Summary: On the eve of his brother's test for the Einherjar, Loki aspires to be more like Thor. Unfortunately, the sorceress he seeks for aid has other ideas—that the Odinsons' happiness can only be obtained through understanding of each other.
This Chapter: Thor gives his brother too many chances.
Freaky Friday
Chapter 3: "Strength, Honor, and Courage"
Odin does not assign Thor's quest for the Einherjar.
Odin does spend a lot of time asking about Thor's journey and having Loki (or from his perspective, Thor) relay the turn of events. While Thor stands by in Loki's body, he feels the mood of the entire room, and it both presses down on him to stay silent yet dares him to speak with the same breath. Based on the situation in the morning and Loki's advice, Thor opts to just stay quiet.
It isn't easy.
Loki doesn't downplay anything Thor or his friends achieved in the battle, but he does spend a fair amount of time exaggerating his own role. Thor could have seen fit to explain Loki's achievements in a couple of sentences, perhaps even one. Loki stepped in to help his comrades so that they could continue fighting—what does it matter about the how?
Furthermore, Odin has not assigned Thor's final quest, and betrayal twists in Thor's gut. Loki had insisted the truth to the sorceress's promise, and Loki had said that if he was wrong, then Thor would have every right to tell Odin the truth and get Loki in the trouble he deserves.
Instead, Thor must settle for standing and glaring at Loki, his mood darkening further each time Loki mentions himself in the tide of battle. If anyone notices Thor's foul mood, no one seems to care, and this angers Thor further. Why does it feel as if no one notices him?
Odin does approve of celebration for the night, and then the court is dismissed. No quest for Thor to prove his valor, no chance for Thor to speak, nothing. His fists tremble uncontrollably, and he starts for the steps to the throne.
Then, Loki grabs his shoulder forcefully and redirects him to head out the room.
This becomes a trigger point because Loki promised he could tell Odin the truth and now Loki cowardly tries to stop him. Thor has had it, and he opens his mouth to bellow out his rage and the truth. One glare from Loki silences him. Not the glare itself exactly—it's the anxiety behind it that convinces Thor that his rage can wait about five more seconds.
The second the throne room doors click shut and the two brothers walk far enough from the hall, Thor shoves Loki into a wall. It only works because Loki lets him. "He didn't assign the Einherjar Quest!"Thor yells.
Loki grimaces. "I know—"
"The sorceress lied to you! Twice now!" Thor rages, and this time, he is grateful his voice makes less noise because this is a private and humiliating conversation. "She tricked you, and you fell for it, not once, but twice!"
"I know!" Loki roars.
The silence following his outburst unsettles Thor. He never really realized that those vocal cords could be so loud, nor considered how much of an impact they had on his little brother's ears. Everything seems louder and more intense to his senses in this body, and his brother looms like a giant tempest of sensory imagery.
Loki takes a shivering breath. "I don't know why she lied. I just—she must have been a thief, not a sorceress. Yes, she must have stolen the Norn Stone and heard about my request, and . . ."
Loki dissolves into a conversation with himself where he tries to piece together what happened. Thor isn't interested. His brother owes him a promise. "You told me," he cuts in, "that we could tell Father. I grow tired of listening to you gloat about your glory while everyone thinks you're me. I will not have this anymore."
Eyelashes flutter as Loki hears what Thor says. "Gloat about my—what? You honestly think I was gloating? If anything, I told a story that underplayed my role in the battle! I had to, if anyone were to believe I was you."
"You did nothing as important as you claimed," Thor says.
"Oh! So I suppose healing your very ribs didn't save you of injury to your lungs?" Loki snaps back. "You seriously believe you could have just leapt back up without a problem and killed the beast? Without being able to breathe?"
This gives Thor pause. Eventually, he shrugs, still angry. "No true warrior requires healing in the middle of battle. I would have figured something out."
Loki's hands shove Thor's away, and he rakes them through his hair after taking several paces away. "I cannot stand you," he murmurs.
Normally they would brush aside such a comment and not dwell upon the drama, but Thor's rage resurfaces, and his feet close the distance between them to get in his face.
"You won't have to stand me much longer," he seethes. "You will come with me to tell Father, and I am positive you will be confined to your room after delving in magic of the Norns and deceiving me—and everybody. Come with me to defend yourself, or I will tell him alone."
Loki looks down at Thor. "I . . . Thor, please, listen to me." And there it is again—he licks his lips, preparing some subtle manipulation. Thor will not be tricked twice.
"No, I will not listen to you! You made a mistake, and I am suffering for it! You made me look a fool all morning, and treated me disrespectfully in the throne room as well!" Thor stops and searches Loki for what will hurt the most, anything to get back at his brother for humiliating him. "I'm starting to wonder if you are enjoying yourself in my body! Are you really that jealous of me that you would cling so tightly to this deception? Do you really want to be me that badly?"
