Chapter 5
Loki could be very strange, I thought to myself while I was waiting for him to return. Not strange in a bad way, but I got the distinct feeling that the mischievous look he had just given me could get me into some real trouble if I wasn’t careful.
I was pacing in my room, waiting for Loki, when suddenly I turned around and walked straight into something hard. I nearly screamed as I felt an arm wrap around me and a hand cover my mouth. I looked up and saw Loki grinning down at me. As soon as I realized it was him, I relaxed a bit in his grip, and he removed his hand from my mouth.
“Sorry to startle you, but I thought it best if you did not scream.” With that, he let me go and took a step back.
He was dressed in his usual leather outfit, but over it, he wore a dark green, sleeveless leather coat. I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he looked, but I quickly pushed that thought far away.
“How the hell did you get into my room?” I squeaked. “I was facing the door before I turned and walked into you!” My voice was nearly an octave higher than normal, and Loki laughed again.
“I’m sorry, Aurora. I used magic and teleported into your room. I truly did not mean to scare you.” He grinned.
Though I could tell he found it amusing, I could also sense that he hadn’t meant to upset me. So, I just gave him a soft punch on his shoulder.
“The next time you scare me like that, I will get my revenge. Just so you know.” I threatened, and he raised his hands in mock surrender.
He slowly moved one hand, and with a flick of his wrist, a bundle of fabric appeared in it. He unfolded it, revealing a dark blue cape. Carefully, he draped it over my shoulders and fastened the clasp around my neck. There were two slits on the front where I could put my arms through, and the cape itself reached just to my thighs.
“Now, Aurora, I need you to do as I say,” he instructed, making sure I was paying attention. “I will perform some magic to make you invisible to everyone except myself. Then, I will wrap my arms around you and teleport us to the stables. My horse is already saddled and waiting. Since no one must know you are with me, I will quickly place you on my horse and mount behind you. Once we clear the palace and the city, I will lift the invisibility spell. Is that okay?” He looked at me intently, waiting for my response.
I blinked for a few moments before a smile crept over my face. “Ah, now I see the distinction between not leaving my room and not being seen leaving my room. You really are the God of Mischief, aren’t you?” I giggled. “You must have been fun raise. I’ll have to ask Frigga to tell me stories about you as a little kid.” This earned me a very big smile from him.
“You don’t even know half of it,” he replied. “But I must warn you—I can make you invisible, but I cannot mask any sound you make. So, until I speak to you, please remain silent, okay?”
“That I can do. But just so you know, I don’t remember ever riding a horse. So please don’t drop me, or I will scream.” I pointed a finger at him in warning.
Loki smiled, placed his hand over his heart, and bowed. “I give you my word, I won’t let you fall.”
He stepped forward and placed his hand against the side of my face. He closed his eyes, and I felt a warm tingling sensation wash over me. When he opened his eyes, he smiled.
“Okay, that was the first part. Now for the teleportation. Just remember to stay relaxed and calm, and you’ll be fine,” he said softly, wrapping one arm around me and pressing me firmly against his chest.
Before I had any chance to respond, I was greeted by a sensation like falling from a great height, and I had to do my best not to make a sound. After a few seconds, my feet touched solid ground again. When I opened my eyes, I was outside.
We were in a large courtyard, and in front of me stood a very large black horse. I felt Loki release me and take my hand. After checking that no one was watching, he turned to me. With one swift motion, he grabbed me by the waist and effortlessly lifted me onto the horse. He gave me a moment to regain my balance, which was difficult with both my legs on one side, but I managed. Then, in one agile movement, he mounted behind me. He placed one arm around my middle and gently pulled me back against his chest so I had something to lean on. I adjusted my dress and cape to sit more comfortably before he nudged the horse into motion.
Still feeling unsteady with nothing to hold onto, I decided to lean into him, placing one hand on my lap while gripping the lapel of his coat with the other.
I felt his chest rumble with a soft chuckle, and he whispered, “I promise, Aurora, I won’t let you fall. You can stop holding your breath.”
