Author's Note: I know we're having a slow start here, but please bear with me. I know fanfiction shouldn't be overly long but I have this idea, this place I want to take Loki, and it's going to take a little bit. But I will try to make things as exciting as quickly as I can and try to not take too long. Also, please don't forget to review!

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Thor and Odin were squared off like a pair of bulls when Loki walked into the royal Bedchamber. Thor still wore his armor, sans cape, while Odin was dressed for bed. Frigga, robe belted tightly at the waist, sat nearby, watching them.

"Loki," said Thor, "make Father see reason."

"I am being reasonable," countered the Allfather. He turned to his adopted son. "Did you put him up to this?"

The question made Loki blink in surprise while Thor cried and outraged "no!".

"I haven't, Father," Loki replied, pitching his voice low and soothing. "Thor came to me for advice and encouragement."

"So you told him about the apples."

"Father, every child has heard the story."

Thor spoke up. "I asked him about the apples. Loki told me it could be dangerous, but I am willing to do it for Jane."

"I also told you to not do it alone. Father, this can't be only because of the danger. We have faced worse."

"It is not the danger," Odin said, "that concerns me. First, the legend may be only legend and you, my son, will have set yourself up for disappointment. Secondly, there are Houses that wish to be aligned with-"

"But I love Jane," roared Thor. "And I should be allowed to marry who I wish."

"Jane will one day become Asgard's Queen if you marry her, and there are those who will resent a Midgardian as Queen."

"I don't care."

"You should care," replied Loki. Thor turned to him, incredulous. "there are nobles who will make your reign very difficult, and Jane's life hard, if you were to go through with this."

"I thought you were with me on this, brother." Thor's face was a mask of injured feelings. "But I see you are not."

"I am always with you, Thor. You know that. You just need to understand the risks."

Silence fell in the room. The flames in the nearby pit crackled and spat. Frigga spoke up, saying, "You are set on this, then?"

"I am." Thor squared his shoulders.

"And you love her. Does she love you?"

"She does."

Frigga looked at Odin. "I have met Jane, and she is a sweet girl. With a good heart. She could be a consort, rather than queen, and I do not think she would care."

"You say Thor should go," said Odin.

"I say I have no objections."

The Allfather sighed. "Very well. But, Loki, you are to go with him."

"Father," he objected, "I would rather stay close to Sigrid."

"I will remain with her," assured his mother. "This is but the work of a day, after all."

Thor pleaded with him with his eyes and, with his own sigh, Loki nodded. "Very well."

OoOoOoO

When Loki returned to his chambers, Brin was preparing to depart for the night. "Brin," he said, approaching her.

She set down the clothes she was taking for mending and curtsied. "My lord." Her hands gripped each other tightly.

"How fares the lady?"

"She is asleep, my lord."

"And did she eat this evening?"

"Only a little, my lord."

"Did the midwife tell her anything I should know of?"

"No, my lord." But her eyes darted to the side before returning to him.

He gave his best baleful stare. "What is it?"

"Well, it wasn't anything to her. More, something she said to her assistant."

"And that would be?" He softened his face. "You will not be punished for her words."

Brin shifted her weight. "She said the lady suffers because what she carries has Jotun blood and is an abomination."

Loki stiffened. "And did you happen to hear her remark on where the child received this blood?"

She shook her head, looking miserable. "Please, my lord. It is only idle gossip."

"And this idle gossip? What do they say of me?"

"Nothing."

"Obviously, they say something." The tone of his voice could have frozen the sea.

"Only that you are part Jotun. That is all!"

"That carries a great deal of weight. Do you believe it?"

"No, my lord!"

He knew she was lying but it would be fruitless to press the point. "Whatever you or others may think of Lady Sigrid, you are to serve her faithfully. If I hear one complaint from her, I'll have you scrubbing the lower kitchens. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my lord."

"You may go."

The handmaiden gathered up the clothing and nearly sprinted from the room. After she had gone, Loki went into the bedroom and looked on Sigrid as she slept, rolling Brin's words around in his mind.

OoOoOoO

The next morning, Thor and Loki rode out to the Observatory with the Warriors Three and Lady Sif following behind.

"I can't believe we're chasing a child's story," said Sif as they dismounted.

"Cheer up," Thor replied. "The tree will be there."

"And," said Fandral, "why are we doing this, again?"

"The apples of Idunn," explained Loki with forced patience, "are supposed to prolong the life of whoever eats one. Theoretically, it would give a Midgardian the lifespan of an Asgardian." He looked back at the city.

"Yes, I understand that. But, we could be facing any sort of danger. For what?"

"Yes," said Thor. "So I can be with Jane."

"It's for a woman," spoke up Volstagg. "Thought you would appreciate that, Fandral."

Everyone, save Loki, laughed at the dig and began to enter the sphere. Loki hung back, glancing back over his shoulder.

"Loki," called Thor. "Come. Sigrid will be fine. She can spare you for one day."

Sighing, Loki left his horse and joined the five companions waiting for him.