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Chapter 91
Eternal Spring, Part 1
The Cosmos was formed from nameless darkness and cold. That is how the stories go. In a wash of light and heat, the Realms were formed. Such a primeval history Asgardian celebrate in the rising and the setting of their Sun's equinoxes twice a year. For as their people rose out of the ancient ages, flame and power became the glory of Asgard. Yet there are others who claim the power of the dark – the Dark Elves and the Jotunn. It is they who remember the power of the dark and the ice. With the rising of their cold suns, Bleikr-vitr and Kala'vitr, the Jotunn praise the arrival of the Wintry Dawn.
The Forn'a'vetr, the Casket of Ancient Winters, the sages of Jotunheim say, embodies the Spirit of such a Realm. In the hands of a powerful mage, in the hands of a True Heir, it wrought the Realm - Jotunheim emerged from the mists of Time with power. One day, it is said, another will come and herald the coming of the Unending Spring.
[...in the barren winter of Early Time...]
[...life springs...]
[...cold and pure...]
For a moment, Thor could not find breath as a blizzard of snow and ice raged about him, pouring out from the glowing box which had materialized within his brother's hands. Sheets of ice and blankets of snow thicker than any Jotunn magick spread like a wave over the floor and upward into the reaches of the Vault's arched ceiling. Using Mjolnir to free his legs, Thor turned and gazed in awe at the statues of ice to his left – the Jotunn now captured and secured.
Shouts resounded as a phalanx of Asguardian soldiers brandishing short swords and farmers brandishing long spears burst into the room, rushing past Loki and Thor as they stood and gazed at each other.
-0-0-0-
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"You look less pale."
"The new potions from yesterday have been quite effective."
Laufey gave Farbauti a worried look, but the monarch pressed his lips tight and said nothing. Instead, the King rubbed his brow and settled himself forward, elbows on his knees as he contemplated what lay before him. Farbauti, knowing how worried his beloved was, fell silent. His dark red eyes wandered over the servant who set down a plate of tarnished silver filled a variety of sliced fish and hard bread. Byleistr, without turning his head, nodded in thanks, but he did not touch the dish. Nothing was said until Helblindi, thanking the elderly Jotunn quietly, allowed the servant to pass.
Silence hung in the air. The only sound within the iced cavernous storage room, which the Royal family had claimed as their private quarters, was the dull scritch-scritch of Byleistr's stylus on the parchment before him. In the far distance, they could hear the distant clash of swords at practice and the call of the changing guards.
Helblindi's shadow, filling the dull ray of light which poured in through the door, spread unwavering.
Farbauti's eyes glazed as he gazed down at the edges. He could almost imagine it becoming sharper as the light grew.
"We are alone?" asked Laufey carefully.
"Yes. So," Helblindi said, "is it true? What I hear?"
"What is it you heard?"
"Whispers," the tall prince did not turn his head. "This... this does not sit well with me."
"Agreed," Farbauti laid his hand on his beloved's callused palm. "Things have spiraled beyond our control. We should leave this place."
"If we return to Jotunheim," Laufey sighed, "we return empty handed. Our efforts will have been in vain. No. We have no choice but to go forward. Our people need a sign of hope."
"And the dead?" Farbauti's fist clenched. "What hope do they have? Even if the Casket were to be returned to us, even if we were able to reclaim it – what good would it do?" He ended on a harsh whisper. "You – we all know the truth!"
"The Casket could work!" Byleistr turned in his seat then.
"Not without..." Farbauti trailed off and glanced at Helblindi uneasily.
Not without a True Heir. Like unwieldy stones, the unspoken words sunk into the silence which followed. Helblindi's shoulders hunched even more and he scowled out into the pale sunlight. The light was growing, and to the prince it did not bode well.
"What did you hear?" Laufey finally addressed his eldest child.
"As you asked, I visited the north guards." Helblindi turned then. "Scout Hulla spoke of rumours – whispers. They filtered into the Marauders camp and were brought to my attention. Traders from within the port have spoken of new arrivals to the Realm."
"New arrivals?" Farbauti leaned forward. "Vanaheim?"
"Not yet, surely," Byleistr half-rose in alarm.
"No. The Princes." Helblindi's words blistered with frost. "The princes of Asgard have returned."
"Both-" Byleistr fell back into his chair. "Thor... and..."
"Yes," Helblindi gazed at his father solemnly. "If he is to speak of your actions on Jotunheim, we could possibly find little mercy in our enemies."
"He would not speak of his connection to Jotunheim," Laufey said.
