Prize
Okay, so messing with the trolls wasn't the best idea. But what could he do? He was bored and in desperate need of adventure. So, when Thor burst into the room with a great offer of adventure, of course, they accepted.
Fandral was waiting for something like this for a week!
The other warriors were up to it in no time, too.
Only Loki needed a little persuasion and none of the warriors were too happy about the fact the second prince was coming. Thor had a hard time convincing his brother. Eventually, he said he's in, but kept insisting it's only because someone has to make sure you don't do anything stupid. And well...his healing skills might come in handy.
Like, right now!
Fandral heard his friends groan in frustration, exhaustion, and pain. They were surrounded with no way to escape. They were deep into the forest where no light came through, a tall stone wall behind their backs, and the trolls kept pressing them back against it. They won't be able to hold their ground much longer. Everyone was tired, with the exception of Thor maybe... He looks so engrossed in what he is doing. Namely, smashing trolls with his hammer. And Loki is nowhere in sight.
Damn.
"Where did that coward go?" he could hear Sif shout enraged. The battle was getting to her. Fandral watched as she stabbed an enemy with her spear and drew it back covered in blood. This is all he saw before he was pulled back to the battle by a loud growl. A troll was charging at him and Fandral had no time to react, standing vulnerable in front of the enemy. But before the giant could reach him a dagger flew out of nowhere, piercing the creature through the throat, effectively stopping it in its track, killing it on the spot.
Fandral swirled his head around. There, in the shadows, he saw Loki. The young prince looked the worst of them all. Blood was dripping from the side of his face, nose, and lips. If the warrior didn't know better, he would've thought someone collided their fist with his face repeatedly, but that wasn't the case. Well, not fully. The blood dripping from his nose and lips meant he used too much magic and he's on the verge of collapsing. Fandral knew this because...because reasons...and that wasn't good.
The battle continued, and Loki threw one of his daggers, yet again, to save Fandral. Their gazes met and Loki spoke emotionlessly, "You should pay attention to the battle," and with that, he disappeared, attacking from the shadows.
Fandral went back to his friends. They all look battered and worn. Sif had a cut on her left forearm and a gash on her side, bruises liting her skin where it was visible, bloody spear in hand. Volstagg's shoulder was bleeding badly injured, his armor missing in places with shallow cuts replacing it. Hogun was fairly unharmed, except for a slight limp in his left leg if you looked close. Thor was fine with a few cuts here and there, but he looked unfazed. Fandral himself was sure he had a few broken ribs with a slight ache in his hands from a few injuries.
They were pressed even further back. The pain and exhaustion from the battle catching up with them, but they couldn't give up. The trolls seem like they were coming from nowhere and weren't decreasing either.
"Thor! We won't be able to hold them much longer!" Sif yelled, "What are we going to do?" the desperation clear in her voice.
But before Thor could answer there was a loud cry from their left. Fandral quickly glanced just in time to see Loki falling to the ground, his hip pierced, a giant troll standing above him, ready to strike. The warrior rushed to the fallen prince, stabbing the troll in the gut. Thor was by his side in no time, keeping the offenders away from his brother and his friend.
The warrior knelt, helping Loki to sit up, whispering so only he could hear, "You should pat attention, my prince."
Said prince groaned, "Not the time."
Of course, he was right. One of theirs was down, and he looked even paler than usual. The blood on his face dark and dry, his eyes missing their glint...not that Fandral knew because he was observing the prince every time he was with them, especially his eyes. No, nothing like it.
"Listen," Loki hissed through gritted teeth, "We are losing this battle-"
"-Tell me something I don't know," Fandral cut him off, earning a glare and a week slap.
"Just listen!" the prince insisted, going straightforward this time, "Go to the left, through the forest, and behind the enemies."
"Won't they see me? And why me?"
Loki glared even harder, "I will ensure your safety," the warrior snored, but before he could say anything Loki continued, "I will use a cloaking spell on you. Go behind them and lure them to sunlight. And do it quick. The sun is about to settle."
Okay, said that way made more sense, but... "Why me?"
Loki groaned in frustration, "Sif won't listen, Hogun can't run - don't tell me you haven't noticed the limping - Volstagg is...Volstagg and my brother will mess it up. Don't tell me he won't because we know he will!" he listed quickly and watched as the warrior nodded dumbly. Don't challenge Loki's wit...and intelligence. Ever!
Fandral stood up and ran to the left as instructed. And as Loki said, he was invisible to the enemy. He made it through the woods and was behind the trolls. Wondering if the spell was still working or not and how he should lure the trolls to sunlight, he heard a growl and looked up just in time to see two giant trolls staring at him. He easily slaughtered them, but the attention of others went to him. And before they could surround him, he ran. They gave a loud growl and followed.
