The Enemy of my Enemy
- Chapter Seven -

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Thor held his stance as his father's war council discussed how best to make their move against the Dark Elves, but he did not speak another word. As he listened to the Allfather talk of throwing the whole of Asgard's might against Malekith's army, he closed his eyes, slow-burning anger coiling within him.

For all his scorn, the Allfather was doing exactly what he'd accused his own son of; reacting out of grief and desperation. He would lay waste to his entire army for an effort that gave no guarantee of Frigga's return.

There had to be another way.

With the Allfather's mind set, the meeting lasted only as long as it took him to declare his orders and set the wheels in motion. The army would move out.

A hand clapped Thor on the shoulder. He snapped his eyes open to find Volstagg standing before him. Thick fingers squeezed his shoulder. "Are you well?"

Thor offered his friend a smile. A nod. But could not bring himself to say a word.

Volstagg's eyes narrowed. "I know that look in your eye, Thor." He murmured low, so that the men who filed out of the room could not hear. "Would you be scheming, perchance?"

"You make me sound like my brother." Thor meant it as a joke, but his tone fell flat; the words hit too close to the truth.

"Indeed." Volstagg muttered. "Well, you know where to find me, should you need my assistance."

Thor nodded, clapping a hand on his comrade's shoulder as he moved away, his eyes now on his father who stood deep in discussion with Tyr, Captain of the Guard.

Tyr was dismissed as Thor approached, his eyes sliding away from the Crown Prince as they passed. Odin had told the council he had already sent guards to intercept Loki and Jane, but Thor knew that to be a lie. The order had just now been given - he had seen it in the set of Tyr's jaw; in the way he had refused to meet Thor's eyes.

That meant Thor still had time to reach them first, or persuade Odin to change his course.

"Father -"

"Oh, you do have a tongue?" The Allfather's expression was tense and unforgiving as he turned to his son. "And here I thought sentiment had struck you dumb."

Thor swallowed hard. Such words were not usually delivered to the Crown Prince by the mouth of the King. He understood suddenly, where Loki had learnt his razor-edged insults. And how.

Forcing back a pang of sadness, he stepped forward. "Father, there is another way into Svartalfheim. The path you told me of - the one you urged me to lead Frigga and Jane through. It leads to Svartalfheim, does it not?"

"No."

Odin's denial echoed the room like the resounding thud of his staff, Gungnir. An authority that could not be argued. But still, Thor pressed on. "It does. I remember…"

"You remember nothing." Odin insisted. "That path is a dark path, filled with many twists and turns. Most hidden by those who do not know how to seek them. The first turn - the one you would have taken - leads to the mountains, beyond the city. There, you would have been safe. But to try and find the path to Svartalfheim…" Odin shook his head. "No. I will not allow it."

"Tell me why!" Thor roared. Memories of their last argument - and how easily his father stripped him of his status and sent him tumbling to Earth - rose to his mind as he tried to temper the force of his frustration and despair.

Drawing himself up to his full height - even as he leant on his staff for support - Odin held himself steady and resolute. "If you take the wrong turn, it could lead you into Hel itself. And even I will not dare tread there to bring you back."

"But Father, you told me yourself to take them through, and yet you gave no indication which path to take..." Thor faltered, broken by his father's unyielding will.

"No son." Odin turned away, the conversation closed. "I forbid it."

Thor held his tongue against further argument. He would prove his father wrong. He would find a way to reach Frigga without throwing every last Asgardian upon Malekith's wrath. He would find a way to save them all.

But he would need his brother's help.

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They walked in silence. Loki striding ahead, Jane rushing to keep up while keeping several steps between them so as to avoid conversation. Not that any words exchanged with Loki could go so far as to be described 'conversational' at the best of times - which made for another reason to avoid him.

This end of the palace felt ancient and abandoned. Unlike the light, open plazas of the main living areas, these corridors were grim and unloved. Darkness stretched into alcoves and beyond pillars. Torches lined the walls and threw out fiery light, but cast even longer shadows.

Jane shivered as she peered into them, apprehension a tight lump in her throat. Anyone could be watching them, waiting for them to pass before launching an ambush. And if that were to happen, could she rely on Loki to protect her from their assault, or would he simply save his own skin?

"Much as it pains you to bear my company, you might want to stay by my side - least we meet with your marauder."

