Hero's Lament Part 14 (Thor x Reader)
Word Count: 1768
Published Wednesday 8/1/18
Part 14
I soft groan escaped my lips as I rolled over on the cold ground beneath me. I sat up and pushed myself back up against a wall just as cold as the ground and I shivered violently.
My head throbbed and I touched it gently, feeling a familiar, now sticky, substance pasted on the side of my head and down my face. My head hurt and I felt dizzy. I looked around, the room was made from concrete, a large mirror standing in the middle of a wall. A two-way mirror at that. The light above me seemed to barely flicker, like this place wasn’t supposed to be up and alive. A door was to my left, so I stood and moved to it. I jiggled the knob but the door didn’t open. I tried it again, just to be sure that it was locked at it was. I sighed and ran my hands through my long hair, looking around the room. A blanket and pillow laid neatly in the opposite right corner along with two bottles of water. Underneath the two-way mirror was a small screen, maybe no larger than thirty-two inches. I moved to turn on the screen and was met with a blue screen with the words no signal bouncing around the background color. Another sigh.
I was about to shut off the screen when it turned static and I saw on the screen was Thor. He laid in a room much like mine only his was bare. No blanket and pillow, not water, no screen under the mirror. I looked closely, confused. It was silent until a door swung open and I squeaked and fell back. My eyes landed on Odysseus.
“Hello again, my love.” He greeted.
“Why am I here Odysseus!” I demanded an answer.
“Your friend there asked the same question.” He chuckled.
He tossed me a ripe, shiny red apple. I looked at it and then back to Odysseus.
“Oh please it’s not poisoned. I figured you would be hungry, don’t have a whole meal for you yet but it's better than nothing.” He leaned against the wall, watching me as I took a small bite, and then another, and another until the apple was gone.
Only Valhalla knew how long I had gone since I had actually eaten something. I scratched the long sleeve shirt I had on, not realizing I had been changed out of my clothes that I wore while in Muspelheim. Odysseus tossed me another apple and I went on eating it as he began to speak.
“So, I'm done asking for your help in aiding Ragnarok…”
“Good, I mean I'm not helping you complete it even if you asked politely.” I sneer as I swallow the piece of apple in my mouth.
“Instead I'm gonna force you to help me.” He finished.
“Ha! And how do you plan on doing that?” I laugh loudly and I threw the apple core at him, he caught it.
“Last time I helped you out we both got banished from Asgard and my title as Protector was removed.”
“Ah but was it really?” He questioned me and I looked at him curiously.
“Imagine the palace, standing to the right of the throne. Thor sitting In it and smiling at you as you bear the mark of The Protector…” I rolled my eyes and leaned against the wall.
“Close your eyes and do it. I promise you, it will open up your mind to something you didn’t think possible.” I huffed and closed my eyes.
I saw the throne in all its glory, the gold color lighting up the room as the glass behind it let light filter in from the outside. Thor sat on the throne, a scepter in hand and a goofy smile of his face just like the one he used to show as a kid. To his right I stand, wearing nothing more than typical Midgardian garb. At my left hip was a sword forged by the finest Asgardian blacksmith. On my right hip was a chain forged by Dwarven Blacksmith, the thin looking chain was heavier than to be believed and every other link was accompanied by a golden link. It was a picture that once looked right to me but now it seems like a distant memory. Just a dream and nothing more.
“Look at your arm as you imagine being the King’s Protector.” Odysseus whispered through my imagination.
On my left arm was a rune of protection encased with intricate lettering of the Norse language and Odin’s ravens flew above the tree of life. It was a dim golden color and I sighed softly, wishing I had that position back once more.
“Now open your eyes and look at your arm, Elska.” Odysseus whispered.
