The next morning, Grer came to get Rayne after breakfast. She held onto Loki tightly, and whispered in his ear, "I'll be safe, try not to worry." She kissed him one last time and left, following Grer down the winding halls until they reached the open area once again. Rayne noticed the other brothers were not here this time. Grer took her to the edge of the clearing where she saw the murky river coming up from the ground. He looked older than his brothers, his hair and beard streaked with grey. His expression was one of resentment. She could tell he didn't like her much.
"My brother seems to think you are special," he grumbled, "For his sake I'll help, but understand, if you or Loki cause any trouble, or have any thoughts of trickery, I'll kill you myself." Rayne saw the hard glint in his eyes and knew he meant every word. She swallowed hard but did not respond. "Now, the first thing you need to know is that the earth is more than just dirt. Lots of things come from the earth - rocks, minerals, metals, gems - if you really are an elementær, you will be able to control them all with practice." He walked closer to the water and held his hand over the river. She watched as the water began to churn and bubble, then suddenly pieces of stone rose to the surface. Grer reached down to grab the floating stones. Using a small pick-axe, he cracked them open to reveal the most exquisite amethysts she had ever seen. "Your turn," he said, turning towards her.
Rayne tried to do what he had, and hold her hand over the water, but it only swirled. Grer grunted at her failed attempt. She sat on the ground near the water's edge and closed her eyes. She listened to the water in front of her and deeper within the earth. She saw something sparkle in her mind and called it. It moved and slithered as if it were a snake, pushing through the soil to reach her. She felt something cool in the palm of her hands and smiled. She lifted her hands, opening them for Grer to see. Inside of each palm, was a pool of quickly hardening gold. The dwarf paused, then smiled at her. "Now give it back to the earth. We never take what we do not need, and you have no need for this gold," he told her. She smiled, proud of her accomplishment.
She gently kissed the lumps of gold, whispered to them, and then poured them back into the awaiting ground. They both watched as the lumps became liquid again and vanished beneath the earth. "Gold seems to like you, but what about crystals? Can you sense any of them?" Grer asked.
Rayne paused and reached out again. "I know the amethyst are under the river, there are emeralds in the cavern walls to the east, and there is something within the fire below, but I don't know what kind of crystal it is." She looked at him, waiting to see his reaction.
He nodded and mumbled to himself for a moment. "Alright, I guess I'm done here. Berling will be along with some lunch and to train you." Rayne started to say something but hesitated. Grer shouted back as he left, "I'll tell your Trickster that you are well. Can't have him destroying all the damn furniture." She smiled and thanked him, but he was already gone.
She sat on the ground twirling a piece of moss in between her fingers while she waited for Berling. Dvalin can you hear me?
Yes, elementær, are you in need of assistance? Dvalin's voice had a note of concern.
No, I'm just...nervous I guess. I'm sorry to bother you. She felt silly for reaching out to him.
She felt a slight buzzing feeling and suddenly Dvalin was beside her. "What troubles you?" he asked, making her jump slightly.
"Wait, how did you do that? I didn't know you could teleport," she stammered, "then again, I don't really even know what abilities or powers dwarves have at all. Gods, I'm so out of my depths here!" she groaned, flopping backward on the ground.
He laughed and laid back on the ground next to her. His voice was deep and comforting, "The actual term is terraportation. I too have earth elemental capabilities, most dwarves do to a certain degree, I'm just a bit more skilled than my brothers." She liked the sparkle in his eyes when he grinned. "Now, close your eyes and relax." Rayne felt his hand clasp hers, it made her feel safe. "Listen to my voice and let go. Feel the earth all around you. I know you don't like confinement, but don't fight it." His hand tightened around hers, his voice seemed to change and become an echo. "Open your eyes."
She felt heavy like a great pressure was squeezing her as she struggled to open her eyes. They weren't in the clearing anymore, they were part of it. It was like looking up through a window. "How?" she gasped, "I ask that a lot don't it," she giggled.
Dvalin rolled his eyes and laughed, "Yes, you do. For someone who has spent her life surrounded by magic, you are still so surprised by it. No wonder the Fates chose you." Rayne gave him a confused look. "Yes, I know about the Council. There is a very old prophecy about you, elementær. I knew it was you the moment I felt your feet touch the planet's surface." His expression was one of reverence and love.
