Man without Honour
Lightning streaked across the stormy skies like webs and bolted down with a mighty crash that splits the earth and then a rumble followed. The wind howled and bellowed the trees, uprooting them with a mighty groan. Thor, with all that power of the storm at the tip of his fingers, and with all that strength of the hurricane that brought stones to rubble, with all that strength, he was still powerless before Loki. He could no better will Loki to look at him, to speak to him, to tell him what the matter is than he could will the time to stop at his command.
Loki was once again staring out the window absentmindedly, his breakfast left forgotten once again. A sickly tinge of grey clung onto Loki's fair skin and his eyes were blank. His lips pale and he look cold.
Thor watches Loki from where he sat as he ate his breakfast.
Something was different about Loki. This silence, this cold indifference, this staring off was unnatural. It was as if the fire in Loki had been snuffed out and he was an empty shell. Was it because he had killed a part of Loki?
There was so much that Thor did not understand. There was so much that he wanted to ask Loki. Who was that child? Was it her that you saw in the temple? What have you done to her? What have you done to yourself? What is happening to you? Thor wanted to know but yet, he fears the answer.
Loki hoards dark secrets in his heart. Thor would not be so arrogant as to say that he knows Loki. He did not know Loki.
The Loki he sees is the Loki that the Jotun desires him to see – a picture of control, authority and perfection. But under the shadows of darkness last night, Thor has had a glimpse of the creature beneath the mask. Loki is not what he seems. What he is though, Thor could only guess. And from what he had seen, it was at best twisted, ugly, angry and mad with fear and despair.
"Why do you look at me with such intensity?" Loki whispered suddenly, turning to regard Thor.
Thor shook his head. "No…Nothing" He sat his fork down. "It's nothing"
"What is it that you wish to know?" Loki asked. "Go on. Ask me"
Thor opened and quickly shut his mouth again.
Loki waited for him patiently. His icy gaze unrelenting as Thor unconsciously rubs the nape of his neck.
"What…" Thor started. "What is happening to you?"
"I am dying"
Thor stilled, his heart skip a beat, his every muscle hard. The easy way Loki said it took his voice away for an instant and he simply stared at Loki. He half expected Loki to burst out laughing, to mock him for his expression, to scorn his sentimentality… something! But Loki did not. Loki simply look upon him without a trace of expression on his face.
"And…and is it because of me?" Thor barely dared to ask. "Because of what I…I did? Is it beca-"
"Don't be a fool" Loki said. "Don't be so arrogant to think you could possibly kill me"
"That's not what I meant!"
"No" Loki agreed, looking back out the window.
"Then…Is it your seid…that's…"
"In a manner of speaking"
Thor curled his fingers.
"Hela waits for me…isn't that sweet?" Loki turns to regard Thor with a nasty expression. "Isn't that perfect? Such a darling little child"
"Loki" Thor growled.
Loki laughs.
"Into her arms will I go, into her fires I will burn. And until the end of times we would be lovers together in Hel" A terrible grin curled over Loki's lips at the disgust in Thor's expression. "Isn't that romantic Thor? I am lusted by death"
"Stop it!"
"Oh! Let me tell you the manner in which she would touch me. The obscene things we would do" Loki did not care for Thor's protest. "Little fingers would tear at my festering skin, my face and her perfect little mouth would cover my lips and she would sink her teeth into my tongue and tea-"
"Stop speaking like that!" Thor snapped. He hated the way Loki speaks.
"And why not? Is the truth too dark for your taste?"
Thor clench his jaws, anger and sadness tears at him. Anger that Loki did not even seem to care that he was dying. Anger that Loki would speak of it with such carelessness! Such cold indifference! And anger because he knows Loki is manipulating him even now. Even with this!
And sadness…sadness because despite everything; that is Loki's terrible truth. There will be no golden halls for Loki, no cheers, no laughter, and no songs…It is to Hela's burning gates that he would go. Into the fires he would spread his arms as it consume all of him; as he screams for all eternity in everlasting pain and agony.
