WHOOO Chapter time!!

I really really enjoyed writing this chapter... it makes me so happy-ish.

~Music~

Campfire (Tangled soundtrack); Iris (GooGoo dolls)

~Edit~ Me

Thor returns to Asgard in the late afternoon and when he begins to walk to Thea's room, he is intercepted by Loki.Before Thor can say anything, Loki says quietly, "She's resting. I would not bother her right now."

Thor raises an eyebrow, "What happened?"

Loki holds his hands out defensively, "Thea ran into the Forest of Gor—"

"She what?"

"She was delirious, Thor. But I found her unharmed," Loki pauses, "Mostly unharmed."

Darkness has fallen in Thor's eyes, "Brother, you must have been very angry."

Loki knows what's coming. "Yes, of course I was. She could—"

"Did you strike her?"

Exasperated, Loki says, "She could have been killed! I might have found her dead body littered upon—"

"Loki, did you hit her?"

Silence. Then curling his lip, Loki snarls, "Yes."

"Argh, Loki!" Thor bangs his fist on the column next to them. "Why?"

"I just told you! I was angry, but I was also frightened for her. Not only this, but she had also laid waste to her skin again this morning."

"I thought you took her dagger!"

"I did! She used her nails, even I could not have predicted that.."

"But Loki, you hit her," says Thor mournfully.

"She and I have been talking. I healed the bruise as much as I could with my magic, and then she poured out her heart to me. It only required my giving in to her for just a little bit."

"Oh, so now I suppose you think everything is all right," says Thor angrily, "You hit her, but then she forgave you like she always does- let me finish speaking, Loki!- and then you two came to a resolution."

"It's not like I wanted to hit her!" growls Loki, "I just—"

"You lost your temper, Loki! Again, you lost your temper with Thea. You may care about her, but your barrier around her is weak. It only takes a push, and your dam breaks, leading her to further torment!"

"I don't think you're listening," says Loki, "She actu—"

"No, I don't think you're listening, brother! How many times must Thea and her innocent skin be at the mercy of your temper?"

"Nevermore! I promised her this, and my promise to her is stronger than the promise that I have just made to you!"

Thor laughs, "You lie, Loki. How should I know that this is not some other shallow lie that you have cooked up, just to get by?"

The two brothers are now inches from the other's face, "Because this promise I have made to Thea. And, as I have just said, those promises are tenfold the strength than any promise that I have made you."

"Is that so? And why should I believe you?"

"Because you don't have a choice!"

"I do have a choice, and I am choosing not to believe you, and I am also choosing to ban you from Thea's presence until I deem otherwise."

"You can't do that!"

"Oh yes, I can, and it has been done!" Thor's voice thunders down the hallway, "At least I can try to put an end to your venom before it poisons Thea irrevocably!"

"My venom?" hisses Loki, not unlike a snake, "My venom is not the one that has poisoned her for the past year. It—"

"Not yet, it hasn't! But it's just a matter of time—"

"A matter of time! You keep saying this, yet I haven't the slightest clue of what you are talking about!"

"Oh, you and I both know very well that you are growing bored of Asgard's borders. What have you in mind, trickster?"                

"I have done nothing to deserve this, brother!"

"You struck Thea!"

"I saved her!"

This seems to be Thor's breaking point. He grabs Loki by the throat and slams him against the column, "Saving her can only merit you so much! Do not deny that this child has saved you just as much as you have saved her!"

"I will never admit to that" snarls Loki, struggling against Thor's brawn, "Because you know just as I do that—"

"You stubborn bastard, what must happen before—"

The door to Thea's room creaks open, and Loki and Thor both stop pushing against each other to turn around. They both realize at the same instance, and too late, that their voices have reached a level of stadium volume.

Thea is standing there, looking curious, but most of all, she is looking sad, blocked by the shadows."Thea," says Thor, quickly making an effort to amend himself and Loki, "Are you doing better?"

