Chapter 6
Next day found Loki following Thor in conference room on unsure feet. Thor kept his pace slow, so that Loki won' t turn and bolt away. When they entered the meeting room, they were fashionably late.And overdressed in Loki's case.'I look like a whore' he had thought looking in mirror.He was about to change his olive green robe when Thor came to get him.
" You look beautiful in this, brother.Come ,we are getting late." He had said.
So Loki just discarded the idea to change.Now he regretted the decision.As soon as they entered, Everybody's gaze turned to them, especially Loki. On second thought, Whatever he wore they were going to stare at him.So he composed himself, turned his shoulders back and slid his blank mask in place.and sat on the chair next Thor.
It was an oval table,with a empty chair at one end which was reserved for Allfather, Him being chief of council.Even after declaring Thor as king,he had kept many powerful positions with him.'Old habits are difficult to die, greed for power can be such' , Loki thought bitterly.Then turned his attention to others in the room.He had practiced to avoid thoughts of allfather, or mother or his past even his present situation. No more thoughts! He dragged his attention to negotiation, gave his best smile to elves. then turned to Aesir negotiating committee.Usually diplomats in asgard were second class warriors, bitter old people mostly. Asgard's diplomacy was completely was Loki's responsibility in past.Not that he got any recognition for it, Odin and Thor could always beat people into compliance afterall. Loki's skills were not needed, even if he saved thousands of lives and prevented wars. Silvertongue, they called him! He turned his gaze to Thor absent-minded, and found him looking concerned. He shaked his head,to assure Thor, to clear his mind ,both! Then willed himself to pay attention.
" Alfaheim has grains, medicinal herbs , magical product and new technologies to offer, Asgard can give nothing in return. my lord king" He heard Frida saying.
" Not to forget services of our mages and healers" Alfie increased the presssure.
" But raise in prices you ask is outrageous" Bragi said from somewhere to Loki's right.
" The reforms have not happened since over a century. we also have to pay the costs" Faradei said gamely.
" Yes but thrice of original price is too much to ask.Asgard is wealthy, aye but we cant waste everything we have on Elven goods." Dagr son of Dellingr said.He was sitting right next to Loki.Still he did not heard muttered curse directed to him. Thor was about to burst with amusement to his left.
" What do you think Loki, share your thoughts" he asked with straight face.Loki glared at him. He was only attending not participating, that was the rule they agreed upon. "Traitor" he mouthed . Thor grinned.
" Ah.Loki is the one who shaped last treaty, we would like to know his opinion.Won't you support a poor realm ,Loki?" Faradei asked innocently. Gauntlet was the thrown,, now Loki could not back down, could not run away.They all knew this.
" Why, ambassador you remembered that I was part of last treaty,you honour me really.But then you shall also remember that we raised the prices of goods by ten percent not thrice the original. And by addition we agreed that we will raise the price in same proportion on next reform" Loki said smoothly.
"Ah.The menace is here!" Frida said loudly, her hand going to her heart in mock offence.
" The raise was fixed already, then why are we bickering for two days?" Bragi all but screamed.
" My old friend, if any of you had took pains to read the last treaty, It would have saved you all the bickering" Said Alfie.
" We on the other hand are enjoying Asgard's hospitality. We knew this reform is just a matter of sign.But what elf denies good old vacation on golden realm ,eh?'" Faradei was suddenly all casual charm. Feldon looked still deep in thought, So he asked him, " You have a question pupil?"
" I still don't understand, why we agreed on prices decided by Aesir which are unfair in my opinion. They have nothing to bargain with, then why can't we decide our costs?"
To that Loki said, " I will answer your question,Feldon! May I?" He asked Faradei who inclined his head graciously, " See, Feldon.Asgard has no visible goods to share with. But Asgard offers protection in return.We are protectors of nine afterall. With a formidable army and mighty Thor as the leader, Asgard is a force to reckon with. Any realm that crosses her path, its going to be destroyed.That protection is what we have to bargain" He said in light tone. But underlined meaning was not lost even to Feldon, 'Asgard provides protection, even from asgard' So you will have to pay.
Elves knew this already, so there was no surprise.Thor saw respect in some aesir faces also. Feldon was already starstruck. Thor fell in love allover again.
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Loki was glowing with happiness, it didn't take too much to convince him to attend the feast. It was for his elven friends afterall.
" What should I wear? " He asked and held his lower lip about to chew it raw with tense face.His eyebrows crinkled to middle of forehead adorably..
Thor who was adjusting his vambraces over his lighter armour, came to stand in front of him. He then pulled Lokis lip free from his teeths, with his finger. saying,
" You should wear whatever you like. I won't mind.And others won't dare object, okay?"
