Chapter 4
Months had passed since his encounter with the stranger and just as the young man had disappeared, his good mood were gone as well. His friends had tried everything to cheer him up. Fandral had gone to bars with him, trying to make him think of something else through alcohol and beautiful women. Volstagg had repeatedly offered to spar with him, which Thor also gratefully accepted, but he had lacked the concentration when fighting. Again and again, his thoughts had gone to the dark-haired man. Even Sif couldn't free him from his misery, even though she had promised that she would introduce him to her best friend, a beautiful young woman called Sigyn for whom Thor had always had a crush on. But the blonde man didn't want to.
Of course, he was grateful that his friends supported him so much, only they couldn't understand that his heart was broken and it would take some time to move on. He still tied his black snake around his neck every day, which the stranger had given to him. He was always too happy to touch it gently and to think back to that evening. In the end, it had been just one kiss, but this kiss had made his heart beat faster and made him believe that he could do anything if he was only close to the man.
With a loud sigh, he got up and went back to the training ground, where his friends were already waiting for him. Their commanding officer had announced today that he had a surprise for them. That's why everyone had gone crazy and imagined what it could be. He took it rather calmly, so far, he hadn't had much good experiences. Mostly, surprises promised something like another hour of combat training or that they had to run ten miles more than usually.
The moment their officer had finally arrived, they all respectfully saluted.
"Soldiers! I know that your group is one of the best I've ever seen. All of you trained hard, with the goal in your mind that one day, you'll protect the royal family and that's why I'll take you to the palace today."
There was silence. Nobody dared to say something. Thor felt that everyone was doubtful about the annoucement of their supervisor. Ordinary soldiers and warriors had no permission to enter the palace, except Asgard was at war. Only members of the royal bodyguard, advisers of the court, noble men and servants of the King were allowed to but there were strict rules. The most important one was absolute secrecy, nothing that happened in the golden palace was given to the public.
Many people assumed that the young Prince was the reason why they had those rules. It was said that Odin and Frigga were very worried when it came to their son, they were almost overprotective. Nobody knew exactly why, but even the thought alone made Thor sad. He couldn't imagine sitting in the palace all day long. Of course, the young man enjoyed the best education and so it was said that he had a superior intelligence. Even his mother once told him that Prince Loptr, Loki was just a nickname which the people had given him, was an incredibly talented sorcerer. But knowledge wasn't everything in life. Where was the fun, the love of life or, what was even more important, where was freedom? Although Thor was only a normal man without much wealth or possessions, but he didn't have to sit in a golden cage. He was able to make his own decisions.
After the brief schock, the silence was replaced by wild whispering. Grinning, Fandral turned to him and raised his thumbs.
"Perfect. Finally, I will meet the Prince."
Thor could only laugh. Even though, it wasn't uncommon for men to be married in Asgard, he doubted that his friend would ever be lucky enough to go out with Loki. Odin would probably let him execute just for the thought alone. But one could dream.
Only he hadn't the chance to say that out loud because their commanding officer had already begun to move. Minutes later, they had reached the palace. From close up the building looked even more impressive. Its golden towers loomed over the city, Thor almost had the impression that they touched the blue sky. At the entrance, the group were greeted by the guards, who critically eyed them, but the moment they saw their officer, they let them pass wordlessly.
If he thought that the palace looked pompous and intimidating from the outside, he was even more surprised as they entered. Inside, he could see richly ornamented columns supporting the bright mansonries. The group continued, there were beautiful paintings on the walls and statues of former kings or heroic warriors. Thor didn't know where to look first. His mother had often described to him, as a child, what the palace looked like, but seeing it with his own eyes was something special. An experience which he would never forget.
When they arrived at the Great Hall, they were indicated that they should all stop and line up but their commanding officer seemed surprised and stepped forward.
"What's going on here? For today, I have permission to show the palace to my soldiers. Do you even know who you're dealing with? My name is Aegir and I have trained soldiers for the royal bodyguard for decades."
The older man grew louder with every word, but the guards at the door didn't budge. On the contrary, they barred their way even more and grabbed their weapons.
"Never before..."
But the officer didn't get any further because at that moment the wooden door of the hall opened and Queen Frigga stepped out. Everyone immediately bowed.
"Could someone please explain to me what is going on out here?"
At first, no one dared to say something. The Queen was known for her benevolence and her kindness, but you should never make the mistake to underestimate her. She wasn't only a gifted sorceress, no, she was also powerful and if she wanted she could lock all of them into the dungeons for the rest of their lifes. After a few seconds, their supervisor hestitantly looked up. Slowly he approached the Queen, again bowed respectfully and then began to speak.
"Your Royal Highness, I am deeply sorry that I disturbed you. I didn't know you were here. I had only the instructions that I should show my soldiers the palace. Usually, the tour always starts in the Great Hall. If I had known, I would have chosen a different place. My apologies."
The wary expression on the Queen's face slowly disappeared.
"Of course, how could I forget that. I'm sorry. Our advisors are just discussing a few things with my son for the upcoming coronation. But they should be ready, soon. Please come in."
As their officer gave them a sign, the group moved slowly into the Great Hall and Thor couldn't stop staring. The room was huge, he could see golden statues everywhere, standing in line in the middle of the hall, forming a corridor from the entrance to the throne. The throne, which the Prince of Asgard would take over in a few months. Although Odin had been a good king, he was getting old and Loki would replace him successfully. The young man was educated, a powerful sorcerer and people said that he could free himself from the most difficult situations only with his words. His mother used to say that he was jokingly called Silvertounge.
As they walked on, they came to a group of men who argued with each other. One of them was turned to the soldiers with his back, but Thor felt that this young man was the Crown Prince. He wore a noble-looking tunic, which shimmered green and gold. His attitude was proud and he seemed to attract everyone's attention with his presence alone.
When Frigga approached the men, they fell silent and the youngest member of the group seemed to ask her something. The Queen said a couple of words, smiled happily and pointed to their commanding officer, causing him to turn completely to the soldiers. Of course, they all bowed, only Thor seemed to be frozen. Before him stood the stranger from the forest, with whom he had spent a wonderful evening, who had given him a little black snake and with whom he had shared the best kiss of his life.
Norns, he had kissed Prince Loptr.