Haha, reading the reviews for the last chapter was very funny. I know it took a while, sorry about that. I also apologize for this chapter. I like this chapter a lot, and it's been formulating in my mind for a while now so I was very excited to write it, but I apologize a little for the end. But only a little. Please PLEASE review!

Disclaimer: I only own the original characters, the rest belongs to Marvel. And that part when Odin is about to make Thor king and the Frost Giants attack and he's not king? You know that scene that's totally quoted word-for-word in this chapter? Yeah, that belongs to Marvel, too.

Chapter 10 - Coronation

Kiera woke up early the next morning to help get the palace ready for the afternoon's coronation. She was groggy and rubbed her eyes, trying to wake herself up. A tiny pang of guilt nudged at her for not helping Niva with the preparations for coronation the previous day. There was so much still to be done. Stretching, she swung her legs off the side of her bed, revealing her too-short jeans.

Suddenly the previous evenings' activities flooded her brain. Midgard. New York City. The kiss.

The kiss…

Had this been a strange and wonderful dream? She could almost still feel Loki's soft lips on hers and his fingers entwined in her hair. And then, of course, she had ruined it with her stupid "gift." Typical. She would have to replace those drapes.

She sat on her bed hardly daring to believe he felt the same way about her that she had felt for so many years. But what now? Now that they both had quite established the fact that they liked each other, could they ever be a couple? She could have sat there and contemplated these things for hours, but there was so much work to be done and mere hours until coronation.

She washed up and changed into a comfortable blue dress before heading out to find Niva in the grand entrance hall. Servants ran about the palace in a frenzy preparing food, hanging banners, polishing floors, and performing countless other tasks to make the palace look more glorious than ever. Kiera made her way to the kitchens, dreading making an appearance there when she had dismissed her duties the previous day. At least she had Loki to back up her story.

Thinking about Loki made her blush.

Kiera spent the next several hours washing the ornate silver and gold plates, utensils, and goblets to be used for the feast following the coronation. The hours passed slowly. Loki had other duties to perform elsewhere in the palace, and Kiera could not wait to see him again after the events from the previous night.

When the dishes were finally stacked into neat piles in the dining hall, Kiera looked around for a while trying not to get in the other servants' way before she finally found Niva carrying a towering pile of linens in her arms.

"Kiera, I need you now! Please follow me!" Niva said, hurrying down the hall looking slightly panicked. Kiera followed her.

"What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to go to the armory, find Thor and Loki's helmets, and polish them. Honestly, I was told this was done days ago, but apparently the simpleton who was supposed to do it forgot and now it is left to me…"

"Don't worry, I'm on it." Kiera hurried off to the armory, nearly getting bowled over by an army of servants and attendants in the process. When she arrived, she found the two helmets sitting on a high shelf – one silver with wings adorning the sides that she recognized from her first day in Asgard and the other gold with two long curved horns. She set herself to work on polishing, humming softly to herself.

It took a very long time to ensure that there was not a smudge left on the helmets and that they were ready for the coronation. Not a moment after she had finished, a servant came bounding to the door. He looked around frantically before laying eyes on Kiera and the helmets. "Have those been polished?" he said, panting heavily.

"Um, yeah, I just finished."

"Oh, good! I completely forgot the helmets still needed polishing and coronation is just about to begin! What would I have done without you? Thank you, thank you!"

Kiera handed him the helmets, and he took off down the corridor. Kiera was disappointed that she would not get to deliver them herself. She wanted desperately to see Loki, needing to know that last night had not been her imagination or a fantastical dream. She would talk to him after coronation. He was undoubtedly busy in preparation anyway.

Kiera quickly returned to her room and changed into her flowy silver dress that had once belonged to Sif, perfect for an occasion such as this. She stood in front of the mirror and pinned her hair up into what she hoped was an acceptable up-do. Gazing at herself, she was struck by how much older she looked in this ensemble. She had a much more feminine shape now than when she had first arrived and had grown just enough that she filled the dress out perfectly. The slit that she had thought was so scandalous when she was sixteen and new to the realm now seemed elegant, and even a bit sexy. The new sandals she had bought for the occasion complimented the dress perfectly.

Kiera made her way to the crowded grand hall, where the whole of Asgard had gathered for Thor's coronation. She located the place where the servants and attendants were to stand. Music played grandly, filling the room with excitement and anticipation. Kiera took in all the sights, glancing around at the excited faces in the large crowd, craning their necks for a sneak peak at their new king. New banners and tapestries hung from the lofted ceiling, and the pillars gleamed from the healthy polishing they had received in the week leading up to the coronation. Kiera could make out Odin seated on his throne at the top of the staircase, with Frigga the queen by his side.