"How…How can you speak with such ease?!" Thor demanded.
Loki chuckled.
"I've disgusted you haven't I Odinson?" Loki did not wait for Thor's denial. "Well then, be glad we would not meet in death"
A roar of thunder crack across the skies and lightning streak down burning a tree just beyond the window. There was a mighty groan and the willowy pine fell with a crash.
Loki hummed.
"Do not put words in my mouth! I do not desire such a fate even for the likes of you!" Thor spat.
"Oh careful there" Loki mocked. "It almost seem like you care about me out of your own free will"
"And would it satisfy your twisted mind to know that I do care?!"
"Satisfaction is not in my nature" He lifted his cup and took a swallow. "And try not to let your sentimentality show. Your concern for a monster would offend your guests"
Thor was spared from thinking of a reply when Loki continued.
"All must die in the end. And when I do, I would have deserved it"
"No one deserve such a fate"
Loki looked at Thor in amusement. "Monsters…" He said. "Do not deserve any less"
"You are not a monster" Thor sighed.
Loki picks up a plum from his plate. "Would you like to hear a tale your Grace?"
"You would speak as you always do whether I wish to hear it or not"
"True" Loki admitted, taking a large bite of the plum, honey liquid, trickled down the underside of his arm. "Did you know that my dam and his Lord General are very close?"
"King Laufey and Lord Thrym you mean?" Thor clarifies.
They were names from books to Thor. Best to at least get the characters of Loki's yet no doubt another grotesque tale right, if he has to sit through it.
"Aye. You know your history" Loki threw the plum seed onto his plate, wiping his sticky fingers on his napkin. "You see they were lovers before my dam wed my sire. And I suppose the matter of the heart cannot be so easily swayed, I would not know, but they were still terribly close even many years after my dam and sire were wed. Terribly scandalous don't you agree?"
"I suppose…it is not uncommon" Thor said.
"Perhaps…but you see, it is such a terrible misfortune that the first child of my dam's body is a weak useless runt"
"He is talking about himself" Thor thought.
"The Higher Gods are punishing Laufey for his infidelity was what people were saying. The runt, the shame, the disgrace of Laufey house was the walking reminder of Laufey's sin was what everyone thought. There was disgust, scorn, contempt, anger…so much anger being thrown at the King for his infidelity and to his deformed child for he is sin embodiment, for he is the product of the King's unsightly liaison. You see, infidelity isuncommon among us…" Loki said. "Well, you would have thought that that was enough to stop their treacherous relationship. But it did not. Laufey simply put those who dare utter such treasonous words to the sword and soon no one dare speak of it so plainly anymore. But they would whisper. They would look upon the runt in disgust and contempt for he is the terrible reminder of the King's flaw. Some pray to the Higher Gods for the runt to die…some attempted poison even. They cannot bare the reminder that their King is not without weaknesses. And if the runt dies, then it would be as if it never happened. But alas! The runt was a stubborn one and refuses to die just to spite them all"
By now Thor was staring at Loki in disbelief, his breakfast lay forgotten. "You are a bastard?" Thor wanted to ask but his tongue was seemingly stuck to the roof of his mouth.
Loki smirks.
"The runt grew and was soon named heir even when he has two perfect younger siblings of normal size. And Lord Thrym was not unkind to the runt as everyone was, but neither was he kind. He neither loved nor hated the runt even though the runt was a constant shame of his beloved King. One thing Lord Thrym never did was that he never took part in mocking his beloved's child, even when his men would. This kindness was taken as confirmation to the truth of the vile rumor. The whispers then of unseating the runt grew louder with each passing decade...they challenge his legitimacy as heir… they challenge my legitimacy!" Loki spat.
"What did you do then?" Thor asked. "I do not want to know this"
Loki let out a humorless laugh.
