Chapter 4

Note from the author: Please read my previous entries in order to get the whole story. Thanks!

                Thor, for the first time that day, was enjoying life. Loki’s face as he searched high and low for the missing hammer was priceless. Thor occasionally give him places where Loki forgot to look, and Loki would give him a glare and a defiant, “I know what I’m doing.” After an hour or two, Loki came back, defeated, and looked at Thor, desperate.

                “Told you so,” Thor mocked.

                “Shut it,” Loki grumbled, “Do you know how serious this is?”

                “Yes, I do,” Thor snapped, losing his moment of bliss, “If I can’t prove that I’m worthy enough to hold the Mighty Hammer, I’ll never live it down! Father and Mother will be disappointed, and no one would trust me to be on the counsel, and not to mention Sif-“

                “It’s more than just pride, you idiot!” Loki yelled, then lowered his voice, “Think about it, though I suppose I’ll have to do it for you, since you lack a brain to think with: the Jotunn haven’t attacked Asgard in years. Why? Because they don’t stand a chance against Mjolir. They don’t understand lightning, being in a cold place all the time, and they know the idiot who wields Mjolir (granted, they don’t think much about brilliance), is extremely strong. Now if-“

                “Did you just give me a compliment?” Thor interrupted, astounded.

                “No, I called you an idiot,” Loki clarified.

                “You called me strong,” Thor raised an eyebrow, “Are you feeling all right?”

                Loki growled, “Well, if you actually grew a brain, maybe Asgard wouldn’t be is so much danger right now. You are strong, I will admit, we all know that, but if the Jotunn find out that Mjolir is missing, what do you think they’re going to do?”

                Thor opened his mouth to answer, but the answer just then hit him in the face. His felt his face flood with dread, shame, and fear.

                “Loki, we got to find it,” Thor grabbed Loki and shook him slightly, “We’ve got to find my hammer!”

                “No, we need to play thief,” Loki answered.

                “This is not the time for sarcasm!” Thor snapped.

                “I was serious,” Loki calmly took Thor’s hands off his shoulders, “I’ve got an idea. You stay here and search for Mjolir. I’m going to leave Asgard and search elsewhere.”

                “How?” Thor asked, confused.

                “By playing thief,” Loki grinned wickedly, “I’ve always wanted an excuse to steal Freyja’s Falcon Cape.”

                Thor stared at Loki. “You’re digging your own grave, Trickster.”

                “You know me, Thor,” Loki spoke softly, “I always get out again.”

                Thor shrugged, “Do what you want, but I’m not backing you up.”

                “I didn’t expect you to.”

                Loki pranced off, looking better than he did this morning. Thor stared after him, not sure if Loki was up to no good again. But Thor had no choice but to trust his mortal enemy… well, the second mortal enemy… the Jotunn always come first.

Chapter 3

Note from the author: Please read my previous entries in order to understand the following. Thank you for reading.

              Loki walked past a beautiful young Aesir named Sif. Her long, flowing hair looked like gold in the sunlight, and she glared at Loki with distaste. Loki once threatened to cut her precious hair off during the night, and everyone knew he would. Loki paid her no mind as he continued toward his room.

                As soon as Loki was out of sight, Sif continued her journey toward her best friend’s room. Sigrun sent her a Run message in the early morning hours, and Sif was finally decent enough to walk in public (her hair was being uncooperative that day). Finally, she reached her destination. She knocked a secret knock, and opened the door.

                Sigrun was on her bed, reading (as usual). Sif sat next to her, looking at the dull book. Sigrun closed the book and turned to her friend.

                “What took you so long?” Sigrun hissed tightly, “Didn’t I tell you it was urgent?”

                “Goldie was being difficult,” Sif defended, stroking her hair fondly, “You know she can’t go anywhere unless she looks presentable.”

                Sigrun rolled her eyes, frustrated. She got up and started to pace fervently. Sif watched her brunette friend with pity. Sigrun’s hair had not yet been brushed.

                Sigrun finally turned to Sif, still looking rather cross, “You know Thor, don’t you.”

                Sif blushed, “O-of course I know Thor. I mean, who doesn’t know the Prince of Asguard?”