I realized I had, indeed, been holding my breath and finally relaxed a little. As we exited through a side gate of the palace, I took in the beauty of my surroundings. Before me stretched a vast city. Loki skilfully navigated the busy streets, ignoring the people who turned to look at him. After several turns and narrow alleyways, we reached the city's edge.
In the distance, green valleys stretched for miles. To the left, far away, loomed a giant forest, while to the right, a sea sparkled under the sunlight. But the most breathtaking sight was the vibrant bridge stretching from the palace to a golden dome at the waterfront’s edge. It looked like it was made of crystal and shimmered with thousands of rainbows. The sight nearly took my breath away.
Loki tightened his grip around my waist as we cleared the city and whispered, “Don’t be alarmed. I’m going to ride faster now. Just follow the movement of the horse and trust me.”
With that, the horse surged forward at an almost alarming speed. After a few moments, I found its steady rhythm and trusted Loki to keep me safe.
After a while, a familiar tingling sensation ran through my body, and I instinctively knew that I was visible again.
“So, I’m visible now?” I asked softly.
“Yes. How did you know?” He sounded surprised.
“Easy. I felt the same tingling sensation when you first made me invisible, so I assumed you reversed it.”
He chuckled. “That’s strange. You shouldn’t have felt anything at all.”
Curious, I continued, “Is that why teleportation felt like falling from a great height? Because you actually changed my location?”
Loki looked down to study my face. “It felt like you were falling?”
I nodded, and he pondered my response before speaking. “That’s unusual. Only those with Seiðr react to magic like that, and Midgardians have none. It doesn’t make sense that you could feel my magic at all.”
I could see Loki deep in thought, reflecting on the situation once more. I decided to give him some time while I enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my face and the gentle breeze through my hair. I was grateful he had thought of the cape—without it, I surely would have been cold. Though the sun was lovely, it wasn’t nearly as warm as it had looked from my window.
I glanced up at Loki, wondering if he was cold, but he looked perfectly fine. I assumed he had either used magic to keep himself warm or was simply more resistant to the cold than a mere mortal like me.
After a while, something he had said earlier resurfaced in my mind. “Loki, you mentioned that most Æsir have only a little magic, whereas you possess quite a lot. Are there others like you with such strong abilities?”
He let out a sigh but answered. “High concentrations of Seiðr like mine are rare. Even rarer in males. Many in Asgard have Seiðr , but they can only access a specific spectrum of its power. Take Lady Eir, for instance—her Seiðr is entirely focused on healing. I, however, have an affinity for nearly all spectrums of Seiðr . It has occurred in past generations, but even then, it is usually something found in females. I always assumed I inherited this from my parents, as both of them possess strong Seiðr .”
I noticed his shoulders tense slightly as he spoke, and I could tell this wasn’t a topic he particularly enjoyed discussing. We rode in silence for a while as I mustered the courage to ask my next question.
“Loki, is it difficult for you to be different from the others?” I looked up to meet his gaze, then quickly added, “Frigga warned me that people on Asgard might be harsh and judgmental toward me simply because I’m different and from Midgard. Do you experience the same treatment because your seiðr makes you different?”
I held his gaze and saw a flicker of emotion cross his face. After a few moments, he slowed his horse to a gentle pace and looked down at me.
“You are very perceptive, Aurora.” His sigh was deep, and it saddened me. I could see the internal debate in his eyes—whether to say more or leave it at that. But eventually, he continued.
“Though people treat me with the highest regard, it is only because I am a prince. I have very few friends, and even those I do have are more my brother’s than mine. Asgard worships strength and bravery above all else. And while I consider myself both strong and brave, the fact that I rely on intellect and magic rather than brute force diminishes my worth in their eyes. Unlike Thor, who simply charges into situations, smashing his way through like a beast.”
He was still looking into my eyes as he spoke, and I was surprised by how natural it felt to hold his gaze. I offered him a reassuring smile.
“It sounds like Asgard is full of narrow-minded people,” I said, my tone light but sincere. Before I even thought about it, I turned slightly and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him into a hug and resting my head against his chest.
At first, I felt foolish. I barely knew him—why had I hugged him? I could feel the tension in his body; he was clearly caught off guard. Regret began creeping in, and I considered pulling away. But just as I was about to, I felt his body relax. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around me, returning the embrace.
