Donkey skin (Loki x Reader) Oneshot

Odin looked at the papers he had in front of him. For once he felt the age on his shoulders. Most of the letters would be pleas, thank you letters, suggestions, conserns. Odin sighed and sat down on his chair behind the desk and started opening the letters and reading them. While reading the lines he wished mercy but he was always ready to do his duty. He piled the letters to two piles: those that didn't need answering and those that absolutely needed – but some other time. Sun was already going down and he didn't have the energy to answer any more letters before going to bed.

As he glanced over the letters, his fingers met with a small letter. He took out the letter and looked at its' small handwriting and tried to make any sense with it. When he opened the letter, he finally grasped the idea whom it was from. How many years it has been since he had seen the old fellow?

He read the letter carefully and realized that he had some writing to do. He had to inform his two sons, his wife and entire staff about the important guest who was ariving.

Odin closed his eyes as he tried to remember the times when he was young, very young man. A warrior and one of those who build Asgard to the glory it was today. Once long ago there were three youngs who made it possible, three young gods. Together they forged Asgard and once it was done and it needed a ruler, a proper ruler. Odin was the one for the job since Ve didn't want the throne and Vili hurried to another battle just when other was won.

Odin stroke his beard and smiled warmly. How was his brothers? Did they have their own children? Were they married like he was? Centuries without a word... Odin didn't speak it to anyone but he missed his family and his brothers.

”What it is indeed... to be young again...?”

~*~

Everyone in the palace kept running from one place to another. Odin's brother Ve would arrive any day now. Brother to the king! Everything had to look perfect.

Loki walked pass the servants who hurried to their own quarters. Loki looked behind them as the servants were running around. Never once he had seen so much excitment in the air. For no apparent reason, Loki started smiling on his own. Never before such an athmosphere had been in the palace and it was different and all new.

He was more than curious to see the relative of his respected father. Uncle, wasn't it? He was curious but yet so frightful over the fact that he might be just the same as other Asgardians. There were so little information about the relatives of the Odin that it was frustrating the god of mischief.

He stepped the cleaned floors that sparkled more than ever before. He could see his own reflection from it, looking back with green eyes.

He raised his eyes to the doors as he heard them open. Odin quickly rushed next to Loki to see the guest as well. Thor was missing as usual. Loki believed that he was training somewhere with lady Sif and others.

He expected a man who walked proudly, had grey beard and wore an armor like a warrior. The man who came through the door was escorted by a woman in cape. The man wore no armor, just common traveler clothes that could be bought on cheap prize. Also, he had no beard and seemed to have even some hair on his head. Odin walked towards them and stopped from few feet. ”...I could remember those steps easily...” the stranger said with smile. ”Brother... it is good to see you again...” Odin said and obviously wanted to give a hug to the man but had no courage to do so. ”I must apologize for my late arriving...” the man spoke slowly. ”...But it seems that I had a small accident on the way and needed to rest some time. And my eyes... no need to wonder... they have abonden me long, long time ago.”

Loki stepped forward to greet the man. ”It is pleasure to meet you. I asume you are the Great Ve?” Loki went straight to point and wanted to make sure that his pleasing didn't fall to wrong person. However the name made the old man a dry laughter. ”...Dear lord Odin! What have you written about me? There is nothing great about me or what I have done. Vili was the greatest one of us... and I haven't heard about him since he left us right in these halls...” the old man looked around like he hoped that Vili would come behind a pillar or something. ”...Thousands of years ago...” the elder finished his sentence.

The woman who was holding the old man's arm took off the hood covering her beauty. She had clear, beautiful (e/c) eyes and (h/c) that worked perfectly on her face. Her facial features couldn't even been seen under that ugly old donkey's skin hood. It was even uglier than the old man's. The woman let go of the old man for a moment to courtesey politely. ”My name is _____. Pleasure to meet you in person,” she said in lovely tone. She took hold of the old man again. ”Could we sit down? Ve isn't in condition to stand too long,” she said and made the old man laugh. ”It is not that bad.... but sitting wouldn't hurt...” he said.

