Madness

The Silence of Asgard

My face is shoved into the plushy fabric of my pillow, my shouts muffled as I hang onto my bed for dear life. 

"Loki, you have to come with me, I-It's this or de-death, brother."

"Kill me!"

I shout as he finally pries my from the safety of my bed.  My heart is beating in my throat as he stands me up, only to hold my shoulders and look down at me.  His eyes were red and his face twisted into one of pain and sorrow.

"Brother, I love you, remember what I told you about this.  You just need to keep still and it will be over in no time."

He rushed his words as a guard knocked on my large door.  Thor attempted to compose himself as he told the guards to come in.  Trailing behind them was a healer.  She smiled sadly at my small body and judging from her grim expression it was time.

"Please....  Just be gentle with him..."

Thor begged, tears threatening to spill down his face.

"Yes, Prince, we will be careful....Odin has commanded you to restrain your brother while we carry out the punishment."

The words took a blow right to Thor's heart.  I could see that just from the nod.  His expression changed to one of a brave warrior, though it lacked something....Perhaps the courage to complete his dreaded task?

I was led out of my room and down the golden halls of Asgard's palace.  Guards were lined in rows along each doorway and passageway. 

Thor refused to let go of my hand as we got escorted.  He looked at me every five seconds, seeming sadder and sadder as we reached the room.  This room was familiar, yet so were all the rooms in the palace.  My hand was shaking in Thor's as we walked in, my older brother scooping me into his arms and laying my form onto a few pillows. 

"Brother, r-r-relax and I-I'll be here....I-I lo-love you."

He choked out, his tears now trailing down his face as he held my body down, climbing on top of me to hold my legs in place.  All I could do was nod, my heart beating quicker and my lungs begging for air as I held my breath.

"Br-Breathe, brother.  It will be soon over."

I nodded again and sucked in a slow breath.  I heard chattering until finally a man stepped over and sat beside me.  He wore a hard expression on his face a slightly apologetic look deep in his brown eyes.

"Be still."

He murmured as he threaded the enchanted string through the eye of the dull needle.  The man glanced down at me as he tied it off, leaning forward.  He looked at Thor, who couldn't bear to watch as his brother was about to be punished.

"Hold him harder, I don't want to have to do this twice."

The man instructed sternly and Thor gapped.

"I-I cannot, I-I will break his bones."

"Hold him down harder, he will be fine."

Thor solemnly nodded and held my wrists down above my head harder, a small gasp escaping my lips as I felt a pain starting to form in my hand.  The man bit the inside of his cheek as he grabbed the corner of my mouth and thrust the needle into my lip.  He paused for a moment as I screamed.

I heard Thor cry out in anguish and he sobbed quietly as he looked at the pain I was in.  His little brother, underneath him, his lips being sewn shut for all eternity.  None to hear the sound of the boy again.  The shame the older prince felt was no compare to the screams of his sibling.