The Test Of Love
After not having eaten a morsel in almost three days now, Loki insisted on preparing the fish he'd caught, which they ate followed by berries.
Previously she had felt ravenously hungry, especially after their excessive lovemaking, yet in the end she'd eaten out of necessity in order to keep her strength up, as her appetite had vanished due to all the emotional turmoil.
She felt very much like a snow globe that had been shaken up, and only now was she beginning to feel more settled.
By mutual agreement, once they'd finished their meal, they set off for the infamous Nornkeep, home to Karnilla.
The journey was a much shorter one than Sif had anticipated, and she listened with keen interest as Loki explained to her along the way how Nornheim was one of the smallest of all the nine realms, and closest to the dimension of Asgard, therefor it had initially fallen under Asgardian rule...
"However that has long since changed, as Karnilla did not wish to be subject to Odin's ruling...the light elves and demons accepted her as their Queen and she now reigns here as absolute monarch"
He concluded, as they reached their destination.
She surveyed the simple, and somewhat shabby-looking fortitude curiously. In comparison to the opulent splendour of Asgard and it's gleaming spires, this really wasn't what she had expected.
One of the Norn Queen's guardian demons stood by the gateway, and much to Sif's astonishment, permitted their entrance, without exchanging nothing more than a mere nod with Loki.
"You are well known to them I see..."
She commented quietly, unsure of why this seemed to trouble her slightly.
He smiled lazily, his eyes giving nothing away,
"Karnilla and I have always been sworn allies, that is why we'll be granted safe refuge here"
Sif pursed her lips,
"So, as well as the enchantress and the witch of the Ironwood, you can also claim personal acquaintance with Karnilla....all of whom are enemies of Asgard."
She didn't add that they were also all female, as she wouldn't grant him the satisfaction of knowing that this irked her. She knew that nursing feelings of jealousy regarding his past relationships was irrational and petty.
She scolded herself inwardly for being ridiculous, but after the intimacies they'd shared she couldn't bear the thought of anyone else having been that close to him. She was no fool, and had been able to tell that his expert touch was not that of a novice. Unlike herself, who was almost virginal compared to Loki it seemed, and his skills in the bedchamber put her past lovers to shame...their caresses had been rough, hurried and clumsy in comparison.
She'd never experienced such immense pleasure, and now she found herself wondering who else had experienced it prior to her, in order for him to have developed such a level of expertise.
She shuddered at these unwanted thoughts, though it went unnoticed by him, as he'd continued to explain that Karnilla had formed an alliance with Odin during the war with Surtur, and that Asgardian warriors had been responsible for her release, after she'd been captured by the frost Giants.
Having now gained entry to the keep, they were led by another small demon guardian, along the relatively narrow hallway to the modest throne room, where they were instructed to wait.
Standing side by side in silence, Sif did her upmost to ignore the nagging apprehension that she felt building once more.
This was becoming too much of a habit it seemed, and she didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the realisation that these feelings obviously came with the territory....not necessarily just caused by being in unfamiliar surroundings, but as a result of being so entangled with the trickster God. He was, after all, a living, breathing personification of chaos...so she must be prepared for the emotional turbulence it entailed.
Just then, as if sensing her concerns, he suddenly took her hand gently in his. Surprised by this impromptu gesture, she turned her head to look at him.
His expression though unreadable and deadpan, his emerald orbs betrayed his true feelings. The look of love in those eyes was unmistakable.
It made her heart flutter as it dawned on her that she had seen that look before many, many times before, but only now could she read them...she hadn't known then, or dared hope that it was love she saw there.
Any lingering traces of doubt, evaporated in that instant as she realised all the emotional turmoil was worth it. She loved him so deeply and her own eyes shone back at him, filled with love for him, relaying this unspoken declaration back to him in return.
She knew he saw it, he sensed it and gave her hand a gentle, appreciative squeeze, as if to reassure her that he understood.