                “Something is wrong with him,” Sigrun stated, finally getting what she wanted to say off her chest. Sif stared at her, her turn to get a little irritated.

                “What do you mean something is wrong with him?” Sif questioned, “He’s handsome, he’s strong, he’s-“

                “That’s not what I meant!” Sigrun exasperated, “I mean, ‘Thor is troubled.’”

                Sif raised her eyebrows, slightly relieved but now more confused. “How is he troubled? What’s wrong?”

                Sigrun inhaled deeply, and then she exhaled slowly. Sif studied her friend for a moment, then it hit her.

                “You had another one of your dreams?” Sif asked, standing up, “Sigrun, I told you to tell someone about this. It can’t be healthy for someone to have nightmares constantly.”

                “But this one was different,” Sigrun defended, losing her anger, which changed to worry, “I saw Mjolir in darkness, and then I saw Thor, looking around frantically, then letting out a howl of despair. I saw Asgard, surrounded by dark, winter clouds, and lightning struck. I woke up when I heard a howl, just like the one I heard in my dream, coming from the direction of Thor’s room.”

                Sif was silent for a moment. Sigrun had been having nightmares for three months now, and Sigrun insisted that the nightmares were happening for a reason. The only reason why Sif hadn’t told anyone about Sigrun’s condition was because Sigrun had her swear on her golden hair… and Sif could never break a promise that was sworn on her hair.

                “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Sif finally said, though she wasn’t sure if her voice sounded as confident as she had hoped, “I’m sure everything is fine.”

                Sigrun turned and glared at Sif, brown eyes piercing blue. “If nothing is wrong,” Sigrun tightly growled, “Why don’t we go ask Thor?”

                Sif’s heart missed a beat. “G-go t-t-talk to…” Sif couldn’t bring herself to say his name.

                “I’m sure Thor will tell us which one of us is right,” Sigrun clarified, watching Sif shift uncomfortably.

                “But he’s so… so…” Handsome, out of my league, Sif thought to herself, but another idea came to her in this moment of panic, “Why don’t you perform your Run magic? You’re so good with those Run marks, and they will most surly tell us more than what Thor could.”

                Sigrun thought about the proposition for a moment, then finally replied, “Good idea. If something had happened to Mjolir, I’m sure Thor wouldn’t tell us anything.”

                Sif sighed in relief. She helped close the curtains as Sigrun locked the door.

                “Sif, clear the center of the room,” Sigrun instructed, “I’m going to have to perform higher Run magic than I usually do, and the last thing we need is to catch something on fire.”

                Sif did as she was told. While Sigrun started getting out more dull books from her closet, Sif turn to the mirror.

                “Really, Goldie?” Sif huffed. Her hair was a mess again, “How many times have we been through this?” She grabbed Sigrun’s brush and started brushing out the knots. “And we might want to put you in a nice ponytail,” she added, “We don’t want any accidents to happen.”

Chapter 2

Note: Please read the previous entries first to avoid confusion.

Thor started to slow down when he got close to Freyja’s room. Freyja, the Guardianess of Beauty, didn’t exactly have the most… tender… attitudes. Everyone who went near Freyja was in danger of being snubbed or thrashed at, unless your name was Odin, Frigg, or Freyr. Thor knew Freyja didn’t approve of him being on the council (or will be in two weeks), and everyone knew how she despised Loki, but Mjolir must be found… and Loki must be proven innocent before Thor would believe the mischievous dog didn’t steal his mighty hammer.

Finally, Thor and Loki were in front of Freyja’s door. Thor tried to knock, but hesitated. Loki scoffed and rolled his eyes. Thor gave Loki a murderous look.

                “Would you like to knock?” Thor snapped in whisper.

                Loki glared at Thor for a moment and answered by kicking the door. 

                BANG!

Thor stiffened; he hoped Freyja wasn’t asleep. He heard movement, and angry hissing of cats.

                Thor glared back at Loki.

                “If I go down, I’m taking you with me,” Thor snarled.

                “Well, seeing how I won’t get any sleep unless I fall too,” Loki retorted, “Thank you.”

