Hi Guys! Thank you all for coming back and checking out the next part of this story. I'm so pleased with the response and that people even like this idea. Just to answer a few questions from reviewers.
Selina - Thor will be quiet cannon, as will his arch from the film. His interactions with Loki will be different since there is now a bigger age gap between them, but he will still be quiet arrogant and self centred.
Ribke - of course it's Hogan, I always thought he looked shifty, no one fan be that quiet and not be up to something.
So, thanks once again for checking this out. Please fav, follow and review, (I love it when you to the last one, I always appreciate knowing what you think as I write to try and get better)
Enjoy!
Cheers! D.S X
Disclaimer: I do not own Thor or the Avengers or any other of the many Marvel properties
2
At the shocked announcement, the crowd reacted. The warriors reached for their weapons and the nobility started to mutter worriedly between themselves. Thor summoned Mjolnir to his hand as the Warriors Three and Sif broke through the crowd to join his side. Together they ran from the throne room and towards where the faint sound of battle could be heard. Loki could only stand there in shock, not able to believe what he had just heard. Frost Giants? In the Palace? How? Before his thoughts could spiral out of control he was grabbed from behind. He tensed, though was quick to relax as his Mother pulled him close.
"Secure the Queen and Prince!" Odin called, stepping down from Hlidskjalf to follow Thor, several guards already hot on his heels.
"Father," Loki reflexively called after him, moving as though to take a step out of his Mother's tight embrace.
"Your Majesty," Erling of the Council of Nine came up to the two, followed closely by the Einherjar. "You must get to safety."
"Queen Frigga, this way," one of the Einherjar said, motioning off behind the throne. Frigga nodded, gripping Loki tighter.
"Come Loki," she whispered, moving quickly out of sight as the rest of the Council called for calm from the nobles.
"But Thor and Father -" Loki started even as he was pulled away by his Mother.
"They will both be fine," she said, face softening slightly as she looked to her younger son. "They are skilled warriors."
"But the Frost Giants -"
"Will be dealt with," she cut him off. The Einherjar led them to a section of wall at the back of the hall. They paused, eyes closing, and Loki felt the vibration of Seidr in the air. After a moment, part of the wall dissolved, revealing a room.
"You will be safe here until the situation is under control," the Einherjar bowed low, even as another ushered the two Royals into the private chamber. It was nice, with comfy sofas, chairs, a fireplace and even a stocked kitchen, but there were no windows, or another door. Once Frigga and Loki were inside, the wall was soon back in place, leaving them alone.
"What do you think happened, Mother?" Loki asked, breaking free of her grip to turn to her. "How could Frost Giants get into the Palace?"
The calm, cool expression Frigga had sported with the Einherjar vanished, to be replaced by tiredness and worry.
"I do not know sweetling," she mumbled.
"Thor and Father went to fight them," Loki pointed out, worrying his hands. Frigga gripped them tightly, regaining her son's attention.
"They will be fine," she said, gently leading him over to one of the sofas. She eased him down, taking a seat beside him. With a lazy flick of her hand, the fireplace roared to life, filling the room with warmth. "This is the Palace of Asgard, there are plenty of guards and Einherjar to assist them."
Loki didn't feel as confident as Frigga, but he allowed himself to be comforted. He lay into her side, his horned crown coming up into Frigga's face. The Queen didn't complain, only took the accessory from his head, placing it on the side table and running her hand through his hair.
Loki fell in to a light doze, unaware of how much time passed. However, that all changed when a sudden tickle of Seidr invaded his senses. He blinked his eyes, bringing them back into focus, just in time to see Odin walk into the private chamber, followed by Erling.
"Father!" Loki called, instantly righting himself, his Mother's arm around his shoulders the only thing stopping him from rushing across the distance to hug the man. Odin acknowledge his younger son with a nod, turning his main attention to the Queen.
"You are both well?"
"Of course," Frigga said, smoothing out her gown. "The Frost Giants?"
"Dead," was the All-Father's curt reply. Loki gasped while Frigga nodded sagely.
"What is to be Asgard's response?"
"I will not bring this Realm into another war," Odin intoned. Loki frowned.
"We won't fight them?" He asked, not able to clamp his teeth down on his curious tongue. "But they -" he paused when Odin's one remaining eye shot him a sharp look, but Erling chuckled.
"Just like his Brother, Odin," he teased. Odin huffed, as Frigga took her younger son's shoulder, bringing his attention to her.
"Sweetheart, how about you take your crown and find Alviss. I'm sure you want to get out of your ceremonial armour." Loki's eyebrow twitched, the scent of Frigga's lie was sweet enough, but he knew that was what it was. He took a quick glance at the adults around him. Odin nodded at him, while Erling smiled. Holding in a huff, he agreed with his Mother, snatching up his horned crown from the side table, he made his exit.
Even as he stepped over the threshold, the wall that hid the secret chamber reappeared, disallowing Loki even the chance of eavesdropping. Wrinkling his nose, he headed back towards the throne room. It would be empty; the nobles and other dignitaries having been moved to safe rooms by the Palace guards and staff.
As he headed down the corridor a loud crash, followed by a bellow erupted into the still air. Startled, Loki twisted round, seeing one of the entrance ways into the private chambers behind the throne room, ones that would have been used to celebrate Thor's coronation.
Curiosity crept up Loki's spine. Not able to stop himself, he slid over to the arch, it was a simple matter to cast a spell of invisibility over himself. Slight of hand was something that he excelled at in his Seidr studies, much to Frigga's amusement and slight exasperation. Which is why he added his own flare to the spell. He liked to experiment. But, not wanting to risk the spell faltering, he positioned himself so that he could poke his head around the corner. The room was lavish, the golden walls glowing in the low candle light. However, the room was trashed, the once laden table with delicacies provided by the kitchen staff was overturned, spilling the contents over the floor. Some of the furniture had been smashed, leaving splinters of wood and metal to mix with the food. Loki gaped in awe at the destruction, wondering what or who could have done such a thing.
"Redecorating, are we?" Loki angled his head to see Sif had entered from the other side of the room, followed by the Warriors Three. She was staring at the back of a furious Thor, and Loki knew he was furious from the way his shoulders rose and fell as he tried to calm down, who was facing the balcony. Volstagg's gasp, followed by a choked wail stopped any response Thor would have wanted to give.