He then turned as Loki started to adjust his vambraces.Loki attached his cape on shoulder clips, giving him a once over.Like old times,
" You look good, Thor" he said.
" And you will look better.So get ready! " Thor answered grinning.
Finally Loki wore a green-black shirt with a golden chocker on it, much like his old outfits.Nothing elaborate as a concubine would wear.Wearing these colours is not going to make him prince again.He sighed,dejected. And follwed Thor.
" The King and protector of nine reams Almighty Thor and his royal concubine prince Loki arrives!All bow to thee" Herald anounced causing Loki's steps falter.
" Nervous, brother?" Thor asked.
" Never" Loki gritted. But his face showed otherwise. Thor slowed his steps.
" I will be with you" he said taking Loki's hand. Loki didn't retract it,but held on it in a tight grip.yet he quipped,.
" Thats what I fear, brother"
Thor smiled but didn't call out when Loki called him brother.He was already stressed, teasing him now would not help.
Loki stood still like a statue, his gaze down while Thor made his customary toast in the honour of guests. Then sank awkwardly down after Thor sat down. He kept his hands on his lap trying to control their nervous shaking. He could not lift his eyes, yet.He had planned on glaring defiantly on every aesir, insulting them at every opportunity.But it would have to come later.Now he had his buzzing emotions to get under control.He heard Thor calling for mead. That also worried him, once Thor was lost to alcohol he will forget about everything.
' I would be left alone to these vultures to pick on' He thought.He could leave of course. But Thor will stop him, he always did.If I refuse and leave they will know. They will know that I can refuse his command. That Thor has not completed the binding. He was also shocked when he found out, when he refused Thor to go out of the chambers.To anywhere.Yes there was a faint tingle in his mind if Thor's words were phrased as command, but he could refuse.He was not sure if the oaf didn't understand or didn't care. There was no compelling pressure or pain as there should be. He had found the cause soon, he was too clever not to.
He flinched when a warm hand touched his cheek.Thor was looking at him with concern.
" You were lost in that pretty head of yours , beloved" Thor said. And then nodded his head to cup in front of him, " drink" he said with imploring eyes, trying to give him strength.
' I can do this, I have to do this'Loki thought. Picked up the cup and took a large gulp.He whipped his head to Thor ,Shocked at sweet taste. The oaf had served him his favourite mead. Thor smiled him, his eyes saying many things.Loki returned the smile. Then the king turned back to his conversation with guests.
Loki drank some more.Slowly as he started to feel grounded, he started studying the surrounding. He smiled tersely at elven guests, too wound up to make it a smooth gesture. Then started observing others. Nobody on the table spoke directly to him or about him. when their eyes met, they would force indifferent expression. But Loki had mastered reading people for centuries.He could easily read suspicion in Hogun's grim mask, curiosity in volstag's gaze ,the pity in Fandrals eyes.The glare Sif was directing to him was open for all to see.Lastly Odin, as always former king's face was indifferent. But for small amount time Loki could look at him he found mild curiosity and maybe pity in his single eye.Not that Odin would allow his true emotions to surface.
Suddenly a hand appeared in front of his mouth , " Open" , he heard Thor say. He opened his mouth dumbly and moaned at the taste of delicious honeycake.
" You like that?" Thor whispered in his ear, his breath hot on Loki's neck.
" hmnn" Loki managed. ' What? Is Thor flirting with me, here? in front of.... every one? Why?' He screamed in his mind. He forced himself to pay attention as Thor brought a plate with Two pieces of honeycakes in front of him.
" You shall eat this.Finish the plate and then you can go back to our chambers." Thor said in his mead addled husky voice.
I can do that, he thought and nodded. There was strange flutter in his stomach, but Loki forced himself to ignore it.Later, he will think about it later. But eating two pieces of honeycake turned out to be more difficult than he thought. When he was aware everyone was staring at them. The cake turned into sand in his mouth as their gazes bore holes in his body. He thought he saw a smirk on Odin's lips. Thor chatted on as if nothing has happened.
After what he thought eternity he pushed last piece of cake down with Alfheim's sweet mead. He touched Thor's arm to catch his attention, gulping, trying to force down the nausea.Thor looked back at him, eyes worried.
" Go rest.I will come back soon" He said.Concerned eyes trying to say more. Loki stood up with years of practiced grace, and left without a word even to his elven friends. As soon as he was out of royal dining hall, he started running, tears now flowing freely on his cheeks.
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Thor found him sitting in balcony. staring up at stars. It reminded him Loki's first day out of prison.That had not gone well.Thor braced himself.
" Loki, ...?" Loki turned towards him.
" Are you well? Its late, why are you not asleep?" Thor asked, taking in Loki's appearance.His red rimmed eyes, flushed face tear tracks on it. He must have been crying. Loki scrubbed his face with his hands.
