A/N: Well this is why I prefer Safari over firefox, but sadly my computer does not agree... I had edited a good portion of this, put in author's notes, and was going along my merry little way when I hit a button that would have normally sent me back to the beginning of the sentence, but instead shot me back to the previous page without saving. I really hate firefox and I really wish my computer would stop hating safari...

So, previous A/N when something like this: Because I update the stories you tend to hear from me, but that doesn't mean that Gabrielle Day does not weigh in on notes. After last update's notes, she would like me to insert an evil laugh for her, along with this: "You're welcome for the new fandoms!"

Oh! Also, is anyone on ArchiveofOurOwn dot org? It's apparently invite only and we would love to get on it and share these stories and others there as well. If you haven't checked it out, do so! It's a nice little site. Once again, hat tip to Gabrielle Day for the alert to it!

Chapter Six

Jane felt herself fall until she landed on the cobbled street just outside of the palace. He hadn't sent her far, but by the looks of it he had given everything he had to send her there. She looked back, regret gripping at her and refusing to let go. She might as well have killed him herself. Looking around, she found she was alone and far enough away from the main street not to be immediately noticed. Using the wall to brace herself, she pulled herself to her feet and hugged her arms. Loki would be executed and plunge Asgard into war with these people and all because she fell prey to the whims of a sorceress.

"Think, Jane, think. There has to be a way..." Across the street stood a cart, unattended by its vendor. From it's beams hung fabrics of all types and colors.

Jane watched it for a moment to see if the vendor returned. When they did not, she pressed her lips together and moved forward. As she confidently strolled by, she plucked several solid fabrics and continued walking. No one stopped her; no one cried out against her.

When she exited into the street again from another alley minutes later, no one would look twice at her, just another women in the streets outside the palace.

The palace Jane now headed for with utmost speed. She did not know how she planned on stopping a royal guard and saving Loki, but she would do everything in her power to try.

Getting into the palace again was easier than she thought, using the laundress entrance and slipping by the other ladies. Now all she had to do was find the place they kept prisoners set for immediate execution. As she slipped down another corridor, she failed to see the other cloaked figure headed the opposite direction.

Her memories were somewhat muddled, as if trying to pull details from a dream after waking. She stopped and flattened herself against a wall as guards passed in front of her. Dark eyes widened when she heard Loki's name being dropped.

She would have darted off in the direction that she had come from, but someone caught her wrist. It was everything she could do to stay silent as she was pulled back, just in time as another set of guards marched by.

"You must be Jane."

She looked up. And up. Lyall grinned down at her, Hogan by his side.

"What did he do, make a trade?" the prince asked.

"Who..."

"He is helping us," Hogan answered quickly, eyes narrowed and glancing about for any sign of danger. "Come. We must get you to safety."

"But... But it's my fault." She steeled herself, reminding herself that it would do a friend no good to break down here. "Listen, they're going to kill him."

"They can't without my father's permission," Lyall answered.

Jane gave him a questioning look, and the tall prince grinned broadly. "The king," he acknowledged.

"But they said the king was gone for nearly two days. That's why they're talking about killing him."

"Then he's left since breakfast," Lyall answered uncertainly. "Hogan, get her out of here. I'll help our mutual friend. I may not be king yet, but I have some pull."

"I am not going anywhere." Jane said firmly. "I am responsible for getting him into this mess and I will not be shuffled off to the sidelines because I'm a girl."

"It is not because you are a woman. It's because you are human." Hogun said. Unfortunately it did not have the calming effect he had hoped.

"Just because I'm not some mythological creature doesn't mean I'm completely useless. Now, we're wasting time. What are we going to do to save Loki?"

Lyall's expression was one of both exasperation and appreciation. "Stubborn, I'll give her that. Here, Hogun, take her to the tower we were just in. Let me go see if I can stop this nonsense. If not, I'll come to the courtyard where you can see me and we'll go from there. Until I can figure out what's happening, it won't be of use for a human and an Asgardian to be seen running amok. Deal?"

Jane narrowed her eyes and finally nodded. "If you're not back in half and hour, we're not waiting any longer."

Lyall grinned. "If all human women are as feisty as the two I've met, I think I may have to marry one."

Jane had no time to ask what he meant by having met two of them as Hogun took her elbow and led her back down the hallway.

Loki was not convinced that he preferred to be conscious at the moment. He had come to with a headache, his body feeling the utter depletion of energy once more after the semi-failed attempt at rescue and escape - the rescue had gone well enough, it was the escape part that had him concerned now. While he had been unconscious they had replaced the shackles with magic-binders, dampening his skills almost to an unusable level. All that, and it was the muzzle that sent him into near panic.

