Loki sat in the holding cell of the great hall. He never thought that he would end up there. He knew that there would be consequences to his actions. He knew from the moment that he felt the Tesseract in his mind, taking over his body, using him as a pawn that his life was over. He knew for certain that once the Tesseract had everything that it wanted he would die. There had been a voice in his head; controlling him that he had been powerless to stop. He'd tried explaining that to Thor and Thor had just shaken his head.

Loki had begged Thor to listen to him and Thor hoping that it wasn't another one of Loki's tricks had. Once Thor began to really listen to what his brother was saying he realized that he was telling the truth. Loki had described his feelings of betrayal and desperation as he was thrown into the abyss, that he was prepared to die but just before he would have fallen, there was a strange voice and then he had been surrounded by a blue light. It felt cold and the blue light seemed to be everywhere, it went into his eyes, his ears, up his nose, the inside of his mouth, it invaded every pore of his skin. He could feel it, this blue energy, it was like electro shocks through his brain, seeping into his mind. It felt like someone had stuffed his head with cotton; it made everything feel distant and fuzzy.

It was almost like being part of an unknown audience, watching a play where he was the main character. He had no control over his body. He had no choice but to do as the Tesseract commanded, despite that most of the time it was doing precisely the opposite of what he wanted.

When Thor had first walked in, he had looked at him with nothing but sympathy and compassion. While Loki had been trying to explain to Thor what had happened, why he would put his brother's friends and love interest at risk Thor listened patiently. Once Loki had finished his tale, much to his surprise Thor stayed silent. Loki had wanted to beg Thor to say something but he knew that to be unwise, with the way that Thor was looking at him, he knew that he was already on shaky ground. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; he could feel Thor slipping through his fingers. He wanted to weep.

Thor had gripped Loki's shoulder. "Be that as it may, that does not excuse what you have done. I knew something had changed within you and I had hoped that you were not too far gone. Then there was that moment, when we both stood atop Tony's tower, after the Chitauri had slipped through the portal before you had stabbed me; when we were both looking at the chaos and for a moment I saw a glimmer of fear and despair on your face. I knew then that it was not too late but you still must answer for the crimes you have committed. When Father calls you into the Judgement Hall I shall go with you. I may not understand your motives but you are still my brother, I will not let him sentence you to death."

Thank you Thor." Loki bowed his head in a sign of gratitude.

"Do not thank me yet, for I do not know if I will be successful but I will try." Thor had sat beside his brother to wait; all the while hoped that this was not a trick. It seemed like an eternity for both brothers but finally Loki was called into the Judgment Hall. As was the Asgardian custom, Loki clicked one heel against the other, and then folded his hands in front of him as he awaited his punishment.

Odin looked upon his son. "Loki, for your crimes against the human race and attempting to forge an alliance with the Chitauri and wage a war against an innocent race, the penalty is death."

Loki bowed his head as he waited for Thor to interfere. For one terrifying moment he thought that Thor's promise to plead with his father for leniency had been a joke, a final act of insult and cruelty. Not that Loki didn't think that he didn't deserve it but it would be dreadful to die alone.

Thor stood behind Loki, placing a hand on one of Loki's thin shoulders. "Father, I beg of you and this court to show leniency upon Loki. He may be mischievous but he's not a butcher of innocent people. At the time of the release of the Chitauri he was under the control of the Tesseract. His actions were not his own."

Odin thought and considered all the possibilities. He loved Loki as a son, had raised him along side his own without a second thought. "Very well. But your sentence will not be served here but on Midgard." Odin had stuck his staff towards Loki, "and do not tempt me by using your powers to cause harm to anyone. Do that and you'll be brought here and put to death. Understand?"

Loki nodded his head in agreement. He didn't trust his voice.

Thor offered Loki a small but sincere smile. He knew that Loki would not have such an easy time on Midgard but at least he was still alive. Loki was hauled to stand up straight and he was walked down to the bi-frost; he'd been surprised that Thor followed.

"I told Father I was going to Midgard to visit Lady Jane. It is a half truth. I am going to visit Lady Jane but before I do I want to ensure that my friends, The Avengers do not kill you the moment that they see you."

Loki hugged his brother. "I know not how to express my gratitude."

Thor put a brotherly kiss on the top of Loki's head. "Promise me; give me your word that you will honour Father's conditions. I was able to bargain for your life once, I am not certain I shall be able to do it again."

Loki locked eyes with Thor. "I shall. I give thanks to you for all you have done for me and for accompanying me to Midgard."

As they stepped on the platform Thor shook his head, "Think nothing of it, Brother."