Yet, the monarch hesitated.
"We need Loki if we are to use the Casket," Helblindi stated bluntly.
"Yet I do not imagine he will return to Jotunheim," Byleistr said softly.
"If we asked-"
"Even if we hoped for a favour, we may not ask for it," Laufey cut off Farbauti. "If he were to return, there would be an uproar among the people. Those who worship the ancient times would move to replace Helblindi with the – with the... Then there would be others – those who hold to the traditions of our fathers – who would attempt to kill him, particularly in order to win Helblindi's favour."
"Still-"
"With the Casket," Laufey continued inexorably, "Helblindi may have a chance."
"I-" Helblindi stopped suddenly.
I have no ability and you know it, Father! Even with the Casket in my hands, it would be but another weapon of destruction – not the instrument of creation it was meant to be. This is not my battle. Even I can see the futility now...
"It is more complicated than that," Byleistr interjected, eyeing his brother nervously. "I told you that I overheard two lords speaking of Lord Metnath and his plans to take the Casket himself. If he were to attempt it truly-"
"He will not succeed," Laufey slashed the air with an angry hand. "The heart of the city is too well guarded for that."
"The noble is certainly foolish enough to try," Helblindi shook his head. "Byleistr is right. We must nip the matter in the bud and draw back our people before further damage is done. I will attempt to find the dissidents and... speak with them."
"If speaking with them does not stop their madness, then you know what to do," Laufey nodded curtly. "As for the Casket, we need to ensure that Asgard is aware of our intentions."
"An attempt for the Casket, attacking the Vault and the civilians within the city..." Byleistr sighed. "I fear that it would destroy our chances for a treaty."
"Perhaps you could find and speak with Loki, Bylla. Make him understand our position," Farbauti suggested gently.
"I think he understands our position all too well," Byleistr gave his fylgja a hard stare. "He no longer cares... and why should he?" Byleistr rose to his feet, his cheeks flushing dark indigo. "He has every reason to suspect us and hate us." He paused and glanced down at his journal and added softly, "Yet I do wish to speak to him nonetheless."
"How do you propose we meet-"
Helblindi's question, drowned out by a rising wave of shouts, was never answered. Someone was coming to the door. At the look on Laufey and Farbauti's face, Helblindi's stomach sank. Have our worst premonitions come to pass?
-0-0-0-
As the guards rushed past, Thor found his footing and his voice again. Should they come to their senses, Thor decided, they may attempt to apprehend Loki as well as the Jotunn captives. Without giving the faintly hollering Jotunn a second glance, the Prince shoved his way up the stairs. Grabbing Loki who seemed to have frozen on the spot in something akin to uncertainty and horror, the Crown Prince hustled his now Jotunn-formed brother out of the Vault, through the side hall and up the short steps of a side passage.
"You had it all along!" Thor whispered hoarsely, barely managing to contain his unholy glee. His chuckle echoed down the stone walls and then ended in a strangled yelp as Loki punched his brother on the arm sharply. "What did you do that for?" asked Thor in a wounded tone.
"This is no laughing matter!"
"Well, I suppose not," Thor gave Loki a put upon look. "You have to admit it is a good laugh." The blond-haired warrior sobered. "When did you steal it?"
"I did not steal it," Loki rolled his eyes. "Well, I suppose I did in a manner of speaking..." As the phalanx of soldiers reappeared with the Jotunn in stun-chains and cuffs, he drew Thor further down the passage before admitting, "Father loaned me the Casket for a quest and all I did was... not replace it."
"Since when?"
"It has been some years."
"Loki!"
"The Casket has proven itself useful," Loki shrugged. "You have Mjolnir... why should I not have some weapon for battle?"
"It is useful, I agree. A storm worthy of Mjolnir," Thor agreed, "but I still think my hammer is better."
"You would," Loki shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"So what did you use it for?"
"The Casket? Well." Loki ran his blue hand through his long black hair and grimaced. "That was how I trained the Bifrost on Jotunheim – I froze the Gate and powered the beam into the Realm. It did some damage... and I suppose the Jotunn will not forgive me for that. I doubt they have guessed that their own relic was partially responsible for the destruction of their Realm."
"How many..." People. Thor stopped as he realized what he had nearly vocalized. He leaned back against the cool stone and sighed. Jotunn are people too. That is what Steve said. This war will cost more than Asgard. Loki will also lose his family. "How many Jotunn died?"
"None of my family," Loki crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the new brother he seemed to have received. "Few Jotunn were caught up in it, but the Realm's wilderness was... the land was wounded."