So intent on staring into shadows, Jane nearly walked into Loki, who had stopped to await her approach. She stared blankly up at him before processing his words. "You mean, the one you invented?"

"Must we go over this again?" he sighed as they continued. "You know, I really miss how things used to be between us."

"Excuse me?" Jane stopped walking. "You mean with the way you would joke at my expense and demean me every chance you could get?"

"Is that what you think?" Loki sounded almost genuinely surprised. "I thought of it more as an exchange of wit. It's been so long since I've met someone who can keep up with me..."

"Uh huh." Jane muttered, disbelieving. She picked up their walk again. "Well whatever. Let's just get to wherever the Hell we're go-"

Then Loki was grabbing her arm and sweeping her towards the shadows, causing her to half-trip on her feet until he lifted her from them.

"What the hell Loki!"Jane pushed against him, mindful of the dagger she still clutched tight in one fist.

"Stop struggling you idiot! Someone's coming!"

His face was stern and determined and she held her tongue against any further admonishments until he planted her back on her feet. They stood within a dark and narrow alcove; unseen from the wide pillared corridor.

"Move along then." Loki said curtly as he shooed her towards the darkest corner of roughly-hewn stone and pushed himself into the space she'd just vacated.

Great. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Cursing beneath her breath, Jane fumbled to work one arm around Loki in order to hand back the dagger - least she find herself committing a clumsy murder-suicide in the darkness. With the weapon plucked neatly from her grasp, she pulled her arm back; both hands now curled into fists before her chest as she awkwardly tried to stop her body from having any more contact with the Trickster than necessary.

"Well if there's anyone out there, they'll see your pale face a mile away." She muttered into the back of his long leather coat; tired and fed up at being dragged around and pushed about.

"You're quite right." Loki whispered, and she wondered at the lightness of his tone until he turned so that she found her balled fists now pressed against the soft fabric at his chest; the sharp scents of leather, lanolin, and something crisp and neat and distinctly Loki invading her nose. Was that really necessary?

It was cramped to say the least, but as she opened her mouth to protest he met her eyes with a shake of his head, one finger against his lips. Reluctantly she nodded, her fingers fumbling nervously against the soft wool of his tunic until he sighed and cupped his palms over them, holding them still. The situation was uncomfortable, to say the least, and for several long moments they stood in silent vigil, avoiding each other's gaze and awkward proximity.

Try as she might, Jane couldn't hear a thing outside of their breathing, and it wasn't long before a niggling suspicion began to grow within her head; maybe this was all just one of Loki's stupid games. She wouldn't put it past him to drag her off into this dark recess just for the pleasure of furthering her discomfort in his presence.

Convinced his caution was all a bluff, she began to tug her hands free of his grasp, with the thought that she might at least try to wrap them around his lying throat..

And then at last, the echo of approaching footsteps. Many of them. Jane spared a glance to Loki, only to be met by his satisfied smirk. "See?" He mouthed silently, and she gritted her teeth, reminding herself there'd be plenty of time to smack the smartass from his face later - when she had room to take a decent swing.

The heavy ring of footsteps drew closer and Jane held her breath as she waited for the figures to come into sight; stretching up on the tips of her toes and finally needling Loki a little to one side in order to peer through the shadows beyond him.

"Why do we bother hiding, if Heimdall can scry us anywhere?" The question slipped out louder than she intended, and she caught Loki's disapproval as he pressed his lips together and shook his head.

Then he leant in so that his warm breath ghosted her cheek, his words a bare whisper. "I cast a cloaking spell as we ascended the dungeon stairs. It shields us from Heimdall's gaze, and will hold so long as no one sees us in the flesh."

She nodded tightly as Loki drew away. Then the footsteps took substance. An entire company of Einherjar soldiers flowed past; their yellow coats swishing softly as they marched, their steps brisk and purposeful. Jane grinned in relief and pushed against Loki, but his long fingers caught her wrists and held them tight; keeping her in place.

"Now is not the time for acting the fool." He snapped in a whispered rush. "Think about what you're doing."

"Are you out of your mind?" Jane twisted her wrists, frustrated at her ineffectual efforts to escape his grasp. "They can help us!"

"Help us? They could have us both killed!" Loki hissed. "For treason!"

"You're being paranoid!" She scoffed, though her voice rose in alarm. "For what reason would they execute me?"

