Testimony Given
Thor strode through the halls of the palace, on a mission, heading for the throne room where he knew his father was gathering his war council to assess the damage from the battle. It had been mere hours since Frigga had died yet there could be no rest for the king, no time to mourn his beloved wife as Asgard stood on the brink of war with the Dark Elves, as it stood defenseless.
He entered the room to see Fandral standing before Odin, Volstagg beside him with a few other men gathered. He knew Sif should be there, but apparently Odin had ordered her to keep watch on Kona, the girl confined to her rooms till her testimony be given. Yet it seemed doubtful such an event would even occur. Odin was too devastated over the loss of Frigga, too consumed with thoughts of revenge, too concerned for the Realm to focus on the testimony of one girl about a man who would play no part in the upcoming battle if Odin had anything to say about it, and that would put them at a great disadvantage.
That was one of his reasons for seeking out his father, if Asgard was truly to go to war with the Dark Elves, EVERY single asset was needed. They would need the seer's sight for the advantage, they would need Loki's skilled mind to work out a plan of action that the enemy would not see coming. And Odin was refusing both by putting off even still Kona's testimony. But that was only one reason, another was that he'd received word that Jane had been taken prisoner by Odin, locked away in a room of the Palace, much like Kona had been, and he feared the worst of what Odin would do, what he would use Jane for. It sickened him to think that not so long ago he had been a part of a group of men and women who were willing to do the same to Kona, use her as bait against Loki.
"We are still unable to restore the power shields," Fandral was speaking, giving his report, "Our artillery cannot detect them. Even Heimdall cannot see them," he hesitated, glancing at Volstagg before returning his attention to Odin, "My king we are all but defenseless."
"She's your prisoner now?" Thor called as he made his presence known. Odin turned away from a hologram of the Realm that was displaying the damage to see him and fell silent. He took a breath and nodded at the other men, "Leave us."
The men gave Odin a bow of respect before adhering to Thor's command and leaving the room, leaving the current king and the future king to themselves.
Odin waited till the last man was gone before he turned wearily to his son, "I do not wish to fight with you."
"Nor I with you," Thor agreed as Odin made his way past him, down the stairs that led to the throne, "But I intent to pursue Maloketh…"
"We possess the Aether," Odin cut in, "Malokith will come to us."
"Yes, and he will destroy us."
"You overestimate the power of these creatures."
"No," he shook his head, "I value our people's lives. Father…" he looked at the man with a hard expression, "Do you not see the disadvantage you have placed us at in delaying Kona's testimony? We could have been prepared for this attack if she'd been returned from exile when I first requested…"
"You think I do not know this!?" Odin snapped suddenly, sending his eldest son a glare through his eye.
He could NOT let Thor continue. It was not as though he didn't know what he had done, the grave error he had made in waiting so long to face Kona. He had been…scared. He could admit it, he had been terrified of what the girl would reveal. Either his son had betrayed him…or he had betrayed his son. Neither was a good situation for him, either would break his heart. He had been trying to find some excuse not to allow her to speak, because he could see it. He could see how, little by little, others were beginning to doubt Loki's intentions. Thor had shocked him with his belief that there was something they were missing, the man had been the one to banish Kona himself. Frigga had been understandable, Loki was her son as much as he was HIS. To think he had betrayed them…no parent wanted that. But…he'd glimpsed it, he'd glimpsed Sif as she had led Kona back to her chambers, there was a look on her face of deep thought. And when the girl had glanced at him, he had seen a hint of consideration, of question, had HE been right to throw his son in prison? For SIF of all people to sudden begin to belief there was a chance that what they all thought of Loki's actions might not be what it really was…it had to mean something.
And he couldn't let Thor bring it up that the attack could have been prevented with Kona's sight. She had prevented numerous such attacks in the past, ever since she was a little girl, when her visions had started off as mere nightmares, she had given them ample warning of such attacks, they had prepared, they had come out victorious with minimal losses. And this time…this time her sight hadn't been available, and Frigga, his beloved Frigga…she had died. If he had just returned her memories when she'd first arrived, refused to track down his eldest son in an effort to prolong having to confront Kona and the truth…they would have known.