"What's this?" He exclaimed, staring aghast at the food all over the floor. Hogun grunted as he slapped his fellow on the back in condolence.
"I told you they'd cancel it." Volstagg looked even more upset at that news, while Fandral laughed.
"We thought that was just you being your normal cheery self."
"All this food" Volstagg bemoaned sadly as he took in the mess upon the floor. "So innocent, cast to the ground. It breaks the heart!"
Loki would have laughed if it wouldn't have drawn attention to him. Thor didn't seem to find anything funny though, striding out of the room and onto the balcony. The Warriors watched him go, glancing at each other, unsure of what to do for their friend.
"I'll go talk to him," Sif finally said, going after the Crown Prince. Fandral sighed, finding a chair that had not been smashed to bits and collapsing into it.
"What a day this turned out to be," he said with a shake of his head.
"Aye," Volstagg agreed. "'Tis sad that the blasted Frost Giants had to ruin such a day. Just look at all this waste." Hogan said nothing but nodded his head.
"How do you think they even got into the Vault?" Loki's eyes widened at that bit of knowledge, he did not know that the Frost Giants were in the Vault.
Hogan shrugged, "Seidr?" Fandral huffed.
"The Frost Giants have no Seidr," he sneered. "How could savages learn the art that requires more book work than a scholar?"
"What do you think they were hoping to gain out of entering the Vault?" Volstagg mused. "The Casket was beyond their reach, the Destroyer ensured that."
Loki swallowed, fear and a little awe filling his chest. The Destroyer had been activated? He'd never heard of such a thing happening in all of his life. He stopped the thoughts of what must have happened to the Frost Giants as soon as they tried to touch the Casket. Most likely there would have been no remains to return to the families.
Fandral snorted, leaning back further on the chair so that it was balanced on its hind legs. "Savages as I told you. Jotunheim is most likely as backwards as Midgard."
"Madness!" Sif's shout from the balcony had four heads turning, just in time to see Thor strolling back into the room with a wide smile on his face
"Madness?" Volstagg asked. "What sort of madness?" Thor grinned, throwing back his head and shoulders as he announced it.
"We're going to Jotunheim." The silence that followed the words was shocked, surprised. Loki almost yelped, as he stared wide eyed at his Brother. Was Thor mad?
"What?!" Fandral finally managed to get out, slamming his chair back flat as he gaped at Thor.
"Thor," Sif spoke, coming up to stand beside the Crown Prince. "Of all the laws of Asgard, this is one you must not break."
Loki for once agreed with the Warrior woman. Even he knew Odin's laws on journey's to Jotunheim. It was banned. Pure and simple. Ever since the Thousand-Year War, no one was allowed to travel to or from the frozen Realm, on threat of treason. Loki sighed, glad he was invisible, so he was able to slam a palm over his face. What was Thor thinking?
The Warriors Three also seemed a little unnerved, as for once they didn't jump to agree with the Prince. Fandral swallowed, handsome face twisted with agitation and fear. "This isn't like a journey to Midgard," he said. "Where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god. This is Jotunheim."
"And if the Frost Giants don't kill you, your Father will!" Volstagg agreed while Hogan nodded. Thor shook his head, spreading his hands wide in a peaceful gesture.
"My father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies, and took their Casket! We'd just be looking for answers."
"It is forbidden!" Sif growled. Thor ignored her, instead smiling wider as he continued on with his argument.
"My friends, have you forgotten all that we've done together?" The Warriors shifted nervously, unable to answer. Thor turned first the Fandral. "Who brought you into the sweet embrace of the most exotic maidens in all of Yggdrasil?"
Fandral shivered, his pupils dilating as memories flooded him. Loki rolled his eyes at the sight. Trust in Fandral to be willing to follow his lust on an adventure.
"You did," he said, and Thor smirked, directing his next words to Hogan.
"Who led you into the most glorious of battles," then he looked to Volstagg adding. "And to delicacies so succulent you thought you'd died and gone to Valhalla?"
The two man shared a glance before saying. "You did." Thor preens, pride clear for all to see. Finally, he turns to Sif, who had watched the whole thing with her arms crossed over her chest.
"And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this Realm has ever known?" Loki watched as the just stated Fiercest Warrior, averted her gaze, a slight blush colouring her cheeks as she took in Thor's words. Loki had hoped that Sif would be the hold out, but it looked as though Thor's charm was going to overcome that.
"I did," Sif said, with a slight condescending smile, which was probably why Thor was quick to add.
"True. But I supported you," before Sif could argue, Thor turned back to the Warriors Three. "My friends, trust me now. We must do this."
Loki looked at them all, seeing straight away that Thor had managed to accomplish what he had set out to do. They were going, and what was he going to do about it? He could go in there, confront Thor. But his Brother would just lock him in his room until it was all over. He could sneak off now, go to Father and Mother, tell them what Thor was going to do. But, even though he probably deserved it, he didn't want to get Thor in trouble. And, just a little part of him was curious. Loki was a known prankster, a trickster, he couldn't help but be intrigued as to how the Frost Giants got in. Something that was said to be impossible.
He watched as the Warriors and Sif declared their intent to follow Thor. He couldn't demand they take him with them. Thor would never allow it. Being the much younger Prince, he was barely allowed to leave the safety of the Palace without a guard. There was no way Thor was going to allow him to Jotunheim. Loki smirked, as he backed up, heading down the corridor a little before dropping the invisibility spell and hurrying to the Royal quarters.
Who ever said Thor had to know?
Though not telling Thor and still being able to go to Jotunheim was a lot harder than Loki had initially thought. He'd headed right back to his room after he had overheard Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three's plan. No one was there, the servants to busy with their usual duties, and Alviss was most likely dealing with issues within the House of Odin. He wouldn't have much time, but he needed to change out of the ceremonial armour and into something warmer. Jotunheim was a frozen Realm, just wearing his usual leathers, cotton vest and cloak wouldn't be enough.
