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FANFICTION

THE RISE OF LOKI, GOD OF MISCHIEF

CHAPTER XVI : The Deed of the Norns

[Loki is sent to spy on Jotunheim to find out the truth about the threat of war against the Mountain Giants. Teaming up with a seiðr user, Eisa, she tells him something has been following him since his arrival in Jotunheim. After going through the Crossway and facing his worst fears, deepest wounds and memories they infiltrate the fortress of Utgard, they find out that the Giants want war more than ever and after killing the Mountain Giants' Prince and being cornered, jump off a cliff. They are considered dead while Odin and Fornjótr both prepare themselves for the battle to come.]

The river was raging when a hand suddenly reached out from the water and grabbed a rock, nails scratching the stone while another hand managed to hold on. Eisa managed to pull herself of the water long enough to take a deep breath, coughing the water from her lungs. She wrapped her arms around the rocks, lifting herself up with shaking limbs before collapsing on the bank of the furious river. Her auburn hair, almost black from the water, fell all around her face while she breathed, trying to calm her panicked heart. For a long moment, the only thing she could hear was the furious current of the river behind her and the drops of water falling from her face, hair and clothes.

Her green eyes suddenly widened and she stopped breathing, her whole body freezing in terror before looking up. She looked around frenetically at the riverbank, at the other side of the river, the waves of the tumultuous water…

"Loki…" She breathed, rising to her knees to look all around.

Her green eyes filled with panic and worry as she watched the water, but saw no sign of the raven-haired man anywhere.

"N-no…"

The only things she could see were the pine trees, the dark cloudy sky and the blue and white of the river.

Eisa remembered the fall. Loki had grabbed her arm, pushed them off the cliff and turned her around so that he was the one hitting the water, using his seiðr to shield them. As soon as they had hit the tumultuous river, the current had washed them away, making them disappear into violent waves, stealing their breath away and filling their lungs with water. She didn't remember when his hand had let go of hers, but she had lost sign of his dark figure almost immediately before starting to drown.

"L-Loki!" She started calling, hoping he was somewhere in the near forest and would emerge at hearing her voice, "LOKI!" She shouted desperately.

Eisa didn't even recall how she managed to get out of the water; the current had been too strong for her – or Loki – to swim. It had just taken them away violently, letting them breathe a little every once in a while before trying to drown them again. She had hit rocks, pebbles, branches of trees, but mostly, she had kept trying to reach for Loki's hand in the water.

Now the sound of the rushing water faded away, leaving only her panicked heartbeat. She couldn't lose Loki, not now, not after they've come so far.

"N-no…" She whispered, tears filling her eyes along with despair and her breathing becoming short.

Suddenly, she noticed something in the water, a silhouette as blue as the water but unlike the mad waves of the river, it wasn't moving. Eisa stared at it through her watery vision and gasped when she realized that they were two dark blue eyes observing her closely. The silhouette moved and suddenly, it rose from the river. Eisa fell backwards, mouth wide open in shock at seeing a Nixe, a Water Spirit. She was naked but her long dark blue hair fell over her body and floating in the water, her whole body looked as if it was made of the clearest part of the river.

"The Prince cannot die yet. The Norns refuse it." She said calmly, her voice sounding far away, as enchanting as a waterfall and as feral as the tumultuous river.

For a moment, Eisa was too astonished to know what to do or say. She frowned when she realized the meaning of the words.

"The Norns…?" She repeated in dread, "Of course, the Norns…!" She exclaimed before advancing to kneel on the edge of the rock and look at the Nixe, "You need to find him! To find Loki! He is too important to die!" Eisa shouted, her voice trembling more than she wanted to.

The Nixe stared at her silently, her head tilting lightly from one side to another as if she were trying to understand what the Völva was saying.

"The Norns refuse to let the Prince die yet. He has more to accomplish before his thread of life may be cut." She continued in her mesmerizing voice.

Eisa's heart missed a beat, looking in fear and disbelief at the voice, which sounded suddenly more threatening than the river itself.

"W-what…?" She breathed, swallowing hard before shaking her damp hair and frowning furiously at the magical creature, "I know that! Go get him! He's drowning and dying! Save him!" She yelled, her voice suddenly feral and dangerous.

