anastacianott-Oh trust me, Odin is not playing.

CrimsonKitsune333- I'm glad you are enjoying it! They will face off!

mercenary- A little more than a slap ;)

Guest- Huzzah! An update!

Loki was weeping. Loki, the prideful poised and eloquent son that managed to use his honeyed words to sway even the harshest of views. Now that voice was drowned out by sobs. The noise striking Odin and sending chills down his spine. Loki cried as the healers attempted to stretch his legs to assess the damage. He mumbled deliriously under his breath, calling out for his father for his brother for his...mother. Odin clenched his fists and closed his eyes. Frigga would know how to soothe him. She would be able to fix this...

Little feet pitter pattering across the slick floors, giggles erupting.

"Catch me papa!" Loki shrieked, Thor at his side, shouting happily. "Catch me!"

How many times had Odin failed to catch his son?

Eir made soft noises as she forced Loki's mutilated limbs out, her face pinched as she looked him over. She whispered something to a young healer at her side and the young man nodded in understanding. Odin studied his youngest son, his fingers gently stroking through Loki's hair. Loki's eyes blindly searched for the source of comfort, his lips attempting to form a word but unable to do so.

"Allfather." A guard greeted at the door and slowly Odin looked up.

"He is here?" Odin questioned.

"Yes my lord. Shall I bring him here?" Odin shook his head and stared at the guard.

"No. I shall meet him in the throne room. Watch over my son while I am occupied." He glanced towards the door and watched as Sif, Volstagg and Fandral entered. "You shall stay here as well."

"Yes your majesty." The guard bowed deeply and came to stand by the door. Fandral approached Loki and took a seat by his bed with Sif close behind, brows furrowed in concern. Odin nodded at Eir and slowly stood. Giving Loki a final glance he slowly made his way from the room each step feeling heavier than the last.

The sound of Mjolnir cracking against the traitors skull reminded Thor of an egg striking a hard floor. The traitor's head cracked upon being struck and Thor had watched dispassionately as the Jotun had slumped over onto his side without a noise, his eyes fading. Thor stared at him for a moment before turning his attention back to Jane. He approached her and gently knelt down and scooped her into his arms, his throat tightening at the sight of her.

Thor offered the mortal a soft apology for his failure and carried her away from the traitor who lay still several feet away. Without a glance back, Thor carried Jane away and left Loki to rot amongst the elves.

Thor stood stiffly in the throne room, his eyes heavily shadowed. His once luscious golden hair disheveled. When the Allfather entered, his son bowed deeply. His face giving away nothing.

"My son." Odin greeted genially. His voice echoing through the empty throne room. Thor met his father's gaze.

"Allfather."

"I am told you were successful against Malekith. I believe congratulations and my thanks are in order." Odin offered watching as Thor stiffly nodded. The Allfather approached his son, eyes gazing down the long hall. "I am gladdened that you managed such a feat. My heartbreak over...over your mother put me in a very dark place. One I never wish to visit again. It was hearing of your and your brother's victory that brought me back to myself."

Thor's grip on Mjolnir tightened slightly and Odin caught it.

"You are aware of Jane's death." Thor noted and Odin nodded.

"I am. And I am sorry that you lost her so soon." Odin stated sincerely, understanding the pain all too well. Thor studied his father, eyes cold.

"So then you are aware of who is at fault."

"Yes, the dark elf that struck her down." Odin responded watching Thor's face darken.

"No. He may have held the blade but it was another who failed to defend her."

"Loki?" Odin murmured. Thor stared. "Yes Loki...Heimdall lost sight midway through the battle. He is unable to find Loki. Did he escape after the battle?" Odin questioned and Thor tilted his chin.

"Do not take me for a fool Allfather. I can see it in your eyes that you know the truth." Thor stated voice dripping with venom. Odin's placid expression shifted into a dark glare.

"The truth being that you struck your brother down without mercy?" Odin asked calmly, yet coldly. Thor did not even flinch.

"He deserved none." Thor spat, eyes blazing, his grip so tight that his knuckles paled. An image of Loki's mangled body flashed through the Allfather's mind. He shuddered at the thought of it.

"He deserved better than to have his skull cracked open by his own brother." Odin's voice steadily began to rise. Thor did not back down though. His back straightening as he regarded the Allfather with the same glare that Odin had often bestowed upon his enemies.

"Jane deserved better than to die when she was promised safety." The God of Thunder's voice was low. His face giving away his pain.

"A mortal who was halfway through life anyway."

"I loved her!" Thor snarled, affronted.

"I understand that, yet you barely knew her."

"I knew her!" Thor shouted, sounding petulant.

"You loved that woman for a week. I loved your mother for a lifetime. You loved your bro-"

"He is not my brother."

"No. He is not. You are unworthy of him."

"Me unworthy? Of that murderer? Was it not you who wished to lop off his head when I first dragged him back here!?"

"Do you truly think me capable of striking down my own child? No matter the path he had taken?"

Odin stared hard at his son.

"Whatever would your mother think?" He asked softly and Thor turned away. "You killed your own brother." At Thor's lack or reaction, Odin knew that his eldest had no idea of Loki's survival. He hardened himself for his next words.

"And as such you are unworthy of your title," Odin's voice was tired. Drained. "Unworthy of the mother you failed and brother you murdered in cold blood. You are unworthy of the very weapon you used against him. A weapon to build and protect, not destroy. A weapon to defend your family...not...not this." Mjolnir was wrenched from Thor's grip yet he did not struggle, merely staring at Odin in cold hatred. "Odd how in a week's time I lose my wife and children. I hope for your sake you find forgiveness in your own soul. " A portal behind Thor appeared. "I...Odin Allfather...cast you out." Odin turned away as Thor was sucked into the vortex. Odin's grip on Mjolnir remained firm.

For how would Thor possibly manage to earn it again?