"I can't believe we are going to try to talk to a bird. Birds don't talk." Rhodey grumbled as they began the truck through the gardens. " Inviting a bird to court." He scoffed as he shook his head in disbelief. "If Tony wanted to see this bird so badly, then why isn't he coming with us on this wild magpie chase?"
"Pepper wouldn't let him come. They needed to discuss some budgetary issues."
"How convenient."
"Don't worry. Finding the magpie won't be the hard part. Just getting there." Bruce attempted to make light of their situation, but it wasn't exactly helping.
"Why do you live so far away from the castle? Making this trip everyday? What's so great about living in the middle of the woods?"
"I enjoy my privacy." Bruce didn't go any further than that and Rhodey didn't press.
For most of the walk, the two stayed silent. They listened to the mooing of thee nearby cows. The croaking of the frogs. At one point, Rhodey made a passing comment that they should just go back to the castle with a cow or frog as a joke for their ridiculous mission, but Bruce didn't find that proposition as amusing as his comrade. He just wanted to find the bird, fail at capturing it, and go home for the day.
Bruce slowed down as his head immediately cocked from left to right, back to the left. It was faint. The perfect melody of the magpie. But he recognized its distinct voice He would know it anywhere. "This way." Bruce said and they strayed from the cobbled bath and onto the perfectly trimmed grass. Even though they were still in the confines of the garden, it looked more like the forest due to the dense trees that blended into the forest outside the walls. Ivy crawled up the fence and unless you chopped down the thick tendrils, it was nearly impossible to see the grey brick that marked the castles borders. The soil squished beneath their feet as they walked, but neither could recalled a day where it rained. As they moved deeper into the trees, the song grew louder. Both of their heads shot up, darting around the tree branches in an attempt to find the bird.
Bruce saw it first. The vibrant emerald green spotted tail that took up over half of its body. The sections of white that broke through the black feathers of the rest of its body. It was a stunning bird. Nothing like the other magpies in the region. But its song. That was what made the bird truly unlike any other.
"Not exactly my type of music, but it ain't bad." Rhodey whispered as he finally saw where Bruce was looking.
The song came to an end, and much to Bruce and Rhodey's surprise, the bird turned around to look at them. Its head cocked to the side, but it made no noise as it looked at its visitors.
What do we do now? Rhodey mouthed to Bruce when their eyes met. Bruce just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't exactly have a plan for this escapade, and honestly, he didn't expect either of them to get this close to the bird. On his walks he listened to it from afar, never getting close so to scare it off. So besides the day with Prince Thor, this is the closest he has ever gotten to it.
"Hey, Lord? Lady? Magpie?" Rhodey spoke to the bird, unsure what else to do. It was too high up the tree to catch so they would have to find a way to get it down without scaring it.
"My name is Ikol." The bird said indignantly, that is to say, for a bird it sounded that way.
Bruce and Rhodey were flabbergasted. They thought they must have misheard. Imagined it. Birds don't talk. Animals don't talk. This is real life, not a fairy tale.
"Ikol?" Rhodey said slowly. "Yah know what. I'm out." He turned and faced Bruce, his hands shaking in the air. "I didn't sign up for this. Actual talking birds? What next? Frogs turning into princes?"
"Ikol." Bruce quickly spoke up to the bird who was now ruffling his feathers. "Tony, King of Midgard, requests your presence at his court."
"And why, pray tell, should I indulge the king in his request?" Ikol asked Bruce. He flew down to a lower branch on the towering tree, so he was closer to eye level for the two humans. "I am not his servant nor his countryman. I am a magpie, a free being. I have no king but myself."
"The king has heard rumors of your voice and wishes to hear you sing for himself." Ikol looked unimpressed with Bruce's answer. That is to say, for being a bird with limited facial expressions, that was what Bruce and Rhodey thought he looked like.
