Thor ran up to Odin as he walked back into the dining hall.

"Father!" Thor called, as Odin turned to look at him. "Are you done talking to Loki? Where is he?"

"He is locked in his room, and he shall remain there for three days." the King said.

"What?" Thor asked, eyes wide and pleading. "But I wanted to go to the training field with him!"

"You're going to have to wait, I'm afraid. Besides, you don't need Loki to go to the training field."

Thor pouted, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "But it's more fun when Loki's there," he complained.

Odin sighed, turning to look at his elder son. "Listen," he said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "What Loki did this morning was unacceptable, and he must learn to repent his actions and not cause trouble. There are rules, Thor. And Loki broke them."

"Really?" A voice breathed in Thor's ear, "I don't remember there ever being a rule against starting fights in the dining hall, since they seem to break out at every feast."

Thor yelped, jumping and turning around.

"What is it?" Odin asked, concerned.

"I'm not here," Loki whispered to Thor urgently.

"Uhh..." Thor said, trying desperately to think of something to say.

"It was just a moth tickling your neck," Loki murmured helpfully.

"Thor?" the Allfather demanded.

"It was just a moth," Thor said quickly, "It tickled my neck."

Odin narrowed his eyes at Thor's guilty face.

"At least try to look innocent will you?" Loki said exasperatedly. "Pretend it was my fault, not yours."

"But it was your fault," Thor said, turning his head to look at where his brother wasn't.

"Shh!" Loki hissed, "I'm not here, remember?"

"If you're not here then why are you talking to me?" Thor said, bemused.

"Who's talking to you?" Odin asked suspiciously.

"Nobody!" Thor yelped, as Loki elbowed him in the ribs.

"You mean Loki?" the Allfather said. Except it wasn't a question.

Loki started to back away, hoping to slip out of the room, when he accidentally tripped on a discarded mug and fell with a thump, startling Loki's concentration and causing him to reappear.

Odin was there in seconds, grabbing him and hauling him to his feet.

"Good going, Thor," Loki said sarcastically.

"How did you get out?" Odin demanded.

Loki just stared at him. "You forgot to lock the door," he said.

The Allfather frowned. He could have sworn he had locked it.

"Can Loki come with me to the training field? Please?" Thor said excitedly.

"What? No!" Odin said. "Loki is still grounded."

"He doesn't look grounded," Thor remarked. "Please can he come with me? Please?"

"What do you mean I don't look like I'm grounded? Can't you see father is mad at me, Thor?"

"NO!" Odin yelled.

"Oh, so you're not mad at me?" Loki asked, raising his dark eyebrows.

"See, Father's not mad at you! Now come on, we're going to the training field." Thor started to tug Loki away with him.

"BOTH OF YOU GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" Odin roared.

"I told you he was mad at me," Loki said.

Odin took deep breaths, saying "I am sufficiently angered with the two of you. Both of you are to return to your rooms. Guards!"

A group of guards came running into the room.

"Escort Thor and Loki to their rooms, and make sure you lock the doors."

"Well now Thor, you've gotten yourself grounded as well. Congratulations!" With that Loki held up his hand, and Thor gave him a high-five. They both grinned.

"Enough!" Odin growled. "Go now,"

The guards nodded, and forming a small group around the two young boys, started out the doors.

Only to run smack dab into a wall.