Greetings all! Please forgive the long wait for this chapter. I have been focusing a lot of some other stories and unfortunately but this one on hold for a bit. but I'm back and am ready to finish it! I'm guessing it's only have another 5 chapters or so and the next one will involve a time jump. I hope you like it!


For 4 nights Astrid waited for another dream from Loki. After the third night, she had given up hope that any of what had occurred between them was more than her own subconscious toying with her. He was locked away for life and she would never see him again, in any capacity. After waking up yet again unfulfilled, Astrid washed, dressed and headed for the hall of records. Once alone with her precious books and scrolls, Astrid walked a lap around the entire hall. Then she did a second lap and finally a third. As she prepared to do a fourth, she stopped before the section of the Jotunheim. Looking up at the fairly narrow, about 10 feet wide, floor to ceiling book shelf. For a long moment, she stood there looking up. The section was the smallest of the nine realms but it made her feel smaller than the rest. With a shaking hand, Astrid removed an emerald green volume, brought it to the nearest table and opened it.

"Steady your breathing," Thor instructed his nephew. "Keep both eyes open, fools will instruct you to gauge the target with one eye. But a true marksman knows it is the perspective of both eyes aligning with the arrows point that makes a perfect shot."

Lukas held his bow and arrow firmly, taking in Thor's teachings. Thor continued, "When you can visualize your mark, exhale and relieve your hold on the arrow. Trust that it will go where intended."

Lukas let his grip on the arrow go and it flew hitting its target perfectly at the center. The boy jumped in the air with joy. "I did it!"

Thor laughed proudly at the boy. "Indeed, you did. That's very good! I can imagine how well you'll fair with daggers one day. We'll make a fierce warrior of you yet."

At the mention of daggers, his father's weapon of choice, Lukas' eyes widened. "Oh, please uncle? Let me try with daggers?"

Thor hesitated, "Though I'm sure you will do finely, I fear my life should your mother find out."

"I won't tell her! I promise! It'll be our secret, please?"

Thor looked down at his nephew, "Perhaps when I return, I must depart with the warriors tomorrow. There is much unrest in the realms that we must bring to culmination."

Lukas looked down disappointed. "How long will you be gone?"

Thor dropped to one knee, "Fret not lad, I will return as soon as I am able. With all manner of stories to tell you. Some of which I'm sure your mother will not approve."

Lukas perked up at the prospect of his uncle's battle tales. "What realm will you go to first?"

"Svartalfheim, a land of jagged mountains with caves as convoluted as labyrinths." Thor's voice deepened to exacerbate his explanation. "The dwarves that inhabit those caves are master craftsmen. If you behave yourself and take good care of your mother, I may be inclined to bring you one of their many fine yields."

"I will uncle, I promise."

Thor scruffed Lukas' hair, "That's a good lad. Now come, we are expected for the farewell banquet the All Father is holding in the warrior's honor. You did well today," Thor pulled Lukas into a warm hug. Lukas hugged him back with genuine affection. He knew he was supposed to be spying on his uncle but he couldn't help enjoying their time together.

Still in the embrace, Thor spoke works fondness to his nephew. "I'm proud of you son."

That made Lukas stiffen. Thor called him son. Lukas immediately pulled from Thor's arms. He was not Thor's son, he was Lokison, always and forever. Thor could never take Loki's place. With that one word Lukas stomped out any part of himself that had begun attaching to Thor. They rode back to the palace in silence.

When they returned Lukas told Thor he was not feeling well and would miss the banquet. Believing the child to be just fine but perhaps too melancholy to celebrate his uncle's departure, Thor handed Lukas to the care of his nurse instructing her to see that he drank some tea for his aching stomach and that he tried to eat something before going to bed. She agreed of course and ushered Lukas away. Thor bit back the ache that Lukas didn't want to see him leave. It reminded him of himself and Loki as children whenever their father had to leave for one battle or another. They often feared their beloved father wouldn't come back. As much as Lukas' reaction caused Thor hurt, it also brought him a form of joy. For this meant that his hopes were coming into fruition and his nephew had truly accepted him. He smiled to himself and turned to dress for dinner.

After some bitter tea and bread with butter Lukas told Ana he wanted to sleep. It was not yet sunset but the nurse smiled warmly at her charge and tucked him in. When he was alone, Lukas focused his energy and transported to his father's cell.

"Hello dad," Lukas greeted Loki.

Loki smiled and hugged his son. "Hello my boy. You've not come to see me in a few days. I was beginning to worry."

