Part 15

LIFE HAS BEEN CRAZY WITH REHEARSALS I LITERALLY HAD NINE HOURS IN ONE DAY. 

Sorry this is a little late.

I enjoyed writing it as much as Thea enjoys revenge. 

(almost)

~Music~

Into the Sunlight (Hunchback of Notre Dame)

And He Shall Smite the Wicked (Hunchback of Notre Dame) (DURING BATTLE SCENE)

~Edit~ 

FandoMinion :)  

A few days later find Thea playing with Klaka in the halls of the palace. Klaka has retained his loyalty to Thea and continuously follows her around, often keeping her company when Loki is not around. He also becomes his Videl-beacon, and whenever Klaka raises his ears up and growls, his haunches raises slightly, Thea knows that Videl is lurking around somewhere.

Ever since the episode with Wairua, Thea has been once again avoiding Videl and his feathery companion. Thanks in part to Klaka, she succeeds fairly well except for mealtimes, where Klaka is absent, Loki is less frequent and Thor is more firm.

~The Night Before~

Thea walks into the banquet hall, where candles are lit and throw shadows across the walls. It smells strongly of roasted meat, wood chips, and the sharpness of wine, and Thea wrinkles her nose at the abundance of scents. As more people begin to file into the room, she looks around hopefully, but when Odin enters, her face falls. She knows that Loki won't come now.

When Videl walks into the room, Thea's shoulders fall, and she slumps a couple inches down her chair, perhaps hoping that the table will hide her face.

If Thea had been several years older, and if she had not been so terrified of him, she probably would have thought Videl a striking figure. The candlelight casts a glow upon his chiseled face, bringing out his sharp cheekbones and throwing a fire inside his large amber eyes. His golden curls hang messily around his face, and his nose ring and earring glint in the light. Indeed, as he walks towards Thea, who slumps farther down her chair, he draws the attention of several young women who are gathered near the back of the room.

"Hello Thea," says Videl, sitting down next to her. He leans lazily against the chair and runs his fingers through his curls. Winking at the giggling girls, he says to Thea, "Don't look so pleased to see me. People may think that you hate my lovely face."

"No," says Thea, "I just hate you."

"Oh really? I hate you too."

"Then go sit next to that group of idiots," says Thea, pointing to the girls, who are still casting very interested looks in Videl's direction. "You'd fit right in."

Videl inspects the glittering rings on his long fingers. "You think you're hilarious, don't you."

"Yes," says Thea sarcastically, "I'm so hilarious, that's exactly why my face says 'I want to kill you' and not 'hahaha'."

"Your sarcasm is wasted," says Videl, reaching forward and taking one of Thea's wrists. Instantly, Thea's spunk diminishes and she cowers away, trying to pull away. From several chairs down, Thea notices Odin looking up and peering directly at her. Trying not to look at the All-Father, Thea keeps pulling against Videl's fingers.

Ignoring her, Videl turns her wrist over and peers at the five letters still painted on her skin.

He arches an eyebrow, "How long does this stupidity stay?"

Thea snatches her wrist from his grasp, "Let me go!"

"Loki isn't here to save you," taunts Videl. "And if the very idea of my hands on yours frightens you, then it looks like I may be here for much longer than I had anticipated. A very discouraging notion, love."

Thea crosses her arms and glares across the table at Thor, who is in the middle of a conversation with Sif. Thor smiles at her gently but then turns away. Thea clenches her fists in anger.

Throughout the meal, Thea concentrates on the food and the candles on the table, staring fixedly in one spot as she tries to ignore Videl. Her anger is getting the best of her, however, and she feels her skin prickling and her face flushing as the meal continues.

Videl, for his part, is enjoying himself immensely, and continues up a mostly one-sided stream of conversation with Thea, who continues to clench her silverware so hard, her knuckles turn white.

It's not exactly that Videl is scaring her, even though his cat-like eyes that peer at her, and his overall slightly imposing figure frighten her to some extent. But the fact that the being that killed her sister is sitting inches from her puts Thea in a stupor of burning fury.

