Midgardian Tales

Friend and Foe - part three

Loki had always loved his brother and sometimes - he had to admit - he was jealous of him, yet it more felt like their father would simply favor him without any reason. Still a part of Loki knew that Thor and Odin were just carved out of the same material as they both had no understanding for such complexity and beauty that was magic. Being commanded to watch over a ruffian that his elder brother was, Loki felt like tied to a hulk, and he had concerns that he would be able to proof himself to his father, to show what he was capable of. Right here in Alfheimr it could have been the chance of his existence. Loki gritted his teeth and gave Thor a dark look who - much to his annoyance - seemed to have arranged with this new situation and even more was amused about their roles exchanged. “Don’t look that dark and brooding, brother”, Thor smiled, reached out and gave Loki a strong pat on his shoulder, so that his bounced forward in his saddle. “We’re going to have so much fun together!” Loki huffed. Luckily Thor’s friends had not been invited, apart from Sif, who was riding right behind them. “I doubt that, Thor”, she said with a sharp tone, giving Loki a chance to straighten up. Both brothers looked back at her: the older one frowning the younger one with a slightly more relaxed face. “We are here on duty and to represent Asgard, not to drink up all the wine…. again.” Sif looked directly to Thor, who simply winked at her. “Some wine to relax yourself would not do you bad, my fierce Sif.” And of course the maiden hat to look away. “She’s not yours, Thor”, Loki said icily. “She has proven herself as a woman of her own. Treat her as such.” His brother blinked in astonishment. “And as such I do not need protection from a wizard”, Sif hissed. “I did not mean to…” Loki began, feeling his anger rise as her annoyance and Thor’s amusement. “Whatever”, he closed instead.

Friend and Foe - part two

Always it seemed to be that even the Nornir were against him and Loki didn’t know why. It was the never resting ever circing question in his head. Everything was simple in his mind, each answer was easy to find, but this one. There was nothing he had done, always the obeying, respecting son. Still everyone loved Thor more cheered to him, even when it was Loki saving the day. So he simply had stopped, stayed in the shadows freely since it was easier to cope with being forgotten than being ignored. Maybe this was the light side: Heimdall didn’t ignore him, but Loki couldn’t see anything positive in the Guardian’s obvious disapproval. Nothing seemed to be able to stop the hole in his chest. Not even his growing power, because he coudln’t show his abilities. Angrboda wouldn’t let him - another point he didn’t understand. Maybe they were all afraid of what he really was capable of. And as this though settled in his mind, it was like the Nornir had changed their mind. His fast pace had brought him up to the upper level where Odin was talking to someone, as Loki overheard his words: “Freyr demands my presence in Alfheimr, this hasn’t happend in centuries, hence I must go.” “How can he demand that?” Thor answered almost mockingly. “Thor”, Freya warned him. “He is your uncle, my brother, and he has never asked for anything. It is our duty as family to aid him in whatever cause he seeks.”
Sowly Loki entered the main hall and of course no one but the two guards he passed noticed his entrance. For the first time it made him smile slightly.
“So we must go?” Thor aksed uncertainly. “All of us?” “Your mother will stay here”, Odin said sternly and Loki could see a tiny movement in his mother’s facial expression. He knew that she was disappointed and sad, still she wouldn’t disobay her husband. “She will rule in my name as long as I am gone”, Odin continued and now it was Thor who openly showed his disapproval. “It would be rude if I would go alone”, the Allfather added. “I will go with you, father”, Loki said in a firm tone a sound none of his family was used to anymore and all of them turned around towards him. Freya was smiling warmly, still his brother and father seemed confused. “I have brought my studies to a level where I am convinced that I would be of service and I must not remind you what happened the last time you took Thor with you”, Loki used their silence against them.
In fact Thor had become drunk of the Lightelves wine - after drinking gallons of it - and almost rampaged through the capital with his friends.
“My dear uncle would not say anything about this event but I believe that he would approve if you take me in Thor’s place with you, father”, Loki bowed respectfully winking towards his elder brother, who obviously had forgotten his lat visit but didn’t want to go to the elves anyhow. In Thor’s eyey there were puny and had no humor. His beard covered his smirk but Loki could see it in his brother’S eyes. “I … uhm”, he said lowly”, I think Loki’s right, father.” - “Is he?” Odin rose one brow - yet the younger son knew the sarcastic sound of his father’s voice when he heard it and straightened up. “I am glad that at least on of my sons has some subtle skills”, he nodded towards Loki. “You both will come with me and you, Thor, will follow your brother’s lead while you, Loki, will watch your brother.”