"Come on Bruce. Obviously this bird can't do it. He's too scared. So we'll just go back to Tony. Give him an ego boost. Tell him Price Thor was wrong. This magpie isn't that greatest treasure in the Kingdom of Midgard."
Ikol grew very quiet and Bruce and Rhodey couldn't tell if the bird was stunned by Rhodes's words or upset by them. But the bird was neither. Instead he was intrigued by the situation. A king jealous of a bird. A bird that Prince Thor of Asgard found of interest. This could be a fun game indeed. How long has it been since such an opportunity arose?
"If the king so wishes it, it would be a most honorable pleasure to be in his court and presence." Ikol said as sincerely as a bird could.
"Seemed to change its tune quick." Rhodey muttered under his breath.
"It's just a bird." Bruce muttered back.
"I don't know." Rhodey thought to himself. All this seemed too strange and convenient. Something just seems off about this whole situation, talking bird aside.
"If you follow us back to the castle, we will introduce you to his Majesty." Bruce spoke to the magpie kindly, but the bird had already taken off from its branch and began flying in the direction of the castle.
"I know my way there." Ikol said more to himself than the humans who were long out of range.
Ikol flew high above the clouds, the wind gently caressing him in flight. He flapped his wings a few times and before the humans could find their way back to the garden's main trail, he was already nearing the castle.
Ikol found an open window and glided into the castle room. He saw no humans and was surprised by how dull the inside was. If it wasn't for the sun and multiple windows, the room would be pitch black. And there was little to no ornamental displays on the endless grey walls. It was nothing like the massive garden with its protective trees, flowers and plants of all shapes and colors. The garden bustled with life from the bees, butterflies, insects, and the other birds who called it home. It was hard to believe that both structures were owned by the same person.
The only furniture in the large room was a single chair. A throne. While the lack of dust implied the room was still in use, it's upkeep was nowhere close to the level of the benches in the gardens. The iron was turning a shade of green and it lacked any sort of polish.
Ikol landed on the seat and simply waited. He sang no songs or made any sort of indication that he was here. Instead he tried to listen to his surroundings. Servants whispering down the halls. Ladies and lords gossiping when they think no one is listening. People of all classes fraternizing behind closed doors when. All castles no matter the kingdom were the same. Full of shallow courtiers and servants more caught up in trivial matters that mean nothing in the long run.
He closed his small black eyes and listened to the closest people gossiping.
I wish Prince Thor would show up unannounced again
Why did he come in the first place?
Rumor is that he is looking for someone.
"Why is there a bird on my throne?"
Ikol ruffled his feathers as he flew up from the chair.
He was startled. Genuinely caught off guard. He was always aware of his surroundings. Knew where everyone was. No one could surprise him. So how was it that this human did?
Once he calmed down he landed on the floor and took a moment to study the human. The king of Midgard wasn't what he expected. He was young, late teens, early twenties. His mop of raven black hair looked like it hadn't been groomed in days. And his brown eyes while plain and looked like any other humans were filled with something. Sadness? Regret? Forlorn? But there was also a determination to them. He was the type of man who would not let his past dictate his future. He was strong, even though he was a broken man both inside and out.
Ikol was fascinated by human's eyes. They always told such wonderful stories. Were the gateway into their souls. No matter how much man and woman Iied. No matter how talented of a deceiver they are, their eyes will always betray them. Will speak the words that they cannot.
And this king's eyes were so complex he could spend a lifetime deciphering them.
"It was you that requested my presence. Was it not your majesty?"
If the king was surprised by a talking bird, he did not show it. He didn't make a spectacle about it or act like he must have imagined it. Instead he took his place on the throne and rested his cheek on his fist.
"You're much plainer than I imagined." Tony finally said after a quick inspection of the bird.
Ikol moved to the windowsill he originally came through, and attempted to get comfortable. "And you look even less like a royal than the oaf, Prince Thor."
"Well at least we both can agree on that." Tony leaned back in the chair, but no amount of repositioning could ever make the throne comfortable. "How do you know of Prince Thor anyways? You fly north for the winter?"
