Frank Has a Snack
Thor had been quite pleased with himself by the time he reached the forest outside the city. He had ridden his horse, Gareth, straight to where they had previously encountered the bilgesnipe.
The place was still a wreck. Trees were splintered and the grass of the clearing was stomped flat. However, with time, it had taken on an earthy appeal, making the dense green around him look more inhabitable and friendly rather than the lonely wilderness he had once perceived it to be.
That’s when Thor began his search for Loki.
It was a known fact that Loki would take his horse, Hel, out whenever he left the palace. But finding Hel was not something Thor relied on. She was a skittish horse and ran from the most trusted stable-hands in all Asgard. The only one she truly obeyed was Loki, which could not truly be said because he so rarely gave her any instruction at all.
Loki treated his horse more as a friend than a pet.
All in all, finding Hel would be impossible. Thor was not keen on the idea to begin with. As mild tempered as she may be, her appearance was disturbing. Many in the palace liked to forget that Loki was a young sorcerer. Magic was not looked down on when used for healing or advancement in Asgardian technology. But there were a few who did not know Loki quite so personally that believed his magic would be used for malicious intent.
Thor doubted it.
His brother may have accidentally half killed his horse, but he did not have the heart of a true warrior like himself.
He smiled smugly, dismounting Gareth. He did not expect Loki to be anywhere near here as he said he was going to extend his research…..
Now, what did Loki study?
Thor couldn’t believe he had no answers. Wasn’t Loki always prattling on about something he read or something he thought Thor would like in a book? He studied magic, but what of that was there out here? He racked his brain.
Healers used herbs. Perhaps Loki was looking for those?
Thor rode deeper into the wood, pondering where on Asgard his brother could have possibly gone. If he had just been allowed to leave the palace sooner….
He approached a different part of the forest. It looked nothing like Thor had ever seen. The trees were thicker and their leaves seemed to completely block out the sun from where he stood. The earth was damp, grassy, and trodden on. But it did not look like the stomped down vegetation that the bilgesnipe nested in. The ground was too moist and the grass looked like it had been ripped out in places.
He checked the dirt, noticing long slashes in the dark earth.
Talons.
Quickly, Thor drew Mjolnir. If he was faced with wild animals again, he would not run. Running was for cowards and the weak. He was neither.
Treading cautiously into the middle of the clearing, Thor tried to think of the type of animal that could dwell here. Certainly they were nothing he couldn’t handle. If Loki could survive these beasts every day, so could he.
A twig broke under his foot and the sharp little thwack stirred something in the canopy of the trees. Loud screeching sounded in his ears as eight large winged beasts descended from the darkened treetops. It was at this moment that Thor realized the canopy was not leaves, it was grass and these creatures that circled him now were more than birds. They had long sleek powerful bodies with fur and razor edged feather wings. Their beaks snapped at him in unison.
Griffins.
He clutched Mjolnir, raising it in threat.
The beasts roared together, one cracking forwards to swallow Mjolnir and would have taken his hand as well had he not let go.
Well, that left him with one option. He could not say he was proud of it, but in that moment, he was more concerned about having his insides ripped apart by winged creatures. He called for his brother.
“LOKI!”
***
Loki clutched Hel’s reins, surging forwards.
What had Thor done? Why had he come out? Was he in trouble?
He heard another scream and panic rose in his throat.
“Think, Loki, think!” he urged himself. Why would Thor come out and why would he call for him?
If he was looking for Loki, the chances are he would not call his name out so loudly. If he was out with his friends, he would not dare call to Loki for help if he was in trouble.
Loki made the assumption that his brother was indeed in trouble and indeed calling for his help. If Thor had been looking for him, where would Thor look? Not at the cave, no one knew of it but him, and it was not especially easy to find.
Quickly, Loki rushed Hel past the clearing where they met the Bilgesnipe and through the thickets. He hoped Thor had not been unthinking enough to walk into the center of the griffins’ nests. He did not have enough energy to defend them both.
“LOKI!” Thor’s voice echoed through the forest followed by a series of rumbling squawks.
“Wonderful.” Loki muttered to himself. “Run Hel! If we want him back alive, we are going to need to get there fast. Take us to high ground.”