                Before Thor could retaliate, the door opened.

                Golden hair with an extra shine met Thor’s eyes, along with a pair of stern, fierce blue eyes. Freyja wasn’t called the Guardianess of Beauty for no reason, but her immense beauty also came with a bitter temper. Thor’s fear was realized: Loki woke Freyja up.

                “What,” Freyja hissed, “Do you want?”

                Thor tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. His wish that a Jotunn would attack so he would be anywhere but in front of a… grumpy… Freyja. Freyja glared at Loki, who glared sleepily back.

                “Did we try to escape punishment, Trickster?” Freyja probed, “Did you not finish my assignments?”

                “I finished,” Loki yawned, “Thor is just interested in your new Falcon Cape. He’s only heard rumors, and he wants to see the mythical artifact on you.”

                Thor glared at Loki. Loki gave him an “act along” look.

                “Forgive me,” Thor bowed to Freyja, “I figured you were asleep when someone kicked your door.”

                Loki gaped at Thor.

                Thor continued, “I should have controlled him better.”

                Freyja looked like she considered Thor’s apology. Finally, her countenance changed and she stood taller. “I accept your apology, Thor Odinson, but really, if you want to see me in my Falcon Cape, at least wait until I’m decent.”

                 “I’m terribly sorry for troubling you, Lady Freyja,” Thor bowed as low as he could while keeping a firm hold on Loki, “I will wait.”

                Freyja glared at Loki. “And you,” she growled, “Did you learn your lesson?”

                Loki growled and sighed at the same time; he bowed as best as he could, “Yes, Lady Freyja,” he said in the most “humble” voice he could, “I will not insult you cats again.”

                “Good. Now leave me be,” Freyja commanded.

                Thor used all of the self control he had to keep at a steady pace. He and Loki both wanted to sprint out of Freyja’s sight. When Freyja slammed the door shut, Thor dashed for his room.

                Loki watched Thor heave on the floor. They were in Thor’s room, and the whole place seemed to have been turned upside down. Loki, personally, didn’t care. He just wanted to go to bed.

                Thor finally gave him a glare, signifying he recovered from the sprint.

                “You happy now?” Loki grumbled.

                “No,” Thor snapped, “I don’t have Mjolir.”

                “And what do you want me to do about it?” Loki questioned, “You heard from Freyja: I did my chores. In other words, my alibi has been confirmed. I’m innocent.”

                “But where is it?” Thor growled.

                “How am I supposed to know?” Loki exasperated, “I just want to go to bed.”

                “Loki,” Thor stated coldly, “Mjolir is missing.”

                “You misplaced it,” Loki emphasized colder than Thor, “It’s not my problem.”

                “If you’re so smart, then where did I misplace it?”

                “Retrace your steps, look high and low, and let me sleep!”

                Thor looked like he would like to throw Loki from the window, but decided against it. “I’ll let you sleep,” he finally murmured, “On one condition.”

                Loki rolled his eyes and muttered, “What?”

                “You help me find Mjolir as soon as you wake up,” Thor commanded.

                Loki could think of a lot of things he could say to taunt Thor, but he decided it would be foolish. “Done.” Loki confirmed and left Thor to continue his search.

Chapter One

Note: Read the Introduction before proceeding. The story will make more sense.

                Pain…

                So… much… PAIN!!!

                Thor rubbed his head gingerly. He was on the floor of his own bedroom, half in bed, half out.  Thor slipped out from under the covers and sat up. Nothing appeared to be wrong… perhaps he accidentally rolled out of bed?

                Impossible. Thor? The Guardian of Thunder, roll out of bed? Of course not!

                But why did his head hurt so badly?

                Thor stood up, still rubbing his head. He looked around the room again; everything was in order.

                This is no doubt Loki’s doing… Thor grumbled in his head. It was always Loki.  He reached for his beloved hammer and prepared to teach the trickster another lesson.

                But his hand grabbed air.

                Thor paused and grabbed again.

                Nothing.

                Thor turned looked down at where Mjolir was supposed to be.

                Mjolir was nowhere to be found.

