1.2

'Every being as a weakness,' Loki mused, cruel eyes still glittering at the joyous scene, demanding for it to all end. 'And, even IF that wretched wench Frigg DID manage to secure a vow from all, she must have missed something; she is far too cocky for her own good. And I will find this,' the handsome god smirked, his calm mask of the impassive watcher still in place to all who chanced upon him. Turning and striding from the hall where he scowled at every day, he sped to the gardens, knowing that the Mother of the Gods would be there.

Sweeping down the hall, long legs eating up the pathway, Loki's young and verile appearance began to shift, a multicolored haze shrouding him in his transformation. Joints grew stiff and knobby, hands gnarled with age, veins pulling against the wrinkled skin. Cheeks sagged and fell, age lines edging the soft mouth and rummy eyes, liver spots speckling the forehead and sagging eye sockets. A black cloak fanned around the weak and passive form, tendrils curling out, wispy and white. The back hunched into a mound and the feet began to shift restlessly as the God of Fire became a weak and pathetic old woman.

Making his way to the gardens, Loki paused, gathering the full of his ruse around him, knowing that, other than Freyja, Frigg was the most accomplished sorcerer they had; other than himself, of course. Shuffling around the garden, as an old time besotted woman would, he finally made himself known to the Goddess. However, he made no move towards her, not wishing to appear too eager to be in her presence.

"Hail, elder," the beautiful, long tresselled woman waved, indicating a spot next to her. "Hilsen. Would you rest your weary bones next to me for a bit? We could speak of many things, you and I."

Nodding rapidly, a little dizzy at the action himself, Loki inched towards the woman, thinking, 'Woman. OLD woman. Nothing more, just a mortal in a beautiful garden that she tends. Nothing more.'

Soon, the two engaged in a conversation, Loki bringing up all the herb lore and such that he could, trying to match one far more learned than he. The conversation grew deeper, and more emotional, Loki emitting a soothing, calm aura that Frigg was quickly felled to. They spoke of children, Loki admitting his bringing three lives into the creation, claiming that they were outcasts, but well-loved by himself. The anticipated reaction occurred and Frigg let more of her heart than bargained to be claimed by the fable and she spoke of her own children, gentle eyed golden boy Balder himself. Prostrating in her glory, Loki was humbled by the other, and inquired politely of him. Drunk of her own pride of having such a son, Frigg told more and more of the boy, finally disclosing his fatal secret, admitting that she thought the plant too weak to bring harm to her child. Mission accomplished, Loki would have given anything to have been able to speed away, stabbing Balder in the heart himself, splashed by the crimson flow. But he could do no such thing. So he waited, conversing with the goddess for several more hours until she excused herself. Smiling weakly at where she had gone, the old woman was indeed a pleasant sight. Stepping from the fallen disguise, which dissipated into the air, a wicked looking young man of unimaginable evil snickered at the wise goddess' folly.

"They all fall," he murmured, staring up at the mortal sky, imagining it reflected red in flames and hate. Ah, what this one day would bring....

1.2.2

"What are you up to, Loki?" a calm, deep throated musical melody demanded, whirling the crafty god unexpectantly. Before him, Fryer leaned his broad, sun-tanned shoulders against the wall, one golden eyebrow raised in questioning. Ever since that incident with his sister, he had never trusted the giant.

His mask of innocence fell with a chink and Loki assumed a politely shocked expression. "Whatever can you mean, brother of mine?"

"You know I am no brother of yours, giant," the God of Elves scowled, his handsome face contorted in an expression of loathing.

Letting the mask fall as he often did with the Vainer, Loki returned the scowl, the two most handsome of the Partheon liking each other. "My business is my own, Vanir, and I'll have you recall that I am more of a brother to the AllFather Odin than you are, despite my being a giant, if you'll recall. And perhaps one day you'll have the sense of mind, should you be able to find it, to thank me for that wonderful little boat you tote around so proudly."

"We all know that you're quick of the tongue and wit, God of Fire," Freyr commented dryly, eyes sliding sideways in a mirror of Loki's over shifty expression. "And of the lust as well, but your actions with the sword are more than lacking. I'd ask for a demonstration but, should you be in trouble, you'd merely seduce my sword to your whims, eh, Loki?"

Livid with rage at the obvious insinuations towards his involvement with the stallion, Loki spun on his heels, knowing that the God of Plenty would believe this round one but, when the Ragnarok came, the Sly One would be the victor. A smiling god grinned at his back and a lamb awaited his death in the fore.

To be continued....

Author's Note: Okay, I think that I only have like one (no, check that, two) chapters of Fires of Loki - Hells of Torment. I can't rightly recall at the exact moment if whether or not Loki and Freyr had a grudge against each other; I believe I recall a thing with Freyja. Don't worry! I won't write anything without reading up on it! \^-^/ Hee hee. "Seduce my sword to your whims...." I had fun writing that for some odd reason. \0.o/;; And, once again, if anyone has any ideas as to what the next myth should be, tell me! NEED MATERIAL! Oh, and I'm out of Writer's Block soooo I think this was a crappier chapter. \0.o/;; Err, sorry 'bout that. Ack, what a crappy long lil' ramble this was; sorry! \^^/;; But that's all for now! Ja ne! And thank you, my meager reviewers! \^-^/

Oh, and all of "Beginning Mythology" is dedicated to the one and only awesome and vunderba Kaze Ryuujin, my most advid and entranced reviewer. \^-~/ Thanks a smashing, Kaze! \^-^/

Aku Soku Zan! --- Keebler