Loki touched down in Jotunnheim grateful for the familiar cold of his home world. He shifted back into his natural blue skin and let the freezing air deflate the excitement from his neither region. His countrymen watched him with muted interest as he made his way back to the palace to speak with his father. The satchel at his side is full of rolled parchments needing the King's approval. Hopefully Laufey will not protest any of the agreements Loki has made.
Though his crimson eyes are made to see in the dark, it is still an adjustment after two weeks in the sunny realm of Asgard. He should have seen Helblindi hiding in the shadows, damn it all.
"Well hello there little brother. I trust you enjoyed your time in the land of our greatest enemy." Helblindi snickers at Loki.
"Fuck off you useless spare."
"I am a general in our father's army you worthless runt!"
"You couldn't lead a rat out of a cage." Loki is marching as fast as his short legs will carry him to the interior chamber. That was another thing Loki has relished. In Asgard everyone around him is his height. Here he feels intimidated by everyone that is at least a foot taller than he.
"What's in the purse? Payment from all the Asgardian soldiers you whored yourself to? I imagine being around people with cocks small enough to fit your tiny twat must have been thrilling for you."
"Your class and grace are impressive as always Helblindi." Loki pushes the large door open to enter the inner chamber to Laufey's throne room. Laufey is sitting on the throne listening to Bylestir give an account of Jotunnheim's food stores, treasury holdings, and unemployment report. Loki smiles at his perfect timing.
"Ah, Loki how was Asgard? Did you learn anything that might be of benefit to our realm?"
"I did not survey their defenses as you asked. I instead forged new trade agreements with Alfheim, Vanaheim, and Svartleheim. I have here 10 new contracts for various construction projects across four realms. These projects will employ 5,000 of our skilled laborers and pay them well. I have also negotiated an exchange of resources. Our wood in exchange for food stuffs and minerals. They will bolster our economy and fatten our treasury. I give these scrolls to sign and approve."
"You said four realms yet you only listed three."
"Yes, one of the contracts of labor is with Asgard. Father, Odin wishes to begin the process of normalizing relations with our realm. I am of the belief he wishes to return the Casket to us, that we may rebuild our world properly."
"What is the nature of this contract?"
"A dozen Jotunns are to go to Asgard to work on repairs on the south wall of the city. It was originally constructed by our ancestors and Odin would like it to be fixed properly. He said if this project is completed without incident there will be others and then after that…maybe…other diplomatic negotiations can be made."
"You are young and naïve Loki and you do not know the Allfather as I do. This is surely a trap meant to give him excuse to go to war with our people again. Should anything happen while our people are in Asgard they will be blamed and war will come. No. I will not take on Odin's little project."
Loki feels a wave of disappointment flood his chest. He didn't want to tell Laufey about his romantic entanglement with Thor, but without that information the man is coming to a logical conclusion that Loki cannot deny. Were Loki sitting where Laufey sits, he would make the same decision.
"You are wrong father. There is more. While in Asgard I caught the eye of his son, Prince Thor. He courted me during my time there. We are both of the mindset to marry. Odin is fully aware of our fondness for one another."
Laufey's eyes go wide at this revelation and he rises from his throne. "Then I shall make for Asgard at once to negotiate the marriage terms and the Casket as dowry payment for your hand!" Laufey is practically giddy.
"NO! Father, listen to me. That is exactly the wrong thing to do. What Thor and I have is fragile and new. It is strictly between us. Odin has neither encouraged nor discouraged our courtship, but merely stood back and given us room to let it develop naturally. Odin will allow the marriage if it is something Thor wants, but he won't force him. If you show up in Asgard demanding the Casket and haggling for my hand, Thor will walk away in disgust. He will not let his heart be used as a pawn."
"So what do you suggest my son?"
"Odin doesn't need our people to repair his wall. The job is an excuse to let me travel back and forth to Asgard to oversee our men. It gives me time with Thor. All I need is to be left alone and be given time to be courted. There is little that be done on your part at this stage."