While still in his arms, I decided to confide in him as he had in me. “Loki, I really need a friend through all of this. Believe it or not, I’m scared when I think about my future on Asgard. I don’t know what I would have done without you and Frigga these past few days. You’ve both been so kind, but I hope we could be friends.”
I tried to hold back my tears, but a few escaped despite my efforts. Embarrassed, I lifted a hand to wipe them away. Before I could, Loki gently placed his hand under my chin, tilting my face upward so our eyes met.
“I will be your friend for as long as you will have me, Aurora,” he said solemnly yet gently. “You have trusted me and shown me more kindness in these few hours than almost anyone has, save my family. I promise you this.” With his thumb, he brushed away the tear on my cheek.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Looking into his intense eyes, I impulsively gave him another quick hug. “I’ll do my best to be a worthy friend. Honestly I haven’t met anyone and already I feel like Asgard is full of fools. If they can’t see how incredible you are, then they must be prejudiced and blind. And if that’s the case, I’m going to need all the friends I can get.”
Loki let out a deep, genuine laugh—the loudest I had heard from him yet.
As we reached the forest, I couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty. The last time I had been here, I hadn’t had the chance to truly take it all in. Towering trees, vibrant exotic flowers, and small squirrel-like creatures leaping from branch to branch surrounded us. It was breathtaking, and I knew I wouldn’t mind spending more time here. But even as we rode, I noticed Loki’s sharp eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk. I got the distinct feeling that wandering these woods alone wouldn’t be wise.
After what felt like a very long ride, a clearing appeared ahead. Loki’s horse grew restless, but he stroked its mane, calming it instantly.
At the edge of the clearing, Loki dismounted and helped me down. Nearby, Fenrir lay stretched out in a sunbeam beside a tree. As we approached, his ears twitched in our direction, though his eyes remained closed. When we drew closer, he sniffed the air before opening his eyes to look at us. The moment he recognized us, he leaped to his feet, tail wagging excitedly. I couldn’t help but smile—he resembled an enormous overgrown puppy.
Suddenly, I heard a voice, but I couldn’t tell where it came from.
“Father! I was hoping to see you again. I see you brought my friend.”
I froze, glancing around in search of the source. Loki looked at me, puzzled, but I simply shrugged and continued forward.
When we reached Fenrir, Loki placed a gentle hand on his muzzle. “Fenrir, may I introduce you to Princess Aurora of Midgard? Aurora, this is Fenrir.” He smiled warmly.
Fenrir looked at me and bowed slightly. Seeing such a massive wolf bow was amusing.
“Hello, Fenrir,” I greeted him with a smile. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I hope you’ve recovered from your wounds. I’m sorry for the pain I caused when I removed the shard.”
As I spoke, the mysterious voice returned.
“Father, can you tell her that I’m very grateful for her tending to my wounds and that I’m happy she has recovered herself?”
I jumped, startled. This was clearly a response to my words, yet it hadn’t come from Fenrir’s mouth. It was as if the voice had spoken directly inside my head.
I stared at Fenrir, my heart pounding, and flinched slightly when Loki placed a hand on my arm. He looked at me with concern. “Are you all right? You look spooked, but you don’t have to be. Fenrir is your friend, and he wanted me to tell you that he’s grateful—”
I cut him off. “He’s grateful I helped him and happy I’ve recovered,” I said, my voice firm. Loki’s eyes widened. “I heard a voice,” I continued. “It wasn’t coming from Fenrir—it was inside my head. And why does that voice call you ‘Father’?”
Suddenly, that voice was there again. “You can hear me?”
Despite how unsettling it was, I decided to answer. “Yes? Who are you? Are you Fenrir?”
Fenrir's eyes widened, and he nodded. “Yes, I’m Fenrir.”
Judging by the looks on both Fenrir and Loki's faces, I guessed that my ability to hear him wasn’t exactly normal. “So, hearing you isn’t something that happens often?” I asked, already knowing the answer. Loki and Fenrir shook their heads in unison.
After a brief silence, Fenrir added, “No. The only one able to hear me speak is my father.” He then turned to Loki.
