"Wha-what do you mean, Koli?"

"Kelda, the nurses must leave with the war orphans. You swore to me that you would look after Loki. Please-"

"But Koli, the only times he does not cry is when I nurse him and when he sees you!" Kelda said with an exasperated tone. "Koli, his crying disturbs the other babies. I don't know." Kelda sighed. "Koli, talk to Froh. Ask him to leave with me and Loki."

Koli looked down at Loki, who looked up at him, clapped his hands together and babbled. "Kelda, I can't. I was an officer in the army, I am barely out of the prime of youth, Froh knows this." Koli looked at her. "Kelda, it is a week. A week is all I ask for. I will repay you a hundred fold if you get him to safety for a week."

Kelda looked at Loki, who continued to just clap his hands, she sighed loudly. "Only a week?"

"Give or take a couple days." Koli chuckled slightly.

Kelda sighed again. "You promise, you will be there?"

Koli stood up and put his left hand on his heart, and held the right up in a fist. "I swear by the name of Ymir."

"Very well." Kelda replied. "When do I leave?"

"You have to ask the Record Keepers. They will tell you when you can leave with Loki."

"I shall go to them now then," She stood up and looked at the two. "Can I leave you with Loki, for the time being?"

"Any time you want me to."

"Expect for the next week."

Koli tittered awkwardly. "Sorry."

Kelda smiled back at him. "It's fine."

She gently tapped Loki's head and left them alone. In this solidarity, Koli hummed Farbauti's lullaby to him. Loki cooed and babbled as usual. Koli felt two tiny hands gently grasp his wrist.

"Loki, if you understand what I say; please don't cry when you're away from me." Koli said in a hushed tone. "Please, it's best for the both of us."

He replied with a little squeak, and suckle of Koli's finger.

"I will take that as an agreement." Koli then realized, if they were attacked on the road or where they were fleeing, no one would know who Loki really was and forget about him. "Someone needs to look after you and Kelda, since I can't be there."

Koli let Loki gently munch his finger with his gums as he thought. He looked to the walls of his room. His eyes past carvings of symbols, glaciers and friends, before it settled on one of him and Dagr, when they both first enlisted as soldiers. Koli laughed as he put one hand on his face.

"Oh, whatever am I, best friend of the great General Dagr 'Death-bringer' Flokison, ever to do?" Koli said in a loud, matter-of-fact voice. "What should I do, Loki?"

Loki replied by squealing, and biting Koli's finger a bit harder.

"What's that? Write him a letter?" Koli lifted him up. "You brilliant boy! That's just what I'll do!"

Koli carried him to his desk and sat him on his lap. "Now, you need not worry, little one."

He pulled a blank sheet from the side and took his feather out of its' inkwell and tapped it against the glass two times to get the extra ink off.

"Dear Dagr Flokison,

I know you are most likely preparing to fight the Asgardians, but I need a favor. Loki is being sent with his nurse, Kelda, away from town. Since I delivered Glut free of charge, I beg of you do whatever you can in your power to make sure they are safe and comfortable. If you want anything else done for you, please let me know.

Sincerely, Koli Tryggrson."

Koli folded the letter and put it into an envelope. He signed it: "To Dagr Flokison, From: Koli Tryggrson and Loki Kolison" and sealed it with wax with his initials. Koli tucked the letter into his vest pocket and put Loki into his deerskin carrier before making his way down the stairs. A line of Jotuns waited outside the Record Keeper's offices. Koli saw Kelda, carrying herself a little lower than usual, walk out.

"Kelda! What news?" Koli asked.

"Oh, Koli." She whispered, looking down as she approached.

Koli knew that it was not good. "How long will we be separated?"

"I am to leave with Loki and twelve others this afternoon, you are to leave with five others in the morn... In seven days."

Koli huffed as he cradled Loki closer. "Of course it has to be the longest time." He put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Kelda."

"I suppose it's fine." She mumbled, her tongue stumbling. "Ymir will bless me much after this."

Koli nodded. "Come, Kelda, I will tell you how to take care of him, and all the things he likes." He gestured to the stairs.

"Why did you not tell me before?" She asked taking a couple steps.

"I didn't think I would be too far away from Loki." Koli replied, following her.