Odin pointed at the outside gardens. ”Please, let me help,” Odin said came to ____'s side and took her place. ”You are going to steal my girl again?” the old man raised his eye brows and looked at Odin. ”I never recall stealing even one.” ”Reaaally?” From the boyish grins they both had, it was obvious that both had got many years younger in just one moment.

____ walked slowly behind them and looked at the magnificent gardens around. Loki did the same and walked beside her. ”My name is Loki Odinson,” Loki introduced himself and looked at the woman. The woman looked a bit in a shy manner at him. ”...I asumed so. Master Ve speaks a lot about his family and he had heard rumors about you,” she said and kept on walking. The speaking of two brothers went wild asuming the light tone and how much they spoke.

”Master? I believed that he was your father... or grand father,” Loki said and looked at the old man once more. ”He is not relative to me. He never had a wife or child, but took me under his wing and raised me as his own.” Loki looked at the strange woman who seemed to showing very small interests in talking to him. He couldn't pick any reason for it, it was just something he could sense.

”That cloak doesn't do any justice to you...” Loki said and looked at her dirty cloak. ”Good,” she said quickly before speeding up to the old man. She took gently his other arm. ”I can take him to rest,” she smiled to Odin and earned small, dry laugh from Ve. ”Look, I told you. She likes me more than you...” ___ blushed a bit and got him to the bench under the HJKLÖLKJHHJ (Gazembo?). Odin and Loki sat in front of them.

”Is the man next to you... your son?” Ve asked and pointed at Loki. ”I can't see so far...” he explained. ”Yes he is,” Odin answered. ”He is my second son. My first born is aparently training. He has yet much to learn.” Loki smirked a bit when Odin said it. ”Really? Good... I had heard couple rumors about your sons, mind you. Apparently they had been both very busy young men....” the man smiled.

”Really? I hope they only speak good of us,” Loki said in charming tone but the old man smiled in mysterious way which was enough to tell what he had heard. ____ was already professional to read his expressions. ”Where have you lived for so long? Have you got any information where Vili could be?” Odin asked and the smile on Ve's lips went down. He shook his head. ”Not after he went to Ever Gardens. Perhaps he had been left in the path...” Ve looked down for a bit and looked really sad. He moisted his lips a bit before speaking again. ”...I feared so and hoped that you would have a bit more information to go by... So sad.... So sad indeed...”

”Father!” Thor's voice was heard in the gardens. Everyone turned into direction as Thor rushed to them. ”You must be the Great Ve we had heard so much of!!” Thor yelled and Loki rolled his eyes. The converstation was civil enough before Thor jumped in. The old man smiled symphatically to the direction of the voice. ”...I think my first course of action would be in the library....” ___ let out small invisible laugh. ”But first you need to eat and drink something,” she spoke and turned towards Odin and bowed her head politely. ”If it would be suitable your highness,” she said and kept her head down. ”Calm, my child. Just call me All-father or just Odin if you please,” Odin smiled kindly. ”Well let's have some sustenance!!” Thor said and walked towards the dining area. ___ helped the old man up and walked slowly in his pace.

~*~

Loki walked in the hallways. It was unusual of him but he had slept late. He was always such an early bird but he was so facinated by volums of magic and the practical use itself that he had drained all his magic without noticing. He had his quick breakfast in his room and rushed to library to learn more.

He opened the great double doors of the library and closed them. He was always alone and learned to love the silence of the place... until he heard speaking. His eyebrows rose as he heard woman's talking. He already knew the voice and whom it belonged to.

”...has little information about the death itself. It says here that 'all the gods become stars in the sky.'” ___ spoke to someone. When Loki slowly walked towards the voice, he stopped behind the bookshelf. ”...Indeed... Death is so much complicated than we ever suspected...” Ve spoke in his usual slow style.