"Considering you only called me here because he made a fool of you. It would be in your best interest to not mock me as well. I may be a bird, but I am far more clever than most humans. Kings included."
Tony laughed. A short, pure musical laugh. A bird was seriously threatening him. A seven ounce ball of feathers was seriously threatening him. What is the worst he could do? Leave a present on his head? Try to peck his eyes out? Yah. The last one could be bad, but still man versus beast. Man should win no problem.
"Funny." Tony said with a bemused smile. "Threatening me. Not your best move, but amusing."
"If your pride is that much greater than your curiosity then there is nothing to keep me here." Ikol feigned a preparation to leave by turning around and ruffling his wing.
"If you know why I summoned you here..." Tony's patience with the bird was slowly wearing thin. His fingers tapped the metallic armrest which caused the incessant noise to echo. "Then just sing the song and you can go. consider it payment for me allowing you such a comfortable lifestyle in my mother's garden."
Tony thought that if the magpie was human that he would be grinning. A sly, callous smile, but one that could be easily mistaken for joviality. He expected a human laugh to come out of the magpies beak, but no such noise came. "You wish me to sing." Ikol spoke slowly as if he was talking to a newborn babe. "But I have no such desire. I am a free creature, not bound to any man. Nor am I one of your juvenile inventions." Tony sensed a hint of bitterness in the bird's voice, but considering its human speech was quite raspy, it was difficult to discern. "I sing for nobody but myself and I only sing when I want to."
"If you had no desire to sing, then why did you bother coming?" Tony asked through gritted teeth.
Ikol was silent. It was like it was taking a moment to craftily make his response.
"I was curious to meet the king that was threatened by a simple bird. A magpie. All because a daft prince didn't shower him with praise like all the other mindless royals do." Tony was about to revolt, but Ikol spoke before he could. "But if you have finally tossed your pride aside and have reach a point of desperation, I may divulge and sing for you."
"And what do I have to do for you in return?" Tony knew this game well. He had meet enough nobles and royals to know when they were attempting to make a deal. A deal that would ultimately favor them and attempt to screw Tony over. "More bird feeders in the garden? A new bird bath near one of the fountains."
Once again Tony pictured the magpie as a human and the smile he imagined twisted darkly. For the average person, such a slight facial change would not be noticeable, but Tony has been stabbed in the back long enough that he knew such small inflictions well.
"While the garden has been a most welcoming home, I have grown fond of this castle. All I ask is that you let me eat at your table, sleep by your bed, and be your secret confidant in court."
"That's all?" Tony spoke facetiously with a faux smile. "Sure you don't want some of my kingdom while you're at it. How about a plot of land near the mountains. You could have the title of lord while you're at it. Lord Magpie."
Ikol took a chance. He flew off the windowsill and landed on the king's knee. He knew it was bold to act to brazenly, but if the king was so desperate to hear him sing, then he should just accept. Ikol has nothing to lose by rejecting the king's request. Tony, he would be the one driven mad with curiosity if he never gets to hear his songs.
"I have no need for such idle titles. I have made my offer. What say you?"
Tony actually debated Ikol's offer for a moment. He had to know. And by no means was he going to camp out in the gardens waiting for it to sing. Talking besides, it is still just a bird. A wild animal. It's intellect is nowhere near as vast as an average humans, let alone his. Once the magpie comes to terms with how out of depth it is, it will leave on its own. And if worse comes to worse, the king's guard could always capture it and ship it off to Prince Thor, seeing as how he adored it so much.
"Lady Potts!" Tony shouted, knowing his closest advisor was just outside the door. And in seconds, the door opened and she entered the room.
She looked at Tony, then to the magpie sitting on his lap. Her face apathetic; she had seen much weirder things than this. In fact, a bird perched on his lap had to be one of the most normal things she has seen in years.
"Yes." She said tentatively.