Memories flashed back of his embarrassing return to Asgard after the Tesseract debacle. They had muzzled him like a wild animal, making sure that he would remain silent until they deemed it fit for him to speak. Now, as guards at least twice his size entered the very small cell he felt completely defenseless.

"It has been many years since an Asgardian has graced us with their presence, nevermind a son of Odin. We've heard of your misadventures, Loki of Asgard. You are a considered a threat to the safety and wellbeing of those who live in the Vale. As our King is not currently in residence, we have the right to act in the best interest of the kingdom while he is gone. You will be executed; your body returned to your Father for burial." The first guard said, giving the official decree. Then he smiled, the look crooked on his face.

The second guard stepped closer. "We will also send our regrets that there was a struggle and our men had to defend themselves."

"Well, we probably won't send our regrets. But it is a shame that the Trickster tried to fight back. There was no choice, our soldiers acted within their rights to protect their lives."

Loki forced himself to breathe normally through his nose. He remembered these kinds of comments from his youth, the justification of an unfair fight. Moving carefully until the back of his heel touched the wall, he braced himself.

One guard grabbed him and he was suddenly in the middle of the floor, face pressed against the cold ground. He had no way to fight back with his hands bound so tightly and his magic cut off. He rolled once, dodging a blow, but was caught on the other side by the second guard. He would have let out a pained noise, but the gag muffled him and he merely squeezed his eyes shut.

There was a sound that caused him to look, one guard suddenly against the wall and the other looking at their attacker. Loki saw him fly across the small space, Mjolnir crushing him against the wall before returning to its owner. Thor stood in the entrance of the cell, cloak pulled tightly around his face, but there was no doubting his presence.

He was at his brother's side in an instant, working the gag off first. Loki winced and licked his lips when it came off, feeling relieved before the anger caught up. "What the hel do you think you're doing here? Now you'll be a part of this!"

Thor's hands stilled for the briefest of moments, but the second he went still a chill ran through Loki that didn't quite thaw when Thor moved once again. His fingers were deft in releasing the bindings at Loki's wrists and hauled the younger to his feet without saying a word. He pushed Loki towards the door, checking back only once to make sure neither of the guards were moving. In the hall, Thor guided Loki down a corridor.

"Where is everyone? There should be more guards." Loki said. A moment later they passed a group of men unconscious on the ground. "Oh. I see." They continued on until the silence became more than Loki could stand and he stopped, reaching out and grabbing Thor's arm. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Thor looked at him, the blue eyes shadowed by the hood of the cloak he wore. "There is nothing to say. There is nothing, Loki, that I can possibly say to the fact that you think I would leave you to be beaten to death by Vale guards to spare myself becoming embroiled in a situation that I am already up to my neck in. You must think so little of me."

"Thor, I did not..."

"Stop. Be silent. I know that you think I am no great strategist, that I am no great manipulator, that I am not clever and quick like you. Maybe you are right. But after all..." Thor stopped and took a deep breath. "After all we have endured together, that you would think that I would put anything above your safety or that I would not be able to rescue you without causing an actual war tells me what you think I am capable of. Or incapable of."

Loki again reached for him when two figures appeared at the end of the hall.

"Well, well. Two princes in the wrong palace. How convenient." Amora greeted.

Regardless of the cold words, Thor took a step in front of his younger brother. Loki found himself staring at his back, lips not obeying his command as to the thoughts that ran through his mind. I have every faith you brother. His mouth simply would not take action as he stood, still a bit stunned by the elder prince's words and the sinking feeling that they caused deep within him.

"Let us pass, Amora," Thor boomed, standing to his full height. "We will go home and forget all of this."

She snorted. "Must have gotten your pretty thing out, hmm? No matter. I will find her. Skurge?"

The man at her side towered even over Thor as he stepped forward, axe held ready.

Loki did reach out this time, hand light on his brother's shoulder. Thor glanced back, a momentarily acknowledgement that they would deal with the former issues at a later time. It would do neither of them any good to focus on hurt feelings and land themselves gravely injured. Or worse.

As Skurge surged forward, Thor thought it might be much worse.

