The King was gone in the morning, which was hardly a surprise. Loki did not want to think about what had happened the night before. He pushed it determinately from his mind.

Loki got up and put on his armour, noting that it had been cleaned to perfection, just in time for Tauriel to come and collect him. He was led to the throne room, where Thranduil and Legolas were waiting for him. The former looked down on him from his throne, a tiny satisfied smile on his lips. Legolas had the same brooding look, and he was dressed for the journey ahead.

'Your Majesty,' Loki greeted with a bow.

'Loki of Asgard, I wish you luck on your journey,' Thranduil said. He gestured to one of the guards. 'And I have a gift for you.' The guard stepped forward and held forth a beautiful sword. Loki reached out and pulled it from its scabbard, marveling at the perfectly balanced weapon. It was wide enough to inflict heavy damage, curving slightly and ending in a wicked tip. There was writing carved into the back edge, the script as graceful as the race that wrote it. The hilt had no cross-guard, and was encased in leather with a spiral pattern. Loki examined it, but did not swing it. It was a long and exact weapon.

'This is a magnificent gift, Your Majesty,' Loki said.

'Let it not be said that King Thranduil sends innocent guests into his forest unprotected. It is a legendary sword. Its name is Aeglos, which in Sindarin means Snow Point.'

Loki stopped examining the weapon to glance at Thranduil, who was, if anything, smirking. Loki fought his blush, swallowing down his anger at the secret jest. But it did not appear to have been made with hurtful intentions. Thranduil seemed incapable of understanding why Loki's Jotun form was a defilement to all that was good in the world.

'Thank you, My King,' Loki bowed. He re-sheathed the sword and fastened it to his hip with a knot-work belt.

'Prince Legolas will lead you to the western gate,' the King said. 'There he will show you the way west to Imladris. Give my greetings to Lord Elrond, and then seek out Gandalf the Grey.'

'I will, King Thranduil. Thank you for your hospitality.'

'Thank you for your... unique company.' Loki felt a slight blush steal onto his face, and that fact shocked him more than the King's implication. He did not see it, so caught up in his own unexpected reaction, but Legolas grew suddenly stiff, glancing between Loki and the King. He quickly refocused his gaze on the floor, but his shoulders remained squared.

'Your Majesty,' Loki said, bowing in thanks.

'May the Valar bless your journey,' Thranduil said, waving his hand.

There was a flurry of movement as the small company set out. Loki was given a pack of provisions and walked in the middle of the group, Prince Legolas leading the way.

As they passed out of the gates of the Elvenking's hall, Loki felt a strange sense of loss at the sight of the dark forest. No creature in the Nine Realms could ever drag the truth from him, but for a brief moment Loki wondered if he should stay under Thranduil's roof forever. The thought was gone before the party crossed the bridge.

They followed the elf path through the forest. It grew darker and denser with every step, and all the elves were on high alert. For days they travelled thus, lighting big fires at night to keep away creatures. The elves spoke only in their own tongue, ignoring Loki completely. All save Tauriel, who would creep away occasionally to give him his share of the food and ask him questions about Asgard. Loki humoured her only because of her undisguised curiosity.

On one such night, Loki had to ask.

'May I asked why you are the only elf among your kind with red hair?'

'Oh, yes, of course. It's because I am a wood elf,' she said with a smile, but Loki could see there was sadness from sometime long ago hiding under it.

'I shall not pry,' he said. It would not be wise to chase away his one conversation partner.

'It's fine,' Tauriel said. 'King Thranduil has been very kind to me.' She glanced over at the rest of the group, sitting close to the fire. 'But I know what it means to find yourself far from what is familiar.'

Loki ignored the comment, and swiftly changed the subject to the creatures that they might encounter. Unfortunately, there was little reason for him to hear tales of giant spiders. They were left alone all through the forest. When they finally reached the western gate, Loki felt as though he had not seen the sun for a month. Ahead of them lay open fields and healthy trees, rising from rolling hills into towering, snow-capped mountains, far higher than Erebor. It made a breathtaking picture.

'Those are the Misty Mountains,' Legolas told him, speaking in the common tongue for the first time. Loki took them in with a sense of foreboding. They were as tall as the highest mountains on Asgard, and they stretched as far as the eye could see from north to south. Getting over them would be a challenge to say the least. 'Follow the path and it will lead you to Imladris. Avoid caves.'

