Chapter 23
I was woken by Yara, who informed me that she had already brought everything to Arturo and that all was set for the trip. We spent the rest of our morning enjoying a big brunch and chatting until it was time for me to leave. She wished me a safe journey, and I urged her to take some time to enjoy herself while I was gone. It took some convincing, but in the end, she agreed to spend quality time with her family.
I was halfway down to the courtyard when Muriel caught up with me, walking by my side for the rest of the way. As we neared the stables, I saw our horses packed and ready, with Sif and the Warriors Three already waiting.
We greeted each other and chatted as we waited for Thor and Loki to join us. It took longer than expected, and when they finally arrived, I could tell Loki was unhappy. His expression gave nothing away, but I could feel it. Frigga and Odin had accompanied them to see us off.
Frigga smiled and pulled me into a hug. “I hope you will keep an eye on this bunch and try to keep them out of trouble,” she said with a teasing grin. “When Thor or Loki get a ridiculous idea, the rest of them tend to follow without thinking. I hope you will be the voice of reason if something like that happens.”
I giggled, recalling the countless ‘grand tales’ they had told. Brave as they made themselves sound, most of their stories involved getting into trouble they could have easily avoided.
“You have my word, Frigga. I’ll try to keep them in check,” I assured her, glancing at Thor and the others, who all looked eager for the journey. Grinning, I added, “But I have a feeling trouble has a way of finding us. Or rather, they have a knack for finding trouble. So I’m not sure how much good I’ll do.”
Frigga smiled, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “As long as you all look out for each other, things will be all right. I have no doubt.”
She spoke loudly enough for the others to hear, and Thor beamed. “That, we will surely do, Mother! Have no fear. With our combined forces, nothing will go wrong!” he declared.
Loki sighed, muttering just loud enough for everyone to hear, “No, what could possibly go wrong when a loud oaf jinxes the entire trip before we have even left?”
Laughter erupted, even from Thor. They all mounted their horses with effortless grace—something that still amazed me. Even Volstagg, despite his size, could leap into the saddle with ease. Meanwhile, I was grateful when Shadow bowed deeply to help me mount. Sure, Shadow was taller than the other horses, but even on a normal horse, I would have struggled. There was no way I could make a graceful leap like they did.
It seemed to be the first time Sif and the Warriors Three had seen Shadow bow for me, and I could sense their surprise. I just smiled, patting his neck. “Thank you, my prince,” I whispered.
Muriel approached, and I looked down at him, offering a smile, which he returned.
“I wish you a safe journey, Aurora. I will see you in a few days,” he said simply. I knew he wanted to kiss me, to hold me, but with Frigga and Odin present, it would only complicate things.
“Thank you for seeing me off, Muriel. I wish you a safe journey as well. I’ll see you soon.”
As he stepped back, I turned to Frigga and Odin. Frigga’s gaze flicked between Muriel and me, and I caught the briefest hint of a frown. She was perceptive—far too perceptive. I had no doubt she suspected something. I only wished she had smiled instead of frowned. Her opinion mattered to me, but it couldn’t be helped now. Forcing a bright smile, I waved as the horses began moving.
As we passed through the palace gates, I looked back one last time. Excitement bubbled inside me. A whole world awaited beyond these walls. My first true journey. My first taste of freedom.
Once we cleared the city, we spurred our horses into a gallop. Loki and I ended up riding side by side, as Shadow and Lady seemed to prefer each other’s company. Hours passed, and soon, the palace and city were mere specks in the distance. I had never been this far from the palace before.
As our horses slowed to an easy pace along the road, I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling from earlier. Something had been off with Loki when he arrived. Instead of asking aloud, I reached for him through our link.
Loki, when you joined us earlier, I could feel you weren’t pleased about something. Did something happen during your meeting with Odin?
Loki gave a small snort. Father informed us that there have been a string of thefts in Alfheim—particularly magical artifacts. The rumors say a powerful Seiðr user is behind them. It has been the talk of Alfheim. I offered to help track the thief, thinking my skills might be of use. But I was dismissed. He claimed that, given my ‘reputation,’ people would only assume I was involved rather than trust me to solve it. He actually found the whole situation amusing.