The Nixe stared at Eisa for a long moment before finally moving. She lifted up her arm elegantly, water falling from it like a quiet waterfall as she indicated to the bottom of the river. Her electrifying blue eyes looked right into Eisa's green ones; the latter understood the silent message and got up suddenly, running as fast as she could towards the direction the Nixe had indicated.

Eisa ran until she had no more breath, until she couldn't feel her legs anymore. She lost count of the time she spent running, pushing away tree branches but finally, finally, she saw him.

"L-Loki!" She yelled, finding the voice she didn't know she still had.

Eisa ran forward and fell on her knees next to Loki's body. He was lying on the sandy ground between several pointy rocks. Her hands trembled as they approached him but she finally turned him around, holding her breath in fear until she realized he was still breathing. She stared at his face, covered in scratches and water drops. His left temple was deeply cut and bleeding terribly, probably after having hit some rock in the water.

"Oh, Loki…" She murmured, her voice filled with relief as she finally sighed.

Eisa took his arms and pulled him completely out of the water to hide between trees and rocks. She washed his injury and used her seiðr to heal him, dry his clothes and take away the pain in his body. She made a fire and then waited, looking at the sleeping Prince troubled expression.

Loki couldn't breathe, not because of the fall, or the water in his lungs, but because of the fear strangling his throat so tightly. He was in the same nightmarish place all over again. The Labyrinth was haunting him once again, as with every time he closed his eyes, be it from sleep or simply blinking his eyes. Every time he closed his eyes, even for the shortest time, darkness fell over him; his heart turned cold and heavy and the same voice kept coming back, resonating in his mind like a dark melody.

"You will never be enough, Loki…"

He felt like he was falling towards this black hole all over again, his father's terrible words he couldn't understand stabbing his heart sharper than any blade could ever hope to.

"No, Loki."

He heard a crashing sound; maybe it was his heart, or his body, or maybe the Labyrinth had collapsed on top of him. For a moment, Loki thought the nightmare was over but then, another voice, darker, madder came back to his mind. All the while a shrieking wrathful sound kept hitting the back of his head – or maybe it was his own voice, screaming for release from pain and cold but never to be heard by anyone but himself.

"You will be the cause of Asgard's fall!"

"NO!"

"Loki!"

Loki looked around, breathing hard and barely able to see clearly in the dark night. Suddenly, he felt someone's hands reaching for him, trying to calm him down as he realized that it had been another nightmare. He took a deep breath and his eyes fell on Eisa's silhouette, the fire behind her making her look like she was made of flames. He blinked and for a moment, of the mad witch Eisa's laugh echoed. Loki opened his eyes wide once again and stared at the beautiful dark green eyes that were staring at him with worry, sadness and concern.

"Loki, are you all right?" She asked in a low voice, brushing him lightly as if she were scared to break him.

Loki looked at her and his heartbeat finally calmed down a little. Eisa was nothing like this vision created by the Labyrinth. She was sweet, tender and was looking at him as if he were the brightest person she had ever laid eyes upon…

He gave a short nod, sitting up a little more as she sighed in relief to see him awake and well. Loki sat up completely, ignoring the pain shooting through his sore body and looked around. He quickly understood that they were in the forest, but close to the river in which they had fallen. He didn't feel as terrible as he should, considering the horrible pain that had shot through his body when he had hit the water after the fall and the terrible sensation of drowning without being able to fight against the current.

Loki looked back at Eisa, who looked as lost as he was, but when she lifted up her eyes, a soft smile appeared on her face.

"I… am so glad you are all right… I was so scared when… when I thought you were gone…" She murmured, her hand cupping his cheek while her thumb brushed soothingly.

He stared at her, not quite understanding why his heart suddenly beat stronger. His own hand came up to hold her wrist, his face leaning into her palm without even realizing it. Their eyes met, the emotions mirroring each other: confusion, hope, warmth, peace.

Loki didn't understand what was going on between them, but he didn't want to let go of her hand. Not yet. He wanted to keep holding onto her a little while longer. He lowered his confused green gaze towards the little space separating them.

"So many things happened, what should we do?" Eisa asked, sounding lost like she was lost about where to go next.

Their hands fell as she handled him the gourd of fresh water and the Prince thought about the situation.

In order to avenge Queen Knorda and because of fake rumours that Odin wanted to conquer Jotunheim, The Jotunn Council had sent a spy to Asgard, who caused mayhem and confusion with the Queen's maids then the attack against the Princes. This spy had followed Loki all the way to Jotunheim where they were now preparing for war. As the Prince had learned about all this, he had barely escaped, Eisa killing Björn on the way.

