Chapter 15
It took some convincing to Loki to accept to at least learn about his joutun form. He agreed to turn blue now and then to Thors satisfaction. The king had brought books about Jotunheim in their chambers so that Loki could read more about himself. Loki still refused to go out. Thor was trying to coax him out for dinner or tea with him.But the Orwar incident had been a blow to his newfound confidence. He was grateful that Thor did take a stand for him,and punished Orwar. But Thor was only person he trusted now, As he was now sure that aesir will not think before hurting him. Thor had changed whole palace security but the new guards were still aesir and Loki had no intention of meeting them, even if Thor begged him to. He knew some of them ,young einjenhars who were posted at the door of their chambers. They were orphans of warriors who died fighting for Asgard.Loki had taken them under his wing when he was prince. Raer was one of them, who was as good as his friend for the lack of being of noble blood. Whenever he had shift at Loki's door, he would bring sweets from a baker Hridlr, also one of Loki's pupil.Raer sometimes got other small gifts from lower towns, from people who Loki had helped. Loki understood Thor must have chosen guards loyal to Loki, but he could not bring himself to venture out and meet them.
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They came when Thor was out doing whatever kings did. They shuffled towards kings chambers as if going to executioners axe. The guards on door obviously knew them, And promptly informed them that the king was not inside.
" We are here to meet prince Loki" Volstag answered.
" I am sorry my lord, Prince Loki doesn't recieve visitors"
" What is your name guard.Don't you know we are his friends" Fandral asked.
" My name is Raer son of Leif. And we are under orders to not letting anyone in."
The warriors three bristled at rejection.Lady Sif was about to ask whose orders he was following when a loud voice caught their attention.
"Raer, Its good to see you again" The burly young man was carrying many boxes in his hands.Raer moved to help him wordlessly.
"Hridlr, why did you come yourself? You usually call me to take these"
" Oh.We heard rumours.The women were worried for our prince..." Raer snorted.So he added," Don't laugh , you didn't see old Runa.She was ready to come and kill Orwar herself.I should have brought hoard of women from lower town and children from orphanage! "
" Oh no.I am happy that you have come alone. Let me inform your presence." And he went inside to talk with Nanna.Thor's friends stood there , completely ignored.
" Are you Aric's son ,lad" Volstag asked staring at Hridlr's face.
" Yes my lord"
" You know him?" Sif asked
" His father faught in my legion years ago.A brave man, died honourably .I thought his son will surely join army" The biggest warrior explained..
" I don't wish to leave my children orphaned and starving for honourable death and glory. I am happy to be a baker,my lord." Volstag looked as if the young man hayqA a slapped him.
" It must have been difficult.I should have asked after you and your family.I am sorry." His apology didn't made any difference, the boy must have been immune to dry sympathy by now. Suddenly, the door opened and Nanna came to usher Hridlr inside.As the baker entered ,Raer went back to guard his post and Nanna halted at threshold.
" What are you doing here?" She frowned at them unnervingly.
" Watch your tone, woman!", Sif gritted,not liking the absolute lack of respect from a servant.
" If you don't like my tone, you can complain against me. But the king is not in" She answered not at all affected.They all knew that Thor loved and respected her since childhood.
" No need for the hostility my ladies. We just wish to see Prince Loki.If you would be kind enough to announce us." ,Fandral tried to placate
" I don't think he should meet you in his current state.But I don't go behind his back and decide things for my lord under ruse of loyalty. So I shall ask him.", She snipped.Thor's friends didn't give any reaction to tell if the taunt had hit home. They waited in awkward silence. Nanna didn't come back for long time.
When she did, she came with Hridlr in toe. He asked her to take care of the prince , and only after they said their farewells she turned towards the renowned warriors.
" Prince Loki will see you now" ,she announced with disappointment clear while forgetting that Loki was not royal anymore.Sif's hand went to her sword, but Hogun kept a hand over her shoulder forcing her to bit back whatever she was going to say.
They entered Thor's outer chambers with Nanna in toe. She was not going to leave her prince alone with them. Loki was sitting in a chair at a small diner setting, a plate of half eaten pastry in front of him .Volstag's mouth watered at the sight. They shuffled in and stood awkwardly.Nobody knew how to address fallen Prince. Loki didn't help, stared at them with blank gaze of his.
" Hi Loki" ,of course Fandral would speak first.Small tilt of the prince's was only answer he got.So the handsome warrior faltered. Volstag took from where he left,
" We are planning to go on a hunt.Only for a day. We want to invite you with us.."