Loki winced and glanced over his shoulder, his stance suddenly tense and alert.

As the echo of briskly-paced footsteps reverberated against the walls, Jane's gaze dropped from the sharp angular features of Loki's profile to the long pale fingers that still held her fast within their cool grip. Hands made to wield a pen or a piano, she thought. Not a weapon.

Then she sucked in a breath and held it, matching his stillness as they waited in edgy trepidation for someone to inspect the shadows as they passed.

Thankfully, the soldiers marched on, unaware of the two fugitives pressed tight into the darkness. When their footfalls faded, Jane dragged her eyes up and away from the hands that held her own, releasing her breath with a shuddering sigh of relief.

With threat of their exposure gone, Loki released her and stepped back, giving her room to stretch her arms without the press of soft wool and hard leather against her.

"In future," he said suddenly, his tone conversational, "you might want to keep your voice down when we're trying to evade capture."

"Capture?" Jane jerked her head up, locking her gaze with his own. "Well forgive me for not knowing until now that we're on the run!"

"You're supposed to be smart." he pursed his lips, "I thought you would have worked it out for yourself by now."

"Hey, here's an idea." Jane fought to keep her voice low. "Perhaps you could stop treating me as if I should automatically know how things are run around here, and explain!"

Loki tilted his head to one side, his expression thoughtful. "Fair enough."

"And maybe you could try it without all the petty insults!" She continued, half-surprised that she'd just won his agreement on the last request.

"Might be pushing it there." He smiled. "I do so enjoy arousing your temper, Jane Foster." Dipping his head closer, Loki wet his lips with his tongue; teeth flashing behind a wicked smile. "You are so deliciously feisty when you're angry."

And then he threw a hand up to her mouth, effectively smothering her fierce protest before it could escape her lips. "Calm yourself." He said with a soft chuckle. "I'll do as you wish. An explanation - without insult."

When he released her with a cautioning frown, she dragged a hand up to her neck, massaging away the goosebumps that had risen unbidden across her skin. "You're a sleaze." She stated resentfully.

"I'm an opportunist." He corrected, amusement dancing in his eyes. "In every sense of the word."

"Save it Loki." Jane closed her eyes for a moment, wishing Thor would hurry up and find them so she wouldn't have to be trapped alone with his crazy brother any longer. "Just get on with telling me why I shouldn't be running for the guards right now."

Loki gave her a long hard look. She wondered if, behind that inscrutable poker-face, he was ridiculing her inwardly. More than likely, she figured.

"The first thing I can tell you is that Frigga has indeed been taken from the Palace. This much I was able to uncover while searching for your Maurader. Furthermore, we can have no doubt Odin will by now be aware that you travel with me. That company of soldiers would have been sent to the dungeon to intercept us."

"But I've done nothing wrong!" Jane fumed.

"Really? You left Frigga in the midst of battle, and ran to free a prisoner. One who has committed the heinous crime of trying to follow in his foster-father's footsteps, I might add."

"You can't truly think to excuse what you -"

"Ah ah!" Loki held a silencing finger to his lips. "Let's not argue. You wouldn't want me to retract my promise and insult you again, would you?"

Jane pressed her lips into a thin line and held her tongue. "But Frigga told me to go to you! Not to fight the Maurauders - I kinda lied about that. She believed you would lead us to safety!" She managed at last.

Loki hesitated, surprise springing to his eyes for just the barest moment before he had it blinked it away and compartmentalised. "Can you prove this?"

The curt question reminded Jane of every criminal drama she'd ever half-listened to, and she shook her head morosely, understanding dawning.

"Well then, if you cannot prove your claim, where do you think it leaves you?"

"Beneath a swinging axe?" She offered sickly.

"Precisely." Loki studied her face amid the shadows. Headstrong thing. She'd contest any accusation against her to the bitter end, but she lacked the ability to see the bigger picture.

"Surely you understand enough of Asgard's royal family by now to know this situation would present the Allfather with the perfect excuse to kill two pesky birds with one stone?"

Jane stared, wordless. "I don't understand."

"Yes you do Jane, think. The Allfather doesn't want a common mortal for the next Queen. Nor does he want me waiting in the shadows for another chance to seize the throne. Between us we have effectively presented him with the perfect excuse to be rid of us once and for all. And not even the mighty Thor can contend him on charges of treason." His smile glittered in the near-darkness. "Now do you see where I get my ruthless cunning from?"

