Chapter 9

[2-2]

Counsel

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As three days of Thor's probation expired, he rushed to king's study to meet his father. Just before drawing the door knob, Thor heard the clang of sound that something clashed against a wall from inside the chamber.

"Thor."

He turned his head at the familiar voice. Lady Sif was whispering his name, standing at the end of a corridor. She gestured to him to follow her.

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"You knew this, did you not?"

As they reached secluded place, Thor abruptly asked to her.

"What?" said Sif, frowning.

"Why didn't you tell me? said Thor in seethe.

"Thor, I was trying to tell you. But it was you who didn't listen to me."

He compressed his lips and looked down. Sif heaved a sigh.

"Thor." said Sif decreasing a rage in her voice. "Loki has become a commander in chief and I'm selected his aide with Hogun."

Thor gazed at Sif's face.

"Committee- they agree that?" said Thor as though he couldn't believe. And he moved himself to go to them.

"Thor, No!" Sif seized his arm. "The committee turns against you. They will not listen to your words."

"Then what? Just stand by idly, looking on Loki leading my people to ruin?" said Thor angrily.

"Thor, I believe you did not order to write a letter. But you don't have any evidence to prove your innocence." said Sif. "Please wait now. I will watch for a chance or any proof to clear your false charge standing beside him."

Thor didn't answer.

"Then, I get to go. Thor, I told you. Don't be rush!" Sif warned one last again as though she felt ill at ease and turned her heels reluctantly.

Thor still lingered after she had gone. About he had thought to leave, he saw Loki walking along the corridor. The distances from him and Loki grew to close. At the moment Loki passed by Thor, he uttered coldly.

"Why did you do that?" Thor asked in a low voice.

Loki suddenly turned his head; he seemed to take notice of Thor's presence right at the moment.

"Did what?" said Loki in dry.

"You do not ask me that you really don't know." said Thor.

Loki stared at him.

"Then how do you feel to become a shadow?"

"You- did that only for fucking me up?!" Thor bellowed.

Loki snorted.

"You are too bigoted. It's not all. It is only the beginning." said Loki.

"Then-" Thor's face became menacing.

"Yes, I shall be a king of Asgard." said Loki provokingly simple. "Father is too old to discern the truth and you are too foolish to rule the people. So, it is right that I take the throne isn't it?"

Thor fisted his hands.

"Oh, going to hit me?" Loki sniggered. "What would the committee think when I show up with pulped face? There is only one person who can do that me."

Thor's hands turned almost pale white. Loki smiled more widely as if he had fun from Thor's look shaking with rage but could do nothing.

"Thor, Do I tell you something interesting?" whispered Loki. "Try to get some sympathy. You may think people come to be week against absolute power and succumb but they never do. Rather it is quite the reverse. They unite and grow strong. Your power only makes them hate you entirely without any scruples."

They started each other with grim faces for a while. Oppressive atmospheres like to be cut with knife finally got end with Loki departing in a flurry of his topcoat.

Whether a coincidence or not, there had no fight for a week. The glow of the setting sun was shining on golden Asgard with flaming light.

Thor was sparing with Fandral for a drill. He brought down his training sword on Fandral's head and he defended himself with his training sword. The hilt of Thor's sword broke and Fandral's was dented.

"It's too week." said Thor, throwing the broken sword at his side.

There were several shattered sword piled on the ground. And next to it, Volstagg who was exhausted lay down.

"Thor, it already passed for four hours. I think you should have some rest." said Fandral, gasping; he kneaded his numb arms.

On both of their face, beads of perspiration stood.

"Not now. Bring other swords." Thro ordered to a page.

"Well, then I need." said Fandral and he flopped down beside Volstagg.

"…Then- start again after ten minutes." said Thor. He wiped his face dripping with seat and looked up the palace.

There was a man standing on the balcony of king's study. Slender frame and black heir- he was not the king. He seemed like-Loki.

'Why is he there?' thought Thor, squinting his eyes to see well.

"It may be just me, but isn't it a bit cold?" said Volstagg, heaving his upper body. "It's definitely in the midsummer…"

"Well, it feels like much lower than usual temperature." said Fandral. When he breathed out, the steam came out of his mouth.

"Hmm…"

He heard a sound informing someone's presence; they looked back and saw that Frigga was in a few feet away from them.

"Queen Frigga!" Fandral and Volstagg sprang to their feet.

"I have some words with Thor. Could you stay out for a minute?" asked Frigga gently.

"Of course." said Fandral, gave her a slight nod and left with Volstagg.

"Weird weather isn't it?" she said, approaching Thor. She adjusted her shawl.

"Yes." said Thor inattentively.

"You get hurt." said Frigga, finding her son's bleeding hand.

"It's just a little scratch." Thor made his hand withdraw.

"Is it?" said Queen, seizing his arm more tightly not to lose. "But every hurt need to be healed."

She put her tender and thin hand upon Thor's, closed her eyes and recited some spells. The glow beamed from her hand and Thor felt pain diminished. The wound healed over.

Frigga released his hand but did not say a word anymore. She was waiting with patience till his son start himself.

"…Father doesn't let me to see him."

Finally Thor mouthed slowly.

"May be he has lots of thoughts. You've known he sometimes did alone." said Frigga.

"I-I just-" Thor closed his lips. Following few minutes, he began again.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do." said Thor; his blue eyes were wavering as it wandered in a maze.

Frigga kept silence

"I thought my life has only one way and took it for granted. Clear- more than the things setting in front of my eyes." said Thor. "But now I feel like the way is broken."

"Thor." Queen Frigga called his name quietly and tried to make eye contact with him.

"I know how much you, two brothers, have wanted to be a king. I'm not talking it is wrong. It is natural to yours." said the Queen. "But I hope- you think it as a bit of more splendid stage that you can show how much you love the Asgard rather than a standing that you ought to have. This is the only thing I want to tell you."

She held out her hand to mean to go. Thor kissed her hand customarily; but he could feel her soft warm touch and love.

The sun went down completely; only a dim sunlight was feebly fending against the dark.

Thor watched her walk away and looked up dull grey north sky as though it was going to lower snow. When he glanced at the balcony of king's study again, no one was there.