For such heavy, hulking creatures, the trolls were pretty fast. But Fandral was faster. And the forest was getting more sparse and the light was visible through the branches. He just hoped his friends would chase after them.
After a few minutes of running the warrior found an opening. He used the last of his energy and sped towards it. He halted to a stop in the middle of the opening, rested his palms on his knees, and panted heavily. The creatures stopped, hiding in the treeline, afraid of the sunlight, roaring in outrage.
The warrior laughed breathlessly, "What? Scared of little light?" they roared again, "Come now. Catch me if you can," he taunted, and one troll actually jumped towards him, but before it could touch Fandral, the giant turned into stone. Fandral just pushed it and it fell to the ground, breaking into pieces.
While the enemies were roaring and growling, Thor and the other warriors came from behind. Fandral turned and saw unconscious Loki in the hands of the elder brother. Fandral was sure he's passed out after casting his spell on the warrior. The younger still looked pale with a slight frown on his face. But the warrior had to ask.
"Is he all right?"
There was a humorless snort from Sif, but he ignored it. He had to be sure.
"Yes. I believe he used too much magic," Thor answered. He looked like he wanted to say more, staring into his brother's bloodied face, but he didn't. Instead, he looked up shouting, "Heimdall, take us back," and just in time. The sun was setting.
After a longer-than-intended stop at the healing room, everyone's wounds were healed as best the healers could, leaving some scars here and there, but nothing too serious. Well, except, Loki hasn't woken up yet. Eir said he needed a lot of rest, his magic was at the absolute minimum, and when Thor asked when the second prince would wake up, she answered they weren't sure. This is a lot of magic to restore and considering how powerful a sorcerer Loki is it might take days until he wakes up, weeks until he is fully ready for combat.
Sif, Hogun, and Volstagg left a while ago, leaving Thor with his brother. Fandral stayed too. He felt grateful Loki came up with a plan to save their asses and it didn't feel right to leave his side. There was also the guilt. It was Loki's plan and magic that Fandral used and now there was a feist in his name to celebrate it. But he didn't tell them. He was aware of what they'd say if they knew it was Loki. They'd laugh and joke about it, not believing, they'd scowl and call it cheating, not something a man, much less a prince, should do.
And that made Fandral frown.
N-not that Fandral paid attention to the second prince's life.
No. Where did you get that idea?
Thor cleared his throat and the warrior realized he has been staring into nothing in particular. The frown on his face turned into surprise and he turned to his friend.
"Why didn't you leave with the others? I thought you might want to get ready for the celebrations tonight."
The warrior regarded the prince for a moment. Thor could be ignorant, telling him what Loki did will bring problems, even if asked to keep quiet and explained to him why not to say anything. Plus, Loki wouldn't like it.
"He saved me. Before he was injured, he threw a dagger, slicing a troll's throat, stopping it before it could reach me. I owe him," his eyes turned back to Loki.
Thor stood up and walked to him, placing a hand on Fandral's shoulder, "You returned the favor. You saved all of us," said his friend, squeezing a little, "The feist is starting soon and as much as I don't want to leave my brother, he probably won't wake up any time soon."
With that Thor left the room leaving Fandral with his own thoughts.
The feist will start without him. It just didn't feel right for him to be there while Loki wasn't.
Fandral walked to the chair Thor used and sat down.
He wasn't sure how much time passed before he heard a voice beside him, "I hadn't thought I'd find you here."
The warrior looked up, surprised to see the prince awake. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. Loki didn't even glance at him, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Finally, he decided to save the warrior from his attempts to utter a sound and spoke himself, "Why aren't you celebrating with the others? I imagine there is a feist in your name," asked the prince. He may have a blank look on his face, but he didn't try to hide the suspicion in his voice.
"I...um...wanted to say thank you..?" Fandral ducked his head sheepishly, scratching his neck awkwardly. Loki only lifted an eyebrow, still skeptical, "If it wasn't for you, we all would've been dead by now."
"But no one knows," the prince countered flatly, "Yes?"
Fandral sighed, "Yes..."
"So, what are you doing here?"
The warrior stayed silent for a moment, then he sighed again, saying, "It doesn't feel right...to be there."
Loki finally looked at him, perhaps surprised, but his face didn't betray anything. He regarded him for a moment, eyes slightly narrowing. When he spoke his voice was as blank as ever, "You could've gone anywhere, but here you are. Why?"
