And I'm back. Hazzar! Though real life has been taking up more of my time then I'd like lately so I may have to start doing fortnightly chapter posts for the time being.
Anyway hope you all enjoy.
They had been expecting the bright beam of the Bifrost's portal, as Thor was to return with Asgard's queen to make a magic copy of the video footage for Loki's trial. The Director was clued in so they didn't have to worry about any surprise calls demanding answers, and by now Tony was convinced the rest of New York didn't even pay the colourful beam of light any attention any more, it just seemed like part of the normal everyday after all the resent coming and goings.
And just as expected the Bifrost lit up the evening sky, though this time it wasn't in Central Park but the Towers quinjet pad. Much to Tony's dismay, he now had norse patterns and squiggles decorating his beautiful tower. What none of them were expecting, however, was the return of the Avengers not so favourite black haired god.
"Don't say a word." Steve warned Tony in a low whisper as Thor entered through the huge glass doors followed closely by a sullen Loki, who wore a dark green cloak over his shoulders, and a majestic fair haired woman wearing a flowing gold and ivory gown.
"Hot dang! Thor's ma is hot." Tony gaped.
"Tony." Steve hissed elbowing the billionaire big mouth in the side. Seriously, what part of don't say a word did he not understand.
Loki did not look pleased as he walked into the room beside his mother stopping as soon as he entered the room, turning to his brother and thrusting out his arms, it wasn't until then that the other Avengers noticed the intricate metal cuffs linked around his wrists. He continued to stare sourly at Thor's chest as the blonde pulled a key from his pocket, stalking from the room and straight into the lift the second the cuffs were undone.
All heads turned as they watched the young god disappear deeper into the tower. "Should someone go after him?" Steve asked, not quite sure whether to just leave him be or not.
"Best leave him." Frigga smiled politely, though it was obvious she worried for her son. "Loki has never taken well to being publicly humiliated, and unfortunately whilst I had managed to talk Odin out of sending guards to escort Loki to the Bifrost he insisted that Loki be cuffed."
"Couldn't he have just stayed in Asgard while you returned to collect the evidence?" Bruce asked. Surely that would have saved everyone much hassle.
Thor frowned as he attached the cuffs to his belt. "We fear Loki may not be safe on Asgard right now. There are many who are not pleased with how things have been playing out, and the Trial has caused quite a stir." He explained.
"I hate to impose upon you, I know Loki has caused you and your people much pain. I am more than happy to compensate you for your trouble." The Queen of Asgard said.
Tony's eyes lit up as the word compensate left her lips, not that he lacked riches, he was a billionaire after all. But the idea of gaining Asgardian goods, perhaps some other realm metals or whatever they used to forge Thor's hammer. Just imagine an Iron man suit built like Mjolnir. Unfortunately, Steve was quick to respond.
"Please there is no need for compensation, mam." The good captain insisted politely.
"It's no trouble at all." Bruce agreed. At least he hoped Thor's brother wouldn't cause trouble.
"Oh." Thor suddenly snapped back to attention. "I have not yet introduced you, this is Captain Steven Rogers, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner." He looked around the room as the three men nodded and spoke their greetings, turning back to Tony with a slightly confused look on his face. "Where is the lady Pepper?" He asked.
"She got called in for a last minute meeting." Tony replied.
"That is a shame." he said. "Lady Natasha and the archer Clint Barton are away on assignment at the moment." he informed his mother before introducing her to his friends. "The Allmother and queen of Asgard-"
"Frigga." The queen greeted. These mortals were Thor's friends, her son trusted them as he did Sif and the warriors three, so she didn't think there was a need for such formal titles, when not on ceremony.
"It is a pleasure, I have heard so much about you all." She smiled.
"Only the good stuff I hope." Tony joked.
"Of course." Thor's mother chuckled before getting down to business. "So, I believe you have some footage for me to capture."
"Right, of course. Right this way." Tony led the two Asgardian's to the living room. Offering them a seat as he ordered Jarvis to prepare the video.
"Is there anything you require?" Steve asked. He knew nothing about spell casting and magic, and he knew that the stuff in novels and movies wasn't real, but there were always lots of weird ingredients and herbs involved.
"I require nothing but a bowl of water." Frigga said as she pulled a small clear crystal from a pocket hidden among the folds of the fabric of her dress. "This is quite a simple spell, it requires little, but concentration."
It wasn't long before everyone was gathered around the lounge, seated around Tony's tv watching Asgard's queen with interest as she stood in front of the coffee table. She gently placed the crystal in the center of the bowl of water, waiting for the water to still before giving Thor's friends the okay to start playing the footage.
She whispered the words of the spell, placing her hands above the bowl as the video began to play. Never taking her eyes from the screen in front of her as she wove the spell. A soft golden light surrounding the bowl of water as the images from the screen in front of her danced across its surface.
"So, is this like the Asardian version of a video camera?" Tony asked as he watched.
