Loki was taking a single satchel to Jotunheim with him. It was filled with half a dozen books. Everything else he could conjure with magic, if he needed it. Thor walked slowly with his brother as they headed for the stables. Thor had dismissed the guards that accompanied Loki everywhere.

Frigga had stayed in the palace after a long and private talk with Loki. Her eyes were red from weeping. Odin was waiting for them at the bifrost. What other good-byes could be said? Loki's face was pale, but determined.

"You'll tell Sigyn before Balder can tell Nanna?" he said briskly.

Thor nodded, his heart heavy. "You should tell her yourself."

"Thor, Sigyn and I have not been close since we were children."

Thor rolled his eyes. "You risked your life mere weeks ago to save hers, and she is the only person besides Mother and Balder that you have expressed concern for."

Loki bowed his head briefly. "I merely thought... Those children can't keep their mouths shut, I would not want her to find out by a slip of the tongue. I still care about her. You know that."

"I know." Thor was starting to fall behind Loki's quicker pace. "I keep thinking, that maybe..."

"Stop thinking. It only gets you into trouble."

"If we could contact Atum-"

"There is no guarantee that we could, and no guarantee that he would come. And if we wait to see, it could be too late." Loki stopped and looked back at him. "We cannot risk Balder's life hoping for Atum's aid.

"He could bring you back from Jotunheim."

"Thor, the Jotünns may still be weakened from Odin's victory all those decades ago, but are they so weak that they could not harm other realms? No, I have only one choice in this matter. Besides," Loki began walking again, "Gaea did suggest that I explore my birthplace. And perhaps the Jotünns will be more than willing to throw me back once I tell them that I am Atum's son, not Laufey's."

Thor raised his brows. "You intend on telling them that?"

"No," Loki replied briskly. "But it is a comforting thought."

"Are you at least taking weapons?"

Loki rolled his eyes. "What did I just say?"

"I do not like this, Loki."

Loki remained silent. Thor tried to read his expression. His brow was smooth, but he kept looking around, as though expecting that this was the last time he would see these sights.

"No, I cannot let this happen," Thor said abruptly, forcefully. "We can-"

"Enough of that, Thor!" Loki snapped. "You remember what Atum told me when I was a child, that someday I would cause Balder's death? I cannot let this be that day!" His carefully schooled expression slipped for a moment and Thor saw the fear in his eyes.

Thor's gaze dropped to the floor. Trading one brother for the other... No matter what happened, how could he ever forgive himself?

"Don't look like that."

"Like what?"

"Like this is somehow cosmically your fault. You are not all-powerful, Thor, stop acting like you are- Stop thinking that you are. You know, that is the most annoying thing about you."

"And the most annoying thing about you is that you think you're the smartest person in the universe!" Thor replied hotly.

"You only think that because I'm smarter than you and you're envious."

Thor did something that was supremely out of character for him. In fact, it was more suited for Balder. Instead of arguing back, he grabbed Loki and pulled him into a hug. Loki reacted as Thor expected he would. He made a yelping noise of disgust and tried to punch him in the ribs.

"Let go of me!"

Thor only hugged him tighter.

"Thor! This is not the time to get sentimental!"

"When is the time, then?" Thor retorted, but nonetheless released him.

Loki straightened out his jacket. "Never."

"Loki-"

"I do not want to hear it."

Thor nodded silently. They continued.

#

Angrboda folded her hands together as she waited. Her stomach twisted with anxiety. What if the Aesir changed their minds? She would not risk a war, and if Odin demanded the return of his son or face invasion, she would have no choice but to do as he said. Perhaps her terms had been too hasty, too much- But Laufey's firstclaimed son! It was more than she could have hoped for, finding that he was alive. Not only living, but a prince of Asgard! Surely if he took his place among his mother's people, Jotunheim would finally be able to build a future...

Do not hope for things that are not yet here, Angrboda told herself sternly.

She looked at the magnificent city in the distance. If only her home was half so beautiful! The buildings were taller than anything she had seen, even the icy mountains of Jotunheim. Although what such a tiny people needed with such large buildings, she couldn't fathom.

Odin, dressed in full armour, was speaking softly with the far-sighted Heimdall. Angrboda wasted no thoughts wondering what they spoke of. Instead, she watched the two figures on horseback approaching. One was garbed in red, the other in green. The elder princes. Her heart sped.

"Lady Angrboda."

Angrboda turned. Odin was staring at her with his single eye, a look of loathing and disgust plain on his face.

"If anything happens to my son," he started warningly, "it will be Jotunheim that pays the price."

Angrboda bowed her head in understanding. If only Gunnlod would understand that! She would have to be careful with the old queen, her aunt. Gunnlod would not relinquish her power willingly. And she would use her fool of a son Helblindi to keep it...

The Fire-Jotun turned back to the bridge. She recognised Thor quickly. Next to him was the dark prince, Laufey's firstclaimed son. He was slighter than she had expected. Shorter, yes, but also thinner. His body was lean and lithe, unlike the hulking forms of most Jotünn warriors. Perhaps a sign of his mother's Vanir heritage? His hair was black, like Farbauti's had been, but that was all the familiarity Angrboda saw in him. No-one would ever think this pale, pink little man would have Jotünn blood in him!

He glared at her with emerald-green eyes. There was such undisguised disgust in his expression that her heart fell a little. She ignored it, though, and studied him with unabashed curiosity.