"Are you going to talk to me, or am I going to have to continue this riveting conversation by myself?" inquires Videl.

She breathes harder, choking down a sip of water and staring at the goblet with an intensity too rigorous to be entirely plausible. A tear of pent-up fury trickles down her cheek.

"You look quite upset," Videl says playfully, "Now why do you-"

"SHUT UP!" screams Thea suddenly, leaping to her feet.

The entire table goes silent.

"OF COURSE I'M UPSET!" she screeches, "YOU KILLED MY SISTER, AND I HAVE TO SIT NEXT TO YOU AND PRETEND THAT EVERYTHING'S OKAY! EVERYTHING IS NOT OKAY, AND I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU!"

"Thea," says Videl in a much different tone, and likewise standing.

"YOU DESTROYED ME!" she screams, "YOU TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD LEFT!"

"Thea, please-"

"GO BURN IN HELL WHERE YOU BELONG!"

From her fingers, a jet of flames hits Videl on his cheek, and the Velah cries out, staggering back down onto his seat.

"Thea!" exclaims Thor, who has stood.

Thea ignores him. Pushing back her chair, she picks up her skirts and runs out of the room.

"I am so sorry," says Thor, walking over to Videl, who is clutching his searing face, "This wasn't supposed to happen, Videl."

"No, really?" asks Videl dryly, wincing. For someone as hardy as he, the flames had really done a number on him, "I thought this was exactly what was supposed to happen."

"Did you do anything to her to make her lash out at you like this?" asks Thor firmly.

"I existed," snaps Videl, "That's enough for that little crazy to lash out at me like that, you idiot!"

Thor closes his eyes, "I apologize for Thea's actions. I will have a word with her. In the meantime, may I recommend some ice for those burns?"

"They'll heal on their own, or they won't," says Videl stormily, "Your help isn't needed."

With that, Videl stalks from the room, slamming the door behind him.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Fandral says, "Well, that went splendidly, didn't it?"

*

Thea cries in another hidden alcove, kneeling in front of a stone bench and resting her head on its surface. She is shivering from the cold, made worse by the constant chilly breeze.

Half of her feels bitter regret for what she has just done, but the other half feels a burning satisfaction.

She hears a soft hoot and, looking up, sees Wairua alighting on a post several feet from her. His white feathers almost seem to glow in the bright moonlight. Wiping her eyes, Thea lies her head back on the stone. "G-go away."

"I'm the one who got burned, not you," says Videl.

Thea nearly cricks her neck as she jerks up. Videl is standing several feet from her, wearing a cloak that must be keeping away the bitter cold. His curls blow in the wind, but in the moonlight, Thea sees the painful-looking red burn marks criss-crossing the entirety of the right side of Videl's face.

She wipes her small, reddened nose. "Wh-what do you want?"

"I just wanted to see if your fiery temper has diminished a little bit before I began talking to you again. Fiery? See what I did there?"

"I don't want to talk to you."

"You're talking to me right now."

Thea's shoulders shake as she sobs on the stone bench. Videl stands next to her for several long minutes.

Thea, her face still buried in her arms, finally stutters, "I'm s-sorry I b-burned you."

Videl doesn't say anything for a couple seconds, but looks down at the crying girl, "Well I-"

"But I still hate you, and I'll hate you forever." Thea looks up, glaring at Videl.

"I-"

"Now go away! Before I burn you again, and this time," She curls her lip, and there is something demonic in her eyes, "This time, I'll burn a hole right through your heart, if you even have one!"

More silence, and Thea resumes sobbing.

But then, with a start, she feels something warm on her shoulders and opens her eyes as Videl wraps the coat around her trembling body.

"It's cold tonight," says Videl quietly.

Thea hears him walk out of the alcove, murmuring quietly to Wairua, and she waits a couple minutes before beginning to cry again.

*

~Now~

"Hello Thea," says Thor, walking up to her as she continues to play with Klaka. "Are you doing better?"

Thea looks up at him forlornly. "I guess," she mumbles.

