The Wise Man
Loki and Aragorn walked side by side along the shore, their steps leaving ephemeral imprints in the damp sand. The two leaders cast distracted glances at Anthony, who was busy collecting seashells.
The ranger broke the silence, his gaze shifting between the boy and Loki. "May I pose a question about the boy's father?" he inquired, adjusting his gaze to Loki with a curious expression. "Anthony mentioned he's from the stars, yet he also said the man was human... I'm not quite certain I understand. Is he a Valar like you?"
A melancholic smile graced Loki's face as they observed their child with a distant air.
"His father was human, much like yourself. There are other realms among the stars. Some are inhabited solely by elves, others by dwarves. But I met Tony on Midgard, the world of men."
Aragorn nodded, his thoughts drifting through the idea that there were other worlds among the stars. "Anthony is over two hundred years old," he remarked. "So his father..."
"Gone. Yes, I stopped hoping he would come for me after forty years of waiting," Loki replied, their voice tinged with the coldness of sorrow.
"He's the one who sent you to Arda, isn't he? Because of a sorcerer?"
"Thanos is a threat among the stars, much like Morgoth is in Middle-earth. I was on the brink of giving birth. My companions shielded me from the sorcerer, fighting at the peril of their lives. Tony ensured my safety before confronting him. But since then, I've had no news from them. Neither from him, nor from my companions, whom I considered my family."
The wind whispered softly, causing Loki's Jotun hair to ripple as they spoke.
A faint shiver ran through the ranger as he imagined what Loki must have felt. "Those years of solitude must have been difficult for you," he murmured, placing a compassionate hand on their friend's shoulder.
Loki let out a nearly imperceptible sigh before responding.
"I had my son to raise, and soon enough, I found myself responsible for an entire people. I did my best to stay active, to not dwell too much on those I had lost..."
"I'm sorry. My beloved is also in the immortal lands as we speak..." Aragorn confided, revealing a touch of his own sadness in his tone.
Loki lifted a piercing gaze to the ranger. "An elf, then?" they inquired, a glint of interest in their eyes.
"Yes. The wisest and most beautiful of them all."
"Now that Middle-earth is at peace, why not join her?"
The ranger's gaze wandered to the horizon, lost in memories. "It's been twenty years since the last ship set sail for Valinor, the last connection to the immortal lands..."
Their steps had brought them to a place where the sand gave way to the waves, creating a soothing blend of sounds between the water's murmur and the gentle breeze.
Loki's smile surfaced, their eyes sparkling mischievously. "So here you are, captain of a company of riders, accompanied by an elven prince and a noble dwarf... Forgive me for this observation, but I find your situation no more enviable than mine..."
Aragorn chuckled softly, his smile tinged with a touch of self-deprecation. "I chose to dedicate my life to the land of my forefathers, and I could not do that as a king."
"Grishnákh often tells me that my words unsettle his heart, for he cannot bear when I lie to myself. I believe I've just understood what he's been trying to say..."
"And what have you understood precisely?"
"That we often hide behind a multitude of responsibilities to avoid facing our own inner demons. Sometimes, we are the best at deceiving ourselves."
"I can only agree with your words. It is easy to get lost in the tumult of the world around us and forget the battles that rage within ourselves."
A joyful laughter suddenly rang in their ears, interrupting their exchange.
"Mom! Look at this seashell!" exclaimed Anthony, running toward them, his face illuminated by his discovery. Between his small fingers, he proudly displayed the seashell he had found on the shore.
A tender smile graced Loki's lips. They lowered themselves slightly, coming to the child's level, and observed the seashell with feigned curiosity. "Well, what a magnificent treasure you've unearthed there," they said in a gentle voice.
"A seashell that strangely resembles the grumpy dwarf!" the child proclaimed without filter.
Aragorn joined the duo, wearing an amused smile. "It appears that this seashell does indeed bear a striking resemblance to our dwarf friend," he noted with a knowing glance.
A soft sigh escaped Loki's lips, a mix of consternation and amusement.
"Anthony!" they gently admonished. "We must choose our words carefully, right? What you just said would have hurt Gimli's feelings if he had been here to hear it..."
Anthony shrugged with childlike nonchalance. "Okay, Mom. But I still prefer the elves. They smell nice, and they're more graceful, like Legolas."
Aragorn struggled to hold back a laugh at the child's candid assessment. "Well, it seems that our elven friend has won your heart, Anthony."
"Elves are indeed known for their grace and elegance," Loki added with a playful wink at Aragorn. "But remember, my treasure, that every being has their own story and qualities."
"I'll remember, Mom," Anthony replied seriously, before turning away to resume his treasure hunt.
"Children have a knack for speaking the truth as it is," Aragorn commented with an amused tone.
"Indeed, their innocence is refreshing," Loki replied. "That being said, I might consider teaching Anthony a few lessons in diplomacy."
"A task that promises to be quite a challenge, but undoubtedly entertaining," Aragorn concluded, the two friends sharing a moment of complicity as they watched the young budding explorer.
Suddenly, emerging from the horizon, Grishnákh, Gimli, and Legolas appeared in haste, forming an unusual alliance in this desert landscape.
"Aragorn, Loki!" Legolas called urgently. "The camp is under attack!"
Legolas' announcement acted as a trigger. Loki swiftly made their way toward their son, then knelt to face him.
"Anthony, stay safe with Grishnákh," they articulated with an authoritative voice.
The child nodded, the expression in his eyes reflecting understanding, as echoes of the conflict resonated in the distance.
Loki straightened with palpable resolve, sharing a significant glance with Grishnákh.
The four companions then set into motion, swiftly making their way toward the conflict zone. Adrenaline coursed through Aragorn's veins as they reached the battleground. Orcs fought with fervor, their roars mingling with the metallic echoes of clashes.