"That was when Father exiled you to Jotunheim?"
"Yes."
"After you destroyed it?"
"I did not destroy it!" Loki gave his brother an annoyed glare. His thin shoulders slumped a little. "I suppose I did. Last time I... visited... it appeared as though the Utanheim was damaged. The mountains, the islands of the Eybjarg... Hluti's hut and the forest... perhaps the tunglboms and the healing stone fields... and the wolves..." A pause and Loki's green eyes filled with sadness. "They are all gone now, I suppose. In my haste to protect Asgard, I destroyed some of the only good things about Jotunheim."
"Could you go back and... and fix it?" Thor asked hesitantly. "With our mages – with the Jotunn mages – could you undo the damage?"
"No." Loki looked away, his jaw tight and his blue fingers darkening as they tightened around his the elbows of his leather jerkin. "Not even with all the mages of Asgard could you undo the damage – and the Jotunn mages were killed long ago – at the edict of our father after the Last War." A moment, then: "No. There is nothing to be done."
"Then why do they fight for the Casket?"
"The Casket represents hope, I suppose," Loki shrugged. "I heard stories and I have seen things... visions of a distant past. Born in the snows of Jotunheim when the Jotunn rose from the snow – Jotunn like myself. They were the mages and the creators. They fashioned the Casket out of power and ice and wind with the aid of the Heimsrsal. Only a warrior-mage of Jotunheim who is also a True Soul could meld with the Casket and the Heimsrsal to heal Jotunheim now."
Thor contemplated his scuffed boots. They had been brought to him the night of their arrival along with the rest of his old wardrobe. In some ways, the Asgardian leathers and metal felt jarringly strange and comfortingly familiar at the same time. The prince wondered if his brother felt the same way. Loki had once again donned his preferred slim black and green attire complete with throwing knives. Yet Loki did not look happy. We saved the day, Thor mused, but once again it does not feel like a victory.
"You are a warrior-mage," Thor finally said. "You hear the Voices of the Stars, do you not? Could you not save Jotunheim?"
"I could. Perhaps." Loki replied. His voice seemed calm, almost meditative. "I do not know if I wish to."
"Yes," Thor sighed.
He remembered Steve's words.
If you can understand that when I talk about letting the past go, letting it be, I am not saying that lightly.
It just reminds me that there is bravery and honour in everyone. Sometimes less than you would like, but it's there – if you look for it.
...Heroism comes in many forms...
...being able to see look at something from another person's point of view. That's a great ability. Being able to forgive – that can be heroic. Walking away from an unnecessary fight. Yeah, there are other kinds of ways to be a hero.
Heroism is putting your beliefs into action – even if other people don't understand, even if you are hurt as a result. It is one thing to know, it is another thing to do.
He wished he could say something just as truthful and encouraging for Loki.
"I heard," Thor said slowly, measuring his words, "that letting the past go is difficult. Sometimes it feels – sometimes it is – impossible... but that is probably the greatest form of heroism. At least, that is what I have learned in the past year or so."
"Heroics?" Loki tipped his head. "I do not remember pursuing that kind of ideal."
"Hm."
A pause.
"If you never pursued a noble end with great bravery, what was attempting to protect Asgard about?"
Another pause.
"That was..." Loki fists curled tighter and he looked away. "That was a short madness."
"And trying to warn Midgard about Thanos, trying to save me?" pursued Thor. "Loki, even now you pursue peace and you do not wish Asgard harm. You mourn the loss of the wilds of Jotunheim..."
"All my life, I just... I just wanted to be needed, to be wanted. I – I wanted to be known, to be named, to be – to be loved. I am now. Now I have a people, a name, a family. To protect that, maybe that is heroism, but there seems to be an element of self-service as well. That cannot be heroism, surely."
"Well, we are not perfect," Thor rubbed his chin in thought. "Altruism is a rare thing even for heroes – and you are one, Loki. A different kind of hero, but one nonetheless. You are a good person, Loki."
"How am I supposed to reply to that?" Loki's blue cheeks flushed a little darker, and he blinked away away tears rapidly and offered his brother an uncertain smile.
"You do not need to," Thor shrugged. "Still, what do you think we should do? What should I do? What should Asgard do?"
"We need to think clearly," Loki said. "We need to consider the long-term problem at hand, which is Thanos." Abruptly the slight warrior-mage pushed away from the wall and began to turn into his usual visage of pale skin and brilliant green eyes. "You are right for once, Thor. Jotunheim and Asgard must rebuild their alliances if the Realms are to succeed in battling against the Mad Titan. If that means returning the Casket – or returning with the Casket, that is what we – that is what I – must do."
