Beauty in the Beast

Chapter 22 (Part 2)

Chapter 22, part 2! Lots of 2's. Annnyway. This is just a continuation of the last chapter. It's a little longer. Sorry about the different lengths. It's hard finding a good place to stop and making sure it still makes sense. Anyway there are things in this which do not fit into Norse mythology (just some age stuff etc etc). Hope you're enjoying the story. Let me know of your thinkings.

Lots of Loki love from me!

- Z xx

Laufey held the dagger above his son’s skull and spoke the words of his people

“Tumuno decsyra!” he shouted. Loki laughed under his breath; he knew what they meant.

“Shameful vermin. What kind words. They will not deter me Laufey. I am what I am. I am an Asgardian and even though I will not walk these lands before long, my spirit shall forever haunt you, torture you and make your life a living hell!” he shouted, his voice clear and plain. Laila could not wait any longer. With tears blinding her vision, she ran out of the shadows into the centre of the courtyard, screaming

“No! Wait!” Just at that moment Laufey brought the dagger down. The sudden voice behind him faltered his aim. Loki, hearing the voice, snapped his head up. Suddenly Loki cried in pain as the dagger came into contact with his skin. A gash formed upon his cheek, staining it with deep black blood; a dark contrast to his sea-blue skin. He fell to the floor, no longer having the strength to hold himself up. Laufey whipped around, his hand slacking as he realised who the voice had come from. The dagger fell from his grasp and clattered to the floor as Loki raised his head again. Laila stopped and stared at the group in front of her. A dangerous smile played on Laufey’s lips as he addressed the situation

“Well, well, look who decided to turn up after all.” He jeered. Laila glanced at Laufey before settling her gaze on the kneeling frost giant. In her head she visualised the man that had left Asgard; with his golden robes and pale skin shining in the moonlight, but what kneeled before her told a different story. Instead she saw the remains of a broken creature, with its skin; the deep blue coat of a frost giant and its poisonous red eyes. Its ribs jutted out through its skin and its muscles lacked the definition they once had. Cuts and bruises were strewn over its torso like confetti. It wasn’t Loki. It couldn’t be Loki. Laila looked up at Laufey after studying the stooping frost giant,

“Where is Loki?” she asked. Laufey laughed out loud, a great bellowing sound that filled the empty courtyard. Eventually he answered

“What, you don’t recognise him? He’s right there princess, in front of your eyes.” He said between giggles. Laila turned back to the scrawny frost giant and approached him with caution

“Loki?” she asked with uncertainty. Loki nodded slightly, his voice chastened

“Laila please. Don’t look at me. I can’t bear you seeing me like this. I am a monster. Go. Leave this place while you still can and never look back.” He whispered with shame. Laila stood tall in front of them, defiant, unmoving. Her voice wobbled slightly

“But, what have they done to you?” she asked with despair. Loki lowered his head again, reluctant to reply. Laila ran up to Loki’s side, unable to keep away from the man she had been so longing to see. Reaching him, she embraced him in a hug. He returned it with little effort. She broke away from him, her eyes full of concern

“Loki what is it? What are you not telling me? Please tell me. I can’t stand by and watch you suffer in silence when there could be something I could do to help!” she said desperately. Loki looked up from the ground. The once so strong prince was now no more than a weak and helpless man. He spoke with regret, his voice final