The Gondor army, advancing with unwavering determination, seemed to have misread the situation. They likely believed that the orcs were holding Aragorn and his companions captive, unaware of the newfound alliances and friendships formed in recent days.
As the turmoil of battle intensified, Aragorn pushed through to the ranks of Gondor's cavalry, seeking to make his voice heard amidst the persistent chaos.
"Wait!" he exclaimed, raising his voice to capture attention. The wary gazes of the riders landed on him, uncertainty etched on their faces.
"Lord Aragorn?" one of them murmured, surprise and skepticism mingling in his features.
The Ranger took a step forward, locking eyes with his fellow countrymen. "I implore you, lend an attentive ear to my words! The orcs you see are not our enemies."
Murmurs of disbelief rippled like shivers among the riders.
"I understand that this might be hard to accept, but Lord Loki, leader of the orcs, has forged an alliance with us."
As Aragorn's words seeped into their minds, an imposing figure materialized by his side. Loki stepped forward, revealing their presence in the full light.
The horses of the riders nervously shifted, neighing in a manner that reflected the palpable apprehension in the air. The riders instinctively stepped back, horrified by the pale blue skin and red eyes of the Jotun.
Yet, despite their surprise, Loki remained unmoving. Their fiery eyes swept across the assembly with a mix of intensity and calm, as if understanding the doubts that were forming in the riders' minds.
Aragorn, aware of the impact Loki was making, continued with unwavering resolve. "We have set aside our differences to form a strong alliance. The orcs you see here have chosen a new path, one of peaceful coexistence."
Aragorn sensed the hesitation in the riders' demeanor. Murmurs of disbelief continued to spread among the men, their mistrust of Loki seeming to outweigh acceptance. They couldn't easily embrace this new reality, and the idea that such an alien being could be on their side was hard to grasp.
Suddenly, a voice rose among the riders, carrying a mix of anxiety and anger. "We cannot believe such tales! How can we know this isn't a trap? This creature may very well be an ally of Sauron, seeking to sow confusion among us."
Eyes turned toward the knight who voiced his doubts, and murmurs of agreement followed. The atmosphere grew even tenser, the divide between these men's beliefs and the reality presented to them seeming insurmountable.
Suddenly, one of the riders made an impulsive move. Ignoring Aragorn's words, he unsheathed his sword and lunged forward, letting out a war cry.
Time seemed to slow as the rider's sword descended toward Loki, revealing a glint of sharp steel. The reaction was swift, instinctual. Loki raised their hand, channeling their powers into a burst of green energy. A magical shield formed before them, halting the sword in mid-air. Sparks crackled, metal meeting magic in a luminous clash.
A sudden hush fell, the scene hanging in an electric tension. Loki's scarlet eyes locked onto the rider, a blend of astonishment and warning in their gaze. The confrontation had reached a critical juncture, each moment poised on the brink of chaos.
Yet, as the fate of the two adversaries seemed suspended, an unexpected disruption shattered the eerie standoff. The sky above them shimmered suddenly with a dazzling light, hues of blue and violet dancing in the dark clouds. Eyes instinctively turned upward, seeking the origin of this phenomenon.
A light, akin to a shooting star of extraordinary scale, pierced through the veil of the heavens with supernatural grace. A luminous trail stretched behind it, as if a shard of a celestial body had chosen to depart from the cosmic dance.
A strange sound, unfamiliar to all, blended into the atmosphere, resonating in the air like the oddest of melodies.
The star descended gracefully toward the earth, creating a whirlwind of luminous particles. Upon impact, it generated a cloud that blinded all creatures nearby. Then, a light shone from within the midst of that dust cloud, as if a doorway were opening within the darkness.
A silhouette emerged at the entrance, clad in a suit of daring red and gold hues. The strange music that had filled the air since the beginning of this otherworldly event seemed to crescendo.
The figure, unmistakably a man, walked toward them with a theatrical and elegant gait. He performed impromptu dance steps as he approached, his movements seemingly perfectly synchronized with the notes of the music, creating a baffling spectacle for his audience.
"He's always loved being the center of attention..." Loki finally murmured, their voice tinged with palpable emotion.
Aragorn suddenly realized that Loki was silently weeping. Tears discreetly traced down the Jotun's cheeks, betraying a profound emotion. Then the ranger understood.
"Is this... But... He should be dead!" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Not if he's become a god..." Loki replied in a barely audible voice before leaving Aragorn with unsteady steps.
"Where are you going?" the ranger asked, concerned for his friend.
"To kill him, of course," Loki retorted, a cold determination in their gaze.
Without waiting for a response, the Jotun then surged forward with resolute steps, the orcs instinctively dispersing to clear his path.
Their stride quickly transformed into a frenzied sprint, their elegant figure becoming a shadow streaking rapidly toward the man.
In an impulsive move, Loki dropped their spear, letting the weapon fall to the ground without a second thought. They dashed straight into the arms of the being who had fallen from the stars, burying their face against their chest.
"Well, hello there, darling. What's for dinner tonight?" the man teased, enveloping Loki in a warm embrace.
The Jotun, known for their composure and control, murmured almost to himself, their voice muffled by the emotion and tears that continued to flow. "You utter bastard..."
Then, new figures emerged from the portal of light. Their silhouettes resembled those of gods, draped in fabrics that harmoniously embraced their forms and adorned with shimmering precious metals. Two women with fiery hair appeared, exuding an aura of serene power, while two men with noble features joined them. Among them, one had a presence that strangely recalled an orc, with an imposing stature and green skin. They all gathered around Loki, encircling him with a protective embrace, forming a group that seemed straight out of legends themselves.
It appeared that Loki had finally found his kin.