Jörmungandr’s tongue lolled out in determination as they surged onwards towards the darkening wood.
They approached a clearing and in the center, Loki could see Thor, unarmed, slowly backing against a tree. Seven or eight griffins with malevolent golden eyes circled him. It was obvious they were only playing with their food. Hel reared to a halt next to a tree, her bones a silent whisper compared to the racket of the griffins.
Loki thought fast. He had read about griffins, had he not? He thought hard to everything he knew about them.
They were fast. Very fast, and usually chose to attack with their beaks and claws, however their wings would slit a man’s throat quicker than the sharpest blades. They ate just about any kind of meat, and attacked in groups. They were intelligent animals and extreme strategists. They built their homes in the trees to avoid some kind of animal…he couldn’t remember….
Loki reviewed his options. He could attempt to take on the griffins with his limited magic and dagger, or he could try to outsmart them. No…he would have to do both.
Carefully, he pulled himself out of his stirrups, hoisting his feet to stand on Hel’s back. Jörmungandr slipped from his pocket to slither around in the mud and grass contentedly. With steady hands, Loki reached above his head to grasp a branch of one of the griffins’ nesting trees. If he could get up high enough, then they would have to leave Thor to attack him instead.
But where was Mjolnir? Had Thor truly left without his weapon?
Hefting himself up, Loki made his way gracefully and stealthily up the tree. Once he was high enough that the branches began to look more like sticks, Loki attached himself to a different, sturdier tree and unsheathed his dagger. “Griffins!” he shouted, holding onto the tree with one hand and gripping his blade in the other. They all turned to focus their leering eyes on him in interest. Loki thought of something to say, a reference from one of Darcy’s movies. “COME AND GET IT!”
They seemed to get the message, rearing on their hind legs and flapping their wings to reach him. Loki waited till they were all very close to conjure a ball of fire in his hand and raise it to their faces. It drained him and his foot slipped so he almost fell down an enormous height. He swallowed, keeping his gaze steady on them.
Griffins would be offended by fire. It was a threat to their nests. “Leave us alone, or I will release it.” Loki warned. It was a partial bluff. He could not hope to maintain the flame much longer as his grip on the tree was slackening and his feet slipped on the mossy branch. If he chose to attack the griffins first, though, they would surely kill him.
His threat was a gamble.
A gamble that he lost the moment one of them dove at him.
His grasp on the tree loosened and Loki released the magic, letting the energy return to his system. Thor shouted up at him, “Loki! What do I do?!”
“Run!” Loki yelled, as they dove at him again and he threw his dagger, burying it to the hilt in one of their bodies. It was a miss and the creature hardly reacted at all. An idea occurred to him. “THOR! Call Mjolnir!”
His brother looked up at him, confused. “What?!”
Loki tumbled backwards, falling from his branch. His heart pounded and he managed to catch himself, clutching onto the branch with both hands. A griffin advanced and he kicked it in the face. “Your hammer! It responds to your call! Bring it forth and attack!” Loki shouted, surprise lighting his tone, “Did you truly not know of your own hammer’s capabilities!?”
Thor made a sound of unruliness, raising his hand. Loki watched in amazement as the Griffin nearest to him exploded into a mass of blood and flesh, Mjolnir appearing from its disembodiment. Blood splattered Loki’s face and body, a bit of skin hitting him in the face, a few feathers stuck to his boots. It was quite impressive.
Thor’s shining grin was visible from Loki’s suspended height as he swung his newly retrieved weapon around in circles, beckoning forth the griffins from around Loki. They tasted a new threat and flew down to Thor, no longer playing games. They dove and clawed, attacking Thor at every turn. His brother accepted their turns with ease, a smile spreading on his face as he sweat in the heat of battle.
Relieved of the threatening animals, Loki climbed down the tree nimbly. There was no way they could get out of this mess without killing another one. Griffins were proud, but because of it, they would concede in battle when they detected their own failure. They needed to gain the upper hand. Mjolnir was great, but Thor was young and did not have his full strength. He would not be able to wield it for long. His brother was already weakening.
Despite Loki’s anxiety as he reached the ground, Jörmungandr seemed quite pleased with himself as he had managed to coat his entire body in mud. His pink mouth was the only thing visible, wide open and ready for a finger to mouth on affectionately.
