Last Days
The wind whistled, caressing over Thrym's icy skin as he entered the King's private courtyard. His ebony bangs brushes his narrow nose.
At the break of dawn, it was truly a magnificent sight. A soft layer of fresh snow covered the icy ground, a thin veil of mist curled and swirl, twisting and contracting like smoke about his feet as he makes his way across to the south side to the yard. Trees with pillars of ebony and silver and wide spreading branches towered over him, covering him in a roof of gold and red. And all about him, little silver lamps hung from their enormous branches in the dozens, casting a muted light over the place.
He lowered himself to sit beneath one of the old ancient trees with thick curling roots. Then he leans back against the rough trunk and shuts his eyes.
Truth…he had been avoiding Farbauti, and pretty much everyone. As much as possible he refused to stay in the room he was assigned to. He refused to give Farbauti the chance to have a private word with him that would more likely than not end with a blade through his chest.
He is a coward he knows… he has always known that. He is a god damn coward who hadn't the balls to kill Loki after everything. Instead, all he had done over the centuries was seethe and fume, rage and curse that runt. And even now, all he had done was encourage and provide Byleistr the opportunity to do what he dared not. And if that failed, he was waiting for the war to do his bidding.
Coward…Coward...
And now… he was running away from another confrontation. But he wondered though, how long he could run this time before Farbuti loses his patience and summoned him personally. Would he refuse a direct order then?
Coward… .
He lets out a sigh. He did not know how long he sat there, but he was drifting off when something pricked his senses. The soft clicking of hard nails and the soft rumbling growl of an animal. He opened his eyes.
"Shit!" He scrambled to his feet in horror at the sight of a massive dire wolf prowling into the yard.
It stood almost head to head with him. Red eyes and snarling, baring its massive teeth as it prowled.
Fenrir…child of Loki's blood.
Thrym hissed, a hand outstretched as if it would do any good in defense against those monstrous jaws.
"Why are you so afraid Lord Thrym?" Fenrir's rumbling voice pierce Thrym's mind.
The mocking tone was so like its dam.
"If you come over here and be my bitch…you might just survive" Its claws scraped the ground.
Thrym did not move, keeping his eyes firmly on the beast.
He did not bother reasoning with Fenrir. Oh…he has no illusion of his imminent death. After all, he cannot kill Fenrir. Laufey would never forgive him for killing his grandchild, no matter if it was born out of dark magic or not. And he has no doubt that Fenrir was send here to kill him. That was the only order Fenrir took well. Killing and torture are its favorite sport. And so if he was to die, then he will die fighting, rather than begging on his back like the bitch Fenrir wants him to be.
If he gave Fenrir a good fight it would be quick. If not, Fenrir will play with him, ripping him to shred with slow agonizing brutality until he begs for it to stop. He did not wish for the latter.
A low growl rumble, Fenrir crouch just the slightest. Its scarlet eyes gleaming.
"No…? A pity…Such a pretty thing like you, you would surely have made a good fuck" Fenrir mocked.
For a heartbeat it seem that the entire yard was holding her breath and then a hair rising snarl split; Fenrir lunged forth, teeth snapping. Thrym let out a cry, with a wave of his hand sharp icy spikes shot up from the ground, piercing through Fenrir's bony legs and nicking its soft underbelly. Yelp split, blood trickled but it was only for a second before the beast shattered them all into rubbles and it was lunging again.
Thrym barely manage to dive to the side as those massive paws landed inches from him, cracking the ice.
Ice club bloomed at once from Thrym's hand instead of his usual blade. His muscles tightened and he swung as hard as he could; smashing Fenrir's muzzle, knocking it to the side. There was a sharp yelp but before Thrym could even make the second strike, Fenrir had turned its powerful head back.
"Too late!" Red eyes gleaming; it powerful muzzle open and it snapped, shattering the hard club and with a powerful swipe of its claws, it tore right through Thrym's abdomen like hot knife to butter and threw him clear across the yard, smashing through the trees.
Silvery lamps from ruined trees fell and the glass smashed; a small fire was starting to burn all around him.