After a frantic search through his wardrobe, something that was usually reserved for the maid, Loki was pleased with his finds. A long woollen coat that came to his knees, Frigga had insisted he wear it when the snow had fallen when he had been a century younger. Loki thought she was just being overprotective, he hardly ever felt the cold anyway. He combined that with gloves, a scarf and a pair of boots. He slipped on his training leathers, as they were thicker than the ones he wore for every day. He also buckled his training sword to his belt, it wasn't a weapon he favoured, though he had only been in the Cohort for a few moons. He took his knives though, the weights familiar and much more practised in his hands thanks to the training his Mother had given him during his Seidr studies.
Once ready, Loki carefully hid a letter he had written, Seidr came in handy when you wanted to change and didn't have the hands left to do anything else. He placed it on his desk, concealing it with a simple banishing spell. It would hold for a couple of hours before fading, or disperse if he willed it, but he doubted he would have a need for it. But still, he wasn't about to leave the Palace without some form of insurance. To help with his ruse, he placed an actual note on the table, telling anyone that came looking for him in his rooms that he was out in the gardens. Loki smirked, the gardens were vast, it would take the servants hours to find him, if in fact he was going there.
Satisfied, Loki recast his spell of invisibility, then snuck out the door and down the corridors of the Palace. The place was empty, the hour growing late and most staying in their rooms or suites as they were unsure of what to do now that the coronation had been disrupted. Loki headed to the back entrance, thinking that Thor would not be so stupid as to walk out of the front. Keeping to the shadows, even with his invisibility spell, he eventually emerged near the servants exit. Slipping out behind a kitchen boy, Loki made his way to the Rainbow Bridge.
It had always amazed Loki, the Rainbow Bridge was something even most adult Asgardians didn't understand. Built in the time of Burri, Loki's great grandfather, most Seidr users still struggled to grasp what exactly had been done to create such a thing. A thin, almost glass like bridge, stretched from the main land of Asgard, out over the Void to the Observatory which housed the Bifrost. It danced with colour, fliting too fast to completely see. Loki wondered if those were the remnants of the Seidr of its creators, forever trapped in the one thing that had withstood the test of time.
Loki made sure to take the less populated routes to the Bridge. He didn't want to risk running into anyone, his invisibility would make bumping into a passer-by hard to explain. He thought for sure that he would be first to the Bridge. Thor would surely need to gather supplies; Sif and the Warriors would also have to prepare. As well as thinking of an excuse for the many guards and guest that might want to call on the Crown Prince. Sadly, that was not the case and Loki had to hold in a curse as he spotted Thor and his band nearly half way across the Bridge.
"Bor's balls," Loki muttered, dashing onto the Bridge so that he could catch up. As he reached them, he slowed up, taking deep breathes to keep his breathing regular and in time with the others. They may not act like it, but Loki knew Thor and his band were skilled warriors. They would be able to pick up on an extra set of footfalls, as well as breathing. As he came up behind them, pieces of their conversation began to filter back.
"We must first find a way to get past Heimdall," Thor said.
"That will be no easy task. It's said the Gatekeeper can see a single dew drop fall from a blade of grass a thousand worlds away." Volstagg muttered warily.
"And he can hear a cricket passing gas in Niffelheim," Fandral joked, though it was not well received by his friend.
"Jest not!" Volstagg bellowed, giving Fandral a dirty look. "He heareth all!" Fandral smirked, content with winding up his larger friend.
"Please. Getting past him should be simple enough now, since he seems to be letting Frost Giants sneak by under his nose." Loki choked on his own mirth, but Volstagg paled, directing his eyes to the sky.
"Forgive him!" He shouted, sounding a little terrified. "He meaneth no offense." Loki watched as Thor shook his head at the two's antics, carrying on towards where the aforementioned Gatekeeper resided. Loki tagged along behind, keeping a little away from the group. He swallowed a little in nervousness as they approached. He had forgotten about the all seeing Heimdall. The man who stood as the first defence of Asgard, and whose responsibility it was to sound the horn should invaders come. He hoped that his spell of invisibility would be enough to fool Heimdall, at least until Thor and his merry band were either sent home or on towards Jotunheim.
As they arrived at the Observatory, a small sanctum that sat at the end of the Rainbow Bridge, with a domed roof and a turret like protrusion that pointed down towards Asgard. Loki was surprised to find Heimdall, already stood outside, as though waiting for them. His dark skin glowed in the faint light of the Rainbow Bridge. His amour, a deep gold, contrasted starkly against his deep skin, along with the sword which was strapped across his back. Eyes that should have been white with a dark pupil where gold, and they stared at the group with a look of knowing.
Sif scowled at the sight of him, and the Warriors shared nervous looks. Thor blinked, then plastered on his usual charming smile before swaggering forward.
"Good Eve, Heimdall -"
"You're not dressed warmly enough," Heimdall cut the Crown Prince off, though his tone with respectful, almost serene. Thor hesitated, mouth gaping open as he tried to rally.
"I'm sorry?" he asked, while the others looked just as bemused.
"The freezing cold of Jotunheim. It will kill you all in time, even you Prince Thor." The Prince opened his mouth to argue, though Heimdall's golden eyes narrowed as he took in the whole group. "You think you can deceive me? I, who watch all? I, who can sense the flapping of a butterfly's wings a thousand worlds away?" He fixed a pointed gaze on Fandral, who squirmed. "Or can hear a cricket passing gas in Niffelheim?"
Fandral gaped and Loki would have found the expression funny if he hadn't been so worried. It was true that Heimdall could see all. It was possible he had seen him cast his invisibility spell. But the Gatekeeper had not made mention of him. Possibly he had been distracted, searching for how the Frost Giants had come into Asgard.
"That was just a bit of a jest," Fandral spluttered. "Really..."
"You must be mistaken." Sif quickly stepped in, hoping to do some form of damage control. "We're not -"
"Enough," Thor's booming tone cut through whatever excuses Sif could come up with, stepping forward with a confidence only Royalty could have. "Heimdall, may we pass?"
The Gatekeeper stared him down. For a moment Loki believed Heimdall looked right at him, but that was impossible, he would have said something, surely?
"For ages have I guarded Asgard and kept it safe from those who would do it harm." Heimdall said as his golden gaze burned into the young warriors. "In all that time, never has an enemy slipped by my watch. Until this day. I wish to know how that happened."