Loki's face crumples before his eyes. "Well, I'm sorry!" he screeches.
Thor's open mouth snaps shut, and he actually feels rather guilty.
Loki leans back, and breathes—heavy and ragged—and the whole thing looks completely wrong because it's Thor's body. "I'm sorry," Loki continues quickly, "I'm sorry for being tricked—God of Trickery being tricked, made a complete mockery out of! I'm sorry that for once in your life, you have to be me, and I'm sorry for following your example and turning a blind eye!"
The guilt starts to tug his heart. "Loki—"
Loki springs from the wall and glares at him. His finger strikes towards Thor's face, and his hands sweep in cutting gestures. "How lucky you are—you can go whine to Father, and just fix everything with a snap of his fingers. I don't have that option, Thor! You feel humiliated for a day? Then I feel humiliated all the time! I'm sorry that I'm actually enjoying myself for once in my life and that you're not!"
Thor waits until Loki's breathing calms down somewhat. Luckily the corridor remains empty, and no servants or guards make their way down the dark, shadowy hall. The entire palace currently prepares for the celebrations, while Thor prepares to tattle. A sour patch forms at his throat, and Thor thinks for a few seconds.
Maybe Loki has a point—he has seen the outright prejudice with his own eyes today, after all. But Thor also remembers Loki's trickery and lies over the years, and knows Loki is not really the victim all the time. Not to mention—this situation isn't right. Just because his brother finds extreme happiness with the switched circumstances doesn't make it fair for Thor to stay as he is. Loki's self-assurance is being built on a lie right now, and that's wrong.
"We need to reverse the spell," Thor finally says to make sure Loki understands.
Loki stares at him for several seconds before nodding. "I know." His voice has dropped considerably. He won't meet Thor's eyes.
Thor runs a hand through his hair, but retains the wisdom to keep it in Loki's preferred style. He faces away from Loki to the wall. "We should ask Father what to do," he suggests.
He hears a gap in Loki's breathing. "Thor, please . . ."
"I will take blame for it," Thor says, but it doesn't reassure Loki the way he wants it to.
If anything, Loki appears more panicked. "No, he will still be angry with me. You don't understand. Taking the blame makes you look noble and me look cowardly. It's clearly my fault, and Father will see that no matter what is said."
"Then what do you suggest?" Thor glances over his shoulder at Loki. "We can't keep hiding like this, Loki. It's not right."
"I know." His strokes his lips in thought. "I—I need time. Something like this must have happened before, and if you give me a few hours, then surely my research will yield something."
"There's a celebration tonight. I expect to be in my own body before then. Do you think you can do that?"
The torchlight dances over his brother's face while he considers the question. Considering Thor receives nothing for this in return and Loki is completely at his mercy, Thor thinks a few hours will be more than lenient. If Loki doubts his success, he still doesn't have much of an option but to try.
Eventually a small nod answers his question. "I will find an answer before the feast," he says.
"And if you don't?"
Loki lowers his hand from his mouth. "Then I will tell Father myself."
The time before the feast comes and goes, and Loki doesn't come to him with a solution. With heavy feet, Thor heads to the celebration while accepting that he won't be in his own body for the fun. Not to mention, Odin will probably be angry with him for keeping quiet so long.
Experience has taught Thor that trusting Loki can unpredictably be a good or bad idea. He made the choice to trust his brother, and Loki failed. As angry as he is, Thor knows it is his duty to face the consequences for his actions, and tell his father.
Still, Loki's words haunt him. I feel humiliated all the time. The guards he passes don't smile as they tilt their heads in acknowledgment, and the servants don't eagerly tend to him with the same enthusiasm. The palace always feels exceptionally hot, and the golden hallways taunt him with their empty warmth. It's incredibly lonely—to imagine things like this all the time.
But Thor already knows Loki made it this way by preferring the peace and solitude as he does. This world is Loki's world, and eventually Loki will grow tired of company, as brief a pleasure it may be to him now.
That is why Thor's steps don't falter as he makes his way to the head table where his father sits. His mother's warm smile greets him, and he returns a huge smile instinctively, immediately regretting it. Even though he's turning Loki in, he wants to keep this situation known to as few people as possible. It's the least he can do for Loki. He nods to his mother, more in character, and approaches the table.
Odin currently socializes with a third, less familiar woman at the table, and after he gets closer, he recognizes Queen Karnilla of the Norns. The woman rarely visits Asgard, so Thor finds himself a little curious as to her presence tonight.
But he pushes concerns aside as he comes to a stop.
"Loki," Odin greets, and a cool, calculating gaze settles on his shoulders.
"Father," Thor replies, "there is something I need to tell you." His heart aches, but he knows this is right.
A brief hint of knowing flashes through his father's eyes, and he and Queen Karnilla share a glance. After a moment, Odin lifts his gaze to Loki again. "After the celebration, I will make time for you."
