2. Where's your father?

Heimdall, the guardian of Bifrost welcomed Thor as though he had been waiting for him. "I cannot tell what it is, but there are rumors about Allfather's health."

Thor frowned in disbelief. "Rumors? Has he seen the healers?"

"I can only speak for what I have seen. Odin is weary and tired, although he conceals it very well. He spends more time in his quarters than in the courtroom. The Council gathers without his presence and most of his meetings with the ambassadors have been cancelled."

"That does not sound like Father at all. He must be suffering from Mother's absence more than he wants to admit. I will talk to him immediately."

Heimdall hesitated before telling him the most recent news. "This has not come out public yet, but I think you must know that Lodur is arriving."

"My uncle? When? What for?"

"Soon. He comes to see the Allfather."

Thor shook his head. He had just come back and he felt overwhelmed already.

Loki virtually flew through the window of Odin's room. He could barely walk to the bed; the race from Ulrika's had left him breathless and the pain pierced his side mercilessly. Nonetheless, he managed to get there before Thor even knocked on his door.

"Father?"

Loki's heart beat fast. He jumped out of bed, looking around for any hints of his presence. The bloody shirt was on the floor and the bedding was also stained. He had no magic left to clean up and transform into Odin at the same time. Quickly, he grabbed the shirt and hid it under the sheets. He made the bed as well as he could and took a deep breath.

"Come in, my son," Odin's raspy voice welcomed Thor.

"Father!"

Loki/Odin gasped at Thor's warm embrace. Excruciating pain ran through him and he had to sit down before he lost his balance.

"You are unwell, Allfather," Thor said, kneeling in front of him. "I could not believe it when they told me-"

"They," Loki/Odin narrowed his eye. "With whom have you been talking?"

"Heimdall and most of your servants. They are really concerned. What sort of ailment is this? You look pained."

"Did they go all the way to Midgard to tell you about my welfare?" Loki/Odin had to suppress a grin. Poor old Thor had finally found time to spend with his beloved Jane Foster.

"It was not them, Father. Something else alerted me." Thor sat on the floor, the way Loki and he did as children, listening to their father's stories. "Nightmares… I have been dreaming."

Loki/Odin was for once interested on Thor's conversation. "Indeed? Tell me more."

"It is about Loki," he lowered his voice when pronouncing the name. "I see him running away from something. I feel his fear… I think he's in pain."

Loki/Odin crossed his arms over his chest to conceal the tremors in his hands. "Loki is dead. He is in Valhalla; there is no more pain."

Thor rubbed the back of his neck, not too convinced of his father's words. "I don't know what to think. I hear him calling my name… maybe Jane is right."

"Jane Foster? What does she have to say about this?"

"She says that I'm mourning Loki's death. That it is just sadness for his absence."

Loki/Odin bit his inner lip. A burst of laughter would not be proper. It was so much like Thor to mourn for his brother. As much as he was enjoying Thor's anguish, Loki felt that he could not hold the Odin illusion for much longer. He had to get rid of Thor fast, and get out of there before Lodur arrived.

"Son, Jane Foster is an intelligent woman. You must listen to her more often." He stood up slowly and grabbed Thor's arm for support. "Come, it has been a long day. You too need to rest." They walked to the door and he almost pushed Thor out. "We will talk more in the morning, before you return to Midgard."

"Return to Midgard? You think it would be wise? It seems to me that you need help-"

"I am better than ever. Yes, I miss your mother but, for what I see, I am doing much better than you." He held the door for a moment before closing it. "Go to bed, rest, dream of your mother and brother and get some peace."

Thor did not find any words to say. His father did not seem ready to ask for help. Still, there was something different… He was about to leave when he remembered his uncle. Maybe Odin still did not know the news. He knocked at his father's door but there was no answer. Carefully, he forced it open.

Odin was already in bed, snoring and all. Thor came; quietly up to the bed, not wanting to startle him. "Father?" he gently touched his shoulder. The image of his father dissolved before his eyes. Thor breathed deeply and hit the pillow with his fist. "I knew it! Loki!"

Loki felt the cold settle in his bones. He cursed his own weakness; a frost giant would never resent this weather. He was not a real Asgardian, and as it seemed, he was no better as a Jotun. On top of it, his healing abilities were taking ages to take effect. What ignominious way to die, especially for a god…

He stopped several times, watching over his shoulder. Thor must know by now that Odin was just an illusion and his annoying little step-brother was alive and kicking. This would be a good time to do something about that, before Thor, Sif and the Three found him. If Loki knew them well, they would kill him –several times- before asking any questions; and then, they would kill him some more.

"How did he do it?" Hogun frowned. "Killing Odin is impossible."

"He found the way, apparently," said Sif, still in shock at the news. "We have been talking to him, training under his supervision. I can't believe he fooled me."

"Loki fooled us all," Volstagg shook his head. "And to think that I almost cried at his funeral."

"I just took flowers to his grave," Sif said.

"You too?" Fandral crossed his arms in front of him. "How about you, Hogun?"

"No flowers," he shrugged. "But I prayed for him in the temple."

Thor kept his eyes on the table they were assembled around. He felt betrayed just once more. He could not understand how Loki kept acting like that. He had apologized for wrongs he did not remember but his brother was never appeased.

"So, Loki killed Odin and took his place?" Volstagg cleaned the ale off his beard with the back of his hand. "Shall we quarter him?"

"Loki will be finding pieces of himself for weeks," Sif grinned.

Fandral laughed and turned to Thor. The god of thunder was not amused at their jokes. Fandral tapped Thor on the shoulder. "Come on, my friend. We know how you feel about your brother. Tell us, what do you really want us to do with him? We'll follow your lead."

Thor shook his head, not looking anyone in the eye. "He has gone too far this time. We must stop him."

"Do you think he killed the Allfather?" Sif asked him.

"I don't think so. He's not that stupid. Killing Father would mean death for all of us and the nine realms. He must have hidden him somewhere."

"Well, we torture him till he tells us where Odin is." Fandral got up.

"We have to find him first," Hogun said.

"And trap him," Sif got up too. "That will not be easy."

"Do you have any idea of how to do that, Thor?" Fandral asked.

"He is not well; I found blood on the clothes he left behind. I'm not sure if I know Loki anymore, but I think he must seek help for his ailment." He got up purposefully. "We need to cover the four corners of the city. Look in the shadows, do not engage him alone. I will bring my father's ravens. Huginn and Muninn will be our eyes from above. I'll see you in the square; do not move until I come back."

I know, the chapters are a bit short but sometimes, people get intimidating with too many words.

I'll publish the story often, but giving you time to read and review.

mudpie 102 and A nonny mouse, thank you for your support and encouraging reviews!