Chapter Nineteen

Conflicted Woes

~~Hetti's POV~~

I watch Bilbo, with a smile on my face, he looks so relaxed here. We were high up on a bridge, overlooking a massive waterfall. It was truly beautiful to watch and I wished Elaina was here to draw this moment. Sighing, I leaned on the rail of the bridge, looking down at the flowing water beneth us

"Hetti, are you alright?" asked Bilbo, turning his head and watching me.

"I'm fine Bilbo," I smiled at him "I'm just glad we are in a safe place for a while."

"I know what you mean, it is very peaceful here." agreed Bilbo "but one doesn't sigh like you just did."

Bilbo turned sideways and I could feel his eyes on me. I don't know how he does it, but he has always known when I am not myself. I took a deep breath and finally told Bilbo what I saw back in the foster home all those years ago. To say he was shocked, was an understatement

"And when I saw that black shadow coming towards us, I-," I trailed of.

"You've kept all this inside of you?" asked Bilbo.

"I told Dwalin but no one else. I didn't think anyone would believe me!" I whispered.

Bilbo instinctively embraced me when all these emotions course through me.

"Shhh," whispered Bilbo "We're safe now, Elaina and Gandalf got rid of that weird rider."

I was not convinced and I shook my head at that thought.

"No, that black shadow will come back, I know it will," I took another deep breath trying to contol my breathing "I don't think I can take much more of this!"

Bilbo pulled away a little and looked at my disheveled appearance.

"You are not making any sense," began Bilbo looking over my shoulder "What do you mean?"

I sighed and whispered,

"I think I might ask the Lord here, if I could stay here!"

"Hetti no!" I heard someone shout out.

I spun around and saw Fili watching me back with concern on his face.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

I watch Loki who is pacing around the room. I haven't known him long but I have never seen him act like this and truth of the matter was, he was making me nervous.

"Loki what is the matter?" I asked him finally.

I was very relieved when he stopped walking. Loki turned and we watch one another.

"It's time I told you who I really am," began Loki, he was now looking at the painting of Sauron "though some of my past is not good!"

"Loki," I stepped closer "You don't have to explain anything to me."

"Oh but I do, smiled Loki, though again, it never reached his eyes "or your father Zeus will twist the knife in deeper!"

I remember seeing the way Zeus was watching Loki and realised that he was probably right. I would rather hear Loki himself tell me his past, but only if he truly wanted too. I would never force it out of him.

"My childhood was quite pleasant, my mother Frigga was compassionate towards my brother Thor and I, but my father Odin prefered Thor's company to my own and I tried to prove myself as Thor's equal to please father.

I admit that I looked different to the other Asgardians, my hair is jet black for one thing and my skin is pale in comparison to Thor and the others. That didn't stop me from studying magical arts. You see Elaina, even though I can wield weapons, I prefer using my magic, as it is works to my advantage."

I walked to where Aragorn recenty sat and sat down and waited for Loki to continue.

"I admit it to you and only to you Elaina, I am jealous of Thor. His the golden haired prince that never puts a foot wrong. Odin dotes on him. One night, I let several Jotuns enter Asgard and they tried to steal the 'Casket of Ancient Winters' while everyone was at Thor's coronation."

"Why did you do that?" I asked him.

"The real truth was jealousy as I wanted things to stay as they were."

I watch Loki with disdain and saw his trademark smile.

'At least he is honest!' I thought to myself, noticing his smile broaden.

"Thor was eager to go after the Jotuns and I tried to stop him," continued Loki "but he being Thor, would not listen and went after them. Being curious myself, I went with him but I did inform a guard to explain where we were headed.

Once we arrived in Jotunheim, I followed Thor and we instantly fought the opposition. I started using my own power by creating fake versions of me," I raise my eyebrows "and also throw magic daggers at the advancing Jotuns. It was at this stage that things started changing within me."

o0o

~~Fili's POV~~

Even though this was a mighty place to be in, I would be relieved when we finally carried on with our journey. I had been walking, as it was better to do that, than do nothing at all. I was surprised to see Hetti and Bilbo high up on the bridge I was also on and when I heard her plight, it felt like my heart had split in two.

All that pain she had inflicted. Seeing her...what was it?...her foster mother trying desperately to break the window, so she could get to Hetti and Elaina in time, but it wasn't to be!

I dread to think what would have happened if Gandalf hadn't arrived in time. I find myself shuddering at that thought. I did see a dark rider chase after us with those Wargs but I had assumed it had something to do with the Orcs.

