Chapter 5
Sunlight flooded the room the next time he opened his eyes.
He got up and got ready for the day.
He was having breakfast with Asta and he was looking forward to it.
He also decided he was going to help her with her chores today no matter what she said.
He found her and her mother in the kitchens. They were just starting their own breakfast, so he joined them.
Asta's mother asked him if he was alright on his own last night.
"Yes, thank you." Loki said. He didn't want to admit to it being scary, so he just said it was really quiet.
"That's good." Asta's mother said. "It won't be long till Prince Thor is home."
Loki nodded. "I hope so."
After breakfast Asta attended to her chores.
"I want to help." Loki tells her.
"No, but thank you, Loki." Asta says.
"I insist." Loki says.
She could see he was determined.
"I know what you can do, mother is making bread so you can help her. Mama, you now have an apprentice."
She laughs as she takes an apron and puts it over his head, turns him round and ties it at the back. "Go and wash your hands. I will see you both later."
Loki looks a bit bewildered as he is set to work.
A while later Asta gets back to the kitchens to see Loki with flour over his face and in his hair having the best time. Some bread already baked and some getting mixed.
"Asta!" he proclaims "this is just great fun!"
Asta's mother laughs and tells him "thank you Loki, that's enough for now. You need to get cleaned up and attend to your studies.
"Mama's right Loki, we need to go to the library."
Loki reluctantly gets cleaned up and says thank you to Asta's mother and they both head to the library.
A few hours of studying later sees them needing some fresh air in the gardens. Loki had taken a couple of recipe books which he was going to read later now he seemed to have discovered a new hobby.
Eventually, the sun was starting to get low.
Asta said "Mama told me dinner would be ready about now, we should go in.
"Oh good" Loki said, now feeling hungry.
They both make their way back to the kitchens just in time. They all sit down together to eat and Loki enjoys being with them both.
It was now getting late. "Time for you to go Loki" Asta's mother said, as she cleared the plates away and Loki got that horrible feeling in his stomach.
"Yes Ma'am, Loki said.
Asta could see he was fretful. "I'll see you tomorrow" she said
"I know Loki replied "it's just too quiet, l wish I could stay here."
"I do too" Asta told him, "but why not use the quiet time to practice the spell you've been working on."
"Yes, I could" he replies. So, feeling much brighter, he gives her a hug, bids his farewells to them both and leaves.
The corridors of the palace were quiet as he walked along them.
Loki stopped. He heard the whispering and laughing again.
He heard heavy footsteps and a sudden rushing come down the corridor.
He froze.
He needed to run, but he couldn't move, his body paralysed.
A large rough hand grabbed round his mouth, so large it covered his nose too, so he couldn't breath. He struggled, but was grabbed round his waist and lifted of the ground. A nearby door opened and he was thrown into a dark room so hard he hit the wall, then landed on the ground. It was dark, but he saw the shapes of four large men bearing down on him because of the moonlight coming through the window.
"So, little prince." One of them growled, while the others laughed, mockingly. "Let us teach you a lesson or two about what we think of your kind here, you little Jotun runt!"
They started punching him. Loki cried out! He was no match for these thugs. All he could do was cover his head and face and hope it would end soon.
He didn't know Asta had seen him being grabbed as she had followed him because he had forgotten his books.
She ran out to the Bifrost and out of breath, just managed to get out "Heimdall, get Thor back!"
In a turn of the sword and a flash of light Thor appeared.
"It's Loki!" she cries and runs with Thor following her and points to the room.
Thor bursts into the room in time to very nearly see the unthinkable about to happen and in a blinding flash of light sends Mjolnir around the room killing the men.
He gently picks up Loki, who whimpers "I'm sorry" and carries him to his chambers with Asta following behind, running trying to keep up.
Thor threw open the door to his chambers and slammed it shut behind him. Asta nearly fell backwards as the door slammed shut in her face.
"Asta!" Loki cried, pointing at the door
Thor opened the door and lets her in, "Sorry child." he said gently.
Thor sat Loki on the bed and looked him over. What a sad state, all cuts and bruises and clothes all ripped.
Asta went into the bathroom and came out with a damp cloth. Thor attended to the cuts on his face.
Loki sat quietly, feeling very sorry for himself. He glanced at Asta, thinking she must see him as weak, but she looked at him pitifully, with tears in her eyes. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
Loki bit down onto his bottom lip.
Thor could see Loki was on the verge of tears.
He said to Asta "Please go and get your mother, tell her what has happened and ask her to come and attend to Loki."
"Yes, Your Majesty" she said and smiled at Loki and left.
As soon as the door was closed Loki burst into tears and fell into Thor's arms.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, you must think me weak and a fool!" He sobbed into Thor's chest.
Thor held him tight, rubbing his back while he sobbed.
Then he pulled him forward and looked into his eyes and said "No, I don't. These men were thugs and too big for you to fight back. You are a prince and I am proud of you." He hugs Loki tight again and then looks at him and says "Now enough of this sobbing." There was a knock at the door. "Are you okay to see them both?" Thor asked. Loki chokes back a sob, wipes his face with the cloth and composing himself, nodded, "Yes." Thor answered it to Asta and her mother. Thor pointed to Loki.
She set to work attending to Loki and whispering comforting words to him.
Asta sat beside him on the bed and held his hand.
Thor sat down heavy on his chair and sighed.
When she finished she stood up and looked him over.
"That will suffice for now, nothing broken, thankfully" she said.
Thor stood up too and looked at him.
Loki's heart sank at their pitifull looks. Then he realises his friend will have to leave now.
He squeezes her hand and says, "Can Asta stay?"
"No." Thor says a little too loudly, then a bit gentler and quieter added "Loki needs rest and sleep, not chatter."
Asta stood up and hugged him and kissed his forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow, I promise. You need to rest."
Thor instructs Asta's mother to leave breakfast outside the chambers tomorrow and not to knock on the door.
He then instructs Asta that Loki will see her when he is ready.
"Yes, Your Majesty" they both said and bowed and left.
Thor knew it was going to be a long night.