The music flourished majestically, signaling the beginning of the festivities. First down the aisle came a chorus of horns and drummers beating furiously. Then a legion of guards walked in perfect sync in rows, lining the hall. Following them was Loki, looking especially attractive in his best armor. The Warriors Three and Sif followed him and they all stood on the stairs at the front of the room, looking out over the throng of people.

Then a loud cheer erupted from the crowd as Thor emerged, clad in his best armor and winged helmet, clutching Mjolnir in his hand. He raised the hammer in triumph before following the rest of the nobility to the front of the room, smiling and waving grandly. He milked it for all it was worth, finally settling to one knee before Odin's throne. Odin stood, raised his staff, and struck the floor with it, quieting the chattering people immediately. He rose to his feet and spoke.

"Thor Odinson," Odin's voice thundered throughout the hall. "My heir, my firstborn, so long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolnir forged in the heart of a dying star. Its power has no equal. It is a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. 'Tis a fit companion for a king."

Kiera glanced from Thor to Loki who stood on the stairs opposite her. She could see him trying to contain the jealousy that was creeping onto his face. Normally he did a fairly decent job of hiding it – today was another story.

"I have defended Asgard and the lives innocent across the nine realms in the time of great beginning. The time has come to appoint a new leader. A leader who will protect the realms from threat and safeguard the citizens of every realm from danger.

"Thor, Do you swear to guide the nine realms?"

"I swear," Thor said, emphatically.

"And do you swear to preserve the peace?"

"I swear."

"And do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realm?"

"I swear!" He lifted Mjolnir high in the air in triumph.

"Then on this day I Odin Allfather proclaim you…" Suddenly, Odin stopped speaking. He stood stock still, the suspense and tension building. All eyes were on him, and when he spoke, his words threw the hall into panic.

"The Frost Giants."

After a moment of shock the hall burst into a flurry of activity. Some people screamed, others whispered to each other anxiously, and others ran in the direction of the weapons vault. Kiera tried to get to Loki to ask him what was going on, but he ran out of the room after Thor and Odin, leaving her sandwiched in the crowd of people around her. She stood on her tiptoes to try to find someone, anyone, who could tell her what to do. Finally, she found Niva pushing through the crowd toward her.

"Niva, what's happening?" she yelled over the noise.

"The Jotuns have found a way into the palace unbeknownst to anyone. They broke into the weapons vault to try to steal back their source of power."

"The Frost Giants are here?"

"The Destroyer took care of them, but we still do not know how they got inside. Come with me. We will see where we are needed."

Kiera followed Niva through the winding corridors until they eventually found Frigga sitting in a small room next to the study, a hand pressed to her forehead.

"What is the news, my queen?" Niva said, giving a little bow.

Frigga rubbed her temples. "It seems there were only a few Jotuns and the Destroyer took care of them. Odin and the princes went to the weapons vault to assess the damage. Two guards were killed, but the Cube is safe."

"May we be of assistance in any way?" Niva said.

"Well," Frigga sighed, "it seems Thor was a bit…frustrated with how the events of the day played out. He flipped the table with tonight's feast and…needless to say the dining hall is a bit of a mess. Would you and Kiera mind straightening up?" She looked at them apologetically.

"Not at all, your highness." Niva gave another small bow and she and Kiera walked back down the corridors toward the dining hall.

When they reached the dining hall, they could see what Frigga had meant. Servants were already tidying up after what looked like the explosion of a large bomb. Broken china that Kiera had polished only hours before lay scattered across the room, apples rolled across the floor, bits of bread were strewn about, and every surface was splattered with mead. They stood not moving for a full minute.

"I should probably change," Kiera said, stunned. She did not relish the idea of spoiling her only good dress.

"You know where to find me, my dear," Niva muttered. "I daresay we will be here for a while."

It was very late in the evening before Kiera approached Loki's door, a new set of drapes in her hand. With all the excitement at coronation she had not been able to deliver them before now, or even see him. It had taken longer than anyone expected to clean up the mess Thor had left in the dining hall. She had longed to leave and go see Loki, but there was no time. She knocked on the door and when there was no reply so she slid the door open, only to see Loki sitting on his bed, his back to her.

"Hey, I brought you new drapes to replace the ones I scorched yesterday." There was no answer. "Are you okay?"

Loki still did not answer. His body was rigid, as if he could not move even if he wanted to.

Concerned, Kiera put the new drapes down on a table and moved toward him. "Hey, what's going on?" When he still did not answer or even look at her, she sat down on the bed next to him, placing her hand on his. "Did I do something?"

Loki jerked his hand away. "No."