"Then tell no one where we've gone until we've returned," Thor was quick to press his good luck giving Loki little time to be surprised at the Gatekeeper's statement. The younger Prince had been sure that Heimdall would not humour them, but it seemed the situation, combined with his Brother's charm was enough to sway the ever-watchful Asgardian.
Loki trotted into the Observatory behind the rest of the group. It was a large place, with pillars that served as windows looking out into the vast nothingness, that only Heimdall's all seeing gaze could glean anything from. A large platform sat in the middle of the room, with a just as big control apparatus to the left. Thor and his band, headed for the platform, while Heimdall moved to the apparatus that no doubt activated the Bifrost. Loki once again, positioned himself behind the group, making sure he had enough bodies between himself and the Gatekeeper, though it was a tall order not to accidently touch anyone.
"Be warned," Heimdall suddenly said, as he pulled his sword from his back, holding it in his right hand. "I will honour my sworn oath to protect this Realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed to you. You'll be left to die in the cold wastes of Jotunheim."
Loki saw Volstagg shuffle nervously, Hogan seemed even more grim, Fandral's smile faltered and Sif's shoulders tensed. Even Loki's eyes widened as he took in the implication. He could be stranded on Jotunheim with no way to come home if Heimdall thought it unsafe? Maybe he should rethink tagging along with Thor. His Brother though, with his ever-huge ego, just shook his head and laughed.
"I have no plans to die today."
"None do," Heimdall replied, and before more could be said, plunged his sword into the control panel. The Observatory hummed as the Bifrost was activated, the lights that had raced across the Bridge brightened, speeding in their direction as they fed energy into the Bifrost. Heimdall turned his sword, Loki felt the Observatory start to shift beneath his feet. He caught himself before he could go crashing into Hogan's back. He couldn't help but feel a little excited. He had never travelled by Bifrost before, being not of age to travel safely outside of Asgard. The Observatory swung so the turret that had once been facing Asgard shifted so it was directed out into open space. Heimdall grunted as he pushed the sword deeper into the panel. A pause, then a great beam of rainbow light blasted out of the turret and into the dark black beyond. A shudder came from behind the group. Loki glanced over his shoulder to see part of the platform open up, revealing the Bifrost in all its glory.
"All is ready," Heimdall said. "You may pass."
"Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us?" Volstagg asked, in one final attempt to convince the Gatekeeper.
"To keep this bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it." Volstagg paled and even Loki swallowed nervously. The Bifrost had the ability to destroy a Realm? That was something his tutors never taught him in history lectures.
"Ah. Never mind, then," Volstagg tried to make light of it, but no one was paying attention to his moment of cowardice. Thor was grinning, turning to the Bifrost. Loki prepared to shift out of his way, but he glanced over his shoulder to address his friends first.
"Come on. Don't be bashful." The Warriors Three and Sif were quick to join him after the goad. Loki waited until all of them are before the Bifrost, where their bodies started to stretch and distort, getting caught in the maelstrom. He stepped forward, joining them in their journey at the last moment. It was as his own body started to become atoms that he heard a gasp behind him. He had just enough time to glance back to see Heimdall, staring right at him. Golden eyes wide as he took in the child Prince about to descend to Jotunheim.
"Young Prince?" Loki barely caught it. His being jerked forward, becoming one with the light beam as he, his Brother and his friends travelled along the Bifrost and to their destination. Jotunheim.
Loki tried his best to concentrate as he was jetted along the Bifrost, but it was much to hard. He felt like he was floating, flying almost, even though he knew logically that his body was nothing but particles travelling at light speed. He couldn't feel his Brother, or Sif or the Warriors Three beside him, though he knew they are there, but without sight of their physical presence it was easy to believe that he is alone. Suddenly a punching sound surrounded him, and something slammed beneath his feet, as they rematerialize in an instant. The Bifrost had touched down.
Loki couldn't keep his feet. The shock of the Bifrost travel along with the rough landing had him sprawling on his back. Luckily the ground beneath him was soft, though cold. Loki barely felt it though, the heavy layers he had chosen to wear seeming to their work. He sat up when he heard a sharp yelp. Turning he saw Volstagg, being stopped from falling backwards off a cliff by Thor holding on to his belt.
"Come on big fella. Up!" with a grunt Thor pulled the burly man to safety, so he was stood with the rest of the group.
"This belt!" Volstagg proclaimed, loudly, wrapping a meaty hand around the object in reverence. "This belt is now my lucky belt! I will never remove it! Even when bathing!"
"You bathe?" Fandral shot the dig in, which earned him a dirty look from his friend. Loki rolled his eyes at the banter, getting carefully to his feet. His spell of invisibility was still intact, but it would do little good with the amount of snow that now surrounded him. He could already tell that there was a hole where he had landed, distorting the flat landscape that stretched out before them. As Loki had observed before, they seemed to have landed atop of a cliff, with a steep decent to the flat wasteland, made up of snow and ice below. It carried on until grey mists swallowed it up, making any forms or landmarks impossible to make out. Loki shifted, making sure that he was behind Thor and his group. It was the best he could do to conceal his presence. Hopefully none of them would look back too much, noticing the extra pair of foot prints.
"We shouldn't be here," Hogan spoke softly, his hand was already on the hilt of his sword, his dark eyes surveying the land nervously.
"Too late now," Thor said, though his confidence was dimmer, Loki noticed Mjolnir was already in his hand.
"Actually," Fandral added with a cheery grin. "It's not. We could turn right around. Hop back to Asgard, share a mug by the fire. Could be nice." Thor grunted, ignoring Fandral's words and marching off down the incline and to the wastelands below. Fandral sighed, moving to follow. Sif was quick to catch up with Thor, walking with determination at his side. Hogan and Volstagg kept to the rear, for which Loki was grateful as he fell into step with them, trying to keep in their tracks.
As they moved forward, Loki started to feel a trickle of unease. Jotunheim seemed to be deserted, no buildings or villages, not even Jotuns. Loki wondered if maybe it would have been best to scout the area first, look for anyone or thing that might be around. But of course, Thor didn't think like that and there was nothing Loki could do to tell his Brother this without revealing himself, which would get him into trouble. Resigned to whatever decisions Thor made he followed on.