The axe came down with such a force that Thor might have thought to be impressed under different circumstances. He brought Mjolnir up against it, blocking well, but even so he could feel the vibrations of the strike down to the marrow in his bones. Thor backed up two steps to undo the knot keeping his cloak about his neck and threw it off. His hair was pulled back in a knot at the base of his neck, a look he had not worn since his younger days, but had donned for the sake of disguise. He crouched slightly and advanced, unable to keep a small smirk off his face.

"Are you so desperate to die by the hand of an Asgardian? Admittedly, I will kill you more quickly than the woman will." Thor said.

Skurge snarled and attacked again. Thor again met the blow, but used the contact to push the Jotun back.

Amora appeared behind Loki, her hands sliding over his shoulders, her breath against his neck. He tried to turn, but found himself rooted to the spot. Amora clucked her tongue.

"Now, now, you wouldn't want to waste this front row view of your brother's murder. Think of what a boon for the Vale this story will be. The valiant Thor, unable to let his brother be rightfully executed for theft of a Vale treasure, breaks into the palace to save the younger prince only to be betrayed by him and slain in the halls. Luckily, the Vale guard will happen by in a few minutes and will dispatch of such a villainous creature. This will of course leave me to dispose of your happy band of Warriors Three and reclaim the rest of the jewel from the human girl." she murmured.

Loki jerked against the magic binding him, feeling for weakness in the spell. He pressed a frustrated breath through his nose as Thor lost footing against Skurge.

"At a loss for words? Thank the realms. I'd wondered if that part of the spell would work." Amora said, sounding pleased.

Thor threw the hammer, the well aimed blow catching Skurge in the chest. The giant grunted, but recovered more quickly than Thor had anticipated. The blond reached out his hand to summon Mjolnir to him, but not quickly enough. The blunt side of the axe came down on the prince just above his shoulder, the blade mercifully facing up. Skurge then swung it up and to the left, catching Thor in the side of the head with the side of the blade. Blood arced almost gracefully as Thor fell to his knees.

Loki felt anger boil within him and he struggled against the restraints. He could speak, there was no issue there, but there was no point. Amora was all but immune to his illusions and all of his effort was going in finding the crack he knew was there. It had to be. Amora never created anything entirely solid. There was always an underlying instability, often hidden behind a beautiful smile and a clever look, but if he focused all of his anger -fear - against it he might just find that fracture.

There.

Amora was physically thrown back as the spell shattered, leaving the younger prince of Asgard nearly stumbling forward. All he could see was his brother, laid out across the stone flooring. Blood had already begun to soak blond hair and Loki wasn't sure how bad the wound might actually be. He wasn't moving and he wasn't able to fight, but Skurge was approaching with full intent to kill. There was no fully formed plan in the trickster's mind as he raced forward, nearly falling over his own feet in his rush. Only a destination.

Skurge was almost on him as the ice staff formed up in Loki's hand, solidifying and swinging. It didn't have the strength of Mjolnir, and certainly not with its hasty creation, but he met the axe in the air with determination. It shattered in his hands and he stumbled back, illusion of himself fading as the blade bit through it.

Thor's blood was thick on Loki's fingers as he knelt over his brother. His attention was divided three ways, part of his mind ticking off time as Skurge approached again, part of his mind sensing the gathering magic around Amoura, and the rest of him screaming protest at Thor's stillness. Green eyes moved between the three. He was almost out of time, and he could only choose one to bring his magic against, he had not the energy to teleport both Thor and himself away. More footsteps at one end of the hall drew all eyes and Loki felt sick when Darcy appeared.

"Dude, where...oh." she said, eyes wide.

Behind Amora came the shouts of the Vale guard, but when they surrounded her, the did not seem inclined to stop her. They carried the glazed look of those who had fallen for her pretty words and deadly smile. Amora pointed at them.

"Kill them." She said.

Loki glanced down at Thor to find his brother looking at him and felt a twinge of hope flare within him.

"Get down." Thor rasped.

Loki ducked low and Thor reached over him, Mjolnir rising off the ground. Skurge, still focused on the brothers, did not see or hear the hammer in time and it caught the giant square in the back before coming to rest in Thor's hand. Loki helped pull Thor into a sitting position.

"We have to move," he said, watching the Vale guards advance from the end of the hall. "Now. Darcy, run!"

"But Jane!"

"She's outside! Come on then!" Loki snapped as he helped to steady his brother's attempt to stand. The elder prince swayed dangerously, the younger catching him to the best of his ability and pulling one arm around his shoulders. The fact that Thor didn't pull away, didn't argue that he was more than capable of fighting each of the soldiers single-handedly - much less making an escape - without his brother's help was enough to cause Loki's worry to heighten. He glanced up to see blue eyes dull and unfocused. "Thor?"

