Darkness Revealed (A Loki Love Story) Book 2 in Darkness Series

Proud

(His point of view)

We are all of us gathered just outside of the golden dome at the end of the rainbow bridge. I am at the head of the line, along with Thor and Link. Just behind us stands The Warriors Three and Lady Sif. I turn to face them, smiling as I take in the glorious sight. Hundreds of Asgardian soldiers are gathered just in front of me. They are all silent, standing stone still as they await their nearing departure. I cannot believe that so many were willing to fight for me. I never would have imagined this large number returning with us.

I feel my heart thundering away within the confinements of my rib cage. The pride I feel, the gratefulness, all from knowing that each and every soldier here has willingly agreed to fight on my side. Even after the horrid things that I had done. No doubt, Odin and Thor have filled them in on my recent alteration. But still, this is all new to me. Finally being on the right side instead of the evil one. It feels.....incredible.

As I continue to scan the enormous crowd, a concerning thought suddenly comes to mind.

"Link, how are we to house all of these men? Is the palace large enough?" He chuckles, leaning over towards my shoulder.

"Do not worry, Brother. We have more than enough room. In all the time that you have lived there, you still have not ever had to venture to our guest chambers in the western wing. Each room is perfectly capable of housing at least five to six soldiers more than comfortably. There will be plenty enough space. And if not, we can reopen the western tower. " I let out a sigh of relief but am suddenly halted as a disturbing memory comes to the surface. The western tower is where Sethos.......he imprisoned her. He held her hostage......

I am suddenly very thankful that Christine has never showed me this particular part of the castle. I have no doubt that she never wishes to venture their ever again, herself.

I shake my head, clearing my mind. I allow my eyes to focus in on the men ahead of me. I hear faint murmuring beginning to rise from within their enormous group. I narrow my eyes, aiming to find the sudden cause of their distraction. That is when I notice that in the very center of the crowd, they are beginning to part like the waters around a rock. Then, I see the glinting peak of his staff moving towards us as it reflects the morning sun. Father...

I see the soldiers bowing as he comes into plain sight. Upon seeing me, he smiles before making his way over to us. As he does, he turns his back to Thor, Link, and myself and faces his army. He raises out his arms, summoning for everyone to fall silent.

"My brave men!" he shouts. His voice is suddenly so strong and vehement. No longer the weakened, elderly man I had seen only last night.

"You have come here today to travel to the land of Medina! You are to fight for an extremely worthy cause! Let it be known, that whilst dark times do lie ahead, do not focus on the negative. Remember who and what you are fighting for!" The men all bang their chest plates with their armored forearms once in unison.

"You are fighting for the good of all men! For the right to stand against evil! You are fighting for the right to be courageous and true. To be free of such a hellacious treachery. You are fighting for a heavenly being who is being held against her will!" My heart lurches painfully within my chest. Christine......

"And..." he stops, suddenly startling me by turning to face me. He walks over to me, bringing an arm up to my shoulder. He grasps it tightly. I think that I may detect a tear flickering in the morning light from the corner of his eye. He smiles at me once more before turning to look at the men.

"You are fighting for a man of great worth and nobility. A man who has, in deed, been reborn within a new light. A man who is a shining example of forgiveness and worth. A man of whom I am proud to say is...." he chokes off, tightening his grip on my shoulder. I feel my eyes widen at the sound of his struggling voice.

"My son. Loki, Your Prince and the Future King of Medina!" A roaring thunder of cheers and clamoring of weapons sound off, shaking the very bridge beneath our feet. My heart swells like no other at the sound of their unyielding loyalty. But that does not compare to the deep and much desired satisfying closure that I have so yearned for all these years. To hear him proudly announce that I am his son. That he is PROUD of ME.

A single tear drizzles down my cheek, but I pretend that I do not notice it. He releases my shoulder, turning to face the bellowing soldiers, raising his arms once again. A hush instantly falls over them, as they await his final words.

"GO NOW AND FIGHT! BRING HIS QUEEN BACK TO SAFETY! FIGHT FOR THE GOOD IN ALL MEN! FIGHT FOR ASGARD! FIGHT FOR MEDINA AND HER QUEEN! FIGHT FOR LOKI!" Another crashing blow of roars sound off. Thor steps forward, lunging his hammer high in the air above his head as he shouts out over the crowd. Link does the same with own sword. I cannot believe this.....

I feel my feet bringing my body a step forward without even realizing that I am moving. I reach behind me and unsheathe my sword before bringing it high above into the sky above my head. As I do, the men only grow louder. My heart is pounding so hard that I am certain it is going to break out of my body. Another tear falls as I cling to my divine weapon. As I look up to its hilt, grasped tightly within my hand, I close my eyes. Oh, Christine....if only you were here to witness this......

Father turns and makes his way back over to me. He reaches forth and pulls me into a warm embrace. I am not so hesitant to return it this time.

"My son, I pray that you are able to find your Queen. I wish that I could come along with you, but as you can see, I am in no state for the wages of war anymore." I chuckle at his sudden amusing comment.

"But I shall be with you. In here." He brings a hand up and rests it over my heart. I want to speak, but my throat is suddenly closing shut. I attempt to swallow in hopes of finding my voice.

"T...Thank you, Father." He brings his hand up to my face, letting his eyes sear into mine.

"Once you have safely retrieved your Lady, you must promise to bring her here. I would very much like to meet the woman who has worked such wonders on my mischievous son." I chuckle a little louder at this. For what he says is but too true. She has worked wonders....in ways no one could even imagine or understand.

"I will, Father. I swear it." He pats my cheek before releasing me and turning to embrace Thor. After releasing him, he turns to face Link.

"Please give my best regards to your Mother and Father, Prince Link. And please inform them that I shall keep their beloved daughter in my thoughts and prayers for her safe return."

"I will, Your Majesty. Thank you, again." I turn to face my Medinian brother, who is standing proudly at my side.

"You ready?" I ask, winking at him.

"Born ready, Brother." His flashing response of a smile makes me want to laugh out loud, but I stifle it.

As Thor returns to my other side, we are the first to approach the opening of the bifrost. I can hear the hundred of men's pounding feet as they follow in our footsteps.  As we come to its edge, peering out into the sea of stars, I immediately detect her pinkish hue of light. She is waiting to bring us home.

I hear several gasps and mutterings of awe from the men behind me as they behold her brilliant presence. I smile as the outline of her smiling face comes into clearer view.

"Hello, Adrielle," I say. Her blazing light instantly engulfs us, yanking us forward into the familiar ribbon of color. We are flying once again. Hold on, my love. I am one step closer. I am coming for you.