To Take a Throne

Chapter One

Loki stared at the All-father, waiting for recognition to dawn. Odin did not disappoint him. His head rose and his eyes met Loki's, and he said, "Loki."

There was a long silence, while Loki wondered why his father did not strike a killing blow at the avatar which Loki had projected before Odin.

But instead, there was a single, quiet question from Odin, "Thor?"

Loki felt a strange pity tug at his heart for the man who had raised him, and who had lost so much. He answered Odin, "He is safe. But I know not where he is. Perhaps Midgard."

"With the woman? She survived?"

"Yes, thanks to me."

Odin stood up square, hefted his weapon in front of him, and stated, "Have you come to take the throne from me?"

Loki tilted his head, "You know I am not so stupid. You would defeat me in single combat, and it would take but a cry from you to bring the guards."

"Oh. Pity."

There was a long silence, then Loki asked softly, "….what?"

Odin smiled sadly, "I shall have to wait for Thor to return and take the throne then."

"Father, Thor does not want the throne."

Odin's next sentence surprised Loki to his core, "And you think I did?" The All-father sighed and sat down, "Come out from wherever you are, Loki, it is time for truth between us."

Loki hesitated, then the guard before Odin glowed green and disappeared. Loki stepped out from behind a column, and walked slowly up to Odin.

There was a long silence as they both surveyed each other warily.

To his surprise, Odin indicated the throne and invited him, "Sit. You should be seated on the throne to hear this."

Loki settled onto the throne and waited, growing more and more curious. This was not the reaction he had expected from the All-father.

Odin sat on one of the stone arms next to the throne and said, "You weren't abandoned at Jotenheim as a baby, Loki. Laufey gave you up so that my army would not slaughter all his people to bring you back to Asgard."

Loki stared at his father, his mouth open. He felt his legs go weak, and was suddenly glad of his Father's advice to sit down. But it was a long while before he managed to ask, "Who am I?"

Odin hung his head, then looked up into Loki's eyes, "This goes no further than you or me. You… are the child of Freya and Laufey."

Loki felt the breath leave his body, and Odin glanced around, looking nervous.

Loki tried to talk, then felt anger rage through him at Odin, "I told her she was not my mother. Before she died, I said that to her."

"And she answered you that you were 'so perceptive about everyone but yourself'."

Loki shook his head and stared at Odin, "Do you never tell the truth?"

"Not when your mother's standing as the consort of the King would have been irreparably damaged. I would not speak that truth."

"You could have told me. It would have made a difference."

Odin shook his head, "What difference?"

"I would never have said that to her. I would not have told her she was not my mother. She died thinking that I thought that."

"Oh, Loki," sighed Odin.

"What?" Loki could hear the strain in his own voice.

"She's not as dead as you think she is," replied Odin.

Loki stared at his father, tilting his head, feeling his interest peak even further. "Do tell, Father."