Thor was at a dinner with the Warriors Three when Loki found him, carrying his prized find. He strode into the room, focused on Thor, before realizing what situation he'd just walked into. The Warriors Three were his brother's closest friends, and he'd interrupted them doing the activity they liked best besides slaying and sparring - eating.

Loki put on his best grin and began to back out of the room. "Perhaps later," he said quietly, as all eyes were on him. Loki had learned that this type of affair was not his, as the evenings tended to be full of boasting, laughter, and unsubtle jabs at his general incompetence.

"Nonsense!" came a voice behind him, and Lady Sif came in the entrance behind him. "You're welcome to eat with us, Loki." She strode confidently to the table, her ponytail mirroring her swift movement. "Sorry I'm late, boys. Did you devour everything?"

"Oh please," Fandral said snidely, "He'll just ruin the fun."

"What fun?" Loki quipped before thinking, then winced. Lady Sif snickered.

"What are you after, Loki?" Thor asked, visibly annoyed.

"Is that a book?" Volstagg, his red beard splayed across his chest, said incredulously. "I thought we had databases for those sorts of things."

"People still read books, Volstagg," Fandral said, frustrated. "Just because you don't doesn't mean the rest of Asgard follows." There were chuckles across the table.

Loki held the book close. "I need to speak with you, brother," he said, finally. "About personal business."

Thor took another bite. "Whatever you need to say, Loki, you can tell me right here."

Loki's smile tightened. "I'm afraid I can't, Thor." i Please don't ask why, please don't ask why… /i

"Why not?" Thor said, looking hard at Loki.

The other four were also regarding him intently, now. He was going to have to come up with a solid clue that his brother would be able to grasp.

That wasn't going to be easy.

After a brief pause, he finally came up with something. "It regards our mutually received message."

All eyes turned intently to Thor. Thor frowned. "What message?"

i Damn. /i

Now he really needed to get Thor's attention. "The one regarding children."

Thor's eyes went wide. i "Children?" /iasked Volstagg with a laugh.

"Got something to tell us, Thor?" asked Sif with a wide smile.

"Please excuse me, friends," Thor said, getting up with a stressed smile. He gave Loki a reprimanding glance.

He took Loki's arm, giving it just a little too strong of a squeeze as he pulled him around the corner into the hallway. "Really?" Thor asked, annoyed, "Was there no more tactful way to phrase that, brother?"

Loki bridled. "Look, I can't help it if you forget possibly the most interesting thing that's happened in the past few months. I tried to be tactful, you ignored me."

"I can't read your mind, Loki!" Thor hissed. "Now what is it?"

Loki held up the book, a faded red with gold-gilded edges. "I found the phrase."

"The Children of Time one?"

"Yes, but could we get out of the hallway to a more private spot, please?" Loki looked around his brother's shoulder at a servant that had scuttled by, holding a platter of half-eaten cheeses.

They moved to a relatively more quiet spot, a terrace surrounded by a hedge. A couple of braziers gave warmth to the otherwise cold spot, as the first frost of the year had already been given. They shed just enough light for Loki to read without a spell.

Thor leaned against a wall. "You're building my anticipation, brother, this had better be good."

Loki smiled. "I make no guarantees." He began,

i "Children of Time

Three become One

Shall grace the Halls

Of Bor's kin

Godkillers, all

Shall harness the light

And with its strength

Unite disparate aspects

And from all ashes

Ignite the fires of creation. /i

"Appropriately vague for a prophecy, I think," Loki added before looking up at his brother, whose brow was furrowed.

"Bor's kin," Thor rumbled, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "That's specific; how do we know that this prophecy hasn't already been fulfilled when Father was younger and King Bor still ruled?"

Loki tapped his finger on the page and began to pace. "This was spoken and recorded by a Seer named Sefa, who prophesied while Buri was still king and Bor was still a prince. I don't, however, know of any events similar that have already occured, do you?"

Thor shook his head. "No, nothing in what I've learned, certainly, and nothing that Father's mentioned." He paused, his eyes tracking the movements of Loki. "It seems to me the most important part is the 'three become one.'"

Loki was deep in thought. "'Godkillers' is the part that stands out the most," he said softly, "it comes in the middle of the prophecy."

Thor wasn't about to be sidetracked. "The three in one, it sounds like the triquetra." He raised an eyebrow, more than a little pleased that he'd offered a helpful contribution rather than letting Loki do all the work.

Loki stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he looked at Thor. The triquetra was a common symbol in Asgard, a three-pointed knot that was ubiquitous in the palace's many adornments. "I've never considered what that symbol means," he said hesitantly.

