A Feather's Trick ➸ Loki fanfiction

Chapter 3

"Thor." Joy and confusion fought for control.

"Luftie." He greeted me enthusiastically with an old nickname. "How long have you been here?" He seemed angry.

"Too long." I rolled my eyes. "Why are you here? Am I no longer banished?" I asked, excitement threatening to explode out of my chest.

His gaze dropped, "I shall tell you once I get you out of here."

"Are we fighting are way out? Because there is a dreadful guard on the outside whom I should love to sho-"

"No." He interrupted. "They are letting you go."

"Really? Why?"

"Because I told them to." He smiled once again.

"Well why did you not do that in the first place?" I yelled angrily, my wrists being held back by the wrist restraints. He danced out of my reach. We both knew it was a good thing I was still restrained.

"Things have been very busy." He whispered.

"Alright, alright. Get me out so you can tell me all about it." I calmed down.

The moment he undid the restraints holding my wings high, I slapped him with one.

"Luftie!" He rubbed his head in annoyance. I smiled cheekily. He undid my wrist restraints. "Alright, grab Vindr and let us leave."

I nodded quickly, and reached for it. It rolled away slightly. I grumbled. I reached again, and it rolled back.

"Vindr." I whispered angrily, hoping Thor had not noticed my defiant weapon. "I know it has been too long. You were not that far. Stop making a big deal of it." I reached for it once again. Just as my fingers brushed my bow, it slipped out of my grasp. "I am sorry. I will make it up to you." I vowed, hoping that my apology would appease it. It hesitantly brushed against my fingers, and I snatched it up before it rolled away again. The quiver was more easily persuaded.

"Difficulty Luft?" Thor smirked.

"Oh shut up." I shoved him.

As Thor led me out, I stuck my tongue out at some of my guards, slapped a few with my wings, and glared at the man who had interrogated me. It became apparent they were intimidated by Thor when none of them told me off.

"I should never find Luft in SHIELD's cells again." Thor warned them ominously. "She is no threat to you and one of my most valuable allies." My heart warmed as he said this. The men saluted him, as we left the building.

"Those people were not that bright. I do hope there are more intelligent humans. Where are we off to then? Back to Asgard? Shall we explore Midguard a bit more?" I rambled on. I trailed off as Thor said nothing. "Thor...?"

"He is dead." Thor looked me in the eyes.

"Who is dead? What are you talking about?"

"Loki is dead."

"What?" I stepped back, not wanting to believe it. Last time I saw him, I had been angry at him, yes. I had not wanted to see him dead. "That cannot be true."

"It is Luft. I saw it with my own eyes. It is why I could not look for you sooner." He bent his head as he explained that Loki had made a noble sacrifice during my captivity. Loki had effectively helped save the Nine Realms. I almost wanted to forgive the deceased God. Almost. "He cared for you greatly, you know?"

"If he cared, he would not have caused me to be banished." I said without thought. "Thankfully that is over now, and we can move on." I added hastily.

"You are still banished." Thor added quietly.

"You must be mistaken, about all of it." I felt my relatively newfound anger rise once again.

"Loki's death has not lessened your sentence." He smiled sadly.

I had been counting on Loki being my ticket back to Asgard, somehow. I was torn between grief for Loki and rage at him. How could he leave, betray then abandon me?

"So I am doomed to remain here?" I demanded bitterly.

"Have you learnt nothing?" He asked hopefully.

"I cannot say that I have, considering I was locked up the whole time." I stared at him pointedly. He looked sheepish.

"Reflect on the past, Luft. Perhaps it will help." He told me as though it was an obvious hint.

"That is all I have been doing!" I retorted. "Is that all you can tell me?"

"Stay out of trouble, Luftie." He half smiled. "Heimdall?" He was gone before I could say anything more.

"That is easier said than done around here." I huffed to no one. I looked around, unsure of where I was. "Wait! What do I do now? Where do I go?" I yelled at the sky as though Thor could still hear me.

One of the SHIELD agents came out and handed me a bag hastily.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Money, a phone, car keys. Thor said we were to give you this as our apology." He ducked his head before turning back.

"Wait." He stopped. "How do I use this?" I looked at what I assumed was the phone.

He spent a few minutes briefing me on the contents of the bag, for which I was grateful. Without his information, it would have taken far more time. I was not sure where to go, or what to do with myself. I just knew I could not stay here.