Second Chance

Chapter 19

The tour of the place lasted a lot longer than I expected. Loki showed me everything. The library, the other rooms, the garden. Oh how I could spend all day in that garden. The beauty of the place is definitely overwhelming. Loki takes me back to my room and leaves me. He tries to say goodnight but I just give him a small hug and shut the door. I walk over to the closet and pull out a pair of white, flanal pajama pants, a green under shirt, and a blue silk robe. I tie it in the center and take a moment to realize what's happening. I'm in the most elegant pair of pajamas ever, standing in the middle of my room, in a royal palace, and I'm here to speak with the ruler of an entire realm about his very misguided son. Just yesterday I was worrying about the progress of my book and when my filming would start. I slip out of the room and head down the hallway. I go to the kitchen, not really sure I'm looking for. I'm not really hungry, I just feel like a cup of tea would be perfect to end the night. I look around and this woman comes up to me. She is a little taller than me, well, considering that I'm only five foot four, everyone here is a little taller than me. She has tan skin, almost as dark as mine, beautiful blue eyes that contrast her light brown hair perfectly.
"How can I be of service my Lady?" She pipes.
"Uh, actually, could you show me how to get a good cup of hot tea?"
"No worries miss, I will prepare it for you." She smiles.
"Oh no, you don't have to do that. Just show me how, and that way I won't have to bother you." I say as I pat her arm.
"I must say, it is not often that someone of royalty wishes to prepare their own meal, or anything for that matter." She whispers as if she doesn't want to be caught saying anything wrong.
"Oh honey, actually I'm not royalty. I'm just a guest here for a few days. And I am more than capable of making my own cup of tea."
"But you are here with Prince Loki, are you not?"
"Well, I guess I am. Are you busy at the moment?"
"Well I am helping you find your way in the kitchen, even though I should not be doing so. But I do not think I have anything else to attend to for the night. Why have you asked about my time?"
"Maybe you could grab a cup of tea and join me in the garden for a minute?"
"Oh, well I guess I could. Let me just grab my coat and I will come with you." She perks up and runs off for a moment. She cant be much older than I am. Well, in earth terms. Here, she must have lived thousands of years compared to my measily twenty-six. I hold a tray with both of our cups of tea on them and wait for her to come back. She joins me and tries to take the tray from me but I insist on carrying it. We walk to the garden and sit down on a soft spot of the grass.
"So, is there anything you could tell me about Loki's past behavior? I don't want to get you in trouble or anything, but it seems that word travels here quickly. I just want to get a better understanding of who he was. My only concern is to better his future." I say to her before I sip my tea.
"So it is true?"
"What is?"
"You are correct about how not much here is left to secrecy. I have heard about you. They said that you were the one who gave the Prince his heart back. They say it was stolen long ago, and that is why he has always been this way, but you have returned it to him, yes? So he is different now?" She smiles brightly.
"You know, I never caught your name."
"My name is Kari, Lady Sarah."
"Just call me Sarah. And to answer your question. I do believe he is different. And that's all it takes. You have to believe, or it will never happen. Like you have to believe in a wish in order for it to come true. Now, could you answer my question?" She smiles at me widely.
"Do you know much of our history?"
"Not really. I have tried to read about it some, but it never makes sense. I did read one time that Loki gave birth to a horse? And I just can't see how that's possible." I laugh.
"Well, it is actually quite true. He has several children, though they are not born the same way that you would think. Loki has always been known as the God of Mischief. Well, he used his mischief to make children from his magic. None of his children seem to actually be of a consensual manner. They say that the only love he ever had was Sigyn. She stood by him, but not for long. She could not handle his mischief. She could not handle his behavior. They say she stole his heart and hid it somewhere only someone who truly loved him would find it. Do you love him, Lady Sarah?"
"I told you, its just Sarah. And honestly, I don't know how love works. I wish I could explain how I feel to you, but my story is a long and sad one. So the horse story is true then?"
"Yes, la-Sarah. He in fact gave birth to a horse named Sleipnir, who has eight legs. He is the most magnificent horse, and he is ridden by Odin. As he should be."
"Well, I'm not sure if I should think that's cool or weird. Well, you have been so helpful. I guess I should let you go to bed now. I'll take this stuff back to the kitchen and wash up. I would hope to see you again before I leave, Kari."
"I have a feeling we will be having tea again tomorrow." She smiles. I stand and give her a hug. It's comforting, and she feels so familiar. I'm not sure why. I take the stuff back to the kitchen and wash it all. I put it back where Kari showed me, and stand there for a moment. Am I really looking at Loki's past? Do I really care what he's done? But what about his wife... Why has she not come to see him? Kari said that she couldn't handle him, but why couldn't she? I mean yes he has not been so forthcoming about his feelings until recently, but did she not try? You are supposed to try harder than what she did for the ones you love... Aren't you?