"I would be grateful if you leave any questions until mother is finished. If her concentration is disturbed the image may become blurred or distorted." Thor informed his friends quietly, so as not to ruin his mothers spell.
With a silent sigh Tony stood and made his way to the bar for a drink, he was never very good at the whole no talking thing. Pepper shook her head, but, stayed quiet as the queen continued.
As the last of the recording Jarvis played came to an end, so did Frigga's spell. The images playing across the water's surface fading into a murky darkness before swirling around the bowl, until finally the cloud of darkness was consumed entirely by the crystal at to bottom of the dish.
She reached into the bowl and plucked out the small crystal which now swam with colours, before carefully tucking it back into her gown where it would be safe.
"It is done." She announced as she sat back down with a smile. "You may ask your questions now."
Loki sat in the guest room on Thor's floor, staring blankly at one of the pillows he had tossed across the room when he had first entered it. It was not fair, not only had he been locked up upon returning home for reasons he knew not and had no memory of, along with being told he had no right to defend himself or even be present for his own trial. Upon his release from the prison so he could return to Midgard for the duration of the trial, he had been chained and lead through the city for all to see. And of course, his brother's stupid warrior friends had to be there to snicker and mock under their breath.
Oh, he would find a way to pay them back for this, something big, and most likely public. Though he knew not yet, he had already tossed around a few ideas in his head, but so far none of them seemed to be fitting enough. There was still time to think up something suitable, besides, he had other names on his list to return favours to yet, including one Tony Stark for insulting his wardrobe, even if they were night clothes, and insinuating he wears dresses.
With a sigh, he stood to collect the pillows he had tossed across the room, straightening the artwork he had almost knocked from the wall with one of them. It would not do to let anyone find out he had thrown a tantrum. And as much as he hated to admit it, throwing ones things about in a fit of rage, even if they are just pillows so as not to make noise, seeing as there were no wards on this room.
It was still a tantrum.
And while his brother may be loud and destructive and let everyone know when he is displeased or angered. Loki opted to vent in silence or if he desired to be destructive then to do so in his own chambers, warded to keep noise from traveling into the halls. As he did not wish to further disappoint his father by acting like a petulant child.
Placing to pillows neatly back in their place he moved to sit on the chair by the window. He wasn't really feeling any better than he had when they had arrived, even after his little fit. The fact that he had acted quite rude and childish in front of his mother upon arriving, ignoring Thor's mortal friends and stalking from the room without so much as acknowledging them, wasn't helping.
The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint his mother, she had not raised him to be so disrespectful. He pulled his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them as he stare out the window. Perhaps he would apologize once his mood improved some, or perhaps it would be best to wait, it was late evening after all, it might be best left till tomorrow.
He had been staring out the window for some time when his mother entered the room.
"Loki?" Frigga called quietly, unsure whether he had already retired to bed or not.
Upon seeing Loki's silhouette sitting on the chair in the dark room, lit only by the light of the city flowing through the windows, she pushed the door further open and entered the room. Heading straight to her youngest's side.
"My apologies, mother." Loki spoke before his mother had a chance to speak.
"Apologies." Frigga's brows pinched in confusion, as she knelt down in front of him.
"I acted childish and completely disregarded Thor's Midgardian allies this evening. They are aiding us, it was disrespectful of me."
"This would not bet the first time you've acted disrespectfully." The queen replied, causing his eyes to drop to the floor. "And it will most assuredly not be the last," she chuckled, catching his eyes with her own. "But you have always been one to apologise for doing so, even when apologies are undeserved."
She knew he would apologise, he had become rather adept at official apologies for little misdeeds, even if he was plotting his payback as he did so. After all, not everyone has always been worthy of the apology.
"We'll have to head back shortly to prepare for your trial." She told him as she leant forwards to give him a hug. "Make sure to behave while you are here, try not to cause too much trouble." She added with a smile.
Loki had always been drawn to mischief, its in his nature, it's who he is. And while many others had tried to deter him from such, she had always seen it better to try to steer that mischief in the right direction, rather than discourage it altogether.
But then she had always been a strong believer in encouraging her children to be themselves.
"I'll try." Loki replied, giving his mother the best grin he could muster up, though he wasn't really in the mood for smiling at the moment.
"It is time to leave." A new voice sounded as Thor entered the room. Frigga nodded, giving her youngest one last hug before standing and heading for the door. Thor knelt down in front of Loki now gently reaching up to cup his brothers face in his hands.
"I swear to you, brother, as soon as I am done with the trial I will tell you everything you wish to know. Just hang in there a little longer, okay." He promised, kissing Loki's forehead as he stood.
Ruffling his brother's hair as Loki wiped at the offending kiss with the back of his hand. "Thor," his brother growled in frustration as he fixed his hair. "Can you be any more annoying."
Thor simply chuckled as he and their mother left the room. "I shall see you soon, brother."
Thor's smile dropped as soon as he left the room. He was not looking forwards to this trial.