Ingrid and Loki #4 (Thor's in this one :)

Can i just get into it? Thor is worried about Loki and tells Ingrid stuff and Loki's sick and doesn't want company.

Brothers…by Sarah B. Priest

“Ingrid?” I hear the voice behind me, deep and brooding, but I’m still not expecting who it will be when I turn around.

          “Prince Thor?” My face begins to flush as I quickly turn back to my book. I am studying in the library. Alone. I don’t want to be disturbed. I have five pages due tomorrow, and even without that, I don’t like noise. But I know not to turn down royalty. First in line for the throne. Doesn’t Loki understand that? That the eldest will always ascend to the throne, unless they are unworthy to rule? Loki clearly wants Thor to show his faults, to crack under the pressure…

          “Yes, it’s me. Mind if I sit here?” The chair squeaks as he pulls it out, and sits down, holding a beer in his hand.

          “Are you supposed to be drinking that, Prince Thor?”

          “Oh, I wouldn’t tell father about it. A lovely Midgardian flavor as well.”

          “Why are you here? Is Loki alright?”

          “He’s the same. Anyway,”

          “You want me to talk to him, don’t you?”

          “I thought you’d want to talk to him.”

          “He doesn’t want to see me.”

          “I know. He won’t see anyone.”

          “Not even his mother?”

          “About that—” Thor breaks off as he slams his glass on the table and gets up from the chair.

          “What?”

          “She had important business to attend to. She’s away.”

          “Right. The delegation. Aren’t you supposed to be—”

          “I have to be down at six. Tell Loki to meet me.”

          I turn the page in my book and jot a few more notes on my parchment. “He didn’t mean what he said about you and Sif. Your mother said it was nothing, and that you would, well, that you would—”

          “Oh, for goodness sake, Ingrid we were only researching! And what business of this is Mother’s anyway?”

          “She is the queen of Asgard,” I say, calmly turning back to my book, “Can you have her check on Loki when she’s available? I don’t think there’s any use in sending him down to the delegation if he still isn’t feeling well. Meanwhile, I have work to do, Prince Thor.”

          “You’re my brother’s best friend, you can drop the title,” says Thor, refilling his glass with beer.

          “You shouldn’t be drinking, Thor,” I sigh, “You might let it get to your head.”

          “I’m sure that my head is quite stable, thank you.”

          “Fine. Since you won’t leave, tell me why you’re here. Really.”

          Thor smiles slightly as he sits back down, shoving his beer glass to the edge of the table, out of reach. “You sound like Loki.”

          I nod quickly, then begin reading again, waiting for a farther answer. “Thor? Tell me what’s wrong. Tell me--!”

          Thor sighs, reaching across for the glass. “Ah-ah-ah!” I catch the glass, “If you tell me why you’re here, you can have your beer back. Deal?”

          “Don’t play mind games with me, Ingrid. I have to put up with them on a daily basis. But anyway, Ingrid. I have some, shall we say, questions for you.”

          I nod slightly as I continue to write my notes, waiting.

          “And I have something to tell you.”

          “What?”

          “Everything Loki tells you is true…”

          “What happened to the God of Lies?”

          “Well, not everything,” Thor chuckles, “But everything about Father and I…he has told me himself,” his face sobers as he settles back in his seat. “I don’t pretend to understand, but I do want to be king,” he smiles. “Yes, but unless anything happens, he’s made it clear to me who he wants as heir. May father live a long life, but one day, I shall be King.”

          I put down my pen and look at Thor. “Why isn’t anyone just telling Loki anything?”

          “From what he’s said, he already knows that I am favored, or at least suspected. But Loki is to be king someday. King of Jotunheim. Do not utter a word of this to him, or to anyone, do you understand. That would jeopardize my relationship with father, and Loki’s would be irreparable if he knew…”

          “If he knew what?” I mutter, thoroughly confused, getting up out of my seat and throwing my papers into my bag. “I promise not to say anything, Thor, but I don’t know what’s going on—” I jump up and leave the room to go work in my own chambers to finish. Thor’s questions will have to wait.

---

I knock quietly on the door, balancing my book bag in one hand and the lukewarm and half-spilled bowl of broth in the other. No response. Of course, what was I expecting? It’s the third time I’ve been by his door in the last thirty minutes. I’m done with my work, and everyone else is either out training or at the delegation, which means I have time to let my worries brew like a strong tea.

