There he was, sitting in Gladsheim, the hall of the assembled Aesir and Vanir. Odin's hall, how appropriate, a hall named after him, how typically grandiose and opulent, likely something that would never be afforded to Loki. The one who should have been king but was swept aside, as a dusty relic.

So there he sat, cast aside, in favour of the blonde god, this blonde haired, blue eyed God of thunder, the one who was making a spectacle of himself in front of Freyja and Sif.

Informally, he had called him a brutish and witless oaf. Yet he did care for this lumbering fool, he had shown compassion on Svartalfheim toward him, the act got his sentence reduced and eventually at Thor's bidding, revoked. And this was all despite his previous verbalised criticisms of what Thor's impending rule would likely bring to Asgard, the realm eternal.

The brunette was the only one rolling her eyes, smiling in response to his antics. She had enjoyed his company so much she had actually joined his side midway through the feast and spent the rest of the time sitting upon his lap. Much to the protestations of Fandral, who seemed most put out by the vulgar displays of affection, wishing he had wooed her as his own conquest before Thor had the chance.

The All-Father as timeless as ever, was sitting and looking so noble in his throne of gold. Set against the backdrop of Asgard. The seat to his side was empty, always empty now, save for a flower from Frigga's eternal garden.

Loki, as usual sighed. Again he had been largely ignored. His idea of council with Queen Karnilla was cast aside in favour of training with the Einherjar.

He impatiently tapped his feet on the black marble floor, licking his lips in disgust as he waited for Thor to stop gushing about his recent endeavours on the realm of Vanaheim.

'Why in the Gods name did the Vanir not want to assist with the battle in their own realm? Why the Norns, did they feel it necessary to ensnare Asgard into the process of realm hostility? Was the All-Father really that easy to coerce?'

He thought on it more, maybe planning to test the theory for himself and before he knew it he was standing next to the All-Father. "Father, a word if I may?" He spoke quietly, not wanting to rouse suspicion, he tucked some stray black strands behind his ear.

"Speak Loki, I would afford my son the chance to utter his ideas for the assembled Gods to hear." He said gently, he was still smiling whilst holding a tankard of mead in his wrinkled old hand. His one eye observing and scrutinizing his adopted son, with just a hint of distrust.

"Indeed," Loki said under his breath, loud enough for only Odin to hear.

"One only wishes to reiterate the importance of said realm and peace treaties betwixt ourselves and the Norns kingdom to the north. I fear the Grandmaster and Queen Kar…."

He was cut off by Thor's loud thunderous roar, it was more raucous laughter than anything but his voice carried across the room. The reverberating echoes cutting into Loki's thought processes.

"No, Loki. I will not think any more on it. I have said what needed to be said, this meeting with Karnilla will have to wait. She is not of the Aesir, nary important to this threat we face on a daily basis."

"Threat? What is this threat you speak of? I see a chance to decimate another realm, there is no plausible threat in taking over a realm who cannot fight back. That is subjugation, at its most deplorable."

"Aye, you should know….Loki." Odin cast him a disappointed look, but said no more on it. Instead he raised his tankard and took a hefty glug of honey mead.

"That was a long time ago, I served my time. My covenant was agreed upon my assistance with the fall of Malekith. Surely you do not still hold that same grudge?"

"Malekith did not fall, solely based on your actions. He fell because of a number of simultaneous events, one of which you contributed to, carelessly!"

"All-Father?"

His lack of interest told Loki all he needed to know and he backed away slowly. Odin wasn't looking at him anymore, he was watching the group of Einherjar in front, duelling for a show of strength.

The victors of which battle, would be the ones accompanying Thor and the warriors three to Vanaheim in the early morn.

Odin looked to his side, Loki's chair was empty, he had decided to spend some time alone.