"If Laufey had given in to these voices, I would have lost everything. So I took care of things as I usually do..." Loki said. "I terrify these traitors into silence so that they would never speak against me again. And I have Thrym loath me as he should to quiet suspicions all in one stroke"
"…"
"I waited for the right time. I needed to send a message to those who dare speak against me after all. I waited until Lord Thrym spoke against me before my dam. His accusation was by no means untrue but there was my chance. And it was then that I kill Lord Thrym's unborn child in his mate's womb with my seid. Just like that…" Loki snapped his fingers, indicating the simplicity of it all. "I do not quite know if a child soon to be born feels pain or if it could cry. But I burn the babe in the very womb it grew. Well, that was the end to those damn whispers of my legitimacy"
Thor could taste bile in his throat. He knew the tale was true. He did not know what to say to Loki's blatant indifference to infanticide.
Loki saw the shock and disgust on Thor's face and he laughs again. "Do you not like my tale oh-honorable-one? Is it not to your taste?"
"Lord Thrym…" Thor's throat felt dry "He…he should be glad his entire family was not put to the sword for treason… he sullied the bed of your dam and sire" Was the best Thor could manage.
Loki hummed; he picked by a berry and tosses it into his mouth.
"You…you are not a monster. You avenge your sire" Thor said, though his words felt empty.
"I made no such claim" Loki popped another berry into his mouth. "Their scandalous relationship was of no matter to me. I just could not afford to have my legitimacy challenged and sought to silence these treacherous voices. But do you know what the most amusing thing in this tale was?"
"I find nothing amusing"
"Well, I do" Loki leans back in his seat and grin. "There was no infidelity. Those were just rumors. People always do love to whisper dark things of their kings. Well yes, they were lovers before, and I am sure to the end of times they would ceaselessly love each other, but they never acted upon it again after the day my dam wed my sire…Out of honor perhaps, I would not know. But they have never betrayed my sire. And I am no embodiment of sin. I am just an anomaly that happens from time to time"
Thor was feeling sick. "And…and you know all this even before you did it?" He asked.
"Well yes"
It was early in the morning when Helblindi snuck his way into Byleist's quarters that he heard furious whispering in the next hallway.
He halted. He knows that he shouldn't be eavesdropping. He shouldn't even have come to Byleistr's quarters unannounced. Byleistr didn't like that. Something about not being proper. Byleistr had always liked the formalities of things. But Helblindi knows that if he made his arrival known, Byleistr would have the guards stop him at the threshold of the younger's wing, saying that he was busy and any matters could be convey through a letter.
A damn letter!
Well, Helblindi would not have that. He would see his brother when he pleases, but this was starting to seem like a bad idea. Perhaps he should just turn back. Byleistr does seem to have company.
"Well do something…!"
"I've told you, it has been decided... Stop pestering me everyday…! And we must stop these meetings least we be caught!"
"You promised me!"
"I promised you nothing! You volunteered!"
"I see no difference!"
"Norns! What is it that you want me to do…?"
"I don't know…!"
Helblindi recognized those voices. It was Byleistr's and Thrym's. Those two were always closer than he'd liked them to be. It was no secret that Thrym did not like Loki. He'd made it obvious for a very long time. Why that was, Helblindi did not know the details.
He edged closer to the corner and strained his ears. It was very strange that the two were quarreling though.
"You have to convince dam to attack Asgard or at least give Loki an army…" Byleistr was saying.
"What for?"
"I need protection if I am to do it…!"
"Do what?" Helblindi frowned.
"I am not going out there with only Malekith's army…!" Byleistr hissed.
"There is no need for you to do that. And you are mad if you think your dam would allow you to go with Loki to Asgard on suicide mission…! Well, if he even comes back at all that is…I hope he does not" Thrym said nastily. "And to tell you honestly, I care not how he dies. By your hands or the Aesir's or Malekith's…they will satisfy be just the same"
Helblindi tensed. "They are talking about killing Loki" He realized in horror.
