A Trick of the Light - Chapter 2
Nauthiz

Consciousness returned slowly, beginning with a haze of pain that grew swiftly into a throb of agony, which concentrated itself in a tight knot at Loki's lower back. He whimpered softly, still caught in the dark confusion between asleep and awake, struggling to open his eyes and discover why his entire body felt bruised and broken. He could feel the soft grass beneath him and wondered briefly why he had been sleeping outside as he finally managed to crack his crimson eyes open, the morning sunlight almost blinding at first.
"Where...?" He murmured to himself, before recognizing the lake nearby. He remembered bathing, and then... Loki's bright red eyes widened in horror as the events of the previous night were recollected and he looked down at himself, discovering the purple patches of bruises on his pale skin. They were scattered over his chest and arms, but mostly on the insides of his thighs and his hips. The throbbing on his cheek told him he'd taken more than a few blows to the face, too. Gingerly, he touched his wounded cheek with tentative fingers and winced, quickly pulling his hand away as his eyes began to blur with tears. 
How could Balder, the pure and just god of light, have done such a thing to him? And why? Surely there were thousands who would jump at the chance to be Balder's lover, what had stopped him choosing one of them to satisfy his lust?
Loki frowned, reaching painfully for his black robe and pulling it on, tying it closed with the torn white belt. There was no way he would let Balder get away with using him like that. Just because Balder was one of Odin's sons, did he think he had the right to do as he pleased, without retribution? 
The white haired little deity growled softly and stood up, though it was difficult and painful. He took a step forward, his feet bare upon the lush green grass, and almost fell to his knees at the burst of agony that shot up his spine. Swaying slightly on the verge of collapse, Loki clenched his fists in determination and forced himself to be strong, taking another step and refusing to stop for the pain. If Balder thought that he would lay down quietly and accept what had been done to him, then the god of light was in for a surprise. He was going stright to Odin at the Hall of the Gods in Gladsheim. Balder would learn that he was no one's toy, no matter who they were.

* * *

After leaving Loki sprawled unconscious on the grass beside the lake in Midgard, Balder returned with haste to Gladsheim and the Hall of the Gods, knowing that beneath his playful, innocent exterior Loki was deep down a fiery spirit and would not simply accept what the god of light had done to him. Balder knew that Loki would tell Odin of what had happened, but with his reputation as the god of tricks there would be little chance of anyone believing him, especially the father of the one being accused of rape. 
The journey back took a little over an hour, giving him time to clear his mind. He needed to be focussed on proving his innocence in the face of Loki's accusations before the other gods, but his mind kept returning to how beautiful Loki had been beneath him, his pale little hands clutching at the grass at his sides and each pained cry offered up like tributes to his attacker. Balder was in turmoil over what to feel about what he had done to Loki, feeling as though there were two halves of himself that each desired different things. One wanted to wallow in guilt and beg Loki's forgiveness, the other could only think of going back and making the snowy haired little deity his again. It had been almost frightening to feel that part of himself take over as he struck Loki, even more frightening to realize that he had enjoyed it almost as much as actually taking Loki. 
Loki had not deserved what had been done to him, the more rational, moral part of Balder told him. Oh, but he *had* deserved it, the other half hissed at him. He had watched Loki for years, wanting and loving him, but had Loki ever noticed? And what right did any man have to be that beautiful, anyway? It were as though Loki had been taunting him, knowing that he could have any lover he chose but taking none, because he had no need to prove himself to anybody, least of all Balder.
No, Balder snarled at himself; he could not let his mind wander now. The gates of the great hall loomed up before him and he gathered his courage, striding as confidently as he could into the huge wooden palace of his father. Murmuring greetings to a few other gods and goddesses he passed, Balder walked until he found himself a place near the throne, then settled down to wait for Loki.

