War is an ugly word. It conjures images of mass death and suffering. Most would like to avoid it, if at all possible.

The Aesir were no different in this respect. They were truly abhorrent of war, and when Odin had suggested that war be waged on the Vanir, there were outcries of protest.

There was no call in particular for the Vanir to suffer the might of Asgard. There was no good reason for there to be bloodshed.

"But, my Father, my Lord, the Aesir are not keen for war," Thor had requested an official interview with the King.

"Aye, however, it is not their place for concern, is it Thor?"

"No. But…"

"There is no reason, then…" Odin slid off the great throne and walked toward his son. "And even if there was a possibility for reconciliation…"

"Yes?" he was eager.

Odin cleared his throat. "But you are married, Thor. That was part of the disagreement. You know this."

"Nay. What was the catalyst?"

Odin let a small and deliberate exhale through his nose and turned away. "I was partaking of drink with Golllveig and one thing was said, and then another…he reminded me of Sigyn…"

Thor rolled his eyes. "That miserable wench! What of her?"

"We had spoken many years ago of the mutual desire to have the two of you wed in a communion of Realms…"

"Aye. And I married Sif. And that was the cause of the discord?"

Odin shrugged and turned away. "Gollveig is a determined, if not foolish, King. He gets an idea in his head, and there is no reasoning with him."

"Odd behavior for a King," Thor replied sarcastically.

Odin turned at this. "And what of you Thor, son? What is your solution to this problem?"

Thor hadn't wanted to go to Loki with this unfortunate news.

He stood there, looking at his brother; his brother who had just arrived in the garden outside of the palace.

"There might be another way, Loki," he repeated.

"What other way? My magic…"

"Nay. Nothing like that," Thor smiled. "You recall that Gollveig has a daughter."

Loki's face contorted with recollection of the maid. "Aye, indeed. She is something. Quite the lovely vixen, she."

"The Vanir King wishes his only daughter to be tied in matrimony to Asgard."

"You are married…"

"You are not."

Loki's face fell. Surely not…"A second son?"

"Loki…you are a Prince of Asgard."

And now he was angry. "I am a Prince of Asgard when it suits the throne! I am a Prince when Asgard needs a second Prince! I am overlooked much more often."

"Do you not wish to serve your Kingdom?" Thor said with a hint of worry.

"I serve my Kingdom every day, Thor. I am tired of serving Asgard. I am not going to simply be married off…" he swore and turned. "You were able to marry for love. Am I to be denied such a luxury?…of course. I am denied all else."

"But there is no one whom you love," protested the Thunderer.

"A fine illustration of your eye, brother. Of course I cannot be in love," he paused, looking with contempt the elder Odinson. "Of course," and he waltzed nearer him. "…for who would love me, hm? Second in everything. A seidr-wielder, is to be feared, not loved," he swallowed. "Never loved."

"Such drama, Loki."

And Loki reared back, and channeled his magic toward Thor; it glowed and flew into his chest, pressing him to the ground. Loki went over to him, and put a foot to his chest. "Drama, is it? You have no idea," and Loki turned and left Thor there.

Thor smirked at the scene. "I think that went well."


Loki went to his chambers in a state of utter confusion and anger. To think that he, he was being considered to marry Sigyn of Vanaheim. She was a terrible Vanir…lacking in the proper discipline to use her magic. Spoiled, unsophisticated…

It would be the ultimate, final sacrifice, to marry this princess. Odin would have nothing further to say on the matter, on his loyalty to the Realm. He would have given it everything…everything…

And his mind wandered to the small maid who had spent a bit of the night previous in his room. Did he love her? Perhaps. But he wouldn't think about it. He couldn't afford to.


Loki made his way to the enormous throne room to find Odin there, sitting in his opulent splendor. "Father," he said, bowing. "I understand that there is something that Asgard asks of me to avoid terrible war."

Odin nodded. "I take it that Thor has spoken with you."

"He has."

"And what did he say?"