”But you believe in other laws don't you?” she asked eagerly from the elder. They were sitting in front of table that was placed in front of great windows that brought great light to the room and especially to table. ”Absolutely... I don't know who or what Death is... but I have noticed that certain... ways are made to communicate with him... It's like a trade really. Only death can pay for life in the extreme level of magic... However he is the final friend we ever meet... Mortals or gods... all meet him eventually... Like behind the obvious book shelf...” The old man joked.

Loki felt a bit annoyed but he knew that he was discovered. He stepped out and looked at the woman and his old uncle. They had come almost a week ago and the woman was still wearing that hideous hooded cloak that seemed to have been sewed together using the cheapest products, just like the first day they met. ”It seems that I have been discovered,” Loki's lips turned into crooked smile.

The woman smiled a bit and turned back to the books they were reading. ”...Please... Sit here with us...” the old man said in calm tone and patted at the chair next to him in the sun light. ”...I can see the best in the sunlight... Let me see my nephiew who has my passion for reading...”

Loki felt hesitating for a moment. Was this... real? In the time when status was shown by strenght, he was noticed... and valued by smarts? ”It's alright. He doesn't bite,” the woman said and smiled a bit for him. Loki looked at her and then the chair and took a seat. He never felt like that before. The sun that shined her face... dear lord... what was that addicting feeling he was having? It felt like huge stew of emotions was being stirred inside of him without his permission. Shame, wonder, curiousity, admire... and somethings he even didn't have any words to express. Was he getting sick? He had to check himself later on. He must have been getting out of his mind.

”You don't really have Odin's qualities that much...” the old man spoke. Loki turned his green eyes to the man and couldn't believe what he had just said. ”...But I never really liked all the battling in the first place... You look more like a son I didn't have...” the old man smiled but words he spoke truly bothered Loki. ”...Thank you for your kind words...” Loki lied. ”...You want to be like Odin, do you?” Ve realized the jist really fast. Loki leaned against his chair's back and looked the books that were open near him. ”...No law in the world demands the king and heir be the same. Both can still be good kings even they would be completely different...”

Loki nodded. ”...I can't seem to master in physical training like Thor does. I am not weak but it feels like my body is not build for such a training...” he admitted. Thor's training had been succesfull and people had been praising him to father while Loki had just learned the basics and was barelly even noticed. Thor was popular, beloved, noticed unlike his little brother. ”But you have books and magic. I believe that those are more powerfull than sword and hammers,” ___ said her opinion.

”Both share the equal side of the coin... In one art, one masters and fails. Same for both. Together they are perfect equals...” Ve said and his eyes got up to admire the room he could barelly see well.

”Perhaps so...” Loki said quietly.

Loki sensed it but he couldn't interupt it. That feeling when someone's eyes were fixed on him. Loki turned his glance at ____ and once their eyes met, he felt something flapping inside of him. In his soul, he was begging to let those birds fly away but they felt like only thing keeping his legs on ground. He noticed a faint blush appearing on her cheeks and she quickly turned away. She bit her lip and moisted it. It was glossy, her pink soft lips. Crazy idea came to his mind, something that only lady Sif made him feel before she obviously fell for Thor's side.

”My dear...” Ve spoke and turned to her. ”...Perhaps you could be so kind as to bring me something to eat from the kitchen? Not anything too messy... we are in the library after all...” the old man smiled. ___ seemed flustered and nodded couple times. ”I...I'll be back...” she said and stood up and walked quickly out of the room.

After she left, Loki's interest to stay with the old man seemed to have dropped below zero. ”Now if you would excuse me...” Loki started and put his hands on sides of the chair and was getting up. ”...You have feeling for her, don't you?” Ve said. Loki stopped for a moment and just openly stared at the man. Are those... mark of love?

”If I would be called god of something... I would be the god of emotions really... I can sense them better than see your face right now. They shine to me so clearly...” the old man said and the god of mischief didn't even budge. ”I am not having any feelings towards her...” Loki lied. The old man crackled a dry laugh. ”...I believe that lie on the day cat mates with a dog... Sit. This converstation will be between two of us. There are no one else.”