Then the door to the room clattered open and a tall, raven-haired woman sashayed into the room, closely followed by the figure of a bent old lady with stringy grey hair, which hung down in greasy sheets from beneath her hooded cloak.
Her haggard appearance could not have been in further contrast to that of her companion. She was much younger and rather pretty Sif thought, though her features appeared a little sharp, making her look quite aggressive.
But it was her clothing that made Sif's eyebrows raise...never before had she seen anything like it.
Her wine-red, leather leotard exposed a pair of well-toned thighs, and as if that wasn't revealing enough, it was slashed right down to the waist, displaying her ample cleavage as well.
Silver boots, cut above her knee, matched the gloves she wore and atop her head sat the most incredibly complicated looking headgear.....this was definitely not how she had envisaged the Queen of the Norns...even Amora's outfits paled in comparison to such excessive flesh-showing.
"Upon my word, it really is the sinister one!"
She spoke smoothly, and flashed Loki a wide smile.
Much to Sif's relief, Loki did not drop her hand as she had presumed he might. Such an open show of affection, both astonished and pleased her no end. He didn't seem embarrassed, and it obviously didn't make him feel awkward.
She watched him return the gesture to Karnilla, flashing her one of his winning smiles, and dipped his head in a small, courteous bow
"My lady, it's been too long since I last had the pleasure of your company"
"I know my dark prince, I've missed thee...still you have been a busy boy haven't you, from what I've heard?"
She replied, as she took her place on her gleaming silver throne, which was the only opulent feature in the entire place it seemed, save only for her bizarre crown.
Loki kept his smile in place as he replied smoothly,
"To say the least...but I would have visited of course, if I'd had the opportunity"
Karnilla surveyed him for a moment, and Sif surveyed them both, trying desperately to determine what sort of 'relationship' the two of them shared.
Then quite unexpectedly the Queen turned to her and spoke abruptly,
"You needn't fret child, I have no desire to steal the trickster away from you. He and I are too much alike!"
Shocked, Sif struggled to respond. Had Karnilla read her thoughts somehow?
Loki shot Sif an amused look, which caused her face to colour slightly.
"It's female intuition child, I too know how protective one can be over a new lover."
Karnilla supplied, with a knowing grin.
"Yes..."
Loki piped up, grinning wickedly,
"..do tell me, how are things with Balder these days?"
Karnilla shot him a bemused look, and ignoring his remark she delivered her own slight instead,
"Pray tell me my prince, what was the mighty son of Odin and the Allfather's reaction to this...unexpected union of yours?"
Loki visibly stiffened for a moment, his scarred lips pursing,
"It is of no consequence....we're both consenting adults, we need no ones blessing-"
"That may be so, dark one, but your shield maiden here is betrothed to Thor is she not And you are his brother."
"Haven't you heard?"
Loki quipped sarcastically,
"There's been a slight misunderstanding in relation to my parentage, so therefor he's not actually my brother at all. I thought you of all people would know this already, being a consort of the Goddesses of destiny!"
Karnilla leaned forwards in her throne,
"Do not take that sardonic tone with me Loki, you know perfectly well the Norns knew of this from the beginning and they share all their knowledge with me-"
"Yes, and yet you never thought to share this rather important piece of information with me, despite being one of your closest allies!"
He interjected gruffly.
"It was not for me to disclose such a revelation to thee Loki, that was Odin's duty, not mine..."
She growled back, her brow furrowing,
"....you ought to consider yourself fortunate that I wasn't prejudiced towards you due to your breed...Jotuns' cannot be trusted, they are a savage and cruel race!"
Loki stared back at her, his eyes hard and cold, a devious smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth,
"And I thought it was those attributes that you found most appealing."
"Within moderation,"
"Yet you favoured Balder so...despite his brutishness."
He returned sharply, his tone a mixture of both mischief and malice.
Karnilla straightened abruptly, clearly disgruntled by his mocking,
"Come now, sinister one...you of all people should know that love is blind, is it not?"