The two arrived in his room. Kelda sat in a chair while Koli held Loki in one arm. He found the sack from yesterday. Koli stopped as he picked it up. Has it really just been a day since he left the palace? A day since Farbauti had her son ripped away from her?

Koli took a deep breathe as he opened the bag. "Luckily, most of his belongings are still here."

Kelda looked into it. "He sure does like fox fur."

"White fox fur to be exact." Koli replied.

She picked up one of Loki's clean, custom made clothes. "He really was a noble's child."

Koli said nothing but rocked Loki a bit. "Loki likes to be held. He also likes it when you talk to him."

"Do you think he can understand you?"

"I'm not sure. I think he just likes the way it sounds. He can tell when you talk to him sweetly or with anger." Koli thought back to the night before, he remembered the song that sent him straight to sleep.

"His mother sang him a lullaby all the time, it usually calmed him down." Koli spoke.

"What is it?"

"The Night Ballad. The one about the moon and owls and such."

"Ah." Kelda spoke. "A favorite among children." She held out her arms. "Give him to me. Let's see if it works."

Koli looked down at her arms. "Are-are you sure?"

Kelda turned her eyes to a roll. "If you are to entrust him to me for a week, why don't we start now?"

"That is true." Koli replied.

With slight hesitance, he put Loki in Kelda's arms. Loki began to whine slightly, but Kelda bounced slowly and began to hum the tune.

"Hush little one, please don't you cry, may no more tears, fall from your eye." She began to sing.

With a little babble, Loki began to quiet down slightly. As Kelda continued the song, he remained quiet. Koli felt a sigh of relief involuntarily go through his lungs. A way to calm him down.

"There you go." Kelda crooned. "Just a little familiarity, that's what it took."

"That's why he doesn't cry when he sees me. He knows me."

Kelda held Loki closer with an air of confidence. "Infants are fascinating creatures. So observant, so full of emotion and expressive without the need of words."

"They are, they are." Koli looked down at Loki with a smile.

Kelda looked at him. "Koli, why do you care so much for the boy?"

"Two reasons." Koli said as he ran his thumb over Loki's cheek. "I have delivered many children in my life. I have always gone back to see how their families were doing. After seeing how happy and fulfilling it was to have a child, I desired a family."

"But I have never seen you with a woman, and I am so sorry if I am prying, but have you courted before?"

Koli let out a little groan at a memory. "I... Attempted several times. I am a minor lord's third cousin. Many rejected me because of that."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, many of them were only looking for snobby, handsome, High-Born shrews that care more about how much snow was on their soles than the wellness of the people."

Kelda nodded and grinned. "I think you would have made a fine Lord, Koli. But is there truly no one that ever caught your interest?"

He let out a wishful sigh. "One."

"Only one?"

"Yes, but a she was practically High-Born, and was already being courted, by a High-Born." He huffed. "They got married. I'm still her friend though."

"What's the other reason you care for the boy?"

"His mother." Koli carefully took Loki from Kelda's grasp. "She loved the boy so, his father didn't. He hated his son, rejected him. To see so much hate towards this blameless infant." He held Loki up so he could have eye contact. "I wanted to give him that care, the care and affection he deserved."

Kelda looked at Koli with a soft expression. "I will do my best to provide for him."

"Thank you Kelda." He remembered the letter in his pocket. "Wait," He took it out. "Here, give this to anyone associated with the generals. Have them deliver it to Dagr Flokison, he will help you."

"The General?" She asked with widened eyes.

"He's a good friend of mine, I oversaw the birth of his daughter some days ago." Kelda took the paper from his hands. "Make sure it goes straight to Dagr."

"Of course."

Kelda tucked it away in the safety of her dress. The two packed the rest of Loki's things for ten minutes, then the town bell rang. Thuds and footsteps were heard from the halls.

"The nurses listed must leave with the orphans now!" A voice announced within.

Koli turned to Kelda, who had Loki in the carrier on her back. "Are you ready?"

"I am." She turned her head aside. "Are you?"

Koli chuckled a bit. "One last goodbye."

Kelda nodded and turned around. Loki looked at Koli with brightened eyes. He cooed a bit, with his mouth wide open. Koli knelt before the little Prince and held his small hand.