Loki sat down and looked at the old man carefully. It was obvious that he had understimated the old man completely. ”...What should I say or do?” Loki said and it didn't come out any louder than a whisper. ”Talk to her, get to know her.” ”I have tried but she seems to be shut tight. I can't... is there anything else I could try to do?”

”Women aren't that difficult... and neither is she. Make her happy, give her a reason to be happy. Happiness and full plate of food is what all of women want in their hearts,” Ve smiled. ”Eat? She has barelly ate during the meals,” Loki wondered. Did she have snacking time or something when he wasn't watching? Ve laughed a bit.

”In that case she must be really, really hungry!”

~*~

After sun rose, Loki had to make sure that he had given plenty of time before he knocked ____'s door. He had a clothed package with him and he felt somehow an idiot. The door was quietly opened and he met his crush... in loose nightgown and messy hair and moist eyes. ”Good morning, my lady...” He said politely. Her eyes looked so strange that he believed to woke her up. ”...It seems that I have come at wrong time...” he muttered. ”No... It's alright. Come in...” she said and opened the door more.

”What business did you have?” she asked and walked in the room. It was moderate size for a noble lady and had everything she could ever ask for. Loki closed the door behind him and tried to clear his throat a bit. ”I just... wanted to have a breakfast with you in here... and just get to know you better...” he said and looked at her messy morning style. For strange reason he happened to like it a lot.

”...If you don't mind that I prepare myself at the same time, you are free to stay,” she smiled a bit and took a hair brush. She sat down on a chair in front of small table and Loki walked to her and sat in front of her on a free seat. He held the package close to his lap and hoped it would remain unseen for the moment.

She brushed her other side of hair quickly and was working on another one already. ”I hope I didn't wake you up...” Loki said and looked at her. She looked more beautiful without that hideous cape but... to be honest he hasn't really been bothered by it for days. She shrugged. ”No, I was already up. I usually wake up early because of your uncle,” she smiled and winced as the brush got stuck in her hair. She sighed heavily and turned her head towards Loki. The brush was stuck in her hair even though she didn't even hold it. Her bored expression was humorious enough to bring smile to Loki's lips.

”Here... let me help...” he said and gently took off the brush. ”Come closer...” he said in sweet, honey tone. She pushed her chair closer to his and moved around so he could have closer look into her problem. ”It always happens no matter what I do. They just get tangled so easily...” she explained. Loki brushed her (h/c) loveliness that was just as stubborn as she was. Loki whispered magical words quietly, hoping that she would not hear any of them. Next time he moved his hand with a brush, the hair went through well without a single problem on the way. Last time he had played with woman's hair, he ended up cutting them off completely. He hoped that he wouldn't accidentaly do so to her soft, gorgeus hair.

”What do you have on your lap?” ____ looked down and noticed the small precent. ”Umm....” Loki hesitated. ”I... just wanted to give you a small present. You see, Odin has decided to hold a feast in honor of your arrival and I brought you something... that would look good on you...” he looked down and gave her the package.

She out her deligent fingers on the fabric and elegantly pulled it off. She looked at the dark blue hooded cape in her hands. ”...It would suit your eyes well...” he said and observed her reaciton. Shock turned into happiness and honest surprise. ”For me?” she asked and smile rose to her face. Loki nodded and smiled along... until he noticed her smile fading and her eyes turning into sullen. ”...Thank you. It's very beautiful...” she said absently. ”What is it? Don't you like the color?”

She shook her head. ”No... I just...” Right that moment there was a knock on a door and a maid came in with cart of breakfast with her. ”Good morning your highness and lady,” the maid said and Loki greeted back. Once happy and interesting woman had now escaped back into her shell again. As the maid made everything ready, Loki kept looking at her, trying to understand her reasoning.

The maid left the room and left the cart for them to use as they pleased. ”You were saying...?” Loki continued but she was already getting into eating. She looked really uncomfortable at the subject and Loki naturally took it into himself. Where he had failed? Thoughts of dissapointment and anger came inside of him and took control of the palet of emotions.

