Fallen Star

Fallen Star Chapter 21

(The poem/song in this section is called Norse Lullaby by Eugene Field)

VVVV

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Thor sat on the bench with his arms braced on the long table, staring unseeing at the plate of bread, cheese and fruit in front of him. The great, golden dining hall, lit by indirect, restful, late afternoon sun, sat empty and silent. Once in a while, Thor would hear the distant steps of courtiers passing through the adjoining marble halls. But few of them spoke, and nothing interrupted his thoughts.

Until a quiet presence entered from the left and sat down in the broad chair the end of the table, and began filling a plate with the foods that waited in the bowls. Thor lifted his head and took a breath, and glanced to his left at his father. Odin was dressed now, in white, gold and black, and he carefully chose which slices of bread and pieces of fruit he wanted for his meal. The gold plate rang softly each time his father set something on it. Thor cleared his throat. Odin glanced up and gave him a smile.

"She's doing very well," Odin said, as if Thor had spoken. "Sleeping peacefully. She will need to rest for several days, though."

"Why?" Thor wondered. "Were you not able to cure her completely?"

"Of course I was," Odin replied, putting butter on his bread. "But she is mortal, and she lost a great deal of blood."

Thor swallowed, watching him, unable to find the appetite to eat as well.

"Strange wounds," Odin went on. "I'd never seen the like before. Two pieces of metal had been driven right into her—almost through her—making small but devastating holes in all her vitals." He shook his head. "I am astonished she was alive when she came. But Eir tells me that Loki's talisman had something to do with that."

"His talisman?" Thor frowned. Odin glanced up at him.

"You remember those magic stones he gave each of us one feast day—the ones he had made himself?"

Thor thought a moment, then nodded.

"Yes. I keep mine in a chest in my room. It seemed very fragile—I did not want to break it."

"Mm," Odin said, taking a bite of bread. "Apparently, he gave one to Jane, and she hung it around her neck. Its magic sustained her, even while her body was failing."

Thor said nothing for a long while. Then, he stared down at his plate, his jaw tight.

"Where is Loki?"

"He is here. Somewhere," Odin replied. "Though he hasn't touched his quarters. My guess is that he is out on the grounds, perhaps near the fountains. Your mother is looking for him." Odin began to cut up a peach. "She is determined to find him and get him to eat something—and also let her tend him. He is hurt, as you know."

Thor nodded, still studying his plate, ignoring the slight twinge in his chest.

"So...that is it, then?" Thor said.

"What do you mean?"

"With Loki," Thor clarified. "He comes home, gives you some lost relic and brings a mortal woman for you to heal that he put in harm's way, and everyone is going to simply act as if nothing happened?"

Odin stopped what he was doing. Thor lifted his face and looked back at his father. Odin gazed at him seriously. Thor gritted his teeth.

"You may be angry with me if you wish," Thor said. "But I am speaking my mind."

"I am not angry with you," Odin said frankly. "You simply don't understand."

Thor shoved his plate away and turned his shoulder to the food.