"It may surprise you, but I am here to talk to you about something not regarding Videl who, by the way, is still suffering from the burns you inflicted upon him." says Thor. His voice is not angered, which makes Thea almost feel worse.

"What is it?" she asks.

"There is a nuptial ceremony that you and I will be attending within the next week or so," says Thor.

Thea looks confused.

"A wedding," says Thor.

"Oh," says Thea. Then, she adds, "Whose?"

"Archer and Linthria," says Thor.

Thea blinks, "They're young!"

"Yes they are," nods Thor, "But in Ardhigiza, a man cannot rule without a woman at his side, and if Archer wishes to retain his control on the land, he must take action."

"Oh," says Thea again.

"I truly think that it will be an enjoyable experience," says Thor. "You and I will have fun, I am sure." When Thea looks up, a question in her eyes, Thor adds, "No, Thea. Loki will not be coming with us. Videl, however, will be."

Thea looks like she is really trying not to groan or roll her eyes.

"I know you dislike Videl, and you have every reason to," says Thor gently, "But I simply ask that you attempt to keep your temper under control. He does not need any more burns."

"Are they still there?" asks Thea in a tiny voice.

"Yes," says Thor. He isn't angry, "They may not heal for a long time."

"Oh," squeaks Thea.

There's an uncomfortable pause. Then, Thor says, "So will you accept Archer's invitation?"

"Sure," says Thea gloomily, petting Klaka's soft fur. Klaka licks her face, and she can't help but smile a little.

"Wonderful," says Thor, "I will let you know any more details, but for now, just know that you should wear a white dress."

"White?"

"Women and girls wear white," says Thor, "And men and boys wear black. It is a custom of balance at a Velah's wedding."

"Okay," says Thea. "Sounds great."

Thor wishes he can ignore the dullness in her voice.

*

Two more nights of avoiding Videl later, Thea finds herself walking along a path towards the courtyard. It's very cold outside tonight once again, and Thea, not having any other options, has Videl's thick cloak around her shoulders.

Loki had told her that there was a competition-at-arms today in the large courtyard that juts out of the palace, and had also told her to be there. It is very crowded in the courtyard, with torches lighting the giant rectangular space, and a flurry of soft snowflakes falls from the sky.

Thea, seeing the very boisterous crowd, nearly turns around, but then spots Loki off to the side, talking with Volstagg. Breathing a sigh of relief that she can see in the cold air, Thea pushes past several people and walks up to him.

"H-hi," she chatters, leaning against him and burying her head in his shoulder.

"Hello," says Loki, "Your nose is bright red, little one."

"That's because I'm c-cold," says Thea.

"I'm sure you will find something to warm you up sooner or later," says Loki, putting his hand on top of her snowflake-covered hair.

"What's th-that supposed to mean?"

"It means you'll find out," says Loki, "Did you bring your dagger?"

"...Yes?" Thea says, obviously confused.

"Good."

*

Thea finds out what Loki means an hour later.

After watching the proceedings for a bit, Thea finds herself enthralled with the fighting of the warriors. Similar to the combats in the Ural Mountains so long ago, wagers are placed on the opponents, and the crowd jeers on the fighters, each hoping that the person they placed bets on will come out the winner.

Thea stands at the edge of the crowd and watches as Volstagg easily slams a (powerfully built) man to the snowy ground and holds his arms out in triumph as the crowd cheers wildly.

"Well hello," says a snippy voice from directly behind Thea, "What are you doing here?"

Thea doesn't turn around. "Go away, Saissa."

"Don't be rude," says Saissa, "It's very annoying."

"You're very annoying."

"Dear me," says Saissa, pretending to be hurt, "You still have bruises on your face. Do you humans heal so slowly, or did Loki hit you again?"

Fury hits Thea like thunder, but before she can react, Saissa has vanished into the crowd.

"Where is she, where is she, where is she, where is she!" Thea whispers to herself, pushing through the throngs of people, desperately looking for the Asgardian girl.

She spots Fandral leaning against a pillar, talking to Videl. Trying to ignore the Velah, Thea hurries up to Fandral, "Where's Saissa?"