Thrym coughed, blood dribbling from his lips. He tried to push himself up, but he couldn't. Slick wetness whispered. His hand touched his wet abdomen and he knew then that he was completely ripped apart. But there was no pain; at least he didn't think so…he was numb, he was shaking, as he watched long teeth headed straight for his throat.
Thyrm snarled; slamming a bloody palm on the icy ground one last time, hundreds of titan spike shot up, streaking across the yard, piercing Fenrir's paws, its legs, its chest, slicing its soft belly, as it leaped back. There were sharp yelps but the beast was charging again, smashing through spikes or letting them pierce him without a care as it launched itself for the kill. A very Jotun anger and rage shimmer beneath those animalistic blood red eyes.
"Fenrir! Stop!" There was a loud thunderous shout.
Thrym barely heard it as he raised his bloody arm in futile defense. Long teeth snapped down at flesh and bone. Blood poured.
Thor was not at all surprise to find Loki in his studies, his legs prop up against the rich mahogany desk while he ate away at his apple and reading one of the many scrolls that Loki definitely had no business in reading.
"I see you have started without me" Thor sighs, shutting the door behind him.
Loki hummed, dropping the scroll he was reading down onto the growing pile of documents beside Thor's chair. An ornate glass bowl was balanced over Loki's hard abdomen.
"Good afternoon your Grace" Loki said innocently, dropping the apple core into the bowl to join the other cores.
Thor had long given up on telling Loki that he could just order the kitchen to bring him fresh fruits rather than eating the decorations. He had simply opted to have the servants refill and replace those decors every day. No need to get into an argument over fruits and décor.
His guest had paid no mind to this etiquette.
"What more could you expect from an animal?" They had simply shrugged it off.
Vigdis though, she had been kind enough to humor Loki, sometimes asking if she could have one too, much to Loki's surprise and everyone's disgust.
"You could at least pretend to sneak around" Thor steps towards the prince as Loki ripped open yet another sealed document.
"And you could pretend to at least be furious" Loki smirks, dramatically rolling the scroll open.
"Maybe next time"
"Maybe…"
Thor stood behind Loki, looking at the dull piece of paper. Of course it was yet another one of that agriculture nonsense. Import, exports or some sort… Thor truly hated them, but that was all there is in his studies.
He had noticed Loki breaking into his office after the first attempt months ago. If there was anything Thor knew, it was the state of his Norn forsaken studies that he loathed so much.
It was still the usual mess after Loki's break in, and none of the seals to his documents were broken, but he knew they were different. After that, he had ordered all military related documents taken and transferred to the Queen's quarters – the one place Loki had not dared wandered with ease. And in return for Thor's favor Loki had showed up the two days later and simply picked one of the sealed documents off Thor's table and started reading them in front of the King without a care.
He had been furious at first, but he had ignored the Jotun. After all, Loki's entire existence seems to be to get a rise from him. Two could play the game. If anything, Thor had learnt patience from Loki. He had pointedly let Loki do as he please and Loki had stubbornly been reading his agriculture and mining documents as if they were the most fascination thing in all the realm.
At some point, Thor was sure Loki was just as tempted to burn them all as much as he. And soon…it became a routine.
The silent company isn't at all bad. He found that he liked it. He liked having someone stayed up with him when he was pouring over his work as the castle sleeps and as he cursed the Norns for this torture.
The days leading to the hunt were the worst. He grumbled about it to Loki in sheer frustration, and swearing that the paper seem to have multiplied, making the Jotun laugh. And then over time, came the frightening thought that Thor dared not give voice to – that perhaps, it wouldn't be so bad to always be this way; to have Loki by his side, as his queen.
"So what do you think?" Thor murmured.
"Asking the enemy? If only your people knew how inept you are. Why I wonder what they would do" Loki said pleasantly.
"What they do not know would not hurt them"
"A ridiculous saying" Loki was still not looking at Thor. "What someone does not know will be the very thing that kills them"
"Loki…"
There was something in the tone of Thor's voice that caught Loki's attention as the Aesir gently took the document away from him, tossing it over the mountains of scrolls on the table. He lifted his gaze as Thor place the empty bowl on the table and draws him up. Rough fingers reach to touch his face, thumb caresses his cheek.
Thor was acting rather strangely.
