Believe in Magic [a Loki fanfic]

Mischief rediscovered

Thor watched his brother with interest. Loki had changed since he had brought the girl back from Niflheim, something in him had definitely shifted. At least it seemed that when the dark prince was around her, he discarded the bitterness and retrieved his brighter, mischievous self. The God of Thunder had gone for a walk around the village when he spotted Loki teaching Ella archery, he decided to stop to watch. There seemed to be a problem with the bowstring as Ella tried to pull it tight, but was evidently not strong enough. Loki chuckled, shaking his head at her futile attempts in obvious amusement before he took the bow out of the girl's hand. The smile stayed on his face as he continued to fix the bowstring for her.

"Humans, even for the most menial task you require the help of a god." Loki teased her.

"Well, we lesser mortals need to keep you busy somehow. Otherwise you would be sitting around in your palace, twiddling your thumbs, Mister Mischief." He smirked at the nickname she gave him.

There was a glint in Loki's eyes as he bowed slightly, handing her the bow to let her inspect it.

"My pleasure to be of service to you, Miss Mortal." 

"You seem to be a most helpful god after all. I would consider keeping you ... if it was not for that brazen tongue of yours."

Loki stepped up behind her. 

Hmm. I could think of a few ways to put this brazen tongue of mine to good use.

Ella blushed. Loki smirked. Then he handed her an arrow. She positioned it and drew the bowstring back, while Loki adjusted her posture slightly, one of his hands on her arm, the other on her hip.

"Focus," he said, "become one with the target. Discard everything else that is on your mind."

His lips were right next to her ear, his cool breath fluttering against her skin.

"Loki, I cannot focus if you are this close."

"Good. A little challenge has never hurt anyone."

Ella closed her eyes and pushed all thoughts out of her mind, focusing on Loki's magic and the feeling of safety and peace he gave her. Then she centered herself inside her heart, opened her eyes, pulled back all the way, aimed and let go. The master of magic did not give her time to admire her achievement, as he already held another arrow in his hand urging her to shoot it. Ella missed the target only three times, the rest of the arrows had pierced the inner third of the circle. When Loki stopped conjuring more arrows she let her arm sink with a sigh of relief. If she was going to keep this up, she would seriously need to work on strengthening her shoulders and arms.

"Promising for a beginner," Loki said, "You have talent, but you need to practice."

"I need lunch." Ella sighed and Loki shook his head in feigned bemusement.

"For such a puny person, you have a rather uncanny appetite."

"Eir's orders. Eat as much as you like, whenever you can," she grinned. "Satisfaction does not seem to be in my nature, when it comes to food at least." 

Loki smiled at her words. "Satisfaction is not in my nature either, little one."

"Thank you for teaching me." Loki scowled at her and Ella chuckled softly. "I will go pick up the food and meet you at my yurt." With that she turned and darted off in direction of the cottages. 

Loki walked back towards the village, letting the bow, arrows and target disappear with a flick of his hand, when his eyes caught Thor leaning against an old oak tree.

How long had he been watching them?

The God of Thunder fell in next to Loki as the dark prince walked past him.

"You are courting her?" It was more a statement than a question.

"And why would this concern you?" Loki's jaw tightened but he kept his eyes ahead.

"No need to be defensive, brother."

"I am not your brother."

Thor put up his hands apologetically - he had definitely tread on a sore toe.

"She is to be a priestess of the Goddess, Loki." 

"I am aware."

"So how far are you going to take this? Why play with her? Why give her hope?" Loki stopped, glaring at Thor.

"I would appreciate, if you did not speak of her as if she was a toy of mine."

"If you really care for her, you should speak with the Elders – or our Father."

"YOUR father is the one who put her into this situation. The condition for staying here is that she would accept whatever role is given to her. If she does not comply, she will be sent back to Midgard. She was forced into the role of a priestess bound by her word to Odin."

"You well know what happens once she starts serving the Goddess."

"I will not allow anyone to lay hand on her." Loki snarled, the fire of anger glinting in his eyes.

"This is exactly what I am concerned about. We do not wish to start another war with Vanaheim just because you think that you can court a priestess and then kill everyone who dares to touch her, because it will happen if she is to carry out her duties. You must speak to father about this." To Thor's surprise Loki did not react with the usual outburst, instead the God of Mischief heaved a sigh and rubbed his forhead with his hands.

"He knows, Thor. Odin knew all along. That is why he gave her to the Vanir as a priestess, because he knew about my feelings for her. The Allfather is more cruel than the Norns. Do you know what it is like, Thor? What it is like for me to be around her? Speak with her, see her, touch her, yet unable to really be with her? But I will rather have it this way, then give her up entirely."

Thor's gaze became soft, as he beheld the Jotun prince. It was probably the first time they mangaged to have a conversation that went beyond arguing, and Loki had never spoken so openly to Thor about his feelings before.

"You love her?"

"And what if I did?"

"I would be happy for you."

Loki for once remained silent.

"Does she know who you are?"

At that Loki's head snapped up, the look in his dark eyes was menacing.

"She must never know." He hissed.

"Loki you claim to love her but you do not -"

Thor took a surprised step back as Loki pounced forward, one of his hands shooting out to grab the God of Thunder's throat.

"She. Must. Never. Know." Loki reapeated slowly. "Never."

"Brother, calm yourself."

The dark prince let go, stepped back and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Loki, do you not think she deserves to know the truth?"

"The truth is that I am one of the monsters that slaughtered her family and brought her to Niflheim. She was abducted by Frost Giants, Thor. She can never know that I am one of them."