Thea moves into the light, and Thor frowns. One tiny tear has trickled down her cheek, and the brothers realize that she has probably heard every single word of their argument. And it had hurt her.

But Thor also sees the bruise, pale, yet there, plastered on the her cheekbone as a mark as to what had transpired that morning. He glares at Loki, who glares right back at him without compassion.

"Are you all right Thea?" asks Thor.

"Yes." she says, "I'm fine."

Thor is surprised that she has spoken, but he masks his surprise, "I'm glad to hear it. You have letters, once again, from your friends. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes."

Thor is now even more surprised, and does his best to ignore Loki's self-satisfied smirk as he reaches underneath his cloak and takes out several pieces of paper, "Jack continued to ask me questions from the moment I got to Stark Tower to the moment I left it. In him, you have a loyal friend."

Thea smiles dully and walks forward, taking the letters. Then, she just stands there, looking from one brother to the other in an awkward silence. Her purpose could not be clearer.

Thor clears his throat, "Ah, well Thea, Loki said you were resting. Do you wish—"

"I'm not now," Thea says, her tone clipped.

More awkward silence. For some reason, Loki looks like he's about to laugh, and Thor glares at him.

"Thea, are you upset for some reason?"

Loki rolls his eyes, because Thor is fishing for something that is going to blow up in his face.

"I'm fine. Stop babying me."

Thor frowns, and his frown grows deeper as Thea walks over to Loki. She leans against his arm and says in a low voice, "Loki isn't a bastard. And don't make him not see me."

Thor tilts his head and nods, fully understanding. She had indeed heard everything. Loki, in the meanwhile, raises an eyebrow and glances down at Thea before looking at Thor. There's a scarcely triumphant smirk playing at the ends of his lips. But the smirk is wiped off as he sets his hand on top of Thea's head and says in a low voice, "But listen to this, Thea. My brother was right in calling out my fault."

Thea curls her lip slightly. She is angry, and now, Thor can see the tips of her fingers are illuminated. She winces, but otherwise makes no sign that she is affected by the burning on her skin.

        Loki notices too, "Thea, stop this. Don't get angered over something that should not anger you."

        "But I am angry," she says in a sinister whisper.

        Thor closes his eyes. He is truly glad that Loki has reached Thea in a way that he knows he could never reach, and now that she has him, she has no desire to talk to him. But he also feels hurt from her glaring eyes. He is aware that Thea had felt pushed to the side when he was around Leah, and he feels responsible for these feelings. He is aware that perhaps he had showed Leah more of his compassion than what he had showed Thea, even though Loki had done just the same to Leah. But Leah had not cared- she hadn't particularly cared for Loki and sought only Thor's love, which she readily received. But most of all, Thor knows that his harsh words towards Thea from two nights ago have crushed Thea even more than how she has crushed him just now.

               In the meanwhile, Loki is still talking to Thea, and he reaches down to enclose his fingers around Thea's, which are still slightly pink. The tips of his now-azure fingers hiss slightly as he does so, combating her harsh fire with his soothing ice. He is trying to calm her down. "I should never have raised my hand to you, and so I deserve every shout and insult that my brother has thrown at me. Do you understand?"

               Thea is still looking at Thor stonily. Loki squeezes her shoulder and repeats, "Do you understand me?"

               "Yes," Thea mutters. Then, she pulls herself away from Loki, and Thor can see that her fingers, although no longer pink, are shaking slightly.

               She is about to walk away when Loki stops her. He leans down and says something in her ear, something that Thor can't hear. Thea's face is blank as she looks up at him, and then she shrugs and walks away.

               Loki and Thor watch her slide through the shining door that separates her hall from the rest of the palace. Thor sighs, "I am sorry brother. I was harsh."

               "Oh, I deserved it," says Loki quietly, watching as Thea closes the tall door behind her.

               "Well, yes you did," says Thor amiably.

               Loki rolls his eyes at his brother and then shakes his head. "What news from Midgard?"

