Beyond The Stars (UNDER REVISION)

Christmas

"Heimdall, it's time." Loki says aloud. There's a bright light and suddenly I'm in the Bifrost. My face lights up as I watch the stars zoom past. Once in the large, golden room, I let out an amazed laugh. Loki's posture changes and he clears his throat. He just nods at Heimdall before starting to walk away. 

I smile at the man with golden eyes. "Thank you!" He smiles in return and I run after Loki. He walks in silence. He always gets like this is when we return to Asgard. I follow him to the Palace. We enter the throne room and I bow. Loki does not. "Allfather." 

"What is the progress on Midgard?" 

"In the short time, I have noticed that Midgardians are passionate. It would make a suitable place for refuge, if needed so." 

Odin nods. "Loki, leave us." He looks at me. Loki nods and leaves. "Eldrid. The reasons I have told Loki are not the full extent of my intentions." 

"It... It isn't?" 

His gaze in unwavering. "I want you to teach him compassion. Should anything happen to me and Thor, the throne will be his. A king must be compassionate. Loki is too cold." I stay silent. "Thank you. You're dismissed as well." I nod and bow again. 

While I leave the throne room, I see Thor and Loki talking. "Brother, you cannot be serious." Thor says, a small smile on his face. 

"I am not certain if I am or not." 

I clear my throat. "Boys. I need to go shopping. Coming with?" I look between the brother's faces. 

Thor smiles brightly. "We would love to!" 

"Let me run to my chambers and grab my money." I say to the two and run through the halls. Once I reach my room, I change into a dress and grab my money. I walk out to notice the boys waiting outside my door. "Best not to stand out." I gesture to my outfit. Loki always returns in his leathers. 

We begin walking. "What are we shopping for, Dri?" Thor asks me. 

"Christmas shopping. I want to find something beautiful for my mother. And we have a rule. We can only get one present per each person. So it has to be worth it." 

Thor looks at Loki and whispers, "Christmas?" 

"It is a festive holiday for exchanging gifts. Midgard has a lot of holidays." 

"You've only seen two. There's a lot more than that." Thor keeps asking questions about Earth while we walk to the shops.

Thor wraps his arm around my shoulders. It must just be Loki who doesn't like touch. " I'd like to introduce you to my friends." 

I laugh softly. "I will be delighted to meet them once the mission is finished. It is almost time to return to Midgard. Can't have mother or father awake and see me gone." I also need to have time to get Loki's present. 

"Or me." 

"Or Loki." 

Thor hugs me tighter. "I would like to see this Midgard." 

"Thor... I've raised enough suspicion bringing Loki to my home. I cannot risk anymore. Plus, with my father's condition, I can't cause anymore stress." 

Thor lets go and looks at me. "Condition?" 

"He is not well, brother." Loki looks at the blonde. We reach the shops and Loki departs. He says he needs something from one of the stores. 

At one of the shops, I see a beautiful gold necklace with a pendant hanging from it. I decide that is my gift. "Dri." Thor grabs my shoulders and looks at me. "Thank you for caring for my brother."