Into Darkness

Chapter 26

"See," Loki remarked.  "Horse backing riding is not that difficult."  I rolled my eyes, huffing out a breath of air.

Riding turned out to be not as bad as I had once believed.  Once I got a hang of directing Aurea, I wasn't as nearly as freaked out as I was before.  Aurea knew what she was doing, staying directly beside Skygge and Loki as if she knew I wasn't very good at it.

"Says the dude who grew up riding horses."  I hissed and I heard Tony almost snort.  Earning him yet another glare from my brother.

"Tony, you do know he's going to kill you one of these times."  Clint explained and Tony let out another laugh.

"Munchkin will protect me, won't you Lorien?" 

"Call me munchkin again and I'll be doing the killing."  I threatened and Tony shrugged. 

"Whatever munchkin."  He sighed and I let out a noise that was a mix of a growl and some sort of scream and Tony's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"What in the nine worlds was that?"  Thor exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"My war cry."  I paused, looking back at Tony. "Hello, my name is Lorien and you called me munchkin—now prepare to die."

"Did you really just quote The Princess Bride, just to threaten me?"  Tony gapped.

"Tony watched The Princess Bride?"  Natasha and Skye exclaimed almost at the same time.  Tony rapidly shook his head.

"N-no, no, Pepper watch it all the time an—"

"Who'd I quote?"

"Inigo Montoya."  Tony answered way to quickly.  I smirked in victory.

"You watched it."  I mused, watching as Tony's face lit up in embarrassment.

"What are you two bickering about?"  Loki chuckled.  I looked back up at him.

"An Earth movie that Tony claims he didn't watch."  I explained. 

"I didn't!"  Tony whined. 

"Yes you did."  I snapped.  Loki's shoulders shook as he laughed, glancing between Tony and I.

"Why is he so embarrassed about it."  Loki asked, glancing back at Tony's beat red face.

"It's deemed a 'girly' movie which makes absolutely no sense, because it—"

"Fine!  I watched it."  Tony seethed through clenched teeth.  A smirk crossed my face and punched the air in victory.

"I hope you know that she's not going to let you live that down." Cling laughed, probably enjoying how red Tony's face was getting.

"That's what happens when you call me munchkin, kids."

~*~

After two hours of continuous riding, we came across a break in the trees and stopped to rest. We had long since left the village surrounding the palace and we were now traveling along a dirt road backed by thick woods on either side. And in the distance, a range of towering mountains that drew closer with every mile.

Loki explained that the mountains were at the very edge of the kingdom and on the other side laid another kingdom entirely. The mountain range was known as the Arvads, which simply translated into, The Wanderers.

I understood why they chose the name. The mountains themselves seemed foreign and lost. There was a feeling of loneliness that I got from them. And I learned from Loki that they were home to those who thought they didn't belong or simply wanted freedom. Many witches and enchanters lived throughout the trees as Loki explained.