"And what of me…?!" Byleistr gritted. "You mean to take away that pleasure from me…?"
"What?! "Helblindi could not believe what he was hearing. Conspiring to kill the crown prince is treason! Worst! Byleistr wanted the pleasure of doing it?! Byleistr wanted the pleasure of murdering his own sibling?!
"Are you mad?!" Helblindi cried, stepping out from where he hid.
Thrym and Byleist turned at once in shock.
"I could understand this shit coming from that swine!" Helblindi pointed at Thrym. "But you?!"
He moves towards the two. His fingers curling into a fist. He had never felt more betrayed! If Byleistr could kill Loki, what is stopping Byleistr from killing him? Or Dam? Or sire?! You do not betray your own blood!
"Stay out of this brother" Byleistr hissed.
"Or what?! You will slaughter me in my sleep?!"
"You are being ridiculous!"
Thrym raised his hand. "Helb-"
"I will deal with you later!" Helblindi spat at Thrym.
Thrym frowned but he did not push it.
"And you…!" Helblindi turns to glare at a brother he did not know anymore. "How could you?"
Byleistr snorted. "That is what it means to take the throne dear brother"
"…"
"Did you know…in the past, siblings slaughter each other in cold blood before their dam's entire court until there is one left. Then he will face his dam and take his head, and only then will he ascend to his rightful place upon the throne" A terrible smile stretch over Byleistr's lips. "That brother…is our tradition, our history. The price of power is measured in blood. You would know if you had paid attention to our tutor as a child"
"Kill me then" Helblindi whispered icily.
Byleistr did not move; an ugly expression twisted over his face.
Helblindi sneered, throwing his arms apart. "Do it! Do it or I would expose you! Do it or I will take the throne! It is so easy isn't it?!"
"You know nothing!"
"And what do you know?!" Helblindi demanded. "You speak of a tradition we have long abandon! And for good reason, simply to justify your end! You are nothing but a selfish, foolish child!"
"I am not a child!" Byleistr swung his fist, smashing into Helblindi's face, splitting his lips.
Helblindi roared, tackling Byleistr onto the floor. Shouts and curses rang.
Thrym pinch the bridge of his narrow nose, not even bothering to intervene as he heard running footsteps. It would have been a miracle if no one came to investigate the commotion. The two probably woke up half the damn castle. Laufey will surely hear of this.
Thrym raised his hands in surrender when the guards came to break up the fight.
As expected, Helblindi ordered his arrest for treason. Thrym lets them cuff him without protest. He'd rather walk to the dungeons with dignity than being drag there.
After that tale, everything that Thor ate tasted of ash. He did not know what to say so he said nothing more all through breakfast. He was about to call in the servants to clear their unfinished breakfast when there was a creak at his door and little Baldur popped his head in.
"You are back!" Baldur beamed, running towards them; oblivious to everything around him.
Loki looked away, taking another sip of his tea. Thor was still naked but that did not seem to bother Baldur as he climbs onto Thor's lap.
"Hello little one" Thor stroked his soft hair.
Baldur did not seem to hear him as he looked straight at Loki.
"Good morning Loki!" Baldur grinned at him widely.
Loki frown. Little Baldur, with a head full of wavy golden hair that went just above his shoulders and large cerulean eyes, he was a splitting image of Thor. Baldur had never spoken a word to him before today; preferring to scurry around him and watch him with wide innocent eyes.
"Are you happy?" Baldur asked. "Brother is back!"
"I can see that"
"So you are happy?"
Loki was spared the need to think of a reply to such an innocent question when Thor let out a laugh.
"He wants something from you" Thor said.
"Hee…" Baldur grinned, not denying.
"What is it?" Loki sighs.
"Dalla wants to see pretty magic! We all wanted to see pretty magic!" Baldur said.
"We?"
"All my friends! I told them you do pretty magic! And they want to see it!"
