Walking With Shadows [#Wattys2015] [Being Edited]

The Photograph

It was nightfall before Tassel and Loki made it back. They quickly untacked their horses and hurried into the castle quietly. The pair had only just turned the first corner in the hallway when they were stopped by Thor. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his face was slightly sour, but the childish glint in his eyes said he wasn't really angry with them.

"Where have you two been? You missed supper." Thor scolded.

"We-"

"Never mind. The whole castle was in an uproar, Tassel. We thought Anson had gotten a hold of you."

Tassel's eyes dropped, and she gritted her teeth in an attempt to hold her tongue. Loki looked at her silently but said nothing. Noticing the tension, Thor cleared his throat.

"Tassel, Sif was looking for you earlier."

"Apparently the entire castle was looking for me earlier, Thor."

"She wishes to speak with you. Perhaps it would be wise to find the fair maiden and engage in whatever conversation she is wanting to have." Thor said.

He turned to his brother.

"Loki, we will have words." he said, dragging his brother off in the opposite direction to the hall where their rooms were located.

Tassel stood alone in the empty corridor, left alone once again.

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Loki was pulled along by his brother's strong grip until they were out of earshot. The castle was strangely quiet, but perhaps it was later than he had expected.

"Loki, I hope you realize Tassel is engaged." Thor prompted.

"This concerns me why?" Loki retorted.

"Well, then perhaps you would like to explain your intentions."

"Intentions?" Loki stopped in his tracks, "Brother, I think you misunderstand me. I have no intentions whatsoever with her. I'm simply trying to figure out.... Tassel! That's it!"

Loki snapped his fingers before he turned and quickly ran off.

"What's it, Loki?" Thor called after him.

Loki forced open the door to his room and began digging through the drawers of his old desk. It was clouded with dust that flew off in billows. The items inside were dated and rusty. The pages of several worn books were yellowed with age. He kept searching until he found a small photograph. It was in better condition than the rest of the items, with only a slight foxing near the corners. After blowing off the dust, Loki tenderly held the thin photograph in the light. The picture was of two children: Loki and another girl.

"So that's where you're from." Loki muttered.

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Tassel wandered down the halls, looking for the female warrior Thor had directed her to see. She felt as if she had been walking the halls for hours before finally checking the maiden's room. Sif was sitting on her bed inside, brushing out her long black hair. It cascaded down her shoulders like a black waterfall, much unlike the ponytail she always kept it in. Sif quickly set the brush down and ran to the door when she saw Tassel arrive.

"Tassel, you made it! Finally!" Sif said happily.

She quickly closed the door behind her and summoned Tassel to the bed.

"Where have you been? Anson didn't get his hands on you, did he? I hope not."

Her questions were fast and jumbled together.

"I'm perfectly fine. I went for a ride, that's all." Tassel reassured her.

Sif raised an eyebrow, "Alone?"

Yes, alone, Tassel thought.

It was what she wanted to say. She wanted to say anything other than that she went on a ride with Loki.

"No, I went with-"

"Loki? That explains it then. He wasn't at supper either. You had the castle in a frantic search, you know." Sif began, but Tassel cut her off.

"Yes, I know. You thought Anson had done something with me. I've heard all the details from Thor. You really don't have to go through it again. Do you all honestly think I don't know how to fight him off? I'm not weak!" Tassel snapped.

Sif blinked a few times in disbelief.

"No, of course you're not weak. I never said you were. We're all just worried about you, that's all. Anson's not really a man to be reckoned with, in our books anyway." Sif said.

"Well, don't be! I can take care of myself perfectly fine. I don't need anybody's help."

Sif sat there stunned for a minute before asking, "So what did Thor want to talk to you about? Is everything alright?"

"Oh, yes. Everything's fine. He didn't want to talk about anything really. I guess he just wanted me to watch him take my dignity and snap it in two," Tassel said simply, "You know Sif, I'm really tired. I think I'm just going to go to bed."

Tassel got up quickly and left before Sif could ask anymore questions.