" Why?", he was abruptly inturrptedll
" Why not? It would be fun, just the six of us on adventure again, just like in past" Fandral cheerfully resuemed.Loki frowned, what did they want? In past, they reluctantly allowed him to follow because Thor insisted or they needed some help with some magical obstacle. They would promptly disregard his seidr as tricks, after they had used him for their convenience.His seidr was not needed for hunt in Asgardian forest. And Thor had agreed to give him time to come out of chambers. So They must have come by themselves.But why now? He was Prince no more, they would not come out of kindness or pity, he was sure about that.It could not be some misplaced guilt, for they had never apologized for betraying him nor Odin had punished them for treason.They had tried to talk during dinners or other occasions but he never replied.And they always left it at that.So why come to him now?
Suddenly, it all dawned on him.They had come after Orwar assaulted him.After Thor had stood up for him in public.Now that he thought about it, 'it must have been shock to them,to all Aesir. They think that Thor is too lenient with me.So this is a scheme to take me out and show me my new place.' He thought bitterly.
" Ah.My master, your king has total control over me.You didn't need to come check.And I don't need any more mocking insults to understand my situation. I know and accept my new place,I assure you"
They gaped at him. Finally,after long time Volstag found his voice,
" What are you talking about.We are not mocking you.You are our friend"
" Well,that didn't stop you in the past.And Lets be honest, I know you don't think I am capable of honesty but still, you are Thor's friends, not mine.You never were. You oh so readily commited treason, just so that I would not be sitting on Thor's throne.I am entitled to some prejudice here" ,He tried to control his voice from shaking and held his hands tightly under table. He will not show them that he was affected.
They stood there stunned in silence.Loki had yet to offer them seats and it was clear that he was not going to now.Never had they thought , that their loyalty for Thor will come to bite them back like this. Loki was always insignificant in their eyes and now he held such power over Thor even from his disgraceful position. Thor was supposed to be on their side not Loki's.But here they were, short of begging in front of him.
Sif was the first to compose herself.
" I know we are not on friendly terms ,but we have grown up together Loki."
" I remember that every tilme I feel scars around my lips, Sif" , His eyes held a glint that could not be deciphered .Sif turned away in shame. Nobody spoke but she looked back determined.
" I wish some things had not happened, we all made mistakes.I hope we can start anew.We can be friends again."She tried.
" For what? So you can abandon me for Thor's favour.Or you can show off how mighty you are compared to this pathetic Jotun runt."
" There was never any comparison",Sif whispered.
" Was there not?" , Loki was on verge of tears himself. It was clear by now, that Loki had the place in Thor's heart, she could never take.It was clear now that her grudge was not only for her lost golden hair.They stared at each other..
" Loki,please.We need you to come." Fandral broke thep silence.
" No.I don't care whatever you need from me.But I will not be protecting anyone's backside, So that I could be mocked afterwards for playing tricks."
" If you don't want to agree for us, then do it for Thor.You know he is burdened with too much.And he needs a break.A hunt will lift his spirit and he will feel better", Hogun the sly fox always knew how to push his buttons. They both worked in silence, preferred their own weapons. They both were manipulators and understood each other perfectly.Yet ,Hogun had kept the group on his side, successfully creating distrust and calling the trickster on his suspicious behaviour.Hogun had played a great role in demise of Loki's reputation, his own grim appearance helping him to stay clean of rumours he himself started. A well placed word in right ear and Loki was doomed forever as betrayer, coward and honourless.Loki himself had given them reason for it but still Hogun the grim had taken full advantage of his situation to establish himself into Thor's little group.
Loki was lost in these thoughts when Volstag asked again to come for Thor.
" If Thor wish to lift his spirit by killing some poor creature, then by all means you can take him. Why do I need to come for him?"
" We have asked him.But he will not leave you alone here even for a day.So you have to come."
" Then he can order me to come, why are you here"
" You know he won't command you. So here we are. Please Loki, don't you think he needs some relief.." , Fandral could really be charming when he wanted.
" Very well.I will think about it"
" I knew you cared about him.Thank you Loki. We will inform you the day."
They filed out without meeting his eyes...he stared after them.And sighed. If Thor had sent them, he was going to have serious words at night.But they had a point. Thor was weighed down by Kingly duties, even more now that Odin was not doing anything to help him. In most days, Thor was so tired that he would fall asleep in between telling whatever he was telling Loki. It would do him good to ride out and hunt carefree.
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