"Sorry dad, Thor and Odin had me doing all sorts of things that tired me out. I only got away today because Thor is leaving."

Loki nodded, "I see, where to?"

"Svartalfheim, he said there are wars starting in the realms and he and the warriors are being sent to deal with them. He doesn't know how long he'll be gone."

Loki smiled, "That's excellent. You are doing very well. How long can you stay?"

"An hour at least, I told my nurse I was feeling sick and wanted to sleep. She believes greatly on the healing power of rest so she won't disturb me."

"Good, shall we continue with our lesson from last week?"

"Yes please," Lukas sat eagerly at his father's feet and Loki retrieved one of his books.

"Now, as I mentioned, Machiavelli was a human. However, his standpoints on princely behavior and expectations are quite profound. He writes:

it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity. Therefore, putting on one side imaginary things concerning a prince, and discussing those which are real, I say that all men when they are spoken of, and chiefly princes for being more highly placed, are remarkable for some of those qualities which bring them either blame or praise; and thus it is that one is reputed liberal, another miserly...; one is reputed generous, one rapacious; one cruel, one compassionate; one faithless, another faithful... And I know that every one will confess that it would be most praiseworthy in a prince to exhibit all the above qualities that are considered good; but because they can neither be entirely possessed nor observed, for human conditions do not permit it, it is necessary for him to be sufficiently prident that he may know how to avoid the reproach of those vices which would lose him his state...

…So you see, to be a good prince, you my son, must do what is necessary which is not always what is popular. There will be many time when indispensable actions will attack your conscious. One day you will be King. As King you will be confronted with many a task that will lose you simple pleasures such as friends. This is a burden you much be prepared to bear."

Lukas observed his father closely, taking in every word he wanted to make his father proud and becoming King was something Lukas had begun to deeply desire. Not just any King however, but the sort of King Loki would be honored to call his son.

Seeing the intensity in his son's eyes Loki smiled and continued his lesson. "Let me give you an example. Let us pretend you are now King of Asgard. A man is brought to you having committed a crime of theft. He explains his thievery was a desperate act brought upon by the potential starvation of his family. The penalty for this act is the loss of one of the man's hands. This brutal punishment so chosen so all thieves will know the price they will pay should they do it again. Now this man is a laborer. Losing one of his hands will result in him never finding work again thus insuring the starvation of his family which was the cause of his action in the first place. What do you do?"

Lukas thought for a moment. "I would send soldiers to seek out his family to see if his reasons were true or not."

"Then what?"

"If his words prove to be true, I would pardon him and find him employment to prevent him from steeling again."

"That is fair, but is it affective enough?"

"If he is telling the truth then it is a sign that there is poverty in my kingdom. That's something no king should tolerate."

Loki pointed his finger at Lukas in a fast gesture of approval. "That's excellent. But what if his words are proven false?"

Lukas considered the gruesome punishment and asked himself if he could condemn any man to that fate. Even if the law dictated it was what the man deserved. But being King meant he had to stomach these things. Especially the kind of king Loki expected him to be.

"I would punish him as the law dictates." Lukas answered sternly.

"Very good. Now allow me to give you a different example." Loki chose his words for this hypothetical situation carefully.

"You have a close group of friends, while you have known them for a long while and are rather fond of them in your own way, they favor another above you. Now you are King and they are displeased. They commit actions to overthrow you and replace you with the one they esteem higher than you. Now these people you had thought to be your friends and expected them to rally behind you. How would you act?"

"Their actions would be treason dad."

"Yes, but they are your friends, aren't they?"

"But you just said a good king doesn't always have the luxury of friends. And if they could betray me, they were never truly my friends."

Loki "Well said, so how would you proceed?"

Lukas didn't hesitate when giving his father his answer. With a serious look and one quick motion, Lukas dragged his thumb across his throat. A gesture that meant death.

Loki's smile was less warm and fatherly than before. The air of it much more on the sinister side. "My sentiments exactly." As quickly as the dark look came, it went. Loki's face now the picture of fatherly pride in his progeny. "I believe that's all we have time for on this visit, here." Loki handed Lukas another quarts stone. "You remember what to do with this?"

Lukas nodded, "Under mum's bed. Dad? What are these for anyway?"

"I project my consciousness into the stone and it allows me to interact with your mother. When you return it to me the next day I can experience the interaction for myself. I want you to know Lukas, I love your mother. Very much. When I am free, I will come for the both of you and I will make her my queen. And when you are old enough we will hand the throne of Asgard into your hands."

