A Changed Man (A Loki fan fiction)

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Danielle's POV: 

Thor was shivering... Literally, the man couldnt get a word out. 

Man, how deep was the snow!? It was so hard to walk about in it... But the crisp coolness was just like Christmas... sort of minty fresh... it only lacked the scent of cinnamon. I started walking slower, imagining Christmas in the warmth of my parents room that overlooked New York City. 

Sparkling lights and giant shiny snowflakes stuck to buildings... now it probably looks tacky, but back then it was definitely magical. Mom would hug me and nothing delighted me more than her telling me exactly what she'd be making for christmas dinner and how she'd be making it. It was like a bedtime story. Dad would be smoking a cigar, cracking the occasional joke at whatever mom said. It was perfect. 

I stopped for a minute to fill my lungs with the fresh air. I think my nose froze, but it was a wonderful feeling. 

"Come along now!" Thor yelled. "You can breathe later, i need a blanket and an ox!"

I ran to where he was standing (it was not easy!) and we continued on our journey. 

******

"Lookie!" I pointed to the tall stone wall. "The home of your people."

He smiled weakly and banged on the big gates.... The bolt opened with a loud creak, and the gates opened up...

And wow. 

It was like someting out of the Smurfs Village game. Small huts with smoke coming out, people walking around with ear muffs and gloves and caps, looking buried in fur. And they all looked content. There were no fields, obviously, it was all under the snow. There we small gardens scattered over the village, some with swings and some with colorful benches. A path was cleared and pretty stone tiles led to a big hut that seemed to be a bakery. That was probably the most important place to go during winters anyway. I smiled. 

People recognised Thor quickly.... the crowd moved to us and everyone was excitedly chattering. Someone got Thor a white fur blanket to wrap himself in and others led him through the stone path. I stood there admiring the view. Gosh, it was perfect. I could never quite capture it in words or photographs. 

******

"You wish to go to Áhkkà!?" a girl asked Thor as he gulped down his fifth cup of hot chocolate. He was like a child who discovered... well, hot chocolate. 

"Yes... for reasons best left unsaid." I told her. She was sitting very close to him and batting her eyelashes, but Thor was too busy with a hot drink and fresh bread.

"It is dangerous!"

"Yes.."

"But i believe in Almighty Thor..." she stroked his arm. God, she's bold. Two blonde braids rested on her shoulders and she wore a bright green sweater with woolen gloves. The very picture of a village girl. Except this one was flirting. 

"Ella!" 

The girl jumped up and ran to the back of the hut and Thor laughed. "I dont suppose they know I have a wife."

"Oh no, they believe your wife is Sif."

"Sif!?" he looked alarmed. 

"My Lord, Thor Odinson!" the old man who called Ella's name sat down slowly beside Thor. He looked at the bread Thor had left half eaten to talk to me. 

"I hope you were treated well, my Lord. The dinner will be grand, I assure you, if you would stay the night."

"Thank you!" Thor replied smiling. Well, I half expected him to start chewing again. 

"Not that I lack faith in you, Lord, or may Odin strike me down..." the man looked to the sky then back at Thor. I had to smile. This was so... proper and unnatural. "But a journey to Áhkkà is most dangerous, given your companion is..." he paused and looked down. 

"Companian is WHAT!?" I asked, a little louder than I intended to. 

"You must understand, as the wife of the trickster god, one is...."

I stood up and felt Thor hold me arm. I pushed him back to his seat and walked away.