Dragonscales

Chapter 25|On the Road Again

I finished packing everything into my bag, including the gifts Snowdrop had given me. It seemed like our visit was short, but the Avengers probably wanted Loki back into their custody. A knock reverberated throughout my sitting room. The maids had kept my room clean the two years I had been gone. It had been mostly untouched, but the wreath of moon flowers had died. I opened the door, where Snowdrop was bouncing on her heels. 

"I have one more surprise." She exclaimed. I raised my eyebrow. "Snowy, I love presents as much as the next elf, but this is too much. You've already given me books and new weapons." I pointed out, then added, "you've also been pestering my boyfriend and friend with questions." Snowdrop sheepishly fiddled with the flowers weaved into her hair. "I'm sorry... but rulers are supposed to understand people from other cultures to better understand the world around them." 

I rolled my eyes and shouldered my backpack. We walked to the Dragon Stables, Snowdrop skipping the entire way. "I noticed you always rode bareback since you found her egg after you were banished. So, I got you a saddle! It has straps to grow with Tourmaline since she's still pretty young. You'll find some saddle polish and crescent fruit in one of the saddlebags. I hope you have a safe flight." Snowdrop said as she opened up the doors to the stable. 

Loki was saddling Tourmaline, while Thor was waiting with Mjolnir raised. "Ready to go home, Lady Thistle?" He boomed in his usual manner. "That's Princess Thistle to you," I smirked. Loki chuckled while climbing onto Tourmaline. I slid onto the saddle in front of him, clutching Tourmaline's horns. "Goodbye, dear cousin." Snowdrop bid me. I returned the farewell and steered Tourmaline toward the landing strip. Thor flew ahead of us, using Mjolnir to propel himself. Tourmaline spread her wings and jumped off the ground. She climbed up over the trees with one stroke of her powerful wings. We were leaving my former home, but this time, I was welcome to come back. I had friends, a boyfriend, and a dragon. 

Still, it troubled me that Ave hadn't come back from her mission. She was quick and merciless. Snowdrop had given me the documents of Ave's mission upon my request, which would aid my search for her. Your cousin being the queen had it's perks. She was going to kill a prominent member of an organization called Hydra. I wasn't sure the connection to Stardust Grove, as I had only scanned the documents. The folder felt like a heavy rock in my backpack. I would rescue my friend, even if she wouldn't do the same for me. 

Soon darkness fell and we landed on the island we previously camped on. It was really nothing more than a rock above the water, but it suited our needs. The boys pitched our tents despite my protests that I could do it myself. Tourmaline lit a fire and fished for our dinner, while I sat sharpening my new swords. After dinner the boys went to bed. After all, they needed more sleep than I did, and we had a day full of traveling tomorrow. I noticed Loki crawling into my tent, to save himself from Thor's snoring. Right...

The fire shone against Tourmaline's inky scales. She set her head on my lap. I scratched behind her horns. She purred, closing her eyes in enjoyment. I looked up at the stars. The Little Dipper shone opposite of Polaris. I sighed and started braiding my hair. It would be a long night. Usually I kept myself busy working in my garden or drawing, but I didn't have that right now. After I braided my hair I crawled into my tent. Sleeping couldn't hurt, I guess. Loki immediately wrapped an arm around me. I smiled softly and closed my eyes. 

I woke up as sunlight was beginning to rise over the horizon. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat up. Loki was still fast asleep, and I could hear Thor's snores. I slid Loki's arm off of me and exited the tent. Tourmaline was curled around the fire, smoke drifting from her nostrils as she snored. She made a merp noise as I poked her in the rib-cage. 

Her eyes fluttered open, her scales making small clicking noises. She glared at me with her glowing violet eyes. We should be leaving soon. I explained. Tourmaline lifted up her head and yawned. Just because you don't have to sleep doesn't mean you can wake the rest of us up. Tourmaline exhaled a burst of fire. It tickled my nose. I giggled. But fine. I suppose we can go back to the Tower. Tourmaline relented. She marched over to Thor's tent and let out a roar.

A few seconds later Loki poked his head out of my tent. Messy black locks fell in front of his panicked eyes. "Is everything alright?" I nodded. "Tourmaline just decided to wake Thor up in one of the most obnoxious ways possible." Loki smirked as he watched Thor crawl out of his tent, obviously disgruntled. "Do that again, dragon, and you will face the wrath of my hammer." I shot a glare at him. Over the course of the months Tourmaline and I had been living at the tower, Thor had grown to tolerate and enjoy her company, but it was still hard to unlearn everything you've been taught your whole life. Dragons on Asgard were known as fearsome creatures, destroyers. But I knew my dragon was a sweetheart when you got past the tough scales.

Thor stalked over to the campfire, and after some breakfast his mood lightened. We finished up the food we had packed for the journey, since we planned on mostly relying on my skills in the wilderness. After all, I was homeless for two years. 

We broke camp and started flying. Loki wrapped his arms around my waist, cold and steady. My cheeks burned slightly, but there was nothing wrong with my boyfriend holding onto me to keep from falling off the dragon. My thoughts wandered back to Ave. I couldn't help but imagine her locked up in a dungeon fighting for her life. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach. I would start my search once we reached the tower. I pulled the folder out of my backpack, and started scanning the parchment.