'What is inside the caves?'

'Goblins, and lots of them. Horrid creates, easily killed, but not when it's you against the horde.'

'I shall sleep under the stars,' Loki concluded.

'Good luck,' Legolas said reluctantly and turned back. The other elven warriors followed immediately, but Tauriel lingered.

'Stay safe,' she said. 'I hope you reach your home soon.'

'Thank you,' Loki said, ignoring the sour taste in his mouth at the sentiment. She nodded, smiled briefly, and hurried after her people. Loki watched them disappear into the darkness before turning to the task at hand. He took a deep breath, and began walking.

XXX

'It is empty,' Thor said, sighing at the sight. He turned and reached out, helping Frigga up the unstable gravel edge of the crater. They stared down into the empty hole.

'But he was here, and he was alive,' Frigga said with hope, pointing to a set of tracks leading out of the crater.

'Him and someone else,' Thor said, crouching to examine them closely. 'Someone who walked with a cane. But their steps seem sure. I do not believe he was bound.'

'They went north-east,' Frigga said, gazing over the rolling hills and forests. With her keen eyes and high vantage point, she thought she saw a flash of sunlight across water. 'He is alive,' she whispered to the wind. 'Come,' she said to Thor. 'We must catch up with him.'

They could follow the tracks easily enough down the gravely part of the mountain, but once they reached the grass the tracks disappeared. Thor spied a trail and decided it was the logical way to go, judging by the track's direction.

They had arrived on the strange planet thanks to Frigga's demands and Odin's magic. He had managed to send his magic along the same path of the Bifrost's energy, but after that they were on their own. Odin had not been keen to send them on their way, but once Frigga had made up her mind, she would not be deterred. Thor had volunteered to help and protect her.

They followed the road, and saw a few farms and people here and there. When asked, they all pointed dismissively north-east and said not a word. It was not until they reached Lake Rhûn they found someone who would speak to them.

The small town by the lake's shores was primitive, but well-organised. Frigga and Thor both wore heavy cloaks to disguise their armour and weapons – Thor's hammer and Frigga's sword. Along the docks were a row of merchants, and if anyone had seen someone strange pass through town, it was them.

'You mean the Blue Wizard,' one said, when asked about the pair they were seeking. 'Ay, he passed through here with an elf. We don't get many of them round here. He had an odd look about him. They wanted to rent a boat, but none of the captains wanted them aboard.'

'Do you know where they were heading?' Thor asked.

'North to Lake Town, I think. Torgrim sold 'em some horses. Wizard's gold is as good as any, I suppose. We don't like them here, trying to tell us what to do.'

'Thank you, friend,' Thor said. They were about to leave, when the man spoke again.

'I reckon you two might find a boat for hire, seeing as you seem like normal folk. You should check with Borga,' he said, nodding towards the docks. Thor thanked him again, and did just that. They had brought gold chips, and one alone was enough to get them to Lake Town once the captain had bit into it. Hopefully, the river would help them catch up with Loki.

The country-side was beautiful, and both Frigga and Thor spent some time discussing the world and the people they had seen so far. Anything to keep their minds off Loki for a few seconds. Frigga felt the magic covering the land, and although it was foreign, it was a comfort, as it seemed to her like a trail she was following, leading her to Loki.

Lake Town was interesting, and they were mistaken for well-off people of Rhûn. The merchants there told that the wizard and Loki had gone west. Again, Loki was mistaken for an elf, and Frigga had to wonder if it was a deliberate disguise.

They were warned about going into the forest. It was King Thranduil's realm, but if Loki had gone that way, they would brave the wrath of a hundred kings.

It was not kings Frigga feared once they entered Mirkwood, however, but whatever darkness lay there. The trees seemed to have taken up a sickness from the earth. It unnerved Thor even more than her, for he could not hammer a shadow.

'Stay alert,' Frigga said. 'There is something watching us.'

'What is it?'

'I do not know.'

They followed the path for several hours, always feeling a pricking sensation at their necks. Frigga stopped abruptly and Thor felt Mjølnir vibrate. There was magic in the air.