Jane opened her mouth to reply, and for a moment the words caught in her throat. "Surely Heimdall would know what really happened?"

"Perhaps. If he weren't too pre-occupied with trying to locate the enemy. Or maybe he swept the Queen with his gaze only long enough to see you leave her side in the midst of attack - and run straight to me." Loki tilted his head to one side, as if struck by a new thought. "Gosh, I wonder what Thor would make of that?"

As Loki's insinuation sunk in, Jane's expression froze, aghast. "But that would look…. Thor would think…"

"Yes." Loki replied, and she could hear the satisfaction in his tone. "Indeed he would."

"Oh god!" She groaned into her palms and slumped back against the wall. "Oh god…"

"Look at it on the bright side." He continued cheerfully. "You no longer face an eternity of walking in floor-length Asgardian dresses, or the need for elaborate hair styling. Neither of which are your forte."

Jane lifted her face from her hands and shot him a fierce look, though it only encouraged him to smile wider. "Seriously Loki? Can you quit it for like, a moment?"

"I'm sorry." He offered in his most insincere voice. "I'm as horrified as you at the thought of Thor believing there's anything between us…"

Cringing, Jane closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall. After a few calming breaths, she recognised Loki's mischief-making for what it was. Of course Thor would never such believe a ridiculous scenario!

But still, her skin crawled at the thought.

Finally she opened her eyes to find Loki silently assessing her. "You said Frigga believed I could lead you to safety. Why?" His tone was suddenly sharp; inquisitive.

She forced herself not to shrink beneath his gaze. This was something she probably should have brought up well before now.

"There's a secret tunnel, or something, in the dungeons. Your mother told me to use it." She frowned, trying to remember exactly what Frigga had told her in those frantic moments before the Marauders burst through the golden doors. "Actually, she told me we should use it - it was why she wanted me to free you."

Loki stared blankly. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"She said you'd be able to find the way." She huffed impatiently. Then the rest of Frigga's instruction occurred to her, and she remembered why she hadn't told Loki sooner. "We just need Thor to break it open."

"And therein lies the problem." Loki curtly remarked. "Asides from the fact I have no idea what you're talking about, we don't happen to have Thor at our side right now, do we? And even if we did, an entire company of Einherjar stand between us and the dungeons."

"So why don't we just take our chances with Odin? We can try to explain..."

"Is that a joke?" He scoffed. "Do you think I have welcomed freedom from my cage only to be thrown into it once more?"

"Well stop treating me like an imbecile and come up with a plan yourself!" Jane exclaimed, her voice ringing off the walls.

"Fine. As you have obviously failed to notice, there is a door behind you." Loki stepped closer so that Jane's nose almost made acquaintance with his chest, and reached around to softly rattle a door knob behind her. "This alcove is an opening to a servant passageway. One of many within the palace walls, all interconnecting."

"Yeah that's great." She pushed him back a foot. "because cornered in a narrow alcove with you isn't bad enough - you have to get me lost within the palace walls as well."

"Don't be ridiculous." Loki admonished. "I know these passageways better than the staff. We will make our way to the kitchen where there is a servant door leading out of the palace."

"And then what?"

"And then we take the mountain path to Svartalheim, find Frigga for ourselves, and clear our names of this treason!" Loki stopped with a sigh. "Or clear yours at least. I'm still going to be damned to the executioner's block no matter what I do."

Blanching at the casual manner of which he spoke of his own fate, Jane's voice lifted in surprise. "And why would you care for what happens to me?"

"I don't." He answered simply. "But I do not wish to be forever on the run from Asgard's might. If I'm destined for a cage, at least I can try to win imprisonment rather than execution - saving you may be of benefit to me one day when Thor sits upon the throne."

"Uh huh." Jane muttered, not altogether convinced of the plan.

"Now come on, I'll go through first."

Grasping Jane's waist, Loki made to shift her curtly out of the way so that he could sidle towards the door. It was a quick, seamless movement, one neither gave thought to until the passage door swung open, causing them both to jump in startlement.

"Loki!" A figure moved into the doorway. A towering blonde giant came into view. "Jane!"

"Thor!" Loki cried. And then he released Jane's waist with a soft push.