”I'm so sorry to bother you.”

Those were the few sentences they shared before he left the room.

~*~

Loki walked straight to the dining room. He had spend his entire day practising magic so he could get over the humiliation with _____. He felt like the biggest idiot in the universe of idiots, not excluding Thor – the king of idiots.

His green cape flew as he rushed to the dining room. He sat in his usual seat near the end of the table. People started to come in and echoes of the talking reached his ears. He closed his eyes and collected his thoughts.

”Loki?”

He opened his eyes and was shocked to see ___ standing there... in pretty colored dress that matched her new cape... the one he gave her at morning. ”May I sit next to you?”

He couldn't deny it, but he just couldn't say yes either. However she took her own permission and sat down next to him. ”... I am sorry about the morning...” she started. ”I just have been wearing my old cape for so long that the thought of having a new one... was strange... to be said...” she finished and looked at Loki. ”How did you get it?” Loki asked and tilted his head a bit. He once more saw that same hesitation in her face like before. ”...I made it myself,” she answered and smiled a bit. ”...And I am aware how ugly I look while wearing it...” ”No,” Loki interupted her. ”...Before I believed that a new one would only increase your natural shine... now I just realize that it doesn't matter what cape or clothes are you wearing at all: You are... just...” Loki was finding difficult to finish his sentence without sounding like a total douche. ”...Ugly?” ____ smirked. ”_____....” Loki whined. ”Stop teasing me...” he smirked at her and took more serious expression when Thor entered with Odin. Behind them was the old Ve who was helped by Odin's wife, Frigga. Loki didn't even notice how the hall filled with people so fast. Time sure was flying fast. ”...I'll tell you about the cape later... if you are still interested to hear it...” ____ whispered to Loki's ear and had that little mischief smirk on the corners of her lips.

Speeches were held and servants helped Ve back to his chambers. Apparenlty wine didn't do well with the old man. Thor was having a drinking competition with couple men of the room. Thor was winning. Loki didn't even care to join the pointless games and as he looked around, he noticed that ____ had walked outside and was sitting outside.

Loki took a some drink of courage and put the goblet down before stepping outside.

____ looked up to sky to see the stars. The sight was poor since it was small inner garden. The towers and rooftops kept the sight small and there were too much light.

”How many gods did you find?” Loki asked behind her and made her jump a bit. ”Loki...!” she smirked and looked at him. She was a bit drunk, wasn't she? ”How are you?” he asked and came closer to her and sat down and crossed his fingers. ”Good. Never been better!” Yup, defenelty had a bit of alchohol.

”...I don't know if you remember but -” ”You want to know about the cape, huh?” she asked and looked at him. Her teeth were on shown a bit during the smile. ”I might had a little bit of red wine buuuuuttt.... I am not that drunk to forget my promise~” ”I'm ready when you are,” Loki said and took his helmet off to his lap. His black messy hair came to cover his forehead. He was trying to grow it but it hasn't been that handsome as he had hoped.

”Okay...” she said and took a deep breath. ”As every fairy tale ever... my story starts in the kingdom... far far away,” she started like in a good old children's story. ”The beautiful queen had fell sick and her devoded husband tried to find cure but failed to found at time. On her sickbed she made him promise that he would marry only the most beautiful woman he could find. That became her last wish since she soon died. The king searched and searched and yet found no other woman to match his late wife's beauty... except... one....” she paused dramatically and Loki noticed how her expression turned more serious than before.

”Is that woman... You?” Loki asked and frowned. She nodded. Loki could imagine the situation better than he wanted. ”Wanted by the old creepy man... I couldn't imagine worse...”

However ____ shook her head. ”...No. There was one angle that made it much worse: the king was my father.”

Loki stared at her as she looked at him with serious expression. There was no sadness or anger. She didn't lie, it was so serious subject that it would be improper...! ”...What...?!” Loki let out.