"I'm so confused. What prophecy are you talking about? What am I supposed to do?" Rayne was getting a bit scared and the ground felt like it was pressing against her, stealing her breath. She felt trapped, and her tears began to cascade down her cheeks.
"Shhh, you are safe. Do not worry about the prophecy. Come," he raised his free hand to wipe a tear from her cheek. In an instant, it sent a shock through both of them. As if a flood gate had opened, she could see his memories and he saw hers. She saw flashes from his childhood, his struggles with powers no one else had, the loss of his mother, and the death of his lover at the hands of dark elves. He saw memories of the cabin in Missouri, the battle with Eris, and even the gello and her lost child. There were other memories of children running in fields, two young warriors fighting side by side. They hugged each other and cried, for themselves and for each other. Rayne's eyes were clamped shut, trying to quell the tears.
When they let go of one another, they were back in the cavern beside the river still holding hands. Neither of them spoke for a while until they heard Berling coming down the passageway. They quietly let go of each other's hands and dried their eyes. "I'll take my leave now, my lady," Dvalin bowed and then vanished. She couldn't help but feel hollow at his departure. She didn't understand what had just happened, but then again, she wasn't sure he did either.
Berling was pleasant enough towards her. He was the youngest of the four brothers and had an amazing skill for creating glass from sand particles without using fire. He spent several hours training Rayne, but in the end, she found it faster to merge her ability to move and form the sand, then add her fire element to instantly create sculptures of glass. At one point, Berling seemed to get frustrated that she could do the task more quickly than him.
Despite not being able to see the sun or a clock, Rayne's body told her it was time to eat and rest. Berling led her most of the way, then left her to decipher the remaining halls on her own. She was about to open the door when a new fear sank into her heart. How would Liam, or Loki react to what happened with Dvalin? She hadn't even told him that they could speak telepathically. She knew she couldn't hide this from him, and she didn't want to.
She took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Loki was laying on the bed, twirling a dagger absentmindedly. His eyes lit up when he saw her come in. Much like last night, he crushed her against him, covering her in kisses. "Why is there dirt in your hair," he chuckled, "and sand."
"Well, I used sand to make glass, played with gold, and was buried underground." She said casually, running her hands through her hair. "Maybe we could take a bath?" Rayne began stripping as she walked toward the bathroom slowly. She began to run when she heard Loki growl. By the time he reached her, the tub was filled with warm water, and she was stepping in. She held her hand out to him, "Join me, love." He climbed in behind her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Mmmm...I missed you," his kisses along her neck softening his words. She rested against his chest and tried to relax, but couldn't. He noticed how tense her body was. "What's wrong?" Rayne didn't answer for a few moments, and he turned her face towards him to see large tears streaming down her cheeks. "Elskede mín, what has happened to cause you such sadness?"
"I...I don't know how to explain it. I don't understand it myself," she was sobbing now, gasping for air. "Can you read my mind, if I let you? I just..."
"Shhh, it's okay, love. If you prefer, then yes, with your permission I can read your mind. I will only focus on what happened today, I promise." He pulled her against his chest once more. "Just relax, this may feel a bit awkward." She leaned against him and closed her eyes. She could feel his presence more than usual. It was different from the telepathic link, it was more intrusive, but it didn't hurt. It was like watching a movie behind her eyes. The events of the day replayed. Speaking with Dvalin telepathically, holding his hand, being underground, the prophecy, and then the flood of memories when he touched her cheek. She didn't realize she was shaking and crying again until Loki spoke. "It's okay, darling. You've done nothing wrong, you're safe," he held her tight, stroking her hair.
"Why am I connected to him? What is happening to me?" Rayne cried softly. "I feel like the more I gain control of the elements, the more I'm losing control of myself."
Loki listened as she spoke and began to wash her hair. He listened as she explained how connecting to the elements meant letting go of a part of herself. She feared that she might lose control and not be able to come back. She told him about the telepathic link with Dvalin from the first night, and her fear of the prophecy he kept mentioning. How she felt that her life was suddenly no longer in her control. When she ran out of words, he lifted her from the tub, dried her and carried her to a blanket in front of the fireplace, and combed her hair in silence.
