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Title: Face the Shadows

Author:Noelwing

Email: noelwing

Summary: When the nephew of elf royalty is kidnapped by Malekith, Frey goes to Asgard for help. The incident is very disturbing for Loki, as they ignite long buried memories of the pain and anguish he suffered at the hands of the Dark Elf. Thor is well aware of Loki's turmoil. Will he be able to help Loki confront his painful experiences and save the kidnapped elf child?

Warnings: Rated M for sexual content-Loki/Thor. This story contains rape, torture and Mpreg.

Author's notes: I have not posted slash fiction for a very long time but what can I say, my love of Thorki fic has inspired me to try my hand at M/M slash once more. I'm testing the waters, so to say, with this story. Hopefully, posting the first chapter or two will motivate me to keep writing. Please enjoy.

Prologue: Alfheim

The raging winds blew dark clouds that cloaked the palace of the elves in shadow and rain. Storms were nothing unusual in Alfheim but that made no difference to Vali. He was still adjusting to his new life here and the storm did nothing for his nerves.

The young elf had been living in the palace for a month now. His uncle, Prince Frey, had invited him to live at the palace so that he might school in the ways of magic. Vali dreamed of one day becoming a very powerful sorcerer. Every royal house of near every realm had at least one sorcerer in the family.

A particularly loud crash of thunder startled Vali from his thoughts. The boy sat up in bed and tried to calm his breathing. The storm was so loud and Vali feared he would not be able to sleep because of it.

Vali plunged back down on his pillows and pulled the quilt up to his chin. Tomorrow was an important day. He was to make a demonstration of his what he had learned in magic, so far. His audience would be none other than the heads of the magic academy themselves.

He was very excited to show all that he had learned but he needed sleep. For sometime he lay in his bed. Vali was only beginning to drift off when an uneasy sensation in his stomach roused him. There was nothing he could see yet he could feel he was not alone.

He sat up once again and tried to look around his room. The room was unnaturally dark and he was beginning to grow afraid.

A hand slapped over his mouth so fast and so hard that he heard his nose crack from the impact. He could feel blood begin to seep out of his nostrils and he panicked. His whole upper torso was locked in between two very powerful arms.

Those arms lifted him out of his bed and began to drag him away. Vali tried to struggle. He kicked his legs and tried to turn his body out of the vice like grip. In doing so, he was able to see the face of his assailant out of the corner of his right eye. It was a face he had never seen before but knew who it was.

Vali's heart froze to see the one white, one black sided and golden eyes of Malekith the accursed.

"Come with me young Vali," The dark elf's words were as cold as ice and chilled Vali's blood. "I will see to it that your talents are put to better use."

Vali wanted so much to scream, to fight back and escape. In the overwhelming darkness, he could do neither.

Loki's eyes snapped open and he gasped sharply. His body was covered in cold sweat and upon sitting up he felt an icy chill all around him. He wrapped his own arms around himself in an attempt to thaw away the phantom touch.

After several minutes, Loki calmed enough to think clearly. He got out of his bed and went to his magic altar. Immediately he lit two candles, one on each end of the table. Next he reached into a jar and pulled fourth a handful of salt. He sprinkled the salt so that it formed a circle around him in front of the altar.

The last step in creating the circle was lighting a stick on incense. The fragrance of dragon's blood began to waft up into the room. Loki inhaled deeply the scent and continued to do so for several minutes.

He sat cross legged in meditation position. Try as he might, the stage of meditation, a place where he might focus and find some peace, eluded him.

Something very terrible had happened this night. Loki's sorcerer sense told him that the deep unease he felt was only the beginning.

Chapter One: Unexpected Visitors

The palace of Asgard was in a quite the flurry this day. All around, nobles of the highest houses gathered within Odin's throne room. Friga, the queen, was standing in her respective spot next to the throne, but the All-Father had yet to make an appearance.

Also present, were the Warriors Three and the Lady Sif, the honor guards of the throne. All four were dressed in their ceremonial armors and stood proudly in their positions. Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg, stood flanking the right side of the steps of the dais that lead to the throne. Sif stood on the opposite side with the queen.

Last to enter were Thor, the crown prince, and the Allfather himself. The crowds assembled quickly on either side of the grand throne room and bowed respectfully.

Odin approached the throne and warmly took the hand of his wife before taking a seat upon his golden throne. Thor spared his parents a smile, so touched he always was at how his mother and father proudly showed their love for each other for all of Asgard to see.

The crown prince took his spot at the right side of his father's throne. Like the future king he was, he took a moment to visually gauge the order of all things present. Everyone seemed to be in their correct spots, the honor guards looked as they should.

Everyone was present save one.

As if in tune with his son, Odin silently bade Thor to him. Thor bowed his head so that his father could whisper "Thor, where is Loki?"

"He must still be preparing. Shall I fetch him father?" Thor whispered so that only his father could hear him.

Odin was hesitant to answer. This was an odd occasion as it was. For decades there had been nothing but silence between the realm of Asgard and that of the elves. Yet now a group of elf nobles were requesting an audience, and a most urgent one, with the royal family of Asgard.

Protocol held that the elves be greeted and treated as honored guests. Therefore the tardiness of a royal family member, without sufficient reason, was unacceptable.

The tension increased by the ringing of a gong. The sound permeated the throne room to the darkest corner. The sound was quickly followed by a hush that fell heavily upon those in the room. The guests of Asgard had arrived at the palace and would be arriving at the throne room shortly.

"Father?" Thor prodded, still awaiting instruction.

Odin sighed. "If you wish. Please inform him that he need not attend if he truly wishes not to be here."

Thor nodded and headed off to the royal chambers. His haste showed in every step.