”After mother died father seemed to slowly losing his mind. Every day got worse and worse and when he started to see me as a newborn mother, I knew things were as bad as it could get but it was only beginning. He wanted to marry me and... do some old fashioned... you know what I am saying...” ”Disgusting...”

”At the beginning I was hopefull that it would go away like a sickness or plague or something. However it didn't go away. When he declared that he would marry me, I knew I had to do something. I ordered a feast in the castle and ordered to have two donkeys butchered that day. My father loved donkey meat and I made sure he had plenty of it. I took the skin and sew it as a disquise for myself. It's... half first impression and half magic I managed to get working on it. No one can see my beauty when it is on... especially not my father...” she paused for a moment. Loki looked at her in a new light he had never looked at her before.

”You ran away and met my uncle...” Loki guessed the rest. Ve seemed kind enough to understand her situation and taking her under his wing. Surely magic expert like him would find plenty of ways to protect her from her mad father. She nodded and looked at him with her (e/c) eyes.

”But I decided to let the cloak go. You had a good idea. Besides I don't need its' protection here,” she said mysteriously and put her soft hand on his cheek and kissed his cheek. ”Thank you for listening,” she said and stood up to walk away. ”Where are you going?” he asked after her. ”To bed before I fall over!” she yelled back. After she left back inside, a smirk rose to Loki's lips and he closed his eyes in peace and happiness.

~*~

”So, how are you and lady ____?” Frigga stopped her previous subject with Loki as she noticed that it was right time to ask. She was training magic with Loki in his own chamber. Loki blinked his eyes. ”What?” he asked innocently. Who? Him? No, he hasn't been doing anything suspicious with anyone. He could swear to it.

”Let's not play this game. I have mother's eyes and I have seen you two together,” Frigga smiled and looked Loki's poor act which only made her more amused. ”I am so glad that you have found someone to love...” she said and took Loki's hands to hers and Loki started smiling as well.

”It has been months since they had arrived here and ____ precense has been nothing but good for you. You seem so much happier than before...” Frigga said and Loki had to agree with her. His entire mind seemed to have fixed on one woman, ____. They often sneaked into highest towers of the night and looked at the stars. He enjoyed seeing her excited expression and it just made his heart burn in happiness and passion.

For one moment he felt like trading all his dreams and wishes if he could just have those few minutes more time with her, his one true love.

~*~

_____ walked in circles in her room. It was dark already and she as squeeching a note in her hands. It arrived a bit late but she didn't mind it. They had agreed to spend one night seperatly since they had been doing nightly runs for several previous nights. However during her meal with Ve, she reseaved a secret letter from servant girl.

It was Loki's letter. He suggested that she would post pone her sleeping since he couldn't stand being away from her for one night. It made her giggle and Ve had made tons of questions and theories about the letter. He knew that giggle and that excitment of new found love.

After she had helped the old man sleep, she walked to her room next to the old man's and put the door open from the lock. She walked to the mirror of the dressing area. She looked at the reflection and wondered how much had changed in few months. She was smiling.

However she was unaware that she wasn't alone in the room.

She felt an uncomfortable chill and looked at the balcony's door which was left open. 'Strange... I don't remember leaving it open,' she thougth and walked quickly to it to shut it properly. She had terrible feeling about it. She was getting worried that she wasn't alone.

And to confirm her fears, she realized too late that she wasn't alone.

And that someone wasn't there to give her the same love as Loki did...

~*~

Even in his nightmares... Even in his worst nightmares he couldn't even imagine the worst outcome.

'How?'

'Who?'

'Why?!'

He held her cold body in his lap. Guards were running around and trying to find the culprit. Tears ran down his cheeks and rage filled his soul.

She was gone.

____ was dead.

If he would have been only faster...

If he had just skipped his last duties and had come sooner...

Perhaps then....

Perhaps then the tragedy wouldn't have to happen...

He blamed himself endlessly as he held her body and howled like a wild beast.

”Loki...”

It was his fault.

”Loki...!”