Lukas light up. "I'll bring you more quarts every day!"

Loki laughed and hugged his child. "Go on then, I'll see you tomorrow."

"I love you dad,"

"And I you my son." Lukas smiled one last time at his father and returned to his room. Carefully he snuck into his mother's room and placed the stone under her bed. He then returned to his room and jumped back into bed with dreams of his family one day becoming whole.

Hours later, Astrid was anxious for sleep after the banquet. Before handing herself over to slumber, she entered Lukas' chamber and saw him sleeping soundly. Thor had told her of Lukas' ailment earlier that day and while she was rather sure it was all pretend, as Thor said he only showed signs to sickness after learning of his uncle's eminent departure. Gently she brushed her hand over his brow and was relieved he was not warm with fever. Feeling satisfied with her findings, Astrid returned to her room and dressed for bed. As she lay enveloped by her comforter and pillows her mind again drifted to that dream on Loki. As hard as it was to admit, she missed him.

"You are a fool beyond measure Astrid," She said to herself. How could you miss someone you didn't know? Well that wasn't exactly true, she did know Loki carnally, and she knew plenty about him. But did she know him? She liked to think she did. Think that she understood him and on a way loved him. Shaking her head in frustration, Astrid turned on her side and fell fast asleep.

"Hello, my love," that deep velvet voice greeted.

Astrid came too and saw Loki lying beside her. "Loki?"

"Have you forgotten me already?" He asked only marginally serious.

"I had begun to think it was a dream. I mean I know this is a dream but I thought it was my dream not you dreaming in my dream. I'm not making any sense, am I?"

Loki laughed slightly, "Not entirely but I apprehend you meaning."

"Is this truly you?" She asked. "I could not stand to think all this is my own mind tormenting me."

"No my darling, this is I coming to you. It took some time to harness my magic so I could return. How have you been?"

"Keeping busy as you can imagine. The All Mother made me the royal records keeper. The library was upside-down but I've managed to organize nearly all of it."

"Impressive, how are you managing with the dialects?"

"Slowly becoming fluent in all of them."

Loki smiled "You truly are a wonder."

"Actually I learned some things and you are the only person in this world that might be interested in them."

"Is that so? Of what do you speak?" Loki brushed his hand over Astrid's cheek savoring her warmth and softness.

"It's about our people, the Jotnar." Loki turned cold at the mention of the Jotunheim.

"Astrid, there is nothing to be learned of them. They are a barbaric race that should be eradicated."

Astrid was taken aback by Loki's curtness. "How can you believe thus? They are where we come from."

"No, they are where we were birthed and discarded. I am of Asgard, you Midgard. That's all there is to it."

His tone was direct, this subject clearly made him feel uncomfortable. If she were a meek woman, she would have let the subject end there. Being that she was not, she pushed it farther. "But aren't you the least bit curious? For example, why do we appear in the light of our adopted parents? Do you know?"

"No and I don't care to know."

"It's because our biology resembles a reptilian nature. As infants, we imprint on our parents and take on an appearance that reflects theirs. You imprinted on Oden and I on my father. But I suppose when in contact with traces of our true born realm any false façade we project becomes unfounded. That's why you never saw your true face till you came in contact with the jewel."

"Astrid," Loki's voice was warning now.

"It's why we can only reproduce with our own kind. I mean, how can you not want to understand these things. Lukas is truly a miracle child. What are the odds that we two would cross paths and conceive him?"

"The Jotunar are monsters. That's all you need to know!" he rose his voice in anger and sat up, his back to Astrid, feet on the floor.

Astrid gave Loki his space. He took a breath and dropped his head, "I'm sorry, you were not brought up as I. I loathe the Jotunheim. Loathe that I am one of them in any way. You couldn't possibly understand."

Astrid sat up and scooted to Loki's side. "You're wrong, I do understand. I purposely avoided the Jotunheim section from the start. I feared what I would learn of them, of myself. But knowing I was not alone gave me the strength to finally begin. I needed to know what they are. I've now read four volumes and nothing in them mentions them to be anything but a primitive civilization. They are not monsters." She wrapped her arms around Loki and pressed her cheek to his back. "You are not a monster." She answered his worst fear.

"You would not think as such if you know the things I've done."

"Like killing your biological father or attempting to enslave Midgard?"

So, she had been informed. He began breathing heavily at the prospect of these truths driving yet another a wedge between them.