Loki narrowed his eyes.
"Can we?! Can we?!" Baldur asked excitedly.
"Do I look like a court jester to you?" Loki asked coldly.
"N-no…but you did it for Lady Sif. So I tho-"
"And are you Lady Sif?"
"No…"
"Are your friends Lady Sif?"
"N-no…"
"Then no"
Baldur bit his bottom lip that started to tremble, and tears were starting to well up in his cerulean eyes. Loki noticed that Thor was glaring at him warningly but he did not care.
"But… but…you did it f-or her…" Big fat tears were rolling down Baldur's chubby cheeks.
"Lo-" Thor started.
"I am not anyone's fool!" Loki sneered at Thor; and then he turns to Baldur. "You best learn that tears will get you nowhere. Wipe it off. I hear on Asgard they call man who cry ergi"
"That's enough!" Thor shouted in indignant.
"I hate you!" Baldur screamed, shoving the table and upended the entire structure. Plates came crashing, burning tea splashed onto Loki's lap and hands.
Pain sheered, Loki howled, stumbling to his feet.
"Baldur!" Thor shouted.
"You fool!" Loki shrieked; slapping Baldur hard across his face.
Thor roared in fury, grabbing Loki's damnable wrist so hard Loki gasped in pain. Baldur wailed, running out the door.
"How dare you!" Thor spat. Thunder, lightning crashed and flashed.
Loki hissed in pain and fear as he gazed upon Thor. He had never seen Thor so furious. He was white and he was shaking in fury as his fingers constricted cruelly.
"Th-Thor…" Loki sounded frightened. And he should be.
"I should break your hand" Thor gritted; releasing his hold brutally. And without another word, he stalked to grab his clothes from his wardrobe and started dressing.
"Where are you going?" Loki demanded; but Thor ignored him. "That little fool burn me! And did you not hear him?! He meant to take me for a fool! He meant to humiliate me before his friends! Do you think I do not know how you Aesir see seid?! And yet you are mad with me?!"
"No Loki!" Thor turns to him, his expression hard. "All he wanted was to see your seid"
"Oh you blind oaf!"
"No! You are the one who do not understand anything!" Thor gritted, clasping the last of his buckle. "You live in a world of imagine slights and twisted-truth. You are in love with your own pain. You are in love with your own anguish and you love to play the victim! Not this time. You do not get to do that this time! You do not get to blame anyone this time!" He spat, leaving at once without waiting for Loki's respond.
He will let Loki get away with mocking him, insulting him, hurling all of his kindness and compassion back at his face or even spit on him, but he will not tolerate Loki striking Baldur. No one owes Loki anything. Loki is like a spoilt child without boundaries.
No doubt he is sure that Laufey and Farbauti loves Loki unconditionally. But it seemed to Thor that they had never taught Loki that there are consequences to hurting others, to being cruel and unkind, and that forgiveness will not be endless. And it also seemed to Thor that they had never taught Loki that he doesn't get to play the victim at every turn; blaming everyone but himself.
So Thor will do them a service now, and teach their child a thing or two about reality.
Vigdis, the Elven Princess, the second daughter of King Leif, walked the halls in a flowing gown of pristine white. Ornate design of gold and emerald weaved beautifully into the seams of her sleeves. Her hair of gold braided with strands of silver glittered beneath the brilliant white light.
She knew the things other whispered behind her back, she has heard their laughter and saw their pointing. They thought her plain and they laugh at her for thinking she ever stood a chance with the Aesir King. Let them think as they will. She had learned long ago to ignore them; because that is all she could do.
She smiles, her fingers tightened over Thor's powerful arm as Thor spoke to her kindly.
He had her talk of herself, what is her favorite music? What is her favorite play? Poetry…does she like poetry? She knew that Thor was not genuinely interested in her answers, but he made the effort to seem like it. And he laughs at her jokes no matter how silly she thought it was.
"He is being kind" She knew.