Frigga would still be alive.
Thor was silent, knowing full well that his father was aware of what could have been different, of who could have been saved if only Kona had been given her memories, and seeing his father in such a tense state, he knew that bringing up Loki and how much of an asset he would be at the moment would not end well, "I'll take Jane to the Dark World," he offered instead, "And draw the enemy away from Asgard. When Malokith pulls the Aether from Jane it will be exposed and vulnerable. And I will destroy it and him."
Odin turned to face him fully now, gently setting the end of Gungnir on the ground, "And if you fail? You risk this weapon falling into the hands of our enemies."
"The risk is far greater if we do nothing. His ship could be over our heads right now, we'd never even know it."
"If and when he comes, his men will fall. On 10,000 Asgardian blades."
Thor frowned at that, at how little care the man seemed to have for the value of their people's lives now, "And how many of our men shall fall on theirs?"
"As many as I make it!" Odin shouted, furious at being questioned while he was STILL the king, this was reminding him far too much of when they'd last argued, the result of that, the events that followed, it was reminding him too much of when they'd lost Loki, "We will fight, to the last Asgardian breath, the last drop of Asgardian blood."
"Then how are you different from Malokith?" Thor asked quietly.
Odin laughed at that bitterly, "The difference, my son, is that I will win."
Thor shook his head, "Then you will need every advantage," he began, a plan already forming in his mind. He knew what he had to do to keep Asgard safe and THAT was what should be on the forefront of the king's mind, the safety of the Realm, not revenge which he knew his father was gripped with. He knew that he had to be careful in his words now, he had to give his father no cause to suspect anything. Supporting his plans would be the way to do it, "You will need every warrior, every weapon…every mind."
"I do not need THAT mind," Odin turned his back on Thor once more, heading for the throne.
"A wise king never seeks war, but is always prepared for it," Thor called to him, reciting words that Odin himself had spoken to him so long ago, making the king stop at the top of the steps his back still to Thor, "A wise king learns from his mistakes. Father…" he continued, more gently, "You have already admitted hesitation was a mistake. We NEED Loki on our side, fighting WITH us, helping us," he shook his head, "It is time father, Kona MUST give her testimony."
He hoped his slight 'ordering' of the King would not be challenged. The last time he had been so forthright with his father, so challenging he'd been screaming at the man, calling him the worst names, insulting him, just…arguing. Now…now he was just trying to get through to him, he was trying to do so calmly, to be firm and commanding but yet not overstep his bounds as next-in-line and not as the King.
When Odin remained silent, he knew he had to play the card he had been hoping not to use, knowing the wound would be FAR too fresh, "It was mother's greatest wish," he began, his voice soft, "To discover the truth, to determine the full extent of what Loki did and why he did it," he watched his father stiffen at that and held his breath, waiting...
Odin sighed, seeming to half-sag against Gungnir, using it as a support before he called out, not looking back even then, "Bring her to me."
~8~
Thor made his way down to the dungeons, needing to be quick, needing to get there and back before Odin could work out what he was doing. He doubted his father would notice really, he had left the man in the throne room, sitting rigidly down into his throne, his back straight, his face firm, but he could tell it was a front, he could tell there was far more on his father's mind than the man let on. So he knew, no matter how distracted Odin was, he really did have to be quick about this. He moved swiftly down the rows of cells, the glass still broken. Odin had ordered an immediate execution of all prisoners that had been captured, knowing there was nowhere safe to put them, and knowing that their actions had allowed for Frigga's death, keeping them all occupied and unable to help her.
He slowed when he neared Loki's cell. He could see the man within, perfectly presentable, his clothes fresh, the room immaculate, everything just…too well ordered and Loki himself…too put together. If his brother was to truly be believed, it everything he claimed was true…then the Loki within would NOT be so strong and unaffected. He would be devastated, broken, the room would be destroyed. He watched the man moving, eyed the motions, the way he moved, he could recognize a hologram when he saw one, an illusion. Having grown up around both Loki and Frigga, he knew the telltale signs of one from a mile away.