* * *

"Odin!" A small voice cried out, and the king of all the gods looked up to find one of his least favourite creatures standing before him. 
"What is it, Loki? I have no patience for your tricks and games." The grey haired king growled, his silver beard trailing down his well-muscled chest and his piercing green eyes glaring at the petit deity before him. He noticed that the white haired creature's pale face was bruised and his clothes torn and bloodstained, but it meant little to him. Loki was forever playing tricks and occasionally the little deity would end up pushing his victims too far. That usually resulted in him sporting bruises, so Odin felt no need to question Loki on how he had acquired them. 
"This is not a game!" Loki insisted, stumbling forward slightly and looking to be in quite a lot of pain. He probably deserved it, Odin thought, but still the king of the gods could not help but feel a little pity for the red eyed creature.
"Then why do you stand before me?" He asked, his tone a little gentler as he watched Loki struggling to stand straight in his presence.
"I stand before you because your son Balder has done this to me!" Loki growled, gesturing to the bruises that covered him. Odin's eyes narrowed.
"He beat you? What did you do to warrant this?" 
"I did nothing to him! And he has done more than beaten me. He has... He has..." Loki tried to force the words out but could not, and turned his head to the side with dark eyes as he felt Odin's sharp gaze upon him. 
Odin watched the flush of shame that crossed Loki's pale cheeks and felt rage boil up inside him. He knew perfectly well what Loki was trying to say.
"You dare to imply that my son would do such a thing?" The kind of gods growled in a threatening voice. Loki opened his mouth to answer, but at that moment another voice spoke up.
"Did I hear my name, just now?" Balder smiled as he walked up to the throne, bowing in respect before his father. "You have quite the bruise on your cheek, Loki." He commented innocently. Loki stared at him for a moment with wide eyes, shuddering as he forced away a barrage of images he'd rather forget.
"As well you know, for it was your doing!" He snarled, his crimson eyes narrowing in hatred. 
"Mine?" Balder looked surprised and turned to his father, who still sat upon his great golden throne. "What is going on?" He asked, his voice sounding confused.
"How can you say such things? Admit what you have done to me!" Loki demanded, his fists clenched with anger as he watched Balder's innocent act.
"Admit what? I have done nothing to you. Are you sure you did not take a blow to the head, little one?" Balder laughed lightly, and Odin smiled. Of course his son was innocent. This was just another of Loki's tricks.
"A-a blow to the head...?" Loki whispered, his eyes wide as he realized that nobody would believe him, and Balder would get away with what he had done. No, he couldn't just get away with it!
"Coward!! Can you not bear the consequences of your actions? Are you too afraid to admit your guilt?!" Loki shrieked, blood red eyes glowing with rage.
"Calm yourself!" Balder growled, not liking Loki's words. His eyes told Loki that he had best be silent, but the smaller god refused to heed the warning.
"You coward! Hel take your soul, you black-hearted liar! You'll burn in the abyss for what you have done to me!" The white haired god almost screamed, and Balder could take no more. Snarling, he struck Loki across the face and sent him to the floor.
"Silence!" He growled, watching coldly as Loki's eyes widened and his fists began to clench so tight that blood welled up between his fingers.
The red eyed little god choked back a gasp as the sting of Balder's strike triggered images of lying helpless on the grass beside the lake, powerless to move as Balder did as he pleased. He whimpered softly, unable to escape the flashbacks, and stared with wide eyes at the things only he could see.
Balder seemed to realize as he saw Loki's trembling that he should apologize before his father began to suspect. Odin was sat upon the throne still, frowning as he watched Loki shivering on his knees and gasping, eyes wide and filled with tears of horror.
"Loki. Forgive me, I-" Balder began, reaching down a hand to help Loki up, surprised when the little god turned to look up at him in fear and shied away, his tears trickling down his cheeks. 
Shaking violently at being so close to Balder, Loki scrambled up, gave Balder one last, fearful look, then turned and ran from the hall.
Smirking, Balder turned to his father and laughed.
"It seems Loki has finally lost his mind, father," the god of light joked. "He always was a little crazed."
Odin smiled back and watched his son bow and take his leave, then frowned. On the floor where Loki had knelt were drops of bright blood and, though he loved his son dearly, a tiny shadow of doubt began to eat at his heart.

TBC

Any comments or whatever (praise and ego-stroking are always nice) email me at: death2disney@hotmail.com