Chapter 6

A King's Decision

Allison's POV

The next day, all I see of Loki is when he comes to meals and then he leaves before any of us are done. He's acting oddly cold and distant, but I chalk it up to the fact that he's mourning for his brother.

After he leaves dinner, I lose my appetite yet again and stand up to leave. I decide to go and talk to Sif and the warriors, who are still in the healing room. With Volstagg weakened by that Frost Giant's touch, Fandral all bandaged up because a Giant impaled him with his icy blade, they're stuck in the healing room. Sif and Hogun simply have colds, but they've been keeping the others company.

I take the platter of untouched pheasant. "Does anyone want this?" I ask the silent and mostly empty table.

The Queen looks up. "No, darling. Why?"

"I'm going to go visit Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. They haven't had food yet today and I assume Volstagg is going mad," I joke lightly and the Queen actually smiles for the first time since her son was banished. She waves me off and I go to the Healing Room, where I find Loki there too.

"We should have never let him go!" I hear Volstagg arguing.

"There was no stopping him," sighs Sif.

"I bring food," I cut in and they all reach for some, thanking me.

Fandral chews thoughtfully. "Well at least he's been banished, not dead. Which is what we'd all be if that guard hadn't told them where we'd gone."

"How did the guard even know?" questions Volstagg through a mouthful of pheasant. I see Sif grimace slightly at the sight of the food rolling around in his mouth.

Loki speaks up. "I told him." I turn to give him a questioning stare. He glances at me and looks away.

"What?" gasps Fandral.

"I told him to go to Odin after we'd left. He should be flogged for taking so long. We should have never reached Jotunheim," declares Loki.

Volstagg stands and exclaims, "You told the guard?"

"I saved our lives. And Thor's. I had no idea Father would banish him for what he did," he defends.

Sif approaches him. "Loki, you must go to the All-Father and convince him to change his mind."

"And if I do, then what? I love Thor more dearly than any of you, but you know what he is. He's arrogant, he's reckless, he's dangerous! You saw how he was today. Is that what Asgard needs from its King?" He walks off. I touch his cheek lightly as he passes, trying to make him think straight, but he brushes me off and keeps walking. He's heading down to the weapons vault. I consider following him, but I decide he needs to be alone.

"...may speak for the good of Asgard, but he's always been jealous of Thor," says Sif.

Volstagg looks torn. "We should be grateful to him. He saved our lives."

"Laufey said there were traitors in the house of Odin. A master of magic could bring three Jotuns into Asgard," suggests Hogun.

"Don't be ridiculous," I snap.

"Loki has always been one for mischief, but you're talking about something else entirely," agrees Fandral.

"Don't pick on him. He's in a fragile state of mind," I tell them.

"How could you stick up for him?" says Hogun.

"How could I not? I've known him for a shorter time than you have but I know him better. I've tried understanding him. You'd do good to try and do the same," I say slightly coldly and leave the room as well. I run up to my room and fall facedown on my bed and wonder what the hell is happening to Loki. I am certainly right to do so, for I don't see him at all the next day until nighttime.

Loki's POV

As I am thinking about my new title and everything that it entails, I can't help but feel incomplete. Isn't this what I've always wanted? To be sitting on the throne? No, it's more than that. I want my father to feel proud of me. And only then will I want to be king. After all, if I'm a Frost Giant's son—Laufey's, no less—I should have to work twice as hard to prove I am worthy of the position I already have. I am formulating a plan just as Thor's friends show up. Allison is right behind them and I tense, wondering how she would take the news.

"All-Father, we must speak with you urgently—" says Sif and she cuts herself off upon seeing me.

Allison steps forward, giving me a horrified look. "Loki," she says quietly. "What've you done?"

"My friends," I greet slightly sarcastically.

"Where the hell is Odin?" demands Allison, narrowing her eyes.

I ignore her hostile tone. "Father has fallen into the Odinsleep. Mother fears he may never awaken again," I say regrettably.