"It's not what you think." The trickster said, his tone placating, hands held before him in entreat. "She kissed me first."'

"What!" Jane screeched. And then she did hit him. In their confined space, she brought up a fist and struck him square on the jaw. The force of it sent a jolt of pain up her arm, and if the situation were any less mortifying, she would have been proud of herself. Then she turned to Thor; a dozen denials scrambling for purchase upon her tongue. "There was no kiss!" she managed at last.

Even in the semi-darkness she could see Thor's expression remained stunned. She turned on her heel. "For god's sake Loki, tell him you were joking!"

"Ooh." Loki rubbed his jaw, feigning hurt. "Your woman is a feisty one, brother. I like her."

Jane's jaw dropped as Loki turned his heated gaze upon her. It was all theatric, she struggled to remind herself. But as she scrubbed a hand across the back of her neck, angry and uncomfortable beneath Loki's lavish grin and Thor's scrutiny, she felt suddenly like an object of sibling rivalry.

"No." Jane whispered sickly. "It's not like that at all."

"She's right Thor." Loki purred, glancing between them to await their relief before continuing. "It was I who laid the first kiss. She delivered me the second."

"What the hell is wrong with you!" Furious, Jane caught Loki's gaze in the semi-darkness and held it with a fierce desperation that silently begged him to recant his words. But the trickster merely returned a grin, his eyes glittering with mischief.

She glanced quickly to Thor and the breath hitched in her throat at the indecision in his expression. Could he really believe his brother's ridiculous insinuations?

"Jane," Thor began, "I do not want to believe my father's suggestion that you have been won over by Loki's charm, but... I fail to understand why you have released him, why you travel together, and why you hide from Heimdall's sight?"

"Thor!" She cried. "Come on, how could you think that I would ever…"

The words stopped on Jane's tongue as she thought of Loki's earlier insinuation - of how questions would be raised as to why she had freed him. Just what suggestions had Odin made, she wondered, to facilitate Thor's doubt in her?

"I could never do such a thing!" She tried again, outrage mounting. "Loki is… He's a monster for crying out loud!"

A monster. Jane regretted using the word as soon as it flew from her mouth. Loki deserved it, of course. It was the truth! Still, as the echo of her outcry faded, she became aware of the heavy silence that hung between the three of them. Not even a breath stirred the air.

"I'm sorry," Jane murmured, vehemence turning to ash in her mouth. "I just..."

Loki blinked and lifted his chin higher, drawing backwards as he straightened his shoulders. "Don't flatter yourself. It takes more than your petty words to wound me."

And then he was snapping his attention to Thor. "I suppose you'll be happy to return me to my cell?"

Thor glanced from one to the other; perplexed. Finally, he said with some reluctance, "I've come to seek your help. To bring our mother home."

Loki raised a brow in surprise. "Surely Odin has sent his warriors to find her? Why are you not among them?"

"The Allfather will see every last drop of Asgardian blood spilt in effort to assault Malekith's own stronghold. But there is another way into Svartalfheim, and for that I need your help."

Loki's expression was guarded; distrustful.

Thor continued. "Jane is not safe in our company. It's best we find a way to return her home, then search for Frigga ourselves."

Jane perked up. "That sounds -"

"Ridiculous Thor." Loki scoffed. "There is no time. Nor is there a safe way for your mortal to reach Midgard except for the Bifrost. Do you truly think Heimdall will let Jane pass if we ask kindly enough?"

"Of course not." Thor agreed reluctantly. "Father accuses Jane of treason."

He paused as Loki gave Jane a pointed look, to which she sucked in a breath and looked away with a shake of her head.

"Already he has sent guards to search for you." Thor finished with a frown, clearly perplexed.

"Yes, they passed us shortly before your…" Loki paused to watch Jane until, sensing eyes upon her, she looked up to meet his solid gaze. Then with a quick turn of his lips he flashed a malicious grin and added, "...untimely interruption."

"Quit it!" Jane hissed, before quickly turning to Thor. "They're the reason we ended up hiding in this alcove. The only reason."

Thor nodded, after a beat. "The Palace is in lockdown - soon there will be no servant entrance or aqueduct unguarded until you are found."

"So we take these passageways now - right now." Loki urged. "Then we find a skiff, escape the city and head to the mountains. From there, I know of a hidden path into Svartalfheim. We must reach Frigga before it's too late."