"Cancel whatever appointments you made that I was planning to skip. I'm going to be in my workshop for awhile. I have a perch to build."
Ikol followed Tony down the winding passages and abrupt turns, memorizing the layout of the massive castle.
As they made their way downstairs, the lighting changed. The numerous windows that linked the castle walls in perfect symmetry did not reach the depths of the underground. And there were no flaming torches or candles to light the way. But a soft light could be seen at the end of the passageway.
While Ikol recognized the former space used to be a dungeon, the redesigning made it difficult to imagine.
He looked up and saw the ceiling possessed angled glass squares that reflected light in from the empty room above them.
On one wall was a line of armors that ranged from battle worn to freshly polished décor. There was a common trend amongst all of them, and that was the fact that the metal was colored. They were not the traditional silver, bronze or gold. But we're colored in a ostentatious red. Some were bulky and appeared to be difficult to move in, where others appeared so thin it was a wonder that they protected anything.
Tony began digging through a pile of scrap metal studying each piece before either tossing them off to the side to form a new pile or placing them on his work bench.
Ikol landed on the armor closest to the workbench and watched the human work. Outside of the the sizzling noise of the metal and the constant beat of hammer to metal the room remained silent.
Ikol wondered how the king didn't hurt himself, as his body was exposed while he worked. His arms were much more built than his covered clothing let on so he could now see the king possessed the strength to do such labor, but didn't understand why he didn't protect himself better. Sparks occasionally flew and left sizzling burns on his olive skin, but he never once flinched. It made him look more like one of his armors than a man.
"So what do I call you?"
Tony talked to Ikol for the first time in hours, and it nearly startled the bird off the armor. He was starting to drift off to sleep. The warmth from the fire and the constant plink of the hammer forming metal was so soothing that he didn't even realize he was drifting off until he was addressed.
"What, talking mama bird didn't name you?" Tony pressed since the magpie didn't answer right away.
"Ikol. You may address me as Ikol." he answered once he found his footing.
It was nearly suppertime and Tony had the perch placed in the dining hall. Rhodey and Bruce entered and Tony had completely forgotten he sent the on the wild magpie hunt. Rhodey was shooting daggers at Tony as he took his place in the dining hall where Bruce just sighed as he plopped down in his seat.
The parabolic shaped tabled was reserved specifically for Tony and his courtiers. When there were guests another table of similar shape was connected to its ends to create an oval shaped table.
But today there was a different addition to the dining hall. At the center of the parabolic table stood the golden perch. Even though it was made just hours ago, it looked as if it had been apart of the room all along. The late summer sun that bled into the room acted almost as a spotlight to the perch, allowing it to shimmer brightly.
Ikol however was nowhere to be found.
As the last of the courtiers trickled in and took their seats Tony rose from his own chair.
"As I am sure, all of you have heard by now, Prince Thor wrote a book about our fine kingdom. And in it he made a declaration that confounded me. He claimed the greatest treasure in Midgard was a bird. A magpie. I asked myself how could this bird be our greatest treasure if I, nor most of the court, has never heard of it before. So Ladies and Lords, after a long an arduous search-"
"A search that we did all the work for." Rhodey muttered not so quietly to Bruce.
"I present you with the magpie itself, Ikol."
From what seemed like out of nowhere, the bird flew and landed on the perch.
The court was silent waiting in an eager anticipation, and then it happened. Like a stone shattering a window, Ikol's song broke the silence in the room. While the tune started out strong and forceful, it slowly became mellow and melancholy. As the melody changed so did the mood of the audience. When the song became so soft that only Ikol himself could hear it, one could hear some stifled sniffles from some the courtiers. But then Ikol picked up the tempo and those who were sad could feel their blood boiling in rage. As the song once again slowed down, people found themselves returning to normal.
When the song ended the court, minus Tony and Rhodey, filled the hall with thunderous applause.
Ikol bowed its head left, then right before taking off from the perch and landing on the table next to Tony plate and goblet.