Loki scooped up his friend, stowing him in his pocket, mud and all. “Jörmungandr, now is not the time for games! We must focus on saving ourselves!”
He ran up to Thor, using the little magic he had remaining to conjure himself a sword. It was not the best he had made, but it would have to do. As Loki got closer to the griffins, Jörmungandr’s muddy body seemed to twitch with excitement.
Loki took to his brother’s back. “You look terrible Loki!” Thor laughed, skillfully bashing a griffin’s face aside.
“Well, some blonde idiot has almost managed to get us killed!” He teased, blocking a swipe of talons with the side of his blade.
Thor accepted the jest with a merciless laugh, slamming his hammer against one of their beaks. “Unfortunately all of us cannot be as sly as serpents!”
Serpents.
Loki remembered now. The reason griffins built their nests up so high was to avoid the animal they feared most: The Infinite Serpent.
They were native to Asgard but were rarely heard of or seen. Any encounter with them typically ended in death as they could eat anything, their stomach acid one of the most destructive toxins in the world. Their inner muscles broke down any substance.
At that moment, Jörmungandr broke free from his pocket, mouth wide open and mud free. He slithered to the tip of Loki’s blade, coming nose to beak with one of the griffins.
Immediately it stopped attacking Loki, golden eyes widening to the size of globes. Jörmungandr let out a sound that was all too similar to Fenrir’s small yaps as he dove at the griffin, small mouth expanding to latch onto the griffin’s beak.
It was the strangest sight to see; Jörmungandr’s happy little wiggly body that spent every night on his pillow devouring an entire griffin. His mouth stretched to accommodate the beast, its great winged body disappearing into Jörmungandr’s tiny form.
The rest of the flock screeched loudly, retreating to their nests as Jörmungandr finished his meal. When he was done, he looked up at Loki with delight, slithering up his Aseir friend’s neck to rest on his head.
Thor stared dumbfounded, mouth gaping.
Loki sighed, letting out a small laugh and wiping griffin blood from his brow. “Come brother, I think you’ve seen enough of the outside world today.” He walked up to Hel who, as asked, had not moved.
Once they found Gareth, Loki and Thor returned to the palace. Loki went to bathe and study more on the animals on Asgard, and Thor ran to eat and recall every event of their battle to his friends.
***
The next few days Loki spent trying to get away from the hoards of people that had flooded Asgard’s halls for the celebration of his adolescence. It was an event worthy of festivities. Not only would he begin to age faster, have his energy increase, and be given more freedoms, he would also receive his signature helm and title.
It was a tradition of Asgardian royalty and a true honor. Each member of the royal family had a certain symbol that would indicate their stature. Odin bore wings on his helm and proclaimed his label to be ‘War and Virtue’. Thor had chosen wings for his helm as well and decided his title would include ‘Thunder’. Loki thought that The Mighty Thor, Wielder of Thunder was rather elementary, but he did not argue it.
Loki did not want wings on his helm, nor did he want to have his title stand for something that represented him improperly. Also, he could not make the decision directly. A title was determined through the elders of the Asgardian court. One would kneel before them, they questioned you, you displayed your talents, and they would grant you a title.
The style of his helm he would be able to decide based on the elders’ decision.
Also for these occasions, he was to be fitted with new armor. His colors had been determined long ago and he was rather fond of green and gold. They suited him rather well.
Despite everything, what he really wanted to do was go visit Darcy. He hadn’t seen her since their sleepover and she was much better company than the countless dignitaries he was introduced to. He wanted her to see Asgard. It would be convenient for her to be there during his ceremony because of the constant presence of numerous visitors. It would not be quite so unusual for unfamiliar people to be wandering around the castle and speaking with the prince during his becoming of adolescence.
The night before his ceremony, Loki asked his mother’s permission to go out.
“It is late Loki and it is a big day tomorrow.” She reminded a warm smile on her lips. “But I suppose you may. Will you be staying out all night?”
Loki did not know. “Perhaps. I shall be here in the morning.” He assured.
Frigga gave him a searching look. “Very well. Stay safe, my darling.”
“I will, Mother.”
He turned to leave her chambers, eager to see Fenrir and Darcy again.
“And Loki?”