All at once, five elves jumped from the trees, three rose from their hiding places and two stepped onto the path both in front and behind them. All of them had arrows at the ready. All had been deadly silent. Thor immediately raised his hammer, but Frigga raised her own hand in warning. The scene froze.

'We are no threat to you,' Frigga said. 'Please, we are looking for a blue wizard and a young man who passed this way some time ago.'

Another elf, this one clearly the leader, stepped forward.

'Hand over your weapons,' he ordered.

'I will gladly hand you my sword,' Frigga said. 'But I am afraid you will not be able to take his hammer.'

'Why not?'

Thor snorted and let Mjølnir drop to the ground, indicating to the nearest elf to pick it up. The elf hesitated, but approached cautiously, gripping the handle and pulling, only to stumble when the hammer failed to budge. The elves spoke quietly to one another in a fluttery language Frigga's magic could not translate.

'What magic is this?' the leader asked.

'My Prince,' a red-haired elf spoke. 'They are looking for Loki.'

'You have seen him?' Frigga asked, hope blossoming.

The Prince spoke a string of elvish words to the red-head. Frigga drew herself up.

'I am Frigga, Queen of Asgard,' she said, drawing their attention. 'And I demand you tell me what you know of my son.' The elves all stared at her, eventually the leader spoke.

'I can not bring you before the King so armed.'

'Then tell me what I need to know and let me pass.'

The red-head and leader spoke more elvish. The leader sighed, seeming agitated.

'I will take you to the King,' he decided.

They were led through the forest. Frigga noted the red-head, and gave her a smile of thanks when the opportunity presented itself. Thor had fastened Mjølnir to his belt, though he was clearly uncomfortable with so many warriors around him and no fighting.

They came out of the forest to the bridge, and the gates of the Elvenking's halls. Frigga admired the workmanship, but was too eager to see Loki to think much of it. The leader elf turned to them.

'Welcome to the halls of King Thranduil,' he said, a tad reluctantly.

They were led to the throne, from where King Thranduil watched them with curiosity. As the elf leader presented them, Frigga curtsied, bowing her head in greeting.

'This woman says she is Frigga, Queen of Asgard, mother of Loki.'

'I bid you welcome, Queen Frigga,' king Thranduil said. 'I did suspect there was something royal about Loki, though he failed to give me his title.'

'Thank you, your Majesty. I and my other son, Prince Thor,' she indicated him and he bowed in greeting, which was returned with a nod from the king, 'have travelled far in search of him. Is he still nearby?'

'I am afraid he travelled west a few days ago. I directed him to seek out the wizard Gandalf the Grey in the hopes of returning home.'

'And the Blue Wizard people said he travelled with?'

'The Blue Wizard was not genuine in his desire to help Prince Loki. He escaped when I confronted him about it.'

'So, Loki is alone?'

'My son, Prince Legolas, guided him to the western gate of my kingdom. From there he travelled over the Misty Mountains to the home of Lord Elrond, alone.'

'Then I beg your leave to follow him.'

'Allow my warriors to resupply, and they will guide you to the western gate. In the mean time, you might dine with me to refresh yourself for the long journey.'

Frigga knew better than to contradict a king, and considering the strange magic in the forest, it might be best to have guides. She disliked this king, but only as much as she generally disliked all those who stood between her and what she wanted. They were led to the King's dining hall, where it was admittedly good to be refreshed. Thor was a bit disappointed at the lack of meat, but he kept quiet.

'Prince Loki is your second born?' the King asked during the meal.

'Yes, Your Majesty.'

'It is admirable of you to come all this way to find him.'

'A mother's love,' Frigga said with a sad smile.

'Indeed.'

They lapsed into a short silence.

'Forgive me, King Thranduil, but why do you stare at me so?'

'Do I stare?' King Thranduil took a sip of his wine. 'I suppose I was just noting the familiar resemblance between you and Prince Thor. Loki was of such complexion, you see, that he was mistaken for our eastern kin.'

'Hmm, is that so?' Frigga.

'He has great strength, to survive such a fall.'

'Yes, when the bridge failed, most were certain he had fallen to his death.'

'I can only imagine.' Thranduil observed Thor in that moment, and although the Prince stared at his food, the elven king guessed his guilt. Why Queen Frigga herself could not see the absence of truth, Thranduil put to a mother's denial. A blind spot for anyone with such high regard for another.