The wind picked up as they trekked on the flat land, the mists obscuring far ahead. Thor's skin had paled, and the Warriors Three were shivering. Even Sif's hair looked frozen at the ends and her fingers had turned blue. Loki pulled his coat further around himself, glad for the warmth it provided. Seeming to notice his friends shivering, Thor spun to face them with his usual grin.
"It feels good doesn't it? To be together again, adventuring in another world?"
"Adventuring?" Fandral managed to stutter out between chattering teeth. "Is that what we're doing?"
"What would you call it?" Thor asked.
"Freezing," Fandral hissed, rubbing his hands over his arms.
"Starving," Volstagg groaned. Sif scoffed.
"Whining," she said, looking down her nose at the two men, who didn't care for her scolding.
"How about a song to lift our spirits?" Thor suggested over the wind. Loki snorted himself at that, it was such a Thor thing to suggest. He remembered when he had been a young toddler, he'd fallen and hurt his knee. The first thing Thor had suggested was to sing a song to make him feel better. To bad Thor had the voice of a wounded Bilgesnipe.
"No! Not that," Hogan said, shaking his head in fear.
"Please don't make us sing again," Sif insisted, which was quickly backed up by Fandral and Volstagg. Thor gave a put-out pout, but let the matter drop. Loki watched as the group continued to banter, even as they walked through a Realm that had been forbidden to them by the All-Father himself. He'd only ever seen them within the confines of the Palace where it was safe to boast and joke about adventures that went their way. But in the thick of it, he'd thought they'd be … well he wasn't sure, serious maybe? Not laughing in the face of something that could get them killed. Loki didn't know if it was bravery or stupidity.
Finally, they came upon something. It would have once been a great city, with towering structures made entirely of ice and intricate dwellings composed of the same. But now it was just a ruin. The ice was shattered in places or was so worn away by the winds so there were only small sections left that the eye could see. Loki couldn't help but feel a little sad. In it's prime, Jotunheim must have been a place of wonder to behold. Now it was just a ravaged Realm, unable to become what it once was.
The group stalked into the city, weapons in hand as they carefully looked around.
"Where are they?" Sif suddenly asked, to which Thor scoffed.
"Hiding. As cowards always do." Loki didn't think that was true. Why would the Jotun hide from them when they had the advantage of home ground? They moved further into the city, coming into a central plaza. The remains of the buildings that surrounded them offered a respite from the wind and snow, but also plenty of shadowy hiding places for beings to lurk.
Loki shivered as he felt eyes on him. He wasn't the only one as Thor and the rest of his band held their weapons tight. After a moment a Jotun finally emerge from the shadows. Loki gaped openly at the being. It was so tall, topping over eight-foot-high with a wicked looking ice spear gripped in their right hand. With a shaved head and only a loin cloth for cover the blue skin of the frozen creature stood out starkly against the white of the snow. Intricate scaring covered the being's arms and chest, and fierce red eyes glared at the group who dared to trespass on their land.
"What is your business here, Asgardian?" the Jotun's voice was cracked, like ice shattering under heavy weight. Thor looked down his nose at the Jotun.
"I speak only to your King, not to his foot soldiers."
"Then speak," a deep dark voice came from another part of the shadows. Loki tried his best to hide his fear, thankful that he was invisible to those around him, as he was sure he had failed. The new Jotun that was emerging from the darkness reminded him of his Father. With eyes that seemed old but held an expression that Loki could not read. He was taller than the other Jotun, towering over Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three. Age lines creased his forehead, but with his shoulders back and proud walk, Loki was sure that even with age he was a warrior to be reckoned with.
Once fully before the Asgardian's the Jotun stared at them, with neither disdain nor fear. "I am Laufey, King of this Realm." Loki saw Thor swallow nervously, even the Warriors and Sif were completely unable to conceal their trepidation.
"I am -"
"We know who you are, Odinson," Laufey cut Thor off easily, even turning away from him, as though Thor was nothing but a barking wolf cub, to take in the others. "Why have you brought the stench of your blood into my world?" Thor bristled, squaring his own shoulders, glaring at Laufey.
"I demand answers."
Laufey grunted, taking Thor in with a quick sweep of his eyes.
"You 'demand'?"
"How did your people get into Asgard?" Thor questioned, not even a trace of respect in his tone. Loki worried his lip as he watched the proceedings. What was Thor thinking making such a demand from a King, in his own Realm at that? It would annoy even the ever-patient Vanir, never mind a Jotun.
Laufey chuckled, voice as hard as the ice of his home. "The House of Odin is full of traitors."
The Warriors and Sif exchanged significant looks. Loki frowned as his mind started to work furiously. The House of Odin? That could be any number of people. Alviss, Mother's waiting maids, even the chamber maids, stable boys and kitchen staff. Why would any of them allow the Jotun into Asgard. Point of fact, how could any of them do that?
"Do not dishonour my Father's name with your lies," Thor bellowed, anger clear for all to see. Laufey hissed, showing bright white teeth.
"Your Father is a murderer and a thief. He stole what was ours and left our world in ruins. We have the right to reclaim the Casket." Loki perked up at the mention of the Casket. So Laufey knew about the attempt, that at least pointed to him authorising it, if not being directly involved. Loki smirked at little, maybe the stories were right, and the Jotun were a little slow. No King would admit to a failed theft to their accuser.
Thor huffed, "not when you'd use it to make war against other Realms." Loki shivered as Laufey tossed back his head and laughed.
"And why have you come here?" he asked mockingly. "To make peace? You long for battle. You crave it. I see you for what you are, Thor Odinson. Nothing but a boy trying to prove himself a man." Thor stiffened at the pointed observations of his character, fingers clenching tightly around Mjolnir as he snarled.
"This boy has grown tired of your mockery," unbelievably, his Brother took a step forward, hammer lifting as though he had every intent of smashing Laufey's head in right then and there. Loki couldn't hold it in any longer. Whether it was the blatant stupidity his Brother was showing or worry that this could quickly escalate into something well beyond Loki was able to deal with. Whatever the reason his mouth opened, and a broken shriek erupt.
"Thor!" his voice carried over the wind, making all the Asgardians turn in surprise and shock. The Frost Giants merely looked confused, not able to pin point where the voice had come from. Thor whipped around, blonde hair flying.