Anger flared in me. Loki hated the way people saw him. How Odin cast him as an anti-hero while Thor was allowed to shine. No matter how much Loki proved himself, he was always mistrusted. Every time there was an opportunity to do good, the task went to Thor, even if Loki was better suited. And all the darker, more covert dealings? Those were Loki’s to handle—fueling the very rumors that painted him as untrustworthy.
I almost wanted to turn back and give Odin a piece of my mind. Couldn’t he see how much this hurt Loki? That his own choices ensured Loki would always be seen as the villain? If you tell someone they are a monster long enough… eventually, they might believe it.
Loki’s laugh pulled me from my thoughts. Aurora, I can feel your indignation. I appreciate it, truly, but there is nothing to be done. I accepted this long ago. I know you—please do not go angering Odin on my behalf.
I shook my head. Don’t you see? Someone should! It’s not fair. You don’t deserve the mistrust or the reputation you have. You are every bit as good—if not better—than Thor. Why shouldn’t you be just as loved as he is?
His expression was unreadable, but his voice held quiet resignation. The thing is… he already has one golden son. His gaze flickered toward Thor. I learned long ago that Odin has more use for me when I am feared rather than loved. This way, he has two different weapons to wield. One son to fight injustice in the light, adored by all. And the other to fight in the shadows—to be feared, distrusted… but still serving the realm. Just in a different way.
There was purpose in his words. He truly believed this was necessary—that his suffering was for the good of the kingdom. And as much as I wanted to argue, I realized this belief was his armor. It was how he endured. To shake that belief might strip him of the only thing keeping him standing.
I only hoped Odin truly had the kingdom’s best interests at heart. Because if this divide had nothing to do with ruling… if it was personal… I feared what it would do to Loki.
I looked at him and smiled. Just know that you don’t have to be anything but yourself with me, Loki.
He arched a brow, amused. Is that so?
“You’re my friend, and I don’t want you to pretend or feel like you have to be anything you are not. I know you are also my guardian, but if I ever had to choose between your role as my guardian or just you as my friend, I would choose our friendship.”
Loki smiled, and I felt a warm wave of gratitude wash over me.
“Thank you, Aurora. That means a lot. I am blessed to have you and our friendship. Although I do not think I would ever have to choose between being your friend and your guardian because they are the same. Even without our bond, I would never let any harm come to you.”
I couldn’t help but smile at his words, and I knew he could feel my gratitude. The sun was beginning to set; only a few hours of daylight remained when I spotted a forest in the distance. As we approached, Thor rode toward Loki and me.
“Aurora, we will go on a hunt in the forest to procure us some dinner. A few of us will stay behind to set up camp. Sif was wondering if you wanted to join us on the hunt. Seeing as you have never been hunting, she thought it might be fun,” he said with a big grin.
Loki let out a deep sigh before I could reply, drawing Thor’s attention.
“Brother, what is wrong?” he asked, looking at him. I could feel a snarky reply building inside Loki, so I decided to intervene.
“I’m sorry, Thor, but I think it’s better if I stay behind and help set up camp. I don’t think it’s wise for me to go on a hunt.”
I could see the confusion on his face, so I rode a bit closer.
“Thor,” I whispered. “My ability is not limited to people. I can also feel animals. I don’t think I would enjoy a hunt very much.”
Realization dawned in his eyes.
“Ahh, I understand, and I am sorry I did not think about this,” he said softly.
I saw Loki roll his eyes, and I could almost picture a snarky remark about how Thor never seemed to think things through. Fortunately, he stayed silent.
“It’s no problem,” I said with a smile. “Thank you for giving me the choice.”
“I will stay with Aurora,” Loki said calmly. “You and the rest go and hunt. We will make camp. Just make sure that the animal is dead before you bring it back.”
Thor nodded and rode back to Sif.
“I hope you don’t mind staying with me. I don’t want to hold you back if you want to hunt with them,” I said, watching him for his reaction.
