The Serpent and the Dove: a Loki Fan Fiction

Chapter 19

In the few months that followed, Frigga's advice had made an impact on Loki's behavior. He talked more freely with Jalwa and heeded her instruction easier than when she had been trying to drag things out of him or make him learn something. He had a lighter air about him and had even gone as far as to start forging a relationship with Thor again (however much more effort it was on Thor's part than Loki's.)

Jalwa was impressed and even more, proud of him for his improvement. He was by no means perfect and needed more work, but he was getting better, and she was thrilled that he was at least trying. What was better was that he seemed to be part of the family again, not just an outsider as he had acted before. 

He was surprised one day when Jalwa tossed a bridle to him. "What's this?"

"I think you're ready to ride with me again," she said. "I think I'll even let you lead the way this time."

Loki smiled, the corners of his eyes creasing happily. "You're serious? I'm flattered, really..." he said.

"Well, come on, don't just stand there. I want to get out of this place for a while!" They both raced to the stable. She threw a blaket over Freydr's back but within moments she saw Loki riding Asbjorn bareback out of his stall. 

"Come on, Jalwa, don't just stand there!" he jeered, pressing his heel into the horse's side to turn him. "I want to get out of here for a while, too!"

She hurdled over her mount's back and grabbed handfuls of the mare's pale mane, kicking her to canter after Asbjorn. They made it out of the city and soon, the horses were in a dead run over the hills. The horses were huffing hard breathes through their flared nostrils, snorting and wheezing as they ran faster and faster. 

Jalwa was laughing, her head thrown back. She let go of Freydr's mane and spread her arms out like wings. Loki seemed to have seen her, because she she looked at him, and saw him doing the same thing, only Asbjorn decided to jump over a bush at that very moment, and Loki scrambled to find something to hang on to. 

"Looking good over there," she mocked.

"Shut up! You saw nothing!" He laid against the horse's neck and they pelted faster over the crest of the hill.

Freydr picked up her pace and as they came over the top of the hill to look out over the field, Jalwa leaned back to stop her. A prickle of alarm crept up her spine. 

There was no one out there. 

"... Loki?" she called. No answer. "... You've got to be kidding me..." She tapped the mare's sides and they walked into the open grassland, their ears both sharp for any sound.

A yowl split the air, and she was knocked from her horse. Freydr whinied in terror at the ambush, rearing up on her hind feet, the whites of her eyes showing as she swatted her hooves at the attacking animal. Jalwa shifted and snarled, at her opponent. She clamped her jaws down on its neck and flung a large panther to the ground in front of her. Only when the great cat landed on its feet with a mischievous laugh did she realize it was Loki. Galaxy bared her teeth at him. "You bastard!" he growled, trying not to laugh. "You scared the Hel outta me!"

"That was the point," he laughed back. "I wasn't actually sure I was going to be able to pull it off with you so close behind me."

She shifted back and grabbed him around his neck, flopping his ears with her hand. "Bad cat..."

"Ooh, careful now," he purred. "That feels better than I think you want it to."

Jalwa released him and went back to Freydr, pulling her face down and stroking her until she relaxed. "Easy, girl," she soothed. "It's okay. Loki's just being an ass."