Title From Macbeth

And what can be said of his mind?

Unearthed intangible but all too real rage...its only outlet the dream of escape. How foolish to believe that his selfless action could change the mind of his enemy. How naive was he to think that for one moment his brother would hold any influence over the stain of Odin's displeasure. Odin, who resented his very existence. With every false breath he took it was a sting to his false father's pride. And with that thought, Loki found solace. If he could not have the throne, he would have and hold Odin's displeasure with all that he was, all that he is now...all that he ever would be. It was his father who caused this insane state of his. And his mother...

No. He would not think of her. For to do so would soften him, and he, Loki, would not be so weak.

How he had hoped to be reunited with Thor and Odin and to experience at least marginal acceptance. But to hope is rash, it is a magpie of sentiment and irrational bias. He had entered Asgard broken, bleeding and weak. He had used the BiFrost to transpierce the realm, he was too weak to employ his usual means. And what had he found? Odin, displeased as ever. Thor, in the embrace of the little mortal, and Eir the only one who bothered with him. He was thrown back into his cell with only petty criminals to gaze upon…he, a Prince! A would be King! Suffer this he must, for he shall enjoy no pardon. He, hated and loathed, feared and dreaded…always. And though his paltry attempts at reason and defense were chided and dismissed, his heart did whisper that Thor at least heard, and that mayhap his pleas would be thought on in his quiet, if that mortal would allow it.

He sat in his cell, he stared at nothing. He perseverated on the flimsy furnishings. So much for a Prince of Asgard. What did he do that was so wrong, so heinous in the eyes of Odin? He reminded his false father of himself…a younger version of the All-Father, and less the brute of he or Thor. Odin saw himself in Thor, and his narcissism won the Thunder God his favor. But his true nature was Loki's…and Odin despised it. To be reminded that he, too, was a conquerer, a vanquisher, a ruler of those who desired no such rule…that was what Odin hated about himself, and so Loki must be punished for Odin's crimes.

Loki examined his hands. He could feel the anger brimming inside of him…his magic undulating between control and eruption. He would need to liberate it, or it would tax his brain, perhaps even drive him mad.

His head fell in the cradle of his hands, and he rubbed his face.

He heard someone approaching, and assumed it was the guard bringing him his dinner, so he didn't bother looking up.

There was no hiss of sound to indicate that the glass had been disturbed, so he raised his head.

He had to admit to himself, he was surprised at what he saw.

He laughed.

She shifted.

"What are you doing here, Jane Foster?"

"I…don't honestly know."

"Well, if you don't know, I certainly do not. If it's all the same to you, I'm rather preoccupied at present, and you are disturbing my solitude…" he waved his hand lazily in a dismissal.

"Why did you do it?" she blurted out.

"Excuse me?" he cocked his head as his back stayed firmly against the far wall.

"Why did you save me? Save Thor?"

"I do not owe you any explanation."

"No. No, I guess you don't," she looked about the cage. "Are you comfortable here?"

"Do I look comfortable here?"

Jane smiled. "I…well…I've seen worse accommodations. I've HAD worse accommodations…" and she laughed.

"Oh, well…in that case, I feel so much better, as though I were on a holiday, and I could come and go as I pleased. This cage isn't so bad…" he got up, and waved his arms about in grand gesticulation. "I don't know what I've been so fussed about…look…worn cushions on the chair…observe…no blanket despite the chill…" he walked toward her. "Truly, Miss Foster, you are so very right. I shall ignore the fact that…" and he slammed his fist on the glass. "…. I have been left to rot here!" his breath heaved in his anger.

Jane jumped back at his bellow. "Sorry…I'm sorry, Loki…." and she quickly left.

Thor's mortal. What a hysterical joke. She had been sent to spy on him. What a specimen was humanity. So fragile, so gullible…so…odd. And his brother had fallen for this wisp of a woman. He smiled.

She wouldn't be back. So much the better.

Why did he save them? Why indeed. Because he believed that Thor would return the act of heroism if he did. That if they survived, he would be able to cull favor with Odin and see to Loki's freedom.

How very wrong he was. Once the savage wound healed, he was promptly put back in the cell. And Thor brought the mortal back from Midgard, no doubt with the thought of marriage. And he would be forgotten…and he would be here for many millennia…

It was not to be born. Loki was never meant to be a captive…he was meant to rule. To be the bane of Odin's existence, and so it would be.

He was distracted, and he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. MIdgard. That silly speck in the middle of Yggdrasil the cause of so much pain.

