Lost in Time

Nineteen

Thor watched from the balcony, as Elle and Loki prepared to fight, training with their soldiers. His eyes strayed over her, seeing she was still slightly withdrawn, though he didn't know what it was she had seen, when they fought the frost giant for the Crown of Fools, he did worry about her. Elle, Fandral and Volstagg had been trapped in hallucinations, during the fight, the other two seemed to fair well, but she did not. It had taken Loki three days to get her out of her room, and to see her child. Elle had locked herself away, not wanting to be in anyone's company.

'Lady Elle will be alright..'.. He turned his head, seeing his mother join him on the balcony... 'Orla has young Jace, he is playing with her children..'.. She tells him, as they look back out over the training yard.

'Do you know what she saw?..'.. He asked, as Elle moved to stand in the middle, the soldiers all around the edge, as she waited for Loki. The two going hand to hand first.

'Yes, and it is not my place to say..'.. His mother smiled lightly as they saw Loki come to a stop in front of Elle... 'Your brother has changed for the better..'

Thor made a noise in agreement. Elle had certainly been a good influence on Loki, and Thor had his brother back. Seeing them now, he realised he had never actually seen Elle fight before. When Sif called out for the two to go, he was amazed at how not only Elle was fighting, but Loki too. He knew training in Midgard was different, but these two had combined both... 'They are in perfect sync, are they not?..'.. His mother's light chuckle had him remembering she was there.

'Is there something between them?..'.. He asked, seeing Elle smile for the first time in days, while Loki had hold of her from behind, whispering something in her ear.

'Not like that. I believe they are platonic soul mates..'.. His mother smiled across to him... 'Her heart belongs to another, but they balance one another out..'.. She nodded to the fight below... 'They love one another, but that is it. Though it would seem your brother does have an admirer..'.. Thor followed his mother's gaze, and he chuckled, seeing Sif out right stare at the two, in fierce concentration.

'Do a detect a hint of matching, mother?..'.. Thor chuckled.

'I would not meddle in my children's lives..'.. She smiled, turning her head away, but Thor saw the spark of mischief in her eyes.

'Now I know where Loki gets his nature from..'.. He shook his head with a smile, just as the fight came to an end, with Elle throwing Loki over her onto his back, and she pinned him down. She was an excellent warrior, even when she looked weary, she continued, not giving up.

'Go and join them, you will be departing tomorrow, and you need to ensure you are ready..'.. His mother touched his shoulder... 'And I expect the seven of you for dinner this evening..'.. She turned, leaving him on the balcony.

Thor thought back to the day he had met Elle, the night the battle with Loki ended. Since then, she had spoken of certain things, but never in too much detail, at least not with him. She took meetings with his mother and Odin, and he wondered if Loki now knew more of her. Maybe she had opened up to him as to who she was, but a part of him wished he knew the truth, so he could be better prepared. Tapping the edge of the balcony, he decided to head down and see them.

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Elle stood straight, taking deep breaths, pausing and letting them out to calm her racing heart. She had put all her energy into the fight, needing to let loose. Though Loki assured her he would be fine, she felt guilty for hurting him and making him bleed, but he did give back as good as he got... 'Thanks Loki..'.. She smiled over to him, as he wiped his face... 'You ok?..'