A shiver ran down my spine as his voice smoothed out that final word. Elska. It had been so long since I last heard the Asgardian Norse language. I all together quit speaking it because it hurt to remember my old home but being called love in that language made the hair on my arms stand at attention. I opened my eyes and lifted the sleeve of my left arm to see the mark of The Protector still engraved on my arm. A small smile graced my lips and I went to looked up at Odysseus with an expression that could warm the coldest of hearts but my excitement was short-lived. His long slender fingers wrapped around my wrist and across my arms the silver glinted and painted my arm red. A scream came from my chapped lips, a scream that was a mix between the pain and the surprise of the attack. I yanked my arm away a gripped the skin around the wound tightly. A small crimson river ran to the tips of my fingers and dripped onto the floor beneath my feet.
“Odysseus! What the hell!?” I screeched.
“You never got the proper send off because Odin wanted to get rid of you. In this haste he forgot to rid you of the mark he gave you so as someone who stands by tradition it is my duty to enforce the rules that once you fall you don’t fly again.” He chuckled darkly.
I went to throw a punch but my hands never showed the brilliant light they once homed. Odysseus caught my hand and spun me around, my back pressed to his front. The cut on my arm cried as did the gash on my head, now re-opened with the struggle. I stumbled slightly as Odysseus held me in place. His lips were so close to my ear and I couldn’t help but listen.
“I will rip those beautiful feathers from your wings and I will stain the remaining skin with the blood of innocent. You fell just like I did and I don’t want to lose you. You have something I want, and I am no longer going to be a gentleman. I will take it by force.” He growled and threw me to the ground.
A whimper escaped my lips.
“Go to hell.” I whispered.
“What do you think I am trying to do? I'm trying to bring hell to me like the air you bring to your lungs. Have fun, Elska.” He laughed and walked off.
I curled up against the wall and my breathing quickened. I needed to staunch the bleeding now that the wound has opened again. I ripped the blanket up and wrapped strands of the fabric around the wounds. The rest of the blanket covered my body and kept me warm as I lie on the floor. I just… I need to forget. I need rest.
*
When I woke up It was to a sound so louder than a tap.
Tap Tap Tap.
It stopped.
Tap Tap Tap
I shifted and rolled over to see Odysseus tapping the glass. His devilish smirk seemed to widen as I woke up. On the screen by his feet was the video of Thor. It was silent, no audio was heard. Around Thor’s neck was a collar much like a dog’s. The left side had a small black box on it that had a green blinking light. Thor kept up a heavy pace as his hands ran through his hair in annoyance.
“Its good to see you up, sleeping beauty.” Odysseus chuckled.
I shifted and pressed my back against the wall.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“Midgard. Its fascinating that once you strip someone of all skill or powers these chambers have the capacity to hold you. With that thing around your neck you are no more than a human.”
“What….is it?” I asked once more, my fingers looped into the collar around my neck.
“Just some Midgardian technology that I stole from….ahem….that's besides the point. Anyway, I want to talk.”
“What about?”
“I come with an offer…. One you may not be able to refuse.” A chuckle erupted from him and I hunkered down.
“There is nothing you have to offer that I want.” I growled like a caged animal.
“Oh I beg to differ, Elska.” His eyes drifted to the screen, “You see… your friend here hasn’t eaten since you all got here. He hasn’t had the comfort or warmth of a blanket. Just minor necessities…It’s been three days, and he hasn’t even had a drink.” Odysseus said in a pitiful tone.
My heart sank just a bit.
“Okay. What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.
“You can buy him these necessities by giving up yours.” Odysseus never took his eyes off the screen that had Thor walking around punching the walls.
“You think that I'm gonna give up my things for him? Really? After everything, you honestly think…” I began to panic.
“I don’t think…. I know you’ll give them up.” He left the room.
I huddled in the corner. We had no powers, no way to get out? And Thor is stuck in another room with no powers and no food? Three days? I couldn’t have been out for three days, could I? In three days they would have found a way to get out, right?
I panicked.
My fingers wrapped in my hair and began to breathe irregularly. Odysseus’ is right, I can’t let Thor starve… he…
By Odin’s beard I can’t believe I am doing this.