Disclaimer: Advi does not own Thor or Loki or the names or characters from the Marvel Universe. All rights to Thor & Loki and all associated characters (of the original movies and comics) belong to Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby and Marvel Entertainment.
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THE TRICK
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By Advi
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CHAPTER ONE
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In the great palace of Asgard, two brothers strode through the gilded halls of their home palace, still in the midst of repair.
Asgard had yet to recover from the Dark Elves attack.
The sounds of their boots, hitting the once pristine, polished floors of the palace, rang through the air… though not ominously. Their footfalls rang with authority and power for the mighty Prince Thor had returned home victorious. But… the peoples of Asgard could not yet forgive Loki… their traitor prince.
Thor had told all of Loki's heroics in their fight against the Dark Elves in Swartalfheim and on Midgard, the realm he previously wanted to destroy. This time, Loki helped his brother to protect it. In death, Frigga's beloved sons, true and adopted, successfully avenged her death.
But… still… the peoples of Asgard could not yet trust Loki.
Loki, who became their false King, Loki who lead the Frost Giants into Asgard, Loki who went to Midgard and waged war there and killed innocent Midgardians. How could they trust him- though he helped in Thor's glorious victory against the Dark Elves? Loki was after all not even an Aesir… he was Jotun, adopted by their King-Odin, the AllFather. Most felt that Odin made a rare mistake in adopting the Jotun and making him a prince of Asgard. After all, how could a Jotun, a being regarded as a monster, ever be something of worth for Asgard.
Thor and Loki turned into one of the dining halls of the palace that was not damaged. It still held the grandeur of what Asgard was before that dreadful attack. "Isn't it good to be home and victorious, brother?" Thor asked.
Loki heaved a gentle sigh. "I suppose… but is this truly what you call my freedom? Brother?"
Thor moved to the long, golden dining table, where servants were still arranging the food and sat down. "Why of course."
Loki arched his eyebrows at Thor.
"Brother, you do not think you would have the freedom you once possessed, did you?"
"Well, I hoped that I would be able go somewhere else… another realm perhaps, and start life a new," Loki replied heatedly. "Not this… being bound by your side!"
The servants looked at their prince and Loki and then hurriedly arranged the food. They knew this was going to turn into one of their fights-fast.
"At least you are not in prison anymore, brother," Thor replied. He then turned to the food spread luxuriously before him.
"Yes, I am not in that prison anymore… but I am still your prisoner!"
"True… Father said that you are not to leave my side, till he is certain that you are trustworthy once more."
"Hah!" The god of mischief gave a laugh that was filled with scorn and derision.
"Loki!" Thor warned.
The servants finished their task and exited the hall hastily.
Loki marched up to Thor, still placing food down on his golden plate. "And when will that be? I can tell you when, never!"
"Loki!" Thor warned again.
"Brother, since you have never noticed, let me tell you! I have never had Father's approval!"
Thor rose to his feet and turned to Loki, who wore a look of deep hurt on his beautiful, pale features. "Even when I was your brother, when I was still a prince of Asgard, I never had his approval! Do you want to know why, brother?"
"Enough, Loki!"
However, Loki was never one to heed any person's warning.
"Because I was only a tool!" His face was flushed, unshed tears pooling in his icy blue eyes. "Father told me that he took me from the Jotun temple, so that I can be a tool between our two realms!"
Suddenly, Thor pulled Loki towards him and hugged his younger brother. Loki tried to fight him. He pushed his cool hands against Thor's armor, trying to push the taller blond male away. But, that just made Thor hold him tighter.
One of Thor's strong arms was wrapped around Loki's slender frame, while his other hand began to stroke his brother's smooth raven hair.
"Do not think about that any more, brother."
"How can I not!" Loki retaliated, still trying to free himself from Thor's hold.
Just then, Lady Sif and two of the Warriors Three, Fendral and Volstagg; Hogun, being on his home world; strode into the hall and stopped dead in their tracks. The sight of the two brothers in an embrace was… well… shocking.
Both Thor and Loki did not perceive they had company.
"I am not your brother! I never was! The only person who truly cared for me was mother! And she's gone now!" Loki couldn't control his emotions anymore. He began to sob as cool tears ran down his face. He stopped fighting Thor and leaned his head against his brother's shoulder and sobbed. Thor continued to hold Loki, as Lady Sif, Fendral and Volstagg backed out of the room.
Softly, as Loki sobbed, he whispered, "You'll see Thor… Father will never give me any sort of approval."
Thor stared down at the highly polished floor of the dining hall, staring at his reflection. He knew Loki was wrong. Their Father, Odin, was a kind and just man… if Loki behaved… Thor knew the AllFather would grant Loki the freedom he desires.
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In a restored gilded common room in the palace, Lady Sif paced the floor, while Fendral lounged on a vast sofa and Volstagg ate plates of the finest meat, blissfully.
"Not happy Sif?" asked the gallant Fendral.
"How can I?" Sif replied impatiently. "I know Loki is up to something! He never behaves that way… and now he's free to roam the great halls of Asgard beside Thor! I know he would want to exact some sort of revenge against us and Thor."
"Calm yourself, Sif," said Volstagg, while munching. "I don't think Loki will be able to perform any mischief by Thor's side."
"True," said the debonair Fendral, "the most Loki will be able to do are his tricks of old."
