A/N: heh heh….. I SORRY! I really did mean to update sooner, but I obviously didn't. Forgive me! :( But I gave you an actually slightly long chapter :) Forgive me also for any and all grammar mistakes, my beta has mysteriously vanished…..
Chapter five: In which Fandral isn't a master at stealth
Loki stood behind a column, silent in the shadows, as he watched his brother give into his rage and destroy the feast that was meant to celebrate his ascension to the throne. 'I always knew Thor was a bit dramatic, but really this is ridiculous, the food never hurt anyone.' Loki thought in some amusement. The amusement faded, however, when his thoughts took a darker turn. 'But then again, neither did the two Aesir that were slaughtered today, and it didn't stop the Frost Giants from ripping through them as if they were mere insects. The question remains, how did they even get into the vault? They should not have been able to get past my senses, let alone Heimdall's or Father's. Is there some weakness in our defenses that we don't know about, or is this the work of a traitor? If so, who, and why?
Sif's voice, cool and crisp, helped quiet the millions of thoughts rushing about in his head. "Redecorating are we?" she asked lightly, looking around at the overturned table and the food strewn about it.
Volstagg pushed past her, horror evident on his face. "What's this!?" he cried sinking down onto the floor cradling a piece of bread to his chest.
Next to come was Hogun grim and silent as ever. "I told you they'd cancel it." He said with little pity in his voice.
Finally, came Fandral, acting refreshingly normal in light of the events that had occurred. "We thought that was just you being your normal cherry self."
Volstagg let out a wail, "All this food, so innocent, cast to the ground! It breaks the heart!" Fandral awkwardly patted the sobbing warriors back. Loki closed his eyes, letting his friends usual banter wash over him, easing some of the tension from his body. When he opened them again, his mind was still full of calculations, doubts, and worries, but less so then before.
'Right, priority one, prevent Thor from doing something that we will all regret in the days to come.' He thought as he slipped out from the shadows and sat on the step next to his sulking brother.
Thor glanced at him for a moment, before he turned his gaze back out onto the banquet hall, still glowering. "It's unwise to be in my company right now, brother."
"I highly doubt that it's ever wise to be in your presence, and yet I continue to do so. And who ever said that I was wise?" came the quick reply.
For a moment, there was a small smile on his face, but it quickly faded into a darker look. "This was to be my day of triumph."
Loki sighed, "And it will come, in time. But do you honestly believe that it would proper to continue your coronation today brother? Some of our people died today Thor. And as much as I hate to say it, what's more Frost Giants were killed within our border, their King will not take kindly to it." He held up a hand to ward off his brother's protests. "And yes, I realize that they attacked first, but Laufey has a deep hatred towards us, and that hate may cause him to do something rash. Father has enough on his hands without this mess, and we can't do anything about it ourselves without disobeying him."
Thor opened his mouth to counter, when he paused and looked down at Mjolnir thoughtfully. A gleam appeared in his eyes, and he got to his feet with a smile beginning to work its way onto his face.
Loki too stood up, slight panic on his own face. "No, stop there, I know that look!
Thor grinned at him, and began walking towards their friends, calling over his shoulder as he did so. "It's the only way to ensure the safety of our borders."
Loki caught up to him, and grabbed his arm. "It's madness." He hissed.
Volstagg stopped crying over a plate of meat, and looked up in interest. "Madness, what sort of madness?"
Loki flapped an arm at him. "Nothing, go back to your mourning of the poor innocent food that was ruthlessly slaughtered, Thor was making a jest."
Thor lurched out of his hold. "The safety of our realm is no jest." Turning to the others he added, "We're going to Jotunheim."
Fandral began to choke on air, "What?" he managed to get out.
Sif stepped forward, a look of concern on her face. "Thor, of all the laws of Asgard, this is one you must not break."
Fandral finally managed to get control of himself, and rasped out, "This isn't like some journey to Earth, where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god. This is Jotunheim."
Volstagg reluctantly abandoned the ruined food to stand by his friends sides. "And if the Frost Giants don't kill you, your father will."
Thor looked at them in disbelief, "My father, fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies, and took their casket. We'd just be looking for answers."
"It is forbidden." Sif said as if she were trying to convince herself.
Thor seized on her hesitation and began the task of convincing them, "My friends, have you forgotten all that we've done together?"
Loki watched in dread, and admittedly some pride, as Thor convinced every single one of them to go on this ridiculous quest. 'Not exactly subtle, but Thor does manipulate effectively. I suppose he did learn something from me after all. Now we just need to work on his lying skills and-' He shook his head. 'No, bad Loki, don't take pride in the fact that you've corrupted your brother, stop him from bringing war upon us all. Well it's too late to prevent him from going completely; he's already set on the idea. I'll just have to come along in hopes that I might stop him from being killed.'
He clapped his hands together briskly, startling the others from where they were planning. "Right I'll get the horses ready, and gather supplies then shall I?" he asked striding towards the door. He was stopped by a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to face his brother.
"And where do you think your going?" Thor asked eyebrows raised.
"Oh I'm sorry, did I not make it clear enough for you? I'm going to prepare for our journey to Jotunheim." Loki replied, shrugging Thor's hand off of him.
"Not our journey Loki, you're not coming." Thor said, crossing his arms.
"And why ever not?" Loki asked with a glint in his eyes.
"I will not put you in danger." Came the reply.
"And yet you would put them in harms way without a thought." He said gesturing towards Sif and the Three who were watching the two brothers in interest.
Thor pinched the bridge of his nose, "I trust that they are able to take care of themselves."
"Oh so you trust them, but not me?"
"That is not what I meant."
"Isn't it?"
Thor growled and clasped the back of Loki's neck, bringing their heads together until their foreheads touched. "You are not yet fully grown; I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you when you are still my responsibility."
