Stolen Relic ~ A Loki Fanfic

Chapter Seventeen

It's been a while since I updated. I'm terribly sorry. I hope you enjoy the update. I look forward to hearing what you think!

Happy Reading!

><><><><><

The feast was one of the most grand in memory. Everyone living in the capital was invited to celebrate Thor's victory. Every child of Asgard knew the legend of General Harokin, they grew up hearing the tales of the greatest general in Asgardian history who betrayed his king. And now, the grandson of that King had defeated Asgard's legendary enemy. Not only defeated, but had done so without the loss of a single man. No one was going to miss the opportunity for such a celebration.

The All Father ordered the best of the best; food and mead and ale and music. All for the perfect night of feasting and dancing. Every servant in the palace was occupied with preparations for the feast. They were all excused from their normal duties so everything was perfect to celebrate the savior of Asgard.

The feast was grander than Loki expected. Grander than he had ever witnessed, and the whole thing went straight to Thor's already inflated ego. Thor had begun celebrating with The Warriors Three early in the day, and by the time dinner was served he and Volstagg were in fine form.

Loki was seated at his brother's side as was befitting his rank as Thor's second. After the food was served however, Volstagg dragged a chair up and wedged his large frame between the two so he and Thor could laugh together. Loki slid down, closer to Lady Sif who tensed and glared at him as though daring him to speak to her.

Sif still hasn't forgiven him for beating her so handily in front of Odin. Sif had worked hard for her rank and even harder to be viewed as equal among the male soldiers. He had not intended to humiliate her, he knew better than anyone how difficult it could be striving for their acceptance and approval. Despite his intentions however, it happened just the same. All it had taken was a single careless moment on his part and in Sif's mind all of her hard work was destroyed.

He opened his mouth to say something but the glare she shot him had him closing his mouth and taking another bite of his meal. Disgust flooded him as he realized she would never forgive him. She had certainly gained notoriety fighting in what was now being called The Battle of Harokin, but that was among the masses. Winning the respect of Odin and General Torik was no small feat and Loki had ruined that for her.

Loki's head was pounding and as he sat, watching the revelers the tips of his fingers tingled with the ghost of power. He jolted, closing his hand into a fist in disbelief. It wasn't real. He was imagining things in his exhaustion. He reached for his goblet and just before his fingers touched the gilded cup he would have sworn he saw magenta sparks come from his fingers. He seized the goblet, jerking it back towards his body, glancing at those around him to see if anyone else noticed. But as usual no one was paying any attention to him. He closed his eyes briefly, wondering if he was going mad. As soon as his eyes closed he heard the echoing, sensual laughter of Magdol. His eyes snapped open and he downed the contents of his goblet in one long pull. When he set the cup back down on the table his hands were trembling. The mead helped and without comment he reached for the untouched glass sitting before Hogun.

Following the meal Odin rose to his feet and a hush fell over the gathered crowd. "Asgard's greatest enemy of old has been defeated!" Odin called holding his arms aloft dramatically. "Our soldiers fought bravely in the wastelands of Alfheim against none other than General Harokin himself. One brave warrior rose above all others. No matter how strong or how sly evil might be there will always be a champion to challenge and defeat it. A champion such as the mighty Thor! And so rise up ye loyal citizens of Asgard and praise these heroes."