Thor frowns. "Father, it is a rather urg—"
"Where is your brother?" Odin cuts in. "I have something to announce that requires both of your presences."
"He's—" Thor pauses. Loki probably is either hiding or desperately searching for a solution in the library. Neither possibility he wants to say in front of Queen Karnilla or his mother for Loki's sake. "Father, may I not speak with you first?"
Odin shakes his head. "Not now. Find your brother and bring him here."
The dismissive hand Odin waves nearly lights the fuse of Thor's temper. The only restraint is that Loki's mood is normally calm and somber—his brother would not make a scene, and Thor sympathizes with him enough that he still wants to keep this private. Other than that, no other arguments present themselves to Thor. He cannot twist words the way Loki can, and so all he can do is go find Loki.
He swallows building resentment (resentment more on Loki's behalf than his), and nods. "Very well, Father," he says as calmly as possible and leaves to find Loki.
On his way out, he finds Loki coming in.
"Ah, I was looking for you," Loki whispers with a worried glance towards the head table. "Did you tell him already?"
Thor bites down on his lip. "No. You said that you would." He is lying by omission (he would have told Odin if he had the chance), but for some reason, Loki doesn't notice. The give-away signs must be less clear on Thor's current face, or at least, less recognizable for the moment.
Loki breathes in a sigh. "Good. I think I found a way to solve the problem."
"That's wonderful! I knew you could do it." Thor really did not like having to rat Loki out. "Then let us try it." He pauses when Loki doesn't share his enthusiasm—Loki looks rather anxious actually. "What is it?" he asks.
"We . . . I would need to go somewhere to concentrate, and it will take time. We will have to wait until after the celebration to try it," Loki says quietly.
Thor gives Loki a hard look, but nothing reveals any sign of a lie or a trick. But Loki already promised to find a solution before the feast, and not only did he show up late late, but now they will have to wait until later. However, Thor notes that Loki still appears uncertain—as if Thor will outright reject his proposal. This accountability Loki shows for his actions persuades Thor to give him another chance.
"All right," Thor agrees, and Loki visibly relaxes. "Father wanted to see you. Try not to embarrass me."
Loki's lips quirk a little. "Try not to lose your temper."
Thor's lands a fist on Loki's chest affectionately, but Loki doesn't stumble back as he usually does. It just reminds them both how deep their deception runs and how soon they need to reverse the enchantment.
Checking to make sure no one is looking, Thor reaches up to clasp his brother's neck and gives him a firm squeeze. He won't forgive Loki yet, but he will at least put him at ease. "It will be fine, Brother. I will wait, I promise."
Loki nods, and they both go back to the head table. During the few minutes, Thor scans the room for his friends, Sif and the Warriors Three. Despite the irritating morning, Thor convinces himself that he imagined the whole thing. Sif asked him if he was troubled, and surely, she meant well. He will have to apologize to them so that when Loki and he regain control of their respective bodies, Loki won't meet any further jibes or insults.
He catches them in a group bursting live with stories of their victory. Sif sees them, but when her eyes land only on Loki, a sickening feeling in his gut tells Thor that nothing had been imagined.
"Who is the All-Father speaking with?" Loki suddenly asks.
Thor's eyes snap back to his father, and sees him engaged in conversation with both his mother and Karnilla. "The Queen of Nornheim."
"Why is she here? What do they discuss?"
Thor rolls his eyes, and bites back an irritated response. He hates it when Loki asks questions he doesn't have the answer to because usually his lack of response rewards him with criticism. "I don't know. I just arrived." Suddenly a piece of information clicks into place in his mind. "Oh, we could ask her about the Norn Stone!" Thor realizes.
This time, it is Loki, who fixes his eyes on the ceiling. "As remarkable as your thought process is today, I would recommend keeping your mouth shut," he says. "I need the Norn Stone to reverse the enchantment, and if a thieve is the one who gave it to me, she might demand it back, and then where will we be?"
With a huff, Thor admits truth to Loki's words, and they make the rest of the journey in silence.
Their parents' gazes rise when the brothers reach the table, and Queen Karnilla smiles at both of them. "Greetings, young Princes," she says. It's the first time Thor has heard her speak, but Loki's eyes narrow curiously in recognition.
"Greetings, Queen of Norns," Loki says respectfully and then turns to Odin. "Did you ask for me, Father?"
Unused to the sidelines, Thor fidgets next to him.
"Yes, I did. Now that both of you are here, I can make an announcement." Odin stands and Gugnir's quick strike to the ground resonates throughout the large celebratory hall. Chatter dies down, and Thor's friends rise and watch with curiosity. Loki and Thor share a glance to be sure nothing has changed between them.
Queen Frigga and Queen Karnilla stay seated but watch with vastly similar expressions of contentment—Frigga's born of pride and Karnilla's of hope. Thor turns back to his father to hear what there could be to look forward to.