His gaze turned towards the burning fire before speaking:

"After the death of the Mountain Giants' Prince's, war is inevitable. It is more than likely that Asgard already knows. The troops are on their way to march upon Jotunheim." He declared with a hard voice.

Eisa swallowed, looking up at him hesitantly.

"What about Odin? If he really wants to conquer Jotunheim, then—"

"No." Loki interrupted with a cold voice.

"But, the Mountain Giants have proof that—"

"Odin doesn't want to conquer Jotunheim! I would know that! He would never, I know my father," Loki said, frowning.

"Do you?" She asked, her eyes staring at him intensely.

Loki's green eyes flickered for just a second. Did he know his father? He was manipulative, a fierce and powerful warrior, ready to do anything to win; but he was a great King and a wise man. He wouldn't go to war against Jotunheim just to conquer.

"Odin has no interest in conquering Jotunheim. It would only make him lose the Nine Realms' respect. No, it was invented by Fornjótr – maybe he knew all along we were spying on him in that room and he lied to confuse us."

Eisa gave a little nod, as Loki looked up, expression fierce and determined.

"We have to find my father's troops and warn him: he won't go into battle solely against the Mountain Giants, but all of Jotunheim. If he doesn't know that and isn't prepared, the battle…"

Loki's voice trailed off. He couldn't recall a story or a battle in which his father had not come back victorious. Every time, Odin knew everything he needed to know about his enemy: the geography, the armies… Now, the Jotunns had played their game very well, making him think the Mountain Giants were the only enemy when all of the Jotunns were joining King Fornjótr. Odin was marching straight into a trap, and Loki was the only one able to warn him.

"Your mother was innocent." He finally said, not truly knowing why he would say such a thing.

For a moment, Eisa looked lost and confused, before her eyes filled with tears and she nodded with a sad smile.

"She was…" She whispered, remembering what Fornjótr had said about the spy who drove Queen Frigga's maids mad.

"I apologize for what happened to her, and your sister. As soon as this story is over, I'll free her myself from the dungeons." Loki said, bowing his head slightly to seal this promise.

Eisa wiped away the tears that were starting to roll down her cheeks and smiled at him; her smile was so relieved and happy that he couldn't help but give a little smile as well, a smile more true and beautiful than most of his smiles.

"Thank you…" She murmured, her eyes shining from the tears.

He didn't answer but her hand reached out for him, holding his sleeve as she cried in silence. Loki looked up at the stars, giving her the respect and privacy she deserved all the while staying by her side. She mourned for her mother, dead because of the Jotunns' evil plan, for her sister for whom she feared so much, knowing she was in Asgard's dungeons, for her freedom when she would return to Asgard…

"Let's sleep until morning, then we'll have to head back North in hope to come across Asgard's troops." Loki said quietly.

Eisa nodded, wiping away her tears. They both lay down on the ground. Loki didn't fall asleep, but watched the girl next to him doing so. He tried to, but every time he closed his eyes, fear took over his heart and he couldn't bring himself to fall into more nightmares. He turned on his back, watching the stars and hoping it would lull him to some sleep. One star brighter than the others finally came up and he had to wake up Eisa at the first rays of sunlight. They started walking into the forest, praying that Loki's knowledge of Jotunheim's geography wouldn't lead them the wrong way because they had no time to lose.

They walked North alongside the river until night fell. They were still in the forest. Because Loki's injuries were still hurting his body, Eisa climbed up to the top of a tree to look for some landmarks, but it was only a huge disappointment when they found out they had merely advanced towards the mountains.

"We should cross the river and head West," Loki concluded, after thinking about what the young woman had indicated to him.

"The forest ends towards the West, and after lowland, there are some mountains. But I didn't see Utgard, it must be further North," she answered.

"It might be one of the valleys to reach the Plain of Sigrún," he said, brows furrowed in thoughts.

"The Plain of Sigrún?" Eisa repeated, confused.

Loki stared right into her eyes, the hard tone of his voice sending shivers down her spine.

"The field for the battles to come," he answered.

She took in a shaky breath, trying not to tremble at the idea of a battle against Jotunns.

"The battlefield…" She repeated breathlessly, "I-is this real?" She asked, turning towards him with wide eyes.