But he truly did not have time to comment on it, he had come to deliver a message and just that, "Loki," he spoke, heading for the cell as the 'Loki' within turned to him.
"After all this time," Loki murmured, eyeing him, "Now you come to visit me? Why?" Loki shook his head and Thor could see the true confusion, the true…resignation on his brother's face, the boy truly had believed he wouldn't ever come to see him, "Have you come to gloat? To mock?"
Thor shook his head, swallowing hard at how hollow the man sounded, "I come with news."
"Of what?" Loki straightened, a glimmer of…something in his eyes.
"Kona is to give her testimony immediately," he told his brother, "I am to escort her there at this very moment."
Loki stared at him a moment or two before he blinked, swallowing and stiffening, a move Thor recognized as Loki trying not to get his hopes up about something, "And so the truth will at last be discovered."
"Yes," Thor nodded, "Whatever that truth might be. It shall be revealed."
Loki nodded slowly, "You had best go," he turned back to one of the books on a small table, running his fingers along the top of it but not picking it up, "The sooner the testimony is given, the sooner…" the sooner…he had no idea. He truly didn't know what would happen next.
Thor nodded and turned to go, when Loki called out for him once more. He looked back to see his brother watching him over his shoulder.
"Thor…" Loki began, eyeing him, "I know, no matter what is learned, if…IF Kona is allowed to give her testimony," there truly was no saying of Odin would change his mind or see her and have her killed on the spot, the old king was hard to read when he was consumed in anger, "That you desire vengeance, and…" he hesitated, "If you return Kona to me," he gave Thor a meaningful look, one that spoke of returning Kona's memories and not just her physically, "I swear to you, on whatever is left of our brotherhood, that I shall be an asset in any manner you wish. I shall…submit myself to your wishes," he took a breath, "And I will kneel before you and let you deal whatever blows you wish," his glance drifted to Mjolnir in Thor's hands, "Just…give her back to me."
Thor stared at his brother long and hard, seeing the truth in his eyes, seeing the promise. Loki truly would 'turn himself in' and do what was asked of him, anything asked of him, if it meant Kona's memories were returned. If she gave her testimony or not, if she was believed or not, as long as the true Kona was returned…Loki would do whatever he wished, help the plan his brother KNEW was growing inside his mind in any way he could.
But he found he could not give his word on that, there were too many things that could go wrong, and so, instead, he merely gave Loki a firm nod of the head, Loki returning it before his brother turned away from him again, just…standing in the middle of the room as Thor turned to continue on his quest.
~8~
Gungnir thudded against the floor as Odin stood before his golden throne, the Warriors Three (sans Hogun) and Sif were stationed to one side of the room, on the stairs, Heimdall and Thor were on the other side, Kona standing on the ground before the throne waiting, not quite sure what was going to happen. She had a vague guess that not even Thor or the others knew exactly what would happen either, she highly doubted that many who had been banished with their memories stripped ever returned and had them restored.
"Kona," Odin began, standing tall before them, "Seer of the House of Odin, you stand before your King to offer testimony on behalf of the traitor Loki."
Kona's jaw tensed at that, at how they STILL referred to him as that.
"As an additional punishment to your banishment, your memories were stripped along with your title and immortality," he continued, "As such, all must be returned for testimony to be given. Therefore, I, Odin Allfather, do hereby revoke the banishment of Kona, Seer of Asgard."