Astrid continued, "I don't like the things you've done, but I do understand why you did them and I do not think you a monster. How can I believe that of the father of my child?"

Loki turned to her. "What are you?" he asked in disbelief of her capacity to understand and accept him.

Astrid smiled running her fingers through his long black hair. "A cast off, who likewise knows what it feels like to not belong. To overextend yourself to prove your worth to those who raised you. I'm a woman you fell in love with you."

For a long minute, they looked into each other's eyes. Astrid played with the ends of Loki's hair and began to blush. "You know, your hair is much longer than it was that night in Oslo. I like it."

"Then I shall never cut it again." He gazed into her ice blue eyes utterly beguiled by this fierce little creature. "Astrid?" he wanted to tell her things, sweet laments of love and amorousness. But in that moment, all he could do was stair.

It was Astrid who broke the silence. "How long will your magic last tonight?"

"I'm not certain, why?"

"Because I don't wasn't to waste a moment of it." With that, Astrid sealed her mouth over his. He laid her down on the bed as they devoured each other. It was something along the line of ironic that their first night together seemed like a dream and their second literally was a dream. But that night, dream or no dream, Astrid and Loki made love.

She they held tightly to one another, Astrid felt everything. Their hands gripped each other as Loki's body found its way home within her. Their rhythm like a dance they'd done a thousand times and yet was foreign to them both.

"Tell me you love me Astrid, tell me this is forever."

"It is, it is forever, I love you Loki always."

"Promise me I'm the only man you will ever love."

"I promise,"

As Loki spent himself inside her, Astrid joined him. Their apogee the stuff of song. Loki pulled Astrid into his arms and kissed her forehead, the both of them quivering with ecstasy.

Loki could feel his magic start to dissipate. There was less than a minute left before he would be gone from her. He tilted her chin up to meet his eyes and with his last moments of magic stated his deepest desire.

"Marry me, when I am free. Marry me Astrid."

Astrid was stunned, "Loki, I…" he was gone. His magic had run out and he was gone.

Into the nothingness of her empty dream state, Astrid called out to him with her heart and answered, though he could not hear her, "Yes."

The next morning, the All Father, All Mother, Astrid, Lukas and the royal guard gathered at the newly repaired rainbow bridge and bifrost. They prepared to bid the warriors and Thor farewell. The fearsome team all on one knee as Odin gave them his blessing.

"Many a year has passed since the last wars were fought. We have known peace for a long enough. Now the realms have seen a glimpse of the wars of old and the sight has inspired a darkness to spread. This darkness must be brought to a heel. I trust that you all will be the tonic that settles this unrest and return the realms to the armistice we have so relished. Arise."

They stood to their feet and Odin continued, "Thor, Odinson, I give you the power of the All Father on this venture to the realms. You will be the stretch of my hand in all matters. And when all is within accord, you will return to Asgard and finally ascend to the throne."

"I will make you proud father." Thor spoke with the strength of a king.

Odin nodded and embraced his eldest son. "Now go and kiss you mother and sister."

Odin stepped back, giving Thor leave to hug his family goodbye. Frigga cried as all mothers in every realm did when their children went off to war. "I will return mother." Thor spoke softly to the older woman.

"I know you will. Just be safe my darling boy." She kissed Thor's cheek and stepped aside to give Astrid her turn.

"Is it weird that I don't want you to go?" Astrid asked holding back tears. She honestly loved Thor as her brother. The thought of him coming to any hard was killing her.

"Not at all sister, if it were my choice, I would be here with you and Lukas preparing for a hunt. But honor and duty must come first."

She nodded. "Well then, duty calls I suppose." Thor pulled Astrid into a bear hug that lifted her off the ground. They laughed with an air of sadness and kissed each other's cheeks. "If my travels bring me to the Earth realm, I will bring you your precious coffee."

Astrid laughed again "Just bring yourself back."

Thor went down on his knees and came eye to eye with a very angry Lukas. "Nephew? Will you not wish your uncle well?"

"Good luck," Lukas said through gritted teeth.

"I know you are angry with me, but know that I will return. When I do we can start on those daggers."

"Don't trouble yourself uncle." Lukas snapped out of his mother's hold and ran full speed back across the bridge towards Asgard.

"Lukas wait!" Thor shouted but it was to no avail.

"I'm sorry Thor. I feel like I'm always apologizing for him lately." Astrid said, truly upset with her son's behavior.

"It's alright sister, he lost one father and feels he is now losing his uncle just when we started to get close. I will make things right with him when I return." Thor caressed Astrid's cheek reassuringly then gave final looks to his mother and father before entering the bifrost with his warriors and blasting off to the first of the realms.