I followed his gaze, my attention shifting to Loki, who was still staring at me. “You’re his father?”
Loki didn’t answer. He just stood there, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. Taking a step toward him, I reached out, intending to touch his arm, but he recoiled, as if I had tried to strike him. Distrust flickered across his face, and I watched as he straightened his posture, a cold mask settling over his features.
“What are you?” His voice was sharp, distant, almost accusing.
His reaction cut deeper than I expected. It felt like all the air had been sucked out of me. My hands fell limply to my sides. “Loki, I’m me. I’m Aurora—the same person I’ve been since I met you. You’re scaring me right now. Can you please tell me what’s wrong?” I turned to Fenrir, silently pleading for help.
But there was only silence. Loki’s stare remained unreadable, blank, almost hostile. A coldness radiated from him, sending a shiver down my spine. My fear began to churn into anger. I knew it was reckless, ungrateful even, but I couldn’t help it.
“Are you just going to stand there and scare the shit out of me with your stare?” I said angrily, but my voice wavered, betraying my emotions.
A flicker of anger crossed Loki’s face before he spoke again, his tone even colder. “I asked you who you are. Are you a trick, Aurora? Trying to befriend me and then lure me into some devilish plot like that witch Angrboda did? Or even better, are you related to her since you can hear Fenrir? TELL ME!”
His last words struck like a whip, laced with venom. The force of his accusation took my breath away.
I had never seen Loki like this. He was cold, furious, but beneath it all, something darker simmered. For the first time since arriving in Asgard, I felt truly alone. My anger evaporated, replaced by a crushing sadness. I fought to keep my emotions in check. I refused to cry. I had already shed more tears than I wanted since meeting him.
Taking a shaky breath, I tried again. “I’m Aurora. I’m not a trick. I don’t even know who the hell Angr-what’s-her-name is. And last I checked, I’m human, not a witch.”
Still, nothing. Just silence. Just that hostile stare.
My anger reignited. “Loki, I thought you were my friend. We came here to visit Fenrir. If I had known that hearing his voice would freak you out this much, I wouldn’t have said anything.” I tried to steady myself, knowing that provoking him further was dangerous. But his hostility was cruel and cutting.
I struggled to keep my emotions in check, but my voice grew louder. “What the hell, Loki? You told me I could ask you anything. That even if it was inappropriate, you’d help me understand, not get mad.” My voice cracked, and angry tears burned down my cheeks. “I don’t know why hearing Fenrir is such a big deal! Don’t you get it? I don’t know anything! I’m totally alone here, out of my depth. I’m in a strange world with no memory of how I got here! I thought I had a friend to help me, even when I made mistakes. But I guess that was too good to be true.”
I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to smack his arm. It wouldn’t be a good idea. Instead, I turned and walked away. I was exhausted, emotionally drained. I just wanted to go back to the palace, crawl into bed, and hope the world would swallow me up for another two years.
I heard Fenrir call my name, but I didn’t care. I picked up my pace, running blindly, tears blurring my vision. I had nearly reached the first trees of the forest when I heard movement behind me. I didn’t care who it was. I wasn’t stopping.
But then a firm grip seized my arm. I yanked against it, but it was too strong. Frustrated and humiliated, I stood still, refusing to turn around.
“Let go of my arm,” I demanded, my voice shaky with emotion.
“I will, if you turn around and look at me,” Loki said, his voice thick with something unspoken.
I fought against his grip, unwilling to let him see me cry. But it was pointless. In the end, I had no choice but to face him. I stared at his feet, but I knew that wasn’t what he meant. Slowly, I forced myself to look up. The coldness in his face was gone, replaced by something unreadable, something uneasy.
We stood there, eyes locked. I opened my mouth to ask him again to let go, but before I could, he pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his chest in a tight embrace. I fought against him, but it was like struggling against iron.
His voice was in my ear, hoarse and raw. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “There are things in my past you don’t know. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. Please, can you find it in your heart to listen while I explain?”
I was still angry. A part of me wanted to shove him away and walk off. But there was something fragile in him, something that made me pause. I let out a slow breath, pushing down the last of my rage, and nodded against his chest.
