The Unthinkable Offering (A Loki FanFic)

The Power of Water

The private road leading up to the estate was long and steep as it cut a path through the tall evergreen trees. The walls around the property were relatively low and constructed of stones of different sizes piled together and neatly fitted. The expansive mansion was constructed log cabin style with timber from large Asgardian trees.

"It's beautiful." Eisa paused at the door of the carriage to admire the scene before her.

"You should see it in the wintertime." Loki offered her his hand as she took very careful steps down the short set of stairs. "This place becomes a wonderland when there is snow on the ground."

Loki and Eisa arrived at their destination after a two-day journey through the realm with an entourage of staff and security and enough supplies to last long enough to wait out the heatwave in the cooler climate of the mountains.

A wizened old caretaker met them on the path to the front doors. "Prince Loki." He bowed as best he could. Leaning heavily on his cane, the midmorning sun illuminating the random silver hairs on his otherwise bare head.

"Birger!" Loki laughed, "Wonderful to see you again. It's been centuries. I am surprised you are still working here. The King won't let you retire?"

"Bah," he waved a gnarled hand in dismissal, "This place would crumble to the ground without me. Besides, what else do I have to do, huh? All the pretty girls can outrun me now." He wheezed a laugh and gave Loki a wink, "But it looks like you caught yourself a right pretty one." Birger looked Eisa up and down with his cloudy blue eyes.

"Eisa, Birger has managed this property since he oversaw its construction thousands of years ago, when my parents were first married. Birger, this is my wife, Princess Eisa."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Wife?! You went and tied the knot, boy? What did I tell ya about that? And to a redhead? Whoo hoo hoo..." he shook his head, "I never caught me one of those. Is it true what they say about 'em?"

"All that and then some, Birger."

"Ha! I knew it!"

Eisa looked at Loki, confused. He chuckled, "If you don't mind, we are tired from our travels. Let's catch up tomorrow over lunch?"

"Yes sir," Birger started escorting them up to the house, "I'd be in a hurry to get to bed too if I had one of those on my arm. What I wouldn't give to bed a pretty girl one last time."

"What are you saying, Birger? You look the picture of health. You must have another millennia or two before you are carried off to Valhalla."

"Tell that to my cock, Silvertongue. It hasn't been harder than a wet sponge in over a thousand years."

Eisa gasped in shock. Loki looked over to her and grinned. "Don't mind him," he whispered to her, "he's probably the oldest man in all the Nine realms. He's only staying alive out of spite; he's afraid of seeing his wife again in the afterlife."

She covered her mouth with her hand to hide her grin.

"Amelia here will show you to your rooms, then get your people settled. I hope you like venison, Princess. We don't get much livestock up here."

"I'm sure it's delicious."

"Well, I will leave you to it." He gave Loki an approving look, "It's good to have you back, kid."

"It is good to be back."

"Your Highnesses," Amelia curtsied, "I must apologize, My Prince. When we were informed of your untimely passing, we put the contents of your room into storage. We did not have enough notice to prepare it for your arrival. Would you be amenable to sleeping in the King's quarters? We keep those rooms prepared at all times. Just in case of an unexpected Royal visit."