"I'm here," the blond said through gritted teeth.

They started towards the door, Darcy with them and looking very uncomfortable at the turn of events. "Uh, boys, we have trouble."

They weren't going to outrun them. Not like this. They had barely reached the door and Loki could see the smile perking the edges of the Enchantress' lips. He eased Thor so that he could lean against the wall, urging Darcy to move closer in case he needed help. "Watch him."

"Yeah, 'cause I can catch him."

"Just... keep him awake."

"Where the hell are you going?"

"To deal with our problem," Loki answered with more confidence than he actually felt. He turned and green eyes met blue. "I'm sorry," he whispered very quietly.

Loki did not watch long enough for any response before turning to Amora. If he could finish her, or at least put her out of commission the spell on the Vale guards would be broken. Better to deal with the law of the Vale than murder by magic. Bringing up his hands, the familiar staff formed between them and he moved away from his brother.

Darcy moved back and peeked around the corner only to see more Vale guards coming. "Damn." she breathed. She went back to Thor and grabbed him by the upper arms and shook him slightly. "Hey, you with me? You're going to need to keep it together for a little longer, dude. Creepy lady over there has a whole mess of men looking to kill for her."

Thor reached to his side and pulled a long dagger out and handed it hilt first to the young woman. "It's all I have to offer you as far as a weapon goes. I will do my best to defend you."

Darcy stared up at him as her fingers closed over the weapon. It felt heavy in her hand. "I've never killed anyone."

"No? Not even with a taser?" Thor teased gently.

Darcy rolled her eyes. She went to look again. "There's more coming from the other way, but they don't look...there's a young guy with them. Hey! That's Hogun. And Volstagg! Volstagg!"

The guards were set to clash at the hall's opening, and Thor had no doubt the fight would spill over to them. He firmed up his grip on Mjolnir and forced himself away from the wall just as Darcy cried out and ran into the fray.

"Darcy!"

He saw the blast of magic cut through the air and strike Darcy in the chest just as Volstagg reached her. Had she not been standing there it would have hit the Asgardian warrior. Volstagg caught her as she fell, and then Thor could not see them anymore as the two sets of guards met in the middle and he was caught up in the charge as it came down the hall.

He recognized Lyall almost immediately, standing taller than most of the warriors that stood by his side. He no longer wore his charming and boyish smile that seemed the only way the Asgardian prince had seen him since their arrival, but his lips were pressed firmly together and thin, eyes narrowed and brows knit in understanding of their situation. He turned to Thor, hand clutching a long staff that looked to be of Dwarf craftsmanship, much like many of Asgard's more notorious weapons. "Thought you could use a hand," he stated easily, expression still unchanged even though his words were as light as they could have been.

Thor nodded, feeling the world sway dangerously. "Perhaps when this is all over, if your father doesn't put both Loki and I on the gallows for it all, our nations may be friends after all."

"I hope so. I think I've grown rather fond of you two." He paused, looking out. "Lady Sif and Fandral are bringing another group around the west entrance. She won't be able to control them all. Where's your brother?"

Blue eyes shifted to where he could no longer see Loki amidst the chaotic battle. "He went to take care of the central problem."

"Can he defeat her?"

"He'll have to."

Loki fought his way through the walls of soldiers. As men grew closer to Amora they seemed caught up in her spell. Soon they wouldn't know who was their friend and who was their enemy if things kept going in this fashion. He kept barriers around himself to the best of his ability as he ducked through the throng of angry warriors fighting each other. He needed to save his energy for the battle that was smiling at him whenever he caught a glimpse through her human shield.

The younger prince of Asgard breathed deeply, focusing everything he had into one last push and he all but fell through the last layer. Amora was standing, hands on her hips and looking straight at him. She was beautiful, but that spell had never worked on him, much to her irritation when they were younger.

"Loki. I wondered when you would be joining me. How is my beloved feeling?"

"Amora, you must stop this," Loki tried to warn. It wouldn't work, he knew that it wouldn't, but he felt as if he should at least give it his best effort.

"Oh dear," she purred, her heels clicking against the hard flooring even through the rumble of battle. "I do believe you've convinced me. I think I shall down my arms and turn myself in. I've seen the light." She snorted and grinned devilishly. "Oh, I am sorry, Loki. That's you that can't finish anything up. Tell me, is it better being beaten into the ground if you feel you're doing it for some greater good?"