Laufey regards his tiny son with new found respect. In his youth, Laufey had rushed to glory and war. Having sat upon the throne of Jotunnheim for only a year he used the Casket to attack Midgard and claim the fertile lands therein. Nearly his entire reign has been without the benefit of the Casket to care for his people and his land. Laufey has had to squash many an uprising over the course of his time on the throne. In his youth he called to war and now he has had his fill of it.
"Very well little one. Proceed with your courtship, but keep me apprised of any developments of importance. I will review those scrolls and have them back to you by the morning. Welcome home."
"Thank you father." Loki struts from the throne room with his head held high as every noble Jotunn and warrior look upon him with amazement.
XxXxXxXx
Laufey reviewed the trade deals and signed all of them without reservation or complaint. Loki wrote a letter to the Allfather informing him that his father has accepted the project and that men would be forthcoming. He places the letter on the metal disk positioned below the oculus in the ceiling in the library.
"Heimdall, please see that this message gets to the Allfather, and that my other message gets to Thor. Thank you." Loki speaks to the sky. The letters disappear in a golden rainbow light. He'd stayed up late penning the letter to Thor, trying to think of all the things he wanted to say.
To my beloved Prince Thunder Pants,
Our trial begins. Upon my return home my father looked to deny the construction project outright, fearing it was a trap. I had no choice but to inform my father of the existence of our relationship. As predicted he became overeager to get the casket back. I had to talk him out of doing something rash.
It felt odd returning home after having been in the company of people that are my size. I am even more acutely aware of my short stature here and long to return to Asgard. I miss you. Your warm smile and open honest nature is a breath of fresh air. Jotunnheim's nobles now whisper about me in dark corners. I'm not sure if I like this new development or not.
Not surprising, my brother Helblindi is working to undermine my new found success. He continues to denounce the deals I have made and the upcoming wall project in Asgard. Thankfully father ignores him. The man is the second born, and his insecurity and jealousy towards Bylestir is often targeted at me. I'm sick of the childishness of it.
I look up at the starry sky here and wonder if you are looking up as well. I think of you at night my darling, and your sweet overeager desire. I feel constant anticipation at seeing you again. With luck organizing the laborers and construction materials will take roughly ten days, and then I can be in your arms again…naked, wet, eager…with my legs closed.
Think of me tonight.
Loki
With the news that laborers will be needed to travel to the other realms for great construction projects, the people in the city rejoice. Loki meets with the council of the Builder's Guild to discuss the details of each project. Wood cutters are dispatched to fill the trade orders and Loki takes time personally selecting a dozen Jotunns to accompany him to Asgard to work on the southern wall.
On the morning of the third day Helblindi intercepts a letter from Asgard and takes it directly to his father.
To My Darling Prince of Virtue,
It has been but three days and yet I feel as though an eon has passed since I last saw your face. The wine has no flavor, nor the food. I feel as though I cannot breathe. Sif and the others have enjoyed trouncing me during our spars. Fandral has officially dubbed me useless. They say I am lovesick. Never before had I considered it a true illness, but now I find I am not whole while you are gone. In your absence my fondness has grown all the more and I am eager for your return.
I read your letter and found comfort and humor in your misfortunes with your family. I am glad you convinced your father to change his mind. I might have had to kidnap you outright if he hadn't. I look up at the stars at night now and think of you. I think of all the intimacies we have yet to share and of the moment when you will finally writhe beneath me in pleasure and joy. I see us in a field of wildflowers, consecrating our union before all of nature. Return to me my love.
Sincerely,
The Poet Thor hired to write this
Loki bursts into laughter in spite of the humiliating circumstance. Laufey is reading Thor's love letter to Loki out loud before the entire court. Laufey's brow furrows at the last line of the letter. He doesn't understand how Loki could find it so humorous.
Helblindi had not taken the time to read the letter before presenting it to his father. He'd assumed that there would be something treasonous and damning in the letter. He certainly did not expect words of love and devotion from the son of Odin, or for his father to find it so entertaining. Nevertheless, he is enjoying humiliating Loki.