Sif shook her head at her fellow warriors. "No, no. I have a bad feeling about this. Loki is up to something and it will be worst then the last time."
Fendral and Volstagg exchanged hesitant glances.
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Once Loki had calmed down, he and Thor sat down and ate peacefully at the great table decked with food. There was so much food on the long, golden, table, that it could feed a small human town for days. The servants nervously stepped back into the dining hall, surprised that their Prince, Thor did not overturn the table in anger. It was something he did many times before the AllFather banished him to Midgard.
Thor and Loki ate in peace… something that seemed rather odd to the servants. It was also strange that Lady Sif and Thor's warrior friends were not with them. The servants came closer to the two princes and stood ready to serve them.
"I miss this food," Loki finally said, breaking the silence in the hall.
"Surely you ate in prison as well," Thor commented.
"I did… but… it was not like this."
Thor reached out and cupped Loki's arm. "Don't worry, brother, we'll always eat together from now on!" Then, he beamed a cheerful smile at Loki.
Loki gazed a little surprised at Thor.
"Come now, eat!" Thor urged him with a merry and infectious air. Even the servants in the room were smiling at them.
Thor was happy. He felt like he had his little brother and best friend back again. To him it was as if Loki had returned to the brother he once knew and loved. The brother Thor knew before Odin banished him to Earth. The brother he grew up with and played with in his childhood.
Loki cracked a small smile and continued to eat.
But halfway through their lunch, a guard came hurriedly into the dining hall. "The AllFather requests the presence of his son immediately."
Loki glowered as Thor rose to his feet. The God of Mischief placed his food down with a hated look in his face and stood up. It was clear to him that his adopted father sees him as dead. Thor was his only son.
A servant with a bowl of water came speedily to Thor. The god of thunder washed his fingers in the water, while another servant held a small towel ready for his use. Once Thor was done, Loki washed his fingers in the water. Once the brothers were done cleaning up, they strode hurriedly towards the throne room and were met halfway by Lady Sif, Fendral and Volstagg. Sif shot Loki a dirty glare, Loki returned a debonair smile.
The small group entered the throne room and walked down the long hall towards a large, golden throne. They stopped in front of the great throne and bowed, for before them sat Odin AllFather. The elderly, one-eyed male turned his gaze from the universe and beheld his son and the small band of warriors.
"Thor… my son… and friends."
Loki glared at the man he once called father.
"Your help is needed in the world of Swerend, where its peoples live in fear of the night. Once darkness falls, a monster appears…to kill and destroy. It has decimated many villages. Many lives have been lost. My son, take with you, your most trusted allies and go and free the peoples of Swerend from the terror that has engulfed them. Leave first thing tomorrow, go and meet the peoples of that world and find out first what you can of the beast."
"YES, MY KING!" They all chimed with exuberance… well… except for Loki.
Thor and all behind him stood. Loki glared at Odin, Odin gazed calculatingly at his adopted son. Loki turned away, as Thor led them out from the throne room.
Odin's gaze did not leave Loki, as he watched the tall and dark haired male walk away with his true son.
As Loki, Thor and his friends stepped out of the throne room, Thor turned to Sif. "Sif, go now to Hogun's home world and tell him that I need his company on tomorrow's quest."
Sif bowed reverently to Thor. "Yes, my prince." Then, she straightened up, spun on her heels and strode away to carry out her task.
Thor turned to his two friends and patted each on their shoulder. "My friends! Eat and be merry tonight! For tomorrow we go to danger and to whatever glory awaits us!"
Fendral and Volstagg cheered on their prince. Loki gazed on at the three males with a gentle sort of smile on his handsome face. Clearly, some things never changed. Then, to his surprise, Thor turned to him. "And you'll join us as well in our revelry, brother!"
Loki made a disinterested face. "No, I…" But, Thor gave him a strong slap on his shoulder, almost knocking the slender dark-haired male to the shiny palace floor.
"Of course you will!"
"I—"
Then, to Loki's surprise, Thor placed both of his hands on his waist and hoisted Loki into the air.
"Thor! What are you doing!?"
"Making sure you join in the fun!" Thor answered joyfully, as he placed his younger sibling over his shoulder, resting Loki's stomach on his broad shoulder armor.
"Thor! Put me down at once!" Loki cried out indignantly, as he turned and tried to look at his brother.
Fendral and Volstagg laughed.
"Now, now brother, let us go and be merry!"
"I rather be merry with a book!"
Then, furthering Loki's horror, Fendral and Volstagg came up to him and slapped his bottom. "HEY!"
"Come on Loki! For old time's sake," said Fendral flashing a dashing smile at the highly annoyed and flushed god of mischief.
"That's right! Let us eat heartily before our great battle tomorrow!" said Volstagg, patting his own large stomach under his long, red, beard.
"True!" Thor added. "Now, let us go and celebrate!"
As they walked away, Loki, on Thor's shoulder said, "I swear I'm going to get all of you for this."
Poor Loki. What mischief will he cast upon Thor and his friends? And… will Odin ever gaze at Loki again and see him as a son?
Now, I must confess that this story was inspired by a fanart by garnetquyendinh on deviantart. In that fanart, Thor and Loki were arguing and Thor tricks Loki into saying that he'll give birth to the God of Thunder's children. It's a hilarious fanart that's wonderfully drawn. I hope my readers will go and check it out.
The next chapter shall be out in February. Till then, stay safe everyone!