With a grin and a nod he whispered: "Good bye, Little Loki." He stood back up and Kelda turned around. "Thank you for everything, Kelda."

"Of course."

He gave a small bow. "Then I will see you in a week."

Kelda bowed back. "A week."

She stood there for a minute. Then walked to the door. She opened it and, for a second, stopped as she was exiting and looked back at Koli. She gave one last nod before she left, then closed the door. Koli was alone.

"... And after we were banished from our homeland, whose name we forgot long ago, left alone on a desolate frozen wasteland, we cried out in pain of the cold. But one man, Ymir, embraced the cold. And as he drew his strength from the frost, he became a giant. He was the first Jotun."

Koli preached to what was left of the once populated town. No more than two dozen sat in the nearly empty Sanctuary. Mostly young men, but there were a handful of women, children and elderly also. Six days had past since he parted with Loki.

"He showed his power to the others. Who also gained from the power of the frost-"

"Koli!" Hakon called lowly.

Koli ignored it, he was in the middle of a morale booster, for Ymir's sake! "Ymir became a revered man, and later a King, for his power of the ice was far greater than the others. Jotuns fell in despair when he died, but later that night, came a shower of comets. So cold, so powerful, they knew Ymir had sent them-"

"Koli!" Hakon called louder.

"And they knew their prays had been answered-"

"Koli!"

"And with the power of the comets, they began to build an advanced civilization..."

"KOLI!"

"With people who have the common courtesy to BE PATIENT."

"Um, Koli." Froh, who had been sitting near him, spoke as he stood up. "Perhaps you should go and see Hakon, I will finish up here."

Koli sighed, then nodded. He walked off the small stage and to the door where Hakon was calling him.

"'People who have the common courtesy to be patient?'" Hakon sneered.

Koli snickered. "Be quiet, tell me what you wanted me for."

This made Hakon's joking expression quickly melt away. "It's Kelda and Loki."

Koli felt his heart stop. "What? What happened?"

"The two are here, to see you."

A jolt ran through Koli's body. "Why?"

"Kelda didn't say."

Worry clouded Koli's mind as he walked to the room where Kelda and Loki were. Why did they come back? And after so long? It would have made sense if it were the same day, or even a day or two after. But six days out of an entire week? It made no sense.
Koli opened the door. Kelda sat on the couch, holding a bag in one of her arms and a silent Loki in the other. This only further confused Koli. He wasn't crying, what reason could she have?

"Koli!" Kelda exhaled as she saw him.

She ran up to him and hugged him with one arm. Koli inspected her closer. Her eyes were sunken in, and dark rings encircled them as well.

"It's so good to see you." She spoke in a low, almost raspy voice.

Loki greeted Koli with a smile and little gasp.

"Kelda, what's wrong?" Koli asked. "You look ill."

"No no no no. I'm fine." She gave a little rough laugh as she presented Loki to him. "It's... It's your boy... There's something wrong with him."

With squinting eyes, Koli scrutinized the infant. His weight looked normal, his temperature felt fine and he was quite happy. There was nothing wrong with him that he could see.

"I don't see anything wrong with him, Kelda." Koli said looking up. "Maybe it was a fit of-"

She was gone. Behind him the door shut lightly.

"Kelda!"

Koli walked out into the hall, Loki still in his arms. Looked left and right. The door that went out into town was open. Koli ran out, panting, looking around. On the snow-kissed road were fresh wolf and sled tracks, and the distant sound of barking and "HYAH!".

Koli sunk to his knees. "No."

Dulled footsteps were heard not far away. Hakon came, looked around, then looked at Koli.

"Where did she go?"

Koli shook his head slowly. "I don't know."

"Koli..." Hakon offered his arm.

Koli looked at him and took it, slowly steadying himself.

"I'm sorry." Hakon spoke. "But don't worry too much."

"Why?"

"We still have the cows, access to milk, you can take care of him. Most of us have war experience, we can protect him. We're friends."

Koli felt a grin grow on his face. "Thank you."

Hakon patted him on the back. "We are brothers, in all but blood."

The two went back inside. As they entered, Froh and the remaining priests stood waiting.

"What's wrong? Where did Kelda go?" Froh began, he then looked at Loki. "Why is he here?"