Kona heard a blast coming at her suddenly before she felt it hit her, too fast for her to move. She stumbled back, knowing that the blast had come from Odin's staff, Gungnir. She could remember a similar sound, a similar blast, Thor shouting, and her falling backwards into the Bifrost…much like right then…except it wasn't Thor shouting this time, but Odin, and she while she was falling backwards from the force of it…it was to the ground and not to Earth. She hit the floor with an oomph, the breath knocked out of her, stars exploding behind her eyes as images raced across her mind. She didn't know how it was possible, for her to be able to see those moments she shouldn't have ever been able to actually SEE given her blindness. But…there they were, racing and playing and speeding through her vision. She gasped, reaching up a hand to her temples, grabbing her hair as she closed her eyes and curled up on the side from the onslaught of images and emotions and memories…
She gasped, jerking up, still on her side but braced against her one arm. She let out a breath, her eyes still closed, and shook her head of the last lingering images, of her and Loki as children, the first time she'd ever seen him…and swallowed. She took another breath before blinking rapidly, her other hand curled into a fist and pressed to her pounding heart.
"Kona," Odin called, eyeing her critically.
"I remember," she breathed, feeling tears gather in her eyes as not only was her memory of Asgard restored, but her memories of her life on Earth remained as well. It made sense that they should though, they WERE memories, new ones, ones she had none of Asgard to replace. She smiled, "I remember…"
"Rise," Odin commanded.
Kona tensed at that, at being ordered by the king, the same king who had, for years refused to allow her to return. But she did so, she stood, and turned to face him. She knew she had to do this properly, she couldn't give them any reason to doubt that what she was about to say was the truth, she didn't want them to question her statements, and spitting fire at the king and hurling well deserved insults were not going to help her. Loki was counting on her, she would NOT fail him.
Odin watched as she turned to him, her body language matching that of Kona's, her stance, the way she stood, how she clasped her hands in front of her with her shoulders back and her head high…it was Kona returned, "As your position as Seer of the House of Odin as been returned to you, as has your oath to speak the truth in addressing your king."
"I am aware," she nodded, trying to keep the bite out of her words.
"Events have transpired involving the Jotuns and the traitor Lok…"
"He is NOT a traitor," she cut in, unwilling to allow THAT to be said now that she remembered everything. She had never ever doubted Loki's intentions, even when her memories had been removed, she had always believed that he had done what he had for the good of Asgard, and now…she KNEW it was so. It wasn't just faith, it wasn't just a feeling, it was fact. She swallowed, hearing his grip on Gungnir tighten, "Forgive me, Allfather," she continued, biting her tongue, "But this is a testimony of the events. Judgment should not be passed on the parties involved until all evidence has been given."
Odin's jaw tensed at that, but he had to concede that point, "Very well," he sat back rigidly in his throne, "Enlighten us as to the events that transpired regarding Jotunheim."
Kona took a breath, "I had a vision of what Thor's reign would entail if he were to take the throne when he was meant to, if the coronation went as planned and he took up the role of king."
"And what was this vision?"
"Ruin, destruction, death," Kona continued, her voice steady, her words firm, leaving no doubt in their minds that she was speaking the truth, "For all enemies of Asgard. It was a future, I believed, needed to be prevented."
"What?" Fandral scoffed, "An end to our enemies would have been a blessing given the hell we've endured these last years."
Kona pursed her lips, "I said for ALL enemies, every single one. Whole worlds, whole Realms lost to fire. Men, women, CHILDREN, standing before Thor as he ordered their execution. Races and species that had not dared attack Asgard in centuries were among them," she explained, "I was…trying to find a way to bring this matter to your attention Allfather, as peace has been something you have striven for and yet Thor, in a matter of years, would bring it to an end and leave Asgard in a state of constant warfare."
"Preposterous!" Volstagg defended, "Thor would never do such a thing. WE would not allow it to reach such a level."
"Oh?" she looked in his direction, a calmness that Kona had always been known for in her words and mannerisms, "The same way you did not allow him to go to Jotunheim?"
"That is different."
"Yes," she nodded, turning her direction to Thor, "Thor was merely a PRINCE then," and then to Odin, "Had he been king…there would be NO power that could stop him."
"I would not open the Bifrost for such an action," Heimdall challenged her.