After wiping away her tears Astrid hurried back to the palace to find Lukas but he was nowhere to be found. He was not in his room or the gardens or the library. He was not in the great hall, the kitchens or the servant's stairs where he enjoyed playing.

"This is not funny Lukas." Astrid said though her son was nowhere he could hear her. Lukas had always loved hiding but something about this was different. Returning to his room Astrid waited for over an hour for Lukas to appear. Then he did, from out of nowhere he appeared in the middle of the room. She was not shocked by his magical appearance but she demanded to know where he had gone.

"You will tell me this instant where you have been young man."

Lukas was a willful child but when his mother used that tone, he knew he was in serious trouble. "I was in the gardens."

"No you were not, I checked there." Lukas opened his mouth to lie again but Astrid stopped him. "And before you sprout another lie, I warn you I will know. Now the truth. What were you doing and where did you go?"

Lukas looked down "I was in the dungeons… talking to dad."

"You were where?!" Astrid was furious.

Lukas began to speak at a rapid pace. "I needed to see him! You don't understand! It wasn't enough just seeing him that one time! I wanted to know him and be his son for real. He wants us to be a family and he loves me and you. He is good! Not evil like everyone thinks and he wants me to be king one day!"

The shock was written all over Astrid's face. Lukas had been visiting with Loki? "For how long?"

Lukas hesitated. "How long Lukas?" Astrid's voice was harsher this time.

"Since right after that first visit, when he was chained up."

"Dead god," Astrid sighed. Months, Loki and Lukas had been seeing each other for months. "Did you say he wants you to be king?"

Lukas swallowed hard but said nothing. "Out with is Lukas!"

"He's teaching how to rule for when he escapes. He will be king and then I will be when I grow up. He says uncle Thor and the warriors are traitors and that he is the rightful King of Asgard."

Astrid needed to sit. "Lukas, do you know the danger you have put yourself in?"

"Dad wouldn't hurt me."

"No not from your father, I believe he loves you but Lukas he is a prisoner. Held on counts of treason. By seeing him as you have, and discussing the things you have, you could be held for treason as well, as could I for knowing this. He is feeding you lies Lukas. Is this why you changed your mind and started doing things with your uncle? To report everything back to your father?" Astrid shook her head in disbelief. "It ends today, you are not to see him again."

"No! how come you get to see him and I can't!?" Lukas shouted.

"What are you talking about?" Astrid asked.

"The rocks, the ones he gave me to put under your bed so he could see you in your dreams."

Astrid felt all the blood in her face turn to ice. "You, helped him? The dreams were at your aid? Who are you Lukas? I did not raise you to be this deceitful creature that stands before me. We promised to always be honest with each other and you've been lying about everything for months."

Lukas looked upset that he's been caught lying to his mother for so long. He started to cry. "He wanted to see you again, he loves you. I just wanted us to be a family, finally."

Tears ran down Astrid's cheeks. She pulled her son into her arms and together they sobbed. She had failed him as a mother. She did not see this coming and so her baby boy fell into the hold of his father. While she truly believed, Loki was not evil, he was dangerous by association and his encouragement could have gotten Lukas in more trouble that she could imagine.

On a lesser though somewhat equally painful level, Astrid sobbed because she was in love with Loki. She always had. She told herself that their dream visits were dreams and therefore didn't count as conspiring with a traitor. But now she realized she'd been lying to herself.

"You cannot continue this Lukas, neither can I. We must let your father go onto his fate. Did you say something about stones?"

Lukas sniffled and nodded. "Quarts stones, I find them for him and bring them to him. Then he does his magic and tells me to put them under your bed."

"Has he given you another?" She asked softly.

"Yes," Lukas reached into his pocket and pulled out a white rock that glittered in the light.

"Give it here," Astrid held out her hand. "Tonight you will sleep in my room and until I say otherwise you are punished. Ana will be with you at all times with instructions to test your corporeal form at random. I will ask your grandmother for herbs to help you sleep at night so you cannot go to your father whilst alone. I will use this stone one last time this night as I have some words for your father then I will see him no longer. Am I understood?"

Lukas looked down devastated. He was losing his father yet again. All he could do was nod his head and cry.


so ya... Loki is due for a serious reaming! Please let me know what you think. I really tried to come up with some explanations for the Jotunheim and will explore more of their history and what not in the next chapter.

Please, please review!

~SL