He exhaled in relief, loosening his grip. Without another word, he took my hand and led me back toward Fenrir, who lay before a massive tree, watching us warily. Loki gestured for me to sit. He settled near Fenrir’s head, while I curled up beside Fenrir, absently stroking his fur. Fenrir purred softly and adjusted himself so I could lean against him comfortably.
We sat in silence. My nerves twisted tighter with each passing second, but then, finally, Loki began to speak.
“When I was a lot younger, my father took my brother and I on a tour of the realms. This was done so that the people could meet us princes, and we princes could gain experience in diplomacy and the culture of other realms. During this period, I met a woman named Angrboda. After only a short time, I thought I was in love with her and was willing to spend the rest of my life with her. There was a huge struggle between myself and my family, who tried to convince me that she was not as she appeared. But I was young and very much in love, and I did not want to hear them. I thought their problem was with the fact that she was not Æsir and that it was their prejudice against her race that blinded them. Later, I found out the hard way that she tricked me into falling in love with her. She never cared for me. She wanted leverage over Odin and used me to further her own plans and bring him down. When I eventually found out, I was heartbroken and angry. I wanted to confront her and ask why she had done that, but it was then that I discovered she was pregnant.
I had not intended to become a father amidst all the troubles and had even taken every precaution to prevent fathering children. Later, I found that she had used dark magic to circumvent my precautions. As a result, the dark magic complicated things even beyond her control. The children were not normal but twisted by the dark magic she had used, and the birth was dangerously complicated, resulting in her losing her life during childbirth. However, she did give me three children. I named them Hela, Fenrir, and Jormungand.
Hela, my daughter, looked the most like an Æsir but has the power to remove one's soul and take it with her. The right part of her body looks Æsir, while the left half of her body is that of a skeleton. We shielded her with magic so she could appear whole, but still, her skeleton side is where her power resides. If she touches you with her left hand and she wills it, she can remove your soul. We tried to bind her power at first, but this failed and left her very angry.”
This was the moment Loki’s voice broke, and I could see tears form in his eyes as he fought to keep them back. Fenrir gave his hands a soft lick as encouragement, and he just blinked a few times before continuing.
“She was very angry and very dangerous, and people were afraid to be even in the same room as her. In the end, Odin gave her a realm to rule so she would not be a problem for Asgard. She is the goddess of the dead. She helps the spirits of the recently departed cross into the realm of Helheim, or Hel as some people call it.
Jormungand is my other son, and he did not look Æsir. The best way to describe him would be that he is a sea serpent, and while Hela and Fenrir were granted voices, he was not, and therefore I could never reach him. He was too much like a wild animal, and we granted him a life in the large oceans of Asgard. Since he never connected with any Æsir, I have not seen him since. Fenrir is the gentlest of the three, as you can see for yourself. He is a full Æsir in his mind but trapped in the body of a wolf. Not long after their births, a prophecy was told by the Norns. It foretold that Fenrir would have a part in the end of Odin’s life and would bring forth the end of times called Ragnarök. As a result of this prophecy, Fenrir has been banned from the royal palace and must spend his time here in the forest. Odin wanted his death, but I persuaded him to allow Fenrir this forest to spend his days in. The forest is warded, and Fenrir cannot leave it, so he would never be a threat to Odin. When I am away from the palace, Father even goes so far as to magically bind Fenrir to the tree so he cannot leave the clearing. Even with all the wards I have put in place, he still uses the leash, or ‘Gleipnir’ as it is called, to bind him to the tree. It is what you saw Sif do on your first night in Asgard.”
With this, Loki fell silent, looking out into the distance, waiting for my reply.
I could feel the tension radiating from him. But I took some time to let his story sink in.
“So with me being able to hear Fenrir, you thought I had something to do with Angrboda?” I asked in a soft voice.
Loki nodded. “If not directly with Angrboda, I thought you might have something to do with her people. The sort of people who want Fenrir to kill Odin and start Ragnarök and…” but he didn’t finish.
“And you wanted to protect your family?” I added.
I could see Loki nod, and I could feel all of the anger leave my body. While his actions just now had been hurtful, I understood why he reacted the way that he did. After all, we knew each other for such a short time. And I understood his need to protect his family.
