Fallen Star

Fallen Star Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

"I sit beside the fire and think

Of how the world will be

When winter comes without a spring

That I shall never see.

For still there are so many things

That I have never seen:

In every wood in every spring

There is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think

Of people long ago,

And people who will see a world

That I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think

Of times there were before,

I listen for returning feet

And voices at the door."

-The Fellowship of the Ring

"Now watch this Father—watch closely..."

"Loki, I'm very busy at the moment—"

"It will only take a moment," Loki assured his father, anxiously trying to catch his eye. Loki had stood for an hour outside the throne room, waiting for his father to finish mediating a case between two feuding landlords. Loki wore his best: a long, deep purple tunic and trousers and polished black boots—all of which his mother had given him for his latest birthday—the last birthday he would have before he came of age.

Now, he stood just to his father's left as Odin sat on his throne, parchment documents spread out on his lap.

"All right, Loki—what is it?" Odin asked, lifting his eye from one of the papers and turning to Loki.

"Watch," Loki instructed. He held out his hands in front of him, his left hand hovering over his right. Then, he reached down deep inside him, took a breath, and moved his hands.

A subtle blue flash issued between his palms, and the tingling shiver of energy radiated through his fingertips. Then, a jeweled silver goblet materialized in the air, and floated down into Loki's grasp.

"That's my wedding goblet," Odin observed.

"Yes—but see how I can hide it?" Loki said, flicking his hands again—and the goblet disappeared.

"That's very impressive, Loki," Odin nodded, smiling.

"I've been working at it all week," Loki told him, feeling a swell of pride. "So if you ever need anything important kept out of sight—and I mean completely out of sight—just call me, and I can—"

"Father!" The bellow rang through the great hall. Loki spun, his eyes flashing to the entrance.

Burly Thor, wearing only his trousers, and covered with dirt and sweat, raced to the head of the hall, hefting his hammer over his head.

"It flew!" he roared, beaming, his eyes bright. "Mjollnir flew and came back to my hand! Did you hear it?"

"It did?" Odin cried, quickly gathering up the papers and setting them aside. "It came back to your hand?

"Yes!" Thor crowed. "Come quick! Come see!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Odin laughed, trotting down the stairs and hurrying up the hall. "Before you know it, you'll be calling lightning down—be sure to tell me before you try that—I must come watch!"