Loki looked up to his mother who had kneeled to his level. ”...She is gone now... Let her rest...” she said and looked down to ____ who had still her eyes open like she would have been dead fish.

Loki looked at her and let another tear fall down as he gently placed her on ground. Marks on her neck made the way of the murder more obvious.

He closed her eyes with his hands. If he only looked at her face, it would have seemed that she was only napping and would wake up soon... soon to cheer up his day.

”We will find the one who did it. Now you must let her go,” Frigga put her hands on his shoulders and tried to pull him away. ”No...” Loki whispered.

”You must...”

”NO!”

”What seems to be a matter...?” an old voice came from the doorway. Ve was standing there in his casual clothes he had changed in hurry and stared up again. ”So much noise....” he spoke.

Everyone remained quiet as no one knew how to tell the old man what had happened. ”Well? The problem?”

”...____ has been strangled....” Frigga said and came to the old man. ”I'll take you to your room...” ”No.. Bring me to her...” the old man insisted and Frigga looked hesitating before she gave in and helped the old man next to Loki.

The old man searched the body with his shaky hand and then found her deligent fingers. He took her hand and tested her pulse like verifying that awful truth. When the truth hit him, his face turned ot saddest one Loki had ever seen. Ve has always been happy or cunny... but never as sad as he was for that moment.

”...Looks like we are having funeral ahead...” he said in quiet tone. Loki couldn't even think about it. Imaging her sailing to eternal sea was too devastating...!

”Chin up Loki... It could have been worse...” the old man said. ”Worse? Worse?!” Loki yelled as he couldn't believe his ears. He stood up in rage and pulled his fingers into fist. ”What do you think she was to me?” he asked in cold tone. ”Do you have any idea-?!” ”-Of course I-” ”No you don't!” Loki yelled at him. He didn't care anymore... nothing mattered anymore. It felt like an end until the old man started laughing his old, dry laugh.

He was picking his pockets and took out a small glass bottle. He took off the bottle top and it let out small noise of removal. ”...What are you doing?” Loki asked but the old man smirked.

”If this is the result of my years of studing and advancing in the magic... I am more than happy with my life...” he said and turned to look at Loki. He raised the small bottle. ”For good health,” he smiled and turned to drink the small bottle's liquid. It looked like water.

”What did you do?” Frigga asked but the old man did not answer. His smile was still there until he fell to his side and peacefully closed his eyes. His smile turned down a bit and Loki didn't need any more evidence... it was obvious that he was not sleeping... He had just killed himself. ”...You fool...” Loki whispered. Frigga hurried to old man and turned him over. ”He is dead...” she confirmed it.

The day couldn't have gone any worse than this. One night, two lives were lost.

Loki closed his eyes.

Then he heard movement....

Then suddenly ____ started coughing and gasping for air. Loki quickly hurried to her aid and came to help her to sit. ”She is having difficult to breath!” Loki yelled and Frigga put her hands on ___'s throat. Loki's mother closed her eyes and started muttering spells to ease the pain and help her to recover.

Loki looked down to old man and then back to _____. Her chest moved up and down in intense speed until it calmed down. She coughed a bit before she calmed down enough. Loki let her head rest under his chin and he was making sure that he wasn't letting her go.

”How are you still alive...?” Frigga asked and checked her overall condition. ”Loki...” ____ whispered and looked up with her tired eyes. ”...Could you let me breath for a moment?”

'Only death could pay for life.'

As the boat was left on floating, Asgardians looked at it fading in distance. ____ was weak for days until she recovered to her full health. Loki never left her side.

Ve's body was cleaned like a proper Asgardian and he was let go with help of the enire royal family.

No more humble or braver man has ever stepped in the palace.

His name as the 'great' was left in the books against his own wishes. However the secrets of his magic were lost forever as they died with him.

____ looked as Ve's boat disappeared in the distance. She held Loki's hand and stared into sky. ”Let's go back,” Loki whispered to her. She nodded and returned with him to palace.