Thaw

Loki.

I awoke the next morning to find myself alone inside the hall, I stood from the mat and stretched my stiff body caused by sleeping on the hard ground. I found a note beside my mat and picked it up.

'Out hunting, there's a stream out back, take your horse out." it simply read. I put the slip of parchment down and went to the grey horse now standing alone, Heimdall had probably taken the other. I took the reigns and led it outside from the back exit, we descended the wide stairs and steered off the path where I heard the sound of a light stream. We walked off the trail and into the dense forest, eventually, I spotted the stream and found myself curious about where it led. I mounted the horse and followed up the stream. 

A while later, the quiet hum of freshwater turned into a loud thunder as we entered a hidden oasis with a series of waterfalls pouring from up top. I tied the horses reins to a tree near the water body allowing her access to it. I stripped off my cloak and shirt, keeping my tank top on, I dived into the water, welcoming the pleasant feeling. Just like that all my worries melted away, I had never had the chance to see a waterfall in person, let alone swim in one. 

I stayed for a while but quickly dried myself, re-dressed, got back on the horse and rode back realizing Heimdall may come to look for me. I stopped in the meadow we had crossed earlier to allow the horse to graze. While I waited, I had picked a large bouquet of unfamiliar, yet pleasant plants and flowers when I felt and heard the ground rumbling beneath me. I began to panic and forgot about the flowers, throwing them to the ground as I ran to my horse and quickly mounted, urging her to go before I was even fully on. I rode fast, the noise getting louder as whatever it was seemed to get closer. I managed to run into Heimdall halfway back to the hideout, he looked as alarmed as me and didn't say a word, rather taking the lead and going full speed away from the sanctuary. 

The rumbling got louder and more distinct as I could make out shouts of men and women on horseback. 

Oh gods, please tell me they aren't here for us. 

As we rode deeper into the forest the voices behind us only got louder, they were definitely coming after us. I turned to see a party of people clad in the same soldiers uniform as the men yesterday coming full speed towards us. I held onto the reins with one hand and raised the other towards the army behind me. I closed my eyes and felt the energy brew within me, I was about to release when my eyes snapped open as the sound of an object whizzed towards me, a moment later the horse buckled beneath me. An arrow had been released and had impaled the back of her right leg. I got a brief look at Heimdall who gave me a firm nod before riding away as both the horse and I were swarmed by the soldiers,

"HEIMDALL!" I yelled desperately as they grabbed my arms and pulled me off the injured horse. I fought back and managed to get to my feet, but as I frantically looked for an escape I realized I was clearly outnumbered as soldiers surrounded me from all angles.

 I was detained in chain cuffs connected to a collar-like device which hung around my neck. Two soldiers held onto the restraints and trailed behind me as the party made their way down the mountain towards the large towering palace. I wanted to fight back but did not want to kill anyone, especially since either way, I knew I was done for.

This was it, my uncle is going to kill me and there is absolutely nothing I am able to do about it.

The journey took the entire day, me walking while the rest of the soldiers around me rode on horseback in-formation. The sun had set when we reached the palace. A lump had now found permanent residence in my throat, my anxiety unwavering. The guards at the front of the grand palace opened the 50 feet doors and allowed us access, some of the soldiers took the horses and went another way while the rest marched me through the palace, my nerves too high to fully admire the extravagant golden interior and high arched ceilings.