Welcome to the new and improved version of Loki Laufeyson's Atonement.
There have been a few changes, such as the titles of chapters, several spelling errors and pointless scenes that I felt needed to just go away and never show their faces again. I am glad to have edited it(finally). After putting it off for over a year, and with everything going on, I'm ready to put this story to rest.
I would like to thank everyone that comes to see it's newer version. The plotline hasn't changed, same basic story, just with a few less pointless things in it. I would also like to point out that in later chapters, there are things about the Norse gods, and I purposefully name incorrect gods to fit into my plot better. I know my mythology, it's not an error, I promise.
Please feel free to rate, review, and even PM me if you have anything to say.
Thanks!
Not much had changed. No, not much had changed at all in Asgard since Loki, God of Mischief and Lies, had left to seek power in Midgard. And why would it? It was perfect in all it's glory. It was, after all, home to the Gods, and it truly looked it. The whole place was simply covered in gold. The houses that sheltered the people there were all golden metallic. Even the horse stables were a sight to be seen. The castle itself was a magnificent sight. At least, it would've been, if not for the people whom Loki knew was inside it.
Loki, truly, had missed his home. He always loved it, it's beauty, it's freedom. It gave him anything he ever needed. Anything. He was a Prince of Asgard then, and he had lived a blissful life. It did come to an end though, his bliss, and that was why he was now being brought back to Asgard, in what they used as handcuffs, with a contraption on his mouth to keep him from speaking.
As they walked down the bifrost, the bridge that led them to the other realms, he thought back to when he left. He had had no intentions on returning, not after his father boldly told him he wouldn't have been able to do anything to help Asgard. He remembered dangling there, hanging onto Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, as the bifrost fell into the abyss below them.
"I could've done it father! For you… For all of us." he had told them.
"No, Loki." Odin had said.
Thor, his brother, had protested before Loki had let go of Mjolnir, falling into the wormhole below.
Loki winced at the thought of anything Odin had said bothering him enough to leave his beloved home. Odin had been his father all his life, and Loki had loved him. Just like his brother and mother, Frigga. As much as he had told Thor he hadn't anymore, Loki did see him as his brother. He would never truly be able to see anything else. He knew he would feel nothing different for his mother either. Mom, he thought, realizing how much he had missed her. The only soul in the nine realms that would ever be able to get through to him, to make him do the right thing.
Odin was different, though, and Loki's sentiment for seeing his mother left as soon as he thought about seeing the Allfather. Who had Odin thought he was, taking Loki from his true home, his true race? Loki wasn't an Asgardian by blood. He was a Frost Giant, a Jotun. The very people that he had tried to destroy the day he left Asgard. He hated knowing what was truly in his blood. And it was Odin's fault. Loki felt a fire ignite in his chest, knowing very well he would face punishment from the Allfather. Maybe his mother would push Odin to take it easy on him. He shook his head, knowing nothing she would say would save Loki from what the Allfather decided to do.
A guard stopped them at the gate to the castle, putting his hand up to the other four guards surrounding Loki.
"The Allfather wishes him to be kept in a cell until he is ready for him." the guard said.
"Then we shall do as he says." the other guard said, bowing to the man.
The door opened and they went inside. There it was. That smell of food. A feast was being held, a celebration for Thor's return to Asgard. Loki walked with the guards up several flights of stairs, the smell of roasted turkey and bread never leaving his nostrils. As they walked down a hall, Loki noticed a familiar door, knowing it was his old chambers. He wondered what was in there, now that he hadn't been in it since before he left. Was there a bed still? A privy with his belongings? His books that he learned his magical arts from as a boy? Perhaps his blankets would still hold his scent.
His thoughts were interrupted when the guards came to a stop at a cage. He stared at it for a moment, knowing it was an enchantment. Magic was the only thing that could hold him, a Master of Trickery. They led him inside of it, and took off his cuffs and mouth harness. He took in his surroundings. He laughed to himself, unable to shake the feeling that the prison looked like the one he had been in on a ship in Midgard. He knew it was different though, much different, because those pathetic mortals couldn't keep him caged… He would be staying in this one.
Loki sat down as the guards walked away. He rubbed his face, tired from the day's journey and events. It was only earlier today that he had been on Midgard, leaving with his brother, hearing Thor promising the mortals Loki would see punishment for what he'd done to Earth. It had taken a force of elite super-humans to bring Loki's actions to a stop. He snickered at this. How many were there, six? Six people had to take him down. And it was no easy task. He felt his grin fade as he thought of how Thor had been among the six, aiding Earth in it's battle against the Chitauri. He didn't quite know where he and his brother stood. Thor would undoubtedly have words for him, and he, curiously enough, was anxious to hear them. Loki had been brought back to be punished and a part of him wondered if it was an opportunity for redemption. More of a wonder, did he even want redemption? Redemption and getting his old life back were different things. Especially since his old life was never going to come back. It was impossible. He knew the truth and he knew he couldn't live with it. He didn't want to.
Hours passed and Loki had been falling in and out of sleep. He laid there, his arm propped up under his head, his other on his stomach, fighting the heaviness his eyelids currently possessed. He hated sleep. It was something he never particularly enjoyed. It left him in a weakened, unconscious state, and it was a waste of time. Time he could be doing something else. He heard footsteps down the hallway. He looked over to see Thor approaching the cage. Loki sat up slowly, looking up at him.
"Are you hungry?" Thor asked.
"Not particularly." Loki said.
