Fated {Loki Fanfiction}

Chapter 2

   The palace gleamed in the sunlight. The constituents were buzzing around, busy with their everyday lives. In one of the courtyards of the palace, there were loud sounds of metal clanging again and again.

   Two men were sparring. A small crowd had gathered to watch. One of the two men had long, flowing blonde hair and fought with a double bladed sword. The other one was much skinnier and smaller, he had black hair and wielded a spear.

   The blonde one thrust his sword at the smaller one, who blocked it with the staff of his spear. The blonde one pushed down but he was pushed a good distance away by the smaller one. The blonde one charged at him but at the moment of contact, passed right through him. The smaller one appeared behind him, laughing. He slapped the blonde one's rump with the flat of his blade. Then pointed it at the blonde guy's nape.

"I guess I win, brother," he said, smirking.

   The blonde one whirled around all of a sudden and knocked the smaller one to the ground with the flat of his sword then held the tip of his sword at his neck.

"You're still so easy to knock down, Loki,"he chuckled.

   The crowd cheered and clapped. The blonde one raised his hand in acknowledgement. The crowd began to disperse.

   The blonde one helped Loki up.

"I've always been the stronger one, Loki. You've always been a tad weaker," he told Loki, chuckling and patting his brother's back.

Loki scowled at him,"Thor, if you so much as --"

"Thor!," a chorus of shouts sounded from the other side of the courtyard.

   The two men looked over. Standing and waving there were Thor's usual band of friends: Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. Thor patted Loki's shoulder.

"See you later, brother," he said and trotted over to his friends.

   Loki watched them go. He glowered at them a little, then he turned around. He was offended by what Thor said. He always rubbed it in that he was stronger, and buffer and all that. Loki cursed under his breath.

"At least I have a brain and common sense," Loki thought, heading to his quarters.

   As he neared his room, his anger had somewhat dissipated. He decided to visit his parents' room.

   He entered his parents room and found his father gazing out from the balcony. Loki approached him.

"Loki," his father greeted.

"Father," Loki answered.

   His father spread his hands at the view of the kingdom.

"Loki, our kingdom grows as each day passes. But with each day, threats crop up. Though some are minor and can easily be dealt with there are others that become overwhelming," he said.

Loki looked at him. "What do you mean father?"

   Odin turned away from the balcony and started to the bedroom proper.

"Other powers turn to Asgard, they sense my aging. Some plan to overthrow me," Odin told Loki and sat down heavily on his bed.

"Father, the other kingdoms know well that it would be a bad idea to challenge the All-Father, " Loki said,"what is this threat that you speak of?"

   Odin waved the question away.

"Never you mind."

   Loki opened his mouth, meaning to press his father for answers but dismissed the idea.Once Odin decides on something, there is little chance to persuade him to do otherwise.Instead, Loki sat beside him. They shared a lapse of silence. Odin was the one who broke it.

"I think it may be time to pass on the throne," he said, sighing.

   Loki remained silent, surprised.
When it was obvious Odin was not going to say anything else, Loki said: "To who, father?"

"Hrmm?" Odin said, glancing over at Loki, his eyes betraying regret of what he said. "Loki do not take this against yourself. You are every bit my son and worthy for the throne but . . ."

   Odin didn't need to finish his sentence. Loki understood. He stood up.

"Thor!?" He shouted, "Father, you elect that bumbling fool as your heir? He rushes into anything without a single thought of the consequences. You think he could be a proper ruler of Asgard? He may as well be the one to bring its fall."

"Loki, I am the king. I deem your brother worthy as heir to the throne. My word is final," Odin said, standing up and hitting the bottom of his staff on the floor, causing a mini shockwave that threw Loki off balance.

   Loki stood back up, glaring at his dad who glared back with his one good eye. Saying nothing, Loki stormed out of the room.

   Outside, he bumped into his mother. She noticed his emotions and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Loki, is there something wrong?" She asked him.

   He shakes her off and leaves without answering her. Frigga, bewildered, entered her room to ask her husband what had happened.

   Loki was fuming. He headed to the sparring grounds. On the way, he asked one of his father's advisors about the "threats". The advisor answered him without hesitation. It was the Frost Giants. They were planning asiege, but his father had pacified them for themoment.

   While he was stabbing dummies with his spears, he came up with a scheme that would earn him the throne.

   He was smiling mischievously while practicing his aim with his knives when someone called his name.

   He turned to see Thor running to him, his friends behind him. He scowled as Thor pet him so enthusiastically. Loki swatted his hand away.

"What is it, brother?" He asked, trying to keep the edge out of his voice.

"We plan to go out for a good hunt. We would like you to come along," Thor said.

Loki thought for a second then nodded. "Fine."

   Thor patted his back. His friends smiled and patted him too. They were about to walk away when Loki suddenly felt a pang of pain course from his chest. He stopped in his tracks and groaned, kneeling down.

   Thor and his friends stopped and looked at him, confused.

"Loki, are you alright?" Thor asked.

   But just as quick the pain started, it ended.And a voice resounded in Loki's mind. A voice he hasn't heard for so long. It said, "Always."

   Loki felt like Thor had just punched his stomach. The breath was taken out from him.

"Loki?" Lady Sif asked, not usually concerned about what happens to him because of a past event where he cut all her hair off but that's a different story.

"Are you well Loki?" Fandor said, offering his hand,"Do you need to be brought to the infirmary?"

   Loki took his hand and stood up.

"I'm fine," he said, "Let's go."

   Thor and the others looked at him. Unsure. But they didn't question any further. They began walking to the Bifrost again. At first they were all silent but eventually the usual talk and banter came back. Loki held back, his mind on something else.

She can't be alive. I've searched for her all my life, there is no sign of her. he thought to himself.

   Loki shook his head and Thor glanced over at him. He put an arm on his shoulders.

"Brother, you look like you've seen a spirit. Tell us, what is bothering you?" Thor said. His friends agreed.

   Loki smiled inwardly; he found a proper way to initiate his scheme.
"My dear fellows. I am quite disheartened to tell you what I've found out," he started. He told them about the Frost Giants, he left out the bit where Odin mentions turning over the throne. They listened, unaware that the gears of his plan had started turning.