"What's the matter…?" Loki whispered warily.
Did someone curse him?
"Do you believe that everything is set in stone?" Thor asked. "Like the coursing river, you can throw a stick, a stone, place your hands upon the current in an attempt to stop its flow, to disrupt it, to direct it even, but in the end…it will always come to the same inevitable end…do you believe that is fate?"
He had not forgotten what the seers had boldly told him even when he demanded they do not…
Fire…fire…
They are fated to destroy each other.
"What do you believe?" Loki asked, watching Thor intently.
"I don't want to believe that" He admits.
Then without thinking, he leans forth, pulling Loki into a gentle kiss. Loki gasped, opening his mouth for that familiar tongue, as Thor's familiar scent filled him. There was something urgent, painful, something delicate and desperate in the way Thor held him, in the way Thor caresses his face, in the way Thor was kissing him.
"What's wrong? What is the matter?" Loki wanted to asked, as he slips his fingers beneath the wealth of Thor's golden locks, grasping and twisting.
"Loki…" Thor whispered that name like a talisman, sending shivers inching down Loki spine.
Oh…the stark desperate want in that tone.
Loki groaned.
Thor deepened the kiss. Kissing Loki with all the unspoken words he will never get to say. All the unspoken words Loki will never know.
After that talk with Vigdis, after finally admitting to himself that he was drawn to a Jotun of all creatures out his own free will, it was as if some wall inside of him had crumbled. It was as if some barrier had vanished and finally he was able to see things clearly.
No more hiding, no more denying.
He has come to peace with himself. He is drawn to the Jotun prince; he loves him for everything that he is and everything that he is not. But in the end, he knows that he will always do what needs to be done. He will always give to Asgard what she needs…not because of the shackles of duty that binds him, but because he loves Asgard, he loves his family and his people. And as he had told Loki months ago, dreams are dreams, they vanish upon waking.
He will announce his consort the day after tomorrow, and that is when the dream ends and reality begins. But for now…for these last few hours, he will let himself have Loki.
"Bring your chaos…bring your death…I will wait for you…"
Loki suits neither the Golden crown of the King or silver of the Queen.
Loki is chaos. Loki is destruction and death…Untamed. Unbowed. And that is when he is truly beautiful.
"I will not cage you…I will not bind you…I will not tame you…"
Thor knows that when the time comes, he will be able to stand tall and proud, unashamedly as he smiles at chaos…his old friend. And he knows that chaos too would smile back at him as they raise their weapons one last time.
Thor pushes Loki back, fumbling hands reached for Loki pants.
"Wait…God!" Loki gasped, as Thor cupped him through his leather pants with a knee buckling touch.
The table hit the back of his legs, a hand swipe back, sending half the scrolls tumbling onto the ground as he broke the kiss.
"You are insatiable" Loki laughs, a glint of mischief in his eyes. His chest heaving, his pastel features flushed.
"And you are not?" Thor teased.
"Not unless you wish to give your messenger a show" He jerked his head towards the door just as there came a soft knocking.
"How…" Thor flushed, backing away from Loki, composing himself.
"You don't really expect me to read here without actually putting up some wards do you?" Loki chuckled. "After all, not everyone would be as accommodating as their golden King"
Thor said nothing to that, calling the messenger in as Loki shifted back to sit in Thor's chair.
"My Lord" The boy entered with arms full of reports that pile up to his nose.
Thor wanted to groan.
"Where would you like these to go my King?" The boy was looked at the state of Thor's sorry mess of a desk.
"Into the furnace would be preferable" Loki laughs.
"Just…give me a moment" Thor shifted to clear some space on his desk, shoving a bunch of scrolls into a corner while pilling the unfinished paperwork into another.
"Not the furnace your Grace?" the trickster teased.
"Keep talking and I might just have use for that furnace after all" Thor dumps the stack he had finished on the floor beside his desk.
"How uncouth" Loki turns to regard the messenger. "Don't you agree boy?"
"Um…" The boy shifted uncomfortably.
"I asked you a question boy"
"…"
"Are you deaf?"
"My King…" The boy looked desperately at Thor.
"Answer me!" Loki snapped.
The boy flinched.
