Okay, I said I wasn't going to publish this until I finished "Wish"…. But as you can see dear reader, that didn't happen. I hope you like my first Loki fanfiction!

Enjoy!

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Chapter One

The streets of Asgard were full of people, all milling about, minding their own business. But more than one had to same thoughts in their minds: Where was Thor, the Prince of Asgard? And even more, where was Loki? Many had already heard about Loki trying to take over Midgard, but no one knew what had been done about it. Many suspected Thor went to Midgard, trying to persuade his half-brother to come home. But many believe Thor was sent to kill him, considering Loki was, after all, a Frost Giant.

In the distant, Asgardians could see the old Bifrost bridge that had been broken by Thor only months earlier. The god Heimdal still stood at its edge, as if the god thought it the only thing for him to do. Heimdal had been the gatekeeper for as long as anyone could remember and now that the Bifost Gate had been destroyed, there was nothing else the god could do.

Heimdal looked down into the starry sky, watching what many would have only seen as a tiny spec. But Heimdal could see it clearly. He could see it coming at him like a blue shooting star. As it came closer, Heimdal stepped back, making space for the travelers to land on.

As soon as he stepped back, a blue tube shaped object came in contact with the bridge. The tube looked almost like water, falling endlessly. It disappeared in a second, showing Thor and Loki, standing on the bridges edge. The two half-brothers were holding the Tesseract on either side. In his other hand, Thor held his trusty companion Mjolnir, while Loki had to hold on with both hands since they were bound.

"So you have returned," Heimdal said. He turned his head to look at Loki, who had a gag around his mouth. "And you brought your brother as well."

Thor nodded, breathing heavy from the ride home. "I need to get to Father," Thor said, taking Loki and pulling him along. As much as Thor would love to fly to the palace, he couldn't, not with Loki in tow. Thor started walking faster and felt Loki stumbling along, trying to keep up.

Even though it felt like an eternity, Thor was finally walking through the hallways that lead to the throne room. The guards saw him coming and opened the door. Thor could see the shock in their eyes that he was back. He caught one eyeing Loki with a scared expression. Thor just kept moving.

Thor entered the throne room, where his father sat and mother stood next to him. At the sight of her two sons, Frigga's face lit up. She took a step forward, is if to run to them, but Odin put a hand out, blocking her path.

"Father," Thor said, getting down on one knee out of respect. "I have brought Loki home."

There was silence. Then Odin replied, saying, "So you have." Odin looked Loki up and down before a disappointed look entered his eye. Loki looked down, not having enough emotional strength to look into his father's eyes. Thor looked up and saw this, then stood.

"You may go to them now, Frigga," Odin said to his wife. Frigga then ran down the steps to her sons to embrace them. She threw her arms around Thor, hugging him tightly. Thor hugged her back, allowing a smile to cross his face.

"I'm so glad you're not hurt," She said, like any mother would. Then she let go and turned to Loki. Loki had no expression on his face, his eyes just staring at Frigga. Without a second thought, Frigg hugged Loki as well. All Loki could do was stand there. "I'm so glad you're home," She said to him. Loki closed his eyes, knowing it was not true. He was not her son. She was only saying that to make him feel wanted.

And from all that had happened, Loki knew very well that he was not wanted.

Frigga let go of Loki, right as the guard's came in. They saluted Odin and kneeled before him, waiting his command. "Take Loki to his room, but keep it guarded," Odin said a hint of heartbreak in his voice. The guard's stood and two approached Loki, taking him by his forearms and leading him out of the room. Thor watched as they took his brother away. Once he was gone, he turned to face his father.

"What are you going to do with him?" Thor asked, looking up to his father.

Odin's eyes did not meet Thor's, but followed Loki as the guards lead him away. He kept watching even after the guards had gone. "Don't worry, my son," Odin replied, "I have a plan for him."

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Loki paced back and forth in his room, fuming. Why wasn't he locked away in prison? Why? Why was Odin keeping him here? What would become of him? Would he be killed? Or banish? All these questions with no answer swirling around endlessly inside his head.

Finally, the door opened. Loki stopped pacing and saw his father, standing in the doorway. The door closed behind him. He stood at the doorway, Loki stood in the center of the room. There was only silence.

Loki spoke first: "Have you come to kill me?"

Odin opened his mouth, and then said, "No."

"Then what?" Loki asked, "What have you come to do? Are you going to banish me? Or lock me away until I rot?"

"I have come to do none of those things," Odin said, taking a step toward Loki. He stopped, just staring at him. "I've come to offer you a chance."

"A chance to do what?" Loki shot at him.

"A chance to reclaim your good name," Odin said.

Loki wrinkled his brow. What was the old god talking about?

As if he could read his thoughts, Odin continued: "There's a child. A child that needs a protector." Once again, Loki looked confused. Odin looked down, as if thinking out what exactly to say, and then looked up. "Four years ago, a pregnant female Frost Giant was found. Hemidal had said the Bifrost had been opened by itself, and this Frost Giant was transported through it. The Frost Giant was small and sickly, having been left to die. She was brought back here, where she gave birth to a small Frost Giant girl. After the birth, she died, leaving us with the child. Instead of killing the child like so many had thought best, I sent her off with a care taker to a house on the edge of Asgard."

"How come Thor and I were never told of this?" Loki asked suddenly.

"Because we thought best if you didn't know," Odin said.

"You also thought it best to keep the truth about what I am from me," Loki shot back. Odin stopped, just staring at Loki. Loki swore he saw tears forming in his eye.

But the god continued, none the less: "I didn't want Thor to know. I knew he would have jump to the conclusion that this was some sort of act of war." He stopped, as if to let Loki comment, but when he didn't, Odin continued. "The child is four now, not knowing how she got there or that she is a Frost Giant." He paused, and then said, "You are to take care of the child for one year, and if you succeed, all that you have done will be forgiven."

Loki let this sink in, before chuckling. "Why? Why have me take care of a child that I can indoctrinate with all I believe in, tell her every dark secret, tell her of all the lies Asgard is built on."

"Because she is just a child," Odin said.

"But that won't stop me-"

"Listen!" Odin shouted, making Loki jump slightly. "You might have tried to destroy Midgaurd, you might have tried to kill and enslave thousands of innocent mortals, but I know deep down you knew it was all wrong. And I know you would never feel the head of an innocent four year old all the dark secrets of the world, all your dark secrets." Odin stopped, letting out a breath. Then he said something so softly, Loki strained his ears to hear it: "I'm giving you a chance to be forgiven of all you're done, and you act like you don't want it."

Loki said nothing. He just stared at Odin, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

Odin swallowed, as if forcing back tears. He looked back up, and Loki could see the tear in his eye. "You will be her protector, weather you want it or not."

"That's not very fair."

"You only have to take care of her for a year," Odin said, "Then we will see what has happened." He turned, and started to leave.

"You do realize I will still tell her all these things?" Loki called, making Odin stop in the door way. "I will change her mind."

Odin turned to face Loki, a cool look in his eyes. "No. The plan is she'll change you."