The warrior stared at the prince. Why? Why is he here? Was it the guilt he felt? Was it that strange feeling he felt every time he was around the prince? But...what was it?
This simple question, yet he had no answer.
"Maybe I wanted to keep you company..." Fandral started hesitantly, something he was only around the second prince - hesitant, "I was worried. Eir said you won't wake up for a few days."
Loki snorted, a small smirk playing on his lips, "I did not know you care about me that much you would skip a chance to get drunk and bed maidens," the amusement was clear in his voice, but the doubt and suspicion were there too. It made Fandral's heart clench...something only the words of the second prince could do.
"And Eir," continued the sorcerer, "would be right if I were any other mage. Using this much magic is dangerous, but I am not new to the mystic arts," the amusement completely wiping from Loki's voice and face, leaving a void of emotion again.
Fandral stayed silent, heart clenching painfully.
Loki was restraining himself, he knew. Years of observing the second prince taught Fandral that not only Loki was an excellent liar when he wanted to be, but also great at hiding and restraining his emotions. Thus, his glory as the dark prince. He could be cold, calculating, and unnervingly calm. His eyes never betraying him. Sometimes the warrior wondered why Loki couldn't just be himself. And he always reminded himself that Loki was too different. Knowing as much as he knows of the second prince now is equivalent to nothing.
But he wanted to know. Wanted to be Loki's friend. Real friend. And maybe the feeling...? Wanted to understand it. Understand him.
As much as the others pretended to get along with Thor's younger brother, they didn't. Sif openly hated him, Volstagg was indifferent most of the time, Hogun didn't voice it, but he wasn't fond of the second prince. In the beginning, Fandral was like them, but he saw the pain, the hints directed at the elder brother. The elder brother, that always turned him down. That was oblivious to the world. That saw only what he wanted to see. Eventually, Loki stopped trying, turning even colder.
And Fandral just watched.
Movement from beside him alerted him and he quickly glanced up, just now realizing he had zoned out. Loki was sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to stand up.
"My prince," the warrior shot to his feet, placing a hand on Loki's shoulder, "I don't think it's wise to-"
The young prince put a hand up, silencing the other, "I want to go to my room," he said flatly, looking pointedly into the other man's eyes. Without his magic, he couldn't teleport, and with his pierced hip, walking would be hard, "If you are not going to be useful, do not stand in my way."
Fandral looked hesitant for a moment but nodded. He asked permission to help the other to his room. After receiving a shrug, the warrior adjusted one of the prince's hands over his shoulder, placing his hand on the younger one's waist.
The walk wasn't as awkward for Loki as it was for Fandral. Or, if it was, he didn't show it. The two were silent all the way there. With practiced ease - gained during this kind of events - the second prince led them through the halls of the palace, avoiding everyone they saw in their way. Within minutes they were at the door leading to his room.
Loki stopped, looking at the warrior expectantly. Fandral returned the gaze questioningly, before realizing what the prince was 'telling' him. He hesitantly let go, asking, "Are you sure you'll be alright?"
The sorcerer looked skeptical for a moment. Perhaps thinking this might be some sort of a trap, or...something. Always guarded, it was sad to think he played a part in it.
Loki didn't answer. He just opened the door, walked in, and closed the door, without a single word to Fandral. The warrior stayed there for what seemed like an eternity when in reality it was just a few minutes, before turning around and walking to his own room. He wasn't in the mood to celebrate. His emotions were complicated enough, anyway.
He arrived there without much trouble. None of his friends spot him, nor any warriors or servants he might know. He fell to his bed the second the door was closed. Fandral felt exhausted. He was rarely alone with Loki and every time it felt harder than fighting with two broken arms. And that unidentifiable emotion that made his stomach twist painfully when his prince turned him down. Every time someone made fun of him, he was fuming with rage. Wanting to be close when alone, to talk, Loki to trust him, to be near him without a reason at all.
What was that...
This foreign feeling...
Could it be...
...Love?
The idea both scared and excited Fandral. He's slept with so many, mainly women, but there were men too, and none of them could hold him. He always told himself he can leave them, and he always could, but Loki... There was something about the second prince that kept him...interested. Was it just his desire to have a Royalty to add to his seemingly endless list of conquests? Or was it genuine, honest...um...love?? It sounds wrong, so, so, so wrong.
No, Loki is no conquest. No ordinary maiden, warrior, sorcerer, or whatever. He is Loki.
He is Loki...
And that seemed to be the problem.
There is no way in the Nine Realms Loki would return his feelings. With both their reputations.