Tony clapped along with the rest of his court,but he smiled warningly at the to beast next to him. "What do you think you're doing?" Tony muttered, his lips barely moving so his smile was still visible to everyone else.
Ikol hopped onto the goblet and began sipping the dark red liquid as the applause started to die down.
"As per our agreement, I am allowed to eat at your table, so that is what I am doing." He spoke just as quietly before taking another sip from the goblet.
Tony waved his hand and a servant came over with a new goblet for him to drink from. His eyes never strayed from Ikol as he grabbed the golden cup.
"Your grace, you have procured the most majestic bird I have ever seen." One of the Lord's spoke as they were being served.
Ikol's head shot up and he looked at the lord. He was a short man plump man whose dark hair reminded him of a mare's tail.
Bruce and Rhodey's eyes meet. They were looking at each other expectantly. Waiting for Ikol to speak to the crowd and make a scene over being called a trinket. But no such episode came. In fact when they looked at the bird, both could have sworn they saw a young man with a deadly, devilish grin. But when they blinked all they saw was the bird.
"The king has provided me with a home and secure life in his gardens. So when he called for me, I most graciously accepted his invitation and came straight away."
Bruce and Rhodey's eyes met again before moving to Tony. This behavior, they saw it before in the garden. A sincerity that felt more malicious than kind.
Tony quickly masked himself. While he was taken aback by Ikol's response he couldn't let anyone know. This bird, being brazen and forward in his thoughts in private, knew how to hold his tongue and charm the masses in a public situation. If he were not a beast, he would make a most cunning lord or regent.
The room fell silent after Ikol spoke. Some of the lord's and lady's mouths were slightly ajar and others were open wide in shock. The knight, Sir Sam, dropped his fork and knife on his plate shattering the silence that was so quickly formed.
"Didn't I mention that? Rhodey? Bruce? Pepper?" He turned to the courtiers closest to him. "I could have sworn that I told you all that Ikol here could do more than just sing..." Tony paused dramatically even though it was unnecessary; the shell shock from Ikol speaking had yet to wear off. "Talking is another of his many talents, something that not even that beauteous prince witnessed." Tony added that last part smugly even though there was no need to gloat.
Once the shock wore off, the dinning hall erupted with questions for Tony and Ikol. And while Ikol's answers to many of them were short and vague, the mere fact that they were talking to a bird and receiving answers entertained them none the less.
"Do you have a family?" Lady Friday questioned after some of the more ridiculous questions were out of the way. "One that can use human speech like yourself?"
Ikol grew quiet looked at the red liquid. "I have no family. Not any more. As for their speech, my father and brother were more barbarian than anything else."
Most of the guests laughed at this answer taking it as a joke of sorts, but not Tony. He was the only one close enough to Ikol to notice it. But there was something in his eyes. Something that made them almost look human. They looked melancholy but there was also a spitefulness mixed in.
Tony thought this would be a good segue into ending dinner, but that was when it hit him. His head started feeling light and his chest tightened up. He took a few deep breaths but he couldn't stop his hand's instinctive reaction to clutch at his chest. The moment his fingers clutched the fabric he dropped his hand, but it was too late, Bruce, Pepper and Rhodey had already noticed.
Pepper rose from the table and asked him permission to be excused. One he granted it, the rest would follow. It was a sly was for her to end the merriment early, but after what she saw it was to be expected.
Tony wanted to deny her. He felt fine now. But the glare hidden behind the sickly sweet smile was not something he should challenge. So he granted her request.
Once the rest of the court wrapped up their conversations and were granted permission to leave Tony made his way to his private quarters and Ikol was quick to follow. Tony wanted to protest but he had a feeling the bird would implement the same logic he did earlier, and Tony did promise; he was bound by his word and honor as a king. But he did get to hear it. The voice that Prince Thor so heavily praised. As much as he didn't was to admit it; Thor was right. That song. This bird. The stupor it put him in. It was unlike anything he has experienced before. And he wasn't the only one who was effected by it. Everyone in the dining hall was entranced, but for different reasons. The song effected them all differently. It was strange how one little irksome bird could touch such a diverse ground of people so easily. Tony at least now could comprehend the longing Thor had for Ikol. The bird was right next to him and he was already wanting to hear another on of its songs. Not that he would admit it to anyone, especially Ikol.