He smiled. “I really do not mind. While I enjoy tracking and finding an animal, it is too simple for a group of trained warriors like ourselves to kill it. So no, I do not mind sitting out this hunt. We used to hunt for sport often, but I grew tired of it. Not only was it a waste of time, but I also found it wasteful of the lives of the animals. We live in a palace, so it is not as though we needed the food. It took the fun out of hunting. Sure, for the next few days, I understand it is our main source of food, and I am fine with that. But as a sport, I cannot enjoy it anymore as Thor and the others do. Back then, it was Mother who suggested that we donate our kills to the less fortunate. For a while, this gave the hunt meaning again, and I continued for years.”
I sensed there was more. “But?” I prompted.
He sighed. “As usual, whenever we rode to a small village to give them the animals we hunted, it was Thor who received the credit for his generosity. Even if I hunted alone and delivered the animals, they praised Odin for the meat. Because, of course, it must have been on his order that his younger son would do anything like that. I know it sounds selfish, but in the end, I stopped hunting. It felt hollow.”
I felt a pang of sympathy for him, but it was clear he didn’t want to discuss it further. So we rode in silence.
Not long after, we found a small clearing in the forest. The group decided to set up camp there. As we unloaded our horses, Loki explained the details of camp setup. Thor and the Warriors Three would hunt for food, while Sif, Loki, and I remained behind. Sif and I arranged the sleeping gear, Loki took care of the horses and gathered firewood.
Once Loki was out of earshot, I turned to Sif, unable to resist prying.
“So, how are things going between you and Thor?” I asked, noting how she placed their sleeping bags beside each other.
Sif’s face lit up, a bright smile spreading across her lips. “Your plan worked like a dream. I am pleased to say he no longer thinks of me as one of the guys.”
I laughed as her happiness radiated from her.
“And how are things with you and Muriel?” she asked.
I smiled. “Well, we’re pretty physical at the moment, but I want to take my time. So while we fool around, I don’t want to take him to my bed right away.”
Sif nodded in understanding. “You should take the time you need. If he pressures you, just let me know. It has been a while since I had some combat training against a fast warrior, and I could use the exercise.”
I laughed. “I would love to see that. I have never seen Muriel fight, but I have heard he is an exceptional warrior. I would love to see how he holds up against you.”
Sif nodded. “Maybe I will ask him when we reach Alfheim. But just so you know, I will do my best to defeat him. I will not take it easy on him just so he can show off to you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said with a grin.
Loki returned with a large pile of wood in his arms and began stacking the logs at the camp’s center. I noticed him using magic and couldn’t help but inquire about the spells he had used. He explained that he had placed a ward to ensure the fire remained contained within a small circle, preventing sparks from accidentally igniting our bedding. Another spell would make the wood burn slowly, reducing the need to add more logs through the night. I grinned, appreciating how Loki’s magic made this journey safer and more convenient.
“Aurora, do you want to do the honor?” he asked suddenly, gesturing toward the pile of logs.
I smiled and nodded. Sif watched me with fascination as I focused on clearing my mind to tap into my magic. Deciding to make a bit of a show for her, I conjured a flame in my palm and shaped it into a bird with an illusion spell. I saw a smile curl on her lips. The fiery bird took flight, circling above us before diving down to ignite the pile. Loki, clearly pleased with my spellwork, smiled as well.
Sif settled herself comfortably while Loki suggested we use the last bit of sunlight for training. I could see the surprise and intrigue in her eyes, curious about what we would be practicing. I didn’t mind her knowing I was trying to learn basic self-defense, so I agreed. Following Loki deeper into the clearing, I waited for his instructions.
"Ok, Aurora," he said with a smile, summoning his weapons. "I thought we could test what you have learned about fighting with knives. I will attack slowly, and you will try to block my strikes. I will spell our knives so we do not need to worry about injuries."
I nodded and reached for the knives beneath my coat. As I drew them, he cast the spell. Then I assumed the basic defensive stance I had learned from Muriel’s book, holding the knives inward so the dull side of the blade pressed against my wrists. Loki’s approving gaze reassured me. He raised his own knives and attacked. He moved deliberately slow, giving me time to anticipate his approach. I blocked his attack with one arm, then ducked beneath his other arm to avoid his second strike.