"Loki?" he called in disbelief, even as his eyes roamed over the white landscape. Loki quickly cancelled his invisibility spell, the effort of keeping it up so long finally catching up with him as his shoulders sagged a little. The Warrior's Three and Sif gaped at him, as though unable to believe that he was truly there.
"Young Prince," Volstagg gasped. "What are you doing here?" Loki didn't bother to answer the man, too busy picking his way to his Brother, whose shock was quickly morphing into anger. Once close enough he was snatched by his collar.
"What in Hel's name are you doing here?" he hissed into Loki's face.
"Following you," was Loki's simple answer, one that would do him no favours with his Brother's raising temper.
"You should be on Asgard," Thor growled, grip tightening as he glared at his younger Brother. "It's not safe here for you."
"I think that applies to both of us," Loki pointed out which only made Thor's rage worse.
"Do Asgardians bring younglings now to fight their battles?" Laufey's cold voice interrupted the explosion that was surely set to come from Thor. "Has the Aa-Father sunk so low?" the two Brothers stiffened. Loki turned his head to see Laufey, watching the two, but he was no longer alone. A swarm of Jotuns had taken their distraction as a chance to appear from the shadows, surrounding the Asgardians, trapping them like rats. Thor released Loki, pushing him behind him.
"Leave my Brother out of this," he growled, lightening sparking around Mjolnir, ready to let fly.
"And what will you do to me, Thunderer if I do not?" Laufey sneered, riling up Thor all the more. Loki, panicked at the escalating threats, gripping Thor's arm tightly.
"Brother, stop and think," he said, eyes flicking to the Jotuns circling them. "Look around you. We are outnumbered. We need -"
"Know your place, Brother," the words cut through any further arguments Loki was about to make. But it was the plain dismissal that tore at Loki's heart. Of course, he understood that he was young, but 'know his place' what did that even mean?
"You should listen to the youngling's council," Laufey's deep voice brought Loki out of his thoughts. He turned his attention to the Frost Giant, who was watching the Brothers, though Loki thought his face looked more sad than threatening. "Go now, while I still allow it."
Loki didn't know whether to cry or keel over in shock. Laufey was going to let them go? Thor was too busy simmering with rage at the frozen King, so Loki took advantage. Dipping out from behind Thor he bowed to the Frost Giant, keeping his eyes averted in submission. His tutors had taught him that the best way to pacify a greater authority was to make them believe they had you scared. Though in this case it wasn't much of an act.
"We'll accept your most generous offer," Loki said respectfully. Thor started to sputter behind him, but Loki was prepared now. Fixing his best wide-eyed look in place he faced Thor, adding a shine of tears and lip wobble for good measure. "Please, Brother, I want to go home." The slight quiver to his tone seemed to do the trick. Thor stared at him, then sighed, clasping a hand on Loki's shoulder, steering him so that they could walk back to the rest of the warriors. Thor's bulk protecting Loki's vulnerable smaller form.
Just as they were reaching the still shocked, but slightly relieved Warriors Three and Lady Sif, an unfamiliar voice came from behind them.
"Run back home little Princess."
Thor tensed instantly, fingers tightening on Loki's shoulder so hard that it hurt. Loki hissed, as Fandral muttered "Damn." Suddenly Loki was pushed aside, and Thor had sent Mjolnir flying, so it smacked right into the Jotun who he supposed had uttered the parting words. The large being was knocked clean off its feet, sent skidding metres before coming to a halt with a loud crack. Loki winced, though Thor didn't blink as Mjolnir came racing back to his hand. He caught his weapon, a satisfied grin spreading across his lips.
"Next?" he asked. The Jotuns growled, Loki watched with equal amounts awe and fear as ice began to form around them, creating thick armour and wicked looking blades. With a yell, they descended upon them. Loki found himself pushed further behind his Brother, right into the path of the Warriors Three and Sif, who had rushed to form a loose circle with the Young Prince in the middle.
"Silly hammer!" Volstagg yelled gripping his axe over his head, eyes wild. "Has a mind of its own!"
"I hope that's just decorative," Fandral muttered, looking the ice armour over carefully as a Jotun headed right for him.
"Stay out of the way, Young Prince," Hogan said to Loki, who was trapped in the middle of the group. A huff came from Sif.
"It's all he can do," Loki scowled at the female warrior. Reaching with shaking hands he pulled free his training sword, holding it with an awkward grip. He still wasn't used to the weight, much preferring his knives. But the smaller blades would make close quarters fighting too dangerous.
Thor had left the circle, swinging Mjolnir at Jotun after Jotun. The group tried to follow, fighting off any Giants that came their way. Loki kept to the centre, away from most of the action. He was glad of it, as he didn't think he would be capable of tacking on a grown Frost Giant, even with his Seidr.
"Next!" Thor called again, a cocky grin on his face. Loki gaped at him, as though seeing his Brother for the first time.
"He's enjoying this?" the question came out before he could stop it, though none of the warriors were paying any attention to him. Too busy bantering between themselves to give him the slightest bit of notice. As Thor took out another Jotun, the frozen beings began to attack in earnest. Most likely trying to use their superior numbers to overwhelm the Asgardians. As the rush descended the Warriors Three and Sif tried to hold their formation, but Thor had already disappeared. Loki shivered as Hogan blocked a strike that would have come close to his head.
"We'll not be able to hold this," he said.
"Split formation," Sif grunted, stabbing into the chest of a Jotun.
"But -" Fandral looked to Loki, whose arms were starting to quiver.
"We don't have a choice," the female warrior snapped, already moving from the tight ring to engage the Jotun's. Hogan was quick to follow, though Volstagg wavered.
"Hide yourself, Prince Loki," he said.
"But I can fight -" Loki started to protest, but a deep chuckle from Volstagg halted anymore of his words.
"It is brave of you to try, but this is beyond you. Hide until the battle is done." Roaring like a wounded boar Volstagg charged the Jotun's, blocking Loki's form as best he could.
"Volstagg!" Loki called after the man, but something shoved him hard in the back.
"Go, Young Prince!" Fandral shouted, brandishing his sword before doing the same as Volstagg. Loki hesitated for only a moment before running. Volstagg was right, this was beyond him. He didn't have the experience, not in Seidr or weapons training. If he tried to help, he'd either be killed or get someone else in terrible trouble.
