The Hunt
Thor entered Loki's chambers. Although his brother had been granted access to the entire palace, Frigga told her eldest son his brother insisted in staying where he had been imprisoned. "Ever since the mortals returned to Midgard he refuses to come out for food or conversation, Thor. Will you visit him?" she begged.
There was something Thor wanted to discuss with Loki in any case, so he willingly agreed – given one condition. It had led to a long argument with the All-Father, but after a great deal of bluster on Odin's end and promises from Thor on the other, he had secured what he wanted.
Loki was on the balcony of his bedroom with his back turned to the door. A symphony of mice played sad little tunes on the mantel, and a parade of dismal images wafted into the air from the hands of the young prince: a man drowning among waterlilies, tears rolling down the face of a beautiful maiden, a herd of horses thundering over a cliff. "Go away," he said as soon as Thor entered.
"I bring a message from the Lady Natasha," Thor replied calmly.
With a wave of Loki's hand, the dream horses were rescued by the man in a waterlily crown, who then pressed kisses on the mournful beauty's face. "Where is it?"
"Here you are. It's quite short – she had to send it by the Nets called Inter." Thor handed over a folded piece of paper, and Loki tore it from his hand. Quickly he scanned it, and a tiny smile flickered over his lips.
"'Meant what I said', 'feelings remain the same' – I suppose it could be worse," Loki muttered. He realized Thor still stood there and pointed to the door. "You have delivered the message – now, leave me and be off to enjoy your Lady Jane's company."
"She remains in Midgard as well."
At that, Loki's eyes snapped to Thor's face. "Oh? And you exist without her – doing so quite well, I am certain - not sitting in your rooms, daydreaming about what you have lost?" He turned back to his balcony. "At least you can be with your friends. Go on adventures. Not fester in the Palace and go mad, wishing you could turn back time and tell her you loved her when you said goodbye instead of losing your fiendish temper as usual and push her away."
"I thought you and I could go on a hunt, as we used when we were stripling lads," Thor declared. "What say you, brother? It has been an age since I accompanied you on horseback, and you are one of the finest riders Asgard has ever seen. There was a sighting of one of Níðhöggr's brood a few weeks ago; several sheep disappeared nearby the place, as well as a maiden."
"Why do you even bother to ask? I am relegated to the palace." Loki's shoulders radiated gloom and disapproval.
"Aha!" Thor boomed. "I have won permission from the All-Father to allow your passage with me on the hunt for the dragon. If we can slay the foul worm and return its hide to the palace, imagine the feasting we should have! And it would be good to ride with you, as we once did. I know much has happened between us since we were young together, but why should we not steal an afternoon for some glorious pursuit?"
Loki turned and regarded him through slitted eyes. "I suppose it would pass a few hours." Sweeping past Thor, he conjured up riding gear for himself complete with high boots and a closely fitted coat.
Thor grinned to himself. He knew if he voiced some of his triumph, however, Loki would scuttle back into hiding like a crab and the enterprise would be lost.
Loki had to admit, if only to himself, it was good to be back in the saddle. Sleipnir tossed his head when Loki mounted, and the prince slapped the steed's neck in response. "Are you ready for adventure, my son?" the prince murmured. "I am certain you have been pent up for far too long, as have I…"
"Let us ride!" Thor bellowed. Without hesitation he dug his heels into Stormbringer's sides and galloped off, not bothering to see if Loki followed. The prince instantly leaned forward and Sleipnir, always so sensitive to his rider's moods, dashed after Thor and his mount.
The palace was quickly left behind as the brothers galloped side by side, first Thor in front, and then Loki as Sleipnir gained advantage. The god of thunder roared approval as Loki passed him; Thor had never been one to sulk when he was bested in a fair race.
At length he shouted for Loki to pull up and pointed to the forests bordering on the Sea of Marmora beyond the Plain of Ida. "Follow me," Thor cautioned, hastening to a narrow path that ran straight into the forest itself.
Loki rode cautiously, on high alert. The hidden dangers in the forest were not confined to beasts or villains; rumours of time-slips and hidden passages into other realms abounded in that part of the country. "Let us not end up in Hel today," he advised, but Thor made an exclamation.
"Look yonder!" He pointed at a small object, just visible from the path.
The prince jumped down from his saddle and strode to see what it was. Kneeling, he picked it up and showed the object to Thor – a large, silvery disc like a scale from a huge salmon. "'T'would seem we are getting close," he mused.
"Indeed! Ride on, brother – I have the craving for dragon hide!"
As soon as Loki remounted, Thor was away. Sleipnir dashed after Stormbringer, by instinct avoiding the undergrowth and heavy roots. Loki patted the glistening neck of his horse and murmured, "You are the finest steed in all of the Nine Realms, Sleipnir, and if all goes well I shall give you hot mash and mead in a silver bucket this night."
"Brother!" Thor shouted. There was a loud hiss, and Thor's mount jumped sideways as a long tail disappeared among the trees.
The god of thunder raced after the quarry, but Loki had a different idea. Whispering to Sleipnir, he urged the horse to cut through a hidden, dark part of the forest. The path he sought tangled reality back on itself, so he could appear in front of the small dragon and cut off its escape.
Sleipnir set up a long neigh as the path twisted in front of them; the next moment, Loki and his horse were confronted by the heavy head of the dragon, baring its teeth. It turned to escape, but Thor galloped up in time to attack it from behind.
