Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 78: Alfheim Day One

Chapter Seventy-Eight

Alfheim: Day 1

Nine Realms

Alfheim

There were a lot of suitable places for Loki to choose from when it came to where in Frey's palace he should arrive. At first he thought about his old quarters, the room he always used while he stayed in Alfheim, but he wasn't sure whether it would be still there. Thus the best location was Hadnas' study. The old mage's room was guaranteed to be there and he was someone Loki knew well. He was uncertain about his welcome, but it was still the best place to start.

When he and Drongo stepped through the mirror Hadnas was already standing in front of them, obviously sensing their arrival. His long hair was silver with age and so were his eyebrows, he was clean-shaven as always, and pristinely dressed in black and brown. His blue eyes were sharper than before though.

'Master Hadnas,' Loki greeted with a nod, but the elf just eyed him for a long moment without speaking.

'I did not hear much good about you recently,' he said at last, hiding his hands in his long and wide bell sleeves. From a mage that was always a mixed massage, it could either mean that they did not intend to cast a spell or that they wanted to hide the magic burning in their palms till the last moment.

'I suppose not,' Loki replied. Drongo was silent at his back, a steady supporting presence Loki was grateful for. Hadnas' gaze was scrutinizing and just as heavy as it was when Loki was a boy.

The old elf walked up to him then. He was a few inches shorter than Loki was, but he never appeared small. Loki stood still even when the mage reached out to grab his chin to look him in the eyes. He let go after a moment, humming thoughtfully.

'You do not seem to be out of your mind right now,' he said then, turning his back on them. 'That's something at least. I'll let Frey know you're here.'

'Thank you,' Loki nodded again and watched as the old mage left.

'He was not too concerned about our sudden arrival,' Drongo said.

'He had no reason to be concerned,' Loki said. 'He's the oldest mage in Alfheim. He could probably incinerate us where we stand.'

'Oh, good to know,' Drongo said, looking around in the spacious room. A mage's study was always a sight to behold. Summoning circles drawn on the floor and the walls, sigils and symbols carved into the furniture. Hadnas' study always had a distinct smell, something like burnt wood and spring water, it was a lot more pleasant than the smell of old books and dried herbs that filled a sorcerer's workplace. Standing here brought back pleasant memories. Hadnas was never one for much patience so he rarely suffered Loki's endless questions and inquiries, but he still allowed him to stay and watch him weave his spells, provided that he stayed silent.

'You're tense,' Drongo remarked.

'I have every reason to be,' Loki said. It's been too long since he last saw Frey, he couldn't even be sure of his hospitality.

Not much time passed before the door opened again and Hadnas returned, this time with Frey. No guards on his heels, which was a good sign.

Loki sometimes envied how similar Frey and his Mother looked, because he himself was so different from Thor. They both had the same blond curls, high cheekbones and striking light blue eyes.

Frey seemed to have kept his fondness for the colour white, for he stood before Loki completely in white clothing with only green embroidery adding a splash of colour. Loki was sure that if this were a more formal occasion, he would have been wearing a white cape as well, like he always did with his armour.