"Now hold on." Thor boomed. "Do you know something of why Malekith has taken her? And how would you glean such knowledge?"

"We found the body of a Dark Elf." Loki pressed his lips into a bitter smile. "Even an idiot such as yourself can surely determine the cause of their attack. They want the darkness that resides within the Queen."

Thor ignored Loki's insult and pressed on. "And what do you know of this darkness, Loki?"

The trickster hesitated. "Now is not the time. If Heimdall had his eyes turned upon you when you came upon us, he will know of our location by now. We must reach a skiff quickly."

"There is another way." Thor interrupted. "Surely you recall it - in the dungeon? It is a labyrinth, from Father's account, but it's likely our only hope."

Loki frowned. "You and Jane have both mentioned this path, and yet I know nothing of it. How can that be?"

"Jane knows of it?" Thor's voice rose as he looked to Jane in surprise.

"And this is where my explanation about why I freed Loki comes in." The words tumbled from Jane's lips in a rush of relief. "You see, your mother told me -"

"We have no time for your excuses." Loki silenced Jane with a wave of his hand, as if swatting a fly. She shot him an indignant scowl, which he ignored. "The guards descend upon us - I feel it in my bones. Whatever this path is, we must go to it - and quickly."

"Is there a servant passage to the lower floor?" Thor asked.

Loki nodded. "Of course. But little good it will do us now. And as you said yourself, soon there will be guards at every conceivable exit."

"Hmm." Thor's face was unreadable. "But they will not expect you to return to the dungeons. Even if father suspects you might use the dark path, he knows only Mjolnir can break its seal. As soon as he discovers I have disobeyed his command, he will know what I mean to do, but for now -"

"Asides from the fact I have no recollection of this dark path you speak of," Loki interrupted, "surely Heimdall already knows you have found us and has given warning - even as we speak?"

"He knows, yes." Thor began, his voice heavy with reluctance. "I told him myself. But he will not have yet given warning"

"What?" Loki blinked. "But he swore an oath - do you mean to tell me I was not the only King he would betray? Or have you come here to betray us?"

Thor frowned. It felt to him as if a rift had opened up, with Loki and Jane on one side, and he on another, and he was desperate suddenly to bridge that gap. "I am here to aide you, brother. As I am here to aide Jane. She, of all people, is innocent in all of this."

"So now we stage a coup against the Allfather." Loki arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"Heimdall understands what's at stake - for both Frigga and the entire realm, if we follow the Allfather's plan. He will hand himself over to the guards soon enough for his part in this treason. But for the moment we have a window of opportunity."

"To get to the dungeons without being caught by the guards who are searching for us?" Jane asked bleakly.

Thor offered her a wan smile. "Precisely."

"And travel through some kind of labyrinth that could lead us Norns-know-where?" Added Loki.

Thor met Loki's scepticism with a wide smile, and he clasped his shoulders in sudden camaraderie. "One more adventure brother, for old time's sake?"

Loki snorted; peeling Thor's arm off of him. "And how do you propose we begin this adventure, given that we're currently trapped in an alcove, with two hundred Einherjar scouring the palace to find us?"

Jane turned upon Thor, eyes lit with an idea. "Can't you just pretend we're your prisoners and march us down to the cells?"

"They'll never believe it - I've defied father too many times." Thor reached out and cupped a hand to Jane's cheek. "Especially as far as you are concerned."

Jane placed a hand over Thor's own and gave it a squeeze. His words made her feel both exhilarated and terrified, and she bit her lip against a nervous smile.

Beside them, Loki bounced on his feet impatiently. "Really not the time for this." He interrupted crisply. "Window of opportunity, remember?"

"Do you have a plan then?" Jane closed her eyes and leant in to Thor's touch; wishing for not the first time that Loki could simply…. Go away.

"Actually," he snapped, "I do."

And then he grabbed Jane roughly and tugged her towards him; away from Thor's grasp. She heard a clink of something metallic, and looked down to find a pair of rune-inscribed handcuffs fastened tight around her wrists.

As Thor stepped forward with a roar, Loki shoved Jane behind him and turned to meet him. Another clink, and Thor also wore a pair of cuffs upon his wrists. Conjured - it seemed - from thin air.

"Tada!" Loki's face lit with a wicked smile. "Well, it looks like you're both my prisoners now."