"That Gollveig needs a husband for his daughter."

Odin nodded. "What say you?"

Loki looked at his feet and swallowed. "I cannot."

The King made no response, but rose and left the chamber.

And the second son was left to his thoughts in the yawn of the Hall.


Such existential questions do arise from such problems! How much duty does a monarch have to his Realm? Where does that duty end? Does it have an end? Perhaps that is why royalty live so lavishly, because they give their whole selves to the people. They abandon their free will in favor of doing what is perceived as best for the Realm.

Loki thought about his decision to not go through with the marriage, and thought that perhaps it wasn't selfish.

Perhaps he simply wasn't meant to be a Prince.


There was discord among the higher ups in Asgard's royal rooms. Some wanted to plow through the Vanir with unfettered resolve and might. Some wanted to talk more. Still others wanted to take the Tesseract housed deep in Asgard and smite the Vanir to oblivion.

Loki, all the while, sat taciturn and tepid. He wanted to give neither counsel nor comfort. He felt as though everyone there was expecting him to stand up and offer himself as a sacrificial lamb.

…and he thought of Jane…and her wit and mind…the manner of her accepting his magic, so hesitant and awed. He thought that if he had ever cause to love another, it would be prudent for him to love her.

He cleared his throat. "What say the King?"

Odin observed the Prince. "I was hoping that your would offer your acumen on the matter at hand, son."

Loki smirked. "I have no sagacity to boast of."

"Then do not boast, and give us your opinion," Odin sat up.

"It is my belief that war is never necessary, often bloody, frequently severe, sometimes cruel, occasionally misdirected, once or twice valid, and never peaceful."

Odin rolled his eye. "Thank you, Loki. That was most illuminating," he turned to Thor. "And you…rising King…"

(Loki squirmed at this and felt nauseous)

"…what are your thoughts on this?"

Thor's eyes flicked to his younger brother…he too, cleared his throat to prepare for speech. "Asgard has been placed in a difficult position, Father…Vanaheim's King is bullying our people, mocking our throne. However, an honest advisor would never claim that war would benefit the Realm. I must then say, unequivocally, that I am opposed to any fighting wherein many Aesir might perish."

There were mutterings among the council.

"Would you submit to fighting on foreign soil?" Odin asked.

The warrior Prince heard this with a keen ear. "I would more readily than here on Asgard."

Loki's eyes narrowed as he observed his brother from across the room. "Would you have us travel to injure them? Nothing would prevent the Vanir from coming here and doing the job. They have vast armies, some say larger than our own. It would be nothing for them to come to Asgard whilst we are in the midst of battle, and destroy our Realm."

"They would not dare do such a thing," said Odin.

"This is war we are discussing, my King. The formalities observed in other matters are disregarded when war is on the table," he stood. "And yet all of you sit here, speaking as though we are building a house of cards. I see it as it is. It is not simply a matter of going to their Realm and leveling it."

Thor rose. "Would you disobey your King, Loki?"

"I would if it were a fallacious order," he glared at them all and left the Palace.

He strode along the stone passageways out into the gardens, and then beyond. If he were honest, he would admit that he was looking for a certain lady, but he was a lie smith, so there's that.

Loki found himself, before long, in the marketplace and entered a pub house brimming with mirth and song and liquid sumptuousness. He slumped into a wooden booth and ordered an ale.

He fiddled with his fingers.

He rubbed his face with his hands.

It couldn't be reconciled, he needed to see that. He would either need to marry Sigyn or fight in a war. He would never be granted what he wanted…Thor had been given that honor. Of course.

He exhaled slowly.

"'Ere's your ale, misser."

"Thank you, it's been a long…" he looked up warily.

And there was Jane Foster smiling at him. "Well, is this proper for a Prince?"

"Jane…" he whispered. He swallowed…."Sit, please."

She slid into the bench across from him. "Well. You've had a long day?"

His eyes fell. "I have, yes."

"I haven't seen you since…well. Since…"

"I recall," he smirked.