“Then I understand what just happened. I’m sorry for what Angrboda put you through.” This made Loki look up at me, and I could see him opening his mouth to talk, but I raised my hand to silence him. “I know it probably does not mean a lot, but like I said, I am sorry for what you have been through. I hope I can convince you that I have nothing to do with any of that. Or, if not convince, at least show you that I am just Aurora. I don’t know why I am able to hear Fenrir, but I swear to you that I don’t mean any harm to you, your family, or anyone in the whole of Asgard.”
I could see a weak smile form on his lips. “I believe you, Aurora, and I am sorry for doubting you. You know I can tell if people are lying, and I can plainly see you are not. But Angrboda did trick me, and it has been a weak spot for me since. I trusted and loved her, and she tricked me. She tricked the trickster, and to this day, it is something I still fear might repeat itself. I hope I have not irreparably damaged our friendship.”
He looked so lost, sitting there, not able to look me in the eyes, so much guilt and fear of rejection in his whole posture. I responded by grabbing his hand and squeezing it a bit.
“What kind of friend would I be if I pulled out of a friendship at the first sign of trouble?”
This earned me a fuller smile as he finally found the courage to look me in the eyes again.
“Father, if I may,” Fenrir asked, and I could see Loki smile at him too, giving him a small nod.
“I have been thinking about the first night I saw Aurora. I do believe that she was not able to hear me that night. I can remember swearing in pain quite vigorously, but I never received any response. She only responded to me when I would give her physical signs, like nodding my head.”
“Is that true?” Loki asked me.
“Yes, this is the first time I have heard him talk. That night in the woods, I never heard him speak once. It was only because of his body language that I knew I could approach him. I remember pulling out the piece of wood, then trying to hold his wound closed, and then blacking out. But I heard no voice whatsoever.” I took a moment to search my memories, and suddenly, I remembered that there had been a voice during the darkness.
“But I do remember a voice after blacking out. I remember hearing Fenrir yelp and howl with pain, but there was also a voice. It was asking me if I was alright. Was that you?” I asked Loki. “I know you found me, but then you must have arrived just as I was passing out.”
I could see Loki thinking. “No, I arrived late the next day. Sif informed me later in the day that Fenrir had been hurt, and it was almost night when I arrived in the clearing. By that time, his wounds had mostly healed, and he was no longer in pain. I was very surprised to find him cradling your body to keep you warm. You were unconscious, and I could not find what was wrong with you. The only thing I did find were a few bruises and minor scrapes, but you had a lot of blood on your clothes. I assumed that was Fenrir’s.”
I gave Loki a questioning look. "That cannot be right. I had a head wound—bleeding—and a deep cut on my left hand. I fell in the woods, stumbled through branches and thorns. My clothes were torn, soaked in blood. Yes, some of it was Fenrir’s, but most of it was mine."
Fenrir tilted his head. "It is true, Father. She was injured when she reached me. But once she lost consciousness, her wounds healed themselves. I thought that was normal. Is it not?"
Loki’s expression tightened. Before he could speak, I responded. "That may be normal for an Æsir. But I am not one of you. I am from Midgard. A human. Healing should take weeks, not hours."
Fenrir sniffed the air, his brow furrowing. "But you smell like an Æsir. I remember thinking that night—your scent was different from anything I had ever known. But now, you smell... normal."
Loki’s gaze shifted sharply between Fenrir and me. "When you removed the shard from his chest, the wound reopened, correct?"
I nodded. "Yes. It bled again. I tried to stop it with my hands."
"And you passed out after touching the wound?"
Again, I nodded.
Loki’s eyes narrowed in thought, then suddenly widened. "I may have a theory. We need to speak to Lady Eir. You had an open wound on your hand—his blood could have entered your body. That would explain the blackout... and possibly the rapid healing. If I am correct, it might also explain your two-year unresponsiveness."
He looked at me like I was a riddle he had just started to solve. "But I want confirmation before I say more."
I did not fully understand what he was implying, but I trusted him. We agreed Lady Eir would be the one to unravel it—and he would not reveal more until she had seen me herself.