Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story. I also don't own the cover art.

Inspired by the song Lullaby for a Princess/Luna' Soliloquy.

Takes place between 'The Avengers' and 'Thor 2: The Dark World'

Lullaby for a Prince/Loki's Soliloquy

It was late at night on a hilltop in one of the nine realms. Thor had won another battle that day, another victory, another feast to celebrate later; but there would be someone missing from the festivities. He sighed as he sat on top of the hill overlooking the land he had fought to protect. He looked up at the stars above him and thought of his brother in his cell. He missed him so much. Though they may have fought and disagreed a lot they were still brothers, even if they weren't related by blood.

"Fate has been cruel and order unkind"

"How can I have sent you away?"

"The blame was my own; the punishment, yours. The harmony's silent today."

Even though he had to send his brother to prison, that didn't mean he wished him ill. On the contrary, he hoped his punishment was not too harsh.

"But here in the stillness I'll bring you a song. And I will you company keep. 'Till your tired eyes and my lullabies have carried you softly to sleep."

Loki sat in his cell thinking similar thoughts. Anger, hate, and sorrow filled his mind at the thought of what Thor had done to him.

"Fate has been cruel and order unkind."

"How could you have sent me away?"

"I sit here and gaze into stillness alone, the darkness and silence pervade."

Even though he was being punished quit severely, his mind was still turned to plans of domination.

"But here in my prison, my thoughts they won't fade. Of power, and glory, and praise."

And it was all Thor's fault that he was here.

"'Till your blinded eyes can see your own lies. The stars will recount my last days."

Thor remembered when he was younger, how he couldn't wait to be king of Asgard, winning mighty battles, saving damsels in distress. He thought that he would be the best king ever.

"Once did a prince who shone like the sun, look out on his kingdom and sigh.

He smiled and said 'Surely there is nobody so handsome and so well beloved as I'"

Loki remembered how he would put on a magic show late at night in the palace garden. He created a dazzling show of sparks and swirls, creating animals and people with his magic, telling stories through the bright pictures, in hopes that people would come out to see the spectacular light show.

"Once was a prince who's magic was bright, oh how it would shimmer and glow. He smiled and said 'Surely there is nobody who'd dare be asleep through this marvelous show.'"

Thor remembered how he never even thought how his ambitions might affect Loki. He thought that his brother would be happy for him to be king. Little had he known how much he was hurting his brother.

"So great was his reign and so brilliant his glory that long was the shadow he cast. Which fell dark upon the young brother he loved, and grew only darker as days and nights passed."

Young Loki looked around during his magic performance in hopes of seeing someone to show it to. But though he had been there a long time there was no one to watch. They were all asleep in their beds, not caring for the light show.

"Yet where were they all? His subjects he never caught sight of once shadows did fall."

The next day the little prince saw how the people of Asgard would marvel at Thor and his newly acquired Mjolnir. Gasping at his brothers show of lighting and thunder, not nearly as beautiful as his magic.

"Their laughter and joy was but a hopeless dream, which grew into nightmares as lightning charmed all."

Thor thought of all the mistakes he had made during their childhood. Please forgive me brother.

"Lullay dear trickster, goodnight brother mine. And rest now in moonlight's embrace. Bear up my lullaby, winds of this realm, through cloud, and through sky, and through space.

Carry the peace and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind. Loki, you're loved so much more than you know, forgive me for being so blind."

Loki knew that Thor would try and make amends for his selfishness. But he would not accept his brothers apologies, he had his chance, and now he was too late.

"Wait now prince thunder, this king will arise, so keep not my throne in it's place. Thor, my judgment was not yours to give, and soon now we'll both meet our fates.

Carry my rage oh you shadows of night, and carry my sorrow in kind. Brother, your deed hurt much more than you know, the time of my vengeance is nigh."

Young Thor noticed that something was off with his brother, he didn't seem as happy as he used to. Maybe he was just going through a stage? Yes, that must be it, he was still growing after all.

"Soon did that prince take notice that others did not give his brother his due. And neither had he loved him as he deserved, he watched as his brothers unhappiness grew."

Young Loki was growing more and more jealous of his brother. Why was he ignored by everyone? Why did they love Thor so much more?

"The beams of another cast brightly on others, who's love and affection it drew. And so that young prince watched, shunned by the world as hate filled his heart and unhappiness grew."

The young thunder god continued to bask in the glory that his subjects gave him, completely oblivious to his sibling's pain.

"But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly takes hold of the mind of it's host. And that foolish brother did nothing to stop the destruction of one who had needed him most."

As the days passed Loki slowly started to die inside, though he never showed it. He would pretend to be happy for his brother, but even when he could not contain his anger Thor never even seemed to notice.

"'Why don't they adore me?' he thought to himself as the other had no right to boast. And that selfish brother did nothing to stop the destruction of I who had needed him most."

Please forgive me little brother.

"Lullay dear trickster, goodnight brother mine. Rest now in moonlight's embrace. Bear up my lullaby winds of this realm through cloud, and through sky, and through space.

Carry the peace and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind. Loki you're loved so much more than you know. May troubles be far from your mind. And forgive me for being so blind."

Save your pity, you are far too late.

"Wait now prince thunder, this king will arise. So keep not my throne in it's place. Thor, my judgment was not yours to give, and soon now we'll both meet our fates.

Carry my rage oh you shadows of night, and carry my sorrows in kind. Brother, your deed hurt much more than you know, may guilt plague you for your great crime. For the time of my vengeance is nigh."

As both brothers thought of the other, separated by so many miles of space yet so close in mind, they thought of how many years they would be separated. Loki would not be released for a thousand years, even with their long life span this was a harsh punishment. They would be separated for so long. Yes, Thor could visit him sometimes, but his visits would be far and few with all the new responsibilities he had.

"The years now before us, fearful and unknown, I never imagined I'd face them on my own. May these thousand winters swiftly pass, I pray."

Oh Loki, if only you knew how much I love you.

"I love you; I miss you, all these miles away."

Will you change after all these years apart Thor? Have you changed already?

"My pain grows; I can't know, are you still the same?"

Please have a peaceful night little brother.

"May all your dreams be sweet tonight, safe upon your bed of moonlight. And know not of sadness, pain, or care. And when I dream, I'll fly away and meet you there."

We may fight sometimes brother. But even though I have fought you and attempted to kill you, I still love you. May your night be more peaceful than mine will probably be.

"May all your dreams be sweet tonight, safe behind your veil of sunlight, you know not my sadness, pain, or care, and when you dream I'll break away and meet you there."

The two Asgardians lay down for their rest, hoping that the other would have a peaceful sleep.

"Sleep...Sleep...Sleep..."