Hel (HOAM Spin-Off)

Battle

By the way (I forgot until someone pointed it out) this is on Svartalfheim. I wrote it before Thor 2 and I'm not pulling the movie in until my next series so... Disregard the movie for now.

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The army was gathered, ready to march into the capital of Svartalfheim. Thor and Loki sat on their horses, waiting for their spy's signal. The soldiers were quiet, waiting. Loki turned as a nervous murmur started to spread. Thor followed suit and they watched as the soldiers parted for a cloaked figure to pass.

"What's she doing here?"

"A bad omen, that."

"Odin, help us..."

"We're doomed."

Thor turned to Loki. "She should not be here. She'll frighten them."

Loki nodded and turned Sleipnir towards her. He met her halfway and slid down. She looked up at him through her hood. He sighed.

"Hel, what are you doing here?"

She didn't reply for a moment, seeming nervous. She adjusted his strap and straightened his scabbard. He tilted his head in question, waiting. She patted his chest and he smirked. She was worrying again, that was all.

"I want to help."

Oh. That was different. "What?"

"I want to help." She said it with more conviction this time.

He sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry. We need the soldiers to be confident for this. You're considered a bad omen and as much as I hate to say this, you're presence will not help."

"Please. Luk has been teaching me. I can help."

"Teaching you what?" The last thing Loki wanted was his daughter learning the ways of the dead.

"Please? Let me show you. Let me take the front line, I can do some initial damage when the Svartalf army marches in."

He turned hesitantly to Thor. His brother shrugged. Loki sighed and then nodded. "Alright."

She grinned and hugged him before pulling back and trying to tighten the strap across his chest. He chuckled and pushed her back. "I'm fine. You're just like Mother." He shook his head and pulled himself onto Sleipnir again. His son nudged Hel and she scratched his ear before running a little in front of the army.

The soldiers were uneasy, still. The dark elves appeared on the horizon, black smoke swirling 'round them. The spy's signal hadn't come. He was dead then... The elves marched forward, slowing gaining speed as they charged. Hel stood tall and lowered her hood. She lifted her hands slowly and Loki saw some of the elves hesitate upon a closer look at her. Her hands lifted higher and she twisted them so the palms faced up suddenly. At least a hundred men rose at her command. Her hands clenched into fists and the men fell, dead before they hit the ground.

Hel was already on the move by the time they fell. Thor shook himself from the shock and yelled to his men. They charged the dark army. The lines merged and clashed. Loki stayed where he was, watching Hel. She twisted and leapt through the Svartalf lines, taking her toll in such a graceful way it seemed she was dancing. Finally, Sleipnir huffed and Loki directed them into the battle.

...........

The battle was fierce, the elf forces brutal. The Aesir were about to make a retreat when a cry went up in the soldiers. The left flank was running. Loki and Thor were fighting side by side but they stopped and looked to see a smoky, inky cloud rushing towards them.

"Hel!" Thor cried. She'd kill them all!

Loki shook his head and watched closely, having an idea of what was happening. It was obvious the Aesir were losing. Hel was turning the tides. The smoke split and twisted into hundreds of thin tendrils. They slammed into the elves, taking them down instantly.

Loki called the men to order and they rushed in again, finishing off the last of them. They left few to retreat. All was silent as it ended. Many turned to see Hel standing on a small hill. She pulled her hood back on and walked calmly to Loki. He helped her up behind him and a cheer went up as everyone realized they'd won.

They were headed back to where the Bifrost had dropped them when a pale figure appeared. Hel cried out and jumped from Sleipnir, running to him. He picked her up and swung her around, kissing her. Loki chuckled and waved to the man as the couple headed back to the battlefield. They had work to do.

Few had ever seen Luk at work. Some of the men stopped to watch as the god of death walked through the fallen. They couldn't see anything, really. No ghostly soul rose at his command, no black smoke. He simply seemed to walk through. Everyone knew, of course, that he was taking the dead souls to be buried on Nilfheim. They would not roam as they did in legend, like those Greek myths. They were dead, it was simple. He simply took care of the clean up. It was depressing to think about. Nonetheless, it was the truth.

Hel joined him at his encouragement and together, they finished. Finally, Luk took her hand and they walked back to the army. Luk bowed with a strange smirk. He straightened and shrugged.

"I suppose it is strange to see me at work?" Some nodded in reply. They were surprised at the understanding and kind note in his voice, at the peaceful glint in his eye. He was handsome, it was true. More so than should be natural for a god of death. And yet, here he was, turning the heads of the few women among the men. It was true; Death certainly could seduce the maiden. And it seemed he had done just so with the Princess Hel.

Loki nodded hello to him as the Bifrost took up the next group. Luk waved and turned to Hel. She waited for Loki's nod of approval and then grinned, taking Luk's hand. He turned suddenly and picked her up. She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, ignoring that her hood had fallen.

Loki smiled. "Behave, you two!"

Luk was already walking away. He called back over his shoulder. "You can't tell us that in three days!"

Hel waved as Luk took another step, disappearing into thin air. Loki turned to Thor. "Is it really only three days until the wedding?"

"Mhm." Thor smirked. "Not looking forward to giving her away, are you?"

Loki shook his head. He sighed and patted Sleipnir. "At least, I still have you and Fenrir." Sleipnir huffed and pounded his hoof to the ground in agreement.