“Yes, Mother?”
“I love you.”
Loki swallowed. Sentiment was not so openly displayed on Asgard as it was in Midgard and this small declaration from his mother made him smile. “I love you as well, Mother.”
With that, he walked quickly from his mother’s chambers to the stables where he collected Hel. The encounter with the griffins had somehow made her more at ease and she was now tolerating being bathed and fed by the stable-hands at times instead of retreating, by her own passage, to Nilfheim.
Together, Hel, Loki, and Jörmungandr fled into the forest, dodging around trees and branches in the night, careful not to disturb the sleeping dwellers of such a peaceful evening. Loki dismounted near the cave, “Rest now, Hel. It is late on Midgard and I suspect Darcy is asleep. I shall be back on the morn.”
Hel took him at his word, crouching into the soft sweet grass at her feet, the bones of her face nuzzling into it. Loki stroked her shoulder before hurrying to the cave.
Midgard. Midgard. Midgard….
He opened his eyes, staring at the underneath of Darcy’s bed, aware of two small bare feet pacing the floor next to him. Easily, he slipped from under her bed. “Darcy,” he whispered, “I apologize for not being here sooner.”
She turned on him, her brown hair mussed and sticking up in strange places and her blue eyes full of surprise. “Loki!” she shouted in a whisper. She threw herself at him, taking him into a hug. “I’ve missed you! I even got you a birthday present! But you can’t have it till tomorrow night.”
Loki smiled widely at his friend and soon there was a little whine at his feet. Fenrir was pouting at him, little paws padding at his knee. He bent down and lifted his pup friend, rubbing his ears. “I have missed you as well Darcy! And you, Fenrir.”
She laughed, falling onto her bed. “Man, this has been a weird week at school. Mohammed broke my glasses so now I can’t see in class. Which is alright because now I don’t have to sit in the back of the class. But it also sucks because I already know about division and multiplication and fractions. I wish they would teach me cool things.”
She pouted and Loki went on to tell her about the things he recently learned. “Jörmungandr, you asked what kind of snake he is?”
“Uh huh.”
“He is an Infinite Serpent. They are some of the deadliest creatures on Asgard and feared above all else.” He told her, as Jörmungandr slithered over her knee.
She giggled, “Really? But he’s so cute!”
“Really.” Loki said, telling her about his adventures with the griffins. “Darcy?”
“What?”
“Would you like to come to Asgard tomorrow for the day? It is my—“
“Your birthday party!” Darcy interrupted, bouncing on the edge of the bed, unable to contain her excitement, “Yeah! I mean, I’ve got school tomorrow, but Darius doesn’t. So, I can tell my mom that I’m sick and she’ll let Darius stay home and take care of me. But he never does, he just stays in his room all the time!”
“Brilliant!” Loki said, falling back on her bed, Fenrir and Jörmungandr having some strange conversation in a mix of their different noises.
Darcy yawned, “Yeah…well, I’m tired. It’s two in the morning! I woke up to see if you were here, because you weren’t here for the last few days and I thought a bilgesnipe ate you or something. But you’re alive, so that’s okay.” She rambled tiredly, crawling into bed. “You can sleep on that side of my bed if you want. I’m too tired to make a blanket fort right now.”
Loki’s heart beat fast at this. Darcy just offered to share her bed with him? This is not how women behaved on Asgard. Not at all. In fact, such an open offer would have you cast as a courtesan for the rest of your days. But Darcy was already asleep, Fenrir curled up at her side with Jörmungandr coiled on his back.
Loki came to his senses. Darcy was not a woman yet, nor was she Asgardian. Perhaps on Midgard it was acceptable for two friends of the opposite sex to sleep in the same bed so long as their intentions were not of mating purposes. He had read in many books that is what happened in beds shared by married couples and so on.
Plus, they had already shared a space on the floor. How was this any different?
Quietly, he magicked on his sleepwear and crawled to the side of her bed by the wall she indicated to. Little did he know how tired he truly was till his head hit the pillow. He fell asleep to the fruity smell of Darcy’s hair on the sheets.
***
“Loki! Wake up! And do the invisible thing!” Darcy whispered to him, shaking his chest.
He groaned, rolling over, “What time is it?”