Loki gave a bitter laugh, trying not to show his worry for the battles to come, knowing that his brother and father were probably already marching towards Utgard without the knowledge that all of Jotunheim wanted them dead.

"It is real, battles, wars… Nothing of it is an illusion, I'm afraid. I thought you wanted to become a fierce warrior?" He asked, his tone teasing to light up the mood as best as he could.

Eisa couldn't help but smile at him, remembering their first day together when she had shared with him her desire of becoming a warrior as proud and powerful as Lady Sif.

"I might be able to prove my worth much sooner than I ever expected…" She answered with a little smile.

Sitting on the ground, under some trees, they smiled at each other, knowing that the peaceful feeling between them would soon falter when they reached Sigrún. The stars couldn't be seen; their only light was the bright fire burning next to them. They could hear the slight breeze of wind in the trees, little night animals starting to wake up. Loki had known places like this forest that had turned into ash and desolation because of wars. He never cared for Jotunheim and couldn't care less about its forests, but he still felt sad to know that the place where Eisa and he were sitting, smiling and joking, might turn into a battlefield in a few days.

"I don't want the morning to come…" She suddenly said, breaking the silence between them.

Loki turned his face towards Eisa but didn't say a word. She was staring ahead of her, her eyes filled with worry and fear. When she turned her gaze towards him, he felt his heart clench tighter than he would care to admit: all of her emotions, her fright and concern, weren't for her own life, but his.

"I don't want to know you're heading into a battle you might not come back from…" She breathed, her deep green eyes filling with tears.

Loki's heart missed a beat, his lips slightly parted in shock to hear such words. Had he ever heard anyone caring for him enough as to fear for his life? His mother loved him, but she knew his duty as a Prince and warrior was to fight for Asgard. No one had ever told him such words…

Eisa swallowed before moving, kneeling in front of him and leaning forward, her cheeks turning red while she spoke:

"Loki, promise me you'll survive this battle!" She exclaimed, taking his hands in hers tightly.

He stared at her in disbelief, not knowing what to think. His gaze lowered towards their entwined hands and the warmth she was giving him. He realized she was trembling, out of fear for him.

He looked up once again, seeing how she cared enough for him to plead for his promise. They both knew he couldn't give such a promise, and even less be assured of Asgard's victory no matter how powerful its army was, but they needed this hope that there might be something waiting for them after this battle.

"Why…?" He asked in a low voice, not knowing how to feel or think after her words.

Eisa stared at him before giving a little laugh that was strangled in her throat by her emotions. She smiled sadly at him, her hands tightening around his.

"Why…? Because I need you…" She whispered as he stopped breathing in shock, "You… are so bright, so powerful and amazing, Loki… How… how could I not…?"

Her voice trailed off and her hand rose to cup his cheek. She opened her lips to say the words he expected her to say, but before she had found the bravery or words to do so, his hands cupped her cheeks and pulled her down to him. Their lips met and their kiss was breathless and passionate, her fingers tangling in his raven hair. They pulled apart, foreheads resting against each other's and stating into one another's eyes.

"I promise I will survive this battle…" He murmured.

"You're a liar, Loki…" She replied, eyes filling with tears.

He kissed her again, almost tenderly, warmth spreading in their bodies before he looked into her eyes once again.

"I may be a liar, but I always keep my promises…" He replied fiercely.

Eisa's lips trembled as she leaned forward, kissing him again with passion. Loki pulled her against him, kissing her cheek, jaw and then neck. She tilted her head to give him more space, her fingers tangling into his hair.

"Loki…" She whispered, her voice sounding breathless.

His lips brushed her skin almost delicately before her voice rose again, breaking the heavy rhythm of their panting breaths.

"Tomorrow, we might find your brother… Make this night worth everything we've been through, please…" Eisa breathed, her body trembling against his in desperation.

Loki froze, staring at the skin of her shoulder, lips parted in surprise above her skin. Just like a few days ago, he smelled this sweet flower scent, still unable to remember where this fragrance came from. Eisa lowered her bright green eyes towards him and he grabbed her head, crushing their lips together once again. He ravaged her lips and as he kissed, sucked and licked the skin on her neck, she grinned, eyes closing in delight. Their breath came short, groans of pleasure rising as the forest ground became their bed and the only witnesses to their night were the Norns, watching from above as the strings of fate were being pulled…

I hope you enjoyed it! :P

NEXT CHAPTER : DARK MAGIC

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Yours Truly,

May