Silenced (A Loki fanfiction)

Chapter 20

Loki

Mother's legs had given out halfway out and I had to carry her. I approach Odin in the courtyard. "Frigg," he breathes with relief, "thank you, Loki." He puts a hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off and gently set mother down.

Thor comes running out next, with Leidi in his arms. "Oh no," I say rushing toward them. I stop in front of them and run a hand over her hair. "Leidi, no," I say. "She is fine. Just injured," Thor says. Tears slip from my eyes as I take her limp body from Thor.

I run a hand down her face, over a small cut. About as thick as a strand of hair, and no longer than the nail on my small finger. It's the only visible injury on her. But it pains me. "Wake up, Leidi," I plead, "please. Don't do this to me." I sink to the ground, and she lies across my lap, prostrated.

The tears come faster as I rock back and forth, holding her close to my chest. I run a hand down her hair. "Brother," Thor approaches me. "STAY AWAY!" I yell, and he backs away.

The elves' ships retreat. But Leidi doesn't awaken. I hold her close, sitting on the ground. The old me would've thought this degrading, but I'm not the old me.

"Mmm, Loki?" She says, her voice muffled by my armor. I pull her back a few inches and look into her eyes. "What? Loki, what are you doing?" Obviously referring to the way I was holding her tight.

"You said you wouldn't get hurt," I say. "I did. I'm sorry," she says as she sits up. I stand and help her up. She cries out as I tug lightly on her arm. I let go of her arm and lift her with her other arm.

"What happened to your arm?" I say, touching her shoulder lightly. She shakes her head, "It's just a little sore." "Do not lie to me. Did Malekith do this?" I ask. She nods slowly. "He's going to pay for this," I say, leaning my forehead against hers, "I love you, Leidi." "I love you too."

Thor looks satisfied. His advice was taken.

Leidi

The All-Father clears his throat and we pull away and look at him. The queen smiles warmly, but the All-Father looks annoyed. Thor looks very pleased.

I flush scarlet and look at them. I didn't think anyone was there. And Loki didn't say anything. Loki and I pull apart quickly, and stand straight, looking away from each other.

The queen and Thor laugh. Odin stands unmoved. "Oh! Right, Jane," I say in sudden realization. As if on cue, Jane and Sif came outside. Jane rushes forward and throws herself into Thor's arms. He strokes her hair gently, whispering soothing word.

I hate to break their moment, but still, I tap Jane on her shoulder. She pulls away from Thor and looks at me. "Who are you?" She asked. "That is Leidi," Thor said. "She looks an awful lot like that Loki guy," she said. I snickered. That Loki guy.

"Where is the Aether?" I say, not wanting to waste time. She holds out her arm and shows me. The Aether coursed through her blood. I reach out to touch her arm and I'm knocked back by the Aether. "Augh!" I cry as I fall back and so does Jane.

Loki rushes over to me. "Leidi!" He calls and helps me stand. "You," he growls, pointing to Jane. He walks toward her, but I hold him back, knowing he means harm. "She didn't mean to," I say.

I walk in front of him, "let's try something else," I say. I raise my hand and focus until she is lifted into the air, and I pull the Aether from her body. She gasps and Thor moves forward.

The Aether floats in mid-air for a while, and Jane collapses to the ground. Thor rushes to her side and cradles her in his arms.

It shoots toward me as soon as I'm about to destroy. It takes on the form of a person. Not just any person, but me. "Don't," it whispers before entering my body. I'm blinded by pain as it enters through my wrists, my eyes, my mouth, my chest.

I cry out in pain as I fall over on the ground. "Leidi!!" Loki yells, rushing to my side. He cups my face in his hands. "Are you alright?" He says, stroking my face. I nod. "Why does it not attack?" Thor says. "I control it," I say getting up, "but it shouldn't be able to take on a physical form. It's never done that before."

"That doesn't make it any less dangerous," the All-Father says. "Thor, I'm going to expose the Aether to the air, and I want you to put all force into striking it with lightning." Thor nods slowly.

"The rest of you go inside," I say. The queen, the All-Father, Jane don't hesitate to go inside. "Loki, go," I say. "I'm not leaving you," he says. "I'll be fine," I say. "But, Leidi-" "Loki GO!" I say. He looks taken aback, but nods and goes inside the palace with the others.

I focus my energy and release the Aether from my body, leaving it suspended in the air. Thor charges Mjolnir, but before he can react, the Aether shoots from my grasp and knock Thor back. "Don't," it whispers again. I gasp, trying to control it.

"Thor, it's not coming under control!" I shout. He looks at me, "you said you can control it!" "I did, but it's fighting," I call.

I let my arms drop to my sides. The Aether takes my form again. It approaches me and I back away in fear. It's not supposed to do this.

It shoots forward and grabs my collar. I'm about to scream but it covers my mouth. "LEIDI!" Thor shouts.

"Have you forgotten me already?" It says. It's voice is warped, as if thousands of people were speaking over each other. "Who are you?" I say. "You have forgotten me. You wound me," it fakes hurt.

"Don't you remember our childhood days? I suppressed myself, to spare you punishment. I saved you," it says, "did that mean nothing to you?" It lets go of my collar and I fall. Thor runs to me and helps me to my feet.

"You've left me behind. You've forged new friendships. You've found love," it continued, "but you forgot me. You shunned me!" It was yelling now.

"Did I mean nothing to you?! Was I just your toy?! And now you've grown bored?!" It yelled, "tell me, do I lack something?! Am I not enough for you?!" I back away, pushing Thor behind me.

"Who are you?" I repeat, slowly. "I am your friend from your childhood. I am your every breath. I am your birth and your death. I am Aether. And you abandoned me," it growls.

"But now, we're together. And you want me dead? How you have changed. I can be anything you want," it changes its shape and become Thor. Then it becomes Loki.

It leans close to my face, "we will never be apart again." It enters me once more. It courses through my blood. It hurts and yet I feel numb. "We are one," it whispers before I black out. "LEIDI!!" Thor yells.