Loki's face fell as he registered her meaning, and Sif looked on wide-eyed as Karnilla began chanting a runic incantation.
A swirling mist of light appeared around him, illuminating his pale features and casting a superlunary glow over them both.
"Enough now Karnilla!"
Loki roared at the Norn Queen, clearly agitated,
"What do you hope to gain by this?"
Karnilla smiled devilishly and turned her eyes upon Sif,
"It is only fair that your warrior maiden sees you for what you truly are...Loki of Jotunheim!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth, when the temperature dropped rapidly, and the swirling light around Loki took on a frosty appearance.
Sif's jaw dropped open in shock, as she watched his pale skin change in colour and texture before her very eyes.
He was blue, just like the frost giants of Jotunheim, and his eyes were now blood red.
They shot to her and taking in the look of panic on her face, he dropped her hand abruptly and turned away.
"Do not look at me!"
He yelled in desperation,
Karnilla laughed wickedly in response, but her smile soon faded when Sif boldly grasped hold of Loki's hand once more.
She felt him jerk slightly, startled by her touch. His hand was now ice cold, but she entwined her fingers through his and leaned into him
"Loki, do not be ashamed."
She whispered gently.
Slowly he turned to face her, but was reluctant to meet her gaze.
"Well, now you see me Sif...how can you even bare to look at me?"
He asked sadly,
"Because I love you!"
She cried,
"I see no monster, only the man I love."
Their eyes locked, each of them brimming with tears as they simultaneously stumbled into each other's arms.
They held each other tightly, oblivious to Karnilla's stares, until they felt the swirling cold air begin to dispel.
"Well well..."
Karnilla said finally, breaking the silence,
"...it would seem that love really is blind....yet it is love nonetheless."
Slowly they turned to face the Norn Queen, still clinging to each other.
Loki's features had returned to normal, but his face bore an expression of pure rage and indignation.
"Do not upset yourself further dark one..."
The queen interjected before he had time to speak,
"....you can rest easy now, safe in the knowledge that your shield maiden truly loves you unconditionally"
"He need never have doubted it!"
Sif snapped angrily
"Oh but he did doubt it..."
Karnilla replied, with a twisted smile,
"...and he always would have...so you ought to thank me."
Loki scoffed loudly, his agitation not waning any,
"Huh! I've known you long enough to sense when there's an ulterior motive for your actions Karnilla, why the interference?"
"Because this forbidden union is destined to ruin you both"
Sh replied bluntly,
"....had it been a mere fling, then I could've hoped that the Norns were wrong, but now I see your love is unshakable, it will be your undoing"
Loki swallowed hard, his brow furrowing deeply,
"How so?"
"I am not at liberty to disclose this information to you, as you still have a choice."
Sif eyed her lover apprehensively as he responded, his tone clearly anxious.
"What choice?"
"Give up your love for one another-"
"Never!"
Sif yelled without a moments hesitation,
"I would sooner die than be without Loki now."
Karnilla studied Sif, her intense gaze scrutinising her closely and making her feel deeply uneasy.
"That may be so lady Sif, but what about him, would he be willing to do the same for you?"
Sif looked up at Loki's handsome face, his expression deeply troubled.
For a moment she felt her heart stop beating for fear that he may not respond in the way she hoped.
"Of course. I would never give her up!"
He replied finally, much to her relief.
"That may be your only option my dark prince...if you truly love her."
Loki suddenly shot forward with lightening speed and gripped Karnilla by the arms, startling both her and Sif.
"What do you mean by that, devilish woman?"
He snarled
"Have a care Loki, unhand me at once or I shall share nothing further with you!"
She hissed menacingly
"Loki, you must let her go."
Sif implored him.
The fractious pair stared back at each other for a moment, teeth bared and lips curled, until at last the trickster loosened his grip on the Queen.
"The lady has passed her test...."
She quipped, with a devious smile,
"....she's proved how much she loves you. But how will you fair Loki, if the test means giving up on her, in order to save her from her doom?"