"So you would disobey a direct order from your king?" she turned to him then, an eyebrow raised, "Or would you perhaps find a way around it, as you did when you allowed the Warriors Three and Sif to go to Earth, knowing they were to retrieve Thor, AGAINST the order and banishment dealt by the Allfather himself?"
The room fell silent as she brought up the very…ignored fact that they HAD all broken the law in doing what they had.
"Is it not true that, by the order of the Allfather, Thor was banished to Earth?" she looked around the room, yet didn't wait for an answer as she continued, "That an act to retrieve him was synonymous to an act of treason? To disobey the law of Odin?" she shook her head, "You are all so quick to judge Loki and call HIM a traitor when, as king, he merely upheld the last command of the prior king. It is not a law that it cannot be overruled, but it IS an unwritten one that it must NOT be."
"We are not here to discuss the failings of the Warriors Three or the Lady Sif," Odin cut in, banging Gungnir on the ground.
"No," she let out a small mocking laugh, "Why would we discuss it? Their actions resulted in the banishment of a 'true traitor' and the exile of a dishonored son, did they not? Why would they be punished for actions that went against the order of the king yet 'benefitted' Asgard? Or should we speak of how Thor was ordered to Earth to retrieve ME and returned with the one that lead the Dark Elves here in the first place?"
"Kona," Thor called, a warning note in his voice, already having realized his own role in the death of his mother, in the reason the Elves had appeared there, what they were after and what his mother had died defending, but his truly was NOT the time to speak of his faults, this was about seeing Loki free. He sighed, "I will admit here and now that…I DO believe Kona's vision would have come to pass had the coronation not been stopped," he could admit that now, hearing it, hearing how she'd described it, he…he knew it was true, he knew he had been the sort of man who would have done that.
"Thor…" Sif shook her head.
But he held up a hand, "It is true Sif. A wise king can admit his faults. I proved it in my actions, in entering Jotunheim with the intention to war that I would have made a ruthless king, one eager for battle and bloodshed, with not a thought towards the people in my care. I can admit this…it is for YOU to accept."
"Continue," Odin ordered Kona.
"I was attempting to think of a way to approach you, Allfather, with the details of the vision, when I spoke to Loki about it," she continued, "He could tell something was amiss with me, and we discussed it. Loki knew I feared speaking to you of it, that you would disregard my words, Thor WAS your favored son. You and Frigga both failed to see his shortcomings far too often."
"How dare you?" Odin hissed at her, more for the slight against the newly departed Frigga than himself.
"You ordered me to speak the truth," she reminded him, squaring her shoulders and moving on, "He attempted to save me from having to explain the horrors I saw…by allowing three Frost Giants into Asgard as a distraction. He did not know they would attempt recapture of the Casket. He had merely hoped to postpone the coronation."
"He succeeded," Volstagg rolled his eyes.
"And I brought up a concern that it was merely postponed," she nodded, "There was nothing to say that it would not take place the next day, or even within the next few hours. Thor was NOT ready to be king," she said firmly, "The vision persisted. Loki swayed Thor to agree to go to Jotunheim…"
"I knew it!" Fandral shouted, "Everyone knew that to egg you to do something, Thor, all one needed to do was tell you Odin forbid it. Loki did that!"
"So Loki DID orchestrate for Thor to be banished," Sif frowned, and to think she'd started to believe that Loki might not have been the criminal they all thought he was and then they learn THIS?
"No," Kona shook her head, "That was NEVER his intention."
"Then what was?" Thor looked at her, curious, what could there possibly have been in leading him towards Jotunheim.
"He knew you would go to Jotunheim, or try to. He didn't think Heimdall would open the Bifrost, knowing what you are like," Kona glanced in Heimdall's direction, making him aware of the part he had played in all this. The man should have known better, "He did not believe that you would reach Jotunheim, but that word would reach Odin before then. That you would be stopped and that Odin would realize how rash and shortsighted Thor was and postpone the coronation longer, till Thor had matured. It was a terrible fate that you did make it to Jotunheim, that you attacked the Frost Giants. But it DID prove his point, did it not?" she looked at Odin, knowing he was looking down, thoughtful, without needing to see it "Thor WAS rash, he was shortsighted. You yourself said it Allfather, he was thinking as a warrior and not a king."