               As the brothers begin walking out of the hall, Thor says, "Bruce Banner has returned to Stark Tower. There is some unrest stirring amongst the humans, and I believe Stark is developing an idea on how to combat this. They may recruit me once again for some more missions regarding peace on Midgard." They reach a row of columns and continue walking, Thor's cape snapping behind him in the breeze from the cloisters, "Otherwise, all is quiet. I happened to run into young Jack, however, and it is evident that he misses Thea dearly. Not just her physically, but also he yearns for his closest friend in his mind."

               Loki smiles, almost to himself, "I'm sure she misses him just as much as he misses her."

               Thor smiles too, "Am I not the only one who predicts that those two have something more than friends that may transpire?"

               Loki snorts, "Unfortunately not."

               "Why is this unfortunately, brother?" asks Thor with a shrewd look.

               "It's not unfortunate," says Loki, "Except for the fact that Thea is young."

               "Thea-just Thea?" asks Thor, who is now smiling, "Jack is only a year older."

               "Get that ridiculous grin off your face," says Loki, "You know perfectly well that I care for Thea's well-being twice as much as I care about Jack's."

               "I kn-"

               "So you should know that unless Jack does anything whatsoever to harm my girl," says Loki, "I have absolutely no problem with their developing...whatever it is."

               "I do not think we have anything to fear from Jack," says Thor, "He is an honorable lad, and cares for Thea dearly."

               "We'll see," says Loki.

               *

               About an hour later, Loki is mildly surprised to find Thea just where he had asked her to be- at the entrance to the stables, in the back entrance underneath the palace. She is sitting in a corner in front of the bustling stables, still in her loose- and now dirty-Asgardian clothing. She is tracing her finger on the ground, drawing swirls on the dirt over and over.

               "Come with me," he says, gesturing to the trail up the path, walking forward and evidently expecting her to come too.

               Reluctantly, Thea drags her feet and follows him up the rocky path. It's crowded around here, with people milling about off and around the trails. Whenever someone approaches Loki, and Thea who is walking behind him like a little shadow, he or she nods to him subversively. Loki ignores most of them, but Thea finds herself curious and paying attention to the Asgardians that surround her. But when, as she and Loki walk along around the stables, her face begins to flush as the stares aware her begin to increase. Men and women stop their work to look up at her and whisper inquisitively. Thea looks down and watches her feet.

               After a couple minutes, Loki notices and, looking behind him, he wraps his arm around her shoulder and leads her over the crest of the hill. "They only stare because they have never seen anyone quite like you," he says quietly.  

               Thea glances up at him, but doesn't say anything. She has noticed two horses tethered to a long iron pole; one is tall and thickset, a bay stallion with a thick long black mane and tale. The other, a tall gelding, looks a bit like Minny, but is much taller and leaner, and has a proud neck and bright eyes. Also unlike Minny, the horse possesses a more silver-gray, and has a pure white mane and tail that swishes back and forth expectantly.

               "This is Banamadr," says Loki, gesturing to the larger bay stallion. He points to the silvery horse, "And this is Stjarna."

               Thea reaches up and runs her fingers through Stjarna's bright silky mane, "What do those names mean?"

               "Banamadr," replies Loki, walking over to the silver gelding and checking the intricately woven leather saddle to make sure it is secure, "Means 'slayer'. And Stjarna means 'star'."

               "Oh," says Thea, scratching Stjarna's poll. The horse turns his elegant neck so that his chiseled face and liquid eyes are looking right at her, "Where are we going?"

               Loki chuckles, "I'm glad you asked," He holds his arms out, and walking forward, Thea lets him pick her up and settle her on the saddle.

               "So where are we going?" Thea repeats as Loki untethers Banamadr's bridle and swings on his back.

               Smiling, Loki says, "Patience, kitten. I'm just taking you the small village right outside the palace."

               "Why?"

               "So many questions," says Loki, still smiling.

               "You're not going to tell me, are you?" asks Thea dully.

               Loki smirks and, as he urges Banamadr forward, reaches over and taps her chin up playfully, "No I am not."