Ducking, Loki tried to recast his spell of invisibility, but it seemed like he over did it, as his Seidr was sluggish to respond and he was sure he only managed to cast the spell over his head. Abandoning the idea, Loki settled for good old-fashioned hiding. Luckily, it seemed that the majority of the Jotun's were distracted by Thor, the Warriors Three and Sif, giving Loki time to get out of the way. Making his way through the Plaza, Loki thought that he might be best off hiding in some of the remnants of the buildings. The Jotun's wouldn't think to look for him in the ice. As he headed over, a crack filled the air, and Loki had to scramble away as some of the ice shattered under the force of Mjolnir, thrown by Thor in his battle rage. Loki yelped as large fragments sailed over his head, crashing into the ice, splitting it apart.
"Damn Thor," Loki muttered, turning to cast about himself, but as he did so, a shadow came from behind him. Loki had just enough time to dodge a large blue hand that was intent on wrapping around his neck. He ducked aside, swinging his sword to put more distance between himself and the Jotun warrior. The being snarled, ice forming a large bludgeon like weapon. It advanced and Loki was forced to retreat. He kept this up until he felt the ground disappear from under his heel. He glanced behind him. He'd been backed up against a gaping crevice, with darkness that stretched out endlessly below.
Swallowing, he stared wide eyed at the Jotun, who grinned. What was he going to do? He couldn't run, the Jotun would catch him. But he couldn't take this being head on, he would be crushed. Thinking furiously, Loki uttered the first spell that came to mind. Illusions were his best skill and he quickly crafted a replica of himself. Just in time he stepped aside as the Jotun swung its bludgeon. The weapon going right through the illusion, startling the Jotun so that it stumbled. Loki, not one to miss an opportunity, darted behind the Jotun and furiously kicked it up the backside. The force was enough to send the already over balanced being further forward and with a yell, it fell into the crevice, disappearing into the darkness.
Loki stood there a moment, taking deep breathes as he stared into the crevice. He'd just killed a Jotun. He, Loki, had killed one of the most feared beings on Asgard. It didn't feel as fulfilling as he thought it would. In fact, he felt a little empty. Maybe it was because he had simply kicked the beast and not fought it the way most warriors described their battles when they told their tales. Yes, it was possibly that, next time, he would have to engage correctly.
Loki was brought out of his introspection by Thor's shout.
"Come on! At least make it a challenge for me!"
Spinning, Loki saw his Brother on the other side of the plaza, quiet near where Laufey had moved to higher ground to watch the still enfolding battle. A crack of the ice signalled movement, Loki managed to make out a large Jotun, dwarfing all the others he had seen so far, making its way towards his Brother. Loki worried at his lip as Thor grinned, cackling in unrepentant glee.
"Now that's more like it," he crowed, engaging the Jotun, whose hit sent Thor down into the ice. Loki watched as his Brother stood, face split into a grin as he sent Mjolnir flying at the Jotun, sending it head over heels back onto the ice, where it didn't move again. Loki watched as the Warriors Three and Sif also engaged the Jotun's. They were further away from him that he had thought. Much further. Gripping his sword, he turned and started to make his way towards them. It was stupid and insane, but he didn't want to get separated from the group. It only took one call to Heimdall for them to be whisked off to Asgard, leaving Loki behind.
He kept to the shadows of the buildings, hoping that it would be enough to give him cover. He ducked behind some fallen ice, content that for now he was close enough not to be left behind. He saw Sif surrounded by a whole host of Jotun's but was seemingly able to keep them at bay. Fandral was showboating, dancing around the Jotun's, confusing them with his fast moves and sharp stabs with his sword. Hogun, was further back but was none the less fighting just a fiercely. But it was a yelp from Volstagg that caught Loki's attention. The larger man huffed as he pushed a Jotun away from him, but he was cradling his right hand which had turned a burnt black colour.
"Don't let them touch you!" he shouted, even as he fought off another Jotun. He was stumbling though, losing strength as the blackness spread up his arm. A Jotun managed to get a good blow in, sending the voluminous man down to his knees. Loki gripped his sword and was about to break cover to go to the man's aid, when Sif intervened. Blocking the Jotun's next strike, she shoved the ice blade away, following up with a stab to the being's chest, then lobbing off its head.
"Thank you, my Lady, but I nearly had him" Volstagg breathed out as Sif turned to look at him. She shook her head.
"Of course, you did." Before Volstagg could respond, their banter was cut short by a shout from Fandral. Loki startled, turning, only to gasp in horror. Fandral was impaled, the Jotun, now dead at his feet, having conjured the ice from a pool of water they had been standing in. Loki couldn't restrain himself, he darted from cover.
"Fandral!" Loki yelled as he skidded to a stop beside the man, sword abandoned on the ice in favour of turning the injured warrior. Fandal had managed to free himself from the ice shard but was now prone on the ground. Vulnerable.
"Y…young Prince?" Fandral managed to cough out. "We told you to hide."
"Shut up," Loki snapped, tearing at the armour that had taken most of the impact. The shard had gone right through the flesh, leaving an entry and exit wound and they were bleeding badly. Loki bit his lip, before placing his hand over Fandral. Healing spells were complicated and shouldn't be attempted by one of his limited knowledge. But he understood the basics and Fandral was going to die if he bled out.
However, the Frost Giants were not going to let him help that easily, they rounded on the nearly unconscious warrior and his small healer. Loki couldn't even throw a spell, unable to halt the healing at that stage. Luckily Volstagg's bellow announced his timely arrival to aid the pair.
"Young Prince Loki, you should not be here," he called back to the youth. Loki would have retorted, but suddenly a Jotun, that had come around the other side of the fight pounced on him. Loki was swatted aside like a bug, sending him sprawling on the ice. He gasped, pain blossoming in his chest and along his side. He tried to get to his feet, but the Jotun was already on him. Cold fingers gripped his wrist, brushing along his skin. Loki winced, waiting for the inevitable pain, he had seen what had happened to Volstagg after all. But it never came. A grunt of confusion came from the Jotun, and Loki despite himself, looked. Instead of his hand turning a burnt black, it had gone blue, Frost Giant blue, with intricate scar like markings making part of the flesh raised.