There was no real joy in the King's eyes, and his laughter sounded hollow and empty and his smile did not reach his eyes. There was sadness in him, anger, frustration and exhaustion; but yet, he would put on a mask for her. He would entertain her; and for that, she is grateful.
But enough…
"I may have grown up with tales of gallant knights of golden locks like the other girls, but unlike them, I know they are just tales. I do not expect you to be unmoving, fearless and without flaw. I do not expect a golden knight in shining armor…I do not expect a perfect hero"
"Tell me of Alfheim" Thor said.
"Are you alright my Lord?" Vigdis asked instead.
Thor tensed, taken a back. The simplicity of that question took his voice away for an instant. No one had ever asked him that before.
"I…I'm fine good Lady" He said hurriedly, smiling.
Vigdis was not fooled. "And what of things with Loki?"
"What of that beast?"
"Speak to me when you are ready"
"There is nothing to speak"
"Then I will entertain you until then" Vigdis smiles kindly. "You ask of Alfheim yes?" And so she entertains him.
She told him of Alfheim, of the pillars of silver and ebony framing the marble pathway in the city. Of the ivory cathedral and the magnificent falls that cuts across the floating city. Of the songs that would fill the city and the sweet fragrant that would fill every room. And of the white light of the moon that would shine upon them when night falls and the towering trees that would veil them from the harshness of the sun.
As usual, Thor looked upon her and smile as she spoke, but she knew that his mind was not with her. It's alright… It matters not to her.
Laufey sat upon his throne looking at his two battered children and his Lord General in chains. He had done his best to keep this incident a secret. He had threatened every guard that was present that if a word of this gets out, every single one of them will be executed without trial. Best to keep each other's mouth seal then, if they value their lives.
And from the guards that had arrested Thrym he was told that Helblindi had shouted treason; that Thrym was planning to murder the Crown Prince and have Thrym thrown into the dungeons. But Laufey had a feeling that that wasn't the whole story.
If it were, how then was Byleistr involved?
If Laufey had to take a general stab, he would say that Byleistr was conspiring with Thrym.
Truly, Laufey have to wonder, if this is really the time for everyone to be fighting over the throne. Did he miss the memo that he was dying or even sick?! Or did everyone miss the memo that Jotunheim is at the verge of war?!
First things first…
"Take off the chains" Laufey motioned to Thrym.
Helblindi opened his mouth to protest but Laufey sends him a withering glare that silences him.
Thrym thrust his hands forth for the guards. The sound of metal clinging echoed through the chamber. Thrym rubs his wrist once the damnable chains were taken off.
"I will speak to them alone!" Laufey commanded.
There was a moment of shuffling feet but soon when the door clicks shut and there was silence.
"So?" Laufey rose from his throne, coming down the steps towards them. "Conspiring to kill the crown prince?" He looked from one stubborn face to the next.
No one was answering him.
"Thrym" Laufey walks towards him.
Thrym will not lie to him and even if Thrym did, he would know it. Thrym cannot lie to him back then when they were lovers and more so now when he is his King.
"Tell me. Is this true?" Laufey asked.
"Yes"
Laufey backhands him, hard. Thrym took them without protest. He could taste blood in his mouth and he spat out a chipped tooth.
Laufey hissed, and then he turns to regard Helblindi and Byleistr.
Byleistr, the youngest of his flesh and blood. Byleistr is more like Loki than Byleistr would ever admit. They are no longer children. Ambition and power have melted away all the innocence, kindness and compassion from them, and left them hard and ruthless.
Only Helblindi, though not the youngest still possesses the innocence of a child while his two brothers schemes and lies behind his back. Laufey did not know if he should consider that a blessing or a curse, as it always is when it comes to his second.
He considered things for a moment.
"Both of you will be confined to your rooms until I say otherwise"
"That's it?!" Helblindi cried. "You are no fool dam! You know Byleistr is involved in this and yet all you do is sent him to his room as if he were a child?! And why was I punished too?!"