"What is that?"
Ikol landed on the closet table in the bedroom that Tony had stopped on. A small, circular, gold box rested on the table along with a golden pitcher and matching goblet. When Tony lifted the lid on the box, and sitting on a handkerchief was several grey, capsule shaped looking candies.
Tony pulled out two and swallowed them dry, but he poured some water from the pitcher into the goblet and chugged it soon afterwards. "Nothing." Tony shrugged. "Just a supplement."
"A supplement." Ikol repeated suspiciously. He thought it unusual for a man as young and healthy as the king appeared to be to take health supplements, but for all he knew it could be the norm in Midgard. He had limited interaction with them up until now. "The color is quite unusual. What herbs are in it?"
"Trade secret." Tony smiled smugly. He went behind his privacy screen and began preparing for bed. "My own creation. I call it Palladium."
When Tony came out from behind the screen and looked at his bed, Ikol was already resting on one of the pillows, preening his feathers as he got comfortable.
Tony rolled his eyes, but slid in bed without protest. He grabbed the slight next to the bedside and blew out the candle to the room became pitch black. He moved his head back and fourth in his pillow, but he couldn't get comfortable. Not only could he not sleep in the middle of his oversized bed, but the body sleeping next to his, wasn't exactly one he was used to; nor one he wanted to get used to for that matter. "So you were serious. You're actually going to lay there. Next to me." At this point Tony could have made a slightly cruder joke to handle the situation, but considering resent company, he figured he could hold his tongue on this one. "Are there any quarks you need to tell me about. Singing in your sleep? Egg laying? I need my a minimum of eight hours sleep-"
"If sleep is what you desire then all you need to do is close your eyes and do so. You shan't even notice my existence."
"We should also set some boundaries. Such as when I am entertaining guests in a more private setting."
"This bed appears more than sufficient to host three bodies." Ikol responded cheekily. "However if such an occasion arises I will make myself scant. But know I will except payment for my most gracious understanding and respect. For we have an agreement, And per the terms stated, this pillow is rightfully mine. But I can be fair if such a situation arises."
"Great." Tony mumbled to himself unenthusiastically. He turned over in his bed and pulled the blanket over him more before closing his eyes and allowing his body to finally fall asleep.
Days turned into weeks and for the most part, Tony's routine remained unchanged. Ikol would occasionally follow him about the castle, but most days, he flew around, memorizing the lay of his new land. After a few days of exploring he learned of every secret corridor and the fastest routs to take to get from one side of the castle to the other. He also learned all the latest gossip and what all the courtiers and servants thought of one another and most of all, what they thought of their king.
In the evenings during supper, he would sing a song or two for the court and at night he would sleep next to Tony. It was not until a month after residing in the castle that Ikol, unbeknownst to Tony could finally test the waters of the third part of their agreement.
Tony sat in his throne. He moved left and right. Crossed then uncrossed his legs in an attempt to get more comfortable, but nothing worked.
His stuffy clothing was making him sweat in places that he didn't know could perspire and his gold and ruby encrusted crown constantly slid to the right side of his head instead of sitting perfectly centered.
The Lady Friday sat at a table that was moved into the large room on the king's left hand side. She dipped a pen in a bottle of ink and wrote a few lines on the parchment.
The door slowly cracked open and Pepper's head peeked in before she entered the room. Lady Friday nodded her head at Pepper, and she nodded back.
"How many today?" Tony asked while fiddling with his crown.