With a tired sigh, Fandral decided he will think about it tomorrow, with the headache that was threatening him, the exhaustion of the day, and it was already late, maybe even after midnight. He hasn't washed from the battle yet, neither has he changed his clothes, just left the armor in the healing rooms when the healers were tending to him. He'll go get it tomorrow. The warrior tried to relax and let sleep take him, but it took longer than expected, with his thoughts drifting back and forth to the subject of Loki. And the more he thought, the more sure he felt his feelings were real. Finally, he fell into a semi-peaceful sleep.
The next day he was uneventful for Fandral. He woke up later than he usually did, but everyone else woke up about an hour later. He went to breakfast - and was disappointed Loki was not present, but he figured the prince must be tired. After all, he had one nasty injury on his hip. A little exercises and target practice before lunch, and sparing in the afternoon.
Well, uneventful, before he was summoned by one of the servants. The king wished to speak with him and the other warriors.
When they arrived at the throne room, the Royal family was already there - Odin on the throne, Frigga by his side, Thor and Loki on the lower steps on the dais. The four warriors bowed with a similar, respectful 'My king' before standing upright again.
Fandral's eyes slightly turned toward Loki. The prince was leaning on his uninjured leg and the air around him seemed charged. Maybe his magic was returning too fast and his body was still too weak to channel the energy. He looked calm as ever, a little tense in his lower body - because of the injury - and expressionless.
Well, everything is back to normal, then.
The king said his name and the warrior snapped back to reality. He saw Loki smirk ever so slightly from the corner of his eyes. He bowed, seeing his friends had moved to stand to the side.
"Fandral the Dashing," started the king, "You showed such courage and bravery yesterday, saving both my sons and I want to reward you. I want you to be part of the royal family," - wait, WHAT?! - Fandral could feel his eyes widen, could see Thor's barely hidden grin, Loki's calculating, suspicious eyes moving back and forth, could feel Odin's satisfaction, Frigga's indifference. His friends being both awestruck and suspicious.
"You will take the hand of my second son in marriage," the king announced and the room became early quiet...
...For a startled, choked noise to be heard by said second son. A silent "What..." barely audible.
All eyes turned in Loki's direction, the charged air around him, bursting with static, expression horrified and hurt, and were those tears in his eyes. Thor patted him on the back, saying something to him, but everything was starting to buzz, to hear something was nearly impossible now, and judging by how the second prince backed away from his family, the words his brother used had the opposite effect on him. Loki was between the warriors and the Royal family, green energy cracking around him.
And then his distraught, frustrated, horrified expression went blank, everything exploding in green energy. Everything turned into chaos, the magic around the prince finding its way under their skins, making them tingle with pain, most intense in the hip. His family was trying to get his attention - Thor more desperately than his parents - but the sorcerer did not acknowledge them. It looked like he couldn't even hear them. And...those were tears...tears running down his cheeks. But he didn't acknowledge them either.
The pain intensified. The energy spreading in the whole throne room, maybe in answer to what the Royal family was saying. The air was buzzing too much to make out words, just muffled noises. Everyone fell to their knees, but still no reaction from Loki. Some servants ran from the room - or tried to - and the guards were paralyzed in their places on the ground. Still no reaction from Loki. But his magic was wild. Now all of them had a better understanding of why the sorcerer was known as the God of Chaos, among other things.
A new wave of pain shot when Thor tried to lunge at his brother. The magic sealing him to the wall. It was like it has a mind on its own. But everything hurt too much to think, all of them starting to go through the floor. Fandral could hear his friends shout at the second prince, but still no reaction.
Finally, seeing the destruction around him, the pain everyone, including the Royal family, was in, he tried to call him. One weak, even scared, "Loki..." escaped his mouth, and that seemed to do the trick.
Said prince snapped his head to him, tears running down his face. He quickly glanced around the room, expression once again horrified, before turning back to Fandral. His face morphed into a hurt, betrayed frown, his breath hitching, a silent sob escaping him. He answered the warrior with an equally weak "Why...?" before the magic shot in the room again, blinding everyone. But this time it felt like the energy was actually retracting towards Loki.
When they opened their eyes again, the pain was gone, the magic and the chaos too, but so was Loki.
And then, there was a hunted, broken scream heard down the halls. No doubt from the second prince.
The warriors and Thor glanced uncertainly at each other. They have never seen Loki use this much magic. Never seen this much power.
If this is what is inside Loki all the time, much less when he's in his weakest - well, maybe not weakest, he's healing quite fast for a 'weakling' - none of them wanted to know what it's like when he is completely healed.
But...there was something else on everyone's mind right now. The announcement was made and Fandral now has to take Loki's hand.
Well, Loki hadn't seemed enthusiastic about it...