"If I had all the answers, I would tell them to you." Koli replied. "He's fleeing with us."

Froh said nothing, but nodded. "Very well." He turned to the rest. "I believe it is time to rest. We have a long march tomorrow."

Koli and the others nodded. Koli took Loki's bag, which still had everything in it thankfully, and brought him upstairs. He bottle fed Loki on his bed and hummed him a slow tune.

"I still don't understand." Koli spoke. "There is nothing wrong with you."

Loki finished his drink, and gurgled a bit. Koli chuckled and wiped his face clean. He carefully placed Loki in his cot beside Koli's bed.

"There, there, Loki. Everything will be fine."

He cooed in response. Koli hopped in his bed and covered himself with a pelt.

Koli awoke to the sound of crying. It felt like something had snapped in place as Koli's eyes opened. He looked out to the town, morning. Hearing Loki cry, he swung himself out of bed to check on him.

"What's wrong Loki?" Koli asked, picking him up. "Are you hungry? Tired? Wait we just slept... You need a diaper change?"

Loki answered him by quieting down.

"Oh, you were just lonely." Koli sighed.

Holding Loki, Koli went out to the hall. He went next door to where Hakon stayed and knocked.

"Hakon! In how much time do we leave?"

Koli waited for his witty response. In a couple seconds there was nothing. Not a sound of stirring within.

"Hakon?"

Koli pushed the door, which swung open with ease. His jaw dropped at the sight. Hakon's room was picked clean, save for furniture. Walls bare, bed naked, drawers hung open and disheveled.

"Hakon?!"

Koli went from room to room. Empty. Empty. Empty. Nothing. No one. Koli and Loki were alone. He ran up to his room, then swiftly packed a flurry of clothes, carvings, toys and food in his bag, not caring at all for neatness and muttered to himself.

"Brothers in all but blood, my rigid ass."

He turned to look at Loki, who was sat down on the bed, he simply cooed in response. Koli tied the top of his bag, then hung it from his body. He then put Loki in his carrier and draped him around his chest. When he finished, he walked down the stairs, into the Sanctuary.

"Worry not, little one," Koli said stoking the top of his head. "We will be safe soon enough."

"Is that so?"

Koli formed a blade on his arm and faced where it came from. In the corner, he saw a tall outline, with two shining red eyes looking straight at him. He knew who it was.

"Laufey, what are you doing here?"

He walked out of the shadows, a smirk painted on his face. "You're quick to notice me Koli, I'm impressed." Then slowly, as if he savored it, he walked to the center of the room, at the glowing pillar. "A more important question is; what are you doing here?"

"The nurse I found for Loki came back, then left him, and now everyone else left without-"

He stopped. Loki sent back, Kelda looking worried and sick, everyone leaving, Laufey being here.

"You!" Koli pointed his blade. "You planned this!"

Laufey laughed loudly, clutching his rapidly rising and falling stomach. "It took you that long to figure out?"

"Don't play games!" Koli barked. "Why did you want Loki and me alone here?"

Laufey's laughing slowly lessened. After taking a few deep breathes he calmed down. Laufey, still smiling, wiped his eyes and walked towards him.

"I decided to give you two another chance."

Koli lowered his blade. "Truly?"

"Of course." Laufey said in a low, smooth voice. "I decided to be a more... Merciful king." He stood in front of Koli, with a grin from ear to ear. "You have two choices. One, you leave with me, gain back your reputation, and get paid handsomely... But you leave the runt to whatever fate the Asgardians would have for him."

Koli howled in anger. He rammed Laufey against the ice, careful not to hurt Loki, who stayed quiet in his carrier. He pointed the blade at Laufey's neck. Koli was seething, yet Laufey still smirked.

"Give me one good reason not to kill you and blame it on the Asgardians." Koli hissed, pressing the tip dangerously hard on Laufey's neck.

"Ah, that brings me to your second choice."

He whistled twice. It resounded through the halls of the desolate temple. Koli looked around, his stomach churned. Two, six, ten, fifteen, twenty Jotuns came out of the dark corners and crevices of the room. All created weapons on their arms and hands, then surrounded Koli, Loki, Laufey and the altar.

"Your second choice is, you can both die here, in the eyes of Ymir."