"Very well. Are you ready to see father?"
"No." Loki told him. "Tell him I've cancelled our meeting."
"Stop, brother." Thor said. "Do you not realize how serious this is? What you've done, it is not something to prod jokes at."
Loki looked down at his feet, knowing he was only upsetting Thor further.
"Brother…" Loki said, looking back up to him. "What will he do?"
"I know not… But I know it will not be something you desire." Thor said, stepping closer to the cage, his shoulders dropping from their squared position he had them in to begin with. "Is there anything you need? He will see you tomorrow morning."
Loki thought, knowing that he couldn't have much. He sighed, knowing he couldn't say it without sounding weak.
"Can I see Mother…?" he said, searching Thor's eyes for any answer as Thor took in the question.
"She… would see you…" Thor said. "But it'd not be until after father spoke with you."
"Right…" Loki said, wishing he'd gotten a better answer. He nodded, looking away from Thor. "Then nothing else."
"Brother…. I do not look forward to the next day…. But know I do support whatever father decides."
"Why wouldn't you? You're his son, his pride and joy. Perfect Thor-"
"Loki." He looked up at Thor, realizing he was doing it again. Brooding. He bit his tongue, unable to say anything else. Thor sighed. "… I will do what I can to make sure you are safe. You are my brother, and that does not change, no matter what you do or think."
Loki walked back over to the bed and sat, not wanting to say anything else. It was pointless. He was a cunning, silver tongued God, and he just couldn't help himself sometimes. He had a smart mouth. It got him in trouble often as a boy. He smiled slightly, remembering a time when he had told Odin Thor was the one to steal the Allfather's septor. He had believed Loki, and scolded Thor, only to find out that Loki had taken it to prank his father. So small. Something so little in the past turned into something so huge in the future. Was it symbolism? No. Loki chose his own path, no matter the case. No one would control him.
"I must go now brother." Thor said, yanking Loki out of his thoughts. "I will see you tomorrow… Sleep well."
"Goodnight…. Brother." Loki said, trying to show a sign that he deserved the respect Thor was giving him. Of all the Gods, Thor was the one that Loki ever did feel respect for, even if it wasn't constant.
Thor walked away and Loki put his head in his hands, thinking of what to do. He couldn't escape, but he didn't want to even begin to think about what kind of punishment the Allfather would be bringing onto him. No, he thought. I will face the punishment like a man. But he wasn't a man. He was a God. A God deceived, and lied to. He was the Master of Lies, how could he have been so foolish his entire life? But was he really to blame? He had never known another man to be his father, it wasn't one man's word against another's. Odin was the only father he'd known. He shook his thoughts away, not wishing to dwell on such things.
More footsteps were coming down the hall and Loki sat upright on the bed. His stomach lurched when he saw his mother. He stood quickly, knowing his place below her rule. It was second nature. It hadn't changed since he'd been gone. He folded an arm across his chest and bowed to her.
"Loki…" she said, and he stood straight again and walked over to her. "How I hate it so, to see you in this prison."
"Mother… I… I am gladdened to see you."
"I am forbidden to be here." she told him bluntly.
"I know." Loki said, hearing the tone in her voice. She knew she was going against her husband, her King, to speak with Loki. But he was her son and she would speak to him when she desired to. Loki had always thought he got his attitude from her.
"I must admit, I do not know what to say to you, Loki… I have missed you… But I know I did not raise my son this way… To kill, or to destroy. I did not."
Loki hung his head, not wanting to hear the words coming out of her mouth. He hated the way she could do that, make him feel so terrible about anything he's done. Maybe it was a motherly thing, Loki did not know. He just knew it made him feel guilty.
"Mother… I am sorry for all of this… Please, do not take responsibility for what I have done."
"I do not." she said, making him look up at her. "Like I said, I know I did not raise my son to be this way… Yet here you stand…"
"I missed you." Loki said, putting his hand against the enchantment.
Frigga smiled, unable to not feel love for her son. She saw the inner struggle spreading on his face, causing her to gather all of her might to not break. She stepped closer to him, wishing to let him out.
"Loki, you must be strong. I know not what your father will do… But whatever he decides.. You must be strong." she said, seeing the tears in his eyes.
"Why do I feel such hatred for everything?" Loki asked, fighting to not show his emotions.
"I don't have the answer to that, Loki… I know not your feelings, but I know you are not only capable of hatred, and deceit. Even now, you push away sentiment, because you see yourself weak. Even against your own family."
"Mother, I just… I cannot separate emotion from weakness. I do not know why."
"Loki, do you remember when you were little and I told you and your brother that when you found a maiden worthy enough of your hand, you would treat her like she was above you?"
"Yes." Loki said, preparing to have his theories on love killed, like his mother simply could with any idea he could conjure up.
"You cannot love someone like that until you love yourself like that… You know what you are, what is in your blood and you hate it. And it causes you to not let anyone close to you, because you fear they will hate you aswell." Frigga said. Loki felt his brain unfolding at that moment, trying to convince himself she held no truth in that statement. But she did. "I love you Loki… Never forget that, because it will never change."
"I love you too, mother." he said, and she gave him a small smile before she slowly walked away.
Loki sighed and placed his head against the cage. He hated how she made him feel, so weak. He was not weak. He shook it off and went to his bed. He could not escape it. Not here, not now. He was always weak, so long as he was in this prison. He laid down, wishing his thoughts would stop jockeying for position in his mind. He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.