"Loki…" Thor sighs.
Loki laughs.
"There" Thor motioned to his slightly clear desk.
"Yes sir" The boy hurriedly placed the document down. Glad that he did not need to speak with the Jotun in Aesir skin any longer.
"Anything else?" Thor asked.
"Ah…my King, there is a message from town" The boy said. "The armor you ordered is ready. Should I send someone to pick it up?"
At that Thor smiled.
"No…it's fine. I'll pick it up myself. You are dismissed"
The boy bowed and left.
"Another armor?" Loki asked loudly once the door clicks shut. "I never took you for the type to have new armors made for every celebration. I thought that was Fandral"
"It's not mine" Thor turns to the Prince. "It's yours"
Loki blinked. It took a whole three seconds before it clicks.
"Oh" Was all Loki could say.
That armor. The one Thor had tailored for him the first time they had gone to acquire supplies for the hunt.
The armor he had picked had been one of the most intricate by design and he had added to the complexity by demanding very specific carvings that he had drawn out himself.
He hadn't wanted the armor. Jotuns do not wear bulky armors. He had made sure it was so complicated that it would not be finished in time for the hunt. It seems though that it was not convoluted enough to have it not finished before the finale of his entire charade.
Damn…
Elise checks her reflection in an oval mirror that hung on the wall while she waited for the Queen. She had received an invitation from her that morning, bidding her to come for tea. She had been ecstatic. It was all so exciting and she felt so special until she arrived at the waiting room to see Vigdis and Jarnsaxa. Evidently they were as thrilled to see her as she was of them.
"You have your hair done as if you were the Queen of Asgard" Jarnsaxa commented.
Elise turns to regard the demon sitting by the large round glass table. Vigdis who sat beside her wasn't even paying attention to them, as if this was all beneath her. Elise didn't like her arrogance, but she would rather be talking to the Elf than the demon at any given time.
Jarnsaxa unnerves her... Those monstrous blood red eyes…just like those ice savages.
"I think Queen Frigga has good taste" Elise said.
"Is that right" Jarnsaxa continue tossing and catching her silver dagger. "One might get the wrong impression"
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"That you already think that you are Queen"
"I don't think. I know"
Jarnsaxa snorted; with liquid motion she caught the silvery dagger, her eyes flicked upon Elise.
"If I throw this dagger, you'd be dead in seconds"
Elise tensed, but she did not let fear show on her face. "Calm down…she won't hurt you. Not here" She tells herself.
At last, Vigdis looked up from her book.
"Is that a threat?" Elise asked as calmly as she could.
"It is a fact" Jarnsaxa smirks. "Woe it is to Asgard if you are Queen"
"How dare you!"
"I speak the truth" She slips the dagger back in the hidden compartment of her boot. "You are useless. All you do is sing and dance and smile and please. Just like a who-"
"Lady!" Elise spat before Jarnsaxa could finish her sentence.
Whore… the demon was about to call her a whore! The nerve of the demon to even speak such a vile word in her presence!
"This is Asgard" Elise reminded the fiend. "And on Asgard and Vaneheim, your wild ways are unsightly. Disgusting! Do you know that?"
Jarnsaxa sneered. "Do you honestly think that Queen Frigga is just a pretty face?"
Elise was saved from answering when the ornate door parted.
"Sorry to keep you waiting my dears" Frigga glided in, her arms spread in welcome.
A gentle smile on her face.
"Don't worry about it" Frigga said, when Jarnsaxa and Vigdis meant to get up.
"Good afternoon your Grace" Elise bowed.
"Good afternoon dear. Come now. Sit please" Frigga smiled; reaching to take Elise's gentle hands.
Frigga guided her to sit by Vigdis side while Frigga sat by Jarnsaxa.
"I hope you are hungry dear" Frigga motioned for her servants to bring in their tea.
Elise couldn't help but look at the Queen in awe every time the woman was near. She was so beautiful, and elegant and so kind, and gentle.
"I hope we could talk a little about the coming feast…if you have any preference" Frigga said as the plates were being served.
