The Black Knight

Nightmares

Loki walks carefully through the rubble of buildings and burning cars in the city he once tried to conquer. The bodies of those that resisted lie strewn among the rubble, their lifeless eyes full of fear. Loki looks up at the sky and recognizes the Stark building at the end of the street.

Something at the foot of the building catches his eye and he makes his way towards it. As he gets closer he realizes what it is and starts running. He drops to his knees beside the beaten and bloodied body of Thor. Tears fall down his face as he desperately searches for any sign of life in his brother.

He gasps as a familiar pain surges through his body. Glancing down he sees the sword that pierced his body. He turns to look over his shoulder and falls forward on top of Thor.

Loki's eyes fly open and he feels Saga stirring beside him. His tense muscles relax at her touch as she places a hand on his bare chest. She lays her head on his shoulder and he puts his free hand behind his head. "It was only a dream." He sighs and closes his eyes as sleep overtakes him once more.

The sun streams in through the open door and warms his face with its golden light. He moves his right arm across his face to shield his eyes from the blinding light. Laughter, like the tinkling of bells reaches his ears. He frowns and feels around on the bed. He groans and sits up on the edge of the bed, his disheveled hair falling in his face. Finally opening his bleary eyes, he follows the sound of laughter out onto the balcony.

He finds Saga, seated on the lounge, and Fandral, leaning on the railing, deep in conversation. Fandral grins as Loki steps out onto the sunlit balcony. "How kind of you to finally join us. Couldn't find your brush?" He laughs as he downs what remains of the drink in his hand.

Loki ignores him and sits down on the floor in front of Saga. She rests her hand on his bare shoulder and smiles. He pulls one leg up and rests his arm on his knee. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit dear friend?" He asks rather flatly.

Fandral sets his cup down on the railing. "I came by to ensure you were treating my good friend and my sister properly. Saga tells me how wonderful you have been over these last few months while Astrid tells me of your daily abuse towards herself."

Loki sighs and leans his head back on the lounge and closes his eyes. "The so called abuse is mutual I assure you."

Fandral nods, "So the Lady Saga tells me." He bows his head. "I should get back to the city. Goodbye my friends." He sweeps past them and out the door.

Saga brushes his hair out of his eyes. "What troubles you my love?"

He turns his head and kisses her hand. "It's nothing."

She chuckles lightly, "You can't hide from me, remember? Besides I know you aren't sleeping well and I can feel your tension."

Loki sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "I've been having these dreams..." He pauses and shakes his head. "For the last few nights I've dreamed about Midgard...about Earth. Always the same, empty streets, buildings in ruins, bodies everywhere. But last night..."

Saga places a hand on the side of his face and turns his head to face her. "What did you see?" She asks with a sense of urgency in her voice.

Loki frowns, "I saw the same as before only this time I saw Thor. I ran to him but I was too late. He was dead."

"What else?"

"How did you know there was more?"

"Tell me Loki! What else?!"

He turns around and kneels beside her. "Pain. Someone had run me through with their sword."

"Who? Who was it?!" Her eyes now wide and full of fear.