Odin sat in his private study, staring intently out the window instead of reading the report before him. Just as he'd been doing for the past hour. Staring and thinking. The update from Lord Thoms was important, but he had more pressing thoughts on his mind today. Well, honestly, for some time now. Namely, what to do about Loki.

Imprisonment wasn't the right answer, and Odin knew it. But when Thor had returned the god to Asgard two years ago, he'd had no alternative. At least none that wouldn't risk the security of this realm- or Midgard. The interim years had only proven the solution to be an imperfect one. And the longer Loki remained caged in isolation, the less chance they would have in succeeding when a better one emerged.

A quiet knock interrupted his thoughts. When the door opened, his Queen stood in the doorway. He was surprised to see her, as he knew she had a number of appointments this afternoon. Whatever they were, though, she must have delayed them in order to come here instead. Meaning this was important; he suspected he already knew what she wanted to discuss. Odin waved her inside anyway, and set the report aside to review later.

"Frigga, my dear. What brings you to me this afternoon?"

She didn't answer right away. Only when she'd settled in the chair opposite him did she speak, eyes fixed squarely on his with a troubled expression.

"I visited Loki this morning," Frigga began. She shook her head sadly. "Odin, I do believe he's gotten worse."

Her news was nothing new. Although Odin hadn't visited Loki since the first few months after sentencing him for his crimes on Midgard, Frigga had kept him apprised of the god's condition and temperament. Increasingly hostile and withdrawn with every passing month. Rarely responding to anyone except her- and he knew one day even Frigga wouldn't be able to reach him.

"I have no doubt that you are correct, my Queen."

"Is there no other way," she queried plaintively. "I fear the day we lose him altogether is swiftly approaching."

"I understand and share your distress, but Loki cannot be allowed to terrorize the realms to further his own ambitions. Until I see a genuine effort to work with us instead of against us, he's too dangerous to set loose."

She nodded in agreement, though clearly unhappy. Odin sighed heavily.

"If it were just the attitude, that might be different. But with the nature of his…talents…the risk is too great."

The room fell into silence as Frigga's brows drew together. She drummed her fingertips together, deep in thought. This, too, was always a part of their routine discussions. Odin waited for her to work out a potential solution. After a while, she returned her gaze to his.

"Suppose it were possible to separate Loki from his abilities."

A possibility that he'd considered a number of times, but hadn't discussed with his Queen. Not because he doubted it could be done, but because he knew she would likely be set against it on the grounds that it would mean denying Loki a fundamental component of his nature. She'd been adamant from the beginning that the key to peace with the god was to harness his skills in a way that could benefit both him and Asgard. Perhaps one day they could. But in the meantime, it would seem that after two years, she was coming to see that she might need to compromise. Odin waited in silence as Frigga expanded upon her suggestion.

"Asgard's mages might have a way to accomplish it- temporarily. Long enough to let him out of his cell and be among people again. Remind him of the reasons why he might want to change his outlook."

He couldn't fault her for trying, though Frigga's expectations of the experiment's outcome were more optimistic than his own. But they had a much larger obstacle to overcome first. One his Queen couldn't know existed, since she hadn't already spoken with several of the most gifted mages in the realm. As Odin had done several months ago. He supposed it was time to tell her about those conversations- before this discussion went any further.

"They do have a way," Odin admitted quietly.

Frigga regarded him in mild shock before replying, "I gather you came upon this idea some time ago."

"Yes."

"But haven't mentioned it to me."

"No, my Queen. I know your feelings about accepting what Loki is, and that's one of the reasons why I haven't raised it as a possibility."

"And what might be another?"

"The enchantment cannot be imposed on an unwilling target. Loki would have to agree to submit to it."

His words carried with them an oppressive weight. It filled the space between them. Frigga was notably silent, obviously thinking of the challenge that posed to the plan. To be stripped of his abilities would leave Loki as close to living as a mortal as any Asgardian- or Jotun- could ever be. Something they both knew he would find intolerable, even if it came with the opportunity to leave his cell.

"I think it's worth asking, Odin. At worst, he'll refuse."

He was inclined to agree with her. They would lose nothing in asking that wouldn't already be lost by not pursuing the option. But he did have one last point he wished to make before making a decision either way.

"And in the unlikely event that he agrees- where do you expect him to stay?"

"Well, I'd hoped…"

"Asgardians have no love for Loki, my dear. You know as well as I do how opposed they will be just to find out that he's set free- with or without his magic. If he remains here, they'll only remind Loki of why he wanted to lead an insurrection in the first place."

"Yes, I suppose you're right." Her expression fell in dismay. "And sending him to Jotunheim would be an equally catastrophic mistake."

"That is if Skrýmir would even accept him. Which I doubt."

Odin saw only one chance for success. Ironic, given that they'd worked so hard to return Loki to Asgard, only to have him sent back to Midgard. But the Avengers might be the only ones capable- not to mention willing- of accepting this particular task.

"Strange to say, but I think Midgard is our only option."

"Midgard? Odin, are you sure?"

"No, I'm not. But if you think you can convince Loki to agree to the arrangement, I will speak with the mages in more detail about the enchantment they would use."

"I believe I can," she answered with conviction.

"Very well. I'll send for Lady Isabel and Lord Vagris."