'He told me much of Alfheim and the elves there,' Thranduil said.

'You seem to have spent a great deal of time with him,' Frigga noted.

'Yes, I suppose it was a good deal of time,' Thranduil said, smiling slightly, sipping his wine. There was a moment of silence as they all ate. Frigga frowned into her meal.

'He seemed in good spirits?' Thor asked, trying to appear merely concerned, but Thranduil saw the desperation in his soul.

'He was determined to return home.'

'I can not thank you enough for helping him,' Frigga said.

'I was happy to do it. It has been an age since we had such a fascinating guest in Mirkwood.'

'I am glad he...' Frigga searched for the word, 'accepted your hospitality.'

'I offered my friendship, and he more than graciously accepted.'

Frigga returned Thranduil's easy smile with a sharp one. They finished the rest of the meal in silence.

XXX

Loki found that walking alone cleared his mind of everything except finding where next to place his foot. The endless trudging was meditative. It was only when night fell and he was forced to find somewhere to rest that the darkness of his mind overshadowed all else. The gnawing thoughts sprang upon him quicker every night.

Always, he saw the look of hate on Odin's face, and heard his fatal "No", and felt his fingers slip from the Allfather's sceptre. A part of him wanted nothing more than to grip it tighter and let himself be pulled up, but what would that have given him but a cell and the disappointed looks for centuries to come. He pictured Frigga staring from between bars, tears falling, sometimes screaming, sometimes even spitting at him, but these were nightmares beyond reason, or so he hoped.

As he climbed the mountains, the weather worsened. Wind and rain whipped him, but he kept away from the caves, as instructed. One evening, sitting against the rock wall, huddling in his wet cloak, Loki thought he heard a voice on the wind. 'No, do not listen,' he thought. He shut his eyes, telling his heart it was only his imagination. He need only conquer himself. He may have been discarded by his family, but he would not loose his mind.

He looked down at his hands, gripping the cloak tight to keep the wind from stealing it. The rock surrounding him was dark and slippery, but he had always handled the cold well – too well, he now understood. He turned one palm up, staring at the familiar lines, pale and shivering slightly. The cold was still a burden, but he knew Thor would have been complaining far more were he by his side. But a frost-giant would barely feel this cold... A flash of memory came, of that first transformation on Jotun. The cold had disappeared completely in that moment. He had been too shocked to note it at the time. He had not worn a cloak to protect him like the others, for he had known it would only make him too warm in battle. But when his skin had turned-

'Did you know not to dress me too warm?' he whispered, thinking of all those winters on Asgard. Frigga dressing them, and Thor always had the thicker cloak. He wanted to scream.

The slap of feet on the rock disturbed him. There were many footsteps. Loki got up and drew his sword, uncertain how to meet whatever was approaching.

They came up from the east; perhaps they had been following him. He squinted through the rain, discerning shapes moving along the narrow path above the perilous cliff. The column of shapes stopped abruptly, and Loki's keen ears heard them muttering in a strange guttural tongue. He could not guess how many they were, but fighting on the narrow path was not a good idea for either party. He could not see well enough, and he knew not how many he could toss over the side before he misstepped.

Slinging his pack over his shoulder, he hurried upwards. In the dark it was almost impossible to see, but he kept one hand on the mountain and moved as quickly as he could, feeling his way when the path grew too narrow to run.

He heard the clink of armour against rock as the party followed. They were quick, being familiar with the path even in the dark. Loki sped up, heart pumping. He needed to find somewhere to turn and stand his ground.

Legolas had said goblins were easily killed, but these were their mountains. One wrong step and Loki was tumbling down the side of it.

The rain filled his eyes, whipped by the wind.

The goblins were almost at him.

He rounded a corner and felt the path begin to descend. Perhaps he had reached the highest point of the path. He felt along the mountain ahead of him, only to find that the wall ended abruptly. He felt around the corner and realised it was an entrance to a cave.

'A lonely elf on the mountain,' a gargled voice said. Loki turned, gripping his sword tight. The goblin was a hideous creature, far more so than anything Loki had seen in the Nine Realms. Even Jotuns were not as disgusting. Some mindless beasts could perhaps match them in looks or smell, but because they possessed the gift of speech, they appeared the more horrifying.

