside him. Hel knew better. Honesty was often followed by madness. "I have heard you in clicking heels," he responded. "That was one time and for the mission." Hel leaned back even further until she was arching her back so far, that he could see the guard over her shoulder. The man was closer to Loki's corpse than the god would have liked. "Are you trying to get me not to help you?" Hel asked, noticing the proximity of the guard. "Because you are already half way there."
They both knew it was a lie. We are a family. I saved him before and made sure no one knew how and when and where. My kingdom doesn't have dungeons for nothing. A grim smile stretched her lips. Now it's time I add a new kind of soul to my collection. I always wanted one of those righteous ones.
The guard's eyes widened in shock upon seeing Loki's corpse. As if noticing something was off, the man laid a hand on the handle of his sword. His eyes searched the landscape for something. No Valkyries around here, you're right., Hel thought. You are right to be suspicious.
"Watch your daughter work," she whispered only loud enough for her father to hear. And just a second before she withdrew her invisibility, she heard him murmur "Go get him, hellspawn." A proud grin fixed on her lips; Hel allowed her illusion to fade. The guard stumbled a few steps back as the young goddess of death appeared before him in all her blue-skinned, sunset-eyed glory. Screeching, the sword was freed from the man's hip. They watched each other mutely for a moment.
"Nice sword," Hel finally said. "Do you intend to keep it?" Confused the guard looked between her face and his weapon. "Lady Hel," he finally mumbled. "What brings you here?" He can't be serious.
"Uh, well… There was a battle." The young woman motioned around her. "And I am the goddess of death. So, I suppose this is kind of my party. The true question is: What are you doing here? I can't remember inviting Asgardians over to participate." As she had expected, the guard looked more and more uncomfortable. His eyes flickered restlessly between her face and the corpse behind her. Hel tried not to look too protective as she recognized the grim satisfaction the guard emanated. Instead she focused on using her powers on the guard. Come, come and relax. Everything is perfectly fine. The battle is over brave soldier. Lay down your weapon and rest you weary bones upon this field of freshly mowed lawn.
Slowly the resolve in the man before her crumbled. Hel whispered sweet nothings into his mind, carefully wove her illusions around him until his sword fell from his hands and she knew the illusion of a meadow was right before his eyes. The young woman continued her charming words, twisting his emotions right around – while still being acutely aware of Loki's presence in her back. "End the game," her father whispered right in her ear. Without breaking eye contact with the guard Hel gave her father a pout. "I would like to return to the world of the living in peace. Preferably without witnesses." That was a clear enough order for her. Oh you unlucky bastard, Hel sighed. With a quick blink she concentrated on her powers once more: Soldier, dear soldier boy! Come, come with me. I won't hold you long, stay with me forevermore; I will keep you warm in winter and cool in the summer. Come, come with me. I beg you, sweet sweet soldier boy. The battle is over now come and rest, lay down upon the meadow. Close your eyes and breathe deep, sweet soldier boy. It's time to go to sleep, sweet soldier boy.
Without a sound, the guard sank to his knees, lifted his helmet off his head and lay down on the ground. His breathing slowed down until it stopped altogether. Father and daughter looked down at him for a moment longer. "Well," Loki took a deep breath he didn't really need as a ghost. "That was surprisingly unimpressive."
"We can't all be sword swinging superheroes now, can we?"
Loki glared at her before slipping back towards his body. "If you wouldn't mind." Hel raised an eyebrow at him. "Please." The young woman grinned: "You make it sound like a curse."
"It's a talent."
Waving her hand over her father's corpse, the ghost disappeared back into his body. Colour returned to his skin, his hair seemed to gain in darkness. With a sudden gasp for breath, Loki's eyes flew open and he shot into a sitting position. Hel watched her father calmly as he reclaimed his status as a living person.
As soon as Hel was sure her father would remain in the world of the living, she turned back towards the guard. "I think I should put him away," the young woman mused, tilting her head to the side. Carefully the goddess lowered herself to the ground next to the guard. She pushed his hair out of his face. He's young… It's such a shame when they're at the wrong time in the wrong place, Hel took a deep breath. At least I'll have a fine guard for my study to ward off those nosy ghosts – maybe with him I can finally get some work done.
"Odin will await his return," Loki speculated, eyeing the guard critically. "He didn't send him for nothing."
"Most likely looking for signs of you and Uncle Thor."
Father and daughter exchanged a look. With a wave of his hand, Loki transformed into the spitting image of the guard before them, albeit a few years older. A swish from Hel's hand and the guard's body disappeared. Wait for me in my study, pretty boy, she told his ghost. "What's the plan?" the young woman looked up at her father expectantly. "Kill the king?"
"Oh no, what are you thinking?" Loki looked at her in mock shock, pressing a hand to his heart. "Treason?" Without missing a beat Hel got up from her crouch. "So more a game of trick or treat then." He raised his eyebrows quizzically. "A game from Midgard." Hel ran a hand through her hair and transformed back into her humanoid form. "Children go around houses asking for sweets or they'll play tricks on the inhabitants of the house. It's fun enough to watch." Her father still didn't look convinced, but at least the confusion had lessened. "Anyway," Hel waved a hand, "What's the plan?" Loki's madness shone out of the eyes of the guard, making her raise a single brow. Her father had a plan, most likely risky as hell, but apparently she was needed for the success of it. "You aren't going to tell me until we're there, huh? That may turn out to be dangerous, but whatever the great Silvertongue wishes for." And with a motion only she could do without appearing mocking, Hel bowed to her father. "I appreciate your trust," he replied plainly. Taking the lead, Loki guided them to the vehicle the guard had used to get to Svartalfheim, the young goddess hot on his heels.