Thor stepped forward with a frown, mouth opening to say something but Loki's hand cut through the air decisively.
"Thor," he smiled across at his brother. "You have your own burdens – kingship and Jane and Midgard. I have mine."
"If you say so..."
"We need to get moving," Loki jerked his head in the direction of the main passageway. "Something is stirring."
"What-"
Before Thor could quiz Loki, the younger prince disappeared around the corner at a run, followed hard by Thor. Just like the last time, he thought as they hurried out of the main hall and looked across the city. Just like the last time, he echoed himself as he took in the sight of smoke rising from the south near the lower reaches of Skythurs.
"A new engagement," he murmured, swinging Mjolnir experimentally. "Loki," he turned to his brother, face solemn. "We must put a stop to it as soon as may be."
"I am right behind you, brother," Loki grinned.
[...within the harshest winter, hope is born...]
[...the air fills once again...]
[...the song of the fates rises...]
[...the worlds turn once again...]
Rushing out of his tent and bawling at his men to stand down, Odin swiftly mounted his waiting horse followed by a phalanx of guards and two of his trusted generals. Joining him at the head of the small unit, Heimdall began to give the All-Father as much information as he had on what had happened. A small unit of Jotunn, according the golden-eyed Gatekeeper, had trespassed over the line, supposedly looking for food when three lookout archers, newly informed of the attack on the palace, had fired upon them. Fighting had ensued.
"It is spiraling out of control," Odin bit out. "We must draw our men back if we are to remain blameless in this conflict?"
"At the risk of lives?" asked a general stiffly.
"Our lives are not only at risk," Odin glared ahead as his horse raced down the main road to the south. "The entirety of the cosmos is."
-0-0-0-
Fifteen minutes after news of Lord Metnath's plot, Laufey, followed hard by the rest of his family, made his way down to the south where the noble's forces were stationed.
"I should have kept him closer to my side," Laufey bit out, his feet pounding a little heavier than usual down on the cobblestones beneath his feet.
"He is a rash man," Farbauti huffed. "Still, this is odd for a careful plotter such as he."
"Greed and ambition," Byleistr murmured. "A fatal combination. He always had his eye on you, 'Blindi."
"I never asked for it."
"I never said you did," Byleistr hastened to reassure his brother. "Yet it is a fact and now this has happened."
"Less talking," Laufey shouted back at the two siblings. "More running!"
Several large domed buildings passed them as Royal family and a phalanx of the guard made their way to the south. Above them, Skythurs seemed loom ominously. Byleistr shivered. 'Blindi is not at fault – yet these events... They do not bode well for us or for Asgard.
Tattered flags flapped restlessly at the whim of Asgard's capricious wind. Byleistr, remembering the tales of the Heimsrsal of the Realms, wondered if Asgard had finally begun to wake up. It would be our misfortune for Asgard to regain its power at this crucial point of time, the scholar sighed. Father has always had to battle Fate... The Norns have never seemed to be on his side.
Perhaps today is the day our doom has come.
Byleistr, running behind Helblindi dutiful, caught sight of Laufey's familiar scarred back. Judging by the set of his dad's shoulders, Laufey was growing tense and angry.
Not a great combination, the Jotun prince sighed to himself. Even at the best of times. I hope I can find Loki quickly. I hope Loki and Asgard will be able to see reason... I hope we survive this day.
[...such hopes...]
[...such prayers...]
[...rising up to starlight...]
[...linger...]
As Laufey's company drew near, it became increasingly obvious that already the tired and angry Asgardians an Jotunn had reached the end of their respective wits. Chaos reigned as fists flew, weapons shook and clashed, as feet pounded into battle unhesitatingly, as black curses and hard words raised the blood. Emotions rose, blood boiled, and, as more men, women, and Jotunn rushed toward the ever-increasing conflict, further tension filled the air.
Overhead the shreds of lowering cloud gave way to the astonishing vista of Asgard's mid-day sky which hung clear and crisp in the icy air. As ice rose upward, as it crept along the flagstones and the walls of the Capital, pulses beat short and quick. Plumes of hot breath hung in the frosty air.
Laufey came to a halt on a halt on a bridge running overhead and looked down at the milling crowd of warriors and Jotunn. Turning, the King looked north and east. As he hoped, the Odin's red and gold standard, borne above a train of horses, was making its way through the streets.