He chuckled and turned to face me again. This time, he aimed low, targeting my legs. I jumped back, placing myself out of reach, but the moment I did, Loki closed the distance. He attacked high, forcing me to block with my left arm. I spun away before he could trap me with his other knife. I heard Sif cheering from the camp and smiled before quickly refocusing on Loki. We moved like that for about ten minutes. I managed to block most of his attacks and evade further assaults, though I knew the only reason I succeeded was that he was moving slowly, allowing me to anticipate his strikes.
"I see you have grasped the basics," he said with a smile. "Now, I will repeat the routine but increase the speed."
I nodded, resetting my stance. His movements remained the same but carried more speed and force, making them significantly harder to block. I managed to stop the first attack, but with his increased pace, I was too slow to intercept his second arm. Still, I successfully blocked almost half of his strikes. As we finished the drills, Sif cheered again. Looking up, I saw her walking toward us.
"You did great," she said with a big smile. "Sure, you need to work on your strength and stamina, but still. How long have you been training with knives?"
I grinned as Loki turned to answer.
"This is the first time she has practiced after reading a book about knife fighting," he said, pride evident in his tone.
Sif looked at me as if I had grown a second head. "You read this in a book?"
I nodded, hoping she would not ask about the book itself—I didn’t want to betray Muriel’s trust. Fortunately, that didn’t seem to be her interest.
"What else did you learn in this book of yours? Was it just defensive stances while wielding a knife?" she asked, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.
I could not help but smile. "No, there were various chapters about defense against different weapons. Swords were among them."
Sif glanced at Loki, who simply nodded. She then looked back at me, her expression clear—she wanted to test me herself. I smiled and nodded. Loki moved his hand over Sif’s sword to dull the blade. She protested, insisting she had enough experience to avoid harming me, but he was adamant. He would not risk my safety.
As we took our positions, Thor and the Warriors Three rode back into the clearing. I ignored them, focusing entirely on Sif, who eyed me like a predator sizing up its prey. I assumed the same defensive stance as before, but now I held the knives outward, blades ready to deflect her sword. I caught Loki’s approving smile.
Sif moved closer, but I maintained my distance, forcing us to circle each other so she could not charge directly. A few times, she attempted to feint, but I quickly sidestepped, disrupting her rhythm. It wasn’t that I was skilled enough to see through her tricks—I could feel her intention with my gift. And now, I sensed she was done testing the waters. I had to stay sharp.
She suddenly swung her sword low toward my legs. I leaped over it, swiftly moving behind her to throw her off balance. But she anticipated my maneuver, spinning around, her sword slicing toward my head. I ducked and rolled beneath the blade, slashing at her leg as I passed. If my knives had been sharp, she would have had a deep gash. Scrambling to my feet, I retook my stance. She was already charging, sword raised overhead, coming down at me. I crossed my knives, absorbing the full impact. She was so much stronger—even while clearly holding back. I managed to keep my balance, twisting beneath her sword to deflect her blade. In the last second, I spun, pivoting on my axis and striking her back as I slipped behind her.
I knew the only reason I had landed a hit was that she was deliberately restraining her strength and speed. In a real fight, at full force, she would defeat me in seconds. But I couldn’t help but feel proud that I had managed to land even a few blows. She grinned as we faced each other again, this time moving faster, making it nearly impossible for me to recover between her strikes. I could do nothing but evade; there was no time to counterattack. Still, I evaded or blocked most of her blows—even as she moved at near full speed.
I was panting now. With her at full speed, it was difficult to catch my breath. She unleashed a rapid flurry of slashes, knocking one of my knives from my hand. A few seconds later, she sent me sprawling to the ground. I lay there, chest heaving, as I felt her dulled sword press against my neck. She stood over me, a broad smile on her face.
I laughed at the sheer joy in her expression. Waving my hand, I summoned my knife back and sheathed them. Sif reached down, helping me to my feet. It wasn’t fair—she wasn’t even breaking a sweat, and I felt like I could sleep for a week.
"I am actually quite impressed," she said as I stood. "With some rigorous training, we could make a warrior out of you."
Coming from Sif, that was high praise. "Thank you," I said with a smile. "From you, that means a lot."
