The Warriors: Chapter 4

Just as Loki opened his mouth, Tia interrupted. "What's that?!" she yelled as she galloped past the two. Loki looked after her then followed, quickly catching up with her.
"What is wha-" he began but was cut off when Tia kicked his shin and gave him a warning glare.
   Tymora caught up with the two and stopped at Tia's side. "What is it?!"
Loki and Tia held their gaze for a few seconds longer before Loki broke away and looked forward.
"Nothing." Tia replied in a firm tone. "We're almost there."
"Almost where?" Tymora asked but was left hanging.  She rolled her eyes at the two and continued on.
*
   Tia pulled her horse to a stop and looked around. They were well within the forest now. She dismounted and led her horse to a fallen tree. Loki pulled in after her, followed by Tymora. They dismounted and tied their horses next to Tia's. Tia walked a few feet away and surveyed their surroundings. Loki watched her out of the corner of his eye as he stroked his stallion's neck.  
   Tia studied the trees and jumped slightly when a flosk of birds flew over head. Tymora watched her with a raised eyebrow then turned to Loki. "Okay I know you're hiding something from me and I am curious as to why that is.  Is it because you don't trust me?" she asked in a hushed tone.
   Loki looked up at her. "No, it's just personal. I don't want to talk about it." He sighed as he looked down, avoiding eye contact. He walked twards Tia and stopped behind her, looking up at the trees as well.
   Tymora crossed her arms and watched him walk away. She rolled her eyes and slowly walked after Loki.
   Tia looked at Loki. "This is a good spot." she said with a nod then walked towards her horse and pulled a blanket out of her saddle bag. She set it on the ground next to her feet then reached back into the bag.
   Tymora took the blanket and spread it out as Tia returned with several loaves of bread and a number of exotic fruits. She layed the food in the middle of the blanket and sat down. Tia looked up at the other two. "Well are you going to join or do I have to eat this all myself?!"  Loki and Tymora looked at each other and smiled then sat down and joined in the feast.
   Once the trio had their fill of food and laughs, they all lay side by side, staring up at the darkening sky.  
"I wish I would have brought a blanket. I could sleep under the Asgard sky every night." Tia said softly as she looked up at the quickly appearing stars.
"I agree. It would be nice to escape the chaos at the palace. It makes one tired." Loki added as he too gazed at the night sky.
   Tymora remained silent. "Well, it just depends. I've really never been in the forest before, only once or twice. The palace life is all I know and I usually tend to like it."
   Tia sat up so she could see past Loki and at Tymora. "I understand that. I used to be the same but it all changed."
"How so?" Tymora asked as she propped herself up on her elbow.
Tia paused and smiled. "I fell in love with the forest. Sometimes if you just sit and listen, it's almost as if it talks to you. It is a soothing and loving voice and I find it hard to forget." Tia laid back down as it fell silent. After a few moments of peace she sighed. "We better head back."
Loki nodded. "Yes, father will be getting worried."
Tymora sighed. "If we must."
   The three picked up their leftovers then mounted and headed back to the city. They entered the stables laughing at one of Tymora's jokes.
"Shut up, they might here us." Tia laughed as she tried to calm herself.
"You're right. Well my friends, until next time, which I expect will be soon." Tymora said with a slight bow.
Tia and Loki bowed in return then said their goodnights as she walked out. Tia smiled as she watched Tymora's figure disappear then led her horse to it's stall and began removing it's tack. Loki did the same in the stall across from them.
"Have any plans for tomorrow?" Tia finally asked, impatient with the silence.
Loki shook his head. "Not that I know of. Why? Do you?"
Tia stopped what she was doing and walked to the entrance of her stall so they could see each other better. She smirked and her eyes shined with mischief.