"I didn't know you wish me in chains brother" Byleistr sneered.
"Silence!" Laufey snaps.
This is far from over. Byleistr will be punished. But not now. Not when Malekith is here. Only a fool would flag to their enemies that there are mistrust among the ranks.
"Get out of my sight…both of you" Laufey hissed.
"What of Thrym?!" Helblindi demanded.
"You stay out of it"
"Of course dam would want that brother" Byleistr snorted. "Dam means to fuck his dear Thrym raw as punishment! Bet half of Thrym's get are our siblings"
At once, an ice blade spikes from Thrym's hand and he swished it to Byleistr's neck.
"Watch it child" Thrym warned. "Don't go running your mouth every time you are displeased. A good way to make enemies"
Byleistr snorted. "Killing me doesn't prove me a liar. Only that you fear what I might say. You should know…" He smirks "After all, you've put many to the sword for their accusation that you are Loki's sire. It did not kill those accusation did it Lord Thrym?"
"You might want to keep those treasonous words to yourself. Or I might just claim you as mine and name you a bastard. Good luck disputing that. There will always be doubts to your legitimacy then"
"That is enough!" Laufey shoved Thrym's blade away.
Thrym growled.
Helblindi was looking at all this in undisguised shock and then his face twisted into anger. "You were cheating on sire?!" He cried in utter horror.
Laufey took in a deep breath and prayed to the Gods, any God that was listening to give him patience.
Byleistr looked upon his oblivious sibling in amusement. Did Helblindi not hear the rumors while he grew up?
"Not now Blindi" Laufey gritted.
"How could you! Did sire kn-"
"Enough! Both of you get out now!" Laufey snarled.
Helbllindi looked like he was about to protest when Byleistr grab his arm. "Come dear brother. Let's leave dam to it" Byleistr said.
"Byleistr! One more word from you and you are for the dungeons! Do you hear me?!" Laufey bellowed.
Byleistr laughs, pulling Helblindi out the door before Helblindi could utter another stupid word. The moment the door shuts; Laufey turns to Thrym in pure anger.
"And you! How dare you betray me?! How dare you conspire against me?!" Laufey roared. "I trusted you and you betray that trust! How dare you?!"
The musicians play a soothing tone that contrasted the flashing crashing rain just beyond the titan windows as the King's guest danced in all their elegant grace. Shimmering gowns twist and flowed like water in synchrony, sweeping across the magnificent ballroom in all their glorious wonder. And Thor…Thor was brilliant. You would not have expected it from his hulky build, but he shifted and turns, sweeping across the room with all liquid grace. And the intensity upon which he looked upon his partner, Elise; and the way in which he held her, was one to be envied.
Loki clenched his jaws as he stared back at his plate of half finish dinner. Any other time, it might have been a delicious meal, but tonight the foods were all flavored with anger.
Thor had refused to talk to him or even look at him since that incident with Baldur...and it had been a good three days.
"I did nothing wrong" Loki thought bitterly.
He refused to think that he did. But truth, he did not feel so great after Thor had stomped out of the room three days ago. And there was the issue that the last and most critical part of his scheme to ensure a short war had pretty much gone to shit since the Queen broke his curse. But he thought he still had a chance. It is not over yet. He could still salvage this. Thor is a sentimental fool, and if he played it right, Thor would still choose him.
Truly, Loki found it hard to believe that his triumph or failure would hinge on something as pathetic as sentiment.
Unbidden, Loki's gaze drifted towards a little corner of the room where a jester was entertaining the little children. He'd crack a huge egg over the head of a little elven child and from it burst forth a dozen doves that soar in all their grace through the chamber.
Loki watched in silent from where he sat as the jester was now pulling endless knotted cloths of all color from one of the Vanir child's ear, all the while with a dramatic expression of shock upon his face. The children laughed. Little Baldur was sitting in the front row, shrieking and laughing in boyish joy when the jester turn his attention to the little prince and pulls a flower from behind his ears.
