Vanity is Calling

A Duel

The main courtyard was alive activities.  They ranged from dramatic performances, falconry, archery, and sword fighting.  

"Ah!"Loki's eyes danced with complete relish.  "Fandral."He grinned.  Fandral was dueling with Volstagg.  Sif, Hogun and Thor were front and center watching the action.  Loki and Freya made their way to join them.

"You're losing your touch!"Fandral teased.  Volstagg took a swing which Fandral deflected with ease.  A few giddy girls to the side squealed with delight.  Fandral was pleased to the say least.  Freya felt ill.  

"Ugh."She protested.

"He's not so bad."Loki defended.  Of all the warriors three, Fandral was perhaps the kindest to Loki.  Still, he did come across a bit too presumptious for Freya's taste.  A couple more swings and a final flourish that made Volstagg's sword flip out of his grasp and clatter to the ground.  The giddy girl section cheered with delight.

"Who's next?"Fandral said as he strutted about like a ridiculous rooster.

"Hand me a sword..."came Loki's low determined voice.  Freya was suddenly excited, but she maintained her dignity and only applauded along with Thor, and to her surprise Sif, Volstagg and Hogun.  The giddy girls were whispering to each other as Loki came into the square.  Fandral handed him a sword.

"No tricks now, Loki!"He winked.

"On my honor."Loki said with one hand over his heart. 

"Begin."Fandral said with a bow.  Loki bowed in return.  The two of them circled each other; eyes locked and swords at the ready.  The giddy girls looked positively absurd standing frozen with their fists clenched to their chests.  Freya rolled her eyes.  

"Come brother!"Thor's voice boomed. "Take a swing!'

Fandral and Loki continued to slowly circle each other, both daring the other to take that first swing. Finally, it was Fandral who took the first swing.  The giddy girls squealed.  Loki deflected it with ease.  The game was on.  Freya chewed her bottom lip as she watched Loki move.  It was both beautiful and exhilarating.  

"Surely you can do better than this, Loki!  I grow tired of these old school moves."Fandral teased. 

"I thought that was all you knew."Loki shrugged.  A few more strikes and a quick thrust from Fandral and Loki's sword flipped out of his hand.  Loki watched where it would land and Fandral took the opportunity he had to knock Loki off his feet.  He pointed his sword inches from Loki's neck.  The giddy girls cheered and squealed louder than ever.  Freya wanted to vomit.  Fandral, in a moment of glory-hogging weakness, turned and blew kisses to the giddy-girls.  It was his mistake.  Loki grabbed him by the ankle, and pulled him down to the ground.  In that same instant, Loki rolled grabbing his sword, then he jumped to his feet and pointed his sword right at Fandral's neck.

"Never turn your back on your enemy."Loki whispered.  Fandral swallowed hard; looking at Loki almost paralyzed with fear.  Sif clutched her sword and moved forward, but Thor grabbed her arm and gave her a look of reassurance.  After another minute, Loki pulled back his sword and offered his hand to Fandral.  Fandral took it with caution.

"Well done!"Loki smiled.

"Indeed!"Fandral said clapping Loki on the back.  There was a collective sigh of relief.  The giddy girls were half sobbing and half fawning as Fandral aprroached them.

"It seems Fandral has his own personal cheering section!"Thor exclaimed as Loki approached.  "Was that actually necessary?"He said to Loki under his breath.

"What?"Loki shrugged.  "I would never hurt such a..."Loki turned toward Fandral and his gaggle of giddy girls, before finishing with, "celebrity."