Second Chance

Chapter 17

Everything about Asgard is wonderful. I have barely been here for a moment, and I can already see why Thor talks about this place with such grace. The rainbow bridge was nothing like I had ever seen before. All of the colors glistened beneath my feet as we made our way to the palace. The sun beamed down on the palace entrance, making all of this look like a dream. It feels like I'm on the set of a movie. Like I should be wearing a Greek goddess dress with a crown made of flowers. I am completely enthrall by this place. I stop following the boys for just a moment so I may take in the beauty that surrounds me. The columns standing tall, the details on the door, the people walking about sharing at us as we pass by.
"Lady Sarah, we must speak with my father in the throne room." Thor states as he comes back for me. He takes my hand and guilds me swiftly through the palace, not giving me a change to enjoy my surroundings.
"There will be time to explore later." Loki whispers from beside me. I shoot him a small smile as I am being partially dragged to a stop at a door. It's archway is truly a sight. Only someone with great importance would have such an intricately detailed door. Thor pushes the doors open and Loki and I follow him inside. There are rows and rows of seating that are currently empty, and at the front of the room, on top of a couple of extra steps, sits a glorious throne, where an older man with an eye patch sits. This must be Odin. We make our way to the front of the room and both Thor and loki bow, and I quickly do the same.
"Ah, it is nice to see both of my sons in the same room once again." Odin states. I can feel Loki suck in his breathe next to me, and I shoot him a glance to calm down. "This must be the Lady Sarah. It is nice to finally meet your acquaintance."
"The pleasure is all mine sir." I smile.
"Father, I vowed that I would have Lady Sarah returned home in three midgardian days time-" Thor states, but his father interrupts.
"Yes Thor, I know. Lady Sarah, would you please explain what my son Thor has described to me?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"He has told me that by some miracle, Loki has decided to help your team on midgard, and that he is no longer a threat to anyone. I find this hard to believe." He grumbles. I can see Loki's hands clenched in fist.
"Maybe it would be best if I spoke to you alone, sir."
"Very well. My sons, you are excused." And with that they both leave the room. "Please continue."
"Actually sir, if I may approach, I feel like it would be easier to show you." He nods his head and I make my way up the stairs. I stand next to him and extend my hand. He looks at me strangely with his one eye, which I am fairly used to this same look from Nick, but he holds out his hand and takes mine in his. I begin the transfer of images. I show him the first day. I show him some of the conversations we had about midgardian technology. I show him the day loki tried to hurt me, but immediately apologized. I show him how he talked to my team about second chances. I showed him how he actually cared. I showed him the emotions Loki went through. And then I slowly let go of his hand, letting the images fade away softly.
"So what Thor told me is true then." He says puzzlingly.
"Yes sir, and I can still see the disbelief in your eyes. I mean no offense, but if you wish I would like to show you something else as well."
"What is it child?"
"I did not show you one other thing. I saw Loki's future, and his future had two paths. One of darkness and the other was bright and beautiful. I showed it to Loki and it almost seemed to wake him up from all that he has done."
"Alright then, let's see it." He grabs my hand once more and sigh. The last time I showed someone this they tried to kill me, but I can see that Odin is a worn man. He doesn't seem to be the type to watch something gruesome and be scared off easily. He is a king. I start the transfer of images again, starting with the horrifying future first. I can feel Odin's grip on my hand tense uo slightly before he calms back down as the other future starts to play. This time, I can clearly see my face on the girl Loki falls in love with. It's almost surreal, knowing that this is partly my furture too. I let go of his hand again slowly as the vision begins to fade. "Was that woman not you?" He asks.
"Yes it was. The first time I saw it I couldn't make out her face, but it was clearly me." I say, trying to hold my emotional composure in front of him.
"Do you love my son, child?"
"If I may be honest with you sir, I'm not sure what love feels like."
"Surely you felt the love of your mother or father, yes?"
"No." I whisper. "I never really had a family. My mother died when I was young and my father ignored my existence." I state, trying not to relive it all over again. He pats me on the back. I look over at him and it seems that his eyes show understanding.
" Lady Sarah, love is a complicated thing. I can see it in Loki's eyes that he cares for you deeply. I can also see that you care for him much the same. I would like for you and my sons to join us in the dining hall to break fast tomorrow morning." He says as he stands. I walk down the stair and bow before I leave the room. Thor and Loki stand against the wall waiting for me.
"Well, what did my father have to say?"
"Not much really. He seems to be a man of little words."
"That is an understatement." Loki smirks.
"Come Lady Sarah, I must show you to your chambers." And with that I am, again, being wisked down the halls before I even get a change to look at anything. Do all God's walk this fast?