Koli felt his heart pound harder, louder, like it was desperately trying to get out of his chest. "Why?" Koli breathed softly. "Why do you hate your son so much?"

"He is not my son!" Laufey shouted. "Now make your choice." He glanced aside at his soldiers. "Or we shall make it for you."

Koli felt his heart beat slower, more hollow. His joints seized up and refused to budge. But in his shock, he felt tiny movements against his chest. With only his eyes he looked down. Loki was looking up at him, eyes so big and bright filled with an emotion Koli couldn't describe. Sucking in air through his teeth, Koli found himself able to use his arms again. He reached behind him and untied Loki's carrier. After it was released, Koli caught him, then placed him on the altar.

"Good man, Koli." Laufey purred. "They don't belong in our world."

Koli pulled a blanket over Loki's chest and traced his long fingers around his temple.

"If he is not your son..." He whispered as he turned toward Laufey, and looked him in the eye.

"THEN YOU ARE NOT MY KING!"

An ice covered fist shattered against Laufey's chest, sending him into the pews and knocking them over. The soldiers turned to look at Koli in shock. Bad move. Koli sent a wall of ice flying towards them, knocking them into chairs, pillars and walls.

"Kill him!" Laufey commanded. "Kill them both!"

A pair of soldiers created arm blades and charged toward Koli. Koli made two pillars rise from the floor and smacked them both down. One jumped up with a hammer on his fist, with an uppercut motion, icicles flew up. The Jotun covered himself, falling into the pews.

"Laufey, I thought you said he was just a doctor and a priest!" One shouted.

"That's correct." Koli smiled as he covered one arm with a blade and the other with a spiked mace. "But I was also First Officer under Dagr Flokison! And do you know what they called me?" Koli faced them. "Koli the Crusher!"

He leaped into the air and jumped between four Jotuns. In the blink of an eye, they were on the ground. Koli was knocked to his side by two. A dull pain ate at it, but he ignored it. Pushing himself up quickly, Koli made spikes come out of the ground. Three yelped in pain, their chests, hands and feet pierced with ice. Koli tackled two and smashed them into each other. But they fought back, Koli felt one grab his arm and slam him into the wall.

"Stand still!" He shouted as he formed a dagger.

Koli managed to roll his head to the side, narrowly avoiding it with only a sting on his cheek. Koli kicked him so hard in the chest it hurt his foot. The soldier yelped as he fell back.

"Is that it?!" Koli yelped and laughed. "Is that all?"

Laufey growled. "If that's what you want." From his bag, he pulled out a glowing, blue box, the Casket. "Die!"

As it opened, a swirl of blue powered ice licked the floor and furniture, freezing everything it touched. It came at rapid speed towards Koli. Koli tried to jump to the side to avoid it, but Laufey turned it quickly to follow him. Panting, heart pounding out of panic, he leaped as high as he could to flee. He felt a chill that touched his bones wrap around his leg in midair. His leg was frozen. He fell like a rock through water and landed on the ground on his chest with a loud thud and shatter.
A dull, throbbing pain was on his abdomen and stomach, like a Frost Beast sat on him, and worse, his breathe was straining. Koli groaned, but noticed the whipping-wind of the Casket ceased. He could hear Loki cry in the background. He tried to push himself up with his arms and legs. A jolt of pain shot through the leg that was previously frozen. As he looked down, pieces of ice were lodged into him. He reached over to heal it.

"This is a sight I enjoy."

Laufey's foot came down on Koli's hand hard.

"You, grovelling before me." Laufey spat as he twisted and pressed his foot down. "Like you deserve."

"I only... Wanted... to help... The boy."

He stepped on Koli's chest. Koli cried out in pain, purple blood [1] oozed out of an unseen cut. In the distance, Koli, with hazy eyes, could see Loki squirming and bawling on the altar. Koli reached out towards him.

"How sweet."

Koli's arm was stomped on, so hard it left a mark. Koli shouted as pain vibrated from almost every part of his body. His groans echoed in to temple. He looked to the other Jotuns, who gathered around him.

"Please..." He gasped. "Help."

His sorrowed eyes were met by cold, steely glances. Koli felt his head turned upward, he saw Laufey's cruel, red eyes. How could the innocent babe on the altar share those eyes?