She returned the smile, and we embraced. A cough behind us made us turn. Five men stood there, watching. Fandral, in particular, looked as if he had just witnessed some secret fantasy come to life. Loki looked proud, while Thor, Volstagg, and Hogun appeared amazed. Loki stepped forward and removed the enchantments from our weapons, restoring their sharpness. Sif and I returned to the campfire, motioning for the others to follow. It was Thor who spoke first.
"Aurora, how long have you been training to fight?" he asked.
"This was my first practice session with my fighting knives. The other day, Muriel and Loki gave me my first lesson with my throwing knives. I have studied books on the art of knife fighting, though. They gave me the basic instructions on stance, blocking, and attacking."
I saw the surprised looks on their faces. Thor shook his head and laughed.
"Brother, I am surprised you do not wish to marry Aurora. The way she uses books to learn—I would think you two were meant for each other!" he said with a booming laugh.
The Warriors Three and Sif burst into laughter, but I couldn't help but watch Loki. His eyes widened at his brother’s joke before flicking to me. I felt his surprise, but beneath it, a tangle of emotions—strange, indecipherable. I wanted to reach for him, to use our bond to understand, but a small voice in my mind urged me to ignore it. Instead, I turned my gaze to the fire.
Hogun was the first to speak. “I hope you do not mind, but I could not help but notice your knives. They are beautiful. May I see them?”
I couldn't blame him for his curiosity. They were exquisite, and I was proud of them. Drawing them from their sheaths, I handed them over. He examined them with great care, testing their balance and sharpness. His expression revealed his admiration. Once satisfied, he passed them to the others, who eagerly took their turn.
“I also have a set of throwing knives to complement them,” I added, unable to hide my pride. Hogun raised a brow, intrigued. With a flick of my wrist, I conjured one into my hand and offered it to him. “They're part of a set of eight.”
“These are incredible, Aurora. Not only beautiful but clearly crafted by a master. They must have cost a fortune. How did you come by them?”
Heat crept into my cheeks. “They were a gift—from Loki and Muriel.”
Hogun nodded. “That makes sense. I can see the Elven craftsmanship in their design.”
Fandral chimed in, “And I can see that Loki gave you the fighting knives.” He pointed to the intricate detailing on the hilt before casting Loki a teasing look. Loki ignored him.
“Why do you say that?” Sif asked, taking one of the larger blades.
Fandral gestured at the carvings. “The detailing—look closely. Snakes entwined within the vines.”
Sif smirked knowingly. “It seems you could not help but mark her as yours.”
Loki shifted uncomfortably, but before he could respond, I spoke. “He's my best friend. It's a beautiful reminder of who gave them to me—a symbol of our friendship.”
Hogun nodded sagely. “Aurora speaks true. A true friend not only protects those he cares for—he ensures they can protect themselves.”
I smiled. “You couldn't have said it better. I only wish we had some ale to toast your wisdom.”
At this, Volstagg grinned and reached into his bag, retrieving a large flagon of ale and several cups. He poured for everyone, and we raised our drinks high.
“To friendship,” I declared. “May it be everlasting and true.”
A chorus of agreement rang out as we clanked our cups together and drank. I felt Loki’s discomfort ease as the conversation shifted away from our bond. Gathering my knives, I carefully replaced them in their sheaths. Meanwhile, Volstagg busied himself with his cooking equipment while Thor retrieved the meat. Their efficiency suggested they had done this many times before. Within twenty minutes, a delicious meal was ready, and as we ate, the ale flowing freely.
I leaned closer to Loki, lowering my voice. “Do you think they packed anything non-alcoholic? I don't think an ale diet will get me to Alfheim in one piece.” I joked, but after two glasses, my head was already spinning.
Loki chuckled and shook his head. “No, they only carry alcohol, Aurora. But no worries.” With a flick of his fingers, a small flagon appeared beside me, undoubtedly filled with water.
Smiling, I poured myself a cup and drank slowly. My gaze drifted toward the horses, grazing contentedly in the clearing. They roamed freely, unrestrained.
Loki followed my gaze and answered my unspoken question. “They will not leave us. They have been trained to stay near. As long as they have food and water, they will not stray. I conjured them fresh water, and there is plenty of grass.”