"Enough," he growled and they clashed with an explosion of magical power that seemed to cause the entire room to pause, even if for only brief moment.

Amora smiled darkly. "It will be so great a pleasure to kill you, Loki, and to crush the life out of your precious golden brother. That is if I have to bother. Some of the men I had time to outfit with a certain magic of their own. Very powerful spell, that one. Kills those of Asgardian blood instantly."

Loki frowned. "How would you give someone else that ability?"

"Some of those here in the Vale have an undiscovered propensity for magic. A shame I did not know of it before, they are a great untapped resource. And as much as I would like to deliver the blow that would tear Thor's heart apart and cease its beating, it is not necessary. A victory is a victory."

"I'll give you the stone." Loki said. The words were out of his mouth before he even had time to seriously consider it, but he lowered his staff and straightened his shoulders. "I'll give you the stone, Amora, if you will end this."

"How sweet. It is, my darling, too little too late." She gathered magic in her hands and Loki braced himself for the hit.

"Darcy! Darcy?" Volstagg cried her name as he pulled her out of the way of the brawl. She was limp in his arms, head lolling and hair falling loosely over his arm. He knelt in an alcove and cradled the side of her face. His thumb stroked along the side of her face and his throat felt tight. It made no sense in Volstagg's mind how she could be lying so still in his arms, how she could have appeared in the midst of a battle like an angel only to take such a hit. "Oh, my sweet. Darcy, please." he murmured.

With a gasp, her eyes flew open. "Ow." She blinked and grabbed his arm. "Volstagg?"

He blinked, almost owlishly at her for several long seconds. "Darcy?"

"Ow," she complained gain, loudly this time. "Ow! Damn that stupid bitch. Please tell me someone's killed her already. If they haven't, I might try my hand at it. In a minute. Ow."

"Is she alright?" Sif asked as she threw one of the bewitched men into the wall, glancing back at the couple.

"Yes, but how?"

"How the hell should I know?" Darcy snapped back.

"You're lucky she took the blow and not you," Lyall said from the other side, battling his own men. "The blow was meant to spill Asgardian blood. She'll just ache for a bit."

"Just ache?" Darcy growled out. "Listen you-"

The prince of Vale couldn't stop the short laugh that escaped his lips as he was forced to dodge another blow. His expression immediately returned to an almost pained focus on defeating those that were attacking without doing any real harm. It was a delicate balance that they might try to achieve, but in reality found little hope for it if they were to stay alive.

He pulled back, eyes searching. He saw the elder prince holding his own - if only barely - towards the door, blood caked on the side of his face and hammer swinging in broad, mostly controlled strokes. The younger... He didn't see the trickster at first glance. The dark haired prince was lost amongst the crowd, as was the blonde Enchantress, which didn't seem to bode well.

Lyall moved with grim determination towards Thor once more, who was looking worse by the moment. He assisted in dispatching two possessed guards, buying them a moment of time. Lyall reached into his pocket and pressed a small object into Thor's palm.

"What is this?" Thor asked.

"A gift from your lady. She thought it may be of use to you."

Thor looked at the object in his hand, one half of a beautiful stone, before closing his fingers around it. "She is safe, then?"

"Yes. She will be very cross with me, but she is safe."

Thor nodded and slipped the stone into his pocket. "Thank you, my friend."

Lyall nodded, and their time was up. Sword and hammer swung and blocked and fell in easy tandem. After a moment Thor turned to look for his brother, but could not see him. He turned to Lyall.

"Have you seen Loki?"

"No. I looked for him but I could not find find him."

"Hogun will fight here with you. I must find my brother."

Lyall nodded. "May you both be safe."

"And you."

Thor started forward, making a pathway for himself almost out of sheer determination. Loki would be fighting Amora. Amora would be at the center. It wasn't difficult to understand why no one had laid eyes on his brother since he'd gone after her.

The golden prince of Asgard took a deep breath, ready to barrel his way through the masses when the entire atmosphere seemed to shift. It felt very similar - and yet different - to when his father silenced an entire room. Everything went still and he could feel a rush of magic cross over them, nearly sending him toppling to his knees. The battling Vale warriors ceased their warring and stared at each other as if they had come out of some horrific nightmare. All eyes turned to the entrance of the grand room.

King Hoenir was tall, even if not in the same lanky way that his son was. His presence demanded respect and he stood glowering over them.

TBC

A/N: The infamous and seemingly elusive King Hoenir. So many questions, so few answers. I can name a couple people who will yell at us for this...