               Although she acts silent- and slightly sulky that Loki won't tell her what's happening- Thea enjoys the ride to the village. It's a short trip, around the left of the palace, under copses of trees. It's a quiet path with the chattering of birds replacing the chattering of curious people, and Thea breathes in the scent of some sort of foreign orchid that grazes her head as she passes underneath the trees. Riding beside her, Loki is pleased when Thea smiles a tiny smile as a small flock of brightly colored, cheerfully chirping birds fly around the path and vanish up into the bright blue sky.

               Eventually, the path clears up and Thea and Loki reach the village. It's remarkably cultured and beautiful, with intricately carved doors and latticed windows, bright banners hanging across the one long street of assorted houses, and flowers grow up and around the buildings. The horse's hooves clatter on the cobblestones, clip-clopping loudly and driving a staccato in Thea's ears that mixes with the bustling shouts, singing, and talking of the villagers that are busily milling about the crowded street.

               Loki stops Banamadr next to what appears to be a sort of astronomy building with a squat roof. Dismounting, he ties the stallion's reins to yet another iron post and then pulls Thea off of Stjarna. As Loki finishes tethering Stjarna, Thea looks around the village curiously, but there is a hidden excitement in her saddened and dulled eyes.

               "All right," says Loki, "Follow me." Before Thea can say anything, Loki strides forward into the street, causing Thea to have to practically jog after him. She nearly runs into a red-haired woman dressed in a long, beautiful green gown who is carrying what appear to be several small iced cakes. The woman smiles, winks at Thea, and then hands her two of the tiny cakes, similar to petit fours. Thea smiles timidly in thanks and takes a small bite. The cake is sweet, but has a refreshingly soft taste as well. Thea smiles at the kind woman again before hurrying after Loki, who has nearly vanished in the crowd.

               "There you are," says Loki, "Don't wander off. And where did you get those?"

               "A woman gave them to me," says Thea, speaking to quietly, Loki, still walking, has to lean down to hear her. She proffers the second tiny iced cake to him in her small palm.

               Loki pops the entire thing in his mouth. "Mm," he says, chewing slowly, "Delicious."

               Thea slides her finger on the last of her cake, scooping up the fluffy icing. She considers the white stuff on her finger, and then glances up at Loki.

               He narrows his eyes at her, "Don't you even think about it."

               Too late. Thea swipes her finger forward and splattering the icing on Loki's sharp right cheekbone. Thea giggles when Loki glares down at her, white icing dripping from his face, mostly because his lips are twitching.

        But then she squeals as, with lightning speed, Loki takes the icing in his fingers, grabs Thea as she tries to dart away, and then smears her cheek with the icing. Seeing as she is much smaller than Loki, this proves to be a much more successful endeavor. "L-Loki!" she exclaims, icing still dripping, and he throws back his head and laughs.

               About ten minutes later, at the back of the village, Loki and Thea reach a small house made of an interesting combination of what looks like steel and wood. Before Thea can look around at the beautiful architecture, Loki pulls her inside the house without knocking. Inside, it is slightly darker, but no less cheerful. Bright tapestries line the walls, and an overwhelming scent of a mixture of flowers, pine trees, and wood smoke.

               "Dagan!" calls Loki, and seconds later, a lean, thirty-something man with thatch-colored hair, clever hazel eyes, and prominent, red lips appears in the doorway. He is wearing leather pants and a shirt that has been unbuttoned partially, revealing a toned chest. He is most likely a sort of Asgardian warrior.

               "Ah, Loki," says Dagan, whose breath is coming rather quickly, striding forward and clasping Loki on the shoulder, "Splendid to see you." He glances at Thea, "And this must be the mortal girl, Thea." He offers Thea his hand, which she hesitantly lets him take (although she does not see it, Loki shakes his head curtly at Dagan before Dagan can lean down and kiss Thea's hand). "Lovely to meet you, my dear."