I watched as Lady and Shadow stood close together. Wherever Shadow moved, Lady followed. The sight made me smile. A cool breeze washed over the clearing, signaling the arrival of night. With a flick of my wrist, I changed into my sleeping garments—loose-fitting pants and a wide tunic Frigga had designed. A nightgown would've been impractical for travel. Like the rest of my clothing, the garments were spelled for comfort and warmth. I settled into my bed of furs and blankets, soft and close to the fire.
Around me, the others also prepared for sleep. Thor and Sif had moved slightly to the side, lying close together. Fandral and Hogun slept near each other, while Volstagg had claimed a spot farther from the fire. Sif had explained that this was due to his infamous snoring. That left me and Loki. Though we lay beside each other, we weren't as close as Thor and Sif. Still, if I reached out, I could touch him.
The fire’s warmth combined with my furs made me too hot, so I rolled them back slightly. Turning to my side, I found Loki already facing me, a smile playing on his lips. A strange tinge ran down my spine.
“You truly amazed all of us today, Aurora,” he murmured. “I never imagined you could absorb and apply so much from Muriel’s book so quickly. The way your mind translates information into movement is remarkable.”
I smiled, shrugging. “Thanks, Loki. But we both know I've got a long way to go before I have the speed or stamina to rival any of you. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever be that proficient—I’m only half Æsir. Not that I mind. I like the idea of defending myself, but I don't think I've got the stomach for battle.”
Loki’s expression softened. “If it were up to me, Aurora, I would hope you never find yourself in battle. I cannot imagine what it must be like—to feel every bit of damage you inflict upon another. But I do agree that learning to defend yourself is invaluable. At the very least, it will buy you time. And give me a chance to come to your aid.”
His words sent warmth through me. I knew that if he was near, Loki would always come to my aid. As he sensed my feelings, his smile grew, and I couldn't help but smile back.
I yawned, and Loki grinned. “Go to sleep, Aurora. I will make sure nothing disturbs your rest tonight.”
“Thanks, Loki. Goodnight to you too.”
Falling asleep was easy. Staying asleep? Not so much. The forest was alive with noise, each sound stirring me awake. I'd never slept outside before, and every rustle, chirp, or distant howl jolted me from my dreams. By the fourth time I woke, I sighed softly and glanced at the others. They had no trouble sleeping. Thor and Sif lay curled together, Volstagg's snores rumbled in the background, and as my gaze shifted to Loki, I startled. I hadn't expected him to be awake, watching me. A familiar tingle crawled up my spine.
“Trouble sleeping?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. There's so much noise. Just when I doze off, something wakes me again.” I stifled a yawn.
Loki propped himself up on one arm and, without a word, reached for the furs beneath me. Before I could react, he tugged me closer. I raised an eyebrow, but he said nothing, mindful not to wake the others. When I was right beside him, he lay back down and slid his arms beneath my blankets, pulling me against him. The familiar warmth and safety of his embrace settled over me, and I knew I'd finally get some sleep. Still, unease crept into my mind.
“Loki, I don’t think we should sleep like this,” I said through our bond.
He sighed. “It will be no use if you cannot ride tomorrow because you are too tired.”
“Yeah, I know, but I don’t want them questioning why I’m in your arms. Sure, Muriel knows about our bond, but the rest don’t, and I don’t want to see their faces in the morning, judging me—or you for that matter.”
I felt his irritation spike. “We are friends, Aurora. There is nothing wrong with this.”
I sighed. “I know, but you also know they’d give us a hard time about it. Just think about the jokes over the snakes on my knives. I’m not ashamed of you or our friendship, but imagine Fandral’s reaction when he sees me in your arms.”
Loki stiffened at my words. I knew he was picturing exactly how Fandral would react. With a quiet exhale, he lifted a hand above the blankets and murmured a spell. A shimmer of magic tingled through the air before he settled his arm around me once more.
“I see your point. Most of them would tease us a bit, but they would let it go. Fandral, however, would undoubtedly make a spectacle of it. Possibly even embarrass us in Alfheim. I have created an illusion. If anyone wakes, it will appear as though you are in your original place, sleeping. As long as they do not try to touch you, we should be fine.”
“Thanks for understanding.” I nestled into his chest, resting the top of my head in the crook of his neck, and let sleep finally take me.