He went to the table and brought back a plate of meat and cheese with a glass of wine. "Eat," he told her simply. She took a sip of wine and nibbled some cheese. "Now, I cannot answer all of your questions, but I can answer some. However, I think you might want to invite your friend, Dvalin, to come for part of this conversation." Rayne's eyes went wide. "Call out to him, he'll hear you," Loki said, nodding.
Umm, Dvalin, sorry to bother you, but can you come to my chambers? Loki has some information for us...about what happened today. She called out through her mind. The dwarf appeared just inside the door, looking a bit terrified. He looked back and forth between Rayne and Liam. "Elementær, I hope I'm not intruding," his voice was a bit unsteady but formal.
Loki motioned for him to join them near the fire. "Please do not worry, Dvalin. I mean you no harm." Rayne saw Dvalin relax just a bit, but he was still guarded. "Rayne allowed me to see what happened today. She was quite distraught earlier. She did not understand what happened, but do you? Do you understand your connection to her?" He was studying the dwarf's face, searching for a hint of understanding, and recognition.
"I only know of the prophecy, but I do not understand our connection. I could feel her presence, and it wasn't until she reacted yesterday that I realized she could hear my thoughts. I wanted her to hear me." He took a deep breath and looked at Rayne, "I want to keep her safe, no, I need to keep her safe. It's like I've always known her and been her protector." He looked down as he finished.
Rayne was completely confused. Was he saying he loved her? She could feel the anxiety rising in her again. Loki noticed her panic and reached out to take her hand. "It's okay, ástvinur. Do you remember when Odin called you my sjelevenn?" Rayne nodded, then looked towards Dvalin. "Well, you and Dvalin share a similar connection." Rayne started to say something, but he stopped her. "It isn't the same, it's not like the love we have, but it is probable you are følgesvenn, companion soulmates. You may have been friends or even siblings over your past lives. Whichever it was, the connection was so strong that it has withstood time, bringing you into each other's paths again." He had a broad smile on his face now, "Dvalin, you're the real reason she had to train here. She needed to find you again."
"Is that why we didn't understand some of the memories?" Dvalin's voice was strained as he finally looked up at them.
Loki nodded, "Probably. Those were most likely memories from another lifetime."
"So the telepathic connection is because of our past lives?" Rayne asked. Again, Loki nodded. "So how does the prophecy connect to all of this, and what the hell is the prophecy about?" She turned to Dvalin waiting for an explanation.
He began slowly, reciting the words as if they had been ingrained within his mind:
"When the five elements combine, the threads will unravel, a goddess will be where once there was none. Destinies destroyed, paths unseen, darkness rises, malevolence comes."
Dvalin, reached for Rayne's hand, "I do not understand the whole prophecy, but I knew it was you when you arrived."
Rayne sat for a moment, holding both their hands. Her mind was spinning and she closed her eyes.
"One thing at a time, my precious ones," her grandmother's voice filled the room. Her form shimmered near the fireplace. She smiled and turned to the dwarf, "Nice to finally meet you, Dvalin." He smiled, recognizing her from Rayne's memories.
"Lady Rebecca," he bowed his head to her.
She laughed, "Oh hush, call me grandmother, you're family again." His face lit up as she smiled at him again. "Now, as for you two," she turned her attention back to Loki and Rayne, "This is not the time to worry about a prophecy that is literally older than all of us combined. What is meant to be will come to pass when it should and not before."
She began to fade, then paused and added, "Don't you two need to get home for your wedding?" With a sly grin and wink, she vanished. Dvalin sat dumbfounded, while Rayne and Loki couldn't quit laughing at her grandmother's parting words.
"Does that sort of thing happen often?" Dvalin finally asked.
"Around her," Loki pointed at Rayne, "lots of bizarre things happen, you'll get used to it. Like grandmother said, you're family," he patted the dwarf on the shoulder. Rayne couldn't help but burst out laughing at the whole situation. They talked well into the night until Rayne began to fall asleep. Dvalin excused himself as Loki carried her to the bed.
Climbing in next to her, he kissed her cheek and drew the covers up around them both. "Goodnight ástvinur," he whispered. She mumbled something in response and buried her face against his chest. Loki watched her sleep for a few moments before drifting off to sleep himself.
***
Author's Notes: Hmmm....prophesy....