"Fjodr's daughter?" asks Fandral, "Haven't seen her. Why?"

Videl looks amused by something, but Thea doesn't look at him. Instead, she asks Fandral, "How do I start a battle match thingy?"

"A challenge?" asks Fandral.

"Yes, a challenge, how do I start it?"

"Just announce it, I suppose," says Fandral mildly, "But Thea, you aren't possibly thinking about-"

Thea vanishes, pushing past more people as she makes her way to the center of the courtyard.

"...About challenging Saissa?" Fandral finishes lamely.

"Oh this, I cannot wait to see," says Videl, and he walks in the direction that Thea had just disappeared.

*

Volstagg is manning the challenges when Thea approaches him and whispers something in his ear. Volstagg frowns, says something back to Thea, but Thea puts her hands on her hips and nods. Volstagg does the same and then addresses the crowd, "This little lady would like to challenge someone."

There's a small ripple of laughter, and from across the courtyard, Thor, who is standing next to his brother, groans, "Loki..."

"What?" asks Loki innocently, "I didn't do anything."

"You always say that," says Thor, pushing towards the center of the courtyard, "And yet it is usually your fault when something happens."

Thea stands next to Volstagg and tries to ignore the growing sense of trepidation inside her. She clears her throat, "I challenge Saissa!"

A roaring laughter journeys through the crowd, and Thea flushes crimson as she looks at Fjodr, who is positively howling with laughter.

She swallows as Saissa saunters through the crowds, a very self-satisfied smirk on her beautiful features.

"Who would like to assume that Saissa will be the victor?" asks Volstagg to the crowd. He looks a bit concerned.

The crowd cheers loudly.

"And who declares Thea the victor?"

The majority of the crowd laughs, and Thea feels very, very alone. She looks at her feet.

When she looks up, she sees Loki and Thor have pushed to the edge of the clamor. Thor looks worried. Loki is looking at her, and he nods, giving her an encouraging smile.

Saissa walks into the circle, selecting a large, pike-like sword from the collection of weapons. Thea fingers her own long yet thin sword, as well as the faithful dagger at her belt.

"Your little mite of a girl doesn't stand a chance against my girl, Saissa, Loki!" jeers Fjodr from across the space. The crowd laughs again, and for the first time, Loki's eyes flash with anger.

"Saissa isn't a little girl," spits Loki, "She's a possessed spirit from hell."

Fjodr curses at Loki, and Volstagg chooses this time to begin counting down, "Ladies, prepare to fight in three...two..."

Saissa lunges forward, and Thea scarcely has time to react as the sword swings past where her neck would have been.

"She started too early!" exclaims Sif, who has just pushed through to stand beside Thor, "Thea could have been killed!"

Fjodr leans against a pillar, kicking up his feet on a bench, "Once my Saissa has had her say, then she very well may be."

"Hold your tongue, Fjodr," says Thor before Loki can open his mouth.

Thea recovers and leaps to her feet, growling at Saissa.

"Stop acting like a wild animal," taunts Saissa, "Like that horrid fanged devil from that little planet."

"Shut up," snarls Thea, and lunges at Saissa, sending the Asgardian girl to the ground. Saissa knocks Thea aside onto the snow and slams her head with the blunt of the sword. Thea sees stars.

"Is that the best you can do?" asks Saissa, swinging her sword around- Thea ducks just in time as Saissa nearly decapitates her for the second time. The crowd gasps at this second close call.

Saissa stalks towards Thea, "Get up! Get up if you want to fight more, you lazy thing!"

"Quick question," says Videl as Thea and Saissa begin to fight with their swords. It must be added that this has never been Thea's strong suit. "How exactly do these little bouts end?"

"Oh generally, until one opponent is knocked out or surrenders," says Fandral casually, then says with a wave of his hand, "There have been a couple deaths, to be sure, but those are far and few between."

Videl raises an eyebrow and leans against a pillar, watching the fight unfold before him.