                Thor’s heart stopped. He bent down, angry that his head wouldn’t stop hurting and looked underneath the messy under bed. Again, nothing. He went through the covers. Nothing. He looked behind the curtains. Nothing! He tore the mattress from his bed. Nothing! Thor looked all around his room, trying to find another hiding place. The room stared back at him, mockingly. The room was echoing the insult: Thor lost his hammer.

                “Loooooo-KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!” Thor bellowed and slammed his bedroom door open.

                Loki flipped over in his bed.

                The fiery redhead dreamed deeply. A long night of paying penance for insulting Freyja’s cats was behind him and he was finally going to sleep. However, his dreams were shattered when he was roughly pulled from his sheets and started being shaken uncontrollably. Loki opened his eyes to behold the face of his 179 year old brother.

                “WHERE IS IT?!” Thor roared, “WHERE IS IT YOU NO-GOOD-SCHEMING-“

                Thor was silenced by a pillow being shoved into his mouth.

                “You’re loud,” Loki moaned grumpily. Thor spat the pillow out and glared at his “brother” with his stormy eyes, “You could wake a Dwarf with a head cold.”

                “Don’t play games with me, Trickster,” Thor growled, shaking Loki, “Where is it?”

                “What time is it?” he asked looking out the window.

“What?” Thor asked, caught completely off guard.

“The sun isn’t fully up yet,” Loki groaned, “Seriously, can we talk about this when the sun is at the noon mark?”

Thor scowled, sure that he was being tricked by his younger so-called brother. Loki was good at warping Thor’s mind, and Thor was determined not to let it happen now.

“Where,” Thor snarled through gritted teeth, “is… it?”

                “Where’s what?” Loki questioned, trying to register what Thor was talking about.

                “YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT! Where is Mjolir!?”

                Loki looked up at his blond brother, wearing a face of utmost confusion, “What?”

                “I know it was you!”

                “What did I do?”

                “You STOLE it!”

                Loki’s confused face turned into a ‘my poor, idiotic brother’ expression. “You,” he pointed to Thor, “Think that I,” he pointed to himself, “Could have the ability to steal the heaviest object known in the 9 worlds? Especially since I am the smallest of the Aesir? You truly are something…”

                “Out with it,” Thor growled.

                Loki patted Thor’s large shoulder. “Tsk, tsk… My brother has the brain of a door. You most likely just misplaced it.”

                The hand holding Loki tightened.

                “Oh, really?” Thor sneered unexpectedly, “Wouldn’t that be the kind of thing you would say to try to prove yourself innocent?”

                Loki shrugged, “I, personally, am not in any mood to spin lies, brother.”

                “I’m not your brother.”

                “I’m glad we agree on something. Either way, if you still don’t believe me, I have an alibi.”

                “An ali-what?”

                “Alibi, you moron.  Honestly, it’s a wonder that you’re going to be on the counsel… An alibi is a claim that someone (me, at the moment) has to prove their innocence.”

                “And what would that be, you slippery-“

                “You can ask Freyja. I’ve been polishing her cat’s collars and… various other chores… all night,” after a short pause, Loki added, “And I have the scratch and bite marks to prove it.”

                Thor glared at him, then carried him out of the room.

                “Huh?” Loki looked back at his bed, shrinking with every step Thor took, then looked back at Thor, almost frantic, “H-h-hey! You can go ask Freyja all by yourself! Put me down!”

                “You will slip away if I let you out of my sight,” Thor grumbled quite slyly, “So you’re staying with me.”

                “B-but,” Loki began, looked back at where his room would be, then back at Thor, “What part of all night don’t you understand?!”

                “Good,” Thor grinned, “You won’t be able to design any of your evil lies.”

                Loki’s green eyes twitched with frustration and weariness, “When I get my sleep… you will regret this…”

                “You should have thought of that before you stole Mjolir,” Thor pointed out.

                “I didn’t steal Mjolir!” Loki growled through gritted teeth.

                “That’s what they all say,” Thor replied as-a-matter-of-factly (Loki’s trademark).

                Loki glared at Thor, but figured Thor wouldn’t listen to him. He might as well cooperate and hope he can get some sleep after Thor got his satisfaction.