"As many of you know, my son Thor Odinson has trained for many long years," Odin tells the Asgardians of the room. "Over those years, he frequently visits the other realms of the Great Tree to help civilians, to slay marauders, to show the universe the valor of a true Asgardian, and a true son of Odin."
Thor notes that every single person's eyes in this room are fixed on Loki—whom they view as Thor. Does Loki feel the sting of negligence all the time? Thor steers his mind away from those thoughts with some difficulty until he meets the eyes of his mother. Unlike everyone else, she stares at him. He wonders if this is why Loki is so close to her.
"Today," Odin continues, "my son returns from one such quest, and as his father, I decree that he displayed three values to their utmost: strength, in the way of battle with the mighty hammer Mjolnir; courage, in the way of persevering in the face of great danger; and honor, in his account of the story that attributes the aid of his fellow comrades."
Thor swallows. Heat surges through his chest, but the minor detail cools his pride somewhat—Thor rarely attributes any details to his companions' aid, as Loki so thoroughly pointed out earlier. He expects them to do that themselves. Loki's eyes flicker towards him, but Thor feels his face heating up (so easily) and avoids looking at his brother.
"Thus, it is my decision to assign his final quest of the Einherjar, and reward his years of training with the chance to join the most esteemed warriors of the Realm Eternal."
The entire room claps and cheers, but Thor cannot hear any of it. Loki was right! His final quest lies right ahead. Momentary panic stutters his heart—how will he keep this chance once his father learns of the spell—but the elation deafens any panic. His brother already promised a solution, and he will be back in his body come morning. Then, he will finally achieve one of the childhood dreams he prized.
He will finally be able to join the Einherjar!
Beside him, Loki's jaw locks up and it makes him appear far less eager than he should be. Thor nudges him with an elbow, and gives him a big grin (a grin that has not been seen on this face for sometime), and Loki blinks and finally smiles back.
He nods to the crowd and lifts an arm to raise the volume of cheering. It looks awkward, but Thor doubts any among the crowd will call the hoax anything but a bit of stage fright.
For once, the All-Father allows the murmurs to die down without using Gungir's base. Thor appreciates the gesture, and only wishes he could be in his own body to cherish this moment.
"Thor Odinson," Odin says as he turns to Loki. "Tomorrow, you will go to Vanaheim, where a boat will take you to the northern regions of the realm. There, a dragon has plagued the kingdoms of Vanaheim for several years. I assign this responsibility to you as your final quest. You will slay the dragon and put an end to its plague upon the Vanir.
"As all Einherjar candidates, you must embark on this quest alone and unaided for all but one exception. You have the right to choose one companion to accompany you on this test of valor."
Thor glances over at his friends and sees Sif, who stares equally entranced at his brother. She wants to be chosen as that one companion to accompany him, and as her best friend, it's the least he can do. The gender discrimination will cease when she aids the Crown Prince of Asgard in his final quest for the Einherjar.
Thor looks back to Loki and waits for him to speak.
"I will choose one companion," Loki says. His jaw clenches up again and he turns to survey the room as if making a decision. The entire moment is just for show—Thor has already told him who to pick.
Odin nods patiently. "Whom do you choose?"
Loki's throat works as he swallows once and without looking at Thor, he opens his mouth to answer. "For my final quest, I will choose a companion who has been at my side through every hardship and who keeps an eye for those who would exploit my vulnerabilities time and time again. I choose my brother, Loki Odinson."
Thor blinks once.
I told you to choose Sif, he wants to say, but Loki's lie shocks him so coldly that he can't even speak.
Odin nods. "Very well. Tomorrow then, my two sons will embark on Thor's quest for Einherjar status. So be the fates that they will succeed."
Gungir clangs against the ground, and then the feasting arises once again. Loki dives into conversation with their family before Thor can say one word, and across the room, Sif struggles to keep a calm face.
Thor's fists clench, and the chance to humiliate his brother tempts him to spill everything about the Norn Stone and the sorceress thief and his brother's deceipt. Yet he hardly says a word all through the feast. If he did, his brother would face the punishment he deserves, and Thor would still surely be allowed to still embark on his quest and choose another more deserving companion. Wouldn't he?
Thor tells himself he made Loki a promise to remain quiet for the rest of the night. He refuses to admit he doesn't speak out of cowardice.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading, you guys! :) I managed to get this chapter ready by today, but the next chapter is going to be more difficult to edit and such, so I doubt I'll be able to get it up before Thursday. The first 3 were pretty much already edited by the time I started posting, so slower weekly updates from now on. Also, this was kind of a transition chapter, so I am sorry if it was boring. Their actual quest will start next chapter, and I'll probably post a one-shot or something separately sometime this week. So hopefully that's something to look forward to. ^.^