'I am no elf,' Loki said, crouching slightly as he was forced to back into the cave as more and more goblins appeared along the path past the cave entrance. 'I am a powerful mage, and it would be best, for your lives' sake, to let me pass.'

'Our king dines all creatures of Middle Earth,' the goblin said, barking out a laugh to his company. Their laughter was a mix of hissing and gurgling. Loki grimaced. 'We offer our hospitality!' The biggest goblin stamped his foot hard, three times. Loki looked down on the cave floor, and his face grew pale as the sand on the floor started to seep away into suspicious cracks.

He raised his hand to cast a spell to blast as many goblins he could, and make a run for it, but before he could summon up his power, the floor fell away and he tumbled into darkness.

He landed where there was light, at least, in a round wooden enclosure of very poor make. It looked most like a sheep enclosure. He got up, feeling anger surge within him, only to have his whole being stop short at the sight of the goblin realm. It was massive, almost never-ending, with haphazard constructions on every piece of rock that would hold it. Bridges went in every direction, and on them scurried goblins of every size and shape, but all equally revolting. It was like one great vile and putrid ant hill. Loki had never seen anything the same shade of foulness.

A large horde suddenly appeared, charging across the bridge straight towards him with monstrous cries of rage and excitement. Loki raised his sword and dropped his supplies, standing ready. He brought his blade down so hard on the first hit, the nearest goblin's upper body was completely severed. They wore almost no armour, so Loki went to work on them.

He cut into them like butter, sending some over the fence, but most landing in heaps of innards in the small enclosure. He blasted some with magic, when they became overwhelming, but mostly he saved his strength. Soon he was fighting in a foot-deep layer of putrid blood and viscera. The smell alone was almost enough to petrify him.

He cut and cut and cut, but they were too numerous. The horde was stronger than its flimsy members.

In the end, it was fatigue and distraction that got him. One large goblin did something almost clever, and threw a rock at the back of Loki's head. It knocked him dizzy, blackening his vision, and when he regained his senses he was bound tight and being carried by a dozen agitated goblins, their noises shrill.

Over bridges and past more goblins than Loki could count in a life-time, he was eventually brought to a platform of sort, in front of the most disfigured throne he had ever seen. That was nothing compared to the loathsome creature that sat upon it. Loki had half a mind to empty his stomach.

He was tossed to the floor, and he rolled in front of the "king." He wore a crown of bone, his chin vibrating like a dangling slug at every movement. He eyed Loki with his biggest eye, huffing air in and out in excitement.

'An elf! But from what realm? Lord Elrond knows better than to send spies into my kingdom!' the king squealed.

'He said he is a mage, your Nefariousness Sir,' one little goblin said, bowing so low his protruding belly touched the floor. 'He does not have pointed ears.'

'A mage?' the king screeched, hiccuping on the word. He seemed not to know how to contain his excitement, wobbling this way and that, almost rocking out of his throne. 'An Istari trespassing on my doorstep?'

'I am no Istari,' Loki said, fed up with the dumb creatures. 'I am from a world beyond the heavens. I am Loki, of Asgard, and the cleverest thing you could do right now is release me.'

'Loki, Loki, loki,' the king tasted the name. 'Doesn't sound like an elven name, or a man's name.'

'We found this upon him, your Magnanimous Malicious Majesty, Sir,' the little goblin said, bringing forth Loki's sword and holding it up above his head to the king could see.

'That is Aeglos, the Icicle!' the king cried, backing away into his throne like a scared child. 'It has brought icy death to many of my kin! You bring this profane foe into my kingdom and pretend to not be in league with the elves!'

'It was a gift from King Thranduil. I am on a mission to Lord Elrond, and have no interest in your... kingdom,' Loki gritted out.

'A likely story!' The king said. 'He shall die! Bring forth the bone-crusher! We shall crush this elvish collaborator!' The goblin horde let out a cry of excitement and many hurried off to do as bidden.

Loki pulled at his bonds, but remained bound. He had a feeling he would not be enjoying the goblins' hospitality for long.

-:-

Extra Notes: Aeglos was not actually a sword in Tolkien's world, but a spear wielded by Gil-Galad. The other details are correct, except that Thranduil had it. Obviously, in the books Glorfindel was using it! But I just had to use that one because let's face it, no other sword could be Loki's :)