"Good bye, Koli, tell Ymir to take the runt as well." Laufey spoke.

Koli saw him form his blade. Koli turned away from him and looked at the altar, Loki was still writhing and crying.

"Good bye, Prince Loki, I wish I could've been your father."

He looked back up at Laufey, then closed his eyes.

"NO!"

He heard several pounds, screams and thuds. Koli opened his eyes again. Laufey was gone, as with the soldiers. A familiar face appeared.

"Oh Ymir, Koli, I'm so sorry." Dagr spoke quickly. "I got your letter, I should've came sooner."

"Traitor!"

Koli turned his head to see seven passed out Jotuns, all of which Koli weakened before.

"I am not a traitor, as with Koli." Dagr thundered. "We only want to protect Jotunheim, from you!" Dagr pointed at Laufey.

"That will cost you your life." Laufey shouted, reaching into his bag.

He looked like he was grabbing for something. When he couldn't reach it, he flipped the bag over. Nothing came out.

"Looking for this?" Dagr asked.

Dagr held the Casket of Ancient a huge grin, Dagr faced them, pointing the box at them.

"Heal yourself, I'll take care of them."

Koli nodded. Dagr faced five Jotuns, who sprinted at him. He opened it, the ice wrapped around them, immobilizing them, but not killing them. Koli quickly removed the ice shards from his leg and healed his cuts. Dagr was punching, kicking and cutting his way through the soldiers. Soon only five out of the twenty remained.
Koli managed to stand up, even if pain still stung his arms, chest and leg. The only thought on his mind was Loki. He sprinted to him, though his leg gave out a few times. He finally managed to reach the altar. Loki was crying awfully. Koli put his palm on Loki's forehead.

"Hush little one, it's fine." He said as he bent over to pick him up.

A hard tug pulled him down. Without a moment's notice, Koli fell on his shoulder. Looking behind him, Laufey was there. His eyes were on fire, his teeth bared like an animals'. With a roar he picked up Koli and threw him back on the ground, back first.

"Why?" Laufey asked as he keeled down and punched Koli's face. "Why do you care so much for that filthy runt?!"

"That runt is your son!"

Laufey snarled to the point where he was actually foaming at the mouth. "HE IS NOT MY SON!"

"He is! You are simply in denial, you hate-mongering tyrant!"

Laufey grabbed Koli by the shoulder and hit him against the ground rapidly. After he felt it was enough, Laufey attached his wrists to the ground with ice. Laufey's face was no longer his own, it was not any Jotun he would ever see. It was a husk, filled only with anger, his face was twisted into a wide smirk, teeth showing, and eyes sharpened.

Laufey created a dagger in his hand. "I'll show you!" He tittered as he turned to the altar, where Loki still cried. "No father would kill his son!"

He faced the altar.

"No! Don't!"

Laufey rose his hands, gripping the dagger high above his head.

"Please!"

"Farewell, runt!" Laufey cackled.

"No!"

Koli felt the ice break. Ignoring the pain in his body, he created a blade on his arm. He didn't remember the exact moment it made contact. Within five seconds, Koli's blade thrust through Laufey's chest, so deep it reached Koli's forearm. He heard Laufey's dagger bounce off the altar, then clatter on the floor harmlessly. Koli, with his arm still in Laufey, bent over and picked Loki up with his free arm. He laid down Laufey, on the altar, bleeding, before Koli removed him from his blade.

Laufey sputtered. "Why..." He breathed.

He didn't say anything else. Looking down at Loki, he stopped crying, but his blanket was splattered with his father's blood. Trembling, he felt for a pulse on Laufey's neck. Nothing. Koli turned, to see all the fighting between Dagr and the others paused. They looked at him with blank faces.

"He's dead. I killed the king."

One Jotun shoved the paralyzed Dagr to the side, and ran towards Koli. "You murderer!"

"STOP!"

All turned to the entrance of the temple. A shorter, white haired man with pale skin, gold armor and a missing eye, wielding a spear stood. Other small soldiers wearing silver sprinted into the temple, pointing their metal weapons.

"Stop, in the name of Asgard." The white haired man spoke.

"King Odin." Dagr spoke.

[1] I'm not sure of the color of Jotun blood.