The feast held in two days may be for Thor. But his consort was as much part of it as the King. It would be courteous to ask the potential consorts if they have any preference that they would like to be added to the feast. Perhaps music they would prefer? Food that they would like? The arrangements of guest seating? Themes? Decorations they would like to add?
The minor details…
Loki stood awkwardly as he lets the shop owner's son and Thor help him into his armor. It was by far the most constricting, ridiculous, hot and uncomfortable thing he had ever worn in his life. Not to mention heavy and stuffy.
Why the Aesirs were so confident that this piece of garbage would protect them in battle was beyond him. All it does is weigh them down and make it hard to move.
"Is this alright? Not too tight?" the boy asked; giving the golden pauldron a hard tug to make sure it was secure.
Loki resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Too tight? Does constricting and annoying count? Loki didn't think so.
Thor was helping him with his vambrace, not that Loki needed any help with it.
"Is this really necessary?" Loki asked, gesturing to his armor.
"It's common wear in Asgard's court" Thor smiled.
He wasn't going to tell Loki that the tunics Loki stole from Norns know where over the months and his leather pants were rather dull and unbefitting a man of his station. At least in Asgard that is. Or the fur he fasten across his hips…well, let's just say, it was not a common sight around here or on any other realm except Jotunheim clearly, and not viewed favorably. He was sure Loki must have heard the whispers behind him. Savages…they call him.
"All done" Thor beamed when he clasp the last of the buckle.
The scrawny Aesir boy backed away, so that Loki could see the full length mirror behind him.
Loki was lost for words. His first thoughts were that Helblindi and Byleistr would have fallen over laughing if they could see him now. He has got to be the most covered Jotun, in the history of Jotunheim.
The entire thing was made of leather, steel and gold.
He took a step closer, his fingers unconsciously trace over the intricate design on his golden vambrace with studs of little ruby. Jormungandr…the symbol of Laufey's house.
Then his gaze shift towards his right pauldron which bore Fenrir.
Every piece of gold that adorn his armor bore finely crafted design that symbolizes Jotunheim, in one way or another. Little runes, patterns and lines were edge into golden perfection as if it were slowly telling a story; a history. It was all very detailed, and he found himself smiling. Perhaps the armor was not so hideous after all…
"What do you think?" Thor came up behind him.
"I suppose it could have been worse"
"Indeed" Thor said. "I have something else made for you" He motioned for the boy to fetch it.
"I am not easy to satisfy" Loki reminded Thor.
"Oh I know"
It wasn't a minute when the boy came running back with another golden piece in his hand.
Loki's eyes widened. Thor wanted to laugh at the look of horror, disgust, amusement and disbelief that mix so immaculately on the prince's face when the boy handed Thor the helmet he had ordered. It was golden with sculpted horns, exaggerating Loki's natural ones.
"For when you do not have horns" Thor puts it over Loki's head. "It does resemble your natural ones yes?"
"Mine are smaller. Nature could not have birth such a monstrosity"
Thor spotted a small twitched at the side of Loki's lips. He took a step closer, his hands caresses up Loki's arms. "I think it fitting. I don't see harm in some size exaggeration. You seem very proud of your horns after all"
Loki smirks mischievously. "What exactly do you think the size of our horns is proportional to?"
"Oh I don't know" Thor looked at him innocently through the mirror. "Maturity maybe"
"Was there any doubt to that" Loki laughs, taking off the helmet.
Dirty Aesir.
Loki knew what Thor was thinking and while it was not true, he isn't going to tell the King that. Good to know Thor thought him well endowed.
Loki shoved the helmet back at the boy. The size of that thing is still ridiculous. He is not wearing it across town. The only reason he will wear the armor for now is because it would be as much trouble taking it off as putting it on.
"Don't you like it?" Thor teased.
"Could have been worse" Loki said. "But I'm not wearing it all the way back. It is too hot"
"Fair enough" Thor said. "I'll have it send back. We are not going back yet"
"Oh?" Loki frowned. "And where exactly do you plan on going?"
Thor isn't going to run again is he?
"The parade. The celebration is in tribute to me after all. I intend to at least enjoy it. I tire of being the chaperone for my guest"
"Am I not your guest?"