When I first saw Elaina use her power, I was dumbfounded. All that light coming out of her left hand. I was very surprised to see her envelope her light, right round that dark rider and with help from Gandalf, they both managed to annihilate the rider and those Wargs. I was completely speechless at witnessing that and I could imagine Uncle was too!

Now here I am, watching Hetti in shock as she revealed to Bilbo that she is thinking of asking Lord Elrond to stay here. I was surprised that I had spoke out loud,

"Hetti no!"

Hetti turned around and again my heart went out to her, it was clear to me that she had been crying. I stepped closer to her and noticed her cheeks go a little red and the corner of my mouth twitches at her.

"You can't leave us Hetti!" I exclaimed to her.

Looking at her feet she whispered,

"H-How much have you heard?"

"All of it!" I admitted, seeing Hetti go pale.

"All of it?" repeated Hetti who frowned.

I nod my head, my blue eyes never left her face.

"Hetti, running away, will not solve anything," I began "it will only prolong the problem!"

"No your wrong, I was much safer in The Shire!" I watch Bilbo place his arm around Hett's waist trying to reasure her "I should never have come on this quest."

"Hetti, Fili's right," I heard Bilbo say "Staying here will not solve this matter. I know you have seen terrible things but, you are among friends now. We will always watch out for you, as will I."

I found myself smiling at Master Baggins. I could see why Elaina and Hetti liked him. Underneath his shy interior, was a warm compassionate hobbit, if only Uncle Thorin could see that as well!

I heard Hetti sigh as she leaned against the railing once more.

"I don't know what to do!" she whispered.

"Bilbo's right Hetti," Hetti turned her head and watched me "You are now with friends who all like you and would not hesitate in helping you and Elaina out, should you ever need it. Besides my brother would be crushed if he knew you were thinking about leaving us!"

"Huh!" I heard Hetti say, giving me a strange look.

I realised she had no idea that Kili had feelings for her.

'What have I done?' I thought to myself, giving her a sheepish grin.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

Loki was now leaning on the wall and he appeared to be in thought.

"I was attacked by one of these Jotuns and thy grabbed onto my wrist," Loki began again though he was looking ahead of him as he was reliving his past "I was stunned as the Jotuns are Frost Giants and their icy touch never hurt me. In fact all it did was change my skin colour to blue, the same as the Jotuns, luckily my skin slowly reverted back to my usual pale colour."

"What did those Jotuns do to you, to make that happen?" I asked him.

"I'm coming up to that bit!" smiled Loki.

I blush.

"I'm sorry!" I mumbled, notiching Loki nod his head.

"I was beginning to get very suspicious to who I really was, but for the time being, I kept my opinion to myself. When I saw Odin, who had taken Thor and I back, after the leader of the Jotuns whose name was Laufey, promises Thor they will have war and death, Thor had desired.

Safely back home, Odin and Thor were having a majar argument and I knew that Odin had had enough of Thor so he decided to punish him. I did try and stop Odin from what he was about to do to Thor but, he would not listen to me. Odin had banished Thor to Midgard."

"Midgard?" I asked Loki "What's that?"

All these names was very confusing. The Asgardians were obviously very powerful beings. Much like Zeus, I surmised.

"Midgard is another word for earth." replied Loki, softly.

I nod my head.

"Please continue." I whispered.

I was very interested in Loki's past.

"I watched in disdain as Thor is deported to Midgard and that Odin enchanted Thor's trusty hammer that would only allow a dependable person to lift it up and acquire the power within Thor's hammer.

I walked towards the healing grounds and it was there that my thoughts returned to the battlefield. I was thinking 'why did my skin change the same colour as the Jotuns.' I decided to use the 'Casket of Ancient Winters' and I lifted it up and got a shock when my skin turns blue again and my eyes turned red. I was interrupted by Odin and I wanted answers now

He explained that I was left to die in the temple of the Jotuns during the final battle of the ancient war and that Odin's real reason for saving me was not because he cared for me but that there would be peace amonst the Jotuns and the Asgardians. I was incensed by hearing this. All this time I had thought I was an Asgardian when in reality, I was really a Jotun.

Thinking back though, it all made sense, the way Odin praised Thor more than me, the way he talked to him. Odin could never look me in the eyes probably. I finally had it out with him and Odin became overwhelmed by Thor's banishment and now me demanding answers, he went in a deep 'Odinsleep' right in front of me. Seeing as Thor was no longer around and Odin was fast asleep."