He then heard the glass slide, his back was to it. His hands fell to his sides, and he turned. "Did anyone ever tell you that you are a glutton for punishment, Jane Foster?"

"No…but I've been told I'm persistent."

"In your case, they are interchangeable traits. What do you want?"

"I want to know why you saved me," she stated simply.

He sighed. "What would you like me to say? That I discovered part of me truly loved my false brother? That I felt a need to spare you because of it? That the villain in me was redeemed by the sentiment you mortals hold so very dear?"

Jane giggled a bit. "That sounds perfect," and she flashed an exaggerated smile.

He shook his head and laughed, too tired to argue. "I did it…because I wanted to be spared the endless imprisonment I now face. I believed that if we survived, Thor would see to it…how very wrong I was."

Jane nodded. "I can help you."

"You. You can help me? How? Why?"

"Because I owe you. And Thor loves me."

Loki examined her now with a discerning eye. It could be possible that she was serious. It could also be possible it was a trap. "I don't understand. Why would you do such a thing? What have you to gain from my release?"

"A clear conscience."

Ah. Guilt. A bit foreign to him, but a powerful motivator to some. "What do you propose?"

"Well..." she began. "Gimme a few days...I may need to come back and talk with you further...but I'm pretty sure I can get you out."

"You have that much faith in your wiles?"

She smiled crookedly. "Oh yes."

Loki cocked an eyebrow. "Really?" and he slunk nearer her station. "Well, Jane Foster. Perhaps I underestimate you, what do you wish to know?"

Jane cleared her throat. "Well...do you care for Thor?"

His face distorted in a scowl. "Do I CARE for Thor?" he laughed. "Does Thor care for ME?"

"That answer won't get you out."

He turned from her. "There was a time, when Asgard was a peaceful realm, when many creatures took their hope and dreams and molded their passions into a common purpose. When Odin was merciful, when the pain of war and the uncertainty of resolve was foreign to its inhabitants. During that time, when our minds were naive to all that clips our sorrow, I had felt a link to my false brother. When I believed the lies of Odin. When I held the hand of Frigga..." his voice altered ever so slightly. "...and thought of her as a mother. When these days were lived, when I had that which every soul desires, yes. I cared for him," and he turned to see Jane awestruck.

"Wow."

"Wow? I gave you an answer. If you dislike it, then cease asking me questions."

"No...it's just...you are hurt," she returned sheepishly.

"Is that so impossible to believe? Yes, I am a miscreant. But every such devil has a story, only the foolish think otherwise."

Jane's chin lifted. "Well...you might have a point."

"Of course I do. I'm not fool, Miss Foster. I may be many things...but that is not one of them."

Jane nodded.

He sat down. "You love my...Thor...do you?"

She hesitated. "Sure I do."

"Well...you'll let me know what happens, then."

A curt nod, and she left.

Interesting...in many, many ways.

The mortal was moved by his station, and he could use her pity to manipulate the situation. He was not so proud to be foolish. He could not get anything from his current predicament, and should he massage her conscience a touch, he might escape this closet of a prison.

And what would he do when released? He would exact his revenge on Thanos, and then leave. He would go where none too many knew his name. He would wait out his days in sobering stationary patience until Odin was gone…and then he would return to take the throne as Asgard's King. Thor would marry that Jane Foster. He had no desire to be a dutiful King, he desired only the embrace of a lover, the heat of battle and the scourge of Mjölnir. He was a brute and a fool. Loki may be a lot of things, but he was neither a brute nor a fool.

It was a happy chance that Jane Foster was a mortal with a conscience, and Loki Laufeyson would use that fact to his advantage…

Jane went to the Prince's chambers and found her lover standing on his balcony.

"Hey," she said.

"Hello, Jane. Where have you been?"

She walked nearer him. "I've been walking and thinking…" not entirely untrue. "I've been thinking about Loki."

"Why would you engage your mind thus? He is a sad subject," and Thor returned to the room, running his hands through his hair and sitting down by the fire that raged.

"Because, Thor…he saved us. He SAVED us, and he's rotting in a cell."

"He killed hundreds of Midgardians. He deserves his punishment. How can you defend him so?"

Jane sat opposite him. "Because, I believe people can change. Loki wasn't always the way he is now, was he?"

Thor shook his head.

"No," Jane continued. "Maybe if he's shown some kindness and compassion, maybe he can start to heal," she paused. "I want you to help me convince Odin that Loki is redeemable."