The children do seem to genuinely like tricks. Loki considered if he should play the fool. He knew it would win him back into Thor's grace.
So what if Thor's guest would mock and laugh at him?
"No one saw me for a prince anyway" Loki thought bitterly. "I am just an amusement…an interesting pet with a temper to them at best. Or a mindless beast at worst"
Baldur caught his staring and turn those wide innocent eyes to the Jotun prince. The little prince beamed and waved his chubby little hands at Loki.
Unthinking, as if Loki knew what he should do, he lifted his hand and beckoned for Baldur to him.
Baldur lit up and came running to him with open trust and faith. Everything has been forgiven.
Loki made sure that Baldur stood a little away from him, least those grabby fingers reach to touch his Jotun skin.
"Loki?" Baldur looked upon him with bright curious eyes. It was as if he was blind to how different Loki was from him.
"You like tricks yes?" Loki gave him a smile, though that was the last thing he felt like doing.
Everyone was watching them; from eyes filled with disgust to anger to curiosity and to mockery; but Baldur seem oblivious to everything, nodded his head in excitement.
"Magic! Magic! Pretty magic!" The little prince shrieked.
"Call your friends then. I will show you magic beyond what your jester could ever dream of doing"
"Truly?"
"Yes little one…as an apology for…" Loki trailed off but Baldur wasn't even listening.
Baldur turns to his friends and shrieked. "Come! Come! Loki would do magic! Pretty magic!" Baldur shouted it loud enough that the entire hall heard it.
The music came to an abrupt stop and all that could be heard for an instant were the laughter of children. Laughter filled with joy.
"Magic! Magic!"
"Ice magic!"
"Pretty magic!"
Loki turns to the dance floor to see that Thor was looking at him; his expression unreadable.
"This is for you Thor…I will play the fool for you. So look at me, and don't you dare turn away" He stood to his feet as a troop of at least three dozen children running towards him without fear of the monster before them.
And suddenly as if someone had flicked the switch, there was uproar of shouts and curse and the loud shuffling of chairs. At once Sif drew her sword and move to Loki's side in defense.
A rolling thunder of hatred, fury and fear engulfed Loki from all sides. "Monster!" "Beast!" were being flung at him in wild fury. And to Thor were spats of contempt "Will you let this slide too King of Asgard?!" "Are we dealing with beast now King Thor?!"
Some too were shrieking for their children. "Get away from the monster Arora!" "Come here Bran! Get here now!" "Dalla! What are you doing?! Come here!" And mix in with the violence Loki could hear the words "Chains" "Dungeons" "Flog" "Spike" and "Head"
Some children halted in their steps, unsure of what to do, while others ran back to their parents and yet some were taken off by their mothers who threw him a nasty look.
"Don't you dare touch my child you monster!" One Vanir mother snarled at him.
From all corners of the room, Loki could see the guards moving towards him. Sif tightened her grip on her sword.
Thor swept his gaze across the chaotic room in irritation. This has gone far enough!
"That is enough! All of you!" Thor bellowed, his voice boomed like the mighty thunder that crashed beyond the walls, commanding silence in an instant.
Thor looked upon the room in displeasure to be met with equally displease looks.
"Is this a tavern?! Are you the sons and daughters of commoners?!" Thor demanded, looking at every one of their face, shaming them.
Baldur and a now much smaller group of children were looking around uncertainly.
"Loki will bring your children no harm. I swear it" Thor said. "And if it would calm your worries, I would accompany them"
No one said a word to it.
"Well then!" Loki declared loudly. "Whoever that still wish to see this pretty magic, come along!" With that, Loki sweeps out of the room.
He did not see who was following him, he did not dare. It was bad enough to play the fool, but to not even have an audience…he did not think he could stomach that humiliation. But if nothing else, the oaf would pity him, and Loki would take what he can.