I am so sorry that this took so long, life decided to explode. I do have several ruff ideas typed out so it should be much quicker next time! Thank you so so much to all those who gave me reviews your feedback really makes me hppy and I love hearing from you :) you are all so incredibly nice and encouraging thank you! As you know I did not create this world I am simply making my own story in it.
Blinking slowly I come to myself, each blink waking me more. The first thing I am aware of is my stiff muscles, all cramping from use and the hard floor. My body feels drained. If only Thor and his friends could understand how fatiguing using magic is. I think attempting to stretch my sore body. I blink slowly everything coming into focus. Obscuring my vision is a wight sphere. Several blinks latter I realize it is the apply I threw yesterday, split in half to reveal the pail insides. Yesterday... I remember a bitter taste entering my mouth and leaving me feeling ill. My exhausted body protests when I attempt to rise so instead I simply prop my head up and consider what I should do with my day.
All I have is a history lesson which I have already read ahead and learned the information. Then Thor and I are to sit in during fathers council. A dull day in all. Unless... I grin to myself ignoring the exhaustion to sit up and consider my plan. I could stay hear no one would ever know. I reach for the streams of power once more, frustratingly it is more difficult than the previous night due to my previous excessive use of magic. Although difficult my continual training has paid off and I find the power.
Eyes forced shut I keep my mind firmly placed on constructing my illusion and am almost immediately rewarded with a double of myself grinning back at me. Everything is perfectly replicated; this double will be able to go through the day leaving me free to do as I wish. The control and observation of this double will only take me a fraction of my mind power.
Nodding once my double exits my chambers with a compete illusion bag "filled" with what books I would "require" in the day.
My confidence grows as the day passes, not a single individual questions me. In fact my history touter barely glances towards me before launching into his lecture. By lunch I have completed three books explaining the more complex aspects of magic. And I tell myself firmly over and over again have never had a better day. No one bothering me for I can chose to ignore the information coming from the illusion. Mother informed me when she first found me using magic that instruction was necessary, that I needed to know my bounds. She would never have accepted me creating a life illusion for an extended period of time after already completing large quantities of magic previously.
I does not matter what she thinks. I can do this. I feel my hands begin to shake, both real and in the illusion. I need only be strong for several hours more. Now it is not only an escape to freedom but the opportunity to prove myself if only to me. They all say I am feeble and week a useless runt but I will be successful in this.
The book I am attempting to absorb myself in can no longer capture my attention so I through it the the ground and turn my attention to my illusion. Keeping to y usual habits my illusion is seated alone at the farthest table from odin and closest to the door. A plate of conjured fruit rests in front of me my illusion slowly eating several grapes.
Thor bursts in to the room his face flushed from his weapons training. His four loyal companions surrounding him with chatter, Sif perfectly fitting in with the boys. I briefly note Thor's eyes turning my direction before almost immediately turning back to his friends. Thank you for your care brother. I think sarcastically. Not even able to fake an appetite I have my illusion stand and walk from the hall entering the throne room to wait. Wearily my illusion sinks to the floor leaning my head agents the cold gold plated wall, my vision falling upon Odins grand throne raised in front of me.
He repeatedly tells me that Thor and I both have an equal chance of sitting on that throne, that the choice will only be of who will be the better king but I know it is not. Everyone favors Thor. And why would they not? Who would chose me when they have the option of Thor? If the decision was up to me I would still refuse the throne, to be tied down by all those rules and regulations. Always having to do whats beast for the kingdom and not what I wish. It would be terrible, but because they will never accept me I desperately desire it.
I feel my illusions hands hit the floor in frustration. Forcibly making myself relax I take several deep breaths.
Slowly the court begins to file into the chamber the fake me springing to its feet at the first entrance. Barely glancing in my direction they all fill the room hundreds of hushed voices amplified into a dull roar. At the entrance of Odin and Thor the room quiets and I walk forward to take my place besides Thor. The chair is right smack dab in the front of everyones view.
"Brother" Thor mumbles to me between two council members speeches.
"What?"i hiss keeping my- no my illusions eyes forward.
"When the council ends do you wish to go for a ride?" I can almost hear his lips turn up in a smile.
He knows how I love to ride; and he obviously believes I will be unable to refuse his suggestion. He has new friends now though he does not need me. Why is he asking? "you could ask your real friends."
Thor looks as if he is about to respond when silenced by a glower from Odin, which I notice is pointed towards me. T'was not even I who started it, this time. Resolutely I have my illusion glower towards the front before distancing myself from the illusion for the remainder of the meeting. I only notice the end of the council when the noise increases as they exit. Odin is already on his feet and with a brief ruffle of Thor's hair he too exits. Once again defiantly equal between us. I think sarcastically. Internally I sigh and prepare to return to the book I was reading in my room when Thor comes up to me once again engaging me in conversation as if we had not been interrupted over an hour ago.
"Why would I ask someone else? I asked you, I know you do not have a lesson tonight so why object?"
"Well you have been asking them for everything lately so why change now? They are obviously much better than I." I attempt to only sound scathing and hide the hurt, but to my anger a flash of recognition passes over him.
"Brother" he says stepping forward attempting to place a massive hand on my shoulder. I doge the contact knowing pro personnel experience that if he touches "me" my illusion will vanish.
"Do not touch me!" although this is a fairly frequent sentiment of mine I foolishly place too much desperation into my voice. By this time the hall is completely deserted.
"Brother why are you hiding?" his voice is quiet and his attempts to make contact cease.
"You are simply not looking." I myself am unsure if I am simply shrugging off his words or actually expressing feelings.
"No you are hiding, blocking yourself off form the world. Please do not block me out as well." his words meant to soothe instead enrage me.
"Block you out? That is hardly necessary as you do that already." I shout the words through my illusion, the world is shaking from my anger, my real lungs gasp for breath. "You blocked me out years ago." the shaking intensifies and my words continue but I can not comprehend what they are. I feel myself flash back and forth between my real body and my illusion. With more force than a horses kick I am thrust into my real body, my illusion lost and all my energy spent. I attempt to stay sitting in the chair but my body had gone limp and I tumble gracelessly to the floor. Each blink seams to take longer than the last as I lay sprawled on the floor. I vaguely recognize the sound of feet pounding down the hall towards e a deep voice fills my ears as I feel strong arms beneath me. Between the hazy shadow's I hear a higher voice but can neither recognize the voice or understand the words spoken. Unconsciousness once again engulfs me.