"Of course," she blushed and poured herself some ale.

"Do you work here?" he asked her incredulously.

"No," she laughed. "No…I was meeting Lady Darcy here. She likes it here, and…well…"

"You saw me."

Jane nodded. "How are you?"

Loki took a draught of the beer. "I've been better, Lady Foster."

"What is the matter?"

"War is brimming."

"I've heard," she looked down and swallowed. "But will it happen, truly?"

"It would appear so."

"May the Norns spare us," she exhaled deeply. "Will you fight?" she looked uncertainly at him…

His eyes met her gaze. "Will you cry?" he smirked.

"Mmm…aye," she replied. "For whom shall I dance with in dark gardens henceforth?"

He chuckled. "I must needs go. Both Princes shall…and Thor so recently married. Princess Sif is likely in a state."

"War is ugly…and its visage all the more so for the young and recently wed," Jane observed.

"True," he laughed…and couldn't believe for a moment that he was laughing about war with someone, then thought about who he was sitting with and understood. "Though I do not welcome his smile, Jane. I'd sooner see the scowl of the ages."

"To be sure. But wouldn't it do your mind some good to have a maid sitting by a brook throwing blooms into the winding water, beating her breast, lamenting you and your touch?"

"Only if you were the maid."

"Consider it done, my Prince," she laughed. And then her face fell. Her eyes dropped. "But I would never wish for you to go to war. You must know that."

Loki felt every muscle tense. "They want me to marry," he said in a low, choked voice.

"What?"

"Marry. The Princess…I have refused, and they want war."

"Surely not."

"It happens all the time, Jane," Loki began. "Royalty married off is a state matter. It is considered my duty."

"Then how can you refuse?"

"I can refuse because Thor so recently wed for love. I can refuse because Thor is on my side, in a matter of speaking. I can refuse because the Queen loves me, and would treat me as Thor's equal."

Jane looked out of the window beside her. So complicated, this loving a Prince business. And yes, she loved him…despite her better judgement. "Well. That is generous of the Queen."

"She is a good sort."

"How can she be?" her voice rising slightly. "How, when she'd send her sons to fight in a ridiculous war to die? How can this be justified? The poor…the commoners…they will all die while Odin and Frigga sit on their thrones and sip honey wine. My father, had he been a younger man, would have been summoned…and I would have been orphaned. This will happen! This all will happen, and over what? A disagreement between Kings over whose prick is bigger!" Now she shouted….

And Loki took her hand and led her from the pub. "Check your tongue, Miss Foster. You may have your opinions about these goings on, but they cannot be publicized throughout all of Asgard," he hissed as he ushered her into the alley. "We are on the precipice of war. Broadcasting anti-war sentiments is not considered politic at present."

"I don't give a damn about what is wise or proper! We are talking about war! And people will die! You might die!" she heaved.

Loki grabbed her at that and kissed her soundly….his hands starting at her shoulders, then massaging her neck softly. "Jane Jane Jane…" he muttered, pulling away.

"Don't go," she sobbed.

"If I stay, I must marry Sigyn."

"And if Asgard is victorious?"

His eyes flitted from one end of the alley to another. "That may be my only hope."

"Then win," she said simply.

He sighed. Then chuckled. Then he began to laugh. "As you wish."

Jane returned his laughter through her tears. "Well…shall I see you before you go off to fight this war?"

"Aye, if you desire it."

Jane nodded, and went inside the pub with Loki following. "Might I trouble you for an ink pen and parchment?" she asked the keep. And with that, she wrote her address and gave it to Loki. "Have you any idea when the war will be declared?"

He took the proffered paper and folded it. "Within a fortnight."

"Then I'll be seeing you within a fortnight," she smiled.

And she left the pub.

Loki stood there a moment and then took a seat at the bar. "Another ale…nay. Whiskey," he said.

There are some occasions which call for whiskey.

Almost certainly leaving for war after discovering one is in love is just such an occasion.