Loki was silent for a moment, then, "I'm still going with you."
Thor pulled away, and glared at him. "No your not."
"I beg to differ."
"You shouldn't beg brother, it does not suite you."
"Nor does throwing a tantrum when you do not get your way as if you were a mere child suite you. And yet you've done it multiple times today. I suppose everyone is trying on something unflattering aren't they?"
"What does that even mean?"
"It means you will allow me to go with you."
"Listen to me well brother; you will not journey to Jotunheim with us."
Loki smirked for a moment before turning away. "Fine, I won't."
"You won't?" Volstagg asked startled.
Loki turned to him, placing a hand on his chest, and assumed an innocent expression. "Of course not, after all I must respect my crown prince and elder brother's wishes."
Thor looked confused for a moment, before nodding satisfied.
Loki quickly spun to face him, "But of course my dear brother never forbade me from journeying to Jotunheim by myself." He smirked at their stunned expressions, before he vanished.
He appeared in front of Heimdall, who didn't so much as flinch at his sudden arrival.
"Prince Loki." He acknowledged him in his calm baritone.
Loki gave a small bow, "Gatekeeper."
Golden eyes shifted towards him, "I assume that you would prefer to wait to continue on your journey to Jotunheim until the others arrive."
He gave a small cough, and stepped up to the older mans side. "Ah, so you know then?" he asked, feeling young and exposed in the face of a much more powerful and ancient being then himself.
Heimdall set his golden sword on the ground with a small thump, and leaned on it slightly, eyes moving away from the young prince to look at something elsewhere. "I know all that goes on in Asgard and the Nine Realms." He said, "All except how Frost Giants slipped past our defenses, I would like to know why it happened and how."
Loki nodded, brows furrowing. "As would I, Asgard is home to some of the most powerful wielders of magic anywhere in the World Tree, and yet our borders were breached. It does not bode well."
"No it does not." He did not say anything more, and after a moment Loki saw why. Thor, Sif, and the Three were riding towards them on their various mounts at a breakneck speed. Thor was the first to arrive, and dismounted his horse with a thunderous expression on his face. He began heading towards the two, but was stopped by Sif who had hurriedly leaped of her own horse after him.
Loki could just barely hear her hiss, "Thor, I realize that you're upset, but unless you have changed your mind about this venture, I highly advise you not to pick a fight in front of the one who controls our means of transport."
The Three had arrived and dismounted quickly after Sif, and Fandral clapped a hand to Thor's back. "She's right Thor; this is going to take subtlety and sincerity, not our usual methods."
Volstagg snorted, "Aye, but as you can see, our usual master at subtlety and sincerity seems to not be on our side at the moment." He said nodding towards Loki. "How in Odin's name are we supposed to get past Heimdall now?"
Hogun spoke up, "We pray that he is in a giving mood."
"And if he's not?" Volstagg asked nervously.
Hogun turned his cold eyes on him, "We grovel for his mercy and help."
Fandral rolled his eyes at this, "Oh, don't be so grim Hogun." He grinned at them and lowered his voice even more. "I have observed Loki for centuries; I believe I have grasped just how he gets people to bow to his every whim. Watch and learn my friends."
He turned, and began to walk towards them with a cocky grin of his face. Loki's lips twitched slightly, 'This will be amusing.'
Fandral opened his mouth confidently, "Good Heimdall."
"Your not dressed warmly enough." The gatekeeper cut him off.
Fandral sputtered for a moment, "I'm sorry?"
"The freezing cold of Jotunheim, it will kill you all in time, even Thor." At their stunned looks, he continued with slight exasperation. "You think you can deceive me? I, who watch all, I who can sense the flapping of a butterfly's wings a thousand worlds away?" He fixed his gaze pointedly of Fandral, "Or can hear a cricket passing gas in Niffelheim."
Loki's eyes widened in delight, "What?"
Volstagg elbowed Fandral in the side, "I told you, he heareth all!"
Fandral coughed awkwardly, "That was just a bit of a jest really."
Thor stepped forward, "Enough, Heimdall may we pass?"
The burning golden gaze fixed on Thor, who to his credit didn't flinch back. "For ages I have guarded Asgard and kept it safe from those who would do it harm. In all that time, never has an enemy slipped by my watch, never until today, I would like to know how that happened."
Thor began to move into the observatory, "Then tell no one where we've gone until we've returned." He paused and looked at Loki for a moment, "And send my brother back as well."
Heimdall's reply was slightly sharp, "I do not follow your orders thunder wielder, nor do I command your brother." He strode past the shocked prince, and stepped up to the platform readying himself to open the Bifrost.
Thor looked at Loki in resignation, "I thought you were journeying to Jotunheim on your own."
Loki smiled cheekily at him, "Oh, I am Heimdall just didn't want to open the Bifrost twice when he knew that you lot happened to be going to the same place I am at the exact same time."
"How did you get him to side with you?" Thor asked as they began walking towards the platform.
"We traded secrets in magic, he recommended a type of mead that he thought I'd like, we spit off the edge of the bridge, you know the usual."
Thor grinned at him, "It is good to have you along brother."
Loki smiled back at him, "I know." His smile faded once his brother turned away, and he hesitated before he reached out with his mind to one of his father's personnel guards.
'In one hours time, you are to tell my father that I asked him to come to the observatory, am I understood?'
There was a brief hesitation before the guard replied, 'Yes Prince Loki.'
He nodded and pulled back from the guards mind just as Heimdall opened the gate, and they were engulfed in millions of swirling colors. There was a slight tug, and then they were hurtling downward at the speed of light. They pulled upward abruptly, and then landed. Loki looked around wide eyed, at the white, unfamiliar landscape. He took a steadying breath to calm his nerves, 'Welcome to Jotunheim.'