"You are different" Thor said. With Loki he did not need to pretend to laugh at jokes or pretend that he was enjoying watching his guest have fun while he stood behind to cheer. He did not need to check himself at every moment. Watch his every word and action. Loki knows him.
"And you would not mind being seen with me?" Loki asked.
Thor tensed, his jaws clenched at the reminder. His reputation again… He is so tired of it. Of all the pretense. Of everything... Haven't he decided that he would not hide anymore? Was his conviction so feeble that the mere hint of his reputation would send him scurrying back to denial?
A feeling of defiant surged through him. He knows his duty. And he will perform his duty as King of Asgard when the time comes. But for now…
"I care not" He said. "I will choose my consort when the time comes as is my duty. And as long as I perform my duty, not even the council or the Queen have the right to interfere with my private life"
"And what would your people say?"
"People love to speak ill of their Kings and they will even when there is nothing to speak of. You should know" Thor said. "So let them speak I say"
"As you wish then, your Grace" A smile tugs at the side of Loki's lips.
There was a mess of confusion, chaos and blind panic. Questioning Fenrir had been as successful as bleeding information out of a rock. The beast had found it all very amusing and good fun. Laufey may be King, but Fenrir couldn't care less for authority or status.
Harsh whispers and rumors filled every hall and every chamber. There were whispers of attempted assassination, of betrayal, or simply what would you expect from Loki's brood. Guards were moving up and down the halls, stationed outside the threshold of Thrym's door, the royal quarters and those belonging to Malekith and his men.
"Aside from the healers that tended to Thrym, and Thrym's family, no one is to enter Thrym's room without my permission!" Laufey had ordered once he has had Thrym's family rushed in. "Not even the Queen!"
That command had sparked speculations, suspicions and rumors. And no doubt he knew Farbauti would hear it. But Laufey did not care.
He flips the document before him harder then need be when Farbauti came up before him.
"I did save him you know" Farbauti took his seat across the king.
"And do you want a medal for that?"
"…"
"Should I throw a feast in honor of your deed?!" Laufey spat.
"It wasn't me"
"Of course not" His tone was venom.
"How could you think that I'd betr-"
"I don't know what to think!" Laufey bellowed, snapping his blood red gaze at his mate in rage.
Farbauti was unfazed. Laufey was understandably in shock even if the King would not and cannot admit it. He wasn't thinking properly anymore, simply lashing out to keep others away from him. Simply forcing all the shameful emotions that brew into the mold of anger and betrayal, no matter if they fit or not. This is Jotunheim. Sentimental weaknesses are not look favorably upon.
But that does not mean that Jotuns were born as cold and ruthless as the ice that tears through their realm. Nature could not have bore such monstrosity. It was their culture, their need to survive and bring order in a realm so cold, bitter, cruel and harsh that birth the system that they live in. And so without a choice, raised in a culture of ice, steel and blood; a system of power, strength and brutality, they hardened their hearts...but sometimes, pity, kindness, compassion, sympathy, love... as the Norns fashioned any living creature to be, seeps out from the cracks.
It was always hard for Farbauti when it comes to dealing with brittle, anguished emotions that sometimes inevitably burst forth. He doesn't know how to deal with it. He does not know how to react to it or say what is needed. And he doubts neither does Laufey. A Jotun's first reaction to them would be scorn and mockery...forcing the other to scramble back into their cold mask of brutality and indifference. Farbauti doesn't want that at the moment.
Sentiments...It was so foreign to their culture. It was something to be ashamed of, something to hide, and so no one would talk about it. But yet...it was also something natural.
"Do you truly believe it was me? Do you truly believe I would betray you?" Farbauti asked calmly. "I did not have to stop Fenrir. I could have let him die" And that was the harsh brutal truth and Farbauti knows that Laufey knows it.
"Leave me…" Laufey hissed.
Farbauti lets out a sigh. His fingers shifted over to touch the back of Laufey's hand. He was really trying to perhaps comfort or something. He doesn't know what he was doing.
Laufey tensed, but he did not move away as those large rough hand curled over his.
"My King…" Farbauti whispered.
Laufey clenched his jaws, tightening his grip.