"I did say that," Odin whispered, swallowing hard as the pieces fell into place.
"Loki was devastated that Thor had been banished. But…slowly…the vision of his reign started to change, small details, little details. I KNEW Earth would be good for him, it would help him grow and mature in a way that Asgard could not. I calmed Loki from that shock…and then another took its place."
The room was silent, apparently it was wide known now that Loki was in fact a Frost Giant, she could tell from how no one spoke, "He was even more devastated to learn that," she continued, feeling tears in her eyes as she remembered that, remembered his reaction, his fear, his self loathing, his disgust, "He thought himself a monster," she breathed, shaking her head, "How could a monster care so much about Asgard's future? He couldn't. A monster would want to see that Thor on the throne and the Realm thrown into chaos. But Loki didn't. All he wanted was a king worthy of the throne…and Thor was not that man yet."
"Then why did Loki take the throne and not Frigga?" Sif wondered, that had always bothered her. The Queen should rule in the King's place.
"Frigga GAVE him the throne because he was old enough to rule responsibly," Kona told her, "If someone you loved dearly was lying defenseless and struggling," she looked back at Odin, "Would you leave them? COULD you bring yourself to leave them?" she shook her head, "Loki was old enough, he had been raised a prince, second in line, he was responsible, and…he was a SON of Odin," she looked at Odin with a hard expression, "Frigga could remain by her beloved's side while Asgard was well looked after."
"Loki was never meant to be King though," Heimdall remarked.
"Loki never WANTED to be king," Kona reminded them, "He hated it, every second. He came running to me the moment Gungnir had been given to him, begging me to look upon Thor and see if he was ready, if he could return and take up the mantle of King. But Thor still was not ready. So Loki ruled as best he could…but the love others held for Thor could not be said for Loki, could it?" she glanced at the Warriors, "You desired Thor back, and ignored the position it would put Loki in to do so. To not only overrule the last command of the prior king but his own father?" she shook her head again, "Thor was banished for a REASON, yet none of you seemed able to recall that."
"But the Destroyer," Volstagg frowned, seeing that…everything they had thought was just…falling apart before them.
"And Jotunheim!" Fandral agreed.
"He led Laufey into Asgard with the intent to slay Odin," Heimdall agreed.
Odin stiffened, THIS was the part he had been dreading to hear the truth on.
"Thor sparked a war," Kona explained slowly, needing to make sure that they all understood, "Loki strove to undo the damage Thor had done in attacking the Frost Giants. Three Asgardian guards, slaughtered by Frost Giants in the first attack. Three Frost Giants destroyed in return. There was a balance, the wergild was satisfied. But when Thor attacked Laufey and his Jotuns IN their home…it gave them the opening and the justification to attack Asgard back, in retaliation. Loki understood that the only way to satisfy the wergild this time…was to have the Jotuns attack. He would not EVER risk the lives of the Asgardians, nor of his father, he PLANNED every last detail of that attack. He manipulated Laufey into agreeing to HIS plan, he tricked Laufey into attacking Odin…so that he would have just cause to strike back at Laufey. Allowing the Jotun king so close, having the man about to kill Odin…it was defense of an open attack. And without their leader…the Jotuns would fall by their own devices. Frost Giants are ruthless, a power vacuum would have caused chaos in Jotunheim, they would destroy themselves and if not be too weak from the loss of their leader and the chaos around them to attack us. Don't you see? Loki planned Laufey's attack so that he could stop the Jotun king and have cause to destroy him."
"And destroying Jotunheim after?" Thor shook his head, "If he planned to allow them to fall to chaos themselves, why attack the Realm at all?"