"We have it now!" Thor shouted, just as the dragon made ready to let loose a long stream of fire. Quickly Loki charged and cut at its underbelly with his sword; the attack served to divert its attention from his brother.
However, the huge worm was now intent on him instead. Its oval pupils dilated as it slunk towards Loki, ready to strike.
He could see Thor through the mist surrounding the beast, preparing to go for its hindquarters. Before he could reach it, the dragon swept its tail out, pushing Thor off his feet.
Loki looked into the mouth of the dragon, knowing he had only one chance. With a long curse, he held up his sword and launched it into the open mouth, praying his blade would find its spot.
The dragon screamed in rage; the terrible sound made Sleipnir rear up and whinny with battle-lust. Its eyes glowed as it prepared to jump for Loki's throat…
There was a loud thunk, followed by a meaty, bloody gush. Loki's sword reappeared on the side of the beast, its point breaking through its skin from the belly. Its eyes grew dim, and with a long keening cry, it fell on one side and collapsed.
For a moment, nothing moved except for the creature in its death throes. Thor clutched his sword, prepared to finish it off, but the dragon stopped moving and lay utterly still.
At last the god of thunder let loose a long sigh of relief. "I do not mind telling you I thought you were dragon's meat for one moment!"
"And so did I," Loki confessed. "I was lucky in my throw."
"Nay! T'was the sweetest cast I have ever been privileged to see. Well done – indeed, well done!"
With a shaky laugh, Loki slid off his horse and inspected the beast. "'Twould appear it will take no more maidens, nor sheep."
"Indeed!" Thor looked about them; the wood lay in silence. "This place is unnaturally still as though beset by evil magicks. Let us return to the edge of the forest once we have secured our prize."
Leading their mounts, the two brothers climbed out of the trees. The double planets shone in the night sky, and the lights of the palace twinkled in the distance.
"Would you care to sit here for a time to allow our horses some rest?" Thor's voice was shy, as though he expected a curse or a blow as response.
"I suppose it would not kill me. In faith, 'tis good to be away from the palace." Loki dropped Sleipnir's reins and sat among the tufts of the plains, gazing up at the heavens.
Cautiously, Thor joined him. "That was like days of old, was it not?" He leaned back on one elbow.
Loki turned to look at him. "Do you remember our first hunt?"
"Bilgesnipe, was it not? Do you remember how Volstagg got stuck in the mire and had to be dragged out?"
"I can still hear his curses." Loki chuckled softly.
Thor tipped his head back and laughed. "Aye! And we roasted the hearts of the beasts over the flames of our fire and ate."
"You ate. I waited to return to the palace for edible sustenance."
"Tell me, do you miss her?" Thor picked up a blade of grass and chewed on it with a nonchalant air.
"Do you miss the air you breathe when you are drowning or water if lost in a desert?" Loki snapped. "Natasha is the one person who seems to be able to make me behave like a rational being and who can make life bearable at the same time." He hesitated before adding, "At least, until now. This afternoon was – it was good. Thank you for securing my measure of freedom so I could accompany you."
"By the ravens of Yggdrasil! She has indeed changed you, brother."
"I know it." Loki felt his lips tighten. "Most would say it should have happened long ago."
"Perhaps it all occurs at certain times for a reason…"
"And tell me, Thor, while we speak of matters of the heart," Loki interrupted. "Do you ever think on Jane's mortality? And does it cut you like a knife?" Hearing Thor's sharp intake of breath, he pressed on ruthlessly, "For that is what I have been considering, every moment ever since Natasha left me. We have so few years left to spend together, and once she is gone forever there will be an end of my rationality – my sanity."
"It is even worse for me," Thor admitted. "My lady's years are numbered far fewer than those of the Lady Natasha and there is naught I can do to keep her by my side. With Mjolnir in my hand I can wage huge storms or fight entire armies, but I cannot hold the one I love for as long as we both should wish it."
"Would you promise me something?"
"Of course." Thor sat up. "What is it?"
The young prince flung his head back to gaze at the stars dreamily. "When Natasha draws her last breath, will you promise to take my life? Behead me with your hammer and burn my remains so there is no return, not even from Hel?"
Thor drew in a deep breath and jumped to his feet. "Do not talk so!" he thundered. "I could never – you must not – we must not even speak on't!"
"Behold." Loki climbed to his feet and looked across the plains to the lights of the palace. "See out there? The lovely castle, filled with those who do not know we watch them from a distance. I am frightened of what I might do to them and to the realm of Asgard if she is not near to temper my violent inclinations. You of all people know what I am capable of in my worst moments."
"Perhaps one day we can find a solution. But at the moment, let us enjoy each moment with our chosen ladies, fleeting as it is."
Loki nodded. "For a hulking brute, 'tis not badly put. I agree – for the moment." He glanced at the hide of the dragon, bundled onto Sleipnir's back. "Perhaps the All-Father would like a cape made of dragon-skin," he commented slyly.
Thor turned to him with sudden laughter. "Loki," he asked, "what are you plotting now?"
"Naught but a gift. It has come to my attention that at times soft words gain best reward rather than harsh deeds."
"If you have come to see that for truth, then my only conclusion is the Lady Natasha is a sorceress beyond the power of the Valkyries themselves," Thor vowed.