Friday looked out the window behind her and saw a line of people waiting to enter the castle. Several guards and knights were stationed throughout to keep the peace and order. At the end of the line stood Tony's highest ranking knights and soldiers, Sir Rhodey and Sir Sam. As more people approached their heads hung low as they were forced to turn them away. They hadn't come to the castle early enough to have an audience with the king. The line would already take them to supper time. Some people pleaded and begged, where others attempted to bribe the knights. But they held their ground, even if it did pain them to turn away people who were in dire need.
"As usual your grace there are more people in need than there are hours in a day." She spoke while still having out the window. Pepper made her way down and greeted the front of the line, explaining the proper etiquette and protocol while visiting the king. She took up the first group inside and the line moved forward.
"There always is." Tony whispered to himself. "There always is."
The day went by fast, but slow at the same time. Many farmers came to Tony with news of their wells running dry, sheep being eaten, or cattle falling ill and being unable to work or make money. Where others came to feud over property borders. There was a teacher who traveled for three days with news that her school had been destroyed and the village didn't have enough money to build a new one. A local distillery was robbed and lost months worth a wares. The list went on. Those who came in earnest and were in need Tony helped without hesitation, but the upper class who complained over trivial matters received no gifts.
The day was coming to an end, and the last person, a farmers whose horse was shot by a neighbor, had left with a piece of parchment stating a new one from the royal stables would be delivered to him by the week's end and that his neighbor would be jailed and fined if more proof could be provided had been escorted out by Pepper.
"His majesty must hear me out!" Tony heard a panicked and angry voice shout from behind the door.
"How did this kid get in here?" Tony heard a guard talk to another. His voice was short and heavy.
"I don't-" the guard yelped. "Stupid kid that hurt."
Tony rose from his chair and headed to the door. Friday rose from her chair but Tony rose his hand and she returned to her chair.
Tony opened the door and Ikol immediately flew through but Tony waved him off because the sight before him was questionable at best.
One of his guards was being strangled by a young boy, no older than ten. The other guard was attempting to pull the child off, but it just resulted in the boy holding onto the guard's neck more tightly.
"Your grace!" The two guards stopped what they were doing the moment they realized they had an audience.
The young boy slid off the guard and approached his king.
"I need to talk to you." He demanded.
"That's no way to talk to your sovereign boy." The closest guard said while smacking the boys head.
The boy turned around and glared at the guard. He gingerly rubbed his head and then shot back a look at Tony.
"Are you just going to stand there and let this mongrel treat me like that. I'm just a kid."
"This coming from a kid who thinks it's fun to break into people's home."
"I wouldn't have been able to speak to you otherwise. That hag at the gates wouldn't allow me an audience with you. Just cause I'm a kid."
Tony smiled and laughed to himself from that last comment. If Pepper could hear what that boy just called her.
He took a moment to actually look at the young child. His green eyes were faded and his raven hair was patched with mud. His clothes were fraying at the ends and his pants were too shorts for his legs. The leather boots he wore were worn and holes were starting to form at the heels.
"Alright." Tony sighed thinking he would come to regret this decision. He turned around and walked towards this throne. Ikol was perched on top of the head rest, but moved to Tony's should when he sat down. "Address yourself and come before me, the king."
The boy strutted forward and gave a quick head bow, refusing any revenant formality all other countrymen would.
"Please state your name and the nature of your visit." Friday dipped her pen in the ink preparing to write in the leather bound ledger.
"Serrure milady. Serrure Blake. I come from one of the small farming villages in the north, right on the Midgard Asgard border. Combined we are the largest provides of the kingdom citrus: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits. We work hard, rarely getting time off. I was the only person all the villages combined could spare to come here. Many have spoken to the lord regent about this, but no progress has been made. The Asgardians and their enemies keep crossing the border into our lands. Their battles result in our crops being destroyed. Sometimes even, the lives of our own people are taken in an attempt to protect their land. The guards you have sent to patrol the borders do nothing. They claim that they have seen no one cross the borders and the destroyed lands is our own doing. They along with our lord regent spend more time at the tavern than looking out for their citizens and we cannot take it any more. Something must be done."