          I knock again, louder. “Loki?” No response. I put down my bookbag and try the door. Locked. Of course, it is. Unless he somehow locked it from the outside, he’s still in there, and no one has seen him leave. I wish Thor were here to just bust down the door.

          “Loki? It’s Ingrid!” No reply. I reach into my bag and pull out of my pocket knife to work on the lock. These doors are old, and the lock comes easily. I slowly pry the door open and slide in, forgetting my bag in the hallway.

          “Unlocking charm? Or can you do that?”

          “Loki?” He’s lying on the floor, wrapped in an old cloak, but he still looks cold. “Are you alright?”

          “How did you do that?” he asks, clearly annoyed, “Has Mother been giving you lessons?”

          “No, she’s not here. They’re all at the delegation. I’m sorry. And I picked the lock.”

          I sit down on the floor next to him and put the bowl on the floor. “I brought you more broth if you want it. If you want any more food, I can call one of the servants.”

          “No, thank you.”

          “You need to eat something. You can’t stay in here forever.”

          “Who said? Father? And it doesn’t matter where I go since Thor is as good as king already,” he sighs.

          I don’t know what to tell him, I can’t tell him what I heard, I don’t understand what I heard, yet I refuse to lie, or confirm his fears.

          “I’m sorry,” I settle for, “I haven’t spoken with him. Thor is worried about you.”

          “Don’t lie to me, Ingrid.”

          “It’s true. He came to see me.”

          “You’re beautiful. Who wouldn’t?”

          I sigh as I hand Loki another blanket. “No, he was actually asking me to check on you. I mean, I would have anyway…I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, I was busy with my work. I have five pages due in Asgardian history, and I only just finished.”

          “It’s fine. I don’t want company anyway.”

          “Well, too bad. If you’re still sick; I’m sorry. It’s just a fever. And I’m sorry your mother couldn’t be here, but she’s THE QUEEN OF ASGARD!”

          Loki doesn’t look phased in the slightest by my sudden outburst. He’s leaning against the wall now, pulling the blankets around him.

          “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. What are you doing on the floor? You should rest in bed, if you’re sick.”

          “I’ll be having that broth now.” I pass it over.

          “Sorry it isn’t warm anymore. I was waiting to come in. Perhaps you shouldn’t keep your door locked if you can’t answer.”

          “Why, do you want Father or Thor to come in and stalk me?” I hear a loud knock on the door. Loki pales, “Someone’s here. Don’t answer.”

          “Who’s there?” I call.

          “It’s Thor! I got back early. I have beer and steak!”

          “No, thank you,” says Loki, turning positively green. He turns back to me and begins to whisper, “I was getting one of my books and I—”

          The door swings open, and Thor comes in, trailed by Sif, laughing at one of his jokes.

          “Ah, it’s the little girlfriend, isn’t it?” teases Sif.

          “Sif, you know they aren’t—”

          “Why shouldn’t I? I’m just playing games.”

          “Don’t, Sif,” says Loki, “Because games are only for me.”

          “Can I have some of that steak before I go?” asks Sif eagerly.

          “Wait, you’re leaving?” Thor looks up abruptly then turns back towards up.

          “Yeah. Sparring.”

          “Again, Sif?”

          “Maybe. Meet me in the garden after.”

          Loki slides me a sly wink, but I ignore it as I watch Sif departing.

          “So, Loki?” says Thor, “I see you’re taking visitors.”

          “Not exactly, no. But I’m glad you came. So, I can have one more person to hate.”

          “You don’t mean that, brother.”

          “Yes, I do. I want to be king of Asgard.”     

          “No. You want to be king of hating your brother.”

          “I don’t hate you Thor. At least not all the time. It’s nice when you leave me alone.”

          Thor smiles, “Maybe. But I wanted to make sure you were okay.”       

          “And why would you do that? Do you want a threat to the throne?”  

          “Yes, if it’s only you. You don’t stand a chance!”

          “Not even a little?”

          “Nope.”

          “I’m still cold, Thor. Why don’t they have a fireplace in every room?”

          “You’re cold? Do you want me to give you a hug? I was just in the kitchens?”

          “Bother, you know we don’t hug,” says Loki, staring at me for help.

          I shrug. My brothers are crazy too, but they’d never think of hugging me. I almost wish…

          “Since when did your opinion matter, Loki?” asks Thor, pulling him into a tight bearhug.

          “Please, Thor, I’m contagious!” says Loki, trying to break free. But I can tell that he is secretly enjoying every moment of it.