Not many things had caught his attention. Not many people could even tempt him to turn his head. No, the younger prince of Asgard was definitely hard to please. He would stride down the halls of the palace, ignoring those around him. He would make his way to the library or the training grounds to occupy his time. He would humor his brother by going along with his silly missions, and more often than not end up saving his brother's life in the process. No matter how "glorious" (as Thor would say) the battles were he never cared for them. The younger prince of Asgard found that the company of women that he brother kept was dull. Sure they were beauties, but that is where their charm lies. They have no intelligence, and no substance. They were just ditsy women wanting to be queen.
He seemed to float down the hall, just as he did every morning, as he made his way to the dining hall. He had stayed up all night studying an old parchment, so he had begrudgingly gotten out of his comfortable bed in order to eat. Sure he had though of calling a maid to fetch his breakfast for him, but he had been summoned by his brother.
'No doubt to go on another stupid mission…' The young prince thought to himself.
As he entered the hall he was greeted by his brother. "LOKI!" He exclaimed as he stood up from the table, nearly knocking it over in the process. Loki noticed all too late what his brother's intentions were. He was suddenly encompassed by the god of thunder's strong arms. Squeezing him tightly into a hug, "You have come! This is good!"
He could feel the blood build up in his head, threatening to explode, "Brother, you summoned me?"
When Thor did not release him, Loki began to worry. He was about to ask what happened when Thor finally spoke, "Brother, our mother and father have decided that we shall have a feast!"
Loki, to say the least, was relieved and somewhat miffed. "Brother, you summon me for this? You suffocate me with what you consider a hug all due to the news of a feast?"
Thor chuckled slightly, "Too tight?"
"Bone-crushingly so. Let me down." Loki demanded. He loved his brother, but there was only so much patience he could muster at the moment.
It was then that Loki took notice of the audience they had. The Warriors Three and Lady Sif. Sif inclined her head to Loki and said, "Loki, it is not an ordinary feast, this will be to choose a wife for the sons of Odin."
It made sense now. Thor had been pining over Jane since the bifrost was destroyed. 'Not my finest moment…' Loki thought, looking at the floor. Thor seemed to know what was going through Loki's mind for he patted Loki's back with a gentle touch this time.
"I see, thank you my Lady for clarifying." Loki said, inclining his head in thanks. Sif nodded in acknowledgement.
Thor sulked over to his seat and flopped down on the bench, nearly breaking it. Loki sighed internally, once again he loved his brother… it was just that he was low on patience. Nonetheless, he walked over to his brother, taking the seat next to him and said, "Thor, I'm sure this is more about me than you. Mother has been worried that I will not find a wife ever. I am sure she will excuse you from the formalities of this particular feast. If not I can always talk you out of it."
Thor smiled at Loki. "Would you brother?"
"Of course Thor, I will as soon as I see mother." Loki said as he went to gather what was left of the food. Volstagg was a bottom-less pit, that was the only explanation. After one step he felt a hold on his hand, turning he saw Thor's eyes pleading.
Thor whispered, "Do you think… it may be possible… she could come…"
Loki understood what his brother was asking. He wanted to know about the bifrost. And it broke this prince's heart to see his brother truly pained at the loss of his mortal. "We have made progress Thor. I do not know if we will have it complete by this feast, but I can study harder, longer… I'll find a way. I promise, I will make it up to you… someday…."
Loki squeezed his brother's hand before he gathered his food and left the hall. He went straight to the library, insisting that the servant leave him be. He needed to have complete silence. He would get Thor's mortal to Asgard one way or another. Even if it meant his own life. He would make amends for what he had done.
'I do not believe my fortune. My entire family still accepts me, my friends do as well… Even with that in mind, I still have much to amend for.'
Loki had unknowingly spent the entire day in the library. He hadn't eaten since that morning and now with the sun down, he was almost too weak to walk. 'That is the last time I stay up for forty-eight hours straight…'
As he stood and turned around only to run right into Thor. Staggering back a ways he managed, "Brother, what is it?"
Thor smiled widely at Loki, knowing he was weak with hunger and exhaustion, "Brother, come, you must eat and I know you have the answer! The look in your eyes tells me you do!"
Loki inclined his head as an answer and allowed his brother to practically drag him to the dining hall. However, neither of them knew the surprise waiting for them. Neither knew that their lives would change in a matter of a few hundred steps. No, this was something even Heimdall couldn't have seen coming.