Chapter 5
Caught in the Cross-Fire
Jenny landed in the grass on her back. The impact winded her for a long moment. It took her a while before she was aware of what was going on around her. She slowly sat up and realized there was another battle going on. Her friends, and the men they attacked all slowly sat up and looked around.
"Oh, come on!" Chijo groaned. Each of them went back into battle. Jenny looked around to see if she could figure out where they were. They appeared to be in a large, green field. Many more men were battling. Some, their clothes were a dark-grey color, like the men they had been fighting earlier. They were attacking more humble-looking people in brown and beige clothing. Jenny quickly jumped up and rushed to help.
"Jane!" Thor ran to Jane, who was lying next to Darcey on the ground. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah," Jane said as she and Darcey sat up. "What's going on?"
"We need to get out of here." Thor replied. "This area is unsafe." He helped each of them to their feet and began to lead them to safety towards the woods.
Jenny had just taken a few men out. She looked around and noticed Thor running towards some trees with Jane and Darcey. Jenny figured he wanted to retreat, and honestly… it seemed wise. This definitely wasn't their fight. She called out to her friends to follow Thor into the forest. Each friend nodded and ran for it. Jenny watched each of them, making sure they would make it to safety and that no one would follow them.
Suddenly, someone grabbed the back of Jenny's shirt and lifted her onto a horse. She looked up to see one of the strange men. Jenny lay awkwardly on her stomach on the horse's back, while the man sat behind, riding into another forest. Jenny wasn't sure where he was taking her, but she decided she wasn't going to find out. Jenny wormed her way into an upright position, and elbowed the man in the cheek. He gasped and nearly fell off the horse, but kept his balance. He grabbed her wrist, debating whether to throw her off the horse or not. Suddenly, an arrow pierced into the man's shoulder. He cried out in pain, letting go of Jenny's wrist, and fell off the horse.
Jenny found herself stuck on the horse. She didn't know anything about horses, let alone riding them! To make matters worse, the unseen archer probably had an arrow pointing towards her. She carefully scooted around to see if she could steer the horse towards where Thor went…
At this thought, Jenny felt something impact her head. She fell back from the horse and landed on the ground with a hard thump! It felt even worse than the landing she had earlier.
The world seemed to be spinning as she struggled to breathe. She could sense people surrounding her. She could barely hear a voice calling out to her. She finally closed her eyes, and gave into the darkness.
~jb~
"Sir," A young warrior approached Loki, rushing into the tent. "We have destroyed their portals, and Heimdal was able to pull the runners back in."
"Good," Loki nodded. He turned to Fandral and Hogun. "Now, we'll have to send in more warriors to aid the people."
"Sir…" The young warrior continued. "Thor has come."
"Thor?" Loki repeated.
"Perfect, just in time." Fandral said, standing from his seat.
"There are some making their way towards us." Sif stepped in. "We may want to stop them."
"Well then, let's be off!" Fandral said again, rushing out of the tent.
Once they were in the woods, they spilt off into small groups. Loki stayed with Hogun, who had his bow at the ready. He quickly took out the unwelcome men as they ran through the forest. They spotted one on a horse, who was struggling with a young woman.
"Taking her as a prisoner, no doubt." Loki said.
"Not today." Hogun said, drawing back an arrow and releasing it. The arrow hit the man in the shoulder, causing him to fall off the horse. Loki gasped as he watched the girl run into a branch, striking her in the head, and falling to the ground.
The elves who lived in the forest quickly gathered around her in curiosity.
"It's like they've never seen anyone from Vanaheim before!" Fandral cheered as he walked into the scene. Sif ran and began to push them out of the way.
"Give her space!" She snapped at them. Loki knelt by the girl's side.
"Excuse me miss, are you all right?" Loki asked. He gasped when she opened her eyes for a moment.
No… it can't be! He thought. But it was, and he recognized those jade-green eyes.
"Wait… that's a mortal!" Fandral gasped. "Heimdal must have pulled her in by accident."