The fight, as it so happens, is getting more and more brutal. Thea is holding her own, but Saissa manages to slam her sword down so that the very tip pierces Thea's cheek and rakes down. Thea cries out as the blood begins to flow, and stumbles back.

Saissa kicks Thea hard, sending the younger girl to the ground. The crowd begins to get restless as Saissa throws herself onto Thea and pins her wrists the snowy ground. Thea tries to pull up, and sweats even in the cold, but Saissa is unrelenting.

"This will teach Loki not to mess with my family!" growls Saissa, raising her dagger so that it glints in the torchlight.

The crowd gasps, and a few women shriek as the dagger comes down. But before the blade can pierce Thea's neck, she swings up and around, leaping out from Saissa's grip and then kicking Saissa in the cheek.

"You little bitch!" yells Saissa, a bruise forming on her beautiful cheek.

But before she can lunge, Saissa kicks Thea again, so much that the wind is knocked out of her. Thea gasps on the snow.

"Oh dear," says Videl, but doesn't look concerned at all.

Thor's jaw is set.

But Loki is smiling as Thea whimpers on the ground, shaking from apparent pain and regret.

Saissa grabs a wooden club from the pile of weapons and raises it above Thea's head, going for either a knockout, or maybe even death.

"No!" shouts Thor, but Loki holds him back.

"Wait," says Loki, "Watch."

"You're finished," cackles Saissa, "You're fini-"

Saissa's laughter dies on her lips as Thea, much to the shock of the gasping crowd, leaps up, her dagger glinting. Saissa is extremely unsurprised for this attack, and staggers backwards.

When Thea turns towards Saissa, her eyes are red.

Again and again, Thea lunges at Saissa, and the Asgardian is forced to retreat, and to retreat, and to retreat. When Saissa tries to throw her dagger at Thea, Thea merely sends it away from her with a single motion of her hand.

With a graceful leap, Thea spins around a pole and grabs another sword. As Saissa uses her own sword to parry Thea's, Thea stumbles-

But then, Saissa's blade erupts in flames, and shrieking, Saissa drops the sword.

Thea laughs.

Saissa screams as Thea pushes her to the ground, using the blade to pin down the girl's cape. Saissa tries to push up, but Thea, clenching her jaw, pushes Saissa back down. Holding her hand out, another dagger comes flying into her fingers, and Saissa screams bloody murder as Thea raises it above her head.

"NO, DON'T!" Saissa squeals, kicking and kicking, but Thea holds her down with a malevolent, wicked smile. "NO, OWWW!"

Thea has slammed Saissa with the blunt of the dagger.

Loki's smile is growing.

"Time to surrender," taunts Thea.

"NO!!"

"Okay," snarls Thea, "Then your pretty face is going to be really marked up. Have you seen Videl? He has burn marks all over him right now, and nobody knows if they're going to go away! Do you want to find out?"

Saissa howls and kicks as Thea sets her scorching fingers on Saissa's cheek. Saissa's skin hisses from the flames.

"Should we...do something about this?" asks Thor, who looks shocked. "Thea is not...she's not..."

"Let her be," says Loki, grinning maniacally now.

"Are you going to surrender or do you want me to knock you out?" yells Thea.

"N-NO I WON'T, I WON'T, NO, N-"

Thea burns Saissa's face again.

Saissa screams again.

And then leaps up and pushes Thea away from her.

The crowd gasps.

Saissa, looking quite demented now, lunges at Thea, but Thea is ready for her. She leaps up and kicks Saissa in the chest, sending her sprawling. Saissa whimpers and tries to combat Thea's sword with her own, but fails.

With one last leap, Thea catches Saissa in the head, and Saissa falls to the snow.

"YOU WIN!" sobs Saissa, "You WIN!"

Thea grins as the crowd erupts.

As several men- including Fjodr, who looks furious- hurry to Saissa, Thea looks around the crowd, searching for one face. She finds it, and runs up to Loki, who grabs her in a hug.

Leaning down, Loki whispers to her, his voice full of pride, "That's my girl."

Ah, glory. 

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