"I remember asking Father once," Thor said, shifting, uncrossing his arms to a more relaxed position. "He never answered but one of the Council members at the time…" he stopped, considering. "I don't recall his name, but he told me that the three points represented Asgard, Midgard, and Jotunheim."

Loki frowned. "I wonder why those three out of the Realms. It seems that Vanaheim and Nidavellir, being our closer allies, would be better represented than our enemies and…"

"And a backwater realm?" Thor said, laughing. "I thought so, too. Didn't give his explanation a second thought."

"Perhaps he was just trying to pander to you," Loki said wryly, "and he didn't actually know."

"Who can say?" Thor said, a glimmer in his eye. "Honestly, I thought what you'd find would be a bit more dire, with the dread that I've been feeling."

Loki snapped the book shut. "I agree, particularly since the other well-known prophecy is that of Ragnarok."

Silence fell on the terrace as the two of them contemplated the prophecy.

"Do you think there's someone we could ask to interpret this further?" Thor said finally, with a sigh.

"Someone with more….what? Knowledge?" Loki asked. "I suppose I could search for…"

"It seems knowledge isn't really the issue," Thor said, walking towards his brother. "You're knowledgeable, you know where to find further information."

"Well, yes," Loki said, with a smile.

"It seems like the best person to go to about a prophecy would be...a prophet. Perhaps the Chanter, or," Thor said, gesturing at the book, "a Seer."

Loki couldn't help but chuckle. "There aren't any Seers left. They disappeared."

"They did?"

"Well yes, effectively. The last prophecies in the Archives are from just before Odin came to power."

"So then...perhaps Chanter Skirnir might know something."

Loki ran his finger over the binding of his book. "I'd prefer not to go to the Chanter myself," he said, a jolt of fear running through him.

Thor shrugged. "Not a problem, Loki, you can accompany me." He turned to go. "Thank you, Loki, for doing that research."

"You're welcome, brother."

As Thor's large form melted into the shadows, Loki was left on the terrace, the cool breeze stirring the edges of his jacket. It was unusual to receive thanks from his brother, and it was the first time, in a long time, that he felt they'd had a connection. A common goal, as it were. It felt satisfying, since they'd drifted apart over the years, focusing on their separate goals.

Of course, he'd never admit that to Thor's face.

Chanter Skirnir had held his position as long as Odin had been king; his position had been created in order to provide the traditional services the King would provide, had the population of Asgard not swelled in size. For the most part, the Chanter would preside over weddings, adoptions, and funerals that were not directly overseen by royalty. Because of its connection to the monarchy, however, its halls symbolically connected the palace with the rest of the city.

Thor strode confidently amongst the pillars, his broad shoulders and red cloak seeming to almost hide the less imposing form of Loki. Thor seemed comfortable here; he'd been asked to perform rituals there previously for some of the more prominent families in the city. Loki, however, had never done so. He didn't particularly care for currying the favor of the elite.

Loki's relationship with Chanter Skirnir was rocky, to say the least. He'd delighted in tormenting the man when he was younger, particularly ruining the Chanter's fastidiously groomed outfits just before ceremonies. He'd scattered in as an errant squirrel during one marriage, causing the most amusing chaos as women screamed in terror and men tried to beat him down. Good times.

"Welcome, your majesties!" Chanter Skirnir's booming voice filled the hall. He stood immaculate in robes of white, trimmed with gold. As Thor approached, he held out his arm, with Thor took in greeting. Skirnir glanced over at Loki, who tried to give a magnanimous smile, and Skirnir looked him over. While the Chanter's expression did not change, Loki was keenly aware that he was not welcome.

Skirnir addressed Thor. "How may I help you, my prince? Has someone asked you to preside over a ceremony? Lady Sif, perhaps?" he asked with a slight grin.

Thor laughed awkwardly. "Ah, no, Chanter, I was wondering if you could enlighten me on a topic. I'm aware you know the people far better than we do," he said, gestured to Loki and himself.

"Well," the Chanter said, "I don't like to boast, but I do see more Asgardians than the King nowadays." He leaned slightly towards Thor with a smile. "Of course, when it comes to soldiers, you are far more of an expert than me! I've heard nothing short of praise for your prowess in battle!"

"Ah, well, it seems like the Realms need intervention more than ever," said Thor dismissively.

i Careful, Thor, /i Loki thought impulsively. i Information runs the court. /i

"Yes, well, with the future of Asgard in your hands, I'm sure that the Realms will be put to rest!" said Skirnir smoothly.

Thor smiled. "Chanter, I did come here with a question, not seeking praise."

"Name it, my friend."