Odin. He thought. Loki.
As a stone arched through the air, barely missed his ear, and crashed behind him on an intricately carved baulstrade, Laufey ducked low and dragged Farbauti round and off the bridge. For a brief moment, the King's guard hung back to return a volley of ice and debris.
Once safely behind the back of what might have been a smithy, Laufey glanced back hurriedly at his busy guards before turning to give his family meaningful looks.
"You know what to do," he said quietly.
With a nod, Byleistr and Helblindi parted ways.
[...and the stars looking down...]
[...flared and...]
[...mourned and...]
[...strove...]
[...the eternal war...]
[...the endless game...]
...THEY WILL...
...THEY ARE...
...MINE...
...MINE...
...THIS DAY ALL WILL BE MINE...
Loki drew deep hard breaths, eyes squeezed tightly shut as the dark voices within and without coalesced until they were one – one deep whisper holding a promise yet spoken so gently. The echoes however reverberated like a gong.
Grinding his palms into his tired eyes, Loki stumbled as he followed Thor through the devastation of the metalwork district. He caught himself quickly, but Thor was already turning in concern.
…THE WHEELS OF FATE TURN...
...DEATH AND LIFE SWAY INTERLOCKED...
...THIS IS THE DAY OF DEATH...
She does not wish this – she does not wish this-
Thor was saying something – his lips moved and his brow was furrowed in concern yet Loki could not hear a sound.
...THIS IS THE DAY OF MY BELOVED...
...LET MY GIFTS TO HER BE FOUND SWEET...
...MY GIFTS TO THE GODDESS OF THE DEAD...
I met her. This is not her will. This is a lie. A lie! Aliealiealiealie.
"Loki!" From far away it seemed Thor was calling.
"Thor," Loki managed to gasp. "He is here!"
"Who-"
"He is here." A pause. "Thanos."
"Which way?" Thor asked, his face turning grey.
"Every way – everywhere."
Thor grabbed Loki by the shoulders and forced his brother to stop.
"I forget. I am a fool. You should have stayed in the city, at the paalce. Your mind and body are as yet unwell. Loki – the healing you actually need has not-"
Loki struggled to continue forward, ignoring Thor's remonstrations.
...ON THIS DAY...
…TWO REALMS WILL FALL...
"Loki. Don't push yourself so hard!"
"I – I need to be here, Thor." Loki shook his head. "There are two many. Look-"
The two young men rounded Master Silfe's workshop and stopped at the sight of pikes and lances and harpoons and spears and stakes waving in the frosty air as Asgardians swarmed about roaring Jotunn. Arrows zipped through the air on occasion, and rocks shattered against window pane and stone walls. Ice coated stone and wood and rock and tree – and the mix of Asgardian and Jotunn corpses which were now trodden underfoot.
Mjolnir slid into Thor's palm instinctively, but he allowed Loki to jerk him back around the corner out of sight of the combatants.
"We need to stop them," Thor shook his head. "Now is not the time to hesitate."
"Kill them?" asked Loki.
Thor gave Loki a look.
"I hope not," he said. "I will knock them unconscious. Maybe you can..."
"Can what?"
"Freeze them in their tracks as you did back in the Vault."
"Those were only a handful," Loki harshly whispered.
"You can do it."
"You always say that!" retorted Loki.
"You always succeed," Thor grinned at his brother.
Then his grin fell away and his sparkling blue gaze hardened. In a familiar way, his hand embraced his brother, gripped Loki and held him close in the manner of all warriors of Asgard. Against Loki's supple leathers and slender neck, his own hand seemed cumbersome.
"I know you hear the Voices all the time, Loiki. You are unlike anyone I know. Still... ahhh... How can I say it... but... don't give into Him. Don't listen to Him. Don't listen to them. Listen... Coulson would tell me this, maybe it will make more sense for you – to you – that is." Thor hesitated just a second before quickly adding, "Listen to yourself." He nodded. "Take care."
Loki did not move for a second – as though he was frozen. Yet his eyes glistened and then flared with living green flame. His own pale hand rose to return the embrace, gripping Thor's neck and shoulder.
"You-" Loki coughed in vain attempt to even his voice. "You also take care, Thor."
With that, the two turned the corner and plunged into the battle.
More goopy brotherly love - and a glimpse into what is going on behind the Jotunn scenes as well. I've got the next chapter almost done, so let's hope that I can update it soon - with fixed internet at my home, hopefully!
Thanks for reading, guys! Let me know what you think!