               "Unfortunately, we are in a hurry Dagan," says Loki, "Where are the-"

               "Ah, they're right up here," says Dagan, smiling at Thea and gesturing them into an adjacent room, which has several couches lined up against the walls. On one of them, a beautiful woman is lounging lazily in a sheer, revealing mauve dress, her bare feet propped up on one of the arms of the settee.

               When Loki sees the woman, he narrows his eyes, "Who is this?"

               "Ah," says Dagan, looking uncomfortable, "This is Felia. She-"

               "Well Felia needs to leave," says Loki to Dagan, "As in right this instant."

               Thankfully, Thea is not looking when Felia gives Loki a rather rude finger gesture before stalking out of the room. Instead, she is looking eagerly at a pen of puppies that is in the back of the room. There are about five of them, and appear to be either young huskies or young wolves. They come in all sorts of colors, and are yapping and tumbling around enthusiastically.

               "How old are they?" asks Thea.

               Dagan looks relieved to be asked a question, particularly because Loki is glaring at him, "Around eight weeks." Clearing his throat, Dagan turns to Loki and says in a voice of attempted self-importance, "I'm so glad you are taking one of them off of my hands. I am quite busy and-"

               "Oh yes," says Loki, "I can clearly see that you are quite busy."

               Fortunately, this all goes right over Thea's head, "We're taking one?" she asks, not able to hide the eagerness in her voice.

               "You're taking one, Thea," says Loki. "Go on, pick one out."

               This time, Thea can't help but grin. She throws her arms around Loki and hugs him, "Thank you, thank you-"

               "All right, all right, go pick one out," says Loki, pulling her off of him, but also squeezes her shoulder fondly.

        Thea hurries over to the pen and climbs over it- nearly tripping on her long skirts. She is instantly surrounded by licking tongues and wagging tails. She smiles as one of the puppies, a medium-sized male with grey-white fur, and a long dark stripe across his back, upright ears, and a sort of dark mask around his forehead, leaps up, yapping excitedly. In fact, this puppy refuses to stop yipping and barking shrilly, his entire body radiating energy. As some of the puppies begin to lose interest in the strange human, this puppy whines happily as Thea pets his soft fur and reaches up to lick her nose. She giggles.

        As Thea picks him up and holds his warm, wriggling body in her arms, she stands and grins as the puppy keeps trying to lick her face.

        "I see," says Loki leaning against the wooden railings of the pen, "You pick the one with the most energy."

        Thea smiles happily, "I like this one."

        "Of course you do."

        Dagan nods sagely, "That one will be a loyal companion, you mark my words, Loki."

        "Pleeeaaa—"

        "Calm yourself, Thea, I said I would let you pick it," says Loki, pretending to look reluctant, although he reaches out and lets the puppy lick his hand. "So he's yours."

*

        "What are you going to name him?" asks Loki as the two horses walk leisurely up the path back towards the palace. The puppy has fallen asleep in Thea's lap, rocked to sleep by the Sjarna's gait.

        "I don't know," says Thea, looking fondly at the puppy. "He's very energetic."

        "So I could tell. And he wouldn't stop barking."

        "What's the Norse word for talking, or barking?"

        "How about 'Klaka'?" suggests Loki.

         "What does it mean?"

         "Chatter."

         Thea looks down at the puppy, who whimpers contentedly in his sleep and rolls his head around Thea's hand, "Okay. Perfect."

*

That was a long chapter. Barely got it done tonight.

HALFWAY DONE WITH EI DIAFOL! Which would be depressing, but we have Kidnapped to look forward to. Idk. Maybe I'm just really excited about it oh well. ;)

I loved this chapter :) :) That's sounds braggy. Sorry... But I do.

(Don't worry, it won't stay happy for too long.)

I based the village on the village from Disney's Tangled. And Dagan (oh Dagan...) looks like Klaus from The Vampire Diaries. He won't be really important.

Oh well... just got inducted to the NEHS (National English Honors Society), which is why I am publishing this later tonight. Sowey about that.

Love you all!

Please comment and vote!

Love, Sierra xx