"Laufey…"
"He was attacked in our private courtyard"
"Fenrir have no care for boundaries. He needs not authority from those who have access. You know this"
"And I also know that you have all the reason for it. And the means"
"That doesn't mean I did it. I did not order this attack!"
Laufey snorted, shaking his head in disbelief as he slips his fingers from that hard grip. He doesn't know what to believe as he leans back in his seat, looking upon his mate.
"What a show all of this must be to Malekith" Laufey let out a humorless laugh. "Fighting, slaughtering, betraying and blaming among ourselves...and the war hasn't even started"
"…"
"You may have stopped Fenrir, but with that wound, Thrym is as good as dead" Laufey said. "I hope you are happy at last"
The celebration and parade was still as loud and animated as it was since the first day if not more. Little shops framed either side of the pathway. Children were running and shrieking, the scent of roasted games and stewed boar was thick when they walked pass a cramp bar. The jugglers juggle, the magician cast their tricks for the children, and fire crackers bang over them. Loud music played and in the large square that could have houses a thousand Asgardian warriors any other time of the year, was now cramped, leaving one narrow space for gracefully dancing figures.
Thor had seen most of the games, competition, performance, jewels and food at the parade, but he had not tried them. He had hung back with Loki while the girls enjoyed themselves.
It wasn't that he felt that these entertainments were beneath him, but rather he did not want to give any one lady be it noble daughters or the princesses any wrong ideas. Especially when his every move was scrutinized, his every word picked over and over again for hints of interest. But as of now…he wanted to enjoy himself. Let them speak, let them whisper and stare. He will do his duty come the day after tomorrow, and he will give Asgard the Queen they deserve.
"Do you wish to try?" Thor shouted over the clamoring crowd all around them, motioning towards the booth beside them.
It was knife throwing.
The owner was looking at them enthusiastically. No doubt the man knew Loki was Jotun but who cares, when he would be paid in silver.
"Come on your Grace! Give it a try!" The man beamed. "Don't be afraid"
Loki snorted as he looked at the little trinkets that hung all over the booth for prizes. "Child's play. I would rather not rob you of your pathetic trinkets"
"You can compete against me if you want instead for the prizes" Thor said.
That caught Loki's attention. But he wasn't about to give in so easily.
"And why would I be interested in that?" Loki asked instead.
"I am the King…men seem to like the possibility of shaming Kings"
"Hmm"
"Come on. Loosen up" Thor coaxed.
"Fine" Loki move forth to sweep up five metallic knives.
The owner cheered. Setting up five targets, with the little red bulls-eye being worth a hundred points, reducing as the band grows bigger.
Thor flipped the man two gold instead of silver as Loki took his stance. It was child's play indeed for Loki. He held all five throwing knives between his fingers and hand.
"Care to wager, your Grace?" Loki asked. "I won't ask for anything too eccentric"
"Alright…" Thor smile.
Loki smirk, with a flick of his gaze just once at the five targets and a swish of his arm, all five knives slammed right into the dot with dead accuracy. The owner gaped in disbelief. Thor laughs.
"You little fiend" Thor took his knives.
Truth, he was not good at this. He was never one for such subtle weapons. War hammers like Mjolnir were more his style. Thor waited for the man to re-set the targets. The knives felt ridiculously small in his hand.
Thor took the first knife and aimed the best he could, hitting the sixty band.
"Have you ever thrown one of these before?" Loki asked when Thor took his second knife.
"A few times…but that was a long time ago" The King admits.
"Then why did you agree to a wager you will surely lose?"
"It's for fun Loki" Thor smiled, as he took his aim and threw, this time hitting the forty.
Ah well, seem he really did not have the knack for this.
"Norns! You are holding it wrong!" Loki cried when Thor took his third knife.
Before Thor could tell Loki to calm down and it was all just good fun, Loki had taken the knife out of Thor's hand.
"You are pathetic" Loki grumbled placing the knife back in Thor's hand after some readjustment and closing Thor's seemingly clumsy fingers over the deadly weapon.
The booth owner and Thor were looking at Loki in amusement. This was supposed to be fun. Not serious training.
Loki shifted over to the other side and moved Thor's throwing arm, showing him the right way to wield the weapon.
"Now focus. And aim. Throw it hard so that it stays true to the course" Loki instructed.