"How do I know this is really him?" she asked, not bothering to try to sound polite. "He looks like the rest of you."

"Do you accuse the king of Asgard of falsehood?" Odin asked warningly.

Loki strode forward. "Hold out your hand."

Angrboda raised a brow, but did as he said. He reached out, hesitated a moment, and then put his hand in hers.

"Fascinating!" she breathed as she saw his skin take on the same hue as hers.

Loki pulled his hand away as though she was carrying a disease. Well. That was going to present problems!

"If you would wait over there, Lady?"

Though spoken courteously, the Allfather's words were not a suggestion. Angrboda moved to the position he had gestured to. She frowned as she watched his bid good-bye to his stolen son. Neither looked particularly affectionate. Was it anger at being forced to return to his birthplace, or were the rumours true, that there was no love lost between these two?

The four warriors that had come with Thor to Jotunheim to retrieve the young Balder were with him again. The handsome fat one's voice carried to her, whispering doubts, and she forced herself not to react. It was no wonder that a breed of liars would assume lies from all others!

Soon enough, they all joined her at her spot. Thor stood between her and Loki. The bifrost activated, and Angrboda braced herself for the confusion that was to come.

#

"Wake up, little prince."

Balder jerked upright at the booming voice. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. Recoiled when he saw a giant blue face close to him, but recovered soon enough. "Oh, hello... Helblindi, right?"

"I have received word from Angrboda that you are to be returned home."

Relief poured over Balder. Although he had been treated far better than he expected- good food, entertainment, yummy ale, and when he was exhausted they put him in a giant bed that was as soft and warm as... well, as a really good bed.

"Excellent!" Balder wiggled out from under the blankets and hopped down to the floor. "Although I don't suppose I could have a spot of breakfast first?"

Helblindi rolled his blood-red eyes and snatched Balder up. He set the young prince on his shoulder. Balder took it as a no. He prepared himself for the blast of cold as Helblindi took him outside. It was worse than he expected, and he shivered, hunching down. The three Jotünns that had kept him company (or rather, guarded him) the previous night joined them. Balder saw no one else, not even Angrboda's wolf.

They passed out of the clustered buildings quickly, crossed over a river that flowed sluggishly (Balder asked why it wasn't frozen but received silence in response) and went over a snowy hill. Balder saw Angrboda's fire-hair, and then a grin broke across his face. Thor and Loki had come to get him! Odin was beginning to trust his middle son again. There were the Warriors Three and Sif as well, of course. Maybe they were all getting along again.

"Well, here he is, unharmed and fatter than when he arrived," Angrboda said as Helblindi set Balder on the ground. She walked over to join the other Jotünns.

Balder managed to smile at Thor, who looked so grim that it was scary.

"Balder," he said, gesturing him to join them.

Loki's look was equally grim, and he started walking forward to meet Balder. At least, that's what Balder thought.

"I was trying-" Balder started to explain, not liking the expression on Loki's face.

Loki walked past him.

Balder stopped. "Loki?"

Loki turned. "Go home, Balder."

"I don't understand," Balder's brow furrowed. He glanced back at Thor and his friends. Thor's brows were drawn tight and his jaw set firmly. Balder looked back at Loki. "You're not coming home, too?"

"A bargain was made, little prince," Angrboda explained, her voice crisp in the cold air. "Odin's youngest son delivered safely in exchange for Laufey's son."

Balder's stomach dropped. He stared at the giantess for a moment, and then at Loki. "No!"

"Go home," Loki repeated.

Balder felt tears well in his eyes. He launched himself at Loki, catching his brother in a tight hug. "But I wanted-"

"Don't say anything," Loki murmured, just loud enough for Balder to hear. "Don't cry. I know you were trying to help. It's alright, Balder. It's alright."

"I wanted to get Farbauti's journal," Balder sobbed, trying to be quiet. "I wanted-"

"Shhh. Everything is going to work out, I promise. Think of it this way, I'll be able to find the journal myself. Now go home, brother. Mother will be beside herself with worry. And just think of how poor Nanna must be feeling! After all, she hasn't seen her husband-to-be for nigh a day!"

Balder laughed despite his tears. "Nanna doesn't even know I'm gone, does she?"

Loki smiled at him. "She will think you very brave when you tell her the story."

"No, she won't. She's going to call me an idiot." Balder's lip trembled. "I'm sorry, Loki."

"Just... just be happy, Balder. And stop taking such risks."

Balder wiped at his face. "I love you, brother."

Loki turned him around and pushed him towards Thor and the others. Balder almost did hear his whispered goodbye.

#

Loki had never felt so alone as when the bifrost descended and took his brothers away. He suddenly wished he had said more, to both of them. Wished that he had embraced them both, told them that despite everything, he still cared. He still loved them and would always love them. But the time was gone and he could not bring it back.

He turned abruptly from the bifrost site, and looked coldly at Angrboda. He would not face Death as a coward.

She was looking at him with an expression of triumph. Her four bulky companions were inspecting him quizzically.

"Helblindi," she said, turning to one of them, "I trust that you will say nothing of this to your mother?"

Helblindi cleared his throat. "No, my lady."

"Good. Then I shall take our lost kinsman back to my abode, to begin to explain something of our home-" she looked at Loki and smiled. "His new home."

Was this some sort of twisted joke?

"Come," the fire-Jotünn said over her shoulder as she started away.

Loki wished for a sword and followed.