Startled and slightly hurt, Kiera said, "Well, obviously something's bothering you. Where were you all afternoon? I didn't see you after…well…I mean, I was cleaning up after Thor's meltdown in the dining hall…I just thought maybe I'd still see you."

Loki continued to stare blankly at the wall. He took a deep, shaking breath before responding. "We went to Jotunheim."

Kiera's mouth fell open. "Where the Frost Giants live? What in the world were you thinking? You could have been killed! Why would you do that?"

"It was Thor," Loki continued. "After those Frost Giants broke into the Weapons Vault he went into a rage. He and the others decided to go to Jotunheim to put them in their place…it was a terrible idea, I never should have agreed to go. I never should have allowed them to go - "

"What happened?" Kiera asked, fearing the worst. "Is everyone okay?"

"Fandral was wounded, but he will be alright." Loki paused, trying to collect his thoughts. "Father has banished Thor."

"What?"

"He has been sent to Midgard."

"But why?"

"Why do you think, Kiera?" Loki stood up and paced the room. "His actions were not fitting for a ruler of Asgard! Thor refuses to think before he acts, and now look at what has happened because of his arrogance! He has been banished and we are once again at war with Jotunheim! And to make matters worse, Father has fallen into the Odinsleep, leaving me to rule Asgard, but I cannot rule because I'm a…"

He stopped pacing and collapsed back on his bed, burying his face in his hands.

"Loki…are you king?"

Loki did not answer. He was shaking terribly.

"Loki, sorry to sound stupid, but what's Odinsleep?"

Loki dragged his fingers through his black hair before answering. "Surely you have noticed that time operates differently here than in Midgard. It has less of an effect on us than on humans. Odin is the Allfather, and as such he must remain a constant, unwavering presence in Asgard. However, once in a great while, he needs to regain his strength and power through Odinsleep. It usually lasts a number of days, but this time there was no warning and Mother fears he will not awaken."

"Why was there no warning? Was he upset because of Thor?"

Loki shook his head.

"Look, whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be alright." She reached out and touched his shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" Loki snapped, covering his face.

Kiera dropped her hand and stood up. "What has gotten into you?"

"Father did not fall into the Odinsleep because of Thor. It was because of me."

"I don't understand. What did you have to do with any of this?"

"Not what I have done, Kiera. What I am."

Loki dropped his hands into his lap and looked up at her. His normally green eyes were bright red.

"Loki, your eyes…" Kiera stared at them fearfully. Without warning, every inch of his skin slowly transformed into a chilling blue color, spreading from his face all the way to the tips of his fingers. Raised lines zigzagged across his face and arms in an eerie design. Kiera stood up and backed away in a panic. "Loki, what is going on?"

"I am a Jotun, Kiera," Loki spat, standing up and walking slowly toward her. "I am one of them. I am the son of their king. Odin stole me as a baby and made me believe I could become king of Asgard. But he knew he could not do that. How could he explain to the people of Asgard why a monster sat upon the throne? Why they were ruled by the very thing they feared the most? Odin only pretended to love me as a son while all the while his only purpose for me was to trick the Jotuns into a false sense of peace!"

He was inches from her now so her back was pressed against the wall. "Look at me! This is who I am! A cursed and disgusting…thing! Nothing more than a stolen prince of Jotunheim!"

He violently swept a stack of books off their shelf, sending them tumbling to the floor. He sat down once again on the bed, covering his face in shame.

Kiera took a deep breath. Words of comfort would not come. She stood stock still for what seemed like hours, watching Loki's body shake. Finally, she hesitantly crossed the room and sat down next to him. "Loki, how can I help?"

"Do not mock me."

"What do you mean?"

"Do not insult me by trying to pretend I am not a monster."

"This doesn't change who you are!" Kiera shouted. "It doesn't matter - "

"You are right," Loki interrupted, standing and clenching his fists. "This does not change who I am. I have always been a monster. Except nobody was ever polite enough to tell me."

"Loki, it doesn't have to be like this."

"You do not know what it is like!" he yelled, whirling around to face her, his scarlet eyes blazing. "I was discarded like rubbish, left to die, and then lied to my whole life by the man I called my father. Always coming in second to Thor, always inferior. You have no idea what it is like to be abandoned and alone. You are only a naïve Midgardian. Do not pretend to understand."

He stormed out of the room, slamming the door hard behind him. Kiera stood, unable to move. A tear rolled down her cheek as his words stung her. Because she did understand. She understood all of it. And now she was once again alone.

2013 EDIT: More details, descriptions, and the like. I sincerely hope the conversation at the end of this chapter doesn't come across as too cheesy.