“Five thirty.”
He groaned again, Fenrir’s wet tongue lapping at his ear. “Do I have to?”
“Loki!”
Begrudgingly, he lazily cast the spell on himself, snuggling deeper into his pillows. In the next second, Darcy’s bedroom door opened and her mother walked in, gently whispering into the room, “Darcy? Are you awake honey?”
Darcy sighed in fake tiredness. “Mom?”
“C’mon baby, it’s time for school.”
“Mom, I don’t feel so good.” Darcy said sitting up.
Darcy’s mom got closer to the bed, placing a hand on Darcy’s forehead, he suspected, to detect fever. Using a quick spell, he raised the temperature of Darcy’s skin. “You feel warm. It might be better for you to stay home today.”
“Okay, if you say so, Mommy.” She sighed, rolling onto her belly, holding Fenrir closer.
“Darcy? Is that a snake?” Her mother asked alarmed.
Darcy shook her head, “That’s Frank the Rubber Snake. He’s not real.”
“Okay. Sleep tight honey. I’ll tell Darius to look after you today. He doesn’t have school. I’m going to work. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water.”
“Okay. I love you mom.”
“I love you too.” Said her mother, kissing her daughters head, and smoothing back her hair.
Darcy stayed on her side till they heard the slam of the front door. She leapt out of bed and he removed the spells. “Nice touch with that hot spell! We didn’t even get the thermometer!”
Loki yawned, “I am quite gifted, I agree. Now let us sleep.”
“Loki, you’re such a lazy butt. What time does your party start?” she asked going to her closet. “And what do I wear?”
Loki didn’t answer as he was already being lulled back to sleep by the gentle weight of Fenrir on his back.
Darcy sighed, “Fine, we can sleep. But I’m setting my alarm clock for seven. We have to wake up then, okay.”
Loki was far too gone to respond.
At seven o’clock, Loki heard the most petulant beeping in all of Yggdrasil. He pulled himself from Darcy’s bed, eyes thick with sleep. He was aware of how Darcy’s alarm clock worked, as he had disassembled it twice. Yet he did not understand how any sound could be so annoying. Darcy’s messy head shot right up, eyes wide and ready. “You’re awake! I’ve been waiting for an hour now!”
Loki was not moving quite so fast. He slowly magicked on his clothing, fingers combing his hair back. “It’s still early, but I suppose we had best be back by ten.”
“Great!” Darcy said, running to her closet and pulling out a pair of jeans.
Loki shook his head, “No jeans Darcy. If you are going to go, we had best disguise you. Midgardians do not frequent Asgard.”
She snapped her fingers, putting away her jeans. “Alright, then what do I wear?”
He cupped his chin, pacing the room. “Well, I have been thinking that you could pose as one of the noble’s daughters. However, you mustn’t talk about whose family you belong to.”
Darcy nodded in agreement. “Awesome! Are you going to magic it on?”
“I am.” He smiled, holding his hands out in front of him conjuring a dress for her. It was his ceremony, so it was expected that people dress regally and would not be uncommon for many to be dressed in gold or green. He made the gown gold, floor length and with a reasonable amount of mobility. Darcy hardly ever stopped moving and she was not accustomed to the quiet, still life of Asgardian women.
The pattern was faded light green against the shiny light color of the dress and he cut it to fit her small frame. The sleeves came down to her elbows and would not get in the way of any activities they partook in. The skirt would flutter mystically as she walked. Loki rather liked the style of this dress and only the most stately nobles wore them. They were a sign of beauty on Asgard.
Lady Sigyn had one in silver that he rather admired from time to time. Of course he hardly had the chance to tell her as she was always with the Ladies or being swept away by Fandral or Thor or some other person who did not want him to have friends.
On Darcy’s wrists he made simple gold bangles and a matching collar around her neck. He debated brushing her hair, yet thought it was better just to magic it into style. He let it hang free in shiny curls, a few tendrils tied back with a purple ribbon. As an added touch, he conjured a golden circlet to lie atop her head. Attached to it was a teardrop shaped pearl that dipped between her eyebrows.
“Well, what do you think?” She asked him, hands on her hips.
Loki gestured to the mirror on the back of her door. She turned to it and gasped. “Wow. This. Looks. Awesome!”