Despite myself I snorted at that causing Loki to give me an amused look.

"Sorry, I don't know what came over me then!"

"My adopted mother Frigga thought it was wise that I take up the throne for a while which I did. I did a naughty thing however," I watch as Loki smirked at himself "I went down to Midgard myself and told Thor that Odin had died and that our mother never wants to see him again."

I was aghast, even I would never stoop so low and it clearly showed on my face.

"I told you Elaina, I was very jealous and this was part of my revenge."

"Thor was not to blame in any of this, it was Odin himself that treated you badly." I reply to Loki.

"I know that now Elaina but at the time, I was filled with hate for all those that had lied to me."

"I don't think your mother Frigga falls into that category," I get up and step near Loki who was watching me wearily "The look on your face when you mention her name, your eyes light up. So in my opinion, she too could see something good within you. This Odin person however, should have told you, your heritage when you were old enough to understand."

We watch one another and I saw him smile warmly at me.

"I did get on with my mother."

"Did?" I queried.

"Getting a head of ourselves," replied Loki, "Anyway, while I was in Midagard, I tried picking up Mjolnir 'Thor's hammer' but that proved fruitless so I walked away and headed for Jotunheim. I was pretending to repair the damage Thor had done and I offer Laufey a change to kill Odin as he sleeps with the promise to return the Casket to him in return. Laufey readily agreed.

Of course Thor's friends had disobeyed my command to wait for my word by going to Midgard and bring Thor back home. I confront Heimdall and use my power on him and froze him as he allowed Thor's friends to travel to where Thor now resides. Again I was angry, so I send The Destroyer after them to kill everything that gets in its path and hopefully making it hard for Thor to ever to return home.

I was not expecting Thor's sudden courage, as he himself, confronts The Destroyer with all his power back, thanks to his humble honour of saving the Midgardians. His hammer in his hand again, destroys the Automaton and was heading back home.

I betrayed Laufey by revealing my real plan to use Laufey's attempt on Odin's life, saying it was an excuse to destroy Jotunheim with the Bifrost Bridge, which would make me worthy to Odin at long last. I then kill Laufey and Thor arrives and starts fighting me. We fight each other and the fight quickly moves to Heimdall's Observatory."

I listened to what Loki was saying, he should not be fighting Thor, it was not his fault. All this hate was really on Odin himself, not Thor!

"My dear brother destroyed the bridge to stop my plan. All this noise finally woke up dear father and he tries stoping Thor and I from falling into the abyss that was created in the wake of the fallen bridge. I er," Loki turns around and I could barely hear him now so stepped closer "I deliberately fall into the abyss when Odin rejected my offer for approval.

As I fall in to the void, Thor took my spear and for the time being that was all I could remember! Many thought I had died but I was just biding my time for the right moment."

Even though I was shocked to hear some of Loki's past, I just could not be angry with him. Instead I saw a misunderstood god who wanted to prove his loyalty to everyone, especially to Odin. For some strange reason, I just did not like Loki's adopted father, the way he treated Loki, I was disgusted.

I gingerly wrapped my arms across Loki's waist and hugged him from behind. I felt him stiffen until I whispered.

"Everyone deserves a second change."

~~Loki's POV~~

It felt strange revealing my past to someone who until recently, I wouldn't dream of telling my secrets but strangely enough, Elaina really reminded me of Frigga. When I felt her snake her arms around me, I was not expecting that. I had thought she would be repulsed by me. Then she repeated the words she had said a few nights ago, that everyone deserves a second change!

I shift and slowly turn around, feeling Elaina's arms loosen their hold on me. I watch her with curious eyes.

"There is more."

She tilts her head a little.

"Does this have anything to do with you taking over the world?" Elaina asked me coyly.

I continue looking at her and nod my head.

"Manhattan to be exact!" I reply "I wasn't really myself then, but I think I said enough at the moment."

I smile at her.

"Loki, no matter what you did, I can tell you really are trying to atone your past endeavours."

"I do help Thor much later on!" I admitted to Elaina who smiled at me.

"That's good to hear."

"There you are!"

Thorin's voice made Elaina jump causing me to laugh. I saw the way Thorin was glaring at me and I rolled my eyes at him.

"I'll tell you the rest of my tale later Elaina." I smiled at her before walking out of the room.

I actually felt better in explaining my past to her but I only hoped Elaina will not judge me when I explain what I did in Manhattan.