Thor did as he was told. He hit the sixty again twice, and for his last throw he missed the target entirely.
"Do you wish to have another go your Grace?" The man winked.
"No! No! It's fine" Thor chuckled, dragging Loki away before Loki could reply for him.
Loki is taking this knife throwing all too seriously.
"Let's do something else" Thor said.
"You could use a few more practice with the knives"
"I could. But knives are not my type of weapon"
"Yes. I notice" Loki said sweetly. "You always have the knack for the dramatic. Such little weapons are too subtle for you. Isn't that right, your Grace?"
Thor chuckled. "Perhaps. But that's no excuse. You won the wager. What do you want?"
Loki snorted. "I want nothing. I would be laugh at for demanding a prize from a novice"
"I'll get you something"
"If you wish"
Thor smiled. They move around the parade, trying one childish game after another. Thor couldn't help but watch Loki in amusement at the man's adamant to win in everything and anything no matter how trivial. Losing just wasn't in Loki's dictionary apparently.
Come lunch, Thor found them a quiet place or as quiet as it can be, under an old bended tree by the side of the river. There were still many stares and quite a lot of whispers. It was nothing new. Thor had been ignoring them all day.
They sat beneath the tree, unwrapping their oily lunch. Thor got them was some roasted skewered meat from one of the many stores. Something he had never done with his other guest. He knew the noble daughters and the princesses would be horrified at the utter lack of refinement.
"I should have known that you would be ashamed to take me to an eatery" Loki said, eyeing his skewer warily.
Thor stopped. Maybe this is not such a good idea. Loki was a prince after all.
"Forgive me if it is not to your standard. Everyone has them at the parade. But I can take you to a fine diner down the road if you prefer"
"No…it's fine" Loki said, turning towards the King. "You are just…strange"
"Oh?" Thor took his skewer and started eating.
"You who sit on the high table in the golden halls of Odin drinking the finest mead on Asgard and served the king's portion of any dish you desire, and yet, you would willingly have this for lunch" Loki eyed the skewered he was now rather convince it was some lizard. Yes, Thor had bought them lizards, he was very sure.
Thor smiled. "I may be king…but I grew up playing on these streets, climbing these trees, swimming in this river and welcomed to dine at their tables"
Loki blinked; he was rather surprised at Thor's childhood.
On Jotunheim, royalties do not mingle and tumble and laugh with commoners. It was just not done! Royalties are to be worshiped and feared. They are not friends of commoners. They are their leaders and they their subjects.
"The tavern owners, the stores, the weapon seller, the metal crafter, the stone masons…I knew their fathers and mothers when I was a child. And the shop owners themselves were once my playmates. And the warriors…I knew them and I played with them too" Thor said. "We all grew up together"
"Does the Allfather know?" Loki asked.
Surely Odin Allfather would not allow his golden boy to tumble in the mud with pheasants, servants and commoners.
Thor laughs.
"Oh yes"
"…"
"Quite well actually" Thor said. "And when I break things or when I forget myself and had been too rough…I'd be drag back to the palace by some mothers. They'd demand the Allfather to put some sense into me…you know… the usual"
Loki said nothing as Thor looked over at the rushing river.
No…Loki doesn't know the usual. No dam had ever dragged him before Laufey for any of his behaviour. Manhandling a prince could well mean a death sentence. He looked back down at his lizard.
Thor finished his first skewer and picked up his second. He had not lied about his childhood, but it was really no where as blithe as he had made it sound. He just wished it was. He was still the golden prince. His every move watched. He may have played with all of them, but he had always known what was expected of him and he had always acted accordingly. It was the times that he broke restrained that he was dragged back by horrified mothers that their golden prince would behave in such a manner. And he learned from them. Restrain…Control… His people may not truly know him, but he knew them. And that is enough.
He looked over at Loki was still staring at his untouched meat.
"Try it" Thor encouraged.
"What is it?"
"Do you really want to know?"
Loki looked at Thor suspiciously. "What did you really get us?"
Thor smirked. "Beef"
"Beef do not shape like this"
"Squid"
"Neither does squid!"
"They do on Asgard" Thor said innocently.
"Liar!"