Unexpected

Chapter 3

That evening, dinner time rolled around as usual, and Loki strolled toward the dining hall passing the bustling servants. After his sparing match with Thor, he'd teleported to a turreted wall just above the training grounds. Before stepping into view, he cast a cloaking spell over himself so he could spy in peace. He stepped between the turrets to watch the group of people he'd just left.

For a second, everybody simply looked at one another in surprise before Hogun and Sif ran up to Thor. Slowly, they helped him sit up as he regained his consciousness. He looked completely dazed. Thor looked around for Loki but did not find what he was searching for. Together the 3 friends stood up and Sif explained what had happened. A fierce smile broke across Thor's face, and he let out a deep, hearty laugh. Sif looked at Hogun in surprise, he shrugged.

Thor walked past them and out of the courtyard, Hogun following suit. Sif lingered, lost in thought, then looked up to the wall Loki stood on, scanning it until she landed exactly where Loki was watching her. He felt the hairs on his neck and arms stand up in unease, eyes dilating in fear; could she see him? No, nobody could. Loki whipped his head around; nobody was standing near him. He looked back at Sif, but she was now looking along the rooftops of other buildings as she walked back to her post. With that, Loki teleported back inside and spent the rest of his afternoon reading and studying in solitude.

The warriors often spent most of their day training and liked to come together for drinks at dinner. They were all tight-knit like family. But Loki didn't feel the same bond between himself and them, so he'd often have dinner alone in his study. That evening, as everybody came back together after bathing and resting, Loki decided to join everyone for dinner. He eavesdropped on people's conversations as he passed them.

"He took him down within minutes!"

"I didn't know he had that kind of power."

"Who cares if it was 'against the rules'? He kicked his ass!"

"But did you see that look on his face? Total focus."

As he pieced together the picture of peoples conversations Loki began noticing eyes following him. There were more prying eyes than usual. People were talking about him and he loved it, though he'd never admit it. A smirk pulled at his lips and shown in his eyes, but he kept his pace and walked to the dining hall seemingly unfazed.

The room was bustling with the sounds of a small orchestra, servants setting full plates of food in front of guests, warriors and off-duty guards laughing together and ales were being drained and refilled. Loki took his seat near the front of the table across from Thor. His brother broke away from the conversation he was having with Fandral to look at Loki straight on.

"Brother, I had no idea you possessed such power. I am truly impressed by your abilities." Thor was grinning ear to ear, hands clasped together beneath his chin looking at Loki with nothing but wonder and admiration. Loki could feel the tips of his ears go red and he broke eye contact with a small grin. He looked down at his plate of food then up to those on either side of Thor. Fandral was leaning back in his chair, eyeing Loki with a sly smirk on his face. Hogun was apparently already completely gone, singing loudly with 2 guests beside him, mugs of ale sloshing from their mugs and arms around each other's shoulders. Sif sat on Thor's left, watching Loki intently as if noticing him for the first time in her life.

He felt uncomfortable but covered it up immediately. "Well, thank you, brother. I must admit it brought me great joy to best you using my own abilities."

"Rightly so, brother, I would be overjoyed to spare with you again on those terms. If that is where your strengths lie in battle, you should get more practice using them! I only wish to have seen the full breadth of your abilities sooner" Thor lifted up his mug in cheers.