If it was an accident… Loki mused. The girl closed her eyes. "Let's get out of here! Before more of them come!" He scooped up the girl into his arms and carried her to his horse.
He was all too familiar with this moment. He knew it was the girl from his dreams he was rescuing. He wondered if his true destiny was about to unfold.
They swiftly rode back to Hogun's village, hanging on to the small mortal. Once they had arrived, Loki carried her to a small hut. Usually, it was used for storing food, but on rare occasions, a fallen warrior would have the privilege of resting there while his wounds were tended to. Loki set her down onto the small bed. He sat down on the ground next to her. He waved his hands in the air, creating his own small, soul-reader, only it was green, and only formed the girl's head. He began to examine her mind, and move things around.
"What are you doing?" Sif demanded, walking into the hut.
"I'm saving her memories." Loki replied, still concentrating on his magic. "She hit her head pretty hard." Once he finished, he placed his magic into the girl's head. She sighed in relief, but her eyes were still closed. "She will be all right, her head may be sore once she comes to."
"But why would you care to help her? A mortal?" Sif asked.
"Do I have to have a reason for everything?" Loki retorted.
Sif was silent for a short moment. "It's just… I fear you have a motive for doing this."
"And what would that be?"
"Well," Sif thought for a moment. "You seemed stiff when you heard of Thor's return. Perhaps this could be one of his friends. You could use this mortal to either lure him into one of your traps…or use her to make peace with Thor."
"Now those are both very good ideas!" Loki grinned. "Which one shall I use…? I haven't decided yet."
"Loki!" Sif snapped. "That's not funny! Just please tell me why!"
"Hm… maybe it came to me in a dream." Loki mused. Sif glared at him. "All right," Loki nearly chuckled at Sif's expense. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't pester you like that. It's just… It's hard to explain why. I don't have an ulterior motive for rescuing the mortal. But I do have a hunch our fates are somehow…intertwined. I know that sounds hard to believe. But please, just trust me on this one."
Sif didn't seem convinced at first, but then nodded, her face becoming soft. "Fine," She said curtly. "If she lives, and makes it to her rightful home safe, and unharmed, then you shall have my trust."
"Good," Loki grinned again.
"Why are you smiling at me like that?" Sif raised an eyebrow.
Loki's smile vanished before he replied. "Do you not know…?"
Sif stiffened. She knew exactly what he was talking about. She took a deep breath before answering. "I see your mind Loki. It is but a dream. Cast it out. I could never love someone so cold and loathsome as you!" She turned and left the hut, slamming the door behind her. Loki stood there, eyes downcast. He should've seen that coming. He should've known she would've preferred someone else. One person came to mind, but Thor… Thor had Jane. Surely Sif's heart was broken… and surely Loki could mend it… if she would just let him…
Loki sighed and looked down at the resting mortal. He wasn't sure when she would wake, but he would be ready. He walked out of the hut, leaving her to rest peacefully.
~jb~
"Ow… my head." Jenny groaned as she slowly sat up in bed. "Wha…what's going on here… where am I?" She looked around the small hut. There was food stacked upon shelves. She noticed she was lying on a small bed. She could barely see through the cracks of the hut. Peeking from outside, were what looked like small children.
"Oh… hello." Jenny smiled and waved at them. They all took off in response. "Hey, wait!" Jenny walked toward the wall, watching the children run away. She looked around and saw a humble village outside the hut.
Jenny sighed, rubbing the back of her head. Memories came flooding back to her. She had been running…and then picked up…and then she struck her head on a branch.
"I guess that's why my head is pounding." Jenny mused out loud. She wondered if she had been taken captive by the enemy, and if escape was necessary. Maybe she should give herself some time to heal and recover, and then figure a way out of here… or maybe she could wait for someone to come talk to her.
"Or maybe I should… just sleep…" Jenny groaned, rubbing at her head which was pounding even more. She sat down on the bed again. She rubbed at her temples before laying back and falling asleep.
I'm so so sorry to those of you who ship Loki and Sif… sorry… I respect your ships.
But I hope you enjoyed this chapter, despite all the depressing heartbreak! Leave a review!
