chapter 13
Draco was visiting Sleipnir when Thor came to visit him.
The storm had lessened in past few days, but the rain was still there. Draco had thought that by now Thor would've been with Jane. But it seems he was mistaken.
He had received a letter from Harry through Hela, that he will be there just some days later. There was an urgent business that he had to attend. Nevertheless, Amora will be here as soon as possible. Draco was relieved. He does not fancy staying here without Loki.
But Sleipnir was good company at-least. Draco had first met Jormungandr as he was the sea serpent on earth. He was Loki's magical child. Which Draco later realized was that they were his familiars. Jormungandr has big role to play in Ragnarok, Odin fearing for this had him cursed down to Midgard.
He had met Sleipnir much later when he came to Asgard with Loki for a break. Loki had wished that he saw Asgard, travel through its golden city. Hike through mountains, sail through the rivers. Draco had visited many Asgardian towns and villages. He particularly loved Fjordur. He loved the view it provided of mountains. As if they are within the reach but when you reach out its further than you expected. The water was clean and air was not polluted with asgardian technology.
That was when he had met Sleipnir, under the cloak. But he had seen right through it.
Even now. He knows Sleipnir is seeing right through his façade, that he is not happy here without Loki. He had let Draco pet him, which he never lets anyone but Loki pet him. Even though he was Odin’s horse, his loyalty lies towards Loki. That was something which warmed Draco's heart.
Sleipnir was sitting up and Draco was combing his mane, when Thor found him.
"Góðan daginn, Brother Draco" Thor said in greeting and bowed his head.
"Not much of a morning, is it? When we haven't seen sun in few days" Draco said.
As soon as he said that, thunder cracked loudly above the castle and he could see the torrential rain outside the barn.
Draco sighs.
"Prince Thor, it would be crucial to control your emotions. No need to give Odin the satisfaction of breaking you down too." he said as he started combing through Sleipnir mane again.
"He lets you groom him." Thor said, perturbed. "He never lets anyone touch him except Loki and his most trusted Eirherjar."
"I know, the first time I met him, he let me caress him because Loki bribed him." Draco chuckled.
"Aah, so that was why there was constant supply of celery, lettuce and turnips for him here" Thor said as if realizing something.
"What?" Draco says faintly.
"A few years ago, the harvest for lettuce was destroyed hence, there was nearly two years where we did not get lettuce and Seiplnir loves them. But suddenly there was constant supply of celery, lettuce and turnips and they were not from the farm. We, until now do not know how that happened. Now we do." Thor said merrily.
"Trust Loki to spoil his familiar just to let me pet Seiplnir for a few minutes." Draco muttered. "That's why you are letting me touch you huh." Draco smiled.
Seiplnir neighs as if confirming what Draco just said and he chuckled.
"You were looking for me?" Draco directed his question to Thor.
"Yes, Mother, talked to me about Loki's actual parentage. She wanted to know, how I feel about that. Brother Draco, I do not care that he is a Frost Giant-"
"Of-course you do not care that he is a frost giant" Draco interrupted him. "But are you sure people will not care about that?"
"W-What do you mean?" thor stuttered.
"Prince Thor, do not pretend as if you do not know." Draco replied.
"Know what?" Thor asked. Baffled.
Draco sighs as they ventured out of the barn towards the tea table under the shelter.
"I have known Loki for twenty years now, Prince Thor. While he never says anything candidly against his treatment on Asgard. I have gathered enough knowledge about him that he was constantly bullied and mistrusted among the people. Loki's is a sorcerer, most powerful in Asgard and yet he is considered as weak. Why? They think Seidr is women's art. He is constantly looked down upon just because he used his words to get out of crisis instead of brute force. He is always mistrusted just because he used his brains and cunningness to get what he wants. When I first came here, I saw this three Eirherjar with a woman, they were constantly teasing about how Loki would like to spend his days in library instead of practicing swords. I remember the girl saying that if he practiced enough maybe he would be able to defend himself. I remember being so livid. I nearly cursed her. I was under the cloak of Void, we didn't want to give it away. These are my observations for a few days when I was here, I do not know what he endured for nearly thousand years. People do not trust him, but can't do anything about it as he is Asgardian Prince. What do you think will happen if people find out he is half frost giant? What would happen then Prince Thor? Will people demand that He get locked up in a cell in dungeons just because he is Odin's bastard? Will he face disgust more clearly now that his true lineage is cleared?" Draco completed.
They sat in silence as Thor contemplated what Draco just said. Thor has never thought his brother was less of a warrior just because he wielded knifes instead of swords. Thor has always been in awe of Loki's way of talking them out of anything. Thor has always loved unusual plans Loki would make which would give them the desired results instead of bloodshed. Thor knows Loki does not like bloodshed. 'If we can bend them to our will with manipulation, then why would we unnecessary spill blood.' Loki used to say.
But then Thor also remember how Loki was mistrusted when his hammer was stolen and only, he could come up with a plan. He also remembers when Loki would spend days perfecting a spell, and would always be excited to show him, the Warriors Three and Sif would make fun of it as women's games. Thor also remembers how he saved the Muspelheim from the brink of civil war with his Silvertongue but many of them thought that Loki had enchanted them. How could he be so oblivious to his brother's sufferings?
"Prince Thor" Draco called him. Startling him out of his thoughts. He supposes he should be grateful for his presence here. Without Draco, he would not have realized somethings that he has realized withing the past week.
*Thank you, Brother Draco. I have understood my obliviousness about my Brother's matters. I will expiate for my mistakes." he said.
"Prince Thor, I did not say all of this to make you feel guilty. I know that what Loki did by stopping your coronation was wrong And I am not trying to justify his actions. I just wanted you to have glimpse of his mind. About how his mind works."