Allison stares at me and says, "Odinsleep?"

"He has fallen into a sleeplike state from which he may or may not awaken," I explain.

She nods, seemingly understanding what I mean. "Then let us speak with your mother."

I shake my head. "She has refused to leave my father's bedside. You can bring your urgent matter to me." I stand, gripping my new scepter. "Your king."

They stare at me at first, then reluctantly kneel. Allison is the only one who remains standing. She shakes her head slightly to indicate her disappointment. I ignore her again. She would never love me again if she could find out exactly who my sire really is. Who would?

"My King," begins Sif, "we would ask that you end Thor's banishment."

"My first command cannot be to undo the All-Father's last. We're on the brink of war with Jotunheim. Our people need a sense of continuity in order to feel safe in these difficult times. All of us must stand together. For the good of Asgard," I add.

Sif stands to object, but Fandral stops her, saying, "Yes, of course."

"Good. You then awaiten for my word," I order.

Volstagg then says haltingly, "If I may, beg the indulgence of your majesty to perhaps reconsider—"

"We're done." I give them all a glower and they stand to leave, with Allison giving me a look that unsettles me.

"Wait, Allison."

She stops. "What, Loki?" a certain softness has entered her voice now, entirely different from the belligerent quality from before.

"Come here."

She turns back and approaches me. "What?" she asks again.

"Let's take a walk," I say vaguely. I take her by the waist and steer her in the direction of the palace exit. When we arrive outside, I begin talking. "What with the stability we so need right now, I can't afford to see a rebellion starting and not do anything about it."

"And I agree. But why are you telling me this?" she asks, furrowing her brow.

"Because..." I pull her to my side and transport us to the Bifröst. She looks around.

"Why are we—" she stops and turns to look slowly at me, her beautiful blue eyes searching for answers in mine.

"I can't keep you around if the people are to know that not even one of my strongest influences can affect my rule. Furthermore, they can be reassured that nothing can stop me from protecting my kingdom."

"Whatever happened to 'My first command cannot be to undo the All-Father's last'?"

"Ah, but you weren't the All-Father's last command. You were a seven-year-old decision. And now I shall send you back," I declare and open the Bifröst. I glance at Allison and see that her blue eyes have grown hard and unforgiving of me. Yet still, they have a beseeching look in them that's begging me to let her stay. I shove it out of my head and banish her from Asgard forever. As she is thrown into the portal, I immediately feel a pang of regret. I quell it and return to the palace. That night, as I try to sleep, I feel her blue eyes piercing through space, through the walls of the palace, and watching me. Her eyes haunt me as I sleep.

Allison's POV

I land on my back in hot, dusty landscape. I look around, not quite knowing where I am, then I realize this is Earth. This is Earth, where I've been missing the past seven years. I set my jaw and transform into my eagle form. I start flying, not sure where I'm going, but I just do. After a half-hour, I notice an odd white construction composed mostly of tunnels. I fly directly over it, glancing down into a large square opening in the middle. There seems to be some scientists examining something built into the ground. I dismiss it and fly on, but then I decide to take a second look. And sure enough, there it is. Thor's hammer, Mjolnir.

What is it doing there? I wonder. Then I remember Odin tossing Mjolnir out of Asgard. It must've landed somewhere else besides wherever Thor did. I decide to find him. After all, they can't pull it up out of the ground. It's useless. It suddenly starts pouring rain then and I am nearly blinded. I can't go anywhere while it's raining so hard so I fly down to the white thing, into one of the openings and transform into a fly. I don't want to, but I have no choice if I want to remain hidden. I zip around, not looking for particularly anything. Then I hear grunts and punching sounds in the distance. I follow it and round the corner. And I fly right into Thor's face.

A/N: Sorry I haven't been updating very much recently, I've been busy. I love all the reviews I'm getting! More, please :D

Oh, and I have a new story called Taken. It's a One Direction story co-authored with my fellow FF author and friend! Please read and review :)