Dancing with a Monster

Chapter 7

It's been at least four days since Daenrys's promise to Frigga, but the young woman never got the chance to even catch a glimpse of Loki the past few days. And though she genuinely wanted to keep her promise, she was scared to talk to her fiancé again after what happened in the garden. In fact, she didn't speak to a lot of people, just to Doreha, the dark haired woman took an interest in a young squire and then to Thor at dinners, having to listen about his last hunting trip every single time. 

As boredom took over Daenerys's life, the young woman decided to leave the castle for a few hours. It was on rare occasions that she could leave King's Landing and go to the countryside, so now that she was closer and that her brother didn't seem to pay any sort of attention to her these last few days, she decided it was the right time. Finding her old leather pants and a thick beige and green jacket, she put her outfit on and jumped in her boots. 

Heading to the stables, she ran into an ostler, holding a fork and putting hay in each of the horses's stall. 

-Excuse me sir, do you think I could ride one of these horses? she asked quietly. 

The man nodded, making a sign to follow him, still holding his fork.

-I could advise you Rylee, the grey mare, Verbrem this palomino stallion or perhaps Iothla, this dun lady... 

Daenerys took a good look at each horse the man proposed, having a bit of a preference for Verbrem, the stallion looking more energic and sharp. 

-Those names are not from here, where do you get your horses? she asked, patting the grey mare's nose. 

The ostler put his fork down, a small smile on his lips. 

-Nah, they're from across the sea.

-From Essos? 

The princess squinted her eyes, knowing that almost all of the horses on the other continent belonged to the Dothraki people. 

-No, from Alfheim on the south. It's huh... Our lord Loki loves horses, so he goes there every year, picks a few and bring them back on boats. 

The thought of Loki, carefully picking horses by patting them and spending time with them put a smile on Daenerys's lips. 

-Does his horse come from Alfheim too? 

-He does.

Daenerys suddenly turned around to the familiar voice. Loki was just a shadow as the sun beamed behind him. When he got closer, the ostler took his fork back and just left the place. The young woman suddenly felt very small, in these huge stables, Loki in all his greatness towering over her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and timidly looked up in her fiancé's eyes. 

-Would you like to see him? he asked simply. 

The heavyness that lied in Daenerys's heart suddenly felt lighter and she firmly nodded, a shy smile pulling at the corner of her lips. The raven haired man offered her his hand, wich she took, still surprised by the coldness of it. But she let him leed her throught other stables and followed him on a paved path that led to green pastures, bathed in the southern sun. As most of the horses were grazing among sheeps, a few of them were galloping, the soft breeze blowing through their horsehair. 

-Come. 

Loki's deep voice almsot made Daenerys jump as he opened the wooden gate and took two halters hanging from one of the poles and suddenly turned around to Daenerys.

-I see you've planed this ride. he said with a smirk, pointing at her pants. 

A light chuckle escaped her lips as he kept walking to the horses. Loki placed his fingers between his lips and a loud whistle echoed through the valley. Almost instantly, the black horse stopped in his tracks before neighing. He seemed to take a moment to identify them before resuming his gallop, toward his rider this time. But as Daenerys was admiring the stallion, another horse appeared from beind the hill, it's white hair like a magic halo galloping toward them. The young woman rarely seen such a horse, it's gait proud and delicate. 

A huff from Loki tore her out of her awe, making her look a him, a frown on her face.

-She wasn't supposed to come... he said as he put one of the halters around his stallion's head.

He seemed disappointed about it, but Daenerys could hardly take her eyes off of the mare only a few feet away from them now. 

-Why, what's wrong with her? 

Loki looked at the ground for a minute, looking almost... ashamed. 

-She huh... I...

It was the first time Daenerys saw Loki stumble on his words and it only made her worry even more. 

-I brought her here as a... A wedding gift, for you. She's for you. 

The princess couldn't believe it. The white beauty was now next to them, wriggling her ears and sniffing Daenerys's clothes. The silver haired woman gently touched the mare's grey and soft nose, squinted her eyes as the sun reflecting on the shining white coat was almost blinding. Was this pure jewel really hers? 

The little mare shook her head and took a step back from Daenerys when Loki handed her the other halter. The princess carefully took it and delicately put it around the white beauty's head. 

-Her name's Silevil. 

Loki's voice was almost a whisper and for a moment, Daenerys had to ask herself if she really heard him. 

-Does it mean something specific, in Alfheim? she asked softly

-It does. It means Shining White. 

Daenerys let out a small laugh, patting the mare's neck gently.

-That does suit her. What about yours? 

-His name's Eglamen. 

Loki hesitated for few seconds and Daenerys couldn't help but notice the flash of sadness that flew through his eyes. 

-From where he's from, it means Forsaken. 

The dark horse was quiet, staying still at his rider's side, his lids almost closed. As for Silevil, the mare wouldn't stop moving, not really helping Daenerys to stay on her feet. Suddenly, Loki walked up next to her and took the leading rein from her hands, tiying it to each side of the white mare's  halter, making it rein. 

-Shouldn't we prepare and saddle them back at the stables? Daenerys asked confused. 

A devilish smile appeared on Loki's lips as he placed his hands around the princess's waist. 

-Who needs a saddle? he asked an eyebrow raised. 

Daenerys wanted to stop him, to tell him how dangerous and reckless he was, but in seconds, she found herself being propeled on Silevil's back, her heart racing and her legs trembling.