“You like it?” Loki asked, unsure, “I have never made clothing for anyone but myself before.”
“I love it!” Darcy said, turning in circles, “Do you like it? Do I look like an Asgardian?”
Loki smiled a bit, placing his hands on her shoulders to still her constant bouncing. He gently put a finger under her chin to lift it proudly, her pouty lips poised exactly how a noblewoman’s should be. “You look beautiful, Darcy.” He assured, dropping his hand from her face.
She blushed, “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
They were quiet for a moment, heat creeping up Loki’s neck until at last Fenrir let out a little whine, scratching at the door. “He has to go outside to pee.” Darcy said lifting the puppy.
Loki gestured to the bed, “Shall he go on Asgard then? I guarantee, it is closer than your front door.”
Darcy rushed over, frowning at the underneath of the bed. “Loki, I don’t know. What if it doesn’t work?”
“What do you mean?”
Darcy tapped her chin, “I’ve hidden under my bed lots of times, but I never went to Asgard.”
He nodded, “I suppose, to activate the portal, there is some magic involved.”
She nodded, “Are you going to pass out again?”
“Of course not. You have seen me use magic countless times. Transporting multiple beings through space and time however….”
Darcy nodded again, “Alright then! Let’s go!”
Loki took her hand, Jörmungandr in his pocket and Fenrir in Darcy’s arms, and pulled them under her bed. “Think Darcy, with everything you have, of Asgard.” He whispered to her, “And we shall be there.”
He gripped her hand tighter, clenching his eyes shut as he felt the burst of rainbow light and the churn in his stomach as they passed between realms. When he opened them again, he was staring at the wall of the cave next to a bewildered Darcy Lewis. He had never seen her speechless.
“Holy moley.” She breathed, getting shakily to her feet. “We really did it. I’m on Asgard!”
“You are indeed. Would you like to see it?” he asked her.
“Duh!” she said, setting down Fenrir, who immediately bounded from the cave to relieve himself in the grass.
He took Darcy’s hand, pulling her from the stone walls and into the bright light of day. Hel was standing in the field, giving Darcy an unsteady look. Darcy’s blue eyed gaze roamed the field and the forest, falling on Hel. She jumped a little at first, but he had told her of his horse and what had happened to her a couple weeks ago, so her reaction was minute compared to others who had met her.
“Is that Hel?”
“Yes.” Loki said, approaching his horse slowly. Thankfully she did not move; only continue her one eyed stare at Darcy Lewis, her skeletal side shifting. “There’s no need to be scared, Hel. She will not hurt you. See?” he took Darcy’s hand and placed it on the bone of her shoulder. “Darcy is my friend.”
A blush crept into Darcy’s cheeks as she pet the ivory colored bone. “She is very pretty.”
Loki’s insides relaxed. He had been worried that Darcy’s reaction would be the same as everyone else’s. That she would be disgusted by his different friend. But she accepted her with the same grace she had accepted him. “You like her?”
“Yeah. Does she like me?” Darcy asked, bringing her other hand up to caress the flesh side of Hel’s face.
The mare leaned into Darcy’s touch, unafraid. “I believe she does. Very much so.”
Fenrir had finished with his business and was now running towards them, tongue lolling out much like Jörmungandr’s. The small snake slithered from Loki’s pocket to the top of Hel’s head, waiting for his friends to join him.
Darcy giggled, “Frank!”
For the first time all week, Loki was excited about the celebration of his adolescence. “Come.” Loki said, placing his foot in the stirrup, lifting himself onto Hel. “Let us go to the palace and I can give you your birthday present.”
Darcy’s smile outshone the Asgardian sun as she picked up Fenrir, putting him in front Loki on the saddle. She did as Loki had done by shifting her golden shoed foot into the stirrup and accepting Loki’s hand to help her up. She situated herself behind him, wrapping her arms around his body.
“Onward, Prince Loki!” she said in an awful mockery of his accent.
Loki grinned from ear to ear, following her command. “Hold on tight, Lady Darcy.” He chided, gripping the reins of his majestic black horse, “Hel likes to run.”
She gripped tighter around his middle as they surged towards the golden city, the rising morning sun silhouetting them on a day dedicated to Mischief.