" could not sleep" he mumbled.
" You remember you came to me whenever you were too afraid to sleep alone? you would sleep in my arms within momemts you entered my bed" Thor said wistfully
"I was a child.It was long ago" Loki said indignant.He stood up to go inside
" Oh. I remember you throwing out a beautiful maiden out of my chamber so you can
sleep in my bed.You were still not of age, but you were no child then" Thor answered with mirth in his voice as he followed his brother.
" You always chased monsters away from me. Its easy to sleep with your heartbeat", Loki said ." I should have known I was the monster to be feared!" He added sitting on edge of bed.
" No. You are my little brother. And anyone who hurts you is a monster.I will always protect you ,you know that, right? " Thor held his hand looking in his eyes earnest.
" Yes, I know. I should thank you"
" No.don't thank me.I am the one who forced you in this ...mess!"
" Its fine Thor. Today was a good day.Far better than I would have in my cell. I was happy or as happy as I can be" Loki smiled wanly.
" Loki can we sleep tonight like...like we used to? It always helped you to rest " Thor asked.
" I don't know, I am not sure if I can,Thor" Loki was nervous,scared even.
" I don't mean like that.I won't touch you,Loki. Just the barricade, I really don't like it .You can sleep away from me, you know." Thor was pleading ?
Loki thought about it for some time, then nodded as if to himself. "Okay " He said.
When Thor layed on the bed after washing and dressing down to his bottoms, he noted there was no barricade.Loki was lying on his side face turned away. They talked like this, easy old banter they have perfected over centuries that required no concious thought.
Thor on his back, his hand behind back of his head,Loki also had turned to stare up the ceiling.
" They are enjoying" Loki whispered as if to himself.
" Uh?" Thor enquired " Who?"
" Everyone. Aesir! They like to see me like this. Bound to you, controlled by you.They are happy to see the jotun monster reduced to a plaything" Loki ranted, anger evident in voice.
" Don't Loki. Don't do this to yourself.I am trying.You know I am useless in talking. I don't know how to ease your pain." Thor turned to assure Loki, to do something!
At the same time, hearing anguish in his voice, Loki also turned to assure him that it was not Thor's fault.
They turned to each other at same time, face to face... in each other's personal space. Their noses bumped, wide green eyes stared into shocked electric blue.Then somebody, maybe Thor, maybe Loki, moved a little forward causing their lips touch.Warm and bitter with mead touched sweet and cool. For a moment or less than it they stayed,eyes fluttering close.
Suddenly Loki jerked back, causing Thor's eyes to open wide.Loki shot up.
" I..I am sorry.I didn't mean to Loki" Thor stuttered looking at Loki's back.
" Its fine. Just an accident." Loki said a shudder could be seen flowing through his body from where Thor layed.
" an accident?" Thor asked confused and then amended thoughtfully, " Ah yes. Accident! Of course!Come now lay down.We have big day tomorrow"
Loki layed down but facing away from Thor.
" The treaty with Alfheim" ,he said.
" Yes" Thor agreed.They layed in silence for some time..
But Loki's mind was in frenzy. What was this? The almost kiss! The funny fluttering in his stomach whenever Thor looked at him with approval.Was he attracted to Thor.Or was it effect of enchanted ring.He always had thought Thor had a good body, nice face,and stupid but kind mind.. But he never had entertained such thoughts about his brother.Thor was not his brother now, was he? He was expected to do such things. Was this gratitude ? for freeing him. No. This was certainly something else.The ring was not fully active yet. If..if Thor completes the enchantment, would he feel more? Would he be mindlessly attracted to his master? Would he have any power to reject his advances or would he beg for it?
And Why was Thor doing this.The flirting, the lingered touches, the soft assuarance.Was this pity? Was this a plan to keep him docile, while Thor fullfill the enchantment. To keep him compliant, ready to accept the control, To avoid him fighting the.. the physical act to complete the spell.Was this a part of elaborate plan? Nah, the oaf was too hounerable for that.Was Thor attracted to him? No, he never had lain with a man before, not to Loki's knowledge.He can't be attracted to Loki, he had mocked him enough in their childhood.There was no attraction, that Loki was sure of.Maybe Odin had done something,some threat or a spell? But it doesn't feel like Odin.. he won't do this to Thor, his own ..
" Loki, I can hear you thinking! sleep now" said the groggy voice behind him. Loki felt a tingle at direct order, but it was not enough to force him to sleep. He turned to look at Thor. The oaf was turned towards him , smiling with his eyes closed.
" Come here" Thor said extending his arms. Loki went willingly.He didn't know why.. He didn't know how he forgot all his doubts.He didn't know when he fell asleep hearing Thor's heartbeat.
The moonlight entering through the window had lit the bed with two figures entangled with each other.