"Because YOU were shouting and calling him a traitor," Kona whispered, "He did the only thing he could to show you he was on YOUR side and not the Jotuns. Destroy them all. Why would he destroy the ones who were his allies? They weren't. He wanted you to see that, he was hoping you would see that. It was the last hopeful act of a man trying to prove his loyalty. But you didn't see it. You didn't believe in him."
"And the Destroyer?" Sif scoffed, shaking, feeling ill at the thought that they had all been SO wrong, "You expect us to believe Loki didn't send it to kill Thor? To keep him from claiming the throne?"
"I JUST said Loki has never and will NEVER want the throne," Kona looked at her, "You had all gone to Earth to return Thor before the Jotuns could be brought to Asgard to begin the plan to stop the war from starting. Loki wanted to prevent the war, to keep it from happening, to…to stop it before it even began. Going to Earth, you forced us to advance the plans. But we still needed more time. The Destroyer was a distraction."
"Some distraction," Fandral muttered.
"It destroyed everything!" Volstagg agreed, "It attacked everyone!"
"Loki ordered it to destroy, yes," Kona agreed, "And to attack…but did it kill anyone?" she waited for an answer, hearing the Warriors and Sif stiffen as though realizing it had not, "He ordered it not to."
"It killed ME," Thor reminded her.
"No…I killed you," Kona turned in his direction, "You are aware I was the one in control of the Destroyer once it arrived on Earth," she took a breath, "I saw it, I saw you defending against the Destroyer, facing it down, bargaining your life for the humans…it was the sign you were ready, you were ready to be king. But I saw the vision, Mjolnir still would not recognize you as its rightful holder…because only an Asgardian could truly wield it. And you…were mortal," she looked around at them unseeingly, "Only in death is the immortal soul released," she glanced at Thor, "And only in death could YOUR immortality be restored."
The room fell silent at that.
"And that is the truth," Kona finished.
Odin bowed his head, thinking on that, on all she had revealed…he knew it was true, the way Kona spoke, it was the same manner in which she used when detailing a vision. Unbiased, honest, factual. She was telling the entire truth, everything he'd thought Lok…his son had done…had been wrong. His son was, it seemed, the one that held the welfare of Asgard highest in his heart.
"And New York?" he asked, looking at Kona, almost afraid to see if her story would change.
"It has not changed, Allfather," she shook her head, "Loki DID come to Earth for me. He intended to seize the planet to barter my return for its safety with Thor. Events came into play and he determined ruling them would be safer for ME. He did attack and he did kill, but yes…he WAS under the Chitauri control. He was being controlled by the Tesseract. He was tortured by the Chitauri, mentally and physically, his thoughts warped, his mind meddled with, to believe what they told him, to see them as his allies, and to do their bidding. But he was freed, in the end, he was freed and he went WILLINGLY back to Asgard."
Odin let out a breath at that, leaning forward in his chair to put his head in his hands, feeling something wet on the palm of one, not even needing to pull away to know it was a tear…and why should he not feel so devastated? He could see it in the expressions of the others. Heimdall, Sif, Volstagg, and Fandral appeared guilt ridden at what they'd done, what their words and vouches had meant for the innocent Loki. Thor looked almost…relieved, as though a hope had come true but him? He was…his heart could hardly bear it…
He had betrayed his son.
A/N: And the truth is revealed! :) I wonder what this will mean for Loki and Loka, I can say a very touching reunion is coming ;)
Some notes on reviews...
Lol, hope you didn't see the memories actually being returned coming ;)
I definitely agree, Loki was SO Frigga's son, that was all I could think watching Thor 2 so I HAD to put that in there :)
Kona will be in the second Avengers only if Loki is. There's a twist for the end of this story that would make it hard for her to be there with Thor :)
I agree, Thor was the golden boy and I really wanted Kona to point that out to them, that Odin and Frigga failed to see his shortcomings :) And thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the story, I hope you feel better soon! :)
Oh but if we call him out on the leg thing he might stop doing it lol :)
It definitely seems like Odin's realized how bad he's made this entire situation :) We'll find out very soon if Loki will be in chains or free to help ;)