"I've heard a prophecy, and…"

"A prophecy!" Skirnir interrupted. "Please, my Prince, tell me you are not taking the guidance of witches." He glanced over at Loki, then back at Thor.

Thor frowned, seemingly confused. "Witches? I don't - I thought prophecies came from Seers. Witches, they are the dark ones from tales..."

Skirnir shrugged. "Witches, Seers, they're merely different names for the same thing."

Loki's heart felt like it had stopped. He'd thought the Seers as entirely different from the dark magicians in the stories told to children.

"What happened to them?" Thor asked, frowning.

"It doesn't matter," said Skirnir, laughing. "Please, Thor, do not trouble yourself with such superstitious nonsense. Before your father, the kings were a cautious, superstitious bunch. They'd consult witches for everything - even before going to war!" He laughed again, the halls echoing it back. "Imagine - asking anyone's permission before going to war?!"

Thor's face held mixed emotions. "I thought they could tell the future, maybe it was wise…"

Skirnir frowned. "No, Thor, there is no authority above the king. I would've expected that your father would have instilled this in you as the crown prince."

"He has…"

"Then listen. We make our own destinies, and as king, you will be the one forging the way forward for Asgard. You will define how people remember the past and you will be one making their future. There will be many who will whisper to you and divert you from that path," said Skirnir, glancing at Loki, then back at Thor intently, "or seek to stain your family's legacy. I know the people; do not let them see your family as weak, Thor, and do not be the one to make your family seem so."

Loki was holding his breath. He'd never heard anyone be so forward with his brother.

Thor nodded. "I wonder, however...if you know of anyone who identifies as a witch."

Mixed emotions flickered across Skirnir's face. "Do you seek to root them out, my prince?"

Thor glanced at Loki. "I...simply wish to know where the whispers to ignore are."

"Ah," Skirnir replied with a broadening smile. "I'm glad you'll take my advice. Fortunately there are no longer many, but Osk is an elder who still practices. I would stay away from her and her granddaughter, Maer."

Thor seemed deep in thought. "I thank you for your wisdom, Chanter," he finally said, then strode away. Loki paused briefly, and Skirnir looked at him haughtily, his chin raised. However, the Chanter said nothing to him. Turning, Loki walked quickly to try and catch his brother.

As Loki caught up, Thor seemed lost in his own thoughts. "Thor," said Loki, trying to catch his breath. "Thor, we have to find her. Osk. It was clever you still managed to get that information while letting him think you were taking his advice."

"No brother, we do not have to find her." Thor said, still walking. He glanced at his brother, looking almost ashamed.

"Oh, come on," Loki said, exasperated, "You have to be joking. That man in there? He was trying to get to you, to stroke your ego."

"Chanter Skirnir is nearly as old as father and, perhaps, as wise," said Thor, rounding a corner as they headed into the palace. "If he suspects that the Seers used dark magics, then perhaps that was the case. Father's reign has nothing but improved on that of his fathers'."

"Are you implying that superstition may have crippled King Bor?" said Loki, laughing, then stopped when he saw Thor's expression. "Brother, we cannot just let what happened go by without finding out what it meant."

Thor stopped, his cloak swinging to follow as he faced Loki, who nearly ran into him. "And what happened, what was it? Was it a dark magic, brother?"

Loki blinked rapidly. "I don't think so -"

"What that vision meant to influence us? To guide us down a path we shouldn't follow?" Thor's blue eyes were bright and hard, reflecting the sunlight that dappled through his golden hair. He pointed at Loki's chest. "How do we know you were not possessed by some fell spirit when we had that vision?"

"Now you're the one sounding superstitious," Loki spat, jerking back from his brother's accusatory gesture. "What, shall we run to Mother and see if I'm cursed? Possessed? Oh, what about a Changeling - or, maybe a demon in disguise? That's a good one."

"I didn't mean that it was you -" Thor said with resignation.

"No? I'm the one who's done most of the work for this anyway! Why would I lead you down a rabbit hole with nothing on the other side? Dark magics, please! What we saw was...transcendental."

Thor shook his head. "No brother, what I saw was fear."

Loki put his face in his hands, trying to figure out what would motivate Thor to at least follow this lead.

"Thor, whether or not this is sorcery, or prophecy, what is key is that we get to the bottom of what happened...if for no reason other than to prevent it from happening again." Loki looked up, trying to read Thor's expression. "If nothing else, perhaps you owe me that after all the work I've put into this."

Thor reached out and grasped Loki's shoulder. "You have put much effort into seeking answers." He paused, thinking. "Perhaps we can visit her, even just to meet her at the door. Can we get there clandestinely?"

Loki smiled. "Does a cat have claws?"