Tony was shocked and perplexed. How was it that he has never heard of this until now? Asgardian enemies in his kingdom. Both sides causing chaos for his people. He thought he had been maintaining peace and order. Apparently all his supposed good work was for naught.
"Lady Friday. who is the appointed lord of our northern farming villages?"
"Lord Hammer." Serrure interjected.
Tony groaned internally. It was not Tony who had appointed him, but Hammers own blood and lineage. Not to mention Lord Hammer was next in line for the throne if anything happened to Tony. And he enjoyed reminding Tony of that little tidbit.
"I will send word to our Asgardian diplomat and ask him to request an audience with King Odin and make him aware of the situation. Then I will send word to Lord Hammer, request his presence at the castle and make sure he is fully aware of his current position.
"If I may be so bold to give my council," Ikol spoke as if he meant to whisper but his screechy voice carried across the room. "But would it not be prudent to station more guards patrol the border. The Asgardians seem to care little about the havoc their disputes cause. And while a peaceful decision is most amicable, the situation, especially for your people seems, has escalated past that."
The boys eyes widened hopefully at Ikol's words. For that was the answer he wanted to hear. Swift action and justice. Not the long, tedious and offer unproductive discussion of leaders. A ruling class has already failed them, so what would make these people believe their king wouldn't as well.
Tony tapped the armrest of this throne, not please with the predicament he was put in. No thanks to Ikol. Ikol who was gone all day and happened to show up for the most dire request of the day.
"If I send too many guard to the border without discussions, it could look bad. Like declaration of war." The boys eyes steeled and Tony knew he was not winning him over with his answer. And as much as he hated to admit it, Ikol was right. Delegations tale too long and he needs to act now. His people depend on him. He has let them down in the past, when he was a carefree price. But not now. Not that now he's king. He must protect them. "However if the guards stationed there have become lax in their duties as you have suggested, they will be replaced. I'll have my personal knight, Sir Rhodes look into the matter."
He knew the boy still wouldn't be pleased but this was the best he could do. He couldn't send a third of his troops to the border just to protect the farmers; it could be interpreted as an act of war. And as rocky as his relationship was with King Odin, he knew better than do something that could easily be seen as an act of war.
The boy begrudgingly left, and Tony sighed once it was just him, Friday and Ikol. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his hand over his face.
"You did what you could milord." Friday got up from her chair and put her notes together. "So long as you do that, the people should understand and respect you."
"Should. Not will. Not matter what I do. No matter how hard I try to keep them safe, there will always be people who bring something like this to my attention. Remind me that I can't save anyone until it's too late. Until people are already dead."
"Where have you been hiding all day?" Tony and Ikol were heading to his private chambers. Even though it was almost dinner time Tony was tired and wanted to retire early. He didn't expect Ikol to join him though. The bird enjoyed being the center of attention and soaked in the limelight.
"I was with your people. Listening to their woes from afar." Tony's steps slowed down as the pieces started being put together.
"You led the boy into the castle. That's how he got so far."
"Why would I help the boy? What would I gain from such sentiment?"
Tony had to admit, to himself of course, that that was true. What would a bird gain from helping a human boy? Since he came to the castle, he has always being looking out for himself. He may put on a show. Makes it look like he relishes the court's company, but all he enjoys in the praise from them.
But obviously, he did care about something. Not only did he lead the boy to the throne room, he spoke on his behalf for his cause?
"Ikol, you never told me where you grew up."
Tony cocked his head up to look at the magpie, but he was not there. Turning around he saw him resting on an unlit hallway lamp. He was facing the other way so all Tony saw was the vibrant green tail. "You don't know the Asgardians as I do. They don't deserve to be respected. Nor have your allegiance. All that is happening to them is not without reason. So it would be wise to protect your people now, before you and your kingdom are truly caught in the crossfire."