Winter Heart [Thorki]

Chapter Two

Unlikely Savior

"Loki, stay here for a bit, I'll be back."

Loki watched his mother leave with a puzzled look, wondering why she had suddenly grown so tense and wary when not even a minute ago her red eyes were filled with glee and she was laughing alongside him with mirth.

Loki concluded it possibly had something to do with the gather of warriors that made his mother so tense. His curiosity getting the better of him, Loki decided to follow Farbauti and see just what all this commotion was about.

Rearranging his loincloth and fur, Loki quietly crept after his mother, sticking to the shadows so not to be seen by any passing Jotuns. Of course Loki's strange size kept him well hidden and hard to hear as it is.

Managing to creep along unnoticed, Loki stopped at the entrance of the throne room, peeping his head out from around the corner of the icy palace he called home.

The only occupants in the room were Farbauti, Laufey, and one other Jotun, Loki recognizing him as a guard. His father looked livid, his mother worried, and Loki was anxious to know what was occuring, so he strained his ears to listen to what each had to say.

"How long until they arrive?" Loki heard his father ask, his voice a quiet hiss, as if he didn't want to be overheard.

"Soon," The guard replied, his voice also low.

Laufey gnashed his teeth together, looking all the more furious. Loki cowered slightly in his hiding spot, even though he was certain his father had no idea of his presence. Loki personally knew just how terrifying his father gets when angry.

"Then we'll catch them unaware. Farbauti, take the women and children and hide them deep within the palace." Laufey directed his words to Farbauti, who had been listening anxiously. She dipped her head in a slight nod before turning to make her way from the room.

Loki, knowing his mother would come for him first, turned and scrambled hastily back to his chambers, using well known short cuts so he could beat his mother there.

Who are they, Loki wondered to himself while he settled back onto the floor to await his mother's return. Certainly they aren't Asgardians...are they? Loki had never seen one before, but he grew up listening to stories on how terrible they were. Vile, ugly creatures, with a mean old king determined to destroy the Jotunar. Loki was curious as to what they looked like, but terrified all the same.

Loki wasn't able to dwell on his curiosity for long, because his mother soon returned, getting on her knees before him. "Loki my darling, you must listen to me." She began quickly, her voice rushed. "Do you remember that little cave you and I would always play by, and you would have to retrieve whatever we accidentally threw in there?"

Loki nodded, searching the beloved and familiar crimson color of his mother's eyes for any reassurances as to whatever was happening. He found none, for she was as frightened as he was.

"I need you to go there, quickly. I would go with you but I cannot fit in that cave, and I must attend to hiding the other children and women."

His eyes wide and fearful, Loki nodded silently, hastily getting to his feet. Before leaving his chambers however, he threw his arms tightly around his mother. "I'll see you later." he said, intending to keep his word.

Farbauti watched her son go with worry deep in her heart. She knew she was unable to risk keeping him in the palace by her side, what with Asgardians coming. Sending him far, far away would ensure his safety, no matter the pain she felt in her heart.

She quickly pushed any negativity from her mind. She'd see him again.

Once Loki was out of the icy palace, he began trudging through the snow. He wasn't as large as other Jotun children, but he managed to walk through snow just as easily because of his light weight. 

Trying hard not to look over his shoulder ever minute, he continued at a steady pace to the familiar patch of ice that he would spend countless hours on with his mother, playing, singing, reading, or just sharing each other's company.

While hastily on his way to the cave, Loki heard a familiar growl behind him. Turning around, Loki grinned when he noticed the Frost Beast cub that Loki had rescued and returned to it's family. Since then, the Frost Beast became a dear friend of Loki's.

The Frost Beast, which Loki had yet to find a name for, affectionately nudged Loki's arm and trudged through the snow alongside him, sometimes bouncing ahead, it's barbed tail waving in the air excitedly.

His cheery mood returning at his friend's sudden appearance made Loki unaware of the strange blue light that seemed to be forming not very far from his location. In fact, Loki was completely unaware of it until he heard an ear deafening boom which caused the Frost Beast to let out a frightened yelp before it scurried ahead of Loki and disappeared in the cave they were heading for.

Loki shielded his eyes from the bright light, and when he lifted his arm again, he saw a mas of gold armor and strange, four legged fury beasts. "Asgardians..." He breathed. They certainly looked nothing like he had imagined, though he was well enough away that he didn't exactly have a clear view of them.

Not willing to find out exactly how vile they were, Loki quickly hurried after his Frost Beast towards the cave.

Before he could manage however, Loki heard thunderous roars and saw a mass of Jotun warriors surge forward, towards the Asgardians. Loki thought nothing of it -in fact he was glad his kinship were attacking the monsters- until he noticed a small form struggling through the snow, away from the battle. Loki watched with curiosity until his heart clenched with fear when he saw Jotun warriors advance on the small form.

Veering away from the cave, Loki dashed through the snow to come to the stranger's aid. He was a few feet away when he noticed one of the Jotun's, unaware to the small strangers presence, deliver a near fatal blow merely by dashing by the stranger.

The stranger collapsed in the snow, and Loki quickly dashed forward to help him, hooking his hands under the other's arms before dragging him to the cave, and away from the thunderous cries of the battle.

Loki looked down and noticed the stranger was bleeding profusely from a rather nasty wound on the side of his face. Loki also noticed how the stranger had golden hair, his skin contrasting painfully to Loki's blue skin.

He's Asgardian... Loki realized, but that didn't stop him from trying to assist the young Asgardian. He noticed the stranger's mouth open slightly, as if he were trying to speak. Loki let out a desperate cry to try and keep him awake, but the Asgardian only grew more limp in Loki's arms.

Loki didn't know if the young Asgardian was dead or alive.