Loki breathed in and out deeply. The last piece of his attire to don was his beloved, two horned helm. It was given to him by his father when he officially came of age and he relished every moment he was able to wear it.

The helmet remained in his lap being clutched tightly by his nimble fingers. Putting it on meant that there was no longer anything to stand between him and his obligation to appear at court.

He had long dismissed his two attendants, insisting that he could finish dressing by himself. In truth, he had wanted time alone to collect the courage to be able to appear in the throne him.

His mind told him that it was his duty but in his heart, he wanted nothing more than to disappear. He wished to all the nine realms that something would come up, something important enough to legitimize his absence.

The light elves had not visited Asgard in many years. Now, suddenly, after all this time, Frey and his kin were breaking the silence and offering the olive branch, as it would seem.

Loki was only a lad and a budding sorcerer at the time the light elves last visited the realm of Asgard and they had not come because of politics. Loki's talents had caught the attention of the elf sorcerers. The ambassadors had told tales of Loki and his aptitude for sorcery. So much so, that the elves wished to see it for themselves.

With his family present, Loki demonstrated things like his ability to control water and other elements. For one so young and to have practically mastered an element as difficult as water was truly impressive.

The magic of the elves was long held in mystery and only known by a privileged few outsiders. When Loki was asked if he would like to study in the art of elf magic, he could hardly believe it.

It was like an invitation to everything he could possibly hope for and maybe more. If he was to train with the elves, not only would he be a student but an ambassador as well. He could very well end up being the link that would connect the two realms. The honor he would bring to the realm of Asgard for doing so would be tremendous. And he would make his father, Odin, so proud.

It took some convincing but Odin finally yielded and allowed Loki to go. It was difficult all around, as this was the first time Loki had left the realm and by himself.

Both his father and mother would have preferred that Loki be accompanied by a trusted guardian. Loki was only 16 at the time but he insisted that he was old enough to look after himself.

Though Thor was sad to see his little brother leave his side, he still chimed in on Loki's behalf. He supported Loki's want for independence believed in him to leave the realm on his own.

Furthermore, Frey, prince of the royal house of Alfheim, promised his would serve as Loki's host family. His sister, Queen Freya, swore that Loki would be well looked after. So, in the spirit of trust, Odin finally agreed to let Loki go.

Loki could not help the nostalgic smile as he remembered how his mother had openly cried at the Bifrost. She smothered him with hugs and repeated over and over how much she was going to miss her baby boy.

Loki appreciated her affection, but being an adolescent on his way to manhood, he could not help feeling a little embarrassed. When he embraced his father goodbye, he whispered into his ear "I am going to make you so proud, just you watch."

Odin kissed him on the forehead and said, "Trust me my son, you have already done so." The fatherly king could not help one last display of affection. He ruffled his fingers through his son's hair, completely disheveling the long, black locks.

Lat but not least was a hug goodbye from his older brother. Thor told Loki that he would miss him and that he hoped Loki would enjoy his time away from home. Loki responded by telling Thor to try and stay out of trouble. Thor made no promises.

It all seemed so perfect. There was no way Loki could have known that he was embarking on what would become the darkest time of his life.

The knock on the door echoed through room like a rumble of thunder in a stormy sky.

Loki's fingers clenched so tightly on his helmet that his knuckles turned white. He took a deep, steadying breath before acknowledging his visitor.

"Enter." Loki bid. He hastily wiped the sweat from his brow before the door opened.

Loki was right where Thor thought he would be. His younger brother sat upon a stool in front of his dresser. His emerald green cape flowed from his shoulders and onto the ground behind him. He looked to be in perfect order with the exception that he had not put his helmet on.

"Loki, our guests are almost here. Why have you not yet come to the throne room?"

Loki could not suppress the shudder that ran down his spine. From the moment he learned that the elves were to come to Asgard, he had been uneasy. His deepest instincts told him that the arrival of the elves and that strange dream he had had several nights ago was more than a coincidence.

"Brother?" Thor lightly placed his hand upon Loki's shoulder. He was relieved when Loki did not startle like he was afraid he would. However, Loki seemed deep in thought and appeared stressed.

Thor had been afraid of this. He well knew why Loki would be afraid to face this delegation. In his own heart, he would rather not have the elves here in Asgard at all. Ever since what happened to Loki, Thor had held a deep mistrust, if not hatred, for their race.

Years ago, Loki was handed into the care of the highest house of elf Nobility. Loki was supposed to have been protected. The elves had been trusted to care for him and they failed.

"Loki, I know why you are nervous. Father has asked me to tell you that you need not attend-"

"No!" Loki interjected sharply. Thor moved his hand from his brother's shoulder as though Loki's sudden action had burned him.

The second prince of Asgard rose to his feet and straightened himself proudly. Realization of his rash actions hit him just as quickly as they had come. "Forgive me," He said, dropping his gaze.

Thor waved it off. "You need not apologize, brother. I know this must be difficult for you."

Loki shook his head. "Nonsense, I merely lost track of the time is all."

Thor watched his brother don the two horned helm that marked him as the second prince of Asgard. Loki looked as intimidating as he did grand in his regal garb. Yet Thor still wondered if Loki were truly ready for this.

Loki situated his helmet upon his head and gave himself one last look in his mirror. Satisfied that he was presentable, he turned to his brother. "Come Thor, let us not keep our father waiting."

Loki walked past Thor before he could even voice his agreement. The two brothers walked shoulder to shoulder and briskly made their way to the throne room. Loki was very subdued. Even his air of mischievousness seemed absent.

Thor did not like it at all. Already, an impending sense of dread began to fill him. This was going to be a long night.

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