Asgardian and Frost Giant simply stared, both either shocked, surprised or confused. Loki's thoughts were racing, even as he hung in the Giant's grip. What was happening? Why was his hand blue? Why wasn't he burning? Why did his skin look like that of a Frost Giants? The turbulence of his thoughts stopped at that. His skin was like a Frost Giants. A Frost Giants? No!
Loki's Seidr boiled at his panic, responding to its master and lashing out at the closest source. The still stricken Frost Giant was sent flying with a blast of powerful green Seidr. Loki didn't know where he ended up, nor did he care. He clutched his now freed arm to his chest, breath coming in deep gasps as the blue stain on his skin receded, leaving nothing but normal pink flesh behind. The Young Prince's mind was in turmoil. He couldn't think, or gather his wits, he stood there. He was only shaken from his thoughts when a hand gripped his shoulder. Unable to hold in a shriek, he lashed out, only to come face to face with Hogan.
"Prince Loki, we must go." Without another word the Vanir lifted Loki, swinging him on to his back and started to run. Loki would have protested, but he saw Volstagg helping Fandral, while Sif tried her best to keep the Frost Giants at bay.
They make for the exit of the plaza, beating back the Jotuns as they came.
"Thor," Loki found his voice, hoping that it would be enough to distract his mind. "Where is my Brother."
"Prince Loki," Hogan started but got no further as a shout came from behind them.
"Come on!" Loki turned from his perch on Hogan's back as the warrior himself paused briefly. Thor was stood, surrounded by dead Jotuns. Blood covering Mjolnir as he grinned cockily at Laufey.
The Frost King snarled, touching a wall beside him. A sudden rumble came from beneath their feet followed by a sharp crack of ice.
"That can't be good," Loki muttered.
"I quiet agree Young Prince," Volstagg said. Another rumble came. The group looked beneath their feet, only to jump back at the shadows that were crawling beneath the ice.
"What is that?" Sit cried, sword up, but unsure of how it would be of use.
"It's Frost Giants," Hogan answered, dread and fear colouring his voice. "Thousands of them."
Loki swallowed, Hogan was right. Beneath the ice was Frost Giants, digging their way up through the ice, answering the call of their King. The Young Prince did not hide his panic now, calling loudly.
"Thor, we must go!"
"Then go!" was his only answer. Loki blinked, to shocked to care that his Brother had thrown himself back into battle, unconcerned with the coming threat.
"There are to many of them!" it was Sif who shouted this, but even she was merely answered with.
"I can stop them!"
Thor's figure disappeared into the swarming host of Jotuns. The Asgardian's stood there, hesitant in what to do.
"We must run," Volstagg's words were met with anger.
"We can't just leave him," Sif argued but Volstagg shook his head.
"Fandral is severely injured," he mentioned to their comrade, who was passed out on Volstagg shoulder. "I am not at full strength either. Plus, there is the Young Prince." Sif's expression soured at that, but with Hogan nodding in agreement, the group retreated.
They quickly tried to pick their way out of the plaza, but it was difficult with Volstagg so hindered with his injured arm and Fandral's weight. Even when Sif was able to help him, it did nothing to speed up their progress. Hogan carried Loki as though he weighed nothing, jogging ahead to scout the area for any Jotun's. Loki kept silent, eyes worriedly flicking back to where they had left Thor. Would he be ok? Was he dead? Why didn't he come with them?
A great boom suddenly filled the air. The group stopped, turning back to where they had come in surprise.
"What was that?" Loki asked. No one answered him however as the ground beneath them shook before cracking open.
"The ice is breaking!" Volstagg shouted.
"Run, we need to out run it," Sif yelled, gripping Fandral tightly as they started to escape. Loki was forced to grip Hogan's shoulders as he raced out of the plaza. The cracking ice followed them, breaking the remaining buildings up into pieces and opening up crevices that looked down into the dark recesses below. As they finally began to out pace they ice, they were ambushed by yet more Jotun's.
"Can't they give us a break?" Volstagg asked. Instead of attacking, the Jotun's opened their mouths, breathing out a thick mist with encircled the Asgardians, forcing them to a halt. Hogan tried to retreat a little, but at the crack of the ice beneath his boot he stilled.
"Don't move, the ice could give."
Loki's grip on Hogan was white knuckled, he peered over his shoulder nervously, he wasn't able to make out anything, even Fandral, Volstagg and Sif were hard to see, let alone the Jotuns. A whooshing sound filled the air and Thor was suddenly there, landing beside them with Mjolnir in hand.
"Thor," Loki breathed out in relief at the sight of his Brother. Thor however barely looked at him.
"Can barely see a thing," he muttered.
"What are we going to do Thor?" Sif asked. "We can't fight in this." Loki agreed, there was no possible way the warriors could fight in this mist. But he could do something about that.
"I'll lift it," he said, releasing his grip he waved his hand, eyes closing briefly in concentration before anymore could be said on the matter. It was a simple thing to conjure a breeze to blow the mist away, one of the first things his Mother had taught him when he began his lessons.
"The elements will always answer you, my dear. You just need to know how to ask."
As the mist was swept away though something much worse took its place. Frost Giants. Hundreds upon hundreds if the frozen creatures stood before them. All armed to the teeth with the ice weapons, ready to finish off the Asgardians in a final assault.
"Actually, could we have the mists back?" Volstagg said, but no one answered his quip. Loki gasped at the sight, fear settling in his stomach.
"Thor," he called to his Brother, but the God of Thunder did not answer him, just stared at the Jotuns a look of terror marrying his usually boisterous expression. That was when Loki's fear solidified, and tears started to escape his eyes. There was to many of them, they were never going to make it out. He was going to die. He was never going to see his Mother again. A whimper escaped him unbidden, and he buried his face in Hogan's back. He was scared.
The Frost Giants moved, coming in for the final kill. That was when the sky above them surged and the great beam of the Bifrost plunged onto the ice. The action was enough to halt the Frost Giants, but it was what was revealed when the rainbow beam dissipated that had them retreating.
Odin All-Father, sat aside his war horse Selpinir, dressed in full golden armour, Gungnir in his grip.